I'm in the mood for love romance roundup!

I’m in the mood for love mini reviews.




Romeo Romeo by Robin Kaye
Source: Free Kindle download
Millionaire playboy Nick Romeo is mistaken for a mechanic by Rosalie Ronaldi after he helps her with a flat one late night. They embark on a steamy, no strings attached affair until Rosalie gets sick, kicking in Nick’s domestic instincts. You gotta love a hunky stud who likes to vacuum when he’s nervous….and cook. There is a little bit of corporate intrigue combined with mixed signals and they both take a tad too long to admit their true feelings but both characters were likeable and it was a quick, fun read.
Rating: 3 out of 4
Buy the book! Romeo, Romeo




Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas
Source: purchased
This book has a “B”illionaire playboy! No mere millionaire’s here. Also an unexpected baby. Not my usual ingredients for a good romance, but it works. Ella is forced to leave her life behind temporarily to raise her sister’s abandoned baby. In her search to find the baby daddy she stumbles upon the aforementioned billionaire, Jack. I LOVED Jack. Just the right balance of alpha bossy and evolved male. Torn between an exsisting relationship that may or may not be exclusive, a new friendship (maybe more) with Jack and her new found maternal instincts and Ella is left with a few life changing choices to make. For a little added drama, toss in Ella’s man hungry mom – oh man – I wanted to punch this woman! She’s done quite a number on Ella’s self-esteem, even though Ellas is a strong independent woman. The events that force the Jack/Ella issue felt a bit contrived and an ending that is a little too perfect are my only complaints with an otherwise fun, definitely sexy book. Really liked this one!
Rating: 3.5 out of 4
Buy the book! Smooth Talking Stranger




May Cooler Heads Prevail by Teri Dunnegan
Source: Netgalley
I did not enjoy this one and considered passing it over for review but then I read several positive reviews for it. Since it’s a free Netgalley download for bloggers I thought I would mention it in case it was more your cup of tea. Aunt Connie’s fiancé ran off right before their wedding 40 years ago. Now he’s returned but he’s dead and Connie is the prime suspect. The family calls in Dixie, their niece to help solve the crime. No one calls the police. Instead they hide the body and hilarity ensues. They have their reasons…or so they say for never calling the police but it just never rang true to me but to be fair this type of book is just not my thing. I’m not really into wacky families and increasingly wackier situations. A local man helps the family out & I could never understand why. I believe he is supposed to be a romantic interest for Dixie and he was very nice but again it just didn’t work for me. Having said that, it still has that homespun sweetness and the characters mean well. There is a lot of humor and love within the family and if you want a quick mystery that doesn’t have all the sex and gore like most of the stuff out there right now it just might be for you.
Rating: 1.5 out of 4
For a different opinion check out the Paperback Dolls review
Buy the book! May Cooler Heads Prevail (Hometown Mysteries)
Or find it on http://www.netgalley.com/

Mini romance genre rant. (This includes contemporary, western, historical, etc)

I’ve been reading a lot of romances lately and I see one thing popping up over and over no matter what type of romance novel. So excuse my need to vent……

I’m getting a little tired of reading about millionaire men bemoaning the fact that they just can’t trust women because they always use the men for their money and power. All women are perceived as potential money grubbers, yet they date them instead of the smart, average looking woman. The new girl always seems to bear the brunt of this anger. THIS is the woman that he decides to make a stand with and treat like crap. This really ticks me off. Why? Because up until they meet this nice regular girl they only date fake boobed, Barbie wanna be bimbos. Buddy – they are easily spotted - don’t date them if you don’t wish to be used! Then we always here how the sex was so amazing and you bring them to all the big events like arm candy. So let’s just say you’re using each other and stop complaining how you can’t trust women.
Date a normal girl your own age. Problem solved.

Sorry. I'm done. Carry on.

My greatest literary wish for 2011...

NO MORE LOVE TRIANGLES.

PLEASE.

I BEG OF YOU.

MAKE THEM STOP.

The love triangle was the most overused plot device for 2010 - particularly in YA.

I know some of you like love triangles. I used to love them once upon a time too. But seriously, is there no other way to keep a couple apart except to add a third party??

I do realize that love isn't easy. Your first love isn't always your forever love. Relationships wax and wane at all ages. You can be attracted to more than one person at a time. I swear - I get it. I know there will be drama. I don't want everyone to be perfect and boring.

My biggest problem with them is there is usually plenty going on with the plot without adding that element. Often the end of the world is near but everyone is worrying about who's getting busy with someone else. Seriously - the world may end because of you - worry about that later! Most of these couples already have enough issues to work through without having to add that element. It's just secondary and often detracts from the bigger story which could be fascinating if we could just get to it!

Another thing is this "I love both of you" crap. Girl meets hot boy A (cuz he's gotta be hot)  and loves him like she's never loved another....until hot boy B walks in the room. Now she loves both. No. Sorry. Not buying it. You lust after both...which is fine. Just call it what it is. It's entirely possible to be with a person and suddenly you meet someone new that makes you second guess your relationship and it's possible to be torn by that choice. Where you lose me is dragging both of those relationships out for YEARS. AND expecting both of those guys to remain celibate and patiently wait until you make the heart rendering decision.

And the real kicker?? They DO!! The guys are perfect. What guy does that?? Give me his name and number if you find him.

At some point I lose respect for all of them. Either have a three way or make a decision. Imagine if a guy did that to two girls in a story. Would we love him and understand his dilemma while he's making out with two girls in under an hour?

Authors are going to great lengths to write strong female characters who can save themselves, wield swords and talk back to the boys but then they make those same girls turn to a puddle of goo around the boys. Again - I expect and want a multi layered character. She does not have to be perfect, she can make mistakes but it should be consistent with her personality. She can't be Buffy the Vampire Slayer in battle and then an idiot risking everyone's safety because of a boy in the next moment.

What really kills me is after following some of these series for three or more years, the love triangle is resolved in the last 20-30 pages. "Oops sorry Boy B, I always loved Boy A.....couldn't you tell?" What took over three or more books to decide is over in about 2 seconds.

This is what I feel like after one of those lame endings:

My heart is ripped out and tossed on the floor - squished like a bug

So there are all my criticisms but there are a few that have done it right IMO.

 *Darkest Mercy the conclusion to Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely series. She gave the proper weight to the conclusion of the love triangle between Ash, Seth and Keenan. It's not a rushed conclusion and it makes sense within the world she created. People may have complaints one way or another - they always do when it comes to the end of a series but no one is left hanging out to dry. (sorry no hints or spoilers from me!)

*Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. Not only is there a love triangle but it's more like a quadrangle or septangle even...LOL It was written in a completely believable way though and very true to what goes on in a real teenagers life in high school.

That is my greatest wish for the new year - NO MORE LOVE TRIANGLES. OK, So I know it ain't happening any time soon. They're what sells. Granted most people aren't juggling over 30 series with 90% of those being love traingle related plots. I would settle for 50% less triangles or maybe resolve them sooner. See ....I'm willing to compromise.

I'm going to be greedy and ask for one more thing. LESS SERIES. Why is everything no less than a trilogy these days?? How about a few stand alone novels?? Is there a publishing law against two books in a series? I bet if you eliminated those love triangles the plot would move along quite nicely. Just saying.

So what do you think? Am I waaaay off base? Do you love the triangle? Or are sick of them like I am?

What would you like to see for 2011?