“Serpent’s Kiss” by Thea Harrison (paranormal, Berkley, October 2011, $7.99, 336pp)

Series: The Elder Races

1. “Dragon Bound” – Dragos & Pia
2. “Storm’s Heart” – Niniane (Tricks) & Tiago
3. “Serpent’s Kiss” – Rune & Carling
4. “Oracle’s Moon” – out in March 2012

“If You Hear Her” by Shiloh Walker (romantic suspense, Ballantine, October 2011, $7.99, 400pp)

****Spoiler Alert: I try hard to avoid giving away spoilers that may ruin the reading experience. But in this review, I do talk about a surprising facet to the ending of the book. I recommend that readers who dislike spoilers avoid this review.****

Lately, I have had a definite partiality for romantic suspense. If one comes in from a publisher, I can’t resist reading it, and this was definitely the case when an ARC of Shiloh Walker’s “If You Hear Her” arrived in my mailbox. I was excited to sit down and read this book. But something rather interesting happened while I was reading this one.

“Sapphire” by Jeffe Kennedy (erotic, contemporary, Carina Press, October 2011, $3.99, 247kb – ebook)

M. Taylor Hamilton is a driven businesswoman with a set life plan. Her work is her life. Taylor uses her work as a shield to protect herself from getting too close to anyone. But Adam Kirliss sees beneath the brittle façade to the passionate woman hiding inside, yearning for someone to push past her defenses. Adam believes himself to be that man.

“In Pursuit of Eliza Cynster” by Stephanie Laurens (historical, Avon, October, 2011, $7.99, 448pp)

Series: The Cynster Sisters Trilogy

1. “Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue” - Heather Cynster and Viscount Breckenridge
2. “In Pursuit of Eliza Cynster”- Eliza Cynster and Jeremy Carling
3. “The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae”

“Darkness Dawns” by Dianne Duvall (paranormal, Zebra, February 2011, $6.99, 346pp)

Series: Immortal Guardians

1. “Darkness Dawns”
2. “Night Reigns”

Book Description:

Once, Sarah Bingham’s biggest challenge was making her students pay attention in class. Now, after rescuing a wounded stranger, she’s landed in the middle of a battle between corrupt vampires and powerful immortals who also need blood to survive. Roland Warbrook is the most compelling man Sarah has ever laid hands on. But his desire for her is mingled with a hunger he can barely control . . .

In his nine centuries of immortal existence, no woman has tempted Roland as much as Sarah. But asking her to love him is impossible -- when it mean forfeiting the world she’s always known, and the life he would do anything to protect.

“Night Moves” by Stephanie Tyler (romantic suspense, Dell, October 2011, $7.99, 368pp)

Series: Shadow Force

1. “Lie with Me”
2. “Promises in the Dark”
3. “In the Air Tonight”
4. “Night Moves”

“Dating and Other Dangers” by Natalie Anderson (contemporary, Mills and Boon, July 2011, £2.65, 266pp)*

Natalie Anderson brings the battle of the sexes into the Internet age in “Dating and Other Dangers.” It pits Nadia Keenan, a woman scorned and proprietor of the WomanBWarned dating website, against Ethan Rush, a serial dater who ends up on Nadia’s site as an object of scorn. The battle is an intense one that puts both Nadia and Ethan through significant emotional turmoil. The end result is a thoroughly modern tale that will make readers believe that the battle of the sexes can have a satisfying and happy ending.

“What a Duke Wants” by Lavinia Kent (historical, Avon, October 2011, $7.99, 384pp): Most romance readers have particular plot devices that drive them crazy, that push all of the wrong emotional buttons and make it difficult to enjoy certain books. One of mine is when a historical hero asks the love interest to become his mistress. These heroes often seem to be so incredibly ignorant about the plight of women with no money, with no one to protect them and/or with no choices. I find it hard to forgive these very selfish and shortsighted heroes – which makes it very difficult to believe that they deserve a happily ever after.

"Inferno's Kiss" by Monica Burns (paranormal, Berkley, October 2011, $15.00, 368pp)

 
One of my least favorite romance tropes is the virgin hero. After all, it isn't easy to be an alpha when one is a virgin. So, I often stay away from books that feature an innocent hero. But, skip "Inferno's Kiss" by Monica Burns? No way! I am a great fan of her Order of the Sicari series that so well combines tortured heros with gritty action and steamy, steamy romance. And what did I think of Dante Condellaire, the Sicari Lord who took a vow of celibacy when he was fifteen years old? He is absolutely my favorite virgin hero of all time (granted the list wasn't that long to begin with).

“Seduction of a Highland Lass” by Maya Banks (historical, Ballantine, October 2011, $7.99, 352pp)

“Seduction of a Highland Lass” is the second book in Maya Banks’ McCabe trilogy. Set in Scotland, the story follows Ewan McCabe's brother Alaric as he sets out to a neighboring clan to sacrifice himself on the altar of matrimony in order to solidify plans for an alliance. But something happens to Alaric on his way to meet his intended which changes the course of this life.