Randi Romance Reader

Waiting on Wednesday

2012-01-03T11:02:00.000-08:00

For those who don't know, Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly book meme where we
get to let everyone know about what books we are eagerly anticipating the
release of. WoW is hosted by Jill over at Breaking the
Spine. Want to participate? Grab the
logo on her page, post your own WoW entry on your blog, and leave your link on
her blog

Lucy Marinn is a glass artist living in mystical, beautiful, Friday Harbor, Washington. She is stunned and blindsided by the most bitter kind of betrayal: her fiancé Kevin has left her. His new lover is Lucy's own sister. Lucy's bitterness over being dumped is multiplied by the fact that she has constantly made the wrong choices in her romantic life. Facing the severe disapproval of Lucy's parents, Kevin asks his friend Sam Nolan, a local vineyard owner on San Juan Island, to "romance" Lucy and hopefully loosen her up and get her over her anger. Complications ensue when Sam and Lucy begin to fall in love, Kevin has second thoughts, and Lucy discovers that the new relationship in her life began under false pretenses. Questions about love, loyalty, old patterns, mistakes, and new beginnings are explored as Lucy learns that some things in life - even after being broken - can be made into something new and beautiful. (descripition was taken from http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/)

This is book 2 in Lisa Kleypas' Friday Harbor contemporary series.
Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor was book 1 and that was released in October of 2010. So needlessly to say I have been waiting very patiently for this book to be released. Lisa Kleypas is one of my absolute favorite authors! She can write historical or contemporary it doesn't matter they are all great!

Happy Reading

Teaser Tuesday

2012-01-03T10:24:00.000-08:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read• Open to a random page

•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page•

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"Now, I want to love you one more time before I go."

"Please don't act like it could be the last time. I don't want to be afraid."

Reading Romance Challenge 2012!

2011-12-30T11:16:00.000-08:00

I have decided to participate in the Reading Romances Challenge. This challenge is being hosted by Nat at the Reading Romance Blog. The description below is directly from her blog.

The Reading Romances Challenge is not about the amount of books you read, but the variety of titles you’ll have read when the challenge is over! Our goal is to read a bit of everything related to romance and open our minds to new genres we wouldn't usually read.

Challenge Guidelines:

The 2012 Reading Romances Challenge will run from Jan 1, 2012 – Dec 31, 2012.
Anyone can join, you don’t need to have a blog. Feel free to sign-up in the comments – you can post reviews to any book site (i.e. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Goodreads, Librarything, Shelfari etc).
I’ll post a list of romance sub-genres and a few cool themes for you to choose from each month (you can read all of them or just a couple).
You can list your books before reading them (by leaving a comment on the post with the topics for that month) or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, don’t feel obligated to read them, changes are welcomed!
When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the Reading Romances Challenge. If you don’t have a blog, please link it to the page where you post your reviews (Goodreads, Shelfari, Amazon etc).
You don’t have to participate every month, but please try to!
Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2012, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.

I will never tell you to read one specific author, but I might suggest a few titles and authors to give you some ideas.
You can read the same author more than once and the books can be old or new, but they must be read during the course of the challenge.
Books used in this challenge may be used in other challenges.
Books can be in any format – paper, audio, ebook.
Post the button to post on your sidebar, this way others can find their way back to this post and join in the fun!

At the beginning of each month there will be a roundup post for you to add your reviews for that month. If you forget, feel free to add your reviews in the following month. It can be something simple and short, please don’t worry about it!

There will also be random giveaways during the year for everyone who is actively participating on the challenge. There might be special giveaway by the end of the year for those who read all (or most of) the topics during each month . If you are an author and want to contribute with prizes, please contact me.

To Sign-up:

Please go to the Reading Romances blog post to sign up for the 2012 Reading Romances Challenge!

New Covers

2011-09-25T06:28:00.000-07:00

Discovered some great covers!!! Check them out!

Release Date - November 1, 2011

Release Date - November 22, 2011

Release Date - October 25, 2011

Release Date - January 3, 2012

pictures are from amazon.com

Waiting on Wdnesday

2011-01-03T12:54:00.000-08:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine,that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

Taken from FantasticFiction Website

Call Me Irresistible

R.S.V.P. to the most riotous wedding of the year . . .

Lucy Jorik is the daughter of a former president of the United States.

Meg Koranda is the offspring of legends.

One of them is about to marry Mr. Irresistible - Ted Beaudine - the favorite son of Wynette, Texas. The other is not happy about it and is determined to save her friend from a mess of heartache.

But even though Meg knows that breaking up her best friend's wedding is the right thing to do, no one else seems to agree. Faster than Lucy can say "I don't," Meg becomes the most hated woman in town - a town she's stuck in with a dead car, an empty wallet, and a very angry bridegroom. Broke, stranded, and without her famous parents at her back, Meg is sure she can survive on her own wits. What's the worst that can happen? Lose her heart to the one and only Mr. Irresistible? Not likely. Not likely at all.

Call Me Irresistible is the book Susan Elizabeth Phillips's readers have long awaited. Ted, better known as "little Teddy," the nine-year-old heartbreak kid from Phillips's first bestseller, Fancy Pants, and as "young Teddy," the hunky new college graduate in Lady Be Good, is all grown up now - along with Lucy from First Lady and Meg from What I Did for Love. They're ready to take center stage in a saucy, funny, and highly addictive tale fans will love.

"Crown Susan Elizabeth Phillips the queen of romantic comedy," raves the McClatchy-Tribune News Service, just one of numerous accolades the beloved New York Times bestselling author has earned in her remarkable career.

For more than three decades, this wise and witty writer has charmed hearts and won the devotion of legions of readers. Now she's back with the book her fans have been demanding - a sassy, sexy, downright irresistible tale of true love Texas-style, featuring gorgeous heartbreaker Ted Beaudine, now grown up and in a heap of romantic trouble all his own.

2011 Sexy Reading Challenge

2011-01-03T12:17:00.000-08:00

The Sexy Reading Challenge will run from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. The challenge is being hosted by Brazen Broads Book Bash.

Here are the details from Brazen Broads Book Bash blog.....

Okay, we Broads have decided to offer a reading challenge for the next year-the 2011 Sexy Reading Challenge! Any book with sexy romance or erotica qualifies, so that means regency, Steampunk, paranormal (vamps, weres, shapeshifters), even sci-fi, if it's sexy. The goal is to read 12 books in 2011 that qualify.

The Sexy Reading Challenge will run from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.
So what do you have to do? First, sign up with Mr. Linky. Then, read your books. When you post a review, use the 2011 Sexy Reading Challenge button and let us know so we can go read it. Each time we see a review, you'll be entered to win a prize that we'll randomly select at the end of the year from everyone who read all 12 books. It's that easy!

We hope you'll sign up for the 2011 Sexy Reading Challenge! It's a chance to find some new authors and subgenres of romance and erotica, and maybe revisit some of your favorite authors for a second or third time.

Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge 2011

2011-01-03T12:09:00.000-08:00

This challenge is being hosted by Romance Book Maven. So head over to her blog if you would like to join.

Here are the details:

1. By contemporary romance I mean straight contemporary, so without paranormal, fantasy or time-travel elements. Sexy, steamy contemporaries are eligible and so are category romances. (i.e. Harlequin Blaze, Harlequin Presents, Harlequin Super Romances, Silhoutte Desires, etc.)

2. Read at least 10 contemporaries between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011

3. You don’t have to pre-select your books, you can just add them as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed. Nothing is set in stone! Also, the books you choose can crossover into or from other challenges you are participating in.

2011 Debut Romance Author Reading Challenge

2011-01-03T11:42:00.000-08:00

This challenge is being hosted by Romance Book Maven. So head over to her blog if you would like to join.

Here are the Details:

1. Read at least 10 books by “debut” romance authors between January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

2. I debated about this and books where an author is “debuting” a new name (i.e. Maureen Child who will have a book out in 2011 as Regan Hastings) will be able to count in this challenge.

3. You don’t need to make up a list beforehand but if you want to, feel free to do so. Just keep in mind it’s not a “strict” list and you can change it at any time to fit your reading schedule. Crossovers into other challenges are allowed in this one.

Have fun & Happy Reading!!

2011 Goals

2011-01-03T10:27:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I have set a goal for myself to start my blog up again. I'm going to try and post a least one review a week. I also love the "Waiting on a Wednesday" the is hosted by Breaking the Spine so I'm going to start featuring that again. I'm also going to join some challenges that I'm going to track here.

I hope everyone has a Happy and Safe 2011!!

REVIEW - The Wolf Next Door

2010-06-15T10:23:00.000-07:00

Rating 4 stars!!

Book Description (from author's webiste):

They can’t ever be in the same room together…..
Ever since a disastrous encounter on a full moon years ago, Prisca Hawthorne has taunted, insulted and in every way tried to push him away. If only her heart didn’t break every time Lord William Westfield left her….

But staying apart is even worse….
Lord William throws himself into drinking, gambling, and debauchery and pretends not to care about Prisca at all. But when he returns to find a rival werewolf threatening her, he just about goes berserk …
Can Prisca forgive the unforgivable, or are the moon crossed lovers going to be forced into a battle of will that could be fatal…?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed Lydia Dare's Westfield Brother Trilogy. While the The Wolf Next Door wasn't my favorite of the three. It wrap up the brothers stories nicely. The one problem I had is that Prisca doesn't find out about William's secret until the end. I think that's why Tall, Dark and Wolfish is my favorite of the three because Elspeth knows the secret right away. What I liked about the story is that you see a lot of Simon and Ben without it taking away from William's story. This author has been an auto buy for me.

Next up is The Taming of the Wolf will be released in November.

I Finally Did It!!!

2010-05-28T20:46:00.000-07:00

I finally bought an ereader. I never thought I would, but so many people in blogland love them so I decided to look into which ereader I wanted. I decided on the Sony Reader Touch Edition. I was able to find it at Target for $199.99 which I thought was pretty reasonable.

Where does everyone buy their ebooks? Do you have a favorite ebook store? Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

Blog Award

2010-05-21T07:28:00.000-07:00

I just want to say thanks to Renee with Addicted to Romance for giving me this award!!!

"A prolific blogger is one who is intellectually productive, keeping up an active blog with enjoyable content. After accepting this award, recipients are asked to pass it forward to seven other deserving blogs." I am passing these on to these amazing bloggers that deserve this award!!!

Mandi @ Smexy Books

Krisite @ Ramblings on Romance Etcetera, Etcetera

Jill @ Romance Rookie

Renee @ Renee's Reads

Cover Alert!!

2010-05-20T13:26:00.000-07:00

The cover for the last book in Nora Roberts' Bride Quartet series has been released. Isn't beautiful!!

Here is a brief description from fantastic fiction: As the public face of Vows wedding planning company, Parker Brown has an uncanny knack for fulfilling every bride's vision. She just can't see where her own life is headed. Mechanic Malcomb Kavanaugh loves figuring out how things work, and Parker is no exception. Both know that moving from minor flirtation to major hook-up is a serious step. Parker's business risks have always paid off, but now she'll have to take the chance of a lifetime with her heart.

Now all I have to do is wait for November!!!

Check out the first 3 books in this series.

New Layout

2010-05-19T17:18:00.000-07:00

A big Thank-You to Melissa for sharing these great layouts!

Review ~ Tall Dark and Wolfish by Lydia Dare

2010-05-12T07:05:00.000-07:00

Rating 4.5 stars!!!!

Book Description (from fantastic fiction): The reckless, rakish younger brother of a powerful duke, Lord Benjamin Westfield transforms into a wolf under the light of the full moon - until one fateful evening when he doesn't change and his life is shattered. Fearing he may never be able to change again, Benjamin sets out for Scotland in search of a witch who can heal his inner beast. The noble werewolf is drawn to the beautiful young woman, but what does he have to offer in this broken state?

My Thoughts: This is the 2nd book in Lydia Dare's Westfield Brothers Series. This series is about three brothers that are Lycan (werewolves).

What I enjoyed so much about this story was there were no secrets between Ben and Elspeth. He knew she was a witch and she knew he was Lycan. You watch these two becomes friends while Elspeth tries to help Ben figure out why he can't change. All I'm going to say is about that is Blueberries! Then you watch was they fall in love and it's a very beautiful story to read. There was also more paranormal elements in this story then there was in the first book which I also enjoyed.

Tracy has a great review at The Book Binge you should check out!

Cover Alert - The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton

2010-05-12T04:51:00.001-07:00

Book Description from the Author's Blog:

Football pro Mick Riley is an all-star, both on the field and in the bedroom. But a sexy, determinedly single mom just might be the one to throw him off his game…
For years Mick has been taking full advantage of the life available to a pro athlete: fame, fortune, and a different girl in every city. But when he meets and beds confident, beautiful event planner Tara Lincoln, he wants much more than the typical one-night stand. Too bad Tara’s not interested in getting to know football’s most notorious playboy any better.
As the single mother of a teenage son, the last thing Tara needs is the jet-set lifestyle of Mick Riley; even though their steamy and passionate one-night stand was unforgettable. Tara’s life is complicated enough without being thrust into the spotlight as Mick’s latest girl du jour. Tara played the game of love once and lost big, and she doesn’t intend to put herself out there again, especially with a heartbreaker like Mick.
But when Mick sets his mind to win, nothing will stop him. And he has the perfect play in mind.

I LOVE romances with Heroes that are professional athletes. I can't wait for this one. I haven't read anything by Jaci Burton. Have you?

Review ~ A Certain Wolfish Charm by Lydia Dare

2010-04-06T04:47:00.000-07:00

Book Description (from author's website): He gets crankier and crankier as the moon gets full.... The rules of Society can be beastly---especially when you're a werewolf and it's that irritating time of the month. Simon Westfield, the Duke of Blackmoor, is rich, powerful, and sinfully handsome, and has spent his entire life creating scandal and mayhem. It doesn't help his wolfish temper at all that Miss Lily Rutledge seems not the least afraid of him, and in fact, may as untamable as he is.....

A woman whose charm is stronger then the moon...... When Lily Rutledge's beloved nephew's behavior becomes inexplicably wild, she turns to Simon, the boy's cousin and guardian, for help. But Simon's idea of assistance is far different than hers, and Lily finds herself ensconced in his house and engaged to the rogue. They both may have bitten off more than they can chew when each begins to discover the other's darkest secret.

My Thoughts: One of my new favorite genres is Historcial Paranormal. I really enjoyed Simon and Lily's story. I do wish that Simon had told Lily his secret sooner, so we could have had more of the story with Lily already knowing. I haven't read a lot of shape shifter stories, but the ones that I have read the Shapeshifter was able to shifter whenever they wanted. What is different about Ms Dare werewolves is that they can only shift during the full moon.

I would definitely recommend this for anyone who loves historicals with some paranormal elements.

Ms Dare has written Simon's brothers stories which will be released in May and June.

Romance Reading Challenge 2010 ~ Completed ~

2010-03-24T07:13:00.000-07:00

I have finished the Romance Challenge that is being hosted by the ladies at the

Royal Reviews Blog.

