Hajar's Hidden Legacy by Maisey Yates

Review by TashNz

Hajar's Hidden Legacy
by Maisey Yates

A powerful and thought-provoking love story reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast.  An incredibly moving story about determined Katherine and the famed Beast/Sheikh of Hajar, Zahir, which was delightfully sprinkled through-out with Maisey Yate’s trademark wit and humor

Katherine literally rocks up to Zahir desk demanding he marry her.  Demanding she honor an age old agreement between her father and his.  Forget-about-it Zahir pretty much growls while trying to throw her out.  Katherine’s having none of it.  She’s here to save her country and the only way how is for Zahir to marry her.  Zahir demand she leaves but instead Katherine moves in.  Over time her persuasions and her reasons for the marriage have Zahir agreeing with her plan.

Sheikh Zahir is the only surviving member of a fatal attack on his family.  The mental effects of such a distressing experience have left Zahir a prisoner in his own palace.  His nickname is the Beast of Hajir because he is scarred.  Katherine is the light to Zahir’s dark.  He can’t understand why anyone would feel desire for him after the woman he loved left him, not able to handle the fall out from the attack. Katherine naturally shows kindness to people but there’s something about Zahir that makes her look twice at him and as she gets to know him her desire turns to love.

The reasons I loved this story is because firstly Maisey Yates managed to make me fall in love with a scarred hero.  Zahir is the perfect Sheikh!  Maisey’s wit and humor ALWAYS has me giggling and I just love a lil go-getter who passionately goes after what she wants and bravely faces the wrath of the Sheikh. 

As an extra you'll find at the end an excerpt of A Hunger for the Forbidden... a book that I have only one word to describe: Perfection!  

Thank you TryHarlequin for the download.

4 Stars

In the Blink of an Eye by Lynne Marshall

REVIEW BY TashNz

America's traditional time to give thanks is at Thanksgiving.  Here in New Zealand I and most other Kiwis take time to pause and give thanks at Christmas.  So I was sitting here thinking OMG Christmas is upon us already.  I started reflecting about the the last year; I've been so privileged and thankful to be exposed to and to have read such a huge variety of books in the Romance genre written by many fabulous authors that I'd previously not have been so quick to pick up and I came to  realise it's an absolute skill to be able to draw a reader in, make the reader understand characters, develop plot, reach a satisfying conclusion and make the reader feel deep emotion in just 29 pages!

Lynne Marshall's In the Blink of an Eye  is a short story which is, well, short.  Three chapters to be precise.  In those three chapters we meet Dr Ellen Deeds who's an ER Dr, along side her ex husband Dr Adam Deeds.  Unhappily divorced... For the first time in a year they're working the same shift. At the end of the demanding shift Ellen and Adam let their guards down which results in a phenomenal time in the on-call room.  Now this is the magic... somehow in three short chapters this happens, as well as Adam deciding he's going to go in guns blazing to try win his wife back, a near tragedy happens, a scene in the emergency room happens, we meet the Dr's lil girl, Ellen's feelings are quite clearly made and if you thought that was all... there's still room for a surprising twist.  It was a real surprise to me and yet there's still room for more.

What I'm trying to say is that I'm blown away with what would normally take a complete book to tell Adam and Ellen's story, took Lynne Marshall three chapters and that over the year, as I sit here reflecting, I realise it's an absolute skill to do this.  I had all the emotions in three chapters that I would normally feel in a full length novel... I was happy, concerned, worried, overjoyed, sad, ecstatic, excited, touched, teary eyed and I smiled.

I recommend In the Blink of an Eye to any novella fans, short story fans, Lynne Marshall fans, medical romance fans and anyone looking for a quick read, for 0.98c at Amazon you cant really go wrong, trust me, you'll have it read...wait for it... in the blink of an eye ;)

The Way Home (One - Eyed Jacks #2) by Cindy Gerard

Reviewed by Nancy Crocker

The Way Home is a brilliant story of four lives that are intertwined with each other. It is both heartwarming, heart stopping and heartbreaking. And it had everything I enjoy in a romance book.

Jess Albert was told her husband Jeff had been killed in war torn Afghanistan four years ago. Since that time she has focused on the general store she runs in Lake Kabetogama. The one thing she doesn’t want is another man who will put the military before everything else.

Tyler Brown first met Jess over a year ago. But he just can’t forget the woman that helped him out of a dangerous situation. Now he is back to see if there is a possible future with Jess. He will do anything for Jess, including go on a rescue mission to bring her Husband home.

Jeff Albert’s convoy was attacked in Pakistan. For the last few years he has been tortured and held captive. With no memory of who he is, he is dependent on the kindness of Rabia, a Muslim woman. Suffering with his debilitating injuries, he dreams of returning to the United States.

