Get tested today

8/31/2006 05:20:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

One of my favorite authors, Suzanne Brockmann is blogging over at Romance by the Blog and is talking about the SEALs and about one particular SEAL that needs some help. You can be that help by becoming a bone marrow donor. Getting typed is very easy and painless, it is just a cheek swab. For more info check out Visit www.ImASwabbie.com and www.soldierangels.org or www.marrow.org

So please check into it.

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The Winston Brothers

8/30/2006 08:56:00 AM / Posted by Kris / comments (2)

The Winston Brothers by Lori Foster

This is a collection of three stories about three of the four Winston brothers. (The fourth one, Zane, has his own book called, Wild.) They were great as is Ms Foster's usual quality. I just wish they had been longer, but if that was the case, I probably would have been annoyed at all the not needed stuff. Great book, now I am off to read Wild.

The first story is about the oldest brother, Cole Winston. He owns and runs a bar called Winston Tavern with the help of his other brothers. The four are the most sought after bachelors in Thomasville, KY. He is attracted to shy demure Sophie who likes him as well, but is too shy to admit it. So she invents her "twin sister" to come to town to seduce him for her.
The second story is about quiet Chase Winston. He is the bartender of the bar and an excellent listener. His story has a paranormal element in that he is spontaneously (there is a reason but you have to read it to find out) able to hear the thoughts of Alison (works for Sophie at her boutique) and realizes that she is attracted to him.
The third story is about the youngest Winston, Mack. He is trying to get a teaching job, and while he is waiting he gets wrangled (by his sister-in-laws) to be a model for Sophie's boutique. He agrees and goes to the photo shoot only to find out that the photographer is the woman that he lusted after in college.

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Primal Heat

8/29/2006 09:01:00 AM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

Primal Heat by Susan Sizemore

This is the latest in her vampire series that is made up of: I Burn for You, I Thirst for You, I Hunger for You, Master of Darkness, then this one. I enjoyed it, thought that it was decent, but a very fast read or at least it seemed like it.

As Prime of his vampire Family, Mathias Bridger is sworn to protect his own kind at any cost -- but years of acting as a fierce guardian of his people have left him yearning for more out of life. His chance comes in the form of Phillipa Elliot, the beautiful police officer whose allure hasn't dimmed in the two years since they had a brief, torrid affair. And though she's involved with someone else now, Phillipa can't deny the feeling that Matt is her destiny.
When the Family comes under attack from fanatical vampire hunters, Matt uncovers treachery that shatters his world. So how can he possibly invite Phillipa into it? Fighting to protect his kin, he tries to push Phillipa away to the safety of her mortal life -- but he aches for her, and his will is no match for the flames of their all-consuming passion. . . .

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Captive Moon

8/27/2006 08:58:00 AM / Posted by Kris / comments (2)

Captive Moon (Tale of the Sazi S.) Captive Moon by C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp

The others in the Sazi series are Hunter's Moon and Moon's Web. It was good, but it is not one that I am going to collect. The books definitely need to be read in order or you cannot follow the story.

World-class entertainer and Sazi councilmember, Antoine Monier has taken his big cats all over the world without any trouble-until his latest trip to Stuttgart, where one of his tigers is stolen and killed. To Antoine's surprise, the German police have another tiger in custody-a tiger who is actually a lovely Turkish-American woman, Tahira Kuric. Like Antoine, Tahira is a shapeshifter, but of the Hayalet Kabile, the ghost tribe of shapeshifters. And despite their immediate attraction, Tahira wants nothing to do with Antoine-the Sazi are the enemy of the Hayalet Kabile. But Tahira doesn't have a choice, because she and Antoine have discovered that she is a fabled "power well," able to store magical energy from other shapeshifters-and something is hunting her, eager to use her powers for itself. Only if they can set aside their peoples' ancient rivalry and rely completely on each other-body and soul-can Tahira and Antoine save themselves and their people.

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Murphy's Law

8/26/2006 02:51:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

Murphy's Law Murphy's Law by Lori Foster

LOVED IT!!! This book comes after her book Jude's Law and needs to be read in order. This book was awesome. I love Lori Foster's writing, she has some of the best heroes. Okay, I have to go read them again, bye.

Ashley Miles (May's best friend from Jude's Law) is a woman who is determined to succeed on her own. She works two jobs and goes to school full time, she is a very busy woman with very little time. She has worked too hard to lose her focus because of a guy, even if he is a hunk like Quinton Murphy. But he is sooo cute and the chemistry is great, so lets try a little. But when Quinton finds out that Elton is gunning for her, he lets loose his alpha protective side to keep her safe.

