Monthly Archives: October 2009
Giveaway Winner
Congratulations to Mitz!
Random.org picked her name to win my copy of
A Highlander’s Temptation by Sue-Ellen Welfonder
A Quick Giveaway
I’m giving away my gently-read copy of
I have to limit it to residents of the US – no PO Boxes
* Leave your name and email in one comment
* Ends tomorrow – Saturday at noon EDT, October 31st.
Contest Closed
A Highlander’s Temptation by Sue-Ellen Welfonder
\Back of the book:
Darroc MacConacher spends sleepless nights dreaming of a raven-haired beauty who makes him ache with desire. Then his dream comes true: the lady with her lush curves and fair skin appears shipwrecked on his shores. Darroc is immediately drawn to her strength and beauty, and from the moment she lays eyes on this powerful, broad-shouldered warrior, Lady Arabella MacKenzie knows she’ll never want another man.
But theirs is a forbidden love. The MacKenzies drove the MacConachers from their lands and destroyed their honor. Now, Darroc can use this sapphire-eyed seductress to shatter his foes. Yet how can he deny the passion that burns between him and Arabella, and ruin the one woman who touches his very soul?
* * * * * * *
(possible spoilers)
As I read A Highlander’s Temptation, the story of Romeo and Juliet came to mind. There’s no love lost between the MacKenzies and the MacConachers just as there was none between the Montagues and the Capulets. Darroc and Arabella meet in a most unusual way, overcome obstacles and become determined to marry. There is a sea adventure or two in the story which adds excitement to the novel.
This is the first I’ve read of this type of historical romance. There is a bit of magic and a whole lot of Scottish accent/words in the dialogue. At times, this really slowed the reading for me. I’m sure fans of Scottish romances would have no issue with it. I recommend it to fans of the genre.
Review copy provided by Hachette Book Group
Chocolate: A Love Story by Max Brenner
With gigantic vats of churning chocolate, desserts like their famous chocolate pizza, and 12 varieties of hot chocolate served in custom mugs, Max Brenner, Chocolate by the Bald Man has turned their line of hip, colorful themed restaurants into an international sensation..
Chocolate: A Love Story is a vibrant new cookbook that includes 65 original recipes narrated in the quirky, captivating voice of Max Brenner, the restaurant’s visionary founder and “bald man.” Bold original illustrations inspired by Art Deco poster graphics, full-color photographs, easy-to-follow, delicious recipes, and a serving of Max’s unique vision for spreading “chocolate culture” around the
world make this book a must for every chocolate lover.
* * * * * * *
This is the coolest cookbook I’ve ever seen! The artwork is fresh, the recipe titles make me laugh and I can’t wait to start baking. The book is coffee-table size and it would be a perfect coffee-table book. Chocolate: A Love Story truly is a feast for the eyes. However, it is a cookbook so it would go on the appropriate shelf in my kitchen – but facing out and maybe with a spotlight shining on it…
Max Brenner writes “I invite you to watch, smell, taste, and feel my love story.”
If you are a fan of chocolate, you’ll love this book. It would be a wonderful gift to give or receive.
I’ll close with a few recipe titles:
* Dependable Banana Cupcakes
with dark chocolate chunks and a moody coconut sugar glaze
* Spy-thriller Chocolate Black Forest Cake
covered with Alpine whipped cream and cherry, the German double agent on top
* A Therapeutic Chocolate Pot Pie
with a rich filling of soul-refreshing strawberries
* A High School Bonfire Chocolate Melting Heart Cake
with a soft marshmallow first memory hidden inside
Review copy from Hachette Book Group
Giveaway Winner
Congratulations to Nancye!
Random.org picked her name to win my copy of
Chosen By Desire by Kate Perry
Waiting on Wednesday – Oct. 28
Hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine
FORBIDDEN FALLS
January 2010 / MIRA
$7.99 U.S. & $8.99 CAN.
ISBN-10: 0778327493
ISBN-13: 978-0778327493
January 2010 / MIRA
$7.99 U.S. & $8.99 CAN.
ISBN-10: 0778327493
ISBN-13: 978-0778327493
You can read about it at the author’s website. It’s the newest book in the Virgin River series – there will be two more in 2010. Although the info above lists January 2010 as release date, both Amazon and B&N: December 29, 2009.
A Quick Giveaway
I’m giving away my gently-read copy of
To enter the giveaway:
* Leave your name and email in one comment.
* Open to US residents only/no PO Boxes
Contest closes at 9pm EDT, Wednesday, Oct. 28th
Contest Closed
Chosen By Desire by Kate Perry
It’s down to the wire and Carrie Woods is leaving China without the proof she needs for her thesis: Wei Lin’s journal. While on a final tour of the monastery, Carrie finally locates the scrolls and attempts to photograph the documents. Caught in a sticky situation, Carrie takes the scrolls, only to notice a mysterious monk watching her–the same monk that she’s seen each time she’s taken a tour. Unable to return the scrolls, she travels back to California and isn’t too thrilled when she notices the monk at the airport.
Maximillian Prescott first came to the monastery as an orphaned teenager when he inherited the Book of Metal from a distant uncle he hardly knew. After spotting a woman stealing from the monastery, he follows her to get back the documents he knows she’s stolen. Max is further intrigued when he finds out that the chatty woman is friends with his archrival, Rhys Llewellyn, and he will stop at nothing to get back everything he’s lost.
* * * * * * *
One of my goals this year is to take a tiny step out of my comfort zone of Women’s Fiction, Chick Lit, Romance, Historical Fiction, etc. So when Anna from Hachette Book Group offered Chosen By Desire for review I jumped at the chance.
Author Kate Perry wrote an entertaining novel. I enjoyed the humor as well as the drama throughout the story. I haven’t read any urban fantasy novels and, looking back now, I think this was a good book to try. It’s not too unbelievable. I found myself enjoying the romance between Carrie and Max, the mystery involving the scrolls, and the special powers possessed by Max and the other Guardians of Destiny.
When I finished the book I bought the first in the series: Marked By Passion. I look forward to reading about what happened before Carrie came into the picture. Recommended to fans of Urban Fantasy/Romance.
Review copy from Hachette Book Group
Mailbox Monday – Oct. 26
Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week (checked out library books don’t count, eBooks & audio books do). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. Mailbox Monday is hosted at The Printed Page.
