Seduced By A Book: September 2014

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Launch Day Blitz and Giveaway for He's So Fine by Jill Shalvis

In Stores Today, September 30th:

Book Summary:

For Olivia Bentley, Lucky Harbor is more than the town where she runs her new vintage shop. It's the place where folks are friendly to strangers-and nobody knows her real name. Olivia does a good job of keeping her past buried, not getting too cozy with anyone . . . until she sees a man drowning. Suddenly she's rushing into the surf, getting up close and personal with the hottest guy she's ever laid hands on.

Charter boat captain Cole Donovan has no problem with a gorgeous woman throwing her arms around his neck in an effort to "save" him. In fact, he'd like to spend a lot more time skin-to-skin with Olivia. He's just not expecting that real trouble is about to come her way. Will it bring her deeper into Cole's heart, or will it be the end of Olivia's days in little Lucky Harbor?

About the Author:

Jill Shalvis

Check out her website: http://jillshalvis.com/jill/

Follow Jill on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/JillShalvis/

Follow Jill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JillShalvis

Check her out on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22370.Jill_Shalvis

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill's bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

~ Giveaway ~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***Please note the above giveaway is sponsored by the publisher and they will be contacting and distributing the prizes.

HE'S SO FINE is available in mass market paperback, ebook and audio book formats wherever books are sold.

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1B0Lc5P
iBooks: http://bit.ly/1p1HaDH
IndieBound: http://bit.ly/1qL9GMO

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1n3cobU
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1vUlsVJ
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1lkIft2

And of course you can add it to your shelf on Goodreads here: http://bit.ly/1qbcfrn

He's So Fine (Lucky Harbor #11) by Jill Shalvis

He's So Fine (A Lucky Harbor novel)

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Cole is a great guy with what many would think is a perfect life. He and his two best friends run their own charter boat service and business is booming. While he's been lucky in business, his love life is another matter. For the past two years he's shied away from relationships. His last one ended badly after three years of being together. While it appears he's moved on with his life, he's never really dealt with his past. Sometimes to move forward, you need closure..

Get a life. It's a phrase said often enough, but it was the one thing Olivia Bentley desperately wanted. After years of being the star of the hit TV show Not Again, Hailey, she wanted to make a life for herself that wasn't pretend. She wanted the real deal so she changed her name from Sharlyn Peterson and moved to the town of Lucky Harbor hoping enough years had passed since she'd been a child star that no one would recognize her. The thing is, you really can't escape from your past no matter what kind of past it is. It always comes back to haunt you...

When Cole and Olivia meet, things heat up quickly between the two. There's an instant attraction that makes Cole willing to give a relationship a shot. Cole, however, sometimes has unrealistic expectations of other people and values honesty above all else. When he finds out Olivia's been feeding him a lie about her past, will he be able to get over it? Likewise, will Cole let events from his past effect his future?

Once again Ms. Shalvis has worked her magic to create a wonderful romance. This is the 11th book of the Lucky Harbor series, but it can easily stand on its own. I personally would recommend first reading It's in His Kiss, the 10th book in the series, just so you can get an idea of who the secondary characters are in this book, but it's unnecessary. If I had to sum up the series in two words, I'd say heartwarmingly charming. It's infused with humor, handsome lovable guys, steamy love stories and, of course, happy endings.

I must say I was very surprised at how much I ended up liking Olivia. I didn't really bond with her as a character in the last book, but now I understand her rather standoffish behavior--she was trying to lie low. She's the type of person that once she warms to you, she'll let you get to know the real her. Past experiences have caused her to be cautious of others, and I must say, I can't blame her.

Cole is a great guy and the type to wear his heart on his sleeve. Cole and Olivia's first meeting was fun, and I kind of wish it hadn't been interrupted. Things were just starting to get interesting when Tanner and Sam walked in. I liked how once Cole made up his mind, he went after what he wanted. He consistently worked at breaking down the barriers Olivia had erected around herself and slowly worked his way into her life and heart. It took a lot for Olivia to let him in, and I loved seeing the softer, more secret side she unveiled while working with kids at her shop. While she may not have enjoyed the life of a Hollywood actress, it's obvious she enjoyed some aspects of her acting career.

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. It had a nice combination of romance, humor, and charm. I enjoyed the characters and the conflicts that popped up. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Order of the series:

Novellas:

Monday, September 29, 2014

Early Review of Rock Courtship (Rock Kiss #1.5) by Nalini Singh (A novella)

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Rock Courtship: A Rock Kiss Novella

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"Write a memo (...) About all the reasons why you'd be perfect together, then e-mail it to her."

"Introduction: In this memo, I , David Rivera, explain why you, Thea Arsana, should seriously consider entering into a relationship with me..."

