eARC Review: Scrumptious by Amanda Usen

Scrumptious by Amanda Usen
FORMAT: ARC from Netgalley
GENRE: Contemporary
LENGTH: 320 pages
PUBLISHER: Sourcebook Casablanca (January 1, 2012)

TALL DARK AND DELICIOUS

Joe Rafferty is just as mouthwatering as the food he cooks. But if he thinks he's going to waltz in and take over her kitchen, he's denser than a thick slice of chocolate ripple cheesecake. Marly has invested too much of her life in Chameleon to hand off the restaurant to someone else—especially a cocky-as-all-get-out superstar chef. But there's no denying the man knows how to light her fire. Question is: Can she have the sizzle without feeling the burn?

Where To Find Amanda Usen: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook
Where To Buy: Amazon(pb) | Kindle | B&N(pb) | Nook | Book Depository

I loved it

Review:

Joe Rafferty new mantra is “No more sluts.” His mom’s dying wish was that he settles down and finds love. On his way across the country to a new job in California he meets Marlene Bennet. Marly is the female version of Joe. She’s shies away from any kind of commitment but isn’t opposed to finding a hot man to warm her bed if she wants. And with Joe coming through town he’s just her man. That is until all everything goes to hell and Joe finds himself staying for longer then he anticipated and Marly finds herself frustrated in more ways then one.

“She failed to seduce the man who slept with everyone. And she quoted Top Gun in the attempt. She wasn’t sure which was worse.”

I found myself laughing out loud at Marly. She is who she is and doesn’t apologize for it. She also quotes Top Gun and you can’t help but love her. Plus she is loyal and protective of her friends. When Joe shows up to help she pushes his buttons to show him who’s in charge. But Joe pushes her right back.

Watching these two try and find themselves while learning to love was almost painful… in a good way. They both had horrible examples of love growing up and watching them fight what was happening just broke my heart. Of course, they are also trying to find the person who is sabotaging the restaurant and ends in a ridiculous high stakes poker game. Seriously, the last couple of chapters are just ridiculous.

Favorite Quote:

“Man’s best friend is dog, but woman’s best friend is vibrator. You’ll have to forgive me if I don’t ask you to stay.” Joe moved toward her. He took the vibrator out of her hand and sent it sailing into the bedroom where it landed on the bed with a solid thump. She was mesmerized by the heat in his eyes.

“I’ve got a better idea,” Joe said.

Ok... I have another favorite quote because I can't pass up a Top Gun reference.

He looked disappointed. “Does that mean you won’t be quoting any more Top Gun for me?”

“I’ll peel the potatoes if you promise not to mention that again.”

He shook his head. “No way. I have some particular favorites from that movie. In fact, if we don’t get a move on, we won’t be ready for dinner. You could say, ‘We have a need, a need for—’”

“Stop it!” She laughed in spite of herself. He was an arrogant prick, but at least he had a sense of humor.

Overall:
I’m going to let you in on a secret: I love debut novels. What I love even better is a great debut novel. Scrumptious was a fun read and I read it one day. There aren’t many books that will do that to me but I was so caught up in the fun of the story that I didn’t want to put it down. Plus, they quote Top Gun. Is this the next great American novel? No, but if you are looking for something fun to read with Sexy Times that will curl your toes then this is it.

Also, I would have a snack handy. All the talk of food sure gets a girl hungry.


**Review copy from Netgalley**

ARC Review: King of Darkness by Elisabeth Staab

KING OF DARKNESS by Elisabeth Staab
FORMAT: ARC
GENRE: Paranormal
LENGTH: 352 pages
PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Casablanca (February 7, 2012)

ETERNAL COMMITMENT IS NOT ON HER AGENDA...
Scorned by the vampire community for her lack of power, Isabel Anthony lives a carefree existence masquerading as human---although, drifting through the debauched human nightlife, she prefers the patrons' blood to other indulgences. But when she meets the sexy, arrogant king of the vampires, this party-girl's life turns dark and dangerous.

