Made the Grade: A Waltz at Midnight by Crista McHugh

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 238 KB | Expected Release Date: February 27, 2012 | Publisher: Carina Press | Obtained: NetGalley

"A Waltz at Midnight" by Crista McHugh

My Book Summary : Set in 1866, right after the American Civil War, Susanna finds her life completely changed. Instead of living in the home she grew up in the south, her brother and her now live in their Aunt's boarding house in New York. Where she works as a servant there, dealing with spoiled debutantes. However, when one of the debutantes receives a letter from a suitor that she would like to discourage but doesn't know how, she hires Susanna to do so for her.

One letter turns into two and then she finds that she enjoys written to this suitor more than she should. However, what will happen when emotions get involved and it finally becomes time to meet, will she be able to tell him the truth in hopes he won't get angry or will she let him go for good??

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars! Even though this isn't true, this is a short story that seemed to be a clever mix of Disney's "Cinderella" and Lisa Kleypas's "Love in the Afternoon." From the way Susanna is now a servant (like in "Cinderella") to how she is asked to respond to someone else's suitor (like how the plot is in "Love in the Afternoon"). However, since I like both of those novels it made me enjoy this short story that much more.

I really liked reading the letters between Susanna and Theodore, they were flirty, well written, and have enough banter, between the two of them, that I could see the romance bloom after each letter. Then, of course, the author wraps up the story in such a sweet way that makes everyone happy .... except, probably, Theodore and Charlotte's parents.

I recommend this to anyone who liked the two stories listed above and to anyone who would enjoy reading a short story historical romance. One that is very sweet and charming. =0)

Book Teaser(s) :

She paused, wanting to continue to berate him by sharing her personal stories of the tears she shed when her father was killed at Gettysburg, the brave face she was forced to show when her brother returned missing a leg and half-dead from fever, or her flight from Columbia when Sherman came marching in with lit torches. But then she remembered she was posing as Charlotte. Mr. Blakely didn’t know who she was and wouldn’t even care about a refugee from the South.
She signed Charlotte’s name and sealed the letter in an envelope. The first flakes of winter’s snow were falling outside, but she didn’t care. She just wanted to be done with Mr. Theodore Blakely. ~ within Chapter 3

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Crista, then please check out her website.

Made the Grade: Pack and Coven by Jody Wallace

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 501 KB | Expected Release Date: February 20, 2012 | Publisher: Carina Press | Obtained: NetGalley

"Pack and Coven" by Jody Wallace (aka Ellie Marvel)

My Book Summary : Ever since Harry had issues with his previous pack, he has never joined another one and has no plans too. He's happy being an indie werewolf, enjoys his "grandmother" type friends, and being the local mechanic at the town he's living in. However, the local pack is in need of a new alpha and wants him to step up to the plate and take the position ... which is the last thing that Harry wants to do.

Knowing Harry's predicament June, a friend of his, makes plans to help him any way possible, even if that means going against her own coven's rules. Nevertheless, helping Harry also has the potential to inadvertently expose secrets from both of them to come out to each other. With each new secret that comes out has the potential to ruin both of their lives, depending if the pack and/or coven finds out that the secrets have been told. How much are Harry and June willing to risk for each other and keep their lives the way they want them??

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars, this is one action-packed romance novel that takes a whole new twist on what it means to be a witch within a shifter world. From finding out the secrets, that June was hiding to finding out how eccentric the witches were I enjoyed reading about how dynamic the world is that this story is set in.

About the Characters:
• June: Sweet, older than she looks, a witch who's keeping secrets.

• Harry: Protective about those he cares for, Alpha male, an independent werewolf, someone who has a secret past.

• Bianca: The Alpha female of her pack who plans to do whatever it takes to have Harry join her pack.

• June's Coven: Funny, quirky, and unique. Willing to do what it takes to make sure their secrets stay that way.

• Gavin: A wannabe Alpha werewolf willing to do anything to be sure he gets what he wants.

