Musing Mondays #5

Posted May 25, 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:

Where is the strangest place you’ve ever read a book? OR… Where is the strangest place you’ve ever found a crazy-good book, unexpectedly?

Strangest place, might not be too strange but not the norm for me at all. There was the perfect window with a window seat in an apartment that I lived in years ago. Just shaded enough in the warm months, not too harsh a light in the winter. It was simply a great place to curl up with a book and no one would bother me. I converted part of that attic to a little reading area and I adored it. I’ve never found a more cozy, comfortable place to curl up since.

I’m using the I wish I could read_____, but… prompt this week because it’s time I made a book confession. I cannot read the Harry Potter books. Now, before anyone gets into a heart attack mode here – I have watched, loved and re-watched every Harry Potter movie. I just cannot get into the novels, and I don’t know why – I wish I did. I have every novel, as they were published, with the intention of reading every single one. But I put them down and don’t return. The movies are the only way that I’ve experienced the Harry Potter world. And while I’m okay with that fact, it is still a puzzle to me as to why I simply cannot get lost in the books. It actually makes me feel rather sad because I’ve always enjoyed the book that was made into a movie more. I don’t know… hopefully one day I’ll get to read them, but for now I’m a totally visual Harry Potter fan.

Monday’s Pick ~ Dead Radiance

Posted May 25, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Dead Radiance “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:

Bryn Halbrook had always seen the glow. But it is only when her best friend dies that she discovers the meaning of those beautiful golden auras — Death. Alone, lost in the foster system, she struggles to understand who she is and why she was cursed with the ability to see the soon-to-be-dead.

The new foster kid, Aidan, isn’t helping any. Mr. Perfect seems to fit in no matter what, making her feel even more pathetic. But when his affections turn to her, Bryn finds him hard to resist. Impossible actually. A mystery himself, Aidan disappears, leaving behind a broken heart and a mysterious book that suggests Bryn might not be entirely human.

Bryn stands at the threshold of a journey of discovery. Will destiny help her find herself, find her purpose and her place in a world in which she’d never belonged?

Review: Kissing Mr. Wrong by Kerri Carpenter

Posted May 24, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Kissing Mr Wrong
Series: A Wrong Man Story
Author: Kerri Carpenter
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 26, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

Three months ago, graphic designer Vanessa Hewitt slept with the ridiculously hot guy she met after nearly falling to her death while stargazing on a bridge. The adrenaline-fueled night of we’ll-never-see-each-other-again sex fulfilled every fantasy, but with her best friend’s wedding on the horizon, Vanessa can’t stop thinking about what would happen if her sexy stranger passed through town again.

Haunted by his time in Afghanistan, soldier John Campbell returns to his hometown just long enough to help plan an engagement party for his sister. When he realizes her best friend is the sweet one-night stand he’s been fantasizing about for months, he’ll do anything to have her again…though getting trapped together in a storeroom wasn’t quite what he had in mind.

Vanessa is in hell. Or is it heaven? Because with every touch, their forbidden connection grows, until kissing Mr. Wrong starts feeling more like kissing Mr. Right.

Read on for my thoughts on Kissing Mr. Wrong. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Date and Dash by Susan Hatler

Posted May 23, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 2 Comments

Title: Date and Dash
Series: Better Date Than Never #10
Author: Susan Hatler
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 10, 2015
Publisher: Hatco Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

Mary Ann Nielsen lives by her one-strike-and-you’re-out dating policy, but she’s always open to meeting the right guy. When she accidentally rear-ends handsome Trevor Brooks on her way to a charity auction to buy back her beloved grandmother’s long lost bracelet, she figures this unconventional meeting could at least turn into a hot date. Wrong. Trevor is annoyingly responsible and more concerned with insurance reports than responding to her flirting so he earns three strikes right off the bat.

Flustered from the car accident and being rejected by gorgeous Trevor, Mary Ann mistakenly bids on the wrong auction item and loses out on reclaiming her grandmother’s bracelet. Instead, she wins four dates on a reality TV show with none other than stuffy Trevor Brooks. Now she’s broke and the only way to get the money to buy back her special family heirloom is to win the grand prize money from the televised couples competition by convincing the audience that she and Trevor are in love.

While dating Trevor on the show, Mary Ann discovers the reliable analyst is fun and kind-hearted. In fact, the more she finds out about him the more she starts to fall for him. Could giving Trevor a second chance mean winning not just the TV show and her grandmother’s bracelet but the love that Mary Ann has always dreamed of?

Read on for my thoughts on Date and Dash. No true spoilers, promise.

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: Year of Living Blonde by Andrea Simonne

Posted May 21, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Year of Living Blonde
Series: Sweet Life in Seattle #1
Author: Andrea Simonne
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 17, 2015
Publisher: Liebe Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

A funny and sizzling romp about discovering your inner pin-up girl….

Plain-Jane bakery owner Natalie Anderson has always followed the recipe for a safe life. When her husband dumps her for a seductive older woman though, it’s time to throw out that recipe and start from scratch. She cooks up a plan to transform herself from mousy brown to sexy blonde. Meanwhile, she’s trying to expand her Seattle bakery, La Dolce Vita, but runs into an obstacle in the form of her irritatingly handsome landlord.

Astronomer Anthony Novello’s good looks and charm usually guarantees him a free pass with women, though that’s not the case with his new tenant, Natalie. Plain, plump, and persnickety—he’s never met a woman more annoying. But when Anthony returns from a telescope observing run, he makes a discovery of the non-celestial kind—Natalie has changed. He’s amazed to find himself attracted to her. Sparks fly as he tries to convince her there’s more to him than meets the eye.

However, when Natalie’s ex-husband tries to win her back, she’s forced to choose. Is her year of living blonde over? Or is this the start of a new and much sweeter life.

Read on for my thoughts on Year of Living Blonde. No true spoilers, promise.

A Memorial Day Truth

Posted May 20, 2015 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 0 Comments

While we in the USA make our plans for the upcoming Memorial Day 3 day weekend – I’d like to put this meme graphic out there as a reminder.

To all who have served our country – thank you. To all of their families, friend and employers who made that possible – thank you. To all who serve and protect in any capacity – thank you. God Bless you all.

memorial day truth

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.