The winner of Knight of Passion, The Irish Warrior and Love in the Afternoon is…
June Top Pick!
June Top Pick! Hero to Die For!
July Book Club Pick!
Debbie Kaufman
Congratulations Debbie! Please email your contact information to me at contests at theseasonforromance dot com. You have two weeks to collect your books.
The winner of Erin McCarthy’s HARD AND FAST is…
Farrah Rochon
Congrats, Farrah! Please email your contact information to me at contests at theseasonforromance dot com. You have one week to collect your book.
Comment to enter to win these three books!
June Top Pick!
June Top Pick! Hero to Die For!
July Book Club Pick!
Love & Scandal
Author: Donna Lea Simpson
Publisher: Carina Press
Pub. Date: June 21, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1426890208
Retail: $5.39
Nothing sells like love & scandal…
Collette Jardiniere writes of passion and seduction but has experienced neither. Her pseudonymous novel, The Last Days of a Rake, has shocked Victorian society and become a runaway bestseller. Infamous roué Charles Jameson is “revealed” as the author, and Collette is outraged when the cad does little to curtail the gossip.
Intrigued by the book the tabloids claim is his thinly veiled autobiography, Jameson tries to find the real author. Returning to London after an unsuccessful hunt, he is pleasantly distracted by a plain country miss reading the wicked book.
Collette is dismayed when she learns the identity of the devastatingly handsome man who kissed her senseless. And Jameson cannot believe that she wrote The Last Days of a Rake. As Collette tries to convince him of the truth, their mutual attraction reaches a fever pitch, and soon they find themselves in a real-life scandal!
~*~*~
Donna Lea Simpson delivers an interesting read that explores a heroine’s search for her place in a rigid society.
Collette Jardiniere has a secret. She’s the author of a well received novel entitled The Last Days of a Rake, but because she’s not only a woman, but also a spinster from the country, she has chosen to publish under a pseudonym. She and her publisher both feel if her true identity were to get out, it would affect sales of her novel, because what would a woman in her circumstances know of rakes?
Very little, it turns out. Even though the novel is lauded as being an accurate portrayal of the decline and fall of a libertine, in the course of Donna Lea Simpson’s Love and Scandal, Collette discovers just how little she knows about both.
Most of London believes the author of Last Days to be Charles Jameson, an admitted rake who does little to deny this theory. He’s read the novel and is impressed with the writing.
And then he meets the real author on a train journey. Collette has come to London to do something about the rumors that Charles Jameson is the author of her novel, but neither knows the other’s identity at first. They share enough conversation and a kiss to become thoroughly intrigued with each other.
Later, the conflict between them isn’t enough of a barrier to prevent them from acting on their desire for each other. On more than one occasion, the couple puts their differences aside to act on their feelings, which only serves to escalate the conflict. They sate their desire, but the issues between them remain unresolved until the end.
There’s another layer to this book, a theme if you will that has to do with morality. The story is set in the rigid society of Victorian England. In the course of the story, Collette comes to realize that often the more moral choice is made by going against society’s strict standards. When she comes to London, she renews her friendship with two girls she knew in school. Henrietta is now married to a banker and the mother of five, while Philoxia is widowed and holds literary salons. A contrast is drawn between these two friends, one who lives a very conventional life, while the other has more freedom to do as she pleases. When a gossip column proclaims Collette as Jameson’s latest mistress, Henrietta’s husband forces her to sever ties with Collette. In casting the ‘immoral’ Collette out, Henrietta might have done right in the eyes of society, but her actions hurt Collette.
This novel is a bit different from your typical historical, in that the hero and heroine don’t spend all that much page time together. Much space is devoted to the development of Collette’s relationships to the other female characters in keeping with the book’s themes. This is possibly to the detriment of the sexual tension between the hero and heroine. The initial meeting fairly crackled with sparks, but then they’re separated for a time while the author introduces the secondary characters. When they do meet again, it seems some of the tension is lost.
