Review: A Matchmaker’s Christmas by Donna Lea Simpson

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

A Matchmaker's Christmas Title: A Matchmaker’s Christmas
Series:
Author: Donna Lea Simpson
Genre: Historical Romance, Christmas
Published: December 17, 2014
Source: NetGalley

Story Blurb:

Twenty years ago, Beatrice Copland committed a reckless and foolish act of deceit that she’s certain ruined the life of a man she’d fallen in love with and led to his wife’s death. Now serving as companion to the stern Lady Bournaud, she leads a quiet life and attends to her duties as a kind of penance. But Lady Bournaud, trying to make amends for her own selfish ways, is opening her country estate to a few select guests for the holidays—including the man Beatrice wronged so many years ago.

Sir David Chappell spent nearly two decades coming to terms with the haunting memory of his wife’s death. When he receives an invitation to Lady Bournaud’s for the Christmas season, he’s reluctant to go at first, but he’s sure the time away in Yorkshire will be a welcome change from London. Once there, he’s immediately captivated by the youthful beauty and genuine compassion of the lady’s companion, Beatrice Copland—all the while sensing that he’s met her before.

Even as David pursues her and Beatrice realizes she’s still powerfully attracted to the man, she must gently rebuff his advances for fear that her damning secret will come to light and reopen his old wounds. And while Lady Bournaud watches, happily scheming to make matches for all her guests, it may take more than a Christmas miracle for David to free Beatrice’s conscience, and her heart, at last.

Read on for my thoughts on A Matchmaker’s Christmas. No true spoilers, promise.

The Confessional by Reiny Pierson

Posted February 19, 2015 by Marsha in Mystery / 0 Comments

Title: The Confessional
Series:
Author: Reiny Pierson
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Published: January 6, 2014
Source: NetGalley

Story Blurb:

Sarah Tazewell, a cerebral, highly intuitive woman, knew from an early age that she was psychic. When she and her husband David buy a confessional booth from The Governor’s Antiques in Mechanicsville, VA and convert it into a phone booth for their Queen Anne Victorian, Sarah senses a presence in the confessional. Later, the voices become only one voice: that of a murderer that rapes and strangles his victims. Though consumed with fear and anxiety, Sarah refuses to be a victim and sets out on a journey to learn more about the confessional. Sarah’s antagonist is a brilliant, charismatic sexual psychopath who conforms to a ritual of murder and confession. The confessional in the 100-year-old church where he confessed was an integral part of the ritual. When he comes to confess after another murder, he finds “his” confessional gone and begins a frantic search to find it.

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

Waiting on Wednesday #5

Posted February 18, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 50 Comments

“Waiting on” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week I’m waiting for the next installment of an unusual mystery series. The Pru Marlowe Pet Noir series follows the life, times and animals in need of a particular human’s intervention. Think of The Ghostwhisper tv series – now consider that you are able to “talk” to animals, interact on an intelligent, conversational level … then you have an idea of what the Pru Marlowe murder mysteries novels are about. Murder is never a snap to solve but when you have the purr-fect eye witness playing beside the dead body why not use what you’ve got? If you can psychically talk to the animals – why not ask what they know?

Kittens Can Kill by Clea Simon is due out on March 3, 2015.

I have admitted before that I’m a sucker for covers – and that cover looks exactly like my Leia (see her picture below) when she was an itty-bitty kitten. Now she’s a 30 pound huge ball of fluff, but the blue eyes – yeah, a cover to touch my heart. 🙂

Kittens Can Kill The dead don’t keep pets. So when animal behaviorist expert Pru Marlowe gets a call about a kitten, she doesn’t expect to find the cuddly creature playing beside the cooling body of prominent Beauville lawyer David Canaday. Heart attack? His three adult daughters angrily blame drug interactions, feline allergies—and each other. And begin to feud over their father, his considerable estate, and that cute ball of fluff. While the cause of death is pending, each sister has an axe to grind –with arguments that escalate when David’s partner reads out the will.

Pru’s special sensory talents and sensitivity to animals that caused her to flee the cacophony of Manhattan for the quiet Berkshires add further problems. The local vet is overwhelmed with money running out. There’s that needy Sheltie and some invasive squirrels? But the dead man’s kitten, his former partner, and his troublesome family keep drawing “wild-girl” animal psychic Pru back in. Despite the wry observations of her trusty tabby Wallis, now the wrongfully accused kitten’s guardian, and the grudging compliance of her cop lover, this may be one time when Pru can’t solve the mystery or save the kitten she wants to believe is innocent. A single witness knows the truth about that bright spring morning. How far can Pru investigate without risking her own hidden tale?