BUT TIME'S RUNNING OUT FOR THE KING OF VAMPIRES...
Dead-set on finding the prophesied mate who will unlock his fiery powers, Thad Morgan must find his queen before their race is destroyed. Their enemies are gaining ground, and Thad needs his powers to unite his subjects. But when his search leads him to the defiant Isabel, he wonders if fate has gotten it seriously wrong...

Where To Find Elisabeth: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook
Where To Buy: Amazon(pb) | Kindle | B&N(pb) | Nook | Book Depository
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt

I loved it.

REVIEW:

What a wonderful surprise this book was. At first after reading the blurb I thought to myself--sounds interesting but do I want to keep reading? Good thing I did! However, I had to put the book down a few times to get my bearings since there's so much going on. As with any start to a series, especially of the paranormal persuasion, there's a lot of world and mythos building.

I loved every page of this book. It goes something like this:

Thad: Dude, I'm here at this crazy ass night club trying to find my queen so I can gain my powers to rule over the vampire world.
Lee: Uh, sure but you've got to be careful. Are you sure she's here? This doesn't seem like the place for your future queen to hang out. Look at all this let's-do-The-Sexy-in-front-of-everyone-at-a-nightclub thing. This doesn't seem like her scene.
Thad: Naw dude, I can feel it in my veins. My future queen is here. We have to find her. Damn my old man for dying 100 years too early. Now I'm left to rule the vampire world but I have to have powers to do so.
Lee: Whoa! Check out that chick necking with that other chick. I think I just got a hard on. Ohhhh... that's your queen. Look at that tramp stamp of a tattoo that indicates she's your mate. Haha. Your woman likes chicks.
Thad: *silently brooding* Whatever. I'll just tell her that she's got the fate of the whole vampire race resting on her shoulders. She's my destiny.
Isabel: Hello tall, dark and brooding!
Thad: Hi. Uh... you're my future queen and you have with come with me. We will rule the vampire race.
Isabel: Tall, dark and brooding vampire dude who just told me that I'm his future queen say what now? I'm not queen material much less vampire-y. I'm only a halves-y.
Thad: You heard correctly. You are my queen. That tattoo on your lower back says so.

There's quite a bit of this going back and forth as to how Isabel is Thad's queen and she must accept him. An instant attraction develops between them which explodes into doing The Sexy the night that they meet. Bow chica wow wow. Then there's the complication of Isabel's human friend Alexia who is attacked by a crazy wizard. This in turn makes Thad take Isabel and Lexi back to his home to keep them safe from the next wave of evil wizards.

Thad: So have you thought more about being my queen?
Isabel: Yup and the answer is I don't think so. I'm not queen material. How many freaking times do I have to tell you this. I'll do whatever it is that needs to be done... some mating ritual or whatever and bam! you'll have your powers. Easy peasy.
Thad: Easy peasy? I'm falling for you but I can't say it out loud because I'll look like a total pansy.
Isabel: Oh jeez. I like you too but I can't let you know this because you deserve someone better. Someone who knows how to be a queen.


And it goes back and forth like that. But there's bigger games afoot. The wizards are closing in. They want Thad's half sister for their side so they send one of their own to kidnap her. He fails and is beaten within an inch of his life, wakes up with no memory but feels something for Thad's sister. Then Isabel runs away, okay, she goes out for a walk and is kidnapped by super evil wizards. Thad and the gang have to go rescue her. This of course makes Thad and Isabel realize that they're important to each other. Uh, DUH! Almost losing someone does make you re-evaluate your feelings.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

Somehow she had gone from just another night at the club to hearing that she was the king's destined mate and being invited to move in with him, and then to being attacked in her apartment by something she had heard only in childhood stories. All of that before teleporting to some big ass mansion she didn't even know the location of with her sister-in-law. No, no. Thad's sister.

***quote subject to change in finished copy***


OVERALL: A wonderful debut from Ms. Elisabeth Staab. Vampires versus wizards. My first book of its kind. Where are the shifters? LOL. The characters were memorable. Especially that human hating vampire Lee. I had to laugh when he was attracted to Isabel's human bff. I love the smaller stories being built up around Thad and Isabel. The wizard who is sent to kidnap Tyra because she has an amazing power that could benefit their cause falls for her. Lee and Lexi have something going on. Sparks are flying that's for sure. I can't wait for the next book in this series!

