Winners of Friday Pick March 19, 2010

CONGRATULATIONS 

to the Winners of Friday Pick March 19

Carol M chose The Torment of Others - which she has chosen pretty consistently so I'm glad she gets it! :o)

AND

Debbie F. had two choices so she will have to confirm ... the first was A Stranger in the House.

Ladies- please e-mail me with your addresses and Debbie please confirm which book!

Review - Lucifer Rising by Barbara Fifield

Title: LUCIFER RISING

Author: Barbara Fifield

Genre: Fiction/General

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN-10: 143274478X

ISBN-13: 978-1432744786

Buy Link

Release Date: October 26, 2009

Paperback $10.95

Pages: 88

Heat Rating: Some language.

Author Blog

Rating: 2.75 of 5.0

Product Description

Can Elsa ever escape cult leader Tyrell, a reincarnation of the devil? What about him does she find so mesmerizing? Tyrell has lured women into his snare over many reincarnations. Will he succeed with Elsa? Or will she be able to break away from him?

Back Cover:

When ace reporter Elsa Eldridge is assigned to profile a local religious cult leader named Tyrell, she doesn't expect to fall under his spell. But Tyrell's charismatic personality, muscled body and piercing gaze make him hard to resist, and soon Elsa is enamored. But all isn't what it seems. And what Elsa doesn't know could make her regret the day she ever laid eyes on this spiritual seducer. Before long, cracks show in Tyrell's glossy veneer. There's the intense possessiveness that threatens to burst into violence; the not-even-trying-to- hide-it womanizing; and the rumors about his prior life. Lawsuits from former lovers dog him; an ex claims he committed the ultimate sin. But through it all, Elsa is drawn as if by some mystical force into his world. Every time she succeeds in breaking away, he brings her back into his snare. Can Elsa find the strength and courage to stand up to the man she lusts after? What's the truth behind the whispered allegations? And what explains the bizarre sensations Elsa has that Tyrell is visiting her when he's not around? Savvy, sexy and spiritually aware, Lucifer Rising mixes romance with paranormal intrigue for a thriller that will keep you guessing right up until the very last page.

Review: This story unfortunately did not live up to its cover or blurb. I was expecting something with a distinct paranormal element.  This is really the story of a woman who allows herself to be continually sucked back into a “going nowhere” relationship with a charismatic, self-centered and unfaithful man.  Elsa mistook Tyrell’s cult leader personality as some paranormal power or attribute.  Really it was a matter of lust winning out over good sense.

The characterization was well done even if I wanted to fuss at Elsa for giving the creep, Tyrell, the time of day.  The writing moved along all right although it lacked zest.  This just wouldn’t have been the type of story I would pick to read if I had known it was like a soap opera drama.  Someone needing to be reminded why they shouldn’t get caught in an 'on again, off again' relationship with a philanderer might like to read this story.

***

Thank you to Bostwick Communications and the author who provided this book for review.

Top Ten Picks Meme: Book Series

This is a new meme hosted by Jillian at Random Ramblings.
The first topic is "Book Series".  I thought it might be hard to pick ten until I went through my author lists! Then I realized it was hard to pick ONLY ten!

I will buy all of the books in these series either in print or audio.  Some of these are authors I automatically buy and collect ALL their books, not just the series.  A few I actually keep even though I should pass them on someday! 
Automatic buy is noted by A
Keepers are noted by K

Here are my Top Ten Picks (er...well there were 13 - I just couldn't pick any to remove) in Book Series in no particular order:

Sookie Stackhouse (vampire) series by Charlaine Harris (basis for HBO series True Blood)
Rachel Morgan/The Hallows (witch) series by Kim Harrison
Cassandra Palmer (clairvoyant) series by Karen Chance
The Bridgerton Family (Regency historicals) by Julia Quinn A; K
The Governess Bride (Victorian historicals) series by Christina Dodd A; K
Chicago Stars (Contemporary) series by Susan Elizabeth Phillips A
Temperance Brennan (forensic) series by Kathy Reichs (basis for TV series Bones) A
Slightly (Bedwyn family - Regency hisoricals) series by Mary Balogh A (Any of her other series too!)
The Cynster (Regency historicals) series by Stephanie Laurens A
The Guardian (fantasy historicals) series by Mary Jo Putney A
The Compass Club (Regency historicals) series by Jo Goodman A (I loved that series!)
Calhoun Chronicles (historicals) series by Susan Wiggs 
The Sisters of the Lone Star (western historical) series by Joan Johnston (Another great series!)

The above would be my top ten eleven thirteen but my series don't stop there.  Here are more:

Malory Family (Regency historicals) series by Johanna Lindsey A
The Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson
The Seducer series by Madeline Hunter A
FBI Thriller (FBI agents) series by Catherine Coulter A
Pendergast (FBI paranormal) series by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child This is one of the few series I can get DH to listen too.
Eve Dallas (futuristic tough NYPSD female cop) series by JD Robb Just starting this series
The Lord of the Rings by J.R. Tolkien

I do have more 'automatic buy' authors but not necessarily for series.
So - do you have a favorite series or two that I don't have?  I know I am missing some of the more current urban fantasy authors.

Review - Moon Shifter by Karen Michelle Nut Plus Comment Contest

Title:  MOON SHIFTER

Author: Karen Michelle Nut

Genre: Paranormal/Shifters

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Buy Link

Release Date: 2009

Paperback $2.00

Pages: 76

Heat Rating: Spicy

Author site

Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 

Blurb

The Mac Tíre forbade all moon shifters from changing a human in order to save them from death. Grayson Quinn, the alpha of the pack ignores the ancient rule when Sydney Carlisle, his fiancée is ravaged by one of his own kind.

Sydney believes she is a monster, a werewolf. She flees before Grayson can help her adjust, but Grayson must find her. Sydney’s body is still changing and the were lust will drive her crazy if not sated. He has until the full moon to help her tame the wolf inside and convince her she’s his soul mate. If he fails, he loses her forever.

Sydney still craves Grayson's touch, but can her heart forgive him for making her one of the Mac Tíre?

Review: This was a very fast, engaging and sexy romance.

Sydney is angry and frightened. She is in no mood to listen to the man who turned her into this monster.

Grayson is patient and concerned in his efforts to make Sydney listen. He really needs to get past her anger to explain to her the current emotional and physical dilemma she faces. He knows she hates him for what she has become but he is unaware that the doctor never explained why Grayson wasn’t there for her when she first shifted.

Add to these conflicts the fact that both Sydney and Grayson have memories of how wonderful their relationship was before she was attacked. Plus there is the continued pull of attraction that they are fighting for different reasons.

I really like the shifter clan that Ms. Nutt created.  Some “werewolf” myths and wolf facts are smoothly woven into a very believable plot.  All the action and emotion in the story are focused around the central romance. The sexual tension is intense and the intimacy is spicy.  The writing flows for an easy read.  If you like a fast paced, sexy romance story you can’t go wrong with this one!

I won this book at a contest blog where Karen talked about creating her world of shifters.  I forgot to say thanks in the Monday Mailbox post to Skhye who hosted that contest - so a little late - Thank You! Take a peek at Skhye's Ramblings where she has listed some online kids activities!

This is my Tuesday R&R review post at SaSR group today. 

COMMENT TUESDAY CONTEST:

Comment on the Review and answer the following question to be in a drawing for a Friday Pick book!

Here is a Question for you:

If you could be a shifter what animal would you want to be?  

Some choices:  a wolf, a dragon, a wild cat, a bird.....

Tell us what you would like to be and why.

I haven't decided yet so I'll answer after I sleep on it! LOL

Mailbox Monday March 22, 2010

This Meme starts with Marcia at The Printed Page
These are books I got in the last two weeks.


