Author: Marsha

Review: Unbreakable Bonds by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson

Posted May 20, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: Unbreakable Bonds
Series: Angela Panther #2
Author: Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
Genre: Paranormal, Romance, Mystery
Published: March 18, 2014
Publisher: Booktrope
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

When Angela first discovered her gift to gab with ghosts, she fought it tooth and nail. But the second she decided it wasn’t so bad, tragedy hit and the universe decided to teach her a lesson.

Now she’s unable to chat with the other side and is crying out for a re-do.

When her best friend Mel suspects her husband of cheating, she asks Angela to help her prove it. They concoct the perfect plan to get the goods on him, but to make it work they’ll need help from Angela’s mother, Fran.

There’s just one tiny little problem–Fran’s dead.

As the two best friends set out on a cheater-catching adventure, they hope Fran can use her celestial super powers to help, and prove that the bond between those who’ve crossed over with the ones they’ve left behind is never broken.

Read on for my thoughts on Unbreakable Bonds. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Matronly Duties by Melissa Kendall

Posted May 20, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 2 Comments

Title: Matronly Duties
Series:
Author: Melissa Kendall
Genre: Dystopian, Romance
Published: May 21, 2015
Publisher: The Writer’s Coffee Shop Publishing House
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

Hundreds of years after an asteroid slammed into Earth and sent it into a new ice age, what remains of the human race lives on in underground sanctuaries. Now, as the bicentennial anniversary of the impact approaches, a new leader prepares to take her place at the head of the government. At least, that’s what she thinks.

Bethanie Greene’s life has been planned out for her since the age of thirteen. Beautiful and intelligent, she’s spent the last twelve years training to become the next Matron of the underground nation of Oceania. But when Bethanie is kidnapped by rogue extremists just six weeks shy of taking office, her world is turned upside down by the handsome stranger who rescues her.

Howard James’ life has been the polar opposite of Bethanie’s. Struggling to survive in a world where those in power wished he didn’t exist, he harbors a deep-seated resentment of the government and all its representatives. Together with his unconventional family, he shows Bethanie a life she never knew was possible, while at the same time, opening her eyes to the injustices of the government she is meant to lead.

But can she trust a stranger? And can a few days change everything she believes and desires? Against all odds, Bethanie must decide if her heart and her duties can coexist.

Read on for my thoughts on Matronly Duties. No true spoilers, promise.

Waiting on Wednesday #15

Posted May 20, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 20 Comments

“Waiting on” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating… cannot wait to get our hands on… having hissy fits at having to wait… you know, waiting for the book is exhausting work!

As a long, long time Kay Hooper fan and a devoted follower of her Bishop/Special Crimes Unit novels – I was delighted to see the preview of the next novel in that ongoing series. I will have to wait until October 2015 to get my hands on Fear The Dark – but these novels, in my opinion, are well worth the wait.

Something strange is happening in the small mountain town of Serenity, Tennessee. People going on routine errands never reach their destination. It’s as if they simply disappear. Over the past few weeks, it’s happened to five men and women—and now a child.

The local police chief calls the FBI, and a team from the Special Crimes Unit is immediately sent in. Agents Lucas and Samantha Jordan, partners in work and in life, have very different abilities. Samantha is clairvoyant and Lucas possesses a unique ability to find the lost or abducted. With them are new partners Dante Swann, a medium, and Robbie Hodge, a telepath.

The town is already on the edge of panic, but the mysterious events take a sinister turn when a body unrelated to the missing persons case surfaces and one of the SCU agents vanishes. Now, the team’s hunt for the lost has turned into something very personal…and very dangerous.

Anything upcoming that you’d anxiously await this long for?

Review: Defying the Earl by Anabelle Bryant

Posted May 19, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: Defying The Earl
Series: Regency Charms #1
Author: Anabelle Bryant
Genre: Regency Romance
Published: April 30, 2015
Publisher: Carina UK
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

Game…
Matchmaker Wilhelmina Montgomery helps cupid’s arrow find its mark in the drawing rooms of the Ton, effortlessly pairing even the most unlikely couples for a discreet fee. Perhaps not an appropriate pursuit for a lady…but with an ailing sister to care for, it’s Whimsy’s only hope at securing their future.

Set…
Meanwhile, penniless aristocrat Valerian St. David, Earl of Dashwood is society’s favourite matchbreaker; assisting those who want to escape engagement without being sued for breach of promise. Cynical, yes…but with no intention of falling in love himself, Valerian considers himself ideally suited to the role.

