closetwriter

Win an ARC of "Release" by Beth Kery! (At Beth Kery's Blog)

2009-12-07T07:00:00.006-05:00

RELEASE
Publisher: Berkley Heat
Genre: Contemporary
Release Date: February 2010
Format: Trade Paperback

Pre-Order

Read an Excerpt

His need for her was so absolute, he agreed to share her with another man in order to possess her.

Genny loved her husband Max, but something was missing—a sexual charge that was instead ignited by his business partner, Sean. He was ruggedly handsome, with a heart-stopping smile and a slow, sexy New Orleans drawl that made Genny weak. The more time they spent together, the stronger the attraction between them became and when her husband offered to share her with Sean for one intoxicating night, both Genny and Sean were too tempted to refuse.

That night in the company penthouse, Max and Sean showed Genny the heights of ecstasy. But it was Sean who scored her very spirit, and one-on-one, they were red hot. But as Genny learns, there’s a price to pay for such impulsive pleasure. What began as a night of forbidden desire spirals into a whirlpool of murder, sensual submission, secrets, and a scorching passion that threatens to consume everyone it touches.

Beth Kery is offering up an ARC copy of "Release" which will be published on February 2, 2010, at her blog! Check out her new Book Video and leave a comment and you are in!
*PLEASE NOTE* Beth is offering this contest at her blog so be sure to click on the link and visit there to enter.

Good luck to all, if you enjoy erotic romantic suspense this awesome, hot story may be your ticket. :)

Christmas Lights Gone Wild!!!

2009-12-06T18:30:00.014-05:00

My son shared this with me yesterday. My eyes were bugging out of my head. Apparently these people cough up thousands of $ to run this light show for the month of December!

The police have to patrol the street to keep folks moving along the street because everyone stops to gawk... I have no doubt they do.

I love the choreography though and tune is great!

"I See Dead People"..

2009-12-05T17:50:00.002-05:00

And, they are hanging on my Christmas Tree! - Yikes....

Yes, my friends, it is Victor (AKA the voice of Johnny Depp - wouldn't be Christmas without my man!) and Victoria from "Corpse Bride"....

Sorry about poor photograph, but this was the best of the bunch..

It was tree/Christmas decorating day at my house and I managed not to fall off the ladder this year. I'm almost done and managed to crunch a 3 day activity into 1 (and a bit).

Tiger Cat Helped.

Meow... "I like this tissue paper stuff and I'm waiting for you to finish so I can pull the ornaments off the tree Mom."

(I'm scamming Chris's kitty gig here.. ;)

And, the finished product with Peri pooche in front.

"Time to eat Mom - what's taking so long?"

By the way, I straightened the angel on the top after I saw the picture..

YIKES!

I hope everyone is enjoying a nice Saturday...

Want To Win A Digital Sony E-Reader?

2009-12-04T21:36:00.000-05:00

Beth Kery is giving away one of these lovely Sony Digital E-Readers!

Contest runs until New Years Eve when the winner will be chosen.

Visit Beth's blog for contest rules. This is an International contest! So get the hence to throw your wig in the ring.... :)

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Another Contest So Hot, It Must Be Stolen!!

2009-12-01T19:27:00.000-05:00

Elisabeth Naughton has the best contests! To celebrate the release of book 3 in her "Stolen Trilogy", she is hosting another awesome one.

Spread the word and you are in!

Decorating, A Reading Challenge, a Thank You and A Note to Ms. Moonlight!

2009-12-01T14:34:00.003-05:00

With the holidays approaching I decided it was time to do some decorating around here (we won't discuss my house) and try and get the wheels back on the bus which have fallen off the past 2 or 3 months with respect to blogging etc. etc. So I'm going to at least try and inflate the tires a little and start with making closetwriter a little festive looking. Now, my banner cannot compare with Ms. Moonlight's, which lends new meaning to the word "festive", and her post today, OMG is all I can say. Where do you find this stuff girl??

Anyway, taking a breath here.

New Year, for me is all about renewal and the always amazing blogger and reader Erotic Horizon is hosting an Erotic Reading Challenge for 2010. Given the fact my TBR is now at the OMG they are tumbling off the shelf and piled on the floor stage I decided something has to be done! My son rolls his eyes every time he looks at the mess. I've never participated in a reading challenge before but WTH it's worth a try and this one doesn't seem to daunting.

Thanks for hosting EH!

See rules below and join the fun if you care too...

I'm am horrifically behind in posts, including a MM Meme, and Blogger awards. I've been a very bad blogger but what can I say, work is sucking me dry and I have been involved in some other projects which have been awesome. Now Christmas is around the corner and I'm behind with that too... (yikes) Time is never our friend is it?

Okay enough whining... See Reading Challenge tag. :)

Timeline: 01 Jan 2010 - 31 Dec 2010
Rules: To read TEN(10) Erotica Romance in 2010
Details:

You don't have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront then you can change them, nothing is set in stone!

The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.

If you decide to participate in this challenge please use the links I have set up below with the buttons to post on your sidebar, this way others can find their way back to this post and join in the fun.

If you decide to join this challenge be sure to create a post telling others, please make sure you add a link back to this post so others can join in.
If you decide to join and don’t have a blog and would like to join – Please leave details in comment.
You can join anytime between now and the later part of next year.
You must be 18 years or older to join.

Another post will be created at the beginning of the year for completed reviews to be posted.

If you have any questions, feel free to visit EH's blog to acquire further details. :)

A big thank you to the lovely and talented Elaine, who made me this sweet Christmas lady for my blog!!

I don't look like her in the least but I think she is darn cute!!

Thank you again Elaine!!

