Category Archives: Sourcebooks Casablanca

November 3, 2014 · 11:55 pm

Review: Slow Hand by Victoria Vane

handTitle: Slow Hand by Victoria Vane
Hot Cowboy Nights Book One
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In rural Montana…
Wade Knowlton is a hardworking lawyer who’s torn between his small-town Montana law practice and a struggling family ranch. He’s on the brink of exhaustion from trying to save everybody and everything, when gorgeous Nicole Powell walks into his office. She’s a damsel in distress and the breath of fresh air he needs.

Even the lawyers wear boots…
Nicole Powell is a sassy Southern girl who has officially sworn off cowboys after a spate of bad seeds-until her father’s death sends her to Montana and into the arms of a man who seems too good to be true. Her instincts tell her to high tail it out of Montana, but she can’t resist a cowboy with a slow hand…

The Review:

Longtime fans of Victoria Vane will be absolutely delighted with Slow Hand, the first novel in her contemporary romance series, Hot Cowboy Nights. This fast-paced and engaging love story is an excellent beginning to the series and will leave fans very eager for the next installment.

Wade Knowlton wears many hats (primarily lawyer and unwilling cowboy) but he is first and foremost, a gentleman. So when he notices a very sexy woman having a minor meltdown in the airport, he gallantly gives up his seat for the lovely, distraught lady. While Nicole “Nikki” Powell is grateful to get to her next destination, she is more than happy to see the backside of the sexy cowboy. However, unluckily for her (but luckily for him), Wade’s duty as her knight in shining armor continues when she finds herself stranded in Bozeman, Montana.

Wade is a charming, loyal and sincerely nice man. Although he wants nothing more than to leave ranching behind and concentrate fully on his law career, he knows how much his family counts on his help, so he dutifully continues to fill in whenever needed. Wade is also very chivalrous and despite Nikki’s very prickly attitude, he lends her a helping hand when she discovers her wallet is missing in addition to helping her settle her estranged father’s estate.

Nikki is not only a fish out of water, she is also grieving her father’s loss despite their long standing estrangement. Having sworn off cowboys after a string of ill-fated love affairs, she is determined to ignore her attraction to Wade. But when circumstances continue to throw them together, the couple find it impossible to resist their desire for one another.

Nikki and Wade’s romance is a very entertaining blend of sexy banter and sizzling lovemaking. While neither of them is really looking for anything long term, Wade is more open to a lasting relationship. But Nikki is very resistant to pursuing a future with him and this becomes a major stumbling block for the couple. Nikki does eventually have a change of heart where Wade is concerned, but will it prove too late to salvage their relationship?

Slow Hand is a well-written novel with a lovely cast of fully developed characters. Wade is an outgoing, easy love hero whereas it takes longer to completely warm up to Nikki. The plot is fairly straight forward, and while it is sometimes a little predictable, this does not detract from overall story. Victoria Vane does an excellent job setting up the next novel in the Hot Cowboy Nights series with the introduction of Wade’s brother, Dirk and his love interest, Janice.

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Filed under Contemporary, Hot Cowboy Nights Series, Rated B, Review, Romance, Slow Hand, Sourcebooks Casablanca, Victoria Vane

November 2, 2014 · 11:57 pm

Review: What to Do with a Bad Boy by Marie Harte

bad boyTitle: What to Do with a Bad Boy by Marie Harte
The McCauley Brothers Series Book Four
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: A

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

WHAT IS WITH MIKE McCAULEY?
Every time Delilah Webster runs into Mike McCauley, he practically bites her head off. The rough-and-tumble contractor clearly has baggage. Del has her own emotional scars and knows she’s better off keeping her distance, but Mike’s temptation in jeans and a T-shirt and she’s always been good with her hands…

There’s something about the strong-willed mechanic that sets Mike’s motor running-and scares the hell out of him. Mike has loved and lost and will never hurt like that again, even if that means walking away from a woman who makes him feel alive for the first time in years.

When a simple kiss turns hot and heavy, Mike discovers he can’t stay away, no matter how certain he is they’re destined to crash and burn…

The Review:

While it is a little sad to see The McCauley Brothers series come to a close, Marie Harte brings the series to a strong and absolutely perfect conclusion with What to Do with a Bad Boy. This wonderfully entertaining romance is full of witty dialogue, charming characters and plenty of smoking hot love scenes. But it is the heartfelt and emotion filled scenes that make this novel such an outstanding read.

The oldest of the McCauley brothers, Mike is a widowed single dad who has yet to move on from his wife’s tragic death. He is an all around great guy, devoted to his young son, Colin and works hard in the family owned construction business. His family is extremely close-knit and they eagerly step in to help Mike care for Colin when needed. Mike is extremely dismayed by Colin’s infatuation with tattooed mechanic Delilah “Del” Webster but he is even more disconcerted by his unexpected attraction to her.