And match!
When Whimsy discovers that Valerian has set out to break the very engagement she has been painstakingly arranging, she refuses to allow this mysterious saboteur have his way. Yet she didn’t expect to find the handsome Earl so distractingly alluring. And suddenly, it seems that the Ton’s last two loneliest hearts are in danger of finding their match…in the most inopportune of places.

Read on for my thoughts on Defying the Earl. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Wish You Were Here By Phillipa Ashley

Posted May 19, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Wish You Were Here
Series:
Author: Phillipa Ashley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 1, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
My Rating: 3 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

Beth Allen has moved on…

It’s been eight years since she and Jack Thornfield met on an exotic holiday and sparked up a seriously promising romance. But then he disappeared without a trace, and Beth’s life got dreadfully busy, demanding, and altogether complicated.

Then Jack and Beth run into each other again…while she’s applying for an exciting new job in London-at his company. For necessity’s sake, but against her better judgment, she takes the job, and from that moment on, complicated doesn’t even begin to describe it.

Read on for my thoughts on Wish You Were Here. No true spoilers, promise.

San Andreas 5.29.15

Posted May 19, 2015 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 0 Comments

Yes – waiting for this movie.

Teaser Tuesday # 12

Posted May 19, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 10 Comments

teaser tuesday One of the fun parts of taking part in blog hops (aside from getting to visit new to me blogs) is finding great ways to interact with other book lovers. This is one:

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers

Tate felt as though he’d been underwater too long, and blood thundered in his ears. He was a man poised on the precipice of something big, something life-changing, and as much as he wanted Libby Remington, he was scared.

While I don’t read Western Romance as my main Contemporary Romance choice, I do read more than I expected to. If I’m not lost in Marietta, Montana (smile) – then I’m most likely to pick up one of many series novels by Linda Lael Miller – an author I’ve read for more years than I’d like to admit to. This is the one I’m in the middle of now. Gotta love a good rancher series with a super hot guy. At least I do.

Cover Blurb:

This McKettrick man is about to meet his match…

There aren’t enough hours in the day for everything divorced dad Tate McKettrick has to do: run the Silver Spur Ranch, do the suit-and-tie thing for his business and ride herd on his adorable six-year-old twin girls. But then Libby Remington returns to Blue River, Texas, and suddenly…time seems to stand still.

They were high school sweethearts, Tate and Libby, but he was never able to convince Libby that he loved her. He still loves her and wants to try again. Nothing–not even cattle rustlers, a killer stallion and a vindictive ex-wife–can keep him from the attempt.

Libby has her hands full taking care of her mother and running the Perk Up Coffee Shop. Caffeine, she needs. Tate McKettrick, not so much. Oh, heck–yes. But can they really hope for a second chance?

Review: Forget Me Not by Erika Marks

Posted May 19, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 2 Comments

Title: Forget Me Not
Series: Loveless and Dunn #3, Magnolia Bay
Author: Erika Marks
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 19, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

When aspiring-writer Mallory Reynolds packed up for New York City, she ditched more than her quiet hometown of Magnolia Bay—she left her high-school sweetheart, Josh Loveless, behind. But when the big city didn’t deliver big contracts on her novels, she turned to writing erotica under the pen name Farrah Ivory to spare her family any embarrassment. Soon, her scandalously-sexy series, The Lost Diaries of Scarlet, is a break-out hit. Just as Mallory begins to enjoy her sweet success, her publisher leaks her true identity and a media firestorm ensues. Exposed, she decides there’s nowhere to hide—except for home.

For Josh Loveless, getting over Mallory Reynolds hasn’t been easy, but he’s done his best to move on. For starters, he’s turned his love of the outdoors and rock-climbing into his own business. And just as things are starting to settle for him, he learns Mallory’s coming home to ride out her scandal, and suddenly his world is turned upside down again…

Can Mallory convince her friends and family that she’s still the same good-hearted girl they knew? And more importantly, can Josh trust the woman she’s become, and give her a second chance to rewrite their love story with a happy ending?