There are four levels:
-- Curious – Read 3 Romance Fiction novels.
-- Fascinated – Read 6 Romance Fiction novels.
-- Addicted – Read 12 Romance Fiction novels.
-- Obsessed – Read 20 Romance Fiction novels.

I choose to do OBSESSED!

Here is what I read for this challenge:

1. Catch of a Lifetime by Judi Fennell
2. Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning
3. Legend of the White Wolf by Terry Spears
4. Sealed with a Ring by Mary Margret Daughtridge
5. Slow Heat by Jill Shalvis
6. True Love and other Disasters by Rachel Gibson
7. Hard to Hold by Stephanie Tyler
8. Too Hot to Hold by Stephanie Tyler
9. Hold on Tight by Stephanie Tyler
10. Witch Fire by Anya Bast
11. The Bleeding Dusk by Colleen Gleason
12. When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason
13. A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh

14. Loves Me, Loves Me Knot by Heidi Betts
15. A Certain Wolfish Charm by Lydia Dare
16. Something About You by Julie James
17. Tall, Dark and Wolfish by Lydia Dare
18. The Wolf Next Door by Lydia Dare
19. Broken by Shiloh Walker
20. The Perfect Wife by Lynsay Sands

~ Waiting on a Wednesday ~

2010-03-17T10:09:00.001-07:00

Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted here, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This weekly event is hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.

Release Date: July 6th

I couldn't find much of a description for this....

Lady Isabella Scranton scandalized London by leaving her husband, notorious artist Lord Mac Mackenzie, after only three turbulent years of marriage. But Mac has a few tricks to get the Lady back in his life, and more importantly, back into his bed.

I'm so excited about this book. The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie is one of my favorites!!

Cover Alert ~ Blameless by Gail Carriger

2010-03-09T08:25:00.001-08:00

Blameless

Book the Third in the Parasol Protectorate

Release Date: Sept 1, 2010

image is from the author's website

Cover Alert ~ Hot Finish by Erin McCarthy

2010-03-05T15:54:00.000-08:00

A big Thank-you to Stacy's Place on Earth for finding this. I'm so excited for Ryder and Suzanne's story. I can't believe we have to wait until August!

Not all marriages last forever…Suzanne Jefferson is broke, which is why she’s given up charity work for wedding planning. Fortunately, she has a high-profile client—and best of all, he’s paid in advance. There are just two teensy problems: The bride is a bona fide bridezilla, and Suzanne’s ex-husband is the best man. At least she thought he was her ex-husband…But this one might...Two years after their marriage fell apart, stock car race driver Ryder Jefferson still can’t stop thinking about Suzanne. Which is why he isn’t too upset that, due to a glitch, the two are still technically married. Now he’s imagining easing Suzanne’s woes by satisfying her needs in the bedroom. After all, that’s the one room they never argued in. Besides, with wedding bells ringing all around them, Ryder is wondering if—even though they’d quit the race a few laps too early—they can still come on strong with a big, romantic finish…

Review: Sealed with a Ring by Mary Margret Daughtridge

2010-03-01T02:00:00.000-08:00

Rating 4.5!!!

Book Description (from fantastic fiction): She's got it all...except the one thing she needs most Smart, successful businesswoman JJ Caruthers has a year to land a husband or lose the empire she's worked so hard to build. With time running out, romance is not an option, and a military husband who is always on the road begins to look like the perfect solution... He's a wounded hero with an agenda of his own Even with the scars of battle, Navy SEAL medic Davy Graziano is gorgeous enough to land any woman he wants, and he's never wanted to be tied down. Now Davy has ulterior motives for accepting JJ's outrageous proposal of marriage, but he only has so long to figure out what JJ doesn't want him to know...

My Thoughts: If you are looking for a good contemporary romance then look no further. One of my favorite heroes is the Navy Seal. There is just something about a military hero that I love. I also love the marriage of convenience storyline.

JJ's grandfather doesn't want the family business to become her entire life. So he tells her that she needs to get married or he is going to sell the business right out from under her. JJ comes up with a plan to marry a military man who is gone most of the year. Davy and JJ steam of the pages and it doesn't take long.

I can't wait to read the first two books in the series. Even though this is the 3rd book you won't be lost at all. When the heroes from the other two books pop up you know that they have already had their own books, but it doesn't take away from the story at all.

Book Disclosure: Received ARC Review copy from Sourcebooks.

February Wrap-up

2010-03-01T01:00:00.000-08:00

February was a very good reading month for me! I read 9 books which is the most I have read since last June. So I'm very excited. I have a new goal to start reviewing books again. Sometimes I get discourge I go to other blogs and read such great reviews that I don't think my reviews do any justice for the book, but I have decided that the only way I will get better is if I keep trying.

So my goal is review 2-3 books a week (depending on how many books I read).

Here is what I read last month -

1. Sealed with a Ring by Mary Margret Daughtridge - rating 4.5 stars!

2. Slow Heat by Jill Shalvis - rating 4.5 stars!

3. True Love and other Disasters by Rachel Gibson - rating 4.5 stars!

4. Hard to Hold by Stephanie Tyler - rating 4.5 stars!

5. Too Hot to Hold byStephanie Tyler - rating 4.5 stars!

6. Hold on Tight by Stephanie Tyler - rating 4.75 stars!

7. Witch Fire by Anya Bast - rating 4 stars!

8. The Bleeding Dusk by Colleen Gleason - rating 4 stars!

9. When Twilight Burn by Colleen Gleason - rating 4.5 stars!

How was your reading this month?

Lusting 4 Covers

2010-02-14T16:03:00.000-08:00

Lusting for Covers is a weekly meme held Sunday's, that allows bloggers to share their current cover obession with fellow book lovers. This meme is hosted by TBQ @ The Book Queen's Palace.

The 10th Malory Family Novel!!

Release Date: June 15, 2010

Nine years ago Richard Allen fled England when his avaricious father, the Earl of Manford, betrothed him to Julia Miller, the young daughter of London's wealthiest merchant. Having seen how his father's ambition ruined his older brother's prospects for happiness with an arranged marriage, free-spirited Richard takes to the sea determined to live his own life. In the Caribbean, he joins a band of treasure-hunting pirates and adopts the persona of a Frenchman named Jean Paul. When he dares to slip back into England to carry out an urgent task for his captain, Richard falls in love with a married woman, Georgina Malory. Despite Georgina's indifference to him and her husband James Malory's threats to harm him, Richard is smitten. His next attempt to woo Georgina at a masked ball turns out to be a terrible mistake because it brings him face to face with another beautiful woman.

Grown-up and sophisticated, Julia Miller, a friend of Georgina's, is charmed by the masked Frenchman Jean Paul until she discovers he's really her detested fiancé! Julia has hired solicitors to have Richard declared dead so she can free herself from their betrothal and move on with her life. But when the Earl of Manford learns his son has returned and can fulfill the marriage contract, he sets in motion a chain of events that places Julia on the high seas with her fiancé who is not merely an irresponsible nobleman but a seductive, adventure-loving pirate!

Book Description is from FantasticFiction.co.uk.

Review ~ Legend of the White Wolf by Terry Spear

2010-02-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

Rating 4 stars!!

Book Description (from the back of the book): Detective Camperon MacPherson joins frrces with lovely Faith O'Malley to search for his missing parnters and her father's stolen research. But in the wilds of nature he encounters a mythical creature whose bite changes everything for their newfound love.

Faith is on the trail of a legend, and with or without Cameron, she won't be stopped.

Until the fatal moment when they both realize they must face their enemies together...or perish apart...

My Thoughts:I haven’t read a lot of shapeshifter stories so when I received the opportunity to review Terry Spears latest story Legend of the White Wolf I was very excited. This is story is a little different from other shapeshifter stories that I have read. Cameron and Faith don’t start as shapeshifter. They become shapeshifters after they are attacked. I loved watching both Cameron and Faith come to terms with what they are now and try to figure out how to control it. This is a very fast paced, exciting story with a lot of action.
This is the fourth book in the series. I haven’t read the first three yet, but I look forward to reading them.

So Excited.....

2010-02-04T20:18:00.000-08:00

Lisa Kleypas has posted covers and excerpts of her two new historicals that are being released this Summer. Head over to her website and read the excerpts.

Lusting 4 Covers

2010-01-31T02:00:00.000-08:00

Lusting for Covers is a weekly meme, held on Sundays, that allow bloggers to share their current cover obsession with fellow book lovers. The meme is hosted by TBQ @ The Book Queen's Palace.

Release Date: March 2, 2009

Raised on their uncle's country estate, the four orphaned Sutherland sisters formed a close friendship with the young Princess Victoria. Shortly before her coronation as queen, Victoria asks the sisters to serves her in matters requiring the utmost discretion. They are to become her secret servants. The first to serve is Laurel- who poses as a widow to uncover a traitor, and discovers instead an irresistible rogue conducting his own undercover investigation.

I have never read anything by Allison Chase, but I saw this on The Book Binge and my interest was peaked.

Review ~ Catch of a Lifetime by Judi Fennell

2010-01-29T13:39:00.000-08:00

Rating 3.75!!

Book Description (from author's website):

She’s on a mission to save the planet…
Mermaid Angel Tritone has been researching humans from afar, hoping to find a way to convince them to stop polluting.
When she jumps into a boat to escape a shark attack, it’s her chance to pursue her mission, but she has to keep her identity a total secret…
When he finds out what she really is, they’re both in mortal danger…
For Logan Hardington, finding a beautiful woman on his boat is surely not a problem—until he discovers she’s a
mermaid, and suddenly his life is on the line…

My Thoughts:
With all the vampire and shapeshifter books that are out now (which I love) it was nice to read something a little different. This is the first book by Judi Fennell that I have read. I love the first part of the book which has Angel on land trying to learn everything she about humans. I thought the middle of the book dragged just a little. Then the end of the book which takes place underwater was great. I loved Logan's reaction to finding out the Angel was a mermaid was great. While I was reading this book I was trying to figure out how the author was going to give the couple their happy ending. I loved the way story ended and I can't wait to go back and read the first 2 books in this series. This book does stand alone, but you can tell the Angel's brothers have already had their stories. I hope that we going to get Marissa's story next.

I received an ARC from Sourcebooks.

Lusting 4 Covers

2010-01-24T19:05:00.000-08:00

Lusting for Covers is a weekly meme, held on Sundays, that allow bloggers to share their current cover obsession with fellow book lovers. The meme is hosted by TBQ @ The Book Queen's Palace.

This is the first time I have participated in this meme, but I have seen it around the last few weeks and thought it sounded fun. So here is the book cover I have been obsessing about.

Release Date: Feb. 9, 2010

This description is from FantasticFiction.

The night is not safe for mortals. Denise MacGregor knows all too well what lurks in the shadows - her best friend is half-vampire Cat Crawfield - and she has already lost more than the average human could bear. But her family's past is wrapped in secrets and shrouded in darkness - and a demon shapeshifter has marked Denise as prey. Now her survival depends on an immortal who lusts for a taste of her.

He is Spade, a powerful, mysterious vampire who has walked the earth for centuries and is now duty-bound to protect this endangered, alluring human - even if it means destroying his own kind. Denise may arouse his deepest hungers, but Spade knows he must fight his urge to have her as they face the nightmare together...

Because once the first crimson drop falls, they will both be lost.

This one I can't wait for. I loved Spade in the Night Huntress Books.

My New Books

2010-01-11T19:51:00.000-08:00

I took a trip my local Waldenbooks that is closing soon and all thier romance was 60% off!!!

So this is what I got.....

And then I worked last night at Borders Express and with my Border's Buck and employee discount. This is what I got.....

What books did you get last week?

Review ~ My Fair Unlady by Kathryne Kennedy

2010-01-05T16:05:00.000-08:00

Book Description (from author's website):

He created the perfect woman…

The impoverished Duke of Monchester despises the rich Americans who flock to London, seeking to buy their way into the ranks of the British peerage. So when railroad heiress Summer Wine Lee offers him a king’s ransom if he’ll teach her to become a proper lady, he’s prepared to rebuff her. But when he meets the petite beauty with the knife in her boot, it’s not her fortune he finds impossible to resist…

For the arms of another man

Frontier-bred Summer Wine Lee has no interest in winning over London society—it’s the New York bluebloods and her future mother-in-law she’s determined to impress. She knows the cost of smoothing her rough-and-tumble frontier edges will be high. But she never imagined it might cost her heart…

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. It was great love story about opposites attracting. Summer is a free-spirit and Byron is the perfect Englishman. When you put them together sparks fly. All Summer wanted was to be turned into the perfect lady and thinks that with Byron help she can become that lady. As Byron works with Summer he realizes that he doesn't want to change her that he loves her just the way she is he just needs to convince her that she is perfect the way she is. I also love the last chapter I actually laugh out loud a few times.

This was a delightful historcal romance!

I received this from Sourcebooks

Romance Reading Challenge 2010

2010-01-05T11:57:00.001-08:00

This challenge is being hosted by the Ladies at Royal Reviews.

This is the second year we have run the Romance Reading Challenge. Although this year it will be a little different with more options for those die hard lovers of Romance novels. This challenge includes all sub genres of Romance i.e. paranormal, young adult, historical etc. So this should give you plenty of options.

Challenge Guidelines:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.--Non-Bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.

2. There are four levels:

-- Curious – Read 3 Romance Fiction novels.

-- Fascinated – Read 6 Romance Fiction novels.

-- Addicted – Read 12 Romance Fiction novels.

-- Obsessed – Read 20 Romance Fiction novels.

3. Any book format counts.

4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010.

Please head over to their blog and sign up!

I am going for Obessed since all I read is romance!!

Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge 2010!!

2010-01-04T20:49:00.000-08:00

I found another fun challenge! I participated in the Contemporary Challenge last year and it was a really fun challenge. This year it's being hosted by Pearl at Pearl's World of Romance. So head over to her blog and sign up.

Here are her rules:

Before I list the details, I do want to make one thing clear: by contemporary romance I mean straight contemporary, so without paranormal, fantasy or time-travel elements. Sexy, steamy contemporaries are eligible and so are category romances. (i.e. Harlequin Blaze, Harlequin Presents, Harlequin Super Romances, Silhouette Desires, etc.)

Details:

1. Read at least 10 contemporaries between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010.

2. You don't have to pre-select your books, you can just add them as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed. Nothing is set in stone! Also, the books you choose can crossover into or from other challenges you are participating in.

3. Feel free to grab the button below for the sidebar of your blog. It would be great if you would link it back to this post so others can find their way back to this post and join the challenge.

4. If you decide to join this challenge be sure to create a post telling others and feel free to add a link back to this post so others can join in the fun.

5. I will be creating review posts where you can link your own reviews, but reviews are optional.

This is a tentative list that will probably change.....

Review ~ Breakfast in Bed

2010-01-02T07:16:00.000-08:00

Rating 5 stars!!

Robin Kaye is a great new voice in contemporary romance. An auto-buy for me!!

