Read and review all genres sensuality in romance, urban fantasy, historical and cozy mysteries and erotic romance. I receive no payments for my reviews. I do reviews of many books that I buy and authors who request me to do a review. If you'd like a review, feel free to email me at cathiecaffey(at)gmail.com
Artist of Pictures,
About Me: Shrine by John William Waterhouse
Right: The Lady of Shalott by Waterhouse
Left: Still figuring out!
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Look for my review here on Monday! (Along with the giveaway winner posted) If you haven't read Sandra Hill yet, you're must soon. You'll be in for a treat of a fun, humorous romance read! This is first of her Bayou Angel Series. Enjoy the blurb and see below for a contest for this book!
Angel Sabato was an ex-poker champ, bayou treasure hunter, and Playgirl centerfold. Grace O'Brien is an ex-poker playing nun, folk healer with a secret.
When Grace rejects Angel's love, he hightails it out of Louisiana, but neither of them take into account the wacky Cajun matchmaker Tante Lulu who has them in her crosshairs. They don't stand a chance, nor do the precious orphans being rescued by the new Jude's Angels Foundation.
With the backdrop of the colorful bayou setting, this is a book that will make the reader laugh, as well as cry.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ GIVEAWAY INFO:
Checking out the upcoming books from this publisher, I found these that must go on my wishlist ( I too put the covers up on the Upcoming Books)!
Comment and you'll be in for a copy of SO INTO YOU by Sandra Hill, a new release today! Contest is open until Sunday August 2 at midnight. Comment and your entry is in, and for more: +1 Comment +1 Post this contest anywhere!(your blog, or Facebook, etc) +1 Read and commment on the review of LUCAN by Susan Kearney HERE
I received a beautiful Blog Award from Ann Marie at NATS blog.
The Heartfelt Award: Do you reach for a cup of cocoa or tea when your relaxing, seeking comfort, sharing a plate of cookies with family and friends? You know the feeling you get when you drink a yummy cup of cocoa, tea, or a hot toddy? That is what the Heartfelt Award is all about, feeling warm inside.
Rules: Put the logo on your blog/post. Nominate up to 9 blogs which make you feel comfy or warm inside. Be sure to link your nominees within your post. Let them know that they have been nominated by commenting on their blog. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.
I visit a ton of blogs everyday and love them all, but I'll award this to the following:
LUCAN: The Pendragon Legacy, Book 1 by Susan Kearney ISBN-10: 0446543314 ISBN-13: 978-0446543316 Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing) Pub. Date: September 2009 (08-25-09) Order from Amazon
Lucan, an man from Earth who has taken many challenges in his life to follow his quests in life, especially to cure his sister Marisa of her infertility as well as the infertility on Earth. He believes his research is the truth and that the Grail is out there on Avalon. The Grail would have powers to cure and heal many and the future on Earth would have hope. After discovering a scroll of an astrological map of the ancient stars of heaven and studying as a Dragonian linguist, he travels years to arrives to the Moon of Pendragon to search for the Grail to bring it back to Earth.
As a new Archeologist on the team Avalon, he meets Lady Cael, a High Priestess, a healer and a Dragonshifter.. As a High Priestess, Cael is too part of the team Avalon. Many fear Cael, assuming she was a curse to them, so they would not look at her or get near. Cael was trained as a High Priestess and Healer by her Elders at age five and have never been touched in any way since. Cael comes to work with the team too, to find the Grail to cure her nephew Jaylon. Lucan is different to her. As he is uninformed of her being stronger that others and her destiny to walk life alone, they are unable to deny their need for each other. As her relationship with Lucan flourishes, Cael's intense need for Lucan's forbidden touch spirals out of control with a deepness that has no end. As they endure so many challenges and danger that put both of their lives and Cael's family in risk and pain in finding the Grail, their need physically and emotionally for each other becomes fierce that the heat, passion and love radiates off the pages where they no longer can deny.
