5 stars all the way or how a curse can't stop true love, 12 Oct 2008
"Lucky Charm" by Carly Phillips is the first book in a series of three about the Corwin cousins (all male) and their trouble with the famous Corwin curse.
Book 1 is all about Derek Corwin and him meeting his first and true love Gabrielle again after he broke up with her at their prom 14 years ago and she left town heartbroken. Then he broke up with her because he really believed (and still does) in the Corwin curse that says that "any Corwin male who falls in love will be destined to lose his love and fortune".
But now Gabrielle is back to prove Derek that there is nothing true about the curse and that they can have a future together. Derek is not the only one sceptical about Gabrielle, soon after she arrives in her old hometown she starts getting serious threats by someone who wants her gone. The situation gets even more complicated because of Derek's daughter, who adores Gabrielle but Derek's ex-wife still has some issues with him and threatens Derek for sole-custody. In the end it comes down to what Derek has more trust in, an old family curse that dictated his love life forever or himself and Gabrielle and their love to each other.
The main relationship between Gabrielle and Derek is great, ok sometimes I would have liked to shake Derek and tell him to go get his girl but because his main interest was always to make sure Gabrielle is safe I still like him. Gabby is a strong woman who goes after what she wants and is also a great friend to Sharon, her best friend since they were children.
Sharon and her fiance Richard, who's trying to become the new mayor in town, have their own problems to solve because of something that happened in Sharons past and took away all her self-confidence. They are a lovely couple too and made my heart warm whenever I read about them.
There are two great love stories in the book, some really hot scenes and a lot of feeling and funny moments - just perfect.
So all in all I really liked "Lucky Charm", recommend it to everyone who likes romances and can't wait until next year to read how Derek's cousins handle the "curse".
S.M.

5 stars all the way or how a curse can't stop true love, 12 Oct 2008
"Lucky Charm" by Carly Phillips is the first book in a series of three about the Corwin cousins (all male) and their trouble with the famous Corwin curse.
Book 1 is all about Derek Corwin and him meeting his first and true love Gabrielle again after he broke up with her at their prom 14 years ago and she left town heartbroken. Then he broke up with her because he really believed (and still does) in the Corwin curse that says that "any Corwin male who falls in love will be destined to lose his love and fortune".
But now Gabrielle is back to prove Derek that there is nothing true about the curse and that they can have a future together. Derek is not the only one sceptical about Gabrielle, soon after she arrives in her old hometown she starts getting serious threats by someone who wants her gone. The situation gets even more complicated because of Derek's daughter, who adores Gabrielle but Derek's ex-wife still has some issues with him and threatens Derek for sole-custody. In the end it comes down to what Derek has more trust in, an old family curse that dictated his love life forever or himself and Gabrielle and their love to each other.
The main relationship between Gabrielle and Derek is great, ok sometimes I would have liked to shake Derek and tell him to go get his girl but because his main interest was always to make sure Gabrielle is safe I still like him. Gabby is a strong woman who goes after what she wants and is also a great friend to Sharon, her best friend since they were children.
Sharon and her fiance Richard, who's trying to become the new mayor in town, have their own problems to solve because of something that happened in Sharons past and took away all her self-confidence. They are a lovely couple too and made my heart warm whenever I read about them.
There are two great love stories in the book, some really hot scenes and a lot of feeling and funny moments - just perfect.
So all in all I really liked "Lucky Charm", recommend it to everyone who likes romances and can't wait until next year to read how Derek's cousins handle the "curse".
S.M.

Could’ve read it in one sitting…, 06 Mar 2006
...and I almost did but my two year old would have rather me read `HOP ON POP' a thousand times over. So I happily obliged and then as soon as he went to bed picked up this delightful short novel by Crusie once again and finished it off before the night was over.

`ANYONE BUT YOU' is the story of Nina Askew a forty-year-old divorcee trying to make a new life for herself. She has a new job, a new apartment and a newfound independence, now all she wants is the cute little rambunctious puppy that she has always dreamed of having but instead she gets Fred. Fred is part basset, part beagle who is way past his prime and far from the perky little pup that Nina had dreamed of but on his "last day" at the pound Nina knows she must rescue this languid dog from certain death. As it turns out adopting Fred was the smartest decision she ever made, not only does he quickly ingratiate himself into Nina's life but he also introduces her to Alex Moore her sexy, YOUNGER downstairs neighbor. Nina and Alex have a lot of common interests and are clearly attracted to one another but Nina, being ten years older than Alex, knows that they can never be more than friends, for how can she compete with those perky twenty something's that he is used to dating?

The friendship that develops between Nina and Alex is sweet and touching, something one only hopes to have with a significant other. And the sex scenes were some of the hottest and most romantic that I have read in a while. I believe Crusie's focus on the friendship between Nina and Alex made them one of the best-matched couples I have ever had the pleasure of reading about!

A fun, easy read, 04 Feb 2006
I bought this book on a recent trip to the States. I wanted an easy read for the flight back and it didn't disappoint. Although I found the story a little predictabe in places, I enjoyed the characters immensely, especially Fred. I defy any single woman in her thirties not to be turned on by the thought of living upstairs from her very own Alex!

