Theodora Taylor's Blog, page 18
January 2, 2012
PLAYER'S ULTIMATUM by Koko Brown
Description: Yvonne Floyd agrees to pose as her best, gay friend's fiancee, so that he can sign another contract with the Italian soccer team he plays for, which has a conservative owner. However, she doesn't count on falling for Robbie's Japanese-Brazilian teammate, Paulo.
The Good: This book had me at the description. I've never read any romance novel with a soccer player as the hero. And though I'm not a fan of the sport, Ms. Brown does a fantastic job of introducing us into the world. And ...
December 27, 2011
Why I Review *and* Write
The blog recently received two negative comments from the same person re my role as both a writer and reviewer of IR romance, which was awesome, in that they reminded me that I had been meaning to write a post about why I both review and write interrracial romance novels. First the comments:
There was this one on my B- review of MERRY CHRISTMAS, BABY by Monica Jackson:
Isn't this a conflict of interest? How can you present that you have a professional review site but then you're pimping your...
December 22, 2011
MERRY CHRISTMAS, BABY by Monica Jackson
Description: After getting out of a terrible relationship, her mother's new physical therapist, Nick, might be just the person Sharyn needs to heat up her holidays. But will Nick's secrets tear them apart?
The Good: Definitely worth the price. This highly romantic novella enjoys strong structure and plotting — plus it's a really cute and funny story. I especially loved the two main characters' family members, who were awesomely dysfunctional and somehow perfectly familiar. Reading the...
December 21, 2011
SANTA BABY by Roslyn Hardy Holcomb
Description: The moment real estate tycoon, Trip Wakefield, lays eyes on blues singer, Arietta, he's thunderstruck. He wages a campaign to make her his kept woman, but after a reversal of fortune, he must rethink his ideas about love or risk losing her forever.
The Good: This was a very charming story with some seriously hot sex scenes. Trip is one of the most realistic portraits of an alpha business man that I've seen. I love that he and Arietta both have financial ups and downs and that's...
December 20, 2011
CHRISTMAS & FOREVER by Delilah Hunt
Description: Aiden, a traumatized and wounded doctor, tries to resist his attraction to, Liya, the much younger receptionist at his clinic. But when they both end up at his cabin for the holidays, even the snow can't stop them from heating up the winter nights.
The Good: Ms. Hunt has a weird way of making me like situations that I don't normally like. For example, I didn't think her mute cowboy romance, LOVE UNSPOKEN, would be quite to my taste (I only read it on the strength of an excerpt...
December 19, 2011
THE PRICE OF PASSION by Stephanie Morris
Description: After one heated night of passion, Kaden and Sierra (who thought she was infertile) discover that they have a a very special Christmas package on the way. Can they overcome their baggage and give each other the love they've always longed for?
The Good: This was such a sweet, sweet story. It's always a tremendous treat to watch two nice, but extremely guarded people fall in love. Kaden is a gem of a hero and exceedingly easy to love. My heart was with him from page one. He's...
December 15, 2011
Why You Should Always Read the Sample
I've learned the hard way to always read samples — especially where IR Romance is concerned. I've been burned one too many times by a great book description that leads to just a meh book. Samples also help get me off the fence about whether to download certain books, that I wouldn't otherwise download. Sometimes a book has a great description but an awful cover. It's kind of like meeting a handsome man, who dresses horribly. Is his fashion taste indicative of his general nature, or is he a...
NOT FOR SALE by Sandra Marton
Description: Brazillian businessman, Lucas Viera, needs a translator who can pose as his girlfriend and speak Russian, so a co-worker helps him engage the services of Dani Sinclair, a woman who speaks Russian, but also happens to be a high-priced escort on the side. She asks grad student, Caroline, an old classmate of hers, to step in. Passion ensues, despite Lucas's reservations about falling for someone he believes to be an escort.
The Good: This was a funny and sweet story, and Marton is v...
December 14, 2011
PRICELESS by Lena Matthews
Description: While poor newlyweds, Nia and Eric spend their first Christmas together in the cold city where he's doing his residency, they heat up the winter nights with love and passion.
The Good: Ms. Matthews does a wonderful job of making married sex very hot. She sets up great situations for the couple, and the love scenes are very well-executed. Nia is lovely and sweet and easy to root for. I was also a big fan of Eric's best work friend, Dominic, and Lena's best work friend, Julia...
December 13, 2011
TRUE MATES by Zena Wynn
Description: A bi-racial woman who works too hard and plays too little is unexpectedly transported to a meadow, where she is literally left hanging for her true mate werewolf. He finds her — oh, does he find her. But will her need for control kill their newfound relationship?
The Good: Well, the sex comes fast and hot. But at the same time I completely believed that these two passionate people would hook up from the jump off. Ms. Wynn does a great job setting up the story in that regard. And i...