Best
Lea

Contest Alert!

2009-11-30T08:30:00.003-05:00

Anna from "Anna's Book Blog" is hosting a giveaway of Devyn Quinn's "Soul of the Wildcat". Devyn Quinn's work has long been an auto read and buy for me and while I've not had time to enjoy this one yet it is at the top of my TBR.

Soul of the Wildcat sounds so good:
With the wild vibe of Kate Douglas’s Wolf Tales and Lora Leigh’s Breed series, award-winning author Devyn Quinn’s Soul of the Wildcat makes shapeshifter magic.

Wreathed in mists that are older than time, the mountain sanctuary of Jesse Clawfoot is threatened, and an ancient magic transforms him into a cougar. Ferocious. Powerful. On the prowl and lethally silent—until his instincts compel him to hunt for a mate, one who will help keep his people from extinction. His keen senses lead him to Dakoda Jenkins, whose beauty and compelling sensuality awaken his deepest lust and most ardent desire. Once aroused, Jesse must lure her to his hidden lair…and unleash her wildest passion…

“Quinn’s tale of a shapeshifting tribe facing extinction and a woman with a rocky past is well paced, with exhilarating suspense and terror, matched with calmer scenes of characters cautiously falling in love. The fine heroine is torn between U.S. law and Native American sovereignty, and readers are sure to empathize with her struggles. 4 Stars.” – Romantic Times

“Soul of the Wildcat is a wild and hot erotica! Devyn’s sexy Native American shifters will leave you breathless. I recommend this book to erotica readers. 4 Stars” – LoveRomancePassion.com

Contest Alert!

2009-11-29T16:30:00.021-05:00

The lovely Host at Angel On A Move blog is "hosting" a wonderful Christmas contest and today she has a special guest and a giveaway.

So, get the hence to throw your wig in the ring.. Just click on "Visit Host & Join The Fun", on the widget below.

I hope everyone has enjoyed a wonderful weekend. :)

Happy Thanksgiving To All My American Online Friends!

2009-11-25T21:23:00.001-05:00

Wishing You and Yours A Wonderful Thanksgiving. :)

Enjoy!

All The Best!

Contest Alert!

2009-11-24T15:30:00.000-05:00

Soul of the Wildcat releases today and Chris at Stumbling Over Chaos has 4 signed copies to giveaway!!

This contest is open to All so get the hence to throw your wig in the ring!! :)

Synopsis:

With the wild vibe of Kate Douglas’s Wolf Tales and Lora Leigh’s Breed series, award-winning author Devyn Quinn’s Soul of the Wildcat makes shapeshifter magic.

Wreathed in mists that are older than time, the mountain sanctuary of Jesse Clawfoot is threatened, and an ancient magic transforms him into a cougar. Ferocious. Powerful. On the prowl and lethally silent—until his instincts compel him to hunt for a mate, one who will help keep his people from extinction. His keen senses lead him to Dakoda Jenkins, whose beauty and compelling sensuality awaken his deepest lust and most ardent desire. Once aroused, Jesse must lure her to his hidden lair…and unleash her wildest passion…

Countdown to Julie James's, "Something About You"...

2009-11-18T08:00:00.007-05:00

"Something About You", hits the shelves March 2, 2010! I thoroughly enjoyed Julie James's "Just The Sexiest Man Alive", and "Practice Makes Perfect", and cannot wait for her next publication!

FATE HAS THROWN TWO SWORN ENEMIES. . .

Of all the hotel rooms rented by all the adulterous politicians in Chicago, female Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Lynde had to choose the one next to 1308, where some hot-and-heavy lovemaking ends in bloodshed. And of all the FBI agents in Illinois, it had to be Special Agent Jack Pallas who gets assigned to this high-profile homicide. The same Jack Pallas who still blames Cameron for a botched crackdown three years ago—and nearly ruining his career…

. . .INTO EACH OTHER’S ARMS

Work with Cameron Lynde? Are they kidding? Maybe, Jack thinks, this is some kind of welcome-back prank after his stint away from Chicago. But it’s no joke: the pair is going to have to put their rocky past behind them and focus on the case at hand. That is, if they can cut back on the razor-sharp jibes—and smother the flame of their sizzling-hot sexual tension… Sounds like an awesome read to me, and I cannot wait! I hope everyone is having a great week. :)

Seriously!!!???

2009-11-11T13:53:00.001-05:00

Cute eh?? *Shakes Head* This is "Lady GaGa", purportedly a singer? I've never heard of her but when I saw this picture on one of celeb sites, I at first laughed and then there was this whole "yikes" reaction. In the old days we called the shorts "hot pants". lol

I have no idea what that is on her head, she looks like one of the aliens from the old movie "Mars Attacks".

Well, I guess whatever turns your crank (or *scratches netting with bee hive on head*) right? (ack)

I'm dusting off the blog today, and probably won't be back online until next week. I've been enjoying (not) numerous computer problems over the past week or so along with Sprouts blowing up. I also have another fun project underway, which I am enjoying.

And, I've been reading. I know, novel concept for a "book blogger". lol

The good news is that I'm on the brink of getting my new MacBook so hopefully things will improve. Right now, it is just too frustrating to try and blog when getting booted out every 5 to 10 minutes. So I hope everyone will be around when I manage to get everything sorted out.

Anyway I hope everyone is well and enjoying a great week!

Watch Out For, "Dragon Slayer", by Fiona Jayde

2009-11-08T13:13:00.000-05:00

Watch for Fiona Jayde's new e-book "Dragon Slayer", coming from Noble Romance Publishing this month!

