by Bette Ford
Laura Murdock decides to take a well-deserved and way overdue three week vacation to the Virgin Islands. As a social worker who counsels abused women and children, she has has a problem getting away and taking time for herself. She chose St. John island because her favorite artist, Sebastian, is from there and she hopes to acquire some of his work, not knowing that he is vacationing there as well. Laura gets to meet Sebastian and something of an island affair develops but then she is forced to come to terms with his life back in the States and whether she can be a part of it.
Lots of twists and turns made this a great read and I especially liked that the happy ending brought more challenges than expected.
Fashionable Projects That Look High End, Not Homespun
by Laura Bennett
There has been an explosion of books and blogs lately as a part of a DIY (do-it-yourself) movement. Now, with just a little money and time, you can recreate designer looks at home without mortgaging it in the process. Sometimes, though, even at the hands of highly skilled artisans, the resulting items look a little too "homespun" and not like the things you see on current runways. And that's fine for people who want that look, but there is a void in the market for chic diy books.
Laura Bennett's latest book fills that void. Best known for her sleek, elegant designs on season 3 of Project Runway, Bennett has compiled a collection of accessories that are easy to make and incredibly stylish. What I loved most about it is the inclusion of materials that many shy away from: leather, fur (faux or real), feathers, and beads. Her instructions for buying and using them definitely take the intimidation factor away. The 40 projects include covers for electronics (e-readers, iPads, etc.), wallets, purses, and much more, including embellishing ready-to-wear garments.
This book is a valuable addition to any sewing and craft book library, especially my extensive one!
by Ann Christopher
In Sinful Seduction, Skylar Lawrence is in a precarious situation. Right before he shipped out to Afghanistan, she broke up with her fiancé, Antonios (Tony) Davies. Soon after he was killed by an IED that hit the convoy containing he and is twin brother Alessandro. Tony never took Skylar out of his will and now she is part owner of his family home in the Hamptons, along with Sandro. After weeks of not having her phone calls returned, Skylar arrives at the home with every intention of signing over her share and closing that chapter of her life. When she arrives on the twins' birthday, she finds Sandro missing his brother and suffering from a severe case of survivor's guilt. Seeing him again for the first time in almost two years reminds him of their first meeting and the undeniable chemistry they shared. That chemistry is what convinced Skylar that Tony wasn't the right man for her and led her to call off their engagement.
This novel sets itself apart from others by broaching the very timely subject of our veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the post traumatic syndrome that many suffer. It blends these serious issues seamlessly with the the story of two people trying to fight their attraction for each other because of the loss of someone they both loved. The sequel, Sinful Tempation, will be published in February.
by Pamela Yaye
Claudia Jeffries almost has no other option than to Escape to Paradise. The day her divorce is finalized, her ex-husband is arrested on suspicion of corporate fraud and the authorities suspect that Claudia, not only knew about it, but was a part of it. The media attention is unbearable and, unable to deal with the reporters camped out on her lawn, Claudia escapes through a window of her Richmond, VA home and flees to her sister's luxury timeshare in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Santiago Medina first spots Claudia in the airport lounge in DC as man after man approaches her and is shot down. Although he gets a little farther than the others (a little food and conversation), eventually she rejects him as well. When he arrives at the resort that his family owns in Mexico, he can't believe his luck upon seeing her standing in the lobby.
Secrets permeate this novel through and through. Claudia works hard not to reveal her financial situation and the mess she's left behind in the States (that's slowly catching up to her). Meanwhile, Santiago is less than truthful about his family's wealth, but not about his attraction to her. I always enjoy books that take me to explore other countries and cultures and this one didn't disappoint.
by Judy Lynn Hubbard
These Arms of Mine is the first Kimani romance by Judy Lynn Hubbard and she's done a great job in her debut. Alesha Robinson's brother is in danger of going to jail for embezzling campaign funds from his employer, Derrick Ashton, and she has decided to beg for leniency and ask that charges not be filed against him. It sounds simple, but Derrick is also the person who's heart she broke two years ago when she ended their relationship and he has never forgiven her. Seeing an opportunity to get revenge and to advance his political career, Derrick forces Alesha to marry him to pay off her brother's debt and to present himself to voters as a family man.
Of course there is more backstory behind Alesha dumping Derrick the first time and her brother's reasons for stealing the money in the first place. Watching them make this arrangement work while surrounded by secrets soon to be revealed was well worth the read.
by Brenda Jackson
Private Arrangements is the latest in the Steeles series. They are a very close-knit, large family and this one takes place in the Phoenix branch, also known as the "Bad News Steeles". The six men in this part of the family are referred to that way because they are diehard bachelors, as inherited from their father (who eventually gave that up). But one by one these players are falling...
Jonas Steele has been steadily building his marketing business, Ideas of Steele, and has done well for himself, but he now has the chance to work on a campaign that will catapult his company into the big leagues. In order to ensure success, Jonas decides to hire the best photographer that he knows, Nikki Cartwright. The only problem is that the last time they worked together, a year and a half ago, they shared a celebratory kiss that left both of them confused. Jonas couldn't stop thinking about it, which is out of character for the notorious womanizer. Nikki can't believe that a man used to dating women who could double as supermodels would even be remotely interested in her.
I love stories that feature either friends or work colleagues that become lovers. The work/love twist in Private Arrangements is very interesting to watch unfold, especially with both parties fighting their attraction tooth and nail. A great surprise was the inclusion of Quinton Hinton, a character featured in Adrianne Byrd's House of Kings series. It is rare for authors to support each other that way and it was good to see.
by Simon Doonan
Simon Doonan is the most fabulous person I know. No, I don't know him personally but he is one of my bestest friends in my head. And do you know what best friends do? They give you advice. Advice on how to live as fabulously and stylishly as they do. As the long time creative director at Barney's (his window displays are legendary), Doonan is highly qualified to give us a tour through gay life and show us what we are doing wrong.
Yes, there is a book called French Women Don't Get Fat that eschewed the unhealthy American diet and was very popular, but people felt that the author looked down on us. Doonan doesn't do that, but he does hilariously chronicle his realization that gay men and French women are basically the same species: they love fashion, home decor, and limiting their calories. What follows is a sort of field guide to gay men and which of their habits we could adopt to live healthier and happier lives. He tells us the difference between straight and gay foods (lesbian food has its own category), what style persona that heterosexual men can adopt to always look put together, and even takes us on a "Bear" hunt.
One of the funniest books I've read in awhile!
