"Private Pirouette" By: Liza Munro Book Tour

"Private Priouette"

By: Lila Munro

Piper McGee can smell a set up a mile away. She can smell a Marine even further. Born to a dual-enlisted couple who divorced before she was old enough to remember a single family holiday together and proceeded to redefine the very definition of family through several marriages and even more step-siblings, Piper has made it her life’s promise to herself to never become involved with one of the few and the proud. They’re among the most irresponsible people she knows, leaving destruction in their wake and broken hearts paving the way to their next duty station. And in her opinion, Alec Douglas is just another example, until he pries her heart open along with other parts of her, making her question everything she's ever let herself believe about honor, courage, and commitment. 

What does a man do with six month’s down time and no warm body to share his bed? For Sergeant Alec Douglas, contemplating that question led him to fall prey to his two best friend’s plan to find him that very thing. They know Alec has yet to stay with any one person for more than a few dates. They also know a tragedy from his past created the problem and while that haunts him, making it nearly impossible for Alec to trust his heart to anyone, they also know he’s a sucker for a challenge. Will the enticement of a few thousand dollars riding on him breaking his own rule be just the thing to disrupt his cycle? Taking their bet might be profitable, but is winning the money they’ve dangled under Alec’s nose worth losing himself to the girl they’ve picked out for him?

About the Author: Lila Munro

Lila Munro currently resides on the coast of North Carolina with her husband and their two four-legged kids. She’s a military wife with an empty nest and takes much of her inspiration for her heroes from the marines she’s lived around for the past fifteen years. Coining the term realmantica, she strives to produce quality romance in a realistic setting. Her genre of choice is contemporary romance that spans everything from the sensual to BDSM and ménage.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading everything she can get her hands on, trips to the museum and aquarium, taking field research trips, and soaking up the sun on the nearby beaches. Her works include The Executive Officer’s Wife, Bound By Trust, Destiny’s Fire, Salvation, Three for Keeps, the Force Recon series, the Slower Lower series, the Identity series, and most recently the Toy Box Tales in conjunction with BethAnn Buehler. She’s a member in good standing of RWA and Passionate Ink. Currently she’s working on sequels to several series to be released throughout 2012-2013. And has a brand new line scheduled for winter 2012-13.

Ms. Munro loves to hear from her readers and can be found at Realmantic Moments  Facebook Pinterest Goodreads  Twitter You can also contact her via email at lilasromance@gmail.com and you can find all her works at: Amazon Nook ARe Bookstrand

Review

     "Private Priouette" has a super serious title but is one of the funniest books I've read for quite a while. The connections between Alec and Piper was dynamite and I loved how feisty Piper was! She gave as good as she got and didn't let the big bad marine get an inch ahead of her. Strong independent female lead and a hard headed marine, add in a dash of romance and you get this wonderful story by a wonderful author. This was my first title by Liza but most definitely will not be my last!

Excerpt

Piper opened her car door and started to get in. “Get off my hood.”

“Wait, wait. What if there was a way to make some easy extra cash?” He raised one hand and blinked a few times. “I have a business proposition of sorts for you…” He took two steps toward her and three back, landing on the hood again.

“What? Are you crazy? I don’t do that on the side you perv.”

“No, no. Not that…geeze. The reason I’m persistent is a few thousand dollars rides on if I can get you to date me for six months.” Leaning on his palms, he gave her a crooked smile of triumph as though he was proud he’d remembered why he was there considering his current condition.

“What?” Piper slammed the door and walked back over to him with her arms crossed under her breasts. “So, you don’t actually want me, this is about money?”

“Well, now, don’t get all huffy. As a matter of fact, I do think you’re hhhooot. Especially now that I seen all your stuff in…there.” He waved one hand toward the back of the club, a ridiculous grin crossing his face. “But, if don’t want to really date, fine. We can pretend and still split the money. You said yourself you need it.”

