No Time To Lose by Carrie Weaver

After losing her job with one of the major auto manufacturers, Jamie Tanner returns home to the family business, building racing engines. Ryan Pearce is frustrated by the engine he leased from Tanner and is ready to find another supplier when Jamie shows up in his garage. But it isn’t long before Jamie finds more than just problems with Ryan’s engine. Now will Jamie became part of Ryan’s team or will she give in to her mom’s pressure to give up all the greasy stuff.

A cute story with a nice NASCAR slant. If you like romance and NASCAR, I think you might like this book.

Details: Harlequin Rush, May 2007

Excellence Rating: Very Good

Steaminess Factor: Sensual

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Hot by Stephanie Rowe

Becca Gibbs hates her job as Satan’s most senior minion and would do anything to guarantee her freedom. Nick Rawlings is the last of the Markku, a race that served Satan long ago much like Becca does today. But now someone kidnapped Nick's sister and set the randsom as Satan's death. If he doesn't kill Satan within the designated time, her kidnappers will force her to suffer a fate worse than death for all eternity. Becca is intrigued by Nick, since the Marku are the only people ever to successfully escape from Satan’s control. It also helps that Nick has a body to die for (and that’s saying something from Satan’s right hand person ). Now Becca must choose between Nick and Satan, knowing that the wrong choice will lead to eternal damnation.

I loved Becca from Stephanie’s previous stories – how can you not like Satan’s right hand, who spends half her time trying to trick the Devil into making bad decisions. Picking a hero for such a unique character must have been a real challenge, but Stephanie came through with Nick. This one is my favorite of the bunch and just might be yours too.

Details: Warner, May 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

Steaminess Factor: Yummy

Love, Lies and a Double Shot of Deception by Lois Winston

When Emma Wadsworth’s millionaire husband died under mysterious circumstances, she forced herself to live one day at a time, hoping that no one discovered his secrets. Then she met billionaire, Logan Crawford. Just when things begin to look up for Emma, the world begins to crash in slow motion. Secrets that she thought would never be revealed are now televised on the evening news. Secrets that she hoped would never see the light of day are about to land her in jail. Secrets that she prayed would remain hidden, now threaten the only man she truly loved. Now can Emma find who’s behind the leaks or will she end up paying the ultimate price for her love?

If you like really convoluted suspense stories, this book is for you. I enjoyed how Lois wove a complex mystery and what it took the heroine to unravel it. It’s a great story and I’m definitely looking forward to reading her next book.

Details: Love Spell, June 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

Steaminess Factor: Yummy

Full Throttle by Wendy Etherington

Lexie Mercer is the car chief on Kane Jackson’s car, while her father is the crew chief. With Lexie’s father always around it’s difficult for Kane to explore his feelings for Lexie, but he when he manages to sneak in a kiss, their lives are changed forever. It gives him the boost he needs to improve his on track performance and help him make the Chase for the Championship, but unfortunately it leaves Lexie with a big problem – her dad. Now can Lexie find the strength to walk away from Kane for good or will their relationship kill their career?

This story was much better than the last NASCAR story I reviewed and probably the best of the Harlequin Rush books I’ve read so far. The details are reasonably accurate and the story is very NASCAR-centric. If you’re a NASCAR fan and curious about the series, this book would be a good place to start.

Details: Harlequin Rush, May 2007

Excellence Rating: Very Good

Steaminess Factor: Sensual

Call Me Wicked by Jamie Sobrato

Someone wants Lauren Parish dead, just because she happens to a witch. Unfortunately her most recent lover Carson McCullen manages to show up at exactly the wrong time. While her world doesn’t approve of witches taking mortal lovers, Lauren is forced to take Carson with her, otherwise the witch hunters would kill him to get to her. Now forced to hide in a safe house, Lauren must remain celibate despite the hot guy with all the right moves sharing her room. Now assuming Lauren manages to escape the witch hunters, will she be able to protect Carson from the killers in her world?

While this story is a bit on the dark side, it was still enjoyable. Definitely worth reading for anyone who likes both Blaze and paranormals.