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Scandal in Spring

8/24/2006 06:12:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (1)

Scandal in Spring (Wallflower Quartet) Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas
I enjoyed this latest installment of the Wallflower girls (Secrets of a Summer Night, It Happened One Autumn, Devil in Winter and this one) . I had heard good and bad about this book, but the most I heard about it was about Lillian in the book, and not the main characters of Matt and Daisy. I thought Lillian's character was just Lillian. Daisy is growing up and might leave her, she is pregnant, miserable and about to pop, so yes she is going to be against anyone Daisy likes at that point. Unless it is someone she knows can be controlled and will stay in the area. Matt does not fit the bill. I really liked this series and cannot wait for Cam's book, A Man For All Seasons, but I have no idea when she is going to get around to writing it.

After spending three London seasons searching for a husband, Daisy Bowman's father has told her in no uncertain terms that she must find a husband. Now. And if Daisy can't snare an appropriate suitor, she will marry the man he chooses-the ruthless and aloof Matthew Swift.
Daisy is horrified. A Bowman never admits defeat, and she decides to do whatever it takes to marry someone . . . anyone . . . other than Matthew. But she doesn't count on Matthew's unexpected charm . . . or the blazing sensuality that soon flares beyond both their control. And Daisy discovers that the man she has always hated just might turn out to be the man of her dreams.
But right at the moment of sweet surrender, a scandalous secret is uncovered . . . one that could destroy both Matthew and a love more passionate and irresistible than Daisy's wildest fantasies.

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Lone Wolf's Lady

8/23/2006 05:39:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (1)

Lone Wolf'S Lady (Way Out West) (Silhouette Intimate Moments , No 877) Lone Wolf's Lady by Beverly Barton

Loved this book. It was recommended to me and I love Beverly Barton's recent stuff, but I have not read much of her older stuff. I found this at my ubs and grabbed it. It was great. You had that tortured hero thing going. He had to forgive her and himself for how he treated her.

Deanna Atchely was resposible for sending her boyfriend, Luke McClendon, to prison for five years because of her testimony in the death of her father. Then she was just 17 and scared of her family, now she is 32 and determined to clear his name.

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Playing with Fire - contest/promo

8/22/2006 08:45:00 AM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

I cannot wait for this book to come out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Earth, Wind and Fire aren’t just a band anymore…

Used to be my greatest achievement was holding a job more than three days. Now suddenly I can shoot fireballs, chill your drink, or blow-dry your hair at fifty paces with a blink of my eye!

It all started when this crazy scientist dropped something in my grande mocha latte. Of course I got wicked sick. Next morning I’m waking up with this total hottie bending over me. He tells me 1) his name’s Rome Masters, 2) he’s a government agent and 3) I can control the four elements with a thought.

He seems even less pleased by my (apparently irreversible) transformation that I am. . . because now he’s supposed to kill me. The only good news: I didn’t make this bed of trouble, but Rome sure seems to want me to lie in it. With him.

Read an excerpt

Order your copy from Barnes and Noble or Amazon or Books A Million

And if you’d like a chance to win signed copies of *all* Gena Showalter’s books, all you have to do is post this entry, too. Post the cover, the blurb, the links, and this contest announcement, then head over to Gena’s blog (http://www.genashowalter.blogspot.com ) and let her know you posted the material. A name will be randomly selected on September 3rd from those who do!!

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Blood and Chocolate

8/21/2006 05:58:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause

Wonderful book. I first read this author when I was a teen and read The Silver Kiss (teen vampire romance) I adored it. It was my first paranormal romance and I have loved them ever since. Recently I remembered her and found out that she had written more paranormal books for teens, so I am tracking them down for my collection. This one was great, it encourages you to embrace yourself and accept who (and what) you are.

Here is the book description:
Vivian Gandillon relishes the change, the sweet, fierce ache that carries her from girl to wolf. At sixteen, she is beautiful and strong, and all the young wolves are on her tail. But Vivian still grieves for her dead father; her pack remains leaderless and in disarray, and she feels lost in the suburbs of Maryland. She longs for a normal life. But what is normal for a werewolf?
Then Vivian falls in love with a human, a meat-boy. Aiden is kind and gentle, a welcome relief from the squabbling pack. He's fascinated by magic, and Vivian longs to reveal herself to him. Surely he would understand her and delight in the wonder of her dual nature, not fear her as an ordinary human would.
Vivian's divided loyalties are strained further when a brutal murder threatens to expose the pack. Moving between two worlds, she does not seem to belong in either. What is she really--human or beast? Which tastes sweeter--blood or chocolate?

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Working for the Devil

8/20/2006 02:25:00 AM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

Working for the Devil by Lilith Saintcrow

This one was good with the kick-butt heroine that I love. It falls into the catagory of quasiromance. Like Moon Called and Kitty and the Midnight Hour, it has a little romance with alot of romantic potential. I am interested to read the next installment of her adventures and see what she does next.

