Sunday, October 30, 2011

Reading Recap: Week of Oct. 23rd

Wow, this week was another slow one for reading. I've been busy, very busy, and my reading has suffered because of it. *sigh*.

This week, I had a much needed girl's day with my best friend. We decided to do baking all day (literally). We ended up making Molten Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting and Homemade Sugar Cookies (Halloween shapes, of course!) with homemade icing. Yum! Of course, we had much more fun eating the ingredients along the way than the final products (though they were very good!). I'm telling you, if you get the chance to do this with your best friend(s), do it! No matter your age! We felt like little girls again while decorating and mixing, but it was so worth it. Grown women, playing in the kitchen and making enough sweets to keep a group of children happy for days--yep, that's what I call a fun day! :D

Oh, and all the dishes? That part wasn't so much fun....however, we did such a good job cleaning up as we went (by any means necessary....*cough cough*) that most of the bowls that would have been covered in sticky batters and frosting were instead nice and clean when they went into the dish water. :D What do mean, did we lick the bowls? Of course not, we're adults, not children..... *Innocent look*. Moving on... ;-)

Here's what I read:



I had a lot of hope for A Lady Awakened by Cecilia Grant. However, I'm sorry to say that it fell short for me--very short. I'll go into more detail when my review is posted (closer to it's release date in December), but for now I will say that I felt as if we were not seeing the hero and heroine in front of us, but rather reading about them from an outside source. And not in a good, interesting way. I don't feel like I ever knew either one, and I could barely even describe to you how they looked physically little loan what they acted like as a character. With such rough character sketches, it's hard to base the story on them and have it come out right, and I think that if only they had been better developed, and described in a different way, the story would have turned out slightly better as well. 2.5 Stars, review to come!




Next up was another book that I had in my pile thanks to one relative or another buying it for me. Unfortunately, it was another miss, and it too will no doubt find its way to the used bookstore soon. Under the Radar by Fern Michaels simply had nothing to it; the storyline wasn't anything special, the characters were not well defined and were very annoying, and the overall pace left me bored more often than not. I finished it, but just barely; it was only accomplished by turning out "auto-mode" and just reading the words so that right after I finished a page, I couldn't have really told you what I read but rather that I had indeed "read" it. For some people, Michaels' books are some of their favorites; for me, I doubt I'll be picking another one up as this is my second attempt with this author (the other one was only slightly better than this one). 1 Star.






Somewhere My Lass by Beth Trissel was quick read, one that I started and finished in less than a day. It was enjoyable, but didn't quiet reach top novel status for me. I will, however, probably look for future books by her. 3 Stars---read my review HERE!






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What did you read this past week? Or, have you read any of the books I just listed above--if so, what were you thoughts on them? Let us know!



Enjoy!







Until Next Time,
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Friday, October 28, 2011

[Review]: "Somewhere My Lass"

Title: Somewhere My Lass
Author: Beth Trissel
Series: Somewhere, #2
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Publication Date: June 2010
Genre: Time Travel Romance
Summary (Amazon.com):
Neil MacKenzie's well ordered life turns to chaos when Mora Campbell shows up claiming he's her fiance from 1602 Scotland. Her avowal that she was chased to the future by clan chieftain, Red MacDonald, is utter nonsense, and Neil must convince her that she is just addled from a blow to her head--or so he believes until the MacDonald himself shows up wanting blood...

Mora knows the Neil of the future is truly her beloved Niall who disappeared from the past. Although her kinsmen believe he's dead, and she is now destined to marry Niall's brother, she's convinced that if she and Neil return to the past, all will be right. The only problem is how to get back to 1602 before it's too late.

The balance of the present and future are in peril if she marries another, and the Neil of the present will cease to exist. An ancient relic and a few good friends in the future help pave the way back to the past, but will Mora and Neil be too late to save a love that began centuries before?







Places to order Somewhere My Lass at:



My Review:

Neil MacKenzie's life is pretty normal; a business man (single, of course) his toughest challenge lately has been trying to fix up his childhood home. But when he comes home from work one night to find his housekeeper, and dear friend, lying in the front hall with her throat slit, he knows that his ordinary life is about to get complicated. What he never expected was a Scottish lass from the sixteenth century to be unconscious on his stairway; and he especially didn't expect her to, upon waking up, call him Niall MacKenzie—her betrothed who has gone missing.




Mora Campbell is confused when she wakes up in a strange place after running away from the fearsome Red MacDonald. She remembers going through a doorway in the castle.....and now finds herself in a modern day home in Virginia! On top of that, who should she find staring down at her but Niall, whom she was set to wed before he suddenly disappeared, believed to be dead in a fire. Instead here he is before her, with short hair, odd clothes, and a funny accent. But she knows it's her Niall, for not only does he still look the same but her heart recognizes him. But if it's Niall, why is it he can't remember anything before this strange time?



At first Neil is convinced that Mora has suffered a terrible head injury; why else would a woman know nothing about the modern world and keep saying that she is from another century? But as he spends more time with her, and starts to delve into his own memory, he soon comes to the realization that Mora is indeed telling the truth. Not only is she from the past, but he is as well—or at least a part of him is.



Suddenly Neil finds himself in the middle of an adventure the likes of which even his good friend (and kind-of nerd) Fergus hasn't seen or read about in the various fantasy worlds he loves. In only a few days time, the Niall that is back in the past, locked away and being tortured by the MacDonald clan, will die—and if Mora doesn't return to her time and marry her new betrothed, Calum (Niall's brother) then the modern day Neil was cease to exist as well, as he is, in some twisted way, the descendant of Mora and Calum. But if things work out correctly, not only can Neil return Mora to her time, but he may also be able to merge Niall with himself and therefore eliminate all the worries, allowing him and Mora to have their happily ever after. But even though fate (or God) has decided to give them this second chance at love, other forces are at work here and nothing will be easy.



