~Book Review~ Miss Isabella Thaws a Frosty Lord

Miss Isabella Thaws a Frosty Lord by Larissa Lyons 

My rating: 4.5 of 5 pearls

warning for sensitive readers: there is a graphic love scene at the very end 

I debated exactly what to rate this story, 4 or 5 pearls. Ultimately, though, it boiled down to one undeniable fact: Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. Thus, it receives 4.5 pearls from me (rounding up to 5). 

This novella is reminiscent of the older, traditional Regencies, fun and sweet. I could picture these characters so clearly and I adored their interactions. I laughed several times, smiled most of the time, and teared up at others. 

The final chapter, however, was one I skipped, mostly, as it was a love scene between the married H/H. It was a little too graphic for my personal tastes. Other than that, I adored this story.

I designed the cover for this story before reading it. I'm quite pleased with how well it matches. :O)

My Kindle copy was supplied by the author. I was not paid in any way for this review. The opinions expressed here are my own. Purchasing through the Amazon link provided here will result in me earning a tiny commission.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

~Book Review~ Wickedly Charming

Wickedly Charming by Kristine Grayson

My rating: 4.5 of 5 pearls

Oh my. I seriously didn't expect to enjoy this story but lately, I've been interested in fairy tale retellings. This one was hard to put down (even while using Kindle for PC) and made me laugh quite a bit. I really enjoyed Ms Grayson's style, even with the multiple "brackets-within-parentheses" in the story. I loved the characters even when I wanted to slap them all, just to wake them up a little. I loved the feel-good quality of the story. It left me with a happy sigh. There were typos, of course, more than I expected, but nothing so bad as to cause frustration.

My favorite line (one that made me laugh out loud, much to my husband's amusement): "(...it was her experience that anyone with a shred of power should be pitched across a room [or down a staircase] every once in a while.)" (Her is in reference to the heroine, Mellie.)

I was also pleasantly surprised by the lack of sexual details. That's hard to find in romances, especially contemporary-set ones. There was a little bit of language, but nothing that pulled me out of the story and certainly nothing that made me consider walking away from it.

I definitely didn't take this seriously. It was entertaining, different (for me, anyway), and lighthearted, though I do appreciate the underlying message.

Would I read it again? Probably.

Disclaimer: I'm pretty sure I downloaded this free from Amazon. I could be wrong about the free part, but I know I got it from Amazon. I was not paid in any way for my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

~Book Bargains~ All Jaimey Grant Titles Free {Today Only}

I'm offering all of my eBooks for FREE. That's right, free. Today only (Friday, November 25) you can download one or all of my eBooks from Smashwords for FREE. The codes stop working on Saturday so take advantage NOW. 

Have I said FREE enough?

Here are the links and codes. All you have to do is click over to Smashwords, add the book(s) to your cart, apply the code(s), and submit your order. Make sure your cart total is $0.00 before you click submit. 

• The Dragon's Birth (fantasy short story [not romance]) 

Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/93831 

Code: KX58A 

• Honor (Regency romance) 

Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/60023 

Code: DY39S 

• Betrayal (Regency romance) 

Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1324 

Code: VL69J 

• Deception (Regency romance) 

Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/22609 

Code: RH36B 

• Spellbound (Regency romance) 

Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1375 

Code: AY43H 

• Redemption (Regency romance) 

Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1433 

Code: KE43Q 

Happy reading!!

*Crossover post from my author blog.

~Book Bargains~ Arms of an Angel

Linda Boulanger's Arms of an Angel (eBook edition) will only be the bargain price of $0.99 for a limited time! Get your copy now, before it jumps up to $1.99 (still a bargain, I know, but a dollar's a dollar, right?). This is a fabulous, emotionally draining, sweet, happily-ever-after romance novella. I recommend it, even though it's contemporary and everyone knows I far prefer historical. ;O) 

Grab it from the Kindle store or Smashwords. 

Happy reading!! 

~Book Giveaway Winner~ Lonely Hearts and Darkspell eBooks

According to Random.org, the person with the 6th comment won. Congratulations, Anonymous (jodiewbb@aol.com)! Watch your inbox for an email from jaimeygrant {at} yahoo {dot} com.

Thanx for entering, everyone!!

~Book Giveaway~ Launch Party Excitement!

Two of my fellow TreasureLine Publishing authors are celebrating their book launches today and guess what? They are both clean romances! YAY! 

Today is the official release day for Amanda Stephan's Lonely Hearts, a contemporary Christian romance sure to leave you with a sigh and maybe even a tear or two.