Del is a delightful breath of fresh air and I absolutely adored her. Comfortable in her own skin, she is a straight shooter who tells it like it is and does not play games. Confident, strong and sexy, she does feel a little out of place in Mike’s suburban life, but Del does not let her discomfort keep her from enjoying the new friendship she has found with Mike’s soon to be sisters-in-law. She is also quite charmed by Mike’s rapscallion son and her scenes with Colin are definitely some of the best in the novel.  Del is a little uneasy with her budding relationship with Mike, but she is more than ready to explore their simmering desire for one another.

Mike and Del’s romance is so much fun to watch unfold. Neither of them is interested in a long term relationship, so they agree to a “friends with benefits” type arrangement. Their sex scenes are graphically detailed, exquisitely raunchy and incredibly hot, but it is their interactions out of the bedroom that are the most captivating. The conversations between Mike and Del are often humorous, but they are also heartbreakingly poignant on occasion.

The McCauley and Webster families are fully engaged in one another’s lives and this sometimes leads to some pretty hilarious matchmaking efforts. However not all of the interference is appreciated or welcome despite the fact it is well-intentioned. This meddling becomes the catalyst for a long overdue discussion about the past but it is just the first step in the healing process. It is going to take another absolutely gut-wrenching, tear inducing conversation to fully overcome the tragedy that keeps Mike from fully committing to Del.

While Mike and Del have some serious issues to overcome, What to Do with a Bad Boy is mostly a light-hearted, fun and super steamy read. Colin is incorrigible but he is so adorable that it is impossible not to love the little scene stealer. The supporting cast of characters is equally lovable and while all of the McCauley brothers have found their happily ever afters, I am hoping that Marie Harte has plans for a future novel starring Del’s brother J.T.

An absolutely outstanding addition to The McCauley Brothers series, I highly recommend What to Do with a Bad Boy to fans of contemporary romances. It can be read as a standalone story, but you really do not want to miss any of the novels in this wonderful series.

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Filed under Contemporary, Marie Harte, Rated A, Review, Romance, Sourcebooks Casablanca, The McCauley Brothers Series, What to Do with a Bad Boy

October 6, 2014 · 11:55 pm

Review: Cowboy Boots for Christmas by Carolyn Brown

cowboy bootsTitle: Cowboy Boots for Christmas by Carolyn Brown
Burnt Boot, TX Series
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

‘Tis the season for…
Feasting
Frolicking
And…Feuding?

All he wants for Christmas is peace and quiet…
After two tours in Afghanistan, retired Army sniper Finn O’Donnell believes his new ranch outside the sleepy little town of Burnt Boot, Texas, is the perfect place for an undisturbed holiday season. But before he can settle in, an old friend shows up looking for protection and a place where nobody knows her name.

But that’s going to take a miracle…
Callie Brewster must relocate to protect her young nephew, Martin, and the only person she trusts is her old Army friend, Finn. Burnt Boot seems like the perfect place to be anonymous, but it turns out a small town with big drama is no place to hide…

The Review:

Cowboy Boots for Christmas is the wonderfully heartwarming first novel in Carolyn Brown’s newest series, Burnt Boot, TX.  It is another highly entertaining story with plenty of sass, a sighworthy romance and just to keep things interesting, a long running feud that pretty much surpasses the one between the infamous Hatfields and McCoys. Throw in a mess of adorable pets, lovable kids and feisty seniors, and you have an unforgettable tale that will leave you grinning from ear to ear at all of their crazy antics.

Although Finn O’Donnell and Callie Brewster were extremely close during their deployment to Afghanistan, they lost touch after they returned stateside. Two years later, they are reunited at Finn’s isolated ranch outside the small town of Burnt Boot, TX when Callie needs a safe place for her and her nephew Martin to hide for a few weeks. Callie and Finn settle right back into their easy friendship and now they are no longer working together, they are free to explore their smoldering attraction to one another.

Their previous acquaintance is the perfect set up for love to flourish between Callie and Finn. Although they were attracted to each other in Afghanistan, their relationship remained platonic and Finn was momentarily distracted by another woman. Callie is surprised to discover that Finn is still single while Finn is pretty shocked that Callie is now the legal guardian of eight year old Martin. Callie is a little dismayed to discover she is still attracted to Finn but with her aversion to all things cowboy, she is not planning to act on her desire. Meanwhile, Finn is left wondering why he never acted on his long ago attraction to Callie and since he remembers she wants nothing to do with ranch life long term, he does not see any reason to act on his passion either.

The relationship between Callie and Finn is slow growing, and their friendship makes their inevitable transition from friends to lovers believable. Their romance is very sweet with plenty of sexual tension. Their lovemaking is deliciously steamy but the scenes are not very explicit. While their romance is mainly conflict free, Callie has some uncertainties to come to terms with before she can fully commit to a future with Finn.

