WEEKEND BOOK CLUB: The One That Got Away

For fans of the Harlequin Mills and Boon Modern Heat/Riva series (in the UK) and Presents Extra in the USA, you'll be aware that the fun, flirty books are now part of the newly launched Harlequin KISS series.

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY by Kelly Hunter was part of the launch line up in Feb.

It's no secret I adore Kelly's books.

Here's the blurb for this one:

"The man who's always left her wanting more!"

Good job? "Tick." Newly purchased apartment? "Tick." Evie's life is on a pretty even keel at the moment. The only thing missing? A man with an edge to keep things interesting.

Enter Logan Black. Tortured, distant and sexy, Logan has edge written all over him. He's also the man who tipped Evie "over" the edge a few years back - she gave him everything, but he didn't know when to stop taking.

Leaving Logan was the hardest thing Evie's ever done. Until now. Because Logan's back, the chemistry is as blistering as ever and this time he's not going anywhere....

Here's my short and sweet review:

Like the finest chocolate, it's rich, intense and satisfying.

I love a bad boy tortured hero and Logan is one of the best.

Could barely put it down.

Is this book as light as the cover? No. There are some dark themes touched on and it makes the book all the more tempting.

I think readers know that authors don't have much say in covers and if you're anything like me, you buy by author not by cover. And this is one book definitely worth buying!

What are you reading this weekend?

New release: BRASH

I'm thrilled to let you know that BRASH is now live on Amazon!

I adore this book and by the 5 star reviews within the first few hours, I'm hoping readers will too!

Here's the blurb:

Jess Harper is so tired of being good…

Thrust into the dazzle of Burlesque Bombshells, Vegas’s premier dance venue, the small town librarian has no option but to embrace her inner vixen.
Especially when blast from her past, sexy Aussie celebrity chef Jack McVeigh is still determined to keep their relationship strictly hands-off.

This time Jess isn’t surrendering without a fight and armed with her hot props and Bombshell moves, Jack doesn’t stand a chance.

When Jess and Jack are sequestered on an island to orchestrate the burlesque wedding of the year, sun, surf and sizzling sex are on the menu!

But will the fiery couple come back for seconds?

Buy BRASH here
Add to your GOODREADS shelf here

(And huge thanks to fabulous author Kelly Hunter for reading before publication and providing a cover quote. Much appreciated!)

Cover reveal: BRASH

I can't keep this cover to myself any longer...

BRASH, the first in my Burlesque Bombshell series, releases Feb 12th (1week to go, yay!)

I love this book and I hope readers will too.

If you've read my category romances, it's a similar length, with a little bit more spice!!

(and huge thanks to the brilliant Kelly Hunter for reading the book and providing a cover quote.)

So what do you think?

My Top 5 favourite reads 2011

When USA TODAY asked me to list my top 5 favourite reads of 2011, I had a momentary panic.

I read so many great books this year, how to choose only 5?

After much teeth-gnashing, I did it.  Then again, these books were stand-outs for me so when I really put my thinking cap on, it wasn't so difficult to choose after all.

So here are my top 5:

1. How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O'Neal
(lush, evocative, made me cry & I rarely cry with books!).

2. Call Me Irresistible by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (never want to put the book down, love the characters, the humor, the warmth).

3. The Goodbye Quilt by Susan Wiggs (realistic, character-driven, tugged on my heartstrings. And made me bawl.).

4. Dancing Backwards in High Heels by Christine Darcas (fascinating real-life dilemma any woman could identify with, thoroughly enjoyed it).

5. Red-Hot Renegade by Kelly Hunter (exotic locale, well-developed characters, sizzling tension).

You can see other author recommendations on the USA TODAY Happily Ever After blog.

Weekend Book Club can pick 'em!

I'm absolutely thrilled to hear Kelly Hunter has finalled in the RITAs with Red-Hot Renegade.
(You can find my rave review for her here)

Kelly's books are fab but this one is my favourite. (I'm biased and proud of it!)

And another huge shout-out to Marion Lennox, a lovely lady and fab writer for her nomination, along with the gorgeous Melissa McClone (yay, Harlequin Romance!)

Congrats to all the RITA and GH nominees.
Enjoy the ride!

Weekend Book Club: Red-Hot Renegade

If you've never read category romance before, you should start with this book.

Kelly Hunter's RED-HOT RENEGADE bears her trademark rich, vibrant, emotionally complex characters that have you turning pages at a rapid rate.

Here's the blurb:

Can she keep her hands off her super-sexy ex? In desperate need of protection, Jianne Xang-Bennett reluctantly turns to her estranged husband, martial arts expert Jacob Bennett, for help. But there are problems: they’ve been separated for twelve years and cannot be in the same room together without arguing or ripping each other’s clothes off – sometimes at the same time! But Jacob will go to extremes for those he loves, and Jianne is the only woman who can bring this honourable warrior to his knees. Can they delve beneath their red-hot desire and blazing anger to find the love that has always been hiding?

I loved everything about this book: the Singapore setting, the dojo, the hint of suspense, the secondary characters who've all had their stories told in previous books, the Asian heroine but most of all, I loved the martial arts hero.

Jake is superb. And the sexual tension between him and Ji...phew! Pages burn!

I can't recommend this book highly enough.

What are you reading this week?

Weekend Book Club: Untameable Rogue

While I write category romance, I don't read a lot of it these days.
I'd love to, but just don't have the time. When I do, some of my favourite category authors are Liz Fielding, Ally Blake, Trish Wylie, Natasha Oakley and Sarah Mayberry.

Kelly Hunter is another.
With good reason.

She has a unique voice which leaps off the page, her Asian settings are evocative and her heroes are the most gorgeous men on the planet!

She's currently nominated for a RITA (and was nominated 2 years ago).
If she doesn't win this year, she'll win next year, with Untameable Rogue.

Without a doubt, it is my absolute favourite Kelly Hunter novel.

The sparks between CEO Madeline Delacourte and disarmament specialist Luke Bennett burn up the pages. Their chemistry sizzles in a big way!
(I've been to Singapore several times, wish I'd met a Luke there!)

And the secondary characters made me smile.

This is the first category romance I've reviewed here, with reason. It's a stand out.

If you've never read a category romance, do yourself a favour and pick up this one.
You won't regret it.

What are you reading this week?