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Knight of Love by Catherine LaRoche – a Review

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Knight of Love by Catherine LaRoche – a Review

 

Knight in lOveAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo


Description:
Lady Lenora Trevelyan, a naïve yet stubborn young lady born to the highest noble houses of England and Germany, finds herself betrothed to the brutal Prince Kurt von Rotenburg-Gruselstadt. But after she is cruelly bruised and flogged by her fiancé, she decides to take the reins of her fate. In the midst of a German revolution, Lenora escapes Kurt’s iron fist and embarks home to England. She quickly finds herself in the hands of a rebel group and their robust, gentle, and handsome leader, Wolfram von Wolfsbach und Ravensworth, the English Earl of Ravensworth.

Lenora struggles to deny the passion she feels towards the frustratingly chivalrous Earl, but her desire for him continues to bloom. Wolfram hungers for nothing other than to fight for democracy and civil rights in uniting Germany and to protect what he assumes is his damsel in distress. Through nights of immeasurable pleasure, Lenora and Wolfram learn that their passion is no match for the revolutionary chaos that ensues. And when Lenora discovers that her protector’s life is threatened, she must risk everything to save her Knight of Love

Review:
Knight of Love by Catherine LaRoche is a wonderful tale of adventure, romance and intrigue! It’s full of fun conversations, steamy love scenes (very well done) and marvelous adventures. Characters so well written and unique, you can know and love them (and even despise a few)! This is one any romance fan wouldn’t want to miss! Well done, Ms. LaRoche!

The time is 1848, and we step right into the adventure on the first page! Lady Lenora Trevelyan has been engaged to Prince Kurt von Rotenburg-Gruselstadt (wow, what a handle) by her father the Duke of Sherbrooke of England. The Duke didn’t know of the pension for pain the evil Prince had, or wouldn’t have given his permission. However, after he left the “punishments” began.

The first page has her being publicly flogged for some small incident, and she determines to escape this brute and return to her family. This is where we first meet our hero, but pretending to be a lowly blacksmith while spying on the castle. Wolfram von Wolfsbach and Ravensworth (Earl of Ravensworth).

I’m not going to give spoilers of this marvelous tale! It’s so good you really have to read it for yourselves! This is just the intriguing start. Let me just say she escapes the castle, is captured by Wolfram’s men (he’s helping with the German rebellion) and is taken into his care. To protect her from the Prince he makes her marry him (yes he’s in love with her already). Then what happens is absolutely a wonderful and twisty tale of him rescuing her again, her rescuing him, and so on!

A marvelously twisty tale of love, passion, growing understanding of two marvelous characters and so much more!

I hope to read much more from this marvelous author and soon! This is the kind of writing I enjoy the most. Well done, twisty, witty, sexy, completely compelling.

Grab yourself a glass of your favorite beverage, maybe a tissue or two, and have plenty of time, you won’t want to put this down!

Enjoy everyone, I did completely!

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy provided by Publisher

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Secondhand Romance by RoseAnn DeFranco-a review

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Secondhand Romance by RoseAnn DeFranco-a review

Secondhand Romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

About the Book: Release Date December 2013

Annie O’Malley’s dream of owning a secondhand bookstore in tight-knit Audubon Springs is coming true. Still reeling from her parents’ sudden deaths, she believes that signs or messages can be found within the pages of books. She loves her job and has made plenty of friends but longs for the acceptance only love and a family can provide.

Tony Iuliano is there to fix the wiring in her shop. He doesn’t believe in fate, magic, or the power of a good book. All this combined with his sexy-as-sin presence and all-knowing attitude infuriates Annie. The quirky bookworm intrigues him enough to accept her bet to read a book from her shop. When he discovers a stack of fifty-year-old love letters in the book, he wants to leave the past alone, but seeing it as a sign, Annie challenges him to read the letters and search for the long-lost lovers or lose the bet.

While shaking the dust off several ill-fated romances and fighting their attraction at every turn, the pair soon become the town gossip daily special. If they can stop arguing long enough, they may just discover this particular sign was meant for them all along.

•••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: Secondhand Romance is a very entertaining and emotional story by Ms. DeFranco. It’s well written the dialog is good, the characters are well done. It’s set in the fictional small NJ shore town of Audubon Springs.

Annie O’Malley is the heroine. She has lost both parents in a tragic plane accident and is trying to change and rebuild her life in the town where they vacationed every year. She has a lot of grieving done and yet has so much more to do. She has opened and run Second Chance Books for a couple of years while she tries to get over their passing.

She has a friend who owns the bakery next door, Mia Anselmo. And loves this wonderful little shore town.

Tony Juliano is the hero and to be love interest. Tony has a construction, renovation business he runs with his brothers working for him. Tony is the incredibly handsome and masculine male, about 35years old; he never has a serious romance with anyone. He has been hurt a few times, it seems Tony struggled through school and did not attend college, but took over the family business. He’s successful, not wealthy exactly just living a good life in a small town and is content with what and who he is. When he first meets Annie, he thinks she’s too young and definitely a bit of a flake. Due to her age, her friendship with his cousin, Mia, and the offbeat personality he doesn’t pursue her romantically.

Two years down the road, while doing some electrical work for Annie’s shop, they challenge each other verbally and strike up an acquaintance. The bet turns into quite a challenge and the two of them are often together. Tony finds there is much more to Annie than meets the eye, and romance begins to bloom.

