[ARC Review]: "The Proposal"

The Proposal by Mary Balogh

Publisher: Delacorte Press (May 1, 2012)

Series: The Survivors' Club, 1

Genre: Historical Romance

In Mary Balogh’s engaging and seductive new novel of drama and romance, a woman comfortable in her solitude allows temptation to free her heart, when a daring war hero shows her how truly extraordinary she is.

THE PROPOSAL

Gwendoline, Lady Muir, has seen her share of tragedy, especially since a freak accident took her husband much too soon. Content in a quiet life with friends and family, the young widow has no desire to marry again. But when Hugo, Lord Trentham, scoops her up in his arms after a fall, she feels a sensation that both shocks and emboldens her.

Hugo never intends to kiss Lady Muir, and frankly, he judges her to be a spoiled, frivolous—if beautiful—aristocrat. He is a gentleman in name only: a soldier whose bravery earned him a title; a merchant’s son who inherited his wealth. He is happiest when working the land, but duty and title now demand that he finds a wife. He doesn’t wish to court Lady Muir, nor have any role in the society games her kind thrives upon. Yet Hugo has never craved a woman more; Gwen’s guileless manner, infectious laugh, and lovely face have ruined him for any other woman. He wants her, but will she have him?

The hard, dour ex-military officer who so gently carried Gwen to safety is a man who needs a lesson in winning a woman’s heart. Despite her cautious nature, Gwen cannot ignore the attraction. As their two vastly different worlds come together, both will be challenged in unforeseen ways. But through courtship and seduction, Gwen soon finds that with each kiss, and with every caress, she cannot resist Hugo’s devotion, his desire, his love, and the promise of forever.

Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle | BN | NOOK

More Info:

Author's Site | Book Site | Excerpt

My Review:

Mary Balogh has talent, being able to write a story that makes the reader sigh and dream of their own HEA. She writes with an eloquence that fits perfectly with the historical period in which the book is set. These are just a few reasons why Balogh's books always please the readers—and they apply to her newest novel, The Proposal, too.

The heroine and hero of this story were flawed, imperfect—realistic, in a sense. They both have dark pasts that they are struggling to overcome. Their story is not a light, carefree romance, but it does have brief scenes where the banter and conversation help to lighten the slightly dark mood that follows both characters.

I liked Gwen, a strong heroine who is past the first bloom of youth. She's had a terrible time since her husband's death (suicide), as she blames herself. She's determined never to remarry, and after almost 10 years, she's learned to accept it. When it seems that fate has stepped in and thrown her into the path of the mysterious Lord Trentham, Gwen slowly begins to rethink her pledge. But can she overcome her past and reach for a new future?

Hugo is a tortured hero, one who has seen the brutalities of war and lived to tell the tale—even when many of his fellow soldiers did not. After returning to England injured (nor physically, but mentally), the country calls him a war hero—but he thinks himself a broken killer instead.

Originally from the upper working class, he doesn't want anything to do with the ton, but upon his return his finds himself a titled gentleman, a “gift” for his time at war. He doesn't fit in with the high society crowd, and he doesn't want to. But for his younger sister, he'll brave the ton so she can attend a few balls. To do so, he'll need the help of a woman—will Lady Gwen fit the role? More importantly, can he forget his past, as well as their difference in class, and offer up his heart to Gwen? Will she even accept....

Although there were a few parts during the book when I skimmed a couple of pages, overall this was a really good story, if lacking a bit in action. Towards the end, the sigh-worthy moments were more dominant, and I had a smile on my face from it. Always a sign of a good book! :)

4 STARS! A lovely historical romance, one filled with interesting characters who break the cookie-cutter mold just a bit. I look forward to the next book in this new series—like Hugo, the rest of the Survivors' Club members seem to have their own personal obstacles to overcome, and I think each of their stories will be quiet the adventure! A perfect book for any fan of the genre, The Proposal is sure to be a keeper on your shelf!

~*~*~*~
I received this ARC through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer's Program, in exchange for my honest review.
~*~*~*~



Enjoy!




Until Next Time,

*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!

[Review]: "Forget Me Not"

Title: Forget Me Not
Author: Vicki Hinze
Pub. Date/Publisher: Multnomah Books (March 16, 2010)
Genre: Christian Fiction, Romance
Summary (Amazon):
Benjamin Brandt, owner of the Crossroads Crisis Center, hasn't set foot in the center since his wife and son were murdered a few years earlier. Then Susan comes to the center, beaten and battered, suffering a case of amnesia, and also bearing a close resemblance to Benjamin's deceased wife, also named Susan, and wearing the dead woman's cross necklace.

The two clash at first, but even as murders occur around them, the tension between them relaxes. Still, there is a mystery to be solved involving Susan's identity and a past that must be reckoned with before either can move ahead. Hinze's plot may have readers puzzling over how this tangled tale will ever resolve itself, but that underestimates the author's talent for transforming the unlikely into something beautiful.

 

Places to Order Forget Me Not at:
Amazon
Barnes and Nobles
Borders

Review:
Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze was a slow, albeit semi-interesting, read. It's not that the writing was poor by any means; in fact, it was fairly well written. However, the storyline, the characters, and the slow progression towards the climax took the novel down a few stars.
 Unfortunately, I do not have much to say about Forget Me Not—good or bad. It was one of those books (for me at least) that was simply “OK.” Nothing stood out, nothing inspired me, and yet there was also nothing that pushed me away, either. It was a book to pass the time with, and one that had it's good moments, but not one that I would go out of my way to read again.


3 Stars! A mediocre book, due to the subject matter more than a flaw in the author's writing. Again, this is just my opinion—I'm sure there are plenty that would love this book. However, this was simply not the book for me. I don't regret reading it, but neither am I anxious to read it again and again. If you like a good Christian novel, with a touch of suspense, a subtle hint of romance, and an over all theme of moral values and finding God again, then this is the book for you, even if it was not a 5 star novel for me.





