Romance, Old School

~Book Review~ Word and Deed

2012-01-14T19:33:00.000-05:00

Sensitive readers warning: None. There's no language, no graphic violence, and no graphic sex.

In case it matters to you: I know the author; she happens to be a good reading/writing/cover designing buddy of mine. So I got to read this before it came out and I liked it so much that I bought it. And no, I do not buy all the books written by my friends, just so you know. I'm too poor (i.e., cheap) for that.

That said, I loved it! It was sweet, gritty, fast-paced, and impossible to put down. Though there's no clear indication of time period or setting, it was not hard picturing a Medieval setting for this story.

My only complaint is I would have LOVED for it to be longer, with more tension (not that there isn't any--there DEFINITELY is), more mystery, just more, more, MORE! Ms Rossano does a good job of character-building despite the short length, so I have no complaints in that area. I just would have loved to spend more time with these characters.

Disclaimer: I purchased this book from Amazon. I was not paid in any way for my review. The opinions expressed here are my own. Purchasing through the Amazon link provided here will result in me earning a teeny, tiny commission.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

~Book Review~ Whisper of Scandal

2012-01-14T14:09:00.000-05:00

Whisper of Scandal by Nicola Cornick

My rating: 4.5 of 5 pearls

Sensitive readers warning: Contains graphic love scenes

Wow. I started this book and didn't want to put it down. I thought about it when I had to put it down. I loved it.

The main characters were engaging. I even liked Alex, with his arrogance and ignorant determination to believe in his "friend's" honesty, thus believing Joanna to be a manipulative harpy. I thought it made him realistic. At moments it was irritating, but like I said, realistic.

My favorite part of this was the unusual setting. The Arctic in a Regency romance? That's awesome! It was fascinating and reminded me why I enjoyed Madeleine Brent titles so much, the exotic locales. My only beef was how long it took them to get there. Halfway through the book I was beginning to wonder if they'd ever go.

There are sex scenes, but they are skippable (if you're the skipping type) and the story stands on its own without them. At least, I think it does.

I will be reading the next in the series, One Wicked Sin, even though I didn't like Lottie in Whisper of Scandal. The setting is a parole town in 1813 and that intrigues me more than anything else.

Disclaimer: I purchased this paperback at Wal-Mart. I am not being paid in any way for my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

~Book Review~ Miss Isabella Thaws a Frosty Lord

2011-12-20T14:39:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-15T15:46:00.000-05:00

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}

2011-11-25T12:58:00.000-05:00

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

2011-11-12T14:08:00.001-05:00

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

2011-11-02T18:25:00.001-04:00

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!

2011-11-01T14:59:00.001-04:00

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

2011-10-28T17:50:00.000-04:00

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

2011-08-16T10:09:00.000-04:00

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

2011-08-09T19:05:00.000-04:00

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)

2011-07-31T19:34:00.000-04:00

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

2011-07-30T18:43:00.000-04:00

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?

2011-07-29T12:05:00.003-04:00

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

2011-07-27T22:13:00.001-04:00

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

2011-07-27T16:28:00.000-04:00

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!!

2011-07-22T10:53:00.000-04:00

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

2011-07-21T12:01:00.001-04:00

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

2011-07-17T23:24:00.000-04:00

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

2011-07-17T15:02:00.000-04:00

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!

2011-07-11T15:45:00.000-04:00

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

2011-07-11T11:57:00.001-04:00

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

2011-07-07T10:33:00.000-04:00

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

2011-06-26T13:10:00.000-04:00

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

2011-04-11T18:46:00.000-04:00

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)

2011-04-10T20:44:00.000-04:00

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!

2011-04-09T10:05:00.000-04:00

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

2011-04-03T19:20:00.000-04:00

(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

2011-03-27T14:10:00.000-04:00

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

2011-02-12T20:57:00.000-05:00

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

2011-01-20T11:35:00.000-05:00

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

2011-01-16T10:57:00.000-05:00

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

~Book Review~ Back in Society

2010-12-31T18:54:00.000-05:00

Back in Society by Marion Chesney

My rating: 4 of 5 pearls

~Sixth and final installment in the Poor Relation series~ 3.9 pearls

Lady Jane is titled, beautiful, and the daughter of a peer. However, the abuse she's suffered at her father's hand drives her to the Poor Relation hotel, where she plans to take her own life. In an effort to save her, the owners give her a season. Two suitors vie for her hand; of the two, Jane gravitates toward the one she considers "safe."

As the final book in the series, all the main characters get their happily-ever-afters in this one. Most of the humor in this lies with the owners of the hotel, but it is humorous. Lady Jane's situation is a bit too much to be funny although some of her reactions to the relations are amusing.

All in all, a delightful series and well worth the few hours required to read it. Don't bother if you worry too much about POV switches and "-ly" words.

(In many ways, this story reminds me of Chesney's The Scandalous Lady Wright.)

View all my reviews on Goodreads

Back in Society (The Poor Relation, Vol 6) (Amazon link)
The Scandalous Lady Wright (A Regency Romance) (Amazon link)

~Book Review~ Colonel Sandhurst to the Rescue

2010-12-31T17:54:00.000-05:00

Colonel Sandhurst to the Rescue by Marion Chesney

My rating: 3 of 5 pearls

~Fifth installment in the Poor Relation series~ 3.4 pearls

Colonel Sandhurst, the most dignified and proper elderly gentleman one can imagine, more or less kidnaps a young woman, intending to ransom her for what her father owes the owners of the Poor Relation hotel. The heroine is as sweet and innocent as they come, although we're supposed to believe she's been a tomboy up until right before the story started. I had trouble believing it. Still, the story is amusing, as usual.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

~Book Review~ Sir Philip's Folly

2010-12-31T17:40:00.000-05:00

Sir Philip's Folly by Marion Chesney

My rating: 3 of 5 pearls

~Fourth installment in the Poor Relation series~ 3.2 pearls

Another witty book for an entertaining series. The heroine of this book is amusing as she tries to cope with a mother who wants to pass her off as much younger than she actually is. To add some Regency comedy, mother and daughter both want the same man.

As is the case with all the different Regency series that Ms Chesney wrote, much of the focus in this is on the recurring characters. In this series it's the ones who own the Poor Relation hotel, specifically, Sir Philip, whose choice of lady friends offends the rest of the hotel owners.

Warning to clean romance fans: This book is a bit more risqué than most of Ms. Chesney's Regencies, but by no means graphic.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

~Book Review~ Mrs Budley Falls from Grace

2010-12-30T11:35:00.001-05:00

Mrs. Budley Falls from Grace by Marion Chesney

My rating: 3 of 5 pearls (reviewed Nov 18, 2010)

~Third installment in the Poor Relation series~ 3.4 pearls

Not as funny as the first two books but still quite amusing with a few laugh-out-loud moments. Marion Chesney continues to be an excellent author to pick up if one is looking for a humorous escape.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

Mrs. Budley Falls from Grace (The Poor Relation Book 3) (Amazon link)

~Book Review~ Miss Tonks Takes a Risk

2010-12-30T11:28:00.001-05:00

Miss Tonks Takes a Risk by Marion Chesney

My rating: 4 of 5 pearls (Reviewed Nov 17, 2010)

The second volume in the Poor Relation series, this book is equally innocuous, pleasantly diverting, and a laugh-out-loud type of romance that the first volume is. The hero in this one was especially diverting. Again, an enjoyable way to spend an hour or two.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

~Book Review~ Lady Fortescue Steps Out

2010-12-29T12:04:00.000-05:00

Lady Fortescue Steps Out by Marion Chesney

My rating: 4 of 5 pearls (reviewed Nov 17, 2010)

I've read this before and it's a delightful read if you don't care about the whys and wherefores of "correct" writing. If you read strictly for enjoyment, this book is light and amusing, a very pleasant way to spend an hour or two. I laughed out loud more than once. Marion Chesney's books always make me chuckle.

A side note: Although a romance, a LOT of time is spent with characters other than the romantic leads. This is the first book of a six-book series and some time is spent setting up the storyline that stretches through all six books.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

~Book Review~ Rainbird's Revenge

2010-12-29T11:40:00.000-05:00

Rainbird's Revenge by Marion Chesney

My rating: 3.8 of 5 pearls

~Sixth and final installment in the House for the Season series~

3.8 pearls

Oh, I'd forgotten how much this one makes me chuckle. The hero is pompous and arrogant and the heroine is vain and silly. Truly made for each other. Their head-butting makes me laugh out loud every time I read it.

As for the servants, upon whom this series is focused, they get their happily-ever-afters. All in all, a satisfying end to an entertaining series.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

~Book Review~ The Adventuress

2010-12-06T11:30:00.000-05:00

The Adventuress by Marion Chesney

My rating: 3.6 of 5 pearls

~Fifth installment in the House for the Season series~ 3.6 pearls

Entertaining, of course, as usual. The hero and heroine seem to figure a little more prominently in this book than the heroes/heroines in previous books of the series. This could be due to the fact that the heroine is an ex-servant, pretending to be a gentlewoman.

In this installment, the servants of the house start to realize their dreams might differ somewhat from what they had previously desired. More dimensions for these quirky characters.

...and my usual warnings to those who have never read Marion Chesney's older Regencies: Do not read these if you are overly critical about the "proper" way to write. Ms Chesney's POV switches sometimes occur within a paragraph and '-ly' words are abundant. If, on the other hand, you only desire to be entertained, Ms Chesney's books are always that. :o)

View all my reviews on Goodreads

~Book Review~ Rake's Progress

2010-11-26T12:48:00.000-05:00

Rake's Progress by Marion Chesney

My rating: 4.2 of 5 pearls

~Fourth installment in the House for the Season series~ 4.2 pearls

Quite typical "rake and reformer" storyline but with Marion Chesney's uniquely entertaining style. This is one of my favorites in this series and always makes me laugh. It is, however, a good bit more risqué than the other stories in the series and probably more so than a good number of Ms Chesney's books. I still consider it "clean" romance (as does my mother), but use your own discretion.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

~Book Review~ The Wicked Godmother

2010-11-25T22:38:00.000-05:00

The Wicked Godmother by Marion Chesney

My rating: 3.2 of 5 pearls

~Third installment in the House for the Season series~ 3.2 pearls

Another delightful escape although this one isn't as amusing as the others in the series since the heroine is a bit of an airhead and some of her naïveté is annoying rather than funny. Still, if all you're looking for is a silly romance to kill an hour or two, this is a good one to read.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

~Book Review~ Plain Jane

2010-11-20T12:11:00.000-05:00

Plain Jane by Marion Chesney

My rating: 3.4 of 5 pearls

~Second installment in the House for the Season series~ 3.4 pearls

The best thing about this series is the main characters. Even though each book is a romance, there is a different hero/heroine in each who fall in love and move on. The main characters, namely the servants at Number 67 Clarges Street in Regency Mayfair, are delightfully three-dimensional, probably because they are given 6 books in which to develop.

