Wedding of the Season by Laura Lee Gehrke

I read this for the Summer 2011 prompt book with "Bride", "Groom," or "Wedding" in the title which is #11.


Wedding of the Season by Laura Lee Gehrke 3 Stars. It took forever. Or seemed to. The constant clashing the hero and the heroine did got on my nerves. It was a old love trying to get rekindled storyline and the hero did things to get the heroine riled up which kind of annoyed me too. He's determined to get her back but only after he realized she was going to marry someone else. I did like parts of the story though. I liked their struggle with their past. She felt he didn't love her enough to stay in England, he felt she didn't love him enough to go with him to Egypt. It ended nicely but there was just something about this book that just didn't move me. I was neither tickled nor teary-eyed enough I guess. I will give her another go but if that one is average I might just pass her over. Anyone read anything by her that was fabulous?

See my long drawn out review on my blog here

When Harry Met Molly by Kieran Kramer

For my #4 Challenge (A Name in the Title), I read When Harry Met Molly by Kieran Kramer.  
Lady Mary Fairbanks - Molly to her friends - is in trouble. She had planned to elope to Gretna Green with her father's archeological partner, Cedric. Cedric is somewhat unromantic, lackluster...but she digresses...anyway, Cedric is currently rocketing down the road in a coach and four with a lightskirt...not his "intended" new bride leaving her in the somewhat dubious company of her childhood foe Lord Harry Traemore.



Lord Harry Traemore is somewhat shocked to discover the delectable Fiona on her way to Gretna Green with a stranger. Not that Harry wanted to marry Fiona, of course, but he needed a mistress to enter The Most Delectable Companion Contest that he must win each year to avoid marriage by Royal Decree. Now he's stuck with Molly Fairbanks - the most annoying, stubborn...but he digresses. The point is, he needs a mistress, and he needs one now...but can a false mistress, in other words Molly, help him when he thinks no one can?


I really enjoyed this story and give it 5 stars. The characters were extremely likeable and sweet and the plot was fast

Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

#2-Spooky read for Halloween:

This 4th installment in the Kate Daniels urban fantasy series was very good, but not her best-the biggest problem is the author dragged out the story about 40 pages after the "battle climax" of the story, when she could have wrapped up the afterward in 10. This book is still good enough for me to recommend though.

4 stars

The Woman in Crimson by Kathryn Meyer Griffith

For my #2 challenge (a spooky story), I read The Woman in Crimson by Kathryn Meyer Griffith. Adrian and Caroline Stone run a bed and breakfast called Willowind. It's a very popular place until the murders of several former guests of the inn. For centuries, Lilith Roselle had lived in Willowind a recluse, creating demonic art and only emerging at night to drink the blood of terrified townspeople. During the Civil War, Lilith met and fell in love with a Confederate soldier - Jedidiah Smithy, and he with her. They lived as husband and wife for a peaceful year until Jedidiah disappeared. Centuries later, a distraught Lilith is awakened by the death of Caroline's father when at his burial one of her statues is destroyed.

Her vampiric wraith begins to haunt the inn attacking everyone except Adrian - who is the reincarnation of her lost love, Jedidiah and whom she is desperate to have return to her. The one person Lilith doesn't count on is Caroline and the fact that Caroline will fight for her husband and Willowind with everything within her.

I loved this story and thought it was appropriately eerie for the season. I give it five stars. Kathryn Meyer Griffith is perhaps one of my favorite authors and in my opinion can be counted on to serve up a good horror story.

A Note From an Old Acquaintance by Bill Walker

For my #3 challenge (contemporary romance), I read A Note From an Old Acquaintance by Bill Walker. I received a copy from the publisher and my review is above. It's available in e-book as well. I give it 5 stars.

The Falcon And The Flower by Virginia Henley

7. Author's first or last name, OR any word in the title, begins with an 'A' for August-The Falcon AND The Flower by Virginia Henley

The Falcon And The Flower

Virginia Henley

Medieval Romance,1989, 470 pages

Synopsis:

Promised to him in marriage, she vowed not to surrender her body or her soul.

