Saturday, December 31, 2011

Guest Authors and Blog Tours


All previous interviews, guest posts, blog tours and author giveaways will be listed at the end of this page. They are listed in alphabetical order by the author's last name. This will allow you to see who has already been here (and perhaps might stop by again in the future), as well as find new authors or catch up on what is happening with your favorite authors.

To search all author interviews, click this link.

To search all character interviews, click this link.

To search all guest posts, click this link


OR search by author, listed by author's last name below. 




~*~*~A~*~*~
Denise Agnew (Interview)
Tracey Alvarez (Interview)
Sarah M. Anderson "Does a Cowboy Wear His Boots to Bed?" (Guest Post)
Sarah M. Anderson "Real Cowboys vs Sexy Cowboy Heroes" (Guest Post)
Sarah M. Anderson (Interview)
Nazarea Andrews "A Day in the Life of Atticus Grimes" (Guest Post)
Nazarea Andrews "Sweet Ruin Playlist" (Guest Post)
Amanda Arista "Blog 9--Nine Lives" (Guest Post)
Jackie Ashenden "Insider's Guide to New Zealand – Top Five Things To Do In Auckland" (Guest Post)

Jackie Ashenden (Interview)
Danica Avet "Superpower Shopping List" (Guest Post)



~*~*~B~*~*~
Tessa Bailey (Interview)
Kinley Baker "Rocking the Old World" (Guest Post)
J.K. Beck "Reading and Writing in a Series" (Guest Post)
Lauren Blakely "Playlist: Jane's Fave Sexy Songs" (GuestPost)
Hayden Braeburn (Interview--Kame + TBQ)
Sidney Bristol "Research, Japanese Tatoos, and Asian Foods..." (Guest Post)
Tracy Brogan "Why Historicals?" (Guest Post)
Kelsey Browning (Interview)
Alyson Burdette (Interview)
Catherine Bybee (Interview)
Catherine Bybee (Interview)



~*~*~C~*~*~
Liz Carlyle (Interview)
Isobel Carr (Interview)
Angela Castle "Why Paranormal Heroes?" (Guest Post)
Carol Cassada "Westmore" (Guest Post)
Camilla Chafer "Character Introduction: Meet Evan Hunter" (Guest Post)
Mae Clair (Interview)
Pamela Clare (Interview -- Kame)
Maire Claremont "The Dark Affair Dream Cast" (Guest Post)




~*~*~D~*~*~
Jami Davenport "Animals as Secondary Characters" (Guest Post)
Robyn DeHart (Interview)
Misty Dietz "Mentors: Pricy Currency" (Guest Post)
Tina Donahue "Heat with Heart" (Guest Post)
Fiona Druce "Love is a Funny Word" (Guest Post)
Fiona Druce "UF Rocks!" (Guest Post)
Fiona Druce "Love is a Funny Word" (GuestPost






~*~*~E~*~*~
Alexa Egan (Interview)
Bronwen Evans "Writing the Cinderella Story..." (Guest Post)






~*~*~F~*~*~

Chrys Fey (Character Interview)
April Fifer "Love  Bites!" (Guest Post)
Maureen Fisher "Animals in My Books" (Guest Post)
Bella Forrest (Interview)
Susanna Fraser (Interview)




~*~*~G~*~*~
Alice Gaines "Mating Season Inspiration" (Guest Post)
Cynthia Garner "5 Behind the Scenes/Fun Facts about Vampire's Hunger" (Guest Post)
Codi Gary "Playlist -- Bad Girls Don't Marry Marines" (Guest Post)
J.T. Geissinger "Is He a Shape Shifter?" (Guest Post)
Nancy Gideon (Character Interview)
Ann Gimpel "Real Women and Real Bodies in an Airbrushed World" (Guest Post)
Ann Gimpel "Time Travel and Writing" (Guest Post)
Eva Gordon (Character Interview)
Cait Greer "Dream Cast ParaWars: Uprising" (Guest Post)
T.A. Grey (Interview)
Kaleo Griffith (Interview w/ Kame)



