"The Glass Castle" By: Jeannette Walls

"The Glass Castle"
By: Jeannette Walls

Synopsis from Goodreads:

In the tradition of Mary Karr's "The Liars' Club" and Rick Bragg's "All Over But the Shouting," Walls has written a stunning and life-affirming memoir about surviving a willfully impoverished, eccentric, and severely misguided family.

My Thoughts:

    My book group picked up “The Glass Castle” this past month simply because of word of mouth. Everyone had heard about it (except me!) so we decided we better see what all the fuss was about. Definitely one that makes you think, without a doubt the author, Jeannette Walls has had a pretty extraordinary life. We actually started our book group with this question and I believe it really sums up a lot about this book, “If you saw your mother going through a dumpster in raggedy clothes while you were with you friends, would you stop to introduce them?”

     “The Glass Castle” is really broken into two sections - one part when Jeannette is a child and they live in the desert, while the second half has the family growing older, making future decisions, and basically living very different lives. Jeannette’s parents believed in a very basic life. They were absolutely fine with not having electricity or water, they ate what they had, and rarely thought about the future. They home schooled their children and moved dozens of times during their childhoods. As Jeannette grew older, she realized normal families didn’t live this way - they actually have food in their refrigerators and don’t have to eat just margarine.
     This is one of those books that you read and keep asking yourself, really? REALLY? At points you love the parents, their free spirits and easy going natures. At other times you are so frustrated about their complete lack of guidance, selfishness, and basic crazy that you have to put the book down.
     Perhaps the most interesting point in this book, or perhaps what surprised me the most, was that the children knew the way they were living was terrible and none of them replicated the living conditions in adulthood. Their parents may be fine with not working, going to food shelters for every meal and living on the streets, but their children are most assuredly not.
     An interesting look at life that is utterly foreign to me, “The Glass Castle” is one of those books you share with your friends on a you’ve gotta read what these people live like basis. Interesting and intriguing, I would definitely recommend this to those who like intense nonfiction reads. Our book club read it and boy, did we have an intense discussion!

Book Details

Publisher: Scribner

Date of Publication: January 9, 2006

# of Pages: 288

ISBN: 978-074324754X 

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly book meme where we let everyone know what books we are eagerly anticipating the release of. 

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.

 

"Glimpse"

By: Claire Merle

Throughout England people are now divided into Pures and Crazies according to the results of a DNA test, with the Pures living in small Communities cut off from the madness of society, and the Crazies living outside the walls in the squalor and mayhem of the City. Until the age of fifteen, Ana has lived a privileged existence amongst the Pures, but her whole world crumbles when she finds out that there was a mistake with her Pure test. She is actually one of the Crazies, and one day in the near or distant future she will become sick. But Ana has already been promised to Pure-boy Jasper Taurell. Jasper is from a rich and influential family and despite Ana's defects, wants to be with her. The authorities grant Ana a conditional reprieve. If she is joined to Jasper before her 18th birthday she may stay in the Community until her illness manifests. But if Jasper changes his mind, she will be cast out among the Crazies. As Ana's joining ceremony looms closer, she dares to hope she will be saved from the horror of the City and live a 'normal' life. But then Jasper disappears. Led to believe Jasper has been taken by a strange sect the authorities will not interfere with, Ana sneaks out of her well-guarded Community to find him herself. Her search takes her through the underbelly of society and into the pits of the human soul. And as she delves deeper into the mystery of Jasper's abduction she uncovers some devastating truths that destroy everything she has grown up to believe, but she also learns to love as she has never loved before.

Releases June 7, 2012 

"The Next Always" By: Nora Roberts Review

"The Next Always"

By: Nora Roberts

Synopsis from Amazon:

The historic hotel in BoonsBoro, Maryland, has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it's getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. As the architect of the family, Beckett's social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there's another project he's got his eye on: the girl he's been waiting to kiss since he was fifteen...

