The Harlequin/Silhouette Reading Challenge

Harlequin/Silhouette Reading Challenge

2011-11-06T11:47:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!

After giving it considerable thought, I have decided not to host the Harlequin/ Silhouette Reading Challenge after the 2011 challenge is over. I haven't completed this challenge the last couple of years and I find my reading tastes have become very diversified over the last few years. Not to mention that my time is pretty limited these days. If anyone is interested in taking it over in 2012, please feel free to do so.

This has been a fun experience. Thank you all for joining!

Yvonne

Harlequin Author Interview and Book Giveaway

2011-06-01T03:55:00.001-07:00

I had the chance to interview Harlequin Superromance author Kimberly Van Meter on my Socrates' Book Review Blog. She's also giving me a chance to host a book giveaway for a complete set of her Super series "Mama Jo's Boys". Come over and check out the interview and perhaps even enter the giveaway! Kimberly Van Meter Book Giveaway

With Victoria’s Blessing by Mary Nichols

2011-05-07T16:10:00.000-07:00

Genre:
Historical Romance

Format:
E-book

Publisher:
Harlequin

Release Date:
April 2011

This is part of a series of e-books from Mills & Boon/Harlequin in honor of the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. These stories are about fictitious couples, but they do center around real royal couples.

This one takes place in 1840 and features Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, a true love match. As London is in a frenzy preparing for their wedding, Lady Emily Sumner is falling in love with the handsome Lieutenant Richard Lawrence. Sadly, Lady Emily’s mother refuses to give permission for the couple to wed. She feels Richard’s station in life is below Emily’s and it wouldn’t be proper for them to be together.

Emily is beside herself in misery and is further upset when her mother gets her a position as Maid of Honor to the Queen. She feels her chances with Richard are slipping away, but she learns that she might be able to marry the man of her dreams, if the Queen gives her approval.

This is a short, sweet love story mixing both reality and fiction into one story. It’s a “feel good” type of romance and very fitting for this time of year.

For reading challenge:

Harlequin/Silhouette Reading Challenge

The Harlequin/Silhouette 2011 Reading Challenge

2011-01-01T16:13:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again when we end one year's challenge and begin the next. I did terribly this year, but hopefully next year will be a better one for me. Here's the info:

Rules:

1) Challenge is from Jan 1, 2011 to Dec 31, 2011.

2) All of the books must be from the Harlequin family of imprints (includes Mira books as well)

3) Read one book for each of these requirements:

1. A relationship in the title (mother, father, brother, sister, etc.)
2. A weather condition in the title (rain, snow, storm, etc.)
3. An occupation in the title (cop, nurse, doctor, etc.)
4. A book with the author's first or last name beginning with "C"
5. A name in the title (Mary, Sam, etc.)

Other information:

1) Please join the challenge by signing up with Mr. Linky. The link must be the one announcing your participation on your blog - not just the link to your blog in general.

2) You can grab the button above and post it on your site.

3) A list ahead of time is not necessary and may be changed at any time

4) Books can be in any format - paper, audio, ebook

5) Books may be used for other challenges

6) Go to eHarlequin for book information, anything you can purchase there counts for the challenge.

Sign up using Mr. Linky below. Your url must lead back to the post on your blog announcing your participation in the challenge.

Please use Mr. Linky below to post the links for your completed reviews. Post them using this format: Your Name or Blog (Title of book you completed). The url should go directly to your completed review.

Please use Mr. Linky below when you finish the challenge and link up to your wrap up post!

2010 's Challenge is Ready for You!

