Traded to the Desert Sheikh by Caitlin Crews

Reviewed by TashNz

She had no warning.  First line, great line, I know immediately I’m in for a great treat... trepidation as to what I'm going to read next... can't wait! 

Kavian ibn Zayed al Talaas, ruling Sheikh of the desert stronghold Daar Talaas, has finally tracked down his fiancée in the midst of the Canadian ski fields and hauls her home.  He's decided that he wants his arranged Queen by his side.  It is said so it shall be!  Amaya is devastated she's been found, six months on the run and she's been half way around the world and back in her travels.  The last thing she wants is to be cooped up in some god forsaken desert kingdom where she will be Queen!

Kavian spends his time convincing (or trying) Amaya she will make a fantastic Queen and he is 200% certain they will make the perfect team.   Once Amaya lets him in inch by inch it's harder for her to leave but she's quite convinced for many reasons she can't be who Kavian is convinced she can be.  I loved the Sheikh Kavian was.  He was old ways to Amaya's western modernised ways with most of the action taking place in his  kingdom, the descriptions of which were incredibly realistic and aided my imagination that I was right there preparing dinner with Amaya for Kavian in the desert and I was right there during the stuffy official occasions they had to attend.

Five stars for such a strong and emotional story all of which is wrapped up perfectly in the last chapter.  It nailed exactly how Kavian is and I think the author needs a massive high five because it was quite perfect.  I wish I could quote everything Kavian said but I can’t because it's a perfect summation of why Kavian spends 11 chapters being who he is, acting how he does and saying what he does.  And it's also why I leave the incredible skill of writing to the authors because all through the book I had no idea how to sum up in words how Kavian is.  I understood how he was but had no clue how to put that in writing and then when I read the last chapter and what he said it was "hit the nail right on the head" moment.  

To finalise I give Traded to the Desert Sheikh an whole extra star for the mention of my beautiful country New Zealand, which I assume was inspired by the authors recent visit <3  What a beautiful and magical few paragraphs describing my country perfectly.  Sometimes I forget how lucky I am to live here, thank you!

6 Stars

Published by Mills and Boon Sexy September 2015 | Purchased by reviewer from Amazon Australia

Claimed for Makarov's Baby by Sharon Kendrick

Claimed for Makarov's Baby
by Sharon Kendrick

Arriving at the church door just in time to stop Erin’s wedding, the proud Russian Dimitri, a blast from Erin’s past in more ways than one, calls a halt to proceedings.  No – he does not agree to this marriage to proceed!  The anger that is simmering can only mean one thing, he knows!  He knows about his son.  The bottom drops from Erin’s world and life as she knew it is about to change big time. 

Dimitri has finally met his match in Erin.  He’s so angry he wasn’t told about little Leo and I thought the author did a great job at explaining the background and how all that came about.  For the first time in his life Dimitiri learns he can’t just click his fingers and everything he demands will fall in place.  Together Erin and Dimitri must cross their barriers and bring down their walls with each other in order to do what they both want in the world – to be the best parents they possibly can to Leo.

I really really enjoyed Claimed for Makarov’s Baby.  Dimitri was the Russian billionaire who had to almost hit rock bottom before he could be a better person.  Erin loves Dimitri after all this time but knows rose tinted glasses don’t belong on when looking at Dimitri… his is a dangerous, careless and seedy world that she wants her son to have no part in.  Dimitri needs to show Erin he’s a different man to the one she knew and I really enjoyed the way everything was laid out.  Fantastic locations and while I really liked Erin, I think learning about Dimitri and watching him grow, the more the story went on the more I hoped HE did achieve his happy ever after.

Another fantastic story from Sharon Kendrick | Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and provide my honest opinion.

September 2015 - Harlequin Presents - Mills and Boon Sexy

Review by TashNz

4.5 Stars

Her Boss by day by Joss Wood

Reviewed by Desere 


The incredible shining talent of Joss Wood is back, and it's more remarkable than ever!

In this book one to the Sydney's Most Eligible Series we meet talking to herself in the mirror to try and find the courage to get out of a date Willa Moore-Fisher.

Yep, sounds a little like she's crazy but I know for a fact there are many woman that talk to themselves in the mirror, it's weird but a great way to find that little inner goddess we all wish was with us 24/7.

Now when Willa is not talking to herself in the mirror she is focused on proving herself. She has an honours degree, she's got loads of talent and when International tycoon Rob Hanson needs a new accountant it's just the bit of luck that Willa needs.  Except there is one little problem, she knows her boss already and not the " I've met you before, how have you been?" kind of know, nope she knows him intimately! Talk about awkward!

