Review: When Summer comes by Brenda Novak

The Particulars: Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, available as e-book and in print

The Source: purchased at Kobo

The Grade: C+

The blurb:

One day, Callie Vanetta receives devastating news…

She needs a liver transplant. But her doctors warn that, in her case, the chances of finding a compatible donor aren't good.

Determined to spend whatever time she has left on her own terms, she keeps the diagnosis to herself and moves out to her late grandparents' farm. She's always wanted to live there. But the farm hasn't been worked in years and she begins to fear she can't manage it, that she'll have to return to town.

One night, a stranger comes knocking at her door…

He's an attractive and mysterious drifter by the name of Levi McCloud, and he offers to trade work for a few nights' shelter. Callie figures she doesn't have anything to lose. He needs a place to stay until he can fix his motorcycle; she needs an extra pair of hands. The arrangement seems ideal until what was supposed to be temporary starts to look more and more permanent. Then she realizes she does have something to lose—her heart. And, although he doesn't yet know it, Levi stands to lose even more.

 

The Review:

I have wanted to read Brenda Novak for awhile, so when this was on sale, I decided to give it a try.

And I am glad I did.

I liked both Callie and Levi. Callie was open hearted, and loyal to her friends. Levi was scarred by his past, and had his reasons for drifting through he states. They are each others opposites, which made their romance even sweeter. I enjoyed following their relationship as it developed from virtual strangers to lovers.

I appreciated that the threat to their relationship came from different sources. There were both Callie's struggle with her disease, and keeping her slow decline from her family and friends. And then there were Whiskey Creek's reaction to Levi. Somewere wary, some was more positive. I liked how Levi slowly won over Callie's friends as they got to know him.

That said it wasn't perfect. The biggest problem was tha I felt that the uncertainty of Callie's disease overshadowed their path to HEA. And, I also felt that Levy's issues was wrapped up too neatly. To me it felt like the author waved a wand, and they were gone. poff

Hidden Gems: The Daly sisters novels by Lani Diane Rice

All Lani Diane Rich novels that I have read are good, but these two are my favorites.  Maybe because they were the first Lani Diane Rich novels that I read.

Love on the rocks, with a twist.

Flynn Daly’s a screwup. She knows it, but worse, her property tycoon dad knows it, and that’s why he sends her off to Scheintown, NY—aka, the dead center of nowhere—to manage the beautiful countryside inn the family has just inherited while he figures out what to do with it. Being a part of the family business would be bad enough, but Flynn has to deal with an insecure staff, a sexy bartender with his own agenda, and regular ghostly visits from her nutty—and very dead—Great Aunt Esther.
Crazy is as crazy loves. Can Flynn finally find get it together and do something right? Can she uncover the mysteries that lurk behind the outward charm of the Goodhouse Arms? Or are the ghostly visits, and her undeniable attraction to the one man she should not be falling for, a sign that her life is spiraling out of control forever?




 This one, is out of print, but I think the author is working on getting the rights reverted.

 Freya Daly has always been a smart businesswoman - tough, unemotional, and a killer at negotiations. But for the last few months, she's been bursting into tears for no reason at all. Even though she's sure it must be some kind of rare eye condition, her boss (and father) removes her from her usual task of buying high-rent commercial properties in Boston, and banishes her to a rundown campground in Idaho with orders to obtain the property at any cost. Why the property is so valuable, Freya doesn't know. All alone and far from home, her rare eye condition only gets worse. The one thing that seems to help is the friendship she strikes up with Piper Brody, a little girl who shows Freya that being a kid again can be a lot of fun.


Nate Brody is a five-star chef in Cincinnati. Unfortunately, at the moment, he's not in Cincinnati - he's running his father's rundown campground in Idaho. Having made a deathbed promise to his father to find a mysterious lost item before selling the place, Nate is anxious to get back home, where his restaurant and career wait for him....though, maybe not for much longer if he doesn't get back soon.

Review: Lost in You by Lauren Dane

The Particulars: Contemporary Romance, Samhain Publishing, available as e-book

The Source: Books on boards

The Grade: B

The Blurb:

It hasn’t been easy for Joe Harris to live down his not-so-honorable past, but the military made him a better man. He’s determined to make up for past mistakes, starting with coming home to care for his ailing father.
Things are going as planned until his best friend’s little sister comes barreling into his life. Funny, quick talking, smart, beautiful, she’s a temptation he tries—and fails—to resist.
When Beth Murphy hears Joe is back in town, she makes sure she’s the first on his welcoming committee. Though he tries to pretend he’s gruff and unworthy of her, she sees the man who spoils his dog, who touches her like she’s precious. Cherished. But there’s one wall she can’t break down—the truth about what’s happening at home.
On the night the nature of his father’s illness becomes painfully, publicly apparent, Joe does the right thing—push Beth as far away as possible. But if he thought she’d go away quietly, he’s about to learn she’s made of sterner stuff.

