Happy Halloween from Fiction Vixen Book Reviews!

 

In honor of my two youngest daughters, ages 4 and 5, who love a good Halloween joke, we give you this:

 

Why did Dracula's mother give him cough medicine?

Because he was having a coffin fit.

 

Why did the vampire's lunch give him heartburn?

It was a stake sandwich.

 

What do skeletons always order at a restaurant?

Spare ribs.

 

Dracula decided he need a dog, which breed did he choose?

A bloodhound.

Fair Game
by Josh Lanyon
e-Book 
Publisher: Carina Press
Available: Aug 02, 2010
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Source: NetGalley

A crippling knee injury forced Elliot Mills to trade in his FBI badge for dusty chalkboards and bored college students. Now a history professor at Puget Sound university, the former agent has put his old life behind him-but it seems his old life isn't finished with him.

A young man has gone missing from campus-and as a favor to a family friend, Elliot agrees to do a little sniffing around. His investigations bring him face-to-face with his former lover, Tucker Lance, the special agent handling the case.

Things ended badly with Tucker, and neither man is ready to back down on the fight that drove them apart. But they have to figure out a way to move beyond their past and work together as more men go missing and Elliot becomes the target in a killer's obsessive game...

Reviewed by:  Samantha 

Elliot Mills is a former FBI agent who is now a college professor after a terrible knee injury while on duty took him away from the job that he loved. The injury also took him away from his lover and FBI agent Tucker Lance. Their affair might have been a brief one, but it was a passionate one that appears to have ended badly. When boys start going missing on campus, Elliot can't help himself with being drawn into the cases at the request of his father and the campus president. Little did Elliot know when he agreed to help that it would force him into close contact with Tucker.

In Fair Game, I believe Josh Lanyon does exactly what he does best - provides an interesting and fast paced mystery with well-rounded character development for all the major players and then still manages to throw in the heat and emotion amongst Elliot and Tucker that always give the reader a little hope things will work out for the two of them without the their relationship casting a shadow over the mystery plot. The pain and loneliness Elliot feels from the loss of his beloved job, his lover, and the way he has had to come to grips with a debilitating injury just oozes right off the pages. The mystery surrounding the missing boys is not one that the reader immediately figures out what is going on - it unfolds slowly but is still kept interesting. And best of all, each character has their own uniqueness and own voice which keeps the story fresh.

What I really liked about this book aside from the well written mystery that kept the pages turning is the way you see the communication between Elliot and Tucker start to blossom. It was clear that so much had been unsaid in the time since Elliot's injury that when the two men slowly start to open up to each other and not be afraid to communicate it's a beautiful thing.
If you have not read a Josh Lanyon book before, I think Fair Game would be a great way to start. It is a stand alone book (I would love another!), fast paced, and I think gives a good example of what one should expect from a Lanyon book.

Favorite Quote:

"It was dark."

"I'd know you in the dark, Tucker."

Tucker's eyes flashed up to meet Elliot's. He said curtly, "Yeah, I'd know you too."

 

Other reviews on GoodReads

Author's Website

Purchase Links: Amazon || Carina Press

Ever been molested by a llama?  It’s not too bad actually.  Ok, it’s horrible!!  Hideous!!  Scariest damn thing EVER!!  We went to the pumpkin patch last weekend and woohoo, they had a petting zoo.  Of course my kids spotted it and wanted to pet scary ass animals.  So in we went and some crazy llama accosted me.  Llamas are evil.  I’m convinced of it.

 

In Kindle news, Amazon had a couple of cool announcements recently.  They are making newspapers and magazines available on Kindle apps.  Also, later this year (hello, it’s practically November already) lending will be available for Kindle books!!! This is awesome, but I have a feeling the pubs could get in the way on this one.  We’ll see.  What I would love to see made available is gifting.  I want to be able to purchase a specific Kindle book for a friend.  Some online eBook retailers allow this so why not Amazon?

First, we are making Kindle newspapers and magazines readable on our free Kindle apps, so you can always read Kindle periodicals even if you don't have your Kindle with you or don't yet own a Kindle. In the coming weeks, many newspapers and magazines will be available on our Kindle apps for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, and then we'll be adding this functionality to Kindle for Android and our other apps down the road. Our vision is Buy Once, Read Everywhere, and we're excited to make this possible for Kindle periodicals in the same way that it works now for Kindle books. More details when we launch this in the coming weeks.

Second, later this year, we will be introducing lending for Kindle, a new feature that lets you loan your Kindle books to other Kindle device or Kindle app users. Each book can be lent once for a loan period of 14-days and the lender cannot read the book during the loan period. Additionally, not all e-books will be lendable - this is solely up to the publisher or rights holder, who determines which titles are enabled for lending.

 

In other e-reader news, the Nook Color was introduced this week.  It looks very nice but a little spendy with the recent drop in e-reader pricing.

Nook Color

• Stunning 7-inch color touchscreen
• Magazines & newspapers in rich color
• Kids' books come alive
• Over 2 million titles at your fingertips
• Get social, surf the web, play games, even listen to music

All for $249

 

 

 

How often do you check your email?  I check many times per day.  I have to, I can’t help.  What is up with people who only check every couple of days or even worse once a week?  It’s just weird.  /rant

 

More exciting news:  GoodReads now includes a series link in the book details for books.  So, you can just click it and get a list of all the books in that series.  I love this new feature like cupcakes.  Also, Bree of Moira Rogers was telling me that authors can now upload excerpts for their books so keep an eye out for excerpt buttons.  Bree tested it out with Crux.  GoodReads just keeps getting better and better. 

 

I just finished the second book in the Hunger Games Trilogy, Catching Fire.  This is one of the best Young Adult series I’ve read.  Catching Fire is a fiver.  It ended on a cliff hanger and left me breathless.  I have Mockingjay on my shelf thanks to my good friend KC from SmokinHotBooks but I’m going to read Alpha by Rachel Vincent first.  Then on to Mockingjay.  So many good books, so little time.

 

I posted a very short poll today about blog design and what people like.  If you missed it you can click HERE to check it out.  I want to know what you think.

 

Open giveaway at Fiction Vixen:

Win Seven Nights To Forever by Evangeline Collins
Ends Nov. 6 - Open to all – Author will also be sending signed book marks to the winner.

 

And finally the last installment in my favorite TASTELESS HALLOWEEN COSTUMES series ( I apologize once again)

Happy Friday my friends.  Have fun trick or treating, save the Wonka candy for me, you can have the chocolate.  --xoxo FV

This may come a huge surprise to some of you but I like to tinker with my blog design. I know, I'm sorry to break it to you this way but it was bound to come out sooner or later.

Anyhow, after numerous designs and tweaks over the past year, I've come to realize I like the 'less is more' approach to blog design. I like a nice clean blog design, easy to navigate and easy to read. So, I've been working on yet another design but I'm undecided on how to move forward as far as layout goes. So, I thought I'd ask my blogging friends since you are the not only the bloggers but the readers as well.

Something Wicked
by Michelle Rowen
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Available: October 5, 2010
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Living in Eden isn't exactly heaven on earth...

Darrak, the demon inside of Eden Riley, is able to take physical shape during the day. And Eden wouldn't mind getting her hands on him-if it wasn't a threat to her immortal soul. But while trying to rid themselves of the curse that binds them, they could get the distance they need...or each have their own private hell to pay.

Reviewed by:  Catherine 

I was so nervous to read this book! Things were settled to a point in the last book, The Demon in Me, but a lot of larger issues were still up in the air. Darrak and Eden still needed to find a way to separate without hurting either one of them, and they needed to find a way to break Darrak’s curse if they had any hope of ever trying to have a relationship.

I wanted to watch it all unfold, but I was worried that the author would drop the ball and I would end up disliking it. That’s not a slur against the author’s skill, that’s just my history with some other series making me skittish. So, I entered the book with mixed feelings but soon found myself just as into it as I was the first book.

