The Sheik Retold by Victoria Vane

Pride and passion vie for supremacy in this steamy retelling of E.M. Hull's romance classic.

A haughty young heiress for whom the world is a playground…
 

A savage son of the Sahara who knows no law but his own…
 

When pride and passion vie for supremacy...
 

Blistering desert days are nothing compared to sizzling Sahara nights…

"There will be inquiries." I choked out. "I am not such a nonentity that nothing will be done when I am missed. You will pay for what you have done."

"Pay?" His amused look sent a cold feeling of dread through me. "I have already paid… in gold that matches your hair, my gazelle. Besides," he continued, "the French Government has no jurisdiction over me. There is no authority here above my own."

My trepidation was growing every passing minute. "Why have you done this? Why brought me here?"

"Why?" He repeated with a slow and heated appraisal that made me acutely, almost painfully, conscious of my sex. "Bon Dieu! Are you not woman enough to know?"

Excerpt (steamy):


"Look at me."

I shivered, my downcast gaze wavering only briefly before defying him again.

"Look at me." An inflection had crept into his low tone that was unmistakably commanding.

I lifted my gaze with great reluctance and met his in the mirror. Though I wanted to, I could not look away from his handsome sun-bronzed face with those inscrutable eyes. They were not black as I had thought, but the deepest indigo blue. Dark and intense, they burned into me. I was fascinated. Mesmerized.

He swung me around to him, taking my chin in hand and tilting it upward. "Bon Dieu! Do you know how beautiful you are?" His gaze dropped to my clothing, and his eyes became fierce again, his stern mouth parting in a cruel show of teeth. "Perhaps you are unaware that Zilah shall be severely punished for your foolish rebellion?"

"No!" I cried, straining back as far as his grip allowed. "It wasn't her fault. I sent her away."

"You sent her away before my wishes were carried out?"

"Will you kill her too? Like you did the horse?" I accused. "If you kill everything that does not obey you, you might as well shoot me now!"

"I will deal with the girl as it suits me." His glower had broken, replaced by a mixture of mild anger and patent amusement. "As to you, ma belle, it appears I must be your valet, as well as your lover."

"Lover?" I gave a contemptuous laugh. "Is that how you perceive yourself?"

He lifted a brow above his fathomless eyes. "You question my prowess?"

I remained stoically defiant, letting my silence speak.

His black brows met in a thunderous scowl. "There are many things you must learn, ma chère. Of utmost import to your well-being is that, save only for Allah, there is no will in this camp above my own." He continued impassively, "I could have you now, you know. In this very moment, I could tear your clothes, throw you down on that bed, and take you any way and as many times as I wish." He paused, smiling at the flare of fear in my eyes. "Fortunately for you, that is not my wish…at present."

He stroked the pad of his thumb over my lips. His expression grew almost whimsical. "Shall I make you care, cherie? Shall I make it your deepest desire, your only desire, to please me? I can make any woman love me when I choose."

He was amusing himself at my expense. He did not care if I hated or loved him, but was only enjoying a new form of torture, one that was even more detestable than anything that had gone before it. The mere suggestion that I could ever care for him, that I would ever look on him as anything but a brutal savage, infuriated me. I felt degraded and soiled that he would class me with the other women he spoke of. "I would rather you killed me," I replied coldly.

"So would I." He chuckled drily. "If you loved me, you would bore me to death.

Victoria Vane is an award-winning romance novelist, cowboy addict and history junkie whose collective works of fiction range from wildly comedic romps to emotionally compelling erotic romance.

Victoria also writes historical fiction as Emery Lee and is the founder of Goodreads Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers and the Romantic Historical Lovers book review blog.
Look for Victoria's Contemporary Cowboy Series coming summer 2014 from Sourcebooks

 

Connect with Victoria:
Website | Facebook | Amazon Author Page| Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

ARC Review: Witch's Revenge by Denyse Cohen

Title: Witch's Revenge (Living Energy #2)
Author: Denyse Cohen
Source: Author Request
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: September 16, 2013
Reviewer: Jasmyn

Throughout history, the women who guard Earth's living energy have been known as goddesses, fairies, mermaids, alchemists, but they prefer to call themselves witches.

Jade has found her soulmate.  Peter is the human whose life-energy is identical to hers, the soulmate who is the missing key to unlock her witch's power.  And now Arrow, a powerful organization whose only intent is to kill the soulmates and keep the witches in check, wants their head above all others.

After a whirlwind of danger and passion, Jade and Peter managed to evade Arrow in Brazil only to find their assassins have followed them home and, this time, Karyn - the witch who murdered Jade's parents - is personally after them with the lethal ability to drain a witch's energy.

