Day: October 4, 2010

What I Read Last Week

Posted October 4, 2010 by Tracy in Features | 13 Comments

Good Afternoon!
Another Monday and here we are.  I hope you all had good weekends.  Ours was pretty quiet.  We did have a family picture taken which is always interesting.  When I get the results I’ll share.  I also got my kids’ pictures from school but forgot to bring them with me to share. I’ll try to remember…soon
Let’s see…what else.  Nothing! lol  Just running late today.  My boss is going on vacation tomorrow and it was a crazy, crazy day!
The giveaway for Hard to Hold by Julie Leto is still running so if  you’re interested leave on a comment on this post to enter.
So my first book of the week was Atlantis Betrayed by Alyssa Day and I read it for The Book Binge. This is book 6 in the Warriors of Poseidon series. It was Christophe’s book and it was pretty darned good. I really didn’t care for Christophe in the previous books. Actually, it’s not that I didn’t care for him, he just wasn’t really on my radar at all. He was kind of belligerent but when you hear his background in this book you understand why. 4 out of 5
Next up was A Hellion In Her Bed by Sabrina Jeffries – book 2 in the Hellions of Halstead Hall series and another really good book. This was Jarret’s story and covered him taking over his grandmother’s brewery for a year. He is approached by a woman who is acting for her brothers’ brewery and trying to get Jarret to agree to help them sell a pale ale to the East India Company. I loved seeing come to terms with his past, finding love as well as finding out what he really wants out of life. Good stuff. 4 out of 5
My next read was also for The Book Binge. Quarterback Blitz by Frances Stockton was about a woman who’s 40 who falls in love with a 30 year old 2nd string professional quarterback. She has issues with the age difference but what really is the angst in the book is outside forces trying to pull the couple apart. A pretty good book. A lot of steamy sex and it’s quite creative too. lol 3.75 out of 5
Next was Somewhere Along The Way by Jodi Thomas. This is the next book in the Harmony series and it was just as good as the first book! The story continues 2 years after book 1 and it has all the same characters as book 1 but also brings in Gabe Leary who finds romance with Liz – a Harmony resident who is starting her own business after graduating and becoming a lawyer. I love this series! It’s got such a family feel about it and I always love reading about the different characters, their lives, trials and tribulations. 5 out of 5 (this book was read for The Book Binge as well and doesn’t release until 11/2 but I’ve had it since the end of August and couldn’t wait any longer! lol)
Next was Last Dragon Standing by GA Aiken. Book 4 in the Dragonkin series and I loved it! The way Aiken tells the romance – which admittedly was a tad weaker in this book than previous books – but intertwines all of the characters from past books into it is something that I love. This dragon family is so at odds with each other but you can tell they love each other and will do anything for the other. The overall story arc continues and I can’t wait to read the next book and see what happens! 5 out of 5
My Tracy’s TBR challenge read for the week was a novella since I forgot about it completely (oops) and then had to read something short! The book was The Favour by Crissy Smith. The story was about a mated pair of wolf shifters, Mac and Trevor, who have been together for a while but are now looking for their 3rd. They know that it is Annabell who works for them but getting her to A) understand that they both want her and B) that they’re shifters isn’t that easy. Though it’s a fast mating since it was a shorter book it was a good story with both a bit of m/m sex as well as ménage in there. 3.5 out of 5
And last for the week was the most G rated book I’ve read in a long time. It was The Duke Who Came To Visit by Carol Quinto – a Zebra Regency romance. The Duke of Balfour – an absolute rake, on his way to Norwich, overturns his carriage. He goes to the first house he comes to and is mistaken by the owner, Regina Westfield, to be a tutor for her nephew who is spending the summer with her. The Duke squashes a kidnapping attempt on the nephew and is shot. He ends up remaining at Regina’s home and the two fall in love. It was a very sweet story – with only a little kissing in the last few pages of the book. 3.5 out of 5


My Book Binge reviews that post this past week:
*crickets chirping*
Happy Reading!