I LOVE this video! I hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful weekend. :)

"Hard To Hold", by Stephanie Tyler - ARC Review

2009-11-05T02:00:00.026-05:00

If you stop by Stephanie Tyler’s blog you will see a picture of a very pretty lady with long dark hair hugging ‘Gus’, her big Weimaraner dog. Appearances can be deceiving and I cannot believe this sweet affectionate appearing lady could craft such a gritty, action packed, thrilling novel about total Alpha military heroes, and yet, she has.

I first came to know of Stephanie Tyler’s work through author Larissa Ione when I followed the breadcrumbs after reading her books to the ACRO series, which they co-author under the pseudonym Sydney Croft. I had also read “Night Vision” a novella written by Ms. Tyler as part of the anthology “Hot Nights, Dark Desires”, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I wasn’t aware that she was writing a series about a tight knit trio of Navy SEALs until I happened by her website one day and read about, “Jake and Co.” And I have to say, I’m damn glad I did.

Hard To Hold

The story opens in the jungles of Africa where Navy SEAL Lieutenant Junior Grade Jake Hansen and his team have been forced to scatter to complete their mission to secure missing equipment and the intel it contains. Under the cloak of darkness with rebel gunfire erupting all around a wounded Jake and his best friend and teammate Ensign Nick Devane are making their way silently through the jungle to the rendezvous point. They receive a call through their communication devices that the rebels have reported a female hostage north of their location. The woman, Dr. Isabelle Markham is believed to have been kidnapped 72 hours previously and is Senator Cresswell’s daughter. Dr. Markham’s reported location requires the SEALs to retrace their steps and takes them back toward the line of fire. They do find Isabelle inside an abandoned hut naked, bound and gagged, lying face down on the dirt floor, very badly injured.

After stabilizing Isabelle to the best of their ability Nick is forced to go ahead to bring back help as their communication devices have failed. Isabelle is conscious and as the rebel forces move closer Jake carries her into the jungle to hide and await help. Terrified and in shock, Isabelle turns to Jake for comfort and shares a dark secret with him. Jake, uncharacteristically, tells her something about his past that has haunted him since his youth, after all, he never expects to see Isabelle again. During that brief time lying in the jungle hidden and waiting for the rest of the SEAL team to arrive and unlikely bond is forged between these two people.

Dr. Isabelle “Izzie” Markham is a Harvard educated reconstructive plastic surgeon, and instead of staying safely in America, setting up a practice and marrying her former fiancé, she chose to volunteer with Médecins Sans Frontières a.k.a. Doctors Without Borders. This is one feisty, strong, brilliant and stubborn heroine who despite being betrayed and brutalized by her bodyguard in Africa, prevails. All had been well during Izzie's previous stints serving with Médecins Sans Frontières until her strong willed and controlling mother was elected to the Senate. Then threats against her life started and Izzie was forced to accept “security” while volunteering in Africa.

Jake Hansen (like all highly trained men who serve on SEAL teams) is focused, stubborn, deadly in combat, fiercely loyal to his teammates, and accustomed to assuming control under the worst of circumstances. He is, however a tortured hero, having endured extreme hardship and abuse as a youngster until he was taken in by the Waldron’s. Jake lives in a big house off base with fellow teammates Nick Devane and Chris Waldron. These men share the special bond that is inherent as SEAL teammates, however they are also brothers, not biological but Chris’s father and mother adopted Jake and Nick and raised all three boys. Each one of these men knows the other better then they know themselves and Ms. Tyler wrote subtle sarcasm into the dialogue shared between the guys that had me chortling with laughter on a number of occasions. Let me tell you, these guys are hot, drip charisma, just magnetic.

It takes 2 months for Isabelle to recover from her ordeal to the point that she can consider resuming practice again. At that point, with the help of her “Uncle Cal”, who is an Admiral, signs on as a civilian consultant for the Navy and is assigned to the same base where Jake and Co. hail from. Isabelle needs to see Jake again to thank him for saving her life. There is however more to what she feels for him than just gratitude.

Jake is none to happy to see the stubborn and irascible Dr. Markham again. He fights his attraction to Isabelle because of his position as a SEAL. He also believes that she is attracted to him as a result of the harrowing circumstances when they met. In addition, Isabelle was brutalized and violated and is dealing with the aftermath of that horrific experience.

However, when Admiral Callahan approaches Jake and orders him to guard Isabelle because the man who kidnapped her is still at large, and has threatened to take her again he has no choice but to agree. Jake handles things his way, first by enlisting the help of a mercenary in Africa to track the infamous “Rafe”, Isabelle’s previous bodyguard turned tormentor. Then, against his better judgment, he offers her an apartment in the upper story of the guy’s house so he can keep a close eye on her.

What I loved about this story is not only the characters, which are well developed, and complex, but also the progression of the relationship between Izzie and Jake. Their emotional connection grows over the course of the story and is believable. Jake knows Izzie is not ready for a physical relationship even though there is a powerful sexual attraction between them. In a setting of danger, intrigue, and an underlying conspiracy that involves people closest to Isabelle a smoldering attraction ignites into a bond fire of passion that smokes up the pages of this novel.

Readers are given insight into the rigors of SEAL training and what is required of these men to stay at the peak of physical shape and adept at the variety of skills that are required of them to complete their missions in the worst of circumstances. It was quite an eye opener for me and I think well researched.

Ms. Tyler wove a romantic sub-plot into the narrative involving Sarah Cameron, an African photographer who is essentially a lost soul, and ‘Clutch’, a mercenary who works for a mysterious clandestine group in Africa. Theirs is a harrowing tale as they travel through the jungle in search of the ‘ghostly’ and deadly Rafe at Jake’s request.

