Coming Soon: Anticipated Releases for January 2011

Okay, one more time for the hell of it,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's a new year, and a new crop of fabulous reads are waiting to enchant the heart and delight the spirit. And as you hopefully can't tell, I've partaken in a few spirits myself last night, so excuse the occasional derailments of my train of thought =)

Anyway, this is a specifically amazing month for release. I am so excited to see that some of my favorite authors (and some new-to-me and debut authors) will supply us with the goodreads.

My fav, Victoria Alexander is coming out with a new release I am bound to devour in 2 seconds flat, Beverley Kendall will follow up her amazing debut book with the heroine's brother's story, my love-Sabrina Jeffries will give us another Hellion to mush over as she gets her prince charming, and a few others have plenty in store.

Here are the Anticipated Releases for the month of January 2010

 
January 3rd- This is release day for debut author Vicky Dreiling! I read the blurb and excerpt and had to have more. Can't wait till this is in my TBR pile. A classic prose! I can't wait to see the newbie's spin on it.

'How To Marry A Duke' by Vicky Dreiling

[Read an excerpt: here]

"Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne is a man with a mission: find a wife he can tolerate as long as they both shall live. No love is necessary—nor desired. But how to choose amid a dizzying array of wealthy-yet-witless candidates? Hire London’s infamously prim and proper matchmaker. Then pretend she’s not the most captivating woman he’s ever met . . .
Helping a devilish Duke create a contest to pick his perfect mate is the kind of challenge Tessa Mansfield relishes. Her methods may be scandalous, but she’s determined to find the notorious bachelor more than a wife—she’ll bring him true love. Yet when Tessa watches the women vie for the Duke’s affections, she longs to win his heart herself. And after a stolen kiss confirms Tristan’s desire, Tessa knows she has broken a matchmaker’s number one rule: never fall in love with the groom."Source

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January 4th- A good day to pick up some books. Adrienne Basso has written some great stuff and I can't wait to check out this latest from her; and Beverley Kendall made an instant fan out of me with her first book, so I am panting to see what else she has in store.

'A Little Bit Sinful' by Adrienne Basso

[Read an excerpt: here]

"A Little Bit Unexpected . . .

Eleanor Collins knows that her beautiful younger sister will have wealthy, powerful men falling at her feet in her first London season. But Eleanor is surprised to discover that one man's attentions are utterly focused on her.

A Little Bit Forbidden . . .

As delicious as Sebastian Dodd, Viscount Benton, finds the eldest Collins daughter, his true motive is darker than mere seduction. Until he has avenged his mother's death, he will be unable to think of anything else. Or so he believes, until he takes his first taste of Eleanor's inviting lips, and finds his mind-and his body-utterly consumed..."Source

'A Taste Of Desire' by Beverley Kendall

[Read an excerpt: here]

"She Challenged His Pride

Lady Amelia Bertram may have a reputation as the most brazen beauty of the ton, but she shocks even herself when she accidently—and loudly—derides one of society’s most eligible bachelors in the middle of a crowded ballroom. The timing of her faux pas couldn’t be worse, for her father is seeking someone to take her off his hands that very night…

He Challenged Her Willpower

But when Thomas Armstrong overhears the so-called “Lady” Amelia slandering his sexual prowess in public, he cannot help but accept the dare implicit in her words. To her father’s great delight, he offers to take her to his secluded country estate—properly chaperoned, of course—to teach the girl a lesson in ladylike behavior…"Source

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January 18th- Oh yes! More hellions please! This is the first female 'Hellion from Halstead Hall 'book in this series by Sabrina Jeffries and promises to be a doozy! If you've The previous two books, you already know the fire and spice Minervra and Giles are working with and probably are as excited as I am! And why not pick up Delilah Marvelle's latest release from her Scandal series?

