Waiting on Wednesday October 31, 2012

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I am waiting for Unclaimed Bride by Lauri Robinson.  The book is already out but even though I pre-ordered from Amazon it will not be shipped until November.  Lauri is one of my favorite romance authors so I am really looking forward to her new book.

Here is the Goodreads summary:

Running from the past …she bumps into her future! Mail-order bride Constance Jennings steps off the stage in Cottonwood, Wyoming, and waits for her husband-to-be. But he never shows up, and instead several other men are vying to take his place!

Single father Ellis Clayton must be the only man in town not looking for a bride. But his young daughter's habit of rescuing wounded critters means he ends up offering Constance a temporary shelter.

Having a woman around the house again is all too easy—especially seeing her bond with his daughter—but Ellis can't seem to let go of the past.  Problem is, neither can Constance. And hers is about to catch up with her….

Far From Perfect (A Love from the Heartland Novel) by Barbara Longley

Contemporary Romance

The blurb on the back says that fans of Jodi Thomas and Susan Elizabeth Phillips “will fall in love with the heartwarming and emotional tale.”   I am a a big fan of both and I agree.  Far from Perfect has just the same feel good reaction that both of the other authors produce.

Here is the Goodreads summary:

Noah Langford narrowly survived the roadside bombing in Iraq that killed five of his men and took his leg, leaving him haunted by flashbacks and riddled with guilt. When his stepbrother Matt dies in a car accident, the loss feels like the final blow to Noah’s shattered soul. But then he learns about the girlfriend and baby Matt abandoned years earlier, and suddenly Noah has a new mission…

Ceejay Lovejoy was nineteen and pregnant when her boyfriend walked out, disappearing from her life just like her parents did. Since that day, Ceejay has devoted herself to giving her daughter a better life, avoiding any man who could threaten that security—until the day Noah Langford shows up on her doorstep. His gentle spirit has an unexpected effect on Ceejay’s guarded heart, tempting her to take one last chance on love. But when a painful secret comes to light, it threatens to break the fragile bond growing between them…and to destroy a love powerful enough to heal them both.

I loved the characters.  Noah has PSTD but is working so hard to be able to live a normal life.  He is one of those people who want and need to take care of others but always takes the blame of anything bad that happens to the people around him.  Ceejay just does not trust.  She thinks that people will leave and break her heart so she had put up a wall to hide behind.  It takes a lot of work for the two of them to get together.  Far From Perfect also had a great cast of secondary characters who add depth to the story.

The title is a play on the town.  Perfect, Indiana sits on the banks of the Ohio and CeeJay’s goal in life is to leave because she thinks it is not the perfect place for her.  Noah certainly does not think he is perfect.  The word perfect plays a big part in the story.

The plot is well planned and written.  We know that there will be an HEA but the twists and turns keep the tension high.  Great character development plays a big part in the tension.  The writing is crisp and the dialog excellent.  Everything comes together and makes a great story.

There is a excerpt from the next book in the series at the back of the book.  After reading it I am anxious to visit Perfect again.

Montlake Romance published Far From Perfect by Barbara Longley in 2012.

I received an ARC of Far From Perfect from Amazon Vine.

What Else I Read in October 2012

Historical Romance:

A Summer Seduction by Candace Camp - This is the second in the Legend of St. Dwynwen trilogy.  Look for danger, romance and maybe a surprise when you see who the bad guy really is. 

Beauty and the Bounty Hunter by Lori Austin - This is a western and the first in the Once Upon A Time in the West series.  I love the title and the cover and the book holds up to both.  Cat and Alexi are great characters, made for each other but not before they have to go through a lot.  Both have things in their past that they have to overcome before there can be a HEA.  The next book comes out in 2013

An Unsuitable Bride by Jane Feather - This is the last in the Blackwater Brides series.   I have not read the first two and it did not matter.  The book works fine as a standalone.  This on had a lot of mystery and tension.  Alexandra is trying to right a wrong but is breaking the law to do it.  Peregrine wants her to story but in the end fails.  Look for an exciting finish to the series.  There are plenty of side characters available for future stories.

