Renegades, Rogues, Romance, & Reviews

THE BILLIONAIRE'S UNEXPECTED HEIR by Kathie Denosky

2009-12-13T17:15:00.001-05:00

The Billionaire's Unexpected Heir

Kathie DeNosky

Silhouette Desire

1972

October 2009

This story was incredible. The hero was a little slow on the uptake, but well worth the wait.

Lady Mischief liked the book so much she had to go on a search for the other books in the series.

Lady Mischief is not a Desire reader, this book caught her eye on the rack at Wally World, but she enjoyed Ms. DeNosky's story and style so much that once she completed all "The Illegitimate Heirs" books she could find she then searched out as much of Ms. DeNosky's backlist as could be found.

The lesson to be learned here is: even if you limit yourself to a few categories there are wonderful writers in the other lines. Expand your reading horizons.

Yours forever between the covers of a book,

Lady Mischief

RAFFAELE: TAMING HIS TEMPESTUOUS VIRGIN by Sandra Marton

2009-12-06T16:51:00.002-05:00

Raffaele: Taming His

Tempestuous Virgin

Sandra Marton

Harlequin Presents

#2869

November 2009

Raffaele Orsini's father isn't just connected, he is what everyone in the neighborhood wants to be connected to.

Raffaele and his brothers despise his father and what he does. One day his father pulls the "sick" card and makes Raffaele give his solemn word to keep an old promise of his fathers.

This is the first book of four about the Orsinis brothers. All Lady Mischief can say about Raffaelo is WOW!

Yours forever behind the covers of a book,

Lady Mischief

THE RUTHLESS ITALIAN'S INEXPERIENCED WIFE by Christina Hollis

2009-11-29T16:16:00.002-05:00

The Ruthless Italian's

Inexperienced Wife

Christina Hollis

Harlequin Presents

Extra #63

July 2009

The story isn't bad, but the back cover is misleading. The blurb's headline proclaims "Virgin nanny".

She is not a virgin.

Lady Mischief would not have a problem with this if the cover hadn't misled her. Hey, Harlequin! Let's have a little truth in advertising.

Yours forever between the covers of a book,

Lady Mischief

BOUGHT FOR MARRIAGE by Margaret Mayo

2009-11-22T15:46:00.002-05:00

Bought For Marriage

Margaret Mayo

Harlequin Presents

Extra #64

July 2009

Dione Keristari's father is a real piece of work. He is a bully who stole her away from her mother and controlled her life. He has run his business into the ground and now he is in the hospital with heart problems (who knew he had a heart?) and is insisting Dione approach a business enemy for the money he needs to save his business.

Theo Tsardikos cannot stand Bully Keristari, but he is turned on by the three minutes he spends in Dione's company. He tells her, you marry me and you can have the money for your father.

She agrees but says it will be on her terms. She is not that young. She is an educated woman. Nobody could force her to marry for this money. Her father was not deserving of this kind of sacrifice. This works for "good fathers" or when the heroines are young and extremely innocent. It did not work as a plot devise for this character.

Lady Mischief did not like any character in this book. She is wishing she had spent the money on Ben & Jerry instead.

Yours forever between the covers of a book,

Lady Mischief

THE GREEK TYCOON'S BLACKMAILED MISTRESS by Lynne Graham

2009-11-15T14:40:00.001-05:00

The Greek Tycoon's

Blackmailed Mistress

Lynne Graham

Harlequin Presents

#2836

July 2009

Seven years ago Aristandros Xenakis was engaged to Ella for about five minutes. Just long enough to announce the glad tidings to his entire family and friends and for her to find out he expected her to give up her medical training to become a wife and mother.

Now Aristandros is the sole guardian of the child Ella wants. He makes Ella sign a devil's pact with him in order for her to be able to be near the child. Is it for revenge? Or does he have deeper reasons?

If you like a take-charge-anything-goes-alpha-hero, and Lady Mischief does (in books) Aristandros is a good example, until the end.

The story is solid, but the end comes too quick. In the end he caves and gives her everything she wants and she gives him a quarter inch.

But after saying that, both the characters are likable. The book is worth the money and the time it takes to read it.

Yours forever behind the covers of a book,

Lady Mischief

WITH SEDUCTION IN MIND by Laura Lee Guhrke

2009-11-08T14:59:00.002-05:00

WITH SEDUCTION IN MIND
by
Laura Lee Guhrke

Avon
Historical Romance
Paperback
September 2009

Daisy Merrick's great ambition in life is to be a writer. Unfortunately she must eat and have a roof over her head while she is waiting to be published. Even more unfortunately she keeps getting sacked from her jobs.

One day she finds the courage to visit a publisher and ask him if he will print her work. He says her work is not ready yet, but he has an author who is no longer producing. He assigns Daisy to work as the great Sebastian Grant, Earl of Avermore's editor.

Little does Daisy know that the Earl is recovering from a ten year cocaine habit that had almost killed him and now has a case of writers block that is killing him or likely to drive him back to the drug.

Ms. Guhrke writes about adult characters, in adult settings, facing adult problems. This is her special niche that she has carved out for herself in the historical market. Others may attempt to transpose modern problems into an historical setting, but no one can do it as well as Laura Lee.

This book easily rates:

Yours forever between the covers of a book,
Lady Mischief

THE DARK HIGHLANDER by Karen Marie Moning

2009-11-02T20:37:00.002-05:00

THE DARK HIGHLANDER

by
Karen Marie Moning

Audio Book
narrated by
Phil Gigante
9 CDs
11 hours

The Dark Highlander is the story of Dageus MacKeltar, 16th century druid and twin brother of Drustan MacKeltar.

In Drustan's book, The Kiss of the Highlander, Dageus used his druid powers for personal gain when he tried to save his brother's life. This gave the spirits of the evil thirteen ancient druids an opportunity to invade Dageus's body.

Dageus in his travels through time(in The Dark Highlander) in search of a way to rid himself of the evil ones before he is totally evil himself. He finds antiquities curator Chloe Zanders in modern day New York where first he holds her prisoner then he enlists her help.

The story is wonderful. Mr. Gigante handles Chloe's voice very well, Gwen/David Spade makes a reapperance in this book and is still good for a laugh.

Forever yours between the covers of a book,
Lady Mischief

KISS OF THE HIGHLANDER by Karen Marie Moning

2009-10-31T01:46:00.003-04:00

KISS OF THE HIGHLANDER
by
Karen Marie Moning

AudioBook
narrated by
Phil Gigante
10 CDs
11 hours

Lady Mischief has recently had to spend many hours traveling the lonely highways. It doesn't take long to realize that the radio plays the same old songs in rotation on an hourly basis and how much talk radio can one person listen to before said person will need serious therapy? So the Lady decided that her time should not be wasted in such manner and went to her local library to borrow a few audio books to listen to.

The first book Lady Mischief chose was Karen Marie Moning's "The Kiss of the Highlander". It is the story of Drustan MacKeltar, a 16th century druid placed under a spell by gypsies. He sleeps until he is awakened in present times by Gwen Cassidy.

It is a true revelation to hear an author's words spoken out loud. Phil Gigante is a very talented narrator and Lady Mischiefs following statements are not a reflection on his talent, nor Ms. Moning's writing, just in this case it is perhaps an unfortunate combination of both.

Gwen Cassidy is described as having a Jennifer Anniston hairstyle and bee stung lips (ala Angelina Jolie?) Then add Mr. Gigante's falsetto voice and Lady Mischief's overly fertile imagination and the picture that crops to mind is David Spade in drag as Jennifer Anniston wearing a silver lame dress that keeps falling off.

Everytime Gwen spoke Lady Mischief exploded in laughter. After listening for awhile she grew accustomed to the voice and the explosive laughter calmed down to a giggle until she had to shut off the car but when she began her travels again it would be as if it were the very first time she heard Gwen's voice. (And to think there are so many people who believe Lady Mischief does not have a sense of humor!)