Dante (Danny) Valentine is a necromance (deals with the dead) and has just been "invited" to meet with the Prince of Darkness himself, Lucifer. Does she go? Who can say "no" to him. Lucifer gives her a job, to find the demon, Santini, kill him and retrive the Egg (what the "Egg" is she has no idea). To help her in her job he gives her the High Demon, Japhrimel, as her familiar. With some unwanted help from stubborn friends (Gabe, Gabe's hubby and Jace) , Danny has to do this or die (trying).

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Dreaming of You

8/19/2006 01:54:00 AM / Posted by Kris / comments (3)

Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas

I loved this book, it was great. The hero was a completely flawed man who did not see himself worthy of love. I loved it, I teared up like at least four times. If you have not read it I highly recommend it.

Derek Craven was raised in the streets of London doing whatever it took to survive, now he runs his own gambling establishment that is frequented by the gentlemen of the ton.
Sara Fielding is a novelist visiting London to do research for her next book. But her research takes her into unsavory parts of town which is where she meets Mr. Craven and saves his life actually. He reluctantly agrees to let her observe his establishment for her research, not realizing how much she would grow on him and in his heart.

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Gypsy Heart

8/18/2006 05:17:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

Gypsy Heart Gypsy Heart by Sasha White

Great story. I enjoyed the characters very much and am interested to see if Ms White is going to let us know Jake's story at a later date. I always love the role reversals when the lady is the reluctant of the couple instead of it always being the guy that is scared. Here is the book description:

Can a man bent on settling down convince a free-spirited woman that doesn't believe in "happily ever after" to risk her GYPSY HEART? Reformed bad boy Gage Dougherty wants to settle down. Free spirited bartender Sable Castle wants to live up to her bad girl image. When Gage steps into Sable's bar there's an instant attraction that has her throwing traditional roles out the window and chasing him down. But when she finally catches him, can he convince her to give up her free-spirited ways and trust him with her GYPSY HEART?

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Into the Storm

8/18/2006 09:27:00 AM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

Into the Storm: A Novel Into the Storm by Suzanne Brockmann
This is the latest installment of the Troubleshooters books (see here for the rest) and it was great to finally get Jenks story. I was not crazy about the book description on the book jacket though because the events described there were only the last half of the book, the first half of the book was another training op and Jenks and Lindsay getting to know each other better. But here is the book description:

In a remote, frozen corner of New Hampshire, a Navy SEAL team and the elite security experts of Troubleshooters, Incorporated are going head-to-head as fierce but friendly rivals in a raid-and-rescue training exercise. Despite the frigid winter temperatures, tension smolders between veteran SEAL Petty Officer Mark “Jenk” Jenkins and former cop turned Troubleshooter Lindsey Fontaine after an impulsive night goes awry. And then, suddenly, Tracy Shapiro, the Troubleshooters’ new receptionist, vanishes while playing the role of hostage during a mock rescue operation.
Teaming up with the FBI to launch a manhunt in the treacherous wilderness, Jenk and Lindsey must put aside their feelings as a record snowstorm approaches, dramatically reducing any hope of finding Tracy alive. The trail is colder than the biting New England climate until a lucky break leads to a horrifying discovery–a brutally murdered young woman wearing the jacket Tracy wore when she disappeared. Suddenly there is a chilling certainty that Tracy has fallen prey to a serial killer–one who knows the backwoods terrain and who doesn’t play by the rules of engagement.
In a race against time, a raging blizzard, and a cunning opponent, Jenk and Lindsey are put to the ultimate test. Rising everything, they must finally come together in a desperate attempt to save Tracy–and each other.

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Mysteria

8/17/2006 09:55:00 AM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

Mysteria by Susan Grant, MaryJanice Davidson, P.C. Cast, Gena Showalter

I did not realize until I read the forward that this is based on the world introduced in the anthology Bewitched, Bothered and Bevampyred. The town of Mysteria was founded in the mountains as a refuge for those who are different. Laced with just about every creature under the sun (werewolves, nymphs, witches, elves, etc) the town provides tons of fodder for the imaginative author. The stories were good except I was not real crazy about MJD's story, it was not very cohesive in my opinion.

"Mortal in Mysteria" by Susan Grant
Lucifer punishes one of his demons for doing random acts of kindness by sending him to live in Mysteria as a mortal. Harmony Faithfull finds him by her church and unknowingly dubs him Damon. Damon becomes content to stay in Mysteria with Harmony, but is Lucifer going to let it be that easy?
"Alone Wolf" by MaryJanice Davidson
This one is about Cole Jones and his attempt to find his place in this world, ends up in Mysteria and falls for his realitor, Char Houtenan. (Michael Wyndham makes an appearance)
"The Witches of Mysteria and the Dead Who Love Them" by Gena Showalter
Vengance witch Genevieve Tawdry is a long time resident with a long time crush on bar owner, Hunter Knight.
"Candy Cox and the Big Bad (Were)wolf by P.C. Cast
Non-magical teacher, Candice Cox is not looking for love. After five failed marriages, she has lost hope in happily ever after. Then her friend casts a spell and her former student and werewolf, Justin Woods comes into the picture.

