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Thursday, March 1, 2012

Book Review: Keeper of My Heart by Darcy Flynn WITH Giveaway

This is a warm, sweet romance good for a good light read.

by Darcy Flynn
  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 362 KB
  • Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing (February 7, 2012)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B00775ITM2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0


Product Description
Katie McCullough doesn’t know it, but Max Sawyer, the over confident, insufferable thief who outbid her for the lighthouse property, is none other than her mystery lighthouse sailor. The one man who captured her heart five years earlier, the one man who has since been the plumb line for every other unsuspecting male who has crossed her path. Unfortunately for Max, he doesn’t measure up either.

Still reeling from losing the property she’d planned to call home, sparks fly when Katie assumes Max is turning her beloved lighthouse compound into one of his “Serenity Spa Resorts.” Outraged, Katie sets out on a mission to dismantle the property…and his plans.

Except Max’s plans have absolutely nothing to do with hotels and everything to do with winning Katie’s heart.


Review: 
I don’t know why but I am drawn to stories about lighthouses. Even though that isn’t the heart of this story it is a beautiful element.

Katie McCullough loved the lighthouse station since she was a young girl. She had lost her parents young and then lost her brother to a car accident when she was only 16. A young naval officer friend of her brother’s found her in the lighthouse tower and comforted her after the funeral.  She never saw his face or got his name but he became “my sailor.” They corresponded for a couple of years and then the letters stopped. During those years Katie lived with her bitter aunt.  Katie has struggled to put herself through school and work two jobs saving money so that she can purchase the lighthouse property from the city when they auction it. She plans to move in with her adopted grandfather, “Pop”, who was once the keeper. At the last minute, an out of town developer steps in and outbids her.

Max Sawyer is a successful developer who has converted other properties into lush spa resorts. But he has special plans for the lighthouse in Paige Point, Maryland. He planned to purchase the property for the girl he comforted and who won his heart five years ago. It doesn’t take long for him to find the girl but she instantly turns out to be hostile and difficult. He doesn’t reveal his connection to her but tries to befriend her in spite of her clear antagonism which he doesn’t understand.

Katie won’t reveal her heart break over losing the property she cherished. That doesn’t mean she has to like the man who bought it even if he seems to be nice to her and “Pop.”

This story has a bit of “Kiss Me Kate”/“Taming of the Shrew” features and even has the movie as a town summer program which is a fun irony. Katie’s actions are rather shrewish and immature as she refuses to be straightforward about her family possessions in the property and instead sneaks in to take them - pieces at a time. Max is wonderfully patient and romantic. The characters have nice development so that their motives and actions make sense even if I was sometimes shaking my head saying "what are you doing?" to Katie.