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Guest Review: The Spurned Viscountess by Shelley Monro

Posted October 4, 2010 by Book Binge Guest Blogger in Reviews | 2 Comments

Cursed with the sight and rumors of witchcraft, Rosalind’s only chance at an ordinary life is marriage to Lucien, Viscount Hastings. She doesn’t expect love, only security and children of her own. Determined to go through with the wedding, she allows nothing she encounters at the gloomy Castle St. Clare to dissuade her. Recently returned from the Continent, Lucien has no time for the English mouse his family has arranged for him to marry–not when he is plotting to avenge the murder of his beloved Francesca. He has no intention of bedding Rosalind, not even to sire an heir.

Though spurned by her bridegroom, Rosalind turns to him for protection when she is plagued by a series of mysterious accidents and haunted by terrifying visions. Forced to keep Rosalind close–and tempted into passionate kisses–Lucien soon finds himself in grave danger of falling in love with his own wife.

In the early 18th century, England was as caught up in the prejudice again extra-sensory perception as were the American colonies. Witch sightings and rumors of all kinds of weird happenings often plagued persons who exhibited any small ability or talent deemed extraordinary. For someone like Rosalind who not only received visions of the future but who could read some minds as well when she touched those persons, her life was continually in danger. Any little slip of the tongue could give her fore-knowledge away and put her in harms way. Thus, the long-standing marriage contract to Viscount Hastings was a welcome haven for her and one she was absolutely bound and determined to fulfill. That her betrothed looked upon her with distaste and declared his aversion to their marriage may have wounded and saddened her. But she was a woman of her times and knew that most aristocratic unions were loveless. Her hope for friendship seemed even doomed when, to her dismay, her new husband remained behind closed and locked connecting doors on their wedding night. And so it continued for a matter of months.

What Rosalind was unaware of was the fact that Lucien, whose first name was George, didn’t even remember his father or his home. He remembered only his few years on the European continent, his life in Italy with his wife Francesca, his happiness with her as they awaited the birth of their first child, and the attack by briggands which killed her and snuffed out the life of their baby. At the time of his marriage to Rosalind, he was still deep in his grief and anger over Francesca’s death and he had no intention of remaining in England after he found the criminal who had murdered her. He told Rosalind that only unhappiness, loneliness, and eventual divorce faced her in the future. Rosalind was undeterred.

This is a very interesting–actually riveting historical novel that deals with the matter of society’s reaction to ESP and to those who can see beyond the present. It is also about lust for power, jeolousy, revenge, and murder. Add in the presence of smuggling, pirates, criminal oppression of good people, and you have a novel that is bracing, interesting, edgy, and keeps the reader enthralled until the very last word. There is raw evil present in this book along with the power of unbridled good which is the only force that can withstand it. Ms Munro has written her story in such a way that it is vitually impossible to read this novel without having an emotional response that is capable of putting one right in the middle of the goings on.

I love a good historical novel so I was anxious to read this book. What I found was so much more–mystery, a world beyond the usual, and characters that are believable and strong. Rosalind and Lucien are wonderful characters, the kind I would have loved to have known in real life–and that is one of my highest compliments. So historical romance fans, don’t let this one get past you. It is a great offering from a very accomplished writer, and worthy of our time and consideration.

I give it a rating of 4.75 out of 5.

You can read more from Judith at Dr. J’s Book Place.

This book is available from Carina Press. You can buy it here in e-format.


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Giveaway: Warrior by Zoe Archer

Posted October 4, 2010 by Holly in Giveaways | 27 Comments

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to meet Zoe Archer in person at one of our So Cal Blogger meets. She’s cute and funny and I really enjoyed getting to know her. In case you didn’t know, she has a new historical paranormal series out this fall. There just aren’t enough paranormal historicals available, IMO.

I especially love the premise here, because the novels don’t just take place in England. Warrior is set in Mongolia. Mongolia, y’all. How awesome is that?


Book Cover

To most people, the realm of magic is the stuff of nursery rhymes and dusty libraries. But for Capt. Gabriel Huntley, it’s become quite real and quite dangerous…

IN HOT PURSUIT…

The vicious attack Capt. Gabriel Huntley witnesses in a dark alley sparks a chain of events that will take him to the ends of the Earth and beyond—where what is real and what is imagined become terribly confused. And frankly, Huntley couldn’t be more pleased. Intrigue, danger, and a beautiful woman in distress—just what he needs.