Jade and Peter must come to terms with the fact their survival is only secondary to ending Arrow's legacy of murder and fear.

But revenge might come in an unexpected way...

Reading book one first is recommended.  My review is HERE.

The end of book one, Witch's Soulmate. was high energy and amazing.  Witch's Revenge picks up shortly after with Peter and Jade trying to find a way to put their lives back together.  Part of this includes finding ways to live as normal as possible - for their friends and family to be safe - and also working with the FBI to track Arrow and put a stop to their efforts - both normal and paranormal - once and for all.

Karyn, a particular nasty villain, has targeted Jade and Peter as her own.  With the deadly ability to drain a witch's power and feed of it, Karyn will be the most dangerous witch they have gone up against - and to top it all off, she's responsible for the death of Jade's parents.  The descriptions of Karyn's attacks were phenomenal, and Jade doesn't fare well after their first encounter.

Peter and Jade must rally the troops and unlock a secret weapon no one even knows exists yet.  But in order to do that, they need to overcome the last of their doubts about each other in order to find it.  Unlocking this weapon was a very touching scene of complete devotion and acceptance by both of them.

This was a great second book, while it got off to a bit of a slow start, once it got going it really picked up the pace.  It took off running and never looked back. 

Review: Hunted, A Cyn & Raphael Novella (Vampires in America #6.5) by: D.B. Reynolds

Title:  Hunted, A Cyn & Raphael Novella (Vampires in America #6.5)
Author: D.B. Reynolds 
Source: Review Request 
Genre: Paranormal Romance, thriller
Length: 123 pages, Paperback Novella 
Reviewed by: Emi 

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

 Power, it comes down to this... those who have it, those who want it.

Revenge, the need for it is a fire in the soul, a goad for the unwise.

Hunted, the fate of the foolish when they think to become the hunter.

The Lord of the Midwest is dead, and the powerful vampires of North America are gathering to choose his successor. The Vampire Council will be there to oversee the competition and to keep the violence to a bloody minimum, including Raphael, who will do whatever it takes to ensure the victor is a vampire he can trust. But someone is determined to stop Raphael and his mate, Cyn, from ever reaching Chicago, a hunter who may soon become... the hunted.

Raphael & Cyn make a pit stop in South Dakota to visit Lucas and go over the up coming meeting in Chicago. While they are there, there are a few attempts made on their lives. However the person behind the attacks is over confident in their abilities and the tables turn on them. 

I loved it! Raphael is seeeeeeeeeexy and all Alpha, which I totally love and Cyn is a witty trouble maker, lol. 

 I normally do not read a series out of order, but Hunted just sounded to awesome not to read right away. This novella is pretty deep into the series but I wasn't totally lost.  I guess it did have a few spoilers from the previous novels, but hey it is all good, lol. I will definitely go back and read all of the prior stories, there is no way I cannot. I am 100% hooked on these vampires. 

Cover Reveal: Redemption in Red by Delancey Stewart

I'm excited to bring to you the cover reveal of Redemption Red by Delancey Stewart! This book is scheduled to be released October 15th, 2013.

Redemption Red by Delancey Stewart (A Wine Country Romance)

Love, loss, and a smoky red…

When Audrey Montgomery’s carefully planned life collides with the self-destructive path Tyson Dawes is on, neither of them can predict what will happen next.

Audrey is a diligent and self-reliant culinary student at Portland’s prestigious Cordon Bleu. She has a clear picture of her future in mind, and it allows little room for the steely-eyed and tormented young man she bumps into by chance while wine tasting with friends.

Tyson Dawes had a perfect childhood, raised among the vines in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. But even the most idyllic of upbringings couldn’t have prepared him for what he would face as a Marine. He returns to his childhood home angry and haunted by the storms of what he has faced and by those he has lost.

Do opposites truly attract? Can the lure of Audrey’s apparent clarity and innocence offer Tyson hope in the face of his emptiness?
 

This is the second book in the Wine Country Romance Series. The first book, A Rare Vintage was published in June and is available on Amazon.

While Redemption Red is part of the Wine Country Romance Series, it is a stand alone. These books can each be read individually.

Add the book on GoodReads.

Buy A Rare Vintage, on sale now for only .99 cents! 

