THE FAMILY PLAN by Susan Gable

Publisher: Harlequinn Superromance
Date Published: July 2010
ISBN: 978-0373716456
Contemporary Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Lil
Obtained via Publisher


Dr. Amelia Young hadn’t needed a man, just a few of his best swimmers. A thoroughly thought-out trip to the sperm bank and the result was a wonderful daughter. Her family of two was perfect in her view. Then it was found that her precious girl had a fatal disease and only another perfectly matched DNA sibling could save her.

Fresh is the newly birthed restaurant of chef/owner Finn Hawkins. What he hasn’t put into his romantic relationships he has not stinted with this baby. With his time, attention and talent Fresh has fast become one of the hottest places in town to dine.

What happens when a desperate mother intent on saving her child asks the sexy chef with a good heart for a repeat of his youthful antic? Something deliciously romantic, of course.

Readers may find this to be a rather unusual plot for a category romance. May I just recommend that you throw any pre-conceived notions out the window and embrace the story to which Ms Gable treats us?

You will swoon over this delectable hero. Handsome, soft of heart and incredibly romantic, how could one not fall for this man? His awakening to love as a father to his child and as a man to the woman who completes him is achingly beautiful.

Our heroine doesn’t make things easy for him. Indeed, Amelia vexes him in mischief, as well as, in earnest. Some readers may not feel that her reasons are strong enough for the lengths she goes to, but real life is like that sometimes. She has had to be strong for herself and for Jordan. When she now has to depend so heavily on Finn, a virtual stranger, she discovers what she has been missing.

Susan Gable writes with wonderful wit and a sexiness that simmers. She also includes a great cast of secondary characters in the form of Finn’s family. They are full of fun and one hopes there will be a story for each of the Hawkins siblings. In fact, one of the brothers has already been introduced to the world in A KID TO THE RESCUE.

Truth be told, not only did I read THE FAMILY PLAN in one sitting. My final thought as I closed the book was, “Now this is a super romance.”

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of the book.

WALKING DEAD Book 4 in the Walker Papers by C. E. Murphy

Publisher: Luna/Harlequin
Date published: September 2009
ISBN: 978-0-373-80301-9
Urban Fantasy/Series
Paperback
Obtained by: Library Copy
Reviewed by Dawn




Joanne Walker was thrilled that she wasn’t out to save the world again. She could enjoy Halloween and finally have a life again complete with shaman powers, a hot boyfriend and friends to enjoy. Well that was the theory anyways until a murder happens that turns all of Joanne’s plans inside out and she is in a race to save the world yet again as the undead become alive, ghosts keep trying to kill her and the wild hunt is called too early. Can Joanne find a way to save everything she holds dear without destroying herself in the process?

I have to admit C. E. Murphy’s Walker Papers series is a phenomenal series. It delivers everything from magic, mysticism, gods and more all wrapped up in a bow, waiting for you to unwrap it. This is an author who is a masterful storyteller, who creates characters that leave you laughing one minute and on the edge of your seat biting your nails the next. I fell in love with spunky former mechanic turned homicide cop Joanne Walker and loved at how she always jumps in first then asks questions last when trouble erupts. Ms. Murphy keeps the reader glued to the pages as Joanne and her friends try to stop another ‘end of the world’ from happening while in the same breath keeping zombies from eating them, ghosts from harming them and more. Tight writing, fast paced storyline and beloved characters that are back for another round with magical forces will keep you highly entertained from start to finish.

WALKING DEAD is the fourth book in the Walker Papers series and though you can read them as a stand alone, I highly recommend reading them in order (Urban Shaman, Thunderbird Falls, and Coyote Dreams) to get the full effect of Joanne’s acceptance of her powers and her growth with each book. Ms. Murphy definitely keeps you on the edge as you race with Joanne for a way to stop an ancient evil from being released into this world as magic, shamanism and more all wrap up to a thrilling climax. With each book, this author delves a bit deeper into the soul that makes up Joanne Walker and the reader is along for the journey as well. Add in secondary characters that keep the story flowing smoothly and make you laugh at the right times, Ms. Murphy delivers a story that literally had me up till the wee hours of the morning, trying to see what happens next for Joanne and her friends. WALKING DEAD is a pure gem and one of those “keepers” that you can read over again and again with the same enjoyment as before. If you haven’t picked up any of these books, run, don’t walk to grab them. Ms. Murphy does it again with a story that will resonate with the reader and capture their heart.

