Upcoming Book Review: The Host: A Novel by Stephenie Meyer

This was an interesting read and I really enjoyed it. Look for the review soon!

Excerpt from the book:

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away.
Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans have become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed.
When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans, is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of sense, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.
Wanderer probes Melanie's thoughts, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the remaining human resistance. Instead, Melanie fills Wanderer's mind with visions of the man Melanie loves-Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she has been tasked with exposing. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.

Visit http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/ for more information.

Book Review: The Hunger Games (Book 1) by Suzanne Collins

Book Title: The Hunger Games (Book 1)

Author: Suzanne Collins(http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/)

Pages: 374

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy/Sci-Fi

(Scale Explanation: 1) Meaning awful, 5) Meaning not good, but not bad, equal, 10) Meaning wonderful)

PLOT - 10

CHARACTERS – 10

BEGINNING - 9

ENDING - 9

FLOW - 8

OVERALL – 9

What I liked about this book: Oh my, this book was sooooo good. I had to finish it from the time that I picked it up. It was absolutely wonderful. The characters were all very thorough, though I would have liked to have learned more about a few of the characters. Though, this is the first book in a trilogy, so I’m sure that within the next few books, I’ll learn more about the characters that I hadn’t learned about. I loved Peeta, and Katniss is a total badass. I can’t wait to read the other two books in the trilogy.

What I disliked about this book: I had an odd issue with the POV and tense that the author used. Though that is a minor problem, I felt like I was reading the book as I was sitting on a cliff about ready to fall, the entire book, which if you think about it, is probably the way the author wanted the story conveyed as you are basically sitting on a cliff about to fall off the entire time you are reading it.

Who I would recommend this book to: I would recommend this book to anyone that I recommend books to. It was a fun read that had me on the edge the whole way through. The characters were lovable, so anyone that reads, read this book.

What I felt the book was about: Katniss Everdeen is a teenage girl that lives in the Seam, the most povertous part of District 12, the coal producing district of Panem. The ruins of North America is the land where Panem resides. It consists of 12 districts, each producing a specific need that the Capitol uses. the Capitol is very lavish and to get back at each of the districts for the rebellion that took place years ago, they hold the annual Hunger Games. Pitting teenagers between twelve and eighteen against each other in an all out battle to the death. Only one victor emerges each year and they are showered along with their district with gifts and tidings all year long. Katniss lost her father in a mining accident years ago and has taken on the role of head of the household. She leaves the fences surrounding district 12 each day to hunt and gather food for her family and also for trading. She hunts with her friend Gale, the only person other than her sister that she has ever been able to trust. The Reaping coming along, the announcements of the boy and girl tributes for the Hunger Games and Katniss's sister, Prim, gets called. Katniss volunteers to take her spot and heads to the Capitol for training and pampering before the games are to start. The boy tribute from district 12 is Peeta Mallark, a Baker's son that has had a crush on Katniss since they were five, but Katniss doesn't know yet. After getting to the Capitol, they push their mentor Haymitch into actually being a mentor, sobering him up to teach them and give them strategies. Haymitch was a victor of the games a long time ago. Katniss can't tell whether she should trust Peeta at all, but she finds herself trusting him off and on. She can't shake the fact that after her father died, Peeta risked a beating burning bread to give to her so that she could survive. He was her wake up call to take the head of household position. District 12's stylists make them unforgettable and during an interview, Peets confesses that he loves Katniss. Katniss is dumbstruck and has no idea what is going on. Haymitch speaks with her later and tells her that the best strategy for them to play is the star-crossed lovers angle. The next day, they have to show off their talents to the Gamemakers to see what score they can get that will aid in their mentors getting Sponsors, people that send them gifts while in the arena, everyone is astounded when Katniss recieves the highest score of all 24 tributes. The games begin the next day and after being placed in the arena, Katniss is tempted to run to the cornucopia containing survival packs, water, weapons, and other things that one might need to survive in the wild. Peeta sees her getting ready to run and shakes his head, meaning he wants her to run into the woods. Katniss mistakes his gesture as a malicious cause and grabs a bag before she heads into the woods. She camps in a tree and wakes up to someone starting a fire on the ground below her. Peeta has teamed up with the Careers, teens that have trained for the Hunger Games their entire lives, and it seems as though he is helping them find Katniss. Eventually, Katniss teams up with Rue, a twelve year old small girl from District 11 and they take out the careers food supply. One night, the trumpets sound and the announcer announces that two victors can prevail this year if they are from the same District. Katniss finds Peeta who is badly injured by Cato's sword. Cato is a Career tribute. They begin to pour on the star-crossed lovers act and Katniss feels as though it's not all an act on Peeta's part and begins to feel for him too. She brings him back from the clutches of death through Sponsor gifts and acting the love part. They end up with only one other to kill, Cato. The Gamemakers have made some sort of strange dog/human creature that they sick on the last three tributes. Needless to say, Katniss and Peets survive and have to keep pouring on the love act. The whole time Katniss is worried about what ale might be thinking even though they were never boyfriend/girlfriend. To win the Hunger Games, Peeta and Katniss do something in total defiance of the Capitol and unbeknownst to them start a new type of rebellion. Sure to be continued in Book two which is on its way to my door right now. :)