This is the second story in the Rock Kiss series and I thought it was absolutely charming. I love how David pursues Thea and tries to convince her to give Them a shot. The messages between the two were cute and had me laughing. I loved how David didn't give up when he could have done so quite easily. One of my complaints is that the story wasn't longer. I would have loved to have seen some of the earlier interactions between David and Thea--even if only in flashbacks. There were hints that these two became fairly good friends prior to David's pursuit, and I would have loved to have seen some examples. I think it would have enhanced the story.

Thea is a smart, strong woman who knows how to take a troubling media situation and spin it into a golden opportunity for her clients. It's why she gets paid the big bucks and why some are intimidated by her. Six months ago, she found her then fiance in a compromising situation with another woman and while she wasn't heartbroken, the situation put her off dating and has kept her from jumping into a new relationship. When David asks her out, one of the hardest things she's ever done was to turn him down. While she is attracted to the smart, witty, and talented man, her rule about getting involved with clients is a sound business practice. I loved seeing David sway Thea into seeing things his way--that they'd be good for each other.

Overall I gave this one 4 1/2 out of 5 roses. I felt it was a great novella and packed a lot into such a short story. I would have loved for this one to have been a full length book. The bump in the road/relationship tester, which all good romances have, could have been a little more incriminating and expanded upon, but with the length constraints of novella, I felt it was fitting. The chemistry between these two was awesome and I really enjoyed the story. Have I mentioned I would have liked this to have been a full blown book? *sigh* On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a SHOWER rating--a cold shower is necessary (need I say more?). Some books should come with a warning - make sure your significant other is handy or your shower is in working order. *grin*

Order of the series:

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Early Review of The Night Belongs to Fireman (The Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel, #6) by Jennifer Bernard

Title: The Night Belongs to Fireman

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Author's Website: http://jenniferbernard.net/

Notes: Received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. I am one of Jennifer Bernard's Hot Readers.

Fred Breen is one of San Gabriel's latest firefighters to become the center of the media's attention. The firefighters originally gained media attention for a curse that had allegedly been placed on the firehouse by one of their own who'd been jilted by his mail order bride. Despite the fact that over the last few years the bachelors and bachelorettes of the firehouse have proved time and time again that the curse is broken, the media's attention to the group hasn't dissipated. When Fred saves a group of women trapped in a limo during their bachelorette party, he gains some unwanted media attention as well as the attention of the female population of San Gabriel. Fred, however, has eyes for only one female--one of the woman he helped save from the limo.

Rachel hates confined spaces and media attention of any kind. When the limo she and her friends are riding in crashes, keeping her face out of the papers is her top priorities second only to making sure her friends are safe. The daughter of a very rich man, she'd been kidnapped years ago as a child and held in a cage. That spurred her fear of confined spaces and while she'd escaped, the kidnapper was never captured and is still at large. Over the years, her father managed to keep her out of the press but at a cost. While she escaped one cage, a protective bubble complete with a body guard has prevented her from truly living. While her first encounter with Fred did not impress, moments later, as he and his fellow firefighter, Mulligan, come to the rescue, she sees the true man and something in Rachel starts to stir. Can he be the one to break down the barriers she's surrounded herself in?

This is the sixth book in The Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel series. If you haven't read any of the previous books, that's okay. Each book stands on its own. Some characters from previous books make appearances while others are mentioned, but you won't feel you've missed anything other than some good stories which you may wish to read later.

I was once asked if I could be any celebrity which one would I most like to be. I responded, "None." I can't imagine having paparazzi hounding me 24/7 hoping to snap an embarrassing picture as I try to go about my day-to-day life. While it might be fun for a day or so, I think it would get old quick. While Rachel isn't famous, her kidnapping years ago would make her a person of interest to the media, and if her identity is revealed, the press would be after her in a flash. Add in that her kidnapper is still at large and you can understand why she would want to stay off the radar. Plus, her father's wealth combined with her being his only heir, makes her very appealing to fortune hunters. You can understand why she isn't very trusting of others and why she'd question anyone's interest in her. When Rachel meets Fred, she sets off his knight in shining armor nature which puts Rachel on high alert. Her first thought is her father must have hired him to be a bodyguard. This sets up an extremely fun first meeting and Fred can't quite figure out what he did wrong.

Fred is a fireman with training in urban search and rescue. He comes from a long line of career soldiers and is the first to break tradition in many years. His brothers give him a hard time about it, but Fred would rather protect people without having to shoot anyone. With Fred, what you see is what you get, and what you get is an extremely nice guy wrapped up in a very handsome fireman package. I guess you can't knock Rachel for thinking he'd be too good to be true. I must admit, I rather like the idea of a guy who saves people pairing up with a woman who saves animal. Rachel runs a wildlife refuge for injured animals.