Read on for my thoughts on Forget Me Not. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Shatter Me by Tori St. Claire

Posted May 19, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Shatter Me
Series:
Author: Tori St. Claire
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 19, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC Brazen
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

Bound by honor, caught by desire…

Former Marine Alex McCray is ripped up inside over the knowledge that his best friend died saving him. Now he’s returned to his hometown to honor a promise he made-to take care of his buddy’s widow. Semper fidelis. “Always loyal.” But Alex’s loyalty is about to be tested, because there’s never been a time when Reagan Sanders didn’t make him burn with desire.

All it takes is one night for Reagan and Alex to give in to the deep, carnal need they’ve denied themselves for so long. But Reagan has secrets of her own?secrets Alex can never know about her marriage, or the kind of man her husband really was. But one night with Alex isn’t enough. Not even close. Now Alex must choose between his sense of honor…and his heart.

Read on for my thoughts on Shatter Me. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Snatched by David Saperstein

Posted May 19, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: Snatched
Series:
Author: David Saperstein
Genre: Fiction
Published: May 19, 2015
Publisher: Atria Books
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

From the New York Times bestselling author of Cocoon (which was made into an Academy Award–winning movie) comes a sci-fi adventure about family, love, and, in a universe teeming with life, deciding who and what are the aliens.

Six single, semi-retired, “older” women are inseparable friends. But their lives start to go haywire when mischievous Rosie submits her friends’ names to an ad soliciting “Mail Order Brides for Farmers & Miners—Distant Locations.” A few weeks later, as the six women are driving along a lonely beach road, their vehicle suddenly begins to shake, the sky grows dark, an eerie light envelops the van, and ZAP—it’s gone!

Exactly three years later, the van reappears on the same road. But this time, the women appear to be thirty years younger—and they’re all pregnant!

The “distant locations” advertised were, in fact, elsewhere in our galaxy. A process, required for deep space travel, has somehow reversed their aging. They are happy with their new lives. However, a universal law requires that babies of “mixed-mating” be born on the mother’s home planet, forcing their return. But as they re-adapt to life on earth, surprises and problems arise as they’re faced with a media circus, doctors, nurses, police, priests, and nuns, not to mention their new humanoid mates.

In Saperstein’s wacky, comedic-drama tradition that’s out of this world, Snatched builds to an exciting, uplifting climax that celebrates life, love, and the universal condition known as family.

Read on for my thoughts on Snatched. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: This Wedding is Doomed! by Draven, Lin, Madison, Berry

Posted May 19, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: This Wedding is Doomed!
Series:
Author: Stephanie Draven, Jeannie Lin, Shawntelle Madison, Amanda Berry
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 19, 2015
Publisher: PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

In these stories of matrimonial madness from four sensational authors, unexpected couples find their happily ever after at a wedding that’s counting down to disaster…

When a perfectionist and a troublemaker have to stick together in Amanda Berry’s The Wedding Planner: Flirting with Disaster , more than sparks fly…

In Shawntelle Madison’s The Maid of Honor: Lovers in Lockdown , two best friends trapped in a wine cellar decide to sample the wine—and each other…

Covering up the groom’s many misdeeds forces the best man to choose between loyalty and the love of a wedding singer in Stephanie Draven’s The Best Man: Sex, Lies and Karmic Catastrophe .

And finally, a runaway bride, a hunky caterer and a stolen cake hit the road in a hijacked van in Jeannie Lin’s The Bride: Love on the Run

Read on for my thoughts on This Wedding is Doomed!. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Witches Be Burned by Stacey Kennedy

Posted May 18, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: Witches Be Burned
Series: Magic & Mayhem #2
Author: Stacey Kennedy
Genre: Paranormal
Published: May, 19, 2015
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

Nexi Jones has lost her family, she’s been stripped of her guardian duties, and she’s still learning the ins and outs of white magic. At least she has Kyden, the smoldering hot elite guardian who’s been there for her every step of the way. But just as Nexi completes her training, tragedy strikes the Otherworld when a fellow guardian is murdered by a group of rogue vampires. Ready or not, she and Kyden trek into the Earthworld to hunt down a killer—and Nexi alone will be put to the ultimate test.

Although Kyden knows that Nexi must fight her own battles, his guardian instincts are raging as he struggles to keep her close. The ruthlessness of these vampires is like nothing he’s ever seen. And at their helm is the Black Witch Astoria, a demon with one burning desire: to shed Nexi’s blood in the name of vengeance. What troubles Kyden even more, though, is the warlock who covets Nexi’s heart. Let the devil do his worst . . . all Kyden can do is love and protect Nexi until his last breath.