Author Susan Kearney's story of Cael and Lucan's journey, adventures, and danger towards obtaining the Grail was passionate and spellbinding! As a reader with very little knowledge of the various legends of the King Arthur, this author Susan Kearney bestow us with LUCAN, Book one of the Pendragon Legacy, and gives the entire breath taking setting and feel of this legend she creates and Lucan and Cael's story as it unfolds. As I became so enchanted with feats and peril that Cael and Lucan faced together and alone, there was no way to put this book down for a breather! As I write this, scenes continue to stay visually as well as emotionally within me. Ms. Kearney has one mesmerizing excellent start to the Pendragon Legacy series! I for one so was entranced and awaiting RION's story that's out the following month in late October/Early November along with more to come of this Pendragon Legacy series. I'm so moved by this book and excited to share my thoughts and recommend of book to fellow readers.
Monday totally flew by! Random.org spun and picked for the GRAVE'S END by Jeaniene Frost winner... Cecile! Cecile, contact me at cathiecaffey(at)gmail.com and I'll get the book out to you!
I will have up a new contest later this week. Seeing what goodies I have here for you!
In the meantime, I got to get out for a little bit, finally! Target didn't have much but I got RAPTURE by Jacquelyn Frank and DEMONS NOT INCLUDED by Cheyenne Cray. So I did just a minor dent in my wishlist. I wondered if the books that came out at the beginning of the month were just gone there. That's happened at Wal-Mart if I don't go at the beginning of the month.
Announcement:
This is my first time being involved in this but its an all important event for these great reader blogs that are out there. The second annual Book Blogger Appreciation Week Here's the official Information and can be found by clicking the icon above: Announcing the Second Annual Book Blogger Appreciation Week September 14-18, 2009
Last year over 400 blogs came together to celebrate the art of book blogging during the first ever Book Blogger Appreciation Week! I am so pleased to announce that the second annual Book Blogger Appreciation Week will be taking place September 14-18.
WHO Anyone who blogs about books is invited to participate. In fact, we want everyone who blogs about books and reading to be a part of this week! WHAT A week where we come together, celebrate the contribution and hard work of book bloggers in promoting a culture of literacy, connecting readers to books and authors, and recogonizing the best among us with the Second Annual BBAW Awards. There will be special guest posts, daily blogging themes, and giveaways. WHEN September 14-18, 2009 WHERE Here at the new Book Blogger Appreciation Week Blog! (Please note that this year there are three separate blogs and feeds—one for the main event, one for giveaways, and one for awards.) WHY Because books matter. In a world full of options, the people talking about books pour hard work, time, energy, and money into creating a community around the written word. I, Amy, the founder of Book Blogger Appreciation Week love this community of bloggers and want to shower my appreciation on you!
WANT TO PARTICIPATE? Please help us spread the word about Book Blogger Appreciation Week by posting about it on your blog, stumbling this post, twittering about it, and telling everyone you know that it’s time to have a party and celebrate book bloggers!
Please register by filling out the registration form! Registering ensures your inclusion in the BBAW 09 Database of Book Bloggers and enters you into the drawing for the BBAW 09 Grand Prize!
"Blogs that receive the Let’s Be Friends Award are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and befriends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers."
I'm super excited about Erin Quinn's release HAUNTING BEAUTY on August 4th! Isn't the cover beautiful? It got a 4 star review at Romantic Times Magazine! Just 18 days from today until its out! Ms. Quinn previously wrote two wonderful books under Erin Grady (see a mini surprise after reading this post)
I spoke with Ms. Quinn and we have the first peek at her beautiful trailer and an exclusive excerpt below! When this is out, I'll be reading this and posting it here! Sign up for her NEWSLETTER/MAILING LIST so you can have first scoops to the news and contests.
She's got two fab contest on her site, her monthly contest is with author Calista Fox to win a copy "Secrets, Volume 26: Bound by Passion" and a copy of one of Ms. Quinn's previous titles under Erin Grady (Whispers or Echoes). In addition, she'll throw in a Borders Books gift certificate and a HAUNTING BEAUTY Tote Bag!
And then with her release, her Grand Contest! You must check this out too!
Here's the peek at the blurb (from Publisher (Berkley) and trailer for HAUNTING BEAUTY:
Haunting Beauty by Erin Quinn
A mysterious stranger . . .
Danni Jones believed everything about her past—that she was an unwanted child abandoned by her mother. That she was an outcast set apart by her clairvoyance. That she was alone. Then came the stranger. Dangerously seductive Sean Ballagh appears out of nowhere with a startling story that will challenge everything Danni thought was true.
