Monthly Archives: May 2013

Down London Road (On Dublin Street #2) by Samantha Young-A Review

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Down London Road (On Dublin Street #2) by Samantha Young-A Review and Giveaway

Down London Road

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

DOWN LONDON ROAD (On Dublin Street #2) by Samantha Young

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 7, 2013

Johanna Walker is used to taking charge. But she’s about to meet someone who will make her lose control….

It has always been up to Johanna to care for her family, particularly her younger brother, Cole. With an absent father and a useless mother, she’s been making decisions based on what’s best for Cole for as long as she can remember. She even determines what men to date by how much they can provide for her brother and her, not on whatever sparks may—or may not—fly.

But with Cameron MacCabe, the attraction is undeniable. The sexy new bartender at work gives her butterflies every time she looks at him. And for once, Jo is tempted to put her needs first. Cam is just as obsessed with getting to know Jo, but her walls are too solid to let him get close enough to even try.

Then Cam moves into the flat below Jo’s, and their blistering connection becomes impossible to ignore. Especially since Cam is determined to uncover all of Jo’s secrets even if it means taking apart her defenses piece by piece.

••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: DOWN LONDON ROAD is the second storyline in the contemporary romance series On Dublin Street by Samantha Young. Although this is the second novel in the series, and most of the characters from the first storyline are present and play secondary roles in this particular novel, Down London Road can be read as a stand alone without too much difficulty. There are a few references to events from On Dublin Street, but Samantha Young blends the information so that the reader is not totally lost and grasping for purchase.

From the outset, we learn that our heroine Johanna is a down on her luck, hard working twenty something woman who knows what it is in life she wants. Working two jobs to support her alcoholic mother and younger brother, Johanna has made some poor choices when it comes to the men in her life. Looking to escape the poverty and lower class stigma, Johanna’s relationships have all been with men who are no strangers to money, wealth and prestige. But at a recent art exhibition with her boyfriend Malcolm, Johanna will be introduced to Cameron MacCabe, who is more than willing to call it like he sees it. And to complicate matters, her best friend sees through Johanna’s relationship choices and the men in her life, as well. And it doesn’t help when Johanna’s lack of self-esteem takes everything Cam says to heart.

Cameron was and is a giant a$$ through much of the storyline until he accidently discovers the truth behind Johanna’s troubled life both present and past but that does not excuse his behavior and lack of respect towards the woman with whom he is falling in love. With both Cam and Johanna in relationships with other people, part of the storyline is spent with the couple dancing around each other’s attempts to ignore the elephant in the room. Their attraction to one another is immediate, the sexual tension is tight, but Johanna has a hard time forgetting that Cam equates her to a whore who will spread her legs for money-every time.

Johanna has spent much of her life protecting her younger brother Cole ensuring that he is safe, fed and loved. Sacrificing her own education, we learn about the hardships and struggles befalling Johanna throughout her life and she is reluctant to ask for help fearing rejection and a broken heart; but there will come a point when she finally needs help, and true to her belief, betrayal and heart break will follow. I shed a few tears at this point, knowing how badly damaged her already fragile self-esteem had developed, but to come face to face with her worst nightmare, only made the trauma that much more painful. This is a contemporary romance storyline, so a happily ever after will follow but not before some damage and issues of trust must be addressed.

There is one soul who deserves a HEA and I am hoping Samantha Young will give Malcolm a chance at love. He did not deserve to lose the woman with whom he was falling in love, but if not for that, there would not have been a story.

DOWN LONDON ROAD is a well-written, sometimes heartbreaking story of betrayal, struggle and the ability to overcome a painful past. But when the past comes face to face with the present, there is both an emotional and physical struggle that will pit the power of love against hatred and betrayal. If you love a storyline with an emotionally fragile but strong heroine, Down London Road will not disappoint. The reader will be pulled into a world of pain, sorrow, betrayal, heartbreak and above else, the ability to overcome a past fraught with abuse to find love where least expected.

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

Excerpt

Excerpt from Down London Road by Samantha Young. Copyright May 2013.

I let myself quietly into the dark flat and slipped my heels off, tip¬toeing down the hall to Cole’s room first. I cracked open his door and from the light spilling in under his curtains I could make out his head buried nearly all the way under his duvet. The worry I always felt for him eased a little now that I could see with my own eyes that he was safe and sound, but that worry never ever completely disappeared— partly because parents never, ever stopped worrying about their kids and partly because of the woman who slept in the room across the hall from him.

About the Author Black and Orange

 

Samantha Young lo res c Mark Archibald

 

New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young is a 27 year old book addict who graduated from the University of Edinburgh.  She lives in Scotland.  Visit her online at:

samanthayoungbooks.com
Twitter.com/SYoungSFAuthor
www.Facebook.com/OnDublinStreet
Goodreads


Giveaway Black and Orange

GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED-Thank you

Penguin Group Publishing is offering a paper copy of DOWN LONDON ROAD to one lucky reader at The Reading Cafe.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Giveaway is open to USA only.

4. Giveaway runs from May 27 to May 31, 2013

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Audra by Amanda Shalaby – a Review

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Audra by Amanda L.V. Shalaby – a Review

audra

Links to order Audra: Amazon / Barnes & Noble /  Kobo

Description:
Audra Kingsley, a wealthy heiress, may not have seen much of the world, but she knows exactly how she wants her future to play out—and a coming out ball held at her country estate, Kingsley Manor, would suit her just fine. Her father’s wish that she be presented at St. James in London seems silly since she is to marry her neighbor and childhood sweetheart, Lord Crispin Brighton, but she obliges him.

Audra travels to London with her patroness, the eccentric Lady Sutherland, intending to return home as soon as she has curtseyed to the Queen. Unknown to her, Lady Sutherland is in no rush to leave London before the Season is over and intends to show Audra she has more options in the suitor department than Lord Crispin, a second son.

Audra finds herself surrounded by few friends and is forced to attend parties, balls, and operas—all while becoming the object of a secret admirer’s obsession. As Audra struggles to make her way home to her beloved, plans to compromise her into an unwanted marriage are underway.

