Good Girls Don't by Victoria Dahl

As you may have noticed I don't read a lot of contemporary romances lately but one of my few favorite contemporary authors is Victoria Dahl and I was in the mood for a good, funny, sexy contemporary and that is what I got with Good Girls Don't (Hqn).  I'm not going to write up a long full review but here is the goodreads.com summary:

With her long ponytail and sparkling green eyes, Tessa Donovan looks more like the girl next door than a businesswoman—or a heartbreaker. Which may explain why Detective Luke Asher barely notices her when he arrives to investigate a break–in at her family's brewery. He's got his own problems—starting with the fact that his partner, Simone, is pregnant and everyone thinks he's the father.

Tessa has her hands full, too. Her brother's playboy ways may be threatening the business, and the tension could tear her tight–knit family apart. In fact, the only thing that could unite the Donovan boys is seeing a man come after their "baby" sister. Especially a man like Luke Asher. But Tessa sees past the rumors to the man beneath. He's not who people think he is—and neither is she.

I enjoyed watching Tessa and Luke try to figure out how to handle their budding relationship.  Luke is an old college acquaintance of one of Tessas brothers and that naturally leads to a few funny moments!  And phew!  Ms Dahl sure knows how to write some smokin scenes....the couch.....the shower....wowza :)  I liked seeing the close relationship that Tessa has with her two older brothers, even if she did try to save the day without consulting them and keeping it all a big secret.  There is a bit of a mystery as to the who-dun-it with the robbery that moved along well and added to the storyline nicely.  Overall, another good solid winner from Victoria Dahl and just what I needed to cure my need for a sexy contemporary!  4 stars

Donovan Brothers Brewery

Short prequel out now

Sept 27th

Oct 25th

Upcoming July Releases

Here are a few of the upcoming historical romance books being releases in July~

These two were just released today from Sourcebooks Casablanca and both look promising for new to me authors: 

Here are the new releases from Avon on July 26:
 

I have Miranda Nevilles ready to read from Netgalley and am looking forward to it.  But once again, I want to read everything Avon is publishing for the month.  I will probably wait on the new Warren book as it is part of a series and I have to read in order otherwise...hear you go Avon....take my money, lol!

Here are a couple other releases for the month that I am looking forward to as well:

 

I have the Kasey Michaels and Jennifer Haymore novels from Netgalley and they are both new to me authors so looking forward to trying them!  Very excited about the new Victoria Dahl....she is one of my favorite contemporary authors but I wasn't thrilled with her last historical I read (A Little Bit Wild) but I love the cover of this one so heres hoping I like it a bit more!  The Sinner Who Seduced Me: A Regency Rogues Novel is the third in her Regency Rogues books and while I liked the first one (The Devil in Disguise: A Regency Rogues Novel) I wasn't thrilled with it, especially the editing but I do The Angel in My Arms: A Regency Rogues Novel on the way from the library to read so I am hoping the editing is better and the story moves a bit better because I love these covers and the author is so friendly on Facebook and I really want to enjoy her books!

Overall, not a bad month!  Lots of goodies to choose from and still many more I didn't mention!  Hope you can find something for yourself~

Midnight Kiss by Robyn Carr, Jean Brashear, Victoria Dahl

Midnight Confessions by Robyn Carr

This is a sweet short story in the wonderful Virgin River series. I'm not going to say much about this one because if you have read the previous books you will read this one to get a quick glimpse of what Virgin River is up to on New Years eve. If you have not read the series, this is just an all right read probably about two people trying to heal over getting left at the alter (her) and a broken engagement (him). It takes place over only one day, which I did not like, and its only 100 pages so I was left wanting more....which hopefully I will get in this new set of books coming out this year! 3 1/2 stars

Midnight Surrender by Jean Brashear

This was a pleasant surprise for me. I have not read anything by this author but I will be looking into her other books because Ms Brashear did a great job telling a sweet, hot love story in about 100 pages. Jordan comes off pretty stuck up and bitchy but sweet Irishman Will persists and helps Jordan discover that love isn't all that bad. I wish this would have been a full length novel because I would have loved to have seen more interaction between these two! 4 stars

Midnight Assignment by Victoria Dahl

This was another winner from one of my favorite authors. We meet Noah and Elise, FDIC agents, who are about to take over a failing bank. Having worked at a bank that changed hands recently, I was really intrigued by the storyline and felt Dahl did a great job with it. Noah and Elise had worked together before and shared a kiss but parted on uneven terms and need to overcome those terms this time which leads to some steamin romance. I also would have enjoyed this one as a full length novel but this short story was excellent and hot. 4 stars

Start Me Up by Victoria Dahl

Add Victoria Dahl to my list of favorite authors! Well, her contemporaries at least...I don't read historical and I don't need anymore books to read anyways :) This is yet another sexy and funny book! This book follows Talk Me Down and while it isn't totally necessary to read it first, I would because the same people are in it and you get to catch up with them a bit.
In Start Me Up, Lori Love has always wanted more and to get out of her small town of Tumble Creek, CO. Then her father has an accident and dies and she is left to take over the family car repair business. Then there is Quinn Jennings, a serious architect who has not time for distractions. Lori and Quinn went to school together along with Loris best friend, Molly, who is Quinn sister (and the heroine from Talk Me Down). Molly thinks Lori just needs a good time in the form of no-strings attached sex and Lori agrees.....and asks Quinn if he would be willing. He is and boy is it hot!

This was a four and a half star read for me! There is a little suspense thrown in and it fits in with the story well. Quinn and Loris love scenes are, well.....hot and steamy! I can not wait to read the next installment Lead Me On and many more from Dahl!!

Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl

This was my first book by Victoria Dahl and it will not be my last! I loved it! The basic storyline is that Molly returns home to her small town...and to her high school crush, Ben, to get away from her creep ex-boyfriend. Except Molly has a secret...she is a best selling writer of erotic fiction and Ben is the star in her first novel! Not something she wants anyone to know so she keeps her job a secret from everyone.
Molly and Ben connect early on and have quite the steamy nights together. Dahl writes some funny one liners that are sure to make you snicker. There is also a bit of suspense thrown in as a creepy stalker is after Molly...looking in her windows and snooping in her home. And as Mollys secret is revealed, Ben takes a step back from their relationship and of course, discovers his true feelings (and rescues Molly just in time).

This was a wonderful blend of humor, steaminess and a touch of suspense to rate this book a solid four and a half stars! I am looking forward to reading the next two books in this series, Start Me Up and Lead Me On. Dahl has become an auto buy author for me!