WINTER COYER Mini Scavenger Hunt

The Book Monster is hosting a scavenger hunt as a mini challenge for COYER.

Keeping with the COYER and TBR Doube Dare theme I am selecting books for this Scavenger Hunt that are in my TBR libraries with source noted by [brackets]:

Book Scavenger Hunt:

1. A Book that begins with “C” (for COYER)

2. A book that has been made into a movie/tv show

3. A series you love

4. An anthology of poems or short stories

5. A book on your TBR shelf, or your full TBR shelves

1. Book that begins with "C"

Cinder: Book One of the Lunar Chronicles 
by Marissa Meyer
[Kindle Purchase Feb 2014]

I hope to read this one in March!

2.  Book Made into Movie

I have at least four available: The Soulkeepers [Kindle free book 12/2013] but not yet released in movie; Life of Pi [Audible library 8/2011]; The Book Thief [Audible library 5/2013] (but to be honest, I started this last year and couldn't get into it); 

and the one I am picking: 

The Maze Runner

[Audible 9/2014]

by James Dashner

3. A Series you love

I will choose book 13 in the "In Death" Series:
Now I just have to find my CD version which my daughter may have borrowed or I have stuck on a shelf at home.
Seduction in Death
by J.D. Robb
[CD Audiobook on TBR Shelf -somewhere]

4. Anthology

Vector (The Extraterrestrial Anthology, Volume I: Temblar Book 1) 

[Free Kindle May 2012]

Mark Aragona (Author), Dave Robinson (Editor), Linda Hull (Editor), Andrew Gray (Editor), 3DGarden (Illustrator)

This will fill V in Alphabet Soup too. :-)

5. Book on your TBR -- all of the above are from my TBR shelves! AND I will add one more that I hope to read in March also:

Kiss of Midnight: A Midnight Breed Novel 
(The Midnight Breed Series Book 1)
by Lara Adrian
[Free Kindle May 2009]

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 27, 2015

Happy last Friday in February! This coming weekend we will move from 'loving' February to 'mad' March. No madness planned for me but I have some traveling that I am looking forward to in March. How about everyone else? Any special plans to welcome spring?

TO ENTER:

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up to late 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 without other people asking for that book during those weeks.

Thank you to all who entered the February 20 Pick. There were no automatic wins again this week.  (Lots of 3s so there may be a good number of winners next 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.) There was one title blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from February 20 Pick:
Anita gets On Treacherous Ground

Llehn gets a GC

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, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

This works for me for sure although every month is love of reading month for me. How about you?

Image found at Bookman's.

New Book Group #55 February 5, 2015
(I'll try to get the rest linked another day.)

PAIRS:
Virginia Henley: The Pirate and the Pagan (spine creases) and The Falcon and the Flower
James Patterson: London Bridges and Roses are Red (both spine creases)
SINGLES:
Pale Kings and Princes by Robert Parker Audio Cassette Tapes
Hour Game by David Baldacci (spine creases)
If I Had You by Deborah Bedford
The Girl With the Golden Spurs by Ann Major
Can't Take My Eyes Off of You by Kasey Michaels
Dark Possession by Christine Feehan
Daisy's Back in Town by Rachel Gibson
The Man Who Ate the 747 by Ben Sherwood
Paradise Bay by James Michael Pratt
The Last Two Bachelors by Debbie Macomber
Exclusive Anthology by Fiona Hood-Stewart, Sharon Kendrick and Jackie Braun
Duets Romantic Comedy: Lady and the Scamp by Candy Halliday & The Doctor Dilemma by Dianne Drake

New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014

PAIRS:
Lisa Gardner: Alone and Gone
Janet Evanovich: Eleven on Top and Twelve Sharp
Stuart Wood: L.A. Dead and Fresh Disasters
SINGLES:
Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card - Tape Cassettes
New Blood by Gail Dayton
Except the Dying by Maureen Jennings
To Collar a Killer by Lee Charles Kelley
Dead I Well May Be by Adrian McKinty
‘Til There Was You by Elizabeth Ann Michaels
The Ladies’ Lunch by Patricia O’Brien
Wild Winds by Janelle Taylor
Shrink Rap by Robert B. Parker - Tape Cassettes
Rescue Me Anthology by Cherry Adair, Lora Leigh and Cindy Gerard


BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy
First to Fight Anthology
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories by Kate Chopin
Maybe This Time by Victoria Barrett
The Commander by Kate Bridges
The Cinderella Plan by Margaret Daley
The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook by Steve Doocy
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose
Intrepid Encounter by Rebecca Ashley
A Stranger's Wife by Maggie Osborne
Richard Paul Evans PAIR: The Looking Glass and The Carousel
Duo Book: Yesterday's Memories by Tara Taylor Quinn and Amanda Stevens
At The Stroke of Madness by Alex Kava
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Catherine Anderson PAIR: Seventh Heaven and Always in My Heart
Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot
Sleeping with Ward Cleaver by Jenny Gardiner


BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)

Touched by Fire by Kathleen O'Reilly
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
It All Began at Monte Carlo by Elizabeth Adler
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
Mariah Stewart PAIR: Priceless and Brown-Eyed Girl
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way
Whisper on the Wind by Joan Smith
Fulfillment by Barbara Delinsky
Trouble Becomes Her by Laura Van Wormer
Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark
Diana Palmer PAIR: Diamond Spur, Long Tall Texan
A Lady of Consequence by Mary Nichols
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain
Illegal Possession by Kay Hooper


BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)

Final Justice by Jasmine Cresswell
Thinner by Stephen King
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Mary Higgins Clark PAIR: Let Me Call You Sweetheart and Moonlight Becomes You (SC)
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- 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
Angel's Peak by Robyn Carr
The Millionaire's Daughter by Sophie Weston
Tara Taylor Quinn: Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
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
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh


BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)

Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo
The Woman Next Door by Barbara Delinsky
One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon
The Darkroom by Minette Walters
The Elusive Flame by Kathleen Woodwiss
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Nights of Rain and Stars by Maeve Binchy
McNally's Puzzle by Lawrence Sanders
The Undertaker's Widow by Phillip M. Margolin
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
S is for Silence (Kinsey Millhone Mystery)
Tender Triumph by Judith McNaught
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Death Angel by Linda Howard

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 on November 27, 2009 and in five+ years I have posted 54 groups of 16 (864) books to find new homes! (as of February 6, 2015).

I am happy to say that so far about 770+ 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. 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!

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 $7.00 and $10.00 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)

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!

Book Review: Snow Angel Cove by RaeAnne Thayne

I am pleased to recommend this as a delightful, character driven, sweet romance.

Snow Angel Cove
by RaeAnne Thayne

• File Size: 475 KB
• Print Length: 379 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0373779070
• Publisher: Harlequin HQN (October 28, 2014)
• ASIN: B00K9ZWH7K

Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: November 1, 2014
New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne welcomes you to Haven Point, a small town full of big surprises that are both merry and bright.
Nothing short of a miracle can restore Eliza Hayward's Christmas cheer. The job she pinned her dreams on has gone up in smoke—literally—and now she's stuck in an unfamiliar, if breathtaking, small town. Precariously close to being destitute, Eliza needs a hero, but she's not expecting one who almost runs her down with his car!
Rescuing Eliza is pure instinct for tech genius Aidan Caine. At first, putting the renovation of his lakeside guest lodge in Eliza's hands assuages his guilt—until he sees how quickly he could fall for her. Having focused solely on his business for years, he never knew what his life was missing before Eliza, but now he's willing to risk his heart on a yuletide romance that could lead to forever.