I practically inhaled this book. The author has an extremely readable style and the pages just flew by for me. I reread the last quarter of The Demon in Me before starting this so I would be fresh. It was actually really helpful because I didn’t realize I had forgotten so many of the little details that happened at the end! I think skimming it again really enhanced my experience with this book. I was so much more attached and in the moment.

Darrak was such a fabulous character in the last book. For all those who read it, never fear, you won’t be disappointed with his personality in this one! I am pleased to report that he is just as funny and just as reluctantly caring as he was in the first one. His banter and inner dialogue just pops for me. One of my favorite funny quotes from him happens on page 9.

"I hate that guy," Darrak said. "Loathe him. And I can't believe you let him kiss you. I almost made you slap him, but luckily for him he didn't try to slip you the tongue. It's obvious to me that he's only after one thing from you and--" "He's gay," Eden said simply. "Oh." There was a pause. "I totally knew that."

He’s such a spaz sometimes! LOL!

While Darrak is still funny, we really get a more well-rounded view of him in this book. We spend a lot more time in his head and get to watch him struggle with his identity. I really appreciated the identity crisis (even if I wanted to strangle him a time or two). I think watching him struggle with who he was now and the question of whether he even wanted to be that person made him so much more to me. It really made me empathize with him and have more patience while he occasionally behaved badly.

Eden continues to be a character that I love too. She just feels so much more realistic than a lot of heroines out there. She doesn’t melt at the thought of being bound to Darrak. She wants him out! She likes him, but she hates her will being violated like this, and she’s still not quite as sure of him as she’d like to be. In short, she’s smart. She’s always looking out for what’s best for her, but she doesn’t constantly bemoan the circumstances life has thrown at her. She’s had it pretty rough lately, but she’s willing to cope if she can keep a light at the end of the tunnel in sight.

How can I not like her? Even the dumb stuff she does—which I thought was pretty freaking dumb at times!—is understandable. She’s scared, and she’s looking for a helping hand. How can I resent her being willing to trust someone else when that’s the same thing Darrak is asking of her?

Quite a few things happened in this book that I wish I could talk about more. Alas, the dreaded spoilers stop me! I’ll restrain myself, but I do have to mention how pleased I am with how their relationship is progressing. There are no real easy answers for them, but they’re both still pushing themselves to hope for the best. Their determination is such that I can’t help but believe in them, even when the odds are against them.

The only thing that kept this from being a 5 star for me was my impatience with some of Eden’s actions. I wanted to smack her a time or two! She kept making a specific promise (vague for spoilers!) to Darrak and then breaking it. I could see why she was doing it, but it was frustrating. I empathized with her, but I still couldn’t help but get an eye twitch at the same time. But don’t let that discourage you! It was a very slight irritant in my overall enjoyment of the book. I still love Eden’s character and I still love this series for the sheer fun of it.

I can’t wait to get my hands on the third book so I can get more of this excellent series!

Other books in the Living In Eden series:

• The Demon In Me – May 4, 2010

Other reviews on GoodReads

Author's Website

Purchase Links: Amazon || Book Depository

Seven Nights To Forever
by Evangeline Collins 
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Available: November 2, 2010
Genre: Historical Romance

She offered him one week of pleasure. No more and no less...

Some sacrifices are more difficult than others. Left destitute after her father's death, Rose Marlowe has debts to settle and a younger brother to support. But she also possesses an unmatched beauty-one that could command quite a price…

Now, every month, Rose secretly travels from her country home to spend one week at a decadent London brothel, where she's become a sought-after prize. Elegant and accomplished in the art of pleasure, she spends her nights fulfilling the fantasies of the gentlemen of the ton while denying the wish buried deep in her heart.

Then one night a wealthy merchant gentleman walks through her door. Handsome, kind and compassionate, with a lonely soul that matches her own, James Archer is not her usual client. Falling in love with a client, never mind a married one, is unthinkable. Yet Rose can't help but lose herself in his arms as one night becomes seven-and seven nights lead to a chance at forever…

Reviewed by: Sophia (FV) 

After her father’s death, Rose Marlowe soon realizes he has gambled away most of the family’s money leaving her and her brother deeply in debt.  In order to protect her younger brother who idolized their father and to save their family home, Rose seeks a protector.  Not wanting to be a mistress she leaves her first protector only to end up with another who becomes abusive.  Once Rose realizes she must find another way to support her brother and repay her fathers debts she makes a decision.  Once a month she works at a posh London brothel where gentlemen are willing to pay a very generous price to spend time with her.  She has became so sought after that she earns enough working as a prostitute one week a month to repay her debts, maintain her country home, as well support and send her brother to University. 

James Archer, a very wealthy merchant is miserable and lonely.  He is in a loveless marriage arranged by his father in an effort to gain standing in high society.  His wife is not happy at all about being married to James and makes no secret of it.  She takes many lovers and flaunts her infidelity in his face, however she will not allow James to take a mistress, threatening to withdraw her sponsorship of his younger sister if he does.  James loves his sister and wants to see her marry well so he tolerates his wife’s emotional battery since his sister will hopefully marry soon.

One night, feeling lonely and worn down by his wife’s demeaning behavior toward him, James decides to visit a brothel in search of physical comfort.  He is introduced to Rose and is taken by her beauty, and lovely demeanor.  Although he has paid to spend time with Rose and basically have his way with her, James finds it such a relief to just spend time with a lovely woman who seems to welcome his company and he spends the evening talking and getting to know Rose.  Rose in turn finds James to be a charming gentleman but she is confused by James’ lack of interest in having sex with her. 

James cannot get Rose out of his head and he returns the following night to see her.  In the course of the week, Rose and James develop a lovely friendship and they eventually become lovers.  Not wanting to let Rose go at the end of the week, James tries to come up with a way for them to be together.  James has much to lose if his relationship with Rose is discovered and Rose does not want to become his mistress.  She has many responsibilities and is determined to manage them herself. 

While Rose and James lead very different lives and it seems unlikely they would find any sort of commonality with each other, they come together out of loneliness.  As they begin to know each other  it is revealed that they are both selflessly making a huge personal sacrifices for the well being of a younger sibling.  James is not your typical romance hero.  Although he puts up with his wife’s brow beating for the sake of his sister he never comes off as weak or wimpy.  Instead I always got the sense that he was simply willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of his sister’s future.  He is a gentleman and gives the typical alpha hero new levels to aspire to.  Rose, is a strong heroine, determined to use her assets to keep what’s left of her family afloat.  Not wanting her brother to face the shame of finding out their father squandered the family coffers, essentially leaving them in dire straits, she does whatever she has to do to see to it that her brother lives well and gets an education.  Both James and Rose are kind and generous to those they love and they are perfect for each other as well. 

One of the things I loved most about Rose and James is although they had misunderstandings, they were refreshingly honest with each other and avoided serious relationship issues with their openness.  Trust was built between them slowly and they both constantly surprised me with their gentleness and kindness.  They were strong characters yet very vulnerable and I found them both to be extremely likeable. 

Seven Nights To Forever is a lovely story about about two very endearing people who, against the odds, fall in love and find their way to happiness together.  Evangeline Collins delivers a wonderful historical romance novel that is well written, nicely paced and a pleasure to read.  I look forward to more from this author.

Favorite Quote:

“Do you plan to join me, or do you plan to linger by the door all evening? I hope you aren’t expecting an offer from me to watch,” he said, all playful indignation.

A laugh burst from her throat at the unexpected comment. Her back almost propping up the door, she must look just as he had nights ago, when he had hesitated to take more than a step into her bedchamber.

“Not expecting, but if the offer’s there . . .” she trailed off, arching a suggestive brow. His eyes flared slightly, his expression momentarily blanking. Goodness, was that a blush staining his cheeks?

