Book Review and Giveaway: Duchess of Sin by Laurel McKee

This story is full of interesting Irish history.
Duchess of Sin (Daughters of Erin) by Laurel McKee

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (December 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446544760
• ISBN-13: 978-0446544764  

     Price: Print $7.99 and Kindle $7.99
     Genre: Historical Romance
     My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0

Product Description
Blonde and beautiful Lady Anna Blacknall is in the mood for mischief. Entering Dublin's most notorious den of vice, she finds herself in the arms of a mysterious, emerald-eyed Irishman. And although he is masked, his tender kiss is hauntingly familiar.

Conlan McTeer, Duke of Adair, has come to Dublin to fight for a free Ireland. But he's suddenly reunited with the young Englishwoman who had once claimed his heart, and his passion turns from politics to pleasure. When their sizzling encounter brings danger to Anna's door, she must decide where her loyalties lie-and quickly. For someone will do whatever it takes to destroy Conlan . . . and anyone he dares to love.

Review: I enjoyed the history of the Irish resistance to Unification as presented in this story.
I didn’t like Lady Anna initially as I thought she was selfish and reckless in her behavior as an 18 year old bored with her society lifestyle. It also was unrealistic to me that she came to no harm as she continued to sneak out to bad parts of Dublin at night without a footman or a disguise. Later you come to realize that Anna is confused and torn between being a proper, responsible “Lady” and indulging her carefree nature to be free from society dribble but still the gracious, giving “Lady” of the manor.  Although her character is likeable midway to the end, my feelings for the book had already been negatively effected.

Conlan Adair is a darkly handsome, intense Irish Duke. He cares for his lands and people and is willing to fight the governmental efforts trying to unify Ireland and England into Great Britain. As a powerful and influential landowner he has acquired a few enemies. Not the least of whom is a cousin who has tried to take Adair lands under a penal law that effected Catholic land ownership.  Interestingly, in addition to Lady Anna becoming more likeable as the book goes along, Conlan’s handsome cousin, Grant, had a changling character too: being detestable at times and vulnerable and sad at other times.

The story weaves around the political issues with Conlan being afraid to bring danger to Anna. At first Anna is oblivious to the danger or reasons behind it.  Slowly she becomes aware of the heated politics and she finally decides she is willing to risk danger and the lose of her reputation to be with the object of her desire, Conlan.   I did like how Anna’s past experiences were revealed bit by bit as the story progressed.

There is intrigue and danger to add action to the story. Also there is a secondary love interest involving Katherine, Anna’s beautiful, widowed mother.  I liked Lady Anna’s sister Caroline, the studious young lady, and might like that to read her story.

Although I did like the latter part of the book more than the beginning I can’t say that I ever fully warmed up to this one.  There are plenty of more favorable reviews for this so obviously it did not strike everyone as it did me. There are many good points, like the history, so don’t let my tainted response stop you from trying this historical romance.

Thank you to Anna and Hachette for allowing me to read and review this book and for providing books for Giveaway.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

1. Visit the Author's website and tell me something you found interesting. 
This is required for entry. 
Make sure you leave your e-mail address!

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

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

4.  For TWO more extra entries make a meaningful comment on the review.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

(Seven total entries possible.) MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL! FIVE winners!

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* Only one winner per household.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on December 23, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries. 

Book Review and Giveaway: The Remains by Vincent Zandri

Can the "remains" of a childhood trauma contribute to a new nightmare??
The Remains by Vincent Zandri

• Paperback: 375 pages
• Publisher: StoneHouse Ink; 1 edition (November 30, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0982770502
• ISBN-13: 978-0982770504

• Price: Print $14.99; Kindle $2.99

    Genre: Thriller
    My Rating:  4.25 of 5.0

Product Description
Thirty years ago, teenager Rebecca Underhill and her twin sister Molly were abducted by a man who lived in a house in the woods behind their upstate New York farm. They were held inside that house for three horrifying hours, until making their daring escape. Vowing to keep their terrifying experience a secret in order to protect their mother and father, the girls tried to put the past behind them. And when their attacker was hunted down by police and sent to prison, they believed he was as good as dead. Now, it s 30 years later, and with Molly having passed away from cancer, Rebecca, a painter and art teacher, is left alone to bear the burden of a secret that has only gotten heavier and more painful with each passing year. But when Rebecca begins receiving some strange anonymous text messages, she begins to realize that the monster who attacked her all those years ago is not dead after all. He s back, and this time, he wants to do more than just haunt her. He wants her dead.

Review: Very well done! This mystery thriller kept my attention from beginning to end. I liked how the story is told by Rebecca describing current day events and in flash backs slowly revealing her childhood memories  when she and her twin sister were young teens and attacked by the monster in the woods.  The author skillfully builds the tension step by step.  He sets the stage for the villain, while presenting a full picture of Rebecca’s life through the secondary characters: her ex-husband, Michael, her best friend Robyn, an autistic savant art student, Franny, and even her sister, Molly, who gives her strength through memories.

