Archive for the Category &raquo;Contest &laquo;

GIVEAWAY: This week I’m giving away one copy of RED’S HOT COWBOY - Winner’s choice of a kindle version or a printed book.

To enter:

Leave a comment on this post. 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 9/4/11 at 5pm cst.

Category: 5/5, Contemporary Romance, Contest, review copy 8 Comments

Aug

Giveaway and a Question!

IN BED WITH THE HIGHLANDER

I always wonder what books other readers are looking forward to. I always find something I want to read when I ask the question, so this week our Monday giveaway is for a $10 amazon gift certificate in return for letting me know. To enter just leave a comment with the book or books you are looking forward to this fall. Same rules as usual apply and will be posted at the end of this post.

Here are the top 4 books I’m most looking forward to this fall:

100415996 The number one book I’m looking forward to this fall is NEVER ENOUGH by Lauren Dane. I absolutely love this series and can’t wait for Adrian’s story. NEVER ENOUGH will be released on Sept. 6th.

About the book:

ALL THE RIGHT NOTES…

Gillian Forrester spent most of her life running from who and what she came from. Until Miles came along. From the moment she held the tiny newborn her older sister didn’t want, Gillian stopped running and began to build a life for herself and her adopted son. Now, thirteen years later, as Gillian’s sister lay dying, she reveals the father’s identity and makes Gillian promise to find him.

Adrian Brown is the epitome of the successful rock star. He’s seen and done it all, with few regrets. It takes a lot to shock him–but the bombshell that he has a thirteen-year-old son rocks his world. And Adrian is even more surprised when the buttoned-up, elegant woman who’s raising Miles snags his erotic and romantic attention.

The last thing Gillian expected was to find herself getting hot and heavy with a person like Adrian. But as much as she wants to open up and give herself fully to this amazing man, she’s afraid the secrets of her past and Adrian’s problems with trusting people may keep them apart for good. If love isn’t enough can they find the trust they need?

97591801 Next on my “must-read” list is the Highlander trilogy by Maya Banks. These books release back-to-back starting on August 30th.

About the books:

Ewan McCabe, the eldest, is a warrior determined to vanquish his enemy. Now, with the time ripe for battle, his men are ready and Ewan is poised to take back what is his—until a blue-eyed, raven-haired temptress is thrust upon him. Mairin may be the salvation of Ewan’s clan, but for a man who dreams only of revenge, matters of the heart are strange territory to conquer.

The illegitimate daughter of the king, Mairin possesses prized property that has made her a pawn—and wary of love. Her worst fears are realized when she is rescued from peril only to be forced into marriage by her charismatic and commanding savior, Ewan McCabe. But her attraction to her ruggedly powerful new husband makes her crave his surprisingly tender touch; her body comes alive under his sensual mastery. And as war draws near, Mairin’s strength, spirit, and passion challenge Ewan to conquer his demons—and embrace a love that means more than revenge and land.

SEDUCTION OF A HIGHLAND LASS (9/27)

About the book:

Fiercely loyal to his elder brother, Alaric McCabe leads his clan in the fight for their birthright. Now he is prepared to wed for duty, as well. But on his way to claim the hand of Rionna McDonald, daughter of a neighboring chieftain, he is ambushed and left for dead. Miraculously, his life is saved by the soft touch of a Highland angel, a courageous beauty who will put to the test his fealty to his clan, his honor, and his deepest desires.

An outcast from her own clan, Keeley McDonald was betrayed by those she loved and trusted. When the wounded warrior falls from his horse, she is drawn to his strong, lean body. The wicked glint in his green eyes ignites a passion that will follow them back to Alaric’s keep, where their forbidden love draws them deeper into the pleasures of the flesh. But as conspiracy and danger circle closer, Alaric must make an impossible choice: Will he betray his blood ties for the woman he loves?

97591813 NEVER LOVE A HIGHLANDER (10/25)

About the book:

Caelen McCabe’s young, reckless heart nearly destroyed his clan. Now, putting family loyalty above all else, he steps up to marry his older brother’s jilted bride and salvage the uneasy alliance between two clans. While beautiful Rionna McDonald is a fit wife for any man, Caelen trusts no woman, especially not this sweet temptress who torments him with white-hot longing.

