Here's the flap blurb:
Using a divining rod or a crystal pendulum, dowser Trini Bates can locate the unseen: underground water, buried minerals, lost valuables.
Some claim she’s a wonder worker.
Others say she’s a liar, a cheat, a fake.
Trini is neither saint nor charlatan. Recently widowed, she only wants to be left alone to grieve. However, when her brother’s bootlegging partner disappears, Trini is summoned from her seclusion to dowse for his whereabouts. She finds his body at the bottom of a Colorado canyon, but she’s devastated when the sheriff accuses Parn—the brother she raised after their mother’s death—of murder.
Trini admits her brother is wild and reckless, but he’s not a murderer.
And if he’s innocent, then who is guilty?
Trini’s investigation plunges her into the bloody Prohibition world of moonshine and machine guns. She discovers Sheriff George Mallis hides a secret. Before he wore a sheriff’s badge, he spearheaded the largest illegal liquor trade in Colorado—a trade that cost him the lives of his sons. Mallis blames Parn for their deaths, and Trini is terrified he will wreak his vengeance on an innocent man.
Mallis isolates his prisoner in jail. Her only link to Parn is through the chief deputy—a man willing to risk his job for Trini’s affection, a complication that rocks her fragile emotional balance. Trini bonds with the murder victim’s children, and with their help, unearths disturbing truths about her brother’s life. When her dowsing fails to find a friend’s missing daughter, Trini realizes her doubts about Parn’s innocence have sabotaged her ability. Even when the children are threatened and someone tries to kill her, her precious gift lies dormant. Somehow, Trini must reclaim her power if she’s to save the children, her brother and finally, her own life.
And a short excerpt:
Merle Woodson is missing, and Trini’s brother is questioned about his disappearance. Here, Trini uses her dowsing talent to locate Woodson’s body. She hopes her discovery will prove her brother’s innocence, but of course, it has the opposite affect, and her brother is accused of murder.
The crystal swiveled at the end of the twine like a child’s toy spin-top in motion.
“Where is the man?” Trini said.
A tickle on the ends of her fingers signaled the talent was awakening. She moved the crystal an inch west so that it hovered above the town of Jackson. The instrument became a tiny pendulum swaying above the map, an infinitesimal movement that she wondered if she felt more than saw. Not yet. Not yet.
She moved the crystal again, an inch to the north, over the hamlet of Walsh’s Hole. Just keep open. Keep loose. It’s coming now. It’s coming.
“Show me the man,” she repeated.
The energy surged into her hands, and the crystal increased its sway. The whorls on Trini’s fingertips swelled and throbbed, her hands flamed crimson and the skin appeared to stretch near bursting. At the end of her motionless fingers, the string and the crystal turned in a perfect circle the size of silver dollar. Her veins jutted like mountain ranges winding their way up her forearms into her biceps, and she felt pinpricks along the top of her arms.
As the crystal turned, the sensation deepened; the pinpricks became deep talons that dug into her flesh. Heat, then burning ice, seared her arms, her shoulders and chest, and the muscles in her neck. She didn’t know how much more she could take. In the back of her mind, she registered surprise; the dowsing had never hurt like this. She must be more nervous than she thought.
One final surge of her energy to her reddened fingertips and she knew she’d found her target. She withdrew the crystal, set it on the desk and massaged her bloated hands.
“Holy God,” whispered Taggert.
“Trini, are you all right?” asked Roy.
“Yes, I’m all right. And I think you’ll find Merle Woodson right here.”
When I invited Janette Kenny to guest on the blog, I learned about this book and decided I had to go out and buy a copy.
Here's the blurb from the back cover:
Reid Barclay doesn’t have time for Christmas, not with trouble brewing at the Crown Seven Ranch. He’s got prize thoroughbreds to protect, and an long-ago wrong that he wants to make right. But the beautiful cook who’s taken over the ranch kitchen is a welcome distraction, even if Ellie Jo Cade burns everything from gingerbread to roast beef. Her sweet face and womanly figure are pure temptation…
Cornhusk angels…bright berry garlands…spun-sugar snow—everything about Christmas holds fond memories for Ellie Jo. She’s doing her best to make peace with an ornery wood-burning stove and make the old ranch house truly festive. All she wants is to believe in Reid…and the only-at-Christmas magic that makes hearts glow…
First, I want to start my review by saying how excited I am that this is the first in a new series. Janette has created an interesting place in the Wild West that I look forward to revisiting. Ellie Jo and Reid are characters that take hold of your heart and don't let go. I cared what was going to happen to them as they worked through their personal issues and fought the attraction between them. I laughed at the Ellie Jo's cooking attempts and cried during the climax of the book. Janette also created the perfect villain -- the man you just have to hate. Add in several well-developed secondary characters, a couple plot twists, and a holiday theme and we have a special book.I highly recommend adding A Cowboy Christmas to your holiday library. Read More......
Jen: This week we are happy to have Renee Vincent visiting the blog. Renee, will you please share a short bio with us?
Renee: First, let me extend my deepest gratitude to Jen and Jessica for having me on their book blog. I have looked very forward to this week.
I am an author with a passionate interest in Irish and Norse history. I live in the rolling hills of Kentucky with my husband and two children on a beautiful secluded farm of horses and hay fields.
