Book Review: The Sheikh's Bought Wife

THE SHEIKH’S BOUGHT WIFE

By Sharon Kendrick

Publisher: Harlequin Presents

Publish Date: April 18, 2017

Buy: Amazon

Marry a sheikh in return for a hefty financial reward? Jane Smith, a shy researcher, normally would have laughed in Zayed Al Zawba’s handsome face. Except it’s only for six months and the money will rescue her sister, who’s caught up in debt.

Sheikh Zayed will do anything to inherit Kafalah’s neighboring oil-rich lands. Even if he has to wed plain Jane, though he’ll never long to consummate a marriage with her. But Zayed never imagined that Jane’s frumpy clothes were hiding such delicious curves, or that her quick mind and untouched beauty would tease and tempt him beyond his wildest imagination.

Review: I have a fondness for Sheikh's in the Presents line. I love the made up middle-eastern countries. However I had a hard time with this book, not because it was poorly written but because it was too unbelievable. It even crossed the line of fairy tales for me.  

Zayed was just a douche nozzle of the highest degree. I can't imagine any man talking the way he does to any woman without getting slapped. He was always going on about how every woman saw him and fall in love with him and he's a fabulous lover, yada yada yada. His ego really knows no bounds

Jane is a ...gasp "Plain Jane" ugly duckling who of course turns into a swan. Oh and she's a virgin...ARGH.  I liked her, just barely.

They both claim to dislike each other, but when the ugly duckling transforms, well Zayed's sex drive kicks into overdrive. 

Oh and Jane doesn't really hate Zayed...she's in denial.  And as Zayed gets to know Jane...well the plot becomes obvious.

I usually love Sharon Kendrick's books and I did like this one, but for me I wanted something more. There are some pluses to the book, because Sharon brings the surroundings to life. I loved her love for Kalafah.

I think if this could have been a longer novel, the plot could have worked. It just needed more development, especially with Jane and her sister.

Rating: 3 flowers

Harlequin Blog Tour Book Review: Once a Moretti Wife

Author: Michelle Smart
Title: Once a Moretti Wife
Publisher: Harlequin Presents
Publish Date: March 21, 2017
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb: "I love having you at my mercy… And you love it, too."

The only desire billionaire Stefano Moretti has for his estranged wife, Anna, is revenge—she humiliatingly left him weeks ago. So when Anna returns to his life, with no memory of their tempestuous marriage, he's certain fate has dealt him a winning hand.

Stefano's plan is twofold: a private seduction that will reawaken Anna to their red-hot attraction, followed by a public humiliation to match the one she landed on him. Until Stefano realizes there's something he wants even more than vengeance—Anna, back in his bed, for good!

Review: Once a Moretti Wife is one of the first Harlequin Presents novels that really wowed me in a long time, which is odd, because the plot is one that would usually anger me.

Stefano's anger towards Anna is justified, but his desire for revenge is a little bit over the top. With Anna and her amnesia, you really don't know what went wrong in their relationship. Bits and pieces of their past are given as the story goes on, but the woman Stefano is ready to seek revenge on, doesn't seem like the girl in the story, and that is why you have to keep turning the pages.

I was so intrigued by Anna's missing memories.  I was almost tempted a few times to skip to the end to see what had happened, but I was a good girl and didn't.

On top of the memory loss, her older sister has gone to Australia to visit their estranged mother. There are some serious mommy issues here. They are kind of understandable ones too, maybe not for Stefano who had what could only be called a crappy childhood, but definitely understandable issues.

The mommy aspect is the only part of the book that didn't set well with me. What kind of a mother abandons her two children? Truthfully I could understand how Anna could be angry with her mother. I could see Melissa staying in England, but to leave a 14 year old girl with her sister as a caretaker. That's a pretty crappy mom.

I really enjoyed this book and will definitely read more of Michelle Smart in the future.

Rating: 5 flowers

Book Tour Book Review: The Last Di Sione Claims His Prize

Author:  Maisey Yates
Title: The Last Di Sione Claims His Prize
Publisher: Harlequin Presents
Publish Date: Jan 17, 2017
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: MLM in exchange for an honest review
Book Blurb: "I want that painting. It is my last Lost Mistress. My Lost Love."

Alessandro Di Sione is renowned for being cold and unsentimental, but even he can't deny his grandfather's dream of retrieving a painting steeped in royal scandal. Yet the key to its return is the outspoken Princess Gabriella.

