Jack Travis leads the uncomplicated life of a millionaire Texas playboy. He makes no commitments, he loves many women, he lives for pleasure. But no one has ever truly touched his heart or soul. Until one day, a woman appears on his doorstep with fury on her face and a baby in her arms. It seems Jack is the father and this woman is the baby’s aunt. The real mother has abandoned the child to her more responsible sister. And now, Jack is being called upon to take responsibility for the first time in his life. With delicious romantic tension, characters so real they walk onto the page and into your heart, Lisa Kleypas delivers the kind of novel that makes you laugh, love; cry and cheer.

For those of you who are not familiar with her work, just so you get an idea of how amazing she is, Lisa Kleypas is one of those rare authors who could write poetry on toilet paper and I would gladly shell out good money to buy it. "Smooth Talking Stranger" is Lisa's 3rd contemporary, set in Texas, that revolves around the affluent Travis family. STS is Jack Travis' story.

As the older sister, Ella has always been the more responsible one, even moreso than her erratic, selfish mother Candy. Basically taking care of herself and her sister Tara without much parental guidance has left Ella with a few hang-ups, especially when it comes to the relationships in her life. Years later, as an adult with a degree, a job, and a steady boyfriend who has his own idea of what he wants and doesn't want in a partner, Ella has carved out a satisfactory, if not quite fulfilling, life for herself.

But one day, a bomb is dropped into her lap in the form of an innocent baby boy, and Ella is faced with all kinds of decisions that have utterly foreign and intimidating to her. Yet with resolve and determination, she realizes that the most logical step involves going back to the beginning, and that would involve finding out who the father of this baby actually is.

Ella's search takes her from Austin to Houston, and into the path of one very impressive and larger-than-life Texas tycoon, Jack Travis. Now tracking Jack down wasn't so difficult, but getting the opportunity to actually speak with him is quite another story. Besides being a rich playboy and heir to a dynasty, Jack is also a very powerful man in his own right, and not an easy man to get an audience with. But armed with a newborn baby and perserverance, Ella's not one to give up easily, and manages to catch the attention of the most vital, exciting male she's ever seen in her entire life.

Despite their dubious first encounter, Ella finds an unlikely ally in Jack, and soon they are working together for the welfare of one tiny baby, and as they grow closer, Ella begins to question some of the choices she's made in her life, most especially the one about never having children of her own. Little Luke has managed to worm his way into her heart without even having to try, and soon Ella's every action and consideration is based on what's in the best interests of this litle boy, no matter how difficult the choices are going to be for her to make.

Jack is fascinated by Ella, as well as incredibly attracted. This unique, independent woman has the physical appearance of a very sexy librarian and some very open and unconventional ideas about commitment, brought on by her upbringing, which vary greatly from his own traditional values on family. A man like Jack is extremely possessive and cannot fathom the idea of sleeping with her and then letting her go back to her boyfriend. That's just not how he's programmed, not when he wishes to stake a claim on Ella for himself, drat the stubborn woman. Yet as much as she drives him crazy, he also sees the love she has for Luke, and admires her for taking on such a huge responsibility when she is sure to have her heart broken in the process.

Regardless of what happens between them, Jack is going to help Ella in any way she needs him, that's one thing he's perfectly clear on. He may not agree with some of her choices, but when he decides to do something, he follows all the through. Because Jack, being Jack, and I paraphrase his own words from page 228: "...never does anything in half measures, including falling in love."

My thoughts:

This was a challenging review in the sense that I didn't wish to include any spoilers about the book, and also because it's a Kleypas, and my thoughts never seem adequate enough to express the way in which Ms. Kleypas can immediately hook me in with just a few short sentences. "Smooth Talking Stranger" is no exception.