Favorite excerpts or quotes from the book: “Remember we are madly in love, so it's alright to kiss me anytime you feel like it."

I could pick several other quotes, but you must read to find them. Great book. Read it! NOW!

The Hunger Games I'm Hooked

Will you be in line to purchase it?
I have already pre-ordered on Amazon.com.

I can't wait!

Book Review: Witch Heart (Elemental Witches Book 3) by Anya Bast

Book Title: Witch Heart (Elemental Witches Book 3)

Author: Anya Bast (http://www.anyabast.com/)

Pages: 296

Publisher: Berkeley Sensation

Genre: Paranormal Romance

(Scale Explanation: 1) Meaning awful, 5) Meaning not good, but not bad, equal, 10) Meaning wonderful)

PLOT - 9

CHARACTERS – 8

BEGINNING - 8

ENDING - 8

FLOW - 8

OVERALL – 8

What I liked about this book: I liked that Anya Bast created another world, another type of person, the daeamons, Eudae. It was all very interesting getting to know these worlds and the creatures that inhabited them. The love scenes were very steamy and the romance was very emotional. I really liked the battle scenes as they played out in my head as I read them.

What I disliked about this book: I wasn’t very fond of the dialogue in some parts, as they spoke like modern day, only it seemed forced. It’s very hard for me to explain it, but some of the conversations between the two lead characters were awkward and didn’t fit their relationship.

Who I would recommend this book to: I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys paranormal romance books, or books by the author as her books seem to have their own special qualities about them.

What I felt the book was about: Claire was brought to Eudae, the world of the daeamons, by her mother, a warlock at age six. One her mother died, the head of the daeamons Rue, took her in as his handmaiden, but throughout her slave time as his handmaiden, he has molded her magick into something totally different from what normal elemental witches possess. There is a time when the Atrika's want to take over Eudae, and Rue plunges Claire through a portal to Earth, only he can't close the portal in time to keep the Atrika's from getting through. There is a non-stop chase that leads to battles of all of the elements and all of the Earth witches in Chicago. Throughout all of this, Claire meets Adam and he makes her think of things that she wants but was never able to get. She had had one boyfriend on Eudae, but when Rue had found out, he had killed him right away, so Claire has been scared to love again. Adam had lost his first wife through circumstances he could have controlled and hasn't been able to forget it since. Claire is the one to help him get over his problems and eventually things get sorted out, but I would divulge that information, since the ending is usually the part that would give the whole book away and I like to encourage people to pick up books and read them. :)

Favorite excerpts or quotes from the book: “She smiled at him. "If this is junk food, bring on the Ding Dings!"" - Page 62

Check out Kyle's Blog

I was so happy that I was the lucky one to introduce Kyle to the wonderful writing of Courtney Milan. Courtney Milan is a very talented Historical Romance writer and I recently fell in love with her book, PROOF BY SEDUCTION.

I know that I tired Kyle by talking about it so much, but I finally got him to read it and voila! he loved it too.

