Friday, November 28, 2008

The Scorpion and the Seducer


Synopsis From B&N.com:



Jasmine Tristan was no stranger to the upper crust of English society. And yet, though adopted by a viscount, she was called the "Brown Scorpion" and knew the cruel sting of isolation. When her anger won out, her mother voiced fears. Was Jasmine truly bad at her core, like her sultan father from whom they'd fled? How could she be, when with Lord Thomas Claradon she'd known a moment of pure beauty? Their kiss had been scorching as a desert sun. But like a sandstorm, it was misdirecting: Thomas's mother's disdain and his loyalty to family and duty put him forever out of reach. Only a return to her birthplace, a quest to find her roots, would bring Jasmine the answer--and it would prove that true love could triumph over ignorance, passion over prejudice










From page one, The Scorpion and the Seducer managed to draw me right into the story. The writing and the story was amazing, compelling and interesting. Bonnie Vanak is a wonderful author, truly a one of a kind, who writes romances that are not only steamy but touching and very vivid, not only in the emotions but also in the descriptions of the story and characters, the background and culture. Like all of her other books, The S & the S is set in Egypt, with a bit of England thrown in, and she manages to capture all of the country's bright colors and culture, painting a beautiful story as you read. Vanak has a way with words that very few authors have.
Jasmine and Thomas's story was very touching and loving, and the journey they had to endure to be together forever was long and treacherous, but they stuck to it. Besides their love, which was tender and sweet, their conversations were also very interesting and funny. Jasmine is no meek and weak English miss, but a fiery and tough woman who has no problem speaking her mind. Because of this, she won't back down when Thomas, or any one else for that matter, tries to engage her in a battle of wits and remarks, which leads to a very funny play on words between them. And since you know that they love each other, their 'battles' of words are that much more enjoyable.
Aside from the romance, which was also very intense and sexy in all the right places, The S & the S was filled with intrigue and mystery, suspense and action, which blended together perfectly with all the other elements- there wasn't too much of any one of them. I love how Vanak writes such delightful stories set in the captivating backdrop of the heated and magical Egypt, something that I don't see in many historical romances, and definitely never describe to the extent that Vanak does. She makes everything flow together, moving along smoothly, painting the perfect picture to go along with the story.
5/5 STARS! An absolutely delicious romance that has everything you could possibly want in it: tender love, steamy sex, wit and humor, suspense and action. Easily one of the best romance novels out there, written by one of the top authors in the field! A must read for anyone.
~TBQ~

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

I know what a scoundrel wants!

"Shadow Kiss"...AMAZING!!

Synopsis From B&N.com:

WHAT IF FOLLOWING HER HEART MEANS ROSE COULD LOSE HER BEST FRIEND FOREVER?

Rose Hathaway knows it is forbidden to love another guardian. Her best friend, Lissa-the last Dragomir princess-must always come first. Unfortunately, when it comes to gorgeous Dimitri Belikov, some rules are meant to be broken . . .

But since making her first Strigoi kills, Rose hasn't been feeling right. Something dark has begun to grow in her mind, and ghostly shadows warn of a terrible evil drawing nearer to the Academy's iron gates. And now that Lissa and Rose's sworn enemy, Victor Dashkov, is on trial for his freedom, tensions in the Moroi world are higher than ever.

Lying to Lissa about Dimitri is one thing, but now there's way more than friendship at stake. The immortal undead are prowling, and they want vengeance for the lives that Rose has stolen. In a heart-stopping battle to rival her worst nightmares, Rose will have to choose between life, love, and the two people who matter most . . . but will her choice mean that only one can survive?




Richelle Mead tells a wicked and emotional story about vampires-- but not just any vampires. The Vampire Academy Series, especially Shadow Kiss, is filled with action, mystery, suspense, and yes, even love. It has the perfect mixture of light humor and dark angst, which I think can appeal to almost anyone, both the teenage crowd it was printed for and adults too.

Rose's story has been constantly developing and evolving since the very beginning-- every time you think you know what's going to happen, Mead does a complete 180, catching you by surprise and throwing you right back into a new situation that you never, in your wildest dreams, could have imagined. She knows how to tell the story in a way that it keeps you interested and wondering AND doesn't confuse you at the same time, something that not all authors can do.