Cowboy Boots for Christmas is another absolutely charming romance by Carolyn Brown. An eclectic but (mostly) lovable cast of characters brings the story vibrantly to life. This engaging novel has a refreshingly unique plot that is sweet, sexy and just plain fun. With the local feud heating up and the unexpected arrival of Finn’s cousin Sawyer, readers are going to be chomping at the bit for the next installment in the Burnt Boot, TX series.

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Filed under Burnt Boot Texas Series, Carolyn Brown, Contemporary, Cowboy Boots for Christmas, Rated B, Review, Romance, Sourcebooks Casablanca

· 11:54 pm

Review: Ruining Mr. Perfect by Marie Harte

ruiningTitle: Ruining Mr. Perfect by Marie Harte
The McCauley Brothers Series Book Three
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

IT’S NOT EASY BEING RIGHT
Vanessa Campbell is a CPA by day and a perfectionist by night. She’s fit, successful…and decidedly lonely. She can’t stop thinking about the youngest McCauley brother, Cameron. He’s just like her: smart, attractive, and usually right-except when dealing with her.

…BUT SOMEONE’S GOT TO DO IT
Cameron McCauley likes Vanessa a little too well. She’s a blond goddess with a razor-sharp tongue. She hates to be wrong, just like him. But she can hold a grudge and is stubborn to a fault-also like him.

A past misunderstanding has them rubbing each other the wrong way. Cam is dying to shake Vanessa up-get her to let loose. But if he succeeds, can his heart handle it?

The Review:

Ruining Mr. Perfect by Marie Harte is the third installment in the boisterous McCauley Brothers series. In this outing, it is youngest brother Cameron’s turn to find love and no one is more perfect for him than Vanessa Campbell. Although their story is a little quieter than the previous novels, there is plenty of passion between this intellectual couple and conflict arises from very unexpected sources.

Cameron is the only McCauley brother who is not a blue-collar worker. He is an über successful investment bank and he enjoys the finer things in life. He has a nice car, a fancy apartment and he is very health conscious. All of which makes him the ideal match for his brother’s neighbor, Vanessa.

Vanessa is an uptight workaholic who appears rather cold and standoffish. She is a little on the controlling side and she has very exacting standards. She is sarcastic and blunt but her honesty is refreshing. Vanessa is as career driven and goal oriented as Cameron and watching them match wits is pretty exciting and entertaining.

Vanessa and Cameron are a good fit and they bring out the best in one another. Vanessa has never been in a long term relationship and although she is happy with Cameron, she is always on guard, waiting for something to go wrong. She is a little emotionally distant, but that does not mean she feel things deeply.

Cameron is very sweet, always on his best behavior and he is very intent on making Vanessa happy. He is almost too nice at times and he tries so hard to be what he thinks Vanessa wants that it sometimes seems like we do not really see the “real” Cameron.

The romance between Vanessa and Cameron is absolutely delightful. They have so much in common, they really “get” one another and for Cameron, this is a welcome change since he does not fit in with his brothers or his dad. Cameron’s easy acceptance of Vanessa’s eccentricities is also a big relief for her and she finds it reassuring that she is not as abnormal as she sometimes feels.

Marie Harte’s Ruining Mr. Perfect is a fast paced and engaging story with likable characters, a realistic storyline and a romance that is very heartwarming. A charming addition to the McCauley Brothers series that old and new fans are sure to enjoy.

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Filed under Contemporary, Marie Harte, Rated B, Review, Romance, Ruining Mr. Perfect, Sourcebooks Casablanca, The McCauley Brothers Series

July 2, 2014 · 11:56 pm

Review: How to Marry a Cowboy by Carolyn Brown

marry cowboyTitle: How to Marry a Cowboy by Carolyn Brown
Cowboys and Brides Series Book Four
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

From New York Times and USA Today-bestselling author Carolyn Brown comes a contemporary Western romance filled to the brim with sexy cowboys, gutsy heroines, and genuine down-home Texas twang.

Texas rancher Mason Harper’s daughters want a new mama in the worst way, and when a beautiful woman in a tattered wedding gown appears on their doorstep, the two little girls adopt her-no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Mason isn’t sure about taking in a complete stranger, but Lord knows he needs a nanny, and Annie Rose Boudreau stirs his heart in long-forgotten ways…

Annie Rose is desperate, and when a tall, sexy cowboy offers her a place to stay, she can’t refuse. After all, it’s just for a little while. As she settles in deeper, her heart tells her both Mason and her role as makeshift mama suit her just fine. But will Mason feel the same way once her nightmare past catches up with her?

Fans of Linda Lael Miller and Diana Palmer will thrill to this moving story of a lonely cowboy and his two little girls finding the family of their dreams.