IN HOTTER WATER…

Raised thousands of miles from England, Thalia Burgess is no typical Victorian lady. A good thing, because a proper lady would have no hope of recovering the priceless magical artifact Thalia is after. Huntley’s assistance might come in handy, though she has to keep him in the dark. But this distractingly handsome soldier isn’t easy to deceive…

Thanks to Zoe’s generosity, we’ve got an autographed copy of Warrior to give away. Are you interested in winning it? Tell us what appeals to you about the series, and we’ll throw your name in for it. Contest ends Oct 1, 2010 at 11:59 p.m.

All four books are being released this fall. Be sure to check them out as they’re released. Zoe will be back on the blog soon to talk about the series and to give away a full set!

Warrior (Blades of the Rose)Scoundrel (The Blades of the Rose)RebelStranger (The Blades of the Rose)


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Hero of the Month: Damon Salvatore.

Posted October 4, 2010 by Rowena in Features | 9 Comments


It’s a new month which means there’s a new hero of the month. This month’s hero stars in best selling author’s L.J. Smith’s Vampire Diaries but it is in the CW’s Vampire Diaries TV show that this smexy character captured my heart.

This month’s hero is: Damon Salvatore.

Damon is the bad boy Savatore brother who comes back to Mystic Falls to torment his brother, the goodie good Stefan because Damon swore that he would spend the rest of the eternities making Stefan’s life a living hell and he’s making good on that promise because there isn’t a moment when Damon’s not being a smart ass about any and everything under the sun.

The thing about Damon is he has a lot of things in common with his brother Stefan and the main thing is their taste in women. They fall in love with the same women. Twice in fact…and the reason Damon is so bitter (and he is totally bitter) is because both of the women that he fell in love with…were both in love with Stefan.

Damon’s bitterness has driven him to do some pretty extreme things. In the first season his bitterness drove him to releasing a bunch of rabid vampires on the small town of Mystic Falls, all in the hopes of finding Katherine. Katherine is the first woman that the Salvatore brothers fell in love with and she’s the woman that started the feud between the brothers.

In the beginning, I hated Damon. When he first came to Mystic Falls and started being an ass toward Stefan, I wanted him gone. I wanted some mighty fierce vampire to swoop in and slit his throat but as the season progressed, I started to see why Damon was the way that he was. I started to see the Damon that Elena believed in and the Damon that even Damon didn’t know was in him.

He started showing signs of a very hurt, deeply tortured man who I just have to get to know more. Damon has a certain charm that gets me right in the chest area. He’s got this draw to him that I’m unable to turn away from and I think it’s the knowledge I have that there is a good guy buried deep down inside the guy that Damon shows to everyone.

Damon is used to living in the shadow of his perfect brother Stefan. It’s hard to compete with someone that everyone loves and Damon has stopped trying to win everyone over and has become his own person. He’s become the bad brother who relishes his role but underneath the witty remarks, the badass-ness and all of the drama, there’s a heart that beats strongly and fiercely.

On top of the heart that I know is lurking underneath all of the human blood he consumes, his witty come backs and hilarious one liners is what keeps me coming back for more each week. I mean, there’s no one on the show that can deliver the lines he does with a straight face and still crack me the heck up.

I mean, how can you not fall in love with a guy who deliver lines like these?

Mason: I’ve heard a lot of great things about you.
Damon: Really? That’s weird because I’m a d**k.

“Stefan is different. He wants to be human. He wants to feel every episode of How I Met Your Mother.”

“Stefan likes puppy blood… little Golden Retriever blood with floppy ears. That’s his favorite.”

“Guess what? Everyone hates me. But you can’t deny: we were bad ass!”

“If I had a good side, not a way to get on it.”

“I get it. He’s the reason you live. His love lifts you up where you belong.”

“I have two liters of soccer mom in the fridge.”

“How long are you gonna blame me for turning your birth mother into a vampire?”

“I was ambushed. I was shot. Now, I’m vengeful.”

There’s plenty more from where that came from. Damon is one of those misunderstood characters that will tear at your heart. He’ll have you coming back for more each week and if you haven’t been watching this show then you should totally fix it because there’s a reason why Damon’s this month’s hero of the month and you really have to see it to figure out why.

