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2013 Reading Challenge
Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) has
read 0 books toward her goal of 75 books.
New-To-Me Authors
2013 reading goal:
15 new-to-me authors.
1) Stacy Gail
2) Heather Massey
3) Sidney Bristol
4) Ann Mayburn
5) Thea Harrison
6) Virna DePaul
7) Mary Quast
8) Molly Harper
9) Eleri Stone
10) PJ Schnyder
11) Kait Ballenger
12) Denise L. Wyant
13) Lucy Monroe
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Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Review: Midnight
Author: Ellen Connor
Release Date: September 6, 2011
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Dark Age Dawning #2
ISBN: #978-0425242995
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (327 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book: |
Their desire destroys her defenses.
Their love gives him a reason to live.
Their love gives him a reason to live.
Three years of wandering the post-apocalyptic wasteland has stripped Dr. Chris Welsh of humanity and hope. He’s a dangerous man now, full of dark energy and yen for violence. A harrowing loss drove him from his home, and he hasn’t stopped moving since. Grim and sardonic, he never found anything worth sticking around for–until now.
Rosa Cortez runs Valle de Bravo, a haven of civilization amid the chaos of the Change. Soldiers take their orders directly from her–the iron hand within a velvet glove. The last thing she needs is a feral loner upsetting the town’s tentative balance. However, for the good of her people, she lets the sexy doctor stay. He evokes a delicious new longing, but she won’t submit to any man.
Tension rises as bloodthirsty raiders strike again and again, bent on possessing Valle and its resources. Together Chris and Rosa battle hellhounds and dust pirates while also fighting desperate attraction. To save them, love must overcome the pain of the past–and build a future in this brutal Dark Age…
What G & U are talking about: |
Midnight is the second novel in one of the best new series this year, Dark Age Dawning. Gikany read the first book, Nightfall while Una did not. We do recommend that you read the first book due to the fact that it sets this new world up. Plus, Gikany says the first book is awesome. Una is going to go back and read it because she loved Midnight and wants the back-story she knows she is missing (since it is alluded to in this book).
This story begins in Valle de Bravo with our heroine, Rosa Cortez. We loved her. She is a no nonsense woman who works very hard to keep herself and those she “adopts” safe. She has taken an abandoned town and turned it into one of the few safe havens left in what was the United States. Rosa maintains order by walking a tightrope between being the unattainable and stoic “la jefa” and the Madonna. Everything is going fine; she is able, with the strength and loyalty of her bravos, men who have pledged themselves to her service, to hold back the hellhounds, skinwalkers and most importantly the dust pirates. Until, Dr. Chris Welsh shows up and changes…everything.
We loved the interplay between Chris and Rosa in Midnight. It is very entertaining to watch the way they “danced” around each other – between their attraction to each other, their prejudices and their passions. Chris has been wandering in the desert, alone, after the first book, feeling that he is not worthy to be around people. However, he finds himself in Valle de Bravo, and once he meets Rosa, unable to make himself move on. Despite his best efforts, he finds himself an integral member of the community and, surprisingly, likes it.
The world that has been created in Midnight is as rich as it is stark and desolate. As the change has eliminated the technology and magic has taken its hold, it has a feel of a futuristic wild west. However, it does so without being cliché or trite. It seems highly unlikely that it could actually happen (you would have to believe that magic exists AND that its rebirth would wipe out technology), but the writing and characters make it feel real to the reader.
Gikany and Una thoroughly enjoyed the novel. It was a fast paced, imaginative, nail-biting ride. We eagerly look forward to the third novel, Daybreak due out later this year.
Their Rating: |
Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
PURCHASE INFO:
Monday, September 19, 2011
Review: Romancing the Countess
Please welcome my guest, Angela, who brings you today's review of...
Romancing the Countess
Author: Ashley March Release Date: September 6, 2011
Publisher: Signet
Romancing #1
ISBN: #978-0451234513
Genre: Historical Romance
Format(s): Paperback (320 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book: |
Sebastian Madinger, the Earl of Wriothesly, thought he'd married the perfect woman-until a fatal accident revealed her betrayal with his best friend. After their deaths, Sebastian is determined to avoid a scandal for the sake of his son. But his best friend's widow is just as determined to cast her mourning veil aside by hosting a party that will surely destroy both their reputations and expose all of his carefully kept secrets...
