Just finished reading . . . Cover Me & His Convenient Husband

Well, actually I didn’t just finish either of these books. However, this is another post I’ve been dying to finish now that I’m able to type again!

Cover Me (Men of Smithfield series, book 3) by LB Gregg

Here is the book description:

Lax. That was the initial conclusion enigmatic security specialist Max Douglas had drawn of Michael “Finn” Finnegan—Dalton Prep’s beloved English teacher. When Max arrives at Smithfield’s exclusive boarding school to protect a high profile student against a mysterious stalker, he’s hell bent on enforcing his style of leadership on students and teachers alike. Warring tempers turn to passionate lovemaking between the former marine and the easy going drama coach. But danger is closer than either man expects and all too quickly violence rocks the homey campus—putting both men at risk.

Because it had been a while between reading and writing this review, I decided to re-read it this past weekend, and I really enjoyed it for a second time.

The Men of Smithfield is a fun, smart series and Cover Me has the best story, so far. There is much more of an emphasis on the mystery/suspense element, and while the “whodunit” wasn’t hard to guess, the “how” made for an absorbing read.

Though, in the end it is the romance in the romantic suspense that make the book. I loved the outgoing, but slightly insecure Finn. He’s a bit of a smart-ass, but I always have a soft spot for the guy whose wisecracks and quick mind sometimes get him into trouble. I had a bit of a harder time warming up to Max, who used his job as a security consultant as a shield between himself and Finn. Sometimes, I just wanted to smack him! lol

However, when Max finally does unbend, and allows himself to show Finn how much he cares about him, it’s all worth it.

Actually, my favorite part of the book (aside from Finn) was the setting. LB does such a great job evoking autumn in New England, as well as prep school culture. I loved getting those glimpses into a place that is so different from my workaday life.

While David from Happy Ending is still my favorite guy in Smithfield and his story my sentimental favorite, I really enjoyed Cover Me. I can’t wait for Men of Smithfield 4, which will be out early 2010.

If anyone doesn’t already know, LB is aka Lisabea from Nose in a Book , and an honorary So Cal Blogger.

• LB Gregg’s site.
• Cover Me excerpt.
• More posts on the Men of Smithfield series: Cover Me release day post; Just finished reading . . . Happy Ending post; Just finished reading . . . Gobsmacked post

His Convenient Husband (Innamorati series, book 1) by JL Langley

Here is the book description:

At the tender age of seven, newly orphaned Micah Jiminez lost everything—and got lucky. The Delaney family opened their hearts and their home, treated him like one of their own. One Delaney in particular, though, became more than a brother to Micah. The handsome and protective Tucker is the man to whom he wants to give his love. But after a single passionate night together, Tucker rebuffs him and hightails it to Dallas to pursue his dreams. Leaving Micah to pick up the pieces of his broken heart—and feeling like a fool. The impending death of the Delaney patriarch brings an unsavory relative out of the woodwork, threatening Micah’s beloved adopted family. They’re going to need all hands in the fight to keep The Bar D from being pulled out from under them all—including Tucker. Micah steels himself to convince the man he can’t forget to come home. To his everlasting surprise, it’s Tucker who comes up with the perfect solution: a marriage of convenience—to Micah. His gut tells him Tucker’s motivation involves nothing more than saving the ranch. Now he just has to convince his fragile heart.

When I heard that JL Langley had written this book in the style of a category romance, I was really intrigued. I find the idea of an m/m romance using some of those well loved tropes a wonderful way to interpret the category genre.

Also, books with a “marriage of convenience” plot are one of my favorite guilty pleasures.

JLL’s strong suit is creating characters that touch the reader on an emotional level, and make her care about what happens to them. With Micah, she does just that. He’s vulnerable and honorable, trying to do the best he can for his adopted family.

The story itself was sort of a mixed bag for me. It was hard for me to understand exactly why Tucker felt he had to cut himself off so completely from both Micah and his family once he and Micah spent their night together. Also, the rationale for the marriage was confusing for me. I kept wondering things like: was the book’s “world” written so that they could get married in Texas? did they have to go somewhere out of state to get married? would a Texas court acknowledge their marriage based on the will’s terms? I found that these questions kept pulling me out of the book.

This is sort of nitpick-y, but . . . the phrase “convenient husband” popped up more than once, and its insertion felt a little too heavy handed. I wouldn’t have minded seeing it once or twice in the story, but when it showed up at least 4 times in the 76 page novella, it was a bit of overkill.

However, there was enough in the story that ultimately I enjoyed it, and will read more of the Innamorati series. The family ties between all the men on the ranch was really touching. I also really loved the plot twist at the end of the book, which left me with a smile on my face.

The next book in the series, The Greek Tycoon’s Paramour, doesn’t yet have a release date, but I will be keeping my eye out for it. I can’t wait to see what JL will do with this category romance plotline.

• JL Langley’s site.
• His Convenient Husband excerpt.