Book Description (from author's website): Rich, the epitome of "anti-domestic," can't cook to save his life, and his idea of cleaning his apartment is to invite his mother over. But he's ready to settle down, and he can't stop thinking about the ex-girlfriend who got away. When he notices that his soon-to-be-married friends cooked and cleaned their way into their women's hearts, he asks his friend Becca to help transform him into a nurturing man to win back his ex.
Rich is the only guy who's taken the time to know Becca for herself. She decides she'll give him the makeover he's asking for, though she'll be damned if she's going to turn him into a domestic god for another woman. She wants Rich for herself, but how can she convince him that her kitchen and her bedroom are the only domestic locales he desires?

My Thoughts: I loved this book! I love this author!! This is the 3rd Domestic Gods book. We have met the hero and heroine in the previous book Too Hot to Handle. Rich Ronaldi is a young professor that has come home to teach at Columbia. Becca is an artist that has moved from Philadelphia to New York to be closer to her best friend and family. Rich and Becca end up subletting the same apartment. One sister promised it the Rich and his other sister promised it to Becca. So now we have total opposites sharing an apartment so you know the sparks are going to fly.
Rich wants his ex-girlfriend back and ask Becca to help him. He thinks that if he becomes more domestic she will take him back and with her back that will help him with winning over his new bosses. Becca is a rich girl trying to make it on her own by moving to New York. The chemistry between Rich and Becca was fantastic. Rich is trying to take care of himself after being taken care of his whole life. Becca trying to deal with all the issue that come with having an absent father, than that father wanting to be part of her life. The chemistry between Rich and Becca was smoking and I love watch these two fall in love, be spilt apart and then brought back together again.
You get to visit the characters from the first two books which was great and fit in the with the storyline. Sometimes when you are reading a series the author will throw in characters from previous books just to make the reader happy. Ms. Kaye doesn’t do this the visits from these characters work great with the story.

If you haven’t pick up Romeo, Romeo, Too Hot to Handle and Breakfast in Bed what are you waiting for!!

Royal Reviews Winter Reading Challenge

2009-12-01T12:40:00.000-08:00

This Challenge is the brain child of Diane from The Book Resort (aka The Moody Countess). Even though it's not Winter here in Australia at the moment, in fact we are sweltering in very high temperatures usually only seen in the height of Summer, it's nice to think 'cold' to help keep us cool.

1. Read a book not set in the USA or England.
Mr Impossible by Loretta Chase

2. Read a book with “Ice”, "Frost", "Chill", "Cold" "Winter" in the title.
Black Ice by Anne Stuart

3. For Valentine's Day, choose an author whose first or last name begins with “L”.
She's No Princess by Laura Lee Guhrke

4. Choose a book that is not part of a series.
A Hint of Wicked by Jennifer Haymore

5. Read a book written in the first-person point-of-view.
Club Dead by Charlaine Harris

6. Read a book with “Mr”, “Mrs”, “Miss” or “Ms” in the title.
Miss Wonderful by Loretta Chase

For more info about this challenge please head over the Royal Reviews

Historical Fiction Challenge

2009-12-01T07:59:00.000-08:00

This challenge is being hosted by the ladies over at Royal Reviews. The ladies will be hosting several challenges in 2010 so check out their blog.
Here are the rules for this challenge.
To kick off our challenge week for 2010 we are starting with a favourite at Royal Reviews. If you've been participating in our Historical Fiction Challenge for the past 2 years then you'll notice we've made some changes. Firstly the challenge will go for the full year as opposed to 3 months that it ran for previously. Then we have different levels for participants. If you're like me you'll dive straight into the Obsessed but then I am a bit of a HF fan!

Challenge Guidelines:
1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.--Non-Bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.

2. There are four levels:
-- Curious – Read 3 Historical Fiction novels.
-- Fascinated – Read 6 Historical Fiction novels.
-- Addicted – Read 12 Historical Fiction novels.
-- Obsessed – Read 20 Historical Fiction novels.

3. Any book format counts.

4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010. Only books started on January 1st count towards this challenge.

I am going to aim for the OBSESSED - I just look at what I have read so far this year and I have read 21 historicals. Maybe I can beat that this year!!

Winner!!

2009-11-09T06:22:00.000-08:00

The winner of Carolyn Brown's Lucky in Love and One Lucky Cowboy is......

GFDesignz

Please email me your address at

randilyn1107 (at) gmail (dot) com

Thank-you to everyone who entered my very first contest!!

I want to thank Carolyn Brown again for stopping by with a great interview!!

Interview with Carolyn Brown and a Giveaway!!

2009-11-04T03:00:00.000-08:00

Thank-you Carolyn for stopping and answering a few questions.

This is the first time that I have had an author post at my blog and this is my very first giveaway!!

I hope everyone enjoys the interview!

Good morning, Randi! It’s a delight to be here on your site and thank you for the great review on One Lucky Cowboy.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I’d rather talk about my beautiful daughters, my handsome son, my smart grandchildren or my very patient husband. But since you asked about me … I’ve been married more than forty years to Charles Brown. (I was young enough that I had to have parental permission to get married so don’t be putting me on the back side of eighty!) We have three lovely children and enough grandchildren to keep us young past the back side of eighty. I’ve been writing since I figured out how to use one of those fat pencils and a Big Chief tablet. Stories have always fascinated me, even those in the magazines my Momma hid under the pillowcases in the third drawer of the chest-of-drawers when I was little girl. Twelve years ago I sold two books the same day to Kensington for their Precious Gems line. By the time that line died, I was selling to Avalon. I felt like I was truly the lucky one when Sourcebooks bought my Lucky Series last year. Lucky in Love came out in September and One Lucky Cowboy hit the racks last Monday. The final book in the trilogy, Getting Lucky will be available Jan. 1.

How you always wanted to write romance novels?
The first book I wrote which did not sell was not a romance. It garnered so many rejection slips that the stock in copy paper went sky high and I had to buy a second file cabinet. After that I wrote romance and it’s so much fun that I will probably always write it.

Do you also read romance?
I will read anything from all those brochures you pick up at the travel centers to Hemingway but I’ve always loved romance. Romance books are life stories. Everything doesn’t come easy or isn’t totally predictable but in the end love will prevail. That gives us hope for our own stories.

What are some of your favorite authors?
LaVryle Spencer ― we came close to having a full fledged wake at our house when she retired. Add that to Sue Grafton, O’Henry (my children were told they’d never get well when they were ill if they didn’t read “The Ransom of Red Chief”), Randy Wayne White, Nora Roberts (of course), Pamela Morsi, Margaret Mitchell, John D. McDonald and … how much room do we have for this interview?

Do you have a process that you follow when you are getting
ready to start writing a new book?
No, but I do like to make a trip to the place I’ve decided to write about and get a feel for the country there. It’s a lesson I learned from my first historical series for Avalon. I was writing about an area and had a scene where the heroine went swimming in a creek. When I went up to Guthrie to check out the area, the creek was barely a running stream and so muddy no self respecting southern lady would have put her toes in it, much less her brand new white cotton swim dress.

What made you decide to write Western Romance?
I’m not so sure I made that decision. My characters made it for me. They were ranchers and farmers and they invaded my mind and threatened to pester me plumb to death if I didn’t tell the story just like it happened.

Can you tell us a little about the Luckadeau Family?
The Luckadeaus are a big family originally from southern Louisiana. They are heavy on sons so there are lots of those sexy men just waiting to meet their matches in feisty southern women. Beau, Slade and Griffin are cousins who live in close proximity and visit often. They are family oriented and might argue amongst themselves but they’ll put up a strong front if an outsider steps into their circle looking for a fight.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a four book series called The Honky Tonk Series. Each of the books is set in Mingus, Texas in an old beer joint called the Honky Tonk and features a hunky cowboy and a sassy barmaid. I Love This Bar will be out in June, 2010, followed by Hell Yeah, My Give A Damn’s Busted and Honky Tonk Christmas. So mark your calendar for more cowboy reading in 2010!

If you would like to win a copy of both Lucky in Love and One Lucky Cowboy leave a comment and I will announce the winner on Monday, November 9th.

Only U.S. and Canada residents.

Monthly Mixer Mele

2009-11-03T11:02:00.000-08:00

Monthly Mixer Mele

I found this fun challenge. This is being hosted by Jen at Jen's Book Talk. All you have to do is read a book that begins with a letter of each month or read a book that begins with the authors name (first or last name, doesn’t matter).

There are 74 letters so you will have to have 74 different books to complete the challenge. Books can however be used to complete other challenges.

You don’t have to do the months in any kind of order, just fill in books as you go along until you have each letter a book by it.

Challenge begins November 1, 2009 and ends November 2, 2010 so you have a whole year to complete! Lets break out them books and get busy!

I'm going to fill this in as I go....

N - Bed of Rose by Nora Roberts
O
V
E
M
B
E
R

D
E
C
E
M
B
E
R

J - Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James
A
N
U
A
R
Y

F
E
B
R
U
A
R
Y

M
A
R
C
H

A
P
R
I
L

M
A
Y

J
U
N
E

J
U
L
Y

A
U
G
U
S
T

S
E
P
T
E
M
B
E
R

O
C
T
O
B
E
R

If you decide to join Jen in the 2009/2010 Monthly Mixer Mele, create a post on your blog telling others about this event. In your post, be sure to include the link to Jen's post on your blog.
That way others can find their way here and join in the fun!

October Wrap Up

2009-11-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

October has been a crazy month!! We are getting ready to move on November 14th and there have been a lot of decisions that need to be made. We are moving from a house into an apartment. So there has been A LOT of cleaning and getting rid of stuff. I donated over 500 books!!

I did get some reading done, but I found myself picking up books and reading them for a few days and then putting the down and picking up something else. That seems to have stop.
I hope to start blogging on a regular basis after I move.

Here is what I read for October....

1) In My Wildest Fantasties by Julianne MacLean ~ 3.5 stars

2) Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare ~ 4 stars

3) Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas ~ 5 stars

4) Hot on Her Heels by Susan Mallery ~ 4.5 stars

5) He's No Prince Charming ~ 4 stars

2009-10-31T02:00:00.000-07:00

Review - One Lucky Cowboy by Carolyn Brown

2009-10-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

Rating 4 stars!!

Book Description (description from Sourcebooks Website):
Jane Day is on the run from the paid assassin who had been her fiancé. In Wichita Falls, Texas, she meets Nellie Luckadeau, a spitfire of an old lady who desperately needs someone to work on her ranch. But Nellie's drop-dead gorgeous grandson "Lucky Slade" is sure he can spot a con artist a mile away. He's determined not to let some upstart like Jane fleece his granny.
When his signature intimidation methods don't convince Jane to leave, he pours on the charm to make her spill what she's up to. She's happy to play along, but she's not going to let this hot, hostile cowboy run her off his land when all she needs is a lucky break…

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed One Lucky Cowboy. There is just something about a cowboy that I just love. It must be because I live in the Northeast. We don’t have cowboys up here so they are pure fantasy for me. What I loved about the story is that the hero Slade Luckadeau (I love the name!!) didn’t want to jump right in and save Jane from whatever she was running from. He didn’t help until his grandmother made him. So many times in romances the hero just wants to jump in and save the day. Jane was a great heroine she found out what her slime ball fiancé was going to do and she did what she had to do to survive until her birthday. I loved the ending! Overall a very enjoyable read.
I am looking forward to going back and reading the first book in the series.

Please come back on November 4th when Carolyn Brown will be visiting and answering a few questions.

Book 1 (released Sept 09) Book 3 (release Jan 10

Finished Another Challenge ~ Read Your Name Challenge

2009-10-05T13:31:00.001-07:00

I finished another challenge. I was starting to get nervous that I wasn't going to be able to finish all the challenges I signed up for at the beginning of this year. I'm starting to make some real progress! This challenge was hosted by Victoria (aka Ink Heart).

The challenge was to read your name in book title first letters, ultimately spelling out your name.

R ~ Romeo Romeo by Robin Kay

A ~ Anyone But You by Jennifer Cruise

N ~ Not Quite A Husband by Sherry Thomas

D ~ Dark of Night by Suzanne Brockmann

I ~ In My Wildest Fanstasies by Julianne MacLean

September Wrap Up

2009-09-30T22:11:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that September is over. Summer is offically over and Fall is upon us. Pretty soon it will be snowing!!

I didn't read a lot books in September, but I read some really good ones. I discovered two new authors Colleen Gleason and Beth Cornelison.

Healing Luke by Beth Cornelison ~ 4.75 stars

Causing Havoc by Lori Foster ~ 4.5 stars

Breakfast in Bed by Robin Kaye ~ 5 stars ~ reviewing coming in November!

Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason ~ 5 stars

Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason ~ 4 stars

The Pregancy Test by Erin McCarthy ~ 3.5 stars

Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas ~ 4.5 stars

How was your reading for September?

Waiting on a Wednesday ~ His At Night by Sherry Thomas

2009-09-30T01:00:00.000-07:00

"Waiting on Wednesday" is hosted by Jill @ Breaking The Spine. It spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I was sitting down to write my review for Sherry Thomas' Not Quite a Husband. I went to her website for a book description and saw that the cover for her new book being released in May 2010.

After reading Not Quite a Husband I'm looking forward to reading this.....
He is England's most foolish lordling. She is a very desperate young woman—and still not desperate enough to want him for a husband. But Fate has a way of upsetting the best-laid plans and Elissande finds herself married to a man whose vast idiocy makes her teeth hurt—from clenching them so hard!
But is Lord Vere really a hopeless cretin, or has Elissande accidentally married the one man who keeps his secrets as well as she does hers? And once Lord Vere gets over his shock of being shackled to a young lady who seems to be everything he doesn't want—if only he could stop desiring her madly—will he discover that she is the one who holds the key to his long-locked heart?

Book Description from author's website.

Have you read a Sherry Thomas book?

Do you have a favorite?

Review ~ Not Quite A Husband by Sherry Thomas

2009-09-29T19:48:00.000-07:00

Rating 4.5!!

Book Description (from the author's website): Their marriage lasted only slightly longer than the honeymoon—to no one’s surprise, not even Bryony Asquith's. A man as talented, handsome, and sought after by society as Leo Marsden couldn't possibly want to spend his entire life with a woman who rebelled against propriety by becoming a doctor. Why, then, three years after their annulment and half a world away, does he track her down at her clinic in the remotest corner of India?
Leo has no reason to think Bryony could ever forgive him for the way he treated her, but he won't rest until he’s delivered an urgent message from her sister—and fulfilled his duty by escorting her safely back to England. But as they risk their lives for each other on the journey home, will the biggest danger be the treacherous war around them—or their rekindling passion?

My Thoughts: This was my first book by Sherry Thomas. I really enjoyed the story it had a lot of different elements that you don't see in historical romance. There was the location the story mostly took place in India and what it now Pakistan. It also took place at the turn of the century (1897). The couple is divorced and the heroine is a doctor. So with all those different elements it made for a different and refreshing romance novel. I'm not usually a fan of books that focus around a huge misunderstanding between the hero and heroine, but Ms. Thomas made this work. Bryony was a great heroine she was very strong and independent. Leo was great he is what I would call a Beta hero. I thought that they complimented each other. I did find the location a little confusing I kept googling the different places so I would have an idea of where they were. If you are looking for something a little different I would definitely give Sherry Thomas a try.