That’s the set-up. This is a book you just must read for yourself to get the excitement and feel the growing respect and love between these two. Can seemingly opposites be soul mates? Hmmm. You really have to read this marvelously romantic and exciting story! It’s well written, humorous and compelling.

My advice, grab you favorite beverage, a few tissues and snuggle in for a wonderful read! Enjoy everyone, I certainly did!

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Georgianna

About The Author beige

RoseAnn DeFranco picRoseAnn DeFranco grew up in upstate NY with her nose in a book and a song in her heart. Following the pursuit of a musical theatre career in NYC, she turned her creative energy to writing funny, steamy romance with heart. A NJ shore transplant, she enjoys time spent at the beach with her family and would love to one day live in a quaint shore town like the fictional town from her BROTHERS OF AUDUBON SPRINGS series. More information about these Contemporary Romantic Comedies can be found at radefranco.com.

Connect with RoseAnn:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

 

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Wolver’s Gold (The Wolver’s #5) by Jacqueline Rhoades-a review

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Wolver’s Gold (The Wolver’s #5) by Jacqueline Rhoades-a review

Wolver's Gold

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / Smashwords

About The Book: Release Date May 20, 2014

Finding gold where you least expect it…

Lone wolf and Special Investigator for the ubiquitous Eugene Begley, Challenger McCall is sent to the town of Gold Gulch to take care of a problem that might involve the exposure of the wolver community. For McCall, it’s like stepping back in time – a hundred and fifty years back in time.

Gold Gulch is a tourist attraction where the wolvers take their work so seriously, they continue their Victorian lives long after the tourists have gone home. Much like their 19th century counterparts, the women are overworked and underpaid.

Rachel Kincaid is one such woman. Exercising the only power she holds, she has become a wolver oddity; a spinster who refuses to mate. Why would she, when she already has to take care of the short-staffed hotel, its restaurant, and her ne’er-do-well father? Angry and bitter, Rachel decides she deserves a better hand than the one she’s been dealt and finds herself drawn to the handsome new sheriff, Challenger McCall. Why shouldn’t she, for once in her life, enjoy the same freedom as the Soiled Doves on the hill?

Things get complicated when Rachel’s wolf awakens after a long sleep and the town’s women seem to awaken along with it. Papa’s gambling debts leave them on the brink; the pack is at risk; and the women rebel. Oh, and don’t forget the murders. If ever a pack needed rescuing, Gold Gulch is it, but as the girls up at Daisy’s Bouquet point out, – A smart woman needs to look after herself!

••••••••••••••••

REVIEW:  Wolver’s Gold is the newest intriguing installment of the Amazon Best Selling Wolver series by author Jacqueline Rhoades.

Departing from the last three Wolver books which involved the three Goodman brothers and their lives and packs, Wolver’s Gold leads deeper into the heart of the Wolver society and its issues. We get a closer look at the elusive Mr. Begley.

Challenger McCall works for Mr. Begley as a fixer for the elusive Council of Wolvers. He investigates and corrects issues within packs that may lead to the exposure of Wolver society to the human race. He’s unique, an alpha loner with no lasting relationships, except with his boss.

Rachel Kincaid is a wolver woman living in Gold Gulch, a tourist old west town where the Victorian dress and manner is still alive and well, even after hours. She’s decided against mating and for 15 years her wolf has slept.

Gold Gulch has some issues and Mr. Begley sends Challenger McCall to find out what’s up in the little old west town.
That’s the set up! No spoilers but let me tell you what you’ll find!

A twisty tale of crimes, passion, and women who need to find a way back to the freedom they were born to have and hold. Ms. Rhoades has written a wonderful tale of so many complicated issues and used her typical humor, wit and interesting twists to bring them to life and light.

Again, this book is full of wonderful and witty conversations, situations and secondary characters that you just learn to love (and bad guys you love to hate). All this and marvelously researched language and period items without getting in the way of a great storyline.

Do yourself a huge favor, get your favorite beverage, a few tissues and make sure you have lots of time, you won’t want to stop or put this down; and enjoy this action packed, love story (yes, it’s got some sizzling love scenes)! I certainly did!

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Georgianna

Reading Order
1. The Alpha’s Mate
2. The Alpha’s Choice
3. The Alpha’s Daughter
4.  Rabbit Creek Santa
5. Wolver’s Gold (May 2014

Wolver's Gold

excerpt

 

