"More Than Words: Volume 7" Review

"More Than Words: Volume 7"

by Carly Phillips, Donna Hill, Jill Shalvis



Publisher: Harlequin

Release Date: April 1, 2011 

Source: sent by publisher




My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars



Summary from goodreads.com:

Each and every one of us
has the ability to effect change—to make our world a better place. The
dedicated women selected as this year's recipients of Harlequin's More
Than Words award have changed lives, one good deed at a time. To
celebrate their accomplishments, some of our bestselling authors have
honored the winners by writing stories inspired by these real-life heroines.We hope More Than Words inspires you to get in touch with the real-life heroine living inside of you.

In Carly Phillips's Compassion Can't Wait,
two high school sweet hearts are reunited years later, as if by fate,
and discover that if you believe in yourself and each other, anything is
possible.

Donna Hill's Someplace Like Home tells the
story of how one woman's dream becomes reality, as three special people
learn that it's never too late to form a loving family.

In Jill Shalvis's What the Heart Wants, an honorable man must learn to forgive himself to regain the trust of the ded icated teacher who is the love of his life.

My Review:



First of all, I love the idea of this book-stories about real life charitable organizations. Honestly, I really enjoyed reading the pages preceeding each story that told about the real life heroines who started up each charity, including how and why, more than the actual short stories.



Even though I liked reading the true inspiration blurbs, I thought the actual romance stories were slow and bland. I am a fan of short stories, so it wasn't the format that bothered me. I just felt like the stories were quickly written with hollow characters and not a lot of feeling.



I wasn't feeling any of the romance in the stories, so maybe if the authors had focused more on telling the other parts of the stories instead of the romances, it could have been a better book. The romances seemed forced and didn't seem to really tie together with the charities enough.





Main Characters: 3/5

Supporting Characters: 3/5

Setting: 3/5

Romance: 3/5

Uniqueness: 4/5

Cover: 4/5

Writing: 3/5





Bottom Line: The book definitely has a great cause and I appreciated learning about the different charities. However I wasn't left with the warm, fuzzy feeling that I was expecting from this book.

Winner Announced! "Reign of Madness"

Winner Announced!!

 

The winner of Reign of Madness by Lynn Cullen is:

SusieBookworm

Winner was chosen via random.org random number generator. Congrats to the winner!! I
have emailed the winner for her mailing address.

Winner has 3 days to respond :) Please allow 8 weeks for
delivery. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who entered!!
Congrats!!

"A Weekend with Mr. Darcy" Review

"A Weekend with Mr. Darcy"
by Victoria Connelly

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

Release Date: July 1, 2011 
Source: ARC sent by publisher

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Full of characters obsessed with Jane Austen and set in Jane Austen locations in England, this lively modern Jane Austen romantic comedy trilogy features two pairs of lonely hearts who find each other and themselves at a Jane Austen Addicts weekend.
Dr. Katherine Roberts is a Jane Austen lecturer at St Bridget's College, Oxford, who secretly loves the racy Regency novels of Lorna Warwick. But Lorna is really a man who's slowly been falling in love with Katherine. He's hoping that the Jane Austen Addicts weekend will be the perfect opportunity to declare his feelings...

My Review:

This is a super cute Austen-inspired modern day novel. Jane-ites are going to love this fun story with loads of references to Austen's works.

I loved that the characters not only mentioned Austen's original books, but also specifics about the many screen adaptations. Because let's face it, if you're an Austen Fan, you've seen almost all of the movies, too!

The characters were likable, but I never really connected with them completely. At first I thought the two female leads were a bit non-romantic for two people who love Jane Austen so much. You'd think they would be less skeptical of love. But Robyn especially grew on me after her hopeless romantic side came out.

Warwick was so cute as the Regency romance author. I loved that he wished he was more like the heroes in his books, it was so cute to read about.


Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 3/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Cover: 5/5 (I really adore this cover)
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line: A lovely modern day story for Jane Austen fans.

"Dragon Warrior" Review

"Dragon Warrior"
by Janet Chapman

Publisher: Pocket Star
Release Date: Jan 25, 2011

Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

The steamy second book in Janet Chapman’s dazzling Midnight Bay series seduces readers with an enticing tale of a fiery independent woman and an irresistible immortal warrior with a dragon’s courageous heart.

Maddy Kimble has no time for a suitor—not with caring for her spunky nursing home patients, her shy nine-year-old daughter, her widowed mother, and her rebellious teenage brother. William Kilkenny’s stunning lack of modern dating protocol doesn’t help. The man is uncouth and outrageous—a towering, drop-dead, breathtakingly hot warrior. Who refuses to give up.

