Night Star

Title:Night Star (The Immortals Series)

Author:Alyson Noel

Genre:Young Adult (Paranormal/Sci-Fi)

Pages:320 (Hardback)

Copyright:2010

Main Characters:Ever; Damen;Jude;Haven
Supporting Characters: Myles; Ava;Sabine





Night Start is the 5th book in Alyson Noel's Immortal series. I'll keep this one short and sweet considering my rant about my feelings on Ever in the blog for Dark Flame.

Ever is getting ready to start her senior year of high school. Not only is there still no cure for her and Damens little problem. Sabine is still on her case about her doing psychic readings and she's still reeling over Jude killing Roman. But the biggest problem is Haven, Ever's former best friend is out for revenge and Jude and Ever are top on the list.

I must say I FINALLY felt a breakthrough with Ever in this one. I actually ended the book hating her quite a bit less.  The final book in the series is set to come out this coming summer and I can't wait to see how it all ends!

Buy this book--Night Star on Amazon

Me, Myself and Why?

Title:Me, Myself and Why?
Author:Mary Janice Davidson
Genre:Romance (Chick-Lit)
Pages:302 (Hardback)
Copyright:2010
Main Characters:Cadence/Shiro/Adrienne Jones
Supporting Characters:Patrick;Cathie;George






In the first book of Mary Janice Davidson's new trilogy we meet Cadence Jones who is just your average FBI agent on the hunt for a serial killer dubbed 'ThreeFer'. OK so that's a total lie, in fact Cadence it just one part of the crazy that is the Jones 'sisters'. I use the term sisters loosely for the fact that they're actually all different personalities trapped in one body. Cadence (The almost sickly sweet one) experienced a major trauma while a toddler and developed Shiro (the karate chopping/deal with everything one) and Adrienne (The slightly scary/beat people to a pulp one) to help her deal. After living in an institution her entire adolescence she's recruited into the BOFFO, a branch of the FBI who hires people like her, her sociopath partner George and the likes. Now that the 3 realize the ThreeFer killer is reaching out to them specifically they'll have to work together to figure out exactly why.

As if dealing with her job isn't enough, her best friend Cathie's, (hotter then the oven he works with) brother Patrick comes to visit. Much to Cadences dismay, Patrick seems to have a thing for crazy and does his darnedest to date all 3 girls.  Hilarity ensues.

As you know I'm a huge MJ Davidson fan (Undead and Unfinished Blog) so deciding whether or not to read 'Me, Myself and Why?' wasn't even a question. After starting it I initially wondered what in the heck was going on, but once you get used to the jumping from character to character thing it's a brilliant read.  Getting into the mind of someone who doesn't feel like MPD is a handicap was refreshing and getting to know all 3 personalities made reading fun.  I'm excited for the next 2 installments. Even though they're totally lacking in the paranormal madness MJD is famous for, it's great fun for all.

Buy this book--Me, Myself and Why on Amazon

The Lost Hero

Title:The Lost Hero
Author:Rick Riordan
Genre:Fantasy-Adventure
Pages:553(hardback)
Copyright:2010
Main Characters:Jason Grace; Piper McLean; Leo Valdez
Supporting Characters:Other Demi-gods, monsters and Hera







The Lost Hero is part of the Heroes of Olympia series and follows Rick Riordan's best selling and super popular Percy Jackson series, and picks up a few months after The Last Olympian finishes.  Jason doesn't know who or where he is, or how he got there. For one thing he's on a bus, in the middle of the desert holding hands with a girl he's never seen before...a girl who claims to be his girlfriend Piper...listening to some ADHD kid named Leo talk.  When some jerk from Texas (whoda thunk it) ends up being a venti, storm spirit. They have to work together to get away from the stormy Grand Canyon.  Thankfully Annabeth shows up to whisk them off to Camp Half-Blood, where heroes are made.  Every 2 chapters the Narrator changes between Jason, Piper, and Leo. We come to know they're fears about their pasts, futures and how they're dealing with the present. It's  not easy. Especially when the present brings a prophecy, a missing goddess, and an uprising of something worse then the Titans (we learned of them in Percy's 5 books). 

The group takes off on the back of a celestial bronze dragon in search of Hera and run into some familiar faces along the way like, Thalia and some people who should be dead...i.e. King Midas and the sorceress Medea.  Now Leo, son of Hephaestus, the fire and machine guy...Piper, daughter of Aphrodite...she can charmspeak and Jason...Son of Jupiter...(ehhh Zues...no Jupiter...well they're the same guy...kinda) have the fight of their lives (and the lives of others) on their hands as they race across North America to reach and free Hera before the Winter Solstice. 

