Category Archives: Sourcebooks Casablanca

June 8, 2016 · 11:57 pm

Review: Test Drive by Marie Harte

Title: Test Drive by Marie Harte
Body Shop Bad Boys Series Book One
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 386 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A smokin’ hot new series from Marie Harte featuring tough-guy mechanics and the women who jump-start their hearts.

GET TO KNOW THE BODY SHOP BAD BOYS

Johnny, Foley, Sam, and Lou are the rough and tumble mechanics of Webster’s Garage. These reformed bad boys are used to living fast, but it’s the women in their lives who take them from zero to sixty in a heartbeat.

JOHNNY

Johnny Devlin’s a charmer with a checkered past. He’s had his eye on scorching-hot bartender Lara Valley for ages, but she’s rejected him more than once. That doesn’t mean he won’t come to her aid when some dirtbag mauls her. When she asks him on a date as a no-strings-attached thank you, he can’t say no.  And then he’s saying nothing but hell, yes.

Review:

Test Drive by Marie Harte is a sizzling hot yet very touching romance between bad boy auto mechanic Johnny Devlin and good girl Lara Valley.  With plenty of humorous banner, tons of sexual tension and loveable characters with realistic insecurities, this first installment in the Body Shop Bad Boys series is an irresistible love story that fans of contemporary romances are sure to love.

Despite a few missteps when he was younger, Johnny has mostly cleaned up his act although he does love the occasional  brawl and swears like a sailor.  He is hardworking, loyal and very protective of the people he cares about. Charming and sinfully sexy, Johnny’s reputation as a player is legendary but he is always honest about his intentions with the women he becomes involved with.  Johnny has been lusting after the fresh faced bartender from the moment he laid eyes on her four years ago, but Lara turns him down every time he asks her out.  Although he is still strongly attracted to her, Johnny is surprised to realize that he wants to actually date Lara but will he convince her to take a chance on him?

Having grown up without much money, Lara is ambitious and quite dedicated to getting a college degree.  She has no social life since she spends most of her time either helping out with her nieces, working or going to classes.  She is very close to her family and she is quick to volunteer to help out when her parents or sister are in a bind.  Lara loves her bartending job but she does not date the customers.  She is attracted to Johnny, but she is completely committed to finishing her degree and she does not want any distractions to interfere with her plans. However, after Johnny saves her from an unsettling altercation with  her sister’s smarmy soon to be ex-husband, Lara decides to give dating Johnny a chance.

The romance between Johnny and Lara is surprisingly sweet and grows slowly over the course of the novel.  Johnny wants more from Lara than the usual one night stand so he puts a lot of thought into the dates that he takes her on. He also tries to put a moratorium on sex, but it is virtually impossible for them to resist their scorching hot attraction.  However, in between raucous bouts of insanely intense sex,  Johnny and Lara do a lot of the things most couples do; they go to movies and dinner, they enjoy quiet evenings at home and occasionally, they babysit Lara’s nieces together.  The longer they go out, the more uneasy Johnny becomes with budding relationship.  Plagued by doubts and insecurities, Johnny misunderstands a conversation with Lara and he instinctively runs away.  The future of their relationship then hangs in the balance as he tries to come to terms with the emotional baggage from his childhood.

Test Drive is a delightful romance with an appealing couple that are impossible not to root for.  The storyline is well-developed with witty and engaging dialogue.  The longstanding acquaintance between Johnny and Lara makes their transition from friends to lovers believable and it is an absolute joy watching them get to know one another and eventually fall in love. The last chapter in the novel neatly sets the stage for the next book in the Body Shop Bad Boys series and readers will be chomping at the bit to see what Marie Harte has planned for Foley Sanders in Roadside Assistance.

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Filed under Body Shop Bad Boys Series, Contemporary, Marie Harte, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Sourcebooks Casablanca, Test Drive

May 8, 2016 · 11:57 pm

Review: Outlaw Cowboy by Nicole Helm

Title: Outlaw Cowboy by Nicole Helm
Big Sky Cowboys Series Book Two
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

BIG SKY TROUBLE
Ever since his father’s accident, Caleb Shaw vowed he’d mend his wild ways, and he means to keep his word. He’s a changed man. A better man. And he knows he should want absolutely nothing to do with his crazy old life…or the maddening temptation that is Delia Rogers.

Because Delia? Is nothing but trouble.