 

Review:

After reading Rhianna by Amanda L.V. Shalaby, I knew if she wrote Audra and Crispin’s story I’d have to read it.  So when I was asked to review this book, there was no way I was passing on it.  Having enjoyed Rhianna so much and getting to meet Audra and Crispin, I knew their story had to be told and that it would be a fun, loving and adventurous story with these two characters.  Ms. Shalaby did not disappoint with Audra.  Although it was a fast read, her love of the historical genre shines through and she continues to wield her magic through her wonderful descriptive and lyric storytelling.  Once again, Ms. Shalaby transports the reader back in time to an era of fancy parties, royalty, Lords and Ladies, coming out balls and splendid Estates.  She makes me wish I lived back in that era, being the belle of the ball with a swoon-worthy and devoted man at my side.  I love all things romantic, fancy and girlie.  😉 

We first meet Audra, and her beau Crispin in Rhianna.  Both have known each other forever and have come to love one another desperately.  Audra although young, only 16 is very head strong, mature for her age, and knows what she wants and doesn’t let anyone tell her differently. She’s the type of heroine no matter her youthful age, you can get behind and root for. Audra is a joy of a character, one I thoroughly enjoyed reading about.  She isn’t a woman to sit by idly while someone else tells her what to do. Yes she goes to London for her coming out moment only to make her daddy proud, but plans to return to Kinglsey manor and Crispin as soon as she takes her bow before the Queen.  The scene with her father where she tells him her exact plans is quite priceless. The way she speaks her mind around others and carries on is not how you picture a young debutante from that era.  There is never a dull moment when Audra is in the room.  Yes she can be melodramatic at times, but that’s part of her charm and personality. It’s this part of her personality that has always drawn Crispin to her. He knows what she’s like and loves her all the more for it.  He’s always proud of the way she handles herself and let’s everyone know she’s her own person, one who can make decisions for herself and isn’t afraid to stand up to others for herself or her family. 

Crispin is Audra’s true love, always has been and he couldn’t be happier for that fact.  He loves Audra with an intensity that one can’t miss. She is his heart, without her he’s nothing and doesn’t care who knows it.  Like his brother Thayne, Crispin is another wonderful male lead.  He’s very much the heartbreaker and swoon-worthy champion. I’d let Crispin champion me and our love any day.  The way he treats Audra and cherishes her is nothing short of perfect.  I loved every scene between Audra and Crispin.  One of my favourite scenes would have to be the during the masquerade in London when Crispin sneaks away from home to find her and see if she has moved on without him, or if something else is going on that’s keeping her from him.  I loved the way they were reunited and it just proved even more just how truly in love they are and that they really are meant to be.  Crispin and Audra are the perfect romantic couple for such a story about true love and knowing what each other wants and going after it no matter what.  

Now of course a story about true love just wouldn’t be told properly if there wasn’t some dastardly villain out to keep the star-crossed lovers apart.  Enter Audra’s patroness Lady Sutherland.  Even though Audra outlines her plans to Lady Sutherland, her patroness has other plans for her. Poor Audra is thrust into a world of deceit, unsolicited attention and danger.  No matter how hard Audra tries to return to her Crispin, it seems Lady Sutherland always has some other reason for staying in London.  In my opinion Ms. Shalaby writes this villain perfectly and had me despising her at every turn, even wanting to slap her upside the head repeatedly.  I love a perfectly written villain in a love story, it just adds many more layers to an already great story. As our dastardly villain makes plans against Audra, the action really picks up and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat wondering what will happen next.  The last few chapters just seem to fly by as Lady Sutherland’s plans seem to fall into place against Audra’s wishes.  Just when you think all is lost, Crispin must race to his true love and remove her from the clutches of an unwanted suitor.  It’s every women’s fantasy, her knight in shining armour coming to her rescue. I loved the ending of this story.

Once again Ms. Shalaby has out done herself with Audra. I loved every minute of the story. The characters are well written, the storyline moves the reader along at a good pace keeping you entertained and wanting more.  The more I read, the more I felt like I was transported back in time to this wonderful era, donning beautiful ball gowns and attending extravagant parties, with dashing young vying for my attention.  If you are a fan of the historical genre then you won’t be disappointed with Ms. Shalaby’s  newest installment Audra.  Happy reading, until next time.   

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Author

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Spotlight – Jill Shalvis – Read Humane® 2013

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Spotlight – Jill Shalvis – Read Humane® 2013

The Reading Cafe is pleased to support Penguin Group (USA)’s Read Humane® 2013 campaign to fight animal cruelty. Since Sandy and I are animal lovers, we are happy to be part of this wonderful campaign. 

This is my rescue story.  11 years ago, I was grieving the loss of my cat, Brandy. My husband &  I decided it was time to give a loving home to another animal, as we had enough love in our hearts to give out.

Zorro                                                                                     Koko

Zorrokoko

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When my friend Debbie and I went to the local shelter, they had quite a few cats.Seeing so many cats, I decided to take two home with me. There was one cat who caught my eye.  He was rambunctious, the only cat they let out of the cage.  He was blind in one eye, having lost his sight due to an infection shortly after he was born. I decided to take him, and also took his brother. After being in a cage for a year,  11 years later they are two happy & contented cats, not to mention the love they give us. I never regretted helping rescue a partially blind cat, and his petrified brother.

Barb

********

We would like to welcome spokesperson and bestselling author Jill Shalvis to our site today, where she is sharing with us her family’s animal rescue story discusses her Animal Magnetism series with a piece entitled “Why Dogs Make Great Sidekicks!”    

Cover Image Banner

Read Humane® is an initiative created by Penguin Group (USA) in 2012 to support our furry friends in honor of National Pet Month (May).  As part of the Read Humane® 2013 campaign, six special edition, animal-themed mass market paperbacks have been reissued featuring the official Read Humane® seal.  Penguin supports the fight against animal cruelty with a $25,000 donation, regardless of sales, to The Humane Society of the United States’ Animal Rescue Team.

For more information, and complete lists of the six participating authors and book retailers, please visit Penguin Group (USA) or view the official Read Humane® Prezi here.

And remember to join the conversation on Twitter with @BerkleyRomance and @HSUS throughout May by using the hashtag #readHumane.  Followers are encouraged to Tweet about Penguin’s animal friendly books, share their own rescue stories, and join in other pet themed conversations.

 

Jill Shalvis
Jill Shalvis is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over four dozen romance novels, including her fun contemporary Animal Magnetism series, which promotes animal rescue dogs. Jill is a 3-time National Readers Choice winner, and lover of animals! More information about Jill and her collection of fabulous romance titles can be found at www.JillShalvis.com.

 

 

 My Rescue Story
by Jill Shalvis

At any point, on any day in the Shalvis abode, there are animals.  All of them rescued, always.  It’s become somewhat of a family tradition, rescuing animals in need, and we’ve found that not only is it a nice thing to do, we get a really great pet out of the deal.

A couple of years ago, our house was fairly full.  Okay, so it was straining at the wall joints.  We had Ashes — our rescue Border Collie/Australian Blue Heeler.  Sadie – our cat who thinks she’s a dog.  Micky – a field mouse rescued from the high school science lab.  And four teenage girls.

Actually, it wasn’t a house.  It was a zoo.

But a year before we’d lost Izzie, our beloved brown lab.  And we missed having two dogs.  Yes, we’re crazy.  Anyway, on that fated day I’m about to tell you about, Alpha Man (my husband) had heard about a yellow lab puppy who needed rescue.

