Friday Book Trailer

I happened across a book trailer for Kathleen Givens' book, On a Highland Shore, which I absolutely loved.  If you haven't read it yet, check it out.

Review - On a Highland Shore by Kathleen Givens

In an age when Norse invaders threaten Scottish civilization, one woman will defend her clan's honor and claim her own exceptional destiny.

1263: As the Highland village of Somerstrath prepares for the joyous wedding of Margaret MacDonald, the laird's daughter, a dark storm of bloodshed and betrayal closes in.... Now, determined to hold her shattered clan together and locate her abducted younger brother in the wake of a brutal Viking attack, Margaret must choose between obeying the dictates of King Alexander's court, or placing her trust in Gannon MacMagnus, an imposing half-Irish, half-Norse warrior. Who is this stranger who vows not to harm her? Will he vanquish the barbarous killers who would continue to destroy the rugged, magnificent land she calls home? (Amazon).

I loved this book and spent most of the weekend reading it because I couldn't put it down.  I didn't want to put it down.  This book had a perfect balance of historical detail and romance.  I was drawn into the story and wanted to learn about the hero and heroine as well as other characters. This was the first book by Givens that I have read and I plan on glomming her backlist.  Unfortunately while looking up how many books she has written and what may be coming next, I discovered that the author has passed away.  I truly believe that the romance community has lost a great voice in Kathleen Givens.

Let Love Find You by Johanna Lindsey

It's that time of year again.  I have found the title for Johanna Lindsey's 2012 release.  The book is called "Let Love Find You".  Once again I find myself  hoping that this will be it.  That this book will be the one with the magical something that the old Lindseys contained.  So although I have given up on a lot of authors over the years, I think Lindsey is one that I will continue to read in hopes of catching a glimmer of the chemistry and rich stories her books had prior to 1995.

I have not found a cover or synopsis for "Let Love Find You" yet.  But I do know that this book will be released on June 12, 2012.  My prediction is that this book returns to the Malory family, maybe one of Tony or James's daughters?

Friday Book Trailer

I came across the trailer for McCarty's The Viper  this morning, can't wait to get this book.  It came out this past Tuesday, but I probably won't have time to get it until next week.

The Saint - By Monica Mccarty

It's here!  Well, not the book.  But the cover!!  And it is red hot!  Take a look:



Magnus MacKay is the ultimate Highlander: tough, proud, able to master any terrain and to best his enemies. Called “the Saint” for his refusal to discuss women, as well as for his cool and steady leadership, Magnus hides a painful truth. It isn’t virtue or piety that keeps him silent, but a wound of love and loss that cuts so deep he cannot bear to speak of it. But when the woman who refused him is betrothed to his friend and fellow Guardsman, Magnus is tested by love’s battle cry.

A wild and innocent beauty, Helen chose family duty over her desire for Magnus. Now the anger in his eyes mirrors the tormented regret in her heart. But as deadly subterfuge stalks the King and his Guard, Helen vows to right her youthful mistakes with a woman’s determined spirit. Still, Magnus harbors secrets and an iron will not to weaken to temptation—or heartache—again. But as danger looms, it’s the kiss not of a saint, but of a sinner, that can save them (Amazon).

Review - From New York to Dallas by J.D. Robb

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The number-one New York Times-bestselling author J. D. Robb presents an intense and terrifying new case for New York homicide cop Eve Dallas, one that will take her all the way to the city that gave her her name-and plunge her into the nightmares of her childhood.
When a monster named Isaac McQueen-taken down by Eve back in her uniform days-escapes from Rikers, he has two things in mind. One is to pick up where he left off, abducting young victims and leaving them scarred in both mind and body. The other is to get revenge on the woman who stopped him all those years ago. (Amazon)

Yes!  The thirty-third full length novel in the In Death series is a stellar one!  I actually enjoyed reading about the process that Eve went through in solving this crime, lately I have found that I tend to skim these sections of the books, but I was fully absorbed in this book and stayed up longer that I should have to read just one more chapter each night.  It seemed a little weird at first without Eve's cast of characters surrounding her and helping.  But after a while everything was fine.  I also appreciated a story without any major bumps in the relationship between Eve and Roarke.  I know that J.D. Robb wants to make their relationship seem realistic, but it is nice to see them together without some internal and/or external friction causing tension.