Loved this book...don't know why I wouldn't after Percy but I wasn't sure Mr. Riordan could keep it up. He did and more. I can't wait for next fall when we get more into where Percy is and who the others are in this great prophecy we keep hearing so much about. I'm also looking forward to more talks with gods...I love how Riordan describes their human appearances. And what about how the Roman and Greek gods differ! The man is brilliant!


OH on another note, I'm also still looking forward to learning more about Nico...here that Rick..this girl wants more Hades!!

Buy This Book--The Lost Hero on Amazon

Ben & Fran

I've been waiting for these 2 books for quite a while, but first you need a little background.  Katie MacAlister first introduced Francesca Ghetti and Benedikt Czerny in 2005, writing under Katie Maxwell for a young adult audience.  Unfortunately after 2 books in the series she was forced to put Ben and Frans story on hold until now.  I hadn't read either of the original books but lucky for us, they were re-released together in Confessions of a Vampires Girlfriend.

Title:Confessions of a Vampires Girlfriend (Got Fangs? & Circus of the Darned)

Author:Katie MacAlister writing as Katie Maxwell

Genre:YA Paranormal

Pages:348

Copyright:2005 & 2006 (re-release 2010)

Main Characters: Francesca 'Fran' Ghetti and Benedikt 'Ben' Czerny

Supporting Characters:Imogen Sorik, Miranda Ghetti, Soren Sauber

Got Fangs...Fran is 16 and would love nothing more than to be a normal teenager, but normal was never in the cards for her.  She describes herself as 6ft tall and built like a linebacker and it doesn't help that she can read your  emotions with one touch.  Although she's quite 'special' you'd never notice because she travels with the GothFaire her Wiccan mother works for. Yep, when you're surrounded by Moravians, mind readers and magicians being tall is nothing. That is until her friend Imogen's brother comes for a visit.

Benedikt just happens to be 300+ years old and has an appetite for blood. Fran knows he's a Vamp...ahem...Dark One...the moment they meet but she is surprised when she realizes they can read each others minds.  Ben is immediately aware that Fran is his Beloved (more on that later) but is willing to wait on Fran to grow up before they join.  The only thing Fran cares is that Ben is taller then her and she can touch him without passing out, that is until she finds out someone wants him dead.  With a not so little push from her mother, a new horse to take care of and a knee melting kiss, Fran decides to figure out who is stealing from the faire and who wants to stake her possible future at the same time.

Circus of the Darned...All Fran wants is to do is go on a date with her undead beau Ben. Too bad the fates have something else in mind.  Ben is keeping bloody secrets, Soren finds Tesla stolen and now the Valknut, Tibolt gave her for safe keeping has helped to inadvertently raise 12 long dead Vikings.  Vikings who expect "Goddess" Fran to get them to Valhalla... what's a girl to do. 

It takes several members of the Faire and a little mental shower scene to help Fran work out her problems, but in the end Ben still wants her, Tesla is home safe and sound and all her new bloodthirsty Viking friends have moved on.  She may have missed a first date opportunity but hey, she got some great advice and they have time....I mean Ben and Fran do have forever...right?

Buy This Book--Confessions of a Vampire's Girlfriend on Amazon

Title:In the Company of Vampires

Author:Katie MacAlister

Genre:Paranormal Romance

Pages:334
Copyright:2010
Main Characters:Francesca 'Fran' Ghetti and Benedikt 'Ben' Czerny

Supporting Characters: Imogen, Naomi, David and the 3 coolest Vikings warriors to ever walk the earth...again...Eirik, Finnvid and Isleif.

In the Company of Vampires finds our friend Fran in Oregon, confused and living with a girl named Geoff...and did I mention she hasn't seen Ben in about 5 years. Yeah, how could anyone stay away from Ben that long, especially someone who's supposed to return his soul.  Fran thinks she's content in the life she's made for herself. She's finished college and is about to take a job with her dad in California when someone kidnaps Geoff right off their doorstep and 3 Vikings, she knows to have been sent on, show up with plenty of weasel gold to go around. If that's not enough Fran can't seem to get in touch with her mother, could it be the God Loki has finally sought revenge on her after all these years?  After catching the first flight she could to Germany, Fran, Eirik, Finnvid and Isleif show up at GothFaire to search out the whereabouts of her mom.  Unfortunately for her (fortunately for us) Ben is there as well.  Although she's the one who initiated the breakup, when Fran catches a topless Ben (all the girls stand up and cheer) in the bed of another woman, her heart is absolutely broken. After all he claimed to Fran I'd be irked too. 