About the author:
Delancey Stewart has lived on both coasts, in big cities and small towns. She's been a pharmaceutical rep, a personal trainer and a wine seller. Despite lots of other interests, she has always been a writer.
A military spouse and the mother of two small boys, her current job titles include pirate captain, monster hunter, Lego assembler, story reader, and tech writer for a defense contractor. She tackles all these efforts at her current home in Southern Maryland.
Delancey Stewart is the author of Through a Dusty Window: New York City Stories 1910-2001 and the Wine Country Romance Series which includes: A Rare Vintage and Redemption Red, as well as the Girlfriends of Gotham Series, publishing with Swoon Romance. The first book in that series, Men and Martinis, will be released in Winter 2013.

Find the author:
Website/Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Giveaway:

Must be 18 or older to enter
One winner will win (US only): 

- an ebook copy of both "A Rare Vintage" and "Redemption Red"

- a gorgeous bracelet created with recycled wine bottles on an aluminum link bracelet. It measures 7 1/2 inches long and features green, brown, blue, gold and clear color glass rings. The bracelet is handmade and can be dressed up or down, thanks to the elegant styling. 

AND

- a 10 ounce jar of Oregon Pinot Noir chocolate sauce from Euphoria Chocolate Company in Oregon (where Redemption Red is set). Great for use on ice cream, in coffee or just on a spoon! 

4 winners will win (INT):

- an ebook of Redemption Red

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review and Excerpt: Close Remembrance by Anna Zaires

Title: Close Remembrance (Krinar Chronicles, #3)
Author: Anna Zaires
Source: Author
Genre: Sci-Fi Romance
Length: Novel
Release: Sept 4, 2013
Reviewer: CaroleDee

The stunning conclusion to the critically acclaimed series that has won thousands of fans!

When a ruthless enemy finally strikes, Mia and Korum will face the biggest test of their relationship yet. But it’s Korum’s own secrets that may ultimately tear them apart.

From the beaches of Costa Rica to a planet in a distant galaxy, theirs is a love story that may change the world . . .*Warning: This book contains strong sexual content and explicit language and is not suitable for readers under 18.

Close Remembrance was a fantastic conclusion to all of the trials Mia and Korum have been through.

Through the two previous books we've seen Korum be slightly manipulative and, let's be honest, selfish. In book three, when faced with losing Mia forever, I saw a different side to the alpha that was much softer. Of, course, he's still a K, so he's got his swagger, but watching him work to win Mia's love for a second time was so much fun to read :)

Ah, and let's talk about our sweet, naive Mia....well...she is no more! The chick has finally embraced her sexuality! HOORAY! Watching her character develop has been so great. It just brings a realistic vibe to an, otherwise ('cmon it is Sci-Fi), unrealistic situation. There may be aliens, and a very different earth, but a early 20 something girl having problems brings it home.

I'm going to stay away from a book summary on this review, because I don't want to ruin any of the fun. Just know that our loving couple get their HEA, and the ride to get there is a wild one!

 

Excerpt

© Anna Zaires and Mozaika Publications, 2013

Tuesday was a day off in Lenkarda, and it was also Maria’s birthday. The vivacious girl had sent her a holographic message over the weekend, formally inviting her to the party on the beach at two in the afternoon. Mia had gladly accepted.

“So I don’t get to come?” Korum was lounging on the bed and watching her get ready for the party. His golden eyes gleamed with amusement, and she knew that he was teasing her.

“Sorry, sweetie,” she told him mockingly, twirling in front of the mirror. “No cheren allowed. Charl only.”

He grinned. “Such discrimination.”

She wore the necklace he’d given her and a light floaty dress with a swimsuit underneath – just in case the party involved any swimming in the ocean.

“Yes, well, you know how that goes,” she said, grinning back. “We’re too cool for all you Ks.”

She loved that she could banter with him now. Somehow, almost imperceptibly, their relationship had assumed a more equal footing. He still liked to be in control – and he could still be incredibly domineering on occasion – but she was beginning to feel like she could stand up to him. The knowledge that he loved her, that her thoughts and opinions mattered to him, was very liberating.

“All right,” she said, bending down to give him a chaste kiss on the cheek, “I have to run.”

Before she could pull away, however, his arm snaked around her waist, and she found herself flat on her back on the bed, pinned down by his large muscular body.

“Korum!” She wriggled, trying to get away. “I’m running late! You told me yourself it’s an insult to be late –”

“One kiss,” he cajoled, holding her effortlessly. She could see the familiar signs of arousal on his face and feel his cock hardening against her leg. Her body reacted in predictable fashion, her insides clenching in anticipation and her breathing picking up.

She shook her head. “No, we can’t . . .”

“Just one kiss,” he promised, lowering his head. His mouth was hot and skillful on hers, his tongue caressing the inside of her lips, and Mia could feel herself melting on the spot, a pleasurable fog engulfing her mind. Before she could completely forget herself, however, he stopped, lifting his head and carefully rolling off her.