Rabia is risking both her own life and that of her father, by caring for the American soldier. Rabia is starting to fall in love Jeff. But she knows she must help him to escape as the Taliban have been searching for the escaped prisoner.

I cannot stress enough just how gripping a story this is. The author had me holding my breath both when the convoy was attacked and later when the rescue mission was underway. And at times I wondered if any of the four main characters would ever find happiness again.

I highly recommend this book to romance readers. This was my first book by Cindy Gerard. I am going to have to go back and read book one. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

5/5 stars

I received an ARC of this book from the NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hot Sexy & Bad by Various Authors

Reviewed by Desere 

This book is the ultimate of hot Christmas reads.

You want a hot man to drool over, or how about a deliciously sinful badboy or maybe you like the sweet and sexy kind, whatever your taste this book had a man for every female reader's  taste.

Each author created pure magic, and what a author line up!!

The super gifted Sandra Marton who always knows how to pack so much emotion into her books you are guaranteed to cry and boy oh boy did I cry, her addition to this collection was simply pure brilliance!

And then there was the fabulously talented Lynn Raye Harris and her men from HOT who will not only make you head for a cold shower but leave you hanging onto every word and begging for a gun man to come get you just so one of these men can come and rescue you !

From super hot and very cranky military operators to billionaires being brought to their knees there was a hero for every fantasy. The female characters in these books gave as good as they got which just added to the delicious spice of it all.

With eight books to chose from you can decide if you feel like a little hot reunion or some fun, new lovers in the dark finding the light in each other. Conflict, passion, drama you name it these stories had it all.

Believe me you WANT no you NEED this collection for Christmas it is perfect escape all neatly wrapped up with a big bow of perfection!

Full reviews on each book to follow upon release of each individual book

5/5 star review

" Christmas has never been this sexy"

Forged In The Desert Heat by Maisey Yates

Reviewed by Nas

FORGED IN THE DESERT HEAT by USA Today Bestselling author Maisey Yates is a December 2013 release by Harlequin Presents.

Analise Christensen was kidnapped and held in the desert. And our gypsy Sheikh Zafar Nejem, who lived the life of a gypsy since his exile rides in and saves her. But he can’t return her yet to the neighboring kingdom where she is engaged to the Sheikh.

He has to keep her in his palace for a while and think up a strategy of returning her without a war breaking out between the neighboring kingdoms. But staying together passion flares between Ana and Zafar. Though Zafar is a man with no heart. Ana is engaged to another, Zafar is a ruler with a single goal of serving his people, would they ever get together? Could they?  

FORGED IN THE DESERT HEAT is fast-paced and has fun dialogue. Can Zafar forget his tumultuous teen years and let Ana in his heart? And letting passionate Ana close to him would ignite the spark which could melt his ruthless heart. Can he do that?

Maisey Yates has delivered a tortured hero, who doesn’t believe in love, a strong feisty heroine, who wouldn’t settle for less, a very believable plot and romance that would enthrall readers and woven a tale that would captivate and mesmerize. 

Highly recommended for all lovers of romance.

The Group Seduction by Wendy S Marcus

Reviewed by Nas

THE GROUP SEDUCTION by author Wendy S. Marcus is a November 2013 release by Borroughs Publishing Group.

Bella Cristy wants to save her marriage. She realizes her life is in a rut with her yelling at her husband and doing everything herself. And not getting any love or affection. So she embarks on a plan with her three other friends to seduce their own husbands as a group.

So they make careful plans and get everything ready for the big night. But her husband is under the impression that she is having an affair. He is hurt and bewildered by her secrecy. Would Bella have the guts to go ahead with her plan? At the last moment she decides not to go through, but her friends push her. What would Jack, Bella’s husband’s reaction be?

THE GROUP SEDUCTION is a short read. Though funny, it is a realistic depiction of married life. Wendy S. Marcus brought all these characters to life on the page with her superb story-telling.

The Cattleman's Proposal by Helen Lacey

Reviewed by Desere

Every woman dreams of a rich successful good looking man to sweep her off her feet. But what if the proposal is merely to satisfy his own needs, and all you are to be is his bed-mate and mother of his children.

Sounds completely unacceptable, yet this is the situation Joley faces in the new Helen Lacey read. Mr-I-don't-believe-in-happy-ever-after- Nate knows what he wants and what he wants is Joley.

She is the perfect candidate to be the mother of his children, wife when needed and all without any romantic nonsense.

So to gain her over this his idea of thinking he uses a little blackmail, only when Joley starts to make his heart beat faster and he realizes love is something one cannot live without, it seems the game is up and he is to be the loser because Joley is on her way out the back door.