(This is only the second book but I've read the whole series before, hence the reason I'm able to make the above statement.)

As for this book in particular, there were moments of laughter, moments of grrr, and moments of give me a break with substantial eye-rolling. Even so, I love Ms Chesney's way of mocking all the ridiculous foibles of Regency England. Truly entertaining but again, definitely not for those who are overly picky about "correct" writing.*

View all my reviews on Goodreads

Watch for more of my Marion Chesney reviews in the coming days. Illness makes me crave silliness. lol

*I purchased this book and was not paid in any way for my review.

~Book Review~ The Miser of Mayfair

2010-11-20T10:52:00.000-05:00

The Miser of Mayfair by Marion Chesney

My rating: 3.3 of 5 pearls

~First installment in the House for a Season series~ 3.3 pearls

I always get a kick out of how dense the heroine acts in this story. It's entertaining, especially in relation to those around her who are trying to determine if she's really that dense or if she's really very clever. Overall, amusing with a few laugh-out-loud moments. Don't read this if you get uptight about the "correct" way to write. Ms Chesney POV switches within paragraphs.*

View all my reviews on Goodreads

There will be more Marion Chesney reviews in the coming days. I've been sick and these books are entertaining without being too intense or emotionally draining. They're also short, around 150 pages each in a mass market paperback size. I've read several already and posted my reviews to Goodreads so I just need to post them again here.

*I purchased this book and my review reflects my personal views. No one paid me in any way for my review.

Caption Contest on Facebook

2010-10-30T12:37:00.000-04:00

Some of you probably already know and have probably already entered my facebook caption contest. If so, thank you for being a "fan" (or "liker")! If you haven't heard, here's the news:

On my facebook author page (formally known as a "fan" page), I am hosting a caption contest to celebrate reaching 200 "likes". Add your clever little line to the funny kitten photo for a chance at a prize. This is a contest open to everyone but the captions must be in English. A winner will be chosen and that winner gets to choose one of my 6 books, in paperback form, for their very own. It can't hurt to try, right? Head on over and check it out. The photo alone is worth the click over, believe me. :o)

http://www.facebook.com/jaimeygrantauthor

Random Book Giveaway (US only, sorry)

2010-10-07T14:41:00.000-04:00

Click on over to my author blog to see how you can enter to win a box of nine randomly chosen books. Many are old school, traditional style romances. US residents only, please. The drawing will take place on Saturday, October 23.

Happy reading!! :o)

19 Winners of Sweet Romance

2010-09-01T11:32:00.000-04:00

The winners of our sweet romance giveaway have been announced. 130 members entered and 19 won some great prizes. Did you enter? Then head on over to Goodreads to find out if you won.

CONGRATULATIONS, WINNERS!!!

~Guest Post~ Author Linda Weaver Clarke: Romance VS Mystery!

2010-08-30T09:39:00.011-04:00

Today's post is by historical romance author Linda Weaver Clarke. She is here to talk about her new mystery series, The Adventures of John and Julia Evans and to celebrate the release of her newest mystery, Mayan Intrigue. Take it away, Linda!

Romance VS Mystery!

I have written five historical romance novels but have changed to mystery. The writing process between romance and mystery is quite a change with a completely different mind set. It’s so different from telling a love story. With romance, you plan out the plot around the meeting of a couple. As you write, you develop some sort of charisma between the characters, making the reader feel excited that one day they're going to hit it off and fall in love. You, as the reader, know what the outcome will be. But with a mystery, the reader is in the dark. The author has to come up with a plot that no one knows about until towards the end of the story and hope they haven’t figured it out. In a mystery, you may or may not allow your reader to know who the bad guys are, according to whether it’s just a mystery or mystery suspense. Do you know the difference between a mystery and a mystery suspense novel? In a mystery, when a knock is heard at the door, the reader doesn't know who's behind it. With mystery suspense, the reader knows who's behind the door and yells to the heroine, "Don't open the door!"

Anasazi Intrigue is the first book in a mystery adventure series called “The Adventures of John and Julia Evans.” It’s about a devastating flood that takes out several homes in a small town, the importance of preserving ancient artifacts, and a few puzzling and mysterious events. Julia is a reporter, and when she finds out about a possible poison spill that kills some fish and neighbor's pets, she has a feeling that something isn’t quite right. Before she realizes what is happening, Julia finds out that this incident is much bigger and more dangerous than she thought. With dead fish, a devastating flood, and miscreants chasing John and Julia, they have their hands full.

Artifact theft is a very intriguing subject. That’s why I call it the Intrigue series. In my research, I found that archaeological thievery is becoming more and more of a problem every year. Did you know that looting is only second to selling illegal drugs? While researching the second book in this series, Mayan Intrigue, my eyes were opened to the problems they have in southern Mexico. When an ancient ruin is discovered, it doesn’t take long for thieves to take it apart. The reason why is because the Mayas used astrological alignments when planning their city. Looters have learned the layout of the Mayan cities so they know where to dig. With this knowledge, they can loot a sacred temple in a few days. I also found that artifact theft in Mexico has been taken over by drug dealers from Columbia. In other words, since organized crime has taken over, there is also an increase of violence.

Mayan Intrigue will be released on August 30th and I’m having a week long celebration with a book give-away at my Blog at http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com. Mayan Intrigue is about the discovery of a priceless artifact that puts Julia’s life in great danger. While on assignment for the newspaper, John and Julia try to enjoy a romantic vacation among the Mayan ruins, but when Julia accidentally comes upon a couple suspicious men exchanging an item, she quickly turns and leaves but it’s too late. Before John and Julia realize what's going on, they find themselves running for their lives through the jungles of the Yucatan. To read an excerpt from each of my books, you can visit www.lindaweaverclarke.com.

~Book Review~ "The Naked Duke" by Sally MacKenzie

2010-08-24T10:25:00.000-04:00

The Naked Duke by Sally MacKenzie

My rating: 2.6 of 5 pearls

(Reviewed in January 2010)

Synopsis: The heroine and hero are caught in a compromising position and must marry. Meanwhile, someone is trying to kill him and prevent their marriage.

My two cents: The book started out rather silly, as other reviewers have pointed out. Then the villain made his memorable debut in a scene that turned my stomach. The hero and heroine were lovely characters and their interactions highly entertaining, but I was too distracted by the nasty, nasty villain to enjoy the romance.

I give this book 2.6 pearls because it was funny at times. I mean, laugh-out-loud, make-everyone-in-the-room-stare-at-you, funny. It was that funny. However, I can't, in good conscience, recommend it to anyone. The villain was way too evil for such a funny romance and the love scenes were quite graphic. While I enjoyed parts of this book, I won't read it again and I probably won't read the rest of the series.

This review is based on the paperback I purchased. I was in no way paid for this review.

HUGE "Sweet" Romance Giveaway on Goodreads

2010-08-18T12:47:00.000-04:00

Every hundred members or so, we hold a giveaway in our Clean Romances group on Goodreads. We've reached the 400 member mark and are celebrating by giving away books. Many group members generously offered prizes for this event, bringing the total number of prizes to 19.

So how do you enter?

First, you have to join Goodreads. It's fun and free. If you are already a member of goodreads, you're halfway there! Then, you have to join the Clean Romances group. Also free. There is a sign-up thread in the group under Contests & Giveaways. Throw your name in the hat and you're all set. Entries will be accepted until 11:59PM (PST), August 31. Winners will be announced September 1st.

Hope to see you there!!

Free eBook Download & a Paperback Giveaway

2010-08-13T15:17:00.000-04:00

A free eBook anthology of young adult fiction was released today and two of my short stories are in it.

Unlocked is ten tales by nine authors; the only thing that binds them is a "key."

Back cover blurb:

Treachery in old London, a crop circle mystery, and a cyborg punished for gazing at the night sky open this collection of new stories that will intrigue teens and adults alike.

Fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, and fanciful versions of school life--the motif they share is a key. Which key will unlock a mystery, free the trapped, comfort the rejected, or bring new resolve to a boy who has taken a wrong path? What treasures can we discover if we only find the right key?

Assassin's Keeper by Jaimey Grant
Crop Circles by Wendy Swore
Symbiote by Rita J. Webb
Where They Belong by Paige Ray
Survival by Jaimey Grant
Unlocking William by Jeanne Voelker
Shoshanna by K.G. Borland
The Key to a Good Education by Gwendolyn McIntyre
The Bookseller by Katrina Monroe
Her Father's Eyes by S.M. Carrière

To download, visit www.unlockedproject.com and click the "download" button.

To go along with that, Wendy Swore, one of the lovely authors/editors of the anthology, is giving away three paperback copies on her blog, Goddess of the Corn.

Later, perhaps in September, I'll be hosting my own UNLOCKED giveaway. Besides a paperback copy of the book, I will be giving away a charm bracelet featuring a replica of the key the character, Sable, would have had in my Regency story Assassin's Keeper. I haven't worked out all the details of that giveaway yet but I'll keep you posted. :o)

Currently Reading...and Other Tales of Woe

2010-08-11T08:55:00.000-04:00

Disclaimer: Pictures in this post relate to the books I'm enjoying, no woe entailed. Just FYI. :o)

My "currently reading" list has gotten out of control. Several are nonfiction, research for whatever book I'm writing at the moment, and that's OK. A few are ones I started a long time ago and for one reason or another lost interest. Will I finish them? Yes. I always do. My reading is more effected by my moods than it should be. If I give up, it's only because I'm not in the mood for that particular novel, author, or genre. Some are ones I've recently started and for whatever reason, I'm not into them. Again, probably my mood.