Besides the amazing storyline, the characters are also great. Rose and Lissa are very vivid and you can tell that they are good friends. Christian and Adrian, while slightly 'darker' in personality, are both interesting and funny in their own way, and also deep, not just a couple of characters brought in to fill up space.

And Dimitri... Oh My! Not only is he described as a total hotty, but he's also very intense, strong, brave, and STILL sweet and loving with Rose. Their love is forbidden, not only because of the slight age difference but also because of the duties they have that will always come first. And yet, despite these hardships, they've managed to still make do, even if it's been very rough. Because of this, their emotions seem that much more intense and true, and there's not doubt that besides loving each other in the physical sense, they also love each other, in the true emotional sense of the word. Their passion jumps right off the page, burning everything it touches, but Mead writes it in such a way that you realize that it's not just sex, but something deeper, and it's not written to look cheap or overly graphic. A mature teenage could read it just as easily as an adult can, and probably relate to their relationship too.

I've been following the series from the very beginning, and devoured each book, and even I never saw the twist Shadow Kiss would take-- especially the ending! I will admit that I was pretty dang close to tears during a certain part at the end, and when I realized that Mead was leaving us at a cliff hanger until the next book, I screamed out my frustration, because the story is just that good, that captivating and interesting, that I HAVE to know what happens next! All I can say is she had better not ruin the series in the next book *If you read it and get to the end, you'll know what I mean. I don't wish to spoil it for anyone.* and book four had better come out soon! Until then, I'll definitely be spending my time re-reading the first three, obsessing over them and waiting, impatiently, for the next one.

5/5 STARS! An amazing book about vampires, suspense, action, and love. The pages fly by, and any reader, teen or adult, will find Rose's world to be intriguing and delicious. A must read for any one who wants to be blown away by a fantasy novel that grabs you by the shirt and pulls you right in!


~TBQ~

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

"White Nights"



Synopsis From B&N.com:

Eirica Macauley sees the road to better days: the remainder of the Oregon Trail. The trail is hard, even for experienced cattle hands like James Jones, but the mans will and determination lend Eirica strength. Yet, Eirica knows she can never accept the cowboy's love; the shadows that darken her past will hardly disappear in the light of day. But as each night passes and their wagon train draws nearer its destination, James's intentions grow clearer James stays beside her, the beautiful widow knows that when dawn comes, shell no longer be alone.









Up until I read my first Susan Edwards book, Summer of the Eagle, I've always disliked western/native american related romances. Not because of the culture or race, but because the few that I had read before I found to be very lacking and boring. But Ms. Edwards writes a fantastic, romantic, and adventurous story that just happens to be set in a western era, in this case the long trail to Oregon, the land of opportunity back then. You'll find yourself pulled right into the story, and you won't be able to put it down until it's over!



Ericia and James' story is a very touching one, and I found myself sighing with pleasure and even about to wipe away a stray tear or two. Their love is strong, true, and not just based on the sexual things, like some relationships. Don't get me wrong-- the sexual aspect of the love story is important and enjoyable, but it's not everything. Though the love scenes in White Nights are steamy and tender, they also show you the emotions behind their connection. Their love starts out as more of a sweet, pure love and it's a while before they do more than kiss, something that would usually bother me or make the story slow, but in this case, it only adds to the over all goodness of the book.


Challanges and road blocks create a rocky path for their love to travel on, but they still manage to over come it in the end. White Nights is more than just a book about love, it's also about family and friends, moving on and starting over. Ericia's husband, Birk, is a real bas**d, I'm sorry to say but it's true. He abused her and their small children, he treated her without respect, and he didn't care one bit about any of them. Because of this, both Ericia and the children have been scarred by the father's action, and they are scared and shy, until James shows them that he loves them all and he wants to be part of their family, that he will take care of them forever. The change doesn't happen over night, but watching the children warm up to him and come to call him Papa, along with the charming love story brewing between him and Ericia, makes the story that much better.