The Last Renegade by Jo Goodman - This is another western.  Jo Goodman always writes a good story and this one is no exception.  I loved Kellen Coltrane, the hero.  Lorraine Berry who owns the Pennyroyal Saloon and Hotel is a great match for Kellen.  Both are keeping secrets and both are threatened by the same man.  It is great to see the secrets unravel.  Each one helps to bind them together and defeat the man who has held the town in his grip.

Contemporary Romance: 

Twelve Days by Tresa Hill - This is a good feel good story and the start to the McRae series.  It is almost a prequel.  This one is about Rachel and Sam the parents.   The next books are about the children.  It was free on Amazon. 

Science Fiction Romance:

Metal Mark by Ella Drake -  Good story with a new twist.  I would have like it better if it had been written in a more active voice.  For me there was too much time spent in the character's heads and not enough dialog and action.  

Paranormal:

Magic in the Blood by Devon Monk - the second in the Lllie Backstorm series.  Full of adventure and ends with a cliff hanger. 

Teaser Tuesday October 30, 2012

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: 

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.

My teaser today is from Spinneret by Timothy Zhan.  This is a reissue.  The book was originally published in 1987.  Zhan set the book in 2016 and we are not even close to what the book says we can do but if you ignore that it is a really good Science Fiction Story.  I got the book from Netgalley.

Here are my teasers:

"From orbit Astra resembled nothing so much as a giant mudball on which someone had thoughtlessly spilled a bucket or two of pale blue paint" 

" I wish we had brought some paint," he commented to the man beside him." 

Musing Mondays (Oct.29)

This week’s musing asks… 

Do you have people online that you often discuss the books you read with? Not just book groups, but individual readers who share the same taste in books? If so, what do you like best about this? If not, do you wish you did?

No, but what I do have are several other book bloggers with similar tastes that I exchange comments with.  Usually I will let them know when I really enjoy a book and they will do the same.  There are not long discussions using comments but it does give some feedback.

“Twas the Night after Christmas (Hellions of Halstead Hall #6) by Sabrina Jeffries

Historical Romance

Pierce Waverly, the Earl of Devonmont, has been a side character in the Hellions series and now in "Twas the Night after Christmas he has his own story.  Here is what Goodreads says:

Pierce Waverly, the Earl of Devonmont, has been estranged from his mother for most of his life. When his mother’s new companion, Mrs. Camilla Stuart, writes to tell him that his mother is seriously ill, he goes home. But when he learns that the lovely widow tricked him in order to effect a holiday reconciliation, he refuses to stay—unless she meets his “terms.” Somewhere between trying to seduce the beautiful Camilla and struggling with the cruel memories of his childhood Christmases, Pierce discovers that not only does forgiveness go two ways, but that love can blossom even in the coldest of winters.

I loved the story.  It is filled with heart-warming moments and characters that I cared about.

Plot:  This had what seemed like a simple plot but turned out to be very intricate.  Pierce’s parents sent him away at age 8 and never let him come home of see them after that.  It took until the end of the book to find out why.  I truly had no idea why Pierce’s Mother did what she did.

Characters:  Pierce is a rogue but his actions have been to punish his parents.  Now that his Father is dead his Mother would like to see him again but Pierce inside is still a small boy has been hurt but does not know why.  Camilla Stuart can’t understand why Pierce treats his Mother like he does and tries to help.  She is a torn between the two.  Lady Devonmont loves her son Pierce but believes she deserves the way Pierce ignores her. 

Tension:  The interaction between the characters is very well thought out.  That interaction keeps up the tension and there is plenty. There is the tension between Pierce and his Mother, between Pierce and Camilla, and between Camilla and Lady Devonmont.  Throw in some side issues and the story moves briskly.

Worldbuilding:  Part of the worldbuilding for the story was done in previous Hellion’s books.  We see mentions of previous main characters in the story and meet a few as side characters in the book.

‘Twas the Night After Christmas was a really satisfying read.  It had everything I look for in a romance;  great characters, good plot and a wonderful HEA.

