Barbara Vey

Guest Blogging at Beyond Her Book up for Grabs
May 7, 2008

Well, today's the big day.  One day of guest blogging here at Beyond Her Book is on the auction block.  Over at Brenda Novak's Online Auction for Diabetes Research, you have until 8:59 p.m. PST to bid on this special opportunity.  I was worried there wouldn't be any bids, but it's up to $72 and there have been 18  bids.  So, thanks for not making me feel like loser. <grin>  Click here to get in on the bidding action for your chance to talk about your book, yourself or to post pictures of your pets.

Now on to the WW Ladies book blurbs of the week.

Servant:  The Awakening by L L Foster

Read by Joyce
 
Gaby believes it's her duty to use her gift to destroy evil.  Not just normal human bad, but genuine soul-destroying evil.  The fact is, though, that she has no choice in the matter.  When the "call" comes upon her, it causes her pain and to lose her perspective of the real time world until she completes the assigned task.  Her one friend considers her a superhero.  She knows she is not, but thinks of herself as just a servant.  When she realizes Detective Luther Cross is suspicious of her involvement in recent unexplained deaths, Gaby is wary of his interest and works to keep her secrets, but finds that their mutual attraction beyond his official capacity is difficult to ignore.
 
I can hardly wait to get to the next book, Servant: The Acceptance.  Lori Foster's romance readers should be able to enjoy this first-rate crossover into urban fantasy.  I certainly did.




The Switch by Lynsay Sands  (Reissue)

Read by Judy

Have you ever been duped by identical twins?  Unnerving, isn't it?  Elizabeth and Charlotte have elevated the art of switching to a much higher degree than most. The story is set in England bringing the "British" air to the entire novel.  Become a part of Beth and Charlie's adventures and misadventures as the run away to avoid their arranged marriages.

Their plotting gets them into to some very interesting situations.  A truely delightful and humorous romantic adventure.




The Next Adventures of Guy...more wackiness by Norm Cowie

Read by Beverly 

Guy and his band of cohorts go off on another Quest.  This one involves stoping aliens from invading planet earth.  Of course this is not as simple as it seems.  There is plenty of magic porvided by Thurman with his purple smoke; there is a grain of sand named Anak by Knob (which plays a much bigger role in this book than just a grain of sand); big oil and a lot of other wackiness and "Guy" humor. 
 
If you want a book that really just makes you laugh, read this.  It is LOL funny. 






Dead to Me by Anton Strout

Read by Joyce
 
Simon Canderous is new at his job with the Department of Extraordinary Affairs, Other Division, for the city of New York.  He's developing his psychometric powers (the ability to retrieve information about an object by touching it) to use in the department's endless battle for Good over Evil.  When the ghost of an attractive young woman appeals to him for help, Simon's first big case as an investigator begins, leading him into danger against evil cultists bent on creating a new addictive substance.
 
I was entertained by the zany moments of excitement and action, and the tongue-in-cheek narrative kept it light and punny- er, funny.  I very much enjoyed the descriptions that allowed me to visualize scenes almost as clearly as a remembered scene of a movie.  That's cool!   



One Night Love Child by Anne McAllister

Read by Dina
 
Sara McMaster is a single mom, Flynn Murray is the new Earl of Dunmorey castle, they shared one night of hot passion years before, but they went their separate ways until a little boy learns of his father.
 
I loved "One Nigh Love Child", it was very sweet and enjoyable.  Their was unconditional love with some conflict and the little boy who just found his dad wanted only to share his love and have his family together, was very touching.





The Perfect Match by Kimberly Cates 

Read by Jodi

Cover art doesn't usually sway me, but the cute Newfy puppy on Kimberly Cates' The Perfect Match caught my eye. What I found was an incredibly delightful story that made me laugh hysterically one minute and sob the next.  Enter the Lawless girls: Charlie a heartbreaker in her need to be noticed by those she loves, and Mac, her crippled sister, a child we all wish we had but would find it too funny to live with.  Cashel Lawless is a most delicious hero: a stern cop, caring dad and eventual lover who readers will dream about. Quirky newcomer Rowena Brown, "fairy godmother" to the town's homeless animals, is the catalyst who heals the whole family but not without help in the form of Clancy/Destroyer, a 175 lb slobbery ball of Newfoundland fur. The sexual tension begins with Cash calling Rowena "Trouble" and doesn't let up; you might never look at your laundry room the same way again (very big grin).

Kimberly so nailed this dog's behavior I could see my own dear Newfy, Maggie on every page. But what really made this a five star read was the emotional one-two punch and what "loves" means for the girls as well as Cash and Rowena.  If you read this book and don't shed tears what are you doing reading romance in the first place? This is one is destined to be a classic.


The Jewel Trader of Pegu by Jeffrey Hantover

Read by Michael          
In 1598 a young Jewish gem buyer from Venice is a long way from home.  Pegu, located in Burma, is a very strange land in the eyes of Abraham, and he hopes his stay will be short and profitable.  Mya is a poor country girl, raised in the rice paddies.  Due to some unfortunate circumstances she finds herself living as a servant in Abraham's house.  The ensuing romance is not the typical culture clash romance that one would expect.  It is a sweet tale told by unusual means.  Abraham's side of the story is told via a series of letters written to his cousin in Venice.  On the other hand, Mya talks directly to the reader, tells us her thoughts and explaining her motivations.  I enjoyed the style of writing, and if I had any complaints at all, it would be that the book ended too soon.

Bottom Line:  I'm running over to the auction because I've got my eye on a "to die for" lunch with a very special author.

Posted by Barbara Vey on May 7, 2008 | Comments (6)