Prey by Linda Howard

New York Times bestselling author Linda Howard takes us into the world of outdoor guides for her next novel:
Thirty-two-year-old Angie Powell has always spoken her mind, but in the presence of Dare Callahan she nurses a simmering rage. After all, why give Dare the satisfaction of knowing he can push her buttons and push her to the edge?

Three years ago, Dare returned home to rural western Montana and opened a hunting business to rival Angie’s. Complicating matters is the fact that Dare has asked Angie out (not once but twice) and has given her a gift of butterflies in the process. Angie has no patience for butterflies. They only lead to foolish decisions. And now the infuriatingly handsome Iraq war vet has siphoned away Angie’s livelihood, forcing her to close up shop.

Before Angie is to leave town, she organizes one last trip into the wilderness with a client and his guest, who wants to bag a black bear. But the adrenaline-fueled adventure turns deadly when Angie witnesses a cold-blooded murder and finds herself on the wrong side of a loaded gun. Before the killer can tie up this attractive loose end, a bear comes crashing through the woods—changing the dark game completely.

Luckily, Dare is camping nearby and hears the shots. Forced together for their very survival, Angie and Dare must confront hard feelings, a blinding storm, and a growing attraction—while being stalked by a desperate killer and a ferocious five-hundred-pound beast. And neither will stop until they reach their prey.

Hhhmmm, not quite sure what I think about this.  I'm somewhat disappointed, but don't know why.  Maybe it's the hunting aspect?  Oh well, with the blinding storm there is a possibly of being stranded in a cabin, which I adore.  Something about being in a remote location, watching the snow fall outside while (hopefully) snuggling by a roaring fire screams the perfect romance location to me. 

Review - Treachery in Death by J.D. Robb

Treachery in Death is J.D. Robb's 33rd full-length novel featuring Eve Dallas and her husband Roarke.  After working out in the old gym, Detective Peabody overhears two cops arguing about their illegal activities and a subsequent murder for cover up.  What follows  is an internal investigation with the usual team lead by Dallas.

 Since the reader is aware early on who the bad guy is, there is little mystery.  Instead, the book focuses more on the suspense of leading the dirty cops to their demise.  I enjoyed this book, although I might need a cheat sheet with a list of who's who soon.  It took me a little while to remember who Webster is.  He also gets a love interest in this novel, I'm assuming she is a character introduced in one of the novellas (which I haven't read) because I do not remember her at all.  There were some sweet scenes between Eve and Roarke, which I prefer.  I get a little tired of each book having the two struggle with their relationship and how they interact with each other. 

All in all this was a good addition to the series, the storyline was tight and suspenseful, and 33 books later I am still interested in the characters and their lives.

Friday Book Trailer

Today's book trailer is actually for an upcoming movie, Jane Eyre.



I first read Jane Eyre when I was 10 years old.  I started to read it again this past week, and am finding it a bit boring and dry.  But seeing this trailer makes me want to push through.  There had to be some reason I have kept this book for over twenty years.  But what drew me first to Jane Eyre was The Curse of the Concullens by Florence Stevenson:  

Lucy Ayers loved to fancy herself the heroine of a great romantic novel.  But the moment she moved into ancient O'Hagan Castle, all her fanciful dreams fast took on a nightmare reality.

Beneath her window a wailing banshee foretold doom and destruction.  Chained within the bowels of the castle, a young child bared his teeth at the moon and lusted for blood.  In the rotting woods an unknown creature lurked, eager to rip out the throats of those who ventured too near.

It was no wonder, then, that two governesses had already vanished.  Yet Lucy was determined to stay on.  As an outsider, perhaps only she could escape the dreadful Curse of the Concullens...and free the attractive man who lived under it...



I found this Gothic romance with vampires, werewolves, and governesses in my mom's bookshelf and kept it ever since. How did this book make me want to read Jane Eyre you ask?  Well it was Lucy's favourite book and the reason she became a governess.  So I just had to read it.  The book is out of print, but used copies are still available at Amazon. 

