I Kissed A Rogue By Shana Galen

Sir Brook Derring is England’s best investigator. By asking questions and using his observation skills, he has been able to apprehend many criminals. But will he be able to locate his former love Lady Lila, in time?

"The teacup rattled and liquid sloshed over the rim as Lennox set it roughly on the table. 'This isn't about me." He stood, rising to his full height, which was nearly equal to Brook's. 'I came because I thought you might be able to put aside the past, and because I hear you are the best."

'The best?"
'You found the missing Flynn boy and the daughter of the Marquess of Lyndon. if you won't do it for me, do it for Lila."
'What has she got to do with any of this?"
'She was abducted earlier this evening, just after midnight. My coachman and one outrider are dead. Another is hanging on by a thread."
Everything in Brook went very still then. The crackle of the fire behind him, the clip-clop of the horses pulling carts to market, the chime of the tall case clock in the corridor faded into the distance.
'Tell me the details."

Shana Galen begins her fast- paced novel with Lady Lila sitting on a basement floor trying to undo the rope which is tied around her hands. She’s been kidnapped and knows she needs to escape before she is killed. Lila frees herself and before she is able to escape she witnesses a murder. Sir Brook and his partner rescue Lila and their adventure begins. I loved the relationship between Brook and Lila. Brook Derring is a hero. He’s been knighted by the King and is sought after by all of the hostesses in London. Brook is not just the second son Lila heartlessly flirted with seven years ago, he’s a well-respected member of Society. In contrast, Lady Lillian-Anne Lennox has been away from society for several years visiting one relative and then other. Lila was not kind to her suitors when she made her debut. She collected men and made enemies with her peers. Lila has grown up as she spent several years nursing her mother who died. Lila is back in London to make a match.

I liked that the author presented an extremely agreeable hero and presented a heroine that was unlikeable at first glance. Shana Galen is known for her fabulous dialogue and the conversations between Brook and Lila showcase her ability to engage the reader in the story by having the characters banter back and forth. Brook doesn’t like Lila and wants nothing to do with her and it shows from the get go!

 Another hallmark of the author’s writing style is adventure and romance between the main characters. This novel begins with a kidnapping, several people are murdered and the sinister Beezle has vowed to recapture Lila. Even if he is not a part of the scenes, Beezle’s sinister presence is felt during the novel. The romance between the two main characters sizzles. I believe it’s the most sensuous novel that the author has written…and it works for these two characters who argue like cats and dogs but are very attracted to each other. The ending of the book was extremely suspenseful and had several unexpected surprises.

I enjoyed each one of Shana Galen’s Covent Garden Cubs books. In each book, the author’s writing style keeps getting better. Ms. Galen has created memorable characters and effortlessly mixes romance, suspense and snappy dialogue in each book. Lila and Brook’s story was my favorite. I feel that the author took some chances with a story with an unlikable heroine and I loved how she depicted how Brook cared for Lila. I am glad that this couple got their second chance at romance!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman 

ARC from Sourcebooks.

Click here to read Susan's review of Earl's Just Want to Have Fun, which was just nominated for a RITA award.  Congratulations, Shana Galen!

The Girls of Mischief Bay by Susan Mallery

The Girls of Mischief Bay

by Susan Mallery

Audio version

Book one of the Mischief Bay series.

This is the story of three friends. Each leading a
totally different sort of life. Still, they are always
there for each other. For the great and the
not so great times. 
Nicole owns an exercise spa. She also teaches
there. She is married to Eric and they have a
wonderful little boy named Tyler.
Pam is married to John. She has her ever present
puppy named Lou Lou and they have three
grown children.
Shannon is the over achieving workaholic of the
group. Engaged twice. But never married.
Pam, Nicole and Shannon live in a
sweet wonderful place called Mischief Bay.

Their lives take so many twists and turns in this
story. You never know quite where things are going.
Which, of course, keeps you wondering and interested
in these women's lives. In the end, I could not believe
all that happened. The ups and downs that had come
along. I really enjoyed the story. The roller coaster
of emotions, mine and the characters. It was
a wonderful read and I am looking forward to
the next one in the series.
The story is narrated by Tanya Eby. She is very
popular because she is excellent. She has a pleasant
tone and flow in her narration style.

