Unwrapping: Review of CRAZY ON YOU by Rachel Gibson

I recently received an eARC of the contemporary romance novella, CRAZY ON YOU by Rachel Gibson. This is #2 in her Lovett, Texas series. CRAZY ON YOU is an Avon Impulse release coming to ereaders everywhere on May 1, 2012.

Blurb for CRAZY ON YOU:

Lily Darlington's been called crazy in her day—and, yeah, driving her car into her ex-husband's living room probably wasn't the smartest move ever made—but the louse deserved it. Now Lily is happily single, and she's turned it all around. She knows she's a good mom, a homeowner, and a businesswoman, all wrapped up in one good-looking package.

A package that police officer Tucker Matthews is dying to unwrap. This ex-military man sure doesn't need another woman in his life. His last girlfriend left him with nothing but memories and a cat named Pinky! But living next door to Lily has been driving him nuts. He dreams about her long blonde hair and even longer legs. And maybe it's time to go a little crazy . . . and fall in love.

                              *                  *                 *                 *                 *

I've often said that everyone's tastes are different and thank heaven for that or we would lead very boring lives. We would all enjoy the same foods, the same television shows, the same movies, the same men and most certainly, the same books. Since becoming an Avon Addict, I've been introduced to some new authors, new genres, and more contemporary romance than I ever expected to be reading. Some of these contemporary romances I have found quite enjoyable and have even put some of the authors on my to be read in the future list. Before I say anything more let me give you a little insight into CRAZY ON YOU.

Lily Darlington is a thirty-eight year old single mother who has made a success of a day spa and brought her life back from the brink of disaster after her husband left her for another woman. Always one to overreact, perhaps even go a little crazy, Lily didn't react well to her husband's abandonment of her and her young son so she ran her car through her ex-husband's living room. Personally, I don't call that crazy so much as not having a properly adjusted and well working social filter - after all, how many women haven't wanted to do the exact same thing?

Tucker Matthews is an ex-Army man who after returning from Afghanistan after being shot in the head, decided to make his career in law enforcement which brought him to Lovett, Texas and the house right next door to Lily and her young son, Pippen. Tucker's never known the love and loyalty of a real family but recognizes real affection when he sees it - it most definitely exists between Lily and Pippen.

CRAZY ON YOU by Rachel Gibson is a cute story about a man whose never known the love of a real family but when he meets Lily and Pippen finds himself wanting to be part of one. From the moment he first meets Lily, which happens to be when he gives her a ticket on the highway between Amarillo and Lovett, he's drawn to her. After meeting her son, Pippen, he's pulled to the ferocious way that she theatens to cause bodily harm to anyone who even attempts to harm her child. Tucker is relentless just as the tattoo on his forearm reads. He tells Lily that he wants her, all of her. But even after she tells him that being eight years old than him is more than she wants to deal with and even after she hides their secret love affair from everyone including her mother who lives just on the other side of Lily, he continues to pursue her. I'm not convinced, even after he declares his love for Lily, that his falling in love with her the first time he sees her with her son isn't more a need to be part of a family filled with love, loyalty, with a sense of protection than actually being in love. I just didn't feel it.

I've said before that I'm not a great fan of contemporary romance.  Reading cutesy, formulaic type stories is part of the reason. Having not read anything else by Rachel Gibson, I'm not sure if her other stories are as simplistic but I will soon be finding out since I've got an ARC print copy of RESCUE ME (book #3) waiting for me. I guess it will tell me what I need to know.

I recommend the novella, CRAZY ON YOU by Rachel Gibson, if you are a fan of hers, if you are a fan of contemporary romance, if you are looking for a fast read that is cute and provides you with that just want to read something mindless that doesn't make me have to think too much feeling. If you love stories set in Texas and characters that make you feel like you're meeting up with old friends, and meeting new quirky ones. If this is what you want from an afternoon of reading - CRAZY ON YOU by Rachel Gibson is the one you want to read. If you're wondering, yes, I liked this novella. Did I love it and crave more of her writing? No. I found it a delightful, charming and nice way to spend some time reading but nothing to rave about.

Happy Reading Everyone!


CRAZY ON YOU by Rachel Gibson, an Avon Impulse release will be available on May 1, 2012 in ebook format. You can't go wrong at $1.99.

                                                          

A Wickedly Fun Interview with Author Juliana Stone + Treats!

On Monday, I reviewed the fabulous upcoming new release WICKED ROAD TO HELL by Juliana Stone. If you've never read anything by this author, you should even if you start with her new series the League of Guardians. She is definitely one of the up and coming greatest voices in Romance today. If you'd like to check out my review of this fabulous new Paranormal Romance, just click HERE and then come on back. We'll wait for you!

Juliana Stone is the author of the Jaguar Warrior Series from Avon Romance which is how I was first introduced to her exceptional imagination and ever growing talent. Her new series, the League of Guardians, delves deeper into the world of Angels and Demons. I happen to know that many of you are fans of Angels and Demons because my most popular post to date is the one I did back in October on them. So hold on to your knickers, my friends, and get ready to meet one of the most talented writers to take you to Hell and back without leaving your chair.

