Author: Bubble Bubble Books and Trouble

In My Mailbox

On By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies1 Comment

I hitched a ride on two blog tours and am so excited to start reading these books! On March 11, I’ll post a review for Ellen Byerrum’s newest installment in the Crimes of Fashion mystery series, Death on Heels. I’m especially interested in this book because Lacey Smithsonian is going back to her hometown in Sagebrush, Colorado. I can’t wait to see how she’s going to infuse her vintage ensembles with cowgirl flare!  Thank you Samantha, of Chick Lit Pus, for inviting me on the blog tour!

I’m also posting a review for Kimberly Lin’s debut novel, Recession Proof, on April 2. I’ve read nothing but stellar reviews about this book from my fellow bloggers, so I’m sure I’m going to love it.  I’m interested to see Helen’s journey from successful financial analyst to up-and-coming writer. Like Eat, Pray, Love, this is one personal transformation story that will probably make me think twice about getting too comfy with my station in life. Amanda over at Chick Lit = The New Black was kind enough to invite me along on the blog tour. Thanks, girl!

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by the Story Siren.

Death on Heels: A Crime of Fashion Mystery by Ellen Byerrum

Synapsis: When Washington, D.C., fashion reporter Lacey Smithsonian’s former boyfriend, cattle rancher Cole Tucker, is arrested for murder, she digs her cowboy boots out of her closet and flies to his defense. She is certain of his innocence-until he abducts her during a daring courthouse escape…

Recession Proof by Kimberly Lin

Synapsis: Sometimes going after what you want is the hardest thing you will ever do… Meet Helen. Smart, successful and obliviously trapped. For the past six years, Helen has given her life and her heart to her cushy corporate finance job and to Mark without question. However as the Recession sweeps the Nation, she is one of many left unemployed and with the burning question of what does she really want in life.

The Guys’ Guy’s Guide to Love by Robert Manni

On By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies4 Comments


Let me start off by saying, I’m so happy I started this book blog! Before Chick Lit Café came along, I stuck to my usual playlist of authors. Now as authors and publicists are offering review copies, I have more opportunities to sample some super cool books by up-and-coming authors. And I must say, Robert Manni’s  The Guys’ Guy’s Guide to Love is one of the most provocative books I’ve encountered in a while.

The story centers around two hotshot admen, Max Hallyday and his toxic friend Roger Fox. Both of these conventionally handsome single men are struggling to stay afloat in their pressure-cooker jobs, which entail scoring billionaire clients and lucrative ad campaigns. Hungry for power, sex and money – Roger stops at nothing to get ahead – even if it means sneaking around with his best friend’s ex and billionaire client.

When Max finds out about Roger’s dirty deeds, he decides to write a column warning the women of New York City about the seedy underworld of womanizing men. To gather material for his column, Max interrogates Roger about his dirty sexcapades and uncovers some disturbing yet hilarious pieces of “advice.” Here are a couple of snippets from the twisted mind of Roger Fox.

On online dating: “Every king needs a queen and there are thousands of ladies-in-waiting online. Those dating sites are the ultimate distribution system for female talent. Where else can you sit at home scratching your nuts, plinking at your laptop and scoring dates with women? It’s like fishing in well stocked trout ponds in early spring. And it’s always springtime online.”

On being an equal-opportunity man whore: “I like all women, but it helps if they’re stacked…All races, creeds, and colors are welcome in Roger’s world. And if they wax, they get a check-plus.”

OK, so you’re probably asking, “where’s the romance?” Don’t worry ladies, there is indeed a sweet little love story folded in this salacious tale of sex and greed. Max and his ex-girlfriend, Cassidy Goodson, have what I like to call a “Harry Met Sally” relationship, in which they pretend to be platonic buddies while denying their sexual attraction toward one another. Cassidy is your typical girl-next-door type, and her father (Max’s former boss) is a good-natured adman with solid ethics and a heart of gold. I don’t’ want to give anything away, so you’ll just have to read the book to see which path Max chooses to take when he reaches a crossroads in work and in love!

As much as I hate to admit it, of all the complex characters in this book, the one that truly fascinates me is Roger. When he was first introduced, I immediately despised the sexist bastard. My god – this man is like the great white shark of the dating world. Even when he doesn’t crave sex, he’ll bag a babe just out of sheer boredom. So from the get-go, I knew that there was no way in hell this guy could redeem himself. But then again, that’s what I thought about Ebenezer Scrooge before his visit with the ghost of Christmas future. This guy would stop at nothing to get ahead – even if it meant sabotaging his best friend or knocking boots with an emotionally vulnerable client who could make or break his career at a top advertising firm. Oh and don’t even get me started on how he preys upon women in the online dating scene – wow! As with all villains, I knew he would eventually get his just desserts – and I couldn’t’ wait to relish in his pain. But wouldn’t you know, that jerk tugged at my heartstrings the moment his troubles caught up with him.

