Review - Aching for Always by Gwen Cready

Join the fun in a sexy romp through time...

Aching for Always

TITLE:    Aching for Always

AUTHOR/EDITOR:    Gwen Cready

INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 440 pages

PUBLISHED:   Pocket Books, 2010

ISBN#:   978-1-4391-0728-7

HOW'D I GET IT:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:  RITA Award–winning author Gwyn Cready continues the “sexy fun” (BookPage) of her charming time-travel adventures with a high-spirited tale of a modern-day mapmaker and the eighteenth-century English navy captain she can’t resist.

Ambitious and feisty Josephine “Joss” O’Malley has spent years fighting to keep her mother’s map-making company alive. Just when she finds herself considering taking a risky next step with bad-boy entrepreneur Rogan Reynolds— whose generosity has helped keep the business afloat—Joss meets dark and mysterious Hugh Hawksmoor. Hugh’s deft touch and old-world seduction stir Joss’s desires like a storm at sea, and she has no clue that he has sailed three hundred years into the future to avenge the death of his brother at the hands of her father. Or that she holds the key to a map that will help him undo the destructive changes her father wrought in the past. When Hugh lures Joss into a treacherous journey through time, there’s not a twenty-first-century trick that can save her. But when she applies her own instincts to a course she thought was set, she discovers that the high seas hold some scandalous surprises.

MY TAKE:   This book was a really fun read.  I completely enjoyed the heroine, Joss.  She was a very strong, caring character full of imagination.  She has a fierce love of and loyalty to her deceased mother and the failing map-making company that she left to Joss.  I liked her immediately which is something that isn't always true with many protagonists that I read about. 

Hugh is a yummy, "McDreamy" (Joss compares Hugh to Patrick Dempsey more than once) that Joss feels instantly attracted to and intensely curious about.  The sea captain who is from several centuries before her time, catches her attention and never loses it throughout the adventure, even though Joss is engaged to marry another man in the present day. 

Several other characters add to the well-rounded cast.  Joss's best friend, Diana is exactly the kind of gal pal we all need.  Her intended, Rogan, is not quite the philanthropist that he initally appears so I couldn't feel too much angst when she starts developing feelings for the determined Hugh. The mysterious Fiona who appears in the present day along with Hugh is one of those women that we all take an immediate dislike to. 

Having this story revolve around a set of ancient maps was a fun and adventurous way to take the characters through time and to different locations.  I have always been fascinated by maps and have a very small collection of old ones myself.

I couldn't help but compare the battle of the map making company with the GPS revolution to that of our book printers vs the e-book's rise in popularity.  It would be a shame to lose the true art of map making just as it would be to lose that of the binding and printing of books.

Be sure to get your copy of this steamy novel full of imagination and well-written characters.  It is a fun read, well worth your time!

   

MY RATING:    4/5

WHERE TO BUY IT:    Amazon, IndieBound, or 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 - Venom by Jennifer Estep

What kind of assassin works pro bono?

Venom (Elemental Assassin, Book 3)

TITLE:    Venom
AUTHOR/EDITOR:    Jennifer Estep
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 389 pages
PUBLISHED:   Pocket Books, 2010
ISBN#:   978-1-4391-4801-3
HOW'D I GET IT:   Received from the Publisher for review

FROM GOODREADS:  It's hard to be a badass assassin when a giant is beating the crap out of you. Luckily, I never let pride get in the way of my work. My current mission is personal: annihilate Mab Monroe, the Fire elemental who murdered my family. Which means protecting my identity, even if I have to conceal my powerful Stone and Ice magic when I need it most. To the public, I'm Gin Blanco, owner of Ashland's best barbecue joint. To my friends, I'm the Spider, retired assassin. I still do favors on the side. Like ridding a vampire friend of her oversized stalker—Mab's right-hand goon who almost got me dead with his massive fists. At least irresistible Owen Grayson is on my side. The man knows too much about me, but I'll take my chances. Then there's Detective Bria Coolidge, one of Ashland's finest. Until recently, I thought my baby sister was dead. She probably thinks the same about me. Little does she know, I'm a cold-blooded killer . . . who is about to save her life.

