Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Coming Soon: Anticipated Releases for July 2010


Once again, I present this random quote by Mark Twain: "Patriotism is the last refuge for scoundrels."...with that out of the way... June has seen some spectacular releases, and July is sure to be filled with enough patriotic scoundrels to keep us entertained. Fire up those grills, set up the lawn chair, and prepare to spend some quality time with the family. But also make sure you pick up your copy of these anticipated releases once you've had your fill of hot dogs and screaming banshees (oops, I mean kids).


 Here are some Anticipated Releases for the Month of July 2010!

July 1st- Will see a beginning of a new month and the addition of these 2 wonderful novels. Make sure you add these Harlequin releases to your shopping cart TODAY! Later on in the day, check back for my interview with the fabulous Hope Tarr!

 'Paying The Virgin's Price' by Christine Merrill
"Chaperon Diana Price knew she was teetering on the edge of ruin. Her father had staked his fortune, and her virginity, at the card table—and lost! To the most notorious gamester in town...
Nathan Wardale had money, plenty of it, but it was a long time since he'd been considered a gentleman. Still, he never intended to pursue this debt. Until he met Diana Price in the flesh—and began to wonder just how long his honor would hold out..."Source
~*~
'The Tutor' by Hope Tarr
"Lady Bea Lindsey is desperate. She's newly engaged to a very nice but dull gentleman and is fully aware that if she wants any joy in her marriage bed, she'll have to call the shots. But first she needs to be taught. And who better to instruct her than irresistibly sexy rogue Ralph Sylvester?
Ralph is surprised by Bea's request, but he can't turn down the woman he's lusted after for the past nine months. He agrees on one condition. For the next seven days and nights, Bea must relinquish total control to him. No pleasure will be off-limits, no act of lovemaking forbidden, no desire too shocking.
It's every man's fantasy... until the student surpasses the teacher..."Source 
[Read an excerpt: here]
~*~
June 6th- Will see 3 more spectacular novels hitting the store shelves. Also, author Jennifer Ashley will stop by that day to talk about her latest release and give away a copy of one of her back-list titles to one (1) lucky commenter. Make sure you stop by the blog that day and comment for your chance to win!

'Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage' by Jennifer Ashley
"Six years ago, eighteen-year-old Lady Isabella Scranton scandalized all of London by eloping the night of her come-out ball with the notorious rake, Lord Mac Mackenzie. After three turbulent years of marriage, she scandalized London once again--this time by leaving him. 
 Now the reformed Mac has returned, and he wants one thing: Isabella back in his life, his house, his bed. He'll do anything he has to, play any game, as long as he gets her back."Source 
[Read an excerpt: here]
 'The Wicked Wyckerly' by Patricia Rice
"When he becomes seventh Earl of Danecroft, rakish John Fitzhugh Wyckerly also inherits a crumbling estate and massive debts. Determined to do right, he reclaims his illegitimate daughter Penelope and heads to London in search of a very rich wife.
Abigail Merriweather's farm has been quiet since she lost custody of her four young half-siblings-until a roguish gentleman named Fitz stops for a rest, his rebellious daughter in tow. His etiquette is questionable, his parenting deplorable-so why does Abby delight in his flirtations? And when she seeks a suitor to help her regain the children, why does Fitz keep popping up?
"Source
[Read an excerpt: here]
~*~
'Daring A Duke' by Claudia Dain
"Jane Elliot of New York is in London for an adventure. Unfortunately, her two brothers are also in London and quite determined that Jane have no such thing, which does create a few problems, and really is so typical of brothers. What Jane did not expect was the Duke of Edenham to be quite so dashing and quite definitely the most handsome man she'd ever seen. She also did not expect to capture his attention upon the first look.
It was flattering, to be sure, but did Edenham have to be quite so bold with her two brothers looking on? Most inconvenient. How was a girl to have any sort of adventure at all with brothers snarling at her and a duke commanding her attention?
How? Why with Sophia Dalby's help, that's how. If there's one thing Sophia believes it's that every proper woman should have at least one very improper adventure."Source
[Read an excerpt: here]
  ~*~
-The M.Y.C day for this month is obviously Tuesday, July 27th, 2010. With some great novels by some great authors being releases, it would be wise to plan a trip to your local bookstore on this day. The following books are all being released on Tuesday, July 27th, 2010:

'Last Night's Scandal' by Loretta Chase
"After surviving the perils of Egypt, Peregrine Dalmay, Earl of Lisle, is back in London, facing the most dire threat of all: his irrational family . . . and Miss Olivia Wingate-Carsington. A descendant of notorious—but very aristocratic—swindlers, the delectable redhead has the ability to completely unhinge him and a long history of dragging him into her scandalous schemes.
Olivia may be Society's darling, but she's aware a respectable future looms menacingly. And so when Lisle is forced to go on a family mission, she sees this as the perfect chance for one last adventure—even if it is with the one man in the world she can't wrap around her finger. But really, she only wants to help . . .
Which is why Lisle and Olivia find themselves in a gloomy Scottish castle inhabited by spiteful ghosts and craven murderers . . . and a shocking secret: the greatest peril of all may be burning within their own stubborn hearts."Source
[Read an excerpt: here]
~*~
'A Kiss At Midnight' by Eloisa James
"Miss Kate Daltry doesn't believe in fairy tales . . . or happily ever after.
Forced by her stepmother to attend a ball, Kate meets a prince . . . and decides he's anything but charming. A clash of wits and wills ensues, but they both know their irresistible attraction will lead nowhere. For Gabriel is promised to another woman—a princess whose hand in marriage will fulfill his ruthless ambitions.
Gabriel likes his fiancée, which is a welcome turn of events, but he doesn't love her. Obviously, he should be wooing his bride-to-be, not the witty, impoverished beauty who refuses to fawn over him.
Godmothers and glass slippers notwithstanding, this is one fairy tale in which destiny conspires to destroy any chance that Kate and Gabriel might have a happily ever after.
Unless a prince throws away everything that makes him noble . . .
Unless a dowry of an unruly heart trumps a fortune . . .
Unless one kiss at the stroke of midnight changes everything."Source
[Read an excerpt: here]
~*~
'Three Nights With A Scoundrel' by Tessa Dare
"The third time is the charm.
The bastard son of a nobleman, Julian Bellamy is now polished to perfection, enthralling the ton with wit and charm while clandestinely plotting to ruin the lords, ravish the ladies, and have the last laugh on a society that once spurned him. But meeting Leo Chatwick, a decent man and founder of the exclusive Stud Club, and Lily, Leo’s enchanting sister, made Julian reconsider his wild ways. When Leo’s tragic murder demands that Julian hunt for justice, he vows to see the woman he secretly loves married to a man of her own class.
Lily, however, has a very different husband in mind. She’s adored Julian forever, loves the man beneath the rakish facade, and wants to savor the delicious attraction they share — as his wife. His insistence on marrying her off only reinforces her intent to prove he is the only man for her. Obsessed with catching a killer, Julian sinks back to the gutters of his youth, forcing Lily to reach out with a sweet, reckless passion Julian can’t resist. Can her desire for a scoundrel save them both–or will dangerous secrets threaten more than their tender love?"Source
[Read an excerpt: here]

~*~
'Swept Away By A Kiss' by Katharine Ashe
"A Secret Identity
When pirates storm Viscount Steven Ashford's ship upon the high seas, it brings him closer than ever to the nefarious criminal he seeks to ruin. Only one seductive detail threatens his victory: the scandalous beauty imprisoned with him, Lady Valerie Monroe. Temptation has never been so intoxicating or so forbidden, for Steven is disguised as a French priest. If they make it off the ship alive, to protect her from his enemies he must never see her again . . .
An Undeniable Love
Back in England, and under the ton's scrutiny for a reckless past she hasn't escaped, Valerie dreams of the breathtaking "man of the cloth" with whom she shared her greatest adventure. Then he reappears in society under his true identity, Viscount Ashford, but, despite the danger, their consuming passion cannot be denied. Now standing in the way of their desire are Valerie's wounded heart, Steven's lone destiny, and a villain who will stop at nothing to crush them both."Source
[Read an excerpt: here]
~*~
'A Highland Duchess' by Karen Ranney
"The beautiful but haughty Duchess of Herridge is known to all the ton as the "Ice Queen." But to Ian McNair, the exquisite Emma is nothing like the rumors. Sensual and passionate, she moves him as no other woman has before. If only she were his wife and not his captive . . .
Little does Emma know that the dark and mysterious stranger who bursts into her bedroom to kidnap her is the powerful Earl of Buchane, and the only man who has been able to see past her proper faÇade. As the Ice Queen's defenses melt under the powerful passion she finds with her handsome captor, she begins to believe that love may be possible. Yet fate has decreed that the dream can never be—for pursuing it means sacrificing everything they hold dear: their honor, their futures . . . and perhaps their lives."Source
[Read an excerpt: here]


