Book Binge

To celebrate the release of Julia Quinn's most recent release, What Happens in London (the sequel to The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever), we've got two copies to giveaway!

Rumors and Gossip . . . The lifeblood of London

When Olivia Bevelstoke is told that her new neighbor may have killed his fiancÉe, she doesn't believe it for a second, but, still, how can she help spying on him, just to be sure? So she stakes out a spot near her bedroom window, cleverly concealed by curtains, watches, and waits . . . and discovers a most intriguing man, who is definitely up to something.

Sir Harry Valentine works for the boring branch of the War Office, translating documents vital to national security. He's not a spy, but he's had all the training, and when a gorgeous blonde begins to watch him from her window, he is instantly suspicious. But just when he decides that she's nothing more than an annoyingly nosy debutante, he discovers that she might be engaged to a foreign prince, who might be plotting against England. And when Harry is roped into spying on Olivia, he discovers that he might be falling for her himself . . .

Leave a comment on either this post or my review telling us what your all time favorite JQ book is, or if you haven't read one, why you want to start with this book, and you'll be entered to win either a print copy or a digital copy! Please specify in your comment which you'd prefer.

Contest ends Friday, July 3rd at 11:59 p.m. Be sure to leave your comment before then.

This book is available from Avon. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

Holly's review of What Happens in London by Julia Quinn

When Olivia Bevelstoke is told that her new neighbor may have killed his fiancée, she doesn't believe it for a second, but still, how can she help spying on him, just to be sure? So she stakes out a spot near her bedroom window, cleverly concealed by curtains, watches, and waits... and discovers a most intriguing man, who is definitely up to something.

Sir Harry Valentine works for the boring branch of the War Office, translating documents vital to national security. He's not a spy, but he's had all the training, and when a gorgeous blonde begins to watch him from her window, he is instantly suspicious. But just when he decides that she's nothing more than a nosy debutante, he discovers that she might be engaged to a foreign prince, who might be plotting against England. And when Harry is roped into spying on Olivia, he discovers that he might be falling for her himself...

I have a confession to make. Although I enjoyed Olivia's character in The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever (the prequel to this book) as Miranda's best friend, I didn't really think she was heroine material. She was enjoyable, but I didn't latch onto her and think, "I can't wait to read her book". I'm happy to admit that I was wrong not to be excited for this story. It turned out to be wonderful.

Based on the last book I thought Olivia was amusing, but she seemed to be missing something. Some indefinable thing that didn't make me dislike her but didn't make her stand out as heroine material either. I was happy to see that JQ really bit into her character, however, and gave her a bit more depth than we previously saw.

Olivia is whiling away another London Season - bored out of her mind - when she hears that her new neighbor, Sir Harry Valentine, possibly murdered his fiance. While she doesn't believe this for a minute - really, she doesn't - she is curious about her new neighbor. And if her bedroom window just so happened to face directly into his study - where he spends almost all of his time - then she can hardly be blamed for noticing, can she? And if she happens to stand there spying on him for five days, well, that's hardly her fault either.

Because although she doesn't believe for one moment that Sir Harry is a murderer, there is something very suspicious about his character. He spends an inordinate amount of time in his study, bent over what appears to be some type of document. He rushes to the fireplace on several occasions and burns things. And he even walks around wearing some very strange type of hat, almost as if he's in disguise!

Although Sir Harry Valentine has finished serving his commission, he still does some work for the war office - mostly translating documents. Despite the fact that he prefers texts to espionage, he can't help but be suspicious about why his neighbor - the daughter of an Earl - has been spying on him for 5 days. He's just about to jump on his desk and start dancing around - just to annoy her - when he makes the mistake of looking up at her window at the wrong time, catching her watching him.

The war office asks Harry to keep an eye on a visiting Russian Prince they suspect of being a Bonaparte supporter. It just so happens the Prince is an admirer of Olivia, and therefore Harry is charged with watching out for her as well. Although they start off on a rocky note, it isn't long before they come to like each other.

I thought this was a really sweet, fun novel. After my disappointment in The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever, I wasn't sure I'd like this one. I needn't have worried. JQ is at her best here. The dialogue is crisp, the banter witty and both characters are fun and very likable.

I liked how they got to know each other slowly while spending time together. Reading awful Gothic novels together, discussing politics and bantering back and forth. I actually felt I got to see them fall in love, rather than just being told they had.

The secondary characters really added extra zing to the story. Harry's best friend Sebastian and the Russian Prince particularly stood out for me. There were scenes involving them where I was literally laughing out loud.

I had some issues with Harry's backstory. His father was an alcoholic, but seeing how he grew up (quite a bit of time is spent watching Harry grow up in the beginning of the book) didn't really seem to serve a purpose. I didn't see that Harry was really scarred by the actions of his father. Other than his refusal to drink he seemed mostly unaffected. So I'm not sure why JQ spent so much time in his past.

I also thought the end was a bit on the cheesy side. It was cute, don't get me wrong, but it just crossed the line into "too cute". I was also disappointed that Miranda wasn't present in this book. The relationship between the girls was so strong in the previous novel I expected it to carry over here. Although the reasons for that were mentioned, I was surprised we didn't see any interaction between them at all.