While traveling together to Isola D'Oro to locate the mysterious painting, Gabby is drawn to the man tortured by guilt from his past. Her innocence makes her untouchable, as Alex is convinced his Di Sione blood is tainted. But could their passion be his salvation?

Review: Maisey Yates wrote the final chapter in the 8 book "The Billionaire Legacy" series for Harlequin Presents.  I read Caitlin Crews' book and was really impressed by the storyline of "the lost mistresses."

This book wraps everything up beautifully with Alessandro bringing back "The Lost Love" to his grandfather. In the process he meets Princess Gabriella a disposed royal from Isola D'Oro.

What makes this book so beautiful is the lack of alpha-male behavior from Alex. That's the one thing I never liked about Presents romances. Alex wasn't like that. He was a player, yes, but he had humor and heart.

The relationship that developed so quickly between Alex and Gabby is one that's actually quite believable. Its basically the bluestocking and the rake (for fans of historical novels). And this is actually mentioned in a conversation between the two. What makes this love believable is that there was a camaraderie that was there instantly. They teased each other and you can see that there's really more than just sexual attraction between the two, whether or not they want to admit it.

I'm not usually able to deal with the virgin heroine in stories like this, but here it didn't bother me, because Gabby was a royal, so it was easier to deal with.

The real story here though is "The Lost Love".  The painting is of Gabby's grandmother, the Queen and it holds many secrets about Alex's grandfather that really wrap up this series of books beautifully. So beautifully that you may even shed a few tears, because you get not one but two happily ever afters here.

This book can only be described as romantic perfection.

Rating: 5 flowers

Blog Tour Book Review: The Greek's Christmas Bride

Author: Lynne Graham
Title: The Greek's Christmas Bride
Publisher: Harlequin Presents
Publish Date: Nov 22, 2016
Buy:  Amazon
Book Blurb: A good Greek wife…

Coldly ruthless and deeply cynical, Apollo Metraxis has made a career of bachelorhood. But when the inheritance of his father's estate is conditional on a marriage and a child, he is forced to do the unthinkable!

Unpolished Pixie Robinson is the world's worst choice of a wife for Apollo. Yet her family's mounting debts leave her defenseless and therefore uniquely suitable. But when the wedding night exposes Pixie's untouched vulnerability, striking a chord in the dark reaches of his heart, Apollo is forced to think again.

And that's before he discovers that she's carrying not one but two Metraxis heirs!

Review: Every time I read a Presents novel I feel like I'm reading a script for a soap opera, or as my dad would say a "daytime whore show."

There's something strangely satisfying in this kind of read.

There's the virgin bride (that always makes me shake my head a little)

The arrogant alpha male (It wouldn't be a presents novel without one)

A crazy will that tosses the hero and heroine together.

Pixie Robinson is a poor hairdresser with a dubious background and a brother with a gambling addition.

Apollo gives her an offer she can't refuse. Marriage and a baby in return for her brother's debts being wiped away.

There's great chemistry between the two characters. Its a nice little "love to hate you" thing that makes for explosive sex.

/The beauty of Harlequin Presents novels are that two people that have absolutely nothing in common, shy of a set of friends. Pixie and Apollo are two people that should not be together by any normal means, but thanks to a clause in his father's will, Apollo needs a wife, stat!

I liked how the two of them came together sadly through mutually terrible childhood. Pixie's family were criminals, and Apollo's dad gave him a string of abusive stepmothers. You definitely start to feel sorry for him once you learn that.

Unfortunately it still doesn't give us a reason why these two people want to be together (even though they won't share that with each other)

Then when things are getting good between the two...DRAMA ensues. The drama was something purely out of a soap.

This book was light and fluffy with a touch of the holiday to make it cozy. If you are a fan of the Presents line, you will love this book, because it is pure Presents!

Rating: 4 flowers

Blog Tour Book Review: The Return of the Di Sione Wife

Author: Caitlin Crews
Title: The Return of the Di Sione Wife
Publisher: Harlequin Presents
Publish Date: Sept 20, 2016
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb: Dario Di Sione should be feeling triumphant—he's about to fulfill his grandfather's wish and retrieve the precious earrings, but all he feels is fury. The beautiful lawyer handling the sale is the woman who betrayed him six years ago…his wife!