3 STARS! A lovely, quick novel that is sure to please many readers, Somewhere My Lass tells an interesting time travel story that captures the imagination and makes one wish that they too had a Neil (or Niall) to come home to. The romance may be fairly PG, but it is sweet and charming nonetheless. Best of all the reader can't help but be pulled into the story; between the dialogue and the descriptions, you may just find yourself wondering if you haven't been transported back to Scotland with our hero and heroine. While this sweet novel may not have ranked high on my favorite list, it was still an enjoyable read and one that I do not regret reading one bit. In fact, I will no doubt be looking up Ms. Trissel's books in the future when I want to be transported away to Scotland, or any other place she wishes to take us.





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I received an e-book copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. My opinion was not altered due to the fact that I received the book for free.  Thanks again, Beth!
~*~*~*





Enjoy!





Until Next Time,
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*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

[NOR and ARC Review]: "The Next Always"

Title: The Next Always
Author: Nora Roberts
Series: The Inn Boonsboro Trilogy (#1)
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Publication Date: November 1, 2011
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Summary (Amazon.com):
"America's favorite writer" (The New Yorker) begins an all-new trilogy-inspired by the inn she owns and the town she loves.


The historic hotel in BoonsBoro, Maryland, has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it's getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. As the architect of the family, Beckett's social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there's another project he's got his eye on: the girl he's been waiting to kiss since he was fifteen...




Other places to pre-order The Next Always at:

My Review:

For almost 30 years, Nora Roberts has captivated and enthralled readers with her novels, novels filled with a one-of-a-kind romance that is not only believable but relatable. With the debut of her newest trilogy, the Inn Boonsboro, THE NEXT ALWAYS follows in these same footsteps. Welcome to Boonsboro, Maryland!




Clare Brewster is a widow with three young (and charming) boys who grew up in this close knit community. After moving away at nineteen, married to her high school sweetheart Clint, it was Boonsboro that she returned to when her husband died in Iraq. Now, almost six years after her return, her bookstore is doing well, her boys are growing up fast, and she finally begins to see the looks that Beckett Montgomery gives her. Looks that she finds herself giving him back...



Beckett, along with his two brothers and his mother, are renovating the town's old inn. It's a big project, but with all the love they've invested in it to see their visions of the Inn Boonsboro returned to its former glory, they know all the hard work will soon pay off. During a brief tour of the unfinished building with Clare, sparks begin to fly. Beckett has been dreaming of Clare since high school, but has never made a move before due to the way her life turned out. But after years of fighting his desire for her, the romantic atmosphere inside the inn proves to be the spark needed to start the fire between them blazing. They almost share a kiss (which Beckett later deems “The Moment”), and the brief confusion on both of their parts after leads them to consider their feelings for one another. And so their fall into love begins, as they slowly start to see each other in a whole new light.



Their romance is not particularly hot and steamy, nor is it spontaneous. Yet the gentle, sweet romance that follows fits the story and the characters beautifully, and proves to be the perfect dose for the readers as well. Their love is made more tangible, more relatable to the reader this way, and this is a gift that Nora Roberts has had from her very first novel all those years ago.



One of the reasons that her books are so well loved is due to her ability to write more than just a romance novel. The elements for it are there, of course, and very well executed. But she also writes a great story, one filled with quick wit and humor, touching relationships (outside of the bedroom and including more than just the hero and heroine), and vivid details. She weaves a story about family and community, love and passion, all in one. More importantly, she does every one of those aspects very well.



I found myself quickly falling in love with the Montgomery brothers, with the beautiful Inn Boonsboro, with the whole community and what they stand for. Roberts has the gift to do that, pulling the reader in and making them forget that they are only reading words on a page. While reading THE NEXT ALWAYS, or any of her novels, the lines between the real world and the fictional one blur and quickly disappear, until the reader is living in the novel's world, seeing the characters in front of them, being a part of their life. This was especially true in TNA, as I soon found myself seeing the majestic beauty that is the Inn Boonsboro unfold before my eyes, the four walls surrounding me fade away as Boonsboro became real, tangible, in my vision. Not even a photograph of the town and inn could have matched the vivid clarity that I saw before me thanks to Nora's talented writing. One has only to read a few chapters to see her clear love and connection to this story, to its characters and especially the inn, which is based upon the real inn, by this same name, that she owns. This is not something that can be taught—very few authors have this talent, but in my opinion Nora Roberts is the queen of it!



5 STARS! A romantic treasure sure to enchant every reader who picks it up (whether or not they've been bitten by the NR bug), THE NEXT ALWAYS is sweet and charming, witty and intriguing. It's the perfect start to a series I know will be yet another bestseller—and one I've already fallen for, hard. I'm anxious to read Owen and Ryder's stories, to see the Inn open and thriving, to read more about this small town and all the wonderful and vital characters that call it home. I love my own small town dearly, but I would willingly give it up if only I could live in this community, complete with the Montgomery brothers, of course! Nora—well done, and I can only hope you will continue to bring such treasures into our hands for years to come! All hail “America's favorite writer”!



~~~
Thanks to Night Owl Reviews, where I received this ARC for free in exchange for reviewing the book. (Free book does not equal biased review, however!) This review is the property of NOR.
~~~ 


Enjoy!






Until Next Time,
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*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

[NOR and ARC Review]: "Last Breath"

Title: Last Breath
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: Morganville Vampires, Book 11
Publisher: NAL Hardcover
Publication Date: November 1, 2011
Genre: YA Fantasy/Romance
Summary (Amazon.com):
With her boss preoccupied researching the Founder Houses in Morganville, student Claire Danvers is left to her own devices when she learns that three vampires have vanished without a trace. She soon discovers that the last person seen with one of the missing vampires is someone new to town-a mysterious individual named Magnus. After an uneasy encounter with Morganville's latest resident, Claire is certain Magnus isn't merely human. But is he a vampire-or something else entirely?