I’ve always harbored disdain for the Rogers of the world. They’re handsome, they’re slick, they’re over-privileged, and they can make women (stupid ones, I might add) fall to their knees with just a wink and a smile. But after reading this book, I got to thinking…am I wrongfully stereotyping these guys?  Perhaps a lot of those scumbags I see at the bar (typically wearing head-to-toe Ed Hardy) are filling a void in their heart with cheap women and mindless sex. Either way, I’m so freaking glad I’m married!

Overall, Manni did a fine job divulging the mindset of single guys on the prowl. But don’t be fooled, this book  isn’t all about scandalous shenanigans and cutthroat power play. This is also a story about self-discovery, hope and redemption. So if you’re looking for a fun, sexy romp in the city with some substance, check this one out. Fans of Sex in the City and Mad Men are sure to be entertained. Wouldn’t this make a great HBO series?!?  Please tell me there’s going to be a sequel!

 

The Unlist by Robert Manni

 5 SIMPLE QUESTIONS TO FIND OUT IF HE’S ‘THE ONE’

Dating can be like business. You get it. I learned this sitting across the table from a cadre of new dates and being grilled like a king salmon. The endless questions from their “list” were fired in succession to determine if I had potential to become “The One.” In business we call this “qualifying” a sale. In a marketplace where time is money, it’s mission critical to quickly get to the heart of prospects and potential issues.

Like Max Hallyday, the main character in my debut novel, THE GUYS’ GUY’S GUIDE TO LOVE, I will function as your representative “guy’s guy” to help ferret out the truth about men. Here are my questions designed to get you the 411 on a new guy. I call this, my “unlist”.

THE UNLIST- OR FIVE SIMPLE QUESTIONS THAT GET YOU A CLEAR SENSE OF A MAN. (Note, I’m not suggesting that you prosecute the poor guy the moment he sits down. He’s not automatically on trial for stealing goodies and breaking hearts. Take things slow and easy, and listen carefully to his answers, or lack of answers, which will both reveal his DNA):

1-    What does he want to do? This is code for finding out if he’s a man with a plan. Women tend to poke around this area, but usually ask the same qualifiers like if he is working and where. I can still hear the wheels inside their heads calculating my bank potential although it did not necessarily reveal that much about my character. A job may tell you what a man does, and in most cases, if he is not fully employed the evening wraps up fairly quickly. But I suggest that the focus be on determining if the man has a dream. Men with dreams tend to make things happen. Unfortunately, many ladies that I met for the first time only seemed interested in dreams that had come true, not the journey itself. That’s too bad because in this guys’ guy’s opinion, it’s the journey more than the arrival that can reveal a man’s character. Bottom line, if he has a stated goal, check plus. If he doesn’t know, hmmm…you’ll have to poke around a bit more to see if he has any ambition. And if he doesn’t, you may want to move on unless he smiles like Clooney and has a Swiss bank account and a house in Mustique.

2-    So, what’s his plan? Dreams make a great start, but in this conscious world, you need a plan for grabbing that prize. When I decided I wanted to – make that – had to write novels, I kept my day job and gave myself ten years to hone my craft and get published. Fortunately, I’m right on schedule, but this was a real test of my character and it would have been easy to fold and place the manuscript in the drawer. But that’s who I am.  But many women I met while I struggled to land a literary agent checked their phones and said goodnight once they found out where I was in the process of making my dream come true. That’s okay because that also let me know who they were. And I did have a plan and I was not only willing to discuss it, I looked forward to it because it was my passion.  Yay, me.

3-    What’s his timing? With time our most valuable commodity, it is critical to set guideposts for reaching milestones on the journey forward. I know writers who have been working on their manuscripts for 15 years. They may be on to something special, but as the pages pile up, the days of our lives are crossed off of the calendar. I am a grinder and grinders set goals and find the time to grind. If you write five pages a day, you can complete a three hundred-page draft in two months. Not easy, but with discipline writers learn to become prolific. The point is that you probably want a man who is realistic about getting things done. That way he has lots of time for you.