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Over the Line

8/15/2006 09:53:00 AM / Posted by Kris / comments (1)

Over the Line by Cindy Gerard

I really enjoyed this book, I thought that I would not because I want Dallas's story and am impatient, but I really enjoyed this one. The hero is very flawed and knows it and is trying to redeem himself, to hisself, his family and Nolan. Very good read, highly recommend this series.

Here is the book description:
"Sweet Baby Jane" Perkins has carved out a mega-selling reputation as rock's favorite bad girl. But her hard-living, tough-talking image can't prevent the sharp dose of reality that hit home when her estranged mother is killed in a car accident. As bizarre coincidences escalate in her own life, Janey grows certain that someone is watching her every move, and it's not one of her adoring fans...Since leaving the Army Rangers six months ago, Jason Wilson has been adrift, a warrior without a war. Now he's taken his first civilian assignment for his army buddy's security firm: protecting a rock diva on her sold-out tour. Far from being a spoiled star, Janey is a revelation-sweet, modest, and incredibly sexy. Their friendship is turning to mutual, heated desire, but it's a distraction that could cost them more than their hearts...Drawn into the depths of a deadly secret, they'll face off against a killer growing more ruthless every day, and Jase will discover just how far he'll go to protect an explosive passion he never expected...

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High Stakes

8/14/2006 09:08:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)


High Stakes: A Tale of Vegas Vampires
High Stakes: A Tale of Vegas Vampires by Erin McCarthy

Funny book. I enjoyed it alot. If you like light hearted vampire books, this one is great! The next book i the series comes out in December and is about Seamus (he is such a snob, I cannot wait).

He's a bloodsucking freak of nature. But, unlike other politicians, Ethan Carrick is actually a nice guy. Not to mention a very hot, wealthy, casino-owning vampire. It's an election year for vampires, which means he'll first have to escape his opponent's hit men. Then he'll have to find a suitable First Lady, preferably here in Vegas.
Brittany Baldizzi fits the bill. She's smart, pretty- and sweeter than a glass of diabetic O-Negative. But her protective sister Alexis steps in with a message for Ethan: Bite me. It's then that he realizes it's the sexy, no-nonsense Alexis who raises his stake. And as much as she denies it, Alexis wouldn't mind a romp in the coffin with him. But can a mere mortal, even one who risks her life for him, make a centuries-old, womanizing vampire feel something entirely new?

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The Kept Woman

8/13/2006 10:46:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (1)

The Kept Woman The Kept Woman by Susan Donovan

This book, like all of Ms Donovan's books, was highly enjoyable and funny (not my favorite, but still really good). I thought that this would make a great romantic comedy movie. It just has that fun, serious, embarrassing love story thing going for it. And I love the plotline.

WHEN A GOOD-GIRL DIVORCÉE Playing by the rules has left Samantha Monroe with an AWOL ex-husband, maxed out credit cards, and the task of raising three children on a hairstylist’s salary. It’s time for a new game plan. When Sam learns that politician Jack Tolliver needs someone to play the part of his fiancÉe for six months in return for a generous paycheck, she’s ready to sign up on the spot.
MEETS A BAD-BOY POLITICIAN Jack needs Sam and her kids to help tone down his image from womanizing cad to dependable dad. But he was expecting Sam to be a frumpy single mom, not a wickedly smart, sexy redhead. Keeping nosey newshounds from discovering that his engagement is a charade is going to be a tough job, but one mind-blowing kiss from Sam and suddenly Jack is ready to put in all the overtime necessary…
LOVE WINS IN A LANDSLIDE…Now, with scheming opponents itching to bring Jack down, Sam’s ex returning to stir up trouble, one stubborn pre-schooler, two squabbling teenagers, a crazy dog, and some out-of-this-world sex, Jack and Sam are discovering that playing make-believe can be complicated—but not nearly as much as falling in love…

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The Marriage Spell

8/12/2006 04:02:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

The Marriage Spell: A Novel The Marriage Spell by Mary Jo Putney
Great book. This is NOT part of the Guardian series (Kiss of Fate and Stolen Magic) like I though it was, though it is a historical paranormal. Though I enjoyed this I thought that it dragged a little in the middle until he got to his ancestral home, I was expecting him to get there quicker than just the last quarter of the book. And I guess I just wanted there to be more intrigue or something into his magic blocks and such.