He was very smart and asked Courtney for an interview to post on his blog and I was very lucky that Kyle had asked me to come up with the questions that pertain to her novella THIS WICKED GIFT from the collaborative book of novellas that she authored with Mary Bologh(http://www.MaryBologh.com) and Nicola Cornick(http://www.NicolaCornick.co.uk), entitled THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS. Because he hasn't had the opportunity to read it yet.

Please check out these books and be sure to swing by Kyle's blog to check out the interview. At the end of the interview is a special contest in which you can win either a copy of PROOF BY SEDUCTION or a copy of THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS!

Here are the links:

Kyle's Blog:  http://www.kgborland.blogspot.com
Courtney Milan's Website:  http://www.CourtneyMilan.com


Thank you!

Upcoming Book Review: The Hunger Games (Book 1) by Suzanne Collins

This book was amazing. I can't wait to do the review for this special book.

Excerpt from the cover of the book:

Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with every one out to make sure you don't live to see the morning?

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Visit http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/ for more information.

Jamming on the Drums

Upcoming Book Review: Witch Heart (Elemental Witches Book 3) by Anya Bast

Here is a fun book that I read recently. I should post the review by the end of the weekend.

Excerpt from the back of the book:

With a strange and powerful type of elemental magick, Claire isn't destined to remain a demon's handmaiden. Yet this has been her fate since she was six, when her warlock mother brought her to Eudae. Now an adult, she's about to discover her true power-and how for others are willing to go to take it away...

As part of a Coven mission, Adem Tyrell rescues Claire from her enslavement-and finds himself immediately taken with the beautiful witch. But this charming playboy soon learns that it's easier to steal Claire from demons than to win her heart, for her life as a servant has ravaged her spirit. But Adam's determination to protect her from the warlocks who want to harness her magick for evil begins to weaken Claire's resistance-and in the heat of danger they find themselves surrendering to the lure of their deepest desires...

Visit http://www.anyabast.com/ for more information.

Book Review: Goddess of the Hunt (Goddess Trilogy #1) by Tessa Dare

Book Title: Goddess of the Hunt (Goddess Trilogy #1)

Author: Tessa Dare (http://www.tessadare.com/)

Pages: 360

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Genre: Historical Romance

(Scale Explanation: 1) Meaning awful, 5) Meaning not good, but not bad, equal, 10) Meaning wonderful)

PLOT - 10

CHARACTERS – 10

BEGINNING - 10

ENDING - 10

FLOW - 10

OVERALL – 10

What I liked about this book: I really enjoyed every character in the book. Toby was a bit of an ass at times, but my favorite thing about this book was the character development. The flow was lovely and I really loved the relationship between the two lead characters.

What I disliked about this book: Absolutely nothing, this book caught me from the time when I went online and read the excerpt on Tessa Dare’s website. After I read that excerpt, I went right away and bought the book.

Who I would recommend this book to: Anyone that enjoys historical romance or anything by the author. Anyone that is interested in trying out the genre as this book would surely get one hooked.

What I felt the book was about: Lucy Waltham is a girl that has annoyed her brother and his friends for their whole lives during autumn getaways at the Waltham manor. Her brother, Henry, has married, his friend Felix, has married and now, the man that Lucy has loved for such a long time, Toby, has brought a girl to the manor in order to woo her and eventually ask her to marry him. Lucy is distraught and falls on Jeremy Trescott the last of her brothers friends, unmarried, for help and practice at seducing Toby. Their first encounter leaves Jeremy spinning, not knowing what is wrong with him, why Lucy suddenly looks like a beautiful Goddess, and less like the scrawny child he  knew his whole life. The game ensues and Lucy finds herself falling for the brooding Jeremy Trescott, and less and less in love with Toby. By the end of the autumn holiday, Jeremy has asked for Lucy's hand in marriage, because he doesn't want her to be compromised after their adventures with their love game. Lucy goes to Jeremy's estate, he is an Earl, and doesn't like the way things are going. After a few failed attempts at getting the people under Jeremy to like her and her new husband, Lucy and Jeremy are not happy with each other. The attraction is still there, but Lucy doesn't like Jeremy with his business facade over him. Eventually, Lucy draws out the turmoil that Jeremy faced when he was a child and helps him to overcome the demons of that traumatic experience and somewhat move on. Lucy almost gets hurt, but telling the details of that would give away too much. The ending is yet another wonderful happy ending for Lucy and Jeremy, but not for Toby. Toby's story is continued in the next two books of the Goddess trilogy. Pick it up and read it. It rocked!!! I loved this book!