'How To Woo A Reluctant Lady' by Sabrina Jeffries

"Lady Minerva Sharpe has the perfect plan to thwart her grandmother's demands: become engaged to a rogue! Surely Gran would rather release her inheritance than see her wed a scoundrel. And who better to play the part of Minerva's would-be husband than wild barrister Giles Masters, the very inspiration for the handsome spy in the popular Gothic novels she writes? The memory of his passionate kiss on her nineteenth birthday has lingered in Minerva's imagination, though she has no intention of really falling for such a rakehell, much less marrying him. Little does she know, he really is a covert government operative. When they team up to investigate the mystery behind her parents' deaths, their fake betrothal leads to red-hot desire. Then Minerva discovers Giles's secret double life, and he must use all the cunning tricks of his trade to find his way back into her heart."Source

'Once Upon A Scandal' by Delilah Marvelle

[Read an excerpt: here]

"Lady Victoria Jane Emerson left behind her girlish notions of romance when Jonathan deserted her without a backward glance. Now the time has come when she must finally choose a husband, and she has vowed to marry someone who will never break her heart.
Jonathan Pierce Thatcher, Viscount Remington, has returned home, free of all his family's debts. Only to discover that by some miracle he has been chosen to vie for the hand of his beloved Victoria. To convince his only love to once again believe in the magic of love and the promise of desire will be his greatest challenge yet. And one he cannot fail!"Source

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Fat Tuesday (for books) day -that one Tuesday each month where the number of new releases is INSANE- this month is January 25th, 2011!! Some Sexy, steamy novels will hit the shelves! Make sure you're carts are ready to go because we've got some good ones for ya! Eloisa James will give us another sexy retelling of a classic bedtime story, we'll get more from authors Courtney Milan and Elizabeth Hoyt, What looks like a fabulous read will be coming from Lynsay Sands, and one of my favorite authors-Victoria Alexander- will be giving us something to swoon over!

'When Beauty Tamed The Beast' by Eloisa James

[Read an excerpt: here]

"Miss Linnet Berry Thrynne is a Beauty . . . Naturally, she's betrothed to a Beast.

Piers Yelverton, Earl of Marchant, lives in a castle in Wales where, it is rumored, his bad temper flays everyone he crosses. And rumor also has it that a wound has left the earl immune to the charms of any woman.
Linnet is not just any woman.
She is more than merely lovely: her wit and charm brought a prince to his knees. She estimates the earl will fall madly in love - in just two weeks.
Yet Linnet has no idea of the danger posed to her own heart by a man who may never love her in return.
If she decides to be very wicked indeed . . . what price will she pay for taming his wild heart?"Source

'Unveiled' by Courtney Milan

[Read an excerpt: here]

"He was her bitterest enemy...
Ash Turner has waited a lifetime to seek revenge on the man who ruined his family, and now the time for justice has arrived. At Parford Manor, he intends to take his place as the rightful heir to the dukedom, and settle an old score with the current duke once and for all. But when he arrives, he finds himself drawn to a tempting beauty who has the power to undo all his dreams of vengeance.…
And her dearest loveLady Margaret knows she should despise the man who’s stolen her fortune and her father’s legacy—the man she’s been ordered to spy on in the guise of a nurse. Yet the more she learns about the new duke, the less she can resist his smoldering appeal. Soon Margaret and Ash find themselves torn between old loyalties—and the tantalizing promise of passion…. "Source

'The Countess' by Lynsay Sands

[Read an excerpt: here]

"The fairy tale courtship did not turn into a happily-ever-after . . . Not until her husband dropped dead, that is. He had been horrible enough to Christiana during their short marriage, and she was not going to allow the traditional period of mourning to ruin her sisters' debuts as well. So she decides to put him on ice and go on as if nothing's happened . . .
Until the real earl appears. Richard Fairgrave had every intention of confronting his villainous twin who had robbed him of his name and title . . . only to discover that he had died. Quietly assuming his identity, Richard must now deal with a maddening desire for his ravishing inherited "wife" - certainly a gold digger and possibly a murderess. And Christiana must deal with an unwanted new "husband" . . . and they both must figure out what to do before the ice melts!"Source

'Notorious Pleasures' by Elizabeth Hoyt

[Read an excerpt: here]