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. I enjoyed the bumps this couple had to overcome to make their relationship work. The added suspense of someone possibly attempting to kidnap Rachel due to her father's congressional tesimonywas a nice way to bring these two closer and draw out their feelings. While this one still contained some of Jennifer Bernard's signature humor, the suspense out shined the humor in this one. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, I give this one STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Order of The Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel:

Friday, September 26, 2014

Early Review of Chained by Night (MoonBound Clan Vampires, #2) by Larissa Ione

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Chained by Night

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Hunter, a second-generation vampire from the Moonbound Clan, is about to be mated. Long ago..."The chiefs, guided by visions of war between tribes and an invasion of white men, had summoned a demon they 'd believed to be a god. Samnult had promised them unmatched strength, speed, and immortality in exchange for allegiance, obedience, and the firstborn child of every mated first- and second-generation vampire."* If the child is not given up, it will cursed to die a horrible, miserable death. Hunter is not willing to give up his firstborn and so he summoned Samnult to ask if there was a way to have the curse lifted.

"If you want to be released from the bargain I made with the twelve chiefs, you must first negotiate a series of tests. (...) Before your trial can begin, you must choose one of the twins to accompany you. You can't pass through the membrane into my realm without either your intended mate or her sister. It doesn't matter which, since their veins run with the same blood. But consider this." He paused his finger's downward path just above Hunter's navel. "No Matter who you choose, you will die."*

Regardless of whether or not Hunter goes on the quest, he's told by the demon that he will die before winter ends, but there is one hope...

"Both twins will be the death of you. (...) But only one of them will choose to bring you back."*

Now Hunter must decided which of the sisters will accompany him, but will either be willing to put their life on the line for that of an unborn child? ShadowSpawn's vampires are not known for their compassion but rather for their cruelty. Hunter only agreed to the marriage to save his people from the bloodshed and war that would have ensued had he not agreed. With the humans stepping up their attacks and hinting something big is coming, the alliance may be the only thing that can save them. Locked in what appears to be a no win situation, Hunter is the type to make the best of a bad situation. The question is will he and his unborn child survive?

* from Bound by Night by Larissa Ione

If you've never read one of Larissa Ione's books your in for a treat. Her books are slightly more steamy than most in their romantic content with some colorful language which includes the occasional f-bomb and other colorful verbiage. Her stories, however, run deep and are so skillfully written that I find myself time and time again awaiting the next installment of her series. If I had to sum her writing up in two words, I'd say it's sinfully delicious. Whether or not her books cross the line into the erotic is up for debate. I feel they do, but I've known others who have insisted they don't. I guess erotic is in the mind of the reader.

While I enjoyed Bound by Night, I loved Chained by Night. The book focused less on humans enslaving vampires and more on how vampires came to be. In this story, we get a first hand look at, Sanault, the demon who created them. While humans are still in the overall picture, they're more in the background. I will admit, however, at one point I found myself thinking, "Those darn pesky humans." and started cracking up as I realized what I'd just thought. lol

I found the trial that the Moonbound clan chief, Hunter, participates in is rather surprising. To me it seemed a bit like an extreme case of team building only kicked up a couple of notches to the monster edition. Each task helps to bring Hunter and the twin he chooses to accompany him closer. In order to survive they need to trust one another and work together to accomplish each task that is set before them. I liked how temptation was mixed in with everything else which added to the suspense of it all.

I enjoyed the contrast between Aylin and Rasha. For identical twins, they were as different as night and day. Aylin has the heart of a warrior but her disability--a twisted thigh bone which causes a condition called in-toeing where the foot of one of her legs is to turned inward--has caused her clan to treat her as a second class citizen. She's been scorned her entire life for it and treated like a leper--as if her condition might be catching. While some would grow to hate and resent those who treated them so poorly, Aylin surprisingly managed to grow up to be a sweet, loving, and carrying individual.

Rasha, on the other hand, has been spoiled and treated like royalty because she was the first born of her clan's chief. She's been raised to be a leader and is treated with the utmost respect. Over the years, she's gained a reputation for being a fierce warrior. While Rasha loves her sister, she's bought into the inferior twin idea and treats Aylin harshly when she feels Aylin's overstepped the boundaries that one of such a lowly status in the clan would have. Aylin's opinions and observations, no matter how intelligent, are deemed irrelevant.

