Joanna Bourne is one very talented author. Her crisp, unfettered style is brilliantly lacking the over-wrought sentimentality that often prevails in hJoanna Bourne is one very talented author. Her crisp, unfettered style is brilliantly lacking the over-wrought sentimentality that often prevails in historical romance, and results in moments of breath-taking poignancy. She is a striking talent bringing a fresh and unique voice to the genre. It’s no surprise that she has rocketed up the list of my favourite authors.
The Forbidden Rose is a prequel to the amazing The Spymaster's Lady and My Lord and Spymaster, and doesn’t disappoint on any level. Bourne again showcases her unique voice, seamlessly providing the reader with a sense of time and place, always ‘showing’ rather than ‘telling’, with the dialogue providing the bulk of the flavour.
This is William Doyle’s story, who we originally came to know in The Spymasters Lady, and saw again in My Lord and Spymaster. Although I liked his character in those books, they didn’t quite prepare me for what a wonderful, amazing man he really was. Doyle is not a flashy character; he doesn’t need or want to be centre stage. He is a man of tremendous strength, substance and subtlety with a sly sense of humour – a combination that I found compelling and irresistible.
Luckily, the author gave him a worthy match with Marguerite de Fleurignac – intelligent, practical, daring and self-reliant, she is nonetheless rendered in a very believable way. Bourne writes some of the best couples going around, and although they generally start the book at ‘political’ odds, the progression of their relationship is deftly handled – nothing ever feels forced and the author has no need to rely on overused, clichéd devices.
I cannot possibly write this review without mentioning Adrian. While Doyle was too strong and impressive a character to allow someone else to steal the show, Adrian came as close as possible to that line. I adored Adrian in The Spymaster’s Lady, and was left feeling a little bereft of his sparkling character in My Lord and Spymaster. Oh, but he was brilliant in this one.
I’d never thought to see Adrian’s life before his entrée into Britain’s elite spy agency, and what a loss that would have been. The twelve-year-old Adrian was something to behold. In fact, I intend to re-read these books (something I never do), starting with this one first, just so I can appreciate Adrian in chronological order, along with Doyle and Maggie. (Ignore what Goodreads says about chronological order – this one would come first, not third.)
The Forbidden Rose is the story of two people who know they cannot be together, but neither can they bear to be apart. Neither conforms to society's standards of beauty, but each sees the inner beauty of the other. I could wax lyrical about this series all day. I will refrain, but let me just say this: Read. These. Books. ...more
Having failed to see the attraction of this series after the first two books (The Warlord Wants Forever and A Hunger Like No Other), I guess it’s thirHaving failed to see the attraction of this series after the first two books (The Warlord Wants Forever and A Hunger Like No Other), I guess it’s third time lucky, because I liked this one much better. Lucky, because this was my last chance for this series. If it hadn’t delivered something different, that would have been the end for me.
Unlike the first two books, No Rest for the Wicked delivered a likeable hero who didn’t treat the heroine abominably or act like a Neanderthal. Sure, there was still the predestined mating with the enemy, but the handling of this trope was much different this time around. Rather than dragging her around by the hair, Sebastian sought to win Kaderin’s acceptance without the use of force and dominance, and this made the world of difference to me.
Like the heroines from the previous stories, Kaderin was opposed to the notion of being Bride to a vampire. But unlike the other stories, she was neither passively helpless nor unnecessarily violent and cruel. Again, a world of difference. I actually didn’t mind her character, and really appreciated that both Kaderin and Sebastian were honest with each other about their feelings and intentions.
I enjoyed the varying locations and folklore in this one as Kaderin and Sebastian competed in the Hie – a scavenger hunt that takes place all over the world – and introduced us to great settings and creatures. I have heard this compared to The Amazing Race, but having not watched that show, I wouldn’t have made the connection myself.
In this one, I also found the development of genuine feelings over and above the mating compulsion to be understandable, and therefore believable. The author was able to show the reader why the characters would come to love each other, mating bond notwithstanding. This is something she did not achieve with as much success in the previous books.
Finally, I did not find the Valkyries to be anywhere near as irritating as in previous books, and the pop culture references which so annoyed me from Emmaline’s character in A Hunger Like No Other were also not an issue here. All of this bodes well for my continuing this series, and I’m looking forward to Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night, because Bowen is one intriguing character! ...more
Author Christy Reece has a gift. She can take the most over-the-top plot and have you buy it without the slightest roll of your eyes. It's really quitAuthor Christy Reece has a gift. She can take the most over-the-top plot and have you buy it without the slightest roll of your eyes. It's really quite a talent.
