Svetlana's Reads and Views

Name of Book: Relentless Seduction Author: Jillian Burns ISBN: 978-0-373-79737-0 Publisher: Harlequin Blaze Type of book: New Orleans Louisiana, Mardi Gras, disappearance, mystery, 2013, adult, romance, love Year it was published: 2013 Summary: Unrestrained. Unrelenting. And completely undressed! When her best friend disappears during Mardi Gras, microbiologist Claire Brookes is determined to find her. Her only lead is a bar called Once Bitten - a haven for the dark, melancholy and vampire-obsessed. And while Claire generally prefers science nerds over the Gothy children of New Orleans, something about the bar's tall, dark, and delish bartender makes her mouth water.... Bar owner Rafe Moreau is pretty sure that there's more to Claire than uptightness and frumpy clothes. And as they delve further into the dark, seedy underworld of the Big Easy, Claire and Rafe turn to each other, discovering a sizzling hunger that won't be satisfied. But will one tas...

Name of Book: Claimed! Author: Vicki Lewis Thompson ISBN: 9780373795604 Publisher: Harlequin Part of a Series: Sons of Chance Type of book: 1946, 2010, Cowboys, ranch, second chances, guilt, Shoshone, Wyoming, Year it was published: 2010 Summary: Following a dream brought Josie Keller to Shoshone, Wyoming. Following her heart brought her plenty of great sex with good-time cowboy Jack Chance She was head over heels for him... until he left her.Stay with one woman? Not a chance Then why does Jack miss Josie like crazy? Had their relationship been more than just incredible sex? Little do Josie and Jack know that a plan's afoot to get them back in the saddle...together. And once there, it's not long before they're burning up the bedsheets again But the past is never far away. Before it catches up with them, Jack has to decide if he's going to stake his claim on Josie, or lose her forever.... Characters: At the core the characters remained the sa...

Name of Book: Ambushed! Author: Vicki Lewis Thompson ISBN: 978-1-4268-6000-3 Publisher: Harlequin Blaze Part of a Series: Sons of Chance Type of book: Cowboy, relationships, adult, belonging, friendship, family, to have kids/not to have kids Year it was published: 2010 Summary: Morgan O'Connelli hated the restless lifestyle she'd had as a child. All she wants now is to create a real home in small-town Wyoming. So first she hangs up her real-estate agent shingle...then she promptly borrows the horse of the hottest cowboy in town Cutting-horse champion Gabe Chance is blown away by the feisty redhead who unexpectedly lands right in his bed...and, soon enough, his heart Morgan's perfect for him in every way. Until he realizes that while she's turned out to be everything he never knew he wanted, he's "got" everything someone in her profession has ever wanted...his family's ranch. And that's a legacy he's just not willing to give...

Name of Book: Wanted! Author: Vicki Lewis Thompson ISBN:  9780373795482 Publisher: Harlequin Blaze Part of a Series: Sons of Chance Type of book: Romance, 1937, 2010, secrets, deception, photography, ranching life, cowboys, struggle, romance, adult Year it was published: 2010 Summary: Photographer Dominique Jeffries has come to Wyoming to find herself -- her creative self, her sexual self. After escaping the engagement from hell, she's dying to break loose and live a little. And seducing a shirtless, sweaty cowhand looks like just the place to start. Nick Chance isn't exactly a cowhand but, hey, he'll be whatever the lady wants! Only he soon realizes that this is more than just a quick roll in the hay. There's something about Dominique that calls to him, something about her that completes him. There's only one problem. Dominique wants a fling, not another relationship. Little does she guess how easily she'll be persuaded to take a Chance...

Name of Book: Sizzle in the City Author: Wendy Etherington ISBN: 9780373796892 Publisher: Harlequin Blaze Part of a Series: Flirting with Justice Type of book: Romance, royalty, loyalty, obedience, family, New York, 2012, cooking, adult Year it was published: 2012 Summary: With the help of her friends, caterer Shelby Dixon is taking justice into her own hands—she's going after the sleazebag who swindled her parents out of their life savings. It's a little vigilante, but hey…no one's perfect.That is, except the sleazebag's half brother. Millionaire businessman Trevor Banfield is perfect. Perfect looks, perfect everything. And Shelby can't help herself from…well, helping herself. But mixing a sexy fling with revenge seems to be a recipe for disaster. Now she's torn between her taste for Trevor…and her thirst for righting wrongs! Characters: I found the characters to be real and genuine, although towards the end I didn't understand why...