William is secretly a ninth-century Irish nobleman formerly trapped in a dragon’s body. All Maddy knows is that lately, she can hardly resist the urge to lose herself in his powerful arms. But as their uncontrollable passion grows, eerie occurrences in her small coastal Maine town begin to rouse Maddy’s suspicions about her lover. He begs her to trust him, but how can she surrender—body and soul—when she fears the danger he poses to her yearning heart?

My Review:

I was so surprised by this book, normally I don't enjoy time travel or contemporary romance, but I loved this book! I guess it just proves that it's all about the writing and characters!

The time travel and shape shifting elements seemed very believable. They weren't overdone at all. But most of the reason why I loved this book was William. He was a great hero, strong, handsome, and with an unshakable sense of honor. I can really see why Maddy fell for him.

I loved reading about the nursing home where Maddy worked. All the residents were so much fun. It couldn't have been sweeter how William interacted with them and how they helped him get used the 21st century. And of course, they helped him woo Maddy!

I grew tired of Maddy always being down on herself and her looks. Supposedly she was 'saggy' but she was only 27! I got sick of her always whining about it. But I loved that William always loved everything about her. Another thing that bothered me, that I've seen in contemporaries before, was the "girl talk" between Maddy and her best friend Eve. It seemed a little forced, like they were trying too hard to be cool and hip with their chatting.


Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5 (the nursing home residents :))
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5 (I love that there's actual elements of the story here! William's beard, and his ever-present watch, and rolled up sleeves)
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line: This is a great book for romance fans looking to try something a little different while still wanting the sweet romance to steal the show.

Giveaway and Review: "The Orchid Affair"

To celebrate the release of Lauren Willig's newest book, "The Orchid Affair", I have my review and a giveaway of the book, sponsored by Dutton!

"The Orchid Affair"
 by Lauren Willig

Publisher: Dutton Adult
Release Date: Jan 20, 2011

Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
 

Summary from Goodreads.com:

"Pride and Prejudice lives on" (USA Today) in Lauren Willig's Pink Carnation series, which has been hailed for its addictive blend of history, romance, and adventure. In The Orchid Affair, Willig introduces her strongest heroine yet. Laura Grey, a veteran governess, joins the Selwick Spy School expecting to find elaborate disguises and thrilling exploits in service to the spy known as the Pink Carnation. She hardly expects her first assignment to be serving as governess for the children of Andre Jaouen, right-hand man to Bonaparte's minister of police. Jaouen and his arch rival, Gaston Delaroche, are investigating a suspected Royalist plot to unseat Bonaparte, and Laura's mission is to report any suspicious findings.
At first the job is as lively as Latin textbooks and knitting, but Laura begins to notice strange behavior from Jaouen-secret meetings and odd comings and goings. As Laura edges herself closer to her employer, she makes a shocking discovery and is surprised to learn that she has far more in common with Jaouen than she originally thought...
As their plots begin to unravel, Laura and Jaouen are forced on the run with the children, and with the help of the Pink Carnation they escape to the countryside, traveling as husband and wife. But Delaroche will stop at nothing to take down his nemesis. With his men hot on their trail, can Laura and Jaouen seal the fate of Europe before it's too late?

My Review: 

There's a reason why Lauren Willig's books are so popular, and "The Orchid Affair" reminded me of why. I didn't want this book to end. The story is an excellent, well-rounded historical. There's lots of adventure and mystery, great characters, and a lot of sweet romance.

The book started a little slow for me, there wasn't a lot of action at the start. But I felt the story picked up as soon as Andre and Laura ran into the boisterous painter, Daubier. I feel like that's when the secrets really started to come out in the open.

At first, I couldn't tell if Emma's relationship with Andre was going to lead to romance or not, but once it did, I was on the edge of my set for the rest of the book. Their love had it all, secrets, jealousies, insecurities, and always and foremost, respect and friendship. I loved that they were a little older and wiser than romance heroes and heroines normal are. That made their love so much deeper and more real. 

Andre was so strong and such an honorable character. I loved that his quiet strengths were so much different than a typical hero. I also loved that Andre had eye glasses and that he was always actually wearing them. It wasn't a detail that got lost in the story, it was very much a part of his character.

I really liked the secondary characters, they made the story come alive. The two children were so cute and seem so real, they weren't used just for laughs. Daubier was a lovable bachelor Uncle type of character, and I'm not going to lie, de Barry was hot!

The mystery was very well plotted and had me guessing the whole time. I was often shocked at the twists and turns in the story. I loved trying to decipher the messages form the Pink Carnation.

