Unlikely Allies by Tiffany King

What would you do if you find out your mother lied to you, your whole life?  Kimberly's Mom confesses that now that she is 18, Kimberly's father is alive but doesn't know of her existence.  Rick, Kimberly's father, runs a camp for foster kids in the Colorado Mountains.  Being a California girl, Kimberly's idea of a day outdoors, involves the beach not hiking, sleeping in cabins, and freezing in the cool Co. temps.  Kimberly is immediately thrown into being a counselor at the camp meeting some great new friends.  Rick has 'adopted' Mason as a foster son when he came to the camp and when Kimberly meets him the sparks fly.  Kimberly can't figure out why Mason is so critical of her.  Mason seems to resent her very presence at the camp and never fails to let her know it.  As the weeks go one, Kimberly earns the respect of her fellow counselors and breaks through the tough skin of some of the campers.  When one of her campers goes missing, Kimberly and Mason must come together to search the trails.  In the pouring rain, on the most difficult trail, Kimberly and Mason must depend on each other to survive  an accident that almost takes their lives.
I loved this book.  Tiffany King writes great romances so I knew without a doubt that I would love anything she writes.  Something about love/hate relationships that I really enjoy and usually lend a special spark to the romance. Kimberly is a great character who is thrown into an ackward situation by her mother's lies.  I am not sure I could be as forgiving.  Kimberly throws herself into embracing Rick and being open to his camp.  She shows a maturity in dealing with the unusual situation and even an extrodinary patience with Mason who flat-out just provokes her.  Mason is a "greek god" who shows a deep caring heart to everyone but Kimberly.  I kept thinking he was just jealous of her place as Rick's real daughter but the truth had me reading on and on.  This is a real in depth story with many great characters that lend a real true nature to the story other than the romance that is the central theme.  The summary really can't do this book justice without spoiling some of the story so the only thing I have left to say is READ this book.

Freeing Carter by Nyrae Dawn

The story opens with Carter responsibly helping his drunk mother into bed.  Freeing Carter is a real look into the relationships in a family affected by alcoholism.  Carter is a star point guard for his high school, has a hot girlfriend, and an alcoholic Mom.  Carter goes through some classic enabler feelings as he tries to protect his 6yo sister with Down't Syndrome.  Then Kiera enters Carter's life with an understanding and insight into his life that he keep guarded from everyone.  Kiera is a beautiful person changing styles from day to day and treating Carter's sister with great respect.  With Kiera's help, Carter begins to face his situation with strength rarely seen in someone his age.
If you haven't read a Nyrae Dawn book yet, I highly recommend them.  I have read all of her books and love the prospective of the guys point of view.  She gives you insight in the male psyche of young men who are respectful and have an inner strength.  The romance sweetly builds and becomes a beautiful rainbow of emotions.  Her books are grounded in reality and fleshed out characters that entice the reader to not want to stop reading.

Blood Twist by Bonnie Wheeler (Erris Coven 2)

The highly anticipated second book in the Erris Coven series, Blood Twist delivers all the romance and action of it's predecessor Fate Fixed.  Continuing the series, Liz has come to Erris to find out why her best friend Lexie hasn't called or emailed for months.  Once she arrives she walks in on the aftermath of Alik's challenge for power in Lexie's basement.  Braden finds her in the middle of the bloody chaos and immediately admires how she handles the shock that werewolves and dhampirs are real.  Liz is drawn to Braden but feels he isn't her type at all so she doesn't give much thought to him other than to admire his physique.  Braden can't seem to stop watching Liz with his family.  He finds the way she brazenly handles her self as fascinating.  With Ruby, Lexie's Mom, infected and rejecting the werewolf virus, Liz promises herself that she will find the cure. Ruby was the closest thing to a real mom that Liz has ever known.  She is determined not to fail no matter what it takes.  Braden claims he has a lead in Europe to track down a cure and Liz is insistant that she go with him.  Once they begin their quest to find the cure, Braden's secrets begin to come to the surface.  Their search leads them into the heart of a dangerous draghur nest. 
I was so excited to finally get to read more about the Erris Coven.  I loved being able to still know how Lexie and Torin were doing as well as the rest of the family.  Braden was a sexy hot guy with deep secrets.  These secrets drive the quest for the cure.  Liz is a wonderful girl who speaks her mind and takes charge without being overpowering.  The chemistry between Braden and Liz sparks like lightening flashing through the reader's veins.  As with the first novel, Blood Twist has a mysterious entity that you will keep you guessing the outcome.  Not often am I kept quessing about the outcome of a book but Mrs. Wheeler is a master of intrique and action.  I never quite knew what was coming next.  The unpredictability kept me reading long into the night.  The soulmate connection is there again drawing the reader in with heart pounding action and making you root for a happily ever after.  Braden and Liz's connection is unique from Torin and Lexie's keeping the romance fresh and new.  The excellent storytelling has me waiting on a sequel.  I can't wait to find out what is next for the Erris Coven and the heart-throb's Cian and Teagan.  I highly recommend the series for anyone who loves the paranormal romance genre. 

Measuring Up by Nyrae Dawn

Anabel is sick of the 'in' crowd at her highschool teasing her abut her weight.  Her own mother is so highly critical of her that she feels she will never be able to please her.  Her father is overly supportative and wants to make things easier for her. Anabel is so sick of it all that she finally decides to join a gym but goes to the otherside of town where noone will know her.  Outside the gym she battles self doubts and isn't sure she can actually go in when she meets the gorgeous Tegan.  Tegan is the picture perfect "gym boy" and Anabel is sure he is just trying to be nice.  Then Tegan's family shows up and Tegan's little brother Timmer needs help getting into his electric wheelchair.  Anabel steps up to help Tegan lift out of the van.  Tegan has a protective shell build around his famiy yet cannot help but talk to Anabel as they get to know each other while working out together.  Tegan begins to give hints about his attraction to Anabel.  But she is sure he couldn't want a fat girl like him
The writing is beautiful and speaks to that little girl devil inside of all women who hate something about themselves.  Although there is a romance the story, the real shining point of the plot is to learn how to be enough for yourself and not anyone else.  Every woman should read this book.  Ms. Nyrae had a way of climbing into my head and making me Aanbel.  Tegan is attracted to Anabel but loves her soul and the way she looks now.  Ms. Dawn writes a book that is a must read for every woman that thought about changing just that one thin.