Other places to pre-order Last Breath at:


My Review:

This is book 10 in the bestselling Morganville Vampires series. The excellent storytelling by Rachel Caine hasn't dwindled one bit. Last Breath is just as thrilling and witty as book one, and twice as captivating!




There's never a sane (or dull) day in Morganville, Texas—that's something you learn quickly once you become a citizen. But when suddenly the vampires in the small town are concerned, even frightened, by a sudden message from a neighboring vamp community, one thing is clear: trouble is coming, and it is worse than anything Morganville has seen before. And frankly, that's saying something!



In between the chaos provoked by the message, another problem is brewing, this time between the two factions of the town. Eve and Michael have plans for their future, and it begins with the sound of wedding bells. But if the citizens, from either side, have their way, it will end in blood instead. Despite the sides, they both have the same core belief: Vampires and humans should not mingle, beyond one providing a meal for the other. Even Amelie, the town Founder and ruler has taken this side, for “the sake of the town”. Needless to say, neither Eve nor Michael will accept this answer, and so the fight begins!



Suddenly a newcomer is seen in town—or, rather not seen, as only Claire can seem to see the man as he wanders the town, always disappearing before she can catch him. Not long after she first sees him, vampires suddenly begin to go missing. And so begins the downfall of Morganville. For it not even the vampires are safe from this danger, then how will the mere humans survive?



Perhaps the most unexpected, and most emotional, twist comes out in between these two problems. To avoid ruining the novel for everyone, I won't explain this particular twist. However, I will say that Caine did a truly wonderful job at writing it; as I read it, my stomach was in knots, my eyes seemed to be constantly blinking back tears, and I could only hope, like the characters in the book, that everything would turn out differently, that it would be okay once again. Not many books have affected me to this degree before. It is mostly due to this section of the book that I gave Last Breath a perfect rating—if the characters are so well written and cared about that I would react this way while reading their struggles, then you know that the book has been written correctly, woven together by a true master!



5 STARS! Rachel Caine has done it yet again, bringing the world of Morganville to life in vivid clarity. The characters are enjoyable and intriguing, for as the books go on we seem to get a deeper look at all of them. Their struggles, relationships, and even everyday joking make the novels come to life in the reader's hands. Last Breath is easily the best book in the series (to date) and has all the right elements for a great read: romance, mystery, action, thrills, and humor! A must read, whether you've read the rest of the series or not. I anxiously await book twelve, as the ending for this one was a whopper of a cliff hanger—not that I'd expect anything less from Caine. After the interesting, and high-paced, roller coaster ride that was Last Breath, I can only image what she has in store for us next. Whatever it is, I'll be ready and waiting for it!





~~~
Thanks to Night Owl Reviews, where I received this ARC for free in exchange for reviewing the book. (Free book does not equal biased review, however!) This review is the property of NOR.
~~~ 

Enjoy!




 

Until Next Time,
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*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Reading Recap: Week of October 16th

Well, this week was another slow one for me, at least for reading. As to life in general, I've been up all week it seems running around. *SIGH*

I managed to read four books (all full length novels) and write (and post) one reveiw. Here's hoping next week will be better! Otherwise I'm afraid my TBR mountain will collapse on me soon.....


Here's what I read:





All You Desire by Kirsten Miller  was the first book I finished this week, and may I say it was amazing, just like book one! Captivating, full of romance (though not hot and steamy, as this is a YA book, remember!), and mysteries abound at every corner. (I did receive it from the publisher in ARC form, um, quiet a few months ago, actually.... Oops.). 4.5 Stars--read my review HERE!






My next book was a huge disappointment. However, it wasn't one that I had bought to read, rather it was one of those that family/friends often buy for you because they know you love books and therefore assume that means ALL books. You know the kind I'm talking about, right? Well, I usually try to at least give most of these gifts a chance and read them; some I end up loving, some I end up putting in the pile to trade. 2012: The War for Souls was one of the latter kind of books. The storyline was, granted, a bit unusual and therefore seemed like it could have potential. But the writing was chaotic and confusing, half the time I wasn't sure what I was reading, whose point of view or what they were talking about. Also, the story was just a bit...weird, and very creepy. I guess for those that like these kind of books, this is perfect.  For me, however, this one was a real problem, one that I will be trading in next time I go to the used book store. 1 Star.




I enjoy a good alpha male type, really I do. But in To Burn by Claudia Dain, the hero isn't an alpha; he's a barbarian jerk! I couldn't stand him, nor the heroine for that matter, and the whole story was a big disappointment. We hear the heroine whining for the first 3/4 of the book ("Should I kill myself? How can I kill myself? I'm Roman, therefore I will die before I'll stay around these Saxon pigs, especially Wulfred.") It just went on and on, and I wish I had been there to smack the twit and tell her to get over it! I can understand pride and not wanting to be pushed around, but this was different; this was just annoying. Wulfred didn't sound sexy, didn't sound at all like a man I'd fall for, and I didn't care whether or not they fell for one another before the end of the book. I had to force myself to finish the book. There were a lot of inconsistencies in the book (almost 250 pages in, suddenly this Marcus enters her thoughts and shows up, he used to live there with her and her family, and while Dain leads us to believe that he was an old beau of hers, it was her brother instead), and I could not stand the sex scenes; they were not sexy. In fact, I will forever be scarred by the reference used in this book for a woman wet with desire: "she was weeping woman's milk, and it was the kind meant for men not babes". Okay, eww, thanks for that picture. Milk oozing out from between her thighs! Really, Ms. Dain, I don't care what time the novel is set in, no romance reader wants that for the imaginary during the sex scene! 1 Star. The cover on the left is the out of print paperback that I have (kind of ugly). The cover on the right is the new e-book cover out (even uglier). Sorry to those involved with the making of this book, but it is true!



