Monthly Archives: December 2010

*Book Watch* My Fair Succubi by Jill Myles

Posted on December 17, 2010 by TBRG| Leave a comment

My Fair Succubi

Book 3 of the Succubus Diaries — Out December 28, 2010!

It Sucks To Be Her…

Living as a succubus has a bit of a learning curve, but with sexy fallen angel Noah to scratch her sensual Itch, Jackie Brighton is finally starting to feel ahead of the game. She almost doesn’t miss her gorgeous vampire master Zane – or his sinful, teasing mouth. She’s trying to convince herself of that, anyway.

But Jackie’s past mistakes catch up with her, spinning her life out of control once more. Just as her friend Remy’s inner demon comes out to play, Noah and Jackie are arrested by the angelic Serim Council. When Jackie seizes the chance to escape, she falls right into Zane’s waiting arms. As she’s pulled into a game of cat and mouse between vampires and angels, she finds she must also finally choose between the two men in her life. Can she decide between Noah and Zane, or will she lose everything she’s ever wanted? Because there’s more at stake than just her heart…

I haven’t read any of the books in this series yet, but based on this blurb I think that I may have to change it. The cover is definitely interesting also.

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Wicked Nights with a Lover

Posted on December 16, 2010 by TBRG| Leave a comment
Wicked Nights with a Lover
by Sophie Jordan
Release date 12/1/10

What should a proper lady do when she believes her days are numbered?

Step One: Take a Lover . . .

After being told she will not survive beyond the year’s end, prim and lovely Marguerite Laurent intends to live what remains of her life to the very fullest. Though she may never know love, she will know passion—and she agrees to a whirlwind romance with a former admirer. But hours before embarking upon her grand adventure, Marguerite is abducted—by an unscrupulous rogue who boldly announces his intentions to bed and wed her before the week is out!

Step Two: Live With No Regrets . . .

Ash Courtland pulled himself up from the gutter to become a successful man of business, and now he wants revenge on his one-time partner for betraying him. Still, his enemy’s bewitching daughter is most certainly not about to surrender her innocence to the infuriating—if shockingly attractive—cad who took her captive. Yet with no more than a touch, Ash makes her tremble with desire . . . and resisting the heat of his passion could cost Marguerite her last, best chance for ecstasy.

When I first started this book I was enjoying it immensly.  It started with Marguerite who is a hospice nurse, she is happy with what she does and is not really ready for any change.  Than she is gets roped into having her fortune read and she is not thrilled to hear what they have to say.  She decides to take matters into her own hands and change her destiny.

In comes Ash, who quickly becomes the bane of her existance.  All Ash wants is to keep the business has has worked so hard to create, his partner whats something different though.

Ash & Marquerite are thrown together and that is where I start to have problems.  I loved them as a couple but really how many times does marguerite need to lie and convice ahs that she will be with him and than changer her mind and run off.  I felt like half the book was this scenerio.  Ash must have the patience of a saint to deal with her.

The book does turn around, things start to get good than Ash starts to act up.  Why put him through so much to only have him question himself in the end?  At least it does not take him as long to figure things out.

Overall there were parts I loved and parts I hated.  Would I read more of this series, yes I would, but it is not one I would put on my keeper shelf.

Grade B-

Posted in Historical, Review

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Duchess of Sin

Posted on December 15, 2010 by TBRG| 1 Comment
Duchess of Sin
The Daughters of Erin series book 2
by Laurel McKee
release date: December 1, 2010
Blonde and beautiful Lady Anna Blacknall is in the mood for mischief. Entering Dublin’s most notorious den of vice, she finds herself in the arms of a mysterious, emerald-eyed Irishman. And although he is masked, his tender kiss is hauntingly familiar.Conlan McTeer, Duke of Adair, has come to Dublin to fight for a free Ireland. But he’s suddenly reunited with the young Englishwoman who had once claimed his heart, and his passion turns from politics to pleasure. When their sizzling encounter brings danger to Anna’s door, she must decide where her loyalties lie-and quickly. For someone will do whatever it takes to destroy Conlan . . . and anyone he dares to love.

These are book full of intrigue, politics, history and romance.  The characters themselves were well written and interesting, but somewhat predictable.  The storyline was unique and informational, but at times a bit wordy.
I personally enjoyed the use of Irish Gaelic in the story and enjoyed the descriptions of the area.  I did struggle through the politics of everything, yes I like to know the background but I am the type who wants to escape into a good romance and when it gets political it becomes a little to much realistic for me.
Overall I would say the book is ok, it is not quite a keeper for me but it was worth reading, and a lot better than book 1 which I was not able to finish.
 
Grade C

Posted in Historical, Review

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Happy Birthday Jane Austen

Posted on December 14, 2010 by TBRG| Leave a comment

When I think of great love stories and romances, Jane Austen always comet to mind. She is probably one of the best and most well known authors of all time. In fact back in Sept on 2009 I did an entire post devoted completely to her.

To celebrate her birthday Sourcebooks is doing something really awesome.

