Product Description
For Genevieve Terrence it seemed like a dream come true: a weekend alone on Maui with her sexy boss, Nick Brogan. But little did she know that Nick had dreams of his own--a nefarious scheme that nearly got her killed on the flight over the Pacific. Lucky for her, brilliant computer programmer Jack Farley was on board and quick-witted enough to crash-land the plane. Now Jack is her sole companion on a remote desert island with nothing but guava trees and sharks for company. Who’d expect the shy genius--and the least alpha male she knows--to turn out to be the uninhibited stud of her wildest dreams?

Saving Genevieve’s life has made Jack a hero in the eyes of the woman he has secretly lusted after for months. Now they’re alone together in a tropical eden where they’re free to give in to their every sensual whim. But when some nasty unfinished business puts them at risk again, Gen will learn there’s nothing quite as dangerous as a fully aroused ex-nerd who’ll move heaven and earth to protect the woman he loves… ... Read more

Customer Reviews (83)

Well, it didn't suck...
I was looking for something silly to read and ran across the 2nd book in this series, so I decided to give it a try. I won't say I was disappointed because it really was mostly what I was looking for, but I think the author tried too hard with the characters. I didn't find any of them all that likable. Even nerds have self-esteem, ya know. And Gen was... well, a bitch... with her "I'll teach you" stuff. There were some sex scenes, which I wasn't really expecting, but they weren't anything to write home about and felt a little out of place with the rest of the book. I think those could have been toned down or glazed over. I think the author is usually a romance writer that tried her hand at something different. Having said that, it held my interest enough that I'll give the 2nd book a read at some point this year.

light, fun read
I'm an occasional romance reader, and I enjoyed this cute, sometimes silly, romp. The dialog was a bit contrived at times, but I found myself liking Jack and Gen and cheering them on.

Marooned on a deserted island with six condoms....what's a nerd to do?
I liked this. A lot. Nerd In Shining Armor was my first Nerd book and I thought it was a lot of fun. I'll be honest and confess that I barely read the parts with Genevieve's mother and Matt. I was too impatient to get back to Jack and Gen, and even after having read only half a book, I still loved it and was very satisfied.

Even though I know Gen's accent and hillbilly ways was just a fluffy bit of schtik, I still enjoyed it. It just got funnier and funnier, though I'll admit, sometimes it was laid on a little thick. Jack was hilarious and I liked that despite how desperate he was for Gen, he wasn't a pushover. I also thought his cluelessness about the great outdoors was hysterical and the continued bit about the shark was really funny.

The plot involving Nick wasn't very interesting, though I could have cared less. Once Jack and Genevieve were marooned on that island, I was enjoying every minute. The moment Gen spotted her suitcase and I remembered what was in them, I hooted and cheered. That nerd was finally going to get some!! The sex they had was really hot and the pirate and innocent maiden fantasy that both of them played out was also really amusing. After I read this book, I began eyeing all the nerds in my office and also started secretly measuring their thumbs....

I highly recommend Nerd In Shining Armor as a funny read. It may not be great literature but it was a most enjoyable way to pass the time. Even though I didn't read the secondary plot with Genevieve's mom and Matt, I saw the handwriting on the wall with those two so I was happy for them. I just couldn't tear myself away from Jack and Gen long enough to indulge in their story. I'll admit that Gen's refusal to see their relationship surviving once they were rescued was very silly and marred my enjoyment of the book, but oh well. I loved it anyway. Enjoy!!

Cute but very lite.
Nerd in Shining Armor by Vicki Lewis Thompson is saved from being the same old Cheerleader falls for Nerd by several interesting plot twists.It is also fun and entertaining, but the tale lacks highs and could have used just a touch more danger.The healthy sexual attitudes were refreshing but everybody was just a little too nice to be believable.The bad guy was scary at times, but nobody was really afraid of him.Even though it was a bit too much like a fairy tale, it made for a nice quite afternoon read.The author showed true originality with her selection of characters and situations and I suspect she may yet come out with a block buster one day.

Very cute book
Light, entertaining read. I enjoyed the "nerdy" Jackson, but thought the author tried to interject too many redneck phrases into the dialogue of Gen's character. I've got family in Tennessee's backwoods myself, and while I have personally heard quite a few of those phrases it seemed the writer was sticking them everywhere willy-nilly throughout the book and it got annoying. Still, I found the book entertaining besides that, and many parts had me laughing out loud. You'll wish you could find yourself a tall, scruffy computer programmer once you're done reading. ... Read more

Product Description

With a Stetson and a Smile by Vicki Lewis Thompson

New York investment banker Quinn Monroe has never beenthe knight-in-shining-armor type. But then again, he's never been propositioned by the likes of gorgeous Jo Fletcher before. She desperately needs a cowboy to help her save her ranch. Unfortunately, Quinn knows more about buying and selling than roping and riding. But for one of Jo's smiles, he'll try anything--even if it means risking his neck...and his heart.

The Bridesmaid's Bet by Christie Ridgway

Always a bridesmaid, Francesca Milano bet her family that the next wedding she'd be in would be her own! So she started taking lessons in seduction from Brett Swenson--the irresistible but brooding bachelor next door--and discovered that she longed to give her innocence to Brett, the man she'd always loved from afar. But once this marriage-resistant man claimed her as his woman, would he ever see her as his bride?

Product Description

The Wrangler

Travis Evans loved beautiful women--and Gwen Hawthorne was defintely a beauty. But before he could make Gwen his, another tiny female stole his heart.