Overall a cute, well written novel. I highly enjoyed both main characters and the journey they took together. This book reminded me why Julia Quinn is a master at light, witty romances.

4.25 out of 5




This book is available from Avon. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

Check back later today, because we're going to be giving away two copies of this book! One digital copy and one print copy!

Holly's review of The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn

2 March 1810 . . .
Today, I fell in love.

At the age of ten, Miranda Cheever showed no signs of Great Beauty. And even at ten, Miranda learned to accept the expectations society held for her—until the afternoon when Nigel Bevelstoke, the handsome and dashing Viscount Turner, solemnly kissed her hand and promised her that one day she would grow into herself, that one day she would be as beautiful as she already was smart. And even at ten, Miranda knew she would love him forever.

But the years that followed were as cruel to Turner as they were kind to Miranda. She is as intriguing as the viscount boldly predicted on that memorable day—while he is a lonely, bitter man, crushed by a devastating loss. But Miranda has never forgotten the truth she set down on paper all those years earlier—and she will not allow the love that is her destiny to slip lightly through her fingers . . .

It's been years since I read anything by Julia Quinn. About a year ago I burned myself out on historicals and I've read very few since then. For those of you who aren't aware, this book was written in 1994, but never published. In 2006 JQ pulled it out of the rejection pile, polished it up, and published it. Knowing that, I tried to give a little leeway with the story, because every writer evolves as time goes on and I feel JQ has definitely evolved.

Although 1994 is hardly considered 'old school' I do feel a lot of old school elements still existed in many of the novels published at that time. In the last 15 years the romance genre has made some major inroads in regards to what's acceptable and what isn't. I think this worked both for and against this novel. It's obvious that parts of this book were heavily updated and revised, whereas other parts..weren't.

The first half of the book was fun and interesting. Most of it is told from Miranda's point of view as we watch her get ready for her first season. She's been in love with her best friend Olivia's older brother for as long as she can remember (since she was 10 and he was 19) and now that his wife has died and she's having her come out, she's convinced there may be a chance for them to be together. Or, ok, probably not. But she can dream, can't she?

The problem is that the Turner of today is not the Turner she fell in love with almost 10 years ago. His late wife nearly destroyed everything good about him by cheating on him and throwing his love for her back in his face. Now he's become a bitter, cynical man. Though she sees flashes of the Turner of old in him, he's much changed from the young man he used to be. Only he wasn't really all that changed.

That right there pretty much sums up all of my issues with this book. I don't know if it's because JQ revised this book, or if she intended for the characters to be written as they were, but both Miranda and Turner were very inconsistent. Early in the book Turner is jaded and cynical, and Miranda is calm and logical. Then Miranda is feisty and has a sharp tongue and fast temper while Turner is sweet and funny. Then the roles are once again reversed to what they were in the beginning. But then, in the second half of the book, each character changed completely. Turner became completely irresponsible and Miranda a complete dishrag.


**Warning** from here on out there will be SPOILERS **Warning**

The second half of the book was really kind of...OMGWTF-ish. Miranda and Turner end up at a house party together in the country. Up to this point he's done a pretty credible job of ignoring his attraction to Miranda, but once they're forced together in the country..well, things happen. Namely them getting trapped in a hunting cottage in the rain and him taking her innocence. Although it wasn't completely unexpected (as the reader I knew it was inevitable), I didn't feel the characters were quite ready for it to happen at that point in the story. In other words, JQ hadn't really made me believe they were ready for that kind of intimacy.

Anyway, they do the deed then head back to the manor. At the door Turner basically says, "I'm going to marry you because that's the thing to do, but I need some time to think first." Which is understandable, I think, considering his past and the fact that he was determined to never marry again after the disaster that was his first marriage. What wasn't understandable, however, was the length of time he took to "think about things". I expected a few hours, maybe a day, even a week. Not only did Turner have to come to terms with marrying again when he thought never to do it, he was still technically in mourning and Miranda was his younger sister's best friend. Overall a situation that takes some getting used to.

But Turner didn't take a few hours, a few days, or even a few weeks. Oh no, not our darling hero. He took two full months. The day he deflowered Miranda, he left the country for London, found an initiation from a friend to visit on the other side of England (basically) and just..disappeared.

In the meantime, Miranda finds out she's pregnant. Frightened by her condition and at a loss as to where Turner may be, Miranda flees London to return home to her father. Shortly thereafter her best friend Olivia arrives to make sure she's doing well and discovers Miranda's secret. At that point they agree Miranda should go stay with her grandparents in Scotland. Which is when Turner decides that maybe he should come home. Gosh, he just hadn't realized so much time had passed.

He returns home expecting to find Miranda waiting for him (and why wouldn't she be?) and completely flips when he realizes she isn't. Upon realizing where she is, he takes off after her. Only Miranda has miscarried and no longer wants to marry Turner (and why would she?). But in a surprisingly swift change, Turner isn't willing to accept that. He will marry Miranda. And what do you know? Three days later, with absolutely no groveling on Turner's part, she gives in and agrees.