A lost woman . . .
He claims that Danni's family has been searching for her ever since she disappeared twenty years ago. He's come to bring her home to Ireland. But Danni fears there's more to his story than he dares to reveal. And the only way to find out is by following Sean back in time, to a forgotten past, to a world where nothing is what it seems.
A terrifying legacy . . .
Now, in a land where the mystical and the occult are as vivid as the emerald fields, Danni must rewrite history to save her family, to fight a force more evil than she ever imagined, and to reunite with the one man she was destined for—or live forever in time as nothing more than an ethereal memory, a tragic and haunting beauty...
Here is your exclusive excerpt!
Danni’s throat tightened as the door clapped shut and she rushed forward, pushing it open and stepping onto the porch. She heard Colleen come out behind her and Danni had an instant mental picture of the older woman grabbing her and wrestling her to the dirt. Danni quickly moved away before she had the chance.
A part of Danni recognized the hysteria rising up inside her, understood that it was the being left behind that triggered it. Abandoned. Deserted among strangers in a strange place—just as she’d been as a child. But the cold logic of it did nothing to dispel her fear or ease the tightness gripping her chest so hard she couldn’t breathe.
“Sean, wait,” she said, hating how weak and frightened her voice sounded.
You’re not five anymore, Danni. And Sean was the last person she should be counting on to save her. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin—silently scolding herself for the way it wobbled.
Sean turned at the sound of her voice. For a moment, he simply stared at her and her fear ratcheted up a notch. He didn't understand—how could he? She was a fool to think anyone could grasp how this scenario mirrored her darkest nightmares, her worst fears. He was probably glad to be going—would be running to leave her behind if he thought he could get away with it.
But instead, he backtracked to her side, took her hand in the strong warmth of his own and pulled her a few steps away where the corner of the house shielded them from their rapt audience.
Close to tears, Danni bit hard on her lip and stared at her feet. You’re not five anymore, you’re not five anymore, you’re not . . .
He lifted her chin, forcing her to look into those deep-sea eyes.
“Are you just going to go?” she demanded, but her voice betrayed her with a painful hitch.
“What would you have me do?” he said softly. “Until we figure out what’s happened, we can only play along. Whatever this is, it’s no dream.”
“I know that, but . . . .”
She couldn’t finish. Couldn’t risk bursting into tears as she tried to find the words that would aptly describe her fear.
“But what, Danni? What is it?”
“I just thought we should stick together, in case . . . .” In case one of them was suddenly zapped back to reality. In case it wasn’t her. In case it was.
Sean seemed to hear her unspoken thoughts. Gently, he cupped her face with his hands and pressed his lips to her forehead.
“Don’t be afraid,” he murmured, his deep voice soft against her skin.
“I’m not afraid. It just makes sense that we shouldn’t separate . . . .”
“It does. But if we huddle together like children afraid of a storm, won’t there be questions? Questions we haven’t a way to answer.”
“So what?”
“So what if we can’t find our way back? What if we are stuck here for some time? What will we do when everyone thinks we are daft? I’ve seen what happens to the lunatics. It isn’t pretty.”
Danni’s eyes widened. She wanted to ask what he meant by that. Did they torture them or lock them up in the asylums of Dickens?
“But, what if . . . .”
“Don’t be worrying that I’ll not be back, Danni. I won’t leave you here.”
That he’d guessed the source of her fear so accurately unnerved and unraveled her at once. She felt transparent and ridiculous as she stood there shaking in her shoes over the thought of being left alone.
“I mean what I say. I won’t be leaving you.” He waited for her to acknowledge that simple statement. She gave a small, unconvincing nod. “Just go with Nana and do whatever it is she tells you to do—sounds as though you’ll be scrubbing floors for the day. Whatever it is, you can handle it. It’s all just minutes to pass until the world rights again, isn’t it? And maybe you’ll learn something that can help us make sense of this mess while you’re there.”
It was true, everything he said. But it didn't make it better.
“I’ll be returning before suppertime and then we’ll sort it out. I’ll be back for you. I swear it.”
He didn't intend to dump her in this strange place and leave her to survive on her own, she lectured herself sternly. He’d be back. He swore it.
“Do you hear me?” he asked.
She nodded again.
“Do you trust me?”