Discovering Anais has kept their child a secret makes Dario determined to be the father he never had. But Anais's return to his side casts a new light on past events, and now it's not just the child he wants to claim!

Review: I read Harlequin Romances of any variety for a romantic escape. If you read the blurb you may think that these 200 pages are going to be a light fluffy read.

Well think again.

There's nothing light or fluffy about this book.

Dario is not you typical Presents alpha male. He's a jerk. (And that's being mild.) Truthfully I could't understand how Anais could love this guy. Most of the time I wanted to take a big stick and hit him repeatedly with it.

There was a terrible misunderstanding between Dario, his wife and his brother. That pushed them apart. It also kept Dario from knowing about Anais.

That's where the drama comes in, when Dario and Anais meet again and he learns about the child he fathered 5 years ago.

This story has everything you'd expect to see on a daytime soap opera; kidnapping, a dying grandfather, twins, and lots of relationship drama.

It was hard to see how the two brothers could come together and how Anais could take him back after the way he had treated her.

I'm used to sex playing a huge part in these books, but in this one, it was the drama between Anais and Dario that was front and center. Everything else was really incidental, and that includes the child. Damian was more a plot device rather than a character, and that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

This was really an emotional read. I found myself so angry at Dario most of the time. I really couldn't believe that I liked it so much, because of how I felt about him, but this was an excellent read from the Presents line.

Rating: 5 flowers

Book Review: A Forbidden Temptation

Author: Anne Mather
Title: A Forbidden Temptation
Publisher: Harlequin Presents
Publish Date: Feb 23, 2016
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb: An unwanted desire…

With the death of his wife still raw, Jack Connolly's mood is dark and dangerous. He's not looking for a woman, until he meets buttoned-up but beautiful Grace Spencer, who stirs his senses back to life. Yet Jack cannot act on his feelings, as Grace belongs to another!

An impossible affair…

Trapped in a fake relationship to safeguard her family, Grace knows crossing the line with Jack would risk everything she holds dear. Beneath the hunger she sees in Jack's eyes is the promise of something more…but is it enough for her to surrender to a taste of the forbidden?

Review: I've read books by Anne Mather in the past.  She is name that is synonymous with the Presents line. This book had potential, but somewhere it just didn't quite work for me.

This is what I liked about the book.

1. The ghost of Jack's wife. I love a touch of paranormal in romances, especially ghosts.

2. Jack was an unusual hero. There was attraction there, but the romance was pretty much non-existent.

This is what I had problems with.

1. Grace and Jack, there was no real romance between them. Just weird encounters

2. The whole Sean thing. The guy was a total wankpuffin. I totally hated him and couldn't grasp why Grace was such a wimp when it came to him.

3. Grace was supposed to be a smart woman, but she let's everyone walk all over her. I can understand some of it, because she doesn't want to upset her mother who is getting over cancer treatments, but still, most of her behavior is uncomfortable and odd.

4. The sex was too gratuitous. I wanted a relationship to develop between the two of them, but it just didn't happen.

So yeah, this wasn't what I was expecting. It definitely didn't live up to past book by Anne.

Rating:  2 flowers

Book Review: The Sheikh's Christmas Conquest

Author: Sharon Kendrick
Title: The Sheikh's Christmas Conquest
Publisher: Harlequin Presents
Publish Date: Oct 20, 2015
Buy: Amazon

Book Blurb: 

Summoned by the sheikh!

Sheikh Saladin Al Mektala isn't used to being disobeyed. Incomprehensibly, the woman he summoned to help his favorite mare, the best horse whisperer in the world, turned his generous offer down! So he takes matters into his own hands.

The snow is falling, the fire is roaring and the mince pies are in the oven when innocent Olivia Miller finds a darkly handsome and physically compelling man on her doorstep. The sheikh she dared to refuse is here to whisk her off to his kingdom, and this time he won't take no for an answer!

Review: I had great hopes for this book when I started reading it. Livvy seemed like a very spunky girl that wasn't going to take crap even from a Sheikh. She was working hard at keeping up the historical home as a sort  of B & B rather than working with horses.

Saladin needs her horse whispering skills for his own horse. I liked Saladin to a point. He wasn't overly arrogant but he did go out of his way to get what he wants.

