Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Review: All That Is Necessary by Jennie Coughlin

2013-05-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

All That Is Necessary
By Jennie Coughlin
Series: Exeter #1
Publication date: January 9, 2013
Genre: Small-town Contemporary Fiction
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon
Source: Author in exchange for unbiased review
* purchases made through buy links support this blog
My review of Thrown Out: Stories from Exeter

Twenty years ago, Rick Murray left town after his father was arrested by the State Police for trying to murder Rick's best friend, Dan Reilly. Now Rick is back in Exeter. Dan must grapple with Rick's return and the memories that come with him. As childhood memories run headlong into the reality of what happened that summer, both men must adjust to the idea that things weren't as simple as they seemed back then. All That Is Necessary explores the collision between past and present, between memory and reality, and between two former friends whose lives changed one summer more than twenty years ago.

Last year I read a collection of short stories called Thrown Out: Stories from Exeter by Jennie Coughlin. My favorite was the story of two young boys who found dead bodies in a marsh outside of town and All That is Necessary takes us back to Exeter twenty years later with some of the same characters. This isn’t your typical story, there are relationships but romance isn’t the focus instead we revisit the past when it collides with the present and the effects it has on our main characters. I easily consumed this in a single afternoon and while not flawless it certainly held my attention.

Events twenty years ago forced Rick Murray to leave his hometown when his father was arrested for trying to murder Rick’s best friend Dan Reilly. Rick accepts a head coaching job and moves back to Exeter causing quite a stirrup as Dan and his friends are once again faced with the memories. The whole town is curious as to Rick’s motives for returning. The tale that unfolded gives us a closer look at those events and the impact it had on the small town. All when weaving a new situation and threat to the town of Exeter.

Coughlin gives us an array of characters and none of them are cookie cutter. Dan Reilly is a college graduate and works with his Dad as a handyman. He is also very active in the town, and with the college. He is openly gay and lives with his husband Chris. Until Rick returned he was pretty centered, but discoveries shake his inner core and we watch him struggle to understand. I liked Dan, but struggled with the way he handled things in the beginning. The town is made up of old families and it's the type of place where an outsider is an outsider unless he was born there. Rick is struggling with the events that separated him and his Dad. His Dad has refused to see him and it’s been almost twenty years. He not really sure why he is back and if he searching for closure or revenge? Dan’s family, best friend and townies make up the cast, as well as the Irish Mob creating an interesting dynamic. I wanted to get into the characters heads a little more and while I understood them they fell a little flat at times.

Exeter is a small town in Massachusetts with a college campus but it’s also struggling in the current economy. The author does a great job of showing the diverse age groups, multiple generation families as well as the re-growth and decay of the town. We get a strong sense of the events that occurred twenty years ago and the impact it has when Rick resurfaces. Rick’s Dad and the mob was a fascinating thread that added suspense. I wanted more depth and a little less telling in this story but found all the different threads compelling. Coughlin brings up some touch social subjects; prejudices, corruption, politics, and through characters makes you see the situation from all perspectives. The author has strong command of her story and the tale flowed smoothly, allowing me to immerse myself despite wanting more. The ending was positive and set us up for the next book, but it ended abruptly and I found it jarring. It wasn't a cliffy, so don't panic it just happened when I wasn't expecting it.

If you are looking for a tale about a small-town secrets, suspense and the characters who reside there then I recommend reading All That Is Necessary.

Three cups of coffee out of five

Clean Sweep Challenges

Saturday May 25th
9am (EST) Lola @ Lola's Reviews
4pm (EST) Jenn & Mary @ YA Book Twins

Blog Tour Review: Day After by Emi Gayle

2013-05-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today I am excited to bring you a review of the second book in the 19th Year series by Emi Gayle thanks to J.Taylor publishing and their blog tour:

Day After
by Emi Gayle
Series: 19th Year #2
Publisher: J. Taylor
Publication date: May 6, 2013
Genre: YA Paranormal
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository
Source: ARC provided in exchange for unbiased review
*purchases through buy links support this blog
My review of book one: After Dark

Demon crypts. Vampire lairs. Glowing angels. Sexy sirens. The stuff of fiction. Or so Winn Thomas always thought. Since being accepted into the fold of the supernatural, he knows better. None of what he imagined is true, but everything he feared is, and binding himself to his Changeling girlfriend until her nineteenth birthday will give him an education far beyond what he’d get at his human high school. Luckily, Winn’s not giving up, he won’t back down, and he definitely isn’t going to run away with his tail between his legs. After all, only werewolves have tails. Right? In this, the second of the 19th Year trilogy, Winn’s facing the challenge of one lifetime. If he doesn’t learn the truth about mythological creatures, his girlfriend Mac Thorne won’t either. That means, in six months, when she chooses her final form, she won’t know what to pick. Winn, though, has his own ideas about Mac’s final selection—plans she knows nothing of. He intends to have her pick human. Whether she can or not.

I was blown away by After Dark and was excited to jump back into the fascinating world Emi Gayle has created. In Day After we see more action, and learn more about the world and the creatures who reside there. I quickly consumed this and look forward to the final book. The tale is fast paced, filled with mind blowing revelations and characters you cannot help but love.

Winn agrees to be Mac's teacher and to meet with the council for lessons. As he learns he cannot reveal information to Mac unless she asks. With only six months left, Winn takes his job as teacher seriously even if it means losing the love of his life forever. The tale that unfolds has suspense, danger, impossible decisions and an impossible romance. The tale is delivered from Winn's perspective and I enjoyed getting inside his head.

While the last book focused on Mac Thorne’s perspective and personality this time we really get inside Winn’s head. Tasked with an impossible responsibility he readily accepts. He must help Mac ask the right questions and guide her; which will ultimately separate them. As he interviews those on the council he begins to discover everything isn’t black and white. I really like Winn, although he is only seventeen, he takes his responsibilities seriously and his love for Mac is unselfish. The relationship struggles as Mac pushes Winn away and even when he wants to throw in the towel, he cannot stop helping her. I loved how he gives this confident outward appearance and then we glimpse his inner fears and thoughts. One of things I like about him is that he totally gets Mac; from her snarky attitude to her refusal to ask the right questions. He is a loyal nerd whom you cannot help but adore. We learn more about the council as well as Winn’s Dad and sister. Suze is back and I gotta tell you I love this crazy demon protector.

Gayle weaves a tale that keeps you guessing. There is an air of suspense and mystery throughout both books that kept me turning the pages. She drops subtle clues and adds foreshadowing that make me believe in possibilities and question everything! The council and their “ask the right questions" was clever as it slowly reveals information that will aid both Mac and Winn. There are some intense scenes and unknown forces at work that kept me on edge. The last few chapters and the ending had my emotions all over and some of the things we learn had me gasping aloud. Winn and Mac really work as a couple, he is the yin to her yang and they bring out the best in each other. The book really worked from Winn’s perspective. I was excited to learn Gayle will do a dual POV in the next book. *happy dance*

If you are searching for an escape, and want a book with awesome world-building and characters to root for than the Day After and the 19th Year series is something you will enjoy. Darkest Day the final book will release in October 2013.

Four and half cups of demon coffee out of five

Waiting on Wednesday # 44

2013-05-22T00:02:00.000-05:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme

hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine

Blackout

by Robison Wells

Series: Blackout #1

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication date: October 1, 2013

Genre: YA Science fiction/thriller

Pre-order*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository

*purchases through buy links help support this blog

Laura and Alec are trained terrorists.

Jack and Aubrey are high school students.

There was no reason for them to ever meet.

But now, a mysterious virus is spreading throughout America, infecting teenagers with impossible powers. And these four are about to find their lives intertwined in a complex web of deception, loyalty, and catastrophic danger—where one wrong choice could trigger an explosion that ends it all. In Blackout, Wells delivers a lightning-fast, nail-bitingly intense thriller that's perfect for fans of The Maze Runner and I Am Number Four-set in a complex and unpredictable world, where the greatest threat comes from a weapon that no one knows how to control...and the most chilling questions have yet to be answered.

A virus is spreading! (we've heard that before) The twist is it giving teens super POWERS! Add in trained terrorists and I am in! This promises to be a thriller and perfect for fans of I Am Four..which is me!!

A Clockwork Heart
by Liesel Schwarz
Series: Chronicles of Light and Shadow #2
Publisher: Random House
Publication date: August 13, 2013
Genre: Adult Steampunk
Pre-order*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository

FOR BETTER OR CURSE. That might as well have been the wedding vow of Elle Chance and her new husband, the ex-Warlock Hugh Marsh in the second book of this edgy new series that transforms elements of urban fantasy, historical adventure, and paranormal romance into storytelling magic. As Elle devotes herself to her duties as the Oracle—who alone has the power to keep the dark designs of Shadow at bay—Marsh finds himself missing the excitement of his former life as a Warlock. So when Commissioner Willoughby of the London Metropolitan police seeks his help in solving a magical mystery, Marsh is only too happy to oblige. But in doing so, Marsh loses his heart . . . literally. In place of the flesh-and-blood organ is a clockwork device—a device that makes Marsh a kind of zombie. Nor is he the only one. A plague of clockwork zombies is afflicting London, sowing panic and whispers of revolution. Now Elle must join forces with her husband’s old friend, the Nightwalker Loisa Beladodia, to track down Marsh’s heart and restore it to his chest before time runs out.

I enjoyed A Conspiracy of Alchemists the first book and I am anxious to dive back into the world Schwarz has created! Is this series new to you? Read my review of book one: HERE

What Book(s) are you Waiting On?

Guest Post: Diana Quincy author of Seducing Charlotte

2013-05-22T00:01:00.001-05:00

Today I have a guest post from author Diana Quincy and will introduce you to her debut novel Seducing Charlotte the first in a new adult historical romance series. Grab a cup of joe and enjoy!

Guest Post

Why the Most Interesting Characters Aren’t Perfect

My debut novel, Seducing Charlotte, begins with the hero receiving a sex act from a woman he barely knows.