Piper didn’t like the fact he’d intended to use her all along. But she wasn’t stupid either. Several hundred dollars would go a long way in getting her moved and all she had to do was pretend to date this jerk.

“Do you have a name?” It seemed in order to pull off this ruse she at least needed to know who she was in cahoots with.

Giveaway

Lila will be awarding a $25 Amazon or BN GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. 

The more you comment - the greater your chances of a win!!!! 

 

"Promises Prevail" By: Sarah McCarty Review

"Promises Prevail"

By: Sarah McCarty

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Wyoming Territory 1870 

     Widowed and barren, Jenna sees the newborn left on her doorstep as a priceless gift worthy of any sacrifice. She knows she'll need a husband to keep the baby, but nothing prepares her for the man who offers.
     Big and dark, simmering with a deadly intensity, Clint McKinnely could put fear into the devil. He certainly strikes fear into her. But Jenna soon discovers that the man behind the reputation is the one man she longs to trust.
     A hard man burned out by the choices he's made, Clint is looking for a reason to go on. He finds one in Jenna Hennessy. Lushly plump, sweet and shy, she calls to him on every level. When it looks as though Jenna might lose the daughter she loves for lack of a husband, Clint steps forward. Having Jenna in his home brings Clint a peace he's never known, but even as he ferrets out the secrets that haunt Jenna's nightmares, Clint keeps his own close to his chest, knowing this marriage is temporary because there are some sins a man can't expect his wife to forgive.

My Thoughts:
    Are you in the mood for a fun, hot, historical western romance? Sarah McCarty can write a heck of a story, but what she does absolutely best is writing amazing western romances. The characters are complex and the stories are always interesting, which is already good...but oh my gosh, the romance is Ah-Mazing! “Promises Prevail” is the third book in her Promises series, but trust me, each book is so unique and fun they definitely do not need to be read in order.
     The story starts as Clint McKinley is entering a restaurant ran by Jenna Hennessey, our heroine. He has had an attraction to Jenna for quite some time, but decides to take that attraction to the next level when a young baby is left on the doorstep of Jenna’s home. Being single, alone on the wilderness is hard for any woman, but now with a brand new baby she isn’t about to give up on, Jenna needs help; which she accepts in the form of Clint.
     So within the first three or four chapters of the book, our hero and heroine are married, have kids to take care of and are living the kind of story most novels end with. What makes this romance special are the characters. Each is damaged, both having pretty horrible pasts, yet working through their problems and overcoming. You root for these people, you want them to succeed. And isn’t that the best compliment you can give an author, loving her characters as if they were part of your family?

She had sense, along with the incredible strength that allowed her to endure and rebuild when other would have given up. Problem was, she was too often done in by her big heart. (McCarty, 11)

     “Promises Prevail” is an amazing romance on all levels. Excellent characters and fast paced with just the right amount of will they, won’t they to make you continue reading. Easily one of my favorite romances of the year, I highly recommend this one if you like your romance a little hot and a lot western!

Book Details

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave

Date of Publication: September 1, 2005

# of Pages: 377

ISBN: 978-1419952447


Check out the rest of the "Promises" series
Promises Linger
Promises Keep
Promises Prevail
Promises Reveal

"The Burning" Blog Tour - Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

"Burning"

By: J.M. Gregoire

Synopsis from Goodreads

Lucas was a typical playboy - lots of alcohol and a different girl every night.  

One woman brought his emotional walls and the beliefs he used to build them crumbling to the ground.  

Now, an unexpected visitor is going to change both their worlds forever. 

