Review: Darn Good Cowboy Christmas by Carolyn Brown

He's One Hot Cowboy. . .

Raylen O'Donnell is one smokin' cowboy. He could have any woman he wants, but he's never been able to forget a certain dark-haired girl who disappeared from his life. So when she suddenly returns to the ranch next door, Raylen's not fixing to let her get away again . . .
And She's Out For a Sizzlin' Christmas

Raised in a traveling carnival, Lizelle Hanson thought all she wanted was a house that didn't have wheels and a sexy cowboy for her very own. But when settling down's going to take some getting used to, and catching Raylen, the hotter-than-hell cowboy next door, might just take a little holiday magic. . . description taken from here.




This is the 3rd book in the Spikes and Spurs series.  1st book is Love Drunk Cowboy and the 2nd is Red's Hot Cowboy.  The next book in the series is called One Hot Cowboy Wedding and is set to hit the shelves April 2012 with 3 more books following that.


First off I have to say that I just love Carolyn Brown's writing!  I have a few of her cowboy books and I love each and every one of them.  When I see a book by her, I can pick it up without reading the back blurb because I already know that I going to love it.  (It doesn't hurt that I love cowboys too!) ; )


I loved the main characters, but I also fell for the others that were involved in the story.  They each have their own parts and personalities to the point that you cannot wait for them to have their own book.  The whole O' Donnell family is so wonderful that it makes a girl want a family like that for herself. 

I will absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves romance novels.  It is a great book!



Until Next Time,
Happy Reading!

**I was sent a copy of the book in order to write a real and honest review. I was not paid to write this review. All opinions are my own.**

Review: Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish by Grace Burrowes

All Sophie Windham wants is peace, quiet and the novelty of a little solitude in the Duke of Moreland's London mansion before she joins her family for Christmas at the family seat in Kent. In the middle of a very inconvenient London snowstorm, Sophie finds herself stuck with an abandoned baby, and only the assistance of handsome stranger Vim Charpentier standing between her and complete disaster...


Vim Charpentier's worst memories are of Christmases spent with family in Kent, so when he has an excuse to tarry for a few days in London, he willingly lends a hand helping Sophie and her new little charge become acquainted. The growing attraction he shares with Sophie warms both their spirits, but when Sophie's three brothers arrive (from the East) to whisk her away, Vim has to decide between facing his memories, or letting the Christmas gift of a lifetime slip through his fingers. description taken from here.


I really enjoyed Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish, Burrowes was so descriptive when writing about the baby, that I fell in love with even this small character.  The rest of the characters as well were also wonderfully well written and very likable.  I liked seeing a man (Vim) being so calm and knowing around a baby, it was refreshing; especially so as Sophie didn't know how to care for a baby.

The story line was very cute and the romance felt heartfelt.  Great book!





Until Next Time,
Happy Reading!





**I was sent a copy of the book in order to write a real and honest review. I was not paid to write this review. All opinions are my own.**

Review: The Virtuoso by Grace Burrowes

Ellen Markham tells herself she's happy raising flowers and living in near penury in the Oxfordshire countryside, but when Valentine Windham moves in just on the other side of the wood, Ellen's longing for things she can never have threatens to overcome her good sense. Valentine's artistic soul, tender loving, and ducal determination tempt Ellen to trust and confide in a man who can only be endangered, should he learn of her past. For Valentine, regaining his musical skill becomes far less urgent than winning Ellen's heart. description taken from here.




I thought this was a cute story.  Both of the characters had their own issues (Ellen a young widow and Val having an injury making him unable to play the piano), and they thought that their love could never last.  The piano was the one thing that Val thought he could ever love and fill his life with purpose.  Come to find out, it seems that Val can love something more than just music and his life can still be filled with purpose.

The story had great characters and a nice bit of drama to keep the story line interesting.  I always enjoy Burrowes writing, and The Virtuoso was no exception.



Until Next Time,
Happy Reading!





**I was sent a copy of the book in order to write a real and honest review. I was not paid to write this review. All opinions are my own.**

Young Adult Novel Discovery Competition

Young Adult Novel Discovery Competition

Get in Front of Top YA Editors and Agents with
ONLY the First 250 Words of Your YA Novel!
No query? No pitch? No problem!