***review copy sent by Kim at SOS Aloha***

eARC Review: The Rogue Pirate's Bride by Shana Galen

THE ROGUE PIRATE'S BRIDE by Shana Galen
FORMAT: eBook via Netgalley
GENRE: Historical
MASS MARKET PAPERBACK: 384 pages
PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks (February 7,2012)
ISBN: 9781402265557

Revenge should be sweet, but it may cost him everything...

The Marquis de Valère escaped certain death in the French Revolution and is now an infamous privateer. Out to avenge the death of his mentor, Bastien discovers himself astonishingly out of his depth when confronted with a beautiful, daring young woman who has landed herself in a mess of trouble...

Forgiveness is unthinkable, but it may be her only hope...
British Admiral's daughter Raeven Russell believes Bastien responsible for her fiancé's death. But then the fiery beauty crosses swords directly with Bastien, and now she's not so sure she really wants him to change his wicked ways...

With her father and a set of ruthless killers hot on their trail, amidst swashbuckling adventure and constant danger, suddenly Bastien and Raeven's steamy entanglement seems to be the only thing they care about. (source)

Where To Find Shana:  Author Site | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Blogger
Where To Buy: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Nook | Book Depository
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt | Book Page

Go and Buy it NOW!!!

Other Books in Series (click on covers for excerpts):

REVIEW:

Danger, intrigue, betrayal, revenge, swashbuckling action and an unconventional love story between a pirate (okayyy, privateer if you want to get technical) and the daughter of a British admiral set against a Bruckheimer-esque background. You can almost hear faint strains of The Pirates of the Caribbean theme interspersed with the clangs of swordplay as the action and adventure escalates on the high seas. Shana Galen's got this formula down to a science.

There's nothing sexier than a man in shiny black boots, tight breeches, an open shirt exposing the hard planes of his chest, wielding a cutlass and grinning sexily as he parries the thrust of your sword, all the while glaring at him with hatred and revenge in your eyes. Oh, yes. That's the way Captain Cutlass meets Raeven Russell, the one woman who Fate has placed in his path to bring him to his knees and then some.

Captain Cutlass has been on the high seas pirating since the tender age of eleven after his family's chateau was burned down during the peasant uprising in France. He thinks his family is dead and the one man who he considered a father figure was killed by another pirate. Bent on revenge, Cutlass is chasing Jourdain all over the map. He won't rest until Jourdain is dead and this might be chaffing his crew a little. Their days of privateering and gaining profit has dwindled since Cutlass's need for revenge. 

Raeven Russell's former fiance was killed during a skirmish with Captain Cutlass's crew. She blames him for Timothy's death. With her trusted friend Percy, Tim's best friend, in tow, she goes looking for Cutlass. Finding him in a tavern, she challenges him to a sword fight. I was waiting for her to Princess Bride it: "Hello. My name is Raeven Rusell. You killed my fiance, prepare to die." *giggle* Sadly, it was not meant to be probably due to copyright law and such. Of course, Cutlass has to be gorgeous, darn him! And cue in the crescendo of the fighting  music. 

Cutlass is surprised to find the "boy" fighting him turns out to be a girl outfitted in curve hugging breeches and breast hiding shirt. He makes her his cabin girl, planning on teaching her a lesson. Well, Raeven, having grown up on a ship and working alongside men, knows a thing or two about picking locks. She gets away and while doing so, notices all the crates with ammunition getting loaded on the ship. Returning to her father, who has a few choice words for her and Percy, she begs him to go after Cutlass. He was selling weapons to the Spanish and French who could be stockpiling for war. Her father brushes it off since it's not part of his orders.

