Review - Never Been Bit by Lydia Dare

TITLE:    Never Been Bit
AUTHOR:    Lydia Dare
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 363 pages
PUBLISHED:   Sourcebooks, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:   Lydia Dare's paranormal historical romances feature the hottest theme in paranormal combined with the most popular time period in historical romance. This is the third in a trilogy of vampire Regency romances, where the glittering world of English high society is a playground for the rich, titled, and undead.


Vampire Alec McQuarrie's heart was broken long before it stopped beating. Now Alec's after-life is an endless search for pleasure. Young witch Sorcha Ferguson has come to London in search of a man, beast-or even a blood sucker-of her very own...

MY TAKE:    Once again Lydia Dare has entertained me immensely.  I reviewed In the Heat of the Bite earlier this year and was thrilled to get a chance to check out this book as well.  


The author has continued her hot streak with Alec and Sorcha.  Alec is a gentlemanly vampire who has known the fiery witch Sorcha all of her life.  When she announces that she is determined to ensnare a Lycan for her husband, Alec goes into protection overdrive.  The story that follows is hilarious, romantic and fun.  


Ms. Dare has a knack for creating characters that make you laugh and root for their success.  I love the fact that she has storylines occurring in the background the entire time.  The machinations of some of the secondary characters is fascinating.


This is a fun series with stories that stand well on their own but also make great additions to the entire collection.  I'm looking forward to the next Regency vampire story and to reading more about the wolfy men of her companion Lycan series.

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

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~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - Scandal in Scotland by Karen Hawkins

TITLE:    Scandal in Scotland
AUTHOR:   Karen Hawkins
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 333 pages
PUBLISHED:   Pocket Books, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM AMAZON:    A DESPERATE BEAUTY...Despite fame and countless admirers, actress Marcail Beauchamp has never forgotten William Hurst, the audacious seafarer she once loved . . . and lost. Now, forced by a mysterious blackmailer who threatens her family, she must steal an ancient onyx box from the one man she’s vowed never to see again.

A BOLD ADVENTURER...To save his brother from a ruthless abductor, William must deliver the artifact as ransom. He’s stunned when Marcail, more lovely than ever, suddenly appears on his ship. But when she drugs him and steals the box, his fury knows no bounds.

THE TREASURE EVERYONE WANTS...William pursues Marcail, but too late: she has already delivered the box. The estranged lovers realize they must work together—both to regain the artifact that could mean life or death to his family and to destroy the mysterious blackmailer’s power over her family. Thus begins a high-stakes quest through the reaches of Scotland, a quest that stirs up long-forgotten memories and an unquenchable passion. . . .

MY TAKE:    This is my third Karen Hawkins book since I started this blog last July.  I absolutely love this lady's writing!  I reviewed Much Ado About Marriage in September and then followed it with the first book of this Hurst Amulet series One Night In Scotland in November. 

Karen has created a very devoted fan in me with these fantastic stories.  I love the idea of the mysterious amulet and the effect on the family and those around them.  This latest installment has all of the excitement, humor and of course, romance as the others.  I really enjoyed delving into this and didn't put it down until I was finished.

Marcail is a fun and sympathetic heroine or protagonist.  She is a beautiful woman who appears to have it all - on the outside.  She doesn't let anyone in except for her grandmother who was also a famed actress.  Marcail has made numerous sacrifices to protect and provide for her family, without them knowing about it.  One of these sacrifices was William.

William is a hunky sea captain who is furious with Marcail, both for stealing the onyx box in the present and for breaking his heart in the past.  He's extremely proud and rather stubborn.  He holds onto a grudge and finds it hard to see the truth about the woman he loved and can't forget.

The action and mystery kept me quickly turning the pages.  I really liked that the feeling of excitement and adventure carried over so well from the first book.  These books can be read by themselves, but the backstory and history of the characters really adds to the entire tale.  I'm really looking forward to the next installment Seduced in Scotland to be released in October.  

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

WHERE TO BUY IT:    Amazon and The Book Depository

  

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - Mary of Carisbrooke by Margaret Campbell Barnes

The Girl Who Would Not Betray Her King

TITLE:     Mary of Carisbrooke: The Girl Who Would Not Betray Her King

AUTHOR:    Author Margaret Campbell Barnes
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 327 pages
PUBLISHED:   Sourcebooks, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:    The moving, tragic story of Charles I, the last absolute monarch of England, during his imprisonment in Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight. Richly drawn and inspired by the New York Times bestselling author's own experience living on the Isle of Wight, this dramatic retelling brings to life the cavalier king whom Cromwell deposed. But even more fascinating than the account of royal hopes and misfortunes is the tale of a charming servant girl who is as romantic and tender in love as she is bold and resourceful in plotting the king's escape.

MY TAKE:   Margaret Campbell Barnes has always been a favorite author for me in the historical fiction genre.  She had the ability to bring her fictional characters alive as well as making the real historical figures more human and accessible.  Her stories do what historical fiction is designed to do: educate and entertain.  Mary of Carisbrooke was no exception. 

This was a very charming story about an unremarkable girl who would get a chance to serve her king in an unusual capacity.  While she began as a simple servant, she ends up being a trusted ally and basically, a spy.  I couldn't help but be charmed by Mary.  She was loyal to a fault and wanted to believe the best in everyone.  When King Charles comes to the Isle of Wight to hide from Cromwell and those who wish him harm, Mary has no idea that she will become a true friend to the kind monarch.

Full of twists and turns, romance and adventure, this book was a pleasure to read.  I definitely learned quite a bit about Charles I, even going so far as to look him up on the Internet after finishing the book.  The author painted a sad and beautiful tale about a doomed man and those around him.  While Mary was the central character, the supporting cast was very well written.  It was easy to get lost in this story for a few hours.  I definitely recommend it to any fans of a good tale with historical facts and events as a foundation.

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

WHERE TO BUY IT:    Amazon and The Book Depository

 

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.