Favorite excerpts or quotes from the book: “”I wasn’t aware that hope required a reason, any more than love. In case you have forgotten-I have no talent for hoping. I don’t hope. I know. I believe. I expect. I know that Toby loves me. I believe we belong together.” She jabbed a finger into the center of his chest. “And I expect you to understand.”” – Page 11

There are so many other quotes that I'd love to include, but to find them, you must read the book. :)

Monster Truck Fun

A Book and a Chat With Kyle Borland

Just wanting everyone to tune into 'A Book and A Chat' with Storyheart(Barry Eva) today, right now. 6:30pm Eastern Time to listen in to an interview with Kyle Borland. Kyle is a great friend of mine and a fellow writer from Goodreads and a collaborative writing group.


Please tune in.


http://www.blogger.com/goog_1263857404914
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/across-the-pond

Playing in the Dirt with his Cousin

Photos of Yet Another Trip to the Snow...I Think It's Fair to Say That We Love It!!

Book Review: Betrayal by Jaimey Grant

Book Title: Betrayal

Author: Jaimey Grant (http://www.jaimeygrant.com/)

Pages: 170

Publisher: Smashwords

Genre: Historical Romance

(Scale Explanation: 1) Meaning awful, 5) Meaning not good, but not bad, equal, 10) Meaning wonderful)

PLOT - 10

CHARACTERS – 9

BEGINNING - 10

ENDING - 10

FLOW - 9

OVERALL – 9

What I liked about this book: I really enjoyed the story as a whole. The plot was a great idea and Jaimey had a wonderful way of letting all of the information make itself known. The characters were all very in-depth and in the time that you read the story, they each make their pasts known. I enjoyed the character of Raven, she was very different from the rest of the characters, though in one way the same. I really enjoyed Conner, because he brought a brightness to the story, especially his relationship with his wife.

What I disliked about this book: The only things that I didn’t like about this book were attributed to how I viewed one particular character. The lead character on the female side, Bri, was annoying at times. I could see how one would really grow to despise her. But do not fear, the way she is, is central to the story, so all in all, I can’t say that I didn’t like her, because she had to be this way for the story to come together so well. I did feel for her for what she had to go through as it was very rough to read about her problems, but it made her character stand out above the rest as well. And it also helped the reader close in on why she acted the way she did at certain times. The only other issue I had, it may be because I read it very fast, was that there was a discrepancy, at least, as I remember in the ending chapter. In the beginning of the book, it seems as though the female lead has known the male lead for a while, seeing as how she knew his name and she spoke to him like they were old acquaintances, then in the last chapter they are speaking to one another and she says something along the lines of if my family hadn’t hired you to find me, we would have never met. This struck me as odd, but I will consult with the author to see if I missed a detail.

Who I would recommend this book to: Anyone that enjoys historical romances. Anyone that enjoys stories with a dark plot or flow.

