Author Q and A with romance suspense author Rachel Brimble

author Rachel Brimble

Yes, that's right. I'm hosting Romantic Suspense author Rachel Brimble today. You can find our Q and A on my other blog, here. Oh, and did I mention? She's giving away a copy of one of her backlist books to one lucky commenter. So pop on by!

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Christmas event, Linda McLaughlin Regency Cinderella

This one's for the Regency Romance lovers. Author Linda McLaughlin's guest post is now up. You can see it here: http://wp.me/p1tw8T-t2

There's a giveaway involved too (and of course, Night Mistress Emcee sheenanigans. ;)) So do drop by.

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Apologies

In regards my last few reviews. I feel bad. They come off sounding caustic and dare I say it B*****. There' was a somewhat unexpected death in my family, last month, that has just thrown me completely for a loop and it's making me very touchy about things, and not able to tolerate much. Maybe it was wrong of me to even try to touch on those few books, but I felt obligated to the people who sent them to me to get them reviewed, and lucky authors, they fell right in the center of that tumultous time in my life. :(

So ....if apologies are needed then dole them out to everyone involved. I've actually had a few offers for reviews lately and I've had to ask them, "does this happen? Is your character like that? Then, sorry, no., It's going to slay me if I try to read it." So! That said, If I could pull down the last two reviews, I would (in fact, the Carrie Vaughn one's coming down--sorry Carrie, I'm so sorry.). The books really weren't that bad. They just hit me harder, than I think they should have. You should definitely give them a try.

As to the Examiner links, c'est la vie, I don't think I can do anything about those. :(  To those that have sent me stuff in the last year to review, if I haven't gotten to you, I'll keep trying, but if nothing comes out but caustic screaming, you won't see the reviews here from now on. Sorry. *sigh*

****
Candle above part of the Lost Romance kit by Scrap Dimensions.

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Q and A with historical romance author Virginia Henley

Also, if you are curious, I've just posted a Q and A with author Virginia Henley over at the Examiner. You can see that here.

Thanks and enjoy!

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Virginia Henley returns with an enchanting Irish Duke.

cover art by Gregg Gulbronson

The Irish Duke
by Virginia Henley
publisher: Signet

My review copy was given to me by Ms. Henley, herself--Thank you, Virginia! :)

NYTimes Best Selling historical Romance author Virginia Henley’s latest release, The Irish Duke, is a sprawling historical romance concerning a very stubborn English lady and a determined Irishman who wants her for his bride. Lady Louisa and James Hamilton, Duke of Abercorn, meet, so the story goes, when they are children, and good thing, as it seems to take their whole lives for James to convince Louisa of his suit. The stubborn Louisa’s problem, though, isn’t really with the dashing James, but more with her irrational fear of the pain of childbirth. So that her sister Georgina is a floosie, drives poor Louisa up the wall. When Georgina, not surprisingly, turns up pregnant, and Louisa tries to help her now-suicidal sister, the family confuses what’s really happened, and accuse Louisa of the inexcusable travesty of pregnancy. More shockingly, they think James is the father.

Knowing he’s not, thinking Louisa’s been used, he agrees to marry her, and moves her from England, to Ireland. So James roundaboutly gets what he’s been pining after all his life. However, the infuriatingly obstinate Louisa still refuses to give him her true love, and though they’re married, James’ work is far from done.


When he finds out the secret behind their quick engagement it only serves to convince him he just might be able to seduce his skittish wife. Can he? Well, you’ll have to read this one to find out.

In The Irish Duke, New York Times best selling author Virginia Henley presents a sweet story of the what-ifs behind the marriage of an historical couple, how they might have come together, built on a historiography that stretches from the just prior to the reign to Queen Victoria and into the 20th century. I enjoyed this one, but I swear she was so infuriating sometimes, I wanted to strangle her myself, so poor James, he must have been a saint to marry her, if this story has any truth to it! Hehe. All in all, it was a good read. Ms. Henley will be continuing the lives of this family in future books, so if Historical romance is your thing, you can’t go wrong here. You can find this at any Barnes and Noble or Borders, or online, at borders.com, barnesandnoble.com, or Amazon.com

My rating for this one?  Well,this one's a little complicated. I loved Ms. Henley's style, loved James, the setting and period were tantilizing and beautifully drawn....But I wanted to strangle Louisa and Georgina too. Maybe she meant me to feel that way, but still, I have to give it only a four and 3/4. If I'd loved Louisa, that would be five for sure, but...dang, Louisa, get a clue, woman! *laughs* (at least she did irl, right? ;) So, there you go. Enjoy!


*~*~*~*
Juli D. Revezzo has written the Victorian romance novel WATCHMAKER'S HEART. Check it out at Amazon.