His Woman

Gwen Hawthorne had a weakness for cowboys-especially hunky. Travis Evans. She'd been able to resist the love'em and leave'em cowpoke...until he showed up with a baby. His baby.

His Baby...?

Gwen might have been able to withstand Travis's sensual assault when he was just a charming cowboy. But when Don Juan turned into Mr. Mom, she was lost. As a lover, Travis was her every fantasy in the flesh. But Gwen knew her happiness was short-lived. Because where there was a baby, there was a mother...

Customer Reviews (3)

Steamy and hilarious!
"Two in the Saddle" is the second in the "Three Cowboys and a Baby" series by Thompson.Knowledge of the first book helps but is not required.

In this installment, we meet lighthearted playboy Travis, who seems to be able to get any woman he wants ... except for Gwen, his boss's best friend.Gwen's had it with lighthearted playboy men and wants nothing to do with Travis!

This is a wonderfully funny, engaging read with well-crafted characters and a lot of steamy eroticism.Truly a joy to read.I liked how Travis become something other than what we originally expect, and how we come to know Gwen and her deep insecurities.(And, despite how un-PC this is, I loved the cover!Yum.)

However, I must quibble with two things.First, I hate it when the female characters really don't want anything to do with the guy, yet their bodies "betray them" and they're overcome with lust.I know this was a popular theme 20-30 years ago, but aren't we past that now?Second, the theme holding this series together, baby Elizabeth, is a little tough to swallow.

However, if you can get past these two points, this is a very well-written, funny, engaging read by Thompson.Enjoy!

Great book..continuing a really good series!
This series of books is wonderful!It has passion, romance and mystery.Just who is baby Elizabeth's daddy?In this book we meet another cowboy who thinks he is the father of the baby.Is he?When will Jessica returnto tell everyone what's going on?Read it and find out!I look forward toreading the next book in the series, Boone's Bounty.This is a reallygreat book with a lot of passion and sexy scenes!Any Harlequin Temptationreader will thoroughly enjoy it!

Definitely interesting
Hunky cowboy Travis (in the role of best man) tries to pick up bridesmaid Gwen at their mutual close friends wedding. He an extroverted playboy, and she a reserved, domesticated woman with dreams of white gowns , burst intoflames with their attraction for each other. The only complications...sherefuses him saying she needs commitment, he pleads with her saying he can'tcommit, and a minor detail...a baby. This is one of the book in the series"Three cowboys and a baby", in which one of three drunk cowboysimpregnate a woman, all of them thinking it's themselves, with nobodyknowing who the father is till the last book. In this book, Travis is sureit's his, and Gwen too, disapprovingly, thinks it's Travis who's theirresponsible father, putting more distance between them as Gwen worriesthe mother will appear on the scene and cause problems. Needless to say, atthe risk of revealing too much, things work out in the end with Travisletting out his 'big' secret of why his lifestyle is what it is. A nice,interesting story...something different.The only negative aspect is thatthe characters are somehow lacking in something. But adding the equation ofa reluctant girl, a big-muscled hunk who can change diapers, and lots ofattraction, it adds up to a good book. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (23)

Almost made me want to see Alaska...
Let's get one thing straight - I hate the cold.But, reading this installment of Ms. Thompson's "Nerd" series had me wishing I was stuck in a hotel room with my honey during an Alaskan winter's night.Talk about steamy?!Whoo-ey!

Gone Wild and Long Winded
Thompson has written another delightful book.The story is full of intrigue, twists and turns. There are ample "multis" mentioned and how
they come about.The plot is rather interesting and so are the love episodes.I found this book to be a bit long.Also at the end, she
condenses things very much and the concluding paragraphs are too weak.
Ally is either dead or somewhere else other than reality.Her proposal
to Mitchell is surprising but the setting seems so staged. And why does she take so long?Why is Mitch planning on returning to L.A. without giving his Love a chance? As a private investigator, he seems unaware of his own feelings toward Ally or the possible outcomes that can result from
their orgasitic relationship? Why is he so professional when there is more than sex realized?And why is the action dragged out so long.
I enjoyed the book. Would I try reading it again? NO.This is not the case with some of her other books.The "constant entertainment" starts getting a bit thin.Yet Thompson is an excellent writer and uses
great descriptors.

Favorite Nerd
Other reviewers have given a plot run down so I won't do a repeat. I just wanted to say that this is my favorite of the 'Nerd' series...so far. They're all great and I would recommed every one. This just made me laugh the most, which is saying a lot because their all hilarious. If you haven't read the 'Nerds' then you're missing out! And if you like this author then try Jennifer Crusie.

Originally Posted on Romance Junkies in 2005
The third book in Ms. Thompson's on-going NERD Series, NERD GONE WILD does everything but fail to disappoint. This book joins together another no-nonsense heroine in the form of spunky Ally Jarrett, a nerd-in-disguise hero, Mitchell Carruthers, and a set of chilly circumstances that's bound to heat up even the most jaded romance reader.

For Ally, there's only been on goal for as long as she can remember-head to Alaska, that glacial state where moose outnumber humans ten to one, and take photographs of the wildlife. So, her grandmother died and left her millions? That's nothing but a blip on her Alaska-trekking radar. So, she needs to sign about a million pages of paperwork to transfer deeds, settle estates, take charge of stocks? She can do that, if scrawling her name will get her on that plane to the wilderness faster. So, she has to deal with pencil-pushing, fashion-failure Mitchell to get all of her grandmother's affairs in order? It's a tough task, but if it will lead to escape in the freezing wilds of Alaska, she'll do what she needs to do.