"Their lives were perfect . . .
Lady Hero Batten, the beautiful sister of the Duke of Wakefield, has everything a woman could want, including the perfect fiancé. True, the Marquis of Mandeville is a trifle dull and has no sense of humor, but that doesn't bother Hero. Until she meets his notorious brother . . .
Until they met each other.
Griffin Remmington, Lord Reading, is far from perfect - and he likes it that way. How he spends his days is a mystery, but all of London knows he engages in the worst sorts of drunken revelry at night. Hero takes an instant dislike to him, and Griffin thinks that Hero, with her charities and faultless manners, is much too impeccable for society, let alone his brother. Yet their near-constant battle of wits soon sparks desire - desire that causes their carefully constructed worlds to come tumbling down. As Hero's wedding nears, and Griffin's enemies lay plans to end their dreams forever, can two imperfect people find perfect true love?"Source

'The Perfect Mistress' by Victoria Alexander 

"Widowed Julia, Lady Winterset, inherited a shocking book that every gentleman in London wants. For a charismatic businessman, it could be a chance to build an empire. For a dashing novelist, it could guarantee fame. But to a certain proud, domineering earl, it means everything..
Harrison Landingham, Earl of Mountdale, cannot let the obstinate Julia release her shameless memoir, as it would ruin his family's name. The only way to stop her may be equally sordid, but far more pleasurable. Landingham's rivals are intent on seducing the captivating woman to acquire her book; and he is not the sort of fellow to back away from a competition where the stakes are high. The winner of this game will claim both the scandalous memoirs, and her heart."Source

[Read a letter from the heroine: here]

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And there you have it! Which of these Anticipated Releases do YOU have your eye on? Did I miss any January releases I should know about?

Enjoy!

Author Of The Month: September 2010

Sabrina Jeffries

"In the last 11 years, New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries has penned 18 Regency romances and four novellas — becoming a regular on both the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists and winning more than a dozen industry awards in the process.  

    

Photo by David McNeese, McNeese Fitzgerald Photography

New Orleans-born, Thailand-reared, Jeffries attributes her success to listening to what peers, her publisher and her own common sense told her she should be writing: “I write what I enjoy reading: lighter, sexier historical romances, with more dialogue and more sensuality.”  

Writing about 19th-century English life comes naturally for Jeffries.  Not only is she a lifelong Jane Austen fan, but she has a doctorate in English lit from Tulane and a specialty in Early Modern British literature.  Yet the impetus for her stories, Jeffries says, is always “what if” — not what if her hero likes this or that, but what if this happened and this happened ... what would it do to a person?

And she writes, she says, because “I can't not write . . . I have stories in my head, and I have to get them out.”

Today, the novelist has more than 4.5 million Sabrina Jeffries books in print.  She writes at her home in Cary, N.C., where she lives with husband, Rene, and their son, Nick.  When not answering e-mails as she logs miles on her treadmill or doing jigsaw puzzles (“my reward for finishing a book”), Jeffries can be found championing the cause of autistic children in the name of her son." sourced from the author's page on Jeffries' website

-I personally LOVE this author to distraction! All of her books are just butter-to-bread beauties! I think what Jeffries does with a pen (or keyboard) is what John Travolta did for Grease (huh? lol). My first read by her was 'A Dangerous Love' and I just loved it! I will be featuring Sabrina's books in review form on the blog a lot in the coming weeks, so look forward to that!

*Also, check out the Sabrina Jeffries content I have right here on the blog: click here

And there is your Author of the Month for September 2010
*For more info on Sabrina Jeffries, you can visit her website: http://www.sabrinajeffries.com/

Coming Soon: Anticipated Releases for September 2010

 Okay! It's Sexy September and the releases this month are MOUTH-WATERING! The lovely Madeline Hunter, Sabrina Jeffries, Emma Wildes and scores of other authors have some amazing novels heading our way. I think this month has some of the most delicious and beautiful covers I've ever seen! The month of September is always a difficult one. Most of us are making the transition from summer to school-time, and personally, I will have to say goodbye to my beloved Grandfather (R.I.P Boyzie Thomas Jr.). But life continues and changes constantly, so it's best to remember the past (whether it's memories of the recent summer, or those of a loved one), and make way for a positive future. So without further adieu, let's embrace and salivate over September's must-haves!

Here are the Anticipated Releases for September 2010!!!

September 1st- Hey, that's today!! LOL. Time to start the new month off RIGHT. And what's more right than a smexy Irish warrior to whom you surrender? | appearance note: The wonderful Michelle Willingham has a new release out today and will be stopping by the blog on Sept. 3rd for some Coffee Shop Conversation and to give away a copy of her latest novel to one lucky commenter. The giveaway is INTERNATIONAL (as long as the book depository delivers to your home) so all of my Australian readers (yes, I know about you lot!) and fans of my blog from near and far have the chance to win this great book by this great author!

