Chat Friday Night!

Come join us in the Romance Reviews Today chat room on Friday night when a copy of the SHIFTER anthology will be given away! You can read more about it by checking it out at Amazon

Chat begins at 9:30pm eastern time in the Romance Reviews Today chat room which you can enter by clicking HERE

Hope to see you there!

Spotlight Review: HER LAST FLING by Jana Mercy

HER LAST FLING - Jana Mercy
Ellora’s Cave http://www.ellorascave.com/
ISBN: 978-1-4199-1452-2
February 2008Erotic
Contemporary RomanceRated: S-ensuous

Memphis, Tennessee - Present Day

Tired of dating men that don’t stick around, Katy Simmons joins an online dating service hoping to find Mr. Right. As she explains this to her best friends during a night out however, Katy sees the most delicious man she’s ever laid eyes on, and decides to have one last fling before settling down. She’s got four dates lined up for the week – one of which sounds very promising – but for tonight she’ll have one more adventure.

After his divorce, Dr. Noah Hilton dedicated himself to his studies and building a career. Now he’s decided that it’s time he had a little fun. Burned once, he has no intention of ever getting married again, nor even involved, and the cute blonde in the bar seems to be the perfect first fling. Before they even make it back to his hotel room though, Noah knows he’ll want more than just one night from “Pinky”, but the next morning she’s gone.

Then Noah finds Pinky in the most unexpected place: his office. He’s just learned that his mother not only signed him up for an online dating service, but she’s also been talking to a woman and has set up a date for them. When he overhears a new patient on a cell phone he realizes that she is Katy Simmons, his blind date this weekend. He also realizes that she’s Pinky, the woman he spent the most amazing night of his life with. But, can a woman determined to leave behind the single life for Mr. Right and a man equally determined to embrace bachelorhood stand a chance?

Katy’s mother often tells her that a man won’t buy the cow when he’s getting the milk for free, so Katy’s decided to leave behind her “milk” days in HER LAST FLING. When the hot guy in the bar introduces himself as Harry, she knows it’s a false name and gives him a false name in return. Since they didn’t give out their real identities, finding out that they have a date coming up is a bit of a surprise for each of them. Katy wants marriage and a family and dating a guy who qualifies as a Mr. Right Now is not the way to get what she wants. Noah has never been a bad boy, but he wants to have fun without worrying about getting hurt again. In spite of their opposite goals, Katy and Noah have a lot in common, but will it be enough?

Adding opinions and humor to the story are Katy’s friends, Stacey and Lindsey, Noah’s friend and business partner, Jordan, and Noah’s mother Bertie, who is responsible for the online dating and, unknowingly, giving Noah a second chance with Katy. The friends also have things going on in their lives and I for one would love to be able to see more of this fascinating group of characters. An enjoyable story, be sure to catch HER LAST FLING.

Jennifer Bishop

Check out the contests at RRT and RRTErotic!

As the month winds down, don't forget to check out the terrific contests going on at RRT and RRTErotic!

RRT Contest

RRTErotic Contest

Winners will be chosen April 30th.

And keep your eye out on this blog, as beginning Sunday, I'll tell you about an exciting contest involving readers and a weekly book prize.

Winner of the Lucy Monroe book is....

.....Cherie J!

Please contact me at pattifischer@yahoo.com no later than noon on Friday pacific time.

Congratulations!

A Perfect Ten FOR PETE'S SAKE by Linda Windsor

FOR PETE'S SAKE – Linda Windsor
The Piper Cove Chronicles, Book Two
A Perfect 10
Avon Inspire
ISBN: 978-0-06-117138-3
April 2008
Inspirational Romance
Piper Cove, Massachusetts – Present Day

Landscape architect Ellen Brittingham is in love...with a car. The shiny metallic orange special edition Corvette belongs to her devastatingly handsome new neighbor, Adrian Sinclair, millionaire computer geek and security expert. But Adrian comes attached to a gorgeous fiancée and his own carbon-copy son. Even so, Ellen has to continually convince herself that she isn't, or shouldn't, be attracted to this man. Adrian should have flashing neon, hands-off signs posted all over his sexy persona -- that's one line Ellen refuses to step over. Still, she snaps up a job when he contracts her family landscape business to revamp his estate's long-neglected yard in time for his wedding. As Ellen begins spending her days working at the Sinclair estate, she becomes totally enraged at Adrian's snooty fiancée, Selena, but totally captivated with his son, Peter.

Ellen has a hard road ahead of her as she watches the interaction between Selena and the boy. Selena isn't mother material -- she cares nothing for Pete -- she's only concerned with Adrian's status and his checkbook. And as Ellen watches the boy compete for his father's love and attention, she knows that Adrian's relationship is headed for disaster, but she's determined not to interfere. Mrs. Duffy, the Sinclair housekeeper and nanny, has other ideas, and when Duff meets Ellen's mother, Bea, their well-meaning, matchmaking shenanigans drive Ellen crazy. And while Ellen is trying to keep Bea and Duff from interfering in her life, Adrian has his own troubles. The F.B.I. is investigating his business partner for fraud; Adrian knows that Mitch is innocent, but now he just has to prove it.

FOR PETE'S SAKE is a sure winner! Motorcycle-riding Ellen might have tom-boy tendencies, but she's all woman. And as if she doesn't have enough trouble on her hands keeping Mrs. Duffy and her own mother out of trouble, Ellen has her three best friends to contend with. They all call themselves The Bosom Buddies and meet regularly at the Coffee Cafe at Piper Cove's Country Club for ice cream sundaes. But when Jan Kudrow, Sue Ann Wiltbank, and the newly married Alexandra Turner lay eyes on handsome newcomer Adrian Sinclair, they set out to fix the man up with Ellen. However, it's Pete who steals the show in the fabulous book. He's a special character who strives for his father's attention, but he's unable to simply ask for it. Adrian's fiancée, Selena, controls Adrian, who tends to follow her lead in all things, mistaking gratitude for love after she helped his company grow. This story even has a bit of suspense as Adrian tries find the mole in his security company and clear his partner's name.