 

Other reviews on GoodReads

Author's Website

Purchase Links: Amazon || Book Depository

I have a copy of Seven Nights To Forever to giveaway!  Leave a comment on this review to enter, open to all.  (Leave a comment even if you don’t want to enter, just let me know)  Giveaway is open until November 6, winner announced soon after.  Good luck!

Sinful In Satin
by Madeline Hunter
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Jove
Available: September 28, 2010
Genre: Historical Romance
Source: Author

Celia's quiet life ends when her mother, a famed London courtesan, dies, leaving her a small house in town-and a darkly handsome, reputedly dangerous tenant.

Reviewed by: Catherine 

I’m so glad that I ended up liking this book! I enjoyed the first book in the series, Ravishing in Red, but I was rather unimpressed with the second book, Provocative in Pearls. I had a deal with myself that this would be my tiebreaker on whether or not to continue the series. I was lying to myself, of course! How could I not read the fourth book when I heard it was about Castleford? I do have to admit that I am relieved that I’ve liked two out of three of these books, though. It makes me confident that I’ll love Castleford’s story as much as I think I will. ;P

Wow, I really wasn’t expecting a heroine like Celia. I knew her circumstances from the previous books, but I thought she’d end up being toned down for her own book. What can I say, everyone else does it. How was I to know that Madeline Hunter would make her character feel so real? Kudos to her, though! I was definitely impressed.

Celia didn’t spend any time with her mother, Alessandra, a famous courtesan, while she was growing up. But when she was sixteen she was brought to live with her. Alessandra began grooming Celia to walk in her footsteps and Celia didn’t react how you would expect in a romance novel. She took to it like a duck in water. She appreciated the thought of having pretty things and a nice house. She took most of her mother’s lessons to heart and had a very upfront attitude about pleasure. She embraced it and learned to focus on her own pleasure even if she didn’t really like who she was with. It was just business. Here’s a little hint of her view while she’s talking to Jonathan from page 131.

"People always build some story around pleasure. The story of marriage or the story of love, or at least a brief tale of commerce.”

Her pragmatic attitude was extremely refreshing. She may have chosen to walk a different path than her mother, but she didn’t reject it out of repugnance for the life. I really liked that, because she knows growing up who she is and what her place in society is going to be. It was nice to see a character who didn’t martyr herself for her pride and honor.

All that practicality and acceptance was in every aspect of her personality as an adult. She was just so grown up. It felt like I was reading about a real person. Sometimes I was a little turned off by her choices, but I still liked her because it made total sense for her personality.

Jonathan was another interesting character. He really turned out to be such a nice guy. I wouldn’t say that he carried the relationship, but I really feel that without him Celia wouldn’t have ended up in quite the same arrangement. She was too aware of her place in the world to dare ask for more. Luckily he was there to insist that she was worth it! I really liked how things turned out in the end. I also Awwwww’ed when I found out about his role in her past when he talked to her mom. That was such a good guy thing to do.

I really appreciated how things turned out for both Jonathan and Celia with their families. While it might not satisfy everyone who desires perfect endings, it satisfied me for its very lack of one. It just made it feel more authentic. Especially when a certain something at the very end was predicted to take so long. There’s no magic snap of the fingers here to solve all their problems.

Where I think this book really shined over the other ones in the series is in the friendships between the men and the women. We’ve met all these characters before, of course, but by the very nature of the girls’ stay with Daphne we never felt like we knew them very well. Everyone just had too many secrets. Here they feel like puzzle pieces that fit together perfectly. They talk and they laugh and they gossip. I really like it. One of my favorite quotes in the book comes from one of those conversations. On page 149 Verity (from Provocative in Pearls) and Daphne were teasing Celia about the possibility of her and Jonathan getting closer.

"...did I mention, Verity, that Mrs. Hill tried a new kind of trifle the other night? It had a bit of lemon in the cream." "It sounds delicious," Verity said. "I do favor trifle myself, so I must ask her for the recipe. I wonder if trifle is called trifle because it was once served on trifle? That is what my father called our everyday pewter when I was young. Trifle." "How interesting. One could serve trifle on trifle to a man at dinner, who later trifles with--" "Could we return to the topic at hand?" Celia interrupted pointedly. Daphne looked innocent. "I did not realize we had left it, Celia."

It cracked me up! But it wasn’t just the women who seemed like more of a real unit. The men were more abrasive and joking with each other too. I think we’re finally getting to see them act like a close group together.

The only complaint I had was that the pacing felt a bit slow in the middle. I still enjoyed it, but it broke the momentum enough that I couldn’t love it.

I cannot wait until next May so I can finally get my hands on the next book! The author has been teasing me with little fascinating snippets of Castleford’s life and personality since the first book! He was almost unlikable in the first book, but something about him was just so compelling that he stole the show every time he came on scene. I’ve loved watching him grow with each book. His attitude on Tuesdays cracks me up! I have to end this review before I write a book myself, but let me leave you with some great quotes involving Castleford that I found in this book. Maybe it’ll whet your appetite enough to want to read about him too. ;)

page 247: He ran his fingers through his hair. And froze. "What the hell--" He groped around his head, trying to make sense of what he did and did not feel. "I had my man cut it while you slept," Castleford said. "It looks much better now. He did a fine job of it." Jonathan glared at him. "You go too far." "I can't be seen around town with a man whose hair is so unfashionable. You will thank me once you see it. The women will be swarming you now."

page 282: "Rather suddenly Castleford did not appear very drunk at all. Sly intelligence showed in the gaze he settled on Jonathan."

page 342: "They should have used me during the war, not you, Albrighton. I have a knack for this investigating business. My analytical powers even impressed me this week." "Being a duke probably helps too." "In investigating? Probably so." "Also in impressing yourself, and in convincing yourself you have the right to interfere."

page 343: "So I went there. Hence my sore ass. I did not want to waste too much time on this and thought riding cross-country would be best. I asked some polite and discreet questions and--" "You are incapable of being discreet, so you are already turning this tale to make yourself look better," Hawkeswell said.

 

Books in this series:

• Ravishing in Red (The Rarest Blooms, #1)
• Provocative in Pearls (The Rarest Blooms, #2)
• Sinful in Satin (The Rarest Blooms #3)
• Dangerous in Diamonds (The Rarest Blooms, #4) (2011)

Other reviews on GoodReads

Author's Website

Purchase Links: Amazon || Book Depository

Shaken
by Dee Tenorio 
e-Book – Short Story 
Publisher: Samhain
Available: October 19, 2010
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Author

Thirteen stories up. Two broken hearts. One last chance…

Surgeon Grant Sullivan’s once-perfect life lies in ruins. His daughter is gone—lost in a tragic accident he dare not allow himself to remember—and his beautiful wife now stares at him from across a legal table, insisting she wants nothing from him.

Julia Sullivan lost everything, especially her illusions about her marriage, after the accident. Her grief only seemed to drive Grant further into his emotional shell—except for the nights he turned to her in silent, furious passion. Unable to live like a ghost in her old life, she’s packed up what’s left of her broken heart and is ready to move on. Alone.

Determined to break their stalemate, Grant follows Julia onto the elevator just in time for an earthquake. Trapped for hours in a building pressure cooker of unspoken pain, he’ll do anything to remind her what she’s leaving behind, as deliciously as he can. But giving her what she needs to save their marriage is the one thing that could destroy his soul.

Reviewed by: Sophia (FV)

Quick Rundown:

Julia and Grant’s marriage has come to an end under the strain of the tragic death of their daughter.  Feeling emotionally abandoned by her husband, Julia’s way of escaping the pain is to walk away, no strings attached.  Grant loves Julia with all his heart but after the loss of his daughter the only way he knows to stay strong is to shut down the pain making him seem as though he does not care.  When they become trapped in an elevator together they are forced to face their mutual pain and the emotional boundaries come down. 

