THE ANGEL OF BLYTHE HALL by Darci Hannah

Publisher: Ballantine Books
Date published: July 2011
ISBN 9780345520562
Historical romance
Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained via Publisher


Lady Isabeau Blythe is determined to lay claim to her family’s fortress and restore her family’s name. But Isabeau has no easy job. Scotland is torn with strife and although she is usually a headstrong, realistic person, even she cannot withstand the lure of Blythe Hall. Amid her troubles is a knight, Sir George who wants her land and her heart. He is very determined and will fight for her until his last breath. Her brother seems to be mad and is looking for power beyond this world. Then an army gathers outside her gates and Isabeau needs help. There is one man she can call on for help. An elusive, handsome man who haunts her dreams. But can he help her? Does he know the secrets?

This story has all the elements of a Gothic novel with a bit of the paranormal thrown in. I found this a fascinating mix as I am a big paranormal fan. Darci Hannah is a superb writer who brings to life times gone by and vividly describes the times and places. She writes multi-dimensional characters and I really did enjoy her heroine, Isabeau. The secondary characters enlivened the story too. This story was kept interesting by various twists in the plot which had me turning the pages to see what would happen next. I did find the first sixty pages or so a bit slow, but do keep on reading and don’t give up too easily. I am sure you will be wonderfully surprised! I know historical fans will like this one, especially if they like a little of the paranormal too.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

DESTINY by Carly Phillips

Serendipity

Publisher: Berkley

Date published: January 2012

ISBN: 978-0425245743

Contemporary romance

Mass Market Paperback

Reviewed by Valerie

Obtained by publisher

The only thing that Nash Barron is happy about his brother’s wedding is the fact that he sees Kelly Moss again. Nash has just discovered that he has a half sister. In fact, Kelly’s mother had an affair with his father and now, Tess, a 13 year old is running with the wrong crowd and Kelly needs the help of Nash and his brothers. With Kelly and Nash coming together often, they are having a hard time not to give in to the feelings growing between them. But Nash feels that getting involved with Kelly could harm the relationship he is building with his half-sister and Kelly feels that Tess should come first. Kelly is also keeping a secret, a secret from her past that she is sure Nash would never forgive her for.

This is a heart-warming story with well written characters and lots of emotions. Carly Phillips has a knack of writing a story that worms into your heart and stays there. Her characters are multi-dimensional and I enjoyed watching them grow throughout the story. She also gives her readers a sweet romance with some very sensual moments. Nash is a bit of a tortured hero and carries some grudges against one of his brothers. He as a bit to go to realize that maybe he was part of the problem and put his troubled past behind him. Kelly is struggling with what she thinks is best for Tess and there is that secret she is carrying with her too. The cast of secondary characters give the book depth and life. Although I am not a big fan of contemporary romance, I do enjoy a well-crafted story and this certainly was it! I know Ms. Phillips fans will be very happy with this book.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

SEXIEST VAMPIRE ALIVE by Kerrelyn Sparks

Love At Stake
Publisher: Avon
Date published: September 2011
ISBN 9780061958052
Paranormal romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


Gregori Holstein, VP of Marketing, is sent to the US government after a video shows the world that vampires exist and live among us. He needs to persuade the government to declare the video a hoax. The president’s daughter is looking for a cure for her mother and it is Gregori’s job to take her to an unsavory area in order to find certain items that may just be that cure. In exchange, the government would do what Gregori asked. Gregori thinks nothing could be easier, but when he meets Abby Tucker he wonders how is he going to keep his hands off her? Abby is also attracted to Gregori. So, it’s get to China, get the items and get back in one piece. And maybe lose your heart?

Kerrelyn Sparks has done it again. You know, when you pick up a book from this author you are going to get a great read with lots of wit and humor. Gregori had some great one liners in this book. When you know how he ticks, that he’s the play boy of the group, the party goer, the ‘never going to settle down’ guy, you can feel with him when he gets bowled over by Abby. I enjoyed reading about their journey to true love. Gregori is just too funny, I had to laugh as he sang ‘I’m too sexy for my cape….’! There is action, danger, a sensuous romance and lots of humor in this story. I found it hard to put down and have long been a fan of Ms Sparks’ vampire books. This is a great story to pick up for an afternoon of fun reading.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