~*~*~H~*~*~
Dawn Halliday (Interview)
Kacey Hammell (Interview)
A.M. Hargrove "The Creation of Jurek" (Guest Post)
Lily Harlem "Sexy Sportsmen" (Guest Post)
Kathleen Harrington (Interview)
Lauren Hawkeye "Why I Wrtie and What I Write" (Guest Post)
Erica Hayes "Let's Talk Magic" (Guest Post)
Erica Hayes (Interview)
Jennifer Haymore "Top 5 holiday novels (romances or otherwise)" (Guest Post)
Laurie Hunsaker "Time travel, is it the future? Or a thing of the past?" (Guest Post)
Aubrianna Hunter (Interview)
Danielle Hylton "Love Bites!" (Guest Post)





~*~*~I~*~*~
Alyssa Rose Ivy "Creating the Ultimate Secondary Characters" (Guest Post)





~*~*~J~*~*~
Myla Jackson "Top 10 Reasons Cowboys Rock Our World" (Guest Post)
Victoria James (Interview)
Jenna Jaxon (Interview)
Sophie Jordan "The Earl In My Bed--Why This Story Needed To Be Told!" (Guest Post)




~*~*~K~*~*~
Samantha Kane "Clueless" (Guest Post)
Isabo Kelly (Interview)
Mina Khan (Interview)
Cassidy Kingston (Interview)
Marne Ann Kirk "One Average (Crazy) Day in my Not-So-Writerly Life.... (Also known as, "Someone Get me Outta Here!!!)" (Guest Post)
Candace Knoebel (Interview)
Ruthie Knox "Banter as Foreplay" (Guest Post)
Ruthie Knox (Character Interview w/ Kame + TBQ)
Kathy Kulig "Crystal Power" (Guest Post)




~*~*~L~*~*~
Soraya Lane (Interview)
Soraya Lane "The Exciting World of Self-Publishing" (Guest Post)
Selena Laurence (Interview)
Danielle Lisle "The Fainting Room" (Guest Post)
Heather Long "Superhero Love" (Guest Post)
~*~*~M~*~*~

Abbey MacInnis "Writing a Holiday Themed Romance" (Guest Post)
Nana Malone (Interview)
Delilah Marvelle "Top 10 Favorite Historical Settings" (Guest Post)
Debbie Mason "Top 5 holiday novels (romances or otherwise)" (Guest Post)
Renea Mason "Sequels -- Who Knew?" (Guest Post)
Monica McCarty (Interview)
Amanda McIntyre (Interview)
Christine McKnight "Top 5 Signs You're Dating a Guy NOT of this World"
Robin Leigh Miller (Interview)
Robin Leigh Miller "Writing Erotica" (Guest Post)
Lisa Mondello "Falling in Love with Your Hero" (Guest Post)
Reese Monroe "Top 5 Man Candy Inspiration" (Guest Post)
Kymber Morgan (Interview)
Tamara Morgan (Interview)
Tamara Morgan "Hero Love: Playing Favorites" (Guest Post)
Marina Myles "Interview with Lord Draven Winthrop" (Guest Post)



~*~*~N~*~*~
Laura Navarre "Desire, Duty and the Marriage Bed: When an Arranged Marriage Heats Up" (Guest Post)
Annie Nicholas (Interview)
Laura Lee Nutt (Interview)


~*~*~O~*~*~



~*~*~P~*~*~
Alison Packard (Interview)
C.L. Parks (Interview)
Hanna Peach "Wanted: Israel" (Guest Post)
Sky Purington (Interview)
Sky Purington "Meet Iosbail and Alexander from Highland Persuasion" (Guest Post)



~*~*~Q~*~*~



~*~*~R~*~*~
Mary Ann Rivers (Interview w/ Kame)
Shelia Roberts "Meet Kyle Long" (Guest Post)
Linda Robertson (Interview)
Selena Robins (Interview w/ Kame)
Theresa Romain "A Book By Any Other Name" (Guest Post)
Ranae Rose (Character Interview w/ Kame)
Ranae Rose (Interview w/ Kame)
Ranae Rose (Interview #2 w/ Kame)
Nina Rowan "Top 5 holiday novels (romances or otherwise)" (Guest Post)
Nina Rowan (Interview)
Julie Rowe (Interview)
Carrie Ann Ryan "Werewolf Mates and Connections" (Guest Post)
Carrie Ann Ryan (Interview)
Carri Ann Ryan (Character Interview)
Rebecca Royce "The Making of a Hero: Creating a Man the Reader will Love" (Guest Post)