I couldn't help but give this one 4 1/2 out of 5 roses. I love how Larissa is able to capture the essence of a character on a page and make them seem real and life-like. I loved the inner struggle and situations which develop when Hunter realizes that he's attracted to the wrong twin. I thought this a nice twist on the star crossed lovers theme. While the marriage may be an arranged one, Kars, Aylin and Rasha's father and ShadowSpawn's chief, is unlikely to allow a switch. The loyalty of the two twins toward their father is as different as their personalities. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one gets a SHOWER rating--a cold shower is necessary (need I say more?). Some books should come with a warning - make sure your significant other is handy or your shower is in working order. lol If you're looking for a hot and steamy romance you might want to check this one out. It's definitely going on my keeper shelf.

Order of Moonbound Clan Vampires series:

Monday, September 15, 2014

Excerpt and Giveaway of Rock Addiction by Nalini Singh

A bad boy wrapped in a sexy, muscled, grown-up package might be worth a little risk…

Molly Webster has always followed the rules. After an ugly scandal tore apart her childhood and made her the focus of the media’s harsh spotlight, she vowed to live an ordinary life. No fame. No impropriety. No pain. Then she meets Zachary Fox, a tattooed bad boy rocker with a voice like whiskey and sin, and a touch that could become an addiction.

A one-night stand with the hottest rock star on the planet, that’s all it was meant to be…

Fox promises scorching heat and dangerous pleasure, coaxing Molly to extend their one-night stand into a one-month fling. After that, he’ll be gone forever, his life never again intersecting with her own. Sex and sin and sensual indulgence, all with an expiration date. No ties, no regrets. Too late, Molly realizes it isn’t only

her body that’s become addicted to Fox, but her heart…

Excerpt from ROCK ADDICTION

by Nalini Singh

Fox hadn’t become the lead singer of one of the best-selling rock bands in history by being a shrinking violet. No, he went after what he wanted, no holds barred. And the raw promise he could feel between him and Molly? He had to know where it would lead, the need so strong he hadn’t felt anything like it since the day he’d figured out that music was his escape, the air in his lungs.

Which was why he was leaning against the wall beside Molly’s apartment at five that afternoon, a guitar by his side.

The elevator doors opened at a quarter after the hour, Molly going motionless two steps outside of it, the doors closing silently at her back. Yeah, she hadn’t expected him, but Fox was ready to work with that. Waiting patiently as she took a deep breath and completed the trek down the corridor, he drew in the scent of her, his gaze lingering on the fluttering pulse in her neck.

“How did you get past security?”

Fox smiled slowly at the blurted-out question, wondering if Molly knew how bad she was at hiding her emotions. He liked it, liked that he saw the real Molly, not an illusion she’d created to tempt him—not that she had to do anything but smile to tempt him. “I told you the security sucks.”

Unable to resist, he reached out to run his finger down one creamy cheek flushed with a mix of surprise, passion, and, he was certain, sweet, hot feminine anger. His guess was borne out when Molly unlocked her door with jittery hands and put down her handbag on one corner of the bench, her fingers trembling before she curled them into her palms. “You’re breaking the rules.”

“What rules?” Closing the door, he leaned back on it and willed her to face him. Much as he loved the shape of her from the back, he liked watching those expressive eyes whisper her mood to him.

Shoulders tight, she turned. “This was supposed to be a one-night stand.”

“Ah.” Folding his arms over the plain black of his T-shirt, he said, “How about a one-month stand instead?” He knew he had to play this exactly right. Molly was wary of him, and yeah, he could understand why. To have her in his life beyond a fleeting instant, he’d have to win her trust.

She jerked up her head. “What?”

“Why not? I like you. You like me.” He smiled—because the reason Molly had needed to jerk up her head was that she’d been staring at his chest. “Admit it.”

Sitting down on the bench, she began to unzip her boots, very obviously not looking at him. “You’re okay for a rock star.”

He wanted to bite her, then pet her until she was limp and languid in his arms. “We burn up together.” Deliberately modulating his voice—his instrument—for maximum effect, low and bedroom rough, he saw her fingers stutter on the zipper. “I’m here for a month. It’s an easy equation.”

When the words “Let me think about it” fell from her mouth, he thought she might’ve been as startled as he was, her lips parting on a slight gasp—as if to call back the declaration.

~ Giveaway (US Only) ~

I'm giving away ONE eBook copy of
Rock Addiction by Nalini Singh
from Amazon or Barnes & Noble
(Winner's preference)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rock Addiction (Rock Kiss #1) by Nalini Singh

Title:

Rock Addiction

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one,

"You know when you get the whisper of a melody in your head, or the murmur of a song? And you have the gut feeling that if you could just hear the rest of it, just capture the music (...) you'd have something (...) amazing?"

Noah Nodded.

"Yeah well, that's what it feels like with Molly. (...) I'm not about to walk away from that."