SWITCHBLADE GODDESS by Lucy A. Snyder

Publisher: Del Rey
Date published: December 2011
ISBN 9780345512116
Urban Fantasy
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


Jesse Shimmer gains magical powers while trying to save her lover, Cooper Marron. She travels to an underworld full of nightmarish adventures and although magical powers could seem to be really cool, she soon finds out that they just may be curses in disguise. She has a familiar, a ferret named Pal who goes with her through thick and thin. And, though she would really love to spend some moments of quietness with her man, her enemies will not let her rest. To top it all off, there is a demigoddess who wields a switch-blade coming after her. Jesse has to hope her new abilities will help her and that she can free the souls captured by the demigoddess and that her relationship with Cooper won’t be jeopardized.

Wow, this story was quite a ride. Almost more on the side of a horror story. It was quite gruesome in parts and dirty and gritty in others. I think I really need to read the first two books in this series SHOTGUN SORCERESS and SPELLBENT. I felt a little lost and couldn’t quite see where some of the characters were coming from. But, apart from that, I did enjoy this book. I’m a bit of a fan of the ‘different’ and ‘off-the-wall’ type of stories so this was right up my alley. I liked Pal, Jesse’s familiar. In this story he seemed to be really going through it, but was still quite humorous at times. There wasn’t much of Cooper in the story, though I could still relate to him and get a feel for his relationship with Jesse. I will for sure be checking out the other stories and re-reading this one to get the full picture. I could see that some readers may not like this type of story as it really is quite gory at times. But, if you enjoy a lot of action, a bit of horror, some humor to balance it out, then this could be for you.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

A TOWN CALLED VALENTINE by Emma Cane

Publisher: Avon
Date published: January 2012
ISBN 9780062102270
Contemporary romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


After her marriage collapses, Emily Murphy comes back to her hometown to sell the house she has inherited. But things don’t go too well. Her car breaks down, she finds the house has been pretty much destroyed by the former tenants and she’s had a bit of a fling with handsome cowboy, Nate Thalberg. All she wanted to do was to fix up the house, sell it and go back to San Francisco to attend college. Emily needs some help with the fixing of the house and in steps Nate. Nate is not usually the kind of man who is thinking of settling down. He usually took off when relationships got too sticky. But he feels very attracted to Emily and it is disturbing to him when the attraction doesn’t get any less.

This is Emily Cane’s debut novel and I quite enjoyed it. The setting is very nice and the reader will find themselves falling in love with the town and its people. I was thinking it would be a nice place to visit. The characters are well written and I enjoyed watching the romance blossom between Emily and Nate. Both have been burned and both are cautious, but the attraction between them is very strong. I found the story rather predictable, but nevertheless enjoyable. I’m not much of a fan of contemporary romances and the ‘coming home’ plot has been done again and again. Still, the main characters and the secondary characters do bring this story to life and it’s an emotion packed read. I think contemporary fans will enjoy this one and I am curious enough to know what will happen in future books.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

DEVIL WITHOUT A CAUSE by Terri Garey

Devil’s Bargain book 1
Publisher: Avon
Date published: May 2011
ISBN 9780061986390
Paranormal romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed byValerie


Faith McFarland’s son is sick. Terminally sick. She is so desperate for her son’s healing that she makes a pact with the Devil. The deal is to steal a ring. And, to do that, she needs to use seduction. The ring is being worn by Finn Payne. He’s a rock star, who has also made his own pact with the Devil. Finn also needs the ring as it helps him to stay sane. Of course, there’s a little thing called love that enters into the equation and Finn is mightily disappointed to find out that Faith seduced him to steal his ring. Now, can he persuade her to give it back, even if it means a little boy’s life? Can Faith save her son, even if it means to give up love?

I must say that I am usually a bit leery of stories involving devils, archangels and the such, but this one just swept me off my feet! The Devil is a character named Sammy Devine and the archangel, Gabriel seems to think he is redeemable and so gives him the job of being Faith’s guardian angel. Sammy is a character you will really like even though he is the Devil. I was quite taken with him and hope that he will also have a happy ending of his own. I loved this premise and I really enjoyed reading this book. There is just the right amount of action, romance and humor to keep you totally captivated. This is a hard-to-put-down book so I recommend you block off a good afternoon or a whole evening, settle down with your favorite drink and snack and get into this great book. You won’t be disappointed!

