The Month That Was April 2010

Looking back on my reading for the month of April, I'm struck by two things. 1) I managed to read 8 books, which surprises me (I thought I was more of a slacker) and 2) I had a good reading month as far as quality goes. A new book joined the ranks of the Bat Cave Keeper Stash and look at all those B grades! Title links will take you to full reviews.


Surrender Of A Siren by Tessa Dare - Historical romance, Regency, 2009, Grade = B-

• Enjoyed the shipboard setting, liked the heroine, really liked the hero. That said, this was a second half read for me, mostly because the pacing made the first half slow-going. A solid book, and it sets up the final book in the trilogy quite nicely.
  

Under The Gun by HelenKay Dimon - Harlequin Intrigue, 2010, Grade = B-

• A solid suspense story delivered in the postage stamp word count of the Intrigue line. Author continues to write good, solid "hero-worthy" heroes. Would have liked a bit more detail concerning hero's job as a "recovery agent" and admittedly, I had a hard time warming up to the heroine. That said, I'm looking forward to the future books in this series. Harlequin Cheat Sheet: Bad Ass Secret Agent Hero, Heroine Who Done Him Wrong, Evil Ex Husband, Sequel Baiting Coworkers (But Not Annoying Sequel Baiting).
  

The Captain's Wicked Wager by Marguerite Kaye - Harlequin Undone, Short Story, Ebook, Georgian, Grade = B

• Desperate heroine enters into wager with hero, and sexy shenanigans ensue. Loved the Georgian setting, and the author writes "anticipation" very well. The traditional happily-ever-after strains a bit given the short time-table, but this was a sexy, solid read and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author. Harlequin Cheat Sheet: Wager Plot, Self-Sacrificing Heroine, Military Hero.
  

Death Of A Trophy Wife by Laura Levine - Cozy Mystery, 2010, Grade = B

• Latest installment in one of my favorite cozy mystery series. This time out the intrepid heroine finds herself working to clear her neighbor's name when the police label him a prime suspect in the death of an obnoxious Los Angeles trophy wife.
  

Leave Me Breathless by HelenKay Dimon - Romantic Suspense, 2010, Grade = B

• Former FBI heroine is hired to protect the judge hero after he receives threats and his car is bombed. Good banter, steamy sexual tension, and a nice secondary romance involving another judge and the hero's brother.
  

John Riley's Girl by Inglath Cooper - Harlequin SuperRomance, 2004, Grade = B-

• My read for Keishon's TBR Challenge. Emotionally charged story about two reunited high school sweethearts. Suspension of disbelief heavily required, but I enjoyed it. Harlequin Cheat Sheet: High School Sweethearts, Small Town = Goody Goodness, Unhappy Career Gal, One Kid (Not Obnoxious), One Dead Wife, Single Dad.

Sex And The Single Earl by Vanessa Kelly - Historical romance, Regency, 2010, Grade = C

• A full review of this will be posted on Friday. A heroine who toes the "impetuous line," and a hero I never really warmed up to. Enjoyed the Bath setting, and the "gritty" Regency details the author included in the story. Could have done without the Evil Ex-Mistress, but admittedly this is a personal quirk of mine. An OK read.
  

Oh-So-Sensible Secretary by Jessica Hart - Harlequin Romance, 2010, Grade = A

• The best read of the month. Uptight, personal assistant heroine finds herself working for the hero, a wealthy minor celebrity who is more at home traveling the world than behind the desk in an office. Great first-person narration, no silly misunderstandings, and a heroine who "grows" over the course of the story. Harlequin Cheat-Sheet: Wealthy Hero, Wound-Tight Heroine, One Ex-Boyfriend (Not Evil), Office Romance.