I wasn't totally a fan of the present day part of the story. I see it as a way to tie the series together, but I felt it took me out of the real story sometimes. At one particularly exciting point, I was so upset to turn the page and see the modern characters. It was like the dreaded "to be continued" at the end of your favorite tv show.

Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Romance: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Writing: 5/5


Bottom Line: This book perfectly balances a sweet and tender romance with an adventurous historical mystery. I can't wait to read the books that I've missed in this wonderful series.

GIVEAWAY RULES:

Dutton has generously provided a copy of this historical romance for readers of my blog!


All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and leave a comment on this review with your email address!
Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :) Also, if you aren't comfortable leaving your email here, go ahead and leave a comment and then send me an email with your email addy.
 
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• Leave a comment with your email address
• Ends Friday March 4

Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!

"Aching for Always" Review

"Aching for Always"
by Gwyn Cready

Publisher: Pocket
Release Date: Sep 28, 2010

Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

RITA Award–winning author Gwyn Cready continues the “sexy fun” (BookPage) of her charming time-travel adventures with a high-spirited tale of a modern-day mapmaker and the eighteenth-century English navy captain she can’t resist.Ambitious and feisty Josephine “Joss” O’Malley has spent years fighting to keep her mother’s map-making company alive. Just when she finds herself considering taking a risky next step with bad-boy entrepreneur Rogan Reynolds— whose generosity has helped keep the business afloat—Joss meets dark and mysterious Hugh Hawksmoor. Hugh’s deft touch and old-world seduction stir Joss’s desires like a storm at sea, and she has no clue that he has sailed three hundred years into the future to avenge the death of his brother at the hands of her father. Or that she holds the key to a map that will help him undo the destructive changes her father wrought in the past. When Hugh lures Joss into a treacherous journey through time, there’s not a twenty-first-century trick that can save her. But when she applies her own instincts to a course she thought was set, she discovers that the high seas hold some scandalous surprises.

My Review:

This story was more of an adventure story than romance in my opinion, with a lot of swashbuckling escapades going back and forth in time to solve the mystery. The romance kind of fell flat for me, so I'd say it's more for readers who want to read a great adventure story.

I really liked "The Beautiful Mapmaker" story that was the intro to most of the chapters. The little snippets of the romance that we got to see of Hugh's brother and Joss's mother were more of what I like to see in a romance-dreamy and more love than the physical aspect.

I liked how Hugh's story came together with Joss's and their pasts were interwoven, with Joss's mother and fairy tale tying the hero and heroine together.

The love story between Joss and Hugh didn't feel nearly as real or romantic as the love story from the past. Their relationship seemed all physical. Plus, there was the added obstacle of Joss's fiance. It didn't bother me that she had a fiance, because this was all part of the story, plus they had only been together a very short time. However, I didn't like to see their romantic scenes, I thought it took away from Joss and Hugh.

I liked how Hugh seemed almost innocent in his manner of speaking, but of course he wasn't at all. However, it seemed like he was more of a fantasy stereotype instead of a real person.


Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 3/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 3/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line: I'd recommend this book to readers who like a big adventure in their romance stories.

Guest Post with Louisa Edwards and Giveaway!

Today, I'm so excited to have "Just One Taste" Author Louisa Edwards guest posting here on my blog!! Thanks for stopping by, Louisa!

Here's her post!


Seduced by the Secondary Hero

I knew I was in trouble when my agent asked me to rework the very first chapter before she sent out my proposal for Can’t Stand the Heat. The scene was a pep talk between my professional chef hero, Adam Temple, and his Brit punk best friend and sous chef, Frankie Boyd.

Maybe the way I described the two characters gives you a hint as to what my problem might’ve been—I was in love with my secondary hero. Frankie, with his flamboyant cockney slang and tough swagger, took over the whole scene, which was supposed to be about Adam’s nerves and excitement before a party launching his brand new restaurant. I ended up cutting Frankie right out of it and introducing him later, which let Adam shine in his first appearance on the page. (Although if you want to read the original version, just for fun, I posted it on my website here.)

Frankie has his own subplot that arcs throughout the three books that comprise the Market trilogy, Can’t Stand the Heat, On the Steamy Side, and the most recent release, Just One Taste. It was a constant struggle to rein him in. Readers and reviewers invariably comment on him and his story, which involves a rocky romantic relationship with a young server at Market.

I deliberately included a romantic subplot because my favorite romances almost always have one. Often, the subplot begins in one book and continues through a series until those secondary characters finally take center stage. Suzanne Brockmann has done this several times with her Troubleshooters, with Sam and Alyssa, Max and Gina, and my favorites, Jules and Robin. Eloisa James, too, is an expert on the art of the subplot—by the end of her recent Desperate Duchesses series, I was panting for the Duke of Villiers’s story!