2010-01-03T00:01:00.000-08:00

The 2010 Harlequin/Silhouette
Romance Reading Challenge

Rules:

1) Challenge is from Jan 1 to Dec 31

2) All of the books must be from the Harlequin family of imprints

3) Read one book for each requirement

Requirements:
1) Read 1 book with a weather condition in the title (i.e. storm, rain, snow)

2) Read 1 book with a person's name in the title (i.e. Mary, John)

3) Read 1 book with a title in the title (i.e. King, Prince, Princess, Sheik)

4) Read 1 book with a color in the title (i.e. red, blue, white)

5) Read 1 book by an author whose last name begins with the letter "R"

6) Read 1 book with an element in the title (earth, water, fire, air, spirit)

Other information:
1) Please join the challenge by commenting with a link to your post (I'll start a participant blog roll)

2) A list is not necessary and may be changed at any time

3) Books can be in any format - paper, audio, ebook

4) Books may be used for other challenges

5) Go to eHarlequin for book information, anything you can purchase there counts for the challenge.

2009 Reading Challenge Winner

2010-01-02T11:14:00.000-08:00

Congrats to all participants of the 2009 Harlequin/Silhouette Reading Challenge. Even if you didn't complete it, it was a great effort. There were quite a few challenges I didn't complete either.

Using the handy dandy list randomizer, I put in the names of everyone who completed the 2009 Harlequin/Silhouette Reading Challenge. If you didn't post that you completed it, with your reviews, lists and/or link, I have no way of knowing you actually completed. Using the names from people on this blog, my Yahoo group and my Shelfari group, I used List Randomizer and our winner is....

CHRISTINA!!!!

I will be contacting Christina via e-mail. Congrats, Christina!

I hope you all sign up for the 2010 challenge. Unfortunately, there will not be a prize for that one, but I think the fun is gathering the books and finding some good reads.

Thank you to all who participated!

Yvonne

Finished the Challenge?

2010-01-02T04:47:00.000-08:00

If you are participating in the Harlequin/Silhouette Challenge, please link your completed reading lists to Mr. Linky below.

If you don't have a blog, please list your completed lists in the comment section here.

There's a prize to be won, but it's only for those who complete the challenge. One person will be chosen using List Randomizer. If I don't know you completed the challenge, I have no way of entering you in the contest!

Harlequin/Silhouette Completed Challenges

2010-01-01T17:44:00.000-08:00

If you are participating in the Harlequin/Silhouette Challenge, please post your links - using Mr. Linky below - when you have your completed list. The link you put in, should be the one to your completed list after you've read all of them. Not to the individual reviews.

If you do not have a blog, list your completed book lists in the comments.

Hope you are all enjoying this!

The Harlequin/Silhouette Romance Reading Challenge 2009

2009-12-31T19:30:00.000-08:00

I loved doing the Harlequin/Silhouette Romance Reading Challenge last year and now it's time to get ready for 2009. This challenge will begin on January 1, 2009 and run through December 31, 2009. The rules are a bit different this year, but not by much. Here are the rules...

All of the books have to be from either the Harlequin or Silhouette imprint. It doesn't matter which one. The challenge is...

1) Read 1 book with a holiday theme.

2) Read 1 book by an author you never read before.

3) Read 1 book with one of these words in the title - wedding, marriage, husband or wife

4) Read 1 book set in a place you've never been before.

5) Read 1 book with a body of water in the title (i.e. water, lake, river, island, etc.)

That's a total of 5 books for the year.

A few additional things...

1) You can change books in the middle of the year, nothing is written in stone!

2) Books used in this challenge may be used in other challenges.

3) Books can be in any format - paper, audio, ebook.

4) Please sign up by commenting to this post.

5) Please come back and post your reviews as you read the books for the challenge.

6) Please link us to your blog using one of these buttons...

There will be a prize at the end of the challenge. I don't know what it will be yet, but everyone who completes the challenge will be entered into the contest!

Most of all...I hope everyone has a good time with this!

