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Some Past Giveaway Titles: The Hidden by Tobias Hill, Sunflowers by Sheramy Bundrick, Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison, My Zombie Valentine - Katie MacAlister, Angie Fox, Marianne Mancusi and Lisa Cach, Dust by Elizabeth Bear, The Unfinished Angel by Creech, Wolfbreed by S.A. Swann, Good Luck by Whitney Gaskell, The Shack by Young, Twilight of A Queen by Susan Carroll, Red Handed by Gena Showalter, GMC: Goal, Motivation & Conflict by Dixon, Magic in the Bone & Magic in the Blood by Devon Monk, Branded by the Sheriff by Delores Fossen, First To Kill by Andrew Peterson, Hex Education by Gould & Jaffery, The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers by Angie Fox, Unperfect Souls by Mark Del Franco, A Rather Charming Invitation, The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown, Love and Peaches by Anderson

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Hot off the presses get a look at Kerrelyn Spark's next cover!!!!!!!!!!! This is Carlos's book!!!! I can not wait and can we say PURRRRRRR! ;)

I hope everyone had a great weekend. I'm currently reading Claudia Dain's upcoming release Daring a Duke - it's part of her fabulous Courtesan's series. I wanted to share an excerpt to give you all a taste... ;)

DARING A DUKE
Berkley
ISBN: 0425235467
July 6, 2010

BLURB:

Jane Elliot of New York is in London for an adventure. Unfortunately, her two brothers are also in London and quite determined that Jane have no such thing, which does create a few problems, and really is so typical of brothers.

What Jane did not expect was the Duke of Edenham to be quite so dashing and quite definitely the most handsome man she'd ever seen. She also did not expect to capture his attention upon the first look.

It was flattering, to be sure, but did Edenham have to be quite so bold with her two brothers looking on? Most inconvenient. How was a girl to have any sort of adventure at all with brothers snarling at her and a duke commanding her attention?

How? Why with Sophia Dalby's help, that's how. If there's one thing Sophia believes it's that every proper woman should have at least one very improper adventure.


EXCERPT:

The Duke of Edenham walked into their circle of conversation as if he had every right to enter where and when he chose. Dukes were like that, according to every rumor of them. This duke was quite tall, quite handsome, and quite elegant looking, if one liked the type. Having never been exposed to his type before she was withholding judgment. He was very handsome. He also did not seem at all overawed by her brothers, which was refreshing. In New York, there were very few men who would risk anything at all with her for fear of her brothers’ comeuppance. Such a nuisance, really. Her brothers were always at sea. What sort a squeamish man lived in fear of what would happen six months in the future? Life in New York was far more dull than it should have been. She blamed her brothers entirely.

The second gentleman was the Marquis of Ruan, a most dangerous and rugged looking man, not nearly as elegantly arranged as the Duke of Edenham, but handsome nonetheless, though in a more ruthless fashion entirely.

It was perfectly obvious that Sophia was well-acquainted with both men. Jane would hardly have expected anything less.

The introductions having been made, the immediate result being that Jed had escaped from Sophia’s highly focused attention, Jed then gave every indication that he was going to leave this newly arranged circle of conversation and drag her with him. She was not ready to leave. Sophia hadn’t got her way yet, had she? Which meant that Jane hadn’t got her way. She was going to stay, and she wasn’t going to leave Sophia’s side until it was formally decided that she was to remain in London.

Jane put the most innocent look upon her face, for her brothers’ benefit, obviously, and ignored both the duke and the marquis. But the duke was staring at her with the most peculiar expression on his face. His odd behavior was not helping her at all.

She ignored him more pointedly.

He continued to stare.

Joel shifted his weight and rolled his shoulders a bit.

Oh, mercy.

Looking innocent and disinterested was not putting the duke off one bit. How very like a duke to behave as he pleased and attempt to ruin her plans in such thoughtless fashion. Could he not go off and bother some other poor girl? Some girl who did not have two brothers at her elbows?

“Edenham,” Sophia said, “I’m so delighted to see you here. And your enchanting sister, she is with you?”

“Yes,” the Duke of Edenham replied, turning his gaze from Jane just long enough to make eye contact with Sophia, cast a quick glance over Jed and Joel, and then looked into her eyes. He had lovely eyes, a warm shade of brown, and quite a nice brow. She averted her gaze after noting that, only the most obvious details of his appearance, which she would argue quite forcefully if Jed said one word about it, and then turned to stare with bland attention at Joel. Joel rolled his shoulders again and kept his gaze on Edenham. Edenham kept his gaze upon her. The stupidity of dukes was thus proved. “A cause for celebration. We wish Hyde nothing but joy.”

Sophia smiled and said, “With three sons married within a single Season, I can assure you that they feel nothing but joy. And with the happy addition of the Elliots to share in their joy, why, what can they do but smile away their days? Which brings me back round to you, darling,” Sophia said to Jed, laying her gloved hand upon his arm in a light caress. “Surely you must allow Miss Elliot to stay and partake of the general joy to be found within Hyde House. I assure you that she will be well cared for.”