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

LEFT HAND MAGIC by Nancy A.Collins

A Novel of Golgotham
Publisher: Roc
Date published: December 2011
ISBN 9780451464309
Urban Fantasy
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by Publisher


Welcome back to Golgotham. This is the second book where we meet Tate, a human and Hexe, her warlock boyfriend who is also the heir to the Kymeran throne. Tate is an heiress who lives in Golgotham and produces metal sculptures. There are all sorts of exotic characters in Golgotham, centaurs, satyrs, leprechauns, witches, warlocks and more. Both Tate and Hexe have family problems. Hexe has an uncle who is anti-human and Tate’s parents of not happy about what she does. Now a problem has arisen. An anti-Kymera faction has come to town and racial tensions start to boil. Two Kymerans are attacked and rioting starts. It doesn’t take long before someone is killed. Things are not what they seem. Are the acts of violence just random or is there something or someone behind the scenes? Can Tate and Hexe be of help?

This made for some exciting reading and I enjoyed getting to know the characters. The world building is good. The characters fleshed out and the action exciting. I did find Tate a tad shallow at some points and Hexe is more of a beta hero. Still, the whole politics thing, the secondary characters and the premise of the story kept me interested until the end. This book deals with the very real problem of racism so it adds a reality to the urban fantasy. It’s because of this that Hexe and Tate are seen as traitors to their races and cause them no end of problems. I also had a small problem with some of the dialogue. The history of Golgotham was quite fascinating and Tate gets to conveniently eavesdrop on the villain’s whole plan. Still, it was an enjoyable read and I would certainly like to read the first book, RIGHT HAND MAGIC.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

A DEVIL NAMED DESIRE by Terri Garey

Devil’s Bargain book 2
Publisher: Avon
Date published: January 2012
ISBN 9780061986406
Paranormal romance
Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


Sammy Devine, the Devil is getting fed up of Gabriel always bugging him. It’s time to teach the archangel a lesson. Gabriel is led to Hope Henderson. Hope is a woman who is carrying a lot of guilt and she gets desperate when her sister disappears. She’d even make a deal with the Devil in order to find her again. Gabriel has the responsibility to make sure an ancient text stays hidden. It has such power and Gabriel is willing to become a mortal to do his job. With Sammy’s interference Gabriel is ‘tempted’ by the love of a mortal Hope who he has vowed to protect. Gabriel needs to choose between his life in heaven or go against his maker to stay on Earth?

I really enjoyed this second book in the Devil’s Bargain series. After reading the first one I was looking forward to this one too. Sammy is still a great character and is also learning lessons while having his son around. I was also impressed how this author handled the problem Gabriel was having with his love for a human and his love for God. There are a lot of emotions in this book and each of the main characters learn valuable lessons about life and love. Each character learns to ‘walk a mile in the other’s shoes’. This author knows how to pack a lot of emotion, action romance and humor into her stories. And if you think that an archangel can or should get down and dirty with a human, well, this author has handled this beautifully and it is so romantic. I am looking forward to the next book!!

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

BROKEN BLADE by Kelly McCullough

A Fallen Blade novel
Publisher: Ace
Date published: November 2011
ISBN 9781937007089
Fantasy
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


Aral was once a Blade of Namara. That means he was an assassin for the Goddess of Justice and he was very good at his job. Then, the Emperor of Heaven killed Namara and almost all of her Blades. Now, Aral just finds jobs to support his expensive drinking habit. Aral is also bound to Triss. Triss is a dragon-shaped Shade and he has become a part of Aral. It’s Triss who urges Aral to take his next job. Deliver a secret message. As he is getting paid quite a bit for this seemingly easy job, Aral feels that there must be a catch somewhere. But Aral finds out that Devin, a fellow Blade is also alive and Maylien, who had hired him, needs his help to regain the baronial seat from her wicked sister. Political intrigue abounds and Devin wants his help in creating an army of assassins whose ethics are questionable.

I enjoy reading fantasy stories very much but have not had the opportunity of late to read much of them. When this one came my way I was quite excited about reading it and once I picked it up and started, I just couldn’t stop! The world building is great! The characters are great! The plot is great! Except for a bit of lagging in the middle, I was held captive until the end. Although the assassin theme has been done a lot within the fantasy genre, I liked it that each one had a familiar who shared their unique abilities. There is a catch to that too they also have weaknesses that they don’t want their enemies to find out. Kelly McCullough gives readers a compelling tale that will captivate fantasy fans and have them panting for the next book in the series. The next one, BARED BLADE will be out in June!

