August 28th, 2009 — News, Reader Highlights
What happens when you get four fabulous women under one roof? One totally stupendous time! If you don’t believe me check out the photos!
(Left to right: Susan, Keira, Isabel, Sasha.)
I was so fortunate to have an opportunity to go down to Miami to see an old friend and meet new friends last weekend. On Saturday, Sasha and I met up with Susan and Isabel at Barnes and Nobles. How perfect was that? Very fortuitous start!
The first thing we all did after hugs and greetings was to talk about books and blogging! Everybody was salivating for Susan’s latest read Possession before the end. Isabel and I talked about our desire for a really superb werewolf book that would put them on equal footing with vampires.
Our party moseyed on over to a local Asian restaurant to gorge ourselves on several variations of delicious chicken. This is when I finally noticed Susan’s amazing haircut! I knew she looked different but I couldn’t place it. (Hey Susan – you inspired me to get one too!) We took lots of photos completely resigned to being labeled tourists because of it. I’m sure we blinded several patrons and workers present with the flash of three cameras, but it was worth it!
(Left to right: Susan, Keira, Isabel, Sasha.)
The only thing I regret was that our get together couldn’t go on forever. Before we parted we exchanged presents. I greatly increased Susan and Isabel’s TBR (to be read) pile with well over a dozen plus books and from them I got a new book with a really cute bookmark and some fantastically delicious bath time goodies. (I tell you I was so bummed I couldn’t try them out immediately, but I have now and oh yumm… bliss!)
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July 30th, 2009 — 4 Stars, A-C, Comedy of Manners, Estranged, Gambling, Gentry, Gothic, Great Britain, Guest Reviews, Jane Austen, Regency
By: Sasha Muradali, guest blogger
Duty & Desire is an interesting addition to the trilogy of Fitzwilliam Darcy: Gentleman by Pamela Aidan. This second installment takes readers through Mr. Darcy’s missing moments in Pride and Prejudice in between his departure for London after the Netherfield Ball and his reemergence at his aunt’s house, Rosings Park.
A decent novel, filled with twists and turns, it’s nothing too extraordinary or special in terms of the storyline.
It has two important qualities however: Mr. Darcy’s relationship with his sister Georgiana and a deeper look into his personality.
Readers familiar with Pride and Prejudice, will know the thoughts swirling around Lizzy Bennet’s head, but were left with presumptions and, often dream-filled landscapes, as to the inner mechanical mind of “the man himself.”
These two facets are the meat of the story. Through Aidan’s novel, readers are exposed to another side of Mr. Darcy they always knew existed, but were ever privy to reading about until the very end of Pride and Prejudice. Darcy’s relationship with Georgiana is beautiful.
To quote Elizabeth Bennet, he’s “an ideal older brother.” From his indulgences of her, patience, kindest endearments and openness, as a girl, you cannot help but love him more. Not only love him more, but have the urge to squeal “awwwwww.”
The best part? He falls asleep on her shoulder one night after he comes back from a horrid escapade with a “pack of vipers.” And yes, the vipers are people, not snakes. No, Pamela Aidan does not take Mr. Darcy into Indiana Jones land. Be not alarmed ladies.
The ability to view Darcy’s love for Georgiana, also enables the reader to delve deeper into, what Aidan interprets, as his inner thoughts. Conflicted and confused between decorum and feelings, duty and desire, this novel is one more way to hold on to the character we all know and love.
Not to mention, that it is, for lack of a better term, simply cute how he pines over Lizzy Bennet
It does fall short of An Assembly Such As This, by not by much.
4 of 5 stars.
Read Keira's review of Duty and Desire.
Buy: Duty and Desire
Find and buy more Pamela Aidan novels.
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July 17th, 2009 — 4 Stars, Fey / Fae, Great Britain, Guest Reviews, Highlander, M-O, Paranormal, Time Travel
By: Sasha Muradali, guest blogger
The Highlander's Touch is the third novel in the series of Highlanders by Karen Marie Moning. It is darker than the rest, but provides the ground work for four of the next novels.