Name of Book: No Risk Refused Author: Cara Summers ISBN: 9780373796953 Publisher: Harlequin Blaze Part of a Series: Forbidden Fantasies Type of book: Mystery, supernatural, 1812, 2012, New York, romance, adult Year it was published: 2012 Summary: From Newly Wedded magazine: "This castle in upstate New York is the stuff of fantasies! And a kiss under the arch might make your love-or lust-last forever..." Indulging a family request, CIA agent Cam Sutherland has returned to Castle MacPherson for the first time in years to investigate a decades-old theft. But more importantly, it's the place where-in a brief moment-Cam very nearly lost his heart and soul to wedding planner Adair MacPherson. And Adair is still as bewitching as ever. When Cam finds a seven-year-old erotic story written by her-and starring him-his blood damn near boils over. The only solution? To prove to Adair that fantasies are best made into realities...and the best magic happens between ...

Name of Book: Picture Me Sexy Author: Rhonda Nelson ISBN: 9780373791194 Publisher: Harlequin Blaze Type of book: Photography, soul-mates, shyness, romance, adult Year it was published: 2003 Summary: You can't take the bed out of the boudoir... Delaney Walker has a secret. The celebrated designer of erotic lingerie is actually too "nice" to wear it. But when her fiance says "I do" to someone else, Delaney decides to change her image. And she's going to start by going through with the boudoir photos she'd arranged for her groom-to-be. Only, little does she guess that once photographer Sam Martelli sets eyes on her, he'll insist on putting himself in the picture.... Sam has photographed hundreds of beautiful women, but none have affected him like Delaney. Even before she strips down to just a whisper of silk, casting off her inhibitions as well as her clothes, he has to have her. And thanks to a power failure, he does...again and aga...

Name of Book: Once a hero... Author: Jillian Burns ISBN: 978-0-373-79674-8 Publisher: Harlequin Blaze Type of book: PTSD, doctor, medicine, Hawaii, interracial relationship Hawaiian male/American female, breast cancer survivor, coping, photography Year it was published: 2012 Summary: Once a hero… always a hero. Subject: Captain Luke Andrews, M.D. Current Status: On stress leave in beautiful Hawaii Mission: Rest and recovery Obstacle: There's no rest from the wicked chemistry he's found with her. After a too-close-for-comfort brush with cancer, ocean photographer Kristen Turner heads to Hawaii for three months, where fate hands her a smokin'-hot opportunity she can't resist…... Captain Luke Andrews has to get some serious R & R, but he can't keep his hands off Kristen. She's wild and irresistible, and spending his nights with her seems more dangerous than his last mission. But is their hot little vacation romp an escape from r...

Name of Book: Getting Physical Author: Jade Lee ISBN: 9781426838910 Publisher: Harlequin Blaze Part of a Series: Modern Tigress, The Tao of Sex prequel Type of book: Hong Kong, Chinese mogul, incubator, Tigress, romance, adult, 2000s Year it was published: 2009 Summary: When savvy business student Zoe crosses paths with sexy international businessman Stephen--a Tantric master--she's about to get a transcendent learning experience The sex is incredible, mind-blowing, life changing Unfortunately, it also comes with a time limit. Because Stephen's home is on the other side of the world. Still, Zoe's going to enjoy every moment with her skillful, exotic lover. But it isn't long before she realizes she'll have to choose. Does she want to hold on to the life she has...or have a lifetime of feeling his body move against hers? Like there's a choice... Characters: The characters are much more mature than Nathan and Tracy in Tao of Sex. Ther...

Name of Book: Sexy Silent Nights Author: Cara Summers ISBN: 978-0-373-79659-5 Publisher: Harlequin Blaze Part of a Series: Wilder, Fortune and Stone Trilogy; Take my breath away... and Tailspin are prequels Type of book: adult, romance, mystery, connection, 2011, night club, charity, wealth Year it was published: 2011 Summary: It never should've happened: club owner Jonah Stone was the best friend of Cilla Michaels's boss. But one look into his stormy gray eyes and the secuirty specialist was all-in: a mind-blowing one-night fling in his sumptuous suite. Not talking. No strings... No such luck. Because it turns out that Cilla's not the only one who's developed a taste for forbidden fruit. When Jonah starts receiving threats from a vengeful ghost of christmas past, he hires Cilla on as a bodyguard...and makes no secret about how close he wants her to be. Of course, that makes him more forbidden than ever. Still, a girl can only resist so much...