The climax to Isabelle and Jake’s story is heart in the mouth riveting. Ms. Tyler infused a number of plot twists and turns, and surprises into the narrative.

The best way I can describe “Hard To Hold”, is a total RUSH. I read this book over the span of 2 days and could barely put it down. I can say without hesitation that “Hard To Hold”, will be one of my favorite reads of this year. If you enjoy romantic military suspense, you may like to give it a try.

My Rating: Desert Island Keeper

A special thank you to Stephanie Tyler who submitted this novel for review. "Hard To Hold" will be published on November 24, 2009, and I’m delighted to say Ms. Tyler has been contracted to write Nick and Chris’s stories.

"Too Hot To Hold" will be published January 5, 2010

"Hold On Tight" will be published January 26, 2010

Because I'm a Dweeb

2009-11-04T09:41:00.001-05:00

Somehow I created a post at Desert Island Keepers that shouldn't have been there. Anyway, it is deleted now and please note Beth Kery has a great post over there today and you could have up to 3 chances to win a copy of "Paradise Rules". And, Beth has some pressing questions to be answered with polls for voting!

Okay, the Dweeb slinks off into blogging cyber space now.. Wait, no, Tori and I are on a Desert Island sipping Koa mai-tais.. (If only...)

Click Here...

Tori and I Are Over At The Island Chatting With Beth Kery !

2009-11-02T05:00:00.004-05:00

Come On By DIK and Say Hi!

Beth Kery, Tori and I are there for the next 3 days enjoying conversation, those drinks with little umbrellas in them, sun, the menz and surf.

And, you could have up to 3 chances to win a copy of "Paradise Rules"!

Happy Birthday Amy C. and Cecile!!!

2009-10-30T04:00:00.002-04:00

Amy and Cecile!

Many Happy Returns On Your Birthday!!

Have a wonderful day, Tori and I send you happy thoughts for the year ahead.. :)

Horoscope for People born on October 30th:

October 30 Scorpios have an adventuresome spirit that manifests itself in a love of travel and distant cultures. These people seek knowledge to gain wisdom. They understand that in order to progress they must have new experiences. To trust instinct over intelligence can be a challenge for them but is a sound goal.

You should embrace: Self-discipline, aptitude, benevolence

You should avoid: Pretense, ambivalence, insensitivity to others

Friends and Lovers

October 30 individuals are about the least demanding and most fun friends on earth. Not only can they make friends with virtually anyone, they are able to build the self-esteem of others. They make equally engaging romantic partners. They aren't strictly marriage-minded and may prefer a relationship that is less constricting.

Children and Family

People born on this date embrace their growing-up years, forgiving parents for mistakes. They usually retain close ties with family. As parents, they are loving, affectionate, and full of fun. They know how to get into a child's world of imaginative fantasy.

Health

People born on this date adapt easily to an organic, low-fat diet. These men and women understand the need to cut out harmful toxins and additives. Although they pursue a generally active lifestyle, they are not interested in exercise unless it's an extension of their daily routine.

Career and Finances

People born on this date are happy in professions that allow them to travel. They aren't foolish with money, but they do like to spend it. They have a good head for investments and may make a great deal of money.

Dreams and Goals

People born on this date want to learn as much as they can. Although not academically inclined, they think of themselves as life-long students. October 30 natives are too broad-minded to think that they can have a successful personal life only if they have a spouse and children.

Once again, have a great day ladies!!

It's A Wrap! A.K.A. The Winner Of The Kissing Scene Contest Is.....

2009-10-24T16:30:00.005-04:00

No surprise here. LOL The "Buffy and Angel" scene won the last vote in the kissing scene contest with 29 votes or 69% of the total. The "Rory and Dean" kissing scene received 13 votes or 30% of the total.

So for the last time here is Buffy and Angel smooching it up from the television series.

Just as a recap, last spring the winner of the "Kissing Scene Contest", was from the BBC Production "North and South", so here are "Margaret and John", engaging in that gentle smooch in the train station. (This one won by a landslide in the spring - lol)

Finally, my personal favorite is this one again from the spring contest.

This is the
scene from the movie "Catch and Release", staring Timothy Olyphant as 'Fritz' and Jennifer Garner as 'Gray'. The scene was originally suggested by VampFanGirl.

Thanks so much to everyone who came out and voted and I hope you had fun!

Did you have a favorite of the kissing scene videos?

I hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful weekend. :)

"A Highlander Christmas", by Dawn Halliday, Sophie Renwick and Cindy Miles - Review

2009-10-22T22:00:00.016-04:00

Publisher: NAL Trade
Publication Date: November 3, 2009
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451228723
ISBN-13: 978-0451228727

It’s not often that I enjoy all three novellas in an anthology equally, however this was the case with “A Highlander Christmas”. As it’s title indicates each story takes place over the Yuletide season and has a larger than life ‘Highlander’ hero. Also each of the heroines is of Scottish heritage and is of the ‘MacDonald’ clan. What I really liked though was each tale had a fantasy element that was in it’s own way unique. I had the impression these authors must have collaborated extensively and worked well together.

Winter Heat by Dawn Halliday

On a bitterly cold winter’s night “Maggie MacDonald”, is kidnapped at knifepoint by the brutal, drunken, and cruel “Innes Munroe”. A blizzard is approaching and Maggie knows not where they are headed this feisty heroine is intent on escaping before Innes beats her and most certainly rapes here. With her bound hands Maggie manages to dislodge her special clan brooch, a gift from her mother and uses it to stab the drunkard in a particularly sensitive area and make her escape. However, now she is lost in the wood, the blizzard has moved in and she is wandering, and surely will freeze to death.