Royal's Romance Reading Challenge - Completed

2009-09-25T19:24:00.000-07:00

The ladies at Royal Reviews hosted a challenge. For this challenge you had to read seven books in six months. To complete the challenge the title or author's name will need to begin with the letters R-O-M-A-N-C-E and must be classified as a romance novel (this includes as romance sub genre including contemporary, historical or paranormal).

My final list:
R ~ Too Hot to Handle by Robin Kaye

O ~ One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

M ~ Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

A ~ At Graves End by Jeaniene Frost

N ~ Not Quite A Husband by Sherry Thomas

C ~ Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason

E ~ To Taste Temptation by Elizabeth Hoyt

This was a really fun challenge. I hope the ladies host another challenge soon!!

Another Fun Challenge

2009-09-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

Katrina at CallapidderDays is hosting the Fall Into Reading challenge once again. This is a fun challenge. It's also a good challenge if your new at reading challenges. So click over to CallapidderDays for all the info.

Here is my tentative list, subject to change:

1. The Bleeding Dusk by Colleen Gleason

2. When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason

3. As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason

4. England's Perfect Hero by Suzanne Enoch

5. Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare

6. Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper

7. Where Dreams Begin by Lisa Kleypas

8. Smart Mouth by Erin McCarthy

9. Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas

10. To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt

11. Can't Stand the Heat by Louisa Edwards

12. Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas

13. To Desire a Devil by Elizabeth Hoyt

14. The Pregnancy Test by Erin McCarthy

15. Castles by Julie Garwood

Happy Reading!!

Review ~ The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason

2009-09-17T07:51:00.000-07:00

5 Stars!!

Beneath the glitter of dazzling 19th-century London Society lurks a bloodthirsty evil...

Book Description (from author's website): Vampires have always lived among them, quietly attacking unsuspecting debutantes and dandified lords as well as hackney drivers and Bond Street milliners. If not for the vampire slayers of the Gardella family, these immortal creatures would have long taken over the world.
In every generation, a Gardella is called to accept the family legacy, and this time, Victoria Gardella Grantworth is chosen, on the eve of her debut, to carry the stake.
But as she moves between the crush of ballrooms and dangerous, moonlit streets, Victoria's heart is torn between London's most eligible bachelor, the Marquess of Rockley, and her enigmatic ally, Sebastian Vioget. And when she comes face to face with the most powerful vampire in history, Victoria must ultimately make the choice between duty and love.

My Thoughts: If you are looking for something a little different in your romance novels look no further then the Gardella Chronicles. This is the first book in a 5 book series it takes paranormal and combines it with the Regency time period.
When I say that this is a different type of romance I mean that you don’t really know who the hero is or who Victoria will ultimately end up with.
Victoria is a vampire slayer or a Venator she is given this legacy by her aunt who is also her mentor.
There are three men that Victoria is involved with through out the book. There is Max who is a fellow Venator. He was not born a Venator he had to go through certain tests to become one. There is a lot of chemistry between Victoria and Max. He is always there for her as she is learning how to be a vampire slayer. There is the mysterious Sebastion who is the bad boy that you’re not sure you can trust, but there is just something about him. There is also Phillip who is the normal guy who Victoria can never tell him what she is.

So who does Victoria end up with? I don’t want to spoil it, but I will say that make sure you have the second available after you finish this one or you will be very mad!!

There is a lot that happens in this book and I don’t want to give any spoilers.

Pick up this series if you’re looking for something a little different. Do you like historials? Do you like paranormals? Then you definitely want to pick up this book.

Happy Reading!!

Waiting on Wednesday

2009-09-16T03:00:00.000-07:00

"Waiting on Wednesday" is hosted by Jill @ Breaking The Spine. It spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Book Description (from borders.com): Meet three sexy ranchers-who also happen to be vampires-in the first of a new series by the national bestselling author of Wild Instinct. Allie always desired mysterious, sexy rancher Caleb Johnson, but he never seemed to notice her. Until the night she's attacked by a vicious animal, and rescued by a shapeshifting vampire that she almost seems to recognize: the baritone growl, the mesmerizing eyes, the inexplicable animal attraction. That's because her savior is Caleb, and now he has no choice but to bring Allie into the shadows with him-to protect her from a rival werewolf pack, and to finally reveal his true feelings for the woman he's been afraid to love.

Sarah McCarty is an author that I just discovered last year. I read Caine's Reckoning and Sam's Creed which is part of her Hell's Eight series which are very steamy historical westerns. They were really good reads. I can't wait to see Ms. McCarty's take on the paranormal.

Have you read anything by Sarah McCarty?

Do you have a favorite?

NEW ~ New Moon Trailer

2009-09-15T12:04:00.000-07:00

I haven't read the Twilight books, but I have seen the movie. I'm very excited about New Moon. I found this new trailer. Looks so good!!

Countdown Challenge ~ 2010 Edition ~

2009-09-09T16:22:00.001-07:00

1morechapter.com is hosting the Countdown Challenge again this year. Below are the rules. I had a lot of fun trying to complete this challenge last year.

The goal of this challenge is to read the number of books first published in a given year that corresponds to the last digit of each year in the 2000s — 10 books from 2010, 9 books from 2009, 8 books from 2008, etc. The total number of books required, therefore, is 55.
This challenge lasts from 9/9/09 through 10/10/10.
Crossovers with other challenges are allowed and your lists may change at any time.
Sign up using Mr. Linky.
Have fun reading!

I'm still working my list!!

Countdown Challenge ~ Wrap Up

2009-09-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

I wasn't able to complete this, but I had a lot of fun trying. Here is what I read for this challenge....

Countdown Challenge ~ Book List ~

2009 ~DONE~
1 Dark of Night by Suzanne Brockmann ~ 5 stars!!!
2 Tangeled up in Love by Heidi Betts ~ 4.5 stars!!!
3 Sunset Bay by Susan Mallery ~4 stars!!
4 What I Did for Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips ~ 4.5 stars!!!
5 Montana Creeds: Logan by Linda Lael Miller ~ 4 stars!!
6 Montana Creeds: Dylan by Linda Lael Miller ~ 4 stars!!
7 Montana Creeds: Tyler by Linda Lael Miller ~ 3.5 stars!!
8 For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper ~ 4.75 stars!!
9 Vision in White by Nora Roberts ~ 4.5 stars!

2008 ~ DONE ~
1 Cutting Loose by Susan Andersen ~ 3.75 stars ~
2 Diamond in the Rough by Marie Ferrarella ~ 3 stars ~
3 Sweet Talk by Susan Mallery ~ 4 stars ~
4 Sweet Spot by Susan Mallery ~ 4 stars ~
5 Sweet Trouble by Susan Maller ~ 4 stars ~
6 Echanting the Lady by Kathryne Kennedy ~ 4.5 stars ~
7 One Night Stand by Cindy Kirk ~3.75 stars ~
8 Flashpoint by Jill Shalvis ~ 4.5 stars ~

2007
1 Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas ~ 5+++ stars ~
2 Fangs for the Memories by Kathy Love ~ rating 3.75
3 Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips ~ rating 5 ~
4 Crazy in Love by Lani Diane Rich ~ rating 3.5 ~
5 Wicked and Wild in Scotland by Melody Thomas ~ 3.5 stars ~
6 Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning ~ 5 stars ~
7 Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost ~ 5 stars ~

2006
1 Never Seduce a Scoundrel by Sabrina Jeffries ~4.5 starts
2 Rough and Ready by Sandra Hill ~ 4 stars
3 Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning ~ 5 stars ~

4 One Foot Foward by Rose Middleton ~ 4 stars ~
5
6

2005
1 Extreme Exposure by Pamela Clare ~ 4.5 stars ~
2 Falling for Gracie by Susan Mallery ~ 4.5 stars ~
3 To Die For by Linda Howard ~ 4 stars ~
4
5

2004 ~ DONE ~
1 Houston, We Have Problem by Erin McCarthy ~ rating 4 ~
2 Northern Lights by Nora Roberts ~ rating 4.5 ~
3 Light My Fire by Jane Graves ~ rating 3.75 ~
4 The Sun Witch by Linda Winstead Jones ~

2003
1 Love With a Scandalous Lord by Sabrina Jeffries ~ 4 stars ~
2
3

2002
1 Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris ~ 4 stars ~
2

2001 ~ DONE ~
1 This Heart of Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips ~ 5+++ stars ~

Review - Healing Luke by Beth Cornelison

2009-09-03T07:04:00.000-07:00

Rating 4.75!!

Book Description (from author's website):
Ladies' man Luke Morgan has the world at his feet until a freak explosion leaves him burned and bitter. Luke's family offers gutsy occupational therapist Abby Stanford a job facilitating Luke's physical therapy, but Luke wants no part of his family's schemes or Abby's help. When sparks fly between Luke and Abby, Luke must face his deepest fears in order to claim the woman who brought his family together and taught him the real meaning of love.

My Thoughts: What I loved about this book is that you are with Luke when the accident happens and you see Luke dealing with his recovery. Most times when you read a romance novel the accident has happen either months or years ago. You are with Luke while he is trying to recover from this horrible accident. I believe in guardian angels and I think that Luke's guardian angel send Abby to him to help deal with everything that happen to him due to his accident. I loved watching Luke as he tried to overcome all these obstacles. As I was reading this I kept thinking what would I do if such a freak accident happen to me? How would I deal with burn scars and losing an eye? How would I adapt? I feel the author did a great job making the reader feel like they were going through this with Luke. The love that blossom between Luke and Abby was just icing on the cake.

I can't wait for the next book from Beth Cornelison.

2009-08-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

"Waiting on Wednesday" is hosted by Jill @ Breaking The Spine. It spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Patricia Grasso is one of my favorite authors. This isn't too much available about this book I have only been able to find that it's the 3rd book in the Flambeau Sisters Series, it will be Blaze's story and that it will be released on December 1st.

If you like Lisa Kleypas you may like Patricia Grasso.

Mailbox Monday

2009-08-24T08:28:00.000-07:00

This is my first mailbox Monday! Mailbox Monday is hosted by the Printed Page. I have seen this on so many of the blogs I follow and I love reading about what everyone is recieving so I thought I would give it a try.

I have been patiently waiting for this book for 9 months. I read Michelle Beattie's debut book What a Pirate Desire in December and I LOVED it!!

Alicia Davidson thought her memory loss and scar were the result of a childhood fall. When she discovers the truth, and that she has a sister she doesn’t remember, Alicia will stop at nothing to fill in the missing pieces of her past. Her determination will pit her against a man who not only resents her, he awakens a flood of desires.
Blake Merritt knows who Alicia is and makes it clear he wants nothing to do with her or anyone bearing the Davidson name. Only when he finds Alicia stowed away on his ship does he concede to take her to her sister. His hope is that the faster he gets rid of her, the faster he’ll forget her. He hadn’t planned on loving her.
The trip to find Samantha is a rocky one filled with fiery emotions, the shocking confession of Blake’s anger toward the Davidsons, and a passion that runs hot as the Caribbean sun. And if that weren’t enough, they have a traitor on board. One who wields the power to once again take away everything Alicia holds dear. (description from the author's website.)

Covered with burn scars, having lost an eye and a thumb in a nearly fatal accident, Luke Morgan's days as a ladies' man are over. But his bitterness, far more than his injuries, threatens to tear apart his family and their business. Abby Stanford is a physical therapist on vacation in Florida. When she meets Luke, she understands everything he's going through. She finds herself powerfully attracted to him, damaged though he believes he is. Abby can look beyond his pain and anger to see the man he is inside, enabling Luke, too, to see himself as whole and desirable once again. (description from fantastic fiction.)

They paid no mind to society's prying eyes . . .The daughter of a wealthy bandit, Sophia Dawson once lost herself in the arms of Black Hawk, the most infamous pirate ever to command the high seas. But now, determined to put her sinful past behind her, she prepares to enter society as the bride of a well-born nobleman who knows nothing of her scandalous youth. All goes according to plan until her ex-lover - now a respectable sea captain but just as handsome and dangerous as ever - appears and once again tempts her with desire. From the moment he sees Sophia again, James Hawkins wants only one thing: Revenge. He'll see to it that the reckless beauty pays for abandoning their heated affair. And so begins a battle of wills that can end only in utter ruin . . . or wicked surrender . . . (description from fantastic fiction)

Then I discovered an Annie's Book Stop in Beverly, MA (very excited!!)......

WHO’D BEEN SLEEPING IN KASON RHODES’S BED?

The left fielder for the Richmond Rogues had returned from six weeks of spring training in Florida to find someone had moved into his mobile home. That person was presently in his shower. And no matter how sexy the squatter might be, Kason wanted her out. He had his trusty dobie, Cimarron; he didn’t need anyone else in his life. Not even a stubborn tomboy who roused all kinds of wild reactions in him, then soothed his soul with peace offerings of home-cooked meals and kindness. The bad boy of baseball was ready to play hardball if need be, but with Dayne Sheridan firmly planted between his sheets, he found himself. . . (description from author's website)

Macy Lockhart's life shattered in a moment with the news that her husband, Finn--serving in the military overseas--has been killed in the line of duty. Their ardent and devoted marriage is over, leaving Macy alone and directionless. But while she tries to sustain herself with memories of Finn, the quiet, strong man who made her and their small Texas ranch the center of his life, it is wealthy Wyatt Clark who slowly brings joy back into her life. Her love for Wyatt may be less romantic than the breathless passion she'd once shared with Finn, but she vows to cherish him, and their marriage is happy and solid as a rock. Until the day that Finn, miraculously spared from death, returns home to claim his bride...
How can a woman choose between the two men she loves? And how will she make the right choice--for herself and everyone involved? (description from author's website)

Shade is a demon with heart, but like his brothers he's harbouring a dark secret, one that brings him, and his lovers, to their knees. Runa succombed to Shade's charms a year ago, and she thought he was the perfect guy - until she found him in bed with two other women. Runa shows up at Shade's apartment looking for him, and revenge, but finds herself kidnapped by Roag, Shade's enemy. In Roag's dungeon, Runa and Shade find themselves forever changed, and forever bonded as lifemates. As they make their escape and race to warn others about Roag's evil plans, Runa and Shade must find a way to save themselves before their destiny, and Roag's vengeance, destroys them all. (description from fantastic fiction)

Moments after her death, contemporary deaf woman Tess Gregory is reincarnated into the body of Amarylis Rafferty, a hearing woman living in post-Civil War America.

July Wrap Up

2009-08-01T06:03:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that it's already August and that summer is almost over!! Here is what I read in July. I'm hoping to post some reviews soon.