This is one of my cats – a Ragdoll called Leia. We often call her a “puppy-cat” because she loves to roll over and get her belly scratched. Now Leia and I have conversations – she meows and I answer. I have No Clue what she is saying but she is enthusiastic about whatever her point is. I certainly wish I could talk to the animals too. Or maybe I don’t really want to know…. *snicker*

Teaser Tuesday #5

Posted February 17, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 18 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 Should Be Reading.

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!

“Get over yourself. And get out of those clothes.”

Ian winced. Since she put it that way.

“And concentrate. Picture a wolf in your head,” Sara repeated.

~Of Shadow & Stone by Michelle Muto

Want to read more about this Tease? Click “Read More” for the cover blurb & the link to my review of it. 🙂

Review: What A Lady Requires by Ashlyn Macnamara

Posted February 17, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: What A Lady Requires
Series: The Eton Boys Trilogy (book 3)
Author: Ashlyn Macnamara
Genre: Historical Romance
Published: February 24, 2015
Source: NetGalley

Story Blurb:

Unlike every other proper young lady, Miss Emma Jennings views marrying well as little more than a means to an end. Such a merger would provide her industrious father with social credibility, and Emma with a chunk of her vast inheritance. Emma’s practical views are shattered, however, when her father ties her to the fabulously handsome ne’er-do-well Rowan Battencliffe, a man she loathes on sight—from the smile that promises all manner of wickedness to the way he ogles her with those striking blue eyes.

Deep in debt, especially to his wine merchant, Rowan figures the sooner he gets his finances in order, the sooner he can go back to doing what he does best: burning through ridiculous sums of cash. Which is why Rowan agrees to marry the merchant’s daughter, a prim and proper woman with delightful curves and an ample dowry. But Emma seems to think it’s her business to reform him! Their marriage is a tinderbox—and it’s just too tempting to resist playing with fire.

Read on for my thoughts on What A Lady Requires. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: What A Devilish Duke Desires by Vicky Dreiling

Posted February 17, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: What A Devilish Duke Desires
Series: The Sinful Scoundrels (book 3)
Author: Vicky Dreiling
Genre: Historical Romance
Published: February 24, 2015
Source: NetGalley

Story Blurb:

WILL A FEW FLIRTATIOUS STEPS

Harry Norcliffe never wanted to inherit his beloved uncle’s title. The rigidity of the ton, the incessant reminders from his marriage-minded mama that he must settle down with a highborn lady and produce an heir and a spare: it’s all such a dreadful bore. So when his mother asks him to take part in a dancing competition, he patently refuses. The last thing he needs is another chore . . . until a beautiful, brilliant, delightfully tempting maid makes him rethink his position.

LEAD TO A SCANDALOUS SEDUCTION?

Most women would be over the moon to be pursued by a wickedly handsome—not to mention wealthy—duke like Norcliffe. But Lucy will not be any man’s trophy. She could use a friend, though, and what begins innocently soon ignites into desire. As Lucy tries to resist Harry’s scorching kisses, he makes an utterly irresistible offer. Enter the dance contest with him, and win a prize that could change her life forever . . . if falling in love doesn’t change it first.

Read on for my thoughts on What A Devilish Duke Desires. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Of Shadow & Stone by Michelle Muto

Posted February 17, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: Of Shadow & Stone
Series:
Author: Michelle Muto
Genre: Paranormal
Published: February 24, 2015
Source: NetGalley

Story Blurb:

Gargoyles were created centuries ago to protect mankind, but something went horribly wrong. Now only the sentinel—a mortal chosen to control the stone beasts—stands between them and their human prey.

When the latest sentinel is killed, Kate Mercer is destined to take his place. But Kate has enough going on in her life—like a skyrocketing film career, a delusional ex-boyfriend, and a crazed stalker who will stop at nothing to get to her. But the powers that be have decided, and Kate is transported to Shadow Wood, a mysterious castle that serves as a sanctuary for the supernatural. Although beautiful, Shadow Wood is no safe place for a mere mortal. Yet Kate is drawn not only to the gargoyles but also to Ian McGuire, a charming novelist who might be in the greatest danger of all.