No.  No way.  I was adamant.  I had enough on my plate.  But Alpha Man just wanted to go make sure the lab was okay. 

So we left the mountain…

My Rescue Story_Photo 1

And drove… My Rescue Story_Photo 2

And drove… My Rescue Story_Photo 3

We were following the sketch directions from a guy who knew a guy who had told us about a woman who lived out in the middle of nowhere, and I mean NOWHERE, and she rescues animals.

The landscape was like something out of a Criminal Minds episode, so we were wary at first.  We had no idea what we were going to find.  A box of puppies, or a meth lab … nothing would have surprised me.  I was a little worried because the kids were with us, but it turned out the place was fifty acres of love.

Any animal in need is welcome. 

My Rescue Story_Photo 4

Even the funny looking ones… My Rescue Story_Photo 5

The woman had goats, horses, turtles, geese, snakes, angry chickens … you name it and she had it.  She was rehabbing it, doctoring it, loving it … whatever the animal needed.

We’d gone because of the rumor of the puppies, the yellow labs.  And she did have two puppies.  She’d rescued them out of a horrible situation.

My Rescue Story_Photo 6

But the yellow lab wasn’t the one who stole our hearts.  Nope, it was her little baby brother.  The runt.My Rescue Story_Photo 7

He was filthy and living in a hovel. And the minute he saw us, he came alive. Wriggling, happy, loving. All you had to do was touch him and he writhed in joy and dropped to the floor for a belly rub.My Rescue Story_Photo 8

And once he was picked up by the teenagers and loved up by them, he didn’t want to get down.  I tried.  I tried hard.  But the thing had wriggled his way right into my heart.  I remember looking at Alpha Man, laughing and crying at the same time.

“You didn’t want another dog,” he reminded me.

I told him to zip it.  We were taking this dog and that was that.  Besides, there was the little matter of him being in my arms and refusing to be put down.

So we never put him down again.  Meet Frat Boy…[My Rescue Story_Photo 9

 

***

 Why Dogs Make Great Sidekicks, by Jill Shalvis…

Now that you know a little bit about my rescue story, I want to share with you some of the inspiration for my Animal Magnetism series.  One of the fun things about writing this series is developing complex and lovable characters… that just happen to be adorable dogs!  Here’s why dogs make great sidekicks…

1. Because when you’re on the mountain trail and you come across an angry mama bear and her baby cubs, your dog will run like hell.  This will warn you to run like hell as well.  Just be careful because if your dog is like my dog, he will throw you under the bus (or in this case bear) to get home before you do.

2. Because when all the cookies are gone you can totally blame your cookie loving dog.  No one has to know that you ate all the cookies yourself.  And your dog can give you dirty looks for blaming him but he can’t actually talk and dispute your story.  Solid alibi.

3. Because if you’ve eaten in a way that disagrees with your stomach, there are never any worries.  Your dog will always, ALWAYS, out stink you.  And if he doesn’t, you can still point the finger at him.  Again, he can’t talk and dispute your story.

4. Dogs are not just great sidekicks but they also make great a really great wingman.  If you’re single, you can totally put your dog to work at charming the person you’re interested in.  Just make sure that person likes dog drool and dog hair all over everything first.

5. There is never a need for a pillow or extra blanket because your dog will always be willing to get into bed with you and share body heat.  Always.  Just be forewarned.  Being a great sidekick is not the same thing as a good bed partner.  They have a habit of being a total bed hog. Why Dogs Make Great Sidekicks_Photo 1

***

Thank you so much, Jill for sharing your stories with us!  If you have enjoyed Jill’s stories please feel free to show your support in our comments section below and by visiting the other participating websites/blogs…  

Read Humane® Blog Tour 2013!

For more information on Read Humane® please visit Penguin Group (USA).  To view more special features from spokesperson Jill Shalvis, please visit the following websites/blogs; each website/blog will feature a unique perspective on Read Humane, so be sure to stop by each for a new and exciting experience!

 

4/29/2013            USA Today’s Happy Ever After                   Special Feature!
4/29/2013            Fresh Fiction                                                 Spotlight
4/30/2013            RT Book Reviews Online                             Special Feature!
5/1/2013              Happily Ever After Reads                             Spotlight
5/2/2013              Teresa’s Reading Corner                             Spotlight
5/3/2013              The Book Reading Gals                               Spotlight
5/4/2013              Book Crack                                                  Spotlight
5/5/2013              Love Romances & More                              Spotlight
5/6/2013              Books-N-Kisses                                          Spotlight
5/7/2013              RT Book Reviews Online                            Spotlight
5/8/2013              Cocktails & Books                                       Spotlight
5/9/2013              The Book Pushers                                      Spotlight
5/10/2013            Kindles & Wine                                           Spotlight
5/11/2013            My Book Addiction & More                          Spotlight
5/12/2013            Eye on Romance                                       Spotlight
5/13/2013            eBook Obsessed                                       Spotlight
5/14/2013            My Friend Amy                                           Spotlight
5/14/2013            Pretty Fluffy                                                Spotlight
5/16/2013            The Romance Dish                                    Spotlight
5/16/2013            Pretty Fluffy                                                Spotlight
5/17/2013            Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind                Spotlight
5/18/2013            Romantic Book Affairs                               Spotlight
5/19/2013            Ramblings from This Chick                       Spotlight
5/20/2013            Under the Covers Book Blog                     Spotlight
5/20/2013            The Romance Studio                                Spotlight
5/21/2013            Chick Lit Reviews                                      Spotlight
5/26/2013            The Reading Café                                     Spotlight
5/27/2013            Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews           Spotlight
5/28/2013            Stuff and Nonsense                                  Spotlight
5/29/2013            Thoughts in Progress                               Spotlight

 

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Blind Attraction by Eden Summers-a review

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BLIND ATTRACTION (Reckless Beat #1) by Eden Summers-a review

Blind Attraction_525

Amazon.ca / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / ARe/ Smashwords/

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 28, 2013

He can seduce with a single glance.

Peering down at a sea of fans, rock star, Mitchell Davies can’t deny the innocent beauty of a woman in the front row. He’ll stop at nothing to get to know her. When a public altercation leaves her weak and defenseless, he takes the opportunity to be her savior.

She’s been sheltered from the world.

Alana Shelton wants to spread her wings and experience life away from her restrictive upbringing. But she isn’t prepared for a gorgeous stranger to sweep her off her feet while at her most vulnerable.

Attraction will bring them together, but their pasts will try to tear them apart.

He wants to teach her how to trust, but she’ll show him how to love. In a glamorous world of rock-and-roll, only time will tell if they’re up for the challenge.