Tbe Review:

Lauren Dane is slowly becoming an autobuy author for me, at least when it comes to contemporary romance.

It was nice to revisit Petal, and the Murphy-Chase family. I loved how the Murphys have fought hard to crawl up from the hell hole they were born in. They have created a new, better life for themselves.

Beth and Joe was a touching couple. I liked that their romance wasn't easy, and that they had their bumps. I loved that Beth knew exactly what she wanted, and didn't hesitate in pursuing Joe. I liked Joe as well,even though he occasionally was a jerk.

I also appreciated how their romance wasn't easy. They had their bumps, created by misunderstandings and Joe's reluctance to reveal his father's health issues. How Joe and his family struggled to keep it within the family, made sense. Often psychological problems are viewed as something to be ashamed of. But all their obstacles made their HEA so much sweeter, since they had fought hard for it.

Despite the many things that I liked with this book, the grade is pulled down by the headhopping. Most of the time I was able to ignore it, but there were times when it confused me.

Review: The Shop of Shades and Secrets by Colleen Gleason

The Particulars: Contemporary Romance with a dash of mystery, Avid Press, avaible as ebook

The Source: Kobo

The Grade: B

The Blurb:

When Fiona Murphy inherits a small antiques shop from an old man she met only once, she’s filled with surprise, confusion and delight—and a little bit of terror at having a new responsibility in a life she prefers to be free and easy.

As she takes over ownership of the quaint shop, odd things begin to happen. Lights come on and off by themselves, even when they are unplugged…and there is a chilly breeze accompanied by the scent of roses even when the windows are closed.

H. Gideon Nath, III, is the stiff and oh-so-proper attorney who helps settle Fiona’s inheritance, and despite her flightiness and fascination with all things New Age, he finds himself attracted to her against his better judgment.

After she finds an unpleasant surprise in one of the shop’s closets, scares off an intruder in the store, and uses her skill at palmistry to read Gideon’s future--of which she seems to be a part--Fiona begins to realize that her free and easy life is about to change…whether she wants it to or no

The Review:

I read the first book in the Gardella Vampire Hunter series awhile ago, and couldn't see what the fuss was. So, when I bought the To Die For bundle, primarily for the Jana DeLeon novel, I decided I might as well give Ms Gleason another try.

And I am glad I did.

This was a well written contemporary romance, with a dash of mystery and paranormal activity.

The story hooked me from the start, and I loved to the read about Fiona and Gideon. How their relationship developed, from a first tense meeting to a romance. On the outside, they were total opposites. Gideon was a stiff, proper attorney and Fiona was flamboyant and outspoken.

But I liked how they affected each other, in good ways. Gideon helped ground Fiona and Fiona helped Gideon relax.

What I liked was how their romance wasn't easy. They both struggled with it, and wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do. Tossed into that mix, was the fact that someone was looking for something. There were plenty of unexpected plottwists, and I enjoyed how Fiona had to scramble a bit to get out of trouble, and each time the the villain got more and more desperate.

So what I didn't like with this book... Fiona found the biggest clue to the mystery, purely by coincidence. Which felt a bit like cheating to me. I would have liked if her search had been a bit more active.

Ten Days of Yule Review:Lady Louisa's Christmas Knight by Grace Burrowes

The Particulars: Historical Romance, Sourcebooks, available in print and as e-book

The Source: Discover a new love

The Grade: C+

The Blurb:

No one would ever guess that Lady Louisa, the most reserved of the Duke of Moreland's daughters, had published a book of racy poems under a pseydonym on a dare. Before she can buy and destroy all of the copies, a dastardly fortune hunter seeks to compromise her reputation by revealing her secret identity at a holiday ball.

Before she can be publicly ruined, close family friend Sir Joseph Carrington saves the day by offering to marry Louisa. As he recites poetry to her, waltzes with her by starlight, and showers her with lovely kisses, they both begin to discover that their match may be the best Christmas gift either has ever received..

The Review:

Grace Burrowes are one of my favorite authors, so when this was one of the picks at Discover a New Love I snapped it up.