'Surrender To An Irish Warrior' by Michelle Willingham

"An Irish warrior with a thirst for revenge…

Trahern MacEgan—his body is honed for fighting, his soul is black and tortured. Women want to tame him, but he has loved once, and now is lost.

A woman who has suffered in silence…

Morren Ó Reilly—she has known pain and shame, but holds her head high, even though she shrinks from a man’s touch.

Their passionate redemption

Can Morren be the light to Trahern’s darkness, and can she be made whole again by her surrender?"Source 

[Read an excerpt: here]

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September 7th- Will see two stellar novels hitting the shelves and leaving said shelves just as quickly. The incomparable Emma Wildes has a new book (the first in a new series) waiting in the wings, and Christina Phillips' Roman/Druid romance threatens to prolong this exceedingly hot and steamy summer-autumn. | appearance note: Christina Phillips will be hi-jacking the blog on this day (the 7th) and guest posting! She'll also be interviewed and offering a copy of her latest book to one lucky commenter!

'My Lord Scandal' by Emma Wildes

"Alexander St. James may be a thief of hearts, but he is no burglar. Nevertheless, he must recover and item belonging to his family to avoid a scandal, and so he has stolen into the home of Lord Hathaway, only to come upon the beguiling and chaste Lady Amelia in her bedroom, wearing little but a look of surprise. Alexander leaves Amelia breathless-but is it from fear or excitement? Captivated by her beauty and charmed by her intellect, he ignores the scandalous whispers as he sets out to seduce the woman of his dreams..."Source  

[Read an excerpt: here]

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'Forbidden' by Christina Phillips

"First in a new erotic historical series of magical heroines and sexy warriors.
Carys knew from the moment she first spied on Maximus in his naked barbarian glory that he was a dangerous Roman centurion-his taut, battle-scarred flesh marking him as a fearless warrior. But her desire for him was as undeniable as it was illicit.

Charged by his emperor to eliminate a clan of powerful Druids in Britain, Maximus never expects his mission to be thwarted by the clan's ethereal princess, Carys. Falling under her spell, he doesn't realize her true heritage-until he captures her heart as well as her body.

Now Carys and Maximus must overcome the devastation of war and face the ultimate sacrifice if their forbidden love is to survive."Source  

[Read an excerpt: here]

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September 21st- Oh, Ms.Jeffries! SJ will be coming out with the second book in her 'Hellions Of Halstead Hall' series. Everyone was blown away by 'The Truth About Lord Stoneville', and since I am reading it now, my review will be up soon. This newest book is the story of Oliver's brother, Jarret, and his love.

'A Hellion In Her Bed' by Sabrina Jeffries

"Furious at his grandmother's ultimatum to marry or lose his inheritance, Lord Jarret Sharpe wagers his luck - and his heart - at the card table against a most unlikely opponent. 

Mired in scandal after his parents' mysterious deaths, notorious gambler Lord Jarret Sharpe agrees to tamely run the family brewery for a year if his Machiavellian grandmother rescinds her ultimatum that he marry. But the gambler in him can't resist when beguiling Annabel Lake proposes a wager. If she wins their card game, he must help save her family's foundering brewery. But if he wins, she must spend a night in his bed. The outcome sets off a chain of events that threatens to destroy all his plans . . . and unveils the secret Annabel has held for so long. When Jarret discovers the darker reason behind her wager, he forces her into another one - and this time he intends to win not just her body, but her heart."Source 

[Read an excerpt: here]

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The M.Y.C day will now be called/referred to as Fat Tuesday (for books). I think this new name for the one day where all of us bookies/avid readers pig out on tons of new releases is very appropriate ;). As I was saying, the Fat Tuesday (for books) in the month of September is obviously the 28th. On Tuesday, September 28th, 2010 , the following novels will all be released (and what an incredible line-up to behold!). | appearance note: Miranda Neville is scheduled to appear on 9.28.10 to celebrate and talk about her latest release. And Avon newbie Jenny Brown will be by on October 3rd for a little Coffee Shop Conversation as well! Make sure to put in your pre-order today, so you don't have to wrestle with fellow romance junkies in the middle of Borders for the last copy of these books!