4-    What have been his greatest challenges and victories? This will give you a real sense of character and what’s important to him. If he has not been tested, that may be a red flag. He may be soft. Or he may be filthy rich. And his greatest victories may tell you what makes him tick. Was winning the fifty-yard dash in third grade really that important or was it the time he rescued the puppy from the burning home or raised all of that money for charity when he competed in a triathlon? You get the idea.

5-    Ask him what’s next? This will let you know if he is for real. We live in the now so you need to make sure he’s engaged in his life and not meandering or waiting to find out if the Giants make the playoffs before he decides his next move. You probably want a guy who is fun, but determined. He’s called a guy’s guy and there’s one out there just for you if you know how to qualify your prospect.

ARE YOU PREPARED TO ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS THAT WILL GET YOU  THE MAN YOU WANT?

About the author: Robert Manni is President of advertising agency Agent16 in midtown Manhattan. For the past two decades he has watched, played and succeeded in Madison Avenue’s relentlessly changing game. A true devotee of New York City, Robert is inspired by and remains in awe of its people, energy, attitude, and romantic backdrop. He is a world traveler, Reiki Master and teacher, certified advanced clinical Master Hypnotist, graduate of the Jose Silva Method/Life System, NYC Marathoner, and a bona fide ‘Guy’s Guy’ who somehow survived twenty years of single life in the big city.

Short and Sweet Sundays: Death Comes to Pembereley by P.D. James

On By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies3 Comments

Sundays are a day of rest. So in honor of this one day of the week when I can legitimately loaf around in my Garfield jammies in front of the DVR, I bring you this new feature that I like to call “Short and Sweet Sundays.” This is a fun way for me to write up a quick and dirty book blog without getting too overambitious.

The gist: Happily married and blessed with two perfect children, the Darcys are the picture of domestic bliss. But all is threatened when the Darcy’s and their dinner guests see a runaway chaise barreling toward the front door on a dark and stormy night. Lo and behold, Elizabeth’s estranged sister, Lydia, topples out of the coach screaming that her husband has been murdered.  Colonel Fitzwilliam (a pompous family friend and relative) and Darcy go to investigate in Pemberley’s wild woods and find the body of Wickham’s friend, Captain Denny. They also find Wickham covered in blood screaming, “He’s dead – my one and only friend is dead and it’s my fault!”

Anyone who’s read Pride and Prejudice knows Whickham is a gold-digging scoundrel, but could he really be capable of cold-blooded murder? What caused Captain Denny to run deep into the Pemberley woods on a cold, blustery night? And Why did Colonel Fitzwilliam suddenly decide to take a solitary late night ride the night of the murder?

The pros: P.D. James clearly knows how to write historical fiction. She expertly captures the stodgy language and the genteel English mannerisms.  She clearly did her homework on old timey police work, which can be interesting for those who like procedural thrillers. And – oh my god – this author is 91 years old! I give her mad props for maintaining a spot on the New York Times bestsellers list.

The cons: Let me start off by saying that I am by no means a Jane Austen purist. That said, I have to admit I had quite a few hangups with this mystery. For one, it didn’t feel like a mystery at all – a courtroom drama perhaps – but not a classic whodunit.  I was expecting our beloved Elizabeth Darcy to put on her gumshoes and crack the case, yet she barely had a role in this book at all. The inquest was tedious. Plus I had to force myself to concentrate on all the long-winded descriptions of characters and convoluted backstories.  Listening to this on audiobook proved to be a big challenge!

Thoughts on character development:  Those devoted to Jane Austen would probably agree that Elizabeth Darcy is one of the most dynamic female leads in literary history. She’s beautiful, smart, sharp-tongued and fiercely independent. Her love-hate relationship with Darcy in Pride and Prejudice had hopeless romantics like me totally enthralled. But in this book, she’ a shadow of the girl she once was. In fact, she’s dull.  Rather than speaking her mind and taking risks to find the killer, she spends her time fretting about appearances and making sure the Pemberley Estate is in order. Boring!

Why I chose this book: I seem to be going through a Jane Austen phase, so the timing of a post-Pride and Prejudice mystery couldn’t have been better. Plus the cover is really cool!

This book is best paired with: A very quiet room and a spot of peppermint tea.

Would I read another book by this author?
Eh…probably not.

Historical Fiction Reading Challenge!