FOR PETE'S SAKE is the second book in the Piper Cove Chronicles, following WEDDING BELL BLUES (July 2007). Even though this book stands alone, you won't want to miss this special series. The characters are dynamic, funny, and endearing, from Ellen herself right down to the Brittingham's Labrador Retriever, Marley, who captures Pete's heart. Piper Cove's seaside setting is just as much a character as the people, and the pages of FOR PETE'S SAKE make for a top-notch reading escape. This book has more than earned a Perfect 10 award!

Diana Risso

Ask Five with....NANCY WARREN!!!

Here's a treat for all of us...the fabulously talented Nancy Warren!!!


1. Tell us about your latest release.

In fact, I’ve got three! Out in April is French Kissing -- a Harlequin Blaze about couture week in Paris. I loved the idea of putting together Paris, fashion and hot sex. What more could a woman want? Also out this month is the mass market release of Turn Left at Sanity, a Kensington Brava about an eccentric small town. I had this idea that there had once been an institution, full of people who weren’t exactly crazy, but were definitely eccentric. But it ran out of money and so they opened the doors and called everyone cured. Most of the patients ended up settling in the area and this story is about that town and how a hard-driving Manhattan workaholic finds himself falling under its spell— and that of the proprietor of the former brothel turned B&B, The Shady Lady.

In May my next Brava is out in trade paperback. It’s called The One I Want and is about a London party girl with a big commitment problem. After her latest broken engagement, she ends up leaving London and coming to Austin, Texas where she decides to open a business doing the only thing she’s really good at. Breaking up relationships that aren’t working. Her landlord and neighbor is a tough ex-cop who doesn’t realize how much he needs her services, and, in fact, her. I really loved these two. I imagined this spoiled London princess and the tough guy who falls under her spell in spite of himself. I’ll miss them.

2. How do you stay motivated?

I LOVE my job. It’s easy to stay motivated when every day I get to travel the world, spend time with amazing characters and enjoy lots of great sex. Of course, it’s all happening in my head, but there are worse ways to make a living. However, when times get tough, and they do, when I seem incapable of getting the right words down and the muse is either napping or comatose, I remind myself that this is my job. I try to follow a rough daily page count and I never miss deadlines. Deadlines are a procrastinator’s best friend.

3. Which authors have influenced you over the years, whether for their writing or for their friendship?

Oh, wow. So many. I belong to JASNA, the Jane Austen Society of North America, so that will tell you how much of a Janeite I am. I once spent a summer vacation following in her footsteps, and sneakily having my picture taken in front of all the houses where she lived or stayed. I shed tears over her memorial stone in Winchester Cathedral. I grew up reading Georgette Heyer, Mary Stewart and a lot of mystery and thriller writers. Then, much later, I was between jobs and wondering what to do; I picked up a Jennifer Blake novel and after reading it and every book like it I could find, I had an epiphany. I loved this stuff. I wanted to try writing it. Since then I’ve been influenced, or simply worship at the feet of: Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jenny Crusie, Helen Fielding, Emily Griffin, Janet Evanovich, Susan Isaacs to name a few off the top of my head. I love Holly Jacobs, Isabel Sharpe, Cathy Yardley, Wendy Roberts and Eileen Cook — all funny, wonderful writers and close friends. Cathy Yardley is also my career partner. We share goals and email every week to keep each other honest.

4. What do you do for fun in your spare time?

I wouldn’t call it fun, but lately I’ve been training for a 10K fun run. I think it’s critical for writers to get off our butts and exercise. I read, of course, love theater and the movies, am a pretty decent cook, and recently, I’ve been studying screenwriting. I think novelists can learn a lot from screenwriters, and vice versa.

5. What’s coming up in the near future for you?

I’m trying my hand at a mystery novel right now. I love how fast the pacing is in a mystery, and thanks to women who have blazed the trail before me, there’s a thriving field of great, funny mysteries that include a healthy dose of romance. I’m also currently at work on my next Blaze. I went on a writing retreat recently and, horror of horrors, the hotel had a problem with bed bugs. I didn’t get bitten, but one of my friends did, and the hotel took away all our clothes, brought us some things from the lost and found bin and shuffled us off into other accommodation. Imagine three, very fashion conscious writers, stripped of their clothes. We were left for days with no underwear, and had to wear lost and found clothes. To say we looked ridiculous would be an understatement. I don’t remember the last time I laughed so hard (in a desperate, hysterical sort of way). Naturally, I had to write about it. The book will be called Booty and the Beast and is going to be part of the Wrong Bed series.

You can learn more about Nancy and her books by visiting her website at www.nancywarren.net

Book Giveaway.......

Okay, as promised to a few people... .. .... I am going to give away a copy of Lucy Monroe's Housekeeper to the Millionaire. You can read an excerpt by clicking here. To be entered, tell us about which occupation you like your romance novel heroes to have. I'll draw a winner on Sunday night. :)

New Reviews posted at RRT!

Romance Reviews Today,
Issue 56, Volume 3, April 21, 2008


In the April 21 issue, we have 24 new reviews for your enjoyment.

SITE MAINTENANCE:
You will note that several older pages are in transition – but rather than take the site down for maintenance I am leaving all the pages live and updating them on the web. This way, all the reviews remain available, and the navigation buttons still work, even if they are not yet resized. Additionally I am working on an index of reviews by AUTHOR to help you locate reviews more quickly. However, you can always utilize the search engine on the Reviews page and the Main Index. The site is re-indexed every weekend so add the latest reviews to the search engine database.

NEW RELEASES:
Visit our new release page and start your shopping list today! You will note that all books reviewed are now linked on our New Releases page as well as in the current and back issues and on the individual genre pages.

BLOG:
Visit the RRTBlog to see what Patti is up to – and what books she is giving away. If you are not on the RRTChatters loop, you are missing some great conversations – and prizes.


CONTEST:

Don’t forget to enter the April Drawing! Only 4 more days to enter!