I liked the way this story is wrapped up (Harry and June's tale). However, I wish it didn't leave off some things about the other characters. Like what happened to the guys that came with Gavin, Maurice especially since he seemed kinda sweet. =0/ I think this has the potential to turn into a cool series if the author wanted to. You just never know. Anyway ....

I recommend this novel to everyone who enjoys paranormal romances that are action-packed in more than one way! =0)

Book Teaser(s) :

Fighting the urge to curl up and sleep, she pushed Harry’s face into her neck and peered at the old shifter awaiting an answer. A pure white beard and mustache surrounded his face, and his head hair had given in to the recessive gene not even shifters were able to avoid. He looked like Santa Claus, if Santa wore flannel and denim instead of red and white. ~ within Chapter 5

“Are you saying I could alter my appearance?”
“It’s a theory. We haven’t been able to experiment.”
“You looking for a guinea pig?” He liked new things—yet another reason he was no packer.
“No.” But her gaze lost focus as she considered it, just like when she had an idea for pie.
“How about a compromise?” He started grooming her PJs, removing pine needles. “If you stay in the tree, I’ll see what’s going on at the house.” He could sneak down there, listen in and sneak back before Maurice caught up to Gavin.
“No, sir. In horror movies when the actors separate, neither of them make it.”
“I can outrun Michael Myers.” ~ within Chapter 10

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Jody, then please check out her website.

Idolizing In: There You’ll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones

Format: Paperback | Pages: 303 | Release Date: October 2011 | Publisher: Thomas Nelson | Obtained: Amazon.com

"There You’ll Find Me" by Jenny B. Jones

My Book Summary : Two years ago, Finley's world completely fell apart when her older brother Will was killed. Everything that she believed seemed to end and she got into things that she really shouldn't have been doing.

Now, after finishing her therapy sessions, she has decided to spend her last semester of her senior year in high school abroad in Ireland. While there she hopes just being there will bring her peace over loosing Will by following the steps he took on his previous visit (by following his journal). In addition, she's hoping that this trip will help her complete the song she's trying to compose that is dedicated to Will.

While on her flight to Ireland, she meets Beckett, a teen heartthrob who is flying out to shoot his latest vampire film. They find that Finley might be the only girl who could be immune to Beckett's charm. Therefore, not long after meeting they come to an agreement that during their stay Beckett will play tour guide to Finley in exchange Finley will be Beckett's assistant while on the set.

Yet not everything is what it seems. Finley comes to a point in her life where she has to decide if she should stick to the things she's doing or if she should open up her heart for new experiences to happen. However, will she be able to let go and let God choose her path or will old hurts get in the way??

My Book Review : 5 out of 5 stars, this is a touching novel about trying to deal with the heartbreak of loosing someone close to you and how you can over come that heartbreak into getting back to a "normal" life again. I loved the way this novel goes about trying to help the main character, Finley, from the gorgeous views that were described of Ireland (making me wish I could take a trip there) to Finley's adopted grandmother and her cranky ways to the new friends Finley meets. There seemed to be nothing I did not like about this novel!! Especially the relationship between Finley and Beckett, it was sweet, funny (with all of their bickering and unusual ways of talking to each other), and because of the way they go about helping each other it really made me enjoy this novel so much more!!!

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys YA romance novels! As well as, to anyone who enjoys novels with a Christian feel to it too.

FYI -- I bawled like a baby by the end of this novel so you might too.

Book Teaser(s) :

"I called you Sunday," he said.
I pointed to his shirt. "Seriously? Is this 1975?"
He looked down. "It drives the chicks wild."
"Yeah, the ones who work at Hooters and have a thing for backseats." ~ within Chapter 15

"Leave me now. I'm old and sick. And you're just nosy."
"How did he die?"
"The town said I killed him."
"Did you?"
"If wishes were bullets . . ." ~ within Chapter 21

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Jenny, then please check out her Amazon Page.

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"Waiting On" Wednesday: Texas Bride

Today's "Waiting On" Wednesday by Jill - click here

"Texas Bride" [A Bitter Creek Book] by Joan Johnston
Expected Publication Released Date: March 27, 2012

Author's Book Description:

HE MAY BE HER ONLY HOPE.
SHE MAY BE HIS LAST CHANCE.

