Review: Identity: Unknown by Suzanne Brockmann.

Hero: Lieutenant Mitchell Shaw
Heroine: Rebecca Keyes
Grade: 4.5 out of 5

What he remembered: His clothing size.

What he didn't remember: Everything else.

Navy SEAL Mitchell Shaw woke one morning with no clue as to who he was. And the items hidden in his possession were no help--an address, along with a .22 caliber side arm. The address led him to the Lazy 8 Ranch--and its beautiful manager, Becca Keyes, who made him believe he might have a future, even if he wasn't sure about his past.

The gun was another story altogether....

I really enjoyed this book which shocked the hell out of me since I detest amnesia stories and even though I just knew I wasn't going to like this story, Suz Brockmann done made me love it anyway. I started this story last week but when I couldn't get through the first couple of chapters because of the whole amnesia thing and I came back to this story yesterday just wanting to hurry up and finish it so that I can hurry up and get to Lucky's book and I was pleasantly surprised that I really, really enjoyed this story.

Mitch loses his memory after a night he can't remember. All he remembers is that he wakes up in a Church mission thingy and he's got a gun in his boot along with a wad of bills. He's got the Lazy 8 Ranch address on a piece of paper so he sets off to see if going to this Lazy 8 Ranch will jg his memory. He's mistaken for a ranch hand and he takes the job because he doesn't know what else to do so he mucks out stalls of horse maneuer and he keeps to himself and is very quiet.

He's really attracted to his boss lady, Becca Keyes and when he saves the life of a young child who nearly drowns, Becca can't help but take notice at how dangerously attractive "Casey 'Mish' Parker" is. She's drawn to him and she can't help herself when she asks him out, again and again until he finally relents and goes out with her.

I liked that the amnesia plot wasn't a big drawn out thing, it was what it was and Mitch dealed with it, being as honest as he could and I loved that when the truth finally came out about who he wasn't, Mitch didn't run off without telling Becca everything. I loved that the amnesia thing was apart of the story but it wasn't the whole story. There was still finding out who was after Mitch and what he was supposed to be doing and who he really was...all of those things made for some action packed scenes and I really appreciated all of it.

Mitch was a great hero but I already knew that he was going to be. I really liked him in Jake and Zoe's story and so I was glad when I finally got to read his story. I liked Becca for him, I liked that she knew what she liked and she went after it. She was an adult about wanting Mitch and going after Mitch, knowing that things might not last. She was open to whatever Mitch could dish her way and she wasn't a baby about it. Even after she found out that he wasn't who he claimed, I'm glad that she listened to him and heard him out before she jumped to any rash decisions....what I really loved about her was how she stuck by him and helped him through everything. He needed her and she was there for him.

Great, great story.

I'm already reading Lucky's story (I couldn't wait) and am loving every minute of that story as well. These TDD books really are fantastic and I seriously cannot wait for more. This series isn't finished forever, is it? Does anyone know?

I'm glad I read this story and I know that others will enjoy this addition to the TDD series. I definitely recommend this book for light summer reading by the pool or on the beach, it's fun, suspenseful and short all rolled into one. It packs a helluva punch and is just what I needed this weekend.

This book is available from Mira Books. You can buy it here.

Guest Review: It Had To Be You at TGTBTU

I have a guest review for It Had To Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Book 1 in the Chicago Stars series, up at The Good, The Bad and The Unread.

Check it out..

This is one of those novels that's really hard to grade. I absolutely loved it while I was reading it, but once I finished I realized there were a lot of flaws with it. The hero is an ass, the heroine plays dumb and uses her looks to get ahead in the world and the secondary characters are all football players. Oh, wait, that's actually a point in it's favor. Mmm, football players. But I digress. The point is, though it's flawed, it's still a well written book that grabs your attention and doesn't let go.

Read the rest here.

Curious about the two covers? Read what SEP had to say here.

This book is a re-issue from Avon. You can buy it here or here in e-book format.