First, let me give you the blurb for WICKED ROAD TO HELL so you can get an idea of what we'll be discussing, not that Juliana's going to give away too much because she's a terrible tease but that's what we love about her.

Blurb for WICKED ROAD TO HELL:

With the legions of the underworld gathering and chaos close at hand, Sorcerer Declan O’Hara’s deadly skills will be tested. But nothing will sway him from his duty…

Rescued from eternal darkness, vampire Ana DeLacrux owes her life to a mysterious stranger who asks for only one thing—her absolute allegiance. She serves this master without question until Declan, the one man who can make her forget her vow, returns. His magic is stronger, darker…more compelling than ever. His blood awakens a hunger she must resist, or risk deadly consequences.

As Ana and Declan join forces, the streets of New Orleans become a dangerous place for both humans and the otherworld. And the most dangerous place of all is a road Declan’s traveled before…the wicked road to hell.

                                   *                   *                 *                 *                *

Now that I've set the stage for this author of wickedly intriguing paranormal romance, please join me in welcoming Juliana Stone!

Amy:  Welcome Juliana, it's a real pleasure to have you here with us today. Perhaps you can tell us little bit about yourself for the benefit of those who don't know you yet.

Juliana:  Hello Amy! Glad to be here!  Well, for anyone who doesn’t know me, I’m a Mother of 2, Wife to 1 [LOL] and I have the most precious golden retriever on the planet as well as the cutest cat ever. I live in Canada, love 80’s rock and my girlfriends are like family.

Amy:  Sounds like a happy life and our worlds would be a very different place without our girlfriends to keep us sane.
I once asked you what inspired you to write paranormal and you told me that it was after reading DARK PRINCE by Christine Feehan. What was it about that particular story that sparked your creative juices which then took you in the direction of the sexy, wonderful Jaguar Warriors?

Juliana:  Good question! First off, before I’d read any Feehan, back in my high school days I was a huge Anne Rice fan. Those books aren’t romances really, but they opened my eyes to an entirely new depiction of the vampire.  Christine expanded and brought romance and angst and longing and alpha males and I ate it up! I love the darkness in the characters, I loved the soulmates, and I loved a world where there was no limit except what was in your mind.

Amy:  Wow, well that definitely gives us a deep insight into where your characters come from and totally makes sense.
WICKED ROAD TO HELL is Declan O'Hara's story. We first met Declan in the Jaguar Warrior Series along with Ana Delacrux and of course, "just call me Bill" Askelon!
[That makes me laugh every time I read that.] Had you planned to extend the story into the League of Guardian series from the beginning or did it just evolve?

Juliana:  It evolved. I knew that the Jaguar Warriors would only be 3 books. The story arc that started with the first one ended with the last, HIS DARKEST SALVATION.  But there was still so much to tell and as I started pondering Declan’s book, the idea for the League grew.  I wanted to stay in the same world and feature many supernatural beings and I wanted to be able to have overlap, bringing in characters from the Jag books.

Amy:  I'm sure all the fans of the Jaquar Warriors are very happy to hear that.
Will there only be three in the League of Guardian series as in the Jaguar Warrior Series or will you take it further?

Juliana:  As long as the readers love them, I’ll keep writing them.  There is another novella scheduled for the fall, a continuation of Logan and Kira’s story (WRONG SIDE OF HELL) and then the next full length is KING OF THE DAMNED, which releases in December.

Amy:  So glad to hear that we are going to meet up with Logan and Kira again. So many times, once a couple's story has reached it's HEA, they fade to the back. What made you decide to revisit them?

Juliana:  There were a lot of questions hanging at the end of Logan and Kira’s book, so I’ve decided that the novellas I write will be a continuation of their story.

Amy:  Sounds awesome. I know I had a lot of questions at the end of WRONG SIDE OF HELL.  [Awesome novella, if you haven't read it yet - do so!!]
I love that we meet Nico again in WICKED ROAD TO HELL even though he now sports a blue mohawk and a nose ring. Will he ever get his HEA and will it be in the League of Guardian series or will you ever revisit the Jaguar Warriors series?

Juliana:  As of now I’ve no plans to revisit the Jaguar Warriors, Nico is up to his butt in the League of Guardians and I hope to write his story one day!  If so, it will certainly be within this series.


Teaser of Cover for
KING OF THE DAMNED

Amy:  Great! I know there's a lot of your fans waiting for Nico to get his purr on, so to speak!

You are certainly blessed with some of the hottest covers. I recently spotted the new cover for KING OF THE DAMNED (Book Two in the League of Guardians series) on your website. I know you don't choose them but do you have a favorite?

Juliana:  Ah, yes, as of now this new cover is my favourite.  It’s beautiful and Azaiel looks so incredibly hot and sad.  I just want to hug him.  It’s gorgeous!

Amy:  Can't wait to see the finished cover!
You've been teasing us for some time now on Facebook and Twitter with wonderful lines from your new contemporary romance series, THE BAD BOYS OF CRYSTAL LAKE. I know this is quite a diversion for you as even your first novels were scifi/time travel. What inspired you to go in this direction when you've been so prolific in the paranormal?