While the reader might automatically assume the Marquess of Camryn is a rake, he isn’t. But you don’t know that right off. Exploring Cam’s character as the story unfolds is—I hope—one of the book’s pleasures.

In real life, the fact that people aren’t all good or all bad is what makes them uniquely interesting. My favorite novels slowly reveal different facets of a character’s personality and I tried to bring a little of that complexity to Seducing Charlotte.

The story takes place at the dawning of the Industrial Revolution. Charlotte, an advocate of workers’ rights, automatically assumes the worst when she learns Cam is a factory owner who uses the new steam-powered looms that deprive weavers of their livelihood.

On the surface, the character of Charlotte fits the spinster stereotype; she’s a plain bluestocking who pays little attention to her appearance. You might expect her to be shrewish and uptight, but she’s nothing of the sort.

Instead, Charlotte is smart, sensual and tends to say things that get her into trouble. In fact, when she catches Cam in a compromising position, her reaction is the opposite of what you might expect.

Neither character fits a precise archetype. She’s not the frigid old maid waiting for a hero to unlock her true passion, and he’s not the perfect but misunderstood man who needs the love of a good woman to reform him

As the story unfolds, their true characters are unveiled.

Charlotte is outspoken, forward thinking and honest to a fault.

Cam’s a passionate man with a temper—maybe even a bit of a dark side—that causes him to say or do things he often regrets later. While the beginning of the book might lead readers to believe otherwise, by the end of the story, we’ve no doubt he has a strong sense of right and wrong.

Perhaps this Goodreads reviewer put it best:

“Despite some evidence to the contrary, he was a true gentleman. He was definitely an easy hero to adore.”

And that’s exactly what I was going for. ~Diana

Seducing Charlotte
by Diana Quincy
Series: The Accidental Peers #1
Publisher: Entangled: Scandalous
Publication date: April 15, 2013
Genre: Adult Historical Romance
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon

Even if he is the catch of the season, Charlotte Livingston has a low opinion of the wildly handsome Marquess of Camryn. He’s an industrialist who thinks nothing of replacing workers with machines, depriving them of an honest living. Camryn is everything a social reformer like Charlotte detests. Besides, her loyalty belongs to another man. Yet, as a violent machine-breakers rebellion rages across England, an undeniable attraction flares between the passionate adversaries. Camryn vows to destroy the rebel movement, unaware that the spinster who has captured his heart, harbors a secret - a shocking connection to one of its leaders that could shatter them both.

Sounds interesting right? How about a little teaser?

Excerpt

He marveled at the way the sun illuminated the clear blue in her eyes. “I won’t bother to dissemble, Miss Livingston.” Taking hold of her hand, he pulled Charlotte around the massive tree trunk, out of the sight of the rest of the guests. “I hope to steal another kiss. Actually, I have thought of little else since our last one. Will you allow it?”

She flushed, her gaze floating beyond him. “Really, Camryn, if you ask for permission, it hardly qualifies as stealing a kiss.”

Blood raced to his vitals when it registered she’d just told him to take what he wanted. Shaking his head, he wondered what is was about this woman that made him desperate to touch her again. It had been an agonizing week since he'd last felt her lips beneath his. Now, finally offered the opportunity, he greedily grasped it.

Cupping Charlotte’s cheeks, he marveled at their satiny softness before lowering his face to hers, kissing one side of her succulent mouth and then the other. Then he intensified his actions, pressing down on her lips, bidding her to open them to him as she had once before. When she did, he kissed her as deeply as he had ever kissed a woman.

He licked and plunged his tongue deeper, greedy to taste more, losing himself in her subtle floral scent. She tasted of lemonade, a woman’s softness, and unlimited possibility. Her untutored tongue ventured to taste him as well, provoking a delighted sound of surprise from him. The wondering hum that sounded from the back of her throat made his body quicken in a rush of heat.

Awareness gradually filtered back to him, reminding Cam of their surroundings. He pulled away with great reluctance, his blood at a boil, and forced himself to take a step back lest he pull Charlotte to the grass and make love to her right there with other guests nearby.

She stood frozen in place with her eyes still closed, red circles burned into the high arches of her cheeks. After a moment, as if in a daze, her lids fluttered open. He easily recognized the hazy arousal in those unfocused blue depths for they mirrored his own.

They stood facing one another for a moment, bodies apart, but gazes interlocked. She blinked. “When I said you had a clever tongue, I really had no idea.”

About the Author

Diana Quincy is an award-winning former television journalist who decided she’d rather make up stories where a happy ending is always guaranteed. Growing up as a foreign service brat, Diana lived in many countries and is now settled in Virginia with her husband and two sons. When not bent over her laptop or trying to keep up with laundry, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family and dreams of traveling much more than her current schedule (and budget) allows. Diana loves to hear from readers.

You can keep up with her online at the following links:

Website/Blog/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

I agree that the most interesting men aren't perfect.

What do you think?

Bella Andre Summer of Love Beach Bag Giveaway!

2013-05-22T00:00:00.001-05:00

Summer 2013 is the Bella Andre Summer of Love!

Help us celebrate this spectacular summer of hot reads and the release of the first three books in Bella Andre’s sizzling Sullivan’s series with the

Bella Andre Summer of Love Beach Bag Contest!

Harlequin, Media Muscle and Book Trib are kicking off the event with a

beach bag giveaway!

One lucky US follower will receive a fabulous beach bag filled with summertime essentials from hot brands such as O.P.I., Evian, Not Your Mother’s Hair Care, and Unisun Eyewear.

What's in the Bag?

Jade and Jasper bracelet

Pair of Solemates Heel Savers

Travel size Evian brumisteur

bottle OPI “Suzi’s Hungary Again” nailpolish

copy of Bella Andre’s THE LOOK OF LOVE

Travel size bottle of NYM Smooth Moves

Pair Unisun Eyewear sunglasses

Vapur “anti-bottle” water bottle

Awesome Right!!

Enter Rafflecopter Below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

WAIT THERE IS MORE!!

WIN A TRIP TO LAS VEGAS!!

Visit Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks from May 22nd – May 31^st and create your SUMMER OF LOVE Mixtape for a chance to win a trip for YOU and THREE friends to Las Vegas.

*No purchase necessary. Ends May 31, 2013.

Don’t miss THE LOOK OF LOVE (JUNE 2013), FROM THIS MOMENT ON (JULY 2013) and CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE (AUGUST 2013). Look for reviews here at the Caffeinated Book Reviewer!

Early Review: Billion Dollar Cowboy by Carolyn Brown

2013-05-21T00:00:00.000-05:00

Billion Dollar Cowboy
by Carolyn Brown
Series: Cowboys & Brides #1
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Publication date: June 4, 2013
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository
Source:ARC provided in exchange for unbiased review
*purchases through buy links support this blog

Colton Nelson was 28 when he won the Texas Lottery and went from ranch hand to ranch owner overnight. When women started lining up wanting some of his millions, even going so far as to drug his beer, his family asks the lovely new ranch assistant to help out by pretending to be his girlfriend. They make her an offer she can't refuse, so even though she doesn't like it one bit, Laura agrees to help. Laura Baker and her sister, Janet, had been raised in foster homes. Though she was the younger of the two, Laura was always bailing Janet out of trouble. Janet thinks Laura should take advantage of the billionaire cowboy but Laura is getting to know Colton intimately and she doesn't give a damn about his money. True love isn't for sale.

Billion Dollar Cowboy is the first book in Carolyn Brown’s new series Cowboys & Brides. While the plot isn't new and there were some cliché moments, Brown offered up a fun romance that kept me entertained.

The tale takes place in the heart of Texas at the ranch of now billionaire Colton Nelson. His best friend and financial consultant Andy hires his cousin Laura Baker to help him in the office. Laura is an enabler and continually bails out her gambling addicted older sister. When Laura is laid off and her sister has two days to pay back ten thousand dollars, Laura is forced to seek Andy’s help. So she ends up living over the barn and helping Andy with the ranch books and investments to work off the debt. He sets conditions for both sisters and one is that they have no contact. Colton has his own share of problems since he won the lottery and those include woman trying to catch him. When ladies at a club slip him a mickey his grandmother and Andy come up with a plan and the tale that unfolds was fun, sweet, and I quickly consumed it.

Colton and Laura both have trust issues so watching these two get to know each other was fun. I liked Laura she has a big heart and we see transformation in her throughout the tale. Colton has issues when it comes to women and their love of his money. He is smexy, rugged, and down to earth. He loves his ranch and sees fit to help others and make a difference. Laura is refreshing and he teeters between being in awe of her and wondering if she is scamming him. The situations they find themselves in led to humor, a little heat and plotting all of their own. Their chemistry felt genuine and while the plot was predictable the characters made it enjoyable. Andy, the grandmother, townsfolk and Laura’s sister all added to the plot and forced the characters into situations. I found them all to be interesting and I would love to read their stories.

Boy and girl forced together by a plot and love is born, yep we have all seen this every which way to Sunday, but Brown added her own touch and I enjoyed the ride. There were some aspects that felt unrealistic or convenient and made me wince or roll my eyes but they were minor and did not affect the flow nor my enjoyment of the tale. If you are able to go with the flow and appreciate the warm characters that Brown creates you will enjoy this story. I liked that we saw growth in the characters and that they had depth. The overall tale left me with a smile on my face. I have always had a soft spot for heroes in cowboy boots and denim and Brown offered me a fun escape.

Fans of small town Texas romances with a little heat will enjoy Billionaire Cowboy. Carolyn Brown has over ninety-three distinct works and her most popular ones feature cowboys. The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby is the next book in the series due out October 1, 2013 and I will certainly pick it up.