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of the book.

BEAGLEMANIA by Linda O. Johnston

A Pet Rescue Mystery
Publisher: Berkley
Date published: March 2011
ISBN 9780425240212
Mass Market Paperback
Cozy mystery
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


Lauren Vancouver helps to rescue four sweet beagle puppies that had been dumped down a drainpipe, while helping to shut down a puppy mill.Lauren is the boss of HotRescues, an animal shelter that doesn’t put down its guests.Lauren is certain she knows the culprit who dumped the puppies as he has a history of abusing dogs.Efram Kiley, one of the mill’s workers shows up at HotRescues to cause trouble for Lauren.Efram had been a volunteer helper at the shelter but no longer.Then Lauren becomes the prime suspect when Efram is found dead at the shelter.She realizes that the police are not looking much further than her, so she needs to find the killer before she lands in a cage herself.

I have given this book a three heart rating, even though I did not find it a particularly such a great story.I think that lovers of animals will enjoy the behind scenes of the workings of an animal shelter but other than that, I found the mystery rather predictable.I found the characters a bit two-dimensional and the romance not really well developed.As this is the first book in a new series, perhaps things will pick up in later books.Some of the things Lauren did while investigating the crime had me scratching my head.As an intelligent person who is divorced, has two college kids and is an administrator, some of her actions did raise some questions.Still, I think fans of cozy mysteries will enjoy this book and especially those who are firm supporters of animal rescue.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this review.


Reviewed by Gina


When I saw the cover of Linda O. Johnston’s BEAGLEMANIA I couldn’t resist. Absolutely adorable, cuddly beagles grace the cover and they convey the total impishness of puppies. I anticipated a story that had these little cuties as a big part of the telling. While the beginning of the book has the rescue of some beagle pups and the mom shows up later there isn’t a whole lot that has to do with beagles.

That said, it is about dogs, and a few cats, and what wonderful companions they are. How they are loving, affectionate, forgiving, cuddling and how people can do them wrong. I liked Lauren Vancouver, the heroine’s, devotion to protecting the animals that resided in her shelter while they waited for new homes. I enjoyed the parts of the book that dealt with the animals.

I didn’t find the heroine all that engaging and struggled with the leap to her being suspect #1. Yeah, she’s standing over the deceased’s body but even after going back and re-reading the pages leading up to it I didn’t see why she was automatically suspect #1 other than she needed to be to kick off the series. There were threads that became repetitious—that her first husband was a one of a kind super guy and husband #2 left a lot to be desired. The explanations about caller ID on her Blackberry pulled me out of the story—you either have it or you don’t. There were any number of times I wondered if the author began to write the book and something came up and she had to put it down for a period of time and then picked it up again and didn’t re-read or remember what she’d written before. There were a few more leaps but none as big as her being the main suspect. This came up several times with the reminders that she wasn’t sure if she wanted another dog or not.

There were a few times I felt like I started the story in the middle and somehow didn’t have the first part of the book when it came to Efram. I suspect he was a character in one of the earlier books that are part of Ms. Johnston’s prior series. It would have helped to have just a bit of his backstory so we know why he is at HotRescues.

This was my first of Ms. Johnston’s books. I like a good cozy mystery and plan to pick up the earlier series. BEAGLEMANIA wasn’t a horrible read by any means. If you are looking for something quick and easy to read it’s a good bet.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

ONE GRAVE AT A TIME by Jeaniene Frost

A Night Huntress Novel
Publisher: Avon
Date published: August 2011
ISBN 9780061783197
Mass Market Paperback
Paranormal romance
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


After her last adventure Cat Crawfield is looking for some quiet time with her husband, Bones. Since her gift from the New Orlean’s voodoo queen, her life is interrupted by ghosts and one in particular. Now, Cat and Bones are on a mission to kill a ghost and it’s not going to be easy. Heinrich Kramer is the ghost they are after and every Halloween he is able to materialize. Kramer was an inquisitor torturing women and then burning them alive. In his ghostly form he hasn’t changed and continues to torture and burn women which he is able to fulfill when he materializes. The thing is, will they be able to catch him this Halloween or will they fail and have to wait another year. Not only that, but on the home front there are problems to keep Cat and Bones busy.

