Asking for Trouble by Leslie Kelly

Exciting and sexy Blaze romance

5 stars

Isabella ‘Izzy’ Natale is less than pleased that she’s back working in her family’s bakery rather than working as a dancer as was her dream. So now she’s leading a double life: by day she turns out decadent desserts and by night she transforms into Chicago’s hottest exotic dancer.

Nick Santori is finally out of the army and less than pleased to be back with his over-protective family who just want him to find a ‘nice girl’ and settle down. His reaction to Izzy is anything but nice even if he barely recognises the girl who once had a crush on him as a teenager. But he definitely notices her now.

So what’s a girl to do but show the man of her dreams that little Izzy is now very much grown up?

This is another addition to Kelly’s ‘Santori’s of Chicago’ series and it is a fantastic book to join the set. If you’re keeping up with the family – the book gives you opportunity to catch up with couples from previous books but it does stand alone so there is no need to have read any of the others before reading this one.

With this particular book – I was quite surprised that I not only liked Izzy but identified with her as well. She’s sharp, confident and sassy and I loved her! Nick is such a fantastic hero too and the perfect partner for Izzy. He’s sexy, rugged and tough with a lovely boyish streak in him and someone you wish you could have for yourself! And as I said, the pair work very well together and their chemistry fairly burns up the pages – just delicious.

The plotline is interesting, not in the least bit sleazy and not once relies on boring clichés or obvious tricks. I felt that the history of Nick and Izzy was so strong that you were really cheering for the pair to sort things out and get together - not that the journey to get to the happy ending wasn't very satisfactory to read!

The story is very well developed with writing that is typical of Leslie Kelly – fun, sexy and engaging. If you’re looking for a well-written and hot story with just a smidgen of naughtiness then this is definitely the book for you. Highly recommended.

They're Wed Again by Penny Jordan

Emotional and romantic short story

5 stars

At a family wedding, Belle finds herself face to face with her ex-husband Luc and she just knows that something big is going to happen. The pair always were passionate together – be that with love or arguing – and this just might be the perfect time for things to get back on track.

As part of Mills and Boon’s 100^th Birthday celebrations they are releasing some short stories (this one’s 112 pages long) by their best authors from across their ranges. I have never read a Penny Jordan story before but, based on this book, I can see why she is such a hugely successful M&B author and one of those chosen to write one of these short, inexpensive, birthday books.

With regards to the story itself – I am an absolute sucker for ‘second chance at love’ stories and this one really packed a punch. Belle and Luc’s story was so romantic and emotional and despite the short length, you really found yourself drawn in to the couple’s history and their love story. It was also sweetly sensual without ever becoming too sappy or melodramatic.

Short enough to read in a single sitting and guaranteed to give you a happy, romantic glow – I would highly recommend this book to all romance lovers. Definitely 5 stars.

Summer Fever

Enjoyable Summer Anthology
4 stars

A collection of 5 Mills & Boon summer stories to get you in the mood for the sun.


Rex on the Beach – Stephanie Bond
Private investigator Lucy is looking for a runaway groom and the only person who seems to know where he might be is the best-man Rex. But is it business or pleasure when getting close to gorgeous Rex is the only way to get the information Lucy needs?

This was an excellent, fun story with a really great cast of characters. Although we know Lucy is lying - you still root for her and Rex to work it all out. A great summer romance.


Getting into Trouble – Leslie Kelly
Allie Cavanaugh is fed up of being a single, alone and bored. So when she finds herself kissing a hypnotist at the carnival she realises things are looking up. But Damon Cole isn't who he says he is. But then again, neither is Allie.

Another fabulous read from Leslie Kelly focusing this time on Allie, Sabrina's little sister from Here Comes Trouble. It still works well as a stand-alone story and both Damon and Allie are very sexy and enjoyable characters.


Shaken and Stirred – Heidi Betts
Abby Weaver is happy with her well-ordered life. But when she is forced to go on a girlie holiday she decides to make the most of it. But when she finds herself on holiday alone there's little more she can do but hook up with the tastiest marine on the beach.

This was a fun story about a self-conscious girl and the man who finds her so very attractive. It was in turns sweet then sexy but always a fun, beach read.


Summertime Blues – Kate Austin
Now into her 40s, Ardella Simpson is ready for her life to finally start and it looks like she’s landed her dream job in an aquarium to top it all off. And it doesn’t hurt that the owner of the aquarium might just be her dream man.

Without sounding too harsh – I found this story almost pointless. It didn’t hold my attention or make me feel of summer. Not really my cup of tea.


Kokomo – Jennifer Greene
Jane Whitcomb is at the top of the corporate ladder and burning out fast – she’s now divorced and her children are grown with kids of their own. So she asks her assistant to book her a holiday to Kokomo where she meets an old flame and a whole set of adventures begin.

This was definitely one of the poorer stories of this anthology. Jane was written (and throughout the story, called) an utter bitch and I just couldn’t identify with her. Also, I really prefer happy endings in a romance rather than just the fact that our heroine now has hope that she’ll get a happy ending.


Overall, the first three stories of this set were outstanding and well worth the price of the book. While I personally didn’t enjoy the last two stories, I would still recommend this book for some light reading if you’re a fan of Mills and Boon.

* The first three stories – Rex on the Beach (Stephanie Bond), Getting into Trouble (Leslie Kelly) and Shaken and Stirred (Heidi Betts) were previously published in the anthology Heat Wave in July 2007 *

Destination: Marriage

Two hits and a miss for this marriage themed anthology

4 stars

Trouble in Paradise – Jill Marie Landis

From the moment Carrie Evans arrived in Hawaii for her dream destination wedding things have started to go wrong. With the rain, a lost wedding dress and an awol caterer to mention but a few, Carrie is sure that the signs say that she really should be getting married at all. Her fiancé Kurt barely has 4 days to change her mind.

