Mass Market Paperback, 372 pages

Published January 31st 2012 

by Forever

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Once the flames are ignited . . . 

Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family's fortune decimated and forced her to wed London's most nefarious nobleman.

They will burn for eternity . . .

Lord Benjamin Archer is no ordinary man. Doomed to hide his disfigured face behind masks, Archer knows it's selfish to take Miranda as his bride. Yet he can't help being drawn to the flame-haired beauty whose touch sparks a passion he hasn't felt in a lifetime. When Archer is accused of a series of gruesome murders, he gives in to the beastly nature he has fought so hard to hide from the world. But the curse that haunts him cannot be denied. Now, to save his soul, Miranda will enter a world of dark magic and darker intrigue. For only she can see the man hiding behind the mask.

My Thoughts

I've had this novel on my TBR shelf forever. Or, at least, it feels that way. And I'm so glad I picked it up recently. The writing is delicious. Poignant, sharp and yet you have to read this book to really get how smart and lovely it is. So, without further ado...

Archer: Can I say wow? Because wow. I really liked this character. In a word, he's noble. To tack on some more words, he's also tortured. Strong. Stubborn. I loved his tenacity, I loved how he felt enough to really want Miranda, not just to bed her. I loved that he was stupidly self sacrificing. I loved who this man was behind the mask.I can't say more about that mask for fear of spoilery, because Callihan is an amazingly talented author who unravels her plot slowly. As a reader, I was left wondering not just what was behind the mask, but also about what was in Archer's past because I knew something dark lurked there, yet it was obvious that Archer was a good man. 

Miranda: Here is a heroine to love. This girl does not take life lying down. She stands up--to her father, to Archer, daring him to full reveal himself in more ways than one. She stands up to the world for defiling Archer. I just loved her strength. She was a perfect, brilliant match for Archer. A word for her? Stubborn. Want two words? Strong. She and Archer have a lot in common--secrets, fears, deep emotion. She is the only one who dares to really see Archer, and I loved her for that. 

If you enjoy layered stories, love historical or paranormal romances, this novel is up your alley. If you fall in love with the taste of words, this novel is beautifully crafted. Do I love this book? Oh yes. Would I recommend it? YES. This is one book you should read before 2013 is out. 

5 glittering stars

Hey Everyone, 

It's been a long time since I've done a Quote It! post, so I thought I'd share with you today. 

I've been reading as much as I can, naturally and recently I read an amazing novel. You'll get some quotes

from me today, because honestly...so worth the sharing! I couldn't resist sharing this time around.

Firelight, by Kristen Callihan is the first in a series I'm dying to read more of and honestly, I'm sorry I let it sit on my shelf for so long. It was an awesome read. The characters, the plot were just...wow. You'll have to give it a read yourself to see what I mean.

Here are some quotes. Hope they entice you ;)

He was Archer, her avenging angel. Always. 

Even though he tried to hide it, she could see the frustration and rage in his eyes burning just below the surface. And it ignited a wild urge in Miranda to protect him and find out what she could, where she could. 

Warmth spread through him, contentment tempered by a sweet ache that made him yearn tho hold her close against him. 

"...the thoughts of spending one more day, one more breath without knowing the feel of you in my arms has become too much too bear."

"Home is not where one visits,  it is where one returns to at the end of each day."


Do you see what I mean? This is only a small taste. I have so much book marked and highlighted it's insane. This went on my favourites shelf. You know that doesn't happen a lot--it's got be an a-maz-ING book for that to happen. Firelight definitely qualified.

Stay tuned for my full review!

ebook, Nook, 337 pages

Published November 2009 

by Samhain Publishing, Ltd

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Pulling off the ultimate con...if they can keep from pulling off their clothes

Keely McKay knows Jack and Jack Donohue is a certified pain in her Wranglers. The lone girl in the prolific McKay family, Keely needs another man giving her orders like she needs a hole in her boot. What she does need is a restoration specialist so she can open her physical therapy clinic and prove she's left her wild-child days behind. That means dealing with buttoned-down, uptight Jack.