In this alternate England, magic is extant, but shunned by the upper classes. So much so that there is a boarding school that the ton send their heirs/sons to to snuff any magic skill out of them. They instill a distain toward magic from a young age. Jack Langdon (heir to Lord Frayne) is one such, when his father could not beat the magic out of him, he sent him to Stillbrook Academy. Now as a soldier in the army, he has a great distain for wizards. Then he has a fatal accident near the house of wizard healer, Abigail Barton. Her price for saving him is marriage. She saves him and realizes that he has a great deal of untapped powers. They marry in spite of what the ton will think and say. Now they face all the wagging tongues together and find out why Jack has such a revulsion to magic.

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On Thin Ice

8/11/2006 08:50:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

On Thin Ice by Cherry Adair
Awesome book, another of my favs in the T-FLAC series (The Mercenary, Hide and Seek, Kiss and Tell, Out of Sight, In Too Deep, this book then Hot Ice). Lily is a woman who has been betrayed by her husband and now does not know who she can trust (besides her dogs). She wants to be able to trust Derek, but she does not know how close he and her husband actually were. She is in a difficult situation.

Lily Munroe thought she had married an honest, dependable man, but she was painfully mistaken. It didn’t take long for her once-loving husband to become a secretive stranger–mixing with shady people and even shadier dealings (prize bull sperm scam). Although Lily nursed him through a sudden terminal illness, her marriage was over long before he passed away. During that difficult time, only her passion for the exhilarating Iditarod race across Alaska gave her something to look forward to–and she channeled her emotions into training dogs for the grueling event. Now single again, she’s more determined than ever to win the race, awaken her sense of self, and leave her past behind.
In the competition, the person to beat is two-time winner Derek Wright, a man Lily dubs Mr. Wrong. Extremely sexy and devilishly charming, Derek is the consummate playboy. Or is he? Although Lily can’t deny her intense attraction, she believes he is dangerous to her scarred heart. Little does she know that Derek is an elite antiterrorism agent–or how desperately she’ll need to depend on his skills to keep her alive once the race is under way.

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Beauty and the Spy

8/10/2006 11:54:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

Beauty and the Spy (Warner Forever) Beauty and the Spy by Julie Anne Long

Another cute historcal, I have enjoyed all of her book so far, they have been nice and lighthearted which is what I need after all the paranormals I read. This one is the beginning of a series, the next one is Ways to be Wicked and it comes out in October. The series is about three girls (Sabrina, Sylvie and Susannah) whose father is killed and mother is accused of murder so the girls are split up and raised separately.

Susannah Makepeace's father dies and leaves her penniless and his sister asks her to come live with her to keep her company. So Susannah ends up going from being a sought after young lady of the ton to living with a widowed aunt in Barnstable. Enter Viscount Kit Whitelaw who has been ordered to Barnstable by his father for bad conduct. He has been a spy for his country, but has offended one too many people lately and his father has put his foot down. "When odd accidents follow in Susannah's wake and an ex-fiancé pops up with a most improper proposal, Kit's spy senses start tingling. For what better mystery is there for England's greatest spy than the secrets of the delectable puzzle that is Susannah?" (from the book cover)

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To Love a Thief

8/10/2006 11:49:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

To Love a Thief (Warner Forever S.)To Love a Thief by Julie Anne Long
Very cute book, a nice light historical read. I enjoyed it as a nice version of Pygmalion. The characters were fun and interacted well and Gideon's uncle is a sweetheart.

Lily Masters has a gift for picking pockets and telling stories—skills that come in handy for surviving London’s slums. She’s proud of providing for herself and her lively young sister, Alice, and she’s never been caught. Well, there’s always a first time. Gideon Cole is a brilliant barrister with an unfortunate weakness for clients who can’t pay. His latest charitable misstep: buying the freedom of a daring, beautiful thief. To repay the debt, Lily agrees to his proposition: pose as the object of his desire and help him snare a wealthy bride. All he has to do is transform the impudent Lily into a diamond of the first water. But the education of Lily could cost Gideon his carefully planned future. While she plays cards with his invalid uncle and Alice charms the servants, the honorable Gideon is harboring less than honorable thoughts. For sweet, stubborn, and sensual Lily has a way of slipping past a gentleman’s defenses—especially when she’s stealing his heart!

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Book List

8/10/2006 10:16:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

Read these but haven't had time to do reviews for them.

