Smooth Irish by Jennifer Saints

Published By: Smashwords
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: 8 December 2009
Provided By: Myself
Series: Weldon Brothers

Four years ago a tragedy made Jackson Weldon turn his back on life. He wanted nothing more than doing a gig with his guitar every now and then to put a sandwich on his plate and gas in his tank. But a few dates with Nan Miller several months ago had him finally wanting something more. Her in his bed. Only she walked before that happened and his hunger for her alone has grown until he can't think of anything but her.

Nan has lived her life by a plan and she isn't about to mess it up by getting involved with a man going nowhere. That's why she walked out on Jackson, seventy one days ago. Only, she can't get him out of her mind or escape him in her dreams, night or day. So when he comes riding in on his Harley again, she wonders if she should take him up on his offer for an uninhibited weekend. But their no strings ride leads them both to an end that changes everything they ever believed they wanted or deserved out of life

- My Review -

Throwing you straight into the meat of the story Smooth Irish is a fast paced read that should have you glued to your book or e-reader for some time. If you haven't picked up the first book in the Weldon Brothers series, Wild Irish by Jennifer Saints, you'll still be able to understand the second book. Smooth Irish involves intense attraction and a country setting, and Irish men that set your blood a tingling.

Jackson Weston, the oldest of the Weston boys, only has one thing in his life that could possibly make him want to forget his past, a women. That women is Nan (Nancy) Miller, and she holds the heart of this smooth talking, ill planning, Irish man. Nan hard working and award winning nurse, has been counting the days since Jackson and her relationship ended seventy one days ago. She doesn't want to keep count of the days, but something is holding her back from moving on. And when Jackson gives her an opportunity to move on, it might just be her chance to force this man out of her dreams. But when things spiral out of her controlled plans, Nan is forced to confront Jackson and help him cope with his past.

Between the first of the Weldon's babies being born, and the rest of the clan moving up in the world it's no surprise that by the end of Smooth Irish these boys capture your heart. The Weldon Brothers series also includes, Hard Irish, the third Weldon of the brothers books, and the series should also include one other book as well.

- Links -

Goodreads | Jennifer Saints

Sweet Inspiration by Penny Watson

Published By: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Release Date: 2 December 2009
Provided By: Myself
Series: Klaus Brothers

What if the legend of Santa Claus is in fact, true? What if Santa has five big strapping sons who help him run his empire? Five single, sexy sons looking for romance...

Nicholas Klaus is a master pastry chef, a strict disciplinarian, and the eldest son of the legendary Santa Claus. One look at café owner Lucy Brewster sends him into an unexpected tailspin of lusty desires. When Lucy is injured, Nicholas makes a decision that catapults both of their lives into turmoil ....

Lucy Brewster, the free-spirited proprietor of Sweet Inspiration, has a flair for concocting sugary confections but no time for adventure. She gets more than she bargained for when she awakens in the North Pole...rambunctious elves, a fitness-obsessed Santa, and the man of her dreams. Does she have what it takes to become the next Mrs. Klaus?

- My Review -

Pastries plus a sexy Mr. Klaus, yields one hot and sticky filled book. Sweet Inspiration by Penny Watson involves what you would expect the North Pole with it's elves, rain deer, and motorized sleds, sort of like cars. What everyone doesn't know about is Santa's five boys, the heirs to the Santa Klaus legend. Nicholas Klaus, the first of the five boys, is the bases of Penny's Sweet Inspiration.

As a Klaus panicked about taking over as the next Santa, Nicholas takes a trip to the Sudland, the human world. Nicholas, a master pastry chief immediately becomes attracted to the baker Lucy Brewster's sugar cookies. Lucy, the owner of Sweet Inspiration Bakery, has a flair for sugary treats. And Nicholas might just be on of those treats that Lucy can't have. But when Nicholas takes notice of her, an attraction is formed through both of their love for sugary treats. And they awaken the heat necessary to bake those treats.

