Book Review: Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

This is a wonderfully charming and delightful read!

Simply Irresistible (A Lucky Harbor Novel) by Jill Shalvis

• Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Forever; 1 Original edition (October 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044657161X
• ISBN-13: 978-0446571616

Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so not her decision). But rather than drowning her sorrows in bags of potato chips, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington.

Starting over won't be easy. Yet Maddie sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if only she can convince her two half-sisters to join her in the adventure. But convincing Tara and Chloe will be difficult because the inn needs a big makeover too.

The contractor Maddie hires is a tall, dark-haired hottie whose eyes-and mouth-are making it hard for her to remember that she's sworn off men. Even harder will be Maddie's struggles to overcome the past, though she's about to discover that there's no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor.

Review: I found this story to be a true delight and just what I needed for a lift up at the time!

This story had a light and easy tone with good humor from the very first. There is a quote to start each chapter - I think I’ve mentioned before that I really like those. The first quote is: “I chose the path less traveled, but only because I was lost. Carry a map.” It took a few pages before I realized who the author of the quotes was and later in the book you learn where the quotes came from and that is part of the fun of the story.

Maddie is a great character. Sweet and quick witted if a bit less than confident at this stage of her life. She so needs a new start and really wants to make a go of the rundown inn. But she has to convince her sisters to help her remodel enough to try to make a go of it. Sophisticated Tara claims that she has a husband and an important job to get back to so she doesn’t want to jump into renovations. Wild spirited Chloe has no money, has allergies to dust and paint (and work in general?) and tends to be footloose, so she isn’t inclined to commit to the project. However, since the place will sell easier if some basic work is done, they agree to get a quote from a local contractor.

The contractor turns out to be the hunk on the motorcycle that Maddie tried to run off the road coming into town. Then she knocked his bike over on her way to visit the local bar her first night in town. Jax doesn’t seem to mind her klutziness but rather immediately falls for her sweet charms. And I can tell you, if I didn’t have my own handy workman, sweet husband of 25 years, I would really want a Jax!!

Lucky Harbor seems to be a rather cool setting with fun establishments like The Love Shack Bar and the Eat Me Café. It may be cold in temperature but that gives cause to get cozy and warm with flirtatious romance. As much as Jax is drawn to Maddie he is keeping some secrets that are going to cause some hot trouble when revealed.

The writing has an easy flow and connections and secrets are revealed bit by bit. Also remember the quotes I mentioned in the beginning of this review? They gave me a new philosophy: "Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late." Don't I wish!

I really enjoyed this fun, light romance. I am hoping there will be more stories from Ms. Shalvis for Lucky Harbor and especially for Tara, Chloe and Jax’s friends bartender/owner, Ford and the local law officer, Sawyer.  Treat yourself to a joyful read by getting this book!

xxx

Thank you to Anna and Hachette for providing the book for review and giveaway.  If you are lucky maybe you can win one of five copies in the giveaway!

Wild Kingdom in My Own Backyard! (Comment Giveaway)

...Or alternative title: Hummingbirds, Deer and Turkeys, Oh My!

We have a nice balcony off of our second story bedroom. Often we sit out in the morning and we see wild visitors in the yard. I got a few photos over the past few weeks that I wanted to share with you.

First, we have a hummingbird feeder right above our head. Those little guys zip by all the time when DH is sitting there but they wouldn't stop when I had the camera. So I had to get a distance zoom shot.  The first picture barely shows the red feeder on the second pine trunk (just above the railing) as you look toward the pool.  The next shot is the hummer I caught feeding! I expect we won't see too many more hummers now that cool weather is coming in. 

Often I spot the deer from the bathroom widow and by the time I get the camera they get disturbed.  I was very sorry I didn't get a shot of the doe and her two spotted fawns. But this is a nice shot of one of the visiting deer. The other shots were of her moving away as she heard our dogs head out the dog door. The dogs will run up to the edge of the cleared yard and bark.  They haven't been running in the woods as much since Bear suffered the snake bite a couple of months ago.

Then a few days ago I was startled to see a new critter in the yard! This is the first year we have seen a wild turkey! The first picture was taken through the bathroom screen so it is a little blurry. I actually was so excited I was having a hard time holding the camera still. The next day she showed up and I got a quick shot from the balcony as she turned to go back in the woods because she didn't like my presence.

I wouldn't call it a gobble but she definitely clucks as she heads back to the woods!
Now I keep the camera upstairs and handy so hopefully I can get some better shots.