MY TAKE:   Jennifer Estep has created a very readable, very addictive series with her Elemental Assassin books.  While I just got acquainted with the series in this third book, I am already hunting the first two books and eagerly awaiting the fourth.  One of my favorite things is to get hooked on a great book series and continually want more.

Gin is a very deep character.  She's the owner of the Pork Pit BBQ restaurant, she's a retired assassin, she's the unusual possessor of not one, but two powerful elemental magics, and she's a big sister who has just found her baby sister after thirteen years.  She's all business and hard on the outside, but her close friends and family know that she's got a soft, mushy center.  I like that the author gave her a softer, caring side.  The hard-core, ultrabitch protagonists can get a bit old sometimes.  I also like that this supernatural being loves to cook!  She's a very multi-faceted woman.

Gin is surrounded by fascinating acquaintances, enemies, and loved ones.  They all bring unique personalities and skills to the table.  I think one of my favorites is her foster brother, Finn.  He's quite the ladies man who has an exceedingly, almost obnoxiously high opinion of himself.  But he is written in a way that you can't help but adore him.  I'm looking forward to more from the mysterious Owen Grayson as well.  He seems to be very interesting as well as very interested in Gin.
   
The plot is well planned out with many surprises along the way with various characters that are returning from previous stories.  I think Ms. Estep has laid the groundwork for some outstanding story lines to come.

I highly recommend this book and I'm really looking forward to the next installment:  Twisted Threads - due out soon from Pocket Books.
MY RATING:    4/5

WHERE TO BUY IT:   Amazon, The Book Depository, Indiebound

Books in the Elemental Assassin series (in order):



















~~~~~ 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.

A Rant - Banned Books vs TV

I have a bit of a rant to share today.  My poor hubby heard it all last night and gently suggested that I might share it in a post with other book lovers.  I think he was actually just telling me to be quiet so he could finish watching TV in peace...

I hadn't planned on doing a post about Banned Book Week as I've had way too much going on personally and am behind on my regular scheduled reviews.  I have been reading many of the outstanding posts written by my fellow book bloggers and have been making a list of some banned books that I am going to read.  I am going to read them mostly because some idiot has told me that I can't, shouldn't or won't be able to. (I have a problem with being told what not to do..) 

Before going any further, I need to admit right now that hubby and I are "Gleeks".  We both really enjoy the show Glee even though we're middle-agedish.  The singing and dancing is usually quite good and the plot tends to be a lot of fun, usually.  Unfortunately, last night's show went overboard in the "sex sells" category and spawned this blog post.

The episode last night had a scene with one of the "teen" girls (Brittany) re-creating a Britney Spears video.  The very pretty young girl was dressed in very little clothes, writhing around with a large snake, and bumping and grinding against John Stamos, other dancers, the floor, furniture, etc.  She was then in another "fantasy" scene with one of the other girls that had very obvious sexual and lesbian tones to it.  While this was fine for those of us who are mostly adult, not so much for the little kids who also adore this show.. 

Here is my rant:  The SAME parents and people who are banning books and literary works of art are letting their grammar school and middle school kids watch episodes like this as well as the music videos depicting the same imitations and suggestions of sex.  If these concerned citizens who are so up in arms about books would pay attention to what the kids are soaking up on TV and the Internet, they might realize that the books aren't the problem - their INATTENTION TO THEIR OWN CHILDREN is. 

Instead of banning or attempting to ban books from libraries and bookstores, these people should spend their time policing what their own kids are doing.  What are your kids listening to on the radio, watching on TV, surfing on the net?  When was the last time you sat down with your kid and really talked about what is going on?  I would bet that most of them wouldn't be able to honestly answer those questions.  

Freedom of Speech is a CONSTITUTIONAL right.  Just because these same citizens can't take the time away from their lattes and other diversions to monitor what their own offspring are up to, they do not have the right to censor and stifle an author and their words.  Why can't we make our own choices to read or not read a certain book or to allow our child to read it?  I can see it now:  next we'll have banned TV, banned radio, and banned Internet.

Now before I get all the hate mail, we love the show Glee and I have nothing against Britney Spears - wouldn't let MY kid emulate her, but that's just me.  I am also not a prude, not homophobic, and I do think John Stamos is quite cute.  BUT, I would not have let a young kid watch last night as the fantasy scenes were all about sex and not music or plot. I guarantee my mom would have never let me watch that when I was 10 or 11.  We would have been told to go read a book - an age-appropriate book...

Thanks for reading my rant and hey, it is JUST MY OPINION FOLKS... 

 