Galley Books released 'Twas the Night After Christmas by Sabrina Jeffries in 2012.

Stacking the Shelves October 27, 2012

Welcome to my Stacking The Shelves post!  Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews so follow the link and check out what other stacked on their shelves this week.  

Stacking The Shelves is all about the books I am adding to my shelves each week letting me share with you my excitement for my newest books.  I don't post covers on this post.  I have not learned how to post than many and still keep the post looking like anything readable.

From Amazon Vine"

A Scandalous Scot by Karen Ranney
Vlad all Over vy Beth Orsoff
Countess So Shameless by Liana LeFey
Far From Perfect by Barbara Longley
The Most to Lose by Laura Landon

Purchased  from Amazon:

Hunter's Season by Thea Harrison 

Purchased from Barnes and Noble:

Spider's Bite  by Jennifer Estep 

Checked out from the library:

Going Postal by Terrty Pratchess
Elfhome by Wen Spencer
Vampire Empire Book One:  The Greyfriar by Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith
A Rising Thunder by David Weber    

Book Beginnings on Fridays October 26, 2012

Book Beginnings on Friday is a meme hosted by Gilion at Rose City Reader. Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include  include the title and author so others know what you're reading.


My book beginning this week is from the Carina Press release Courting Trouble by Jenny Schwartz.  Here is the start of the book:

"Esme Smith, I could spank you."  Jed loomed over the rickety round table where she sat trying to concentrate on the socialist speaker, whose thin voice was losing badly to the competition of a hurdy-gurdy and the pub patron's drunken sallies."

I did not like the spank you part of the start but I did like the Goodreads summary enough to request and receive the book from Netgalley.  Here is that summary:

"Swan River Colony, Australia, 1895

All suffragette Esme Smith wants is respect. Her beau, American inventor Jed Reeve, may be more enlightened than most men, but lately his need to protect her is at odds with her need for independence. Esme begins to wonder if a modern woman can share her life with a man without losing some of herself.

With his courtship of Esme stalled, the last thing Jed needs is the pressure of saving the Prince of Wales. But when blueprints for a sonic destroyer fall into his hands, he uncovers an anarchist plot that could have deadly consequences.

While investigating the threats, Jed is determined to keep Esme out of harm’s way, despite her protests. But when the terrorists capture Jed and demand a priceless emerald in exchange for his life, it’s Esme who must draw on all her strength to save the day."

Dead Spots by Melissa F. Olson

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Paranormal

Dead Spots is a very good first book and another one I had doubts about until I started reading.  47 North is the publisher and this is another of Amazon’s publishing companies.  I have had mixed results with their books but this one is first rate.

Here is a summary:

A woman with the ability to counteract magic is in a race against time--and the supernatural underworld--to catch a killer before another body drops.

Scarlett Bernard knows about personal space: step within ten feet of her, and any supernatural spells or demonic forces are instantly defused--vampires and werewolves become human again, and witches can't get out so much as a "hocus pocus." This special skill makes her a null and very valuable to Los Angeles's three most powerful magical communities, who utilize her ability to scrub crime scenes clean of all traces of the paranormal to keep humanity, and the LAPD, in the dark.

But one night Scarlett's late arrival to a grisly murder scene reveals her agenda and ends with LAPD's Jesse Cruz tracking her down to strike a deal: he'll keep quiet about the undead underworld if she helps solve the case. Their pact doesn't sit well with Dash, the city's chief bloodsucker, who fears his whole vampire empire is at stake. And when clues start to point to Scarlett, it'll take more than her unique powers to catch the real killer and clear her name.

Here is my opinion on different parts of the book.

Plot:  This is an intricate and complex plot.  It kept me guessing until the very end.  Expect to be surprised.  It even set up the next book in the series in a the context of everything that happened in Dead Spots

World building:  I really liked how the author handled building this world.  Information arrived just when you needed it and in a way that fit into the plot.  I never felt like anything was just dropped in.  Things were revealed in ways that fit and were a part of the story.  This is a paranormal world and it was explained in a logical and believable manner.