Three cups of coffee out out of five

Early Review: The Girl with the Iron Touch by Kady Cross

2013-05-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

The Girl with the Iron Touch
by Kady Cross
Series: Steampunk Chronicles #3
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication date: May 28, 2013
Genre: YA Steampunk
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository
Source: ARC provided for unbiased review
*purchase through buy links support this blog

When mechanical genius Emily is kidnapped by rogue automatons, Finley Jayne and her fellow misfits fear the worst. What's left of their archenemy, The Machinist, hungers to be resurrected, and Emily must transplant his consciousness into one of his automatons—or forfeit her friends' lives. With Griffin being mysteriously tormented by the Aether, the young duke's sanity is close to the breaking point. Seeking help, Finley turns to Jack Dandy, but trusting the master criminal is as dangerous as controlling her dark side. When Jack kisses her, Finley must finally confront her true feelings for him...and for Griffin. Meanwhile, Sam is searching everywhere for Emily, from Whitechapel's desolate alleyways to Mayfair's elegant mansions. He would walk into hell for her, but the choice she must make will test them more than they could imagine. To save those she cares about, Emily must confront The Machinist's ultimate creation—an automaton more human than machine. And if she's to have any chance at triumphing, she must summon a strength even she doesn't know she has....

I remember when I picked up the novella The Strange Case of Jayne Finley back in 2011 and fell in the love with the quirky character and Kady Cross’s version of steampunk and suspense. It’s been a love affair ever since and each novel adds more depth to the characters as it delivers an action packed tale. The Girl with the Steel Touch delivers the most romantic tale of the series thus far. We see character and relationship growth all while fighting our favorite nemesis. I was captivated from page one and cannot wait for the next book in this series.

We are back in 1987 London after our adventure in America and something is wrong with Griffin. Jack shares some interesting and disturbing news about a crate he delivered and Emily is kidnapped by automations. The tale that unfolds was riveting as we face danger, see relationships develop and face our nemesis the Machinist once again.

While all of Cross’s characters are fleshed out this tale gives us the most romantic developments to date and we see character growth in quite a few characters. Griffin the big lug is struggling with the Aether and of course keeps it all to himself causing Jayne to feel cut off from him and unsure where she stands. Griffin really carries the weight of the world and fate of his friends on his shoulders and watching him open up and expose himself was delightful. We see growth in Jayne as she takes chances, faces danger, and makes personal demands. It was delightful to watch. Sam and Emily are two of my favorite and tormented characters. There is a lot of self discovery and confessions which I loved. Their interactions had me giggling one moment and sighing the next. Jasper is still a character we do not really know all that well, and I am anxious for his story to be revealed. Jack Dandy is back and ooh baby he can call me poppet anytime. Perhaps the most mysterious character in the series we see a softer side of him and questions are raised about his true identity. I want to peel back all of his layers and expose him and look forward to what Cross reveals next. We meet a new character and I adore her and hope she has a larger role in future novels. Leonardo Garibaldi aka the Machinist and his rogue automations are back and creepier than ever. Cross brings them all to life making the danger real.

From the very first page Cross allowed me to slip into the world she has created immediately drawing me into the story and the characters I have come to love. Her descriptive writing style brings the automations and steampunk gadgets to life making for some heart stopping action. This was fast paced and before I knew it I’d finished the tale. I loved the banter between the characters and found the danger Emily faced to be fascinating and cleverly done. Cross mixes a little paranormal into her steampunk that is clever and I enjoyed the thread regarding Griffin and his struggles with it. The climatic ending was suspenseful and I felt Cross gave me a panoramic view of the events as they unfolded. The author has a vivid imaginations that she seamlessly conveys into the pages of her novels from the gadgets to the characters facial expressions. I am looking forward to continuing this story and like the way the overall ARC is progressing.

If you loved the previous novels in the Steampunk Chronicles you are sure to find The Girl with the Iron Touch delightful. There is a novella to be released July 1, 2013 called The Dark Discovery of Jack Dandy and I am looking forward to seeing what secrets it reveals about Jack!

Four cups of coffee out of five

Giveaway: The Year of Luminous Love by Lurlene McDaniel

2013-05-19T15:00:00.000-05:00

The Year of Luminous Love
by Lurlene McDaniel
Publisher: Random House
Publication date: May 14, 2013
Genre: YA/NA Contemporary
Source: Random House
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository
*purchases made with buy links support this blog

In the vein of Eat, Pray, Love, but for teens, this inspirational novel is set against the backdrop of Tennessee horse country as well as the historic cities of Italy and the Italian countryside. The story unfolds as three teenage girls, recently graduated from high school, plan the next phase of their lives while dealing with immediate life issues. McDaniel subtly explores the many types of love the girls experience--including love for one's family, one's friends, and intimate love--and the sacrifices they choose to make (or not) for each of them.

Lurlene McDaniel is the author of over 86 distinct works including; Keep Me in Your Heart, Breathless, and Red Heart Tattoo. Now she is introducing us to a contemporary saga about three friends. Learn a little about the characters:

About the Characters -as shared on Lurlene McDaniel's website

The rolling hills of Tennessee and the picturesque towns of Tuscany provide stunning backdrops for this sweeping contemporary saga, which introduces three best friends facing the challenges of life after high school.

CIANA loves her family's land and the farm they've kept for generations, but it has fallen to her to keep the farm in working order. When she meets a handsome cowboy, she welcomes the diversion and finds herself believing in love at first sight. But their second meeting leaves her questioning her true feelings.

ARIE has battled health issues since childhood, and now she is determined to regain her physical and mental strength. Working with a new horse seems like the perfect solution, but when she confides her deepest secret to a handsome and kindhearted horse trainer—a secret she hasn't revealed to her family or even her two best friends—there are surprising results.

EDEN's boyfriend, Tony, is older and has money; he's also jealous and controlling. But she'd much rather stay with him than at home with her unreliable mother. Of course, he can't fill the role her best girlfriends do, and that makes him resentful. As Tony grows more demanding, Eden becomes scared. She must break free from this toxic relationship.

When Ciana finds a new direction for her life—one she'd never dreamed possible—she is able to offer Arie and Eden reprieve from their difficult situations. Together, the three embark on the experience of a lifetime.

Intrigued? Enter to Win a Copy

Thanks to Random House (open to US/CAN followers)

Rafflecopter Giveaway

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The Sunday Post #56 ~sharing blog news and book haul

2013-05-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

The Sunday Post ~ 56th Edition

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

May is flying by and I hope those of you participating in the Clean Sweep Challenge are making progress with your goals. Anyone needed some motivation let me know and I will unleash the hellhounds. Fear not, they won't bite as long as you are reading ARC's. Lot's of fun happens around the blogosphere so be sure and check below!

Last week on the blog we brought you

Black Venus by James MacManus (giveaway)
Maid of Secrets by Jennifer McGowan (blog tour-review/giveaway)
The Seduction by M.J. Rose (blog tour-review)
Waiting on Wednesday (+signed swag giveaway)
Love is in Bloom (blog hop giveaway)
After Dark by Emi Gayle (review)
Black City by Elizabeth Richards (review)
Caffeinated Confessions- Series, Trilogies and that Last Book Oh My!

This week on the blog look for

The Year of Luminous Love by Lurlene McDaniel (US/CAN Giveaway)
Girl with the Iron Touch by Kady Cross (review)
Billion Dollar Cowboy by Carolyn Brown(review)
Waiting on Wednesday
Day After By Emi Gayle (blog tour- review)
All That Is Necessary by Jennie Coughlin (review)
How the Heck Did You Do That?!?! Blogger Tips & Tricks

Around the Blogosphere

Remember to take part in the Clean Sweep Challenges all weekend long.
Apocalypse! An eight day blog hop hosted by Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings, Maja@ The Nocturnal Library and Christy@ Love of Books. Starting July 13th they will kick off the event with a eight day blog hop giveaway! Join in Here

Visit Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks from May 22nd – May 31^st and create your SUMMER OF LOVE Mixtape for a chance to win a trip for YOU and THREE friends to Las Vegas. *No purchase necessary. Ends May 31, 2013 Ma

New arrivals to the Caffeinated Cafe

For Review

The Angel Stone by Juliet Dark
thanks to Random House

Tumble & Fall by Alexandra Coutts
thanks to Macmillan

Blackout by Robison Wells
thanks to HarperCollins

A signed copy of Bronze Gods by A.A. Aguirre

thanks to authors!

For Review Consideration

The Beautiful and the Cursed by Page Morgan
thanks to Random House

Won

Out of Reach by Jocelyn Stover

won from Dani @ Paulette's Papers

Purchased

That's my news what's new in your world?
*leave a comment and I will stop by*

Caffeinated Confessions #4 Series, Trilogies and that Last Book Oh My!!!

2013-05-18T00:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Caffeinated Confessions !

I wanted a forum where we could talk about bookish subjects from swoon-worthy covers to the price of eBooks. I will share my thoughts on a different subject each month and ask you yours. In the process I hope we get to know each other a little better. I made a pot of french roast coffee and have some peppermint tea so grab a cup and let's chat:

Do you ever avoid the last book in a trilogy or series?

You are either shaking your head and nodding in agreement or wondering what the heck is Kimba going to confess now. I am a series and trilogy junkie because I love spending as much time in the world the author created.

However, that last book and I have a serious love/hate relationship. *nods head and sighs* I cannot wait to read it, I pre-order it and count down the days!!! It's finally in my hands and I am holding the last pieces of the puzzle, the big reveal..woot! woot! and then something happens!!! I avoid it, dance around it, shuffle it to the bottom of my pile. WHY? I think it's because I am not ready to say good-bye. Here is an example: I love Cynthia Hand's Unearthly series from her writing to her characters. I bought each book on the release date and consumed them within days. Except for book three. *eyes bookshelf* I brought it home and it's sitting within view unread. It eyes me hopefully each time I pass, emitting a low siren type song which calls my name. But here's the thing; I know when I pick it up, I will consume it despite my best efforts to savor it. I will love it or hate it, but one thing I know for sure..it will be over and that my friends is why I am avoiding it.

I got burned on the last book of my beloved Virgin River series. I consumed it in one sitting only to find out after that it was the last one!! Dang, if it wasn't like my cat died when I found out. There was this big pit in my stomach. I get in the holiday spirit each year with the Virgin River Christmas themed book and I have no idea what book/series will take its place. *wipes tear* When Mira Grant's Newsflesh trilogy ended the only thing that kept me going was news of her Parasite series. My stomach flip-flops every time a Hollows book comes out because I know we are almost at the end. Don't even make me think about the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi coming to an end. I love this series and her lyrical writing style.