Meanwhile “Logan Douglas”, a Highland soldier returning from the battle of Sheriffmuir is trudging across the Highlands making his way north to his brother’s home. His brother died at Sheriffmuir and Logan is now the eldest and duty bound to care for his brother’s widow and children. Logan himself suffered a bayonet wound to his leg in the battle. He finds a small cabin, which is well stocked with wood and food, and so with the storm raging he takes shelter in the little cabin for the night.

At dawn Logan leaves the cabin as he found it and begins to make his way downhill when a shimmering object catches his eye, as he approaches he sees a small bauble in the snow with a cascade of color glittering around it. Logan then hears a moan and finds Maggie nearly frozen to death curled up in the snow.

Logan takes Maggie back to the cabin and cares for her until she regains consciousness and her health. The signs of abuse on her face and body from Innes’ ill treatment enrage him. Once Maggie is stronger and she discovers Logan’s wound, which is now festering, she takes care of him. As another blizzard moves in shrouding the little cabin in swirling snow, Maggie and Logan at first share stories of their lives and what has happened to them. Maggie, a widow is inexorably drawn to the handsome Highlander and he desires her, their relationship quickly turns passionate. It is also the Yule so they spend this special time of year together.

Maggie is most distraught because she lost her broach, a family heirloom and unknown to her holds a touch of magic that you will have to learn about by reading the story. They search but are unable to find it, at least initialy. Logan too has a special possession and it was foretold it would guide him to his special someone.

They stay longer in the mountain cabin then necessary but do make their way down to Maggie’s home and uncertainty. You see young Torean, Maggie’s cousin is Laird of their clan and he has promised her to Innes as a means to bind the families together. While Logan is intent to continue home and assume his responsibilities to his brother’s family and land, he isn’t about to leave Maggie to be subjected to more of Innes’ brutality.

Ms. Halliday penned a plot twist to this story involving Torean and Logan. Torean actually turns out to be quite a clever character. The question is can Maggie and Logan overcome family obstacles to be together? And, will Maggie be spared the horrors of a life with Innes?

I’ve read paranormal and contemporary stories penned by Dawn Halliday and always liked her voice. “Winter Heat”, is no exception.

Yuletide Enchantment by Sophie Renwick

Isobel first saw the ‘White Hart’ (a giant white stag) at the young age of 6 when he was drinking from the loch on a midsummer’s day. He then appeared again when she was 13, on the day of her mother’s funeral. The stag stood on a hilltop and watched them through the thick mist that shrouded the graveyard. When Isobel was 16 she raced on her new mount and had taken a fall. He was there then too and she had always felt a mystical connection to him.

It is December 20, 1869, and “Isobel MacDonald”, has returned to MacDonald Hall with her family to celebrate the Christmas season. Her brother Ewan sees the Hart watching them from a distance and decides he is going to hunt the great stag down and kill him to be mounted on their father’s wall. Despite advice from their retainer Alistair that the Sidhe (pronounced Shee) from the Otherworld (Annwyn) were in abundance in the woodlands, and the Hart was a warning, Ewan, Stuart and the Earl of St. Clair go off to hunt him down. Isobel chases after her brother and following a harrowing scene, the great Hart is wounded and thunders back into the woods. It is during a heated exchange with her brother that Isobel learns she is betrothed to the Earl of St. Clair, a man she has no interest in.

Daegan Prince of the Sidhe, makes the swift change from stag to man, he is writhing in agony, clutching the iron tipped arrow that is spreading poison into his blood. Cailleach, the supreme goddess, though frothing at the mouth angry, uses her magic to save him. Daegan is the next in line to be King of the Sidhe and he is Cailleach’s consort. Daegan has loved Isobel for all her life, waiting for her to grow to a woman. She is now 21 and he is determined to have her as his own. Cailleach makes it clear there is no room in the Sidhe world of Annwyn for a mortal, and there will be dire consequences if he disregards her warning. The Sidhe of this story wield a great magical power and while Daegan is a force to be reckoned with, Cailleach has the ability to take a Sidhe’s power away and punish them.

Isobel is able to escape her family’s festivities and seeks out Daegan who is in form of the stag in the forest. They have an enchanted exchange and even though it is winter and cold outside, Isobel feels warm air wafting against her face and hears Daegan’s gentle voice on the wind asking her to stay with him. He then visits her in a dream and gradually draws her into his world where they make love. Ms. Renwick has a very sensuous voice that swirls around a reader. The magic wielded by the handsome hero of this story made me think of a fairy tale.

Readers are also introduced to the enigmatic cynical Bran who shifts into a raven. Bran is of Unseelie blood a descendent of the mighty warriors of the race. Bran, like Daegan, is magnificent, however he is quite a different character in that he is quite dark and brooding. He also has heterchromia or two different colored irises making his stare appear even more intense. Daegan knows what Bran's Achilles heel is and strikes a bargain to help him if he will see Isobel home safely when she leaves the forest that first time.

Isobel and Daegan seem to have almost insurmountable obstacles keeping them from their HEA. However at the end of the day, Ms Renwick does pen quite an intresting climax to their story as both Daegan and Bran must make a significant sacrifice.

I am really looking forward to reading Bran’s story “Velvet Haven”, to be released March 2, 2010.

A Christmas Spirit Cindy Miles

Paige MacDonald, a lonely American tourist misses the turnoff to Inverness, Scotland. It is December present day and she decided she didn’t want to spend another Christmas alone. Paige is caught in a snowstorm and the rental car she is driving is about to sigh its last breath. Just as she is about to hit the panic button she sees a sign for the Gorloch B&B and turns up the lane where the car does die. At first no one answers her knock at what is an ancient stone fortress. Then a rather abrupt surely voice with a heavy Scottish brogue, at first tells her there is no vacancy, however he then concedes when it is obvious she is about to freeze to death.