Though I wish I had the first couple of books in Ms. Edwards White Series, so that I could have read them in order, it is not necessary to do so. You could go out and pick up this book right now *Though you'd better hope your library has it, since almost all of her books, this one included, have been out of print for a few years now. I was lucky to find most of them at my used bookstore in town.* and you wouldn't be lost. However, you may find yourself becoming interested in the various other character's lives and love stories, some of which have already been written and some that have yet to have their own story, and want to go back and read all of the previous ones right away. I know I do! I'm especially interested in reading Wolf's story, but I haven't been able to find it yet...



4.5/5 STARS! An amazing western based romance that is filled with sparks and tears, love and adventure, family and life. A simple story line made so much better by the characters, diaglouge, and gentle love story.



~TBQ~

Monday, November 10, 2008

"The Bride"



Synopsis From B&N.com:

By edict of the king, the mighty Scottish laird Alec Kincaid must take an English bride. His choice was Jamie, youngest daughter of Baron Jamison...a feisty, violet-eyed beauty. Alec ached to touch her, to tame her, to possess her...forever. But Jamie vowed never to surrender to this highland barbarian.

He was everything her heart warned against—an arrogant scoundrel whose rough good looks spoke of savage pleasures. And thought Kincaid's scorching kisses fired her blood, she brazenly resisted him...until one rapturous moment quelled their clash of wills, and something far more dangerous than desire threatened to conquer her senses...





After hearing raving reviews about Julie's work over the past four or five years, I finally found two of her books in my local bookstore and quickly grabbed them up. The covers on the books, well, on the newest reprint of the books at least, are breathtakingly beautiful and that alone made me love the book. Plus, it is set in my favorite country and time period: Scotland in the medieval times. I wasn't surprised that I ended up loving the book as much as I did, not after all the recommendations and the perfect story written by Garwood.

The story was amazing, brilliantly written and delivered. Garwood knows how to write a story that is both interesting and romantic, sensual and sexual, depending on the specific scene, funny and sweet, witty and charming. The characters were well developed and dynamic, and before you got half way through the book you find yourself falling in love with them. I can't wait to read more of her books, and I hope that some of the beloved characters we met in this book will return in one of her other books.

One of the things I loved the most about Alec and Jamie's story was the fact that while Alec was very possessive and strong *A total Highland Larid, of course!*, he also proved to be caring, funny, tender and loving. When he started to fall for Jamie, and she started to fall for him in return, I almost had to wipe away a few tears, their story and connection were that strong and intense, almost gut-wrenchingly so. I wish that I had a man like Alec. He accept Mary even though she wasn't his child, and he proved to be a wonderful father. He loved to rouse Jamie's spark and passion, which is also something I enjoyed: Both the fact that he was so intrigued by having such a strong woman as his wife and the fact that she wasn't a wimpy heroine, which I cannot stand in a romance novel *or any book, really*.

Their love scenes were both tender and intense, passionate and steamy, and even playful at times. It showed the emotional and physically side of their relationship nicely, which is something that is sometimes lacking in other romances. I can now say that I am a proud Julie Garwood fan. :)

5/5 STARS! A wonderfully exciting tale of medieval love and adventure in the highlands, told by an amazing author. The characters and their story will stick with long after the book is over.

~TBQ~

Friday, November 7, 2008

"Be Still My Vampire Heart"

Synopsis From B&N.com:


If it was still beating. Angus MacKay has been undead for almost five hundred years and it's not often something, or someone, surprises him. Until Emma Wallace. The sight of this luscious agent from the CIA's elite Stake-Out team was enough to stop Angus in his tracks. But then he discovers that she's a vampire slayer, intent on killing the "monsters" who killed her parents. And it's Angus's job to stop her.

The only good vampire is a dead vampire. It's been Emma's motto since she committed her life to the destruction of these things. Now Angus MacKay wants to convince her differently.

Sure, he's a sexy Highland warrior who seems to have stepped off the cover of a romance novel, complete with brogue, kilt, and sword, but he's also one of them. And it's her job to kill him.

The war is on, but will it end in the destruction of one or both of them . . . or in total surrender to a passion for the ages?



I love romances, especially paranormals, but I've never been one for 'light' ones, chick lit types or contemporary. Yet I fell in love with Be Still My Vampire Heart , which could fit into all of those categories! I guess this proves that if you find the right story plot and author, you can fall in love with genres that you normally would not even think to pick up.

