Camelot & Vine by Petrea Burchard

March 14, 2014 By Leave a Comment

VINE
Camelot & Vine by Petrea Burchard
Publisher: Boz Books (self-published)
Genre: Contemporary, Historical, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (185 pages)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Hollyhock

Telling lies is second nature to Casey Clemens, whether she’s talking to strangers on national television or to her mother on the phone. Casey’s got a cushy Hollywood condo, an efficient cleaning lady and a rich boyfriend. (Never mind that he’s married.) When Casey feels dissatisfied she fantasizes: about winning an Oscar, about finding real love or about her childhood hero, King Arthur.

On the other hand, this liposuction surgery is the cheapest of all and can be easily confused with malaria or buy cheap cialis dengue fever. According European doctors, drinking mineral water makes bile and pancreatic juice irritates the empty walls of cialis online discount icks.org the duodenum causing inflammation, ulcers, and bile reflux into the stomach and even esophagus. Prognosis for Male Sexual Issues viagra sildenafil mastercard Prognosis condition in men varies as per the method of treatment they opt and the underlying disease they are going through. Always look to finish the dose in proper way because sometimes it happens that you take the medicine in cheapest cialis india over amount and outcomes with adverse effects. It feels like an acting career, sort of, until the day before Casey’s 40th birthday when she loses everything she never cared about, falls through a gap in time and lands in the 6th century war camp of King Arthur himself. He mistakes her for a wizard and takes her in. But as she finds her feelings warming to him she also finds enemies. War is fast approaching, and the Dark Ages are a perilous time for an actress with an honesty problem. That is, if she wants to make it back to the 21st century alive. Not that she could if she wanted to. Not that she wants to.

Her career and personal life in a tailspin, actress Casey Clemens finds herself hurled back into King Arthur’s time. Mistaken for a wizard, surrounded by enemies, caught up in a love triangle, and secretly attracted to the king, she’ll need more than 1.21 gigawatts to get herself back to the future.

Casey is a complicated character who is so used to pretending in her tinsel-town life, that it seems natural to her to continue pretending once she enters a reality straight out of her father’s storybooks. Because of her fantastic arrival in the past—she’s struck by a car and sent through a gap in time, landing on Arthur himself—the king assumes she is a wizard. Afraid for her life in this rugged world, Casey plays along. Eventually, though, she comes to understand that her actions have consequences for the real—not storybook—people she comes to care for.

Along with the rich level of history, I appreciate that this story has a warts-and-all approach to the past. Casey has to figure out how to survive in a reality without toothbrushes, regular bathing, or her migraine medicine. It’s a difficult transition, but I like how she learns to deal with it and how it eventually seems like home to her. I also like how we find out more about Casey’s childhood as the drama around her—especially Guinevere’s infidelity—reminds her of, and helps her come to terms with, events in her own life.

Along with the drama surrounding her, there are some genuinely funny moments in the story. I especially enjoyed the opening sequence when we see what Hollywood and her stalled acting career are like for Casey. I also appreciate that unlike other time travel novels I’ve read, Casey is only too ready to tell people she’s from the future—and they usually believe her. In fact, Arthur welcomes her because she is from the future. Eventually, the events in Arthur’s time lead Casey to reevaluate her own life. She’s a different person at the end than she was in the beginning, and I don’t ask more from a story than that.

Overall, I enjoyed this book quite a bit and especially enjoyed how the author ties things up at the end. This novel is based on the rougher, earlier versions of the Arthurian legends, rather than the more romanticized ones, and uses Welsh names, such as Cadebir rather than Camelot and Myrddin rather than Merlin. Although not technically a romance, I think Camelot & Vine will appeal to fans of historical romance and especially fans of the Arthurian legends.

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What’s It to You? by Judy Irwin

March 14, 2014 By 6 Comments

3_7 Cover_Whats It To You
What’s It To You? by Judy Irwin
Genre: Middle Grade
Length: Full length (104 pages)
Age Recommendation: 10+
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Rose

What if nothing was the worst thing you could do?

