Book Review Druid's Daughter by Jean Hart Stewart

I enjoyed this book over two years ago and wrote this review before I started this blog.

Druid's Daughter by Jean Hart Stewart

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 324 KB
• Print Length: 440 pages
• Publisher: Ellora's Cave (April 5, 2007)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B003AT109I

      Genre: Paranormal Romance

      My Rating 5.0 of 5.0

Book Blurb:

Morgan McAfee is a Druid and proud of her gifts, using them only for good causes. In 1898 few people acknowledge Druids and their power. When the head of London's Criminal Investigative Department is forced to work with her, he scoffs at her claimed abilities. Chief Inspector Lord Lance Dellafield has no belief in visions and auras. Trying to recover a kidnapped child, his disdain is unconcealed. Handsome, aristocratic and condescending, he wants no help from a Druid. Even though their sexual attraction grows steamier with every encounter.

Even when a serial murderer terrifies London, Lance hesitates to admit Morgan's power. Yet he can't dismiss the beautiful Druid's emerald eyes from his mind. If he hopes to solve the murders he finds he needs her help.

When the murderer stalks Morgan, can Lance save her? Will he acknowledge a Druid has captured his heart? Will being a Druid help her in this most important pursuit, gaining Lance's love?

Amazon Product Description
Blush: This is a suggestive romance (love scenes are not graphic) This is the first book in the Garland of Druids series.Morgan McAfee is a Druid and proud of her gifts, using them only for good causes. In 1898 few people acknowledge Druids and their power. When the head of London's Criminal Investigative Department is forced to work with her, he scoffs at her claimed abilities. Chief Inspector Lord Lance Dellafield has no belief in visions and auras. Trying to recover a kidnapped child, his disdain is unconcealed. Handsome, aristocratic and condescending, he wants no help from a Druid. Even though their sexual attraction grows steamier with every encounter.Even when a serial murderer terrifies London, Lance hesitates to admit Morgan's power. Yet he can't dismiss the beautiful Druid's emerald eyes from his mind. If he hopes to solve the murders he finds he needs her help.When the murderer stalks Morgan, can Lance save her? Will he acknowledge a Druid has captured his heart? Will being a Druid help her in this most important pursuit, gaining Lance's love?

Review:

I liked both Morgan and Lance immediately and was drawn into the story from the first page.  She is intelligent, compassionate, observant and slow to judge.  She also has a wonderful dog, Ambrose, who is her protector.  Lance is intelligent, observant, a bit prejudiced and quicker to judge, gentlemanly and protective but not overbearing.  It is clear the author thought out the character's backgrounds to help create depth for the hero and heroine.

The attraction between Morgan and Lance is "magical" and the love scenes beautifully sensual.  There is an additional sweet love story included for two other characters in the book.

The setting is nicely done and the author makes good use of appropriate adjectives that fit perfectly in the time period!  Ms. Stewart interwove in the story details of the Druids' beliefs and history.  Although I might not agree with all of the beliefs presented it was interesting and helped provide a better understanding of Druid culture.  The story flowed so smoothly that I didn't want to put the book down!  I liked the short chapters which allow for quick breaks if needed.  I am definitely looking forward to reading more of this series!

xxx

Please see the Author's Blogoversary Spotlight with giveaway.

Winner of FLASH Blogoversary Giveaway

Thank you everyone for the good wishes on my two year Blogoversary anniversary.
I decided to award TWO WINNERS.

Natasha chose

For the Love of Pete

and

Asenath chose

Room: A Novel 

Room was one of the more popular books and Hood is another.
I'll have at least one more Flash Giveaway in the next two weeks so check back!
Winners please send your info by completing the WINNER FORM.
Thank you!

MBS Blogoversary SPOTLIGHT #14 Author Suzanne Barrett

SPOTLIGHT: AUTHOR SUZANNE BARRETT

I met Suzanne this year when asked to review one of her books. I first read and reviewed In Love and War which posted with an author interview.  Then I was pleased to read and review Late Harvest. Today I have posted a review for Suzanne's current release, Taming Rowan.  Suzanne also makes jewelry and the link to her work is below.

I asked each author to answer two questions for their spotlight.
The first I asked and the second they provided

Question #1:  Why do you write/what do you hope your readers get from your books?

A: I write books that I like to read, where likable characters--and sometimes tortured heroes--find their happily ever afters, but not without a character-building struggle.

Question #2: How do my characters achieve their goals?

A:  Each must step out of his or her comfort zone. In the case of the damaged hero, by doing this, he becomes whole.

Please visit Suzanne here or her links below.
For extra credit you can comment at her blog link or email her to say "Hi" and "Thank you" for the support and giveaway.
Author Website

Suzanne's jewelry site
(hand-crafted, wire wrap creations)

Suzanne's Irish Travel site

Blog

Giveaway donated by Suzanne:
Print copy of Late Harvest.

