Hooray! Gmail is up and running, so I'm able to get to all the blurbs my WW Ladies have written for this week. Also, check back on Saturday for more blurbs (they've been busy reading while I was galavanting all over the country).
Riordan or at least his Puca persona has been confined for centuries in a stone, being passed from guardian to guardian until just the right one has been found to break the curse he lives under.
Our heroine has no idea what she is getting into when she comes into an inheritance from a very distant relative. Mina grew up being exposed to some elements of the "other" world, believing that her mother was just REALLY eccentric, but was in no way prepared for what she is now facing.
This paranormal romance casts a spell upon you from page one. Curses, Druids and Pucas make the story come alive and keep you a bit on edge wondering what will happen next. As the story began, I couldn't help but envy Mina, being pursured by not one but two gorgeous specimens of the male species. My emotions flipped a few times as the story unfolded, yet in the end I must say I still envy her, but for a much different reason.
Incubus Daunjuan is challenged by the King of Lust, and it's an offer he can't refuse, a do or die sort of thing. He will cease to exist if he is unable to tempt a particular pure soul and claim her from her heavenly destiny. He is confident that he can do again what he's done thousands of times before, at least until he begins to see the woman in question as something more than a quarry.
Jackie Kessler's series just keeps getting better, and being familiar with the previous stories, this third book is well worth reading. I was particularly entertained by the pieces of clever in a turn of phrase or an imaginative concept that took me by surprise. Excellent.
After finding a lump and undergoing a needle biopsy, all Clare Prentice could think about was the death of her mother 2 years previous to breast cancer and the knowledge that heredity could play a major part in the prognosis. Imagine her relief at the news that "you're just fine" and then the shock when her physician mentions that she might want to delve into her parental medical history as she was adopted. ADOPTED?? Clare hadn't had a clue...or had she? Working at a literary magazine in Chicago, she jumped at the chance to interview a reclusive author, Nate Hansson, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, a town with links to her adoptive mother's elusive past. And imagine her shock of discovering her real mother had supposedly been shot and killed by her father who later left town and leaving his 4 year old child with a sister-in-law, Clare's adoptive mother. Clare felt her whole life had been lived as a lie. How could she ever come to terms with it and would she ever find out the mystery behind her mother's death?
Living in the Midwest, I could so relate to the small town hominess in this book. I loved it and really like the way the book was written. I will be seeking other Martha Power's writings.
Elegance "Ella" St. James has powers that most people don't believe in. She's a witch. But for the women at Lavender House Ella's powers are an everyday occurrence. While the women have their own powers, Ella's are more powerful then all of women combined. While the rest of the women search for husbands, Ella is looking for her friend's killer. But in the process she runs into Thomas "Sir Drake" Donovan time after time. He is handsome and charming, and seems to realize that Ella has some sort of power over the ton. He himself is captured by her beauty, but when he presses her to choose him to warm her bed, he is turned down. She needs to keep her mind on track; she has no time for romantic entanglements. But when she gets close to solving the case of the murder, things become more dangerous. Will Sir Drake be there to save her before time runs out?
Lois Greiman has started a new phenomenon with Under Your Spell. It's not just your everyday romance. But it has murder, magic, and love all rolled into one. Ella seems like an ordinary woman in the beginning of the book. But once you start reading, you get pulled into the intrigue that Ella has to portray. Each chapter brings new light to the characters.
A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action by LuAnn McLane
Read by Ann
Macy McCoy's life is about to hit the fast lane. And for a girl from Hooterville, KY, that's a very big deal. Too bad there is no action with her longtime crush on her best friend Jamie Lee's brother and hometown hero, Luke Carter. (Readers of LuAnn's Dark Roots and Cowboy Boots will remember Jamie Lee) With the help of her new friends, maybe she can turn up the heat with Luke.
Not only does LuAnn have some of the best book titles around, her books are laugh out loud funny. Even for a city girl like me, this tale does not disappoint. And now I want more stories about the characters introduced here. LuAnn, if you are reading this, I definitely want more. Sam and Lilly have budding romances, will they work out? Will Tammy find love under the spotlight? And I want more cooking with Cody West. I stopped reading the except from Redneck Cinderella because I don't want to know what's coming next until I can read the whole book.