As the sacrificial lamb in her father’s power game, Rionna will do her duty but vows to protect her heart and her pride from humiliation. Despite everything, though, the heat in Caelen’s touch melts her defenses, and she craves the sensual delights of a husband who guards his emotions as fiercely as his clan. But when the ultimate battle for the McCabe legacy is upon them, Rionna’s true warrior spirit emerges. She will risk the wrath of her father, the fury of her enemies, and her life to prove to Caelen that his wife’s love is too precious to lose.

There are lots of other books I’m looking forward to, but these four are at the top of my list. Which book are you looking toward the most?

CONTEST:

To enter:

Leave a comment on this post. 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 8/28/11 at 5pm cst.

Category: Contest, Reading 23 Comments

Aug

Blog Tour and Giveaway: CONFESSIONS OF AN IMPROPER BRIDE by Jennifer Haymore

94866172 About the book:

TWICE TEMPTED

Serena Donovan left London six years ago, her heart broken and her reputation ruined by devilishly handsome Jonathan Dane. Now, with her family’s future in peril, she reluctantly agrees to return to England and assume her late twin’s identity. The price? Marry a man she doesn’t love and spend the rest of her days living a lite.

Jonathan Dane, Earl of Stratford, has become an incorrigible rake - drinking, gambling, and trying to forget Serena Donovan. Yet the moment he’s introduced to the prim and proper “Meg.” he recognizes the sensual young woman who captured his heart. Haunted by his past mistakes, he refuses to lose Serena again. But convincing her to trust him is no easy task. Claiming his lost love means exposing the truth and destroying the life Serena has sacrificed everything to rebuild. With the future of all the Donovans at stake, and their undying passion capable of triggering yet another scandal, how much will Jonathan and Serena risk for a chance at true love.

Another fantastic historical romance from Jennifer Haymore. CONFESSIONS OF AN IMPROPER BRIDE is a story about second chances and true love finding its way. Serena/Meg is a great character. She is doing something that she knows isn’t right, but does it for the greater good. She is sacrificing herself to a loveless marriage for the benefit of her younger sisters and mother. It is hard to find fault with her reasoning. Jonathan Dane is also a fantastic character. After cutting Serena out of his life and hearing that she died, he becomes a complete rake. He gambles hard, seduces women, and tries very hard to be a bad man. However, he is doing all of this out of hurt and grief. These two go through a very rocky road to their happily ever after, but when they finally achieve it is perfect. I can’t wait to read more in this series!

Extra: There is a very cute twitter feed for Jonathan, the Earl of Stratford.

The twitter name is: http://twitter.com/EarlofStratford

the book girl gives CONFESSIONS OF AN IMPROPER BRIDE a 5/5

to find the book:

THE VAMPIRE NEXT DOOR Winner!

CONTEST:

GIVEAWAY: Enter to win one of three copies of CONFESSIONS OF AN IMPROPER BRIDE

To enter:

Leave a comment on this post. 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 8/14/11 at 5pm cst.

Category: 5/5, Contest, Historical Romance, review copy 8 Comments

Aug

Review and Giveaway: THE VAMPIRE NEXT DOOR by Ashlyn Chase

Announcing the winner of THE VAMPIRE NEXT DOOR completely slipped my mind yesterday. It was my 10th wedding anniversary and my husband and I went on a fantastic dinner date and he gave me an anniversary band that matches my wedding band.

Anyways - the winner is:

Alison

Please email me at carrie@thebookgirl.net with your information!

Category: Contest 2 Comments

Aug

114071898 From the back of the book:

How does a vigilante vampire…

Undead Sly just hasn’t been the same since he lost the love of his life many years ago. He devotes his vampire powers to maintaining a nice safe neighborhood, until a chipped fang undermines his confidence - and leads him to a beautiful witch who awakens Sly’s long-forgotten desires.

Hook up with a witch who’s afraid of the dark…

The charming Morgaine has spells to cure everyone’s problems but her own. Her intense phobias keep her in her shell, until she gets to know tall, dark, and brooding Sly. Just when these two unlikely lovers think they might find a cure for both of them, their deepest fears are realized, and suddenly they see their last hope for a “normal” life slipping away…

Like the other books in this series, THE VAMPIRE NEXT DOOR is so much fun. I loved the romance between Morgaine and Sly. I was hoping from the beginning that they would be paired together. They interact very well together and their relationship is sweet and as uncomplicated as a relationship can be between a witch and a vampire. Morgaine is an interesting character - her fear of the dark and agoraphobia - makes her world very small. Sly’s world isn’t as small, but is very limited too. Most of the book takes place in their apartment building. I love how the author made this very small setting so full. There is a cast of characters that come and go that keep the plot moving. I really enjoyed getting a glimpse of the couples from the previous two books.

the book girl gives THE VAMPIRE NEXT DOOR a 4/5

to find the book:

Review and Giveaway: BLACK TIES AND LULLABIES by Jane Graves

GIVEAWAY:

To enter: Leave a comment on this post. US addresses only, please.