Leah George has carried the painful knowledge of her husband's affair for almost a year. All she wants now is to enjoy her independence and make a new life for herself-even if that means being ostracized by the Society whose rules she was raised to obey. Now that the rumors are flying, there's only one thing left for Sebastian to do: silence the scandal by enticing the improper widow into becoming a proper wife. But when it comes to matters of the heart, neither Sebastian nor Leah is prepared for the passion they discover in each other's arms....
What Ang is talking about: |
I love a good romance one in which there is foreplay, intelligent conversations, witty banter and an opportunity to get to know the characters. Ashley March did a fabulous job of giving me all these elements in her book Romancing the Countess.
Leah and Sebastian are strong willed, determined people who dealing with the rules of Victorian England and their spouse’s deaths and affair in very different ways. Ways that could cost them both everything unless something drastic happens. It is on this path to the drastic that we watch them fall in love. March captures the pain of self realization and of learning to give oneself wholly to another beautifully and she does it with wit and banter reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice. The people surrounding our characters are the perfect accent, the scenery is wonderful and sets the perfect backdrop for our characters and their story, the verbal foreplay is delicious and the lovemaking well worth the wait.
My only complaints are that I wish we would have gotten to know more of Sebastian and his inner workings as we did Leah. In addition, I felt that the language at the end of the novel seemed completely out of place for the time period and for our characters. Had those things been tweaked I could have given this 5 stars instead we must settle for 4.
It was a delightful afternoon escape to another time and place with characters that made me laugh, tear up and yell at them. Any book that can illicit that strong a reaction from me must be shared with others.
Angela's Rating: |
Purchase information:
End of Summer Book Giveaway
Hello readers... It’s that time of year... Back to school, leaves changing colors, cooler days and nights! Well, I want to help heat those chilly nights back up with an END OF SUMMER GIVEAWAY!! How do these titles sound?
Mark of the Rose by Kate Pearce
After hearing that Vampires have returned to the court of Henry VIII, Rhys Williams must form an unwanted alliance with Verity Llewellyn, a lady-in-waiting to the new queen. His childhood companion has grown into a clever and beautiful woman, but she is completely untried as a Vampire hunter.
The revelation that the queen is pregnant only makes the situation all the more dangerous. Who is systematically draining her blood and how, without being noticed? As Rhys and Verity work together to untangle the mystery, the battle to save the queen and the heir to the throne heats up—as does the uncontrollable passion between them.
Ecstasy Wears Emeralds by Renee Bernard
Like all the Jaded Gentleman, Dr. Rowan West may have his secrets, but he's done his best to forgive the ghosts of his past. Until the beautiful Miss Gayle Renshaw appears on his doorstep, jeopardizing his medical practice, his reputation, and, worst of all, his heart.
Virtue and Vice by Megan Hart
Years ago, while lowly kitchen maid Notsah was fleeing the king's guard, she burst into the private chambers of the very man she was stealing from: Prince Jarron Bydelay. But he showed her mercy and dismissed her pursuer, Erekon, Captain of the King's Guard. Ten years later, Notsah has returned as Handmaiden to the new king. He might not remember her past, but Erekon does-and is determined to use her to get what he wants from his new king. Now, if Jarron learns her secret, she'll lose the only man she's ever loved-and if she doesn't tell him, he'll never truly love her back...
The Dark Earl by Virginia Henley
Thomas's father, the Earl of Lichfield, has gambled away the family's honor, and now it's cost them everything at Shugborough Hall. The estate sale is shameful enough for Thomas without some precocious young female sneaking around his property, but vivacious Harry has caught him sneaking around as well...
When they meet again years later, neither Harry nor Viscount Anson has forgotten their encounter. While Thomas has grown into the exact opposite of his reprobate father, Harry is outspoken, audacious, and now, Thomas must admit, quite a beauty. But he's committed to restoring the family holdings, not chasing after a wife. If only she wasn't hurling herself against his principles--and haviong such a good time doing it...
One lucky winner will receive all four books for some hot autumn reading.
The Rules: To be entered, you must leave a comment describing your favorite fall activity. You do not need to be a google follower of my blog, but it always appreciated. Contest is open from September 19, 2011 until Friday September 23, 2011 at 9:00 PM EDT. If your email is not part of your profile, please leave it so I may contact the winner. One entry per person. Contest is restricted to US and Canadian mailing addresses only. One (1) winner will be selected from eligible entries using random.org. I am not responsible for items lost in the mail.