What Happens in London by Julia Quinn - Great Book - vintage Julia

Mischief Becomes Her by Kasey Michaels - Sunshine Sisters Book 2 - Pretty Good

Falling Gracie by Susan Mallery - Very Good

Lip Service by Susan Mallery - Book 2 of the Lone Star Sisters Series - Very Good

Straight from the Hip by Susan Mallery -Book 3 of the Lone Star Sisters Series - Loved it

Hard and Fast by Erin McCarthy - Book 2 of the NASCAR Series - Very Good

Divorced, Desperate and Dating by Cristie Craig - Book 2 in the Divorced, Desperate & Delicious Series - Pretty Good

Did you have a good reading month?

2009-07-29T06:55:00.001-07:00

"Waiting on Wednesday" is hosted by Jill @ Breaking The Spine. It spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Lisa Kleypas is one of my absolute favor authors. I love both her historical and contemporary books. Which is unusual for me. I don't usually like when a favorite author changes genre.

Tempt Me at Twilight is the 3rd book in the Hathaway Series and is Poppy's story.

Poppy Hathaway, who has always longed for a normal, ordinary life, has been abandoned by her true love, Michael Bayning. Caught up in scandal, she has only one way out-- to marry Harry Rutledge, a handsome and mysterious hotel owner. But Harry is a man of many secrets, and eventually Poppy faces a heartwrenching question: What does a heroine do when she ends up married to the villain? Read an excerpt here.

If you haven't already checked out this series make sure you pick up the first two books!

Come See All the New Books I Got!!

2009-07-28T19:24:00.000-07:00

I have been so good the last few weeks not buying books. Which is NOT easy for me since I work part time at a bookstore!! I told myself that my TBR pile is completely out of control and I don't need to buy anymore books. My TBR pile is truly ridiculous but between working at a bookstore and paperback swap website I can't seem to help myself.
I completely fell over the wagon last night and this afternoon. I bought 4 books at my store. My bookstore didn't receive Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost which I have been patiently waiting to come out. I decided to go to my "Big Borders". I work at a Borders Express, which is just a smaller Borders. We don't sell DVD and Music we also don't have a cafe. i don't 3 books at Borders. I also won two contests, and received 3 books from PBS. So between what I bought last night and this afternoon and what I got in mail I have 13 new books.

So here is what I got...

From the FantasticFiction.com.uk Website: Troubleshooter Alyssa Locke and her husband, former Navy SEAL Sam Starrett, were brought to center stage in Gone Too Far, the sixth book in Suzanne Brockmann's sexy, suspenseful New York Times bestselling series. Now these fan favorites are back to continue their story! Alyssa takes on the extremely public assignment of providing personal protection for Savannah von Hopf, an old friend who is running for office. While high-profile, the bodyguard job seems simple and easy enough - except Alyssa is juggling her stressful leadership position with a new baby and a husband who is her subordinate.When Alyssa receives several disturbing messages from 'the Dentist,' a serial killer she has relentlessly pursued for years, Alyssa must take action to protect those closest to her. No one is safe, even after the FBI - including Sam and Alyssa's good friend Jules Cassidy - gets involved. But Alyssa knows that as the Dentist's true target she must use herself as bait to catch the devious killer - before he strikes again.

From the author's website: Her dreams leave her in grave danger...
Since half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her undead lover Bones met six years ago, they've fought against the rogue undead, battled a vengeful Master vampire, and pledged their devotion with a blood bond. Now it's time for a vacation. But their hopes for a perfect Paris holiday are dashed when Cat awakes one night in terror. She's having visions of a vampire named Gregor who's more powerful than Bones and has ties to her past that even Cat herself didn't know about.
Gregor believes Cat is his and he won't stop until he has her. As the battle begins between the vamp who haunts her nightmares and the one who has her heart, only Cat can break Gregor's hold over her. She'll need all the power she can summon in order to bring down the baddest bloodsucker she's ever faced ... even if getting that power will result in an early grave. From the FantasticFiction.com.uk Website: Out of the blue one day Gabrielle Sansouci Chin receives an ancient scroll that she discovers she was destined to protect. Her possession only means one thing...her father is dead. Gabe has no idea how she is going to balance her new responsibilities as a Guardian with being a painter by day and a bartender by night. Having just been contracted for her new 'Enter the Light' series, Gabe tries to handle it all. But it seems like her luck has run dry when she's ill-trained to take her proper place as guardian, having a dry spell at painting, and for some reason can't help but fall for Rhys Llewellyn, the sexy Brit who offers his help in more ways than one...

From the FantasticFiction.com.uk Website: Commitment-phobic Sam Carson has only dated model-gorgeous women. But one stolen kiss from a plain-Jane schoolteacher and he's hell-bent on stripping away her floral dresses and teaching her the art of being bad. If only her good-girl ways didn't make him want to be a better man...Ally Giordano is at the end of her rope. Her beloved grandmother actually believes that she's living in her favorite romance novel in Regency England and Ally doesn't have the heart to set her straight. But now Granny Donny's last wish is for a retreat to the country and Ally can't refuse her...until she demands that Sam accompany them. And though his smiles turn her knees into jelly, Ally knows better than to trust a playboy...and she definitely knows better than to try to change one. Or does she?From the FantasticFiction.com.uk Website: Fielding Grey is the second son of the Marquess of Eldon and fortune hunter by night. He's on a mission for the Legend Hunters--a group of wealthy, titled, and heart-breakingly gorgeous men, each of whom are after the find of the century--he has his eyes set on obtaining the illustrious Pandora's Box. But before he finds it, he encounters an equally alluring treasure--the woman bold enough to look inside. Esme Worthington can't resist taking the tiniest peek inside when fate drops the real Pandora's Box in her lap. Thus, she unleashes one of Pandora's irresistible curses: the curse of lust. Now, both Esme and Fielding must deal with this passionate curse--or blessing?--before unknown implications of Pandora's Box overpower them both.

From the FantasticFiction.com.uk Website: After discovering her fiancé in the arms of a parlor maid, Lady Athena McAlister comes to a frightful realization: Most men prefer the company of their mistresses to their wives. How can she, and other brides-to-be, become both wife and mistress to a man? In her quest for knowledge, she begs her wealthy grandfather for money to start a finishing school for marriageable young ladies. There she and her friends discreetly invite London's most notorious rakes to educate them on the art of seducing a man.Marshall Hawkesworth's sister has become far too knowledgeable about the ways of sex, and he suspects that her new finishing school is to blame. Marshall poses as a lecturer on several topics, including sensual kissing, and he soon finds Lady Athena to be a most apt pupil. But before he has her school shut down for good, he's determined to give her a few private lessons she won't soon forget.

From the author's website: Ever the bold adventuress, Lucy Waltham has decided to go hunting for a husband. But first she needs some target practice. So she turns to her brother’s best friend, Jeremy Trescott, the Earl of Kendall, to hone her seductive wiles on him before setting her sights on another man. But her practice kisses spark a smoldering passion—one that could send all her plans up in smoke. Jeremy has an influential title, a vast fortune, and a painful past, full of long-buried secrets. He keeps a safe distance from his own emotions, but to distract Lucy from her reckless scheming, he must give his passions free rein. Their sensual battle of wills is as maddening as it is delicious, but the longer he succeeds in managing the headstrong temptress, the closer Jeremy comes to losing control. When scandal breaks, can he bring himself to abandon Lucy to her ruin? Or will he risk his heart, and claim her for his own?

From the back cover: Spunky English girl overcomes impossible odds and outsmarts heathen villains. That’s the headline when Zoe Lexham returns to England. After twelve years in the exotic east, she’s shockingly adept in the sensual arts. She knows everything a young lady shouldn’t and nothing she ought to know. She’s a walking scandal, with no hope of a future...unless someone can civilize her. Lucien de Grey, the Duke of Marchmont, is no knight in shining armor. He’s sarcastic, cynical, easily bored, and dangerous to women. He charms, seduces, and leaves them--with parting gifts of expensive jewelry to dry their tears. But good looks and charm, combined with money and rank, make him welcome everywhere. The most popular bachelor in the Beau Monde can easily save Zoe’s risqué reputation . . . if the wayward beauty doesn’t lead him into temptation, and a passion that could ruin them both.

I also won two contests last week!! Here is what I got..

Thank-you, Blanche Thank-you, Wendy
Check out their great blogs

And last, but not least what I got from PBS.....

So has everyone had a great book buying week!

Did your local bookstore have everything your were looking for?

Review: What Happens In London by Julia Quinn

2009-07-07T13:44:00.000-07:00

Rating 4.5!!!

Book Description (from author's website):

When Olivia Bevelstoke is told that her new neighbor may have killed his fiancée, she doesn't believe it for a second, but still, how can she help spying on him, just to be sure? So she stakes out a spot near her bedroom window, cleverly concealed by curtains, watches, and waits... and discovers a most intriguing man, who is definitely up to something.
Sir Harry Valentine works for the boring branch of the War Office, translating documents vital to national security. He's not a spy, but he's had all the training, and when a gorgeous blonde begins to watch him from her window, he is instantly suspicious. But just when he decides that she's nothing more than a nosy debutante, he discovers that she might be engaged to a foreign prince, who might be plotting against England. And when Harry is roped into spying on Olivia, he discovers that he might be falling for her himself...

My Thoughts: I have been reading Julia Quinn for years. I always know it's the end of June, because Ms. Quinn's new book is out. This was vintage Julia Quinn. A spunky heroine and a wonderful hero fall in love with some bumps along the way.
Rumors about our hero Harry Valentine say that he killed his fiance. So naturally our heroine Olivia needs to find out if that is true and decide to spy on Harry from her window that looks into his study. Harry has worked for the War Office translating documents from Russian to English. Harry knows right away that Olivia is watching him, he just doesn't know why. It's very funny when Harry's cousin Sebastian tells him about the rumors. There are so many laugh out loud moments in the book. The only thing that kept this from being a 5 for me was the ending, it felt a bit rushed.

Overall a very good book and highly recommended.

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

2009-07-06T20:20:00.000-07:00

Rating 5 stars!!

Book Description {back cover of book}: It was whispered all through London Society that he was a murderer, that he'd spent his youth in an asylum and was not to be trusted----especially with a lady. Any woman caught in his presence was immediately ruined. Yet Beth found herself inexorably drawn to the Scottish lord whose hint of a brogue wrapped around her like silk and whose touch could draw her into a world of ecstasy. Despite his decadence and intimidating intelligence, she could see he needed help. Her help.

My Thoughts: This is one of my favorite books of the year so far. Lord Ian Mackenzie is one of the best heroes ever! What I loved about this book is how different both the hero and heroine are from what you normally see in romance novels. Ian spent most of his youth in an asylum and wasn't released until his brother was able to have him released after their father died. When you read why the father had him committed your heart will just break for Ian. The way the author describes Ian and when you see things through Ian's POV is fascinating. The heroine is Beth she was raised poor and in workhouses, she became a wealthy heiress after the woman she was a companion for passes away. I loved everything about this book. The love story between Ian and Beth. The mystery that surrounds around the Mackenzie family. I can't wait to read his brother's stories.

The next story is due out next year and it will be Mac and Isabella's story.

2009-07-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

glitter-graphics.com

To Seduce a Sinner by Elzabeth Hoyt

2009-06-30T21:06:00.000-07:00

Rating 5 stars!!

CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS

Book Description (from back cover):

THE ONE THING HE CANNOT REVEAL
For years, Melisande Fleming has loved Lord Vale from afar . . . watching him seduce a succession of lovers, and once, catching a glimpse of heartbreaking depths beneath his roguish veneer. When he’s jilted on his wedding day, she boldly offers to be his.
TO THE ONE WOMAN HE MOST DESIRES
Vale gladly weds Melisande, if only to produce an heir. But he’s pleasantly surprised: A shy and proper Lady by day, she’s a wanton at night, giving him her body—though not her heart.
IS HIS DEEPEST NEED . . .
Determined to learn her secrets, this sinner starts to woo his seductive new wife—while hiding the nightmares from his soldiering days in the Colonies that still haunt him. Yet when a deadly betrayal from the past threatens to tear them apart, Lord Vale must bare his soul to the woman he married...or risk losing her forever.

My Thoughts: I want to start off by saying the I loved this book. It has become one of my favorites of the year!! The reason I loved this book so much is because of the hero Jasper Renshaw, Viscount Vale. I first feel in love the Lord Vale in To Taste Temptation. He is a man that on the outside seems very happy and easy going, but as we get to know him we see that he has a lot of issues from when he fought in the French Indian War in America. He was captured by Indians and forced to watch his soldiers and friends be tortured. One of the issues Vale had once he was back in England was not being able to sleep in a bed. He has to sleep on the floor with his back against a wall. The heroine is Melisande and she has been in love with Vale for six years. When Vale is jilted on his wedding day she boldly asks Vale to marry her and he agrees. Marriages of Convenience is one of my favorite themes especially in historical romances. Melisande finds out about Vale's problem she is very understanding. What I loved is that his problem is not instantly solved because he falls in love with Melisande at the end of the book they are still sleeping on the floor. The mystery of who betrayed the soldiers is still an on going story in this book.

Ms Hoyt has written another steamy and sexy story. You just can't help but fall in love with her characters

I can't wait to read the next book in this series "To Beguile a Beast".

To Taste Temptation by Elizabeth Hoyt

2009-06-30T16:54:00.000-07:00

Rating 4.5!!

Book Description (from back cover):

EVEN THE MOST REFINED LADY
Lady Emeline Gordon is the model of sophistication in London’s elite social circles, always fashionable and flawlessly appropriate. As such, she is the perfect chaperone for Rebecca, the young sister of a successful Boston businessman and former Colonial soldier.
CRAVES AN UNTAMED MAN
Samuel Hartley may be wealthy, but his manners are as uncivilized as the American wilderness he was raised in. Who wears moccasins to a grand ball? His arrogant disregard for propriety infuriates Emeline, even as his boldness excites her.
TO RELEASE HER PASSION…
But beneath Samuel’s rakish manner, he is haunted by tragedy. He has come to London to settle a score, not to fall in love. And as desperately as Emeline longs to feel this shameless man’s hands upon her, to taste those same lips he uses to tease her, she must restrain herself. She is not free. But some things are beyond a lady’s control…

My Thoughts: This is my first book by Elizabeth Hoyt. Overall I really enjoyed the book. I thought that the first part of the story was very slow. I know that this book sets up the rest of the series so there was a lot of "world building". I loved the setting of the story. I takes place in London in 1765, but the hero of the story is an American who was a scout for the British in the French and Indian War. The story centers around Sam trying to found out who betrayed their regiment. When he arrives in England Sam meets Emeline. The sparks fly and sexy and steamy relationships develops between Sam and Emeline. Ms Hoyt did such a good job setting up the series that I can't wait to read the rest of this series If you love Lisa Kleypas' historicals you should definitely pick up Ms. Hoyt's books.

Wrap Up ~ Spring Reading Thing 2009

2009-06-25T07:22:00.000-07:00

The Spring Reading Thing challenge ended on 6/20/09. This challenge ran from March 20 to June 20 and it was to read as many books as you could. Thank-you Katrina at Callapidder Days for hosting this challenge.