Additional entries can be gained through the following:

Follow me on twitter: www.twitter.com/thebookgirl
“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 8/07/11 at 5pm cst.

Category: 4/5, Contest, Paranormal Romance, review copy 7 Comments

Jul

100069046 From the back of the book:

A good girl can be bad for one night…

Bernadette Hogan doesn’t make mistakes. Not when it comes to caring for her mother, and not at her job protecting Texas’s most eligible - an infuriating - bachelor. Maybe that’s why she’s overcome with guilt after one tiny indiscretion: a passionate fling with him that’s left her confused, intrigued…and pregnant.

but can a bad boy be good for a lifetime?

To self-made millionaire Jeremy bridges, women are like fine wine: if held for too long, they sour. but one wild night with Bernadette changed all that. She makes him laugh, she makes him think, and soon she’s going to make him a father. For the first time, Jeremy wants to be a one-woman man. So how can he convince the fiercely independent Bernadette he’s ready to change from partying playboy to dependable dad - and become the loving husband she deserves?

I loved this book. The banter between Jeremy and Bernadette is hilarious and their romance is both funny and sweet. I loved the way they are complete opposites - she is a tough bodyguard and he is a playboy. The surprise pregnancy brings them together even though they both didn’t have faith that Jeremy could be a good father. There is no mystery to solve or misunderstanding to overcome in this book, the plot is the couple finding their way to happily ever after. BLACK TIES AND LULLABIES is sweet contemporary romance that is an almost perfect romance.

the book girl gives BLACK TIES AND LULLABIES a 5/5

to find the book:

GIVEAWAY:

To enter: Leave a comment on this post. US addresses only, please.

Additional entries can be gained through the following:

Follow me on twitter: www.twitter.com/thebookgirl
“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 through7/31/11 at 5pm cst.

Category: 5/5, Contemporary Romance, Contest, review copy 10 Comments

Jul

BLOG TOUR and GIVEAWAY!

mckeequinnwelftour-416x143 This week’s giveaway is for a set of historical romance books from Forever! Three winners will get a package with LADY OF SEDUCTION, TAMED BY A HIGHLANDER, AND TEMPTATION OS A HIGHLAND SCOUNDREL. I’ve read all three and they are great.

To enter:

Leave a comment on this post. US addresses only, please.

Additional entries can be gained through the following:

Follow me on twitter: www.twitter.com/thebookgirl and tweet a link to this contest 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 7/24/11 at 5pm cst.

About the books:

89299526 LADY OF SEDUCTION by Laurell McKee

It’s a mad, ill-advised journey that leads the usually sensible Lady Caroline Blacknall to the legendary isle of Muirin Inish, off the windswept coast of Ireland. Even so, she doesn’t expect to find herself shipwrecked and then rescued by a man she believed she would never see again. A man who, long ago, held her life in his hands . . . and with it, her heart.

Reformed rake Sir Grant Dunmore knew he could never forget the beautiful woman he once endangered nor will he ever forgive himself. But history seems doomed to repeat itself, for as long as Caroline stays on the island, she is trapped in a secret plot that could forever free Ireland-or turn deadly for all. And yet, now that she is in his arms again, how can he dream of ever letting her go?

My mini review: I love this series and love Caroline’s book. A fantastic read and wonderfully written.

TAMED BY A HIGHLANDER - Paula Quinn

A LOVER’S PROMISE

Connor Grant left his first love in the Highlands, vowing to return after serving in the king’s army. Seven years later, he is still fighting for the crown, and his victories are legendary - both in the battlefield and in the bedroom. Yet he’s never forgotten his bonnie lass. and he certainly never expected to see her amidst the splendor of the British royal court: beautiful, breathtaking, and tempting him past the point of no return.