Juliana:  It’s weird but I just decided last year to try my hand at something new.  I used to read a lot of contemporary romances but hadn’t lately and the idea of writing a book about a musician appealed to me. Music is an important part of my life and I was determined to do it.  So, the idea was born and I just went for it!  Luckily I found my voice for contemporary as well and can’t wait for you all to read about my bad boys!

Amy:  I know I'm very excited about meeting these bad boys! Perhaps you can tell us a little bit about this new contemporary series without giving away any spoilers.

Juliana:  The series revolves around a trio of boyhood friends.  In the first book, my main character, Cain Black is an up and coming singer/guitarist who is on the cusp of hitting it huge.  He returns to Crystal Lake for the funeral of one of his best friends, a soldier killed in Afghanistan.  He’s not been home in years and decides to stick around, an easy decision especially after he meets an interesting woman and her young son. This first book is a love story straight up and I had a blast writing it! Little tidbit, all of the books have working titles based on my favourite Bon Jovi songs, NEVER SAY GOODBYE, ALWAYS and LAY YOUR HANDS ON ME.

Amy:  Sounds wonderful and a lot of fun. Great songs for inspiration, too. Friends, judging from the teasers she's been putting out, these don't sound like your typical contemporaries - I have a feeling I'll definitely be enjoying these. Since writing is only one of your passions, it seems only natural for you to integrate your love of music into your stories. A series featuring rockers sounds like fun!

Juliana:  Tho the series isn’t all about rockers, my first book does delve into that world and trust me, Cain is hot!

Amy:  Yummy! Sounds like we are in for some good reads about bad boys!
Last question. If you could be ANY character in ANY book, which character would
it be and why?

Juliana:  Wow that’s a hard one.  At the moment I’d have to say Rowan James, my heroine from KING OF THE DAMNED. She’s a witch, a strong witch and she embodies everything I love in a good heroine.  She’s strong but vulnerable and I love that. Plus, she’s got awesome hair!

Amy:  Awesome hair! [LOL!] That's great! Friends, I've read an excerpt from KING OF THE DAMNED and Rowan is ready to kick some ass - our kind of gal! If you'd like to learn more about Juliana and her fabulous books, please visit her website. She's got excerpts!!

Amy:  Friends, Juliana has been kind enough to provide me with five (5) signed coverflats of WICKED ROAD TO HELL, so I'm offering you five separate chances to win!
One of the lucky commenters will also win a copy of Juliana's novella, WRONG SIDE OF HELL, along with that signed coverflat so be sure to enter. That's a lot of prizes, my dears! 
FIVE CHANCES TO WIN, so be sure to comment and include your email address so I can contact you if you're chosen! This Giveaway is open to EVERYONE and runs until 11:59 PM Sunday, April 22, 2012!

Amy:  I am going to ask Juliana to pose the question to you that you must answer in a comment for a chance to win one of these fabulous prizes.
Juliana, your question please.

Juliana: What is your favourite book ever?  The top one in your keeper shelf?

Amy:  Great question, Juliana! Thank you so very much for sharing your busy schedule with us and it's been an absolute thrill to have you here today. I hope you've enjoyed your visit as much as I've enjoyed having you here. Remember everyone, WICKED ROAD TO HELL goes on sale Tuesday, April 24, 2012 in both print and ebook format from Avon. You're going to love it!

If you'd like to read my review of WRONG SIDE OF HELL, please click HERE or go to Juliana's website to read an excerpt but remember to come back and enter for a chance to win a prize.

Happy Reading and Good Luck Everyone!!    GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

                                              

Unwrapping: A Review of WICKED ROAD TO HELL by Juliana Stone

When I opened this month's goodie box from Avon, I got so excited I literally danced around. Inside, along with other delights, was a print copy of Juliana Stone's upcoming release, WICKED ROAD TO HELL, Book One of the League of Guardian series. WICKED ROAD TO HELL hits the bookshelves and ereaders on April 24, 2012 but I am very glad to give you a little insight into this incredible world created by the wickedly incredible imagination of Juliana Stone.

Blurb for WICKED ROAD TO HELL:

With the legions of the underworld gathering and chaos close at hand, Sorcerer Declan O’Hara’s deadly skills will be tested. But nothing will sway him from his duty…

Rescued from eternal darkness, vampire Ana DeLacrux owes her life to a mysterious stranger who asks for only one thing—her absolute allegiance. She serves this master without question until Declan, the one man who can make her forget her vow, returns. His magic is stronger, darker…more compelling than ever. His blood awakens a hunger she must resist, or risk deadly consequences.

As Ana and Declan join forces, the streets of New Orleans become a dangerous place for both humans and the otherworld. And the most dangerous place of all is a road Declan’s traveled before…the wicked road to hell.

              *                       *                    *                    *                    *                                

For those of you who have read Juliana's Jaguar Warrior Series, you're already familiar with Declan O'Hara and Ana DeLacrux but those who haven't let me introduce you to them.

