Review of Bath Tangle

Bath Tangle

Georgette Heyer

Sourcebooks Casablanca 2011

ISBN 9781402238796

   The Earl of Spenborough dies and leaves behind a widow and a daughter. The eccentric Earl's widow is younger then his daughter. Fortunately,  for the both of them, they have a unique relationship and are able to maintain a civilized living arrangement. His daughter, Serena, will be a wealthy woman; but there is a small catch. Her father left the Marquis of Rotherham the trusteeship of the Earl's wealth. The same Marquis that Serena jilted.

   Serena and her lovely step-mother, Fanny, move to Bath and Serena makes an odd new friend and discovers the love of her youth. They all become tangled in a mix of engagement, marriage and manners the likes of which Bath has never seen.

   This is a delightfully, humorous, historical romance that is similar in nature to Jane Austen reads. Serena and the Marquis are so similar in nature that they turn the entire story upside down. Both are somewhat overbearing  and quite manipulative. Fanny, on the other hand, is so very insecure that most of the time Serena is taking care of her. The storyline is well written and leads from one fiasco to the next flawlessly. If you like historical romances that adhere to the old traditions like Jane Austen, then you will certainly like this book. If you subscribe to the modern historical romance with alot of sexual tension and explicit sex scenes, then you will not find it here. It is a delightful read for anyone who just likes a good story.

   I wish to thank Sourcebooks for providing me with a copy to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I was not compensated in anyway except for the privilege of reading the book.

I give Bath Tangle 4 out of 5 stars

Review of Touch if You Dare

Touch if You Dare

Stephanie Rowe

Sourcebooks Casablanca

ISBN 9781402241963

   Jarvis Swain is the ultimate hate machine and is about ready to explode. If that happens, the entire world is doomed. The only thing that may save him is to get Death's sexy assistant, Reina Fleming to help him.

   Death gives Reina a dreadful ultimatum. She knows she needs to call in the assistance of a badass warrior. There is only one possibility, Jarvis Swain. He is the one she wants at her back. She has a special touch that soothes the hate in Jarvis. The two of them are a volatile combination. Volatile in more ways then one. Will the two of them be able to save the world and save her sister in the process?

   This was a mediocre story at best. It was nothing like I expected. It is definitely a paranormal/fantasy romance; but I found it to be a bit over the top. The storyline was extremely strange and completely unbelievable. I love paranormal/fantasy reads ; but I need to be able to believe them. The story was oddly humorous; but I did not find it funny at all. There was a definite sexual attraction between Jarvis and Reina and the tension radiating from them was obvious. The story left no doubt from the beginning that they would come together. This was the best part of the story for me. Overall, I was very disappointed in the book.

   I wish to thank Sourcebooks for providing me with an ARC for reviewing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I was not compensated in any way except for receiving the book to review.

I give Touch if You Dare 2 out of 5 stars

Review of What a Goddess Wants

What a Goddess Wants

Stephanie Julian

Sourcebooks Casablanca

ISBN 9781402251474

   Tessa, Etruscan Goddess of the Dawn, is losing her powers. To make matters worse, a nasty Underworld god is determined to remove her powers for good. She is in need of a hero because, she needs the power that only sexual energy can give her. She is advised to seek out the help of Caliago, because his sexual prowess is legendary.

   Caliago is a fabled Cimmerian warrior who is determined to steer clear of goddesses. He has had his share of spoiled goddesses who use him and then trample his heart. However, there is something hot and inviting about Tessa that he is unable to resist. Will he be able to resist her charms and save her in the process?

   This is a sparkling fantasy story full of passion, romance, explosive sexual scenes, and tantalizing erotica. The storyline is well written and the author weaves a tale of adventure and lust that is not for the faint of heart. The adventure takes the reader from this world into a world of make believe that is sure to please. Tessa is a goddess but she is definitely all woman and has no difficulty using her charms to get what she wants. Caliago is a warrior who has been hardened over time and thinks he is immune to love and caring. Can Tessa bring out the true man that he was meant to be? If you are not averse to vivid and intense sexual scenes, I highly recommend this book. It is a wonderful read on so many levels.

   I wish to thank Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with an advanced readers copy to review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I was not compensated in anyway except for the privilege of reading the book.