Delia’s been stealing her sisters away from their violent father ever since she was old enough to fight back. But now with the police on her trail and all her bridges burned, there’s nowhere left to run but back into the arms of the one cowboy she knows she shouldn’t need. Caleb has always been too good for her, no matter how bad he claimed to be. Yet when close quarters turn into something more, Delia and Caleb are forced to decide what really matters: mending their reputations or healing their wary hearts..

Review:

Outlaw Cowboy is the second installment in Nicole Helm’s angst-ridden Big Sky Cowboys series.  This latest offering pairs reforming bad boy Caleb Shaw with the equally troubled Delia Rogers and their resulting romance is sweet yet full of drama.

Caleb is determined to prove to his sister Mel and the townspeople that he has left his drinking and irresponsible behavior behind him.  Trying his best to save the family ranch without help from his wealthy brother-in-law, he has agreed to their neighbor’s ridiculous terms to lease some of their pastureland but if anyone discovers Delia on the ranch, the deal is off.  Although he has a lot to lose, Caleb cannot bring himself to make her leave and their contentious relationship eventually turns romantic.  With both his heart and the ranch on the line, will Caleb forgive Delia once he discovers the secret she has been keeping from him?

The Shaw family has more than its share of secrets and scars and Caleb is carrying around a world of hurt.  Believing the accusation his mother hurled at him before abandoning the family, he has certainly tried to live up (or down in his case) to her expectations.  Now sober and dedicated to saving his legacy, Caleb is carrying a heavy burden on his shoulders and like his sisters, Mel and Summer, he refuses to reveal why he is so deeply troubled. While he knows he is taking a huge risk letting Delia remain on the ranch, Caleb shares a long history with her that makes it impossible for him to stop trying to protect her.

Delia is not exactly the most likable person when she is first introduced.  She comes from a dysfunctional home and she has spent the last several years rescuing her younger sisters from their abusive father.  She will use anyone and do anything to help bring her plans to fruition and poor Caleb does not stand a chance against her.  She blackmails him into helping her and even after their relationship deepens, she holds back vital information in order to remain on the ranch.  While her reasons for going to such lengths are understandable, it is difficult watching her continue to manipulate Caleb.

Although their relationship is somewhat unconventional, there is never any doubt that Delia and Caleb share a simmering attraction for one another.  There is also genuine respect and affection between them and their complicated history provides a firm foundation for their transition from friends to lovers.  Despite their unhealthy behavior, Caleb and Delia really are good for one another.  With Delia, Caleb’s more tender side comes out as he pushes aside his needs in order to help her. Delia’s rougher edge begin to soften as she becomes more invested in helping Caleb work through his family issues.  They are combustible once they begin to trust each other and their sex scenes are sizzling hot and intensely intimate as their emotional barriers begin to lower.

In addition to Caleb and Delia’s romance, the Shaw family begins to make progress on fixing their fractured relationships.  Delia’s effect on their father is positive although Caleb and Summer are hurt by their easy rapport with one another.  Caleb stops walking on eggshells around his father as he finally allows himself to point out a few home truths about how deeply his behavior is hurting him and his sisters.  The changes in their father’s attitude are small but hopefully this is just the first step in repairing the rift between him and his children.

Outlaw Cowboy is an emotional addition to Nicole Helm’s Big Sky Cowboysseries.  The characters are multi-layered, flawed and deeply wounded by their pasts.  The storyline is engaging and well-written although a little overly dramatic on occasion.  The romance between Caleb and Delia is believable and somehow manages to thrive despite the complications they both bring to the relationship.  The tantalizing glimpses of Summer will leave readers impatiently awaiting the release of True-Blue Cowboy Christmas.

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Filed under Big Sky Cowboys Series, Contemporary, Nicole Helm, Outlaw Cowboy, Rated B, Review, Romance, Sourcebooks Casablanca

May 2, 2016 · 11:56 pm

Review: Every Bride Has Her Day by Lynnette Austin

Title: Every Bride Has Her Day by Lynnette Austin
Magnolia Brides Series Book Two
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 416 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Second in the Magnolia Brides series of charming, heartfelt Southern contemporary romance

Can love revive a wilting heart?

Cricket O’Malley can’t wait to plant roots back home in Georgia, where she’s returned to restore an abandoned flower shop to its former glory. The only blemish? Her neighbor’s house is even more neglected than her old flower shop, and its occupant seems as surly as he is darkly handsome.