••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: BLIND ATTRACTION is the first storyline in Eden Summers new contemporary rock star romance series Reckless Beat. As the first in the series, Eden introduces the reader to the members of the band and their current lives and loves. Blind Attraction is Mitch and Alana’s emotional storyline of learning to trust and letting go.

Eden Summers has written a storyline of one man’s need to protect a stranger who tugs at his heart. But an accident of anger and fate will bring this couple together where Mitch learns to open his heart and his mind to the potential for love. Learning that Alana is no groupie willing to put out for any rock star, Mitch must focus on healing both Alana and himself. But a few surprises and the inevitable pushing away will force Mitch to look inside himself to see what and whom he really wants.

The relationship between Mitch and Alana is quick to develop. Spotting the green-eyed beauty from the stage, Mitch knows instantly that Alana is not the usual rock-god fan. Hoping to ‘get to know’ her better, Mitch will be surprised to learn that Alana has been sheltered from the real world most of her life. Mitch soon discovers that there is more to life than a quick jump in the sack, and Alana may be the one. The romance is erotic and sensual: romantic and hot. Everyone will want their own rock star lover.

Eden’s writing will awaken a renewed hope for readers that they too may one day find the one. The storyline is fast paced, well-written with a happily ever after. There are a few ‘intimate’ surprises involving another member of the band, but we know his storyline will be told in the future.

Congratulations to Eden Summers on her foray into the rock star genre.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Christine Wenrick – The Charmed Trilogy Guest Post, Reviews, & Blog Tour

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Christine Wenrick-The Charmed Trilogy Guest Post, Reviews & Blog Tour

Charmed promo

 

Guest Post-Black and Blue

 

Why the Secondary Characters are Just as Important?

First off I would like to thank Sandy and Barb and The Reading Café for having me here today to talk about my recently completed Charmed Trilogy, and why for me the secondary characters are just as important.

As an author I often look back on my secondary characters and realize they were an important key to the success of a story. Why? Because one of my favorite things to do is thread a character through the background of someone else’s story and bring them along slowly to the reader, gradually inviting more interest until the time is right to let that character shine in their own story. Some of my favorite authors, such as Lisa Kleypas and Julia Quinn have done it to me in their Hathaway and Bridgerton series and I love it! There is a significant investment for the reader in doing this, one that hopefully pays off in leaps and bounds in the end.

In my Charmed Trilogy I have two types of secondary characters, ones that have significant screen time with the hero and heroine and most of their story is told within the series, and ones that float in and out with little hints of what might come. Those are the ones to watch out for. And I’ll let you in on a little secret with regard to my books . . . if I tell you the first and last name of a character, then that character will be relevant somehow to that series or another one.

My friends and I often joke that if a character comes in with generic first name only, then they’re a goner for sure. Yeah, you really won’t find a main character for me named Chris or John (which happens to be my brother-in-laws name, sorry John).

I hope you will check out my Charmed Trilogy and fall in love with those important secondary characters. If done correctly, they can truly make a story all the more enriching for the reader. And in time, they can even prove to be a fan favorite!

 

SERIES SPOTLIGHT – COMBINED REVIEWS:

 

The Charmed – Book One

the charmed

Links to order The Charmed: Amazon / Barnes & Noble /  Kobo

THE CHARMED will be on sale for ONLY $0.99 from May 13 – 27 on:
Amazon, Smashwords, BN.com and The iBookstore.

 

The Charmed – Reviewed by Erin

The Charmed is book one in The Charmed Trilogy by Christine Wenrick and begins with us finding Olivia Ann Greyson, 26 year old music prodigy, on a train, traveling with her childhood best friend Sarah. Uneasy and sensing that something is wrong – Olivia’s instincts turn out to be absolutely correct.  What results sets off an epic event that is sure to change Olivia’s life for ever and show her that what she thought was the stuff of nightmares may in fact be a reality after all. 

 
Caleb Wolfe is a young vampire and he has just rescued / saved Olivia from a coven of evil Nightwalkers, intent on having her for their own.  While Olivia has just found out that vampire exist – she is scared, confused and afraid.  Devastated at the loss that she just experienced and the realization that she has just come to know – Olivia struggles with being under Caleb’s protective care. But as Caleb and Olivia soon understand – that fateful night was not their first meeting.  They have met before – years ago.  And that moment in time had forever been etched in Olivia’s mind.  And once she realizes who Caleb is and what he means to her past – it awakens inside her feelings that she has never felt before.   
 
As Olivia recognizes that she is beginning to feel strongly for Caleb, she also realizes that something is changing inside of her.  She no longer needs her glasses that she has had since she was a small child and that her injuries are healing much faster than they should be for a human.  Not knowing what is wrong or what she is experiencing – Caleb’s coven decides its best if Olivia leaves before Caleb gets too far invested and breaks any rules.  Once back home – Olivia notices that her appearance has now changed and she is soon approached by two men Gideon and Alec from The Brethren, who say that they know what is wrong with Olivia and that they can help her.  Having no one else to turn to – Olivia trusts them and soon finds out that what she has been experiencing isn’t at all what she thought it was.  
 Can Caleb fit into her new life and will he want to once he finds out what Olivia really is?  There is only one way to find out….
 
Let me start off by saying – DO NOT start this book before bed… you have been warned!!  This is definitely a – can not put down – pry my fingers from it – I went to bed at 4am – slept 3 hours – finished in one day kind of book!  I could absolutely not put this book down once I started it.  I had to and wanted to know what was going to happen next.  There are some extremely powerful scenes – like when Olivia must leave Caleb for the first time – for the sake of everyone’s own good.  I was left a hot mess of tears, sniffles and tissues.  I can honestly say that I do not ever remember sobbing at a book this way before.   The connection between Olivia and Caleb struck me so deep by this moment that it was heart-breaking as this scene unfolded.  The connection, love and sincerity between Olivia and Caleb is truly palpable, in every sense of the word.   As Olivia’s true nature is revealed – you soon realize that not even that will stop the two of them from being together!
 
The secondary characters – Jax (alpha vampire of Caleb’s coven) and Gemma (Dhampiresa of Caleb’s coven) – are extraordinary characters that I loved from the moment I met them.  Gemma is quirky, fun and down to mean business when need be.  I love the fact that she leaves poems around the house.  I was intimately intrigued by her doing that – I kept asking myself does she know it’s him that is reading them, keeping them.  Jax is a big, gruff, gentle giant of a vampire who collects Gemma’s poems and collects them and is obviously so in love with her that I wanted to scream at him to tell her how he feels!  I sincerely hope to read more of Jax and Gemma in the future books, as the love Jax feels for her is so apparent and so raw that it is definitely a must continue.  Alec, is Olivia’s Guardian in the Brethren – and while I believe he is pure of heart for his care and protection of Olivia – I did not care for him.  I believe I felt so strongly against him taking her from Caleb that I did not want anything to do with him.  Hopefully as the story unfolds in the next book I may grow to like him more but as of right now – not one of my favorites.
 