'Sinful In Satin' by Madeline Hunter

"When famed London courtesan Alessandra Northrope passes away, her daughter Celia Pennifold inherits little more than a hopelessly contaminated reputation, a house in a middle class neighborhood, and an education that prepared her to take her mother’s place the way Alessandra intended. Celia hopes to make her own life on her own terms, however, and moves into the house only to discover one more legacy—an enigmatic, handsome tenant who knows her mother’s plans for her future rather too well. It does not help that Jonathan Albrighton’s mere presence creates delicious excitements that remind her of the thrilling pleasure that Alessandra taught her to arouse in others and enjoy herself. When new claims on her mother’s estate threaten her hold on the property, she is forced to fulfill her deathbed promise to Alessandra—to give fair consideration to the future for which she was trained. Unfortunately, she discovers that the only man with whom she really wants to share the secrets of her erotic education is unsuitable for a role in any future she might claim.

Jonathan thinks he is on a simple mission to discover whether Celia’s mother left accounts of her lovers that might embarrass important men. Instead he finds himself embroiled in a mystery full of dangerous betrayals and secrets, old and new, that touch on his life as well as Celia’s. The chamber that he leases in Celia’s home becomes convenient for protecting her, but their proximity only fuels his desire to seduce the radiant, beautiful woman she has become. With his first touch and stolen kiss, he decides that she will have no lover except him, whether she considers him suitable or not."Source 

[Read an excerpt: here]

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'The Dangerous Viscount' by Miranda Neville

"She is determined to find a husband ...now!

Diana Fanshawe's impeccable bloodline doesn't stop society from laughing at the antics of her eccentric family. She knows the right marriage is her one chance to make her way in the world--which is precisely why she will Marry Lord Blakeney. But then she's kissed by the brilliant ansd unconventional Sebastian Iverley, and her well-laid plans tumble into disarray.

Sebastian wants absolutely nothing to do with love or marriage. He likes his books, his male friends in the Burgundy Club, and he avoids women. But when he arrives at his hated cousin Blakeney's house party, he's smitten by the tantalizing Diana.

Should the lady follow her heart and try to win Iverley's, though it seems hardened against her–or should she sacrifice love for respectability?"Source   

 [Read an excerpt: here]

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'Lord Lightening' by Jenny Brown

 "They call him Lord Lightning

...for his shocking behavior. An unrepentant rogue with a wicked reputation, his outrageous conduct ensures no woman will get close enough to hurt him.

But demure and lovely astrologer Eliza Farrell casts a chart that tells her Lord Hartwood is capable of great, passionate love. When Hartwood indulges in one of his famous pranks and invites Eliza to become his new mistress, the virginal country miss must meet her fate armed only with her knowledge that the cynical lord will become the tender lover she sees predicted in the stars.

Though Eliza is nothing like the brazen strumpets he prefers, the seemingly incorruptible seer excites Lord Lightning much more than the hard, calculating women he is accustomed to. Eliza's trusting spirit and quick mind touch his cold heart—and when the bewitching innocent surprisingly agrees to be seen on his arm, neither can predict the sparks that fly between them—or resist the electric passion that threatens to transform them both."Source   

[Read an excerpt: here]

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'Scoundrel In My Dreams' by Celeste Bradley

"The child is his: Jack, or rather, Lord John Redgrave knows it the instant he glimpses the blue-eyed girl who was abandoned on the steps of his gentleman’s club. Her mother came to his room one dark night more than three years ago—and spurned his proposal the very next day. But when Jack visits Amaryllis Clarke to demand an explanation, he receives the shock of his life. For it wasn’t proud, worldly Amaryllis with whom he spent that soul-stirring night. It was her infatuated younger sister, Laurel.