Lady was really torn on how to score this book. The story is well written and well told. The narration is very entertaining, but the whole David Spade in drag thing is also very distracting.

Yours forever between the covers of a book,
Lady Mischief

MY SEXY GREEK SUMMER by Marie Donovan

2009-10-25T16:17:00.001-04:00

MY SEXY GREEK SUMMER
by
Marie Donovan

Harlequin
Blaze
May 09
#470

Grad student Cara Sokol is about to spend the summer on a Greek island. Her "nonexistent sex life" needs a "jump-start" but she has sworn off of Greek men forever. At least until she meets Yannis Petrides.

Lady Mischief loves Greek tycoons, stories that involve Greece, etc. It has always been one of Lady Mischief's major ambitions to find one of Harlequin's Greek Tycoons for herself. She doesn't want a real Greek tycoon because she is afraid he might look like Jackie Kennedy's second husband. That changes the fantasy drastically.

This book also changes the fantasy drastically. This is the first Greek based romance Lady Mischief did not finish reading. It was just too painful. She could not find a single person she liked in it.

Regretfully this book is rated:

Yours forever between the covers of a book,
Lady Mischief

ALPHA WOLF by Linda O. Johnston

2009-10-18T14:59:00.000-04:00

ALPHA WOLF
by
Linda O. Johnston

Silhouette
Nocturne
January '09
#56

Dr. Melanie Harding did not believe in werewolves. She was a veterinarian. She owned her own clinic in rural Maryland. She was a scientist. She knew there was no such things as werewolves. She knew that injured dog she found late at night, practically on her doorstep was just a big dog.

So why did everybody in town insist he was a werewolf?

What was going on out at that top secret military base that hunky Major Drew Connell worked at?

What is Alpha Force?

This book has everything. An engaging heroine. A wild hero. Suspense galore.

Yours forever between the covers of a book,
Lady Mischief

BURNING WILD by Christine Feehan

2009-10-11T01:37:00.012-04:00

BURNING WILD
by
Christine Feehan

Jove
Paranormal Romance
Paperback
May 2009

To anyone who knows Lady Mischief or even to anyone who has been following this blog the following statement will not come as a shock or even as a surprise.

When you spend your hard earned money on a product you should have something which does not leave you feeling cheated or misused in any way. If you purchase a ring from The Dollar Store you have certain expectations from it, however if the ring came from Tiffanys your expectations are much higher. But then, so aren't the prices at Tiffanys.

When Lady Mischief pays $7.99 (US) plus tax for a book she wants a book jam packed with words that mean something, that take you somewhere, that make you feel something. She does not want to pay that kind of money for a lot of white space, large font print, and a word count equal to a Harlequin Romance packaged in 400 pages.

With that said, Lady Mischief will now get on with BURNING HOT.

Jake Bannaconni had been bred for certain skills that he never let his vicious parents know he had inherited. He grew to manhood, became a ruthless tycoon, and tried to protect the woman and two babies that came into his life.

Emma Reynolds taught Jake how to care for his infant son and how to love.

But could he protect them from the ruthless people who wanted to breed them and experiment on them?

This is the best book Lady Mischief has read in several years. It hit every nerve a good book should hit and it left you wanting more, a lot more. When a 443 page book with small font and no white space leaves you wanting more you know the book, the characters, and the author are all winners.

Hey, Hollywood! This book would be a perfect movie or HBO series. Read it. Check it out. Produce it!

BURNING HOT is the Ultimate Reading Orgasm.

Five (5)

Yours forever between the covers of a book,
Lady Mischief

DESTINY OF THE WOLF by Terry Spear

2009-10-04T02:11:00.001-04:00

DESTINY OF THE WOLF
by
Terry Spear

Sourcebooks Casablanca
Paperback
2009

Lady Mischief was waiting in a friend's car and wonder upon wonder her eyes fell upon a pile of new books. Oh, the joy that filled the Lady's heart!

She immediately slid her own book back into her shoulder bag and started to peruse the treasure awaiting her. One of the books was a werewolf book by Terry Spear and Lady enjoyed the small bit she was able to ingest before her friend came back to the vehicle and cruelly ripped the book from the Lady's hands.

The friend was adamant about not giving the new book back to the Lady until after she, herself had read it, but she did give Lady Mischief a prior werewolf book by the same author.

Lady was overjoyed because until this time she had not read anything by Terry Spear and what she had read in the car had whetted her appetite.

Terry Spear has a wonderful voice and DESTINY OF THE WOLF had a lot of potential. However, it did not live up to its potential.

Lady Mischief is going to break one of her cardinal rules and actually use some points from the book, which may prove to be spoilers, to explain the problems this story has.

1.) There is too much going on.
a.) It is confusing.
b.) There are too many villains.
c.) None of the many story threads receive the attention they deserve.

2.) The Heroine is a flip-flopper
a.) She says she is alpha but acts like a dumb (really DUMB) beta.

3.) Point of View
a.) Head jumping. It changes multiple times per scene.
b.) Confusing.

4.) Brother of Heroine
a.) Abandoned the family, especially the sisters to abusive men
b.) Then he rolls into town and is pissed that she didn't ask his permission to
mate with her love.
c.) He didn't even know where she was.
d.) He rescued his parents and not her. Leaving her alone and vulnerable.

5.) Sister of Heroine
a.) Had two mates plus a lover. (Makes it difficult to care about her.)
b.) Knew the Hero was really the one meant as her sister's true mate and she
stole him for herself anyway, and then cheated on him.
c.) She was weak and STUPID!
d.) She ran away from her abuser knowing her sister who had tried to save her
had been knocked unconscious. She left her to be beaten and possibly

raped, definitely abused.
e.) When she found a good man, she lied to him, stole from him, kept him

from his true mate, and left him for another abusive male.
f.) She even stole her sister's name.

And yet her sister and the hero still remember her kindly.

The bitch (since she was a female werewolf the term is appropriate) was willing to keep her sister from ever having any happiness. She does not deserve any forgiveness. At least not immediately. Maybe someday, but not right away. She almost cost too many people their lives, and she was not worth it.

This book is reluctantly rated:

Two (2)

Yours forever between the covers of a book,
Lady Mischief

ONE NIGHT WITH THE REBEL BILLIONAIRE by Trish Wylie

2009-09-27T17:28:00.001-04:00

ONE NIGHT WITH THE
REBEL BILLIONAIRE
by
Trish Wylie

Harlequin Presents #2833
June 2009

Roane Elliot (the heroine) sees a naked stranger on the beach and the first thought to enter her "innocent heart" is . . .

The second thought is to challenge him for trespassing. The woman isn't carrying a gun, a tazer, mace, or even a big stick. If she has even an ounce of common sense shouldn't her first thought be to get the hell out of there before he sees her?

Adam Bryant is the hero who had basically run away from home ten years earlier.

From there the story goes down hill.

Lady Mischief loves Harlequin Presents, but she finds she has been very disappointed in them recently. As a result this will be her last Presents for a while. Perhaps after a moratorium the books will either improve or Lady Mischief's expectations will be suitably lowered.

As a matter of kindness this book is rated:

Yours forever between the covers of a book,
Lady Mischief

SEDUCE THE DARKNESS by Gena Showalter

2009-09-20T01:49:00.000-04:00

SEDUCE THE DARKNESS
by
Gena Showalter

Pocket Star Books
Paranormal Romance
An Alien Huntress Novel
Paperback
July 2009

Future earth is populated by otherworlders and humans. Bride McKells is a vampire (the only one of her kind, as far as she knows) trying to pass for human. All her knowledge of vampires comes from old movies and books, mostly of the Dracula type.

Devyn, King of the Targons, is a warrior working with an organization that tries to keep universal peace. He is a sex addict that wants to have sex with every variety of female life form ever created, (he's a real horn-dog) but does not feel the necessity to repeat with the same women or species.

Bride ran into Devyn in the street. She was gorgeous and he was attracted until he realized she was a vampire. She scented an old friend off of him and began stalking him in order to find her only and best friend.