The story is FILLED with plenty of witty and hilarious remarks and scenes-- the vampires in this series are very funny, and for the most part they seem to be foreign (Scottish, French, etc....Hmm.. Scottish!), which only adds to their over all appeal. Angus (Not a huge fan of the name, by the way..) was very sexy and funny at the same time. I laughed more in this book than I have in a looong, long time! Romances usually do not make me laugh except for an occasional chuckle, but BSMVH made me laugh out loud often and when I wasn't laughing, I was at least smiling. The dialogue and characters are charming, funny, and interesting.

Besides having a great dose of humor, the book was also filled with some pretty steamy love scenes, tamer than what I am use to, but still steamy and satisfying. These scenes are based a lot more on real emotions and connection than just plain sex, which also added to the story. You could tell that they really cared for each other and they respected each other. They laughed, they talked, they teased and they flirted. Their relationship was very sweet and real, and I loved it. Angus is a total gentleman, sexy and protective but still caring and sweet. I love him! And Emma was intriguing too, for a heroine that is.

The story line was also pretty captivating. It was filled with a bit of suspense and action, which was nice. Not too much, but not so little that it seems like an after thought. I think that Sparks writes a nice story, not what I would normally go for *See my first paragraph* but she is now officially going on my top list. I can't wait to go back and read the previous books in this series, though I am not sure if any of them can top Angus on my favorite hero meter for the series, but who knows? It's possible! The other vamps that we are introduced to are also interesting, and I hope that a lot of them get their own story soon.

5/5 STARS! An amazingly charming, delightful, and delicious paranormal romance that leans more towards the light side but is just as enjoyable as a complex and tension-filled one. A definite must read for anyone, even non-paranormal fans.

~TBQ~

Thursday, November 6, 2008

"Revealers" by Amanda Marrone

Synopsis From B&N.com:

Witchin' ain't easy.



Jules has a rebellious streak, a massive crush on Connor, and the abilities of a Revealer witch. By day, she and her coven friends seem like typical high school seniors. By night, they have the power to make werewolves, vampires, and ghosts reveal themselves, so they can destroy them. It's not exactly cheerleading, but at least the girls know they're doing the world some good.



One by one, Jules's friends turn eighteen and are initiated into the coven's inner circle. And one by one, they are getting completely freaked out. Jules is the youngest, and though her friends are too scared tell her what's going on, something's clearly not right. As her birthday approaches, Jules realizes she's got to find out what's behind the shadows of her coven before it's too late to save her friends...and herself. But what she discovers may be too powerful for even the toughest witches to defeat.







If you read Amanda Marrone's first book, Uninvited, and found it to be lacking in substance, have no fear: Revealers is 10x's better, the characters are more interesting and developed, the plot is intricate and compelling, and the light touch of romance is much, much better. In other words, if you, like me, were unhappy with her first novel, I promise that you NEED to read Revealers!
Revealers is a story filled with paranormal activity-- witches, demons, ghosts, vampires, and shapeshifters of all sorts. Add to that the characters, which are much more dynamic than Uninvited's 2D characters;the witty and sarcastic humor; the mystery and suspense that comes into play during most of the first half but continues a bit into the last half when they finally realize what their coven has been up to all these years; and yes, even a slight touch of romance towards the end, and you have, in my opinion, a great teen fantasy book that can be enjoyed by adults too.
But Be warned: Even though it is geared towards a younger audience, I wouldn't pass it on to just any teen, especially under the age of 15 or so, due to the fact that they do swear a fair amount *F-Word included!* and there are a few scenes that may be inappropriate for younger kids. But if you can get past these 'flaws', the story line itself is amazing.
5/5 STARS! A spectacular story, one that I would recommend to every fantasy/paranormal fan. I hope that Marrone continues to write more books that are just as wonderful as Revealers! I would love to read more about Jules' world and what will happen next.
~TBQ~

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

"The Devil's Temptation"

