There is a sense of danger surrounding the heroine from the opening paragraph, which only escalates as she meets the valiant hero, a man whose past constantly haunts him. As this couple works through the complicated dilemma, Linda Conrad takes readers on a suspenseful yet emotional ride where choices are decisive in their futures.

Newly back in the regular world after serving his country, Josh Ryan is not certain what path to now follow. A devastating incident during one of his missions has left its mark on him in more ways than just physical, causing Josh to question what he will now do with his life. Unfortunately, the first thing he must do is attend the funeral of his grandfather. When he is leaving a roadhouse on the way back to his hometown, he sees a woman who appears to be in deep trouble as two men with guns are pursuing her. Although he knows he could just ignore this situation, Josh feels duty-bound to help in someway.

Using his determined Ranger training, Josh manages to get the woman and her small boy away from the men. When his plan fails to get Clare Chandler and young Jimmy back on their bus safely, he finds himself quickly improvising by taking his new passengers with him. After Clare tells him about her troubles, Josh offers to help her. As these two, along with his siblings, try to find a way for her to solve her major predicament, they find themselves becoming more attracted to the other with each passing day. Amidst unwanted emotions, Clare and Josh must make and carry out a new plan carefully as just one mistake could be disastrous.

Any book by Linda Conrad will be filled with dynamic characters whose passionate natures surface during their compellingly engaging story. With innovative plus entertaining plots, this gifted author knows how to draw one into the lives of her appealing characters by keeping the fascination strong throughout the book. In the first installment of The Safekeepers series, Ms. Conrad takes a rather familiar scenario and then makes the whole premise totally fascinating with the addition of a clever paranormal element. The insightful snippets into any issues concerning the abilities or the curse affecting Josh’s family only add to the mystery, thus making the reader anxious to know more. Clare and Josh are very interesting characters, who both have problems which are relentlessly dogging them. As these two are forced to make difficult decisions and are affected in poignant ways they never imagined feeling, readers also experience these touching moments with Ms. Conrad’s heartfelt rendering. Although all hope seems lost at times during the story, numerous turns keep a small flame of optimism burning. The intimacy between Clare and Josh is exceedingly potent with passion yet also shown with genuine sincerity and affection. With suspenseful and sexual tension interwoven with just enough magic to be believable, SAFE WITH A STRANGER is an intriguing and emotive story.

Written by Amelia Richard - Visit Website

Let’s talk mini series! These are the subseries in a category line, usually written by a single author or a group of authors over the course of a few months (usually 3 minimum) but it could take a year or longer.

I recently picked up two books that are in two different mini series, both for the same Category Line.

 the Wedding Planner series and another bride series, A Bride for All Seasons.

And there’s a newish Blaze mini-series that seems popular right now. Million Dollar Secrets

I’m particularly excited about the Thoroughbred series starting next month from Silhouette Romantic Suspense. It’s called Breaking Free but I can’t find much information on it. Come on marketing folks, it begins next month! You’d think the publisher would have something on their website. Maybe I need to adjust my glasses.

Here’s a whole page of mini-series from Harlequin.

I’m just now getting in to Heartsong Presents, so I’ll let you know if I find any mini series worth mentioning there.

Now, tell me, which mini series do you love (have you loved over the years)?

Written by Cata Admin - Visit Website

The general busy bee who makes stuff happen around cataromance. Loves smilies, cotton candy, and a good romance novel. Have a question, use the Contact Us page to ask. :-)

Jack Kestrel is Edwardian London’s infamous rake. But beneath the polished veneer and sophisticated playboy ways, lurks the broken heart of a man determined not to risk experiencing the pain of losing someone he loves desperately ever again. Although his conquests are many and his seduction technique legendary, Jack, much to the dismay of his family who are anxious to see him married off with a couple of heirs, has got no plans to settle down. But of course that doesn’t stop him from looking and when he spots a breathtaking beauty at the Wallace Collection, he’s immediately enchanted – until he learns her name…

Sally Bowes is something of a sensation in Edwardian Society. The owner of the Blue Parrot club, Sally does not adhere to the strict conventions of the time; rather she’s more concerned with keeping a roof over her head and with earning sufficient money to keep herself and her two sisters, Connie and Petronella, from going under. Like Jack, Sally has got a scandalous past of her own, but whilst Jack seems keen to want to seduce every woman in England, Sally gives men a wide berth.