So, it wasn't the plot involving a pale, weedy man drugging strong, tough, healthy people to create mindless automatons that call him master and do his bidding that was the part I had a problem with. It wasn't the amnesia trope that resulted, either.
My issue was a desire to smack Ethan upside the head for hanging onto issues from the past completely unnecessarily. And because that irritated me, I had trouble with the relationship - especially hard given Shea didn't really know who she was for most of the book.
My other concern with this one was that I was completely drawn into the situation involving another character and the evil-doer, but was left unsatisfied by the resolution. On the bright side, I'm hoping that's because this character will be getting his own book. Now that's one I'd like to read.
So, the writing, as always, was great, but my connection to Ethan and Shea was slightly lacking. That said, this was still an enjoyable read that left me keen to continue this series.
Christy Reece’s Last Chance Rescue series is shaping up to be a ripper! So far, I’m two for two, and I think I might just have liked this, th4.5 stars
Christy Reece’s Last Chance Rescue series is shaping up to be a ripper! So far, I’m two for two, and I think I might just have liked this, the second book, a touch more than Rescue Me. We were introduced to Noah McCall in Rescue Me, and I found him intriguing in that book. He was a dark, enigmatic, mysterious character with a shadowy past and I really wanted to know his story. Kudos to the author for not dangling him like a carrot across multiple books.
As the ruthless head of Last Chance Rescue, Noah appears manipulative and emotionless, yet through his organisation has dedicated his life to finding and rescuing innocents. It is this dichotomy that made him such a fascinating character (note that I haven’t even mentioned his magnetic sex appeal – oops, I just did!). We also met Samara Lyons in the previous book as the ex-fiancée of that book’s hero, Jordan, who is now an LCR operative along with his new wife Eden. This was a potentially messy set of circumstances that the author managed with ease.
With her small stature and youthful looks, Samara is the perfect lure to capture an online predator that Noah has been after for some time. With no other agents able to act the part, and against his better judgment, Noah approaches Samara for her help. Despite the fact that she has an intense dislike for and unwanted attraction to Noah, Samara readily offers her assistance. Her lack of training will be of no consequence as she will be surrounded at all times by LCR operatives and Noah personally vows he will never let anything happen to her.
I’m sure you know where this is going. Everything goes completely pear-shaped and Samara finds herself a captive pawn in the middle of a human-trafficking ring, in the hands of a powerful enemy – with a personal grudge against Noah. Not knowing if Noah is dead or alive, and facing untold danger, Samara can rely on no-one but herself.
I will leave the plot there, but suffice it to say, it was gripping, violent and dark. I appreciate that the author isn’t afraid to take the reader right into the middle of the action, and doesn’t sugar-coat or gloss over any of the abhorrent activities that take place in this kind of situation. And while I was a little surprised that Noah wasn’t quite the superhuman powerhouse that I was expecting, I appreciated that his mistakes were another element of realism in the story.
As with the previous book, the suspense and romance are beautifully balanced, neither taking place of the other. I loved watching these two fight against their feelings for one another, only to accept that it was impossible, then try to put conditions and limitations on their attraction – with about as much success. As well done as the action was, the romance was equally so.
We were gradually introduced to Noah’s truly tragic past as we grasped it’s relevance to the present circumstances, both with his reluctance to allow Samara into a heart he believes no longer exists, and the evil which he has brought into her life. I loved the precious gift of his tenderness, contrasting with his deadly focus and resolve. He definitely was a tortured hero who deserved the happiness he tried so hard not to accept, and I thought Samara was a good match for him. I loved the way their relationship was finally resolved.
I have no idea who will be featuring in the next book, but I am looking forward to it nonetheless. If you’re looking for some romantic suspense with gripping action and satisfying, emotional romance, then this series is probably for you. ...more
I really had to push myself to finish this book, and if I hadn't invested so much time into the serieThe most disappointing book of the series so far.
I really had to push myself to finish this book, and if I hadn't invested so much time into the series to date, I probably would have DNFd this one and moved on.
Part of Tara Janzen's signature style is to deliver fast-paced, adeneline-fuelled, action-packed plots with lashings of smoking hot sexy times. All of which was missing here. The pacing for more than half the book dragged, and that might have been more tolerable were we invested in the characters, but there was so little development there that it was almost boring - not a word I would have thought to associate with this series.