My Thoughts
   “Burning” is definitely setting the stage for a new series, giving us just enough to wet our whistles and leave us wanting for more. Filled with witches, vampires, and a demon or two, Gregoire creates a paranormal world that can easily can be turned into a multi-book series and one I am excited to see fleshed fully out.
     At less than 30 pages, you would think there wasn’t a ton of story here but there truly is. Filled with witches, demons and vampires, “Burning” sets the stage for an engaging series to follow. it brings you in and actually surprises you when it ends, which I think is a good benchmark for an engaging novel.
      Lucas and Natalia are in love. Lucas finds something in Natalia he has never seen or found with anyone else. When something happens that brings the two apart (I’m not revealing it, but it was a surprise!), Gregoire gives Lucas a realistic take on things and realistic feelings of revenge and retribution.
     fast paced and suspenseful, Gregoire does a wonderful job of introducing the Demon Legacy series. I enjoyed Burning immensely and can’t recommend it enough to fans of paranormal romances. Looking forward to what comes next!

A Word from Author J.M. Gregoire
     There are two forms of storytelling I have always loved – books and film.  Aside from being a hard core bibliophile, I am also a total movie buff with a serious jones for all things paranormal.  I was never a big one for slasher-horror flicks (i.e. Nightmare on Elm Street or Halloween) but if it involves ghosts, demons, possessions, hauntings or anything of the like, I am so there!

     It all started with The Exorcist.  To this day, this is still one of my favorite films of all time.  The idea of spiritual warfare being real has always scared the pants off of me and for some reason, I love that feeling.  The feeling of being completely creeped out by the unknown.  From the first time I saw The Exorcist, I fell in love with the genre.  I’ve seen some great ones like the Poltergeist series, Stigmata, Thirteen Ghosts, The Ring, Paranormal Activity, Devil and The Rite.  I have also seen some HORRIBLE ones such as the epic failure of Drag Me To Hell. 

     I have tried to find books that give me that same feeling and it just hasn’t happened.  I think the closest I ever came to a book really giving me that creeped out feeling was probably The Omen and even that was a bit of a letdown.  When I started penning the Demon Legacy series, I knew I wanted to write what I love.  I wanted to write urban fantasy but I wanted it to be dark.  I wanted to write about demons.

     To me, demons are probably the scariest of the paranormal creatures.  Creatures with no humanity.  Nothing but pure evil driving them.  I also didn’t want to “Twilight” them in my book.  By “Twilighting”, I mean taking these creatures with no redeeming qualities and making them…..well….sparkle.  Demons should be scary.  The moment I started writing my demon character, I knew exactly what I wanted him to be.  Cold, calculated, ruthless and unfeeling.  I didn’t want there to be even a shred of a chance that my readers would develop Stockholm Syndrome and start having warm fuzzies for him.  This guy is bad news and I wanted my audience to really feel that when they read my series.  I want the audience to be afraid for my characters going up against this guy because there’s a very good chance that, in the end, the black hats could win. 

For more information regarding J.M. Gregoire and the Demon Legacy series, go to http://jmgregoirebooks.com

Giveaway

Want to win a copy of Burning to check it out for yourself? We have an e-copy to giveaway in either .mobi, .epub or .pdf formats 

Leave a comment with your e-mail to be entered!

Check out the other stops on the 

Burning Blog Tour

October 2nd

Night Owl Reviews http://www.NightOwlReviews.com

Demon Lovers Books and More http://www.demonloversbooksandmore.com/

Fresh Fantasy Fiction http://freshfantasyfiction.blogspot.com/

October 3rd 

Once Upon a Time http://onceuponatime.jaedia.net/

My Hidden Bookshelf http://myhiddenbookshelf.blogspot.com/ 

October 4th

Promiscuous Diva http://promiscuousdiva.blogspot.com

Bookhi www.bookhi.blogspot.com

October 5th

Andrea’s Amazing Reviews http://andreasamazingreviews.blogspot.com/

Becca Hamilton Books http://www.beccahamiltonbooks.com/ 

October 6th

The Brunnette Librarian http://brunettelibrarian.blogspot.com/

Debra’s Book Cafe http://debrasbookcafe.blogspot.com/

October 7th

Fictional Candy http://www.fictionalcandy.com

Punya Reviews http://punyareviews.blogspot.com/

October 8th

The Secret Sanctuary of Books http://thesecretsanctuarybooks.blogspot.com/

"Hear Me" By: Skye Warren - Blog Tour

"Hear Me"

By: Skye Warren

Synopsis 

She doesn’t remember her past, only her training. She can’t talk, not that a good slave should speak out of turn. None of that matters when she wakes up in the warm, rustic room. Her new master is distant but kind. There’s only one problem: he doesn’t want her.