But when Jack claps eyes on Sally, he is determined to make her his – even though his sister Connie is blackmailing his dying uncle! Thinking that she’s no better than a common gold-digger, Jack demands that Sally become his mistress, but Sally is not having any of that! She might be dangerously attracted to Jack, but she’s determined not to have anything whatsoever to do with him!

However, when Jack and Sally find themselves having to act like an engaged couple, they soon begin to wish that their engagement was for real!

Has London’s most notorious rake finally found his match?

Utterly delectable, superbly written and mesmerizing, Nicola Cornick has truly outdone herself with The Last Rake in London! As one of the best writers of historical romance, Nicola Cornick writes with confidence, flair, style and plenty of heart, as she tells a rip-roaring tale that will charm and delight readers everywhere!

Fast-paced, poignant and romantic, The Last Rake in London is an outstanding historical romance by one of the genre’s brightest stars!

Written by Julie Bonello - Visit Website

Hi, my name is Julie and I've been reviewing for the Catanetwork for almost five years and it's one of the best jobs I've ever had! Aside from reading and reviewing, I love going to the theatre, cooking, embroidery and catching up with old friends. I live on the Mediterranean island of Malta with my husband, two children, a menagerie of animals and too many books to count!

Free Cara Summers books, for starters. Cara… how about a free read? LOL

State of Parenthood… not sure exactly what that means. Is the overall state of parenthood good or bad? That question may be up in the air. I did see an interesting website the otherday, something about no whining while dining? Sounds like bliss to my ears. Seriously though, check out the new anthology by Super Authors Anna DeStefano, Rebecca Winters and Lori Handeland if you want to read great stories about interacting with your kids. (If you have a parenting suggestion, by all means, share it via comments. Or if you know of a great book with kids in it, share that too.)

Folks are looking for the Harlequin Intrigue Authors, so expect to see a day for them coming up.

They’re also looking for Olivia Gates, Sandra Brown (on a category site? Check out SingleTitles.com folks!) andLynne Marshall“> Lynne Marshall’s cats. I didn’t know Lynne had cats, but if she does, I want to see pictures.

Ally

PS. Don’t forget to DeLurk today on the Readers Loop. Lots of prizes to be won! groups.yahoo.com/group/CataNetwork-Readers/

Written by Cata Admin - Visit Website

The general busy bee who makes stuff happen around cataromance. Loves smilies, cotton candy, and a good romance novel. Have a question, use the Contact Us page to ask. :-)

Freya Anthony knew that returning to her home town of Fellingham would reignite all the old gossip and vicious rumours which she had hoped to put behind her. But her beloved grandmother, who had always been there for her as a troublesome teenager, needed her help and Freya was determined to do what she could for her – even if it means returning to the place which to her symbolizes rejection, failure and loneliness.

In Fellingham, however, Freya’s got plenty to worry her. Her frail and independent grandmother has decided to move into sheltered housing and to sell all her wordly goods and possessions to Daniel Ramsay, the local antiques dealer whose business practices leave a lot to be desired!

Freya can’t believe that Daniel manages to run a business from a tiny tumbledown building cluttered with all manner of junk – and neither can Freya believe that a man as gorgeous, charismatic and jaw-droppingly handsome as Daniel is buried in a backwater like Fellingham.

For Daniel, romance is the last thing on his mind! His daughter, Mia, has gone off the rails since the death of her mother, and, despite trying his best, he just cannot seem to get through to her.

Seeing Mia’s wild antics remind former bad girl Freya of her past misdemeanors, and she decides to help Daniel and Mia patch their strained relationship. However, the more time Freya spends with Daniel, the more she realizes that she’s falling head over heels in love with the handsome widower.

But will Daniel welcome her into his family with open arms? Or will Freya’s wild past get in the way of her one chance at happiness?

Written with plenty of heart, compassion and sensitivity and featuring two richly drawn, believable and humane characters, Wanted:White Wedding is a wonderful contemporary romance rich in feeling, emotion and passion that will captivate you from the very first page and leave you totally mesmerized until the final full stop.

Natasha Oakley’s books just keep on getting better and better: poignant, enthralling and absolutely mesmerizing, they deserve a place on every romance reader’s keeper shelf!

Written by Julie Bonello - Visit Website

Hi, my name is Julie and I've been reviewing for the Catanetwork for almost five years and it's one of the best jobs I've ever had! Aside from reading and reviewing, I love going to the theatre, cooking, embroidery and catching up with old friends. I live on the Mediterranean island of Malta with my husband, two children, a menagerie of animals and too many books to count!