Wonderful, 24 Jan 2006
This is one of Crusie's best (although I would be hard pushed to say which book wasn't!).
Quite fast-paced, with lots of dialogue - it has the feeling of later work 'Bet Me'.
A wonderful book with the added bonus of Fred: a depressive yet intelligent dog who is pretty much the main character.

I loved it and Im so glad they re-released it or else I might have missed out.

Classic Crusie, 23 Apr 2005
This is obviously early work, but nevertheless excellent writing that makes you sympathise with the female lead, lust after the male hunk and laugh at the witty dialogue. It is a very short novel - only 180 or so pages - but enjoyable enough to read in one sitting. I have read virtually all of Crusie's romance novels and have yet to find one that isn't good, most of them are in my mental favorite books list and I've had to read them over and over, just because they're that good and I always love them just as much the second or third time round.

5 stars all the way or how a curse can't stop true love, 12 Oct 2008
"Lucky Charm" by Carly Phillips is the first book in a series of three about the Corwin cousins (all male) and their trouble with the famous Corwin curse.
Book 1 is all about Derek Corwin and him meeting his first and true love Gabrielle again after he broke up with her at their prom 14 years ago and she left town heartbroken. Then he broke up with her because he really believed (and still does) in the Corwin curse that says that "any Corwin male who falls in love will be destined to lose his love and fortune".
But now Gabrielle is back to prove Derek that there is nothing true about the curse and that they can have a future together. Derek is not the only one sceptical about Gabrielle, soon after she arrives in her old hometown she starts getting serious threats by someone who wants her gone. The situation gets even more complicated because of Derek's daughter, who adores Gabrielle but Derek's ex-wife still has some issues with him and threatens Derek for sole-custody. In the end it comes down to what Derek has more trust in, an old family curse that dictated his love life forever or himself and Gabrielle and their love to each other.
The main relationship between Gabrielle and Derek is great, ok sometimes I would have liked to shake Derek and tell him to go get his girl but because his main interest was always to make sure Gabrielle is safe I still like him. Gabby is a strong woman who goes after what she wants and is also a great friend to Sharon, her best friend since they were children.
Sharon and her fiance Richard, who's trying to become the new mayor in town, have their own problems to solve because of something that happened in Sharons past and took away all her self-confidence. They are a lovely couple too and made my heart warm whenever I read about them.
There are two great love stories in the book, some really hot scenes and a lot of feeling and funny moments - just perfect.
So all in all I really liked "Lucky Charm", recommend it to everyone who likes romances and can't wait until next year to read how Derek's cousins handle the "curse".
S.M.

Could’ve read it in one sitting…, 06 Mar 2006
...and I almost did but my two year old would have rather me read `HOP ON POP' a thousand times over. So I happily obliged and then as soon as he went to bed picked up this delightful short novel by Crusie once again and finished it off before the night was over.

`ANYONE BUT YOU' is the story of Nina Askew a forty-year-old divorcee trying to make a new life for herself. She has a new job, a new apartment and a newfound independence, now all she wants is the cute little rambunctious puppy that she has always dreamed of having but instead she gets Fred. Fred is part basset, part beagle who is way past his prime and far from the perky little pup that Nina had dreamed of but on his "last day" at the pound Nina knows she must rescue this languid dog from certain death. As it turns out adopting Fred was the smartest decision she ever made, not only does he quickly ingratiate himself into Nina's life but he also introduces her to Alex Moore her sexy, YOUNGER downstairs neighbor. Nina and Alex have a lot of common interests and are clearly attracted to one another but Nina, being ten years older than Alex, knows that they can never be more than friends, for how can she compete with those perky twenty something's that he is used to dating?

The friendship that develops between Nina and Alex is sweet and touching, something one only hopes to have with a significant other. And the sex scenes were some of the hottest and most romantic that I have read in a while. I believe Crusie's focus on the friendship between Nina and Alex made them one of the best-matched couples I have ever had the pleasure of reading about!

A fun, easy read, 04 Feb 2006
I bought this book on a recent trip to the States. I wanted an easy read for the flight back and it didn't disappoint. Although I found the story a little predictabe in places, I enjoyed the characters immensely, especially Fred. I defy any single woman in her thirties not to be turned on by the thought of living upstairs from her very own Alex!

Wonderful, 24 Jan 2006
This is one of Crusie's best (although I would be hard pushed to say which book wasn't!).
Quite fast-paced, with lots of dialogue - it has the feeling of later work 'Bet Me'.
A wonderful book with the added bonus of Fred: a depressive yet intelligent dog who is pretty much the main character.

I loved it and Im so glad they re-released it or else I might have missed out.

Classic Crusie, 23 Apr 2005
This is obviously early work, but nevertheless excellent writing that makes you sympathise with the female lead, lust after the male hunk and laugh at the witty dialogue. It is a very short novel - only 180 or so pages - but enjoyable enough to read in one sitting. I have read virtually all of Crusie's romance novels and have yet to find one that isn't good, most of them are in my mental favorite books list and I've had to read them over and over, just because they're that good and I always love them just as much the second or third time round.