I loved this read, it was sweet, sensual and really heartwarming. I loved seeing how Nate changes from being a heartbroken man to a man that will do anything for the woman he simply cannot live without.

Through this character the author showed that everyone no matter how badly broken can be mended, all they need is the right person to drag them back from the depths of anger and pain.

Joley was a real treat to read, she knows what she wants and will do anything to get it, a true fighting spirit heroine!  But the author also let her hit a few turning point that changed her from always on the defense to rather letting her heart believe in trust.

A stunning read about two broken people healing each other through love. I recommend this read for romance fans looking for sweet and sexy heartfelt emotional characters, that will crawl deep into your hearts and remind you of just how short life is and when getting the chance to live it, grab hold with both hands.

Perfect read for an escape to romance on a lazy afternoon!

4.5 star review
" To appreciate her, he needs to lose her" 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reviewed by Nancy Crocker

Nate Garrigan had what he thought was the love of his life. But just a few months into his happy ever after, his wife walked away from the marriage. Nate is still looking for a woman to be a wife, and to have children with. If there is chemistry between them, then that will be a bonus. But when it comes to love … forget that. Been–there–done–that-not–gonna–happen-again. He believes Joley would be the perfect woman for his future.

Joley McBride has one great love in life … flying. Like father like daughter.  After seeing her best friend get married she can’t help but think she is missing out on life. But now she has just learned that her best friend and business partner has mismanaged the business Joley’s father started. And the only way out of the nightmare is to agree to Nate’s offer. If she will stay a month on his ranch, he will return his share of the business back to her. I loved the character of Joley, she spoke her mind and was really feisty and called it like it was.

I loved the interaction between Nate and Joley. The attraction was believable. The passion was good.  I also enjoyed the setting of the Outback. Of course when you throw in some humor into a romance novel, it always makes this reader happy. So basically this book touched on all the things I love in a romance novel.

I recommend this book for romance readers who love a western theme set in the Outback.

Favorite lines:

You were running as fast as you could – and all I could think was – who is she running to? I didn’t know. I hoped … but I …” Nate inhaled and looked her directly in the eyes. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so afraid in my whole life. And then … then all of a sudden you were in my arms.”

4.5/5 stars

I received an ARC of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review.

Confessions of a bad bridesmaid by Jennifer Rae

Reviewed by Desere 

Walking in high healed boots, dragging along her luggage, freezing her butt off and attempting to stay upright and make it to her best friend's wedding is not the picture Olivia had when she packed her bags and headed off for the event of the year where she could let go and get some hot action!

Nor did she think she would be stripped bare of her make up or her soul before the weekend is over. Or that in the arms of Edward she would discover she is more beautiful than she ever knew.

In this read from Jennifer Ray she takes a look into the lives of Olivia and Edward and how everyone has an issue from their childhood that leads the way to adulthood being everything it is not meant to be, or to not truly be enjoyed as it should.

Olivia and Edward at first have nothing nice to say to each other at all, but soon they both realize their passion for each other and Olivia is more than happy to follow through with her plans of getting the sexual satisfaction she has been craving for over a year.

But Edward is not the kind to fall at the feet of any woman nor into bed, he prefers to do the deed in his dreams only. Olivia is outraged! He wants her she wants him so why can't she get the man between the sheets. When realization dawns she's once again is thrown back into the past.

The character of Edward was one of those hero's that has all the charm he needs to charm the pants off any woman, yet he refuses to actually use it. Shocking ! But when the author started letting more and more information surface and I was able to form a picture of what his issues are and just why he would rather live in a world of grey and dull instead of adding some color to his life, it gave a new meaning into the always responsible element, and quickly I became very attached to him.

The character of Olivia was a breath of fresh air, not the usual kind of heroines you might think to find in these reads. She was outrageously OUT there!. I loved this touch and all the crazy wild and weird stuff Olivia does. It showed her as a free spirited person but at the same time when her reasons for being so out of whack are revealed, it showed just how badly we all want to fit in, and how deep the scars of appearances can run.

The backdrop settings were very quint and fell nicely into line with the deep sadness and heartache both characters are hiding. The dialogue was a little bit of feisty mixed with passion and deep emotion.

I am taking away a message that when life becomes dull, don't let it drag you with it, rather embrace any and all forms of color that comes your way, if you do not you will be nothing but an empty soul.

I recommend this read for romance fans looking for something a little deeper than just a mere romantic wedding get together. Deeply emotional, sweet and sensual.

4 star review
"Color bursts into his world wearing feathers and boots" 

Ripped by Sarah Morgan

Reviewed by Desere 

I honestly do not know which part of this read was hotter! The totally delectable cover him in chocolate and whipped cream lick him clean all night long Nico or the explosive level of heat and chemistry that Nico and Hayley share !