A Year of Acheron Book Commercial Released

I received Sherrilyn Kenyon's newsletter yesterday and it included a link for her new book commercial. I'm not exactly sure how I feel about it. On the one hand, it makes the novel sound intriguing. On the other hand, it's rather dark and SK doesn't really do dark. Plus, Ash looks scary and that's not at all how I picture him. So..I'm on the fence.

What do you think?



I'm also kind of wondering why they're calling it a book commercial? Any thoughts or ideas?

Review: Wild Sweet Ecstasy by Jo Goodman

She couldn't ignore him

The gang of train robbers swore they could smell a reporter a mile away. Maybe it was her perfume that saved Mary Michael Dennehy from the brutal fate of her newspaper colleagues on the train to Colorado. Instead of being killed, she was kidnapped by the one named Ethan Stone - a man whose lazy, derisive smile was distinctly unsettling, and oddly familiar. He didn't seem to think much of her stubborn defiance, her disgust for his crimes, or her pathetic attempts to escape. She only wished she could be as indifferent to his potent masculinity, and the way his lips slanted over hers, drawing a response from deep within her that was at once wild and sweet...

He couldn't forget her

Ethan recognized her instantly. The last time he'd seen her, her hair had been a nest for pencils and the tip of her nose had propped up gold-rimmed spectacles. Something about her had made him wonder what such a modern city woman - a reporter, for Christ's sake - would be like in bed. He'd never forgotten her, and wasn't about to let her open that fascinating mouth of hers now and get herself killed - and him along with her, if she recognized him as the undercover detective he was. Without the pencils and spectacles, she was damned alluring. It would be his pleasure to indulge his secret fantasies and distract that razor-sharp brain of hers with a slow and subtle onslaught of Wild Sweet Ecstasy.

This is the infamous book that I slapped myself in the eye with. It's the first book in Goodman's Dennehy Sisters series. I've read this series completely out of order. I read the third book first and the fifth (and final) book second. I finally decided to pick the first book up. Jo Goodman can always get me out of a slump, which is why I decided to pick up Wild Sweet Ecstasy.

Isn't that cover so 90's? It's not the cover that I have, but how could I not share it w/ everyone? Of course it's not what I imagined Michael and Ethan looking like, but it's close.

As one of John Mackenzie Worth's five bastard daughters, Mary Michael Dennehy has worked hard to make a name for herself without her father's influence. Taking a job at the Chronicle, Michael knows that she has more than one obstacle to overcome. Not only is she a woman in what is considered a man's job, she is also Jay Mac's daughter. Little by little, Michael proves herself to her editor and co-workers. When she finds herself on No. 367 heading west, Michael has no idea how her life is about to change.

U.S. Marshal Ethan Stone has worked hard to get into the gang that has been robbing trains all across the country. When he sees Michael on No. 367, he vividly remembers the first time he saw her at the Chronicle offices. What he doesn't know is if she'll remember him. Ethan can't take a chance that she'll expose him, so he does the only thing he can, he knocks her out and claims that she's his estranged wife. Now Ethan's job is harder; he has to protect Michael and bring down the gang of robbers.

Michael doesn't remember Ethan even though he looks familiar. Michael doesn't take the time to try to figure out where she's seen him before. All she can think about is her five co-workers that were murdered, one by Ethan's own hand. For that reason, when Ethan asks her to trust him, she's not very inclined to do so. Planning on turning these men in to the first lawman she comes across, Michael isn't prepared for what happens when she's brought to Madison, Colorado. That's when she realizes that getting away is going to be virtually impossible and that her only ally is Ethan.

Though Ethan tries to protect Michael as best he can, there's little he can do when the leader of their gang takes a liking to her. Though he's almost convinced himself that all he wants is for Michael to leave Madison safely, he can't deny what he's started to feel for her. Now all he wants to do is get them both out alive, something that seems less likely as each day passes.