They are all my babies, my friends and I gave each and everyone of those series/trilogies a part of me! I don't care how big the cliffy is in book two I still dance around that last book because when it's over it's OVER!

So yes I get attached and dread endings whether its a book or a favorite TV show. I am telling you now if Doctor Who ends call a medic I may not survive! *seriously* Ok, maybe if you feed me a constant stream of old episodes I will be ok? I cry every time a new doctor is born, especially when David Tennantleft..I swore to hate Matt Smith, but alas I love the geek. Once again I am off course, or maybe not..i form attachments and so that last book, that last story has me doing some kind of ritualistic dance before I can at last open the page and say good-bye.

So my question to you is; Do you dive right into the final book? Do you read it slowly to savor it or do you simply read it and move on? Perhaps you are like me and put it off a while, staring at the cover and mentally prepare yourself.

~confessions of a geeky book addict

Clean Sweep Challenge Schedule for this weekend

9am (EST) Ali @ My Guilty Obsession
4pm (EST) Nicole @ The Reader's Antidote

Review: Black City by Elizabeth Richards

2013-05-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

Black City
by Elizabeth Richards
Series: Black City #1
Publisher: Penguin
Publication date: November 13, 2012
Genre: YA Dystopian
Source: purchase
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository
*purchases through links support this blog

A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war. In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable—they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash’s long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught, they’ll be executed—but their feelings are too strong. When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.

I fell in love with the cover of Black City last year, but my tbr pile got in the way and then Penguin sent me Phoenix book two and I knew I just had to read this. Richards' offers us a post-apocalyptic love story that is bittersweet and wrapped in a dark and gritty world filled with propaganda, a ruthless leader and danger at every turn. I enjoyed this and quickly slipped into the world of Black City.

When we enter the city we discover a dark and decaying world. The tale is told in the alternating perspective of Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling and Natalie Buchanan, daughter of the Emissary and human. Darklings and humans are separated by a huge wall and tension is escalating. Half-bloods are permitted to live with their human parents, and laws expressly forbid further mixing or breeding of races. When Ash and Natalie meet a bond is formed and Ash’s dormant heart begins to beat. A Romeo and Juliet romance, political upheaval, betrayal, danger and love are revealed as the tale unfolds.

When we meet Ash he has such a bad boy persona; drug dealer, law breaker and full of attitude, but in truth he is complicated, torn, sweet, and protective. He does not really fit in and the more I learned about him, the more I liked him. Natalie struggles with a lot of issues and really started out living in her own, “me” bubble. In fact I thought she was spoiled and shallow. Watching her develop as a character and to expand her views beyond herself was amazing. She is selfless, strong, kick-ass and I adored her. When the two of them meet, there is chemistry but they also dislike each other due to "race" issues. I found it powerful and fascinating to watch them recognize qualities they admired in each other and connect. There are secondary characters of interest that really help develop and strengthen the world Ash and Natalie live in. I felt they were all fairly developed and I loved that Richard’s made me connect with them whether it was because I loathed them, respected them or just out and out hated them.

In a world where loving a Darkling will see both human and darkling executed, this tale had a real Romeo and Juliet romance. What made this unique was the dark, gritty, brutal world that Richards placed them in. She gave us a really strong sense of the atrocities that humans inflicted upon Darklings with their leader Puritan Rose. It is a time of unrest, food shortages, and social gaps with a religious dictator ruling them all. Add in a deadly virus and things get interesting! She does a fantastic job of revealing the government’s propaganda further drawing us into the tale. The Darklings were fascinating and I enjoyed learning about the different breeds through Natalie. Hatred, addiction and an oppressive government are all hot topics and each thread was developed. The pacing was well done and I easily slipped into the world, the dual POV’s allowed me to gain an in-depth look at the characters. Their thoughts and actions also providing me insight into the two races. There are a few threads and hints of things that have me anxious for answers! I consumed this in two sittings and connected with the characters. The ending had my emotions all over the place and set things up perfectly for book two.

Fans of dark worlds, post-apocalyptic dystopians and Romeo and Juliet will enjoy Black City. Phoenix releases in June 2013, and is the second book in this trilogy.

Four cups of Haze free coffee out of five

Clean Sweep Challenge Schedule for this weekend

Saturday May 18th 9am (EST) Ali @ My Guilty Obsession
4pm (EST) Nicole @ The Reader's Antidote

Review: After Dark by Emi Gayle

2013-05-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

After Dark
by Emi Gayle
Series: The 19th Year #1
Publisher: J. Taylor
Publication date: October 1, 2012
Genre: YA Paranormal/Urban Fantasy
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository
Source: purchase
*purchases through links support this blog

What eighteen year old Mac Thorne doesn't know will probably kill her. In exactly eight months, five days, three hours and thirteen minutes, Mac has to choose what she'll be for the rest of her life. She has no choice but to pick. As a Changeling, it's her birthright. To Mac, it's a birthchore. Like going to school with humans, interacting with humans, and pretending to be human during the pesky daylight hours. Once darkness descends, Mac can change into any supernatural form that exists-which makes her as happy as she can be. That is, until Winn Thomas, the biggest geek in her senior class, figures out there's more to what hides in the dark than most are willing to acknowledge. In this first of the 19th Year Trilogy, Winn might know more about Mac than even she does, and that knowledge could end their lives, unless Mac ensures the powers-that-be have no choice but to keep him around.

After reading the synopsis for After Dark I was excited to get my hands on this new paranormal series and Emi Gayle started with a bang. It’s the story of a changeling who must determine by the end of her nineteenth year what type of supernatural creature she will be and take her rightful place on the council. Action-packed and filled with supernatural creatures I was immediately swept into the world and its characters.

The tale begins when we meet eighteen year old Mac Thorne as she rapidly approaches her nineteenth birthday. She is a changeling and has lived with her guardians a vampire and a witch as she hones her skills and chooses her destiny. Like any typical teen at this age she isn't sure what she wants to be when she grows up. By day she attends school with “humans” and at night she takes the form of all kinds of supernatural creatures. Things are about to heat up for her, as something is attacking her, she interacts with "humans" and the council begins to pressure her to choose her destiny. She meets Winn Thomas, a geeky, smexy senior who is carrying around an ancient book about her and she sets out to get it from him. The tale that unfolds was delightful.

Mac is strong, stubborn and determined. She is also smart, snarky, and a total badass. We see tremendous growth in her as a character over the course of the first book and it was fun to watch. She is a changeling faced with selecting one creature but the author hints that Mac is more and I cannot wait to discover what. Winn is such a loveable guy, he is sweet, cute and believable. He is a good guy and I found him to be charming, witty and bright. His little sister was interesting from the start and added to the tale. Her guardians were present, supportive and I loved the demon that interacted with them. The council was a hoot and they each had their own unique voice.

Gayle weaves an original tale that blended paranormal and urban fantasy. I quickly connected and slipped into that sweet spot I love when I am engaged in a good book. The world-building was well done, with suspenseful threads and foreshadowing throughout. I found the council and supernatural creatures to be fascinating and am anxious to learn more about them. We see some intense action scenes that will leave you breathless, mixed in with funny, romantic and insightful moments. The author gave each character a distinct voice and steered away from the usual tropes in young adult. There is no insta-love, triangle or absentee parental unit. It was so refreshing. The romance that develops was sweet to watch unfold and built slowly out of trust. The tale ends without a cliffhanger and gives us a clear sense or expectation of where the next book will take us.

After Dark is a must read for those who enjoy young-adult paranormal and urban fantasy. Day After the next book in the series released May 6, 2013 and you can find my review here on the blog May 23^rd. An awesome start to this trilogy and I will definitely be reading more of Gayle’s works.

Four and half cups of caramel macchiato coffee out of five

Waiting on Wednesday # 43- Controlling the Dead

2013-05-15T00:01:00.000-05:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme

hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine

Controlling the Dead
by Annie Walls
Series: The Famished Trilogy #2
Expected publication: June 2013
Genre: Adult Zombie- Post Apocalyptic
Read my review of book #1 Taking on the Dead

The team finds help in unlikely places, meeting more survivors, and discovers the possibility of a new beginning. When the team experiences a devastating loss, Kansas struggles to keep her humanity from fading and distorting like that of the surviving society around her. It begins with knowing who to trust and who to leave behind. First, she must trust herself – she won't make the same mistakes twice. As the answers to her questions are revealed, Kansas begins to understand the knowledge comes with a heavy price and great responsibility of controlling the dead. In a trilogy plot thick with twists and turns, this adult dark fantasy is as emotional as it is horrifyingly gripping.

Taking on the Dead made my top ten list for Adult Fiction in 2012 and I am on pins and needles waiting for book two. With fleshed out characters, a gritty and dark storyline that completely engages you this series is a must read for zombie lovers and post-apocalyptic fans!

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Love In Bloom Giveaway Hop

2013-05-15T00:00:00.001-05:00

Love In Bloom Giveaway Hop

With warmer weather, birds chirping and all that glorious sunshine
one cannot help but think of love, romance and sweet moments.

I am joining I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Portrait of a Book
in celebrating romantic reads!

Enter the rafflecopter below to
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Blog Tour Review: Seduction by M.J. Rose

2013-05-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today I am excited to be sharing my review of Seduction by M.J. Rose as part of the Historical Fiction Virtual Blog Tour. Be sure and visit the other stops on the tour for author interviews, reviews and guest posts. You can see a complete list of stops here.