My Thoughts:

   I haven't read a Nora Roberts book for several years. I have been in one of those funks since she wrote those really bad vampire books a few years ago and hadn’t gotten out. My mom actually read “The Next Always” first and couldn’t stop gushing over how good it was, so of course I had to dive in again!
     Beckett is an unrequited love kind of guy. He has loved Clare since he was a teen and was crushed when she married and moved away. Now she is back to living in Boonsboro, only this time she is widowed and living with her children. He’s a slow mover but he finally works up the courage and the nerve to make a move on the woman he’s loved for years.
     As with all Nora Roberts books, the romance is always a little too sweet. Yet, I liked the characters. Beckett is working with this two brothers to restore a bed and breakfast (can we say trilogy?) and there isn’t a single controversial thing about him. He’s all American, easy going, and calm. Even as boring as that sounds, he has a certain appeal and throughout the book you are definitely rooting for him. Clare is the classic overworked, overstressed mom. Pretty much cookie cutter, but as always, you can easily identify with her being overworked.
      A cute, sweet book that will leave you smiling when you finish. “The Last Boyfriend” is Book #2 in the Boonsboro Inn trilogy and will feature Beckett’s brother Owen and Clare’s friend Avery. Simple and fun, just what is called for during a weekend read!

Book Details

Publisher: Berkley Trade

Date of Publication: November 1, 2011

# of Pages: 352

ISBN: 978-0425243213

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! -

What Are You Reading?

is hosted weekly on Mondays

by Sheila from
"One Person's Journey"

Post the books you read last week, books currently reading, and books you plan on finishing this week.

What I Read This Week...

"More Than Meets the Ink"

By: Elle Aycart

Wickedly sexy James Bowen is a bad boy of the highest order -- tattoos and attitude included -- which unfortunately ranks way up on Tate's not-a-chance-in-hell list, right there along with skydiving naked over Teheran and juggling Ebola vials just for kicks. But what the heck, she's on holiday, the guy is absolutely irresistible, and she needs to unplug from her life. With her dad and brother gone, Tate is left to deal with the family restaurant, which is fast going down the drain. Her employees are acting out, her boyfriend has bailed out, and her very own private stalker is emailing her to death with lovely threats of doom, fire, and dismemberment. So yeah, maybe a little holiday fling is in order. Strictly sex though, and no follow-up whatsoever once.

She hadn't counted on her take-charge holiday fling having an opinion of his own and stubbornly sticking around, before and after the sex, making himself at home in her life. There is definitely more to James than meets her prejudiced eye, and even if she's not ready to look deeper, James isn't prepared to permit her not to.

"New Species: Fury" 

By: Laurann Dohner

Ellie is horrified to discover the pharmaceutical company she works for is doing illegal experiments. Company scientists have spliced human and animal DNA, creating exotic new species. One such “experiment” captures her heart and she’ll do anything to save him—even if he hates her for it.

Fury has never known compassion or love. He’s spent his life in a cell, chained and abused by humans. The one woman he allowed himself to trust betrayed him. Now he’s free and set on vengeance. He vows to end her life but when she’s finally in his grasp, harming her is the last thing he wants to do to the sexy little human.

Fury can’t resist Ellie—the touch of her hands, her mouth on his skin, her body wrapped around his. He’s obsessed with the scent of his woman. And Ellie wants Fury—always has. She craves his big, powerful body and wants to heal his desolate heart.

But loving Fury is one thing…taming him is another.

"New Species: Slade"

By: Laurann Dohner

Dr. Trisha Norbit is flat on her back in a hospital bed, pinned under a really big New Species male. Though drugged out of his mind, he promises her ecstasy and is determined to deliver-but hospital staff intervenes. 215 is a man Trisha will never forget. But, when she meets him again at Homeland...he doesn't even remember her The nosy new doctor wants to know all about the breeding habits between humans and Species. Slade proposes a hands-on education but she's not interested in a one-night stand. He can't offer more because he's haunted by the memory of a woman he once tried to claim. He's shocked when he realizes they are one and the same. He's blown it-she'll never give him a chance now.But, when her life is in danger, he's the only one who can save her. As they flee through the wilderness, their desire ignites and cannot be denied. Hot sex, on the run, has consequences that are even more dangerous and will change their lives forever.

