Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas

Rating: 5

Description: She stood at peril's threshold --
then love beckoned her in…
A prim, well-bred gentlewoman, Sara Fielding is a writer who puts pen to paper to create dreams. But now curiosity is luring her from the shelter of her country cottage into the dangerous world of Derek Craven -- handsome, tough, and tenacious -- and the most exciting man Sara has ever met.
Derek rose from poverty to become the wealthy lord of London's most exclusive gambling house. And now duty demands that he allow Sara Fielding to enter his perilous realm of ever-shifting fortunes -- with her impeccable manners and her infuriating innocence. But there is a hidden strength and sensuality to the lady that captivates him beyond his better judgment. And in this world, where danger lurks behind every shadow, even a proper “mouse” can be transformed into a breathtaking enchantress -- and a cynical gambler can be shaken to his core by the power of passion and the promise of love.

Review: What a romantic story! I pushed this book up in my tbr pile, because Monroe’s review was so great! I simply loved loved loved this story. Poor Derek, majorly tortured. He was a fixer upper, being born in a sewer and Sara was just the right lady to do the job. She had such a heart of gold, I enjoyed her greatly as a heroine. Both shined brightly and equally. At the beginning of the story, Sara saves Derek’s life, but little does he know, she’s going to change it. She squeezes her way into his life, then out, then back in again. This time, for the long haul, and every word is such a joy to read in this tale.

Ms. Kleypas did an excellent job in the development of the relationship, it felt so real, not rushed and the glasses. How romantic! I loved the moment when Sara figured out what they were. I also loved the ending, it went well above a HEA, it was PERFECT. Derek, with his words, absolutely beautiful. Very few books, when finished, make you pause, sigh and just smile with that 100% satisfaction guaranteed feeling, this book was just that!

Time Travel Tuesday: TV

Join me in a trip back to yester-year! Yep, it's Tuesday. And while there is nothing really exciting about Tuesdays (except book release days), I'm posting on some flashbacks of my youth. If you'd like to share something, by all means, go post something! I'd love to read your story!

It's Mr. Belvedere today! Did you watch this show? Nothing was better than ruffling Mr. Belvedere's feathers. The series ran from 1985 to 1990.

Burn by Linda Howard

pic and description from Amazon.com

Rating: 3.5

Description: It’s true what they say: Money changes everything. And in Linda Howard’s red-hot novel Burn, the changes come fast, furious, and filled with the kind of sexy suspense, heart-stopping romance, beautiful people, and risky business guaranteed to give you the most bang for your buck.

Money certainly changes Jenner Redwine’s life when she wins a lottery jackpot. But it also costs her plenty: Her father rips her off and disappears, her fortune-hunting boyfriend soon becomes her ex, and friends-turned-freeloaders give her the cold shoulder when she stops paying for everything.

Flush with new money, Jenner can’t imagine ever finding a place in the world of the wealthy. Seven years later, though, she’s rubbing elbows with the rich, despite the fact she still feels like a party crasher. Luckily she finds an ally–and a guide to the rarefied realm of privilege–in shy, kind-hearted heiress Sydney Hazlett, who quickly becomes Jenner’s confidante and surrogate sister.

When Sydney invites Jenner on a charity cruise aboard a luxury liner, Jenner reluctantly agrees. But while she’s expecting–and dreading–two weeks of masquerade balls, art auctions, and preening glitterati, what she gets is more like a Hitchcock movie than a Love Boat episode. Taken hostage by a menacing stranger, Jenner must cooperate in a mysterious cloak-and-dagger scheme–or else. With nowhere to run, and with Sydney’s life as well as her own at risk, Jenner is drawn into a game of dizzying intrigue and harrowing danger. But as her panic gives way to exhilaration, and fear of her captor turns to fascination, Jenner rediscovers feelings she hasn’t had in years–and realizes she’s found a life worth living. If she survives.