Did you stick to your original goals or did you change your list as you went along?
My list changed as the challenge went along, depending what I was in the mood to read.

What was your favorite book that you read this spring? Least favorite? Why?
Favorite book was the Night Huntress Series by Jeaniene Frost. There are three books in the series so far and I read them all for this challenge.
Halfway to the Grave, One Foot in the Grave and At Graves End. Least Favorite was Montana Creeds: Tyler by Linda Lael Miller. I just didn't like it as much as the first 2 books in the series.

Did you discover a new author or genre this spring? Did you love them? Not love them?
I discovered Jeaniene Frost and Charlaine Harris. I loved their books!!

What was your favorite thing about the challenge?
The freedom of the challenge, being able to read what I want and changing my picks if I wanted to.

I read 23 books for this challenge. I wrote reviews for most of the books, but not all of them.

1. Montana Creeds: Logan by Linda Lael Miller - 4 stars
2. Montana Creeds: Dylan by Linda Lael Miller - 4 stars
3. Anyone but You by Jennifer Cruise - 4.5 stars
4. Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas (re-read) - 5 stars!!
5. Puppy Love by Jane E. Jone (short story) - 4 stars
6. Montana Creeds: Tyler by Linda Lael Miller - 3.5 stars
7. Blue Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas (re-read) - 5 stars!!
8. Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost - 4.75 stars!!
9. Laird of the Mist by Paula Quinn - 4 stars
10. For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper - 4.75 stars!
11. Vision in White by Nora Roberts - 4.75 stars!
12. Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas - 5 stars!!
13. Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye - 4.75 stars!
14. With a Twist by Deirdre Martin - 4.5 stars!
15. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris - 5 stars!!
16. Under Her Skin by Susan Mallery - 4.5 stars!
17 Under Fire by Jo Davis - 4.75 stars!
18. One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost - 5 stars!!
19. At Graves End by Jeaniene Frost - 5 stars!!
20. The Mighty Quinns: Brody by Kate Hoffmann - 4 stars!
21. Holding out for a Hero by Ana Leigh - 4.5 stars!!
22 Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris - 4.5 stars!!
23. To Taste Temptation by Elizabeth Hoyt - 4.5 stars!!

Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris

2009-06-23T16:48:00.000-07:00

Rating 4.5!!

Book Description: Cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse is on a streak of bad luck. First, her coworker is murdered and no one seems to care Then she's face-to-face with a beastly creature that gives her a painful and poisonous lashing. Enter the vampires, who graciously suck the posion from her veins (like they didn't enjoy it).

Point is, they saved her life. So when one of the blood-suckers asks for a favor, she complies. And soon, Sookie's in Dallas using her telepathic skills to search for a missing vampire. She's supposed to interview certain humans involved. There's just one condition: The vampires must promise to behave-and let the humans go unharmed. Easier said than done. All it takes is one delicious blonde and one small mistake for things to turn deadly....

My Thoughts: First I just want to say that I love this series! This is the second book in the Sookie Stackhouse Series. There is actually two stories going on in the book. The first is Sookie and Bill going to Dallas to find a missing vampire for Eric and the second is Sookie trying to solve Lafayette's murder. I enjoyed the story of finding the missing vampire. They figure out that the vampire was kidnapped by the Fellowship of the Sun which is an anti-vampire cult like group. When Sookie is also captured by the Fellowship she meets a shapeshifter Luna who helps her escape. I didn't love the solving of Lafayette's murder part of the book. On the whole I thought that it was really good and can't wait to read Club Dead.

On a side note I absolutely loved Bill in the first book. I have to say I didn't love him as much in this book.

New Contest!

2009-06-19T06:17:00.000-07:00

Dottie at My Blog 2.0 is hosting author Diana Rubino at her blog today. She is also having a contest so head over to her blog and check it out.

Contest:
Ms. Rubino would like to giveaway one copy of her latest release (a tasty little treat), her time travel romance novel, Traveling Light. Leigh, the modern heroine, travels back to 1485 England and meets the love of her life. After several brushes with death, they manage to escape before he’s killed in the battle the history books say he fought in.

Ms. Rubino will be checking in throughout the day, so please leave a question or comment for her!!

For your main entry comment with your name and email and leave a question or comment or tell us why you love books.For a second entry, blog this contest, tweet, facebook, etc. come back and tell us where.

For a third entry, follow Ms. Rubino's site, come back and comment to let us know.

Followers of my blog get an extra entry, just let me know if you're already following.

For more information about her books, please visit Diana Rubino at http://www.dianarubino.com/, or her blog at http://www.dianarubinoauthor.blogspot.com/

Thanks everyone and let the commenting begin!!
Contest is open world wide! Contest closes 6-24-09, winner announced 6-25-09.

One Lovely Blog Award

2009-06-18T07:17:00.000-07:00

Linda Ellen from Bambi Reads has given me the One Lovely Blog Award. Thank-you Linda Ellen!!

Here are the rules:
--> Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.
--> Pass the award to other blogs….
--> Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

I am passing this award on to these blogs....

Tracy @ Tracy's Place

Ms. Moonlight @ Moonlight to Twilight Blog

Anna @ Anna's Book Blog

The Ladies @ The Royal Reviews

Blanche @ There's No Such Thing as to Many Books

The Heartfelt Award

2009-06-18T06:11:00.000-07:00

I've been awarded by the generous Desert Rose @ DeSert RoSe Booklogue. The Heartfelt Award.. the most heart touching award there is.

This is what the award means..

Do you reach for a cup of cocoa or tea when you’re relaxing, seeking comfort, sharing a plate of cookies with family & friends?

You know that feeling you get when you drink a yummy cup of cocoa, tea ~ or a hot toddy?

That is what the Heartfelt award is all about feeling warm inside : ]. I wanted to create something to express that toasty feeling.

The Rules:

1) Put the logo on your blog/post.

2) Nominate up to 9 blogs which make you feel comfy or warm inside.

3) Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4) Let them know that they have been nominated by commenting on their blog.

5) Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

Here are the blogs I am giving this award to......

Mandi @ Smexy Books

Leontine @ Leontine's Book Relm

Amy @ Romance Book Wyrm

Dottie @ My Blog 2.0

Cindy @ Cindy Reads Romance

2009-06-17T10:49:00.000-07:00

I found another challenge that is perfect for me. I have just started reading the Sookie Stackhouse series!! The challenge starts July 1, 2009 and ends June 30, 2009 and is being hosted by Beth Fish Reads.

Here are the rules:
The Rules:1. Between July 1, 2009, and June 30, 2010, catch up on Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire series. No matter if you're starting with book 1 or book 8, you have a year to read all about Sookie. Read Sookie in print, listen to the audio, read an eBook -- format is not an issue.

2. Sign up using Mr. Linky. Put your name in the top box. For the bottom box, please use the URL that links specifically to your blog post about this challenge, not to your blog's home page.

3. After July 4, I'll create a post with another Mr. Linky where you can link your reviews so everyone can read them track your progress.

4. If you don't have a blog and want to join in, sign up in the comments here. Later, let us know about your progress by leaving comments on the review link page.

The Books:
Dead Until Dark
Living Dead in Dallas
Club Dead
Dead to the World
Dead as a Doornail
Definitely Dead
All Together Dead
From Dead to Worse
Dead and Gone

Sweet Restraint Contest @ Beth Kery's Blog

2009-06-17T08:53:00.001-07:00

2009-06-17T02:00:00.000-07:00

"Waiting on Wednesday" is hosted by Jill @ Breaking The Spine. It spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Release Date: July 7th

Book Description (from author's website):

GETTING TO FIRST BASE IS CINCH…BUT GETTING HOME WILL TAKE A GRAND SLAM.

Pace Martin is the ace pitcher for the Pacific Heat. He’s got the arm, the experience and the wins. He’s also got the pain, the pressure, and the possible end of his career looming over him. The last thing he needs now is a distraction, even if it comes in the form of a tough, beautiful,tell-it-like-it-is writer who sees past his defenses. Holly Hutchins knows a good story when she sees one, and the tall, dark and slightly attitude-ridden Pace Martin fits the bill. But when she realizes there’s more at stake than just the win, she starts to notice the handsome broad-shouldered jock in a different light. Pace and Holly begin a seductive game in which neither wants to drop the ball, but in the face of an unexpected betrayal and challenge, they’ll have to find the courage to swing for the fences…

At Graves End by Jeaniene Frost

2009-06-16T19:21:00.001-07:00

Rating 5 stars!!!

Book Description (from the author's website):

Some Things Won't Stay Buried

... At Grave's End It should be the best time of half-vampire Cat Crawfield's life. With her undead lover Bones at her side, she's successfully protected mortals from the rogue undead. But though Cat's worn disguise after disguise to keep her true identity a secret from the brazen bloodsuckers, her cover's finally been blown, placing her in terrible danger.
As if that wasn't enough, a woman from Bones's past is determined to bury him once and for all. Caught in the crosshairs of a vengeful vamp, yet determined to help Bones stop a lethal magic from being unleashed, Cat's about to learn the true meaning of bad blood. And the tricks she's learned as a special agent won't help her. She will need to fully embrace her vampire instincts in order to save herself – and Bones – from a fate worse than the grave.

My Thoughts: From my previous posts about this series it's safe to say that I loved this book.

There is a lot going on in the book. What makes this book even better than the 2nd book is that Cat and Bones are together through out the whole book. Things are still hot and steamy even with a vampire war coming. I do feel that this book was a little bit darker than the first two, but I think it had to be due to the story Ms. Frost was telling. I loved it!! I can't wait until July 28th when Destined for An Early Grave is released. Ms Frost is also working on a new series that is called Night Huntress World the first book is First Drop of Crimson which will feature Spade as the hero, but she is not releasing the name of the heroine...yet. That will be released in Spring 2010. I can't stressed enough how great this series is!!

One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

2009-06-12T11:22:00.001-07:00

5 Stars!!!!!

Book Decription (from author's website): You can run from the grave, but you can't hide... Half-vampire Cat Crawfield is now Special Agent Cat Crawfield, working for the government to rid the world of the rogue undead. She's still using everything Bones, her sexy and dangerous ex, taught her, but when Cat is targeted for assassination, the only man who can help her is the vampire she left behind.
Being around Bones awakens all her emotions, from the adrenaline rush of slaying vamps side by side to the reckless passion that consumed them. But a price on her head - wanted: dead or half-alive - means her survival depends on teaming up with Bones. And no matter how hard Cat tries to keep things professional between them, she'll find that desire lasts forever ... and Bones won't let her get away again.

My thoughts: This is the second book in the Night Huntress Series and is just as good as the first. This book starts four years after Halfway to the Grave. Cat is now working for the government and hasn’t seen Bones since she left him in Ohio. Bones has been looking for Cat and finally finds her. When he does the sparks fly and they soon realize that they never stop loving each other. Cat left Bones to protect him from the very government she is working for. Cat convinces her boss that she needs Bone’s help to figure out who is trying to kill her. There are some secondary characters introduce in this book that weren’t in the first and it makes the story more interesting. The main focus of the book is still Cat and Bones. You become so involved in this world Ms. Frost has created. It’s a great combination of urban fantasy and romance. I don’t want to give too much away, if you haven’t already picked up this series what are you waiting for!! The first three are already out and the fourth book is being released on July 28th. If you love KMM fever series, but would like a little more romance I can’t recommend the series enough.

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

2009-06-10T00:00:00.001-07:00

Rating 5 Stars!!!!!

Dead Until Dark is the first book in the very popular Southern Vampire Series (AKA Sookie Stackhouse Series) by Charlaine Harris. I had no intentions of reading this series, I don't usually like books told in the first person POV. When we received a copy of the book at the bookstore I decided to give it a try, because I was looking for something different from what I usually read and I just started watching True Blood which is based on this book.

The story is told completely from Sookie's POV. Sookie is a telepathic waitress in a small town in Northern Louisiana. She has been waiting to meet a vampire since vampires came out of the coffin 2 years ago. One night when she is working her wish comes true and she meets her first vampire. Bill Compton has come back to Bon Temps to renovate his family's home and become a mainstream vampire. Those are vampires that live among humans and survive on synthetic blood developed by the Japanese.
This is more of a mystery than a romance. There is a lot of romance elements in this book. The story really centers around Sookie trying to catch a killer before the killer finds her.

I loved everything about this book. I loved Sookie she is a great character. I am in love with vampire Bill. I know a lot of fans of this series are not fans of Bill. There is just something about him that I love. It could be that I love Stephen Moyer who plays Bill in the TV series True Blood. As I continue to read the series I may change my mind. This book also has secondary characters that are well written. You feel like you get to know all of these people through Sookie.

This is the type of book that once you start reading it you will not be able to put it down. It also stays with and you can't wait to start the next one. I'm actually excited that I discovered this series so late. I can read all nine without having to wait. Ms. Harris only writes one Sookie Stackhouse book a year.

If you like vampire books you definitely need to check out this series:

1 Dead Until Dark

2. Living Dead in Dallas

3. Club Dead

4. Dead to the World

5. Dead as a Doornail

6. Definitely Dead

7. All Together Dead

8. From Dead to Worse

9. Dead and Gone

There are also several short stories that take place in "Sookie's World". They are being released in one volume called A Touch of Dead in October.

Tucker's Claim by Sarah McCarty

2009-06-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. Hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine

This book is due for release on October 1, 2009

Book Summary:
Tucker McCade has known violence his whole life: orphaned in a massacre, abused as a "half-breed" child, trained as a ruthless Texas Ranger, he's learned the hard way that might makes right.So even he is shocked when he falls for Sallie Mae Reynolds, a Quaker nurse. Unable to resist Tucker's charm, character and chiseled body, she throws herself into their torrid affair, indulging every one of her wildest sexual fantasies. Tucker's occupation, however, is the one thing about him she can't embrace. A staunch pacifist, Sallie Mae can't understand how his strong, caressing hand can clench in fury or pull a trigger to take a life. In this lawless land, Tucker knows you have to fight to survive. But when Sallie Mae becomes pregnant, he's willing to do whatever it takes to have his family - including hanging up his guns. Every night they spend together exploring new heights of ecstasy binds them ever closer, slowly erasing their differences.until the day Tucker's past comes calling, precipitating an explosive showdown between her faith, his promise and the need for revenge..

Why am I waiting for this one?
I have read the first two books in the Hells Eight Series. They were both really good. If you love your westerns sexy and steamy you definitely need to check out this series.

What an Animal Challenge Completed

2009-06-08T12:59:00.000-07:00

Challenge ran from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009.

I finished Kristi's What an Animal Challenge.

The rules were simple:

Read at least 6 books that have any of these requirements:
a. an animal in the title of the book
b. an animal on the cover of the book
c. an animal that plays a major role in the book

d. a main character that is or turns into an animal (define that however you'd like ;>))..