This was a sweet romance. Both Joseph and Louisa felt very believable, and down to earth.

Both of them felt slightly out of place at the balls and the soarees that the rest of the Ton felt at home with. The descriptions of felt believable, from the way some males prefered the billiard room, to the polite chatter that could hide so many things. As the story went on, their romance developed. It was a slow romance, but I enjoyed it. They showed their feelings in a thousand different ways.

Both of them had secrets, and I enjoyed as the secrets were gradually revealed, as both of them seperately, started to get an inkling of that something was wrong. It was touching, when their relationship reached the point that they trusted each other to reveal their secrets.

The biggest part I had with this book was that it lacked... tension. Oh, the sexual tension was there, but considering the blackmail threat, I missed the feeling of a suspense regarding to who it was, and what would happen.

Review: Sanctuary Lost by Moira Rogers

The Particulars: Paranormal Romance
The Source: Purchased at AllRomance
The Grade: B
The Blurb:

If there’s one thing that Brynn Adler hates, it’s feeling helpless and vulnerable in unfamiliar territory. Three weeks ago, life tossed her into just such a world. A world of werewolves she never knew existed—until she found out her sister was one of them.

The pack seems determined to hurry her back to the normal world of humans. But after everything she’s witnessed, she’s not sure she wants to go—especially if it means leaving not only her sister behind, but the one man who makes her forget her life is falling apart.

Now all she has to do is convince him to agree to a plan to force the pack to let her stay.

Joe Mitchell has been battling his protective instincts since he rescued Brynn from her kidnapper. Getting involved with her is a bad idea for a lot of reasons. She’s on shaky emotional ground, and a supernatural war is no place for a human woman. He’s not about to let her make a hasty decision, one that will only bring her pain and regret.

Now all he has to do is let her go.

The Review:

This is the second book in the series, and it isn’t stand alone. I don’t believe there are many spoilers to book one in it, but to understand the background, it is best to have read book one.

I enjoyed the insight this book gave me when it comes to the Hierachy of a Werewolf pack. I loved how everyone (except Gavin) are dominant to some wolves, and submissive to others.I also enjoyed the insight in werewolf politics it gave me.    

This is a heart wrenching book.  My heart ached for Brynn, as she struggled to pick up her life and adjust to the changes in her life.I liked how Joe was there and supported her, even though he didn’t always agree with her descions.  But he did his best to ensure she could defend herself.   

Brynn might be submissive, but I love the fact that she is strong. She knows what she wants. I also loved that she had to fight for it, both with her sister and the Alphas of Red Rock Pass.

The plot was action packed, and filled with unexpected twists.  I loved how Ms Rogers took Brynn’s wishes and turned them upside down.While Joe acted as Brynn’s Guide,  I also liked that in the end it was Brynn that reached a balance with her wolf.

As all this happens, other events builds up to a confrontation with Alan Matthews.
While nothing with this book was bad, it took awhile before it fully hooked me :).

Review: Cry Sanctuary by Moira Rogers

The Particulars: Paranormal Romance, Samhain, available in print and as e-book

The Source: Purchased at Kobo

The Grade: B+

The Blurb:

Keith Winston is tired of fighting. The war between werewolves and wizards rages on in Europe, but he’s come home to Red Rock, Montana in hopes of finding a bit of peace. Instead he finds more strife as he struggles against the pack’s dictates that he resume his place as the alpha’s right-hand man.

When he rescues a new wolf on the run, he knows his instant attraction to her could cause trouble. What he doesn’t expect is to find himself embroiled in another battle that goes against all his instincts—and his heart.

Abigail Adler learned about the existence of werewolves only when she became one. With her life threatened by a corrupt alpha, she flees to the only sanctuary she knows: Red Rock. While she’s grateful for the pack’s protection, she chafes under its unbreakable rules of conduct—except when it comes to submitting to the passion Keith stirs in her.

Then her tormentor kidnaps her sister in an attempt to lure her out of hiding. To save her, Abby and Keith must be willing to do the very thing that could get them all killed—break all of the rules.

The Review:

This is the first book in Moira Rogers excellent Red Rock Pass series, which is one of my favorite series.

The world is intriguing, and filled with fractions. I loved how the tension between werewolves that follows the old ways and werewolves that doesn't affected the plot. I could feel an echo of how fast our society has changed, and not necessarily for the better. What I also liked was how she hinted at the existence of other factions. I cannot wait to see how that will affect future books, both in this series and the Green Pine series. ( And future, unwritten series.)

