Month: November 2009

Review: Christmas Spirit by Amy Garvey (New Author Challenge)

38223529 From the back of the book:

Snow on the roofs and wreaths on the doors and chains on the tires…isn’t Christmas in New England wonderful? But Charlotte Prescott is too busy taking in super-sexy reporter Sam Landry to notice the nip in the air. Make that the nip in the air alternating with the scorching heat that rises whenever she and Sam are alone together. Charlotte would be happy to forget the supernatural third wheel who seems to be staying for the season in the quaint old house she inherited. It is real. Someone’s slurping down all the good eggnog. And something is drawing Charlie and Sam together under the mistletoe – not to mention everywhere else. Happy holidays!

This book worked for me on some levels and not on others. I loved the relationship being built between Charlie and Sam, but could have done without the ghosts. What seemed like it should be a major plot point, Charlie’s house being haunted, was really a very little part of the book. It set up the reason for Sam and Charlie to meet, but that was about it and the resolution happens so quickly that I almost missed it. I thought the book was just okay and not really what I expected it to be.

the book girl gives CHRISTMAS SPIRIT a 3/5

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Review: The Foundling by Georgette Heyer

42503876 From the back of the book:

The Duke of Sale is out to prove himself

The shy, young Duke of Sale has never known his parents. Instead, his Grace Adolphus Vernon Ware, Gilly for short, has endured twenty-four years of rigorous mollycoddling from his uncle and valet. But his natural diffidence conceals a rebellious spirit.

A Mysterious beauty provides the perfect opportunity

When Gilly hears of Belinda, the beautiful foundling who appears to be blackmailing his cousin, he absconds with glee. But he has no sooner entered this new and dangerous world than he is plunged into a frenzy of intrigue, kidnapping, adventure, and surprises at every turn.

This book is fantastic. I liked the fact that the book didn’t focus on the heroine, but upon the hero – Gilly. Gilly grows into his own and comes out from under the thumb of his family. Belinda is a nice secondary character, but a bit light on development. Heyer’s books are ones that can be read over and over while still being enjoyable. THE FOUNDLING will definitely have a place of honor on my bookshelf.

the book girl gives THE FOUNDLING a 5/5

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING

funny_thanksgiving_card-p137019889715204108qqld_400 I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. We’ll be spending the day driving to Norman for Thanksgiving with my family. Tomorrow the hubby and I will get up too early to do some Christmas shopping and having a birthday party for the girl who turned 5 last weekend. Saturday we are going to the OU vs. OSU bedlam game (Go Pokes)! It will be a very tiring three day trip, but a lot of fun.

I won’t be posting anything new until Monday, because my grandparents don’t have wi-fi.

Do you have any fun plans for Thanksgiving??

Winner of Fabulous Friday – Glee

Sorry I didn’t announce the winner on Sunday. Real life got in the way and I haven’t been online much.

The winner of the Glee Soundtrack is…

Twitter ID – @alexnzoe

Please email or DM me with you address.

Sorry!

I promise to post the winner of the Friday contest tomorrow.

Saturday Video

I’m getting a little bored with the books trailers on Saturdays, so for the next several weeks I’ll be posting music videos.

This week it is MEET ME HALFWAY by the Black Eyed Peas. I saw them in concert with U2 in October and they were amazing live. So fun of energy and they sounded great. I think this video is a lot of fun! Anyone else a Black Eyed Peas fan??

Fabulous Friday!

In honor of my daughter’s 5th birthday on Sunday, this week’s Fabulous Friday giveaway is for one of her favorite new things. She is really into music and while we have to listen to the usual – Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, etc – she also really likes the music from the show GLEE. So, I’m going to give away the GLEE Volume #1 to a lucky commenter.

Contest runs through 5pm on Sunday the 22nd. US addresses only and the winner has 7 days to claim their prize! Also you can earn an extra entry by tweeting the following – Fabulous Friday – Glee Volume 1 #thebookgirl

Review: Tempted All Night by Liz Carlyle

34016457 From the back of the book

A mysterious deception…

an unstoppable desire.

Lady Phaedra Northampton is a proper English miss – but burdened by a dark secret. She’s buried her shame in running her wealthy brother Lord Nash’s household while hiding behind a sharp wit and dull wardrobe…until a reckless village maid’s disappearance pulls her into London’s seedy underworld.

A former mercenary and jaded spy-for-hire, Tristan Talbot, Lord Avoncliffe, now does little, and manages to do it scandalously. Though Tristan’s an out-and-out rogue, when his dying father begs him to delve into the secrets behind a notorious brother – a perfect task for his talents! – Tristan can’t refuse. Is the brothel a front for a notorious Russian spy ring? Tristan is on the hunt – until his path collides with the oh-so-tempting Lady Phae.

Soon what should be a simple assignment becomes deliciously complicated…when deception and desire lead to an explosive passion – and deadly foes!

I put off reading this because I was not a fan of the last trilogy (Never Lie to a Lady, etc), but I really liked this book. It was wonderfully written and surprisingly emotional. At first, Tristan got on my nerves. I could tell there was more to the character and wanted to get past all the man-whore stuff. Once that was over I totally fell in love with him. Phae was harder to understand. I won’t give it away, but it wasn’t until she tells Tristan about her past that I understood her motivation. There were several plots/subplots to this story and I think that is why I liked it so much.

the book girl gives TEMPTED ALL NIGHT a 5/5!

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