Sizzling by Susan Mallery

The books in Susan Mallery's Buchanan series just get better and better. Sizzling is the third book in the series and follows the story of Reid Buchanan and Lori Johnson.

A quick overview from Susan Mallery's website: Reid Buchanan was always a fan favorite on the baseball diamond. A spiteful article about the former pitcher and current playboy questions his talent in the bedroom. And the newspaper's just the first bad news. Reid's grandmother Gloria's broken hip means she needs constant care--but Reid hired Nurses 1 and 2 for their bedside manner with him. So for Number 3 he chooses Lori Johnson, the first candidate who seems immune to his brand of charm.
Lori's never wasted her time with amoebas like Reid Buchanan. So why are her well-fortified defenses starting to crumble under the force of his sexy smile--and the kindness he shows her at every turn? There's only one explanation for the feelings flaring between them--chemistry. Chemistry so hot, it's sizzling!

When Reid was introduced in the first book of the series, Delicious, I couldn't wait to get to this book. I liked Reid from the very beginning. Granted he is a ladies man but through the first and second book you were able to see the way he interacted with his family as well as his brother's wife and his best friend Penny. You could see that there was more to him than just the label he had acquired.

After moving into his grandmother's house to avoid the paparazzi he is reunited with the nurse he chose for his grandmother, Lori Johnson. From the minute these two are on a page together the tension is thick. Lori might fall for Reid's charm but unlike the rest of the population she doesn't show it. On the outside Lori is tough with great one-liners that really help put Reid in his place. On the inside she is completely self conscious and constantly compares herself to others especially her "perfect" sister.

At first I thought it was a little annoying how Lori constantly questioned her ability to attract a man like Reid and how she compared herself to other woman. But then I realized that is what goes on in some girls heads. The constant criticism of themselves and the feeling that they just aren't good enough.

Reid and Lori are a perfect match because they balance each other out. He takes her up a notch while she takes him down a few. 

Gloria, The Buchanan's matriarch, is back in this installment but this time around Lori helps her see the light and she slowly starts to shed her harsh personality. I loved reading as she made amends with all the characters that she trashed in previous books. I also loved that she had a soft spot where Lori was concerned.

This book made me laugh and cry. The ending is harsh, but it was the perfect combination for a great book. I just ordered the fourth in the series, Tempting, and can't wait to see how it wraps up.

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Irresistible by Susan Mallery

Irresistible by Susan Mallery is the second installment in The Buchanans series and even better than the first.

A quick overview from Susan Mallery's website:
When ex-Marine Walker Buchanan stops to help Elissa Towers change a tire, he tells himself it's just the neighborly thing to do. And when Elissa finds herself baking him a thank-you pie, she's just returning the favor…right?
Both of them have sworn off dating—Elissa's determined to protect her little girl, and that means ditching her taste for dangerous men…especially former Marines with dark secrets. Walker knows that he's not cut out for hearth and home…his own crazy family made sure of that. But the sparks won't stop flying between them.
Now the two are struggling to keep their relationship "just friends," but with every kiss, their rules fly out the window…

Walker is Cal's younger brother and was first introduced in Delicious, when he returns home from the Marines after years of being away. I fell in love with Walker. Being a former Marine he struggles with what he had seen and done while he was fighting for his country. I felt for him as the visions haunted his dreams and even his conscious mind. It is something he keeps to himself and what I loved is when he meets Elissa he slowly starts opening up.

Elissa is struggling with her own past. All she has is her daughter and her ninety year old neighbor Mrs. Ford who has more spunk than a teenager. I really liked Elissa. Her back story goes back to when she was a teenager and maybe it's because I'm a fan of YA books but I loved learning about her younger years and where it all went wrong.

I read this book in less than a day. I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it but don't you dare read it without reading Delicious first. Starting from the beginning gives you a better perspective and understanding of all of the characters.

Happy Reading.

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Delicious by Susan Mallery

As I'm sure you already know I love YA books. I love to read them and I also write them. What you might not know is I am a sucker for Romance novels as well. One of my new favorite romance writers is Susan Mallery. After reading her Lone Star Sister Series I knew I had to read more of her work. I continued with Delicious the first book in The Buchanans Series and just like the other series it starts off with a bang.

Quick overview from Susan Mallery's Website:

Menu

Appetizer

Cal Buchanan needs a top-flight chef to take over his failing Seattle restaurant, The Waterfront. He can afford to hire the best in town--the only problem is that the best happens to be his ex-wife, Penny Jackson.
Entree
Penny really needs this opportunity, but she doesn't need the distraction of working with her ex. She's sworn off romance--she's even having a baby on her own. But before she knows it, the heat is on...and the attraction between her and Cal moves from a low simmer to a full boil!
Dessert
The rest should be easy as pie, but a secret from Dessert Cal's past could spoil everything. Maybe it's true that too many cooks spoil the broth--or maybe two is enough to make it irresistible.

Right off the bat you know there is going to be tension and sexual chemistry since the two main characters were once married. I loved how she took that direction. It was different because it wasn't the initial love story that brought them together but a love story about bringing them back together. What made it interesting was the fact that Penny is pregnant and the whole concept of pregnancy was the factor in their relationships demise in the first place.

I like how Penny is a take no BS from anyone type of character yet she still has a soft edge to her. I loved how she remained best friends with Reid a notorious playboy and Cal's younger brother, through the years.

I like Cal. Not as much as I wanted to but he is a good match for Penny. The secret that he was holding on to for so long was what ultimately allowed him to let Penny walk away but it was something I thought he should have been able to share with her from the beginning. They were married after all. Then again without it there would be no story to tell.

I hated Cal's grandmother Gloria. The things that she said had my mouth dropping to the floor and my eyes bulging, though Penny can hold her own and I loved when she finally did.

Susan Mallery focuses the book on Penny and Cal but at the same time gives you insight to the other characters that will eventually have their own time in the spotlight. So of course I couldn't wait to pick up the next book in the series. I'll be posting the review for Irresistible tomorrow and the review for Sizzling on Monday.

Are there any other romance fans out there? If so who are your favorite romance writers? Leave your comments below and if Blogger allows me I'll comment back.

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