Sourcebooks, the world’s leading publisher of Jane Austen fiction, is offering a unique deal to readers who want to celebrate Jane by reading special editions of all six of Austen’s beloved novels in a 21st century format.
 
Special e-book editions of Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion and Mansfield Park will be available for free for one day only. These celebratory editions include the full novels, plus the legendary color illustrations of the Brock brothers, originally created to accompany the books in 1898.
 
In addition to the Jane Austen classics, readers can also enjoy these bestselling Austen-inspired novels. The following bestselling e-books will be free on December 16th in honor of her birthday:
 
Eliza’s Daughter by Joan Aiken
The Darcys & the Bingleys by Marsha Altman
Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll
What Would Jane Austen Do? by Laurie Brown
The Pemberley Chronicles by Rebecca Ann Collins
The Other Mr. Darcy by Monica Fairview
Mr. Darcy’s Diary by Amanda Grange
Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One by Sharon Lathan
Lydia Bennet’s Story by Jane Odiwe
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy by Abigail Reynolds
 
Available wherever eBooks are sold.

I don’t know about you but I will not be missing out on this amazing deal.

Posted in Historical

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The Princess in His Bed

Posted on December 14, 2010 by TBRG| 1 Comment

The Princess in His Bed

Lila DiPasqua

Okay I am just going to say it, if there had been fairy tales like this when I was a teenager I probably wouldn’t hate them, in fact until Lila took it upon herself to write these wonderful adaptations of the fairy tales I would probably still hate them. Once again Lila gives us her witting take on these classic tales, The Emperors New Clothes, The Ugly Duckling, and The Princess and the Pea

The Marquis’ New Clothes: To search his wardrobe for a missing ring, Aimee will have to get very close to the seductive Marquis de Nattes, and soon finds that his clothes-and hers-are utterly forgotten…

What is more fascinating to read than of a man who can’t have who he wants, and doesn’t even realize why he wants her until it is almost to late. This was a nice story about two people that finally give in to their feelings for each other.

Grade B+

The Lovely Duckling: Joseph d’Alumbert will stop at nothing to peel away the inhibitions of Emilie de Sarron and reveal the beautiful swan inside…

How many of us have ever felt like the ugly duckling? I know that I have. I think that is why this is my favorite story in this book. Joseph bitterly regrets a decision that he made several years ago regarding Emilie, and over the last year has been working to make up for that, unbeknown to Emilie.

Emilie has never forgiven Joseph for that decision, but is determined to put it behind her and enjoy herself at her aunts Masquarade party. What neither one of them expected was for it to end the way it does.

Grade A

The Princess and the Diamonds: Princess Gabrielle can’t sleep. There is something hard in her bed. Not just the stolen diamonds tucked under her mattress- but the handsome marquis on it.

This was a really cute story about what two people will do for those that they love. They both have reasons for being where they are, and neither one is willing to share them. The one thing that they do know however is that they have an intense attraction for each other. I loved the ending of this story. I thought it was perfect.

Grade B+

In general I loved this book, and can’t wait to see what Lila comes up with next. If you have ever loved the fairy tales, and hot steamy sex, well then you can’t go wrong with Lila’s take on these classic tales.

Grade A

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Rescued by His Christmas Miracle

Posted on December 13, 2010 by TBRG| 1 Comment

Rescued by His Christmas Miracle

Cara Colter

Harlequin Romance

Have you ever read a story that made you laugh, made you cry and made you feel good all over? That  is what this story was for me reading it. The perfect Christmas story. It had it all.

Teacher Morgan McGuire is determined to embrace her newfound independence. Until one of her pupils needs her in ways she never expected. Soon Morgan’s life becomes intertwined with that of sexy but cynical Nate Hathoway and his adorable daughter.

Christmas is hard for single father Nate, and the last thing he needs is Morgan reminding him of his private fear: that he’s hopelessly inadequate for the role of daddy….

But as Nate is drawn ever closer to warm, generous Morgan, his hardened heart begins to thaw….

When the book started I wasn’t sure about how this was going to work, but for these two characters it made absolute perfect sense. Nate is a widower, his wife wasn’t the love of his life, but his childhood best friend whose love of her life was their best friend that had died in Iraq. Since her death on Christmas the  only thing that has kept him going is his daughter Ace.

Morgan is Ace’s teacher and against the advice of her fellow teachers and friends has decided to confront Nate head on about his daughter. What she finds is a man completely out of his depth, and completely closed off from everyone except for Ace. Morgan is a woman that has a dream that she is afraid to go after in case it falls apart on her.

Watching these two fall in love and Nate start living again, and Morgan beginning to trust that her dreams may come true, was like watching your favorite Christmas movie on LMN or Hallmark. It was  is the perfect Christmas Story.

Grade A

You can purchase the book from Harlequin here

What do you look for in a perfect Christmas Story, or what are some of your favorite Christmas Stories?

