Book Review: Take Me Back: A Give & Take Novella by Kelli Maine

This is a bit of a ghost story with steamy romance.

Take Me Back: A Give & Take Novella
by Kelli Maine

• File Size: 290 KB
• Print Length: 97 pages
• Publisher: Forever Yours (June 4, 2013)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00CH3DBZY

Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: June 4, 2013
In the bestselling tradition of Sylvia Day and E. L. James...

DESIRE THAT CAN'T BE DENIED
Rachael DeSalvo is haunted by the past. She's come home to her beloved Turtle Tear Island, where she looks forward to happy days and bliss-filled nights in the arms of Merrick Rocha. But when she finds a trunk full of old photo albums and handwritten notes, Rachael soon realizes that the island has not given up all its secrets . . .

For long before Rachael and Merrick made Turtle Tear Resort their home, this historic island was a haven for sensual, forbidden affairs. As Rachael and Merrick work to restore the grand hotel to its former glory, they will be caught in the perfect maelstrom of conflict and desire.

"I love the banter between Rachael and Merrick throughout the book..... some steamy scenes that will not leave you disappointed." --The Indie Bookshelf

Review:
I decided to try this novella to see if I might like the series. This story, taking place in the development time of a new relationship between Rachael and Merrick, has an almost gothic setting and feel – probably because of the ghost.

Merrick is apparently a bit older and a suave, experienced business man. He had interviewed Rachael to be project manager for the resort that he is renewing at Turtle Tear Island and the Weston Plantation. Rachael declined the job as it would take her away from her mother but Merrick returned and basically kidnapped her. All that was part of book 1, Taken, but the history was filled in enough in this novella to get the feel for the excitement, yet fragility, of their relationship.

Rachael has become obsessed with a ghost, Ingrid, a woman who lived in the time of the Civil War. Supposedly the ghost had made her wishes known – she wants to be returned from the plantation home to the Turtle Tear property.  She continues to pour over letters and belongings in old trunks to try to find how to bring the ghost back from one property to the other. Merrick is frustrated with her distraction which is pulling her focus away from the 50th year wedding anniversary celebrations that she is supposed to be handling.

Rachael and Merrick have a very intense sexual chemistry but they are still feeling their way to complete trust and commitment in their relationship. Now Merrick feels ignored and betrayed but Rachael also feels betrayed by his withdrawal and refusal to see how important the ghost issue is to her heart. Will this disagreement break the fragile trust they have built?

The story is written in first person which was a bit awkward reading. There is a big focus on the passionate relationship and I would classify this as borderline erotica which  I did not realize when I selected the title. The ghost story was interesting and was a good background for presenting the couple’s relationship problems. They were both stubborn-headed.

The novella is an entertaining, engaging and quick read. Although well written,this was a bit too edgy and therefore not my style. However, others you enjoy a sexy romantic intensity might like to try this series.

I picked this title up from NetGalley.

Saturday Snapshot July 6, 2013 - P-Pop BD

We've had a lot of rain and I've been trying to catch some interesting pics. But today I am sharing a special celebration this week.
My DH, (P-Pop) was born on the 4th of July! He is a REAL Fire Cracker. He says he is only 39 and he doesn't celebrate birthdays anymore. We don't do much for July 4th anymore either.
So we just had a BD breakfast with Heather and the Grandkids.  They brought two cakes:

A chocolate burger. 
[P-Pop's 'best girl' (the middle grandchild not me!!) loves chocolate.]

And of course Happy Birthday P-Pop!
A yellow cake because that's what P-Pop likes.

P-pop blew out the candle first.
Okay - it was way easier to find and use one candle than the real number!

Then the kids helped!

I hope everyone stayed dried and had a lovely week!
Thanks to all who stop by and visit.

A big Thank You to Alyce at Alyce of At Home With Books who has hosted this meme for a number of years. She is taking a summer hiatus at her blog and the new host will be Melissa at West Metro Mommy. Thank you to Melissa for picking up the responsibility. 

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky being hosted this summer by West Metro Mommy. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.

Book Review and Giveaway: The Woman He Loved Before by Dorothy Koomson

This is a surprising and intriguing mystery.
The Woman He Loved Before
by Dorothy Koomson

Book length 464 pages
Publisher     Grand Central Publishing (May 14, 2013)
Language     English
ISBN-10     1455507148
ISBN-13     978-1455507146
Genre: Mystery, Contemporary Fiction
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Release date: May 14, 2013
Libby has a nice life with a great job, a gorgeous husband and a big home by the sea. But she's becoming more unsure of Jack's feelings for her - and if he is over the mysterious death of Eve, his first wife.
When fate intervenes in their relationship, Libby decides to find out all she can about the man she hastily married and the seemingly perfect Eve.
Eventually Libby stumbles across some startling truths about Eve. As she begins to unearth more and more devastating secrets, Libby becomes frightened that she too will end up like the first woman Jack loved. . .