Name of Book: Tailspin Author: Cara Summers ISBN: 978-0-373-79626-7 Publisher: Harlequin Blaze Part of a Series: Wilder, Fortune and Stone Trilogy; Take my breath away prequel; Sexy Silent Nights sequel Type of book: adult, 2011, air force, hidden secrets, mystery, romance, adult Year it was published: 2011 Summary: Subject: Air Force Captain Nash Fortune Current Status: On assignment, teaching at the Air Force Academy Mission: Brief his former flame on long-ago event. Full disclosure. Obstacle: Their past. Their future. And a very distracting present! Bianca Quinn makes her living writing true-crime books. Her latest book is about a decade-old case involving a missing cadet-a case somebody doesn't want opened. And her best source of intel? None other than her still-way-too-hot high-school sweetheart, Nash Fortune... But this is no sweet, shy reunion. That same heated chemistry is still very potent, and Bianca and Nash find themselves losing contro...

Name of Book: Just Give In... Author: Kathleen O'Reilly ISBN: 978-0-373-79639-7 Publisher: Harlequin Blaze Part of a Series: Harts of Texas Trilogy: Just Surrender... and Just Let Go... prequels Type of book: Texas, recluse, junkyard, homeless, lies, family, Adult, romance, 2011 Year it was published: 2011 Summary: Ever feel like your life took a wrong turn somewhere? Brooke Hart is in the tiny town of Tin Cup-broke and with no place to stay. All she has is a fierce of independence. So when an ex-soldier named Jason Kincaid-a taciturn-but-gruffly-sexy local-offers her a job, Brooke can't say no...in fact, something about Jason makes Brooke's sex drive whisper, "Oh yeah!" The attraction between them is irresistible. So irresistible, in fact, that it doesn't take long before Brooke tempts Jason beyond the point of no return. But Jason isn't one to easily trust anyone. Can he give in to his craving...without giving up his heart? Chara...

Name of Book: Just Let Go... Author: Kathleen O'Reilly ISBN: 978-0-373-79629-8 Publisher: Harlequin Blaze Part of a Series: Harts of Texas; Just Surrender prequel, Just Give in, sequel Type of book: Adult, romance, politics, small town, Texas, sheriff Year it was published: 2011 Summary: As town sheriff and all around go-to girl, Gillian Wanamaker has always gotten everything she's ever wanted-except Austen Hart on prom night ten years ago. She's never forgiven or forgotten his disappearing act, and now the super-sexy bad boy of Tin Cup, Texas, is back! And Gilly's getting even! Austen's not the only one who can love 'em and leave 'em. And she's gonna love him, sugar. All. Night. Long. The leaving part is tougher. Especially when important Tin Cup business keeps throwing them together. But if she ever hopes for more, will Austen leave her again? Characters: Unfortunately Austen isn't sufficiently explored in the book, altho...

Name of Book: Under His Spell Author: Kathy Lyons/Jade Lee ISBN: 978-0-373-79539-0 Publisher: Harlequin Blaze Type of book: Romance, adult, corporate, 2011, hypnosis Year it was published: 2010 Summary:  Nicky Taylor is a driven executive. A total control freak. And magician Jimmy Ray has loved her forever. When he spots her in the audience, he realizes he finally has a chance to fulfil his own lifelong fantasy. With a little help from Dr. Mesmer, that is... Who'd have guessed that a little hypnotism would unleash Nicky's wildly sexual nature? Or that Jimmy's powers of persuasion would encourage her to burn up the bedsheets with him that night...and the nights after. She's the perfect woman. Unfortunately Jimmy's pretty sure Nicky's still under his spell. And he has to change that. Because he's quickly falling under hers... Characters: Nicky is a workaholic and over-achiever when it comes to everything. (I am honestly surprised th...

Name of Book: Seduce and Rescue Author: Jillian Burns ISBN: 9780373795765 Publisher: Harlequin Blaze Part of a Series: Las Vegas Trilogy; prequel; Let it Ride, sequel; Night Maneuvers Type of book: 2010, Romance, Blaze, adult Year it was published: 2010 Summary: Lieutenant Colonel Ethan Grady is having his very first massage with a rather eccentric but smokin'-hot redhead, Lily Langford. But her touch isn't so much calming as it is very distracting. When he accidentally sets Lily's business and home ablaze, Ethan can't tell if the smoldering is from the fire...or their attraction to each other! But now Ethan's condo is invaded by the free-spirited Lily, who's convinced that he's the one who really needs to be rescued. And Lily's methods? Well, they're not so traditional. Still, Ethan can't remember having his chakras aligned so...er, intensely. But will this be rescue-or retreat? Characters: Like Ethan Grady, Lily...