May your grills stay well heated and your bookshelves ever flowing... ENJOY!

New Month, New Material: July 2010

   With the 4th of July already cementing some excitable emotions in all of us, let us take the time to reflect on the following passage by Mark Twain: "Patriotism is the last refuge for scoundrels."... What that has to do with anything: I haven't a clue. But anyway, Jumping Jehoshaphat, its July! I can't believe what a success June has been. Some wonderful books were released, I made some excellent headway in my quest to master this little thing called blogging, and I've finally got the extra free time I wanted to devote to the internet (as if 25 hours a day wasn't enough; yes I meant 25, not 24..bad joke).
   June is always a special time of the year for me; whether I am just getting out of school, denying getting any older on my birthday, or saying 'goodbye' and 'how ya doing?' to some new changes in my life. I am glad I get the chance to share some of that change and growth with you guys. June has been such a treat. To all of you who have stuck around and made N.A.R.B a detour in your web browsing, I thank you and just want to say that your loyalty is comforting and appreciated greatly. I want to welcome and thank all the new followers of the blog; and also those of the official twitter and facebook pages. We reached a milestone of 200 'Likes' on facebook the other day, and I am so happy and humbled! I love the comments, the stories, the crazy little anecdotes all of you see fit to share with me; it really makes my day to read a comment about how much you guys relate to me or my random little updates and enjoy what's being posted. July will see some super new exciting additions to the blog and I can't wait to introduce them. I start this month off with the same mission I started the previous one with: Making your followship worthwhile.

Here's some of what to expect this month:
- Because I never get tired of saying it: MORE REVIEWS (some more genre selections; contemporary, YA, MAYBE a paranormal if I find the time.)
-New Segment: Coffee Shop Conversations: Q&A with an Author (premiering July 1st)
-The first giveaway! (July 6th, courtesy of author Jennifer Ashley- will be attached to her Coffee Shop Conversations appearance)
-That online resources for book info I meant to do last month.
-New Blog Segment: Guilty Pleasures (spotlight post on the items and treats that get my motor running)
-More '5 Memorable Quotes'
-Update on my TV-top bookshelf and what I am reading now
-And so much more =)

I look forward to starting a new month with you guys and hope to welcome a few more readers to your ranks!

Until Next Post<3...

Romance Under the Covers - Love Stories #147 (November 1972)

When DC's Heart Throbs called it quits in October of 1972 with issue #146, the short lived series Love Stories swooped in and picked up where it left off. Starting with issue #147 (November 1972) Love Stories followed the formula of most other romance comics of the time -- a few sequential stories, a contest or two, a primarily text-based featurette, and an advice column.



The first story, "I Loved a Drop-Out" (illustrated by Tony DeZuniga) is equal parts romance story and medical drama. Madly in love, Christopher and Sybil must face the wrath of parents with high expectations. Chris is "hair-brained" and "idealistic" according to his doctor father, from whom he is supposed to take over a successful practice. Chris has other plans, and above all -- wants to do something meaningful with his life. Sybil is completely supportive of her fiance's decision, but her parents? Well, they are none too pleased.


Sybil starts to have doubts about Christopher's search for meaning when he is unable to find work. The lovers' parents don't help the situation any, but the couple stands by one another, as so beautifully demonstrated in the following panel.