What I love about these stories is that despite the eye-catching and deceptively simple titles, they are so much more than that. When I think of a smooth talking stranger, I'm expecting a heated one-night stand between two good-looking strangers who end up going their separate ways, without regret. But when you dive into these pages, you are getting something so much richer, more poignant and real, and it's a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

I've read all 3 of Ms. Kleypas' contemporary novels, which are set in Texas and revolve around the charismatic Travis family, and have found something to love about each one. I will admit that upon my initial read, this was probably my least favorite of all three, but not by much, and it is mainly because I had difficulty warming up to Ella for quite some time. After a quick re-read, I did have to re-evaluate my opinion and give her more credit.

I had no problem with Ella being smart and independent and stubborn. In fact those were what made her so compelling when it came to the dynamic in her relationship with Jack, along with her unexpected sense of humor, which I think came from her being a more confident woman in his presence. And instead of melting into his arms and letting him get his way from the get-go, Ella asserted herself and continually kept Jack unsure of where he stood with her. That attitude I could appreciate, especially since she was't doing it because she wished to manipulate him to get her way, but because that's just the way she was, the way she thought she had to be.

What made it hard for me to initially relate to her was the lack of warmth she emanated at times, except when it came to her feelings for Luke. I understand that Ella had developed a protective shell over time in order to soften the hurt and frustration she experienced at the hands of her family, yet at times she came across as cold, and I didn't always like her. I tried very hard to rationalize her behavior because of her upbringing, but sometimes you have an affinity towards a character or you don't, and that's what ended up happening, at least in the beginning. It took me awhile to just accept her for how she was.

But then she'd have this wonderful conversations with Jack, and she started to open up and she was funny, sometimes vulnerable, and that's when she became more likable, more human. Some of the things she did or said were out of self-preservation, but when faced with real, solid love from a good man, Ella blossomed. She let herself be, and she was truly a wonderful person. I wanted Ella to find her happiness.

However the real star of the show here is Jack Travis. No doubt about that. (In fact Kati says it very well here when she talks about her love for the nurturing hero). Jack is the kind of guy who says what he means, means what he says, and more importantly, follows it all up with action. In fact the main reason I fell in love with him was not because of a bunch of sweet words or sugary compliments. It was because the man "showed" his love. Through his actions, he proved how he felt about Ella beyond what any words could have said. He was her rock, the person she could unequivocally depend upon without thought, and he could say "I love you" more eloquently with a profoundly heartfelt gesture than he ever could with a thousand words. That is the wonder that is Jack Travis. If he doesn't make your list of top 5 heroes of all-time, I will be sincerely shocked. Nobody makes 'em like Ms. Kleypas, and I have 25+ years of reading romance to prove it.

So yes, run thee to a bookstore, and grab yourself a copy of this engaging, heartfelt, sexy romance, and let yourself escape to a place where the hero is as unforgettable as the love story. You won't be sorry.

Rating: ***** out of *****

Labels: Lisa Kleypas, reviews

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Nicole Jordan takes the delights of the Regency mating game to breathless new heights in this daring second novel of a superb new trilogy, The Courtship Wars.

How do you feel about lessons in love:

genuinely helpful or a huge waste of time?

Labels: Nicole Jordan, quickie reviews

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Anyway, I hadn't read her stuff for awhile, and when she was guest blogging at RNTV, I decided to get her latest series, The Courtship Wars, and see if I still felt the same way about her writing. The first book is "To Pleasure A Lady".

Yet Marcus is quite fascinated with the oldest sister, Arabella, and decides that she would be perfect as his wife. She's beautiful, spirited, and makes him feel incredibly alive. He just has to persuade her that it would be an ideal arrangement for them both.

But Arabella and her sisters love the independent life they've created for themselves teaching at their academy, and none of them have any desire to wed. Having grown up in a household where their parents despised each other and didn't hide that fact, the girls are wary of marriages of convenience, and Arabella is very dead set against this type of marriage. And despite Marcus' bold seduction, Arabella is determined to win the wager and gain independence for her and her sisters, even if it means losing her heart in the process.