She arrives in Porcupine, Alaska, free of social restraints and one wardrobe-challenged legal adviser, and she's finally free to embark on the adventures that Alaska has to offer. Sort of. That is, she would have been able to embark on adventures, if she hadn't been waylaid by Betsy, the proprietor of the Loose Moose lodge, on her way out the door with her camera. And if one Mitchell Carruthers, dressed in a gigantic orange parka that appeared to be the offspring of a mating between a giant emergency cone and a dreamsicle, hadn't shown up at the lodge just as she was attempting to leave. And, of course, if a blizzard roaring into town hadn't forced said fashion-disaster, geek in a suit, nerd with a pocket protector, to become the second guest at a lodge in the middle of nowhere.

Mitchell, of course, isn't just a card-carrying member of Nerds-R-Us. He's a private investigator and a bodyguard, masquerading as a simple assistant to Ally's late grandmother. He was hired to do much more than protect the financial assets of the Jarrett fortune-but he seems to be getting side-tracked by the very personal assets of one Miss Ally Jarrett. Too bad Ally can't do anything but shudder at his geek disguise every time she looks at him.

What follows is a hilarious romp through the Alaskan wilderness, some chilly days avoiding danger, and some hot, hot nights between the sheets. Kudos to Ms. Thompson for another great NERD book. I, for one, can't wait to see what comes next.

Disappointing
This author has so much potential, but fails to deliver a great book. This book was boring to say the least. It takes place in Alaska, around a bar called the Top Hat and the inn they stay at with a unusual owner by the name of Betsy. Ally is boring, Mitch is boring, the only part of the story that was not boring was the strip poker game. I did not get Vivian's weird sex ideas and how they even relate to the story at all. I felt annoyedby the emphasis she put on it (I am far from being a prude). But it had no barring on the story what so ever.

The story line here was boring also, a rich woman and her not so nerdy assistant/bodyguard. This book was titled Nerd Gone Wild. He was not even really a nerd. Disappointing. The ending was abrupt and blah. And the letter written to Ally at the end (stupid) why would someone do that. I guess Ally counld not figure it out on her own how much she cared about Mitch. Save your money and skip this one.

This is the second Nerd book by this author that I have purchased and it will be my last. If you want to try one try - Nerd in Shining Armor. It was better that this disaster. ... Read more

Product Description

Bringing Up Baby New Year by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Joe Northwood had it made. He came home every night to find the pillows fluffed, his sheets drawn back...and his libido in overdrive, courtesy of his sexy housekeeper. As the New Year approached, Joe's resolution was to get his fantasy woman to play house as well as clean it. But when he caught Darcie O'Banyon under the mistletoe, he got more than he bargained for. Darcie had a baby--and the tiny boy called him Da-da....

Frisky Business by Tracy South

Laura Everett was serious, ambitious and nursing a crush on office hunk Kyle Sanders. Their continuous fighting, however, got them shipped out to the wilderness to learn to cooperate--or else. But when they found out their company was at risk they did more than cooperate--they escaped with a car that was "not technically stolen" to stop the merger. Losing their jobs was the least of their worries, when they were both close to losing their hearts....

Product Description
Emma Gavin writes about werewolves, but that doesn't mean she believes in them-not until a pack of real-life New York weres decide to investigate the striking accuracy of her "fiction".

When Aiden Wallace, son and heir of the pack leader, tries to sniff out Emma's potential informant, he discovers something even more dangerous- an undeniable attraction to her. ... Read more

Product Description

Two red-hot reads by New York Times and USA TODAYbestselling author Vicki Lewis Thompson

Two in the Saddle

Travis Evans loved beautiful women--and Gwen Hawthorne was definitely a beauty. But before he could make Gwen his, another tiny female stole his heart. Gwen might have been able to withstand Travis's sensual assault when he was just a charming cowboy. But when Don Juan turned into Mr. Mom, she was lost. Gwen knew her happiness was short-lived, though. Because where there was a baby, there had to be a mother....

Boone's Bounty

Boone Connor liked being a loner. Women just got a guy into trouble--and Shelby McFarland had trouble written all over her. But Boone couldn't leave her and her young nephew stranded in a storm. Just as he couldn't help falling for her and her too-tempting body. But as good as they were together, Boone couldn't make Shelby any promises. Because he'd just discovered he had a baby girl....

Product Description
New York Times bestselling author Vicki Lewis Thompson definitely knows her cowboys. . .

TV talk show host Meg Delaney needs a surefire way to boost ratings. Her solution? To introduce her viewers to "The Hottest Cowboy in the West"--once she finds him that is. Luckily, after one trip to the Circle W Ranch, Meg finds her man. . .because they don't come any hotter than rancher Clint Walker! Only, before sharing him with her audience, Meg can't resist keeping this lean, hard cowboy all to herself for a while. . .

There's no way Clint is going to strut his stuff on national television--even for a gorgeous woman like Meg. Still, he'd be a fool not to park his boots beside her bed for a few nights. . .After all, Meg isn't the first woman to fall for his killer cowboy charm. But she's about to be the last. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

From J. Kaye's Book Blog
I couldn't get into the characters of this story. I didn't like Meg. And well, it's hard to get into the story after finding that out. Clint was fine, better than fine, in fact. But that Meg...

On the first page, when it refers to Meg watching Captain Kangaroo at a tender age, I wondered how old she was? Also, the story itself was a bit lame. The characters were very well developed and the ending was as good as it was going to get considering my feelings about Meg.

Another thing, and maybe the second most important is after reading the word "yummy", it all went downhill for me. This word has been popping up everywhere. It's gotten to the point, if I read the word "yummy" again I'm going to have to go back to watching television. To be fair though, this book was written a few years back. Still, that word - ugh!