For 13-year old Tim Stockdale, it’s all about keeping his head down and fitting in with the friends he’s managed to make at his new school. His older brother, Eli, is the opposite. He’s trying to set up a Gay-Straight Alliance at his high school, where he’s a junior. Even though the school board is against it, Eli’s not afraid of what the fallout might be.

Availability of treatment: Internet is good source http://cute-n-tiny.com/cute-animals/man-lives-with-a-fox/ order levitra of potassium, which is great for heart health and blood circulation, both of which are helpful in erectile function. (Remember, the spongy tissue in the penis soaks up the blood to become erect. It cheap viagra pill just takes one trip to this magical destination to change your entire perspective of life. Take the actual drug half an hour before indulging in the pop over to these guys cheap cialis tadalafil lovemaking acts with your partner. While it is a bit skeptical to think that making plans is fruitless or order viagra online unwise, in some instances, we might start to feel that there is a bit of truth in this warning. So when Tim’s new friends start to bully a kid they think is gay, Tim’s torn – he doesn’t want to do anything to risk being cast out of the crew. But when Eli is hurt in a protest, Tim’s own failure to do anything starts to get under his skin. Will he find his way at his new middle school, and figure out what’s really worth standing up for?

Ms. Irwin has brought us a story about a young teen trying to find his way in a new school–walking that fine line between being part of the crowd or standing up for what he knows is right.

Tim’s family has moved to another part of town–putting Tim in a different school. His older brother, Eli, is able to remain at the high school, where he is trying to set up a Gay-Straight Alliance.

The kids at the new school aren’t very friendly and Tim finds himself reaching out to the only people who are nice to him–a self-professed “anger guy” and his buddies. Unfortunately, they not only have anger issues, they are bullies. While Tim doesn’t join in the bullying; he just stands there and does nothing. He feels badly about it, but doesn’t want to be alone.

And therein lies the essence of what this book is about … for kids, when does doing nothing become just as bad as the bullying itself? Tim has some tough choices to make and Judy Irwin captures those choices and this age group very well. I could identify with Tim being in a new place and trying to fit in. Especially as a kid, this is so hard.

It was quick, easy read– I read it in one night–and it was interesting to see not only the relationships with the kids at the middle school, but also the interactions between Eli and Tim as well as between the boys and their parents. Ms. Irwin has a good handle on this age group and it certainly makes her books more real and readable.

There are more books in this series–I’m looking forward to reading the others.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , ,

It Takes a Scandal by Caroline Linden

March 14, 2014 By Leave a Comment

SCANDAL
It Takes a Scandal by Caroline Linden
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (384 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Bluet

Sometimes It Takes a Scandal…

Abigail Weston has everything: beauty, wit, and one of the largest dowries in England. Her parents hope she’ll wed an earl. Abigail hopes for a man who wants her desperately and passionately. But the money seems to blind every man she meets—except one.
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Sebastian Vane has nothing. He came home from war with a shattered leg to find his father mad and his inheritance gone. He’s not a fit suitor for anyone, let alone an heiress. But Abigail lights up his world like a comet, bright and beautiful and able to see him instead of his ruined reputation. And it might end happily ever after…

To Reveal Your Heart’s Desire

…Until Benedict Lennox begins courting Abigail. Ben is everything Sebastian isn’t—wealthy, charming, heir to an earl. Sebastian won’t give up the only girl he’s ever loved without a fight, but Abigail must choose between the penniless gentleman who moves her heart, and the suitor who is everything her parents want.

I do love a story about a wounded warrior, and Sebastian Vane definitely fits the bill. He’s now living a quiet life, doing the best he can with his limited resources. He accidentally encounters Abigail Weston, who is the kind of woman he once might have hoped to marry. He is definitely intrigued and enchanted by her, but he turns down her overture to further their acquaintance, feeling that it can go nowhere.