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Thanks to LibraryThing's EarlyReviewer Program, where I won this book a few months ago!
~~~

Sorry for not posting this review earlier-- it's been done for a while, but for some reason Blogger didn't post it when I had originally "ordered" it to. Hopefully before the end of this week I will have at least one more review up, two if I can.

And in the next few days, watch out for the information for my.. *Drum Roll*

2ND BLOG ANNIVERSARY!

Yes, I know I missed it last year (Don't even ask how, I have no clue myself!), BUT  this time will be HUGE. I have a few contests planned, and the prizes are pretty amazing, if I do say so myself!








Enjoy!






Until Next Time,

[Review]: "Love Is a Battlefield"

Title: Love Is a Battlefield
Author: Annalisa Daughety
Pub. Date: October 2009Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Incorporated
Genre: Christian Fiction, Romance
Series: A Walk in the Park Ser.
Summary (B&N):

When park ranger Kristy O'Neal returns to her job at Shiloh National Military Park after being left at the altar, she can hardly stand the thought of facing her colleagues as a jilted woman. Still, Kristy realizes her heart will mend fastest where her real love lies: the natural surroundings of a famed national park. Just when Kristy summons up her strength to re-enter her workplace, she discovers that a new ranger—a handsome and eligible man—has replaced her. Ace Kennedy immediately feels the heat, but definitely not the type of heat he hopes for after meeting Kristy. As the two attempt to work amicably with one another, outside pressures in the form of vandalism, interfering matchmakers, old wounds and fresh emotions draw Kristy and Ace closer while also setting them against each other.

Places to Order Love Is a Battlefield at:

Amazon.com

B&N.com

Borders.com

Review:

My first impression of this novel upon beginning it was "average". From the characters to the story line, nothing really stood out to me--- it sounded like something we've heard countless times, both in books and real life.

Kristy, our heroine for Love Is a Battlefield, has your average life. She's been in her dream job for most of her life, and loves it. She falls for the 'perfect' man, only to later find out he's the wrong guy for her-- after being left at the alter and broken up with through a note, of all things. Now her life isn't so perfect, she's been replaced at work by the good-looking new guy, and her mother's trying to play match maker already.

Haven't we seen this before? And if not, doesn't it seem like the sort of thing you'd see in your own town? Personally, when I pick up a book, I want to escape from the real world, not jump into the slightly fictionalized version of the same thing! Then again, I've always had trouble getting into contemporary fiction/romance, especially Christian Fiction such as this. But no matter my own genre preferences, I simply felt like this book needed something more, something new.

All the characters seemed a bit common, not particularly strong in development. Despite being the main character, Kristy almost seemed to take a back seat to Ace at times, and even he wasn't as forward of a character as I would have liked. Plus, for more than 3/4 of the book, we knew next to nothing about him-- he just kept eluding to some "to be announced" reason why he came to take this new job, and I was hoping it would be something good that added to the plot, but in the end, when you find out, it's a big let down. I won't ruin it, but let's just say it adds about as much excitement to the book as watching grass grow.

From the conversations between the characters to the flow of the story line, everything just seemed a bit too predictable and bland to me. Honestly, I could practically tell you what the characters were going to say even before it came up-- it should not be that easy to predict! It wasn't a horribly written novel, but it didn't have any real "pop!" to it either.

And then there was the fact that, despite this being a Christian Fiction, I couldn't see, nor appreciate, the romance that was suppose to be in it. I know, it's suppose to be chaste-- but must it be invisible and fake too? That's my one problem with CF novels--- it's not that there may be the occasional undertone of religion in the novel (though, at times, that too can get annoying), but the fact that most authors in this genre seem to think that the romance must be as clean as the new snow! Come on, even the most strict of religious couples are not that boring in their relationships! Is there anything wrong with a bit of lust, a kiss or two? Unresolved sexual tension, when written well, can be just as sexy as the most erotic romance scenes!

3 STARS! Despite the mediocre story behind this novel, I can't say I hated the book-- not by any means. However, it was lacking in excitement, and romance, which are my only real criticisms. Otherwise, the book was a quick, and at times charming, read-- not too heavy, but a very light fiction novel. If you don't mind the brief mention of religious beliefs in your fiction (aka, Christian Fiction), then by all means, pick this one up when you get some spare time, but don't move it to the top of your wish list.





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Thanks to LibraryThing's EarlyReviewer Program, where I won this book last month!
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Hmm... I really need to start working on my preparation for tomorrow's big dinner, but I'm far too lazy right now. *Pause* Okay, so I'm also a bit *preoccupied* by Facebook too, but that's besides the point! :D

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday tomorrow, and enjoy the rest of your week!



Enjoy!






Until Next Time,

Reivew-- "Menu for Romance"

Title: Menu for Romance

Author: Kaye Dacus

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christian Fiction Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Incorporated

Publication Date: July 2009

Series: Brides of Bonneterre ISBN-13: 9781602604551

Summary (Amazon):

Cater to your craving for fabulous fictional fare with Menu for Romance, where a party planner finds herself torn between the contractor and the cook. After eight years of unrequited love, Meredith Guidry makes a New Year's resolution to find someone new and end her single status before the year's over. And when she meets a handsome contractor on New Year's Day, it seems like her prayers have been answered. Executive Chef Major O'Hara has forsworn relationships, knowing he could never saddle the woman he loves with a family situation like his. But when it seems he's about to lose Meredith Guidry to another man, he realizes he must concoct a menu for romance to win her back.

