Pursued by the Devil (International Bad Boys) by Carole Mortimer Review

Synopsis:

Mikhail Lysenko, a tall, dark, and deadly corporate shark, is buying up ailing companies during the financial crisis worldwide, cherry-picking the best parts, and disposing of the dead wood.


Lindsay Carlisle is a sexy, long-legged, ruthless lawyer whose client is determined to hold out against a Lysenko take-over.

And when Mikhail’s laser business focus hones in on Lindsay and becomes personal, very personal, she doesn't know whether his interest is genuine or a means of undermining her client's case. Regardless, there's no way she’s going to be added to the list of women who’ve jumped into the sexy millionaire’s bed. Trying to resist Mikhail and keep work her priority is more than enough to deal with, but then someone begins anonymously sending Lindsay roses… black roses. As a love token? Or something more sinister? She may have to run into Mikail’s arms and allow him to save her from her secret admirer...


My Review:

A fast paced and very sexy story

Lawyer Lindsay Carlisle represents a businessman who is in the process of selling his company when she becomes attracted to the man wanting to buy the company.  But Lindsay knows better than to mix business with pleasure.

Mikhail Lysenko may be the grandson of Viktor Romanov, the notorious leader of the Russian mafiya, but he is nothing like his grandfather.  Mikhail has worked hard for everything he has.  Now Mikhail had set his eyes on Lindsay and he will do anything to have her.

Lindsay was raised to be a good girl.  She dreams of having a relationship like her parents, where love and respect came first.  Mikhail is known as a playboy and Lindsay should know better than to get involved with someone like him.

How long will Lindsay be able to keep saying no to Mikhail when her body is desperately saying yes?

I felt this book could have been much better if it were just a bit longer.  Some parts felt rushed.  But overall, I enjoyed the story.  The sex scenes were very descriptive for people who enjoy them.  

Small Town Secrets (Secrets of Cherry Lake Book 1) by Roxanne Snopek Review

Synopsis:

 The graduating class of Cherry Lake High School is celebrating their freedom with the traditional camp-out in the Jackson Cherry Orchard on the banks of Flathead Lake, Montana. Among the revelers are four cousins, the grandchildren of town founder and patriarch Nate Jackson, a man who knows first-hand how a life can change on grad night and the personal sacrifices that may be necessary months later.

Joining him on his annual vigil as twilight descends is Pansy Oppenheimer, a free spirit, who left Cherry Lake after graduation to wander the world. She mysteriously returns years later when Nate needs her friendship the most. As they keep watch at the edge of the orchard, they reminisce about their lives and choices; none of them easy, but all of them necessary. Nate and Pansy feel that they are guardians of the town, its children and keepers of their secrets.

Little does anyone know that they harbor a secret of their own…



My Review: 

Life doesn’t always turn out as you plan. 

Pansy Oppenheimer and Nathan Jackson were young and in love.  Out of respect for his family, Nathan had to turn away from his true love and marry another woman because it’s what was expected of him.  Even though he was married to Mary, he never forgot Pansy.

While Pansy explored the world and had lots of adventures, her love for Nate never faded.  When Pansy finally returned to Cherry Lake many things had changed.  But one thing hadn’t changed and it was Nate’s love for Pansy.  Can the reconnect as they once did or is it too late for them now?

This was a very quick read and a great start to the Secrets of Cherry Lake series. 

Kitty Smile

The Secret Son (Secrets of Cherry Lake) by Joan Kilby Review

Synopsis:

A birthday card out of the blue from his estranged father sends successful Seattle marketing man Alex Chernoff on a detour to Cherry Lake in search of answers about his past. A day, maybe two, to tie up loose strings and he’ll be out of there, heading for Mexico, margaritas and blondes in bikinis.

Emma Stanhope is all too familiar with hot, rich, entitled guys like Alex. They never hang around for long, especially not for a Plain Jane like herself. No problem. She’s smart and logical, like any good scientist, and knows better than to lose her heart.

What Emma doesn’t count on is chemistry—of the romantic kind. What Alex doesn’t count on is meeting the girl who’ll make him want to change his ways. But when he learns that he’s a secret from his father’s real family, he can’t stay in Cherry Lake… even if he wants to.

Will love be enough to convince Alex to stay… for good?