~*~*~S~*~*~
Jessica Scott (Character Interview)
Jessica Scott "Top 5 holiday novels (romances or otherwise)" (Guest Post) 
Jessica Scott "Top 5 things (Other) Military Romances Get Wrong" (Guest Post)
S.L. Scott (Interview with Kame)
Jill Shalvis (Interview)
Jaye Shields "Character Description: Sparrow Reed" (Guest Post)
Jaye Shields (Interview)
Lori Sjoberg "A Day in the Life of the Heroine: Sarah Griffith" (Guest Post)
Arianna Skye (Character Interview)
Kat Simons (Interview)
Debra Smith (Interview)
Christi Snow (Interview)
Tracy Solheim "The Not So Glamorous Life of an Author" (Guest Post)
Lillie Spencer (Interview)
Jean Hart Stewart (Interview)
Jillian Stone (Character Interview)
Miranda Stowe "Series Books" (Guest Post)
Jessica E. Subject "Writing Menages" (Guest Post)
Tracy Sumner (Interview)




~*~*~T~*~*~
Milly Talden (Interview)
Robbie Terman "Meet Chloe and Griffin (Some Like it Sinful)" (Guest Post)
Candis Terry (Interview)





~*~*~U~*~*~



~*~*~V~*~*~
Marquita Valentine "Reading an Excerpt at Lady Jane's" (Guest Post)
Wendy Vella (Interview)
Wendy Vella "Christmas Traditions" (Guest Post)
Wendy Vella "Meet My Latest Hero" (Guest Post)
Sedona Venez "Character Highlight for Torch Channing"



~*~*~W~*~*~
Julie Ann Walker (Interview)
Sue-Ellen Welfonder "Top 5 holiday novels (romances or otherwise)" (Guest Post)
Kate Willoughby (Character Interview)
Danica Winters "Montana Mustangs in God's Country" (Guest Post)



~*~*~X~*~*~



~*~*~Y~*~*~



~*~*~Z~*~*~
Rebecca Zanetti (Interview)
Rebecaa Zanetti "Top 5 Reasons Romantic Suspense and Paranormal Belong Together (Best of Both Worlds!)" (Guest Post)










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!

Read in 2011 List

I had a very slow start this year; between my college courses (at the time I was in the last semester of getting my Associates Degree) and then the health problems I had around the same time, I had very little time for reading, and absolutely no time for blogging. In fact, as you all know, up until September, I took a break from blogging.

But now I am back at it again, slowly working through all the old reviews I need post, reading all the books I was behind on reviewing, etc. I think I'll be caught up by....oh, 2013! LOL.

Usually I have no problem hitting close to 200 or more books in a year, but obviously this year I had to cut my goal back a bit. At first it was 100, which I hit a few months back, and then I moved it up to 150. But even that goal was just beyond my reach...

Here is what I did manage to read during 2011:


January:
1. Halo by Alexandra Adnornetto
2. Unseen by Rachel Caine (reviewed, only ever posted on NOR)
3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

February:
4. Ravishing in Red by Madeline Hunter
5. Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney

March:
6. Warcry by Elizabeth Vaughan (review)
7. A Highlander's Homecoming by Melissa Mayhue
8. A Hint of Wicked by Jennifer Haymore

April:
None!

May:
9.  Stranger in My Arms by Lisa Kleypas (review)
10. The Lost Saint by Bree Despain
11. The Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

June:
12. The Many Sins of Lord Cameron by Jennifer Ashley (review)
13. Aussie Rules by Jill Shalvis
14. The Romance Readers' Book Club by Julie L. Cannon
15. The Keys to the Repository by Melissa de la Cruz
16. The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver
17. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
18. Once Bitten, Twice Shy by Jennifer Rardin
19. Street Game by Christine Feehan
20. Fallen by Celeste Bradley
21. Lady of Desire by Gaelen Foley
22. Devil in My Bed by Celeste Bradley
23. Savage Dawn by Cassie Edwards
24. Wolf Runner by Constance O'Banyon
25. Much Ado About Marriage by Karen Hawkins
26. Savage Hope by Cassie Edwards
27. Chosen Woman by Shirl Henke