I give What a Goddess Wants 5 out of 5 stars

Review of Demon Soul

Demon Soul

Christine Ashworth

 Crescent Moon Press March 2011

Ebook Edition

   Gabrielle Caine is standing on the edge of this life and the next. You see, a vampire has stolen part of his soul. If he doesn't get it back, the next stop for him is Hell! The naive, young Rose is the only one who can get his soul back for him. Gabrielle, being the stubborn man he is, is not so willing to go down that road.

   Rose, has been brought back from the dead in order to save Gabrielle's soul. The problem is, will Rose survive the task? Rose falls for him; but Gabrielle does not feel he is worthy of her, even though, he wants her on that very primitive level known to man. He is truly touched by her willingness to risk her life for him.

   This is the first book in the series. It is an excellent fantasy read on many levels. Gabrielle is a tribred, a mix of human, demon and fae blood. He is a protector. As Rose calls him, a "caveman." You will encounter demons, fae, werewolves, witches and vampires. All mixed together, to bring a fantasy read full of violence, gorgeous tribreds, and mind blowing sexual tension. I am not too certain about Rose. There is just something about her character that does not endear me to her. Now, Gabrielle is another story. He is a brooding, walking, talking sexual being. He visited my blog a few months ago. My mouth is still drooling. Sorry Christine and Rose. I am married, not dead. Oh my, sorry! Just check out the book. You will love it.

   I wish to thank Christine Ashworth for providing me with a copy of the book to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I was not compensated in any way except for the privilege of reading the book.

I give Demon Soul 4.5 out of 5 stars

Review of Cover Me

Cover Me

Catherine Mann

Sourcebooks Casablanca July 2011

ISBN 9781402244957

   Pararescueman Wade Rocha jumps from a helicopter in a blizzard to save a climber stranded on an Aleutian Island. He lands upon Sunny Foster who insists she doesn't need to be rescued. Unbeknown to the both of them, Sunny is not the one to be rescued. She just happened to be there at the time. Sunny is a guide in her own right and is is quite capable of taking care of herself. Wade, on the other hand, has no intentions of leaving her to her own devices.

   Sunny is determined to lose Wade because she has secrets she is hiding and has no intentions of him finding out about them. Sometimes, what you want is not always what you get. Despite an attraction crackling just below the surface, Sunny attempts to break out on her own only to be blind sided by Wade. They stumble upon the remains of a horrific crime. In the process, they find out the local police cannot be trusted. As their passion grows for each other, they become more and more tangled in a web of lies and deceit.

   This is the first book in the Elite Force series by Catherine Mann. It is a wonderful action packed adventure/love story set in the wilds of Alaska. It is fast paced and keeps you on the edge until the end. Our hero is a real alpha male and the female is a true alpha female. There comes a time when she doesn't mind a bit of rescuing especially when she is rewarded with her heroes kisses. It is a story of love, devotion, deceit, and betrayal. If you are a lover of romance and fast action, you can't go wrong with this book. Despite the romance and passion, I think men would enjoy the suspense in the story also. I for one will have my eye out for book 2, Hot Zone.  

   I wish to thank Sourcebooks for providing me with an ARC to review. I was not required to write a positive review.The opinions expressed are my own. I was not compensated in any way except for the privilege of reading the book.

I give Cover Me 4 out of 5 stars

Review of The Twisted Thread

 

The Twisted Thread

Charlotte Bacon

Voice Publishing June 2011

ISBN 9781401341503

 

   Beautiful Claire Harkness is found dead in her dorm room at Armitage Academy. The entire incident sets the school on its ear. Everyone from the staff and students, to the local police, are questioning who could do such a thing and how could it have happened? To make matters more interesting, Claire has just delivered a baby. None of the staff had a clue that she was expecting. Only Claire's inner circle knew and now the baby is missing.

   Madeline Christopher, an intern in the English Dept, is determined to find out what happened and begins an informal investigation of her own. The story gets a bit more complicated as times goes on.  Details from the past begin to surface and the academy has some dark history in it's past. Can the academy survive the scandal and come back on top?

   The story in and of itself is not bad. There is a good murder mystery going on here with the death of the student and the missing baby. I just found it became a bit too complicated and convoluted with all the other pieces weaving its way throughout the story. There was some past history concerning one of the head masters that I found to be unnecessary to the present storyline. The story did not flow smoothly from one scene to the next and it seemed  a bit choppy in details. Even so, it was a fairly worthwhile read. 