Devyn has already had two vampire women, so he does not need Bride to fill a hole in his collection. However, she does fill something he is missing.

This is just a brief set up to get you into the story. The book is part of the Alien Huntress series with revolving characters, so if you have read previous books in the series you will recognize them, including Devyn. But each book can stand on its own. Lady Mischief has only read one other book in this series and that would be the book right before this one, the book of Bride's best friend.

SEDUCE THE DARKNESS is high adventure, a wonderful love story, a tale of friendship, and has some pretty hot scenes.

This cost of this book is equivalent to two gallons of milk. You know, sometimes water is actually better for the kids. Leave the milk in the store, buy the book, make yourself a nice hot drink, sit back, read, and enjoy.

This book rates:

Four (4)

Yours forever between the pages of a book,
Lady Mischief

MOON KISSED by Michele Hauf

2009-09-13T09:04:00.000-04:00

Moon Kissed
by
Michele Hauf

Silhouette
Nocturne #72
September 2009
Wicked Games

Belladonna Reynolds liked to run after dark, down foreign streets. Until the night she had to out run a mangy group of men she later found out were vampires.

She is "rescued" by Severo, a werewolf in his human form, who takes advantage of the moment to paw her.

She is the target of a jealous vampiress. He is a loner.

The love story is good. The conflict is a bit contrived. The resolution okay.

How can Lady Mischief put this delicately? There is a touch of bestiality in this book. Sure when you read shape shifter books you tend to wonder, and in Season 2 of True Blood Jason Stackhouse wondered about Sam's sex habits when in animal form, but come on. This is a romance. In a well respected line. If you read the guidelines for Women's Erotica you will note it very clearly says NO Bestiality. There really are some things that are better left to the readers' imagination. The matter would have been better handled with a few gentle words, a loving touch.

This book rates:

Yours forever between the covers of a book,
Lady Mischief

WICKED CHARMS by Jayel Wylie

2009-09-06T01:58:00.000-04:00

WICKED CHARMS
by
Jayel Wylie

Pocket Books
Historical
Romance
Paperback
September 2003

In today's economy many readers are going to the library, exchanging books with friends, finding long forgotten treasures (or not so wonderful reads) on their TBR (To Be Read) shelf, shopping yard sales, or used book stores for their books. In honor of all those dedicated readers (and her empty purse) Lady Mischief walked into the room which houses her TBRL books, closed her eyes, and grabbed a book. The book which came out of that room was WICKED CHARMS.

This book first reached the bookstore shelves in September of 2003. Fortunately books are not like milk, unless the book is a political treatise. Books do not have a fresh sale date. That is why you can read TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD today and it reads as wonderfully as it did the day the first printing hit the stores.

WICKED CHARMS is the story of Aiden Brinlaw, a knight in service of Prince John. He was sent to secure a royal castle that has been promised to Aiden as part of his betrothed's dowry. His betrothed is Prince John's sister, a Royal Princess.

When Aiden arrived at Glencairn Castle he found Evelyn and her toddler son in residence. Evelyn had been betrothed to the heir of the castle before he died in the Crusades. While he was away at war she had borne him a son.

The beautiful Evelyn sets out to marry Aiden thinking he is the new lord of the castle. She must secure her son's inheritance.

Aiden is wonderfully Alpha. Yes, that is Alpha with a capital A. He is arrogant and thinks nothing of using Evelyn for sex until he has enough of her and then he will marry her off to some farmer somewhere.

But Evelyn had learned a valuable lesson. That lesson most women have heard from their grandmothers at one time or another. A man doesn't have to buy a cow . . .

Evelyn leads Aiden on a merry dance.

The title and the Prologue might lead you to believe this is a paranormal. Or at least that the supernatural or "fairy folk" play a big part in it. That is really misleading. If you like any of the above there is not enough supernatural goings on to fill a tea cup. But if you know that and you are not constantly waiting for something to happen, the story is a good one.

The love story between Evelyn and Aiden is warm and touching. His relationship with baby Max is sweet.

There is some confusion in the end concerning Prince John and King Richard, and knowing the true history of the pair it is probably a wise way for the author to go, but it did effect the final rating.

If you like Historicals you will like this book. Lady Mischief checked with Barnes and Noble and you can order the book in paperback and they also have the book in e form, ready to download. It is also available through Amazon.

Lady Mischief always likes to order an author's backlist.

Four (4)

Yours forever between the covers of a book,
Lady Mischief

SENTINELS: LION HEART by Doranna Durgin

2009-08-30T02:03:00.000-04:00

SENTINELS:
LION HEART
(Book 2)
by
Doranna Durgin

Silhouette Nocturne
Paranormal Romance
August 2009
Volume 70

Sentinel/Shapeshifter Joe Ryan has lost his partner, and best friend from childhood, under suspicious circumstances. At the same time his half sister died putting him under further suspicion. Now he lives alone in the mountains of Arizona where he patrols and guards the power hidden deep in the mountain.

Lyn Maines hates dirty operatives with a deep passion. She is sure Joe is dirty. Those in command send her out to find out just how dirty.

She wasn't prepared for how attracted she was to him, or the fact that he made a great cup of coffee.

This is Book 2 of the Sentinel Series. It is a notch above the rest.

Three (3)

Yours forever between the covers of a book,
Lady Mischief

WHAT HAPPENS IN LONDON by Julia Quinn

2009-08-23T14:40:00.000-04:00

WHAT HAPPENS IN LONDON
by
Julia Quinn

Avon
Historical Romance
Paperback
July 2009

When Olivia Bevelstoke heard her new neighbor Sir Harry Valentine had killed his fiancee she started to spy on him from her bedroom window.

Sir Harry worked as a translator for the "boring branch" of the War Office. Olivia Bevelstoke watching his every move from her bed chamber added much needed spice to his life.

Lady Mischief adored this romp through London society. The proposal scene left Lady Mischief chuckling for many minutes. This gem by Julia Quinn is not to be missed.

This is a full tissue box novel. You will laugh so hard your eyes will water. It is intelligent and funny. A must read for Historical Romance Lovers.

Four (4)

Yours forever between the covers of a book,
Lady Mischief

BAD MOON RISING by Sherrilyn Kenyon

2009-08-16T11:00:00.001-04:00

Bad Moon Rising
by
Sherrilyn Kenyon
St. Martin's Press
Hardcover Release
August 4, 2009

BAD MOON RISING is the long awaited for story of Fang, the wolf were-hunter, and Aimee, the bear were-hunter.

Die-hard Kenyon fans have been waiting for this book for a long time. In many ways it lived up to expectations and in many ways it fell short.

If you are a Kenyon fan and you have read all of her books, you have already read half the book. It begins at the beginning. (Literally and figuratively speaking.) Once again the reader is given the legend of how the were races were created in the Prologue. This is a good thing to include. Those who are familiar with the series can skip over it, those who are new to it can read the history if they choose. Then chapter one begins with a pack of were-hunters breezing into New Orleans, pre-Katrina, to visit the other worldly bar Sanctuary. The book is chock full of many characters the reader met in the earlier Dark Hunter and Were Hunter books, at least the books that took place in New Orleans.

Lady Mischief found it refreshing to have the previous books updated for her in BAD MOON RISING. She has read many a series that have traversed years, decades even, and many of the names are so similar that even when the author provides you with a genealogy chart it is difficult to keep all the players apart.

That being said, the material from past books seems to take as much space in this tome as the new material does.

Bad Moon is more bridge than edifice. New dimensions, new gods, new demons are introduced while old friends are fading into the background.

With the introduction of both Varyk and Thorn Lady Mischief found herself quivering in anticipation of future delights. Both have promise of being the tortured hero Ms. Kenyon has made her own.

Unfortunately Lady Mischief's favorite tortured hero, Acheron, only made a token appearance. It probably has something to do with that totally unworthy woman who became his wife. She seems to be sapping all the godliness out of him. Totally unworthy!!!