My Review: I'm not usually one for contemporaries, unless it's from an author I already know and love. But when I saw Menu for Romance on the ER list for August, I was interested enough to request it. And while this wasn't my favorite book of all times, it was a pleasant enough read that I may try other books from Ms. Dacus in the future. I did enjoy the lite, fluffy romance in the story, and it was a welcome reprieve from all the other books I've been reading. It had it's 'ah, cute' type of moments, along with a few witty ones. In other words, a sweet, and fairly quick read. However, the one main thing that I didn't like was the complete lack of sexual tension---of any sort! Only a few little pecks on the lips were even mentioned in the book. Now, I know, this is technically a 'Christian Fiction', and that means that it's no where near the erotica level, but does it have to mean no sexual tension, too? Come on, sometimes the build up and teasing along the way is far more interesting than the actual 'event'! If the author doesn't want to put sex scenes in the book before the h/hr are married, that's fine with me-- but what's so harmful in a few slightly heady scenes between a couple that you know will end up married in the end? Despite the lack of, well, passion, between the hero and heroine of the story, the characters themselves weren't too bad. They could have had a bit more depth at times, but over all, I didn't mind them-- and I have to say, Major's mother was by far the most unique out of the group. I only wish the author had played up interaction between them all a bit more, since at times I almost didn't really see the connection between them. It was more like a fine line than the strong one you usually want in a book, especially a romance. Christian Fiction or not, you still need that connection, that growth and development from the characters. 3/5 STARS! An enjoyable romance novel, which I would recommend to anyone, even a teenage girl. With an interesting (and not too common) story plot, which only added to the appeal, plus characters and events that are realistic, Menu for Romance shouldn't be passed over just because of its genre. Try it, and I'm sure you won't be disappointed in it either! ~~~~~~ See, I told you I'd get this review posted before Friday! :D Thanks for all the well wishes, ladies! :D I really appreciate it. I'm still feeling miserable, but not quiet as bad as yesterday. Thank God for Pseudoephedrine--- I swear, if you have a stuffy nose, grab this stuff, it's the best kind out there, and I've been using it for colds for most of my life! Still, if you don't see me around a lot for the rest of the week, you know why. I will have another post Friday, at least. And maybe I'll start on my next review tomorrow, though I probably won't have it posted until next week sometime...

Enjoy!

Until Next Time,

REVIEW: "The Chosen One"

I know, I've been MIA for this month-- and only two reviews! That's terrible. I'm really going to work harder on it next month, I promise. I've just had so many things going on here, my summer college classes (and now finals), family issues, etc.... But next month I'm going to really work on posting daily-- or at least a few times a week. So please, stick with me! ;)

On to the review:

Title: The Chosen One

Author: Carol Lynch Williams
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Pages: 224
Summary (B&N):
Thirteen-year-old Kyra has grown up in an isolated polygamous community without questioning her father’s three wives and her twenty brothers and sisters. Or at least without questioning them much—if you don’t count her secret visits to the Mobile Library on Wheels to read forbidden books, or her meetings with the boy she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her. But when the Prophet decrees that Kyra must marry her 60-year-old uncle—who already has six wives—Kyra must make a desperate choice in the face of violence and her own fears of losing her family.

My Thoughts:

When I first picked up The Chosen One, I was a bit weary-- it's not the kind of book I usually read. I didn't know a whole lo about polygamy, except for the stereotypical information we get through the news. Could I get into this book even though everything about their life style goes against my beliefs and my morals? I didn't think so... but I would soon be proven wrong.

Though I still find polygamy wrong (and not just because of the multiple wives), I found out more about it through this book, and hopefully that knowledge will help me to be more open minded in the future-- after all, many of the followers are born into this cult/religion, but that doesn't mean they agree to everything their 'God' has said they should do. Kyra's family, for example, seems much closer, more loving, than the others, and they don't take everything they've been raised to believe to heart. They don't want Kyra to marry her 60 year old uncle (and become his 7th wife), and they wish they could change they would do anything to change the Prophet's decision.

Also, looking at Kyra and Joshua's forbidden love, you can't help but reach out and connect with the characters, even if they do have different beliefs. They love each other and want to get married, grow old, all the same things we want from life-- but their family, their whole community, is against them. Sound familiar? We've heard the same basic idea before, but never in this type of setting. That's one of the reason I love this book-- she connected it to things we could relate to, and in doing so make the characters seem real.
4.5 STARS! An in depth look at a culture we know very little about-- enlightening, interesting, yet gut-wrenching because of the clear pictures Williams paints in your mind. Emotional, compelling, and eye opening, Kyra's story is sure to make you stop and think, not just close the book and put it aside. Fast-paced and exciting, The Chosen One is sure to grab your attention from the very beginning!



Enjoy!





Until Next Time,

REVIEW: "Blood Bayou"

Title: Blood Bayou

Author: Karen Young

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Release Date: May 2009

Summary (B&N):

To Save a Victim, Camille St. James May Have to Become One Herself. Seven years ago, tragedy ended the troubled marriage of Camille and Jack Vermillion. Now, as head of the Truth Project, her life safe and orderly, she focuses her lawyerly skills on freeing wrongly incarcerated individuals on death row. Jack paid a bitter price for his mistakes. No longer a high-powered corporate attorney, he's now pastor of a small church in Blood Bayou. Unsure of her own beliefs, Camille is highly skeptical of the conversion of this man she hasn't seen in seven years. Then tragedy strikes again. Jack's sister is murdered, apparently by a prisoner Camille has set free. To prove his innocence, Camille must return to Blood Bayou. But that means facing the hostility of the town — and Jack. And as She Works to Find the Real Killer, Someone Is Determined to Stop Her...by Any Means.