A sweet Christmas related story Sweet Inspiration, is something that any Santa fan should read. Penny Watson creates a modern retelling of Santa and his elves, through the story that follows an accident that forces Nicholas to bring Lucy back to the North Pole. This sweet romance is something that warms the heart during the Christmas time. The second book in the Klaus Brothers series, Sweet Magick is currently out and a book that could rival the story of Nicholas and Lucy.

- Links -

Goodreads | Penny Watson

Fangs, Fur & Mistletoe by Selena Blake

Published By: Author
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: 4 December 2012
Provided By: Myself
Series: Mystic Isle

Vampiress Coco Jeffres has lost her mojo. She plans to use her solstice trip to Mystic Isle, the pleasure playground for paranormals, to get it back. For once she’s looking for lust, not love. What she hadn’t planned on was coming face to face with an old obsession.

Tall, dark, and oh-so-handsome werewolf Grayson West is well versed in the arts of war and women. He’s got one week to blow off steam before he heads out on his next mission and he’s more than willing to help a lady find her inner vixen.

Especially when she’s the same beautiful blue eyed vamp he met one hundred years ago and has never been able to forget. They were once sworn enemies, pulled apart by war. Now they’re lovers. But history has a way of rearing its ugly head and their new relationship will have to stand up to the test of loyalty, friendship and even time itself.

- My Review -

An inventive paranormal romance, Fangs, Fur & Mistletoe by Selena Blake, shows how two enemies can become lovers even in the midst of war. The first of Selena Blake's Mystic Isle series, we see these two enemies, Grayson West and Coco Jeffres instant romance return a hundred years later. But as history typically does it haunts them, thickening their relationship with conflict and attraction.

Coco, a vampiress, fought against the werewolves, including Grayson, a hundred years prior to the beginning of Fangs, Fur & Mistletoe. Living in France with her coven, Coco works as a self defense expert helping women protect themselves. While, Grayson, works as a covert warrior for hire around the world. Just released from his last job, Grayson wants to relax at Mystic Isle; but Coco is there to get her mojo back, after a recent end to a relationship. Meeting up was by chance, but when the sparks fly a hundred years after their first attraction, the sparks are just too much to handle. With only a week to realize their true potential together Grayson will pull out all the stops to try to win Coco and even her coven over.

Fangs, Fur & Mistletoe a paranormal romance, that also brings in a little Christmas cheer to the book, tests the will and romances of all characters involved. As the first in the Mystic Isle series, Fangs, Fur & Mistletoe sets up the first of several more books revolving around this paranormal playground. Expect more books centered around Mystic Island in 2013.

- Links -

Goodreads | Selena Blake

Runaway Heart by Claudy Conn

Published By: Author

Genre: Historical Regency Romance

Release Date: 24 September 2012

Provided By: Myself

Spirited Chelsea decided she’d sooner run away to London than return to her vain and selfish guardian, Aunt Augusta.But in her wildest dreams, she never imagined her dear godmother would arrange a Season—or convince the ton’s most eligible bachelor to take her under his wing.

Lord Wainwright was a handsome rogue who was not interested in coy games and missish airs. He expected a country mouse with no polish, but instead he found a thoroughly engaging minx, and was oddly irritated by all the male attention she received.

Chelsea with her unspoiled eye saw beyond Wainwright’s pursuit of hedonism to the intriguing man underneath. But to her shock, it appeared his heart belonged to her horrid Aunt Augusta!

- My Review -

Runaway Heart, takes you for a spin and around the block. Through the love, hate relationships, and the underlying ones as well, Claudy Conn, in Runaway Heart brings you to the top of heartache and the to the downfall of miss guided presumptions, and back up again. Claudy's writing style is easily read, but just as polished as Lord Wainwright's shiny shoes. And the characters of Wainwright and Chelsea are relatable, yet different than many other regency characters I have had the experience of reading about.

