Sunday, November 28, 2010

Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning~~DIK READING CHALLENGE

AN ALLURING LAIRD

He was known throughout the kingdom as Hawk, legendary predator of the battlefield and the boudoir. No woman could refuse his touch, but no woman ever stirred his heart—until a vengeful fairy tumbled Adrienne de Simone out of modern-day Seattle and into medieval Scotland. Captive in a century not her own, entirely too bold, too outspoken, she was an irresistibly challenge to the sixteenth-century rogue. Coerced into a marriage with Hawk, Adrienne vowed to keep him at arm's length—but his sweet seduction played havoc with her resolve.

A PRISONER IN TIME

She had a perfect "no" on her perfect lips for the notorious laird, but Hawk swore she would whisper his name with desire, begging for the passion he longed to ignite in her. Not even the barriers or time and space could keep him from winning her love. Despite her uncertainty about flowing the promptings of her own passionate heart, Adrienne's reservations were no match for Hawk's determination to keep her by his side...

MY Thoughts:
I have heard many good things about KMM, but I have always said I will read her later. This was the chance and the push that I needed to finally pick up on of her books. My TBR mountain continues to grow and the time I have for reading continues to decrease, so I have become a lot more selective on the books that I choose to take what little time I have to devote to reading. KMM will definitely be one of the authors that are on that very selective list.

Have you ever wished on a falling star? That is what Gillam does right before Adrienne is brought to medieval Scotland.  Hawk has ignited the jealousy and anger of the Fae King and his Fool. The Fae Queen has taken notice of the legendary Hawk and used him against her two companions.  Out of their jealousy they seek a way to destroy Hawk without bloodshed, which would break the pact, and what better way to destroy a man than to have him love so deeply but to have his love thrown in his face.

Adrienne is from the 21st century and she Hates beautiful men. She is hiding from a past, and hoping it doesn't catch up to her, when she is wisked back in time to medieval Scotland and ordered to pretend that she is the Comyn daughter and forced to marry Hawk by the Kings order. Hawk is everything that she could want in a man, but he is a beautiful man and therefore he can not be trusted.

With this plot you know doubt can expect a battle of wits. But the story is so much more. It was an absolute pleasure to watch Hawk and Adrienne fall in love, lose each other, and find their way back again.

Friday, November 12, 2010

When Harry Met Molly

A four-book series in which debut author Kieran Kramer transports you to London in a time where a wager can be placed by royal decree—and romance is always in season. Handsome, dashing, delightfully wicked—the Impossible Bachelors are the most eligible men in London. But in romance, only one thing is impossible: refusing to follow where the heart leads…



Get ready for When Harry Met Molly coming in November, 2010 and Dukes to the Left of Me, Princes to the Right, following in December.



When Harry Met Molly

He’s always been a player.

Dashing Lord Harry Traemore is perfectly content to live out his days in the pursuit of pleasure. But when he’s named by the Prince Regent as one of society’s “Impossible Bachelors,” Harry is drafted into a ribald romantic wager. The rules of engagement are scandalously simple: The bachelor whose mistress wins the title of “Most Delectable Companion” gets to remain unmarried. Harry is utterly unconcerned about his status…until his latest lightskirt abandons him.

Who will win this game of love?

Enter Lady Molly Fairbanks. Harry’s childhood friend—actually, “foe” is more like it—is the most unlikely companion of all. She’s attractive but hot-headed, and in no mood for games. Besides, what could the self-indulgent Harry possibly know about what makes a woman delectable? It’s time for Molly to teach him a lesson once and for all…but will it lead to “happily ever after?”

My Thoughts:
I was approached by Tracee to read and review When Harry Met Molly   for Ms. Kramer's blog tour. Unfortunately through circumstances that neither the author or myself could control, my review is a tad bit late for her blog tour.  I am most pleased, however, to finally have received this book. While waiting on the arrival I read only one interview and stayed away from any reviews...I did not want to cloud my judgment, which unfortunately happened just a little bit. I was pretty young when the movie When Harry Met Sally came out, I don't remember much about the famed movie, though I have seen it. Of course the title automatically makes you think about the movie, but when I read the interview and saw the reference to the two sets of characters I was kind of put off. I don't know why, other than Billy Crystal just doesn't strike my fancy. I don't see him as a romantic character, he is hilarious and a great comedian... I loved him in Monsters Inc. Again I say I was excited when the UPS guy dropped the envelope off on my front steps. So excited, that I put my current read to the side... a hard thing to do since it was Wild Riders by Jaci Burton!!

In a return comment on the "spotlight" post  I stated:

            "These two are the bane of each others existence yet they are going to have to work together to get out of a dilemma."
 
I honestly believe that that one statement can sum up the entire book in one little nutshell. However there is so much to the story, that I would hate for that one statement to detract anything from it. 