I loved this book. The Dennehy sisters have fascinated me since I first read about them. Their mother and father have the sort of love that is timeless and the fact that their father is married to another woman has not stopped them for being together for the last 25 years. Thought it might seem tawdry and wrong, it's far from that. Moira Dennehy and Jay Mac Worth were born for each other and you can see each of them in their five daughters.

Michael is a heroine that defies society's expectations of what a woman should or should not be. She is someone that has succeeded in doing what she wants to do with nothing other than sheer determination. Her attraction to Ethan was far from welcome, her inner struggle apparent. Ethan doesn't tell Michael who he is b/c he doesn't want her to accidentally give him away. So as far as she knows, Ethan is nothing but a thief and murderer. That she's attracted to him is something that she's unprepared for.

5 out of 5.

This OOP book was published by Zebra Books. You can buy it used here.

Other books in the series:

Contest: Win Free Jenna Petersen Books!

Win some free Jenna Petersen books just leaving a comment on this post.

What books can you win by commenting? You can win either a) any copy off her backlist or b) a pre-order of her upcoming release, Her Notorious Viscount.

4 winners will be chosen, 3 pre-orders and a backlist winner so there's plenty to win, so be a sweetie and leave a comment! =)

Guest Author: Jenna Petersen Visits Book Binge ....

...so let's give her a warm welcome, shall we?

A couple of months ago, I read Lessons from a Courtesan by Jenna Petersen and I was a lot of things. Curious as to why Jenna would write a story about a cheater and then I was overtaken by an urge to pick Jenna's brain and what better way to do that then by inviting her to do an author interview here at Book Binge.

Lucky for me, Jenna was nice enough to indulge me. So here are my questions for Jenna answered in all it's glory.

YAY!

Random Writing Questions.

BB: When did you decide that you wanted to write for a living?

JP: I wrote my first book in my Sophomore year of college and got really addicted to the girls in my dorm coming to my door at 2am to ask to “just one more page”. But it was a lark to me, I never thought I’d really pursue it! But then in 1999 after I graduated with a degree in Psychology from University of Washington, my husband was working nights and I started revising that first manuscript. I got really hooked and pretty soon I decided to change my plans, NOT go back to school for my Masters and instead pursue writing full-time. So since 1999.

BB: Tell us about the very first book you ever wrote? Did it get published, what do you think when you reread it now?

JP: The first book was called “Innocent Passion” and it was a very cheesy historical romance set in some vague time period in Pennsylvania. My heroine was being physically abused by her fiancé and my hero was her newly returned brother’s best friend. Oh and the brother and my heroine’s best friend also fell in love (in the same book, with their own POVs). It was a hot mess and truly awful. I would NEVER read it again, I fear it would depress me. It is currently living under my bed and I think I’m going to have to leave strict instructions for it to be burned upon my demise. But I learned a lot from it and I thank it profusely for putting me on this path.

BB: Now you write in two different genres, what books are easiest to write? The historicals or the eroticas?

JP: I don’t know if I’d say “easy” for either of them. They’re just different. I set them up differently (the erotics generally have some central sexual conflict). But otherwise, it’s just writing a book, you know? I love writing them both! I’m very proud of both names and both products.

BB: Tell us about what happened when you got the call/email that your first published story was getting picked up.

JP: Well, my husband had been river rafting with some friends on a really dangerous river (he got a bug to do it, I still have no idea why) and he went a bit… missing. He was supposed to call me and he didn’t and hours and hours went by. The rafting company wouldn’t give me any information (and said something cryptic about “river problems”). By the time he did get in touch with me (about 8 hours after he was supposed to, I was pretty hysterical. It turned out they’d had to change courses and there had been a fairly serious injury to one of the guides (he was okay ultimately) so they had to wait for evac before they could go on. A big mess. Anyway, he ended up driving home through the night and got home around 6am. I remember saying to him. “That’s all the excitement I need for the rest of my life.”