Six months later, Raeven can't forget the kiss she shared with the insufferable Captain Cutlass and the feelings it evokes in her. She sees Cutlass again, only this time, she's wearing a dress. Some of Jourdain's men try to kill him during a celebration held my the pasha. Raeven still wants revenge for Tim's death. The men chase Cutlass and Raeven through the streets in the dead of night. Being the kick ass heroine she is, she saves him. 

Under cabin arrest, Raeven--the clever girl that she is, picks the lock and coerces Percy into boarding Cutlass's ship in the dead of night. This time, she will not be able to escape. Cutlass is bent on following Jourdain's ship and doesn't give a hoot if he's charged with kidnapping a British admiral's daughter. Time is precious when hunting the pirate and he has no time or the extra crew to send her back aboard her father's ship.

Sultry kisses and touches are exchanged, the sense of adventure is rampant, the truth of Timothy's death is revealed, and someone aboard the ship has betrayed them all. Now, Raeven and Bastien (The Dread Pirate Cutlass) must figure out not only their feelings for each other but who the traitor is that could get them all killed. 

FAVORITE QUOTE: "He'd decided that if his cabin girl regained that blade, he was going to have to seriously consider marrying her." (***quote subject to change in finished copy***)

OVERALL: A stunning, swashbuckling conclusion to the Sons of the Revolution series chock full of witty repartee between the main characters, smoldering attraction, Kindle gripping action (both on the high seas and in the berth *bow chicka wow wow*) and 'whoa! I did not see that coming' moments on the high seas. Shana Galen has once again made me lose an afternoon (in a totally awesome way) with a heart racing, adrenaline pumping, laughter inducing, 'did I just moan out loud?, super sexy read. Hello theme to Pirates of the Caribbean, you and I are forever friends. Out of all the Harcourt men, Bastien's my most favoritest (yes, it's not a word but, for the sake of this review, it is now). Danger! Betrayal! Intrigue! And hot smexing! In Galen fashion, the reader is thrown into the midst of the action from page one. I look forward to what she has next in store for readers.

***requested off Netgalley***

eARC Review: Dreaming of the Wolf by Terry Spear

DREAMING OF THE WOLF by Terry Spear
FORMAT: eBook via Netgalley
GENRE: Paranormal
MASS MARKET PAPERBACK: 384 pages
PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Casablanca (December 1, 2011)
ISBN: 9781402245558

A FIERCE HUNTER...

Alicia Greiston is a no-nonsense bounty hunter determined to bring a ring of mobsters to justice. Her dogged pursuit of the crime family has forced her to avoid relationships— any man would only become a target for retribution. Luckily, Jake Silver is more than a man, and his instincts are telling him to stop at nothing to protect her.

AN ANIMAL PASSION...

However, the mob isn't entirely human either, and soon Alicia must flee for her life. When Alicia and Jake's passion begins to spill over into their dreams, Jake learns he will have to do more than defend her— he'll have to show his mate the way of the wolf.

Where To Find Terry: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook | Blog
Where To Buy: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Nook | Book Depository

I loved it.

Other Books in Series:





REVIEW:

Excuse me while I try to stop ogling the book covers above long enough to write a review... Okay, done.

Reasons to read this book: a hunky overprotective werewolf, a sassy kickass bounty hunter heroine, a Mob boss hellbent on making said heroine his own, a murdered mother's secret, generic Mafia type henchmen who can't get anything right, super sexy dream mating, close knit wolf pack, naked sexing in the woods, an unexpected turn of events (get it? cause wolves can turn humans? *insert "ohhhh,I understand" here). Need I say more? Do I hear you salivating at the thought of reading this book?

Alicia Greiston is a small time bounty hunter bringing in women when they miss their court date (some sort of sexual harassment prevention measure thing since the women might accuse a man bounty hunter of sexual harassment). At least until her mother gets murdered and she's given the opportunity to hunt bigger game like the mob boss and his henchmen who killed her mother. She's been trailing them for a while and ends up in an Italian restaurant waiting it out.

Enter the super serious hunk of a man, Jake Silver. Jake is dropping off some photos at a local gallery and notices Alicia. He follows her into the restaurant sensing danger and trying to deflect the unwanted advances of the waitstaff. She fascinates him. What in the world is this woman doing trying to take down these Soprano-like men?