When I am not writing, I love to spend my time on the back of a horse, whether with my family or with my friends. There is nothing like feeling the sunlight on your face, the wind in your hair, and the power of the animal beneath you as you enjoy the beautiful scenery. Seeing the world from a saddle is, by far, the best view and the best therapy for a heavy heart or a troubled mind. My therapist's name, or my horse's, rather, is "Statues Suddenly Lucky", a full-blooded Tennessee Walker, and of course, he goes by the name of Lucky for short.
I am a sucker for a good cup of coffee (lots of cream and sugar...and whipped cream if I can get my hands on it), great conversation, and a lilting Irish accent. I love to read and I can't resist watching great epic historical movies.
Jen: Tell us about Ræliksen and where it’s available.
Renee: Ræliksen is a love story quite unlike anything you have ever read. I must admit, I did not follow the usual “guidelines” when it comes to romance novels. I blazed my own trail. I absolutely love romance novels and cannot think of reading anything else. But I wanted to give my readers more than just a quick, page-turning story that would soon be forgotten once it was finished and another opened in its place. I wanted to portray the passionate and brutal way of 10th Century life—something more tangible and realistic—while still giving the readers an erotic, yet heartwarming romance where an irrefutable devotion between the two lovers existed and thrived.
Ræliksen is available on all the online markets, including Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com in hardback, paperback and even e-book format.
Jen: At what age did you discover writing and when were you first published?
Renee: I guess you could say it all started at the age of five, when my parents had given me a personalized children’s book where I was featured as the hero of the story. I can still recall how excited I was to see my full name in print and know that no one else had a book like this. From that day forth, I dreamed of seeing my name on the cover of a book. And by the way, I still have that children’s book.
Ræliksen is my first book that was published in December 2008.
Jen: Describe your writing in three words.
Renee: Unique. Stirring. Sensual.
Jen: How do you approach your writing? Do you plot or go with the flow?
Renee: At the insistence of my husband, I should plot it out on paper, but I have never been able to do that. I would spend more time changing the outline than I would writing on the story itself. I do, however, plot extensively in my head. I have a specific beginning and ending, and fill in the middle with plot twists, character developments, and suspense elements, on a “go with the flow” mentality.
Jen: What kind of research did you do for this book?
Renee: Literally years worth. From the time I had gotten out of high school, I had been fascinated by the life and pursuits of the “Viking” men, reading research books for pleasure.
You could actually say that my English-Literature teacher had been the reason for my passionate interest in the subject. He was just one of the teachers who knew how to read difficult passages, such as Shakespeare or The Odyssey, and—simply by his grand narration—you could walk away understanding so much more than you bargained for.
With historical novels, I believe there is no such thing as too much research. Even now, I find things out that I hadn’t found a few years ago.
Jen: How do you pick the character’s names?
Renee: When it comes to names, authenticity means the most to me. For instance, if a character is from Scandinavia, then I wouldn’t give him a French originated name. Along side that, the name must also roll from the tongue easily enough.
While some names can involve a lot of research to find the perfect one, others can just jump out at you. When it came to finding a name for my villain, Domaldr, in Ræliksen, it sort of found me. His name, when pronounced, just exudes an evil air. And when I researched it, I uncovered that there was once a Scandinavian king by that name who had been cursed by his own mother. Soon after her spell, he had lost many men to disease, lost battles left and right, and his luck never improved.
Jen: Do you feel as if the characters live with you as you write? Do they haunt your dreams?
Renee: Yes! In fact, they consume me. Most of my thoughts throughout the days—when I am not writing—involve contemplating the next chapter, figuring future plot sequences, or rehashing dialogue. Sometimes my best lines have come to me in the middle of the night. Of course, I have a notepad on my nightstand for those such instances.
Jen: If Ræliksen was made into a movie, which actors would you choose to play the hero and heroine?
Renee: The hero, Dægan Ræliksen, would undoubtedly be Gerard Butler. There would be no one else who could play the bold, handsome, and charismatic warrior any better. If you have seen him in the movie Beowulf & Grendel, or even Attila, you’ll agree that Gerard was made to play Dægan.
For the heroine, I’d want a woman who was naturally beautiful, petite, and had eyes that could look right through you. Rachel McAdams would be my choice. She can bring about a believable chemistry with anyone who plays opposite her.
Now, I can only cross my fingers and hope for Hollywood to take to notice.
Jen: Do you do anything special to celebrate a sale, new contract, or release?
Renee: Since this is my first release, I can only tell you what I did at the time. My husband had planned a dinner with a few of my closest friends and their families, keeping it from my knowledge. So when I walked into the restaurant, they were all seated at a long table, waiting on my arrival. After drinks were ordered and brought, they had lifted their glasses to me and toasted to my success. It nearly brought me to tears and I hope they all know how much that meant to me.
For my next release, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’d want to be with my wonderfully supportive husband, my two girls, and my closest friends.
Jen: What’s the most interesting comment you have received about your book?
Renee: Not sure if this comment falls under the category of most interesting, but it certainly took me aback and warmed my heart. I received a fan letter from a woman in Vista, California, complete with Norse stationary, and she told me that I was one of her favorite authors. I held that very dear to me, as she also included that she reads about a book a day because of an unfortunate medical condition that keeps her home bound. She and I have kept in contact with each other and I feel blessed to have made that kind of impression on her with my writing.
Jen: Who are some of your favorite authors and books? What are you reading now?
