Wind Chime Point-Sherryl Woods

Wind Chime Point


Sherryl Woods

Mira, Apr 30 2013, $7.99

ISBN: 9780778314424



In Raleigh, public relations expert Gabi Castle cannot believe how fast her life fell apart. Her boss Amanda Warren made the fast-rising ambitious Gabi leave the firm to avoid the scandal of pregnancy. Her being kicked out the office door follows her boyfriend of five years Paul Langley dumping her upon learning she carries his baby. Mentally exhausted, instead of legally challenging Amanda, Gabi returns home to Sand Castle Bay, North Carolina.



Widower Wade Johnson met Gabi when she last came to Sand Castle Bay. They are attracted to each other, but she has doubts any man would love someone else’s child especially someone still grieving the death of his wife and unborn in an accident. The pair forges a friendship while falling in love encouraged by her family.



The second Ocean Breeze contemporary romance (see Sand Castle Bay) is a warm second chance at love tale. Although psychological tsuris is settled in a blink, fans will enjoy the return of the Castle brood as they match up one of their own with a sculptor.



Harriet Klausner

It Was Only A Kiss-Joss Wood

It Was Only A Kiss


Joss Wood

Harlequin Kiss, Apr 23 2013, $4.99

ISBN: 9780373207152



In South Africa, confident and cocky marketing intern Jess Sherwood informs Luke Savage his plan for his family’s vineyard St. Sylve he recently inherited will fail. To silence the upstart, he kisses her. When she catches her breath, she continues with her tirade until he fires her.



Eight years later, St. Sylve remains in trouble while Jess is an in demand marketing guru. She bids for the St. Sylve job while he prefers anyone else, but hires her anyway. Each remembers that kiss like it was a second ago and both obsess with a need for a repeat while also fearing their lips locking again. As they fall in love, they begin to learn about his late mom who died when he was a child.



The keys to this terrific contemporary romance are the wonderful setting and troubled Luke coming across as real. Readers will relish It Was Only A Kiss that burned inside the respective hearts and minds of the protagonists (and readers).



Harriet Klausner

Anything But Vanilla…Liz Fielding

Anything But Vanilla…


Liz Fielding

Harlequin Kiss, Apr 23 2013, $4.99

ISBN: 9780373207145



In Maybridge, landlord Alexander West has come to shut down bankrupt Knickerbocker Gloria as Ria failed again to organize her specialty ice creams business. Caterer Sorrel Amery arrives to pick up the Jefferson order only instead of the vanished Ria, “Mr. Postcard” Alexander greets her.



Desperate to save her catering firm, sensible Sorrel offers to take over the lease for one month of the bankrupt though not filed ice cream parlor. She detests her attraction to the world wandering landlord who she assumes is Ria’s younger lover whenever he is in town, which Sorrel believes is as frequent as Halley’s Comet. Still they begin a tryst and soon fall in love. However, Sorrel and Alexander assume once the month is up, their relationship ends or does it as there is plenty of other flavors to try.



With flavors that will stun ice creams connoisseurs, Anything but Vanilla is a wonderful contemporary romance. The lead couple is a fabulous pairing as they fight, fuss and fall in love over Earl Grey granita and champagne sorbet.



Harriet Klausner

Honey Pie-Donna Kauffman

Honey Pie


Donna Kauffman

Kensington Brava, Apr 30 2013, $14.00

ISBN: 9780758280534



Honey D'Amourvell inherits Aunt Beavis’ store on Sugarberry Island, Georgia. She sees a chance for a fresh start with a place to display her art after avoiding contact with people for years due to her ability to see a person’s future after touching them. Thus Honey drives across the country only to have her car break down upon arrival. As her vehicle is being repaired at Ross & Sons, Honey is in shock to see her new store occupied by Cakes By The Cup (see Sugar Rush).



Auto mechanic Dylan Ross is attracted to his newest customer, but she keeps her distance. When he learns why, Dylan stuns Honey as he accepts what she felt a curse is a gift. As they fall in love, he encourages her to join the cupcake club where she makes friends who seem delightfully crazier than her.