Serendipity Literary Agency, in collaboration with Gotham Writers' Workshop, is hosting its Third Annual Young Adult Novel Discovery Competition for a chance to win a one-on-one consultation with one of New York's leading YA literary agents!


If you've written a novel for young adults or have an idea for one that you would like to write, we invite you to enter our contest. Simply submit only an enticing title along with the first 250 words from the opening of your original YA novel. http://bit.ly/YAContest




GREAT PRIZES



The Grand Prize Winner will have the opportunity to submit an entire manuscript to YA literary agent Regina Brooks and receive a free, 10-week writing course, courtesy of Gotham Writers' Workshop, plus a collection of gourmet teas from Possibiliteas.co.

The Top Five Entrants (including the Grand Prize winner) will receive a 15-minute, one-on-one pitch session with Regina Brooks, one of New York's premier literary agents for young adult books. They will also receive commentary on their submissions by editors at Scholastic, Disney, Harlequin Teen, Random House, Viking, Roaring Brook Press, Sourcebooks, and Kimani Tru and receive a one-year subscription to The Writer magazine.

The First 50 Entrants will receive a copy of Writing Great Books for Young Adults by Regina Brooks.
Enter to win at http://bit.ly/YAContest Hurry contest ends November 30, 2011




http://www.serendipitylit.com/
Facebook.com/serendipitylit
@serendipitylit



 

 

**I was not paid to post this.**

Review: Tall, Dark and Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy

She's trading in her luxe lifestyle and heading for Wyoming...

In the wake of a nasty divorce and with her ex's vicious cronies hot on her heels, Lacey Bradford heads for Wyoming in search of an old friend.  But her high school pal Chase Caldwell has changed, hardened by bitterness and loss.  He's considerably less than thrilled to see the girl that broke his heart - especially when Lacey turns up on his door step asking for help.

As the two grapple with the ruins of their former friendship, a brand new, surprising attraction ignites.  Lacey is boldly beginning to create a new life for herself.  And, Chase has to admit, he's rather be part of that life than be left out in the cold alone... description taken from back cover.


I love these types of plots!  Guy likes girl.  Girl never knows.  Girl falls for guy down the road.  I especially like them when the guy is rough around the edges, like Chase is with his hardened heart.

I liked Lacey's character (as well as Chase's). They were well written and I enjoyed reading them and about their romance.  And, of course, I liked the drama!  Lacey had been a trophy wife and had never been able to go after the goals she had made when younger.  Chase's family had gotten cheated out of their farm by Lacey's husband (now ex-husband).  Lacey's ex's vicious minions are after her as well.  All of this made for good drama.

The romance was very cute, but I don't want to give too much away, so I'm just going to say that I very much enjoyed it.  The book was great, and it will be a good re-read that will be waiting on the shelf for me.


Until Next Time,
Happy Reading!





**I was sent a copy of the book in order to write a real and honest review. I was not paid to write this review. All opinions are my own.**

Review: The Highlander's Heart by Amander Forester

Lady Isabelle escapes her murderous English husband only to be abducted by a Highland warrior and held for ransom. Her determination to break free from captivity is exceeded only by the passion growing between her and the Highland Laird. David Campbell plans to hold Isabelle for ransom as an easy way to line his pockets and return her back where she belongs, but he is unprepared for a feisty English lass with a penchant for finding trouble. Caught between rival clans bent on claiming the throne of Scotland, Campbell must choose a side, and a bride. Standing on the brink of war, Isabelle may be his only hope to save his clan, and his heart. description taken from here.




This is the 2nd book in Amanda Forester's Highlanders series.  The first is called The Highlander's Sword, and the 3rd book in the series called True Highland Spirit will be coming out in March of 2012.


Lady Isabelle was wed to a mean older man, and now she is trying to get an annulment.  She starts her journey here, running from her husband, only to find out that she can't hide out at her uncle's because he is now dead, and then be captured by a highland brute.  Of course, we all know that heroins (as well as us, the readers) always fall for the brute, especially if they have a Scottish accent. 

I thought the book was great.  My attention was held the entire time, and I had some trouble putting the book down (which is not good for my sleeping habits!).  The mix between romance and drama/action was awesome and I think it is pretty safe to safe that I loved this book.  It doesn't hurt that the cover is pretty too though, does it?    ; )



Until Next Time,
Happy Reading!