Looking at this book as a bridge, and grateful not to have to read the other books again, Lady Mischief gives this book a rating of:

four (4)

Yours forever between the covers of a book,
Lady Mischief

AMAZON INK by Lori Devoti

2009-08-09T11:00:00.003-04:00

AMAZON INK

by

Lori Devoti
Pocket Books
Fantasy
Paperback
June 2009 Release

Mel Saka left her Amazon tribe when they took her stillborn son away and from her unconscious arms and then expected her to get over it and "warrior up". Mel had grown to love her unborn baby and had wanted to raise him, against all Amazon traditions. She realized someone in the tribe must have caused her son's death so she took her young daughter and she left to lead a normal human life.

Ten years later she finds the bodies of two young Amazons on her front steps. She has to warn the Amazons they are being targeted without letting them know she is involved.

Mel is the Amazons' prime suspect.

Lady Mischief has been a big fan of Lori Devoti since her first Hellhounds graced the pages of a Nocturne, but the Lady didn't know what to expect when Ms. Devoti branched out into the Amazon single-title world. What the Lady found was pure storytelling genius!

Amazon Ink gives us a group of people that have survived for millennium on tales of past glory, but living the life of shady nomads in twenty-first century USA. When an opportunity arises to fight a real battle they are more than ready. It is up to Mel to stop them, if she can.

There is magick and spiritualism. Love and family. Friends and enemies. The lines are clear. The lines get crossed. The lines get blurred. There is understanding and perhaps even the beginning of forgiveness.

Lady Mischief is not a big fan of first person narrative, but Amazon Ink is done so well you forget that someone is telling you a story, you feel as if you are actually there as it all unfolds around you.

The month is now August. Lady Mischief has read over two hundred books since the beginning of the year. She has enjoyed many of the books, given out a few perfect scores, but this book is in a category of its own. The Lady's only regret is that she read it too soon. If she had waited until Amazon Queen was out then she would be able to stay in the Amazon world. If Amazon Queen is not about Mel and her life, then Lady hopes she is at least a visitor in Zery's life and that we will she another book featuring Mel, Peter, and Detective Reynolds again.

Lady wishes she could score this book higher, but she will have to settle for a rating of:

Yours forever between the covers of a book,
Lady Mischief

HOT PURSUIT (A Troubleshooters Novel) by Suzanne Brockmann

2009-08-02T11:00:00.002-04:00

HOT PURSUIT

A Troubleshooters Novel

by
Suzanne Brockmann

Ballantine Books
Hardcover
Release July 2009

Alyssa Locke left the Navy as a trained sniper. She would have liked to have become a Navy Seal, but that was a world closed to women. So she left the Navy to join the FBI's anti-terrorism squad. Eventually she left the FBI to join Troubleshooters when Former Navy Commander Tom Paoletti left the Navy and opened up shop as a private security firm.

Several years later Alyssa is happily married to cowboy/ex-Seal Sam Starrett and they have a cute baby son. They both work for Troubleshooters. (They had their own Romance recorded in Gone Too Far.) Now Alyssa is once again featured in Hot Pursuit. Her nemesis a serial killer caller {shiver, shiver} "The Dentist". The Dentist will not be satisfied until he has Alyssa.

As usual Suzanne Brockmann has several other storylines intersecting and/or running concurrently with the main storyline. (One of Lady Mischief's loved ones likes to tease her because once she lost the dust jacket to a Brockmann Troubleshooters' book and the Lady was half way through the book before she knew who the "main" characters of the book were. Brockmann is a genuis at making you care for all her characters.) Jules, the FBI agent extrodinaire, and his husband Robin, the movie star, come to New York to help. Irving "Izzy" Zanella is still in limbo over his runaway wife Eden, but he receives an offer you have to read to believe. Danny "Gilligan" Gillman is assigned to keep Jennilyn LeMay safe. This is his two week liberty after being in combat in Afghanistan. Gillman wants to get laid.

Ms. Brockmann writes complex stories that cannot be put down until it has been devoured. There are no red herrings. No wasted words. No wasted characters.

Lady Mischief has been known to get bored with series and continuing characters after several books. Ms. Brockmann's Troubleshooters is not one of those series. Perhaps it is because each book has a new hero/heroine and a new hero and perhaps heroine in training. Each plot has been different. Each villian also has been different. And although there are new "H/h" in each book the characters you grew to love in previous books visit often and the reader can rejoice in their ongoing growth.

Nothing is ever stagnant in a Brockmann book.

Now Lady Mischief must divulge some bad news from the author's note at the end of the book. Ms. Brockmann said the next book, Troubleshooters #16 will be the final Troubleshooters, "at least for a little while."

Lady Mischief has enjoyed many of Ms. Brockmann's non-Troubleshooters' books, but ummm, there is something about the ultimate alpha Seal hero, and wishes her much good luck with all that she writes. Lady Mischief will happily read anything with the Brockmann name on it. But, the Lady will still be hoping for another Seal or Troubleshooter to show up.

Remember, this book is currently out in Hardcover. Brockmann is on Lady Mischief's exclusive list of authors she will buy in hardcover. The authors on that list are authors the Lady knows she will read again and again. It is unfortunate for the Lady's purse that so many of them are coming out over the summer. If it were one per month rather than one per week it would be easier to spend the money.

This book rates:

five (5)

Yours forever between the covers of a book,

Lady Mischief

Summer Fun

2009-07-28T08:29:00.005-04:00

Here are a few fun games to play with the kids using some of Lady Mischief's favorite treats.

Enjoy the season!

Summer Smiles

Pair up a Popsicle® ice pop with one of these mini activities, and the smiles will last all summer long!

Slow Melt Beat-The-Clock

See how long the fun lasts! Using a clock with a seconds hand, time your kids as they eat their Popsicle® Slow Melt ice pops. The SLOWEST slurper wins!

Brain Freeze

For every slurp of an ice pop, ask your child to name an object that's the same color as the pop. OR name a different famous person. OR a friend or family member. You get the idea. To make the fun last even longer, use Slow Melt pops!

Pop Art

Hang a big piece of white paper on a wall in your home, and leave a glue stick nearby. Every time you or your kids finish a pop, glue it to the paper. You can even write the date and flavor on it! Pretty soon, you'll have an abstract masterpiece filled with fun summer memories.

Guess The Pop

Next time your kids reach for a Popsicle® ice pop, test their psychic powers. Tell them to close their eyes and guess what flavor ice pop they'll score from the box. If they guess right, they earn respect points for the rest of the day.

SALZANO'S CAPTIVE BRIDE by Daphne Clair

2009-07-15T11:00:00.002-04:00

Salzano's Captive Bride

by

Daphne Clair
Harlequin Presents
Extra #62
July 2009

After receiving a letter demanding money for the care of a child he didn't know existed Marco Salzano flies halfway across the world to take his child and the mother home with them. To provide them with the care they need.

Instead he finds Amber, the "fragile" sister of the baby's mother. Amber pretends she is her sister and tries to get rid of Marco.

Finally Marco finds out the truth about the sister switch and demands Amber replace the child they are denying him. Amber agrees, in order to "save" her sister, and then she spends the rest of the book trying to cheat Marco in every way she can.

Lady Mischief is tired of women who have no honor being shown as heroines and the supposed alpha males who think the women are loyal, honest, and sincere.

Amber's sister was not in a life and death situation when she tried to extort money from Marco. Amber did not have to agree to marry Marco and have a baby which she would then leave behind in order to protect her nephew. How dumb can one woman be if she thought her love for her nephew would out weigh the love she would feel for her own child?

Amber was dishonest from the beginning to the end. There was nothing redeemable about her character.

On the other hand this book is a great travelogue.

This book rates:

Your's forever between the covers of a book,
Lady Mischief

BURN by Linda Howard

2009-07-12T11:00:00.004-04:00

BURN
by
Linda Howard

Ballantine Books
New Release July 2009
Hardcover

Jenner Redwine works in a meat packing plant and has a deadbeat boyfriend who spends more time at her place than he does at his own.