Then things started to go wrong for me. The power outage from a snow storm as well as Livvy being a virgin just didn't sit with me, that and how quickly these two fell into bed. I always like a little more "getting to know you" thing rather than a fling or a seduction.

The other thing that disappointed me was the lack of "Christmas" in the story. I read holiday stories, because I love that theme in the plot of the story. That element was pretty much nonexistent here, except that Livvy's guests were due for the holiday.

Everything else was pretty predictable from there on, including her healing his horse. I'm not
going to complain about that though, because even in fiction, I don't want to see an animal suffer.

This wasn't a bad read. It is pleasant enough for a quick weekend fix, but it just didn't fit the holiday bill for me.

Rating: 3 flowers

Sharon song playlist.

I imagine the story starting – and ending – with the stirring title song from the film Born Free. I can imagine Saladin the Sheikh galloping across the desert on his beloved horse, Burkaan, to the stirring sound of this triumphant music. Two other songs also capture Saladin’s character for me. The first is What Becomes Of The Broken-hearted by Jimmy Ruffin because I think the lyrics say everything which needs to be said, about the pain and desolation you feel when love dies. https://youtu.be/2vf3ZE7CLg0

Saladin’s other song is Robin Thicke’s You’re A Good Girl and I’m sure I don’t need to tell you why! The Sheikh is a very, very sexy man and he knows very well the effect he has on women...

Book Review: A Christmas Vow Of Seduction

Author: Maisey Yates
Title: A Christmas Vow of Seduction
Publisher: Harlequin Presents
Publish Date: Oct 20, 2015
Buy: Amazon

Book Blurb: 

A Christmas present for the man who has everything… With one band of gold Prince Andres of Petras can erase his past—albeit pleasurable—sins. But his prospective bride is untamable Princess Zara, so the playboy prince must seduce her into compliance and crown her by Christmas! The wayward princess of Tirimia has spent years hiding her untouched heart, and her convenient husband-to-be seems determined to keep it that way. Yet his caresses promise a sensual awakening that's impossible to resist. But once Zara's given him her hand and her body, it won't be long before he has her heart…

Review:  This story was different from most of the presents novels that I read. Prince Andres didn't feel like the typical alpha male. Sure he was domineering, but he didn't have the arrogance that I'm used to with the heroes from this line of books.

One thing I wish I could say about this book was that I knew where the imaginary country of Petras was. I'm used to desert settings with these books, but that wasn't the case here, but Maisey never really explained the setting much. In fact, I found most of this book to be underdeveloped and a little hurried.

Zara is a princess from a neighboring country who had been raised by gypsies since the royal family was disposed. Prince Andres is told by his brother, the king that he must marry her for diplomatic reasons.

This story is set in modern times, so this doesn't click with me. I don't think arranged marriages are all that common these days. But then the story seemed to want to take a My Fair Lady spin, with Andres trying to tame her, but that doesn't really get off the ground.

There was so much baggage between the two characters, but it doesn't stop them from ending up in bed together and falling in love in a week.

I think that's what spoiled this for me. The true love found in 1 week didn't work for me, even though I really liked the characters, especially Andres, who really is the focal character. The reader is in his head more than Zara. At times you'll feel sorry for him and other times you'll want to hit him in the head, really hard.

This is part of a duet of novels and the next story will focus on Andres' brother and his wife Tabitha. I wish they would have had a bigger part in this book, but they were really in the background

This was a good enough read, but it didn't wow me.

Rating: 3 flowers

Maisey's playlist

I build a playlist for every book. Music is a really important part of my process. Now, I’m a huge country music fan, but country doesn’t exactly mesh with my Presents playlists so I have to do a little digging to find the right music for them.

These songs really embodied the story in A Christmas Vow of Seduction, because a lot of it is about being drawn to someone even though you know you shouldn’t be (The One That Got Away, Devil’s Backbone, Animals). Baptized and Bring Me to Life really capture the need to be made new by love, and Hurt Somebody is the perfect fall of the playboy song to me.

The Devil’s Backbone by The Civil Wars

Bad Blood by Taylor Swift

Unkiss Me by Maroon 5

Animals by Maroon 5

Counting Stars by One Republic

Bring Me to Life by Evanescence

Baptized by Daughtry

Hurt Somebody by Dierks Bentley

Shake it Out by Florence + the Machine

Stranded by Plumb

Fair Game by Sia

The One That Got Away by the Civil Wars

May Harlequin Book Tour Book 1: The Sheikh's Secret Babies

This is the first of three reviews by some great Harlequin authors. There will be two more to follow today, so keep an eye out!