Charming, Sexy, Fun......a great cowboy story
If you want steamy, fun, humor, sexy well you've got it with this book.I loved this story and it's HQN Temptations 1000 book.As Vicki says in the intro to this book, her appearance on the on Regis and Kelly Show gave her career an additional boost.

This book is a story of a sexy cowboy who meets a sexy morning show co-host whose ratings are sinking.After an off the shoulder comment about her dating life on her talk show, she is thrown into a cowboy contest and meets sexy Clint.Their love story begins and it's so hot!You'll love this book. ... Read more

Product Description

The Blacksmith

Boone Connor liked being a loner, plain and simple. In his estimation, women just got a guy into trouble. And he had enough of that already...

His Woman

Shelby McFarland and her young nephew were on the run. When a freak snowstorm left them stranded, she though the game was over--until a strong sexy cowboy came to their rescue...

His Baby?

Boone couldn't resist helping a lady in distress, andy more than he could help falling for her--hard and fast! Shelby's lips tempted him, teased him, and her gorgeous body pushed him beyond reason. But as good as they were together, Boone couldn't make Shelby any promises. Because he'd just discovered he had a baby girl...

Customer Reviews (4)

Boone makes this story!
"Boone's Bounty" is the third installment of the "Three Cowboys and a Baby" series by Thompson.Knowledge of the previous two books helps but is not required.

In this particular installment, Boone is driving back home to meet up with his friends and see the baby he thinks is his when he runs into a blizzard.While waiting for the blizzard to pass, he comes to the aid of a woman and a child who appear to be running from something that terrifies them.He goes to their aid, bringing them back with him to the ranch.And he falls in love, despite his avowal to straighten out the situation with baby Elizabeth first.

The characters in this particular installment of "Three Cowboys" are wonderful, if out of the ordinary for this genre.Boone is especially engaging -- a caring, comforting puppydog of a man with a heart as big as the rest of him.Thompson adds a lot of humor and some steamy sensuality to make this particular installment a good, entertaining, heart-warming read.

My only complaint with this book, as with the rest of the series, is that the baby Elizabeth hook, while sweet, is simply not all that believable.But if you can put any disbelief aside and transcend that, this is a wonderful, engaging book with charming characters.

Can't wait till the next one
The two books before this were great.I just finished reading this one and I got a preview for her last one in this series.It comes out in September and I can't wait.If you want a few books that will get yousaying "ahww" a lot and make you warm and tingly, buy them all!

Well Written
This story hooks you right from the beginning.The author makes you care about the characters and provides background if you have not read the two previous in the series.

I'm disappointed
I was disappointed with this book.It wasn't anywhere near as good as the previous story lines.And she's writing another.It had better be better than this one because this was no good. ... Read more

Product Description

JUST WHISTLE
There's no way jaded Zachary Evans will help new grad Hannah Robertson land a swishy publishing gig. What's the point? She can't even hail a cab! But Hannah knows what Zach needs to find his inner optimism. It's called S-E-X...in NYC.

DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION
Rachel Marlowe doesn't know a thing about her super-secretive lover Roman Brach. Sure, the sex is great. But why does he jump at every pager beep? Heck, it's enough to have him followed. Hmm. Now there's an idea....

TAKEN FOR A RIDE
No sale! Psychic Sabina Amanar is never going to sell her grandmother's East Village storefront, even if it is worth millions. Real-estate developer Alec Harnett predicts Sabina will cave. But first he's got to wine her, dine her...and then fall in love.

Customer Reviews (2)

heartstrings will be pulled
vlt's anthology is a great combo of stories, although bachelor father is somewhat far-fetched with the ending.

Quite funny and engaging
I gave this book a 4 star rating mainly because it was funny. The book actually contains three complete stories (and they are each about 150 pages each). The three stories are all about manly cowboys living in the midwest and are called "Manhunting in Montana," "Bachelor Father," and "Pure Temptation." The first story invloves a photographer who heads out to Montana to shoot a beefcake calendar. She ends up falling for the rancher who owns the place she visits and fun and frolick ensues. Pure Tempatation is a story of childhood friends that take friendship to the next level. I enjoyed the quick wit in both of these stories and found they ended much too soon. The only sleeper in the book is Bachelor Father - it's about a baby that results from a one night stand; I thought the chemistry in the story was really fake and the story was just really droopy. All in all it's a fun read and worth the time if you can find it. ... Read more

Product Description

Summer Projects:
1) Get in shape
2) Prepare for NY move
3) Lose virginity

Tess Blakely's innocence is getting downright embarrassing. But growing up in a small town with four very big brothers ...well, she might as well have been wearing a chastity belt. She's read loads of books about sex, but now she needs some hands-on training. And her best friend, "Mac" MacDougal, looks like the perfect teacher....

Mac can't believe the sexy siren propositioning him is the girl he's known forever. Suddenly Tess is on his mind, in his fantasies ...and setting the sheets on fire in his bed! And he's thinking about keeping her there indefinitely. But Tess is supposed to leave at the end of the summer. And Mac can only hope their blazing nights together mean more to her than research...