Here's my list for the reading challenge:

1) ~~Once Upon A Valentine by Holly Jacobs – Harlequin American Romance(holiday theme)~~

2) ~~Business in the Bedroom by Anne Oliver – Harlequin Presents (Author I’ve never read~~ before)

3) ~~A Weaver Wedding by Allison Leigh – Silhouette Special Edition (Book with wedding,~~marriage, husband or wife in the title)

4) ~~The Wyoming Kid by Debbie Macomber – Harlequin American Romance (Place I’ve never~~been to before)

5) ~~Devlin and the Deep Blue Sea by Merline Lovelace – Silhouette Desire (book with a body of~~water in the title)

A Weaver Wedding by Allison Leigh

2009-06-20T11:32:00.001-07:00

Silhouette Special Edition #1965, April 2009-06-20

Genre: Romance

Tara Browning happily agrees to meet her twin brother at a local bar. She hasn’t seen him in years and this was their mutual birthday. What better way to spend their birthday then to have a much anticipated family reunion? However, that reunion isn’t meant to be when her brother stands her up. She’s left alone in the bar, drowning her sorrows in margaritas when a member of Weaver’s premier families, the Clays, offers to buy her next drink.

Axel Clay does more than buy the beautiful Tara a birthday drink, but he spends the weekend making this birthday one that she won’t soon forget. Tara doesn’t forget a thing about the weekend and is left with a little souvenir – one that will make its presence known in nine months. Tara hasn’t heard from Axel since that weekend and realizes she was nothing more than a one-night stand for him. She decides to keep the news of their child to herself and raise the baby on her own.

The next time Axel appears in Tara’s life, it’s to be her bodyguard. Her missing brother has gotten into some mysterious trouble which has endangered Tara’s life. Axel is hired to protect her, but Tara is more concerned about protecting her own secret. She wonders how long she can continue keeping her pregnancy to herself with Axel watching her every move.

The book is part of a continuity series by Allison Leigh, The Men of the Double-C Ranch. There are several books that come before this one in the series, but I haven’t read those. Apparently there is a mystery theme that runs through them. I already found them on Paperback Swap and plan to get caught up with the Clays.

It’s a sweet romance which can be read in one sitting. The characters are likeable, although I’m not big on heroines keeping their pregnancy a secret from the father-to-be, but this was handled well. The story was intriguing and reminded me that I love Harlequin and Silhouette books that feature families. I haven’t read on in awhile. It was fun to read this one.

Upcoming Harlequin Event

2009-05-21T16:28:00.000-07:00

I just heard about an upcoming Harlequin event that sounds absolutely wonderful. It's at the Openhouse Gallery in New York City. Harlequin is celebrating 60 years with a cover art display that is open to the public and FREE! They are exhibiting cover art from 1949-2009. I received a calendar with vintage Harlequin covers and it's beautiful. So, if you have a chance to go:

Who: Harlequin
What: Celebrating 60 Years of Cover Art
When: May 30 - June 12, 2009
Where: Openhouse Gallery,
201 Mulberry Street, New York NY 10012

You can also check out their website at www.openhousegallery.org.

Devlin and the Deep Blue Sea by Merline Lovelace

2009-03-30T15:56:00.001-07:00

Silhouette Desire #1726, May 2006

Genre: Romance

Liz Moore is stunned when she received a “Dear Jane” e-mail from her fiancé. He, also, left her with an empty bank account. Alone on a deserted Mexican beach, she vows to kiss the next man she meets. Fortunately for her, Joe Devlin is on the scene and more than happy to oblige her. When gunshots go off, Liz finds herself alone once again, but this time with a dead body.

Undercover OMEGA agent Joe Devlin didn’t expect to be involved in a murder mystery, but he was involved. Although he left Liz holding the bags, he didn’t plan to leave her for long. Unbeknownst to her, she walked right into a mobster execution and it was up to him and his team to protect her.

It doesn’t take long for Joe and Liz’s attraction to grow for each other. The problem is, they both have secrets that could destroy any chance of a romance.

This was a sweet romance. Merline Lovelace rarely disappoints. “Devlin and the Deep Blue Sea” is a fast-paced read with a likeable cast of characters. It’s part of her Code Name: Danger series. I didn’t read the books that came before, but it didn’t seem to matter. I was still able to enjoy the book and look forward to reading more of them.