Renee: My favorite author of all time is Emily Brontë with Wuthering Heights. But when it comes to historical romance novels, I love Nora Roberts, Johanna Lindsey, Catherine Coulter, and Elizabeth Lowell. Recently, I have found contemporary romance to tickle my fancy as well, with Lori Foster and Shiloh Walker.
Right now I am reading Lori Foster’s Too Much Temptation. I had first read Never Too Much and loved every minute of it. Ben Badwin’s character alone makes you want to keep turning the pages. I found out half way through it that Lori had another independent title about the older brother. So before I even finished Never Too Much, I ordered Too Much Temptation, so that I could start reading it right afterwards. Despite me reading them in opposite order and having no trouble following along, I, however, recommend reading them in the order that Lori had intended.
Jen: What is next for you?
Renee: Right now I am busy working on the sequel to Ræliksen, entitled MacLiam and I hope to have it released in 2010 sometime. Ræliksen is a love story about the Norse hero in love with an Irish maiden, named Mara. MacLiam would give you the Irish hero who is also in love with the same heroine.
Jen: Where can you be found on the web?
Renee: My website is http://www.reneevincent.com/ Please feel free to drop by and look around. I’d love to hear from you either by email or by signing my guest book. Interacting with my fans and reading each and every comment makes it all worth while. Without the dedication of romance fans like you, my passion to write timeless love stories wouldn’t have much of a purpose. I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart.
http://www.myspace.com/reneevincent
http://www.twitter.com/ReneeVincent
http://www.facebook.com/reneevincent
http://indiereaders.ning.com/profile/ReneeVincent
http://www.pasttheprint.blogspot.com
Jen: Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?
Renee: I am proud to say that my book has been read by people all across the world, including Ireland, Norway, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the US. One common theme in the feedback I receive seems to be that the plot twist at the end was not foreseeable. Readers hadn’t expected it and were greatly intrigued by the intricate web-working of small details which led up to that grand, final moment.
I, myself, prefer a romance with a deep story and possibly a twist at the end that I did not see coming. As a fellow romance reader, what are your thoughts on the matter?
Do you prefer to read a romance novel that requires a bit more thought process—one that suspensefully strings you along a complex plot, while tantalizing you with lots of sensual romance?
OR
Would you rather an easy-read novel—one that gets through the plot quickly, and dives into the sensual romance at a speedier rate without too much thinking on your part?
Jen: Readers, Renee is giving away an autographed book of Ræliksen and the Ræliksen Soundtrack that was made by a very talented Irish musician to one lucky reader. To enter the drawing, you must first leave a comment or question for Renee. Then you need to either leave your email address in your comment or send a message to contests.bookblog@gmail.com. Only people that complete both parts of the entry will be eligible for the contest. The winner will be chosen on Sunday, December 6.
Jen: This week we are happy to have Kathleen Duble as our guest. Kathleen, will you please share a short bio with us?
Kathleen: I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and consequently am a rabid Steelers fan (don’t even think about talking to me when they are playing!). I went to Miami University and majored in creative writing and international business. Since writing doesn’t pay all that much – at least at first - I took a job in insurance. The job was boring but had some positive sides in the fact that a) I met my husband there and b) since I had sixteen car accidents before I was twenty-one, no one would insure me, but as I was working for an insurance company, they had to take me on! But at last, I made the big step and quit my job and began writing full time. Then I had a baby! Before she was born, I dreamt of her lying beside me as I wrote! Ha! I don’t know about everyone’s baby but mine was a bit of work. So it wasn’t until both my babies took off for school that I found the time I needed to hone my craft.
In 2002, my first book, Bridging Beyond, was published by Philomel Books and was an IRA honor book. But it was when my father discovered the story of my great (x9) grandmother, Abigail Faulkner that I got turned on to historical fiction. Through my father’s research, we discovered that my great-grandmother had been accused of witchcraft at age 10 in 1692 and was put in the Salem Town Prison. To make the story stranger, it turned out that the house I was living in was on land that her family had owned! I had to write this story and Margaret K. McElderrry published The Sacrifice.
Since then, I have published six other books, most of them historical fiction, with number eight due out in 2011 from Scholastic.
Jen: Tell us about Quest and where it's available.
Kathleen: Quest is the story of the last fateful voyage of Henry Hudson. It is told from four points of view: Johnny Hudson – Henry’s handsome seventeen-year-old son who is known for the pranks he pulls onboard ship; Isabella Digges – Johnny’s girlfriend, a real beauty and a nobleman’s daughter who is sent by the King of England to spy on their biggest competitor, the Dutch East Indies Company. While she’s there, she gets into just a bit of trouble; Richard Hudson, Johnny’s eight-year-old brother who is left behind to deal with the uncertainty involved when any explorer takes to the seas and finally Seth Syms, a ne'er-do-well who is in trouble with the law and tries to escape by trading places with his cousin to be a sailor on the Henry Hudson’s boat. Seth will change the lives of all of the other characters with the choices he will be forced to make.
Quest is available in bookstores, at Indiebound.org, or Amazon.com
Jen: At what age did you discover writing and when were you first published? Tell us your call story.
Kathleen: I had a fabulous teacher in the third grade who told me that I should be a writer. That was it – from that day forward that’s all I wanted to do. Then at Miami, I had an amazing Creative Writing teacher whose name was Milton White. He taught me to be open to all kinds of writing and so when the opportunity to write children’s books presented itself, I was excited to try the genre. And I have been thrilled to be a children’s writer and a rabid supporter of teachers ever since.
