Tuesday, 26 February 2013

Marrying the “Sex Magnet” Magnate

This British invasion is less racy than the last

An Offer She Can’t Refuse
By: Emma Darcy    

The Setting: Modern times, Dubai/Santorini/Sydney   

The Happy Couple:
Chris(tina) Savalas – an aspiring model turned mother with a guarded heart
Ari Zavros – a sexy Greek business magnate (who’s used to getting what he wants)

The Set-Up: Four years ago, Ari met Christina in Sydney while on business. She was an impressionable 18-year-old model wannabe; he was a suave older man who stole her heart (and her virginity)! The two lost touch, only to meet again years later at a hotel in Dubai. Ari thinks Christina looks beautiful as always, but is shocked to learn she has a five-year-old son who looks exactly like him.

The Issue: Tina never thought she’d see Ari again. When their eyes lock across the Dubai restaurant, she realizes she must finally come clean about the paternity of her son, Theo. Ever the traditional Greek man, Ari believes in upholding the traditional gender roles, believing they should marry to provide a stable family environment for Theo. But how can Tina marry the man that broke her heart?

Happily Ever After: Tina can’t deny she’s still physically attracted to Ari. The wedding, honeymoon, and first months of marriage pass by in a blur, as Tina all the while keeps her heart guided against a man she still doesn’t fully trust. When tragedy strikes, and Tina’s life hangs in the balance, she finally learns she means everything to Ari.

Scandalous Scale: Getting Steamy  

The Verdict: At first, this story kept reminding me of Bad Boys and Baby Drama, they both had bad boys and surprise kid drama. Ari and Jed seem to be cut from the same cloth, both used to getting their own way, no matter what their lady loves think about anything. If you’re looking for character development, good writing, or an interesting plot, look elsewhere. The settings are beautiful though, especially the description of Burj Al Arab, the seven star hotel in Dubai.

Thursday, 21 February 2013

Harlequin Hottie: Someday My Prince Will Come


Whether you’re five or 25, there’s just something about those dreamy Disney dudes. Last week there was an article on Buzzfeed that ranked the hotness level of the Disney Princes. Though Aladdin topped the list in the Buzzfeed article, runner-up Prince Eric, Ariel’s main squeeze in The Little Mermaid was clearly robbed of his first place title. That magnificent hair, those brilliant blue eyes. He’s clearly the biggest Disney babe, and this week’s Harlequin Hottie










Who's the hottest Disney Prince?

Wednesday, 20 February 2013

African Sex Safari


Dr. Greg totally looks like one of the
guys from Dream Phone
Her Very Special Boss
By: Anne Fraser   

The Setting: Modern times, Somewhere in Africa  

The Happy Couple:
Dr. Kirsty Boucher – a redheaded first year doctor unsure of her skills
Dr. Greg du Toit – a sexy surgeon who can’t let go of the past

The Set-Up: When Kirsty finds her fiancé in bed with another woman the day before her wedding, she needs to get out of town fast. Heartbroken, she travels to Africa to hone her medical skills in a tiny village hospital. Greg, her now boss, is a gifted surgeon and a total babe. How can she concentrate on medicine with him in the room?

The Issue: Kirsty throws herself into work, trying to erase the image of her cheating fiancé from her mind. A little unsure of her skills, she finds herself making stupid mistakes in front of her boss. Greg is sure Kirsty doesn’t have what it takes to hack it in the African bush. Though he finds her distractingly attractive, he can’t enter into any kind of relationship. Since the tragic death of his wife and daughter, Greg believes he will never love again. 

Happily Ever After: Close proximity and long hours at the hospital draw the pair together. The two finally give in to their lustful urges while on a safari mini-break, but Greg thinks he’s made a dreadful mistake. He can’t possibly offer Kirsty the love she deserves. But when a fire breaks out in the village, catching Kirsty in its wake, Greg realizes he can’t stand to lose another woman he loves. As he pulls her from the flames to safety, he finally tells her how he feels.

Scandalous Scale: Getting Warmer   

The Verdict: Our first medical romance certainly did not disappoint. With decent character development, a fast-paced plotline and an interesting setting, Her Very Special Boss reads like a really good episode of Grey’s Anatomy set inside African Lion Safari.