When the doorbell rang. Lou-Lou barked with excitement and

raced toward the front of the house. Pam followed. Surprisingly
eager for her company. She opened the door and nearly
started to cry again. Nicole stood with a take out bag in one hand
and a roller bag suitcase handle in the other. Tyler had a Brad
the Dragon back pack over his shoulders. "Hi!", Nicole said.
"We decided we want to spend the night. I hope that's ok."
Pam opened her arms, Nicole stepped into her embrace and
hung on like she was never going to let go. Tyler grabbed Pam's
leg and hugged tight too. Pam breathed deeply for the first time
in days and thought maybe, just maybe, this night
was going to be easier.

Review by Lisa Hutson
I bought my copy of the audio version of
The Girls of Mischief Bay from Audible.com



Susan and Lisa review -- Waiting On You by Kristan HIggins

Kristan Higgins -- Waiting on You

I’ll admit-- I adore a second chance at romance novel. There’s something about a couple who falls deeply in love, breaks up and gets the opportunity for a do over that appeals to me. I read Kristan Higgin’s book Anything for You and figured out that Ms. Higgins had written a story for Connor’s twin sister Colleen. Waiting On You provides Lucas and Colleen a chance to see if they have what it takes to make a relationship work.

“What are you doing?” said a low voice behind her. 

Colleen’s heart froze, as though she swallowed a large ice cube, and it was stuck right over her heart. 

She turned around. 

Yep. Lucas Campbell. 

None other. 

Standing approximately two feet from her, looking at her with those dark knowing eyes. 

Her skin suddenly felt tight. Mouth: dry Brain: dead. 

Lucas Campbell broke Colleen O’Rourke’s heart ten years ago. He moved to Chicago, married and became a successful construction project manager. Colleen graduated college, returned home to Manningsport and opened a restaurant with her brother. Colleen is a harmless flirt who has played matchmaker to many of her friends but has not gotten over her first love.

Kristan Higgins is a fabulous storyteller. She provides enough back story in Waiting On You for the reader to grasp the intensity of Colleen and Lucas’s teen age romance and how tragic it was that a misunderstanding caused their break up. I liked that the novel was told using the dual narrative technique as it allowed the reader to understand each character’s point of view, their motivations and emotions. I wasn’t a big fan of Lucas at first. He kept something important from Colleen and he got married shortly after their break up. By providing his point of view, the author was able to provide the reasons for his behavior and what was behind his choices.

Colleen has a huge fear which stems from her parents break up. Her father left her mother for a younger, prettier woman. And Lucas left. He married a beautiful rich woman. Colleen doesn’t want anyone else to leave her and is unable to commit to anyone.

I have enjoyed reading each of the novels in the Blue Heron series. Kristan Higgins always delivers a heartfelt story with lots of humor, great dialogue and well thought out minor characters who play important roles in the novel. Colleen and Lucas’ love story is problematic—After 10 years can you go back to the way it was? – - Do you forgive and forget and move forward?-- Or has too much time and one too many secrets gotten in the way of the HEA? Loved the ending to this novel—it is not what I expected at all and its perfect!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman 

I purchased the book at amazon.com. 

To read my review of Anything for You, please visit Fresh Fiction. 

Waiting On You

by Kristan Higgins
Audio version

The Blue Heron series. Book 3

"Is your first love worth a second chance?"

Lucas Campbell & Colleen O'Rourke were the couple that
everyone knew would be forever. But it took just one bad night.
One bad conversation with regrettable words. And they were

over. But 10 years later, Lucas got the call. His dying uncle
needs him. So, Lucas finds himself back in Manningsport. 
Now, they have a second chance. The heat between them is
still there. As strong as ever.
But they both have a lot of forgiving and forgetting to do.
How bad do they want it? Both of them will have to
compromise and give a little. Can it work?
Amy Rubinate is a pretty well known narrator.
For good reason. She is terrific. Listening to
the story is just that much better because of her.

I bought my audio copy from Audible.com
Review by Lisa Hutson