AN ANGEL WITH HELLFIRE IN HER HEART

Astride her white palfrey, surrounded by a nimbus of silver-blonde hair, Jasmine was a vision to strike a man mute with desire. But the violet-eyed love child of King Richard's half brother had vowed that no man would ever rule her heart. Until she saw the face of the Devil himself in her crystal ball -- the dark, brooding knight who would kill to make her his own. She would risk a dissolute court and a maddened, lustful king to keep destiny at bay, anything to keep her from the hypnotic eyes and burning caresses of... THE FALCON

A BLACK KNIGHT WHO VOWED TO MAKE HER HIS WIFE

A wickedly handsome warrior who lived by blood and the sword, Falcon de Burgh wanted to wed no woman -- until he laid eyes on the exquisite Jasmine, and he vowed to possess her, to teach her all the wondrous ways a man could love a woman, no matter what it might take to conquer her fiery, unyielding heart. Falcon knew only blind, reckless passion as he swore to tame, at the risk of his life... THE FLOWER.

My Review:


A great old school"bodice ripper" 80's historical romance. The hero, Falcon, is way alpha male and the heroine, Jasmine, is pretty much a stubborn twit who continually gets into scrapes that the hero must rescue her from. All that being said-the back story of King John and the machinations of his court were such that the book was still quite enjoyable.


This book would have been 5 stars if not for the stupidity, stubbornness, and just plain bit@hiness of the heroine. The book constantly goes on about her "exquisite, flaxen beauty" and the heroine uses that to manipulate most around her. The most unusual, and implausible thing, is that, even though Jasmine is supposedly a skilled white witch, she has virtually no knowledge of the marriage act and is literally terrified of bedroom relations for over two thirds of the book? She actually cringes when the hero touches her! The hero is crazy about her but at several points he wonders why he puts up with her abuse.

 And yes-he does strike her a couple of times in the book-after her selfish antics put many others in jeopardy and in one instance almost get a man killed. While I don't at all support violence-this heroine was SOO selfish and mean spirited she almost makes ME want to slap her-LOL!

 I give props to Virginia Henley's writing that she can make two leads who are VERY unlikable but still weave an interesting story in spite of them. This is my first Virginia Henley and I hope that most of her heroines are not dingbats like Jasmine, if so I'll skip those books as she is cringe worthy.


3.5 stars.

Belinda Goes To Bath by Marion Chesney

12. A book with 4 or more words in the title-Belinda Goes To Bath by Marion Chesney

Belinda Goes To Bath

Marion Chesney

Regency, 1991, 155 pages

Synopsis:

The delightful Miss Pym returns to the English countryside in search of adventure and romance in distress.

With her infallible wisdom and charming demeanor she corn steer even the most misguided of hearts back on course!

No sooner does Miss Pym board her next stagecoach than she finds herself embroiled in the plight of Miss Belinda Earle, a spirited heiress banished to Bath after swearing off the marriage mart!

When the coach founders near Baddell Castle, and the dashing Marquess of Frenton comes to the rescue, Miss Pym decides to give fate a hand! Although the austere bachelor disdains romance, his furtive glances toward Belinda prove to Miss Pym that her expert matchmaking will soon turn this star-crossed couple into a heavenly match!

My Review:

Belinda Goes To Bath is another great installment in The Travelling Matchmaker series. It's fun to see Miss Hannah Pym, the 30 something former servant, who, after inheriting  a modest income from her deceased employer, goes on her dream travel, via the stage coach all about England.

In this installment, Miss Pym's fellow rider that she takes under her wing is Belinda, who is forced to ride the coach, with her companion, to Bath, to cover up a "scandal". After a coach accident, the coach riders are forced to house at the hero's home, the Marquess of Frenton. A series of comedy of errors, scandals, and machinations develop-keeping the hero and heroine apart and Miss Pym on her toes.

4 stars-recommended.

Wind Warrior by Cynthia Roberts

For my #4 challenge (Reader's Choice), I read Wind Warrior by Cynthia Roberts. This is Cynthia Roberts' debut novel.

Leslie Michaels has suffered much in her young life: death, destruction and pain are all that seem to come to her through mysterious visions that have lasted all her life. Also prevalent in her dreams are visions of a handsome Native American warrior. Escaping from an insane trapper intent on having her for himself, Leslie runs into the forest and runs into the man from her dreams - Winnokin - a war chief of the Seneca tribe on a vision quest.

Winnokin is shocked to discover such a beautiful white woman who played such a large part in his vision there in the forest. Leslie is badly hurt but is convinced that her path and Winnokin's are meant to cross, she is not afraid when Winnokin takes her to his home and desires to marry her after her adoption by his people. Leslie and Winnokin endeavor to overcome many obstacles, but will the actions of a jealous woman threaten to tear them apart forever? I enjoyed this story immensely and give it five stars!

