REVIEW: A Lady by Midnight by Tessa Dare

goodreads

Series: Spindle Cove (#3)

Genre: historical romance
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A temporary engagement, a lifetime in the making...

After years of fending for herself, Kate Taylor found friendship and acceptance in Spindle Cove--but she never stopped yearning for love. The very last place she'd look for it is in the arms of Corporal Thorne. The militia commander is as stone cold as he is brutally handsome. But when mysterious strangers come searching for Kate, Thorne steps forward as her fiance. He claims to have only Kate's safety in mind. So why is there smoldering passion in his kiss?

Long ago, Samuel Thorne devoted his life to guarding Kate’s happiness. He wants what's best for her, and he knows it's not marriage to a man like him. To outlast their temporary engagement, he must keep his hands off her tempting body and lock her warm smiles out of his withered heart. It's the toughest battle of this hardened warrior's life...and the first he seems destined to lose.

Please note: I was fortunate to have been granted access to an e-arc of ALBM in Edelweiss by HarperCollins. The book's expected publication: August 28th 2012.


Absolutely LOVED A Lady by Midnight!

Since this book is not officially out yet, I'm going to try my best to keep this review spoiler free.

REVIEW: A Week to Be Wicked by Tessa Dare

Genre: historical romance
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary can be found in Diana's review here.

Be still, my fluttering heart. My feelings are having feelings right now. Thank you Colin and Minerva for sharing your story. Or rather, thank you Tessa for writing their story!

As this epic love story just needed telling.

REVIEW: The Runaway Countess by Leigh LaValle

Genre: historical romance
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary can be found in Diana's review here.

Review:
Sizzling hot from start to finish!

I can hardly think after all the emotions. The feelings. Oh, how these feelings and thoughts are still resonating within me even after hours I had put my tablet down. And it was a struggle to put it down. I kept going back, wanting to re-read my favorite parts and just soak in these moments LaValle created.

LaValle's voice is very distinct and I'm kind of in love with the way she can string words together and create these profound sentences that unravel in such a moving way. Her voice. Her characters. Her characters' voices.

Both Lord Radford and Mazie are incredibly well developed. The way they speak, their personalities, so defined and complex. Love how they are so very telling in how they express themselves by their actions and words and words they choose not to say.

The chemistry between Lord Radford and Mazie is undeniable and present and so very real, it hurts in the most delicious way.

One thing that I absolutely loved about Radford and Mazie is that neither lost themselves, they stayed true to their character from start to finish! None of the OOC business to suit the plot. Mazie and Radford were all about learning who they were and learning to trust in that, whatever they were to be and become.

[SPOILERS under the cut!]

2012 is finally here! Say what?

2011 just flew right on by, I almost can't believe it!

So I'm sitting here, now, trying to conjure up thoughts of what I want to post. I mean, it's the new year and all, I want my first post to start out right. A good start is being thankful of the past, eh? Well, I think so. Perhaps a recollection of the best, most relevant, adventure that I experienced in 2011 is in order.

Diana had called me to go on this trip with her for a book signing. I told her that I would think about it because I had exams to study for. I remember calling her back and saying that I'd go because how could I say no? The date was set.

And as soon as we were off, I realized that this was not going to be an ordinary trip to say the least.

Diana and I went on this journey to not only make it to our destination but to also just be us for a day. It was a day to leave everything behind. We were worry free, except for getting lost, which we did, get lost, I mean. Anywy, what kind of road trip would it have been if we hadn't? Not the kind of road trips Diana and I make, that's for sure. We did eventually make it to Costa Mesa where we met Tessa Dare, Zoe Archer, Sylvia Day and Suzanne Forster at their book signing.

The book signing was held at an adorable book shop called Toni's New & Recycled Romances. Loved the place. Shelves upon shelves of books. All romance novels. Walking in just felt amazing. It was beautiful. And I loved the quirky charm to the place, making the experience personal and intimate. The bookstore owner was kind and welcoming. And wow, meeting the authors, seeing them face to face and even chatting with them... It was amazing. Diana and I were even able to take some pictures with them. If you haven't already seen them, you could view them in Diana's epic first post of the year.

