Recent E-Book Release Review- A Stolen Season by Tamara Gill

Title: A Stolen Season

Genre: Time Travel Romance/Regency/Novella

Author: Tamara Gill

Publisher: Entangled, Feb. 2014

Source: Free for review from the publisher

Rating: 4

Sexy Rating: 5

Description from Amazon.com:

One small mistake in the past will change everything about her future…

Archaeologist Sarah Baxter just broke one of the biggest rules of time travel: leaving a piece of 21st­century equipment in 19th century Regency England. Unfortunately, when she goes back to retrieve it, she makes an even bigger mess of things—resulting in the death of an English Earl. Now his brother is not only out for revenge, but he also has Sarah’s device. Which means an entirely different approach is needed.

It doesn’t occur to the new Earl of Earnston that his charming acquaintance is responsible for his brother’s death. He is merely swept away by a passion that threatens his very reputation. Yet he gets the distinct impression that Miss Baxter is hiding something from him. Now Sarah must find a way to steal back her device, hide the truth about the earl’s brother and—most importantly— not fall in love…

****

Sarah works for a time travel archeology firm run by her father, after leaving the “mapping device” in Regency England she and associate, Richard go back to retrieve it. Twice. The first time she causes the Earl’s death. The second time she falls in love with the new Earl. Richard seems a bit of an add-on, totally superfluous. I kept wishing the author would either write him in the story or take him out. The characters of Sarah and Eric, the Earl, were well developed and we could totally understand Eric’s obsession with revenge for the death of his brother.

I really liked the ending, it brought tears to my eyes with how tender and sweet it was. This book had a very interesting and unique plot that kept me reading until the wee hours. I wanted more background on this mapping device earlier in the story. I also wanted a bit more depth in Sarah’s affiliation with her father’s company and her relationship with her father. I’m sure I would have liked this novella even more if it had been a full length book because I did have questions that went unanswered.

Deet’s Eats- Deet’s Stuffed Peppers YUM!

This post should probably be titled “Deet’s Everything-but-the-kitchen sink Peppers”. That’s because I save up bits of leftover veggies (corn, green beans, peas, lima beans, etc.) and rice and when I have enough (about 1 ½ cups of Veggies and about the same amount of rice) I make stuffed green peppers. Now I’ve also gone to the trouble of making this by using frozen mixed veggies and some rice that I cooked up just for this, but let’s face it that is more trouble than just keeping 2 plastic containers in the freezer and tossing veggies in one and rice in the other. Here is the actual recipe.

 

Deet’s Stuffed Green Peppers

1 ½ cups mixed veggies cooked or frozen defrosted

1 ½ cups cooked rice

¾-1# ground beef

1 large diced onion (divided, half for the filling and half for the sauce)

1 15oz. can diced tomatoes

1 tsp dried Basil

1 Tblsp. sugar

1 Tblsp flour combined with ¼ cup water

3 large green peppers cut in half lengthwise, seeded and ribs cut out

Shredded sharp cheddar or slices of American cheese to melt on top (whatever you have on hand)

Oven: 350 F     Serves: 2 with leftovers, maybe, or 3 not so hungry people

1. Spray oil a shallow casserole that will hold the 6 pepper halves comfortably but not crowded. I think the one in the photo is a 2 ½ qt. dish. Place pepper halves in the dish.
2. In a 1 quart saucepan, combine tomatoes, half of the diced onion, the sugar, and Basil. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Then add flour/water mix and cook just until thick.
3. While the sauce is cooking, brown the ground beef and onions. Add S & P, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce to taste. (I’m usually pretty generous with the spices since I like a lot of flavor) Then add the veggies and rice. Mix well and fill the green pepper shells with the mixture.
4. Spoon the sauce onto each filled pepper half. Cover the casserole with foil that you gave a light spray of oil (so it doesn’t stick to the peppers).
5. Bake for 45 min., uncover the casserole, top each pepper half with cheese and put back in the oven, uncovered, until cheese is melted.
6. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving so you don’t burn your mouth.

Note: this recipe doubles, or even triples, easily for a crowd or buffet. Make ahead to #4 and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

Round out the menu with salad and lots of crusty bread, a bottle of Pinot Grigio goes nice too.

 

Correction- What a Lady Requires is only available now for pre-order

When I accepted this book for review it was to be published today on Feb. 24th.  However the publishing gods changed their minds and have put off the date until March 31st (Maybe?).  If you are still interested you can pre-order the e-book now.  However, Perhaps you might like to read my review first.