For this challenge I read (click on the title to see my review):
1) Enchanting the Lady by Kathryne Kennedy~ Hero is a shape shifter (Lion) ~
2) Fangs for the Memories by Kathy Love ~ Hero is a vampire ~
3) The Lion's Lady by Julie Garwood ~ animal in the title ~
4) Only His by Elizabeth Lowell ~ Willow's horses play a big part of the story ~
5) Montana Creeds Logan by Linda Lael Miller ~ dogs play a big part of the story ~
6) Montana Creeds Dylan by Linda Lael Miller ~ dogs play a big part of the story ~
7) Anyone but You by Jennifer Cruise ~ dog on the cover ~

This was a fun challenge! Congrats Kristi on hosting your first challenege!!

"Waiting on" Wednesday

2009-06-03T11:04:00.000-07:00

"Waiting on Wednesday" is hosted by Jill @ Breaking The Spine. It spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Rumors and Gossip . . . The lifeblood of London

When Olivia Bevelstoke is told that her new neighbor may have killed his fiancÉe, she doesn't believe it for a second, but, still, how can she help spying on him, just to be sure? So she stakes out a spot near her bedroom window, cleverly concealed by curtains, watches, and waits . . . and discovers a most intriguing man, who is definitely up to something.
Sir Harry Valentine works for the boring branch of the War Office, translating documents vital to national security. He's not a spy, but he's had all the training, and when a gorgeous blonde begins to watch him from her window, he is instantly suspicious. But just when he decides that she's nothing more than an annoyingly nosy debutante, he discovers that she might be engaged to a foreign prince, who might be plotting against England. And when Harry is roped into spying on Olivia, he discovers that he might be falling for her himself . .

Julia Quinn is one of my all time favorite authors. I really exciting about this book. Even though I didn't love last year "Lost Duke of Wydham". Julia Quinn will always be an auto-buy for me and I will be buying this when it's release on the 30th.

Are they any summer releases that you can't wait to get your hands on?

Book description found at Fantastic Fiction

Updated ~ Spring Reading Thing 2009

2009-06-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

This is where I'm going to post my Spring Reading Thing 2009 list and also update it through out the spring. Because I know it's going to change!

Updated......

1. Montana Creeds: Logan by Linda Lael Miller - 4 stars
2. Montana Creeds: Dylan by Linda Lael Miller - 4 stars
3. Anyone but You by Jennifer Cruise - 4.5 stars
4. Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas (re-read) - 5 stars!!
5. Puppy Love by Jane E. Jone (short story) - 4 stars
6. Montana Creeds: Tyler by Linda Lael Miller - 3.5 stars
7. Blue Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas (re-read) - 5 stars!!
8. Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost - 4.75 stars!!
9. Laird of the Mist by Paula Quinn - 4 stars
10. For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper - 4.75 stars!
11. Vision in White by Nora Roberts - 4.75 stars!
12. Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas - 5 stars!!
13. Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye - 4.75 stars!
14. With a Twist by Deirdre Martin - 4.5 stars!
15. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris - 5 stars!!
16. Under Her Skin by Susan Mallery - 4.5 stars!
17 Under Fire by Jo Davis - 4.75 stars!
18. One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost - 5 stars!!
19. At Graves End by Jeaniene Frost - 5 stars!!
20. The Mighty Quinns: Brody by Kate Hoffmann - 4 stars!
21. Holding out for a Hero by Ana Leigh - 4.5 stars!!
22 Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris -

2009-06-02T17:36:00.000-07:00

It was a some what slow reading month. A little bit better than April. I read some really good books. I also discovered Sookie Stackhouse and read the first book in the series and watch the entire first season of True Blood. Which was great!

Here is what I read in May:

Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye - A great debut novel. I loved Nick Romeo! He is a great hero. Who doesn't love a guy that takes care of you when your sick. I have her next book Too Hot to Handle in my TBR and I can't wait to read it. Rating 4.75!!

With a Twist by Deirdre Martin - Deirdre Martin is one of my favorite authors. I have read all of her books since her debut novel Body Check. I really enjoyed this story. We met both the hero and heroine in her last book Just a Taste. Quinn is a hard nose reporter and Natalie is still trying to keep her shopping under control. It was also great to see Vivi and Anthony again. Rating 4.5!

Under Fire by Jo Davis - Another really good book. I love Zack Knight!! I virgin hero, you don't see that very often in romance novels. Ms. Davis really made this work. Poor Zach, I have never seen a hero end up in the hospital as many times as he did in this book. Some of the story was a little over the top. but I didn't mind.
Rating 4.5!!

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris - I have discover Sookie Stackhouse and I'm so excited!! I can not wait to read the rest of the series. There is nothing like finding a new author! Right now I am firmly in Team Bill's camp. I haven't read the rest of the series yet. So we will see if that changes. I also watched the entire first season of True Blood which was really really good!! 5 stars!!

Under Her Skin by Susan Mallery - Another Winner! Susan Mallery is one of my favorite author. She has been an auto-buy for me for years. One of my favorite storylines is when the hero and heroine have a past. Lexi and Cruz had a one night stand in college and years later they meet again. Cruz has an offer for Lexi that she can't refuse. Rating 4 stars!!

Lucky Charm by Carly Phillips - I was really enjoying this book, but I left it in my friends car before I could finish it. I hate when I do that!!

Royal's Romance Reading Challenge

2009-06-02T10:08:00.000-07:00

I found another cool blog Royal Reviews and they are hosting a fun new challenge.......

For this challenge you will need to read seven books in six months. To complete the challenge the title or author's name will need to begin with the letters R-O-M-A-N-C-E and must be classified as a romance novel (this includes as romance sub genre including contemporary, historical or paranormal).
To join us in the challenge, put a post on your blog saying you're participating in the challenge and the letters R-O-M-A-N-C-E down the post ready for you to put up your book list. Now you can post a suggested list or you can just put up the letters in preparation. You can change the your choice at any time, books can crossover with any other challenges but must be reviewed to be counted. Don't forget to put up the Button for this challenge in your side bar with a link to Royal Reviews. This challenge begins on June 1st and finishes on November 30,2009, although you can sign up anytime.
Please sign up with Mr Linky, including your name and the link to the POST, not your blog. Then come back each time you've reviewed a book and put it up on Mr Linky's book reviews link. When you finish the challenge there will also be a Mr Linky for that.For this challenge we are going to give out a cheerleaders prize. This prize will go to a challenge participant who cheers on the other participants and comments on reviews ( person will be decided by the Royal Reviewers).

This is my tentative list....subject to change

R ~ Robyn Kaye - Too Hot to Handle ~ 4.75 stars!!

O ~ One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost ~ 5 stars!!

M ~Mighty Quinns: Brody by Kate Hoffmann ~ 4 stars

A ~ At Grave's End by Jeaniene Frost ~ 5 stars

N ~

C ~ Colleen Gleason - The Rest Falls Away ~ 5 stars!!

E ~ Elizabeth Hoyt - To Taste Tempation ~ 4.5 stars!!

Vision in White by Nora Roberts

2009-05-27T10:20:00.000-07:00

Rating 4.75!!

Book Description: Childhood friends Mackensie, Parker, Laurel and Emmeline have formed a very successful wedding planning business together but, despite helping thousands of happy couples to organise the biggest day of their lives, all four women are unlucky in love. Photographer Mackensie Elliott has suffered a tough childhood and has a bad relationship with her mother, which makes her wary of commitment. But when she meets Carter Macguire, she can't stop herself falling for him, although his ex girlfriend is prepared to play dirty to keep him. Mackensie soon realizes she has to put her past demons to rest in order to find lasting love...

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed Vision in White it's the first true contemporary novel that Nora Roberts has written in a long time. There is absolutely no paranormal elements. I loved Carter he was the sweetest guy. He was very real to me and he acted like I think most guys act. I love my alpha heroes as much as the next girl, but once in a while a nice beta hero is a nice change of pace. Mac was a good heroine. I love the friendships she has with Parker, Emma and Laurel. I also loved the wedding planning business part of the story. Carter and Mac I thought were a great couple. I can't wait for the rest of the books to come out. Bed of Roses which is book two is due to be released on November 24th. I love the cover.....

Updated ~ Serial Readers Challenge 2009

2009-05-27T08:00:00.001-07:00

I have found another cool challenge being hosted by CarPoolQueen .

Update......

1. Corbins Fancy by Linda Lael Miller (Corbin Family #3) 1pt.
2. The Gift by Julie Garwood (#3) 1pt.
3. Trial by Fire by Jo Davis (Firefighters of Station Five #1) 1pt.
4. Only His by Elizabeth Lowell (Only Series #1) 1pt.
5 Dark of Night by Suzanne Brockmann (Troubleshooters #14) 1pt.
6. Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning (Fever Series #1) 1pt.
7. Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning (Fever Series #2) 1pt.
8. Faefever by Karen Marie Moning (Fever Series #3) 1pt.
9. Extreme Exposure by Pamela Clare (I Team Series #1) 1 pt.
10. Enticing the Prince by Patricia Grasso (The Kazanov Series #6) 1 pt.
11. Tangeled Up in Love by Heidi Betts (Chicks with Sticks #1) 1 pt.
12. Wild and Wicked in Scotland by Melody Thomas (Charmed and Dangerous Series #1) 1 pt.
13. Montana Creeds: Logan by Linda Lael Miller (Montana Creeds #1) 1 pt.
14. Montana Creeds: Dylan by Linda Lael Miller (Montana Creeds #2) 1 pt.
15. Montana Creeds: Tyler by Linda Lael Miller (Montana Creeds #3) 1 pt.
16. Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost (Night Huntress Series #1) 1 pt.
17. Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas (Travis Family #1 - reread) 1 pt.
18. Blued-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas (Travis Family #2 - reread) 1 pt.
19. Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas (Travis Family #3) 1 pt.
20. Vision in White by Nora roberts (Bride Quartet #1) 1 pt.
21. Under Her Skin by Susan Mallery (Lone Star Sister #1) 1 pt.
22. One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost (Night Huntress Series #2) 1 pt.
23. At Graves End by Jeaniene Frost (Night Huntress Series #3) 1 pt.
24. Under Fire by Jo Davis (Firefighters of Station Five #2) 1 pt.
25. Holding out for a Hero by Ana Leigh (Fraser Family #5) 1 pt
27. Dead Until Dead by Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse #1) 1 pt.
26. Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse #2) 1 pt.

Bonus Points for Reading Whole Series in '09

Fever Series - Karen Marie Moning 1 pt.

Montana Creeds Trilogy - Linda Lael Miller 1 pt.

Travis Family Trilogy - Lisa Kleypas 1 pt.

Night Huntress Series - Jeaniene Frost 1 pt.

Total Points 25 pts

For the Love Pete by Julia Harper (aka Elizabeth Hoyt)

2009-05-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

Rating 5!!

Book Description: Dante Torelli is an undercover FBI agent assigned to protect a mob informant and his family. But when the informant's hiding place is blown, a baby girl is snatched by a ruthless hitman. Now, Dante must save the toddler, uncover the traitor in his department, evade various bad guys, and deal with the toddler's sexy aunt, all before the biggest mob trial in Chicago history, set to begin in just three days. When Zoe Adler's stepsister went into the witness protection program because of her sleazeball boyfriend, she wasn't supposed to tell anyone. Except the two sisters have always been close, and Zoe has been babysitting her niece, Pete, since her birth. What harm could it be to secretly get Zoe an apartment in the same building where the FBI is keeping the family under protection? So when someone inside the FBI turns and a hitman snatches Pete, Zoe is right there. During the shootout, she jumps into a sexy, uptight FBI agent's car and hangs on as he pursues the hitman. No matter what it takes, Zoe is going to bring her niece back.

Review: I loved this book. I loved that it was over the top. I loved both Dante and Zoe. This was a fast paced, sexy, fun story. There was also some laugh out loud scenes. I haven't read anything by Elizabeth Hoyt yet. I have her entire backlist in my TBR pile I just haven't gotten a chance to read them. I will definitely be pulling them out and moving them to the top. I know a lot of the blogs I follow love her historicals so I can't wait.

RIP Dad

2009-05-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

I haven't been around the last few weeks. My dad passed away a few weeks ago after a long battle with cancer. I know that almost everyone who reads this post knows someone with cancer. My dad was diagnosed with lung and throat cancer in October 2003. This past November they found a tumor on his brain and he also had spots on his liver. I hadn't seen my dad in 3 years after he moved to Tennessee without discussing it with any of us kids. When he found out about his brain tumor he can home for ten days in April and we were able to put everything aside and have a really nice visit. It was shocking at first because he was so sick and even when he was first diagnosed and going through chemo he never looked that sick. We even had a family reunion where everyone was able to see him. He left on April 21 and slip into a coma two days later and passed away on May 2nd. I am so grateful that my dad was able to make that final visit. I feel that he came to see and make peace with everyone and when he got back to Tennessee he was at peace. Now he isn't any pain anymore and he is in better place. If there is someone in your life that you have been meaning to call or get in touch with don't waste anymore time. You never really know how much time anyone has.

Even though all this happen over the last few weeks. I have still been reading I just haven't had the energy to post any reviews. I hopefully will over the next few days.

2009-04-30T08:23:00.000-07:00

April was a slow reading month for me. I read 4 books and 1 audio.

Montana Creeds: Tyler by Linda Lael Miller - Finished with this trilogy, but didn't like this one as much as the other two. Rating 3.5

Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost - I loved this book! If you like KMM's Fever series then you will love this series (it has more romance). I can't wait to read the other two, but I'm trying to finish the Shelfari Spring Challenge first. Rating 5 stars!!

Laird of the Mist by Paula Quinn - Very good. I didn't like it as much as my blog/shelfari friends did, but I thought it was very good. Rating 4 stars.

For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper (aka Elizabeth Hoyt) - I really liked this book. What I liked most about this book was that the hero and heroine are together through out the whole book. I loved Dante he was my kind of hero.
I haven't read any of her historicals yet. I know they have been raved about and I can't wait to read them. Rating 4.75 stars.

I re-listened to Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas - I loved this more the second time around. I just love Hardy Cates!! Rating 5 stars!!!!

I am currently reading Vision in White by Nora Roberts which is very good so far. It's been awhile since she has written a straight contemporary.
I am also listening to Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas which is very good so far.

I hope to have a better May reading wise.

Summer '09 Shelfari Challenge

2009-04-30T07:38:00.000-07:00

Summer 09 Challenge FAQ’s June 1 - August 30

A big Thank-you to Beth (Carpoolqueen) for helping me put together a great list!!

1. Select ANY number of books to read that fit the category. (I changed this rule from 5, 10, or 15 books!)

2. Post your list on the discussion board and blog (Name’s Summer Challenge List)

3. If you need title suggestions please use the Discussion titled SUMMER TITLE SUGGESTIONS if you don't see it please search (to try and minimize number of discussions)

4. Once you have read a book please find the corresponding discussion by searching you can search by 09 Summer # and use the number that corresponds with the list. (one will be created for each number on June 1, again, to try and minimize number of discussions) and post the book and title you read and rating, and review.