Another potentially frustrating point, to me, was the fact that when Jameson and Collette did meet ostensibly to discuss some outstanding issues between them, they ended up pushing all that aside to hop into bed. While their actions did serve to up the conflict by leaving their issues unresolved, it made me feel as if these issues weren’t quite as important as all that if they could set them aside so easily to scratch their mutual itches. I would have preferred to see them work on their problems at the same time as gratifying their sex drive.
All in all, this book is well written and a solid read. I enjoyed the relationships between the various secondary characters, and I enjoyed the exploration of moral gray areas within the rigidness of Victorian society.
Rating: 6.5 (Very Satisfactory)
Heat-Level: 4 (includes some mild kink, as the heroine discovers she likes to be spanked…)
I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti
Author: Giulia Melucci
Publisher: Grand Central
Pub. Date: May 5, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0446534413
Retail: $13.99
304 pagesFrom failure to fusilli, this deliciously hilarious read tells the story of Giulia Melucci’s fizzled romances and the mouth-watering recipes she used to seduce her men, smooth over the lumps, and console herself when the relationships flamed out.
From an affectionate alcoholic, to the classic New York City commitment-phobe, to a hipster aged past his sell date, and not one, but two novelists with Peter Pan complexes, Giulia has cooked for them all. She suffers each disappointment with resolute cheer (after a few tears) and a bowl of pastina (recipe included) and has lived to tell the tale so that other women may go out, hopefully with greater success, and if that’s not possible, at least have something good to eat.
Peppered throughout Giulia’s delightful and often poignant remembrances are fond recollections of her mother’s cooking, the recipes she learned from her, and many she invented on her own inspired by the men in her life. Readers will howl at Giulia’s boyfriend-littered past and swoon over her irresistible culinary creations.
~*~*~
I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti is a roller-coaster ride through Giulia Melucci’s love life, mental gymnastics and kitchen cupboard. With each culinary creation as inspired by its romantic escapade, Melucci passionately energizes her relationship status while ‘dishing’ out the details.
The thread of leaping from one relationship to another has resulted in a book that is as much an interesting gastronomic journey as it is a trip through the world of dating in the big city.
I am often amazed and pleased when reading a memoir, how honest and forthright an author is to opening up and sharing the varying emotional chapters of their life through a book filled with intimate details and insights. Authentic and organic come to mind when we peer into the world of another and then like a car crash, see something we know we shouldn’t, but are compelled to keep looking.
Giulia Melucci’s whirlwind, if frantic trip through the romantic world is one such memoir. From the brief sketches of her tony publicity world to the slog of dating, she tries obsessively to fit square pegs into round holes even as glaring red flags go up for the readers (the beauty of being the outsider looking in). The passage of one relationship to another is offset by the comfort food she provides.
An unabashed Italian with a flair for the dramatic and spices, Melucci serves up raw information with biting, sarcastic wit aimed more at her string of broken relationships than herself and her choice to pursue them. However, a maturity sets in toward the end of this debut novel as the author recognizes and finally voices, “While I’ve struggled with relationships, cooking has been a fairly consistent source of satisfaction.”
The reader goes along with Melucci for a variety of dates, one-night stands and relationships from long-term Ethan, who seemed as good a fit as much for his love of the kitchen as his good-nature, to accomplished novelist Mitch and the much-older, tortured Marcus. In fact, Marcus has the reader scratching their head asking, “What was she thinking?” Yes, she does too, and that’s where the ‘here it is and I know it, but I’m going to share it anyway’ attitude gives the reader an appreciation for what she goes through. It also provides some familiarity for anyone who has embarked on a search for a meaningful partnership only to enter into an inappropriate one despite the Red Threat Level warning.
Good sport, and friend Ginia, dispenses advice, emergency dating diagnoses and a shoulder to cry on as Melucci steers through her dating scene. Humorous anecdotes are peppered throughout this book while tales of family life also feel the sting of Melucci’s assessments. Through it all, you connect with a vague acquaintance of her wistful search and struggle continuing to cheer her on. Not surprisingly, her dishes vary in complexity reflecting the status of her state-of-mind as much as her current or lack-thereof, boyfriend.
From Ethan who inspired ‘Risotto with Intricately Layered Hearts’ to the obvious ‘F@#k You Cupcakes’ for Marcus, a bevy of tempting recipes almost make the reader look forward to Melucci’s next experience.