Let's just go ahead and bullet my grievances up to this point:

• Turner is an ass, then super sweet, then completely irredeemable
• Miranda is a sweet, logical girl, then a wild woman, then a doormat
• Miranda shows basically no reaction to having had a miscarriage
• Turner shows no reaction to Miranda having had a miscarriage
• Turner does zero groveling over his disappearing act
• Miranda doesn't seem to give a flying fig that he disappeared and did no groveling

There are other things, but I guess you get the idea. From there they embark on a blissfully happy marriage - oh, except Turner hasn't admitted his love for Miranda. Er..I guess because he didn't feel love for Miranda. Insert much whining on Miranda's behalf and much avoiding on Turner's and we're left with a lot of blah blah blah.

Basically, I wasn't impressed. At all.

And I'm not even mentioning the other issues I had with the story - such as the way Miranda's father treated her and how it was completely glossed over in the book. Or the way Olivia seemed manipulative and cold toward the opposite sex (talking about "managing" all the men swarming around her and etc). But I'm not going to get into all of those things because I feel I've ranted enough.

Having said that, there were parts I truly enjoyed. I liked Miranda in the beginning (until she turned into a complete dishrag). I especially liked her relationship with Olivia. They really were good girlfriends and it was refreshing to see strong female friendships in a historical novel (that just doesn't happen often enough). There was also quite a bit of humor laced throughout, which really is pretty much what saved this book from being a DNF. There were also surprisingly tender moments, though I did feel they came "too little, too late".

Despite the humor, the witty banter and the great girl friendships, the second half of the book was enough to ruin my reading experience.

2.5 out of 5



This book is available from Avon. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

Although I haven't been around blogland as long as many others (Wendy, Sybil, Kristie(j)), I have been here awhile. Over the years I've virtually "met" some of the most amazing people. Scooper is one of them. I started reading her blog pretty much at its inception (she'd been going perhaps a month when I stumbled on her, I think?). Although she reads mostly paranormal romance and I read basically no paranormal romance, I still enjoy reading her blog. She's funny and insightful and often brings up wonderful topics for discussion.

Recently she's been going through a very rough time, mostly notably a house fire. Although it's obviously the worst possible thing that could happen, she's really kept a positive attitude, I think. Yesterday she blogged about how most of her book collection was lost in the fire:

I’ve been inside of the burned out place I used to call home. It’s pretty bad, smell-wise, and everything is ruined. My books have been ruined. My Michelle Sagara, Patricia Briggs, Nalini Singh, Lilith Saintcrow, Christine Feehan, Ilona Andrews, Caitlyn Kittredge, Phaedra Weldon, Karen Chance, Debra Cooke, etc…all gone. Every book I’ve reviewed on this site, gone. It’s sickening. I want to cry. Very few books were saved.

As I'm sure is the case with many of you, the thought of losing my entire book collection makes me sick to my stomach. I can't imagine not being able to go to my shelves and grab whatever book I happen to want to re-read.

So far several authors have come forward to offer Scooper their books for her collection. I'd like to help her also. You can find a full list of the book she's reviewed on her website: 2007, 2008, 2009.

If you have duplicate copies of any of these books, or copies you're willing to part with, why not send them to Scooper? I think it would be wonderful if we could help her replace some of her lost collection.

Please Note: Scooper hasn't asked us to help her replace her collection. Actually she really only mentioned her loss in a shocked, I-can't-believe-this-just-happened-to-me way.

ETA: I forgot to mention earlier that I would be happy to accept donations on her behalf and ship them all at once (or in several shipments, whatever). If you'd like to send them to me, email me at holly @ thebookbinge . com (no spaces) and I'll give you my mailing address.

_______________

ETA #2: Scooper has given me permission to post her email address. If any of you are interested in sending her gift certificates, or would like to ask her about specific titles, please feel free to email her direct.

Otherwise, I'm still more than happy to take donations and pass them along as they come in.

Her email address:

sdcooper54@yahoo.com

Casee's review of Bound By Your Touch by Meredith Duran.

Silver-tongued Viscount Sanburne is London’s favorite scapegrace. Alas, Lydia Boyce has no interest in being charmed. When his latest escapade exposes a plot to ruin her family, she vows to handle it herself. Certainly she requires no help from a too-handsome dilettante whose main achievement is being scandalous.

But Sanburne’s golden charisma masks a sharper mind and darker history than she realizes. He shocks Lydia by breaking past her prim facade to the woman beneath . . . and the hidden fire no man has ever recognized. But as she follows him into a world of intrigue, she will learn that the greatest danger lies within—in the shadowy, secret motives of his heart.

Once in a while, a really great historical comes along that just knocks me off my feet. It doesn’t happen very often, so I’m surprised that it has happened twice in two months. The first amazing historical I read was Scandal by Carolyn Jewel. Bound By Your Touch is the second. For me, starting a book with no expectations is when I find that I especially love them.

Lydia Boyce has no misconceptions about herself when it comes to men. Having made a fool out of herself four years before, Lydia has no desire to repeat her mistake. She knows that she’s far from society’s idea of what a woman of her age should be. Lydia is fascinated by her father’s work in Egypt and enjoys handling his affairs for him while he’s on a site trying to dig up the next historic artifact. The only man that has never let her down is her father. So when Viscount Sanburne tries to discredit her father, Lydia is furious and determined to prove him wrong.