First Impressions:

Although I tend shy away from very tragic love stories, I decided to take a chance on this one since I love this author’s voice.  At first I had the impression that Julia would be harsh and the source of angst in the story however it soon became apparent that both Grant and Julia still love each other deeply, and are dealing with more than just the pain of the loss of their daughter. 

The Hero:

Grant had my heart from the beginning.  He’s lost everything, and is dealing with guilt since he feels he should have been able to save his daughter.  He wants his wife back and is hurt that she is willing to walk away from him, no strings attached.  He wants to be the one she leans on however he is unable to lean on her for fear of coming undone.

The Heroine:

Julia feels abandoned by Grant and believes her marriage is not what she once thought.  Grant has been there for her in her grief, but she feels responsible for forcing him to shut down emotionally over the loss of their daughter.

What worked:

I think love stories that involve the death of a child can be very tricky, especially in short format.  But Dee Tenorio handled this scenario beautifully creating a touching love story, albeit very sad.   (Don’t worry though, there is a HEA)

What didn’t work:

Nothing really.  There was a lot more room to expand on this story and the characters of course, but knowing this was a short story going in, I think Dee Tenorio wrote a well rounded story. 

Final conclusion:

Grab a box of tissues, a pint of Ben and Jerry’s and get ready for a short but intense and sexy read.  Dee Tenorio combines passion, love, loss, grief, and healing for a story you won’t soon forget. 

Favorite Quote:

His lips grazed hers. “I feel like I’m breathing again for the first time in months.”

Other reviews on GoodReads

Author's Website

Purchase Links: Amazon || MBaM

Two Lethal Lies
by Annie Solomon
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Forever
Available: October 1, 2010
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher

On the run since his daughter was born, Mitch Turner has concealed a truth so dangerous, its discovery could jeopardize both their lives. But when a series of shocking murders hits their newfound home, the trail leads straight to Mitch. With the police out for blood and his daughter ripped from his arms, he has nowhere to turn--until a beautiful stranger offers her help.

Neesy Brown has made mistakes in her life, yet she refuses to believe this mysterious man is a killer. There's a strength in his broad shoulders that draws her to him and a weariness in his eyes that she longs to ease. As the murders tear her small town apart, she vows to help Mitch find his missing child. But a cunning predator is pulling them deeper and deeper into his fatal game. And the price of losing is the child—and the future—they could both share...

Reviewed by: Tracy 

Mitch Turner has been on the road with his daughter Julia since she was born 11 years ago.  Picking up odd jobs and never staying in one place too long, he and Julia, who he affectionately calls Jules or Junebug, have never really had a home.  Never-the-less Mitch has always put his daughter first, ensuring she is well fed, clothed, educated, and most importantly loved.  When Julia uses a mix of begging, pleading and clever negotiation to stay in Crossroads, Tennessee for the holidays, Mitch feels guilty that she has never experienced a true Thanksgiving or Christmas and grudgingly agrees.  Mitch and Julia quickly settle into a routine with Mitch working as a short order cook at Cricks, a local café.  His co-worker, waitress Neesy Brown likes Mitch – a little too much.  Although Nessy has made past mistakes in her life, particularly with men, she is committed to turning over a new leaf.  But there is something different about Mitch that has Neesy wondering if she shouldn’t give up on men – at least not this man.

Initially reluctant to stay, Mitch hopes that Crossroads is a small enough town that the demons from his past will not catch up with them and harm Julia.  His hopes are squelched when an overzealous local newspaper reporter runs a story on Mitch that reaches the FBI and a psychotic serial killer who has his eyes on Julia.  Implicated in a local homicide that has the serial killer’s signature, Mitch will not stop until he is reunited with Julia who has not been heard from since the days after his arrest.  Mitch and Neesy embark on a multi-state hunt to find Julia and something deeper with one another.  

Two Lethal Lies started off with a bang and held my attention until the end.  Ms. Solomon crafted a story that had me sighing at heart-warming moments, my heart racing with anticipation as they searched for Julia, and my body chilled to the bone from an easy-to-hate villain.  Though I truly enjoyed the story overall, I think the genre is best characterized as suspense/thriller with elements of romance.  Readers certainly get to know and like Mitch and Neesy, but their love story did not take center stage. Though I hoped for a more prominent romance/steam-factor, it did not lessen the intensity or my overall enjoyment of the book.  Centering the story on a single father was both refreshing to see and created some heart-stealing moments with Mitch and Julia.  I appreciated that Ms. Solomon paid homage to father-daughter and mother-son love that added a depth and fullness which I very much liked.

This was my first Annie Solomon novel, but will not be my last.  Two Lethal Lies is a fast-paced, suspenseful story with unexpected twists and tender moments that you will not want to put down.

Favorite Quote:

“She’s been intimate before, hadn’t she?  Undressed stark, raving naked.  But that was only her body.  That moment with Mitch…like he’d stripped her in a different way.  Inside.  As though every feeling she’d ever had before was false and shallow.  Gave her a scary kind of thrill.  She shivered.”

Other reviews on GoodReads

Author's Website

Purchase Links: Amazon || Book Depository

Second Chances
by Lauren Dane 
eBook
Publisher: Carina Press
Available: October 25th 2010
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Source: NetGalley

Ten years ago, Rori Simon left town shy, unattractive and with zero self-esteem. Now she’s back, older, stronger and finally loving herself—and it shows. Hot men are soon knocking at her door, including Jude Callahan, the bad boy who starred in her teenage daydreams…and her adult fantasies.

Jude can’t believe the sexy, confident woman before him is actually Rori! She’s gotten under his skin like no other woman has…and brings out secret desires he can’t resist. He wants to dominate Rori with every fiber of his being. Wants to own her and pleasure her. To cherish her as he makes her his.

Rori discovers she likes being controlled. She also knows Jude is not a one-woman man. Everything changes when she meets Zach Helm. Edgy, sensual Zach knows just what she needs, and before long, she’s in love. Jude watches them together and wonders if he’s lost his chance forever…

Reviewed by: Sophia (FV)

Rori was awkward and overweight as a teen and suffered with self-esteem issues.  But she went off to college, saw the world and went through some emotional and physical changes over the years.  After a messy break up with her boyfriend, she has returned to her hometown and with a whole new outlook. Since the moment she’s arrived it seems she’s caught the eye of every available bachelor in town but there is one in particular she’s got her eye on.  Rori wants the town bad boy, Jude Callahan.  They were friends as kids but Rori had a crush on him back then and wouldn’t mind taking their friendship to a new level now that they’re adults.  Jude is not a one woman man though, and Rori is not interested in being one of many.

Jude finds just about everything about Rori attractive.  She’s all he can think about and there’s something about her that is different from his many other conquests.  He can see himself settling down with Rori, he wants her bad. But his old habits die hard and he has a hard time reconciling the idea of what it means to be in a committed relationship.  His bad behavior opens Rori’s eyes to the fact that she can’t change him—doesn’t want to change him. She then finds love in the arms of another man. 

I’ll start off saying right here, right now, Lauren Dane knows how to write a steamy story, no doubt about that.  For an erotic romance to work for me, there has to be good strong emotional connections between those engaging in the red hot steamy sex and Ms. Dane certainly knows how to deliver on that level as well.

Although Jude came off like a jerk at times I liked him. The emotional and sexual chemistry between him and Rori also worked for me. Jude is conflicted in his need for Rori and his inability to grow out of his bad boy tendencies and Rori, a former ugly duckling is realizing a life long fantasy in her new relationship with Jude.  Both seem a little overwhelmed by this new relationship and where it’s headed.  I really wanted them to communicate and work things out, but such as life, it was not meant to be and Rori moves on to find happiness with another.  However Jude knows he screwed up and he let the only woman he ever loved walk away. Now he must watch from afar as Rori finds happiness with another.