Jake saves Alicia after she is threatened by one of the men. He talks her into going to dinner with him and she agrees. After all, this guy did just save her life and there's an attraction there. Jake finishes up his business at the gallery and Alicia goes to place flowers on the trail where her mother was killed. While doing so, the henchmen find her, try to shoot at her and bam! a wolf comes out of the woods looking pissed.

After spending some sexy time in the woods and in a hotel room together, Jake can't stop thinking about this woman. He's never felt that way before and he can't because she is human. He won't turn her just so he can spend the rest of his life with her. Alicia can't believe that sexy time can be sweet and satisfying. Her first two husbands (yup, two!) were in the 'wham, bam, thank you ma'am' category.

Receiving a note saying that Jake will get hurt, Alicia packs her things and heads out of town. Anywhere to keep Jake safe. And thus begins the trek across Colorado dodging bullets, an angry mob boss's henchmen trailing behind, getting bitten by a wolf and turned, trying to cope with the fact she might be a werewolf, dream mating with Jake and trying to figure out why her mother got killed. Wow! That's a lot for a person to take on but Alicia does her best, never cowering.

Jake can't believe Alicia just up and left without so much as a note. He tries to find her but must go back to the pack. He becomes broody and moody and very confused when he begins dream mating with Alicia. Only wolves can dream mate and last he knew, Alicia was not a wolf. He's determined to find her and to help her in case she's been turned.

Jake and Alicia must come to terms with the fact she has been turned and try to find the man who killed her mother. And fight that growing attraction between them, strengthened by the fact she has been turned. Jake can finally be with her. Alicia is at first surprised to find out that Jake can shift into a wolf but as she falls more in love with him, she accepts who he is and who she has come to be.

FAVORITE QUOTE: 

"Only in this case, she wouldn't turn into a penniless scullery maid who vied to go to the ball and meet the prince before midnight. Instead, she'd go back to being a bounty hunter who was bound to get her prince killed just by knowing him. That thought continued to nag at her as tried to think of a way out of this. But she didn't want out Damn it. She wanted him."

OVERALL: Why the heck have I missed all the other books in this series since reading Heart of the Wolf? This is a wonderful read that stays true to the nature of wolves and full of laugh out loud moments, danger, discovery, love, acceptance and explosive physical attraction. Jake and Alicia's chemistry sizzled, popped and holy carp! from the first time they met until their happily ever after. A definite must read!

***review copy from Netgalley***

Five Friday Favorites

Ahhh!!! HAPPY FRIDAY!!! So many wonderful books came out on the first and I'm back to reading things on my Kindle. Thank you Netgalley. I didn't eat much Halloween candy but I indulged in a few pumpkin spice lattes. A fair exchange right? I've been reading quite a few holiday themed books and Glee returned after this World Series business. The house smells like cookies thanks to the candles and only 8 days until a (hopefully) naked Henry Cavill in Immortals.

Now on my Five Favorites for this week:

If You Give A Girl A Viscount by Kieran Kramer. *sigh* This made my day. I giggled, I guffawed, I belly laughed, I snorted, I laughed until I cried. There's a bitch of a stepmother who could use a bottle of Rogaine, a mean girl stepsister, another stepsister who could be a drag queen, a charming viscount instead of a prince and a Cinderella desperate for funds to restore her castle to its former glory. Oh, and the son of a son of a Highlander. You'll never look at kilts the same way ever again. Review coming soon...

source

Spinach. What?! I'm eating my leafy green vegetables. I don't know what's happening to me but I find fresh steamed spinach to be delicious with fish. I've been eating this combo a lot lately. Ignore the rice and the lemon in the picture.

source

Revenge on ABC. Some people are dubbing this as a new spin on The Count of Monte Cristo. I dub this my guilty pleasure. Murder, betrayal, love, adultery, revenge. It's got the girl from Everwood (yeah, you remember that WB show), the guy from Roswell (the sherriff's son), the kid from Gossip Girl (the one who played Serena's brother), the guy from Legend of the Seeker (he played the younger version of the wizard), the girl who played the younger version of Jennifer Garner's character in 13 Going on 30, and the chick who played Gerard Butler's woman in Gamer. Yup, a smorgasbord of "oh, I know you from somewhere" actors playing in the Hamptons.