But what I liked most was how Moira Rogers has spent time thinking about the details. I loved the tradition of Guide and Initiation, and how it was encouraged to take time before taking the plunge. At least in the Sanctuary pack, in non- Sanctuary pack I felt it was more on the whim of the Alpha.

The book crackles with tension. Both between Keith and Abby, but also tension between the Red Rock Pack and the Helena Pack.I enjoyed reading about Keith and Abby's relationship. It would have been so easy for Keith to take the plunge, and become both Abby's boyfriend and Guide. Instead, he is adamant that Abby makes an active choice about who she wants as Guide. Both Abby and Keith had their past, and I loved how it came back to haunt them. Both the Romance and the Action built on each other, and both stemmed from the characters protective instinct.  That combination led to a book I couldn't put down.  

This book was fast paced, but sometimes it felt like things happened too fast. It is a sign of Moira Rogers skill that it never became confusing.

Book Lover's Giveaway hop: Scandalous by Patricia Burroughs

In a lucky coincidence, tomorrow happens to be the release day of Scandalous by Patricia Burroughs. And since I had the fortune of reading an ARC, I want to spread the word of this book. So I am giving away 3 e-book copies. Just leave your e-mail address, so I can gift it through Amazon.

 Why live in the boring present when you have a century's worth of vintage couture to live up to? Why be ordinary with centuries of Vandermeir scandals to shape your destiny?

Paisley Vandermeir was born on a hippie commune in the 60s, transplanted to high society Manhattan in the 70s and mentored by her wild Aunt Izzy, whose Roaring 20s exploits still tarnish the family name. Paisley is the very definition of "Vandermeir scandal." It's simply a matter of what and when. Following in the steps of her forbears, she intends to create her own scandal, then walk away from family and Society and find her own future.

Enter Christopher Quincy Maitland, the blond and gorgeous Rock of Gibraltar who carries the weight of his family's fortune on his shoulders--safe, dependable, scandal proof. Or is he?

When irresistible force meets immovable object, what happens next is SCANDALOUS.

Review: Motorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley

The Particulars: Contemporary romance, Smashwords( will be re-issued byGrand Central Publishing), available as e-book and print ( at the moment of this review)

The Source: Smashwords

The Grade: C+

The Blurb:

Although Kane “Tack” Allen colors Tyra Master’s world with a vibrancy that’s blinding, being with him means she has to live in his Motorcycle Club world. Full on, no holds barred. And since Tack’s world, not to mention Tack, is a little scary, Tyra isn’t so sure. It's Tack's job to convince her.

The Review:

I kept hearing good things about Kristen Ashley, so when Mandi from Smexybooks raved about this one at twitter, I decided to give it a try. After reading it, I can understand why Kristen Ashley is so popular.

I enjoyed reading about Tyra's plunge into the World of Chaos. Both Ride and Chaos felt believable in many ways. Both when it came to their attitude towards women, and also the dangers from the slightly shady world they live in.Just as Chaos balance the fine line of keeping clean, this book manage to stay out the misogynic mire. 

And that is because of Tack. Tack is a jerk, occassionally, but the reason is that he wants to protect Tyra and his children. And, I loved Tabby and Rush, they were so typically teenagers, with their drama, and mistakes.

But, of course everything isn't perfect. Naomi, Tack's ex wife, hit the roof when she found out about Tyra and Tack's relationship. Which, I felt, was as it should be. Tack hadn't been a saint, and he admitted it.

Tossed into that story, was the threat of the Russian Mob looming over them. I loved how the author woved it into the rest of the things going on in the novel.  

What made the book for me was how the author mixed everything. Tyra's uncertainty, furious ex-wife, dramatic teenagers, rebellious Chaos members. And keeping it together was Tack. He was tender and patient with Tyra and his children. He was harsh with Naomi, and the Chaos members.

So for what I didn't like. The biggest problem I had with this novel, was the author's tendency to use 10 words when one would be enough. At times, I wondered what the characters were talking about, which isn't a good sign. This  became even more obvious when they confronted the Russian mob, because those pages crackled with tension. This, gives me hope that Kristen Ashley's Chaos Series which will be published by Grand Central Publishing during 2013, will be much more polished. 

 One  minor quibble: The Russian mobsters mentinoed by name, their surname ends on -ova.  Which, is the ending that signifies FEMALE surnames in Russia. And those characters are male..