“Go,” he said, and there was a wicked smile on his face. “I don’t want you to be late.”

Frustrated, Mia got up and threw a pillow at him. “You’re evil,” she told him. Now she was extremely turned on, and she wouldn’t get a chance to see him for the next few hours. The only thing that made her feel better was the fact that he would suffer equally.

“Just wanted you to hurry back, that’s all,” he said, grinning, and Mia threw another pillow at him before grabbing Maria’s gift and heading out the door.

For more excerpts and news on upcoming books connect with Anna:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Buy links:

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada | Amazon France | Amazon Germany | Barnes and Noble | iBookstore | Smashwords | Kobo | All Romance

September Top Picks!!

Here are our Top Picks for the month of September! Enjoy and happy reading!!

 Laurie's Pick:

                    Mandy's Story by D'Elen McClain

Mandy’s Story is a standalone, humorous and little bit kinky side story to the Fang Chronicles series.

Every beastkind knows you don’t mess with a Kodiak bear—everyone that is except Mandy, the wolf-pack Alpha’s sister. When Mandy hears whispers that the bad attitude bear, Honey, has chosen a mate, she takes matters into her own hands because her wolf decided months before that Honey was hers. If drugging, kidnapping, and making him live in a feral cage won’t work she’s planning to give Honey a little bad attitude of her own.

The bear clan is ferocious, deadly, and their fighting skills coveted by other beastkind. With war on the horizon, Honey has little time for games or courting much less more than a few grunts of acknowledgement to a young she-wolf who seems to be everywhere he looks. When he wakes up in a feral cage at the hands of that same exasperating she-wolf… all bets are off.

If anyone thought bears and wolves don’t mix, they’ve never seen Mandy on a mission. She refuses to give into the sexy he-bear when he tries to seduce her out of her tight little assets and himself out of the cage she’s locked him in. Two can play that game and in the end Honey will learn, they both need to win, or else.

 

Jasmyn's Pick

                 Snake in the Grass by Staci Hart

 

It’s Round Two of high stakes Love Connection on Olympus, and this time, everything has changed. For Aphrodite, at least.

Ares is on deck, and Aphrodite is nervous. As much as she loves to hook up with him, she doesn’t trust him as far as she could throw him, which isn’t very far. He’s a big dude. They haven’t been together in a very long time, but she can’t resist him. She never could. Even when every part of her screamed that he was a liar.

Ares has a plan to keep Aphrodite, for good this time. He wants to win the game, but he’ll hold back to get what he wants. He’s sitting on a chance that he’s been waiting thousands of years for, and he’ll do what he has to do to convince her to stay forever.

The only thing that could stop him is the secret that he’s been keeping from her for eons. If she finds out, it will destroy everything.

Kat and Dillon have been through a lot, and everything has been to protect their younger siblings. They have sacrificed everything to make sure their brother and sister are safe. The players are tough and loyal. Fierce and determined. But they become each other’s weakness, even though they fight it, and even though it means danger for Kat and her sister.

If Aphrodite can get the players over their egos and issues long enough to see that they’re meant for each other, the competition will be a piece of cake. One that she’ll eat a la mode, right in front of Ares, if she beats him

Emi chose 2 cause she just couldn't make up her mind so Congrats to those authors!!

                        Silent Screams by Yvonne Nicolas

 

R&B sensation Sharayna “Rayne” Piers lives a life dedicated to her music. On stage and in the studio, she pours her heart and soul into the lyrics of her songs. But every since her twentieth birthday, her seemingly normal life has taken a turn to the dark side.

Piercing screams and horrid visions of horrendous acts of murder haunt her night and day. Women similar to her in age are vanishing all over the world without a trace, leaving Rayne wondering if the mass of disappearances are connected with her visions.

Soon she will discover that the world she was raised in is just a cover to what really hides in the shadows, and that her life as a human is a deception to mankind, a guise to conceal her true nature. Will she shun the darkness that has befallen her or step up to the throne to become what she was created to be…the Dragon Queen?

   Duncan ( The Protectors Series Book 3) by Teresa Gabelman

Leader of the VC Warriors Cincinnati branch, Duncan Roark, has devoted his long life to the Warriors he calls brothers and the Vampire Council, protecting innocents of both the vampire and human race. Things change suddenly when it is ordered that he and his fellow Warriors train human Social Workers to protect themselves in their new world of vampires. Falling in love with a human was something Duncan never thought possible, but love her he did. Now instead of being the ruthless leader he was trained to be, his focus has turned to finding the woman he loved and let go.