We had such an awesome time, we didn't want to leave. But when that time came, we left the book store feeling good and with an arm load full of new books to read. And they were all personalized with autographs!

We had such a fun time and are so thankful that we had such an opportunity. Hopefully, we can do it again.

Just think of the new year. 2012 is here and already happening. Oh, the possibilities...

REVIEW: Lord of Fire by Gaelen Foley

Did I finally find myself a favorite? Does he trump all others? Is he a hero of heroes? That'll be a resounding yesyesyes!

Just who is this superawesomemegaepicdelicious hero??? Well, he can be found in the following story...

Title: Lord of Fire

Author: Gaelen Foley

Genre: Historical/Romance/Action/Drama/Suspense

Standalone|Series: Book#2 of the Knight Miscellany series

Rated: R for sexual content

Summary: Gaelen Foley has created a pair of enthralling twins for Lord of Fire, a Regency romance that blazes with passion. Lord Lucien Knight gave his honor for his country -- baiting traps with sins of passion and politics in the shadow war against Napoleon. Now that peace has been declared, the master spy turns his talents to vetting possible brides for his twin, testing their worthiness to wed his icily honorable war hero brother, Lord Damien. In the course of that duty he learns of Alice Montague. Miss Montague is said to be young, pretty, clever, good with children, and of impeccable character. She sounds perfect for his twin. Why, then, does Lucien lure Alice to his estate, compel her to promise to remain in what she knows to be a fortress of sin, and then begin a skilled campaign of seduction? Can it be that the Lord of Fire himself now burns with the fire of love?

(summary source: goodreads)

REVIEW...

REVIEW: The Duke by Gaelen Foley

Excited to post a review for a book that I feel is a must read.

And that book that MUST be read is...

Title: The Duke

Author: Gaelen Foley

Genre: Historical/Romance/Drama/Suspense

Standalone|Series: Book#1 of the Knight Miscellany series

Rated: R to NC-17 for sexual content

Summary: Driven to uncover the truth about the mysterious death of his ladylove, the Duke of Hawkscliffe will go to any lengths to unmask a murderer. Even if it means jeopardizing his reputation by engaging in a scandalous affair with London's most provocative courtesan - the desirable but aloof Belinda Hamilton.

Bel has used her intelligence and wit to charm the city's titled gentlemen, while struggling to put the pieces of her life back together. She needs a protector, so she accepts Hawk's invitation to become his mistress in name only. He asks nothing of her body, but seeks her help in snaring the same man who shattered her virtue. Together they tempt the unforgiving wrath of society - until their risky charade turns into a dangerous attraction, and Bel must make a devastating decision that could ruin her last chance at love...

(summary source: goodreads)

REVIEW...

First for everything...

Been trying to figure out my next post. And then I had an epiphany! I was like, dude, just start from the beginning!

Actually, before I get to the beginning, I should probably introduce myself first. Here goes: My name is Carrie. I have a bagillion nicknames, from Dot to Cupcake (no kidding, but there's only one person, so far, that can call me that!) to Carebear to... Well, you get the picture.

I'm incredibly shy, but only up until the point of meeting a person. I'm verrry easygoing, which is why, I think, I get along with just about everybody. Basically, if you're nice to me, I'll be your bestfriend.

I do have walls though. I hate talking about myself. I guard my heart well. But I also wear my heart on my sleeve. I'm cheesy. I'm laid back. I love wearing sweaters and yoga pants--just give me the weather for it! I contradict myself. I get cold super easily. I like being alone, but I hate feeling lonely (who doesn't?). I love to people watch. I'm told that I'm oblivious, especially by my Partner-In-Crime, D, AKA Diana. D is what I call her in my head. (PERHAPS SHE WILL INTRODUCE HERSELF SOON? *wink wink*) I love secondary colors: purple, green and orange. You can always catch me doodling on scraps of paper. To get away from the horrors of real life, I escape in whatever world books can offer me. Or I make up my own stories and write and write until I forget. I like post-its and highlighters and paperclips and stapling things. My grammar sucks and I'm comma happy. You have been warned!