Review: Hoping For Love by Marie Force

The Particulars: Contemporary romance, self-published, available as e-book and in print
The Source: Smashwords
The Grade: B
The Blurb:

All her life, Grace Ryan was the "fat girl." Taunted and teased and ignored by her peers, she tried every diet ever invented to no avail. Desperate to change her life as her twenties slipped away, she decided it was time for drastic measures and had lap-band surgery. More than a year later, she's lost 130 pounds and is venturing into the dating world for the first time. During a boat trip to Gansett Island with the new guy in her life, Grace refuses to have sex with him and finds herself abandoned without a dollar to her name at McCarthy's Gansett Island Marina. At home for the summer awaiting the launch of his debut CD, music star-in-the-making Evan McCarthy is performing at the Tiki Bar when he notices Grace looking lost in a sea of happy people. Evan comes to her aid and quickly finds himself smitten. But the last thing Grace needs after all she's been through is a guy who "doesn't do relationships." Will Evan change his ways to win Grace's heart?

The Review:

I picked up this when Marie Force discounted the Gansett Island novels recently.  And I am glad I did. This book is Marie Force at her best.

Gansett Island... It felt so real. I loved how Marie Force described the upside and downsides of living on an island, with a quaint town, although not all of the buildings are old.
I loved the friendliness the Islanders showed towards strangers, although at sometimes it felt like they were almost gullible.

But what I enjoyed the most was the characters. I loved following Evan and Grace
developing romance. From their first meeting, to their first date.  Both of them struggled, since things moved fast between them ( Sometimes it felt like it moved too fast). I also liked how Grace was determinded to move on with her life, and take the next step.  
But so much more than Evan's and Grace's romance happened in this novel.  Tiffany’s marriage hits the rocks. ( And let me tell you: Jim is a jerk). I loved watching Owen and Laura, you could almost feel the growing romance between them.


That said all, no matter how much I enjoyed the other romances,it is the weak point of this books . Since there were secondary romances, it never felt like it the focus of the novel was  the romance between Evan and Grace. Also one minor quibble: The lack of the final formatting touches, in the shape of more professional chapter headlines, and scene breaks. The lack of it made me feel like I was reading an post edits, but pre-formatting manuscripts.

ARC review: All he ever desired by Shannon Stacey

The Particulars: Contemporary Romance, Carina Press, available as e-book ( print coming 2013)
The Source: ARC from Netgalley
The Grade: C+
The blurb:
A second shot at first love
After college, Ryan Kowalski decided to leave Whitford, Maine, rather than watch Lauren Carpenter marry another man. Now his siblings need his help to refurbish the family-owned Northern Star Lodge and he's forced to face the past sooner rather than later when he collars a vandal--and learns the boy is Lauren's son...
The last person Lauren needs back in her life is Ryan Kowalski. With a bitter ex-husband and a moody teenage son, she has enough man trouble already. But her son needs to learn a few lessons about right and wrong, even if Lauren has to escort him to Ryan's door every day to work off his crime.
With all this close contact, Ryan and Lauren can't deny the chemistry between them is as powerful as ever. But can a few searing kisses erase their past and pave the way for a second chance at true love?

The Review:

After reading All he ever needed, which was a disappointment to me, I hestitated before I requested this one on Netgalley. Since it was an Arc, I figured all I would lose if I didn't like it was time. I am happy to say that I did like it.

Just like all the Kowalski novels, this book was a small town romance with down to earth characters. I loved how both the good sides and bad sides of living in a small town were included in the novel.

If this novel had a theme, it was second chances. Lauren and Ryan got a second chance at love. It was touching to follow their relationship. From the first awkward moment when they met each other again, to their HEA.

Nick got a second chance to make amends for his stupidity. I'll confess that I liked how Lauren dealt with Nick. It was interesting to watch how Nick and Ryan interacted.

The biggest problem I had with this book was that it felt a bit too long. After page 150 it felt like the book was dragging just to reach a higher wordcount.

Cover Reveal: High Risk by Vivian Arend

This cover was revealed earlier this month, and I love it since it tells me what this books is: An erotic romance novel featuring Adrenaline junkies. ( Yes, I am tired of 50 shades of grey covers, that could be on any kind of book.)

Review: Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas

The particulars:  Contemporary Romance, MacMillan, available in print and as e-book

The Source: Purchased at Kobo

The Grade: A

The blurb:

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 fiance 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 beautifu

The Review:

I like Lisa Kleypas historicals, but I had never read her contemporaries. I kept hearing good things about this one, bu the price stopped me. When Macmillan discounted it to 2.99 earlier this summer I snapped it up.

And I am glad I did.