Longing for the shackles of safety, she pulls from the last dregs of her will to prove her worth as a slave. It seems to be working. He responds first to her body and next to her submission. The secrets of his past haunt the cabin, fraying the tightening bond between Master and slave, but it is her own memories that may finally unravel it.

WARNING: This book contains explicit scenes of sex, including dubious consent and captivity situations. The BDSM does not conform to literary conventions, making it sometimes more realistic, and other times not. This is a work of fiction not appropriate for anyone uncomfortable with these situations or anyone under the age of eighteen.

Excerpt

Even the earth conspired to keep her. Branches grabbed at her skin like talons; the beach was quicksand, dragging her down. Hope was too abstract to compete with the sound of men shouting behind her. Even her fear was drowned by the ragged beat of her heart.

“Melody!” The voice sounded closer than the thrashing of leaves and branches.

Run, run away, don’t look back.

Her eyes, already stunted by lack of food, filled with grit and precious moisture. If she made it to the water, she could float away. Even if only to drift down to the bottom, entombed in sand castles and chained by seaweed. They would take her prisoner; they would keep her safe.

A battered person was cracked soil, but dreams were like weeds. She could survive this. That was the goal she set for herself, huddled in the cold, damp cell. She had clung to it as they touched her, beat her. Trained her.

The line of frothy water was in her sights but disappointment seared her. She was too far away, the sand too thick.

An extra burst of energy propelled her two more stumbling steps. Her legs gave out. She clenched and released fistfuls of sand, not even sure she was actually crawling forward.

Coolness lapped at her fingertips, surprising her. Her mind, tired and rusty, turned that information over. She had made it. Water. Safety? No, freedom.

A slow, steady thwapping noise drew her gaze upward. A small green boat bobbed in the shallow water. Gentle waves flicked its hull, almost soothing, like the caress of a flogger. The rhythm thrummed through her. Even without the sting of impact, her mind began the slide.

No. Subspace meant security but not today. Right now it meant death, and she refused to die.

She blinked away the salt in her eyes and clawed through the water to the boat. With a strength that surprised her, she climbed over the edge, tumbling into the grimy bottom. It rocked gently with her weight then settled back into the gentle bob.

The boat wasn’t tied down anywhere, but there wasn’t an oar. Not that she had the strength to use one or a place to go.

Never mind. Her wish had been granted. She would drift out to sea, like a message in a bottle.

Her head lolled against the rim of the boat. She breathed in the pungent smell of earth and moss. Her last thought before she drifted off to sleep was fanciful. She imagined a giant plucking her from the water, unfurling her like a scroll, and reading the lines slashed into her skin.

She wondered what they would say.

About the Author

Skye Warren writes unapologetic erotica, where pain and sex and love collide. She has been called "a true mistress of dark and twisted erotica" and her dark erotica series has reached the bestseller lists at Amazon and been a Night Owl Reviews Top Pick.

Author Links:

Website: http://skyewarren.com/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/skye_warren

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/skyewarren

Where to Buy??

Amazon      Barnes & Noble   

  All Romance

Giveaway
Skye Warren is giving away a $100 Amazon gift card and four $25 Barnes & Noble gift cards on this tour. Enter to win by leaving a comment below. What do you enjoy about reading dark books?
a Rafflecopter giveaway

"The Monster Within" By: Lola Rayne - Guest Post & Review

"The Monster Within"

By: Lola Rayne

Synopsis

Sometimes the monster that haunted you as a child truly is real...
All it took was one phone call to bring Nicole Jones's life crumbling down around her. Now a nightmare she thought she'd left in her past is back, and he's not exactly bringing her candy and flowers. While fleeing, in a non-terrified fashion, she meets a menacing man in a dark alley. Then promptly passes out at his feet.