One morning, Chris surprises Sybil with the news that he has taken a volunteer job as an orderly at the Neighborhood Free Clinic. Though a tad worried about their future, Sybil enjoys watching how elated Chris becomes when interacting with patients.


His talents not unrecognized to him, Chris hatches a plan to infiltrate his father's pricey practice with patients from the free clinic. In exchange for his father's pro bono work, Chris promises to go back to school, so that he really can make a difference.


"I Loved a Drop-Out is one of the more interesting stories in the issue. The title itself promises a certain degree of subversiveness, but the story turns out to be quite compliant with social norms and expectations. The story is also notable for the fact that Sybil hardly has a role in it, other than acting as Chris's support system. The story would have turned out mostly the same had she not been in it at all, but then it hardly would be a romance story -- now would it?!

Many of the romance comic contests are neat, but this one may take the cake. The "Make Me a Star" contest promised to turn one lucky reader's real life love story into a sequential piece fit for Love Stories. How cool would that have been, to have you and your special someone's likeness in a romance comic? Pretty cool, if you ask me!


The second story in Love Stories #147, "Pity Her but Love Me" (penciled by John Rosenberger) is a classic in DC's "pity" sub-genre involving beautifully angelic girls in wheelchairs, and the dark haired hussies who try to steal their men.


The story opens with Paul boldly smooching his mistress -- Wendy, while waiting for his betrothed, Robin. While rushing over to the car to meet them, Robin is struck by another car.


Paralyzed from the waist down, Robin maintains a cheery disposition; all the while oblivious to Paul and Wendy's terrible secret. Paul promises they can tell Robin when she is on the mend. Wendy feels jilted because despite Paul's claims that he will break it off with Robin, he continues to say things to Wendy like, "We've just got to be patient for a few more days," and "It's just a matter of time, honey!"


Months go by, and still Robin is paralyzed -- as is Paul's ability to choose to commit. When Robin tells Paul that she doesn't want the fact that she is a "cripple" to tie him down, a spark of hope is ignited in Wendy.


Wendy's small sliver of hope is quickly destroyed when Paul tells her that he can learn to love Robin again. The betrayed mistress demands that Paul tell Robin the truth, and the readers are left with a cliff-hanger! But not just any cliff-hanger... a contest for the best ending, worth five bucks! Fond of contests such as these, DC knew reader participation would surely ensure repeat customers and brand loyalty.


A reprieve from sequential stories is taken with the text featurette, "Ten Things You Should Know About Boys." The most important thing I learned from this is that, boys are "human beings, after all." Phew! Good to know!


The last story of Love Stories #147, "No Wedding for Me!" is about practical Ivy, and her wealth-driven boyfriend, Larry. Not satisfied working an average 9 to 5 with average wages, Larry gets wrapped up in one get rich quick scheme after another.


None of Larry's exploits seem to work out and they all require him to leave town and Ivy for months on end. Ivy is warned/wooed by her handsome friend Edwin of Larry's flightiness, but she just doesn't want to listen.


Larry's real estate deal in the Bahamas goes sour, and he winds up working in a shoe store. He quits that steady job however, when he is promised he will strike it rich selling uranium shares. Once again, he quits his job and leaves Ivy behind. Once again, the deal falls through. He comes back home and gets another job at a used car lot, which is quickly supplanted by a yearning to work at a boat factory. Ivy can't take any more and sets him free to chart his course.


After going their separate ways, Ivy begins to date her friend Edwin seriously, and eventually they become engaged. Ivy however, cannot forget her love for Larry. She seeks him out at the used car lot where he happens to work again. Despite her attempts to get him out of her mind, she succumbs to a marriage proposal and admits in the end that she is merely a fool for love.


As we saw a few posts back, a romance comic would not be complete without an advice column. Love Stories not only took over the numbering of Heart Throbs, but it also inherited Heart Throbs columnist, Donna Fayne to help readers solve their romantic woes.


All in all, not a bad issue. Not terribly memorable either, but important for the fact it was the first issue of the new title. The awesome cover doesn't hurt either, when ranking this issue's greatness factor. Throughout the summer I will post on the five remaining issues.

