I’m reading PROTECTOR by Catherine Mann. It’s a very fast paced romantic suspense. I’m enjoying it, but not loving it.
What are you reading this week?
Whatcha Reading Wednesday
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Paranormal Blog Tour Review and Giveaway
This week I have a giveaway from Forever Romance. I’m giving away both books to one lucky winner. Read below to see more about the books along with my mini-reviews of both.
TO ENTER:
Leave a comment with the title of the last book that you loved. US addresses only, please. Make sure to check to see if your name is chosen.
Additional entries can be gained through the following:
- Follow me on twitter: www.twitter.com/thebookgirl and tweet the link to this post with the tag #bookgirlgiveaway
- “Like” me on facebook and post what book you are reading this week on the wall: http://www.facebook.com/therealbookgirl
- Comment on the other posts this week
Contest runs through 3/4/12 at 5pm cst.
About the book:
WHEN NIGHT FALLS
After her fusband’s tragic death, Leigh Kelly arrives of Whidbey Island determined to start over. Yet the tiny town of Chimney Rock is not as peaceful as it seems. Women have been disappearing, and Leigh can’t shake the feeling that she’s being watched…especially at night. Soon, she’s experiencing visions she can’t explain and fighting her attraction to a handsome stranger who seems to know her most intimate desires.
PASSION TRANSFORMS THEM
As the leader of the Team, a pack of werehounds forced to hide their very existence, former special ops soldier Niles Latimer is desperate to prove a man’s hear beats beneath his predator’s body. And Leigh – the mysterious beauty possessing powers she doesn’t yet understand – may be the one woman who can help him. But Niles isn’t the only one who recognizes Leigh’s true identity. Something evil is waiting in the woods – and the hunt has begun…
DARKNESS BOUND just didn’t work for me. I couldn’t get into the rhythm of the author’s writing and the story just jumped a bit too much for my tastes. I really liked Leigh, but felt that there wasn’t much connection between her and Niles. My favorite characters were the animals – Jazzy, Blue (who is really Sean another werehound) and the tiny cat Skillywidden. They added light moments to the story. I’m not sure if I’ll read this author again.
the book girl gives DARKNESS BOUND a 2/5
About this book:
Once a generations, the rift between the paranormal world and the human world opens, allowing supernatural entities to cross. Vampire, demon, or shapeshifter, they can save the world – or send it spiraling into chaos.
Half-demon, half-human, Nix de la Fuente is accepted by neither and mistrusted by both. Determined to prove she’s more human than not, she devotes herself to solving crimes between the world’s mortals and its most unsavory undead. But her latest case brings her face to face with the one vampire she could never resist…
Called in to investigate a string of violent murders, special agent Tobias Caine isn’t interested in rekindling his relationship with Nix. Yet one look and the vampire knows his need for her is as strong as ever. Once, their all-consuming passion nearly cost Nix her fragile hold on her humanity. Now, as their hunger for one another intensifies, exposing them to an unimaginable danger, it could cost them both their lives.
I am a little on the fence about KISS OF THE VAMPIRE. I enjoyed the story and tolerated the characters, but I had trouble with the world the story is set in. Every 73 years there is a rift and vampires, demons and other preternatural beings are allowed to cross over into our dimension. However, to stay they have to kill someone and take over their body. I didn’t care for this part and it made it hard to find Tobias to be a good guy. He was a killer. The story starts out very slow with lots of world-building, background and info dumping. The book didn’t hold my interest until the second half and then I was just hoping for a HEA for Nix and Tobias. I will read the next book in the series, hoping that it explains some of the question’s I was left asking about the world and the other dimension.
the book girl gives KISS OF THE VAMPIRE a 3/5
Review: A PERFECT STORM by Lori Foster
About the book:
He never saw her coming…
Spencer Lark already knows too many secrets about Arizona Storm, including the nightmare she survived and her resulting trust issues. But in order to expose a smuggling ring—and continue avenging his own tragic past—the bounty hunter reluctantly agrees to make Arizona a decoy. Yet nothing has equipped him for her hypnotic blend of fragility and bravery, or for the protective instincts she stirs in him.