Forced Out by Stephen Frey
Read by Stacey
The mob. A former scout for the Yankees, living in Florida with his daughter. A phenomenal young prospect playing the lowest of the lowest degrees of pro baseball in Tampa. What do they all have in common? All is revealed in Stephen Frey's Forced Out.
Forced Out is both suspenseful and compassionate, the latter something I'd never expect from Stephen Frey. I'd seen hints in Silent Partner, but not to this extent. Here, it makes you care about the unlikeliest of characters, sometimes when you don't want to.
I absolutely adored this book, even as the ending had me wiping tears from my eyes.
The Gardella Vampire Chronicles began with The Rest Falls Away, taking place in early 18th century London, and Victoria Grantworth's education in her role as a Venator, a vampire hunter, a legacy through the Gardella side of her family. In this 3rd book, as the widowed Lady Rockley, Victoria continues her fight against the vampire queen Lilith, while maintaining acceptable social appearances. The two powerful men who fight along with her leave her confused by her ambivalent feelings toward each, creating an emotional romantic tug-of-war.
Since I like my romantic historical fiction to be also paranormal, I was taken with the blend in this take-no-prisoners story of a delicate-seeming society lady. Colleen maintains the romantic tension so well that you don't know what the heroine should do any more than she does. I like that. And these Chronicles, too.
Bottom Line: "A good book should leave you... slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading it." ~William Styron
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club LuAnn McLane commented:
Thanks so much, Ann! I'd love to do Cody West's story. He was such a fun character and I'm a big fan of cooking shows. Redneck Cinderella will be out in March but I have a *very* steamy romance titled Driven by Desire out in October.
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Stacy ~ commented:
I am a huge fan of LuAnn's work, and this review nailed it perfectly. Her characters are real life people, easy to relate to, and that makes her stories even more enjoyable. And as a big fan of country music, I love how she incorporates that in her work. It's really fun.
And I adore Colleen Gleason's Gardella series. I thought I would have a problem with her dragging out the romance until the 5th & last book, but I find myself totally engrossed in the series. I'm totally hooked.
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Edie Ramer commented:
Barbara, I love the quote at the end! Thanks for the blurbs, ladies! Once again I've added books to my list.
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Jennifer LaBrecque commented:
What Edie said! Love the quote and I always enjoy the reviews!
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Missy Taylor commented:
Yeah what Edie and Jennifer said! Love the quote. Thanks for the reviews.
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club BookstoreDeb commented:
I adore LuAnn McLane's books! Those are my pick me up reads and I've gotten so many people hooked on her books! I love it when I can pass along a good book.
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Raelene commented:
Please don't put spoilers in book reviews. Specifically, the review of Pandora's Box states a major spoiler. I am partway through the book, and you've just ruined a large element by telling me something that hasn't been revealed in the story yet, is clearly intended to be a surprise for the reader.
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Raelene commented:
Please don't put spoilers in book reviews. Specifically, the review of Pandora's Box states a major spoiler. I am partway through the book, and you've just ruined a large element by telling me something that hasn't been revealed in the story yet, is clearly intended to be a surprise for the reader.
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club HOLLY JACOBS commented:
I read Natale Stenzel's Pandora's Box a while back and adored it. Now I'm anxious to find a moment to read her new one, The Druid Made Me Do It. Loved the combo of humor and paranormal!
Holly
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Barbara Vey commented:
Raelene, I'm sorry there was a spoiler in the blurb. It was purely unintentional. I hope you can still enjoy the book.
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Lois Greiman commented:
Emily, I'm so glad you enjoyed Ella and her Spell story. It was great fun to write. Her sister's adventure comes out in February. Yay for magic!
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Kathleen Eagle commented:
Lois Greiman never disappoints!
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Hazel White commented:
I haven't read Ms. Greiman's book yet. It's on my bookshelf as a reward to read after I've lost 10 pounds. I've read other books by her and have no doubt that will be a great motivator. I'm thinking 10 miles every evening on my trike plus salads for dinner and I'll start the book in one more week. I really can't wait. Maybe just the first page....
