Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Free E-Book of First Frost by Jennifer Estep

Kindle Version FREE - Please double check the price before ordering just in case you missed the offer.

Nook Version FREE- Please double check the price before ordering just in case you missed the offer.

Blurb:


I am Gwen Frost, and I have a Gypsy gift. It’s called psychometry – that’s a fancy way of saying that I see images in my head and get flashes of other people’s memories off almost everything I touch, even guys.
My gift makes me kind of nosy. Okay, okay, maybe a lot nosy–to the point of obsession sometimes. I want to know everything about everyone around me. But even I don’t want to know the secrets my friend Paige is hiding or the terrible loss that will send me to a new school – Mythos Academy, where the teachers aren’t preparing us for the SATs, but to battle Reapers of Chaos. Now I have no friends and no idea how my gift fits in with all these warrior whiz kids. The only thing I do know is that my life is never, ever going to be the same…

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

A Secret Love by Stephanie Laurens

Goodreads Description:

All of Regency London knows that no Cynster male would ever walk away from a lady in distress...but their protection can come at a tantalizingly high price. And now, Stephanie Laurens has created her boldest Cynster yet--Gabriel--a man who has known the pleasure of many women, but who has given his heart to no one.
She was desperate for his help...
When a mysterious lady, her face hidden by a black veil, begs Gabriel Cynster for his help, he cannot refuse her plea. For despite her disguise, Gabriel finds the woman alluring and he is powerless to deny her. But he exacts payment as only a Cynster would demand: with each piece of information he uncovers, she must pay him--in the form of a kiss.
He was powerlerss to resist...
Lady Alathea Morwellan knows Gabriel is intrigued, but despite the sparks that fly between them, they have never passed a civil moment together. Yet as the stakes get higher, so does Gabriel's desire for payment. And with each overpowering kiss, each passionate embrace, Alathea knows that she will not be able to resist his ultimate seduction...but what will happen when she reveals the truth?


My Rating:

My Review:

Great 5th book in the Cynster Series.  In this Gabriel and Alathea find their way to each other.  They were childhood friends then at around 12 years old they started to feel differently and ever since would be on edge with each other.  Neither understood that it was attraction and love they shared for each other until one season 20 years later!  The mystery of proving the Central East African Gold Company a fraud brings them closer together and adds great action to the story.  I loved Alathea's character, she was mature and strong willed but fragile in a way.  Gabriel was a smart strong willed gentleman and like all Cynster's went after what he wanted and would not take no for an answer!  The romance is hot and written very well.  I didn't think there was too much description like in some novels and I thought the pace and lay out of the story was perfect.  The only reason I gave it a 4.5 out of 5 is because I didn't feel satisfied at the end.  I don't know what it was thought, maybe it was too rushed.  Also I'd have liked to have read a hint to Lucifer's story.  Can't wait to read his story!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

2012 Krazy Kleypas Reading Challenge



Category Five
Kleypas Krazy
The Kleypas Addiction has full control! You find yourself thinking about the books all the time waiting impatiently for your next fix, started calling all the heroines by your own name... You are beyond saving and loving every word of it!----It's true I am beyond saving and I do love every word of it!!!!!


Books I will be Reading:

1)  (Re-Read)
2)  (Re-Read)
3)  (Re-Read)
4)  (Re-Read)
5)  (Re-Read)
6)  (Re-Read)
7)  (Re-Read)
8)  (Re-Read)
9)  (1st time read)
10)  (Re-Read)
11)  (Re-Read)
12)  (1st time read)
13)  (1st time read)
14)  (1st time read)
15)  (Re-Read)
16)  (Re-Read)
17)  (1st time read)
18)  (1st time read)


Against the Fire by Kat Martin

Goodreads Description:


You can't fight what you can't see. And Gabriel Raines can't be sure just who's setting the fires in his new real-estate development. When two fires hit back-to-back, he knows it's personal, but any number of competitors or ex-employees could be the arsonist.
The police suspect Angel Ramirez, a local teen who's been in trouble before. But Mattie Baker, a volunteer at the Family Abuse center, just can't believe the kid she's been working with would go back to his delinquent ways.
Determined to convince Gabe that she's right, Mattie must get close to him and find out who's putting their neighborhood in jeopardy. And just as the arsonist's flames continue to burn, they find a heat developing between them. It might just turn into a full-fledged fire…if they can survive long enough.
                          My Rating:                        