Gideon Evans hasn't exactly been having the best run of luck, but all that changes when a buxom little blonde collapses right in front of him. Or at least he thinks it has. It doesn’t take him long to realize that bombshell is an appropriate description for more than just her looks. Now he's facing several problems, including a surprising enemy, his own dark past, and a rather inconvenient case of lust. 

Can they work together to battle the nightmare that's chasing them? Or will they succumb to the monster within?

My Thoughts
     First off, I've gotta say I'm a fan girl. Lola's writing was so different and fun from what I'm used to and I loved it. From the very first moments when Nicole is falling at Gideon's feet, I knew I was along for a wild ride...and I was right! 
      The Monster Within is excellently written with wonderful characterization. You become involved in the story immediately and don't stop until the final page. Gideon is such a great hero, resisting Nicole until he just can't anymore. The romance, the mystery, and just the story carries you away. I am definitely planning on rereading this many times and am EXTREMELY excited to have Lola here today for a guest post! 

Book Details

Date of Publication: October 2, 2012

# of Pages: 116

ISBN: 978-1479300952

And now a word from the Author, Lola!

Character Profile: Nicole

Because “non-standard” is the rule by which I live my life, I’ve taken what should be a standard post and… changed it. 

…6 weeks before the events of “The Monster Within” in the back office of Montimore and Hadigan’s…

“What are you doing little minx?” Ryland knew better than to willingly occupy the same airspace as Liza, it would only lead to trouble and awkward conversations, but he couldn’t quite force himself to keep walking when he heard Serge issuing that all too familiar taunt in that all too familiar tone of voice that never failed to send women into fits. Bastard.

“Why Serge, I didn’t see you there.” Most people wouldn’t have heard it, the edge to her voice she sometimes hid behind her polite words, but then most people didn’t spend the bulk of their time obsessing over the little redhead.

“That usually is the point of being sneaky. So what are you working on, all hidden away here in the middle of the night?” 

“Oh nothing, really, it’s… HEY!” As always common sense fled the second Ryland believed Liza was in danger. Without paying any attention to the voice that had so recently been telling him to steer clear, he stomped into the room. He had no firm plan, aside from stomping the other man if he dared put his hands on her, but even that died away when he noticed that the delicate little Liza was plastered to the flat panel monitor she was desperate to protect. From where Serge was standing, she would just be an obstacle obstructing his view, but from Ryland’s vantage point… Well from Ryland’s vantage point all she had succeeded in doing was creating a shelf for her cleavage to rest upon. 

Liza’s eyes instantly shot to him, as they always seemed to, and she stopped her rather pathetic attempt to hide the computer screen. “Ryland!” She practically shouted as she leapt backwards, safely away from the other man. “I didn’t know you were here.” 

For lack of anything better to say he offered up a lame “Everything alright in here?” 

“Of course, why wouldn’t it be?” It might have been convincing, had she not squeaked it out in a voice that was almost so high that only dogs could hear it. 

When Ryland turned to Serge to toss him a knowing look, he found the other man gaping at the computer screen. It was an odd sight, Liza and Serge both uncomfortable, and it was doing a good job of unsettling him as well. 

When Serge practically whispered, “oh Minx, you didn’t;” things were not helped at all. 

Holding up her hands in the universal “just give me a minute” gesture she looked at both men pleadingly. “I can explain.” 

Unable to stand not knowing what the hell was on that screen, Ryland walked further into the room, crowding into Liza’s personal space and peering over the top of her head to see… His eyes went wide. His jaw dropped. He was well and thoroughly flapped. “Is that what I think that is?” 

“I said I can explain!” 

