Check Out this Giveaway!

The Book Diva: Giveaway: One Grave At A Time by Jeaniene Frost: I am giving a way a signed copy of One Grave At A Time by Jeaniene Frost. This is her latest release in the Night Huntress series (Cat and ...

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A Book-lovers' Review: Trick or Treat Day 1 Spooktacular Giveaways: Here at A Book-Lovers Review Trick or Treating will begin today, October 13th and end on Halloween night October 31st. I will ha...

Review of MR. DARCY'S BITE

                                                          Mr. Darcy's Bite can be purchased here.


Mr. Darcy's Bite
Mary Lydon Simonson

Mr. Darcy has seemingly been courting Elizabeth Bennett for months, but hasn't popped the question.  Elizabeth wonders what Mr. Darcy's purpose could be, after all Jane and Bingley have been married for over six months.  Darcy invites Elizabeth to Pemberley along with his sister and cousin, Anne, and promises to reveal a secret, which will affect Elizabeth's decision about him as a husband.

When I read the blurb for this book, I was intrigued.  Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book and werewolf/shapeshifter romances are my favorite genre.  A combination of the two seemed like a dream come true, and Mr. Darcy's Bite doesn't disappoint.  The only small quibble, that I had with the book was that the author's voice seemed a little to modern at times.  However, this didn't detract much from the enjoyment of the book as a whole.  Darcy and Elizabeth are the same great couple, that I expected, and I was happy to see Anne get a bigger role in this book.

All in all,  Mr. Darcy's Bite is a great read, which I highly recommend.

NOTE:  I was sent this book in return for an impartial review.

Coming Soon to Book Lover and Procrastinator!

Review of DEMON MARKED

DEMON MARKED
Meljean Brook

Ash couldn't remember, who she was and had been hospitalized in a mental institution for three years.  The fact that Ash isn't human, is an added mystery for her.  Searching for answers to her past, Ash runs into Nicholas St. Croix.  Nicholas knows that Ash must be a demon, because she looks like his girlfriend, who was killed by a demon posing as his mother.   Nicholas decides to use Ash to get to the demon posing as his mother.  Meanwhile, Lucifer and the demon posing as Nicholas' mother, also, have nefarious plans for Ash.

Demon Marked is an intense, enjoyable paranormal romance with multi-faceted characters and plenty of action.  Ash is learning and experiencing life, and, although she is part demon, her goodness shines through.  Nicholas has cut himself off from his emotions, in an effort to combat the demon, who is posing as his mother.  This has made him almost as bad as the demon, whom he seeks revenge upon.  Slowly, almost against his will, Nicholas begins to care for Ash,  and this love saves him in the end.  Demon Marked is a great love story, and I can't wait for the next story in the series, Michael's story.

NOTE:  I purchased this book and gave an impartial review.

 

Review of Redneck Zombies

I'm participating in the Zombie event.  For a full listing of all the fun go here.


I had intended to do a review of Evil Dead, but that was more demon than  zombie, so I watched Redneck Zombies.  In Redneck Zombies,  a drum of radioactive chemicals is being transported by a marijuana-smoking soldier, who immediately loses it in the backwoods.  A redneck gives the drum to some idiot moonshiners, who spill the chemicals into their mash.  They make their moonshine, anyway, and sell it.  The moonshine makes people turn into zombies and the fun ensues.

Redneck Zombies is definitely a B movie, and it could have had better acting and special effects.  However, there were moments of hilarity and cheesiness.  Unfortunately, these weren't a regular feature of this flick, so I find myself having a tough time recommending it. 

Review of Moonbeams

Moonbeams can be purchased at Amazon, B&N, Smashwords.

Moonbeams
Lakisha Spletzer

Shayleah D'athmoon, an elf Peacekeeper for the First Ones, travels around with a group of compatriots fighting for just causes.  During the middle of one such fight, three outlander humans appear, and Shayleah saves them.  The three are totally  fish out of water, unused to the violence and creatures in the Veil, so Shayleah takes them with her until she can return them to their world.  Unfortunately, an evil lurks in the background and has plans for Shayleah, her friends, and the humans.

