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Beyond Her Book

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Barbara Vey

WW Ladies and Friends Blurbs

June 11, 2008

My last day in St. Louis before I head home and it has been a great impromptu vacation. Yesterday we went to the library (a must on any vacation) and I loved that they had little shopping carts for the kids to use for all the books, videos and cds they wanted. Alex, 7, is into adventures and found a book about Ninjas and Lydia, 5, loves Junie B. Jones audio and princess movies (my HEA girl). Then Alex and I went to see Prince Caspian, which was the perfect adventure movie for us to share (along with the popcorn and Skittles).

Now, on to the Wednesday book blurbs and watch for the new Saturday edition.

Wild & Hexy by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Read by Joyce

It's so romantic when the beta male gets the girl! How often does that happen?

Jeremy Dunstan has been in love with Annie Winston since junior high, and has fantasized a life with them together in the starring roles. Annie, a former local beauty queen, was barely aware the computer nerd existed. Having returned to Big Knob for her sister's wedding, Annie discovers that Jeremy seems to have favorably outgrown his awkwardness. She has no plans, however, to leave the big city and return to the small town life. Matchmaking witch and wizard Dorcas and Ambrose Lowell take on the daunting task of giving the couple enough of a nudge to make all Jeremy's dreams come true.

Big Knob's history and description were developed in Over Hexed, and, happily, will continue. Wild & Hexy is an engaging romp peopled with quirky characters having comical misadventures. Funny and sexy, it's also so romantic...

Taking the Heat by Kathryn Shay

Read by Emily

Liam O’Neil was content working in the kitchen of his family’s pub. And after 9/11, he has nothing but respect for the firefighters that eat in the restaurant on a regular basis, especially if the beautiful Sophie Tyler is in attendance. Liam knows that nothing can come from his attraction to Sophie, but when she’s hired as a part-time waitress, he can’t help himself. He wants to have a relationship with this amazing woman, but being a widower with two children puts things into perspective. How can he get involved with someone who goes into burning buildings voluntarily and may never come out.

Kathryn Shay has written a few books about firefighters, and the 9/11 tragedy. I have never before read any, but I’m going to add them to my TBR pile. I enjoyed this book, and throughout the reading I couldn’t figure out how Liam and Sophie were going to get together. Was she going to quit being a firefighter; what she was born to do? Or was Liam going to have to realize that his girl comes as a package or not at all. I enjoyed this book immensely.

One Wrong Step by Laura Griffin

Read by Liz

Celie Wells's ex-husband is on the run from the Saledo gang, having stolen money from them. When he ends up murdered, the FBI fears Celie may be their next target. An old acquaintance, playboy reporter John McAllister, steps in to help Celie. The attraction between them is hot, but Celie is afraid to be vulnerable to anyone, especially someone with a reputation like John's, when her very life is in danger.

This is an enjoyable, fast paced-romantic suspense. Celie is a well-drawn, believable and sympathetic heroine. John's journey from playboy to one-woman man is satisfying. The beginning of a secondary romance is included, between an FBI agent and a tenacious young reporter, but it is only hinted at. Hopefully Griffin will follow up with these characters in a future book. I was disappointed to see in the excerpt from her next book that the characters appear new. My fingers are crossed.


The Best Days of Someone Else's Life by Kerry Reichs

Read by Loretta

Kerry Reichs describes eleven, yes that is ELEVEN - weddings to which she was either a bridesmaid, maid of honor or invited guest, in an 18 month period. Using her incredible sense of humor, she treats her readers to descriptions of the groom, the bride, the bridal showers, gifts she bought, bridesmaid's dresses with matching shoes (never to be worn again).   She timed the ceremonies, commented on the music and soloists, the clergymen, and the readings.

You will laugh out loud at her portrayals of the receptions, from the first drink to the last, the food and last of all, her empty checking account for all of the above. Clever, clever writing!

The Piaras Legacy by Scott Gamboe

Read by Michael

The Piaras Legacy is a basic sword and sorcery type of fantasy, with a few extra additives. Sure, it has the typical elves, dwarfs and wizards one would expect, but this author tosses zombies, ghosts, vampires, and even a little romance into the mix. There is the requisite quest, and some of the plot devices were a tad obvious, but it is all handled quite well, and I truly enjoyed it.