   I  received this free as an eBook from the publisher through Netgalley's book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing thisin accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's regulations.

I give The Twisted Thread 3 out of 5 stars

Review of In the Heat of the Bite

In the Heat of the Bite

Lydia Dare

Sourcebooks Casablanca

ISBN 9781402245107

   The Earl of Blodswell is a knight in shining armor. Literally. At least he was until he became one of the undead. One of a few of the ton who can boast such a claim. The Earl spies a damsel in distress in Hyde Park during a lightning storm and tries to assist her. The problem is, she doesn't want to be rescued. She is the cause of the storm.

   Weather controlling witch Rhiannon Sinclair is caught by the Earl wreaking havoc on the weather in the park. She doesn't want to be rescued by a man. She doesn't need them. She never has and is certain she never will. Well, almost certain....

   This is a delightfully sensual, supernatural romance set in London in 1817. Rhiannon has difficulties keeping her powers in check and when she encounters the Earl again, her powers go awry. The Earl most definitely does not want the world to know he is a vampire; but the more he is around Rhiannon, the more trouble he encounters. Between the two, the ton is tossed on its ear.

   This story tosses everything you have read about vampires out the window. Toss the vampire in with the witches coven and a new level of vampire is born. The uncontrolled weather patterns of our  witch in questions brings some delightfully humorous happenings to the story. The ending is a completely pleasant surprise; but you will have to read it to find out what happens. If you are a fan of vampires, witches, and fantasy, this is the read for you.

   I wish to thank Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with an ARC to review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I was not compensated in any way except for receiving a copy of the book.

I give In the Heat of the Bite 3.5 out of 5 stars

Review of Organ Grinder

 

The Organ Grinder

Sara Curran-Ross

Solstice Publishing

Kindle Edition

 

   Award winning journalist, Rebecca Eaton crosses the closed borders of a troubled Asian country to interview a Human Rights Activist and a known terrorist. She disappears and after three days she resurfaces tortured, beaten, raped, suffering amnesia, and minus one of her kidneys.

   Her employer sends for her estranged lover, ex-Royal marine and security expert, Dominic Kane to escort her safely home after an attempt is made on her life while at the hospital.

   This book is an absolute must read. It is fast paced and full of action and suspense from beginning to end. The storyline is well written and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I was not able to put this book down. It is not only a action packed story; but a sweet love story between the main characters of Rebecca and Dominic. Both of which are strong alphas. Sparks fly in all directions when these two are together.

   This is a story of medical conspiracy, mass murder, organ harvesting, terrorism, and lets not forget love. The betrayal and conspiracy involves higher government officials, physicians and family members. Every time you think you have something figured out, a curve ball is thrown and something else happens. No one can be trusted. If you enjoy a fast paced, action filled suspense, I highly suggest you read this book.

   I wish to thank Sara Curran-Ross for providing me with a copy of her book to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I was not compensated in any way except for the privilege of reading the book.

 

I give Organ Grinder 4.5 out of 5 stars 

    

Review of Ex-Girlfriends Unite

Ex-Girlfriend's Unite

Matt Dunn

Sourcebooks Landmark

ISBN 9781402245046

   Dan Davis is the kind of guy women can do without. He is the absolute worst when it comes to dating. He will tell women they are fat; go to the men's room and leave his date to fend for herself; he is just so full of himself. There are few women in his town and surrounding area that have not had the pleasure of Dan's charms. The girl's unite and fight back on an internet dating service called SlateYourDate.com. Dan is about to meet his match when he finds out no one will date him anymore.

   Dan elicits the aide of his best friend Ed to help him track down his many exes in an attempt to make amends. This for all intents and purposes is a full time job. Dan has much to learn about himself in the process, including whether he can actually listen to what a woman wants. Along the way, he encounters his ex Polly, whom he discovers he still wants. Can he convince her that he has truly changed? The entire scheme may be more then he bargained for.

   This was an okay read in and of itself; but it was difficult to get past the obnoxious character of Dan. Not only that, but he treated his best friend in a very demeaning manner. I found it difficult to see why his friend stuck by his side. The entire idea of finding all of the past women in Dan's life seemed a bit absurd and completely irrational. Of course, Dan was not a rational person. The storyline was just a little too over the top for me. It was difficult keeping up with what was happening and who it was happening with. When I had requested the book, I thought it would be humorous read to pass the time; but I did not find much humor in it. 