I found this to be a very engaging story, though not quite as passionate as the books in her "Notorious" series. Still, I did enjoy watching Marcus and Arabella try to outwit the other, both determined to win their case. Yet the more they get to know each other, the more their feelings become engaged, and it becomes more than just a wager.

These three young ladies suffered much scandal due to their parents' marriage, and were snubbed by society time and again for those sins. When they, along with assistance from a wealthy patroness, opened their school, it finally brought a sense of stability and independence into each of their lives, and certainly proved that they didn't need to depend on a man for financial security.

But in addition to living within their modest means for the last four years, Arabella has also had to deal with the fact that a man she once loved and was to marry turned his back on her when the scandals generated by her parents' public behavior proved to be too much for him to handle. Broken-hearted and betrayed, Arabella is not easily swayed by Marcus' proposal, and in fact continues to have misgivings. But she is tempted by his kisses and caresses, and finds herself straying further and further down the path of temptation and pleasure that only Marcus can give her. His touch is like fire, and she cannot resist experiencing such incredible passion with him.

I liked Arabella quite a bit, Marcus too, in fact. They are both strong-willed, passionate individuals who are incredibly attracted to each other, and both determined to win the wager. Arabella has been deeply hurt by love before, and can't believe she won't be again. If that weren't enough, her sisters feel pretty much the same way about marriage, and insist she not fall in love with Marcus and risk heartache all over again. Arabella has no desire to disappoint her sisters, who have suffered just as much as she has by their parents' actions.

Marcus is not a big believer in love, and in fact has no desire to marry, yet with Arabella he can be himself, and he is fully aware he must wed eventually in order to carry on his responsibility to his family. After some thought, he decides Arabella will make him an ideal bride, and sets out to woo her. But it's not as easy as he thought it would be; she challenges him at every turn.

Their mutual attraction is instantaneous and quite explosive. Part of Marcus' courtship includes introducing Arabella to the joys of sexual pleasure, and she takes to it like a duck to water. Their encounters are increasingly more carnal and daring, and Arabella can see why a woman would risk ruin in order to experience the kind of pleasure Marcus introduces her to. Still, it's not enough to convince her that she should accept Marcus' marriage proposal.

I liked that despite what has happened to them, Arabella and her sisters are extremely loyal, not only to each other, but to their friend Fanny, a famous Cyprian whom they have known since growing up as children. I understand that there are more books in the Courtship Wars and eventually Fanny will find love of her own. I look forward to that story, even though it won't be a full-length book.

I also liked that these young ladies didn't mope around waiting to be saved. They adapted to their drastic change in circumstances, came up with a legitimate plan, and put it into action. They used their experience to the best of their advantage, and turned a potentially dismal situation into a positive and modestly lucrative one. And I liked that the academy will continue to thrive and be a part of their lives, even after marriage.

If there is something I felt was missing, it was getting a chance to know more about Marcus. He's gorgeous, rich, titled, and very determined to win Arabella as his wife. He does act admirably on at least two occasions, but I was curious to know what drove him, what his childhood and upbringing were like, how his past experience(s) of love shaped him. I think my feelings would have been more involved in their story if I had gotten to know Marcus more than I did, and while I liked TPAL quite a bit, there was room for improvement on that score, and I believe Marcus held the key to that.

I must note that I really loved the covers of the Courtship Wars books - very sensual and pleasing to the eye. The other 3 books that have been released so far are also as equally gorgeous, and in my possession. I so look forward to reading them.

Rating: ****1/4 stars of out *****

How do you feel about love stories between guardians and their wards:

romantic or just plain creepy?

Labels: Nicole Jordan, quickie reviews

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Okay I have to tell you that I really love where I live. (Well, except during our miserable winters). Chicago is an incredible city, blending midwestern sensibilities with a more sophisticated urban flavor. But being a total suburbanite, I don't take advantage of all there is to offer as much as I'd like to. However this week, I was uncommonly brave and for one of the few times ever, drove into the big, bad city.