What I felt the book was about: Bri has been running from her family and her title. She is the Countess of Rothsmere, though she doesn’t want to be. He family is a disgusting vile bunch of creatures that intend to marry her off to a scoundrel of a bastard, then a man who supposedly holds a family secret, just so that they have her money. She gets rescued by Adam Prestwich, a rake with a LOT of hidden and not-so-hidden secrets that make him quite a cynical rescuer. He finds a way to nurse her back to health, using his exotic Ebony Swan mistress to take care of her. He enlists the aid of his dear friend Conner, the Marquess of Beverly. Bri tried to get him to allow her to escape before he takes her to her family, she confesses that they had her institutionalized and he is insensitive of the matter, due to the fact that he believes women are only good for one reason and they aren’t to be trusted. He takes her back to her family anyway, then regrets the choice very soon after, finding that she is all he can think of. Bri is having problems herself as she is set up to marry another man, the one mentioned above as having a dirty little secret of the families that he is black-mailing them with. He rapes her and beats her along with her family beating her, so she is in pain and refuses to ask for help, but everyone can see that she wants help because her eyes give her away. It finally comes about that Conner finds out about her rape and Bri’s only friendly relative wants to fight to get her out of the situation, Levi, the Earl of Greville, her cousin. He goes to Conner for help, and they call upon Adam who is busy preparing for his wife from the past to die at his estate in Cornwall. No one knew about the estranged wife. It just so happens that his estranged wife that is dying was lured to bed by Steyne, the man that is set to marry Bri. So, Adam has a problem with the man already. He comes back to help Bri, and so he beats up a few people and Conner, his wife Verena, Adam, and Levi get her out of her estate. She stays with Conner and Verena for a while, but then they are attending a musical and on Adams way to the event, he is pulled into an alley and beat within an inch of his life. Once Bri finds out about the problem she confesses to Adam that she loves him and can’t live without him while she thinks he is passed out. After he is on the mend, Bri insists that he see is his wife before she dies so that he can truly be at peace before Bri even tries to get him to marry her. They go to his Cornwall estate, all of them, and eventually, Adam sees his dying wife who confesses to him that the first time she slept with Steyne was the only time she truly wanted it, and the other times, he had threatened her life and Adams. This makes Adam a little less cynical knowing the whole story, and it also allows him to move on, which he had already done, but in this case without most of the hurt. Then as she dies, she confesses something about her daughter, but doesn’t finish before she dies. Adam is distraught, ordering his relative to care for the child, but that he is never to see her. Bri forces him to see her and wonder of wonders, she looks exactly like him. They go back to London and Adam is the most peaceful that he has ever been, everything is happy and great, though everyone is wondering why he hasn’t proposed to Bri yet. Finally, he does and they confess their love for each other and the ending is very happy.

Favorite excerpts or quotes from the book: “Connor glanced at Adam. “There have been very trying times, as you know very well, but the good times have more than made up for them. I recommend marriage to any man with the courage to fight for what he loves.” He threw a meaningful look at Adam and strode away, calling over his shoulder, “My wife expects a dance with you, don’t forget.”” – Page 75

Upcoming Book Review: Goddess of the Hunt (Goddess Trilogy #1) by Tessa Dare

This was such a fun book to read and the characters were awesome! I can't wait to post the review for this one. And I can't wait to read the other two books in this trilogy.

Excerpt from back of the book:

Ever the bold adventuress, Lucy Waltham has decided to go hunting for a husband. But first she needs some target practice. So she turns to her brother's best friend, Jeremy Trescott, the Earl of Kendall, to hone her seductive wiles on him before setting her sights on another man. But her practice kisses spark a smoldering passion-one that could send all her plans up in smoke.
Jeremy has an influential title, a vast fortune, and a painful past full of long-buried secrets. He keeps a safe distance from his own emotions, but to distract Lucy from her reckless scheming he must give his passions free reign. Their sensual battle of wills is as maddening as it is delicious, but the longer he succeeds in managing the headstrong temptress, the closer Jeremy comes to losing control. When scandal breaks, can he bring himself to abandon Lucy to her ruin? Or will he risk his heart, and claim her for his own?

Visit http://www.tessadare.com/ for more info.

Book Review: A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

Book Title: A Clockwork Orange

Author: Anthony Burgess(http://www.anthonyburgess.org/)

Pages: 213

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Genre: Fiction

(Scale Explanation: 1) Meaning awful, 5) Meaning not good, but not bad, equal, 10) Meaning wonderful)

PLOT - 10

CHARACTERS – 10

BEGINNING - 9

ENDING - 10

FLOW - 9

OVERALL – 10

What I liked about this book: I really loved the made up slang after I got used to it. It somehow was a better way to convey the violence that the droogs see as being good and normal. I loved that society tried to reform Alex, but failed miserably, they just made him feel terrible, and when he was released, he had no one to go to. I love it that in the end, Alex, chose to move on and grow up himself. That was the best part of the book, to me. I really loved the extra tidbit that was included in this edition, an introduction from Anthony Burgess, where he was angry that most Americans in the beginning of the publishing of this book, never got the last chapter. It was very fun to read his thoughts on that.

What I disliked about this book: The first few pages were hard to understand as Alex and his droogs speak in a made up slang that shows their brutal nature. It took me reading through the first few pages a few times to understand it entirely. After that, the book rocked!