“Gabriel Munro”, is impossibly tall, broad, and muscular with long dark hair pulled back at the nape, and he is a ghost. Gabriel masks his actual appearance initially but when Paige sees him wearing a kilt, boots and a sword, and she falls through him, she runs in fear from the house. He chases her, but she trips and falls through him. It really is a comedy of errors and I have to say Gabriel, despite his ‘state’ is quite humorous. Paige is dazed for a few minutes but Gabriel does manage to rouse her and get her back to the house so she can tend to her bleeding nose and come to grips with his ghostly form.

It turns out Gabriel Munro was murdered, he believes by a member of the Gorloch Clan MacDonald in the very house he haunts in the 12th century. Gabriel’s hatred for that clan runs deep, however he doesn’t think or believe the lovely Paige is one of “those MacDonald’s”, when in reality she is a descendent and wears the clan pin on a necklace.

Paige and Gabriel spend a wonderful, happy few days together and he conjures a beautiful Christmas setting for her. Both of them feel happier then ever before in their lives. Then Gabriel discovers the clan pin and in his anger sends poor Paige packing, she is desolate. However, when visiting the shops in Inverness Paige meets a remarkable man who is the image of Gabriel. It seems there is more than one Munro living in Inverness and this is when things really get interesting.

Cindy Miles is a new to me author; however this will not be the last story penned by her that I read. I would love to read more about the clan Munro, maybe she will write a sequel.

My Rating: For All Three Stories: Excellent

A special thank you to Sophie Renwick who hosted an ARC Giveaway at her blog allowing me to win "A Highlander Christmas". :)

"To Desire A Devil", by Elizabeth Hoyt - Review

2009-10-18T16:00:00.012-04:00

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Available: (October 27, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0446406945
ISBN-13: 978-0446406949
Pre-Order: Amazon

I have to admit to being a little concerned when I picked up “To Desire A Devil”, because it clearly indicates on the front cover (which is beautiful by the way) that it is “The Final Book in The Legend of the Four Soldiers Series”. However, I need not have been concerned because I was able to follow this wonderful story without difficulty and did not feel disadvantaged having not read the previous novels in the series. I am now keen to read the other novels linked to Reynaud’s story and that IMHO, is indication that Ms. Hoyt is an exceptional writer. This comment is supported by the number of rave reviews of Ms. Hoyt’s work I have read over the past year or more since I began visiting blogs with any regularity.

To Desire A Devil

The year is 1765 and “Beatrice Corning”, a proper English lady lives with her “Uncle Reggie”, the Earl of Blanchard in a London townhouse where she assists as hostess and administrates the running of the household. During a dull political tea being held at the Blanchard townhouse a seemingly insane man, raving in French with a facial tattoo and dangling earring staggers in and collapses amongst the proper bewigged gentlemen and their ladies.

As it turns out the “lunatic” is “Reynaud St. Aubyn”, the blood heir to the Blanchard name, monies and estates and thought dead when burned at the steak by Indians in the colonies 7 years previously. It is Beatrice who recognizes the “savage”, lying on the parlor room floor, for before he passes out she glimpses his distinctive black eyes. The same obsidian eyes that stare back at her from his portrait as a young man hanging in the room.

Reynaud is a complex tortured hero. After enduring 7 years of captivity, slavery, torture and starvation he is a changed man from the young Aristocrat who bought his commission and left to serve and fight for Britain in the colonies. Through sheer strength of will and determination to return to England, his family and his Earldom he survived unspeakable hardship and horror. When he does awaken in “his home” to find his father has passed 5 years previously and a “usurper” (Uncle Reggie) has claimed the Earldom he becomes obsessed with reclaiming what is rightfully his.

Despite her uncle's misgivings, Beatrice takes matters in hand and tends to Reynaud, nursing him back to health dealing with his surly disposition and cutting sarcastic manner. She is determined to find out what has happened to the passionate young man whose vision in the portrait she has desired and dreamed of for many years. Beatrice is “four and twenty”, and while she has had suitors has never had an offer of marriage. She wants passion in her life and to be loved. She thought she saw that passion in the eyes of the Reynaud in the portrait, however being confronted with this angry, bitter, sarcastic, and seeming self obsessed man is, needless to say not what she expected.

Reynaud also suffers from posttraumatic stress and when he feels threatened he has flash backs and envisions himself to be back in the colonies fighting for his very survival. By the same token, when there is an attempt on his life, which also puts Beatrice in peril, he takes charge and shows that he is, at heart a brave and honorable man.

Reynaud’s family and friends gradually rally around him and as he is reintroduced to life as an English gentleman he is encouraged by his supportive feisty “Tante Cristelle” (his French aunt) to take a “pretty” and proper English wife to reinforce his respectability and enhance his chances to regain his title. By this time Beatrice and Reynaud have established a relationship and rapport. He, in fact, feels quite protective of her and decides that she is to be his.

Ms. Hoyt has a beautiful voice, her prose IMHO literally sings. The love scenes penned between Reynaud and Beatrice are sensuous and special. Reynaud, with Beatrice’s gentle encouragement gradually shares the horrors of the last 7 years. He does find peace and comfort in her arms and begins to emotionally heal. He in turn, helps her grieve when she loses someone very close to her. I loved both these characters and Reynaud’s story tugged at my heartstrings. They do marry but Beatrice does not believe he truly loves her, which causes strife between them. She is, after all a means for him to regain his title and respectability as rumors still swirl that he is quite mad.