From the Novel Launch page:
  "One lonely mother. Two matchmaking kids. Three eligible bachelors, and some very yummy apple pie!
  When widow Becky Callis moves to a new town, her intentions were to start over in a place where she's not reminded of her dead husband. Her kids, however, take it as a chance to help her start over romantically. They soon realize it's easier to find someone to like their mother than it is to figure out which man is best for her.
  To the delight of both kids, young and handsome cowboy Scott Boone makes his interest plain and starts courting Becky almost immediately.
  But Jack Anderson and Becky have been friends since childhood. When they're reunited years after their lives have taken very different paths, this lonely preacher begins to wonder if God has brought her back into his life for a reason.
  Pearce Morgan is a single parent raising his young daughter. Divorced and disillusioned, an unlikely friendship arises between him and Becky when his shy daughter decides she loves Becky and her kids.
  Lonely Hearts is a heartwarming story of second chances and choices, and includes an exclusive apple pie recipe!"

Elizabeth Mueller's Darkspell made its debut yesterday, just in time for Halloween ordering. This young adult paranormal novel is sure to satisfy your desire for romance and adventure.

From the Novel Launch page:
  "Winter Sky believes she is everything ordinary ... until she is kissed by Alex Stormhold. As seer of Stormhold Coven, Alex is sworn to be Winter's protector against the darkness that hunts her. Violently thrust into a magickal realm she always thought impossible, she stumbles upon a disturbing secret of her own. Will love prove thicker than magick? Included in this volume are author-created illustrations that bestselling author Ellen C. Maze calls a mind blowing treat. Darkspell is classified as a Young Adult Paranormal Romance that will appeal beyond the genre."

The books above link to the official party pages at the Novel Launch website. Click on over to see all the wonderful ways to win books and prizes.

But first...

I've been given two e-copies (one of each book) to give away to one very fortunate commenter. The winner will be announced tomorrow, November 2, and I will accept entries right up until I make the announcement.  The winner will receive two Smashwords download codes, which will be emailed right to his/her inbox. Make sure you remember to include your email address in your comment. If you can't wait to see if you've won and want these books now, click over to Novel Launch for special party pricing.

Happy reading and commenting!!

My Lady Coward, a Serial Romance

As this site is devoted to clean and sweet romance, I'll post here about my new Regency serial I'm writing for the Clever Fiction site. (For more info on Clever Fiction, please CLICK HERE.) 

My Lady Coward is a clean romance that focuses on the mind of a young Regency bride as she struggles to balance her ladylike training with her love for her husband. Having come from the merchant class (and admired her father greatly for his work ethic*), her training was not as deeply instilled, making it difficult for her to always adhere to that training. However, what she lacks in natural breeding is more than stifled by her husband's very natural, very dukely (not a real word but I use it anyway) manner. Thus, she suffers in silence as he goes about his life in the way Society says he can, just because he's titled and privileged.

*For the record, work ethic dates back to 1959. I use it here for descriptive purposes only.

Below, you'll find the opening paragraphs of each installment and a link to the Clever Fiction site where you can read the rest of each part. There will probably be more My Lady Coward shorts in the future, so stay tuned! Enjoy!!

Part 1 (posted 10/06/11): 

  He'd had a mistress for years. She'd known it all along. Heart aching, she'd comforted herself with the thought that it was nothing more than a physical relationship, something he did to save face before his Society friends.

  He'd lost so much respect when he'd married her. She was nothing more than the daughter of a Cit, a despised class of people who earned their money from trade rather than inheriting it as any decent sort would.
  Lady Maria sighed and sipped her tea. Was marriage to a duke worth the heartache, the loss? With her marriage vows came the acquisition of a title and position in Society. Security. With her marriage vows came the loss of her friends, her family, and everything familiar and comfortable. Love.
  (to read the rest, CLICK HERE)

Part 2 (posted 10/20/11):
  Lady Maria waited in her bed, clothed in a diaphanous nightdress. A single candle, burning on the nightstand, kept the room from complete darkness.
  It was the fourteenth consecutive night she'd waited thus, a book in hand so as to appear nonchalant, less like a young wife awaiting her husband's presence in her bed.
  Would this be the night? She'd listened to rumor after rumor concerning her husband and where he preferred to spend his nights. She'd accepted it as life in high Society, the life of a real lady.
  They'd consummated their marriage, of course. Her face warmed at the memory, a tiny smile touching her lips. Even now, weeks later, Maria could still feel Richard's caress, feel his fingers grazing her skin, his lips brushing her lips, her neck, her shoulder, her...
  (to read the rest, CLICK HERE)

Part 3 (posted 10/27/11):
  They were married in October. No Society marriage ever took place in October. The weather had already turned cold, a harbinger of the no doubt difficult winter to come. Was it an omen, a sign of ill luck?
  Shaking her head, Maria turned away from the window through which she'd been blindly staring, watching the servants load boxes and traveling cases into the carriage waiting out front. The soft rustling of her skirts made a strange counterpoint to the occasional crackle from the fire, a necessary luxury on such a chilly morning.
  It was silly to believe in such superstitious nonsense. Her marriage was not doomed due to an October wedding or an early chill in the air. No, her marriage suffered the insurmountable odds of unequal birth.
  (to read the rest, CLICK HERE)

*All links open in a new tab or window, depending on your browser settings.