"New Species: Valiant"
By: Laurann Dohner

Tammy has always tried to be prepared for any calamity life might send her way but she never imagined a sexy, lion man-beast in her future. He's huge, got the most exotic, golden cat-eyes she's ever seen, and she's so terrified she's speechless for the first time in her life. He's stalking closer, growling at her, and she's too terrified to even flee.Valiant hates humans. But when he gets a whiff of the adorable human female who has invaded his territory, he starts rethinking. Her fear scents of pure, sweet temptation and the closer he gets, the more appealing she becomes. Once he's got his hands on her, he isn't about to let her go. One thought will change his life. MINE Before Tammy can regain her senses, she's flat on her back in Valiant's bed. Now he just has to use every inch of his big, buff body to convince her that she should stay with him forever.

What I'm Reading Now...

"New Species: Justice"

By: Laurann Dohner

Justice North is the face of New Species. Seeing him up close makes Jessie's heart race. He's the ultimate alpha male-big, muscular, exotically beautiful...and dangerous. Of course he's off limits. But then the sexy man purrs and all bets are off.Jessie Dupree is a mouthy, fiery human female who brings out the animal in Justice. She wants to show him how to relax, and he's all for anything she wants to do, but Justice has sworn to protect his people and to take a Species mate. He's torn between the woman he wants and the oath he's taken.Jessie knows a relationship between them probably won't end well; heartbreak is inevitable. But that won't stop her from freeing the wildness inside Justice and spending every moment she can steal wrapped around his hot body, making him roar with passion.

"The Trouble with Valentine's Day" By: Rachel Gibson Review

"The Trouble with Valentine's Day"

By: Rachel Gibson

Synopsis from GoodReads:

Dumped by her boyfriend, stressed out by her job, Kate Hamilton needs to regroup and get back some self-esteem. She moves from the bright lights of Las Vegas to the wilderness of Gospel, Idaho for some small-town fun. But when her first attempted seduction of a hunky stranger is completely rejected, she wonders what else could possibly go wrong?

Well, for starters she quickly realizes that the Mountain Mama Crafters Original Poetry reading is about as good as it gets on a Friday night. Then she comes face to face with Rob Sutter, former ice hockey madman, owner of Sutter's Sports—and the hunky stranger who told her to get lost!

Rob's been more than burned by love—but then he and Kate find themselves in an ultra-compromising position in the M & S Market after-hours, giving the phrase "clean-up in aisle five" a whole new meaning, and cause a whole lot of gossip in Gospel..

My Thoughts:

      Rachel Gibson is hands down one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. She writes witty dialogue with great characters and wonderful plot, all the while making you smile as the romance develops. “The Trouble with Valentine's Day” is the third title in her Chinooks series about hockey players and keeps up a wonderful series.

     Kate Hamilton begins the novel in a bar on Valentine's Day, never a place anyone that's single wants to be. She decides to take life in her hands and actually propositions a cute man sitting next to her. When he turns her down she's embarrassed, but is mortified to learn when she arrives in Gospel, Idaho, the very same man owns the store next to her Grandfather's grocery store.

     Rob Sutter is a retired hockey player living in Gospel as he recovers from a bad injury. He opened up a sports goods store when he realizes that he will never return to the game he loved so much. He was surprised by Kate when she propositioned him, but finds himself intrigued by her as he begins to spend time around her.

     Kate and Rob are both lost and yet find themselves when they are together. They both are at a crossroads regarding their careers, neither has a love life, and they don't know what the future will bring. It was fun to watch these two characters, who in their former lives had been so sure of themselves, find their way again.

 “I want to try with someone who loves me enough to try with me. I want to grow old looking at the same face every morning. I want to grow old looking at the same face every night at the dinner table. I want to be one of those old couples you see still holding hands and laughing after fifty years of marriage. That's what I want. I want to be some one's forever.” (Gibson, 343).

