Review: The Princess and the Peer by Tracy Anne Warren

Author: Tracy Anne Warren
Publisher: Signet 
Date of Publication: April 2012
Audio-book: Tantor Media
Narrator: Justine Eyre

When a royal summons from her brother arrives, Emma knows it’s time to embrace her duties as the princess of a small European kingdom, and marry the man her brother has chosen for her…a stranger she has never met. Instead she does what any self-respecting princess would do—she runs away. All she wants is one week in London. One week to experience everything life has to offer, before she is locked away in a loveless marriage forever…

This is the first book that I have read by Ms. Warren.  I know I will be seeking out more of her works. The Princess and the Peer was a random pick off of my library's audio-book shelf.  Occasionally, I can find a recently published book that sounds good.  I was hoping for a good romance and I wasn't disappointed.  

After learning she is to be married off to a king in order to save her country, Emma runs away to experience a little fun before the inevitable.  What she didn't count on was meeting and falling in love with Nick.  Emma and Nick are so perfect for each other. It was fun to watch them fall in love. I especially loved the pub scene!   It was heartbreaking knowing there was so much in the way of them being together.  I was so hoping they could figure out a plan for them to get their HEA.  I loved the end and how it worked out.  The solution was a nice surprise.

The other characters, mainly Emma's other princess friends were wonderful and a lot of fun.  I know that they are the other princesses in the last two books of the trilogy.  I especially loved Ariadne and her forward thinking.  She snubs her nose at convention and hates the situation that Emma is being forced into.  I wonder if she and Prince Rupert will end up together?  Princess Mercedes's story, Her Highness and the Highlander, is the next book and comes out in November.  I will definitely be looking for it to hit the shelves.

Review: Heartbroken by Lisa Unger

Author: Lisa Unger

Publisher: Crown Publishing Group

Audiobook: Random House Audio

Date of Publication: June 2012

Long after anyone expected Kate to do anything with her life, she did. Using the journals left behind by her aunt and grandmother, she wrote a novel based on a very real generation-old love story that ended in tragedy. On the other side of town, Emily is about to set fire to her life. She’s in a dead-end job and is involved with the wrong man; she can feel herself being drawn into darkness, with horrific consequences. With nowhere to go, she finds herself on the run.  Without knowing each other, and with lives that couldn't be more different, Kate and Emily head to the same point on the map: Heart Island

I can't say that I really cared that much for Heartbroken.  I'm not sure why I even finished listening to the book.  It probably should have been a DNF book for me. I think I was hoping that it would get better or that something would happen. The lackluster ending was very disappointing.  I was left with the feeling of...That's it?   I'm not sure what type of book Heartbroken was supposed to be. I thought it was going to be a thriller based on the synopsis, but I was wrong. At first, it seemed to be a character study.  We are introduced to several characters and get a glimpse into their lives. It was hard to figure out how some of the characters fit into the story.  The first 2/3 of the book were tedious and kind of slow. In the last 1/3 of the book, it turned into an unexciting thriller. 


None of the characters were very likeable nor did I really feel connected with them.  I had some mild sympathy for Emily in the beginning, but as the book advanced, she wasn't as pitiful as I thought she was at first.  She was almost as bad as her boyfriend.  She knew what she was doing was wrong, yet she kept being a doormat and allowed him to use her repeatedly in his schemes.  I liked Birdy the least as she isolates everyone in her life.  I was surprised that her family hadn't stopped making and effort with her long before the events in the book take place.  The rest of the characters were just forgettable.

This book did get good reviews, but I just didn't care for it.  The audio book was fairly good and that is probably why I finished it.

Throwback Thursday: Trust Me on This by Jennifer Crusie

 

Author: Jennifer Crusie

First published in 1997 by Loveswept 

As soon as Alec Prentice spotted the spicy brunette in red silk, he vowed that the tempting con woman would not escape him! Dennie Banks was prepared to do anything to get her story, even flirt her way into the arms of a man who promised to help; but when the feisty reporter dared him to kiss her, his mouth scorched hers with wildfire yearning.

Could two passionate partners in crime get their man and each other?

In the introduction to the book, Ms. Crusie states that she had always wanted to write a screwball comedy. And write one, she did!  Trust Me on This was a pretty funny madcap adventure.  In a way, it reminded me of an old black and white comedy.  It's filled with mistaken identity, hijinks and major misunderstandings.  Among all of these adventures, there are two very sweet romances.  There are some big laugh out loud moments that kept me wanting to keep listening in my car long after I had arrived home from my commute. If you missed this early work by Ms. Crusie, why not try out the audiobook? It's a pretty quick listen and a ton of fun!