~~~~~ 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.

Winners - Last to Die by Kate Brady

We have a few more winners to announce this week.  The contest for Last to Die by Kate Brady ended and we have three lucky ladies who will be receiving a copy of this great book.  (All winners have been notified.)

Marjorie



Autumn



Samantha



Congratulations ladies and for those that didn't win one of these copies, you can get your own at Amazon, IndieBound, or The Book Depository.  You can see my review HERE.

 

~~~~~ 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 - Chrysalis: Tribulations by M.L. Lacy

The prophecy continues to unfold...

Chrysalis - Tribulations: Book 2

TITLE:     Chrysalis:  Tribulations
AUTHOR/EDITOR:    M. L . Lacy
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 448 pages
PUBLISHED:   Author House, 2010
ISBN#:   978-1-4490-1480-3
HOW'D I GET IT:   Received from the Author for review

FROM GOODREADS:  As the exciting Chrysalis saga continues, Bree's eyes are opening to unimagined possibilities. Reunited with her soul mate, Steven, and her protectors Bradley, Bill and Rick, she journey's through a world she is only now beginning to comprehend.

Challenges abound as she contends with the jealousies of her new status from Madelyn and the two newest members of her clan. As tensions escalate, the dynamics within her new family are enough to rock her world. And if that wasn't enough to contend with, Esmeralda, her arch nemesis who desires nothing more than to wipe Bree from the face of the earth, holds nothing back as she strikes out at Bree's family and friends.

As the prophecy told at her birth continues to unfold, Bree and those around her are only beginning to truly understand the danger's she will face and the strength required to endure. But her transformation as a Magical has only just begun and her abilities grow much too rapidly, draining her to the point of complete exhaustion. Her clan fears that too much has been demanded of her and they continue to tighten their circle of protection around her, preventing her from following her true path. Bree must find a way to convince them that she is capable of prevailing while she searches for a way to save both human and Magical worlds - before it's too late.

MY TAKE:   I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book after reading the first one.  I was hooked big time!  In this well-named second book, we rejoin Bree and her clan as they have to overcome several obstacles aka. tribulations.. that keep blocking their way.  Some of these challenges come from within the clan while many are just there because Bree is still adapting to the fact that she is "The Chosen One" in a magical world that she never knew existed.  

The love story between Bree and her soul mate, Steven continues to strengthen even while she is trying to settle into her role as Alpha female to Bradley's Alpha male.  Bree struggles with meshing her human emotions and values with the inner workings and structure of her supernatural and magical clan.

The author does a fine job of building and growing her characters.  Although, I would love to know more about the men and just what it is that makes them tick.  Especially when it comes to their utter devotion and I guess, addiction to Bree.  I have to admit that Bree's character was much more forgiving and generous than I could have been.  I wanted to completely throttle Madelyn.  She was petty, mean and jealous.  If I had been the one with Bree's powers, I'd have squashed her in a big way.  (Yes, I really got into the book!)  But I did really enjoy Bree and could easily place myself in her shoes.  It isn't hard to imagine having similar thoughts and feelings if I were to be suddenly told that I had all of these abilities and everything in my life to this point was a facade.   

I don't want to give anything else away for those who haven't had the pleasure of starting this series yet.  Ms. Lacy has created a fantastic world with rich characters that I definitely want to read more about.  I highly recommend readers start with the first book  Chrysalis - The Awakening: Book 1 in order to get the full effect of this entire story.  You can read my review of it HERE. 

   

MY RATING:    5/5

WHERE TO BUY IT:    Amazon, Indiebound

~~~~~ 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 - Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Holt

A man controlled by his desires ~ A woman haunted by her past

TITLE:    Wicked Intentions
AUTHOR/EDITOR:    Elizabeth Hoyt
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 392 pages
PUBLISHED:   Grand Central, Hachette Book Group, 2010
ISBN#:   978-0-446-55894-5
HOW'D I GET IT:   Received from publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:  A MAN CONTROLLED BY HIS DESIRES . . . Infamous for his wild, sensual needs, Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, is searching for a savage killer in St. Giles, London's most notorious slum. Widowed Temperance Dews knows St. Giles like the back of her hand-she's spent a lifetime caring for its inhabitants at the foundling home her family established. Now that home is at risk . . .

