Reissue/Reprint Wednesday is a new feature here born from a discovery today that a long-time, often re-read trilogy is being re-released in trade size format with brand new covers.

Yay!  I re-read this trilogy at least once a year.  To me it is just that good, I get caught up in the lives of these three women and their men and I must revisit them.  (in truth, my original copies are now getting a bit frayed so this is really good news)

This feature also comes out of annoyance at buying novels that I already own! Grrrr!  I cannot stand it when I’m pulled in by a new cover, thinking “Oh, how did I miss this one?” only to discover that — it’s on my bookshelf already.  Novels are reprinted or reissued all the time, so it’s hard to keep up with them all, but I’m going to showcase one or two a week in the hopes that it helps someone else from buying a duplicate copy of something they already read.

So to start this feature, the reissue novels of this week are:

The Three Sisters Island Trilogy

Dance Upon The Air (January 2015)

When Nell Channing arrives on charming Three Sisters Island, she believes that she’s finally found refuge from her abusive husband—and from the terrifying life she fled so desperately eight months ago…

But even in this quiet, peaceful place, Nell never feels entirely at ease. Careful to conceal her true identity, she takes a job as a cook at the local bookstore café—and begins to explore her feelings for the island sheriff, Zack Todd. But there is a part of herself she can never reveal to him, for she must continue to guard her secrets if she wants to keep the past at bay. One careless word, one misplaced confidence, and the new life she’s so carefully created could shatter completely.

Just as Nell starts to wonder if she’ll ever be able to break free of her fear, she realizes that the island suffers under a terrible curse—one that can only be broken by the descendants of the Three Sisters, the witches who settled the island back in 1692. And now, with the help of two other strong, gifted women—and the nightmares of the past haunting her every step—she must find the power to save her home, her love…and herself.

Heaven and Earth (May 2015)

Ripley Todd just wants to live a quiet, peaceful kind of life. Her job as a sheriff’s deputy keeps her busy and happy, and she has no trouble finding men when she wants them—which, lately, isn’t all that often. She’s perfectly content, except for one thing: she has special powers that both frighten and confuse her—and though she tries hard to hide them, she can’t get them under control…

Distraction soon arrives in the handsome form of MacAllister Booke—a researcher who’s come to investigate the rumors of witchcraft that haunt Three Sisters Island. Right from the start, he knows there’s something extraordinary about Ripley Todd. It’s not just her blazing green eyes and her sultry smile. There’s something else. Something he can detect, but she’ll never admit. Fascinated by her struggle with her amazing abilities, he becomes determined to help her accept who she is—and find the courage to open her heart.

But before Ripley and Mac can dream of what lies in the future, they must confront the pain of the past. For Three Sisters shelters centuries of secrets—and a legacy of danger that plagues them still…

Face the Fire (June 2015)

Mia Devlin knows what it’s like to love with your whole heart—and then watch your love walk away. Years ago, she and Sam Logan shared an incredible bond built on passion, legend, and fate. But then one day he fled Three Sisters Island, leaving her lost in memories of the magic they shared—and determined to live without love…

The new owner of the island’s only hotel, Sam has returned to Three Sisters with hopes of winning back Mia’s affections. He is puzzled when she greets him with icy indifference—for the chemistry between them is still sizzling and true. Angry, hurt and deeply confused, Mia refuses to admit that a passion for Sam still burns up her heart. But she’ll need his help—and his powers—to face her greatest, most terrifying challenge. And as the deadline for breaking a centuries-old curse draws near, they must take the first steps toward destiny—and come together to turn back the dark…

(descriptions are from the back cover of each book)

These new covers are simply stunning, and represents each of the three “sisters” in this trilogy very well (in  my opinion).  I cannot wait for these.

If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Nell, Ripley and Mia before then may I suggest that you treat yourself to these reissued novels when they hit the bookstores throughout 2015.  I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.  🙂

I admit it.  I have a serious case of book envy going on now.  Yesterday and this morning I went through the list of blogs taking part in the Stacking the Shelves meme over at Tynga’s Reviews.

Oh.  My.  Goodness.

Not only did I find some really interesting new (to me) book blogs to follow — but the books.  Oh, the books.  And this is only January.  My book envy is going to go supernova come July!

I saw at least 50 books that I really want to read.  50.  Whew, that’s a lot of reading material plus what is in my to read pile.  And we both know that there will be more fantastic novels coming out soon so what’ a book-aholic to do?

The best we can.  Really.  I love reading, I love putting together this website telling you about the books I’ve read.  But, in all honesty, it is so hard to keep current being a one woman blogger here.

When a book really grabs me I can finish it in one day, maybe two.  An average book reading time for me is between two or three days.  Then there are the ones that just drag because I cannot get into the book – at all.  I hate, really hate, to not finish a book.  It might not be to my taste, but someone poured their heart and soul into creating it and I probably plopped down my hard earned money to buy it — so I should finish it.  So I usually completely read most novels in  my piles.  I may not love it, but someone else might so I feel obligated to read, review and let the comments fall where they may around here.

