Tag Archive | love story

Knocked up – Westmoreland Style

The Durango Affair (Silhouette Desire) – Brenda Jackson

Scale of 1 – 5: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Durango Westmoreland, a park ranger, and Savannah, sister to Jessica (from The Chase Is On (Silhouette Desire)), meet at Jessica and Chase’s wedding. The instant attraction turned into a one night stand that would have been all said and done, but we know that would be too easy. The one night turns into a life commitment when Savannah ends up pregnant.

Her plan was to go to Durango’s house, tell him in person about the baby and be on the next plane out of there. She was not even considering a relationship with him since he has such an aversion to city girls. The only reason she went to see him was because she thought enough of him to think that he deserved the consideration of having the news delivered in person instead of over the telephone.

In true Westmoreland fashion, when she told him, his response was that they needed to get married for the baby’s sake (if only all real men were that noble, there would be no deadbeat dads- but I digress). In true independent, common sense woman fashion **insert my “You Go Girl” high-five here**, Savannah rejects that idea because of her commitment issues. You have to read The Chase Is On (Silhouette Desire) to get the full story of how Savannah and Jessica’s father messed them up emotionally.

Conveniently, there is a snow storm that keeps Savannah at Durango’s house instead of leaving as she planned. Considering that Durango is a confirmed bachelor with the mentality that he will never get married, it is humorous to read him trying to convince Savannah why they should get married. Throw in a dose of her morning sickness, and his protective instincts go into overdrive. Despite what they initially think about each other, close proximity with one another will ensure that their true feelings come out.

The Durango Affair (Silhouette Desire) is everything that most romances are: a little conflict, entertaining characters, and a huge dose of predictability. This is a fun, short book for a quick afternoon read.

Click The Durango Affair (Silhouette Desire) to buy on Amazon

And if you want to double your pleasure reading, you can buy Promises of Seduction: The Durango Affair\Ian’s Ultimate Gamble (Arabesque) which has another one of Brenda Jackson’s Westmoreland novels.

Ian’s Ultimate Gamble – review

Mar16

Ian’s Ultimate Gamble (Silhouette Desire)

Scale of 1 – 5: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Ian Westmoreland owns a casino and Brooke is a FBI agent. The two dated seriously years ago, but then Brooke broke Ian’s trust (in his opinion). Breaking up with him years ago broke her heart but she could not stop loving him. Brooke did not know if the same could be said about Ian.

Now she is on an unofficial assignment at his casino. She knows her heart is in a precarious situation because her body will give in to the urges by being in close proximity of her one true love.

On the other hand, Ian wants to believe that the years of pent up attraction can be sated if they get each other out of their system one last time. (How many romance novels have I read where the man “thinks” it is just a matter of getting the woman out of his system? But I digress…)

This might be one of my favorite stories because Ian’s personality reminds me of my husband (tough exterior but a softie on the inside). Plus, this is one of the more believable romances that Ms Jackson has written. I don’t believe in love at first sight or even love-after-two-weeks. Those make for entertaining afternoon or evening reading, but no time during my reading do I think “Hmmm that could happen and create a lasting relationship.” In this case, Ian and Brooke have years of history and their story is picking up in the middle of that. Ian has to deal with his trust issues and realize everything is no so black-and-white. Trusting Brooke means really treating her as his equal and trusting her judgment to have his best interest in mind and heart.

I loved the characters and loved the story line. There was a little bit of drama, suspense, but a lot of romance!

Brenda Jackson is one of my go-to authors when I want consistency in the story with characters that I can tolerate.

Go to Amazon and buy Ian’s Ultimate Gamble (Silhouette Desire)

Yes I am giving you a command. That’s how much I love this book!

Secrets? Yes. Seductive? Not sure about that

Mar12

Seductive Secrets (Secret Lives Series) by Colleen Connally

Scale of 1 – 5: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

In this romance story, Alyce is trying to find evidence to prove that her father was murdered instead of committing suicide after killing a fellow officer. If (and it is a big IF) she is able to exonerate him from this, it will also prove that her father was not guilty of espionage and treason. Julian is the grandson of Alyce’s guardian. Julian’s brother is also the man that Alyce’s father allegedly killed.

Of course, Alyce’s investigation put her life in danger. With the physical connection that she shares with Julian, he does not want her put her life at risk. He wants her to trust him while he carries out the investigation. I love stories with strong willed women and the men that try to rein them in.

