Love Me if You Dare - by Carly Phillips

 When hostage negotiator Rafe Mancuso takes a bullet to save Sara Rios, his former partner, his actions make him a bona fide hero—and New York City's newest most eligible bachelor. Then Rafe admits that Sara is much more than just another woman he's rescued. Suddenly, a firestorm of gossip turns him into exactly what he doesn't want to be: the Bachelor Blog's newest hot topic. His only solution is to leave town and get himself out of the spotlight…and sexy, jaded Sara out of his mind.

NYPD officer Sara Rios has Rafe to thank for saving her life, and Rafe to blame for the media chaos surrounding her. She wants to throw herself back into duty at full throttle, but until her injuries heal, she's on leave and in search of her rescuer. From the moment she finds Rafe and meets his large, boisterous family, she's hooked. But mutual attraction doesn't always mean happily-ever-after, and these two have a long way to go to find their fairy-tale ending… (comments via Amazon)

A sequel to Kiss Me If you Can - also reviewed by us - Carly Phillips gives us the fresh love story with a mysterious plot.  This book was fun, sexy, steamy, and interesting.  While it's out of my normal fave genre, I like to bring in some new blood once and awhile :).

We met Sara in the first book, she's a strong female cop, from a family of cops.  Her character had great development in Kiss Me if You Can, so I rolled into this one and learned how gorgeous she could be.  Rafe is her former partner and we definitely learn more about him.  He's devoted to his family although he stays away when he can.  Sara NEEDS him and once she's found him, she's got to remind herself she needs to leave.  I loved the family interaction in this book, just classic.  Humorous but not over the top.  Of course, then we get to the passionate romance.  Nothing was missing, that's for sure.  Tossed in was a little mystery in the family and one outside of it.

I enjoyed this book, as well as the first.  I'm thrilled that I found Phillips on one of our blog friends sites.  I have a few others of hers on the way.  

4 slices

Kiss Me if You Can

By Carly Phillips

Sam Cooper ("Coop") has just become the most eligible bachelor in New York City. Now that he has foiled a jewelry-store robbery and has been rewarded with the ring of his choice, single women all over the city are fawning over the crime reporter. But Coop isn't interested in the admirers sending racy underwear his way. His attention is centered solely on Lexie Davis, the only woman in the city who claims not to be interested in his bachelor status.

Instead, free-spirited Lexie is interested in Coop's antique ring, and its—potentially scandalous—history in her family. But Coop is quickly becoming more than just her route to the ring. When his investigation starts to uncover the truth, will she trust her heart—and her family secrets—to this most eligible bachelor?

(back cover comments)

I happened upon this read following one of our fellow bloggers sites.  I figured I'd give it a try coming from one of the reviewers we respect.  It's not in the usual paranormal genre, but I enjoy a good read.

I had never read Carly Phillips before, but I can tell you I will be again!!!  This read was definitely one I didn't put down.   It was quick-witted and full of fun romance.  I finished it in about 4 hours.  

Coop is a instantly, likeable character.  He is recovering from a past that leaves him wary of new relationships.  He's thrown himself into his work as a hope to avoid his personal life.  After getting thrown into the limelight, he finds that maybe his personal life was in a little need of attention and he knows just who can help with it.  His complete opposite - Lexie.  Lexie is an independent woman (I love that quality) and she wants to figure out what the story is with Coop's ring and her family.  Never thinking a business situation would turn personal, Lexie has to overcome her past issue in order to figure out where her future will go.  

Phillip's writing is great.  I was sucked in.  There is some great humor when Lexie's grandmother gets involved, I definitely laughed out loud.  Lexie and Coop are easy to relate to, which made this read easy to see before your eyes.  They definitely say what they mean and then learn from their mistakes.  I can't wait for the next in this series - Love Me if You Dare.  Phillips has many other reads that I'm adding to my to-be-read list.  Enjoy!

Rating  - 4/5