As Kate decides whether to accept the most perilous role of her life, she discovers there are more secrets than answers within the castle’s walls. Her survival and Ian’s depend on her ability to master the gargoyles before time runs out. Is fate really cast in stone?

Read on for my thoughts on Of Shadow & Stone.

Discussion: Do You Ever Put Up Negative Reviews?

Posted February 16, 2015 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 2 Comments

blue eyes Do you?

I’ve decided to start a weekly Discussion post here on Keeper Bookshelf. Welcome to the first. 🙂

I’ve been blogging for about five years now on various subjects. In the past this particular blog was simply for fun, with little origination – yes, I’m admitting that. At the start of 2015 I decided to take this blog seriously. I love reading, I enjoy interacting with other people who love to read as well. So I’ve started putting myself out in the book blogging community. I have no higher hopes than to be a better book blogger, meet some really great people, read some interesting books that stretch my boundaries and create a place where other book lovers wouldn’t mind stopping by.

I have questions.

A ton of questions. And I figure the best place to go for the answers is directly to the book blogging community. I know that there are other new book blogging folks who probably have questions too. So I’m going to be brave and stick my neck out and ask. I figure the better the newer community members understand the basics – the better we all will be blogging in the long run.

Do You Ever Write A Truly Negative Book Review?

So far I have not .. really. I wrote two – one that I trashed and one that I published with trepidation.

I understand that those that can write a novel put their heart, soul, blood, sweat, tears and time into them. I hate to tear that apart. (I cannot do what they do)

But my word there are some truly awful novels “out there”! I don’t think we have to be hateful about it – but there has to be some way to let our readers know that this book really isn’t worth the time without tearing apart the author. So far I’ve usually said something like “This one just wasn’t for me, but you may think it’s fantastic and that’s okay – we all love different types of stories.” Or simply not published a review on a truly “it sucks” book.

What is your usual decision? Please join in the conversation.

2015 New Release Challenge

Posted February 15, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 2 Comments

New-Release-Challenge-450x450 Lexxie Oh Lexxie, Lexxie – I swore no more Challenges.

Okay, one more but that’s it. (roll eyes) Yeah. Right.

So, there is this New Release Challenge going on that Lexxie from (un)Conventional Bookviews and Stormi from Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! are co-hosting. Pretty simple Challenge. Read certain levels of new novels released in 2015 – and what got me to join in was the mention of the NetGalley Challenge… what the heck, I might as well combine them, I’m going to be reading them anyway. 🙂

Here are the basic rules (from Lexxie’s page):

The rules for the 2015 New Release Challenge are simple:

Books has to be read and reviewed in 2015, and the book has to be released in 2015
Other challenges can be used as well, if you are participating in the Netgalley / Edelweiss challenge or in the COYER challenge, books can count towards more than one challenge, as long as the ones you use for the 2015 New Release Reading Challenge qualify to the first rule.
The minimum length for a book to qualify is 130 pages, it can be in any format though, physical, e-book, ARC or audiobook.
The New Book Release Challenge is open from January 1st through December 31st 2015, and sign-ups are open until March 15th.

There are four levels in the New Release Challenge:

1-15 books per year – New Release Newbie
16-30 books per year – New Release Pro
31-45 books per year – New Release Veteran
+45 books per year – New Release Enthusiast

I’m heading for New Release Veteran – I “think” I could do more, but not 100% sure so I’m hedging my bet here. If I do more great if not… next year. Muhahahaha.

So, what are you waiting for go here now:

2015 New Release Challenge Sign-up Page

Review: What A Wallflower Wants by Maya Rodale

Posted February 15, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: What a Wallflower Wants
Series: Wallflower (book 3)
Author: Maya Rodale
Genre: Historical Romance
Published: September 30, 2014
Source: own, given to me by a friend

Story Blurb:

Miss Prudence Merryweather Payton has a secret.

Everyone knows that she’s the only graduate from her finishing school to remain unwed on her fourth season—but no one knows why. With her romantic illusions shattered after being compromised against her will, Prudence accepts a proposal even though her betrothed is not exactly a knight in shining armor. When he cowardly pushes her out of their stagecoach to divert a highwayman, she vows never to trust another man again.

John Roark, Viscount Castleton, is nobody’s hero.