     Isn't that language just gorgeous? Kate and Rob are a wonderful couple and their romance is pretty wonderful too. Not my favorite in the series, but it would be pretty hard to compare to Jane and Luc in See Jane Score. A great addition to the series and a perfect addition to the romance world in general.

Book Details

Publisher: Avon

Date of Publication: January 25, 2005

# of Pages: 384

ISBN: 978-0060009267

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly book meme where we let everyone know what books we are eagerly anticipating the release of. 

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.

"Tangle of Need"
By: Nalini Singh


Adria, wolf changeling soldier, has made a break with a past as 
unpredictable in love as it was in war. Now comes a devastating new complication: Riaz, a SnowDancer whose lone-wolf appeal is beyond sexual. It’s primal. And it consumes them as completely as the impending cataclysmic Psy war—a battle that may alter the very fate of the world.


Releases May 29, 2012

"A Night Like This" By: Julia Quinn Review

 

"A Night Like This" 

By: Julia Quinn

Synopsis from Amazon:

Anne Wynter might not be who she says she is . . .

But she's managing quite well as a governess to three highborn young ladies. Her job can be a challenge—in a single week she finds herself hiding in a closet full of tubas, playing an evil queen in a play that might be a tragedy (or might be a comedy—no one is sure), and tending to the wounds of the oh-so-dashing Earl of Winstead. After years of dodging unwanted advances, he's the first man who has truly tempted her, and it's getting harder and harder to remind herself that a governess has no business flirting with a nobleman.

Daniel Smythe-Smith Might be in mortal danger . . .

But that's not going to stop the young earl from falling in love. And when he spies a mysterious woman at his family's annual musicale, he vows to pursue her, even if that means spending his days with a ten-year-old who thinks she's a unicorn. But Daniel has an enemy, one who has vowed to see him dead. And when Anne is thrown into peril, he will stop at nothing to ensure their happy ending . . .

My Thoughts:
      I've said it before and I'll say it again, Julia Quinn is a best-selling author because of her unique voice in romance. She could write about a squirrel and I would read it. She has an amazing track record of romances, and “A Night Like This” is no different. She can really write great, flawed people that create a sense of realness unlike any other author.

      “A Night Like This” starts with a duel, so you know its gonna be good. Daniel Smythe-Smith accidentally injures one of his friends in one of those duels that young men know better than to have but feel they must. Daniel leaves the country after his friends' father vows revenge over the injury. The story then picks up years later when Daniel's friend approaches him in his isolation and asks him to come home, promising that no one will try to try to hurt Daniel again.

      Anne Wynter is a governess to the Smythe-Smith cousins. Daniel first meets Anne when she's filling in for one of the cousins at the famous musicale the Smythe-Smith's put on every year. Anne isn't simply a governess though and the magic in the story is watching Anne discover its ok to be yourself and Daniel finding out who Anne really is. The two characters are irresistibly drawn together, yet determined to keep their secrets.

      This story has it all...romance, intrigue, hilarity, and great characters. Daniel is so earnest its endearing. Anne is so surprised to find someone who is willing to take chances...willing to put themselves on the line. A great addition to the Smythe-Smith series, I can't wait to see what comes next.

I received this book from Edelweiss in order to give a fair and honest review of the material.

Book Details

Publisher: Avon

Date of Publication: May 29, 2012

# of Pages: 384

ISBN: 978-0062072900

It's Monday! What Are You Reading??

It's Monday! -

What Are You Reading?

is hosted weekly on Mondays

by Sheila from
"One Person's Journey"

Post the books you read last week, books currently reading, and books you plan on finishing this week.

What I Read This Week...

"Master of the Mountain" 

By: Cherise Sinclair

When Rebecca's boyfriend talks her into vacationing at a mountain lodge with his swing club, she quickly learns she's not cut out for playing musical beds. Now she has nowhere to sleep. Logan, the lodge owner, finds her freezing on the porch. After hauling her inside, he warms her in his own bed, and there the experienced Dom discovers that Rebecca might not be a swinger...but she is definitely a submissive.

Rebecca knows that no one can love her plump, scarred body. To her shock, lodge owner Logan not only disagrees, but ties her up and shows her just how much he enjoys her curves. Under his skilled hands, Rebecca not only loses her inhibitions, but also her heart.

"The Glass Castle"
By: Jeannette Walls
In the tradition of Mary Karr's "The Liars' Club" and Rick Bragg's "All Over But the Shouting," Walls has written a stunning and life-affirming memoir about surviving a willfully impoverished, eccentric, and severely misguided family



"Gabriel's Inferno"
By: Sylvain Reynard
Enigmatic and sexy, Professor Gabriel Emerson is a well respected Dante specialist by day, but by night he devotes himself to an uninhibited life of pleasure. He uses his notorious good looks and sophisticated charm to gratify his every whim, but is secretly tortured by his dark past and consumed by the profound belief that he is beyond all hope of redemption.

When the sweet and innocent Julia Mitchell enrolls as his graduate student, his attraction and mysterious connection to her not only jeopardizes his career, but sends him on a journey in which his past and his present collide.

An intriguing and sinful exploration of seduction, forbidden love and redemption, “Gabriel's Inferno” is a captivating and wildly passionate tale of one man's escape from his own personal hell as he tries to earn the impossible...forgiveness and love.

"Backstage Pass: Sinners on Tour"
By: Olivia Cunning

It’s been months since Brian Sinclair, lead guitarist for the famous rock band, Sinners, composed anything. Unable to write the music that once flowed so naturally, Brian is lost without his musical mojo. But when sexy psychology professor Myrna Evans comes on tour to study groupie mentality, Brian may have found the spark he needs to reignite his musical genius. When lust turns to love, will Brian be able to convince Myrna that what they have is more than just a fling, and that now that he’s found his heart’s muse, he doesn’t want to live without her?

"Rock Hard: Sinners on Tour"
By: Olivia Cunning


An ultimatum can break your heart.... 
Every night lead singer, Sed Lionheart whips thousands of women into a frenzy with his voice alone. But the stage is the only place Sed feels any passion since he lost Jessica...

If you’re not willing to break all the rules...
It shattered her heart, but law student Jessica broke off her engagement to Sed, determined to be successful on her own terms. But no other man can ever hold a candle to Sed...

Then a chance meeting and tortuously close quarters lead to uncontrollable flares of passion and rediscovery of their unique penchant for public encounters. Now, in addition to the risk of mutual heartbreak every time they get together, they’re in danger of truly scandalous public exposure...


May 22nd is my BIRTHDAY!! Woot Woot! 
So I am currently in Kansas City visiting the zoo, museums, and eatin' some bbq! :)
What are you guys reading this week??

Follow Friday

FEATURE AND FOLLOW FRIDAY IS A BLOG HOP PUT TOGETHER BY TWO HOSTS:PARAJUNKEE AND ALISON CAN READ AS A WAY TO HELP BLOGGERS BECOME AWARE OF OTHER BLOGS AND BLOGGERS. 

IT'S A GREAT WAY TO MAKE NEW BLOGGER FRIENDS.

Q: Summer Break is upon us! 

What would be the perfect vacation spot for you to catch up on your reading & relax?

I'm a Missouri girl and I love...

 the Lake of the Ozarks! 

The lake, the tranquility, the sound of the water...it all just comes together to create a luscious, warm, fun environment - Perfect for reading!

Sunset at Lake Ozark, Missouri

Sunset at Lake Ozark -
Gorgeous isn't it?

Lodge of the Four Seasons -
Lake Ozark, Missouri

Lodge of the Four Seasons -
Lake Ozark, Missouri

Lodge of the Four Seasons -
Lake Ozark, Missouri

"Hearts in Darkness" By: Laura Kaye Review

"Hearts in Darkness"

By: Laura Kaye

Synopsis from Goodreads:

      Makenna James thinks her day can't get any worse, until she finds herself stuck in a pitch-black elevator with a complete stranger. Distracted by a phone call and juggling too much stuff, the pin-striped accountant caught only a glimpse of a dragon tattoo on his hand before the lights went out. 
      Caden Grayson is amused when a redhead literally falls at his feet. His amusement turns to panic when the power fails. Despite his piercings, tats, and vicious scar, he's terrified of the dark and confined spaces. Now, he's trapped in his own worst nightmare. 
      To fight fear, they must both reach out and open up. With no preconceived notions based on looks to hold them back, they discover just how much they have in common. In the warming darkness, attraction grows and sparks fly, but will they feel the same when the lights come back on?