Rob doesn't do long term, his step father's mission of destruction of his family pretty much made sure of it. Willa however is just what he needs, she's got a head for numbers and a body for sin, she'll crunch his business numbers by day and crunch him at night. But once he has her in his arms he starts to wonder if he shouldn't make her a permanent fixture in his life, but what about that little word called divorce?

I loved the characters in this book, from page one both Rob and Willa were shouting out" I am in your face and there's nothing you can do about it!" I loved every single minute of it. Fun, a little crazy, passionate, sensual and addictive are only some of the words I can think of and yet none of those seem to do this book justice, definitely one of the best books I've read all year.

Best of all was the ending, I so did not see it coming, I had a complete different scenario playing out in my head, and usually it feels like I have been let down when books end in not quite the manner I wanted it to, but this time around I was actually very pleasantly happy about it.

Through the remarkable characters of Rob and Willa the author showed how everyone sometimes needs a change in order to find what they are made of, it's a hard and long battle to get to the end results but with a little change the picture becomes crystal clear and the way forward is paved with everything dreams are made of.  So stop the pushing and chill awhile.

I highly recommend this read for all fans of romance reads that have a high dosage of sexiness, fantastic emotion and a stunning somewhat laid back meets intense romance journey. Joss Wood has once again shown she is an author that will go down in romance history as being able to give readers a juicy story packed with lots of zest for life energy and one of the hottest fictional couples of all time.

5/5 star review
" He's the boss by day, but at night the tables are turned" 

The Tycoon's Stowaway by Stefanie London

Reviewed by Desere 



When picking up a Stefanie London book I can always be sure there will be blazing hot passion, scrumptious settings and really awesome fun and fresh characters. But what makes her books so much fun to read is that each time she manages to surprise me with something new. Of course the characters are new, the setting is new and the story is new, but it's the hero and heroine's personalities that manage to surprise and blow me away with every one of her books. In this read she did it again, by taking a non traditional Mills and Boon Modern hero and changing him up in ways that had me thinking " Why are more of the hero's in these reads not like this?"

It starts with Brodie, he is not the typical tycoon type, he's more fun and laid back, hardworking yes but with that seriously sexy
" Let's get down and dirty at the beach because I am all about the party!" This being said there he does also have a hidden side behind the party-boy attitude, he's a really big softie and takes really good care of his sisters. Successful yacht charter owner, sexy party at the beach bad-boy but I will take care of you at all costs , so yeah pretty much the perfect man!

His love interest from eight years ago, Chantal, makes quite the comeback into his life. But seeing her dance for other men is not what he had in mind when she was in his fantasies, dancing just for him. Chantal had a rough marriage , being controlled and told what to do, who to see, how to dance and how to act was an absolute nightmare, so when Brodie literally drags her out of the sleazy bar and away from the dancing stage, she's less than impressed. But she decides to stick around on his yacht for the night and by morning she will get back to the bar, and continue her journey of proving herself worth of being a top dancer her always-making-sacrifices mother will be proud of. The only problem in her master plan is when Brodie starts to put his charming cheesy moves on her,she can't seem to resist. Sex with Brodie is just the kind of stress reliever she needs before getting back to her task, but what to do when Mr. has-a-woman-in-every-State decides she's the one and only ?

As I have already said I adored the character of Brodie, his fun and fresh beach bad-boy attitude really grabbed my attention. I especially loved his softer side, through this character the author showed that there is always and I mean always another side to everyone. It's not the side they want the world to know about because it would mean them being exposed to losing some great battle.
Another little bit of awesomeness was that Brodie  never gives up when he wants something, and hunting Chantal down and dragging her back to the yacht, sounds really cavemen like and usually I am totally against it, but this author made it sound so super sexy it melted my heart!

The character of Chantal was one of those heroines that makes you sit up straight and take notice right away. Strong willed, independent, always moving to reach for her dreams, never giving up and a bit of a total goof when it comes to realizing there is a whole other way to let other's help you without giving up all of your independence that you worked so hard for. Such a goof in -fact that I at one stage thought it might be a good idea to just lock her in cage till she comes to her senses, the author of course had a whole other idea and without revealing it all, I will just add HA HA HA in your face Chantal!

I am taking away an amazing memorable message from this read. Life is meant to be fun and a little crazy with all sorts of unexpected hurdles but accepting a little bit of help sometimes can be even more fun and crazy then you ever expected, but exactly what you need.

