November 22nd, 2009 — 4 Stars, D-F, Fantasy, Fey / Fae, Guest Reviews, Lawyer, Love Triangle, Magic Users, Paranormal, United States of America
By Susan S., Guest Reviewer
Barely Bewitched is a fun, “light,” and entertaining read. I’ve read it twice!
This is Kimberly’s second book belonging to her Southern Witch Series. It stands alone, but if you’re interested in how Mercutio became the heroine’s cat, I recommend starting with Would-Be Witch
. I suggest it simply because Mercutio plays such a “huge” role in the main character’s life.
What I love about this author is her ability to keep me guessing. Oftentimes, we can accurately surmise an upcoming scene, or even predict an ending. Not so, with Kimberly’s novels.
I recommend this novel to cat lovers, anyone who enjoys magic based stories, if you read paranormal romance, or love triangles.
Meet the heroine (Tammy Jo Trask) she’s a Texan witch, an unemployed pastry chef, and a woman who meets trouble at every turn. Her magic also goes awry, “every” single time she attempts to use it. Whoever said rules were meant to be broken, just accurately described the heroine.
In Barely Bewitched (WAM) the World Association of Magic thinks Tammy is a rogue witch. They’ve deemed her guilty of illegally using her magic. She now has only two choices. Enter the challenge which she’s not prepared for, or refuse and face either incarceration/extermination; whichever (WAM) chooses. This time around, Tamara’s life has never been more chaotic. When faery dust causes the entire town to act irresponsibly, and without inhibitions, it’s up to Tammy to set things right. Not an easy thing to do considering she still has to find her Aunt Mel’s emerald earrings, contact the family ghost (Edie), prepare for a challenge she’s sure to screw-up, cheat death repeatedly, and stay away from Bryn Lyons. (Easier said than done.) Tammy’s family insists he should be avoided at all costs, even (WAM) deems Bryn’s a wizard with ulterior motives. So if everyone warns her to run away from him, why can’t she stop kissing him? Maybe, it’s because he’s this gorgeous dark haired, blue-eyed wizard, who also happens to be a very wealthy lawyer.
This novel has several new characters, and two revelations. One, where we “finally” learn why Tammy’s magic always misfires.
Can Tamara save Duvall from themselves? Will she learn to ignore her ever growing attraction to Bryn? Even if he quotes Ovid the Roman poet? I must say, that was very sexy! This wizard has also been known to chant in Gaelic or Latin; temptation indeed!
Perhaps, I should also mention her ex-husband (Zach Sutton) who’s never really left her life. He’s one hunky Sheriff’s deputy, what’s a witch to do?
4 Star Rating
Buy: Barely Bewitched
The Berkley Publishing Group, Paranormal Romance, September 2009, Paperback, 312 pages. ISBN# 978-0-425-22961-3
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November 4th, 2009 — 3.5 Stars, ARC, Great Britain, Guest Reviews, Jane Austen, M-O, Regency
by Isabel G., guest reviewer
Marianne is one of the main characters of the story. She’s married to Colonel William Brandon, and although it is a seemingly perfect match, she becomes more insecure about their marriage. These feelings are tested when her old beau, and first love, Willoughby returns to town. Marianne learns that she still has strong feelings for Willoughby despite her attempts at denial. The fact that her husband is absent for long periods of time to aid another woman and her child does little to stifle her doubts.
Colonel Brandon is torn between duties to his own family and his duties of office. He goes to aid the child Willoughby abandoned, Lizzy, feeling it’s his responsibility to take care of her. However, one of Brandon’s trips drags out longer than any other and a letter he sends Marianne raises even more doubts in her mind. Of course, Willoughby is there to comfort her in her “time of need.” Yak! Can someone put up a stop sign?! What kind of woman would be turned on by a man who has abandoned his own child? Although the attraction and tension between Willoughby and Marianne worked for the plot, I couldn’t get past the idea. I don’t consider Willoughby a man for leaving his child and her mother behind to fend for themselves.
Marianne’s sister, Margaret, is a young lady with high expectations for a husband. She’s more concerned in being truly attracted and captivated by a suitor then with his wealth. Just as she begins to think there is no one who can capture her interest, Henry enters her life. He proves that looks can be deceiving when he begins to shower another young lady with his attention. However, the outcome is not what everyone expects.
Liked: The torn feelings some characters have towards each other. The book is also an easy read.
Disliked: In my opinion, the style of writing and some commentary does not fit the time period. It throws you out of the book at certain parts because it seems casual and modern. It also turned me off that Marianne gave in and was unfaithful in any way. What made it worse is that the attraction was to a man who had abandoned his own child.
