"Bedding Lord Ned" By: Sally MacKenzie Review

"Bedding Lord Ned"

By: Sally MacKenzie

Synopsis from Goodreads:

      Determined to find a husband, Miss Eleanor "Ellie" Bowman attends a ball put on by the Duchess of Greycliffe, fondly referred to as the Duchess of Love. But she roundly dismisses the suitors the matchmaking hostess has invited on her behalf. For it's the duchess' dashing son, Ned, Lord Edward, who long ago captured Ellie's heart—and roused her desire. All it takes is a pair of conveniently misplaced silky red bloomers to set the handsome widower's gaze on this unusual girl who is clearly more than meets the eye.

      After four years of mourning, Ned must find a wife. At first glance, the birthday ball his mother has thrown in his honor is decidedly lacking in suitable mistresses. But he senses something unexpectedly alluring beneath the veil of Ellie's plain exterior—and suddenly she's invading his dreams in a decidedly scandalous manner.

My Thoughts:

     “Bedding Lord Ned” is the second installment in the Duchess of Love series by Sally MacKenzie. Telling the story of the Duchess of Love’s son, Lord Edward “Ned” Greycliffe and his longtime friend Ellie Bowman, “Bedding” is an interesting take on the friends turned lovers romance.
     While not a favorite, after reading “Duchess of Love” I was really interested in beginning the series. Ned was married young yet lost his wife during childbirth years before this novel takes place. Finally deciding to move on, Ned decides it may be time for him to think about remarrying. His mother wholeheartedly agrees and encourages him to find a new wife.
      Enter old friend Ellie Bowman. Ellie has known the Greycliffe family since she was a child and had actually grown up with the Greycliffe children. She had been in love with Ned for years, was devastated when he married her friend, and is ready to now act upon her attraction.
      Ned’s mother decides to have a house party to introduce him to eligible young ladies and of course, Ellie attends. It really is your standard, we’ve been friends for years and now we are suddenly realizing we could be more, romance. Sweet and fun, yet this novel adds a bit more in the way of an eccentric cat. Honestly, my favorite parts of the book was reading what Sir Reginald the cat would find in the party attendees rooms.
      “Bedding Lord Ned” is an ok romance. I’m glad to have read it because I had read the prequel, yet something just didn’t work for me on this one. It was sweet, don’t get me wrong, but I felt it was just a bit dull. I usually read a book in a day’s time and many times just in a few hours, yet it took me a week to read this one.
     Ned just seemed so oblivious to everything and everyone...and Ellie was a pushover. For probably the first 70% of the book everyone is telling Ned and Ellie they belong together yet there is very little evidence beyond their shared history of why they should be together. No zing, no passion, just hey you both are single and you know each other, why not? It was funny at different points, don’t get me wrong, but I think this book could easily have been told in a much, much shorter form and with a bit more pizazz if you know what I mean.

Book Details

Publisher: Zebra

Date of Publication: June 5, 2012

# of Pages: 325

ISBN: 978-1420123210

Hot Jocks in July Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Brunette Librarian's Blog!

I am thrilled you found your way over to my little corner of the Blogosphere.

Do you have a favorite sports themed book or series? 

I do! 

Susan Elizabeth Phillips is the first romance author that I read that really did sports heroes right! They are sexy, smart, funny and romantic...while also being football stars. Really, what more do you need in a hero?  The Chicago Stars series are among my favorite romances ever and I'm a little bit guilty, but I usually reread the entire series at least once a year. Each one is special in its own way, while also being wonderfully written and remarkable. 

                    

So, what can you win? 

In honor of the wonderful Ms. Phillips and her newest release, I am awarding one of the e-books from the Chicago Stars series. 

"It Had to Be You"

"Heaven, Texas"

"Nobody's Baby But Mine"

"Dream a Little Dream"

"This Heart of Mine"

"Match Me If You Can"

"Natural Born Charmer"

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The winner will be selected on July 18th and contacted through e-mail 
Check out the rest of the blog hop @
Under the Covers Book Blog 

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...

 

"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. 

"Everything Forbidden" 

By: Jess Michaels

For summers Miranda Albright has watched—aghast, yet shamefully titillated—as her wicked neighbor Ethan Hamon, the notorious Earl of Rothschild, "entertained" a succession of lovers on the grounds of his estate. Now that her father has passed on, leaving behind a mountain of debt, Miranda must do the unthinkable. For Ethan has promised to sponsor her younger sisters, financially and socially, at a scandalously dear price: Miranda must offer herself to him completely for three full months, with no remorse and no restraints.