My Thoughts: I have to be honest: when I first started the book, the story line was a bit dry, and it moved slow, too slow for my tastes. It wasn't enough to make me want to put the book down, unfinished, and it didn't make me hate the book in the end, but I think it's only fair that I say this, in case others happen to find themselves thinking the same thing, wondering if they should read the book. And here's my answer: yes. I don't regret reading this book, it was good. Maybe not at the top of my favorites list, but definitely not on my least favorite either. Moving on. After the story line picked up, I started to enjoy it. The characters were interesting, and Young did a wonderful job at making them seem real. They had flaws, they had pasts, but they knew what mistakes they may have made, and weren't wimpy or annoying. Good characters are a must for a good book, they're what holds the rest of the book together! The one thing that confused me a bit was how Young started the book out telling us about a murder mystery in this relatively small town, and it's Camille's job to help figure it out. But suddenly, less than a fourth of the way through the book, the mystery element kind of...disappeared, and suddenly it's all about Camille and Jack's rekindling of their previous relationship. Now, I like a good suspense/mystery that the author combines with a romance story, but the melting of the two elements in this particular book weren't the smoothest. Sorry, Karen, it's nothing really against your writing, maybe it's more of my own particular opinion on what I like to read in a book? It's hard to explain... However, as the story continued, I found myself enjoying it more and more. Jack and Camille's connection started to grow (again), and there were more than a few parts where I found myself chuckling (always a good thing). Most importantly, the mystery came back, with a powerful kick, adding drama and suspense back into the story. After they started putting more of the 'clues' together, I instantly knew who the killer was, but even figuring it out before the big climax didn't take away from the enjoyment of the book. If there is one thing I would have liked a bit more of in the book, it's the back story of Camille and Jack. The author touched on it, briefly, a few times, but it always left me wanting a bit more. Jack was an alcoholic when they were married, but it finally became too much for Camille and she divorced him. After he sobered up, he became a man of God. (PAUSE) Wait, how did that happen? Don't get me wrong, I know it's possible, and I think it's great, but I would like to have read a bit about it! Talk about a strong, but previously tortured hero... So why not give us a little nibble of what he went through? And I know this was suppose to be more of a lite Christian novel, which means no 'R' rated sex scenes, but I wish they'd had a bit more passion along the way, even if it was only kisses. Even sweet, innocent ones are better than nothing! 4/5 stars. All in all, this was a very good book. Just the right amount of mystery and a light touch of romance (I loved how the story shows you that love can be won, even after it's lost). Not too fluffy, but not too much hard core suspense either. Great for a quick read by the pool side! ;)

Enjoy!

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REVIEW: "The Last Bridge"

Title: The Last Bridge

Author: Teri Coyne

Release Date: July 28th, 2009

Summary (B&N):

For fans of Jodi Picoult and Sue Miller, a dark, edgy, page-turning debut about the lengths one woman will travel to escape her past. After a ten-year absence, Alex “Cat” Rucker returns to her Ohio hometown because of a letter left on her mother’s kitchen table—a suicide note, carefully preserved in a bag, that reads: “He isn’t who you think he is. Love, Mom”

Thus opens this stunning debut novel from author Teri Coyne, who, with wry humor and sharp wit, follows Alex’s journey through the traumatic experiences of her youth and the haze of her adult life.While Alex tries to repress the memories of her brutal childhood—an abusive father, her estranged (and possibly illegitimate) brother, and the first love who would do anything to save her—she must face just how shattered she still is. At each step Alex confronts her biggest fears, realizes the impact of her choices, and inches closer to redemption. Can she embrace her vulnerabilities, talents, and desire for love, or will the revelations of her mother’s cryptic note prove too overwhelming for her to bear? The Last Bridge is a perfect blend of suspense, despair, and romance—and at its heart lies the question: are we a product of our experiences or our choices?

My Thoughts: The story itself was fairly dark, and not my usual type of book. However, it was still written nicely, and though I can't say that I hated it, at the same time, I can't honestly say that I was blown away by it. If anything, my opinion on the over all book is almost neutral. It was okay, not horrible, but not amazing. Nothing wrong with it, but it just depends on the individual person as to whether or not they will enjoy it. I know many other reviewers that really loved this book, and that's fine-- I have nothing against them, because even though I didn't give it a 5 star rating, I can't pin point what it is that made me think "okay" and "not bad"after finishing it. Maybe it just wasn't my type of book? After all, I usually prefer fantasy and romance, and this book had neither. True, Coyne tried to pull Cat's small love story in to it, but it didn't really work, in my opinion, and I think she knew that, which is why there was only a minimal amount. Maybe it's because Cat had so many things to over come and realize about herself, that there was no way for her to fall passionately in love right off the bat, without having to work towards that first? I hope that makes sense, it's hard to explain what I mean without spoiling too many things for future readers and/or taking up pages of explanation... Again, I can't really say why this was only a mediocre book for me, so I don't want to try bashing something that I have no real problem with. Instead, here are the things that I did think turned out fine: ~The characters. Though I had my own troubles dealing with Cat's personality/attitude sometimes, they were believable, and I applaud Teri for making them seem so real. They were flawed, sure, and they had troublesome pasts, but that's how real people are. ~The writing. True, there were a few places where I thought the writing was a bit rough (not as in grammatical errors that you expect to find in an ARC, but the actual flow of the story), but I can't judge, I know that my own writing isn't always perfect either! Over all, it was an easy read, and I finished it in only a few days (in between the twenty other things I have to do on any given day). That by itself should show that it did have the ability to keep my attention, and I wanted to finish the book. ~The conversations. Cat had a bit of a sarcastic bite, and I enjoyed reading some of the humor, both between the characters and in the rest of the writing. 3/5 STARS! As a new author, Teri Coyne managed to snag my attention with the book, and as a first novel, she did a wonderful job. :) The story was very brutal, but honest, since things like that happen more than I'm sure we want to believe. And I'm sure that when Coyne has another book published, I'll check it out as well, to see what she plans to give the readers next time.

Enjoy!

Until Next Time,

REVIEW: "Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand"

Thanks again to LibraryThing Early Reviewer's Program. And thanks to Hachette Group for giving this book to LT to begin with. :)

Title: Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand

Author: Carrie Vaughn

Series: The Kitty Norville Series, Book 5

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (Hachette Book Group)

Pages: 320

Summary (B&N):