Subplots are a great way to build sustained interest in a series, because readers have the chance to meet and get to know the characters over multiple books. With a subplot, you don’t have to wrap everything up in a single story—as long as the main couple gets their happily ever after, you can draw the secondary romance out, end on a cliffhanger, and not have readers wanting to kill you! Well, in theory. Because readers know the score—they expect to see those secondary characters again in the next book, and they’re even more likely to rush out and pick it up if they’re already invested in one of the plot elements.

And as I wrap up Frankie’s storyline in Just One Taste, I’m excited to share the conclusion of his story arc with his fans! I hope it’s as satisfying for them to read as it was for me to write.

What are some of your favorite ongoing series subplots? Who are some secondary characters who steal every scene they’re in?

GIVEAWAY RULES:One lucky reader will win an autographed copy of "Just One Taste" as well as the Recipe for Love kitchen set, including two spatulas and an apron, one for each of the books in Louisa's Recipe for love series!

All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and answer Louisa's questions or leave her a comment with your email address!

Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :) Also, if you aren't comfortable leaving your email here, go ahead and leave a comment and then send me an email with your email addy.

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Rules:

• US only
  
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• Extra entries are optional and can all be left in the same comment
  
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• Books will be mailed out by the publicist
  
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Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!

"Just One Taste" Review

"Just One Taste"
by Louisa Edwards

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Release Date: Aug 31, 2010

Source: ARC sent by publicist in exchange for honest review

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

My Review:

Wes is an ex-con man looking to make a new start in the culinary profession. Scientist Rosemary has just started a new job as Wes' substitute culinary professor. Circumstances collide and they end up collaborating on a project researching aphrodisiacs. Will two polar opposites attract in the kitchen?

The character of Rosemary was so funny and so well drawn by the author. If you're a fan of Sheldon from the show "Big Bang Theory" or Bones from the show "Bones," you will love Rosemary! She's so literal in everything. While she's a genius and was a child prodigy, she's severely lacking in social skills.

I loved the secondary romance between bad boy Frankie and sweet, loveable Jess. Jess was much more appealing to me because I love a sweet guy over a bad boy any day! But as a couple, they clicked. I liked that Frankie was so jealous over Jess' friendship with Wes. It was unique and refreshing to see a gay romantic storyline as the secondary romance.

The book does talk about food and restaurants but not to the point that it alienates non foodies like me.


Main Characters: 5/5 (Rosemary)
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 3/5
Romance: 3/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 3/5 (I'm not really drawn in)
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line:
This book was definitely an escape, I wouldn't go into it expecting realism. But as a fun romantic comedy with a great heroine, it really succeeds.


click here for a guest post by the author and a contest!

"Much Ado About Marriage" Review

"Much Ado About Marriage"
by Karen Hawkins

Source: sent by publisher in exchange for review

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

My Review:

Fia MacLean does not want to marry the sniveling fool that her cousin, Duncan, the Laird MacLean, wants her to wed. She only wants to go to London and find a patron for the many plays she's written. Thomas Wentworth, a wealthy, titled Englishman, was sent to get a bit of evidence from Duncan. He didn't expect to become smitten with the adventurous Fia. Thomas agrees to take Fia to London with him, not knowing who she is. But before they can leave, the Laird himself finds them in a compromising position and forces them to wed. Will their marriage last the long journey to London?

This was a really light, fun, and addictive romance! This book is actually a rewrite of the author's very first book. She re-worked the story to fit with her new series.

Fia was a great heroine, both strong and carefree at the same time. She had a mind of her own, even up against her powerful cousin, the Laird.

Thomas was very handsome, but a bit restrained for me. The author definitely explained why he held back so much but I actually thought Fia had a lot of chemistry with Thomas' best friend, Robert. Robert really stole the show with his comedic relief. He was such a charming, roguish fop, you can't help but fall for him.

I loved that Thomas was almost, but not quite, a pirate. The parts of the story that took place on his ship were my favorites.

Thomas was a little too mean for me in one part, and Fia forgave him a bit too easily, but other than that small bit, I liked this story a lot.


Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5 (love the ship)
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 5/5 (very nice!)
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line: A fun romance between a feisty Scottish heroine and a reserved English gentleman.

