Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed (Sons of Sin #1) by Anna Campbell

Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed (Sons of Sin #1)
by Anna Campbell
Published September 25th 2012 by Forever
ISBN1455512079 (ISBN13: 9781455512072)

review courtesy of Publisher

Will a week of seduction...
Desperate to save her sister's life, Sidonie Forsythe has agreed to submit herself to a terrible fate: Beyond the foreboding walls of Castle Craven, a notorious, hideously scarred scoundrel will take her virtue over the course of seven sinful nights. Yet instead of a monster, she encounters a man like no other. And during this week, she comes to care for Jonas Merrick in ways that defy all logic—even as a dark secret she carries threatens them both.
...Spark a lifetime of passionate surrender?
Ruthless loner Jonas knows exactly who he is. Should he forget, even for a moment, the curse he bears, a mere glance in the mirror serves as an agonizing reminder. So when the lovely Sidonie turns up on his doorstep, her seduction is an even more delicious prospect than he originally planned. But the hardened outcast is soon moved by her innocent beauty, sharp wit, and surprising courage. Now as dangerous enemies gather at the gate to destroy them, can their new, fragile love survive?
My Thoughts

This was, what I think, a beautiful rendition of Beauty and the Beast. From the first page, I knew this was going to be a great read!. The synopsis and cover art drew me in, but it was the writing that kept my attention throughout the entire book. No lag time, no dull moments, this was a sensuous, romantic page turner.

The heroine, Sidonie, has the character traits that I love: spunky, intelligent and against all odds will still come out ahead.  The hero, well Sidonie looked past his facial scar and learned to love and trust the man within. I cried for the Jonas's childhood, the author did a wonderful job of detailing what made the man who he is.  I tried to like Sidonie's sister, Roberta. I thought it was a noble cause for Sidonie to pay the debt of her sister, but Roberta was a spoiled brat, always knowing that someone will come to her aid.

With the help of each other and the tenacity of childhood friends, they learn the power of love, the power of healing.  I am glad to hear that this is just a first book in the series, I look forward to reading more of Anna Campbell.  She is an author on the "watch" list. If you haven't had a chance to read this book, I encourage you to do so.   If you have read this wonder book, I would love to hear your thoughts and comments.

Happy Reading...

My Rating:









Deep Autumn by Elisabeth Barrett



Deep Autumn Heat (Star Harbor #1)
by Elisabeth Barrett 
Published July 9th 2012 by Loveswept (first published July 2012)
ISBN0345534336 (ISBN13: 9780345534330)

Review courtesy of netGalley
In this sexy new Star Harbor romance series, featuring the too-tempting Grayson brothers, a celebrity chef turns up the heat for a local café owner—and things start to sizzle.
Lexie Meyers decides there’s nothing sweeter than watching Sebastian Grayson’s perfect, wicked mouth devour her coconut cake. He’s hot, he’s hungry, and he’s sizing her up like she’s the best thing on the menu. But she’s been burned in the past and flings just aren’t her thing. Too bad Sebastian can’t resist a challenge.

Worldly, famous, and notorious with the ladies, Seb had planned a weekend of fishing and relaxation with his brothers. Until Lexie, with her kissable lips and frosty “get lost” attitude, makes him want to forget his culinary empire and create some magic with her. After he fires up his charm—including challenging her to a televised cook-off to break through her resistance—it’s now hotter in the bedroom than it is in the kitchen and Lexie isn’t sure whether she’s lost her mind . . . or just her heart.

My Thoughts:

Food and romance what a great combination. Overall I like the story, there were a few things that I kept thinking I walked in on the middle of an existing book. When new characters were introduced it was like I was missing a piece of their story/their background, for instance, the characters Jimmy and Emma, I felt that I missed out on their story. I found the author did this with many of the secondary or minor characters that were scattered among the pages.

I loved the way the author built up the sexual tension between the two leading characters, and when they finally succumb to their urges- wow what an sexually explosive combustion. I loved their romance, although it may have elements of lust there was always the feeling of respect, love and kindness.

The author gave the readers some suspense which balanced out this book from being just about the romance. I would have loved to see more recipes, maybe even a section in the back spotlighting some of the dishes highlighted in the book.