He’s a blue-eyed charmer with a mysterious past and ambitious plans for his future—that do not include a wife. When he finds himself stranded at a country inn with a captivating young woman, a delicate dance of seduction ensues. He knows he should keep his distance. And he definitely shouldn’t start falling in love with her.

When Prudence’s dark past comes back to haunt her, John must protect her—even though he risks revealing his own secrets that could destroy his future.

**I feel I must be very clear right now. This novel, and therefore, this review deals with the aftermath of rape. In the novel, the despicable action is presented in a brief way (as in non-graphic) – but Pru’s life since and her recovery from the rape during this novel must be addressed now. This may be a trigger for some readers – I apologize and ask that you read no further. Just as I feel it was a gutsy move for the author to write about this subject – I also feel the need to give my thoughts on this novel.**

Read on for my thoughts on What a Wallflower Wants.

Review: The Cowboy Next Door by Roxanne Snopek

Posted February 15, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 2 Comments

Title: The Cowboy Next Door
Series: This Old House (book 3)
Author: Roxanne Snopek
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: January 27, 2015
Source: NetGalley

Story Blurb:

Love’s worth more than being right

When single mother Leda Plett – who’s doing just fine on her own, thank you very much – goes next door to retrieve her wandering pooch, she doesn’t expect to find the neighbor’s handsome brother lounging about like he owns the place. She certainly doesn’t expect him to go after the deadbeat who abandoned her. She’s not looking for a know-it-all white knight with long, lean muscles and a sexy smile. He’s hot, but she’s already been burned.

Rodeo-star turned agent Eric Anders is used to managing people, especially irresponsible males, and he can’t stand it that some jerk has left Leda high and dry. Clearly, the boots-and-sundress wearing mouthy mama needs someone on her side. He could change her life, if only she would let him! And it has nothing to do with the fact that her sparkly exterior hides a spirit that is as sweet as it is strong – and irresistible.

In fact, Leda is more mature than her years. She feels the weight of her mistakes, and wants only to make sure her daughter doesn’t suffer for them. Eric’s hot gaze makes her weak in the knees but Leda’s track record with men is as bad as it is short. Can she trust the cowboy next door?

When Eric’s well-intention-ed actions inadvertently reveal a shameful secret from Leda’s past, he realizes she never needed him at all. As he watches her rise above the humiliation, he knows he must find a way to make it up to her, or risk losing the one girl he now can’t live without.

*I received an e-ARC of The Cowboy Next Door from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Read on for my thoughts on The Cowboy Next Door. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: The One by Belle Ami

Posted February 15, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

The One Belle Ami Title: The One
Series: The Only One
Author: Belle Ami
Genre: Romance
Published: February 10, 2015
Source: Net Galley

Story Blurb:

How well do you really know the one you love? An erotic novel full of obsessive love, dark secrets, and unquenchable lust, Belle Ami’s The One proves that no one is quite who they seem.

Adelia, a rising star in the equestrian world, is still reeling from her parents’ deaths in a tragic car accident when she meets green energy investment banker Miles Bremen and his charming yet inscrutable twin sister, Karolin. With his insatiable lust, Miles ignites a passion within Adelia she never knew existed, and the two quickly find themselves entwined in a torrid affair that knows no bounds. Little does Adelia know, however, that her meeting of the Bremen twins was no accident. Carefully selected as “the one” for her unsettling resemblance to the emotionally and physically damaged Karolin, Adelia is targeted to marry Miles and bear the children that Karolin cannot have.

The One is a razor edge mystery that enfolds on the playgrounds of the super rich, from Trump Tower to the Hamptons and Palm Beach; to the Amalfi Coast aboard Miles’s mega-yacht Green Way, The One is irresistible as the reader is drawn into Adelia’s journey through a suspenseful – and erotic world. An edge-of-your-seat thriller that will leave readers breathless in more ways than one, The One is an irresistible journey through—new territory that fans of romantic fiction are bound to love.

*I received an e-ARC of The One from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Usually at this spot I would send you on to the next page. Trust me, we won’t be here that long. Normally I do not publish negative reviews… and this isn’t so much a negative one as a “what just happened” review. There will be those readers who think this is an awesome novel. It wasn’t – not for me. Maybe for you, but it just didn’t do it for me. The only reason that I’m doing this review is for what the next book might bring us that would turn this into a good series with a rocky start. Remember, folks, this is my opinion – not a bash the author thing.