THE SHEIKH’S SECRET BABIES

By USA Today Bestselling Author

Lynne Graham

Prince Jaul of Marwan's royal duty is to marry a suitable bride. But first he must divorce the woman who betrayed him. Locating his estranged wife? Easy. The intense passion still burning between them? Manageable. Discovering he has two royal heirs? Impossible!

Devastated when her handsome prince deserted her, Chrissie Whitaker's beautiful twin babies were the only balm to her broken heart. Now Jaul will stop at nothing to claim his legitimate heirs, but can Chrissie forget their painful past and recognize him as her husband in every sense of the word?

Review:  I haven't read a sheikh book in such a long time. When I started this one, I wasn't really sure how I was going to like the book. Jaul really came across as an alpha jerk, but when he discovered his wife had twins, his alpha-ness became much less jerky, almost unbelievably so.

I liked how strong Chrissie was and how good a mother she was even in the face of adversary and especially when the adversary was the father of her twins. I have to admit, I love that she was a throw things type gal, when she was angry.

I do wish the twins could have played a bigger part in the story than they did. I think when you have kids in a story they should be more than props.

This was really about second chances. Even though both Jaul and Chrissie had issues with each other when they reunited, they still had chemistry and very strong chemistry and it wasn't really any issues with each other that kept them apart, which is why they really fell back into love with ease.

And while we are on the subject of second chances, Jaul gets to have a second chance with his grandmother too, thanks to Chrissie.

I liked that Jaul had his eyes opened about Chrissie, but I was sad that he had to deal with bad thoughts about a parent.

Overall this was a fun sexy read. Great for a sunny summer day.

Rating: 4 flowers

LYNNE GRAHAM’S first book was published in 1987. Today she is the bestselling Mills and Boon Presents author with sales of 26 million books worldwide. Born of Irish/Scottish parentage, Lynne Graham has lived in Northern Ireland all her life. She has one brother. She grew up in a seaside village and now lives in a country house surrounded by a woodland garden, which is wonderfully private. Lynne first met her husband when she was 14. They married after she completed a degree at Edinburgh University. Lynne wrote her first book at 15 and it was rejected everywhere. She started writing again when she was at home with her first child. It took several attempts before she sold her first book and the delight of seeing that first book for sale in the local newsagents has never been forgotten. www.lyneegraham.com

THE SHEIKH'S SECRET BABIES

By Lynne Graham

Harlequin Presents; April 21, 2015

$4.99; 192 pages

ISBN-13: 9780373133369

Praise for Lynne Graham

“SSecrets, betrayals and misunderstandings fill every page of Graham’s remarkable re-do romance. The melding of cultures, exotic desert customs and locales are unforgettable.”

–RT Book Reviews

“The romance was passionate, angst ridden and so intense.” 

–Harlequin Junkie

“I have always been a fan of Lynne Graham as she is one of the authors who instilled in me the love for the Harlequin romances…”

–Maldivian Book Reviewer’s

Book Review: Take Me

Author: Maisey Yates
Title: Take Me
Publisher: Harlequin Presents
Publish Date: June 1, 2014
Buy: Amazon

Book Blurb: 

Where it all began…

As the son of a high-powered attorney, Travis Beringer has never wanted for anything…except the elusive Sydney Davis. But everything changes in an instant with the shocking death of her roommate, Sarah Michaels, and suddenly Sydney is in his arms, desperately seeking oblivion.

Encased within a sensual web of desire, Travis and Sydney delight in every erotic touch they've fought for so long. But what will happen when the dust has settled and the harsh light of day ushers in a reality neither is prepared to face?

Review: I wanted to read this short little prequel the Fifth Avenue trilogy before diving into the rest of the books. I'm glad I did in some ways, however after finishing this little teaser story (its only about 50 pages), I felt Syd and Travis deserved a longer story.

Here's what I loved about the story:

Syd and Travis are bff's. Its always great when the couple are friends first. Its a rich boy poor girl kinda thing too.

The sex is smoking hot. The naughty bits of this story are hotter than the average Presents love scene. In fact, they seemed to cross over into Blaze territory.

It really sets the stage for what's to come.