July:
28. Bengal's Heart by Lora Leigh
29. Sunshine and Shadow by Kathleen Harrington (O of P, cover not shown below)
30. The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
31. Forever In Your Embrace by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
32. Whirlwind by Nancy Martin
33. Bright Hopes by Pat Warren
34 Wisconsin Wedding by Carla Neggers
35. The Clayborne Brides by Julie Garwood
36. An Affair Before Christmas by Eloisa James
37. Devil in a Kilt by Sue-Ellen Welfonder
38. Knight of Darkness by Kinley MacGregor
39. Master of Torment by Karin Tabke
40. The Glass Slipper by Linda O. Johnston
41. Starlight, Starbright by Saranne Dawson
42. Julie and Julia by Julie Powell
43. Violet Fire by Brenda Joyce
44. High School Confidential by Jeremy Iversen
45. Monkey Wrench by Nancy Martin
46. Irish  Born *reread* by Nora Roberts

August;
47. No Place Like Home by Fern Michaels
48. The Book of Scandal by Julia London
49. Secrets of a Proper Lady by Victoria Alexander
50. Always a Scoundrel by Suzanne Enoch
51. Colter's Woman by Maya Banks
52. Colter's Wife by Maya Banks
53. Shapeshifters Craving by Lee Pearce
54. Marly's Choice *reread* by Lora Leigh
55. Slow Ride by Lorelei James
56. Sarah's Seduction *reread* by Lora Leigh
57. Just One Season in London by Leigh Michaels (review)
58. Heather's Gift *reread* by Lora Leigh
59. August Heat by Lora Leigh
60. A Loving Scoundrel by Johanna Lindsey
61. An Unexpected Pleasure by Candance Camp
62. One Wish by Linda Lael Miller
63. Lonetree Ranchers: Brant and Morgan by Kathie DeNosky
64. Nelson's Brand by Diana Palmer
65. Lonetree Ranchers: Colt by Kathie DeNosky
*66. Silent Night Man by Diana Palmer
*67. Sutton's Way by Diana Palmer
68. Temptress in Training by Susan Gee Heino (review)
69. The Mating by Nicky Charles (Free E-Book, cover not shown below)
70. The Keeping by Nicky Charles (Free E-Book, cover not shown below)
71. Savage Beloved by Cassie Edwards
72. Twice the Temptation by Suzanne Enoch
73. Men In Blue by Devyn Quinn, Myla Jackson and Delta Dupree
74. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
75. The Last Kiss by Luanne Rice

September:
76. Sunshine by Pat Warren
77. Unleash the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon
78. Sins of the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon
79. Queene of Light by Jennifer Armintrout
80. Isle of Lies by Donna Fletcher
81. Traveler by Melanie Jackson
82. Barbie and the Beast by Linda Thomas Sundstrom
83. In the Flesh by Livia Dare
84. Seduce Me in Shadow by Shayla Black
85. Breath of Fire by Tammy Kane
86. To Tempt a Rogue by Connie Mason
87. Kissing Midnight by Emma Holly
88. Breaking Midnight by Emma Holly
89. Love is Blind by Lynsay Sands
90. Snowy Night with a Stranger by Jane Feather, Sabrina Jeffries, Julia London
91. Last Breath by Rachel Caine (review)
92. The Next Always by Nora Roberts (review)
93. The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers by Angie Fox
94. Always Mine by Sophia Johnson
95. Homespun Bride by Jillian Hart
96. The Viking's Woman by Heather Graham
97. The Ever Knight by Georgia Fox (review)
98. Beyond the Clouds by Elizabeth Batten-Carew(O of Print,cover not shown below)
99. What Happens in London by Julia Quinn
100. Confessions of a Viscount by Shirley Karr
101. The Virgin Proxy by Georgia Fox (review)

October:
102. The Rules of Seduction by Madeline Hunter
103. Blazing Star by Suzanne Ellison
104. Moon Dance by Amy Blankenship (review)
105. Curse the Dawn by Karen Chance
106. Automagically by Sommer Marsden (review)
107. Playing with Fire by Gena Showalter
108. Unraveled by C.J. Barry
109. The Pleasure Master by Nina Bangs
110. All You Desire by Kirsten Miller (review)
111. 2012 by Whitley Strieber
112. To Burn by Claudia Dain
113. The Angel by Carla Neggers
114. A Lady Awakened by Cecilia Grant (review)
115. Under the Radar by Fern Michaels
116. Somewhere My Lass by Beth Trissel (review)
117. Aching for Always by Gwyn Cready
118. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone *reread* by J.K. Rowling