Yet there is that occasional one that I simply cannot read one more word of.  I’m sorry to those authors, but the book stinks.  Badly.  The one thing I will not do on this website is name those DNF books.  I can’t because someone created it and someone else might find it to be the most awesome book they have ever read.  I do not want my experience with DNF books to influence someone else.

I can hear some people say, “If it stinks you should tell people”.  Okay, maybe.  But, here’s the thing.  I have never, ever been able to finish War and Peace.  I cannot connect to that book.  On the other hand, I read Gone With The Wind once each and every year.  Both are considered classic novels and worth reading at least once by many people.  So who am I to say that a book stinks and belongs in a did not finish pile when someone, somewhere may think it’s a new classic?

My reading schedule for this year is simple.  I vow to get to the bottom of my To-Be-Read pile and do my best to keep up with currently released novels.

I know I am going to suffer from book envy throughout the year – I accept that.  But, I plan to do a lot of reading, reviewing and posting this year… because of my serious book envy (or in spite of it.)  🙂

How ’bout you?  Are you visiting book blogs and just drooling over novels that you want in your to-read-pile?   (me too)

I absolutely loved this novel and am so looking forward to the next book in the series.

Here is the book blurb from Goodreads:

All of London knows the Duke of Rutherford has position and wealth. They also whisper that he’s dissolute, devilish, and determinedly unwed. So why, everyone is asking, has he hired a governess?

When Miss Lily Russell crosses the threshold of the Duke of Rutherford’s stylish townhouse, she knows she has come face to face with sensual danger. For this is no doting papa. Rather, his behavior is scandalous, and his reputation rightly earned. And his pursuit of her is nearly irresistible—but resist she must for the sake of her pupil.

As for the duke himself, it was bad enough when his unknown child landed on his doorstep. Now Lily, with her unassuming beauty, has aroused his most wicked fantasies—and, shockingly, his desire to change his wanton ways. He’s determined to become worthy of her, and so he asks for her help in correcting his behavior.

But Lily has a secret, one that, if it becomes known, could change everything . . .

• Series: Dukes Behaving Badly
• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (November 25, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062352202
• ISBN-13: 978-0062352200
• Got my copy as a gift from a friend

Read on for my review of The Duke’s Guide to Correct Behavior – no true spoilers, promise.

Read More

This is an older novel that like many books, has been reprinted.  A friend gave me a copy of Dangerous Passions a few months ago.  I just got around to reading it a few weeks ago, and have finally finished it.  Yes, that’s right – weeks.

Here’s the book blurb from Goodreads:

Let bestselling author Kat Martin sweep you away-from Society’s grand ballrooms to the perilous battlefields of the Napoleonic War-in a magnificent story of love, betrayal, and trust regained.When Elissa Tauber learns of her beloved brother’s murder and that her native homeland is threatened, she is determined to expose the traitor. Posing as a recently widowed countess, she moves through the glittering world of the court, willing to barter even her lovely body if she must.

More than one man poses a threat, but it is the tall, imposing Lord Wolvermont, Colonel Adrian Kingsland, who endangers her heart. Even as she suspects he might be the spy called the Falcon, she longs for his touch. When fate takes a hand, Elissa must decide whether to betray her mission-or lose the man she loves.

(less)

Paperback, 368 pages

Published February 15th 1998 by St. Martin’s Paperbacks (first published 1998)

original title

Dangerous Passions

ISBN 0312962479 (ISBN13: 9780312962470)

Given to me by a friend.

Read More

I hate to admit to this – I really do, but I am in such a blogging slump lately.

Oh, I’m reading.  Maybe not as much but I am turning the pages of really good books.  I’m just not writing about the experience.

And I don’t know why.

I guess there really is no explanation for slumps… they just happen.  And I’m not alone either.  A lot of the book blogs that I follow are also experiencing slumps.  Whether it’s lack of time, life getting in the way of the fun of blogging or some other reason, writing slumps happen to every blogger that ever put words on the screen.

So.  What to do about it?  Forcing it won’t work, I’ve tried that before with dismal results.

While reading the comments on other blogs of other people in a similar slump the suggestions of reading for enjoyment only, switching to a different style of novel, blogging about something non-book for a while — but most importantly was the large number of statements suggesting  “don’t feel guilty, we all have slumps and eventually they go away”.

And that is exactly what I’m going to do.  I love this blog, I love talking about books that I’ve enjoyed, sharing authors that readers may not have tried yet — but no more guilt.

A new year is about to arrive, and the blogging slump will fade away.  Until it does I’m guilt-free about this situation I’m in…

And I’m wishing you a wonderful new year full of awesome reading adventures.

Talk again soon.