This is what I wasn't so keen on:

Sarah's death seemed to get pushed under the rug for all the naughty bits.

Your other bff commits suicide and you shag your best male friend? I just can't realistically believe that along with the love declaration after sex. Oye.

It is still a good bedside read leading up to the next three books.

Rating: 3 flowers

Book Review: A Night Of No Return

Author: Sarah Morgan
Title: A Night Of No Return
Publisher: Harlequin Presents
Publish Date: Oct 2012
Buy: Amazon

Book Blurb: 

Money, charm and sensual skills don't make up for a heart colder than ice…. Wild parties, wanton women, relentless work—nothing helps tycoon Lucas Jackson escape his dark and haunting past. Arriving at his rural castle in a snarling snowstorm, he craves only complete isolation.… But it seems oblivion can take an unexpected and highly intoxicating form!

Personally delivering the vital file left on her boss's desk, secretary Emma Gray starts to seriously regret her dutiful overtime mission. She never expected the dark side of the usually controlled Lucas could generate such a primitive, powerful—and entirely inappropriate—reaction.

Review: Sarah Morgan is one of my favorite writers for the Presents line. She always has heroes that are lovably alphas. (You know the kind you don't want to knock in the head because they are super arrogant).

In A Night Of No Return, Emma is Lucas' PA. He leaves and important file at the office and Emma, like the good PA she is braves a snowstorm to take it to him, not knowing that he wants to be away from everyone for a personal reason.

Lucas is a damaged hero and Emma is a heroine with some issues of her own. Without giving too many spoilers. Lucas lost his daughter to a pretty nasty illness and he beats himself up over it. Emma does her best along with her sister, who feel rather put upon, to take care of their young brother.

Emma's brother Jamie was one of the things in this story that threw me off a bit. When I first read about him, I thought he was her boyfriend. I was immediately ready to hate Emma, because I don't like romances with cheating. I was very relieved to learn otherwise. I think Lucas was too.

I liked Emma's spunk, especially when she was reading Lucas the riot act about how only a person with money could think of just quitting a job without having one lined up. However that was the only thing I liked about Emma, she wasn't my favorite of Sarah's heroines.

She acted like she was put upon when her sister was upset because she wasn't coming home for the weekend. (That's her time with her brother and gave the bad guy shoes to her sister Angie). Yes, Angie's actions came across as bitchy then, but as a caregiver for elderly parents, I know how Angie probably felt. She had the primary caregiving responsibility while Emma had the primary financial responsibility. I wanted to knock some heads together on that one, mostly because of my personal experiences.

The chemistry between Emma and Lucas was great, but the romance happened a little to fast in the story, especially with the issues Lucas was dealing with. They resolved quicker than they probably should have.

I do like how Lucas displays his softer side with Jamie...at the holiday. I always love a good dad.

This was a sweet story with some steamy scenes, great for a cold winter afternoon.


Rating: 4 flowers

ARC Book Review: Lost To The Desert Warrior

Author: Sarah Morgan
Title: Lost To The Desert Warrior
Publisher: Harlequin Presents
Publish Date: Aug 20, 2013
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley
Book Blurb: 

"Walking into the lion's den unprotected, Princess?" For Layla, princess of Tazkhan, her arranged marriage means one thing—a lifetime of cruelty and captivity. Such an unendurable prospect drives her to throw herself at the mercy of Sheikh Raz Al Zahki—her family's greatest enemy!

Raz demands one thing in return for the safe haven Layla is seeking—this brooding desert king wants to make her his queen! Her freedom might be secured, but now her heart is at risk, for soon she's lost to the scorching heat of their marriage bed. However, it will take more than fire to thaw her guarded husband….

Review: Sarah Morgan is one of the authors for the Presents line that seldom disappoints. When she has a new book out, I always buy it, so when I had the chance to snag the galley of her Sept 2013 release, I grabbed it.

Lost To The Desert Warrior is a typical Presents story...There is a super hot Sheikh and a princess from a middle eastern country. I don't usually like these kinds of stories, however Sarah really has a marvelous way of writing about this locale that makes me long for a Sheikh of my own.

Raz is not the typical alpha male. In fact, I'm not sure if he really is an alpha male, because from the get go,  he really is too "nice" to get that label. He may not trust Layla, but wants what is best for the country and likely for the princess as well.