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My latest release

Hi everyone,

My latest short story is now available. The very nice editor at the dark fiction/horror/dark fantasy zine Twisted Dreams Magazine just published my latest dark fantasy short story "Mother Blood Sky" in the October issue of her zine. Unfortunately it is not a free read, but hey. It's out there! If anyone would be interested in purchasing the issue you can find it in PDF format here, or in hardcopy, here. There are lots of other fantastic authors in the issue besides me, plus some interesting interviews and reviews.

Anyway, it's out and I'm tickled pink, so I thought I'd share.

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Joanne Rock review

OOps. I forgot I had this book, Double Play, up in my TBR slideshow here. Anyway, it's been an extremely bad week. :( But anyway, I've got the review for this one up now, and you can see it here, at my other blog. Enjoy.

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My guest post at Writing Magick

Hi folks. *blush* Well, a little more business..... I just wanted to let y'all know, if you're at all interested, I have a little ole guest post today over at Debra Glass and Elissa Wilds' blog, Writing Magick.

All about my writing, the short stories, what fires my imagination and so forth. if you'd like to read, it's here. Enjoy!

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Burning Up and Meljean Brook's new Iron Duke novella

Here There Be Monsters

by Meljean Brook

A novella available in the Burning Up paranormal Romance anthology

published by Berkley Sensation

cover art:Vladmir Wrangel, Kellie L. Folkert, Ferrin (all Shutterstock)

review copy sent to me by Velvet of VVB32Reads and Ms. Brooks.

In "Here There Be Monsters", a novella in the Burning Up paranormal romance anthology, author Meljean Brook has just released a steampunk novella about Ivy, a Blacksmith a young woman living in a slightly skewed version of our world during the Victorian age, a world where the mysterious Horde was just beaten back by “The Iron Duke”, but things aren’t quite normal in Ivy’s world, she is desperate to leave London and so approaches Mad Machen, a pirate captain, who she has little idea has been pining away for her love, all these years. He promises to take her anywhere she wants to go—for a price. Her, in his bed.

Well, Ivy’s not about to agree to that, and she runs.


Two years later, Mad Machen and crew find Ivy in a Norwegian town, tending to the town’s automatons, and he kidnaps forces her to build a steel kracken and to sleep in his bed. She isn’t fond of either prospect. But all she can really refuse is what he’ll do to her in his bed, by bargaining with her last few coins to keep her virginity. But, as they travel back to England, Ivy begins to realize that she’s falling in love with the tough ole pirate (as if the fact that she’s more than once offered to help him with his squeaky old mechanical leg isn’t enough?), just as Machen becomes soft enough to decide to let her go.


Will they come to their senses and admit they’re *ahem* made for each other? You’ll have to read to find out.


This is just a (very hot) taste of the new world Meljean Brook has created for her forthcoming Steampunk Romance series, The Iron Duke, the first novel of which is due out in October, and it is a hot story, and an intriguing world, filled with steam-powered machines, automatons, nanobots, old rickety pirate ships (she even throws in zombies)--heck, what's not to love there?
 My rating? The story was intriguing, and the world, very well drawn, so ....



If you’re interested, "Here There Be Monsters", or any of the other interesting reads in Burning Up the book can be purchased through all the usual venues (Amazon, Barnesandnoble.com, borders.com) Do check it out!

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Meg Cabot's Insatiable introduces a quirky vampire love story

Insatiable
by Meg Cabot
Publisher: Harper Collins
cover art: Harper Collins/Ricky Mujica/Mumtaz Mustafa

My review copy was graciously provided by the fine folks at Harper Collins.

Longtime readers know I get all giddy and fangirly about Meg Cabot, so this review should be no surprise. Her latest release, Insatiable, will be a little bit of a surprise to her regular readers. Herein she has decided to take her quirky heroines in an altogether new direction, with the introduction of Ms. Meena Harper, who spends her dreary days as a script writer for a popular soap opera, Insatiable, pining away for the love she writes about, and lusting after a particular red Marc Jacobs tote bag, with a diamond encrusted dragon emblazoned on its surface, and sharing an apartment with her brother, and her steadfast little canine companion, Jack Bauer.

Aside from her own ability to predict the manner of someone’s death, she doesn’t believe in the supernatural, and barely registers the news that girls have been turning up dead in Manhattan parks, with bite marks on their necks, other than to wonder if she predicted any of those deaths—because she can.

Then her bosses at the network decide they want to add something to Insatiable’s story line to spice up the ratings: vampires.

Meena can’t stand the idea.

But all these niggling worries pale when she meets a real live prince, one Lucien Antonescu, who deftly saves from her an attack of (wait for it) bats. Though he would feel better, for her own safety, if Meena remained ignorant of his existence, the two keep getting thrown together, and the inevitable ensues: Meena is soon in love with Lucien and vice versa.

