Archive for the My Favorite Books Category

WHAT THE DUKE DESIRES by Jenna Petersen

I had the opportunity to attend Jenna Petersen’s workshop in Raleigh, North Carolina and was thrilled to meet her in person. Her historical novels, set in Regency England, are full of twists and turns and heroes galore. In ‘What the Duke Desires’, she has given us two lost souls, angered by something his father supposedly did to her mother, and she weaves their immediate passion into a story filled with desire, and shocking secrets.

Simon Crathorne did not want to become the Duke of Billingham but he took the reins from an unloving father and prepared to do his duty by marrying an acceptable woman and producing an heir. Lillian Mayhew lost her mother to suicide and finds the person who caused it is dead. Can she take out her revenge on his son? Or, will she rise above the pain and heroically find love instead.   I loved the story and the characters and believe others will, too! Don’t forget to read her other books…especially ‘From London With Love’. ‘What the Duke Desires’ was published in November 2009 by Avon.Nancy Lee Badger

DUKE MOST WANTED by Celeste Bradley

The Heiress Brides series follows granddaughters vying for a fortune willed to the first granddaughter to marry a duke. Quiet, bookish Sophie Blake has no intention of trying for the prize and plans to admire the man of her dreams from afar. 

Graham Cavendish, with three elder brothers, has no thoughts of being anything than what he is…a charmer and a scoundrel. With his estate in debt, he is off to find a wealthy bride.  

Can Sophie stand by and watch their friendship fall by the wayside. Worse, can she bear to have him raising children with anyone but her? Will a makeover and a more assertive air get her under his radar?  Watching the hero grow and mature while Sophie comes out of her shell made for an adventurous read! ‘Duke Most Wanted’ was published in 2008 by St. Martin’s Press. 

Nancy Lee Badger 

MASTER OF SURRENDER by Karin Tabke

The first book in the Blood Sword Legacy, I am already looking forward to her other books! This scary, sensual story pits eight warriors scarred by torture and powered by a prophecy to claim their legacies while fighting for William the Conqueror.  

Sir Rohan du Luc, the Black Sword, claims the castle home of Saxon maiden Isabel of Alethorpe. His warriors breach the keep and her people find themselves servants of big, powerful, lusty men. Can Isabel keep her sanity, her virginity, and her people safe while she hopes for help from her missing father, brother, and fiancé?

The book chronicles Rohans growth as a man of honor while the temptation of bedding the lady pulls him into darkness. Twists, turns, battles, foes-such as his half-brother (who has his eye on Isabel) make for heart-palpitations in this reader! Rohans growth into a true hero for Isabel and all her people made me read this book in two days!

Master of Surrender was published in 2008 by Simon & Schusters Pocket Books and was purchased by me for my own reading pleasure. I believe you will enjoy the series. 

Nancy Lee Badger

IMPULSE INITIATIVE by Abigail Reynolds

A Pride and Prejudice Variation, is how Miss Reynolds describes her novel. That alone got me to read it! As a long-suffering fan of the A&E movie, and a small fan (though still I-bought-the-DVD) of the Kiera Knightly version, I brought the book home and began to read. If you are familiar with the Colin Firth version (yummy!), you will be able to understand how this author takes the story from the moment Elizabeth refuses Mr. Darcy’s proposal and says to her readers…What if Mr. Darcy tries to change her mind?

I was deeply enthralled in this new adaptation from the first chapter, and wondered how she could possibly write a more satisfying ending. I always appreciate how she used his cousin, Fitzwilliam. In fact, there are more than kisses between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, waylaid marriage plans, tense moments with her uncle and her father, and so much more. She sprinkles quotes, familiar to me from the big screen, and follows the flow of the story. Lots of action…and sex…and, most of all, a deep and growing love between two of my most favorite characters.

 ‘Impulse Initiative’ was published in 2008 by Sourcebooks. Nancy Lee Badger  

MOONLIGHT WARRIOR by Janet Chapman

I love Janet Chapmen ever since picking up her first book based on the MacKeage family.This story of their friend, Kenzie Gregor, continues an interesting saga of 11th century Scottish Highlanders learning to live and love in present day Maine.  Gregor has a calling as a soul warrior and has no room in this life for Eve Anderson and her ditzy mother, Mabel. Unfortunately, he’s just bought their house and farm out from under them.   Kenzie’s got a witch on his trail and a lovesick dragon lurking around the farm. A hero’s life is not easy! Can Eve open her broken heart to a stranger? Especially when she refuses to let another guy ruin her life?  No need to have read Janet’s previous MacKeag tales to understand the action, but I would recommend her entire line for her world building including magic, Druids, Shaman’s, cursed Highlanders, and the biggest horse this side of the ocean. I’ll take my heroes bareback, thank you very much! ‘Moonlight Warrior’ was published in 2009 by Simon & Schuster’s Pocket Star Books. Nancy Lee Badger

THIS DUCHESS OF MINE by Eloisa James

We meet Jemma, the Duchess of Beaumont, some years after she had walked out on her husband, their marriage, and his mistress to live and love in France.  Called home to produce an heir, she and Elijah do their best to grate on each other’s nerves.