Great final of the "Sweet" series, 08 Sep 2008
I normally love Susan Mallerys series and don't worry the new "Sweet" series is another favourite of mine.
Book 3 in the series is called "Sweet Trouble" and is about Jesse finally coming back after she left Seatlle pregnant 5 years ago because of trouble with her sister Nicole and her boyfriend Matt.
But she's not coming home alone, with her is her adorable little boy Gabe who's actually the reason for her return because he wants to meet his father Matt.
Ok, Jesse was kind of a bad girl in the first two books, "Sweet talk" and "Sweet spot", but even more was she a young woman not too sure about herself and her surroundings and on the search to find her place. Ok, she made some stupid mistakes but when reading the book you understand why she did them.
Actually Jesse is my favourite sister because she is so human and managed to make the best out of her situation. She is a great mother to Gabe, way more self-confident than she was 5 years ago and finally ready to be a full member of the bakery.
Matt is still bitter because he thinks Jesse cheated on him and he manages to stay bitter through nearly the whole book (dumb, but hey he's a man, what do you expect). He nearly destroys his chance of a Happy Ending with Jesse and Matt but thankfully he comes to his senses before its too late.
At the end it's up to Jesse to decide if she trusts the new/old Matt and especially herself to take a another chance with him.
All in all I loved this book and can recommend the "Sweet" series to anyone who loves romances and a little sister interaction.
Next up is the "Lone Star Series" and I'm sure Susan Mallery produced another hit with this.
Enjoy.
S.M.

5 stars all the way or how a curse can't stop true love, 12 Oct 2008
"Lucky Charm" by Carly Phillips is the first book in a series of three about the Corwin cousins (all male) and their trouble with the famous Corwin curse.
Book 1 is all about Derek Corwin and him meeting his first and true love Gabrielle again after he broke up with her at their prom 14 years ago and she left town heartbroken. Then he broke up with her because he really believed (and still does) in the Corwin curse that says that "any Corwin male who falls in love will be destined to lose his love and fortune".
But now Gabrielle is back to prove Derek that there is nothing true about the curse and that they can have a future together. Derek is not the only one sceptical about Gabrielle, soon after she arrives in her old hometown she starts getting serious threats by someone who wants her gone. The situation gets even more complicated because of Derek's daughter, who adores Gabrielle but Derek's ex-wife still has some issues with him and threatens Derek for sole-custody. In the end it comes down to what Derek has more trust in, an old family curse that dictated his love life forever or himself and Gabrielle and their love to each other.
The main relationship between Gabrielle and Derek is great, ok sometimes I would have liked to shake Derek and tell him to go get his girl but because his main interest was always to make sure Gabrielle is safe I still like him. Gabby is a strong woman who goes after what she wants and is also a great friend to Sharon, her best friend since they were children.
Sharon and her fiance Richard, who's trying to become the new mayor in town, have their own problems to solve because of something that happened in Sharons past and took away all her self-confidence. They are a lovely couple too and made my heart warm whenever I read about them.
There are two great love stories in the book, some really hot scenes and a lot of feeling and funny moments - just perfect.
So all in all I really liked "Lucky Charm", recommend it to everyone who likes romances and can't wait until next year to read how Derek's cousins handle the "curse".
S.M.

Could’ve read it in one sitting…, 06 Mar 2006
...and I almost did but my two year old would have rather me read `HOP ON POP' a thousand times over. So I happily obliged and then as soon as he went to bed picked up this delightful short novel by Crusie once again and finished it off before the night was over.

`ANYONE BUT YOU' is the story of Nina Askew a forty-year-old divorcee trying to make a new life for herself. She has a new job, a new apartment and a newfound independence, now all she wants is the cute little rambunctious puppy that she has always dreamed of having but instead she gets Fred. Fred is part basset, part beagle who is way past his prime and far from the perky little pup that Nina had dreamed of but on his "last day" at the pound Nina knows she must rescue this languid dog from certain death. As it turns out adopting Fred was the smartest decision she ever made, not only does he quickly ingratiate himself into Nina's life but he also introduces her to Alex Moore her sexy, YOUNGER downstairs neighbor. Nina and Alex have a lot of common interests and are clearly attracted to one another but Nina, being ten years older than Alex, knows that they can never be more than friends, for how can she compete with those perky twenty something's that he is used to dating?

The friendship that develops between Nina and Alex is sweet and touching, something one only hopes to have with a significant other. And the sex scenes were some of the hottest and most romantic that I have read in a while. I believe Crusie's focus on the friendship between Nina and Alex made them one of the best-matched couples I have ever had the pleasure of reading about!

A fun, easy read, 04 Feb 2006
I bought this book on a recent trip to the States. I wanted an easy read for the flight back and it didn't disappoint. Although I found the story a little predictabe in places, I enjoyed the characters immensely, especially Fred. I defy any single woman in her thirties not to be turned on by the thought of living upstairs from her very own Alex!

Wonderful, 24 Jan 2006
This is one of Crusie's best (although I would be hard pushed to say which book wasn't!).
Quite fast-paced, with lots of dialogue - it has the feeling of later work 'Bet Me'.
A wonderful book with the added bonus of Fred: a depressive yet intelligent dog who is pretty much the main character.

I loved it and Im so glad they re-released it or else I might have missed out.

Classic Crusie, 23 Apr 2005
This is obviously early work, but nevertheless excellent writing that makes you sympathise with the female lead, lust after the male hunk and laugh at the witty dialogue. It is a very short novel - only 180 or so pages - but enjoyable enough to read in one sitting. I have read virtually all of Crusie's romance novels and have yet to find one that isn't good, most of them are in my mental favorite books list and I've had to read them over and over, just because they're that good and I always love them just as much the second or third time round.