Sourcebooks Casablanca on Netgalley. Squee!!! Another auto approval. No longer have to wait in line, wondering, anxiously crossing my fingers in hopes of getting approved for a galley that I want to read. Badly.

Harlequin on Netgalley. Another auto approval. Not that I'm bragging or anything but I had to tell someone before I burst in excitement. I get their Harlequin Historicals in the mail through the Reader Service and now, I might just go ahead and cancel that. The books are stacking up, gathering dust and just waiting to be read.



What about YOU? What has you jumping up and down in total excitement? A new movie, a new CD (Florence and the Machine, anyone?), a new book, a new restaurant? Remember, sharing is caring...

Review: The Making of a Duchess by Shana Galen

THE MAKING OF A DUCHESS by Shana Galen
FORMAT: Paperback
GENRE: Historical Romance
MASS MARKET PAPERBACK: 368 pages
PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Casablanca (June 1,2010)

A very dangerous attraction...Julien Harcourt, duc de Valère, is more than willing to marry the lovely young lady his mother has chosen. Little does he know, she's been sent to prove him a spy and a traitor...

And an even more dangerous secret...Sarah Smith's mission is to find out whether the duc's trips to the Continent are as innocent as he claims, but the way he looks at her is far from innocent...

Their risky game of cat and mouse propels them from the ballrooms of London to the prisons of Paris, and into a fragile love that may not survive their deceptions... (source: back cover)

WHERE TO FIND SHANA: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Blogger
WHERE TO BUY: Amazon | Kindle | B&N  | Nook | Book Depository
BOOK EXTRAS: Read an Excerpt

I loved it.

OTHER BOOKS IN SERIES: click on covers to learn more/read excerpts

June 2010

Once a Rogue- 2/2012

REVIEW:

The first book in The Sons of the Revolution series and it's definitely a keeper. Ms. Galen has a way with throwing the reader into the midst of the action from the very first page. As Julien and his mother tried to get away from the burning barn, I could almost smell the smoke, hear the angry voices of the peasants and feel Julien's adrenaline and fear spike. Oh, the smoke might've just been from my candle but hey, it set the mood. While reading, I may have jumped a few times due to the thumping noises made by my neighbors as I was reading a suspenseful scene.


My heart went out to Julien as he lost his father, his home and his family, except for his mother, at such a young age. He never for once, believed his brothers were dead and has never stopped looking for them; his mother has given up hope. The search for his brothers has been brought to the attention of the Foreign Office. 


Enter the lovely, orphaned governess Sarah Smith. She's never had a real family, she was left on the steps of the Academy. She takes a position as governess to one, Lord Northrop. He coerces her into acting a spy. She becomes Serafina Artois, the daughter of family friends. Sarah is instructed by Northrop to find evidence that Julien is selling national secrets. She is not allowed to return to her post as governess until she does so. 


As Sarah gets closer to the truth, she must join forces with Julien to help find his brother while trying not to get killed. Julien isn't a fan of Serafina, unlike his mother. She's refused his marriage proposal twice even though their families wanted them engaged. His friend Rigby even brings up that Serafina doesn't speak much Italian even though her family's been living in Italy. There's just so much about Serafina that intrigues Julien but after finding her several times poking around his study, he gets suspicious. 


After finding out that Sarah isn't really Serafina, Julien tries to keep his distance but well, he's a man, she's pretty and he won't be able to stay away for long. While trying to get out of the country to find Armand, his brother, Julien must keep Sarah safe. Their journey to France not only brings them closer, but they both soon realize that station didn't matter if they were meant to be together. After all, his mother wants him to be happy and Sarah makes him happy. 