Review:
The story opens very cleverly with a prologue of a letter accompanying Eve’s diaries asking that they be burned without being read by presumably the woman ‘who is with Jack now’. The first chapter then places us at an accident scene where Libby is being comforted and extracted from a car. She is badly injured and begins to flash back about how she and Jack met (he was rude and she was contemptuous) and how their courtship resulted.

Libby is a beautiful and smart woman was is comfortable in her career as a beautician even though that wasn't her original dream goal. Jack is gorgeous and most women would jump to have his attention but Libby doesn’t need a man who appears to be looking for a conquest. Yet she is attracted to him and finally falls under his persistent charm.

Libby learns a little about Jack’s first wife, Eve, who was exquisitely beautiful but died in suspicions circumstances. Jack feels that Libby has brought life back to him and he persuades her to marry him. Libby is a bit scared as she is not sure she has Jack’s full love or attention as he hasn’t really gotten over loving Eve.

After Libby returns home from the hospital she is despondent with injuries, including her scarred head and face. She suspects that Jack is keeping a secret and he seems to be more withdrawn. Then she discovers Eve’s diary and even though it says ‘please burn’, how can she resist reading them? What she discovers about Eve’s past is shocking and tragic and will put Libby in danger too. Soon Libby realizes not only Jack’s secret but other secrets that have remained hidden in the family. Can Libby and Jack overcome the past to have a future together?

I was a little slow starting this book as I wasn’t sure if it was a drama or a mystery. However, it caught me by surprise and my attention was engaged right away. There is a subtle suspense that builds throughout the book. The presentation is interesting with chapters rotating from Libby’s view to Jack’s and then adding Eve’s diary entries. The characters are well developed and at first it isn’t clear if Jack is just self centered and moody or if there is more to him.

Eve is a major character through her diary entries and one might easily have conflicting feelings about her. I don’t want to give a spoiler but as a word of caution I will say that the material about Eve’s young life and struggles is a bit sordid. Imagine the negative side of Pretty Woman and worse. 

The story is very well written and, for me, the plot was original, particularly with the engaging presentation. I definitely recommend this to readers who enjoy an intriguing suspense mystery.

I received an ARC from Grand Central/Hachette for an honest review.
I am glad to have a final print copy for giveaway!

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for print Copy:

ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open US ONLY.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on July 19, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on July 20, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 5, 2013

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway - Welcome!  Scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.]

Happy Friday Friends!! Happy Canada Day to those who elebrated on July 1 and Happy Independence Day for those of us who celebrated on July 4th! I hope everyone had a safe and fun time... even if it rained like it did here.

[UPDATED NOTE - US entrants I prefer, please, that you pick a book as that is the first purpose of this giveaway - to find new homes for books. The GCs are for the  international entrants because postage has jumped up.]

Thank you to all who entered the June 28 Pick. There was ONE Automatic win this week that really should have been awarded last week. (Automatic winners are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks). Most of the titles were blocked by multiple picks again this week. Finally someone won the Amanda Scott pair so those people selecting that one will have to make other choices now.  :-) The other won title was also through a block.

Linda K gets Dark Summer (Linda did have this last week as week 4 but the comment was lost. I did a search and found it. Then I checked the spam folder and found a few of this week's entries so they are all up-to-date now.)

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from June 28 Pick:

Jane gets Summer at Willow Lake

June gets the Amanda Scott Highland pair

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual or sexy and I have a new supply of sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

Lots of fun books help kids understand why we celebrate July 4.

Image found at Examiner.

New Book Group #40 June 28, 2013

Pairs:
     (Highlands) Highland Treasure by Amanda Scott and Highlander Unbound by Julia London
     (Angels) Not Quite An Angel by Bobby Hutchinson and An Angel for Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad
Singles:
What Sarah Saw by Margaret Daley (Cover has black line across where bookstore crossed it for clearance)
Her Last Chance by Terri Reed  (Cover has black line across where bookstore crossed it for clearance)
The Clairvoyant Countess by Dorothy Gilman
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes
Mission: Irresistible by Lori Wilde
Sin and Scandal in England by Melody Thomas
Dance With Me by Luanne Rice
A Mother's Day Anthology - three stories
Rising Moon by Lori Handeland
Star Light, Star Bright by Katherine Stone
Another View by Rosamunde Pilcher
Promise Forever by Marta Perry


New Book Group #39 May 31, 2013 - Plenty of "summer" titles!
Oops - I never added all the links last month so no promises on these either.