So what am I reading that I'm enjoying?

Margaret's Rematch by Farida Mastek is entertaining and reminds me so much of Jane Austen that I find myself chuckling as I read. The characters are lively and interesting and the Regency picture Ms. Mastek paints is vivid. Am I attached to the characters? In a way, but not as much as I'd like to be. I do care what happens to them but at the same time, I'm not losing sleep over them.

At this point, about 110 pages in, I have one big complaint. The whole concept of this story is a gentleman who falls in love with and ultimately marries (I assume) his late wife's sister. My own Regency research has shown that this was not possible, as the sister-in-law was, by law, considered immediate family even after the wife's death. Now, these marriages were accepted by most but if someone wanted to cause problems for such a couple, they could easily do so. I've been able to suspend disbelief and enjoy the banter between the two MCs but I was hoping for at least a mention of this Regency "quirk" (for lack of a better word). If the topic is not addressed at some point, it's OK. This is still an enjoyable read and I look forward to how it all ends up.

I'm also reading Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. I'm only 45 pages in so I'm not sure what I think of it. I loved the movie but it's not often a good idea to read the book after viewing the movie. Ms. Funke is good at painting a picture through the eyes of the preteen MC. I like the aunt and can relate to her in a rather frightening way. Other than that... *shrug*

So that's my reading woes for the moment. I've been trying to break into the YA genre (as a reader) but haven't found a book yet that grabs me and whisks me away. Disappointing, but I wonder if my mood is more to blame. Perhaps I'm just picking up the "wrong" YA book. I'm not sure.

What do you think? Which YA book would you recommend? (Preferably not paranormal...)

~Year of the Historical~ May: Mr Malcolm's List

2010-07-11T16:28:00.000-04:00

I know. It's July and this review is for my May read for the "Year of the Historical" challenge. Shameful, isn't it? You know what's worse? I didn't even finish a historical for June.

Title: Mr. Malcolm's List

Author: Suzanne Allain
www.suzanneallain.com

Genre: Romance/Regency

Setting: England, 1818

Rating: 3.8 pearls

Warnings: NONE

Synopsis: Mr. Malcolm has a list of requirements for a wife. When one young lady takes offense, she inveigles her school friend, Selena, to play a trick on Malcolm, so he can know how it feels to be judged and found wanting.

My two cents: What an adorable story! I enjoyed the characters' interactions even though I didn't get really attached to them. It's a nice, fluffy story, a pleasant few hours to relax and unwind. The writing style is easy to read and reminiscent of the older, traditional Regencies. This is definitely a story I'd have no problem sharing with my mom or my daughter (when she's interested in romances, that is). Very sweet, G-rated, and fun.

*Review is based on the paperback I purchased from Amazon. The views expressed here are my honest opinions of this work. Making purchases through any Amazon link here will result in me earning a small commission.

Where Did the Month Go?

2010-07-10T08:03:00.000-04:00

Wow. I can't believe it's been a month since I lasted posted here. How very lazy of me, to be sure. Well, I 'm here now, to catch you all up on what's been keeping me busy. :o)

Many of you follow my author blog or know me from various social networking sites. You KNOW what I'm going to say. For those of you who only follow this blog, here's the "secret." My newest Regency romance, Deception, is slated for release from TreasureLine Publishing July 15. To celebrate, my publisher is hosting a contest on the TreasureLine blog, from which one reader will walk away with a hold-in-your-hands copy of Deception. (Look at that cover. Isn't it gorgeous?)

I started a new blog a few weeks ago, just for Deception. I invite you to follow if you are so inclined. I post historical tidbits specific to the novel, news of events and giveaways, coupons, and anything else Deception related.

Also coming soon to an e-book site near you is a young adult anthology called Unlocked. Ten stories by nine talented authors and the only thing that ties them together is a key. It is due for release in August as a free download.

Two of my short stories (Assassin's Keeper and Survival) appear in this book. In fact, Assassin's Keeper opens the whole, leaving it up to me to capture the interest of the YA reader (or the young-at-heart reader).

I cannot tell you how nervous I am about both of these releases. And so excited! Both books are listed on Goodreads, if you are interested in adding them to your wishlist.

Happy reading, everyone!!

Reminder : Summer Treasure Hunt

2010-06-10T09:45:00.000-04:00

Hello, lovely readers!

Just a friendly reminder to check out my author blog for a fun summer contest. Eight prizes have been awarded so far but there are still many, many more to go. Be sure to check out June 24, especially. *wink, wink*

Summer Treasure Hunt : Dig for Clues and Win!
Days 1-7 Winners

Happy hunting!

This Just In!! (Part 2)

2010-06-09T17:50:00.000-04:00

It's always sooooo exciting to get new books in the mail. Today, the lovely UPS man left a largish package at my door and this is what I found in inside:

First, The Maze Runner by James Dashner. I ordered this for a group read in one of my Goodreads groups, Wild Things: YA Grown-Up. Of the two books selected for this month's read, I selected Dashner's Maze Runner because...well, let's be honest. I picked this one because a writer friend of mine got to meet Mr Dashner and pick his brain. I know that's a rather superficial reason but there it is. Oh, the blurb sounds interesting, too. ;o)

From the flap:

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recollection of his parents, his home, or how he got where he is. His memory is blank.

But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade, a large expanse enclosed by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning, for as long as they could remember, the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, they’ve closed tight. Every thirty days a new boy is delivered in the lift. And no one wants to be stuck in the maze after dark.

The Gladers were expecting Thomas’s arrival. But the next day, a girl springs up—the first girl ever to arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. The Gladers have always been convinced that if they can solve the maze that surrounds the Glade, they might be able to find their way home . . . wherever that may be. But it’s looking more and more as if the maze is unsolvable.

And something about the girl’s arrival is starting to make Thomas feel different. Something is telling him that he just might have some answers—if he can only find a way to retrieve the dark secrets locked within his own mind.

The second book is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I have heard much praise of this YA novel but I am still slightly leery. Some have said it is rather violent, especially for a YA book. I will give this first in the series a shot, however.

From the flap:

Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with every one out to make sure you don't live to see the morning?

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Third in the stack is probably only of interest to a few but it holds a world of fascination for me. The Intolerable Hulks by Charles Campbell is about shipboard confinement in Britain, 1776-1857. I have a Regency WIP (work-in-progress) that revolves around the hulks of the time.

From the back:

From the time of Queen Anne's reign until the American Revolution, Great Britain followed the practice of transporting as many as a thousand convicts each year to Maryland and Virginia. "Out of sight, out of mind" was an apt adage for this policy. It was a policy that worked well enough until 1776, when the rebellious North American colonies declared their independence and closed their ports to reception of British prison ships. A crisis for the British criminal justice system ensued, leading to a policy of converting old merchantman and, later, deactivated naval vessels, into floating prisons. Thus began the era of the Hulks, a "temporary expedient" that lasted for eighty years. Hardly less feared by the British criminal class than were the gallows, assignment to these deplorable dungeons at anchor became a dreaded purgatory, to be endured for months—sometimes even years—by prisoners destined for eventual transportation to Australia.

Summer Treasure Hunt Contest

2010-05-21T10:53:00.001-04:00

Over on my author blog I posted about a Summer Treasure Hunt contest. Every day for 38 days, a prize will be given away. Many are autographed books (shocking, right?) but some aren't. I teamed up with my brother, the owner of JaysDesign Jewelry, and we are giving away a GREAT prize. Check out June 24 to see what we're giving away to one very fortunate entrant.

Details are in my original post, here. You may enter once for each prize offered, for a total of 38 possible chances to win.

Hope you take the time to check it out. Happy reading, writing and blogging!!

~Year of the Historical~ March: Moonlight Mist

2010-05-15T15:32:00.002-04:00

I finished this several weeks ago but have neglected to post my review. It didn't help that I neglected to finish the book within the month specified. My bad. I do apologize for this.

Title: Moonlight Mist

Author: Laura London (Sharon and Thomas Curtis)

Genre: Romance

Setting: Regency England (early 1800s)

Pub Date: 1979
Rating: (3.1 pearls)
Warnings: None

This was a solid 3-pearl, just OK read. The heroine was only 17 and rather annoyingly immature for most of the book. I liked the hero but the story didn't focus much on him. It was a little prosy but common for a book published in '79. I enjoyed it but it's not one I would reread. On the positive side, if you are looking for a non-religious romance that is clean, this one definitely qualifies.

What am I reading for May?

My current historical read is Suzanne Allain's Mr. Malcolm's List. I'm over halfway and while this isn't a book that constantly has me thinking about it and anxious to get back to it, I definitely find it amusing when I am reading it. Look for my full review at the end of the month. (Or early next month, LOL.)

~Year of the Historical~ April: Mistress of Rome

2010-04-11T13:09:00.012-04:00

Title: Mistress of Rome

Author: Kate Quinn

Setting: Rome, 1st century

Rating: 4.3 pearls

Warnings: Graphic violence and abuse, numerous sexual situations; not recommended for readers under 18 (edited to add: at least three f-bombs present)

OK, so I cheated a little. I didn't finish my book for March because I received Kate Quinn's Mistress of Rome and read the first few pages. Then I couldn't stop. I decided it could be my historical read for April. March's post will come later. (I never did like to do things in order...)

Synopsis: Mistress of Rome chronicles the life of Thea, a Jewish slave girl in the 1st century, starting with her life as a young slave to the spiteful Lady Lepida, and ending with her interactions as mistress to Rome's Emperor Domitian.

What I liked: The attention to detail. Sure, the battle scenes were rather graphic but I appreciated Ms Quinn's desire to stay as true to the brutality of the time as possible. There was a lot of sex but it was, thankfully, glossed over for the most part. I appreciated the author's note explaining which parts of the story were fictionalized in order to expand her fictional telling of real events.