Jenner is fed up with paying for his beer and munchies. She decides while standing in an uber long line due to an expected mega-large lottery jackpot that if the guy didn't have the cash for the beer when she got home it would be "hasta la vista". She also decided to buy some lottery tickets while waiting in that long line.

Jenner was an intelligent woman and when she won the lottery she didn't tell anyone until she had made sure the money would be safe.

Seven years later Jenner is on a charity cruise. Her best friend has been kidnapped and Jenner must cooperate if she wants her friend to remain unharmed.

Once again Linda Howard has created unforgettable characters. Her Heroes are enough to cause the polar ice caps to melt, without any aid from global warming.

Lady Mischief buys very few hardcovers, read the sidebar for better understanding, but Linda Howard is on the Must Buy The Moment It Comes Out List.

Burn lives up to the rest of Ms. Howard's fine catalogue.

If you think you are ever going to win the lottery or come into some major money this book is a fine primer in how to handle the money and the instant fame.

In addition the book is a fine action/adventure story with a fun love story.

This book rates:Five (5)

Yours forever between the covers of a book,
Lady Mischief

THE ITALIAN COUNT'S DEFIANT BRIDE by Catherine George

2009-07-08T11:37:00.000-04:00

The Italian Count's
Defiant Bride
by
Catherine George

Harlequin Presents #2830
June 2009

On her eighteenth birthday Alicia Cross dropped her purse and fell into the arms of Count Francesco da Luca. Alicia knew who he was immediately because she had grown up with his smiling face on her bedroom wall. He had been her favorite rugby player.

Within months they are married. Within hours she runs away from him.

Years later Francesco is in Cardiff for the Wales/Italy rugby game when he sees Alicia again and makes sure they speak. After all, they are still married.

This is a cute story.

Francesco is a likable character, even though during the years of his wife's absence and after he gave up on finding her, he had "allowed" beautiful woman to give him pleasure, he is not a sleaze.

Alicia is a character that started out as a young girl and matured into a strong woman who could finally speak for herself and decide what it was she wanted.

However, there were some problems with this book. Let's start with the most obvious. How many years went by between when Alicia and Francesco were married and when they "met" again? We know she went to college and gained a career. So was it five years? Ten? Twenty? It makes a difference.

How old is Alicia now?

How old is Francesco? When they met he actually thought Alicia was younger then eighteen. He was already retired from rugby. Was he thirty-six? Twenty-two? Somewhere in between? Was he a perv?

When the author doesn't want Lady Mischief to know the important facts about her characters then Lady Mischief will fill in the blanks and it may not turn out well for the story. When the Heroine is in her twenties Lady Mischief does not have a problem with the Hero being older, but when the Heroine is in her teens the Hero had better be in the same generation or else he comes across as a child molester.

The reason for the runaway bride was simple and a simple conversation would have taken care of it, but how often do people actually resolve things with a simple conversation. There was nothing unforgivable to keep these two lovers apart, so their reconciliation is easy to accept.

If not for the questions about how long they had been apart and the age thing Lady Mischief would have marked this book up. It is a good book and has a solid rating of:

Yours forever between the covers of a book,
Lady Mischief

THE SPY WHO WANTS ME by Lucy Monroe

2009-07-05T14:00:00.001-04:00

THE SPY WHO WANTS ME
by Lucy Monroe
3^rd book in The Goddard Project series
Trade Paperback
Kensington Brava - January 2009

Secret Agent Elle Gray looks like a super model, fights like Bruce Lee, and even has a fully functioning brain. She works for a super secret government organization that even most Presidents have never heard of. The mission of this organization is to preserve US advancements in technology and science.

Beau Ruston is a former college football hero who chose science over the NFL. He is informed by his mentor and superior that Elle is coming in the guise of a security expert. They are the only ones who know she is really a secret agent and they are not to let anybody else in on the information.

Beau hates liars and to him coming in and lying about who she is makes Elle a liar. But the hard-on just a picture of her gives him makes him decide that although he will not have a relationship with a liar he will get laid.

Then there are the secondary characters.

Matej, Elle's scientist brother who just started working for the company, and the woman he deflowered in college and then dropped the next day but has decided 10 years later is the one woman for him, Chantal. They are also major part of the story.

Lady Mischief enjoyed this book. The characters were likable in a very surface kind of way.

Chantal forgave Mat far too easily for all the heartbreak she suffered after his early rejection. Without throwing any spoilers into the mix the Lady will say this, Chantal was in trouble and needed help, but even so, she should have held his balls over the fire for a bit before giving him a HEA.

Matej brougnt Chantel to Elle, who could provide the help only she provide, and since it was Elle's job she would have provided it whether Chantal was with Matej or not.

While reading this book Lady was struck by how much time and page space was devoted to the secondary characters. Although Lady did not actually count the pages, it felt as if the pages were almost equally divided between the four characters.

Lady would rather have seen less of Mat and Chantal and more of Beau and Elle. There were times when Lady had to check the back cover blurb to see who the book was suppose to be about.

The book moves smoothly along. There are no slow spots. The "down" times have humor to hold the reader in the book rather than skipping ahead or turning on the television.

Stock the freezer with ice treats before you read this one. The sensuality level is HOT.

This book rates:

Yours forever between the covers of a book,
Lady Mischief

Happy Independence Day! May there be many more!

2009-07-04T12:57:00.001-04:00

DOG-GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN by C. D. Yates

2009-07-02T14:00:00.000-04:00

Dog-Gone But Not Forgotten
by
C. D. Yates

e-book
A Blade Publishing Publication
www.bladepublishing.org
(Proceeds go to "It's Meow or Never Animal Rescue and Sanctuary)

Carrie Moore has returned to Rhode Island to settle her grandmother's estate. Carrie didn't want to be in Rhode Island. What if she were to run into that dirty rat Jack Radigan? The man took her virginity, broke her heart, and as a result exiled her from the state for almost twenty years. Now Texas was her home. She had to get home before she saw Jack again.

Then the call comes from the Heavenly Doggie Kennel to come and get the dog from hell that supposedly belonged to granny.

On the way home the worst happens and Carrie sees blue lights illuminating her rear view mirror. She finds herself handing her paperwork to Handsome Jack himself.

Could things get any worse?

That you have to read for yourself to find out. And it is definitely worth it.

This book is a comedy. It also has a tender love story, both past and present. There is a very special story about friendship and parental love.

This is a short read, approximately 70 pages, but it carries quite a wallop and is worth every penny you pay for it. Add the fact that the proceeds go to a worthy charity then not only do you get to read a good book, but you get to do a good deed while doing it.

This book rates a:

Lady Mischief must make a disclaimer here. She is a stickler about sloppy editing. She even marked down Lucy Monroe (a particular favorite) for no one catching a name change that bothered her throughout the entire book. In this case The Lady has decided to be lenient and judge the book on the merits of the storytelling alone. She decided this for three reasons. The first reason: this is C. D. Yates' first book. Reason two: as far as The Lady knows Blade Publishing is a relatively new company. This is not a good reason for not having good editors. Every college in America graduates thousands of English majors a year. New Paragraphs do not start three of four spaces after the end of the last paragraph they begin two lines below with an indent. Sloppy. Sloppy. Sloppy. Third, and final reason: the proceeds are going to charity. Perhaps corners were cut in order to send more money to save the animals.

Lady Mischief must issue a warning. She will not be this lenient to Blade Publishing and the editors again. A reader should be able to enjoy reading a book, error free.

Remember editors and publishers, readers have chosen to spend their hard earned money on your product rather than someone else's. Respect them and make sure you are giving them their money's worth.

Yours forever between the covers of a book,
Lady Mischief

THE NEIGHBOR by Lisa Gardner

2009-06-28T14:00:00.001-04:00

The Neighbor

by
Lisa Gardner
Bantam
Hardcover Release June 23, 2009

Like a case ripped out of the headlines, a young wife and mother disappears. As is usual in such cases the husband is the prime suspect.

