What are you reading? An impromptu contest!

Lisa Kleypas has written some of my favorite historical romances and I'm thrilled that she has returned to the genre! I'm getting ready to crack open COLD-HEARTED RAKE this morning.

What are you reading? Comment to win a copy of Lisa Kleypas's A DEVIL IN WINTER.

Pre-order Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas and get your copy signed and personalized!

Bestselling author (and local resident) Lisa Kleypas returns to Historical Romance with her new novel Cold-Hearted Rake. Pre-order Cold-Hearted Rake from Village Books today and get your copy signed and personalized! Place your order by 10am on October 27th! Click here to order. 

My favorite things...a contest!!!

I love sharing and want to give you a chance to win some of my favorite books! Comment below to let me know which set of books you would like to win...and don't forget to check back on Friday to see if you win!

!

#1 Historical

#2 Contemporary

#3 Paranormal

Review: RAINSHADOW ROAD by Lisa Kleypas

Friday Harbor #2
Contemporary w/a hint of magic
St. Martins Press

Being blindsided by a breakup is bad enough, but to find out that your boyfriend left you for your sister is beyond brutal. 

When Lucy Marrin finds herself suddenly homeless so that her sister can move in with her boyfriend, she is at first flummoxed, but then she gets angry. How typical of her sister to take what is Lucy's. This is not the first time Alice has taken something of hers. 

 

Lucy's ex-boyfriend, Kevin, asks confirmed bachelor, Sam Nolan to take her out on a few dates so that her parents will get off of his and Alice's back. Sam is intrigued by the lovely Lucy, but he draws the line at being coerced into dating anyone. 

 

Circumstances throw Lucy and Sam together in an unimaginable position. A situation where they suddenly have the chance to really get to know one another; causing them to question their stands on life, and leaving them with some difficult decisions to make for their futures.

*****

RAINSHADOW ROAD is a wonderfully heartwarming tale that captivated me from the first turn of the page until the very end. This is a story that will touch your spirit, making you want to believe in magic and the tenderness of love. It's the perfect book to read when you have had enough of the realities of life and need a little escapism. 

I found it extremely difficult to put this book down, as Lisa Kleypas wrote such bewitching characters in a town that I wanted to continue to explore as I enjoyed meeting Lucy, Sam and all of their family and friends. She created such full-bodied characters, that I almost forgot that this is a fictional place I was visiting. 

I  loved the range of emotions Ms. Kleypas took me on. There were a few sniffle parts, some angry moments, but what I really enjoyed was the humor that was injected throughout the book, as I found myself smiling and even laughing out loud. This was a very well-rounded book.

Lucy and Sam both had a lot of baggage they were carrying around. It was very difficult for them not to be cynical about life, because of the crappy hands that had dealt to both of them. Despite all of the turmoil thrown their way, they still managed to live good lives, they just needed to learn how to trust someone else with their feelings. 

To say Sam was phobic about commitment was a mild understatement, he avoided any sort of an attachment, and he wasn't about to break any of his unwritten rules for Lucy. Lucy had her own reasons (other than the crap Kevin dealt her) that made her leery of relationships. I loved the journey Ms. Kleypas took us on, watching Lucy and Sam overcome their family and emotional issues as they fell in love with each other. Theirs wasn't a simple jaunt to happily ever after as they had many obstacles to with conquer with all the twists and turns Ms. Kleypas spun into the story. 

I loved the bits of Lucy's stained glass art and Sam's vineyard that were brought into the story, helping to showcase the magic they each possessed, and it helped to define their characters. I was thrilled with the unexpected direction the ending went, it was perfect for Lucy and Sam, but I for a moment of reading I feared that she wasn't going to take that path--fortunately I'm not a good guesser.

I had previously met Sam's niece, Holly, his brothers' Mark and Alex, and Mark's fiancee Maggie in CHRISTMAS EVE AT FRIDAY HARBOR, I was happy to see how Mark and Maggie's relationship had grown, and how Holly was adjusting to life with her uncles. I really liked meeting Lucy's friends Justine and Zoe, I hope they both get their own books. The bikers of Hog Heaven church were an just a few of the other interesting sided-characters introduced in this book. 