There is also an undercurrent of political intrigue and the involvement of a wartime traitor in their midst that isn’t revealed until the closing chapters. The supporting characters are extremely well developed, and each play a role in advancing what for me was a fascinating plot. Historically, this story is very well researched.

I especially like “Vale”, Reynaud’s oldest and dearest friend. The guy has a subtle sense of humor that had me chortling with laughter and he wastes no chance in poking fun at his serious and seemingly humorless friend. Vale is absolutely brilliant.

If you are a lover of historical romance, I think, “To Desire A Devil”, may be a novel for you to put on your list. If you have read the previous books in Ms. Hoyt’s “The Legend of the Four Soldiers Series”, and have been anticipating this novel I don’t think you will be disappointed.

My Rating: Desert Island Keeper

Many thanks to Hatchett Book Group for submitting this novel for review.

It's The Final Vote.. "Which Television Show or Movie Has The Best Kissing Scene"?

2009-10-16T02:00:00.006-04:00

Thank you everyone who came out and voted for the Second Week Semi-Final choices in our "Which Television Show or Movie Has The Best Kissing Scene Contest". There were 36 votes which is great!

Option #2 "Rory and Dean", in the scene from the Television Show, "Gilmore Girls" won, receiving 22 votes or 61% of the total. "Guinevere and Lancelot" in the scene from the movie, "First Knight", was second with 14 votes or 38%.

Therefore, the kissing scenes from "Angel" and "Gilmore Girls" are in the finale.

Welcome to the Final vote and thanks again for joining in. :)

Option #1: Here, once again is Alexis Bledel as "Rory", and Jared Padalecki as "Dean", from the 'Gilmore Girls'. The episode aired on May 10, 2001, and is called "Love, Daisies & Troubadours". It will be interesting to see what happens in this vote because I remember this show and 'Angel' aired at the same time on the WB network a number of years ago!!

Option#2: And, once again, we have Sarah Michelle Gellar as "Buffy Summers" (vampire slayer), and David Boreanaz as "Angel" (vampire), from the television show "Angel". The original scene from the episode called "I will Remember You", was disabled because of copyright issues. So I found this sort of montage of Buffy and Angel kissing in various episodes. The one we originally voted on is included. I liked the song so much from this vid that I downloaded it from iTunes.. lol

Thank you again everyone and have a great weekend. :)

Cool Giveaway

2009-10-15T08:14:00.003-04:00

Donna from Fantasy Dreamer's Ramblings is hosting a cool giveaway starting today. I've not heard of "Lenore" comics because, well I don't read them. However, I love the art on this graphic novel. It is kind of Tim Burtonesk don't you think? Or maybe Mr. Burton got his idea for the animated characters in "Nightmare Before Christmas", from "Lenore"?

Here are the details for Donna's Giveaway:

Lenore : Noogies Color Edition by Roman Dirge is a newly released graphic novel, which is a collection of the original Lenore comics in color for the first time.

Thanks to Titan Books, Donna has three copies of Lenore : Noogies Color Edition (Hardcover) to giveaway.

This giveaway is open to the US and Canada only.
Contest ends on Saturday, October 24th at Midnight CST.
Lenore : Noogies will be mailed from Titan Books to the winners.

Head on over to Donna's Blog to throw you wig in the ring...

"Sins of the Flesh", by Caridad Piñeiro - Review

2009-10-12T19:00:00.012-04:00

Publisher: Forever
ISBN-10: 0446543837
ISBN-13: 978-0446543835
Available: October 27, 2009
Pre-Order: Amazon

USA Today Bestselling author Caridad Piñeiro is new to me and I found “Sins of the Flesh”, to be a great introduction to her work. While it is published as a paranormal romance, I found it really to read as a romantic suspense thriller with paranormal elements.

“Sins of the Flesh”, is well researched with respect to the medical, technological and ethical issues involving heroine “Caterina Shaw”. A visit to Ms. Piñeiro’s website allows readers to see pictures of the various locales where the story takes place.

Sins of the Flesh

World famous cellist “Caterina ‘Cat’ Shaw” consents to undergo risky experimental gene therapy at “Wardwell Biotech”, to treat an inoperable brain tumor. She is considered a terminal case. Caterina is under the care of physicians “Dr. Raymond Edwards” and “Dr. Rudy Wells”, co-founders of the Wardwell program. When Dr. Wells is found brutally murdered in the Wardwell laboratory, and Caterina is nowhere to be found she becomes the number one suspect and is hunted by authorities.

Dr. Edwards hires mercenary “Miguel ‘Mick’Carrera”, well known for his success in solving client’s ‘problems’ by completing assignments discretely through whatever means necessary. Mick has developed a thick skin, the eldest son of a close Hispanic family who endured tough times; he honed his special skills through years of military training and experience providing private security. Despite the nature of his current work, as a reader I knew early on that Mick possesses an inner sense of integrity and honor. When something doesn’t quite ring true for Mick with respect to Edwards’ story about Caterina Shaw, a seeming delicate, demure cellist being a cold-blooded murderer, the red flags begin to fall.

Caterina Shaw is terrified, weak, and desperate. She has escaped confinement and her tormentors but her thoughts are muddled, she is experiencing difficulty focusing, remembering. Lost in a forest, naked and alone, one memory does surface, a place where her music brought her peace of mind. With what little reserve she has left she strikes out for this destination.