Name of Book: Let it Ride Author: Jillian Burns ISBN:  0373794703 Publisher: Harlequin Blaze Part of a Series: Las Vegas Trilogy; sequels, Seduce and Rescue and Night Maneuvers Type of book: Blaze, romance, adult, 2009 Year it was published: 2009 Summary: Working as a Keno girl in a Vegas casino, Jordan Brenner took her bets off the sex table ages ago. And all the hot flyboys in the world won't make a difference--until Major Cole Jackson sends Jordan's thoughts and hormones into wicked places indeed.... What Jordan doesn't know is that Cole made a deal with his buddies: get some hot-'n'-heavy action from the Keno girl, or pay up! But Cole doesn't need an incentive. Every time he looks at Jordan's lips (or any part of her body, for that matter), he's immediately aware that something is up--and it isn't his ante! It looks as if Cole won't lose just his shirt. He'll lose all control, too! Characters: The characters...

Name of Book: Primal Calling Author: Jillian Burns ISBN: 978-0-373-79606-9 Publisher: Harlequin Blaze Type of book: Alaska, romance, blaze, 2011, adult Year it was published: 2011 Summary: Television-program host Serena Sandstone already has her bags checked for her flight out of Anchorage when she sees the "White Wolf"—and his animal attraction is overpowering…. Serena attributes her intense interest in sexy, scruffy bush pilot Max Taggert to journalistic instincts about his shadowy past. Right. She's prepared to go pretty far to get his story— and he's prepared to let her. Before long, they're feeling the heat in the Land of the Midnight Sun, until Max's past triggers a fight for survival neither of them ever expected! Characters: The characters stayed in character throughout the novel; and although Serena's problems are not as tragic as Max's, both characters struggle to overcome them; Max opening himself up, and Serena try...

Name of book: By Invitation Only Author Name: Lori Wilde, Wendy Etherington, Jillian Burns ISBN: 978-0-373-79625-0 Publisher: Harlequin Blaze Type of book: Adult, romance, anthology, wedding Year it was published: 2011 Summary: Texas Tycoon J.D. Maynard Jr. and famous actress Holly Addison are getting married on exotic Rapture Island. And you're invited! Exclusively Yours by Lori Wilde In order to scoop the wedding story, journalist Oliva Carmichael feigns an engagement with infuriating writer Nick Greer. But getting-under-his-skin turns into getting-under-the-sheets... Private Party by Wendy Etherington Non-hired caterer Tara Lindsey crashes the wedding to get a taste of the food, but drop-dead-sexy security chief Wade Cooper catches her in the act! Fortunately Tara is about to be the guest of honor at a much more exclusive party...for two. Secret Encounter by Jillian Burns Though a disguise gets Dr. Peyton Monahan into the celebration, it doesn'...

Name of book: Just Surrender... Author Name: Kathleen O'Reilly ISBN: 978-0-373-79615-1 Publisher: Blaze Harlequin Part of a Series: Harts of Texas, Just let go... and Just give in... are sequels Type of book: Adult, romance, blaze, New York, 2011 Year it was published: 2011 Summary: Straitlaced surgeon Tyler Hart hops into a cab at JFK...and goes on the ride of his life. Punky, funky, fly-by-the night cabbie Edie Higgins takes him on an all-night New YOrk CIty adventure involving a flat tire, a strip club, and diner food. Oh, and a mind-blowing early-morning romp in a notoriously naughty hotel. So when Edie offers to become newly single Tyler's love sensei, he thinks, why not? Especially since she's a very hands-on teacher. They couldn't be more different, but they're about to learn the same lesson: to just surrender. Everything. Characters: Both characters appear to be three dimensional and are unique, including the thoughts. Although at ...

Name of book: Night Maneuvers Author Name: Jillian Burns ISBN: 978-0-373-79638-0 Publisher: Blaze Harlequin Part of a Series: Vegas Trilogy: Let it ride, Seduce and Rescue prequels to this book Type of book: Adult, romance, blaze, Vegas, 2011 Year it was published: 2011 Summary: Subject: Mitchell McCabe, US Air Force Captain (Call Sign: Casanova) Current Status: Celibate-because he lost a bet. Mission: Survive thirty days without sex. Obstacle: Captain Alexandria Hughes, who's suddenly gone from hotshot pilot to just plain hot! Alex has had it bad for gorgeous Mitch ever since their academy days, but he's only ever seen her as a wingman, never a woman. It's time she made him take another long, hard look. After years as friends and comrades, Mitch is seeing Alex as the opposite of "one of the guys." Has that smoking-hot body always been hiding under her flight suit? Is she just messing with him? Can he wait a month to discover what he...