I decided to work through my TBR mountain and the next book in line was a (sort of) romance, but more of a mystery/suspense with romance thrown in. The Angel by Carla Neggers was a refreshing read, especially after the last two books that left me bored and annoyed. I've read one of her books before, but it was part of the Harlequin Tyler series, and I didn't feel like I got a good idea of her writing type. Now I know and I will be adding more of her books to my list, especially in this series. The suspense is griping, the mysteries intense, the storylines intriguing, and the romance, though not the main part of the storyline, is pretty good, if brief. That is, perhaps, the one thing I would change about it, but even the way it is it's a good solid read, I finished in a day. 3.5 Stars.




~*~*~*
What did you read this past week? Or, have you read any of the books I just listed above--if so, what were you thoughts on them? Let us know!



Enjoy!





Until Next Time,
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Friday, October 21, 2011

[Review]: "All You Desire"

Title: All You Desire
Author: Kirsten Miller
Series: The Eternal Ones, 2
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: August 9th, 2011
Genre: YA Fantasy/Romance
Summary (Amazon.com):
Haven Moore and Iain Morrow have been living a blissful life in Rome, an ocean way from the Ouroboros Society and its diabolical leader. But paradise is not to last. The mysterious disappearance of Haven's best friend, Beau, sends the pair running back to New York, where they encounter the Horae, an underground group of women who have spent centuries scheming to destroy Adam Rosier. Only they can help Haven uncover the secret to Beau's whereabouts in one of her past lives. But their help comes at a price: Haven must infiltrate the Ouroboros Society, charm Adam Rosier, and lure him into a trap. It's a plan the Horae believe will save the world-but Haven and Iain fear that it may destroy the happiness they've been chasing for two thousand years.




Places to order All You Desire at:


My Review:

The Eternal Ones continues with book two in the series, All You Desire. Haven and Iain are in hiding, trying to live out this lifetime they have together in peace, enjoying the deep love between them without any of the horrible interruptions they've had every time for the past 2,000 years. But though their love lasts forever, the peace will not. Soon Haven notices people watching her, following her, and she knows that once again their time may soon be up, if they aren't careful about who they trust...



When Haven is told that her best friend, and brother from a past life, is missing in New York after flying up there to meet his “soul mate”, another reincarnated soul, she is prepared to do anything to get him back safe and sound. Even if it means risking her life...and that of Iain, who is suppose to be dead as far as the rest of the world is concerned. It's a hard decision to make, but after all that Beau has helped her through over the years, she can't just forget about him and hope for the best. Needless to say she finds the quickest plane to New York, with Iain in tow; they both know the risk, yet they are determined to get in, get out (with Beau), and hopefully with Adam Rosier none the wiser. If only life was that simple....



There is so much going on in this book; every time you think you've got it figured out, Miller throws something new at you and suddenly you're not so sure anymore. I loved this, as it kept me on the edge of my seat and also made me think about what I was reading, trying to reach the next conclusion before Miller revealed it to us (though that rarely happened; she's too good). Besides being able to write an amazing mystery/suspense element into this book, Miller also excels at weaving into the story the complex emotions felt by the characters, especially Haven, Iain, and, to some degree, Adam. I may not have acted like Haven did, in fact I know that many of her actions and decisions in this book made me want to bang my head against the wall—or better yet, bang hers. But I still loved every moment of it, and in the end it all came together for a reason.



I won't go into too much detail about the various plots in All You Desire as I don't wish to ruin it for any future readers out there. However, I will say that if you thought there was a lot of absorb in The Eternal Ones, then you are in for one heck of a ride during this one!



4.5 STARS! Another wonderfully written book by Ms. Miller, All You Desire truly has everything a reader could ask for: sweet romance, a fantastic storyline, enough mystery and suspense to keep you reading well into the night, and perhaps the most important element of all—making you want an Iain of your own that will search for you again and again over the long centuries because you are his one true love! I can't wait for future books by this talented author, especially more sequels to The Eternal Ones. After all, this one ending with a big surprise, a cliff hanger that lets you know it's not over yet, and Adam still walks this world, waiting to strike....




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I received this book from the publisher a few months back in ARC form in exchange for a review. My review is not based on the fact that I received this book free of charge, but is instead a fair and honest review of the book.
~*~*~



Enjoy!









Until Next Time,

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*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Reading Recap: Week of October 9th

Well, this week wasn't a good one for me...for more than one reason. Due to an unexpected death in the family, as well as life's little problems, I didn't get much time to read. 

Part of the reason for my lack of books was also due to being busy in the kitchen. I was trying out some recipes this week, Banana Crunch Muffins and Raspberry Cream Cheese Muffins. Both of them were a hit and I'll be making them again soon. :D

I only managed to read two books, both of which were full length, but neither one gets a review.

I did, however, get three reviews posted this week; I'd written them a few weeks ago, but just now got the go-ahead from NOR to post them. Hope you enjoy--Ever Knight, The Virgin Proxy, and Automagically!



Here's what I did manage to finish:

Unraveled by C.J. Barry was an enjoyable enough read; not my favorite, but I did like it and I am intrigued enough by the other characters mentioned to read the other books in this series. I thought the idea of the pyramids built around the various planets, including The Great Pyramids of Giza here on Earth, was a good one; even as a fictional storyline, it makes you wonder--did "aliens" build them, as they did in this story? The romance was quiet spicy, yet had it's tender moments a few times, and the characters were interesting. I could definitely use a Rayce of my own! :D 3.5 Stars. I've got the paperback version (out of print), which has a nice enough cover (right), but the new cover for NOOK is the one shown to the left. Which do you prefer?