**I was sent a copy of the book in order to write a real and honest review. I was not paid to write this review. All opinions are my own.**

Review: Embrace the Highland Warrior by Anita Clenney

They were driven apart by a timeless secret...

Cody MacBain let the woman of his destiny slip away.  A member of an ancient clan of Scottish warriors, he grew up beside Shay Logan as her secret protector, but his heart compelled him to be more.  Until Shay's true identity was revealed, and the fated pair's chance was gone...

But danger will drive them back into each other's arms...

Shay fell for the boy next door, suspecting nothing of the ancient secret he guarded.  After what appeared to be a stinging betrayal, she's tried to banish memories of her first love.  However, the machinations of the sinister demon that left her for dead will force her to confront her past head on.

Now she must learn to embrace her warrior nature, and the warrior who has always watched over her, in order to turn back a tide of unspeakable evil...

 
description taken from back blurb.



~ ~Here is another little blurb of the book, this one taken from Anita Clenney's website to even further entice you:

When the powerful demon that left Shay for dead discovers her empty grave, he comes seeking retribution, believing she possesses an ancient book he has sought for centuries. Knowing she can’t fight the demon alone, Shay returns to her clan and the Scottish Warrior who betrayed her…the only man she’s ever loved, where she discovers that betrayal isn’t always what it seems. Sometimes it’s far worse.




This was a great book!  The characters were well developed and are very likable.  There was a lot of great detail throughout the book, as well as filled with bunches of excitement and romance.  I had a hard time putting this book down to do anything else during my day (I never wanted the book to end!).

I really liked that along with men being warriors in the book, there are women warriors as well.  It was a refreshing change.  I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

The first book in the series is called Awaken the Highland Warrior, and you can click here to read my review.



 The 3rd book in the series is Unleash The Highland Warrior  (coming Spring 2012)


Here is a blurb of it from the author's website:

A talisman belonging to Tavis Connor’s brother is the only weapon powerful enough to kill the demon hell-bent on stealing the clan’s Book of Battles so he can destroy the world. But the talisman has been locked in a time vault with Tavis’s brother and won’t open for 150 years. In desperation, the Scottish warrior breaks the clan’s sacred rules and uses another time vault to travel forward so he can protect the book and rescue his brother, or if he’s dead, finish his quest. But when Tavis finally wakes in modern-day New York, he discovers he’s the one in need of help. Anna MacKinley has been searching for her clan’s Book of Battles which has been missing for 150 years, but instead she finds a warrior with no memories who claims he’s come to save the world.



 
 I deem this book recommendable!

Until Next Time,
Happy Reading!





**I was sent a copy of the book in order to write a real and honest review. I was not paid to write this review. All opinions are my own.**

Review: Tempted by Elisabeth Naughton

DEMETRIUS - He's the hulking, brooding warrior even his fellow Guardians avoid.  Too dark.  Too damaged.  And given his heritage, he knows it's best to keep everyone at arm's length.

Isadora is missing.  The words pound through his head like a frantic drumbeat.  For her own protection, Demetruis did all he could to avoid the fragile princess, his soul mate.  And now she's gone - kidnapped.  To get her back, he'll have to go to the black place in his soul he's always shunned.

As daemons ravage the human realm and his loyalty ti the Guardians is put to the ultimate test, Demetrius realizes that Isadora is stronger than anyone thought.  And finally letting her into his heart may be the only way to save them both.  taken from the back cover.


I really liked TEMPTED.  The characters were like able and well developed.  The romance was very cute, and the plot had action and some shockers that kept me reading.  It was a really good story line if I do say so myself.  Demetrius likes Isadora, his soul mate, but he needs to keep her at arm's length so he is mean to her to keep her away.  Isadora thinks he hates her, but when he starts to show his sweet side she starts to fall for the big guy.  This is one of those plots that I love, that I will always love, the kind that I will always have a soft side for.  Anywho, I really liked the book, that's what I'm trying to say here.


TEMPTED is the 3rd book in the series called Eternal Guardians.  The 1st is Marked and the 2nd is Entwined.  You can check out those books some more at Naughton's website- http://www.elisabethnaughton.com/







Until Next Time,
Happy Reading!





**I was sent a copy of the book in order to write a real and honest review. I was not paid to write this review. All opinions are my own.**