But how will she take it when she learns the truth, that he’s not just a professor of Romanian history, in Manhattan to attend a friend’s lecture? That yes indeed, he is a real live prince, all right. . .

(wait for it)

That he is, in fact, the prince of vampires? In the middle of a vampire war, of which those bats were just one volley?

And how will Lucien keep Meena from ending up the next woman to turn up dead in the park? Killed by his vampire enemies?

And oh, good lord, how will they both, ever keep from (God forbid) *gulp* falling in love?

Well, I'm not telling. ;) You'll have to read it for yourself.

If you have at all been following my blog for any length of time, you know that I am a big Meg Cabot fan, I always look forward to a new Meg title. While it's different than anything one might expect from Ms. Cabot, while it could seem she’s jumped on the Vampire bandwagon (and I admit, I wondered why she would), it is different than most those popular right now, in that her contribution harkens, if you will, back to the original vampire love story: Dracula. No these bad boys don’t sparkle. Not a bit! But Meg Cabot's prose does, as ever.

Also, Ms. Cabot has added just enough history of Vlad the Impaler, to flesh out her vampire tale, and of course the quintessential Meg Cabot flavor is here. All serve to make this another entertaining read—even her vampire hunters are clever, witty, and, well, damn it, I’ve said it before of her, and I say it again, all her characters have some quality that make them downright endearing. but … I warn you, this is no Twilight. Lucien has a dark side to him, and could give Edward a run for his money, I think--but girls, I dare you not to fall for Lucien. I did, and I hope there will be another volume in this story, but if not. I’m happy all the same with Meg’s latest offering. If you are looking for a different spin on the vampire genre, do give Insatiable a look. :)

My rating for this one? Well, since this one goes on my keeper shelf, without doubt: 

You're not surprised, are you? ;)

If you'd like to, you can find it at Amazon, barnesandnoble.com or borders.com, (or if you like you can get it through my amazon store here) and of course any of your local versions of these stores should have a copy. Enjoy!

(There's another version of this review up at my Examiner pages if you'd be so kind as to give it a hit. :). You can do so here. Thanks!)

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Leigh Duncan debuts with a stormy love story

The Officer's Girl

by Leigh Duncan

Publisher: Harlequin American Romance

cover art copyright: Harlequin Enterprises, LTD

review copy purchased via Turn the Page bookstore (online version)

Debut Harlequin American author Leigh Duncan’s debut novel The Officer’s Girl, sees a Ohio native, Stephanie Bryant moving to Cocoa Beach, Florida to accept a position as Space Tech's head of Human Resources. The only problem? The day she moves in a hurricane heads straight for Cocoa Beach, and the whole town is evacuating. All but Stephanie, who has no idea the storm had any chance of coming ashore.

Enter Cocoa Beach policeman Brett Lincoln who, when he tries to explain this to the feisty brunette, can't get a word in edgewise for the first ten minutes. Rightly flabbergasted by what Brett has to tell her, she high-tails through evacuation traffic to Orlando, meets and rides out the storm with some of Brett's best friends. From there, Brett and Stephanie keep running into each other, and it seems fate is definitely at work as the two quickly move from combatants to friends, into a Relationship with one another. But, can they weather each others' foibles? Or will the end up tangled up in Hurricane Arlene's wreckage? You'll have to read to find out.

I had the privilege of attending Ms. Duncan's workshop when she visited a meeting of the Tampa Area Romance Authors back in October of last year, and so I couldn't pass up the chance to purchase The Officer’s Girl when she participated in a group signing with author Roxanne St. Claire and others at Nora Roberts' Turn the Page bookstore. It was well worth the price, in my opinion, as it is an endearing first effort, the minor characters (particular Tom's twin girls) so adorable.

In fact, my favorite line in the whole book comes from them. P. 203. When the toddler Barbara sees Brett cradling a young boy he'd help around a picnic that day, Ms. Duncan wrote this adorable line: "...Barbara scrambled out of her seat and onto Brett's lap, framing his face with her two little hands. "No Unca Brett, No boys." *giggle* Just so adorable! So my rating for this one:

Since Harlequins don't stay on the shelves long a reader might not be able to purchase this one at any local stores (I could be wrong); but if you'd like to try it out, you can definitely find it at the Harlequin website here, or at Amazon, or Books-a-Million, or Barnes and Noble. If you like sweet romances, you will not be disappointed Leigh Duncan's The Officer’s Girl.

(As usual, a slightly different version of this is up over at my Examiner pages. if you wish to give it a click you may do so here. Thanks! :))

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Paula Quinn introduces some Ravishing Highlanders

Ravished by a Highlander

by Paula Quinn

cover art: Franco Accornero

review copy provided for my review by the fine folks at Grand Central Publishing

In Ravished by a Highlander, the first book in the new Children of the Mist series by Paula Quinn, the author introduces the reader to the MacGregor clan, by way of the dutiful Rob. He and his companions are on the way home from a raid when they run across a set of thugs attacking an abbey. Stopping to assist a severely wounded soldier, he learns these men are truly after only one novice nun: a young woman by the name of Davina Montgomery. Rob saves the helpless young maid, and decides to accompany her to safety.