Sanburne had no intention of doing anything to discredit Lydia’s father. All he wants to do is make himself as much of a nuisance to his father, the Earl of Mooreland, as possible. After putting his sister in a mental hospital after she killed her husband, Sanburne found that the fragile truce he and his father had was broken. In the years since, Sanburne does any and everything possible to drive his father crazy. He never intended to get involved with Lydia Boyce, but he soon finds that he’s powerless to resist her unlikely charm.

Lydia can’t imagine why Sanburne seems so interested in her. Though she wants nothing to do with him, she needs his help to prove that her father has nothing to do with smuggling. She is shocked by her reaction to Sanburne and powerless to resist him when he turns his sights on her.

What made this book so great was how different these two seemed, yet how alike they really were. They were both resolute in their beliefs; Lydia, in her father’s innocence and Sanburne, in his father’s guilt. Being involved with each other, they’re both forced to take a long look at what they believe and realize that they may be wrong. For people as stubborn as these, it’s not an easy thing to admit.

If you’re looking for a great historical, this is it. There’s a little intrigue (I wouldn’t call in mystery), tons of sexual tension, and some fun bantering. This is my first book by Meredith Duran, but it will not be my last.

4.5 out of 5.

This book is available from Pocket. You can buy it here.

Rowena's review of L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad.

Main Characters: Jane Roberts, Scarlett Harp.
Grade: 3.5 out of 5

Los Angeles is all about the sweet life: hot clubs, cute guys, designer . . . everything. Nineteen-year-old Jane Roberts can't wait to start living it up. She may be in L.A. for an internship, but Jane plans to play as hard as she works, and has enlisted her BFF Scarlett to join in the fun.

When Jane and Scarlett are approached by a producer who wants them to be on his new series, a "reality version of Sex and the City," they can hardly believe their luck. Their own show? Yes, please!

Soon Jane is TV's hottest star. Fame brings more than she ever imagined possible for a girl from Santa Barbara -- free designer clothes, the choicest tables at the most exclusive clubs, invites to Hollywood premieres -- and she's lapping up the VIP treatment with her eclectic entourage of new pals. But those same friends who are always up for a wild night are also out for a piece of Jane's spotlight.

In a city filled with people chasing after their dreams, it's not long before Jane wakes up to the reality that everyone wants something from her, and nothing is what it seems to be.

L.A. Candy is a deliciously entertaining novel about what it's like to come of age in Hollywood while starring in a reality TV show, written by a girl who has experienced it all firsthand: Lauren Conrad.

I have been a fan of Lauren Conrad since the first episode of Laguna Beach aired on MTV. I've followed her from Laguna Beach to the Hollywood Hills where she branched off on her own reality TV Show, The Hills and I just like her. When I found out that she was writing a book, I knew I was going to read it but if I'm being honest, I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did.

Sorry Lauren.

I did enjoy the book though. I thought the story flowed well and I enjoyed getting to know Jane and Scarlett and reading about their adventures in Hollywood. Now, I'm not usually a fan of books set in the Hollywood because some of the books that are set in the celebrity world have really tanked with me (anyone remember my review of Trading Up by Candace Bushnell?) but I'm glad to say that I liked this one.

This story follows Jane Roberts and Scarlett Harp as they make their move from Santa Barbara to the bright lights of Los Angeles, California. It follows them as they learn what it's like to live in a big city and we watch as they're thrown in the spotlight and treated as celebrities. What I really enjoyed about this story is the behind the scenes look we got into the whole reality t.v. world. I knew that it wasn't exactly real, that the TV Producers throw the characters on the shows into different situations and watch as the characters work through the situations on their own so it was fun to see how things are done because though L.A. Candy was based on The Hills, the characters were different and the storylines were different.

I'm a fan of Jane Roberts and Scarlett Harp but I hated both Gaby (who I think is reminiscent of Audrina "Ceiling Eyes" Patridge) and Madison. I couldn't stand either of them and my eyes kept rolling down the street every time they got page time. The other thing that I was a fan of was the love triangle between Braden, Jane and Jesse. As much as I liked Braden (I'm Team Braden), I really liked Jesse too and I couldn't tell which one was supposed to be Brody, I'm going to go with Braden since he was the on again and off again relationship guy that is sooo Brody. While I can enjoy the love triangle that was thrown into the mix (very nicely too), the way this book ended gave me pause. The ending was so abrupt and the cliffhanger felt as if it was just thrown out there and my enjoyment of the book suffered a little because of it but I will be reading the next installment in these books because I enjoyed this story enough to want to keep with it.

I think fans of The Hills and Lauren Conrad will enjoy this book because I know I did and I'm glad that I read this one. It's not my favorite read of the month (that title goes to Instant Gratification by Jill Shalvis so far) but I thought it was a pretty decent read and I look forward to more from Lauren Conrad.

GO LC!

This book is available from Avon. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

I know we talk about the eBookwise a lot, but the truth is I still think it's the best e-reader for my money. I'm currently coveting a Sony reader, but only because I like how thin and sleek it is in comparison to my eBookwise. As far as features and functions, I think this reader has more to offer than any other currently on the market.

Anyway, below are a list of some of the current titles available on the eBookwise site. I used to post these weekly and think I may go back to it. Thoughts?