A WOMAN HAUNTED BY HER PAST . . .Caire makes a simple offer-in return for Temperance's help navigating the perilous alleys of St. Giles, he will introduce her to London's high society so that she can find a benefactor for the home. But Temperance may not be the innocent she seems, and what begins as cold calculation soon falls prey to a passion that neither can control-one that may well destroy them both.


A BARGAIN NEITHER COULD REFUSE


MY TAKE:   I had heard a lot of good things about this book before I had a chance to read it myself. I am happy to say that I wasn't disappointed. The story had much to offer the reader who craves romance, mystery, history, suspense, and crime solving!

I enjoyed the surprises that the author threw in at various points in the book. Just when you thought you had figured out who the mysterious Ghost of St Giles is, she gives you a complete U-turn to navigate. Several other things pop up during the course of the story that will make you glad that this is just the first in the series.  You're left wanting more!

Ms. Hoyt is quite adept at building her characters along with their own story from the beginning. You find yourself immersed in the book, rooting for Temperance and Lazarus to figure everything out before they run out of time.

I was impressed that the author veered from the norm and set this particular story in the slums and showed a seedier side of London.  So many of the historical fiction/romance books I've read lately tend to stay in the "safer" settings of the aristocracy and their manor houses.

Because she's introduced us to some very interesting characters in this book, I'm really looking forward to the other books in this new Maiden Lane Series. I was especially thrilled to find that one of my favorites: Lady Hero Batten, would be starring in the next installment ~ Notorious Pleasures; due out in February 2011!
   
MY RATING:    4/5

WHERE TO BUY IT:    Amazon, The Book Depository, IndieBound,

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews although I do make use of 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

Winners (Belated, But Still Winners!)

I'm finally getting my head on straight so I can post some winners!  I appreciate all of you being patient with me during all of this.  On to the lucky ones:

First of all, the Blogfest 2010 winner(s).  Since I reached 200 followers, YAY, I added a second winner. 

Benita

Skyla

First winner, Benita gets her choice of ONE of the following books:

The DUFF: (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) (ARC), Seduced by a Highlander (ARC), Love, Sex & Deception: The Chronicles of Online Dating, or The Incredible Origins of the Onyx Sun (ARC). 

The second place winner, Skyla will get to choose ONE book from the remaining three.

 

The winners from the Sin Undone Giveaway are:

Kristina

Elaine

Latishajean

CONGRATULATIONS LADIES!!

Attention All Winners:  I will be sending you a winning email, but if you happen to see this post before I get ahold of you - send me your mailing address so I can get your books sent to you. (Sin Undone will be coming from the publisher so be sure you have a US or Canada address!)

 

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews.  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.

A Big Thank You

I tell my non-blogging friends on a regular basis what a wonderful group of caring people I've met through my blogs.  They just don't understand how bloggers come together and offer so much support to each other, especially in times of trouble.

THANK YOU my online friends for the outpouring of sympathy, empathy, and love during this time of grief for our family.  We are getting through it one day at a time and take comfort in knowing that Mom is no longer in pain.  Thank you all again and please know that I appreciate each and every one of you!

 

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews.  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.

Taking a Breather

I apologize for the delay in getting winners posted, but we lost my Mom this week after a long battle with cancer.  I am taking a few days off and will be back next week with the winners and some new reviews.  Thanks everyone.