About 5 hours later, the phone rang. It was my agent to tell me that Avon had just bought two of my books (SCANDALOUS and what they call a “blind” book, which ended up being FROM LONDON WITH LOVE). I remember screaming and crying and he was crying. It was awesome. Especially after the day before and all the drama and worry.

BB: For the readers out there who haven't read one of your books, which book would you recommend they start with?

JP: I’d say that SCANDALOUS and LESSONS FROM A COURTESAN are both good books to start with (although LESSONS is going to be much easier to find currently) because they are stand-alone books and I think they represent my style as a writer. If they want to read the Lady Spies series, FROM LONDON WITH LOVE is the first one there (although they can be read out of order). If they like erotic, I would definitely say EVERYTHING FORBIDDEN. Not only was it chosen as Lifetime Television’s Best Erotic Historical Romance of 2007, but it’s the first of the two related “Albright Sister” books. SOMETHING RECKLESS is the second.

BB: Do you write from the seat of your pants or do you plan your books out?

JP: I’m a plotter. I started out a “pantser”, but I developed into a plotter. I love the process of working out the story and then just getting to write it without freaking out over if I’m writing myself into corners.

BB: When writing your heroes, do you use muses? If you do, then who is your favorite muse so far? If not, skip this question.

JP: I’ve definitely had some men who inspired me. Jeremy, my hero in SOMETHING RECKLESS is tooootally based on a picture of Julian McMahon (which in turn, inspired the Avon Art Department for the cover of LESSONS).

BB: What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

JP: Just getting to create the stories and share them with readers. It’s an amazing thing when someone emails or writes to you and says that your story gave them something. Whether it’s a break from something bad or a feeling that someone else understands them or just a fun escape… that’s a pretty powerful thing.

BB: What tips would you give aspiring writers out there if they were listening?

JP: Visit my site for writers, The Passionate Pen. http://www.passionatepen.com All my best advice is there.

BB: What's next for Jenna Petersen?

JP: My next Jenna Petersen historical will come out in April 2009 (March 31, actually). It’s called HER NOTORIOUS VISCOUNT and is the story of an infamous Underground pugilist (boxer) who is forced to return to Society when his twin brother dies and he inherits the title. My heroine agrees to “train” him back to being a gentleman if he helps her in return. It’s very sexy and very dark. I just finished revisions on it and I’m so proud of it. I just hope readers will love it as much.

In the interim, I’ll also have a novella in the January 6, 2009 anthology A RED HOT VALENTINE’S DAY (under my Jess Michaels name). And then in May 2009, my next full-length erotic romance, TABOO, will hit stores (Jess Michaels).

So I’m busy! With a few more projects contracted, too.

About Lessons from a Courtesan.

BB: Where did the idea about this book come from?

JP: I think the scene where Justin recognizes Victoria at the Cyprian ball is where everything really started. I loved the idea of this man looking across a ballroom at London’s most celebrated courtesan and realizing she is his long-estranged wife.

BB: Where did the idea of Justin come from?

JP: Really from that moment. That was the catalyst for everything because it became a question of how would he react? Why were they estranged? What would he feel? Etc. I started doing character work on him and all those answers became clear to me. A man who carried the kind of secret he did, who had the type of anger and mistrust that he did… he really couldn’t have reacted any other way.

BB: How long did it take you to write this story?

JP: I’m a pretty quick writer (by my choice, I write better when I just let the story flow out. When I write slow, I have to do much more revising). So 3 or 4 months probably from beginning to turning it in. It takes me about 8 weeks to actually WRITE and then a little break and then another month or so to revise before I submit.

BB: What did your editor say when you first pitched the idea behind this story?

JP: My editor is fabulous and I think she was really excited about the idea of me returning to my roots in SCANDALOUS, which was very dark and very sexy.

BB: Was it hard writing a story that readers might have a hard time getting through?