Already the alpha pair of Denver's werewolf pack, Kitty and Ben now plan to tie the knot human-style by eloping to Vegas. Kitty is looking forward to sipping fru-fru drinks by the pool and doing her popular radio show on live TV, but her hotel is stocked with werewolf-hating bounty hunters. Elsewhere on the Strip an old-school magician might be wielding the real thing; the vampire community is harboring a dark secret; and the irresistible star of a suspicious animal act is determined to seduce Kitty. Sin City has never been so wild, and this werewolf has never had to fight harder to save not only her wedding, but her very life.

My Thoughts: Although I haven't yet read the first four books in this series, I'm pretty sure that Carrie Vaughn's work has managed to catch my attention-- in a good way, of course. A light, quick read, Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand is a great option for anyone who likes a bit of adventure and humor in their romance novels. And even though it's technically a paranormal, the para-theme isn't too strong, and I'm sure that even those readers who are not usually drawn to the genre would enjoy the series.

Vaughn has a way of writing what should be a very complex story line in a simple way-- that is, not to say that her work is simple, as in 'boring/slow', but it's not extremely difficult to follow. Like I said, I jumped into the series more than half way through, and I wasn't lost, although after finishing the book, I knew I wanted to go back and read the first books simply for the enjoyment, not necessarily because I needed to in order to move on to the newest book.

It was a fun read, and I finished it in one sitting. The characters were interesting, and I'd like to read more about Kitty's life-- it seems to be full of all kinds of adventures and troubles. Plus, I'd like to read the next book to see what happens with the mysterious Master Vampire that came into play at the end of this book. The only problem I had was with Ben, her mate. For some reason, I didn't really like him in this book... I don't know if my opinion would be different if I had read the series from book 1 on, and been introduced to him, got to know him, and saw how the two of them connected. Maybe. But it seemed like he was kind of distant in the book, and for being Kitty's mate, he almost seemed to take a backseat in the story, more like a sidekick or minor character instead of being the heroine's mate and therefore more like the story's second hero. Or was this just my imagination?

I almost didn't believe their love, but again, I think this could be because I skipped the first few books, where most of their major connecting would have first occurred. Maybe it's because I'm use to books where the romances is more explicit and, well, there? There wasn't one sex scene between Kitty and Ben in the whole book, and that's not what I usually look for in my romance novels. I'm not saying it had to be a full blown erotic novel, but I do wish it would have had something more to it, both for entertainment and to show their love.

Don't get me wrong-- just because I had a problem with the romance in the book, that doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand -- I did. But after finishing it, I saw it more as a really light chic lit type of novel, a charming and quick read on a long day. But nothing really deep or romantic, I'm sorry to say. Again, maybe I would have been happier with the romance element in it if I'd read the series in order, I'm not sure, we'll have to see. I do plan on going back to read the first ones, as soon as I get some spare time.

4/5 STARS! A nice read for anyone, whether you are big on paranormal books or not. Charming, entertaining, and unique, I'd love to read more of Vaughn's work. Especially Kitty's novels. After all, life isn't easy for Kitty, and the troubles she experiences along the way will give you a few chuckles and make you realize that no matter how bad you may think your days has been going, it could be much, much worse!

Until Next Time,

"A Gentle Rain"

Synopsis from B&N.com:

A Connecticut heiress learns she's adopted and travels to northern Florida "cracker"cattle ranch to find her birth parents. There she also finds unexpected romance with the ranch's owner.

When I first requested this book on LT, I was a bit hesitant-- the cover and title looked intriguing, and the (short) summary sounded fairly good, but it wasn't my usual type of book. I went ahead anyway. As soon as my copy arrived in the mail, I started the book. Little did I know that I would be pulled into the story so quickly and easily.

While it's not the type of story that I normally read, when I say it was different, I don't mean it in a bad way. The plot was unique, at least from everything else I've read in my life, and I enjoyed it a lot more than I originally thought I would.

Not only did I want to keep reading and find out more about the special (and I mean that in a good way, not in a rude way!) friends and family at Ben's ranch, but I also enjoyed reading the conversations, which were almost always entertaining, witty, and very honest. Some of the conversations that were held in this book really made me stop and think 'You know what? He/she is right, that is how life is.'. While sometimes simple, the words were no less awe-inspiring.

Although the romance in this book took a back seat--heck, maybe even the back trunk--to the rest of the story, it wasn't half bad either. Kara and Ben's love story wasn't the steamiest by any measure (it was actually pretty non-existent in the book and when it was there it was very, very tame) but it did have it's share of warm, tender moments, which almost made up for it. Almost... (If anyone knows me, they know that I prefer a bit more.. sex in my books, so reading one like A Gentle Rain, I did almost find myself losing interest at times simple because, in my book, romance novels=sex. Yes, I realize this isn't true, nor is one needed for the other to happen, but that's how I like my romance novels (for the most part) and it's hard to change my ways. However, I will admit that I've read some amazing romances before that had little to no sex in it.)

4/5 STARS! In short, I would recommend this book to almost anyone out there-- it's a great story about family, love, and being able to tie those two together through thick and thin. The characters are very vivid and sweet, and the story, though gentle, flows along nicely. It will definitely leave you with a warm, fuzzy feeling in your heart, something that very few novels can do.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm sorry that I've fallen behind *again* on my posts and reviews, but I promise that I'll work harder on staying on time! I'm going to be posting last week's reads/reviews tonight or tomorrow at the latest *I promise!*, but they may be shorter than last time.

I'm thinking of just putting my rating, the summary from B&N, and a very brief 'why I liked/didn't like it' instead of a three and four paragraph review for each one. I just don't have as much time as I used to, what with classes going on again, along with various other personal problems, and it's the only way I'll be able to post ANYTHING on a semi-regular basis!

Until Later,

~TBQ~

"Evermore"

Synopsis From B&N.com:

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch. Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste…

Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition. He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets. Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head. She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is. Damen equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.




Compared to amazing teen fantasy authors such as the acclaimed Stephenie Meyer and Melissa Marr, Evermore manages to snag the readers attention from the very beginning and pull you head long into the story! Get ready for a wild ride that is filled with twisting paths and mystery, love and fantasy.

Ever's *Interesting name, I must say...* story starts out fairly normal: she and her family were involved in a car crash, and she was the only one that walked away from it alive. She lives with her aunt, after moving from Oregon to California, and now besides dealing with the grief and feeling like it was her fault that her parents and sister died, she also has to deal with moving far away, starting over fresh, and trying to fit in at school. As if that's not hard enough, now add in the fact that since the accident, Ever has had some..unusual gifts: she can see ghost, talk to them, and she can read people's thoughts. Life for Ever is anything but easy and perfect, and once Damen, the new *And very hot!* student, moves to town, her life is once again changed- forever.

Despite her unique abilities, which she sees as more of a curse than a gift, Ever doesn't know or understand everything. She doesn't know why her sister, Riley, is still lingering around and she can talk to her while her parents, and almost all other ghosts, are invisible to her. Even her own abilities sometimes remain a mystery to her. The fun thing about this is that whenever you discover some new twist or finding in the plot, Ever does to, so the reader is kept in the dark as much as the actual characters, allowing you to connect a bit more with the story and people themselves, trying to find out what's going on just like they are. And as you get farther into the book, you realize that nothing is always as it first seems...

Now Ever has to help her sister continue on to the other side; spend more time with her aunt; find out why her best friend is suddenly following around the mysterious new woman in town like she's some type of God; figure out who--and what-- Damen is, along with why he's paying so much attention to her; learn to control her abilities, and, oh yeah, deal with day to day teenage things. Life is anything but simple! Because of these complications and mysteries, Evermore is filled with action, suspense, romance, drama, and fantasy... All in all, a perfect read for anyone who enjoys any or all of those things.

5/5 STARS! Evermore is a thrilling read for teen readers and yes, even a few adults too. The writing style, story, and characters are a bit like Meyer and Marr's popular books, but written with a new twist and voice so as not to seem like a cheap remake. And after reading the book, you too will probably want your own Damen, even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice. ;) After all-- Immortality is like the apple in the garden of Eve: forbidden fruit that tempts and always tastes sweeter.

~TBQ~

"Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World"

SYNOPSIS from B&N.com:

How much of an impact can an animal have? How many lives can one cat touch? How is it possible for an abandoned kitten to transform a small library, save a classic American town, and eventually become famous around the world? You can't even begin to answer those questions until you hear the charming story of Dewey Readmore Books, the beloved library cat of Spencer, Iowa.

Dewey's story starts in the worst possible way. Only a few weeks old, on the coldest night of the year, he was stuffed into the returned book slot at the Spencer Public Library. He was found the next morning by library director, Vicki Myron, a single mother who had survived the loss of her family farm, a breast cancer scare, and an alcoholic husband. Dewey won her heart, and the hearts of the staff, by pulling himself up and hobbling on frostbitten feet to nudge each of them in a gesture of thanks and love. For the next nineteen years, he never stopped charming the people of Spencer with his enthusiasm, warmth, humility, (for a cat) and, above all, his sixth sense about who needed him most.

As his fame grew from town to town, then state to state, and finally, amazingly, worldwide, Dewey became more than just a friend; he became a source of pride for an extraordinary Heartland farming town pulling its way slowly back from the greatest crisis in its long history.




If you look at my library, or if you know me, then you can tell right away that I am a fiction nut, a fantasy obsessed reader, and I rarely, if ever, venture into the non-fiction section. And the few times I do try out a non-fiction book instead of a fiction, it's rare that I find a book that really grabs me and pulls me in, connecting me with the characters and story like fantasy books do. It's not always because the books are bad ones, but they're just not my type of book. But as soon as I picked up Dewey, I was hooked, as much so as if I were reading one of my favorite fantasy books instead of a real life one.

I don't want to give too much away, because I feel that to properly enjoy the story behind Dewey, you have to read and experience it yourself. But I will say that this story was an amazing, inspiring, and yes, tearful, one, told by his owner, Vicki Myron, who is, in my opinion, a wonderful writter and person. She didn't just write about Dewey, she wrote about everything that affected him or that he affected, both locally and nationally, personally and for the general population. It was told from the heart, straight forward and intense, but always true.

Dewey's life started out hard, but that fateful day, when Vicki found him and took him in, everything changed, both for Dewey and for everyone who would come to know him over his almost two-decade span of life. His story really touched me, and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone whom I thought would be able to read it and truly appreciate it. That is to say, someone who is not an animal lover, particularly a cat lover, may think it's a nice story and put it out of their mind, while someone who has grown up with cats all their lives, maybe even experienced a few that could be almost kin to Dewey as far as personality and the way that they touched the person's life, would probably cherish this story.

I've had cats my whole life, and though all of them have touched me in some way, there have been a few that stand out a bit more. Unfortunately, it always seems like those ones are the ones who pass on quicker, or so it seems to us, the owners. Though many of the extrememly special ones in my life have passed on, I still remember them, every special memory, every touch and connection that we had, and yes, sometimes, even years later, I still grieve for them, even though I know that they are still here in a way, and they are no longer in pain. Because of this, I felt an instant connection to Dewey and his story, though I had never met him, or heard of him before this book, and after finishing the story,my only wish was that I could have been able to meet him.

There was one line, the very last paragraph in the book, that really got me, and I think that it sums up everything I feel after reading this wonderful book:

"He's still holding me now. So thank you, Dewey. Thank you. Wherever you are."

Thank you, both Dewey and Vicki, for allow me, and other readers, to enjoy this unique, loving, and very touching story of love, survival, and more than a few laughs.

4.5/5 STARS! An amazing book about a very special cat and a city that pulled together to care for him, only to realize after wards that he was the one that cared for them. A must read for anyone who wants to be inspired and amazed, to laugh and to cry. Watch out, though: The ending is a 10-hanky that will probably have you blinking back tears for a while afterwards *Even right now, I'm not ashamed to say that I am still a little bit red-eyed and sniffly*, even causing you to stop at a few parts to collect yourself before continuing. It's a very powerful story, and one that I hope to be able to pass on to others.


~TBQ~

"Any Given Doomsday" Wonderful, Sexy, and Funny Fantasy Ride!

Synopis From B&N.com:

Elizabeth Phoenix once used her unique skills as a psychic to help in the Milwaukee Police Department’s fight against injustice. But when Liz’s foster mother is found viciously murdered—and Liz is discovered unconscious at the scene—her only memory of the crime comes in the form of terrifying dreams...of creatures more horrific than anything Liz has seen in real life. What do these visions mean? And what in the world do they have to do with her former lover, Jimmy Sanducci?

While the police question Jimmy in the murder, Jimmy opens Liz’s eyes to a supernatural war that has raged since the dawn of time in which innocent people are hunted by malevolent beings disguised as humans. Only a chosen few have the ability to fight their evil, and Jimmy believes Liz is among them. Now, with her senses heightened, new feelings are rising within Liz—ones that re-ignite her dangerous attraction to Jimmy. But Jimmy has a secret that will rock Liz to her core…and put the survival of the human race in peril.



From the very first page, Any Given Doomsday grabbed my attention and pulled me head-long into the story, into the action and adventure and passion going on everywhere. And it didn't let go of me until the very last page, leaving me wanting more, craving the next book in Haneland's newest series, The Phoenix Chronicles. And when I found out it won't be available for another 5 or more months, I was upset-- I can't wait that long to find out what happens to Jimmy and Lizzy! But I guess I'll just have to wait... *SIGH*

This book has everything-- adventure, action, suspense, paranormal *tons of it!*, humor, and of course, hot, wicked sex scenes. Some reviewers said that the latter was too explicit and made the book's over all rating go down, but in my opinion, I thought it was perfectly fine, and it was a part of the book. I mean, yes, it is labeled as an 'urban fantasy' book, but most people know that many of the urban fantasy book written now days are also partially romance books, and depending on the author, you can expect anything from tame love scenes that almost bore you to death to hot and heavy ones, borderline 'erotica' at times. This book falls in the second category, but I thought that Handeland wrote it nicely, giving the reader a nice little subplot of love from the past (That is, Jimmy and Lizzy were hot and heavy, both in love and in sex, when they were teenagers, but something happened, so they split up. Of course, when he returns to town, the fire between them is quickly re-kindled.) If you can't stand the sex, then yeah, maybe this book isn't right for you. But if you like it, or can at least deal with it *even if that means skipping over some of it* then I would suggest this book in a heartbeat.

Lizzy's story is very interesting, almost addicting, and whenever the story twists and turns, you follow right along, hungry for whatever will happen next. She's the only one who can help to save the world from total destruction--and, oh, by the way, all the creatures you had nightmares about as a child, ones that go bump in the night, really do exist. Werewolves? Check. Shapeshifters? Check. Vampires? Check. Various magical and maybe even slightly demonic creatures? Check, check, and check. And they plan on taking over the world in the name of Satan. Bad news for human kind, right? That's where Lizzy comes in. Unfortunately, she just learned all of this, so she has absolutely no idea how to fix any of this. So jump right in, and enjoy the ride as she learns as she goes.

I'd really like to read the next book, because I want to see if Jimmy and Lizzy's complicated relationship can be fixed, if it can, somehow, end up like a regular romance "And they lived happily ever after." Doubtful, at least not without many twists and turns and road blocks along the way, but I can still hope, right? I really want to believe that their love can be completely rebuilt, but you just can't know for sure-- it seems like it could go either way.

And what role will Sawyer play in the future? What's his story? He's a very.. unique character, full of unknown power and ability, and you never know what he'll do next, what he'll say. He hinted to a previous love, but he never says anything past that. I'd really like to know though, and I hope he plays as big of a part in the next book(s), if not bigger. He's sly, but sexy and mysterious, and it makes the reader curious to know more about his story.

4.5/5 stars! A wonderfully written fantasy/romance novel, with action and humor, love and sex...and plenty of paranormal creatures (Though they're almost all evil, instead of sexy like in all the romance books I read...Oh well, I guess you just can't always have it your way, right?!). Honestly, what more could you ask for? Makes me want to go and pick up her other books from her previous paranormal series even more!

~TBQ~

"King of Sword and Sky"

Synopis from Back of the Cover:

The magical tairen were dying, and none but the Fey King's bride could save them. Rain had defied the nobles of Celieria to claim her, battled demons and Elden mages to wed her. Now, with magic, steel, and scorching flame, he would risk everything to protect his kingdom, help his truemate embrace her magic and forge the unbreakable bond that alone could save her soul.






Though I have not yet read the previous two books in this amazing fantasy series, I can confidently tell you that anyone who has not read this series is missing out!

When I found out that I had managed to snag an ARC copy of King of Sword and Sky from LT's Early Review program, I tried to find the first two books at my local library, hoping to read them before this one arrived so that I would not be lost. Sadly, my library only had one of them, Lord of the Fading Lands, and someone had it checked out for the next month. Even though I picked up King of Sword and Sky with no prior knowledge of the series or the fantasy world that it envolved, I was only 'lost' a few times in the story, and even then it was only briefly and it did not damage the over all enjoyment of the book. I do plan on going back to read the first two books as soon as I can, but I have to say that even though this was written as a series, this book could almost be a stand alone, though I am sure that if you read them all in order you will triple your enjoyment of the captivating series.