Seduction

by M.J. Rose

Series: The Reincarnationist #5

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication date: May 7, 2013

Genre: Adult Paranormal Historical fiction

Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository
ARC received in exchange for unbiased review
*purchases made through buy links support this blog

From the author of The Book of Lost Fragrances comes a haunting novel about a grieving woman who discovers the lost letters of novelist Victor Hugo, awakening a mystery that spans centuries. In 1843, novelist Victor Hugo’s beloved nineteen-year-old daughter drowned. Ten years later, Hugo began participating in hundreds of séances to reestablish contact with her. In the process, he claimed to have communed with the likes of Plato, Galileo, Shakespeare, Dante, Jesus—and even the Devil himself. Hugo’s transcriptions of these conversations have all been published. Or so it was believed. Recovering from her own losses, mythologist Jac L’Etoile arrives on the Isle of Jersey—where Hugo conducted the séances—hoping to uncover a secret about the island’s Celtic roots. But the man who’s invited her there, a troubled soul named Theo Gaspard, has hopes she’ll help him discover something quite different—Hugo’s lost conversations with someone called the Shadow of the Sepulcher. What follows is an intricately plotted and atmospheric tale of suspense with a spellbinding ghost story at its heart, by one of America’s most gifted and imaginative novelists.

Last year I read and loved The Book of Lost Fragrances a novel that took me to France and the catacombs. At the time I did not know it was part of a series and it held its own as a standalone, so I was excited to be offered a copy of Seduction. M.J. Rose held me captive as we traveled from past to present chasing ghosts and secrets.

Rose splits our time between the past with the famous French poet Victor Hugo and present day mythologist Jac L’Etoile. Victor wrote such fine works as The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and Les Miserables. His story focuses on the death of his daughter and his exploration into séances as a means to communicate but he may just invite something else into his home. Jac is recovering from her trip to Paris, when she is invited by an old teenage friend to explore the Isle of Jersey and its Celtic roots. When she arrives she discovers Theo wants her help in recovering the lost conversations Victor had with someone referred to as the Shadow of the Sepulcher. Lyrically written this suspenseful tale lured me in as it weaved past and present together into a captivated tale.

Rose has an amazing gift for bringing characters to life. She skillfully reveals their flaws and strengths and while you might not like all of their traits you understand their motives, desires and fears. I met Jac in the previous novel and she is complex, intelligent, gifted, curious and afraid of her own abilities. Scent triggers memories from the past, giving her glimpses into the past. The smell triggers it and she finds herself transported to a scene, a time or a place. These events both frighten and intrigue her. Jac is a skeptic and likes to deals in facts. She stars and produces a show that debunks mythology. Her plan was to show people how one kernel of truth morphed into outlandish tales, but instead people took that kernel and believed. Theo is obsessed with finding the lost letters; he is troubled and suffers from depression and anxiety. Overall, I found him to be interesting. We met Malachai in previous books; he is a therapist and expert in reincarnation and repressed lives. He treated both Theo and Jac as teens and fears for Jac safety when she travels to Jersey. We do not get a lot of face time with him as much of his interaction is done over the phone. Owain a druid priest seeks help from the gods and is given a horrific task. Other characters both past and present help drive the suspense.

Rose delivered a gothic tale that was both suspenseful and detailed. My personal favorite was Victor Hugo’s thread and I found her attention to detail regarding his life astounding. The tale is filled with séances; ancient druid ceremonies, reincarnation and spiritualism. Jac’s hallucinations help thread the mysteries and characters together. Jac comes from a family of perfumers and her ability to smell and extract scents was fascinating. We learn details about the techniques and I enjoyed them. The tale is dark, filled with danger but has a hint of romance. While the pacing can be slow at times the tale continually increased in suspense keeping me locked in its grip. Wrapped into this dark and atmospheric tale there is a profound sadness that you cannot help but feel and connect to. I loved all of the details regarding the Celtic ruins and mythology and appreciated the author’s skilled world building. Her writing is both beautiful, and dark. She brings images, places and emotions to life. I have always been fascinated by reincarnation and found myself spellbound. Rose brought all the threads together and even managed to surprise me. I felt it had great closure and look forward to the next book.

Imaginative and beautiful researched Seduction will seduce you as the characters search to overcome their demons. If reincarnation, gothic novels and fiction mixed with real historical characters, civilizations and myths fascinate you I recommend you give Seduction and the Reincarnationist series a try.

Four cups of coffee at the Cafejac out of five

About the Author

M.J. Rose is the international best-selling author of eleven novels and two non-fiction books on marketing. Her fiction and non-fiction has appeared in many magazines and reviews including Oprah Magazine. She has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, Time, USA Today and on the Today Show, and NPR radio. Rose graduated from Syracuse University, spent the '80s in advertising, has a commercial in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC and since 2005 has run the first marketing company for authors - Authorbuzz.com. The television series PAST LIFE, was based on Rose's novels in the Renincarnationist series. She is one of the founding board members of International Thriller Writers and runs the blog- Buzz, Balls & Hype. She is also the co-founder of Peroozal.com and BookTrib.com. Rose lives in CT with her husband the musician and composer, Doug Scofield, and their very spoiled and often photographed dog, Winka.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Review/Giveaway: Maid of Secrets by Jennifer McGowan

2013-05-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today I am excited to be a stop on the Maid of Secrets tour hosted by Sel @ Bookcase to Heaven. Enjoy my review and author spotlight and be sure and enter to win a copy for yourself!

Maid of Secrets
by Jennifer McGowan
Series: Maids of Honor #1
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication date: May 7, 2013
Genre: YA Historical
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository
ARC provided in exchange for unbiased review
*purchases through links support this blog

In this breathtaking start to a series, a secret society of young women make up Elizabeth I’s most trusted royal guard. God Save the Queen—or the Maids will. Orphan Meg Fellowes makes her living picking pockets—until she steals from the wrong nobleman. Instead of rotting in prison like she expected, she’s whisked away to the court of Queen Elizabeth and pressed into royal service, where she joins four other remarkable girls in the Maids of Honor, the Queen’s secret society of protectors. Meg’s natural abilities as a spy prove useful in this time of unrest. The Spanish Court is visiting, and with them come devious plots and hidden political motives. As threats to the kingdom begin to mount, Meg can’t deny her growing attraction to one of the dashing Spanish courtiers. But it’s hard to trust her heart in a place where royal formalities and masked balls hide the truth: Not everyone is who they appear to be. With danger lurking around every corner, can she stay alive—and protect the crown?

I have always been intrigued by Elizabeth’s court and her maids of honor and ladies in waiting. Mix in spies, orphans, intrigued and suspense and I could not wait to start Maid of Secrets the first book in Jennifer McGowan’s Maid of Honor series. I quickly became swept up in this exciting tale with its fleshed out characters.

The tale begins as we meet Meg Fellowes an orphan working with a performing traveling troupe. As the crowd gathers, she moves through the crowd picking pockets. Yes, Meg is a thief, a master at changing her look and quite good at it. When she picks the pocket of one of the Queen’s men, she finds her life forever changed as she is taken to the tower. Here she is given the choice of working for the royal service or rotting in a prison. She chooses to join the royal service where she meets four gifted girls also working as Maids of Honor; the Queen’s secret protectors. The tale that unfolds is filled with suspense, intrigue, politics and a little romance. Watching Meg navigate the shark infested waters of the Elizabethan court kept me intrigued.

When we first meet Meg, she is confident and sure of herself and ambitious to improve her places within the traveling troupe, she is also very protective of them. I really took a liking to Meg, she is bright, intuitive, and despite obstacles she does not whine and looks for ways to improve her position. The Queen accuses her of not knowing who she is and watching Meg transform and find herself was fascinating. The other maids of honor are Beatrice, Jane, Sophia and Anna. They have unique personalities, and desires. They nickname Meg the “rat” and she finds herself without friends. Slowly they become friends and watching all of the bickering, back stabbing and jockeying for position within the court had me both giggling and annoyed. Meg refers to them as; The Seer, The Scholar, the Belle and the Blade. The queen’s men in charge of the maids Cecil and Walsingham like their positions and manipulate the girls. I loathed them and also questioned their loyalties which kept things suspenseful. Rafe is smexy and a courtier to the Spanish court. The interaction between Rafe and Meg was exciting. Their banter and the complicated tango they danced felt genuine. From the beginning there is an attraction but Meg is set to spy on him and ooh-la-la I loved the thread they shared. Elizabeth was portrayed as strong, intelligent and suspicious. The men think her a fool because she is a woman, but I think they are sadly mistaken.

The setting and time period is a fascinating one. Elizabeth has recently come to the throne, declared the official church to be Protestant and refused Philip II's marriage proposal. As a result the political climate is in unrest, as the Spanish, Scottish and French governments maneuver to secure their own best interests. McGowan did a lovely job of explaining the court and describing both the castle and the people as it all came to life for me. Spies, pranks and mischief all played out in the queen’s court and as a result spies were needed to watch both visitors and members of the royal court. This made Meg and the other maid of honor’s roles vital. I found the whole cat and mouse game delightful. Meg and the girls were fascinating and I enjoyed how each girl’s strength was utilized. The girls spied for the queen, on the queen and spied to protect themselves. It was dizzying and kept me enthralled. The pace at times slowed, but everything was vital in both character and plot development. The romance was not the main focus but added drama and felt genuine. I am hoping we see them interact again in the next book. The intense moments made the slower moments worth it and in the end I was well satisfied with this first book in the series.

I recommend Maid of Secrets to fans of historical fiction, spies, political climates and intrigue. The next book Maid of Deception will release in 2014 and no additional information is available at the time this review was written.

Four cups of royal coffee out of five

About the Author

Jennifer McGowan writes Young Adult romance full of swash and buckle. Her first novel, MAID OF SECRETS, debuts in Spring, 2013 from Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Age: Royal Secret

Came From: A small town in northern Ohio

Became a Maid of Honor: After bringing her tale of spygirls to the noble city, and winning the favor of the great house of Simon (& Schuster).

Special Skill: Matrix-like reflexes, superior strength, fabulous wit… okay, ah – we’ll get back to you on that.

Twitter/Website/Goodreads

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Giveaway: Black Venus by James MacManus

2013-05-12T14:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there. Today I have a wonderful giveaway for our US/CAN followers thanks to Media Muscle and Book Trib. Check out this historical fiction and be sure to enter to win a copy!