It is such a joy to read another adventure of Cat and Bones! I dove into this book and could hardly put it down. This series is fantastic and I am going to re-read the whole lot. I do hope that Ms. Frost keeps creating these fantastic adventures.

The connection between Cat and Bones continues to sizzle and pop. They are just perfect together and they grow with each book. Here we see them more settled with each other and working more as a team. This is a fast moving adventure that had me turning the pages frantically to see what would happen next. I love how Ms. Frost fills the pages with so much exciting stuff. There are twists and turns and surprises and romance too. Her characters jump off the pages, not only the main characters, but also the secondary characters. We see lots of my favorites, Cat’s mother, Don, Ian and more. If Ms Frost could write faster I’d read faster!

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

A PLAY OF HERESY by Margaret Frazer

A Joliffe the Player Mystery
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Date published: December 2011
ISBN 9780425243473
Historical mystery
Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


The year is 1438 and in Coventry preparations are being made for the festival of Corpus Christi. Joliffe and his team of players are there too. The goal is to put on plays that show God’s story and everyone is working furiously to make it a spectacle that no one will forget. The city’s guilds are sponsoring the players. But when Master Kydwa goes missing and is later found dead, Bishop Beaufort needs Joliffe to find out who the murderer was. Rumor has it that the Lollards are involved and they are gathering to overthrow the festivities and the Church. Joliffe must use all his skill as a spy to carefully draw out the information he needs and get a confession from the murderer. Though he is being drawn in one direction, it soon turns out that there are other motives and suspects.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I enjoy a good mystery and a good historical and this was both. It took me a little while to get into the writing style as Ms. Frazer cleverly incorporates the language of the times, not too much though, to draw you into the story and make you feel as if you are really there. The plot is really good. I was captured from the first page. It moves along nicely and there were no lagging moments. There are also some surprising twists and turns and I didn’t guess who the murderer was. I had a couple of potential candidates but was very surprised by the ending and that for me makes a really good mystery! I would certainly like to check out the other stories of Joliffe and his players and I am sure that this author has a lot of fans.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

SURRENDER HER TOUCH by Kari Thomas

Publisher: Eternal Press
Date published: December 2011
ISBN 9781615725588
ASIN B006HU7WCG
E-book
Paranormal romance
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by author


Dragon-shifters are real and Slade Stryker has one mission and that is to protect his clan and keep their existence a secret. Many of them have integrated with humans and have even mated with them. Slade’s boss asks him to guard his ward, Summer Althea, as a stalker seems to have set his sights on her. Slade would much rather hunt down the murderer who has a perchant for dragon-shifters. Slade is surprised she has a mountain lion as a pet who is doing a pretty good job guarding her. It even seems to be quite intelligent. It certainly doesn’t like Slade. But Slade likes Summer, big time. Their mutual attraction grows each day they are together but Summer is not who she seems to be and has a few secrets of her own. The dragon clan needs her exceptional gifts but she hates dragon-shifters…especially the Air Dragons. What will she do when she finds out that Slade is just such a dragon? And will Slade make her go against everything she hates to save them? And will their enemy finally catch up with them and wipe out the clan? Both Slade and Summer have to face their fears and show courage in order to save the day.

I fell in love with Kari Thomas’ cat shifters and was excited to get to read this book as I love stories about dragon-shifters. She writes a story that is heavy on the romance with a sensual, sexy hero and a relatable heroine. You just want to keep reading this to see if these two explosive characters really can make it! The chemistry between Slade and Summer is hot! Slade is over protective and Summer is not afraid to stand up to him. She’s got a mean kick! The plot is intriguing with some nice twists and turns although I did find it a tad predictable. I enjoyed the world Ms Thomas built around the Dragon clans and I hope she’ll write more about them. The secondary characters were enjoyable too, especially Leo who was a mystery himself and very likeable. The pace is well done and I was frantically scrolling down to see what would happen next. There were a few editing mistakes…misspellings and the such but maybe I had an uncorrected proof. But, if you’ve already read some of this author’s work, you won’t be disappointed and if you haven’t, I would recommend you have a try, you also won’t be disappointed!