She’d just bent to sweep her neat little pile of debris into the pan when he spoke above her.
“What’s freckled and pink and red all over,” (Jack Coogan) asked with a snickering laugh and then sang his detestable ditty. “Tell me Rachel dearest, if what they say is true, are you like the other redheads and red all over, too?”
Anger rose in Rachel so quickly and violently that it should have frightened her. Her spine snapped to attention, shoulders back and squared. Gripping her broom with two hands, she spun it upright like a soldier presenting arms and then she swung that broom like she knew what she was doing and had done it before. She thrashed that obnoxious wolver, who was now hunched over with his arms curled around his head to protect himself from the blows of the tightly woven fan of straw.
“Do you really want to know the answer?” she hissed at him, continuing the broomstick battering. Whomp. “Because I’ll gladly tell you, Mr. Coogan.” Whomp. “Your whole body, that’s what.” Whomp. “Or it will be by the time I’m finished with you! Now get out of here before I really lose my temper.” Breathless, she gave him yet another swat. “And don’t come back!”
“Aw, Rache, I was just trying to get your attention,” Coogan complained as he scuttled around the edge of the large vestibule, Rachel right behind him threatening another bout of violence. “It was just a bit of fun.”
“It’s Miss Kincaid, and the next time you think that’s the way to get a lady’s attention, you’d better think twice. Do you hear me, Mr. Coogan? I have neither time nor tolerance for your fun. Now get out and do not dare to enter this establishment ever again.”
She drove him through the open door with the threat of her broom. Someone stepped aside when, with one last stroke of the broom, and as if she was sweeping the last of the dirt out the door, Rachel chased the man out.
A large, booted foot connected with the seat of Jack Coogan’s trousers with enough force to send him sprawling over the porch and down into the dirt.
“Always happy to help a beautiful woman,” said a deep voice.
Cheeks flushed from the heat of battle, green eyes blazing with a hundred grievances ready to explode, and trusty broom at the ready, Rachel turned to the owner of the boot.
“Whoa, little lady, whoa.” He waved his hands in front of him to ward off the imminent attack. “I’m on your side,” he laughed. “No guy in his right mind would say that to a lady.” He laughed again. “I would have helped you more, but you looked like you were doing fine without me.”
Rachel felt her mouth open, yet no sound emerged. With a conscious effort, she forced it shut, but could do nothing about her wide and staring eyes. To calm herself, she drew in a breath deep enough to make her corset creak, and caught the heady scent of a prime alpha wolver.
“Are you okay?”
No, of course she wasn’t ‘okay’. How could she be? She’d just lost her temper in the most unladylike manner in front of this, this…
“Oh dear,” she breathed and looked at the broom in her hands as if she’d never seen one before. “Oh dear,” she said again.
Reason tried to reassert itself when she spotted the dog, sitting at the wolver’s heels. Out of all the thoughts whirling in her head, only one made it to her tongue.
“You can’t bring the dog in here, and out there, it must be on a leash.”
“Actually, I was looking to rent a room for a few days.” He stepped through the doorway and closed the door behind him. “Miss Kincaid? I think you should sit down.”
Her face fell into a different kind of frown. Etiquette, practiced for years, was lost. Words of polite discourse were nowhere to be found. “How do you know my name?” she asked rudely.
“You told the guy you just gave the ass whuppin’ to. It’s Miss Kincaid, you said.”
She started to reprimand him for his language and then her befuddled brain kicked in and she realized what he’d said. “How much did you hear?” she asked in a high pitched squeak that sounded nothing like her own well-modulated voice.
“From the minute the bastard spoke,” he told her, grinning. “I was standing in the doorway, admiring your, um, dustpan skills, when the jackass made a crack about your…”
“You saw the whole thing? Why didn’t you speak?” And save her from making a fool of herself.
“Should I have? You looked like you had it under control.” He winked at her. “Next time I’ll remember to step in.”
“There won’t be a next time, Mr.… I’m afraid I didn’t get your name.”
“Challenger McCall, though most folks just call me…”
“Sheriff McCall.” She rolled her eyes heavenward with a silent prayer to the Good Lord to strike her dead without delay.
“I hope so,” he said, starting to laugh. “Is that a problem?”
“No, sir, of course not. Why would it be?”
“I don’t know. You just seem a little upset by it, that’s all.”
Upset? Why would she be upset? It couldn’t be because the visitor, who should be, as all visitors were, gone in the next day or two never to return, a visitor who witnessed the most improper, unrefined and disrespectable circumstance she’d ever found herself in, turned out to be the very handsome and unsettling new sheriff. Oh, heavens no. That wouldn’t be upsetting at all. Her stomach rolled and fluttered in unaccustomed discomfort, as if she’d ingested something alive and still moving. Panic started to rise.

 

About The author

Follow: Goodreads/ Website/ Facebook/ Twitter

Jacqueline RhoadesA New Englander by birth and an Ohioan by choice, Jacqueline, known as Jackie by her friends, makes her home in a small, rural town with one lovable husband, one spoiled dog and one disinterested cat. (The adjectives are often interchangeable). An avid reader from a very early age, Jackie has an eclectic taste for books and therefore has trouble naming a favorite genre or author, though she does admit that for pure personal fantasy and ‘take-me-away’ books, you just can’t beat a good romance.
Jackie believes in the beauty of all women and thinks most women don’t see themselves as they should (herself included). She tries to make the women in her books reflect the best of ‘average’ in a variety of shapes, sizes, personalities and backgrounds, and each is beautiful in her own way. Some of her heroes are movie star handsome, while others are not. All her characters are beautiful in the eyes of their lovers and that, to Jackie, is the most beautiful of all.

