Category: This one’s a Keeper

Review: Passionately Yours by Cara Elliott

Posted May 23, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: Passionately Yours
Series: The Hellions of High Street
Author: Cara Elliott
Genre: Regency Romance, Historical Romance
Published: May 26, 2015
Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
My Rating: 5 star
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

Proper young ladies of the ton-especially ones who have very small dowries-are not encouraged to have an interest in intellectual pursuits. Indeed, the only things they are encouraged to pursue are eligible bachelors. So, the headstrong Sloane sisters must keep their passions a secret. Ah, but secret passions are wont to lead a lady into trouble . . .

With her older sisters both happily married, Caro Sloane yearns for a romantic adventure of her own. Unfortunately the muddy, sulfur-scented waters of Bath seem the least likely setting for love or excitement. But the aspiring young poet soon finds inspiration when she runs into a familiar-and achingly handsome-Scottish laird.

Visiting Bath with his sickly sister, Alec McClellan is shocked to be reunited with Caro Sloane. He hasn’t been able to forget the English beauty since their brief but exhilarating first meeting. But Bath is not nearly as serene as it appears, and soon Alec must protect Caro from a danger that threatens to extinguish the sparks flying between them. Little does he know that a bit of danger is exactly what Caro is looking for.

Read on for my thoughts on Passionately Yours. No true spoilers, promise.

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.

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: 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: 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.

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. 🙂

Monday’s Pick #5 ~ Betrothal

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

Betrothal “Monday’s Pick” is a feature here at Keeper Bookshelf that showcases a novel I picked up for free. This week’s pick was found at Amazon’s Free Kindle Books offerings.

Look for a “Free” novel to be picked each Monday and the review to appear on the following Monday. There are some really good “free” novels available (and some not so great too). Let’s weed them out. If this sounds like something you might like to take part in — awesome, just leave a link with your Free Monday Pick in the comment section and let us go check it out.

Blurb:

Seventeen year old Lady Guinevere holds the crown to a ancient kingdom. Without brothers to ascend the throne, marriage to her will assure any man the right to rule.

Arthur Pendragon has won his power through battle. His legions have elected him their king and protector but he seeks to legitimize his claim to High King through marrying Guinevere.

Lancelot, a valiant knight with a broken past, is driven by his desire to protect those in need. He’s joined Arthur’s forces because he believes in Arthur’s dream of peace for a war-torn country.

But Lancelot possesses something that Arthur can never win…Guinevere’s heart.

QUEEN’S HONOR is told from the point of view of a young Guinevere as she is caught between the responsibility of her crown and the desires of her heart. This fantasy romance is imbued with celtic lore and magic, as Guinevere discovers she holds an ancient power–a power of the old ones, the Druids. But without any one to guide her to develop her power, she finds herself caught in a web of the ambitions of those more powerful than her. Queen’s Honor puts a fresh spin on an age-old tale of love and honor.

Review: The Jade Lioness by Christina Courtenay

Posted May 13, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: The Jade Lioness
Series: Kumashiro Saga #3
Author: Christina Courtenay
Genre: Historical Romance
Published: May 15, 2015
Publisher: Choc Lit
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

Nagasaki, 1648

Temperance Marston longs to escape war-torn England and explore the exotic empire of Japan. When offered the chance to accompany her cousin and Captain Noordholt on a trading expedition to Nagasaki, she jumps at the opportunity. However, she soon finds the country’s strict laws for foreigners curtail her freedom.

On a dangerous and foolhardy venture she meets Kazuo, a ronin. Kazuo is fascinated by her blonde hair and blue eyes, but he has a mission to complete and he cannot be distracted. Long ago, his father was accused of a crime he didn’t commit – stealing a valuable jade lioness ornament from the Shogun – and Kazuo must restore his family’s honour.

  But when Temperance is kidnapped and sold as a concubine, he has to make a decision – can he save her and keep the promise he made to his father?

Read on for my thoughts on The Jade Lioness. No true spoilers, promise.

Waiting on Wednesday #14

Posted May 13, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 2 Comments

I am a huge paranormal fan, so it should be no surprise that I am looking forward to the next book in The Gates Legacy series – Reckoning which releases June 4, 2015

The vampires of New York City are breathing easier after the demise of the tyrannical former head of the Vampire Council, Goran. Under Rohnert, the revered and newly ascended leader, their future looks promising. However, an unknown enemy is manipulating events, killing humans and vampires alike, and exposing their secrets to the human world.