Pam Braxton is outgoing and loves her job working with children, but when she realizes her live in boyfriend, Kenny Lawrence, has been using her and her job for his illegal activities, she becomes withdrawn, and her world is turned upside down. Deciding to take matters into her own hands, she stays, trying to learn more of his betrayal so she could see him punished. That decision sucks her deeper into a relationship that has turned dangerous and abusive. Overhearing a plot that would put everyone she cares about at risk, she finds the courage to try to stop the monster who has threatened her friends and the man she truly loves. Now Pam is on the run, alone and with a secret that could change the already unbalanced world of vampires and humans.

As Duncan searches for Pam, the threat of losing his leadership role has the other Warriors worried, but their loyalty for Duncan is strong and they stand behind him. Duncan’s search is relentless; he knows he is not the only one looking for Pam. Even with his responsibilities slipping, he puts it all on the line to find the only woman he has ever loved. In a race against time, Duncan fights to find Pam before her past catches up to her. The Warrior’s path is clear: Find the woman he loves before the past finds her first

 

CaroleDee's Pick

The Heiress Effect by Courtney Milan

 

Miss Jane Fairfield can’t do anything right. When she’s in company, she always says the wrong thing—and rather too much of it. No matter how costly they are, her gowns fall on the unfortunate side of fashion. Even her immense dowry can’t save her from being an object of derision.

And that’s precisely what she wants. She’ll do anything, even risk humiliation, if it means she can stay unmarried and keep her sister safe.

Mr. Oliver Marshall has to do everything right. He’s the bastard son of a duke, raised in humble circumstances—and he intends to give voice and power to the common people. If he makes one false step, he’ll never get the chance to accomplish anything. He doesn’t need to come to the rescue of the wrong woman. He certainly doesn’t need to fall in love with her. But there’s something about the lovely, courageous Jane that he can’t resist…even though it could mean the ruin of them both.

 

 

Promise Me by Tara Fox Hall Book Trailer

 

 

 

When young widow Sarelle McGarran finds the vampire Danial Racklan unconscious and hurt in her woods, intuitive concern quickly becomes passionate love. Together Danial and Sar work to overcome their own past heartbreaks, their vastly different lifestyles, and Danial's relentless enemies. Yet Danial needs more; an Oath of forever. But can Sar give Danial his greatest desire?

 

This has been reviewed here at Bitten!

 

  ttp://www.bittenbyparanormalromance.com/2013/03/promise-me-series-review-5-stars.html


See more by Tara Fox at her website at

http://www.tarafoxhall.com/tarafoxhall.com/Tara_Fox_Hall.html

Tara's Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tara-Fox-Hall/151813374904903

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/TerrorFoxHall

ARC Review: Geek Girls Don't Date Dukes by Gina Lamm

Title: Geek Girls Don't Date Dukes (Geek Girls #2)
Author: Gina Lamm
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Time-Travel Historical Romance
Length: Novel (352pgs)
Reviewer: CaroleDee
Pub Date: Sept 3, 2013 by Sourcebooks Casablanca

Leah Ramsey has always loved historical romance novels and dressing in period costumes. So when she has a chance to time travel and experience the history for herself, she jumps at it—figuring it can't be too hard to catch the eye of a duke. After all, it happens all the time in her novels.

Avery Russell, valet and prize pugilist, reluctantly helps Leah gain a position in the Duke of Granville's household . . . as a maid.

Domestic servitude wasn't exactly what she had in mind, but she's determined to win her happily ever after. Even if the hero isn't exactly who she's expecting.

 

Sweet, funny, and sexy. Geek Girl's Don't Date Dukes was just what I needed when I was in the mood for a pick me up :)

After Leah's best friend finds  true-love in the past, through a magical wardrobe, she just knows her time has come when the opportunity arrives for her to travel back in time herself. Sheassumes she will end up with a duke like her friend and won't settle for less than what she deserves. Unfortunately we all know the saying about assumptions; which leads to some pretty hilarious situations when she finds herself as a maid. She does eventually find herself in a loftier postion, but when the sparks don't fly with the duke what's a lady to do?

A super cute and unexpected romance will brighten your day with Geek Girls Don't Date Dukes.
I highly suggest checking it out.

About the Author
Becoming a magician proved to be less interesting than Gina Lamm had anticipated when she was six, so in her adult life, she’s turned to writing.

This belly-dancing, wisecracking, marshmallow-addicted mother of three energetic fur-children loves nothing more than penning funny, emotional tales of love, lust, and entertaining mishaps.