The Guardians Of The Race Series
paranormal, romance,
Guardian’s Grace
Guardian’s Hope #2
Guardian’s Joy #3
Guardian’s Faith

The Wolvers
Paranormal, shifters, romance
The Alpha’s Mate
The Alpha’s Choice
The Alpha’s Daughter
Wolver’s Gold

Hidden Mountain
Contemporary Romance
Preston’s Mill

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Love’s Sorrow by Terri Rochenski – a Review

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Love’s Sorrow by Terri Rochenski – a Review

 

Love's SorrowAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
Hired as a nanny for her cousin’s children, Anne Tearle finds security and a loving family. The children are a dream, but London society is a world of its own, one where a displaced farm girl has no business being. But, wealthy rake, Gavin MacKay, helps her to see associating with the upper class might not be as horrid as she first assumed.

Like all things worthwhile, love comes at a price, and the cost soon bestows more anguish than joy. Lost, but not undone, Anne must find the courage to begin life anew, or succumb to sorrow’s unrelenting waves of grief.

 

Review
Love’s Sorrow is the first book of the Means of Mercy series by Terri Rochenski. I had a confusing time with this review, at first, until Sandy found out this was to be continued in the next book.

The story is well written and intriguing. A historical romance with all the finery and dresses we love to hear about. Anne Tearle is a young orphaned farm girl, raised in her uncle’s house by a wicked evil aunt. Cinderella type story has her uncle (not evil like his wife) going to live with an estranged cousin in the guise of being a tutor for her cousins two boys. Upon arriving, she was treated as family instead and introduced into London society.

Our young heroine falls in love and gets married to a handsome wealthy young Scottish man, Gavin MacKay. All seemed perfect as he seemed to be in love and attentive to his new bride, lavishing her with clothes, gifts and an enormous house.

I’m purposefully leaving out the wonderful details, so you can enjoy them for yourself! As I said before, this is well written and interesting.

After a few years of trying to have children, Gavin’s big dream, there are miscarriages and one infant death after only 3 days. This takes its toll incredibly, as would be expected, at this point Gavin has reverted to his mistresses and is a drunken despot (I’m greatly distressed, because I thought him wonderful and reformed by Anne’s love). Anne finds him in bed with another woman and leaves him, really unusual for the times. She proceeds to file for divorce, completely unheard of in the times. She is thwarted by gossip started by him calling her a liar, witch, and so much more. Whereupon, she escapes London to her friends in America, where her maid and friend marries and leaves her alone but with friends. She finds herself pregnant from a bruising rape her husband performed before she found him abed with the other woman.

The book ends on a cliffhanger with her vowing to keep the child from Gavin, if it, indeed, lives.

I’m so glad to know it will continue and Anne will find love again. I spent a couple of days in a horrible humor wondering how to write this, not knowing about book two! I’m a HEA or at least a HFN kind of gal and really looking forward to a better solution for dear Anne!

This is an excellent and complicated story, and I for one will be waiting for the next installment with baited breath! The characters in this are well done, the situations realistic…I’m just so glad it didn’t end here!

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy provided by author

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All the Boys I Ever Kissed by Marilyn Kelly – Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

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All the Boys I Ever Kissed by Marilyn Kelly – Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

All the Boys I Ever Kissed Banner

 

All the Boys I Ever KissedLink to purchase All The Boys I Ever Kissed:  Amazon

 

Description:
Lana Patterson wants a husband, but she’s striking out online and with blind dates. Her sister suggests she look to her past to find her future, and Lana starts contacting old boyfriends. She’s been practically housebound since her husband died, so she starts local, in Washington DC.

Captain CPR is Chippendale firefighter hot, but other than his incredible body and compatible sense of humor, Lana doesn’t find him the ideal bedmate or potential husband. Pierce Abrams runs into burning buildings for a living, and she wants a husband who will be there to walk her daughter down the aisle.

Lana grew up as a Foreign Service child and is now a travel writer. Her sister and daughter insist she hit the road, so Argentina and England are her next stops. The first boy she ever kissed is athletic, adventurous, intelligent, wealthy, and the most amazing Latin lover. Unfortunately, Sergio Salazar has a closet full of girlfriends that he claims he’s willing to give up. Lana has her doubts.

Her high school boyfriend has more potential, since his current girlfriend is on the wane. Duncan Claymore is a baron with a castle, and oh so tempting, even introducing Lana and family to the Duchess of Cambridge. It would be a fantasy life, but his conniving sister threatens to derail their renewed love affair.

Three amazing men are all having adventures of their own. Which one will capture Lana’s heart? The reader gets to choose!



Review:

If you love fantasy romance, adventure larger than life, excitement beyond the normal this book is a must read. Marilyn Kelly has written a wonderful tale of a mid-aged widow with a teenage daughter who has just gotten over the worst of her grief and is on a quest to fulfill a promise to her now deceased husband; finding another husband for her and father for their daughter.

It’s well written, intriguing and humorous all at the same time. Told from Lana’s point of view, it’s interesting and incredibly emotional. The stories are larger than life, leading to wonderful entertainment and fantasy. The love making scenes range from comical to OMG!

Go ahead, give yourself a wonderful adventure, and I do mean adventure! Exotic locations, swoon-worthy lovers, heroic situations, what’s not to love? Very entertaining and so worth the time to read.

The story progresses to almost the end, then you get to choose your ending (not a favorite style for me) if you like the style. I had to read all three endings I just couldn’t stand not to! LOL Personally, I like to have the complete story from the author’s choice, but I found this this was interesting. There is also a bonus of the men’s POV’s at the end, equally entertaining.