Everything you need to know is up in the story blurb. If that blurb had been fleshed out it would have been a really sexy, interesting read. In my opinion, it wasn’t. We already know that the twins had planned to draw Adelia into their nasty web. We already know that Miles is just a bit too close to his twin since he agreed to this scheme of hers. And Karolin just comes off as a bitch in the blurb and more so in the novel. Adelia is sweet, innocent and vulnerable – the saddest part was that this lovely woman was taken in by the twins. The only possible save I can see for the series is bringing David in to truly save Adelia and be the hero of the entire series. But… I’m not sure that will happen.

IF I can find and be approved for the second book through NetGalley – I’d read it, just to see if I was totally wrong in my thoughts on this one. But I certainly won’t spend money to find out.

It could have been amazing – instead it was just, meh.

Review: Marked by Sarah Fine

Posted February 14, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Marked Title: Marked
Series: Servants of Fate
Author: Sarah Fine
Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Published: January 1, 2015
Source: NetGalley

Story Blurb:

In a broken landscape carved by environmental collapse, Boston paramedic Cacia Ferry risks life and limb on the front lines of a fragile and dangerous city. What most don’t know—including her sexy new partner, Eli Margolis—is that while Cacy works to save lives, she has another job ferrying the dead to the Afterlife. Once humans are “Marked” by Fate, the powerful Ferrys are called to escort the vulnerable souls to either eternal bliss or unending fire and pain.

Unaware of Cacy’s other life, Eli finds himself as mesmerized by his fierce and beautiful partner as he is mistrustful of the influential Ferry clan led by the Charon—who happens to be Cacy’s father. Cacy, in turn, can no longer deny her intense attraction to the mysterious ex-Ranger with a haunted past. But just as their relationship heats up, an apparent hit takes the Charon before his time. Shaken to the core, Cacy pursues the rogue element who has seized the reins of Fate, only to discover that Eli has a devastating secret of his own. Not knowing whom to trust, what will Cacy have to sacrifice to protect Eli—and to make sure humanity’s future is secure?

*I received an e-ARC of Marked from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

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

Review: Christmas in Venice by Joanne Walsh

Posted February 14, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 2 Comments

Title: Christmas in Venice
Series: Christmas Around the World
Author: Joanne Walsh
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: October 28, 2014
Source: NetGalley

Story Blurb:

Let it snow…?

Wasn’t she supposed to dream of a white Christmas? Right now, Ashlynne wishes the blizzards, ice and fog that have left her stranded in Venice would melt away. She’s facing a dreary holiday stuck at the airport—and she’s also run into her ex-husband.

Lorenzo di Grechi insists Ashlynne stay with him at his sumptuous palazzo apartment. He’s also promising her Christmas Venetian-style: eating, drinking, and visiting the seasonal markets and musical concerts that make the city so enchanting at this time of year.

She thought she’d moved on: laid the ghosts of their marriage which had ended so sadly and badly to rest, along with how passionately she’d loved him. But the sexual attraction between them is still as potent as ever, and he seems to have changed for the better, forcing her to question her belief that he’d cheated on her at a time when she’d needed him most.

Is this just some sort of Christmas magic at work? Or a real chance to forgive and rediscover her love for Lorenzo?

*I received an e-ARC of Christmas in Venice from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Read on for my thoughts on Christmas in Venice. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Christmas With The Laird by Scarlet Wilson

Posted February 13, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 2 Comments

Title: Christmas with the Laird
Series: Christmas Around the World
Author: Scarlet Wilson
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: October 28, 2014
Source: NetGalley

Story Blurb:

It’s official – for Juliette Connolly Christmas is a bust and she’s definitely not in the Christmas spirit. She’s been dumped by her boyfriend and replaced by a younger model. Then a clause in her contract means she and a mysterious colleague have to work over Christmas. But there’s much more to Andrew Campbell than meets the eye. Especially when it turns out he’s the Scottish Laird of the haunted house they’re filming in.

And it seems like there’s magic in the air in the remote snow-filled setting. The local village contains a cast of Christmas characters and even though the boiler in the drafty house is broken the temperature is definitely rising.

Maybe Andrew and Juliette are about to be sprinkled with a little Christmas fairy dust?

*I received an e-ARC of Christmas with the Laird from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Read on for my thoughts on Christmas with the Laird. No true spoilers, promise.