New and Featured eBooks

For all the new eBooks added this week, click here.

The Scarecrow
by Michael Connelly
[Mainstream]

Forced out of the Los Angeles Times amid the latest budget cuts, newspaperman Jack McEvoy decides to go out with a bang, using his final days at the paperto write the definitive murder story of his career. He focuses on Alonzo Winslow, a 16-year-old drug dealer in jail after confessing to a brutal murder. But as he delves into the story, Jack realizes that Winslow's so-called confession is bogus. The kid might actually be innocent. ... Details

Fugitive
by Phillip Margolin
[Suspense/Thriller]

Amanda Jaffe, the heroine of Wild Justice and Proof Positive, is back--in this twisting tale of international intrigue and murder that leads her deep into the past ... and into the crosshairs of a killer. Charlie Marsh, a petty thief and con man, becomes a national hero when he rescues the warden of a state penitentiary during a prison riot, but it doesn't take long before he is wanted again, suspected of killing a United ... Details
Deception
by Sharon Cullen
[Romance]

The true threat lies within the heart.... Kate McAuley once thought Lucas Barone loved her, and returned that love for all she was worth--until the day he walked away without a word. Now, eighteen months later she answers a knock on her door and finds Luke on her doorstep, broken, bleeding and unconscious. He brings with him all kind of emotions, and all kinds of questions. Where has he been? Why did he leave? And ... Details
Vampire Inc. [Book One]
by Rick Taubold & Chris R. Hosey
[Fantasy]

"Vampires, Inc." is the first novel of a trilogy that follows the stories of the twenty-two-year-old vampire Adrian Shadowhawk and his mentor Eli Howard. These are not your classic vampires. They don t have fangs (regrettably for some); they re not predators. They still require human blood (voluntary donations), but they also eat regular food. They have telepathic powers. And they are mortal. Thousands of vampires exist in the world. At one time normal humans, now they are infected with ... Details
Lizzie's Rake
by Hazel Statham
[Romance]

Can a rake reform his ways and truly love? Lizzie's head tells her one thing, her heart another. Infamous rake and Corinthian, Maxim Beaufort, Earl of St. Ive, finding himself in possession of a property in Yorkshire, is unprepared for the changes it will bring into his life. Irresistibly drawn to Elizabeth Granger, the former owner's daughter, he attempts to help the family, finding himself filling the role of benefactor. When the house is razed ... Details
A Hint of Wicked
by Jennifer Haymore
[Romance]

CAUGHT BETWEEN DUTY AND DESIRE ... Sophie, the Duchess of Calton, has finally moved on. After seven years mourning the loss of her husband, Garrett, at Waterloo, she has married his cousin and heir, Tristan. Sophie gives herself to him body and soul... until the day Garrett returns from the Continent, demanding his title, his lands-and his wife. TORN BETWEEN TWO HUSBANDS ... Now Sophie must choose between her first love and her new love, ... Details
The Parasite War
by Tim Sullivan
[Science Fiction]

A combat veteran leads a rag-tag group of survivors in an all-out war against invading aliens! The world's cities have been destroyed by a ghastly holocaust from space. The few remaining souls eke out an existence in the ruins, ransacking skyscrapers for food, and living in the city's sewers like vermin. Alex Ward, a man who has lost everything, and a beautiful woman named Jo, unite the survivors to battle the slithering menace of the Colloids, parasites whose seed has ... Details
The Murder Game
by Linda Suzane
[Romance/Suspense/Thriller]

Gwen loved creating murder mystery games until someone used her game to commit a real murder and left her the prime suspect. Details
Secret Service Agent 2: Green Terror
by Stephen Templin
[Suspense/Thriller/Mystery/Crime]

Grab your SIG .357 and come along as Agent Bacchus and his three quirky Secret Service partners, ex-Navy SEALs, rescue former President Adamson's friend and other hostages from ecoterrorists. You might want to bring some swim gear--this time we're gonna get wet. Details
Annabelle's Courtship
by Lucy Monroe
[Romance]

An inconvenient proposal. Ian MacKay, Laird of Graenfrae, has no use for love or marriage. However, his stepfather's will mandates that marriage is what he must have--to an Englishwoman. A sensible man, Ian develops a list of requirements in a wife: Plain, moderately dowered, older and practical. He thinks he has found the perfect candidate in Lady Annabelle. Labeled The Ordinary her first season, Annabelle longs for a man who will see her as beautiful ... Details

Happy eReading

I read the last Bastion book and enjoyed it so I'm looking forward to reading this one as well, I heard through the grapevine that Stephanie Laurens will be coming out with a new series in November with war heroes and I'm very interested in reading those books as well.

This book comes out on July 28, 2009 and will be available thanks to Avon, so will anyone be reading this book when it comes out? I am.

Check out the cover and blurb, sounds pretty darn interesting.

The men of the Bastion Club proved their bravery secretly fighting for their country. Now their leader faces that most dangerous mission of all: finding a bride.

As the mysterious leader of the Bastion Club known as "Dalziel," Royce Varisey, tenth Duke of Wolverstone, served his country for decades, facing dangers untold. But as the holder of one of England's most august noble titles, he must now take on that gravest duty of all: marriage.