The book was an even pace except at the end, I felt the author rushed through the ending, like she was tiding up loose ends. I felt rushed, I almost wished she just ended when the two lovers agreed to their HEA.  All in all, I think it was an enjoyable read and I will read more from this author.

My Rating

           


When You Give a Duke a Diamond (Jewels of the Ton #1) by Shana Galen

When You Give a Duke a Diamond (Jewels of the Ton #1)
by Shana Galen
Published September 4th 2012 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN 1402269730 (ISBN13: 9781402269738)

He had a perfectly orderly life...
William, the sixth Duke of Pelham, enjoys his punctual, securely structured life. Orderly and predictable—that's the way he likes it. But he's in the public eye, and the scandal sheets will make up anything to sell papers. When the gossip papers link him to Juliette, one of the most beautiful and celebrated courtesans in London, chaos doesn't begin to describe what happens next...
Until she came along...
Juliette is nicknamed the Duchess of Dalliance and has the cream of the nobility at her beck and call. It's disruptive to have the duke who is  the biggest catch on the Marriage Mart scaring her other suitors away. Then she discovers William's darkest secret and decides what he needs in his life is the kind of excitement only she can provide...

My Thoughts:
I will tell you the truth, I was hesitant in reading this book, I just didn't think I was going to bond with the heroine, I mean really, how could the lead character be a courtesan ??  So I put this one off a bit, then I found myself with a little free time between author commitments and I thought I would give this book a try. I have read Shana Galen's previous work and loved it, so maybe, just maybe this one would work for me..

Well first thing I learned is not everything that is on the surface is the true picture of a person. I was happy to find that Juliet, and yes what a wonderful name for our wayward hero, is not a ill repute courtesan, she is a woman like any other that has been abused  and hiding from her past, she is looking for that one love, the special love that completes her.

Our hero, well he is so squeaky clean and orderly  that you can set your watch to him.  Wait, that is just how he runs his life, everything down to the minute or his day is out of sorts.  So imagine Juliet who lives by no rules meeting "Will" by the book.  What you are in for is a wonderful banter between the two and sizzling love scenes that scorch the pages. 

I enjoyed that the author gave us a mystery to solve as well  along with the wonderful romance. I was heartbroken as each of them revealed their past sorrows on the last of their dogs, I would have loved to see, at the end, they found a stray looking for love.

I can't wait to read the stories of the other two "jewels", I can tell right now I won't wait to read them when they are released.  And one last note,  I absolutely love the cover!!

My Rating:
            



Dating and Other Dangers Blog Tour ~ Spotlight


Well my faithful followers, I am getting back to blogging after taking some time off for some personal reasons and what a way to jump back in.. but being part of the Dating and Other Dangers blog tour. Author Natalie Anderson is visiting blog sites to promote her book, the tour runs for Oct 1- 15.

 Here's is a sample of her book, "Dating and Other Dangers"




Nadia Keenan’s first date Do’s and Don’ts:

1. Do boost your confidence by looking hot

2. Don’t put out until at lease date two

3. If the man is trouble (however sexy!) do report all on www.WomanBWarned.com

After being trashed on Nadia’s website, serial dater-and-dumper Ethan Rush is about to put Nadia’s rules to the test. He’s determined to change her mind about him. She’s determined to prove him for the cad he is.

Let the battle of the dates begin…
A ripple skittered down Nadia's spine and her brain sharpened. She blinked away the blinding effect of his beauty. He didn't look as if he hoped to score a job at the most prestigious insurance firm in the city. He looked as if he had the world and its riches at his feet already, and could take or leave anything at his leisure. But that edge was there—simmering—and something raw was a scant centimetre below his incredibly smooth surface. Something she wasn't sure she wanted to identify.



He paused another moment just inside the doorway, then carefully closed the door behind him. All the while he stared as hard at her as she belatedly realised she was staring at him. Finally he spoke. 'You're Nadia Keenan?'



She swallowed. 'That surprises you?' she asked, with a coolness that surprised her. She gestured to the seat across the table, because she was going to get a crick in her neck if she had to look that far up for another moment. Yeah, she should have stood, but her legs were as supportive as soggy tissue paper, and somehow she knew revealing weakness in front of this guy wouldn't be a smart idea.