What I didn't like: The POV flip-flops. It wasn't even the fact that the story was written in 3rd and 1st. I had no problem with that and I think I was better able to relate to Thea's character by reading her in 1st person. My problem was with Lepida's POV being 1st person, too. The first few times in her POV I was confused and had to go back and remind myself that I wasn't reading Thea in that moment, I was reading Lepida. These 1st person sections are clearly marked with the character's name but I had a little trouble getting used to the switches. (I admit, part of me also did not want to read the vicious Lepida's character as if she was me.)

Who would like this: I don't think it qualifies as a "romance" and I don't believe it really qualifies as "clean." However, readers who, like me, enjoy an occasional tale that doesn't turn history into an unbelievable fantasy, would like this book.

Overall: I loved this book. I was crying by page 9 and cried off and on 'til the end. I'll probably reread it and I eagerly look forward to Ms Quinn's future works. Bottom line, I don't regret paying for this book.

*Disclaimer: I have not been paid in any way, shape or form for this review. I purchased this book and this review is my honest opinion of this work.

This Just In!!

2010-04-07T19:34:00.011-04:00

I received three new books in the mail today. The best part about these books is the fact that each of these authors is a goodreads author. I'm excited to support my fellow goodreads authors!

1. Mr Malcolm's List by Suzanne Allain. I have enjoyed the quirkiness of the author in her blog and on goodreads so I'm sure to enjoy her take on the Regency era. With influences like Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, how can I not?

The blurb (as taken from goodreads):

The Honorable Mr. Malcolm has a secret. This elusive matrimonial prize, long the target of desperate debutantes and their matchmaking mothers, is well known for his fastidiousness. What is not well known is that he has a list of qualifications for his future bride.

Can any woman hope to win the heart of such a hardened critic? Selina Dalton can only try her best. And when she begins to succeed, Jeremy Malcolm is not sure whether he has discovered the perfect woman...

Or the perfect hoax.

2. The Importance of Almack's by Denise Patrick. I've wanted to read this ever since I read a particular review on Amazon. The reviewer was upset that this story lacks graphic love scenes. I immediately added it to my wishlist. It's so hard to find clean romance from current authors!

The blurb (as taken from goodreads):

Banished and disowned for saving a stranger's life...

In Regency England, lineage and vouchers to Almack's are everything, but Pamela Clarkdale has neither. After her father casts her out, she considers herself fortunate to have obtained a position as a companion to an elderly widow.

Kitt Covington has sworn off Almack's and marriage. Why attend one when he has no interest in the other? Guilt, however, is a powerful motivator. Knowing he caused Pamela to be thrown out of her home, he proposes a sham betrothal between them to ease his conscience.

Kitt's offer is tempting and Pamela agrees, with the caveat that the betrothal will disappear at the end of the season. But not only is Pamela refused vouchers to Almack's, her family is scheming to destroy her to protect a secret she doesn't realize she knows. When the twenty-year-old web of lies and deceit begins to unravel, will Pamela and Kitt discover that Almack's isn't really that important after all?

3. Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn. This book promises excitement, adventure, passion, and intrigue in ancient Rome. I am also warned that it can be quite graphic in these areas. Still, I'm looking forward to the read.

This book's official release date was April 6. Amazon shipped me a copy on the 5th and it arrived today, the 7th. How's that for competence? Yeah, Amazon and the USPS!!

The blurb (as taken from goodreads):

First century Rome: a world of depravity, blood, and secrets. The enigmatic Emperor Domitian watches over all, fearing murder from every side . . . except from the woman who fascinates him most.

Thea is a slave girl from Judaea; musical, wary, and passionate. Purchased as a toy for the spiteful heiress Lepida Pollia, Thea and her mistress will become rivals for the love of Arius the Barbarian, Rome’s newest and most savage gladiator. His love brings Thea the first happiness of her life – quickly ended when a jealous Lepida tears them apart.

As Lepida goes on to wreak havoc in the life of a new husband and his family, Thea remakes herself as a polished singer for Rome’s aristocrats. Unwittingly, she attracts another admirer in the charismatic Emperor of Rome. But Domitian’s games have a darker side, and Thea finds herself fighting for both soul and sanity. Many have tried to destroy the Emperor: a vengeful gladiator, an upright senator, a tormented soldier, a streetwise child, a Vestal Virgin. But in the end, the life of the brilliant and ruthless Domitian lies in the hands of one woman: a slave girl who has come to be called the Mistress of Rome . . .

Based on the life and death of one of Rome’s most depraved Emperors.

~Year of the Historical~ February: Crocodile on the Sandbank

2010-03-26T18:10:00.001-04:00

First, I know this review is late. I had so much going on in February that I failed to finish the book, let alone review it. This was the planned review for that month, however, so I'm marking this one as February's Year of the Historical review. Thank you for understanding. :o)

Title: Crocodile on the Sandbank

Author: Elizabeth Peters

Setting: Egypt, late 1800s

Genre: Mystery

Rating: 4.8 pearls

Warnings: None.

Synopsis: Miss Amelia Peabody inherits a sizable fortune upon her father's death. Deciding to travel, she goes to Egypt where she falls in love with archeology and decides to stay. Unfortunately, someone seems intent on harming her, or at the very least, frightening her away.

My two cents: I mentioned in an earlier post that I loved this book when I was only a little over halfway through it. That opinion didn't change. At all. I LOVED this book! The main character, from whose 1st person POV we get the entire story, was so fun and interesting. Very much a spinster at 32, Miss Peabody is a no-nonsense type of woman with no high opinion of her looks and no illusions as to what draws men to her after her father's death. Early in her travels, she rescues Evelyn, a young woman who had been taken in by a charlatan and abandoned. Evelyn's character is opposite Peabody's and I think the two personalities play rather well off each other. It was a believable relationship.

Of course, there is a tiny element of romance present. The ladies meet two archeologists with whom they form a rapport...of sorts. I would have liked to see a little more romance but this book is not categorized as such. It was a very minor part of the storyline. Still, it was a wonderful mystery with enough misdirection to keep the reader second-guessing as to the villain's identity.

Overall, 4.8 pearls. I would recommend this to everyone, mystery readers, romance readers and especially those on the lookout for clean reads.

Title: Crocodile on the Sandbank

Author: Elizabeth Peters

Publisher: Fawcett

Orig. Pub Date: March 1976

Genre: Fiction/Mystery/Historical

(The following is for the current printing.)

ISBN: 0445406518

Format: Mass Market Paperback, 272 pages

List price: $7.99US

Rating: 4.8 pearls

Warnings: None.

What am I reading for March?

Another oldie, that's for sure. Moonlight Mist by Laura London, an out-of-print traditional Regency from 1979, coincidentally the year I was born. The pic here is a scan of the book I hold in my hands. It has a list price of $1.50, ISBN 0440154644.

I am halfway through this vintage tome and it is definitely what was popular/common in its time. The heroine is very young (17), the hero is a LOT older (over 30), and it is a little unclear as to why either one falls in love with the other. She is a bit of a headstrong brat and he is unfailingly patient. He'd make a very good father, I think. *cheeky grin*

They are married in the beginning, having been caught in a compromising position. I actually thought that particular scene was entertainingly done. But this is as far as my "currently reading" review can really go. The writing is typical of the decade, I believe. The prose can be rather purple at times and the vast age difference is something I seem to run into often in these older publishings. Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. I'm enjoying the story.

~Book Review~ Bloodworth's Bride by Gayle Eden

2010-03-09T09:00:00.001-05:00

Title: Bloodworth's Bride

Author: Gayle Eden

Website: Eve's Romance

Publisher: Air Castle Books; January 14, 2009

Genre: Fiction/Romance/Historical/Regency

ASIN: B001PKUTPU

Format: Kindle Book; 13,536 words

List price: $1.99US

Rating: 3.6 pearls

Warnings: This book contains graphic sexual details.

Synopsis: A young woman who married at 18 must reconcile with her estranged husband after a five-year separation.

What made me buy this book: I read the sample that Amazon provides. I really enjoyed the interaction between the sisters as well as the description of the hero.

My two cents: This is a short story, just over 13k words. I liked it but it was definitely more sexually explicit than I personally care for. However, it was an entertaining read, with characters who were likable, believable, and well-drawn. The storyline was interesting, that of a married couple who reconcile after five years of separation. I think it's a storyline that's been done before but I've never read a story where the goal of both main characters was to make the best of their situation.

The only real complaint I have, other than the explicitness, is the typos present in the Amazon Kindle version of this story. Normally, I can overlook typos with no problem, but this story is very short and I think some of the typos should have been noticed. For example, in one scene, the author uses the word emaciated when she clearly meant to use the word emanated. There was one other time I noticed such a mistake but it wasn't as bad; only one letter was off. Other than that, there were a few issues with punctuation. Unfortunately, it was enough to pull me out of the story.

Overall, I still think this one may be worth a reread at some point. The characters were that likable, in my opinion.

*This review is based on the Amazon Kindle version. I was not paid in any way, shape, or form for this review and it is my honest opinion of this work. I purchased this ebook from the Amazon Kindle Store for $1.99.

Year of the Historical Reading Challenge Update

2010-03-01T10:01:00.001-05:00

February was busier than I expected. I finished the fantasy novel I started writing in November '09 and started firing it off for critiques just recently. Halfway through the month, both of my kids came down with icky colds that they inevitably passed on to my husband and me. Then, last week, my father-in-law died unexpectedly and there were many days spent with family and friends mourning the loss. Now, I find that I failed to finish the book I planned for the month of February.

So this post is a "What I'm Reading Now" type of post. I am currently reading Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters. It is a highly amusing tale (told 1st person) of an independent (and independently wealthy) Englishwoman (Victorian) who travels to Egypt for fun and falls in love with archeology. She tells the story with a humorous flair that was unexpected considering this book is of the gothic romance/mystery sort. I understand already, a little over halfway through, why this author is one of my sister-in-law's all-time favorites.