November:
119. Night Light by Amy Blankenship (review)
120. The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker by Leanna Renee Hieber
121. A Good Confession by Bridget Whelan (review)
122. Secrets of the Highlander by Janet Chapman
123. The Fire King by Marjorie Liu
124. Shifting Love by Constance O'Day-Flannery
125. Too Wicked to Wed by Cara Elliott (review)
126. Bad Boys Next Exit by Shannon McKenna, Donna Kauffman, and E.C. Sheedy
127. A Christmas Ball by Jennifer Ashley, Emily Bryan, and Alissa Johnson
128. Mad About the Earl by Christina Brooke (review)
129. The Rogue Pirate's Bride by Shana Galen (review)

December:
130. Spirit Bound by Christine Feehan (review)
131. Needing Nita by Norah Wilson
132. SEAL of My Dreams by Various Authors (review)
133. The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle by Raeanne Thayne
134. All About Seduction by Katy Madison (review)
135. The Highlander's Heart by Amanda Forester (review)
136. Sunrise with a Notorious Lord by Alexandra Hawkins (review)
137. Raven's Shadow by Patricia Briggs
138. Avenger's Angel by Heather Killough-Walden (review)


~*~*~*~*~

To view my ratings for each of these books, please feel free to visit my LibraryThing "Read in 2011" list. The books will not be listed on there in the same order, but you should be able to easily track a specific one down. *Hint, try to organize them by clicking on "title"; then they will appear alphabetically by the title*


Slideshow of Book Covers (Jan-June):




Slideshow of Book Covers (July-Dec):






I hope to read many more books in 2012 (before the world ends, you know! *wink*). I also plan on posting more reviews, not just for those that are sent to me for reviewing but also more of the books I buy on my own.

Oh, and I already have a few author guest posts and interviews set up (as part of a blog tour) for Feb. and March---most will have giveaways involved as well as my review on their newest release, so please make a note to stop by (Feb. 10, Feb. 23, March 26th, to name a few dates...).


I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year's--be safe, have fun, and don't do anything too crazy! :D



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, December 29, 2011

[NOR Review]: "Highlander's Heart"

Highlander's Heart by Amanda Forester
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (November 1, 2011)
Series: The Highlander Series, 2
Genre: Historical Romance
Summary (Amazon.com):
Fleeing into the wilderness to escape an abusive marriage, Lady Isabelle Tynsdale would sooner face down a wild boar than spend another night with her wretched husband. Battered by the elements, desperate to elude a band of attackers, and defending herself against, as fate would have it, a wild boar she is rescued by the handsome Laird David Campbell.



Campbell knows holding Isabelle captive for ransom is his best chance to temper the storm threatening to destroy his clan. The ransom of an English countess should be more than enough to pay off his debts to England and save him from an unwanted marriage. But Isabelle didn't escape her husband just to become another man's captive and Laird Campbell is seriously misguided if he thinks she's going to go quietly.






Other Books in the Series:
Click on the covers to buy from BN.com; the title links to the book's page on the author's site.






Book 1: The Highlander's Sword









Book 3: True Highland Spirit
(March 2012)







Where to Buy*: Amazon | Kindle | BN.com
More Info: Author's Site | Book Site | Excerpt



My Review:

Lady Isabelle Tynsdale was married off at a young age, to a man much older than herself. Her wedding night was horrible—and when he suddenly came in to try and kill her during the night, she fled, running back to the safety of her uncle and her home. That is where she has been for years now; but when her uncle dies, leaving her without any family or protection, she knows she must petition for a divorce if she wants to stay safe from her husband.




During the journey she becomes separated from her guard and wanders off a bit too far. She finds herself in the wilds of Scotland, and it seems like every time she turns around something (or someone) new is coming after her. Suddenly she is saved by David, Laird Campbell, a rugged Highlander who catches her attention and makes her wish that she was someone else....