Declan O'Hara is a sorcerer who has seen his share of trouble. He runs in the company of Angels (Seraphim), Demons, Vampires, Werewolves, Shifters (Jaguar Warriors) and other assorted otherworld creatures. Having spent too long in the depths of Hell, he's back and partnered with Nico, a Jaguar shifter (we met him in the Jaguar Warrior Series also). Declan and Nico have been given a mission by Askelon (a Seraph who insists everyone just call him Bill) to hunt down a person of interest but they've been told nothing more. Their search leads Declan to New Orleans, a city saturated with more magic than any one place deserves. Declan knows retrieving his prey may not be easy since he has learned there's a protector involved - a vampire. After recruiting the help of Ransome, an Alpha Werewolf, Declan zeroes in on the location of this stranger. The last thing he expects is to discover the vampire guarding his prey is a past associate who he had seen killed by his own father two years earlier. The vampire is the one person who could twist his heart in a million directions and leave him panting for more, Ana DeLacrux.

Ana DeLacrux died when Cormac O'Hara plunged a stake into her heart two years ago but Bill had other plans for her and so rescued her from the icy fingers of death. Now pledged to serve Bill, she's been placed in charge of a young teen named Kaden who wears a mark signifying him as one of the Mark of Seven. Her charge is incorrigible and powerful but a sweet kid who has never known a real family. Ana has come to care about him like the son she believes she'll never have since she's in love with a man she can never claim, Declan O'Hara. She's a vampire, he isn't. She's of a royal line, he's not a vampire. She can only mate with a vampire and Declan is not a vampire - yet!

Once Declan discovers what Kaden is, he decides to add his protection to Ana's and enlists Nico, Ransome and his pack of werewolves to join the cause. It's after they discover that the Demon Lord, Samael, has already taken two of the other Mark of Seven into the underworld that another Seraph, Cale, joins the cause. When Samael fails to make an aggressive move at taking Kaden, Declan with Cale's assistance meets with Samael and the Demon Lord makes Declan an offer he CANNOT afford to refuse.

Declan has no choice but to return to the last place he ever wants to see again - Hell. His old nemesis, Lilith, has stolen the two teens from Samael and is determined to gather the remaining Marks, including Kaden. Samael has agreed to give the teens over to the care of the League of Guardians which Declan has just learned exists. He discovers that Cale, Samael, and Bill are members of this group of natural enemies whose sole purpose is to keep the balance between Heaven and Hell. He's told that if the members of the Mark of Seven turn out to be good, so be it, but if they turn out to be dangerous to the world as they know it, the League will see them destroyed. Their greatest fear until that time is that either the Seraphim or the Demon Lords will obtain control of them at which time the fate of the Human world will certainly be at risk.

So Declan returns to Hell only to discover that Ana has followed. Now he's responsible for trying to get the two teens, himself and Ana back out of Hell in one piece. Samael gives him a special magick to mask his signature as a Human in Hell but Ana is unprotected even with her vampire strengths. The only solution is for her to feed on him and absorb some of that magick only she gets carried away because of her insatiable desire for him. With Declan on the verge of death she has no other choice, so against her better judgement for she knows the consequences of turning a Human, Ana turns the only man she's ever truly loved.

Declan has what he wants - Ana - but fears when she learns of his despicable past in Hell that she will not want him, vampire bond or no vampire bond. Ana is terrified that when Declan's turning is discovered by the Vampire Council that the Queen of the Vampires will have him destroyed. What will these lovers face in Hell? Will they succeed in rescuing the teens and manage to escape their dangerous journey into Hell? Even if they succeed and survive the depths of Hell, what does the future hold for them since they have broken the very rules that destroyed Ana's relationship with her own twin brother? Sorry, I'm not telling. I've probably given you more than I should but you're going to have to discover those answers on your own by reading WICKED ROAD TO HELL.

Even if you're not a fan of paranormal, Juliana Stone's writing has developed into an incredible force of which I feel everyone should experience. She's truly come into her own with this series and I expect great things to come. She writes with such depth and imagination that it's like watching an artist paint a portrait with an extensive pallet of colors and then have the portrait come to life. WICKED ROAD TO HELL is a journey into a world where the action is dark, gritty, and never-ending. The taste of the underworld that we were given a glimpse of in WRONG SIDE OF HELL is incredibly expanded and enlarged in such a way that you nearly smell the sulfur emanating from the pages.

I was worried that as a reader it would be absolutely necessary to have read at least some of the Jaguar Warrior series to grasp the complexity of the storyline in WICKED ROAD TO HELL but was happily surprised to find that it works excellently as a stand-alone novel. If you're a lover of all things paranormal or are new to it and wish to give it a try. If you love a dark, gritty, action-packed story, you're going to love this adventure into Hell. WICKED ROAD TO HELL by Juliana Stone is an incredibly well-written, expansively character driven, steamy paranormal romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. I highly recommend the wicked, sexually charged, and intense WICKED ROAD TO HELL by Juliana Stone to anyone who loves an action-packed, can't put down once you pick it up, kind of read. I'm eagerly looking forward to the rest of the series which I'm happy to say you get a taste of at the end of the book.

Happy Reading Everyone and please, come back on Wednesday when you'll get to meet the lady herself, Juliana Stone, plus have 5 chances to win in an awesome giveaway!!