The Pleasure Master by Nina Bangs was a hilarious, and sexy, hit. I loved every minute of it! Her books are always this way, especially when they include our favorite cosmic troublemaker in it, Genymede (I think that is how it is spelled?!). I was a bit taken back by Ian's attitude for the first part of the book, thinking that he was everything because he was the 'Pleasure Master', as well as the fact that he was sleeping with hundreds of women because it was his 'job'.  But I began to see that he is like this because he has never known love--be it from family, like his father and brothers, or a woman--has never known trust or gave it, and has never really known pleasure, at least not when it comes to him. Sure, he knows how to pleasure a woman well, and teach her how to do the same to her man of choice, but until Kathy, he's never known these feelings for himself. He's enjoyed the past women, loves women's body in general, but never has a woman wanted to give him pleasure--and succeeded at such an alarming rate! :D Simply fantastic, very funny, and Bangs had did a separate book for Colin and Neil (the brothers), instead of just showing in this book part of how they wooed their women.... Ah well. 5 Stars!



~*~*~*
What did you read this past week? Or, have you read any of the books I just listed above--if so, what were you thoughts on them? Let us know!

Enjoy!







Until Next Time,
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Friday, October 14, 2011

[NOR Review]: "Automagically"

Title: Automagically
Author: Sommer Marsden
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Publication Date: Aug. 12th, 2011
Genre: Paranormal Romantica (erotic romance)
Summary (Amazon.com):
It was her sisters’ fault, really. Their idea that Evie use studly coffee slinger Caleb Mahoney for sex to get over her ex. It was supposed to be simple. Spell him into wanting her, get down and dirty with him, release all her pent-up sexual energy, and then do a simple forgetful spell. Easy magic for three sister witches. No biggie. Right?Wrong. Every time Evie decides to come clean, well…they do it again. And again! It’s not her fault…at least, she’s pretty sure. Something niggles and itches deep in her brain every time she starts to confess.Is it chemistry or bad magic? Has their simple bang-yourself-happy-again spell gone out of control? Is it amping up automagically? Or is it because the huge, shorn, loveable man—whoda thunk it?—is really good in bed? And the van…and the shower…and the… You get the picture.



Places to order Automagically at:


My Review:

What do you get when you take a sexy coffee-house worker, a heartbroken witch, some hidden secrets, and a lust spell or two and shake until well combined? Deliciously sexy fun in the form of Automagically!




Evie and her two sisters are witches, though they usually don't conjure spells on a whim, especially to get themselves something. But when Evie's cheating ex-boyfriend (almost fiancée) takes off with the neighborhood babysitter, leaving Evie's heart a mess and making her curse the male gender for months, Annie and Lanie decide it's time for a bit of magic...



Their plan is to use a lust spell on a guy, making him fall for Evie, then she will break up with him and break his heart before erasing his memory of the ordeal. To Evie, this sounds tempting...but her conscious won't let her do it when the two sisters pick out her target: hunky Caleb, who works at her favorite coffee shop in town.



Evie's been (sort of) friends with Caleb for years; she knows him too well and has secretly lusted after him from the very beginning. He's more than just a man with a perfect body though. He's sweet and caring, funny and hardworking. She doesn't want to hurt him, and she definitely doesn't feel right about forcing him to like her (and bed her).



But while her mind says no, her body says yes, and when he shows up at her house that night to return her coin purse, she has to hold herself back from jumping him at the door. Against her better judgment, she finds herself casting spell number one on him, and he promptly starts taking off his clothes in her front hall! The plan is working perfectly—so why does she feel uneasy about doing this? As the clothes come off and the heat rises, clear thinking becomes a bit...impossible. But instead of some post-sex snuggling later, she's ready to come clean to Caleb and apologize. However, right when she's about to do so, she gets this feeling in her head, and then all she can think about again is Caleb—and his unclothed body.



This happens two more times—in her van outside his work and back in her house (but not her bedroom—passion runs too hot for them to make it there!) She didn't mean to enchant him again…and again, but how can she think straight when the sex is so good? Worried that the spell is manifesting on its own (what her sister calls “automagically”), she finally comes clean with Caleb...after one more quickie, of course!



But Caleb isn't surprised by any of this. He already knows what she's been doing—and he's been doing some seducing of he's own on her! He's had his eye on her for years, and now that she's single again, he's ready to show her how he feels. But, sweet guy that he is, he's willing to wait for Evie to work through her commitment issues first. He loves her, and though she may not be ready to admit it, she loves him as well. He'll wait...but in the end, he'll make an honest woman out of her. After all, they belong together; something the magic was trying to tell them all along!



4.5 STARS! Despite its limited pages, Automagically is a fun, steamy read that you'll devour in no time at all! It's not just a quickie, like so many other novellas in this genre; it actually shows a budding relationship—outside of the bedroom! The love scenes between Caleb and Evie were spicy hot, but more importantly they centered around the hidden feelings each one had for the other. They weren't just about the sex, despite the initial plan the sisters had. And that is the most important factor for my rating—the sweet romance that holds together the rest of the story. Without this element, I wouldn't have enjoyed Marsden's book nearly as much. The quirky characters, fun conversations, and steamy love scenes were all well written and made the book enjoyable. But her ability to weave all of these things around Evie and Caleb's romance, especially in such a short book, is what made Automagically truly magical!






~~~
Thanks to Night Owl Reviews, where I received this e-book for free in exchange for reviewing the book. (Free book does not equal biased review, however!) This review is the property of NOR.
~~~ 



Enjoy!





Until Next Time,
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*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

[NOR Review]: "The Virgin Proxy"

Title: The Virgin Proxy
Author: Georgia Fox
Series: The Conqueror's, 2
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Publication Date: August 29, 2011
Genre: Historical Erotica (novella)
Summary (Amazon.com):
When the Normans conquered England, Deorwynn lost almost everything, including her family. Only one beloved brother survives. To rescue him, she must sacrifice her virginity in the enemy’s bed. She should be well prepared. After spending fifteen years in a grim convent, punished for every sinful thought, Deorwynn can withstand any torment at the hands of a merciless, Norman warrior.
But nothing, she soon learns, could prepare her for falling in love.

Guy Devaux is delighted with the amorous virgin waiting for him on his wedding night. There’s only one problem. The saucy-mouthed wench is not his bride. Oh yes, he knows the veiled woman in his bed is an imposter, but he’ll go along with the game. For now. The punishment for her deception will come later.


