Review of No Holly for Christmas

No Holly for Christmas

Julie N. Ford

Whiskey Creek Press 2011

ISBN 9781603139328

   Brian McAlister is on a special assignment for the DA's office. He is not happy to be there; but the special assignment is because his father has turned ill and he is stepping in for him. Brian has been unable to move on with his life because he was jilted twice by a long time girlfriend. He has remained in love with her despite the fact she is married and has children. Best of all, she is married to a district court judge who despises Brian.

   Holly Cananaugh-Winter is an ex-socialite who was left practically penniless following the death of her husband. She has been keeping a secret since his death and is determined to keep it that way. She is raising her two daughters alone when she first encounters Brian. There is a definite physical attraction that neither one can deny.

   This is a wonderful story of suspense, healing, giving and love that you won't want to miss. It would make a wonderful addition to your Christmas reading collection. The storyline flows smoothly and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Brian is a bit of a womanizer and has major commitment issues because of being jilted by his former lover. Even though he has an attraction for Holly, he does not want to admit it might be love. Holly is a piece of work. For most of the story, she has the feel sorry for me attitude. She considers herself almost destitute because she has to shop at a lower end company like Walmart for groceries instead of paying twice as much at a high dollar store. She no longer has a home in the country club area; but has a comfortable home to live in. She is actually ashamed of this fact. There are several woman who have befriended her and they are probably the only true friends she has ever had. She is extremely materialistic and you want to smack her. By the end of the story, she is turning her life around and she is becoming likable.

   Brian and Holly become closer as the story progresses because an assassin is out to kill Holly. He has been hired by a powerful man, who like so many, has his eye on wealth and position. Will Brian be able to keep Holly and her children safe? Will the holidays be a season of joy and happiness or will the past prevent them both from going after what is important?

   I wish to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy for reading and reviewing purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. I was not compensated in anyway except for receiving the book to review.

I give No Holly for Christmas 5 out of 5 stars

Authors website:  http://www.JulieNFord.com/blog

Purchase link:  http://www.amazon.com/No-Holly-For-Christmas-ebook/dp/B0062FO4LI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320472200&sr=8-1

 

Review of A Most Unsuitable Match

A Most Unsuitable Match

Stephanie Grace Whitson

Bethany House 2011

ISBN 9780764208812

   Miss Fannie Rousseau is traveling out west with her long time companion and friend in search of an aunt that she never knew she had. Fannie is left alone after the death of her mother and father to find that the wealth she assumed they had, may no longer be too impressive.

   Samuel Beck is on a mission to make amends with his younger sister for wrongs that he feels he did to her. He is headed on a steamboat to Montana with just himself and his mother's bible to keep him company. Fannie and Samuel find themselves on the same ship and discover an attraction developing over the long journey. A very unlikely attraction. They are opposites in every way.

   The book starts out in the year 1869 and covers the years through 1874. Fannie is a spoiled and privileged young woman who has no clue about being on her own. Why should she? She has always been provided for. She is a bit self-centered and generally wants things her own way. She does, however, discover that we don't always get what we want. She becomes determined to make her way and she becomes more endearing in my eyes. Samuel is a kind and caring man who is determined to watch out for Fannie and make sure no harm comes to her.

   This is a lovely Christian story that makes clear, that no matter what you believe, none of us is promised a life without pain and sorrow. Both of our main characters grow throughout the story and develop a keener understanding about what life is about. Of the two, Fannie does more growing with a deeper knowledge of how to live in this world. Samuel has his own hardships to face. He finds out what it is like to grow stronger in his relationship with the Lord. I highly recommend this book to lovers of Christian fiction or anyone who just loves a good, clean love story.

   I wish to thank Bethany House for providing me with a copy of the book for reading and reviewing purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. I was not compensated in anyway except for receiving the book to review.

I give A Most Unsuitable Match 4 out of 5 stars

Review of Three Sisters

 

Three Sisters

The First Emily Castles Mystery

Helen Smith

Tyger Books 2011

 

   Emily is invited to a bonfire night/Halloween Party at her neighbors down the street. She doesn't really know them because they just moved into the house; but she decides to go because she is missing her dog, Jessie who just died. She finds herself amidst some rather strange characters and to top the night off, she is pulled into a murder. One that no one else believes happened.