Jack is this close to securing a career make-or-break project, until he learns his lack of marital status puts him out of contention. When the notoriously hot-tempered and hot-bodied Keely begs him for help, he proposes a crazy idea. He'll oversee her project if she acts the part of his loving fiance.

Their sizzling lust makes it all too easy to go from butting heads to knocking boots but outside the bedroom they're as mismatched as ever. The McKays remind Jack of the humble upbringing he left behind, and cowgirl Keely feels she doesn't measure up to Jack's big-city lifestyle.

When the dust settles, Jack and Keely must face the fact they're not fooling anyone but themselves or they'll risk losing the real deal.

Warning: this book contains one hot-blooded cowgirl and one cool-headed businessman in a stripped-down, revved-up game of sexual truth or dare.

My Thoughts

So, I'm making serious headway into this series. And loving it. I think I got the immediate McKay families romances all finished up, but I'm sure there's plenty of McKay cousins for me to read about in the upcoming books. Ought be one hell of a ride. 

Jack: I honest to goodness love Jack. He is one surprising hero. Extremely dual and yet no part of him is ever really hidden. Vulnerable. Stubborn. Demanding. Moronic at times. Proud. Sweet. Tender. You see it all because there are many layers to Jack but he wears them on his sleeve. I loved that about him--he's open. Easy to get to know. He was easy to love as a hero. And I did totally love him. He loved Keely, and while he demanded from her, he gave a lot too. And while he was territorial about her, he wasn't a total jerk or mean. He just growled a lot. It was sexy and sweet, and a different sort of spin on a possessive lover. I liked it. I liked that Jack would do anything for Keely. 

Keely: I've always liked her sass. She does whatever she wants and I love that about her. Nothing takes her down. Jack can set her on edge, keep her on edge, and she never has the upper hand with him--but she never backs down either, which he likes. And she likes that Jack challenges her and demands from her. These two are a match made in hell in some ways--constantly snipping, arguing, always get their panties in a knot over something, but they are so perfect for each other because they can be themselves together. And because neither one of them will take shit from the other. 

So why don't I love this book more? I guess it's because something was just slightly off for me. I think it might have been because even in their own hearts and heads these two don't really acknowledge their feelings to themselves right up to the end. It's only once the pretend engagement is over that they realize they love each other and don't want it to be over. I think they both knew all along they loved each other, but there wasn't a really good moment for either one of them where it showed big time. Maybe it was so subtle I missed it, but I don't think that's the case. Anyway. I wished I loved this more. But as it is, there is a solid romance, great story line, wonderful characters and great moments when the family comes out in full swing to support Keely. 

4 glittering stars

ebook, 

Published March 31st 2011 

by Colleen Gleason Inc.

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Passionate romance and court intrigue, lords and ladies, knights and castles...

Madelyne de Belgrume has lived in secrecy in a hidden abbey for years. Her mad, abusive father, Fantin, believes she is dead.

Lord Gavin Mal Verne wants nothing more than to seek revenge on Fantin de Belgrume...and he has the king's blessing to bring the man to heel.

After a battle with Fantin that leaves Gavin nearly dead, he accidentally comes upon a hidden abbey...and the beautiful, serene nun who helps to heal him...and touches his heart in more ways than one.

When Gavin discovers Madelyne's true identity, she is forced to leave the sanctuary of the abbey and appeal to King Henry for succor.

To her horror, Madelyne learns she must either marry...or be returned to her father's custody.

My Thoughts

I fell in love with the cover. And you know all know how much I love historical romance. And it's been a while since I read one set in medieval times. Could I resist this? Naturally not. I think I have discovered a gem in Colleen Gleason who seems to write a wide variety of genres and spun a beautiful story in Sanctuary of Roses.