Rori moves on and falls head over heals in love with Zach who seems to be absolutely perfect for her.  Here is where I began to struggle with the story a bit.  Although we know Jude loves Rori and is struggling to accept that she has moved on, he becomes absent from the story for a long period of time, and I’ll be honest I missed him.  Zach and Rori have a budding relationship with no place in it for Jude, but I felt his absence unsettling since the relationship between Rori and Jude was left open on Jude’s part. Although I liked Rori and wanted her to find happiness, I just never bought into her relationship with Zach.  His character seemed flat not as developed as I hoped for. I never picked up on the emotional connection between them at all. 

Although I felt the eventual outcome of this book was obvious because of the title, Lauren Dane managed to take the expected and create a very emotional story that takes her characters on a journey of personal growth, tragedy and redemption.  I felt there were some flat spots along the way, however I loved how the friendship and romance played out between Jude and Rori.  Second Chances was an enjoyable read.

Favorite Quote:

“I want her. I don’t want her to love anyone else. I want her to love me.”

Other reviews on GoodReads

Author's Website

Purchase link: Carina Press

The winner of the Poised Kissed by Erica Hayes giveaway is:

PinkStuff28 (Comment # 28)

Congratulations!!  An email has been sent.  Thanks so much to Erica Hayes for stopping by Fiction Vixen with a great guest post and giveaway. 

Hellooooo Friday!  We have some fun things planned this weekend but it looks like we’ll be doing it all in the rain.  There’s a Halloween carnival at school which should be fun, fingers crossed we don’t get too soggy.  We’ll also be heading out to the pumpkin patch, rain or shine.  We cancelled last weekend due to rain so this is our last chance.  If I have to have get muddy, so be it.  Pumpkins must be had! 

 

 

Dorchester.  This is horrible!  Sarah from Smart Bitches, Trashy Books had a recent post about some pretty shady dealings over at Dorchester.  We’ve heard in recent news that Dorchester has made some major changes and also that some authors have not been paid royalties due to them.  But now, according to Sarah’s post, Dorchester is selling books it no longer has the rights to and refuses to stop. 

 

I’m currently reading Shaken by Dee Tenorio.  She is guest posting today over at The Good, The Bad, and The Unread about erotic angst.  I recently had a discussion with a friend about Erotica, Erotic Romance and what makes a story erotic.  Dee included a good definition of what makes a romance erotic in the post.  Stop by her check it out. 

 

There’s a new kid on the blog.  I’m excited to have Catherine joining the review team here at Fiction Vixen.  She’s a voracious reader and loves to talk about books.  You’ll be seeing her reviews coming up soon. 

 

Today is the last day to enter to win a copy of Poison Kissed by Erica Hayes.  HURRY!!

 

You all know I love e-books and Kindle is the e-reader for me.  But there are so many other choices out there these days.  Julie from Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks did a great review of the Kobo reader over at Swept Away Again.  Julie was also my guest at Fiction Vixen this week.  If you missed it, check out her fun interview.

 

I posted my review of the Kindle Lighted Leather cover for Kindle 3 this week here at Fiction Vixen. 

 

And finally in honor of my love for Tasteless Halloween costumes I leave you with this:

 

Have a great weekend everyone!  Love, FV

The winner of Hunger Undone by J.A. Saare is:

booklover0226 (comment # 2)

 

The winner of A Kiss Before Dying is:

JenM  (comment #6)

 

Congratulations winners, emails will be sent shortly.  Thank you to J.A. Saare for this generous giveaway!

Luck Be a Lady
by Cathie Linz 
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Available: October 5, 2010
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher

A shocking announcement at her cousin's Vegas wedding sends retro- loving librarian Megan West on a whirlwind tour across Nevada with brash cop Logan Doyle. It's the gamble-and perhaps love affair-of a lifetime...

Reviewed by: Samantha 

Megan West is a librarian from Chicago spending the weekend in Las Vegas for her cousin's wedding. Her cousin already had a previous failed attempt at marriage before even getting down the altar. So this time around control freak Megan is determined to not let anything stand in the way of her cousin finding wedded bliss. But in runs hot cop Logan Doyle just before the "I Do's" thinking he's stopping the marriage of his grandfather, only to be surprised when Megan takes control of the situation and him.

After a long day and successful wedding reception, Megan is ready to call it a night. But Megan forgot her purse, so she heads back and overhears the secrets of all secrets that causes everything in this control freak's life to unravel - her mother isn't really dead. In her attempt to the flee the hotel she runs into Logan who wants to help her. Megan and Logan then set off on a interesting weekend around Nevada and encounter one bizarre circumstance after another before they head their separate ways back home to Chicago. Back in Chicago, Logan still can't resist what he is feeling for Megan or his desire to help her find her mother even though he is trying to resist his usual predicament of helping damsels in distress which always ends badly for him.

Luck Be a Lady was a very quick read that I got through all in one sitting. It is heavy on the dialogue which I felt was a good thing because the banter between Megan and Logan made up for the depth that was lacking in the story. I would say this is a simple contemporary romance that was fast paced but also came off a bit campy at times. Some of the things they encounter while in Nevada trying to find information on Megan's mother were kind of "out there" for them to be believable. With Logan being a cop I would have thought he would have been a little more forceful and in control with some of the crazy cast of characters they met. It was like the first half of the book was a campy comedy. Once everyone got back to Chicago, the story got more serious especially as Megan finds out more information about her mother and Logan's family grows more concerned with how he is grieving over the loss of his partner. In addition, the sexual tension between Logan and Megan really started to heat up. I will say I was quite pleased with the way the author handled the growing intimacy between Logan and Megan, and I thought these scenes were well done for this genre. I think that's what kept me going on this book - the chemistry between the two made me want to get to the steamy stuff instead of putting the book down and never picking it up again. If you are looking for a quick lighthearted read and you like a book with lots of dialogue then this might be a good read for you.

Other reviews on GoodReads

Author's Website

Purchase Links: Amazon || Book Depository

Ghost Town
by Rachel Caine 
Hard Cover: 352 pages
Publisher: NAL Hardcover
Available: October 26, 2010
Genre: Young Adult

The fragile peace between humans and vampires in Morganville is in trouble, and when Claire takes drastic action, she's put under serious pressure to re-establish the barriers that keep the town residents inside, and wipe the memories of those who leave. But working with her half-crazy vampire boss Myrnin means that things don't always turn out as planned ... and as the people of Morganville begin acting strangely, Claire and her friends must solve the mystery and try to put things right. But one by one, her allies are turning on her ... even the ones she trusts most.

I haven’t read the previous books in this series but this looks like a fabulous series. Are you a fan?  If you have read the previous books and would like to guest review Ghost Town by Rachel Caine at Fiction Vixen, either leave a comment here or email me at fictionvixen at fictionvixen dot com, we’ll talk.  :)

Edited: I’ve found a guest reviewer for Ghost Town. Thanks to all who emailed me so quickly!

 

Go HERE for more information on the other books in the Morganville Vampire series.

