ROR Spring '09 Challenge list

My List:

1. Tears Like Rain by Connie Mason

2. Adventures Of A Scottish Heiress by Cathy Maxwell

3. Dust and Moonlight by Keta Diablo

4. Devil of the Highlands by Lynsay Sands

5. The Falcon and the Flower by Virginia Henley

6. Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas

7. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

8. Lover Awakened by JR Ward (Janon's shelf)

9. Lover Eternal by JR Ward

10. Secret Swan by Shana Abe

11. Wicked Burn by Beth Kerry*****

12. Beloved Enemy by Jane Feather

13. Scent of Darkness by Christina Dodd

14. Touch of Darkness by Chrisitna Dodd

15. Into the Shadow by Christina Dodd

ROR Spring Challenge FAQ’s March 1 – May 31

1. Select 5,10, or 15 books to read that fit the category.

2. Post your list on the discussion board and blog (Name’s Spring Challenge List)

3. If you need title suggestions please use the Discussion titled Spring TITLE SUGGESTIONS if you don't see it please search (to try and minimize number of discussions)

4. Once you have read a book please find the corresponding discussion by searching you can search by 08 Winter # and use the number that corresponds with the list. (one will be created for each number on March 1, again, to try and minimize number of discussions) and post the book and title you read and rating, and review.

5. It is not required, but if you could post your review on the blog that would be great.

6. Reviews on the blog please include labels list the rating, author, and # of challenge only.

7. Audio books are okay

8. Rereads are okay

9. You can change your list at anytime

**Thank you to Heather D and Roberta for making the list!**

Spring '09 Challenge list:

1. Read a Western (united States)- historical or contemporary

2. Read a book set in Scotland- historical or contemporary

3. Title contains Sun, Moon, or Stars (Moonlight, Starlight, etc, is ok!)

4. Title contains Angel or Devil

5. Read any title by one of the first romance authors you ever read (or reread one of the first romance titles you ever read)

6. Title or Cover makes you think of Spring

7. Readers Choice

8. Select a book that has been marked favorite or 5 stars from another group member's shelf.

9. Read an AAR top 100 title (list on allaboutromance.com, AAR Top 100 group, and the AAR Top 100 blog)

10. Title contains the word "Secret" or “Lie” in it

11. Read a title that was read and reviewed during the Winter Challenge

12. read a book with a Romeo and Juliet type theme (feuding family/clan/etc): H/H have to be on opposite sides of the feud (help at AAR)

13. Read a trilogy (or 3 books from same series) Part 1

14. Read a trilogy (or 3 books from same series) Part 2

15. Read a trilogy (or 3 books from same series) Part 3

Sojourn With A Stranger by K. Celeste Bryan

Winter ROR Challenge #8. Title with four words
Rating: 5 stars

Blurb:

Penniless when she arrives in Norfolk , her mother and father drowned at sea, Raine Brinsley would give anything to return home to her grandfather in Maine . When Derek Stafford, owner of a large plantation, offers a solution to her dilemma, she’s stunned, if not outraged. She’d prefer to fulfill the contract to have his child and forget about him and his self-serving scheme. But she hadn’t counted on the decadently-delicious passion he’d awakened in her.

Derek’s only desire was to father an heir for Stafford House, thus securing his future. He didn’t count on the Scottish lass with dark green eyes to interfere with his well-laid plans. But after one night in her arms, guilt, not to mention the loss of his heart, became his penance. Now he’d do anything to get her back, anything to quench the hunger and passion tormenting his soul.

My Thoughts: ***Sigh*** What can I say... this was such a good book! K. Celeste Bryan did a superb job in this story!!! I was immediately pulled into the story of Raine and Derek.
Raine is a young woman full of Scottish blood... and we all know how stubborn those Scots can be! When faced with the tragic loss of her parents she finds herself stranded in Norfolk without a penny and refusing to write to the only relative she has left. She will not except Derek's offering to pay her way home, willing only to work in his employ to save money to make her own way home. Derek comes up with another plan... a very selfish one at that. If Raine agrees to Derek's schemes she will have enough money to get home, take care of her Grandfather, and never worry about money again.
Bryan makes you love, hate, and pity Derek. He was selfish and selfless. He blames himself for his late wife losing her mind, that and the decisions he has made since Raine showed up on his doorstep sends him running from Stafford Hall when Raine needs him the most.
I didn't want the story to end. It was another late night of reading...
There was love, loss, mystery, and ghosts in this book. It is a must read that has landed a permanent spot on my shelf under favorites!!

