Winners Announced! "Desire Me"

Winners Announced!!

The five winners of Robyn DeHart's "Desire Me" are:

Lea (YA Book Queen)

nfmgirl
Brenda
Missie
Allison

Winners were chosen via random.org random number generator. Congrats to all five winners!! I will be emailing all of you for your mailing address so I can send it on to Hachette. Congrats and a huge thank you to everyone who entered!!


Check out my current contest for a chance to win "To Surrender to a Rogue" by Cara Elliott!!

Giveaway and Review: "To Surrender to a Rogue"

For my stop on the "To Surrender to a Rogue" blog tour, I have my review of the second book in Cara Elliott's Circle of Sin series, and a giveaway of 5 copies of the book, sponsored by Hachette! So read on to see my review of this fantastic historical romance and please enter for your chance to win!!

"To Surrender to a Rogue"
by Cara Elliott
Source: provided for review by Hachette Books

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

My Review:
Things are off to a rocky start between Lord Jack Pierson and Lady Alessandra della Giamatti. Jack has just tied Alessandra's daughter, Isabella, to a tree! It's not how it sounds-if he hadn't, adventurous and curious Isabella would surely have fallen off a cliff to her death. Jack and Alessandra fight to vigorously, they hope to never see each other again after their friends, Ciara and Hadley, are rescued. But unbeknownst to them at the time, they share a passion for antiquities. Both are assigned to a rare and important excavation in Bath. Alessandra treats Jack poorly, accusing him of being able to buy his place in the excavation party because his father is a duke. Jack can't make himself stay away from Alessandra and her equally prickly daughter, and he soon learns that both ladies are in grave danger.

Having read "To Sin with a Scoundrel", I loved how this book started off exactly where the previous book ended. It was later the very same day! I had been looking forward to what would happen between Alessandra and Jack, and especially how jack would deal with Isabella, from the set up in the first book. There's also a set up in this one for the leads in Elliott's next book, Kate and Marco.

I really enjoyed how the book dealt with things in a different way than most historical romance. Alessandra admitted her weakness to herself-that she was lonely. She even admitted that her weaknesses were what caused her to reach out to Jack, and why she loved being near his strength and noble nature. I think it's rare for a heroine to be able to admit to herself how vulnerable she is throughout the story.

Also, Jack was very straight forward about his nature. He spent the first years of his adult life as a successful soldier, to fulfill his duty and to please his family. But with his war years over, his interests lie in drawing, art, and scholarly pursuits. He admits this to himself and pursues art, even though he thinks his family will never approve of his choices.

I loved how Jack's relationship with Alessandra's spunky daughter proceeded. I think he never knew how much a child could add to his life because he'd never been around children before. Isabella was as much of a firecracker as her mother and her arguments with Jack were so funny!

Jack and Alessandra's secret rendezvous were hot and exciting, but you could still tell they had true feelings for each other. Elliott shapes fantastic, lovable characters and really lets us know what's going on inside their heads.


Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5 (Isabella is adorable)
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5 (love it!! great color)
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line: I'd recommend this book to any fan of historical romance. This book has everything for the historical romance reader, a great leading couple, fun supporting cast, humor, and of course, love.

GIVEAWAY RULES:

Contest is closed. Thanks to everyone for entering.

Hachette books has generously provided FIVE copies of this historical romance for readers of my blog!

All you have to do is follow my blog and leave a comment on this review with your email address!

Extra Entries:

• +2 Tweet this contest (leave link in comment)
  
• +2 Post link in sidebar of your blog (leave link in comment)
  

Rules:

• US and Canada only
  
• No PO Boxes please
  
• Must be a follower to enter
• Extra entries are optional and can all be left in the same comment
  
• Leave a comment with your email address
• Books will be mailed out by Hachette
  
• Ends Sunday July 6
  

Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!

In My Mailbox (28)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren, and is a way for everyone to show their new books for the week, including those bought, swapped, won, or received for review.

Contest Wins:

"Amy and Roger's Epic Detour" by Morgan Matson


Thanks, Karen at For What it's Worth!! I've heard it's soooo good!

"Amazon Queen" by Lori Devoti


Thanks, Bridget at Readaholic and Pocket Books! Not really my genre but the heroine looks like such a strong character, I couldn't resist!

What did you receive in your mailbox this week??


LAST CHANCE TO ENTER THE CONTEST!!

The giveaway for DESIRE ME by Robyn DeHart ends tonight at midnight!!

Book Blog Follow Friday June 25

Happy Friday, Everyone!!

I'm trying something new this week!! I found another great book blog event for Fridays! It's the Book Blog Follow Friday hosted by Parajunkee.com!! I'm hoping to find some new blogs to read by joining this new event. Check it out by clicking the pic!!


If you're visiting for the first time, I'd love to hear from you, so please leave a comment and say hi!! :)

CONTEST TIME!!

While you're here, don't forget to enter my contest to win "Desire Me" by Robyn DeHart!

I have five copies to give away!!

The contest ends Sunday night, June 27!