The Wyoming Kid by Debbie Macomber

2009-03-15T15:42:00.001-07:00

The Wyoming Kid by Debbie Macomber
Harlequin American Romance #1121

Former rodeo cowboy Lonny Ellison won’t admit it, but he’s more than slightly attracted to the local school teacher. He can’t stop himself from putting his foot in his mouth every time he talks to her. They have nothing in common. He’s a small town rancher, she’s a transplanted city woman who will probably be leaving Wyoming soon anyway but that doesn’t stop him from wanting to spend time with the beautiful teacher.

Joy Fuller loves the country life and Red Springs is the perfect place for her, but when an old boyfriend comes back into the picture, she considers moving back to the city. It would be different if Lonny wasn’t such a jerk to her. Then maybe they’d have a chance at life together, but that wasn’t about to happen any time soon.

Debbie Macomber brings one of her sweet romances to life in this one. It’s a fast-paced read with all the characters being good people readers will care about. This is a follow up to her 1988 Silhouette Special Edition Denim and Diamonds. I haven’t read that one yet, but I plan to. According to her website, this will be re-released later in the year. It’s one time I wouldn’t mind purchasing a re-released book. This is a great book to spend a few hours with.

Business in the Bedroom by Anne Oliver

2009-03-07T15:03:00.001-08:00

Harlequin Presents #2770
October 2008

Genre: Romance

Abby Seymour is very excited about the new business she is planning to open in Australia. It is her dream to start her own massage therapy company and earn enough money to move her foster mother closer to her so that she can take care of her after she suffers from a stroke. She loves the woman dearly and wants to do this without any help from anyone. However, when she goes to her new office ready to set things up, she finds out that she has been swindled. The owner of the office knows nothing about her or her company. Abby is out all that money!

Widower Zak Forrester still feels guilt over his wife’s tragic death. The last thing he wants is any kind of romantic involvement, but when he learns of Abby’s plight, he’s determined to play her Prince Charming. He offers to rent her the office on a trial basis, but it quickly becomes more than business for both of them.

This was a light read with likeable characters. It was fast-paced and a nice way to spend a snowy weekend. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but I will keep any eye open for more work by her.

Once Upon A Valentine's by Holly Jacobs

2009-02-22T17:23:00.000-08:00

Harlequin American #1247
February, 2009

Holly Jacbos takes us back to Erie, Pennsylvania for another visit with the PTA moms and their Social Planning Committee. This time Carly Lewis is in charge of the upcoming holiday event which happens to be the Valentine’s dance. The last thing Carly wants in her life is romance. After discovering her husband and his secretary having sex on the couch Carly bought for his office, Carly’s outlook on romance is a bit different than her naïve younger days.

Carly wins the couch in the divorce settlement. She promptly takes it into the backyard and sets it on fire. Unfortunately, her neighbor’s shed goes up in flames as well and Carly is arrested for committing a crime. The judge sentences her to community service with Lieutenant Charles Jefferson. Carly did not need another thing on her “to-do” list which already consists of taking care of her two children, studying for her nursing board and planning the Valentine’s dance. However, she has no choice unless she wants to be held in contempt of court.

Charles “Chuck” Jefferson has a policy. He doesn’t date any woman after six weeks. As crazy as Carly’s life is, he finds himself enchanted with the woman and wants nothing more than to break his own policy. How can he convince the harried mother to let him into her very private world?

This is the third book of Holly Jacobs’ series and I’ve loved all three. These characters are so true-to-life and they are women you want to see succeed. Readers will love each of these heroines and their “to-die-for” heroes. I read this book in just one day and hope Holly Jacobs takes us back to this series. I just know the Judge has a romance of his own on the horizon.

Once Upon A Christmas by Holly Jacobs

2008-12-27T13:57:00.000-08:00

Harlequin American Romance #1238, December 2008-12-27

Michelle Hamilton’s worst nightmare comes true, her nephew wants to find his biological father. She remembers back to the day her sister arrived with Brandon on her doorstep pleading for Michelle’s help. What Michelle didn’t realize was that her sister was terminally ill and looking for someone to raise her son, once she was gone. After her sister passed away, Michelle had no choice but to raise Brandon as her own. Although it ruined a relationship she had been in, Michelle has no regrets. In fact, the last thing she wants is some stranger to enter the picture and take the boy away.