Review:
Eliza is a widow with an adorable 5 year old daughter, Maddie. Eliza closed her apartment in Boise to take a new job as manager of the Haven Point Inn in a small town. They arrive in town to discover the Inn burning down. Eliza is short on funds and has no place to go. To make a difficult day worse, Eliza is bumped in the cross walk by a car sliding off an ice patch. The driver of the car is the very handsome Aidan Caine who has recently purchased half of the town Eliza has a past reason to dislike the billionaire “Geek God” and some of the local merchants aren’t very happy with him either.

Aidan offers Eliza a temporary job as a housekeeper, organizer to prepare his new lakeside lodge for the Christmas visit of his family which consists of about 25 people: father, stepmother, siblings with spouses and children plus dogs. Eliza wouldn’t accept charity but this is a job offer too good to pass up for work she can do while sending resumes for new jobs.

Everyone loves Naddie even before they learn she has health issues. Maddie and Eliza manage to pull the intense, workaholic Aidan out of his office for some moments of fun. As Eliza and Aidan stay up late they share friendship and secrets. Aidan has his own reasons for taking time off from work and gathering his family together for a visit. When he discovers Eliza’s secret it sends him off to hide in his office working, even as his large, warm family arrives and begins their festivities.

Aidan has never slowed down enough to think about a wife and children. But now Eliza and Maddie have him seeing a side of life he has been missing. Aidan is struck by Eliza’s effectiveness, charm, devotion and patience. Although Eliza could easily fall for Aidan she is reluctant to lose her heart to another man who will put his work before family. Can these two recognize the gifts they could share before the holidays are over and Eliza leaves?

This is a character driven story set in a lovely small town setting. The primary characters, including Maddie, are well developed and their connection and growing friendship are delightful. The secondary characters, townsfolk and Aidan’s family, are fun too.

I have enjoyed other stories by Ms. Thayne and I like the easy flow and warm charm of her stories. I found this to be an easy, charming and engaging read. This may be presented as a small town romance but it is really bigger than that. This read very comfortably as a stand alone as I have not read any other stories in this series. And you wouldn't have to save this for Christmas as it could warm you anytime of the year. I highly recommend this as a very sweet, fun read to those who enjoy contemporary romance.

This is my last NetGalley selection from 2014. This qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge, TBR Double Dare, and winter COYER.

AudioBook Review: Cleansed by Fire: A Father Frank Mystery by James R. Callan

I like the primary character in this mystery where church fires spark confessional issues for a concerned Priest.
Cleansed by Fire: A Father Frank Mystery
Written by: James R. Callan
Narrated by: Jonathan Mumm

Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:06-27-14
Publisher: James R. Callan
Genre: Mystery, Christian
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Arsonists have torched two churches in a small Texas town, plunging its residents into a state of fear. Father Frank DeLuca, pastor of Prince of Peace Church, is thrust into an impossible dilemma when he hears that another church will be burned. The disturbing information comes to him via the confessional, and church law forbids him from telling anyone - even the police. Still, he can't sit idly by, and no law prevents him from looking into the matter himself. The crimes have set the town's residents on edge, fraying the bonds of trust. Is the mysterious newcomer with ties to the local drug scene involved? What about the man who says maybe the churches deserved to burn? Or the school drop-out who threatens the priest with a knife. Father Frank digs deeper into the town's secrets when a man is murdered. His investigation leads him dangerously close to the drug scene and he discovers the danger has come to him. Can he save his own church? Can he save his own life?
Cleansed by Fire is the first of the Father Frank Mysteries.
©2012 James R. Callan (P)2014 James R. Callan

Review:
Father Frank is a Catholic Priest who has a hands on approach to helping his parishioners. He sincerely seeks the Lord’s guidance and help but he plays an active part too. He is involved helping the youth of his church by playing and organizing basketball games and he keeps tabs on other activities such as a new “pop” band.