#1 TO BED A BEAUTY – Nicole Jordan & UNLAWFUL CONDUCT – Pamela Clare
#2 TO BED A BEAUTY – Nicole Jordan & TAKE ME IF YOU CAN – Karen Kendell

Drawing will be held on April 29th for the April contest.

Happy Reading!
Terrie Figueroa
Owner/Webmistress
Romance Reviews Today
RRTErotic


Contemporary Fiction
OCEAN'S APART - Karen Kingsbury - Diana - Contemporary Fiction
SEARCHING FOR PARADISE IN PARKER, PA - Kris Radich - Diana - Women's Fiction

Contemporary Romance
NOT EVEN IF YOU BEGGED - Francis Ray - Nickole - Contemporary Romance
SEALED WITH A KISS - Mary Margaret Daughtridge - Carolyn - Contemporary Romance

Historical FictionTHE SECRET BRIDE - Diane Haeger - In the Court of Henry VIII - Jani - Historical Fiction

Historical Romance
A DANGEROUS LOVE - Bertrice Small - Nickole - Historical RomanceBLOODSTONE CASTLE - Mirella Patzer - Vi - Historical Romance
DISHONORABLE INTENTIONS - Katherine Ivy - Robin - Historical Romance
EMERALD SILK - Janet Lane - The Coin Forest series, Part 2 - Historical Romance
HIGHLANDER EVER AFTER - Jennifer Ashley - Deborah - Historical Romance w/ fantasy elements
MET BY CHANCE - Lynne Connolly - Triple Countess, Book 3 - Vi - Historical Romance
TEMPTATION OF THE WARRIOR - Margo Maguire - Astrid - Historical Romance w/paranormal elements

Inspirational Fiction – Romance
FOR PETE'S SAKE - Linda Windsor - The Piper Cove Chronicles, Book 2 - A Perfect 10 - Diana - Inspirational Contemporary Fiction
Paranormal Romance
A STRANGER'S TOUCH - Cait London - Psychic Triplets, Book 2 - Sinclair - Paranormal Romantic Suspense
BEWITCHED - Sandra Schwab -Jennifer - Paranormal Historical Romance
LADY & THE VAMP - Michelle Rowen - Immortality Bites, Book - 3 - Lori - Paranormal Romance
THE UNDEAD NEXT DOOR - Kerrelyn Sparks - Love at Stake, Book 4 - Sinclair - Paranormal Romance

Romantic Comedy
LOCKING HORNS - M.K. Trent - Jennifer - Romantic Comedy
SHE BLINDED ME WITH SCIENCE FICTION - Kally Jo Surbeck - Patti -Romantic Comedy
STRIKE ZONE - Kate Angell - Patti - Romantic Comedy

Romantic Suspense/Thriller
LOST SOULS - Lisa Jackson - Amy - Romantic Suspense
THE PERFECT MAN - Kristine Dexter - Carolyn - Romantic Suspense

Series Romance
FRENCH KISSING - Nancy Warren - Lust In Translation - A Perfect 10 - Terrie - HB #389 - Series Romance

Suspense/ThrillerQUICKSAND - Iris Johansen - An Eve Duncan Forensic Thriller - Jane - Thriller


For authors:
We have about 80 slots per month available for reviews. All reviews are assigned on a first come first served basis so get your request in early!

If you want to request a review, or to find out if your book is already on our schedule email: terrie_figueroa@romrevtoday.com

If your book is not listed on the New Release Page, send and email to Chris (jrobe10689@aol.com) and ask her to add your book.

If you want to participate in our Monthly contest by donating prizes email: terrie_figueroa@romrevtoday.com

We are running a special on advertising – Beginning February 1 and running through June 30 – all advertising space is $10 if you BYOB (bring your own banner). If we design your banner, the price is $25 but includes the space as well as the design fee. (Normal cost is $25 for design only).

We have author spotlight space available in April, May & June. The cost is discounted to $150.00 and includes the author page & banner design. The normal cost is $185.00.

Banners available for your site http://romrevtoday.com/Web%20Pages/banners%20and%20buttons.htm

Le Grande Mort -- SEVEN NIGHTS OF SIN by Lacey Alexander

SEVEN NIGHTS OF SIN – Lacey Alexander
La Grande Mort
NAL Heat
ISBN: 978-0-451-22314-2
April 2008
Erotic Contemporary Romance

Las Vegas, Nevada - Present Day

Brenna Cayton has one bad marriage behind her and is trying to convince herself that she doesn’t need a man to be happy. Hey, she has her job at Blue Night Records to keep her satisfied and she reads self help books on how to ward off those nasty reminders of sexual needs. When Brenna’s boss at the record company presents an offer of a promotion to that of a Artists & Repertoire rep, there’s one tiny problem: turns out they want to ditch the current A & R rep, Damon Andros, the music scene’s bad boy, over bad press, and Brenna can’t let on to Damon the news while he’s training her. She feels a bit guilty, but decides to enjoy her working trip to Vegas and gets a new wardrobe with a vow for a new lease on life. Oh yeah, and not let on that Damon turns her on.

Damon has been in the recording business a long time and knows talent when he sees it. He doesn’t deny he’s slept with some of the talent even as there’s currently a threat of a lawsuit over that very issue hanging over his head. Presented with Brenna to train as an additional A & R rep, he’s up to the task. However, when he meets up with her in Vegas, he suddenly sees a different, sexier side to Brenna that turns him on to some serious lust for her. Damon introduces her to the steamy side of the city and they are soon embarking on a hot little affair with the agreement that what happens in Vegas stays there. But can Brenna keep her heart under control and not lose it to Damon? What will happen when he finds out she’s his replacement?