Giveaway: Beautiful Disaster

Remember a couple of weeks ago Kari and I talked about how much we liked Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire?  In case you missed that post, check it out here.  Today we're giving away a copy of this book compliments of the publisher.

US addresses only, No PO Boxes please.  Fill out the Rafflecopter form below and you're good to go!  Drawing will be open until August 22.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Quarantine by Lex Thomas

by:  Lex Thomas
published by:  Egmont USA
publish date:  July 10, 2012

It was just another ordinary day at McKinley High—until a massive explosion devastated the school. When loner David Thorpe tried to help his English teacher to safety, the teacher convulsed and died right in front of him. And that was just the beginning.
In Quarantine, the military attempts to destroy the school in an effort to stop the spread of a virus when a test subject from a nearby lab escapes and runs into the school.  The virus is harmless to teenagers who are carriers of the virus, but instantly kills adults.  The whole school instantly gets placed on lockdown by the military, nobody gets out.

The school divides into to gangs for protection, like The Jocks and The Pretty Ones and The Sluts and The Freaks.  These gangs use any means necessary to protect themselves and get the resources they need.  This book doesn't pull any punches either.  It's dark and violent and goes places that not too many YA books will go.  The Sluts get their name for a reason. 

I did like this book.  I thought it was great change of pace in major disaster/apocalyptic genre.  I liked the male main characters for one.  The way the kids go so wild was really interesting, it was kinda like Lord of the Flies in a way. 

This was the first book in a series, so I will be looking out for the next one.  This book does deserve a parental warning.  It has some "mature themes" going on throughout the book.  Quarantine probably should stay with the 16+ crowd.

Book Spotlight: The Reluctant Matchmaker by Shobhan Bantwal

Make sure to come back on August 25, 2012 for my review of The Reluctant Matchmaker!

Author: Shobhan Bantwal
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp, 

Date of Publication:June 26, 2012

It starts with a bizarre accident. When young and petite Meena literally collides with her strikingly tall boss, Prajay, she takes a nasty fall, but doesn’t count on falling in love with him. So imagine her dismay when he makes an astonishing request. He wants her to craft a personal ad that will help him find a suitable wife, a statuesque, sophisticated Indian-American woman who will complement his remarkable height. Despite Meena’s attraction to Prajay and the complications of balancing work and her “marriage consultant” role, she can’t refuse his assignment. And yet, she comes to some surprising realizations about love, tradition, and the sacrifices she will—and won’t—make to win over her giant.

About the author:

Shobhan Bantwal is an award-winning Indian-American author of five multicultural women’s fiction books with romantic elements, branded as “Bollywood in a Book.” Her articles and short stories have appeared in The Writer magazine, Romantic Times, India Abroad, India Currents, and New Woman. The Reluctant Matchmaker is her sixth book, scheduled for release on July 1, 2012. 

Visit her online at www.shobhanbantwal.com to learn about her books, trailers, contests, photos, recipes, and more. Visit her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ShobhanBantwal.author.

Review: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

by:  Rachel Joyce
published by:  Random House Audio
publish date:  July 24, 2012

Meet Harold Fry, recently retired. He lives in a small English village with his wife, Maureen, who seems irritated by almost everything he does, even down to how he butters his toast. Little differentiates one day from the next. Then one morning the mail arrives, and within the stack of quotidian minutiae is a letter addressed to Harold in a shaky scrawl from a woman he hasn’t seen or heard from in twenty years. Queenie Hennessy is in hospice and is writing to say goodbye.

I grabbed the audiobook for this from the library thinking it looked like a pretty interesting story and the very next day I saw it was on the list of nominees for the 2012 Man Booker Prize.  Since I tend to enjoy their nominees I was even more interested in reading this book. 

Harold is retired and living with his wife Maureen is a tidy little house in a small town.  Their lives are very mundane until the morning that Harold gets a letter from Queenie Hennessy.  Her letter says that she has terminal cancer and she's saying goodbye.  Harold struggles to write her back and when he realizes that his letters do not adequately convey how he feels he decides that he is going to walk across England and tell her in person. 

Harold sets out on his journey completely unprepared.  He learns to rely on the kindness of strangers along the way.  His story is picked up by the media and spread through social media.  Then his starts picking up Pilgrims, followers on his journey.