He took the seat, moving his all-muscle, no-fat frame in a too controlled kind of way that made the ripples run even faster across her skin. Apprehension…and something else she definitely didn't want to identify. Instead her brain tracked down another avenue. Exactly how had he known to ask for her specifically? Because she was sure now he had—it wasn't Steffi fobbing anyone off. This guy was here for some very precise reason. But she was merely an HR assistant. It wasn't as if her name was listed on the company website. So why her?



Silence sharpened another second. She glanced past him, relieving her strained wide eyes and trying to regulate her pulse back to normal. Two of the walls were windows—the lower half frosted, but the upper part clear. Her clenched muscles eased a smidge. Anyone walking past could see in. There was no reason to feel isolated—no reason to feel as if the room had been sucked of all its oxygen. There was no reason for those ripples to relentlessly slither back and forth across her skin. And it wasn't exactly fear…it was that something else.



She swallowed again and drew another cooling breath. 'How can I help—?'

'What's the policy on internet use here at Hammond?' he interrupted.

Pressing her lips together, she nudged the recruitment pack on the table between them, avoiding looking at him as she pulled her scattered thoughts together.



'I should imagine it's pretty conservative,' he continued, before she'd collated her answer. 'Pretty conservative establishment all round, is Hammond.'




'Do you have a point, Mr.?' She paused deliberately, still not looking him in the eyes.

'Rush. Ethan Rush,' he said, as smoothly and unselfconsciously as if he were James Bond himself. 'Do you recognise my name?'



'Should I?'

'Yes, I think you should.'



She blinked and pushed the pack again, to buy another moment of thinking time. Except she couldn't really think—she could barely breathe—and her pulse was pounding. 'Well, I'm sorry, Mr Rush, you'll have to explain.'



'But you've been warned about me.'



'I have?' Startled, she looked up—and found herself snared in the reddish tint of his brown eyes—the hardness of those eyes.

'Yes, on WomanBWarned. Do you know that website, Nadia?'

In less than the micro-second it took for her to gasp, shock had covered her body in goosebumps. Every inch of her skin screamed with sensitivity; every cell was shot with adrenalin. She let another second slide, and as it did she decided to avoid—then feign ignorance. And if that failed she'd deny, deny, deny.



'Was there something you needed today, Mr Rush?'

'Yes, I wanted to be sure about the internet policy here at Hammond, and apparently you're the HR expert on it.' He didn't seem to move, but he was somehow even bigger, filling the room with ferocious energy. 'Tell me,' he said drily, 'does your employer know you run one of the bitchiest, most defamatory sites on the internet?'



Nadia's throat tightened as if a hangman's noose had just been jerked, rendering speech impossible.

'It wouldn't do your little HR role much good if your bosses found out about your hobby, would it? Not when you're sending out these little edicts to all their employees about online protocol. Not in a great position to give advice, are you?'



Nadia firmed her jaw—she resented the "hobby" description.



He pulled a paper from his pocket and unfolded it, placing it in the table. She glanced at the heading, and then back up to his simmering countenance. She didn't need to read more because she'd written most of it. The internal memo on internet access and computer use, explicitly detailing that social networking sites, forums and such, were forbidden. She'd drafted the updated policy before getting it approved by Legal and her supervisors.



'Where did you get that?' And how on earth had he tracked her down?

'I find it so ironic that you deliver seminars to the other employees about protecting their online presence and reputation when you're so vicious in cyberspace yourself.'



'Do you have a point, Mr Rush?' She curled her toes and tensed her muscles. She wanted to escape but refused to run away. Because she really needed to know what his point was. Despite her hammering heart, she told herself to keep calm. She was safe. She'd never used Hammond computers for her forums and she never would—her job mattered too much.

'What do you think, Nadia? Why am I here?'



She shrugged her shoulders slightly. 'No reason I can think of. Unless you wish to discuss possible employment at Hammond, I don't think we have anything to say to each other.'



He smiled as he surveyed her. Sitting back in his seat, he was now completely at ease, as if he was the one who worked here, and not total stranger who'd just come in off the street. And he was completely gorgeous, in an all-male, all-arrogant way.



Oh, yes—woman be warned. She knew his type—too good-looking for his own good. A spoilt playboy who'd been outed as a two/three/four or more timer for sure. And he wasn't happy about it?

Too bad.