Enter Lisa, a woman from the 21st century who is too nosy for her own good. Touching an ancient artifact, she finds herself stumbling back in time 700 years prior into ancient Scotland. But the thing is, and how romantically-novel-typical, Lisa falls 700 years back into the private bed chamber of Highland Laird Circenn. His nickname is "Sin," believe it or not.
But nothing is as sweaty, sexy and frustrating as it seems, for Circenn has a secret; a very dark, deep secret.
Lisa, torn between anger and lust, left an ill mother behind when she fell back in time and that one factor pushes her not only to push Circenn away, but to find a way back to her century. Not having that Circenn is determined to not only keep her in his century, but help her let go of all the anger and bottled up emotions ready to consume her.
There are two problems: Circenn does not know how to return Lisa to her century and the 'person' that does...well, Circenn isn't speaking to him, as they got into a rather interesting arguement.
Three guesses as to of whom we speak?
Adam Black, ladies, the fabulous Dark Fae himself, Adam Black!
But it gets better - Adam holds the key to Circenn's secret. Actually, Adam is the reason for Circenn's secret and it is worth reading to learn. The story builds up, and the tension between the two lead male characters reaches various levels of intelligence, humor, respect and spite.
What I absolutely love about this novel, is not the typical boy meets girl, girl meets boy, girl hates boy, boy tries to woo girl, girl whacks boy so on and so forth.
No, I dare say my favorite parts are the exchanges, as few as they are, between Circenn and Adam. Not only are they entertaining, but these key conversations, will help readers understand what is to come in the next four books.
The Highlander's Touch is truly a joy to read. Karen Marie Moning is on target and her Highlander novels only get better from here.
Rating: 4 of 5 stars.
Buy: The Highlander's Touch
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July 11th, 2009 — 4.5 Stars, A-C, Business, Comedy of Manners, Gentry, Great Britain, Guest Reviews, Jane Austen, Regency, Virgin Heroine
What I love best is seeing multiple perspectives on books that I'm reading, have read, or intend to read. When Sasha sent me this guest review, I was pleasantly surprised. Without knowing it, we were reading the same book trilogy within days of each other! Check out my review of An Assembly Such as This and Sasha's below!
By: Sasha Muradali, guest blogger
This is not your typical romance novel, nor would I classify it as romance per se because An Assembly Such As This (Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentlemen) by Pamela Aidan is the author's take, from the point-of-view of Fitzwilliam Darcy, on Pride and Prejudice, a classic novel, by Jane Austen. However, well-acknowledged, Pride and Prejudice is a love story.
An Assembly Such as This is the first part of a trilogy (Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentlemen) that takes us through the all too familiar journey so many of us have come to love. The other two novels are called Duty and Desire and These Three Remain. This specific volume ventures into the first third of Pride and Prejudice up until when Darcy and the Bingley family leave Hertfordshire for London after the fiasco at the Netherfield Park Ball.
You cannot truly appreciate or understand the depths of this novel without having had read Pride and Prejudice previously. There is a lot that the author takes for chance that you already know.
While, many of us have had our assumptions on that Darcy feels, we've never really seen it in writing before. And as someone who is very skeptical about anything that interprets Pride and Prejudice, this first novel of Aidan's trilogy is nothing short of absolutely fantastic.
The author takes her readers through Darcy's first meeting with Elizabeth, why he behaves they way that he does, and how often, what was once seen as him being tough and perhaps cruel, was his natural decorum, or way of flirting holding on to that very decorum.
Specifically, Aidan is able to add some of her own little quirks into the story - consistent letters between Georgiana and Darcy, a look into Darcy's private life as male head of house. This is actually one of the most unique aspects, and what I enjoyed reading the most, because as a reader you get to see an illustration of how Georgiana was really feeling post-Mr. Wickham. These letters also serve as a means to understand how truly and deeply Darcy cares for Georgiana - they also show how often he really puts others before himself.
This fact helps the reader understand further his decision to separate Bingley from Jane Bennett; in An Assembly Such as This, Darcy is working together selflessly with Caroline to protect Charles, not harm him. It would be important to remember that in the original Pride and Prejudice, the ball at Netherfield Park turned into somewhat of a fiasco between the younger Bennett girls running wild with the officers, Mrs. Bennett running her mouth off and, the Bennett's cousin, Mr. Collins, becoming a public laughing stock. These circumstances are part of what fuels Darcy's opinion of country manners being 'savage.'