I loved this book.  I'm sure it'll make my Top 10 Favorites of this year.  I loved Harold and I even loved Maureen once I got to understand her.  I suspect a lot of people married for a long time will see some of themselves in Harold and Maureen.  I can't recommend this book enough!  Go read it!  Now!

Blog Tour: Tidewater Inn by Colleen Coble

Author: Colleen Coble
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Date of Publication: July 2012

Inheriting a beautiful old hotel on the Outer Banks could be a dream come true for Libby. The inn cries out for her restorer’s talent and love of history. She’s delighted to learn of the family she never knew she had. And the handsome Coast Guard lieutenant she’s met there on the island could definitely be the man of her dreams.

But Libby soon realizes that the only way she can afford the upkeep on the inn is to sell it to developers who are stalking the island. The father who willed her the inn has died before she could meet him, and her newfound brother and sister are convinced she’s there to steal their birthright. Worst of all, her best friend and business partner has been kidnapped before her eyes, and Libby’s under suspicion for the crime.

Libby’s dream come true is becoming a nightmare. Her only option is to find her friend and prove her innocence, or lose everything on the shores of Hope Island.

Tidewater Inn is the first book I have read by this author. I wasn't sure what to expect when I started the book.  I was pleasantly surprised at how easily I was sucked into the story. There is a little something for everyone in here.  The suspense of who took Nicole and how they would find her kept me on the edge of my seat.  I had to know who was behind it all.  My only complaint was that I thought the authorities and people in the town weren't very proactive in looking for Nicole.  I would have expected more searching for her. 

Tidewater Inn is not just a mystery, it is the story of a woman who gets a second chance at finding a family and a home.  Finding out that she has siblings she never knew about throws Libby for a loop, but she is determined to find out her parents' secrets and get to know her siblings.  It was heartbreaking that Vanessa and Brent stayed so cold to her for so long.  There is also a very subtle yet sweet romance in the book. Alec is the man who captures Libby's heart.  I liked the two of them together.  

The peripheral characters in the book are wonderful and really add to the story overall.  It looks like this is the first in a series.  I look forward to reading more about this small island!

About the author:

Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA’s RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.

Visit her website at www.colleencoble.com. Twitter @colleencoble.

Check out the other stops on her tour: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13526905/tidewaterinn

Blog tour: Dancing in the Dark by Shelly Maguire

Author: Shelly Maguire & Beth Huffman
Publisher: Stanley Publishing Co.
Date of publication: 2012

What turns an angry adolescent and then a defiant teenager into an indomitable businesswoman who faced so many obstacles in life that she defied all odds for success? Told at the age of nine that she had a lethal disease that could take her life by the age of 18, for Shelly Maguire this was all she had to hear to push herself to the limits and stop at nothing to reach her goals.

Dancing in the Storm is a very inspiring book.  When Shelly was 12, she was told that because of her Cystic Fibrosis diagnosis, she probably wouldn't live past the age of 18.  Instead of wallowing in self-pity, she ignored the doctors and pushed herself to live a great and full life.  

What I enjoyed about the book was the honesty.  The book is written through a series of e-mails between Ms. Maguire and Ms. Huffman.  It waffles between the e-mails and narratives about Shelly's life.  I will admit that I wasn't too comfortable with the format at first but as the book progressed I began to enjoy it. The book also includes several e-mails from family members that give the reader another insight into Shelly's life.  I think that rounded out the story telling very well since the reader was not just getting the autobiographic perspective.  Ms. Maguire's story is very inspiring. It's a quick read and quite enjoyable.

About the author:

Shelly Maguire is the author of the newly released book Dancing in the Storm, owner of Ice Elements skin care products and appears regularly on HSN and the radio program, Strength in Sharing. She lives in Florida with her husband, Frankie Tedesco. 

Her website: http://www.shellymaguire.com/

Book Spotlight: Immigration and Adaptation by Haskell Edwards

Author: Haskell G. Edwards, D. Min.
Publisher: Langdon Street Press
Date of publication: September 2011

Adaptation is a must. But how does one go about doing this? It takes great planning, finances, and courage to leave one's homeland; but then finding support and comfort or anything of familiarity in a new land presents a whole new set of challenges. The stress is overwhelming. How do you gain the happiness and success you dreamed of attaining in the new land?

