A Review In The Works....Coming Soon

Sinful by Charlotte Featherston
Publisher:  Spice/Harlequin

Many of my followers may remember my review of Addicted by Charlotte Featherstone, the story moved me, made me love the characters, and it gained a spot on my keepers shelf.  Recently, I was offered an opportunity to read Wallingford's story in Sinful.  Well, I didn't question the opportunity, and I'm so glad that I took the time to enjoy another keeper.  The book doesn't release until May, so I'll be posting my review closer to the begin of April, but I wanted to post the cover art.  It's beautifully done and complements the story told in the pages.  Charlotte once again holds nothing back and gives a stellar performance, the reader receives a wonderful story.  I can't wait to share it with you.  Please come back to get a taste of what is to be Sinful.

HOT IN HERE (ARC) by Sophie Renwick

Publisher: Penguin Group
Pages: 288
Released Date: June 2, 2009

From the Cover: A sizzling debut novel starring a sexy TV chef who steams up more than just entrees...

She wasn't his kind of dish—until someone turned up the heat...

Celebrity chef and infamous ladies' man Bryce Ryder can't believe the thoughts he's having about his old friend Jenna McCabe. She's always been the shy girlnext- door, but when some bad publicity threatens everything he's built, Jenna gets down to business— and shows a side of herself that is take-charge and totally irresistible.

Soon things are heating up in and out of the kitchen—and all of Jenna's secret fantasies about Bryce start coming true. But will she be the one to tame his heart, or is the sexy chef just indulging another one of his cravings?

Bryce Ryder doesn't know how his life got so screwed up. He's a mega-popular celebrity chef with his own restaurant and cooking show. He thought he had everything worked out since his time with the wicked witch Chrissy, who almost cost him his beloved restaurant as well as all of his savings. Now, some crazy reporter is spreading lies that could cost him his dreams and his plans. Thank God Jenna is here, she always saves the day, she'll make it right. If she can just come up with a plan that he can live with. As Bryce sits down with Jenna, he notices something distinctly different, she's more self possessed, more sure of herself, and damn, she looks better and hotter than he's ever seen her. What's going on with her. And the plan she comes up with, be seen dating an average girl instead of the size zero's he been dating. He likes the kind that don't except anything. But he would love someone who could appreciate his fine skills as a chef, both in the kitchen and out.

Jenna has known Bryce for her whole life, since he moved to Lucan in middle school when she dump her meatloaf in his lap. He's cute, sweet, and walking talking sex appeal. If he could only see her as something more than a friend, but Chrissy has almost ruined him for all women. Now all he can wants is the convenient one night stand. Jenna wants the whole deal, ring, wedding, kids. Jenna has a plan, it's her birthday tomorrow, and she can't think of a better present than Bryce. If only she can get him to realize that she's more than Jenna McCabe, friend and girl next door. But, as usually Bryce takes her for granted. This is really starting to tick Jenna off.

As Jenna storms out of his restaurant, Bryce can't help but wonder what's up with her. His brother, Titus, mentions that maybe it's his thoughtlessness, not even remembering her birthday. Birthday? God, he did forget, but he can take care of this oversight by whipping her up a fantastic birthday dessert. Jenna could never refuse his cooking. When he rings Jenna's bell, she answers in her babydoll pj's as his eyes pop out of his head. Could this be his Jenna? Jenna the girl next door, Jenna that is his best friend? As they cozy up on the couch, preparing to eat his fantastic dessert, he can't keep his thoughts away from Jenna. Bryce comes to realize doesn't want to keep his thoughts away from Jenna, Jenna who he has always thought of as his. He can't keep his thoughts away, or his hands, lips....Suddenly Jenna has become his dish du jour. Who knew food could be so much fun.

This is what Jenna has always desired, a night with beautiful Bryce, but what will she do now? It isn't a casual fling for her. She's in love so deep, she doesn't know if she can keep her head above water. Sarah, her sister, would tell her to go with her heart, but Rachel from work would say to play it cool. If she goes with her heart, Bryce might run. If she plays it cool, her heart might break. Bryce is too sweet a dish to pass up.

Trey, Bryce's older brother, tries to push Bryce toward Jenna knowing his brother's desires better than his own. Together Sarah and Trey conspire to keep these two together. But are there other matters cooking between Sarah and Trey, her secret heart's desire?

As Bryce and Jenna delve deeper into what could be, Bryce comes to the realization that Jenna is everything his heart desires, but this new Jenna may not feel the same. His life is forever changed after grabbing Jenna in Italy and becoming captivated by her heart, body, and soul. He realizes he loves Jenna. Where can this lead? Will he ever be able to let her go?