My advice, grab your favorite beverage, some snacks and settle in for an interesting ride and read! Enjoy everyone, I certainly did!

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy provided by Author


Guest Post beige

Why I Love Romance Reader Conferences

I love reader conventions because I am an extroverted author who loves the romance genre, and sharing that joy in a welcoming, validating atmosphere is empowering. Before I started writing novels, I was a voracious reader of historical romance (now I mostly read books on writing and promotion.) I thought authors were born knowing how to write, and they stayed at their desks like automatons cranking out great prose. I had no idea they gathered together to discuss their craft and socialize. If I had known there were conferences where romance readers and authors mingled, I might never have started writing, because I would have come home with a hundred free books (not exaggerating) and a dozen new authors on my must-read list.

Fortunately, I didn’t discover reader conferences until after I’d written my first manuscript and was dedicated to being published. I’d already attended RWA (where the romance readers are also writers), so I’d gotten over the awesome feeling of meeting my favorite authors and learning some of their writing secrets. But my first Romantic Times Booklovers Convention (2008), where readers and writers socialize, was revelatory. Many authors and readers are FUN!

Heather Graham and her talented family sang and acted out a mystery, and she provided dinner and dancing to boot. Anne Elizabeth dressed in a corset and historical costume and displayed her ample cleavage like a romance heroine. Jade Lee threw a reader party and entertained with her witty humor. Delilah Marvelle, Sharon Page, and others danced until the DJ stopped playing. Amazing workshops for reviewers, bloggers and readers, handsome cover models who entertain, and tons of freebies. The list goes on. This doesn’t happen at writer-only conferences, where authors are focused on learning craft, business, and selling books to agents and editors.

And readers are integral to the fun. Writing is a solitary activity, and it’s beyond thrilling to meet readers who have enjoyed our stories. Reading is just as isolating, so stepping outside the comfort zone to get out and meet favorite authors is a worthy adventure. Even pre-published authors are lauded (good to have a website or Facebook page to keep future fans updated.)

My goal as an author is to make women feel empowered and fulfilled (and for men to learn how to accomplish their part of the process.) I can’t do that without readers.

I’m currently at the 2014 RT Booklovers Convention in New Orleans, and this is my first year with books to promote, which makes the week doubly exciting. Even though this convention is my favorite time of the year, the preparation and event are exhausting. There are giveaways to design and implement, promotional materials to write, and the packing alone takes me days. I write super sexy historical romances for Ellora’s Cave and have a closet of costumes from my connection to Renaissance festivals (my daughter-in-law grew up a ‘Rennie’ and her artisan parents are dear friends), so now I also wear a flowing gown with corset some days of the convention.

I also have a contemporary romantic women’s fiction, All the Boys I Ever Kissed, that I am publishing independently, and there is no better place to promote a book than where the readers gather to celebrate the romance genre. Who else is more likely to retweet my promotional posts and tell their friends about my unusual concept? (All the Boys is a choose your own ending novel, with three hot guys to pick from.)

So, I love reader conferences because I feel my work is valued here, and I hope to see more of you at next year’s RT, or Romanticon, or whatever reader-writer gathering is most accessible to you. Google romance reader conventions and you’ll likely find one near you. Anyone want to share their experience at a reader conference? Do you love them, dislike them or never been to one?

Happy reading!

 

About The Author beige
???????

I write super-strong women, which is no surprise. Growing up with five brothers, my theme song was Anything They Can Do, I Can Do Better! I’ve traveled the world, visited over forty countries and lived in three, earned a Master’s in Microbiology, obtained a patent, and trained thousands of emergency responders internationally. My creative side constantly knocked, and I beaded, faux painted and entertained as a wedding DJ on weekends. A few years ago, I started writing sexy historical romances and my college sweetheart husband jumped in, helping me with research and grinning all the way.

My Wanton Widows series, published by Ellora’s Cave, is about three accomplished women in Victorian England who are all searching for love, respect, and passion. The first in the series is Sounds of Love about a matchmaking novelist, a scholarly widow and an arrogant earl.

All the Boys I Ever Kissed (A Choose Your Ending Novel) is my first contemporary romantic women’s fiction. If you like The Bachelorette or Mamma Mia, I hope you’ll love this book! There are three amazing men – a DC firefighter/paramedic, an athletic Latin millionaire, and a British baron. Which one will win Lana’s heart? You choose your favorite! I follow the steamy romance with The Men Tell All Q&A.

I love lists and I’m the creator of the Eleven Senses – Who Knew? word-list book available on Amazon. If you’re looking for a way to add more sensory details to your writing, or to understand how the reading mind works, this book will come in handy.
My goal is to make thousands of readers happy and fulfilled. Please let me know if I’ve succeeded. If you would like to receive my newsletter and participate in contests, visit my website, www.MarilynKelly.net or email me at marilyn@marilynkelly.net

Website / Pinterest / Facebook / Twitter / Sounds of Love buy links

 

Giveaway beige

Free Kindle version of All the Boys I Ever Kissed through May 18th – download it now: Amazon

If you missed the above free copy, Marilyn is graciously offering e-copies (Kindle) of her book, All the Boys I ever Kissed to five (5) lucky commenters at The Reading Cafe.  Just comment that you missed the free book, and we wiill pick 5 winners from those comments.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page.