Customer Reviews (9)

Sizzling hot!
This enchanting read is about the relationship of two best friends. Tess Blakely, a 26 year old virgin needed her best friend's help, Jeremiah 'Mac' MacDougal to find a sex partner for her. The assignment? Lost virginity. The reason? She was preparing her NY moves, and she was embrassed if anybody know her virgin status. Mac suggested himself as he vowed to keep this assignment to secrecy (after all, he was her best friend). The last thing that both of them expected from this arrangement is simply fallingin love with each other. Fast paced and quick witted, not to forget, funny, this is an engaging story with lots of steamy scene. Tess' four very big brothers were simply adorable even though they are over protective about her. Who would have thought that Tess would be falling hard for her own best friend? After all, Mac was her best friend and was considered as an honorary Blakely, like a fifth brother inside the family. A wonderful contemporary short romance, this will surely delights readers. The book will surely touch a woman's soft spot about her own's vunerability.

Nobody does it better!
Vicki Lewis Thompson has a way with words that outshines many, many other authors.Her first Blaze is one of the best!Hot, funny, hot, intelligent...did I say hot?A fresh concept, a playful tone...a great book.DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!

Steamy sex but lots of verbage.
Overall this is a good book. I'd give it 5 stars for the love scenes,however the amount of verbage lowers the book rating.

WOW!
Vicki Thompson Lewis sure can scorch the sheets! Always with love in the foreground, these two characters enact some eye-opening foreplay. Good story, good steam, good read.

Very sexy, extremely emotionally intense read!
This is a fabulous book. I hope it wins the RITA for short contemporary romance. It is one of the best short contemporaries I've read this year,and definitely the *best* BLAZE I've read, and many of them have been*very* good. I agree with what the other people above said, very HOT, and Ilove a hot read. The premise for the conflict is very believable, and Ipersonally love a "friends become lovers" plot. I also felt thesmall town theme was extremely well done. I, too, am now looking for moreof VLT's books! :) ... Read more

Product Description
From New York Times bestselling authors Katie Macalister, Vicki Lewis Thompson and National bestselling author Connie Brockway:

Stories full of magic, love-and cats.

This one-of-a-kind-all-original anthology features stories by three bestselling superstar authors starring the mysterious, mischievous, and magical matchmaking felines of the Cupid Cats Animal Shelter, who assist their owners in finding romance and true love. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Finding the purrfect relationship . . .
Truer words were never writ!

After a confusing beginning, //Unleashed// by Katie MacAlister whisks you to join a were-jaguar at the Cupid Cats Shelter. Not being into were-anythings or vampires, my belief didn't quite suspend that far. There's some wacky dialogue between Wildlife Protection Officer Jacintha Ferreira, and her sister Corazon, even before were-jaguar therion, Avery Scott, becomes a tall, dark, handsome stranger. Ms. MacAlister has a devoted following, so I'm definitely the exception here.

Can anyone hijack a story from a winsome child and an aging cat? Don't underestimate Dr. Edie Handleman of the Shelter. When her day-job boss appears at the shelter, seeking a kitten for Chloe, his small daughter, Chloe chooses Ishy. Trouble starts when Chloe decides Ishy is really Pixie, long-lost cat of the mother she'd never known. Connie Brockway's //Cat Scratch Fever// demonstrates why she's a national best-selling author.


//A Cat's Game// by Vicki Lewis Thompson re-unites high-school sweethearts Jon Ramsey, an almost Oscar-winning hunk, and Kate Archer, a primatologist just back from a trip to the Amazon after discovering a new species of monkey. But then along comes Darwin, a turquoise-eyed cat adopted from the Shelter. He's a cool cat on a wet tin roof!


Reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

three fun lightheaded feline romances
"Unleashed" by Katie MacAlister.Fish and Wildlife Officer Jacintha "kitty whisperer" Ferreira arrives at the Cupid Cats shelter to investigate a Moravian jaguar inside with a hangover.Instead of just a large feline she finds voices in her head courtesy of vampire Avery Scott.

"Cat Scratch Fever" by Connie Brockway.In Chicago, Widower Jim Curran takes his five years old Chloeto the nearby animal shelter so she can pick a kitten as her pet.However, the little girl insiststhat an elderly cat is her late mother's long-missing Pixie.While her father and shelter director Dr. Edith Handelman know that is impossible, no one bothered to tell the cat.

"A Cat's Game" by Vicki Lewis Thompson. While her sister is on vacation, Kate Archer manages her sibling's bed and breakfast in Bisbee, Arizona.Her first arrival is her high school sweetheart Jon Ramsey.It is the newly adopted cat who plays matchmaker.

These are three fun lightheaded feline romances as a cat stars in Kate MacAlister's urban fantasy and plays matchmaker in the other two tales.

Harriet Klausner

These cats are supposedly magical and will indeed bring romance into the life of the ladies who adopted them.
Cupid Cats:
Unleashed by Katie MacAlister
A Cat's Game by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Cat Scratch Fever by Connie Brockway
Paranormal Romance - July 6, 2010
4 Stars

Cupid Cats is a collection of three stories from three different writers, but as the title suggests, they all have magical cats in common. Or specifically, cats from Cupid Cats Shelter, whose tagline is "bring a little magic and love into your life - adopt a cat." These cats are supposedly magical and will indeed bring romance into the life of the ladies who adopted them.

In Unleashed by MacAlister, the plot revolves around a Morovian, were-jaguar (who was found in Cupid Cats shelter) and a wildlife officer. So even though, it's not strictly about a normal kitty from the shelter, there's still a cat involved, albeit a big one. MacAlister is a zany writer. She's not exactly my cup of tea, but I can't help but be amused by the characters that keep popping up. First, a vampire were-jaguar, next an elf. Before you know it, the whole story becomes a circus with wild and crazy things happening. If you like goofiness and vampires, you will like Unleashed.