The Viper by Monica McCarty

The fourth book in Monica McCarty's Highland Guard series won't be released until October, but she has posted a synopsis for it at her website:

The war for Scotland’s sovereignty rages on—as Robert the Bruce is crowned king and the Highland Guard, his elite fighting force of legendary warriors, battle for land . . . and love.
Prized for his snake-like stealth and deadly strikes, Lachlan “Viper” MacRuairi is a warrior to enlist but not to trust. His only loyalty is to his purse, his indifference sealed by bitter betrayal. All that changes when Lachlan is tasked to protect and deliver Bella MacDuff to the king’s coronation—and the proud, lushly sensual countess unwittingly challenges him to his greatest battle yet: to love again.

Passionate and devoted, Bella has defied Britain’s king and her own husband to place the crown on Bruce’s head—and pays a terrible price. She loses her daughter and her freedom to her husband’s vengeance. Imprisoned with barbaric cruelty, she vows to reclaim her child, even if it means selling her soul—and her body—to a dark, lethal warrior whose eyes glint like steel, but who makes her skin tingle and her breath race. Together they embark on a rogue mission with sinister twists and turns that threatens not only Bella’s gamble to save her daughter—but also her heart.

I can't wait for this book, Monica McCarty is one of my new go-to authors; especially for Scottish historicals.  The history is enthralling and seems to be accurate/believable (I will be honest and admit that I do not have enough knowledge about history to know if that is true).  The sex is hot without being gratuitous or there just because a sex scene is needed.  With her characters, I feel like I am watching people actually fall in love rather than in lust.  I am anxiously awaiting for the release of this book in October.

Friday Book Trailer

For all those Sweet Valley High lovers here is the book trailer for the newest book Sweet Valley Confidential.




It's ten years later. Are Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield still fighting?  Is Todd still around? What about Cara and Steve? I have no idea. I started reading this series when I was nine and stopped when I was 13. I think I stopped reading around book number 45. Something tells me I am going to spend the next hour looking for a synopsis for the whole series. Not sure I am going to buy the book, but I might get it from the library if it is available.

Outlander Fans

For all the Outlander fans, here is a page with the excerpts for book 8.  I am torn as to whether I should read them or not.  On the one hand, it is rumoured that the book won't be out until 2013 and this would tide me over.  On the other hand, I read all the excerpts for The Fiery Cross, and when the book came out I felt like I had already read it.  I avoided all excerpts for the next two books, but I can feel my resolve weakening.  I think what really needs to happen is for Diana Gabaldon to ignore everything until Jamie and Claire's story is completed.

Used Book Store Score

I finally made it to the ubs on the weekend. I used to go on a weekly basis, but I find now that I only go every three to six months. There is something about having a list of authors/books that you are looking for and finding them at the ubs. Although I used to make a day of it going to a couple of the stores throughout the city, I now concentrate on one. The other stores I found either had very little in their romance section and considered romance novels to be beneath them and their customers. Another store had a pretty good selection, but the store is cramped. It has boxes of books stacked and scattered throughout, blocking the shelves. And although the books are grouped by genre then alphabetically, each shelf is stacked three books deep. So if I am looking for a particular book, I need to pull out up to twenty books to get to the back row.

My favourite store is very well organized and has a large romance section. Half of one room is dedicated to contemporary and historical romance novels. The Harlequin books has it's own section in another room. The shelves are only one book deep so one does not have to go searching through piles and boxes for a book. Sometimes I think that my dream job would be to own a used book store with a coffee/tea house attached. Then I could sit and read all day while people browse through the books.

I didn't find all the books I was looking for today. But that's okay, that just means I need to go back again soon to find more books. I did walk away with five books to read.

    

Friday Book Trailer

Today's book trailer is for Kristan Higgin's All I Ever Wanted.



I read this book last year, and once again based my decision to read it on the cover. I love rocking chairs, houses with wide porches, and Irish Setters so how could I resist? I've enjoyed previous books by Higgins so I was pretty sure I was in for a good read.  The music in this book trailer is very Sex and the City.