Without even having finished this novel, I already highly recommend it to mystery, gothic, historical, and romance lovers. It is nearly 300 pages of good, clean fun with some romance and mystery thrown in for good measure.

So what are you reading now?

~Year of the Historical~ January: "Four In Hand" by Stephanie Laurens

2010-01-31T22:05:00.001-05:00

Setting: Regency England (early 1800s)

Genre: Romance

Synopsis: A rakish duke acquires not one but four beautiful wards, the eldest of whom he decides to seduce.

My two cents: I'm given to understand that this is a re-release of one of Ms Laurens's older Regencies. I also read numerous reviews of this book before deciding to purchase it. Some readers were dissatisfied with the lack of graphic sex in the story. I am the opposite. I was able to enjoy the story because the love scenes were far less graphic than is the norm in historical romance novels. (Some really finicky readers might have a problem with this book being called a "clean" romance, however, because there was premarital sex and a few sexual situations, but I would still categorize it as such.)

I tend to like my Regencies to have a little more substance than this one can boast but it was still an entertaining read. The characters were amusing; I smiled through the whole book. However, I think the focus being so much on four couples rather than one made it hard to really connect with any of them.

Title: Four in Hand

Author: Stephanie Laurens

Publisher: HQN

Genre: Fiction/Romance/Historical

ISBN: 0373773099

Format: Mass Market Paperback, 288 pages

List price: $7.99US

Rating: 4 pearls

Warnings: None, really, but as I mentioned before, some may still have issues with the sexual situations.

~Book Review~ "The Sister Pact" by Cami Checketts

2010-01-29T09:12:00.002-05:00

Synopsis: Two sisters, one is injured and in a coma from which it doesn't seem she'll wake and the other is suspected of being the one to have hurt her. While Allie sleeps, Savvy must try to determine who attacked her. Helping Savvy is Noah, the detective who suspects she is the culprit.

My two cents: This book had its funny moments, its scary moments and its "awwwww!" moments. I enjoyed each of the characters, most of whom had at least one scene told from their POV. I do like books where I get to see what all the main characters are thinking, instead of just the hero/heroine, as is the case with most romances.

I admit, I was first drawn to this book when I read a scene from the POV of the antagonist. But I felt it might have added to the suspense if I hadn't known from page 1 (literally) who the villain was. While the suspense was definitely there, it was the frustrated, "I-can't-believe-he's-standing-right-next-to-you-and-you-don't-know-it's-him!" kind rather than the edge-of-your-seat, "I-wonder-what's-going-to-happen-next" kind. (My apologies for my overuse of hyphens.)

Overall, it was a pretty good read. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a clean contemporary romance with a touch of suspense.

Title: The Sister Pact

Author: Cami Checketts

Website: www.camichecketts.com

Blog: Cami's Books

Publisher: Bonneville Books

Genre: Fiction/Romantic Suspense

ISBN: 1599552671

Format: Paperback, 240 pages

List price: $15.99US (on sale at Amazon now for $12.47)

Rating: 3.8 pearls

Warnings: NONE

*This review is based on the paperback received for free from the publisher at the author's request. My apologies to Ms Checketts and her publisher for my delay in posting this review.

Year of the Historical : Reading Challenge for 2010

2010-01-20T15:15:00.001-05:00

I wish I had been informed of this earlier! What a fun challenge for me! I am still going to give it a shot even though January is almost over. This is great since I've been focusing a lot on nonfiction lately rather than the historical romance that I love so much.

Here are the rules as I understand them:

Sign up for the challenge at the original blog post (not mine).
Read one book per month. A grand total of 12 in the year.
Anything historical applies but it must be historical: young adult, romance, fiction, thrillers, mysteries, etc. Make sure it is set prior to the present day. (I like Regencies, LOL.)
They can be re-reads, new reads, or new-to-you-but-old reads.
Post a review at the end of the month for the book you read that meets the criteria for this challenge. Make sure the review is marked in some way to signify that it is for this challenge. For example, I will label mine ~Year of the Historical~ {month & book title}.
No nonfiction, biographies or reference books. This is a straight-up fiction challenge.

I think that covers everything. I am currently reading a Stephanie Laurens Regency and I can probably get it done before February but the review might be a bit late.

Happy reading, writing and blogging!!

~Book Review~ "The Crown of Anavrea" by Rachel Rossano

2010-01-12T10:35:00.001-05:00

Synopsis: A slave woman helps an outlaw escape capture and travels with him to the only place he knows he'll be safe. He gives her her freedom in exchange for her assistance.

My two cents: I loved this story! It was short at only 109 e-book pages (80 paperback) and every time I was forced to walk away from it, all I wanted to do was come back and finish it. I found the hero and heroine easy to like. Neither one was by any means perfect; they were both realistic and believable. The tale is fast-paced yet takes place over the course of many weeks. Any love scenes are completely vague, making this a suitable read for young adults.

Despite the novella length of this tale, the characters are well developed. I would have liked to have had more story, more detail in regard to their struggle, both internal and external. I wanted to spend more time with them.

*Review based on e-book provided free by the author.

Title: The Crown of Anavrea

Author: Rachel Rossano

Publisher: PublishAmerica

Genre: Fiction/Romance/Fantasy

Format: Paperback, 79 pages

List price: $16.95US

Format reviewed: e-book, 109 pages (not currently avl for purchase)

Rating: 4.3 pearls

Warnings: NONE

A Celebration Book Giveaway

2010-01-05T11:49:00.010-05:00

In four months, we went from 100 to over 200 members in our Clean Romance group on Goodreads. When we hit 100 members, we held a giveaway. Now that we've hit 200, we're doing it again. To be entered to win, all you have to do is be a member. That's it.

Already, over 15 books have been donated to the giveaway. There are many great authors on the list, authors who excel at writing beautiful romance without all the graphic sexual details. (I am donating a paperback copy of Spellbound for a USA winner and an e-book copy of Redemption for an International winner.)

So what are the deadlines? If you are an author of clean romance and would like to get in on the excellent exposure, join and make your offering by January 10. If you are a lover of good clean romance, become a member by January 10 to be a part of this drawing. The festivities begin on January 11.

I hope to see you all there! Have a lovely day and as always, happy reading, writing and blogging!!

Winner of "When the Bough Breaks"

2009-12-29T09:10:00.003-05:00

Well, I have drawn a name from those who entered the drawing for an autographed copy of Miss Mae's young adult novel, When the Bough Breaks. The winner is....

Lori!!

Congratulations, Lori! Contact me at jaimeygrant (at) yahoo [dot] com to confirm your win. You are in for a treat!

Everyone else, here are those purchasing links again, LOL. :o)

Said the Spider to the Fly, e-book

Said the Spider to the Fly, paperback

See No Evil, My Pretty Lady, e-book

When the Bough Breaks, paperback

Thank you, everyone, for participating and I hope to see you all again.

*Winner was selected using random.org.

What I'm Supposed to be Doing Right Now

2009-12-28T11:51:00.004-05:00

I'm supposed to draw a winner today for Miss Mae's young adult novel, When the Bough Breaks. Due to a high stress day--already--I will continue to accept entries until tonight. So those of you who thought you'd missed out, you still have a few hours to enter. I will draw a winner before I retire and post it tomorrow.

I apologize for the slight delay.

I wish everyone a lovely and stress-free day! :o)

~Author Interview & Book Giveaway~ Miss Mae, author of When the Bough Breaks

2009-12-16T15:34:00.005-05:00

The day is finally here! Today I am interviewing the lovely and talented Miss Mae, author of the excellent YA novel, When the Bough Breaks. Discover the reason behind her pen name, the inspiration for her new release, and what time period she prefers. Then find out how you can win a copy of When the Bough Breaks.

To read my 5-pearl review of When the Bough Breaks, click here.

I always ask, have you always wanted to be a writer?

Well, pretty much. When I was younger, my dream was to be an artist. I took art classes in school and was told I had talent. One of my still life drawings was presented at an exhibition. This desire stayed with me until my teen years when I became drawn to romantic suspense from the library books I checked out. After reading those, I dreamed of creating my own worlds and characters.

"Miss Mae" is a pseudonym, I assume. Why did you choose to use a pen name?

Though my name is only four letters, people seem to have the hardest time remembering it, or pronouncing it correctly, or spelling it the proper way. I decided, if published, I needed something really simple and easy!

Give us a little glimpse into how your mind works. Do you think of a character or scene first? How does the story progress from there?

Hmm, you know I'm not exactly sure myself! LOL I think just a seed pops up, and I don't really think about it much. Weeks, or months may pass and over time that seed will take shape and morph into a "formula." So I guess it's the scenes first that appears and then the characters are created to fit.

What was the inspiration behind When the Bough Breaks?

LOL, the concept of the "bad boy" being tamed by his love for the "good girl". But in this particular story, I had to come up with a reason for his supposed "playboy" reputation. So the "rich master of the big house in a small town" was added, and the ensuing secrets that came along just created extra spice!

Do you like to listen to music while you write? If so, what type of music do you prefer?

No, I can't listen to music. Too distracting. I prefer quiet, but that's hard to find with four dogs running in and out of my room!

Just for fun, what's your favorite color? Food? Animal? Time period?

My favorite color is blue, but red comes close to tying it. Favorite food is chocolate...yum! And animal? Wow, I can't say there's a favorite since I adore animals (I can't eat them either). And time period...um, probably 1950's and early 1960's. Seemed like such a fun age then (thinking "Happy Days" here.)

Where can we find your books?

It would really help so much if prospective buyers would buy straight from the publishers' sites. That would be The Wild Rose Press and Whimsical Publications.

Direct book links from the publishers:

Said the Spider to the Fly, e-book

Said the Spider to the Fly, paperback

See No Evil, My Pretty Lady, e-book

When the Bough Breaks, paperback

Thank you for joining us, Miss Mae!

Want a chance to win a paperback of When the Bough Breaks? Miss Mae has graciously agreed to send a paperback copy to one very fortunate reader.