There all similarities to cases ripped out of the headlines ends.

Detective Sergeant D. D. Warren, the dedicated and gorgeous friend of Bobby Dodge, is the public face of the Boston Police on this case. A case where nothing is what it seems.

Jason Jones, the prime suspect, isn't very forthcoming with information. He is keeping his four-year-old daughter away from the police.

What is Jason Jones hiding? What is the true story of the missing bride? Did she run off? Was she kidnapped? Was she dead somewhere? Is the child is danger?

D. D. has to find the answers before anything happens to the child.

Although there are characters we have met in previous books it is not necessary to have read the books. This book is an entity unto itself. In addition there are new characters. All the characters are fresh, they come alive as you read them.

Some will haunt you. But that is the beauty of Lisa Gardner. She always has characters that haunt.

The Neighbor is an emotional and mental ride. Gardner's last few books had a lot of gore and scenes that gave me nightmares for weeks, there are none of those scenes in this book. The scenes in this book draw graphic pictures, but not the type that make you afraid to walk past that certain house at night.

This is 369 pages of thrills.

In the interest of full disclosure Lady Mischief must admit to being a BIG Lisa Gardner fan. Ms. Gardner is one of the few author's Lady Mischief buys in hardcover.

The only problem with Lisa Gardner is that she only comes out with one book a year. Then again, for the sake of the purse it may be a good thing.

This book rates:

Five (5)

Yours forever between the covers of a book,

Lady Mischief

The Vampire's Quest by Vivi Anna

2009-06-24T15:00:00.002-04:00

THE VAMPIRE'S QUEST

(The Valorian Chronicles)

by
Vivi Anna
Harlequin Nocturne
April 2009

Vampire criminologist Kellen Falcon has left his job and traveled to Europe with the hope of meeting a doctor who can cure the strange disease that is killing him.

Before he can meet with the doctor a bomb blows the doctor to bits.

Sophie St. Clair is a beautiful werewolf working on tracking down evidence of the bomber. Kellen insists on working with her since it is his specialty. Not to mention he is hot for her.

This book is part of an ongoing series. Lady Mischief has not yet read any other books in the series, but this book stood very nicely on its own. Lady Mischief does plan to dig through the piles in the book room and find the other books. Vivi Anna's world is too enticing not to visit again.

This book is the perfect balance between emotions, suspense, and sensuality.

This book rates a solid:

Yours forever between the covers of a book,
Lady Mischief

IF HE'S WICKED by Hannah Howell

2009-06-21T15:06:00.000-04:00

If He's Wicked
by
Hannah Howell
Zebra Historical Romance
June 2009

Chloe Wherlocke has a family tree full of people with special talents. Chloe was no different. Her talent was "psychic visions".

Her visions foretold the death of her beloved sister and nephew. They also foretold a plot against Lord Julian Kenwood and his soon-to-be-born heir.

The visions didn't allow her to save her sister or her sister's baby, but they did show her the way to save the heir.

Lord Julian knew someone was out to kill him and he was certain it was his beautiful but vicious wife and her equally detestable lover.

One night as Julian is being attacked he is rescued by three strangers. One of those strangers is Chloe who has news that will change his life forever.

The characters in this book are captivating and the taste we are given of the secondary characters leaves the reader hungry to make a whole meal out of each and every Wherlocke and Vaughn cousin.

From page one until the end there are no slow draggy parts. This book is pure pleausre to read.

For many years Ms. Howell has specialized in Highland Romances. If He's Wicked is the first of three in a new series that go nowhere near the Scottish Highlands. If the first book is anything to go by it may be many years before she will be going back to the highlands, so stock up on her highland books now.

Grab your favorite chocolate, pour your beverage, and settle down to the best read of the season.

This book rates a very strong:

Five (5)

Yours forever between the covers of a book,
Lady Mischief

VIRGIN MISTRESS, SCANDALOUS LOVE-CHILD by Jennie Lucas

2009-06-19T00:15:00.007-04:00

Virgin Mistress,
Scandalous Love-Child
by
Jennie Lucas
Harlequin Presents #2831
June 2009

Ellie Jensen had to go to Rio during Carnaval with her handsome Brazilian boss. There he seduced his virgin junior secretary, but only for that one night. For three months after that he watched as she tried not to show her broken heart too openly.

Until the morning she pushed her way past Diogo Serrado's guard dog secretary and announced she was quitting immediately and leaving to get married.

Oh, and by the way, she was pregnant, but since he promised he couldn't get her pregnant it was his, right?

Five hours later Diogo crashes into the church and steals her away from her wedding and off they go to Rio.

Then there is Catia. Diogo's five year old daughter. The girl had just lost her dancer/hooker mother months before. She grew up in Rio. Hated and feared Diogo. (Who didn't know she existed until after the mother had died.) But in spite of all this the child spoke perfect English to Ellie and even understood the word sibling. If you do not have access to a five year old in your home try talking to a kid at the Burger King Playground and ask them how many siblings they have. I mean really! For that matter, ask one of the kids behind the counter, I'll bet the answer will still be the same.

Once Ellie mentioned siblings to Catia she stopped in the middle of a "shrieking" tamtrum and said "babies?", immediately became all smiles and couldn't wait to start a new life with her daddy.

When someone was suppose to be thinking I was never sure who it was. The voice of the hero and heroine in thought sounded the same, particularly when not only were there paragraphs that started out with her thoughts, then became his. There were sentences that started as hers, became his, and returned to hers without any warning. You only found out when something was clarified. I was getting motion sickness just trying to follow them.

This story had wonderful potential, if only it had more depth than the cover.

This book sadly rates:

Yours forever between the covers of a book,

Lady Mischief

Overnight Sensation by Karen Foley

2009-06-18T21:30:00.003-04:00

OVERNIGHT SENSATION

by Karen Foley

(Tropical Heat!)
Harlequin Blaze # 422
September 2008

As a B-list movie actress Ivy James had fallen in love with three of her past leading men and had carried on front page tabloid romances with them. Now she has just been offered her big break. The role of a life time, with an award winning director, and the sexiest man in the world as a leading man. She is determined to concentrate on making the most of this glorious career opportunity. Then she meets her costar and finds she doesn't like him and cannot do the sex scenes with him. So she turns to Garrett Stokes.

Garrett Stokes is the war hero the movie is based on. He has been secretly in love with Ivy, even though she didn't know he existed, for years. He is responsible for her big break. He is also on location as a consultant.

Garrett has no problem consulting with Ivy. They rehearse the scenes thoroughly.

This is a wonderful story. The author pays attention to the small stuff that glues the story together. The things that make a story memorable. It goes down as easily as a creamsicle on a hot summer day.

This story rates:

Yours forever between the covers of a book,

Lady Mischief

The Vampire's Bride by Gena Showalter

2009-06-14T14:00:00.005-04:00

The Vampire's Bride

by Gena Showalter
Publisher: Harlequin
Release: March 2009
Contemporary Paranormal Romance

Layel, the King of the Vampires, has been a tortured soul with a heavy revenge-on for the Dragons which has lasted for centuries.

Delileh is a feisty Amazon. Unlike her sisters who kidnap men and hold them as sex slaves in order to procreate, Delileh wants True Love.

They are both battling the Dragons when suddenly they are pulled away to another place. Without their friends and without their weapons.

What could have happened?

The Greek Gods, after thousands of years of neglect, have finally remembered the creatures they left on Atlantis. They had had their fun toying with the humans, but now The Gods are bored and each one wants exclusive rights to these new toys. But what God or Goddess will be the lucky one? Who is to decide?

They decide to hold a contest! A way to decide and be amused. What more could a God ask for?

They take two of each creature living on Atlantis (vampire, amazon, dragon, etc.) and place them on an island where they must compete Survivor style. The last creature still living will be the one whose God will win.

Or will they?