   I wish to thank Sourcebooks for providing me with a copy of the book to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I was not compensated in any way except for being provided a copy of the book.

I give Ex-Girlfriends United 3 out of 5 stars

  

Review of Mr. Darcy Goes Overboard

Mr. Darcy Goes Overboard

Belinda Roberts

Sourcebooks Landmark

ISBN 9781402246937

   The resort town of Salcombe is known for its women in bikinis, sandcastle contests, and an extremely competitive team of lifeguards; not to mention their Regatta Week.

   With all this excitement approaching, Mrs. Bennett finds out that the famous villa of Netherpollock has been rented by a young man with means. She is determined for one of her daughters to date him; but then Mr. Darcy arrives on his yacht, and she decides he is a better choice.

   This book is the recreation and retelling of Jane Austen's book Pride and Prejudice in a modern day seaside setting. I am trying to figure out what the fascination is with this book. I have noticed quite a few Mr. Darcy books on the market; but they have not swept me away. There is some humorous parts to this book; but nothing that had me laughing out loud. Actually, this book did not do much for me, period. I had difficulty finishing it. The storyline did not flow very smoothly and I found much of the dialogue of the characters rather childish. This could have to do with the fact the author has written primarily for children's theater. I felt like I was jumping from one scene to another without a transition to get there. I am sure there are those who will disagree with me; but this is this reader's opinion.

   I wish to thank Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with a copy for reading and reviewing purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I was not compensated in any way except for being provided the book.

I give Mr. Darcy Goes Overboard 2.5 stars out of 5

Review of Midnight"s Wild Passion

Midnight's Wild Passion

Anna Campbell

Harper Collins 2011

ISBN 9780061684302

   Lord Ranelow lives his life to exact revenge on Godfrey Demarest, a man who ruined his sister years ago. He plans to obtain vengeance by seducing his daughter and ruining her the same way as Godfrey did his sister. There is one obstacle in his way, Antonia Smith.

   Antonia was  ruined years ago and was cast out by her wealthy family. Taken in by Godfrey Demarest and presenting with a new identity, she is determined to protect her charge at all costs. She recognizes Lord Ranelow for the blackguard that he is and is prepared to keep him away from her charge. There is one small problem, Antonia has a weakness for rakes.

   This is a wonderful historical romance full of sexual tension, love, suspense and mystery. It is a story of lust and human emotion. The storyline is well written and I was hard pressed to put the book down once I started. The characters of Lord Ranelow and Antonia Smith were well matched and the tension starts at the beginning with these two. I highly recommend this book if you are a fan of romance and historical fiction.

   I was provided a copy of this book by Harper Collins through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I was not compensated in any way except for the privilege of reading the book.

I give Midnight's Wild Passion 4 out of 5 stars 

Review of Dogs of War

Dogs of War

Bradley Convissar

Smashwords Edition 2011

   Gary Lettner divorced his wife of two years and moved into a house that was perfect for him and his adopted daschund, Molly. Little does he know, until ghosts of the past start to surface, how his life is going to change. As time goes on, Gary begins to discover evidence of atrocities and violence that is enough to turn your stomach and make you ill. Little does he know that his beloved Molly will be drawn into a mission that is beyond the believable, or is it?

   This is a well written book that takes you on a journey of horror beyond the human comprehension. This is not normally my particular cup of tea; but I was truly fascinated with the storyline and the weaving in and out of the details to get to the final conclusion. This is a story of cruelty and man's inhumanity at its finest. A horror of which I hope to never see. If you are a fan of horror, thrillers, or dark fiction, I highly recommend this book. When I interviewed Brad, he said in reference to what he writes, "I do it because I like to explore the dark corners of the human mind, where men become monsters, monsters become men, and no one is truly safe from others or themselves." That quote truly sums up exactly what this book is about. Would I read this book again? Absolutely! This book can easily be read in one sitting; but if you are of an overly sensitive nature, I would suggest you forgo the book. On the other hand, if you enjoy a well written and dark kind of read, this is definitely for you.

   I wish to thank  Brad for providing me with a copy of his book to read and review. I was not expected to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I was not compensated in any way except for being provided the book.