WICKED ROAD TO HELL by Juliana Stone, published by Avon, release date - April 24, 2012 in both ebook and print format. Definitely a MUST READ!

                                                              

Unwrapping: Review of THE TATTOOED DUKE by Maya Rodale

Back in February I pre-ordered the book THE TATTOOED DUKE by Maya Rodale. I was so looking forward to reading it as soon as it arrived. Soon after it arrived, I found out that I had been chosen as an Avon Addict and my list of reading increased three-fold so THE TATTOOED DUKE got pushed lower in the pile. With a recent lull even though the list is still long, I finally got the opportunity to read this eagerly awaited installment of the Writing Girl Series.

As some of you may know if you've been reading my blog for some time, I am a great fan of Maya Rodale and actually hold her out as the inspiration for my creation of this blog. I love her Writing Girl Series because the ladies are all things respectable in Regency England but don't hesitate to do things their way or speak their mind even if it's hidden within a column in the London Weekly. I love to think of myself as a member of the mob of scribbling women and if you're not already familiar with these ladies, please do make their acquaintance. I love this cover by the way!

Blurb for THE TATTOOED DUKE:

Breaking news, scandal fans!

You thought you knew the dangerous Duke of Wycliff, London’s globe-trotting adventure addict. Here’s what you don’t know: he’s penniless. Sebastian Digby’s dukely lifestyle is over forever unless he finds a rich bride. But thanks to The London Weekly, everyone knows better than to tangle with this lothario. Besides (as one writer can testify), it seems that Sebastian has been unable to keep his hands off his own lowly housemaid…

And that’s a problem. A big one.

Because that housemaid just happens to be me. Eliza Fielding. The same undercover Writing Girl who’s been exposing the Duke’s most intimate secrets to the world. And now I’ve gone and complicated everything by falling love with him. Passion and deception have never been so delicious, but now the truth could destroy everything. This is more than a conflict of interest. It’s a seduction where love itself hangs in the balance.

               *                     *                   *                    *                     *                    *

Reading THE TATTOOED DUKE by Maya Rodale is a unique experience.

Eliza Fielding is one of the notorious Writing Girls who work for the London Weekly under the supervision of Mr. Knightly who expects much from his girls. When he tells Eliza, in no uncertain terms, that she is to get the story on the returning Duke of Wycliff, Eliza knows her job is on the line. She decides the best way to get close to this mysterious man who has been gone from London these past ten years is to go undercover in his household as a common housemaid. Getting the job is easy as no one else seems to want it, keeping it is going to be a whole other thing.

Sebastian Digby is the newest Duke of Wycliff, a notorious family of men who are notorious for their inability to keep their wandering hands off their housemaids. Sebastian does his best to resist the temptation but the lovely, impertinent, and irresistible new housemaid, Eliza, is making it very difficult to keep from becoming like his ancestors. His goal in life is not to get tied permanently to London but to get his hands on enough money to fund a search for the mysterious and unreachable Timbuktu in Africa.  A Duke's title isn't worth much without money or respect behind it and right now, Sebastian has little of both especially since someone is leaking information about him to the irrepressible newspaper columnist W.G. Meadows.

Eliza is trying desperately to get the story that will save her job but soon finds herself falling under the spell of the handsome and intriguing Duke of Wycliff with his tales of far off lands and dazzling tattoos that inflame more than a desire to admire them. All the while, her past is coming back to haunt her and she fears her life and career are quickly coming unraveled.

Sebastian is fighting his growing desire for the delectable housemaid haunting his thoughts while scheming to gain the funds needed to get him to Timbuktu. As much as he desires Eliza, both in body and company, he knows there's no future to be had with a common housemaid. So he turns his thoughts to the wealthy widow Lady Althea who is more than willing to gain his attention by any means possible including by pretending her child is, in fact, his from a brief affair ten years earlier. When he learns the truth, he turns his interest to winning the reward offered for the identity of W.G. Meadows.

Will Eliza get the story and save her job? Will Sebastian gain his funds to make the venture to Timbuktu before others get there first? Will he ever knock on Eliza's attic bedroom door and will Eliza let him in to succumb to her greatest desire? Will these two save each other or will THE STORY tear them apart forever?

As I said earlier, reading THE TATTOOED DUKE by Maya Rodale is a unique experience. Maya has written Eliza and Sebastian's story in such a way that you feel you are watching it unfold rather than reading it. It incited my imagination in such a way that I saw each chapter more like a scene in a movie rather than a free flowing novel. I enjoyed Eliza and Sebastian's nighttime encounters on the roof discussing all things familiar to them and culminating in some kissy face activity. I enjoyed the way Sebastian would finagle a way for Eliza to work alongside him in the greenhouse while enjoying each other's company, unwittingly giving her fuel for her column and usually ending with a little more kissy face. A scene would end with a kiss or a piece of information that neither wished to hear but the next chapter would begin a new scene continuing this intriguing tale of pursuit and deception. The story grew stronger with every scene change. It was fun, unique and worked splendidly to keep the tension at a tolerable level and the reader's interest in the secrets that needed uncovering. Reading THE TATTOOED DUKE was reminiscent of the way the first novels were written - more as segments as if from a journal or letters rather than continuous storytelling.