Seduced by the Night - Robin T. Popps (B-)
Body of Evidence - Stella Cameron (B+)
Captive of my Desire - Johanna Lindsay (A-)
Cover of Night by Linda Howard (A)
Beach Blanket Bad Boys anthology (A-)
Larger than life - Alison Kent (A)
Crazy Love (Christian and Skeeter) - Tara Janzen (A-)
Take a Chance on Me - Susan Donovan (A+)
I Love You to Death (anthology) - Amy Garvey (A)

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Kiss of Fate

8/09/2006 12:32:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

A Kiss of Fate (Putney, Mary Jo)Kiss of Fate by Mary Jo Putney
I read this because it comes before Stolen Magic and I hate reading things out of order (and ironically enough realized I had already read this one a long time ago), but then when I read the Author's Note at the end I found out there is another Guardian story before this one in an anthology called Irresistible Forces, which is about Adam and Isabel Macrae. So now might have to find that one. I really enjoy this world that she has created. These books give me my occasional historical need and still fill that paranormal aspect I love.

Gwynne Owens, daughter of an English Guardian, has grown up as a scholar of the group's lore, though she has few powers of her own. An early, platonic marriage left her a wealthy widow, and though she values her independence, she finds it hard to resist her attraction to Duncan Macrae, a Scottish mage who is adept at manipulating the weather. As Duncan aggressively courts Gwynne, the winds of war between England and Scotland grow stronger, along with the Guardian council's sense that a catastrophe is imminent. Gwynne eventually marries Duncan, but when the uprising of Bonnie Prince Charlie occurs, she realizes she must betray her husband, who has aligned himself with his countrymen. (summary from Publisher's Weekly)

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Kushiel's Scion

8/08/2006 09:10:00 AM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

Kushiel's Scion Kushiel's Scion by Jacqueline Carey

This is the first of a new trilogy in this world, but this trilogy has to do with Imriel, Melisandre's son and also Phedre's foster son. Very good story, It is a great addition to the series/world. You have to read the other trilogy first before this one though, Kushiel's Legacy Trilogy.

Booklist, in their review has a great description, so I am going to use that.
Traitorous parents, the curse of Kushiel's blood in his veins, and the unspeakable crimes he endured while a child slave severely damaged Imriel. Feeling tainted and incapable of goodness, he fears he will misuse Kushiel's gift. Yet he is compelled to overcome the dark forces that shaped him. The love of Phedre and Joscelin, his beloved adoptive parents and Terre d'Ange's greatest champions, has helped him heal. He does an excellent job of comporting himself as a prince of the blood, third in line from the throne, until he turns 18. Then the conflicts raging within threaten to overwhelm him. Pushed beyond his limits by his first visit to Valerian House with his Shahrizai cousins and angry with the powerful, twisted desire that is Kushiel's legacy, in an impulsive moment he flashes up at Phedre--and changes his world irrevocably. He is now on his path to adulthood, first stop Tiberium. Traveling and living simply, he hopes to find himself.

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The River Devil

8/07/2006 05:34:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

The River Devil The River Devil by Diane Whiteside

This is the sequel to The Irish Devil and is about Viola's brother Hal. It was excellent as well. I cannot wait for the next one, The Southern Devil (about Morgan Evans). This one was set on a riverboat on the Missouri River.

Rosalind Schuyler is on the run after her father dies and Nicholas Lennox ( Paul's younger brother from The Irish Devil) wants to marry her (then kill her). The daughter of a railroad baron, she hids the last place people will look, on a riverboat, as a poker playing gentleman. Hal Lindsay owns the riverboat that she is hiding on and sees through her disguise. To help her disguise he takes her on as his "cub" (kind of like an intern to teach her/him how to steer and such) by day and she willingly goes into his bed by night.

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The Irish Devil

8/07/2006 04:21:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

The Irish Devil The Irish Devil by Diane Whiteside

I have the River Devil and had not read it because I was waiting for this one and finally got to borrow it from a friend. I was not disappointed. The only other thing I had read by her was Hunter's Prey, and I kind of liked it, but I haven't read the other stories that dealt with those characters, so it was a little strange for me. This one I loved, and I am usually not a fan of "westerns"! I definitely have to buy it now.

Viola was raised gentily and now is a recent widow in New Mexico (I think) making a living as a washerwoman. Until her partner sells everything out from under her and leaves. Now Viola has to figure out how to survive. She has few options, she can marry the cruel rich man (Paul Lennox) in town who has asked her repeatedly to marry him, or she can sell her body elsewhere. She opts for the latter, approaching William Donovan, an up and coming Irishman, who has a reputation of being a fair (and sensual) man. He is surprised but quickly takes her up on her offer, and what follows is a very interesting story as Donovan, a student of the sensual arts, teaches Viola everything he knows, and then some.