Her culinary conquests appear as unscathed as her relationships are doomed. I tried the ‘First Date Butterflies’ dish (created for Mitch) with tuna and farfalle and never knew a simple can of tuna could be transformed into such a tasty treat!
As a side note, some of the details both about family, boyfriends and dips into drugs are sharp and not for the faint hearted. But I have come to value this honesty in a memoir as what keeps the book real, relatable and readers turning the pages.
Still, this is a poignant, hip memoir that can be appreciated for its wit, self-deprecating manner and recipes as much as its honesty and details, Melucci provides an authentic voice to her sometimes questionable romantic liaisons, decisions and attempt to find Mr. Right while pouring her energy into dishes that will satisfy where her relationships do not.
Rating: 8 (Very Good)
Heat-Level: 0 (None)
Today I’m very excited to have Erin McCarthy on the blog. Erin completely won me over after I read FLAT-OUT SEXY, The Season’s July Fantastic Find. I’ve blogged about Erin’s Fast Track series before so I’ll try not repeat myself too much. If you’d like to read my reviews of FLAT-OUT SEXY and HARD AND FAST, click on the respective book covers.
But first, sit back, relax and welcome Erin, who has generously agreed to a virtual chit chat on the day of her mass market paper back (mmpb) release of HARD AND FAST and will see the release of HOT FINISH August 3rd (first time in print, mmpb). If you haven’t read FLAT-OUT SEXY (you need to), it saw its mmpb release June 1, 2010, so it’s still in the stores.
~*~*~
Hi Erin, I absolutely love your Fast Track series. Why did you decide to make the backdrop professional racing?
Well, several years before I pitched the series idea to my editor, my friend and I had been driving to a conference and to pass the time we had conceived this whole story idea around a race car driver named Elec, a widow, and her kid’s godfathers. Barbara kept trying to add more plot to this story idea we were never going to write, and I kept trying to add more love scenes. In the end, we had a grand time, but knew neither of us was going to write it. I was doing my Vegas Vampires series, she was writing Regencies. Fast forward three years, I’m back writing contemporary romance, and I’m dissatisfied with all my ideas… I wanted a really solid back drop to the series. Then it hit me- stock car racing. It was so distinct and has such a sense of ‘brotherhood.’ Barbara still had our notes (fabulous woman!) and FLAT OUT SEXY became reality.
Available Now!
FLAT-OUT SEXY was the first book I’ve read by you and I devoured it in practically one sitting. The one thing that struck me about Elec was that he’s not, what I consider, an alpha hero (which I’m partial to), yet he’s absolutely one of my favorite heroes ever. Would you categorize him as a beta hero?
Thank you, I’m thrilled you enjoyed it! I don’t think Elec necessarily fits in either category. He is very aggressive in his career and throws the adrenaline rush of driving. He also knows he wants to be with Tamara and goes after her until she caves, so there is nothing passive about him. I also don’t think of him as traditionally charming, but those still waters that run deep. He is intense without even speaking and that is very sexy, in my opinion.
I see you write both contemporary and paranormal romance. Do you have preference for either genre? Which genre is the hardest to write? Does one allow for more creativity than the other?
I enjoy writing both. Flipping back and forth keeps me creatively fresher. Both have their challenges. It can be hard to maintain the humor in my contemporaries, and the plotting in my dark paranormals is more challenging.
Can you give us a hint about what Suzanne and Ryder have in store for them in the final book in the Fast Track series, HOT FINISH?
HOT FINISH isn’t the last book in the series! There will be SIX total books in the Fast Track series, so plenty of steamy fun ahead. Suzanne and Ryder will definitely be forced to confront their feelings for each other when they find out that their divorce was not so final. They’re still married, and planning her own divorce while planning Nikki’s (aka Bridezilla) wedding has Suzanne totally on edge. Ryder barely knows what hit him.
Can you tell us a little about the ‘call’ that made you a published author?
On Sale Today!!