As they meet again, Abigail does her best to change Sebastian’s mind, and in turn, his resistance is melting away. I loved the way this story evolved, and I loved Sebastian and Abigail. They both had strong character – he chose to live a quiet and dignified life, and did not become surly, and she wasn’t arrogant or haughty though she was beautiful and an heiress. They talk to each other, so they don’t have to deal with secrets or big misunderstandings. Once they commit to each other, their problems are from outside events, they’re not of their own making. Of course, there are villains – one in particular caused such pain and humiliation for Sebastian, that I freely admit I would have rejoiced to see him dead.

I enjoy Caroline Linden’s books, and this one is no exception. Although there was a mystery here, I felt that the focus was on Sebastian and Abigail, and their wonderful, sexy romance. I recommend this book and am looking forward to the next in the series.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Alone With You by Aliyah Burke

March 14, 2014 By Leave a Comment

ALONE
Alone With You by Aliyah Burke
Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (197 Pages)
Other: M/F
Rating 4 stars
Reviewed by Fuschia

A construction worker and a security expert tangle beneath the heated skies of San Antonio.

Pierce ‘Tuck’ Carter has been in love with his neighbour across the hall pretty much since she moved in over there. They’re good friends and do many things together but he wants to take it to the next level. Friends with benefits for starters, then beyond.

Ariel Greene is secretly crushing on her neighbour. One night after drinking she wakes the next morning in his bed and flees. Has she just crossed a line they can’t recover from?

Tuck pursues her, wanting more, however one of his exs, each of their jobs and his intense dislike of her putting herself in danger doesn’t make the road an easy one. Will Ariel and Tuck learn to work it all out before something else happens, or will it take the near loss of one to make the other realise what had almost been lost forever?

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Tuck would do anything to get Ariel in his bed; he has been in love with her for a long time but had never done anything to let her know that he was interested. So imagine his surprise when after a night of drinking, Ariel kisses him and finally ends up in his bed.

Alone With You is a very delightful story, it is the second book in Aliyah Burke’s Interludes series, the first being Temporary Home. This is a stand alone book so it isn’t necessary for you to read the first book in this series; however Temporary Home is an excellent story so I do recommend you read it.

The characters in Alone With You were engaging and the chemistry between them was hot, not only in the bedroom but outside of the bedroom. This story had everything that a reader needed to wrap themselves in; there was hot sex, conflict, witty conversation and a good story. I enjoyed how Ariel’s family especially her mom referred to her military service as her ‘playing in the dirt’ instead of recognizing her as a Marine.

The characters in this story, Tuck, Ariel and Tuck’s roommate Steve reached out and pulled you into their lives. The supporting characters such as Ariel’s parents and Tuck’s ex girlfriend Daisy helped show how complex Tuck and Ariel were.

Aliyah Burke is one of my go to authors because I know that she always delivers an enjoyable story. I have yet to read something by her that I did not like; she has a way of capturing her reader from the start and immerses you in her tale.

Alone with You is a good read and one that I would recommend, hopefully you will enjoy it as much as I did.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

The Promise by Jennifer Macaire

March 13, 2014 By Leave a Comment

PROMISE
The Promise by Jennifer Macaire
Publisher: Double Dragon
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary, Action/Adventure
Length: Full Length (194 pages)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

A meteorite crashes to earth and a strange virus kills all the adults in the world. What would you do? Ryan and his brother travel south, stopping in towns on the way, searching for survivors, determined to save mankind. They’ve made a promise – never give up – never say die, and always help anyone they can find, even when those children seem to have reverted back to savages.

If Ryan wants to survive, he’s going to have to grow up quickly and think on his feet. There’s no other choice for him in a world without adults.
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As soon as I read the first paragraph I couldn’t wait to find out what happens to Ryan and his friends next. Due to a large cast of characters it took me a fair amount time to get to know everyone well, but I was pleased with how the main characters change as a result of their experiences. The payoff is well worth the wait, though, and I’m glad that I stuck with them through the more plot-heavy sections of the book.