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Sarah's Child

8/06/2006 11:41:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

Sarah's ChildSarah's Child by Linda Howard

I got this because a bunch of people raved about it on the RT boards and I love Linda Howard, so I grabbed it. Once I started reading it I realized that I had already read it. Though it was good for another run through.
Here is the back of the book description (the italics are my input for my info later):

A tragic accident took everything that mattered to Rome Mattews -- his wife, Diana, and their two little boys. And it robbed Sarah Harper of her best friend. In the two years since the tragedy, Sarah has wanted to reach out to Rome, but she knew she needed to stay away, guarding the secret she had kept from him and Diana all those years -- that she was in love with her best friend's husband.
But now Rome needs her. And though another woman will hold his heart forever, Sarah agrees to be his wife, knowing that everything has a price, including love. Then something totally unexpected (she gets pregnant) rekindles her hidden hope that a marriage of convenience will become a union of love. Now it all comes down to her husband. Will Rome keep fighting his own growing need for a woman who dares him to believe there are second chances in life . . . or will he give in to the power of love and miracles?

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Sleeping with Beauty

8/05/2006 08:16:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

Sleeping with Beauty (Bantam Book) Sleeping with Beauty by Donna Kauffman

Great book, one of my favorites of the Glass Slipper, Inc. books (Cinderella Rules, Dear Prince Charming, this one and then Not So Snow White (haven't read yet)). It is a nerd book and I LOVE nerd books, I think they make some of the best characters. Okay, here is the description:

At twenty-eight, elementary-school teacher Lucy Harper still feels more like a wallflower than the sex goddess she knows is trapped inside her. In fact, she can barely remember the last time she actually had sex. She claims she’s content with her life, but she doesn’t even realize she’s slipping into a coma–a sex coma, that is. Until It arrives: the invitation to her ten-year high school reunion.
Lucy’s childhood pals Jana and Grady are baffled by her decision to attend. But they’ve managed to put geek-hood behind them. This may be Lucy’s last chance to lose her loser reputation and knock her ex-classmates’ socks off–thanks to the modern-day fairy godmothers at Glass Slipper, Inc. For a not-so-small fee, they promise to bring out the princess in any woman. If only Lucy’s friends were more supportive, especially Grady. After all, he loves her like a sister. Doesn’t he?
Soon Lucy is under the scrutiny of eccentric self-made diva Vivian dePalma. And the diagnosis is dour: Lucy has slipped into the final stage of Sleeping Beauty Syndrome–meaning her love life is near death. Can Vivian rouse her in time for the reunion? And will a kiss from her teen crush really be enough to awaken her? For Lucy hasn’t quite opened her eyes to one important truth: the soul mate she’s been dreaming of has never left her side.

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Dear Prince Charming

8/05/2006 02:46:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

Dear Prince CharmingDear Prince Charming by Donna Kauffman

I just went back and looked and realized I never posted this book. I think it was one of the ones I read right before my computer crashed. I enjoyed it. It took me a chapter or two to get into it, but after that it was great ( I think it was the mood I was in at the time). This is the second of the Glass Slipper books (the first is Cinderella Rules). The next installment is called Sleeping with Beauty. These do not necessarily have to be read in order, but that is always my preference. Okay, here is the book description:

Too short to be a model, too unartistically inclined to be a designer, Valerie Wagner has finally found her niche in the fashion world she loves as the publicist for Glass Slipper, Inc., and the mastermind behind the launch of their brand-new glossy magazine. She's signed up the perfect cover model - Prince Charming, an advice columnist who's won the hearts of millions of women with his acerbic wit and his on-target romantic insight. Best of all, he's never revealed his real name or shown his face. Until now. And it's Valerie who's about to bring him into the limelight. There's just one problem. America's sweetheart, the sexy and sensitive man who's helped millions of women get their man, is coming out of the closet with a vengeance.
Valerie's new-found career is teetering on the brink of ruin. She can't crush the hopes of all the buyers of the magazine. She can't get Eric out of his seven-figure contract. And Prince Charming himself is tired of living a lie, and wants to find his own Mr. Right. Looks like there's no way out. Until Eric offers up his childhood best friend Jack, a sportswriter with a devilish smile and a chain of ruined relationships behind him. With Eric as the brains of the operation and Jack as the heartthrob that the media can sink its teeth into, they're an unbeatable team, and no one ever has to know... until Jack notices that behind Valerie's overachiever businesswoman personality is a woman with her very own kind of charm, and he decides to take matters into his own hands...

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To the Brink

8/04/2006 06:36:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

To the Brink (The Bodyguards) To the Brink by Cindy Gerard

Great addition to the series ( the others are To the Edge and To the Limit). I had been waiting to hear Ethan's story, still don't know his fascination with cherry lifesavers. This one also contains the beginning of Dallas's story which the rest of it (according to her website) is another3 books away.

