Real Winner for Faking It

The bad news is that it's Monday...
The GOOD NEWS is that we have a winner for a copy of Elisa Lorello's FAKING IT plus a dozen lovely roses! 

 

The lucky lady is...

Erika G.

Winner was chosen using random.org.
Your address was provided with your entry so we will forward your information directly to the publisher.

Thank you to everyone who signed up!  Stay tuned to our blog because we have more AWESOME giveaways coming up!

Cover Art: Confessions of an Improper Bride

Confessions of an Improper Bride

by Jennifer Haymore

Scheduled to be released in August 1, 2011 by Forever [per Goodreads].

On Jennifer's blog, she tells us that is trilogy about the five Donovan sisters: Serena, Meg, Olivia, Phoebe, and Jessica. This series begins with Confessions of an Improper Bride, Serena’s story.

Synopsis:

After a shocking scandal, Serena Donovan was banished to the family plantation in the West Indies. Her twin sister, Meg, accompanied her. Serena was the wild, rebellious child, while Meg embodied virtuous perfection. In their year in London, Meg fell in love with a gentleman, William Langley, who planned to propose as soon as he honored his Navy contract. As they sailed home, Meg slipped and fell overboard. Serena tried to save her, but Meg was lost at sea.

Now, five years later, Langley is ready to marry and Serena's mother sees an opportunity to return to England, get herself out of debt, and reestablish her four living daughters in society. For the first time, Serena is told that all of England believes she died, and that her mother has been writing love letters to Langley in Meg's name. Her mother commands her to return to London as Meg. She's devastated at the thought of deceiving Langley, and enraged at her mother's treachery, but she has no choice--her scandal contributed to the family's fall. She vows to reform and do the best she can by her sister and Langley.

She doesn't expect to encounter Jonathan Dane--her very own original sin. Inheriting his father's title and fortune never eased the pain of losing his one and only love. He recognizes Serena instantly. The attraction between them is intense, but Serena is determined to honor her commitment to Langley.

Serena is caught in her mother's trap--if she's marries Langley her family will have security, but she'll deceiving an honorable man, and abandoning the love of her life. If she tells the truth and chooses Jonathan, she'll hurt and humiliate Langley, and her family will lose everything. How can she choose between duty and true love?

Isalys's Review of A Hint of Wicked

Isalys's Review of A Touch of Scandal 

Isalys's Review of A Season of Seduction

Doesn't this book sound sinfully delicious?!  =D
I'm so excited for more of Jennifer's books. After having read her first three novels and LOVING them, I am hooked!  She's now one of my auto-buy authors so you know that this bad boy is coming home with me on August 1st :)

Author Event: Carrie Ryan

This week, I got to meet Carrie Ryan, author of the Forest of Hands & Teeth trilogy! I, for some inexplicable reason, have not yet read these books but that was not going to stop me from attending the first stop on her tour for her latest and final installment in her Forest series, The Dark and Hollow Places.

We actually had a nice, intimate little group which was great because Carrie was able to talk at length about her ten-year plan, why she chose zombies and what it was like to become a "New York Times Best Selling Author!"  Hopefully her husband has recovered his hearing by now, lol. She also read an excerpt from her "The Dark and Hollow Places" before we got started with the signing.

Yay for Carrie signing her first two books for me (I'll have to add book 3 to my library later - I've put myself on a book buying ban but that's a conversation for later, lol). 

She also gave us some swag and really, who doesn't love swag?!

Carrie is a DOLL!! She was so nice, fun and bubbly and I really had a great time!  Yes sir, I'm rocking my new Forest of Hands & Teeth pin :)

Love my new autographed babies that I know my Billy shelf will take good care of!

On a sad note:  Ash from Smash Attack and my BFF and book soulmate Vanessa weren't able to make it to the signing.  Books & Books changed the location to Ft. Lauderdale and with work and traffic, it wasn't possible for them to make it in time.  They're both HUGE fan-girls of Carrie so I know they would have loved every minute...but they were there in spirit!  Besides, just because you're not there...doesn't mean you're left empty handed ;-)

Cover Art: One Grave At A Time by J. Frost {NH-6}

So even though Night Huntress # 5 was just released, we are totally ready for Night Huntress # 6, "One Grave At  A Time".  Unfortunately, we have to wait until August, but thanks to Jeaniene, we don't have to wait for the cover...

*Feast your eyes on this beauty*

This may be our favorite cover of the series...only to be made better by some Bones goodness on the inside flap!!  Seriously though, this is the HOTTEST that Cat has ever looked.  We love it and can't wait to add it to our Night Huntress Collection :) Yay!

Scheduled to be released August 30, 2011 by Avon

Review: Seduced by Destiny by Kira Morgan

Title: Seduced by Destiny
Author: Kira Morgan
Publish Date: March 1, 2011 by Forever
Pages: 352, paperback
Reviewed by: ISALYS
Reason for reading: Reviewed for The Season for Romance

Josselin was orphaned at a young age when she lost both her parents in two different battles. Her mother’s death was especially tragic when she fought alongside fellow Scottish men at the Battle of Ancrum Moor and was fatally wounded. She beseeched the help of an Englishman and against his own will, he cut her down with his sword as an act of mercy. From then on, she became known as the Maiden of Ancrum Moor. Josselin herself grew up to be a beautiful fighter, just like her mother. She was also impetuous, strong-willed and eager to exact vengeance against the English for her mother’s death.

The Englishman who ended the life of Josselin’s mother was plagued by the guilt of having murdered a woman. He wrote a final letter and gave it to his young son, Andrew who delivered it to his uncles. By the time the boy returned, his father was already hanging from the rafters; and so it was on that day that two young children were left without parents.

Andrew, later known as Drew, was raised by his three uncles. He was taught how to fight and wield a sword with incredible dexterity. Like his father though, Andrew never acquired a taste for blood or violence. He preferred to fight his battles on the golf course. As a grown man, Andrew led his uncles to believe that he was earning his living fighting in the English tournament circuit. Meanwhile, he was really disguised as a Highlander playing golf alongside the Scots.

It was during the procession honoring the new Queen Mary of Scots that Drew met a spirited young lad that was moments away from going toe-to-toe with some rather large and drunken Scotsmen. Drew intervened to assist the young man only to learn that he was really a she. Josselin was none-too-pleased about being accosted by a too handsome, too charming and too nosy Highlander. All that bickering actually caught the new queen’s attention and led to a series of events that would change Josselin and Drew’s lives forever.

Once again, Kira Morgan gives us colorful characters that you hope will find happiness against the odds stacked against them. Jossy and Drew are so very different yet so compatible. This story didn’t offer the same level of mystery as its predecessor but it wasn’t without some suspense. Drew spent most of his time hiding under the pretense of being a Highlander. As a reader, you’ll spend much of your time wondering what will happen to them once the truth is revealed.

I didn’t find this novel quite as gripping as Morgan’s first, “Captured by Desire” because of the simpler plot. However, the fiery personalities and passionate relationship between Jossy and Drew made the story very enjoyable.

RATING: 4 hearts
HEAT LEVEL: 4 - Hot