A Cat's Game by Thompson has a whole different vibe to it. Superstar actor Jon goes off to Bisbee, a remote town, for a much needed getaway only to meet up with his ex-high school girlfriend. Needless to say, she comes with a cat that she got from Cupid Cats Shelter. Through funny and cute circumstances, the magical kitty works his charm to bring the lovers together. A sweet and really cute story, this will make readers go `aww. I do like the kitty, but I think the secret star of this story is Esmeralda, the unabashedly hippy and weird shelter lady. Her character is so cheesy and clichéd that I bet the author must be having a blast each time she has to write scenes with Esmeralda in it.

But my favorite story out of these three has to be Cat Scratch Fever by Brockway. The father of a little girl, who is dead set in adopting this mysterious elderly cat, falls in love with the eccentric lady who manages the shelter. Edith is a shy woman who does not know how to socialize with others. But somehow, Jim Curran fell in love with her. Of course, there's a kitty involved. Her name is Ishy-Pixie, the cat that the little girl firmly believes belongs to her dead mother but disappeared on the night her mother died. Using these three main characters, Brockway concocts a marvelous, heart wrenching love story that had me tearing up! Brockway has a gift for creating life-like characters with quirks and flaws. For example, when Edith gets nervous, she starts using words with at least five syllables. Its little things like these that make her story stand out. I really enjoyed Cat Scratch Fever and will definitely re-read it again...with my own kitty next to me.

Reviewed by Pauline from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
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Customer Reviews (5)

Hot
The only thing you can say about Carly is sizzling! Once you start her books you can't put them down. This one is no exception.

Fantastic.
3 short stories that took me 1 day to read.They centre round the "Sexcapades" book at Devine events.So far I have read 5 of these stories including 2 by Julie Elizabeth Leto but I read them in the wrong order.Looking for trouble (Leto) is 1st, then these 3 stories & after that Micki Carmichael's story Up to no good is last.Micki is the twin of Rory from Looking for trouble.I don't no if there are any more of these Sexcapades stories out there but i'm going to try & find out.I love them, they are fantastic.

His Every Fantasy was perfect!
This was a very good story. I like Janelle Denison stuff.

It was along the lines of Lori Foster's "Annie Get Your Guy"... sort of... Here's my own version of what this story was about~
Jace Rutelage is a long time friend of Leah Burton's family. He's had the hots for her for awhile now, but with an alcoholic mother, and having a father who skipped town when Jace was just a kid, it's caused Jace to be weary and insecure, esp. where relationships are concerned. Even though he's brought himself out of the slums, owning his own thriving garage, he still feels unworthy of the classic beauty Leah.

But when she comes to him with a favor, a favor that has his insides heating and his blood pumping, he's more than willing to prove he's the man for the job.

Leah has gotten a marriage proposal. She should be thrilled, elated, to have a handsome man like Brent ask her to be his wife. But, when there's not even the least hint of sexual sparks she's worried. Worried she's lacking in what it takes to turn a man on. So, she enlists the help of her good friend Jace. What Jace doesn't know is that this is her chance to quench a thirst that Leah's had for the sexy rugged man for as long as she could remember.

But when her heart becomes involved, Leah is even more reluctant to marry cold-fish Brent. What's a girl to do? Steal an episope from the book "Sexcapades" and perform for Jace, in the hopes that she'll be all the woman he could ever want... of course!

This was a fun story with some sexy love scenes and endearing characters...

Promising concept fizzles out
It's difficult to be captured by stories that seem to have been rushed. The whole Sexcapades thing was a promising concept, but the stories fail to deliver the amount of romance and eroticism that said concept required. All three novellas lack story development. The characters jump into the sack before the reader gets to know them. There's no building of sexual or romantic tension. Janelle Denison is one of my favorite erotic romance writers, but His Every Fantasy is an enormous disappointment. I couldn't finish Carly Phillips's Going All the Way. The aforementioned novella had more cliches than the average romance novel. Vicki Lewis Thompson's Illicit Dreams is passable, albeit insubstantial. All in all, Invitations to Seduction is a feeble effort. I'll stick to Kensington Brava anthologies from now on.

three �Sexcapades� tales are all hot, exciting and fun
"Going All the Way" by Carly Phillips.In Chicago, Regan no longer needs the services of Divine Events since her fiancé dumped her.As the best man at his friend's wedding, Sam is in town for the nuptials.He and Regan meet at Divine Events and both feel instant desire.They share a fantasy weekend, but also fall in love. Will they recognize their feelings in time to join the mile high club as a recurring duet?

"Illicit Dreams" by Vickie Lewis Thompson.Once again her apartment neighbor Hunter awakens her with his marathon sexual performance that leaves Lindsay desiring the same from him, but is six cups to small to compete with "Silicon Sally".When Hunter makes love to Pamela, but dreams of Lindsay he knows he needs to make Lindsay his forever, but she thinks his girlfriend dumped him and refuses to be a rebound romance.

"His Every Fantasy" by Janelle Denison.Since her boyfriend seems immune to her attempts to arouse him, Leah turns to her brother's best friend Jace for sexual mentoring.Once Jace recovers from the brazen offer, he refuses for fear of destroying friendships until Leah threatens to find some other stud.Jace has loved Leah from afar for years; she reciprocates.So once in bed together, there is no turning back.

These three "Sexcapades" tales are all hot, exciting and fun.The key is that in each case the lead couples are likable in and out of the sheets.The only drawback to this anthology is that it is too hot for July beach reading so to avoid embarrassment stick to the AC (active companion).

