Saturday, September 6, 2014

The Last First Date by Maggie Wells





















The Last First Date

By Maggie Wells

Book Blurb:
First date number forty-eight comes to a screeching halt for detective Langley Sheppard when his date lifts a pack of gum from the local convenience store. But things start looking up when he encounters spunky damsel in distress Jessica Vickers, who's stranded in the store parking lot. Now Lang is about to discover that on a night when everything goes wrong, falling for Jessica feels spectacularly right.



Yay! My favourite naughty author, Maggie Wells had a newly published story, The Last First Date

Have you ever just dashed to the store wearing your old yoga pants, no makeup, perhaps even a hat to cover your messy hair and then worry you may run into an old boyfriend or someone you know? Well that's what happened to Jessica except she was wearing track pants and a puffy hot pink coat with a broken zipper. Just a quick jaunt to the store for your chip fix and presto there is a heartthrob, Langley. Of course Langley is wearing a suit and dress shoes and looks good enough to lick. I felt for Jessica. The last person you'd want to run into is a hottie like Langley when you feel you look your worst and miserable sleety weather is blowing all around . To top it all off, Jessica just discovered that her car is broken down. Regardless, the chemistry between the pair was still there. 

I loved how the story moved forward from their first encounter. A series of entertaining events finally gets them inside Jessica's house where the freezing New Year's Eve temp outside is quickly forgotten. 

Langley is a stand up guy and Jessica is highly likeable. Erotic authors like Maggie Wells impress me with their ability to write steamy sex scenes when a couple barely knows each other. I mean, does that happen in real life? (Well, not in my circle anyhow) Yet, Langley and Jessica having hot lustful sex comes across as totally believable. They connected. They aren't slutty. In fact, they seem very ordinary with Langley loving his grandma and Jessica was wearing shoes with holes in them. 

One of the things that draws me to Maggie Wells' stories is how she writes the couple's banter and their conversations. There is always underlying humour but not laugh out loud forced humour. Even during sex there is conversation. Her protagonists are so likeable. I was once again treated to this banter in The Last First Date

I wish it didn't end so quickly for Lang and Jessica. I'd love to read more about their story and future. As usual, I just want more of Maggie Wells' story. 

Teasers: premixed margaritas and nacho cheese flavoured chips,  scarf on doorknob, officer interruption






Friday, September 5, 2014

Chesapeake Blue Series by Nora Roberts

 Chesapeake Bay Saga 
by Nora Roberts
Books 1-4
I was really looking for a short series that I could sink my teeth into. I didn't want a long drawn out series and I also was looking to enjoy some contemporary romances. Let me tell you, the Chesapeake Bay Saga hit the nail on the head. 

I was at my local used book store and found these gems for a mere $15 for the set. It was the trade paperback style so they were light and the font was a perfect size. 


Sea Swept is the first book and it was Cam and Anna's story. 

Sea Swept

Cameron Quinn is coming home to say goodbye to the only father he ever loved. And he’ll have to put his fast-paced life on hold to care for the last lost boy Ray Quinn hoped to save… 

Book 2, Rising Tides is the story of Ethan and Grace's story

Rising Tides


Though not born to the tradition of a waterman, Ethan Quinn has embraced the life. But now, he must face his own dark past to accept not only who he is but what he hopes to become…

Books 3 continues to deliver with Phillip and Sybil

Inner Harbor


As Phillip Quinn struggles to draw his new brother into his life, he must deal with a beautiful woman who has secrets that will affect them all—a woman who needs both his trust and his heart…



And the finale is Seth and Dru's tale

Chesapeake Blue


When world-renowned artist Seth Quinn returns to his home on Maryland’s eastern shore, he finds the woman of his dreams. But someone from his past is determined to destroy his newfound happiness… 
















These books are much more than romance stories. There is a deeply embedded family theme going on and what a special family the Quinn's are. Due to the sad and untimely deaths of the family patriarch, Ray and the matriarch, Stella,  the readers don't get the privilege of reading about their family interactions with their adult sons. Well that is to say, you do get a wee glimpse through their son's memories and a few sweet apparitional visits. The light paranormal spin is not over done. Just a slight extension for the great story. 

Stella and Ray did such a phenomenal job raising their adopted troubled boys.  You know and understand what kind people they were. 

The camaraderie between the brothers felt so real. They bickered, rough housed, made fun of each other but more than anything, they were fiercely loyal to one another. It was a pleasure to read about each of their different personalites and how they found love. 
Real life love.  

Excellent series.