OPEN US or CANADA.
If you have trouble viewing or submitting this form, you can fill it out online:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEdvd0p6amNoRVBiUzhsZzZFclcwQ2c6MAPLEASE ENTER WITH THIS FORM:

Book Review: Taming Rowan by Suzanne Barrett

A very engaging romance.

Taming Rowan by Suzanne Barrett

• Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: Turquoise Morning Press (May 25, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1935817922
• ISBN-13: 978-1935817925

     Genre: Contemporary Romance
     My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Product Description

“A keeper! A winner! A deliciously sexy romance!" —Gloria Miller, The Literary Times Karin Williams' devastatingly handsome project officer has a boulder-sized chip on his shoulder. Rowan Marsden expected a male engineer and he's not giving Karin an inch. Working conditions are...tense. Even...worse, she must share on-site accommodations with the sexy Brit who she fears will break her heart. What's a girl to do? If Rowan had his way, he'd never work with a woman. Yet as Karin demonstrates her expertise on the job, he cannot deny his growing respect for her--or his desire. He wants the passion she offers, but not the commitment. Until a horrendous accident at the project site threatens Karin's life, and proves that even a wounded man is destined to love....

Review:  This is a story with wonderful characters, a good plot, and fine writing.  Once again Ms. Barnett has written a superbly crafted, entertaining story.

Karin is a skilled engineer who has established herself in a man’s career. She doesn’t use her feminine attributes to get ahead and only asks for respect for her competent work the same as any other professional engineer.

Rowan Marsden is an arrogant, stubborn chauvinist. He is a wounded man whose past experience with betrayal by a beautiful woman has set him against women in general. And for sure he doesn’t need a female on his remote, barren work site. He is prepared to put her on the next plane out until his boss overrides that plan.

Karen has been busy with her career and has not spent time dating, especially considering she hadn’t been drawn to any male. Now she is drawn to a man who may be sensually compelling but who has little softness for women. Needless to say the sparks and antagonism fly between these two as their sizzling attraction smolders beneath their best intentions to remain aloof and apart. There is plenty of tug of war and dancing on the edges before they finally succumb to the chemistry. The problem remains that Karin is ready for a serious relationship and Rowan is only interested in a hot, limited affair.

There is good detail in the scenery and the project work site which I found interesting and gave good plot support. The project crew are a warm group and the protagonists’ parents are unique characters as well.

The author’s writing style is clean, emotional and engaging. There is plenty of conflict and sexual tension, then engagement with fairly explicit scenes although in no way vulgar. Ms. Barrett provides a rich, strong romance to please any true contemporary romance fan.

xxx

Please  visit Suzanne's Blogoversary Spotlight!

MBS Blogoversary SPOTLIGHT #13 Author Patricia Bates

SPOTLIGHT: AUTHOR PATRICIA BATES

I met Patricia when I won two books and reviewed Love Thy Neighbor for You Gotta Read Reviews! Pat writes historic romance and sweet romance.
Pat is also an Editor and PR/Promo assistant and my right hand at eTreasures. Pat's help has been invaluable to me and eTreasures wouldn't be moving forward so well without her help.
Pat has started a ezine to help authors, publishers: and others in the Publishing industry: Publisher's Corner. 
The first edition isn't out as she is still taking submissions on it. She'll be posting the cover and some tasty tidbits within the next weeks to showcase the ezine before it comes out. 

Love Thy Neighbor, Phantom Pleasures, Master's Mistress


I asked each author to answer two questions for their spotlight.
The first I asked and the second they provided

Question #1:  Why do you write/what do you hope your readers get from your books?

A:  I write a wide variety of stories and can only hope that my readers get a sense of history and adventure in my books.

Question #2: What's the one thing that as an author you feel can enhance or kill your career?

A:  What's the one thing as an author you feel can enhance or kill your career? Lack of interest in promoting yourself. One thing that I see a lot of is authors who do one book contracted, don't see sales and then go what the hey! There's a good reason for this. Readers won't buy what they don't know or are unaware of, and to me this means getting out there and talking about your book. Marketing is tricky but even if you're not an expert you can still promote the books you write. A presence will gain readers, no presence will kill a promising career.

Please visit Patricia here or her links below.
For extra credit you can comment at one of her blog links or email her to say "Hi" and "Thank you" for the support and giveaway.
Website
Scarlet Scribe Edits
The Publisher's Corner
Blog: Of Ink and Quill
Facebook
Twitter

Giveaway donated by Patricia:
Spotlight in Publishers Corner ezine, and choice of ebook 

OPEN WORLDWIDE.
If you have trouble viewing or submitting this form, you can fill it out online:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFV6SGhMWENOMjJiT25QVUFob2VhX2c6MAPLEASE ENTER WITH THIS FORM: