"The Duchess of Love" By: Sally MacKenzie Review

"The Duchess of Love"

By: Sally MacKenzie

Synopsis from Goodreads:

     The day was as hot as the pond was inviting. It’s not as if anyone in Little Huffington was going to happen upon a secluded vale on the Duke of Greycliffe’s lands. And Venus Collingswood didn’t want to get her shift all wet. It was the perfect setting in which to plan her lovely bookworm of a sister’s betrothal to the mysterious new duke arriving seven days hence. If only she had a suitable accomplice...
     Andrew Valentine, Duke of Greycliffe, never thought arriving at his own household a week early would cause so much trouble. The housekeeper thinks he’s his own cousin. Actually, the chance to not be the duke for a while is a pleasant opportunity indeed. It might even help him interrogate the delectable little nymph he’s discovered swimming in his pond—if he can manage to get a word in edgewise...

My Thoughts:

   When there is a free e-book advertised on Smart Bitches, Trashy Books you get it. It’s a fact people! They know what to read and I’m a hopeless sheep in the romance world, which is a good thing sometimes. “The Duchess of Love” is currently (as of this post) a free e-book and is a prequel to Sally MacKenzie’s new series “The Duchess of Love” series.

   This title is a novella so its hopelessly short. As other reviewers have said, this book is almost too short, so there is little in the way of character development. They just do the things they do and we just accept it with little character motivation. I do feel this book would have been a much better story if it had been fleshed out a bit more, but hey, who hasn’t said that about a novella??
   Venus is kind of the wild child in her family. Everyone else reads Latin, is interested in science, and wants to study all the time. Yet, Venus is interested in gossip, dresses, fashion, who’s seeing who, and all that jazz. She’s almost the opposite of most romance heroines these days, but you don’t dislike  her. Quite the opposite really, it kind of endears you to her.
   One day, in the heat of the sun, Venus decides to go for a swim. Imagine her surprise when she trips on a rock and splashes into the pond, only to be saved by the Duke of Greycliffe. Andrew, our Duke, came into his title as a very young teen and is frankly tired of people bowing down to him all the time. When he arrived at his home, he passes his cousin off as the Duke and he himself acts as a simple lord.
   Can you see where this one is going? A case of mistaken identity paired with a young duke and a sensitive young lady equals a dramatic romance with a happy ending. Short and sweet, you enjoy the characters, but beyond that its fairly normal and unremarkable. A fun beginning to a series and if you are going to continue to with the second “Bedding Lord Ned,” that features Venus’ son Ned, I think this one is required. Fun, flirty and fast folks :)

Book Details

Publisher: Zebra

Date of Publication: April 24, 2012

# of Pages: 106

ISBN: B006MLL01E

"Kissin' Tell" By: Lorelei James Review

"Kissin' Tell"

By: Lorelei James

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Georgia Hotchkiss swore wild horses couldn’t drag her back to Sundance, Wyoming. So it’s ironic she’s forced to take a rodeo PR job in her former hometown—right before her ten-year class reunion. The only thing worse than facing her cheating ex-husband and his pregnant wife? Showing up to the reunion without a date. Fate smiles on her when she runs into her former classmate and current cowboy hottie Tell McKay. With his infectious smile and fun-loving ways—not to mention his banging body—he’s the perfect solution to her problem.
Tell McKay had it so bad for Hot Lips Hotchkiss during high school that he let her run roughshod over him. But he is no longer that easily manipulated boy—these days he’s earned a reputation with the ladies that lives up to the McKay last name.

My Thoughts:
“Kissin' Tell” is the newest romance in the Rough Riders series by Lorelei James. Tell McKay is the mysterious cousin that has always been in the background of the family but we never learned too much about him...until now! A fan of the McKay family from the first, I of course, had this one pre-ordered and was dying to read the newest Rough Riders book and hear Tell's story.

Tell has had a crush on Georgia Hotchkiss since High School. As his ten year reunion approaches, Tell has a unique opportunity presented to him by his former crush. Georgia needs a date to the reunion, where coincidentally, her ex-husband and former rival of Tell, will be also attending. Needless to say, it doesn’t take long for Tell to accept...and being this is the infamous Lorelei James, it doesn’t take too long before Tell and Georgia are more than just reunion dates. Much more.

"Thief of Shadows" By: Elizabeth Hoyt Review

"Thief of Shadows"

By: Elizabeth Hoyt

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Winter Makepeace lives a double life. By day he's the stoic headmaster of a home for foundling children. But the night brings out a darker side of Winter. As the moon rises, so does the Ghost of St. Giles—protector, judge, fugitive. When the Ghost, beaten and wounded, is rescued by a beautiful aristocrat, Winter has no idea that his two worlds are about to collide. 

Lady Isabel Beckinhall enjoys nothing more than a challenge. Yet when she's asked to tutor the Home's dour manager in the ways of society— flirtation, double-entendres, and scandalous liaisons—Isabel can't help wondering why his eyes seem so familiar—and his lips so tempting. 

During the day Isabel and Winter engage in a battle of wills. At night their passions are revealed . . . But when little girls start disappearing from St. Giles, Winter must avenge them. For that he might have to sacrifice everything—the Home, Isabel . . . and his life.

My Thoughts:
Easily one of my favorite authors writing today, if ever, Elizabeth Hoyt has a way of writing a romance that utterly sucks you in and makes you forget about real life. “Thief of Shadows” is Winter Makepeace's story, the headmaster of the orphan's home in St. Giles and boy, was it a doozy!
Winter and Isabel's romance has been coming for a while. We met Winter (the brother of Temperance and Silence Makepeace) in the very first book of the series, “Wicked Intentions.” Isabel we met a few books ago as well, as a matron of the foundling home. She would donate money and supplies for the children, while also helping to raise money for their new building. Whenever the Winter and Isabel would come into contact, there was destined to be fireworks.

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...

"Thief of Shadows"

By: Elizabeth Hoyt

Winter Makepeace lives a double life. By day he's the stoic headmaster of a home for foundling children. But the night brings out a darker side of Winter. As the moon rises, so does the Ghost of St. Giles—protector, judge, fugitive. When the Ghost, beaten and wounded, is rescued by a beautiful aristocrat, Winter has no idea that his two worlds are about to collide. 

Lady Isabel Beckinhall enjoys nothing more than a challenge. Yet when she's asked to tutor the Home's dour manager in the ways of society— flirtation, double-entendres, and scandalous liaisons—Isabel can't help wondering why his eyes seem so familiar—and his lips so tempting. 

During the day Isabel and Winter engage in a battle of wills. At night their passions are revealed . . . But when little girls start disappearing from St. Giles, Winter must avenge them. For that he might have to sacrifice everything—the Home, Isabel . . . and his life.

"Kissin' Tell"

By: Lorelei James

Georgia Hotchkiss swore wild horses couldn’t drag her back to Sundance, Wyoming. So it’s ironic she’s forced to take a rodeo PR job in her former hometown—right before her ten-year class reunion. The only thing worse than facing her cheating ex-husband and his pregnant wife? Showing up to the reunion without a date. Fate smiles on her when she runs into her former classmate and current cowboy hottie Tell McKay. With his infectious smile and fun-loving ways—not to mention his banging body—he’s the perfect solution to her problem.

Tell McKay had it so bad for Hot Lips Hotchkiss during high school that he let her run roughshod over him. But he is no longer that easily manipulated boy—these days he’s earned a reputation with the ladies that lives up to the McKay last name. 



"Heavy Issues"
By: Elle Aycart
Steering clear of relationships has never been difficult for demolitions expert Cole Bowen, but now, with his brother's engagement sending the female population into full-blown hysterics and the town of Alden's month-long festivities helping along, he finds himself in hell. When he discovers Alden's new resident and the object of all his wet dreams, Christine Sheridan, has sworn off relationships and is going to hire a gigolo to get professionally laid, he decides to kill two birds with one stone.
Christy is so not drinking again. Thanks to José Cuervo she has her friends signing her up for stud conventions and Cole frigging Bowen offering sex in exchange of fake dates, which is so out of the question it isn't even funny. She knows the domineering man will push her boundaries, and after battling all her life with self-esteem issues, she isn't ready for that. Too bad he won't take no for an answer.
Cole is determined to strip away all of her defenses but refuses to lower his ever-present walls, so when Christy realizes she wants more, she's left with only two options; walk away or crack his shield and risk her heart in the process.


What I'm Reading Now...

"Try Me"
By: Olivia Cunning
Melanie has no desire to meet the members of the rock band, Sole Regret, but her groupie of a best friend gets them both backstage and then rushes off with the band’s lead singer. Left alone at an after party with a bunch of scary tattooed and pierced metal-heads, sheltered Melanie is relieved when the only normal-looking guy in the room insists on keeping her company.

By the time Melanie discovers that Gabe is the band’s drummer and not as normal as she assumed, she has already made a complete fool of herself. She can’t help but be interested in him, not as a rock star, but as the sexiest man she’s ever encountered. Strangely attracted to his hidden tattoos and body piercing, she wonders what it would be like to spend a night with a bad boy.

Gabe is more than willing to show sweet Melanie there’s more to him than meets the eye. All she has to do is try him.

Children's Book Saturday "Day By Day" By: Susan Gal

"Day By Day"

By: Susan Gal

Synopsis:

Susan Gal offers a heartwarming tale of old-fashioned goodness. The industrious pigs of Day by Day build a home, plant a garden, help their neighbors, and then gather in a harvest grown with hard work and kindness.  The language is sweet and simple: Day by day, the seasons turn. Shoulder to shoulder, pigs gather the harvest. Hand in hand, pigs give thanks, then cheek to cheek, they dance. The artwork is bright and full of the merry antics of a happy family and a tight-knit community.  And these pigs are flat out adorable! This delightful story celebrates family and community, caring and sharing.

My Thoughts:
     As you probably know by now, I'm a librarian of a small library in the middle of Missouri. I'm not a children's librarian, I'm actually the Teen/Adult Librarian, but I absolutely love to read the picture books as they come in. As with everything, some are better than others...but "Day by Day" is an amazing example of what is best in the genre of children's books.
     This lovely story revolves around a tale about pigs. It has a very 1920's feel to it, From the way the art is created and even in what the pigs are wearing. The text is very basic yet conveys a cute, folksy tale of pigs spending time together...dancing, partying, and then going home to sleep. Great for a read aloud, I think this book would be excellent for one on one readings as well. There is such detail in the illustrations, its truly amazing. I can't say enough nice things about this simple, lovely story that makes you think of summer days and lazy afternoons with friends. 

Check out Susan Gal's other books 

Book Details

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Date of Publication: July 10, 2012

# of Pages: 40

ISBN: 978-0375869594

"Day by Day" was sent to me for the purpose of an honest review from Edelweiss.

"Vision in White" By: Nora Roberts Review

"Vision in White"

By: Nora Roberts

Synopsis from Goodreads:

     Wedding photographer Mackensie "Mac" Elliot is most at home behind the camera, but her focus is shattered moments before an important wedding rehearsal when she bumps into the bride-to-be's brother...an encounter that has them both seeing stars.
     A stable, safe English teacher, Carter Maguire is definitely not Mac's type. But a casual fling might be just what she needs to take her mind off bridezillas. Of course, casual flings can turn into something more when you least expect it. And Mac will have to turn to her three best friends-and business partners-to see her way to her own happy ending.

My Thoughts:
      “Vision in White” starts the Bride Quartet - a pretty great testimonial as to why Nora Roberts is one of the classic queens of romance. Filled with wonderful characters, strong female friendships and romance, Nora knows what women want to read. You can see yourself in each of the characters, both good and bad, which definitely appealed to me and to I'm sure, most of the readers of this title.
      Mackenzie, Parker, Laurel, and Emmeline are four friends who run a wedding business. Mackenzie is the photographer of the group, a passion she has had since childhood. Carter, the hero of our tale, is a local teacher and fairly unsure of himself. Where Mackenzie is confident and self assured, Carter is nervous and extremely self conscious.
     Roberts does a great job of matching two completely opposite people and making it plausible. Mackenzie, while pretty self assured, finds herself at odds when her mother begins demanding money. She is torn with her duty as a daughter and knowing the money isn’t needed nor appreciated by her mother. Carter is unsure of himself in relation to Mackenzie, yet he finds himself being the support she needs in her tough family situation. No one had ever told her she didn’t need to be everything to everyone and I think she really needed that backbone.
     While the story is very cookie cutter and there isn’t a lot of conflict, the story is sweet. It’s romantic. It’s fun. It was a wonderful way to start the new series and a great introduction to the other characters. You know what’s going to hapepn with this one, but it still doesn’t make it any less magical.

Order of the Bridal Quartet

1. Vision in White

2. Bed of Roses

3. Savor the Moment

4. Happy Ever After

Book Details

Publisher: Berkley

# of Pages: 343

Date of Publication: April 28, 2009 

ISBN: 978-0425227510

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

"Rock Hard: Sinners on Tour"

By: Olivia Cunning

Synopsis from Goodreads:

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...

My Thoughts:

    “Rock Hard” is the second title in the Sinners on tour series by Olivia Cunning. Having read the first title, “Backstage Pass” and loved it, I immediately bought the second. Sed was so fun in the first novel, I just had to read about his exploits...and boy are there some wild ones!
    Jessica is the girl who got away and the "one" Sed never forgot. He has went through countless women in numerous cities, yet Jessica is the one person he truly cares about. So when she suddenly comes back into his life (through a hilarious scene!), he’s shocked but, as with all good romances, he decides he wants her back.
   First off, let me say I think I liked the first one a little better than this one. The characters seemed better formed in the first one and if I were to just pick this one up, I think I’d be confused as to who everyone is and why they are doing this or that. That said, I loove me some Sed! He’s the front man for the rock band, very wild, and just a pretty cool guy. Jessica, on the other hand, is not a favorite of mine. She just seemed so selfish and incredibly self-serving, that I never found myself liking her character.
  I know I haven’t talked much about the plot, but this piece just felt so much like a character driven novel that the plot really takes second place. Its really a basic love lost, love found kind of thing, but its sweet. AND if you were  a fan of Sed, like me, this one will whet your appetite for more rock star love. Really excited for the third in this series, which is titled “Double Time” and will be Trey Mills’ (guitarist) story. November 2012 baby!

Book Details

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Date of Publication: April 1, 2011

# of Pages: 327

ISBN: 978-1402245794

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...

"Ride with Me"

By: Ruthie Knox

When Lexie Marshall places an ad for a cycling companion, she hopes to find someone friendly and fun to cross the TransAmerica Trail with. Instead, she gets Tom Geiger—a lean, sexy loner whose bad attitude threatens to spoil the adventure she’s spent years planning.

 

Roped into the cycling equivalent of a blind date by his sister, Tom doesn’t want to ride with a chatty, go-by-the-map kind of woman, and he certainly doesn’t want to want her. Too bad the sight of Lexie with a bike between her thighs really turns his crank.

 

Even Tom’s stubborn determination to keep Lexie at a distance can’t stop a kiss from leading to endless nights of hotter-than-hot sex. But when the wild ride ends, where will they go next?

What I'm Reading Now...

"Thief of Shadows"

By: Elizabeth Hoyt

A MASKED MAN . . .
Winter Makepeace lives a double life. By day he’s the stoic headmaster of a home for foundling children. But the night brings out a darker side of Winter. As the moon rises, so does the Ghost of St. Giles—protector, judge, fugitive. When the Ghost, beaten and wounded, is rescued by a beautiful aristocrat, Winter has no idea that his two worlds are about to collide.

A DANGEROUS WOMAN . . .
Lady Isabel Beckinhall enjoys nothing more than a challenge. Yet when she’s asked to tutor the Home’s dour manager in the ways of society—flirtation, double entendres, and scandalous liaisons—Isabel can’t help wondering why his eyes seem so familiar—and his lips so tempting.

A PASSION NEITHER COULD DENY
During the day Isabel and Winter engage in a battle of wills. At night their passions are revealed . . . But when little girls start disappearing from St. Giles, Winter must avenge them. For that he might have to sacrifice everything—the Home, Isabel . . . and his life.

"Bed of Roses" By: Nora Roberts Review

"Bed of Roses"

By: Nora Roberts

Synopsis from Goodreads:

     As little girls MacKensie, Emma, Laurel, and Parker spent hours acting out their perfect make believe “I do” moments. Years later their fantasies become reality when they start their own wedding planning company to make every woman’s dream day come true. With perfect flowers, delicious desserts, and joyful moments captured on film, Nora Roberts’s Bride Quartet shares each woman’s emotionally magical journey to romance.
     In Bed of Roses, florist Emma Grant is finding career success with her friends at Vows wedding planning company, and her love life appears to be thriving. Though men swarm around her, she still hasn’t found Mr. Right. And the last place she’s looking is right under her nose.
     But that’s just where Jack Cooke is. He’s so close to the women of Vows that he’s practically family, but the architect has begun to admit to himself that his feelings for Emma have developed into much more than friendship. When Emma returns his passion—kiss for blistering kiss—they must trust in their history…and in their hearts.

My Thoughts:

   “Bed of Roses” is the second book in the Roberts’ Bride Quartet and tells the romance of Emma and Jack. Emma is the Florist of the quartet and perhaps my favorite. She’s spunky, fun, and probably the most easy going of the friends. Jack is the quartet’s architect and has been friends with all of the girls for years.
     I think everyone and their brother has read the Quartet series and I’m the last one getting around to them. Jack and Emma were a wonderful couple. They had known each other for years, yet suddenly found their fascination with one another turned into romance. They truly complimented one another.
     “Bed of Roses” seemed to be more of a women’s fiction novel rather than a romance. It just seemed so dang predictable. It was good but not great, you know? I enjoyed seeing the friendships of the women, true friendships based on trust and love for one another. The romance seemed to come very secondary. I was glad to read this one to find Emma’s happy ever after, but I think it was my least favorite of the quartet.

Order of the Quartet

1. Vision in White

2. Bed of Roses

3. Savor the Moment

4. Happy Ever After

Book Details

Publisher: Berkley

Date of Publication: October 27, 2009

# of pages: 358

ISBN: 978-0425230077

Children's Book Saturday: "A Song for My Sister" By: Lesley Simpson

"A Song for My Sister"

By: Lesley Simpson

Illustrated by: Tatjana Mai-Wyss

Synopsis from Amazon:

WAAAAA!  When Mira's wish for a sister at long last comes true, she's thrilled—but the new baby isn't exactly what she expected. Who knew someone so little could make so much noise! No matter what Mira or her parents do to soothe or amuse her, the baby's reaction is . . . WAAAAA!

On the day of her simchat bat, her Jewish naming ceremony, the baby cries--as usual! That is, until Mira steps close to offer her own special gift and the inspiration for her parents' choice of the perfect name. 

My Thoughts:
      As I read this book, I enjoyed it. By the end, I had a tear in my eye, it's that sweet. So be prepared when you pick it up, it's a cute, lovely picture book that may make you shed a tear.
     Mira wishes for a little sister at the beginning of "A Song for My Sister," yet when the wish comes true, it doesn't seem to be everything she hoped for. All the little baby does is cry, cry, cry. Finally it comes time to name the baby and Mira's parents have no idea what to call her. It isn't until Mira begins to sing to the baby that she actually stops crying and so, they name the new baby Shira or "song."
     Isn't that the sweetest idea ever for a book? I loved this book on so many levels. First, the family in the story is Jewish. Very few picture books focus on Jewish families and so this is a nice addition. Lots of families add babies and there is always that hard adjustment period and this book highlights that adjustment. Great for new siblings and dealing with pesky new sisters. Even with all that going for it, its an adorable story with wonderful illustrations. Well done all around, I think this will appeal to a wide range of young readers over a wide range of cultures. Well done! 

Book Details

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Date of Publication: June 26, 2012

# of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978-1582464275

For more information on titles by Lesley Simpson, check out her website at http://www.lesleysimpson.ca/

I received this picture book from Edelweiss and am making an honest review of the title from my own perspective.