My Review: 

A heartwarming small town romance. 

On Alex Chernoff's thirtieth birthday, he gets a card from the father he hasn't heard from in fifteen years.  Alex decides to forgo his Mexican vacation to go to Cherry Lake to see his father.  When he finds out his father is out of town for a medical appointment, Alex decides to stay in town and help at the orchard picking cherries until his father returns and he can talk to him.  No one knows Alex is Robert Jackson's secret son.

Emma Stanhope has never missed the cherry festival and is back in town for the annual event.  She always helps the Jackson family at their booth at the festival.  This year they are short on pickers at the orchard, so she helps there too.  The Jacksons are like a second family to her.

Emma doesn’t expect to see the city slicker with the fancy car who she had issues with during her drive home to be at the orchard wanting to pick cherries?  Why would someone like him be working as a picker?  Usually people like that move through town pretty quick.  They quickly become friends and then lovers.  But how will Emma react when she finds out Alex's secret? 

If you like small town romances and family stories, this is the book for you.

Rome In Love by Anita Hughes Review

Synopsis:
 

When Amelia Tate is cast to play the Audrey Hepburn role in a remake of Roman Holiday, she feels as if all her dreams have come true. She has a handsome boyfriend, is portraying her idol in a major motion picture, and gets to live in beautiful, Italian city of Rome for the next two months.

Once there, she befriends a young woman named Sophie with whom she begins to explore the city. Together, they discover all the amazing riches that Rome has to offer. But when Amelia's boyfriend breaks up with her over her acting career, her perfect world begins to crumble.

While moping in her hotel suite, Amelia discovers a stack of letters written by Audrey Hepburn that start to put her own life into perspective. Then, she meets Philip, a handsome journalist who is under the impression that she is a hotel maid, and it appears as if things are finally looking up. The problem is she can never find the right time to tell Philip her true identity. Not to mention that Philip has a few secrets of his own. Can Amelia finally have both the career and love that she's always wanted, or will she be forced to choose again?

With her sensory descriptions of the beautiful sites, decadent food, and high fashion of Rome, Hughes draws readers into this fast-paced and superbly written novel. Rome in Love will capture the hearts of readers everywhere.



My Review: 

This book has it all, memorable characters, a beautiful setting, friendships and love.  Lots of talk of food and fashion didn’t hurt either.  The story is a glorious escape.  It will stay on your mind for a long time. 

Actress Amelia Tate gets the role of a lifetime starring in the remake of Roman Holiday.  Playing Audrey Hepburn’s part will be a big step in her acting career.  But it is putting a strain on her love life.  Her fiancé wants her to settle down with him, get a real job and quit acting.  Amelia loves acting, so she follows her heart and goes to Rome to film to movie. 

While in Rome, Amelia has many adventures with her newly found friend, Princess Sophia and falls in love with Philip, a journalist.  Amelia leads Philip to believe she is just a maid at the hotel where she is staying.  Philip isn’t completely honest with Amelia either.   How can a romance started with lies work out?

Amelia also discovers she is staying in the very same suite where Audrey Hepburn stayed while she was filming Roman Holiday.  She discovers a stack of letter written by the star and spends her days and nights reading them and discovers many secrets about one of her favorite actresses. 

There are so many great moments in this book.  I loved it and I know I will be reading it again soon.

Kitty Smile

The Billionaire's Deception (Amalfi Night Billionaires Book 2) by Mimi Wells Review

Synopsis:

After quitting her first “real” job, Janine Pike takes off for Europe, saving an excursion to the famed Isola del Sole for last. But when her travel-mates sail off with her backpack, phone, and passport after a night of partying, she’s left only with the euros in her pocket and the faint hope that her estranged half-sister, who works at the renowned Hotel Dei Fiori Isola del Sole, might help her.

Shel Myerson, amateur racecar driver and wildly successful TV mogul, oozes wealth and prestige. What he doesn’t have much of is privacy, thanks to a recent and ugly public breakup. What he doesn’t expect is to be mistaken as an employee by a very pretty—and very broke—Janine, the one person in Europe who also doesn’t have any idea who he is.

Shel and Janine discover their chemistry is combustible—but will their budding relationship survive the heat once the press catches on?