While Julian is trying to keep her from the investigation, her good friend Charles is trying to help her on her fact-finding mission. When there was an introduction of what seemed to be to leading man, I thought this was going to be a love triangle. I hate to love triangles! Fortunately for me, this story has only two people in love: Alyce and Julian.

The story was so complicated, but in a good way. There were so many different people involved red herrings as it were. When the true villain is exposed, it was totally unexpected.

I like it when I’m not able to determine who did what and why. This means to me that the author has woven a complex story that keeps me engaged to the very end. Bravo. I admit that three quarters of the way through, I had to reread parts of the book to keep the story straight. Like I said, there were so many different people that I was getting confused about who was who and what role they played.

Half of the way through the book Julian and Alyce profess their love for each other. That, too, was unexpected. When I read the proclamations of love, I check how far along I am in the story. I know that will give me an indication of how soon the whole book and all of its questions would wrap up. Declaration of love halfway through the story? That does not bode well for the additional trials that the couple has to face before they get a happy ending.

In summary, this book is worth reading because it kept me hooked to the very end. I had the happy ever after ending that satisfied me as well. Additionally, there are some interesting subplots that also add to the story.

Click Seductive Secrets (Secret Lives Series) to buy on Amazon

Heartless- A Regency Romance review

Mar8

Heartless – regency romance

Scale of 1 – 5: ♥ ♥

The Duke of Derringer finds out he has to marry before his birthday to keep his inheritance. He has one week or he will go from super-rich Duke to pauper. He pretty much picks the first girl he saw: Leandra. She was homeless since her father died. She was an illegitimate offspring raised in her father’s house. Despised by her father’s wife, she was kicked out as soon as her father died.

Derringer put up a veritable brick wall, because he did not want to love anyone. He had a reputation of being heartless. I suppose, saying hurtful things to Leandra was his way of maintaining his reputation. The sad part about it, he would hurt her feelings, and then feel remorse about causing her pain. Leandra was patient, but there’s only so much a woman can take.

Meanwhile, there were attacks on his life. While he is trying to figure out who wants him dead, he is trying to discourage Leandra from caring about him. That usually involved to say more hurtful things.

I cannot understand why Leandra took so much crap off him. He had a hard life, but that does not excuse him from being a jerk. At least he had the good sense to apologize. Leandra was more forgiving than I would have been.

The story was okay. If you like regency romance novels, you will probably like this. I could take it or leave it. There were some unexpected twists in the story. Derringer was too surly for me. Most of the time, I didn’t like the way he talked to Leandra. I did think it was funny that you as the reader could tell the characters mood by out how they address each other. For example, when Leandra was in a good mood, she would say “Hart” but if she was in a bad mood she will call him “your grace”. My chuckles were tempered with growls at his bad attitude.

All that being said, the ending was somewhat confusing, a little sad, but satisfying in a happy-ever-after type of way. If you think that sentence does not make any sense, read the book and let me know what you think.

Click here to buy Heartless on Amazon

Hidden Pleasures – not so satisfying for me

Feb4

Hidden Pleasures (Kimani Romance)
by Brenda Jackson

I was disappointed with the storyline of hidden pleasures. Usually every book that I read by Mrs. Jackson is awesome, great, wonderful romance. But with this book I feel as if she might have fell a little short of her target.

Galen bought a house that Britney wanted (it belonged to her birth mother who died). Then he told her, he would give the house to her in exchange for one week living with him. I did not like this premise at all because it was plainly obvious she was sleeping with him to get her house. It seemed to me that she was prostituting herself.

Not romantic.

Granted there was a lot of attraction between the two of them, but the storyline did not sit well with me.

Galen and his brothers were players going through women like water. The house was the only game he had to use to get Brittany into his bed. Considering how he was supposed to have such a way with the ladies, there should have been another way to convince her to sleep with him.

That being said, the story was too lackluster for me. After the finishing the book, I felt blasé. Usually after reading a Brenda Jackson book, I am energized. I did not feel the heat from this book. It can be tough coming up with plots that work. Some people might find this book extremely entertaining. But as for me, sorry Mrs. B, not the home run I thought it would be.

Rating Scale of 1 – 5: ♥ ♥

You can buy Hidden Pleasures (Kimani Romance) on Amazon by clicking here