On the Steamy Side - Louisa Edwards

Publication
2010, St. Martin's Paperbacks, Recipe for Love #2

In short
She's never met a man so mouth-watering
When Lilah Jane Tunkle fled her dull life in Virginia for the bright lights of New York City, she didn’t expect to wind up a nanny to a gorgeous celebrity chef’s ten-year-old son. Working for the delectable Devon Sparks is a sure-fire recipe for disaster, especially after Lilah gets a tantalizing taste of his perfectly seasoned kisses...
And he can't resist her down-home spice
Devon’s not sure he can handle one more surprise ingredient in his life - he quit his popular TV show, his culinary reputation is on the line, and now the son he barely knows is back for seconds. Lilah’s Southern sass is supposed to keep the boy in line, but soon enough she’s teaching Devon a thing or two about homespun food... and turning up the heat.

In words
I liked this book even better than the first one in the series, mainly because of the main couple. I believed in their romance and found the struggle by Devon, his doubts and his reactions to it, very believable. As to the secondary couple, I'm still not sure if it was absolutely necessary to have them break up. Usually I don't like this at all - book 1 they get together, book 2 break, book 3 together again, just to fill the pages it seems - but in this case I give it the benefit of the doubt. All characters are interesting and believable, lifelike. And I really like the voice of this author.

In numbers
Voice - 3 (max 3)
Characters - 3 (max 3)
Romance - 2 (max 2)
Plot - 1 (max 2)
Humor - 1
Sensuality - 1
No minus points
Total - 11
A- = 9/10 = 4.5 stars

Bound by Your Touch - Meredith Duran

Publication
Pocket Books, July 2009

In short
Silver-tongued Viscount Sanburne is London's favorite scapegrace. Alas, Lydia Boyce has no interest in being charmed. When his latest escapade exposes a plot to ruin her family, she vows to handle it herself, as she always has done. Certainly she requires no help from a too-handsome dilettante whose main achievement is being scandalous. But Sanburne's golden charisma masks a sharper mind and darker history than she realizes. He shocks Lydia by breaking past her prim facade to the woman beneath... and the hidden fire no man has ever recognized. But as she follows him into a world of intrigue, she will learn that the greatest danger lies within - in the shadowy, secret motives of his heart.

In words
It took me a little while to get into this book. I found Sanburne a bit hard to like at first, as I thought he took his feelings of guilt a bit to far, which probably was the purpose of the author. But in the end I did understand and like him, and believed in their HEA. All characters are full of depth, even the not so nice ones, and the story itself sucked me in as well. Again a great book by Meredith Duran.

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

The Tempation of Savannah O'Neill - Molly O'Keefe

Publication
Harlequin, August 2010, The Notorious O'Neills # 1

In short
A family's bad reputation is tough to shake off. Just ask Savannah O'Neill. Despite her straitlaced job as a librarian, despite her living a private life, the O'Neill family wildness still sparks town gossip. And the arrival of Matt Woods - sexy handyman and complete stranger - isn't helping.
Watching him work makes Savannah long to take a trip into indulgence. That's so not a good idea - she's been there before and still hears the rumors. But Matt is much too delicious for this O'Neill to resist. It's a shame there's more to Matt than being good with his hands. Because when his true reasons for seeking her out are revealed, he could become another affair Savannah lives to regret.

In words
Years ago I enjoyed Molly O'Keefe's books but somehow she disappeared off my radar. After hearing so many good things about this series I reread some older books first and then dove into this series. Well, Molly won't be off my radar from now on. I enjoyed this book so much. Great characters and so life-like. It was so easy to understand what they were feeling, why and how they were influenced by their past, and how they came to terms with it. This series book has more depth than many a single title. I recommend it wholeheartedly and look forward to reading the other books in this series.

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

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

Cooking up Trouble & Kiss the Cook - Molly O'Keefe

Publication
2003, Harlequin Duets, Cook Brothers # 2 & 3

In short

Cooking Up Trouble
Mark Cook shouldn't mind that a Hollywood heartthrob is intruding on his family's ranch to learn how to be a cowboy. Or that Mr. Moviestar is getting a bit too close to his best friend, Alyssa Halloway. But, damn it all, he's jealous to the point of distraction whenever he sees them together! And to compete with a gorgeous actor for Alyssa's heart, things are gonna get dirty down on the farm...

Kiss the Cook
No one has ever been able to hook heartbreaker Billy Cook like wild Kate Jenkins. Her passionate kisses made him fall in love thirteen years ago, only for her to turn around and break his teenage heart by leaving town. In fact, she's the reason he vowed to be a confirmed bachelor! Now pregnant, Kate is back in Montana to deliver her baby, claiming her wanderlust days are over. And Billy can't help wonder if his vow was a bit too hasty....

In words
I've reread these books several times now. I can't pinpoint exactly why I like them so much, but they are a comfort read to me. The characters are great, the relationships are believable and the writing is just plain fun. I plan on checking out more books by this author in the (near) future.

In numbers
Voice - 3 (max 3)
Characters - 3 (max 3)
Romance - 2 (max 2)
Plot - 1 (max 2)
Sensuality - 1
Humor - 1
No minus points
Total - 11
A- = 9/10 = 4.5 stars