Release Day Review- What A Lady Requires by Ashlyn Macnamara

Title: What A Lady Requires (The Eton Boys Trilogy, book #3)

Genre: Historical Romance/E-Book

Author: Ashlyn Macnamara

Publisher: Loveswept, Feb. 2015

Source: Free for review from the publisher

Rating: 3

Sexy Rating: 5

Description from Amazon.com:

Unlike every other proper young lady, Miss Emma Jennings views marrying well as little more than a means to an end. Such a merger would provide her industrious father with social credibility, and Emma with a chunk of her vast inheritance. Emma’s practical views are shattered, however, when her father ties her to the fabulously handsome ne’er-do-well Rowan Battencliffe, a man she loathes on sight—from the smile that promises all manner of wickedness to the way he ogles her with those striking blue eyes.   Deep in debt, especially to his wine merchant, Rowan figures the sooner he gets his finances in order, the sooner he can go back to doing what he does best: burning through ridiculous sums of cash. Which is why Rowan agrees to marry the merchant’s daughter, a prim and proper woman with delightful curves and an ample dowry. But Emma seems to think it’s her business to reform him! Their marriage is a tinderbox—and it’s just too tempting to resist playing with fire.

**

This book was just not my cup of tea. The handsome hero was rather stupid when he couldn’t even follow his wife’s tutelage in simple accounting. The heroine was smart and feisty and much more likable. Together they kept secrets from each other and it all became a bit boring.

The characters were well fleshed out but the plot seemed tacked together with random scenes. Side characters were from previous books in the trilogy and added to the story. Although this book can be read as a standalone, reading the two books before it will add to the enjoyment.

Need Help finding a book to read? Fun Infographic!

I really never have trouble finding another book to read but perhaps you need some help.  Here is an Infographic from the Austin Public Library that I found on BookRiot.com.

Cover Reveal-Coming March 31st.- DECEPTION by D.B. Reynolds (Vampires In America, book #9)

Those of you who follow my blog know that I get all fan-girl over D.B.Reynolds’ Vampires In America Series.  I can’t help myself it is just the best vampire/urban fantasy/Paranormal Romance around.  And here we are up to book#9, DECEPTION.  There is a vampire war that has been brewing for the past couple of books and which looks to becoming full out war.  Here is the beautiful cover (notice that very astute and well done quote).  Preorder is now available for e-reader.

To see all of my posts on this series just type D.B. Reynolds in the search box in the left column.

Review- Flying by Megan Hart

Title: Flying

Genre: Erotic Romance

Author: Megan Hart

Publisher: Harlequin MIRA, April, 2014

Source: Purchase

Rating: 5

Sexy Rating: 5

Description from Amazon.com:

Ever hear of wanderlust?

Every other weekend, Stella buys a ticket on the next flight out of town and leaves her life behind. Home is a place with too many memories, and departure is the sweetest possible distraction.

As soon as she arrives at her destination, Stella visits the airport bar. She orders a drink and waits for the right guy to come along. A bored businessman, a backpacker, a baggage handler just off shift. If he’s into a hot, no-strings hookup, he’s perfect. Each time is a thrilling escape from reality that gives the term layover a whole new meaning.

When Stella meets the enigmatic Matthew in Chicago one weekend, she hits some serious turbulence. Something about him tells her she’s not the only one running from the past. The connection between them is explosive, and for the first time, one taste is not enough for Stella. But returning to find a gorgeous man waiting for her is the easy part—facing the reason she’s there is a whole other matter….

**

If you are expecting just a light, no thoughts involved, sexy read then you will be disappointed. You will start reading expecting Stella to be some half-witted slut out for a good time but all that will change as you learn about her and her story. And her story will snag you in the heart as you come to understand and sympathize with her lot in life. So, no, this is not just about some slut who trolls airport bars looking for a one-night-stand. It is about a woman who is a mother, an ex-wife, a broken human who we hope can be made whole. I highly recommend this elegantly written, sexually explicit, deeply moving book.