Whew! Get ready to walk on the wild side in SEVEN NIGHTS OF SIN as Brenna and Damon burn up the pages. Brenna has always been sweet and dependable, but under the influence of ultra sensual Las Vegas and the sexuality of Damon, she’s transformed into a passionate woman who can’t get enough of spreading her wings sexually. Oh, they do scout and discover new talent, but it’s what they’re doing in between that makes SEVEN NIGHTS OF SIN a real scorcher. Damon is indeed hot, and he’s not afraid to initiate Brenna into some sinful Sin City encounters. Again and again as the pages turn in this sizzling tale, you’ll be reaching for an ice cold drink. Just how far will Brenna and Damon go? Let’s just say if you like your stories hotter than Hades, then SEVEN NIGHTS OF SIN will be a must read for you. Of course, one cannot forget Brenna’s little secret. Will Damon lose his job in the end and will Brenna be able to walk away from their erotic week together without having her heart broke?

Lacey Alexander provides readers an insightful look into the way the music industry works, along with an interesting visit to Las Vegas’s steamy side. SEVEN NIGHTS OF SIN is an unforgettable read in my opinion and is one I highly recommend readers put at the top of their to be read list. For these reasons, I’m awarding it a La Grande Mort from RRT Erotic. Readers, do not miss this terrific book.

Holly Tibbs

Winner of the gift certificate is.....

In reading your comments, I was a little surprised that no one mentioned the Queen of Romance- Nora Roberts. (Yes, I saw JD Robb mentioned) I probably would've suggested either Nora or Linda Howard's early ones if they wanted to read contemporary. As for historicals...Lisa Kleypas or Stephanie Laurens. For paranormal, Erin McCarthy or Sherrilyn Kenyon. For erotics, Susan Lyons or Kate Douglas.

So many to choose from, right?

Anyway, my random number picker picked....Jennifer Y as the winner of the $10 amazon egift certificate.

Congratulations Jennifer! Please send me an email as to what email address you want your gift card sent to.

RRTErotic Reviews Posted 4/17/08

RRTErotic - Issue 19, Volume 2 – April 17, 2008

http://www.rrterotic.com/

In this issue, we have 14 new reviews and 8 new nibbles for your enjoyment. (Quick List of new reviews)
RRTErotic now offers promotional services. Email me (terrie_figueroa@romrevtoday.com) about our current specials.
RRTErotic -- Now offering Website Design and Hosting -- email: terrie_figueroa@romrevtoday.com for details.
Enter the April Contest for your chance to win! Drawing will be held
April 30, 2008

RRTEROTIC IS CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR REVIEWERS TO REVIEW EROTIC NOVELS IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT. EMAIL: terrie_figueroa@romrevtoday.com if you’d like to join the RRTErotic staff. Please submit a sample review at the time of application.

Thanks for visiting RRTErotic!

Terrie Figueroa
Owner/Webmistress
http://www.romrevtoday.com/
Romance Reviews Today
http://www.rrterotic.com/
RRTErotic


Single Titles (101 plus pages)

Anthology Reviews
HANDYMAN - Jodi Lynn Copeland - Sinclair - - Contemporary Romance

Contemporary Reviews
A ROSE WITHOUT THORNS - Yvonne Sarah Lewis - Kate
FANCY FREE - Shelley Munro - Jennifer
MAKE ME SCREAM - P.J. Mellor - Sinclair
NOTHING STAYS IN VEGAS - Moira McTark - Jennifer
SEVEN NIGHTS OF SIN - Lacey Alexander - La Grande Mort - Holly - Contemporary Romance
SPRING TRAINING - Alessia Brio & Will Belegon - Holly - Contemporary Erotica

Futuristic ReviewsSEDUCING THE SAINT - Melissa Schroeder - Jennifer - Futuristic Romance

Gay/Lesbian ReviewsHARD TIME - D.J. Manly - Nickole - Gay Contemporary
THE PERFECT COVER - Claire Thompson - La Grande Mort - Isabelle - Gay Contemporary Romance

Paranormal Reviews
GOLDEN EYES - Maya Banks - Jennell - Paranormal Romance

Short Stories (51 to 100 pages)Contemporary Reviews
TWO'S COMPANY - Marie Soutien - Allegra - Contemporary Romance - Short

Paranormal Romance
BLOOD TIES - Missy Lyons - Dark Secrets series - Kate - Paranormal Romance - Short
LOVE DEFINED - Celia Kyle - Lori - Paranormal Romance - Short


NIBBLES
Changeling Press
YETI, AGAIN? - Celia Kyle - Yeti series, Book 3 - Lori - Paranormal Romance

Cobblestone Press
WALKING AT SUNSET - L. Shannon - Anom'tan, book 3 - Lori - Paranormal Romance

Ellora's Cave
DIAMOND LADY - Desiree Holt - Diamond series - Jennifer - Contemporary
PROMISE FOR NOW - Diana Hunter - Exotika - Jennifer - Contemporary

Loose Id
LILA'S CAPTURE - Jade James - Fling - Jennifer - Contemporary Romance

Phaze Publishing
CATCHING THE MUSE - Sarah Dickson - Overture HeatSheet series - Holly - Contemporary Romance
SONATA OF THE FLESH - Lauren Hawkeye - Overture HeatSheet series - Allegra - Contemporary

Total e-bound
CONVINCING CATE - Jamie Hill - Holly - Contemporary Romance

Question for readers.......

I thought I'd post a question for readers. If you had someone come up to you and say they want to start reading a romance book, which one would you recommend they read?

Give your responses and Sunday night I will pick one person as a winner of a $10 egiftcard from Amazon. :)

(One entry per person and household, please)

A Perfect Ten: THE LAND OF MANGO SUNSETS by Dorthea Benton Frank

THE LAND OF MANGO SUNSETS - Dorthea Benton Frank
A Perfect 10
Avon
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-089239-5
ISBN-10: 0-06-089239-0
March 2008
General Fiction
Manhattan, New York and Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina – The Present

Since her divorce, Miriam Elizabeth Swanson has not only lost her husband, Charles, and most of her socially prominent friends, but it has also led to her estrangement from her two grown sons. There is no doubt her life has changed. Miriam wallows in her misfortune. Besides being left for a much younger trophy wife, Charles had already fathered two children with his whore before the divorce! He left Miriam financial strapped, forcing her to live in one of the three apartments that had formerly composed her family home. Plus…all her married life she had volunteered for many causes. Now her standing as a volunteer has dropped to the bottom of the New York socialite pecking order. She is receiving only the most unpleasant volunteer jobs. Rejection, humiliation, jealousy and anger have taken their toll. Miriam is priggish, snide, judgmental and enormously unhappy. Her best friend is Kevin, one of her renters. Kevin Dolan is a confirmed bachelor and the visual display manager at Bergdorf Goodman, but he is understanding, full of advice, fun and an extremely good friend. The one who stays true through troubled times. The second apartment in the house has recently become available again, and Miriam and Kevin are vetting renters. Their choice, a young woman named Liz, will bring profound changes to Miriam’s life.