Who I would recommend this book to: Anyone that enjoys a good philosophical book from one person’s point of view. Anyone that enjoys cult classics. Anyone that enjoys Anthony Burgess.

What I felt the book was about: Alex and his droogs are vicious gang members in a futuristic world where crime is not as easily taken care of. After leading on many different crimes, he finally does the ultimate crime, he kills a woman. He gets sent to jail and there is a groundbreaking new therapy that the government is willing to try on Alex, letting him out in just two weeks time. The therapy is awful, forcing Alex's eyes open to watch violence and rape scenes, while playing some of his favorite music. After a few days, he develpos a sickness to violence, so that anytime he sees it or thinks of it, he gets violently sick. He is released and everyone that he knew before doesn't want anything to do with him. He is left alone and gets beaten up by cops that used to be his droog members. He walks along an old country road for a while when he stumbles upon a cottage. He knocks on the door and the owner lets him in. He nurses Alex back to health, and Alex feels that the house is familiar. Alex finally remembers that he and his droogs had once stormed this house, beat the owner up, and raped his wife. The owner had already recognized Alex, but he and a few of his friends are fighting the government to stop the reforming process that Alex has gone through. Though the owner wants his revenge on Alex. He ends up taking Alex to an apartment in London and blasts music, the same music that Alex had to listen to while he was in the therapy sessions into the room. It makes Alex the sickest ever and he tried to commit suicide by jumping out the window. He survives and it seems that the therapy was abolished from his brain with the damage that was caused from the jump. He is back to his old droogie self. He goes back to his violent ways, only not participating in the crimes himself, he leads a group of young droogs until it dawns on him that he is done with the gangster life, he wants to grow up, get married and have a child. He leaves the droogs and one of them in charge and goes to a local coffee shop where he meets one of his old droogs from before the prison time, he sees that he is married and happy. This is the turning point for Alex, letting us know that people tend to grow up on their own with time, in most cases.

Favorite excerpts or quotes from the book: "My son, my son. When I had my son I would explain all that to him when he was starry enough to like understand. But then I knew he would not understand or would not want to understand at all and would do all the veshches I had done, yes perhaps even killing some poor starry forella surrounded with mewing kots and koshkas, and I would not be able to really stop him. And now would he be able to stop his own son, brothers. And so it would itty on to like the end of the world, round and round and round, like some bolshy gigantic like chelloveck, like old Bog Himself (by courtesy of Korova Milkbar) turning and turning and turning vonny grahzny orange in his gigantic rookers." - Page 211

Upcoming Book Review: Betrayal by Jaimey Grant

I really enjoyed this e-book that I got from the author, Jaimey Grant.

I can't wait to post the review. Watch for it later today.

Excerpt from Smashwords.com:

England 1816. Bri has been running for years. Just when she thinks she may have escaped those pursuing her, she finds herself thrown into Newgate Prison...where Adam finds her. Hired by Bri's family, he is determined to return the heiress posthaste. When it becomes clear that her family does NOT have her best interests at heart, she must accept Adam's help, something her pride will not allow.

Look for it soon!
For more info, Visit: http://www.jaimeygrant.com/

Exploring the Nearby Mountain Range

Over the last few days, my family went and adventured the nearby mountains. We had a blast and I just wanted to show some of the beautiful pictures that I took while on our driving trip. All taken with my new camera! :)

Book Review: The Heart of Christmas by Mary Balogh, Nicola Cornick, and Courtney Milan

Book Title: The Heart of Christmas (A Handful of Gold/The Season for Suitors/This Wicked Gift)

Author: Mary Balogh(http://www.marybalogh.com/), Nicola Cornick(http://www.nicolacornick.co.uk/), and Courtney Milan(http://www.courtneymilan.com/)

Pages: 378

Publisher: Harlequin Historical

Genre: Historical Romance/Christmas

(A Note on this book: This is a collection of three novellas, I will review each one separately.)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Novella Title: A Handful of Gold

Author: Mary Balogh (http://www.marybalogh.com/)

Pages: 125

(Scale Explanation: 1) Meaning awful, 5) Meaning not good, but not bad, equal, 10) Meaning wonderful)

PLOT - 7

CHARACTERS - 8

BEGINNING - 6

ENDING - 9

FLOW - 7

OVERALL - 8

What I liked about this novella: I really liked the female lead character. She was doing what she had to do for her family, that was her focus. She put on another persona entirely. I thought that the situation became slightly comical when she went to the hunters lodge with her male companion. I like how the rake went after her after falling in love with her and found her. It was a sweet romance that started on ugly terms.