Black Venus
by James MacManus
Publisher: Macmillan
Publication date: May 7, 2013
Genre: Adult Historical Fiction
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository
*purchases through links support this blog

A vivid novel of Charles Baudelaire and his lover Jeanne Duval, the Haitian cabaret singer who inspired his most famous and controversial poems, set in nineteenth-century Paris. For readers who have been drawn to The Paris Wife, Black Venus captures the artistic scene in the great French city decades earlier, when the likes of Dumas and Balzac argued literature in the cafes of the Left Bank. Among the bohemians, the young Charles Baudelaire stood out—dressed impeccably thanks to an inheritance that was quickly vanishing. Still at work on the poems that he hoped would make his name, he spent his nights enjoying the alcohol, opium, and women who filled the seedy streets of the city. One woman would catch his eye—a beautiful Haitian cabaret singer named Jeanne Duval. Their lives would remain forever intertwined thereafter, and their romance would inspire his most infamous poems—leading to the banning of his masterwork, Les Fleurs du Mal, and a scandalous public trial for obscenity. James MacManus's Black Venus re-creates the classic Parisian literary world in vivid detail, complete with not just an affecting portrait of the famous poet but also his often misunderstood, much-maligned muse.

Since this book is a fiction novel based upon the french poet Charles Baudelaire we thought it might be fun to share a poems from his masterwork which was banned in Black Venus; Les Fleurs du mal

Les Fleurs du mal

Les Fleurs du mal translates to The Flowers of Evil and was written by the french poet Charles Baudelaire and first published in 1857. Here is a poem contained within its pages:

L'Invitation au voyage

Mon enfant, ma soeur,
Songe à la douceur
D'aller là-bas vivre ensemble!
Aimer à loisir,
Aimer et mourir
Au pays qui te ressemble!
Les soleils mouillés
De ces ciels brouillés
Pour mon esprit ont les charmes
Si mystérieux
De tes traîtres yeux,
Brillant à travers leurs larmes.

Là, tout n'est qu'ordre et beauté,
Luxe, calme, et volupté.

Des meubles luisantes,
Polis par les ans,
Décoreraient notre chambre:
Les plus rare fleurs
Mêlant leurs odeurs
Aux vagues senteurs de l'ambre,
Les riches plafonds,
Les miroirs profonds,
La splendeur orientale,
Tout y parlerait
A l'âme en secret
Sa douce langue natale.

Là, tout n'est qu'ordre et beauté,
Luxe, calme et volupté.

Vois sur ces canaux
Dormir ces vaisseaux
Dont l'humeur est vagabonde;
C'est pour assouvir
Ton moindre désir
Qu'ils viennent du bout du monde.
—Les soleils couchants
Revêtent les champs,
Les canaux, la ville entière,
D'hyacinthe et d'or;
Le monde s'endort
Dans une chaude lumière.

Là, tout n'est qu'ordre et beauté,
Luxe, calme, et volupté.

Invitation to the Voyage

Imagine, ma petite,
Dear sister mine, how sweet
Were we to go and take our pleasure
Leisurely, you and I—
To lie, to love, to die
Off in that land made to your measure!
A land whose suns' moist rays,
Through the skies' misty haze,
Hold quite the same dark charms for me
As do your scheming eyes
When they, in their like wise,
Shine through your tears, perfidiously.

There all is order, naught amiss:
Comfort and beauty, calm and bliss.

Treasure galore—ornate,
Time-glossed—would decorate
Our chamber, where the rarest blooms
Would blend their lavish scent,
Heady and opulent,
With wisps of amber-like perfumes;
Where all the Orient's
Splendid, rich ornaments—
Deep mirrors, ceilings fine—would each,
In confidential tone,
Speak to the soul alone
In its own sweet and secret speech.

There all is order, naught amiss:
Comfort and beauty, calm and bliss.

See how the ships, asleep—
They who would ply the deep!—
Line the canals: to satisfy
Your merest whim they come
From far-flung heathendom
And skim the seven seas. —On high,
The sunset's rays enfold
In hyacinth and gold,
Field and canal; and, with the night,
As shadows gently fall,
Behold! Life sleeps, and all
Lies bathed in warmth and evening light.

There all is order, naught amiss:
Comfort and beauty, calm and bliss.

Selected Poem from Les Fleurs du mal A Bilingual Edition Charles Baudelaire

Translated by Norman R. Shapiro with engravings by David Schorr

Published by the University of Chicago Press Copyright notice

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The Sunday Post #55 ~sharing blog news and book haul

2013-05-12T00:00:00.000-05:00

The Sunday Post ~ 55th Edition

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

Wow, it's finally warming up around here and I am officially wearing my flip-flops..woot! Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there! My peeps are taking me to a Champagne Brunch and then I plan to read!

Last week on the blog we brought you

Bloglovin hop and giveaway
Summer In Napa by Marina Adair (review)
Bronze Gods by A.A. Aguirre (blog tour-giveaway)
Waiting on Wednesday
Touching the Surface by Kimberly Sabatini (review)
His Yankee Bride by Rose Gordan (review)
Coffee Pot Reviews: Wounded Angel by Stacy Gail and Sweet Soldier by Misty Evans

This week on the blog look for

Black Venus by James MacManus (giveaway)
Maids of Secret by Jennifer McGowan (blog tour-review)
The Seduction by M.J. Rose (blog tour-review)
Waiting on Wednesday
Love is in Bloom (blog hop giveaway)
After Dark by Emi Gayle (review)
Black City by Elizabeth Richards (review)
Caffeinated Confessions- Series, Trilogies and that Last Book Oh My!

Around the Blogosphere

Remember to take part in the Clean Sweep Challenges all weekend long
Brandi @ Blkosiner's Book Blog will be doing a weekly Bloglovin Follower Hop similar to Follow Fridays..go check it out!
I am hosting a giveaway over at Nocturnal Book Reviews, stop by and enter to win a great paranormal romance series!
Debbie @ The Reading Frenzy interviewed me, check out her awesome blog and see what I said about cabana boys!
April and Pabs @ My Shelf Confessions are hosting a Wildfire Read-a-thon in June, go signup!

New arrivals to the Caffeinated Cafe

For Review

From This Moment On by Belle Andre
thanks to BookTrib and Media Muscle

Big Sky Summer from Linda Lael Miller
thanks to the peeps at Harlequin

For Review/Giveaway Consideration

Black Venus by James MacManus

thanks to Media Muscle and Book Trib

*look for giveaway later today!*

The Year of Luminous Love by Lurlene McDaniel
will be hosting a giveaway next Sunday
thanks to Random House!

Purchased

That's my news what's new in your world?
*leave a comment and I will stop by*

Coffee Pot Reviews: Wounded Angel by Stacy Gail and Sweet Soldier by Misty Evans

2013-05-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Coffee Pot Reviews! These are short and sweet reviews done in the length of time it takes my coffee pot to brew! I have two yummy adult books to share from the Earth Angel and Kali Sweet series.

Adult books contain mature content and are not intended for readers under 18 years of age.

Wounded Angel
by Stacy Gail
Series: Earth Angels #3
Publisher: Carina Press
Publication date: May 27, 2013
Genre: Adult Paranormal
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon
ARC provided by author for unbiased review
My review of Nobody's Angel #1 & Savage Angel #2
*purchase through buy links supports this blog

A descendant of the Angel of Vengeance, Nate da Luca was gifted with an uncanny ability to find things. It made his job as a detective a breeze—until he learned the hard way that some things should remain hidden. After that, his powers vanished, along with his belief in himself. Which is going to make tracking down Gabriella Littlefield for his latest client a challenge. Personal trainer Ella Little paid a hefty price for her life—now all she wants is to live it in peace. Then a sexy hulk of a man turns up in her gym, reigniting desires she thought she'd left behind along with her real name and hair color. Desires she can't deny even after she discovers Nate's no stranger to her dark past. Before he can convince her the attraction is mutual, Nate's going to have to earn Ella's trust. But a demon is playing for keeps in the world of humans, using Ella as bait, and the last thing they have is time.

Wounded Angel the third installment in the Earth Angels series introduced us to Nate da Luca; a descendant of the the Angel of Vengeance. As a half-human angel his abilities make him a natural as a police detective. He can find anything he is looking for, but when his last case goes wrong and his powers fizzled he retires and starts his own private investigator firm. He is in Chicago looking for Gabriella Littelfield and something is hunting him. Each book in the Earth Angels series features a new angel their love interest and its all wrapped up in an action-packed mystery/case. I loved Nate, he is a well-toned, smexy, kind-hearted, swoon-worthy man who is deeply scarred by events from his past. Gabriella now known as Ella has done everything to put the horrors of her past behind her and for the first time in years she feels an unexpected attraction to a man. Ella is such a strong woman and her story survivor story is exceptional. The tale that unfolds was suspenseful and I loved how it tied into the overall ARC of this series. We learn more about the demons as the angels communicate with each other through a website and I loved the interaction between Nate and the previous characters. The relationship that developed between Nate and Ella was filled with sexual tension, denial and a sweetness that felt genuine. I laughed at some of their banter and loved the way they gave each other strength. While the tale was predictable I found myself turning the pages to see how it all worked out. This series is such a fun escape and each time I open a new book in the series I am rewarded. Fans of romantic suspense with a paranormal twist will adore this series.

Three and half cups of coffee out of five

Like my review? Want to win the first books in the series? I am hosting a giveaway today over at Nocturnal Book Reviews so be sure and stop by to enter!

Sweet Soldier
by Misty Evans
Series: Kali Sweet # 3
Publication date: April 9, 2013
Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon
ARC provided in exchange for unbiased review
*purchase through buy links supports this blog
My review of Revenge is Sweet #1 & Sweet Chaos #2

Armageddon is coming and it’s up to me to stop the Four Horsemen and their heavenly army of angels. Unfortunately, one of the Horsemen happens to be my rock star boyfriend, Radison Beaumont. At least that’s what his ex-fiancée, Parker Burkett, claims. Parker wants revenge on me for stealing Rad and she’s working with my archenemy, Queen Maria, a succubus who wants me back in her court of supernaturals. The only way I can stop them and the coming biblical apocalypse is to recruit an army – an army led by the king of hell. Lucifer’s not about to help without getting something in return, and following anyone’s orders – even his – is not my style. I’m turning my inner demon loose on Parker, Maria, and the Horsemen – and saving the humans I love at the same time. But what price will I pay for dealing with the devil? Going to the dark side has never been so sweet.