2. If you are using a social log-in such as Twitter or Facebook, please post your email address with your comment.

3. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

 4. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Giveaway open Internationally

6. Giveaway runs from May 18 to May 21, 2014

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Daughter of the Gods by Stephanie Thornton – a Review

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Daughter of the Gods by Stephanie Thornton – a Review

 

Daughter of the GodsAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
Egypt, 1400s BC. The pharaoh’s pampered second daughter, lively, intelligent Hatshepsut, delights in racing her chariot through the marketplace and testing her archery skills in the Nile’s marshlands. But the death of her elder sister, Neferubity, in a gruesome accident arising from Hatshepsut’s games forces her to confront her guilt…and sets her on a profoundly changed course.

Hatshepsut enters a loveless marriage with her half brother, Thut, to secure his claim to the Isis Throne and produce a male heir. But it is another of Thut’s wives, the commoner Aset, who bears him a son, while Hatshepsut develops a searing attraction for his brilliant adviser Senenmut. And when Thut suddenly dies, Hatshepsut becomes de facto ruler, as regent to her two-year-old nephew.

Once, Hatshepsut anticipated being free to live and love as she chose. Now she must put Egypt first. Ever daring, she will lead a vast army and build great temples, but always she will be torn between the demands of leadership and the desires of her heart. And even as she makes her boldest move of all, her enemies will plot her downfall….

Review:

If you are a historical fiction fan and love exotic places like ancient Egypt, then Daughter of the Gods by Stephanie Thorton is for you! It’s well researched (meaning the important parts are fact). It’s extremely well written, I laughed, I cried, I was appalled, I loved, and I was thoroughly engrossed!

This is the story of Hatshepsut, one of the few women pharaohs in Egypt’s history. She started as the second daughter of Pharaoh Tutmose and his Great Royal Wife Ahmose. Her older sister dies unexpectedly and she must now be the one to marry their half-brother Thutmosis. The linage and marriage rules of the Egyptian royals are very interesting.

The story is one of a young woman, her wants, needs, mistakes and eventually her successes on behalf of her country and people. She was one of the best and most successful rulers Egypt ever had, but it was a huge undertaking with incredible sacrifices.

Stephanie Thornton has filled this book with wonderfully described locations, ideals, and motivations. It’s an incredible journey through this woman’s life and times. It has all the elements needed for a first class romance novel, love, betrayal, intrigue and so much more.

I never felt overwhelmed with descriptions. I was thoroughly enchanted by the dialog and story. It felt like living her life with her as she made her choices and came to learn so much.

I warn you, make time when you start, you won’t want to leave this story and go back to your life… well not for long anyway.

Required equipment: your favorite beverage, snacks to crunch on (not your fingernails), tissues are a must!

Enjoy everyone, I certainly did!

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy provided by Publisher

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Shelley Munro – Mistress of Merrivale – Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

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Shelley Munro – Mistress of Merrivale – Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

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Mistress of Merrivale
by Shelley Munro
Release Date: March 25, 2014
Genre: historical, romance

Mistress of MerrivaleLinks to order Mistress of Merrivale:
Samhain Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Description:
A marriage of convenience…full of inconvenient secrets.

Jocelyn Townsend’s life as a courtesan bears no resemblance to the life she envisioned in girlish dreams. But it allows her and her eccentric mother to live in relative security—until her protector marries and no longer requires her services.

Desperate to find a new benefactor, one kind enough to accept her mother’s increasingly mad flights of fancy, Jocelyn is nearly overwhelmed with uncertainty when a lifeline comes from an unexpected source.

Leo Sherbourne’s requirements for a wife are few. She must mother his young daughter, run his household, and warm his bed. All in a calm, dignified manner with a full measure of common sense. After his late wife’s histrionics and infidelity, he craves a simpler, quieter life.

As they embark on their arrangement, Leo and Jocelyn discover an attraction that heats their bedroom and a mutual admiration that warms their days. But it isn’t long before gossip regarding the fate of Leo’s first wife, and his frequent, unexplained absences, make Jocelyn wonder if the secrets of Merrivale Manor are rooted in murder…

Warning: Contains mysterious incidents, a mad mother who screeches without provocation, scheming relatives, and a captivating husband who blows scorching hot and suspiciously cold. All is not as it seems…and isn’t that delicious?

Review:

Mistress of Merrivale is a wonderful new book by Shelley Munro. It’s basically historical romance with a unique mystery/crime premise. I just never considered how very hard it would be to solve crimes back in the 1700’s.  To prove someone committed a crime you pretty much had to catch them red-handed.  This was made so much more difficult by no phones, no fingerprints, and no modern crime investigation methods at all.  It’s really interesting!

The story begins with Joycelyn Towsend, a lovely young woman whose father after having successfully married two of his daughters to titled men, lost his family money and business gambling and offered his home and last daughter as payment of his debts.  Yeah, he was a real charmer, I’m sure.  So Joycelyn became a consort to a very brutal man to pay her father’s debts.  When her father died, she took in her mother (her sisters didn’t want to soil their hands with her) who suffered from dementia and more. 