My Review:

I enjoyed this book a lot more then the first and I highly enjoyed the first.  You can see, or at least I could, the difference an evolution of the writer from Book one to Book two.  I thought the story was a lot more solid and the plot was perfectly paced and laid out.  The one issue I had with the first book was it seemed to be all over the place at some points.  This book had none of those issues.  The mystery was awesome and kept you guessing till the near end.  The romance was realistic but hot and powerfully emotional.  I also enjoyed the two for one romance. You got Gabe and his Foreman Sam both falling in love!  I've never been a big contemporary romance fan but Kat Martin is making me love Contemporary!  I highly recommend!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Beach Lane by Sherryl Woods

Goodreads Description:

In the close-knit community of Chesapeake Shores, Maryland, Susie O'Brien and Mack Franklin's "not dating" claim befuddles everyone, especially since the two spend every spare minute together. Susie's thrilled when their friendship finally heats up. Then, just when happily-ever-after seems within reach, Mack loses the job he loves and Susie faces a devastating diagnosis. 

But O'Briens always unite in a crisis. Even her cousin Jess, Susie's rival for most of their lives, becomes her staunchest supporter --- especially when Mack's former lover comes to town. The stakes are higher than ever before, but Susie's definitely up to the challenge ... as long as Mack's right there by her side.

My Rating: 3 out of 5

My Review:

This book brought out a lot of emotions in me.  I found myself crying a few times.  The story is heart retching but romantic an sweet.  I was very happy with the ending.  The only reason it gets a 3 out of 5 is because the whole what if he doesn't love me or the what if I show my emotions to him and he hurts me worries get a little over done and annoying.  It could of been so much better if there was less whining from Suzie about how Mack felt about her!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Moonlight Cove by Sherryl Woods

Goodreads Description:

Jess O’Brien has overcome a lot — the challenges of attention deficit disorder, the near bankruptcy of her beloved Inn at Eagle Point and her self-perception as a screwup in a family of overachievers. Now she’s ready to share the future with a man. Her friends persuade her to join a dating service — but she gets no takers! Which is fine with her childhood friend, psychologist Will Lincoln, who’s already chosen the perfect man for Jess: himself.
Will has loved Jess practically forever. He knows her faults and her strengths. But for all Will’s sincerity and charm, Jess fears he views her as some psychological case study. With her family and the town of Chesapeake Shores behind him, Will finally makes his case. But is it enough to convince Jess to take the risk of a lifetime?


My Rating: 3 out of 5

My Review:

I read this a while ago and just realized I never reviewed.  I enjoyed the book but it wasn't fantastic.  The romance was good but not more then average.  I thought the plot could have been stronger as well.  All in all a good book but nothing to write home about!

(Sorry so short but I read it awhile ago and just now figured out I forgot to blog about it.)

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Duncan by D.B. Reynolds

Goodreads Description:

Washington, D.C. … capital of an empire. Powerful. Exhilarating. Corrupt. And in the shadows … vampires far older than the nation itself. 

A power unto himself, Duncan has served at Raphael’s side for nearly the entire two hundred years of his existence. But long laid plans have finally borne fruit, and the time has come for Duncan to leave Raphael and tackle the greatest challenge of his life. He will face treacherous vampires and murderous humans. He will rock the halls of human power if necessary. But Washington, D.C. will be his. 

Emma Duquet cares nothing for vampire politics. She just wants to find her missing roommate and best friend, Lacey. But Lacey’s been playing with vampires of a particularly dangerous kind, and Emma will have to deal with the new vampire in town if she’s going to find her friend. 