Review: In Linda Howard’s latest book, I felt a bit jipped. Those who’ve read Ms. Howard know you get a darn good, intense story that just bursts with the main couple. Not so with this latest, although the humor was dead on. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it, it was a nice read. But, I’m glad I got from the library.

Jenner wins the lotto, gets screwed over by friends and her dad, and moves away. She gets talked into the cruise by her only friend. This happens in the first maybe 100 of pages and felt way drawn out. She gets kidnapped on the boat, and must listen to the kidnappers and do what they say so her friend doesn’t get hurt. After she’s kidnapped, she is appalled that she found her kidnapper, Cael, hot as hell. It’s after she tries to annoy the heck out of him that she realizes he’s one of the good guys and starts giving into her fantasies about him. Of course he must do his job and save the people and his team on the boat. The ending is not satisfying, and felt a bit rushed.

So yeah, I feel a bit jipped with Ms. Howard’s latest book. Ice comes out in November, and I really hope this one is written more to her style. The last two books have been more of an edgy chick lit, but I liked Death Angel much more.

Borders Coupon Alert!!!!!!!

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I love Borders! Did you know that there are Borders Outlets? Has anyone ever been to one?

What Happens in London by Julia Quinn

Rating: 4

Description: Rumors and Gossip . . . The lifeblood of London
When Olivia Bevelstoke is told that her new neighbor may have killed his fiancée, she doesn't believe it for a second, but, still, how can she help spying on him, just to be sure? So she stakes out a spot near her bedroom window, cleverly concealed by curtains, watches, and waits . . . and discovers a most intriguing man, who is definitely up to something.
Sir Harry Valentine works for the boring branch of the War Office, translating documents vital to national security. He's not a spy, but he's had all the training, and when a gorgeous blonde begins to watch him from her window, he is instantly suspicious. But just when he decides that she's nothing more than an annoyingly nosy debutante, he discovers that she might be engaged to a foreign prince, who might be plotting against England. And when Harry is roped into spying on Olivia, he discovers that he might be falling for her himself . . .

Review: This book was cute, and fun, but I kept wanting a bit more. Maybe it was they “book hype”, maybe it was me. Harry and Olivia are an adorable couple. Their first encounter makes the brave, outspoken Olivia speechless. Harry walks away with a win, but Olivia has tricks up her sleeve to get him off his game. The goal: who can annoy who the most! The antics, banter and chats from neighborly window to window, make this an enjoyable, sweet read. The prince portion was a bit much, but worked okay. Harry was a wonderful beta hero, and the two connected very well on all levels, after they realize they’ve formed a friendship. That’s probably what I enjoyed best, was their friendship. You really felt each falling for the other!

All in all, cute, enjoyable, and would recommend! I have not read the first book in the series, The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever, and did not feel lost!

Time Travel Tuesday: TV

Join me in a trip back to yester-year! Yep, it's Tuesday. And while there is nothing really exciting about Tuesdays (except book release days), I'm posting on some flashbacks of my youth. If you'd like to share something, by all means, go post something! I'd love to read your story!

Do you remember Kate and Allie? Well, it was one of those shows, I watched every time I could. Back then, I related much more with the daughters, and eventually appreciated the humor of the friends. The series ran from 1984 to 1989.

Persuasion 2007 VS Persuasion 1995

Both movies are based on the book by Jane Austen, I have now watched both and I had to blog about it!

2007
VS.
1995

Rating:
2007- 5
1995- 3

I previously rated Persuasion 1995 a 4, but after watching Rupert Penry Jones play Captain Wentworth, it dropped to a 3. I felt a connection to the author that penned Pride and Prejudice, that silent longing, internal conflict played out dramatically in the latest version. I did not feel that way in the older version, and also didn't find the actor very handsome. But Oh Boy, does Jones pull it off here. (And yes I kept thinking he could be a Jamie while watching this movie)

As Captain Wentworth, had the whole, broken, bitter love thing goin' on. Anne was a little dramatic, but she now knew she should not have let herself be persuaded by friends and family to reject Captain Wentworth 8 years ago. Now, no one else would matter, after having 8 years of a broken heart, much like Captain Wentworth has had, she's experienced lost love and wants it found again. It seems too much to hope for in her heart.