Rachel Caine’s Website

Purchase Links: Amazon || Book Depository 

 

---

RACHEL CAINE will be on tour for GHOST TOWN

**Tour Dates** 

October 26^th: Murder By the Book at 6:30 PM

2342 Bissonnet St.
Houston, TX 77005

October 27^th: Mystery Bookstore at 7:30 PM

1036-C Broxton Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90024

October 28^th: Books, Inc. at 7:00 PM

Not Your Mother's Book Club
Town & Country Village
855 El Camino Real #74
Palo Alto, CA 94301

October 29^th: Powell's (Cedar Hills Crossing) at 7:00 PM

3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd.
Beaverton, OR 97005

October 30^th: Third Place Books at 6:30 PM

17171 Bothell Way NE
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

October 31^st: Uncle Hugo’s at 4:00 PM

2864 Chicago Ave South
Minneapolis, MN 55407

November 1^st: Anderson’s Book Shop at 7:00 PM

5112 Main Street
Downer’s Grove, IL 60515-4601

November 2^nd: Borders at 6:00 PM

Exton Square Mall
298 Exton Square
Exton, PA 19341

November 4^th: Barnes & Noble at 6:00 PM

*With Heather Brewer, author of the Vladimir Tod series!
1442 Turner-McCall Blvd
Rome, GA 30161

November 6^th: Barnes & Noble at 2:00 PM

1430 Plaza Place
Southlake, TX 76092

November 20^th: Borders at 2:00 PM

2190 N. Rainbow Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89108

The Accidental Wedding 
by Anne Gracie
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Available: October 5th 2010
Genre: Historical Romance

When Nash Renfrew wakes in the bed of lovely Maddy Woodford, he has no memory. In the days following his accident, he is charmed by her bright outlook on life, but he lives for the nights, when she joins him chastely-more or less-in her bed. When his memory returns, Nash asks for just one more night before he leaves. But it's one night too many and it creates a scandal that leaves him no choice but to offer her marriage.

With five orphaned half-siblings in her charge, Maddy needs the security Nash offers and can't resist the promise of passion she's experienced in his embrace. Well born, but poverty-stricken, Maddy knows she's not the wife he planned on, but he's everything she's ever dreamed of.

But will passion be enough? He's a diplomat who knows Czars and Princes and Grand-dukes and she's just a country girl who's never even been to a ball.

Can their new-found love survive, or will this accidental marriage destroy her dreams and his career?

Reviewed by: Tracy 

What girl with a flair for style and romance doesn't love gazing at wedding dresses, whether in magazines or store windows?  So naturally with a beautiful, white dress on the cover, my curiosity to read The Accidental Wedding by Anne Gracie was piqued.

Madeline “Maddy” Woodford lives a simple life in a one bedroom cottage with her five young half-siblings.  They may struggle to make ends meet, tending honey bees and maintaining a small garden, but they have the support of their village and do not lack in love.  Things change when Nash Renfrew falls, quite literally, into their lives.  In a freak accident, Nash falls off his horse, injuring his leg and knocking himself unconscious.  Determined to save his life, Maddy rescues Nash and tends his wounds.  When he finally awakens, they discover he has complete amnesia.

Nash is intrigued by Maddy whose strength, love and happiness with her provincial life are at odds with his aloof, yet pampered existence.  Interested in getting to know Maddy better and concerned about a cloaked stranger who has been vandalizing Maddy’s cottage, Nash asks to stay one more night after his strength (and memory) return.  When word of Nash’s latest overnight visit reaches the town folk and Maddy’s reputation is called into question, Nash must choose between his desire to do right by Maddy and his plans to marry a woman of proper breeding and pedigree.  And Maddy must decide if she could ever consider being in a loveless marriage when her heart so desperately wants Nash. 

The Accidental Wedding was a true pleasure to read.  Ms. Gracie crafted a well-written storyline, engaging characters and interesting dialogue.  The fact that the story had elements of my all-time favorite Disney movie Cinderella was like a layer of fondant on a wedding cake.  While I loved Nash, who followed his heart and sincerely wanted to make Maddy and the children happy, Maddy stole the show a bit in my book.  Through her devotion to her family and can-do attitude, Maddy had a great balance of strength and tenderness.  Feisty yet feminine, Maddy was quick to stand up for herself and not allow anyone to disrespect or control her.  A well-defined supporting cast rounded out the story, providing a nice mix of bravado, sincerity, naïveté and snobbery.  Likewise, the added drama of the vandal sub-plot created another dimension and level of uncertainty to the canvas, but didn’t distract from Maddy and Nash’s love story.

The Accidental Wedding is the fourth book in the Dark Riders series, but this classically romantic story stood alone well and has me quite interested to read the first three books.

Favorite Quote:

“Are you cold?” she whispered into the darkness.

“A bit, why?” The question hung in the air.

“You can sleep here if you like.  With me.”  There, she’d said it.

There was a long pause.  She wondered if he’d heard.  Then the deep voice came out of the darkness.  “If I sleep there with you, I won’t be able to resist.”

Maddy swallowed.  “I don’t want you to resist.”

 

 

Other books in the series:

• The Stolen Princess
• His Captive Lady
• To Catch a Bride

Other reviews on GoodReads

Author's Website

Purchase Links: Amazon || Book Depository

 

In August, I purchased a brand new Kindle 3 and a Lighted Leather Cover to go with it.  I am very happy with both of my purchases so I thought I’d post my review of the Lighted Leather Cover here at Fiction Vixen.  My review was originally posted over on the Kindle Obsessed blog.

The cover:

I purchased the lighted cover in burgundy red. I was pleased to see that the color was represented well on Amazon and I didn’t end up with a color that looked significantly different from cover that is pictured. The leather is nice quality and the stitching is tight and even. The lining of the case is soft and I think it will wear well with normal use. What concerns me most about the construction of the case is the elastic strap that is used to hold the case closed when not in use. Even with average use I suspect it will eventually lose its elasticity and my cover will outlive the closure strap. I think Velcro closure might have been better but only time will tell. The new K3 is smaller and lighter than its predecessors and of course adding a cover to it will add some weight. However the cover is not overly bulky and I would estimate that the cover plus Kindle be slightly more than the weight of a paperback book. The added protection for the Kindle is worth a bit of extra weight for me. I like that the cover is flexible enough that I can fold it all the back for a more comfortable grip. You can use the elastic strap to secure the cover once it’s folded back but I don’t find it necessary.

The book light:

The book light is seated within the cover on the upper right-hand corner, tucked away when not in use. The Kindle is attached to the cover via two small brass hinges. This allows the light to be powered by the Kindle battery so no additional battery replacement is necessary. To use the book light, simply slide it out from the corner until you hear a click and the light will come on. If you forget and leave your light on, it will automatically turn off when your Kindle goes into sleep mode. Using the Kindle with the book light does drain the battery more than if you were not using the light; however I don’t think it’s so significant that I would prefer a book light powered by another source. I’ve read well into the night using the light starting at full charge and still had over 60% charge left the next morning. I read without Wifi and 3G turned on though. If you leave WiFi and/or 3G turned on, you will need to recharge sooner. Since the light is located in the upper right hand corner of the Kindle you will get the brightest light there but the Kindle is still fully illuminated all the way down to the lower left corner. I don’t find this to be a problem, I think the coverage is still good overall. The light arm itself is plastic and flexible. I’m certain it would snap if treated roughly however I think with normal usage it will be long lasting. The only problem I’m concerned with is bulb replacement. I don’t see any way to do it myself and there is no mention of it in the owner’s manual. The book light does have a one year limited warranty so I assume the light bulb would be covered however I am not totally sure on that. Something to consider before you purchase.

Price:

The lighted cover costs $59.00 USD as opposed to the non-lighted version that costs $39.00. At first I thought the lighted cover was a bit pricey but when you consider you’re getting a good quality leather cover for $39.00 and a convenient book light that does not require battery replacement for an additional $20.00 the price seems in line with what you’d expect to pay if you bought the items separately plus you get the added convenience of not having to pack the light separately. It goes where the case goes.

Overall:

I like the quality and convenience of the lighted case as well as the added protection for my Kindle. If weight is a big issue for you then you might want to consider a more lightweight cover perhaps made from a different material since this cover does add some weight. I don’t like a bulky cover and this cover and light work well for me. The screen illumination is good but not totally even. Again, this is not an issue for me since the entire screen is actually illuminated and I can easily read in the dark or near dark with it. I feel the lighted cover was well worth the purchase price and I’m happy with it overall.