Having spent years reading Martin, Eddings and Jordan, I'd like to add that I appreciate very much the author's ability to tell an entire story in a single volume.

Letters to a Secret Lover by Toni Blake

Read by Emily

After a revealing picture was plastered all over the tabloids, Lindsey Brooks decides to get away. She runs to Moose Creek, Montana to reclaim a parcel of family land. She didn’t think anyone would stop her from buying the land back, but she was wrong. Rob Colter wasn’t willing to sell the land that he had made his home. So Lindsey decides to stay, and convince him to sell, but what she didn’t plan for was that her attraction to Rob would be reciprocated. A torrid affair takes place, but when she wants to take things to the next level, Rob doesn’t want to fall any deeper for the beautiful Lindsey. He has many secrets that he knew would drive her away. You know, secrets always find a way out into the open. But will their passion be enough to overcome the disasters that the secrets reveal?

I don’t want to give too much away, but these secrets that Rob is holding inside sure are whoppers. But don’t hold them against him. Terrific read!

Shadow Magic by Cheyenne McCray

Read by Joyce

D'Anu witches Hannah and Rhiannon petition Garran, the King of the Drow, to ally himself and his people with them, the D'Danann warriors, and the humans in fighting the demons of the Underworld that have invaded San Francisco. Without the Drow, Dark Elves who can bear no sunlight, the battles cannot be won, and thousands of lives and souls will be lost. At first sight, a tension and an attraction is evident between Hannah and the king, and when she's committed as liason to remain with him, their relationship quickly progresses from political to personal to powerful.

This 4th book about the D'Anu Witches of San Francisco is as thrilling and sensual as the first three, and as the story continues I get more hooked on the characters and their relationships. I don't have much skill at scrying, as do these witches, but I foresee some intriguing relationships developing for more of my favorites. For myself, I'm glad I started at the beginning.

So, on my last vacation day, we're off to the zoo. Then tomorrow, the long drive home to soggy Wisconsin where I can assess the water damage to my condo. Reality sucks.

Bottom Line: Just as long as no books were damaged by the flooding to my home, I can live with it.

Posted by Barbara Vey on June 11, 2008 | Comments (20)

June 11, 2008
In response to: WW Ladies and Friends Blurbs
Karen Kelley commented:

There goes my money again because all of these sound fantastic!

June 11, 2008
In response to: WW Ladies and Friends Blurbs
Edie Ramer commented:

I love these blurbs! The ladies are so good.

Have a great drive home, Barbara. The sun is out and the weather is on your side. :)

June 11, 2008
In response to: WW Ladies and Friends Blurbs
Manda Collins commented:

Well, I've only read one of these (Letters to a Secret Lover--which was wonderful!) but it sounds like I need to add the others to my TBR list! Especially Wild and Hexy! I love a Beta hero!

And Barbara, I hope your condo is safe!

June 11, 2008
In response to: WW Ladies and Friends Blurbs
Toni Blake commented:

Barbara, just stopping by to thank you for featuring LETTERS TO A SECRET LOVER today, and also my thanks to Emily for her blurb/review : )

And hey, Manda, thanks so much, too - I'm so pleased you enjoyed the book : )

June 11, 2008
In response to: WW Ladies and Friends Blurbs
Monica Burns commented:

Wait a minute. Are you telling me a library has a little cart?? How big is this place? LOL I'm really bad, when my kids want a book, I go to B&N, point and click. At least I can legitimately tell the DH that I'm saving us money. He didn't buy it before but given gas is over $4 a gallon now I can get away with it. *grin*

June 11, 2008
In response to: WW Ladies and Friends Blurbs
Sheila commented:

I made my weekly trip to my local bookstore two days ago. I only go once a week because the closest bookstore is 40 minutes away! How sad is that?! Anyhow, I have added many of these wonderful books to my TBR pile. Now I just need to sign up for a speed reading course and my life will be so much more simple. lol

June 11, 2008
In response to: WW Ladies and Friends Blurbs
Shari Anton commented:

What a cute idea to have shopping carts available for the kids! Our library doesn't have carts, but there are baskets available for those of us who tend to grab more books than we can comfortably carry.