Michelle agrees to let Brandon find his father when he reaches 18, but that was five years away. Brandon has no intentions of waiting that long. Going through some of his mother’s belongings, Brandon discovers a possible candidate to be his father. Knowing it would upset Michelle, Brandon secretly visits a man his mother had been involved with. Daniel McLean is shocked when Brandon asks if he could be his dad. When Daniel hears who Brandon’s mother was, he admits it’s a possibility.

As they wait for the return of the paternity test results, Daniel, Michelle and Brandon grow closer and closer. Daniel no longer cares if he is Brandon’s biological father, he already loves the boy and his aunt. He wants to be part of their lives, but they overcome Michelle’s insecurity and fears of losing Brandon? To add to Michelle’s concerns, she’s in charge of the annual school Christmas fair and, against her better judgment, invites Daniel to help out. What was she thinking?

This is the second book of Holly Jacobs holiday trilogy. I loved the first book and the second book is no different. These books are great comfort reads and bring joy to the holidays. A fun way to spend a few hours during the busy holiday months. The next book is Once Upon A Valentine and looks to be even more fun.

Love’s Nine Lives by Cara Colter, Cassidy Caron

2008-12-01T05:15:00.000-08:00

Silhouette Romance #1798, January 2006
Genre: Romance
Bridget Daisy gets the awful news from the veterinarian that her cat needs to be placed on a diet immediately. The big orange cat, Conan, is not too happy with this turn of events. The cat food actually says diet on the package! Does Miss Daisy really expect Conan to eat this stuff? Conan comes up with a plan of his own, he refuses to eat anything.

Bridget worries about her faithful companion. She’s sure he’s suffering from depression. She hires a contractor to build a cat door and fence for her furry friend. He’ll have the freedom to come and go as he pleases. That’s sure to make any cat happy.

Contractor Justin West can’t believe his eyes. Bridget Daisy submits a 12 page prospectus for a cat door! Is she crazy? It’s a cat door! When Justin comes face to face with the demure librarian, the big rugged guy can’t help but turn to mush. He’d not only build the door, but befriend her cat as well.

Just and Bridget’s story is a sweet romance, with a touch of humor and warmth. Part of the story is told from the cat’s point of view which had me rolling in laughter. It’s a cute book and I enjoyed every minute of it. Guaranteed to make the dreariest of days, a bit brighter.

Once Upon A Thanksgiving by Holly Jacobs

2008-11-22T12:07:00.001-08:00

Genre: Romance, Harlequin American Romance

Samantha Williams had her hands full. She had a full time job, four kids and a cat to take care of, what more could she possibly handle? Try being volunteered to coordinate the school’s Thanksgiving pageant. It didn’t help when she found out her ex-husband had a new girlfriend who was spending time with her children. Then, she gets summoned to the principal’s office and her world is turned upside down.

Harry Remington took the job of interim principal to help out a friend. When he comes face to face with the mother of one of the children, who happens to be an old childhood friend of his, Harry is quite happy with his temporary position and hopes to reacquaint himself with Samantha.

Obstacles are tossed in Samantha and Harry’s path when her oldest son begins to resent Harry’s presence in their lives and Harry’s mother sticks her nose into their relationship, not to mention that Harry’s job will soon come to an end and he’ll have no choice but to leave town. How could they possibly hope to make this relationship work?

This is a real “feel good” book. I curled up in bed and devoured it. The characters were not only realistically portrayed, but they were people you could fall in love with and care about. I cheered for this couple to get together – it’s the perfect holiday book. I’ve always adored Holly Jacobs’ writing and this book was no exception! Book #2, Once Upon A Christmas will be out in December – I’ve already put it on my “to be bought” list.

New Harlequin/Silhouette Group

2008-11-15T17:54:00.000-08:00

I just created a Yahoo group for Harlequin and Silhouette readers. I'm hoping to keep this challenge going next year and have the Yahoo group to talk about these books. You can still be part of the challenge without being a member of the Yahoo group, but I thought it might be fun for those of us who like to chat about the books. Click on the button below to join us.