On a visit to Sullivan's Island, her mother tells Miriam to stop blaming everyone else for her problems and to take charge of her own life. Josephine was also once a socially prominent woman, but she now chooses to live a hippie’s ‘green’ lifestyle at the family’s summer home. Easy to say when her mom seems to be having an affair with a man about Miriam’s age. Harrison Ford is handsome and peaks Miriam's interest, but what daughter would take her mom's man? Harrison creates a change in Miriam’s life, too, nicknaming her Mellie.

Before she accepts that softer, happier-sounding name, Miriam faces one more cathartic moment back in New York. The fallout from that last devastating humiliation and her reaction to the woman who caused it, will change Miriam in dramatic ways.

The ‘mango sunsets’ in the title is from what Mellie’s mother and father called the sunsets on Sullivan's Island. Those glorious, colored skies that astound you and make you feel God’s artistry. Now we know that those colors are usually caused by pollutants in the air, but what a perfectly beautiful metaphor for a well-lived life. Certainly Mellie has her share of pollutants to color her life’s skies, but as she sorts through the garbage cluttering her soul, she somehow becomes so very, very real.

THE LAND OF MANGO SUNSETS is a near perfect read. The contrast between the settings of New York and Sullivan’s Island is real and subtle, as are the characters who inhabit these places. The humor is wacky. Even in her unhappy, snide moments, Miriam’s quips are funny and what we all want to say at just those moments. She never entirely gives up these comments; they just become less vitriolic and even funnier. As Mellie shows us, change only offers new opportunities, but we have to choose to take them to make our lives mango sunsets. Fine prose and dialogue, an eloquent style, interesting characters and a superb heroine earn THE LAND OF MANGO SUNSETS Romance Reviews Today’s Perfect 10.

Robin Lee

Chats upcoming this week....

Click here for the Romance Reviews Today chat room --> RRT Chat



Friday night --

Come chat with Patti in the RRT chat room beginning at 9:30pm eastern time. SHE'S ON TOP by Susan Lyons will be given away to one lucky winner! Check out SHE'S ON TOP by clicking here.

Hope to see you there!


Saturday night --

Minx will be holding her monthly Trivia chat in the chat room beginning at 9pm eastern time. She says she'll be playing a couple of games and you never know what she'll pull out of her goodie bag. ;-)

Be sure to stop by and visit with Minx and everyone!

Spotlight Review: TYCOON'S ONE-NIGHT REVENGE by Bronwyn Jameson

TYCOON'S ONE-NIGHT REVENGE – Bronwyn Jameson
Silhouette Desire #1865
ISBN-13: 978-0-373-76865-3
April 2008
Contemporary Series Romance
Tasmania – Present Day

Donovan Keane has returned to the fancy resort in Tasmania to do several things. First and most important is to try to complete the purchase of the resort for his company. Next is punishing Susannah Horton for helping someone else put in a better bid on the property. Weeks ago, they spent a weekend together, so it was probably corporate spying on her part, especially when the higher bidder is her fiancé. Several months ago, while putting in his bid, he met Susannah and they spent a wild, romantic weekend together. After returning to the United States, he was mugged and severely hurt. Despite weeks in the hospital and his rehabilitation, he still has no memory of his time in Tasmania with Susannah nor the reason she would betray him. After finding out her fiancé has out bid him, he is back in Tasmania to exact his revenge, and Susannah has taken the bait and come to Tasmania to meet with him. Maybe she can help him get back his memory, too.

Susannah doesn't know why she's returning to the resort knowing she'll meet Donovan. After their wonderful weekend, she called him back in the United States but he never returned her calls, and she figured she was just a weekend fling. Then she decided to take control of her life and got engaged to Alex Carlisle, head of the Carlisle Hotel Group and the winning bidder for the resort, The Palisades at Stranger's Bay. When Susannah finds out Donovan was in the hospital and has amnesia after their weekend together, she can read what is in his mind. Donovan will do whatever it takes to ruin her engagement and get back his resort for reasons unknown.

Who can blame Donovan for wanting revenge...revenge for losing the property he wanted to buy, and revenge for Susannah getting engaged to someone else? After meeting her again, he can easily see why he was attracted to her the first time. Before returning to the resort, he investigated Susannah and found out about her engagement to his rival and jumps to the assumption that she played him for a fool before. Now he plans to use their joint sexual vibes in his favor. Can Donovan go through with his plan, and what is the underlying reason he is going to such lengths to buy the property? Susannah was astounded when Donovan never tried to contact her, and now months later, when he announces he wants to meet her again, she quickly realizes their desires haven't gone away. Can Susannah successfully ignore the combustion between them and remain true to her fiancé?

Bringing real emotions to the characters comes through Bronwyn Jameson's novel, and the sexual tension is palpable between Donovan and Susannah. Featuring a part of the world we're not familiar with, Tasmania is the backdrop to a weekend of nervousness and stress between them. It is easy to sympathize with both Donovan and Susannah as they are brought to life within the pages of TYCOON'S ONE-NIGHT REVENGE.

Other than Susannah and Donovan, the only others who play a part in their relationship are a brief appearance by Susannah's mother and the memory of Donovan's grandmother. Which just goes to prove a mother's or grandmother's influence is never forgotten.

TYCOON'S ONE-NIGHT REVENGE is a smooth, fast-paced story that highlights the passion and determination that exists between two people who want to find and cherish their true love. Revenge and sexual tension will entice you this month as you read this tantalizing, tempting book.