King of Sword and Sky is an amazing combination of romance and fantasy, magic and passion, adventure and mystery. It's not just fantasy, it's not just romance, but it's a perfect mix of all of that, and so much more. The love is sweet and tender, the characters are interesting and funny, strong when they need to be, and the sex is pretty intense too! As bestselling paranormal romance author Christine Feehan is quoted to have said about this book: "A brillant, sensual must read." ***Please NOTE, again, that those are not my words--- they belong to C.F. and are written on the front of the ARC cover!****

From page one, heck, from book one, you are drawn straight into this mystical world of fantasy and love, strength and evil, and you won't be able to put it down until the very end! I had heard that this was suppose to be the last book, but the ending seems... lacking, like there is suppose to be more books to come. Perhapes there is and I simply misunderstood, which is entirely possible since I am new to this compelling series. Even if this was suppose to be the last one for sure, the ending is still wrapped up nicely, so you will not be left asking 'Wait, but what about...'. But I do hope that C.L. Wilson writes more after this, because I can honestly say that I am now hooked!

4.5/5 STARS! A brillant story, a spectacular series, worthy of awards and many re-reads. A definite must read for any fantasy fan, romance fan, or just plain book lover. Prepare to be sucked into the world of the Tarien Soul series...you just might want to stay there and never leave!

~TBQ~

"Sucks to Be Me" Does anything But!

Sucks to Be Me by Kimberly Pauley

Publisher: Mirrorstone (August 26, 2008)

Series: Sucks to Be Me, 1

Genre: YA

 

Mina Hamilton's parents want her dead. (Or undead to be precise.) They're vampires, and like it or not, Mina must decide whether to become a vampire herself. But Mina's more interested in hanging out with best friend Serena and trying to catch the eye of the too-hot-for-high-school Nathan Able than in the vampire training classes she's being forced to take. How's a girl supposed to find the perfect prom date and pass third-year French when her mom and dad are breathing down her neck--literally?

 

Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle | BN | NOOK

More Info:

Author's Site | Book Site | Excerpt

My Review:

When I requested Sucks to be Me through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer's Group, I didn't really think that: A) I would actually get the book or B) Really like the book. I mean, it's about vampires, which I love, hence the reason I requested it (well, okay, I mainly requested it because nothing else really looked good that month...), but I noticed afterwards that it was written for a younger age group-- it recommends the age group of '12 and up'-- and it's not that thick, which is another thing that usually bugs me. Now, I don't mind books written for teens-- more along the lines of 16+ -- but younger than that, and it seems like it'll be.. Oh, I don't know.. Not very interesting? But when I finally got Sucks to be Me in the mail, I was excited and, as I started reading it, very surprised: I actually really liked this book!

The first thing that really grabbed my attention in this book was on the first page. And no, it was not the introduction, which is what usually does the trick. No, it was a sentence a few paragraph's down, when Mina is talking about how her father, a vampire, is nothing like the vampires Hollywood and literature has lead us to believe: "He wouldn't know (or care) who Stephenie Meyer was if she came up and bit him."  This was one of the first things that made me start to like the book. Maybe it's an odd reason, but it was one of mine nonetheless.

The book is written almost like a journal of Mina's thoughts and actions. Mina is just about like every other regular teenager in the country: she has parents that she is not always happy with, she has to worry about school work, friends, and her love life (or lack thereof), and, oh yeah, the fact that her parents and uncle are vampires-- and now she has a little over a month to decide if she wishes to become one also! Okay, so maybe she's not so normal.. but she is still human, and she does still have some of the same problems anyone else would!

Mina is always telling the readers just how wrong our views on vampires are: they can go out in sunlight, though they get bad sunburns; they can eat, though they don't have to; they do have a reflection; they don't sleep, and especially not in a coffin; they are not usually bitten, instead it is passed on through a turning ceremony, which only requires the newbie to drink his/her sponsor's blood. She is always very witty and sarcastic through out the book, but never to the point of being annoying or rude. She's shy and bashful around boys, just like many other girls around her age, and, in this case, she can actually say that her parents are freaks.

For her first book, Kimberly Pauley twists together the normal thoughts of an average teenage girl with the slightly abnormal (not to me, of course) plot of living with vampire parents in a world where the humans are not to know that they exist. In fact, Mina's parents were not suppose to have had her. Vampires don't reproduce, but since her mother got pregnant before she was turned, well, her Mina is today! But they hid their existance for years and Mina's up until recently. Now she must take 'classes' to prepare her on whether or not she will become a vampire. But if she chooses not to, her parents will be fined even more, they will be moved again, given a new identity, and her memory will be wiped by the vampire special forces, making her believe, along with the other humans, that her parents have truly died-- and they were only regular humans. So what's a girl to do? Be a bloodsucking vampire who will live for centuries, forcing her to leave behind her best friend (and almost sister) Serena? Or stay human and watch her parents get shipped away, only to forget it afterwards? As if highschool wasn't already hard enough....

Along the way, she meets three guys: two that she places in the 'hot' category, and one who is 'sweet, not too bad looking'. Aubrey is from her vampire prep class, as is George, the sweet one. Nate is the hottest, most popular guy in their school. Translation: He's human. But she spends some time crushing on both Aubrey and Nate. Aubrey is a jerk, though still hot, and doesn't last long (he even decides against becoming a vampire). Nate lasts a little bit longer, but it soons becomes apparent that he's falling for Serena instead. But in the end, she gets George, the caring, funny, and, yes, even fairly good looking boy, in the end.And most importantly, he is a really good kisser! They both become vampires, and, though the story stops after that, will live 'happily ever after'.

Picking it up, I didn't have high hopes for this book. But by a few chapters into it, I knew I was hooked! This was a great first work from new teen author Kimberly Pauley and I only hope that she continues the great work soon!

4.5/5 stars. Don't miss this fun and witty book!



Enjoy!

  

Until Next Time,

*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!