   This is a short piece of fiction that can be easily read in one sitting. From the get go, you are pulled in with some rather strange and unusual characters. The way the story is presented, I had the impression this was going to be a murder mystery night and some of the guests were the actors. This turned out not to be the case. There is little known about Emily and it is a bit confusing how she will end up being a sleuth. In this particular story, she seems more like a busy body. The story is short; but it packs a big punch with information. The reader must stay focused or will lose their way around in the course of the storyline. I did not actually find anything amusing in this story; but I do look forward to the next one. I suspect that Emily could get herself into some mischief. If you are looking for something fast-paced and unusual, I highly recommend this one.

   I wish to thank the author for providing me with a copy for reading and reviewing purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. I was not compensated in anyway except for receiving the book to review.

 

I give Three Sisters 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

Review of His Last Duchess

His Last Duchess

Gabrielle Kimm

Sourcebooks Landmark

ISBN 9781402264510

   Sixteen year old Lucrezia de'Medici is excitedly awaiting her gilded life to her soon to be husband, Alfonso d'Este, Duke of Ferrara. He has handpicked her to be his bride in anticipation of an heir for his kingdom and an alliance with her father. The Duke quickly proves how dangerous he is in addition to his dark and handsome side. Life proves to be the opposite of what Lucrezia had planned and the castle becomes a living trap for her.

   The Dukes desperate need for an heir drives him further into the dark recesses of his mind and the only person who is able to give him any relief is his mistress, Francesca. Alfonso obsesses over an imagined plot against himself and his mind climbs deeper into despair and his fury builds. Lucrezia's dreams  become less and less a reality and more of a nightmare. Eventually, she heads down a dangerous path that may well lead to her destruction.

   This is a wonderful historical fiction novel that was inspired by Robert Browning's monologue, "My Last Duchess." I had never read the piece before so I did so, not once but twice before I read the book. I had no clue as to what I read. This concerned me a bit until I started reading the novel, and I was pleasantly surprised. The storyline was quite intriguing and flowed nicely from the beginning to the end. The character of Lucrezia was very naive and because of her young age was very immature when she married the Duke. She had no clue what to expect upon her marriage and was quite appalled at her husband's behavior. It was not long before she started to realize that things were amiss. Alfonso was a very dark and dismal character. It became apparent quickly that he had some kind of mental illness that only increased as the inability to produce an heir became an issue.

   All in all this was a wonderful read. The characters and the story were handled well. The mental illness of Alfonso was very bleak to the story; but it is also what made the true interest of the story initially. I think all historical fiction fans will find this to be a worthwhile read. Step into the passions of  sixteenth century. Follow a story of forbidden love and darkness that will haunt you.

   I wish to thank Sourcebooks for providing me with an ARC for reading and reviewing purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. I was not compensated in anyway except for receiving the book to review.

I give His Last Duchess 4 out of 5 stars

Review of The Rose Garden

The Rose Garden

Susanna Kearsley

Sourcebooks Landmark

ISBN 9781402258589

   Eva Ward returns to the old house on the Cornish coast after her sister dies to spread her ashes. Some of her sisters fondest memories are there so, Eva feels it is only fitting to lay her to rest where she would be the happiest. Shortly after her arrival, she begins to hear voices from the room next door to her bedroom. The only problem, there is no one in the room. Or is there?

   As the days go by, strange things happen and the voices that Eva hears are truly there. She ends up being swept back into the eighteenth century to a time of a dethroned king and she becomes entwined in the lives of the Butler brothers. Each time she goes back in time, she begins to realize, she no longer feels at home in her own time; but chasing the past can be a dangerous thing to do.

   This book is an absolutely fantastic read. Once I started, I could not put it down. This book has mystery, romance and time travel. Three of my most favorite things. The author takes the heroine flawlessly from the present day back to the past and forward again. Eva never knows when and where she will leave. I found it rare to read a time travel book where the traveler goes back and forth that the transition is so flawless. It just happens here and is done with perfect timing. There is an underlying romance that develops that just seems to simmer under the surface and you wait for it to explode. Next to Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, I have never encountered a romance that just leaves you wanting more.