The story is sweet and heartwarming and the writing has an easy, light flow. This is a quick read and solidly entertaining. This book brought my attention to the author and the publisher and I will be looking to read more from both.
~~~~~~

I enjoy when the writing connects to the setting or title like the quotes below.
Katie:
She felt an inward pull toward him, like a float on a wave being brought to shore. Buoyant, but helpless. Location 544.

Max:
“She was my keeper girl until her wicked aunt tried to keep us apart.” Location 2053.


Thank you to the author and Bewitching Blog Tour for providing this book. Click on the link to see the full tour stops with guest posts and interviews.


BIO-Darcy Flynn

Darcy was born into the rich culture of New Orleans, La.  As a city filled with colorful historical intrigue and broad creative energy, her natural bent to the arts coupled with her love for one of the most romantic cities in the world has been the inspiration and anchor of her artistic multi-dimension endeavors. Darcy was always compelled by the need to express herself and like her mother’s famous gumbo, her previous expressions included a little bit of everything - art, music, acting and dance.
 
Although, published in music, art and the Christian non-fiction market under another identity, it was the empty nest that turned Darcy to writing romantic fiction. A lover of lighthouses, Darcy’s first novel, Keeper Of My Heart, unfolds in a small Maryland fishing village on the Chesapeake Bay.

Darcy, a former Mrs. Tennessee, continues to be surrounded by all things creative in Music City and when not in writing in her London flat, lives on a beautiful horse farm in historic- Franklin, Tennessee with her husband, son, two English Setters and a calico cat.  Darcy enjoys stargazing, raising rare breed chickens and gardening.


Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Book Review: Deliver Me From Darkness by Tess Hilaire

This is a story where a tortured, dark, hero meets an innocent, light, heroine.  Are they enemies or mates?
by Tess Hilaire

  • Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (February 7, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1402264348
  • ISBN-13: 978-1402264344
Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Rating:  4.5 of 5.0


Book Description
Publication Date: February 7, 2012
A STRANGER IN THE NIGHT...
He had once been a warrior of the Light, one of the revered Paladin. A protector. But now he lives in darkness, and the shadows are his sanctuary. Every day is a struggle to overcome the bloodlust. Especially the day Karissa shows up at his doorstep.
COMES KNOCKING ON THE DOOR She is light and bright and everything beautiful—despite her scratches and torn clothes. Every creature of the night is after her. So is every male Paladin. Because Karissa is the last female of their kind. But she is his. He may not have a soul, but he can't deny his heart.

Review:
Roland was a Paladin, a warrior of the Light, fighting to protect humans. Then he was seduced, trapped, turned into a vampire, and rejected by his Paladin family.  His friend, Logan, was ordered to execute him but didn’t. Roland battles his bloodlust each day but his extra powers allow him to continue to fight evil in his own way - as a lone warrior.  One night Logan shows up with a dirty ruffian who turns out to be a striking, beautiful girl who is full of innocence and light.

Karissa was raised and sheltered by her grandfather who told her to be afraid of the creatures of the dark. Against his instructions she takes a class at the local college and brings death to her home. She doesn’t understand why dark creatures are after her but she is able to escape because she has some unusual powers, like teleporting herself out of reach.  Karissa had been told to find Logan so she feels he is trying to keep her safe. However, when she awakens in a vampire’s bed she is terrified. Initially she battles with Roland but she slowly begins to feel safe with him.

When Roland and Logan discover her powers they realize that Karissa is extremely rare and special: a female Paladin. Logan knows he should take her to the headquarters of the Paladin but Roland is convinced that the males will fight to form a mate bond with her. Although they may not form a true bond if they are not soul mates, they can try to create a lesser bond that would allow them to protect her but also would give them some control over her.  Logan doesn’t explain this problem and Karissa doesn’t realize the danger until she is in a room surrounded by eager Paladin.  The more troubles she has the more it seems that Roland is the one who is truly looking out for her safety. He believes she is his mate but that she can never be his. She believes he still has a soul and is good, not evil.

A full out battle ensues as the Paladins seek to protect Karissa from Vampires and Demons.  Some of the Paladins recognize, like Logan, that Roland is still a Paladin brother at his core, but the Paladin leader may give the order that will kill Roland before he can rescue Karissa again.