Jen: Describe your writing in three words.
Kathleen: Bold, Captivating, Polished
Jen: Do you have a writing routine?
Kathleen: I am at my best in the morning, (but not too early in the morning). I get to my office around 8:30, check my facebook page for something to make me laugh, and once I’ve finished getting myself in a witty mood, I write until about 1:00. Then I’m off doing errands, having lunch with friends or working on marketing etc. But if you want to see me at my most fun, check me around midnight. (I am a total night owl)
Jen: What kind of research did you do for this book?
Kathleen: I read books on Henry Hudson, the life of the times, and the clothes. I checked the Internet for further sources and read the journals of Abacuk Pritckett who was on the voyage.
Jen: Do you feel as if the characters live with you as you write? Do they haunt your dreams?
Kathleen: They don’t haunt my dreams – they play in them. And yes, they are always with me, even after a book is finished.
Jen: Is there a genre that you’d like to write? Is there a genre you’ll probably stay away from and why?
Kathleen: I’d love to do a YA mystery, and I am trying it now. Science fiction would be hard for me. It’s not a genre I read so I would be very uncomfortable writing it.
Jen: Do you do anything special to celebrate a sale, new contract, or release?
Kathleen: Well, I try to convince my husband to buy me a bottle of Dom Perignon, but we usually settle for a great dinner out. A lot of times my girls will join us – that makes it all the more special!
Jen: What has been your highlight of your career to this point?
Kathleen: I’ve had a lot of them – walking into Barnes and Noble and seeing The Sacrifice on the required reading table, receiving my honor award from the Boston Author’s Club for Quest and the honor award from MBA for Bravo Zulu, Samantha!, visiting the Air and Space Museum in DC and seeing Pilot Mom on sale in the gift shop, having librarians stop by at MSLA and say to me “Oh, you’re the author of . . .” with enthusiasm, every time a student writes me to tell me that they loved my book!
Jen: Most people only dream of becoming a published writer. Now that you’ve accomplished that goal, is there anything else you dream of doing?
Kathleen: I still dream of winning a BIG (hello Newbery judges!) award for my work. That would be great. And even though I stink, I would love to play the violin well enough to enjoy listening to myself!
Jen: What's next for you?
Kathleen: In 2011, Scholastic will be publishing my new book, PHANTOMS IN THE SNOW, a story about the Tenth Mountain Division, a group of skiers who turned the tide of the war in Italy by pushing the Germans off the Alps. If you like to ski, you’ll want to read this book. The Phantoms, as these skiers were called because they dressed all in white and were hard to see in the snow, came back from the war and started most of the ski areas in the United States today – Aspen, Vail and Stowe just to name a few.
And I have just finished a book on Madame Tussaud, told from the point of view of her twelve-year-old apprentice. For those of you who are unaware of this great lady, she lived in 1792 in France and was appointed to Madame Elizabeth (the King’s sister) to teach her the art of wax-making. When the revolution came, Madame Tussuad was forced to make wax models of her beheaded friends. Pretty gruesome!
Jen: Where can you be found on the web?
Kathleen: Lots of places:
My website: http://www.kathleenduble.com
My blog: http://www.kathleenbennerduble.blogspot.com
My space: http://www.myspace.com/kathleenbennerduble
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kathleenduble
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/KathleenBennerDuble?ref=profile
Skype: http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/page/Kathleen+B+Duble
Jen: Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?
Kathleen: Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. But there are those who say that it is on its way out. I guess I’d love to know how your readers feel about reading that type of book and if they see any benefit in using it in today’s school environment as a supplement to history texts.
Jen: We have a special contest prize this week. Kathleen is giving away a signed copy of Quest as well as a copy of her new picture book, The Story of the Samson to one random commenter. To enter the contest, leave a comment or question for Kathleen. Then be sure to either leave your email address in your comment or send a message to contests.bookblog@gmail.com. The winner will be chosen on Sunday, November 22.
The influenza stole in upon like a sneak thief in the night. It prowled the white-washed halls of the [hospital], snatching up lives where it pleased. Iris had, of course, seen the grippe before. But this was a far stronger, more malevolent version of what she’d heard Mrs. Banning call “the old person’s friend.’ It fed indiscriminately upon the inhabitants of the hospital. One of the men it took was Abraham Wagner: Abraham had fought for all he was worth, but his already damaged lungs had made it a losing battle almost from the start. Tim, who’d befriended the gentle black man, wandered the corridors, totally bereft….”He’s the one who’d died, and it’s me what’s feeling like a ghost,” he said wearily to Iris one afternoon….
She worked over Fritz[, the German prisoner of war,] like a sinner trying to expiate her sin. She didn’t neglect her other duties or Archie – who, of course, had ceased to be a duty to her long ago. But every spare moment she had, she gave over to Fritz’s care. She bolted down her rations and barely slept. There were days when her vision was so blurred, she could barely distinguish one person’s face from another. Other times, usually at night, she saw with an eerie clarity the shadow behind the shadow, the soul within the most commonplace of things.