I absolutely love the Friday Harbor series and the Nolan brothers, I can't wait to see Alex get his story! He has so much disappointment and I really can't wait to see him feel the magic in his life.

Rating: 5

Review: BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE by Lisa Kleypas

Capital Theater #2
Historical (Victorian 1833)
Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins

Lady Madeline Matthews believes she has the perfect plan to escape the arraigned marriage her parents are planning. If she can get herself ruined everything would be fine; anything would be better than being married to Lord Clifton, even being shunned by society. When she sees a print of the devilishly handsome actor, Logan Scott, Madeline knows who she is going to engage her ruinous affair with, now if she can only entice him into a liaison, things will be perfect...or will they? 

 

Logan Scott had enough on his plate being the owner of the Capital Theater, along with being the leading male actor, without having to dodge the naïve yet enticing Madeline. But can he keep his stern disciplined life under control, or will he be distracted by the lovely Madeline?

*****

This book has had a long standing spot on my keeper shelves, I have reread it A LOT throughout the years, and I'm sure I will read many more times in the future, as it is one of my go to comfort reads. It is always a pleasure to revisit Logan and Madeline. I love the passion and the angst that flows between these pages. Madeline is very naïve, but she is just what the jaded Logan needs. I love seeing her tantalize and push Logan who does his surly best behave, but of course he eventually succumbs to her innocent charms.

BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE is one of those stories that takes me through a whole range of emotions. I was brought to tears as I hated seeing the emotional suffering each of them went through, and Logan was hateful to Madeline for a brief period. But there was also smiles and laughter as I read this book. And most importantly was the very satisfactory end Ms. Kleypas took me to.

Lisa Kleypas is an auto-buy for me, no matter what genre she is writing. I absolutely adore her historicals, but her contemporaries are on the top of my list of favorites also. I'm eagerly awaiting her next book, RAINSHADOW ROAD, the first book in her new series, though it's the second book taking place in Friday Harbor with the Nolan brothers.

Rating: 5

SQUEEEEEEEE

I just received this:

in my mail box!!! I'm so excited, that as soon as I catch up my emails I'm going to find a place to hide in my house so that I can read this. ( I'm thinking my safest spot will be locked in my bathroom in the bathtub!)

Don't forget that I'm still running a contest to win a copy of CHRISTMAS EVE AT FRIDAY HARBOR, where we first meet Sam, the hero of RAINSHADOW ROAD.

A chance to win a copy of Lisa Kleypas's CHRISTMAS EVE AT FRIDAY HARBOR

Entrusted with the guardianship of his orphaned niece Holly, Mark Nolan plans to marry his longtime girlfriend Shelby. But an unwelcome and tantalizing distraction appears in the form of Maggie Conroy, a young widow who has recently opened a toy shop at Friday Harbor. Mark is a cynic and a realist, but Maggie is a dreamer who hopes to make him believe in magic . . .

I've got 4 copies of CHRISTMAS EVE AT FRIDAY HARBOR that I'm offering up for grabs!!!!! 

We'll keep it easy...just comment to win, and I'll pick 4 winners.

(due to my limited funds, I can only offer this to US residents)

What I read today was...

SMOOTH TALKING STRANGER (Travis Family #3) by Lisa Kleypas

...and it was freakin' great!!!!  Jack and Ella are now my favorites of this series.   Jack is just so damn yumm-mmm-my!

I love LK's historicals and her contemporaries are even better...that's saying a lot for me, as historical is usually my prefered genre, aslo, I usually hate first person, but she really makes it work.  Her contemporary writing style is very different from her historical, though in both subgenre's she can totally suck you into a character and scene.

I loved this book so much that I hated finishing it.  Now, I want Joe's story!!!!  I really hope we get it ...and we get it soon. :oP

August Reads

...not to shabby, a little short for me, but what I did read mostly pretty great quality!