"This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book."

THE DARKEST TOUCH:Book 3 in the Demon Hunters Series by Jaci Burton

Publisher Bantam Dell
Date published October 2008
ISBN 978-0-440-24454-7
Paranormal Romance Series
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn



The fabled Black Diamond was found and now all hell is about to break loose as the Sons of Darkness are after Angelique Deveraux after she escapes with it months before. She never expects Ryder, that sexy Demon Hunter from the Realm of Light to show up on her doorstep, evading her space and taking her on one wild ride, all the while trying to keep one step in front of the demons after Angelique as well as the Black Diamond she is hiding? Can Ryder keep Angelique safe from harm while trying to stop an all out demon war? Will Angelique be able to figure out the secrets that haunt her family?

THE DARKEST TOUCH is the latest installment in the wonderful Ms. Burton’s Demon Hunters series that will keep you guessing from start to finish. This book starts a few months after HUNTING THE DEMON ends and here you find Ryder on the trail of the wily, feisty Angelique and the black diamond. He is not too happy with her right now as he tries to fight the powerful attraction that consumes him every time she is near and at the same time, try to keep her safe from the demons hunting for her. Will he give in to the attraction that simmers beneath the surface or will he walk away from the only woman who moves him like no other? Angelique is determined that no one gets the black diamond and as she searches for her twin sister, she never expects to be found by Ryder nor the demon hordes. When family secrets unravel, Ryder and Angelique are blown away by it all and end up with more than they bargained for in the end. Ms. Burton delivers another spellbinding story and this time we get to see the intensity of the attraction between Ryder and Angelique that simmered in HUNTING THE DEMON. This is an author that takes her characters to new heights and definitely delivers in THE DARKEST TOUCH. From start to end, you are on one emotional roller coaster as Ryder and Angelique are, as they race along with the Realm of Light, to stop the Demons from becoming more powerful and end up starting a war that could cost human kind everything.

With each page, I was on the edge waiting to see what would happen next and you get a sense of what the next book might be about in this enigmatic series. With tight writing, a fast pace and engaging characters, Ms. Burton truly delivers a paranormal story that will leave you breathless. I definitely recommend THE DARKEST TOUCH for anyone who enjoys a great character driven story that will leave shivers up your spine! Get ready for the ride of your life as you read THE DARKEST TOUCH. Fasten your seat belts, it’s about to get bumpy!

WHAT SHE WANTS AT MIDNIGHT, Book 1 in the Dream Wreakers Series by Kimberly Dean

Publisher Pocket Books
Date published March 2008
ISBN 978-1-4165-4745-7
Paranormal Romance
Trade Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn



He comes in the night while she sleeps, watching, waiting and longing for her. She can’t resist him yet she wonders who exactly is this dream man that turns her inside out and makes her feel things like no one ever has. Devon Bradshaw is sexually frustrated after having seven long months of kinky dreams yet she never sees her dream man’s face. That is until she finds out he is her new boss and the world takes a frightening turn. Cael Oneiros is determined to be with Devon until things spiral too fast and things happen that catch both of them off guard. Devon finds out that a magic spell she did has far reaching consequences that may lose her dream man forever!

WHAT SHE WANTS AT MIDNIGHT is the first book in author Kimberly Dean’s new riveting series about dream wreckers descended from the Greek Gods. With heart pounding action and the “OH MY GOD, WET PANTIES” sex scenes, be prepared to get in a cold shower or jump your significant other while reading this one! Ms. Dean’s writing literally transported this reviewer to a world where dream wreckers, witches and magic all are in a real world and that magic has consequences even the most innocent of spell. Get ready as the Oneiros brothers are about to heat things up a notch.

Meet Devon Bradshaw, a woman who yearns for her dream man, even though she knows that is all he is to her…a dream or is he? When she casts an innocent love spell, she finds that magic can cause some serious problems especially for someone who has no idea she is a witch who can wield very strong magic. This reader loved the strong, independent woman Devon is in this story. She definitely keeps things interesting when she goes toe to toe with Cael. Ms. Dean then introduces the sexiest alpha male character this reader has seen in awhile. Cael is one sexy dream wrecker and this reviewer wonders if he will come to her dreams; strong, determined and the appointed leader of the Oneiros brothers, all who are as sexy as Cael. This reviewer was itching to see if the dreams will work on her if this is what happens in the dream world.