She was, Iris sometimes thought, between worlds, neither of the living nor of the dead. Early one morning, just before dawn, she felt a cold, gentle touch on her shoulder while she sat, half-dozing, at Fritz’s bedside. She jerked her head up and found herself staring up into Abraham Wagner’s deep-set brown eyes. He smiled at her, then at the boy, who was still after having been thrashing about most of the night in a fevered sleep. Iris looked up at the dead man fearfully, but he only smiled and, taking her hand in his, placed it on Fritz’s forehead. Iris gasped: he was still hot but no longer burning up.
Suddenly, Fritz sat up. His eyes looked beyond Iris. She turned and saw Abraham, still smiling, move toward the open doorway, where a woman stood waiting for him. The woman’s features were blurred, but she felt familiar somehow, just as the man outside the gates had. And there were other presences, more shadowy still, out in the hallway behind her. Like Abraham and the woman, they were silent; but Iris felt their pain and fear give way to wonderment, and her heart broke open inside as she felt some of that wonderment wash over her.
Fritz slumped back down onto the cot, but Iris knew from his breathing that he was going to be all right now. She sat there, exhausted but humbled and thankful for what she’d seen.
“Miss Amory.” The hand on her arm this time was warm and living. Iris jerked her head up from the counterpane. Dr. Blaine was gazing down at her, his green eyes kinder and wearier than usual, his clothes a tad more rumpled. “So you’ve been here all night.” He gestured toward Fritz. “How’s this fellow doing?”
“Better – I think,” Iris said, her brain still blurred and confused. Her eyes felt dry and gritty and her mouth even worse, as though she’d been licking out a dustbin. She started to get up, but there was a feeble tug on her hand. It was Fritz, his blue eyes battered and washed out like cornflowers after a heavy rain. “Danke schon,” he whispered. “You saved me. The black man, he would’ve taken me with him, but you stayed, and he took the woman instead.”
T. J. Banks is the author of Catsong, Souleiado, and Houdini, a novel for young adults which the late writer and activist Cleveland Amory enthusiastically branded “a winner.” Catsong, a collection of her best cat stories, was the winner of the 2007 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award. A Contributing Editor to laJoie, she has received writing awards from the Cat Writers' Association (CWA), ByLine, and The Writing Self. She has worked as a stringer for the Associated Press and as an instructor for the Writer's Digest School.
A Time for Shadows can be purchased at Amazon by clicking on the cover at the start of the post or here. We also have a print copy of A Time for Shadows up for grabs for a random commenter. Just leave a comment and your email address (or after commenting, send an email to contests.bookblog@gmail.com). A winner will be chosen on Thursday, November 19.
Anyone besides me excited about Dan Brown's upcoming release The Lost Symbol on September 15. For those of us who have read Brown's other works such as The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, and Digital Fortress, we've been awaiting this new book.
Personally, I love historical fiction books. I'm not limited to reading books in this category to Dan Brown, but with the "controversy" of The Da Vinci Code, everyone knows his name. Check out this information about The Lost Symbol from Amazon:
The Lost Symbol will once again feature Dan Brown’s unforgettable protagonist, Robert Langdon.
“The Lost Symbol is a brilliant and compelling thriller. Dan Brown’s prodigious talent for storytelling, infused with history, codes and intrigue, is on full display in this new book. This is one of the most anticipated publications in recent history, and it was well worth the wait,” said Sonny Mehta, Chairman and Editor in Chief of the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.
Brown’s longtime editor, Jason Kaufman, Vice President and Executive Editor at Doubleday said, “Nothing ever is as it first appears in a Dan Brown novel. This book’s narrative takes place in a twelve-hour period, and from the first page, Dan’s readers will feel the thrill of discovery as they follow Robert Langdon through a masterful and unexpected new landscape. The Lost Symbol is full of surprises.”
"This novel has been a strange and wonderful journey," said Brown. "Weaving five years of research into the story's twelve-hour timeframe was an exhilarating challenge. Robert Langdon’s life clearly moves a lot faster than mine."
We aren't given anything about the nature of the story or where it takes place, but I for one will read it no matter what. So excited!
Just out of curiosity... who else plans on reading this book? It's available for preorder through Amazon
When Keta Diablo contacted me about a promo on the blog she also asked about getting a review of one of her books. After reading descriptions, I picked Decadent Deceptions as the one I wanted to read. And I am glad I did.
I found Decadent Deceptions to be quite riveting and found that I couldn't put it down until I was done. Here's the book description from Amazon:
Daring and desperate to win Morgan’s love, Olivia Breedlove embarks on a reckless folly. But everything backfires when Morgan remains one step ahead of her and the game ventures down a path of duplicity and murder.
A decade ago, Morgan was a heartbeat away from taking Olivia’s virginity. Her father, Thaddeus, intervened and threatened to meet him over pistols if he so much as looked at his daughter again. But now, Thaddeus is dead and Morgan has no intention of ignoring the ravenous hunger he’s harbored for the blasted woman for ten years.
One way or the other, he will quench this burning desire and make her his forever.
The concept of Decadent Deceptions is quite interesting. I did question some of the accuracy of the historical detail (such as some of the spoken phrases), but it didn't distract from the book. The love scenes were red-hot and explicit, but fit well into the story. I suppose the only thing that really bothered me was that when the book was over I felt kind of short-changed when it came to the actual romance between Morgan and Olivia. More often than not, the love just wasn't believable and it just seemed like their relationship was based on lust.
Overall, I did enjoy the book. And if you're looking for a hot read, a historical erotica, Decadent Deceptions is a great option.