   The heroine is not a super strong woman; but she fits the bill. Our hero, Daniel, is not your drop dead gorgeous kind of guy; but he has a sex appeal that draws you to him. He has traits that a woman cannot help but fall in love with. He is devoted, loving, caring, and loyal to a fault. This is one hauntingly, romantic story and I can't recommend it highly enough. I have never read this author before, but I most definitely will again. I for one hope that we may see more of this pair and the love that has crossed all boundaries of understanding. Tine and destiny await no man.

   I wish to thank Sourcebooks for providing me with a copy for reviewing purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. I was not compensated in anyway except for receiving the book to review.

I give The Rose Garden 5 out of 5 stars

Review of Demon Vampire

Demon Vampire

Virgil Allen Moore

Erudite Small Press

ISBN 9781937438067

   Zack Giver is one of the least likely guys to have any power you could ever come across. He has no friends to speak of. The only two he did have, moved away. He is now left to his own devices. With some encouragement from his dad, he goes out to a club that he had planned to go to with his friends. On the way, he comes across a young boy who is being beat up by some bullies. Even though Zack knows it is a mistake, he steps in to help. Zack ends up getting the crap beat out of him. He journeys onto the club where his troubles have only just begun. A sexy, young woman introduces herself to him and takes him under her wing.

   Zack tries to figure out why this gorgeous woman is showing any interest in him. As she steadily pulls him into her life, Zack discovers things about himself and the world that he never knew existed. Dreams begin to plague Zack that are nightmares to his soul. All of the dreams are surrounded by a sea of blood. A deep dark voice keeps calling out to him. The more it calls, the deeper Zack loses himself to the Demon inside of him.

   This story is a dark and treacherous ride through the horrors of the mind and soul. The author paints a poetic picture with his words that leaves nothing to the imagination. You will not see romance and sparkling vampires. You will, however, taste the hunger, blood lust and  horror of the new image of the vampire. You will encounter cruelty in its most basic form.

   The author takes you back and forth in time starting with our introduction of Zack where our story begins. Gradually, we are introduced to some of the worlds most powerful vampires and demons and how they came into being. All along you are painted an artistic picture with words, that leaves no doubt in your mind, that there are horrors beyond the human psyche. To quote the author, "This is the vampire redefined in the way we all wished it to be." If you are a fan of dark fiction, I highly recommend this book.

   I wish to thank the author for providing me with a copy for reviewing purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. I was not compensated in anyway except for receiving the book to review.

I give Demon Vampire 4 out of 5 stars

  

Review of Halloween Fantasies

 

Halloween Fantasies

Katie Salidas

Rising Sign Books

Smashwords Edition

 

   Sasha and Angela are getting all dressed up for the Halloween Fantasy Ball, a place where a girl's wildest fantasies can come true. In an ironic twist of fate, Sasha's cat destroys her costume. This, however, does not dampen her friend Angela's plans. She gathers together a sexy vampire huntress costume for her friend to wear. Not too thrilled about going, Sasha gives in and wears the costume.

   Angela is "ripe and ready" as they say and is determined to have the time of her life. Sasha is not so thrilled; but is not long in changing her mind when a sexy dark haired stranger introduces himself. She throws caution to the wind when she discovers he is a real vampire because her one fantasy is to hook up with the real deal.

   Never let it be said that small does not pack a punch. This short, erotic, Halloween tale takes you on a true fantasy and will have you panting for more. Sasha is a bit cautious; but throws it to the wind when this dark and handsome vampire promises her a fantasy come true. His only stipulation is he is in control. This great little story will have you begging for more by the time you get to the end. A word of caution: This book contains adult content with explicit sexual scenes with multiple partners and graphic language. Some people may find it offensive. So, if you are one of them, don't pick it up to start with. If you happen to enjoy this type of book and love vampires, I have no doubt you will enjoy this one.

   I wish to thank the author for providing me with a copy for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. I was not compensated in anyway except for receiving the book to review.

 

I give Halloween Fantasies 4 out of 5 stars