Yet the young ladies the grande dames would have him consider are predictably boring. Far more tempting is his castle's willful and determinedly aloof chatelaine, Minerva Chesterton. Beneath her serene façade lies a woman of smoldering sensuality, one who will fill his days with comfort and his nights with sheer pleasure. Determined to claim her, he embarks on a seduction to prove his mastery over every inch of her body . . . and every piece of her heart.

This book is available from Avon. You can pre-order it here or here in e-format.

Casee's review of Dying to Please by Linda Howard.

Loyal. Beautiful. Professional. Impeccably organized. Potentially lethal. Sarah Stevens is a woman with many distinct qualities. First and foremost a butler par excellence, skilled at running large households smoothly and efficiently, she is also a trained bodyguard and expert marksman–indispensable to her elderly employer, a courtly gentleman whom Sarah has come to respect and love as a father.

Then one night she thwarts a burglary in progress, a courageous act that rewards Sarah her requisite “fifteen minutes of fame” with the local press. But the exposure is enough to catch the attention of a tortured soul who, unbeknownst to Sarah, will stop at nothing to have her for himself.

Sarah’s perfectly ordered life is shattered when tragedy strikes: her beloved employer is brutally murdered. The detective investigating the case, assures Sarah that she is not a suspect. Until lightning strikes twice. There’s a second killing–and this time, despite a lack of evidence connecting her to the crime, Sarah cannot escape the shadow of guilt.

The only option left for Sarah is to carry on with her life. But she doesn’t realize that a deranged stalker is luring her into an elaborate trap . . . one in which she, once ensnared, might never escape. For Sarah soon finds herself at the mercy of a man who will tend to her every whim, smother her with affection, and crush her in his all-consuming embrace.

I think this is the last Linda Howard book that I actually loved. It had the perfect balance of romance and suspense. The suspense didn't overshadow the romance and the romance was sweet and hot at the same time.

Sarah Stevens in a butler/bodyguard. Her current job puts her at the house of a retired judge. While Sarah never expects to need her bodyguard skills for the judge, she makes sure that she's ready for anything. That's why she's so broken up when she arrives home from her day off and finds the judge dead in his den. Though she expects to be a suspect, the attitude of one of the detectives grates on her nerves.

Detective Tom Cahill is pretty sure he has Sarah figured out from the moment he sets eyes on her. He's never heard of a modern day "butler" so he figures that she is just a young plaything the judge had living with him. It doesn't take Cahill long to realize that the person he thought Sarah was is far from the person she really is.

After Sarah helps the judge's family get his estate settled, she takes some time before taking another position. Sarah and Cahill slowly develop a relationship, even though Sarah is far from convinced that they're good for each other. While everything seems to be going good for Sarah and Cahill together, her employment "issues" are another matter entirely.

It was originally thought that the judge's murder was an anomaly. Then Sarah's new employers, a couple new to the area, are found murdered. While Cahill wants to think the best of Sarah, he doesn't usually believe in coincidences. When Sarah thinks that Cahill actually believes she could be responsible for something so reprehensible, she is devastated.

Matt quickly realizes his mistake, but is too late to correct it. In an unlikely move, Sarah has taken a job on the spur of the moment. When Cahill finally figures out who is responsible for the murders, he has to save her from a potential deadly situation and get her to forgive him.

I loved Sarah and Cahill's relationship. They were so perfect for each other. And the sex scene in the basement? HAWT!

4.5 out of 5.

This book is available from Ballantine. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

With less than a week left before Julia Quinn's new release, WHAT HAPPENS IN LONDON comes out, I thought it'd be super cool to get some buzz generated about the book.

Check out how cute the book trailer is:



If you're interested in reading the first chapter, be sure to browse inside here to get a dose of what to expect from the book.

So much to look forward in the next couple of months! Check back next week for a chance to win a copy of this fabulous book!

Holly's review of Worth Any Price (Bow Street, Book 3) by Lisa Kleypas

Nick Gentry is reputed to be the most skillful lover in all England. Known for solving delicate situations, he is hired to seek out Miss Charlotte Howard. He believes his mission will be easily accomplished - but that was before he met the lady in question.

For instead of a willful female, he discovers one in desperate circumstances, hiding from a man who could destroy her very soul. So Nick shockingly offers her a very different kind of proposition - one he has never offered before.

He asks her to be his bride.

And he knows that this will be much more than a union in name only. For he senses what Charlotte does not yet know - that her appetite for sensuality matches his own. But what Nick learns surprises him. For while London's most notorious lover might claim Charlotte's body, he quickly discovers it will take much more than passion to win her love.

Worth Any Price is the 3rd book in Lisa Kleypas' Bow Street Runners series. I read this book before I read any of the others (naturally) and Nick immediately grabbed me. Right from the beginning I adored him, and that hasn't changed in all my years of reading romance. I recently re-read this book because of a discussion on Good Reads and I was just as impressed with it this time around.

Lottie Howard has escaped a fate worse than death: Being married to Lord Radnor, a peer of the realm who thinks he's purchased her and now owns her lock, stock and barrel. Even though it puts her family in a bad position she knows her life will be over if she goes forward with the marriage. She finds a position as a lady's companion to Lord Westcliff's mother.