…and that’s your scoop,


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Guest Review: One Fine Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy

Posted October 4, 2010 by Ames in Reviews | 0 Comments

Ames‘ review of One Fine Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy

When brilliant, beautiful graduate student Charlie Banks comes to Wyoming for a conference on horse communication, the last thing she expects to get is a lesson in love from sexy horse trainer Nate Shawcross. While Nate’s always had a way with horses, it’s the women in his life who have left him with romantic scars. But when Nate enlists Charlie to help him rehabilitate an abused stallion, she can’t help but be wooed by his soft touch and gentle voice. And though he’s been burned in the past, Nate is finding it harder and harder to hide his heart from the sexy greenhorn.

I picked up this book because of the cover. I’m a sucker for horses.

Unfortunately, I’m not a sucker for people, especially annoying heroines. *sigh*

Charlie is a graduate student in psychology and her student advisor is sending her to Wyoming from New Jersey to study interspecies non-verbal communication.  So she’s carted off to a horse whispering clinic for some objective observation.  Except PETA-member Charlie is anything but objective when it comes to animals and her perceived mistreatment of them.  When she sees Nate riding his horse – she thinks he’s the worst kind of human, forcing animals to do things they don’t want to do.  I like Nate’s explanation to Charlie.  He points out the horse’s teeth and size (over 1,000 lbs, thank you very much) and says there’s no way he’d get this horse to do anything it didn’t want to do.  I just felt that Charlie’s attitude went a bit far.  And hello – girl from New Jersey, where do you get off judging cowboys?

Once Charlie makes it to the ranch with Nate’s help (he rescued her from a flat tire in the middle of nowhere), Charlie quickly realizes that she’s been had.  Nate, our horse whisperer, is not even aware that he’s supposed to be teaching a bunch of people.  His ex-girlfriend set the whole thing up with a fake brochure, took all the deposits and ran with the money (and something else important to Nate).  But Charlie has quickly come to like Nate and decides to stick around and help him out – at least until someone pays the rest of their fees and Nate can give her the money to head back to Jersey as quickly as possible.

I don’t know where to begin with this book.  It definitely had potential to be a cute story, but I was just annoyed by it in the end.  Charlie is annoying – her initial bias towards cowboys notwithstanding, she does something stupid with a stallion and she liked to run away from things.  Her and her mother had The Plan and I get where her mom is coming from but Charlie is an adult.  Ok, first The Plan.  Charlie’s mom had Charlie really young and so gave up all her dreams to raise her baby girl because the father ran off.  Fine.  So Charlie grows up and refuses to let any man get close because she doesn’t want to be abandoned like her mom.  Issues, much?  It’s called protection but Charlie took it too far.  She was going to throw everything away because of The Plan.

Then there’s the ending.  Nate is the strong, silent type.  He doesn’t waste words.  But it’s to the point where he doesn’t tell Charlie some pretty important things (like that he loves her) and just assumes that Charlie is going along with his plans – when he hasn’t even told them to her in the first place!  Then Charlie and Nate like to jump to conclusions.  Annoying!  I get that Charlie does it to protect herself from hurt – she’d rather see the worst in people because she’s already looking for it anyway.  But for Nate?  It didn’t fit – and for thinking the woman he loves is driving away, he’s pretty complacent with it.

Despite all these annoying, niggling details, I enjoyed the story at the heart of this book.  A city girl in the country, a wounded man more comfortable with animals and not quite sure how to talk to women?  Nate was totally endearing.  And the thing that was taken from him?  Awwww!  I like how Charlie made him a better person.  He was kind of a doormat to his first girlfriend but being with Charlie showed him how things ought to be between two people who love each other and that gave him the guts to fight for what was his.  And she showed him his potential.  He’s the kind of guy who lives in a ranch house that his grandmother decorated and things still look the same.  He doesn’t embrace change – but he welcome the whirlwind called Charlie into his life.  And yes, once Charlie got over herself and saw how Nate worked with the animals, she wasn’t too bad, really.  She was a real help to Nate and made him believe in himself.

One Fine Cowboy gets a 3 out of 5 from me.

This book is available from Sourcebooks Casablanca. You can buy it here or here in e-format.


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