Ninety days and nights of unbridled sensuality await her in the arms of a rogue who views her submission as no more than a grand erotic game. But neither Miranda nor Ethan realize that fire blazes behind her innocent blush. And once her passion is unleashed by his lips and his touch, it is the student who will school the teacher in the ways of forbidden pleasure ... and love

"The Darkest Day"

By: Britt Bury

Izel Campbell was raised to believe she is an immortal Fionn with the magical skills of persuasion. But when she travels to Scotland to visit her ancestral home, Izel discovers that she is actually the world's last living human. Forced to run for her life, Izel crosses paths with Kelvin Kerr, the Campbells' greatest foe-and the most magnificent warrior she has ever seen. 

 

A thousand-year-old battle chief of the Kerr clan, Kelvin lives only to avenge his father, who died at the hands of the bloody Campbells. Honor demands he kill the Campbell heir, but when he learns that the lovely Izel is both Campbell "and" human, Kelvin is torn between duty and desire . . .

"The Duchess"

By: Jude Deveraux

Claire Willoughby risked losing her millions in her inheritance if, as decreed by her grandfather, she did not wed an "acceptable" man. Harry Montgomery, the eleventh Duke of MacArran, seemed perfect. He owned a historical castle, he looked manly in a kilt, and he was as much a titled Scotsman as Bonnie Prince Charlie himself.

Their engagement announced, Claire's future as a duchess was assured --- and she set off with her family to meet the Montgomery clan in Scotland. Bramley Castle was a damp, chill place, overflowing with eccentric relatives. But there was also Trevelyan, a secretive, brooding man who lived in Bramley's ancient halls. Whoever he was, he wasn't at all like Harry: Trevelyan was the most exasperating, arrogant, know-it-all of a man Claire had ever met. And the most fascinating ..

"When the Duchess Said Yes"

By: Isabella Bradford

Notorious for her free-spirited antics, Lady Elizabeth Wylder revels in attention—but not the sort that leaves her humiliated when her future husband, the Duke of Hawkesworth, fails to appear for their much-anticipated first introduction.

 

So when a chance encounter leads to a sizzling kiss with a dangerously handsome stranger, she nearly succumbs. The shock of finally meeting her betrothed only to come face to face with her rakish would-be seducer inspires fury—and fans the flames of a fire that both Lizzie and the Duke acknowledge is a most agreeable way to start a marriage. In her husband’s arms, Lizzie knows she has found love. But is the passion that accompanies endless nights of erotic discovery enough to persuade a duke whose scandalous lineage and lifestyle prevent him from giving his heart completely?

"The Kitchen House"

By: Kathleen Grissom

Orphaned while onboard ship from Ireland, seven-year-old Lavinia arrives on the steps of a tobacco plantation where she is to live and work with the slaves of the kitchen house. Under the care of Belle, the master's illegitimate daughter, Lavinia becomes deeply bonded to her adopted family, though she is set apart from them by her white skin.

Eventually, Lavinia is accepted into the world of the big house, where the master is absent and the mistress battles opium addiction. Lavinia finds herself perilously straddling two very different worlds. When she is forced to make a choice, loyalties are brought into question, dangerous truths are laid bare, and lives are put at risk.

What I'm Reading Now...
"When You Wish Upon a Duke"
By: Isabella Bradford

Raised in the Dorset countryside, Lady Charlotte Wylder doesn’t care one bit about well-bred decorum. The dark-haired, blue-eyed beauty would rather ride a horse than attend a stuffy ball. So when Charlotte learns that she is to leave immediately for London to wed the Duke of Marchbourne, a perfect model of aristocratic propriety, she is less than enchanted with her arranged marriage.

 

But to her delight, their first encounters are brazenly flirtatious, and their wedding night burns with passion. March’s broad shoulders and dark countenance make Charlotte want to rip every button off his waistcoast. She may even be falling in love with her new husband. Yet whenever their desire boils over, March reluctantly pushes Charlotte away. Will past secrets and present misunderstandings mire their marriage in scandal, or serve to strengthen a bond that is destined to last a lifetime?

"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