June 11, 2008
In response to: WW Ladies and Friends Blurbs
TarotByArwen commented:

Piara's Legacy sounds intriguing! And I recommend Cheyenne McCray's book! Fun stuff!

June 11, 2008
In response to: WW Ladies and Friends Blurbs
TarotByArwen commented:

Piara's Legacy sounds intriguing! And I recommend Cheyenne McCray's book! Fun stuff!

June 11, 2008
In response to: WW Ladies and Friends Blurbs
Jennifer LaBrecque commented:

Barbara, I love the notion of shopping carts for the kids at the library. Story time at the library was always a favorite destination when Girl was small.

Joyce, I LOVE this series that Vicki's set in Big Knob, Indiana. And yes, it's always a good read when the geek gets the girl!

June 11, 2008
In response to: WW Ladies and Friends Blurbs
VickiLewisThompson commented:

Barbara, thanks for posting Joyce's review of Wild & Hexy! I also noticed you're featuring two of my buddies, Kathryn Shay and Cheyenne McCray. Very cool! Sorry to hear about your flooding, and I'll cross my fingers and toes that no books were damaged.

June 11, 2008
In response to: WW Ladies and Friends Blurbs
Rhonda Nelson commented:

A shopping cart at the library? That's such a *great* idea!

And Vicki's Big Knob series is WONDERFUL! Am reading it now and absolutely loving it. I adore Dorcas and Ambrose. :-)

June 11, 2008
In response to: WW Ladies and Friends Blurbs
Audrey Sharpe commented:

Barbara, I've read two of the books listed, Wild & Hexy and Shadow Magic, and loved both of them. Two very talented ladies from Arizona!! Maybe I can send some of the hot wind blowing outside my door to help dry out your condo.

June 11, 2008
In response to: WW Ladies and Friends Blurbs
Liza commented:

Well, Wild & Hexy is the next in my TBR pile, but it looks like I will have to add a few more books to the pile. Thanks for the book blurbs. I'll say a prayer that your condo is in good shape and you don't lose any books.

June 11, 2008
In response to: WW Ladies and Friends Blurbs
Kathryn Shay commented:

Thanks so much for the great review, Emily. I'm glad you liked the book. I DO love those firefighters. And thanks, Barbara, for featuring me.

June 11, 2008
In response to: WW Ladies and Friends Blurbs
LAURA GRIFFIN commented:

Barbara,
I love that you always go to libraries! They have saved me from summer doldrums with my kids many years running now. Thanks for featuring ONE WRONG STEP. And a special thanks to Liz for the review!

June 11, 2008
In response to: WW Ladies and Friends Blurbs
Cheyenne McCray commented:

Thanks so much, Joyce for the wonderful review and to everyone who commented on Shadow Magic and my books. Hi, Vicki! Great to see you here, another AZ author and awesome lady. And Toni Blake--good to see you as well as everyone else I haven't had the chance to meet.

I was off for my first every "afternoon tea" with three author friends. We didn't even realize we'd talked for 3 hours, and it's an hour drive each way. So I've been off for tea the whole day! But as far as the traveling I always have a book in my CD player--and of course I'm home and left of at a crucial part. :)

Thank you again, Joyce, and thank you, Barbara!

June 11, 2008
In response to: WW Ladies and Friends Blurbs
Jennifer A. Ray commented:

I absolutely LOVED 'Letters to a Secret Lover' by Toni Blake and highly recommend it!

The romance is fun, but has a depth to it that is inspirational.

June 13, 2008
In response to: WW Ladies and Friends Blurbs
Liz Lincoln commented:

Laura, it was a pleasure reading your book. In fact, I had to go out and find your first one, because I enjoyed this one so much. What I want to know is, when are you going to give us the book about the FBI agent and the reporter (totally blanking on their names)? They were spicy!

June 27, 2008
In response to: WW Ladies and Friends Blurbs
Ann commented:

I just finished reading Letters to a Secret Lover. This is probably the best book I've read this year.