Married to a real live superhero, she and her family live in North Carolina, surrounded by tobacco farms, possums, and the occasional hurricane.

Connect with Gina at her

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |

Book promo giveaway Breaking the Storm by Sedona Venez

Book Title: Breaking the Storm

Author Name: Sedona Venez

Book blurb:

THE CURSE
Stormy Credence was destined to succumb to the Credence family curse—they all did.

THE GAME
Stormy is put to the test one more time, when the one man that she never wanted to see again—‘Rock Star’ Knox Gunner comes blowing back into her life—back to claim what’s his—Stormy. This time he will stop at nothing to prove that she belongs to him in every sense of the word…

THE PASSION
When Stormy meets sexy band front man Knox Gunner, there’s no denying him. Willing to take a chance on love, Stormy breaks the most important Credence rule, no relationships—ever—a mistake that results in heartbreaking devastation.

But can she keep her feelings from getting dangerously deep until his game of ‘Breaking the Storm’ is over?

Paranormal Romance:
**Mature Content Warning** 18+ for language, and adult situations.

Excerpt:

“Wait…” I looked him up and down with contempt. “Did you honestly think you and I would actually skip into the sunset like some ridiculous reality show couple?”

I laughed coldly. “You’re a starving artist. I need someone stable—like Luke. And from what I've seen tonight, you're not worth my time or effort. Good-bye, Knox Gunner.” Each word was like a knife in my chest. Painful, biting, a slow crawl that brought my soul closer to death. But I determinedly trudged on. I flipped my hair over my shoulder before starting the car. I pulled on the door, but he held on stubbornly.

“This is not the end, Storm. It's only the beginning. I'll be back to claim what's mine.” His eyes were cold. “You.” He released the door, stepping back as I peeled away with tears streaming down my cheeks.

My heart stuttered, shutting down that part of me that was willing to take a chance on love. Never again. He was the last man I’d ever open my heart to again. He's gone. History. The past I would never repeat again.

Cover picture: attached

Purchase links:

Amazon

KOBO

Barnes & Noble

Apple iBookstore

Contact links:

Her Blog   Facebook    Twitter     Goodreads     Pinterest

Giveaway information:

·         Giveaway is open internationally

·         Giving away two (2) eBooks  to multiple/(2) winners

To enter the giveaway please fill out the Rafflecopper
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ARC Review: It Takes Two to Tangle by Theresa Romain

Title: It Takes Two to Tangle (The Matchmaker Trilogy, #1)
Author: Theresa Romain
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: Novel (352 pgs)
Release: Sept 3, 2013
Reviewer: CaroleDee



Though he lost the use of an arm in the Napoleonic Wars, Henry Middlebrook returns to London society and begins an ambitious courtship of the ton's reigning beauty. When he experiences limited success, he decides to ask for assistance from the beauty's companion, Frances Whittier.

A soldier's widow with a murky past, Frances admires Henry's courage and sends him a secret letter. He thinks the letter is from her mistress, and Frances must correct his mistake if she wants to engage his heart.

  

I went back and forth between a three and four rating with It Takes Two quite a bit.
I'm not a huge lover of misunderstanding and secrets between heroes and heroines, so I think that was my main hangup.
Frannie's 'omission of truth' about writing letters to Henry just seemed a bit silly.
Henry's blind pursuit of Frannie's cousin also got on my nerves.
He had a wonderfully smart, and beautiful woman  at his fingertips but was blinded by his goal of being accepted back into the ton. It took me a while to understand why he thought marrying Carolina (Frannie's cousin and employer) was going to elevate his status. *shrug*

So why such a high rating when I was so aggravated? Well, I'm a sucker for tortured heroes and heroines. And Theresa Romain didn't disappoint. While I didn't feel the physical 'heat' with these two as a couple, their emotional connection was amazing. Henry's struggle with re-integration after returning from war was very realistic. (Even to today's standards.) As a military wife I see it all the time. I think the author was able to capture the awkwardness and trials military members go through perfectly.

I also enjoyed the historical accuracy. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't bombarded with a history lesson, but you can tell that research was done. Poorly researched historicals can be annoying to a history lover like myself :)

After tons of lies by omission, and secrets there is a very satisfying HEA, so I think that was the final straw that broke my rating to a four. :)
If you're a lover of military romances (even contemporary) I think you'll enjoy It Takes Two To Tangle.

"Were kind lies worse than unkind truths?"

About the author

Historical romance author Theresa Romain pursued an impractical education that allowed her to read everything she could get her hands on. She then worked for universities and libraries, where she got to read even more. Eventually she started writing, too. She lives with her family in the Midwest.