She nodded once more, realizing she meant it even as surprise rolled over her. She did trust him, crazy as it might be, and Sean rewarded her for it with a dimpled smile that knocked her heart sideways. It was teasing and it was serious all at the same time, as complex and mystifying as the man behind it and the emotions churning inside her.
Gently he tilted her chin so he could see her eyes.
“G’wan with you now,” Colleen chided. “Give her a kiss, Sean, and be off. Herself won’t be going farther than the MacGrath house while you’re gone.”
Danni caught her breath as he lowered his head to do as he was told. His lips brushed hers in a shock of sensation that traveled her skin like a shiver. When he’d kissed her before it had been exciting and hot, but now . . . his touch was electric. It galvanized her and wiped her mind clean of everything but responding.
The kiss began as a gentle comfort, but her hands were on his chest, her fingers curling into his shirt to hold him as her mouth opened beneath his and she kissed him back. She did cling then, urgently. Begging that he not stop, not step away. Not leave her. He made a deep sound, a groan of reluctance as he pulled back, and despite her fears, despite her worries, she felt the flare of victory when she saw the hunger in his eyes.
“We’ll finish this later,” he promised softly. “It will not be long before I’m with you again.”
Post away! Let me know if you signed up for her contest and I'll put you in for a gently read copy (an extra I had) of her earlier out of print book WHISPERS til July 26! Thanks reader friends for visiting and share the news about this upcoming book!
I'm really having a slow start to this week! I won't bore you with all that's happening but resting lots. My cat Misha knows my emotions and how I'm doing and is right here by my side but also is demanding alot of attention too!
This week I have us GRAVE'S END by Jeaniene Frost to give away to a poster! I so love this series! If you haven't read yet, I would suggest starting with the first book, HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE because you won't want to miss any of them! The book order is: Night Huntress series: HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE AT GRAVE'S END DESTINED FOR A EARLY GRAVE (out 7/28) Hope you're not bored doing the 3 R's! I think its a great way to share so I can add more to my wishlist and yours. Do leave you're email address so I can contact you when you win. I know its hard to remember where you visited with all these fun reader and author blogs to visit! Then I'll give about 3 days for you to reply back. UPDATE: CONTEST ENDS at midnight Sunday 7/19
Do your usual 3 R's! Reading Now Reading Next Just Read
Reading now: My turn! I'm reading first book in the June Girls series by Mari Carr. Its a unique take on a time travel! I am so enjoying this one! Its 3 best friends who always get together in the month of June, every year... here's a blurb. No Recourse Mari Carr ISBN 978-1-59578-555-8
2008 is one year that Hayley Garland would like to forget. Devastated by the disappearance of her best friend, she's spent the year in limbo. But now she's back to where it all went wrong. Returning to Fernwood Grange in the hopes of finding out what really happened to Erin seemed like a good idea, but Hayley can't find anything more than a stormy English night and an old oak tree. If only she could go back in time...
Captain Jack Campbell is searching the Dover shoreline for another missing girl. Racing through the woods, he's caught in a sudden downpour. Drenched and in need of shelter, Jack is stopped short when lightning strikes a tree in his path. The split trunk reveals a young woman, in obvious pain, and he reaches out to her just before she loses consciousness.
Desperate to find Julia, a local woman who has disappeared recently, and escape the powerful storm, he heads to a small cabin in the woods, determined to question the unconscious woman in his arms. Little does he know, Hayley is not what she appears to be, and this woman is about to change his future drastically. Because in Jack’s world the year is 1818.
Reading next: I'm gonna re-read THE BRIDE by Julie Garwood! I just have to after reading THE WEDDING. Just a quick re-read, then to NO REGRETS by Mari Carr, the second in the June Girls friends that just came out!
Just Read: I did have a slow week and need to finish the anthology FOUR DUKES AND A DEVIL. But since I started Mari Carr's book last night, all I want to do is get back to my reading, so that part of me is back on track!
I had the greatest joy to read Delilah Marvelle' first book in the School Of Gallantry series, MISTRESS OF PLEASURE, this book in one true word,was so wonderful! Book two, LORD OF PLEASURE is out now! When I heard that they will not be publishing the rest of this series, I got all teary eyed and too read about this below. (You may be able to read better at her site. I'm not good at getting the info from the letter on to here but tried. Her site is: http://delilahmarvelle.com/ or press the pictures. Please help if you can! Thanks.