If you ever found the idea of having two people interested in you flattering then, this book is for you.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
ISBN 978-1-4022-2267-2
Copyright 2009
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 345
Buy: Willoughby's Return
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November 3rd, 2009 — 4 Stars, A-C, ARC, Contemporary, Cooking, Cowboy, Guest Reviews, Ranching, Survival, Suspense/Thriller, United States of America, Western
by Susan Sigler, guest reviewer
Brown delivers another great cowboy romance! With devil-may-care characters, exciting plot twists, and outrageously silly sayings.
One Lucky Cowboy is book two from Brown’s Lucky Trilogy. This book stands alone, but if you read book one Lucky in Love, you’ll appreciate Milli and Beau’s cameo appearances all the more. You’ll also see the Yak-52 (Milli’s plane) take flight once again. This story takes place approximately one year after the first one, as evidenced by the amount of time Milli and Beau have been together.
Book two tells the story of another handsome Luckadeau cousin. We meet the hero Lester (Slade) Luckadeau. Slade’s a tall blonde, blue-eyed cowboy. He’s hell bent and determined to get the heroine (Jane) off the Double L Ranch. Slade’s grandma (Nellie) hired Jane as cook and driver and Jane has no intention of leaving. At least not until she turns 25. Staying alive for another six weeks will be a challenge, but dealing with an infuriating piece of cowboy eye candy will be downright impossible.
In typical Brown style, we have more outrageous sayings such as: burr in his britches, cow chips for brains, and one legged chicken at a coyote convention.
What will you find within the pages? Four fool hardy old women, who gamble, dance, drink, meddle, and have a grand ole’ time. There’s lots of eating, hangovers, and death threats.
I’ll be honest, I enjoyed this book more than the first, a lot more! Why? It has romantic suspense elements, and I love romantic suspense. The bantering between Slade and Jane was fun to read, while the drunken seven flights of stairs scene was cute and sexy. Oh yeah…it was also gross. (LOL)
The fundamental theme was the importance of family loyalty.
Will Slade run Jane off the ranch? Or will they simply drive each other mad?
I’ll be happier than a monkey in a Chiquita banana factory when Getting Lucky
releases in January of 2010.
Rating: 4 Stars
Buy: One Lucky Cowboy
Contemporary Romance, ARC, Trilogy, Sourcebooks, Inc., Casablanca, November 2009, Print Pages 331.
ISBN# 978-1-4022-2437-9
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September 29th, 2009 — 2.5 Stars, ARC, Guest Reviews, Jane Austen, Regency, V-Z
by Isabel G., guest reviewer
The main character, Mary Bennet, is not the most interesting person and the story was slow to develop. With that said, I am not sure this book would have mass appeal. The author does not reveal if she chooses to marry until the last fifty pages. What kept me reading, was how well the author managed to capture that time period. A person can find themselves lost in another era while reading this book. I had a real sense of what it was like for women living in that period. The characters seemed to be very careful as to how they behaved, and what they said to one another; in order to maintain propriety.
Mary Bennet feels the pressures of society, as her mother tries to prepare her to take a husband. She’s an honest woman with good morals and a strong faith in God. She’s searching for an opportunity to live without the need of marrying. This, of course, does not sit well with her mother! As time passes, Mary begins to see the happiness her sister Elizabeth has with her husband, and it changes her negative image of marriage. Although she has no interest in the idea of getting married, she begins to feel she may have no choice. Mary is willing to sacrifice her future to help another sister named Lydia.
It was enjoyable to read how loving her family was with Mary. All, except her mother, were very supportive of her wishes. Mary is also very fortunate to make a good acquaintance who offers her a job and a place where she can live on her own. Despite her wishes not to marry, a suitor approaches her and she’s forced to make a decision; that could alter her life forever. It is also interesting to see how Mary changes throughout the story. It is through Mary’s observations of how others live their daily lives and interact with one another that she begins to grow as a person and becomes less introverted.
If you enjoy historical novels, this is the book for you.
Rating: 2.5 Stars
Buy: A Match for Mary Bennet
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
ISBN 978-1-4022-2011-1
Copyright 2009
Genre: Historical Romance
Page: 350 pages
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September 16th, 2009 — 2 Stars, Georgette Heyer, Governess / Companion, Great Britain, Guest Reviews, Regency, Spinster, Virgin Heroine
by Zarabeth, guest reviewer
The Nonesuch is a regency romance between a "top-of-the-tress Corinthian" and a noble-turn-governess. Already I'm upset.
This was my first, and last, Georgette Heyer and I maintain that I simply cannot follow her style. I have intense difficulties understanding the language and keeping pace with the conversation. More than once I was so frustrated with myself and this disconnect that I simply had to put the book down. However, I am giving it a 2 out of 5 because despite my frustration's I always picked it up again, eventually.