That's all from me for now! I am going to be gone for a bit on vacation -- road trip style. Perhaps I will find a few romance comics scattered throughout the rust belt? We can only hope! Have a wonderful Fourth of July, everybody!!! See you soon!

GuideGecko Launches International Writing Contest 2010

When I find useful information I like to share it with our visitors. We have numerous travel writers who regularly stop by here so I'd like to share this with them. If you know of a free upcoming contest for writers and have all the pertinent information available to share, e-mail it to me at caroldenbow@gmail.com and I'll share is as well.


Winner receives Trip to World's Largest Book Fair in Frankfurt and Jump-Start into Professional Writing Career

The innovative publishing platform for travel and lifestyle guides today launches its 2010 International Guidebook Writing Contest. Three winning titles will be showcased at the prestigious Insight Guides booth on the world's largest book fair in Frankfurt, Germany, and the winner will be flown to the fair to meet and mingle with publishers from all over the world.

From now to September 15, writers worldwide can submit their own guidebooks on www.GuideGecko.com/writing-contest and stand a chance to jump-start into a professional writing career.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to meet international publishers and gain exposure to 299,000 visitors and 10,000 journalists", says Dr. Daniel Quadt, Founder and Managing Director of GuideGecko. "We are happy to partner with world-famous Insight Guides; showcasing one's title on their booth is a big boost for any writer."

The contest is open to casual writers, bloggers and established authors. All travel, food, lifestyle and entertainment guidebooks with a minimum of 32 pages are welcome. Submissions can be new titles as well as existing titles previously published on GuideGecko or elsewhere.

The winning titles will be selected by a jury of guidebook industry veterans. "We have assembled a jury of renowned travel writers and editors with Tom Le Bas, Nicholas Gill, Maralyn Hill and Tim Leffel. Their feedback alone makes it worth to participate", adds Quadt (jury profiles are included in the appendix).

The jury's decision is augmented by popular online votes, starting with immediate effect. The submitted guidebooks will be published instantly and listed on GuideGecko's front page to receive maximum visibility. Viewers can choose to vote for and even order these guidebooks immediately. Participation in the contest is free and the authors receive full royalties and retain their copyrights.

The Frankfurt book fair takes place from October 6-10, 2010. The winner will fly with Lufthansa German Airlines and stay at contest sponsor Maritim Konferenzhotel Darmstadt while in Frankfurt.

Closing date for submission is September 15, and prize winners will be announced on October 1st. For more information, to enter the contest and to place votes, please visit www.guidegecko.com/writing-contest.

About GuideGecko
GuideGecko is an innovative publishing platform and online travel bookstore for travel, lifestyle and entertainment guidebooks. GuideGecko currently offers more than 3300 guidebooks as print and PDF download, on 169 countries and 270 cities and regions around the world. All well-known series are available, including Lonely Planet, Rough Guides and Insight Guides, along with a large variety of less conventional titles such as Hedonist’s Guides and Trailblazer, amongst many others.

GuideGecko invites casual writers, bloggers and established authors to publish and sell their own guidebooks on www.GuideGecko.com. GuideGecko makes such guides available as PDF downloads and as printed books/booklets. Publishing is free and authors earn 50-75% on every copy sold. Become a writer and get published on GuideGecko!

WiP Wednesday: Inspiration Strikes!


This week I decided my manuscript for Evangeline is ready for resubmission to an agent who seems to really get the story. I proofed, double-proofed, and sent it off. There's a part of me that wants to open that file back up and check every word again, as if that might somehow change the copy I sent the agent. Even before I sent it, I was starting to feel antsy, like I'd read and re-read so many times I was just putting in commas and taking them out again (Thanks, Oscar).

I was obsessing over the minor details when I knew the revisions the agent wanted were big picture stuff, and elements I believe I've successfully addressed, but still, the nitpicking and obsessing continued.

All that stopped when I was in the shower the other morning and BAM! an idea just hit me. I had a name, a conflict, and a few key scenes. I still don't know how it ends, but I'm ready to find out.