Thanks and Happy Reading!
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Sunday, September 18, 2011
Sunday Snippet #76
Roped Emotions
by Elise Hepner
Ellora’s CaveSeptember 14, 2011
“What in Christ’s name…”
I must be hearing echoes from the town nearby, where Mother sells her herbs and braided goods. No one ventures this far toward my tower because Mother’s gone to great lengths to see that they don’t—bear traps are her new favorite method of discouragement. Once one life is claimed, I imagine word spreads fairly quickly to stay away from the area. Why then are there hoof beats that make my head pulse with a slight pain?
There’s no understandable excuse I can delude myself with any longer. Before I can focus on the consequences, I swing my head out the window into the oppressive, humid summer air. Just the very top of his head is visible, his hair brushing past his cheekbones, glowing from the sunshine and shot through with gold. Never have I seen a color so close to my own before—not that I see many people.
For a few moments I can’t quite come to terms with his presence and it’s not for a lack of staring that my pulse inevitably echoes inside my head like an overbeaten drum. This is my chance. Mother won’t be back for quite some time with her wares. He’s circling the tower, slouched over a horse who looks a bit like a nag. Certainly not a proper horse for a man with such fine clothes in gorgeous colors and sumptuous fabrics.
There’s no going back from this moment. It’s a certainty that makes my teeth chatter in a wash of cold fear, despite the heat, and my hands clasp around my middle as I try to hold myself together. He hasn’t looked up yet, more intent on studying the free-standing structure than noticing my shadow plastered across the grass. My mind is desperately working out what I’ll cry out to him. Even as my throat closes with an infusion of happiness that makes me rock on my feet.
“Excuse me?” A tentative question I’m not sure he will hear because it can’t be any louder than a frightened whisper. “Sir, you’re really not supposed to be here.”
Somehow, I’ve managed to make this part louder because he glances up—and his slack-jawed expression is a blow to my chest. He possesses the most gorgeous cobalt blue eyes. Underneath my ribs, the pain grows until taking a full breath is hard. Mother is right, he hasn’t even overcome his shock as my heavy plait of hair rests down the stone side of my prison. He’s not to be trusted.
What am I thinking? He won’t even come near me to aid my escape and his eyes are swamped in confusion—and there’s a flash of unreadable emotion that I refuse to question. He must leave here now and I must somehow convince him to bring no one back with him. I won’t be paraded around for anyone’s amusement. This man has made a mistake coming here.
Yet, there’s still a part of me that grips the windowsill until my palms are numb and that clings to the hope that he will at least acknowledge me. So long since I’ve had any kind of normal conversation. One that didn’t revolve around my hair, my rules or my mother’s day. Won’t he say anything? I’m as trapped by his thick silence as I am by the beauty of his face.
“Please, you must go and tell no one about what you’ve seen. You shouldn’t have ignored the traps. They are there for a reason.”
I don’t know how I’ve gotten that all out because my main focus lies on the foreign stirrings of heat in my cheeks as the pulsing sensation twists lower in my abdomen. What is happening to me? With a certainty that surprises me, I find myself clenching my thighs together, only to have the subtle touch of flesh-on-flesh be more than I can bear. He has yet to take his gaze from mine and a shudder slips up my spine.
“How long have you been here?” His voice carries the strain I hold back and I’m slightly put at ease that at least we are on similar ground. “Who did this to you?”
“For a man who is about to leave, I don’t believe it matters.”
The words barely tumble out of my mouth before I clamp my hand over my lips. I hadn’t meant to be so harsh and instantly regret it. He is so handsome—and these sudden urges, they are overwhelming and confusing to the point where I wish to completely remove the problem. My lips part in an apology and I watch a jovial grin span from ear to ear as he laughs at me until I can’t hear anything but the frantic beat of my heart.
Who is this man? Now he stares at me with a playfulness that washes a wave of goose bumps across my flesh. He doesn’t seem offended, merely amused at my suggestion that he leave. To further that fact, he quickly dismounts and ties his horse to a nearby tree branch. While I can only stare at the way his tight riding boots and breeches hug his muscular body from his calves all the way up to his perfectly rounded buttocks.
Though I’d learned of desire from my mother—and all its wicked principles—I never expected it to rear its head in my lonely, simple world.