Harriet Klausner ... Read more

Product Description
At the dawn of the twenty-first century it is hard toimagine a time when this countrys coal miners and mill workerswere elementary-school aged boys. But nine decades ago, it wasentirely common to find a seven-year-old boy selling a newspaper,digging in the fields, or standing in an assembly line. PhotographerLewis W. Hines images of these child workers serve as disturbingevidence of Americas dark side, a time before common beliefs aboutpoverty had shifted.Hines photographs inspired the Progressivereform movement and the professionalization of social work. With hiscamera, Hine (1874-1940) helped make possible the everlasting effortsof the National Child Labor Committee. Lewis Hine: Children at Workexplores the world of juvenile workers in mills, mines, canneries,fields, and city streets throughout America with shocking candor andinsight. Featuring large, high-quality black-and-white photographs,Children at Work is at once impressive and shocking, beautiful yetutterly heartbreaking. These are images that no adult American willsoon forget.The text, by the New York Times photographic criticVicki Goldberg, chronicles the aims of the NCLC as well as Hinesown personal history. A former factory worker and teacher, Hinespassion for photography developed out of his need to document thesocial conditions of his time. He traveled throughout the UnitedStates with his camera, hoping to spur anti-child labor lobbyists intoaction and bring about legislation to curb child labor. Hine was oneof this countrys earliest documentaries. His photographs had adramatic, dual effect: they would inspire legendary social change and,at the same time, imply dignity to laborers of all kinds in variousdifficult and menial occupations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Lewis W. Hine, Children At Work
A wonderful synopsis of the crisis that occurred between the late 1800's to the mid 1940's when Child Labor Laws weren't enacted or enforced.To see the life in these photos and the dangers surrounding the kids at work and just the lethargic expressions of a difficult life that they were born into, as young as 4 years of age!Unimaginable to think that this occurred not to long ago... can't imagine our kids going through this now.

A very Good Book
this was a excellent book. I have always thought occasionally about child labor but Brushed it off before long. However when i read this book it made it so real and I realized just how powerful its hold on the world had become. Once you read this book you see these children in your minds eye, mistreated and exploted worked to their death with a life not worth living because of selfish peoples never ending greed. Anyone that could do such things to children makes me wonder how far mankind has truly come.

A stirring book

This book makes history alive and real.
This book is wonderful. You gaze at the pictures and the children seem to stare back at you wanting to tell you their story. I teach social studiesand wanted to show my students what child labor in factories and mills wasactually like.It is disturbing to witness these barefoot, dirty childrenworking so hard for pennies. Hines photographs allow you, the reader, toview one moment in their lives. We have come so far and thankfully thistake of child abuse is no longer allowed in America. This book is awonderful addition to any classroom or library. We need to know our pastbefore we can shape the future. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Storyline/ Review
THE BOUNTY HUNTER - Vicki Lewis Thompson

Bounty hunter Gabe Escalante was hot on the trail of adangerous criminal. When he suspected gorgeous Dallas Wade was the next target, he vowed to watch over her. But soon Gabe wanted to be more than her bodyguard. Not only her life was at stake now... so was his heart.

Comments:
The romance is ok here- the setting is Tucson. Our heroine Dallas runs a hair salon in a big country western dance hall. She serves as a juror in a rape case and the guy she helps acquit gets fixated on her.
Gabe is a big bad bounty hunter with a bone to pick- his sister was the victim in the case Dallas served on. He knows the guy is guilty but has to work to get Dallas to realize the trouble she is now in.
The sparks between these two are electrifying. There is a nice dash of humor- the scenes with her dog getting out are HYSTERICAL!I laughed so hard- if you have dogs you will too.

This would be a great book to expand and add some depth to- the short Temptation format forces resolution a little quickly. Overall enjoyable read. (3.9) --.

Bounty hunter finds his prize
Gabe is a bounty hunter with a mission, find the rapist who raped his sister and got away with it, thanks to a not guilty verdict by the jury. Problem is, Dallas was on the jury. Gabe is attracted to Dallas from the first, but doesn't want to tell her she released a man who raped his sister, but after the rapist starts targeting Dallas as his next victem, Gabe is forced to protect the headstrong Dallas, whether she likes it or not. The romance moves quickly, and the love is believable, even though fast. I really liked Gabe's character a great deal, for a drifter. He was trying to avenge his sister, and trying to protect the woman he fell in love with. Dallas is a bit too headstrong, and she didn't figure out she helped a guilty man go free until the very end, but redeemed herself by using herself as bait. Its a great love story, lots of steam but not to the point of being just gratuitious porn. I think its an excellent read! ... Read more

Product Description
Sometimes reality can be hotter than fiction!

Mr. Valentine

by bestselling author

Vicki Lewis Thompson

Romance author Candy Valentine is actually the very rugged, very masculine Jack Killigan. But noboby knows that -- including his publisher! So when Jack discovers he's just been signed up to do a book tour, he's stuck . . . until he convinces his best friend, Krysta Luekenhoff, to be "Candy" for the week. Only, between sharing hotel rooms and reading Jack's steamy novel, Krysta's curiosity is at a fever pitch. Can Jack make love as well as he writes it? There's only one way to find out . . .

Thrill Me

A sassy new story by rising star

Leslie Kelly

Sophie Winchester is the all-American small-town girl -- except for her secret life creating mayhem as horror writer R. J. Colt. So when notes for her latest novel land on the desk of police chief Daniel Fletcher, he's convinced someone's out to murder her. How can she tell Daniel she's not in danger -- especially when she's so enjoying having Daniel protect her, day and night? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

I want to be a writer!
Liked both reads in one book!Great believable stories and the characters are so welcoming.Learned a little about what it means to be an up and coming writer.Maybe it will happen to me one day . . .