~Author Interview~ Jenna Anderson

I have an extra special treat for you today! I've interviewed Jenna Anderson, author of the supremely funny and sweet novella, Off Leash (click here for my review) and she has graciously agreed to give away a copy of this book. Read on to find out how... 

Laura (Jaimey): 

   Hi Jenna! Thanx for joining us here at Romance, Old School. 

Jenna:
   Thanks for having me. This is my first interview so I’m a little nervous. 

Laura: 

   There's nothing to be nervous about. Interviews are painless, I promise. :O)

   Just to start things off, tell us a little bit about yourself and your writing. 

Jenna:
   I live in the upper Midwest with my husband, son and crazy dog, Chachi. I grew up in a very small town. People who read my ebooks will see some evidence of that in the storylines. Small towns definitely have their own unique vibe.

   My first attempt at writing happened in 2008. Up until then I’d always had stories rolling around in my head, but never put them down on paper. The catalyst was my mother entering the nursing home. It was a rough time for me. I’d sit in her 10 x 12 room and look at what her life had dwindled down to - a few pictures, handmade quilt and misc knick-knacks. Her history summarized by a handful of things. It made me wonder, what would my 10 x 12 room look like? What things would it contain? And will I be satisfied with what I see on my shelves?

   I decided that there couldn’t be anything left undone or untried. My ‘someday’ list couldn’t wait. So I tackled the first thing on it - writing fiction.

Laura:
    I have heard many reasons for a person to begin writing but I have to say, that's one that really makes you think. I wonder now what my own 10x12 room would look like.
   I know this is a question that is WAY overdone in author interviews but I'm just dying to know what inspired your novella Off Leash!

Jenna:
   Wow, let’s see if I can remember. I started this story so long ago. I write horribly slow. My first release was in October of 2009. It took me almost two years to finish my next story. Yikes!

   Our current pet is a shih tzu but we used to have two bichon frises. They are such a fun breed. I believe they were primarily used as circus dogs. A tidbit of the storyline came to mind one day - a city gal makes a quick pit stop in a small town with her fluffy bichon. Her purebred pooch gets off of its leash and the rest of the story just snowballed from there.

   I’m a very undisciplined writer - a wild panster. I sit at my keyboard and let the story fly off my fingers. So the incident with the GPS, cell phone, brown and purple leopard skin boots, Sandy the nosey friend, three little nieces, etc. were all gifts from my invisible muse.

   Now Ginger, the goat… she’s based on an actual animal I met years ago. So cute. I hope readers like her as much as I do.

Laura:
   I can relate to the writing muse of a pantser, believe me. ;O)
   I love the cover and how perfectly it fits your story. Who is the artist?

Jenna:
   Jeff Okerstrom. He’s a former coworker of mine and very talented. I sent him my ideas and he drew the entire thing from scratch! I envy talented, artistic people. He also did the cover for Healing Touch and I made him promise to create more for me in the future.

Laura:
   That's certainly good news. You clearly work well together to create the perfect covers for your stories.
   You also write reviews but only for a certain length of story. Can you tell us a little about that and where we can find your site?

Jenna: 
   My life is so busy and finding time to read a long, involved novel can be tough. I enjoy reading novellas and short stories. They’re perfect for my crazy world and short attention span. My Kindle is also perfect for this. There has been a nice influx of titles since ereaders have been invented and I’m more than happy to read them. I read so many I thought I might as well start a review blog. People can find it here - http://www.NovellaReviews.blogspot.com.

Laura:
  I've certainly enjoyed reading your reviews and I think all writer moms can relate to a sad lack of reading time.
   There is a page on your website called Struggling Readers. What is this page about and why is it important to you?

Jenna: 
   My son was diagnosed with a learning disability in second grade. We knew something wasn’t quite right already in Kindergarten. He is now entering the seventh grade {gasp} and reading is still difficult for him. So that section of my blog is about the trials and tribulations of that life adventure. I’m very proud of his effort. He loves books and has a great imagination. I wouldn’t be surprised if he writes his own story someday.

   I’ve found it difficult and frustrating to locate books at his reading level that he wants to read. Let’s face it, no fifth grader likes SpongeBob or Power Rangers anymore. Sadly, many books are either above his abilities or don’t indicate the reading level. I’m trying to help other frustrated parents by listing resources and creating useful book lists for struggling readers.

Laura:
  For those of you who'd like more info on the resources Jenna's mentioned, you can check out her page here: http://www.jennascribbles.com/struggling-readers/.
   Thank you so much for joining us! A little bird told me you have a book to give away. :O)

Jenna: 
    Thank you for having me. I survived my first interview. Yay!

   I’d love to give away a copy of Off Leash to one of your readers. The winner, once selected, will receive the book either as a Kindle gift from Amazon US or as a Smashwords coupon.

