Lori Foster’s heroes tend to love hot sexy times and doing the right thing. This book has two such men. We gave it a happy B+ in our review.

Worth the Wait is the second story in the Guthrie Brothers duology, and includes two complete romances in one novel (as did the first story in the series, Don’t Tempt Me). Hogan Guthrie is a newcomer to Clearbrook, having moved there with this teenaged son, Colt, after the death of his wife. While Hogan has spent the last several months playing the field in an effort to avoid dealing with the complicated feelings leftover from his marriage, recently he’s been drawn to Violet Shaw. Hogan works at her diner part time as a ‘barbecue master’ (best ribs in town!) but spends his regular business hours as an accountant.  He’s not looking for marriage, but a fling with the petite, fiery owner of Screwy Louie’s sure would be fun.  Hogan lives next door to his brother Jason, who has helped him settle into town and is good friends with Nathan Hawley, the local sheriff.

Nathan turned in his SWAT badge for local law enforcement, and has his eyes out for trouble. When those eyes are caught by his new neighbor Brooklin Sweet she makes it clear that keeping a low profile is her priority and she’s not looking for new friends. Nathan’s spidey sense tells him that something has Brooklin spooked and he’s determined to prove to her that friendship (or more) with him would be to her advantage. When Brooklin’s past catches up to her, things get dicey for everyone whom she’s becoming close to, including her new friends Violet, Hogan and Nathan. Will a brush with danger show them all the path to their happy ever afters?…

Lori Foster writes hot sexy times that are not over the top with swearing or dirty talking but read like a couple who are interested in each other, who respect each other, and who have an equal part to play in their mutual satisfaction. They are definitely some of my favorites to read and are integral to the emotional connections made between the couple concerned.

It’s on sale at Amazon for 1.99 here.

This 1990 book by Loretta Chase is a DIK at AAR. You can read our review here.

It begins and ends with a statue. Thirty years ago, Rani Simhi, an Indian princess, fell passionately in love with Richard Whitestone, Lord Hedgrave, and he with her. But the Rani learned that Hedgrave was paid to seduce her; eventually, he left and took everything, leaving her only the statue of a sandalwood princess. Over time Hedgrave became obsessed with the statue; attempts to steal it failed repeatedly. Finally, Hedgrave hires the Falcon, a man who Gets Things Done (and aka the Honourable Philip Astonley), and offers him fifty thousand pounds to retrieve the sandalwood princess. Slight hitch: The princess has gifted the statue to Amanda Cavencourt, an Englishwoman who has lived in India for the past seven years and is about to return to England.

Here is where you sort of have to block out the premise, and ignore the plotting of getting and stealing the statue (multiple times). It’s all an excuse anyway for Philip and Amanda to talk to each other. You see, for most of the book Philip is masquerading first as a valet, then as Amanda’s butler. The social difference puts a very necessary constraint on their interactions, and it’s wonderful – bloody wonderful, I tell you – to have two people trapped for six months on a ship, then four months in Yorkshire, with nothing to do but talk to each other. And nothing else.

What do they talk about? Well, at first Philip has to play the overeducated valet, and Amanda is the sister to a nobleman, so naturally they’re snooty and cold. But her sympathies arise when Philip’s “master” (actually his valet) becomes ill, and while Amanda’s maid nurses Philip’s “master” they start to meet more often. Then they start to meet in the evenings, for an hour or two, in a completely innocent fashion; they often talk of India, and Amanda tells stories. In Yorkshire, they take walks. He takes notes for her book, and looks after her. All the while, they know it has to end – ultimately Philip will have to betray Amanda and steal the statue, and Amanda knows that nothing can come of a noblewoman and her butler.

Yeah, melodramatic stuff. But it works. Loretta Chase doesn’t overdo the emotions, stays away from mental lusting, and there’s very little internal agonizing. One or two phrases, and you know their hearts are breaking. She lets their interactions (and actions) speak for themselves, and by golly it works.

It’s available at Amazon for 2.99 here.

This very sexy contemp got an A- from our reviewer. Sara wrote:

WAGs is shorthand for Wives and Girlfriends of the Toronto players.  It’s been five years since star Forward Blake Riley has had anyone in his life he’d consider for either position.  After a bad break-up with his fiancée, Blake has been perfectly happy satisfying his sexual appetites with the ‘puck bunnies’ who just want a player in their bed.  Blake gives each woman plenty of attention but has never felt the need to go back for seconds until he meets Jessica Canning.