Even though Fran swears up and down she's done with Ben, she practically melts when he shows up in her trailer trying to explain he's never betrayed her.  With everything worked out, and the newer more mature Fran giving Ben a blessing to continue seeing Naomi (it's all an act you see), The Virgin Goddess Fran and her Viking Warriors start looking for clues.  With her days filled with mommy searching, God summoning, and of course weapon shopping you'd think Fran would be to tired for Ben at night...you'd be wrong.  In fact I'd have to say this book has one of my favorite sex scenes...probably ever.

Ok moving on...at first Fran is still skeptical about the whole Beloved thing (you see a Beloved is the one woman who can redeem a Dark Ones missing soul after taking the 7 steps in joining) but after realizing she truly does love Ben and him her she has Ben break into a hotel so they can take the final steps(Finally right?).  With that done, they're off in search of the illargi who has Miranda and also for Fran to meet her long lost half sister.

I'm not going to lie, I loved both books and I now realize why the people who had read the originals were so excited for the next chapter in Ben and Frans Saga.  Ben is probably one of my favorite male characters in all of Katie MacAlisters book, and that's saying alot (can we say Adrian, Kristoff, Christain, Baltic, Gabe, Drake, Paen...oh the list goes on and on). All and all...you need to read every book she's ever written.

Buy This Book--In the Company of Vampires on Amazon

Safe Haven

Title:Safe Haven
Author:Nicholas Sparks
Genre:Novel
Pages:340 (Hardback)
Copyright:2010
Main Characters:Katie, Alex, Kevin
Supporting Characters:Josh, Kristen, Jo







Katie is on the run from her past.  When she's lead to the town of Southport, North Carolina, she's afraid to settle down. She's constantly weary of her past(in the form of her husband) catching up with her.  Although she tries her hardest to blend in and keep to herself she can't help but be drawn to shop owner Alex and his children Josh and Kristen.

Alex knows Katie is hiding something, years as an Army detective has taught him the signs, and although he knows Katie is unwilling to share he secrets, Alex informs her he's not going anywhere. When the truth finally comes out and Alex knows Katie isn't her name and she's hiding from a controlling husband, Alex stands by her side.

With a little push from Katie's neighbor, Jo, their relationship blossoms regardless of both of their pasts. Now they have to prove they can make it work forever, and weather any disaster that comes their way.

Although Nicholas Sparks is generally one of my favorite authors, I've found myself having to actually make myself read his past several novels.  After reading "At First Sight" a couple years ago I decided I needed a break. Nick Sparks has said himself that his books aren't actually romances, but tragedies, and I can't remember a single title of his I haven't cried at one point or another. "Safe Haven" is different, considering as soon as I read what the book was about I knew it was going to be different and a definite must read...quickly.  Though many of his books have encompassed the subject of loss, whether it be death, war or distance, "Safe Haven" breeches the subject of abuse as well. Mr. Sparks is an excellent story teller, and he writes characters that you can't help but love...or in this instance hate. He truly makes you feel a part of he story where you don't want to put the book down.

I can honestly say this is probably my favorite Nicholas Sparks book since "A Walk To Remember", and although my copy is tear stained I shut the cover smiling.

Buy This Book--Safe Haven on Amazon

Simply Irresistible

Title:Simply Irresistible

Author:Jill Shalvis

Genre:Contemporary Romance

Pages:311

Copyright:2010

Main Characters:Maddie Moore & Jax Cullen

Supporting Characters:Tara, Chloe, Ford, Sawyer



First book in Jill Shalvis' new Lucky Harbor series.




Maddie Moore is leaving the 'mousy' lifestyle behind. After losing a boyfriend and job in one fell swoop, Maddie packs up her Honda and heads to Lucky Harbor, Washington looking for a new start. Maddie along with her sisters Chloe and Tara have inherited their mothers seaside inn...unfortunately with it comes a whole heck of a lot of debt and even more problems. Maddie is willing to make a go of the place, now she has to convince her sisters it's worth the effort.