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

A SCANDAL TO REMEMBER by Phyllis Campbell

Publisher: DCL Publications
Date published: August 2011
ISBN: 97809838078
ASIN: B005GXJFAM
Historical romance
E-book
Reviewed by Valerie
Valerie
Obtained by author


Six years ago, Garrett Hastings, Earl of Blackmore met Cecily Lawrence and fell in love with her. They were caught in a compromising situation and although she remains a virgin, she has been ruined within the ton. Garrett wanted to marry her but his Grandmother, a powerful and stubborn woman made sure that he did not. Now he has been kidnapped on his way to his wedding to a woman he doesn’t love and who his Grandmother approves of. He is surprised to find that Cecily has kidnapped him and there she stands before him in all her glory. And she is a woman hell-bent on revenge. The thing is, Garrett must marry the woman his Grandmother wants him to or he’ll be cut off from his inheritance. But maybe, he would rather marry for love even though it may mean poverty.

Phyllis Campbell knows how to write a romance that curls your toes and this one is no exception. You just want the handsome Garrett and the lovely Cecily to find their happy-ever-after. Even though this story is rather predictable, it is written with such finesse that you want to keep reading. The sexual tension builds slowly and sweetly and then erupts into full force sensuality. I loved it! The characters are multi-dimensional, the secondary characters add depth to the story and the pacing is perfect. I also enjoyed how this author sweeps you back in time and takes you to the world of the ton with its rules and regulations. This is a lovely story to read on a snowy afternoon and will certainly warm your heart and keep the flame of true love burning bright. Phyllis Campbell is always a joy to read and I will be keeping my eyes open for her next work.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

A CLOCKWORK CHRISTMAS by Jenny Schwartz, J.K. Coi, PG Forte and Stacy Gail.

Publisher: Carina Press
Date published: December 2011
ISBN 9781426892875
E-book
Steampunk romance
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by Netgalley


Crimewave in a Corset by Stacy Gail.
Cornelia Peabody is more than perturbed to find someone has broken into her house. A thing which should be impossible…but there she finds the handsome Roderick Coddington who claps a timepiece to her wrist. He has found out that she was the one who had stolen a very valuable Fabergé egg and he wants her to steal it back. If she doesn’t do so within seven days and before Christmas morning, the timepiece will kill her. There are two things that could thwart his plan. His attraction to her and where the egg has ended up.

This Winter Heart by PG Forte.
Ophelia Leonides has returned to the husband who cast her off. Destitute and caring alone for a child, she needs his help. But Dario is still angry with her and her father. Although he loves Ophelia, he cannot forgive their deception, and the boy she has with her could not possibly be his son. Still, Ophelia fears for her life and that of her son if her condition becomes common knowledge and Dario could lose her forever.

Wanted: One Scoundrel by Jenny Schwartz.
Esme Smith is the daughter of the richest man in Australia and a suffragette. She needs a man to help her lead her political party as she cannot enter the men’s clubs. She is introduced to Jed Reeve, fresh from America. He is amused that she thinks he is a scoundrel and working for her is no problem as he is already sympathetic to her cause. But he is very interested in this intriguing beauty and soon he is protecting her against another man who it seems will stop at nothing to marry Esme and her fortune.

Far From Broken by J.K. Coi.
Colonel Jasper Carlisle knew that Callie would always be the love of his life and that his marriage with her made his life worth living. Then, Callie is kidnapped and terribly tortured. The only way to save her life is to give her mechanical implants. Callie awakes with anger. Anger at Jasper. But Jasper wants to show Callie that he still wants to have a life with her but there is still an enemy out there who is bent on destroying what Jasper and Callie are slowly rebuilding.

I really enjoyed reading this anthology of Christmas themed stories. I have always liked the Steampunk genre and these authors give some interesting tales within this genre.

Crimewave in a Corset was great fun. I enjoyed the characters, the premise and seeing the romance blossom. I also enjoyed watching Cornelia struggle with her feelings and seeing her grow. Always a strong woman, she had learned to take care of herself. Stacy Gail has written a tight, compact story that had me captured until the end.

This Winter Heart was interesting. I don’t want to say too much and give away some surprises, but PG Forte had me sitting up in my seat while watching this and marveling at how she pieced this one all together. We’ve read these kind of stories before, but this one is different.