Devastated body and soul after a tough case went south, New York City detective Sam DeLuca thought he’d have no trouble finding solitude in the quiet Georgia town of Misty Bottoms, but his bubbly neighbor seems determined to shine happiness into Sam’s life. Sam is equally determined to close himself off, but his heart says otherwise…

Review:

Every Bride Has Her Day is a leisurely paced, heartwarming romance. This second installment Lynnette Austin’s warm and inviting Magnolia Brides series can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend the entire series.

Needing a place to recover both physically and mentally from an undercover case that went horribly wrong, NYC detective Sam DeLuca heads to Misty Bottoms, GA, where he once spent several memorable summers with his late great-aunt Gertie.  After two years, Sam decides it is time to take care of his neglected inheritance so he immerses himself in fixing up the sadly neglected house he inherited from Gertie.  Besieged by nightmares from his last case, he is easily distracted by his beautiful, sassy neighbor Cricket O’Malley, but knowing he is only passing through town, the two try to ignore the sparks that fly between them.  Despite the roots he seems to putting down, Sam still intends to return to the life he left behind but will those plans change once he and Cricket give in to their sizzling hot desire?

With his confidence shaken and unable to trust his judgment, Sam is hoping getting away from New York will help him put his last case behind him once and for all.  He is unprepared for the guilt he experiences when confronted with the neglected house awaiting him but he is grateful for the distraction the renovations provide him.  He is also surprised by how much he much he looks forward to spending time with Cricket but he fights his growing attraction due to the betrayal he experienced in his last relationship.  Enjoying the slower pace of life, Sam is gradually drawn into small town life as he strikes up new friendships, adopts a stray dog and offers a helping hand to a troubled teen.

Cricket is also a newcomer to town but unlike Sam, she is staying in Misty Bottoms permanently.  On the verge of opening her florist shop, she is incredibly busy but she still finds time to help her grumpy (and super sexy) new  neighbor acclimate to small town life. Knowing Sam is only in town temporarily, she pushes aside her growing attraction to him and they spend several enjoyable evenings together.  Once Sam begins to confide his troubles to her, Cricket has trouble maintaining an emotional distance from him.

The relationship between Cricket and Sam is a little antagonistic at first, but they soon settle into an easy friendship.  Between their quiet evenings together and fun outings, they spend a great deal of time in each other’s company.  Sam’s reticence to talk about why he is town initially causes some tension between them, but he is uncharacteristically talkative when he is with Cricket.  Underscoring all of their interactions is a simmering attraction that becomes impossible to ignore but will this change in their relationship convince Sam to alter his plans to leave Foggy Bottoms?

With a quirky cast of appealing characters and a charming setting, Every Bride Has Her Day is a sweet romance that is blissfully free from excessive angst or drama. Lynnette Austin brings Foggy Bottoms vibrantly to life and fans of small town love stories are sure to be captivated by both the town and its residents.  Tantalizing glimpses of  Cricket’s cousin and his ex  will leave readers impatiently awaiting the next installment in the Magnolia Brides series.

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Filed under Contemporary, Every Bride Has Her Day, Magnolia Brides Series, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Sourcebooks Casablanca

March 9, 2016 · 11:58 pm

Review: I Kissed a Rogue by Shana Galen

Title: I Kissed a Rogue by Shana Galen
Covent Garden Cubs Series Book Three
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Historical, Romance, Suspense
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Once she spurned the man…
When the Duke of Lennox hires Sir Brook Derring, England’s best investigator, to find his daughter, Brook intends only to rescue the lady and return to his solitary life. He deals with London’s roughest criminals every day of the week; surely he should be able to endure seeing his first love again-the perfect girl who broke his heart…

Now her life depends on him
Lady Lillian-Anne Lennox has always done her best to live up to her father’s standards of perfection-at the cost of following her heart. When she’s kidnapped and her perfect life is shattered, Lila has another chance. Together, Lila and Brook navigate not only the dark and deadly side of London, but the chasm of pride and prejudice that divides them.

Review:

I Kissed a Rogue by Shana Galen is a captivating historical romance with a slight element of suspense.