"All I Ever Wanted" Review and 1st Chapter

"All I Ever Wanted"
by Kristan Higgins

Source: sent by Julie at FSB in exchange for review

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

My Review:

Callie Grey has a great job in advertising, the only problem is, she's still in love with her boss, Mark. They once had a brief fling, but she still carries for him. When Mark brings his new girlfriend on board at the company, Callie doesn't know how she can handle seeing them together everyday. Meanwhile, the new vet in town is having problems keeping his patients. Ian MacFarland is a great vet but his bedside manner is too cold for their small Vermont town. Callie offers to do some public relations work to make over his image. As she does with everyone in her life, Callie tries everything to make him happy, but maybe Ian is the one person that she doesn't have to try so hard with-maybe he likes her for her.

What a sweet book! Higgins is a great contemporary romance writer, I'm so glad I found her books! The book almost reads more like chick lit (ew, awful term) than romance. Written in first person from Callie's point of view, we don't get to see the alternate viewpoint from Ian like we would in a typical romance.

I could really identify with Callie wanting to be a people pleaser so badly. The only thing I didn't really like about her character was how hung up she was on her boss, Mark. Get over it!! She was only with him for five weeks and it was a year ago. I didn't understand why he was so great anyway or what he ever did to earn her love.

I loved the "angel and devil" on Callie's shoulder in the form of Michelle Obama and Betty Boop. The First Lady kept telling her to get a grip and focus on things other than Mark, while Betty swooned and sighed over him. I was able to get out my frustration over Mark through Mrs. Obama's eyes.

Ian was a bit on the stiff side, but he came around by the end, and was totally lovable!! I don't blame Betty Boop for swooning over him!

Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5 (Vermont was nice!!)
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5 (soooo adorable!! I love it!)
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line: This is a great, well-rounded story with plenty of zany side characters to keep you laughing. The story has a lot of heart, and you will be pulling for Callie.


Now for a sneak peek at the first chapter!! Julie at FSB has generously provided the whole chapter for my readers!! Take a look, you might get hooked!!

Chapter One
by Kristan Higgins,
Author of All I Ever Wanted

As the man I loved approached my office, the image of a deer being hit by a truck came to mind. I was the deer, metaphorically speaking, and Mark Rousseau was the pickup truck of doom.

But here's the thing. The deer always freezes, as we all know, hence the expression like a deer caught in the headlights. The deer and I (Callie Grey, age thirty as of 9:34 this very morning) are well aware that the pickup truck is going to hit us. But we just stand there, waiting for the inevitable, whether it's a pickup truck (in the deer's case) or a man walking athletically toward me (in mine), perpetual smile in place, his brown hair carelessly curling, those gorgeous, dancing dark eyes. I waited, doe-eyed. It was all really too bad, because outside of Mark's influence, I was not at all a deer about to be run down. I was much more of an adorable, perky hedgehog or something.

"Hey." Mark grinned.

Bam! We have impact. The sunlight streamed through the windows of the old brick office building in which Mark and I worked, illuminating him so that he looked like something painted by Michelangelo. To make him even more appealing, he was wearing an old sweater vest his mom knitted for him years ago, shapeless and faded but something he just couldn't part with. A good son and a sex god.

It was as if there were two Callies . . . the smarter, more sensible self (I pictured her as Michelle Obama), and the dopey, in love part . . . Betty Boop. Would that Michelle could give Betty Boop a brisk slap, followed by some vigorous shaking. Alas, Betty just sat there, enthralled, as the First Lady snorted in disgust.

"Hi," I said, feeling my face warm. You'd think that four years of seeing him almost daily would have built up some tolerance in me, but no. My chest prickled with longing and love, my throat turned Saharan, my feet and fingers tingled. Though I was trying hard for Intelligent Coworker, my expression was probably somewhere around Pathetic Adoration.

Mark leaned against my desk, which meant his crotch was, oh, let's see, about a foot and a half from my face, since I was seated. Not that I noticed, of course. "Happy birthday," he said, making it sound like the most intimate, most suggestive phrase in the world.

Face: nuclear. Heart: racing. Callie: half inch from orgasm. "Thanks."

"I got you a present, of course," he murmured in that voice . . . God, that voice. Low and soft and velvety . . . the same voice he used in the bedroom, as I well knew. Yes, Mark and I had been together. For five weeks. Five wonderful weeks. Almost five and a half, if you really analyzed it. Which I had.

From his back pocket, he withdrew a small, rectangular package. My heart flopped as my brain raced with contradictory thoughts. Jewelry? Betty squealed. That means something. That's romantic. So romantic! Oh! My! God! On the other hand, Michelle advised caution. Calm down, Callie. Let's just see how this plays out.

"Oh, Mark! Thank you! You didn't have to," I said, my voice breathy.