The Review:

How to Marry a Cowboy is another delightfully charming installment in Carolyn Brown’s heartwarming Cowboys and Brides series. In this outing, widower Mason Harper finds love after he hires Annie Rose Boudreaux as his mischievous twins’ nanny.

Annie Rose is a down to earth, no nonsense woman. She has been in hiding from her abusive ex when she winds up on Mason’s front porch and despite a few suspicions on both sides, she agrees to stay on as the girls’ nanny. Although Annie Rose still has a few residual trust issues when it comes to men, her instincts are telling her Mason is a good man. There is an instant connection between Annie Rose, Lily and Gabby and she is a calming influence on the rambunctious little girls.

Mason has been raising Gabby and Lily on his own ever since his wife unexpectedly passed away eight years earlier. Although he has casually dated over the years, no one has really captured his attention, but that changes pretty quickly once Annie Rose enters the picture. He is instantly attracted to her but he has to come to terms with the uncomfortable feeling he is betraying his deceased wife by pursuing a relationship with Annie Rose.

Lily and Gabby are precocious yet lovable young hellions that pretty much steal every scene they are in. They are sometimes not too happy with Annie Rose’s efforts to keep them out of trouble, but they are pretty determined to keep her on the ranch.  They also try their hand at a little matchmaking between their nanny and their father (even though it really isn’t necessary).

Annie Rose and Mason’s friendship slowly turns to love and some of their sweetest scenes are on the front porch swing where they discuss their day with one another. Their relationship is mostly conflict free with only a few a tense moments when unresolved issues from their pasts briefly come between them.

How to Marry a Cowboy is a gentle love story that is humorous, romantic and just plain fun. It is the perfect conclusion to Carolyn Brown’s Cowboys and Brides series and I am very eager to dive into her next series!

1 Comment

Filed under Carolyn Brown, Contemporary, Cowboys and Brides Series, How to Marry a Cowboy, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Sourcebooks Casablanca

June 30, 2014 · 11:56 pm

Review: The Longest Night by Kara Braden

longestTitle: The Longest Night by Kara Braden
Longest Night Series Book One
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

This could work, whispered the little voice in the back of her mind, the voice that had been silent for seven years…

SHE SOUGHT SOLACE IN SOLITUDE
Years ago, former Marine Captain Cecily Knight fled her dark past and the nightmares forever haunting her nights. Alone in the remote Canadian wilderness, she survives day to day…until Ian Fairchild comes storming into her life and shatters her protective seclusion.

UNTIL ONE TOUCH BARED HER SOUL
Aloof but intriguing, defensive but undeniable, Ian is everything Cecily shouldn’t want but can’t ignore. He watches her with shrewd blue eyes, as if determined to decipher her secrets…and for the first time in years, she finds herself coming alive beneath the hands of a man with too many scars to count.

As the hushed and harsh winter closes in around them, two lost souls find themselves on the precipice of a love that could save their lives…or destroy them forever.

The Review:

A unique setting, very little drama and realistic, likable characters prove to be a winning combination in Kara Braden’s debut novel, The Longest Night. Set in a remote cabin in the Canadian wilderness, former Marine Cecily Knight and criminal defense lawyer Ian Fairchild unexpectedly find love and heal the wounds from their pasts.

Cecily is a strong, self-sufficient woman who has carved out a safe, but lonely, life far removed from civilization. In an effort to avoid any possible triggers for her PTSD, she carefully controls her environment and has limited contacted with anyone except a few close friends. There is little Cecily cannot do for herself as she survives her primitive and somewhat harsh living conditions with few luxuries. Ian’s arrival brings her long dormant emotions and desires back to life and their relationship slowly transforms from friends to lovers.

Ian is very driven and career oriented and his inability to take time off from his law practice has kept him from successfully kicking his addiction to painkillers. Ian’s brother convinces him that a place far removed from his regular life is key to his recovery and he arranges for Ian to stay for a few months with Cecily. Although the cabin is definitely not what he expected, he gradually (and somewhat grumpily) adjusts to his new accommodations and he is very curious about his reclusive hostess. His keen observation skills and admirable patience prove invaluable as Ian begins to understand what motivates Cecily’s need for isolation.

Ian and Cecily’s relationship is uneasy in the beginning as they adapt to their new living situation. Mutual respect provides a firm foundation for their growing friendship and they transition fairly smoothly from friends to lovers. When problems do arise, Ian and Cecily discuss their problems and arrive at compromises that work for both of them.

Kara Braden’s The Longest Night is a heartwarming novel that is quite engrossing. The beautiful setting is appealing and the characters are charming and well-developed. The storyline is well-executed and delightfully angst free. An overall sweet yet sexy love story that fans of contemporary romances are sure to enjoy.

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Filed under Contemporary, Kara Braden, Longest Night Series, Rated B, Review, Romance, Sourcebooks Casablanca, The Longest Night