Ms. Dean definitely delivers a story that will have you gasping for more as you read WHAT SHE WANTS AT MIDNIGHT and leave you breathless. With tight writing, a fast paced storyline and characters that pop off the page get ready for a series that will leave you wondering: So what brother is next? Get ready for a new author to add to your auto-buy list and make sure to grab WHAT SHE WANTS AT MIDNIGHT! You definitely won’t be disappointed.

NIGHTKEEPERS: Novels of the Final Prophecy, Book 1 by Jessica Andersen

Publisher Signet Eclipse
Date published June 2008
ISBN 978-0-451-22437-8
Paranormal Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn






The Mayan calendar says the end of days are coming to the world and only the descendants of the ancient Mayan warrior priests are going to be able to save us all because once the line has thinned, all those demons and ghouls that you read about are here as well as gods, goddesses and ancient evil. Get ready as the NIGHTKEEPERS as they kick them back to hell and stop a clock that is ticking………..loudly!

This is a debut novel from author Jessica Andersen and it is one that will keep you on the edge of your seat for one wild ride. I never was much into the Mayans or their history yet Ms. Andersen delivers such a wonderful story based on one such legend that you feel like you are right there, living it with the characters. Historical facts sprinkled throughout makes it a wonderful read that ties in the story as well as many characters that are intertwined, had this reader enthralled. Get ready for NIGHTKEEPERS as this is truly one series that this reader has on her to be read list. I can say I read this in just 24 hours and had to run to check when the next book in the series is coming. You won’t be disappointed in Ms. Andersen’s breathtaking debut!

Meet the NIGHTKEEPERS, an ancient and powerful group of warrior priests that have the power to stop the world from ending. Each character is from a different tribe and has different powers, which Ms. Andersen captures beautifully. As this is the first book, you get to know many of the secondary characters as well as the main two in this book as well as much of the history that starts it all. Here you will meet the reluctant king, Scarred Jaguar, a man fighting his desire to lead his people, coupled with a fearsome desire for a human woman who he thinks he can never have and a race against an evil that destroyed his world when he was a child. Strong, alpha to the core and yet vulnerable, this character comes flying off the pages mixed with wonderful projectory. This author definitely captures as you get deeper in the book his fight within himself as he tries to lead his people, keep the woman he is growing to love alive and safe as well as find out what each prophecy means. Then you meet the woman who captures his soul: Leah Daniels, a Miami detective never expecting to meet a mysterious magical man who calls to her, a race against evil that is hell bent on destroying the world for their gain and a love that is too powerful to deny. These two are the center of the story for book one yet they interact wonderfully within the other characters. Each brings something to the other yet when apart they are like two halves, longing for the other.

The race is one as Ms. Andersen deftly captures the readers’ attention and keeps it all the way through NIGHTKEEPERS. If you like an engrossing tale of ancient gods/goddesses, evil and mythical warriors then get ready for a series that will knock your socks off and then some. NIGHTKEEPERS is definitely on this reader’s bookshelf and I am wondering how long I will have to wait for the next one, DawnKeepers. Ms. Andersen is right up there with J. R. Ward and other paranormal authors in her world building and this reader is anxious for more from her.

IN HER WILDEST DREAMS: Dream Wreakers, Book 2 by Kimberly Dean

Publisher Pocket Books
Date published August 2008
ISBN 978-1-4165-4745-7
Paranormal Erotic Romance
Trade Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn






Shea Caldwell has feared going to sleep for as long as she could remember. She never knew what would happen once she closes her eyes and that frightens her. Diagnosed with a sleep disorder, she thought she over came it when something happens to have her scared for her life. Derek Oneiros is a dream wrecker, a spirit that helps people dream at night. He watches over Shea, longing for her and when an ancient enemy comes for Shea, can Derek race to save her or will it be too late for the love that blooms between Derek and Shea?