The author really let the reader down by not following through with so many elements of the characters and the plot. Despite hints, we never really got to know anything of Suzi's past. She's played a bit part in some of the previous books, and despite being the heroine of this one, there really wasn't any further development of her character.
And the whole reason Dax was working with Warner and going after the sphinx - what ended up happening with that? Just a sentence or two would have done me, but it was all but forgotten.
Then there's the whole (view spoiler)[J.T. Chronopoulos/Conroy Farrell thing. Another amnesiac story? (hide spoiler)] I'm willing to keep an open mind, but it had better not be a been there, done that kind of book. I wish Janzen would go back to the style of her earlier books - that was a winning formula. This one? Not so much....more
Tara Janzen is one of the better writers of romantic suspense. Loose and Easy was a good, solid, entertaining read, but it was just missing the magic Tara Janzen is one of the better writers of romantic suspense. Loose and Easy was a good, solid, entertaining read, but it was just missing the magic and awesomeness of the first couple of books in this series (I can't recall now why I didn't rate them 5 stars, but I can't in good conscience give this one less that 4 stars even though it wasn't as good as some of her earlier books).
Loose and Easy was something of a second-chance romance in amongst all the action sequences; and featured Johnny Ramos from the earlier books and now all grown up. When Johnny sees his crush from high school, Esme, trolling the street dressed as a hooker, he knows something is NQR, and does what any good agent would do - he follows. And finds himself up to his neck in trouble.
This one was Johnny and Esme's show. Unfortunately we only got to spend a small amount of time with the rest of the Steele Street gang, but this book sets us up to be spending lots more time with them in future books. We were also introduced to Jax Killian - I'll be happy to read his book any time....more
Hmmm. Not quite up to the standard I have enjoyed in the 'Crazy' part of this series. This one just didn't have the OTT, fun-filled, adrenaline-fuelleHmmm. Not quite up to the standard I have enjoyed in the 'Crazy' part of this series. This one just didn't have the OTT, fun-filled, adrenaline-fuelled, crazy/sexy ride that you'll find in the earlier books. On the Loose was just a little too 'standard' for me. There wasn't enough to set it apart from all the other good RS books out there. Had I read this without knowing what I was missing in the other books, it might have achieved a higher rating. But I do, so it doesn't.
Plus, I loved Honey and C. Smith Rydell in Crazy Sweet, so the fact that their book was lacking the magic of Janzen's signature style was a double disappointment.
On the positive side, I thought Alejandro Campos was a fascinating character, and I'm really looking forward to his book, which I think is up next. I hope Janzen has her groove back on for that one, and has stopped taking her books too seriously....more
Wow. I was prepared to hate this book given the glimpse we got in the previous installment - the premise had the potential to be disastrous, and it prWow. I was prepared to hate this book given the glimpse we got in the previous installment - the premise had the potential to be disastrous, and it probably would have been in other hands - but I ended up still having a good time. It's official - Janzen's shopping list would probably entertain me.
To be fair, I think it was C. Smith Rydell and Honoria "Honey" York's story that really saved this one - loved it! - but the Travis/Red Dog storyline didn't suck nearly as much as I expected it to.
Crazy Love is the much-anticipated book featuring Skeeter and Dylan, so let me get this out of the way firI just love Tara Janzen’s writing. Love. It.
Crazy Love is the much-anticipated book featuring Skeeter and Dylan, so let me get this out of the way first: Their romance was definitely something of a disappointment. There wasn’t anywhere near enough development of their relationship.
And while Skeeter’s character was reasonably well-rendered, Dylan’s was most definitely not. We really didn’t get much insight into his character, and that was also a disappointment.
And yet, I really enjoyed this book, and wasn’t disappointed in the experience of reading it. So Skeeter and Dylan’s story didn’t reach its potential? Eh. Who cares? Apparently not me. I was having too much fun! I devoured this one in a day.
Tara Janzen’s books are so, so much fun, and unlike any other romantic suspense out there. Her writing is like it was tailor-made for me, and I don’t often get that feeling. I open one of her books and know with an absolute certainty that I’m going to be entertained. Really entertained.
The characters are appealing, the dialogue is brilliant, witty and fun; and the action is fast-paced, dramatic and over-the-top in the best possible way. As an added bonus, she is the master at providing a secondary romance that captures the reader.
Did I mention how much I love her writing? ...more
This is one Steele Street installment that definitely should not be read as a stand-alone. Kid and Nikki have been scene stealers since the first bookThis is one Steele Street installment that definitely should not be read as a stand-alone. Kid and Nikki have been scene stealers since the first book, and the author has been doing a magnificent job of leaving the reader wanting more of this dynamite couple. Their book was highly anticipated, and while it wasn’t exactly the showpiece I was expecting, it didn’t necessarily disappoint, either.