This was less intense and slightly more lighthearted than Singh's Psy/Changling and Guild Hunter series. I can only imagine after writing the intense dialogue and story lines related to her two main series that writing the Rock Kiss series must be a bit of a treat. Nalini uses a writing style that I've come to call poetic gesture, for lack of a better term, where she uses words related to the theme of the book and weaves them into her descriptions throughout the story as she spins her deliciously steamy tale. A couple of examples would be, "the black velvet of the water that kissed its edges" (romance) and "a thousand guitar stings pulling tight" (music). Nothing rhymes, but by the repetition of associated terms it almost appears that they do. I simply adore authors who use this technique.

Molly, a librarian by trade, grew up in the limelight. When scandal hit her family, she never fully recovered and has been keeping under the radar ever since. She intends to continue doing so, but having a relationship with Fox could change that, and she's not sure she could survive another dose of the paparazzi feeding frenzy. She'll have to determine if Fox is worth the price she might have to pay for being with him.

Zachary Fox's voice has a deep raspy sexiness to it that has skyrocketed him and his band to fortune and fame. The center of many a woman's fantasy, he has a body made in heaven and voice that sounds like a combination of sex and fine whiskey. Over the past months he's heard a lot about his publicist's younger sister, Molly. Even before he's met her, he's harbored an interest in her. Seeing her interacting with others in person, he feels himself being pulled to her. Her bright smile and warm disposition stirs something in him that he can't quite name, but he knows he wants to be near her. He senses right off the bat that he'll have to ease his way into her life and that may just kill him. Taking things slow has never been his style.

While Molly and Fox have an undeniable chemistry that heats and scorches the pages, we also get slight insights into two more relationships which are just starting to take off in the background. It looks like the romance between Thea, Molly's sister, and David, Schoolboy Choir's drummer, will be told in full in the novella, Rock Courtship, which Nalini has coming out at the end of this month. I liked how Molly was giving David advice about her sister so he'd have a shot at enticing her to give him a chance. I look forward to reading their story and hope Charlotte and Gabriel's story will also eventually be told in an upcoming story. I have a feeling theirs will truly be something special. I adored how Charlotte and Gabriel's relationship seemed to be going on simultaneously with Fox and Molly's, but we only get little tidbits of what is happening. A superb way to lure us into wanting the next story.

3 1/2 out of 5 roses

STEAM

P.S. Many have labeled this one New Adult. I've read enough NA novels and I confess I didn't get a New Adult vibe with this one at all.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Release Day Blitz and Giveaway for Rock Addiction by Nalini Singh

Now Available:

About the Author:

Nalini Singh

Check out her website: http://www.nalinisingh.com/

Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NaliniSingh (@NaliniSingh)

'Like' her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNaliniSingh?rf=194247353925789

I've been writing as long as I can remember and all of my stories always held a thread of romance (even when I was writing about a prince who could shoot lasers out of his eyes). I love creating unique characters, love giving them happy endings and I even love the voices in my head. There's no other job I would rather be doing. In September 2002, when I got the call that Silhouette Desire wanted to buy my first book, Desert Warrior, it was a dream come true. I hope to continue living the dream until I keel over of old age on my keyboard.
On Me

I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated frequently).

So far, I've worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer's mill. (Obtained from Ms. Singh's Website)

I'll be posting an excerpt and review on September 15th, but for now, here are a few teasers to tempt you with:

Order your copy today at:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/WqA2rj

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1ng9zE9

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1lPqB19

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1kdgjGW

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Saturday, September 6, 2014

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Title: The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Mystery
Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Washington Square Press (October 9, 2007)
ISBN-10: 0743298039
ISBN-13: 978-0743298032
Author's Website: http://www.dianesetterfield.com/
Notes: Library Loan

"Do you believe in ghosts?"

Vida Winter is one of the most famous authors of the day. Her most talked about and best known book is her first, which was originally entitled Thirteen Tales. Curiously, when the book went to publication, there were only twelve tales included and the name was changed to Tales of Change and Desperation. When Ms. Winters approaches Margaret Lea to write her biography, Margaret is unsure if she'll take on the task. Most of the biographies she writes are of voices from the past who are no longer living. But Ms. Winter's letter intrigues her enough to meet with the author and consider it. In her letter, Vida Winters confesses to having never told the truth about her past. Being a story teller, she did what story tellers do best--she made up stories, but none of them were ever true.

"I had my reasons for creating a smoke screen around my past. Those reasons, I assure you, are no longer valid."

Now, being ill with death knocking on her door, she's decided to finally tell her tale...

"I am going to tell you a story--a marvelous story!"(...)

"Once upon a time there was a haunted house---"(...)

"Once upon a time there was a library--"(...)