So- Tell me what wild animals you've had around your backyard. It doesn't have to be current to join in. Maybe as a child you saw a moose in your yard; or even a raccoon up close. We currently have a family of four raccoons living about a half mile or so down the dirt community drive as I see them scrambling across the road and up a tree when I drive home every night.

If I get 10 comments then I will draw a winner to pick their choice of book from the Friday Pick list.  I would pick an animal book but (1) I'm not sure how many I have, (2) I don't have time to run through the list and (3) the winner would probably like to make their own choice anyway.
Extra five entries if you send a photo to join your comment.  Send to mesreadsATgmail and I will post them for you unless you tell me not to. :) If there aren't 10 comments, don't worry - I'll apply your extra entries to another giveaway so there is some incentive. :)
Let's see - we'll leave this chat giveaway open until 10PM Central October 15, 2010.
Happy hunting - with a camera PLEASE not a gun!

Review and ARC Giveaway: Highland Hellcat by Mary Wine

I am confident that this book will be a nice treat for the winner and any reader!

Highland Hellcat by Mary Wine

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (October 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402237383
• ISBN-13: 978-1402237386

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

In the raw, rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands, tumultuous times bred warrior men and women who fought for country, keep, and kin, and loved as passionately as they lived. An illegitimate son, chosen as laird after the ruling Douglas clan slaughtered his family, Connor Lindsay is surrounded by men who challenge his right to lead. Looking for a virtuous bride to cement his leadership by presenting him with an heir, he kidnaps a feisty laird’s daughter. To keep this Highland Hellcat in his bed, he’ll have to do battle with the Douglases, the Church, and most of all Brina herself.

Review: I love the little details in this book, plus the fine conflict and romance.

Brina is one beautiful young woman - inside and out. She is a third daughter of a clan chief and has been raised to go to the Church and become a nun.  She is accustomed to humble dress, skills to take care of herself without being waited on, and an absence of touch. She has disciplined herself to honorably accept the duty that her father expects of her. Although you might expect her to be sweet and timid, she has a distinct independent and stubborn streak which may not be totally suited to the convent but help her face adventure!

Connor is kind, but firm and determined.  He has had to struggle to gain the leadership and respect of his clan.  When his arranged marriage to Brina’s oldest sister, Deirdre, is compromised by Deirdre’s actions, Connor steals Brina.  He is clearly frustrated when the “hellcat” continually fights him and refuses to marry him without her father’s blessing.

Obviously Brina and Connor are at odds as to their duties and Brina tries hard to stay obedient to her promise to her father and the church. But she sees the honor in Connor and slowly succumbs to the warmth of human touch she has been denied. She is especially drawn to Connor’s strong but tender touch.

I liked all the little details of Highland life that are easily woven into this story: the clothing, the harvest, the loyalties and importance of clan leadership, and the politics behind clan alliances. The slow and gentle wooing is near erotic yet sweet and beautiful in the tenderness of their first love encounter. The plot moves at a good pace with a nice blend of romance and action.

There were a few technical errors (an overrobe removed without removal of a cloak which was evident a few paragraphs before) and a few repeated phrases which may even have been intentional but were noticeable to me. These technical items did not detract from my clear enjoyment of the read.

This was another book that I read in two days, even running late to work (it's okay since I'm the boss) because I was enthralled at a good action part of the story!  I am hoping there will be sequels for several of the characters as I would love to read the stories for Vanora, Connor’s twelve year old sister; Deirdre, Brina’s sister, who trusted the wrong man; and Quinton Cameron, Connor’s good friend.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for this book to read and review.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE ARC COPY:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something you learned there.
Alternative comment:  Comment on the review.
Please leave your e-mail!

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

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

(Three total entries possible.)
It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

* This contest is open US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on October 18, 2010. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Winners of A Maze of Grace

CONGRATULATIONS

to the Winners of
A Maze of Grace: A Memoir of Second Chances
by Trish Ryan

Thank you to all who entered.
I will email the form to be completed by JustPeachy, Karla and Judy to complete within 72 hours.

Winners of Sin Undone

CONGRATULATIONS

to the Winners of

Sin Undone (Demonica, Book 5) 

by Larissa Ione

Thank you to everyone who entered.
I will send the form to complete to Natasha, Caroluci, jmspettoli, Chelsea and JoAnna who will have 72 hours to respond.