The setting for this sweet romance was San Juan Island outside Washington state. I liked the careful details that Ms Kleypas inserted in her description of the island. From the description of Friday Harbor, to the nature that is an important part of the story.

That said, what made the book for me was the relationship between Sam and Lucy. One thing that I loved were that nothing felt rushed.  The romance unfolded at a pace that felt right. They started out as friends and let it evolve, both of them clear that they made no committments. As their relationship unfolded, Ms Kleypas cleverly wov in the details why they were committment shy.   

I also liked how both Sam and Lucy dealt with the stinking aftermath of her breakup with Kevin.  It could have spoiled the book for me if they had dealt with it differently, but they didn't.

 But what I also liked was the sense that both of them had something they were passionate about, and careers they loved, yet they didn't let takeover their lives. 

That said, I wanted to strangle Alice and Kevin for their selfish behaviour, and the fact that they didn't care if they hurt their family. Just.. Argh.

The magic element in this book felt unnecessary. It was hardly more than a quiant touch. That said, I applaud Ms Kleypas for having the courage to add it. I would love to read a true paranormal romance written by Lisa Kleypas in the future.

Review: Men of Bronze by Scott Oden:

The Particulars:  Historical Fiction, Medallion Press, available as e-book and in print. 

The Source: Purchased at Omnilit

The Grade: A

  The blurb:

 It is 526 B.C. and the empire of the Pharaohs is dying, crushed by the weight of its own antiquity. Decay riddles its cities, infects its aristocracy, and weakens its armies. While across the expanse of Sinai, like jackals drawn to carrion, the forces of the King of Persia watch and wait. Leading the fight to preserve the soul of Egypt is Hasdrabal Barca, Pharaohs countless wounds, it is her spirit that heals and changes him. Once a fearsome demigod of war, Hasdrabal Barca becomes human again. A man now motivated as much by love as anger. Nevertheless honor and duty have bound Barca to the fate of Egypt. A final conflict remains, a reckoning set to unfold in the dusty hills east of Pelusium. There, over the dead of two nations, Hasdrabal Barca will face the same choice as the heroes of old: Death and eternal fame or obscurity and long life.

The Review: 

I bought this book in 2010, I think. I started reading it but abandoned it. I always intended to get back to it, one day. It took awhile, though. What spurred me was the fact that I decided to rebuy it in epub, to replace the pdf copy I bought in 2010. And I am glad I did. 

  One word can describe this book: Epic. At times, it felt almost like I was reading fantasy novel, with minium of magic.    This isn't fantasy, but  Historical fiction.  This isn't my favorite genre, since it often involves bloody, gorefilled battles.. ( I know, I have probably read the wrong books). But this book were different. Oh, there were battles in it.  What made me love this were the  vivid settings, and the human characters.   

The settings made me feel as if I were walking through Memphis, standing on the ship on the way to Gaza, feeling the wind tussling my hair.  My heart ached everytime Barca lost one of his friends. The ache tenfolded when I realised the source of The Beast.   At the start of the book  he was  almost a murdering machine. He live for battle.  Yet through the book, he change. He starts to feel compassion.  That change stems from Jauharah and her patience. 

Jauharah... I wept for her. For her loss, for the pain she had suffered, and for the choices she had to make. 

And Callianestes... I admired him for daring to what was right.  Heck, I admired all the characters for their honor and courage. 

The combination of the characters and the setting created a riveting tale, that I just couldn't put down.  But, as I read it, I was reminded that history goes in circles, and that no civilisation last forever.

What I didn't like.  I'll admit it. I wish there was a happy ending, since is Hasdrabal Barca and Jauharah had earned it.  Yet, that would make it a romance, which this isn't. 

Still, I'll definitely read more by Scott Oden in the future.

Review: Maid for Love by Marie Force

The Particulars: Contemporary Romance, indie, ebook.

The Source: Purchased at Smashwords

The Grade: C+

The blurb:

Maddie Chester is determined to leave her hometown of Gansett Island, a place that has brought her only bad memories and ugly rumors. Then she’s knocked off her bike on the way to her housekeeping job at McCarthy’s Resort Hotel by Gansett’s “favorite son,” Mac McCarthy. He’s back in town to help his father with preparations to sell the family resort and has no intention of staying long. When Mac accidentally sends Maddie flying over the handlebars, badly injuring her, he moves in to nurse her back to health and help care for her young son. He soon realizes his plans for a hit-and-run visit to the island are in serious jeopardy, and he just may be “maid” for love.