"Once upon a time there were twins--"

This was a very fun story and a great book club read. From the very beginning, we realize that Vida Winter is an unreliable source. Margaret makes it very clear that if she chooses to take on the task of writing Vida's story, she needs the writer to be honest with her. Margaret is already acquainted with research because that is how she mainly gains information about the people she usually writes biographies about. She tells Vida that before she decides whether or not to take on the task, Vida must disclose three things about herself that she can verify. If she's telling the truth, Margaret will most likely write the biography.

As Vida begins her tale, it becomes clear she is utilizing her signature story telling techniques. She requests that Margaret let her tell her story in the order she wishes and not ask questions until the end. But because of the three questions to be asked, Vida states, "I shall have to break one of my rules (...) I shall have to tell you the end of my story before I tell you the beginning." (...) "My story--my personal story--ended before my writing began. Storytelling has only ever been a way of filling in the time since everything finished."

The story that is told is intriguing and questions arise from the very start. A masterful storyteller never mentions anything that isn't significant and we begin to wonder about people who are quickly disregarded after they've been mentioned. Changes in the narrative use of pronouns make us wonder why she's so inconsistent. Clues saturate the story and I'm positive that if I reread the book I'd find more clues than I found in my first sitting. The thing to remember is no detail, no matter how seemingly insignificant it may be, should be dismissed. Take note when something odd happens. More than likely it's a clue.

I absolutely adored this tale and gave it 5 out of 5 roses. I felt like the author was interacting with me throughout the story. I kept hoping to figure out the mystery before the end, but alas it was not meant to be. I love it when I can't piece the clues together before the big reveal. I admit I got close with some things, but as they say, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. I challenge you to see if you can figure out what is going on before the end. I rather doubt you will. I highly recommend this one. It's a fun read that challenges the reader to solve the mystery before the answers are revealed.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

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Fangirl

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Notes:

"There are too many people. And I don’t fit in. I don’t know how to be. Nothing that I’m good at is the sort of thing that matters there. Being smart doesn't matter—and being good with words."

Cather 'Cath' Avery is starting her freshman year of college. For the first time in her life, she and her identical twin sister, Wren, are about to be separated. Her sister is looking for independence while Cath is feeling like a fish out of water. Cath has always been the shyer of the two sisters and has depended on Wren to help her socialize. Now, her crutch gone, Cath has to learn to stand on her own and deal with what life has to offer.

While she no longer has her sister to hide behind, she still has her Simon Snow fanfiction to keep her company. Cath and most of the literate world have been avid fans of the series since the first book hit the shelves several years ago. Cath, however, has became more engrossed than others by creating her own fanfiction for the popular book series. Using the world and characters that author Gemma T. Leslie created, Cath's developed an alternate version of the beloved story and has amassed a large following in doing so. Her goal is to finish her version before the last book of the series hits the shelves in May. Writing fanfiction comes easy to Cath, but,“When I'm writing my own stuff, it's like swimming upstream. Or … falling down a cliff and grabbing at branches, trying to invent the branches as I fall.”

Will she be able to overcome her fears and find herself and her own voice? When it comes to college, there are only two options--You either sink or swim.

For Cath college is a rather terrifying experience. Not only is her parental security blanket gone, but so is the security she found with her twin. It's like she's lost half of herself and she has to find a way to survive without it, but her shyness is difficult to overcome. She spends the first weeks on campus hiding in her dorm room venturing out only to attend her classes until her roommate throws her a lifeline and makes her face her worst fear--socializing and getting out there.

What I felt was a brilliant move on the author's part was to use the Simon Snow books series (think Harry Potter) to symbolize Cath's childhood--all she loved and wants to hold onto. A safe place she knows and wishes to stay and can hide behind. She then uses Cath's writing to emphasize, accentuate, and parallel Cath's growth as an individual . She may wish to cling to her fanfiction (it's safe and what she knows and loves), but ultimately she, as does her writing, needs to grow and mature. Unlike Peter Pan, we all eventually have to grow up and leave Neverland because things can't stay the same. You let go of the past and meet our future head on and find our own way and, in Cath's case, voice.

I gave this one 4 1/2 out of 5 roses. I enjoyed how Ms. Rowell captured the mood and a lot of the feelings that one experiences in college. I loved seeing someone who struggled so much overcome their fears and thrive. I liked that Cath got her revenge on an individual who had done her wrong without having to sink to their level. While we didn't see a whole lot of Wren, I loved that we could still see the contrast between the two sisters. Being a twin sounds like a lot of fun, but there is definitely a down side to it as well. A lot was packed into this story

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Most Anticipated New Releases of September 2014

The following list is comprised of books and novellas my friends, family, and I are most looking forward to reading in September. It also consists of books by popular authors and others I've heard a lot of hype about. I am not flawless and sometimes I'll accidentally leave one or more books off the list that I shouldn't. Let me know if one of your favorites is missing. Sometimes my search techniques just don't work as well as I wish they did.