Back-story:  There had to be a lot of back-story included in the world building.  There was just enough to allow me to know the what and why of things.  Again it was a part of the story and did not intrude on story flow.

Characters:  There were really three main characters; Scarlett, Jesse and Eli.  Scarlett is the main character.  She is very well-drawn and comes from a difficult back ground, is likeable, and seems to be drifting through life.  Eli is just loveable.  He cares for Scarlett even though she thinks he is just using her.  Jesse on the other hand is the very clean all American type.  There is a slight triangle here.  There are a number of important side characters.  Each had just the right amount of development to fit in the story. 

Writing:  I was really impressed with the writing.  Everything was laid out in a logical manner.  I did not see one place where things did not flow smoothly.  Characters, back-story, world building, tension and plotting all meshed into a smooth whole. 

Tension:  There was plenty of tension in this story.  Scarlett blamed herself of a lot of things in the past causing her a lot of internal tension.  There was the murder and the deadline for solving that ramped up the external tension.  There was the tension between the characters that added to that external tension.  All in all a satisfactory balance between external and internal factors moving the story.

I do not hesitate to recommend this book to anyone who loves paranormal books. Dead Spots is a well- written book that tells an excellent story.

47 North published Dead Spots by Melissa F. Olson in 2012.

Teaser Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: 

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.

My Teaser today is from Moonlight and Mechanicals by Cindy Spencer Pape.  This is #4 in the Gaslight Chronicles.  I can tell already that this will be one of or my favorite in the series.  As the book starts Wink has grown up and is not conforming to male standards.  Here is my teaser:

"What does a young lady like you know about steam engines?"
"Snickers and rude noises erupted in its wake from throughout the co-called genteel membership."  

Here is the Goodreads summary:

Engineer Winifred "Wink" Hadrian has been in love with Inspector Liam McCullough for years, but is beginning to lose hope when he swears to be a lifelong bachelor. Faced with a proposal from a Knight of the Round Table and one of her closest friends, Wink reluctantly agrees to consider him instead.

Because of his dark werewolf past, Liam tries to keep his distance, but can't say no when Wink asks him to help find her friend's missing son. They soon discover that London's poorest are disappearing at an alarming rate, after encounters with mysterious "mechanical" men. Even more alarming is the connection the missing people may have with a conspiracy against the Queen.

Fighting against time—and their escalating feelings for each other—Wink and Liam must work together to find the missing people and save the monarchy before it's too late. 

Musing Mondays (Oct.22)

This week’s musing asks… 
Do you ever get crushes on fictional characters? Name one (or a few), and tell what you liked…
I don't.  While I like some of the characters I see things in them

•  I don't like 
• They need saving, something I don't want to do, 
• And/or they are not really developed enough to become that real to me. 
  

Balance of Terror by KS Augustin

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Science Fiction Romance

I read In Enemy Hands when it was released.  It was an excellent story but the ending left a lot up in the air.  Balance of Terror finishes the story.  It has been awhile since In Enemy Hands so the author included a full synopsis of In Enemy Hands at the beginning of Balance of Terror.  You could just read that and be somewhat up to speed but I recommend reading In Enemy Hands first.

Here is the Blurb from the book:

Save one man? Or save billions? It’s Moon’s choice.

Stellar physicist Moon Thadin and amnesiac savant Srin Flerovs are on their way to possible sanctuary with an old research partner of Moon’s. But between them and safety lie a cunning arms dealer, a suspicious pirate captain, and a universe of unfamiliarity.

Refusing to turn her research into a weapon, Moon and Srin outran the Republic in IN ENEMY HANDS, only to find that the anti-Republic rebels they’re heading for want her knowledge for the same reason, and they’re willing to trade critical gene therapy for it. Withhold the therapy and Srin will die. Share the research and billions will die.

Can the needs of one ever truly outweigh the needs of many?

While that lets you know what Moon and Srin’s choices are the outcome is not what you might expect.  With the help of a friend there is a HEA for Moon and Srin.  The story follows an interesting path.  There are obstacles, new characters and several characters from another book.  All in all I found the story and the ending very satisfying.  Look for something different that allows Moon and Srin to have their HEA.