Wow, Misty Evans brought us the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in Sweet Soldier the third installment in the Kali Sweet series and the action was not stop intense. Kali is up to her neck in chaos, her nemesis Queen Maria is back and so is Lucifer. We see growth in Kali especially in the romance department and I loved her little chat with Di. Rad is back and hotter than ever but he is one of the horsemen and Kali needs to decide if she can kill the man she loves. I love all the banter between the characters and Kali is such a snarky kicking-ass! There is a softer side of her emerging that I loved discovering even if it makes her want to barf. Evans delivers a wonderfully paced tale, and skillfully fleshing out characters that I have come to adore. She rips one of my favorites away from us and it broke my heart. I am excited about some changes coming up in the series and cannot wait to read the next installment. Fans of action-packed urban fantasy with kick-ass, fleshed out characters, and well developed world-building this series is for you!

Four cups of Italian coffee out of five

Clean Sweep Challenges

9am (EST) Kristen @ My ParaHangover
4pm (EST) Crystal @ Elegantly Bound Reviews

Review: His Yankee Bride by Rose Gordon

2013-05-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

His Yankee Bride
by Rose Gordon
Series: Banks Brothers Brides #2
Publisher: TALC
Publication date: September 27, 2012
Genre: Adult Historical Romance
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon
ARC provided by author for unbiased review
*purchase supports this blog

At nineteen John Banks decides to board a ship bound for America—oblivious of who he'll find when he arrives. Having grown up on a large indigo plantation, the expressive and possibly overdramatic, Carolina Ellis can hardly wait to see what the gentlemen of Charleston will be like. But alas, they were not what she'd been hoping for. Ball after ball and dance after dance, Carolina is disappointed time and again. Then she sees him...Boston and Philadelphia held no appeal to John, so on a suggestion from a friend, he headed south to the booming town of Charleston, South Carolina. Not meaning to become the center of attention, John becomes exactly that when he walks right into the largest social event of the year dressed like nothing more than a poor drifter. So what is a penniless man to do when in such a situation? The only thing he can do: rely on his sense of humor to extinguish the tension. Immediately, Carolina takes a shine to this unusual man and his equally unusual humor and is determined she will do whatever it takes to marry him—Southern aristocracy be damned.

I have always been drawn to tales that take place in early American history and Rose Gordon takes us on a tale to Charleston and introduces us to the funniest heroine I have ever met and the poor English chap she sets her sights on. His Yankee Bride was a delightful, hilarious romance that is sure to entertain. I did not real the first book in this series, but each book contains a new couple.

The tale begins when we meet John Banks the third son of a Baron, who does not want to enter the military or be a barrister so he decides to become a clergyman. At only nineteen he is feeling restless and his brother encourages him to travel before settling down. Carolina Ellis is the daughter of an Indigo plantation owner and is visiting Charleston with her mother in the hopes of finding a husband. She finds the men of Charleston to be boring and life as a plantation wife does not appeal to her. When John arrives at a large social event dressed like a British drifter she is immediately drawn to him and sets her sights on him. John has already decided he wants a meek and modest wife and Carolina is anything but! The tale that unfolds was hilarious as Carolina relentlessly pursues John.

Carolina is unique, sweet, bold and downright hilarious in her pursuit of John. I almost felt sorry for this young, naïve man. The interaction between them had me giggling as Carolina sought the advice of her friend, brother and the slave who treats her better than her opinionated mother. Gordon skillfully weaved in characters of the period with their opinions and southern ways them feel both original and fleshed out.

While the tale focuses on Carolina’s pursuit of John, the author gives us a strong sense of the political climate, life on a plantation in the south and slavery. The tale has a delightful pace as the romance slowly builds and we get a few steamy scenes. The romance itself felt genuine even with Carolina’s outlandish comments to John. She tell him he wants to marry her he just doesn’t know it! John admits he is attracted to her but not as a vicar’s wife. There is a little heat, a little scandal and a whole lot of laughter. What works regarding Carolina is that she is genuine, has a pure heart and you cannot help but embrace her. I quickly consumed this and enjoyed myself immensely

Fans of Regency and historical romances that are heavy on the sweet, with a little heat will enjoy His Yankee Bride and the Banks Brother’s Bride series.

Three and half cups of British coffee out of five

Tomorrow's Clean Sweep Challenges

9am (EST) Kristen @ My ParaHangover
4pm (EST) Crystal @ Elegantly Bound Reviews

Learn more about Me

I am over at the The Reading Frenzy where Debbie Haupt asks me some questions and we share a few laughs. Stop by, enjoy the interview and check out Debbie's review blog.

Review: Touching the Surface by Kimberly Sabatini

2013-05-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

Touching the Surface
by Kimberly Sabatini
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication date: October 30, 2012
Genre: YA Paranormal
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository
ARC received in exchange for unbiased review
*purchase through buy links supports this blog

Experience the afterlife in this lyrical, paranormal debut novel that will send your heart soaring. When Elliot finds herself dead for the third time, she knows she must have messed up, big-time. She doesn’t remember how she landed in the afterlife again, but she knows this is her last chance to get things right. Elliot just wants to move on, but first she will be forced to face her past and delve into the painful memories she’d rather keep buried. Memories of people she’s hurt, people she’s betrayed…and people she’s killed. As she pieces together the secrets and mistakes of her past, Elliot must find a way to earn the forgiveness of the person she’s hurt most, and reveal the truth about herself to the two boys she loves…even if it means losing them both forever.

Touching the Surface first drew me in by its cover and then the synopsis with words like lyrical, afterlife and character growth had me hooked. Sabatini offered an interesting look at the reincarnated souls, finding forgiveness, personal growth and love.

The tale begins when Elliot bursts from the surface into the Obmil or afterlife. She discovers she has died again and is now a third timer to the Obmil. Here she will need to gain perspective and delve into her past life in search of answers and acceptance. Only when she reaches enlightenment will she moves on to her next life. The tale that unfolds was filled with mystery, painful memories, happy memories and characters that kept me enthralled.

I adored and appreciated the diverse and fleshed out characters Sabatini presented us with. On the surface Elliot can appear selfish but as we delve we see a complex soul in search of happiness, riddled with guilt, and in seeking forgiveness and understanding. I came to adore her, and loved the growth we see in her character as she interaction with the others. Her best friend through her past two lives is Julia and she chooses to delve in a separate group from Elliot. We get a fresh look at how a person’s life can be overshadowed by another. Oliver and Trevor are the two boys in Elliot’s life and I loved them each. Their relationship to her was fascinating. At first Oliver was the carefree boy, whom she seems to love and who makes her feel safe. Trevor is angry and lasses out. I loved his t-shirt as the slogans on it changed with his mood. Through delving their personalities unfold and we learn about their past connection to Elliot. It was completely fascinating and felt so genuine it left me breathless. Mel and David are counselors or guides and Freddie seems to help everyone. Each character impacts the tale and we learn something from them. I found myself emotionally connected with them and was so pleased the author did not include a love triangle but tied them all together. Their emotions felt raw and genuine.

Not only do we get original and unique characters but then Sabatini builds a world in the afterlife that is absolutely breathtaking and completely original. Think of a camp set deep in the woods by an enormous peaceful lake, but the setting changes for each person’s moods and needs.(rain, winter, fall, summer, landscape) So as a soul walks the world builds around them from lakes, to windmills to soaring mountain views. The whole concept of the Obmil and what it represents to souls was a fascinating look at reincarnation. This subject has always interested me, and I have often wondered if people who just seem to have all their shit together are really old souls, while numbskulls are just floundering newbies. Delving is an interesting aspect where souls fall back and view moments in their previous life. These delves are done as a group and the hope is that the others will help the soul reach enlightenment. When that is achieved the soul can move forward into a new life. I loved how all of the souls tied together from the experiences they shared in their previous lives and in the Obmil. This was a spectacular tale that followed seamlessly and I literally consumed it in two sittings. The scenes go between time in the Obmil and the characters previous lives and I liked how we experienced it along with the characters. We both emerged from each delve with more understanding regarding each character and their journey. The author used this landscape to address issues regarding suicide, the afterlife, child abuse, forgiveness, carelessness, love and friendship. As we gain understanding of their initial responses to each other we watch the characters grow, recognize that their attitudes and actions are really just protective mechanisms and as readers we can see how people in our daily lives uses these crutches. I truly believe people act like asshats because they have issues they need to address. It’s a cry for help and I try to look at their perspective of things to gain insight into what drives them. The author brilliantly reveals this. Am I rambling? Gads, just trust me, this book will make you think, and entertain you all at the same time. It’s a book you will think about long after you have closed it.

Touching the Surface was wonderful, lyrical and thought provoking. I cannot believe it’s not the most talked about book out there. As Sabatini’s debut novel I can tell you she writes like a seasoned author. I would pick up her next book sight unseen.

Five cups of coffee out of five

Waiting on Wednesday #42 Kensignton Books I am Waiting On

2013-05-08T00:00:00.000-05:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme

hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine

The Night Caller
by John Lutz
Publisher: Kensington
Publication date: August 6, 2013
Genre: Adult Suspense Thriller
Pre-order*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository
*purchase supports this blog

When he discovers his daughter's corpse in a deserted beachfront bungalow, devastated Ezekiel Cooper vows to find her murderer. The former NYPD detective doesn't know there have been other victims, women who seemingly had nothing in common, aside from a grisly fate. Then Coop crosses paths with Cara Callahan, who's determined to lure her sister's killer by transforming herself into someone just like her. But Cara's plan may be working too well. Because lurking in the shadows, just as Coop feared, the Night Caller watches her every move. . .preparing to strike again.