Battling powerful enemies who will stop at nothing to keep their secrets, Duncan and Emma will dig beneath the corruption and depravity that is Washington, D.C. and uncover the most heinous conspiracy of all …

My Rating: 4 out of 5

My Review:

This story is about Duncan and the first scene is bitter sweet because Duncan is leaving his sire but to set up his own territory!  Great bits of action when Duncan takes over the DC territory but what he finds doesn't make him happy at all.  Starting from the abominations in the basement to the illegal sex ring the old Lord ran, its not an easy job becoming the new Lord.  Emma is one of the easiest complications Duncan has to deal with and he does for hours, multiple times! Their romance is hot and fast.  And just when they think they have everything figured out with the sex ring and what happened to Emma's Foster sister Lacey, another wrench is thrown in the mix.  I really enjoyed the progression on this story and the perfect mix of romance and mystery.  LOVE this series!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

The Husband List by Victoria Alexander

Goodreads Description:

An Unexpected Husband
Against her better judgment, Lady Gillian Marley needs to find herself a husband—and quickly. To claim her uncle's unexpected bequest she must marry by her next birthday, which leaves only two months to find a malleable mate. Topping her list of eligible candidates is the honorable Earl of Shelbrooke, yet one look at the very handsome but enigmatic nobleman and Gillian knows that cajoling him into a marriage of convenience will be hardly convenient at all.
A Marriage of Inconvenience
Far from immune to Gillian's entrancing charms, the last thing Richard Shelton is about to bind himself into is a chaste marriage. Though the inheritance is more than and tempting, Richard knows the lady herself is the real prize and isn't about to allow Gillian to deny the burning fervor that sparks between them. Now he has only two months to convince her to be his wife in full ... before his mysterious secret is revealed and their lives explode irrevocably into scandal.


My Rating: 4 out of 5

My Review:

I loved Gillian's independence and how she approached Richard and proposed to him.  It was an good read on the romance side, I loved how Richard was living two lives as it were and how it ended with Gillian confusing him and playing with his mind! I didn't give this a 5 out of 5 because I felt something was wanting in the intensity of the romance.  It was sweet but not as intense or as emotionally powerful as I wanted.  I did love the twist at the end about the special paintings Gillian had though so that redeemed the story somewhat in what I thought was lacking.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Intentions of the Earl by Rose Gordon

Goodreads Description:

Will he secure his future by ruining hers, or will she ruin his plans by securing him? A new twist on the old fortune hunter plot puts an impoverished earl in a position to gain his fortune only by ruining an innocent's reputation without offering marriage. The innocent he's selected, however, has no plans to settle for anything less than marriage and will go to almost any length to secure him. 

When the impoverished Andrew Black, Earl of Townson, hits rock bottom, he makes an agreement that will end his eight year poverty streak once and for all. In order to gain his fortune he must do but one simple thing: ruin an innocent girl’s reputation enough to make her flee to America.

Brooke Banks isn’t interested in marriage, or so she thinks. She came to London to have a good time, and that’s exactly what she’s doing. Widely known for her tendency to flout the rules, she suspects nothing when a handsome stranger appears on her doorstep. 


Thirteen days, a handful of kisses and one scandalous situation later, Andrew and Brooke will have to choose to stick to their original plans, or decide if a life together is worth the risk. 

***This is a full-length novel, apprx. 100,000 words.

My Rating: 5 out of 5

My Review:

I was surfing Amazon and this came up and was only $.99 so I figured I'd give it a try.  I am so glad I did, I couldn't put it down.  This first in the series, is about Brooke and Andrew, Earl of Townson.  Brooke and her two sisters and Mother are from America, her father originally from Britian and who's brother is a Baron.  Brooke is the most outspoken and independent it seems of the sisters and doesn't shy from a little verbal war with a man.  Andrew is intrigued and what began as a way to get his property back form the Duke turns into something more.  Andrew lost the last of his entailed estates to a Duke who was made a fool of by Brooke.  He arranges for Andrew to create a scandal so large the whole family has to return to America.  But Andrew is a gentleman and no matter what he can't forget that!  Great story, loved the twist with Andrews mother and the Duke.  Can't wait to read the second in the series, about Liberty!

Seven Secrets of Seduction by Anne Mallory

Goodreads Description:


Scandalous and provocative, The Seven Secrets of Seduction is an intoxicating insight into the mind of men and the desires of women; and the book has all the ton talking.

Secret #1: Every good seduction begins with a baited hook . . .
Well-educated, but not part of society, Miranda Chase is just as captivated by the erotic pages as everyone else in London. Intrigued by the layers she sees beneath the book's surface, she writes an editorial about it, never realizing that her passionate words will draw an actualviscount to her uncle's bookshop.
Maximilian, Viscount Downing, has very particular ideas about passion and sees truth only in desire. He freely flaunts his sensual power and seeks nothing more than another conquest; the one that could justify his entire debauched existence. But Miranda's blend of innocence, trust, and love cause a strange thing to happen on the way to this seduction. Something that just might threaten the very fabric of his jaded heart . . .