Miranda Wentworth never imagined becoming a mail-order bride. Now marriage to a stranger is her only hope of finding a home where she and her two younger brothers can escape the brutality of the Chicago orphanage where they live. With any luck, she can even start a family of her own, once the three of them are settled at Jacob Creed’s Texas ranch. But Miranda has one gigantic concern: Her husband-to-be knows nothing about the brothers she’s bringing along. What if he calls off the deal when he discovers the trick she’s played on him?

Jake Creed is hanging on to his Texas ranch by his fingernails. His nemesis, Alexander Blackthorne, is determined to ruin him. Jake will never give up, but he’s in desperate trouble. His wife died six months ago in childbirth, along with their stillborn son, and his two-year-old daughter needs a mother. The advertisement Jake wrote never mentioned his daughter—or the fact that he has no intention of consummating his marriage. He’s determined never to subject another wife to the burden of pregnancy. But Jake doesn’t count on finding his bride so desirable. He doesn’t count on aching with need when she joins him in bed. And he never suspected his bride would have plans of her own to seduce him.

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** This site is a participant in various affiliate advertising programs through Amazon.com, Rakuten Marketing, Commission Junction, IndieBound, Smashwords, Book Depository, and more that are designed to provide a means for Jess to earn minimal advertising fees by showcasing the areas you can purchase the corresponding products that Jess discusses within her blog posts. Basically Jess earns from qualifying purchases.
More specifically Jess partners those websites' programs and you should be aware that they may collect personal information when you interact with their sites. The collection and use of this information is subject to their own privacy policies.
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Teaser Tuesdays: An Alpha’s Path

Today's Teaser Tuesdays by MizB - click here

"An Alpha’s Path" [Redwood Pack Series, Book 1] by Carrie Ann Ryan

Book Teaser:

"How did the date go before it ended?"
"You may have set me up on the date, but that doesn't give you the right to play teenage dream with me, bro. We're not sixteen-year old girls and I didn't go out with the quarterback of the football team. Fuck off."
Jasper clasped his hands together and spoke in a high pitched voice, "Oh but Kade, you must tell me more, tell me more. Like did he have a car?" ~ within Chapter 7

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** This site is a participant in various affiliate advertising programs through Amazon.com, Rakuten Marketing, Commission Junction, IndieBound, Smashwords, Book Depository, and more that are designed to provide a means for Jess to earn minimal advertising fees by showcasing the areas you can purchase the corresponding products that Jess discusses within her blog posts. Basically Jess earns from qualifying purchases.
More specifically Jess partners those websites' programs and you should be aware that they may collect personal information when you interact with their sites. The collection and use of this information is subject to their own privacy policies.
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Feasted On: Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel by Samantha Grace

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 427; Kindle Edition - File Size: 676 KB | Expected Release Date: February 1, 2012 | Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca | Obtained: NetGalley

"Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel" by Samantha Grace

My Book Summary : Ever since Lana found out about the allegations about her former betrothed were true and dumped him, the men that have been trying to get her hand-in-marriage as of late have been one fortune hunter after another. Thankfully, she knows that she will not marry any man who is not already in love with her before they wed. Nonetheless, that doesn't stop the men from trying, which is why when she first meets Lord Andrew (Drew) she is dangling from a tree since she was trying to escape a man who was trying to compromise her.

Drew is a scoundrel and everyone knows it. However, he is in a better class then Lana's previous betrothed in a way that he doesn't deal with innocents for his liaisons. Nevertheless, after Lana and Drew's brief chance meeting they both find that they cannot seem to stop being able to think about each other in some way. Therefore, when Drew's sister-in-law invites Lana to their country home for an extended visit Drew becomes determined to get Lana out of his system once and for all. However, when Lana proves to be more extraordinary than the type of ladies he's used to things and plans for both of them change. Yet it seems even when things start looking up for them someone or just life itself seems to try to keep them apart. Will they be able to work everything out or will they go back to what they originally planned for their lives?