On the other side of the glass-bricked wall that separated our offices, Fleur Eames slammed a drawer. The wall only went up ten feet; the ceilings were twelve, perfect for eavesdropping, and I guessed she was trying to snap me out of my daze. Fleur, a copywriter here at the firm, knew about my crush. Everyone did.

Clearing my throat, I reached for the package in Mark's hand. He held onto it for a minute, grinning before he let go. It was wrapped in cheerful yellow paper. Yellow is my favorite color. Did I tell him that once? Had he filed away that little fact the same way I filed away everything he ever told me? I mean, really, it could hardly be coincidence, right? He smiled down at me, and my racing heart stuttered, stalled, then revved into overdrive. Oh, God. Could it be? Did he finally want to get back together?

I'd worked at Mark's firm for the past four years. We were the only advertising and public relations agency in northeastern Vermont. Our staff was small -- just Mark and me; Fleur; the office manager, Karen; and the two pale computer geeks in the art department, Pete and Leila. Oh, and Damien, Mark's personal assistant/receptionist/willing slave.

I loved my job. Excelled at my job, as proven by the large poster on my wall, which had very nearly won a Clio, the Oscar of advertising. Said Clio ceremony took place eleven months ago out in Santa Fe. And in that beautiful, romantic city, Mark and I had finally hooked up. But the timing wasn't right for a serious relationship. Well, at least that's what Mark had said. Honestly, has a woman ever said that? Not a lot of twenty-nine-year-old women truly have timing issues when it comes to being with the man they love. No. It had been Mark's timing that wasn't right.

But now . . . now a gift. Could it finally be that the time was right? Maybe now, on the very day that my thirties began and I entered into that decade where a woman is more likely to be mauled by a grizzly bear than get married . . . maybe today really was the start of a new age.

"Open it, Callie," he said, and I obeyed, hoping he didn't notice my shaking fingers. Inside was a black velvet box. Squee! I bit my lip and glanced up at Mark, who shrugged and gave me that heart-stopping smile once more. "It's not every day my best girl turns thirty," he added.

"Oh, gack," sniped Damien appearing in the doorway. Mark glanced at him briefly, then turned his eyes back to me.

"Hi, Damien," I said.

"Hi." He stretched the word into three syllables of contempt . . . Damien had once again broken up with his boyfriend and currently hated love in all its forms. "Boss, Muriel's on line two."

Something flickered across Mark's face. Irritation, maybe. Muriel was the daughter of our newest client, Charles deVeers, the owner and founder of Bags to Riches. The company made outdoorwear from a combination of plastic grocery bags and natural fiber. It was our biggest account yet, a huge deal for Green Mountain, most of whose clients were in New England. I'd only met Muriel once, and then only briefly, but Mark had been flying back and forth to San Diego, where Bags to Riches was based. As part of the package, Charles had asked Muriel to come to Vermont and work as the account exec, so he could have someone close to him keeping tabs on things. And, since Charles was paying us gobs of money, Mark had said yes.

Mark didn't answer Damien, who was quivering with the joy of running Mark's day. "Boss?" Damien said, a bit more sharply. "Muriel? Remember her? She's waiting."

"So let her wait some more," Mark answered, tossing me a wink. "This is important. Open the damn box, Callie." Damien sighed with the heavy drama that only a gay man can pull off and hustled down the hall.

Cheeks burning, I opened the velvet box. It was a bracelet, delicate silver strands that twisted and turned like ivy. "Oh, Mark, I love it," I whispered, running my finger over the intricate lines. I bit my lip, my eyes already misting with happy tears. "Thank you."

His expression was soft. "You're welcome. You mean a lot to me. You know that, Callie." He bent down and kissed my cheek, and every detail was immediately seared into my brain -- his smooth, warm lips, the smell of his Hugo Boss cologne, the heat of his skin.

Hope, which had been lying in ashes for the past ten months, twitched hard.

"Think you'll make it to my party later on?" I asked, striving for perky and fun, not lustful and ruttish. My parents were throwing me a little bash at Elements, the nicest restaurant around, and I'd invited all my coworkers. No use pretending: I was turning thirty; might as well get some presents.

Mark straightened, then moved a pile of papers from the small couch in my office and sat down. "Um . . . Listen, I need to tell you something. You met Muriel, right?"

"Well, just that once. She seems . . . very . . . " Hmm. She'd worn a killer black suit, had great shoes . . . kind of intense. "Very focused."

"Yeah. She is. Callie . . . " Mark hesitated. "Muriel and I are seeing each other."

It took a few seconds for that to register. Once again, I was that stupid deer, watching mutely as the pickup truck hurtled down the road. My heart slammed to a halt. For a second, I couldn't breathe. Michelle Obama stood by, shaking her head sadly, her fabulous arms crossed in regret. I realized my mouth was open. Closed it. "Oh," I heard myself say.