The Review:

This book had been on my TBR list ever since I bought it, but reading a guest blog by Marie Force spurred me into reading it. And I am glad I did.

Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. There were so many things that I liked about it. From the small town setting to the characters. I loved the nuance picture she painted of the life in the town. From the way Maggie has to scrape together money to get by, to the McCarthy's lifestyle. I also liked the whispers and stares that arose when Mac stayed over with Maddie.

But what made the book for me was Mac and Maddie. Maddie for her scarred past and her stubborn independence. Mac for his determination to make Maddie's life better in every way he can. The attraction between them were strong from the start. I also liked that they didn't jump into bed immediately.

I also loved how Maddie's past and Mac's family caused obstacles between them, making the path rocky.

So what I didn't like. I had two issues with this novel. First, I didn't like the way that Mac tried to fix everything that had gone wrong for Maddie in the past. In the beginning it was touching, but after awhile it got annoying.

The more worrisome issue was the fact that I had trouble with feeling connections to some of the characters. I just didn't care about them. Despite it's short comings I am glad I bought it, and read it.  Since I did like the main characters, and I did like the setting.    

Will I buy the rest of the books? Probably, but I am not in a hurry.

Review: One More Summer by Liz Flaherty

The Particulars: Contemporary Romance, Carina Press, ebook.

The Particulars: Contemporary Romance, available as e-book

The source: Purchased at Books on board
The Grade: A
The blurb:
Grace has taken care of her widowed father her entire adult life and the ornery old goat has finally died. She has no job, no skills and very little money, and has heard her father's prediction that no decent man would ever want her so often she accepts it as fact.
But she does have a big old house on Lawyers Row in Peacock, Tennessee. She opens a rooming house and quickly gathers a motley crew of tenants: Promise, Grace's best friend since kindergarten, who's fighting cancer; Maxie, an aging soap opera actress who hasn't lost her flair for the dramatic; Jonah, a sweet, gullible old man with a crush on Maxie.
And Dillon, Grace's brother's best friend, who stood her up on the night of her senior prom and has regretted it ever since. Dillon rents Grace's guest house for the summer and hopes to make up for lost time and past hurts—but first, he'll have to convince Grace that she's worth loving.


The review:

This book... I am not sure how to describe it.  According to Carina Press, it is a contemporary romance. Which is true, there are romance, several in fact, but there are so much more in it.
There are the old hurts between Dillon and Gwen.  There are the on and off again relationship between Promise and Stephen. There are the mature love between Jonah and Maxie.   The relationships are shadowed by old hurts,  guilt, and secrets.

I'll admit it. I went teary eyed  several times when I read this book.   
My heart went soft when Dillon and Gwen started to rebuild their relationship.  I wept when the secrets were revealed, all of them. But most of all, I cheered when Gwen started to regain her confidence, and believe that maybe, just maybe, her father had been wrong. 
I understood Dillon's fury. I wanted to strangle her father too, for being a cruel insensitive bastard. Yet, during the book it was explained why he hated Gwen so much.


The novel takes place in a small town. The sense of community were a red thread through the book, both through happy and sad times.  I loved the story telling times, especially the Magpie stories.  Just.. aw.  Sometimes, the setting felt so real that I could feel the sweltering summer of Tennessee.  I  could almost see the Elliot House in front of me.


I cannot find anything to pick on when it comes to this book. Except for one thing. I regret that this book is published by Carina Press since it deserve to be read  a wide audience, no matter if they read e-books or not.  I am crossing my fingers that I'll read a similar announcement for this book, as the one I read for Shannon Stacey's Kowalski series.

Review: Because of You by Jessica Scott:

The Particulars: Military Romance, Lovespell, ebook.
The Source: Purchased Kobo.
The Grade: A-
The Blurb:
Keeping his men alive is all that matters to Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison. But meeting Jen St. James the night before his latest deployment makes Shane wonder if there’s more to life than war. He leaves for Iraq remembering a single kiss with a woman he’ll never see again—until a near fatal attack lands him back at home and in her care.

Jen has survived her own brush with death and endured its scars. And yet there’s a fire in Shane that makes Jen forget all about her past. He may be her patient, but when this warrior looks her in the eyes, she feels—for the first time in a long time—like a woman. Shane is too proud to ask for help, but for Jen, caring for him is more than a duty—it’s a need. And as Jen guides Shane through the fires of healing, she finds something she never expected—her deepest desire

The Review:
I bought this book because it got a lot of positive reviews, but it took awhile before I got around to read it. In fact, when I opened the book I almost deleted it.  ( More about that later in the review). 