Moonbeams is an enjoyable fantasy read with compelling characters and an imaginative world.  With that said, it took me awhile to get into the book.  The pace in the beginning is a little slow, perhaps, because of the introduction of numerous characters.  However, once I got into the book, it got my attention and held it until the very end, which is something of a cliffhanger.  All the characters had me rooting for them, except for one, Megan, one of the human outlanders.  Megan is spoiled, petty, and needs to be gagged.  It will be interesting to see how Ms. Spletzer redeems Megan in later books of the series.  I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, and recommend Moonbeams to fantasy readers.

NOTE: I was sent this book in return for an impartial review.  

Review of FITZWILLIAM DARCY: ROCK STAR

FITZWILLIAM DARCY: ROCKSTAR
Heather Lynn Rigaud

Fitzwilliam Darcy, famous rock guitarist of the band Slurry, has a dilemma. It seems Slurry has a bad reputation, and no top level opening act will work with them. Darcy decides to hire an up-and-coming all female band, called Long Bourne Suffering, but gets off on the wrong foot with Elizabeth Bennett, a member of Long Bourne Suffering, when she overhears him make some disparaging remarks about her band members and herself. Thus, starts a tempestuous relationship between these two.

FITZWILLAM DARCY: ROCKSTAR is a modern retelling of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, which falls short when compared with the original, but is enjoyable, when taken on its own merit. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE is my favorite book, and I enjoy reading its retellings, sequels, and mash-ups. With that said, I don't expect any work to equal the original, but I hope to revisit beloved characters and experience an enjoyable read. This book is enjoyable, but some of the characters didn't resemble the original characters much. While Charlotte had some of the characteristics, that I expected, she barely resembles the original. However, I greatly enjoyed the different course Charlotte Lucas' life takes in this version. Wickham is more villainous than ever before, and Mr. Collins is even more creepy. Lizzy is more irrational and temperamental than I expected, and there were times that i wanted to knock some sense into her. Darcy is the character, that most resembles his P&P counterpart, which is a good thing. Darcy makes a sigh-worthy rock god. It is lovely, that there isn't just one romance in this book, but three.

All in all, FITZWILLIAM DARCY: ROCKSTAR is entertaining when taken on its own merits, but it pales in comparison to the original. Also, be warned that this is a story about the modern rock world so expect plenty of sex and a gritter reality.

NOTE: This book was sent to me in return for an impartial review.

Review of SHIFTERS OF 2040

SHIFTERS OF 2040
Ami Blackwelder

Melissa Marn, a scientist for the SCM (Shifters Counterinsurgency Military), is overworked and having second thoughts about some of her research. After a one night stand with a man, who turns out to be a shifter, Melissa discovers that she is pregnant. Melissa, now, has some very tough decisions to face. Because she works for the organization that is trying to exterminate the shifters, an alien race, Melissa is in greater danger than an ordinary person of being discovered. Meanwhile, the shifters and their hybrid children struggle to survive in a harsh, dangerous world.

SHIFTERS OF 2040 is an enjoyable paranormal story with action-packed scenes, great world-building, and a lot of romance. The characters are multi-dimensional and the plot is unique. While I enjoyed the book, greatly, the character of Melissa annoyed me at times, but I can understand her struggles. Since Melissa sought her father's approval and was almost brain washed into a military mind-set, her actions are understandable. I grew to care for the shifters and the hybrids and to root for them to overcome and survive. However, I'm hesitant to read the next book in the series, for fear that many of them won't survive.

NOTE: I was given this book in return for an impartial review.

MIA for the next little while

Hi, everyone,
I'm scheduled for surgery, which will hopefully only require a one night stay in the hospital.  Hopefully, I can be back and posting within the next week or so.  I'll just be glad, when it is over.

Review of RED'S HOT COWBOY

                                                             May be purchased here.


RED'S HOT COWBOY
Carolyn Brown

On Christmas Eve, Pearl Richland is just settling in to the motel, that she inherited from her aunt, when a blackout in a portion of Henrietta causes her motel to fill up.  Among the guests is a handsome cowboy, Wil Marshall, who looks to be a bad boy.  Because of this, Pearl vows to steer clear of Wil, but the attraction between these two is a force to be reckoned with.