IN HER WILDEST DREAMS is the next book in the Onerios brothers. This reviewer loves the premise and was enthralled by the storyline. Ms. Dean’s writing is tight, action packed and it picks up where the first book left off, just a few months later. With every twist and turn, the reader is drawn into a world where dreams are helped along by dream wreckers; evil invades the night looking for victims and a powerful love that needs just the right nudge to inflame the pages. Get ready for IN HER WILDEST DREAMS and get taken away into the night.

Meet Shea Caldwell, a distinguished scientist with a dark secret. She sleepwalks and it has gotten worse after a period of no episodes. As a child, she never knew where she would wake up and after a disaster, she has been wracked with guilt ever since. Now it’s back and Shea is scared to sleep and dream. Strong yet vulnerable, Ms. Dean captivates the reader with a strong, independent woman who is terrified of the night. Add in Derek Onerios, the one called “the machine” by his brothers. He lives to work and play by the rules except his attraction to Shea is causing him havoc. He can’t stop thinking of her, wanting her and watching over her as she dreams. Can he help her overcome the Somnambulist is back with a vengeance and it is a race against time as Shea is caught in the middle? Will he be in time? Ms. Dean keeps the tension flowing and make sure you have a fire extinguisher handy; those sex scenes will engulf you with its heat!

IN HER WILDEST DREAMS is superb second book by Ms. Dean in her Dream Wreaker series and will captivate you from the first page. I highly recommend reading the first book, What She Wants At Midnight, as it introduces the brothers and some of what happened in the first book is mentioned in this one. Kimberly Dean is definitely on this reviewer’s auto buy now and can’t wait for the next one. All I can ask is, how long till the next book? Grab IN HER WILDEST DREAMS and get ready for yours to take flight!

THE REDEEMING: Immortals, Book 5 by Jennifer Ashley

Publisher Love Spell
Date published August 2008
ISBN 978-0-505-52745-5
Paranormal Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn






All the creatures that go bump in the night are walking with humans and living among us. Constant power struggles are the norm as one race tries to be dominating over the other and one thing keeps them in check: The Immortal Warriors!

Tain is one of the youngest and most tortured of the Immortals. Kidnapped and imprisoned with a sadistic demon, he finds himself free of the pain he has endured for many centuries to a world greatly changed. Scars deep inside have him shunning his brothers to a degree until he finds himself drawn to a half demon/half human woman who calls to all that was once lost within. A violent backlash has happened after the war between vampires and demons a year ago and demon women are missing. Tain asks Samantha for help and as these two races against the clock to stop an ancient evil hell bent on conquering the world, both find a love that will either deliver the greatest of ecstasy or destroy them both.

Jennifer Ashley has done it again with her next chapter in the IMMORTALS series. THE REDEEMING is a story of Tain, an immortal warrior who was kidnapped by a vengeful demon and then tortured for over seven hundred centuries. Pain lies deep in his soul and psyche yet one woman calls to him like no other. After being rescued by his brothers, their wives and Samantha, the woman who fills something inside him that is lost, Tain tries to get reacquainted with a world greatly different from his memories. Strong yet vulnerable, Tain is a character that had this reviewer dropping her jaw and rooting for him to find the love he craved yet shunned at the same time. He has been forefront in all the past Immortal books and it was a delight to read how he found himself again though greatly changed. He is drawn to Samantha yet shuns the idea that he could ever love a woman, even a half-demon one at that. She is a cop who finds her finding that since his rescue, that she never stopped loving him, even with all his problems. This character is kind yet tough, gentle yet kick ass; Samantha delivers a much needed kick in Tain’s ass when he keeps pushing her away yet is drawn to her with a desire that is scorching hot. Ms. Ashley delivers two of the most multidimensional characters to date in the series and she definitely keeps the sexual tension running on high!

THE REDEEMING is the 5th book in the series and though you can read it stand alone, I recommend that you read the others in the series first to understand what Tain went through as well as who the other characters that are mentioned throughout the book are. If you enjoy a gripping story with captivating characters, some of the hottest sex scenes this reader ever read and a series that will keep you guessing, then grab the IMMORTALS: THE REDEEMING. This reader is definitely eager for the next installment of the Immortals saga and to find out what is next for t hem all. Run quick to grab this entire series so far and get ready for a day full of fun, magic and mysteries as the IMMORTALS deliver their brand of judgment on a world full of beings you only read about.