While the author is new to me, this suspenseful thriller sounds like it has all the elements I love; a serial killer, a former officer, and a fearless woman looking to trap her sister's killer..oh yeah! perfect summer storm read!

The Sorority
by Tamara Thorne
Publisher: Kensington
Publication date: August 27, 2013
Genre: NA Paranormal
Pre-order*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository
*purchase supports this blog

They are the envy of every young woman—and the fantasy of every young man. An elite sisterhood of Greenbriar University’s best and brightest, their members are the most powerful girls on campus—and the most feared…

Eve- She’s the perfect pledge. A sweet, innocent, golden-haired cheerleader, Eve has so much to gain by joining Gamma Eta Pi—almost anything she desires. But only a select few can enter the sorority’s inner circle—or submit to its code of blood, sacrifice, and sexual magic. Is Eve willing to pay the price?

Merilynn- Ever since childhood, Merilynn has had a sixth sense about things to come. She’s blessed with uncanny powers of perception—and cursed with unspeakable visions of unholy terror. Things that corrupt the souls of women, and crush the hearts of men. Things that can drive a girl to murder, suicide, or worse…

Samantha- Journalism major Sam Penrose is tough, tenacious—and too curious for her own good. She’s determined to unearth the truth about the sorority. But the only way to expose this twisted sisterhood is from within…

First..I have a thing for university, boarding school and elite, exclusive clubs so that caught my eye. Then the whole sisterhood thing with blood sacrifice magic and sex got me! It has a creepy vibe to it and I am oh so curious!

What are you Waiting on?

link up :)

Blog Tour: Bronze Gods by A.A. Aguirre ~win a signed copy

2013-05-07T00:00:00.001-05:00

The Criminal Investigation Division of the great city of Dorstaad doesn't normally allow just anyone access to their case files, but after several days of aggressive negotiations (bribery may or may not have been involved), a group of curious bloggers, myself included, were allowed to rummage through some of the more peculiar cases that their top inspectors, Janus Mikani and Celeste Ritsuko handled. While we were there, mostly unsupervised, we poked around more than was strictly permissible and found some of their personal correspondence as well. We then decided we needed to share this information and Maja @ the Nocturnal Library organized this tour. If you've been following then you've been privy to our findings and today I am going to share the last bit of ~~dirt~~ information we obtained:

Documents we obtained:

Are you curious? Want to know more?

Check out the book and other stops in the tour

Bronze Gods
by A.A. Aguirre
Series: Apparatus Infernum #1
Publisher: Ace/Penguin
Publication date: April 30, 2013
Genre: Adult Steampunk
Purchases*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository
*purchase through buy links supports this blog

Hy Breasil is grimmer than it used to be. Before the Architect closed the door, there were regular crossings, and a great war decimated both humans and Ferishers. The native fae who refused to treat with the invaders faded; their bodies withered and died, stranding them as hungry, angry spirits that haunt the countryside. That means there’s always trouble brewing in Dorstaad. Janus Mikani and Celeste Ritsuko work for the Criminal Investigation Department, keeping citizens safe from things that go bump in the night. He’s a hardboiled cynic with an uncanny sixth sense; she’s determined to justify her promotion as the first female detective in her division. Together, they’re trying to keep a black tide from drowning the city. But when the second body surfaces, murdered with the same type of infernal device, the entire CID must face the truth. There’s a madman on the loose, twining magic and blood… and only Mikani and Ritsuko can unravel the intricate, lethal conspiracy before the Royale killer completes his macabre plan, unleashing old, forbidden magic on an unsuspecting populace. If the maniac succeeds, it could mean the end of everything…

About the Author

A.A. Aguirre is the pseudonym for Ann & Andres Aguirre, a husband-wife writing team. She specializes in compelling characters; he excels at meticulous worldbuilding. By day, she's a USA Today bestselling novelist, and he is a pharmaceuticals tycoon. Born in Mexico, Andres spent his early years traveling and getting in trouble everywhere else. Along the way, he got a degree from Pepperdine in economics and international business. Ann was born in the Midwest and has a degree in English Literature from Ball State. She's traveled less than Andres and gotten into less trouble, but scaling Macchu Pichu should count for something, right? Now settled, if not fully domesticated, Andres lives with his love, Ann, their fantastic kids, one whiny cat, and two wistful dogs.

INT Rafflecopter Giveaway - Signed Copy of Bronze Gods

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Check out previous case files, and read reviews

April 30th @ The Nocturnal Library

May 1st Heidi @ Rainy Day Ramblings

May 2nd Jenny @ Supernatural Snark

May 3rd Mary @ Book Swarm

May 6th Melissa @ Books and Things

Review: Summer in Napa by Marina Adair

2013-05-06T00:00:00.000-05:00

Summer in Napa
by Marina Adair
Series: St. Helena Vineyard #2
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Publication date: May 14, 2013
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon
My review of Kissing Under the Mistletoe; book 1
ARC provided for unbiased review
*purchase through buy links supports this blog

Six months ago, New York restaurant owner Alexis “Lexi” Moreau walked in on her husband, Jeff, and their sous chef mixing business with pleasure. Now, Lexi is back in her hometown of St. Helena, California, rebuilding her life and hoping to turn her grandmother’s patisserie into the bistro of her dreams. All she needs is luck, lots of hard work, and a way to avoid the thirty blind dates her matchmaking grandmother arranged. Enter Marco DeLuca — Jeff’s handsome, commitment-phobe best friend who has always had his sights set on Lexi. In high school, Marco convinced himself that Lexi was off-limits. And she still is, especially since Marco’s family’s wine business all depends on a deal with Jeff. But a fake summer romance is the perfect way for Lexi to distract the would-be suitors her grandmother has set up for her. A perfect way for Marco to realize she’s the only one that ever mattered. And a perfect way to fall deliciously in love.

Last winter I read and enjoyed Kissing Under the Mistletoe the first book in the St. Helena Vineyard and was excited to read Summer in Napa. Adair delivers another DeLuca brother’s story and I enjoyed it. The tale is filled with lovable characters, humor and romantic moments.

Lexi Moreau left St. Helen years ago with her high school boyfriend Jeff and together they opened a successful New York restaurant but that all came crashing to an end when she found her husband and sous chef cooking in the kitchen. She’s back home to rebuild herself and hopes to turn her grandmother’s patisserie into the bistro she has always dreamed of owning. Her meddlesome grandma does not plan on giving Lexi time to lick her wounds and sets her up on a series of blind dates with St. Helena’s most eligible bachelors. Marco DeLuca, Jeff’s deliciously handsome best friend and hotel owner cannot help but notice that sexy, little Lexi is back. Since high school he has convinced himself Lexi was off limits as his best friend's girl but all that’s about to change when he pretends to be Lexi’s boyfriend for the summer. The tale that unfolds had me giggling, snorting and rooting for Lexi all while craving chocolate éclairs and cream puffs.

Poor Lexi has taken a beating emotionally and her grandmother knows she’s too polite to say no to the dates arranged for her. I immediately connected with Lexi and her éclair cravings. She is newly divorced and is a passionate cook but her ex has her doubting herself on so many levels. The DeLuca brother’s are back and I really loved getting to know Marcus. Townfolk will tell you he is commitment shy and his off-limit rules with Lexi leave him thinking about her all the time. I loved the chemistry and banter between these too. Since they were high school friends it felt genuine and I loved watching them become aware of each other. The romance developed slowly as they built trust and reminisced about the past. The DeLuca brothers are a hoot when they get together and the way they razz each other made me laugh. You cannot help but love this family. While they may bicker and tease amongst themselves I totally recommend you never cross one of them. Their motto is no one messes with a DeLuca, their wine or their woman and boy-howdy do they mean it. The grandmothers are of course up to their usual tricks and I love this meddlesome group. Abby was Lexi’s best friend throughout high school and it was fun getting to learn more about her and their friendship. As the only DeLuca sister I am hoping we get her story soon.

I love small-town romance series where you get to know the town and its dynamics. St. Helena is in wine country and the DeLuca’s make wine and have such strong ties to the community. I fell in love with some of the quirky characters in the first book and was delighted to see them in action again. Adair's characters are flawed, earthy, goofy and could easily be your neighbor. She doesn't make them perfect and allows them to grow and transform. Some of the things they did made me cover my eyes. No not naughty things get your mind out of the gutter! It was embarrassing things, awkward things that made me cringe and giggle. Watching Lexi transform and find herself was funny, even if it felt a bit cliche at times. The romance with Marcus delivered just enough heat and honestly I will never look at éclairs and cream puffs the same way again! Do not read this book hungry as the food descriptions are out of this world. Better yet, read this with a glass of wine and a box of chocolate éclairs. *yes I am obsessed with them!* I want all the recipes Lexi created. How about a St. Helena’s cookbook Ms. Adair!! As in any small town there are politics, drama and old disputes. The DeLuca-Baudouin dispute heated up and watching it all unfold around this year’s wine tasting kept me reading late into the night to ensure a happy resolution for all. While at times predictable and quirky I found myself entertained. This is a quick, easy read perfect for the beach.

Summer in Napa and the St. Helena Vineyard series is filled with realistic, quirky characters living in small town USA. Autumn at the Vineyard is the third book and will release in October 2013. There is a sneak-peak in the back of the book and the tale will feature Nathaniel DeLuca and Francesca Baudouin. Ooh and there is an alpaca that has already stolen my heart.

Three and half cups of Napa-valley coffee out of five

Bloglovin' Hop Book of Your Choice Giveaway

2013-05-05T18:54:00.001-05:00

It's a Bloglovin' Hop hosted by Bradi @ Blkosiner's Book Blog,

and enter to win a book of your choice up to 12.oo US dollars

and it's open internationally!

Want to join in the fun? Sign up here.

I am currently reading:
What the Duke Desires
and Day After

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Got a blog, leave a comment with your link

and I will hop on by. :)

Happy Hopping!