Seducing the Duchess
by Ashley March
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Signet
Available: October 5th 2010
Genre: Historical Romance

Gambling. Carousing. Flirting. Charlotte, Duchess of Rutherford, will do anything to escape her painful marriage and force her husband to divorce her. But when Phillip, Duke of Rutherford, promises a divorce if Charlotte will help him become a better husband for another woman, she wonders if she really wants to lose him...

Reviewed by: Catherine

I have to be upfront and say that I am not this book’s target audience. I didn’t know this until I started reading, but within the first 16 pages it was glaringly apparent. I hate reading about cheaters. If I hear a book has infidelity I’ve learned to just skip it. Otherwise I usually spend the whole book pissed off. It is a rare day when I believe in the relationship after they’ve cheated on one another. It has happened a time or two though, I have to admit, but those I liked despite myself. On the other hand, I am nuts for second chance romance stories. I love watching people work out their problems after they’ve grown wiser. I love knowing that two people love each other enough to put themselves out there even though they know they’ve already been burned once.

I struggled through finishing this book. To be honest, the only reason I read the whole way through was because I have a little OCD problem where I’m compelled to finish. It drives me insane to not have resolution! I spend way too much time wondering what happened and if the book got better. It’s better for me just to grit my teeth and finish it. Yes, I know I’m weird.

My biggest problem with this book was Charlotte. I thought they were both pretty shabby people, but because of how the plot of the book was set up my ire was focused on her. Because Philip was trying to win Charlotte back he was much nicer than she was. He just took whatever she threw at him and kept trying. It actually made me feel really bad for him, even after I learned about their past together. He was like that dumb little puppy that kept trailing behind someone even though it had already been kicked multiple times. You just want to save it from itself, you know?

I’m pretty sure that I was supposed to be on Charlotte’s side. I think I was supposed to look at her behavior and think Yeah! Girl Power! but I didn’t. Philip’s wrong (and it was a really bad thing to do) did not excuse her behavior in my eyes. I can see how she got to that point, but that doesn’t mean I like her and want to read about her. Maybe if I had gotten to know her before her antics came into play? I might have ended up more sympathetic. As it was, it was really hard to like her when I spent most of the book disgusted by her behavior.

Charlotte used men. She was very upfront about using her looks and seductive presence to manipulate men. She flat out reveled in her power over them. Whenever she was in a tough spot she turned on the seduction and tried to control people with it. It was very off putting for me. I don’t like modern girls who use their sexuality as a weapon, why would I like it in a historical? I find it pretty shady, and it really makes me sad for the character. Her behavior to men everywhere makes her just as bad and manipulative as Philip was.

Her constantly turning on the sex kitten routine made her look pretty slutty because she did it to everyone. The book opens with Philip coming and peeling her out of some guys lap. Her insolent sex kitten act when he did so was not a good introduction for me. Then he tries to take her to their country estate and when they stop at an inn she runs in first. When he catches up to her she’s offering to strip for all the men in the place and even starts to before he stops her. This all happened by page 18, by the way. I’m sorry, but debasing yourself because you think it’ll hurt your husband is the dumbest thing ever. I’m sure it happens, but I don’t want to read about it!

Philip is really no better than Charlotte. I had more sympathy for him, and I finished the book pitying him, but he was the one who screwed his own life up. He was screwed over in the past, there’s no denying it. But his revenge was a really, really jerk thing to do. It was also illogical because he trapped himself too! I’m not surprised by the current plots he cooked up—although those are pretty dumb too. I really think he needs to hire someone to come up with some plans that actually have a chance of succeeding!

I can see why he was constantly scheming though. When he was upfront it still didn’t work! Charlotte was just so back and forth about him that it made my head spin. She would do the exact same things that he did—like try to make her jealous—but then when she found out, it was just more proof of him being a controller. Even though she did the EXACT SAME THING! I just really think these people would have been better off apart. There was one “big reveal” about Charlotte that I think was supposed to make me grateful and relieved by the truth. (I can’t specify because of spoilers!) It didn’t work. I just shook my head over it.

One thing that really bothered me is the way Charlotte behaved. She went around cursing constantly in public and making insulting obscene gestures toward Philip. I just find it hard to believe that a squire’s daughter and a duke’s wife would run around comparing his head to a “horse’s testicles” in public. At the end there was a slight mention of the “stodgy” members of the ton and the “self-righteous matrons” making her feel like an outcast for her behavior. I honestly think that she would be a pariah everywhere, not just with the sticklers. Especially when all of society knows she’s estranged from her husband, so being nice to her won’t win them any points with him. Maybe there were duchesses running around like that, I could be wrong.

Ignoring the characters and the plot… I see a lot of potential for the author. She had a smooth rhythm to her writing. Pages turned quickly for me, even when I was irritated. She also had quite a few funny one-liners. One of my favorites was on page 95:

"You must not stalk around the room--" "Stalk?" His brow wrinkled. "--as if you were a lion and everyone else is your prey." "Do you really think I stalk? I must say, that is quite a stroke to my ego. I assume I appear quite dangerous when I do it?"

There isn’t a very strong period feel at all, the setting felt kind of tacked on with no real depth. I believe people refer to those as “Wallpaper Historical.” But I’m okay with that! Not every book has to be like that. I enjoy a lot of books that would fall into that category.

 

Other reviews on GoodReads

Author's Website

Purchase Links: Amazon || Book Depository

Today I am chatting it up with Julie from Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks.

 

Hi Julie, welcome to Fiction Vixen. For those that do not know you, tell us a little bit about yourself and your blog.

Thanks for having me! I can’t wait to get started. This should be so much fun (and easy)!

Okay, a little bit about me and my blog. Hi, I’m Julie and I’m a book-a-holic. I’ve been married to my husband Jason for 8 years and I’m the mother of two young children. I also run a daycare from my home caring for 4 two year olds and three kids before and after school.

My blog is called “Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks”. I’ve been blogging since the end of May 2010. My blog is primarily a Book Blog focusing on Reviews of Romance and Urban Fantasy titles. My goal with my blog is to post something at least 6 days per week, but I can’t read quick enough to in order to post that many book reviews in a week. So, until I develop some new speed reading abilities and until the toddlers learn to change their own diapers, I post at least two book review per week and fill in the other days with either a reader question or some silly stuff I find online or some book related news or I write about my life’s quirks. Most of all, I try to make people giggle.

 

I love the name of your blog. Tell me, who is your all-time favorite ‘Yummy Man’ and ‘Kick Ass Chick’ and why?

Well, that’s easy enough. My all-time favorite ‘Yummy Man’ is my husband, Jason…LOL! Whoa…I almost got by with a straight face on that one. I would love to say that he is, but he’s just too…real.

For my favorite Kick Ass Chick, I’d say Kate Daniels from Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series. She’s fantastic and I want to be her when I grow up. She’s strong and sassy, yet real and relatable. Love. Now for the Yummy Man, I would have to say…crap, this is though. I have four that I just love to read and that make me giddy the moment they appear on the page. None are big surprises really. I love Curran (Kate Daniels series), Bones (Night Huntress series), Barrons (Fever series) and Valek (Study series). Now those are some yummy men.

 

What makes a book good for you? What are the essential elements that make a book stand out among the rest?

Humor and romance are my two biggest things. I read for entertainment but also to bring me places my real life won’t. So I need me some romance. (Okay, that may have come across a little wrong…) I also need great characters. Even if the premise of the story is sort of crap, if the characters are strong I’ll still chug through the book.

There are many reasons to love romance, but what turns you on/turns you off, figuratively speaking, when it comes to the romance genre in general?

