A Blast from the Past: Review of Ready, Willing, And Able by Lucy Monroe

Ready, Willing, and And Able by Lucy Monroe (2005-2006)

Of all the romance sub-genres, contemporary is not my favorite.  I usually need a little something extra to float my boat...something like a Regency setting, blood-sucking vampires, or macho time-traveling Scottish warriors.  But every once in awhile I read a contemporary that I love, and this trilogy by Lucy Monroe (with very witty titles, Ready, Willing, And Able-cute!!!) is great. The books focus on a trio of ex-Ranger friends. I really enjoyed the well paced suspense in all three stories, which include dealing with threatening stalkers, mysterious explosions, and ex-assassins.  But the best part of this series is the heroes...yummy! They are total alpha-male ex-military types all the way. Monroe really knows how to spin a steamy love affair.  My only complaint is that the guys take a little long to figure out their "sexual possessiveness" is really love. But hey, gotta get that conflict in there somehow, right? I also like that the heroines are not your typical romance gals...one is a computer geek, one is a military-trained tomboy, and the last one is a writer-divorcee.  My favorite of the books is Willing, about a Native American hero coming to terms with his abusive father.  He falls in love with the tomboy, and her loss-of-virginity scene is incredibly touching and romantic. Anyhoo, if you're looking for a fun stack of books to tackle on the beach, I would recommend tossing this trio into your suitcase.  Sipping a strawberry daiquiri under a beach umbrella and reading this sexy trilogy will make it a super vacation.  (Can you tell I'm dreaming about Spring Break?) Grade: A

Totally trilogy-tempted, Penelope

A Blast from the Past: Review for Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase

Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase (1995)

This is the first of my "Blast from the Past" reviews.  I am attempting to focus on the newest releases for my regular posts, but there are some books that are just so amazing I feel compelled to write about them, even if they are a few years old.  Lord of Scoundrels is damned near perfection for a romance novel.  I could re-read this baby a million times over (and I've come close) and each and every time I finish with a sigh of envy.  (Penelope has aspirations to write the Great American Romance Novel, and this book makes me want to quit the game.) Even if you don't like historicals. Even if you don't like romance.  You must read this book.  The characters are outstanding, complex, compelling.  Jessica and Dain are without a doubt my favorite romance pairing of all time.  He is the arrogant Lord Beelzebub, she is his elegant and brilliant nemesis. Their chemistry is incendiary. The plot is utterly engaging (from the first meeting in the antique shop, to the confrontation in the Parisian townhouse, the dramatic shooting by an enraged lover, the rescue of the forgotten bastard son, and the list goes on....).  The writing is exquisite. All of my favorite authors have a "special" voice, and Chase is no exception.  Her writing is one of a kind.  Lord of Scoundrels is funny, touching, sexy, and most of all...oh, so satisfying as Jessica tames the "Beast" and heals his tortured soul.  The scene where Jessica presents Dain with the Russian icon on his birthday, the first birthday gift of his life, is powerful indeed.  In conclusion, I would like to say....thank you Loretta Chase for this little piece of heaven. Truly, there is no grade good enough for this book. Grade: A+ (A for A Little Piece of Heaven)

Your humble host, Penelope