RED'S HOT COWBOY is an entertaining, contemporary romance, which the title captures to a tee.  Wil Marshall is one hot cowboy, who might appear to be a bad boy, but has many admirable qualities.  Pearl, who has a reputation for being a party girl, has a hot temper, but a really good heart.  The fact that Pearl helped an abused woman makes her an admirable character.  RED'S HOT COWBOY is filled with quirky, endearing characters, who made this reader want to visit Henrietta.

Note:  I received this book in return for an unbiased review.

Sourcebooks is celebrating Georgette Heyer's Birthday with a great special on e-books!

Starting Monday, August 15th, Sourcebooks will run all of Georgette Heyer's books on sale.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MS. HEYER!

eBooks Available for $1.99

August 15-August 21, 2011

Heyer’s Birthday: August 16, 2011

REGENCY ROMANCE

1. Arabella

2. Bath Tangle

3. Beauvallet

4. The Black Moth

5. Black Sheep

6. Charity Girl

7. The Convenient Marriage

8. The Corinthian

9. Cotillion

10. Cousin Kate

11. Devil’s Cub

12. False Colours

13. Faro’s Daughter

14. The Foundling

15. Frederica

16. Friday’s Child

17. The Grand Sophy

18. Lady of Quality

19. The Masqueraders

20. The Nonesuch

21. Powder and Patch

22. The Quiet Gentleman

23. Regency Buck

24. The Reluctant Widow

25. Sylvester

26. The Talisman Ring

27. These Old Shades

28. Venetia

MYSTERY

29. Behold, Here’s Poison

30. A Blunt Instrument

31. Death in the Stocks

32. Detection Unlimited

33. Duplicate Death

34. Envious Casca

35. Footsteps in the Dark

36. No Wind of Blame

37. Penhallow

38. They Found Him Dead

39. Unfinished Clue

40. Why Shoot a Butler?

HISTORICAL FICTION

41. The Conqueror

42. An Infamous Army

43. My Lord John

44. Royal Escape

45. Simon the Coldheart

46. Spanish Bride

NON-FICTION

47. Georgette Heyer's Regency World

Books can be purchased here.

Pages of Forbidden Love: Giveaway for My One Year Blogoversary!

Pages of Forbidden Love: Giveaway for My One Year Blogoversary!: " The day is here.. My blog is one year old. It has been a long road but a happy one to get to the big mile marker of one year of blogging..."

Check out this Giveaway!!!

Gripped into Books: 1000 Followers Giveaway!!!: "Hey guys!

I'll just get straight to the point! There's more than 1000 followers on my blog! YAY! I would have never have thought tha..."

Review of THE LADY OF THE STORM

                       THE LADY OF THE STORM can be purchased at Sourcebooks.

THE LADY OF THE STORM
Kathryne Kennedy

Cecily Sutton, who is half-elf and half-human, has lived a fairly uneventful life in a small village in England.  Around the time of William the Conqueror, England was invaded by seven elven lords, who each took a portion of England as their own.  The elven lords are cruel and have subjugated the humans.  Because of this, there is an active rebellion.  When Cecily's village is attacked, she uses great powers, which she has kept hidden, to save the village.  Unfortunately, that use of power brings her to the attention of Breden, her elven biological father.  Giles Beaumont, who has been charged with keeping Cecily safe, must take her to the leaders of the Rebellion, and they must seek Cecily's adoptive father, who has gone missing.

THE LADY OF THE STORM is an enjoyable fantasy romance with plenty of adventure and complex and intriguing world building.  Ms. Kennedy creates an awe-inspiring world, which draws the reader in and keeps the interest high throughout.  Giles and Cecily make a wonderful couple, who must overcome, not only physical obstacles but emotional ones, in order to be together.  At first, Giles doesn't consider himself, the son of a blacksmith, good enough for Cecily.  The class distinction means little to Cecily, who must overcome her own insecurities.  Just when it seems these two can, finally, be together, they are torn apart and must struggle to be together.