After having nearly been ran off the road by Maddie, Jax Cullen is immediately taken with her unruly hair and soft smile.  Kissing her on the pier was not his plan, but now that everyone in town knows, why shouldn't he do it again.  Although Jax is a retired lawyer and current mayor, he finds being a contractor the more enjoyable profession. When Maddie calls looking for a 'Master' he can't resist taking the job. Together they decide to make a go of the dilapidated business.

Much to Maddie's discomfort, there is much more then meets the eye with Jax...and we're not talking about the tattoos. Maddie has to decide whether she can leave the past behind and move to a future with her sisters and Jax, or if she's stuck being the timid mouse forever.

I always forget how much I love reading Ms. Shalvis' books until another one comes out. Her style is total contemporary and she hasn't written a character yet that I dislike.  If you read like I do you'll finish "Simply Irresistible" in a few hours, I couldn't put it down. Normally a new series first book takes a bit to get into, as the author has to introduce the plot and characters. This series, and most others by Jill Shalvis, don't have that problem. I don't think I stopped smiling the entire story. I can't wait until Tara's story "The Sweetest Thing" hits the shelves.

Buy This Book--Simply Irrisistable on Amazon

Undead and Unfinished

Title:Undead and Unfinished
Author:MaryJanice Davidson

Genre:Paranormal Romance

Pages:296(hard cover)

Main Characters:Elizabeth 'Betsy' Taylor; Eric Sinclair; Laura

Supporting Characters:Jessica, Marc, Tina, the Ant, and Satan (yes you heard me)

Before I start rambling about 'Undead and Unfinished' I should let you know this post will have MAJOR SPOILERS! I can't help it! Also I'll start out with a quick recap of the last 8 books...stick with me!

...Where to begin? So Betsy Taylor is your average 30 year old ex-model/currently unemployed secretary who just happens to have a super rich best friend...and did I mention she wakes up a vampire. The last 8 books of this 'Undead' series were incredible, lets see if I can get everything across. Betsy is fired and then plowed down by a car on her 30th birthday (as if that's not bad enough already). Several days later she wakes up caked in makeup wearing a hideous suit and even worse shoes..thus begins the story. Since then she's found out the (a) she's the Vampire Queen fated to rule for 5000 years next to the hunka, hunka burning vampire, Eric Sinclair, who she initially hates to love. And (b) her hair will always look awesome. After her super rich bff Jessica buys a mansion on Summit Ave, Dread Queen Betsy, her King, his minion Tina, Jessica, and Mr. I almost jumped off a building Marc move in. Throughout the book we're visited by numerous ghosts, fiends, cops, werewolves and even a Zombie or 2. A couple books back...before her and Sink Lair get married but after the fiends kill Nostril...we meet Laura, she happens to be the daughter of the Devil and also Betsy's half sister (you'll have to read them all to really understand) and also see Betsy inherit a son/brother in BabyJon. Unfortunately over the course of 8 (did I mention awesome) books we see Betsy lose friends too, and here we are starting book 9. Betsy, Sinclair, Jessica and BabyJon are back from Cape Cod and we're (as in the devoted readers) ready to see what's in store for our favorite Vampire Queen....

Book 9, 'Undead and Unfinished', sees Betsy and Laura in The Mall of America...again. But we don't get to stay there long. After Betsy gets in a huge fight with Sinclair, she decides traveling to Hell with Laura beats staying in the house. After arriving and finding the Ant as Satan's right hand lady, the Devil herself (yes she's a chick) tells Laura she wants to retire and hand over the reins to Laura, but first Laura has to master time travel. With Betsy's help, Laura first pulls the duo back in time to the Salem Witch Trials and at that point I knew this wasn't going to be your average Betsy book. After Salem they visit 5 more spaces in time, where Betsy learns quite a bit more about her husband, Tina and most of all herself.

I don't want to give too much away, but lets just say that when Betsy gets home quite a few things have changed...one thing I LOVE is detective Nick being back and being nice!! Yippee! Another is the fact that Tina and Eric can finally be open about everything they know with Betsy. 

Although I had a hard time really getting into the book initially once the time travel started I could scarcely put it down. I feel, as a devoted reader, that's it's about time we fully understand Tina and Eric's past, as well as how they knew so much about Betsy before she really did. I loved how MJD did that. One thing I did not love...the epilogue. As soon as I shut the book I took off running for the computer. I'm not ashamed to say I pulled up other people reactions and several of them matched mine...freaked the heck out! My first thought was dear goodness don't tell me this is it, but after finding a post from MaryJanice herself I'm quite relieved. She says no this isn't the last book, not even close. She hopes to write several more that help clear up the hazy future we see in 'Undead and Unfinished' (I cry in relief). So now it's not a question of "what the heck was that ending?" but "How on earth can I wait for the next one?".