I highly recommend this read for anyone looking for a fresh, funky not your everyday kind of read romance. Stefanie London's writing is addictive and the craziness that goes along with the funkiness is what will keep me coming back for more and more every time!

5/5 star review

" She's been missing from his life for eight years, but now that's he has found her he won't be letting her escape again. His fantasy is about to get real in every sense of the word!" 

Nice Girls Finish Last by Natalie Anderson

Review by Nas

NICE GIRLS FINISH LAST by author Natalie Anderson is a Mills and Boon Modern, Harlequin Presents and Mills and Boon Australia Sexy release for January 2012.

Lena was the PR person for the country’s hottest rugby team and Seth Walker needed a favor from her. He wanted his charity team of disadvantaged teens to train with Lena’s professional rugby team.

But he had started off on a wrong foot with her by kissing her. And then spending the night with her! Dare he ask for the favor now? What would Lena think? Did he sleep with her for the favor? Their chemistry was such that they quickly overcame this misunderstanding and embarked on a no strings- in Lena’s words, ‘…a string of one nights only’ affair.

Would their chemistry burn out by this short term affair? Or are they in for the long haul?

Without realizing Seth Walker falls in love with Lena and she had already broken off with him for fear of being in too deep! But what will happen when Seth comes to know of Lena’s deep, dark secret? Will he forgive her?

NICE GIRLS FINISH LAST has strong characters and snappy dialogue. It also has tender, sweet and sensually exciting moments. It’s a gripping story of past secrets, second chances and learning to trust and love again.  Author Natalie Anderson’s romances are always fast paced and emotionally satisfying, and this one is no exception!

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Playing His Dangerous Game by Tina Duncan

Review by Nas

PLAYING HIS DANGEROUS GAME by Tina Duncan is a January 2012 release by Mills and Boon Australia for its SEXY series.

Shara Atwood’s ex husband stalks and threatens her with violence. She doesn’t want to retaliate but keeps ignoring him. She is livid when her businessman father hires a personal security consultant for her. She could handle her own personal affairs, couldn’t she?

Royce has the largest and the most reputable security business in the world. And he didn’t need the hassle of being a bodyguard to a spoiled socialite. As a special favor to Shara’s dad he had agreed. But he couldn’t prevent the sizzle whenever he came in contact with Shara! And he was determined to find out the truth behind the sadness he could glimpse in Shara’s eyes.

PLAYING HIS DANGEROUS GAME has a unique premise in that it deals with a stalker ex-husband.  At first it shows Shara as a victim and then how she gradually recovers her self-confidence and stands up for herself. The growth and progression of love among the characters is subtle.

Tina Duncan’s mastery of the subtleties of relationships is amazing to read. This story comes to life and at the end we are left with lot of surprises. It is a romance packed with sizzle and sexual tension adding to the page turning quality of a book!

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Weight of the Crown by Christina Hollis

Aust/NZ cover in Sexy series

Review by Nas:

WEIGHT OF THE CROWN by author Christina Hollis is released by M&B Modern as well as Harlequin Presents.

Alyssa Dene is personally recommended as the best in the job and she takes on the duties of nanny to the orphaned nephew of Prince Lysander Kahani. Coming face-face with the Prince, Alyssa is aware of his playboy reputation but cannot help the flicker of attraction running through her!

Lysander meets a challenge! The previous nannies had come running to him to be consoled after his nephew threw tantrums. Yet Alyssa lays down strict boundaries for the little king-in-the-making, making Lysander back her up!

Will Alyssa manage to make the little Prince as well as Prince Lysander toe the line? How will Lysander combat his attraction to Alyssa as she seems unattainable? Alyssa’s refusal to be taken for granted was one of the reasons that had appealed to him. Women never refused him, ever. So how can he bring Alyssa to agree to a royal offer he intended making?

WEIGHT OF THE CROWN is a wonderful, sensual, tension-filled romance that I found charming, absorbing and moving. Christina Hollis is a terrific writer who creates likeable characters readers take to their hearts. It’s a beguiling and stirring story that is sure to tug at readers’ heartstrings and leave them with a great big smile on their face at the unusual ending.

She has delivered a yummy-to-die-for hero, a playboy Prince who turns to one woman only for true love, a strong, feisty heroine and rolled them in a story that is filled with emotion and sizzle!

Buy Links

Amazon                         Amazon UK

Mills & Boon                    Mills & Boon Aust