Kid is a very different character to the other Steele Street heroes. His entry to the SDF (Special Defense Force) came courtesy of his big brother J.T. rather than via a life on the street and juvenile hall. He is much younger than the other guys and less experienced with women, but is their equal, maybe even at times their superior, in the face of danger. This trained sniper and warrior is one guy you definitely want covering your back.
Nikki McKinney is a prodigious young artist who gave her heart (and virginity) to Kid before he disappeared for seven months without a word. Not realizing that Kid had left his heart and soul in her keeping, she has since become engaged to another genius artist. Needing closure with Kid before she can consider moving forward with her new relationship, she waits for him in Panama having been told he is heading there following the end of his mission.
But trouble has followed Kid to Panama, and Nikki soon finds herself caught up in a dangerous game of retribution, seeing first hand how brutally efficient Kid is at his job as he does whatever it takes to keep Nikki safe.
Kid had incredible potential as a tortured hero, and I think the author missed a tremendous opportunity by not capitalizing more on this. We saw the damage wrought on him by the brutal and sadistic torture and death of his brother in previous installments, and he has exacted cold and bloody vengeance on those responsible. It was great to see that he has been able to put a lot of that behind him, but I think his character would have had more depth and complexity were he struggling with more than just how to keep Nikki with him.
Nikki is a great character, and the author has portrayed her vividly. She is a character that is easy to visualise and has great presence. I must say, however, that I didn’t buy the whole engagement to Rocky. It was never explained in a way that made sense to me as something that Nikki would have done and so it seemed a little too obvious as a plot device. I did love the epilogue-like last chapter where we got to see Kid and Nikki together and, for once, out of danger.
The suspense in this one is quite graphic and violent at times, and that’s something that works for me in terms of realism – I prefer things on the grittier side. The secondary romance in this one had potential, but wasn’t as captivating as I have found in the other books.
I also have issues with the fact that (view spoiler)[Travis has all of a sudden joined the SDF (hide spoiler)]. That smacks of a blatant need to set-up future books. I’m all for this series continuing on – I’m really enjoying it – but I would prefer a more natural progression. Hopefully we will get more of an explanation along the way, because I like his character and I’m looking forward to reading his book.
That said, these problems are relatively minor in the face of what are really entertaining reads. This is such a fun series that has yet to disappoint. Fingers crossed it doesn’t do so any time soon. ...more
I’m loving Tara Janzen’s Steele Street series! Crazy Wild is another winner, although there are some changes from the first two books in the series. TI’m loving Tara Janzen’s Steele Street series! Crazy Wild is another winner, although there are some changes from the first two books in the series. This one spends more time on the suspense than the relationship, and doesn’t have the heat of Crazy Hot or Crazy Cool, but it was still a lot of fun.
All the books so far only cover a short period of time (a day or so), so there is always plenty happening and it’s easy to get caught up in the ride and carried away with the adventure. These are fast-paced books – there are thrills aplenty and never a dull moment – just the way I like it!
In this one, the action and suspense is centred around a missing nuclear warhead and the various factions vying to buy it. Naturally the Special Defence Force (SDF) is called in to do what they do best – beat the odds, do the impossible, and save the day. And this team of ex-juvenile delinquents are always up to the task, even if they don’t always play well with others.
Creed is our agent on the job, and is charged with capturing the dangerous nuclear arms broker, linked to the Russian Mafia, before the other terrorist groups get there first. Being attracted to the world’s most dangerous woman is the last thing Creed expects, and his loyalty is pushed to the limit as he discovers he is willing to risk his future for Cody’s freedom.
In this book, we learn the agonising details of Creed’s ordeal in South America that left his best friend and fellow agent J.T. dead, and see him get his vengeance before starting on this mission. This is definitely a guy with a lot of damage and it’s understandable that everyone thinks he’s coming undone – including himself. Creed definitely fits the bill of a tortured hero, but there was also more too him that just that experience.
I’ve liked every hero that the author has written so far, and Creed is no exception. She sure knows how to write them! The harder sell in this one is that unlike the previous two books, Creed and Cody don’t have a history, so their relationship has to fully develop in a believable way very quickly. I was happy to go with it, just like I’m happy to go long with anything this author dishes up, and I walked away satisfied with the romance element.