Escaping the horrible grasps of Aunt Augusta, has always been what Chelsea has striven for since the death of her uncle. Abandoned at finishing school, Chelsea with the help of her friend Sam Martin escape and come into the care of her trustee Lord Lytton. Who has arranged soon after for Chelsea to have her day, her season, at the care of Lady Daisy Dobson. Chelsea a spirited girl is in search of her true love, and soon becomes thoroughly betaken by the Lord Wainwright, the most eligible bachelor in town. Taken under his wing, per favor of his Aunt Daisy, Wainwright, soon finds himself irritated not by Chelsea but the men that surround her. But, Wainwright finds he underestimated his first reaction to this country school girl. However, with Aunt Augusta pursuing Wainwright's heart, the question becomes will Chelsea be able to overcome her own relative to win out his heart?

Overall, Runaway Heart, gives you three really well written romances within its pages, some a more subtle while others are lovey dovey from the start. Claudy Conn does a wonderful job in her contribution to the historical regency romance novels, and keeps your heart in anticipation every step of the way.

- Links -

Goodreads | Claudy Conn | Smashwords

A Bride By Christmas

Published By: Harlequin

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: October 2008

Provided By: Friend

"Home for Christmas" by Heather Graham - It broke Travis's heart to see Isabelle go, but he was the Yankee captain who had commandeered her home and she was a daughter of the Confederacy. Yet even in the war-torn South, there was room for a Christmas miracle or two.

"The Wise Virgin" by Jo Beverley - Their families have feuded for generations. But will the love of Edmund de Grave and Joan Montelan overcome all this Christmas Eve--or will a family secret keep them apart forever? 

"Tumbleweed Christmas" by Candace Camp - "Bah humbug" rancher Daniel MacKenzie met his match in his new housekeeper, Melinda Ballard. She was determined to bring the holiday spirit into his home--and the magic of love into his heart.

- My Review -

A Bride by Christman, an anthology of three cleverly written Christmas tales includes: "Home for Christmas" by Heather Graham, "The Wise Virgin" by Jo Beverly, and "Tumbleweed Christmas" by Candace Camp. Each story within it's 100+ pages holds the magic of a romantic Christmas. The characters are charming and roguish, while sweet and caring, taking and encapsulating your heart.

In "Home for Christmas," we meet Travis, a handsome and battle tired Yankee captain, in the midst of the Civil War, and who has happened to confiscate Isabelle, a beautiful Confederate's immaculate home. With a rebelled beginning to their relationship (she tries to shoot Travis and his men), it's hard not to enjoy Isabelle's character. At points you even want to scream because of her stupidity and temper. While your rooting for Travis the whole way through, especially wanting him to survive battles such as Gettysburg. But, both characters are faced with a hard decision at the end: can they love the enemy?

Jo Beverley's story in this anthology is equally as entertaining as "Home for Christmas". A family feud,  a kidnapping, and a instant connection leaves the two character of Joan and Edmund fighting their feeling every second of their interaction. Edmund instantly takes a liking to the Joan a sharp tonged, courageous, virgin, who he takes on Christmas Eve. He himself a battle harden warrior, sees Joan for the women she really is, not the one she personifies for the courts. Together their dialogue and their necessity of solving their families' feud, leaves you cheering them on every step of the way, making for a bitter sweet ending.

The last of the anthology books is one of western origins. "Tumbleweed Christmas" follows the story of Melinda, a single mother trying to survive the newly settled west, with her son. Desperately in need of money Melinda approaches the town scrooge, Old Mr. Daniel MacKensie, to try and gain a ranch cook position. She soon finds that the towns people are wrong about him, he's not old at all, rather he's a rugged handsome cowboy. He might have some issues with kids, but soon we see MacKensie's real colors. And these real colors are brightened by Melinda's need to see him open his heart and home again.

If your looking for three heart warming Christmas stories, check out A Bride By Christmas, the book has a lot to offer within it's 377 pages, and you just can't go wrong with historical romances. Especially around Christmas time!

- Links -

Goodreads | Heather Graham | Jo Beverley | Candance Camp