We meet a young Molly at Christmas. She has prepared a poem that she intends to read in front of her family and the Dukes family. She is utterly in love with Roderick, her sister's fiance and Harry's older brother. In her not so mature mind she believes that changing the only the names will hide the identity of all involved. Not so, it causes a brawl right away. This unfortunate event sends Harry to the military and Molly to a stricter school.  These two suffer far greater consequences than could be imagined.

Years later Molly has had it with being stuck in the country, a companion to an elderly cousin. She devises a plan to elope. Only her plan goes array the moment Harry walks into the inn with his latest lightskirt, who is described to be Aphrodite. Molly's intended runs off with Aphrodite, leaving both Harry and Molly in a large pickle. He must make it to the Hunting Box or forfeit the wager and end up married, but he can't in good conscience leave Molly standing on the side of the road to be completely ruined and possibly hurt. After some bickering back and forth Molly flatly says No to Harry's proposal and starts walking in the other direction, only Harry won't have it and carries her back to his carriage over his shoulder. They made a huge scene in front of the inn, neither caring or aware of it.
I am not going into any more of the story than that. These two have been at each others throats for most of their lives and now they must depend on the other to get them safely through one week with a house full of bachelors and their mistresses.  The games that are implemented, the bickering, banter, and wit within this book kept me turning the pages. 
i wanted to hate Harry at times but he always seemed to do the right thing at just the right moment. Molly's strong demeanor and cunning personality kept her secret and her in the running for the "MOst Delectable Companion".  I have to say that When Harry Met Molly is the best historical romance that I have read all year. I am definitely going to be on the look out for the second in this series, Dukes to left of me, Princes to the right, which comes out next month!! If you have not yet had the pleasure of reading When Harry Met Molly I highly recommend that you put it on your Christmas list!!!

Rating: 5 stars

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

PICK ME

Ok, you all know that I have a 15 year old daughter. I tell you there are some days I wish I had a bottle that would capture her statements and actions and save them forever. While I was over at Lea's blog, I apparently had a flash of something that happened today that has just stuck in my head.

Have you been to a Taco Bell lately? I was there this evening, and staring at me through the drive through window are several Hot Sauce packets that have the words "PICK ME" in big bold letters. I thought it was cute. And obviously "Pick Me" has stuck in my head tonight, as I used it in my commentary over at Lea's on the Stephanie Tyler giveaway post.  Any way my daughter tells me I would love for my future husband to ask me to marry him that way. Here is the conversation that ensued afterward...

Me: OK I will save one of these little packets of hot sauce just to give to the guy that is going to ask you to marry him. And then I will tell him he has to ask you to marry him by handing you this packet and saying "PICK ME".

Michaela: (laughing) NO, they actually have a packet that says "Marry Me". I want my future man to hand me that packet of Hot sauce. I think it would be really sweet.

Me: You're kidding me right, (giggle), they do not have a packet that says Marry me.

Michaela: Yes they do, I find it for you.

she starts searching the plastic bag for our sauces and starts reading them off.

MIchaela: Watch we will get the only packets that don't say it. I swear mom they really do have ones that say Marry Me.

so as I am telling Lea to PICK ME on her contest, I decide I will Google the hot sauces. And guess what I found...yep you got it

So she isn't delusional as I first thought, but she is a little goofy! If I didn't think she was serious I wouldn't have posted about it. Taco Bell is her favorite place to eat and she loves their Hot sauce. So now I think I am going to hunt down this "Will YOu Marry Me" packet so that I can save it for her future husband!!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Spotlight~~~When Harry Met Molly

A four-book series in which debut author Kieran Kramer transports you to London in a time where a wager can be placed by royal decree—and romance is always in season. Handsome, dashing, delightfully wicked—the Impossible Bachelors are the most eligible men in London. But in romance, only one thing is impossible: refusing to follow where the heart leads…



Get ready for When Harry Met Molly coming in November, 2010 and Dukes to the Left of Me, Princes to the Right, following in December.



When Harry Met Molly

He’s always been a player.

Dashing Lord Harry Traemore is perfectly content to live out his days in the pursuit of pleasure. But when he’s named by the Prince Regent as one of society’s “Impossible Bachelors,” Harry is drafted into a ribald romantic wager. The rules of engagement are scandalously simple: The bachelor whose mistress wins the title of “Most Delectable Companion” gets to remain unmarried. Harry is utterly unconcerned about his status…until his latest lightskirt abandons him.

Who will win this game of love?

Enter Lady Molly Fairbanks. Harry’s childhood friend—actually, “foe” is more like it—is the most unlikely companion of all. She’s attractive but hot-headed, and in no mood for games. Besides, what could the self-indulgent Harry possibly know about what makes a woman delectable? It’s time for Molly to teach him a lesson once and for all…but will it lead to “happily ever after?”

I am seriously looking forward to reading this book!  The blurb definitely has my romantic heart going pitter-patter in the anticipation of what will happen in this historical romance.  A romance that not only contains a "friend to lover" plot but also has an intriguing wager, where can one go wrong?!!  I have high expectations and will definitely be bringing "My Thoughts" to the table!!
 
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