Which is where Nick Gentry finds her. Nick is a bow street runner who takes private commissions on occasion to supplement his income. He was hired by Lord Radnor to find Lottie and bring her back. Radnor has hired several others before Nick to find her with no luck, but Nick is the best of the best and it isn't long before he locates Charlotte. The problem is that he seems to be completely taken with her himself.

Although he has every intention of taking her to Radnor, he surprises everyone, himself included, by offering for her instead. Although Lottie would prefer to remain single and independent, she knows she needs the protection of marriage if she's to avoid marriage with Radnor. And if anyone is strong enough to keep her safe from Radnor, it's Nick Gentry.

They enter into a marriage of convenience, but both are surprised by the depth of passion they feel for each other. Despite their steamy, passionate nights, however, they each hold part of themselves back.

I think the thing I love most about this book is what a unique and unconventional hero Nick is. He's only had one lover prior to Lottie (though admittedly the madame of a brothel is probably like the equivalent of like sleeping with all of London) and he is very content with his lot in life. He thrives on the rush of being a Bow Street Runner and isn't just playacting when it comes to his past. He's very scarred from things that happened in his youth. The only person he really allows himself to be close to is his young niece, and to some extend his sister (who's story is told in the previous book, Lady Sophia's Lover).

In this case it's Lottie who is the strong one. She's the more balanced of the two, despite her childhood under Radnor's thumb, and she's the one who steadies Nick, though he doesn't realize it. I love that they were able to lean on each other - Lottie on Nick for protection and Nick on Lottie for emotional support.

Plus, the sex is totally hot. Tantric Love-making takes on a whole new meaning with Nick Gentry.

There are issues with it. I hate it ends as abruptly as it does, without giving us more of the story with Charlotte and her family. Particularly her younger sister. I think I really wanted to see her family brought low after they way they treated her, and I never got that. The problems are few and the rest of the story really makes up for them, in my opinion.

Overall this is an emotionally appealing novel about love, redemption and the strange connections formed between two polar opposites. I was sucked in from page one the first time I read this years and years ago, and that didn't change upon this re-read.

5 out of 5



This book is available from Avon. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

New books, contests and more from the After Midnight Fantasies Authors

APPEARANCES:

Georgia Evans will be attending Inconjunction 3rd-5th July in Indianapolis, IN. http://www.inconjunction.org/

Jaci Burton will have a booksigning at Katy Budget Books on Wednesday, July 8, from 6-8 p.m along with author Maya Banks. If you live in the Houston area, please come join us!
Katy Budget Books
2450 N. Fry Rd.
Houston, TX 77084
www.katybooks.com

Lauren Dane will be signing copies of Relentless and What Happens in Vegas…After Dark at the Literacy signing at RWA National on July 15 from 5:30 – 7:00 at the Marriot Wardman Park Hotel in Washington DC.

CONTESTS AND FREEBIES:

From July 3 – August 3 Join author Lauren Dane for a contest with flair! To celebrate the upcoming release of Laid Bare, Lauren Dane will be giving away daily prizes at her blog – books from many of your favorite authors and some great accessories too. Socks, jewelry, hair gizzies, all sorts of things! Head over to www.laurendane.com/blog for rules and how to enter.

Shayla Black’s free Doomsday Brethren e-novella, “Fated” will be available in August. Watch for details on www.DoomsdayBrethren.com.

Ashleigh Raine has posted free deleted scenes from Driven to Distraction and Forsaken Talisman. Read the deleted scenes here:
http://www.ashleighraine.com/books/driven-to-distraction/
http://www.ashleighraine.com/books/forsaken-talisman/


MISCELLANEA:

Lorie O'Clare offers all of her back list books on ebay. She personally autographs the books for the winner of each auction. All books are free shipping! http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/lorieoclare

Want to own a unique piece of Ashleigh Raine’s Talisman Bay book series? Get handmade necklaces as inspired by the series at http://TwilightsFancy.artfire.com. Buy three ribbon chokers and get a fourth for free! Mention this newsletter during checkout and receive a free Talisman Bay tote bag with your purchase.

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Lockdown by Delilah Devlin

After surviving an attack by an inmate, prison corrections officer Gillian Priest arrives at her new unit, determined not to ever let her guard down again. Things get complicated when a handsome new prisoner enters her dreams and seduces her. When fellow officer Billy Hedron makes a pass, she’s already primed, ready to ease the arousal her sexy dreams have left with a more appropriate mate.

Billy Hedron knows his old marine buddy, Gabriel Vlahos, is posing as a prisoner to find a demon within the prison walls, and who better to hunt one than an incubus? When his buddy seduces Gillian in her dreams, Billy stands ready to serve the needs his friend stirs up in the attractive woman. But things take a deadly turn when the demon they seek decides it’s time to take them all to Hell.

Buy your copy now.



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Darkness Burning by Delilah Devlin

Beware the place where darkness rules and bloodlust is the ultimate aphrodisiac…

An apocalyptic storm has transformed New Orleans into a city of lawless terror—and Mikaela Jones is standing in the center of the nightmare. A beautiful, courageous journalist with a mysterious past, she sees monsters prowling all around her. But the gravest peril of all awaits Mikaela when she is taken captive by a mesmerizing male who is not mortal—a breathtaking creature who arouses the fire in her blood, making her burn for the exquisite erotic ecstasy of total surrender.