Great final of the "Sweet" series, 08 Sep 2008
I normally love Susan Mallerys series and don't worry the new "Sweet" series is another favourite of mine.
Book 3 in the series is called "Sweet Trouble" and is about Jesse finally coming back after she left Seatlle pregnant 5 years ago because of trouble with her sister Nicole and her boyfriend Matt.
But she's not coming home alone, with her is her adorable little boy Gabe who's actually the reason for her return because he wants to meet his father Matt.
Ok, Jesse was kind of a bad girl in the first two books, "Sweet talk" and "Sweet spot", but even more was she a young woman not too sure about herself and her surroundings and on the search to find her place. Ok, she made some stupid mistakes but when reading the book you understand why she did them.
Actually Jesse is my favourite sister because she is so human and managed to make the best out of her situation. She is a great mother to Gabe, way more self-confident than she was 5 years ago and finally ready to be a full member of the bakery.
Matt is still bitter because he thinks Jesse cheated on him and he manages to stay bitter through nearly the whole book (dumb, but hey he's a man, what do you expect). He nearly destroys his chance of a Happy Ending with Jesse and Matt but thankfully he comes to his senses before its too late.
At the end it's up to Jesse to decide if she trusts the new/old Matt and especially herself to take a another chance with him.
All in all I loved this book and can recommend the "Sweet" series to anyone who loves romances and a little sister interaction.
Next up is the "Lone Star Series" and I'm sure Susan Mallery produced another hit with this.
Enjoy.
S.M.

Brilliant, 26 Nov 2008
Irene is determind not to marry ever, and when Gideon ( whos family are pushing him to marry ) comes into her life speaking of a buisness arrangment for a marrage she thinks that he is the last man she would ever even like, with gideon brought up in a different world to her she soon to say to her friend lady francesca that it will take alot for them to find him a wife, with an old family secret and trying to turn gideon into a gentleman she cannot help but realise shes falling in love with him......

this is a fantastic novel I love all candace camps novels and this is no exception, brilliant

5 stars all the way or how a curse can't stop true love, 12 Oct 2008
"Lucky Charm" by Carly Phillips is the first book in a series of three about the Corwin cousins (all male) and their trouble with the famous Corwin curse.
Book 1 is all about Derek Corwin and him meeting his first and true love Gabrielle again after he broke up with her at their prom 14 years ago and she left town heartbroken. Then he broke up with her because he really believed (and still does) in the Corwin curse that says that "any Corwin male who falls in love will be destined to lose his love and fortune".
But now Gabrielle is back to prove Derek that there is nothing true about the curse and that they can have a future together. Derek is not the only one sceptical about Gabrielle, soon after she arrives in her old hometown she starts getting serious threats by someone who wants her gone. The situation gets even more complicated because of Derek's daughter, who adores Gabrielle but Derek's ex-wife still has some issues with him and threatens Derek for sole-custody. In the end it comes down to what Derek has more trust in, an old family curse that dictated his love life forever or himself and Gabrielle and their love to each other.
The main relationship between Gabrielle and Derek is great, ok sometimes I would have liked to shake Derek and tell him to go get his girl but because his main interest was always to make sure Gabrielle is safe I still like him. Gabby is a strong woman who goes after what she wants and is also a great friend to Sharon, her best friend since they were children.
Sharon and her fiance Richard, who's trying to become the new mayor in town, have their own problems to solve because of something that happened in Sharons past and took away all her self-confidence. They are a lovely couple too and made my heart warm whenever I read about them.
There are two great love stories in the book, some really hot scenes and a lot of feeling and funny moments - just perfect.
So all in all I really liked "Lucky Charm", recommend it to everyone who likes romances and can't wait until next year to read how Derek's cousins handle the "curse".
S.M.

Could’ve read it in one sitting…, 06 Mar 2006
...and I almost did but my two year old would have rather me read `HOP ON POP' a thousand times over. So I happily obliged and then as soon as he went to bed picked up this delightful short novel by Crusie once again and finished it off before the night was over.

`ANYONE BUT YOU' is the story of Nina Askew a forty-year-old divorcee trying to make a new life for herself. She has a new job, a new apartment and a newfound independence, now all she wants is the cute little rambunctious puppy that she has always dreamed of having but instead she gets Fred. Fred is part basset, part beagle who is way past his prime and far from the perky little pup that Nina had dreamed of but on his "last day" at the pound Nina knows she must rescue this languid dog from certain death. As it turns out adopting Fred was the smartest decision she ever made, not only does he quickly ingratiate himself into Nina's life but he also introduces her to Alex Moore her sexy, YOUNGER downstairs neighbor. Nina and Alex have a lot of common interests and are clearly attracted to one another but Nina, being ten years older than Alex, knows that they can never be more than friends, for how can she compete with those perky twenty something's that he is used to dating?

The friendship that develops between Nina and Alex is sweet and touching, something one only hopes to have with a significant other. And the sex scenes were some of the hottest and most romantic that I have read in a while. I believe Crusie's focus on the friendship between Nina and Alex made them one of the best-matched couples I have ever had the pleasure of reading about!