Synopsis From B&N.com:
Lady Maura Daventry has been forced to endure the condemnation and whispered speculation of society ever since the murder of her scandalous mother. But when Maura inadvertently discovers that the wrong person might have been held responsible for the crime, she sets out to find answers by teaming up with Gabriel Sutcliffe, Earl of Hawksley, the one man who could prove to be a threat to her vulnerable heart: the devilishly handsome and dangerously seductive son of the very man once accused of her mother's death...
Though I was hesitant when I first started reading this book, mainly because the story seemed to move a bit slowly at first, by the time the hero and heroine met for the second time, I was hooked, drawn into the story completely, where I stayed until the very end. And what an ending it was!
Kimberly Logan's The Devil's Temptation is not only a sweet and steamy historical romance, but it's characters are intriguing and the plot is filled with suspense and mystery *Who killed Maura's mother and why? Are they still at large and was Gabriel's father murdered too? Only time will tell...*. Between the love story and the mystery case, you'll find yourself enjoying the book every step of the way. And like me, you will probably want to go back and read her previous books too.
The first book in this series, Sins of Midnight, covers Julian, the older sister's story, while the third one that came out this year, Seduced by Sin, covers the younger sister, Aimee's story. I have not yet read either one, but after reading DT, I am now anxious to read them. Especially Aimee's story, after I read the line at the end of this book, said by the mysterious killer, which said something alone the lines of:
"He'd be fine as long as the youngest daughter didn't remember what happened years ago.."
4.5/5 STARS!! The story is interesting and captivating, the love scenes and connection are both steamy and touching, and the hero, Gabriel, is delicious (Just his name alone... Gabriel...Gabriel...Gabriel! And come on-- his ripped six pack on the cover? Double Delicious!). A very charming, delightful, and sexy story that is filled with mysteries from beginning to end.
TBQ

Monday, November 3, 2008

"Mistress of Scandal"

Synopsis From B&N.com:

Proper, reserved Francesca detests chaotic London and one of its most infamous inhabitants: her birth mother, the notorious courtesan Madame Aphrodite. Lovingly raised by the devoted Lady Greentree, she's content to remain in Yorkshire, far from the scandalous parent whose life and profession shock . . . yet intrigue her. But a dark, dangerous stranger she rescues on the moors is awakening a most improper desire—causing Francesca to question whether she is more her mother's daughter than she ever wished to be. When Sebastian Thorne agrees to protect Aphrodite's estranged daughter from a dire threat emerging from her past, the fallen lord is unexpectedly seduced by Francesca's beauty. But a vigilante living on the shadowy edge of society has little hope to own such a prize—and unless he reclaims his abandoned title and lost honor, Sebastian will never get close enough to the bewitching lady to save her life . . . or win her passion. Though I have not yet read the first two books in this series *Though I swear that they both look very, very familiar, and I am wondering if I may have read them and somehow forgot to mark them as read in my library...*, I think it's safe to say that Bennett's Greentree Sister Series is one filled with laughs, adventures, mystery and love. A great historical romance that is sure to charm almost every romance fan. The one thing that did bug me in the book was the hero and heroine's first love scene. She was a virgin, and yet he didn't think to stop and ask, instead he just pushed straight ahead *No pun intended*. Of course, the heroine didn't scream or yell out in pain or anger, she just accepted him like it was nothing, something that, in real life, probably would happen a bit differently. Also, the scene was kind of bland and rushed. I'm not asking for explicit erotic scenes all the time, but I felt that the first one, maybe even the second time, they made love was lacking, both physically and emotionally. If she, the author, had changed this part a bit, I probably would have given the book a 4.5 or possibly even a 5, who knows. Still, despite this one 'flaw', the rest of the story line was interesting and mysterious, it kept you wondering until the very end. The characters were very strong and intriguing, and the love between them was great. Not only did the H/H get their love story told in Mistress of Scandal, but also a few of the minor characters, all of which only added to the sweetness of the book. Their love scenes were both touching and yes, even a bit intense in the passion department. Besides the romance, which was very good, the book also had a good story plot and even a couple of laughs. A good combination, in my opinion. I will definitely try her other books, both in this series and in others. 4/5 STARS! A delightful and delicious romance novel, full of wit and charm, love and passion, mystery and suspense. Wonderful!