To enter the giveaway, simply comment on this post (please make sure you are a follower of this blog) and remember to include your email address so it's easier to contact you if you win. It's that easy. The winner will be announced Saturday, August 20.

If you'd like to skip the giveaway and get your copy of Off Leash (or Healing Touch) right now, they can be purchased through many online retailers. To see the full list of buying options, please see http://www.jennascribbles.com/my-titles/.

For more info on Jenna and her books, check out her website: http://www.JennaScribbles.com or her author page on Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Jenna-Anderson/e/B0033D2I8S.

~Book Review~ Emma's Dragon

Emma's Dragon: A Fairly Horrible Love Story by Ellen C. Maze

My rating: 3.8 of 5 pearls

Emma sees a dragon and tells the local deputy, a man whose belief in her story is a bit strange, to say the least.

This is very well-written story, cute albeit in a twisted, morbid kind of way. Really, it was right up my alley...a bit too much in that I suspected the twist fairly early on. However, had it ended any other way, I'd have been very disappointed in the story and the author.

I'd recommend this to anyone who likes dragon stories that don't follow the norm, anyone who likes strangeness, and anyone who likes romance that isn't what it seems.

*Disclaimer: I was not paid in any way for this review. I purchased this eBook from Amazon at full price.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

This Just In!! (#4)

Like I've said before, I don't buy very many books. With the recent sale at Smashwords, however, not to mention the oodles of freebies in the Kindle Store on Amazon, I've stocked up on some interesting titles. Here are just a few of my more recent purchases. 

Just Purchased: 

---

The Duke and I with Bonus Material by Julia Quinn. 

Product Description:

Simon Basset, the irresistible Duke of Hastings, has hatched a plan to keep himself free from the town's marriage-minded society mothers. He pretends to be engaged to the lovely Daphne Bridgerton. After all, it isn't as if the brooding rogue has any real plans to marry - though there is something about the alluring Miss Bridgerton that sets Simon's heart beating a bit faster. And as for Daphne, surely the clever debutante will attract some very worthy suitors now that it seems a duke has declared her desirable. But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, she soon forgets that their courtship is a complete sham. And now she has to do the impossible and keep herself from losing her heart and soul completely to the handsome hell-raiser who has sworn off marriage forever! 

For a limited time, discover Julia Quinn for only $1.99! Plus, dip into excerpts from new releases by Julia, Elizabeth Boyle, and Caroline Linden. 

This book is on sale for a limited time in the Kindle Store ($1.99). I enjoyed the other Bridgerton novels and this was one I've never read, so naturally, I bought it. The Duke and I is book 1 in the Bridgerton family series.

---

A Proper Companion by Candice Hern

Product Description:

Fans of the traditional Regency Romances of Georgette Heyer, Jo Beverley, and Carla Kelly will enjoy this witty romance from New York Times bestselling author Candice Hern. Robert, Lord Bradleigh, is a rakish earl with a recently arranged betrothal to a lovely young girl he barely knows. Emily Townsend is an impoverished spinster employed as a companion to his grandmother, the formidable dowager countess. Robert agrees to help his grandmother find a husband for the beautiful Emily, but how is he to bear the thought of her in another man's arms? This sparkling tale will take you from the Pump Room at Bath to the ballrooms of London as the unexpected and undeniable attraction between Robert and Emily blossoms into something more … something that could put one of them in danger. 

"Candice Hern is a striking talent of superior merit, one whose intelligence, wit, and craftsmanship are as impressive as her elegant romantic sensibility." --Romantic Times 

Now, unless I'm much mistaken, this is a re-release of one of Ms. Hern's older, traditional titles. Best of all, this title is FREE!*

*Any time a Kindle book is mentioned as being free, make sure it is in the Kindle Store BEFORE you push the Buy now with 1-click button.

---

And from the local used book store...
I acquired paperback copies of Brighter than the Sun and On the Way to the Wedding (both by Julia Quinn) for $1 each.

Brighter than the Sun is book 2 in the Lyndon Sisters series. I wonder if I should box this one up until I acquire book 1? 

On the Way to the Wedding is the final installment of the Bridgerton series (book 8), all about the youngest Bridgerton male, Gregory. Since I just today purchased the Kindle edition of The Duke and I, I believe I'm only missing one from this series now, Romancing Mr Bridgerton.

On a slightly different note (but still book related), I'm working on a book giveaway. Something similar to the mystery collection (not actual mysteries, I just don't reveal the titles) I gave away several months ago on my author blog. Click HERE if you're dying of curiosity and just HAVE TO KNOW what I'm talking about. :O)

Happy reading!! 

~Book Review~ Off Leash

Off Leash by Jenna Anderson

My rating: 4.8 of 5 pearls

Oh my. Can I just say I LOVED this story? It is such a sweet, heartwarming, feel-good kind of story, the kind that brings a tear to your eye when you finish.