What I disliked about this novella: This novella started slow, and stayed pretty slow throughout. It was a good story, it just seemed to take longer to get to the point. The plot was simple, but I don’t believe that the author did a very good job in letting the reader know the past of the rake in this story. He just seemed to be angsty almost, not like he had gone through any horrible things, he was just a spoiled brat almost.

Who I would recommend this novella to: Anyone that likes the author. I shall give something else that she has written a try, because I don’t know if this novella would be the best judge of her talent. Anyone that like historical romance that includes a lot of religion and talk of Christmas cheer.

What I felt the novella was about: Viscount Folingsby is a rake and his family wants him to marry. He gets a letter from his friend inviting him to his hunters box for a week during Christmas. He includes that Folingsby should bring a lovely companion for a long week of debauchery as his friend is bringing his mistress. It is supposed to be the getaway for Folingsby before he is to wed the woman that he would rather throw mud at. Verity is a dancer for the opera theatre and many men have tried to get her to be their mistress. She had never accepted because she would rather marry than be a mistress. But her sister’s illness has forced her into this career choice. With her sisters medical bills adding up, she had no other choice than to accept the next gent’s offer. Viscount Folingsby takes her to dinner and offers her 500 pounds to go with him for the week. She accepts knowing that it is the only way to save her sisters life from the illness. After the first day at the hunters box, Folingsby kisses Verity only to find out that she has never kissed before, so that leads him to conclude that she is a virgin. He is angry and decides to sleep on the floor rather than take this womans innocence. The next few days are filled with activities as Verity makes everyone decorate the house for Christmas and have a jolly time. A reverend and his family crash a few miles away from the lodge and a few of the servants bring them back so as not to be stuck out in the cold. The reverends wife is pregnant and they also have two little boys. They have a jolly good time singing carols and attending a service put on by the Reverend in the sitting room. The Reverends wife goes into labor and Verity has to deliver the baby. After Verity leaves on her own accord, Folingsby figures out that he loves her and searches for her back in London. It takes him a while, but voila happy ending.

Favorite excerpts or quotes from the novella: “”I fancy,” he said, “that some artist must once have mixed his paints with care and used a fine brush in order to produce the particular color of your eyes. It is unusual, if not unique.” – Page 29

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Novella Title: The Season for Suitors

Author: Nicola Cornick (http://www.nicolacornick.co.uk/)

Pages: 114

(Scale Explanation: 1) Meaning awful, 5) Meaning not good, but not bad, equal, 10) Meaning wonderful)

PLOT - 8

CHARACTERS - 9

BEGINNING - 8

ENDING - 8

FLOW - 8

OVERALL - 8

What I liked about this novella: The background story of the rake was very nicely done. I really liked the conversations between the two lead characters, they were very witty. I enjoyed the descriptions of the landscapes. The story ended up being very comical and sweet in the end.

What I disliked about this novella: I don’t know what it was that angered me about reading this novella, but it seemed as though the sentences that described what a person was doing or something in the background was very bland, so I would have to read the sentence a few times over for it to register. I wish I know what made me feel that way.

Who I would recommend this novella to: Anyone that likes the author. I shall give something else that she has written a try, because I don’t know if this novella would be the best judge of her talent. Anyone that likes historical romance that includes Christmas cheer.

