Never Lie to a Lady - Liz Carlyle

Publication
2007, Pocket Books

In short
The notorious Marquis of Nash is a creature of the night; his wealth and his title provide but a tenuous entrée into polite society. With his Eastern European manners and dark elegance, Nash tempts women even as he tempts the scandalmongers. Rumors abound of the men he has bankrupted and the hearts he has broken. But when Nash leaves his lair for a rare foray into the ton, and enjoys a moment of heated passion with a mysterious lady in the dark, he develops an obsession which will lead him into the hellish world of smugglers, spies, and political intrigue as the Continent edges nearer to war.
Xanthia Neville has arrived in London to expand her family’s most lucrative business holding - Neville Shipping. With her brother Rothewell all too happy to waste his life in debauchery, Xanthia opens up shop in London’s grimy Docklands, and sets about expanding the family fortune, all the while flaunting the ton’s silly strictures about how a lady ought to behave. But London, she soon learns, is not Barbados. And when the British Government approaches Rothewell to ask the family’s help in exposing a dangerous arms dealer, Xanthia must enter society after all, only to find her loyalties torn. Someone in London is fueling the conflict on the Balkan Peninsula by smuggling illicit weapons into the Aegean - and there is only one likely suspect. The Marquis of Nash has the resources, the contacts and, quite possibly, the deeply divided loyalties. But can Xanthia’s subterfuge prove him a traitor to the Crown before her heart is broken?

In words
After enjoying several other novels by Liz Carlyle I was sadly disappointed by this one. There were a few plot points which I found a bit hard to believe but - worse - the whole book seemed stand-offish, I could not feel a connection with anyone or the story, even though the plot itself was alright. I did get to know Xanthia a bit, but Nash not at all and therefore can't truly believe in their relationship. A certain sex scene makes this book a 'hot' one, but to me it felt totally out of place and almost turned it into a D-. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt, it's not a bad book, but it just doesn't work for me.

In numbers
Voice - 1 (max 3)
Characters - 2 (max 3)
Romance - 1 (max 2)
Plot - 1 (max 2)
No minus points
Total - 5
C- = 6/10 = 3 stars

Tie Me Down - Tracy Wolff

Publication
September 2009, Heat

In short
As the only woman on her homicide squad, Genevieve Delacroix maintains a tough-as-nails attitude that keeps men at arm’s length. She never gives into her secret fantasies… until she meets a mysterious stranger who teaches her how little control she really has-over her mind and her body.
Cole Adams arrives in New Orleans believing star investigator Genevieve is his last hope for solving the murder of his younger sister. He just doesn’t expect the hard-assed detective to look like a blond bombshell. Once he breaks through her inhibitions, he soon finds an unexpected obsession-driving Genevieve right to the edge of desire, and beyond…
But when the serial killer who has been terrorizing the streets of the French Quarter sets his sights on Genevieve, the lovers realize they’ve both let down their guard. And losing control could have fatal consequences…

In words
Well, I found a new author to glom. This was not my first erotic or really hot romantic suspense, but this was the first time I truly enjoyed reading an erotic book. I believed in the characters and their relationship and am convinced of their HEA. Even though the relationship/sex dominates the plot and I spotted the bad guy fairly early on, I still enjoyed the suspense part of the book.

In numbers
Voice - 2 (max 3)
Characters - 3 (max 3)
Romance - 2 (max 2)
Plot - 1 (max 2)
Sensuality - 1
Thrill Factor - 1
No minus points
Total - 10
B+ = 8.5/10 = 4.5 stars

To Seduce a Sinner - Elizabeth Hoyt

Publication
2009, The Legend of the Four Soldiers, #2

In short
THE ONE THING HE CANNOT REVEAL
For years, Melisande Fleming has loved Lord Vale from afar... watching him seduce a succession of lovers, and once, catching a glimpse of heartbreaking depths beneath his roguish veneer. When he’s jilted on his wedding day, she boldly offers to be his.
TO THE ONE WOMAN HE MOST DESIRES
Vale gladly weds Melisande, if only to produce an heir. But he’s pleasantly surprised: A shy and proper Lady by day, she’s a wanton at night, giving him her body - though not her heart.
IS HIS DEEPEST NEED...
Determined to learn her secrets, this sinner starts to woo his seductive new wife - while hiding the nightmares from his soldiering days in the Colonies that still haunt him. Yet when a deadly betrayal from the past threatens to tear them apart, Lord Vale must bare his soul to the woman he married... or risk losing her forever.

In words
Again a seriously tortured hero. So far this series is like a relay race where the batons are smoothly handed over to the next runner, without being dropped or rudely smacked into the next hand: from heroine to heroine (the fairy tale book), from hero to hero (discovering who the real traitor was), and from villain to villain. I want to pace myself and not read the books too soon after one another, but I'm not sure how long I can hold out - I wanted to get started on the next one straight after finishing this one.

In numbers
Voice - 3 (max 3)
Characters - 3 (max 3)
Romance - 2 (max 2)
Plot - 1 (max 2)
Conversations - 1
Sensuality - 1
No minus points
Total - 11
A- = 9/10 = 4,5 stars

Tempt Me at Twilight - Lisa Kleypas

Publication
2009, Hathaways #3

In short
Poppy Hathaway loves her unconventional family, though she longs for normalcy. Then fate leads to a meeting with Harry Rutledge, an enigmatic hotel owner and inventor with wealth, power, and a dangerous hidden life. When their flirtation compromises her own reputation, Poppy shocks everyone by accepting his proposal - only to find that her new husband offers his passion, but not his trust. Harry was willing to do anything to win Poppy - except to open his heart. All his life, he has held the world at arm’s length... but the sharp, beguiling Poppy demands to be his wife in every way that matters. Still, as desire grows between them, an enemy lurks in the shadows. Now if Harry wants to keep Poppy by his side, he must forge a true union of body and soul, once and for all...

In words
Harry is now one of my favorite heroes, he is portrayed wonderfully. The one quibble I have with this book is Poppy, who somehow remained a bit flat. The book is full of humor, amongst others because of various animals. The other Hathaways are of course also present, but in a pleasant way.

In numbers
Voice - 3 (max 3)
Characters - 2 (max 3)
Romance - 2 (max 2)
Plot - 1 (max 2)
Conversations - 1
Humor - 1
Sensuality - 1
No minus points
Total - 11
A- = 9/10 = 4,5 stars