The heroine is someone anyone can relate to, trying so desperately to fit in somewhere and stamp out that little spark that tries to tell her she doesn't even like where she's trying to fit. I love that it takes a farmer, two dogs, three goats, and a whole town to show her what she really wants.

I can't even really object to the shortness of this novella. Ms Anderson packed so much into the 27,000 or so words that I'm not left feeling cheated. The romance is squeaky clean and the language is what I would call mild. Very, very well done!

Would I read more from Ms Anderson? Unless she drastically changes her writing, I'll read everything she writes! (And I'm not even a fan of contemporary romance.)

Other titles by Jenna Anderson: Healing Touch

 You can read my review of Healing Touch HERE.

*Disclaimer: I received this book free from the author. I was not paid in any way for this review. The views expressed here are my honest opinions of this work.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

Did I Review Your Book?

Have I reviewed one or more of your books or stories? Then grab this pretty little button to proudly display on your website or blog. (I saw this idea on Novella Reviews and LOVED IT so much that I whipped up a button of my own.) Simply follow the directions under the button located in the sidebar. You can choose the smaller button from the sidebar or take the larger one shown here. It's your choice.

The buttons here are PNG files. They have transparent backgrounds so the color of your site comes through. If you'd prefer a JPG button with a specific color background, just drop me an email at jaimeygrant{at}yahoo{dot}com and I'll send it along. 

If anyone's curious, the book in the pic is my 1931 copy of Three Eighteenth Century Romances, opened to a random page in The Romance of the Forest (1791) by Mrs. Ann Radcliffe. One day, I'll finish reading that story and review it too. :OP

~Book Review~ Healing Touch

Healing Touch by Jenna Anderson 
My rating: 3.3 of 5 pearls 

Warning: Language 

This was an enjoyable little romance novella with a humorous twist. Told in 1st person POV, we get a glimpse into the mind of a late thirties single mom, who just can't believe the handsome doctor in her tiny little town could possibly be interested in her. And he just won't take 'no' for an answer. 

The romance in this is totally clean. Tracy (the main character) does have a nasty habit of uttering a particular vulgarity that, while realistic, still pulled me out of the story every time she said it. I felt the frequency was a little much. 

Would I read more from Jenna Anderson? Yes, I think I would. 

*Disclaimer: I received this book free from the author. I was not paid in any way for my review. The views expressed here are my honest opinions of this work. 

View all my reviews on Goodreads

~Book Review~ A Matter of Choice

A Matter of Choice by Laura Landon 

My rating: 3.6 of 5 pearls

Warning: Mildly descriptive love scenes 

This was a decently entertaining read. I liked the characters and enjoyed the storyline. The idea of a woman making her husband sign a fidelity contract before their marriage was new to me, and therefore intriguing. 

I found the hero a bit of a stretch; his change to fidelity seemed a wee bit far-fetched. I think a bit of a struggle would have been a little more realistic. However, I did like him and found his anguish over his father's hatred quite believable and heart-wrenching. 

There were a few typos in the Kindle version I read (nothing too out of the ordinary or annoying), but the author must have decided to change the hero's name because he was called "Gray" a couple times near the end. 

I wouldn't classify this as "clean" but the love scenes were definitely not as detailed as most historical romances. 

Overall, I liked it and will probably read another book by Laura Landon. 

*Disclaimer: I was not paid in any way for this review. I purchased this Kindle book from Amazon. This review reflects my honest opinion of this work.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

More Winners!!

The winners have been announced in our 800 Member Celebration Book Giveaway in the Clean Romances group on Goodreads. Click over to see if you're one of the 30 selected to receive an awesome book prize! 

Thank you, group members and all those who entered the drawing! I hope our next giveaway is even bigger. Watch for it when we reach 1000 members!! 

~Book Review~ Margaret's Rematch

Margaret's Rematch by Farida Mastek 

fiction/romance/regency 

eBook (PDF) 

Get it from GirleBooks.com 

4.2 of 5 pearls 

Margaret's Rematch is a delightful Regency romp that reminds me greatly of Jane Austen's style of writing. I was amused throughout and at times, laughed outright at a description or two that were just too perfect in their delivery. Farida Mastek definitely has a knack for an Austenesque way of telling a story.

This is a totally CLEAN romance. I would definitely recommend this to any and all who enjoy Jane Austen.

**Disclaimer: I received this eBook from the author for the purpose of providing a review. I was not paid in any way and the opinions expressed here are my own.

~Book Review~ Heart of Fire

Heart Of Fire by Kristen Painter 

My rating: 3.4 of 5 pearls

Genre: Romance/Fantasy

Sensitive readers warning: Contains mildly descriptive love scenes. 