However, now my life spirals out of control quickly enough that I tilt back against the wall to my left and watch with trembling hands. This mysterious man climbs the wall of my tower as if it had been built to be climbed so easily—without any aid from my hair. One strong, sun-kissed hand and booted foot at a time. When he offers up his hand to me to pull him over the side, what choice do I have? Even a man that strong would eventually grow tired and plummet to his death—and I want him tucked close to my body, not on the ground.
“I was beginning to wonder what it took to get some assistance.”
He softly grunts and clasps my hand hard enough that I gasp as I shift my weight to pull him over the side. Muscles I didn’t know existed inside me burn with sharp pain from disuse because of my isolation. His touch radiates heat all along my arm. If it wasn’t for his precarious situation, I would fight to pull away on instinct—but as it is, he manages to throw himself into my home with as much grace as a charging boar—and he trips, falling on top of me and sending us to the hard, stone floor.
His surprisingly soft hand brushes the hair out of my face and lingers, gently stroking, down my cheek. Should I be frightened? Probably. At the moment I can’t bear the thought that my first sincerely gentle touch from a man would be anything but special. His sharp leather scent surrounds my tingling skin.
“Isn’t this a day for surprises?” His gaze cuts through all the fear inside me and his mouth holds the subtle curve of a half smile. “I should move myself off you, this isn’t proper at all when we’ve barely been introduced.”
Yet he doesn’t move an inch.
A realization whips through my mind and would have left me on the floor if I wasn’t already pinned there by a gorgeous man who touches me with such reverence I might weep. When will this happen again? After this twisted, meandering path of fate, there is no doubt I will be alone again—and I want a loving memory to cling to at night when my old fears tighten my chest until I can’t breathe. This is a choice I can make for myself. And I won’t live the rest of my ordinary, sheltered life not knowing true passion when it burns across my skin.
“They call me Rapunzel.”
“Samuel.”
His inviting smile lights up my whole world.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Review: Never Been Bit
Never Been BitAuthor: Lydia Dare
Release Date: September 1, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Regency Vampyre #3
ISBN: #978-1402245138
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (384 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book: |
The glittering world of high society is the playground for the rich, titled, and reluctantly undead...
Alec MacQuarrie's after-life has become an endless search for pleasure in an effort to overcome his heartbreak and despair. Wandering through the seedy world of London's demimonde, he's changed into a dark and fearsome creature even he doesn't recognize until he stumbles into a magical lass he knew once upon a time and sees a glimpse of the life he could have had.
But the ton is no match for one incorrigible young lady...
After watching each of her coven sisters happily marry, Sorcha Ferguson is determined to capture a Lycan husband of her very own. When she encounters Alec, she decides to save her old friend from what he's become, all while searching for her own happily-ever-after.
Over his dead body is Alec going to allow this enchanting innocent to throw herself away on an unworthy werewolf, but that leaves him responsible for her, and he's the worst monster of them all...
What I’m talking about: |
Never Been Bit is the third installment of the Regency Vampyre Series, and the 7th book in Ms. Dare’s paranormal/historical adventures, which started with the Westfield Brother’s series. For those that have followed the series (or my reviews), Never Been Bit is the conclusion of the stories about the sisterhood of Scottish witches, collectively known as the Coig. Youngest witch, Sorcha, finally finds her HEA (happily ever after) with long-time friend, Alec MacQuarrie.
If you are new to the series, you certainly can read this one as a stand alone, but like with most series, you appreciate the characters more if you’ve read their history. And Alec MacQuarrie is one of those characters that has changed and developed over the course of several books.
I have been looking forward to reading Never Been Bit ever since the dramatic conclusion of It Happened One Bite (review HERE) when Alec was transformed into a vampyre. It was done to save his life; however Alec found little happiness in continuing forward without hope and love in his life. Alec spent years pining for Cait, only to have her marry another (The Taming of the Wolf, HERE), so now he feels he has no chance of ever becoming human again like others of his kind. (A vampyre that finds true love will become human.) His character transformed from a overly-concerned friend to a heart-broken playboy, bent on ruining his own existence, yet not wanting to completely die. I was actually a bit shocked at how low Alec had gone - using whores and earning a reputation among the women who enjoy spending “quality time” with vampyres.