Although each character adds to the story, Franny has a key role in racheting up the suspense as he paints images from Rebecca’s past that she thinks no one could know about.  Franny presents a new painting each day with a hidden word that initially only Rebecca can see. The first word is “listen” and this becomes alarming when Rebecca begins to get unexplained text messages, hears her name whispered and her cell phone ringing in the middle of the night. Each painting ads another edge to the chill of the story.

I liked the renewal of the relationship between Michael and Rebecca which gives the story a sense of hope and growth even in the midst of fear and evil.  There is sadness after the fear but then there is joy and new life too.  The story moves at a consistently engaging pace toward Rebecca’s inescapable confrontation with the child abductor. The story twists are more anticipated than unexpected - you just don’t know quite what they will be. Even though you know there will be an attack, the story keeps your attention as you wonder how and when it will happen.

I also liked the information supplied on savant autistic people.  I can easily recommend this as an enjoyable thriller read.

A phrase I liked:  "Fear warped time, bent it the same way it crippled my insides."

Thank you to the author and Pump Up Your Book Promotions for the book to read and review and for providing TWO copies for Giveaway!  Watch the trailer and read an excerpt at the Pump Up Your Book link.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY  - TWO COPIES:

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

2.  Comment on the Author's Guest Post for TWO entries.

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

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

(Seven total entries possible.)
It isn't 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 22, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.  TWO WINNERS!

Guest Post - Research Tidbits by Grace Burrowes

Grace Burrowes Guest Blog, Author of The Heir

I was warned that the best, most fascinating research results are invariably the ones you can’t really use in your book. In one of my books, I’m going to find a way to show the grooms prancing around on the ladies’ mounts sidesaddle, because this was apparently not an unusual practice. This interesting little tidbit was unable to make it into my debut release, The Heir (in stores this month).

The whole business of riding sidesaddle intrigues me. So much of riding is based on balance and on correcting the asymmetries we carry around as a function of posture and minor congenital anomalies. Who decided it would be a good idea for women to ride like this and would we have put up with it for so long if it weren’t so lovely to behold?

I learned that sidesaddles have never been mass produced, but rather, to this day are built one at time, usually to the exact measurements of the prospective owner. While the sources conflict, some claim a wealthy woman would own two saddles, one built to the left, one to the right so she might alternate to keep her fundament from becoming lopsided. This would require two riding habits as well, since the wrap of the skirt is designed to maximize both modesty and maneuverability.

I also learned that proper etiquette is for the gentleman who gives a lady a leg up to arrange her skirts for her. This is a matter of safety, since the lady might be occupied with managing a lively horse, while her skirts were yet tangled with her boots and stirrup. No doubt, this was the motivation for all those Regency swains to assist their ladies into the saddle.

Riding sidesaddle required a fair amount of skill for the rider and some special training for the horse. As a matter of comfort, a sidesaddle mount would usually be ridden only at the walk or the canter, since posting the trot is made difficult by the construction of the horns the lady hooks her legs around. I’ve been told the convention among the wealthy was that only women rode mares, though a woman might ride a gelding but a man would seldom ride a mare. (I have flouted this convention in more than one book, because good mares are too wonderful to be limited to only the ladies.)

But how was a lady’s horse to be kept in condition if she couldn’t ride for a period of time? The grooms rode the animal, sometimes with a conventional saddle, but also occasionally in the side saddle. There are specific cues for sidesaddle equitation, with the lady’s whip taking the place of her second leg, and the horse must be trained to comprehend those cues. The grooms would also be responsible for this training and for teaching the animal to carry its rider in a side saddle in the first place.

Finally, I came across a piece of side saddle lore that says only royalty rides to the right, while the rest of us ride to the left. On a recent trip to London I toured Buckingham Palace, where the sidesaddle Queen Elizabeth II rode in to view the Trooping of the Colour was on display.

Her Majesty, at least, rode to the left… Now how do I get that into a book?

THE HEIR BY GRACE BURROWES – IN STORES DECEMBER 2010

An Earl Who Can’t Be Bribed…

Gayle Windham, Earl of Westhaven, is the first legitimate son and heir to the Duke of Moreland. To escape his father’s inexorable pressure to marry, he decides to spend the summer at his townhouse in London, where he finds himself intrigued by the secretive ways of his beautiful housekeeper.

A Lady Who Can’t Be Protected…

Anna Seaton is a beautiful, talented, educated woman, which is why it is so puzzling to Gayle that she works as his housekeeper.