What else is there? I'm 27, and single (am I a spinster yet?). I have two peek-a-pom dogs, named Chirippa and Pichu. I'll choose chocolate over vanilla. Mangoes and watermelons are the best. And I take my tea with honey.

This is getting tl;dr, isn't it? Anyway, all that stuff doesn't really say anything about me. And you probably aren't interested LOL

So, let's get to the beginning...

Who remembers their first romance novel? I do! I remember just how I obtained it. I remember who I was with when I got it. I remember opening the book and flipping to the first page. I remember feeling both very grown up and like a kid in a candy store all at once. I remember when I finished, and feeling like I had a new friend.

The novel: Zoya, by Danielle Steele. Zoya is a story that was beautifully crafted with detailed history, memorable characters and an epic love story. A classic. So glad that it was my first. Zoya was the perfect novel to introduce me into the world of romance.

I'm not going to post a review, that's not what this post is about XD This post is about beginnings. And, for me, it began in high school, when I went with one of my best friends to the library. And we found the romance section! It was awkward. It was embarrassing. It was awesome. I remember how we stuffed our backpacks full of Silhouettes and Harlequins and whatever else that caught our eye. It was absolutely thrilling. One of my best memories. Ever.

And that was where it all began. :)

As life continued, I found myself drifting away from the romance section and towards the suspense section. And after that, the memoirs section. Then back to the suspense and the thrillers.

And then--And then D pulled me back into the wonderful world of romance with her new found enthusiasm for it. Here. In this romantical world. Now. Everything is beautiful.

It seems now that I'm older (and hopefully a bit more experienced), I feel like reading romance is quite different for me than it was a decade ago. Not that the stories changed. They still generally run under the same formula. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I respect the stories more. I see things under a different light, in a new perspective. I'm applying and relating. I'm learning a great deal about people and how they interact. There's just something about romance novels that are special.

I feel like I've come full circle, but made it into a different circle that's more bright and colorful. I guess to sum it all up, I'm glad to find myself back in the romance section. ;)

♥ c

Do I dare to keep this up?

It's officially Friday. It's 12:07 a.m. to be exact. And I'm in bed, staring at my computer screen and willing myself to put pen to paper, or rather, fingers to keypad to get something down. Something that is not anything. Something relevant. And just... what is relevant? Forgive me, I'm babbling. I tend to do that. And besides, it's been a long day. Where was I? Something about something. Yes.

This, here, is a blog. About books. About books I've read and or wish to read. And sometimes about books that NEED to be read, because, you know, sometimes reading a certain book at a given time becomes a necessity.

Like today, which is now yesterday, but whatever! Today was one of those days when I absolutely had to finish a book that was so good I ached whenever I put it down. I seriously felt like I would simply die if I left it unfinished for another day.

I was sitting in class, listening to a chemistry lecture about solutions, reactions and equations that would determine half-life. And every now and then I would happen to look at my tab, my dear sweet tab, innocently displaying lecture slides. But my tab also held something deliciously tempting, a romance novel (ebook) that I had started reading the previous night. And I was hungry to finish it.

I did finish it. I read it every chance I got when I had downtime. No regrets.

I just had to read those words. Many of the words were not only sweet, but filling. They were words of passion, of heartbreak, of love. They were words that filled me with hope--all things good. And some bad things as well, which only made it more gratifying, and just more of everything, really. This feeling I had of being full of feelings from reading is what I would like to try to express, and to share these stories. Why?

Doesn't everybody need something that just might put a smile on their face, something that might make them feel good, something that they could get lost in and escape into a different world? Because. Just. Because. Why not?

Why not live part of our lives getting to know characters that may or may not be like us? Why not travel to a place we may or may not have seen before? Or why not travel to a time not of our own? Why not fall for heroes and heroines? Why not grieve with them? Why not share in their joy of happiness? Why not?

Am I being relevant yet? Am I even making sense? It's too late. It's early.

It's Friday.

I promised a friend. I promised myself. This blog will be kept. I will keep it up. When we're here, let's share the love in romance novels and the love of romance novels. It'll be fun!

♥ c