I sold my first book back in late 2002 after entering a contest on Lori Foster’s website. Selling the I way I did was a complete accident and a total shock. I was bored, playing online, and decided to see what Lori’s upcoming releases were. I’d been writing seriously for a year and a half, and had several projects out to publishers. I was at that point of feeling I was so close to selling I could taste it, having won contests, gotten requests for full manuscripts, and even a phone call from an interested editor. I was excited but edgy, ready for that big moment. I saw the Brava novella contest on Lori’s site and thought I would give it a try. I wrote the entry (750 words) over the next day or so and sent it to Lori before I could change my mind. She emailed me back immediately to say she loved it and that I had a strong voice and asked if I had finished the novella. Well, uh, no, since I’d only written the first three pages the night before. 
But then Lori wrote words that changed my life. She said if I ever finished it, she would love to read it. If? If? She didn’t even know it, but she threw down the gauntlet. I had a NY Times bestselling author saying she would read my work, and there was no way in hell I wasn’t going to finish that novella. There was just no “if” about it.
So I wrote the novella in ten days and sent it on to Lori. She read it that night, bless her heart, and sent me an email to say she was halfway through and loving my novella “Hard Drive.” She told me to watch my inbox, which got my adrenaline pumping along with a healthy dose of fear. I wasn’t sure exactly what she meant and I was basically freaking out, so to distract myself I went off shopping at Target. I bought towels and cookies, the vanilla sandwich kind (yes, the day is burned in my memory). I got home and there was an email from Kate Duffy at Kensington asking me to call her. I did, hoping that she was going to request I send her the whole novella of Hard Drive.
Instead, she said she’d read it, loved it, wanted to buy it. Hello. I had no idea that Lori had emailed her the whole novella already. It was a beautiful, beautiful moment. After babbling incoherently, I then had to cut her off because I was my daughter’s Girl Scout leader and I had fifteen 9 year olds waiting up at school for me. They brought me back to reality pretty quick.
But it was an amazing start to a fabulous career and I’m eternally grateful to both Lori and Kate. Kate passed away last fall and the romance genre lost a huge advocate… she was one of a kind and irreplaceable.
August 3, 2010
You’ve only been published since 2002 but I checked out your backlist and it’s pretty extensive. How only does it take you to complete a novel?
Well, am I being disciplined or not? Lol. If I am, three months. If I’m not, more like five.
What’s coming up next for you after HOT FINISH?
THE BEAST WITHIN, a paranormal anthology, will be out in September, 2010. This is my first ever werewolf story, and it’s sensual and much darker than my contemporaries.
THE CHASE, the fourth book in the series will be out in 2011, featuring Elec’s brother Evan as the hero.
~*~*~
I want to thank Erin for stopping by today. This interview was a real treat for me.
In HARD AND FAST, the heroine, Imogen and the hero, Ty, on the surface, appear to be polar opposites. Do you think the old saying is true, and that opposites do attract? Let me know what you think. Berkley is giving away a copy of HARD AND FAST to one lucky commenter.
The winner of the Red, White and Blue Fireworks Giveaway is….
Giuseppina Cusumano
Congratulations Giuseppina! Please email your contact information to me at contests at theseasonforromance dot com. You have two weeks to collect your fantastic prize. 
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY, EVERYONE!!!
Texas Tangle
Author: Leah Braemel
Publisher: Carina Press
Pub. Date: June 28, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1426890376
Retail: $3.99
NovellaThanks to her cheating ex-husband and her thieving brother, all horse breeder Nikki Kimball has left is a bruised heart, an overdrawn bank account and an empty home. When sex-on-legs Dillon Barnett and his brooding foster-brother Brett Anderson start showing more than just neighborly attention, Nikki is intrigued…and a little gun-shy.
Dillon and Brett have a history; back in high school, the two friends fought a bitter battle over Nikki. Now, ten years later, Brett still longs to be the man in Nikki’s life, but he’s determined to stand back and let Dillon win Nikki’s heart.
Society says Nikki must choose between the two men she loves. Is Nikki strong enough to break all the rules in order to find happiness?
~*~*~
A woman who’s lived her life trying to please others throws caution to the wind in this sexy and highly emotional read that gives new meaning to love and relationships.