5. It is not required, but if you could post your review on the blog that would be great.

6. Reviews on the blog please include labels list the rating, author, and # of challenge only.

7. Audio books are okay

8. Rereads are okay

9. You can change your list at anytime

1. Read a Title with a Sports Theme

2. Re-read a favorite

3. Read a Title by Linda Howard

4. Read a Title published before 2000

5. Hot word for summer (heat, sun, fire, fever, hot, blaze....)

6. Read a book that takes place in a warm location (Florida, Caribbean, Hawaii, etc...)

7. Unlikely here/heroine (whatever that means to you. overweight heroine, nerdy hero...)

8. Author with last name that starts with same letter as your last name.

9. Schoolmarms/Teachers/Governess...(it's summer no more classroom, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks!!)(AAR is a good tool for this one!)

10. Title with a person of royalty (Duke/Princess/Marquis/Queen...)

11. Title with an "S" for Summer

12. Food type word (Sweet, Tasty, Cake, Lick, Bite...)

13. A Title Read/Reviewed in the Spring Challenge...

14. Reader's Choice...

15. Double Trouble, (a story with a twin or twins)...

Check out AAR!Visit our challenge group at shelfari!

~ New Releases ~

2009-04-28T19:55:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year. So many authors have books that are released. Check out what I got today......

Contests!!

2009-04-27T19:08:00.000-07:00

Two of my favorite blogs are running contests this week......

Blanche @ There's No Such Thing as too Many Books welcomed author Beth Williamson to her blog. So check out the blog for an interview and fun contest. Contest runs through this Thursday she will be given away 2 copies of Hell for Leather and a copy of The Education of Madeline.

Also Barbara at Happily Forever After welcome Jenna Petersen/Jess Michaels to her blog. I was really excited about the because Scandalous is one of my favorite books. Barbara is giving away a copy of Taboo. So go on over and check out the post.

Laird of the Mist by Paula Quinn

2009-04-24T19:44:00.000-07:00

Rating 4 stars!!

Book Description:

PROTECTING HER WAS HIS PASSION

High-born though she is, Kate Campbell isn't afraid to draw her sword. When raiders strike, she rushes into the fray...and is lucky when a mysterious Highlander shields her from a deadly blow. Swept onto his stallion, she soon discovers that her rescuer is her clan's most hated enemy: Callum MacGregor, the man they call The Devil. Yet she cannot ignore his achingly tender touch or the way his fiery gaze leaves her breathless.

POSSESSING HER WOULD BE HIS PLEASURE
Callum MacGregor has taken many Campbell lives, but he's never saved one--until now. Mesmerized by this spirited lass, he wants her by his side, even if it means holding her for ransom. As his fingers graze her sumptuous curves and tangle in her unruly tresses, Callum realizes Kate Campbell is his most dangerous foe of all. For he can't make love to her without betraying his kinsmen and his honor...and surrendering his heart forever.

My Review: I picked up this book for two reasons. I needed a book that involved a family feud for a reading challenge that I'm doing and it came highly recommended by a few a my challenge and blogging buddies.
This was a really good story. I loved Callum. I also loved the way Ms.Quinn was true to the time period and that is was a violent time to live and she showed that through her story telling. I thought the love story between Callum and Katie was great. The scene on the horse! WOW! I also loved all of the other warriors. The secondary romance was also very sweet, I would like to have seen a little bit more of it. I already have A Highlander Never Surrenders and can't wait to read Graham's story.

Anyone But You by Jennifer Cruise

2009-04-24T17:31:00.000-07:00

Rating 4.5!!

Book Description: For Nina Askew, turing forty means freedom—from the ex-husband whose career always came first, from their stuffy suburban home. Freedom to have her own apartment in the city, freedom to focus on what she wants for a change. And what she wants is something her ex always vetoed—a puppy. A bouncy puppy to cheer her up. Instead she gets…Fred.
Overweight, smelly and obviously suffering from some kind of doggy depression, Fred is light years from perky. But for all his faults, he does manage to put Nina face-to-face with Alex Moore, her gorgeous, younger downstairs neighbor.
Alex looks great on paper—a sexy, seemingly sane, surprisingly single E.R. doctor who shares Fred's abiding love for Oreos—but a ten-year difference in age, despite his devastating smile, is too wide a gap for Nina to handle. Ignoring her insistent best friend, some interfering do-gooders and the ubiquitous Fred—not to mention her suddenly raging hormones—Nina thinks anyone but Alex would be a better bet for a relationship. But with every silver-haired stiff she dates, the more she suspects it's the young dog-loving doctor she wants to sit and stay!

My Review: I really enjoyed this book. I can understand why it made AAR Top 100. What made this story so good is the Nina and Alex become really good friends first. The scenes where she helps him get rid of his bad dates are hilarious. Another original part of the story was the age difference between Nina and Alex. Nina is ten years older then Alex which you don't see very often especially in romance novels it works beautifully. Once they do get together it's very hot! The only thing that keeps this from being a 5 rating is the end I just thought some of the decisions Alex make just don't fit his personality. Everything else about this story worked and I highly recommend it.

Zombie Chicken Award

2009-04-22T19:13:00.000-07:00

Thank-you Beth (carpoolqeen) for giving me this cool award.
This is what this award means.."The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken - excellence, grace and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all..."I will pass this award along to ..

Ms Moonlight - http://moonlighttotwilightblog.blogspot.com/
Barbara - http://booklover125.blogspot.com/
Blanche - http://nosuchthingas2manybooks.blogspot.com/
Dottie - http://myblog2point0.blogspot.com/
Cindy - http://cindyreadsromance.blogspot.com/

Montana Creeds by Linda Lael Miller

2009-04-22T17:10:00.000-07:00

The is the newest trilogy from Linda Lael Miller. This about three estranged brothers Logan, Dylan and Tyler.

Logan is back to restore the family name and the rundown ranch left neglected after his father's death. Logan is hoping to reconnect with his estranged brothers. Logan also meets Briana a single mom raising two boys on her own. She has been staying at Dylan's place. I felt Logan and Brianna's connection right away. I also love Briana's boys and how Logan connected with them. I love romances with cowboys whether they are contemporary or historical. I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it.
Rating 4.5!

I think Dylan's story is my favorite in this trilogy. It has a lot of my favorite themes. Old loves reuniting. Dylan finds his two year daughter Bonnie sitting in his truck. He decides to heads back to Montana and reconnect with his lawyer brother Logan to see if he can help with his custody case. Once back in town he also reconnects with his old love Kristy Madison. I really enjoyed Dylan and Kristy's story. I also loved the scenes with just Dylan and Bonnie. There is just something sweet about a rough and tough cowboy taking care of a 2 year little girl.
Rating 4.75!!

Tyler's story was my least favorite of the trilogy. Even though it has a similar theme of old loves as Dylan's story did it didn't work. Tyler and Lily were only in about 3 or 4 scenes together through out the whole book. I just didn't feel the connections between the two. I enjoyed the story between Tyler and Davie, who may or may not be his son. I do recommend this story because it has a cute epilogue that wraps up the series, but it's definitely not the best in the series.
Rating 3.5!!

Did you know that today is a holiday?

2009-04-20T02:00:00.000-07:00

Today is Patriots Day here in Massachusetts (it is also observed in Maine). This is a state holiday that commemorates the anniversary of the first battles of the Revolutionary War. Re-enactments of these battles are held every year at Lexington Green in Lexington and at the Old North Bridge in Concord, MA. There is also a re-enactment of Paul Revere's ride.

In recent years Patriots Day has also become known as Marthon Monday. The Boston Marathon is run every year on this day and this year will mark the 113th running.

The Red Sox have played at home every year since 1959. The games starts at 11am so that just as the game is ending the runners from the Marathon are heading through Kenmore Square.

**There is also Patriot Day which remembers September 11th 2001 and is not related to this holiday*

TBR Challenge - Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

2009-04-16T19:32:00.000-07:00

Rating 4.75!!

Contains some spoilers!

Book Description: Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father—the one responsible for ruining her mother's life. Then she's captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unholy partnership. In exchange for finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She's amazed she doesn't end up as his dinner—are there actually good vampires? Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn't have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her new found status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side . . . and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.

My Thoughts: I picked this book for the TBR Challenge. I had to picked an urban fantasy or paranormal bookl. I decided on Halfway to the Grave because I have been wanting to read this series for awhile. I am so glad I did. I don't normally read books told in the first person POV, but it didn't bother me at all.

I loved Cat! I thought she was great and the fight scene between her and Bones. WOW!

I love when the hero admits his feelings for the heroine early in the book. Bones is a vampire who knows his feelings and isn't afraid to admit them. He also will do anything to protect Cat even if it isn't always legal.

If you like Karen Marie Moning's Fever series, but you don't love it because there isn't enough romance. Then definitely pick up this series. I would make sure you have the second book available after you finish this one, because this book does have a cliffhanger and it doesn't have a typical HEA.

I can't wait to read the next book in this series!!

Contest Alert!!! ~ Elizabeth Hoyt ~

2009-04-14T10:44:00.000-07:00

Barbara at Happily Forever After is running a very cool contest. Check out below for details

As promised, thanks to the very generous and lovely, Ms. Elizabeth Hoyt I have in my possession an autographed bookmark of her upcoming release, To Beguile A Beast which is set for release on the 28th of this month.
I also have an autographed copy of her historical romance novel, To Seduce A Sinner--which in case you weren't aware just so happens to be nominated for a RITA this year!!
*waiting patiently for the roar from the crowd to dissipate*
Yes, ladies her stories rock and she is very much deserving of the nomination!! A big congrats to Ms. Hoyt!!

So now, what do you have to do to get your paws on these totally rockin' prizes?
Why leave a comment on this post of course!
This contest will run through Wednesday and the winner will be chosen at random from the list of commenters and announced Thursday April 16th.
GOOD LUCK!!
For more information on books by Ms. Hoyt be sure to check out her website.
elizabethhoyt.com
Images from Barnesandnoble.com

Sunset Bay by Susan Mallery

2009-04-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

4 stars!!

Book Description:

What if you got another chance at the life that got away?

L.A. accountant Megan Greene has a successful job, a handsome cardiologist fiancé, and a doting father. Surely they make up for her estranged sister and hypochondriac mother...and a niggling sense that something, somewhere, got lost along the way. But then Megan's life falls spectacularly apart. Faced with the knowledge that neither her father nor her fiancé are the men she thought they were, she is loath to trust Travis -- the high school boyfriend who never quite left her heart. But his reappearance stirs dreams she once reluctantly packed away, and forces her to confront her relationship with her sister -- a bond that has been strained to the limit but has never quite broken. And amid the turmoil lies the promise of a future Megan never expected -- one that may turn out to contain everything she really needs....

My Thoughts: I really like this book. I love Susan Mallery she is one of my all time favorites. Megan and Travis are a great couple and you find yourself absorb in their story. What's great is that the story when they are 18 and you see the relationship from their teenage point of view. Then the story fast forward 10 years later and you see them as adults and how their lives change, because of that summer. There are a lot of great secondary characters. Megan's friends, her sister, her dad and crazy mom.

The only thing that kept this from being a 5 for me was Megan father's reaction when he finds out the she is not his biological child. I just don't believe that someone who has raise a child just shuts them out of their so completely.

I'm not that great writing reviews, so check out the review over at Book Binge.

Puppy Love by Jane E. Jones

2009-04-09T07:45:00.001-07:00

Rating 4.5!!

Book Description:
Sarah loses her little white dog, Casper Salt, and is sure her hunky next door neighbor has stolen him. When she realizes who the dognapper really is, she enlists Michael's help to get her dog back. And falls in love in the process.

My Thoughts:
This was such a cute story. I found myself laughing out loud. I don't want to give to much away because it's a short story. I will say if you are looking for a fun, cute, quick read you definitely want to download this story.

To purchase Puppy Love click here.

Coming Soon: What Happens in London by Juila Quinn

2009-04-06T19:41:00.001-07:00

Julia Quinn's new book will be released June 30th.

Olivia Bevelstokemight be falling in love.

Harry Valentinemight not be who he says he is.

And they both might be in very big trouble, indeed...

Julia Quinn brings you What Happens in London, the sequel to The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever.

Julia Quinn is one of my favorite writers and I can't wait for the book to come out!!

Is anyone else eagerly awaiting this book?

Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning

2009-04-05T11:56:00.000-07:00

Fever Series 5++++ Stars

Darkfever Description:

MacKayla Lane's life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she's your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman. Or so she thinks…until something extraordinary happens.When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death - a cryptic message on Mac's cell phone - Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister's killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed - a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae….As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister's death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless Vlane - an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women - closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac's true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book - because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands….

Bloodfever Description:
I used to think my sister and I were just two nice southern girls who'd get married in a few years and settle down to a quiet life. Then I discovered that Alina and I descend, not from good wholesome southern stock, but from an ancient Celtic bloodline of powerful sidhe-seers, people who can see the Fae. Not only can I see the terrifying otherworldly race, but I can sense the sacred Fae relics that hold the deadliest of their magic.When my sister was found dead in a trash-filled alley in Dublin, I came over to get answers. Now all I want is revenge. And after everything I've learned about myself, I know I have the power to get it….MacKayla Lane's ordinary life underwent a complete makeover when she landed on Ireland's shores and was plunged into a world of deadly sorcery and ancient secrets. In her fight to stay alive, Mac must find the Sinsar Dubh - a million-year-old book of the blackest magic imaginable, which holds the key to power over both the worlds of the Fae and of Man. Pursued by Fae assassins, surrounded by mysterious figures she knows she cannot trust, Mac finds herself torn between two deadly and irresistible men: V'lane, the insatiable Fae who can turn sensual arousal into an obsession for any woman, and the ever-inscrutable Jericho Barrons, a man as alluring as he is mysterious. For centuries the shadowy realm of the Fae has coexisted with that of humans. Now the walls between the two are coming down, and Mac is the only thing that stands between them.…

Faefever Description:
Changed by the choices she made in order to survive, Mac no longer is the naïve, idealistic, and glamorous girl newly arrived in Dublin. Now, on a quest to find her sister's killer, she is a major player in a deadly game, but with one great advantage: she knows how to find the one thing Fae and human alike are willing to kill for - the Sinsar Dubh, an ancient book of magic so dark it corrupts anyone who touches it. What Mac soon discovers, however, is worse than she had imagined. Surrounded by treachery, her enemies indistinguishable from her allies, she can be certain of only one thing - as All Hallows' Eve approaches, her time is running out.

My Thoughts:
I loved this series. I didn't think I would so I had avoided this series for a long time. I'm not a big fan of the story being told in the 1st person . After I listened to Sugar Daddy and Blue Eyed Devil it didn't bother me as much and decided to give this series a chance. So I downloaded all three books and listened to them back to back to back. I loved them!! I had read enough about the series to know that they were more urban fantasy then romance and that each one ended with a cliffhanger. I love Mac and her struggle to survive when she doesn't know who to trust. I love Jericho and hope he is a good guy!! If he isn't I will be very disappointed. If you love romance, but are looking for something different check out this series.

I can't wait for Dreamfever due out in Sept. 09