Except that she couldn’t possible explain this. Oh man… Nicole was going to flip her shit. “Cuddling by the fire? Nicole does not seem like the cuddling type.”

“Well I had to put something on there other than ‘likes to punch Ryland in his stupid face’ now didn’t I?” Liza hissed through clenched teeth. 

“Oh I don’t know,” Serge said as he sat in Liza’s vacated seat, “I think that would be a big selling point. Especially in combination with the mention of her teeth. Here, just let me tweak it a bit.”

The tweaks did not help. 

Ryland couldn’t seem to help himself from blurting out, “Oh God, don’t say she hates cleaning… don’t say anything about cleaning at all. Only whackjobs mention cleaning.” Just like only whackjobs got themselves involved in this mess.

“Should I take out the bit about cooking then too?” Liza asked, leaning over Serge. It offered a view of her curves being hugged by her pencil skirt that Ryland really did not need. Looking for anything to distract him from the temptation he focused on signing his virtual death warrant. 

“Now that would just be false advertising.” At least they would all die together.

Mystical Singles

Where finding love is magical

Name: Nicole Jones

Age: 27

Single white female looking with a good sense of humor for long term loving relationship with caring male. Has full time job, apartment without roommates, and perfect teeth. Would prefer man with the same.

Likes: Ice cream, collecting knick knacks, 90s teen movies, sparring, debates, nature and meaningful conversation.

Giveaway

I have a copy of The Monster Within to give away! 

Leave a comment with your e-mail and you just might win an e-book! 

 

Check out the other stops on Lola's tour!

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

"The Evolution of Mara Dyer" 

By: Michelle Hodkin

Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.

She can’t.

She used to think her problems were all in her head.

They aren’t.

She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.

She’s wrong.

In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next?

Expected Publication Date: October 23, 2012

What are you Waiting on this Wednesday?

"Hidden Paradise" By: Janet Mullany Book Tour

Hidden Paradise

By: Janet Mullany

Synopsis

Louisa Connelly, a recently widowed Jane Austen scholar, needs some relief from her stifling world. When a friend calls to offer her a temporary escape from her Montana ranch, she is whisked into a dizzying world of sumptuous food, flowing wine...and endless temptation.

She's an honored guest at Paradise Hall, an English resort boasting the full experience of an authentic Georgian country-house weekend. Liveried servants tend to the every need of houseguests clad in meticulous period costume: snug breeches, low-cut silken gowns and negligible undergarments.

It's Mac Salazar, a journalist immersing himself fully, deeply, lustily in the naughty pleasures of upstairs-downstairs dalliances, who piques Louisa's curiosity-and libido-most. He's a dilettante straight out of a novel: uninhibited, unapologetic and nearly insatiable. But Lou's not romantic about this much, at least: Paradise Hall is a gorgeous fantasy, nothing more. A lover like Mac is pure fiction. And the real world beckons....

About the Author

Janet Mullany, granddaughter of an Edwardian housemaid, was born in England but now lives near Washington, DC. Her debut book was Dedication, the only Signet Regency to have two bondage scenes (and which was reissued with even more sex in April 2012 from Loose-Id). Her next book, The Rules of Gentility (HarperCollins 2007) was acquired by Little Black Dress (UK) for whom she wrote three more Regency chicklits, A Most Lamentable Comedy, Improper Relations, and Mr. Bishop and the Actress. Her career as a writer who does terrible things to Jane Austen began in 2010 with the publication of Jane and the Damned (HarperCollins), and Jane Austen: Blood Persuasion (2011) about Jane as a vampire, and a modern retelling of Emma, Little to Hex Her, in the anthology Bespelling Jane Austen headlined by Mary Balogh. She also writes contemporary erotic fiction for Harlequin, Tell Me More (2011) and Hidden Paradise (September, 2012).