I remembered when I could hear a little, I could feel the music to this song and my sisters gave me the lyrics to it too so I could follow along. Its by Chicago. Shows my age huh?
There is actually a breeze right now because we had rain last night and this morning so I'm finally able to get on a bit.
Using Random.org, with 25 entries to the contest (Thank you reader friends!)... It picked ... Blanche!... So Blanche, email me at cathiecaffey(at)gmail(dot)com and I'll get your book right out to you!
Have a great weekend. I shall be on at times just for a bit and otherwise resting. Please check post of info I got on Delilah Marvell's School Of Gallantry series. Very sad, but we can help. Here's the words to Chicago:
Saturday In The Park by Chicago
Saturday in the park I think it was the fourth of July Saturday in the park I think it was the fourth of July
People dancing people laughing a man selling ice cream singing Italian songs
Potete scavarli, sì io potete [ italian] Can you dig it, yes I can and I've been waiting such a long time for Saturday
Another day in the park I think it was the fourth of July Another day in the park I think it was the fourth of July
People talkin really smiling a man playin guitar and singing for us all
will you help him change the world can you dig it, yes i can and I've been waiting such a long time for today
Slow motion riders fly the colors of the day A prose man still can tell stories his own way Listen children all is not lost, all is not lost, oh no, no,
Funny days in the park, Every day's the Fourth of July Funny days in the park, Every day's the Fourth of July People reaching, people touching, A real celebration Waiting for us all, If we want it, really want it Can you dig it (yes, I can), And I've been waiting such a long time For the day
THE WEDDING by Julie Garwood is so wonderful! Gosh, I can't put into words but I remember when I read THE BRIDE, I felt the same way. I plan to read more of her historicals this summer.
Speaking of Medieval Romances, Seductive Musings has a Medieval week there, so check out today, Karin Tabke is visiting along with a contest. Margaret Mallory's contest for her first book in ALL THE KING'S MEN, KNIGHT OF DESIRE is still up and much more to come this week there!
So you don't have to dig for the post on the contests on other blogs, its up on the right column here and I just keep adding as I find each day and taking down those done. My contest is still up til Friday. Have fun!
Hubby is on vacation this week so not getting out to visit the blogs much! Catch you all soon when I'm on vacation from his vacation!
Happy Monday. A favorite picture of mine from an artist...that I can't recall. It is Monday! Fits towards a Medieval feel...Seductive Musing Blog is having a Medieval Romance week. Sounds like it will be fun. Even before I heard about it, I had pulled out THE WEDDING by Julie Garwood to read so its fitting!
I'll be moving the contest post to a box on the side of the blog to find easier. But in the meantime check the POST out for updates. I update it daily.
I am so loving this new set up of my blog, thanks again to Lea. I plan to do something soon to celebrate. I wasn't up to par off and on last week so I didn't plan anything so I'll be resting and reading today. In the meantime its Monday and 3 the R's! You're playing for an ARC of ECSTASY by Jacquelyn Frank (its not a win of mine, its an extra I got from pub) I'll pick a winner sometime on Friday. Do your usual 3 R's!
Reading Now Reading Next Just Read
Me: Reading now THE WEDDING by Julie Garwood Reading next FOUR DEVILS AND A DUKE by Jeaniene Frost, Cathy Maxwell, Tracy Anne Warren, Sophie Nash, and Elaine Fox Just Read: AT LAST CAME LOVE by Mary Balogh (it was wonderful but wasn't to do more to read towards end of week)
This pic is one of a few of my favorite artist, Pierre-Auguste Renoir titled: Two Seated Young Girls. I always remember it as friends. Its dedicated to Lea for doing this beautiful layout of my site! I so love this!. Its still being worked on so look to the final of it next week. I'll post more and party with my new blog next week!
Hope you are all having a wonderful holiday weekend! Using Random.org, they picked, for the winner of Rachel Caine's book, I Heart Book Gossip!! Congrats and email me at cathiecaffey(at)gmail(dot)com
Check the below post on contest. I've updated it today adding a few more I found. Lots of great contest out there!
I'm off to find those books I promised myself I was reading this weekend. Now to find them!
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