I loved Roland as a dark vampire who clearly is still a good guy hero. He is quite enticing! Karissa is a little flighty at times but she is young. The lovely thing is she is willing to look for the good and hold on to it when others doubt. The primary characters are strong and there are several secondary characters who add interest as well as conflict. There are weak and evil intents even among those protector warriors.

There is very good action, suspense and emotional bonding. The writing has good movement that helps give the book a good action pace. There is some bad language but the plot is worth getting past that. I enjoyed this a lot and will look for more in this series.

A quote of perception:
Though his embrace was a tad constricting, Karissa didn’t get the impression he meant her harm. Quite the opposite, in fact. If anything she felt...safe. Location 939.

Thank you to Sourcebooks through NetGalley for this book to review.
This is set in New York City for Where Am I Reading challenge and I will add this to my ARC, and New Author challenges.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Bleed For Me by Michael Robotham

This started a little slowly but midway it became engrossing so I didn’t want to stop until the end.

Bleed for Me (Joseph O'Loughlin) 
by Michael Robotham


  • Hardcover: 432 pages
  • Publisher: Mulholland Books; Reprint edition (February 27, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0316126381
  • ISBN-13: 978-0316126380
     Genre: Crime Fiction
     My Rating:  4.25 of 5.0 


Book Description
Publication Date: February 27, 2012 | Series: Joseph O'Loughlin
She's standing at the front door. Covered in blood. Is she the victim of a crime? Or the perpetrator?

A teenage girl--Sienna, a troubled friend of his daughter--comes to Joe O'Loughlin's door one night. She is terrorized, incoherent-and covered in blood.

The police find Sienna's father, a celebrated former cop, murdered in the home he shared with Sienna. Tests confirm that it's his blood on Sienna. She says she remembers nothing.

Joe O'Loughlin is a psychologist with troubles of his own. His marriage is coming to an end and his daughter will barely speak to him. He tries to help Sienna, hoping that if he succeeds it will win back his daughter's affection. But Sienna is unreachable, unable to mourn her father's death or to explain it.

Investigators take aim at Sienna. O'Loughlin senses something different is happening, something subterranean and terrifying to Sienna. It may be something in her mind. Or it may be something real. Someone real. Someone capable of the most grim and gruesome murder, and willing to kill again if anyone gets too close.

His newest thriller is further evidence that Michael Robotham is, as David Baldacci has said, "the real deal--we only hope he will write faster."

Review:

The story is told by Joe O’Loughlin, a semi-retired psychologist who is suffering from Parkinson’s disease. He is separated from his wife, not because of his illness but because she can’t handle his deep unhappiness, as well as his tendency to get lost in a case.  Their 14 year old daughter, Charlie, is at an age where she is struggling to assert her own personality and she is confused and resentful.  Apparently Charlie was kidnaped and traumatized in a prior book that raises issues of balance between living and safety. Joe still spends lots of time around his family hoping that his wife will let him come home.

One night his daughter’s close friend shows up covered in blood and totally disoriented. Sienna is the immediate suspect in the brutal murder of her father. Joe doesn’t believe she is the killer and he sets out to investigate other suspects.  At first the tough police detective recruits Joe to help with the case but as the facts start to reveal that the murdered cop may have been an abuser the police become less friendly. Joe calls in an old friend, Ruiz, a private investigator who adds some more character depth.

The first part of the book was rather depressing and I struggled with the sad family drama. Midway the clues start to lead somewhere and it is nonstop clue tracking from then on. I really liked how the connection between pieces is revealed by interviews. The clues point to one suspect, a well-liked, respectable man who appears to have walked away from the murder of his first wife, who was never found.  The fellow is slick though and there isn’t enough to accuse or arrest him. Meanwhile there is a side story of a trial where Joe’s wife is serving as a translator. Not only do  issues of jury tampering, and more, arise, but along the line there is a connection discovered between Joe’s prime suspect and the trial defendants.

The writing begins crisp and abrupt, fitting a male narrator. At other times the writing has an almost lyrical flow.  the characters are well developed to give a unique personality to each. The mystery was nicely puzzled and connected. This is the first book I have read by this author and I would be interested in reading more. I understand that this book is part of a series of books with Joe O'Loughlin.  It read fine as a stand alone although it is likely that reading earlier books might give a fuller picture of the family and friendship dynamics.