Tempted All Night/Wicked All Day

I'm quite a bit behind on my blogs, lets see if I can catch up.

Title:Tempted All Night
Author:Liz Carlyle
Genre:Regency Romance
Pages:438
Copyright:2009
Main Characters:Lady Phaedra Northhampton; Tristan Talbot




Well I have changed my mind, I'm a woman, it is allowed. I am growing quite fond of time period pieces, and I have a feeling Liz Carlyle is going to be one of my favorites.

'Tempted All Night' tells the story of Phae Northhampton, whom we met in 2007's 'Never Lie to a Lady'.  She's quite the proper lady on the outside, but lucky for Tristan (you can't help loving a bad boy), she's quite the opposite of proper on the inside.  Rogue Tristan "Don't call me Lord Avoncliffe" Talbot, is immediately taken with Phae, and although he hates the thought of "taking" a Lady he can't seem to help himself. To Tristan's surprise, and I'd say pleasure, Phaedra isn't quite the Lady she likes to have everyone believe.

When Lady Phae lets him in on why she can't seem to stay away from a particular brothel, the one his father asks him to investigate, Tristan can't seem to resist helping. With a little help from friends and Phae's brothers clothes the duo discovers exactly what's going on behind closed doors. Now the only question is, can the 2 of them keep what's between them hidden. Phaedra thinks so, but lucky for her Tristan has another idea. Warning: this story contains shackles.

Title:Wicked All Day
Author:Liz Carlyle
Genre:Regency Romance
Pages:421
Copyright:2009
Main Characters:Zoe Armstrong; Stuart "Mercer" Rowland; Robert Rowland




'Wicked All Day' follows shortly after the epilogue of 'Tempted All Day'. Miss Zoe Armstrong, the motherless daughter of a Marquess, refuses to marry. I understand her point, although she's gorgeous most men only want her for her wealth. Robert "Robin" and Stuart (Marquess of Mercer) Rowland have known and watched out for Zoe since they were children, but when Robin is caught with Zoe literally on his lap Mercer forces them into an engagement he hopes saves Zoe's reputation.

Robin and Mercer's Mother and Step Father invite Zoe and family to Mercer's country estate, and although Robin and Zoe are now betrothed Mercer finds himself realizing that he's been in love with her...probably forever.  With Robin annoying everyone and treating his supposed bff Zoe like garbage, she turns to Mercer. When she realizes it's always been him she turns to, Zoe knows she has to make a decision. Follow her fathers wishes, or follow her heart.

All in all the 2 books together were fabulously fun and not too difficult to get through. Plus, we learn that a mistress can be a wife, who woulda thunk it.

You Don't Know Jack

Title:You Don't Know Jack
Author:Erin McCarthy
Genre:Contemporary Romance
Pages:272
Copyright:2006
Main Characters:Jamie Peters; Jonathan "Jack" Davidson
Supporting Characters: Jamie's Friends, Caroline, Mandy, Allison; Jack's Grandfather, 'Pops'


I bought this book from, what I consider the best store in the history of stores, Half-Price books quite a while ago. I've always enjoyed Ms. McCarthy's books and was excited to read "You Don't Know Jack", especially since I had previously read "The Pregnancy Test" which introduced us to Jamie and her group of friends/roomies.  When I finally pulled it off my bookshelf to read I couldn't help but love what the previous owner had written on the first page...thankfully in pencil. She wrote, and I quote "Well written story all though I could have done with a much shorter sex scene!! It was 36 pages long!!! A good story though, I liked the cute twist at the end." I laughed then dove right in.

Jamie Peters loves a good psychic and the story starts several months before when her cross dressing, ex drug addict friend tells her how she'll meet the man who touches her soul. The first several chapters revolve around meeting that guy. Jack is a retired millionaire just barely over 30 (can we say, I wish!!), but when he meets Jamie he pretends otherwise. Knowing she's not a born New Yorker but a Kentucky girl living her dream in the city, Jack decides she doesn't need to know quite yet. When new age hippie Jamie, finds out Jack's a big fat lying scumbag (not really!! You just can't seem to be mad at this guy) she decides they're better off just friends. Too bad Jack won't let that happen, and while Jamie is off trying to save the world...one ex-criminal at a time...Jack is trying to prove to Jamie that maybe she's the one who needs saving.