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars! Miss Hillary might not be schooling a scoundrel but she certainly did tame one!! This novel was humorous, dynamic, spicy, sweet, and very adventurous--especially for a Regency type of novel! Dealing with the time period that this novel is in, I believe the characters acted wonderfully to what was expected of them and more. Most of the characters were heartwarming in a way that I wanted to become a part of the Forest family if I could, while others were very eccentric (Lana's mother for example), and the others were sweet but still a mystery since their stories haven't be told yet (like Gabby, Jake, and Amelia).

There were some parts of this novel that I wasn't so sure about because of some of the character's "wishy washy" ways. However, the author was very good about turning around the events on you very quickly so you could never really be sure what to expect. In addition, there was an underlining mystery involved within this novel that you can never completely understand until your right on top of it that was really intriguing too!

I recommend this novel and series to anyone who is a fan of historic romance novels!!

Book Teaser(s) :

Teaser #1

"I can't believe this. And you're supposed to be a connoisseur of women."
"Gabrielle Forest, where did you learn such language?"
She tossed her head. "You truly are an imbecile. I possess two ears, dear brother. I hear the scandalous things the ladies say about you. How can you be ignorant to the fact that when a lady kisses you, you are expected to kiss her back?"
Heat crept up his neck to the tips of his ears. Gabby knew of his liaisons? "I was trying to be a gentleman," he mumbled. ~ within Chapter 15

"Just because you didn't stay the night doesn't mean anything."
"Lana, you urged me to go after her. I only did as you bid and comforted her."
"B-but, I didn't want you to... to comfort her overmuch."
He chuckled again, his face brightening. "I should be angry with you for casting doubt on my honor, but you are adorable when you're jealous."
"I'm not jealous." ~ within Chapter 30

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Samantha, then please check out her Amazon Page.

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** This site is a participant in various affiliate advertising programs through Amazon.com, Rakuten Marketing, Commission Junction, IndieBound, Smashwords, Book Depository, and more that are designed to provide a means for Jess to earn minimal advertising fees by showcasing the areas you can purchase the corresponding products that Jess discusses within her blog posts. Basically Jess earns from qualifying purchases.
More specifically Jess partners those websites' programs and you should be aware that they may collect personal information when you interact with their sites. The collection and use of this information is subject to their own privacy policies.
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"Waiting On" Wednesday: On the Prowl

Today's "Waiting On" Wednesday by Jill - click here

"On the Prowl" [The Others Series, Book 6] by Christine Warren
Expected Publication Released Date: April 24, 2012

Author's Book Description:

Most girls would throw a fit if their parents tried to set up an arranged marriage for them. It's so outrageously old-fashioned—even for a Tiguri family, members of a fierce race of shapeshifting weretigers. But Saskia isn't getting her claws out just yet. She'll go through with this marriage to help unite two powerful families—and because her husband-to-be Nicolas Preda is the sexiest, hunkiest, and only man she's ever wanted...

Of course, marrying an alpha male like Nic comes with its share of danger. As leader of his Streak and head of a global corporation, Nic and his new fiancée must take their places in the jungles of Manhattan—and the local Others seem to have a strict “no pets” policy. In fact, the Council seems to think the Tiguri are at the root of all their problems, including an attempt on the life of its leader. If Nic hopes to protect his name and his mate, it's hunt or be hunted—and he can't do it alone. But if anyone can bring out the beast in him, it's the sexy, savage tigress he's sworn to love...

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Born To Be Wild

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** This site is a participant in various affiliate advertising programs through Amazon.com, Rakuten Marketing, Commission Junction, IndieBound, Smashwords, Book Depository, and more that are designed to provide a means for Jess to earn minimal advertising fees by showcasing the areas you can purchase the corresponding products that Jess discusses within her blog posts. Basically Jess earns from qualifying purchases.
More specifically Jess partners those websites' programs and you should be aware that they may collect personal information when you interact with their sites. The collection and use of this information is subject to their own privacy policies.
You can check out Rakuten Marketing's privacy policy here: https://rakutenmarketing.com/legal-notices/services-privacy-policy/ **

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