Just as soon as he conquers this foolish desire, this yearning to hear her say she loves him.


Other places to buy The Virgin Proxy at:




My Review:

The Conqueror's series continues with The Virgin Proxy, which carries on Georgia Fox's tradition of wickedly spicy novellas with a menage twist! However, where as book one seemed a bit more hurried and focused more on the (very heated) sex between the characters, TVP lingers more on the budding relationship and a longer storyline.




Deorwynn has lived the past 15 years of her life within the stiff confines of the convent, punished often for her defiance to authority and her sins. Now, with her father dead and her only remaining family member (an older brother) in prison, her chances of escaping the hell-hole that is her own prison are now close to nil—and the sisters are prepared to make her a nun!



Sybilia, another young woman being kept there at the convent, offers Deorwynn another option—she'll take Deorwynn with her when she leaves a few days later, traveling to her husband-to-be. Deorwynn is not fond of Sybilia, but the offer for freedom is very tempting. There is just one catch: Sybilia requires Deorwynn to be her handmaiden....oh,and to stand in as a proxy for her on her wedding night to the Norman lord. Deorwynn is a virgin, Sybilia, however, is not, and fears the wraith of her husband for not being untouched.



Upon reaching Guy's keep, Deorwynn begins to wonder what she's gotten herself into. Their first night there, she meets the lord himself while bathing—thought at the time he thinks her to be his betrothed and she thinks him to be her dream lover. After a very heated scene in the bathing room, Guy is the first to realize his mistake, though he doesn't regret it; Deorwynn is not aware of who he is until her formal introduction to him the next day before the wedding ceremony. Guy, a man who has previously been unable to stick to one woman for longer than it takes to bed her, is intrigued by this simple Saxon “pheasant”. He has to have her. He makes a sudden, and unexpected decision, mere hours from his marriage to Sybilia. This decision will result in their marriage being easily broken later on, should Guy wish to tell her father what he did (only Guy and Thierry know about it). He doesn't yet realize exactly why he does this, but his trusted friend, Thierry, knows that Guy is finally starting to fall for a woman.



To fulfill her agreement with Sybilia, Deorwynn takes her place in Guy's bed that night. She had not planned on anticipating his touch—nor did she plan on him recognizing who she really was. Guy is not fooled by the veil covering his “bride's” face—he knows the naked body, even in the shadows of the night, to be that of Deorwynn's, which he touched the night before. Deciding to play along, he doesn't let on, even when morning comes and he faces his real bride in the bed next to him instead.



The deception continues, even as Guy tries to fool Deorwynn into admitting what she did with him that night. But while she avoids him, he avoids his wife. He only wants Deorwynn, no other woman appeals to him. He refuses to admit what his body and heart already know—that Deorwynn is his, and no one else will do.



The story continues, until finally they both admit their true feelings for one another. Before this happens though, Deorwynn must first prove to Guy that she is not one to share her man—nor be shared, despite her brief attraction to Thierry. She wants only one man in her bed, and Guy soon realizes he has no intention of sharing, though the two men have done so often in the past. In the end, everyone gets their HEA—Guy has Deorwynn, and Thierry gets Sybilia. Even Raedwulf, Deorwynn's brother, is released at the very end, leading the readers into the next book which will center around him.



4 STARS! Sexy and slightly wicked, The Virgin Proxy gives the readers a taste of the forbidden fruit (multiple partners) . However, Deorwynn and Guy are too much in love with one another to share for more than a few scenes, making it very different from Fox's previous novella, though still keeping all the passion and heat as before. Perfect for any reader who hungers for red-hot passion that practically leaps off the page! I look forward to reading Wulf's book (he's a virgin!) and I will definitely keep Fox on my radar for future novels. The covers alone are enough to draw you in; the passion between them enough to keep your attention!





~~~
Thanks to Night Owl Reviews, where I received this e-book for free in exchange for reviewing the book. (Free book does not equal biased review, however!) This review is the property of NOR.
~~~ 


Enjoy!







Until Next Time,
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*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

[NOR Review]: "The Ever Knight"

Title: The Ever Knight
Author: Geogria Fox
Series: The Conquerors, 1
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Publication Date: July 4, 2011
Genre: Historical Erotica (novella)
Summary (Amazon.com):
A Saxon Thane’s daughter, born with mystical healing strength, must choose between two lusty Norman knights, half-brothers, each intent on claiming her for their own. One man has claimed her dowry; the other has claimed her virginity. One man is dying of a battle wound and the other has scars that can’t be seen by the naked eye. Both brothers need her healing touch. Both brothers need her.
And she needs them.
Jisella always knew that one day her Ever Knight would arrive—the soul she’s loved since time began. Yet he’s taken a long time to find her in this life and now she’s not sure which of these handsome Knights is the one for whom she’s waited.


The brothers are all too happy to compete for their lady’s favors. Perhaps there is only one fair decision. Perhaps she can have both, if they might be persuaded to share.



Other places to order The Ever Knight at:


My Review:

Locked away in a convent for most of her life, Jisella knows her futures lies in whatever marriage her father arranges for her. But she hungers for passion, for lust, and most importantly for her Ever Knight, her soul mate.




Born on All Hallow's Eve, her “kind” are called Children of the Full Moon. Magical healing powers are theirs to use, regenerated once a year on that special day. They mate for eternity, finding the one soul mate that will stay with them forever, even beyond death. Jisella looks for her Ever Knight, and when a group of Norman soldiers come to the convent, she's sure she has found him.



Sneaking out of the tower they are kept in, she goes to Remy, the Norman she has set her eyes, heart, and body on. But a quick roll in the hay (literally), isn't all that she wants. She wants more—more passion like she just experienced, along with a promise from her Knight that he will take her away from this prison the next day, allowing her to avoid the upcoming marriage that has been arranged for her. Little does either one of them know at the time, but she is the one came for, the one he will be taking away tomorrow—back to his half-brother...Jisella's intended.