And just in time, too. It's been a while since I wrote anything new, aside from a few chapters of a sequel to Evangeline to see if I had it in me. I've been so busy this spring with polishing up Evangeline that I haven't let myself think of anything new. I haven't had the time, and I didn't need the distraction.

Now I'm wondering if it's some kind of survival instinct, like my muse knew my brain was way, way, way too busy for a new idea. Especially now that it's hit me with inspiration at the exact moment I needed something to distract me while Evangeline is being reconsidered.

So, thanks, Muse! Glad ya got my back, baby! I owe you a Dr. Pepper. Anyone else want to share a little about how their muse works? Does yours inundate you with new ideas while you're working on something else, or are you and your muse on the same wavelength? Muses can be moody, pesky and irrational, but where would we be without them? Living in caves and not even bothering to draw on the walls, that's where. Oh, and if you're wondering, my new mc's name is Cass. Her mom's a witch, but she's not. And that's all I'm going to say about it right now.

Don't forget to enter my birthday giveaway, which will be open until Wednesday, July 7th.

Review Eternal Pleasures by Nina Bangs

Eternal Pleasures book on in the Gods of Night
Author Nina Bangs
Paranormal- shape shifting dinosaurs
Mass paperback pgs 380
Authors Website





Book Description

THE ELEVEN—an alliance of ultimate predators. Primal, lethal, irresistible.

THE PROPHECY—an ancient Mayan prediction that the world will end on 12-21-12.

THE PREY—where can you hide from pure evil?

Kelly Maloy opens her car door to much more than a great looking stranger at the Houston airport. Terror, desire, and a horrible truth climb in with him. She’s only supposed to drive Ty Endeka around the city for a few weeks. Too bad no one tells her that once day fades she’ll become part of a battle fought in the darkened streets with an enemy that isn’t human. And the sensual man who feeds her fantasies hides a soul that gives new meaning to animal magnetism.

Eleven Gods of the Night…

The only creatures more deadly are the ones they’ve been summoned to destroy.



Laurie's review
Rating-

Sexual-


Loved it, loved it, loved it. Its hard for me to find a first book in a series that I really enjoyed, this one fits that bill and gave me more. Nina Bangs wrote a fabulous story with these shape shifting dinosaurs, no they are not your cuddly shape-shifting tigers or wolves etc. these are more hard core love to kill killers, so you get several blood scenes. You have 11 of them they are called Eleven Gods of the Night and they are all hot, their leader Fin is really hot also. You also get vampires with a hot leader named Jude. Wolves pack with a hot leader Macario. So you get a whole cast of hot men to read about. Now these men are on a mission they is to take out The Lords of Time. I know what your saying shape-shifting dinosaurs this has to be a very corny, but I really loved the authors storyline and how everything flows together.

I don’t find may heroine’s that I truly enjoy reading, but Kelly was wonderful. Kelly never new that things that goes bump in the night exist, until she gets a job as a driver. When she picked Ty up she knew something wasn’t right and she soon finds out how right she is about him, when she see him change into a T Rex (it gets really tense here). As Kelly looks at all the hot men she finds one that she cant keep away form that’s Ty, even though she knows he can take out a wolf pack in a heart beat, she cant stay away from his protectiveness of her. These too are really good together and they get into a lot of hairy situations that keeps you reading to find out what will happen next between them.

I really like Ty, he is one most like about hot and ready for any action. Now remember these men haven’t had any women around them for sixty- five million years, so you know what on each ones mind;). The more Ty is around Kelly the more he falls for her and the more he want to protect her from all dangers. But is Kelly the one woman that can love him enough to walk into the heart of the beast and claim a piece of his soul and become immortal and stay with him for eternity? Well you’ll have to read and find out the whole story.

I have a friend that wrote to Nina and asked her when the next books is due out and Nina says “around Dec.” so you wont have long to wait for book three.