I started this book completely fascinated with the storyline, the characters, and the setting. I was interested enough in the concept and the characters that it held my attention, even though I read the Kindle version on my PC. (Talk about eye strain!) There were moments I laughed and a couple times I was surprised, I even recall tearing up a time or two. The author definitely touched my emotions. It held my attention but the writing felt...almost choppy at times.

While I wouldn't classify this as a "clean" romance, the author did keep a fairly "lights off" approach. The intimate interactions were descriptive but not graphic.

One last concern, I don't know if I got an older copy or what (I downloaded it a year ago and didn't think to check Smashwords for an updated, corrected copy), but there were numerous typos. One sentence was so bad that I still don't know what the author meant to say.

In summary: Would I read another book by Kristen Painter? Yes, I think I would.

Disclaimer: I purchased this ebook (full price) from Smashwords.com. I was not paid in any way, shape, or form for this review. This review reflects my honest opinion of this work.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

~Book Review~ Enchanting the Lady

Enchanting the Lady by Kathryne Kennedy

My rating: 3.7 of 5 pearls

WARNING: Contains detailed love scenes.

This book kept me interested despite three aspects that I don't particularly enjoy, namely a human hooking up with a were-animal, detailed sexual situations, and loads of magic.

But...that's the whole point of the story, isn't it? Why did I read it? I really enjoy Kathryne Kennedy's writing style; I adored The Fire Lord's Lover and this book held my attention almost as well.

Would I read more in this particular series? Probably not, but I will definitely read some of Ms. Kennedy's other books.

*Disclaimer: I have not been paid in any way, shape, or form for my review. The opinions stated here are my honest opinions. I received this book free from Amazon's Kindle Store. (Did I cover everything?) 

View all my reviews on Goodreads

And the Giveaway Fun Begins!

We have over 800 members in our Clean Romances group over on Goodreads and it's time to celebrate! Everyone's eligible* and there are 29 prizes up for grabs. (I'm giving away two copies of Honor and two copies of Deception!) Winners will be drawn and announced July 22. Head on over there now and get your name on the entry list! 

*Must be a member of Goodreads and the Clean Romances group to enter, both free. 

~Book Review~ The Fire Lord's Lover

Fire Lord's Lover by Kathryne Kennedy 

My rating: 4.8 of 5 pearls

Sensitive readers beware: Contains graphic love scenes. 

It says a lot for this book that it captured my attention and held it for the short span of time it took me to finish it (less than a day). After weeks of trouble finding a book to successfully hold my attention, this one wouldn't let it go. And I read the Kindle version...without a Kindle. (Imagine hours at a computer screen, straining your eyes because you just can't stop.)

Ms Kennedy built an interesting world, weaving the early Georgian era with a fantasy world of elves, dragons, and human-consuming plants. Her descriptions are beautiful, entrancing. 

This is predominantly a romance, however, and as is the case with most historical romances, the sex is rather detailed and plentiful. But I loved the hero and the heroine. There was a touch of reality to their relationship that I appreciated.

In summary: I will read more by Ms Kennedy.

Disclaimer: The views stated here are my own. I was not paid in any way, shape, or form for this review. I received the book free from an e-book retailer. (Does that cover all the legalities for writing a review?)

View all my reviews on Goodreads

Celebrating "Clean" Romance

Every few hundred members we celebrate with a giveaway in the Clean Romances group on Goodreads. We're over 800 wonderful members now and celebrating again. 

The sign-up thread will be posted early next week but in the meantime we're asking for donations. 

Are you an author of a "clean" romance (romance that leaves out the graphic sexual details)? This is an excellent, pain-free opportunity to promote your work. 

Are you an avid reader of clean romance? Why not share a gently read copy of one of your favorite books? 

The donation thread is HERE and we've already got 22 great romances up for grabs. I'll post to this blog again when the giveaway entry thread is up so you all have the chance to enter this great contest. 

FREE EBOOK--NO STRINGS ATTACHED!

My Regency romance, Betrayal, is available for free download from Smashwords in their site-wide Summer/Winter promotion. All you have to do is apply the provided code (located on the book page) in your shopping cart and confirm. You can then download the format best suited for your particular e-reading device. And while you're there, take the opportunity to check out the other books available for 25, 50, 75, and 100% off. Promotion ends July 31. If you do not enter the code, you will be charged full price. Don't forget!

Ebook Description
England 1816. Bri has been running for years. Just when she thinks she may have escaped those pursuing her, she finds herself thrown into Newgate Prison...where Adam finds her. Hired by Bri's family, he is determined to return the heiress posthaste. When it becomes clear that her family does NOT have her best interests at heart, she must accept Adam's help, something her pride will not allow.

Win Some "Sweet" Prizes ~ Annual Treasure Hunt

I neglected to post about our annual treasure hunt contest. My bad. I apologize for this lapse. While the deadline has run out on most of the prizes, there are still several sweet, clean romances left to win, including winner's choice of one of five of mine. The deadline to enter to win one of mine is midnight tonight (pacific time, I believe). Just scroll down to June 26 to find out what question you need to answer to be entered.  

