Christmas Reads: Santa is a Lady

Santa is a Lady
Author: L.J. Holmes
Publisher: Muse Publishing
Sweet Holiday Romance
Digital Novella
Available HERE

Summary: Angie is someone who has had to walk through the fires of hell and battle with death itself to regain the use of her nearly shattered body. It’s Christmas, the time of wonder and magic for Angie, Cam a man who has spent the past nearly two years trying to pry his precious daughter from the unscrupulous hands of his late wife’s greedy Iraqi brother’s, and Jo, the precious daughter, who is finally free and in her father’s awed hands. Three people and one Christmas with so much magic swirling at last in their direction.

Christmas stories are hit or miss for me. They are either sappy or forced much of the time, and then there are the ones that capture the spirit of the holidays just right and become a keeper story to read each Christmas. Santa is a Lady is one of those "keeper" stories that caught me by surprise. I won a digital copy during the launch of the Muse Publishing Reader's Group.

Where to start? Santa is a Lady is a novella, a light romance, and a holiday story about love, friendship, family and community. The main character, Angie, has been in a car accident that has changed her life. She's a survivor, and despite the doctors' predictions, now walks with a cane, but she's still in pain much of the time, and has given up on many aspects of her life, including romance. When she first meets Cam and his daughter it's a mess of misunderstandings, and everyone involved ends up hurt and angry. I love this story because the characters are not perfect, nor are they sappy. They are all dealing with their individual issues, but in the end it takes everyone opening their eyes and hearts to understand where each person is coming from. I think all of us have had misunderstandings that have gotten out of control because on the surface it appears as one thing, but is actually something else. People are flawed and complex, but that's what makes life so interesting. This story has elements of sacrifice, friendship, kindness, community and love.

Santa is a Lady is a wonderful holiday romance that I'll be reading each year. It's a lovely light read with a little bit of steam and a lot of charm.

Visit the author at her blog here: http://linsownblog.blogspot.com/

~Brenda

Steampunk! Like Clockwork Review

Like Clockwork
Author: Bonnie Dee
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 243 KB
Publisher: Carina Press
Release Date: 12/13/2010

Summary: Victoria's work with automatons has gained her renown and changed the face of London. But her concern that the clockworks are taking too many jobs away from humans, creating social unrest, is ignored. Given the ugly mood of the underclass, she fears more outbreaks of violence similar to the murder spree of the notorious Southwark Slasher. Dash, unemployed thanks to the clockworks, has pledged fealty to The Brotherhood, a group determined to bring about the downfall of the automatons by any means necessary. His plan to kidnap Victoria goes awry when the unorthodox scientist pledges her assistance to their cause.

I'm a big fan of steampunk stories for so many reasons. They combine the gentleness of the Victorian era with science, adventure, and whimsy, plus often romance. Like Clockwork includes a murder mystery, which adds another element to this fast paced light story. The novella length makes it a great read for those readers new to steampunk.

Victoria is smart, spunky, naive and compassionate. She suspects a mistake has been made giving automatons (robots) a human appearance, which in turn made people feel comfortable giving them jobs as nannies, housekeepers, butlers and other jobs where they interact with families on a daily basis. Victoria helped give them their human appearance but she wanted to have them only take on jobs that were dangerous for humans. She wanted to save lives, not create an invention that would replace people.

Dash is dangerous, passionate, at times rash, and extreme. After kidnapping Victoria he can't seem to stay away from her, even when it's dangerous for her. Together they try to help the poor, and solve a dangerous mystery, while trying not to give in to their desires.

I loved Like Clockwork for it's sweet humor, romance and thought provoking theme. It's fast paced, and the characters are fascinating. Later in the book there are some very steamy scenes between Victoria and Dash. It's truly a smart, lovely read. If you enjoy historical romances, steampunk or light science fiction you'll really like Bonnie Dee's steampunk read.

Teaser Words
gaslights
tea
dirigible
daguerreotype
underground
cockney
bombs
spies

To learn more about the author and Like Clockwork visit:
http://bonniedee.com/LikeClockwork.htm

~Brenda

Soul Screamers: My Soul to Keep

My Soul to Keep
Soul Screamers, #3
Author: Rachel Vincent
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Harlequin
Released: 6/1/10

Summary: Soul Screamers is a young adult urban fantasy series narrated by teenage bean sidhe (banshee) Kaylee Cavanaugh. Join Kaylee as she tries to balance a normal high school experience with the threat of the Netherworld, a terrifying, hidden world full of reapers, hellions, and countless other mythical monsters out to possess her, body and soul.