Carolyn Crisher

The winner is.....

The winner of the two books of Stella and Audra Price is...TINA (commenter #7)

Please email me at pattifischer@yahoo.com with your mailing info.

Congratulations!!!!!!

Ask Five with..........Terry Spear!!!!

1. Tell us about your latest release.

Heart of the Wolf is a werewolf romantic suspense where the wolf part of their personna has a human sensibility, and their human counterparts are gifted with the wolf's keen senses.

While searching for clues of a lupus garou who is killing women in the rainy Portland suburbs, Bella Wilder becomes the hunted. She had run away from the gray pack who had taken her in when she was young. And she will do so again before the brutish pack leader can have her.

Devlyn Greystoke has a mission—return Bella to the gray pack for safekeeping before she exposes their kind and gets herself killed. But little red wolves are in short supply and high demand and Bella’s determined to be the bait to flush out the killer. Keeping her out of danger is only half the trouble Devlyn encounters as his compulsion to make her his mate grows and she fights being his, fearful the pack leader will kill him.

Volan Smith, the gray alpha leader, claimed Bella when she was young. Now that he has located her, he wants Bella back. And he will stop at nothing to have her.

2.How long had you been writing before you sold your first story?

About 5 years, and really, it was my dad's story of being a prisoner-of-war in Germany for the Ex-POW Bulletin. He'd just died of a fast-acting cancer and I'd given up on writing--unable to focus on anything except for the hero he had been to me. A man in Belgium wrote me telling me he was so touched with the story, that he was a child when the Germans had invaded and wanted to thank me for sharing my father's story, and thank my father for helping to free him and his people. Other POWs contacted me also, thanking me for keeping his memory alive. After that, I began to sell to lots of magazines, and sold my first novel.

3. So far, what has been the biggest thrill for you as an author?

Getting a call from Deb Werksman, acquiring editor at Sourcebooks who was so in love with Heart of the Wolf and the world I had created that she recommended a buy!

4. Which friends or authors have influenced you over the years, whether for their writing or for their friendship?

My family who help me through all the good and the bad and my rebel writer romance critique partners who have always been there for the ups and downs also.

5. Finally, what is coming up next for you?

Don't Cry Wolf, another stand alone werewolf romantic suspense. I'm currently working on Betrayal of the Wolf, also.

Learn more about Terry by visiting her site at www.terryspear.com

A Perfect Ten: HER EVERY PLEASURE by Gaelen Foley

HER EVERY PLEASURE - Gaelen FoleyA Perfect 10
Ballantine
ISBN: 978-0-345-49669-0
April 2008
Historical Romance/Adventure
England, 1818

Like a gateway between East and West, lies the Greek island chain of Kavros. Napoleon conquered it almost two decades ago. When he was defeated, Austrian, Russian and Turks, to name only three, cast covetous eyes upon it. At the moment, Kavros is a protectorate of the British.

The family that ruled Kavros for generations fled Napoleon and went into exile. The king was poisoned, his heir drowned, his second son stabbed. Princess Sophia, the only remaining member of the royal house, lives in England with her lady in waiting and her stout core of bodyguards. She turns twenty-one on the morrow and is ready to return to Kavros to take up her duties as queen. There's a slight problem there, however.

On the way to a secret meeting with lords of the British Foreign Office, Sophia's party is ambushed. Whether the purpose is to abduct or assassinate the princess is unclear, but her guards valiantly hold off her attackers until she can escape...with no small assistance from Sophia herself, who shoots one villain and stabs another. Sophia is not a soft, pampered royal. Leon, her chief of security, trained her well in survival. He gives her a previously agreed upon code signal, puts her on a horse, and sends her away. Sophia follows the coded instructions that will allow her to go into hiding where her guards will be able to locate her. She finds an abandoned barn, crawls up into the loft, changes into plain clothes out of her survival knapsack, and goes to sleep.

Major Gabriel Knight of India recently arrived in England after taking an arrow in the abdomen to save his younger brother. Gabriel almost died -- or maybe he did die for a moment. Either way, he had what we would call today a near-death experience, white light and all. It changed Gabriel from the "Iron Major" whose motto was No Mercy, into a troubled man who looks back on his heroic career as a cavalry officer with feelings of guilt; though that puts it too simply. He only wants peace until he can discover why he was sent back. There must be a reason he was spared. Meanwhile, he's leased an old farm with only a surly daily housekeeper as company.

The morning after the attack on Sophia, Gabriel climbs the ladder to the barn loft with fresh milk for the three kittens in residence there. But what does he find but a dark sleeping beauty. When Gabriel jumps to the conclusion that she was sent as a gift from his brother Derek, Sophia doesn't set him straight. She can't; secrecy is imperative when lives are at stake.

Fate must have brought these two together. In only a day and a night, they grow close, close enough that Sophia realizes that, with enemies still out there, to ask Gabriel for help would be to drag him back into a life he's foresworn. So when her men find her the next morning, she leaves without saying goodbye. Destiny, however, is not finished with these two.

Sophia is intelligent, educated, trained to keep a cool head, and, even though she was a young child when she left her country, she's devoted to it and constant in her duty to her family's heritage. Sophia understands that Gabriel, though physically mended, needs more time to heal his inner wounds. She's strong enough to give him up for his own sake. Gabriel is hurt when his Gypsy sneaks away. However, this time the hand of fate wears the guise of his diplomat brother-in-law, the Marquess of Griffith, who summons him for a mission.

On a balance scale with fairytale on one side and reality on the other, realism greatly outweighs fairytale in the matter of HER EVERY PLEASURE. The relative strengths of characters -- brought vibrantly alive through Ms. Foley's huge talent -- and plot -- rich in adventure and passion -- are pretty close to call. Both are excellent, but characterization has a slight edge from my point of view. Gabriel is deep, all that is noble, but questions the worth of his former life. But he's still a man, not a saint. If you have ever tired of weak or silly heroines who do the wrong thing and make matters worse, you will absolutely love Sophia. Gabriel and Sophia are both unselfish in nature and brave in the face of danger, but will they be able to overcome each of the several challenges they meet? The plot takes our band of heroes through dangers and betrayal, in England and beyond.