My Thoughts:

      I initially found “Hearts in Darkness” on one of those lists that recommend boosk if you liked “Fifty Shades of Grey.” The concept sounded intriguing and I looooved the cover! Surprisingly, I ended up really liking this novel, even though more than half of the story takes place in the complete dark in an elevator.
     Makenna and Caden are busy and hardly notice one another when they get on the same elevator. A quick glimpse and suddenly the elevator stops,the lights go out, and they are trapped in the elevator with just the two of them for company. At first uncomfortable with one another, as the hours pass they increasingly become more aware of one another. They share stories of their childhoods, they talk about their families, they truly come to know one another.
     It's a strange concept, yet it works on so many levels. The romance in this story isn't based on looks, gazes, or how the outside world treats the two people. It's just the two, in the dark, with only conversation. I wish sometimes the world was this way, instead of worrying how we looked like and instead knowing what our souls are like.
     It's billed as an erotica story and there are elements there, yet not so much for it to be 'officially' in the genre I don't think. There are some hot scenes but very little actual sex. Most of the novel is actually conversation. What the novel loses in scenery and plot twists, it gains in character development. I loved both Makenna and Caden and if anything, hoped they would have been in the stuck elevator even a little longer.

Book Details

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

# of Pages: 112

Date of Publication: April 21, 2011

ISBN: 294-00-1266-8929

"Love's Rhythm" By: Lexxie Couper Review

"Love's Rhythm" 

By: Lexxie Couper

Synopsis from GoodReads:

His music moves the world. Can his love move her heart?

Nick Blackthorne knows all about words of love. They’re the reason he’s the world’s biggest rock star. The irony? He turned his back on love a long time ago, lured away by the trappings of fame.

An invitation to a friend’s wedding is a stark reminder of how meaningless his life has become. When he enters that church, there’s only one woman he wants on his arm—the one he walked out on a lifetime ago. But first he has to find her, even if all she accepts from him is an apology.

Kindergarten teacher Lauren Robbins once had what every woman on the planet desires. Nick. Their passion was explosive, their romance the stuff of songs…and it took fifteen years to get over him. Then out of the blue Nick turns up at her door, and all those years denying her ache for him are shattered with a single, smoldering kiss.

But molten passion can’t hide the secret she’s kept for all these years. Because it’s not just her heart on the line anymore…and not just her life that’ll be rocked by the revelation. 

My Thoughts:
      Nick Blackthorne is a rock star known the world over. Lauren Robbins, Nick's long lost ex-girlfriend, is an elementary school teacher and about as removed from that world as can be. Yet when Nick and Lauren reunite, sparks fly, and as always romance is in the air! First off, a small disclaimer – this book is the second or third in a series and involves many characters from previous books. I have not read the previous books so I don't know much about them, but at points in the book, there are references to the characters, so beware that when you pick this one up.
      Nick receives a wedding invitation (friends from a previous book) and decides the only person he wants to invite is the only woman he has ever loved, Lauren. They had a close relationship when they were both fresh out of school, but as Nick became famous, Lauren drifted away until they finally broke up. Lauren still lives in the same town Nick grew up in so she is fairly easy to track down.
      Lauren is a Kindergarten teacher now and has no interest in Nick whatsoever when he shows up. Yet she can't deny there is chemistry and as always, their shared past keeps coming between them. Nick wants a chance to fix the relationship, wants to go back to the way things were yet Lauren does not. She still feels all the hurt she felt years before and has no desire to go back to that.
      “Love's Rhythm” is an interesting take on stardom. You always think that it would be fantastic to have fame and money, yet this book shows that's not always the case. Family, life, friends all change when fame and money enter into the mix. The characters were interesting and I think I will probably go back to read the other stories to find out what happened in previous novels. I wish the book had a little more history of what happened between the two characters, yet there was enough to infer what happened. “Love's Rhythm” was a fun, light romance...now if only I can find me a rock star!