JP: I mean, most of the readers I know would run screaming in the other direction if there's cheating in a book but you didn't shy away from that. That takes some ginormous monkey balls and I think you totally pulled it off.

You know, I never really thought of it. Honestly, again it all goes back to Justin being Justin. In his mind, he was forced into this marriage and he never wanted it. He doesn’t think of himself as married, he doesn’t think Victoria is aware of him. He certainly doesn’t love her. He’s a virile guy. He’s going to have sex. I thought it would betray the character to make him a monk for all the years after he married her when they didn’t even live together.

However… once they came back together in London, I would NEVER have considered him stepping out on her. And I wanted him to be ashamed of what he did once he knew she knew. And once he cared for her, I wanted him to recognize that it was a betrayal on some level. I felt like that was part of his character growth. If he starts out perfect… what’s the point?

BB: What kind of research did you do on this book?

JP: I have a pretty solid Regency base of research after writing so many, so really it was more spot research. I find I need to research things like… opera glasses or street names or that sort of thing, rather than larger things (unless I’m writing a story that ties to a real event or person, which I haven’t done in a loooong time).

BB: What is your favorite thing about this book?

JP: The dynamic between Victoria and Justin. I love the longing and the regret and the anger. And the slow development of respect and love. That’s my favorite part of writing emotional stories.

BB: I've already told my readers why they should read Lessons from a Courtesan, now it's your turn....why should readers pick up your book?

JP: I hope that readers will pick it up and enjoy it because it is highly emotional and very sexy and I think the darkness of my writing is what makes me a little different. And also because I loved these characters and I loved this story. So I hope they will, too.

Your Favorites...

BB: Drink?

JP: I love Vanilla Coke One, but I can’t drink it anymore (I’m off caffeine… mostly, but I don’t keep soda in the house anymore).

BB: Food?

JP: Sushi of all kinds.

BB: Movie?

JP: Can’t pick! Too many to pick. LOL

BB: TV Show?

JP: Dexter is great. I’m really looking forward to Season 3. Let’s just say we order Showtime when Dexter is on.

BB: Actor?

JP: Terrance Howard is soo compelling. I really like Sean Bean, too. It’s hard for me to pick an actor.

BB: Actress?

JP: Natalie Portman is great. Emma Thompson. Again, very hard for me to pick.

BB: Website?

JP: I’m such a MySpace addict. Readers (and writers) can friend me there! http://www.myspace.com/jennawrites

BB: Author?

JP: Jacquie D’Alessandro

BB: Book?

JP: The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

BB: Hero?

JP: Mine or someone else’s? LOL Mine: Nicholas Stoneworth from HER NOTORIOUS VISCOUNT (April 2009). Someone else’s: Chapel from Kathryn Smith’s BE MINE TONIGHT.

Random Questions About You.

BB: What is your biggest weakness?

JP: (Books, Shoes, Chocolate, etc.) I’m a shoe girl. Actually, I’ve lost a lot of weight in the last couple of years, so I love shopping in general.

BB: What did you want to be when you were little?

JP: A writer. LOL Yay for achieving goals.

BB: What is your favorite sport to watch?

JP: Mixed Martial Arts. I’m a huge fan of UFC. Now ask me my favorite fighter and that I can answer without even thinking (Forrest Griffin. I also like Roger Heurta and Frank Mir).

BB: What is your favorite thing to do when you're not writing?

JP: Watch UFC, play video games with my husband, travel (we went to China this year and it was WONDERFUL).

BB: How many cats do you have?

JP: 2 – You can see pictures at http://www.jennapetersen.com where they are featured monthly.

BB: What color are your toe nails right now?

JP: It's summertime! =) My toenails are hot pink, but they are chipped and I really need a pedi! Maybe I should splurge on that this week.

BB: What is your favorite season?

JP: Fall. I love the smell of smoke in the air and getting to wear a light jacket. I think you can really do OUTFITS in the fall because it’s not muggy awful hot and you don’t have to wear a giant coat and screw up an outfit with that.

