Coincidence is a Wonderful Thing

Going through our newly delivered Romances for the week, I spotted Eve Silver's newest His Wicked Sins. Just the day before I'd spotted our own Book Reporter's blurb on the book in Barbara Vey's blog, Beyond Her Book. Just in case you haven't checked out Barbara's blog, it's a great way to keep up to date on the world of romance and romance writers. My favorite day to check it out is Your Turn Fridays, which feature blurbs on the latest in romance fiction. Check it out; a link to Beyond Her Book is listed on the left in the links.

Anyway, back to Book Report's blurb; thanks, Joyce!

In 1828 Elizabeth Canham has taken a position as a teacher at Burndale Academy in Yorkshire, a girl's boarding school, and having travelled from London where she's lived most of her life, she feels a little out of her element. She knew she was taking the place of a teacher who recently died, but hadn't known till she got there that the teacher had been the second to have been horribly brutalized and murdered, and is told she bears a similarity to them. Griffin Fairfax is local gentry, and the father of a disturbingly silent and remote student. While his demeanor is charming, he is also shrouded in darkness and mystery. Elizabeth is given to suspect him when she discovers the disfigured body of another woman in the forest. Since he has expressed an interest in her, she begins to wonder if she might become the next victim. Gothic Romance is what I got into after my Nancy Drew days, and before Arthur C Clarke and Isaac Asimov took me out of this world. I've forgotten how the frightening mysteries of ancient castles, impenetrable forests and sinister villains can still captivate me. I found Eve Silver's dark romance to be mysterious and thrilling, reminding me that there are good grown-up Gothic novels being written, and I can still enjoy them. Posted by Barbara Vey @ www.PublishersWeekly.com/BeyondHerBook blog (08/08/08)”

End of Summer Windfall

We have an embarressment of riches in the Romance aisle this week. If you are a Regency romance reader, (try saying that five times fast!), Barbara Metzger's newest, The Scandalous Life of a True Lady, arrived along with a new author, Olivia Parker's At the Bride Hunt Ball. Or for a little further back in history, you might want to try Scottish historicals like Rivals for the Crown, by Kathleen Givens or the latest in Hannah Howell's Highland series, Highland Fire. For something more contemporary, Christine Ridgeway has a new book, How to Knit a Wild Bikini, or the next installment in Patti O'Shea's paranormal series, In Twilight's Shadow. So enjoy the dog days of summer in style; grab your lounge chair, a cold drink and a good book. Happy reading!

Vacation and Other Pleasures

I have to apologize for my long silence between posts. I was on vacation to cloudy and chilly San Francisco, and hot and steamy Memphis. Of course I had to take a book with the me, so I read the third Katie Chandler book by Shanna Swendson Damsel Under Stress. This series, which follows an average small town girl in New York City who works for a company that produces spells for the magical community, is funny, light-hearted chick-lit. For something a little bit steamier, check out some of our newest titles, like Jacquelyn Frank's latest in her Nightwalkers series, Damien, or another paranormal by Jeaniene Frost, One Foot in the Grave, the second in her Night Huntress series.

New in Paperback

It's been a good month for new romances in paperback. Take a look at the display at the end of the aisle to find lots of new titles to enjoy. Just this week we received the newest title from bestselling author, Madeline Hunter, Secrets of Surrender. Also, the start of a new series Children of the Sea, by Virginia Kantra, Sea Witch. Be looking for her next book in the series, Sea Fever, coming out in the fall. And for those who would like to get reacquainted with an old friend, the MacGregor series, by Nora Roberts is being reissued. This month, MacGregor Grooms, joins MacGregor Brides on the paperback shelf. Happy Reading!

Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict

Guest Reviewer Joyce Ann shares her blurb of Laura Viera Rigler's book, Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict, posted on PW Blog Beyond Her Book by Barbara Vey.

Is there a well-read woman anywhere who doesn’t breathe a heavy sigh when she hears the name “Mr D’Arcy?" With or without the Colin Firth image? Courtney Stone uses the comfort of her Jane Austen books to soothe the pain of her break-up with her jerk of a fiance. She wakes one morning to find herself in Regency England in the body of a woman who could easily have been authored by Ms. Austin and quickly learns she must pretend to be that woman. Courtney makes herself fit into the role of dutiful daughter, particular friend and reluctant object of affection. As she strives to discover what happened and how to get back to her own life, Courtney comes to chafe under the restrictions society imposes upon women. She fears losing her sense of self to that of the woman she possesses. Light, but suspenseful and romantic (how could it be otherwise), Laurie Viera Rigler’s book is a gratifying fix for those of us who suffer the same addiction.Posted on PW Blog Beyond Her Book by Barbara Vey 01/17/08

For more check out Author's@Google: Laura Viera Rigler, www.youtube.com/watch?v=MexHoAERiVc

The Newest Title by Kasey Michaels is In!

Review by Christie Ridgway
Kasey Michaels has called up a winner in Dial M for Mischief, which bills itself as a "romantic caper" and is the first in the author's new trilogy. Retired cop and veteran PI Teddy Sunshine is dead, and it looks like the second half of a murder-suicide. But not to his three daughters, Jade, Jolie and Jessica. They're sure their dad was murdered because of something to do with one of his four old, cold cases. As "Teddy's Angels" they decide to work the unsolved crimes themselves in order to find out what happened to their beloved father. But there's a guy for each of these girls, and this book brings up-and-coming actress Jolie Sunshine back together with her ex-fiancé, millionaire Sam Becket. The story speeds along almost as fast as the pulse of former lovers Jolie and Sam, and rooting for them to restore their romance is as easy as the banter between the characters. In a nod to these alliterated sisters, this is a super start to a sly new series.

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The Start of a New Series from J.D. Warren

Guest Reviewer Joyce Ann shares her review of the newest book form J. D. Warren, Posted on PW Blog Beyond Her Book by Barbara Vey 06/06/08.




“I got snookered again and taken in by a title and bookcover of a malapropos nature. Here's this book with a cutesy little title and cutesy little cover art, and neither has anything to with the story. When you spot this book in a store, it might catch your eye and you might think it could be pretty good. The fact is, it's much, much better! What were they thinking? Samantha goes through her days feeling like she doesn't quite belong in her life, only to discover when memory returns that it's not her life she's living. Upon that recognition, she finds out about parallel worlds, about shapeshifters and fairies, about ancient battles between good and evil, and about love.In a wonderfully imaginative story of magic and suspense, J D Warren creates characters that are engaging and colorful. And while witty and charming, I didn't think it cutesy at all. The title doesn't do it justice. I look forward to the next book, but I suppose it's too much to hope the title will be relevant."



Sounds like a fun read, Joyce Ann. Be looking for more of Joyce's book blurbs in the future.