A fun, easy read, 04 Feb 2006
I bought this book on a recent trip to the States. I wanted an easy read for the flight back and it didn't disappoint. Although I found the story a little predictabe in places, I enjoyed the characters immensely, especially Fred. I defy any single woman in her thirties not to be turned on by the thought of living upstairs from her very own Alex!

Wonderful, 24 Jan 2006
This is one of Crusie's best (although I would be hard pushed to say which book wasn't!).
Quite fast-paced, with lots of dialogue - it has the feeling of later work 'Bet Me'.
A wonderful book with the added bonus of Fred: a depressive yet intelligent dog who is pretty much the main character.

I loved it and Im so glad they re-released it or else I might have missed out.

Classic Crusie, 23 Apr 2005
This is obviously early work, but nevertheless excellent writing that makes you sympathise with the female lead, lust after the male hunk and laugh at the witty dialogue. It is a very short novel - only 180 or so pages - but enjoyable enough to read in one sitting. I have read virtually all of Crusie's romance novels and have yet to find one that isn't good, most of them are in my mental favorite books list and I've had to read them over and over, just because they're that good and I always love them just as much the second or third time round.

Great final of the "Sweet" series, 08 Sep 2008
I normally love Susan Mallerys series and don't worry the new "Sweet" series is another favourite of mine.
Book 3 in the series is called "Sweet Trouble" and is about Jesse finally coming back after she left Seatlle pregnant 5 years ago because of trouble with her sister Nicole and her boyfriend Matt.
But she's not coming home alone, with her is her adorable little boy Gabe who's actually the reason for her return because he wants to meet his father Matt.
Ok, Jesse was kind of a bad girl in the first two books, "Sweet talk" and "Sweet spot", but even more was she a young woman not too sure about herself and her surroundings and on the search to find her place. Ok, she made some stupid mistakes but when reading the book you understand why she did them.
Actually Jesse is my favourite sister because she is so human and managed to make the best out of her situation. She is a great mother to Gabe, way more self-confident than she was 5 years ago and finally ready to be a full member of the bakery.
Matt is still bitter because he thinks Jesse cheated on him and he manages to stay bitter through nearly the whole book (dumb, but hey he's a man, what do you expect). He nearly destroys his chance of a Happy Ending with Jesse and Matt but thankfully he comes to his senses before its too late.
At the end it's up to Jesse to decide if she trusts the new/old Matt and especially herself to take a another chance with him.
All in all I loved this book and can recommend the "Sweet" series to anyone who loves romances and a little sister interaction.
Next up is the "Lone Star Series" and I'm sure Susan Mallery produced another hit with this.
Enjoy.
S.M.

Brilliant, 26 Nov 2008
Irene is determind not to marry ever, and when Gideon ( whos family are pushing him to marry ) comes into her life speaking of a buisness arrangment for a marrage she thinks that he is the last man she would ever even like, with gideon brought up in a different world to her she soon to say to her friend lady francesca that it will take alot for them to find him a wife, with an old family secret and trying to turn gideon into a gentleman she cannot help but realise shes falling in love with him......

this is a fantastic novel I love all candace camps novels and this is no exception, brilliant

Sexy and enjoyable Blaze romance, 18 Nov 2008
Liza Skinner's life is a complete disaster. Thanks to a horrifically bad ex-boyfriend, she's lost her friends, her job, her life and her share of millions of a huge lottery win. To top it all off - she's being blackmailed.

Getting involved with someone is really not what she needs right now - even if the man she has in mind is hunky doctor, Evan Gann.

Soon she is able to forgot all about her problems as she learns Dr Evan is a whole lot naughtier than she expected him to be. But how will he react when he finds out all she's been hiding?


This is the concluding book in the Million Dollar Secrets Blaze mini-series, which has seen various cast and crew of a talk show winning a huge lot of money on the lottery. Despite this, 'What She Really Wants for Christmas' still makes perfect sense if you haven't read any other books in the series.

The book itself is a good, engrossing and enjoyable read with characters that you will learn to love. Evan is delicious as a not-so-stuffy doctor while Liza manages to win you over as you find out about her as the book continues. The pair have some sizzling sexual chemistry which makes for steamy reading in some places.

All in all this is a fun and sexy read from Blaze. Despite its title, it's not a Christmas book or even really Christmas themed - but it's still an enjoyable read to help you through the long, cold nights. 4 stars.

5 stars all the way or how a curse can't stop true love, 12 Oct 2008
"Lucky Charm" by Carly Phillips is the first book in a series of three about the Corwin cousins (all male) and their trouble with the famous Corwin curse.
Book 1 is all about Derek Corwin and him meeting his first and true love Gabrielle again after he broke up with her at their prom 14 years ago and she left town heartbroken. Then he broke up with her because he really believed (and still does) in the Corwin curse that says that "any Corwin male who falls in love will be destined to lose his love and fortune".
But now Gabrielle is back to prove Derek that there is nothing true about the curse and that they can have a future together. Derek is not the only one sceptical about Gabrielle, soon after she arrives in her old hometown she starts getting serious threats by someone who wants her gone. The situation gets even more complicated because of Derek's daughter, who adores Gabrielle but Derek's ex-wife still has some issues with him and threatens Derek for sole-custody. In the end it comes down to what Derek has more trust in, an old family curse that dictated his love life forever or himself and Gabrielle and their love to each other.
The main relationship between Gabrielle and Derek is great, ok sometimes I would have liked to shake Derek and tell him to go get his girl but because his main interest was always to make sure Gabrielle is safe I still like him. Gabby is a strong woman who goes after what she wants and is also a great friend to Sharon, her best friend since they were children.
Sharon and her fiance Richard, who's trying to become the new mayor in town, have their own problems to solve because of something that happened in Sharons past and took away all her self-confidence. They are a lovely couple too and made my heart warm whenever I read about them.
There are two great love stories in the book, some really hot scenes and a lot of feeling and funny moments - just perfect.
So all in all I really liked "Lucky Charm", recommend it to everyone who likes romances and can't wait until next year to read how Derek's cousins handle the "curse".
S.M.