BB: Where is your favorite spot to read?

JP: I read in bed, mostly.

BB: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

JP: I would be more patient and not worry so much about the future.

BB: What's playing in your CD/Ipod right now?

JP: I’m listening to Viva La Vida: Or Death and All of His Friends, the new Coldplay CD. It’s FABULOUS! In fact, one of the songs inspired a character in the series I’m writing next!

BB: Alright, I think I've tortured you enough...thanks again Jenna and I really, really enjoyed Lessons from a Courtesan. I'm looking forward to reading more of your books! Happy Writing!

JP: Thanks so much, Rowena! I’m so, so glad you enjoyed the book and I hope you’ll enjoy my other work as much. :)

Stick around today and ask Jenna any question you might have, she'll be around (cause she's so cool like that) to answer them. Also, be on the look out for a contest to win free books by Jenna Petersen. =)

Review: At the Dungeon Master's Hand by Jennifer Cole

Fantasies begin at the threshold of Le Club d'Esclavage

Natalie Buchanan has been working non-stop for six weeks. Determined to enjoy a rare weekend off, she winds up at the mysterious Le Club d'Esclavage.

Natalie had read about the bondage club, and although she'd been mildly curious about submissive pleasures, she never imagined she'd set foot inside. And now that she has, the erotic atmosphere of domination and submission sends her scrambling for the exit.

Before she can escape, she's approached by a leather-hooded, bare-chested man who whispers a deep, sultry, "You are mine..."
Warning: this title contains the following, explicit sex, graphic language, bondage, BDSM, use of sex toys, anal sex.

This is a short, erotic little story. Basically Natalie is buttoned down and rather conservative, but her two best friends decide she needs to get out a bit, so they trick her into going to Le Club d'Esclavage, a new BDSM club in town. What neither her or her friends know is that the mysterious owner of the club has been waiting for Natalie to come into his club so he can finally make her his.

I thought this was pretty good for what it was: An erotic short story. Natalie's encounter with the mystery owner of the club were hot. I did have to suspend disbelief somewhat, and really it wasn't too much of a mystery who the club owner was and how he and Natalie knew each other, but it was easy enough to set those things aside. I enjoyed it.

3.5 out of 5

This book is available in e-format only from Lyrical Press. You can buy it here.

Book Watch: The Edge of Desire by Stephanie Laurens.

Does anyone still read Stephanie Laurens? I started the Cynster series and after reading Sebastian's book, I was really excited to read it but then I read Vane's book and thought it sucked big donkey balls, like serious donkey/gorilla/killer whale balls...so I stopped reading the series, I did finish Scandal's story but only because I had already bought the book and knew I wasn't going to take the book back. While I did enjoy Scandal's book better than Vane's, it wasn't enough for me to go out and search for the rest of the series.

So I find myself at odds here, wondering why I want to read this book but knowing that I want to read this book.

Anyone else going to read this one?

They proved their bravery fighting for His Majesty's Secret Service and were rewarded with brides of great beauty and breeding. But one member of the Bastion Club has remained a bachelor . . . until now.

"Christian, I need your help. There is no one else I can turn to . . . L."

When Christian Allardyce, 6th Marquess of Dearne, reads those words, his world turns upside down. Lady Letitia Randall is a woman like no other, and the day he left her behind to fight for king and country was the most difficult of his life. He never forgot the feel of her lips against his, but never expects to see her again. Yet now she seeks his help, and Christian knows he will not resist her plea.

Letitia believes that Christian abandoned her when she needed him most, and she hates to call on his aid. But to clear her brother's name, she has sworn to use every weapon at her command, even if it means seducing her ex-lover. Yet all the while, Christian is waging a war of his own—a campaign of pure pleasure and sweet revenge that will take them both beyond the edge of desire.

This book is available from Avon. You can pre-order it here or here in e-format.