BWL (Books We Love) Spice Readers

Don't miss our Spice Reader's Loop Grand Opening, all day Sat. Feb. 28. Lots of steamy excerpts, fun and prizes, prizes, prizes!Authors: there's still time to be added to the list attending this day long, fun loop chat.So far in attendance we have:


Nix Winter ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Summer Jordan
Alessia ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Brio Ann Cory
Barbara Baldwin~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Adrianne Brennan
K. Celeste Bryan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jude Mason
Jamie Hill ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Michelle Houston
Beth Wylde ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Jolie du Pre
AKM Miles ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Marie Rochelle
Diane McEntire~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Crissy Smith
India Masters~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Christiane France
Madeline Moore~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lacy Thorn
Ellen Ashe~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lisabet Sarai
Janet Lane Walters

K. Celeste Bryan

Where There Rain Is Made
Author K. Celeste Bryan
Buy it at the Wild Rose Press:
Erotica Time-travel/shapeshifter

Blurb:

Held captive by a decadent-looking savage, Francesca DuVall spends every waking moment planning an escape for her brother, Marsh. She never counted on falling in love with the man whose silver eyes cause her to tremble with unbridled passion.

Ethan Gray, the man, is a curator at a famous museum . . . most of the time, that is. At other times, he’s Meko, a savage warrior hurled into the past to help his beloved people, the Cheyenne.

Though their worlds are decades apart, Meko can’t resist the dark-haired, green-eyed beauty he kidnaps during a raid. A brutal, savage leader of the Dog Soldiers, he has many battles to fight to save his people, but none he wants to win more than the one that will capture Cesca’s heart forever.

Sojourn With A Stranger
Author K. Celeste Bryan
Buy it at New Concepts Publishing:

Paranormal/Historical

Blurb:

Penniless when she arrives in Norfolk , her mother and father drowned at sea, Raine Brinsley would give anything to return home to her grandfather in Maine . When Derek Stafford, owner of a large plantation, offers a solution to her dilemma, she’s stunned, if not outraged. She’d prefer to fulfill the contract to have his child and forget about him and his self-serving scheme. But she hadn’t counted on the decadently-delicious passion he’d awakened in her.

Derek’s only desire was to father an heir for Stafford House, thus securing his future. He didn’t count on the Scottish lass with dark green eyes to interfere with his well-laid plans. But after one night in her arms, guilt, not to mention the loss of his heart, became his penance. Now he’d do anything to get her back, anything to quench the hunger and passion tormenting his soul.

From the windswept plains of Colorado and the harsh life of a Dog Soldier to the placid life of a curator, their love was fueled passion and kindled by destiny.

Check Out These Titles by Keta Diablo and K.Celeste Bryan!

Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon

I have heard so many good things about this series, but I have to say that it may not be my cup of tea. I have tried for 2 weeks to read Fantasy Lover and I still have over 100 pages left to go. I think it is time for me to move on to another book. I have two others that I would like to read before the end of February in order to complete the winter ROR challenge. I am not exactly shelving this book and it is not going back into my TBR pile, I am just putting it to the side. I feel so awful about it... I don't think I have ever stopped midway in any romance book. Hopefully I will be able to make time in the coming weeks to finish this one. All this being said, I am not going to give a rating to Fantasy Lover yet, I will wait until I finish it.

I was completely caught off guard!!

My husband and I were walking through a store and passed by a table of discounted hard cover books. Being obsessed with books my head automatically turned to glance at the titles as we walked by. My husband giggled and said don't even think about it, you have enough. Then he completely surprised me by saying that I should really check into the Kindle. RT, a guy from his office, was telling him all about his. My husband then said that his boss also had one. They were apparently telling him all about it and piqued his interest.

Now those of you who know me a little know how much my husband detests what I read and the amount of reading that I do. So when he told me to check into the kindle I almost peed my pants. I told him that the kindle runs around $300, but there are some a little cheaper. So this morning I started looking into the kindle and kindle 2 (will be released Feb. 24). I really like these two, but I am wondering about the others that I saw. Does the Sony ereader download books anywhere or do they need to be hooked up to the computer? I know there are other questions that I should be asking but this one seems to be a big deal! I am almost 100% positive that I can talk my husband into purchasing the Kindle for me if only so that he can use it when he is in Alaska this summer.

So all of you ebook readers PLEASE let me know what you think about your reader and how it would compare to the Kindle.

YIPPEE!!! I'm jumping up and down!!!

Why am I jumping up and down, doing cartwheels and backflips in my livingroom??? My husband just told me that in 6 weeks the two of us are going to Barcelona, Spain!!! I am overjoyed!

I have already called my mother and respectfully requested that she spend an entire week with her two beautiful grandchildren so that I may skip out of country.

This is a business trip, my husband keeps reminding me, but I plan on making it about so much more than business!! We leave 2 weeks after our anniversary... so I am considering it an anniversary present.

Now I must really bust my rear end to lose some of the weight that I have put on since the last week long getaway we had... hmm that it going to be a lot of rear busting and some serious cutting of the calories...bye bye coffee and creamer, sweet tea, and ice cream Hello salad and fruit! Now I must explain to my stupid foot that it can no longer cause me pain...lol.