Website: www.janetmullany.com

Twitter @Janet_Mullany     Facebook

My Thoughts

     "Hidden Paradise" is definitely a different kind of romance that doesn't necessarily fall into a certain category. It was so nice to see something different covering different premises in the romance world...and who doesn't love Jane Austen? A wonderful romance for any fan of Jane Austen or looking for something different, "Hidden Paradise" simply doesn't fit into many molds.
       Louisa is a Jane Austen scholar whose husband has recently died. Somewhat lost in her world, she is given a chance to go to a weekend with authentic Austen time period experiences. Mac, a journalist, peeks Louisa's interest but has a hard time measuring up to Louisa's husband in her mind. Filled with interesting and very different characters, Louisa and Mac's romance blossoms in a different world but filled with contemporary problems. 

Book Details

Publisher: Harlequin

# of Pages: 320

Date of Publication: September 18, 2012

ISBN: 9780373777198

Excerpt

Mac handed her a glass. “Should we be discreet and pretend our first meeting didn’t happen?” 

“It’s certainly not the sort of meet cute Austen wrote about.” He might talk of discretion but his eyes shone with mischief and energy. An attractive man, she thought, and not only because she’d seen him half naked and lustily enjoying sex. 

He grinned. “Chris and Peter told me a lot about you.” 

“Yes, we’re good friends. Where are you from?” 

“Chicago by way of London. I got this commission to do an advance piece on the house, so here I am. What are you doing in…Montana, I think Peter said?” 

“Oh, long story.” She sipped her champagne. “My husband and I lived on a ranch and we taught at a school a couple of hours away. He died suddenly last year.” 

She could say it now, the short version, stark and matter-of-fact. 

“I’m sorry. Do you think you’ll stay there?” 

“I don’t know.” Her glass was empty. “Don’t you want to ask me about historical authenticity at Paradise?” 

“I guess so. After you’ve settled in, we should set up a time for an interview. It’s an interesting concept, time travel with no chance of getting stuck in the past, or treading on a bug and changing the course of history.” 

“It’s a very sexy period.” She was halfway down another glass now and the room was beginning to take on a subtle, mellow glow that was half sunset, half alcohol. 

“Mainly because of popular culture, of course. People say there’s no sex in Austen. They’re wrong. Her books are full of sex, but it’s all subsex. Subtext.” 

“That’s the champagne talking.” He took her glass from her hand.

Comment for a great cause

Janet will pledge $1 for every comment made on the blog tour to Heifer International (which has absolutely nothing to do with the book but is one of her favorite nonprofits), up to $250.  Additionally, she'll award the choice of the following eBooks from her backlist to one randomly drawn commenter at every stop:  Forbidden Shores (erotic historical romance w/a Jane Lockwood), or Tell Me More(contemporary erotica) or The Rules of Gentility (funny sexy Regency). 

Check out the other stops for more reviews 

 AND more chances to win! 

October 1: Erotica For All

October 2: The Brunette Librarian

October 3: Ramblings From This Chick

October 3: Tyra's Book Addiction

October 4: United By Books AND Rachel Leigh 

October 5: Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess

October 8: A Chick Who Reads

October 9: Realmantic Moments

October 11: Carrie Ann Ryan's Blog AND Kacey's Konnections

October 12: Novel Reflections

Jump on the Banned Wagon

Celebrate Banned Books

September 30th - October 6th, 2012

Welcome to the Brunette Librarian, 

my little corner of the blogosphere!

I am a librarian and take the banning of books pretty dang seriously. Beyond someone thinking they have a right to tell you what to read or forbid it, it is a direct violation of our rights. 

I was asked to participate in the "Banned Wagon" week and am loving it! I love the sharing of banned books and getting that information out there.

Earlier this week I shared some displays I created, so if you have a minute, be sure to stop over and check out how we are celebrating at my little library in Missouri.

My favorite banned book is The Glass Castle. If you haven't ever read this book, oh my goodness. I have included my review below...

"The Glass Castle"  

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.      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. 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!

So why was this BANNED?

According to Marshall University, 

two separate but documented cases have occurred these past few years.