But rather than help her to get back to England, a place he despises, he decides to ransom her off to her husband and be rid of her. The only problem is, his whole heart isn't into this idea; and despite how much trouble the English lass is, there is something about her that enchants him, that makes him want to know more. Some part of him would love to be her knight in shining armor, but when he has two powerful rival clans trying to marry him off to their daughter and granddaughter, he knows that he is as free as Isabelle for such a relationship. David has a responsibility to his clan, to his family, and to his country—but he also has a responsibility to his heart. So which does he listen to?



The one thing I truly enjoyed about The Highlander's Heart was the wit and banter between David and Isabelle. It wasn't constantly there, but it would show up just when I least expected it and I'd find myself smiling like a fool for the next few pages. They were constantly throwing jabs back and forth at each other, some sarcastic, some joking, all of them just funny enough that if you caught it, you would chuckle: subtle humor, one of my favorites, especially in a book.



I liked that Isabelle was a bit of a handful, but at times I felt that she was simply being too silly, even, dare I say, stupid, by running off every time without thinking about the consequences. She simply assumed that she would be able to make it back to England with no problem, as if her simple presence would make everything turn out perfectly, rather than the reality of it: she was nothing but a bundle of bad luck, always getting herself into trouble. And often pulling others into the mess with her! She wasn't my favorite heroine ever, to be honest, but neither was she the worst. I simply would have preferred to know more about her; her character wasn't completely three-dimensional, something that I think is a requirement in a good book.



David was much the same way. I would have liked more from his character, but what was there wasn't bad, it just wasn't my favorite either. I did like that David was a flawed hero, in that he was deathly afraid of heights. He doesn't like that he has this fear, being a big brawny laird and all, but his family understands and that's really all that matters. Now Isabelle does as well, and in fact manages to help him through his fear a bit...by use of a diversion of the most sinful sort!



The storyline was very complex, and pulled in a lot of historical accuracy, in regards to the Scots' fight against England and whatnot. I do wish that there hadn't been so many sidelines that the plot when off onto, as it did take away from the main romance of Isabelle and David a bit, but at least they were enjoyable, if cut a bit short due to trying to fit so many stories in the one book.



3.5 STARS! A wonderful historical romance, The Highlander's Heart may have a few flaws, but it is still a good, solid read for any Highlander fan out there. I would recommend this book for some of the witty scenes alone even if I had problems with a few of the other areas in the novel. I look forward to reading the next book in this series, as it is supposed to cover Morrigan McNab's story, and she was a bit of a feisty woman. A lush, enjoyable historical, The Highlander's Heart is sure to entertain many readers!


Favorite Quote:
"I'm getting chilled waiting for you to stop whining and start impressing me with your kissing arts."
"Whining? A Highlander never whines."
"Still waiting."
"We grunt and growl and scratch ourselves in inappropriate places, but never, ever whine."
"And I am still waiting."