Elijah has kept his heart ailment from her while she cannot forget her husband’s treachery with another woman. Her husband must decide whether he will take her back into his bed or possibly die in service to his country.  As an MP in the House of Lords, Elijah’s heroic work as a politician is something to cheer.

But, don’t forget Jemma, doing all in her power to find a cure and get him to return her love. Both great heroes!!!  A great read! ‘This Duchess of Mine’ was published in 2009 by Harper Collins/AVON Books.

 

Nancy Lee Badger

SLEEPLESS IN SCOTLAND by Karen Hawkins

Karen has come up with another great story interwoven with twists and turns, descriptive scenery, witty dialog, and a lusty man and scholarly heroine who find themselves in a situation not of their choosing. She pits two sensible characters striving to save their siblings from the other while getting in over their heads.

When a twin sister’s rescue goes awry, Catriona Hurst finds her future in the hands of handsome Hugh MacLean. Neither one wants to marry, but after they are caught alone, Hugh will not allow her to be ruined.

Whisked away from prying eyes in London to Hugh’s estate in Scotland, Triona discovers the man has secrets…including three lovely daughters who do not want to share his affections.  Hugh became a favorite hero of mine when I saw how he interacted with his children while trying hard to be a better husband.

‘Sleepless in Scotland’ was published in 2009 by Simon & Schuster Pocket Books. 

Nancy Lee Badger  

ALWAYS THE SCOUNDREL by Suzanne Enoch

      Lord Bramwell Johns drinks, whores, gambles, steals from darkened homes, and diddles with other men’s wives. What else is the second son of a duke to do?

      Lady Rosamund Davies has spent her life keeping her family on time, in food, and out of the scandal rags. Until, that is, her young brother announces he’s in debt to a man she detests to the tune of 10,000 pounds!

      The only way to save the family is her sacrifice. When Bram learns whom Rose will marry and what the devil plans to do with the innocent chit, his life spins out of control. 

      Personal growth might take time for Bram, especially if he continues his thievery. And Rose has plans of her own, including ruination, but who will win in the end? This merry romp through regency England is part of Ms. Enoch’s ‘The Notorious Gentlemen’ series and a reader need not have read the others to follow this story.

      Always The Scoundrel was published in May 2009 by AVON BOOKS, a Harper Collins imprint.

 Nancy Lee Badger

BOOK REVIEW: FIND ME by DEBRA WEBB

    

     The title and cover drew me to this book: a woman’s shadowed face, and the outward look from a dank cave…not to mention the title! Sarah travels to cover the disappearance and subsequent murder of a teenager. Another teen is kidnapped while our heroine, an investigative reporter with a knack for finding the truth, is babysat by a town representative, Kale.

     Our simple fisherman’s unofficial job is to minimize bad publicity but finds himself enthralled by this New York women who is hiding secrets.

     Small town foibles, hidden truths, scary moments, and hot sex pulls the reader in. I couldn’t put it down!

‘Find Me’ was published in 2009 by St. Martin’s Press.

Nancy Lee Badger

Book Review: UNDER FIRE by Jo Davis

      Zack Knight just ran into the most intriguing long-legged goddess. Too bad his mustang crumbled her back bumper. Cori Shannon is a sharp-tongued, mildly pissed-off exotic dancer who happens to have someone gunning for her. Her brassy, make-it-on-my-own plans and forward-thinking attitude are matched against our quiet, High IQ, Firefighter hero.     

      And…he’s a virgin.

      When Zack and the other ‘Firefighters of Station Five’, the name of Ms. Davis’ series of hot, tragic, fast-paced depictions of life as a hero, rescue Cori from near death, she suddenly becomes the one mending hearts instead of breaking them when she nurses Zack back to health. Especially after another bullet gets too close.

      Sexual tension and a romance doomed to failure kept this reader deep inside the book until the end. Even if someone has not read her first in the series, she has layered just enough description to give the reader a taste of another of the hot heroes of Station House Five.

      Under Fire was published in May 2009 by Signet Eclipse.

 Nancy Lee Badger