The last thing Sir Duncan wants to do is see Isabel again. She broke his heart and their engagement to be the mistress of a powerful earl. But her brother asks Duncan to rescue her, and he feels compelled to comply to his dying wish. The childhood sweethearts are reunited, but can they overcome all the obstacles in their way to reignite the spark that is between them?
When Diana Cosby contacted me about having a promo at the blog, I was excited. I love being introduced to new authors... and especially those who write medieval romances. It's not a common setting for romances, since most historical writers tend to look at the regency era. So, I'm always on the lookout for the medieval setting in my romances.
I'm glad I was given the opportunity to read this book. I enjoyed the characters, setting and the plot. I'll admit that sometimes I felt like Isabel and Duncan kept repeating the same arguments as to key they can't or can be together. But past that occasional feeling of repetitiousness, I was glued to the book. I recommend this book for anyone wanting to read a medieval romance set in the Scottish highlands. It is the second book in a series, but it totally stands on it's own and there's just a couple references to events that happened in the first book, His Captive.
Reviewed by Jamaica Layne (http://www.jamaicalayne.com and http://jamaicalayne.blogspot.com)
The Wild One is Denise Eagan's second novel, the followup to her well-received debut, Wicked Woman. This historical romance is set in the American Old West, beginning in post-Civil War San Francisco, and the plot meanders around through Colorado and finally to Texas not far from the Mexican border. Shakespearean actress Jessica Sullivan shares a tiny flat with her fellow actress Michelle, a Midwestern jezebel stage actress who bleaches her hair and pretends to be French. Unlike her sensual roommate, who has a whole host of lovers, Jessica is "frigid" and celibate, not just because she is actually married (her estranged ne'er-do-well husband abandoned her six years ago), but because she truly believes that she does not enjoy sex. Lonely and miserable Jessica takes comfort in her supposed frigidity, but finds herself shaken out of her comfort zone when she is attracted to Lee Montgomery, a free-spirited professional gambler and general scoundrel who also happens to be Michelle's current flavor-of-the-month boyfriend.
Jessica has been saving all the money earns from acting over the past six years to pay back her family for the money her estranged husband helped her steal from them. But instead of using a bank (which were notorious for sudden failures in the 1800s), Jessica asked the manager of her acting troupe to "hold" it for her. When the troupe manager suddenly shuts down the San Franscisco show and insists the troupe move to Denver, she discovers that he hasn't "held" the money for her at all---instead, he's used it to support his gambling habit, and every cent of the money she's saved over the past six years is gone. Desperate and broke, Jessica engages Lee's help to confront her boss----and instead they find him dead, murdered from a slit throat. Jessica and Lee are framed for the murder and have to flee on horseback across the frontier to avoid death by hanging. Passion, drama, and excitement ensue----and I can't say much more about the plot without giving away too many spoilers.
The Wild One is a sexy, engaging read, but it is not without its flaws. For example, there are a lot of jarring anachronisms that deter from the historical setting, especially in the characters' speech. Many conversations sound a lot more twenty-first-century than they do nineteenth century (no Victorian-era person ever said "OK", let alone in every other sentence) and even though Michelle's French accent is supposed to be fake and her French phrases and grammar poor, that doesn't excuse the author (or editor) for misspelling tons of French words. (I minored in French in college, so I am a real stickler for that). Plus, the copyeditor really seemed out to lunch on this book----it's riddled with typos, from missing words and skipped phrases to rampant misspelling (I recall seeing the word "brooch" misspelled three different ways on the SAME PAGE).
If you can get past the typos, anachronisms, and somewhat clunky beginning, though, The Wild One is still an entertaining book. The plot is suspenseful and keeps you turning the pages, and the love scenes are appropriately steamy.I look forward to Denise Eagan's future books as she continues to develop her career.
THREE STARS (out of 5)
Review by Jennifer Drake
Vexing the Viscount by Emily Bryan is a charming story about Daisy Drake and Lucian Beaumont, Viscount Rutland. Daisy, the niece of a pirate, has quite a spark and unique flare in how she lives life. She speaks both French and ancient Latin, but since she doesn’t know about the pleasures of the flesh is reading some risqué books in her great aunts library. (Luckily her great aunt's a fantastic supporter of a woman’s right to learn about these things.) Our leading Viscount, whose family is in dire straights financially, is a little stubborn (as most great heroes are) but a bit lonely as well. Due do the financial troubles, which Lucian’s fathers blames on Daisy’s uncle, he’s not dared to marry. Little do they both realize they have a common interest in antiques
At a costumed ball held at her great aunts house that Daisy decides she just can’t miss, she decides to play the part of a lady of pleasure. This despite her great aunts warnings she plunges into something she doesn’t truly understand. Even though she had read Blanche La Tour’s Journal and thought she grasped the contents pretty well. Lucian comes across the French courtesan at said party, and is immediately smitten by her.
I can’t go on, because I certainly don’t want to ruin the book for you!
This book is a very amusing but not silly by any means. It’s a sweet story of two people who once friends as children meet again as adults. There are several twists, some a bit more subtle then others. Also including many intriguing tidbits about both English and Roman history. Emily Bryan has a way with words to be sure, and a way with creating a romantic tale not to be missed! I can say whole heartedly that I enjoyed this book, and very much look forward to reading more of her work in the future.