Mark looked at the floor. "I hope that doesn't cause you any . . . discomfort. Given our past involvement."

There was a white, rushing sound, like a river engorged with snowmelt and hidden debris. He was seeing someone? How could that be? If the timing was okay for Muriel . . . why not . . . Oh, crap.

"Callie?" he said.

Here's the thing about being hit by a truck. Sometimes those deer keep running. They just bound into the woods, sort of like they're saying, Whoo-hoo! That was close! Good thing I'm okay. Um . . . I am okay, right? Actually, you know what? I'm feeling a little strange. Think I'll lie down for a bit. And then they wake up dead.

Mark's voice lowered. "The last thing I want to do is hurt you."

Say something, the First Lady commanded. "No, no!" I chirruped. "It's . . . just . . . no worries, Mark. Don't worry." I seemed to be smiling. Smiling and nodding. Yes. I was nodding. "So how long have you been . . . together?"

"A couple of months," Mark answered. "It's . . . it's fairly serious." He reached out and took the bracelet out of the box, then put it on my wrist, his fingers brushing the sensitive skin there, making me want to jerk away.

In the many years I'd known Mark, he'd never dated anyone for a couple of months. A couple of weeks, sure. I thought five was a record, quite honestly.

Ah. My body was catching on to the fact that I'd just been slammed. My throat tightened, my joints buzzed with the flight response to danger, and a sharp pain lanced through my chest. "Right. Well. You know what? I have to get my license renewed! I almost forgot! You know . . . birthday. License. Renewal." Breathe, Callie. "Okay if I zip out for lunch a little early?" My voice cracked, and I cleared my throat again, studiously avoiding Mark's dark and now sorrowful eyes.

"Sure, Callie. Take all the time you need."

The kindness in his voice made me feel abruptly murderous. "I won't be long," I chirped. "Thanks for the bracelet! See you in a bit!"

With that, I grabbed my oversize pink hobo bag and stood up, excruciatingly careful not to brush against Mark, who still sat on my couch, staring straight in front of him. "Callie, I'm sorry," he said.

"No! Nothing to apologize for!" I sang. "Gotta run. They close at noon today. See ya later!"

Thirty minutes later, I stood in line at the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the effects of being emotionally run down by the man I loved -- and now hated -- but still loved -- were catching up with me. Michelle Obama had abandoned me, regretfully acknowledging that I was beyond help, and Betty Boop was clamping her lips together and blinking back tears. Trying to keep the choo-choo train of despair at bay, I glanced around. Gray, grimy tile floors. Dingy white walls. I stood in the middle of a line of about ten people, all of us listless and lifeless and loveless . . . or so it seemed.

The whole scene was like something out of some French existentialist play . . . Hell is not other people. Hell is the DMV. Robotic clerks shuffled behind the counter, clearly hating their lot in life and contemplating the easiest form of hari-kari or embezzlement so they could leave this grim place. The clock on the wall seemed to taunt me. Time's a'wastin', kid. Your life is passing you by. Happy fucking birthday.

My breathing started to quicken, my knees felt like a hive of angry bees. Tears burned in my eyes, and on my wrist, my stupid birthday present tickled. I should just rip it off. Melt it down into a bullet and kill Mark. Or myself. Or just swallow the bracelet whole and let it get tangled in my intestines and require emergency surgery and then have Mark come to the hospital and realize just how much he really loved me after all. Not that I would have him now. (Yeah, sure, Callie, said Mrs. Obama, making a reappearance. You'd eat a baby if it meant having him.)

Well. Maybe not a baby. But the idea that Mark was with someone . . . for a couple of months, fairly serious . . . ah, shit! Panic loomed like the jaws of a great white shark, terrifying and unexpected. Stupid Muriel with her black hair and white skin, like some vampire in fabulous shoes . . . when the hell had they started dating? When, dammit?

Oh, crap. Should I go? No. I had to get my license renewed. Today was the last day I could do it without incurring a fine. I'd picked out this wicked cute outfit, too -- red-and-white printed blouse, short red skirt, big gold hoops, and my hair was perfect today, all shiny and swingy . . . Besides, what could I do? Sit in my car and wail? Kick a tree? Strangle a moose? I really wasn't the type. The only idea that held any appeal was that of sitting in my rocking chair and eating cake batter.

A dry sob raked my throat. Shit. Shit on a shingle. Shit on rye.

"Next," called one of the DMV drones, and we all shuffled forward six inches. The man behind me heaved an audible sigh.