Arizona wants to reclaim her life, which means acting as bait to lure the enemy into a trap. Sure it’s dangerous, especially with a partner as distractingly appealing as Spencer. But as their plan— and their chemistry—shifts into high gear, Arizona may discover there’s an even greater risk in surrendering her heart to a hero….
I loved the previous Men Who Walk The Edge of Danger books and was anxiously awaiting Arizona and Spencer’s story. I loved Arizona – she is written with such a tough outer shell and a very vulnerable inside. Everyone is pulled into her circle and she slowly builds herself a family without being aware that she is doing it. I really liked the brother/sister aspect of her relationship with Jackson, Dare, and Trace. They are willing to do anything for her. Arizona undergoes a huge transformation during the book, but doesn’t change who she fundamentally is. She is still tough and has a need to stop human trafficking, but she also has a softer side and has learned about real love. Spencer is fantastically alpha. I loved how he was a big, bad bounty hunter and yet he could still be so very gentle with Arizona. He doesn’t push her into anything or make her talk about things she doesn’t want to talk about. I also loved how he was able to deflect the attention from Arizona when she was having a hard time dealing with something. He made himself the center of attention instead of her. The plot of this book was great and although I thought I knew who the bad guy was I was thrown for a loop at the end. I loved it! I can’t wait for more books in this series and from Lori Foster.
the book girl gives A PERFECT STORM a 5/5
to find the book:
Whatcha Reading Wednesday
I’m reading A PERFECT STORM by Lori Foster. I’m more than halfway in and absolutely loving it. Arizona and Spencer are a fantastic couple. I can’t wait for afternoon kid pick-up today so that I can get some more reading done.
What are you reading this week?
Review: BELIEVE IT OR NOT by Tawna Fenske
About the book:
This second quirky romantic comedy from Tawna Fenske features nice, normal accountant Violet McGinn, forced by a twist of fate to combine her accounting business with her mother’s psychic readings service. Bad enough she doesn’t believe in psychic powers-now she never knows whether a client needs a tax return or a crystal ball. And then there’s her infuriating, unconventional, and sexy new neighbor, nightclub owner Drew Watson, who might just be her perfect match…
This. Book. Is. Hilarious. I laughed so many times while reading. There is also lots of chemistry between Drew and Violet. I loved the quirkiness of the story and the secondary characters like “Dude” and Moonbeam. They helped move the story along and helped Drew and Violet see what they really wanted. The hero and heroine’s professions add so much to the story. Drew owns a bar that has male strippers two nights a week. Violet is an accountant who is filling in at her mother’s psychic business. BELIEVE IT OR NOT is a great light contemporary romance that will have the reader laughing and falling in love with a psychic accountant and her strip club owner.
the book girl gives BELIEVE IT OR NOT a 4/5
to find the book:
Books I’m Excited to Read
I was working on my book buying budget this morning and thought I would post a list here of the books that I’m buying and can’t wait to read. Here’s my list for Late February/March/Early April:
- BETRAYAL by Christina Dodd
- TAKING A SHOT by Jaci Burton
- THE REVENGE OF LORD EBERLIN by Julia London
- THE DUKE’S PERFECT WIFE by Jennifer Ashley
- CELEBRITY IN DEATH by J.D. Robb
- PARIS IN LOVE by Eloisa James
- A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME by Sarah MacLean ($4.99 on Kindle!)
- BLAME IT ON BATH by Caroline Linden ($4.99 on Kindle!)
- MORE THAN ONE NIGHT by Sarah Mayberry
- CAUGHT IN THE SPOTLIGHT by Jules Bennett
What books are you looking forward to in the next month??
Review: HOW TO DANCE WITH A DUKE by Manda Collins
About the book:
What’s a wallflower to do when she’s suddenly in need of a husband? Use all the pluck and moxie she can muster to get what she wants…
Miss Cecily Hurston would much rather explore the antiquities of Egypt than the uncharted territory of marriage. But the rules of her father’s exclusive academic society forbid her entrance unless she weds one of its members. To clear her ailing father’s name of a scandalous rumor, Cecily needs to gain admission into the Egyptian Club—and is willing to marry any old dullard to do it.
