Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Published 2007
400 pages

Back Cover: Chicago quarterback Dean Robillard is the luckiest man in the world. But life in the glory lane has started to pale, and Dean has set off on a cross-country trip to figure out what's gone wrong. When he hits a lonly stretch of Colorado highway, he spies something that will shake up his gilded life in ways he can't imagine. A young woman...dressed in a beaver suit.
Blue Bailey is on a mission. As for the beaver suit she's wearing... Is it her fault that life keeps throwing her curve balls? Witness the expensive black sports car pulling up next to her on the highway and the Greek god stepping out of it.
They're soon heading for his summer home, where their already complicated lives and inconbenient attraction to each other will become entangled with a charismatic but aging rock star; a beautiful, fifty-two -old woman trying to make peace with her rock and roll past; an eleven -year-old who desperately needs a family; and a bitter old woman who hates them all.
Natural Born Charmer... for anyone who's ever thought about leaving their old life in the dust and never looking back. Susan Elizabeth Phillips takes us home again... and shows us where love truly lives.

Review: I have been wanting to read a Susan Elizabeth Phillips book since some of they lady's in a Shelfari group started raving about her. I must say that this must not have been the best one for me to start with. Had I not checked this out on audio I don't know that I would have finished this book. The first two chapters were really rough for me, not only was the story really bad but the the reader was awful. I hated the voices that she put to some of the side characters.
Fortunately the book and the reader did get better! I can at least rate this book at a 3. The relationship between Blue and Dean was just so-so. I hated the nickname "the Beave" that Dean insisted on calling Blue during the beginning of the book. Blue reminded me of a mix of Sandra Bullock characters in Two Week Notice and Miss Congeniality, you know the ones where she is a constant smart ass and not particularly smart or pretty person... the one you kind of feel sorry for but in the end you are certainly rooting for her. There are abandonment issues in both courts, but what Dean demanded of Blue to prove herself was selfish and mean.
It was just OK. Not a book that I recommend running out immediately to read this book. I will eventually read another SEP book, it just won't be anytime soon.

The Leopard Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt

ROR Winter Challenge #2. Title read and reviewed during the Fall Challenge (Cindy W)
SRC: Book two (book 1: The Raven Prince, read '08)
Published 2007
345 pages
Rating: 5 stars

back cover: THE ONE THING A LADY MUST NEVER DO
Wealthy Lady Georgina Maitland doesn't want a husband, though she could use a good steward to run her estates. One look at Harry Pye, and Georgina knows she's not just dealing with a servant, but a man.
IS FALL IN LOVE...
Harry has known many aristocrats- including one particular nobleman who is his sworn enemy. But Hary has never met a beautiful lady so independent, uninhibited, and eager to be in his arms.
WITH HER SERVANT.
Still, it's impossible to conduct a discreet liaison when poisoned sheep, murdered villagers, and an enraged magistrate have the county in an uproar. The locas blame Harry for everything. Soon it's all Georgina can do to keep her head above water and Harry's out of the noose... without missing another night of love.

My Review: I had a rough time of getting started with this book. I don't know if it was all the activity that comes with the holidays or if it was just slow getting started. Being stranded in a car for eleven hours definitely cured me of whatever it was holding me back in getting into this Hoyt novel. I must say that it was definitely worth the wait!
I enjoyed the relationship between George and Harry much more than I did with Anna and Edward from The Raven Prince. I think it may have to do with the idea of forbidden love. George has waited so long... well not really waited so much as prolonged what seems to be the inevitable, only to find love in the arms of her "servant". George definitely knew what she wanted. You could definitely feel the internal struggles that both George and Harry experienced. This novel will definitely put you into a great big SIGH mode...sweet, passionate, and mysterious! The mystery surrounding this couple definitely added a little umph to the story line! While I wasn't completely taken by surprise with who was guilty of poisoning the sheep, it was rather surprising nonetheless.
The Loepard Prince is by far my favorite of the three Elizabeth Hoyt novels that I have read. It definitely earns a spot on my keeper shelf.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!