Filled with spectacular descriptions and imagery, THE LADY OF THE STORM makes a great read for the lover of fantasy romance, and I highly recommend it.  The next book in this series can't come out soon enough!

NOTE:  I was given this book in return for an impartial review.

My Overstuffed Bookshelf: Win A Kindle!!!

My Overstuffed Bookshelf: Win A Kindle!!!: "Wow! I have been blogging for 2 years now! I am so excited to share this milestone with everyone! I wanted to do something special because ..."

Deals from Sourcebooks

AUGUST eBOOK DEALS FROM SOURCEBOOKS

In honor of The Vampire Next Door, book 3 in the sassy paranormal romance series by Ashlyn Chase, book 1, STRANGE NEIGHBORS will be available for FREE from 8/2/11-8/8/11! How can a who is witch afraid of the dark and a vampire who can’t survive in sunlight find a way to be together?

Jeanette Baker is a beloved romance author, and Sourcebooks Casablanca is proud to be bringing her books back in print! With Catriona, a captivating tale of love, danger, and a passion that endures across the boundaries of time, heading back into stores this month, LEGACY will be available for FREE from 8/2/11-8/8/11!!

Are you looking for an adventurous book full of goblins, pixies, fairies and more? Book 2 by Jennifer A. Nielsen, Elliot and the Pixie Plot, hits stores this month but you can start the series from the beginning for FREE this week only (8/2/11-8/8/11) by reading ELLIOT AND THE GOBLIN WAR.

Would you like to brush up on your vocab skills? Or perhaps you know a high school graduate or current student getting ready to head back to school… Download these two reference/study aids to have the best conversation skills in town—not to mention it helps out with testing and college admissions! Fiske 250 Words Every High School Graduate Needs to Know and Fiske 250 Words Every High School Freshman Needs to Know will both be available for $1.99 for two weeks, 8/2/11-8/15/11!

Review of THE VAMPIRE NEXT DOOR

                                 THE VAMPIRE NEXT DOOR is available at Sourcebooks.

THE VAMPIRE NEXT DOOR
Ashlyn Chase

Sly Flores lost his wife, when a vampire attacked and turned him.  Since that time Sly has kept pretty much to himself, but he has devoted his time to keeping the neighborhood safe.  After an incident leaves him with a broken fang, Sly seeks help from the pretty witch, Morgaine, who lives in his apartment building.  Morgaine has some intense phobias, which keeps her tied to the apartment building.  These two realize, that they are attracted to each other, but Sly's maker has been hunting him and anyone close to him may be in danger.

THE VAMPIRE NEXT DOOR is an amusing, paranormal romance filled with quirky characters.  While this is an entertaining read, there is one character that seemed a little over the top.  Gwyneth, Morgaine's cousin, seemed a little overblown, but perhaps in later books, she will be a bit toned down.  I really enjoyed the paranormal characters in this book, and Sly and Morgaine make a charming couple.  I'm looking forward to the next installment of this series.

NOTE:  I was given this book in return for an unbiased review.

Review of SYLVESTER, OR THE WICKED UNCLE

                                                      
                                                          You can purchase SYLVESTER at Sourcebooks.


SYLVESTER, OR THE WICKED UNCLE
Georgette Heyer

Sylvester, the Duke of Salford, has decided, that it is time to pick a wife, and he has narrowed his list of candidates down to five.  When Sylvester's mother learns of his plans, she hopes that he will find someone to love and mentions her best friend's daughter, Phoebe Marlow.  Sylvester decides to add Phoebe to his list of candidates in hopes of pleasing his mother.  When Phoebe learns that the Duke of Salford might propose to her, she becomes upset because she took a dislike for him in her first season.  In fact, because of his sinister eyebrows, Phoebe makes him the villain in her novel, which is soon to be published. 

SYLVESTER, OR THE WICKED UNCLE is a Regency romp at its best.  Ms. Heyer creates characters that are realistic, lively, and humorous and the secondary characters are just as entertaining.  I,especiallly like Sir Nugent, who is very ridiculous, but completely oblivious to the fact.  Sylvester, at first, doesn't know what to do with the outspoken, Phoebe.  After all, she doesn't meet any of his requirements, in fact, she is unacceptable as a wife.  However, Sylvester finds himself drawn to Phoebe and put into his place several times.  Phoebe , on the other hand, discovers the good qualities in Sylvester. 