My Soul to Keep is a book every teenager should read, especially if they are in a relationship, or considering one. I remember the hormone induced urges as I became aware of my sexuality. When you combine that with wanting someone to love that will love you back, things become intense and confusing. It's no wonder that our teenage years are some of our toughest.

I loved the character of Kaylee as she struggled with school life, her friends, her boyfriend, her father and her supernatural issues. Things are tough enough but when a supernatural drug starts ruining her classmates lives she knows she has to do something about it. She's compassionate, tough, and she's willing to face her fears to do what is right. I love that she holds on to her virginity, even though a part of her wants to give in to her feelings for Nash. Every teenage girl should view her virginity as Kaylee does, as something precious that should only be shared when it's right, not because of peer pressure, or a need to keep a boyfriend happy. Once you lose it, you can't get it back. That message alone is so important. My Soul to Keep has many important underlying themes in a face paced, action filled plot that literally keeps the reader in suspense through most of the story.

Addiction is something so many teenagers and adults struggle with at some point in their life. Some are lucky, and stop themselves before hitting rock bottom. Others can't stop, and hurt themselves and the people they care about before they ask for help. Whether it's drinking or drugs, addiction ruins lives. For those who are watching someone they care about go through an addiction it can be agony. We can't make them stop, but we can refuse to aide them in their addiction. All of this is weaved into the story of Kaylee and her friends in a fast paced, suspenseful and emotional manner.

Don't get me wrong, My Soul to Keep is a well written, paranormal romance with rich, complex characters. The author has weaved the life lessons among the story so there are no lectures or public service announcements. Rachel Vincent has instead given us a story about love, trust, loyalty and friendship that we won't soon forget. Whether you are 15 or 50, you will love her storytelling and the characters she has created.

Reading the Series
I emailed Rachel to make sure I was getting the order of the stories and the books correct. My Soul to Lose and Reaper happen right around the same time and are perfect reads to start the series if you haven't already. I loved both of them, but Reaper is especially good.

Soul Screamers Stories
1. My Soul to Take (2009)
2. My Soul to Save (2009)
3. My Soul to Keep (2010)
4. Neiderwald: Enthralled anthology (2011)
5. My Soul to Steal (January 2011)
6. If I Die (Fall 2011)

Novellas & Shorts
1.Fearless: Kiss Me Deadly Anthology (2010)
2.Free Prequel: My Soul to Lose (2010)
3.Free Short: Reaper: Tod's Story (2010)

Once you read anything in the Soul Screamers series, you'll want to read everything you can get your hands on. This is a Young Adult series, but I loved it as much as any paranormal adult read.

~Brenda

Warming Up With Winter Wishes

Winter Wishes
Format: Kindle Edition
Publisher: Carina Press
Released: 12/6/2010

Authors:
Moira Rogers
Vivi Andrews
Vivi Andrews

Summary: A woman has the Christmas Eve from Hell. Two cat shifters play naughty games. And a witch brings out the beast inside the man. The magic of the season takes on a whole new meaning in these three fantastic—and festive—novellas from some of the best voices in paranormal romance.

I asked to review Winter Wishes because all three authors are favorites of mine and it sounded as if the stories were all unique, and not your usual holiday fare. I was certainly correct in that assumption. All three stories were fast paced, steamy and the settings were imaginative and unique. The three novellas are available individually as well, so I'm going to do mini reviews of each one.

Tangled Tinsel by Vivian Arend: Viv has once again steamed up my Kindle with this awesome shifter story. El is a cop who prefers to deny her shifter side, but uses it to take Kyle Branegan into protective custody. Turns out Kyle is also a Cougar, but he embraces his shifter side and is a member of a shifter law enforcement organization. He makes it his mission to teach El how to embrace who she is, while she "protects" him until a trial where he's going to testify. This story has very steamy sex, plot twists galore, and witty banter. I loved it.

No Angel by Vivi Andrews: I love the author's writing style, full of humor, action and romance, but this story was not what I expected. It's a very cool plot involving demons straight from hell, and angels, who aren't as holy as they appear to be. Sasha is a kick ass stunt women who loves tough guys, but falls for Jay, who appears to be a generous, sensitive soul. She loves him even though he didn't exactly set her world on fire until he gets sucked back to hell where his new step dad rules, and the angels decide Sasha needs to rescue him. I loved this story for the humor, and the interaction between the demons and the angels, which ended up being complex with humans right in the middle. The two main characters are great- as is their banter.