My Rating: 5 out of 5

My Review:


I am so glad I picked this book up! Miranda works at her Uncles book shop and has lived with him since her parents and brother died in a carriage accident that only she survived.  Maximilian walks into Miranda's life and nothing is ever the same.  Through out the book you learn nothing is as it seems an I wish I could say more but I don't want to give anything away.  The romance is funny and sweet and at points hot! Miranda and Max grown as people for the better an it's awesome to see!

A wonderful new series for me to read and I can't wait to get the second to read.  I already have the third on my kindle so I should speed through this series!  Loved it!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish by Grace Burrowes

Goodreads Description:


A luminous holiday tale of romance, passion, and dreams come true from rising star Grace Burrowes, whose award-winning Regency romances are capturing hearts worldwide.

All she wants is peace and anonymity...
Lady Sophie Windham has maneuvered a few days to herself at the ducal mansion in London before she must join her family for Christmas in Kent. Suddenly trapped by a London snowstorm, she finds herself with an abandoned baby and only the assistance of a kind, handsome stranger standing between her and complete disaster.
But Sophie's holiday is about to heat up...
With his estate in ruins, Vim Charpentier sees little to feel festive about this Christmas. His growing attraction for Sophie Windham is the only thing that warms his spirits-but when Sophie's brothers whisk her away, Vim's most painful holiday memories are reawakened.
It seems Sophie's been keeping secrets, and now it will take much more than a mistletoe kiss to make her deepest wishes come true...


My Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5

My Review:


I loved finally seeing things from one of the women's point of view!  Sophia is sick of seeing all the happy families forming.  She conceiving of a plan to get a few quiet weeks in London by herself and it turns out to be anything but peaceful.  She is stuck with a maids baby boy, and Vim is at the right place at the right time because Sophia knows nothing about taking care of a baby.  I loved seeing a male being so calm and wonderful with a baby.  The romance was sweet and felt so natural.  It was just lovely and I LOVED it.  I loved how they both tried to hide their titles and how they find out who they really are.  I really loved when they went to Kent and all that happened there.  I thought the issues with Sophies dad and Vim were 'fixed' too quickly.  That's the only reason it didn't get a 5 out of 5!  I can't wait till 2012 for another book!

The Virtuoso by Grace Burrowes

Goodreads Description:

The highly praised trilogy of Regency romances by award-winning author Grace Burrowes concludes with gifted pianist Valentine Windham, youngest son of the Duke of Moreland. Val retreats to the country after an injury robs him of his musical ability, only to learn from impoverished widow Ellen Markham that he can be loved even when his music falls silent.


My Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5


My Review:


I absolutely LOVE Grace Burrowes.  She is one of my absolute must buy authors.  This book didn't let me know.  I felt for Val and his injured hand.  I loved his meeting with Ellen and the romance that ensues.  It was perfectly paced and had just the right amount of description and heat!  Pick this book up an you will not regret it!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

A Rogue's Proposal (Cynster, #4) by Stephanie Laurens

Goodreads Description:

Demon Cynster has seen love bring other men to their knees and he wants no part of it. That is, until he meets the enchanting Felicity Parteger, who wants to marry and become a mother. Although passion runs high on both sides, Felicity knows Demon is not one to surrender his freedom.


My Rating: 4 out of 5


My Review:


Another great story in the Cynster series.  This one involves Demon and his romancing and wedding of Felicity Parteger.  Felicity grew up as a ward to the General next door to Demon's Country farm.  She is his match in EVERY way and makes him realize it before she agrees to become his bride. They also have to solve a mystery of who is fixing the horse races and save Felicity's 'brother', the Generals son, who got involved and now is hiding to save his life.  Great action and romance, but to me, WAY to much description in the love scenes.  I ended up just scanning an skipping paragraphs.  There is only so much pointless description one can read about clothing and lighting!  But there are only a few scenes like this an easily forgotten when looking at the book as a whole.  Can't wait to get my hands on the 5th in the series!