Familiar Oasis by Caroline Burnes

2008-10-25T21:50:00.001-07:00

Harlequin Intrigue #673, August 2002

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Familiar, the sleek black cat detective, is at it again! Just as he’s about to go back home to the United States with his human family, he finds himself detained in Egypt trying to crack another mystery. This time the beautiful Amelia Corbet finds herself thrown into danger as she tries to help her sister. It seems as if the only ones to help her are a strange black cat and her sister’s new brother-in-law. Amelia doesn’t particularly like either one.

Although Harad Dukhan separated himself from his family’s life in the desert, he agrees to watch out for Amelia for his brother’s new bride. As soon as Amelia lands in Egypt, she becomes the target of several people who seem to think she holds the key to a mysterious plot in the desert. Harad has his hands full trying to keep her safe, but when she’s kidnapped, his only hope is Familiar. To add to his trouble, he finds himself falling in love with the beautiful Amelia.

This is one of my favorite series and it has been for years. This is the 15th book in the series and they just keep getting better. Familiar is a cat with attitude! It’s so much fun reading how he systematically tries to solve each mystery and always ends up bringing an unsuspecting couple together in the end. It’s a quick, fast-paced story that leaves you wearing a big grin after the last page is turned.

The Harlequin/Silhouette Reading Challenge

2008-10-11T04:38:00.000-07:00

As an avid reader of Harlequin and Silhouette novels since I was a teen, I've collected quite a few over the years that have been languishing in my TBR. I decided it was time for me to make a reading challenge to help me clear up my TBR a little. Since we're halfway through the year already, I'm making it a simple challenge. Read 5 Harlequin/Silhouette books between now and December 31, 2008. The rules are simple...

Choose any 5 Harlequin or Silhouette books from any of their series.
Read them between now and December 31, 2008.
Post a brief review of the books.
You can use books that you are using for other challenges.

So, if you want to join me, post a comment here and update us with links to your progress and reviews as you do them. Have fun!

My five books.....

~~1. Danger Zone by Debra Webb(Harlequin Nascar)~~

~~2. Boys of Summer by Julie Elizabeth Leto, Kimberly Raye and Leslie Kelly (Harlequin Blaze)~~

~~3. A Soldier Comes Home by Cindi Myers (Harlequin Superromance)~~

~~4. The Greek Tycoon's Virgin Mistress by Chantelle Shawn (Harlequin Presents)~~

~~5. Familiar Lullaby by Caroline Burnes (Harlequin Intrigue)~~

The Tycoon’s Very Personal Assistant by Heidi Rice

2008-09-27T12:33:00.001-07:00

Harlequin Presents # 2761

Genre: Romance

Nothing was going Kate’s way! She found herself wearing nothing but her underwear in the office of the hotel’s owner – the handsome and wealthy Zack Boudreaux. Her previous employer left her stranded without her clothes or money when she refused to be more than his assistant. She had no choice but to depend on Zack’s help.

Zack found himself very attracted to Kate. What man wouldn’t, since all she wore was her underwear? He was determined to find a way for him to spend more time with Kate and he came up with the perfect solution for everyone. He asked Kate to work for him as his personal assistant. She made it clear that this was strictly business and nothing more, but did she really mean it?

This is a cute book, although I couldn’t understand why Kate would allow herself to get into such a situation with Zack especially since her previous boss left her with nothing. However, it was a light, fun read and a great way to spend the afternoon.

Scandal by Julie Kistler

2008-09-07T11:21:00.000-07:00

Genre: Romance

Harlequin Blaze #268, August 2006

Jordan Albright teaches the course Scandalous Women 101. She’s doing her dissertation on one of the scandalous women of 1893, Isabella Tempest, who sculpted an arch filled with sexual content. A woman who had defied the beliefs of her time and stood up for herself. Something Jordan didn’t do in her own life, but praised women who took a stand.
Jordan’s fiancé Daniel liked Jordan just as she was. A woman who never made waves and always did what society felt was proper.