2012 - - Challenged, but retained as part of the tenth-grade English curriculum in the Sade-Central City High School classrooms in Cairnbrook (PA). The 2005 best-selling memoir in which Walls describes her hardscrabble upbringing includes sexual assault, casual profanity, drunkenness, seeing the family cat pitched from a moving car, and having to drink ditch water. Even critics of the graphic book praise its theme - overcoming adversity.

2010 - -Challenged at the William S. Hart Union High School District in Saugus (CA) as required summer reading for the honors English program. The 2005 memoir chronicles the author's harsh childhood and family life and includes profanity, criticisms of Christianity, and accounts of sexual abuse and prostitution. Students have the option of alternative assignments that still meet objectives and teaching goals.

Other articles about the banning of The Glass Castle

• Book Ban Nixed - Glass Castle to remain part of curriculum
• Banned Books: When Choosing Summer Reading
• Parents Challenge Books Chosen for Summer Reading

Giveaway
In honor of Banned Books, I am going to be giving a $10 gift card to either Amazon or B&N - your choice. That way you can choose YOUR favorite banned book! I'd love it if you'd follow me, leave a comment with your email and boom... you're entered!

Please check out the other blogs 

and their favorite Banned Books at Book Journey!

"The Sacrifice" By: Evangeline Anderson Review

"The Sacrifice"

By: Evangeline Anderson

Synopsis from Goodreads

     Emma Krist is a dud a person from a powerful line of witches with no magic of her own. Not only that but she’s full figured instead of thin, like her gorgeous, talented cousins, and has dishwater brown hair and muddy hazel eyes to match. So she figures there’s no way she’ll be chosen as the Bloodlust Sacrifice for the new vampire Sovereign. Not that she would want to be what girl in her right mind would volunteer to be a slave for a year, giving up the rights to her own body and sexuality to a dominating male who likes to bite? Not Emma, that’s for sure.

     So when Aiden James calls her out of the crowd, picking her over every other single female in the supernatural community, Emma doesn’t know what to think. Now she must begin a whole new life of submission to her new master, giving herself body and soul without reservation…or suffer the punishment for her disobedience. 

My Thoughts

      Seeing “The Sacrifice” all over the blogosphere, I knew I had to read it. A full figured witch falling in love with a gorgeous vampire? Being a full figured gal myself and a fan of naughty vampires, I did everything I could to get to this book...and let me tell you, it was worth it!
     Emma is a witch, coming from a long heritage of witches. Her mom, her grandma, her aunts, cousins; you get the point. Placed in a world where the paranormal creatures band together against the humans, vampires are a ruling body. Once a year, the supreme vampire requests a sacrifice as sort of a slave. Someone to feed him, take care of him, etc.
     When the ceremony comes, our average Emma isn’t worried about being picked because of her average nature. She’s short, chunky, nonmagical witch with bad hair; why would a hot vampire king ever want her? Yet, Aiden does. He’s entranced by her and feels her power may be untapped. Aiden ultimately chooses Emma to the astonishment of everyone else.
      One of the reviewers on Goodreads related that she loved Emma’s inner dialogue, and I have to agree. As I was reading, I could see myself as Emma. We are all insecure, unsure of ourselves. And when Emma was chosen by the powerful hot vampire, I cheered inside. Yes, the quiet ones are worth notice. Notice us! It really speaks to Anderson’s writing that she could write a character that a reader could so closely associate with.
      Emma finally comes into her powers with the help of Aiden and ultimately falls in love with him. Short and sweet, we root for Emma from the beginning and love Aiden for seeing what others didn’t. Not for the faint of heart, Emma and Aiden’s story is perfect for fans who like their happily ever after with a little kink.

I received “The Sacrifice” from the author 

in exchange for an honest review.

Book Details

Publisher: Evangeline Anderson

# of Pages: 244

Date of Publication: August 30, 2012

ISBN: B0094J02RE