Pairs:
Hannah Howell
     Highland Hearts and Highland Destiny
Catherine Anderson
     My Sunshine and Blue Skies
Elizabeth Lowell
     Remember Summer and Too Hot to Handle
Singles:
Touched by Fire by Kathleen O'Reilly
Playing with Fire by Gena Showalter
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
That Summer by Joan Wolf
Shadow of the Sun by Tammy Hilz
Dark Summer by Iris Johansen
Summer at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs
Summer by the Cottage by Susan Wiggs
Shadow Beach by Barbara Freethy
It All Began at Monte Carlo by Elizabeth Adler


New Book Group #38 April 20, 2013
Here is a group with many mysteries.  Links to be added as I get time.

Pairs:
Amanda Scott
      Abducted Heiress and Highland Bride
Sandra Brown
     Texas! Chase and Exclusive (spine wear) (not the covers as on the links)
A Murderous Yarn by Monica Ferris
Deadly Advise by Roberta Isleib
Dial Emmy for Murder by Eileen Davidson 
On Deadly Ground (Love Inspired Suspense) by Lauren Nichols
Happy Never After by Kathy Hogan Trocheck
Female Intellignece by Jane Heller
Improper English by Katie MacAllister
Sheer Dynamite by Jennifer Skully
Golden Chances by Rebbecca Hagen Lee
Caitlin's Guardian Angel by Marie Ferrarella
Burning Alive by Shannon K. Butcher
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh


New Book Group #37 March 22, 2013

As I am linking these titles it is clear to me why they were in my TBR boxes and it is really hard to let them go but I have soooo many. Better that they find good reader homes than sit on my shelves, or in a box, and collect dust. 
Pairs:
Carly Phillips
     The Heartbreaker and Simply Sinful
Singles:
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.
Bride by Command by Linda Winstead Jones
To Tame a Rebel by Georgina Gentry
While Passion Sleeps by Shirlee Busbee
Lord Liar by Laurie Grant
Lady in Red by Karen Hawkins
The Admiral's Bride by Suzanne Brockmann
Marry Me, Maddie by Rita Herron
Lady Ice by Joan Hohl
Dark Roots & Cowboy Boots by LuAnn McLane
Only My Dreams by Anna Blundy



New Book Group #36 February 15, 2013

Pairs:
Tara Taylor Quinn
     Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
Tom Clancy
     Power Play: Cold War (paperback) and Power Play: Ruthless.com (audio cassette tapes)
Singles:
Timeline by Michael Crichton
Bride of Shadow Canyon by Stacey Kayne
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
Always a Lady by Sharon Sala
Her Wedding Wish by Jillian Hart


New Book Group #35 January 11, 2013
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing 

Pairs
Mary Baxter
    His Touch and One Summer Evening
Singles-- I found a couple of boxes of romances (a lot of Harlequins) that I haven't gotten to read over the past 8 years so... I will send them off to others to read!
Never Say Never Again by Tori Carrington
*Merger of Fortunes by Peggy Moreland
*The Banker's Convenient Wife by Lynne Graham
* The Millionaire's Daughter by Sophie Weston


New Book Group #34 December 7, 2012--- (All gone)

New Book Group #33 October 27, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

SINGLES - CHRISTMAS TITLES (Better sizes for international) 
*Deck the Halls by Arlene James (slight spine creasing)
*A Holiday Prayer by Deb Kastner  (slight spine creasing)


New Book Group #32 October 5, 2012

- Oops upside down book! NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one - A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley
Please Remember This by Katleen Giles Seidel
The Boy's Tale (Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries) by Margaret Frazer


New Book Group #31 August 31, 2012
I pulled some more books from several of my boxes.

An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)


New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
This time I pulled some books from one of my older boxes.
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Wild Escapade by Lisa Bingham
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander (postage too much - replaced with GC)

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
*One is the Lonliest Number - Tom Clancey's Net Force

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012 (All gone)

New book Group #27 April 13, 2012 (All gone)

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012--- (All gone)

New Group #25 January 12, 2012---(All gone)

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011
I tried to pick some books that would be good for October -
Halloween or dark minded.
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser


New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011
Mallory's Oracle (Kathleen Mallory Novels) by Carol O'Connell

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books Group #20
Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

3/25/11 I did get to set up a new group of books: Group #19
Primary Colors - audio tapes
*Note of Peril (black strip on cover)

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!---(All gone).

I have finally updated the intro and Entry paragraphs here:

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick in November 27, 2009 and in three years I have posted 33 groups of 16 (528) books to find new homes! (November 2012)

I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want! I am happy to say that so far about 526 books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed.

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $5.00 and $6.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.
Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.
WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads@gmail.com. [I will confirm receipt of the addresses- well I realize I haven't always done this. But if you filled out the form and don't get the book within two weeks nudge me with an email please!] If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder in a week or so....

Thanks for helping these books find new homes!!