Michigan Avenue

(click on pictures to make them bigger)

Anyone who knows anything about me is very aware that I have a horrible sense of direction and can get lost in the grocery store, but putting my fate in Mapquest's hands actually turned out to be a good thing. Go figure. I managed to find my way, no problem, and only had to circle around once to find a decent place to park. My day was off to a good start.

And it only got better. I had left the scary yet familiar surroundings of the suburbs to meet some very cool people for coffee: Chicago authors Beth Kery and Julie James. Yet another reason to love where I live. And where else could we meet but at one of the places that has been the recipient of thousands of my hard-earned dollars - the bookstore.

Location, location, location

This is the wondefull 3-story Borders on Michigan Avenue where we met. Though I was very sad when Julie told me that this store would be shutting down, quite possibly later this year. How awful! One of the worst things in the world for a reader to hear. My heart aches at the thought.

Beth & Julie, looking ultra classy

These ladies are both just as friendly as they look. Though with those pearls and sweet disposition, you really wouldn't think Beth would write something as erotically steamy as "Wicked Burn", but she did, and am I ever so grateful for that *g* And maybe she's on to something because pearls certainly play a significant role in one very sexy scene. Obviously inspired ;)

I have definitely added Beth to my auto-buy list. I just really love her style and how she digs deep to tell a genuinely moving story. She had me at Vic.

Now I certainly can't forget about Julie, who wrote another of my favorite books of 2008. She writes such snappy, smart dialogue, which sadly, you just don't see a lot of these days. One of my favorite things about her characters is how much they actually converse, matching wits and challenging each other every step of the way. She has some intriguing ideas for future stories and I really hope she's given free rein to tell them. If you take her experiences as a lawyer, and blend those with her exotic travels, I think they would be interesting and different and really fun and engaging to read about. So editor/publisher/agent/manager/husband of Julie, please let Julie write what she wants, because her fans want to read it!

Happy news: both Julie & Beth are going to be attending Lori Foster's & Dianne Castell's June get-together! Yeah baby!

Naturally we spent the afternoon discussing lots of books and authors, past and present. I was, obviously, the voice of knowledge and experience, what with my 25 years of reading experience (Okay, I just like to talk about me *g*). At one point Julie brought up Nalini Singh's newest, "Angel's Blood", which prompted some talk about angels and vampires, demons and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", that is until a quiet young woman came up to our table, having overheard part of what we were saying and somehow she thought we were talking about real-life demonic attacks. Huh. I think we truly burst her bubble when we just stared at her in disbelief and told her we were talking about books. Maybe she was just as horrified at the thought of romance readers as we were of demon possession. Easy mistake.

Once we got our voices back, Beth admitted....okay, never mind. I wasn't supposed to say anything. We went from devil talk to blogging, mentioning some of the blogs we frequently visit, and I was asked about Twitter, which I admit is a guilty pleasure but I continue to question the value, at least for myself. Others may utilize to its fullest potential. We touched on Facebook versus MySpace. Julie doesn't like....nope, I can't tell you THAT. She'd kill me.

Julie with her two releases, "Just the Sexiest Man Alive" and "Practice Makes Perfect"

Before I knew it, my adventure was over. And before anyone asks, yes I really was there and not just imagining all this. I'm not quite creative enough to make this stuff up. Beth has a picture of me somewhere, and Julie mentioned me in a blog post. It was a fun day in the city. I want to thank both Beth and Julie for such an enjoyable afternoon. Alas,no scandal or juicy gossip or even a cat fight. But sometimes drama is not all it's cracked up to be.