Click the image to be taken to my original blog post (on my author blog) which includes directions on how to enter, as well as the names of the readers/writers who have already won.

Happy reading!! 

~Book Review~ Kronos

I know it's not romance but I loved this book so much that I had to share.

Kronos by Jeremy Robinson 

First, the genre. Thriller is not my genre of choice. I tend to avoid it. However, although this is classified as a thriller, I would consider it more of an action/adventure tale with a good dose of suspense and mystery. I read it on the recommendation of my husband, who enjoys authors like Stephen King and Dean Koontz. (Incidentally, I also enjoy Dean Koontz. Just FYI.)

Second, the plot in one sentence. A man's daughter is swallowed by a sea creature and he must accept the help of an eccentric, bored billionaire in order to hunt the creature down.

Third, my rating. I give this 4.9 pearls, easily. I was enthralled from the start and had trouble putting it down. I thought about it when I wasn't reading it. Definitely a 5-pearl keeper, in my opinion.

Fourth, my review. Excellently written! I base this on the following factors, rather than whether a book is "correctly" written:

• Was it easy to follow? YES
• Did it hold your attention? YES
• Did it flow at a reasonable pace? YES
• Were there loose ends and plot holes? Not that I recall.
• Were the characters real, believable? YES

There aren't a whole lot of specific things I can say without giving away some of the crucial moments in the book. I laughed, I cried, I raged. All the emotions were there. I loved the main character (an ex-Navy SEAL named Atticus) and I loved his daughter (a 16-year-old with purple hair named Giona). I thought Trevor Manfred, the eccentric billionaire who offers to help Atticus hunt Kronos, was cleverly drawn, entertainingly so.

I saw a few typos but honestly, I see them in every book I read so I discount them as important unless they're so bad that I can't "see" through them. 

Fifth, my favorite line. Page 101 (mass market pb): His pockmarked face didn't help his grim appearance, and the jagged scar across his forehead was simply a nightcap after drinking in his ugly mug. I just love this mental image. Makes me smile. 

Sixth, my warnings. I really have no serious warnings other than the F-bomb appeared once and there was some violence. The author refrained from too much description of gore, as well as overuse of profanity.

So, who wouldn't like this book? Good question. I think my mom would like it and she's about as picky as they come. 

*Disclaimer: No, I was not paid to say anything posted here. No, I do not know the author and was not asked to write this review. Yes, I purchased this paperback, at full price, from Amazon. Yes, if you click the link I've provided for easy purchase, I will get a tiny commission from the sale, as I am enrolled in the Amazon affiliates program. Did I miss anything?

This Just In!! (Part 3)

I don't do these posts very often, I know. Truth is, I don't buy many books anymore. However, I've gotten three new ones in the last week so I thought I'd share. 

First, I got my dear friend Terrie's book, A Robe of Feathers: And Other Stories.

From Amazon: 

In Japan, the line that divides myth from reality is not merely blurred, it is nonexistent. Superstitions, legends, and folk myths are passed down through generations and pervade daily living.

When a child playing near a river fails to return home, it is whispered that she was swept away by an adzuki arai, or Bean Washer. When a man boarding a ship hears the ringing of an unseen insect, it is announced that a funadama (Boat Spirit) is present and so the auspicious harbinger of smooth seas and abundant catch is celebrated. Even something as innocuous as waking up to find your pillow at the foot of your bed is thought to be the trick of a makura gaeshi, otherwise known as a Pillow Turner. Nothing is as simple as it seems. Your neighbor isn’t merely an eccentric old woman—she might very well be a shape-shifting, grudge-harboring Water Sprite.

The Japanese examine life and living with the keenest eyes and the most vivid of imaginations. Thersa Matsuura has captured that essence in this darkly insightful collection illuminating the place where reality falters and slips into the strange and fantastical.

I also got Lark Rise to Candleford: A Trilogy by Flora Thompson. (I bought season 4 on DVD too, but this blog's about the books, lol.)

From Amazon:
Flora Thompson (1876-1947) wrote what may be the quintessential distillation of English country life at the turn of the twentieth century. In 1945, the three books - Lark Rise (1939), Over to Candleford (1941), and Candleford Green (1943), were published together in one elegant volume, and this new omnibus Nonpareil edition, complete with charming wood engravings, should be a cause for real rejoicing.

This is the story of three closely-related Oxfordshire communities -- a hamlet, a village, and a town -- and the memorable cast of characters who people them. Based on Thompson's own experiences as a child and young woman, it is keenly observed and beautifully narrated, quiet and evocative.

The books have inspired two plays that ran in London, and the trilogy has been adapted into a multi-part, long-running television drama series by the BBC. The first series of ten episodes is scheduled to be syndicated on various PBS stations throughout the Unites States.