(*) ARC copy for review

1.*PROMISES REVEAL (Promises #4)- Sarah McCarty ~Western/Historical -Rating A+
~ I absolutely LOVE Sarah McCarty's westerns, and with the much anticipated PROMISES REVEAL she has truly outdone herself, creating characters that really get into your heart, making you anxious to solve their conflicts and find the love they so richly deserve. And her smoking hot love scenes are so emotionally charged that you may just find your own body heating up, imaging just what the Rev can do for you. She hooks you into the story, drawing you into the lives of all the characters, eager to see how the Rev and Evie make their marriage work, excited to catch-up with past friends, and curious enough about other characters, that you are now fervently awaiting their books to come out!
Having “met” Brad, a/k/a the Rev in the previous Promise books, I couldn't wait to find out about his past, to see what created the man, and to learn what kind of woman would be right for him, I was not disappointed. Evie is the perfect woman for him, just what he needs, someone who he can enjoy a certain wildness with. I was annoyed with Evie's spoiled attitude, and her habit of jumping to conclusions early on in the book, but soon learned that it was a part of her that she was going to grow out of in her discovery of her love and trust in Brad. It was a great trip watching Brad and Evie find themselves, especially seeing Brad overcome his vulnerable side and learning that he really is worthy of love.
Though this is part of a series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone book. Having read the complete series, I was surprised how Sarah drew me into previous characters that I had no liking to prior to this, drawing new dimensions to their personalities that made it possible to hope for their own stories in the future. Nidia was someone I absolutely loathed, but now I can't wait to see what is in store for her, to see if maybe she and Elijah can heal each other. And Jackson, I'm glad his book is next, he is a very compelling man, I look forward to meeting the woman who will have him tied in knots!

2. GAME FOR ANYTHING – Bella Andre ~Contemporary -Rating A
~ Bella Andre successfully weaves an engrossing tale of passion, humor and drama. I feel that the past conflict between Ty and Julie blends into their mindset of the present smoothly, allowing me, as the reader, to empathize with them and more understand their attitudes toward one another. Both have their own predigests against the other to overcome, which allows them to grow and learn each other, making their relationship all the more heartwarming. And it doesn't hurt that the combustible passion and sexual tension between these two is enough to set the pages on fire, causing me to pause and fan myself. I also enjoy the sense of humor thrown into the story, keeping this from being to dramatic and over-the-top and giving the characters more dimension, making them realistic and extremely likable.

3. BLUE-EYED DEVIL – Lisa Kleypas ~Contemporary -Rating A
~ Hardy Cates, oh what a man, he is so dang yummy! We first met him in SUGAR DADDY, where Liberty Jones (now Travis), had a huge crush on him growing up. He was always such a gentleman, who even then knew what he wanted. We had a rather upsetting taste of the man he grew to become, but fortunately it was a shallow taste that didn't delve deeply into the reasons for his actions. Now we learn how he redeems himself. He's a man that knows what he wants and isn't afraid to go after it. He is very confident, yet he faces his own fears, and strives to overcome the man his father was, to be the man that he is.
This story follows Haven Travis throughout her life, not just catching bits and peaces in flashbacks or conversations. I love following her through her struggles, knowing that what she will find is a new beginning, even if she takes the long way to get there.
Haven and Hardy's story is very emotional. It touches more than just two ordinary people meeting and falling in love, but two people who've faced unbelievable conflicts, and have battled their way to the top and to each other.
I love Lisa Kleypas' historical and contemporary works, and greatly look forward to visiting the Travis family again in the future.

4. KNOCK THREE TIMES – Amarinda Jones ~Contemporary-erotica -Rating C
~ While the passion between Montie and Tyne burned red hot, I felt that the depth of their emotion for each other, after they'd had sex a couple of times, without really speaking to each other, annoying. I liked Montie and Tyne, I just wish that Ms. Jones had not rushed to the discovery of “I love him/her” moment, because, for me, I need the characters to actually have some basic conversations or interactions outside of intimate relations before I'm ready to experience such significant feelings. I like to watch the relationship grow more between characters. I liked the code between them where Tyne would knock three times before entering, giving Montie a nice little thrill every time she heard it. I thought that the punishment given to the villain was well deserved, though I felt he should have suffered a bit longer for what he wanted to do to Montie.