Gender stereotyping distracted me from an otherwise gripping narrative. It was difficult for me to understand why Ryan so quickly hands over the care of his baby sister, Julia, to the preteen girls in his group given how traumatized the toddler was after the death of their parents. This pattern soon repeats itself as more kids join them despite Julia showing a strong preference for her brother. Based on this reaction as well what I learned about Ryan’s value system in other scenes, it would have made far more sense for him to be his sister’s primary caregiver.

Even pacing and a plot full of twists kept me glued to the page. There are a lot of dangers awaiting Ryan and his companions, and I really enjoyed seeing their responses to all of the dangerous things that await a civilization that has just lost every single one of its adult members. It became even more interesting once I realized that most of the characters don’t have any previous experience with the new skills they need to learn to survive. How they attempt to gain this knowledge provides some of the most entertaining scenes in this book.

The writing style of this book suggests that it is meant for the 10+ age group due to how quickly certain problems are solved, but the inclusion of so much violent content bumps my recommendation up by a few years. While most of it isn’t particularly graphic, there are multiple references to abuse and non-accidental injuries that are too intense for younger readers. Some 10 and 11 year olds may be mature enough to handle those scenes, although I would definitely draw the line at giving this story out to anyone younger than that.

The Promise is an excellent introduction to post-apocalyptic fiction for young adult readers. This tale also has great crossover appeal, though, and I would recommend it to adult fans of this genre as well.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

7 Minutes In Heaven by Rhian Cahill

March 12, 2014 By Leave a Comment

7
7 Minutes In Heaven by Rhian Cahill
Are You Game? Book One
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (176 Pages)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Foxglove

It’s all fun and games until their hearts are on the line

Cassandra Moreland’s hard work to build her party-planning business is starting to pay off. There’s only one thorn in her side — a six-foot-five wall of testosterone throwing his weight around while she supervises her friend Lil’s first party. Butting heads doesn’t work. Ignoring him really doesn’t work. Not when he makes her pulse race and her palms sweat. But no way will she give in to his demand to shut the rowdy party down.

Lucas Wilhelm, head of McDermott Security, can’t believe the pint-sized brunette has the balls to go toe to toe with him. Strangely enough, that sassy mouth of hers isn’t ticking him off. It’s tightening his groin and stirring something much hotter than anger.
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A stolen moment in a pantry leads to a challenge that pushes each other’s sexual boundaries to the limit. Except the rules go up in flames when they realize they’re not just playing around. They’re playing for keeps.

7 Minutes in Heaven is Rhian Cahill’s first book in the Are You Game? Series, and is closely related to the Party Games series she wrote with Lexxie Couper. This is a world I enjoy visiting, and it was great to see old friends from that series, and meet new friends to add to the group.

Starting a new business is never easy, and when you are as determined to succeed as Cassandra Moreland, the business takes all of your time and focus. Building a client list and making her party planning business the best is Cassie’s only focus, at least until she literally runs into Lucas Wilhelm at her first big event.

As head of McDermott Security, it is Lucas’ job to make sure nothing goes wrong at Cassie’s event; he didn’t count on his instant attraction to the stubborn and determined beauty. And though Cassie feels the attraction too, she needs to maintain control and focus, and Lucas is the biggest distraction she can imagine. When Lucas challenges Cassie to two days of sharing time, each taking one day to be totally in control of everything, Cassie accepts, believing she can handle that and then walk away. Lucas is determined to show Cassie that she can have her control and Lucas too, on both their terms. Can Lucas convince Cassie that she has time to be a success and still have room for more? How far will Lucas go to show Cassie he is willing to accept and respect her choices, as long as she does the same for him? Will Cassie see that all work and no play makes Cassie a miserable soul?