Could’ve read it in one sitting…, 06 Mar 2006
...and I almost did but my two year old would have rather me read `HOP ON POP' a thousand times over. So I happily obliged and then as soon as he went to bed picked up this delightful short novel by Crusie once again and finished it off before the night was over.

`ANYONE BUT YOU' is the story of Nina Askew a forty-year-old divorcee trying to make a new life for herself. She has a new job, a new apartment and a newfound independence, now all she wants is the cute little rambunctious puppy that she has always dreamed of having but instead she gets Fred. Fred is part basset, part beagle who is way past his prime and far from the perky little pup that Nina had dreamed of but on his "last day" at the pound Nina knows she must rescue this languid dog from certain death. As it turns out adopting Fred was the smartest decision she ever made, not only does he quickly ingratiate himself into Nina's life but he also introduces her to Alex Moore her sexy, YOUNGER downstairs neighbor. Nina and Alex have a lot of common interests and are clearly attracted to one another but Nina, being ten years older than Alex, knows that they can never be more than friends, for how can she compete with those perky twenty something's that he is used to dating?

The friendship that develops between Nina and Alex is sweet and touching, something one only hopes to have with a significant other. And the sex scenes were some of the hottest and most romantic that I have read in a while. I believe Crusie's focus on the friendship between Nina and Alex made them one of the best-matched couples I have ever had the pleasure of reading about!

A fun, easy read, 04 Feb 2006
I bought this book on a recent trip to the States. I wanted an easy read for the flight back and it didn't disappoint. Although I found the story a little predictabe in places, I enjoyed the characters immensely, especially Fred. I defy any single woman in her thirties not to be turned on by the thought of living upstairs from her very own Alex!

Wonderful, 24 Jan 2006
This is one of Crusie's best (although I would be hard pushed to say which book wasn't!).
Quite fast-paced, with lots of dialogue - it has the feeling of later work 'Bet Me'.
A wonderful book with the added bonus of Fred: a depressive yet intelligent dog who is pretty much the main character.

I loved it and Im so glad they re-released it or else I might have missed out.

Classic Crusie, 23 Apr 2005
This is obviously early work, but nevertheless excellent writing that makes you sympathise with the female lead, lust after the male hunk and laugh at the witty dialogue. It is a very short novel - only 180 or so pages - but enjoyable enough to read in one sitting. I have read virtually all of Crusie's romance novels and have yet to find one that isn't good, most of them are in my mental favorite books list and I've had to read them over and over, just because they're that good and I always love them just as much the second or third time round.

Great final of the "Sweet" series, 08 Sep 2008
I normally love Susan Mallerys series and don't worry the new "Sweet" series is another favourite of mine.
Book 3 in the series is called "Sweet Trouble" and is about Jesse finally coming back after she left Seatlle pregnant 5 years ago because of trouble with her sister Nicole and her boyfriend Matt.
But she's not coming home alone, with her is her adorable little boy Gabe who's actually the reason for her return because he wants to meet his father Matt.
Ok, Jesse was kind of a bad girl in the first two books, "Sweet talk" and "Sweet spot", but even more was she a young woman not too sure about herself and her surroundings and on the search to find her place. Ok, she made some stupid mistakes but when reading the book you understand why she did them.
Actually Jesse is my favourite sister because she is so human and managed to make the best out of her situation. She is a great mother to Gabe, way more self-confident than she was 5 years ago and finally ready to be a full member of the bakery.
Matt is still bitter because he thinks Jesse cheated on him and he manages to stay bitter through nearly the whole book (dumb, but hey he's a man, what do you expect). He nearly destroys his chance of a Happy Ending with Jesse and Matt but thankfully he comes to his senses before its too late.
At the end it's up to Jesse to decide if she trusts the new/old Matt and especially herself to take a another chance with him.
All in all I loved this book and can recommend the "Sweet" series to anyone who loves romances and a little sister interaction.
Next up is the "Lone Star Series" and I'm sure Susan Mallery produced another hit with this.
Enjoy.
S.M.

Brilliant, 26 Nov 2008
Irene is determind not to marry ever, and when Gideon ( whos family are pushing him to marry ) comes into her life speaking of a buisness arrangment for a marrage she thinks that he is the last man she would ever even like, with gideon brought up in a different world to her she soon to say to her friend lady francesca that it will take alot for them to find him a wife, with an old family secret and trying to turn gideon into a gentleman she cannot help but realise shes falling in love with him......

this is a fantastic novel I love all candace camps novels and this is no exception, brilliant

Sexy and enjoyable Blaze romance, 18 Nov 2008
Liza Skinner's life is a complete disaster. Thanks to a horrifically bad ex-boyfriend, she's lost her friends, her job, her life and her share of millions of a huge lottery win. To top it all off - she's being blackmailed.