Through careful investigative work Mick tracks Caterina to the Academy of Music and what he finds completely unnerves him. Another mercenary hired by Edwards has found Caterina first and wounds her. Mick discovers bright droplets of yellow-green phosphoresced liquid along a corridor in his search for her. Further inspection reveals the liquid is blood, and when he does find Caterina, all that is visible is the clothing she is wearing, and her eyes when she opens them. Caterina, you see, is like a chameleon, in times of stress, her skin turns the same color and texture as whatever she is next to.

Mick takes the wounded, obviously abused and malnourished woman to his ‘safe house’ and enlists the help of his physician sister “Liliana” to treat her. Liliana is an orthopedic resident at the local hospital and through connections is able to have Caterina’s unusual blood secretly analyzed.

Along with the obvious signs of abuse on her body it is also discovered that Cat has a significant genetic DNA abnormality, and she has been pumped full of medication that induces disassociative behavior, hallucinations etc. At this point the alarm bells are screaming in Mick’s mind with respect to the good Dr. Edwards and Wardwell Biotech.

Mick is a strong, handsome man with an air of danger that attracts the kind of woman who enjoys a quick affair and moves on. He has never been involved in a long-term relationship and given his line of work, he compensates by telling himself it’s probably a good thing.

Mick convinces himself that Cat is his mission, captive, target, even to point of subconsciously referring to her as “Shaw”. However, as the days go on and the drugs wear off enabling Caterina’s true personality to emerge, Mick cannot deny his developing feelings for her. Caterina Shaw is a beautiful, sensitive, delicate, refined musician who has been used in a medical experiment which has given her unusual “powers”, at a huge cost. She also possesses a determination and strength that belie her other qualities.

In the setting of danger and suspense Caterina and Mick’s unusual relationship develops into a deep love. The love scenes in this story are special and sensuous but not erotically graphic.

“Sins of the Flesh”, is a fast paced page-turner, the narrative is packed full of action and suspense with number of surprising plot twists. Ms. Piñeiro also developed strong supporting characters including some pretty nasty antagonists.

The one thing that niggled me is Liliana, Mick’s sister. There is a sub-plot written into the story concerning her abusive relationship with staff physician “Harrison Edgar Williams”. While it showed Liliana’s strength of character in her management of Harrison’s abuse, and reinforced Mick’s love of his sister I didn’t quite understand its necessity. I also felt Liliana being a physician was a little too convenient. However, the story was riveting and I was therefore able to overlook these small issues.

“Sins of the Flesh”, is the first of a series Ms. Piñeiro is writing and I will look forward to reading her next book “Stone Cold Sins”.

My rating: Excellent – Page Turner

Many thanks to the Hatchett Book Group for submitting this novel for review.

Which Television Show or Movie Has The Best Kissing Scene? Semi-Finals Week #2!

2009-10-09T08:00:00.003-04:00

Thank you everyone who came out and voted for the First Week Semi-Final choices in our "Which Television Show or Movie Has The Best Kissing Scene Contest". There were 53 votes which is awesome!

It was a squeaker again this week!! However, Option #1 "Buffy and Angel", in the scene from the Television Show, "Angel" won by 1 vote, receiving 27 votes or 50% of the total. "Meredeth and McDreamy" in the scene from the television show, "Grey's Anatomy", was second with 26 votes or 49%. Therefore, the kissing scene from "Buffy and Angel", will move on to Final, to be held one week from today on October 16th.

Welcome to the second week of the semi-finals! I know the voting is going to be tight again this week to decide which is the best of the two scenes.

Option #1: This is Julia Ormond as "Guinevere", and Richard Gere as "Lancelot", (forbidden lovers / triangle re King Arthur) in the 1995 movie "First Knight". I loved this movie and this kissing scene as the attraction between Guinevere and Lancelot builds through the entire movie to this moment. And, Lancelot thinks he is never going to see the fair Guinevere again so he puts his all into the kiss. Despite this one winning the first round of voting there were mixed reactions with respect to the scene. It was interesting!

Option #2: Here is Alexis Bledel as "Rory", and Jared Padalecki as "Dean", from the initially extremely popular television show 'Gilmore Girls'. The episode aired on May 10, 2001, and is called "Love, Daisies & Troubadours". There are a lot of "GG", fans out there so it will be fun to see which scene wins to go on to the final next week!! lol

As always the poll is placed at the top of the page, voting will conclude one week today (Friday October 16th) when the choices for the "Finals" will be posted for voter consideration!

Please see my previous post for a couple of contest announcements and also note Chris from "Stumbling Over Chaos", has a giveaway going on of 5 copies of a really cool book - be sure to check it out!!!

It is Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada so those of us here north of the border who celebrate will be giving thanks with our families over a meal this weekend. :)

I want to take this opportunity to wish all my Canadian Blogger friends a Happy Thanksgiving! :)

Have a wonderful weekend and week ahead everyone!

A Shout Out About A Couple Of Contests!

2009-10-08T18:25:00.003-04:00

I am WAY behind with these announcements, but what can I say? I've been down very low with flu this week, so, better late then never... Yikes...

As a side note for you Buffy / Angel lovers the countdown is on in the first semi for the Kissing Scene Contest and if something isn't done real quick Meredith and McDreamy are going to win by 1 POINT!!! lol Just letting you know - less than 4 hours to go and voting will conclude!!

Okay, Teddyree has an exciting October long contest going on to celebrate her Blog Anniversary so be sure to throw your wig in the ring! Look above at the choices of books she has this month!!

Dottie has special guest Dakota Banks giving away a copy of her new Paranormal book which sounds amazing so be sure to stop by and throw your wig in the ring. Ms. Banks' post is wonderful!

Cecile is hosting Amanda McIntyre at her blog as part of her ongoing birthday celebration and there is a giveaway!!