Sheryl Brennan was a guest at Book Talk in early January. So, when I was asked to read and review Celtic Sacrifice, I jumped at the chance. Here's how Sheryl described the book from our interview: Celtic Sacrifice is a historical romance set in 16th century Ireland during the end of the English/Irish Nine Years war. The story follows Ceana O’Hagan, the daughter of the chieftain of Dungannon, whom her mother’s clan of O’Connor feel is the key to a generation’s old prophecy. Over the course of the book, we get to see Ceana’s personal struggles with love, religion, and her own place in the world. There is a very interesting political plot twist that I won’t give away… but it shakes Ceana’s beliefs down to their very foundation. One of the overall themes in the book is that God, by any name you call him, has a plan for you. (Jeremiah 29:11) Free will being what it is one of my constant prayers is that if I am straying off that path, he will guide me back to it.
Sheryl Brennan has created a well-crafted and well-told story. While I normally don't like books written in first person, this one drew me in and probably wouldn't have been as good if it hadn't been told this way. I was especially surprised by the book considering it is the debut for the author and the publishing house. While there were a few loose ends I wish could've been wrapped up in the book, I still very much enjoyed the tale. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Brennan and can only hope that she'll revisit historical Ireland once again in the future. Read More......
Katerina Pavlova Garibaldi, the Contessa de Salerno, a lovely imposter and jewelry design genius, is bent on revenge. Prince Drako "the dragon prince" Kazanov, the object of her revenge. Throw in unknown enemies trying to kill the both of them and a fierce attaction between Katerina and Drako and you have the makings of an explosive, passionate story.
Enticing The Prince is the latest story in Patricia Grasso's series following the Kazanov family. The book stands very well on its own, however there are so many characters from previous books (as well as a lot of alluding to events in those books), that I strongly suggest reading this series in order (see Patricia's website).
I really loved this book. Patricia Grasso has become one of my favorite story tellers. She weaves such interesting characters into fun plots with plenty of twists and turns to make this reader quite happy. Her inclusion of Russian royalty into English society gives a different spin on a Regency romance, for which I am very grateful. I highly recommend this book.
Here's the back cover blurb:
GIVING THE DEVIL HIS DUDE
Shoveling sulfur and brimstone could really get a girl down. When her dad offered freedom from the fiery depths in exchange for one simple soul-snatching, Lucy Firr jumped at the chance. With her considerable powers of seduction, she threw herself at rancher Jed Caine. Yet instead of taking her to bed, he made her muck out the pigsty.
It would take the patience of a saint to resist the likes of Lucy Firr—and Lord knew Jed was no saint. The temptress fired his blood like no woman he'd ever met. Why she'd suddenly latched on to him, he had no idea. But the safest place for her—and her virtue—was out in the barn.
Lucy could see the heat in Jed's gaze. But it was the tenderness of his touch and his hard-won smile that undid her. She was supposed to steal his soul, yet here he was…capturing her heart.
I had read Laura's earlier straight historical (meaning non-paranormal) westerns, Charming Jo and Here Comes The Bride, but hesitant to pick up this first book in a new series. To me, paranormal and western just don't really seem to go hand in hand. So, I'd just passed over these books. Then I received Laura's newsletter in my inbox and I decided to contact her to come guest on our blog. It hit me that she'd be promoting the release of book 2 in the series and should probably read book 1. So, I got my hands on a copy and decided to review it for her.All that said, here's my review:
I actually liked this book. It took me a while to get past the fact that Lucy was the devil's child, but this was my own hangup and not really the fault of the book. I will say that I liked the character of Jed more than Lucy...but Lucy did grow on me as the story went along. A couple of the minor, secondary characters were annoying but not so much that they ruin the story. So, a original plot and some interesting characters and you've got a pretty good book.
Laura is going to be our guest at Book Talk with J & J starting on Monday, Dec 1 to promote her new book, Dancing with the Devil, which is the sequel to The Devil's Daughter. I'll be giving away my copy of The Devil's Daughter and Laura will be giving away a special prize (to be announced with her interview). Read More......
Nicky Malloy is on the run and Tyler Calhoun is the bounty hunter hired to bring her to justice. Nicky's managed to evade the law for 3 years, but with Tyler on her trail she knows her time is limited. And as they travel to Wyoming and his reward, sparks fly and both Nicky and Tyler begin to believe that a happily ever after might be within their reach.
I picked up the ebook version of this book a while ago after seeing Beth Williamson promo this erotica western series. I'd been looking for more historical erotica and thought it sounded good. Besides, it's the first book in a series and we all know by now how much I love reading series. At any rate, this book sat on my ebook shelf for months and months. But then, recently I saw it waiting for me and decided to start reading. And I am glad I did.
I liked the characters of Nicky and Tyler. Nicky is haunted by the events that led her to go on the run and Tyler is jaded from his childhood and career path. But both were able to get past the obstacles and embrace life. I enjoyed the plot. I haven't run across many women fugitive stories and this one was well done. And now I'm anxious to pick up the next book in the series (which follows Nicky's rather large family), The Prize (Malloy Family, Book 2). I highly recommend if you like some spice in your historical western romance reading. And the whole series is available in ebook and print.
I know I've reviewed other Da Vinci Code-esque books before, but I just can't help it. Every time I come across a book that relates to that genre of historical fiction, I want to read it.
