Been reading up a storm lately, and these are the books that I've spending my time with. It's a little bit of everything and from 3 of my favorite auto-buy authors:

LUCY MONROE



Paperback: 342 pages
Publisher: Brava (May 6, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN: 0758211767

Claire Sharp trusts few people and relies on no one. But after her life is threatened, ex-mercenary Brett Adams blows into her self-contained world, full of southern charm, rugged good looks, and enough sexual experience to write a how-to manual...experience he makes it clear he'd like to use on Claire. She wants help fighting the bad guys, but she's not about to fall into Brett's bed. For one thing, the guy has a no-commitment clause better than most big shot attorneys and for another, despite her response to his too sensual kisses, in her experience sex isn't exactly fireworks and brass bands. Definitely not worth getting all excited over...
Brett plans to prove her wrong. He’s never felt such a powerful combination of lust and friendship with a woman. He'll give her a white-hot pleasure like nothing she’s ever known and she'll realize that some things in life are worth taking the risk for. When the threat to Claire grows dangerously close, pitting them against deadly odds, Brett will do whatever it takes to save her. Because Claire Sharp has just found herself a man who’s ready to bring it on, willing to do what it takes, and able to go the distance...


Hotwire is a confident male who excels at everything he does. But his reaction to Claire throws him for a loop. He just cannot keep away from her. He knows he's in trouble when he tells her what his real name is, and she insists on calling him Brett instead of Hotwire. He feels very protective of her, but insists that their relationship will never be more than a physical one. But oh what a physical one it is! Hotwire is a very sexual man - he loves giving pleasure to a woman and is not ashamed to admit it. We see a very vulnerable side of Brett because of his feelings for Claire, and learn more about his background and how he grew up. He has a more sensitive nature than he lets on, and this glimpse into that part of him makes him more human.

Claire is a young woman who's had her own growing pains, but she is determined to make something out of her future and focuses all her energy on making something out of herself. In her mind, Brett is out of her reach, but he genuinely seems to want her. At first she is reluctant to get involved with him, but she is unable to resist their attraction. Once she makes the decision though, she gives herself wholeheartedly to Brett, and revels in the pleasure he gives her. The more she gets to know him, the more she feels for this southern charmer, and realizes that while his words might say he's not looking for a commitment, his heart is saying something entirely different.

I've been eagerly awaiting this book by Lucy, but dreading it at the same time. I really hated to see the series come to an end. Even now I can't decide who I like better: Wolf, Nitro, or Hotwire. All very special men in their own way. And so are the heroines: Lise, Josette, and Claire. Lucy teases us with a glimpse at another irresistible hero: Ethan Crane. I hope that means we'll get glimpses of our past heroes and heroines in any upcoming books.

MARYJANICE DAVIDSON




Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade (April 4, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN: 0425207951

USA Today bestselling author MaryJanice Davidson has enchanted readers everywhere with her delicious blend of wicked humor, sizzling sex and a totally unique vision of vampires and werewolves. Now, in this collection of four sensual novellas, worlds collide when she brings her beloved Wyndham werewolves together with the vampires ruled by Undead Queen Betsy Taylor. In three of her most popular novellas, a Wyndham werewolf finds their perfect-sometimes reluctant!-mate, whether mortal or immortal. The collection culminates with the highly anticipated original story of feral vampire George the Fiend, as he meets the only female who can tame the beast within-a lovely werewolf. Filled with equal parts of spicy heat and laugh-out-loud moments, this collection will drive you wild with blood-pounding delight.

OMG, this is one series you have to get! MaryJanice Davidson is one of the funniest authors around - she excels at humor. And this collection of stories fits together perfectly. In "Santa Claws", Alec Kilcurt is a powerful werewolf who can't wait to get out of Boston and head home when he finds, okay, he smells his mate. Giselle Smith can't believe this European hottie wants her, but he is pretty obvious about the fact that he does. Very much. And who can resist a sexy accent coming from a rich alpha male (!) who adores her? "Monster Love" is the unlikely love story between werewolf Janet Lupo and vampire Richard Will. Janet is one outspoken bitch (and I mean that in the nicest possible way) and their love story is cantankerous and romantic. Richard delights in Janet's insults, and only feels as alive as a vampire can feel while he is basking in her insults. Ahhh, true love...Werewolf Drake may be blind, but he can see - at least he can see Cresent, the love of his life. Only she's a lot younger than him. But age doesn't seem to matter when you've found the one you belong to....George finally finds his own mate in "A Fiend in Need" when "defective" werewolf Antonia (!) travels to Minneapolis to meet Betsy, the queen.

All of these were great stories, though a bit shorter than I would have liked, especially George's. But they are laugh-out-loud funny and filled with lots of sexy scenes - you won't be disappointed. In fact, you might just feel the overwhelming urge to go and buy all of MJ's backlist. That's what I'd recommend.....


LISA KLEYPAS




Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (March 1, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN: 006056251X


A devil's bargain ...
Easily the shyest Wallflower, Evangeline Jenner stands to become the wealthiest, once her inheritance comes due. Because she must first escape the clutches of her unscrupulous relatives, Evie has approached the rake Viscount St. Vincent with a most outrageous proposition: marriage!
Sebastian's reputation is so dangerous that thirty seconds alone with him will ruin any maiden's good name. Still, this bewitching chit appeared, unchaperoned, on his doorstep to offer her hand. Certainly an aristocrat with a fine eye for beauty could do far worse.
But Evie's proposal comes with a condition: no lovemaking after their wedding night. She will never become just another of the dashing libertine's callously discarded broken hearts -- which means Sebastian will simply have to work harder at his seductions...or perhaps surrender his own heart for the very first time in the name of true love.

Oh, who doesn't want to find out what happens to that bad, bad man Sebastian after what he did to one of Evie's best friends! Well this poor rake gets his comeuppance when he falls in love with the ultimate wallflower, and it couldn't have happened to a more deserving soul. Initially bored by her stuttering and utterly vapid appearance at his home, despite the inappropriateness of her visit, Sebastian is soon overcome by intense lust for this quiet yet determined young woman. Caught up in desperate circumstances of her own, Evie doesn't have time to shy away from St. Vincent, which intrigues him. His little shy Evie is a passionate, stubborn woman who heats his blood and soon melts his heart. No one falls harder into love than a wicked rake - probably because he never thinks it's going to happen to him - but when it does, it is an intense, all-consuming passion for the one woman brave enough to look into his heart and still stay with him despite all he may have done....

So....there you have it. I highly recommend each story, and urge you to go out and buy the books. These are the types of stories you can get lost in, laugh with, and fall in love.