~~~~~~~~~~
A sad comment on Joe’s status with his family:
I know the script. I know the stage directions. I no longer have a walk on part. P71.

A good description as Joe takes a helicopter ride with injured suspect and cop:
Higher still, we’re above the whitecaps and rocky shore, higher than the Mendip Hills and the patchwork fields, where everything is bathed in lustrous sunshine that makes a mockery of all that is dark about the day. P 394.

Thank you to Little Brown & Co. for providing this book to read and review.
I will add this to my ARC, New Authors and Mystery and Suspense challenges.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC copy: 

1. Visit the author's website and tell me something that interests you there. This is required for entry.

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

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

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

THERE WILL BE ONE WINNER.
* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* Limit one win per household.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on March 9, 2012.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on March 10 with 72 hours to complete the winners form.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Book Review: The Rogue Prirate's Bride by Shana Galen

This is a good swashbuckling action, historical romance.
by Shana Galen
  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 1062 KB
  • Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (February 1, 2012)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B006IBFWPI
Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0


Book Description
Publication Date: February 7, 2012

"Galen pulls out all the stops, striking a balance between romance and adventure that will leave readers breathless and highly satisfied."
—RT Book Reviews

REVENGE SHOULD BE SWEET, BUT IT MAY COST HIM EVERYTHING

Out to avenge the death of his mentor, Bastien discovers himself astonishingly out of his depth when confronted with a beautiful, daring young woman who is out for his blood...

FORGIVENESS IS UNTHINKABLE BUT IT MAY BE HER ONLY HOPE...

British Admiral's daughter Raeven Russell believes Bastien responsible for her fiancé's death. But once the fiery beauty crosses swords with Bastien, she's not so sure she really wants him to change his wicked ways...

"Don't miss this historic treat filled with swashbuckling danger, adventure, and romance."
—Fresh Fiction

"Galen strikes the perfect balance between dangerous intrigue and sexy romance."
—Booklist

Review:
I enjoy this type of historical romance with lots of action, strong and warm characters and a sensual romance that has heat but isn’t too graphic.

Raeven Russell is no debutante or high society miss. She is the daughter of a British Admiral who has been raised on board and knows more of ship’s rigging and sword play than she knows of ballrooms and ladies’ fans and flirtation. Raeven has a fiery temper and is set to revenge the death of her beloved fiancé’ a young Captain who died after an encounter with the famed pirate, Captain Cutlass.  Actually “Cutlass”, Bastien, is a privateer with papers from Spain but Raeven thinks of him as a blood thirsty, villainous pirate.

Bastien is a French nobleman who escaped as a child during the French Revolution. He believes that his twin and other family members were killed in the firing of their estate. He alone escaped with a trusted family stableman, Gaston, who remains with him now as his ship’s doctor. Bastien learned his sailing skills under a master who was betrayed and killed by Jourdain. Now Bastien seeks revenge against Jourdain and his ship the La Sirena.

Though Raeven ties to duel with Bastien, he initially tries to fend her off and keep her away from his ship. She repeatedly puts herself in his path and inadvertently becomes kidnapped, along with her father’s purser, Percy, who has been dragged along on her ill fated adventures. As Bastien tries to run down Jourdain he has to worry about the British navel sailing down his own neck to rescue Raeven, even if she is no longer clamoring for rescue.

There are battles on land and sea to give this story lots of action. There is the clashing of personalities between Raeven and Bastian as they face off and inevitably come together through the chemical pull of attraction for danger and excitement that they see in each other. The writing has an easy flow with good descriptions and fun dialogue. I enjoyed all the physical and emotional action that made this a fast paced, up beat read.

Quotes I liked:
Raeven to Bastien as they battle wills:
"If you are trying to seduce me, you are sailing in the wrong direction." Location 1744.

Bastien about Raeven as they surrender together:
It was about them, together, the connection between bodies and—he looked into her eyes—hearts. Location 2644.

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

Sunday, February 26, 2012

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? February 27, 2012

This meme starts at Book Journey!

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.

My busy week caught me short on posting and reading this week. Thanks to 16 hours of driving I did finish two more books after one very long one.  I posted two reviews but I have several ready for this week now.  I also posted an author interview with giveaway, and my regular Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Sharing Beyond Books and the Sunday post. 

Thank you to the nice people who visited me last week. I was glad to get to visit last Sunday night but I will be crashing tonight after our busy weekend and long drive home.