Freeze Line by Moira Rogers: I've been waiting for this story from Moira Rogers since they announced it was coming. The world is in an ice age and humans know about werewolves and witches, but many of them would rather torture and test them than live among them. Shane is a werewolf who will do anything he can to not give into his instincts and Nadia is a witch who's escaped from a lab where she was tortured. He needs to protect her, and she needs help, but things aren't that simple in this wild and complex world where everyone is simply trying to survive. This story is different than the authors' other shifter stories because it's darker, the characters are brooding yet passionate, and the world they've created is stark and harsh. I loved the interaction between the two characters as they got to know one another. The story was emotional in so many ways, and by the end I was holding my breath in suspense of what would happen. I would love to see more stories set in this world.

For more information on the authors visit their websites below:

Vivi Andrews: http://viviandrews.blogspot.com/
Vivian Arend: http://vivianarend.com/
Moira Rogers: http://moirarogers.com/blog

~Brenda

Review: The Dark Divine

The Dark Divine
Author: Bree Despain
Released: December 2009
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Format: Digital and Print
Available at: Indie Bound, Powell's Books, Barnes & Noble

Summary: Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared--the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in his own blood--but she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night held. The memories her family has tried to bury resurface when Daniel returns, three years later, and enrolls in Grace and Jude's high school. Despite promising Jude she'll stay away, Grace cannot deny her attraction to Daniel's shocking artistic abilities, his way of getting her to look at the world from new angles, and the strange, hungry glint in his eyes.

I bought The Dark Divine because I had heard so many good things about it. I was glad I had avoided spoilers because it really increases the suspense in the book as the secrets unfold. I enjoyed this book for many reasons. First, the main character, Grace Divine, is wonderful. She's a pastor's daughter, but yet she doesn't blindly follow the church. She asks hard questions, and her faith is her own, not something she has because others have forced it on her. She's strong, compassionate, loyal and she's not afraid to speak her mind.

I also love that the author gave Grace loving, supportive parents who aren't perfect, but they are approachable, and listen to what their children say. One of my big pet peeves about many YA novels is the lack of supportive adults. Yes, there are bad parents out there, but there are more good parents who try to listen and understand their teenagers.

There are elements of romance, suspense and action in The Dark Divine that keep the reader glued to the pages, but it also has some lessons that are crucial to everyone, not just teenagers. Do we have to earn love? If we make mistakes are we no longer worthy of being loved? The romance is touching, and the relationship between Grace and her brother is fascinating. She adores him to the point of thinking he can do no wrong, but as the story goes on she must admit he isn't perfect and may have faults.

Other themes running through the book include forgiveness, sacrifice, and jealousy. I would recommend The Dark Divine for teens 14 and older. Fans of Twilight will love this book without fail, but also those who enjoy Maggie Stiefvater and Claudia Gray will like it as well. This story entertains, but also causes the reader to think about what they might do in Grace's situation. I love books that stir up things up and make me think about things.

The next book in the series, The Lost Saint will be released on December 28th, 2010. I'm not posting the blurb from it because it has a huge spoiler for the first book. The cover is just as stunning as The Dark Divine, and should be another great read.

You can visit Bree at http://www.breedespain.com/index.html for more information and to sign up for her free newsletter and her blog.

NaNo: What I Learned & What I Wrote

I finished NaNo (National Novel Writing Month) and I went over 50,000 words written for the month of November with my story A Twist of Destiny. The story isn't finished quite yet, but it will be by next week or sooner. I learned some valuable things in November:

1. I'm a Fly By the Seat of My Pants Writer: I started out with a story idea I had for over a year and within a 1000 words or so it had changed from what I thought it would be. At that point I let it flow and went with my gut.

2. I'm good with sexual tension, but need to work on anything past that point because I find myself screaming "Oh, man I CANNOT write that thought down!"

3. Sarcasm comes natural to me in real life, but putting it on paper doesn't flow as easy.

4. I love writing fiction. Even after a marathon month of writing I still love my story and my characters.

5. I need to find other writers/readers to bounce ideas off of because my teens offered the following advice to me:

-Blow something up.
-Kill off your heroine...come on, you can do it!
-At any mention of romance: rolled eyes & gagging noises
-Blow more things up.

6. Time lines are VERY helpful. I resisted until I couldn't keep track of how many days had went by, and I was going to have two full moons about a week apart.

I'm sure there were other things I learned along the way, but it's all a blur right now. I do however have a title, a description of my story, and an excerpt. I have rewriting and edits to do, but I feel good about submitting this to publishers when it's finished.