As Jordan researched her project, she found herself fantasizing about Isabella’s handsome older brother, Nick. Jordan’s dreams took on a life of their own to the point where she couldn’t stop thinking about him. She even kept pictures of him in her desk. She was falling in love with a man who had been dead for a 100 years.

During Jordan’s research, she discovered Isabella’s arch and suddenly found herself transported to Chicago. Chicago in 1893! She lands at Nick’s feet. He’s beyond shocked at this woman who was dressed in a short skirt and wasn’t wearing a corset. Her toes were even showing and they had paint on them. When Jordan started to speak, it was even worse. She was talking about odd devices like television and was openly discussing sex with him. Women just don’t do that in 1893.

Nick quickly found himself attracted to Jordan and she kept remembering her fantasies. Now, they were coming to life, much to her shock and happiness. However, she didn’t belong in 1893. She simply could not conform to society and wanted to go back to her own time. Talk about a long distance relationship. How could they survive a 100 year time difference?

This story was fun and sassy. There were several very hot scenes. I fell in love with these characters almost immediately. Julie Kistler never disappoints me and this book was no exception. It’s a fast read that leaves you feeling tingly all over.

Familiar Lullaby by Caroline Burnes

2008-08-02T14:20:00.000-07:00

Harlequin Intrigue #614

Genre: Romantic Suspense

The sleek black cat, Familiar, is back for another mystery. This time he has his beautiful lady cat friend Clotilde by his side. When his humanoids neighbors are left with an abandoned baby on their doorstep, Familiar decides to lend a paw in finding out how any mother can leave their child in the hands of strangers.

Homicide detective Mel Haskin strays away from his usual cases to figure this one out. This case is a particularly personal one to Mel and he isn’t about to allow the mother off the hook. He wants to find her and have her declared an unfit mother. He never expected Lily Markey, a top Washington DC reporter, to be involved. The question was, why a reporter leaving an abandon child on doorsteps?

Lily had her work cut out for her. She couldn’t let Mel find out who the parents of this child was or the child would never be safe. Neither would the baby’s mother. Lily vowed to do all she could to protect both of them.

This story had everything from romance to mystery, it will keep readers turning the pages until the very end. I actually found myself in happy tears at the end. I love re-visiting Familiar and following his adventures.

This actually completes this challenge for me. I'm going to have a new one starting in January and I'll have it for more books since we'll have the whole year.

Boys of Summer by Julie Elizabeth Leto, Kimberly Raye and Leslie Kelly

2008-07-13T12:14:00.000-07:00

Harlequin Blaze #264

Genre: Romance

Another book I read for the Harlequin/Silhouette Romance Reading Challenge. This is an anthology type of book with three stories set in the world of baseball. The Louisville Slammers are threatening to leave the town of Louisville causing an uproar amongst their fans, as well as the local businesses which would suffer due to their departure. Each story follows the women who own three of those businesses and their struggles to keep things going. The women decide to throw caution to the and fulfill their fantasy with someone connected to the Slammers before they go.

Julie Elizabeth Leto’s story starts things off as her ex-husband is the one responsible for the possible departure of the Slammers. As team owner, Donovan Ross found himself in dire financial trouble leaving him no choice but to sell the club. Callie Andrews wants to make him change his mind, but more than that, she wants one last chance to be with her ex. If the sale goes through, it could mean she’ll never see him again and she might even have to close here restaurant.

The Sweet Spot is the ice cream shop that caters to the crowds after each game. Kimberly Raye gives us a heroine who wants one chance to be with the team’s shortstop before the team leaves town, but she strikes out. She doesn’t realize the team’s coach is interested in more than her delicious ice cream.

The final story is by Leslie Kelly. Janie Nolan has sacrificed her own happiness for her brother’s sports memorabilia store. She knows nothing about sports, but while her brother is in the military, she finds herself desperate to keep his store open. When she hears that the team might leave town, she realizes she might not have any chance of making a success of the business. She sets her sights on the team’s sexy pitcher, but can she put aside her brother’s dream for one of her own?