I think the best part of all of this is that I get to go shopping!! Being a stay at home mom I have fallen into that dreaded comfort zone of jeans and t's (or sweat shirts), so now I must replace some of the older business casual clothing that no longer fits! Oooh and find me a new little cocktail dress.... oh boy I jusst remembered I HATE shopping for clothes!! Better call my fashion consultant (my sister) in the morning.

Off to find out what else I must do!!!

Contest Alert!

Thanks to Cindy, I have been made aware of another Contest! Check out Barbara's blog and leave a comment for a chance to win a couple of Pamela Clare books.

Broken Wing by Judith James

ROR Winter Challenge #15. Title with a "W"

440 pages

Rating: 5+++

Judith James has created two characters that will be remembered for years to come. Broken Wing is the story of a very wounded young man and a very caring and giving young woman who find friendship out of hardship and love out of friendship.

Gabriel has suffered at the hands of some very cruel and sick people. All that keeps him going is the promise he has made to himself to keep young Jaime safe from the same fate that he has experienced. Gabriel doesn't not relish the idea of Jaime's family finally coming to retrieve them both after five years. Why would this well to do family want him knowing what he is.

Sarah sees Gabriel in a different light. She wants to help him mend and get past his tortured upbringing and life. They forge a friendship through astronomy, meeting at night in Sarah's room. Sarah has become a safe haven for Gabriel and his tormented past. The friendship blossoms into a very strong love, one that neither is willing to let go of. Gabriel leaves Sarah, his safety net and love of his life, to make a fortune and return to her. Circumstances prevent an immediate return. Can their love hold through this estrangement?

I think I experienced every emotion possible while reading this book. It has been a journey of torment, friendship, healing, forgiveness and love! I am in total awe as I write this review. To witness such love blossom between two people in this way, to witness the healing process that Gabriel had to face, and the difficulties life dealt this couple comes without words to describe. I am utterly speechless and so overcome with awe. I now understand why Cindy said that she could not pick up another book for a few days. I didn't want the story to end! Broken Wing has surpassed so many of my expectations when reading a romance novel, well any novel at all. I will definitely be recommending this book to everyone I know.

Land of Falling Stars by Keta Diablo

Description from Amazon.com:

Penniless, her parents and brother dead, Sophia Whitfield struggles to save her beloved childhood home during the Civil War. Another bluecoat is staggering down the hill, but before Sophia allows him to rob and pilfer like the others, she shoots him. How is she to know it is Gavin, the dark knight of her youth, carrying secrets too horrific to imagine and a passion that ignites her deepest desires?As Sophia gradually learns Gavin’s secrets—and enjoys his talents in the bedroom—she discovers how to finally know her own heart. Can she save the Land of Falling Stars, or will she lose it all to the horrors of the War and Reconstruction? And will the Southern lady and the Yankee soldier be able to recapture the bliss of their youth – this time in each other’s arms?

My Review: I read an excerpt of this book online before purchasing it. I have to admit that I was totally caught within the first chapter and for two days could think of nothing but this story. I broke down and purchased my first ebook in order to read Land of Falling Stars.

Like I said I was hooked from the word go. I could not wait to find out how and when Gavin was going to tell Sophia his dark secrets. Would she forgive him and still love him? I was totally engrossed.

These two were childhood friends harboring a strong love for each other. Sophia was promised to another, their other childhood friend Jesse. Gavin committed himself to loving Sophia from afar and Sophia was not ready to delve into her feelings for Gavin believing that she needed to find and nurture her love for Jesse. Tragedy strikes during the Civil War. The two best friends (Gavin and Jesse) are fighting on opposite sides of the Civil War and Sophia loses her entire family to a fire.

Gavin travels to Arbor Rose after being released from military duty to find Sophia and share his secrets. These two were both riddled with inner turmoil. It seems that Gavin was a slave to his love for Sophia and Sophia was too bull headed to admit that she loved him. Sophia had no problem using Gavin for her needs however never giving him what he wanted in return. It was sweet, heartbreaking, and angering to watch Gavin do so much for Sophia... constantly doing what was right for her but struggling with his love for her and his guilt over his secrets. Sophia really started getting on my nerves after a while, which is why I cannot give this book a 5 star rating. Her stubbornness to admit what everyone else could see and her treatment of Gavin had me wanting to reach into my computer and strangle her. I don't know maybe it is me reading late into the night and taking my lack of sleep out on this heroine, but I couldn't get over how Sophia just refused to admit her Love for Gavin.

Over all I really enjoyed the story, I really loved Gavin and as I have already stated could have strangled Sophia. I am giving Land of Falling Stars 4 stars. I highly recommend reading Land of Falling Stars!

side note: What a beautiful cover page!!!