Tag: Karin Tabke

Review: Have Yourself a Naughty Little Santa by Karin Tabke

Posted October 28, 2008 by Casee in Reviews | 0 Comments

HE KNOWS IF YOU’VE BEEN BAD OR GOOD….

Picture-perfect Evergreen, California, nestled on the shores of Reindeer Lake in the snowy Sierras, is the perfect place for a no-strings holiday fling with a gorgeous Latin lover. Workaholic Kimberly Michaels didn’t come to Evergreen only to enjoy herself, though; she’s there to consummate a development deal in which her company will take over the town — whether the town wants it or not. Ricco Maza, whose sister owns the quaint B & B where Kim is staying, may be the hottest man she’s ever met (and the only one who can persuade her to relax enough for an orgasm!) but if he discovers why Kim is in town, she’ll soon be finding more coal and switches than kisses in her Christmas stocking. And as Kim’s frosty winter nights steam up with her sexy Santa, she realizes she’s going to have to make a choice. Is winning the deal truly the most important thing in life, or will this jaded cynic let Santa finally give her a little taste of Christmas magic?

This book was exactly what I was looking for when I picked it up. A contemporary that didn’t have any vampires, werewolves, or murdering sociopaths. It was light and fun Christmas read.

When Kim Michaels has a one-night stand with a stranger at a hotel in Reno, she has no clue that she will be seeing him again. Kim has a job to do in Evergreen, California. A picturesque town in the Sierra mountains, Kim’s boss (and soon-to-be finance) has decided that it would be the perfect place to put in a casino. Sending Kim in made the deal almost a sure thing b/c when she goes after something, she gets it. She didn’t count on the quaintness of the town and the general happiness of the townspeople. She also didn’t count on Ricco Maza, the man that rocked her world, to be so connected to Evergreen.

Ricco and his family owe the town of Evergreen more than they can ever repay. After leaving Oakland with him and his four older sisters, Ricco’s mom ran out of money in Evergreen. The town opened their arms to his family and Ricco has never forgotten it. Every year, Ricco comes to visit and does what he can to help the town. Whether it’s running the snow plow or dressing up as Santa, Ricco will do it.

Ricco is the consummate playboy. He’s never had a problem moving on from a woman before, so his reaction to Kim is something that doesn’t sit too well with him. Though at times he would like to be the man that Kim deserves, he knows that he doesn’t have it in him. He already has too many people depending on him as it is, he’s not looking to add another; especially not a woman. And he hasn’t even found out the real reason Kim is in Evergreen.

Though I really enjoyed the story, there were a few things that I didn’t care for. Ricco’s dad was a real piece of work. Only Ricco knew that he was scamming the family when he told them he was dying. This guy told Kim he would go away for money. He was the scum of the earth. Yet toward the end, it was almost as if Tabke redeemed him. I’m still a little fuzzy on how he could be redeemed.

Of Ricco and Kim, Kim grew the most as a character. Kim was forced to rethink a lot of things. From her career, to her take on relationships, to her parents (not much to rethink there). That girl did a lot of soul searching while she was in Evergreen. When she finally figured out what she wanted, she realized that it might be too late. Ricco is someone that values honesty and for him to forgive her duplicity, it will take a Christmas miracle. (Wasn’t that so corny?)

4 out of 5.

This book is available from Pocket Books. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

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Tagged: 4.0 Reviews, Casee's Reviews, Christmas Reads, Contemporary, Karin Tabke, Reviews

Review: Master of Surrender by Karin Tabke

Posted July 18, 2008 by Casee in Reviews | 5 Comments

The Blood Sword Legacy

Bound by a brotherhood forged in the hell of a Saracen prison, eight Blood Swords — mercenary knights for William the Conqueror — set out to claim their legacies the only way they can: by right of arms, by right of victory, by right of conquest.

For Sir Rohan du Luc, known as the Black Sword, enemies fall easily beneath his assault…until he comes face-to-face with a foe more worthy than any battle-hardened knight. Bold and courageous though she is, Saxon maiden Isabel of Alethorpe cannot stop Rohan de Luc from seizing Alethorpe and its people in the name of William the Conqueror.

Then Rohan demands not just the manor, but Isabel herself. She vows that her heart will remain her own, even if she is forced to allow him to lay claim to her body. But while the lady’s lips say no, Isabel’s traitorous body is awakened to desire by the seductive attentions of this potent invader. Can she remain true to her Saxon heritage and her hopes that her brother may have survived the battlefield, or will Sir Rohan’s skilled touch capture her unwilling heart as surely as his prowess with his sword captured her father’s lands?

I was surprised at how much I liked this book. I generally have a hard time finding a medieval that I like. There’s a fine line between informing the reader of basic history for the sake of the story and trying to educate the reader. The balance here was good and I thought that Tabke did a credible job of writing this time period.

Isabel of Alethorpe will do anything to save her people from dying at the hands of Rohan de Luc and his Blood Swords knights, even if it means sacraficing herself. Though she’s long awaited the return of both her father and her brother, Isabel’s hope that they’ll return lessens with each day that passes. Isabel knows that she can’t depend on the return of her father to save herself or the people of Alethrope. To that end, Isabel offers herself up to Rohan, not yet realizing that he already intended to take her.

Rohan de Luc and the Blood Sword knights forged a bond years before that nothing and no one could break. When he seizes Alethrope on the behalf of William the Conqueror, Rohan has every intention of seizing Isabel herself. Though Rohan has been with his fair share of women, it’s Isabel that stirs something other than his body. When she faces him alone while her people hide, Rohan feels respect for the Saxon girl, even as she looks at him in disgust.

As the days pass, Isabel is forced to admit to herself that Rohan and his knights are far from the devils she originally thought they were. Though Rohan started to slowly win the respect of Alethrope’s villagers, that changes when nearby villages are destroyed, the villagers brutally murdered. Isabel tries to tell him that the rebels are Normans, but Rohan has his doubts.

Isabel was a headstrong and independent heroine. She is a woman who is determined to do her duty to her father, even if it means giving up the man she has come to love. Knowing that Rohan will never offer her anything other than a place as his mistress, Isabel tries to harden her heart to Rohan. What she doesn’t realize is that Rohan is just as determined to keep Isabel. Rohan’s bafflement over his feelings for Isabel was extremely amusing.

I really thought there was a good balance of intrigue and romance. I definitely look forward to reading the next Blood Sword Legacy book.

4.5 out of 5.

This book is available from Pocket Books. You can buy it here or here in e-format.