Recent E-Book Release- Once A Wallflower, At Last His Love by Christi Caldwell

Title: Once a Wallflower, At Last His Love (Scandalous Seasons, book #6)

Genre: Historical Romance/ Regency

Author: Christi Caldwell

Publisher: Christi Caldwell, Feb. 6, 2015

Source: Purchase for Kindle

Rating: 5

Sexy Rating: 5

Description from Amazon.com:

Responsible, practical Miss Hermione Rogers, has been crafting stories as the notorious Mr. Michael Michaelmas and selling them for a meager wage to support her siblings. The only real way to ensure her family’s ruinous debts are paid, however, is to marry. Tall, thin, and plain, she has no expectation of success. In London for her first Season she seizes the chance to write the tale of a brooding duke. In her research, she finds Sebastian Fitzhugh, the 5th Duke of Mallen, who unfortunately is perfectly affable, charming, and so nicely… configured… he takes her breath away. He lacks all the character traits she needs for her story, but alas, any duke will have to do. Sebastian Fitzhugh, the 5th Duke of Mallen has been deceived so many times during the high-stakes game of courtship, he’s lost faith in society women. Yet, after a chance encounter with Hermione, he finds himself intrigued. Not a woman he’d normally consider beautiful, the young lady’s practical bent, her forthright nature and her tendency to turn up in the oddest places has his interests… roused. He’d like to trust her, he’d like to do a whole lot more with her too, but should he?

**

Why did I feel absolutely compelled to read this book when I’ve never before read this author, or even heard of her? I don’t know why!!! But it was something almost supernatural that led me, and I am so happy that I followed this compulsion and purchased this novel. Within these pages there is a depth of emotion I seldom find and it is all wrapped up in superbly nuanced characters. Hermione and Sebastian are meant for each other and they feel it right from their first meeting but they are not astute enough to realize that this is true love. No, Hermione must envision the relationship as research for her novels and Sebastian knows there is a connection but he just can’t figure out why he finds ways to keep meeting Hermione. And then of course there are tremendous roadblocks to their Happy-Ever-After. You will have some smiles and some tears but you will not put this book down until you have turned the last page. Way to go Christi Caldwell!

This is a standalone novel with characters from previous books in the series.

Outlander, Season One Vol. One, Pre-order Available

Calling all of you Time Travel junkies, Jamie Fans, Gabaldon Gals, Claire wannabe’s.  If you were thwarted in your efforts to watch the first part of OUTLANDER on STARZ cable, as I was, then you may want to pick up the DVD.  I’ve got my preorder in, and can’t wait until it arrives on March 3rd for some marathon viewing.

Outlander DVD Preorder

B & N= $27.95 and up

Amazon= $24.99 and up

Recent Release Review and Giveaway_ The First Kiss by Grace Burrowes

Title: The First Kiss (The Sweetest Kisses, book #2)

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Author: Grace Burrowes

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca, Feb 3, 2015

Source: Free for review from the publisher

Rating: 4

Sexy Rating: 5

Summary:

Classical pianist Vera Waltham is recovering from a bad break up by taking a hiatus with her daughter in the Damson Valley countryside. She’s content with her music, and has no interest in complicating her life with further attempts at romance.

Attorney James Knightley is a numbers guy who reads contractual fine print for lunch, and wants nothing to do with damsels, in distress or otherwise. Nobody is more surprised than James when he falls for Vera Waltham, and the only contract on James’s mind when it comes to Vera is holy matrimony.

**

This series is sweet and sexy and James Knightly is probably the sexiest of those Knightly brothers. I found James to be almost too good to be true. He is an over the top romance hero who is kind, protective, super smart, handsome, he can fix a flat and change a car battery not to mention play classical music on the piano, he has a thorough knowledge of horses and is a crackerjack attorney. Whew! Talk about an overachiever!

Now Vera Waltham is pretty much just a classical pianist and piano teacher, cookie baking mother who needs all the protection James can help her with. There is a bad guy stalking her and vandalizing her home. She is also having trouble with her ex-husband. She has a well-adjusted 8 year old daughter, Twyla, who falls for James even before her Mother does.

I enjoyed this book as much as the first book, Trent Knightly’s love story in A SINGLE KISS. However I felt the stories were a bit too much the same with single mothers and school age daughters. I personally would have liked a bit more diversity. That is not to say that both of these books were not a good read. They are very interesting and certainly well written. Grace Burrowes is an attorney so we get the feel of reality when she deals with legal matters.

I can recommend this book for Contemporary Romance fans and also those who like a bit of Lawyers and the legal in their books. This is a standalone but you will enjoy reading the novellas and book #1 also. Mac Knightly’s story is coming in March.

You can purchase this book and the others in the series here:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1JhpLl7

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/15l0gA4

iBooks: http://bit.ly/1BQQhRl

 

Now for more fun click and enter for a fabulous giveaway:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/54ca7af764/