I do have one little nitpick.  At times Eve uses short form when talking (Robb probably does this to make her sound more authentic I'm sure), but one short form always, always made me stop and giggle.  Using the context of what Eve was saying or asking, I'm pretty sure the word was analysis, but the short form used in the book was anal, and yes my (apparently 12 year old boy's) mind went there each and every time it was used.  I honestly can't remember if this as been used in previous books, but one would think that I would remember seeing how often I would stop, giggle, read the sentence over again and giggle again.  Even so, this book is a perfect example as to why I enjoy reading a J.D. Robb book.  Even though we knew who the killer was, you are kept at the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next.

Review - My One and Only by Kristan Higgins

Divorce attorney Harper James can't catch a break. Bad enough that she runs into her ex-hubby, Nick, at her sister's destination wedding, but now, by a cruel twist of fate, she's being forced to make a cross-country road trip with him. And her almost-fiancé back at home is not likely to be sympathetic.
Harper can't help that Nick has come blazing back into her life in all of his frustratingly appealing, gorgeous architect glory. But in Nick's eyes, Harper's always been the one. If they can only get it right this time, forever might be waiting—just around the bend. (Amazon)

My One and Only is Higgin's 7th book.  It is also the seventh book of hers that features (prominently) a zany, yet needy family and a dog.  It is also her first book that I did not buy, but borrowed from the library.  I don't think I will purchase any of her books in the future unless she moves away from the crazy secondary characters and dog shtick.  Don't get me wrong, I will continue to read her new novels, I just won't buy them until there is a change.  The book for me did not get interesting and readable until the tenth chapter.  That was when Harper and Nick left the other characters behind for their road trip. 

It took me a while to like Harper.  In the beginning, I found her to be overbearing and yet needy.  She was willing to marry her boyfriend Dennis just because it was time for her to get married.  So she bought her own ring, had a list of things she wanted him to change, and ignored the signs that he wasn't willing to marry in hopes that she would eventually wear him down.  Also, rather than swearing she used the word "crotch", I have to say that being the same age as her I have never used that word in the contexts she did and it felt unnatural and immature.  But again, once I got to chapter ten and we delve into why Harper is the way she is, she becomes more likable.

To be perfectly honest, if I were just reviewing chapters 10 to 24, this book would an A.  I was invested in the story, Nick and Harper were entertaining and I was rooting for them.  Higgins really has the knack for writing riveting stories.  I even cried once, although to be perfectly honest it may have more to do with my hormones.  I also cried yesterday while watching an episode of the Dog Whisperer - he was helping a rescued dog become less fearful of the world and actually get out of a chair! 

I seem to have a problem of letting things go, authors I enjoy reading are included.  So it is more than likely that I will read the next book out by Kristan Higgins, but please. for. the. love. of. God! get rid of the wacky family members, the dogs, and this need to pair the heroine with a family member's ex, or a family member with the heroine's ex!  It gets tiresome after the seventh book.

Darkfever and DreamWorks

Whoo Hoo!!!  Apparently DreamWorks has acquired the rights to Karen Marie Moning's Fever series.  Love this!  Only question is, does DreamWorks only do movies, or do they do tv shows like True Blood?  I don't think a movie or series of movies could do this story justice.  Each book needs it's own season to flesh out the story and the characters.  And HBO would be the perfect place for MacKayla and Jericho.

   

If, like me, you are impatiently waiting for another book by Moning, head on over to her facebook page for a scene from Jericho's point of view.