HER EVERY PLEASURE is the third novel in the Spice series that stars Gabriel, Derek and their sister Georgiana, children of Lord Arthur Knight, one of the British ruling class of India. The series is connected to Ms. Foley's popular seven-book series, the Knight Miscellany. All these books are highly enjoyable when read individually, but together are close to unbeatable.

RRT doesn't grade books, but we are allowed to award a Perfect 10 to an exceptional read. Here's one for HER EVERY PLEASURE.

Jane Bowers

Thank you Emily Mckay

we had a great time at chat tonight.

Thank you to everyone who came out!!

RRTErotic Reviews posted on April 6th!

RRTErotic - Issue 19, Volume 1 – April 6, 2008

http://www.rrterotic.com/

In this issue, we have 29 new reviews and 11 new nibbles for your enjoyment. (Quick List of new reviews)

RRTErotic now offers promotional services. Email me (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RomanceReviewsToday/post?postID=2fACGEhY6zAtqdKe9_vlpQp-_MJuVPL4SsQlb6oBm7UhxRX02wkdy1NZNH6_GfELKVuXTkwh8qHrLtZ5GMiYsH-s0xkmo8wvFdE) about our current specials.
RRTErotic -- Now offering Website Design and Hosting -- email: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RomanceReviewsToday/post?postID=8h4OlGFcZVNp6X2tZQNNuG06IlwKCI6NGkwyrgpU4A5atg-JkNnj9ew-XCkx6ZfZBTjEudbzhSKLrSL7FAb_hchZg3eRrw for details.

Congratulations to the winners of the March Drawing:
Andrea Williamson – Riding Wild by Jaci Burton & The Mark of the Vampire Queen by Joey W. Hill
Gem – Winner in the Samhain Publishing drawing.

Enter the April Contest for your chance to win! Drawing will be held
April 30, 2008

RRTEROTIC IS CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR REVIEWERS TO REVIEW EROTIC NOVELS IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT. EMAIL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RomanceReviewsToday/post?postID=3842d3OJ_YBseY1zE-jy5dQqo_rod4QqHjAWyRgj-zPMxIF7gky_e1isaNcs-72FX4AXjCVAKKf8sNLoCB9Rzsg4_IBayUL65rI if you’d like to join the RRTErotic staff. Please submit a sample review at the time of application.

Thanks for visiting RRTErotic!

Terrie Figueroa
Owner/Webmistress
http://www.romrevtoday.com/
Romance Reviews Today
http://www.rrterotic.com/
RRTErotic


Single Titles (101 plus pages)

Anthology Reviews
MATES - Sean Michael, Julia Talbot, BA Tortuga - Bareback Angels - Isabelle - Anthology Paranormal Romance

Contemporary Reviews
EXPOSING CASEY - Deanna Lee - CeCe - Contemporary Romance - Double Book
GEMINI HEAT - Portia Da Costa - Kate - Contemporary Erotica
RIDING WILD - Jaci Burton - Wild Rider series, Book 1 - Sinclair - Contemporary Romance
SATYR'S MYST - Marie Hart - Jennifer - Contemporary Romance
SHE'S ON TOP - Susan Lyons - La Grande Mort - Awesome Foursome, Book 4 - Holly - Contemporary Romance
SWEET AWAKENING - Melinda Barron - Tygers, Book 4 - Jennifer - Contemporary Romance

Fantasy Reviews
HEARTS & WISHES - Shiloh Walker - La Grande Mort - Jennifer - Fantasy Romance

Futuristic ReviewsDESPERATE ALLIANCE - Robie Madison - Maggie - Futuristic Romance
THE MERCENARY'S WIFE - Lara Santiago - The Wives Tales, Book 4 - Maggie - Futuristic Romance
Gay/Lesbian ReviewsSURVIVIAL - Jade Falconer - Nickole - Gay Contemporary Romance
THE MERCENARY'S TALE - Lynn Lorenz - Gay Historical Romance

Historical ReviewsBLACK SILK - Sharon Page - Jennifer - Historical Romance

Paranormal Reviews
CALEB'S WOMAN - Eve Vaughn - Torrid Tarot: Ace of Pentacles - Jennifer - Paranormal Romance
HIGH VOLTAGE - Calista Fox - Kate - Paranormal Romance
SINS OF THE NIGHT - Devyn Quinn - Holly - Paranormal

Romantic Suspense Reviews
SWEET SURRENDER - Maya Banks - Sinclair - Romantic Suspense
THE UNMASKING - Amanda Burns - Courtney - Romantic Suspense

Science Fiction Reviews
BLACK ON BLOND - Cheryl Dragon - Exoticka - Jennifer - Science Fiction/Fantasy
SIMOLIF - Linda Mooney - Runner's Moon, Book 3 - Lori - Sci Fi Romance

Time Travel Reviews
MELT WITH YOU - Alison Taylor - Terrie - Time Travel Romance

Short Stories (51 to 100 pages)Contemporary Reviews
DOUBLE DOWN - Jamie Craig - Games People Play series - Kate - Contemporary Romance - Short StoryFORTUNE'S DECEPTION - Karen Erickson - Holly - Contemporary Romance - Short
I LOVE LACY - Lillian Feisty - Amethyst series - Holly - Contemporary Romance – Short
MELTING THE ICE QUEEN - Savannah Jordan - Jennifer - Contemporary Romance - Short

Fantasy ReviewsDOUBLE DRAGON – Sierra Dafoe – Dragon Heirs series, Book 6 – Lori
EMBRACE THE WIND – Charlotte Boyett- Compo – Western Wind, Book 7 – Maggie – Fantasy Romance
WHO WANTS TO DATE A SUPERHERO? - R.G. Alexander - Jennifer - Fantasy Romance - Short
WIZARD'S THIEF - Christine D'Abo - Jennifer - Fantasy Romance - Short