The latest Cupcake Club contemporary romance (see Babycakes and Sweet Stuff) is an entertaining tale with a touch of whimsy though the cupcake crew plays minor roles. Fans will enjoy this tactile love story as everybody’s normal is not in this couple’s future if his kisses can overcome her fear of touching.



Harriet Klausner

Bare It All-Lori Foster

Bare It All


Lori Foster

Harlequin HQN, Apr 30 2013, $7.99

ISBN: 9780373777617



After barely surviving a human trafficking ring abduction (see Trace of Fever), Alice Appleton keeps a low profile allowing no one to get close to her while interceding in keeping the vulnerable safe from the predators. Thus she cannot understand why she lets her neighbor police detective Reese Bareden sleep on her couch and his dog Cash to stay too while his trashed apartment is fixed up. Reese knows unassuming Alice hides a big secret from him and vows to learn what it is as he needs to get to know her. Ironically Reese knows the only time Alice seems to like him is when Cash is nearby begging for treats from her just like him though their treats differ.



Alice tries to rescue a girl, but interferes with a ruthless drug ring’s business operations. Reese vows to keep Alice safe though she handles a gun like a pro as he learns firsthand. As they fall in love, Reese struggles with his pledge to keep her safe as Alice seems to be a trouble magnet.



The second Love Undercover romantic suspense (see Run the Risk) is an enjoyable police procedural starring two brave souls. Although secondary character subplots slow the otherwise fast-paced storyline, readers will enjoy the adventures of the tough cop and the good Samaritan.



Harriet Klausner

All He Ever Dreamed-Shannon Stacey

All He Ever Dreamed


Shannon Stacey

Harlequin HQN, Apr 30 2013, $7.99

ISBN: 9780373777587



When their father died, Josh Kowalski took over running the family owned Northern Star Lodge in Whitford, Maine while his four older siblings pursued their dreams. Bone weary and resentful that he was left to handle the lodge Josh looks forward to leaving now that his brother agrees to manage the business.



Daughter of the Northern Star Lodge housekeeper Rose Davis, Katie has loved Josh since they were friends in elementary school. However, he thinks of her as one of the guys. However, his feelings become muddled after a passionate evening together. As he falls in love, Katie rejects Josh because she knows firsthand his dream is to leave Whitford, the lodge and consequently her behind.



The latest Kowalski contemporary romance (see All He Ever Desired) is an engaging tale of a wannabe wanderer and the female homesteader who has loved him unrequitedly for years. In some ways their present relationship will remind the audience of the leads in All He Ever Needed though Josh and Katie have a childhood friendship that could prove baggage or foundation. Readers will enjoy Josh’s turn at love.



Harriet Klausner

Dark Wolf-Kate Douglas

Dark Wolf


Kate Douglas

Kensington Aphrodisia, Apr 30 2013, $15.00

ISBN: 9780758288189



Alex Aragut calls his best friend Lily Cheval to tell her another raped and murdered victim was found near the Chanku Pack home in Montana. Living in San Francisco, Lily knows that makes five in her home state and three in her adopted city. She fears the rogue ripping out throats like a wolf will bring the humans agitated by Aldo to hunt her Chanku.



Sebastian and Lily attend the same gala. She wonders if he is shifter and evil like his father. He believes her aura is incredible. Lily is attracted to Sebastian but senses a dark magic yet it is not malevolent like his father. They run as wolves together, but abruptly he acts possessed and goes to rape her. Lily gets Sebastian back to normal. Sebastian is ashamed with what he did though he does not remember it. She shocks him when she invites him to her place for sex as both knows there is a connection beyond heat. However, evidence mounts that he is the rapist-killer.



The first Spirit Wild next generation Chanku romantic fantasy stars a nice surprising pairing as fans expected the two oldest offspring (Alex and Lily) to mate; instead each found a different mate (his being another pack offspring). The underlying premise of whether Sebastian is a murderer-rapist is deftly handled. Although the Chanku leaders failure to follow up on rogue military shifters seem out of character for these extremely cautious individuals, readers will appreciate Kate Douglas continuing her fabulous saga with a super twisting thriller.



Harriet Klausner