As sleep deprived as I am – I am diving head first into the next book – The Charmed Souls…




The Charmed Souls – Book 2
the charmed souls

Links to order The Charmed Souls:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble /  Kobo / Smashwords / The iBookstore.

The Charmed Souls – Reviewed by Erin

The Charmed Souls is book two of The Charmed Trilogy by Christine Wenrick.  In this continuation, we find that Olivia has left Caleb to prove not only to herself but to Caleb and others that their love is real and not just an illusion brought on by her Charmer skills. In separating herself from Caleb she decides to go with her Guardian – Alec, to the Brethren, the group she is told and believes is sworn to protect her. In the mountains of Canada, on sacred ground, at the Brethren’s stronghold, she will train, learn how to use her new found talents and give Caleb the space he needs. On this sacred ground she can not be sensed by any vampires and is completely protected, as vampires can not step on sacred ground. Olivia makes some good friends with those sworn to protect her, and even with those that can give her answers to her past.  But her time with The Brethren does not go quickly nor smoothly and soon Olivia is second guessing her choices.  As secrets unfold, Olivia learns that the ones chosen to protect her may not all be there exactly for her well being. 

I found this book to be heart breaking in that I did not want Olivia away from Caleb nor anywhere near Alec at first.  While I understood why she was where she was and what she was trying to do, I found that my heart wanted her with Caleb – where she truly belonged.  This part of their story I believe was needed so that they both would know if their love was real and true.  But I found it very sad at times.  I loved the secondary characters that were sworn to protect Olivia. Guardian Lucas Rayner is a wonderful, foul mouthed golden boy that I fell for right away.  Hunter Phin Daniels is warm and caring best friend to Alec that you can’t help but want to know more about.  And then there is Kane, a very naughty shape-shifter that I truly believe no woman could resist, at least I know that I couldn’t. I also found it very heart warming that Olivia made a true friend in Maya Brunetti, an Empath, that you can tell will be a life long friend to her.  
I loved the fact that Olivia made real friends with true relationships and in the end I even started to like Alec, and that he accepted the fact that the love between Olivia and Caleb was real and not a byproduct of her Charmer skills. When Olivia does return home to Caleb – I must say it was gut-wrenching to see what Gemma put Jax through.  But in the end – I must say that I was extremely happy with the outcome of those two.  Looking forward to reading the third and final book in this series




The Charmed Fates – Book 3
the charmed fates
Links to order The Charmed Fates:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo /Smashwords

 

The Charmed Fates – Reviewed by Erin
The Charmed Fates is the third and final book in The Charmed Trilogy by Christine Wenrick.  Some time has passed since that fateful night when Caleb Wolfe, Daywalker saved Olivia Greyson’s life.  In that time, Olivia has found out that she is a Charmer, trained and honed her skills, and has come to realize that her destiny is with her mate – Caleb.  Just when you think life is about to settle in and get perfect – along comes a curve from the past!  Celeste – a vampire claiming to be Caleb’s first and only mate is back and she wants what she believes is rightfully hers.  Will Caleb return to his past and the vampire that changed him, or will he stay his ground with his destiny Olivia?  Olivia does what she believes is right and leaves Caleb – leaving him alone with her rival and nemesis.  The Charmed Fates are about to step in and the outcome may not be exactly what Olivia thought it was going to be.  
 
The final book in this series was heartbreaking yet again.  It seems every time Olivia thinks her life is settling and she is about to be happy the fates step in and throw her a curve ball.  The story begins with Olivia with her new family / coven and she is happy.  She believes she may finally have the life that she wants.  She has found her blood grandfather, her blood mate – making her truly feel like a family for the first time ever.  The Nightwalker, Luther Davin, is still obsessed and hunting her.  But she feels that she is strong and able to fight for herself and her coven.  But out of the blue, Caleb’s first blooded mate comes back and wants him – wants him back with a vengeance.  I disliked  Celeste from the moment she stepped on the page.  And I wanted nothing more than for someone, anyone to do away with her.  Olivia as well as myself, felt betrayed by Caleb’s reaction to Celeste.  I did however love what transpired between Jax and Gemma at the beginning of the book and prayed for a resolution for them in the end.  Olivia choosing to leave Caleb again was completely understandable and distancing herself seemed exactly the right thing to do.  Oh the things we do for love! In the end, Caleb and Olivia will forever be one of my favorite couples – although they took the long road getting there!  If you are looking for a wonderful read with lots of full-filling characters – this one is for you!


About The AuthorChristine Wenrick

Christine is a graduate of Washington State University where she received a BA in Interior Design. And true to form of using mostly her ‘right brain’, she splits her time between her commercial design career and her imaginary world of writing. She lives in the scenic Pacific Northwest where she enjoys hiking, camping and photographing many of the wonderful places that served as inspiration for her Charmed Trilogy. Her biggest reward in life is any given day when one of her books connects with a reader because she herself is such a lover of reading. Some of her favorite authors include Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, and Kimberly Derting.

To keep up on all the latest information about Christine and her books, visit her website or you can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.


Blog Tour Black and Blue

May 13 – 27

5/13- Book Monster Reviews (guest post)
http://www.bookmonsterreviews.com/

5/13- My Reading Obsession (guest post & review)
http://4myreadingobsession.blogspot.com/

5/14- Ramblings From This Chick  (guest post)
http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspot.com/

5/14- HEA Romances With A Little Kick (series spotlight & reviews)
http://hearomanceswithalittlekick.wordpress.com/

5/15- Red Hot Books (interview and reviews)
http://www.redhotbooks.com/

5/16- Book Lovin’ Mamas  (interview, series spotlight and reviews)
http://booklovinmamas.blogspot.com//

5/17- Romance Junkies (interviews)
http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog/

5/17- Froggarita’s Book Case ( series spotlight, excerpt & reviews)
http://www.froggaritasbookcase.com/

5/18- Mad Hatter Reads  (guest post)
http://madhatterreads.blogspot.com/

5/18- Reading Between the Wines  (guest post) http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.blogspot.com/

5/19- Toot’s Books Reviews (series spotlight & reviews) http://tootsbookreviews.blogspot.com/

5/20- Cocktails and Books (interview & reviews)
http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/

