Book Review and ARC Giveway: The Taming of a Wolf by Lydia Dare

This is a warm, fast read with really likable characters.
The Taming of a Wolf by Lydia Dare.

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (November 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402244371
• ISBN-13: 978-1402244377

    Genre: Paranormal Romance
    My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Product Description from Sourcebooks:

He could never lose control…
Dashiel Thorpe, Earl of Brimsworth, has spent his life fighting the wolf within him. But when the full moon rises, Dash is helpless. A chance encounter with Caitrin Macleod on a moonlit night inadvertently binds the two together irrevocably, and Dash’s impulsiveness plunges them both into a nightmare…

She never saw him coming…
Caitrin Macleod is no quiet country lass, but a witch with remarkable abilities. But when it comes to Dashiel, she’s as helpless to fight his true nature as he is. Her senses overwhelmed, she runs back to the safety and security of her native Scotland…

But Dashiel is determined to follow her—she’s the only woman who can free him from a fate worse than death. And Caitrin will ultimately have to decide whether she’s running from danger, or true love…

Review: I liked the characters right away in this easy read.  The story is completely character centered and since I had not read the previous books in the series I had no prior impressions. The action is basically in the "chase".  The story is focused on the dilemma Dashiel creates when he bites Caitrin, inadvertently claiming her as his mate.

Dashiel apparently (prior book?) has only recently learned that he is a Lycan and he wants to learn how to control his beastly nature. He is determined to seek out the mentor who has been recommended to him. But on the trip from England to Scotland he is glad to follow and accompany the beauty who now compels his attention. He is extremely charming and the interaction between the two is fun to follow.

Caitrin has the ability to see the futures of those around her. This can be used to help but is also quite distressing in public places.  Caitrin is surprised when she is unable to sense any future whenever she is with Dashiel.  However, Caitrin is adverse to those of wolf nature having apparently had a bad experience (prior book?) with at least one. This dislike remains even though her best friend and former coven member has married a Lycan.  Caitrin  doesn’t realize the import of the bite from Dashiel and attempts to ditch him even as she is drawn in by his charm and warmth.

A very pleasant and sensual courtship dance ensues as Dash directs his efforts to wooing Caitrin. When she finally surrenders, her love is strong and all accepting, which is quite nicely portrayed. There are other characters to flesh out the story including Caitrin’s light-hearted father and her very quirky coven “sisters.”  The most difficult character is Dashiel’s very critical, negative and bitter father who has contributed to Dashiel's self loathing. The father’s rather easy turn around with Caitrin’s help seemed a bit too simplistic but since it was only a side note to Dashiel’s own changes I didn’t let it bother me.

I liked the historical setting as well as the paranormal, wolf and witch, elements. This was just a fun and pleasant read and was fine as a stand alone although I think the whole series would be enjoyable to read. I would certainly like to read more by Lydia Dare.  I recommend this book if you are looking for a quick, warm romance.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for the book to read and review. I'm sorry I have only one of these to give away.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE ARC COPY:

1.Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you find there.
Please leave your e-mail!

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For two extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

(Four total entries possible.)
It is not necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

* This contest is open to US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on December 14, 2010. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Winners of Stronger than Sin by Caridad Pineiro

CONGRATULATIONS

to the Winners of
Stronger than Sin (Sin 2)
by Caridad Pineiro

jmspettoli

Cindy

Caffey

Jessie
and

Victoria CK

I will be sending the Hatchette winner form to complete tonight or tomorrow.

Thank you everyone who entered.

Two Replacement Winners - Edge of Sight

CONGRATULATIONS

to the Winners of

Edge of Sight (The Guardian Angelinos)

by Roxanne St. Claire

Marlene and Kathy had already won this book so I selected two more numbers/names.

CAROL M

and 

JANE

I have emailed the replacement winners and both have confirmed.

Winners of Montana Glory by R.C. Ryan

CONGRATULATIONS

to the Winners of
Montana Glory
by R.C. Ryan

Kathy P

Johanna

Robyn L

Stephanie

Victoria CK

I will be sending the form to complete tonight or tomorrow.

Thank you everyone who entered.

It's Monday! What are you Reading November 29, 2010?

This meme starts at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I had most of four days in the woods with the family and no computer. You can't do a lot of reading or writing reviews when young ones want to play Crazy 8s or War or other games but we had fun.
I only finished two books but am a good way into several.  I only posted one Review with Giveaway so I will be posting some extra reviews this week.

As noted before,  for this feature I will only be giving a rating and a short summary comment on books I read from my TBRs or as fillers - which aren't many :).

I didn't get to visit much last week so I apologize to those who commented on my blog and I didn't respond or return the visit. I did follow quite a number of new blogs during the Gratitude Giveaway but most of that was not to enter the giveaway and not to visit or read the reviews.

These were last week's posts plus Winner posts not listed.

•  It's Monday What are You Reading? November 22, 2010.

•  Book Review and Giveaway: Synarchy Book 2: The Ascension by D.C.S.; Science Fiction Thriller; my rating 4.5.

•  Thanksgiving Post.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement November 28, 2010.

Finished Reading:
Print:
The Taming of the Wolf by Lydia Dare.  This was fast and nice -I'll post a review with giveaway this week.

Audible: 

City of Glass (Mortal Instruments) by Cassandra Clare. Read just for me. I liked the concept and it started well but I thought the ending  dragged a bit. Rating 4.0.

Note below that I am reading more by this author.