Irish Enchantment by Kathryn Fox, Candace McCarthy, and Jean Wilson

Read For:

9. Captive!!! Read a book where the hero or heroine are held captive by the hero or heroine (Jean Wilson's story).

Synopsis:

Three stories explore the magic and mystery of a land steeped in legend and lore . . .

Irish Enchantment, an anthology written by the following authors:

1. Kathryn Fox - "Irish Roses."
   A stranger appears at the door of an English woman and tries to convince her that their destinies are entwined . . .
2. Candace McCarthy - "The Bride Price."
   A newly married couple let pride keep them from admitting their deep love for each other . . .
3. Jean Wilson - "Irish Wildfire."
   Sparks fly as a spirited Irish patriot kidnaps an English nobleman to ransom a magical harp . . .

My Review:

Three Irish Historical Romance stories. 
Kathryn Fox's Irish Roses was the best-5 stars. 
Candace McCarthy's story was not good, I quit it forty pages from the end. 
Jean Wilson's story was very good at first but the heroine turned a bit "TSTL" at the end, so I give it 3 stars. 
Overall, I give Irish Enchantment 3 stars.

Bewitched By Love by Desjardien, Holbrook and King

Read for: 1. Read an anthology

Bewitched By Love

Zebra Regency Anthology Holiday Special

1996, 380 pages

Teresa Desjardien, Cindy Holbrook and Valerie King

Synopsis:

A TIME OF SORCERY, ROMANCE... AND THE MAGIC THAT IS LOVE

All Hallows Eve ...a night when the impossible happens...when Regency castles are filled with mystery and intrigue...when costume balls in elegant mansions may lead to passionate surprises ...and when ladies and gentlemen of the ton find themselves falling under a spell that may be other-worldly. Or as close as their own hearts ...in these three delightfully mysterious tales...

Teresa DesJardien's The Haunted Bride is the second Lady Healey who has just wed a nobleman whose first marriage ended in tragedy...and whose seductive embrace could bring danger--or the love of a lifetime. In Cindy Holbrook's Love's Magic, a young sorceress meets her destiny in a handsome highborn Duke who is promised to another...a union only the powers of true love can prevent. Valerie King's The Vampire Rogue pairs a charming rake with an heiress, whose newly acquired castle is the setting for a masquerade ball ...and where the resident vampire has his own plans for eternally joining these unlikely lovers.

My Review:

Of the three stories there was one good one, one OK one and one stinker. The Cindy Holbrook story, was the best-I loved the hero and heroine, and the heroines silly, scatterbrained witch Aunties. The last story, King's A Vampire Rogue, started well, but I didn't like the way the hero wanted to make the heroine his "conquest" and his mistress through most of the story. The first, Desjardien's Haunted Bride, was just not good, couldn't finish that one.

So I'd give The Haunted Bride 1 star, Love's Magic 4 stars, and The Vampire Rogue 2.5 stars. Overall, it was interesting to read a traditional Regency with supernatural storylines, but I'd only suggest Bewitched by Love if you can get it cheap or free.

3 stars.

Dangerous Highlander by Donna Grant

I read this book for #10 Read a book that is a Cabin/Road Romance most of the book the characters were holed up into a castle not able to leave.


Synopsis courtesy of Shelfari....


First in a breathtaking new series, the bold and passionate Lucan MacLeod—one of three brothers cursed by dark magic for eternity—is driven by desire for the one woman he dare not let himself possess… He is magnificently strong—and dangerously seductive. One of the fiercest of his clan, Lucan MacLeod is a legend among warriors, inspiring fear in man and woman alike. For three hundred years, he has locked himself away from the world, hiding the vengeful god imprisoned in his soul. But then, a young lass caught in a raging storm awakens his deepest impulses…and darkest desires. Cara doesn’t believe the rumors about MacLeod castle—until the majestic Highland warrior appears like a fiery vision in the storm, pulling her into his powerful arms, and into his world of magic and Druids. An epic war between good and evil is brewing. And Lucan must battle his all-consuming attraction for Cara—or surrender to the flames of a reckless, impossible love that threatens to destroy them both…



My Thoughts....

I love paranormal books. I love historical romances. Having both in the same book makes Christina a happy girl. Among a sub genre that is filled with vampires and werewolves I love when I read a book that is altogether different. Somewhat similar to Gena Showalter's Lords of the Underworld....Lucan and his brothers all house a god inside their bodies. Grant does a great job of explaining how and why this all happened. I am not going to go into it because, well, I think you should read the book.



