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August 31, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday # 62 - Destined by Jessie Harrell

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick: Destined by Jessie Harrell

Summary from Goodreads:
When Psyche receives a prophecy gone horribly wrong, she learns that even the most beautiful girl in Greece can have a hideous future. Her fate? Fall in love with the one creature even the gods fear.
As she feels herself slipping closer into the arms of the prophecy, Psyche must choose between the terrifyingly tender touch she feels almost powerless to resist and the one constant she's come to expect out of life: you cannot escape what is destined.
Destined is a fresh and heartachingly romantic retelling of the Cupid and Psyche myth from debut novelist, Jessie Harrell.
November 17th, 2011

I love the Eros (Cupid) and Psyche myth. It's my favorite! Romantic but sad, I'm curious to see how this author is going to retell this story.

August 30, 2011

Book Review: Good Girls Don't by Victoria Dahl

Title: Good Girls Don't
Author: Victoria Dahl
Series: Donovan Brothers Brewery #1
Release Date: August 30th, 2011
Publisher: HQN Books
Age: Adult
With her long ponytail and sparkling green eyes, Tessa Donovan looks more like the girl next door than a businesswoman – or a heartbreaker. Which may explain why Detective Luke Asher barely notices her when he arrives to investigate a break-in at her family’s brewery. He’s got his own problems – starting with the fact that his partner Simone is pregnant and everyone thinks he's the father. The last thing he needs is a nice girl like Tessa getting under his skin.

Tessa has her hands full, too. Her brother’s playboy ways may be threatening the business, and the tensions could tear her tight-knit family apart. In fact, the only thing that could unite the Donovan boys is seeing a man come after their “baby” sister. Especially a man like Luke Asher. But Tessa sees past the rumors to the man beneath.
Good Girls Don't is the story of Tessa, the good girl, and Luke, the bad boy. Tessa is the typical next door girl, while Luke is still dealing with his divorce and his pregnant partner. They couldn't be more different, but their attraction is obvious. Of course, Tessa's brothers, Eric and Jamie, don't think Luke is a good man for her.

It's my first book of Victoria Dahl, but I really liked it. The writing was good, the characters were likable and the hot scenes were so much fun and realistic! I enjoy when a couple is not only attracted to each other but also enjoy and have fun while being together.

I liked Luke. He's having a bad time, and everybody try to make it worse for him. Specially Tessa's brother, Jaime. It's obvious he has a sweet heart and is very protective, not only with his partner but with Tessa too.

Tessa is sweet, pretty and fun. I liked that she was most of the times happy. But sometimes I think she was too immature, or unjust, specially with Luke. Sometimes I just wanted to smack her, but I realize she was a version of me when I was younger, always deciding what was the best for the other people...

Overall, I really liked Good Girls Don't. It has the right amount of family drama, romance and hotness! I can't wait to read Jamie's and Eric's stories, Bad Boys Do and Real Men Will.


More about this book at www.victoriadahl.comGoodreads, Amazon, The Book Depository.

August 29, 2011

Bout of Books Readathon Wrap Up Post


The Bout of Books read-a-thon has ended! Let's see if I completed my goal:
  • 1 book from NetGalley: 
Good Girls Don't (Donovan Family)


  • 1 book from Simon & Schuster Galley Grab: 

The Dog Who Knew Too Much: A Chet and Bernie Mystery (Chet and Bernie Mysteries)

The Dog Who Knew Too Much (Chet and Bernie Mysteries #4) by Spencer Quinn



  • 1 book from my Kindle: 
Falling in Love with English Boys


  • 1  random book ? 
The Perfect Play (A Play-by-Play Novel)


  • 1 book from my TRB pile.  Only read 124 pages :s
Going Bovine

Going Bovine by Libba Bray

I didn't get to finish Going Bovine....I didn't have enough time. But I think I did good :). How did you do?

August 28, 2011

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly bookish meme hosted @ The Story Siren

Kindle:


Bright Young Things with Bonus Material by Anna Godbersen (It was FREE yesterday, check it out today!)

NetGalley:


The Sweetest Thing by Christina Mandelski

Saving June by Hannah Harrington

Real Men Will by Victoria Dahl

What did you get this week?

August 27, 2011

Write a Post Help a Dog Campaign 2011

I don't usually publish non-book related posts at this blog, but as a Veterinarian and a dog's lover, I think this is important and worth to know!

In honor of the BlogPaws the Conference for Pet Bloggers, Pet Brands, and Pet Health Care Professionals, Pedigree has decided to launch a Write a Post, Help a Dog Campaign. For those of you who missed the event last year in September 391 bloggers wrote about the program and with each post, Pedigree donated 20 pounds of its Healthy Longevity dog food to shelter animals. In all, 7,820 pounds of food was donated to two shelters known across the country for their dedication to the care and re-homing of senior dogs: Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco and Castaway Critters in Harrisburg, Pa.

How you can help in 2011
Simply spread the word about Write a Post, Help a Dog 2011 and once again Pedigree will donate 20 pounds of food for each blog post. If you don’t have a blog feel free to tweet about the campaign or share on Facebook so your friends who do blog can participate. All bloggers are welcome even if you do not generally talk about pets on your blog. Its all about using Social Media for Social Good.

You can find more info about how to write your post and where to link it at Two Little Cavaliers


I think this is an amazing way to help as a blogger. Just writing a post and letting other people know how they can help. I love dogs (and cats too, by the way) and I think it's amazing that the Pedigree helps shelter animals this way.