I felt the "theme" that Jane Austen writes in Persuasion, lost love and being strong in yourself in this version. I did not feel that in the older version, in fact it didn't seem that they were much alike.

So there you have it, newer version wins. Ruper Penry Jones stole the show and made the movie! Very unexpected!

***Thank you to whoever it was the mentioned he starred in this movie, I tried to find where I read it, but was unsuccessful!

Happy 4th of July!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lij/ / CC BY-NC 2.0

Happy 4th of July out there! What a historic day this is for America! I love my country and I'm so glad we have a day to celebrate it.

What are you doing in your neck of the woods? Our streets are lined with little flags. Cookouts are planned, parades and fireworks finish the day!

God Bless those founding fathers and soldiers who have fought for our freedom!

Series Review: Moonlight

Rating: 4.5

Description (from Amazon.com):Any private eye knows a lot about other people's secrets. L.A. private eye Mick St. John (Alex O'Loughlin) has a secret of his own. He’s a vampire, dwelling in a covert netherworld complicated by friendship with an undead finance honcho (Jason Dohring), memories of the alluring ex- wife (Shannyn Sossamon) who turned him into a vampire, and a relationship with a human (Sophia Myles) he feels drawn to protect – and maybe to love. But no matter how tempting, Mick knows a vampire-human romance is eternally dangerous. This 16-episode, 4-disc set of the series voted the 2008 People's Choice Award for Favorite New TV Drama is a sure entertainment bet for all who like their vampire stories sleek, intense and passionate.

Review: I can not believe this show was canceled. I absolutely, positively LOVED this series. For me, it matched what I would read in a romance novel. The tension between Beth and Mick jumped out from the screen, and Alex O'Loughlin was an amazing tortured hero. He had no choice in the matter in becoming a vampire, and has never been happy with that or really himself. Throw Beth in the mix. He questions why he's the way he is, and how can Beth possibly fit in his life, simple- she can't. Beth is squeezing herself into his life regardless of him liking it, or not.

The battle to watch between the two, is great to watch and grow in the 16 episodes. There's always something Mick is investigating in each episode, Beth's a reporter and her beau (in the beginning) is the D.A. Pretty complicated, right? Yep, it had so much potential! If you like vampires and Alex O'Loughlin, this is so worth the watch!

THE END: For those who did watch the show... Do you think the last 2 minutes were done AFTER they knew it was getting canceled? I do. But, I'm glad they ended the way they did, I was on the edge of my seat for those last 5-10 minutes! That ending, and a few of their kisses and when he was in the desert were very memorable moments in the series for me!

Is it too much to wish for a movie made, pre-Moonlight and have them restart the series? I'm sure it is!

picture from Amazon.com

June Reads

picture taken by me!

Here are all the books I read in June.

1. One Reckless Summer by Toni Blake 5/5
2. The Dark Highlander by KMM 3.5/5
3. MacKenzie's Mountain by Linda Howard 5/5
4. Hot in Here by Sophie Renwick 4/5
5. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon 5/5
6. To Die For by Linda Howard 5/5
7. To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt 5/5
8. Letters to a Secret Lover by Toni Blake 4/5 (actually finished yesterday)

I read some great books, for a laugh, you've got to read Blair's thoughts in To Die For by Linda Howard. She own's a pink hammer and she knows how to use it.

The Dark Highlander was not as good as I had hoped, it would be hard to follow up Kiss of the Highlander.

Outlander... EPIC. You'll fall in love with Jamie.

Elizabeth Hoyt continues to wow me with her books.

Letters to a Secret Lover did not have the umf that One Reckless Summer had. I did enjoy it, but it didn't feel consistent.

I'll be posting on the series Moonlight, which I finished watching last week, it's a must see!