Sir Brook Derring is an investigator with a kind heart so when Lady Lillian-Anne aka Lila is kidnapped, he looks past their painful history and agrees to search for her. He locates her rather quickly, but not before she witnesses a brutal murder during a rather valiant escape attempt. Although her life is still in danger, Brook is reluctant to continue protecting her but Lila’s wily father circumvents Brook’s objections by forcing the pair to wed. Retreating to the country in hopes of keeping Lila out of harm’s way, Brook entices her into exploring their mutual passion despite their plans to seek an annulment once she is out of danger.

In the seven years since she turned down his earnest marriage proposal, Lila has grown and matured. No longer a silly, shallow nineteen year old, she is much more gracious and thoughtful. As a titled member of society, she still lacks the basic skills to survive on her own, but Lila is unexpectedly willing to pull her share of the weight in the dilapidated cottage. She also demonstrates her newfound maturity by attempting to make amends for her deplorable treatment of Brook years earlier. Lila makes no excuses for her behavior and she is genuinely sorry for her callous disregard for his feelings.

Older, wiser and more experienced, Brook has never quite forgiven Lila for her rather heartless rejection year earlier. He still sees her as the same superficial young girl he once knew and at first, her behavior backs up his opinion. However, once they arrive at his family’s cottage, he is rather pleasantly surprised by her willingness to pitch in with chores despite her inexperience. Brook works hard to maintain his anger over those long ago events, and despite their sensual lovemaking, he has not changed his mind about annulling their marriage.

Initially, Lila and Brook’s relationship is full of tension and simmering with animosity. Lila is still a little haughty and demanding which reinforces Brook’s opinion that she is still the same person who broke his heart. However, bit by bit, Lila’s true character is revealed as she faces adversity with a mostly positive attitude although, given her social status, she is completely out of her depth and sometimes harbors unrealistic expectations. Brook certainly holds on to his resentment a little longer than expected and he is quick to think the worst of her. Despite his lingering bitterness, Brook is surprisingly gentle with Lila and he is a very generous and tender lover.

With an appealing cast of characters and an intriguing storyline, I Kissed a Rogue by Shana Galen is a marvelous second chance at love romance. Fast-paced and engaging, this delightfully sensual addition to the Covent Garden Cubs series is sure to be a hit with fans of historical romances.

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Filed under Covent Garden Cubs Series, Historical, I Kissed a Rogue, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Shana Galen, Sourcebooks Casablanca, Suspense

February 1, 2016 · 11:55 pm

Review: How to Wrangle a Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy

how to wrangleTitle: How to Wrangle a Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy
Cowboys of Decker Ranch Series Book Three
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 480 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

The last thing this cowboy expected
Inner-city veterinarian Lindsey Ward always loved visiting her grandfather’s Wyoming ranch, so it breaks her heart to have to sell it. She’ll miss the scent of hay and sagebrush under the wide-open sky, but at least the sale will help fund the clinic she’s always dreamed of.

Was to get roped by a city girl
Ruggedly handsome foreman Shane Lockhart and his adorable son aren’t making it any easier for Lindsey to focus on what has to be done. It’s exhilarating going toe to toe with a rough, tough cowboy whose stubborn idealism matches her own, but it’s Shane’s tenderness that might tip Lindsey’s heart over the fence.

Review:

The final installment in Joanne Kennedy’s heartwarming Cowboys of Decker Ranch series, How to Wrangle a Cowboy is a sweet love story that is healing and uplifting.

Lindsey Ward and her grandfather Bud parted on bitter terms and unfortunately he passed away before they could mend the rift between them. Despite their estrangement, she is stunned to discover she will inherit the family ranch instead of her beloved grandmother, Grace. Lindsey is disillusioned by a stranger’s claim against the estate but in an effort to protect her grandfather’s memory, she keeps the situation from her grandmother and their trusted ranch foreman, Shane Lockhart. Trying to handle the predicament on her own, Lindsey considers selling the ranch, but can she bear to part with her grandfather’s legacy?

Recently divorced and still trying to recover financially, Lindsey deeply regrets not acting sooner to make amends with her grandfather. Her grandmother is quick to assure her that Bud harbored no ill feelings toward her and that he wanted nothing but happiness for her. Lindsey would like nothing better than to remain on the ranch but she needs to raise a large sum of money in a short amount of time in order to keep information about her grandfather from becoming public knowledge. She turns to Shane for advice and they immediately lock horns over her plans.

Shane is one of three foster brothers who spent their teenage years on a neighboring ranch. He is deeply scarred by the damage inflicted by his drug addicted parents and his experiences with some of his foster families. Recently reunited with his six year old son, Cody, Shane is protective of those he loves and he finds it very difficult to trust that his good fortune will last.