Wanted: One Scoundrel was in my opinion, the best story in the bunch. I really enjoyed this. The characters are well rounded, the plot was very interesting and the romance is sweet. Jenny Schwartz writes great dialog and captivating characters. This one had me smiling too. Esme seems to be a tough chick, but she’s a bit naïve when it comes to men and their intentions.

Far From Broken is a bit of a darker story. With torture and a woman who is scarred not only physically but psychologically too. We see the patience of her husband who tries to win her back and the danger that looms that tries to tear them apart. JK Coi has penned a story that although good, would have been better had it been a full length story so that there could me more depth given.

All in all, this anthology was a good read and I would recommend it to anyone who loves reading Christmas themed stories and ones in the Steampunk genre. We have flying machines, timepieces, strange inventions and mechanical body parts. I hope you enjoy all this too.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

SHADOW RAIDERS by Margaret Weis and Robert Krammes

Book 1 of the Dragon Brigade
Publisher: DAW
Date published: May 2011
ISBN 0756406625
Fantasy
Hardcover
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


A Royal Armory Journeyman has disappeared with an invention that could revolutionize warfare. Countess de Marjolaine who is adviser to the King and Stephano’s mother, hires Lord Captain Stephano de Guichen to find the man. Stephano and his group of friends who call themselves the Cadre of the Lost are always in need of funds and think they have found an easy job. But it turn out to be much more difficult than they imagine as they are not the only ones interested in the invention. Father Jacob Northrop is investigating the mysterious death of one hundred nuns who were supposedly killed by demons from hell. Stephano joins forces with Father Jacob to fit these demons. Is it now the end of the world? Answers need to be found and they may not be the ones that are being looked for.

First, I have to say that I have been a fan of Margaret Weis since her Dragonlance writings and this is the first book I’ve read from her since this time. The cover already hooked me as it shows dragons and I love dragons. Secondly, I’m a big fantasy fan and it’s always a joy for me to find a new series. I was very happy to get the chance to read this one and I will continue to find out what happens next! This has all the typical aspects of a good fantasy story. There is magic, which a large amount of people can use, strange creatures who are either allies of man, indifferent or downright aggressive and of course, not to forget, dragons. The characters are well rounded, the dialogue is well written and the world building realistic. You will feel you are in medieval times. When you read this book, you will be taken to another world with exciting adventures and magic. The plot is involving but I had no problem following it. I was pulled in and the story took me through a lot of emotions. I enjoyed it a lot and I am sure you will too.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

LOST DOGS AND LONELY HEARTS by Lucy Dillon

Publisher: Berkley Trade
Date published: March 2011
ISBN: 9780425238875
Women’s fiction
Trade Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


This is a heart-warming book with tales of people who with the help of a dog find love, companionship and learn lessons on loyalty.

Rachel, thirty-nine has lost her job and boyfriend, but has inherited her aunt’s house and her Border collie. There is also a full rescue kennel to take care of and Rachel knows next to nothing about dogs. But as she tackles the task, it turns out that maybe the dogs are not the only one who needs rescuing.

Zoe’s children receive a Labrador puppy from her ex-husband and it is going to be quite an impossible task to get the lively dog trained. Until a handsome doctor arrives on the scene.

Natalie and Johnny have been trying for a baby and it’s putting a strain on their marriage. Maybe they need a child substitute in the form of naughty Basset hound?

First I have to admit that I am a dog person and I really enjoyed reading these stories about people and their dogs. But it is so much more. This author has captured real life with all its problems and has interwoven dogs into the plot too. In my eyes, icing on the cake. The characters are very well drawn and I could relate to the women and their myriad problems, from over active kids, adultery, married lover and a fragile relationship with a mother. This author cleverly takes you on journey through these people lives and mixes in a little bit of magic that gives the reader hope that everyone will find some kind of happy ending. This is a book that will reach you on all emotional levels and even if you are not a dog person, I believe you will enjoy this book too.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

A DEADLY CLICHÈ by Ellery Adams

A Books By The Bay Mystery
Publisher: Berkley
Date published: March 2011
ISBN: 9780425240236
Mass Market Paperback
Cozy mystery
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained via Publisher


Olivia Limoges enjoys her life in Oyster Bay, North Carolina. Her restaurant is doing well, and she has some great friends in the form of, the The Bayside Book Writers who meet weekly. One day, as she is walking her poodle along the beach, she finds a dead body buried in the sand. Chief Rawlings, who is also a member of the book writer’s club, is busy with the murder, an impending hurricane and a rush of robberies that have happened of late. The robberies don’t seem too strange as they have been done while the home owners were away, but the robbers have always left something strange behind. Chief Rawlings asks his writer friends to help him to find out what these bizarre items mean and if the murder is in any way connected to the robberies. Olivia is involved in solving the crime, and maybe a relationship with the Chief. Suddenly, the father she thought was lost at sea is maybe alive after all.