So, to the story itself: our older, reformed, very rich, and very handsome male lead has arrived with his noble cousin to a country scene where he has recently inherited a dilapidated estate. They are forced to enjoy what little enjoyment the local social scene has to offer and meet an array of interesting and insipid characters. Among them are 2 main females of interest: the unrivaled beauty, a very very young soon to come out debutante and her cool governess.
Our cousin takes an instant interest in the beauty and the begins to court her. The Nonesuch and the governess are therefore thrown together again and again. Over the course of many mortifying events the courtship dies but something has begun for the governess and the Nonesuch- as unlikely and scandalous a pair they might be! (Exclamation points are found at the end of almost every sentence that's spoken.)
It's a fine enough plot with intriguing characters but I can't get past the style!
Rating: 2 Stars
Buy: The Nonesuch
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August 24th, 2009 — 5 Stars, Demon, Erotica, Guest Reviews, Headaches, P-R, Paranormal, Scarred Hero
Guest reviewer: Susan Sigler
Quinn’s books never disappoint me and Possession is no exception. Her writing is fluid, while her plots are mesmerizing, dark, and delicious. You’ll be addicted from the very first page!
While reading Possession, I immediately empathized with the heroine (Kendra Carter). Kendra’s life choices have never been her own. She was always governed by the men in her life. Her now deceased father Nathaniel, ex-boyfriend Michael, and step-brother Gerald.
Kendra returns home from rehab, to find there’s a new addition to her father’s estate. Her stepbrother has purchased a rare book, a book said to have been written by the devil himself. This unholy bible titled Delomelanicon is now in the library, to co-exist with them; under their very roof.
I must say I disliked Gerald early on; it always appeared to me that he was maintaining some sort of façade.
Unknowingly, Kendra unleashes a powerful demon called Remi. He’s a demon of revelation that showers her with sinful pleasures. Soon after, she begins to worry she’ll have to sacrifice her eternal soul to this demon. Is the pleasure worth the price?
The issues addressed are issues many of us will relate to. Issues of guilt and grief over a loved one’s death. Kendra also struggles with low self-esteem, anger, betrayal, and the search for love and acceptance.
There were a myriad of fundamental themes, so many in fact; I’m calling it an erotic fable. These lessons are to forget one’s past blunders, to follow your own path, that it’s o.k. to break free from repressed sexual urges, to accept oneself, and that beauty lies within.
It was a treat to read along as Kendra’s character is transformed and reinvented. It’s this reason I chose her as my favorite character.
Quinn included lots of plot twists that I consider OMG (Oh! My God) moments. Aside from the dark plot, there were comic elements thrown in like confetti. The author also wrote a bathroom scene that’s downright wicked. In this scene Remi uses telekinetic abilities, and it’s in this scene Kendra has a precognition that is absolutely bone chilling.
Quinn’s plots never take a back seat to the erotica. She blends all the essential elements with exact doses. Not to mention, the ending was so devilishly appropriate, I had an evil grin when I read it.
Rating: 5 Pitchforks or Rather 5 Stars
Buy: Possession
Aphrodisia, Erotic Romance, Kensington Books, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America, Copyright 2009, Print Pages 266. ISBN-13: 978-0-7582-2852-9, ISBN-10: 0-7582-2852-X
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August 17th, 2009 — 3 Stars, Detective, Erotica, Guest Reviews, Paranormal, S-U, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense/Thriller, United States of America
by Susan Sigler, guest reviewer
Mind Games lead me on a roller coaster, tempting me with erotic pleasures, suspenseful turns and stopped only after I was screaming, “Uncle!”
I recommend this book to anyone who reads romantic suspense or erotica. As a reader with a fondness for romantic suspense; I couldn’t control the urge to finish the book.
Tan introduces us to the heroine, Wren Delacourt, a book transcriber with a rather dull existence. It isn’t until she discovers her sister Abby has disappeared; that her life is transformed. She begins to have erotic dreams that seem to be premonitions, but she can’t decipher if it’s past or future. Flowers begin to arrive at her job from an unknown sender, and her attraction to a P.I. named Derek; begins to reach new heights. Together they’ll unlock hidden desires, cast off inhibitions, and explore their growing needs.
In order to find her sister, Wren will have to uncover her telepathic abilities and learn to use them, but can she do it in time to find Abby?
My favorite character turned out to be Lawrence; Wren’s gay neighbor. He’s kind, witty, a good listener, and has all the qualities you’d expect from a friend. Lawrence is such a great sport; even when she drags him into Victoria’s Secret.
This book is not without its flaws. Tan fails to express the desperation and anguish you’d expect to feel; if your loved one has vanished. Abby’s disappearance takes a back seat; while Wren’s sexual needs take precedence. I also found Wren’s self gratification excessive and felt it robbed the story of some of its magic.