There are strong secondary characters and subplots. They are strong, but never overshadow the Hero, Heroine, or the love story.

Uh-huh! I'm not telling. You have to read it to find out. This is a great book to take to the beach or the lake.

Good book. Fun read. Some really deep issues are alluded to that are sure to crop up in future books.

This book rates a solid:

Yours forever between the covers of a book,

Lady Mischief

Fury Calls by Caridad Pineiro

2009-06-07T23:57:00.001-04:00

Fury Calls

The Calling
by Caridad Pineiro

Silhouette Nocturne
March 2009
Contemporary Paranormal Romance

Blake Richards led a hard life as a poor Welsh coal miner. Existence as a vampire wasn't much easier and it was a lot lonelier.

Former all American College Girl, Meghan Thomas really hated Blake for what he had done to her. First he turned her on and then he turned her.

Blake couldn't stay away from her. Her warmth drew him. She was the answer to his soul's question and she may not want to admit it, but she needed him as much as he needed her.

These are two of the most likable characters to have appeared in a Nocturne, yet. But, they have to travel through hell before they can even think about sharing time together.

Lady Mischief is going to issue a warning here. I try very hard not to throw any spoilers into my reviews, but sometimes there are things that readers need to be prepared for. If it is something they will not be comfortable with they must be made aware, then they will be able to make an informed decision. They can either skip over the offensive part or just not read the book at all. Otherwise it could cause a perfectly good book to become a wallbanger and an excellent author to be placed on the do-not-read list.

Anyway, that's my rationalization for revealing this "oh, oh". There are a few scenes where Blake is remembering his childhood and how he had to go to the nasty old wealthy man's house and do vile things with him in order to obtain money for food for his family. That is until he was old enough to go down in the mines and do a man's work even though he was still a child. This is horrible, but real. Children have been forced to endure treatment like this throughout the history of the world, and unfortunately they still are. It's not pretty and not what we are use to finding in a romance book, but since Sherrilyn Kenyon tortured the young "Acheron" it is appearing in more books.

The second "oh, oh" is about male-on-male rape. I know this has become a rather popular plot devise used in books such as Angela Knight's "Jane's Warlord". But in "Jane's Warlord" we are told that it happened and we do not have to live through the experience. The way it is used in "Fury Calls" makes it a crucial part of the story, not just added for prurient interest or for shock value, neither is it done to a main character. But it is done and we get to read all about it. More than once.

In a Silhouette book.

I buy all the Nocturnes (all two of them) when they are on my local store shelves every month. I don't bother to see who the author is or what the book is about until I get home. I like Nocturnes and I want to make sure they do not go the way of the Dodo, Silhouette Shadows, or Silhouette Bombshells. I would have bought this book even if I had read the back of it. The story is wonderful and part of a series with continuing characters.

Caridad Pineiro is a delightful writer. She wrote a story with bold material. She pushed the envelope that Harlequin/Silhouette usually doesn't want to soil it's lily white gloves on. She created a book which the reader will not soon forget.

In spite of any potential controversy over the man-on-man action there are two very vulnerable, very likable characters that have a need to either find a way to be together or to vacate one another's life. Permanently.

This is an emotionally appealing story and rates:

Four (4) ice treats,

Yours forever between the covers of a book,

Lady Mischief

Love Cuffs by Ashlyn Chase & Dalton Diaz

2009-06-02T00:00:00.014-04:00

LOVE CUFFS

by Ashlyn Chase & Dalton Diaz
Published by Ellora's Cave
Romantica
(Print version available since February 1, 2009)

Lady Mischief is going to show a great deal of tact and never before seen grace in the terms she will use in describing this book. I will preface my remarks by saying that I have sworn to keep things relatively tame on this site and so reviewing what can only be termed risque material from Ellora's Cave is going to be a wonderful challenge to my abilities.

Hope Daniels is a thirty-eight year old New Jersey cop. She is in her bouffant wedding cake dress walking down the aisle when her enhanced super hearing alerts her to a woman's pained screams. Hope wants out of the wedding and convinces herself she must follow her duty. Without another thought she tosses her bouquet at her maid-of-honor, lifts her skirts and runs out of the temple and down the block, following the direction of the screams.

Her best friend yelling, "You go girl. Turn, fly, be free!" rang in her ears as she pictured her mother passing out.

She follows the screams to an old factory near the police station and bangs on the door for admittance. She is confronted by a man in an outfit (which I cannot describe here, but you really must read the description in the book) and proclaims herself a police officer. Next thing you know she is stripped of her gown and hand cuffed to the rooms accessories. A gorgeous hunk welcomes her to his "BDSM" club.

Dorian Markoff is the hunky owner of the club. He is bored with beating other people's butts and is intrigued by a "vanilla" woman. Can he be the hero of a "vanilla" woman's dreams? Does he want to be?

You do not have to be into Bondage, Dominance, Sadism, or Masochism, to enjoy this book. This is a COMEDY!!! Everything in it is played for a laugh.

There are madcap scenes that can put Doris Day and Rock Hudson to shame. Then there are love scenes which Doris Day and Rock Hudson would never have been allowed to do.

Each chapter is told in two halves. The first half is told by Hope. The second half (which is called Chapter ___ and a Half) is told by Dorian.

This book has everything a romance should have. Love scenes so hot they can peel the paper off the walls. Humor so funny you can end up with bruises from falling off your chair while you are laughing. A strong hero you want to bed yourself and a heroine you would like to be so that you could be going to bed with the hero. A satisfying ending. All the subplots are neatly tied up, but you are so entranced with the people you are left with a taste for more.

My only problem with the book is in the Prologue. Hope is deserted on a camping trip and left to fend off a large wolf. She thinks some of his saliva got on her fingers and that is what caused her super-hearing. But we never learn why a wolf's saliva would be able to do that? Is this an ordinary wolf? It's never explained. In the scope of the whole book this is a very minor thing, but I just had to mention it.

This book is funny. Hot. Entertaining. The sex scenes are vibrant.

Love Cuffs has earned a rating of:

This is Dalton Diaz's first book. I have heard she has a new release with a different writing partner. I hope to get the book soon, but my poor book budget is stretched pretty thin right now. If and when I get the book I will review it right here and let you know how it measures up to her virgin run.

If you are over 18 and would like to learn more about Dalton Diaz's books please go to http://www.daltondiaz.com

Ashlyn Chase has had several e-books published by Ellora's Cave as well as other companies. She also has several books through Ellora's Cave in Print. If you are over 18 you may go to Ashlyn Chase's website for more information. http://www.ashlynchase.com

Yours forever between the covers of a book,

Lady Mischief

Dark of Night (Troubleshooters)

2009-06-01T21:50:00.013-04:00

Dark of Night
A Troubleshooters Novel
by Suzanne Brockmann

Paperbook release June 23, 2009
Ballantine Books

Also Available in:
Hardcover
Kindle
Audio

The phenomena of Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooters novels continue with Book 14 Dark of Night. If you haven't read a Troubleshooter's book, you can pick one up and start reading. Although there is a continuing story arc and continuing characters in each book, each book centers on different characters. It can and does stand alone. Although, I must warn you, after you read one Troubleshooters book it just is not enough, you will rush right out to find more.

Now, with that in mind let's talk about Dark of Night.

Sophia and Dave began as minor characters in previous Troubleshooters novels. I really didn't care for them. They were bland. Milktoasty. They didn't present as the strong characters you'd expect Brockmann to provide. Certainly not Hero/Heroine material. Where was the Alpha Seal we so look forward to?

Tess and Nash were also in other books. Nash "died" in the last book. They are more interesting and you have been left to wonder what secret Nash has been hiding. Is this the book where we find out? I may be full of Mischief, but I'm not a spoiler. I'm not going to tell.

Decker, the dark, the deadly, the silent, and the mysterious. Does he love harbor an unrequited love for Sophia or is it the newly widowed Tess he really wants? And what about this electrical connection he feels when he suddenly finds himself face-to-face with the too-hot-for-words Tracy.