These were last week's posts plus a couple of Winner posts not listed.
Finished Reading

1. eBook/Kindle 
 


Review linked above; good writing and characters but I didn't get the story.
Product Description
When the reclusive, cynical systems administrator, Petor Fidelistro, discovers that one of his own servers has been cracked late one night, he makes it his personal business to track down the perpetrator. What his search uncovers thrusts him, unaware, into a mad shifting between worlds, time and alien minds.
See book link or review for full description.


2. Audible
 

Silver Borne: Mercy Thompson, Book 5
Another wonderful, action packed and
pack-bonding book in this series. I will try to get a mini-review posted (for read for fun challenge.)
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0
Publisher's Summary
All-new action in the number-one New York Times best-selling urban fantasy series.

When mechanic and shapeshifter Mercy Thompson attempts to return a powerful Fae book she'd previously borrowed in an act of desperation, she finds the bookstore locked up and closed down. It seems the book contains secret knowledge - and the Fae will do just about anything to keep it out of the wrong hands.

And if that doesn't take enough of Mercy's attention, her friend Samuel is struggling with his wolf side - leaving Mercy to cover for him, lest his own father declare Sam's life forfeit.

All in all, Mercy has had better days. And if she isn't careful, she might not have many more to live.


3. Kindle/NG
 
by M.L. Buchman
This is great action and romance - I really liked it.
Review to be posted for Sourcebooks.
Book Description
Publication Date: February 7, 2012 | Series: The Night Stalker

NAME: Emily Beale
RANK: Captain
MISSION: Fly undercover to prevent the assassination of the First Lady, posing as her executive pilot.

NAME: Mark Henderson, code name Viper
RANK: Major
MISSION: Undercover role of wealthy, ex-mercenary boyfriend to Emily

Their jobs are high risk, high reward:

Protect the lives of the powerful and the elite at all cost. Neither expected that one kiss could distract them from their mission. But as the passion mounts between them, their lives and their hearts will both be risked...and the reward this time may well be worth it.



Line Edits/Releases: I hope to get a print book out this week.


Currently reading:

1. Audio
 

Lothaire is still a pretty hard character to like and I am rooting for Elizabeth. I am at disc 5 of 14.
Reviewing for Simon & Schuster through AudioJukebox
Book Description
Publication Date: January 10, 2012 
From the humblest of beginnings a millennia ago, Lothaire the Enemy of Old rose to power, becoming the most feared and evil vampire in the immortal world. Driven by his past, he will not rest until he captures the vampire Horde’s crown for himself. The discovery of his Bride, the female meant only for him, threatens to derail his plot.

Elizabeth Peirce is a mere mortal, a glaring vulnerability for a male with so many deadly foes bent on annihilating anything he desires. Yet soon he discovers his Bride’s secret. A magnificent power dwells inside the fragile human, one that will aid his quest. But to possess that power, he will have to destroy her. Will Lothaire succumb to the torments of his past, or seize a future with her?


2. Print
 

by Eowyn Ivey
Lovely writing in this.
Reading for Little Brown & Co.
Book Description
Publication Date: February 1, 2012
Alaska, 1920: a brutal place to homestead, and especially tough for recent arrivals Jack and Mabel. Childless, they are drifting apart--he breaking under the weight of the work of the farm; she crumbling from loneliness and despair. In a moment of levity during the season's first snowfall, they build a child out of snow. The next morning the snow child is gone--but they glimpse a young, blonde-haired girl running through the trees.

This little girl, who calls herself Faina, seems to be a child of the woods. She hunts with a red fox at her side, skims lightly across the snow, and somehow survives alone in the Alaskan wilderness. As Jack and Mabel struggle to understand this child who could have stepped from the pages of a fairy tale, they come to love her as their own daughter. But in this beautiful, violent place things are rarely as they appear, and what they eventually learn about Faina will transform all of them.

