Welcome to Cozy Jo's Romance Review blog. This is where you'll find reviews and discussions on historical or contemporary romance books and maybe a few other bits and bobs thrown in for good measure.
So come on in, sit down and find yourself a good romance book to read.

Sunday 19 February 2006

She's Got the Look by Leslie Kelly



Enjoyable, sexy romance
4 stars

This is the second Leslie Kelly book I have read and the follow up story to her previous book She Drives Me Crazy. And this one definitely has made me a fan.

The story centres around Melody Tanner who is making a fresh start in a new town after a very messy divorce. Her friends think it's time she cheered herself up by having a fling with a guy from the lists they made at Melody's bachelorette party - of guys they could sleep with no matter what.

But when the guys on Melody's list start dying suspiciously she has to call in the police and the detective put on the case just happens to be her number one guy - former marine and bad boy Nick Walker.

After that there's nothing but drama, romance, murder, mystery, arguments, sex, interfering friends and the theft of a set of special peacock panties as the pair try to solve the murders and start to fall for each other.

Both Melody and Nick are great characters and there are plenty of colourful supporting characters and secondary storylines adding something extra to the story. You really get to know and love them all throughout the book. The story itself is fun, sexy and fast paced with something always going on to keep your interest.

The book does follow on from She Drives Me Crazy but although there are references to that book - this story stands alone. But for those who've read the previous offering - it's nice to catch up with Johnny and Emma-Jean again.

I really enjoyed this book although I only gave it 4 stars as I did feel that the ending was slightly weaker than the rest of the book. Having said that, I would definitely still recommend it to those enjoying fun, sexy romances with a little murder thrown in. I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

Sunday 12 February 2006

She Drives Me Crazy by Leslie Kelly



Funny and sexy romance
5 stars

This was my first book by Leslie Kelly and I'm so glad I picked it up on impulse despite having heard nothing of Ms Kelly's previous work.

The story revolves around good-girl Emma Jean Frasier who is back in her hometown after ten years away - and Johnny Walker, the bad boy turned good whom she has never forgotten.

Small town gossip soon labels Emma as the famous porn star who has come to build a strip club in the little town. Throw in dodgy town officials, pecan pies, lust and murder and soon Emma isn't acting as sweet as she seems and Johnny is enjoying every minute of it.

Emma, Johnny and the large cast of secondary characters are all wonderfully written and you really get to know and like them through their interactions with each other. Emma is someone you can really root for and admire and Johnny is the wicked bad boy we all love. The story is fun and fresh and there are some lovely sexy moments thrown in to top it all off.

I really enjoyed this story - the romance was definitely central but the mystery and murder elements made it something extra. I would highly recommend this book to those who enjoy fun, romantic stories with something different mixed in and an ending that will really make you sigh. I will certainly be keeping a look out for other books by Leslie Kelly in the future.