Gavin: I love it when big, tough warrior men turn out to to be kitty cats in tiger's claws. Gavin seems very hard and unyielding to Madelyne, and he is very much that way. Very much bound by duty and honour and the past which was not very kind to him. But underneath that is a sensitive soul who longs for peace. It's not surprising that he should he find it in Madelyne who is beautiful and kind. I liked watching Gavin battle his heart with his head, but in the end it was his heart that won out and I loved seeing him melt a little. The scene in the garden before their marriage is one of my favourites. 

Madelyne: She would have made an intriguing sort of nun I think. She's independent and she doesn't let her status as a woman keep her from saying what's on her mind. To Gavin or even to the king. While it at times irked Gavin, there were times I wondered at her tenacity--how does a nun in training come across such determination? I truly liked that about her. She was completely at peace with herself but she could and would rise up when treated as though she was an object to be taken care of, instead of a person with a mind and feelings of her own. I was also quite impressed that she had no difficulty in letting Gavin know how she felt about him--once he decided that he was marrying her himself. 

This novel's plot is largely driven forth by characters and the madness of Madelyne's father. I was tickled pink at the smart way in which characters are used throughout the novel, and thought it had enough action to keep the reader guessing as to whether or not there would be a HEA--I have to say, I was concerned at one point about that HEA, and usually I have faith that the HEA will come to pass. But I was worried this time around (though my anxiety proved unnecessary). A character driven romance, Sanctuary of Roses left me yearning for more romances set in this era. 

4 glittering stars 

ebook, 100 pages

Published November 9th 2010 

by HarperCollins e-books (first published 1998)

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SHE WAS GIVEN TO A STRANGER
Cordelia McQueen was a virtual prisoner in her father's house. Until everything changed when she was shamelessly traded in a battle for land and water rights, and thrust into an unfamiliar world as the bride of Dallas Leigh.

HE BELONGED TO THE LAND
Dallas had given his life to the land. Now he aimed to put West Texas on the map. But as he gazed into the eyes of the lovely stranger who belonged to him, he caught a glimpse of another ambition--a warm, radiant desire of the heart. Was this the woman who would walk beside him as, together, they carved out a rich future with all the promise of love?

My Thoughts

What can I say, I've fallen in love with old west romances. The covers are nice too ;) I was eager to start the second book in the Texas Trilogy by Lorraine Heath, and I have to say, I was not disappointed. I think I still liked Houston's story better, but Dallas' story was one of longing and I loved it. 

Dallas: He's in need of a son. He has everything else. He doesn't have a son. He needs a wife to get a son, so he arranges to marry a neighbour's daughter. But, as you can expect, the farther along he got into this marriage the more he realizes, he should not have rushed head long into marriage. Cordelia, or Dee as she she is affectionately called by those who love her, is a woman who is afraid of her own shadow. She's been closeted away by her family for entirely selfish reasons and Dallas immediately realizes that he can't rush this timid woman into his bed--or his heart. In fact, he's soon convinced that no matter that he loves her (and oh, does Dallas love her) that she does not love him. I adored him for the depth of his feeling. I adored him for letting Dee dream--because dreams are all we have, and that he actually let her dream and then gave her the independence and means to see those dreams into reality--well, I fell in love with him for that. 

Cordelia: She dreams big, and she's got a heart as big as Texas itself. I couldn't help but laugh when she thought that Dallas was in pain whenever they made love (which is why she didn't want to do it again after the first time), but I was touched by the fact that she couldn't stand to see him in pain. And as for why she was leaving  at the end, talk about unselfish. She was a gentle, yet strong heroine and I really liked her. It's refreshing to find a heroine who has a quiet strength like Dee does. I can't say much more about her because the things she and Dallas go through are heart breaking and I don't want to spoil anything for anyone. But every part of this story is wonderful and worth the read. 

This books leads nicely into Austin's story, and I'm expecting great things from that sensitive, big hearted soul. I'm also expecting his book will have a lot of action. 

5 glittering stars