An arsonist has burned down a Baptist church in the community and Father Frank takes a personal interest. That interest is increased by an anonymous confession of a youth who seems to have some knowledge but won’t reveal it. Father Frank thinks he knows which boy makes the confession but he is restricted from disclosing any information given in the confessional. As more Baptist churches are burned down Father Frank lines up a handful of suspects. There is the rough, mysterious, man who keeps hanging around the ball park asking about drug sources; a young man who seems to have a drug problem; an angry teen who was abused as a young boy by his mother’s boyfriend; and a man in a bar who sneers at Father Frank as he burns a paper steeple.

Meanwhile Father Frank encourages the budding romance of an active widow in his church who has captured the heart of the local police detective. These two add a nice, gentle side line to the mystery story.

I really liked Father Frank’s character. He lives his grounded faith in a real way, including some impulsive action. The story moves along well with Father Frank actively investigating any clue he can follow. There are side lines of interest including the youth choir and the sweet romance. There is danger, faith and sweetness in a short package that combine to make this a solid Christian cozy mystery.

Audio Notes: I’m sorry to say that I found the narration rather dry. It seemed more like a reading than a narration. I still enjoyed the overall book but I recommend a prospective listener try the audio sample to decide if this might be a story to read in print or ebook instead of audio.

I received this title for review through Audiobook Jukebox.
This qualifies for AudioBook Challenge and "C" in Alphabet Soup challenge.

Book Review and Giveaways: What a Devilish Duke Desires by Vicky Dreiling

This is an interesting tale of the difficulties facing a Duke falling for a maid in Regency London.

What a Devilish Duke Desires
(The Sinful Scoundrels)
by Vicky Dreiling

• File Size: 779 KB
• Print Length: 416 pages
• Publisher: Forever (February 24, 2015)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• ASIN: B00KVK30R4

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: February 24, 2015
WILL A FEW FLIRTATIOUS STEPS
Harry Norcliffe never wanted to inherit his beloved uncle's title. The rigidity of the ton, the incessant reminders from his marriage-minded mama that he must settle down with a highborn lady and produce an heir and a spare: it's all such a dreadful bore. So when his mother asks him to take part in a dancing competition, he patently refuses. The last thing he needs is another chore . . . until a beautiful, brilliant, delightfully tempting maid makes him rethink his position.
LEAD TO A SCANDALOUS SEDUCTION?
Most women would be over the moon to be pursued by a wickedly handsome-not to mention wealthy-duke like Norcliffe. But Lucy will not be any man's trophy. She could use a friend, though, and what begins innocently soon ignites into desire. As Lucy tries to resist Harry's scorching kisses, he makes an utterly irresistible offer. Enter the dance contest with him, and win a prize that could change her life forever . . . if falling in love doesn't change it first.

Review:
Harry is a likable rogue who didn’t much worry what the ton thought of him. He is grieving at the death of his uncle and terribly annoyed that he is suddenly being sought after because he has become a Duke. Now, he doesn’t much care what people think because he has enough wealth and position to ignore them. Harry knows he will have to settle down someday and provide a legacy like his other 'scoundrel' friends. But, even with his mother’s manipulations, he isn’t prepared to do that just yet...until he meets Lucy.

Lucy is a beautiful young woman whose parents have died, leaving her to care for her blind grandmother. Lucy loves to dance, a gift she learned from her mother. She dreams of having her own dance studio one day. She works as a maid and a dance assistant just to eek out wages for a dingy apartment in a dangerous part of town.

Harry comes to Lucy’s aid one night when a thief tries to rob her. He is immediately smitten although Lucy is cautious of the intentions of this unknown ‘Sir Galahad’. Lucy knows that their social status it too far apart to allow any relationship between them. But Harry pursues her, convincing her to meet him in the park where their friendly banter grows to caring.

There are many obstacles before them, including Harry’s rather haughty mother. There is some tension added by Lucy’s former employer, a drunken dance instructor, who seeks revenge, blaming her for his loss of position. Lucy herself is the most stubborn objector as she doesn’t want to bring shame and harm to Harry who is responsible for his three female cousins who are just reaching marriageable age.