First, the ground rules:

You must be a follower of this blog. This makes it easier for me to contact you if you've won. Following is not an entry but it is required. I've only done a few giveaways but I've already experienced problems when the entrants don't follow me.
Multiple entries are allowed. Leave separate comments for each entry. For example, if you choose to follow Miss Mae's author blog and her group blog, leave one comment stating that you follow her author blog and one comment stating that you follow her group blog. Any questions?
Make sure your comment(s) are unique, as in, if you are known as Jane Doe, please add something to your comment to differentiate yourself from the other Jane Does out there.
This giveaway is open to US residents only. If you are under 18, please have an adult enter for you.

Here's how to enter:

Follow Miss Mae's author blog, Pure Southern Genteel. You must follow publicly and leave a comment on this post to indicate you're following or we won't know that you are.
Follow Miss Mae's group blog, The Sweetest Romance Authors. Again, you must follow publicly and leave a comment on this post to be entered.

It's that simple. A winner will be drawn Monday, December 28. Entries will be accepted until December 27, Midnight Eastern time. The winner will be announced on this blog on Monday, 12/28. Check back then to see if you won.

Happy reading, writing, and blogging!

Just a Quick Update

2009-11-12T09:33:00.009-05:00

Hi! I just wanted to let you all know that I haven't fallen off the earth. I am participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), attempting to write 50,000 words in 30 days. (If this is the first you've heard of NaNoWriMo, please visit www.nanowrimo.org for more info.)

This has severely limited my reading and reviewing. I am focusing on books I've been asked to review instead of just any old book I happen to pick up.

If you're curious about the novel I've chosen to write...it's fantasy, not romance, although there is an element of romance in it. There is a medieval-ish fictional world, a group of mad scientists who seem to be pulling the strings, a king who turns into a dragon, a genetically engineered dragon hunter who doesn't know what she is and doesn't understand why she hates dragons, and killer mermaids. That's right, I said genetically engineered. I am attempting to write a medieval fantasy with a strong dose of technology. We'll see if I can do it. As of this post, my word count is 28,085.

What's coming up for Romance, Old School?

I do have two reviews to prepare and post. I will try to get these posted within the next week or so.
Later this month, hopefully, I will be posting an interview and giveaway with the talented Miss Mae, author of When the Bough Breaks.

Thank you for reading and following my reviews blog. If anything else occurs to prevent my normal review postings, I will be sure to inform you. If any of you are participating in NaNoWriMo, click the participant pic above to add me as a buddy. :o)

Happy reading, writing and blogging!

The Winners of "Troubled Hearts"

2009-10-27T08:43:00.008-04:00

Hello, loyal readers! I am sorry for the slight delay in announcing the winners of Donna Hatch's Regency novella, Trouble Hearts. I am preparing for NaNoWriMo and procrastination has always been my biggest fault. :o)

That said, here are the two fortunate ladies who won this drawing:

Christy

Brooke

Now, I don't have last names. Christy left comment #4 and Brooke left comment #8. Ladies, you are in for a treat!

You have 7 days from this post to contact me, jaimeygrant(at)yahoo(dot)com, with your email. I will forward the information on to Donna. Please allow Donna some time to email the file. She is a busy lady, which is good since we all look forward to her future releases. :o)

In closing, thank you, Donna, for answering my questions and providing such a great prize for my readers. Thank you, readers, for participating. I hope you enjoyed the interview and will check out Donna's work. You won't be sorry.

The Stranger She Married can be purchased in paperback from Amazon and The Wild Rose Press, as well as directly from the author on her blog or website. E-books are available for the Kindle in Amazon's Kindle Store and in PDF, MS Reader, and HTML formats from The Wild Rose Press. Troubled Hearts can be purchased from The Wild Rose Press in PDF, MS Reader and HTML formats.

*Winner was selected using Random.org.

Book Giveaway and Interview with Romance Writer Donna Hatch

2009-10-14T10:01:00.002-04:00

Hello, my lovely readers! I have a special treat for you today. Donna Hatch, the talented author of The Stranger She Married, has kindly agreed to answer a few questions. (To see my 5-pearl review of Donna's fabulous book, click here.)

Me: The first question is one I always ask, even if it's been answered before. Did you always want to be a writer?

Donna: Yes. And an actress. And a ballerina. I tried to do it all; I took ballet and I was in theater in school, not to mention I'm a drama queen in real life, but desire doesn't always equal talent. I've been writing stories since I was about 8.

Me: You certainly have tried to do it all! I know you have a large family. How do you find the time to research, write, and network without neglecting them?

Donna: What? You mean six children is considered a large family? ;-) At first I wrote either during nap time or late at night after everyone was in bed. Or when suffering from insomnia. Then I got really crazed about writing and started doing it instead of housework, or scrapbooking, or ... well, pretty much everything else. It did get easier when my youngest started school. Now I have a few hours in the morning that I can write before I have to leave for work.

Me: I only have two children and find it a bit overwhelming at times. I congratulate you on developing a schedule that works. You are a bit of an expert in regard to Regency England. What started you off on this obsession?

Donna: I don't consider myself an expert by any stretch, but I have extensively researched it. I had stories in my head demanding to be told, but I didn't know precisely which period to set them in. I vacillated between Regency and Victorian. It wasn't until I really started delving into the differences between them that I fell in love with this unique and short time period. I ruled out the Victorian Era because the strictures became more rigid and the clothing more extreme. However, I mostly love Regency because there's something fleeting and magical that captures my interest. By then, people began bathing on a regular basis - the rich even had indoor plumbing, men were dressing more manly and less foppish than earlier eras, they had gotten rid of those ridiculous wigs, and it was a time of revolution; education, science, the beginning of the industrial age. Also, it was right after the war, which creates the perfect situation for returning war heroes with wounds both seen and unseen. I love nothing more than a wounded hero who needs a woman to heal and save him.

Me: Who doesn't love a battle-scarred hero? What are the best reference materials that you have come across?

Donna: Anything by Jane Austen or the Bronte Sisters are great for getting the facts and the feel of the era. As far as research books here are some of the best:
Our Tempestuous Day by Carolly Erickson
The Half Mad Lord by Thomas Pitt
Georgette Heyer’s Regency World
Regency Etiquette: The Mirror of Graces, 1811, by a Lady of Distinction
The Regency Companion, Sharon Laudermilk and Teresa L Hamlin

Also, Georgette Heyer is considered the Queen of Regencies, although some of hers are Georgian. Frederica and The Grand Sophy are excellent for Regency feel. But beware; she deliberately threw in some things that we now call "Heyerisms" because she was trying to expose other authors who were using her as a source rather than doing their own research.

My favorite source is my Regency writer's group. I can go online and ask for help on anything Regency and either get a quick answer from an expert or a recommendation for a good source.

Me: Well, since I have only read a couple of Ms Heyer's works at this point, I guess I don't have to worry about falling into the trap. One last question, and this is the most important. How soon can we expect the next book in your "Rogue Hearts" series? LOL

Donna: The second in the series, The Guise of a Gentleman, which is about piratical Jared, will be out in April 2010.

Me: Excellent! I can hardly wait for its release. Thank you so much for joining us today, Donna!

Now for the giveaway!

Donna has graciously agreed to award two copies of her short story e-book, Troubled Hearts, to a couple of very fortunate readers.

How can you enter to win?

For 1 entry, comment on this post. Tell us what you love about the Regency period. If you are unfamiliar with the period, tell us that.
For 1 entry, follow Donna's blog, http://donnahatch.blogspot.com.
For 1 entry, follow Donna's group blog, Historical Hussies.

Multiple entries are allowed, so do all three if you want. Deadline for entering this contest is October 25, Midnight Eastern Time. The winner will ONLY be announced here so check back on October 26 to see if you've won. (I suggest subscribing or becoming a follower of this blog to avoid missing the announcement.) If you're the winner, contact me at jaimeygrant(at)yahoo(dot)com with your email.

~Book Review~ "The Mercenary's Marriage" by Rachel Rossano

2009-10-12T08:27:00.001-04:00

Title: The Mercenary's Marriage

Author: Rachel Rossano

Blog: Rachel Rossano's Words

Genre: Fiction/Romance/Fantasy

Publisher: Lulu

ISBN (paperback): 1411618440

Format: e-book, 113 pages

List Price (paperback): $10.95US

Reviewed: October 8, 2009

Rating: 4.8 pearls (Wow.)

Warnings: None

Synopsis: A slave girl finds safety and freedom with an unlikely savior, a hardened mercenary.

My two cents: Although fantasy, there are no common fantasy elements present in this story. It has the feel of a medieval romance. This was a definite plus in my opinion. I love the fantasy genre but don't really care for the magic that is so often a part of it.

This is a story that starts out strong, in the aftermath of a battle, and continues in a fast-paced manner until the satisfying conclusion. I started it and was finished within a few hours. It was a short, but exciting, read. Every time I walked away, I was thinking about the main characters and wondering what would happen next.

The love scenes are few and very vague but Ms Rossano managed to infuse a remarkable amount of feeling into the brief scenes. It was very well done.

This review is based on the e-book provided by the author. Paperbacks can be purchased from Amazon and Lulu.com.

The Winner of By Love or By Sea

2009-10-11T12:20:00.004-04:00

Rachel has announced the winner of the autographed copy of

By Love or By Sea.

Congratulations to

Wendy Richards

and thank you to all who entered to win! Have a lovely day!!

Blog Tour for Rachel Rager's By Love or By Sea

2009-10-08T18:45:00.000-04:00

Hello, all!

This is just a friendly reminder that Rachel's blog tour will be ending soon. If you haven't entered to win an autographed copy of this sweet romance, time is running out. For multiple entries, leave a comment on each of the reviews of By Love or By Sea on each of the participating blogs. You can also follow Rachel's blog for an additional entry.

Here are the links to all the reviews posted so far (Make sure to leave your comment on the review. Otherwise, it doesn't count.):

September 28 - Jaimey Grant

September 29 - Kaylee Baldwin

September 30 - Cindy Beck

October 1 - Kim Thompson

October 2 - Alison Palmer

October 3 - JoAnn Arnolds

October 5 - Rebecca Talley

October 6 - Anna Arnett

October 7 - Heather Justensen

October 8 - Rachelle Christensen

And don't forget to check back here in a day or two for my interview with Donna Hatch!