I must say I am glad that I decided to read it. This  book is filled with strong characters, and important themes.  I loved Jen.  How she struggled with her self-esteem, to believe that someone like Shane really is interested in her.  Shane.. I'll admit it. I loved him too. I loved how he really cared about his troop. 
In fact, I loved all the Characters. From  Laura who  have kept her family together, to Carponti who hide his  issues behind a lot of jokes.  No. Wait. I didn't love all of the characters. I wanted to strangle Randall, and  I thought Captain Trent Davila was a jerk.
What made the book for me wasn't just the book. No, it was the blunt, and sobering way Jessica Scott described Iraq. She clearly shows how everything can go wrong.From important parts being misplaced, to intel being wrong.  Together, it enchanced the danger they were surrounded by.   The there is the contrast, how the wives are battling fear and worry back in the US.
But, the most heartwrenching parts of the book were when they had returned home,  injured.   Shane's struggle with adjusting to his new life with PT.   And yes, he acts like a jerk sometimes, but he realise it.   And apologize. 


So what I didn't like.  The main issue I had was with the font size.  I am not sure if it was  my e-reader, or something in the style sheet but it showed up as large, and 1.5 spacing.  But I decided to ignore it, and read the book anyway. After I had finished the book , I fixed the fontsize.   

Review: Exotic Indulgence

Exotic Indulgence by Vivian Arend

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The blurb:

There’s something magical about Bandicoot Cove. It’s where Kylie Sullivan’s dream of managing a luxury, five-star resort is about to come true. And it’s where people tend to fall in love. Kylie should know. She’s fallen hard—for three very different men. 

The Review:
Normally I don't review short-stories, but I decided to make an exception.
This is exactly what the cover says a sizzling short story set in Australia. This is a co-authored story, and it shows a couple of times.  The cut between the scenes feels a bit abrupt, and I didn't like the tone in some of the scenes.  Nothing gross, it was just a few word choices.   Also, thee relationship between Kylie and her men feels rushed, like they feel have to convince her that they have something more than sex before the resort opens. Still, it is sizzling, short read that it is a great lunch read.
And it is free. You can download it at all major e-bookstores.( Watch out with Booksonboard, though, they charge 0.99 for it)


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Review: The Kitchen Witch by Annette Blair

The Kitchen Witch by Annette Blair

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Buy at: Amazon, BN,Bookdepository, Kobo
The Kitchen Witch:

The Particulars: The Kitchen Witch by Annette Blair, contemporary romance, e-book, Berkley.

The Review:

The Blurb:

When a single-dad TV executive hires Melody Seabright--a flaky rich girl and rumored witch--as his babysitter, she magically lands her own cooking show...and makes sparks fly.

My impressions:

Oh my. I had forgotten how much I loved this book. This is Annette Blair at her best a funny, fast paced Contemporary romance with a touch of paranormal. This book is good, but it isn’t without flaws. The plot isn’t anything new. And normally, I would have felt meh about it. This book is saved by Melody. Melody is what made this book so good. She is a hoot. She is strong enough to know what she want, and go for it. I am more torn about Logan. A part of me felt admiration over the fact that he raises Shane on his own. But some of his other actions annoyed me a lot.

( This is one time I wish that Goodreads offered the opportunity to give half stars)


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Sweet Surrender by Maya Banks

Sweet Surrender by Maya Banks

My rating: 4 of 5 stars




The Book: Sweet Seduction by Maya Banks



The Particulars: Contemporary Romance,Berkley, available both in print and e-boo
Why was it in my TBR? I was in the mood for romance

The Review:

The blurb:

Under Faith Malone’s deceptively soft exterior lies a woman who knows exactly what she wants. A strong man who’ll take without asking—because she’s willing to give him everything...

Dallas cop Gray Montgomery is on a mission: find the guy who killed his partner—and bring him to justice. So far, he’s found a link between the killer and Faith—and if Gray has to get close to her to catch the killer, so be it.

My impressions:

This was another spontan re-read. I didn’t want to read fantasy, so I rummaged through my bookcase and found this. When I read it, I was reminded why I love Maya Banks. It is the first book in her Sweet Series.

It was refreshing to read a novel were the heroine tries seduce the hero, and not the other way around. The banter between the characters added an extra depth. The plot was well-written. I especially liked how the suspense plot and the romance plot interacted with each other.

This is a sizzling story, that grabbed me from page one.



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