The premise of the story is engaging and for the most part entertaining. I liked Harry’s devilish, yet gentlemanly, character and his determination to make Lucy his own. I liked Lucy’s determination and ability to -mostly- do what has to be done to protect herself and her grandmother. There are several sections of fun banter between the lead characters and also between Harry and his buddies.

Unfortunately the second half of the book slips in execution. There are repetitions of facts, banter, and even (lackluster) sexual encounters. There are sections of “telling” instead of “showing” and some awkward jumping of threads. It seemed to me as though the book got rushed and no one bothered to give it the final edits, tweaking and polishing it could have used. Although the story is a nice read, I felt it was not up to the standard I expected from the author and publisher. Also I admit annoyance that the blurb is not accurate to the story: Harry and Lucy never enter the dance contest, unless you stretch that to mean the dance caused by their unequal status.

I still recommend it as a fast reading, fun story with a lot of sweetness. Be sure to check out other reviews too as some are more positive than mine.

Buy Links:
Amazon
B&N
iBooks
GooglePlay
Kobo
BAM

I received this from Forever Romance (Hachette) through NetGalley for an honest review. I will include it as part of my NetGalley Challenge and W for Alphabet Soup.

About the author:
Vicky Dreiling is a confirmed historical romance junkie and Anglophile. Frequent business trips to the United Kingdom allowed her to indulge her passion for all things Regency England. Bath, Stonehenge, and Spencer House are among her favorite places. She is, however, truly sorry for accidentally setting off a security alarm in Windsor Castle. That unfortunate incident led her British colleagues to nickname her Trouble. When she's not writing, Vicky enjoys reading, films, concerts, and, most of all, long lunches with friends. A native Texan, she holds degrees in English literature and marketing.
Social Media Links:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

EXCERPT:

Lucy stood behind the table dressed in an apron. A cap covered all but one wisp of her red hair. She handed a glass of lemonade to a matron. When the lady walked away, Lucy lifted up on her toes.
Evidently, she was watching the dancers.
He strolled over to her table. “Lucy?”
Her green eyes widened. “What are you doing here?” she said under her breath. A blush stole over her cheeks. “Sorry, that was foolish.”
“No, it wasn’t. I escorted my mother and cousins . . . I didn’t expect to see you here.”
She wouldn’t be here if she didn’t need the coin, but she couldn’t be earning more than a pittance.
“You are working?” he said. Brilliant, you just sounded like a complete idiot.
“Yes, isn’t it obvious?”
He smiled. “Well, yes. You are well?”
“I am,” she said. “And you?”
“A few minutes ago, I would have said tolerably well, but then I saw you and brightened considerably.
“Flirting again, Your Grace?”
“Who me?” he said, putting his hand to his heart.
She looked over her shoulder and returned her gaze to him. “You had better go.”
He looked behind her.
“What are you about?” she said.
He grinned. “One of your curls escaped the cap.” She attempted to tuck it in.
“Don’t,” he said. “It’s rather fetching.”
“Please go. I cannot afford trouble.”
“No one is paying attention to us. May I have a glass of lemonade?”
“Of course.” She poured and handed the glass to him. He took a sip and puckered his mouth. “It’s
terrible, but I should have expected it. Almack’s is well known for its lackluster refreshments.”
“One would think the ton would serve decent food and drink.”
“Believe me, no one comes here for the refreshments,” he said.
“Except you?” she said in a teasing tone.
He laughed. “I saw you watching the dancers. I wish you could dance with me.”
“I’m working.” She glanced over her shoulder again. “You had better leave before someone notices you’re talking to me.”
He glanced out at the crowd. “No one is paying the least bit of attention. Everyone is focused on the dancers.
“Why aren’t you dancing?” she said.
“I would if you were free.”
“If you wish to flirt, I advise you to choose a lady of leisure. I must work.”
“I wish I could dance the rest of the night with you. I can’t, so I won’t dance at all.”
She shook her head. “I’m not the reason you’re avoiding dancing,” she said. “I know the patronesses changed the rules.”
“Yes, and I narrowly escaped dancing all night with a young lady out in her first season. I felt sorry for her. She couldn’t be a day over seventeen, making her much too young for the likes of me.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Aren’t you expected to dance?”
“I don’t care about expectations.”
She met his gaze straight on. “I wager your family does. I know courtships take place primarily on the dance floor.
“When I decide to court a lady, I will choose the time and place. I make my own decisions, and I answer to no one,” he said.
She arched her brows. “Perhaps a higher power?”
He smiled. “Or a lower one.”
Her mouth twitched in a slight smile. “Does that make you a devilish duke?”
His shoulders shook with mirth. “Clever.”
A rotund maid walked out. “Lucy, give the gentleman a glass of lemonade and be done with it.”
Lucy winced and poured a glass. “Yes, Mrs. Thompson. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not me you owe an apology.” Mrs. Thompson regarded him. “She’s new, but that’s no excuse.
He’d made trouble for Lucy, and he’d better undo the damage. “Mrs. Thompson, I beg your
pardon.” Harry gave her his best flirtatious smile. “The lady did try to discourage me. I take all the blame. "Do forgive me."
Mrs. Thompson’s eyes grew as round as carriage wheels and her face turned pink. “Imagine me forgivin’ you. Carry on, Miss Longmore,” she said, and walked off.
Afterward, Lucy leaned toward him. “Please go now. I can’t risk losing my job.”
The devil. He shouldn’t have teased Lucy. Her words worried him, because she couldn’t be earning much. That only made him wonder how she was managing.
He wandered past the other tables, stopping occasionally to watch her. She and her grandmother lived in a rough neighborhood. That fact only increased his curiosity and his concern. Most likely, she held more than one job, because she couldn’t possibly survive on whatever pittance she earned serving lemonade.
When she caught him eyeing her, she averted her gaze. A lady approached, and Lucy served her a glass of lemonade. Afterward, Lucy looked out at the crowd as if determined to avoid him.
Once again, he was struck by the contradiction of her. He told himself to walk away and forget her, but he couldn’t. She was a riddle, one that he itched to solve, but that was not all. In truth, that one kiss had only made him want more. He wanted to pull her up to her toes and kiss her senseless. He wanted to hold her in his arms. He wanted her to surrender everything to him, but he mustn’t rush her. That one kiss had assured him she was an innocent.
The orchestra ended the tune with a flourish. The master of ceremonies called for silence. The guests moved closer en mass toward the dais where the patronesses sat.
Three ladies inside the refreshment room hurried out to join the throng. Harry consulted his watch. It was half past eleven. He turned around. Lucy was alone.
When he strode toward her, she eyed him warily. He set the half-finished glass of lemonade on the table and leaned closer to her.
“I want to see you again. Meet me at Green Park tomorrow.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to know more about you.”
She shook her head. “I do not think it is a good idea.”
“Who will know but us?” he said.
She narrowed her eyes. “What if one of your friends saw me with you? I can well imagine what they would think of me.”
“They’ll be at Rotten Row during the fashionable hour. No need to worry.”
A roar went up within the ballroom, followed by thunderous clapping. Harry turned around and saw his eldest cousin Mina and Lord Everleigh standing on the dais. “I had better go.”
“Yes, go, and please do not jeopardize my job again.”
He grinned. “I will see you tomorrow.”
“You’re awfully confident, but you are bound for disappointment.”
He looked at her over his shoulder, winked, and walked into the ballroom.

TWO GIVEAWAYS!

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ONE PRINT COPY GIVEAWAY

Graciously provided by the publisher:

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!
I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.)

For 3 Extra Bonus entries  (a) comment on the review, OR

(b) Answer this Question: 

Which would you choose? A Wicked Earl, a Reckless Rouge or a Devilish Duke?

OR

(c) visit THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE and tell me something you like/learned there.

* This contest is open to US/CANADA only for Print Copy.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) March 2, 2015.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after March 2, 2015.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.