Regardless, I found it was a good read that had me anticipating; what was to come. Tan also caught me off guard; I was shocked when Wren breaches Derek’s hidden thoughts. The author’s larger theme appears to be, that we should find the courage to confront our fears and embrace our sexuality.
Rating: 3 Stars
Buy Print: Mind Games
Buy ebook: Mind Games
Publisher: Ravenous Romance, Breathless
ISBN-13# 978-1-60777-079-4
Copyright 2009
Genre: erotic science-fiction/paranormal romance
Format Read: e-book
Page count: 150
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April 2nd, 2009 — 2.5 Stars, 3 Stars, Contemporary, D-F, Guest Reviews, United States of America
By: Cara Lynn, guest reviewer
Janet Evanovich is one of my favorite writers. I really enjoy her Stephanie Plum series. So when I saw Wife for Hire, I figured I'd give one of her other books a whirl. It's quite lightweight and fairly short (especially since the print is larger, which is a bit annoying to me.)
I give it a 2.5-3.
It was a fun and fast read, not nearly so complex in characters or plot as the Plum novels. But it was a good diversion.
Hank Malone, from Vermont, and Maggie Toone, from New Jersey, are made for each other. Both were trouble in their childhoods, neither wants a life that is particularly predictable.
Malone has advertised for a pretend wife in order to look stable enough to qualify for a bank loan to run his apple orchard. Malone is also hoping to avoid the women who are chasing him. What he advertises for and what Toone is are two different things.
Toone is in process of writing the memoirs of an aunt, who just happened to be a madam.
Throw in assorted characters, such as Elsie, the housekeeper, who is particularly funny, a bit like the grandma in the Plum novels, but different; both sets of parents, who in their own ways are characters themselves; long time friends and small town busybodies, and you have a recipe for a lot of fun along with some twists and turns.
Of course, they fall in love, getting involved very quickly, maybe a bit too quickly for me. Throw in some assorted (funny) kidnappings, due to a misunderstanding, and things get complicated, but are eventually sorted out.
All's well that ends well. And it leaves you with a smile on your face.
Buy: Wife for Hire
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Originally posted 2008-12-04 03:27:58. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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March 26th, 2009 — 0.5 Stars, Guest Reviews, J-L, Paranormal, Pilot, Survival
By: Cara Lynn, guest reviewer
I wasn't going to review this book, but figured, what the hey!
First, I didn't like the book.
Island Heat by Susan Kearney had a lot of possibilities. I figured it would have some military tones as the guy on the cover looks like he could be military.
He is, but he's from another planet.
OK, that could be seriously interesting. Sort of like time travel with a twist. After all, they are more advanced than us and had to travel a long time to get here.
But while the author maintains the fantasy with words she has made up, like 'quait' for the ability to mentally influence the actions of another, or like 'underfirst' to delineate all those who aren't Firstborn, the story is unpalatable in parts.
Cade Archer literally falls into the sea in front of Shara Weston's remote island retreat. His ship is destroyed, but he falls without a parachute and recovers faster than you'd expect. That is because he isn't strictly human. He is able to use this power to save himself and those that are with him as he is avoiding being murdered.
It's all tied into the story of the underfirsts needing salt to gain their strength. (She develops this nicely.) On his planet, only the Firstborn are given salt. This also gives them their quait which they use in horrific ways, basically enslaving the underfirsts. (You never see life on this planet, only as told by Cade as the story unfolds or as you see actions of his Firstborn brother, Jamal.)
Cade is shot down by Jamal who is dead set on killing him however he has to do it. Cade had thought his mission was secret, but somehow Jamal knew.
Throw in a psychic who has real powers to foresee the future, some of which can be changed by one's actions, and a reporter, and a volcano expert, and a security officer, and you have a story that could have been quite interesting.
But Jamal has a malicious streak a mile wide as is shown off page when he kills a Polynesian woman he has taken and 'trained' -- but not trained so well that she doesn't try to exhibit her individuality. The more troubling scenes are the sadistic ones involving mental (and physical) rape, torture and blood that he is capable of. And that he takes pleasure in it even though he already has the information he was seeking.
Of course Cade and Shara fall in love. Jamal is killed (I expected him to recover and the scene to go on). Cade finds he gains quait powers, even as Jamal's powers diminish slightly, but Cade is disturbed by his powers knowing how it corrupts the user, and asks that Shara kill him after his mission, if necessary. And the earth is saved.
There were huge sections of this book that I glossed over or went back to see what happened without taking it in.
I give it a 1/2 star. But for originality, it could be a 2. But I'd even take some of that away because of the troubling scenes. They make you think how you would be able to break a mind hold, or if you would be able to. Like hypnotism, is it not something that you could decide NOT to go under? Evidently not. Ugh.
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Originally posted 2008-11-26 09:52:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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