THE TATTOOED DUKE by Maya Rodale kept me amused as well as on the edge of my seat wondering how Eliza and Sebastian would overcome the obstacles keeping them from consummating their mutual desire for each other. THE TATTOOED DUKE was everything I'd hope it would be as it followed the other two books in the Writing Girl Series - A TALE OF TWO LOVERS and A GROOM OF ONE'S OWN.  If you're not already familiar with these incorrigible members of the mob of scribbling women, please be sure to introduce yourself to them but especially to THE TATTOOED DUKE for along with enjoying the camaraderie that Eliza holds dear with her fellow Writing Girls, you will surely fall in love with Sebastian just as I have.

I recommend THE TATTOOED DUKE by Maya Rodale to every reader who enjoys a story about an unintended bad boy and his naughty undercover impertinent reporter/housemaid. It's a delightfully fun and oh so, sexy way to spend some quiet time with a dashingly handsome and oh so, scandalous Tattooed Duke.

Happy Reading Everyone!

THE TATTOOED DUKE by Maya Rodale, an Avon Romance and available now in both ebook and print format.

                                   

Wacky Wednesday! Thank Heaven for Redundancies!

Some of you may know that a few of weeks ago, I discovered that the diskette containing my second work in progress was missing after my hubby and I played musical computers. Well, I've been tearing the house apart ever since and have looked everywhere possible for the elusive disk without any luck. I've even driven myself into a sciatic nerve attack that has plagued me constantly making life miserable. I've been so obsessed with the missing diskette that I've used the time I should be working on my first work in progress to hunt for the second.

Well, Monday evening, after spending the afternoon moving furniture and looking through everything once more (I can proudly say the computer room is CLEAN!), I was nearly in tears because I knew there was no other place to look. I resigned myself to having to start all over. So while preparing dinner, while eating dinner, and later while doing the dishes, I began mentally mapping out the story in my head. I thought about changes I would make. I even mentally rewrote the prologue when suddenly, as if the characters took over, they hollered at me not to give up. Suddenly, I had a thought. Was it possible to find the file still there on the old computer? Was it possible to restore the system on Windows 98 and perhaps the file? Could the file still be there on the old computer in a redundant file?

Well, I dragged the old computer up from the basement. Suddenly, I was very glad that no one had wanted it, after all. I set it up on the floor in the spare bedroom, turned it on and went to My Documents - EMPTY! Of course, it was empty, I deleted the files. [sigh]

I went to My Computer and clicked on Programs - there I found Microsoft Word. I asked myself cautiously - was it possible that the file was still in there? As if my characters had heard my hesitancy, they gave me a simultaneous "hell yeah!" I clicked on the program. A blank page came up. I opened the list under file - nothing. I opened it fully. There, at the bottom, was the list of the last documents opened. I held my breath, said a quiet prayer,  and clicked on the temporary title for my paranormal work in progress.

IT WAS THERE!!! OMG!! I felt like a huge boulder had been lifted off my shoulders and thrown out the window. I grinned ear to ear, hopped up off the floor - sciatica be damned - ran into the living room and squealed with delight at my hubby - who was asleep on the couch, of course. My Book Was Back!!!

I grabbed an empty disk, saved the file on it, rushed to my computer and loaded it on the hard drive before saving it all snug and tight on the separate hard drive where nothing could touch it until I'm ready to work on it. I swear I could hear my characters cheering - they were all so happy to be back. To think they had been living on the old computer in the basement all these months and I didn't think to check there. Thank Heaven For Redundant Files!!
I even think my sciatica is better now, too! I still don't know where that pesky diskette has gone but right now, I don't care. I have my book back and that's all that matters.
Have you ever lost something and been so desperate to find it that you've turned your world upside down? Did you find it?

Okay, it's Wacky Wednesday and I did want to share my good news with you and because I'm feeling so happy, and relieved, I'm going to give you all a special treat - More ManCandy!

Paul Marron is one of the sexiest men to grace the covers of our beloved Romance Novels so I thought I'd share some of my favorites featuring this gorgeous gift from Heaven. Most of these are available but some are coming soon to a bookshelf near you.
Happy Reading Everyone!!

Whereas HUNGER UNTAMED is one of my faves, truly,

 my absolute favorite Paul Marron cover has got to be:

HOT HOT HOT!!

Thank Heaven for Big Boys!

Unwrapping: Review of HOW MISS RUTHERFORD GOT HER GROOVE BACK by Sophie Barnes

As cute as this title is, I have to wonder why it was chosen for a Historical Romance Novel for the story, I believe, is a bit more deserving of a more dignified title. Be that as it may, HOW MISS RUTHERFORD GOT HER GROOVE BACK by Sophie Barnes is a Historical Romance. It's also Ms. Barnes' debut novel at Avon Impulse. Yes, this was another benefit of being an Avon Addict. I received this one as a print ARC so it was a delight to actually hold a book in my hand and use a bookmark. All the same, I had this read in about a day and a half. 