Product Description

Publisher: Samhain

# of Pages: 155

Date of Publication: April 17, 2012

Waiting In Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly book meme where we let everyone know what books we are eagerly anticipating the release of. 

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.

 

"Lethal Rider"

By: Larissa Ione

They're here.
They ride.
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Born of a match between good and evil, four siblings stand between hell's minions and everything they want to destroy. They are the Lords of Deliverance, and they have the power to ward off Doomsday . . . or let it ride . . 

LETHAL RIDER

Thanatos, the most deadly Horseman of the Apocalypse, has endured thousands of years of celibacy to prevent the end of days. But just one night with the wickedly sexy Aegis Guardian, Regan Cooper, shatters centuries of resolve. Yet their passion comes with a price. And Thanatos must face a truth more terrifying than an apocalypse-he's about to become a father.
Demon-slayer Regan Cooper never imagined herself the maternal type, but with the fate of the world hanging in the balance she had no choice but to seduce Thanatos and bear his child. Now, as the final battle draws closer and his rage at being betrayed is overshadowed by an undeniable passion for the mother of his child, Thanatos has a life-shattering realization: To save the world, he must sacrifice the only thing he's ever wanted-a family. 

Releases June 1, 2012 

"The Governess Affair" By: Courtney Milan Review

"The Governess Affair"

By: Courtney Milan

Synopsis from Goodreads:

She will not give up… Three months ago, governess Serena Barton was let go from her position. Unable to find new work, she’s demanding compensation from the man who got her sacked: a petty, selfish, swinish duke. But it’s not the duke she fears. It’s his merciless man of business—the man known as the Wolf of Clermont. The formidable former pugilist has a black reputation for handling all the duke’s dirty business, and when the duke turns her case over to him, she doesn’t stand a chance. But she can’t stop trying—not with her entire future at stake.

He cannot give in… Hugo Marshall is a man of ruthless ambition—a characteristic that has served him well, elevating the coal miner’s son to the right hand man of a duke. When his employer orders him to get rid of the pestering governess by fair means or foul, it’s just another day at the office. Unfortunately, fair means don’t work on Serena, and as he comes to know her, he discovers that he can’t bear to use foul ones. But everything he has worked for depends upon seeing her gone. He’ll have to choose between the life that he needs, and the woman he is coming to love… 

My Thoughts:
      As soon as I heard Courtney Milan had a new romance out, I immediately bought it, I had that much faith in her. New series, new characters, even a new time period...it didn't matter, I was just thrilled to have a new story from her! Courtney Milan definitely delivers the romance in her new novella, "The Governess Affair" and the beginning of her new series, the Brothers Sinister.
      Serena Barton, our heroine, begins the story by sitting on a bench in front of a disreputable Duke's home. Everyone knows something is going on with her, but she is dedicated to making a stand. Hugo Marshall is sort of the Duke's man of business who has to deal with the troublesome woman sitting on the bench in front of the house. He doesn't know what she wants, but as each day passes he becomes more and more interested in this woman who holds so strongly to her beliefs. 
     I don't want to give away any spoilers, but rest assured, this story is incredibly unique. Being ruined isn't standard fair in regency romances, yet this story does it admirably. As the romance grows between Hugo and Serena, you see their vulnerabilities, but you also see their strengths. It's a slow go, a slow boil if you will, but the finale is worth it.

Check out Courtney's website for more details. 

She has an awesome author website!

Brothers Sinister Series

"The Governess Affair" (April 2012)

"The Duchess War" 

"The Heiress Effect"

"The Countess Conspiracy"

Product Description

Publisher: Courtney Milan

Date of Publication: April 21, 2012

ISBN: B007WIOP68