Dating and Other Dangers is available now from:




USA TODAY bestseller Natalie Anderson writes fun, frisky, feels-good contemporary romance for Harlequin Mills & Boon and Entangled. With over twenty books published, she’s also been a Romantic Times Award nominee & a finalist for the R*BY (Romantic Book of the Year). She lives in Christchurch, New Zealand with her husband, four children and what feels like a million ducks. Find out more at her website http://www.natalie-anderson.com and be sure to sign up for her newsletter there as she often has subscriber only eTreats.

She’s also on Twitter and Facebook

In the Spotlight ~ Passionate Encounters

Today's my 10 year wedding anniversary and what a great way to celebrate than to introduce you all to another fabulous book blogger. FBL welcomes Megan from Passoniate Encounters.  Here is a bit about Megan..
I grew into my love of books when I started reading Little House on the Prairie, I fell in love with romance when I saw Almanzo trying to catch Laura's eye. What clinched the deal was watching Anne of Green Gables on PBS, I was glued to the screen when Gilbert came on. He was so dreamy...and with that accent! Gilbert trying to woo Anne..sigh...it kinda made my heart go pitter patter. And then came my school years. Aargh! I hat....tolerated them, but what kept me going aside from my friends was writing my first novel about my first love and me, it was going to be great I just knew it. But then school ended, I lost touch with that guy and I sorta lost interest within my crazy life.
Now, I'm back. Ready to start writing again but still have to get over that hurtle of fear and rejection.

When and how did you decide to become a book blogger?
I have always had a passion for books, since I was young. And before that a passion for romance (you can blame that on Anne of Green Gables). I have always had my hand in writing, trying to write a novel length book is tough work and I have always heard that you need to keep writing everyday no matter what and I hate writing in journals (diaries) because I was the only one that read it, so blogging seemed to be the best way to go.

So far, what is the hardest part of being a book blogger?
Writing every day. I know, I know. The most important part of blogging is to write everyday otherwise you lose your readers, but life seems to always get in the way of it.

What do you do when you are not blogging?
The most important answer is; not doing what I love, and that’s writing. I’m in the medical profession currently.

What was the inspiration behind the name Passionate Encounters?
Well, I knew when I wanted to start my blog I had to have Passion in there somewhere because you are most happy when you are doing what you’re most passionate about right? And romance books are full of encounters, so I thought why not meld the two words together somehow.

What genres do you read? Can you tell us what it is about the genre’s that grab your interest?
Well, I started out with contemporary because that’s the only thong I knew when young; and then I progressed into historical since I absolutely love the idea of living in the past. But lately, I have been drawn to paranormoral. I just love the idea of other forms of life out there (and I’m not talking about aliens).Which is weird because I was totally turned off by the vampire craze when it started.

Who are your three favorite authors?
Wow, tough question. How can I narrow it down? Let’s see…Lucy Maud Montgomery, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Margaret Mitchell.

Which author would you like to meet (dead or alive)? Tell us more…
Only one? Gosh…it would have to be Lucy Maud Montgomery by far. I have always wanted to travel and see Prince Edward Island and to ask her if the movie version lived up to her imagination.

How big is your TBR Pile? How many books do you read/review in a month?
Well, including my nook and kindle books as well as paperbacks I would have to say….too many to count. I read three times as many books as I review, my review process is slow. I used to review right after I read the last page so as the details were still fresh in my mind. But for me, these days TBR stands for To Be Reviewed.

Finally, if someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
Delving into the mind of a procrastinator who will become the next big thing…tomorrow.

How you can reach Megan: 

Twitter  Blogger  Facebook  Goodreads





Are you interested in being featured "In the Spotlight", stop by and fill on contact form.

Tucker's Crossing by Marina Adair

Tucker's Crossing (Sweet Plains #1)
by Marina Adair
Published August 1st 2012 by Kensington Publishing Corporation
ISBN:160183019 (ISBN13: 9781601830197)
Sweet Plains, Texas, wasn’t so sweet to Cody, Noah, and Beau Tucker. But now the Tucker boys are men, ready to take on the questions that have haunted them since they left home…

Cody Tucker shook the dust of his two-bit hometown off his boots ten years ago—right about the time his college sweetheart, Shelby Lynn Harris, married his so-called best friend. But when his dad dies, Cody finds himself home again and knee deep in the past. Except now his rowdy beer buddy is the sheriff, his housekeeper is a blue-ribbon chili chef, and the family ranch is in the red. The only thing that hasn’t changed is Shelby Lynn…