Details: Blaze #238, June 2007

Excellence Rating: Very Good

Steaminess Factor: yummy

Under Cover by MaryJanice Davidson

Sweet Strangers – Renee Jardin’s job is to protect the secrets of her employer not steal them. One day she learns that someone planted an experimental medicine worth a billion dollars on her and her employer is willing to do anything to get it back. But when she turns around and kisses one of the men after her prize, she realizes she’s in a lot more trouble than she thought.

Lovely Lies – Peter Random loses his job when his employer goes bankrupt after Renee turns over the medicine to the government. But his life takes an unusual spin when he finds a drunk girl curled up in the backseat of his car. His protective skills take over when someone attacks her and soon he finds himself with a temporary job as her bodyguard. But then he begins to wonder who is going to protect him from her.

Delightful Deception – despite her brilliant mind, Thea Foster never realized how many problems would come from sneaking the experimental medicine she created into Renee’s bag. But her biggest problem is dealing with the new owner of the company and soon after their first kiss she realizes that his plans have nothing to do with her research skills.

The three short stories are cute and somewhat connected. While not as extreme as some of her stories, all three feature MaryJanice’s quirky brand of humor and sensuality. If you love her other stories, I’m sure you love these too.

Details: Kensington, October 2003

Excellence Rating: Very Good

Steaminess Factor: yummy

Speed Bumps by Ken Casper

Gabby O’Farrell was a rookie driver on the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit. Vaughn Steiner was a former driver who found himself injured and unable to drive and Gabby has lots of potential both on and off the track. Unfortunately, Gabby’s mother has plans for her daughter and they don’t involve her driving a dangerous stock car or spending time with Vaughn. But Gabby is determined to win the championship, but Vaughn won’t settle for anything less than Gabby’s heart.

I was looking forward to reading a NASCAR book written by a guy, but I was seriously bummed by the large number of errors. A couple of errors I could forgive, but this book had so many it totally ruined the story for me. From what I could tell, Ken has never seen a NASCAR race in his life and I’m not even sure he even bothered to read any of Pamela Britton’s books. The book didn’t have a NASCAR feel in the least and I’m surprised NASCAR let it get published.

While some readers might not notice the mistakes, to a real NASCAR fan the mistakes stood out like a cowboy putting a stainless steel saddle on his horse or arming a police officer with a bow and arrow. One example of Ken's many errors has a driver doing wheelies after winning a race instead of the expected burnout and donuts. While the idea of watching a race car drive around with the front wheels off the ground sounds nice, it’s impossible to do with a race car from any NASCAR series. Assuming that Harlequin continues to publish NASCAR books, I suggest they hire someone who understands racing to find and resolve these problems before the book hits the printing press. However even if you ignore the NASCAR errors, the overall plot was still very weak with almost no conflict between the cardboard characters. If you love Ken’s books and don’t know anything about NASCAR then maybe you’ll like this one, but if you’re a NASCAR fan, I’d suggest waiting for Pamela’s next book.

Details: Harlequin Rush, May 2007

Excellence Rating: Okay

Steaminess Factor: Sensual

All About Evie by Beth Ciotta

Evie Parish’s ex-husband dumped her in favor of a younger woman, but when the producers dumped her for a younger woman at her latest audition, she went crazy and flashed the audience. Knowing that finding work after that stunt would be challenging, Evie jumped at the change for a gig on a cruise ship. Only the gig wasn’t a show. She was supposed to be arm candy for an older man, but the man proved to be the master of disguise and underneath the makeup and costumes he was an absolute hunk. Unfortunately, the hunk had plans – dangerous plans and plans that might leave her on the wrong side of the law. Now will Evie's attraction to the mysterious man guide her actions straight into jail?

I loved this story, especially since the heroine is a bit older than the average 20-something. Evie is filled with spunk and isn’t ready to let age rule her life. There’s plenty of humor throughout the story and as well as a plot with enough suspense to keep you turning the pages quickly. Try it. I think you’ll love it.

Details: HQN, May 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

Steaminess Factor: yummy

One Night with a Goddess by Judi McCoy

When Zeus orders Chloe, the Muse of Happiness, to spend a year on Earth to improve her job rating, Chloe ends up bringing happiness to mortals by working as wedding planner. Her weddings were always perfect and her services were very much in demand. And she took Zeus’s threats about falling in love with a mortal, so she had a strict policy of never dating anyone long enough to fall in love. But then Matthew Castleberry returned. At first Matthew believes Chloe is out to cheat his grandmother out of her wedding business, but soon he feels there’s something special about Chloe. Chloe senses Matthew’s feelings, but as hard as she tries to deny her own feelings, she’s not sure she can hold out until Zeus calls her home. Maybe just one night with Matthew will get him out of her system, if not, she may never see Mount Olympus again.