Kindle: ------

Line Edits: ------

Currently reading:
Print:  Tempted by Fate (The Guardians of Destiny) by Kate Perry. This is for Hachette Review, Giveaway and Guestpost this week, December 2. I am enjoying the tension in the book so far.

Product Description
Willow Tarata is a Guardian who trusts no one. She hunts those who prey on the vulnerable. And she's driven by a vengeful goal-find the man who murdered her mother. Yet suddenly Willow's quarry now has her on the run . . . straight into the sights of San Francisco's most dangerous detective.

Three bizarre murders have Inspector Rick Ramirez baffled-and determined to uncover the truth. But to catch the real killer, he needs the help of his prime suspect, Willow Tarata, even though this fierce and sexy blonde is challenging his professional cool. And now, unless they believe in each other and trust their deepest instincts, a relentless evil will end both Willow's and Rick's life-and claim this Guardian's extraordinary powers forever . . . (2010)

Kindle:  While the Savage Sleeps by Andrew E. Kaufman. I am reading and reviewing this for the author and will be doing an author interview. I am at 56% and am very impressed with this mystery thriller.

Product Description
Cameron Dawson's got a past he can't seem to shake, but he's hoping to change that. He's moved back home to Faith, New Mexico and taken a job as assistant sheriff. What he doesn't realize is that his newest nightmare's about the begin. Strange things are happening. People are disappearing, and for others, it's far worse ... Miles away in Albuquerque, Kyle Bancroft's life is spinning out of control. She's seeing, hearing, and dreaming things she can't explain: Flashbacks to World War II and an eerie hospital ward with locked doors, empty gurneys, and guttural screams. To make matters worse, a ghostly green-eyed girl is complicating her visions with an urgent message: Time is running out. Kyle's otherwordly encounters are driving her straight toward Faith ... and right into Cameron's life. The body count is rising, the pressure is mounting, and the clock is ticking as they rush to uncover a dangerous secret hiding just below the surface of this all-American town-one that's threatening to destroy Faith and everyone in it. A secret they must hunt down quickly ... even if it costs them their own lives.

Audible:  Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1) by Cassandra Clare. I have been wanting to get this for me so I picked it up on Audible. I am several hours into listening and I like it so far.

Product Description
Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.
Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.
Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Audio:  Room: A Novel by Emma Donoghue. During the week I was at a "WOW" point on this book. I only have one disc left to finish but was interrupted by the family time. I will post the review and Hachette Giveaway soon.  
 To five-year-old Jack, ROOM is the entire world. It is where he was born and grew up; it's where he lives with his Ma as they learn and read and eat and sleep and play. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits.

ROOM is home to Jack, but to Ma, it is the prison where Old Nick has held her captive for seven years. Through determination, ingenuity, and fierce motherly love, Ma has created a life for Jack. But she knows it's not enough…not for her or for him. She devises a bold escape plan, one that relies on her young son's bravery and a lot of luck. What she does not realize is just how unprepared she is for the plan to actually work.

Line Edits:  I have several edits to work on and formats to complete for release.

Upcoming books:
Print: I have three books scheduled for next week so I may start on those to make sure they are ready:
December 7 Guest Post Grace Burrowes; The Heir - reviewing for Sourcebooks.
December 8 PUYB Review and Giveaway for The Remains by Vincent Zandri.
December 9 Duchess of Sin (Daughters of Erin) by Laurel McKee; Hachette Review and Giveaway.

Not set for specific dates but due soon:
Devil's Desire by Laurie McBain. I have received this for review from Sourcebooks.
Dating Mr. December by Phillipa Ashley; reviewing for Sourcebooks.

Kindle:
Books on hand to read for Turquoise Morning Press and authors.
Rescue Me by Jennifer Johnson; Sweet Contemporary Romance
Kentucky Blues by Cat Shaffer; Romantic Suspense

Audio: The next Hachette audio book in queue is The Reversal by Michael Connelly.

Special Winners at Friday Pick November 19, 2010

SPECIAL REWARD: EXTRA WINNERS FOR FRIDAY PICKS
Thank you to everyone who enters the Friday Picks. I enjoy getting the books into the hands of those who want to read them.

I wanted to celebrate my one year anniversary of Friday Pick which I started on November 27, 2009 - November 19 made 52 weeks of drawings. I gave a clue last week to be persistent and consistent. I had decided that I would reward book wins to any entrant who had entered at least four times out of the past six weeks requesting the same book or gift card. The only exclusions from this special award were those who already won a book or Gift Card in November.

So Winners for persistence and consistency are:
Sarah E who gets Black Ice
Carol M who gets The Hangman's Knot: A Novel
Fi-Chan $5.00 GC and
Llehn $5.00 GC

Now - I don't want to discourage anyone who likes to name a different book every week but I figure that if one person is asking for a particular book repeatedly they must really want that book. Plus it helps if no one else is asking for the same book :)  It is likely I will do other special rewards like this in the future, particularly for book selections. It is a little more costly to do that for GCs.
I'd love to reward the most comments in a month but since many of my posts are giveaways that leaves fewer posts to comment on just for commenting.  But I am still thinking about this as I do have several memes each week open to comments.

After removing the four names above I had 13 entrants left.
Friday Pick November 19, 2010 Winners are:
Ricki who chose The Angel

and

Lisa M. who gets The Night We Met: The Panty Raid\Frame By Frame\Three Wishes (Harlequin Signature Select)

Remember please that for Friday Pick I ask the winners to email me (to save me some time) with address (or GC choice) information and choice of bookmarks if desired. If I haven't heard from a winner after a week or so, I will email at least once when I get some spare time as I pull the books and have them waiting for mailing instructions.