This was a quick read. A nice way to spend an afternoon. I think each book could really have been the length of a full Blaze, but the characters were cute and I enjoyed it. The three authors involved always write a sexy, hot romance. All three are favorites of mine. Only one more book for me to read before I complete this challenge :)

Danger Zone by Debra Webb

2008-07-08T04:22:00.000-07:00

Harlequin Nascar

Genre: Romance

Jenna Williams loved Buck Buchanan with all her heart, but she knew he loved his NASCAR team the Rocket City Racers even more. His team members hated her and she never felt comfortable in the world of NASCAR, so she walked out on him. What he didn’t know was that she walked out pregnant with his child. Twelve years later that daughter was in big trouble. Jenna had no choice but to plead with her ex-lover for help, but would she have to tell him the secret about their love child?

Buck Buchanan never got over losing Jenna and never quite understood her reasons for leaving him, but when she turns up on his doorstep twelve years later, he can do nothing but help her any way that he can. When her daughter is kidnapped and the ransom note asks for a million dollars, he’s the only one Jenna knows with that kind of money. Buck doesn’t hesitate to get it, but he soon starts to wonder…could Jenna’s daughter be his too?

This was a fast-paced read and an enjoyable romance. There were a couple of times I wanted to choke the heroine and screamed “Tell him already!”, but that just added to the fun of the romance and led us to a very sweet ending. I’m not a NASCAR fan, but I did enjoy the couple of books I read and this is one of them. Very well written, good concise plot and very well-developed characters. The good guys were likeable and the bad guys were oh so bad! I have a few Debra Webb books in my TBR – mainly Harlequin Intrigues, and I will definitely be reading more of her books and more in the NASCAR series, as well.

A Soldier Comes Home by Cindi Myers

2008-06-21T14:51:00.001-07:00

Genre: Romance

Harlequin Super Romance #1498, June 2008-06-21

Captain Ray Hughes returns from a tour of duty in Iraq to find that his wife unceremoniously dumped their son on his parents’ doorstep, while running off to be with another soldier. She, also, left him with no furniture or truck. The house is cold and his son, TJ, is missing his mother. Ray and TJ have quite a bit of work ahead of them as they try to develop a relationship together. The young child tries to come to grips with the absence of his mother. Ray is trying to figure out what to do the next time he is deployed, which could be sooner than he thought.

Chrissie Evans lost her husband in the war. She vowed to never fall in love with another soldier, but Ray and his son tear at her heartstrings. Desperately she tries to put her fears aside to help these two lonely people.

When Ray’s estranged wife turns up, demanding custody of TJ, they all try to put their own feelings aside for the good of the child. However, their own feelings always seem to get in the way.

This book is very well-written and touching. It deals with the real issue of war, deployment and how soldiers deal with their loved ones who are left at home. These are characters the reader will care for and fall in love with. This was the first book I ever read by this author, but I’ll be looking for more her stories.

The Greek Tycoon’s Virgin Mistress by Chantelle Shaw

2008-06-15T19:48:00.000-07:00

The first book I completed for this reading challenge and it was a good one!

Harlequin Presents Extra #7, May 2008

Handsome millionaire Damon Kouvaris fell in love with Anna the moment he saw her. He intends to sleep with the woman and get her out of his system. His feelings were purely sexual and he had no intention of anything more permanent, but when he sees her again, he plans to make her a permanent fixture in his life.

Supermodel Anneliese Christiansen is filled with ghosts from her past. She tries hard to make a life for herself, but in the area of romance, her demons just refuse to go away. She resists the undeniable charms of Damon, but there’s only so much resisting a girl can do.

This book was a light, fast-paced read. My only problem was Anna denied her feelings a bit too much for my liking and her insecurities were sometimes a bit much. However, it didn’t stop me from rooting for these two to get together. I fell in love with Damon immediately – arrogance and all!