Without another thought, I fumbled in my purse for my cell phone. Where was it? Where was it, dammit? Tampon . . . no. Book on CD . . . no. Picture of Josephine and Bronte, my nieces . . . even their beautiful faces failed to cheer me. Where was the phone? Ah. Here. I scrolled down to Annie Doyle. Damn! I got her voice mail. Somehow, it felt like a personal insult. How could my best friend be unavailable in my time of need? Didn't she love me anymore?

Clearly the choo-choo was chugging faster now, so I scrolled down for backup. My mom? God, no . . . this would just be confirmation that the Y chromosome should be erased from humanity. My sister? Not much better. Still, it was someone. Mercifully, Hester answered, even though I knew she was at work.

"Hester? Got a minute?"

"Hey, birthday girl! What's up?" My sister's voice, always on the loud side, boomed out of my phone, and I held it away from my ear.

"Hester," I bleated, "he's seeing someone! He gave me a beautiful bracelet and kissed me and then he told me he's seeing someone! For a couple of months and it's fairly serious, but I still love him!"

The above is an excerpt from the book All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins. The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy.

Copyright © 2010 Kristan Higgins, author of All I Ever Wanted

"One Season of Sunshine" Review

"One Season of Sunshine"
by Julia London

Source: sent by publisher in exchange for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

My Review:

Jane Aaron left her adoptive family behind in order to find her birth mother. Jobs are scarce in her new town, so she takes a position as a nanny to two children who have run off anyone else who dared attempt the job. Jane butts heads with their father, Asher Price-mostly over the fact that he's not around much due to work. While at the Price's, Jane discovers secrets not only about her birth mother, but also about Asher's deceased wife-who may not be as perfect as she seems.

This was an enjoyable summer read. Nothing too heavy here. i'd recommend it to someone who loves a romance that involves family. It's a story we've seen before in The Sound of Music-rich dad who's wife passed away falls for his children's nanny and so do his kids.

There was a lot going on in this one. I really didn't care for the birth mother storyline. Jane had such a great, loving adoptive family, I didn't really understand why she would leave everything behind to obsessively look for her birth mother. I also felt like her old relationship was unneccessary and ended to easily.

I liked Asher's children a lot and Asher himself was an admirable character. Especially for standing by his first wife even through the worst of her mental illness.


Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 3/5
Romance: 3/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Cover: 2/5 (Asher's daughter is a teenager and she doesn't look like the girl on the cover)
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line: I enjoyed this book and probably liked it better than the historical romances I've read by this author (crazy, since I'm such a HR addict!).

"Shut Up and Kiss Me" Review

"Shut Up and Kiss Me"
by Christie Craig

Source: sent by publisher in exchange for review

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

My Review:

Shala Winters is a photographer hired by the mayor of Precious, TX to raise tourism for their town. Her first photography event is a pow wow ceremony presented by the Chitiwa tribe. Shala had no idea that no pictures are allowed by the tribe. She respects their rules and doesn't take any photos but she refuses to leave her expensive equipment unattended. Police Chief, Sky Gomez, confiscates her camera, in full ceremonial dress, no less. As Shala tries her best to explain what happened, Sky keeps the camera until he finds out more. Soon they realize that someone is after the photos on the camera and Shala. Whoever seeks her is desperate enough to kill. Shala has no choice but to stay in Precious with Sky and his lovably dysfunctional family until she is out of danger.

I am not usually a fan of contemporary romance, but I was drawn in by the Native American characters, not to mention that this was a "Guaranteed Read!" I am so glad I stepped out of the box to read this book because I loved it!! Christie Craig has written a story with a bit of everything- edge of your seat plot, a full cast of supporting characters, humor, and of course, a believable romance between two great leads.

Shala was a great mix of strong and vulnerable. Sky was believable as someone who always wanted to do the right thing, but it didn't always happen that way.

Sky's foster brother, Jose, was hilarious. Poor Jose as constantly getting a pie in the face, reminding him of why he left Precious. I can honestly say, I could never tell where his relationship with Maria was headed.

This author really knows how to create a cliffhanger at the end of a chapter! And there were so many stories going on at once, you have to wait a while to see what happens every time there's a cliffhanger! Her writing style really keeps the pages turning.

Part of why I read this was to read about the modern Native American culture and I wasn't disappointed. I liked the modern (Jose) vs. traditional (Sky and Jose's father, Redfoot) viewpoints.

Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 3/5 (could be better, but I love the pic of Sky's dog/wolf on the back with the camera-perfect representation of the story)
Writing: 5/5


Bottom Line: This book has it all and I was drawn in from page one. I'll definitely be looking forward to more from this author.