But the girl only serves to puzzle him. Why would Protestant troops attack an abbey? Why would that dying soldier imply Davina was so incredibly important? Why won’t Davina tell her whole story, explain why she seems to know so much about English politics, and particularly, King James?

Davina’s got big issues, and even bigger secrets. The fact that she’s falling in love with Rob as they traipse across the landscape—erm, travel back to Rob’s mountain home, only serves to complicate matters. I won’t give away her secrets; you’ll have to read the novel to find out what she’s all about.

I have to be honest, you know by now I have issues with “historical” laced novels (sometimes lots of  bite my tongue, yell at the author for their mistakes, issues), and this one was no exception--except that it didn't bother me all that much.Yes, I know you'll be shocked to hear that.  But I really, really enjoyed Paula Quinn’s Ravished by a Highlander very much. The relationship between Davina and Rob, the plethora of loveable secondary characters, and What Might Happen to Davina and Rob, were very compelling. Some bits even made me laugh (when Colin and Finn’s names appeared for the first time, I had to wonder, did Ms. Quinn ever watch the WB/CW TV show Gilmore Girls?).

All in all a fine read, and I look forward very much, to the forthcoming sequel, Seduced by A Highlander, about Rob's brother Tristan. (Although, I really hope Ms. Quinn is considering novels starring Colin and Will!) If you love historical romance, I think you will enjoy Paula Quinn’s Ravished by a Highlander. So my grade for this one? mm....

As always, if you’d like to try this title out, it can be found at any of your nearby bookstores, or online at Amazon, barnesandnoble.com, borders.com or booksamillion.com.

Oh, yes, there's another version of this review over at my Examiner pages, if you care to give it a click? Please feel free, and thanks so much! Enjoy the read.

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Carolyn Brown’s latest is one to love

 I Love This Bar
By
Carolyn Brown
Review copy provided by Sourcebooks.
Cover Art credit: RandeeLadden/Nevil Elder/Corbis; Sophielouise/Dreamstime.com

In Carolyn Brown’s latest contemporary romance release from Sourcebooks, I Love This Bar, she sets the stage in a small bar in Texas. The bar, known as the Honky Tonk, is run by a young woman named Daisy O’Dell who has nothing else on her mind than catering to her boisterous and quirky patrons. Then she trips into a newcomer named Jarod McElroy, and her whole, well-ordered world is set on its ear. While they are immediately attracted to each other, Daisy doesn’t want to get involved with anyone, content on running the Honky Tonk, and keeping her life as is. Jarod on the other hand, has come down to Texas to care for his ailing Uncle Emmett, who is suffering the effects of what may or may not be Alzheimer’s Disease (or just plain old age orneriness), and has really no time for any sort of relationship.

All that aside, Daisy and Jarod can’t keep their minds strictly on their own personal visions of the future. No, all they can think about is each other and that tangle they got into on the floor of the Honky Tonk. Daisy’s friends Chigger (yes, like the bug) and Daisy's cousin Cathy, and even Jarod’s nosy, ornery Uncle Emmett, aren’t any help, as they keep doing everything they can to play Cupid. When it succeeds, Daisy and Jarod aren’t really complaining—a fling’s not a bad thing, after all, is it? When Daisy really starts musing on things (the possibility of picking up her whole life and moving to Jarod’s hometown in Oklahoma, leaving the Honky Tonk to the whims of the badgering Billy Bob and his twin brothers) and when Jarod’s family find out about his affair with a *gulp* bar maid, things could get ugly.

All in all, I Love This Bar is a cute, quick read—think Urban Cowboy meets Cheers, and you get the idea. Though I’m sure some astute students of the genre might nitpick on her style, the story was, this reviewer thought, quite enjoyable (and I thank the folks at Sourcebooks for allowing me my review copy). Carolyn Brown peppers it all with the charm of the south, hot cowboys for you romance lovers to drool over, and plenty of atmosphere—and music. Lots and lots of country music references. So if you love all of the above, or even just a good contemporary that will leave you smiling, and looking forward to the sequel being released next month, this is the book for you. And if you’d like it, you can get a copy at your favorite local bookstore, or online at Amazon, borders.com or barnesandnoble.com

my score for this one? Given all the elements that made me love this one, despite the few technical things I noticed in it (that I don't think a non-aspiring writer would notice), despite not being hip to a few of the songs Ms. Brown referenced throughout the book, I did love it. So, I have to give it five pearls. :)


If indeed you do decide to check it out, I hope y'all will love this cute little novel too. Enjoy!

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