I was addicted from page one and I found myself in stitches, yes this read had loads of crazy funny humor from start to finish and I was practically rolling around on the floor with laughter and  I had tears streaming down my face, truly excellent job Sarah!

The read starts out with Hayley attending her no good ex boyfriend's wedding, and as it happens the woman he is marrying is Hayley's best friend, shocking I know but all part of the author's genius plan!

Hayley's plan:  get in there smile and get out without drowning in her own humiliation.

But this little tit-bit proves to be the least of her problems , once there she is more focused on keeping her breasts confined in the a dress that takes ugliest dress of the year award to a whole new level.

She fails! Her rescuer is no other than the best man himself, smoking hot Nico Rossi, pure Italian perfection.
But Nico has never approved of anything Hayley has done and his ice-y looks of disapproval has always let Hayley known that this man is as unemotional as a rock, mind numblingly hot, but completely emotionally unavailable, and therefore a dead end.

But being rescued, then have a string of Italian swear words directed in her direction and then being kissed senseless and left sexually frustrated for days was not part of the plan either. So when he shows up on her doorstep as her Christmas present , she has only two choices.

One is to indulge in her fantasy to find out if Mr-in-my-arms-you'll-go-to-the-moon-and-back is as hot in bed as he is gorgeous, or two, go online shopping for something she is pretty sure she will not enjoy ripping open.

I completely and utterly loved, loved, loved this read! Each and every level of hotness any romance fan wants from a sexy read was incorporated. The author hit each and every note of sinfully sexy, delectable, mouthwatering romance awesomeness.

The best of all for me was that Nico was not only smoking hot and ripped in every aspect of everything the man does, but that he was Italian as we all know those are the best kind of hero's and even if you don't love a Italian trust me after reading this book you will be wanting one to rip you open faster than you can take a Ferrari from zero to 220 mph!

But don't for one minute think this book is all hot sweaty sex, being the queen of sizzling sexy romance this author also brought to life the sweetness and emotional level of understanding and togetherness for Nico and Hayley, making this the perfect HOTTEST Christmas read of the year ! Oh and did I mention there's a secret involved too!

5/5 star review
"Ripping open Christmas presents just got seriously hot! " 

**Copy provided via Netgalley

When Falcone's World Stops Turning by Abby Green

Reviewed by Desere 

The expression "My world just ended" is one I have heard many, many times before, but never really personally fully experienced.

So when I get to see if from another's point of view it is always interesting to find out just why they seem to think their world has just ended.

In the new trilogy from Abby Green she tells of the lives of three brothers and the woman that will bring them to their knees and make their worlds indeed seem like it just ended.

In the first installment we meet the first brother,  Rafaele Falcone and the one woman that he has had an addiction to from day one, but not wanting to be controlled by a woman as his farther was he finds the courage to walk away from their relationship.

But four years later he is back and wants her more than ever until he discovers her treacherous secret, and he has no control over anything anymore, except when it comes to the bedroom when Samantha is in his arms, or does he?

The character of Rafaele was one of those dark and mysterious hero's that makes you from page one get up and take immediate attention. Arrogant and a real bastard till the very last minute, which of course for me as reader is something I completely adore! It keeps me on the edge of my seat, digging for more and waiting in bated breath for the awesome moment he comes to his senses !

The character of Samantha was a really gutsy heroine, understandably she does make a choice she at the time feels valid but the author through this character made it clear that even if you feel there is no other choice there always is, and sometimes it is necessary to be controlled.

The secondary characters, and yes that includes a tiny little glimpse into the lives of brothers two and three, were extremely interesting. The author crafted a world of secrets, mystery and anger around each and every one, letting me as reader know that each one is hiding so much more hurt then they let on and in the next installments I am guaranteed to discover it to be even more fabulous!

The backdrop settings were simply beautiful and so romantic. The sexual tension in this read was so super, super hot and I very quickly became very addicted to seeing how this will play out, it really was as if I was just as addicted to the characters and their lives as they were to each other.

The dialogue was so very classic Abby Green, wild and crazy sexual heat and pent up frustrations leading to exciting moments of conflict and drama. I was able to take away the message that when young and
un-knowledgeable we are not able to take into full account what we see and this leads us to make assumptions and guide our own lives in the wrong directions.

I highly recommend this read for anyone looking for a deep, dark to die for hero coming face to face with reality, and the start of a trilogy that if the first book is anything to go by, will no doubt be utterly fabulous!

A sexy beyond imagination, unbelievably hot and super gorgeous read! Bring on the rest Abby I need more secrets to be revealed!

5/5 Star review
" He wants control, but in her arms there simply is none" 


**Copy provided via Netgalley