Her whole life Nikki Kimball has tried to do the right thing. When she got pregnant at an early age, she married the baby’s father because that’s what her parents wanted. While he repeatedly cheated on her, her parents told her to stay with him or be disowned. After her brother gets in trouble with the law and needs a place to stay, her parents tell her it’s her familial duty to help him. But on the day her truck breaks down and she finds all of her worldly possessions and money stolen by her brother, Nikki finally reaches the breaking point and starts living her life for herself.
Dillon Barnett has loved Nikki since they were in high school, but he never made a move. Along a deserted road on a dark night, a broken down truck finally gives him that chance. He comes to her rescue, driving her home. When they discover her home robbed of its contents, he offers her a new home at his place. What Nikki thinks is just neighborly help soon morphs into something more. Dillon starts showing her she doesn’t have to do everything on her own and that he’s interested in a long term relationship. But Nikki’s skittish after all the pain of her marriage and doesn’t trust Dillon’s words. Compounding her mistrust is that Dillon’s not good with words, but his actions speak very loudly, and they say he owns her.
Someone else cares for Nikki too, and that’s Dillon’s foster brother Brett Anderson. Brett is a police officer, and back in high school he and Nikki had a very passionate night that he’s never forgotten. Throughout the years Brett has continued to be a part of Nikki’s life by checking up on her after finding her ex in numerous compromising positions. He’s given her a shoulder to cry on but would like to do so much more. And just when he thinks he can finally claim her, he finds out Dillon got there first.
No matter how he feels about her though, he’d never interfere with Dillon and Nikki’s relationship. He and Dillon got into a fight over her long ago that almost destroyed their brotherly bond, and Brett doesn’t want that to happen again. The temptation grows stronger when Dillon suggests they form a threesome. Brett’s willing to risk everything–including the support of a loving family–to remain by Nikki’s side. Now if they can just convince Nikki to stop worrying about others perceptions and embrace this unconventional, yet very loving, relationship they’ll finally have the family they’ve always dreamed of.
This is a very sexy story with two very honorable men. I can understand Nikki’s dilemma in loving them both since they’re both very appealing. Dillon is tough and hard working. While he has trouble talking about his feelings, showing them is what he excels at. His love for Nikki knows no bounds. Her happiness is all that matters and because of this, he sets any feelings of jealousy aside to form this new family.
Brett is equally noble. Coming to live with the Barnett family from a very physically abusive home, he doesn’t want to do anything to jeopardize his standing in his foster family. It takes a lot to convince him that he’s worthy of love and that love is unconditional. Realizing that a “true” family loves you no matter what, finally releases the demons haunting Brett and allows him to embrace this new relationship. Fear has been holding Nikki back too. She and Brett are a lot alike in that respect. They want a family so bad that they don’t always make decisions that will make them happy. Seeing them come to the realization about their own self-worth is very emotional and inspiring, and makes you root for the threesome to work.
This is a very good story with the problems associated with a threesome shown in a very believable way. There was never an ick factor for me. The sex scenes were very tasteful, yet retains their steaminess. Hopefully readers can put aside any preconceived notions regarding threesomes and take a chance on this truly emotional story that gives a whole new understanding of what defines a family.
Rating: 7.5 (Good+)
Heat-Level: 6 (Erotic)
Cheat the Grave
Author: Vicki Pettersson
Publisher: Eos/HarperCollins
Pub. Date: May 25, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0061456770
Retail: $7.99
368 pagesLas Vegas socialite and otherworldly avenger Joanna Archer gave up everything when she embraced mortality – abandoning her powers and altering her destiny to save a child… and a city. Now her former allies are her enemies – and her enemies have nothing to fear.
Yet still she is bound to a prophecy that condemns her to roam a nightmare landscape that ordinary humans cannot see and dare not enter. And a beast is on her trail – an insane killer blinded by bloodlust, who’s determined to rip much more from Janna than merely her now-fragile life. Survival is no longer an option in this dark realm where good and evil have blurred into confusing shades of gray – unless she can gather together an army of onetime foes and destroy everything she once believed in.
~*~*~
Fans of this series will be happy to know that Pettersson successfully brings Joanna back from the devastation that left us hanging almost a year ago. Be warned – this review contains some spoilers, for the series and the fifth installment.