By the way, if you are a book lover (I assume you are, since you're reading this blog!), Literary Escapism is having a swag giveaway for everyone who participates in this campaign ;)

August 26, 2011

Book Review: To Scotland, With Love by Karen Hawkins

Title: To Scotland, With Love
Author: Karen Hawkins
Series: MacLean Curse #2
Release Date: August 21st, 2007
Publisher: Pocket
In this saucy battle of the sexes, New York Times bestseller Karen Hawkins pits a hard-headed Scottish lord with an unusual family curse against a headstrong heiress who has a solution for every problem...except her own wayward heart. When Lord Gregor MacLean learns his childhood friend, Venetia Oglivie, has been abducted by a fortune hunter, he rides off to Scotland in hot -- and very annoyed -- pursuit. Venetia's soft heart has gotten her in major trouble this time: if he doesn't rescue her swiftly, the scandal will ostracize the provocative wench! The only sensible member of her family, Venetia is sure she can fix any problem, even this one. So when an irate Gregor catches up with her, arrogantly expecting a hero's welcome, the sparks between them begin to fly. Then an unexpected snowstorm traps them at an inn, and Gregor discovers his feelings for the lovely Venetia are far warmer than he realized -- fiery enough to burn down the inn! Now if he can only convince Venetia that his motive for marriage isn't duty... but desire.
I read the first book of this series, How To Abduct a Highland Lord, and liked it. But I loved To Scotland, With Love!

When Gregor MacLean finds out his childhood friend Venetia has been "abducted" by a man, he rides to save her before it's to late.

I always like stories where the characters are childhood friends and turn into lovers. There is so much confusion between their feelings! Gregor and Venetia feel comfortable with each other, had secret jokes and understood each other better than anyone. But when they start to have other feelings, and share some kisses, everything turns into a chaos.

They were so much fun, I was laughing most of the time I read this book. Gregor is very hot tempered, and thanks to his curse, most of the time was snowing, trapping them to the Inn. Venetia is spirited isn't afraid to express her opinion, specially to Gregor, but also don't know when to stop helping everyone with their problems.

Gregor and Venetia are caught in the secondary characters issues while they try to understand their feelings and save Venetia's honor. Add to that mix Venetia's desperate mother and bad tempered grandmother, who is one of my favorite characters!

I don't want to say more about this story, but I really enjoyed it. It was a fun book, and I can't wait to read the next one of the series, To Catch a Highlander.


More about this book at www.karenhawkins.comGoodreads, Amazon, The Book Depository.

August 24, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday # 61 - The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick: The Last Echo (The Body Finder #3)

Summary from goodreads:
Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet’s talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it’s Violet’s job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice. When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by “the girlfriend collector” she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new “relationship” and Violet may have caught his eye....
ALA Booklist described The Body Finder as “a suspenseful mystery and sensual love story that will captivate readers who enjoy authentic high-school settings, snappy dialogue, sweet romance, and heart-stopping drama,” while Kirkus Reviews called Desires of the Dead “imaginative, convincing, and successful suspense.” The Last Echo heightens the tension as Violet uncovers dark murders, faces new dangers, and struggles with her love for Jay and her confusing connection with Rafe. Fans of Lisa McMann and Laurie Faria Stolarz, as well as Kimberly’s devoted fan base, won’t be able to resist Violet’s newest thrilling adventure.
Kimberly Derting
April 17, 2012

I loved The Body Finder! I still haven't read Desires of the Dead, but I can't wait to read this one :)

August 22, 2011

Book Review: Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison

Title: Dragon Bound
Author: Thea Harrison
Series: Elder Races #1
Release Date: May 3rd, 2011
Publisher: Berkley
Age: Adult
Half-human and half-wyr, Pia Giovanni spent her life keeping a low profile among the wyrkind and avoiding the continuing conflict between them and their Dark Fae enemies. But after being blackmailed into stealing a coin from the hoard of a dragon, Pia finds herself targeted by one of the most powerful–and passionate—of the Elder Races.

As the most feared and respected of the wyrkind, Dragos Cuelebre cannot believe someone had the audacity to steal from him, much less succeed. And when he catches the thief, Dragos spares her life, claiming her as his own to further explore the desire they’ve ignited in one another.
Dragon Bound is the story of Pia, a half human woman who has lived all her life avoiding other wyr and never letting anyone know who she really is. But she made a mistake and is blackmailed  into stealing something from the hoard of a dragon, specifically the most feared dragon, Dragos Cuelebre.

The story starts with Pia, who has succeeded in stealing from Dragos and is running for her life. It's not too long until Dragos realizes he has been robbed, and starts searching for his thief. But he wasn't expecting a delicate and strange half-wyr woman.

Pia was fun. I liked that she was in trouble but always tried to save her life. Even when she knew it was impossible to run from Dragos. She's brave and very independent, and she has a secret that nobody has to know.

Dragos was the typical alpha male. I liked him only because he was a dragon, and the strongest, oldest and most feared wyr. Also, he's a millionaire. What's not to like about him? Of course he has a sweet side, one that not even him knew he had, and when he met Pia, he knows he doesn't want to kill her but explore her.

I liked the story. It's full of different characters, and all of them with a distinctive personality. It has a lot of unexpected turns and I wasn't sure what was going to happen to Pia and Dragos. But it was obvious they were attracted to each other, and the romance between them was hot!

But there were moments I couldn't help feeling the characters were a little bit ridiculous. For example, I felt like Dragos, who was feared by everyone, changed too much his personality. I always expect changes in the characters when they fall in love, but I thought like he was a different person.

Overall, I think the Elder Races is going to be a series I'll enjoy. Although this book wasn't a favorite to me, I enjoy it and I can't wait to read Storm's Heart.