FAVORITE QUOTE: "She was still a mystery to him. She had refused his marriage proposal, and yet she truly did not seem interested in other men. She was pleasant but formal in her brief conversations with him, and yet at times he caught her peering at him with undisguised interest. Perhaps he might understand better what she wanted if she could show him with her fan. But as she didn't carry a fan, he decided to ignore her."

OVERALL: I went backwards reading this series. I started off with The Making of a Gentleman so there was a spoiler or two. No matter, this book had me wanting to know how Sarah and Julien overcame their differences and problems to a happily ever after. Once again, Ms. Galen has captured my attention from the first page to the last with heart pounding action, adrenaline inducing danger, gasp worthy plot twists, and book gripping and spine breaking worthy seduction. I am looking forward to the last book in the series.


***book won from Rants-n-Scribbles blog hop giveaway***

Review: The Making of a Gentleman by Shana Galen

The Making of a Gentleman by Shana Galen
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Paperback
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (October 1, 2010)
Stripped of his humanity...Armand, Comte de Valere, has spent twelve long years forgotten in a French prison. Now he's barely a man, until his beautiful tutor vows to help him come alive again.
Prey to a terrible fate...Felicity Bennett finds safety only in Armand's embrace, but the evil man pursuing her has joined forces with Armand's enemies...The cling to each other as a lifeline, until a long-buried secret emerges, threatening to annihilate their growing passion... (source:back cover)

Where to Find Shana: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Blogger
Where to Buy: Amazon | Kindle | B&N/Nook | Book Depository
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt

I loved it.

Other Books In Series:

Available for purchase

Coming February 2012

Review:

Well, after winning 3 copies of this book, I finally gave in and read it. (I had forgotten about the giveaways and was surprised when the packages arrived.) Anywho, this is the second book in The Sons of Revolution series. It's in typical Shana Galen fashion: adrenaline pumping danger, a handsome hero, a headstrong heroine, an air of mystery, a touch of intrigue and toe curling smexing. A must read.

Top Reasons to Read This Book:
Silent, brooding, sexy, virgin hero with a dangerous past? Check. Pianoforte playing, marriage contract breaking, fall for her charge governess heroine? Check. Overprotective older brother? Check. Man claiming to be the husband of the heroine? Check. Bad guys who want the treasure that only the hero knows where it's at? Check and check.

Armand Harcourt had been locked away in a French prison, forgotten until his brother Julien (hero of The Making of A Duchess) breaks him out and brings him home to England. Armand shies away from touch because it is too painful and refuses to speak because it could cause trouble. He's determined to stay mute to keep his family safe from those who might find out that he alone, is the keeper of a 12 year old secret. His family wants to help him learn to become a functioning member of society and decide to hire a governess to teach him.

Enter Felicity Bennett, bent on repaying back the man her father sold her into marriage to. She takes up the position of governess and to her surprise, she would not be teaching a child but a grown man who somewhat frightens yet intrigues her with his behavior. She is determined to earn the money but the man shows up and demands the payment soon or the family will find out she is betrothed. Felicity has a penchant for playing the pianoforte and can play a tune, only hearing it a time or two. Her music soothes the beast in Armand.

Felicity sees two strange men digging in the gardens and this ushers in the heart pounding, adrenaline pumping, knuckle clutching events into motion. Armand soon realizes that those men are after him and the only way he can keep his family and Felicity safe is by staying up all night guarding their home. His family and Felicity want him to come clean with the secret and at first he denies any knowledge of the treasure.

All the while, Armand begins to talk, a word here, a phrase there. Felicity begins to see Armand as more than a pupil. His touch, his gaze, his presence does something to her. She know she must not lose sight of why she's there: the money to pay back Charles, the man her father sold her to. But with Armand, everything seems right with the world even if two treasure hungry men and one slimy wannabe dandy are after them.

Oh, and virgin hero alert!

Favorite Quote: "His eyes blazed  icy blue fire, his hands fisted at his side, and his barefooted stance was at once defiant and eager. Felicity forced herself to play, though she would rather have run from the comte's glare."