~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews.  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 + Giveaway - Last to Die by Kate Brady

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

Thank you to Kate Brady and Hachette Books for including One Book Shy on the blog tour for "Last to Die".  A big wave and welcome to new visitors and loyal readers alike.  I hope you will all find a reason to come back and spend some time with us and join in our eternal search for that ONE missing book!  Now on to the star of the day:

Last to Die

TITLE:    Last to Die

AUTHOR/EDITOR:    Kate Brady

INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 422 pages

PUBLISHED:   Forever, 2010

ISBN#:   978-0-446-54153-4

HOW'D I GET IT:   Received from Publisher for tour and review

FROM GOODREADS:  A ruthless killer hides in plain sight, someone no one believes is capable of murder. Within a week, six women will be murdered, all punished for their dark pasts. Detective Dani Cole is determined to track down this serial killer whose victims include a young woman she pulled out of a life of crime. Her investigation leads her to a photography foundation and the renowned photographer Mitch Sheridan, a man she she fell in love with years ago but has tried to forget. Dani and Mitch are instantly attracted to each other again, though their troubled pasts keep them from getting too close. Together, through the course of the investigation, they unearth a dark chain of deception that leads to a killer who is closer than they think.   

MY TAKE:   This was one of those "edge of your seat" books that kept you guessing almost to the very end.  I was very impressed with the author's skill in feeding the reader just enough details to make you think you had it figured out and then deftly flipping you in a complete u-turn. 

Being that I have a background in law enforcement, I usually have a hard time reading novels full of police procedure and investigations.  Most of the time I won't choose to read these types of books because I get extremely irritated by the lack of authenticity and the blatantly fictitious procedures in the story.  Thorough research helps makes Last to Die exciting and it is very obvious that Ms. Brady spent her time well as her details are very good and quite correct. 

The characters of Dani and Mitch are so well written that you immediately start rooting for them to get together and get over their past and prideful mistakes.  She is strong and independent, trying to overcome her past while he is fighting inner demons of his own.  I like that Dani's character isn't the hardcore she-woman that so many heroines end up as.  She has a soft side, she cares about the people and victims she meets while still being a great cop.  Mitch is the rich, world-weary hero that realizes he's looking for home. The dialogue and the way the author lets you into their minds helps you become engaged with them.

Of course all of this "inner" turmoil is taking place while Dani is involved in the investigation of several murders, including a young prostitute she'd befriended and had been helping out.  The main suspect just happens to be Mitch's partner and mentor who is also now dead.  The suspense and masterful plot twists in this book were amazing.  With several "under-stories" happening along with and beside the main plot, it is one Happening Book!

I highly recommend you jump out and grab this book right away.  It is one of those that is well worth your time and money.  I'm looking forward to reading Kate Brady's other book One Scream Away which stars Mitch's brother, Neil.

To learn more about RITA award winning Kate Brady, check out her website.  For now, here are five fun facts from Kate:

1.  Mitch Sheridan, the hero in Last to Die, was originally the hero in a romance I wrote when I was still and author-in-search-of-a-genre.

2. When investigating the possibilities for an acid for a villain to use, I had to “come clean” with colleagues in the department of chemistry at the university where I teach, and reveal that in my other life, I write novels

3. I didn’t intend to have a dog in this book but gave one to Dani, the heroine, after my own beloved and elderly dog passed away. Dani needed a softer side, I was apparently feeling lonely for her, and besides, what better way to show heart than to adopt a beat-up pit bull?

4. The physical building on which the JMS Foundation is based is an actual castle in the town where I grew up. When I was a kid, it was a family home, and we were in awe that it had a legitimate ballroom. Now, it’s a fine arts facility known as The Arts Castle.

5. Mitch’s car, a pearl-white 1968 Barracuda, has been sitting in my garage for years. It’s the project-car I bought my husband for our first anniversary. He works on it whenever time allows — about every other Father’s Day.

MY RATING:    4.5/5

WHERE TO BUY IT:    Amazon, Indiebound, The Book Depository

Hachette Books has generously offered to give 3 lucky One Book Shy readers a free copy of Last to Die.  The rules are quite simple:

• 
  
  You must be a follower of One Book Shy
• 
  
  You must leave a comment on this blog post (if you get this feed on Facebook or elsewhere, be sure to come to the blog and comment here)
• 
  
  You must be a resident of the US or Canada (sorry my international friends)
• 
  
  You must have a physical shipping address, No PO Boxes
• 
  
  ONE prize per person, even if you win on another blog you will only receive one prize.  Just let the tour host know that you've already won & they can pick a new winner.  The more winners the merrier!

The contest starts today, September 15th and ends at midnight PST, September 27th.  The three winners will be drawn randomly and will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address or alternate winners will be chosen.  Good luck my friends!

 

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews.  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.