Mandi recommends 'Rev It Up' and 'Down for the Count'
I've been on a contemporary romance kick lately, and here are a few I've enjoyed.
Rev It Up by Julie Ann Walker (military romance). The third book in this fun, action-packed series features a former Navy SEAL, Jake "The Snake," who is quick and lethal. He has loved Michelle for years, and now that her husband has died, Jake comes back to confess his love and convince her he is the right man for her. We also get lots of page time with the other Black Knight crew, who are a secret black ops organization under the guise of a custom motorcycle shop. This series is on the light-hearted side but still has good suspense. They can all be read as stand-alones, but I've enjoyed each one.
Down for the Count by Christine Bell (contemporary romance). When Lacey discovers her brand new husband sleeping with a bridesmaid at her wedding reception, she can't quite believe her eyes. She also can't believe she actually married this slimy man. When her best friend's brother offers to take her on her honeymoon so she can relax and regroup, she never expected to fall in love again. This book has some really funny moments, and I just found it really cute and sexy. The romance is very believable and it doesn't hurt that the hero is a professional boxer (who looks real nice in a bathing suit). For a quick, fun read, I highly recommend this one.
The Care and Feeding of an Alpha Male by Jessica Clare (erotic contemporary). When outdoor survival specialist (and super alpha) Colt rescues Beth Ann from the woods one rainy night, he never expected that she would initiate a one-night stand. She surprises him in many ways, and romance develops. When her former fiancé refuses to leave her alone, Colt is there to assert his alpha-ness in her defense. This one is full of sexy romance scenes, even a scene where dirty things happen in a salon chair, which was a first for me!
Romance news
The cover for the next book in Shannon Stacey's Kowalski series, All He Ever Desired, has been released. You can check it out on Harlequin's Facebook page. I adore this series, one of the best contemporary series I've read. This one is due out in mid-November.
Book one in Lauren Dane's Brown Siblings series, Laid Bare, is now $6.99. With her next new erotic contemporary, Tart, coming out next month, this will be a good way to tide you over. She writes some good romance scenes. See more at her Facebook page.
Meljean Brook has posted the cover for the final book in her Guardians series, Guardian Demon. The back cover blurb is also posted at her blog. I haven't read this series yet (I know! I know! I really need to), but I hear amazing things. For those who follow this series, this is Michael's book, and I think it is greatly anticipated.
Fun tidbit of the day: On Wednesday, Arrow premiered on the CW Network. It's a Robin Hood set-up of a man, Oliver, who has spent the past five years on a deserted island, who has now made his way back home. He has some secrets, though, and by the end of the show, he is dressed in his green hoodie with his arrows, secretly fighting the bad guys. And I may also have noticed that he has nice abs. What? *wink* They are replaying the pilot at 8 ET tonight on the CW. Looks like it is going to be a fun show!
Mandi Schreiner started romance review blog Smexy Books in 2009. She is obsessed with reading romance novels and collecting fictional boyfriends.