The list is divided into weekly releases. If you'd like to read a book's description, just click on the cover photo and you'll be magically transferred to Goodreads. Remember, a book a day keeps the boredom at bay! Happy reading.

September 2nd - A Love For All Time (A Time Wanderer novel) by Chloe Douglas
September 2nd - Angels Walking: A Novel by Karen Kingsbury
September 2nd - Beauty and the Brit by Lizbeth Selvig
September 2nd - Beauty's Beast by Amanda Ashley
September 2nd - The Beast In Him (The Pride Series) by Shelly Laurenston
September 2nd - The Bone Clocks: A Novel by David Mitchell
September 2nd - Caught Dead Handed (A Witch City Mystery) by Carol J. Perry
September 2nd - Dark Blood (Carpathian) by Christine Feehan
September 2nd - Dark Redemption by Angie Sandro
September 2nd - Death Is Like a Box of Chocolates (A Chocolate Covered Mystery) by Kathy Aarons
September 2nd - The Dining Club by Marina Anderson
September 2nd - The Drop by Dennis Lehane
September 2nd - The Eye of Heaven (A Fargo Adventure) by Clive Cussler and Russell Blake
September 2nd - Fall of Night (Dead of Night Series) by Jonathan Maberry
September 2nd - Fat Cat At Large (A Fat Cat Mystery) by Janet Cantrell
September 2nd - Forged by Desire (London Steampunk Book 4) by Bec McMaster
September 2nd - Ghost Layer (The Ghost Seer Series Book 2) by Robin D. Owens
September 2nd - Groomed For Murder: A Pet Boutique Mystery by Annie Knox
September 2nd - Haunted (A Bishop/SCU Novel Book 15) by Kay Hooper
September 2nd - Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass) by Sarah J. Maas
September 2nd - His Every Fantasy (Sultry Summer Nights) by Delilah Devlin
September 2nd - House Immortal (A House Immortal Novel) by Devon Monk
September 2nd - Maplecroft: The Borden Dispatches by Cherie Priest
September 2nd - Marked Down for Murder (Good Buy Girls) by Josie Belle
September 2nd - Murder 101: A Decker/Lazarus Novel (Decker/Lazarus Novels) by Faye Kellerman
September 2nd - Murder of a Needled Knitter: A Scumble River Mystery by Denise Swanson
September 2nd - Night's Honor (A Novel of the Elder Races Book 7) by Thea Harrison
September 2nd - Nightmares Can Be Murder (A Dream Club Mystery) by Mary Kennedy
September 2nd - What I Know For Sure by Oprah Winfrey
September 2nd - Personal (Jack Reacher) by Lee Child
September 2nd - Rebel Without a Cake (A Piece of Cake Mystery) by Jacklyn Brady
September 2nd - Right Kind of Wrong (Finding Fate) by Chelsea Fine (eBook ony)
September 2nd - The Secret Place (Dublin Murder Squad) by Tana French
September 2nd - Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of September 2nd - Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs
September 2nd - The Skeleton Takes a Bow (A Family Skeleton Mystery) by Leigh Perry
September 2nd - Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good: The New Mitford Novel (A Mitford Novel) by Jan Karon
September 2nd - Son of No One (Dark-Hunter Novels) by Sherrilyn Kenyon
September 2nd - Tempting Mr. Perfect: An Unlikely Love Novel by Rebecca Rose
September 2nd - To Fudge or Not to Fudge (A Candy-Coated Mystery with Recipes) by Nancy Coco
September 2nd - Trial by Fire (The Worldwalker Trilogy) by Josephine Angelini
September 2nd - The Wedding Soup Murder: An Italian Kitchen Mystery by Rosie Genova
Wickedly Dangerous (A Baba Yaga Novel) by Deborah Blake
September 2nd - The Winter Long: October Daye #8 by Seanan McGuire
September 2nd - The Wolfe Widow (A Book Collector Mystery) by Victoria Abbott

September 9th - The Caller (Shadowfell) by Juliet Marillier
September 9th - The Children Act by Ian Mcewan
September 9th - Festive in Death by J. D. Robb
September 9th - Found: A Mickey Bolitar Novel, Book 3 by Harlan Coben
September 9th - Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White
September 9th - The Iron Trial (Book One of Magisterium) by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
September 9th - The King's Curse (Cousins' War) by Philippa Gregory
September 9th - The Marco Effect: A Department Q Novel by Jussi Adler-Olsen
September 9th - Robert B. Parker's Blind Spot (A Jesse Stone Novel) by Reed Farrel Coleman
September 9th - Rock Addiction (Rock Kiss Book 1) by Nalini Singh
September 9th - Screwdrivered (Cocktail Book 3) by Alice Clayton
September 9th - Virtue Falls by Christina Dodd
September 9th - The Witch with No Name (Hollows) by Kim Harrison