I can tell you what turns me off. I don’t like it when the author sticks sex scenes just to make a book steamy. Yes, there is such a thing as too much pointless sex. (I know right?! Shocking.) Steamy scenes should be used to show the characters’ passion and feelings and they need to make sense! And the language. C’mon people! You don’t have to stick overly harsh words just to let the reader know you know them! I mean, you could be reading a beautifully written piece of descriptive prose, and suddenly out of nowhere the word c*nt is thrown in! Wtf?! It just ruins the moment.

Arrange the following in order of preference. Number one being your favorite: Contemporary, PNR, UF, Historical.

1. PNR, UF, Contemporary

2.

3.

4. Historical

What, no good? *sigh* fine. 1. This one is a tie between PNR and UF. 2. Contemporary and 4. Historical. I have a lot of trouble getting through historical titles. Don’t know why…but it’s always going to be at #4. (Sorry historical books…)

 

Clearly you are a romance/urban fantasy novel lover like me but is there any other genre that you like to dabble in when not reading about yummy men and kick ass chicks?

Not so much, no. I used to be a strict YA reader. I thought they would be lighter and easier to read than ‘grown up’ books. Boy was I wrong. YA is so depressing! But I still read Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy series because I started it back then and I’m curious to see where it’s headed. Also, I love Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunter world. So anything she writes about that (even if it is YA) I’ll read. I actually find that I have trouble getting into YA stories now. Apparently I need smex and chicks with guns in order to enjoy a story now! So, other than those two exceptions, I’m strictly a romance and UF reader now.

 

Do you recall your first paranormal romance novel? Do tell.

Okay, well his parents weren’t home and we took advantage of the situation. It took all of three minutes. Oh wait…that’s my first something else (and I’m totally kidding…it lasted 4 minutes). ;) Summer 2009. I had recently discovered Maria V. Snyder and wanted to read anything she wrote. I was telling my husband that she had a story in “The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance” but that I would never buy a book with that title. Well, Jason was tired of my talking about it so he went out and bought it for me (insert “Awww…”). I read Maria’s story first then I figured since I had the book anyways, I may as well read the rest of it. Well, the second story in the book was really cute then…holy frikin’ cow! There was sex in that story. Descriptive sex! I covered my eyes but my fingers refused to stay closed! The story was hot and I wanted more. Then I found myself a little sad when the next story didn’t have the sex in it. That experience convinced me that ‘sex books’ weren’t written by the devil but by creative writers who knew how to weave a story filled with complex yet realistic and passionate characters. So, I decided to give the romance genre a try. I had been eyeing a certain series of books and the only reason I had refused to give them a try was because of the titles and because they lived in the ‘naughty’ section of the book store. You may have heard of them? The Black Dagger Brotherhood? I ordered them online (because goodness knows I couldn’t go into the store and buy those books in person *shiver*) and was instantly hooked. Now, I’ve taken the stick out of my ass, shed my nun outfit and come out of my romance reading closet!

 

What about your first Urban Fantasy?

I know it’s listed in the romance category, but I find that Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress series is more Urban Fantasy. That would be the first books I read of that genre. But if you are a stickler and you need the name of a book that actually lives in the Fantasy section of the book store, then that would have to be Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels books. Not much of a story behind the ‘why’ for either of them really. I just looked online for a series of books that included paranormal aspects and got good reader ratings. They both received glorious reviews so I picked them up. Now I’m one of many who send their husbands to the book store the day a new title comes out in the series. The end.

 

What is your favorite book for 2010 so far? (I know I’m being unfair but only pick one)

OMG! You are the meanest person ever! Geez…it’s like asking me to pick my favorite pair of socks or my favorite page in the dictionary! *sigh* Okay…I guess my favorite book that I’ve read in 2010 that was published in 2010 would be “Double Cross” by Carolyn Crane. (And now I feel like I’ve betrayed all of the other books that I’ve read. Thanks Sophia *mumble grumble*)

 

Are there any new up and coming authors that you have read this year that you see giving the big guns a run for their money?

I have really enjoyed Kelly Meding, Carolyn Crane and Stacia Kane’s work this year. (Notice, all UF). Their world building and imagination have just blown me away. In the romance genre, I enjoyed what I’ve read from Zoe Archer. Her stuff is historical (go figure) but not the proper hoity-toity historical stuff. It’s action-adventure stuff, so I can get into it. Quite fun and sexy.

 

How many books do you typically read in a month?

My average is around 12 books per month. Sometimes a couple more and sometimes a couple less. It all depends on whether or not real life gets in the way of my reading. (Damn real life…*mumble grumble*)

 

Do you have a spending budget for books or do you say screw the bills, I need to get my read on?

I take care of the finances in my house, so I think I’d give myself a stroke if I ever said “screw the bills” lol. I’d like to say I budget a specific amount for books, but I don’t. But I don’t go crazy either. Jason and I have come to an agreement of sorts. Since I went years without buying anything for myself really, I get to buy books now. And if he wants to buy a video game, then that means that I automatically get a ride to the book store. Also, my friends and family know that if they are to get me a gift for any reason, they should get me a gift card for the book store. Is there a better gift than that, really?!

 

I’ve made no secret about my fear of the overstuffed book shelf. Are you a book hoarder or do you read and purge like me?

I have boxes in the basement where I keep the books that I will never read again or that I bought and then thought “what the hell was I thinking? I’ll never read this!” I love to organize my books (on the evenings when my husband isn’t around). I love organizing things and my books are all so pretty so I organize them often. Besides, I have to arrange them in a way that looks like I only have a few and not the dozens and dozens and dozens that I actually have. Must keep Jason from finding out the truth. (Oh and Jason, if you are reading this, all of the above is an absolute lie. I only have about 28 books in our room and the boxes in the basement don’t truly exist.*innocently batting eyelashes*)

 

Where do you store your keepers? Out in the Open? Locked Safe?  Thumb print security system with controlled climate and laser maze?

LOL Thumb print security system… Well, maybe when the kids get a little older and I have to hide my smut a little better, but for now they are in my book closet. It’s an armoire that lives in my room that used to house Jason’s work shirts back in the day when he had to dress up for work. His dress code has changed so now the armoire is mine. I put a bookshelf in it and voila! My book closet! Sometimes, I open it up just to look inside. It makes me happy. It worries Jason sometimes how I’ll just stare at my books for minutes at a time… *dreamy sigh*

 

You’re about to become stranded on a desert island with little hope of being rescued. Who do you take with you? Vampire, Demon, Angel, Fae, or Werewolf. Keep in mind your fellow castaway cannot assist in your rescue.

Wow, who knew you’d ask such thought provoking questions?! Well, I don’t think I’d go with the vampire seeing that, unless he is “anti-feeding on humans”, I’d be his only source of food. That’s probably not the greatest of ideas. And if I was stuck with an angel, I wouldn’t be able to curse. And I would really want to curse since I’d be suddenly stuck on a desert island. Fae are just too creepy and…creepy. A werewolf might kill me when the moon turns full. Not cool either. And a demon…well. If they are anything like the ones in Larissa Ione’s Demonica series, then hells yes! That would do quite nicely. Rawr…

 

And finally, the just for fun lightening round:

Snickers or Twix?

Twix. Snickers is nasty.

Sandals or Sneakers?

Sneakers.

Emo or Goth?

Goth (I’m picturing Jason’s face if ever I came home dressed in either…lol)

Batman or Superman?

Superman. Don’t know why.

Shaken or Stirred?

Pop the bottle.

Fantasy or Reality?

50/50

Call or Text?

Call (just because my cell phone is so ancient it can’t text).

Yummy Man or Kick Ass Chick

Kick Ass Chick. Wait…depends for what. ;)

So that’s it then?! Ok, cool. Whoa, I need an Advil…or a drink. Easy my ass! *mumble grumble* :p

 

That’s it!  See I told you I’d be gentle *g*  Thanks so much for stopping by today Julie, it was fun chatting with you.

 

You can visit Julie on her blog, twitter, GoodReads