When morning comes, Remy wakes to find his wounds completely healed—and the seductress from All Hallow's Ever gone. As he prepares his men to ride out, with his brother's intended in tow, who should appear but Renard himself. As the two men head over to meet the mysterious bride-to-be, both men are in for a shock—Remy because he recognizes her as the same woman he just deflowered mere hours before, Renard because instead of an ugly betrothed he finds a temptation beyond all else...



Instead of being angry at his brother for taking his virginal intended, Renard is simply intrigued, and still finds that he wants her more than anything else. Remy can't stop thinking about her, or their night of passion. Whatever will the men do? The answer is obvious: let Jisella decide whom she wants, of course! But she can't make this decision lightly—both men call to her, potential soul mates, her elusive Ever Knight. She demands one thing before she makes her final decision: a (thorough and intense) test drive with each of the brothers. But even after countless attempts with the brothers, she's still not sated. She can only make one choice then: both of them. Neither man argues with this answer, as they both know she is the only one that can satisfy their desires. Her Ever Knight comes in the form of two halves which combine to make her whole.



3.5 STARS! A very heated novella, The Ever Knight does not come in the form of a traditional happily ever after, though it fits the characters perfectly nonetheless. Passions run hot and deep in this book, both when the brothers share Jisella and when they take her separately. The storyline was a bit rushed and underdeveloped for my tastes, and there seemed to be times during the story when the writing didn't flow smoothly, but instead read as if someone had cut off a few pages between scenes. However, despite these minor drawbacks, The Ever Knight is still a quick erotica tale that will no doubt please many readers even if it left me feeling a bit unfulfilled overall. I still look forward to reading the next two in the Conquerors Series to see what else this author has up her sleeves. I'd pick up Georgia Fox's novels any day for the covers alone—they're eye catching and very well done. I'll be sure to look for more of Fox's work when I want a spicy menage to curl up with!




~~~
Thanks to Night Owl Reviews, where I received this e-book for free in exchange for reviewing the book. (Free book does not equal biased review, however!) This review is the property of NOR.
~~~ 


Enjoy!






Until Next Time,
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*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[NOR Review]: "The Ever Knight"

Title: The Ever Knight
Author: Geogria Fox
Series: The Conquerors, 1
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Publication Date: July 4, 2011
Genre: Historical Erotica (novella)
Summary (Amazon.com):
A Saxon Thane’s daughter, born with mystical healing strength, must choose between two lusty Norman knights, half-brothers, each intent on claiming her for their own. One man has claimed her dowry; the other has claimed her virginity. One man is dying of a battle wound and the other has scars that can’t be seen by the naked eye. Both brothers need her healing touch. Both brothers need her.
And she needs them.
Jisella always knew that one day her Ever Knight would arrive—the soul she’s loved since time began. Yet he’s taken a long time to find her in this life and now she’s not sure which of these handsome Knights is the one for whom she’s waited.


The brothers are all too happy to compete for their lady’s favors. Perhaps there is only one fair decision. Perhaps she can have both, if they might be persuaded to share.



Other places to order The Ever Knight at:


My Review:

Locked away in a convent for most of her life, Jisella knows her futures lies in whatever marriage her father arranges for her. But she hungers for passion, for lust, and most importantly for her Ever Knight, her soul mate.




Born on All Hallow's Eve, her “kind” are called Children of the Full Moon. Magical healing powers are theirs to use, regenerated once a year on that special day. They mate for eternity, finding the one soul mate that will stay with them forever, even beyond death. Jisella looks for her Ever Knight, and when a group of Norman soldiers come to the convent, she's sure she has found him.



Sneaking out of the tower they are kept in, she goes to Remy, the Norman she has set her eyes, heart, and body on. But a quick roll in the hay (literally), isn't all that she wants. She wants more—more passion like she just experienced, along with a promise from her Knight that he will take her away from this prison the next day, allowing her to avoid the upcoming marriage that has been arranged for her. Little does either one of them know at the time, but she is the one came for, the one he will be taking away tomorrow—back to his half-brother...Jisella's intended.



When morning comes, Remy wakes to find his wounds completely healed—and the seductress from All Hallow's Ever gone. As he prepares his men to ride out, with his brother's intended in tow, who should appear but Renard himself. As the two men head over to meet the mysterious bride-to-be, both men are in for a shock—Remy because he recognizes her as the same woman he just deflowered mere hours before, Renard because instead of an ugly betrothed he finds a temptation beyond all else...



Instead of being angry at his brother for taking his virginal intended, Renard is simply intrigued, and still finds that he wants her more than anything else. Remy can't stop thinking about her, or their night of passion. Whatever will the men do? The answer is obvious: let Jisella decide whom she wants, of course! But she can't make this decision lightly—both men call to her, potential soul mates, her elusive Ever Knight. She demands one thing before she makes her final decision: a (thorough and intense) test drive with each of the brothers. But even after countless attempts with the brothers, she's still not sated. She can only make one choice then: both of them. Neither man argues with this answer, as they both know she is the only one that can satisfy their desires. Her Ever Knight comes in the form of two halves which combine to make her whole.



3.5 STARS! A very heated novella, The Ever Knight does not come in the form of a traditional happily ever after, though it fits the characters perfectly nonetheless. Passions run hot and deep in this book, both when the brothers share Jisella and when they take her separately. The storyline was a bit rushed and underdeveloped for my tastes, and there seemed to be times during the story when the writing didn't flow smoothly, but instead read as if someone had cut off a few pages between scenes. However, despite these minor drawbacks, The Ever Knight is still a quick erotica tale that will no doubt please many readers even if it left me feeling a bit unfulfilled overall. I still look forward to reading the next two in the Conquerors Series to see what else this author has up her sleeves. I'd pick up Georgia Fox's novels any day for the covers alone—they're eye catching and very well done. I'll be sure to look for more of Fox's work when I want a spicy menage to curl up with!




~~~
Thanks to Night Owl Reviews, where I received this e-book for free in exchange for reviewing the book. (Free book does not equal biased review, however!) This review is the property of NOR.
~~~ 


Enjoy!