I was terribly disappointed in this top billed story. Kurt didn’t seem to care that the bride was flipping out and was only interested in getting Carrie into bed. And the games the pair played, rather than being amusing, made me think they shouldn’t have been getting married at all.

Biting the Apple – Jo Leigh

Aspiring journalist Trish Avalon has just won an all expenses paid wedding in New York. There’s just one problem – she’s not engaged. Determined to get to the Big Apple to start her new life, she convinces her high school sweetheart, and all round local boy Mark Reynolds to be her groom. But is it only for the week?

This was a great story about chasing your dreams and then realising that maybe they weren’t what you were really looking for. Sweet and romantic with great characters (and set in the decadent Hush hotel) – this was a fantastic short story.

A Venetian Affair – Jackie Braun

Dayle Alexander is planning her perfect wedding – so why isn’t she on top of the world? Her fiancé is stable and dependable – so unlike her unsettlingly hot business partner, Max Kinnick. When business takes the pair to Venice, Dayle begins to realise that her perfect wedding will only be if she can snag the perfect groom!

This was a stand out, adorable story. There was a good dose of emotion without being melodramatic and I just loved Dayle and Max as a couple. A great short romance – I’ll without doubt be searching out more of Jackie Braun’s books in the future.

With two out of the three stories really standing out – I would recommend this book if you’re looking for some fun, light and romantic short stories with a wedding flavour. Despite the first story – still worth 4 stars.

Slow Hands by Leslie Kelly

Teasingly sexy and sweet romance

4 stars

Maddy Turner is in a bit of a mess. She’s about to bid a hefty amount of money at a charity bachelor auction to stop her father’s latest wife from bagging herself a sexy, single man. And the man she must outbid her stepmother for is none other than a European gigolo.

Sexy, all-American paramedic, Jake Wallace, has no idea that a mix up at the charity auction has left the bidding ladies convinced that he is a male escort. When he is won by the deliciously sexy Maddy – he is sure he’s onto a good thing.

But Maddy has been burned before and it’s going to take all Jake has to convince her to give him a go. And of course there’s still the fact that Maddy is sure that Jake is only with her because he’s being paid to be.

I am a huge fan of Leslie Kelly and I was happy to see her with a new book in the Wrong Bed miniseries (a series that started off in the Harlequin Tempatation line). This is the first of two books, the next being Heated Rush.

I definitely did enjoy this book as it was fun, sexy and interesting. Maddy and Jake were a good couple and despite all the confusion and misunderstandings – they did have some good chemistry. As such, the sex scenes were teasing, sexy and very hot.

The conflict in the story wasn’t as clichéd as it could have been – which is always a good thing. However, by removing the ‘obvious’ conflict, this meant that the story was fairly slow paced and was very much character focussed despite the quirky premise.

Overall, it’s perhaps not Leslie Kelly’s best book but it’s still exceptionally well written with a fun storyline, likeable characters and some naughty sex. Definitely recommended.

4 stars.

Putting it to the Test by Lori Borill

Hot Office Romance From Blaze
4 stars

Sweet and bubbly website designer, Carly Abrams, is fed up being overlooked for promotion. When the office staff are asked to complete a survey to find out which man and woman are most suited for a big job, Carly does the only thing she can think of and cheats - sex questions not withstanding!

But now she is paired with designer extraordinaire Matt Jacobs - the most irritating and infuriating (not to mention gorgeous and delectable) man Carly has ever laid eyes on - to work together on a top project. If anyone finds out she matched her answers to his then she's in big trouble!

Despite the lies - it seems that Matt and Carly couldn't be more suited - sexually at least. But the pair are combustible, in and out of the bedroom and when they have to fight for the same promotion - the survey results are really put to the test.


I really liked the idea of this story and the goings on within the office that spring from a naughty survey!

Carly was a fun character that you could identify with although perhaps not as in depth as the character of Matt - a typically arrogant, alpha bad boy. Together the pair were delicious and their chemistry scorched the pages. Although there was talk of kinky sex - most of it in the book was fairly vanilla, but still very hot and exciting.

I thought the story ticked along wonderfully and really captured me until about 3/4 of the way through when things slowed down and it just didn't sparkle as much as the first part. Having said that, it was still interesting, engaging and well-written with the required happy ending.

If you like stories about office romances that are hot, sexy and fun - you really can't go wrong with this book. Recommended and worth 4 stars.

Never Naughty Enough by Jill Monroe

Amusing and entertaining romance

4 stars

Annabelle Scott has always been the perfect executive assistant – punctual, efficient and a hard worker. She’s also been hopelessly in love with her boss, Wagner Achrom, for the last four years.

Wagner is so completely enveloped in his work that he has failed to notice how sexy his wonderful assistant really is. That is until Annabelle is put under hypnosis at a party and her deliciously naughty side is brought to life.

Now Wagner is having trouble focussing on anything other than his sexy employee and wondering just how naughty she might turn out to be.

Never Naughty Enough is a fun read and another winner from Jill Monroe. Annabelle is a nice normal girl who gets to unleash her daring and devilish side with the help of some amateur hypnosis. It just goes to show that you can get what you want if you’re just a bit naughty! Wagner is a good hero too – sexy and strong and completely shocked at what’s been right under his nose the whole time.

Although there was some heat and chemistry in the book – it really was more teasing than scorchingly hot even though the sex scenes were plentiful.

The writing is good, the story keeps you interested and the romance is sweet and fun. Overall, this is a good book to keep you engrossed for a few hours and one I would recommend to those that enjoy entertaining romance stories. 4 stars.