This is a good example of the witty, yet sometimes subtle, banter that goes on between Isabelle and David, and one of the reasons I liked this book.





~~~
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!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

[NOR and ARC Review]: "Sunrise with a Notorious Lord"

Sunrise with a Notorious Lord by Alexandra Hawkins
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (January 3, 2012)
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Lords of Vice, 4
Summary (Amazon.com):
Dashing, decadent, and deliciously seductive, the notorious Lords of Vice indulge their every desire—from dusk until dawn…



Christopher Courtland, Earl of Vanewright—known around London as “Vane”—is the very picture of a rich, handsome ladies’ man. Why shackle himself to just one lady when he’s free to sample them all? In spite of his own mother’s attempts at matchmaking, Vane has sworn to stay single. Until he has a chance run-in with Miss Isabel Thorne…


A modest and refined beauty, Isabel is a lot more brazen than she appears. When a pickpocket tries to make away with Vane’s bejeweled snuffbox, Isabel attempts to thwart his escape…and manages to steal Vane’s heart. But the harder he tries to seduce the sharp-tongued, strong-willed Isabel, the more she resists. Now it’s up to this tried-and-true bachelor to find a new way to play the game…or risk losing the one woman who’s ever captured his heart.



Other Books in the Series:
Click on the covers to buy from BN.com; the title links to the book's page on the author's site.






Book 1: All Night with a Rogue









Book 2: Till Dawn with the Devil










Book 3: After Dark with a Scoundrel






Where to Buy*: Amazon | Kindle | BN.com | NOOK
More Info: Author's Site | Book Site | Excerpt^
^(Download this sampler, the excerpt for this book, and many others, is in it!)



My Review:

Isabel Thorne life has been anything but easy. Her father's death lead to her mother's inability to deal with everyday life, leaving Isabel to take care of the household herself. With limited resources, this hasn't been easy; her father was only a mere working man, a philosopher of sorts, and though her mother was born the daughter of a lord she was cut off completely the moment she married Mr. Thorne. Isabel has come to accept that she will never have a glorious life, but if she can at least keep her younger sister, Delia, from trouble until she marries, she will be content. This is no easy task when her sister only wishes to flirt with every man she meets, but has no wish to marry yet.




It is because of her sister that Isabel gets the chance to go to London for a season. A lady of the ton asks her to come to town, with Delia, for the purpose of trying to arrange a match between her son and Delia. Isabel agrees, but doesn't realize at the time all the trouble this plan is going to be. Nor does she realize that the lady's plan all along was not for Delia to be the bride, but rather Isabel herself...



Christopher, more commonly known to the world as Vane (Lord Vanewright) is anything but tame. He is, in fact, one of the Lords of Vice, a group of young men that are said to participate in truly scandalous affairs, as well as own the Nox club, which is known for its less than honorable reputation. Like the rake he is, he has been avoiding his mother's matchmaking attempts for two years now, but can he outwit her yet again, or will he find himself leg-shackled to some young heiress by the end of the season?



When he runs into the enchanting Miss Isabel Thorne while trying to break off an affair with his current mistress (while in a seamstress, of all places!), he thinks nothing of it. Her younger sister is with her, and while many men would no doubt say that Delia is more beautiful, his eyes kept straying to Isabel instead. Little does he know that she is plotting with his mother, trying to set him up with Delia. He has no attraction to the younger Thorne sister, but Isabel is a temptation he finds himself unable to resist. Could the infamous Lord Vane finally have found the one woman who can tame his rakish soul?



Upon finding out about her connection with his mother's plans, Vane casts Isabel aside; how could she lie to him like that? He trusted her, believed she was one of the few honest women out there, and he had come to think of her not only as his friend and lover, but as, perhaps, something more permanent. After confronting his mother with the discovery, he finds out that perhaps Isabel was telling him the truth all along—or at least the truth as she knew it... It seems his mother was trying to be sneaky about all of it and only told Isabel that the matchmaking was to be between Vane and Delia, when instead she had set her eyes on Isabel for a future daughter-in-law. After the cruel way he treated her, how can he ever convince Isabel that he is the right man for her—the only man for her? By the use of some late night seduction of course!



I liked this book, I truly did. However, I didn't love it. I had a hard time connecting real well with the characters. Isabel wasn't too bad; at least she wasn't a silly society miss; she knows what hard work is and she does it, unlike her younger sister. I felt like I could empathize with Isabel a bit, in that she often felt like she was giving everything she had (to her family, to her responsibilities) and yet was getting nothing back in return. I know I certainly feel this way at times, and I am at least glad that Isabel was not one of those that whines about it. As to Vane...I like a good rake, but he I didn't fall in love with this one. Something about him, or perhaps a lack of knowing who he really is as a character, kept me from falling for him.



The storyline felt a bit rough at times; the pace more “stop-and-go” than smooth and steady. Part of it, naturally, can be due to the fact that I was reading an uncorrected copy; however, I don't think the ARC should take the entire blame. It seemed like there was not a lot of interaction between Isabel and Vane at times and yet suddenly they are both in love and consummating said love for one another. Hold on—where was the build up? Where was the romance? Where were the basic connections? I barely saw any of it, and that is a shame because all of these things combined, when done well, can be much more entertaining and fulfilling than the climax of these elements: the sex scene.



3.5 Stars! Despite a few flaws, Sunrise with a Notorious Lord wasn't a bad read; however, it's not one that I would recommend running right out to buy either. Instead, it falls somewhere in between—at least for me. I will, however, be looking into the other books in this series (both previous and upcoming) because some of the other Lords of Vice sound quiet interesting and I am hoping that their reform will be a bit more enjoyable than Vane's. For a quick read, there is nothing wrong with Sunrise with a Notorious Lord; but if you are looking for more from your romance novel (strong characters you can relate to and a tangible romance for example) than perhaps you might wish to look elsewhere.




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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.
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Enjoy!




Until Next Time,
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