5/20- Salacious Reads (Series Spotlight)
http://www.salaciousreads.com/

5/21- Salacious Reads (Review, Book 1)
http://www.salaciousreads.com/

5/21- Buffy’s Ramblings  (guest post)
http://buffy-kennedy.blogspot.com/

5/21- GraveTells  (guest post)
http://gravetells.com/

5/22- Paranormal Book Club (series spotlight)
http://paranormal-bookclub.com/

5/22- Reader Girls (guest post & reviews)
http://www.readergirlsblog.com/

5/22- Salacious Reads (Review, Book 2)
http://www.salaciousreads.com/

5/23- Vampires, Werewolves & Fairies Oh My!  (guest post)
http://vampireswerewolvesfairiesohmy.blogspot.com/

5/23- Salacious Reads (Review, Book 1)
http://www.salaciousreads.com/

5/24- Riverina Romantics  (guest post)
http://riverinaromantics.blogspot.com/

5/25- The Reading Cafe  (guest post & reviews)
http://thereadingcafe.com/

5/26- The Jeep Diva  (interview & reviews)
http://thejeepdiva.com/

5/27- Books-n-Kisses (series spotlight)
http://www.books-n-kisses.com/

5/27- Bookin’ It Reviews (series spotlight)
http://www.bookinitreviews.com/

 

Giveaway-Blue:Black

Christine is giving away a $50.00 Amazon Gift Card and a signed copy of The Charmed to one lucky winner that follows the tour.

THREE (3) runners-up will receive an eBook of THE CHARMED.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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A Seal’s Seduction by Tawny Weber-a review

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A SEAL’S SEDUCTION (Uniformly Hot SEALs #1) by Tawny Weber-a review

A Seal's Seduction

FREE at:  Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release January 2013

Navy SEAL Blake Landon (aka “Boy Scout”) knows the rule book inside and out. Checked. Rechecked. But when a mission ends badly, his entire team is ordered on leave. And that’s when Blake sees the tall redhead whose dark eyes suggest that the rules-especially those in bed-are made to be broken.

Scientist Alexia Lane has sex on the brain-partly for work, but mostly because she needs a man who makes her girly parts do the happy dance. Her only no-no? No military dudes. But Blake’s rockin’ bod promises delicious pleasures, and Alexia is halfway to sexual Nirvana before she can find out he’s actually a Navy SEAL.

And where one rule is broken, more are sure to follow….

REVIEW: A SEAL’S SEDUCTION is the first installment in Tawny Weber’s UNIFORMLY HOT SEALs contemporary romance series. This is Blake and Alexia’s story. The premise focuses on Blake’s two week R & R and Alexia’s need to get out and have a good time. But when the two of them meet, sparks fly and a one-night stand turns into something more. But when Alexia discovers that Blake is a Navy SEAL under the command of her father, she walks away leaving Blake with a broken heart.

The storyline and conclusion are predictable as are all contemporary romance storylines. You have the instant attraction and sex, the angst and betrayal, and finally the reconciliation between the couple you know belong together.

The characters are flawed: each has issues they must deal with before embarking on a relationship. Alexia’s relationship with her family is strained, due in part to a controlling father and her need to prove herself worthy. But her attitude at times was a little disheartening-the only person, to whom she felt any love, was her brother and he too, had some issues at home. I am not sure if you would consider the adult children –Navy Brats- but there were definitely some dysfunctional family problems.

Blake is the consummate professional SEAL. His relationship with Alexia and her subsequent rejection left him distraught and angry. But eight months after Alexia walks away, their lives will take a dramatic turn, and they will be thrown together for another night of passion and love. But it is Alexia’s mother who will open Alexia’s eyes and heart to the possibility that love with a professional military man is worth the heartache and worry when at the end of the day, she will be loved and cherished.

A SEAL’S SEDUCTION is a quick paced storyline with a little action, a little romance, a little sex and a little family drama. The emotional connection between the hero/heroine lacked a little something, but overall the storyline is a welcome reprieve from the usual paranormal stories. If you are looking for a quick read with a happily ever after, A Seal’s Seduction is the perfect escape.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Cover Reveals May 24, 2013

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COVER REVEALS May 24, 2013

AMR final

 

TITLE: Avoiding Mr.Right

AUTHOR: C.J. Ellisson

SERIES: A Walk on the Wild Side

RELEASE DATE: June 20, 2013

 

 

 

BLURB: Carla Johnson thinks issuing orders to a lover will keep her heart safe and leave her in charge of her own destiny. Afraid for Carla’s future, her best friend Heather implores her to change her self-centered ways, handing her a list of love life mistakes to steer clear of:

1. Casual Sex
2. Friends with Benefits
3. Avoidance of Intimacy

Carla ignores the list—unwilling to face she might have a commitment problem. Until she invites a co-worker to her place one night. She instantly regrets the hum-drum sexual encounter and discourages the accountant from pursuing her.

Andy Shea refuses to become another lover the feisty blonde dumps. It’ll take a patient man with a strong hand to unlock Carla’s sexual awareness and win her heart. He’s up for the challenge to convince her he’s the one—and eager to prove this number cruncher won’t make a boring bedmate.

 

 

The Wicked.July 2013jpg

 

 

TITLE: The Wicked

AUTHOR: Thea Harrison

SERIES: A Novel of the Elder Races

RELEASE DATE: July 2013

 

 

 

Endless Night oc t 2013

 

TITLE: Endless Knight

AUTHOR: Kresley Cole

SERIES: Arcana Chronicles

RELEASE DATE: October 2013

 

 

 

 

Wild Wolf Feb 2014

 

TITLE: Wild Wolf

AUTHOR: Jennifer Ashley

SERIES: Shifters Unbound

RELEASE DATE: February 2014

 

 

 

Warrior Untamed Novem 2013

 

TITLE:  Warrior Untamed

AUTHOR:  Melissa Mayhue

SERIES: Warrior #3

RELEASE DATE:  November 2013

 

 

 

 

I Surrender July 2013

 

 

TITLE: I Surrender

AUTHOR: Monica James

SERIES: I Surrender Trilogy #1

RELEASE DATE: July 2013

 

 

Against-the-Ropes-May 2013

 

TITLE:  Against the Ropes

AUTHOR:  Carly Fall

SERIES:  N/A

RELEASE DATE:  May 29, 2013

 

 

 

After burn aug 2013

 

TITLE :  Afterburn

AUTHOR:  Sylvia Day

SERIES:  Cosmo Red Hot Reads #1

RELEASE DATE:  July 2013

 

 

 

 

Aftershock Nov 2013

 

TITLE:  Aftershock

AUTHOR:  Sylvia Day

SERIES:  Cosmo Red Hot Reads #2

RELEASE DATE: November 2013

 

 

 

Alone January 2014

 

TITLE: Alone

AUTHOR: Kendra Elliot

SERIES: Bone Secrets

RELEASE: January 2014

 

 

 

After the Kiss - Lauren Layne

 