"A Touch Of Scandal" Review

"A Touch of Scandal"
by Jennifer Haymore

Source: sent for review by Hachette

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

My Review:

Kate Fisk is forced by her family to be a maid in her brother's home. Between those duties and caring for her sickly young brother, Reggie, Kate never has time for herself. Until she spots the handsome stranger in her special spot, the pool between her brother's house and the abandoned manor where she lives with her mother and Reggie. She feels like the stranger has been sent from Mt. Olympus and she isn't even sure if he's real. But when he spots her spying on him and introduces himself, she realizes that reality is better than any fantasies she's made up about him. Garrett doesn't trust anyone anymore. Not even the seemingly innocent girl that his heart keeps telling him to trust. The two of them fall in love against all reason and before learning who the other really is. Little do they know how entwined their lives really are.

I loved the feeling of love at first sight at the beginning of the story. It felt really natural and real to me and had a sense of innocence about it that I really liked. Garret and Kate both had a lot of baggage. Garrett was already divorced and had a child, and Kate was responsible for Reggie. This didn't matter when they were together, it seemed like they could beat any odds against them.

I really liked Garrett's sister, Rebecca and can't wait to read her story next. She was very frail and delicate on the outside, but whenever it was needed, she mustered up everything she had to get the job done.

The only thing that kept this book from being a five star read for me was the long period of separation for Garrett and Kate. I wanted to read more about their interactions with each other, because they were so sweet together. But instead, they spent a lot of time pining away for each other.

I tried to read the first book from Haymore when it was released, but quit reading soon after I started. After the first scene, I felt like it was going to be erotica (which isn't my cup of tea) instead of historical romance. But this book never seemed over the top in that regard, so now I'm going to go back and give "A Hint of Wicked" another try. Although, that book involves a love triangle with Garrett and I have a feeling I'm going to have a soft spot for him over the hero of that book.


Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 4/5 (definitely a true love conquers all story)
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5 (pretty but the step-back is better :))
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line: If you are in the mood for a sweeping, dramatic, 'true love conquers all' type of story, I highly recommend this one. It really stands out from the crowd.

Waiting on Wednesday (28)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it is a way to show off the books you can't wait to be released!!

This week I chose:

"Wicked Girls"
by Stephanie Hemphill
HarperCollins
Release Date: July 1, 2010

The following description is from Goodreads.com


Wicked Girls is a fictionalized account of the Salem witch trials based on the real historical characters, told from the perspective of three young women living in Salem in 1692—Mercy Lewis, Margaret Walcott, and Ann Putnam Jr.
When Ann’s father suggests that a spate of illnesses within the village is the result of witchcraft, Ann sees an opportunity and starts manifesting the symptoms of affliction. Ann looks up to Mercy, the beautiful servant in her parents' house. She shows Mercy the power that a young girl is capable of in a time when women were completely powerless. Mercy, who suffered abuse at the hands of past masters, seizes her only chance at safety. And Ann’s cousin Margaret, anxious to win the attention of a boy in her sights, follows suit. As the accusations mount against men and women in the community, the girls start to see the deadly ramifications of their actions. Should they finally tell the truth? Or is it too late to save this small New England town?

This one looks so interesting to me, I love reading about the Salem Witch Trials. I think it's so horrifying how women were thought to be 'witches' for practically no reason, and then were actually killed for it. This book is going to explore the people who did the accusing, and why, along with the consequences of their actions. PLUS we don't have to wait long for this one :)

What are you waiting for this week??

"The Possibilities of Sainthood"

"The Possibilites of Sainthood"
by Donna Freitas

Source: borrowed from the library

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

My Review:

Antonia Lucia LaBella is obsessed with Saints. She knows everything about them and has a scrapbook-like Saint Diary where she keeps her prayers to specific saints. She even petitions the Vatican, hoping the Pope will make her the first living Saint. She's so caught up in her Saints that she doesn't even seen the miracles happening all around her in her everyday life.

I liked how Antonia is really into her religion, but she's not goody-goody about it. She still rolls her uniform skirt up and is dying for her first kiss. The author paints a vivid picture of Catholic school life.Just because she rebels a little, like any normal teenager, doesn't mean she isn't a good person. Antonia is always nice to those around her, from her older neighbors, to her friends' little brothers.

I really liked Michael, he was just so cute and sweet! I loved how he and Antonia were best friends until all those pesky teenage hormones showed up. Then Antonia got scared and ran away from his attentions. Antonia's hesitancy to "like" him is sweet and I think it's realistic for a girl's first love. I loved how Michael was persistent and really cared for Antonia, even when she pushed him away.

Antonia's relationships with her mom and grandmother are realistic and loving. Even through their disagreements, you can tell the ladies really care about each other.

I enjoyed learning about the different saints mentioned and how Antonia would pray to them in very specific situations. For instance, when she thought Michael was trying too hard for her attention, she prayed to St. Vitus, Patron Saint Against Animal Attacks!


Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 4/5 (so cute and age appropriate)
Uniqueness: 5/5 (loved all the saint references and there aren't too many books with a big Catholic influence)
Cover: 4/5 (adorable, love the saintly influence)
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line: This was a fast-paced read with a lot of heart, as Antonia learned a lot about family, herself, and even first love.