Those characters from another story;  Moon and Srin run across Quinton from Quinton’s Story.  I wondered if we would get the sequel to two stories in one but that didn't happen.  Augustin promises the next chapter of Quinton’s Story sometime in 2013.  I will be looking for it to be published.

If you are a Science Fiction Romance fan you do not want to miss either of Moon and Srin's books.  In fact look up KS Augustin to see her other SFR books.  They are all worth reading.

 Sandal Press published Balance of Terror by KS Augustin in 2012.

Stacking the Shelves October 20, 2012

Welcome to my Stacking The Shelves post!  Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews so follow the link and check out what other stacked on their shelves this week.  

Stacking The Shelves is all about the books I am adding to my shelves each week letting me share with you my excitement for my newest books.

From Edelweiss: 

The Importance of Being Wicked by Miranda Neville
The Second Seduction of a Lady by Miranda Neville
  
From Amazon: 

The Scargill Cove Case Files: An Arcane Society Story (A Penguin Group eSpecial from Jove) by Jayne Ann Krantz

Won:

The Wicked Wager  by Anya Wilde

From Barnes and Noble:

Magic in the Blood  by Devon Monk  

From Netgalley:

The Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder  

Book Beginnings on Friday October 19, 2012

Book Beginnings on Friday is a meme hosted by Gilion at Rose City Reader. Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include  include the title and author so others know what you're reading.


My book beginning this week is from Magic in the Blood (Allie Beckstrom #2) by Devon Monk.  Barnes and Noble sent me a 15% off coupon yesterday and since I was out and stopped and used it to buy Magic in the Blood.  

Here is the beginning:

"I dunked my head under the warm spray of the shower and rubbed shampoo into my hair, wondering where my next Hounding job, and paycheck, were coming from."  

I am about a third of the way into the book.  There is a lot of back story at the beginning but it is worked as Allie finds herself with one job and and problems with three separate people.  

Here is the Goodreads summary:   

Working as a Hound-tracing illegal spells back to their casters-has taken its toll on Allison Beckstrom. But even though magic has given her migraines and stolen her recent memory, Allie isn't about to quit. Then the police's magic enforcement division asks her to consult on a missing persons case. But what seems to be a straightforward job turns out to be anything but, as Allie finds herself drawn into the underworld of criminals, ghosts, and blood magic.

The Lost Stars: Tarnished Knight by Jack Campbell

Science Fiction/Space Opera

The Lost Stars are a spin off to the Lost Fleet and Beyond the Frontier series.  Unlike both of these series, which follow Black Jack Geary, this series follows characters that were on the other side of the war.  Here is what Goodreads says about The Lost Stars - Tarnished Knight: 

The authority of the Syndicate Worlds’ government is crumbling. Civil war and rebellion are breaking out in many star systems despite the Syndic government’s brutal attempts to suppress disorder. Midway is one of those star systems, and leaders there must decide whether to remain loyal to the old order or fight for something new.

CEO Artur Drakon has been betrayed. The Syndic government failed to protect its citizens from both the Alliance and the alien enigmas. With a cadre of loyal soldiers under his command, Drakon launches a battle for control of the Midway Star System—assisted by an ally he’s unsure he can trust…

CEO Gwen Iceni was exiled to Midway because she wasn’t ruthless enough in the eyes of her superiors. She’s made them regret their assessment by commandeering some of the warships at Midway and attacking the remaining ships still loyal to the Syndicate empire. Iceni declares independence for the Midway Star System on behalf of the people while staying in charge as “President.” But while she controls the mobile fleet, she has no choice but to rely on “General” Drakon’s ground forces to keep the peace planet-side…

If their coup is to succeed, Drakon and Iceni must put their differences aside to prevent the population of Midway from rising up in rebellion against them, to defend Midway against the alien threat of the enigma race—and to ferret out saboteurs determined to reestablish Syndic rule.