Desperate Duchesses by Eloisa James

13. Read a New (to you) author.

Rating 4.5 stars

I have waited to long to post anything of significance on this title. I am having a hard time remembering the names of the characters, so I will have to dig the book back out and find them later.

The Brat by Lynsay Sands

Fall Challenge #6. Read a book by an author with a "S" name for September.

Read around the genre challenge-Historical

340 pages

Rating: 5 stars

Back Cover: WHO WOULD MARRY...

All the knights had heard tales of Lady Murie, King Edward III's goddaughter and much feted favorite. It was said she was stunningly beautiful, with bright blue eyes, golden hair and a sweet smile. It was also said that the king had doted on the girl and spoiled her rotten. Despite his need, when Sir Balan saw her howling and sobbing, Murie was the last person he wanted to wed.

...THE BRAT?

But all that glitters is not gold, and sometimes diamonds look very, very rough. There was more to Murie than met the eye, and Balan soon learned that he'd be lucky indeed to deserve such a bride. Yet he was not the only one to discern the truth, and the other hopeful hubby was not quite as honorable. A plot was afoot. Soon would come a reckoning, a time to show who was chivalrous, who was a cad... and who had won the love of a heart unspoiled.

My Review:

This is only my second book by Lynsay Sands and I enjoyed it more than the first. I just loved Murie who is not what the rumors say she is. She is rather sweet and compassionate once you get passed her facade. She cracked me up through out the book with her silly superstitions. These silly superstitions were also endearing. She manages to use and to place with them on a number of occasions. The wedding night had me rolling it was so comical. I really don't know what to say about Balan except that he is the big strong silent type! The passion between these two was hot, they couldn't seem to keep their clothes on, but it was not overwhelming. The suspenseful part (someone trying to kill Balan) through me for a loop too. I can't say much more than that with out giving it away.

This was a light and easy read that kept me turning page after page and is the only book thus far in the Fall Challenge that only took a day to read. I will definitely be looking for more books by Lynsay Sands!

Laird of the Mist by Paula Quinn

I read Laird of the Mist for the ROR Fall reading challenge. It had been highly recommended by a friend from Shelfari/ROR. I now understand her excitement about this book.

Laird of the Mist has got to be the ultimate wounded hero novel. Callum MacGregor was captured by his enemy as a child and held in the dungeon with his young sister. They both survived this tortured life for nine years, bearing physical and emotional scars. Callum has vowed to avenge all of the MacGregor clan, claim his name, and seek revenge against all Campbells.

Kate Campbell has been taught to fear and hate the MacGregors, especially the one they call The Devil. To her surprise The Devil is the very man he comes to her rescue when she is attacked by another raiding clan.

The desire erupts between these two with a vengeance. Kate is determined to make Callum like her and look past her name. Callum is determined to hate Kate for her last name. She is simply a means to an end.

Laird of the Mist comes full of passion, perils, and deceit. This is a definite 5 star read!!!

Highland Warrior by Connie Mason

Fall Challenge '08: #15. title with two words

Rating 4.5

To end generations of feuding Ross MacKenna must wed Gillian McKay, a fiery lass wielding a sword. Treachery is afoot; Angus Sinclair has need of the feud and has several plans to ensure that the McKay and the MacKenna clans continue with their feud.

Connie Mason has never failed to write a gripping story full of action, passion and love. This was a great story! It’s been a while since I picked up a Connie Mason book, I forgot how HOT they can be, or how frequently they get HOT. I was not disappointed with Highland Warrior. Ross was of course a hunky Highlander who is possessive over what is his. He did not for one second believe that he could not “tame” his wild wife. Gillian was a strong woman who wanted to keep the feud going… the MacKenna did slay two of her brothers. This was definitely an amazing story of treachery, love, and swordplay. I am putting this one on my wish list.