Hot in Here by Sophie Renwick (Charlotte Featherstone) is Sophie's debut contemporary romance. It's the story of a top chef, Bryce Ryder, with his own cooking show that he fears his loyal audience will abandon after getting some bad press. Hiring Jenna McCabe's firm may be the only thing that saves the day. Jenna is his best friend, someone he can always turn to; someone he can trust. But can he trust her with his heart. Bryce is an unsure hero, unsure of himself, bruised by the reality of life. He's vowed never to be put in a position where he'll be used again; never to give his heart to love. Bryce is actually a kind and decent man, he cares for others around him, willing to give his time, effort, or money. He doesn't need to take credit or have accolades. The one thing he needs to learn to trust his instincts; those instincts that are telling him to give it all to Jenna, take the love he sees in her heart and soul. Jenna has always been the outcast, never one of the beautiful people. That's what happens to a girl who's a size fourteen in a size zero world. Jenna is a heroine who has been slightly damaged by life, who has learned lessons the hard way; who has had to fight her way to making a name for herself. She used to been timid, but not anymore. And there's still a chance she could lose it all; all it takes is one failed business deal. Her family farm is in trouble and she doing everything in her power to save it. She's loved the beautiful Bryce her whole life, but is he ready to hear the truth and is she ready to tell it. Is he the same Bryce or has he changed? When Bryce and Jenna come together, it definitely heats up the atmosphere with sparks that blow the mind. Bryce is a consuming lover that is willing to give and needs to take. His need for Jenna becomes a force in his life, a force that Jenna has wanted her whole life. Hot in Here is a great debut contemporary romance for Sophie Renwick. It's funny, sweet, adventurous, hot, and sexy. The setting is beautiful with a backdrop into rural life and the sweet lands of Italy. This was an incredibly fast, fun read and I enjoyed it immensely. To find out more information about all of Sophie Renwick's wonderful books and new releases, please visit her website or her blog. Charlotte Featherstone's historical and paranormal romances are also fantastic, if you haven't tried Addicted, I can highly recommend it. To read my review of Addicted, click here. Charlotte's other great books can be found here or visit her blog.

Addicted by Charlotte Featherstone

Publisher: Spice Books
Pages: 443

From the Cover: Friends since childhood, Anais Darnby and Lindsay Markham have long harbored a secret passion for one another. When they finally confess their love, their future together seems assured, sealed with their searing embrace.

But when a debauched Lindsay is seduced by a scheming socialite, a devastated Anais seeks refuge in another man's bed........

Anais and Lindasy had been best friend longer than each other can remember, it's only natural for those feelings to grow over time, right? Each is thinking of the other as their eyes meet across the room kindling unknown fires, not knowing if these feeling will be shared or destroy a friendship that has lasted a lifetime.

When each confess to the other their true feelings, Lindsay sets about proving just how much he cherishes the insecure Anais. Her mother has done a pretty fair job of undermining any confidence she's had about her voluptuous body. When Lindsay professes his love and shows her what it's like to be desired, she can hardly believe that someone as beautiful and strong as Lindsay would find her the least bit attractive, let alone propose marriage, but that's what he's says he is going to be at the Masquerade Ball. He begs her to attend as a harem girl, his own personal odalisque.

But Lindsay has another mistress, Opium, the red devil smoke, the only thing that rivals Anais. When he see Rebecca, conniving social climber and Anais' best friend in Anais' costume through the clouded mind of Opium and Hashish, he mistakes Rebecca for Anais, his one true love. How can he convince Anais that it's all a big mistake, what must he do? Anais turns to Garrett, Rebecca's intended, as a willing shoulder to cry on. Lindsay has betrayed and belittled their love. She runs away, leaving her mother to tell Lindsay she has left the country.

Lindsay makes a mad search across Europe and into Paris only to come up empty handed, Anais is not to be found anywhere. As a means to escape his broken heart, he agrees to travel to the East to Constantinople with his best friend, Wallingford, and to attend to his other mistress, Opium. His seductive mistress that erases all his feelings and thoughts, leaving him numb.

Through all of his searching, Anais has kept hidden, hiding her secret, her shame, her love, and her broken heart. When Lindsay returns to his home, it is to find that Anais has returned, but she will no longer see Lindsay. She can only remember him as an Opium addict, not the best friend or the passionate lover. The thing she doesn't realize is that not only is Lindsay addicted to Opium, but to her, and he can't live without either. But she is also hiding a terrible secret of her own that no one, especially Lindsay, must ever find out.

Charlotte Featherstone has created a world where love is the answer, the only salvation, to the wrongs Lindsay and Anais have committed against each other. Addicted is a beautiful love story where Lindsay and Anais have to accept that they are human, and no matter what, they will always have each other. As Lindsay sinks further into his addiction, Anais is the only thing that is stronger than the call of the Opium. Without her love, his life isn't worth living and the sooner it's over the better, only death can take away the pain and betrayal, and fill the hole that resides where his heart once was. This story grabbed my heart, making me want to see the happy ending and not knowing if it was possible. It's a masterfully told story that will keep you turning pages, hoping against hope that it will end well, with exotic locations and the mysterious draw of the Opium. For more information about her other books, please see Charlotte Featherstone's website. For readers out there that have become Addicted, she's giving a taste of her new book, Sinful, to be released May 2010. She also has a new contemporary romance, Hot In Here coming out in June 2009, under her pen name, Sophie Renwick. For information about Hot In Here, see Sophie Renwick's website. I can highly recommend picking up Addicted, you won't be able to put it down.