Against the Wind by Kat Martin

Goodreads Description:

They were known as the "no-account Raines boys" but they've grown into successful, honorable men and everything they have, they've fought for tooth and nail. Now each of the three brothers has one last obstacle to overcome to claim what's eluding them: love.
Secrets don't stay buried long in cattle country. Sarah Allen, the beautiful girl who humiliated Jackson Raines in high school, is back in town. Not so long ago, she couldn't wait to leave Wind Canyon, Wyoming, in her dust. But, recently widowed, she has nowhere else to go and finds herself on Jackson's ranch. And despite everything, Jackson's finding himself reluctant to get rid of her.
Sarah brings her own kind of trouble, and he can't resist trouble. Enemies of her dead husband show up making threats, thinking she has something they're owed. They're not taking no for an answer, but what they will take is the one thing she has left—her daughter. Jackson's the only one who might be able to save little Holly and bring her home.


My Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5

My Review:

I am not really a huge contemporary romance fan.  But a favorite author of mine recommended this author so I picked up this book at the library.  I enjoyed it and I loved having a change in pace from my normal books.  I liked the story line, the mystery.  I was drawn in by the mystery and the premises of a small town girl who rose above her lot but with the wrong man, to find true love later on in life after some serious events have changed her forever.  Sarah Allen is that girl.  She marries who she think is the perfect man to realize too late he is anything but.  After his murder, she moves back to her home town with her daughter and realizes she's rented a cottage on Jackson Raines ranch.  She was horrible to him when they were younger but that doesn't prevent them from falling for each other.  The romance is perfectly paced and sweet.  Jacksons interaction with Sarahs daughter too are sweet!  I also loved meeting Jacksons 2 brothers and can't wait to see how they find love!  The main reason this got a 3 1/2 out of 5 was because to me the ending felt very rushed.  After all the detail and description in the majority of the book the end was just too quick!  But still a good read and I don't regret reading it at all!

Monday, November 7, 2011

Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas--- Preview!

Below is a excerpt from Lisa Kleypas soon to be released Rainshadow Road, Releasing in February..
Lucy Marinn, a glass artist who lives on San Juan Island, has just been dumped by her boyfriend Kevin. Needing some privacy and time to think, she goes to a nearby beach and meets a dark-haired stranger . . .
In the periphery of her vision, Lucy saw a dog making his way along the edge of the water. He was followed by a dark-haired stranger, whose alert gaze was fastened on her.

The sight of him kindled instant unease. He had the strapping build of a man who earned his living outdoors. And something about him conveyed a sense of having been acquainted with life's rougher edges. In other circumstances Lucy might have reacted differently, but she didn't care to find herself alone on a beach with him.
She headed to the trail that led back up to the roadside turnout. A glance over her shoulder revealed that he was following her. That jolted her nerves into high gear. As she quickened her pace, the toe of her sneaker caught on the wind-scuffed basalt. Her weight pitched forward and she hit the ground, taking the impact on her hands.
Stunned, Lucy tried to collect herself. By the time she had struggled to her feet, the man had reached her. She spun to face him with a gasp, her disheveled brown hair partially obscuring her vision.

"Take it easy, will you?" he said curtly.

Lucy pushed the hair out of her eyes and regarded him warily. His eyes were a vivid shade of blue-green in his tanned face. He was striking, sexy, with a quality of rough-and-tumble attractiveness. Although he looked no more than thirty, his face was seasoned with the maturity of a man who'd done his share of living.

"You were following me," Lucy said.

"I was not following you. This happens to be the only path back to the road, and I'd like to get back to my truck before the storm hits. So if you wouldn't mind, either step it up or get out of the way."

Lucy stood to the side. "Don't let me hold you back."

The stranger's gaze went to her hand, where smears of blood had collected in the creases of her fingers. An edge of rock had cut into the top of her palm when she had fallen. He frowned. "I've got a first aid kit in my truck."

"It's nothing," Lucy said, although the cut was throbbing heavily. She blotted the welling blood on her jeans. "I'm fine."

"Put pressure on it with your other hand," the man said. His mouth tightened as he surveyed her. "I'll walk up the trail with you."

"Why?"

"In case you fall again."

"I'm not going to fall."