Theresa is very, very happy to be represented by the very, very awesome Paige Wheeler of Folio Literary Management.

You can follow Theresa via :

Website | Facebook |  Twitter | Goodreads

Cover Reveal: Immortal Confessions by Tara Fox Hall

Title: Immortal Confessions (Promise Me #5)
Author: Tara Fox Hall
Release Date: September 10, 2013

Note: Immortal Confessions is the larger novel Surrender to me was taken from.  A prequel to Promise Me, providing not only the full story of Danial and Devlin's feud of Anna, but also Devlin's backstory of how he came to be the villain he is through the first books of the Promise Me series.

At the turn of the 19th century, former aristocrat turned lowly vampire Devlin Dalcon gets by on his supernatural charms until he meet bride-to-be Annabelle.  Smitten by Anna's forthrightness, intellect, and bravery, Devlin risks his life to spirit her away to Fontainebleau, France.  There Devlin begins his ascent to power tin a desperate bid for wealth and social standing for himself and Anna.  Forging alliances with other supernatural leaders, he usurps the vampire Lord of Fontainebleau, amassing many enemies during his brief reign.  Within a few years, he and Anna are again forced to flee for their lives to America.  Living in hiding, Devlin is determined to amend his ways.  But when tragedy strikes, Devlin's dark side, never fully extinguished. emerges rampant, securing him the bloody throne of America even as his malevolence and loneliness consumes him.

Excerpt:
Now we were getting somewhere.  "Explain this, Quentin, as I'll need to know.  What are the rules in this city, besides no killing?"
"Not many.  Don't kill humans, unless they attack you, even then, make it look accidental murder by stealing from them.  Don't trouble the richer citizens at all, not for any reason.  Don't bother the other supernatural citizens -"
"Who?"
"The sorcerers and witches, the goblins and the faeries," he said, bored.  "There is also a family of werevultures that inhabit this town, near the edge.  Them, too."
Werevultures?  Was he kidding?  "So there are no werewolves?"
"As a rule, not here in the cities, though there are sometimes one or two that pass through," he said with something like relief.  "I've heard they stick to the countryside.  Most weres do, as it's easier to blend in there."
Weres, he called them.  Hmm.  "What are they life?"
"The ones I've talked to say they miss the forest, or the water, or their caves -"
"Caves?"
"Werebats, mostly.  They are the most prevalent werecreature around these parts.  There is a large colony near the river."
"Are they off limits?"
Quentin took a deep breath.  "I'm glad you brought his up.  Technically, no, they aren't.  They have an agreement guy Guy, the City's Lord, to stay out of the city, and he leaves them alone.  But some stupid vampire hunter attacked them last week, killing a bunch of their women and children when he mistook them for vampires.  It happens often, I'm afraid.  The other were-bats killed him, but they're raging right now.  They are killing any vampire they can, primarily ones they find alone, in retaliation."  He looked over at me.  "It's them I need you to guard me against."
"Won't that die down quickly, though?  Surely the bats can be made to see it was not our fault?"
"Guy is not diplomatic," Quentin said with a sign.  "Things are going to get worse before they get better.  Besides, at heart, he's a coward.  He knows that there are more of them than there are of us, enough so it's close to three on one in their favor.  Because of those odds, he will not make them stop.  This has happened before, Devlin.  The attacks will continue until the bats feel they've taken enough blood back."
I thought about that.  There was a huge opportunity here for not just the means to support Anna and myself, but to gain real power.  Still, I needed to understand much about this world and this city before I'd be ready to proclaim myself king of it.

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Review: Set in Stone By: Aurrora St. James

Title: Set in Stone 
Author: Aurrora St. James
Source: Review Request
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Thriller
Length: 313 pages Paperback
Reviewed by: Emi 

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

First in a breathtaking trilogy, the fierce and seductive Gregore Trenowyth-one of three men cursed by Gypsy magic-is driven by desire for the one woman who could be his salvation, but who he dare not let himself love... 
Once falsely accused of his lover's murder, Gregore knows when he is going to die, and he has spent decades searching for a way to break the curse that hardens his body to stone. When a painful twist of fate lands the counter-curse in his hands then snatches it away just days before he turns to stone forever, Gregore's desperation reaches new found heights. He'll do anything to live-even if it means kidnapping the one woman who could steal his heart. 
Although she comes from a long lineage of powerful women, Detective Tara O'Reilly is wonderfully content with her normal life. The remnants of her Gypsy heritage and magic are firmly locked away where they can't hurt anyone. However, when a creature straight out of legend kidnaps her and asks for her help, she'll have to choose between walking away from a man who stirs her soul and embracing a magic that could kill everyone she loves. 
An exciting and dark new paranormal romance novel, Set in Stone explores the themes of redemption and righting past wrongs, all while showing readers that true love can conquer all. Blending romance with a bit of fantasy, this is a perfect story for anyone who wants a taste of magic and the unknown in their romance novels.