For seven centuries Alex Broussard has been waiting for the chance to free himself from the threat of the matriarchal undead society that seeks his destruction. And now, finally, that time is at hand—until the opportunity is ruined by the stunning, innocent, human interloper Alex is compelled to rescue from certain doom. Now they are joined, for good or ill, as they give in to the burning need that neither can resist—risking everything to experience the ultimate sensual release as the darkness rises all around them.

Buy at Amazon
Buy at Borders

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Taken By Sin by Jaci Burton

Temptation. Sin. Seduction. He’s taking her all the way.…

HE’S THE SEXY DEMON HUNTER WHO JUST SAVED HER LIFE. NOW SHE’S ABOUT TO SHOW HIM WHAT SALVATION’S REALLY ABOUT.

It’s a mission that could cost him his career and his life. But the woman he just rescued—his lover for one unforgettable night—has something Dalton desperately needs. That’s why the fearless demon hunter is risking everything to spirit Isabelle to a secret hideaway in the Louisiana bayou. Saving her is one thing. Banishing the demon inside her is another. Especially when this gorgeous seductress brings out the devil in him.

Isabelle can see the passion roaring inside Dalton—and it both frightens and arouses her. Is Dalton her enemy or her savior? All she knows is he’s beyond seductive and igniting all sorts of conflicting feelings. All Dalton knows is that they’re both in big trouble—hunted by demons and demon hunters alike in an all-out war for survival. As their pursuers close in and passion overtakes them both, Dalton must make a stunning choice…. Caught between sin and salvation, between darkness and light, will he make the ultimate sacrifice to save the woman he loves?

Buy at Amazon
Buy at Borders

Lady Philippa Knolles has loved Captain Thomas "Dash" Dashwell since he first stole a kiss from her on a smuggler's beach near Hastings. Now after what seems like a lifetime of waiting, Pippin is offered a chance to renew her scandalous affair with Dash. But the man from that first heady kiss and the man she rediscovers all these years later are hardly the same. Tucked away in the back of her closet is a red dress, the one she wore long ago to win his heart . . . . Could it have enough memories left inside it to rekindle a passion she's never forgotten?

Rowena's review of The Duke & I (Bridgerton series, Book 1) by Julia Quinn.

Hero: Simon Bassett
Heroine: Daphne Bridgerton
Grade: 5 out of 5

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 is 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!

From the moment I opened this book to the moment that I closed this book, I loved it. No matter how many times I open this book and read it, I love it. This is the kind of historical love story that never fails to get my heart strings engaged and keep me entertained. Julia Quinn did a magnificent job, in my opinion of telling Simon and Daphne's story. The way that she handled telling Simon's story with the events that led up to his hasty marriage to Daphne Bridgerton and then to see him battle his demons throughout the book always gets me.

Simon Bassett was some kind of hero, I tell ya. I mean, he was this proud, completely stubborn man who ruined his best friend's sister and then fell in love with her and didn't exactly know what to do about all of that considering he was adamant about not producing an heir for his dukedom and she so desperately wanted to have kids. I understood why Simon felt the way that he did and I even sympathized with him but because I'm a softy, I wanted to see him grow to want kids with Daphne. Simon was a troubled hero who captured my heart with the depth to his character and just the man that he grew up to be. I enjoyed watching him realize his worth and I was so happy that Daphne was able to show him that he was worth so much more than he thought.

Daphne Bridgerton was a great heroine. I loved the maternal way she had with her younger siblings, it had me laughing like a loon. When the entire family went out on the boat and Simon tagged along, the way that her hand snapped out and caught Gregory before he could do whatever devil thing he was wanting to do was too funny. I loved the way that she was the kind of girl that most every guy only wanted to be friends with and I loved how nobody paid her any attention and yet she was still so optimistic and happy. She was a genuinely happy person and her personality made me want her to be my best friend. I loved the way that she interacted with her family and I loved seeing her fight with her brothers. It was just too funny. The one thing that I did not like about Daphne is the way she handled Simon's not wanting to have kids thing. That got on my nerves but I thought that JQ did a great job of making things right in the end.

What I liked most about Simon and Daphne was how different they were from each other and yet how perfect they were for each other. Simon was cold and aloof and Daphne was vibrant and witty and yet they meshed so well together. Simon grew up alone, Daphne grew up with a big brood of brothers and sisters that were always in your business and never quiet. Daphne was everything Simon didn't want in a future and yet she was the future that he got and when he finally realized that his future was no future without her, I did my little happy dance because that is exactly why I love reading romance novels. The couple's journey to true love is always ripe with conflict, drama and steamy romance and seriously, the sparks between Simon and Daphne in the garden was steamy, too cute and total page turners.

My favorite thing about this story outside of Simon and Daphne was the Bridgerton family. They were such a rambunctious bunch that you couldn't help but love them. I come from a large family as well so I can totally relate to the kind of dinners this family had and reading about this family is so much fun. Each of them have their own personalities and this book got me totally revved up to read the other books in this series. It's a great start off for a fantastic series and if you haven't read the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn yet, you should definitely fix that because seriously, these books rock!

This book is available from Avon. You can buy it here or here in e-format.