She was then won in another card game by Tobias Sherbourne, Earl of Melburn.  He was a kind and gentle man with a great deal of money.  However, he fell in love and proposed to another lady and had to set Joycelyn free. Tobias was such a good man and knew her circumstances were not of her own making, so he arranged for her to meet and marry his cousin Leo Sherbourne of Merrivale.  Leo’s wife had died and he needed a wife for his daughter and wanted one that would be easily cared for and would do as asked and not betray him with other men, as his first wife had done.  A marriage was arranged and she would even be allowed to take her mother with her to the country estate.

What’s interesting is, Leo is really attracted to Joycelyn and is looking forward to this marriage.  She’s also attracted to him, and even thought she doesn’t know him is also looking forward to this.  This would have been a wonderful story if just the romantic part was all there was; but Ms. Munro has chosen to weave a very intricate and really intriguing story of betrayal, murders, and so much more into this.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this well written story! In fact, I couldn’t put it down.  So, of course, I didn’t.  I just had to find out what was going to happen next.  Would Joycelyn fall in love, would Leo and what would happen to the mother…you get the picture.

Do yourself a favor grab this wonderful book, your favorite beverage, some snacks; and please don’t forget the tissues!  This will keep you guessing; make you laugh, cry, and swoon.  All the things that make life and a book worthwhile.

This was my first book by Shelley Munro, but it certainly won’t be my last.  I look forward to much more from this talented author.  Enjoy everyone, I really did!

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy provided by Author


guest post

Six Reasons to Read a Historical Romances

1. A historical romance is a cheap and comfortable way to time travel back to the past. The reader has the best of both worlds—the historical world with handy snacks and restrooms!

2. There is a historical era for everyone, and historical romances are much more interesting than those history classes back at school. Vikings, Medieval, Regency, Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Tang Dynasty, 1930s, World War I or II. The world of historical romances is diverse and entertaining.

2. Most of the heroes are alpha, and there’s more than one bad boy between the pages of a historical romance.

3. Tired of all those contemporary billionaires? Try a sexy historical man instead. Nine times out of ten, he has money, position and dresses well.

4. The men knew how to seduce a woman. They were masters in the art of seduction, and could make a woman’s knees knock with a heated glance or a softly spoken word.

5. The clothes were sexy and displayed the body. Men wore tight breeches and the women wore tight corsets to define their waists and lift their breasts. Uncomfortable—maybe, but very sexy too!

6. Classic plots such as marriage of convenience work beautifully in a historical setting. In fact most of my favorite marriage of convenience stories are historical romances such as A Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas.

My latest release, Mistress of Merrivale features the marriage of convenience trope. This type of story comes with inbuilt conflict and makes for an exciting journey to happy ever after.

What do you like about historical romances?


Giveaway Black and Deep Rose

Shelley is graciously offering an e-copy of one of her Historical romances, The Spurned Viscountess to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) 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. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

4. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Giveaway is open Internationally.

6. Giveaway runs from April 9 to April 12, 2014

 

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I’ll See You In My Dreams by Michael Edwin Q-A Review and Interview with the Author

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I’ll See You In My Dreams by Michael Edwin Q-A Review and Interview with the Author

I'll See You In My Dreams Banner

I’ll See You In My Dreams
by Michael Edwin Q
Release Date: November 2013
Genre: romance, mystery, fantasy, adventure

 

I'll See You in My Dreams

ebook only $1.99:   Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 3, 2013

85 year old Christopher Goodman and 84 year old Irene Kelly live thousands of miles from each other. But ever night they meet in a shared dream where they are young lovers. It’s time they meet in the real world. Christopher runs away from home, and with the help of his grandson, Walter Jr., they journey on a quest to Irene – his intentions – marriage! A cast of characters you will never forget. There’s Romance, Mystery, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, but most of all LOVE! You have a date tonight! Don’t forget I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS.

•••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW:  I’ll See You In My Dreams is one of the most unique and entertaining books I’ve read in quite awhile. The premise begins semi-unique but the twists and slant on the story line bring it fully on its own. Michael Edwin is a new author to me, but has made me a fan! Can’t wait for more by this enchantingly witty author.

There are chapter heading of songs, with a dream theme. I had no idea there were so many and certainly not so many that fit with this tale, just a little added inspiration.

It starts with an old man hitching a ride near a Texas cornfield, on his way to San Diego. A pretty ambitious undertaking when you learn he’s eighty-five! And get this, my friends, he’s going to see his girlfriend and get married; she’s eighty-four… got you interest yet?

While romance among the elderly is not a new thing, this is certainly a much more exciting one. I don’t do spoilers, but this was just so hard to put down. The story is told in different POV’s such as “Before the Journey”, “The Journey”, “After the Journey” and last but certainly not least, “A New Journey”.

What makes this such a wonderful read? Oh, so many things. Learning of his life before his wife died; living with his daughter and her family; his relationship with his second grandson; the lives he touches on his journey. The list could go on and on and on!
Here’s the really intriguing thing. He begins dreaming of an island and on this island he’s a young strong man again. Then he meets a woman, not just any woman (although he loved his wife with all his heart while she lived – she’s not the woman on the island, this perplexes him) his old sweetheart from high school. They begin a nightly, and sometimes more often, trip to their island and fall back in love.

They both know it’s a dream, but they love it! This is just the beginning!

That’s all the spoilers I’ll give out. Please, please read this marvelous tale for yourselves. This is one that must be enjoyed to be believed. This is thought provoking, entertaining and so incredibly surprising! I promise you won’t regret a minute of it.