As always, she also delivered a delicious secondary romance (or at least the beginnings of one) that leaves you wanting more, more, MORE! It’s nice to have something to look forward to, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book. If you haven’t tried this series, I highly recommend it. ...more
Crazy Cool was another winner in the fabulous Steele Street series. I’m absolutely loving this entertaining and fun brand of romantic suspense, with iCrazy Cool was another winner in the fabulous Steele Street series. I’m absolutely loving this entertaining and fun brand of romantic suspense, with its action, humour and sexy romance. I can see Tara Janzen’s Steele Street sitting comfortably alongside Pamela Clare’s I-Team and Suzanne Brockmann’s Troubleshooters as my favourite RS series.
Although not quite as action-packed as the first book Crazy Hot, Crazy Cool still had that wonderful Tara Janzen style, and shared the same ‘feel’. Christian ‘Superman’ Hawkins is every bit as hot as Quinn Younger, and the cars are still there, although they don’t play quite as prominent a role.
Crazy Cool is a second-chance romance between former car thief now SDF (Special Defense Force) agent Hawkins and prom queen/senator’s daughter Katya Dekker. Thirteen years ago, on the night of her prom, Kat was in serious trouble until Hawkins, a stranger, showed up out of nowhere to save her.
What followed was an intense and idyllic month of unparalleled and uninterrupted intimacy between 18 year old America’s sweetheart, Kat and 19 year old bad-boy, Hawkins, which ended dramatically when Kat’s ex-boyfriend was murdered and Hawkins was charged and convicted of the crime. They haven’t spoken since.
But when Hawkins is assigned to do security detail at an art auction, history repeats itself when he again finds himself saving Bad Luck Dekker, and learns that someone is out to frame him all over again. Despite the intervening years, the destructive way their romance ended, and the danger and intrigue they currently face, Kat and Hawkins again find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other against their better judgment.
The author provides the perfect blend of action, steam, romance and humour to create a uniquely fun and satisfying read. This one was more focused on the relationship and history between Kat and Hawkins, with less of the fast-paced action from the previous book. Thankfully, there were no TSTL moments from the heroine this time round, and we also got a surprise regarding one of the SDF team that I didn’t see coming.
We were also treated to more of the wonderful and ongoing Kid and Nikki storyline from the previous book, but the author needs to be careful with this scene-stealing couple – they almost showed up the main event. ...more
Cutting Loose sees a welcome return to form for author Tara Janzen's Steele Street series. This one had all the key ingredients I felt were missing frCutting Loose sees a welcome return to form for author Tara Janzen's Steele Street series. This one had all the key ingredients I felt were missing from the previous instalment On the Loose.
This was the non-stop, adrenaline-fueled road trip that no one writes quite as well as Janzen. We also got to spend time back at Steele Street with Dylan and Skeeter (love these two), Red Dog, and a couple of new characters (Cherie Hacker and Gillian's brother) who are bound to have their own book.
Cutting Loose has restored my faith this series and has me looking forward to the next instalment....more
I loved learning more about Hart's character, his connection to Ian, and the lengths he went to for his brothe4.5 stars
Awesome addition to the series.
I loved learning more about Hart's character, his connection to Ian, and the lengths he went to for his brothers. Loved seeing all the Mackenzie's together. Loved Eleanor. And this time, I also enjoyed the suspense element.
His predilections ended up a being a little too tame, and so lost the half-star, otherwise, loved it!...more
I adored this book - it was damn close to perfection. The Many Sins of Lord Cameron is one of those wondrous books that take you to another place. I cI adored this book - it was damn close to perfection. The Many Sins of Lord Cameron is one of those wondrous books that take you to another place. I could have quite happily stayed within the pages for weeks. Sadly, I only got to spend two days there, but the book was the perfect length and the story beautifully paced.
The Many Sins of Lord Cameron has gone on to my rather exclusive "to-buy" shelf, because this is one of the vary rare stories I would like to read again. There really was nothing in this one that I didn't like. I had my doubts about the inclusion of the suspense plot, and I thought this one sounded a little silly. Not only wasn't it silly, but it was also resolved early on in the piece.
And who could possibly complain given that it lead to Ainsley being discovered hiding in Cameron's bedchamber - again! I loved that set-up! I also adored both Cameron and Ainsley, and Daniel has developed into quite the appealing young man. I absolutely adored the development of Cameron and Ainsley's relationship. It was, again, close to perfect.