I like the way Ms Cahill creates the playground of sensual pleasure in her stories, and the interaction between her characters, both old and new, is perfect for this world. There are little quirks in each of Ms. Cahill’s characters, making them more human and likable.

Cassandra ‘Cassie’ Moreland is a strong and determined woman. Issues in her past have convinced her that she can only be successful if she focuses one hundred percent of her attention to one thing at a time, and she is certain that getting her party planning business up and successful leaves her no time for relationships. When she meets Lucas and is instantly drawn to him, she fears he may be too big of a distraction, but when he issues his challenge, she is too tempted to turn it down and walk away from him. I like that Cassie is able to see that she may be able to have both in her life: business and pleasure can be compatible at times. And I enjoyed watching as she learned that, with the right person, success can be even more than she ever expected.

Lucas Wilhelm is temptation in a big and sexy package. When he discovers that he enjoys Cassie’s company, and is even turned on by her sassy attitude, he mounts a campaign to prove to her that she can have both her business and him without hurting either goal. I loved the lengths Lucas was willing to go to spend time with Cassie, and still manage to conduct his day-to-day business, showing her how it could work for her as well.

There are some really fun moments in this one, especially the scene involving six-year-old girls and beads. And of course, Ms. Cahill provides plenty of hot and steamy sex in new and unique places for these two. The secondary characters are well developed, and many are folks that have been in and out in the Party Games series, and it was fun to see them again in this contest of background figures. I liked that this story takes place concurrent to the Party Games books, and all the action spills over a bit, yet this is still a standalone story, no need to have read the others. I recommend this to warm up a cold night, and keep something cold on hand just in case.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Forever Beside You in Time by Bess McBride

March 11, 2014 By Leave a Comment

BESIDE
Forever Beside You in Time by Bess McBride
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Historical, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (364 pgs)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

Aurora Morrison scrimped and saved for a tour of Britain but, exhausted after the long plane trip to London, she falls asleep in Kensington Gardens and wakes to find herself somehow thrust back in time to 1902. The first person she meets is Jonathan Saunders, who takes her under his wing and introduces her to his family and friends as an American cousin. How can she help but fall in love with this handsome man of a bygone era? And how can she find her way home to her own time? Newly engaged Jonathan Saunders is fascinated by this mysteriously lost and confused American woman and vows to protect her. When Aurie decides to pursue her original plan–touring the British Isles–Jonathan follows her across England and Wales, his fiancee hot on his heels. He knows he can’t have it all, but he doesn’t want it all. He just wants Aurora.

Aurie has some very romantic ideas about Edwardian England. Will the reality live up to her dreams?

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Ms. McBride definitely kept my attention throughout the novel. I was constantly wondering how in the world Jonathan would get out of his engagement. Jonathan is a man of honor who always tries to do the right thing. He would never break his word, even though he can hardly stand Emily, his fiancée. The whole situation is heartbreaking.

I do think that Jonathan and Aurie become attached too quickly. They hardly know each other and yet suddenly they are intensely in love. I would have liked the pacing of their relationship to slow down a bit, especially at the beginning. However, Jonathan and Aurie do have the opportunity to get to know each other better on the tour. As I watched their relationship blossom, it became increasingly clear that they are perfectly suited for each other.

Emily is a thoroughly unlikable character. I felt sorry that Jonathan ever had to associate with such a cold woman. I must admit that I was very confused by Emily’s conduct toward the end of the book. At first she seemed intent on having Jonathan and making Aurie’s life miserable. However, she suddenly switched her focus to other pursuits. Emily is known for her cool exterior, but she really seemed to unravel toward the end of the story. Her actions were quite erratic at times. Despite this issue, she made a good villainess. Her nasty behavior made me cheer for Aurie and Jonathan even more.