As the two draw closer and begin to lose their hearts to each other, Anna’s secrets threaten to bring the earl’s orderly life crashing down—and he doesn’t know how he’s going to protect her from the fallout…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Grace Burrowes is the pen name for a prolific author of historical romances whose manuscripts have so far won, finaled, or garnered honorable mention in Romance Writers of America-run contests in Georgia, Indiana, New Jersey, and Florida. Burrowes is a practicing attorney specializing in family law. She lives in rural Maryland and is working on her next book, The Soldier, set to release in July 2011. 

Thank you Grace for sharing some interesting tidbits with us today.Please see my review and Giveaway post too.

Book Review and Giveaway: The Heir by Grace Burrowes

Two words to describe this story: lush and engaging.
The Heir by Grace Burrowes

• Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (December 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402244347
• ISBN-13: 978-1402244346
• Price 6.99

Genre: Historical Romance - Regency
My Rating:  4.5 of 5.0

Product Description from Sourcebook An earl who can’t be bribed...
Gayle Windham, earl of Westhaven, is the first legitimate son and heir to the duke of Moreland. To escape his father’s inexorable pressure to marry, he decides to spend the summer at his townhouse in London, where he finds himself intrigued by the secretive ways of his beautiful housekeeper...

A lady who can’t be protected...
Anna Seaton is a beautiful, talented, educated woman, which is why it is so puzzling to Gayle Windham that she works as his housekeeper.
As the two draw closer and begin to lose their hearts to each other, Anna’s secrets threaten to bring the earl’s orderly life crashing down—and he doesn’t know how he’s going to protect her from the fallout...

Review: I really loved the deep characters, the tender romance and the voice of this story!

Westhaven is a strong primary character.  He is a staunch, British Earl/Duke to be with dedication to his business affairs and a fairly strict routine.  He seems a bit cold, almost crude, in the relationship with his mistress. But, after all, it is a business arrangement as he meets with her by appointment two days a week. He does not express his affections easily but he is deeply caring and loving to his family - except for his father pushing him to pick a bride.  His younger brother, Val, a gifted pianist, and his half brother, Dev, both end up residing with him.

Anna is a strong female character to match the Earl. She is a suburb housekeeper who goes beyond the day to day chores by adding style and personality to the house through flower arrangements, special meals and personal touches.  Her own warmth shines through in her efforts. But Anna has secrets. She is much more refined and educated than a usual housekeeper.  She is protecting another maid servant, Morgan, who is deaf and mute, and they are both hiding from something in their past.

Westhaven is planning to enjoy a quite summer but an unexpected misunderstanding gets his head bashed by his housekeeper. As Anna cares for the wounds she inflicted, he begins to notice how lovely and competent she is.  They first develop a companionable friendship which grows progressively closer.  Anna sees beyond his gruffness and soon succumbs to his gentle seduction. Although she begins to trust him with more than friendship, she continues to reject even his good intentions, as she is not willing to trust him to solve the problems of her past.  I had to agree with the Duchess’ sentiments at one point about knocking their heads together as Earl and Anna withdraw from each other for the wrong reasons.

I think the story has a wonderful depth of feeling to it from the Earl’s sternness to his edgy, almost wicked, sensual campaign, which is balanced by Anna’s lighter nature and the warmth of the family. There is a touch of legal issues which I liked too.

The writing flowed very nicely.  There is some rough language and fairly steamy sexual scenes but they seemed to fit the hero’s character and were consistent with the rich underlying passions of the protagonists. I am glad I did not get turned off  by it as the overall package was a good read.  I highly recommend this book and I hope to get to read the sequels or other works by this author.
Caution: Language and edge of erotic sexual content.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for the book to read and review and for providing TWO copies of The Heir for Giveaway!

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY  - TWO COPIES:

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

2.  Comment on the Author's Guest Post for TWO entries.

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

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

(Seven total entries possible.)
It isn't 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 21, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.  TWO WINNERS!

Mailbox Monday December 6, 2010

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week.

This Meme started  with Marcia at The Printed Page but is on blog tour and for December the host is Let Them Read Books.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I have not had a chance to do a Mailbox post since September so I have quite a number of "Won" items. 



October 8 - I won Alpha Redemption
by P.A. Baines at Author Stephanie Morrill's Blog.

Thank you Stephanie and P.A..

 

October 13 - I won a $35.00

Gift Certificate to CSN at 

Author Karen McGrath's blog,

Boston daydreaming...

I haven't picked anything yet 

but will do that this week.

Thank you CSN and Karen.

October 18 - I won The Raven Saint (Charles Towne Belles) 
by MaryLu Tyndall from LW at

One Desert Rose's Blog 

Thank you LW.

 

October 21 - I won

Snow Day: A Novel 

by Billy Coffey 

from Kat at 

Reviews from the Heart.

Thank you Kat.

November 29 - I won The Canticle Kingdom
by Michael D. Young from Gratitude Giveaway at
Author Rachael Renee Anderson's happy ending blog.

Thank you Rachael.