I won A Fiery Secret by Diane Craver at a contest at her blog. Thank you Diane!

While investigative reporter Catherine Steel looks for Mr. Right, she tries to learn if someone murdered the janitor from her old high school.
Catherine Steel is an investigative reporter for a newspaper in Ohio. To supplement her income so that she can buy clothes and gifts for her small godchild, she writes fluff pieces for women’s magazines. Two recent articles are: “What To Wear to Get Noticed” and “Catherine’s Ten Simple Dating Rules.”
When Jake Michaels fills a sports editor’s spot on the paper, Catherine wonders if he is man enough to fulfill her fantasy. And does she want him to be the one? After all, he broke her heart ten years ago in high school when he failed to show up for their prom date. And now that he’s back in town, he wants to date her. Catherine refuses to go out with him but he keeps asking. Should she give Jake another chance?
When it appears the high school janitor, Max, was murdered, Catherine is determined to learn the truth about his death. Catherine’s list of suspects for Max’s death include: the school secretary with her intense dislike of Max, the charismatic mayor, the mayor’s unbalanced girlfriend, the angry school principal, and a strange math teacher.

I won Love Engineered by Jenna Dawlish at a contest hosted by Joyce DiPastina. Thank you Jenna and Joyce!

Description Courtesy of Goodreads:

“It's 1855 and Louise Thomas, owner of a large estate in Devon is ready to fall in love, but only if she can find a man who will put up with her thirst for knowledge in the engineering and scientific world.

Charles Lucas is one of the country's top Engineer's, tipped to be the new Brunel. He is too busy with his work for love - especially with a member of the gentry. When he meets Louise, she interests and intrigues him like no woman before. But he must make some serious decisions when he hears disturbing rumours about her.”

Handsome and enigmatic Charles Lucas – the new Brunel – is too busy for love, but when he meets Louise Thomas, she intrigues him like no woman before.

Louise is ready for love, but can she ever find a man to whom she can entrust her heart and her secret passion…

I am a member of WRDF Reader's Club. This is the second book I received! Thank you Lynda at  Writers and Readers of Distinctive Fiction!
The Bodyguard and the Snitch by Christy Tillery French
This is book 4 of a series and I like to read series in order so I may have to get the others!

Bodyguard Natasha Chamberlain risks more than her life when she guards a defense attorney targeted by the mafia. Protection specialist Natasha Chamberlain thinks guarding a defense attorney from a disgruntled client should be a fairly normal job, but when she learns he's been targeted by the mafia, she's ready to call it quits. However, the attorney holds her to their contract and Natasha finds her own life placed in danger along with her bodyguard cohorts, Pit and Bigun.

Natasha's fiancé Jonce Striker is fit to be tied when he learns this, which only confirms to him that the bodyguard field is too dangerous for his love. After Natasha is shot trying to protect her client, Striker delivers the final ultimatum: leave the bodyguard field or lose him. Natasha makes her choice but will she live to regret it?

I won Happy Hour by Michele Scott at a Writerspace Chat.  Ms. Scott was fun to chat with even if those chats get so fast it is hard to follow.  Thank you Writerspace and Michele!

Four friends working in Napa Valley, Sundays are for fellowship, good food and wine. Jamie is editor-in-chief at "Wine Lover's Magazine," and a single mother. Before her husband died, she lived a fairy tale life. Guilt from his death keeps her from moving forward. Kat is a sommelier, and co-owner of a restaurant with her chef husband Christian. Although deeply in love they deal with a myriad of issues, including ex-spouses, Kat's teenage sons and her new age mother Venus. Danielle is a vintner who finds herself entrenched in both an identity and family crises when her eldest daughter returns home from college with a bombshell of a secret. Alyssa is an artist and gallery owner. When a tragic past event catches up with her, she must face the skeleton in her closet and rely on her friends to see her through her darkest hours. These women discover that friendship is the right prescription to get through the hard times as well as for enjoying the wonderful moments together.