My Review:

A fun European vacation turns bad when Janine Pike wakes up on a beach at Isola del Sole where her and her friends had been partying the night before.  Her friends had left her there not knowing her possessions where still on the boat.  Janine planned to meet her half-sister Stephanie Harlan at Hotel del Fiori Isola del Sole where she works.  Now Janine is expected to pay the bar bill from the night before.  With no money or even a change of clothes, how will Janine’s first meeting with Stephanie go?   

Shel Myerson recently went through a tough breakup.  He was visiting his friend Rocco at Hotel del Fiori Isola del Sole for a break.  When he meets Janine, he convinces the hotel staff to treat him as if he is an employee.  He doesn’t want Janine to know he is famous celebrity.  He just wants to help her and be her friend.  Shel and Janine become more than friends pretty quick.  When their new romance is threatened, how will Shel convince Janine how much he cares about her?   

This novella was very well written with interesting characters and a story that keeps you hanging on to the very end.     

Of course the heroine being named Janine really made me smile.  

The Billionaire's Temptation (Amalfi Night Billionaires Book 1) by Katherine Garbera Review

Synopsis:

Rocco De Luca lives and loves in the fast lane. A past Formula 1 champ, he has been jetting around the world arranging celebrity charity races and partying with the world’s elite. Coming home to Isola del Fiori and filling in for his older brother for a few weeks sounds…well, boring. Until he meets Steffi Harlan.

Steffi Harlan is sophisticated, elegant, and way too smart to fall for a tanned chest and a bad-boy smile, or so she thinks, until she’s put in charge of keeping the jet-set playboy out of trouble while he’s gone. Sure, no problem. Except Steffi isn’t immune to Rocco’s charms.

They burn up the nights they spend together, and the last thing Steffi wants is to crash out and end up with a broken heart… Can they both survive love in the fast lane?


My Review:

When former Formula One champ Rocco De Luca comes home to Isola del Fiori to help his brother at their family resort, he doesn't expect to be working with such an irresistible woman.  How will he be able to keep his mind on work?

Steffi Harlan is a dedicated employee who works hard to learn everything she can about running a hotel. Her goal is to become senior vice-president one day.  Steffi doesn’t have time to babysit her boss’s playboy brother when he needs to go out of town. 

Sparks fly as Steffi and Rocco work together while balancing the start of a new relationship.

This fast paced sexy story is one that you won't want to miss. 

Kitty Smile

The Rebel (The Millionaire Malones Book 3) by Victoria Purman Review

Synopsis:

 wo people, who regret their missed chance, just might get another…

Sexy Australian pro surfer Cooper Malone lives his dreams on beaches all over the world. While surfing is his passion, he can’t quite suppress the longing for a permanent home with the one woman he let slip away.

World traveler Maggie MacLean first laid eyes on Cooper in a crowded bar on the island resort of Bali six years ago. The sparks and sizzle nearly scorched her bikini, but she never had a chance to explore that intense attraction. Later, when Maggie’s pregnant by a man who wants nothing to do with their child, she puts her passport away and heads home to California to be the best mom she can be.

But when a possible career ending injury sidelines Cooper from his beloved waves, he moves in with the one friend he’s been able to count on. Maggie and Cooper have ignored the burn of attraction for six years. Maggie’s not willing to risk their friendship or her son’s heartbreak when Cooper inevitably leaves to compete, but what if this time Cooper stays and Maggie allows their second chance at love to flame?


My Review:

Steamy hot.  And, I’m not talking about the California sun. 

Single mother Maggie MacLean and Australian pro surfer Cooper Malone are very close friends.  After Cooper’s friend Vance gets Maggie pregnant and then doesn’t want anything to do with her, Cooper steps in.  He doesn’t want to be tied down to a family since he spends his life searching for wave after wave.  But he can be there for Maggie and Evan when he is in town.  What is created is an intense friendship where they can share anything with each other.    

When Copper is injured in a surfing accident, Maggie insists he stay at her house while he recuperates. Will living together hurt their friendship or will it bring them even closer than they ever thought possible? 

This story had the right amount of passion and excitement to keep me interested until the very end. Cooper and Maggie had intense chemistry. I was so glad when they finally gave in to their feelings toward each other.

Kitty Smile

Kitty Smile