I really wondered if I would even like Tarnished Knight. Some spin-off books don’t work and I had no previous investment in the characters or in the Syndicate Worlds.  What I found was a book that I enjoyed.  Jack Campbell (John Hemry) writes are good tight story and Tarnished Knight is no exception. 

Neither Artur Drakon nor Gwen Iceni are a role model for heroes.  While they did not measure up to the ruthlessness the Syndic government wanted they were ruthless enough become CEO’s (very high ranks) in the government.  Watching them try to change and leave behind many of the behaviors they had learned to survive was interesting.  I kept pulling for both of them to survive and change.  While they were the two main characters there were several side characters that added to the tension and action in the book.  There is one in particular that needs to be watched very closely.  Even those that did not come across as untrustworthy could not be totally trusted. The title fit the characters.  While any might be a Knight all are tarnished.

Like all the books in all three series the ending was a cliffhanger so I will be looking for the next book in The Lost Stars series.

Ace published The Lost Stars: Tarnished Knight by Jack Campbell in 2012.

Shield’s Lady by Jayne Ann Krentz

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Science Fiction Romance/Futuristic

I got Jayne Ann Krentz’s newsletter and saw where Shield’s Lady was offered as an ebook for 1.99.  I had read the other two Lost Colony books Sweet Starfire and Crystal Flame.  I even have a combined hardcopy of the two books but had never read Shield’s Lady so I purchased and read.  All three were written in the 1980’s so are early example’s of Krentz’s futuristic writing.  For me they are not as good as the St. Helen’s books and those are not as good as the Harmony/Ghost Hunter books.  That said they are worth reading and do let you see Krentz’s progression as a writer.

Shield’s Lady was the last of the Lost Colony series and for me it is the best.  In this colony there were two colony ships and they crashed on separate continents on the planet Windarra.  Both groups thought that everyone on the other ship perished.  They have just recently rediscovered each other.  Both groups have developed in very different manners. 

Sariana Dayne is from the eastern continent where lives are very structured and in Sariana’s mind much more civilized.  She has moved to the western continent and although she does not realize it at first she fits much better on the western continent where life if full of surprises. 

Gryph Chassyn is a Shield. Shields are surrounded by mystery and legends.  There are not Shields on the eastern continent so this is Sariana’s first contact with a Shield.  Sariana does not believe in legends.  Shields have special powers that help protect the people of the planet.  One thing that is unique about them is the fact they have to find their Shield Mate to every have children and then they only have male children.  Sariana is Gryph’s Shield Mate.  Not that she believes that.  When the two end up working together sparks fly. 

The set up here is great.  There is a lot of tension between Gryph and Sariana.  She refuses to believe the part about Shield Mates.   Gryph never askes, he orders.  Sariana never follows orders.  A prisma cutter has been stolen and Sariana needs Gryph to find it.  What develops is much more than a theft.  The theft is part of a dangerous plot that only Gryph and Sariana can stop.

Shield’s Lady was a quick fun read.  If you like Jayne Ann Krentz’s futuristic stories pick this on up and find out about one of the Lost Colonies.

Purple Papaya LLC reissued Shield’s Lady by Jayne Ann Krentz as an ebook in June , 2012.

Waiting on Wednesday, October 17, 2012

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I am waiting on Kris Longknife:  Furious by Mike Shepard due out October 30, 2012.  Furious is the latest (#10) in the Kris Longknife series and I have it on pre-order from Amazon.  

Goodreads doesn't have anything about the book so this is from Amazon:
 

Having used unorthodox methods to save a world—and every sentient being on it—Lieutenant Commander Kris Longknife is wanted across the galaxy for crimes against humanity. For her own safety, she’s been assigned to a backwater planet where her Fast Patrol Squadron 127 enforces immigration control and smuggler interdiction.

But Kris is a Longknife, and nothing can stop her from getting back to the center of things—not when all hell is breaking loose. Now she’s on the run, hunted by both military and civilian authorities—and since the civilian authorities happen to be her immediate family, Kris soon finds herself homeless, broke, and on trial for her life on an alien world…