Overall: This book was sweet, sensual and tinged with danger. A fun, fast paced, heart pounding read. I will have to go back and read The Making of a Duchess since snippets of Julien and Sarah in this book have made me curious of their love story. Ms. Galen has a way with words. She makes the hero and heroine likeable and the villians boo-worthy. After reading this, I realized it's my first virgin hero book. What a difference in the storytelling when it comes to The Sexiness.

***I won 3 copies of this book from giveaways***

ARC Review: Lord and Lady Spy by Shana Galen

LORD AND LADY SPY by Shana Galen
Format: Paperback ARC
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (September 1,2011)
ISBN: 9781402259074

No man can outsmart him...
Lord Adrian Smythe may appear a perfectly boring gentleman, but he leads a thrilling life as one England's most preeminent spies, an identity so clandestine even his wife is unaware of it. But he isn't the only one with secrets...
But one woman almost certainly can...
Now that the Napoleonic wars have come to an end, daring secret agent Lady Sophia Smythe can hardly bear the thought of returning home to her tedious husband. Until she discovers in the dark of night that he's not who she thinks he is after all...
(source: back cover)

WHERE TO FIND SHANA: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Blogger
WHERE TO BUY: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes&Noble | Book Depository
BOOK EXTRAS: Read an Excerpt |  Book Page

Go and buy it NOW!

REVIEW and Book Trailer:

Holy Mr. and Mrs. Smith Regency style! Move aside Mr. and Mrs. Smith and make room for Lord and Lady Smythe. Brad and Angelina, you've got nothing on Adrian and Sophia.

TOP 5 REASONS I WAS ATTRACTED TO THIS BOOK:

1. The cover is pink! Only, my most favoritest color ever.
2. Mr. & Mrs. Smith Regency style? Sign me up!
3. Spies, intrigue, danger? Bring on the adrenaline rush!
4. Second chance romance? Absolutely!
5. Fabulous book trailer? A must watch!

Who really is Sophia Galloway? Is she the super spy that goes by Agent Saint or the mousy, bespeckled, drab looking Lady Smythe? Who really is Adrian Galloway? Is he the Barbican group's greatest spy or the never at home, always on the go Lord Smythe? The answers to these questions can be found in Shana Galen's LORD AND LADY SPY.

Since day one of their marriage, Adrian and Sophia have done their own thing and spent time together when necessary. Now that the war is over, they both must go back to their mundane lives. Which, for spies isn't a good thing. What does one do to occupy the time when there is no longer a traitor to bring to justice or a continent to canvas? One could try gardening or golf if the urge arises.

For Adrian and Sophia, that is not the case. They're itching to do something, anything to not go back to that life of "hello" "how do you do" "goodnight". How do two retired spies get back into the game after the Napoleonic wars? Answer: Solve the murder of the prime minister's half brother. There is only one position in the Barbican group (which said spies worked for) and to be reinstated, the spy who solves the murder and finds the murderer will get the coveted spot. Game on!

As they get closer to the answer, Sophia and Adrian must put their differences aside and work as a team to solve this case while dodging thugs, stealing carriages, fighting their growing attraction to each other and coming to terms with the heart wrenching miscarriages that Sophia suffered through while Adrian looked on, not knowing how to comfort her.

Favorite Quote: "We're married. No one is worried about your virtue." (***quote subject to change in finished copy***)

Overall: Once again, Ms. Galen has captured me from the first chapter until the last with her captivating mix of intrigue, sexiness (if you don't consider doing the sexy against an open window then I don't know what is) and fast paced storytelling. She made me care for the hero and heroine, although at times I wanted to shake each of them and scream "fall in love already!", and loudly boo the villains trying to kill Adrian and Sophia. My adrenaline spiked, my heart raced, my shoulders shook with laughter and my eyes glinted with unshed tears for Sophia and Adrian's loss (I couldn't just fall apart in front of random strangers at Starbucks now, could I?). If this had been made into a movie, it would have gotten a rousing stand of ovation at the end. Well done, Ms. Galen.


***I received an ARC copy from Ms. Galen.***