'The Sheikh's English Bride' by Sharon Kendrick

'The Sheikh's English Bride' by Sharon Kendrick


Harlequin Mills & Boon



Grade: Wedding Bouquet

BLURB
An English rose ready for plucking?
When billionaire playboy Xavier de Maistre discovers he's in line to rule the kingdom of Kharastan, he's not eager to claim his birthright. Until he meets Laura Cottingham, the English lawyer who confirms the news. Laura is as fresh and pure as a newly bloomed rose! Xavier decides he will embrace his heritage—and indulge his intense need to possess Laura.
But is Laura ready and willing to be tamed and taken by this desert prince?

REVIEW
Laura Cottingham is a career driven English lawyer, sent to France by the Sheikh of Kharastan to locate his illegitimate son, and heir to his country. Expecting any young man to be honoured at the prospect of becoming the next ruler, Laura is shocked at Xavier de Maistre’s flippant attitude at the discovery of his estranged father, let alone his newly found title - but she soon discovers that this man needs for nothing. Having built up his own business due to his poverty stricken upbringing, he is now a millionaire. When he refuses to return to Kharastan with Laura, she takes the challenge upon herself to convince him it’s the right thing to do - she wants to see the job through and receive her payment.

But with an ulterior motive, other than to meet the man who claims to be his father, Xavier bargains with Laura’s demands and a role reversal of authority promptly takes place. He knows she takes her job seriously enough to do anything to complete the task. However, romance is the last thing on her mind. But can’t the son of a ruling sheikh demand anything he wants - even sex?'

Obviously, with any Mills & Boon novella, a happy ending is promised, and having become attached to these two characters along the way, I wanted to see how they would resolve their differences and live happily ever after - whether in Kharastan, France or England.

Sharon Kendrick has captured the true romance of the desert and has slotted Laura and Xavier comfortably within its sand dunes. I’d recommend this book to anyone who loves an exotic love story and who doesn't mind getting sand in between their toes and various other places. It's definately a story I was determined to see to the end.

Reviewed by Debby for 'Romance eBooks Reviews.'

Grading:
1 Red Rose: Ok
Vase of Roses: Good
Bouquet of Roses: Excellent
Wedding Bouquet: Outstanding

If you would like your book reviewing, then contact Debby at http://www.myspace.com/romance_ebooks or at deb.TWRP@yahoo.co.uk

'The Witch Within' by Judith Leger

'The Witch Within' by Judith Leger

The Wild Rose Press

Grade: Bouquet of Roses

BLURB:

A scream echoes over Witch's mountain. A three hundred year old carving attacks for no reason. Widow Glory Sinclair fights against an unknown evil as she struggles with her growing attraction for Sheriff Will Moore.

REVIEW:

I don’t normally read Paranormal Romance but was intrigued enough by ‘The Witch Within’ to give the genre a shot. And I have to say I was impressed. Right from the start, Judith Leger had me wrapped up in her characters lives. Glory, a widowed mother, is a strong role model for women all over the world. Living in the wilderness of Witch Mountain gives her just enough independence to prove she can survive the tragedy of losing her husband so young. Will, the local Sheriff and her late husband’s best friend, checks in on her every now and then to make sure she and her daughter are coping without a man’s protection. But he has an ulterior motive. For years he has been in love with his best friends wife and now, he would like to make an honest woman of her. But Glory’s guilt of loving another man eats away at her heart just enough for her to keep her distance. That is, until mysterious happenings begin to take place on Witch Mountain.
Esmeralda, a carved wooden statue that has been within Glory’s family for years, has special powers beyond belief. After a horrific murder, it’s up to Glory and Will to discover whether Esmeralda’s intentions are evil or good. It’s difficult to believe she is anything but a family heirloom behind her faded expression, until one night when Glory gets the fright of her life. Thankfully, Will is by her side. But will Glory allow him to remain there for the rest of her life?

‘The Witch Within’ had the perfect length of pages to keep me turning and the flow of the storyline was constant enough to have kept me gripped. The characters had just the right amount of strength, vulnerability, boldness and compassion to make them believable enough to keep them real. I would definitely recommend ‘The Witch Within’ and would like to congratulate Judith on a fabulous story.

Reviewed in June 2008, by Debby, for Simply Romance Reviews ~ Grade A.