On By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies1 Comment

I have to admit that I’ve never been a history buff. But ever since I read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, I’ve been obsessed with stories set in the Victorian and Edwardian eras. In this social media-obsessed age, my brain is constantly on the fritz from information overload! So maybe that’s why I like to transport myself to a time when people read by candlelight, wrote letters (not texts or tweets!) with quill pens and visited with friends around a crackling fire. Of course, I could do without the whole dowry thing and the rib-crunching corsets. But aside from the patriarchal restrictions and lack of vaccines for nasty diseases, those days sure seem like a nice break from our fast-paced, technology-driven society! So when I came across this fun little Historical Fiction Reading Challenge, hosted by Historical Tapestry, I decided to just get crazy and join in on the fun! As you can see, I don’t like my historical fiction straight up. I need vampires, ghosts, murder and mayhem thrown into the mix in order to stay glued to the page.

I think I’m going to play it safe and shoot for level three (Struggling the Addiction: 10 books). I have until the end of December to complete the challenge! Here are the first five books on my list:

  • Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James
  • Jane and the Ghosts of Netley by Stephanie Barron
  • The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
  • Dracula in Love by Karen Essex
  • Wuthering Bites by Sarah Gray

Lindsay Frucci on Writing Strong Women Blog Talk Radio!

On By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies3 Comments

As I attempt to make good on my new year’s resolutions, I find myself thinking “what would Lindsay Frucci do?” After reading her memoir The Pig and Me, I finally decided to finally get crackin’ on that novel that’s been brewing inside my head for so long. Now that I’m about 20 pages into it, I feel more confident and hopeful about venturing into the world of publishing. If you, like me, need some motivation to pursue your dream, listen to her interview on Sylvia Dickey Smith’s Writing Strong Women radio show!

From Sylvia’s Blog Talk Radio: If you think The Pig and Me is an interesting title of a nonfiction book, wait until you meet the author, Lindsay, Frucci, and hear how she turned an idea into a profitable business against all odds. And if that doesn’t take a strong woman, I don’t know what does. Read her words about being a strong woman:

“I didn’t start out as a strong woman. Quite the opposite. But over time I began to feel a need to stand up for myself, to be heard. I began to believe I had worth beyond what I’d been told – and believed – I had. I began to understand that I was a Strong Woman. The transition began in my late 20’s, but lapsed frequently. When I found my voice in my mid-40’s, I held on to it with every ounce of my being and never let it go.”

For more about the book, read my review here.  Oh and did I mention that Sylvia is also a talented author? Go here for a review of her Third Eye mystery series, and go here for a review of her stand-alone novel A War of Her Own.

Thank you Sylvia for spotlighting this fabulous first-time author. Your radio show rocks!

My Book Boyfriend (2): Nash Hudson from Soul Screamers

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Some guys are cute, others are somewhat sexy, and a rare few (the hubster included of course) are what I like to call help-me-Jesus HOT! Nash Hudson, the male lead in Rachel Vincent’s Soul Screamers series, is at the highest echelon of hotness. That’s why I chose to spotlight him in this week’s My Book Boyfriend, a fun little weekly meme hosted by the Unread Reader.

Here’s the gist: Little Kaylee is a banshee. When she locks eyes with someone on the cusp of death, she totally flips and lets out a window-shattering wail. This can be rather embarrassing when trying to look cool in front of the dreamiest boy in school at an 18-and-up club. But as luck would have it, Nash (the resident high school hottie) is also a banshee – and he’s more than willing to help her cultivate her special powers. Being a teenage supernatural freak does have its perks! Why couldn’t I have been blessed with preternatural powers back in the day?

I know it’s totally silly, but I really like the new 90210 show, mainly so I can watch Matt Lanter (aka Liam Court) pretend to surf in his form-fitting wetsuit. That’s why I choose to envision him as Nash in the Soul Screamers books. Here’s the breakdown of Nash’s drool-worthy attributes:

-Tall, broad shouldered and barrel chested. Oh my!
-Carefully disheveled dirty-blond locks
-Stark green/hazel eyes that swirl during make-out sessions (It’s a banshee thing)
-Full, kissable lips and a sexy crooked smile
– Sensitive, passionate and protective (think Edward Cullen meets Malibu Ken)

Here’s a spattering of heart-palpitating quotes:

“…You should be thinking about me.” His fingers intertwined with mine in my lap, and he pulled away from my ear slowly, his lips skimming my cheek, deliciously soft in contrast to the sharp stubble. He dropped a trail of smal kisses along my jaw, and my heart beat harder with every single one. When he reached my chin, the kisses trailed up until his mouth met mine, gently sucking my lower lip between his. Teasing without making full contact. My chest rose and fell quickly, my breaths shallow, my pulse racing….”