As it stands, with two 5-star and one 4-star books, Highland Pleasures is shaping up to be one of my all-time favourite HR series. And with Hart and Daniel's books still to come, I can't see that changing....more
While Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage didn’t quite have the ‘wow’ factor and magic of The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie, it was still a wonderful While Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage didn’t quite have the ‘wow’ factor and magic of The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie, it was still a wonderful and very worthy historical romance in its own right, and cemented Jennifer Ashley as one of my auto-read authors.
I would recommend reading The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie before this one, because we first meet Roland ‘Mac’ MacKenzie and Isabella Scranton in that book, along with the rest of the MacKenzie family, and it will give you a better appreciation of the characters in this one.
Six years ago, on the night of her debut, eighteen year old Lady Isabella Scranton was swept off her feet by the larger than life ‘Mac’ MacKenzie, and scandalised London society by eloping that night. Isabella was immediately banished by her family, and with Mac, became favourite of the gossip pages.
After three years of intense, passionate, turbulent marriage, Isabella further scandalised London by leaving Mac, no longer able to cope with his drunkenness and disappearing acts.
Although having barely spoken for the last three years, when a mystery brings Mac and Isabella back together, it is clear that their relationship is unresolved, and strong feelings remain on both sides. Mac knows that he hurt Isabella during their marriage, and has made drastic changes to his life in order to win her back – but is he still the same man?
Although Isabella never stopped loving Mac, she does not believe this charismatic man capable of the kind of relationship she needs, and is unwilling to risk being hurt again. They must each put their heart on the line and share their deepest feelings if their once in a lifetime love is to stand a chance – or will they just destroy each other all over again?
Mac was a wonderful and appealing hero – it’s very easy to see why eighteen year old Isabella would have risked her future to run off with him. He is a cheeky, charismatic, charming character, with just a touch of artistic eccentricity to go with his rare painting talent. I could also understand why Isabella had to leave him even though she loved him so much. I thought that was handled very well, even though it took some time to be fully explained.
I was surprised to realise that Isabella was only twenty-four years old. I thought she was portrayed as someone much older, even taking the era into account, but she was a wonderful match for Mac – someone intelligent and unconventional who shared his daring and passion and would not be ruled by society’s expectations.
I loved seeing Mac’s desperation at winning Isabella back. The author never emasculated his character, allowing him to keep his wit and charm while displaying his sincerity and determination. I appreciated that she managed to keep them both on fairly even ground. There was plenty of humour to be had, without it becoming light and fluffy, in what could have been unduly angsty in other hands. The author achieved a perfect balance. And as with The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie, there was plenty of heat, too.
The mystery/suspense subplot was necessary only as a device to bring Mac and Isabella together, and as such, was the weakest part of the story. I felt a little that way with the mystery/suspense element of previous book also, which makes me wonder whether the author needs to try something a little different.
Luckily, the romance and characterisations more than make up for it. It was a special treat to spend more time with Ian and Beth and I loved seeing the MacKenzie brothers again – the more I see them, the more I like them – so I’m really looking forward to Cam and Hart’s books. ...more
Jill Shalvis is an excellent writer of contemporary romance. I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of her Wilder series, and I'm a little sad tJill Shalvis is an excellent writer of contemporary romance. I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of her Wilder series, and I'm a little sad that there are no more Wilder brothers left. The good news, though, is that I can now work my way through the rest of her books.
I really like Shalvis's writing. She seamlessly blends humour, very steamy romance and a touch of adventure set against a stunningly vivid backdrop. Her prose is smooth, effortless and above all, entertaining and enjoyable. There's always a lot of heart in Shalvis's stories, and in this series, she has beautifully portrayed the strength and importance of family.
TJ is the oldest of the delicious Wilder brothers, all of whom had a very rough start to life before deciding to join forces and make something of themselves, which they have done very successfully with Wilder Adventures. They each cope with the past in their own way, and TJ's way is to take all the long and remote treks, allowing him to disappear for weeks and months at a time.
There was never any doubt that I was going to like TJ, but Harley's character was not what I expected from her introduction in the previous books. With a name like that and all appearances to date being of her in her grease covered mechanics overalls with her prickly attitude, I was expecting more of the same.
Thankfully, we got to see a very different and much more feminine side of Harley that complimented her independent, tomboy nature. She was also hiding a secret from TJ that explained her prickliness toward him, and once TJ found out, I loved how devastated he was and how much effort he put into making it up to Harley. As with all the books, Shalvis has packed in a lot of emotion to go with the smoking hot love scenes.
Shalvis has become one of my favourite CR authors on the strength of these three books, and now I can't wait to devour everything else she has written!
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