Until Next Time,
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*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[Book Trailer]: "Shadows on the Moon"

I found this on Zoe's blog, and after I fell in love with the trailer (and the book, off to put it on my list!), I thought I'd share it with you guys!

Zoe writes YA novels, and I've reviewed a few of them on here before (remember Daughter of the Flames and Swan Kingdom?) I loved both of them very much, and I have no doubt that I will enjoy Zoe's future books as well, including this one.








Title: Shadows on the Moon
Author: Zoe Marriott
Publication Date: *April 24th, 2012 (sooo long!)
Genre: YA Fantasy/Romance
Summary (Amazon.com):
A powerful tale of magic, love and revenge with a strong female lead set in fairy-tale Japan; this is "Cinderella" meets "Memoirs of a Geisha". Trained in the magical art of shadow-weaving, sixteen-year-old Suzume is able to recreate herself in any form - a fabulous gift for a girl desperate to escape her past. But who is she really? Is she a girl of noble birth living under the tyranny of her mother's new husband, Lord Terayama, or a lowly drudge scraping a living in the ashes of Terayama's kitchens, or Yue, the most beautiful courtesan in the Moonlit Lands? Whatever her true identity, Suzume is destined to capture the heart of a prince - and determined to use his power to destroy Terayama. And nothing will stop her, not even love.

*Shadows on the Moon was released in paperback this year, but it is already out of print. This date is for the reprint in hardback format.

Pre-Order Shadows on the Moon at:



~*~*~*
When I find a new book (well, new to me at least!) I can't help but share it with others! I only hope that you found this book, and it's trailer, as interesting as I do, and perhaps you'll put it on your list to read. Or maybe you went a step further and pre-ordered it, like I'm probably going to do! :D



Enjoy!




 

Until Next Time,

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Sunday, October 9, 2011

Reading Recap: Week of October 2nd

This week I managed to finish 6 books (only one of which was a novella, about 75 pages). I wrote a review for two of those books, one of which is already posted and the other, since it was a NOR book, will be posted later on. 

Here's what I read:


The Rules of Seduction by Madaline Hunter was an enjoyable enough read, but it wasn't enough to make me want to read it again and again (a sure sign of a top rated favorite book). I can't pinpoint what was missing exactly, but it was simply a good romance novel, not a great one I'm sorry to say. I have read one or two of her books in the past and enjoyed them, and I still plan on reading more of them in the future (especially in this series, as I am intrigued with the other two Rothwell brothers). However, this one will no doubt sit on my shelves without being picked up for a second read. 3 Stars.






Blazing Star by Suzanne Ellison is the fifth book in the Tyler series. It's an older series (in fact, all the books in it have long since been out of print; I had to find all 12 of them used online and in stores), but a very good one. Sweet romance, nice storyline, a big mystery regarding a dead body that won't be solved until the very end book...I'm in love with the town alone, it sounds so cozy and friendly, very different from the busy and chaotic cities that surround most of us. I had a bit of a problem with this one though, compared to the last four I've read. Karen's refusal to let any man into her life, refusing to sleep with Brick because that would mean "surrendering the reins" annoyed  me, And Brick's inability to see all that she's been through and try to work with her to overcome her emotional baggage also annoyed me. They fought for 3/4 of the book, and even when they finally got together (one brief, not very specific scene, mind you!) it wasn't long before they were back at each other again. And yet, by the end of the book, mere pages after this scene, they were suddenly find and dandy, in love completely and both okay with the situation. I still liked the book, as part of the overall series, but this particular story wasn't my favorite at all. 3.5 Stars.








Moon Dance by Amy Blankenship was my next read. I've finished my review for it, and you can view that HERE. 4 Stars.








Curse the Dawn by Karen Chance was the next book I tackled. I quiet enjoyed it, though I would have liked it more had I actually read the books prior to it in the series; at times I was a bit lost. The conversations were almost always witty and I found myself laughing multiple times during the book (one major laugh came from the body swap between Cassie and Pritkin...Oh, I still chuckle over it now. You'd have to read it to get the entire joke. :) ). However, sometimes when describing what was happen, during fight or chase scenes for example, I would find myself easily distracted and skip ahead until it was more interesting. But, I very much am intrigued by the storyline concept, and I liked many of the characters, along with Chance's wit and humor, so I plan on reading the rest of the series (in order this time!) as soon as I can. 4 Stars.


Next came Automagically by Sommer Marsden. This is another e-book I received from NOR. I will say that I very much enjoyed this novella, something that is rare for me to say. It was more than just a quickie (take that however you want... *wink*), it had some depth to it and the passion was enough to burn the pages! I'll be looking for more of Marsden's work as well. 4.5 Stars--read my full review HERE!






Playing with Fire by Gena Showalter has got to be my favorite book ever (written by her), and one of the top contenders for my favorite book of all time! It was amazing, very interesting, and the passion between Rome and Belle was literally like playing with fire! :D I simply loved it, Showalter made me laugh and grin like crazy so many times throughout this book, and the rest of the time I was either fanning myself from the flames their love scenes created or sighing over how sweet Rome sounded at times (especially towards the end when they're ready for their HEA of course). I've decided: I want a Rome Masters of my own! Being dosed with superpowers like Belle had to be to meet him is completely optional--though if that is what it takes to get Rome, I'm willing to do that. All in the name of duty for a yummy, sweet Cat Man like Rome! 5 STARS!




~*~*~*
What did you read this past week? Or, have you read any of the books I just listed above--if so, what were you thoughts on them? Let us know!





Enjoy!








Until Next Time,
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