3. eBook/Kindle
 

by  Darcy Flynn
Bewitching Blog Tour; Review scheduled for March 2.
Product Description
Katie McCullough doesn’t know it, but Max Sawyer, the over confident, insufferable thief who outbid her for the lighthouse property, is none other than her mystery lighthouse sailor. The one man who captured her heart five years earlier, the one man who has since been the plumb line for every other unsuspecting male who has crossed her path. Unfortunately for Max, he doesn’t measure up either.

Still reeling from losing the property she’d planned to call home, sparks fly when Katie assumes Max is turning her beloved lighthouse compound into one of his “Serenity Spa Resorts.” Outraged, Katie sets out on a mission to dismantle the property…and his plans.

Except Max’s plans have absolutely nothing to do with hotels and everything to do with winning Katie’s heart
.


4. eBook/Kindle 
 
 
by Karen Wiesner
I am reading this for review for the author.
Product Description
WRDF Top Read of Excellence!

1st Place winner in the contemporary romance category of the 2010 Love Romances & More Golden Rose Award!
5 Hearts Award - The Romance Studio

Joined before God and family out of a sense of responsibility? Or love?

As a teenager, Justine Morris’s escape from the pressures of caring for her dying father was stolen moments with Joshua Samuels. But their tender, desperate liaison found them facing teen pregnancy. Afraid of their Christian families’ responses to the situation, they married quickly and built a life for their child.
But now that their daughter is ready to fly the nest, Justine can no longer ignore the truth: She and Joshua haven’t had a real marriage for a long time. Maybe they never had one at all.
Joshua is only too aware that his busy, professional attorney wife is an independent woman who never really needed him. After nearly two decades of marriage, he’s quit trying to get more than a piece of her at a time. Without their daughter holding them together, he knows the chasm between them will grow to epic proportions.

Their empty nest looming, they face the hard questions. Had they married in love…or out of a hasty sense of responsibility? Was it God’s will for them to be together? And now, is it worth the effort to learn to become one as the Lord intends for a man and a woman…or better to simply let go?


I am again listening to The Listener's Bible NIV read by Max McLean. 
[Reading and listening on my new MP3.]
Instead of studying with the Tyndall One Year Bible this year I am studying with Through the Bible in One Year by Alan B. Stringfellow. It is a Study that I used for teaching back in around1989 so I will enjoy it again.  I finish will be reading Judges and Ruth this week.

Line Edits: As soon as reports are finished I will be back to continuing to work on print releases and making special arrangements for a children's book.


I am starting with 13 books to read and review for March plus three to finish from February and a week of reviews to catch up on. It looks like another busy month although some of these are shorter reading.
March:
Scheduled:
3/2 Keeper of My Heart by Darcy Flynn (Bewitching Blog Tour)
3/5-9 I will be reviewing Kicking Ashe by Pauline Baird Jones; highlighting the Project Enterprise series including: The Key, Girl Gone Nova, Steamrolled, Tangled in Time with author interview and book giveaways.
3/15 True Highland Spirit by Amanda Forester with Guest Post (Sourcebooks)
3/19 The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing by Calvani and Edwards (Bewitching Blog Tour)
3/20 Assassins in Love by Kris DeLake with Guest Post (Sourcebooks)
3/22 The Day of First Sun by Sheryl Steines  (Novel Publicity)
3/24 Love to Water My Soul (Dreamcatcher Series #2) by Jane Kirkpatrick, review (my Ladies' Book Club)

Sourcebooks
Believe it or Not by Tawna Fenske
A Light on the Veranda by Ciji Ware

Author Reviews:
Promise Me by Dee Julian
Echo Falls by Jamie McDougall
An Irish Rogue by Suzanne Barrett
Foolish Games [Family Heirlooms Series Book 3] by Karen Wiesner


[To be posted - I am setting these up soon for interview/feature days.
These were read and ready for reviews for Authors.
Quest for Magic by Jean Hart Stewart - Read; review to be posted with interview.
Seeing for the First Time (What You See is What You Get) and To See (What You See is What You Get) by Nicole Zoltack - Both Read; setting up author interview with reviews.]

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