And last but not least, I got Kate Quinn's new book, Daughters of Rome. I ADORED her first book, Mistress of Rome so I'm sure I'll love the prequel just as much.

From Amazon:
A.D. 69. The Roman Empire is up for the taking. The Year of Four Emperors will change everything-especially the lives of two sisters with a very personal stake in the outcome. Elegant and ambitious, Cornelia embodies the essence of the perfect Roman wife. She lives to one day see her loyal husband as Emperor. Her sister Marcella is more aloof, content to witness history rather than make it. But when a bloody coup turns their world upside-down, both women must maneuver carefully just to stay alive. As Cornelia tries to pick up the pieces of her shattered dreams, Marcella discovers a hidden talent for influencing the most powerful men in Rome. In the end, though, there can only be one Emperor...and one Empress.

So that's what's new in my book world. What's new in yours? 

Good News!

Faithful readers, I apologize for my previous whiny post. I have found a book that literally GRABBED my attention and simply won't let it go. It's not romance or even close. It's a thriller. I'm so into this book that I think about it when I'm not reading it. It's been quite a while since that's happened. 

Kronos by Jeremy Robinson. 

Unbelievably interesting, attention-grabbing, thought-provoking...I could go on and on. I won't. I haven't even finished it yet. I will provide a review here once I'm done, even though it's not a romance. 

As far as questionable contents go (and I know my readers want to know), I've seen the F-bomb in this book once...so far. To be totally honest, I expected to see it more than that. I'll give a more in-depth review when I've finished. 

Thank you all for your patience. :o)

Woe is Me

(Trivial, whiny post alert! You've been warned.) 

I need help. 

Lately, I haven't been reading much. (Hence, the reason I changed my review request page to indicate that I'm no longer accepting review requests.) 

Funny thing, I've read a lot of older Marion Chesney books but reviewing them takes almost as long as reading them; they're so short. I read them because they're funny, lighthearted, short, and I have TONS of them. They don't require an emotional investment but they promise a good laugh or two. Sometimes, I forget them the day after I've read them.

I still have a pile of half-read books that I either lost interest in or never really got interested in the first place. I'm coming to the swift conclusion that even though I prefer a cleaner read, I don't care much for young adult books. Why? Not sure. I have a copy of Poison Study and a copy of Uglies, both of which I'm afraid to start for fear of a monumental letdown. Perhaps the YA books I've tried have not lived up to the hype?

Then there's the eBook situation. I don't own a Kindle or Nook and I have to say, I do NOT like reading books on a computer screen. I have a huge "pile" of eBooks, some I actually paid money for (and no, the others are NOT pirated) and I can't even bring myself to read them with the nifty Kindle for PC app I use. 

*sigh* 

Tell me, what do you do when you get the reading woes? Do you take some time off, find other things to interest you until your reading love rekindles? Do you read anything and everything you can get your hands on in an effort to force yourself through the slump? Do you even get the reading woes? 

Signed, 

Desperate for an escape into fiction

P.S. I know that in the grand scheme, all this is trivial. However, I'd still love any advice you, my lovely readers, might be willing to share. 

Over 25 Books Up For Grabs

If you head over to my author blog, you'll see that I'm celebrating my two-year blogiversary in true book blog fashion. I'm giving away a virtual TreasureChest of TreasureLine eBooks to one very fortunate commenter/follower. Pop on over to throw your name in the hat. Entry deadline is March 31. 

Click HERE to enter the drawing. 

Upcoming Book Giveaway

The Clean Romances group on Goodreads has reached 600 members and is celebrating in the way to which we've become accustomed. 

A BOOK GIVEAWAY 

But before we can do that, we need a list of books to give away. If you're interested in a donating a prize, please click over, join goodreads and the Clean Romances group (if you haven't already done so), and add your donation to the donation thread. Are you an author of old school, "clean" romance? This is a great opportunity to get your book in the hands of a reader who likes exactly what you write. 

Click here to go directly to the donation thread. Then stay tuned. We'll announce when it's time for the giveaway. 

~Book Review~ Arms of an Angel

Arms of an Angel by Linda Boulanger

My rating: 5 of 5 pearls


Contemporary romance novella ~ 4.6 pearls


Overall, a great story with a great message. I teared up in several places and the happily-ever-after is beautiful. It's the perfect length for a quick read, one you can start and finish easily in one sitting. The romance is totally clean, as well.


View all my reviews on Goodreads

~Book Review~ Bolt

Bolt by Dick Francis

My rating: 4 of 5 pearls

I liked this book. It held my interest which is a difficult accomplishment lately. I vaguely remember the main character, Kit Fielding, from a previous Francis book I read many years ago. (I'll have to go back and reread that one.) For this one, I liked the characters, the storyline, the climax, and the twist that, for some reason, I actually didn't see coming.

Warnings: Mild language

View all my reviews on Goodreads