Paranormal Humours challenge July- December 2010






Paranormal humours challenge runs July through Dec. You read 20 paranormal humours books, I will even include time-travel books in this one. Click here for the rules and to sign up. I will be giving prizes for the first 10 that finishes.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

House Ad + Poll Results

Ad for Love Stories from
Young Love #101 (November 1972)

Here on Sequential Crush, I have covered almost all of the DC romance titles of the '60s and '70s. Almost. The only one that I haven't delved into is Love Stories, a title that grew out of and continued where Heart Throbs left off. Join me Wednesday evening as I review the first issue in a Romance Under the Covers post. The remaining five issues (the title only ran for six) will be highlighted in future posts.



The results of the latest poll are in! For the most part, the 20 readers who voted seem to enjoy the romance comics produced by Charlton! By the numbers...

2 voters felt that Charlton romance comics were superior to DC and Marvel
1 voter felt that Charlton romances were atrocious
The majority of voters (9) felt that Charltons were low quality, but fun nonetheless
8 felt that the romance comics Charlton produced were pretty darn good!

Thanks for voting everyone! Stay tuned for another poll in the future, or until I think of another question -- whichever comes first!

Celebrations......the best potato salad ever? July 1 thru 5 contest in honor of USA 4th of July


OK, I'm hungry, I'll admit it but I really like my own version of potato salad and yes I use red potatoes.

I Google'd and here's what I found. Share your favorite summer salad for a chance to win the following Harlequin Blaze Books:

Julie Kenner's Starstruck
Rhonda Nelson's - The Soldier
Lisa Renee Jones - Santa Baby

Eclipse contest

Jackie at Housewife Blues and Chihuahua Stories is having an MMPB Copy of Eclipse giveaway. Please click on her link to check it out and enter.

'The Tutor' by Hope Tarr -Review-

   Entertaining, Exhilarating and Insanely Erotic, 'The Tutor' was one of those books I just couldn't put down. With a sinfully sensual plot, which in most Historicals cases, would have been watered down and drawn thin, Tarr filled 216 pages with eloquent longing and carnal satisfaction. Ralph Sylvester is a former street rogue whom got his life back on the straight and narrow after years of rough living. He works as his best friend (also and ex street thug), Rourke's personal secretary. (in the previous story UNTAMED) Bea Lindsey comes to Linlithgow, Scotland to visit her beloved sister Kate (Rourke's wife). She is also hiding away from scandal back in London. She befriends Ralph during her stay and the attraction is planted. 'The Tutor' picks up on the heels of those events with the departure of Bea from Linlithgow for 9 months (which is filled with longing desire for both characters). Upon her return, she presents Ralph with the proposition of a lifetime; to be her tutor...on sex. And the price she'll have to pay may just be her heart.

Read an excerpt: here

   The book starts off with a 13 year-old Ralph's life crashing down around him. His mother (for all intents and purposes) was a whore; going out many nights with different gentleman (a few of whom liked to rough woman up and knocked one of her teeth out, leaving her with a gap). When she leaves one night for one of her 'little strolls', she never returns. Soon Ralph gets turned out of their lodging house with no where to go. Alone, hungry and with no place to stay, Ralph becomes the perfect target for thievery-ring leader Johnnie Black.
   After all the years of dangerous and rough living, Ralph, at age 30, finds some subtle peace as the personal secretary to street rogue turned successful self-made businessman Patrick O'Rourke.
    From the moment Rourke's sister-in-law Bea came into his life, Ralph has always held a secret candle for her, even though he believed her to be out of his league.
   Bea Lindsey was the victim of some unwanted lecherous advances by a friend of her father, and when she fled London to find solace in Scotland with her sister Kate, she knew she was just running from her scandal and her problems. She is determined to learn from her mistakes and take her life into her own hands. Marrying Mr.Billingsby will give her the stability and security life with her father, the Earl of Romney,  never afforded. Hamilton Billingsby "never drinks to excess or uses strong language or gambles more than is fashionable". Life with Billingsby will be safe....and boring.
   She already tested the passionate waters with her fiance' and was left with much being desired. She decides that if she's going to marry him, she'll have to take the reigns and see to their mutual sexual pleasures. She believes a good sex life will be the factor in a successful marriage and substitute for the lack of love. Mr.Billingsby doesn't know what he is doing, and neither does Bea; but one man who does know a thing or two is Ralph Sylvester.
   Upon the night of her return to Linlithgow after leaving 9 months ago, Bea finds her way to Ralph's rooms and propositions him to teach her how to give and receive pleasure. Ralph has been lusting after Bea for sometime, and her return after 9 months has only validated his acute yearning for the mesmerizing woman. He sets the condition that they are to meet every night for a week at 9 o'clock and that she is to give herself up completely to the pleasure.
   After a startling discover that his fallen angle wasn't as fallen as she lead on to believe, the sexual encounters build up and become very enlightening to Bea. She and Ralph begin to feel deeper feelings for one another than they intended too.Ralph is no agonizing over his impending good-bye to the woman who fills his days with long and his nights with satisfaction. Bea is afraid to pursue something more with Ralph for fear he may reject her. But when push comes to shove, just asking for what one want proves to be the most useful lesson of them all.