Getting involved with someone is really not what she needs right now - even if the man she has in mind is hunky doctor, Evan Gann.

Soon she is able to forgot all about her problems as she learns Dr Evan is a whole lot naughtier than she expected him to be. But how will he react when he finds out all she's been hiding?


This is the concluding book in the Million Dollar Secrets Blaze mini-series, which has seen various cast and crew of a talk show winning a huge lot of money on the lottery. Despite this, 'What She Really Wants for Christmas' still makes perfect sense if you haven't read any other books in the series.

The book itself is a good, engrossing and enjoyable read with characters that you will learn to love. Evan is delicious as a not-so-stuffy doctor while Liza manages to win you over as you find out about her as the book continues. The pair have some sizzling sexual chemistry which makes for steamy reading in some places.

All in all this is a fun and sexy read from Blaze. Despite its title, it's not a Christmas book or even really Christmas themed - but it's still an enjoyable read to help you through the long, cold nights. 4 stars.

HOT!!!, 26 Nov 2008
I bought this book before I went on holiday and boy, was it HOT!!!! I could not wait to get back in the country so I could order the follow up. Since then I have got the other two, and I can't wait for the next one. I read the other two on the day I got them, BOTH on the same day!!

5 stars all the way or how a curse can't stop true love, 12 Oct 2008
"Lucky Charm" by Carly Phillips is the first book in a series of three about the Corwin cousins (all male) and their trouble with the famous Corwin curse.
Book 1 is all about Derek Corwin and him meeting his first and true love Gabrielle again after he broke up with her at their prom 14 years ago and she left town heartbroken. Then he broke up with her because he really believed (and still does) in the Corwin curse that says that "any Corwin male who falls in love will be destined to lose his love and fortune".
But now Gabrielle is back to prove Derek that there is nothing true about the curse and that they can have a future together. Derek is not the only one sceptical about Gabrielle, soon after she arrives in her old hometown she starts getting serious threats by someone who wants her gone. The situation gets even more complicated because of Derek's daughter, who adores Gabrielle but Derek's ex-wife still has some issues with him and threatens Derek for sole-custody. In the end it comes down to what Derek has more trust in, an old family curse that dictated his love life forever or himself and Gabrielle and their love to each other.
The main relationship between Gabrielle and Derek is great, ok sometimes I would have liked to shake Derek and tell him to go get his girl but because his main interest was always to make sure Gabrielle is safe I still like him. Gabby is a strong woman who goes after what she wants and is also a great friend to Sharon, her best friend since they were children.
Sharon and her fiance Richard, who's trying to become the new mayor in town, have their own problems to solve because of something that happened in Sharons past and took away all her self-confidence. They are a lovely couple too and made my heart warm whenever I read about them.
There are two great love stories in the book, some really hot scenes and a lot of feeling and funny moments - just perfect.
So all in all I really liked "Lucky Charm", recommend it to everyone who likes romances and can't wait until next year to read how Derek's cousins handle the "curse".
S.M.

Could’ve read it in one sitting…, 06 Mar 2006
...and I almost did but my two year old would have rather me read `HOP ON POP' a thousand times over. So I happily obliged and then as soon as he went to bed picked up this delightful short novel by Crusie once again and finished it off before the night was over.

`ANYONE BUT YOU' is the story of Nina Askew a forty-year-old divorcee trying to make a new life for herself. She has a new job, a new apartment and a newfound independence, now all she wants is the cute little rambunctious puppy that she has always dreamed of having but instead she gets Fred. Fred is part basset, part beagle who is way past his prime and far from the perky little pup that Nina had dreamed of but on his "last day" at the pound Nina knows she must rescue this languid dog from certain death. As it turns out adopting Fred was the smartest decision she ever made, not only does he quickly ingratiate himself into Nina's life but he also introduces her to Alex Moore her sexy, YOUNGER downstairs neighbor. Nina and Alex have a lot of common interests and are clearly attracted to one another but Nina, being ten years older than Alex, knows that they can never be more than friends, for how can she compete with those perky twenty something's that he is used to dating?

The friendship that develops between Nina and Alex is sweet and touching, something one only hopes to have with a significant other. And the sex scenes were some of the hottest and most romantic that I have read in a while. I believe Crusie's focus on the friendship between Nina and Alex made them one of the best-matched couples I have ever had the pleasure of reading about!

A fun, easy read, 04 Feb 2006
I bought this book on a recent trip to the States. I wanted an easy read for the flight back and it didn't disappoint. Although I found the story a little predictabe in places, I enjoyed the characters immensely, especially Fred. I defy any single woman in her thirties not to be turned on by the thought of living upstairs from her very own Alex!

Wonderful, 24 Jan 2006
This is one of Crusie's best (although I would be hard pushed to say which book wasn't!).
Quite fast-paced, with lots of dialogue - it has the feeling of later work 'Bet Me'.
A wonderful book with the added bonus of Fred: a depressive yet intelligent dog who is pretty much the main character.

I loved it and Im so glad they re-released it or else I might have missed out.