My book fairy was right. It is a super cute story, and while the numerous..*cough*..you know..scenes are super steamy, I didn't find them over bearing. The different players we meet throughout made me smile and wish Ms. McCarthy would decide to write a story for Allison and maybe a followup for Caroline as well. It's just about the right length for a quick read and although it doesn't have too much depth, I think it had just enough. Enjoy!

Dark Flame

Title:Dark Flame (The Immortals Series)

Author:Alyson Noel

Genre:Young Adult (Paranormal/Sci-Fi)

Pages:336

Copyright:2010

Main Characters:Ever; Damen;Jude

Supporting Characters: Roman; Haven; Myles; Ava

"Dark Flame" is the 4th book in Noel's Immortal series. Picking up where "Shadowland" left off, with Ever being a stupid, STUPID girl. As a recap, at the end of book 3 we know Ever is now an Immortal, thanks to Damen, her soul mate for the last 400 years. She has been reincarnated many times over, but just as Damen finds her again she's killed. So now Damen has shared his special 'Immortal juice' with her so he wont lose her again. Unfortunately the elixir hasn't made her smarter. I will give her the fact that she's still a teenager and has to learn, but come on girl!! In book 2 ,"Blue Moon", Ever has Damen drink something that makes it so the two of them can't touch...whooops! Then in book 3 she goes against the so called love of her life and turns her moody bff into an immortal after sneaky sleazy Roman threatens to kill Haven. Aaaaand that's where "Dark Flame" starts.

Ever, the braniac that she is, has tied herself to Roman. Well not literally, but close enough. A magick spell she used to tie him to her backfires and she's now drooling over him. Her (ominous tones here) dark side is all about it, but her heart and soul know Damen is what she truly wants. Now the kicker is, that's pretty much the entire book in a nutshell. The whole time you just want to yell at her to ask for help!! Instead she tries to fix her mistakes then just digs her hole deeper. She finally, FINALLY, requests a little help from Jude, mind you this if after she sends him to the Hospital! Again! And of course he offers to assist in what ever way he can. OK let me just mention that Jude has been in all her 'lives' as well, he's the...well I guess you could say other man. Now how do you think that makes Damen feel! Actually how does that make the reader feel! Here's this 16 going on 17 year old girl with dreamy Damen, adorable Jude, and sexy Roman all chasing her! Lucky brat! Anyways...this is not one of those all's well that ends well kinda books. Ms. Noel leaves us pretty much hanging again. And after Jude kills Roman (uh oh) Ever loses the only antidote to the little problem her and Damen have...you remember the whole no touching thing, right? Well in the end I'm depressed, still mad at Ever, still rooting for Damen and still wanting to run my fingers through Jude's dreadlocks. All in all it's a good read, no real loose ends are tied up but we do get to delve a little deeper into the world of immortals. I'm looking forward to the 5th installment which is scheduled to be released in winter of this year but until then, I'm just waiting.

Some Like It Scot

Title:Some Like It Scot

Author:Donna Kauffman

Genre:Contemporary Romance

Pages:310

Copyright:2010

Main Characters:Katie McAuley;Graham McLeod

Supporting Characters:Roan; Shay; Blaine

Who doesn't love a man with an accent, especially a Scottish accent. In 'Some Like It Scot', Donna Kauffman does an excellent job bringing her kilt wearing hero to life. I shouldn't have been surprised, she's done it before and I'm sure she'll do it again.

We start the story in Kinloch, with Graham arguing with his 2 best friends Shay and Roan about the McLeod/McAuley marriage pact, which pretty much says one has to marry the other in order to stay in the position on Clan leader....confusing eh? Graham has 5 weeks to take a bride to stay in the position he's been holding since his grandfather passed. He takes his only available option and jumps on a plane to Maryland to track down a McAuley.

Katie is said McAuley and happens to be standing in her wedding dress in the prayer garden behind the chapel when she meets Graham. He doesn't initially know it's her he's looking for and spills the story of the pact. The stars a line and fireworks burst and angels sing when Graham stands up to stop the wedding, a wedding Katie doesn't want anyways...a wedding to her best friend...he best friend who doesn't have feeling for her that way...in fact he doesn't have feelings for any woman, just his best man! Graham sweeps Katie off her feet, literally, and carries her to the waiting limo and they start their journey back to Scotland.