I enjoyed reading Forever Beside You in Time. Jonathan and Aurie’s romance is touching, and I found the solution to their predicament to be quite interesting. Looking to travel back in time? Give Forever Beside You in Time a try.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Haven Awakening by Gryffyn Phoenix

March 11, 2014 By Leave a Comment

HAVEN
Haven Awakening by Gryffyn Phoenix
Publisher: Avalerion Books
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary, Action/Adventure
Length: Full Length (261 pages)
Age Recommendation: 16+
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

What if you were blind and your parents gave you new eyes for your sixteenth birthday? Suddenly, all the world is back in glorious colorful detail. . . but what if there were more? What if you opened your new eyes and saw your doctor and parents smiling at you, full of love and joy… but attached to the doctor’s legs are hideous squirming monsters that no one can see but you? And the nurse has a dark pit on her chest spitting acid … and those are the easy ones.

Verity Chambers is seeing these things with her new eyes, horrible monsters that couldn’t possibly exist in her world, but do. In shock, Verity discovers she can now see past the barriers that protect Earth from the countless creatures she thought existed only in nightmares.

Throw into the mix a blood feud, two mega-hot not-quite-human boys, and a nasty girl who may be a demon, and you’ve got a difficult road ahead for Verity, who thought her toughest challenge in life would be color coordinating her outfits for school.

But hey—if Verity doesn’t make it to seventeen, at least now she’ll see it coming.

Two Teams.
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Opposite Sides.

The new veil-seer has been made

A mortal female.

Now the game has changed.

And planet Earth is the prize.

Every action has a consequence, but not every consequence can be predicted ahead of time.

Verity is a such a well-developed character that I knew exactly what kind of personality she has by the end of the first scene. Her snarky, intelligent commentary on all of the unexpected things that happen to her after her cornea transplant lends a healthy dose of skepticism to her experiences. The fact that she doesn’t immediately adjust to her surroundings makes a lot of sense given how violent, unpredictable, and sensual this new world is, although the inclusion of these scenes makes this a book that should not be passed down to younger readers.

I would have preferred to see more well developed secondary characters. So much of what I learn about their individual personalities comes from how focused they are on everything that happens to Verity. While I understand why they find her so fascinating, the idea of one person attracting so much attention didn’t always fit in with what I learned about their society. It would have been helpful had more time been spent on the difference between what the secondary characters say they value versus what they actually pay the most attention to as the discrepancy grows more distracting over time.

The world building in this book is incredible. Ms. Phoenix develops so many different species, alliances, and old, festering wounds between various groups simultaneously that I was nearly as disoriented as Verity is in the first few chapters. I was especially interested in how the author uses myths and legends from a wide variety of cultures to flesh out the narrative. They work quite well with the original creatures that she throws into Verity’s path as the plot progresses.

Haven Awakening is a wild ride that is as much fun for adults as it is for young adult readers. Why not give it a try today?

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Desperately Seeking Suzanna by Elizabeth Michels

March 10, 2014 By 1 Comment

SEEKING
Desperately Seeking Suzanna by Elizabeth Michels
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (322 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Peppermint

Her Cinderella Moment

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All Holden wants is the truth. Who was that vixen who seduced him so thoroughly, then disappeared? The only one who seems to have any answers about Suzanna is Miss Sue Green. She’s promised to help him find his mystery woman, but in truth she’s not being all that helpful. And in truth, the more time Holden spends with Sue—witty, pretty, and disarmingly honest—the more he realizes he may have found exactly what he’s been looking for all along…

This fairy tale story captivated me from beginning to end. It was very reminiscent of Cinderella, and even included balls, an evil mother, and a sister placed ahead of her in her family’s eyes. And Like Cinderella, Sue somehow discovers an inner strength and claims what is rightfully hers, which includes the Holden the man who has been searching for Suzanna longer than either of them realize.

I was immediately smitten with this story, and did not want it to end. Sue is the oldest sister, yet she has seem to lived in her sisters’ shadow being the plain daughter–as her mother so often reminds her. With the prospects of landing an eligible bachelor almost nonexistent, she decides to throw caution to the wind and enjoy herself for one evening. Yet, that one evening alters her life forever, by introducing her to the world she has skirted on the outside of for so long. I could not help but root for Sue from beginning to end, and hope to get more glimpse of her wild side she affectionately names Suzanna.