Monday, 18 February 2013

Naughty Times in Northumberland

Different cover, same great romance. 


Secretary by Day, Mistress by Night
By: Maggie Cox   

The Setting: Modern times, Northumberland, England  

The Happy Couple:
Maya Hayward – a quiet brunette bombshell with a dark and tragic past
Blaise Walker – a playboy playwright with a violent upbringing  

The Set-Up: When Blaise saves Maya from a handsy encounter with her horny boss, she feels like she can’t say no to his request that she come work for him instead. When the pair travels to Blaise’s stately home in Northumberland, he can’t wait to start work on his new play with the beautiful Maya researching by his side.

The Issue: To say Maya has daddy issues would be a severe understatement. Her father was a world-renowned yet incredibly unstable and depressed painter who committed suicide when she was just 17. She’s had some trouble fully trusting men ever since. Blaise is afraid to commit fully to a relationship after seeing the violent streak in his parent’s marriage.

Happily Ever After: The sexual chemistry between the pair is fierce, and just cannot be denied. What starts off as a casual, no strings attached affair, quickly turns to more. On an afternoon stroll along Hadrian’s Wall, troubled pasts are revealed and the two begin to fall in love.

Scandalous Scale: Getting Steamy  

The Verdict: This is not your typical Harlequin as…dare I say it? There’s CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT! Maya and Blaise (such stupid names) each have rich and storied pasts that explain their current temperaments. There’s also an interesting subplot about the play Blaise writes. It actually sounds like a play I’d want to see. Also the setting sounds super pretty. 

Friday, 15 February 2013

Harlequin Hottie: Vintage Collection

Clark Gable as Rhett Butler in GWTW

Gone with the Wind is a timeless classic, as is its dastardly dashing male lead Clark Gable, this week’s Vintage Harlequin Hottie!

If you don’t already know the story of GWTW you need to Netflix it pronto (or read the epic novel it was based on).

There’s never been such a seductively attractive bad boy as Rhett Butler (Clark’s character). He’s a bootlegging badass who decides to make his fortune on the black market rather than fighting for the Confederate cause during the American Civil War. He’s got money, influence and power and he’s not at all what a seemingly respectable girl like Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh in the movie) should want in a gentleman caller or a husband. His devilishly handsome good looks and his wicked charm prove ultimately irresistible.

Watch the trailer to see Clark in action. Swoooooooon.




Close runner-up: Christopher Plummer circa the Sound of Music years.

Who’s your favourite vintage hottie? 

Monday, 11 February 2013

The Language of Love (and Flowers!)


The Playboy’s Plain Jane
By: Cara Colter   

The Setting: The 90s (judging by the fashion sense), Hillsboro, Ontario, Canada

The Happy Couple:
Katie Pritchard: divorced, overall-wearing (think Andie McPhee circa Dawson’s Creek) florist
Dylan McKinnon: former Blue Jay, current playboy 

The Set-Up: Katie’s got a crush…and on the most unsuitable person. Dylan is the best looking guy in Hillsboro with the worst reputation. Every time he comes into her flower shop she can’t help but swoon, even as he buys flowers for his newest conquest(s).

The Issue: Dylan grew up believing in true love, but the dream died the day his dad put his mom in a nursing home. Love was supposed to conquer all, but it couldn’t conquer Alzheimer’s. Dylan decided then and there he wasn’t looking for commitment, only casual flings. Katie is just trying to put her life together after miscarrying a baby and getting a divorce. She thinks Dylan’s cute, but she sees the steady stream of girls on his arm.

Happily Ever After: When Dylan asks Katie out, she vehemently opposes. She knows his playboy ways and doesn’t want to be another notch in his belt. It takes several woo-ing attempts and a few grand gestures before she agrees to a date. But it’s when the pair babysits Dylan’s baby nephew that Katie really begins to see Dylan’s sensitive side. Could it be truly be love? 

Scandalous Scale: Tame

The Verdict:
If you want to learn a lot about flowers and what they mean, than this book is certainly for you. If every time you kiss someone you feel like they’ve “unlocked the wild call that had been tamed” and you feel like “an eagle, soaring, proud, hungry, fierce” than you will probably like this book. If not, I’d pass; it’s a bit of a snooze.