I give Dogs of War 4 out of 5 stars

  

 

The Second Fly Caster: Fatherhood, Recovery, and an Unforgettable Tournament

Randy Kadish

Smashwords Edition 4/6/11

   Erik, a young boy is very proud of his father, a tournament fly caster champion. Various events lead young Erik to question many things he holds dear in his life. A stranger shows up at a fishing tournament and things are not as they seem, an older Erik is called to the Vietnam war and demons start to plague him, he is called home from the army because of his dying father, then more then demons haunt him when he begins drinking just like his father.

   This is not my typical read; but a good story non the less. The fly fishing part holds no interest to me. Number 1, I hate fishing and number 2, I don't understand the terminology. You don't need to know anything about fishing, however to enjoy the story. There are lessons to be learned and forgiveness that needs given. Erik has to learn that life is not always as it appears  and that even adults have to believe in themselves and forgive themselves for what they are not. This is a wonderful story of a boy and his dad and that boy loving his father and letting go of things that one cannot control. This is a quick read and is easily read in one sitting. I highly recommend it.

I give The Second Fly Caster  4 out of 5 stars



Review of Hidden Affections

Hidden Affections

Delia Parr

Bethany House

ISBN 9780764206726

   Annabelle Tyler is on her way to forge a new life for herself when robbers stop the coach she is traveling on. Harrison Graymoor, Philadelphia's most eligible bachelor, is on the same coach. Much to their dismay, they are handcuffed together and found in each others arms by the sheriff. Being the year of 1832, they are forced at gun point to marry to protect Annabelle's honor. The last thing either of them wants to do is marry; but Harrison agrees, albeit unwillingly.

   Even though neither want to wed, they both try to accept the situation gracefully until a quick and speedy annulment can be had. Harrison tries to do well by Annabelle and she in return accepts her fate and do her duty by him. Will these two unlikely people be able to fool society into thinking they are a love match? Will they be able to remain in each others company without falling in love?

   This is a lovely piece of historical fiction that captured my heart from the start. It is a story of love and faith. It brings to life some of the ridiculous ways that people were treated if they did not live according to certain standards of the time. We also see what greed can do to people and to what lengths they will go to get what they want. 

    The two major players in the story are quite the unlikely duo. Harrison is a bit of a rake; but he has a soft spot that Annabelle is able to bring out. Annabelle is a tad too sweet and gets a little annoying at times. On the other hand, she is also strong willed. If you are a fan of historical fiction and enjoy a sweet romance filled with faith, this is a good choice.

   I wish to thank Bethany house for providing me with a copy to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. I was not compensated in any way except for receiving the book.

I give Hidden Affections 4 out of 5 stars

  

Queen of the Summer Stars

Queen of the Summer Stars

Persia Wooley

Sourcebooks Landmark

ISBN 9781402246401

   In a country swarming  with unrest, Guinevere teams up with her husband King Arthur to gain control of Britain's warring knights. Guinevere is no beauty and is not elegant; but she is a lively outspoken partner who shares Arthur's dream to create an elegant court.

   Standing at Arthur's side, she presides over fabled heroes and villains, many of whom dabble in witchcraft. Her greatest battles are one's that Arthur cannot or will not see. Morgan le Fey, the evil beauty and sister of Arthur is determined to usurp his throne and the famous Lancelot who captures Guinevere's heart. Will she remain loyal to Arthur or will she give herself over to a passionate romance?

   Queen of the Summer Stars is the second book in the Arthurian trilogy based on a decade of research. This is a recreation of the tale of Arthur and Guinevere seen through the eyes of a very realistically portrayed Guinevere. The story is a very human portrayal of the Queen as she goes through her daily life, attempts at conception and subsequent loss of her child through rape, and the falling in love with Lancelot and betrayal of Arthur's sister.

   Generally speaking this is a well written book; but I had some difficulty maintaining interest. There are so many characters that I had to continually refer to the provided index to keep them straight. For me this takes away from the story. There were also instances where time moved quickly and I was not exactly sure how we went from point A to point B. There was such massive amounts of material that only the surface could be touched. I was extremely disappointed in the covering of the relationship of Lancelot and Guinevere. It seemed like the relationship happened all of a sudden and really no idea how it blossomed.

   I wish to thank Sourcebooks for providing me with an ARC to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I was not compensated in any way except for receiving a copy of the book.

I give Queen of the Summer Stars 3 out of 5 stars