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Conspiracy of Silence commented:
I love the premise of this book. I can't wait to read it when it comes out this November!
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club TKCarat commented:
Lois Greiman is one of the gems of historical romance! I wish somebody would set her in a fabulous piece of jewelry and make her the star she deserves to be! Her latest it indeed one of her finest!
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Daisy Crown commented:
Hey-- great to see you talking about Lois Greiman's book here! It's fabulous. I love the magic and the historical romance together. Right up my alley!
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club natale stenzel commented:
Judy, I'm so glad you enjoyed Pandora's Box! Thanks so much for reviewing it! And Raelene, does it help that you completely made my day when you said you were reading the book? I hope you enjoy it:).
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Judy F commented:
I love LuAnn's book her sense of humor shines in her stories. I can't wait to get my hands on her next book.
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Delores Fossen commented:
Pandora's Box just moved to the top of my TBR mountain. Great review!
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club WW Ladies Book Club commented:
I never miss a book by Lois Greiman. Her characters immediately draw you in and the dialogue is always witty and funny. Can't wait to read "Under Your Spell."
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Kristen Painter commented:
Martha Powers books are always a sure thing!
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Bonnie Tucker commented:
I read Pandora's Box on a trip from Houston to Chicago. Great fun, Had never read anything before about Pucas so this was all new to me, and I was immediately drawn into the story. Loved it.
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Candy Halliday commented:
Pandora's Box is pure magic - glad so many other people agree with me.
Can't wait to read The Druid Made Me Do It.
Kudos to Natale Stenzel for her incredible imagination.
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Edna Curry commented:
Glad you liked Lois Greiman's book. All of hers are good.
I hadn't gotten to Under your Spell yet, but am glad you reminded me. I'm headed to Amazon to download it to my Kindle right now!
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Cindi Myers commented:
Great reviews all around. I loved Pandora's Box and can't wait to read the Druid Made Me Do It. I love the great humor in these books.
August 21, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Cindi Myers commented:
Great reviews all around. I loved Pandora's Box and can't wait to read the Druid Made Me Do It. I love the great humor in these books.
August 22, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Marcia James commented:
I love reading the reviews on this blog, and I especially enjoy reviews of contemporary romances and funny romances. LuAnn's books are on my Must Buy list!
-- Marcia James ;-)
August 22, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Michelle Buonfiglio commented:
Hiya, Babs and friends! Love me some Lois Grieman, and Under Your Spell is a super fave. All Lois' reads rock, but this one's a real break out..Nice take, Emily.
exc
August 22, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Michelle Buonfiglio commented:
You said it, Ann! LuAnn's Talk is really hot. She's certainly got humorous way with First Person Southern.
August 22, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club violet s commented:
Good afternoon Barbara! Thanks for all these WW Ladies Blurbs--one book sounds better than the other! Where do we start?! What a good idea
August 22, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Leanna Renee Hieber commented:
Yay Stacey - Awesome blurb for Forced Out! Cool! *waving to Natale, fellow Dorchester author!* Pandora's Box looks great! Kudos!
August 23, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Helen Scott Taylor commented:
Great to see Natale Stenzel's fab book Pandora's Box reviewed. And I just love Colleen Gleason's paranormal historical series. A must read for me.
August 23, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Emily Bryan commented:
Along with Pandora's Box, Natale Stenzel's newest, THE DRUID MADE ME DO IT, looks great too!
Thanks for the informative reviews!
August 23, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Patricia Sargeant commented:
Thank you so much for providing so many reviews. My TBR stack just keeps growing! :)
August 23, 2008 In response to:WW Ladies Book Club Trish Albright commented:
Just got Pandora's Box and can't wait to get into it tonight. Woohoo - another big Saturday night. Thank you Natale for being the reward after a long week!
Pandora's Box by 
Hotter Than Hell by 
Conspiracy of Silence by 
Under Your Spell by 
A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action by 
Forced Out by Stephen Frey