This is bad news for new vampire Cyrus and his band of fighters at Tack Enterprises. Events derail his plans to find Zane, the sadistic vampire who tortured Cyrus and forced immortality on him. Armed with hatred deep in his bones, all Cyrus cares about is getting even, and Zane has it coming. Cyrus soon finds himself torn between the crippling desire for revenge and his responsibility to his friends. When he begins to spend time in the company of the beautiful and pureblooded vampire, Isidora, her presence in his life makes him rethink his priorities.

Isidora is able to read minds. The thoughts she hears from the respected and irresistible vampire, Cyrus, are filled with both anger towards Zane and a deep admiration for her. Being closeted all her life, Issy has no idea what to do in the face of the outside world’s war, death, and challenges. One thing is clear. She craves Cyrus, but his need for vengeance is clouding his mind. After discovering a previously hidden family member and being called to serve the Council, Issy is at a crossroads in her life and struggles to find the right path.

Both vampires face tough choices. Should Issy pursue her feelings for Cyrus or wait until he can return her affection? Will Cyrus deny his attraction to Isidora so he can kill the man who made his life a living hell on earth? Every decision leads to a reckoning.

So, what are you waiting impatiently for?

Review: No Gentleman for Georginia by Jess Michaels

Posted May 12, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: No Gentleman for Georginia
Series: The Notorious Flynns #4
Author: Jess Michaels
Genre: Regency Romance, Historical Romance
Published: May 12, 2015
Publisher: The Passionate Pen
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

Georgina Hickson has lived her life doing everything she is supposed to do in order to land the titled husband her family requires. When she met Paul Abbot at a gathering at a friend’s, it was the first time she ever wanted more. But more is something she knows she cannot have.

Paul has been in love with Georgina since the moment he laid eyes on her two years before, but he knows he isn’t good enough for her and it can never be. But when he finds out she desperately wants to see a special exhibit in London, he agrees to take her. But can a stolen moment, a stolen kiss and a whispered confession lead to happiness or heartache?

Read on for my thoughts on No Gentleman for Georginia. No true spoilers, promise.

Teaser Tuesday #11

Posted May 12, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 13 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:

I seem to be on an Historical Romance slant recently for my non-review planned reading. This is from the book currently on my reading table.

“Abby came awake abruptly with a yank on her hair, and a hand over her mouth. She had no time to cry out before another hand fell over her throat and dragged her into the shadows. ~ The Scandalous Secret of Abigail MacGregor.”

A LADY’S MISSION…
Known for her beauty and boldness, Abigail MacGregor must preserve her clan’s dangerous secret: that her mother is the true heir to the English Crown. If the wrong people find out, it will mean war for her beloved Scotland. To keep peace, she embarks for London, unprepared for the treachery that awaits—especially from her wickedly handsome escort. He is the enemy, but his slow, sensuous kisses entice her beyond reason…

A WARRIOR’S TEMPTATION
General Daniel Marlow, loyal knight and the kingdom’s most desirable hero, would rather be on the battlefield than transporting a spoiled Highland lass. But Abby MacGregor is unlike any woman he’s ever met, in a ballroom or in his bedroom. Captivated by her daring spirit and seduced by her lovely innocence, Daniel must choose between betraying his queen or giving up the woman who would steal his country—and his traitorous heart.

A Monday’s Pick Review – Be My Love by Lucy Kevin

Posted May 11, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 2 Comments

“A Monday’s Pick Review of Be My Love by Lucy Kevin”

Be My Love was a free novella that I picked up at Amazon. Just because a story is short, don’t think that those styles of tales don’t give a full, satisfying story. This one certainly did, as well as being the opening story in the series, Walker Island.

Here’s the cover blurb for Be My Love:

Come for a visit to Walker Island where you’ll find stunning Pacific Northwest ocean views, men too intriguing to resist…and five beautiful, close-knit sisters who are each about to find their one true love.

After four years on the Seattle mainland, when Hanna Walker returns to Walker Island to make a documentary about the infamous Peterson-Walker feud from the early 1950s, she’s shocked to realize that passions still run high. Especially when it comes to Joel Peterson, the one man who is totally off-limits…but that she’s never been able to stop dreaming about.

The last thing Joel wants is for Hanna to dredge up the past, but when he realizes she’s determined to follow through with her documentary no matter what, he knows he has no choice but to join her. But despite vowing to hold back his growing feelings for her, as Joel works with Hanna to unravel the mystery of what really happened between their two families, he soon begins to see that love is an unstoppable force…and that sometimes two people are meant to be.

This one was enjoyable, so read on for my thoughts on Be My Love. Read More