Classic Crusie, 23 Apr 2005
This is obviously early work, but nevertheless excellent writing that makes you sympathise with the female lead, lust after the male hunk and laugh at the witty dialogue. It is a very short novel - only 180 or so pages - but enjoyable enough to read in one sitting. I have read virtually all of Crusie's romance novels and have yet to find one that isn't good, most of them are in my mental favorite books list and I've had to read them over and over, just because they're that good and I always love them just as much the second or third time round.

Great final of the "Sweet" series, 08 Sep 2008
I normally love Susan Mallerys series and don't worry the new "Sweet" series is another favourite of mine.
Book 3 in the series is called "Sweet Trouble" and is about Jesse finally coming back after she left Seatlle pregnant 5 years ago because of trouble with her sister Nicole and her boyfriend Matt.
But she's not coming home alone, with her is her adorable little boy Gabe who's actually the reason for her return because he wants to meet his father Matt.
Ok, Jesse was kind of a bad girl in the first two books, "Sweet talk" and "Sweet spot", but even more was she a young woman not too sure about herself and her surroundings and on the search to find her place. Ok, she made some stupid mistakes but when reading the book you understand why she did them.
Actually Jesse is my favourite sister because she is so human and managed to make the best out of her situation. She is a great mother to Gabe, way more self-confident than she was 5 years ago and finally ready to be a full member of the bakery.
Matt is still bitter because he thinks Jesse cheated on him and he manages to stay bitter through nearly the whole book (dumb, but hey he's a man, what do you expect). He nearly destroys his chance of a Happy Ending with Jesse and Matt but thankfully he comes to his senses before its too late.
At the end it's up to Jesse to decide if she trusts the new/old Matt and especially herself to take a another chance with him.
All in all I loved this book and can recommend the "Sweet" series to anyone who loves romances and a little sister interaction.
Next up is the "Lone Star Series" and I'm sure Susan Mallery produced another hit with this.
Enjoy.
S.M.

Brilliant, 26 Nov 2008
Irene is determind not to marry ever, and when Gideon ( whos family are pushing him to marry ) comes into her life speaking of a buisness arrangment for a marrage she thinks that he is the last man she would ever even like, with gideon brought up in a different world to her she soon to say to her friend lady francesca that it will take alot for them to find him a wife, with an old family secret and trying to turn gideon into a gentleman she cannot help but realise shes falling in love with him......

this is a fantastic novel I love all candace camps novels and this is no exception, brilliant

Sexy and enjoyable Blaze romance, 18 Nov 2008
Liza Skinner's life is a complete disaster. Thanks to a horrifically bad ex-boyfriend, she's lost her friends, her job, her life and her share of millions of a huge lottery win. To top it all off - she's being blackmailed.

Getting involved with someone is really not what she needs right now - even if the man she has in mind is hunky doctor, Evan Gann.

Soon she is able to forgot all about her problems as she learns Dr Evan is a whole lot naughtier than she expected him to be. But how will he react when he finds out all she's been hiding?


This is the concluding book in the Million Dollar Secrets Blaze mini-series, which has seen various cast and crew of a talk show winning a huge lot of money on the lottery. Despite this, 'What She Really Wants for Christmas' still makes perfect sense if you haven't read any other books in the series.

The book itself is a good, engrossing and enjoyable read with characters that you will learn to love. Evan is delicious as a not-so-stuffy doctor while Liza manages to win you over as you find out about her as the book continues. The pair have some sizzling sexual chemistry which makes for steamy reading in some places.

All in all this is a fun and sexy read from Blaze. Despite its title, it's not a Christmas book or even really Christmas themed - but it's still an enjoyable read to help you through the long, cold nights. 4 stars.

HOT!!!, 26 Nov 2008
I bought this book before I went on holiday and boy, was it HOT!!!! I could not wait to get back in the country so I could order the follow up. Since then I have got the other two, and I can't wait for the next one. I read the other two on the day I got them, BOTH on the same day!!

Teasingly sexy and sweet romance, 15 Jun 2008
Maddy Turner is in a bit of a mess. She's about to bid a hefty amount of money at a charity bachelor auction to stop her father's latest wife from bagging herself a sexy, single man. And the man she must outbid her stepmother for is none other than a European gigolo.

Sexy, all-American paramedic, Jake Wallace, has no idea that a mix up at the charity auction has left the bidding ladies convinced that he is a male escort. When he is won by the deliciously sexy Maddy - he is sure he's onto a good thing.

But Maddy has been burned before and it's going to take all Jake has to convince her to give him a go. And of course there's still the fact that Maddy is sure that Jake is only with her because he's being paid to.


I am a huge fan of Leslie Kelly and I was happy to see her with a new book in the Wrong Bed miniseries (a series that started off in the Harlequin Tempatation line). This is the first of two books, the next being Heated Rush.

I definitely did enjoy this book as it was fun, sexy and interesting. Maddy and Jake were a good couple and despite all the confusion and misunderstandings - they did have some good chemistry. As such, the sex scenes were teasing, sexy and very hot.

The conflict in the story wasn't as clichéd as it could have been - which is always a good thing. However, by removing the 'obvious' conflict, this meant that the story was fairly slow paced and was very much character focussed despite the quirky premise.

Overall, it's perhaps not Leslie Kelly's best book but it's still exceptionally well written with a fun storyline, likeable characters and some naughty sex. Definitely recommended. 4 stars.