What I liked....
The Bothers. Knowing that danger and evil were coming, they felt that Cara should learn to protect herself. Realistically they knew she would not have a chance against others like themselves (men with gods) but there were other creatures that she could defend herself against, so they taught her how to fight. In many other historical romances you find the Alpha male simply stating "I will protect her." Lucan is an Alpha male but it was refreshing to read a book where the men were realistic enough to know that they might be able to protect the women at all times.



Also, we are introduced to additional warriors with gods that I am sure will end up with their own books. One in particular had an intense hatred for Cara based on her ancestors. I found him completely fascinating and even now am not sure if he is a good guy or a bad guy.



What I didn't like... I thought that the connection with Cara and Lucan was not there at first. Sure Grant wrote it that way but I was not a believer until after Cara's training started. That's it. I really have nothing else that struck me not quite right with the book.



Overall, a great read. 4.5 Stars! I am very much looking forward to the next book that is out soon. It is Fallon's story, Lucan's older brother. I can't wait to read it!

Heart of Stone by Jill Marie Landis

I've been reading mostly supernatural books so far, but back in April I read an Advanced Readers' Copy of Heart of Stone by Jill Marie Landis. I read it for my challenge #6 (Read a Western). I gave it five stars. The link to my blog is above.

Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Challenge: Cabin/road romance (they spend part of the book on a road trip together)

Rating: 5 ♥

Review: Gracie Snow is supposed to escort ex-football star Bobby Tom Denton to the set of the movie that he is very very late to film. Bobby Tom is bound and determined to drag his feet and take his time getting there, but he didn't count on a tenacious wallflower like Gracie. She will do whatever she needs to do to get his gorgeous butt there and save her job. And she will fall in love with her charge along the way....

There are so many things about this book I loved, I just don't know where to start. It's a little odd I loved it so much. What kind of name is Bobby Tom? What is WITH his fashion sense?? Yuck! Why does Gracie need to be plain to start?? And yet, I loved Bobby Tom so much I graciously overlooked his atrocious name and flashy apparel because how could you NOT love him? He's just so outrageous in the most adorable way. And Gracie! Poor dear! You really feel for her. She feels so boring and plain, but with the help of a makeover she starts to feel pretty for the first time ever! This book just had so much heart and emotion and it was just plain old fashioned FUN!! And I just adored the secondary romance between his mom and the town "bad guy". It was almost sweeter than the romance between Bobby Tom and Gracie. But not quite. I could just go on and on, but I'll stop now. Clearly I am keeping this one

Stranger in my Arms by Lisa Kleypas

Challenge: readers choice

Rating: 5 ♥

Back cover:

"Lady Hawksworth, your husband is not dead."

With those words, Lara's life turned upside down. Hunter, Earl of Hawksworth, had been lost at sea. Or so she'd been told. Their unhappy marriage—with its cold caresses and passionless kisses—was over. But now a powerful, virile man stood before her, telling secrets only a husband could know, and vowing she would once again be his wife in every way. While Lara couldn't deny that this man with smoldering dark eyes resembled Hunter, he was attentive and loving in ways he never was before. Soon she desperately wanted to believe, with every beat of her heart, that this stranger was truly her husband. But had this rake reformed—or was Lara being seduced by a cunning stranger?

Review: I LOOOVED this book. It was not quite like anything I have read before. I thought it was wonderful and romantic and I enjoyed seeing Lara grow her backbone back and learn to love her husband. But not her husband. How confusing. hahaha! I thought Hunter (but not Hunter) was really sweet and endearing. This is one of those books where as you're reading you think 'how sweet', but in the back of your mind you know that in real life it would actually be a little creepy that this guy who is clearly NOT her dead husband comes to take his place. Still, it's not hard to love this story. I do sort of wish we got to know more about the new Hunter, but the author just decided that we should only know him by his new identity. We learn just enough about who he was, but clearly we are meant to look forward and not behind. I do so love a Kleypas novel!

Wind Rider by Connie Mason

Challenge: read a Western
Rating: 4 ♥

Review: Hannah, an indentured servant from Ireland, escapes her abusive master running into the wilderness, and gets herself captured by Wind Rider, a white man raised by the Cheyenne. When she saves his life after he is injured, he decides to take her back to his camp. But this is a turbulent time for the indian nation, and the "white eyes" are looking to extinguish them all. Hannah falls in love with Wind Rider (aka Ryder, his birth name) and agrees to marry him, while also trying to convince him that he needs to return to the white world and try to help his Cheyenne people from that side.

I enjoyed this romp. It was a fun 90's style romance, which is really my favorite era for both books and music. It moved along at a good clip and kept my attention.