TITLE: After The Kiss

AUTHOR: Lauren Layne

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 

 

Runaway Queen May 2013

 

TITLE:  The Runaway Queen (YA)

AUTHOR:  Cassandra Clare/Maureen Johnson

SERIES:  The Bane Chronicles/The Mortal Instruments

RELEASE DATE:  May 2013

 

 

 

 

Playing the part

 

TITLE: Playing the Part

AUTHOR: Robin Covington

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: June 2013

 

 

 

The Spider Dec 2013

 

TITLE: The Spider

AUTHOR: Jennifer Estep

SERIES: Elemental Assassin

RELEASE DATE: December 2013

 

 

 

Conceal

 

TITLE: Conceal

AUTHOR: Juliana Stone

SERIES: The Barker Triplets #3

RELEASE DATE: June 2013

 

 

 

The last kiss goodbye Aug 2013

 

TITLE: The Last Kiss Goodbye

AUTHOR: Karen Robards

SERIES: Dr. Charlotte Stone #2

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 

 

Revealed Oct 13

 

TITLE: Revealed

AUTHORS: PC & Kristin Cast

SERIES: House of Night (YA)

RELEASE DATE: October 2013

 

 

 

Big Bad Beast Oct 2013

 

TITLE: Big Bad Beast (re-release)

AUTHOR: Shelly Laurenston

SERIES: Pride and Pack

RELEASE DATE: October 2013

 

 

 

Her Ladyship's Curse aug 13

 

TITLE: Her Ladyships Curse

AUTHOR: Lynn Viehl

SERIES: Disenchanted and Co. Part 1

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 

 

Falling Into Us June 2013

 

TITLE:  Falling Into Us

AUTHOR:  Jasinda Wilder

SERIES:  Falling Into You #2

RELEASE DATE:  June 2013 

 

 

 

Fit muscular man exercising with dumbbell

 

TITLE: The Winning Season

AUTHOR: Alison Packard

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: July 2013

 

 

 

Shattered Emotions

 

TITLE:  Shattered Emotions

AUTHOR:  Carrie Ann Ryan

SERIES:  Redwood Pack

RELEASE DATE: June 2013

 

 

 

The Sharpest Blade

 

 

TITLE: The Sharpest Blade

AUTHOR: Sandy Williams

SERIES: Shadow Reader #3

RELEASE DATE: December 2013

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Cotillion Ball Series by Becky Lower – Combined Reviews

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Cotillion Ball Series by Becky Lower – Combined Reviews

4.5 out of 5 for all 3 books for this reader folks! 🙂

Before I get into any of the meaty bits of this review, I would like to say this series is a breath of fresh air for a historical romance lover like me.  Most Historical Romances are set in England, consist of a Lord, Duke, Rake and some Lady or Duchess.  The tradition is stingy and sharp (which don’t get me wrong I love), but most is predictable!  Well in comes Becky Lower and introduces this era (mid 1800’s) and mixes it up a bit.  The setting for all these book is … AMERICA.  Different tradition and rules, cultures, races, the way one speaks and the best part … REAL FACTS and snippets of history that have always fascinated me.  HELLO PRE CIVIL WAR!  It was incredible to read real life incidents, and places and how they are weaved into a fictional story.

Small Disclaimer as I am a tad biased.  Anything to do with the American Civil War fascinates me and draws me in.  I was picturing “Gone With the Wind” and “North and South” in my mind so many times.  I should also mention that this is the first historical romance series that I have read that chooses America as it’s setting in this era .. I APPROVE!  LOL

Alrighty then, clearly you know what I love, let’s get to the stories so you can determine if you’ll love too! 🙂

 

THE RELUCTANT DEBUTANTE – Book 1
roses2
DESCRIPTION:

Voted #1 Surprising Good Books by Goodreads readers

Voted #27 Romantic ebook Must Reads by Goodreads readers

In 1855 New York, Ginger Fitzpatrick has absolutely no interest in taking part in the newest rage in America-the Cotillion Ball. Instead, Ginger would rather be rallying for women’s rights-at least until she meets her brother’s best friend from St. Louis, a dark mysterious man named Joseph Lafontaine, who ignites her passion and makes her question if love and marriage is such a ridiculous notion after all.

What she and the rest of New York’s high society don’t realize is that Joseph is half Ojibwa Indian, and therefore, totally unsuitable for marriage to a fine, cultured young lady.

Link to order The Reluctant Debutante:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository / Kobo

REVIEW:

The Cotillion Ball series begins by introducing us to the Fitzpatrick family.  Dad, Mom and many young and older siblings that are named after herbs and spices.  In this book, our focus is on Ginger Fitzpatrick.  Ginger is a bit of a rebel in her own way.  She is all about woman’s rights and is quite vocal in her way of thinking.  The last thing Ginger wants or has time for is her coming out season.  While Ginger gets her way in most aspects from daddy dearest, she is put in her place and told that she will parade around in fancy dresses, have her dance card filled and flirt in non scandalous manners to land her a husband.

Basil, who is Ginger’s oldest brother, comes home with his BFF Joseph to assist and accompany Ginger during her seasons activities.  What he doesn’t count on happening .. Joseph and Ginger falling in love.  Basil doesn’t reveal something to his family when he introduces Joesph, and that would be that Joseph is half Ojibwa Indian, and French Canadian (WOOT CANADA ..LOL)!  Well being Canadian isn’t the problem, but his blood and culture being half Ojibwa Indian is scandalous in New York high society.  The Fitzpatrick family decide to just keep it to themselves and carry on as if he is completely acceptable without revealing his race.

Ginger is completely smitten with Joseph (and vice versa), but Joseph knows his race will cause issue so he tries everything he can keep his distance.  Ginger, thinks it’s ridiculous that his race is even a factor and tries to pursue him.  He is soon to be found in a compromising position with Ginger, and Basil being the over protective big bro flies off the handle.  Hearts are broken!

It takes a pretty big catastrophe in this book to shake this family into accepting that life as they know it is changing fast.  Feuding between the north and the south is starting to heat up, woman are rallying for rights and the abolitionist movement has commenced.

Ginger is very likeable and is a strong woman who knows what she wants.  She is not afraid of consequences, polite society or of what other people think.  My kind of girl!  LOL  Joseph makes a great hero as he is always trying to do the right thing, and while he loves Ginger, he respects her family enough to step back.  Well .. until push comes to shove …… WINK!


THE ABOLITIONIST’S SECRET – Book 2
roses2DESCRIPTION:

In 1856 New York, Heather Fitzpatrick, a bashful abolitionist, falls for young Army lieutenant David Whitman, who is tracking a runaway slave–the very slave she and her parents rescued from the hands of the slavemongers a few nights earlier.