Tracy the woman who couldn't even make coffee when she first started working in the office catches Decker doing what he shouldn't be doing. Decker coudn't believe an airhead like her was putting the truth together. He had to put her out of commission for awhile. And maybe he could sink his battleship into her at the same time.

From the time Tracy first appeared on the page she has been a scene stealer. Sometimes even more interesting then the main characters. Now is her time and she does more then carry the book. If the book were a movie you would be hard up to remember who else was in it. From the time the reader and the other Troubleshooters were first introduced to Tracy's large green shower friend you know she was a woman with a lot of ballast to add.

Ms. Brockmann is a genius at taking characters that hover in the background and turning them into people we care about.

Alyssa and Sam Starrett appear in supporting roles. The scenes when Sam is giving Jimmy Nash marriage advise and instructions on how to change young Starrett's diapers are priceless.

It wouldn't be a Troubleshooter's novel without the yummy Jules Cassidy and his movie star husband. Jules is always the heart of the book.

Tracy and Decker are so engaging I could have read another 1,000 pages of just the two of them, but when you add the other supporting cast members I would have been happy with at least another 2-3,000 pages.

Suzanne Brockmann is a top notch writer that goes beyond genre. Her new book is due out on June 1, 2009 in hardcover and I am drooling at the thought of it. As soon as I get it I will let y'all know if it lives up to the Brockmann heretage.

As with all Troubleshooter novels, there is a complex story, complicated characters, and a story arc that covers many books into the future. I am rating this book on three sub-categories and then the over-all rating.

The suspense in this book rates a .

The romance portion of the book rates .

The Sensuality levels between Tracy and Decker are off the scales, but Lady Mischief has hindered herself by putting a five ice treat limit on her rating system. But then again, if you average in the other characters the limit will still hold. Courtesy of Tracy and Decker the rating is .

The over-all rating for this book is .

If you love action heroes, breathless romance, mind blowing sex, and things blowing up this is the book for you.

This book is a gender buster.

For more information about Suzanne Brockmann's books go to her website at http://www.suzannebrockmann.com

Yours forever between the covers of a book,

Lady Mischief

SLOW HANDS

2009-05-31T00:03:00.016-04:00

Slow Hands

By Leslie Kelly

Harlequin Blaze #402

June 2008

Also available in e-book
Contemporary Romance

Shy banker, Madeline Turner, is drafted by her half-sister to buy the "services" of a gigolo at a charity auction. If Maddy didn't purchase this guy her new stepmother would and use his services. It would break their father's heart if he were to find out.

Paramedic Jake Wallace had been "convinced" to help out by his boss. The only way he could get through the humiliation of being auctioned off like a piece of meat with a bunch of the wild women hooting and whistling in the audience was by reminding himself of all the needy kids that would have a good Christmas because of this night.

Jake peaked through the curtain and took one look at Maddy. His body had an instant reaction to her and he hoped she would be the woman to buy him.

Maddy bought and paid for him and then disappeared. Without even leaving a contact number for their date.

Jake tracked her down and insisted she had to go on their date.

They really, really liked each other.

They really, really had hot sex. Not just hot sex, but HOT sex!!! When you are reading this one you might want to have a supply of on hand to help you cool down.

Maddy didn't want a relationship, she couldn't handle a relationship.

The prologue leads to a bit of confusion. The women putting together the program for the charity auction are never seen or heard of again. But the repercussions of their incompetence are felt throughout the rest of the book. However, from the very first sentence in Chapter 1 you are hooked by fabulous dialogue, good story building, the comedy of the mistaken identity, and HOT love scenes.

You have to read the book yourself to see how it all ends.

Although this book was on the store's book shelves for only one month a year ago, it can still be obtained through special order from any book store, ordered on-line from the usual suspects (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Harlequin), or in e-book form from eharlequin.

Slow Hands rates a solid .

For more information about Leslie Kelly books please visit the author's website at: http://www.lesliekelly.com

Yours forever between the covers of a book,

Lady Mischief

VALENTINO'S LOVE-CHILD (Harlequin Presents #2820, May 2009)

2009-05-28T22:29:00.014-04:00

VALENTINO'S LOVE-CHILD

By Lucy Monroe

Harlequin Presents #2820

May 2009
Contemporary Romance

Faith has suffered great loss in her life and has relocated to a sunny Sicilian village to live a quiet life and to create her art. She meets Valentino and they become lovers. They have been lovers for almost a year.

Although Faith has been his lover longer than any of his previous mistresses Valentino will never love her or marry her. He had promised his dead wife he would never put another in her place in his heart or in his life.

Faith thinks she can never have a family of her own. And then the condom breaks.

Faith's hopes for a future with Valentino start to build when he begins to act out of character, but they are soon dashed against the cruel rocks of his honesty. Her expectations are not unreasonable. She is led to believe he is thawing in his attitudes. She is really a very likable character.

There are two problems with this book. On page 9 the dead Sicilian wife's name is Ranata on page 36 her name becomes Maura which I always thought was an Irish name. For several chapters I thought Ranata and Maura were two different women and I wondered how many women he had loved and pledged his eternal devotion to. "Maura" is mentioned often throughout the book and is integral to the romance. When you have to go back to re-read names or struggle to find out which character is which it detracts from your enjoyment of the overall story.

My other problem was the ending was too rushed. I have felt this way about all Harlequin Presents since they shortened the length of the books. I keep waiting for the authors to adjust to the shorter length by making adjustments in the body and making sure there will still be a satisfying wind-up at the end. But it hasn't happened that way. Everything gets rushed in the end. And we are told what happens rather then being allowed to observe it happening.

The story is wonderful. It made me cry, it made me care, it made me laugh. It did everything a good story should. The overall writing is strong it would have rated a five, but due to the above mentioned problems I could not give it a higher rating then .

It wasn't just the name change, but the name it was changed to. It just didn't fit the story and so detracted from it.

However, this is a MUST READ book.

For more information about Lucy Monroe's books please visit the author's website at: http://www.lucymunroe.com

Yours forever between the covers of a book,
Lady Mischief

Brand Spanking New

2009-05-27T18:59:00.000-04:00

Welcome. I am Lady Mischief. I am a voracious reader and I am very opinionated about what I like and what I don't like. I hope you will visit me often and share your views with me.

In the past I have been known to read as many as two or three books a day, but life has caught up with me, or as some would say, I now have a life (?) and only read two or three books a week. As a result I am promising just one review a week.

Each Sunday morning there will be a new review posted. But there may be an extra review or two throughout the week as an added bonus, if I am lucky and can read incessantly.

I will not only be reviewing the latest releases, but also books that have been sitting on my TBR (To Be Read) shelf for ages, e-books, audio books, self-published books, whatever falls into my greedy little book bag.

I am going to have a rating system. . Five (5) equals a totally awesome book. A book, I believe in my egocentric way, everyone should love. Four (4) means a great book. A must read by anyone's standards. A book earns three (3) by being a good book. A book any author would be proud of writing. Two (2) is maybe okay. I didn't particularly care for it. There may have been mechanical problems. Bad editing, names changing mid-book, etc. One (1) this book is a wallbanger. If a book doesn't receive a you can imagine why.

Every book I read begins with a baseline of three rating. The rating goes up and/or down as I read. I believe every book I am going to read is a good book, until proven otherwise. If I don't set my expectations too high by expecting every book to be a four or a five I will not be disappointed, in fact I am more likely to be pleasantly surprised.

I chose as a ratings meter because they are suckable, bite-able, yummy, and refreshing. Just what you need to help cool you off.

In the weeks and months to come there will be contests and quotes, interviews and give-aways. Be sure to visit often. Whenever you leave a comment with your name and e-mail address you will automatically be entered into the contest ending that Saturday at midnight eastern time.

I am planning to have a lot of fun with this, I hope it will be fun for you too.

Yours forever between the covers of a book,
Lady Mischief