In the 2 plus day trip Katie and Graham get to know each other, in more ways then one. Whether it's drooling on one another's shoulders or sharing an erotic daydream?....well I guess that's what you'd call it. By the time they reach the island they both know they cannot join just because some 300 year old law says so. Luckily by now the feelings they have for each other quite a bit deeper.

Ms. Kauffman is an excellent story teller, and an even better writer. I sometimes find her books a bit wordy and hard to get through but didn't have a problem with this one. I even found myself speaking in a Scottish Brogue when I'd finished...whoops. 'Some Like it Scot' is an enjoyable adventure and I hope Ms. Kauffman continues with the stories of the other men of Kinloch!

Sex Love and Online Dating Series

Title:Sex, Lies & Online Dating

Author:Rachel Gibson

Genre:Contemporary Romance

Pages:384

Copyright:2006

Main Characters:Lucy Rothschild; Quinn McIntyre

Supporting Characters:Clare;Maddie;Adele

The first book in this "series", Sex, Lies & Online Dating introduces us to a group of 4 ladies who became friends because of their occupation, writing.

Lucy Rothschild is a mystery writer who is researching her newest novel, by posing as an Internet dater. After several coffee dates with the type of men she kills of in her book, she meets up with Quinn, 'hardluvinman', knowing she needs one more character to..ahem...write off.

Unfortunately for Lucy, Quinn is actually an undercover detective, looking for an actual serial killer and Lucy is one of his prime suspects. They're immediately attracted...this is a romance after all...even though Lucy believes Quinn is a plumber and Quinn knows Lucy's true identity. The first half of the book is their internal battle on whether or not you can fall in love via the Internet and the last half is the external battle to find the true killer before they find Lucy!

Title:I'm in No Mood For Love

Author:Rachel Gibson

Genre:Contemporary Romance

Pages:384

Copyright:2006

Main Characters:Clare Wingate; Sebastian Vaughan

Supporting Characters:Lucy, Quinn, Maddie, Adele

Clare Wingate is a romantic who thinks she found the perfect man who will give her the perfect marriage, just like in the romance books she writes. Her dream goes up in smoke when she finds said boyfriend on the kitchen floor with the repairman. Clare the proceeds to try and drown her sorrows in the bottle at Lucy and Quinns wedding reception. Clare wakes up the next morning, minus her pink bridesmaid dress, in a hotel room. Whats worse is she's not alone.

Sebastian Vaughan hasn't seen Clare in many, many years but that didn't stop him from spending the night with her. Although Clare believes they did more then just catch up, he knows it was a completely platonic night...well except for when drunken Clare strips down to her panties and cuddles up next to him. Sebastian didn't plan on trying to rekindle a relationship with the girl he grew up trying to get dirty, but he can't help but want to get...well dirty. Clare needs someone to show her romance can exists out of her books, and he just might be the perfect guy.

Title:Tangled Up In You

Author:Rachel Gibson

Genre:Contemp Romance

Pages:384 (at least she's consistent)

Copyright:2007

Main Characters: Maddie Dupree; Mick Hennessy

Supporting Characters:Lucy, Quinn, Clare, Sebastian, Adele

*This book takes place in Truly, ID and we get to check up on characters we met in "Truly Madly Yours"

Maddie Dupree, has bought a house in Truly, Idaho and is searching out a story for her next book. No one but her and her 3 friends back in Boise know this story is her story, the story of her mothers murder 20 plus years ago. She immediately seeks out the current Hennessy, who owns the bar her mother was killed in, while hiding the fact that she is a True Crime writer who pens under the name Madeline Smith.

If Mick Hennessy only knew that Maddie Smith was searching out the story that entwines both her mother and his parents and one fatal affair, he never would have fallen for her. He'd rather the gruesome tale that haunted his and his sisters childhood would just stay hidden, but he can't help but make sure the lady, he can't get out of his mind, has the right information and also makes it into his bed! Yippee for pillow talk! Rachel Gibson 'truly' delivers once again.