~Book Review~ "Under a Lakota Moon" by Deborah L Weikel

2009-10-03T19:05:00.020-04:00

Title: Under a Lakota Moon

Author: Deborah L Weikel

Genre: Fiction/Romance/Historical/Inspirational

Publisher: Walnut Springs Press

ISBN: 978-1-93521-718-3

Format: Trade Paperback, 289 pages

List Price: $15.95US

Reviewed: October 3, 2009

Rated: 3.2 pearls (Good. Probably could have been better, but worth the read.)

Warnings: None other than a strong religious theme (it is an inspirational romance, after all)

Synopsis: In 1870, divorced mother of two Rosalynn, moves to Minnesota to help her sister with her children. She arrives to find her sister gone, the children with the minister, and an angry half-Lakota brave named Lone Wolf who insists that the house and land are his along with the children.

My two cents: I had trouble putting this book down. Any book that keeps me coming back to it over and over definitely deserves at least 3 pearls. It was easy to visualize everything as it happened. The romance was incredibly sweet and any love scenes were completely vague. I was intrigued with the inner struggle of Rosalynn. The storyline was predictable, but the real focus was the heroine's determination to retain a firm hold on her sanity through her faith in God.

What made me deduct almost two pearls? Everything was too perfect for believability. I had some trouble accepting that these characters, with all of their very real insecurities, would have acted the way they did. They had these insecurities but no flaws. It was very hard for me to relate to characters who were so perfect. On the other hand, the villain(s) had nothing but flaws. I had trouble connecting with characters that were all so black and white.

Overall, I thought it was good but probably could have been better.

Book Review: The Stranger She Married by Donna Hatch

2009-10-02T17:59:00.009-04:00

Title: The Stranger She Married

Author: Donna Hatch

Website: Donna Hatch, Romance Writer

Blog: http://donnahatch.blogspot.com

Series: Rogue Hearts, #1

Genre: Fiction/Romance/Historical/Regency

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

ISBN (paperback): 1601543344

Format: e-book, 352 pages

List Price: $6.00US (e-book)

Reviewed: September 28, 2009

Rating: 5 pearls (4.9)

Warnings: None

Synopsis: Alicia Palmer must save her family from ruin by marrying and marrying well. Her choices, however, leave much to be desired. Enter Cole, Viscount Amesbury, a man with a deadly secret, a secret that could destroy the fragile trust growing between them. Meanwhile, someone is trying to kill off every member of her family.

My two cents: Oh my. I have a new favorite Regency author. I am blown away. Enough of that. Now for the reasons why...

Ms Hatch has a steady grasp of the period and a definite knack for characters, settings, and drama. There were so many times I didn't want to stop reading. Drat the responsibilities of adulthood! I was enchanted with the hero from the very first. All the characters were well-developed and likable--or unlikable, in the case of some. The plot was a rather common Regency theme (the young woman needing to marry to save her family from penury), yet done in such a way as to be entirely fresh and new.

And the twists. Wow. Just when I thought I knew who the killer was, I was proven wrong.

I loved how Ms Hatch refrained from including detailed love scenes and still managed to convey the emotions that ruled these characters. It was a thrilling, lovely, romantic adventure. I eagerly anticipate the next book in the series.

*This review is based on the PDF e-book.

Coming soon: An interview and giveaway with Donna Hatch!

Blog Tour: Book Review of By Love or By Sea by Rachel Rager

2009-09-28T07:09:00.030-04:00

Title: By Love or By Sea

Author: Rachel Rager

Website: www.rachelrager.com

Blog: http://rachelrager.blogspot.com

Genre: Fiction/Romance/Historical

Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc

ISBN: 978-1-59955-221-7

Format: Trade Paperback, 206 pages

Reviewed: September 26, 2009

Rating: 4 pearls (4.1)

Warnings: None

Synopsis: Alice Lind Frank is thrown for a loop when the boy she adored as a child--and believed to be dead--comes back as a man with a bitter secret. While falling for him all over again, the other man she'd promised to marry decides he will not let her go so easily.

My two cents: Ms Rager definitely has a talent for drawing you into a story and tugging your emotions. I found myself tearing up more than once but the smiles were prevalent throughout, also. It was a very, very sweet story, the kind that makes you sigh a little. Despite the fact that there was no clear distinction in regard to historical time period, it was still remarkably easy to visualize everything as it happened. The storyline was intriguing and the characters were quite likable. I appreciated that love scenes were kept at nothing more than a few kisses. I am looking forward to future books from this author.

By Love or By Sea can be purchased at Amazon and Cedar Fort, Inc.

Blog tour details:

Remember, if you leave a comment on this review, or follow Rachel's blog, you will be entered to win an autographed copy of this charming novel. By doing both, you will be entered twice. Leaving a comment on the other reviews of By Love or By Sea on the other blogs in this tour will get you additional entries, as well.

Here are the other blogs participating in this tour:

September 29 - Kaylee Baldwin

September 30 - Cindy Beck

October 1 - Kim Thompson

October 2 - Alison Palmer

October 3 - JoAnn Arnolds

October 5 - Rebecca Talley

October 6 - Anna Arnett

October 7 - Heather Justensen

October 8 - Rachelle Christensen

October 9 - Joyce DiPastena

Also doing a review - Liz Adair

Blog Tour for Rachel Rager's By Love or By Sea

2009-09-18T18:34:00.000-04:00

Blog Tour Announcement

I am excited to announce that I am participating in the blog tour for Rachel Rager's By Love or By Sea. It is set to begin September 28 and go through October 9 (except Sunday). There will be daily reviews and the occasional author interview.

There is also a chance to win an autographed copy of this beautiful book. By leaving a comment on my review or becoming a follower of Rachel's blog (http://rachelrager.blogspot.com) you will be entered to win. If you do both and/or leave comments on multiple reviews of By Love or By Sea, you will be entered multiple times.

Here are the blogs participating in this tour:

September 28 - Jaimey Grant

September 29 - Kaylee Baldwin

September 30 - Cindy Beck

October 1 - Kim Thompson

October 2 - Alison Palmer

October 3 - JoAnn Arnolds

October 5 - Rebecca Talley

October 6 - Anna Arnett

October 7 - Heather Justensen

October 8 - Rachelle Christensen

October 9 - Joyce DiPastena

Also doing a review - Liz Adair

Blog Tour: Review of Illuminations of the Heart and Interview with Joyce DiPastena

2009-09-16T07:00:00.037-04:00

Title: Illuminations of the Heart

Author: Joyce DiPastena

Blog: JDP News

Series: Connected to Loyalty's Web

Genre: Fiction/Romance/Historical

Publisher: Walnut Springs Press (click for blog)

ISBN: 978-1935217268

Format: Trade Paperback, 425 pages

List Price: 17.95US

Reviewed: August 31, 2009

Rating: 5 pearls (4.7)

Warnings: None

Synopsis: Triston de Brielle finds himself the unlikely guardian of Lady Siriol Calendri, a young widow whose resemblance to his late wife is uncanny. Battling his feelings for his dead wife and his new feelings for his beautiful ward, Triston must also contend with his enemy's treasonous plotting.

My two cents: Illuminations of the Heart is an exciting tale of love and political intrigue. Ms DiPastena paints a vivid picture of the time. Her attention to detail in regard to Medieval garb, food, and politics is enough to give an accurate view of the time without being "textbook-y" or overly descriptive. She touches on several practices and beliefs of the time that are horrifying but refrains from getting too in-depth, thereby retaining the power that love possesses in all time periods. While this book is commonly described as "sweet"--and it is indeed sweet in regard to love scenes--I think there is enough reality present to keep one from thinking the time period was all fluffy romance and fantasy.

The characters, I felt, were believable, likable, and well-developed. We got a sense of Triston's feelings of guilt, his regret and his frustration. Siri's personality was strong without being the overbearing female so many authors seem to think a strong woman should be. She knew what she wanted almost from the start and when faced with opposition, she did what most people do: she made rash decisions. I found her to be quite realistically portrayed.

The story takes us from Siri's arrival at Triston's home, to his enemy's home, and to the palace of Duke Richard, a future King of England. There were no parts that felt choppy or out of sync. The story flowed along what felt like a natural path leading up to the HEA for Triston and Siri. Not to say there are no twists or surprises. But that is something you will have to find out for yourself.

Overall, I think this book was entertaining, well-researched, and a definite keeper. I am particularly pleased that the love scenes are not detailed and the main characters do not hop into bed together at the first opportunity. In fact, if you are looking for a book with sex, this is not the book for you. Everyone who enjoys the romance for the romance, give Joyce's books a chance. She does not disappoint.

Normally, that is where I end a book review. Today, however, I have a special treat. Joyce has graciously agreed to answer a few questions, giving us a glimpse into the wonderful workings of her creative mind.

Hi, Joyce. Thank you for joining us here at Romance, Old School.

Thank you so much for participating in my blog tour, Jaimey! I'm a little nervous about being interviewed, though.

There's nothing to be nervous about. They are very painless questions, I promise. You are probably asked this a lot, but have you always wanted to write?

I never thought seriously about writing until I was in junior high school. That's when I started picking up my pencil and doodling out stories that had nothing to do with school assignments. I can't really point to anything that triggered me to start writing. I just did. To this day, I couldn't tell you why.

It surprises me how many authors just sort of "stumbled" into writing. Next question: I know you owe your interest in the Medieval time period to a certain book you read in high school. Can you give us a brief description of that book and why it touched you in such a way?