Shelby Lynn has gone through a lot of heartache thanks to Cody. But that’s all over now. She just wants a chance to live the life she’s made for herself in peace. The trouble is, the Sweet Plains chili cook off is heating up, the Ladies of Sweet are as riled as hornets, and as soon as Cody gets near, she’s forgets all about peace. Cody is pure temptation—and she knows just how good it feels to give in..
My Review:

My heart is lifted after reading this book. I'm always nervous about picking up a book by an author I have never read. In this case, I need not have worried. I think that is why this was sitting in my TBR pile for a few months, finally getting caught up on my other books, I decided it was time to give this one a try. You know when you read the first few chapters of a book if you are going to like it or not, it took me just a few pages and I knew I was in for a treat.

Tucker's Crossing is sexy, humorous, unexpectedly moving, and Adair is a heck of a good writer. This story had so much to offer, the lost childhood of what a family could have been had it not been for the loss of their mother at an early age. A fun loving family who crumpled after the devastating loss of their mother, his father turned to drinking unable to cope with losing the love of his life. Turning violent and abuse to his three young sons , running away from this violence was all these boys knew to do.

The secondary characters are quite interesting, yet none of them succeed in distracting attention from Shelby and Cody's hot, very troubled relationship. Although ten years have past, there is an instantaneous chemical reaction between Shelby and Cody, their relationship is so incendiary that they have to go back for seconds - and thirds.
"Do. You. Love. Her?"
"With everything that I am
. "

What a emotional read, from the humor, to the suspense and to the satisfying end, this is a great book, the kind I'll want to reread.  If you're like me and you like a little spice - make that a lot of spice - don't hesitate. You won't be disappointed.

My Rating:
                

New Winner Chosen- Amelia James



Thanks for everyone who participated in the chance to win a copy of  Amelia James Giveaway.



Teresa Kiser-Townsend

Proserpine C.


I did not hear back from the first winner and had to pull another name, Propserpine, you have 48 hours to reply or I'll have to pick a new winner.

Temptation in a Kilt by Victoria Roberts

Published September 4th 2012 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN 1402270062 (ISBN13: 9781402270062)

review courtesy of netGalley

"Filled with everything I love most about Highland romance."--Melissa Mayhue, award-winning author of Warrior's Redemption

She's On Her Way to Safety

It's a sign of Lady Rosalia Armstrong's desperation that she's seeking refuge in a place as rugged and challenging as the Scottish Highlands. She doesn't care about hardship and discomfort, if only she can become master of her own life. Laird Ciaran MacGregor, however, is completely beyond her control...

He Redefines Dangerous...

Ciaran MacGregor knows it's perilous to get embroiled with a fiery Lowland lass, especially one as headstrong as Rosalia. Having made a rash promise to escort her all the way to Glengarry, now he's stuck with her, even though she challenges his legendary prowess at every opportunity. When temptation reaches its peak, he'll be ready to show her how he really is...on and off the battlefield.

My Thoughts

At first this started off as the typical storyline, girls runs away from a horrid family only to be saved by a rugged, sexy Highlander... But once the story unfolds there was so much more to it than that. Our heroine, is smart, courageous, and simply trying to escape her horrid, horrid parents. Her parents are using their daughter to fill their pockets, they are marrying her off to an rich English Lord. Rosalia takes a stand and tells her parents she refuses to marry him, well they beat the **** out of her. Taking control of her own life- she runs away to travel to see her grandmother.

With a vow made on his father's deathbed, Ciaran made a vow to his dying father that he would look after his youngest brother Declan. And what a task that is, along with the vow he made his father, he also makes a vow to himself that he will not marry until his brother has has calmed his "wild" ways.

The author takes you on a wonderful wild with twists and turns throughout the book. You will be introduced to wonderfully developed secondary characters that add life and humor to this read. 

The one critic if I may add, is that although I loved that the author used Scottish brogue, she also used some Gaelic phrases with no translation- I would have loved to see an translation used so the reader didn't feel loss, or perhaps a glossary for the reader to use if needed.
 Who wouldn't want to find themselves be saved from a Laird like Ciaran?  This book has it all, a sexy highlander- come on ladies the man wears a kilt with all those muscles, need I say more. This is one hot sexy read..

My Rating