A Twist in Destiny

Summary: Two Irish clans take their blood feud to an extreme level, and the last son in each clan is cursed to live until they meet their destined mate, who must choose between them before either of them can move on. It's been over 400 years for Mac and Shawn, but at 20 years old, Maggie FitzGerald has become a pawn in a game that will change her life forever no matter which Irishman she chooses.

Excerpt:
Maggie moved against him, and laid her head on his chest. She could stay like this all day. Mac was her rock. He made her feel safe and loved. Wasn’t that what marriages should be based on? He was also a survivor. After she was gone, he would pick up the pieces and move on. She would always have a special place in his heart, but he would survive.

“You aren’t thinking too hard again are you? That’s never a good thing with you, “ he said.

She looked up, ready to snap at him, and then saw that smile. How could any woman resist that Irish bad boy smile? “

“I think a kiss would go a long way towards stopping me from thinking too hard, “ she said.

Mac leaned down and kissed her gently, ready to pull back, but Maggie reached up and traced his lower lip with her finger. She carefully put the fudge back in the bag, set it aside on the bench, and moved into Mac’s lap, putting her arms around his neck. She whispered in his ear.

“I don’t think that was a long enough kiss to stop me from thinking. Nope, not enough by a long shot.”

Before he could respond, she kissed him again, this time leaving gentle behind, and putting all of her passion into the moment. She pulled back slowly, and sat back on the bench.

“Yes, I do believe that wiped all thoughts from my head. Every stinkin’ one, “ she said breathlessly.

Mac still hadn’t spoke, but he cleared his throat and seemed to be searching for words. Finally, he gave up and pulled her against his chest, laughing softly. They sat there in comfortable silence for ten minutes or so until Maggie’s stomach growled. They both laughed as it growled again.

“I guess fudge and kisses are not enough to fill my need for food, do you have a place in mind to eat dinner? “ she asked.

“I certainly do, it’s part of my grand plan to distract you, “ he said.

He stood up, and they walked down main street. Mac stopped in front of Patrick Sinclair's Irish Pub and opened the door for her. Maggie reached up and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and went inside. The waitress showed them to a booth and Maggie sat on the same side as Mac. He raised his eyebrows.

“Are you going to behave yourself? “ asked Mac.

“Whatever do you mean? I’ve been a perfect lady since we’ve gotten to the island, “ she said with a giggle. “By the way, did I mention how nice you smell? “

“Lass, I swear you are going to be the death of me, and that’s damn hard to do since I can’t die. Let’s order before I get too distracted to appreciate the food, “ he said.

~Brenda

Winners and How I Wish...

I wish I had multiples of myself this month so I could write my NaNo Novel AND write the reviews and my nonfiction, handle the teen drama at our house, cook, clean and do laundry. It would be wonderful to assign each of the "me" clones to a different task. Alas, there is only me, so that's why I'm late on announcing winners. I did email all of the winners but the last one, which I'll do today, and forwarded their names to the publishing company. I also have three packages to mail out from October, and promise to do that soon if the planets all align and my bank account doesn't empty out:)

The good news is I'm over 30,000 words on A Twist of Destiny, my NaNo novel. I have 20,000 words to write in ten days, and it's in my head:) Thanks for the patience everyone.

Ecstasy in Darkness
My 5 Monkeys(Julie) said...
I love snarky banter between characters. It makes book fun. Haven't read this series yet.

Rise Again
Stephmartin71 said...
Since I work in a lab and my specialty just happens to be in firearms ;) I would have to choose Dillingers-Tommy gun. It's a Colt Thompson submachine gun. It fires 45 ACP ammunition w/a 100 round drum magazine, I would have to have alot of these in a bag filled to capacity though;) & it can effectivly shoot a target @ around 160 feet. It weighs approx 10-11 lbs fully loaded. (close to the weight of a gallon of milk) It is also a fully automatic rifle that doesn't need you to continually pull the trigger to shoot ;D

(By the way, my teens are now in love with Stephanie after reading her awesome comment! I think they just want to be around her in case of a Zombie Uprising!)

Afterlife
*yadkny* said...
Hi Merrie! I think I would like an extra shot at life, but then I guess it depends on if I have any regrets or if I was happy with how I lived. If I have any regrets I would hope to remember them so I don't make my second chance a waste. Great review!

Blood Trinity:
Timothy said...
Old Dan and Little Ann, they Redbone Coonhounds from the book "Where the Red Fern Grows" they story always brought a tear to my eyes every time I've read it.

WOW: The Shattered
Tore said...
Do you play World of Warcraft, or any other online games? I like playing Bejeweled. What do you enjoy about online with other players? I mostly play online games myself ocassionally I Play with other people. Please enter me in contest.

~Brenda