Historical ReviewsLESS THAN HONOURABLE - Emma Wildes - Kate - Historical Romance - Short


NIBBLES
Changeling Press
LUNAR SEDUCTION - Kira Stone - Snowbound - Isabelle - Gay Paranormal Romance
TARAK - Kate Hill - The Masters, Book 2 - Isabelle - Paranormal Romance

Ellora's Cave
AMETHYST RAIN - Alison Paige - Allegra - Contemporary Romance
CHARMING THE MASTERS - Katherine Kingson - Aquamarine series - Allegra - Contemporary Romance
SEEING ME - Elyssa Edwards - Jennifer - Contemporary Romance

eRed Sage FORBIDDEN FRUIT - Anne Rainey - Holly - Contemporary

eXtasyALL SHE EVER WANTED - Tonya Ramagos - Isabelle - Contemporary

Torquere Press
HONDO AND THE CITY - Mike Shade - Isabelle - Gay Contemporary Romance
LEATHER AND LOVE - Vic Winter - Isabelle - Gay Contemporary RomanceSOME KIND OF RIVER - Andi Marquette - Jennell - Gay Contemporary Romance
YUPPIE BLUES - Winnie Jerome - Gay Contemporary Romance


Terrie Figueroa
Owner/WebmistressRomance Reviews Todayhttp://www.romrevtoday.com/
RRTErotic
http://www.rrterotic.com/

Chat Tuesday Night with Emily McKay!!!!

Come join us in the Romance Reviews Today chat room beginning at 9 pm eastern time as we will be chatting with Emily McKay about her lastest release BABY ON THE BILLIONAIRE'S DOORSTEP.

Just click on this chat room link to enter the chat room or go to www.romrevtoday.com and click on Chat Room.

Check out Emily's post on the blog last week:

http://romrevtoday.blogspot.com/2008/04/guest-blogger-emily-mckay-talks-about.html

and check out her website at www.emilymckay.com

We look forward to seeing you there!!!!!!!!!!!!

Two books to give away!

Since these books go together, I've decided to give away not one, but two to ONE winner.

Sugar and Sin
Silk and Steel

They are part of the Eververse series from Stella and Audra Price. These are print books published by Tease Publishing. Learn more about this series and the books by visiting Stella and Audra Price's website by clicking here.

Post away and next Sunday, I will draw the name of ONE lucky winner who will win BOTH of these books.

Quick reminder!

Tuesday night there will be a chat in the Romance Reviews Today chat room with Emily McKay, the author who blogged here last week. Chat begins at 9pm est time and you can enter the chat room by clicking here

Hope to see you there!

New Poll!

Check out the poll on the left! I'm curious to see what our readers like. I've allowed you the option of picking more than one, but don't pick every single one of them unless that's what you read.

Guest Blogger: Emily McKay talks about Category Romance Books

An unpublished friend of mine recently asked me if there were any benefits to writing category. Apparently she’d been told she should stop targeting the Harlequin/Silhouette line she’d been aiming for and try writing single title. The implication being that her writing was “too good” to be wasted on a category book.

Hang around writers long enough and it’s a sentiment you’re bound to hear. That kind of attitude never fails to get my hackles up. Not because I write category, but because I’m a long time fan.

So, I decided to come up with a list of five really excellent category books. To make it challenging, I decided to make them all from different authors and different lines. (‘Cause let’s face it, if you can’t come up with five great Stephanie Bond or Suz Brockmann books, you just aren’t trying.)

5. Playing by the Baby Rules – Michelle Celmer – Silhouette Desire
Sweet and charming, this book highlights what category romance does best: it visits familiar territory—about two friends who discover love while trying to get pregnant--in a way that’s fresh and heartwarming.

4. Indecent Suggestion – Elizabeth Beverly – Harlequin Blaze
In this scourchingly sexy story, two friends visit a hypnotherapist to quit smoking, but end up having their sexual inhibitions banished instead. The book manages to be both funny and romantic. All with a hero who will make you laugh and melt.

3. About Last Night – Stephanie Bond – Harlequin Temptation
On the eve of her wedding, a woman ends up in a hotel room with her fiancé’s best man. And the CDC quarantines the hotel, trapping everyone in their rooms for forty-eight hours. The results are hilarious.

2. Miranda’s Viking – Maggie Shayne – Silhouette Intimate Moments
If you can suspend disbelief long enough, you’ll love this story about an archeologist with the find of the century—a perfectly preserved frozen Viking. That she accidentally defrosts, then falls in love with.

1. Time Enough for Love – Suz Brockmann -- Loveswept
Only Suz Brockmann could pull off a time travel romance with this level of suspense in a book so short. I dare you not to love this book ... if you can find a copy.


Bonus Book -- Dear John – Virginia Ellis – Harlequin Temptation
Strangers fall in love via letters in this heart-wrenching Gulf War set story with an Affair to Remember like twist.
This book was simply too good not to include—but I didn’t want to break my own rules about the lines ... so it’s a bonus.

Hopefully, you’ll find a gem you love too from this list. Happy reading!

Emily McKay

P.S. I’m running a contest on my website. Be sure to stop by for a chance to win a one of two $50 gift cards from Amazon.com.


Visit Emily's website at http://emilymckay.com/ and be sure to pick up her latest Silhouette Desire BABY ON THE BILLIONAIRE'S DOORSTEP.
Emily will also be chatting in the chat room at http://romrevtoday.com/index.htm on April 8th beginning at 9pm est. Hope to see you there!

HOT & BOTHERED winner is...........

The winner of HOT & BOTHERED is.....J WILSEY!!!

Please email me at pattifischer@yahoo.com with your mailing address!!

Friday night, be sure to join me in the Romance Reviews Today chat room ( www.romrevtoday.com ) as I'll be giving away a surprise book to one lucky winner. For all you readers who like them hot....this one will singe!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any April Fool's Jokes anyone???

I was going to just post another review tonight, but then I thought...since today was April Fool's Day, how about a bit of you telling me about your favorite April Fool's joke, whether it happened today or in the past.

Come on, the fairies want to hear!