Holden has his own secrets he must keep tucked away, or he risks not only his reputation, but a scandal that will devastate his entire family’s existence in higher society. When he meets Suzanna, she shakes up his world more than anyone has done. Now he finds himself on a wild goose chase for the missing seductress, while finding himself falling in love with the sensible and witty Sue. Holden seems to be a scamp on the outside, but I quickly realized this was a facade used to keep others at a distance. In fact, below the surface of his charm, he is a caring and compassionate man wrapped in a pretty package with a bow. This made me want to learn more about him, as well as discover all of his hidden secrets he hides so well.

The entire courtship of these two is truly fascinating and one I will not soon forget. I love how they come to care for one another so naturally throughout the story, it really added a ring of truth to the relationship. I could not help but smile sometimes at the budding relationship because it was based on genuine fondness of one another and seemed so natural. I have sometimes felt historical romances a bit outdated, but Desperately Seeking Suzanna was anything but outdated, and I can truly say I would anticipate reading this story again an falling in love with it all over.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

My Grandfather’s Pants by Tegon Maus

March 10, 2014 By Leave a Comment

PANTS
My Grandfather’s Pants by Tegon Maus
Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (174 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Jack Laskin is an ordinary man. More than ordinary according to some. Running the family hardware store and a life that would bore a snail, nothing exciting ever seems to happen to him.

Then, at his mother’s urging, he tries on a pair of his late grandfather’s old pants and everything changes — most importantly his emerging love life. It’s not long before his mother and her meddling friends get involved.

The root is cultivated in Wisconsin ginseng farmunder extremely favorable conditions using advanced farming methods. generic viagra But if this term is not there this is approximately surely nothing that one was provided. viagra tadalafil Endocrine disorders give buy viagra sale havoc to the female’s hormones. Quitting can reverse the effects of smoking in as little as 15 minutes, compared to lowest prices on viagra that takes almost one hour. When an old friend of his grandfather’s tells Jack he has something she wants, his new-found life takes another turn. Having no idea what he is supposed to have, Jack looks to his girlfriend, Connie, and her brother, Robert, for help.

In the end, the answers will all be found in his Grandfather’s Pants.

Is history always doomed to repeat itself?

Between inheriting his father’s business and looking after his widowed mother, Jack has always been Mr. Dependability. It isn’t always the most exciting life, but Jack finds meaning in the iron-clad routine that his community has come to expect of him. Jack is effortlessly in tune with the pulse of small town life, and Mr. Maus’ attention to even the smallest details of what it feels like to live in that kind of environment instantly drew me into the plot. No sooner did I think I had everything figured out, though, than another plot twist would appear. It was as much fun to anticipate where the author was going with his story as it was to see how someone as traditional and shy as Jack reacts to all of the unexpected things that happen to him.

It would have been helpful to have the paranormal elements of this tale explained in greater detail, especially when it comes to exactly how they influence Jack’s friends and family members. There were a few occasions when certain characters rapidly change their minds about topics they previously held strong opinions about. Had their thought processes been explained more thoroughly this book would have easily earned a much higher rating as this is my only criticism of an otherwise fantastic novel.

I was definitely not expecting to laugh as often as I did while reading My Grandfather’s Pants. Mr. Maus has a fantastic sense of humour that translates extremely well to the written word. He is adept at teasing out the funny side of even the most serious or mundane parts of daily life. It was especially entertaining to see how he plays around with a wide range of assumptions most of us make about certain groups of people in order to keep his readers on their toes.

My Grandfather’s Pants is a great choice for anyone in the mood for something quirky and original. This is the kind of book that begs to be read more than once. I, for one, will be revisiting it quite soon!

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,
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