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

1/14/11 New List #17--- (All gone)

12/3/10 Book Set: #16
Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown  (postage too much - replaced with GC)

List #15---(All gone)

List #14---(All gone)

Here is set #13 of Used books! ---(All gone)

Group #12---(All gone)

Group #11
Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2---(All gone)

Pick #3---(All gone)

Pick #4
Talking God by Tony Kellerman

Pick #5
See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel
Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes

Pick #6---(All gone)

Pick #7
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape
Princess Charming by Jane Heller (slightly creased)

Pick #8
(sc) = slightly creased on binding otherwise all in good shape
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes
No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray
Guardian by Dee Henderson - Audio Tapes
Time to Hunt by Stephen Hunter - Audio Tapes

Pick #10---(All Gone)

Book Review: The Bane (The Eden Trilogy) (Volume 1) by Keary Taylor

I highly recommend this intense, emotional and engaging story.

The Bane (The Eden Trilogy) (Volume 1)
by Keary Taylor

• File Size: 524 KB
• Print Length: 352 pages
• Publisher: Keary Taylor Books (March 4, 2013)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• ASIN: B00BP1ZKJ4

Genre: Post Apocalyptic, Sci Fi

My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 2013 | Series: The Eden Trilogy

Before the Evolution there was TorBane: technology that infused human DNA with cybernetic matter. It had the ability to grow new organs and limbs, to heal the world. Until it evolved out of control and spread like the common cold. The machine took over, the soul vanished, and the Bane were born. The Bane won't stop until every last person has been infected. With less than two percent of the human population left, mankind is on the brink of extinction. Eve knows the stories of the Evolution, the time before she wandered into the colony of Eden, unable to recall anything but her name. But she doesn't need memories to know this world is her reality. This is a world that is quickly losing its humanity, one Bane at a time. Fighting to keep one of the last remaining human colonies alive, Eve finds herself torn between her dedication to the colony, and the discovery of love. There is Avian and West – one a soldier, one a keeper of secrets. And in the end, Eve will make a choice that will change the future of mankind. The Bane is The Terminator meets The Walking Dead with a heart-twisting romance. Previously published as Eden, due to reader demand it has been revamped and rereleased as The Bane: book one in The Eden Trilogy.

Review:
Scientists thought they were developing a way to cure illness by infusing DNA with cybernetic particles that could replace damaged organs. But the TorBane technology evolved and took over the patients turning them into soulless beings who then infected anyone they touched.

A small community, calling themselves Eden, struggles to survive in the woods, hunting and raising food crops while they stay away from the Bane invested cities. Every person coming into the community is tested to make sure they are not Bane.

Eve has no memory of her life before age thirteen when she came to live with the community about five years before. It seems clear that Eve is different although no one discusses it. She is an extremely valuable asset as she doesn’t feel pain, heals very quickly and is a better hunter than anyone else.

Eve has a comfortable relationship with most of the members of the community, but especially with Avian, the group’s amateur doctor, and his sister, Sarah who is Eve’s roommate. Avian is a bit of a ‘geek’ being a studious type who served in the med corps and planned to go through med-school before the Bane took over. He has watched Eve grow from a tomboy teen into a fierce, independent young woman.

Since the Bane usually attack only during daylight the group has hunters who scavenge at night. Suddenly the Bane are out at night too and they are starting to come further into the woods to hunt down human stragglers. The Eden scouts find three new humans, an eighteen year old boy, West, and a young woman barely twenty with a five year old son. They are the only survivors of a group that was forced on the run by the Bane. West is immediately infatuated with Eve but it is apparent that he has secrets.

Eve begins to have emotional reactions to West which cause great distraction and confusion since she has never felt this before. She also begins to realize she has a deep affection for Avian.

Suddenly Eve learns the shocking truth about her own past. This throws her emotions into even more turmoil. She can’t have both men so she must try to decide between the physical excitement she feels with West or the warmth, safety and stability she feels with Avian. Meanwhile she continues to struggle to protect her community as the Bane become a greater threat, burning out their garden and forcing them on the move.

I really enjoyed this post-apocalyptic story which moves at a good pace. The plot is good, the storyline is intense and there is good action. It is interesting to experience Eve’s strong personality as she begins to grow and struggle with human emotions and issues. There was interesting conflict and development at the end leaving the reader (me) ready for the next book in the series.

[Note - there were some editing errors and misspellings that I noted. However this was a galley book so hopefully those would be fixed for the final release. Even so - it is well worth reading around the errors.]

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Eve tries to cope with new feelings:

I’d been through a lot in my life and developing feelings was the scariest thing I had ever faced. Location 1831.

The post-apocalyptic world:

Because even though everything was so complicated, life was simpler now. You didn’t have to worry about having a nice car, a job, or whatever else people used to worry about. You just had to survive. Location 2187

I am very glad I picked this to review from NetGalley.