The two of them had an incredible time when she was in town taking care of her younger brother Jamie – partner of Blake’s teammate, Ryan – and their one-night stand wasn’t enough to quell Blake’s desire for Jess.  Unfortunately, her life was back in California and he’s under contract in Toronto so there has been no chance for a repeat performance.  Serving as best man at Ryan and Jamie’s upcoming wedding in San Jose will be an opportunity to see her again and perhaps share another incredible night together.

Jess is totally stressed out trying to plan the perfect wedding for her brother while hiding her displeasure at the task from her family.  Blake’s arrival in town isn’t making her life any easier considering the man doesn’t quite understand the words “Not Interested.”  Event planning is the latest in a long line of careers that Jess has attempted and rejected as not for her.  She isn’t looking forward to telling her parents that she’s quitting after they fronted her the money to get her business off the ground; however while taking care of Jamie something clicked for Jess.  She’s certain that being a nurse is what she was meant to do.  Risking her family’s disappointment at yet another failed career, Jess is ready to take the leap and get her degree just as soon as the wedding is over.  A brief encounter with Blake at the reception is a reminder of how sexually compatible they are but with the upcoming changes in her life there’s no time for a sexy hockey star.

When Jess gets a scholarship to a nursing school in Toronto, Blake figures that she’ll be eager to hook-up since he’s one of the few people in town that she knows. He doesn’t count on Jess being resistant to his charms and more focused on her studies than slaking her lust. For the first time in a long while, Blake has to put some effort into getting the girl that he wants.  Jess isn’t quite unaffected by Blake’s attention but the overwhelming demands of her course are making her question her decision to go back to school.  What she really needs is for Blake to be a friend and not push for the benefits part of the arrangement.  As he tones down the sexual innuendo, Jess gets to see the real Blake, who is at heart a deeply caring person with his own unresolved issues that are constantly masked by his over the top personality.  With her new focus as a caregiver, Jess may be the right person to heal old wounds and perhaps find something special for herself in the bargain.

It’s at Amazon here for 2.49.

Our readers have loved The Prize by Julie Garwood for decades. In our DIK review, we wrote:

It’s England, 1066, and by now you know what that means. Lady Nicholaa, a Saxon, is defending her home against Baron Royce, a Norman. Automatic Conflict. But, in the hands of Julie Garwood, so many charming elements come into play – and the conflict is so enjoyable to watch unfold – that what might have been trite, has instead become endearing and even a little enchanting.

At their first meeting, Nicholaa knocks Royce off his feet (literally, with the help of her trusty slingshot: “I never miss.”). Royce is the 4th Norman invader to try to get a foothold on her strong-hold (she successfully repelled his three predecessors so efficiently, Nicholaa has become the stuff of legend and song). But Royce is not so easily defeated. Aware of the Lady’s reputation, he is determined to be the one to capture “the prize” and escort her to London so King William can wed her one of his most deserving knights. But, Nicholaa has other plans and effects a crafty escape to the nearest convent, where her younger brother, Justin, struggles to recover from his battlefield wounds. Even those despicable Norman brutes know better to invade the hallowed grounds of a convent, so Nicholaa considers herself, and what remains of her family, safe.

Entranced by her beauty, awed by her courage, exasperated by her escape, irritated by her resistance, Royce cleverly conceives a plan to get Nicholaa to come out of the nunnery voluntarily. King William’s most honored and respected baron, Royce is the one man who can out-maneuver Nicholaa, and he knows it. He senses where she’s most vulnerable, and shrewdly uses it to lure her out of the convent (and into his arms). While the ensuing trip to London heightens the sizzle of an unacknowledged mutual attraction, Nicholaa nevertheless relentlessly continues to try to outwit and escape from Royce every step of the way.

Once in London, King William and his queen are captivated by Nicholaa, and, due to an act of selfless heroism on her part, turn the tables on their own plan, thus allowing Nicholaa to choose the husband she would have, rather than the reverse. The long trip to London in close proximity to Royce fresh in her mind, and sensing that inside his warrior’s broad chest beats the heart of a kind and loving man, Nicholaa chooses Royce without hesitation. But, all is not well. Prior to their wedding night, Nicholaa is accosted by an intruder and ordered to kill Royce before dawn. If she refuses, she and Royce could both pay with their lives.

It’s on sale at Amazon for 1.99 here.

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