The growth of their relationship really is a focal point to this story. I loved that there was hot steamy sex, but I also loved that these two were falling for each other.

One of the things that I find interesting about Sarah's books with the sexy sheikhs is her ability to make you forget what time period you are in. Layla's father was so nasty that the girls never left the palace and when they escaped it was on horseback. For awhile there, it would be easy to think you were reading a historical romance, until you get mentions of Jeeps and helicopters

Layla is a character that you probably won't relate to, but you will love. She's the epitome of a bluestocking, if this were a historical romance. She's book smart and she's very strong and loyal. I loved her relationship with her sister Yasmin as well as her relationship with Raz's daughter.

I wish Yasmin would have played more of a part in this book, but I'm hoping Sarah's going to be telling her story soon? With Salem as her love interest? Pretty please?

Rating: 5 flowers

Book Review: Prince Of Secrets

Author: Lucy Monroe
Title: Prince Of Secrets
Publisher: Harlequin Presents
Publish Date: July 23, 2013
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley
Book Blurb: 100% Determined Prince Demyan Zaretsky does whatever it takes to protect his country. So seducing Chanel Tanner will be easy. And marriage? An unfortunate side effect of duty. She unwittingly holds the economic stability of Volyarus in her hands...and he must secure it.

100% Devastating!

With his royal identity and intent disguised, Demyan sets about a ruthless seduction designed to make Chanel lose her mind with ecstasy. But when he discovers she is a virgin, he uncovers something in himself-a conscience. Now his plan takes a shocking turn-one this dark-hearted prince had never anticipated!

Review: I have to say that when the family of the hero (well his adopted family) has the same name as your boss, it makes for challenging reading. (especially when they are royals!)

What kept me reading was Chanel. Throughout the whole book I kept thinking, she had to be modeled after Temperance Brennan from Bones (the TV Show...not the books). Her personality was so much like hers and for that I loved her.

There's something about a smart female that is socially awkward and just totally unsure of how to deal with the hot sexy man that is Demyan that really intrigues a person.

I probably would have liked the story a bit more if she weren't a 29 year old virgin. Socially awkward or not...if she is as beautiful as she's written to be..well that part is hard to believe.

I did love the instant attraction between the two the really makes the reason Demyan is there seem insignificant.

I was also amazed at how Demyan's alpha maleness wasn't overpowering. It was there, but not in a way that makes him brutish, the way some Presents heroes can be.

Overall a pretty decent read.

Rating: 4 flowers

Book Review: An Invitation To Sin

Author: Sarah Morgan
Title: An Invitation To Sin
Publisher: Harlequin Presents
Publish Date: June 1, 2013
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley & the publisher

Book Blurb: Snapped and seduced: there's nothing more dangerous than a restless Corretti…

Taylor Carmichael holds one thing precious: the reputation she's spent years rebuilding. Then one encounter with Corretti lothario Luca, a bottle of chilled champagne and a skintight dress and the paparazzi have their shot.

Cool, calm and irritatingly aloof, Luca couldn't care less. Splash his face over the papers—he has bigger fish to fry. But Taylor is fuming. Luca had the chance to halt the press and refused. Well, this time she'll make the headlines work for her:

Stop the press—bad boy Luca Corretti to wed screen siren Taylor Carmichael!

Review: I love Sarah Morgan, she's one of my absolute must read authors for the Presents line, so I was thrilled to see she had a new book out.

Invitation to Sin, is not your usual Presents for many reasons...allow me to tell you about them.


1. Luca is not the stereotypical alpha male. He's sexy, he's fun, but he's really not all about controlling. Luca was charming and even when he was running from relationships, he was just so fun and likable, most Presents heroes don't make you like them on the spot, Luca does.

2. Taylor Carmichael...at first you think she might be the Harlequin version of Lindsey Lohan, but once you get to know her she has more substance. She's not really fighting Luca either, as much as she's fighting herself. And this poor girl has issues....lots of issues.

3. Luca isn't a golden boy..at least not in the traditional way...he's too much of a bad boy. He doesn't have the respect of his family and what family he has is dysfunctional.

This book really made me laugh at times, mostly due to something Luca did or said. I loved how his fake relationship with Taylor grew into something real without either of them knowing it.

This was the most fun Presents I've read in ages. Kudos to Sarah Morgan for delivering something different to the imprint!

Rating: 5 flowers