Mr.Valentine...
I recommended this book to a friend of mines and she bought it, no complaints as soon as you recieve this book into your hands your eyes will emmidiately will be dragged into the reading pages of vicky lewis thompson, the novel is excellent!!!!
YOU MUST BUY THIS BOOK , IS A MUST READING MATERIAL!!!!!!!!
with hot steemy passion and sweet chocolate rappers this is a must read!!!

Run don't walk...
It may sound cliche but sooo very true.If you haven't read Mr. Valentine then you are missing out!Ms. Thompson sure knows how to write a hero you could melt for.;-DOf course, Ms. Kelly keeps the heat turned high.I absolutely adore books that let you revisit past characters and places.I certainly can't wait for more.So...BRING ON MICK!

Two great authors in one winning book!
I have always loved Vicki Lewis Thompson and it was great to read one of my favorite of her stories. Leslie Kelly is fantastic and I've read every one of her books. This novella was an appetizer and left me wanting more. Sophie is my favorite of Leslie's heroines and I'd love to see more of her, she's just too sassy to be contained in a novella. It was also great to see more of the world Leslie created in last October's Temptation "Trick Me Treat Me".

Another great read!
Both stories, Mr. Valentine and Thrill Me were a fun combination to read, but Leslie Kelly's continuing story line made it even more enjoyable.I love the chance to catch up on the characters introduced in earlier works, and Ms. Kelly's done a great job with her follow up to Trick Me, Treat Me (also a great read with a laugh-out-loud story line!) But then who can resist a hunky lawman and a not-so-sweet church lady with a secret life on the side?

Ms. Kelly delivers another fresh story without falling into tired cliches or contrived conflicts, so buy Reading Between the Lines and curl up for an enjoyable night of pleasure!(Waiting impatiently for Mick's story coming in August with her single title debut, Killing Time.) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Humorous, heartfelt,caring and loving. Great story.
Excellent story.I couldn't put the book down.I loved all the cowboys being involved and Stoney learning to love.I will probably read it again before giving to someone else to read.Please write more along the same lines.Thank you for the enjoyment. ... Read more

Product Description
Bedazzled . . . the follow-up to Barbara Delinsky's Fulfillment.

Joy

by Jayne Ann Krentz

Sharing a Caribbean holiday seemed a perfectly sane way for solid, dependable Virginia Middlebrook and A. C. Ryerson to get better acquainted. But in a high-stakes poker game, they won a bracelet of uncommon beauty, and from that moment on, they barreled recklessly into love -- and adventure. Never before had they abandoned themselves to such joy. Or exposed themselves to such danger.

Impulse

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

April Foster had almost married Dan Butler once, but his cautious nature had gotten in the way. Eight years later, he was still attractive but unimaginative, and yet . . . something had changed. He now possessed an heirloom ring, a talisman of his parents' love, and it seemed to inspire Dan to act on impulse . . . satisfying all April's fantasies.

Trust

by Rita Clay Estrada

Growing up in a truck stop didn't put a damper on Katherine O'Malley's aspirations. She was going to be a top-notch secretary . . . and convince millionaire Clay Reynolds that she was perfect for him. But Clay didn't trust his emotions, so Katherine was forced to use her most precious possession as a weapon. She gave him her priceless talisman earrings . . . along with her heart. And he didn't stand a chance. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Reprint alert
"Joy" is by Jayne Ann Krentz. A couple take a Caribbean holiday together and win a lovely bracelet from a high-stakes poker game. They suddenly find themselves in danger.

"Impulse" is by Vicki Lewis Thompson. This couple almost wed eight years before. The hero of the story receives an heirloom ring from his mother. The couple decide to try their romance again.

"Trust" is by Rita Clay Estrada. A millionaire spies an uninvited guest at his party. He quickly found himself enthralled with the lady, who owned nothing but the clothes on her back and the priceless earrings she wore for luck.

... All three stories are copyright 1988. They are set in present time. Each contain a piece of jewelry that contain the magical emeralds from a historic family called Montclair. Personally, I loved the first and third in the book. The middle story I thought dragged too long. Not much seemed to happen. I admit to reading only half of it before moving on to the third story, so it may have picked up later in the story. However, if a book has not captured me in the first chapter, much less half way through it, I feel the need to move on. On a side note, this novel is a follow-up to Barbara Delinsky's book, "Fulfillment". All-in-all, I recommend it for some great reading.

Not bad.
"Joy" is by Jayne Ann Krentz. A couple take a Caribbean holiday together and win a lovely bracelet from a high-stakes poker game. They suddenly find themselves in danger.

"Impulse" is by Vicki Lewis Thompson. This couple almost wed eight years before. The hero of the story receives an heirloom ring from his mother. The couple decide to try their romance again.

"Trust" is by Rita Clay Estrada. A millionaire spies an uninvited guest at his party. He quickly found himself enthralled with the lady, who owned nothing but the clothes on her back and the priceless earrings she wore for luck.

*** All three stories are copyright 1988. They are set in present time. Each contain a piece of jewelry that contain the magical emeralds from a historic family called Montclair. Personally, I loved the first and third in the book. The middle story I thought dragged too long. Not much seemed to happen. I admit to reading only half of it before moving on to the third story, so it may have picked up later in the story. However, if a book has not captured me in the first chapter, much less half way through it, I feel the need to move on. On a side note, this novel is a follow-up to Barbara Delinsky's book, "Fulfillment". All-in-all, I recommend it for some great reading. *** ... Read more