Despite their divergent views on slavery, romance ensues when David dances with Heather at the Cotillion Ball, and later that night, when he walks her home. An engagement quickly follows. When he receives word that his father is ailing, David wants her to accompany him home to Savannah, GA to meet his family.

Heather wants to make the trip with him, especially since his father’s death seems imminent. With her maid as chaperone, they board the train heading South. After his father passes, his mother insists any marriage will have to wait the requisite year, which is proper for mourning. She hopes to send Heather home, and to use the time to dissuade David from his foolish choice, especially since his mother has already handpicked his potential bride.

Heather longs to stay to wait out the year, and to begin teaching the slaves to read and write, but she knows the South is so place for an abolitionist.

Link to order The Abolionist’s Secret:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository / Kobo


REVIEW: 

This book was my fave of the three books and I think it’s because we really start to dig into what ignites the Civil War.  Here we meet Heather Fitzpatrick who is northerner, abolitionist, the quieter twin sister to Jasmine, and generally a lovely human being.  Heather and her twin sister Jasmine are both coming out this season and as many girls are, “husband hunting”.  Their mom meets our hero Lt David Whitman in the first book to this series and believes he would be a good match for either twin (she doesn’t realize that David is the second son of a plantation, slave owning family).  One look at Heather and he is SOLD on marrying this woman.

As our heroine and hero are falling in love, the Fitzpatrick family has a secret.  They are abolitionist’s and have rescued a slave woman and her baby from slave mongers .. who just happen to be looking for a woman and a baby that have gone “missing” from David’s family plantation.

Through some debate and faith, David and Heather decide to become engaged.  Though knowing that David’s older brother has died and that his family hopes he will assume the plantation responsibility (David has no interest in this) the saving grace for Heather’s family to agree to this union is that David has strong belief in slave freedom and new ways of the south.  Soon a letter follows saying that David’s dad isn’t doing so well and that he needs to come south immediately.  He convinces Dad Fitzpatrick to allow Heather to join him so she can meet his family and announce the engagement.

Well … Mom Whitman is a real bitch!  I mean really nasty, and certainly not the gracious southerner.  This mama has been planning for David to adopt the life that she had hoped for her deceased older son, which includes inheriting the plantation and marrying the girl next girl.  Well she certainly isn’t accepting of Heather and does some really horrible things in hopes of ensuring that the marriage between David and Heather doesn’t happen.  Heather, with David’s encouragement stands by his side, and starts to teach the slaves how to read and write.  This is ILLEGAL in the south and it is ammunition for mama bitch to use against her.  You betcha she uses it and comes between David and Heather.

Through deep beliefs, faith and understanding that times are changing and letting go of tradition, these two really have to fight to make this work.  I was so impressed with Heather because at the beginning she is portrayed as somewhat of a timid creature but when she is facing conflict, she rises up and kicks some serious booty.  She has a really great head on her shoulder and uses it for the greater good.  David .. well he is just lovable.  He goes out of his way to make sure that the world knows who he loves and who he intends to marry.  He also stands up to mama bitch and has to make changes that go against typical south traditions and in my opinion that takes guts!

 

BANKING ON TEMPERANCE – Book 3
Banking on Temperance
DESCRIPTION:

Basil Fitzpatrick was born into a life of privilege. In 1856, at 23 years of age, he is the owner of the St. Louis branch of the family banking business. He has his pick of the ladies and life by the horns.

Temperance Jones and her family are far from privileged. Her father is a circuit-riding preacher from Pennsylvania. But the rumblings of a war between the North and the South force the preacher to move his family to Oregon rather than to take up arms against his fellow man. However, hardship and sickness slowed their pace, and they are forced to spend the winter in St. Louis, waiting for the next wagon trains to leave in the spring.

Basil is drawn to the family the moment they roll into town, partly because they remind him of his own big family in New York. But also because of the eldest daughter, Temperance. She is a tiny, no-nonsense spitfire bent on fulfilling her father’s wish to get the family safely to Oregon. Basil knows if he allows Temperance into his heart, he is accepting the obligation of her entire family. He wants Temperance like he has wanted no other, but is the burden of her family too much?

 Link to order Banking on Temperance:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble /  Kobo

 

REVIEW:

This book reunites us with Ginger and Joseph but the main focus is on Basil Fitzpatrick and Temperance Jones in St Louis.

Basil is the bank owner in St Louis and lives his life as a bachelor.  He is young, privileged, wealthy and quite a rake.  He enjoys his freedom and the “love em or leave em” way of life.  Well things are about to change and shake his only way of living when Temperance walks into his bank with her ailing father to withdraw funds.  Temperance’s father is quite ill and collapses in the bank leaving Basil feeling responsible for her very large family.  Basil finds himself taking care of them by offering shelter, employment and general support.  He also begins to realize that helping them is a tad more selfish on his part than he would like to admit.  He fights his immediate attraction for Temperance.

Temperance is the complete opposite to Basil.  She is poor, virtuous, one heck of a shot, non pampered and hard working young woman who promises her father on his death bed that she will ensure her family continues their journey on to Oregon.  She is also a no nonsense, spit fire, and get er’ done kind of girl.  She accepts employment cleaning the bank in order to support her family.

Basil and Temperance do the attraction dance for most of this book.  Both are incapable of giving in to the other and they let their pride get the better of them.  Basil also isn’t so sure about accepting all of the baggage that comes with getting involved with Temperance, and Temperance cannot imagine why such a distinguished gentleman would ever be interested in the likes of her.  Instead, both engage in a tension filled friendship without revealing their real desires.

As Temperance is so set on travelling to Oregon, Basil helps her in trying to achieve this goal while deep inside hating that she is leaving.  He goes as far as to introduce her to a man who has the means to make this journey happen.  Basil is shocked to realize just how jealous he becomes at seeing her in another mans arms.  All their friends and family seem to see the inevitable joining, but only if these two can get out of their own damn way.

I really liked Temperance right from the beginning and can understand what Basil was drawn to.  She is a tough lady who can shoot the ass off a wolf, cook a mean corn chowder, fiercely protect her family in the process and work hard.  Basil  also really grew up in this book if you compare him to the Basil we met in the first book!  It took a while for these two to get there &^*& together but their journey was worth the wait.

I really hope Becky Lower continues with this series as there are so many characters that are introduced that I want to know more about.  Once again, I LOVE that this centres around the civil war and is set in another USA city.  I loved that the setting for each books takes place in a different city and you can see how the approaching war is causing havoc in so many ways.

I highly recommend you read all three books in order as the characters are repeated and you see the continuation of a couple’s story.  I suppose you could read them as stand alones but if you do that, you miss out on so much!

HAPPY READING 🙂

All 3 books reviewed by Rachel

Copies provided by Author

 

 

 

 

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