The Maverick by Rhonda Nelson

Julia Beckham agrees to repay her father’s debt to Colonel Garrett by using her skills as a relationship therapist to help forge a new team to replace Project Chameleon. Garrett also calls in a favor owed to him by Guy McCann, the former leader of Project Chameleon. Together Julia and Guy are given just one week to forge the bonds between the members of the team so they work together as a single unit. But how can the team function as a unit if their instructors can't work together. When the couple finally resolve their differences, they find that they can’t get enough of each other. But at the end of the week, will their new bonds break as the couple goes their own ways or will they remain together.

In the final book of the Men Out Of Uniform series, sparks fly the instant Julia and Guy meet. But each has their reasons for remaining uninvolved. Also, Guy is convinced that Project Chameleon can never be replaced as the new team is filled with conflict also as leader of the new team, Richard Rutland, was the main responsible for Guy, Brian and Payne owing favors to the Colonel. Unfortunately Rutland didn’t play a significant part in this story and I really would have loved to see how the conflict between the two would have been eventually resolved. Still, I really enjoyed this book. If you’re looking for a very hot read, Rhonda’s book won’t disappoint you.

Details: Blaze #283, October 2006

Bottom line: A great book

The Specialist by Rhonda Nelson

Emma Langsford is not exactly your average individual – not after eight years in the Army. When family responsibilities forced her to leave the military, Emma put her future on hold to take care of them. Unfortunately taking care of her family meant that money was always tight and meant she couldn’t afford to turn down any opportunity to earn extra money. So when a former commander offers her a lot of money to retrieve a civil war era antique, Emma agreed even before he could change his mind. Little did she know that another Army officer wanted the same object and had called in a favor to get ex-Major Brian Payne aka The Specialist to retrieve the same object. From the moment they meet, Emma and Brian understood that only one of them would end up with the object. Now can Emma win the competition despite the sexy hunk, or will she succumb to her passions and give up the money that could save her family and her future.

This is the second book in the Men Out Of Uniform series and it’s just as hot as the first. I loved the little traps they set for each other and how they each tried to distract the other while searching for the antique. The ending is well done, even though you could see it coming for most of the book. If you like Rhonda’s other books, you’ll definitely like this one.

Details: Blaze #277, September 2006

Bottom line: A great book

3 Guys You’ll Never Date by Stephanie Bond, Jennifer LaBrecque, Rhonda Nelson

When three girls make a pact find new boyfriends while avoiding guys like ditch diggers, geeks and used-car salesman, they find that the worst guys may be the best ones of all.

You Can Leave Your Hard Hat On by Stephanie Bond tells the tale of how a successful architect, Samantha Stone, literally falls into the arms of Teague Brownlee who put down his shovel to catch her when she falls on a visit to her job site. Unfortunately for Samantha, his touch ignites memories from the last time they made love – 13 years ago.

The Total Package by Jennifer LaBrecque follows Deke Foster who manages to convince Abby Carmichael to remake his geeky image in order to make himself attractive for a very special person. What Abby doesn’t know is that she’s Deke's special person.

Her Hero? by Rhonda Nelson reunites Carley Deluna with her high school lover, Jackson Harper. When Jackson tells her that he no longer works as a mechanic in his father’s garage, Carley has high hopes for their relationship. But then Carley’s hopes for the future are dashed when he confesses that he now sells used cars for a living.

These three stories are short but cute and remind me of the traditional Blazes the authors used to write. So if you’re looking for a quick smile, I think you should check out this book.

Details: Signature Select, August 2006

Bottom line: A very good book

The Player by Rhonda Nelson

Jamie Flanagan is an ex-Army Ranger in need of serious help, so his former commander tricks him into reporting to a camp specializing in helping overstressed people. The pretext the officer used was to protect his granddaughter, Audrey Kincaid from danger. Her grandfather warned Audrey about Jamie's problems, but she's got her own problems. Her boyfriend just popped the questions, but she doesn't know how to answer him. Torn with her decision about marriage, she's careful not to let her attraction to the military man show. Now Audrey's grandfather tells Jamie to make sure that Audrey doesn’t become engaged. The only problem for Jamie deciding how far was he willing to do to carry out his orders.

This book is the first book in the Men Out of Uniform series, which features three army rangers who are adapting to civilian life. There is a nice sense of humor between the characters as they try to hide their issues from each other, which makes this a very fun read. If you like traditional Blazes that focus on the sexual tension between the hero and heroine, you’ll love this book.

Details: Blaze #255, June 2006

Bottom line: A very good book