Sparks fly between Shane and Lindsey from the very beginning and they spend a great deal of the story giving in to their attraction only to have their issues come between them time and again. Shane remains emotionally closed off, distant and mistrusting of Lindsey’s plans while her experiences with her ex-husband leave her zealously guarding her independence. Lindsey is quick to make assumptions about Shane without discussing things with him first and this causes friction between them on more than one occasion. Their relationship is fraught with tension as lack of communication and trust take their toll on their fragile romance.

How to Wrangle a Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy is a deliciously steamy contemporary Western romance. Shane and Lindsey are multi-faceted protagonists whose life experiences have left them a bit wary and guarded as they try to protect themselves from further pain and disappointment. The plot is engaging but it is a little busy since multiple story arcs occur simultaneously. The novel wraps up with a heartfelt epilogue that is quite sweet. A wonderful conclusion to the Cowboys of Decker Ranch series that old and new fans are sure to love.

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Filed under Contemporary, Cowboys of Decker Ranch, How to Wrangle a Cowboy, Joanne Kennedy, Rated B, Review, Romance, Sourcebooks Casablanca

December 30, 2015 · 11:56 pm

Review: Rebel Cowboy by Nicole Helm

rebel cowboyTitle: Rebel Cowboy by Nicole Helm
Big Sky Cowboys Series Book One
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: C+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

UNDER A BIG SKY

For hotshot NHL star Dan Sharpe, hockey isn’t just his job-it’s his everything. But when claims of cheating get him bounced from the ice, he finds himself feeling lost. Everyone thinks he’s crazy for taking on his grandfather’s ramshackle Montana ranch, but hey, he’s Dan Sharpe: how hard can it be?

As it turns out? Plenty hard.

Mel Shaw has been fighting tooth and nail to keep her family from falling apart. The last thing she needs is a distraction, but taking a job as some city slicker’s consultant may be her only chance to save the land she loves. But she never expected someone like Dan to come roaring into her life, and it doesn’t take long for Mel to realize this hockey-star-turned-cowboy has the power to upend her carefully ordered world-and heart-for good.

Review:

Rebel Cowboy the first novel in Nicole Helm’s Big Sky Cowboys series featuring the Shaw family. This romance focuses on oldest daughter Mel and her struggle to save the family ranch by acting as a consultant to Dan Sharpe.

Mel is carrying a heavy burden on her shoulders and she stubbornly refuses to share it with anyone, including her younger brother, Caleb. She is prickly, emotionally closed off and overwhelmed, but instead of asking for help, she deliberately pushes people away. Mel’s need to save the family ranch is admirable but her refusal to open up becomes frustrating and her propensity for lashing out when she feels vulnerable makes her a very unsympathetic and virtually impossible character to like.

With the future of his NHL career in limbo, Dan escapes to his family’s dilapidated ranch to escape the limelight and try to build a future for himself. Hockey is more than just a career for him; it is how he copes with his unpleasant and difficult emotions. He is self-confident on the ice but he is endearingly inept as he tries to rebuild his grandparents’ beloved ranch. Dan uses charm and humor to defuse difficult situations but once he finds a new purpose in life, he puts genuine effort into making plans for his future. He is a genuinely nice man and his patience with Mel is pretty amazing considering how defensive and closed off she is.

The relationship between Mel and Dan is initially antagonistic with a strong undercurrent of sexual tension. Both have pretty formidable defenses in place, but it does not take long for Dan to relax and enjoy the progress he is making on the ranch. Mel continues to blow hot and cold and it does not take long for this unpredictability to become frustrating and tiresome. The storyline is eventually angst-ridden and mired in negativity as Mel continues to overreact every single time she feels threatened by her deepening emotions. While Dan’s character grows and transforms throughout the novel, Mel’s character remains stagnant as she continues to make the same mistakes over and over again.

Rebel Cowboy is a sweet and sexy introduction to the Big Sky Cowboys series. Despite his destructive tendencies and inability to reveal what is troubling him, younger brother Caleb is an intriguing character and it will be interesting to see what Nicole Helm has planned for him in Outlaw Cowboy.

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Filed under Big Sky Cowboys Series, Contemporary, Nicole Helm, Rated C+, Rebel Cowboy, Review, Romance, Sourcebooks Casablanca