Sorcha, on the other hand, is a sweet and innocent young thing. She has spirit and determination and causes those around her to smile and enjoy life a bit more. She has supported each of her friends as they found true love and she’s determined to find a love of her own. However, along the way, she makes it her mission to save Alec from himself. As the two spend time together, Sorcha realizes that Alec is a lot more special than just an old friend. Sorcha’s purity gives her a refreshing outlook in even the darkest of situations.
As someone who has read the series, I have to say I was a bit put off by how badly Alec had changed. The introduction of Delia, Browning and Tillie (associates from the “gentlemen’s club”) seemed almost contrived to create conflict for Alec and Sorcha. However, I was able to look past it, even when Delia was found in Alec’s bed.
I was also frustrated with Alec’s continued disbelief that he would never find love. The author did a good job of building his case, but maybe it’s just the hopeless romantic in me - I felt that once he realized he didn’t love Cait, that he would have hope for himself.
Overall, the story was entertaining and a fitting conclusion for the series. And I am hopeful for more stories based on the ending of Never Been Bit (which was adorable and I enjoyed it!) When I met her at AAD in Philadelphia, I asked Ms. Tammy Falkner (one half of the Lydia Dare writing team) about future books for Radbourne and his brothers, and she smiled. That made me smile. Ms. Dare’s mix of regency and paranormal is one I’m not ready to give up.
My Rating: |
Liked it a lot - recommend (B+)
IAD Reading Challenge FAIL! Part Deux
Hey folks....
Yes, today is the day for my monthly Immortals After Dark book review and discussion. Once again, I have not read the book. This is now the third month in a row that I have failed to keep up with my own challenge. I am disappointed in myself and feel like I’ve let down my readers. But the bottom line is that the review load is more than I can handle at the moment. Life is only getting busier, and I honestly have lost the drive to try and keep up.
Also, no one was showing interest any longer in the discussions, so I felt like I was making a huge effort for nothing.
This is why I need to step away from the IAD Reading Challenge. It is no longer fun - and that was the purpose. I hate to admit “defeat,” but in this case, I need to just let it go.
So with “heavy heart” I am announcing the end of the IAD Reading Challenge. I hope that if you started reading the books with me, you finish. I know I still plan to read them - maybe next year?!
I appreciate those that started the challenge with me and all who stopped by and offered comments and/or words of encouragement. Thank you!
Happy Reading!
BBAW Day 5: Blogging
Friday September 16th: Blogging
Welcome to the final day of Book Blogger Appreciation Week. Today we are discussing Blogging. The world of blogging is continually changing. Share 3 things you are essential tried and true practices for every blogger and 1-3 new trends or tools you’ve adapted recently or would like to in the future.
Welcome to the final day of Book Blogger Appreciation Week. Today we are discussing Blogging. The world of blogging is continually changing. Share 3 things you are essential tried and true practices for every blogger and 1-3 new trends or tools you’ve adapted recently or would like to in the future.
This post is a bit harder for me. Although my blog is over a year and a half now, I still am very new to the game. I don’t know what works for every blogger, but I can tell you things that work for me. I also don’t really follow trends or use tools, so I’m going to skip that part of the discussion. With that here are some of my “essential practices.”
1) Use a word-processing and/or blogger editing program to compose your posts.
I can’t tell you how many times I lost part or all of a post when I first started. I would compose my reviews and posts directly in the blogger window. Something would happen and BAM! the post was gone. So now I write all of my posts in Pages (the Mac version of Word) before I post. Generally, the formatting carries over and I’m go to go!
2) Use the scheduling tool.
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| Image by Kristina B (flickr) |
I try to write my posts ahead of time, and then I schedule the post for the next day, next week, etc. Most bloggers already do this, but when I first started, I didn’t know I could do that - or how to do it. And if you are like me - be sure to set the post date and time first thing so that you don’t accidentally publish the post.
3) Keep your information and links up to date and active.
First of all... I am guilty of not following through on this tip myself. HOWEVER, it is important. You all know how frustrating it can be when you click a link and it’s a dead end, or goes someplace outdated.
And my final tip for today is...
4) Ask questions.
If you see something you like on someone else’s website... Ask them how they did that. If you enjoy a feature you see, ask that blogger where they found it. Most bloggers are willing to share their “secrets” and give you a hand.What are practices and/or tips for blogging that work for you?
I hope you have enjoyed Book Blogger Appreciation Week 2011. It has been a fun experience for me.
Happy Reading!
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