What I felt the novella was about: Sebastian, the Duke of Fleet is a disgusting vulgar rake and everyone knows it. He has no intention of ever marrying. Clara Davencourt has been in love with Sebastian for two years now even though he rejected her proposal of marriage back then. She assumed that she was over him and needs some advice and help. She is scared that some other fool or rake will find a way to compromise her and force her into marriage. She calls on Sebastian and he agrees to help in a weird way. He is actually in love with Miss Davencourt, but refuses to give in to it. They kiss a few times and constantly have to tell Miss Davencourts older brother that nothing happened. Hilarious. Then, Miss Davencourt is ice skating one morning as Sebastian had just made travel plans to leave the continent. He is riding by when he sees the ice crack underneath her and she falls in. He doesn’t think, he just acts and saves her life. This brought about a lot of sadness for Sebastian because he lost his younger brother many years ago because he wasn’t fast enough to save him from the ice water, the same way that Clara fell in. So, his depression is more understood, he just hasn’t moved on. Clara goes to see him later and he refuses her again. She goes to leave, but the servants urge her to try again because they don’t want to be out of the job if Sebastian is gone. Right on schedule, Sebastian calls his butler to call his carriage to take him to the bar. He goes and gets drunk and Clara gets him from the bar. As they are walking out to the carriage, he confesses exactly how he feels about her and tada happy ending.

Favorite excerpts or quotes from the novella: “Clara glared at him. “You like me-but not enough to marry me.” “You are mistaken. I like you far too much to marry you. I would be the devil of a husband.””– Page 151

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Novella Title: This Wicked Gift

Author: Courtney Milan (http://www.courtneymilan.com/)

Pages: 121

(Scale Explanation: 1) Meaning awful, 5) Meaning not good, but not bad, equal, 10) Meaning wonderful)

PLOT - 9

CHARACTERS - 10

BEGINNING - 9

ENDING - 10

FLOW - 10

OVERALL - 10

What I liked about this novella: Courtney Milan is an amazing writer. I will always get anything that she writes. She is just so talented. Anyway, other than that, the story was wonderful. It is about William White, a minor character in Courtney’s other book that just came out, Proof by Seduction. I really liked the character of Lavinia, she is very strong and never does anything for herself. She is all about family. She has an adorably bratty younger brother that she takes care of and I really enjoyed their relationship. I love that she had a huge crush on Mr. White before he approaches her for her wicked gift. I love that Gareth Carhart makes an appearance in this story and we got to see how he was before he became the Marquess. I have a mild crush on his character.

What I disliked about this novella: Though, it’s a main part of the story, I don’t like how William bashes himself over what he has done to Lavinia even after she had cleared things up, or at least, they should have been cleared up, but it is essential to the story.

Who I would recommend this novella to: Anyone that likes the author. Anyone that likes historical romance that includes Christmas cheer.

What I felt the novella was about: Lavinia Spencer took over the family Library when her father became ill. He brother goes and does his own thing and gets into a bit of trouble. He has taken her stash of money to buy a nice Christmas dinner and loses it with a scoundrel at the docks. William White has frequented the library for a year now and is secretly in love with Lavinia, or at least he wants her. He could never imagine marrying her because he doesn’t feel as though he is worthy. He over hears Lavinia talking to her brother about the money that he lost. That’s when he decides to take action. He gets Lavinia when she is alone and snatched an address from her hand, the address to the scoundrel that took her brothers money. He tells her that he will take care of it and if she wants to know how he did to meet him at one the next day at his house. She meets him and he has purchased the debt that her brother owes the scoundrel. White doesn’t know that Lavinia’s brother won’t get into trouble for the debt and so he offers to settle the debt if Lavinia gives him her body. She does, but it is of her own accord. He then, bashes himself over and over hoping to get someone to be angry with him over what he had done. Even after Lavinia explains to him that she wanted what happened to have happened. He finally does something good at work for the Marquess of Blakely’s heir, Gareth Carhart. And he gets a new job balancing his accounts. Makes more money and finally realizes that he could afford Lavinia. In the end, Lavinia explains that he wouldn’t have to afford her and that they love each other. But I’m not going to spill the lovely details. Happy ending number three.

Favorite excerpts or quotes from the novella: “”That gesture,” Lavinia said, “must be William Q. White for ‘Dear Lord, she’s given me a rabid compliment! Run away before it bites me!”” - Page 338

Fun Photos

I just thought that I would share a few photos I took recently. Enjoy.

For some reason, when I tell him to smile, he shuts his eyes and tries to spread his smile from ear to ear. It is so cute, but hard to get a really good picture.

Here are some photos of the sky taken a few weeks ago.