5.*HIS LADY CAPTIVE – Anne Gracie ~Regency -Rating C
~ This was a really slow start for me, I had a hard time getting into the story, and Ms. Grace almost lost me completely at one point, but she was able to pull me back in, as I hoped for the best outcome for Harry and Nell. I was really rooting for them, they are both determined characters that have faced many hardships. I liked that they had both survived their struggles, as it strengthened their personalities and made them more likable. Also, I felt that they deserved to find a lifetime of happiness. I wasn't surprised by the turn of events and, unfortunately, was not completely satisfied with the villain's punishment, honestly, I felt that he should have suffered a life-time living with his disfigurements. For his crimes, I was all for a cruel justice, over a quick one on.

6.*THE MISSING – Shiloh Walker ~Romantic Suspense/Paranormal (visions) -Rating A+
~ This is a phenomenal tale, with a captivating plot, full of intense emotions and fascinating characters that absolutely blew my mind! Shiloh Walker immediately drew me into the riveting story of Taige and Cullen. I was so enthralled into their lives that by Chapter Three I was bawling my eyes out, it was not a sniffle-sniffle, little tear-up scene, I was absolutely sobbing. I can't remember the last book I read that made me cry so hard. Taige and Cullen were just so compelling that I was completely immersed in their lives and actions, their pain was so acute that I could feel it. Now don't get me wrong, this book wasn't a sobfest or anything like that, but it was very emotional read. There were moments of joy and happiness, anger, and crushing defeat, a mix feelings that were so well written and defined, that I could forget I was reading about fictional characters. I finished this book feeling extremely satisfied. I eagerly anticipate reading more of Shiloh Walkers books, as she has yet to disappoint me.

My July 2008 reads

1.DIE FOR ME-Karen Rose~Suspense -Rating A+
2. SCREAM FOR ME – Karen Rose~Suspense -Rating A+
3. DELICIOUS – Sherry Thomas ~Victorian -Rating B-
~I really liked her writing style, but found the story only mediocre-the last ½ of the book was great.
4. THE LOST DUKE OF WYNDHAM – Julia Quinn~ Regency-Rating A
5. SECRETS OF THE KNIGHT – Julie Latham~Medieval -Rating C
~I had trouble connecting with the characters.
6. TEMPTED BY THE NIGHT(Marlowe #2)– Elizabeth Boyle~Victorian/Paranormal -Rating A+
7. MINE TIL MIDNIGHT (Hathaway #1)– Lisa Kleypas~Victorian -Rating A+
~Love Love Love Cam....
8. SEDUCE ME AT SUNRISE (Hathaway #2)– Lisa Kleypas~Victorian -Rating A+
~Kev (Merripen) & Win's story...this book really focused on the whole Hathaway clan, esp. Cam, with the romance between Kev & Win taking place almost in the background (they are both quieter/privater people, while everyone else are all so boisterous and overpowering), but because I love the whole family, it didn't bother me a bit and was an excellent read
9. IF YOU DARE (McCarrick #1) – Kresley Cole~Victorian -Rating A
10. IF YOU DESIRE (McCarrick #2) – Kresley Cole~Victorian -Rating B-
11. IF YOU DECEIVE ((McCarrick #3) – Kresley Cole~Victorian -Rating A
12. DUCHESS AT NIGHT (Duchess #3) – Eloisa James ~Georgian -Rating A+
13. PROMISES LINGER(Promises #1) – Sarah McCarty~Western -Rating A+
14. PROMISES KEEP (Promises #2) – Sarah McCarty~Western -Rating A
15. PROMISES PREVAIL (Promises #3)– Sarah McCarty~Western -Rating A