It was perhaps not the ideal thing to say to sway Jed to release them all from their Father’s instructions. Only a little over a day in London, within the very walls of Hyde House, and the Elliots had heard word of how three of Hyde’s sons had come to be married in a single Season.

The word was ruin.

No one seemed especially bothered by it, certainly not the sons, yet neither were their wives, which was most strange, wasn’t it? Of all the things she had been told about the British, their odd habits and proclivities, a facility and easiness about being ruined was not among them.

“Not as well cared for as upon an Elliot ship,” Jed said, which was likely very true.

“Truly?” Sophia said brightly, her gaze almost resolutely removed from the Marquis of Ruan. Jane began to wonder if Sophia was not on the most cordial of terms with the man, which would not surprise her in the least as some of what her mother had told her about Sophia left no doubt that Sophia could and did make a very firm enemy and that her enemies were entirely deserving of the position. Jane gave Lord Ruan a cold look of bland curiosity at the thought. “No storms?” Sophia continued. “No violent waves? No enemy ships? No contrary currents? No pirates? What has quiet and serene Hyde House to offer by way of excitement that an Elliot ship can not merely match but overmatch?”

“Men?” Joel said. Jed gave him an approving look, annoyed but approving.

“British men, most assuredly,” Sophia said, casting a casual glance in the general direction of both Edenham and Ruan. Edenham blinked and continued to stare at her. Ruan’s mouth tightened, against a smile or a grimace Jane could not determine. “But what is that? Certainly they are not to be feared. Or do you think otherwise, Captain?”

Well, then, there was a pretty insult, and delivered so sweetly, too. Jed looked properly angered. Joel did not appear angry so much as bewildered by the sudden turn the conversation had taken. As to that, Jane felt much the same. Is this how Sophia got what she wanted? By insults? She had not heard that about her. Not at all.

“In the proper circumstances, it is wise to consider any man with due caution,” Jed said stiffly, eyeing both Edenham and Ruan. Edenham ignored him. Ruan returned the look and nodded sharply.

“And what of improper circumstances?” Sophia said. “I do confess to having more experience of men in improper circumstances.”

“If we are speaking of English men, then I must confess the same,” Jed said, smiling slightly.

“Captain Elliot, you shock me. I am intrigued,” Sophia said, smiling, and raising her fan to obscure her face, which naturally resulted in all the men, Edenham excluded, staring with increased intensity at her. Jane needed a better fan, if only to shield herself from Edenham’s obsessive gaze. It was becoming something of an embarrassment to her, and was not at all helpful with her brothers standing at her elbow and witnessing his complete break from polite behavior. Or what she assumed was polite behavior. The two countries could not be that different, could they? “Please, tell me all,” Sophia urged. “Is it improper circumstances to which you refer, or improper men? Or is it the extreme Englishness of both which results in the impropriety?”

“Lady Dalby, you have left me,” Jed said, his eyes twinkling. “I fear the conversation has twisted out of my hands. I am a simple man. I beg you to show me mercy.”

“Lady Dalby is not known for showing mercy,” Lord Ruan said abruptly, “though she may be partial to men who beg, Captain Elliot. You would do well to show her the same caution you practice when facing an unidentified ship.”

“But Lord Ruan, how absurd,” Sophia said, her voice soft and her gaze sharp. “I am flying my colors boldly, as is my practice. There is no mystery attached to me.”

“Lady Dalby, you are a woman,” Ruan responded, his green eyes searching Sophia’s face. “You are as mysterious as the sea. As turbulent. As unfathomable. As compelling. And as dangerous.”

Sophia said nothing for a moment, but there was something that passed between them, something sparkling and hot, something buried and smoldering. It was gone almost before it had begun. Jane was left with the shimmer of it before her gaze, and then it vanished.

“Which is why Jane will come home with me,” Jed said. “I would see her stay a calm pond of decorum and not become a turbulent sea of mystery.”

“Lovely,” Jane muttered. “I suppose that was intended as a compliment?”

“Of course,” Jed said, looking both annoyed and befuddled. Typical.

Sophia laughed. “But, darling, she is your sister and, like any brother, you do not see her clearly at all. Miss Elliot is already a sea of mystery to any man who is not related to her.”

And, naturally, both Jane and Sophia could not resist the impulse to glance at Edenham, who was still staring.

“The sea can be calm at times, usually the most inconvenient times, is that not so?” Edenham said, sparing a glance for Jed. “There is no cause to anticipate any trouble for Miss Elliot. I cannot think but that Hyde would care for her as a beloved daughter.”

“Now I am a calm, inconvenient sea?” Jane said. “Can not a new metaphor be framed? I grow weary of this one as it does nothing at all to flatter me.”

Sophia laughed, as did Jed and Joel, which was something of a relief. Edenham smiled. Ruan did not; he studied her, which she did not enjoy at all. Lord Ruan was capable of a very focused gaze. She was not certain that was destined to be flattering to her either.


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TOO FUNNY!

Too Cute

Now THAT is true love! :)

This one was priceless!

