Simply Irresistible

Title:Simply Irresistible

Author:Jill Shalvis

Genre:Contemporary Romance

Pages:311

Copyright:2010

Main Characters:Maddie Moore & Jax Cullen

Supporting Characters:Tara, Chloe, Ford, Sawyer



First book in Jill Shalvis' new Lucky Harbor series.




Maddie Moore is leaving the 'mousy' lifestyle behind. After losing a boyfriend and job in one fell swoop, Maddie packs up her Honda and heads to Lucky Harbor, Washington looking for a new start. Maddie along with her sisters Chloe and Tara have inherited their mothers seaside inn...unfortunately with it comes a whole heck of a lot of debt and even more problems. Maddie is willing to make a go of the place, now she has to convince her sisters it's worth the effort.

After having nearly been ran off the road by Maddie, Jax Cullen is immediately taken with her unruly hair and soft smile.  Kissing her on the pier was not his plan, but now that everyone in town knows, why shouldn't he do it again.  Although Jax is a retired lawyer and current mayor, he finds being a contractor the more enjoyable profession. When Maddie calls looking for a 'Master' he can't resist taking the job. Together they decide to make a go of the dilapidated business.

Much to Maddie's discomfort, there is much more then meets the eye with Jax...and we're not talking about the tattoos. Maddie has to decide whether she can leave the past behind and move to a future with her sisters and Jax, or if she's stuck being the timid mouse forever.

I always forget how much I love reading Ms. Shalvis' books until another one comes out. Her style is total contemporary and she hasn't written a character yet that I dislike.  If you read like I do you'll finish "Simply Irresistible" in a few hours, I couldn't put it down. Normally a new series first book takes a bit to get into, as the author has to introduce the plot and characters. This series, and most others by Jill Shalvis, don't have that problem. I don't think I stopped smiling the entire story. I can't wait until Tara's story "The Sweetest Thing" hits the shelves.

Buy This Book--Simply Irrisistable on Amazon

You Don't Know Jack

Title:You Don't Know Jack
Author:Erin McCarthy
Genre:Contemporary Romance
Pages:272
Copyright:2006
Main Characters:Jamie Peters; Jonathan "Jack" Davidson
Supporting Characters: Jamie's Friends, Caroline, Mandy, Allison; Jack's Grandfather, 'Pops'


I bought this book from, what I consider the best store in the history of stores, Half-Price books quite a while ago. I've always enjoyed Ms. McCarthy's books and was excited to read "You Don't Know Jack", especially since I had previously read "The Pregnancy Test" which introduced us to Jamie and her group of friends/roomies.  When I finally pulled it off my bookshelf to read I couldn't help but love what the previous owner had written on the first page...thankfully in pencil. She wrote, and I quote "Well written story all though I could have done with a much shorter sex scene!! It was 36 pages long!!! A good story though, I liked the cute twist at the end." I laughed then dove right in.

Jamie Peters loves a good psychic and the story starts several months before when her cross dressing, ex drug addict friend tells her how she'll meet the man who touches her soul. The first several chapters revolve around meeting that guy. Jack is a retired millionaire just barely over 30 (can we say, I wish!!), but when he meets Jamie he pretends otherwise. Knowing she's not a born New Yorker but a Kentucky girl living her dream in the city, Jack decides she doesn't need to know quite yet. When new age hippie Jamie, finds out Jack's a big fat lying scumbag (not really!! You just can't seem to be mad at this guy) she decides they're better off just friends. Too bad Jack won't let that happen, and while Jamie is off trying to save the world...one ex-criminal at a time...Jack is trying to prove to Jamie that maybe she's the one who needs saving.

My book fairy was right. It is a super cute story, and while the numerous..*cough*..you know..scenes are super steamy, I didn't find them over bearing. The different players we meet throughout made me smile and wish Ms. McCarthy would decide to write a story for Allison and maybe a followup for Caroline as well. It's just about the right length for a quick read and although it doesn't have too much depth, I think it had just enough. Enjoy!

Some Like It Scot

Title:Some Like It Scot

Author:Donna Kauffman

Genre:Contemporary Romance

Pages:310

Copyright:2010

Main Characters:Katie McAuley;Graham McLeod

Supporting Characters:Roan; Shay; Blaine

Who doesn't love a man with an accent, especially a Scottish accent. In 'Some Like It Scot', Donna Kauffman does an excellent job bringing her kilt wearing hero to life. I shouldn't have been surprised, she's done it before and I'm sure she'll do it again.

We start the story in Kinloch, with Graham arguing with his 2 best friends Shay and Roan about the McLeod/McAuley marriage pact, which pretty much says one has to marry the other in order to stay in the position on Clan leader....confusing eh? Graham has 5 weeks to take a bride to stay in the position he's been holding since his grandfather passed. He takes his only available option and jumps on a plane to Maryland to track down a McAuley.

Katie is said McAuley and happens to be standing in her wedding dress in the prayer garden behind the chapel when she meets Graham. He doesn't initially know it's her he's looking for and spills the story of the pact. The stars a line and fireworks burst and angels sing when Graham stands up to stop the wedding, a wedding Katie doesn't want anyways...a wedding to her best friend...he best friend who doesn't have feeling for her that way...in fact he doesn't have feelings for any woman, just his best man! Graham sweeps Katie off her feet, literally, and carries her to the waiting limo and they start their journey back to Scotland.

In the 2 plus day trip Katie and Graham get to know each other, in more ways then one. Whether it's drooling on one another's shoulders or sharing an erotic daydream?....well I guess that's what you'd call it. By the time they reach the island they both know they cannot join just because some 300 year old law says so. Luckily by now the feelings they have for each other quite a bit deeper.

Ms. Kauffman is an excellent story teller, and an even better writer. I sometimes find her books a bit wordy and hard to get through but didn't have a problem with this one. I even found myself speaking in a Scottish Brogue when I'd finished...whoops. 'Some Like it Scot' is an enjoyable adventure and I hope Ms. Kauffman continues with the stories of the other men of Kinloch!