Ellery Adams has written a really good story with solid characters and a clever mystery. I could hardly put this one down. I loved the characters and was nicely surprised at the ending. Olivia is a complex character and does many things behind the scenes to help the people of the town. She doesn’t want them to know it was her. Although she has friends, she is still a bit of a loner. She also acts like a spoiled brat at times, but I thought this made her more interesting and I eagerly watched her, growing and changing. I enjoyed the meetings of the book club and listening to their writing. I thought it rather clever of this author to also write the first bits of their books which also reflected on their characters. So, if you like your cozy mystery with a dash of drama, then you will certainly enjoy this one.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of the book.

THE WELCOME HOME GARDEN CLUB by Lori Wilde

A Twilight Texas novel
Publisher: Avon
Date published: March 2011
ISBN: 9780061988431
Mass Market Paperback
Contemporary romance
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


Caitlyn Marsh and Gideon Garza were high-school sweethearts when Gideon left for Iraq. Now Caitlyn raises her small son, takes care of her florist shop, and tries to head off her gardening club members matchmaking endeavors. Caitlyn is newly widowed and believes Gideon is dead, until he shows up one day for his father’s funeral. Now her whole world turns upside down, as her love for Gideon had never faded and Gideon still has feelings for Caitlyn. But Gideon is scarred from the war and now has a huge cattle ranch, inherited from his father who never recognized him in life. To top things off, Caitlyn’s little boy looks just like Gideon. Will these soul mates get over the past and find the love they have always longed for? Or are their problems so deep-rooted they will hinder them coming together and making a family?

This is a story that will reach you on all levels of emotion. Lori Wilde is a master of romance and you will be rooting and tooting for Caitlyn and Gideon throughout. I did find the story a little predictable, but the reading of it was so enjoyable. I liked how Ms. Wilde labeled each chapter with a flower and the meaning of it. This is a story that is so much deeper than just a secret baby, or two high-school sweethearts finally getting together. There are a lot of scars to overcome, a lot of baggage to drop, and you will enjoy how these two work out their problems and overcome the obstacles. As I said before, emotion is high in this story. It certainly gave me the goose-bumps a few times and brought a tear to my eyes. The love scenes are both tender and sensual and this is all in all a great romance. I can highly recommend it.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

FRUIT OF ALL EVIL by Paige Shelton

A Farmers’ Market Mystery
Publisher: Berkley
Date published: March 2011
ISBN: 978-0425240229
Mass Market Paperback
Cozy mystery
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained from publisher


Becca Robins makes and sells homemade jams and preserves at the farmers’ market. Her friend, Linda, asks her to be the maid of honor at her wedding and Becca is happy to comply. The wedding will have a farmers’ market theme and for Becca this should be easy. But Linda’s mother-in-law is murdered before the wedding and a local merchant goes missing. Police officer, Sam Brion needs Becca’s help and supports her in solving the crime. The suspects include family members and bank clients as Linda’s mother-in-law was not a very well liked bank owner. As Becca carries out her investigation, she finds things very wrong in the bank and the list of suspects start to dwindle. Can she find the murderer in time?

I do enjoy a nice cozy mystery and this one was really good. Unfortunately I haven’t read the first in the series and I need to remedy that. I really liked Becca and although she did have a bit of a love interest with Ian but I was rooting more for Sam, the police officer. Maybe in future books, he will come more to the fore. We see Becca get into all sorts of jams and pickles and among the more exciting parts there are some humor bits thrown in too. This author has written a wonderful story with great characters amid scenes of a farmers’ market that will warm your heart. This is a great read to curl up on the sofa with on a cool fall evening and I can highly recommend it for those of you who enjoy a delightful cozy mystery.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.