Blurb for HOW MISS RUTHERFORD GOT HER GROOVE BACK:

Emily Rutherford is having a very bad day. Of course, having the man you’ve loved forever, announce his engagement to your (now very former) best friend will do that.

Emily is sure nothing good could possibly come out of this horrid situation. But she lets her sisters and Adrian’s cousin, Francis Riley, the delectable but brooding Earl of Dunhurst, convince her a season in London will be just the thing.

Now Emily has a choice: sulk in a corner while her sisters enjoy the glitter of the ton. Or become the belle of the ball, dazzling everyone on an earl’s arm. But as Francis helps Emily get back on her feet, she quickly realizes that a childhood crush is nothing compared to the power of true love.

                      *                       *                    *                   *                   *                *

When I first began reading this Historical Romance, I was immediately struck by the influence the works of Jane Austen had on the creation of the characters. The three Rutherford sisters reminded me of a cross between the sisters of SENSE AND SENSIBILITY and the sisters of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. The male characters, Lord Francis Riley in particular, were easily built upon the characters of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Willoughby with a bit of Mr. Wickham thrown in for good measure. This is a good thing.

Emily Rutherford is the middle sister with an older sister, Beatrice, who is reminiscent of Eleanor Dashwood and Jane Bennett to Emily's cross between Elizabeth Bennett and Marianne Dashwood. Their younger sister, Claire, is a compilation of no one in particular which left her to be the most unique character of all. Emily Rutherford has spent many years living with the belief that she would some day marry her best friend, Adrian Fairchild. When her childhood friend, Kate Clemens, returns from London, Emily's world is turned upside down for the man she believed was hers soon informs her that he has asked Kate to be his wife.

Everyone, including Adrian's mother, is shocked by the announcement. The only one who finds any hope in the event is Francis Riley, the brooding Earl of Dunhurst. Francis sets out to help ease the pain of Emily's disappointment by inviting her and her sisters to stay at his homes in London for the Season. Their hope is that they might meet eligible men in hopes of gaining suitable husbands to rescue them from the poor state in which the deaths of their parents have left them. Whereas all of his intentions seem sensible and compassionate, Francis' real goal is the hope that Emily will fall in love with him as he has been in love with her since their days of friendly times as children.

Emily believes her feelings for Francis have been lost to the dark and brooding demeanor that overtook him in his youth and withdrew him from her and their circle of friends. She begins to see the dark wall surrounding him begin to crumble even as her desire for him begins to grow. The man has dark secrets that hold him back, causing him to treat everyone as if he abhors being in their presence. Emily is determined to discover what those secrets are even as she finds herself falling in love with him. It doesn't take long to realize that it was he, and not Adrian, that truly stirs her heart and her body.

HOW MISS RUTHERFORD GOT HER GROOVE BACK by Sophie Barnes is entertaining, lighthearted even. Whereas I truly did enjoy it, I feel it lacked something toward the latter part of the story. Perhaps the love connection is revealed too soon or Ms. Barnes just didn't know how to get her hero and heroine to the conclusion without losing sight of the tension that originally existed between the pair.

Ms. Barnes' characters are full of life and humor just as old friends might be who have grown to age together. I enjoyed the sense of the characters channeling Jane Austen's classic characters but instead of them holding true to how they were presented in the beginning, I felt they waned. Emily showed signs of boldness and independence yet acted impetuously to the point of foolishness and Francis, who I began to actually see in my mind's eye as Mr. Darcy, lost his edge as he and Emily grew closer. I felt the mystery that surrounds Francis and his family's honor should have had a more important role in the story. Unfortunately, it seemed to come off more as an after thought than an integral part of the tale.

With this being Sophie Barnes' first novel, exceptions can be made because the premise of the story is a solid one and I am truly sorry it fell short toward the end. Perhaps Ms. Barnes' next endeavor will be more pulled together and I look forward to giving it the benefit of the doubt. Even though the latter part of the story was less than it could be, I found HOW MISS RUTHERFORD GOT HER GROOVE BACK to be a charming, enthusiastic, and delightful read. Ms. Barnes' talent is there, it transcends the less than charming title and the weak ending but it holds great promise for future novels. I will gladly read her next one with enthusiasm.

Whereas, I cannot recommend HOW MISS RUTHERFORD GOT HER GROOVE BACK by Sophie Barnes with wholehearted enthusiasm, I can suggest it as a wonderful way to pass the time. I believe anyone who is a fan of Jane Austen will enjoy the wonderful way that she created characters with the influence of Miss Austen's voice, humor, and charm.

Happy Reading Everyone!

HOW MISS RUTHERFORD GOT HER GROOVE BACK by Sophie Barnes, an Avon Impulse release now available in ebook and print format.

                                                               

Unwrapping: Review of SKIES OF FIRE: the Ether Chronicles by Zoë Archer

Steampunk Romance? I have to say that even though I've heard of Steampunk I wasn't totally sure I knew what it was. So when Avon sent me an eARC of the new soon-to-be released Steampunk Romance novella, SKIES OF FIRE: the Ether Chronicles by Zoë Archer, I decided to do a little research.