Working on highly sensitive diplomatic affairs, Darcy Prescott is a natural target for terrorist kidnappers. But when she’s mysteriously plucked off a street in Manila one sultry night, Darcy’s disappearance isn’t what it seems…The moment Special Forces soldier Ethan Garrett laid eyes on Darcy, he knew she was the woman he would marry—and he did. But when their marriage fell apart, Ethan never really recovered. Now a highly paid bodyguard, Ethan quickly slips back into combat mode when he learns of Darcy’s disappearance and calls in old favors to assemble a rogue rescue team….Tracking Darcy all the way to the jungles of the Philippines, Ethan knows every move he makes could mean the difference between life and death. His love for Darcy burns stronger than ever. But when he learns the true reason for her abduction, it may be too late to save her—or himself…

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To the Limit

8/04/2006 06:30:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

To the Limit (The Bodyguards)To the Limit by Cindy Gerard

The second in the Bodyguard series (the first is To the Edge).

When former Secret Service agent Eve Garrett, gets a late night call from Tiffany Clayborne saying "Eve, please come and get me" she books over the the bar Tiffany says she's at. She met the girl when she was still an agent. Tiffany was her first assignment and she developed a big sister attachment to the kid that continues to this day. However, when Eve gets to the bar she sees some suspicious activity in a dark alley and her gut tells her that Tiffany is involved. When she goes after her, she's knocked out and when she comes to, Tiffany is gone. Eve believes that Tiffany is in danger. But when she goes to Tiffany's father, he doesn't want Eve anywhere near Tiffany. After all she was in charge the last time Tiffany got hurt. Eve and Tiffany have put that incident behind them. Her father has not. He plans to hire his own private detective to check into this.doesn't hesitate. Eve doesn't trust Tiffany's safety to anyone else and decides to hunt fo her on her own. However, uring her search in Miami, Florida she runs into Clayborne's detective--her old flame, Mac, who loved her and left her. He's the last person she wants to see, especially on this case. However, when several attempts are made on Eve's life, Mac decides that they should stick together. And the closer they get to Tiffany, the more deadly secrets unfold and the more the danger rises. . .

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To the Edge

8/04/2006 06:20:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

To the Edge (The Bodyguards)To the Edge by Cindy Gerard

This is the first in her Bodyguard series (followed by To the Limit and To the Brink, then Over the Line). It is a good series so far, I really enjoy it. It is good if you like that protector hero thing, which I do. They remind me of long versions of Harlequin's Intimate Moments line of books, and that is my favorite line by them, so I love that I get longer versions.

This one is about Nolan Garrett who has recently left the Army Rangers and is currently at a loss of what to do with himself. He does not really want to enter the family business yet (security/bodyguard company called EDEN), but gets called in by his brother saying that they have an account that wants Nolan specifically to be a bodyguard for his daughter who is being threatened. Nolan reluctantly accepts think to scare her home to daddy and his security team. He did not take into account Jillian Kincaid's stubborness.

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Kushiel's Legacy Trilogy

8/02/2006 05:59:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

Kushiel's Dart (Kushiel's Legacy)
Kushiel's Chosen (Kushiel's Legacy)
Kushiel's Avatar (Kushiel's Legacy)Kushiel's Dart, Kushiel's Chosen, Kushiel's Avatar all by Jacqueline Carey

This is a great fantasy saga trilogy. It is the story of Phedre from childhood to adulthood raised as a courtesean and spy and the different quests she went on in the name of love and knowledge. Phedre was born an anguisette which is the chosen of one of their gods, Kushiel. It means that she can with stand a lot more pain than most people and enjoy it. There has not been an anguisette born for 300 years. The people of Terre d'Ange don't quite no what to do with her. The world that Ms Carey has created is a parallel world to ours based on a man name Elua who was born of the blood of Jesus (called Yeshua) and Mother Earth. The One God created Terre d'Ange for Elua and his followers. The books, I think in the romance world, would appeal to the readers of Bertrice Small's epic fantasies.

The first book is her childhood, her time with Anafiel Delaunay, her mentor, and her and Joscelin's time in Skaldia.
The second book is about Phedre's quest to find and apprehend Melisande in La Serenissima.
The third books takes place ten years later and is her quest to save Hyacinthe.

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Catspell

8/01/2006 05:15:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

Catspell Catspell by Colleen Shannon

I think I liked this one. It is related to two of her other books that I have not read by the secondary charater of Shelly Holmes, who is a psychic detective (investigates things that are supernatural/paranormal).

By day Arielle Blaylock is a proper Victorian daughter. By night she is being seduced in her dreams by two very different men. She cannot see their faces, but but knows that one is her love and the other is evil, but she doesn't know which is which. By day she is being courted by Luke Simball and Seth Taub. By night she is being courted by a dark lion and a bright lion. Shelly Holmes is brought in by Arielle's father to try to help his daughter exorcise her dreams. What they don't know yet is that Arielle is coming into her legacy from her Egyptian mother who could shapeshift into a lioness.

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