~TBQ~

Sunday, November 2, 2008

"In Her Bed"

Synopsis From B&N.com:
DREAM LOVER
Damian St. Giles has woken up before with a sore head from imbibing too much mead, but finding himself naked and shackled to a bed is an entirely new experience. As if in a dream, a flame-haired enchantress appears and offers him a brew to ease his pain...and enflame his desire. He soon realizes this Highland beauty has given him a potent aphrodisiac and she is fully prepared to take all his body has to offer...
TRUE DESIRE
Lady Aithinne Ogilvie knows she must treat this man as nothing more than a stud, for that is what he is to her...a means to get her with child and thus produce an heir who will save her inheritance from ruthless Scottish warriors and greedy King Edward. Yet she cannot deny the instant bond she feels for this handsome stranger--and the feeling that it will be the prisoner in her bed who will end up laying claim to her heart.
This book is the sequel to A Restless Knight. The second book in the Dragons of Challon series.
Though the book was a bit slow moving at times and border-line boring at others, In Her Bed is still a pretty good read, all things considered. The story line was different, and if it had been tweaked a bit it could have been almost perfect.
MacGillivray writes a historical romance with touches of magic, more than a dab of humor, a touching love story, and even some pretty steamy love scenes. This alone would put it towards the top of my list, and when you add in the characters, which were both strong and fiery and caring and compassionate, in other words very dynamic and interesting, and you have a very good story!
Aithinne is a perfect example of a fierce Scottish miss, and she provided more than a few laughs and chuckles, whether she was yelling at her brothers or at Damien. I loved that she wasn't a weak, silly heroine who would let everyone just walk right over her. She knew what she wanted, what she believed in, and she went for it! Of course, her obsession with comparing her body to her cousin's all through the book did get a bit annoying, but I can forgive her..barely.
I am very eager now to go back and read the first book in this series, A Restless Knight, along with the next book in the series, which I heard is going to be out next year or so.
4.5/5 STARS! An interesting, funny, charming, and sweet romance set in my favorite backdrop: Magical Scotland. I love my brawny Highlanders...:)
~TBQ~

Saturday, November 1, 2008

"Revelations" is a Wild Ride filled with Twists and Turns!

Title: Revelations
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Series: Blue Bloods, Book 3
From page one of the first book, Blue Bloods, my friends and I have all been hooked, completely submerged into Cruz's unique and exciting story, desperate for the next book so that we could find out what would happen next. And the third book in her captivating vampire series, Revelations, is no different!
From beginning to end, you will find yourself on the edge of your seat, hungry for more, always unsure of what will happen next. She'll leave you breathless and guessing until the very last page, when you'll find yourself begging for more, upset when you remember that it will be at least another year until the next one comes out. But then you'll be in a slightly better mood when you remember that she plans on continuing this story for at least 5 more books and in between the releases, you can reread *and reread, and reread, and..well, you get the point!* the books, memorizing them by heart and picking up on all the little details and hints that will surely come into play later on.. if they haven't already.
Melissa's Blue Blood novels are a must read for anyone, teenage or adult, vampire lover or not. It combines more than just fantasy, more than just romance. The story line is constantly twisting and turning, taking completely 360's at times, leaving you guessing until the very end. Someone that you believe is good at one point in the story can turn out to be completely different before the end of the book, and you never see it coming until it's too late. That's what I love so much about her writing-- she changes the story so many times, yet you are never lost or confused, and when you reach these curves in the story, you don't even hesitate or stop, but instead you are pulled right along with the characters, as if nothing had changed. Not too many authors can do this and still keep your full attention, but Cruz is definitely a master at it in my book!
4.5/5 STARS! All I can say is strap in, hold on, and prepare for one wicked ride, adrenaline rushed provided at no extra cost! Schyuler and her friends are sure to capture your attention until the very end, and more than once you'll find yourself asking 'Who is this person.. and can we really trust them?'. Only time *and Melissa!* will be able to answer this question! But be prepared: Melissa, like always, writes a terrific story, but she always ends on a HUGE cliff hanger, one that will have you about ready to yell and scream your frustration to the world and yet you still love the books and you'll be back for more, I promise. :D
~TBQ~