When we last left Joanna/Olivia Archer, all hope seemed lost – along with her superpowers, her troop, the man she loved, and quite nearly her life. But life goes on, and the story picks up with a very human (and understandably bitter) Jo joining in the festivities surrounding the wedding of the century. Suzanne, the stepmother of Olivia’s best friend, is marrying a textile mogul and Olivia’s hotel/casino is putting on the whole affair.
After months of rehab, Jo has come to terms with her new mortality. But while her physical wounds have healed, the scars on her heart and spirit still fester just below the surface. Moving on with her new human life becomes impossible when an old enemy (crazy Mackie, the creepy piano player from Midheaven) has been cut loose to finish her off. Without her powers or the support of her ex-allies in the troop of Light, Joanna is a sitting duck. Yet help comes from the most unlikely places, including former agent of Shadow, Harlan Tripp – also escaped from Midheaven.
While running from her life and seeking the answers to why she’s still a target in immortal power-ball, Joanna unwittingly fulfills the fifth sign of the Zodiac: she joins both Light and Shadow in a troop of rogue agents determined to follow and protect the Kairos (despite her mortal status) and shift the balance of power in the Las Vegas valley.
The first question on my mind when I picked up this book was whether or not Joanna’s ex-lover, Hunter Lorenzo (a.k.a. Jaden Jacks) was going to make an appearance. Let’s get this out in the open right now – he does. In an effort to remain as spoiler-free as possible, let me just say that enough of the story is dedicated to this subplot that we better understand Hunter’s motivation for betraying Jo. I’m a sucker for angst, and Pettersson does it well, but by the end of the story, Joanna is determined to find a way to free him from Midheaven, and I was definitely on board with that plan.
A few other surprises are in store in Cheat the Grave, including the long-awaited introduction of Zoe Archer – Joanna’s mother, who’s been helping her from the sidelines for several books – as well as the deaths of a couple of important characters. The overall feel of this story was heavier and darker, due both to Joanna’s grim outlook and the lack of any real romance subplot. In fact, a good portion of the book is dedicated to Joanna accepting and grieving her losses. Also missing is the normal relief provided by scenes in the comic book store, or during training with the other agents. This book is a run for Joanna’s life, and even the normally vacant blond entourage attached to Olivia is unexpectedly deep and touching…right before they start stuffing their bras with toilet paper.
Perhaps my favorite layer of the story is the theme focused on how deceiving appearances can be. This is something Pettersson has touched on before, but she really nailed it this time. No one in this story is who you expect them to be. Enemies are allies. Allies are enemies. The weak are strong. The invincible fall. And in the middle of it all stands Joanna Archer – not Shadow or Light, human or hero – just a survivor.
Rating: 7 (Good)
Heat-Level: 0 (None to speak of)
For commenting on Beverly Jenkins’ excerpt MIDNIGHT, the winner of Lisa Kleypas’s LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON is…
Lori Ann
Congratulations, Lori Ann! Please email your contact information to me at contests at theseasonforromance dot com. You have one week to collect your book.
5 - Perfect! - Goes on keeper shelf forever.
4.5 - Excellent - Sooo close to perfection, it hurts.
4 - Very Good - Highly recommend
3.5 - Good - Solid read. Would recommend.
3 - Satisfactory - Okay. Would recommend with caveats.
2.5 - Fair – Wouldn’t recommend.
2 – Fatally Flawed
1 Poor (1 being one of the worst books I've ever read) - Didn't find much in it to like.
DNF - Did Not Finish (Yes, it was that bad)
Heat Level
6 - Erotic – Extremely explicit language and lovemaking scenes. This includes BDSM, ménage a trios.
5 – Scorching – Explicit lovemaking scenes and language.
4 – Hot – Very hot lovemaking scenes. This includes oral sex but no more.
3 – Sensual – Lovemaking scenes are hot but not as detailed or long as Heat Level 4
2 – Mild – Lovemaking scenes are short. Very little detail.
1 – Inspy – Lovemaking scenes are practically non-existent. Kissing but definite closed door policy.
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