"It's steep ground. And from what I've seen so far, you're not exactly sure-footed."

Lucy let out an incredulous laugh. "You are the most . . . I . . . I don’t even know you."
"Sam Nolan. I live at False Bay." He paused as an ominous peal of thunder rent the sky. "Let's get moving."

"Your people skills could use some work," Lucy said. But she offered no objection as he accompanied her along the rough terrain.

"Keep up, Renfield," Sam said to the bulldog, who followed with apoplectic snorts and wheezes.

"Do you live on the island full-time?" Lucy asked.

"Yes. Born and raised here. You?"

"I've been here a couple of years." Darkly she added, "But I may be moving soon."

"Changing jobs?"

"No." Although Lucy was usually circumspect about her private life, some reckless impulse caused her to add, "My boyfriend just broke up with me."

Sam gave her a quick sideways glance. "Today?"

"About an hour ago."

"Sure it's over? Maybe it was just an argument."

"I'm sure," Lucy said. "He's been cheating on me."

"Then good riddance."

"You're not going to defend him?" Lucy asked cynically.

"Why would I defend a guy like that?"

"Because he's a man, and apparently men can't help cheating. It's the way you're built. A biological imperative."

"Like hell it is. A man doesn't cheat. If you want to go after someone else, you break up first. No exceptions." They continued along the path. Heavy raindrops tapped the ground with increasing profusion. "Almost there," Sam said. "Is your hand still bleeding?"

Cautiously Lucy released the pressure she had been applying with her fingers, and glanced at the oozing cut. "It's slowed."

"If it doesn't stop soon, you may need a stitch or two." That caused her to stumble, and he reached for her elbow to steady her. Seeing that she had blanched, he asked, "You've never had stitches?"

"No, and I'd rather not start now. I have trypanophobia."

"What's that? Fear of needles?

"Uh-huh. You think that's silly, don't you?"

He shook his head, a faint smile touching his lips. "I have a worse phobia."

"What is it?"

"It's strictly need-to-know."

"Spiders?" she guessed. "Fear of heights? Fear of clowns?"

His smile widened to a brief, dazzling flash. "Not even close."

They reached the turnout, and his hand dropped from her elbow. He went to the battered blue pickup, opened the door, and began to rummage inside. The bulldog lumbered to the side of the truck and sat, watching the proceedings through a mass of folds and furrows on his face.

Lucy waited nearby, watching Sam discreetly. His body was strong and lean beneath the worn bleached cotton of his tee shirt, jeans hanging slightly loose from his hips. There was a particular look about men from this region, a kind of bone-deep toughness. The Pacific Northwest had been populated by explorers, pioneers and soldiers who had never known when a supply ship was coming. They had survived on what they could get from the ocean and mountains. Only a particular amalgam of hardness and humor could enable a man to survive starvation, cold, disease, enemy attacks, and periods of near-fatal boredom. You could still see it in their descendants, men who lived by nature's rules first and society's rules second.

"You have to tell me," Lucy said. "You can't just say you have a worse phobia than mine and then leave me hanging."

He pulled out a white plastic kit with a red cross on it. Taking an antiseptic wipe from the kit, he used his teeth to tear the packet open. "Give me your hand," he said. She hesitated before complying. The gentle grip of his hand was electrifying, eliciting a sharp awareness of the heat and strength of the male body so close to hers. Lucy's breath caught as she stared into those intense blue eyes. Some men just had it, that something-extra that could knock you flat if you let it.

"This is going to sting," he said as he began to clean the cut with gentle strokes.
The breath hissed between her teeth as the antiseptic burned.

Lucy waited quietly, wondering why a stranger would go to this amount of trouble for her. As his head bent over her hand, she stared at the thick locks of his hair, a shade of brown so rich and dark that it appeared almost black.

"You're not in bad shape, considering," she heard him murmur.

"Are you talking about my hand or my breakup?"

"Breakup. Most women would be crying right now."

"I'm still in shock. The next stage is crying and sending angry text messages to everyone I know. After that is the stage when I'll want to rehash the relationship until all my friends start avoiding me." Lucy knew she was chattering, but she couldn't seem to stop herself. "In the final stage, I'll get a short haircut that doesn't flatter me, and buy a lot of expensive shoes I'll never wear."