**The best part of Christmas is giving stuff so one lucky commentator will receive a goody bag from us**

Posted in Contemporary, Review

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WoW Sunday

Posted on December 12, 2010 by TBRG| 1 Comment

This weeks WoW Sunday comes from a story that was written by my Great-Great-Great-Great Grandma. She was a woman that left the lap of luxury in England to migrate to the United States. There is no date on when this Christmas took place, but she wrote the story later in life.

GingerBread Toys

Hannah Cornaby

The recent famine experience had taught me economy, and the little I could procure from the sale of some clothing enabled us to live. I could have made our conditions known and received help, but delicay forbade; so I made the best of the situation, exerting myself unceasingly for the helpless little ones.

Christmas Eve came, and my darlings, with childish faith, hung up their stockings, wondering if Santa Claus would fill them. With aching heart, which I concealed from them, I assured them they would not be forgotten; and they fell asleep with joyful anticipation for the morrow.

Not having a sweetening, I knew not what to do. They must not, however, be disappointed. I then thought of some squashes in the house, which I boiled, then strained off the liquid; that when simmered a few hours, made a sweet syrup. With this and a little spice, I made gingerbread dough, which when cut into every conceivable variety of design and baked in a skillet (I had no stove) filled their stockings and pleased them as much as would the most fancy confectioneries.

I sometimes wonder if the children of today enjoy the costly Christmas presents of toys and rich candies with which they are surfeited any more than my little ones did their gingerbread toys.


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Giveaway Winners

Posted on December 9, 2010 by TBRG| 1 Comment

We have some winners to announce for the giveaways we had:

Thanksgiving holiday giveaway winners are:

Kim Miller  &  Hope

Our Emma Wildes giveaway winner is: Claudigc

Please email us you address so we can get you books out to you and thanks for stopping by and commenting (thebookreadinggals @ gmail . com)


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His Christmas Pleasure

Posted on December 8, 2010 by TBRG| 2 Comments

His Christmas Pleasure

by Cathy Maxwell

Release date 11/30/10

When her father threatens to marry Abigail Montross off to a man twice her age (and with thirteen children!), she decides to elope instead with the irresistibly handsome Baron de Vasconia. She know all abut his notorious reputaiton. He is the most seductive man in all of London, but he’s vowed to protect her, so she allow herself to be tempted into his bed, promising to guard her heart at all costs.

Andres believes he’s entered into nothing more than a marriage of convenience with a charming and very wealthy young woman. But the days–and nights–Abigail spends in his arms soon reform this rogue. He’ll do anything to gain her love–until they each discover the truth about the other and old wounds are revealed.

It’s the season of miracles and passion–when love not only awakens the senses but delivers the greatest gift of all . .

During the holiday season you will find me reading lots of books about the holidays, I just love them!  So even though I have picked this book up a couple times and put it down again, I just could not resist it the last time I was running through the bookstore; and I am so glad I gave it a chance.

“His Christmas Pleasure” is such a wonderful story of honesty, perseverance and love and perfect for this time of year.   I enjoyed the twists and turns and loved the fact that the story took you on a different journey than a lot of the other books I have read lately.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good historical and being a Christmas one is just an added little bonus

Grade A

Posted in Historical, Review

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His Sinful Secret – Giveaway

Posted on December 6, 2010 by TBRG| 3 Comments
His Sinful Secret
by Emma Wildes
Notorious Bachelor series book 3
release date 11/2/10

Betrothed to one brother, then married to another, Julianne Sutton finds herself a pawn in an unknown game. The enigmatic new Marquess of Longhaven knows all about the art of deception but he’s baffled by innocence. His new wife is trusting, lovely, and utterly bewitching. Imagine his surprise when he discovers that she has secrets of her own. As he battles a ruthless enemy, he quickly learns that love has an entirely different set of rules.

I was a little apprehensive when starting this book in the series; I read and enjoyed book 1 “My Lord Scandal” and could not wait to read Michaels story.  Than came book 2 “Our Wicked Mistake”, and even though Michael made another appearance helping out his friends again, this book was a disappointment.  So knowing that Michaels story was coming up next I pushed through and started “His Sinful Secret”, it was better than the second book but not as good as the first.

Let’s begin with what I enjoyed:  I loved Julianne her honesty, bravery and loyalty, she made a great heroine.  I did enjoy the premise of the story and following how Michael & Julianne’s relationship grew.  I also enjoyed the career choices that Michael made and the decisions regarding his family.

What annoyed me: When I read a series I enjoy the characters making appearances throughout all of the books.  Michael played an important role in each of the other two books so I was hoping when he needed those friends help in return they would be there, not the case, both Alex & Luke made an appearance but it was very brief and it felt almost forced.   I also felt the secret of the book went on a little long, with some of the situations that happened you would begin to figure out what the secret is pretty quickly, or at least question, but no it just kept going on and on, as if the characters had little intelligence.

So I guess overall the stories were a hit & miss for me, but everyone has different opinions so I am going to give you a chance to decide if you like them for yourself.    I will send all 3 books to a commenter who wants to take a shot and read these for herself, all I ask is you let me know what you think after you read them (I love to hear others opinions on books)

Grade C

Posted in Historical, Review

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