“I don’t have you, and without you, it feels like what I do have doesn’t matter.” 

“I’m not supposed to feel the fire. I’m not supposed to want it. But I do. I want you, Kaylee like I’ve never wanted anything. Ever. I want the fire. I want the heat, and the light, and I want the burn.” 

For more details about My Book Boyfriend, visit the Unread Reader. Time for me to go watch some  90210 re-runs. Surf’s up!

Top Five Books of 2011

On By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies6 Comments

The Times Square ball has dropped, the confetti has cleared and millions of partygoers are nursing their hangovers. 2012 has arrived – and like clockwork we are bombarded with guilt-inducing gym equipment ads and a plethora of “best of” lists. So here’s my contribution to the annual tradition of cherry picking. These fabulous books –packed with family dysfunction, strong, revolutionary women, and personal transformation – are my top five faves of 2011.

1.) The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Some nay-sayers claim that this book is nothing more than “white liberal self-congratulation,” but for me, it’s an eye-opening account of prejudice and ignorance in the Jim Crow South. Sure, I’ve read about the civil rights movement in politically-correct history classes, but this book gave me a more insightful perspective of what it was like to be a black maid in a racially-divided Mississippi.  Read my review here.

2.) A War of Her Own by Sylvia Dickey Smith
Like a hearty plate of beef brisket, this book will stick with you long after you devour it in one sitting! In true Sylvia Dickey Smith style, the story centers around a strong, gutsy woman who strives to make a life for herself in defiance of adversity. Set in a small East Texas town during World War II, Bea Meade (the Texified version of Rosie the Riveter) must fight her own battle against a philandering husband and sexist men in the shipyard. As she struggles to find love and happiness as a single working mother, she must solve the mysteries of her past. Sylvia’s skillful unraveling of family secrets and betrayal left me breathless. Bea is an enduring character with a fierce and unstoppable spirit. This is a beautifully written story about an important time in American history. You must read this book!  Read my review here.

3.) Backseat Saints by Joshylin Jackson
This is one heavy-duty read that will make you think differently about women who suffer from domestic abuse. Trapped in a marriage with a dangerous psychopath, Rose Mae Lolley lives in a torturous world of misery and fear. After enduring a near-fatal blow to the head, she finally snaps and hits the road running. On a quest to find a murderous ex-boyfriend who can do her husband in, she heads back to her hometown in Fruiton, Alabama. When she reluctantly meets with her estranged father, she realizes she must come to terms with her past in order to break out of the vicious cycle of abuse and neglect. This is one heart-wrenching story of family psychodrama that will linger on with you long after you read it.

4.) Fever Moon by Carolyn Haines
Carolyn Haines is well known for her light-hearted Bones Mysteries, but she also has a few darker stand-alones that rival James Lee Burke’s and Joe Lansdale’s Deep South detective novels.  Set in New Iberia, Louisiana during World War II, the mystery begins when a stark-raving wild woman is found hovering over a ravaged murder victim in the woods. The town is convinced she’s the loup-garou, a legendary shape-shifting monster, yet Deputy Raymond Thibodeaux knows she’s been set up.  Haunted by the ravages of war and the loss of his kid brother, Raymond feels a strong connection to the feral woman who lost her mind after the death of her sister and two twin sons. On a quest to clear her name, he puts his life on the line and faces his own demons in the process. Whether I’m reading a cozy whodunit  or a dark and atmospheric thriller, I’m always swept away by Carolyn’s world of sprawling horse pastures, sugar cane fields and spooky bayous!  Read my review here.

5.) Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen by Susan Gregg Gilmore
They say you can never come home again, but for Catherine Grace Cline, that’s perfectly okay. Restless and bored of small-town life, she spends her days plotting her great escape out of Ringgold, Georgia. Every Saturday afternoon, she sits with her best friend outside the DQ licking a Dilly Bar and daydreaming about her new life in the big city of Atlanta. When her dream finally becomes a reality, tragedy brings her back home. Shortly after her arrival, she discovers an earth-shattering betrayal and must find it within herself to forgive the ones she holds most dear. Brimming with sentiments of love, redemption and perseverence, this book had me reaching for the Kleenex and made me want to hug my daddy. I know, I’m a total sap. If you’re into books by authors like Billie Letts or Fannie Flagg, you’re bound to enjoy this sweet Southern yarn.

What’s your favorite book of 2011?

Mystery and Suspense Reading Challenge 2012!