Available now from The Wild Rose Press http://www.thewildrosepress.com/

Grading:
1 Red Rose: Ok
Vase of Roses: Good
Bouquet of Roses: Excellent
Wedding Bouquet: Outstanding

'Outlaw in Petticoats' by Paty Jager

'Outlaw in Petticoats' by Paty Jager

The Wild Rose Press

Grade: Bouquet of Roses

BLURB:

Maeve Loman has had her heart crushed before; she isn't about to have it happen again. When she takes Zeke Halsey up on his offer to help her discover the truth about her father, she's sure she can control her traitorous body and not fall for the man's considerable charms.

Zeke Halsey has wanted Maeve Loman since he first set eyes on the prickly schoolteacher. Even as she thwarts his advances, he sees the desire burning in her eyes. He knows she feels abandoned and uses bravado to keep people at arm’s length. Offering to help her find her father, he hopes to prove he’s not going anywhere.

Neither one knows the extent to which they will stoop to get the answers they crave.

REVIEW:

Maeve Loman is in love but is determined her heart will be broken by this man, one way or another. Ruling out the fact that he could be her cousin, she then fears he will turn out like her father.

Zeke Halsey is a good man and will wait until the woman he loves is ready to give herself to him. She will use any excuse to avoid commitment and Zeke’s patience is pushed to its limits.

When Maeve discovers secrets about her father, Zeke insists he stays by her side as she begins to unravel the mysteries of her life. But he encounters a few surprises of his own along the way. On their journey to discover the truth, their love stands the greatest test of time and they must now face more than their own personal obstacles that stand in their way.

I enjoyed reading Outlaw In Petticoats although Maeve’s constant sulking and independence annoyed me a little. Zeke is a handsome and wonderfully helpful man who is constantly at her disposal – I think that’s enough to make any woman smile. Having said that and although I’m not convinced that outlaws would look good in petticoats, Paty Jager has written a story you could lie back in the hay and lose yourself in.

A spicy romance with a sexy cowboy will always be a hit with me and I’d recommend Outlaw In Petticoats to anyone who loves The Wild Wild West. Well done, Paty.

Reviewed in May 2008, by Debby, for Simply Romance Reviews ~ Grade A.

Available now from The Wild Rose Press http://www.thewildrosepress.com/

Grading:
1 Red Rose: Ok
Vase of Roses: Good
Bouquet of Roses: Excellent
Wedding Bouquet: Outstanding

'A Change of Heart' by Marianne Arkins

'A Change of Heart' by Marianne Arkins

The Wild Rose Press

Grade: Bouquet of Roses

BLURB:

Returning to Wyoming after a six-year absence, Jake Langley finds more than just changes in the now run down family ranch. His warm feelings for a former girlfriend have cooled, and he finds himself drawn to her sister and his former best friend, Emily. His discovery of the sisters' well-kept secret, however, upsets his long-term plans and sets duty against his heart's desire. Now, four hearts and four lives will be changed, forever.

REVIEW:

What a refreshing change! Marianne Arkins’ contemporary western, turns the cliché, torn between two lovers right around when it’s the hero whose heart is torn in two.

When the very loveable Jake Langley returns to his hometown of Lassiter with his business partner, Bode, his past very quickly catches up with him. Without so much as a goodbye six years ago, and having broken the hearts of two sisters, Casey and Emily Middleton, he is hardly welcomed back with open arms. In fact, he is greeted with more than he had bargained for.

However, it’s not long before this rogue is, once again, playing with the girl’s affections, and before long, he is caught up in a love triangle of his loyalty to one sister and his love for the other.
I enjoyed reading this story right from the opening page! It’s a heart warming, moving and very enjoyable mild romance. Jake, the dashing cowboy every girl falls head over heels for, has a vulnerable side to him that makes him forgivingly lovable, no matter what his past holds. Emily, the elder sister of the two and a fiery redhead who still holds a grudge against him, keeps Jake’s feet firmly on the ground, and in more ways than one! And then there’s the lovely Casey, everything a man could wish for in a woman – but is she the one for him?

Hot without the sex? Definitely! Accuracy accounted for? Without a doubt! Wishing I had a cowboy like Jake to lie in the hay with? YES PLEASE!
A recommended read for sure with a wonderful storyline! Well done, Marianne!

Reviewed in May 2008, by Debby, for Simply Romance Reviews ~ Grade A.

Buy from The Wild Rose Press now http://www.thewildrosepress.com/

Grading:
1 Red Rose: Ok
Vase of Roses: Good
Bouquet of Roses: Excellent
Wedding Bouquet: Outstanding