"It's a lot simpler for guys," Sam said. "We just drink a lot of beer, go a few days without shaving, and buy an appliance."

"You mean . . . like a toaster?"

"No, something that makes noise. Like a leaf-blower or chainsaw. It's very healing."

That drew a brief, reluctant smile from her.

She needed to go home and think about the fact that her life was entirely different than it had been when she woke up that morning. How could she go back to the home that she and Kevin had created together? She couldn't sit at the kitchen table with the wobbly leg that both of them had tried to fix countless times, and listen to the ticking of the vintage black cat clock with the pendulum tail that Kevin had given her for her twenty-fifth birthday. Their flatware was a jumble of mismatched knives, forks and spoons from antique stores. Flatware with wonderful names. They had delighted in finding new treasures—a King Edward fork, a Waltz of Spring spoon. Now every object in that house had just become evidence of another failed relationship. How was she going to face that damning accumulation?

Sam applied an adhesive bandage to her hand. "I don't think you'll have to worry about stitches," he said. "The bleeding's almost stopped." He held her hand just a fraction of a second longer than necessary before letting go. "What's your name?

Lucy shook her head, the shadow of a smile still lingering. "Not unless you tell me your phobia."

He looked down at her. The rain was falling faster now, a fabric of droplets glittering on his skin, weighting his hair until the thick locks darkened and separated. "Peanut butter," he said.

"Why?" she asked, bemused. "Do you have an allergy?"

Sam shook his head. "It's the feeling of having it stick to the roof of my mouth."

She gave him a skeptical smile. "Is that a real phobia?"

"Absolutely." He tilted his head, studying her with those striking eyes. Waiting for her name, she realized.

"Lucy," she said.

"Lucy." A new softness edged his voice as he asked, "You want to go somewhere and talk? Maybe have coffee?"

Lucy was amazed by the strength of the temptation to say yes. But she knew that if she went anywhere with this big, good-looking stranger, she was going to end up weeping and complaining about her pathetic love life. In response to his kindness, she was going to spare him that. "Thanks, but I really have to go," she said, feeling desperate and defeated.

"Can I drive you home? I could put your bike in the back of the truck."

Her throat closed. She shook her head and turned away. 

"I live at the end of Rainshadow Road," Sam said from behind her. "At the vineyard on False Bay. Come for a visit, and I'll open a bottle of wine. We'll talk about anything you want." He paused. "Any time."

Lucy cast a bleak smile over her shoulder. "Thank you. But I can't take you up on that." She went to her bike, raised the kickstand, and swung her leg over.

"Why not?"

"The guy who just broke up with me . . . he was exactly like you, in the beginning. Charming, and nice. They're all like you in the beginning. But I always end up like this. And I can't do it anymore."

She rode away through the rain, the tires digging ruts into the softening ground. And even though she knew he was watching, she didn't let herself look back.
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Friday, November 4, 2011

The Virgin's Secret by Victoria Alexander

Goodreads Description:


Even the least sensible woman knew, upon meeting his gaze, that here was a man who was more than he might at first appear, who might steal the heart of even the most resistant woman. But oh, what a lovely theft!

Adventurer Nathanial Harrington would never steal another man's discovery. And he'd never be so dishonorable as to tempt an untouched woman into his bed . . . even one as stunningly beautiful as Gabriella Montini. Yet she intrigues him. What is her secret? Nate would do anything to find out.
Nathanial is an earl's son—but Gabriella knows he's not to be trusted! He's more than just a mere thief of hearts, he's also stolen her brother's good name. Determined to restore his reputation, she'd even masquerade as a destitute orphan and be taken into his family's home. But how can she continue her ruse when she finds herself succumbing to Nathanial's passionate charms?


My Rating: 5 out of 5

My Review:

I had read the second in this series before this book and had to pick this one up! I am so glad I did! Nathanial, one of the Harrington Brothers, LOVES history and finding it. When his path crosses Gabriella, Nathanials honor can't let her go on her quest with out his help and protection. While they try to prove Gabriella's brother had a seal and that it was stolen, they discover their true feelings for each other. I loved the twists in the plot, the pace was perfect and made the story even more enjoyable! The mystery and romance are in perfect ratio and I can't wait to find out who wants the three seals, and if they find them all and the Virgins Secret!