Lucas Dalton, Duke of Winterson, is anything but dull. He’s a dashing and decorated war hero determined to help Cecily—even if that means looking the other way when she claims the dance card of Amelia Snow, this season’s most sought-after beauty. But Lucas has a reason for wanting Cecily to join the Egyptian Club: His brother went missing during one of Lord Hurston’s expeditions to Egypt. An alliance with the explorer’s bluestocking daughter could bring Lucas closer to the truth about what happened…or it could lead him to a more dangerous love than either he or Cecily could have imagined….
I absolutely loved this debut historical romance. Lucas and Cecily’s relationship is so fantastically written. They argue, they kiss, they have misunderstandings, and then most importantly they have their very own happily ever after! What drew me in to this book was the dialogue – I loved the conversations between Lucas and Cecily. I also liked the way Cecily confided in and hatched schemes with her cousins (I can’t wait for their stories). There were several places that I highlighted in my kindle because I loved the passage so much. Like this one where Lucas has just complimented Cecily, but she isn’t used to receiving compliments and tries to laugh it off:
“I believe they see me as something out of the common way and are diverted by the novelty of conversing with a sensible creature for a change. They certainly are not doing so because they find me attractive. I am and Ugly Duckling, after all.”
“I bed you pardon, Miss Hurston,” he replied, shaking his head as if in sorrow for what he was about to say. “But as a gentleman…as a man,” he corrected himself, “let me be the first to inform you that you are utterly, splendidly wrong.”
Several times throughout the story Lucas makes sure that Cecily knows how beautiful her finds her body and her mind. He is truly swoon-worthy.
The plot revolves around an expedition to Egypt that resulted in the disappearance of Lucas’s younger brother and a terrible illness in Cecily’s father. Lucas and Cecily team up to find out exactly what happened. There are several twists and turns and the mystery kept my attention to the very end. I can’t wait to read more by this author – this book was simply fantastic.
the book girl gives HOW TO DANCE WITH A DUKE a 5/5
to find the book:
Whatcha Reading Wednesday
I’m reading HOW TO DANCE WITH A DUKE by Manda Collins. I AM LOVING IT!! The writing is excellent and I’m adoring the relationship between Cecily and Lucas.
About the book:
What’s a wallflower to do when she’s suddenly in need of a husband? Use all the pluck and moxie she can muster to get what she wants?
Miss Cecily Hurston would much rather explore the antiquities of Egypt than the uncharted territory of marriage. But the rules of her father’s exclusive academic society forbid her entrance unless she weds one of its members. To clear her ailing father’s name of a scandalous rumor, Cecily needs to gain admission into the Egyptian Club-and is willing to marry any old dullard to do it.
Lucas Dalton, Duke of Winterson, is anything but dull. He’s a dashing and decorated war hero determined to help Cecily-even if that means looking the other way when she claims the dance card of Amelia Snow, this season’s most sought-after beauty. But Lucas has a reason for wanting Cecily to join the Egyptian Club: His brother went missing during one of Lord Hurston’s expeditions to Egypt. An alliance with the explorer’s bluestocking daughter could bring Lucas closer to the truth about what happened?or it could lead him to a more dangerous love than either he or Cecily could have imagined?
What are you reading this week?
Happy Valentine’s Day
Happy Valentine’s Day! Sorry for the lack of posts lately. My son turned 9 this weekend and we were very busy! I’m hoping to get back to blogging on tomorrow.
Whatcha Reading Wednesday
I’m stalled…I finished THE CAPTURE OF THE EARL OF GLENCRAE (which I loved) then read a few Harlequins that had downloaded on the first. Now I can’t decide what to read next. I’m debating between HOW MISS RUTHERFORD GOT HER GROOVE BACK by Sophie Barnes and PROTECTOR by Catherine Mann.
What are you reading this week?