September 16th - The Blood of an Englishman (Agatha Raisin Mysteries) by M. C. Beaton
September 16th - Edge of Eternity: Book Three of The Century Trilogy by Ken Follett
September 16th - The Golem of Hollywood by Jonathan Kellerman
September 16th - Hunt for Jade Dragon (Michael Vey 4) by Richard Paul Evans
September 16th - The Infinite Sea: The Second Book of the 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
September 16th - Once Haunted, Twice Shy (The Peyton Clark Series) by H.P. Mallory
September 16th - The Perilous Sea (The Elemental Trilogy Book 2) by Sherry Thomas
September 16th - Raging Heat (Nikki Heat) by Richard Castle
September 16th - What If by Rebecca Donovan (eBook only)

September 23rd - Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld
September 23rd - Bones Never Lie: A Novel (Temperance Brennan Book 17) by Kathy Reichs
September 23rd - To Dwell in Darkness: A Novel (Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James Novels Book 16) by Deborah Crombie
September 23rd - Rooms by Lauren Oliver
September 23rd - Rose Gold: An Easy Rawlins Mystery (Easy Rawlins Mysteries) by Walter Mosley
September 23rd - Skink--No Surrender by Carl Hiaasen
September 23rd - Stay with Me: A Novel (Wait for You Book 3) by J. Lynn

September 30th - A Christmas to Remember by Jill Shalvis, Kristen Ashley, Hope Ramsay and Molly Cannon
September 30th - The Betrayed (Krewe of Hunters) by Heather Graham
September 30th - Burning Desire (Dark Kings) by Donna Grant
September 30th - Chained by Night (The Moonbound Clan Vampires Book 2) by Larissa Ione
September 30th - French Pastry Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery) by Leslie Meier
September 30th - The Groom Says Yes (Brides of Wishmore Book 3) by Cathy Maxwell
September 30th - He's So Fine (A Lucky Harbor novel) by Jill Shalvis
September 30th - It Happened at Christmas by Debbie Mason
September 30th - Just One Year (Just One Day Book 2) by Gayle Forman
September 30th - Kiss Me, Captain: A French Kiss Novel by Gwen Jones
September 30th - Literally Murder (A Black Cat Bookshop Mystery) by Ali Brandon
September 30th - The Lost Key (A Brit in the FBI Book 2) by Catherine Coulter and J. T Ellison
September 30th - The Maverick of Copper Creek (Copper Creek Cowboys) by R.C. Ryan
September 30th - Mistletoe on Main Street (The Briar Creek Series) by Olivia Miles
September 30th - Moonlight Raider (Border Nights) by Amanda Scott
September 30th - Murder at Marble House (A Gilded Newport Mystery) by Alyssa Maxwell
September 30th - Murder on the Ile Sordou: A Verlaque and Bonnet Provençal Mystery by M. L. Longworth
September 30th - The Night Belongs to Fireman (The Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel Book 6) by Jennifer Bernard
September 30th - Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She's "Learned" by Lena Dunham
September 30th - Party Games: A Fear Street Novel by R.L. Stine
September 30th - The Perfect Witness by Iris Johansen
September 30th - Priestess Dreaming (An Otherworld Novel) by Yasmine Galenorn
September 30th - The Queen of Zombie Hearts (The White Rabbit Chronicles Book 3) by Gena Showalter
September 30th - Ring in the Holidays (Hunk for the Holidays) by Katie Lane
September 30th - Stirring the Plot (A Cookbook Nook Mystery) by Daryl Wood Gerber
September 30th - Unbreakable (A Shadow Falls Novella) by C. C. Hunter

September 30th - What a Wallflower Wants (Wallflower Trilogy Book 3) by Maya Rodale

Pages

My Picks for February

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Launch Day Blitz and Giveaway for He's So Fine by Jill Shalvis

He's So Fine (Lucky Harbor #11) by Jill Shalvis

Monday, September 29, 2014

Early Review of Rock Courtship (Rock Kiss #1.5) by Nalini Singh (A novella)

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Early Review of The Night Belongs to Fireman (The Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel, #6) by Jennifer Bernard

Friday, September 26, 2014

Early Review of Chained by Night (MoonBound Clan Vampires, #2) by Larissa Ione

Monday, September 15, 2014

Excerpt and Giveaway of Rock Addiction by Nalini Singh

Rock Addiction (Rock Kiss #1) by Nalini Singh

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Release Day Blitz and Giveaway for Rock Addiction by Nalini Singh

Saturday, September 6, 2014

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Most Anticipated New Releases of September 2014

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