If you are looking to laugh, gain a near flawless interpretation of Pride and Prejudice through the eyes of Fitzwilliam Darcy, try your eyes on An Assembly Such As This.
Here on Love Passion Romance we will be featuring reviews on the other two in the trilogy shortly. So stay tuned and don't forget to remember the tag 'Fitzwilliam Darcy Gentlemen.'
4.5 of 5 stars.
Buy: An Assembly Such as This
Find and buy more Pamela Aidan novels at great prices.
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January 31st, 2009 — Contests, Covers, Highlander
Last night was the last chance to enter the DIY Highlander Cover Contest and this morning and all day is set aside for voting. You vote by leaving a comment on the entry you like the best for both cover and background. We have two great entries by two great artists.
Sasha presents Laird of the Manor, a contemporary romance with a historical background centered around mock battles.
Zarabeth presents The Highlander's Heir, a historical romance featuring a feisty plump heroine and a hero with a mission.
Also take a moment to think about the next DIY cover. What would you be interested in see next? We've had Pirates and Highlanders, perhaps we need Vikings or werewolves? Maybe corporate bosses and their secretary mistresses? Leave a suggestion!
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January 3rd, 2009 — Acting, Contemporary, Contests, Covers, Highlander
Excellent, Love Romance Passion has it's second entry for the Highlander Romance Novel Cover Contest. This entry was submitted by Sasha, who also participated in the Pirate Novel Cover Contest. Leave a comment to vote for this entry as the winner is chosen based on the amount of comments they receive. Feel free to vote more than once as new entries come in that strike your fancy.
Model: Florent (the fantastic Sir Flowee!)
Designer: Sasha
Romance Novel Title: Laird of the Manor
The Tale:
Enchanting and alluring, Highland Laird Iain Buchanan was born to a clan of warriors. Living in the 21st century, he embraces his Caledonian heritage by reenacting the acts of his ancestors pasts each year in the Scottish Highland Games! He still lives in his family's ancient manor housed in Northern Scotland aka the Scottish Highlands.
Artist Comments:
Image took about 20-25 hours over 3 weeks to manipulate.
I looked at the covers of Karen Marie Moning's books for inspiration ([link]) and I spent way too much time listening to Blake ([link]) and Celtic Thunder to get *inspired* ([link])
**NOTE: yes, ALL parts of the graphic are manipulated together: Florent, Florent's Shadow, the sky, the cuffs, the kilt, the manor, the Highland beach, the tattoo, the lights etc. etc. etc. Nothing came together, I composed the entire thing! **
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December 3rd, 2008 — Contests, Covers
I need your help! It's time to judge the pirate covers for the Present Your Very Own Pirate Contest. We have two absolutely fantastic entries, deciding between them will not be easy. To cast your vote - leave a comment on the entry you like the most.
Here are the links to these handsome pirate lovers:
After the initial oohing and ahhing comes the really hard part - picking a winner! Who will be your pirate lover and romantic hero? Comment to vote! Winner will be announced on Saturday.
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November 26th, 2008 — Contests, Covers, France, Pirate, Pirate, Rogues and Rakehells, Seas
Yar! This be arr first entry to the Present Your Very Own Pirate Contest. What say ye? Is his shirt perfectly billowy? Is his beard scraggly enough for ye? Does he make ye want to cry out full rammin' speed ahead?
When Sasha first told me she was entering, I got really excited. Sasha's very clever with photoshop and editing programs. I think you'll find that she lives up to the hype. Just check out the goodies below!
Model: Kevin, who is really French.
Designer: Sasha
Romance Novel Title: Luring the Rouge
Pirate's Tale:
Rouge is my own special 17th Century French pirate. He got his name from a woman who couldn't read English too well. She meant to call him a "Rogue" because he's a playfully mischievous scoundrel.
But looking at her French to English dictionary, she ended up with "Rouge," which suited him just fine because he makes all the wenches and ladies alike, blush!
Are ye hot and bothered? Aye, I not know about ye, but I'd be wanting to read this piratey novel! Great job, Sasha!
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