The Secret Supper
This book had some good points and some bad ones. It took me about a month to get through this book... I think just because of the writing. It didn't flow so well to me. I'm not sure if it's because it was originally written in Spanish and translated, or if maybe it was the language used during that time. Either way... I eventually finished it.
I liked it because unlike Da Vinci Code or other similar books, there was more clues revealed about The Last Supper. Clues about the disciple's coloring, hand gestures, and overall appearance. We learn the message Leonardo was leaving in this masterpiece of his. The truth.
Part of the Father Agostino's note regarding Leonardo's truth:
Jesus had never instituted the Eucharist as the only means of reaching Him. Rather the contrary was true. His teachings to John and Mary Magdalene were aimed at showing us how to find God within ourselves, without having recourse to exterior artifices. Jesus was a Jew. He saw how the priests exercised control over God by shutting Him up in the Tabernacle. And he fought against it. Fifteen centuries later, Leonardo became the secret carrier of the revelation, which he entrusted to his Cenacolo [Last Supper].
Yes, I know this book is fiction, but I still love this kind of stuff!
Claudia Martin has owned and run her own school for years and resigned herself to a life of spinsterhood. That is until Joseph, Marquess of Attingsborough enters her life and turns everything upside down.
Joseph wants to marry for love, but his station in life and pressure from his father has him proposing to a frigid woman. So, when Joseph keeps encountering Claudia and she starts coming out of her shell, he realizes that she might just be the perfect woman for him.
Simply Perfect is the final book in a series about the teachers at Claudia's school. Over the course of the series, there have been some memorable plots and characters... but I believe this one is my favorite. I enjoyed the characters and their back stories were well-developed and believable. The storyline was interesting and at times heart wrenching (I kept a box of tissue handy for most of the reading). The series is worth the read and best read in order: Simply Unforgettable, Simply Love, Simply Magic, and Simply Perfect. And in the end, Simply Perfect is just that... simply perfect.
Here's the blurb from the publisher:
An honorable laird…Laird Conall MacInness was born to a clan that for centuries has been charged with the guarding of the sacred Druids. 'Tis a duty he has always met with a willing heart, until the day his sister, a Druid priestess, goes missing, and the very Druids he has protected refuse to help him find the last remaining member of his family. Then a 300 year old prophecy places a Druid priestess in his hands for safekeeping. 'Tis the chance at revenge that he's been waiting for, but is he willing to pay the cost his revenge will demand--the loss of his mate and the future of Scotland?
A willing lass…Glenna MacNeil wants only to be free, to find the purpose of her life. When she is told to look for the dark laird that would free her, she eagerly goes with the powerful laird who fights her clan, not realizing she has set in motion events that will change the course of history.
I'm not sure how I came across Donna Grant. My guess it was MySpace that did it. But I soon discovered her blog. Each week she picks a name from a commenter and gives them a free book. When I won, I asked her to pick any one of her books, preferably a first book of a series (which rather limited her to two or three books). I am so very glad that she chose this one for me.
I completely fell in love with the world Donna has created for this series. And she did a masterful job laying the foundation for a series that I can't wait to read. The romance between Conall and Glenna is well-written and believable. The characters are interesting. Overall, the book captured my attention and kept me reading and when it was over I had to get my hands on the next book (and move it up in my TBR pile).
Two side notes. First, I read this as an e-book, but it is also available in print. And second, Donna is going to be joining us the week of September 1 for an interview and to promote her upcoming release The Pleasure of His Bed.
Gervase has been searching for a suitable wife, but an emergency sends him from London to his ancestral estate where there are very few eligible ladies. Except for his neighbor Madeline and he's determined to make the strong and independant woman his.
Beyond Seduction is the sixth book in Stephanie Laurens Bastion Club series. It's a great continuation of these tales following ex-spies who need to find wives but on their own conditions. I loved the character of Madeline. She was unique as she acted as her brothers guardian and head of household in a time when women didn't do such things. It was also what attracted Gervase to her and I liked that he wasn't intimidated by her. It was a well written book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Lady Jeannette is banished from her family's estate in England to the Irish countryside after a scandal. On her trip, she meets Darragh, an architect who sweeps her off her feet. She thinks he's a commoner and not worthy of her hand. But he's an earl and ready to teach her a lesson about love.
The Wife Trap is the second in a series of books. I quite enjoyed the whole series, but only ended up with 2 of the 3. The first book is up for grabs on paperback swap (see my previous post for the link) and this one I'm offering up here. It is an autographed copy. So, post what review on our blog you've liked and why and I'll draw a winning name next Saturday (June 21). Check back to see if you're the lucky person!
It's June 22 and I didn't get any takers for the book. So, it's been posted on Paperback swap. I wasn't asking much. Only a comment... too bad.
Lady Phoebe has resorted to selling handmade gowns as a way to support herself... done in secret to avoid a scandal. However, she's blackmailed into travelling to Lord Summerfield's estate to create gowns for his sisters. But what is she to do when she's attracted to the viscount and he thinks she's a seamstress? Well, start an affair, of course. But what will happen when her identity is revealed?
I remember liking this book as I read it several weeks ago. But as I sit here trying to write a review, I'm finding it very hard to put words down on specifics. It's just that this book isn't standing out from others that I've read. In fact, I felt the secondary characters more than the primary ones, which isn't a good thing. I was a little let down with this final book in Julia London's Desperate Debutantes series.