Ravishing Romances: harlequin books

Monday, June 3, 2013

Making Him Sweat by Meg Maguire

February 19, 2013

Book Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy

How are the sex scenes?

Very real, intense and sensual.

"A groan answered her as he fumbled his hand between their bodies, cantering his shaft along her lips. She was beyond ready, and with one, two, three strokes he was slick from her, their friction hot, wet and dangerous and hotter than the best sex she'd ever had. "

How are the story lines?

Engrossing and believable.

Would you read it again?

Yes

Back of the Book

She's hitting below the belt…Round 1

In this corner is admittedly romantic Jenna Wilinski, who's inherited a rather seedy boxing gym from her estranged father. With it, she can realize her dream of launching an upscale matchmaking business…provided she can take on the very intimidating—and wickedly hot boxer who stands in her way!

Round 2

In the far corner is former pro boxer Mercer Rowley. He's the only one who can protect his "home"—even if it is a little run-down—from his determined and feisty little opponent. But man, once the gloves come off, his hands just want to touch her everywhere…

Round 3

This matchup is too close to call. But no matter which contender comes out on top, the other is sure to enjoy every minute of it….

Review

Making Him Sweat by talented author Meg Maguire was a fun, fast paced romantic comedy endorsing the theory that ‘you cant judge a book by its cover’!

When forlorn, driven Jenna Wilinski, entered her father's domain, Wilinski's Fight Academy, her plan had been to evict the current tenant, and failing business, and create a new thriving business venture. Her disdainful feelings for Wilinksi's stemmed from her biased impression of who she felt her father was. Her jaded view of its occupants was equally condescending and dismissive.

What she wasn't prepared for was her visceral response to the current GM, impressively virile, yet mischievous Mercer Rowley. Her emotional journey through all he would unearth, particularly concerning her father, was intense, yet he also challenged her preconceived ideas on her ideal love.

Despite having spent twenty years hearing about the diversely talented Jenna from her regretful father, his beloved mentor, Mercer was not prepared for the woman now in his path. His predictable, controlled world, his home and his future was about to change; both literally, with the looming loss of the gym, but also emotionally from the growing attraction to beautiful Jenna. She left him confused, threatened and surprisingly captivated.

Could their predicament be held together by love, or would the impending desolation of Wilinski's create irrevocably guaranteed distance?

Making Him Sweat was a well paced, truly enjoyable read, with believable, loveable characters, fused together with humor and some deliciously sizzling moments as well. Yum!

Meg Maguire has a beautiful way with words. Her metaphors were elegant and often quietly poignant. She didn’t clutter the story with extraneous words and the honest and witty repartee was credible and refreshingly real. This will not be the last Meg Maguire book I read, and I warmly recommend this book to those who love a delicious romance with just the right touch of tension and angst, and sensual heat as well.

This review provided by: Musing Maddie

Published by Harlequin

Disclaimer: No compensation was received for this review. I received this title from Harlequin Blaze through NetGalley in exchange of my honest opinion

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Cowboy with a Cause (by Carla Cassidy)

Amazon ~ B&N

Release date: February 1, 2013

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Series Rating: Reviewer has not read them all
Cowboy with a Cause is book 3 in the Cowboy Cafe Series

How are the sex scenes?

Passionate, emotional and sensual.

How are the story lines?

Well constructed, cleverly woven and suspenseful.

Would you read it again?

Yes

Back of the Book

"I'd apologize for kissing you, but I'm not all that sorry."

Dancer Melanie Brooks had escaped small-town Oklahoma, giving up the country for Broadway's bright lights. Yet after her mother's funeral called her back, her own health issues forced her to stay. Now her tenant, too-hot-for-his-own-good Adam Benson, is giving her a reason to dance again. But has a killer set his sights on her, too?

Adam knows a little something about fresh starts. As for his beautiful neighbor, he doesn't see a wheelchair—he sees a woman who understands. But as the heat grows between them, he can't avoid the feeling that more than her big-city past haunts her—and that danger has been lurking, waiting to strike….

Review

Cowboy with a Cause by seasoned Romantic Suspense author Carla Cassidy, was a terrific, enthralling addition to her Cowboy Café series. Once again, you will salivate over a deep thinking, drop dead gorgeous Hero, and admire her strong, courageous heroine.

Beautiful, passionate and talented dancer Melanie Brooks, at eighteen, packed up her small town life in Oklahoma to pursue her life-long dream of becoming a successful dancer in New York. She had succeeded, but all her dreams died following the devastating death of her mother and the onset of a debilitating illness so cruel in its focus, that her bitterness was completely understandable. She felt trapped, grief stricken and alone. Her new existence a mirror of autumn’s dying leaves – a gradual demise.

What Melanie hadn’t expected ever to feel again, was desire or hope. She had not anticipated that the dark haired, blue-eyed, powerfully built sexy cowboy, Adam Benson, would or could evoke such a visceral response in her. “He carried with him an energy that seemed to pulse in the air around him, an energy that seductively drew her to him.” She feared that his transitional state would only cause her a broken heart. After all, in her mind, she was now a liability, half a woman, a burden – a cripple.

Adam Benson was simply looking for a new start. Life had in the last two years, “tossed him a live grenade that had exploded” resulting in dark times of despair and shame. Having lost many of whom he had loved, it was instinctual to guard his heart, becoming isolated and reclusive. Moving in to Melanie’s house was his opportunity to find a haven, a chance to heal, a place to re-group; and decide what he wanted to do with the rest of his life.

When he first laid eyes on Melanie, he was struck by her elegant beauty and sexy mouth. Quickly, he saw through her brittle façade, despite her vulnerable, resigned disposition and was dazzled by her inner strength, sharp mind and sense of humour, prompting protective urges to emerge. He knew first hand what hiding from life was like, and suspected Melanie did too. As he battled his own demons, would he act on his tendency to ‘fix’ things, acknowledging his growing attraction to the blond haired beauty, or could he remain aloof and unaffected?

Grady Gulch, where the story was set, had been on the receiving end of a killer’s evil hand. Tension was tight in the small town. Innocence lost. To many, Melanie Brooks was an enigma, but to one man, her very presence stole his breath in anger. To him, she deserved terrorizing and punishment. Death.

The mystery is woven masterfully throughout Cowboy with a Cause with the author allowing glimpses of possible suspects, as well as insight into the perpetrator’s mind, yet covering well his identity. The love story between Adam and Melanie is both believable and beautifully written. The book’s very gripping conclusion was excellent, ensuring that the reader must read the next book in the series. Cleverly done. I need to know who the killer is! If you are a fan of Romantic Suspense, do not go past this Author. She writes with experience, wisdom and passion.