On By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies1 Comment

I have a huge pile of cozies just waiting to be read, so this Book Chick City Mystery and Suspense Challenge should be a cinch! I have until this time next year to read 24 mysteries. From crime-solving kitties to ghost-whispering sleuths, my reading list is chock-full of murder, mayhem, romance and intrigue! To get a head start, I think I’ll skip out on the Sixth Street party scene this New Year’s Eve and ring in 2012 with a paranormal cozy. The real challenge here is deciding which one to read first!

 Here’s the first 16 whodunits I plan to read:

 1. How to Party with a Killer Vampire by Penny Warner
 2. Raining Cat Sitters and Dogs by Blaize Clement
 3. Hostile Makeover by Ellen Byerrum
 4. Jane and the Ghosts of Netley by Stephanie Barron
 5. Greedy Bones by Carolyn Haines–Read her Q&A here.
 6. Bone Appetit by Carolyn Haines–Read my review for “Wishbones” here.
 7. Pushing Up Bluebonnets by Leann Sweeney
 8. A Bad Day for Scandal by Sophie Littlefield–Read my review for “A Bad Day for Sorry” here.
 9. Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell — Read her Q&A here.
10. A Crazy Little Thing Called Death by Nancy Martin–Read my review for “Murder Melts in Your Mouth” here.
11. Better Read than Dead by Victoria Laurie
12. How to Survive a Killer Séance by Penny Warner
13. Night of the Living Deed by E.J. Copperman
14. Murder Past Due by Miranda James
15. The Trouble with Magic by Madelyn Alt
16. Death on Heels by Ellen Byerrum 

For more details about this challenge, visit Book Chick City.

In My Mailbox

On By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies2 Comments

I used to love show and tell back when I was a kid, especially after Santa spoiled me rotten with oodles of Barbies, Cabbage Patch Kids and My Little Ponies. Now thanks to The Story Siren, I can show off all my shiny new goodies (OMG I got a Nook Color!)  by taking part in this fun little meme. Basically this is an opportunity for book bloggers to spotlight all their new books and literary gadgets!  For more details, check out  The Story Siren.

From Santa

From Authors and Publishers

I’m not one to brag, but I think Santa kind of likes me! Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a ton of reading to do! Which one should I read first?

My Book Boyfriend: Rafe Bowman from A Wallflower Christmas

On By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies7 Comments


Meow! What could be more fun than pairing a literary hottie with a swoon-worthy celebrity? When I saw this meme, hosted by the Unread Reader,I couldn’t resist joining in on the fun! And it just so happens I just polished off A Wallflower Christmas, a historical romance featuring a dashing rogue named Rafe Bowman. I’ve got to hand it to Lisa Kleypas – that’s a great name for a hot male lead. While reading this book, I kept picturing Julian McMahon (also a hottie name!) from Nip Tuck. You might also remember him as that yummy district attorney boyfriend in Charmed.

About Rafe:

Tall, dark and ill-mannered, this sexy rake is known for his wild American ways. With his chiseled good looks and imposing physique, he shouldn’t have any trouble in the love department. Yet when he arrives in London to court his high society bride, his plans get derailed when he meets the sweet and strong-willed Hannah Appleton.

Accustomed to getting everything he wants, Rafe is intrigued by Hannah’s constant rejections. Hannah is determined to resist his persistent flirtations…at least at first. Soon sparks fly, witty banter ensues, a stolen kiss happens and Rafe’s cold, cynical heart melts into butter!

Drool-Worthy Quotes:

“Then I will have to show you what happens to women who stand in my way.” Before she could comprehend what was happening, one powerful arm had brought her against his hard masculine body. With his other hand, he grasped the nape of her neck, and tilted her head backward. And his mouth took hers.”

 “If only I could visit you as a foreigner goes into a new country, learn the language of you, wander past all borders into every private and secret place, I would stay forever. I would become a citizen of you.”

 “You would say it’s too soon to feel this way. You would ask how I could be so certain. But some things can’t be measured by time. Ask me an hour from now. Ask me a month from now. A year, ten years, a lifetime. The way I love you will outlast every calendar, clock, and every toll of every bell that will ever be cast.”
 
This is how we court girls in America. We grab them and kiss them. And if they don’t like it, we do it again, harder and longer, until they surrender. It saves us hours of witty repartee.

What do you think? Is this how you pictured Rafe Bowman? Who’s your favorite literary hottie? For more details about My Book Boyfriend, visit the Unread Reader.