Grab a bottle of your favorite beverage, some snacks (you won’t want to stop reading), and don’t forget a few tissues!

Enjoy, I certainly did! I’ll be looking for more from this author…

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Georgianna

Interview seafoam:black

TRC: Hi Michael and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS.

Michael: Thank you, I’m excited. I’ve been following The Reading Café for a while now – very impressive.

Michael Edwin QTRC: We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

FOLLOW: Facebook / Twitter

Michael: I sold my first piece when I was twelve, and I’ve been at it since. I’ve always written short stories, articles, and poems for magazines with some success, especially in the past ten years. I’ve written many books, but I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS is my first to publish. I just felt like the time was right.

TRC: What or who influenced your foray into writing?

Michael: The list of books and authors is huge. My love of reading is kin to my love of writing. Sometimes I can’t tell where one begins and the other ends.

TRC: I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS is your November 2013 release. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Michael: Eighty-five year old, Christopher Goodman and eighty-four year old, Irene Kelly live thousand of miles from each other. Every night they met in a shared dream as young lovers. Chris decides they need to meet in the real world. He runs away from home. With the help of his traveling companion, his grandson Walter Jr., he journeys to Irene. His intentions – Marriage!

I'll See You in My DreamsTRC: Are any of the characters, including Christopher Goodman based in reality or a compilation of people and your imagination?

Michael: All my characters are a combination of real people, the same with all the incidents that happen. The more real you put in a story, the more real it feels.

TRC: What was your inspiration for the dream island and the whole ‘Death’ after them, the temple and underwater city etc?

Michael: I needed them to be alone, to relate and rely on each other – what better place than a desert island. As for Death, when Death comes, he doesn’t come to rob you of something or take someone you love away. He comes for everything and everyone. He’s the ultimate villain. Yet I didn’t portray him as evil; because I don’t think he is. He’s just doing his job. The temple denotes that there is something scared about True Love. It’s underwater because the sacred is not easily obtainable. It’s in an ancient city because True Love is sadly becoming rare and forgotten.

TRC: Did Gabriel have a special significance?

Michael: When you say the name Gabriel, most people think of an angel. He’s always in the background ready to step forward and help; he guards and guides. I like his aloofness and dry sense of humor.

TRC: Will Walter Jr. get his own story line?

Michael: At the end of the book it’s clear Walter Jr. is better for going on the journey. There’s a sweet hopeful magic about the ending. As any magician will tell you, when the audience looks too long and too hard the magic disappears.

TRC: How long did it take to complete this wonderful story?

Michael: I toss around an idea for one to two years. I write all the time in my head, even in my sleep. Once I sit down at the computer, it takes about a year to get it down. Then I let it sit for another year, and then I can look at it critically. That’s when I take another few months to rewrite. It’s a long process, but it works for me.

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the series or is this a stand alone story line?

Michael: I enjoy writing about the human condition, relationships, life. I’ll always write in that genre. So, in a way, though this will not be part of a series, I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS will not stand alone.

TRC: If you could virtually cast the leading characters in this storyline, which models or actors best represents your ideal image?

Michael: Richard Farnsworth would have been perfect for the elderly Chris, but he’s not longer with us. There are plenty of good actors and actresses nowadays, but being an old geezer, I don’t know their names.

TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Michael: It’s a group effort, we all pull together. But I must admit they do get pushy at times.

TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?

Michael: Write in a way people can relate. Touch what’s in us all. We only connect with what is familiar to all of us. Don’t make it so personal. Drop the I, me, mine, and think more us.

TRC: Writer’s Block is a very real phenomenon. How do you handle the pressures and anxiety of writer’s block?

Michael: I always have four to five projects going at the same time. If I go dry for awhile on one topic, I just switch to another, got to keep writing.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties (research, logistics, background) did you encounter writing this particular story and series?

Michael: In my twenties I hitchhiked across the country for a few years. All the little road stories that happen in the book are variations of things I experienced in real life. I did plenty of research on Texas and American Indian history, and all the cities mentioned in the book.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas and information with other authors or friends and family. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Michael: My wife is a great help. She reads a lot, so if she doesn’t get it, it’s time to rewrite. As for stories, I won the 2013 Art Affair Literary Award for a story my wife felt was only so-so, and second place in the 2009 People’s Choice Awards with a story that didn’t even impress me. Just write for the joy of writing. No one truly knows.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Michael: I’m writing two new books, I’m rewriting two others; I’m working on a short story, and a couple of poems. (Honest, this is what I do)

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Michael: I’d like to thank my readers, encourage all the young writers out there, and I wish you peace and joy. But most of all I wish you love

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Anything someone else prepares.

Favorite Dessert
Moscato (with bubbles)

Favorite TV Show
We don’t own a TV

Last Movie You Saw
If I Were You – a great Canadian film with Marcia Gay Harden

Dark or Milk Chocolate
If I’m going off my diet, it won’t be for candy.

Secret Celebrity Crush
Crushes? I can only think of my wife, but that’s no secret. (She saw the cover of my book in a dream, before the artist sent it)

Last Vacation Destination
Santorini, Greece

Pet Peeve
Life’s too short for such things.

TRC: Thank you Michael for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of I’ll See You In My Dreams.  We wish you all the best !

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