Ravished by a Highlander is book one in Paula Quinn’s new Children of the Mist Series. Davina Montgomery is a woman in dire straights. In the space of one day her entire world has been destroyed around her. But through the mists of chaos and destruction- love appears.

The only life Davina has ever known has been inside the walls of St. Christopher’s Abbey. But not for the reasons you might think…Davina is there to protect her from her enemies, for if they knew where she were they would have long since have ended her life. Davina carries a very dangerous secret…her very identity is the Crown’s most guarded secret. And when the Abbey is attacked and all the inhabitants mercilessly slaughtered it was only by a miracle that Davina survived, and this particular miracle came in the form of one sexy highland warrior!

Robert MacGregor was on his way to England to attend the Coronation ceremonies of the newly crowned King James when he happens upon St. Christopher’s Abbey. However it is not the peaceful sight of serenity and prayer that it should be, but a battlefield that meets his eyes. When one of the soldiers fighting in the battle begs Rob’s help to save the Lady Montgomery from a fiery death inside the Abbey - Rob is honor bound to see that the Lady escapes unscathed. He never expected that the beautiful innocent lass that he pulls from the ashes would end up firing his blood as hot as the flames that he pulled her from.

Davina is heartbroken at the loss of all of the nuns and soldiers who guarded her, for they were the only true family she has ever known. Rob is deeply moved by her trials, but he is drawn to her also in a way that he has never been drawn to another woman ever before. The longer the two are in each other’s company the closer they become and the more passion begins to grow between them. However the enemies that were searching for Davina have not given up and they will not stop at nothing until she is dead. Can Rob save her from the dark forces that are bound to see Davina and her closely guarded secret to the grave? Is there a chance for their budding love to be realized or will the secrets that Davina harbors keep them forever apart? Believe me you will want to read this one to find out the answers!

I really loved this story it has it all - intrigue, desire, love, duty, and faith, much more all rolled into one. Paula Quinn has penned a story rich in drama and the things that make us human beings, with our passions, triumphs and our faults, our secrets, and our ties to those people and things we hold dear in this life. And for those of you who are fans of Ms. Quinn’s novels will see some familiar faces show up as well from her earlier novels Laird of the Mist and A Highlander Never Surrenders as well! :)

This contest is offered at author Jennifer Linforth's website in honor of Gaston Leroux's Birthday! Are you a huge Phantom of the Opera fan? Here is your chance to win a basket full of Phantom goodies and books! Check it out and enter! It runs from May 6, 2010 until 12:00AM June 6, 2010.

Holding on to Heaven is the latest erotic romance novel by Keta Diablo. Set amidst the turbulent times of the Civil War and the plains of Minnesota where there is a deadly Native American uprising, it’s a story of passion, love, loss and hope.

The main story focuses around Lauren and her sister Sage McCain. They are as different as night and day even though they’re almost identical on the outside. Lauren was raised in the very Southern way of life in North Carolina while Sage – who was taken by the midwife after she was thought to have died at birth -- was raised by a healer/midwife whom she believes to be her grandmother.

Lauren goes to visit her beloved aunt and Uncle on their ranch in Minnesota when the danger of war looms over North Carolina believing the dreaded conflict wouldn’t touch her there. Little did she know that during such a turbulent time she’d come face to face with the man who steals her heart and he’s going to fight for the North! Creed Gatlin sets her heart fluttering even while he enrages her with his high-handed and overbearing ways. The passion that grows between them is volatile and soon neither of them can deny it. However, it’s far from happily ever after for the two when Creed’s younger brother Finn enlists to fight for the North, and Creed joins him in an attempt to keep his brother safe. Lauren can’t believe that just when they’ve found each other he’s leaving to fight against the South, the only way of life Lauren has ever known.

Meanwhile Sage McCain comes upon a wounded, near death Winnebago warrior that she and her grandmother nurse back to health. The feelings she has for the Native American warrior are more than just friendly and the two fall in love. The fates have much in store for them, including Sage learning who she really is.

Can Sage and Wanapaya find happiness together? Will Lauren and Creed be able to be together or will the ravages of the war and a Sioux uprising take their lives before they get the chance to find out?

This novel is one that tells the gripping struggles and the difficulties of this very dangerous and pivotal time in American history. It shows the challenges and hardships many had to endure where danger and death were an everyday occurrence.

Keta Diablo really knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what will befall the main characters. Lovers of historical fiction will love this one! I’m a big fan of the Civil War era and it’s nice to see this as the backdrop for this novel. I don’t think it’s written about as much as it should be in the historical romance world. Holding on to Heaven has it all -- adventure, desire, and the indelible spirit of human hope and perseverance. I enjoyed it and hope this might be the start of a series where we can see some of these characters yet again!

This novel was provided to me in return for an honest review.

Hi all I haven't gotten to update my blog here in the last couple of days due to some major storms that have had MASSIVE rain and flooding plus tons of thunder and lightening. Middle TN where we live certain areas have been completely devastated by this flood. We have some MAJOR flooding in our area, they are reporting that this is the worst flooding in history in many places around Middle TN. The family and I are ok up on our little hill, but many around this area are not that lucky at all. Five people are confirmed dead already.