Labels: Beth Kery, Julie James

A Florida beauty who hides her stunning good looks. A childhood friend who’s made a career of seduction. A thrilling story of mystery, secrets, and romance—as only New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Brockmann can tell it…

Sunrise Key native and aspiring private investigator Frankie Paresky has her first bona fide case—a client has hired her to find the missing heir to a priceless property. But there’s one complication: Simon Hunt, her best friend’s brother and a notorious heartbreaker, insists on being Frankie’s assistant. For Frankie, even Simon’s street-smart know-how isn’t worth the cost of dealing with his distracting good looks and overactive libido. But Simon’s on a mission to prove he’s not the man Frankie thinks he is. The truth is, he’s been dreaming about Frankie since they were teenagers, and not one woman on his endless list of conquests has managed to stop him. But he needs to work fast. Because the real Frankie—every gorgeous inch of her—isn’t under wraps anymore, and a stranger is already moving in.

Sometimes I forget I've been a fan of Suzanne Brockmann for only 13 years - it feels like it should be for much longer. I'm really loving that a lot of her older books are being re-released for newer fans to discover and enjoy.

"The Kissing Game" is the 2nd book by Suz I've ever read. It's also book #2 in the Sunrise Key trilogy, and over the weekend I bought an updated copy and re-read it in a manner of hours. Again, my heart stopped at the level of emotion and romance Suz puts in this straight-up contemporary story. I loved it as much, if not more, than the first time I ever read it. That is what a keeper is all about.

Because she's his sister Leila's best friend, Simon Hunt has known Francine "Frankie" Paresky a long time, since they were kids. She's so unlike the other women he dates, yet he'd give anything to get her into his bed. When Frankie needs assistance on a case, Simon volunteers his services, figuring this would give him the perfect opportunity to work closely with her and work on countering any arguments she has about acting on their searing attraction. He realizes he has a fight on his hands, but he's confident he can charm her out of her trenchcoat and fedora and show her how good they can be together.

Frankie has seen Simon the Casanova in action, and despite her incredible attraction to him, she has no desire to be just one of many. Besides, despite his attempts at seduction, she considers him to be a good friend, and doesn't wish to lose that connection with him, not when she's so close to his sister. But she will accept his help with an investigation she's currently working on, a case that re-visits the past and a special time in Frankie's life. Will Simon lose Frankie before he even gets the chance to let her know how much he truly cares?

My thoughts:

Sigh. Friends to lovers. How I do love this theme. There's always so much rich history between the characters, and I love watching how the relationship evolves. It's especially satisfying when the hero realizes just how much this woman means to him, moreso than all the others who have passed through his life. She stands out because she's different, though not in a bad way, but rather a way he never used to think appealed to him before. Simon tends to date flashy, bold, experienced women who spend more time on their hair and make-up than in having an actual conversation. Is it no surprise that he loses interest after just one night? He can find pleasure anywhere, but someone who challenges him, puts him in his place? Well, no other woman, save for his sister, has done that. Her ability to push him away leaves him feeling unsure of himself, and re-thinking his serial dating habits. With his history, he greatly fears that he's not just going to be the one dating his friends' sisters; he's going to end up dating their daughters as well. A rather depressing thought.

Underneath those practical clothes and realistic expectations beats the heart of a true romantic. Many years ago Frankie dated a young man who she thought was the love of her life, and when there's a chance he might come back into her life, she jumps at it, figuring that maybe it was meant to be. She's conflicted by her feelings for Simon, and tries to push him away, keeping him in the "just friends" box . But he won't let her. I love that as much as Frankie challenges Simon, he pushes her right back. And I love how we saw past the sand and the plain clothes to the real woman she was, and before he knew what hit him, she starts to mean everything to him. It's no longer about getting her into bed; it's about proving to her that she really is the only woman he wants. Forever.