::Rating:: 4 "Aww's" ::Rating:


My Favorite Part of the Book: Is the morning after Bea propositions Ralph to be her tutor. They are having breakfast and while Kate and Rourke are preoccupied with baby Lucy, Ralph begins toying around with Bea. He puts his hand on her knee and starts to explore, all while she tries to keep her composure. I thought this scene was funny because not only are they registering their mutual desire for each other in a convert way, but Bea doesn't just sit there and turn completely submissive to Ralph's ministrations. She actually teases him back a bit, which flips the tables on him and has him in need of some proper 'concealment'.
   This novel isn't just a treat, it's a whole repast. The beginning had my heart-lurching after only a few pages and the happily ever after wasn't reached over night. I felt the misunderstandings were a bit too stretched towards the end and that after they exchanged I love you's the plot got just a tad tedious, but overall, it was a great read. With lines like: "He wanted her to not just want him, but to need him. He wanted to be her food, her opium, her air. He wanted to snare her so that the breadth of her desire made it impossible to fathom ever leaving him. Not now. Not ever." you can feel the urgency and emotion within every page. And did I mention how HOT the male model is on the cover? Sexy beyond words, in my opinion. And the scenes were just as hot (they were steamy, sexy and even scandalized ME a few times). Make sure you keep a fire extinguisher close at hand when reading this book.

-Make certain that you stop by on July 1st, when Hope stops by the blog for a little chat about her latest book, life as an author, and offers some advice for aspiring authors! =D
*special thanks to Hope Tarr
for sending a review copy!

*Also check out the previous novel that introduced us to Bea and Ralph, 'Untamed', Kate and Rourke's story!


update on Bettties used bookstore interview. More added to the giveaway

I went by the bookstore today and Cathy said she forgot to put in the giveaway a book cover this will cover your mass paper back books. She also added another book Sweet Surrender by Maya Banks. I have extended this out to July 5th so if you havent entered the giveaway, please do so there are some great books in this giveaway.

Here is the link

M.Y.C day releases for June 2010

   As you all know, each month, I come out with a list of releases that you should look out for.While compiling my picks, I noticed that for each month, there always seems to be one day where the number of great new releases are bundled up. I have taken to calling such days with these occurrences M.Y.C days. M.Y.C stands for Mark Your Calendar, and should you be hoping to kill multiple birds with one stone, the M.Y.C day is that time to do it.
   In June 2010, the M.Y.C day is Tuesday, June 29th 2010 (TODAY). That day is upon us now, so hire your hackney and mosey on down to ye ole Barnes&Noble to get your copy of the following titles (as featured in the Coming Soon: Anticipated Releases for June 2010):

1.) 'My Dangerous Duke' by Gaelen Foley
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2.) 'Love In The Afternoon' by Lisa Kleypas
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3.) 'The Brazen Bride' by Stephanie Laurens
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4.) 'A Groom Of One's Own' by Maya Rodale
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5.) 'I Kissed An Earl' by Julie Anne Long
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6.) 'The Duke's Captive' by Adele Ashworth

I hope you enjoy your day and add a few of these wonderful titles to your bookshelf.

Until Next Post<3...