This is the second goddess book, following last year’s Almost a Goddess. It’s a great story, filled with plenty of humor and very believable characters. Also having a little heat doesn’t hurt . The only problem with this book is that I’m going to have to wait another year to see how the story turns out. Highly recommended.

Details: Tor, May 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

Steaminess Factor: yummy

She’s No Angel by Leslie Kelly

Trouble, Pennsylvania is the perfect place for Jennifer Feeney’s aunts considering the headaches they’ve caused lately. But Jen never figured they’d steal her car and leave her stranded without shoes in the middle of nowhere. Police detective Mike Taylor was on his way to visit his grandfather when he spotted the tall, sexy brunette walking along the side of the road. However despite their attraction to each other, neither one was willing to give up control to the other, which left both extremely unsatisfied. Meanwhile Jen’s problems spiraled out of control and so did Mike’s, and so when someone tried to kill them they had no idea which one was the target. Now can they solve the case before the murder strikes again, or will the murderer get them both.

I love the characters Leslie created, including the secondary characters who play an interesting part in the story. If you’ve been following the Trouble books, this is a must read as most of the secrets in the overall story arc will be revealed. I think you’ll love the story line and I’m looking forward to seeing Leslie’s next story theme.

Details: Tor, June 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

Steaminess Factor: yummy

Don’t Look Down by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer

Lucy Armstrong loves directing dog food commercials, but when her sister begs her to come and finish the feature film she’s working on, Lucy reluctantly agrees. But when she arrives on the set, she finds the staff demoralized, the actors out of control and the movie needs a lot more work than the four days she agreed to. But the most infuriating thing of all, was a Green Beret her lead actor hired as an advisor. Captain J.T. Wilder thought he was in for some easy money and then figured the attractive director was a bonus. But soon he learned that he was involved in his most dangerous mission to date. Now it’s up to J.T. save Lucy, her sister and the rest of the movie before everyone winds up dead.

I’ve waited nearly a year to read this book and even longer since to read a Crusie book, because Jennifer hasn’t released anything new for a while. But this one was worth the wait. Much of the story line is classic Crusie, while you can definitely tell Meyer’s influences. I can’t wait to read the next book. Highly recommended.

Details: St. Martin's, May 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

Steaminess Factor: yummy

Dirty Laundry by Tori Carrington

Sofie Metropolis’ career as a private detective is going about as well as can be expected for someone with only a few months experience. Now Sofie faces the most challenging case of her career. One of the local mobsters appears to be behind the disappearance of a local businessman and mobsters don’t appreciate anyone, looking into their business. To make matters worse, Sofie’s mother engages her services to follow her father and find out if he’s having an affair. Will Sofie survive the mob and her father and that hot bounty hunter who always manages to show up in the nick of time or will she end up as a victim of her job?

The second Sofie Metropolis book is just as good as the first with all of the Greek charm and humor I really loved. The story hangs together extremely well and I love the complex plot Lori and Tony wove. If you’re a Stephanie Plum fan, you need to check out this series. It’s a definite winner.

Details: Tor, May 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

Steaminess Factor: Sensual

Coupon Girl by Becky Motew

Jeanie Callahan ekes out a living by selling ads in for coupon mailer company. But when the boss offers a bonus of $5,000 to the person who sells the most new ads, Jeanie decides to take on the office’s overachiever to finance the purchase of a car that actually works. To help her win the bet, she auditions for the local production of The Sound Of Music in order to find some new customers, but finds that the play is much more entertaining from back stage. Now between juggling her job and the play, will Jeanie win the five grand or will she succeed in a way no one expects?

Becky draws on her real life experiences selling ads for a coupon mailer company to create a wacky cast of characters. This results in a cute story – funny in some places, a bit rough in others. However considering it’s a chick-lit book and not a romance, it works in this story. A nice read and recommended to chick-lit lovers who can’t resist rooting for the understudy.

Details: Making It, May 2007

Excellence Rating: Pretty Good

Steaminess Factor: Yummy