Romance Reading Challenge 2009~~~UPDATE~~~FINISHED

I have finished this challenge!!!
to find the books I used for this challenge, click on RRC in my labels

Romance Reading Challenge is being hosted by Naida at the bookworm. Please check out her blog for more information and suggestions to this great challenge for 2009.

1. Now, "Romance" isn't limited to steamy Harlequin novels. There is a huge selection of books in this category such as contemporary romance, historical romance, romantic suspense and paranormal romance to name a few. As long as the story has romantic love between the two main characters your selection will fit this challenge. The novels do not need to have a happy ending either, there can also be unrequited love.

2. Choose at least 5 novels read them between Jan 1st though Dec 31st 2009. You can change your choices at any time. Crossovers between other challenges are fine.

3. Read them at your own pace in 2009 then come here and post the link to your review(s).

4. Link your "RRC" choices here with any of these graphics:http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/2008/11/romance-reading-challenge-2009.html

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!!

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!!!

My Lord and Spymaster by Joanne Bourne

#9. Military or Civil Servant
Rating: 5 stars
324 pages

Back Cover: Raised as a poor but cunning pickpocket, Jess Whitby may have grown into a wealthy young woman, but now she must once again rely on her guile. Her father's been wrongly accused of selling secrets to Napoleon, and he is going to hang-unless Jess finds the real traitor in the London underworld. She never dreamed her search would begin by waking up naked in a rude captian's bed. Or how little she'd mind...
When Captain Sebastian Kennett prevents a kidnapping on the London docks, he takes the headstrong would-be victin home. He's infatuated with her courageous spirit. She's enthralled by his commanding strength and the sexy spark in her eyes. The she discovers something else about the spellbinding seaman: He could be the traitor she's hunting, the man whose next move could determine her father's fate- and her future as well.

Review: My Lord and Spymaster was a great follow up to The Spymaster's Lady. The secondary characters, Adrian and Doyle, from The Spymaster's Lady made appearances here as well.
Jess has set her mind to figuring out who Cinq, the traitor selling information to France, and freeing her father before it is too late. Bastard Kennett is number one on her list of suspects. Her attempt to lift any information Kennett may be carrying on his body is foiled when a group of Irish men attempt to abduct Jess from Katherine Lane. She has now fallen into Sebastian's clutches and Adrian has requested that Sebastian protect Jess from Cinq and herself.
There is an immediate spark between these two, the tension is electric. You could feel Jess and Sebastian coming together...see Jess fighting it. It was sweet the way Sebastian took his time with Jess and seemed to know exactly what to do. He knew when Jess's mind was up to something that was going to get her into trouble and he always knew just what to do to help her. I was totally engrossed in My Lord and Spymaster from the very beginning, there was always something happening. Cinq' identity took my by surprise, I was not expecting it at all.
After reading Nicholas, this book seemed PG-13. I definitely recommend reading both My Lord and Spymaster and The Spymaster's Lady, and no they do not need to be read in order. There is actually a third book to this series, but unfortunately it is out of print.

Nicholas by Elizabeth Amber

Rating: 4.5 stars

Published: 2007

319 pages

Back Cover: Nicholas looks very much like what he is- the handsome, successful heir to a vineyard in Tuscany. But Nicholas is much more, for he is one of the last in an ancient line of satyr men. And the dying king of Elseworld wants him not only to marry, but to wed one of the king's own daughters- a half-human, half-faerie woman unaware of her heritage. Nicholas won't shirk his duty to produce heirs to guard his race's legacies, but he never plans to make his bride his only lover. A satyr's sexual hunger and sensual skills are legendary. One woman will never satisfy him.

Or so Nicholas believes until he meets Jane. As spirited as she is fey, as beautiful as she is innocent, she is nevertheless determined to make her new husband hers alone- and she is eager for him to teach her every deliciously carnal secret he knows.

WARNING! This is a REALLY HOT book... very explicit!!

Review: This was my first experience with a novel of this type. I have read several paranormal romances but this one has topped the cake. As said above this is a very sexually explicit book. There were things in this book that actually shocked me...well not really but they should have! The sexual scenes were great, if not a little beyond my comfort zones. I thoroughly enjoyed the story too.

Jane is completely unaware of her heritage. She is ashamed of the changes that she has been experiencing since puberty... not those of a normal well bred English girl. She abhors anything having to do with wine... she blames wine for her mothers death and her father's downfall. Her father has moved Jane and her sister to their aunts home in Italy. Her aunt has some grand schemes going on... a very devious B**** to say the very least.

Nicholas accomplishes the task set out for him rather easily. Not only has he has found Jane, the daughter of the King of Elseworld, but he has arranged a marriage between them. Jane does not understand why Nicholas would ask for after only a short meeting.

I was not very happy with Nicholas's treatment with Jane at the beginning of their marriage. I could not believe that this man who's sexual desires were so great could be this cold toward the woman who was going to spend the rest of her life with him and bare his children. I was relieved when Jane took matters into her own hands and tipped the scales into her favor. The love that eventually bloomed between these two was sweet and very passionate.

If you are looking for a change of pace and something completely shocking to your senses, try this book out. I look forward to reading the remaining books in the Lords of Satyr series.