Set in Stone is a great start to this series. Gypsy magic and curses have always intrigued me so I was definitely excited to read about it, and it did not disappoint in the least. Gregore, and his two best friends,  were wrongfully cursed for the death of his beloved Zola by her crazy grandmother. After a century and a half of searching for any connection to the gypsy and a way to break his curse, it is mercilessly torn from him.  And the only way he can get it back is with the help of the beautiful Detective O'Reily, which coincidentally is also the target of the crazy wizard who stole the spell book in the first place.  Gregore carries the guilt of  not only of his curse, but his two best friends, who just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Tara is kind of in a similar of state of mind, she has carried around  her own guilt about an incident in her past as well. Since fate has brought them together, they both work on their issues, even though trust doesn't come easily to either of them. As time runs out, they find that trust and fall for one another, but do they make it in time? 

I really enjoyed this book, it was an amazing story about righting wrongs and forgiveness as well as a fast paced thriller with action and mystery. The only thing that threw me off a bit was that we didn't find out about the crazy wizard's reason for his vendetta until the end, so it kind of had me wondering the whole time. But I guess that is the whole point to the crazy character, keep me guessing the whole time, lol. 

Great read and I am definitely looking forward to Thomas and Jeffery.  

Meet the author: 

http://www.goodreads.com/AurroraStJames

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Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EIKSTW4/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/set-in-stone-aurrora-st-james/1116229534?ean=9781481830416

Cover Reveal: War by Tara Fox Hall

Title: War (Lash #3)
Author: Tara Fox Hall
Publication Date: August 6, 2013

Weresnake Lash journeys to Europe on the eve of war, desperately searching for not only his nephew, but also his former lover Nancy.  Leveraged into service to Germany by the malicious German werecougar Theodor von Kessel, Lash befriends fellow soldier and weresnake Dieter, even as he secures safety for Nancy.  When Theodor divulges The German Final Solution and the part they are destined to play in it, Dieter and Nancy attempt escape to England while Lash orchestrates distraction.  Horrified to learn upon his escape that Nancy and Dieter were captured, Lash returns to Europe in a second rescue, banding with another weresnake Nails and his motley crew of various weremen to free Dieter and Nancy from the campe where they are imprisoned.  Caught by demons in the ambush, Lash is imprisoned in a death camp, but breaks free with Dieter in time to join the American Forces near D-day.  Resolute, Dieter and Lash fight onwards with Allied forces to Germany itself, their goals to find Nancy, kill Theodor, and survive the bloody days of WWII.

Excerpt:
"Don't ask any questions," I said coldly.  "Just meet us here before your next mission."

"That is tomorrow," Dietrik hissed back at me, his own fangs growing in anger.  "There is no rotation of crews."

"Watch your Tempter," I cautioned, another evil smile gracing my lips.  "The snake will come out of you with any strong emotion.  And that includes sexual release."

His jaw worked, but to my grudging respect, he contained the transformation this time.  "Thank you for the warning."  He put on his hat, then holstered his gun.  "I'll send a car for you."  He strode out.

I'd either engineered our escape or sealed our doom.  I went upstairs to Evans, praying he was asleep.

***

"I can't believe you turned him," Evans hissed to me the next morning as we waited for the car.  "You realize he can now make his whole crew snake, right?"

"Being snake doesn't save you from drowning," I hissed back, remembering my mother's warning long ago.  "We're not immortals.  You were done for if I hadn't save you.  We're both done for it we done for if we don't get out of here.  Now shut up."

After the car's arrival at the shoreline, we were blindfolded, then taken to the underground bunker where the U-boats were docked.  After boarding, we were left alone in a small room, the only sound the whine of the boat's engines.  I could feel the pressure as we dived and resurfaced, but that was about all.  Evan's constant hissing and bitching drowned out all other noise.

Hours later, we were taken to the deck of the U-boat and our blindfolds were removed.  Dietrik was there in front of us alone, waiting.

"You are AWOL, Lash," he said softly.  "You're wanted for questioning in the disappearance of another officer as well."

He was no match for me, not newly turned as he was.  "Yes," I replied, then stared at him, waiting for him to make a move.

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