STEAMPUNK, according to Wikipedia, is a genre which came into prominence during the 1980's and early 1990's and incorporates elements of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, horror, and speculative fiction. It involves a setting where steam power is widely used—whether in an alternate history such as Victorian era Britain or "Wild West"-era United States, or in a post-apocalyptic time —that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology, or futuristic innovations as Victorians might have envisioned them, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, and art. This technology includes such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne.

Well, after reading this, my thoughts went to graphic novel movies such as LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN and even HELLBOY. Okay, I liked both those movies, I love science fiction, I love fantasy, I love horror, and I'm fascinated with the concept of an alternate history. I'm a huge fan of H. G. Wells and I've read all of the works by Jules Verne. The question remained as to how I would like a mixture of these elements and my beloved Romance. When I first saw this cover posted on Avon's FB page, I was immediately caught by the name, the fact that it was going to be part of a chronicles (immediately made me think sci-fi), and that it was HOT! Never did I expect it to be such an edge of the seat adventure with an amazing hot steamy romance that will have you wishing you could reach into the story and push the hero and heroine together, and say, "Get over it already and KISS!"

Blurb for SKIES OF FIRE by Zoë Archer:

Man made of metal and flesh ...

Captain Christopher Redmond has just one weakness: the alluring spy who loved and left him years before…when he was still just a man. Now he's superhuman—a Man O' War, made as part of the British Navy's weapons program—and his responsibility is to protect the skies of Europe. If only he could forget Louisa Shaw.

A most inconvenient desire ...

Louisa, a British Naval Intelligence agent, has never left a job undone. But when her assignment is compromised, the one man who can help her complete her mission is also the only man ever to tempt her body and heart. As burning skies loom and passion ignites, Louisa and Christopher must slip behind enemy lines if they are to deliver a devastating strike against their foe . . . and still get out alive.

                *                      *                   *                   *                   *                   *

Captain Christopher Redmond is a man who had his heart broken by the only woman he ever loved enough to want to marry. When this woman disappeared from his life without any explanation, he turned his concentration on what mattered the most - the protection of his British homeland. As a Naval Officer, he knew his duty and when offered a chance to serve his country to the utmost, he took it even though the cost of such an opportunity would be greater than he expected. Christopher allowed his body to be altered through the implantation of the element, Telumium, that would make him stronger, faster, and turn him into one of Britain's greatest weapons, a Man O' War.  He and his airship, the Demeter, which he is forever connected to not only as her Captain but as her power source, along with his loyal crew, fight the enemy in the air over the Carpathian Mountains. It's after a fierce battle, which they only manage to survive because of his innate talents and superhuman abilities along with a brave and loyal crew, that they discover a distress signal below them on the ground - far behind enemy lines.

Louisa Shaw has been undercover for months gathering information about the German's plans for increasing their firepower so as to be able to devastate her British homeland. When an informant brings her vital information, they find themselves double-crossed and surrounded by German troops. The informant is killed and Louisa is sure her time is short. She decides to keep one bullet for herself if she should fail to escape this dire situation. She has no faith that her signal was even seen much less that help would come. So it is a double surprise when help does arrive and the man leading the rescue is the last man on earth she expected and the only one who could melt her heart with just a look.

Christopher and Louisa face off in a situation where both must meet their regrets, their fears, and their still fiery desire for each other even as they set about to form a plan to destroy a German munitions plant hidden deep within the mountains. They don't know which mountain but together they solve the problem. They're not sure how they will even get inside the munitions plant much less destroy it without destroying themselves at the same time but they work together to solve the problem. It's working together, as they gain a new found respect for each other's abilities, that brings the pair closer together than either want but neither can resist. Their ultimate goal is to protect Britain and get the Demeter and her crew home even though both know that this plan will probably end as a suicide mission.

Zoë Archer has created an alternate history that feels as real and as dangerous as the real historical timeline. Her descriptions and sensory teasing bring this world of supermen and airships with unusual weaponry to life. The romance between Christopher and Louisa is an old one but it takes only a few sparks to make it flare to full brightness as the pair work side by side to complete this mission that may end with everyone making the ultimate sacrifice.

SKIES OF FIRE by Zoë Archer is an action-packed novella introducing us to the world of the Ether Chronicles. From beginning to end, this skillfully written novella transports us to a world so similar to our own yet so different. The story keeps us enthralled through the dangers and thrills of the mission as well as the re-ignited passionate love between Christopher and Louisa that they slowly come to realize has managed to survive after three years of separation.

I know many of my readers are not fans of the unusual whether it be paranormal, sci-fi, or steampunk but if you're willing to give this novella a try, I believe you will find yourself a convert to a new and exciting Romance genre. SKIES OF FIRE by Zoë Archer is the perfect start to a new Romance love and I recommend it for an exciting reading experience with some of the hottest and steamiest Romance you can imagine.

Happy Reading Everyone!

SKIES OF FIRE: the Ether Chronicles by Zoë Archer, an Avon Impulse release coming tomorrow, April 3, 2012 to ereaders everywhere! ASIN: B007BCF49C  Available in print on April 17, 2012.