Read on for my thoughts on Witches Be Burned. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Bride by Mistake by Nicole Helm

Posted May 18, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Bride by Mistake
Series: Montana Born Brides #3
Author: Nicole Helm
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 18, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

Wedding fever has hit the little town of Marietta…

And Kaitlin Shuller’s groom of her dreams is marrying someone else… her sister.

Worst day ever. Her heart is broken, and all her carefully laid plans destroyed. Enter Beckett Larson, her older brother’s best friend and a very good bad decision.

Beckett has spent his life trying to outrun his bad reputation, but everyone already thinks the worst of him, so when Kaitlin offers herself to him — virginity and all— he just can’t say no.

But one night together has permanent consequences, and this time Beckett knows he can’t outrun his bad boy reputation. He’s determined to make Kaitlin his bride…even if he has to seduce her down the aisle.

Read on for my thoughts on Bride by Mistake. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Macyn’s Letter by S. L. Stacker

Posted May 18, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Mystery / 0 Comments

Title: Macyn’s Letter
Series: Macyn McIntyre series #1
Author: S. L. Stacker
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Mystery
Published: May 18, 2015 (original October 2013)
Publisher: Booktrope Editions
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

A near-death experience at the hands of her husband would cause any woman to cling to her crippling trust issues and dating phobia, and Macyn McIntyre is no exception. Falling into the lap of a sexy stranger may persuade her to change her mind, but before Macyn realizes what’s happening, a second potential love interest is vying for her affections.

When a threatening letter turns up in her mailbox, Macyn realizes choosing between two guys is the least of her worries. Abduction, violence, and rescue by an elite squad change the course of her life forever. When she seeks revenge on those who hurt her, she has to decide if she can trust the ones who vow they love her.

Will Macyn be able to overcome her past and use their aid in her vendetta, or will she take matters into her own hands?

Read on for my thoughts on Macyn’s Letter. No true spoilers, promise.

Musing Mondays #4

Posted May 18, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 6 Comments

Musing Monday is hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm.

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

I’m currently reading…
Up next I think I’ll read…
I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
I can’t wait to get a copy of…
I wish I could read ___, but…
I blogged about ____ this past week…

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: What types of “special” books do you own? For example, do you have any really old books? Any collections based on your interests (eg. architecture, etc)?

No, not really *special*. I collect the entire works of my favorite author – which means every book cover, book title and sometimes an international book if I can find one at a library or yard sale. I just enjoy the various covers that change over time. To be honest though, I do pick up many from garage or yard sales — I only have so much book money. *grin* The only other *special* book I have is personal. My grandfather was a minister and I still have his preaching bible, that big ‘ol one that sat at the pulpit, went on visits with him, and that he created sermons with — along with notes in the margins and slips of papers. It was published in the 1800’s. So I don’t use it now, it’s too fragile. But it does have a spot of honor on my shelf.

I decided to get more deeply involved in a hobby that I put aside a few years ago. Reused a website that I have to be exclusively about fairies. Myths, stories, lore, modern day novels with a Fae base and particularly Fairy Gardening. I picked up this book to get some tips, and ideas. It’s a complete project that I’m really looking forward to digging into.

Release your inner child and step into the fairy world by creating your own enchanted garden, no matter how much space you have! Fairy gardens are increasing in popularity and Fairy Gardening 101provides you with all the information necessary to design, plant, and care for your very own miniature garden oasis. Author, artist, and fairy gardener extraordinaire Fiona McDonald introduces readers to the history of fairy gardens and then provides step-by-step instructions, photographs, and illustrations for you to follow—or draw inspiration from—when starting your own project.

Learn which types of plants and containers are most successful for a fairy garden, as well as how to develop a focal point for your enchanted mini Eden. Fairy Gardening 101 also provides important information on caring for your garden, on designing gardens for both indoors and outside, on using artificial plants to make your garden last a lifetime, and much more! You’ll also find inspirational photos from fairy gardeners around the globe as well as a list of suppliers. You don’t need to be a master gardener or to have a particularly green thumb to successfully plant and maintain your tiny fairy garden. All you need is a few miniature plants, some thoughtfully placed accessories, a fairy or two, and a love of whimsy and imagination.

I think it’s going to be a fun, ongoing project. The website is Faeries In My Garden… and faery tales on my bookshelf – not much there really, but if you’re curious that link will let you peek. 🙂