Friday, 8 February 2013

Harlequin Hottie: Weatherman Watch



It is Snowmageddon 2013 outside and I’m stuck indoors. Luckily, I’ve got Anthony Farnell to keep me updated on the changing weather conditions. 

He’s this week’s (and the inaugural!) Harlequin Hottie. Below, a compilation of Anthony making weather sound sexy…




Question: Who’s your biggest TV news crush? 

The Ballet Babe and Her Guitar Hero

British Invasion: This week's book comes from Mills &
Boon UK, the British branch of Harlequin publishing

Keeping Her Up All Night
By: Anna Cleary  

The Setting: Modern times, Sydney, Australia

The Happy Couple:
Amber O’Neill – a violet eyed ballet dancer, turned florist  
Guy Wilder – a one night stand lover, ad agent, and singer/songwriter

The Set-Up: After her mom dies, Amber sets up house in an apartment in Sydney, leaving her days of touring with the Australia Ballet behind. When Guy moves in next door, he shakes up her life…and her heart.

The Issue: Left at the alter by the love of his life, Guy Wilder doesn’t think any woman will ever set his heart (or loins) aflame again. But then he meets beautiful, lithe Amber, a ballet-dancing vixen with violet eyes like Liz Taylor. Can he really learn to love again, or is it easier to leave things casual?

Happily Ever After: When Guy promises to help Amber’s failing florist shop, she thinks its just an excuse to spend more time together…outside the bedroom. She can’t help but dream about a future with the super sexy boy next door. But is Guy ready to take the leap, after being crushed so completely before? After a strangely sexual dancing scene, involving a baby grand piano and some probably unstandardized ballet moves, the pair realize they’re in more than just lust.  

Scandalous Scale: Hot n’ Heavy

(NEW!) The Verdict: Looking to get your jollies on? Keeping Her Up All Night is the perfect NSFW blush-inducing read. Guy Wilder is one dude who just can’t keep it in his pants…and Amber O’Neill is one ballerina who doesn’t seem to mind. Plot and character development fade quickly into the background as the sex scenes steal the show.

If the largest snowstorm in 5 years has you shuttered indoors, why not immerse yourself in a Harlequin? 

Sunday, 3 February 2013

Bad Boys and Baby Drama


The Sabbides Secret Baby
By: Jacqueline Baird

The Setting: Modern times, Split between: Athens, Greece and Dorsetshire, England   

The Happy Couple:
Phoebe Brown – a naïve young girl in love, turned baby mama
Jed Sabbides – a multimillionaire hotel magnate with a bad boy appeal

The Set-Up: Phoebe meets Jed when she’s in her early twenties, working at one of his hotels to put her way through university. She immediately falls for his good looks and charm. She thinks its love. 

When she tells him she’s pregnant, she expects Jed to get down on one knee. He splits instead and she miscarries, and poor Phoebe is left with a broken heart.

The Issue: As Phoebe flees Athens to seek comfort back home in England, Jed is certain he’ll never see her again. And good riddance, right? Its not like he was ready to give up his playboy ways. As Phoebe settles back into life in Dorsetshire, she gets a surprise…of the baby kind. 

Turns out she was pregnant with twins and only one miscarried (a medical rarity and convenient plot point).

Happily Ever After: Phoebe can’t disguise her panic (or her arousal) when she runs into Jed five years later. He has no idea that Ben, their son, exists. When he comes to her house to rekindle the fire, he realizes the baby he thought miscarried is alive and well.  

A lot has changed for Jed, he’s no longer the bad boy philanderer he used to be. He’s ready to be a family man, but how can he make Phoebe see he’ll never break her heart again?

Scandalous Scale: Hot n’ Heavy

BONUS: Bad Boy Appeal

Jed Sabbides is a total classic when it comes to bad boys. He’s controlling, he likes to get his way, and he’ll stop at almost nothing to get what he wants. But we can’t exactly hate him. 

We should hate all bad boys on principle. But we rarely do. Why? Because bad boys are usually SO. DAMN. SEXY. Especially fictional ones.

My total swoonfest? Damon Salvatore in the Vampire Diaries.

Who’s your favourite fictional bad boy?