Romantic? Check. Emotional? Check. Sexy? Check. I couldn't believe how my stomach filled with butterflies after reading this book, even though I knew exactly what was going to happen. Suz has such a way of writing that a simple kiss becomes the sexiest thing I've read about in ages. Mouths linger. Breath catches. Time stops. The feeling of being on this island and being warmed by the sun is so vivid that I could alnost smell the ocean, feel my toes curling in the sand. I can feel the heat and the urgency, the racing hearts and trembling hands. That's one of the amazing aspects of Suz's writing: a mere kiss can be a helluva lot more erotic than the most explicit menage' in some of the steamier books I've read in the past (excluding "The Bikini Diaries", of course. Had to be said). Watching Frankie and Simon fall in love is a real treat, one I could partake in again and again without guilt.

Rating: ***** out of *****

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I was in the mood for a light-hearted, sweet romance, and LuAnn must have known it cuz she sent me this. Jolie Russell and her father are living the simple life and like it that way just fine until one day Cody Dean drops by on their doorstep and offers to buy their property for a quite a pretty penny. Jolie wants to see her father not have to work so hard, as he's done all his life, and she's relieved when her father agrees to sell.

But the privileged life isn't without it's own share of complications, as Jolie soon learns the hard way. The gated community she now lives in frowns on their casual ways and country roots. Sexy land developer Cody Dean does his best to smooth relations between the two opposing sides, and discovers that he enjoys the sassy candor of one Miss Jolie Russell more than he expected, but he's still caught up in the rules and regulations of the society he was raised in all his life. It takes a little competition from his less reserved brother to light a fire under his Richie Rich butt before he finally gets his act together and pursues Jolie on his own steam. But now that he's made his move, will the outspoken Jolie decide living in his world is worth the effort, or will she hold on tight to her simple, uninhibited ways and forge her own path without him?

My thoughts:

This was definitely a quick and fun read. I loved Jolie's attitude a whole lot. She didn't really care that she wasn't a "skinny bitch" and instead enjoyed looking just how she was. I also admired that she liked her new friend Carletta and was more concerned about maintaining that friendship than she was about impressing her fancy neighbors. Jolie saw the value in people and appreciated them for their unique ways instead of wanting them all to be just like her. She had her insecure moments, but that was mostly when she tried to be something she wasn't. When she was her own self, she shined.

Cody was a sexy Prince Charming, but I found myself actually liking his younger brother Brett a whole lot more. Still, Cody was rather endearing, and I couldn't help but like him all the more when he couldn't help himself from falling in love with Jolie. She brought out a different side of Cody that let him relax and take time out to enjoy just "being" instead of concentrating on work all the time. Jolie made him laugh, and made him realize that he wasn't taking the time to enjoy the benefits of all his hard work.

Jolie was definitely a firecracker who spoke before she thought, yet she was also smart and hard-working. And no one meant more to her than her father. I loved how close she was to her dad, and how she looked out for him and has been ever since her mother passed away so many years ago. Never once did she resent her father for not always being there when she needed a guiding hand, but recognized that everything he did, he did out of love for her. It was very sweet.

There were a few little...quirks...I guess you could say that got a little on my nerves, but they were my issues and not anything bad about the story. The first was that I felt the clumsy moments between Cody and Jolie were too contrived and "cute", and happened way too frequently, and this drove me a little crazy. If Jolie was more accident-prone and had these kind of incidents on a more regular basis throughout the story (think Bella in "Twilight") then they would have been more believable, but instead they were a little too cute. The other was Jolie calling her father "Daddy". I know that this is a fairly common way to address fathers in the south, no matter what the child's age is, but she said it so frequently that it was distracting, and it made me think Jolie was even younger than she was (in the story I believe she's twenty-four).

But these are my little hang-ups and didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story. I would recommend it to anyone who likes cute, sweet stories set in a small southern town, and who has an appreciation for country music. And if you like outspoken heroines who have no intention of becoming something their not just to please everyone else, then Jolie's your girl. And Cody is just the right type of hero to appreciate her.

Rating: **** out of *****

Happy birthday, LuAnn!!!

Labels: LuAnn McLane, reviews