Laurel was only seventeen when she gave her innocence to Jack—and paid a steep price. She might be overjoyed about her reunion with little Melody, but Laurel won’t surrender to her desires again. Jack, meanwhile, has no wish to give up the daughter he never knew he had. Nor will he part with the sensual woman who makes him feel alive with longing. He intends to use any means possible to convince Laurel to stay. After all, all’s fair in matters of seduction—especially to a scoundrel in love…"Source   

[Read an excerpt: here]

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'One Touch Of Scandal' by Liz Carlyle

"Desperation drove her into the arms of a devil…

Grace Gauthier had taken a position as governess hoping to find security and peace in a life that had very little of either. She’s always yearned for a good marriage, a family, and a home, but it was not to be.  And when the brutal murder of her employer leaves her unprotected and alone—as Scotland Yard’s prime suspect—she has no one to turn to except the mysterious and reclusive Lord Ruthveyn.

A dark-eyed Lucifer, Ruthveyn guards his secrets carefully. His shadowed past as the Queen’s most trusted agent in India is the stuff of whispered rumor, as is his mixed ancestry.  Deeply moved by her plight—and haunted by her beauty—Ruthveyn is determined to save Grace by unmasking a killer. But his growing passion for her soon places his own heart at risk and threatens to expose his dark gifts—and his dark society—to the world . . ."Source    

[Read an excerpt: here]

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'The Surrender Of A Lady' by Tiffany Clare

"THE PRICE OF PASSION…
Sold. With one word, Lady Elena Ravenscliffe’s destiny changes forever. Forced into Constantinople’s slave market to pay off her late husband’s debts and save her son, Elena reinvents herself as Jinan—a harem girl adored by the rich lords who bid on her favors. But one man instantly sees through her façade.
…IS COMPLETE SURRENDER
Griffin Summerfield, Marquess of Rothburn, let Elena slip through his fingers years ago. When he recognizes her on the auction block, he pays an outrageous sum to possess her even if it is for a short period of time. But when his deadline looms, Griffin will risk all in a desperate bid to make her his—and his alone…"Source   

[Read an excerpt: here]

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-And there you go. The Must-Have's for September 2010! Go to any online book retailer and get your pre-order on (yes, pre-order on is a verb), enter some of the contest/giveaways being hosted for this month's featured authors (a few on here), marry the guy who owns HarperCollins and get all the ARC's you can read; Do what ever you gotta do to make sure that these books have a home in your personal library!

Recommendation of the Week: 08/15/10 - 08/22/10

'Wed Him Before You Bed Him' by Sabrina Jeffries 

"With the stunning sixth novel in her New York Times bestselling series, Sabrina Jeffries delivers a dazzling finale imbued with surprising revelations for headmistress Charlotte Harris and the young ladies of The School for Heiresses.

At eighteen, Charlotte Page made a life-altering mistake. She wronged a man in an impulsive act that she came to deeply regret, though it led her to her present life as Mrs. Charlotte Harris, owner of Mrs. Harris's School for Young Ladies. Unbeknownst to her, that man is now her anonymous benefactor, the mysterious "Cousin Michael." His masquerade began as preparation for a devastating revenge, but became a labor of love. Now Charlotte desperately needs his help. Can he save her from disaster as his real self without revealing the ugly secret behind his charade? Or will the mistakes of both their pasts tear them apart forever?"Source

[Read an excerpt for 'Wed Him Before You Bed Him': here]

-Read a review of 'Wed Him Before You Bed Him' at Petit Fours and Hot Tamales :here

This is your Recommendation for the week of August 15th, 2010 thru August 22nd, 2010

Until Next Post<3...

Recommendation of the Week: 05/30/10 - 06/06/10

'The Pirate Lord' by Sabrina Jeffries 

"A splendid opportunity— a shipload of women, theirs for the taking!  Pirate captain Gideon Horn couldn’t be more delighted.  His men are tired of wandering the high seas and ready to settle down with wives on an uncharted island paradise.  Surely, these New South Wales-bound women will be grateful for an alternative to the life of drudgery awaiting them at the end of their journey.

Married?  To pirates?  Sara Willis couldn’t be more appalled.  First she demands proper courting—at least a month.  The darkly handsome pirate lord grants a week.  Then Sara insists the men vacate their huts for the women—and Gideon demands kisses in return.  As the demands heat up, so do their passions—and soon Sara can't recall why she's fighting the devilishly captain so hard . . . "Source

Read an excerpt: here 

This is your Recommendation for the week of May 30th,2010 thur June 6th, 2010

Until Next Post<3...