That book was The Conquering Family, by Thomas B. Costain. Actually, Costain had written a series of four books covering the reigns of the Plantagenet kings of England. I read the second book first, The Three Edwards, which dealt with the reigns of Kings Edward I, Edward II, and Edward III (father, son, and grandson kings). The Plantagenet line of kings pretty much stretched throughout most of the Middle Ages in England, so reading The Three Edwards was my first serious foray into the medieval period. Edward I quite captured my fancy at the time, and I initially thought he would be "my favorite king". But then I read the first book in the series, The Conquering Family, which covered the reigns of Henry II (founder of the Plantagenet dynasty) and his sons, Richard I (the Lionheart) and John. Henry II just blew Edward I out of the water for me. Quite simply, I fell in love with him. Not “romantic” love. There was nothing particularly handsome or dashing about him. (Perhaps quite the opposite.) Yet there was just something about the way his contemporaries described him that stirred a great affection in me for him. He seemed to be one of those rare kings who was actually more interested in trying to improve his country than in simply enjoying the “glory” or “privileges” of his rank. He is described as a man who hated war, even though circumstances forced him to spend most of his adult life at war. He was a man of tremendous energy and intellect, passion and humor. And he laid important foundations to the legal system that we have inherited from England and enjoy ourselves today.

His legacy was marred by his quarrel with Archbishop Thomas á Becket, and the son who succeeded him, Richard the Lionheart, is a more flashy character of legend. But everything I’ve read about Henry II since those high school days has only increased my love and admiration for this man. Loyalty’s Web and Illuminations of the Heart are both set during his lifetime, and although he has not yet actually appeared on the scene in any of my books, the references I make to him, small though they might be, are my own way of paying tribute to this great, underappreciated king.

Fascinating, Joyce. I can see why you have chosen Henry II as your favorite king. What are three of your favorite research materials?

For the political background of my stories, I have relied heavily on the biography, Henry II, by W.L. Warren. Life In a Medieval Castle, by Joseph and Frances Gies, is an excellent source of basic information on life among the medieval nobility. One of my favorite books for descriptions of medieval clothing is 900 Years of English Costume, by Nancy Bradfield.

Excellent! I have the first two books already. I'll have to get my hands on a copy of 900 Years of English Costume. What was the inspiration behind Illuminations of the Heart?

Basically, I fell in love with the character of Triston while I was writing Loyalty's Web, and wanted to give him a "happily ever after" story of his own. :-)

I can totally understand that. On another topic, one of the main focuses of Illuminations of the Heart is illuminated manuscripts (clever name for the book, by the way). Can you tell us, briefly, what that is?

Put simply, "illumination" was the art of decorating books in the Middle Ages with miniatures or ornamental designs painted in brilliant colors or silver or gold leaf to "illuminate" or bring light to the pages. If you'd like to see an example of a page from a medieval illuminated manuscript, you can click on this link:

http://colophon.com/gallery/minsky/jpegs/chemise.jpg

Gorgeous! Makes me wish I was more of an artist. Is there one research book that you would recommend above all others that talks about illuminated manuscripts?

I actually used a combination of four research books to pull together my descriptions of illumination in Illuminations of the Heart. They were: The Book of Hours, by John Harthan; The Illuminated Manuscript, by Janet Backhouse, not to be confused with Illuminated Manuscripts, by D.M. Gill, which I also used in my research; and The Medieval Book, by Barbara A. Shailor. (By the way, you can read more about each of these books and how I used them on my Medieval Research with Joyce blog at http://medievalresearch.blogspot.com.) :-)

I highly recommend that everyone follow Joyce's research blog. It is an excellent resource.

Joyce, I know you were having some trouble recently with your current WIP (work-in-progress). Have you worked all that out enough so you can tell us a little bit about it? And is it tied in with your two current novels?

Well, I don't want to give too much away, as the hero of my new WIP is a character from Illuminations of the Heart, and for those who haven't read Illuminations yet, I don't want to spoil the fun of guessing what this character's motivations might or might not be in that story. :-) My new hero (the character from Illuminations) has never been the problem in my WIP. Just as I had a pretty good grasp of Triston from Loyalty's Web before I spun him off into his own story, I have a good grasp of my new hero from his role in Illuminations of the Heart and pretty much know where I want to take him in many respects. My challenge has been finding the right heroine for him. Siri came so easily when I began Illuminations of the Heart, but pinning down the heroine for my new WIP has indeed been giving me fits. I'm pretty sure I finally know who she is and what she wants and how and why she and my hero are going to fall in love. (Maybe. My characters have a way of surprising me with their own ideas once I actually let them loose on the page.) But I think I'm over that little bump in the road. Is my WIP tied in with my two current novels? It's tied into Illuminations by virtue of the hero having appeared first in that volume, but I'm not anticipating using any other characters from that book in this particular story. Heléne and Gunthar from Loyalty's Web will be making reappearances, though.

I know who your new hero is and I can hardly wait for his story! I'm already half in love with him. :o)

Thank you so much for joining us today, Joyce. It was a lot of fun picking your brain.

How would you like the chance to win your own copy of Illuminations of the Heart? You can, you know. All you have to do is a leave a comment on this post and you are entered to win. And three $10 gift certificates are also being given away, to go towards the purchase of Illuminations of the Heart, redeemable at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Deseret Book. If you want to be entered more than once, leave a comment on the other blogs in the tour who have posted a review of Illuminations of the Heart.

*To skip the contest and purchase the novel now, click one of these links for the store of your choice: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Deseret Book

Book Review: When the Bough Breaks by Miss Mae

2009-09-09T11:02:00.013-04:00

Title: When the Bough Breaks

Author: Miss Mae

Website: www.missmaesite.com

Genre: Fiction/Young Adult/Mystery-Thriller

Publisher: Whimsical Publications

ISBN: 978-1-936167-01-2

Format: E-book, 189 pages

(avl in print only)

Release date: October 12, 2009

Reviewed: September 7, 2009

Rating: 5 pearls (4.8)

Warnings: None

Synopsis: 16-year-old Darlene Moore is not allowed to date until she turns 18. Despite her mother's rule, she finds herself drawn to Parker Shane, a young man newly returned from Vietnam who has the reputation of a playboy. Through betrayals by more than one person in whom Darlene once placed her trust, these two struggle to find a way to be together.

My two cents: This book started out with the feel of a typical young adult book. The heroine, Darlene, is 16 and in high school. Set in the late '60s with all the trappings of the period, it was an interesting journey into recent history. As the story progresses, however, the initial fluffy feel of the story is lost in a barrage of tragedy that left this reader in tears more than once.

I was surprised that this short novel managed to wring so many differing emotions from me. I chuckled, I cried and at one point, my jaw dropped. It is well-written, flows well, and has believable characters. This was a book that was hard to walk away from. If my copy hadn't been an e-book, I would have taken this book with me everywhere until I was done!

While the first few chapters were a little slow, getting to know who was who and what was what, the story quickly picked up pace. The author let tantalizing bits of mystery drop until all the pieces fell into place. In my opinion, it was very well done.

In conclusion, this is the first by this author that I have had the pleasure to read. It won't be the last.

Please note: Although my copy was an e-book, this book will only be available in print.

*Review based on ARC.

Updates, Updates, and...Maybe a Few Updates

2009-09-08T09:45:00.004-04:00

Well, now. It seems necessary to update a few matters.

Books awaiting a review: I recently had two books with review "deadlines." One of those books has been completed and I am nearly done wording the review. I have a good start on the other book and anyone else who is expecting a review, fear not. The reviews are coming.
Our Clean Romances group giveaway: The drawing will take place today. I am posting the winners tomorrow. I hope it goes smoothly...

Introducing a New Rating System Here at Romance, Old School

2009-09-03T17:24:00.004-04:00

I have been pondering a rating system for several weeks now. Stars are so overdone; I want something unique to my personality and genre. I have settled on pearls since pearls were such a feature of Regency England. Let me break it down for you:

5 pearls = Wow. That pretty much says it all.

4 pearls = Very good. Worth a re-read at some point.

3 pearls = Good. Probably could have been better, but still enjoyable.

I do not post anything below 3 pearls. I prefer to contact the author directly in a case of a 2 or a 1 pearl rating, letting them know what I so disliked in the story.

Please keep in mind that all reviews on this site are my own personal opinion. I try to give a potential reader a little more of a glimpse into the story than is perhaps provided by the book's blurb. I am not trying to sway a reader, merely inform them. I enjoy reading and sharing my thoughts on what I've read.

Clean Romance Book Giveaway

2009-09-03T16:01:00.010-04:00

Hello, everyone! I just wanted to post a quick note about the GREAT book giveaway we are having in our "Clean Romances" group on Goodreads. The list of donated books is currently at 14! That's 14 great, clean romances we are giving away!

How do you get in on the fun? Join Goodreads. It's fun and free. Then, join our Clean Romances group. That's it. All members are automatically entered to win. The drawing will be held on September 8th, winners announced the 9th.

Happy reading and writing!!

Book Review: The Pirate and the Puritan by Mary Clayton

2009-08-24T10:13:00.000-04:00

Title: The Pirate and the Puritan
Author: Mary Clayton
Genre: Fiction/Romance/Historical
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
ISBN: 1601541198
Format: e-book, 358 pages
List Price: $6.00US
Reviewed: August 20, 2009
Rating: 5 stars (4.6)
Warnings: None

Synopsis: Kidnapped by pirates, a mute Puritan finds herself drawn to the pirate captain, intrigued by his protection of her and his obvious dislike of his own lot in life. He is drawn to her by her innocence and strength, unable to forget her even though he knows he should.

My two cents: The Pirate and the Puritan is one of the best clean reads I've had the privilege to peruse this year. Taking place several years after the Salem witch trials, the heroine is Mercy Penhall, a young woman whose voice was lost after witnessing one of those horrific trials firsthand. I was immediately drawn to this woman, feeling the pain, frustration and fear that were a part of her daily life. I loved her overall calm demeanor that could quickly turn to fiery defense when those she cared about were threatened.

The hero is Edmund Gramercy, an unwilling pirate whose choice at one time was piracy or death. He was an interesting character and I would have liked to have had more glimpses into his mind as well as his background. I really liked him and wanted to know more. The story is told more from Mercy's POV with only a few forays into Edmund's.

The novel is very well-written, obviously well-researched and a beautiful romantic story. If you like action, adventure, sweet romance, and a history lesson that doesn't feel like homework, then this story is for you.

This is available in e-book form from The Wild Rose Press and trade paperback from Amazon.