A LADY’S DESTINY

The night he left, Mairi MacGregor banished Connor from her life forever. Now her heart belongs only to Scotland. As part of a secret alliance, she journeys to London in search of information…only to find herself face to face with the one man she swore she’d never trust again. Though Mairi’s body still craves Conor’s touch, she can’t forgive his betrayal. But a traitor lurks in their midst and to protect her beloved Highlands, Mairi must make a leap of faith and join forces with Connor - even if it means losing her heart to him again.

My mini-review: That Connor is one sexy highlander. Mairi got on my nerves a little, but by the end I enjoyed her character as well.

TEMPTATION OF A HIGHLAND SCOUNDREL - Sue-Ellen Welfonder

Three proud warriors locked in a struggle for vistory…Three beguiling women united in their vow to restore peace…A thrilling new trilogy from award-winning author Sue-Ellen Welfonder.

Despite an official peace decreed by the king after a fierce battle between neighboring clans, old conflicts smolder in the Glen of Many Legends. Kendrew Mackintosh, chieftain of his clan, is famed as both a hot-blooded warrior and a sensual lover. He has no intention of settling down…until he kisses a forbidden beauty whose passion matches his own.

Highborn and gently raised, Lady Isobel Cameron has long harbored a secret fascination for the fearless, charismatic Mackintosh leader - even though her brother is his sworn enemy. When destiny draws Isobel and Kendrew together for one night, she discovers a secret tenderness Kendrew can no longer hide. Unable to resist her deepening desire, she surrenders to his seductive touch. but what begins as a flirtation soon becomes a fight for survival. A deadly new threat has come to the Glen, and Kendrew and Isobel must learn to trust one another - or pay the ultimate price.

My mini-review: I love the tension in the book. The sexual tension between Isobel and Kendrew is off the charts. I also loved how they learned to believe in their love and each other.

Category: Contest, Historical Romance, review copy 18 Comments

Jul

Oops! Winner announced!

Review and Giveaway: SAVOR THE DANGER by Lori Foster

In all my 4th of July excitement I forgot to announce the winner of ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE AND SEDUCTION.

The winner is: karenk

Please email me at carrie@thebookgirl.net with the email you would like me to send the book to.

Category: Contest 5 Comments

Jul

100839642 From the back of the book:

THE ONE WOMAN HE COULDN’T HAVE WAS THE ONLY WOMAN HE DESIRED…

She may be aloof, and more pretty than gorgeous, but Alani Rivers is the kind of woman a hot-blooded mercenary can’t forget, no matter how hard he tries. So when Jackson Savor wakes up next to the naked, sleeping beauty - with no memory of what happened - he knows he’s been drugged…even if Alani doesn’t.

After she was kidnapped. Alani vowed never to trust another man again. Still, something about this strong, sexy hero with the tender touch makes her want to believe him. As Jackson hunts down a mysterious intruder, he swears he’ll move heaven and earth to keep Alani safe. But what really happened that night? And will the truth bring them closer than they ever thought possible - or put Alani squarely in harm’s way again?

SAVOR THE DANGER, the third book in the Men Who Walk the Edge series, is an fun and fast ride. I enjoyed the romance between Alani and Jackson. I loved the way Jackson woke up in the beginning not knowing what had happened between him and Alani. She held the power as she told him all of the things they had done together. Other than that once instance though, I felt that Alani didn’t have much of a backbone. There were a couple of instances where I thought she was going to stand her ground, but she always backed down and did what Jackson, Dare, or Trace wanted her to do. I also didn’t care for the fact that we didn’t know who the big bad was until the very end. I wish that we would have known who they were up against like we did in TRACE OF FEVER. Jackson was fantastic. His laid back behavior was so different from Trace and Dare. I enjoyed how each man was unique and how they were alike. His relationship with Arizona was an interesting insight into who Jackson really was. I liked that we got to see all of his sides. The addition of Arizona and Spencer was great. I can’t wait for their story. Even though I didn’t care for a couple of things, I did thoroughly enjoy this book and can’t wait for more.

the book girl gives SAVOR THE DANGER a 4/5

to find the book:

GIVEAWAY:

To enter: Leave a comment on this post. US addresses only, please.

Additional entries can be gained through the following:

Follow me on twitter: www.twitter.com/thebookgirl
“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 through7/10/11 at 5pm cst.

Category: 4/5, Contemporary Romance, Contest, review copy 15 Comments

Jun

THE SOLDIER Winner