SYLVESTER, OR THE WICKED UNCLE is an enjoyable read with many laugh-out-loud moments and a memorable cast of characters.  I highly recommend it.

NOTE:  I was given this book in return for an impartial review.

Winnemucca Release Day Blitz

Winnemucca, YA Author’s Debut Paranormal Coming-Of-Age Novel, Explores Freedom & Forgiveness To Benefit Wounded Warriors

Monterey Peninsula, CA, July 15, 2011 – Laura A. H. Elliott releases her young-adult debut novel, Winnemucca, for the Kindle on Amazon.com. Winnemucca is a small-town fairy tale about a teenage girl’s enchanted road trip to her true self no matter who or what tries to stop her. One of two digital editions includes Laura’s digital signature with a donation to the Wounded Warrior project, in her nephew’s honor. Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa9n1KIpaWw

“The story is told in poetic prose that I have not read since the writers of an older age. The tone of the story is set through the voice of the girl runaway before she has even realized her own talents, and is spoken with ‘the sound truth makes being said,’ as Ray Bradbury once coined the term. Emerging from a sea of derivative and formulaic novels, WINNEMUCCA is a fresh view of a world that is at once savage and beautiful, crushing and hopeful, and above all, brings magic back to ancient storytelling by bringing our attention back to the little things that matter, and the shifting nature of perception and reality alike.” -Rachel Coles, YA Book Reviewer and Author of 5 Young Adult Paranormal Fiction Novels

“The voice is distinct and the world she creates is both magical and mundane. As I read the book it reminded me of Neil Gaiman’s AMERICAN GODS.” -Matthew Hill, editor

“The themes in my work are always the same: freedom and forgiveness. I am fascinated how the footprints of our ancestors can follow us into the future. I enjoy illuminating these ideas in my fiction. In this novel, I explore courage and the cost of freedom. I’m hoping WINNEMUCCA will get generations of people talking to each other about the role of freedom and forgiveness in their lives.” - Laura A. H. Elliott. Her favorite quote from the book: “Fear’s as blind as love.”

Laura’s travel and personal essays have been published in The Los Angeles Times and other Southern California newspapers and magazines. She honed her storytelling skills as a multimedia designer at The Los Angeles Times and E! Entertainment Television but learns the most around dinner tables. She has two grown daughters and currently resides on the Monterey Peninsula, with her husband, Joe, and their Aussie shepherd, Oso.

For more information contact:

www.authorlaura.com

elliwrite@yahoo.com

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B004KFSC92

http://www.facebook.com/Laura.A.H.Elliott

 @Laurawriting

Laura In The News:

Author Interview with YA Author Abbi Glines http://www.abbiglines.com/2011/07/meet-author-of-todays-new-ya-release.html

For news coverage about our nephew, Cody:

http://www.ksby.com/videos/local-marine-recovering-from-severe-injuries-he-received-in-afghanistan/

One mistake changes her life forever. One answer will set her free.

Once upon a time Ginny’s road blood ripened, the day she got wise to love. Engaged to the high school quarterback, his quarter-carat ring and enchanting smile should have been enough for her. But, she stands him up and takes a walk where every step questions her happily ever after gone-bad and the fate of the mother she never knew. The mother her father refuses to talk about. Ginny fights to untangle her big, fat, lie-of-a-life on an enchanted road trip to Winnemucca, where she believes all her answers lie, no matter who or what tries to stop her.

From the author:

The giveaway: I have five books and the $15 Amazon gift cert. to giveaway. I'll monitor comments on the blogs and pick a random winner.

Here are the rules: I'm going to giveaway five copies of Winnemucca [the digitally signed, Wounded Warriors Edition] during the blitz and one Amazon $15 gift certificate. To win, I'd like readers to leave their road trip story in thecomments of the blogger [with their email address in case of a win!]. I'd also like them to also "like" me at http://www.facebook.com/Laura.A.H.Elliott    Giveaway goes until 10PM July 28th, PST

You can find the tour dates here.