Immigration and Adaptation is here to help you navigate through these challenges. With the information herein, immigrants coming to North America will be prepared to identify and resolve social, family, and personal challenges with confidence. Mr. Edwards' vast professional experience with diverse immigrant families, as well as his own personal journey and genuinely encouraging approach, not only help immigrant families adapt to new surroundings, but grow stronger together in their journey.

This book includes:

- A family wellness test

- Step-by-step guidelines

- Real-life examples

- Inspirational stories

- Family, parenting, and spousal exercises

- Illustrations

- Single-parenting advice

Immigration and Adaptation also includes tips on: building self-confidence, resolving conflicts, tuning communication skills, networking and building social supports, budgeting, parenting, enhancing spousal relationships, helping teenagers adjust, communicating effectively, and more.
Enjoy an excerpt from the book:

Chapter 1


HOME LIFE RELIVED

When we immigrants think of home our minds are often in a state of confusion—caught between the old and the new. We conjure up pictures of people, friends, family, and places in the Philippines, in Italy, in Pakistan, or in the Caribbean, which often stimulate feelings of nostalgia and a desire to return to the life so long left behind. We never seem to escape the image and impact of our childhood days. But, in a certain sense, it is a state of “confusion,” because, if “home is a place where those I love are gathered together,” then most of us will feel the pull between the past and the present. For even though most of our strongest kinship bonds may be right here with us in adoptedland, we might live very much in the distant and somewhat  imaginary past. I say “imaginary” because adult recollections of childhood scenes or events are often skewed and may be very different from the reality of that past. Nevertheless, recollections of our childhood environment and experiences have a powerful and indelible impact upon us, and they are often etched in our psyche for a lifetime.

About the author:

Haskell G. Edwards, D. Min. has vast professional experience for more than forty years as pastor, administrator, family therapist, and director of a family therapy center. His extensive experience gained from working with immigrant families in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic setting, as well as his own personal journey and genuinely encouraging approach, positions him not only to help immigrant families adapt to new surroundings, but grow stronger together in their journey.

He has successfully held immigrant seminars, workshops, and lectures throughout North America. Now a retired pastor, he continues to help immigrant families of a wide cultural heritage transition into their new homeland.

Haskell G. Edwards, D. Min. Web Site:
http://www.myauthorwebsite.net/haskell-g-edwards

Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186

Immigration and Adaptation blog tour site:
http://immigration-and-adaptation.blogspot.com/

Amazon buy link: ($16.95)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1936782235?tag=tributebooks-20

Barnes & Noble buy link: ($16.95)
http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=dcSBhG3Rj8w&offerid=239662.9781936782239&type=2&subid=0

Books-A-Million buy link: ($16.95)

http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Immigration-Adaptation/Haskell-G-Edwards/9781936782239

Ebook PDF ($8.99)
https://secure.mybookorders.com/order/haskell-edwards

Throwback Thursday: Calypso Magic by Catherine Coulter

Author: Catherine Coulter

First published in1988 by Onyx

Audiobook by Brilliance Corp in 2012

It is 1813 in London. The Earl of Saint Leven, Lyonel Ashton, doesn't like women, and he's got every reason not to. But fate, in the guise of Aunt Lucia, intervenes. She presents him with Diana Savarol, a young lady newly arrived from her family's Caribbean island and very unhappy at being forced into frigid England and tossed headlong into the marriage market.  When Diana insists upon returning home, she doesn't expect to have the earl share her cabin aboard ship. Then there's the ship's captain, Rafael Carstairs, who isn't just any ship captain sailing the seven seas. And on Savarol Island, there's a mystery to solve and wrongs to right.

This is the second in the Magic Trilogy by Catherine Coulter.  I enjoyed it was much as the first one.  Lyonel was first introduced in the first book in the trilogy, Midsummer Magic (read my review here).  Lyonel is a much more likable character than his friend, Hawk.   Diana is a great character.  She is headstrong and fiercely independent.  This causes all sorts of trouble for Lyonel.  The banter between Diana and Lyon is very amusing at times and I enjoyed their attraction. Their HEA was very sweet.

This one has a bit of a mystery and I was surprised at who the murderer turned out to be in the end. I had been thinking in a completely different direction. There are some other great characters in this installment.  The captain of the ship, Rafael Carstairs, seems very mysterious and I look forward to reading his story in the last of the trilogy, Moonspun Magic.

Anne Flosnik, the narrator, did an excellent job with the audiobook.  You don't have to have read the first one in order to know what is going on, so if you missed this one, I highly recommend it!