Title:Not Another Bad Date

Author:Rachel Gibson

Genre:Contemp Romance

Pages:(Guess) 384

Copyright:2008

Main Characters:Adele Harris;Zach Zemaitis

Supporting Characters:Lucy, Clare, Maddie;Sherilyn

'Not Another Bad Date' is my favorite of this foursome. Not only is Adele a Sci-Fi writer (nerd alert) but it's set in the great state of Texas!! Adele met Zach in college, he was big man on campus, being quarterback for the football team, and she was the quiet girl with the big curly hair he had to have, ultimately leaving his cheerleader girlfriend for. Said girlfriend wouldn't let Zach go though, and with her being pregnant Zach is forced to marry her and heartbroken Adele runs up north to get away from the boy she thought she could love

Now 14 years later their paths cross again...when Adele leaves Idaho for Texas, coming to help her pregnant sister out. Zach is now a widower ex pro footballer with a 14 year old daughter he doesn't always understand. When they get a little alone time the sparks that were between them so many years ago have ignited to a full fledge fire of passion...how's that for a setup.

I love this book!! it's quirky and heartfelt just like the other 3, but it's also funny as all get out with the side story that shows you why Adele had had so many bad dates and just what happened to Zach's cheerleader wife after she gets hit by a garbage truck...yep garbage truck.

If you read one, you must read them all!! So you better get to reading!

The Naked Viscount

Title: The Naked Viscount
Author: Sally MacKenzie
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 325
Copyright: 2010
Main Characters: Lady Jane Parker-Roth; Viscount-Edmund Smyth
Supporting Characters: Mrs. Cecilia Parker-Roth; Stephen Parker-Roth; Aunts Gertrude, Cordelia, Winifred, Dorothea and Louisa Smyth.

*Though this is the 7th book the author has written for the ‘Naked’ series, it should be read BEFORE the ‘The Naked Gentleman’.

You will rarely see me write about a historical romance, as a rarely read them myself, but the ‘Naked’ series is an exception. Thanks to a suggestion from my Momma (you’re the best!!) I read the first 4 full length books, The Naked Duke; The Naked Marquis; The Naked Earl; The Naked Gentleman, in early 2010. I did not read her 5th full length book as it was written later but based several years prior to ‘The Naked Gentleman’.

“The Naked Viscount” depicts the story of Lady Jane Parker-Roth, sister of John Parker-Roth from ‘The Naked Gentleman’, and Lord Edmund Smyth, Viscount of Motton. Jane is spending her 8th season in London, being chaperoned to the many Ton balls and society parties by her mother while staying in the town home next door to Lord Motton’s estate. Jane finds Edmund in the homes library and sparks fly. Sexy, Sneaky Edmund is searching for pieces of a puzzle and Jane just happens to be the perfect person to help him solve it, all the while hiding their blooming feelings (duh) for each other from Edmunds over bearing Aunts, who can’t wait to see him married and producing an heir.

So far this book is my favorite in the series, I was skeptical as I already knew, from ‘The Naked Gentleman’, how this story will pan out. Jane and Edmund are both very strong characters and they balance each other out perfectly, and hearing about them search for well endowed statues of Pan all over London is a riot. Especially when Jane happens upon a very strong aphrodisiac, while her and Edmund are crashing an orgy. As you can probably guess we get a happy ending, which honestly never gets old, and a set-up for the next one. Now if only I can wait until 2011 for “The Naked King” to come out. I love me some Stephen!! You’ll see, if you get to reading.

The Night She Got Lucky

Title:The Night She Got Lucky

Author:Susan Donovan

Genre:Contemporary Romance

Pages:326

Copyright:2010

Main Characters: Ginger Garrison; Lucio 'Lucky' Montevez

Supporting Characters:Joshua & Jason Garrison; Rick & Josie Rousseau; Bea Latimer; Roxanne Bloom...and a bunch of dogs...yes dogs!

*This is book 2 in the 'Dog Walker Series'

WoooooWeeeeee! Well I've been waiting for this one. I'm a big Susan Donovan fan, having read several of her previous books. "The Night She Got Lucky" is the followup to Donovans "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" where Ms. Donovan introduces us to a group of 4 very different women, who share one thing in common, they love their dogs. The book starts with Genevieve "Ginger" Garrison speaking with a slightly creepy woman named Gloria Needleman at her friend Josie's wedding to Rick Rousseau, in which she's a bridesmaid. Mrs. Needleman (who I always think of as using a sort of Darth Vader voice...hmm) tells Ginger that 'He's' out there, just in time for Ginger to pass out in the arms of sexy Spaniard Lucky Montevez(There's your title!).

OK that's the PG version....now I read alot of romances but I'm not really into the super smutty. I like it fun, with a good story that keeps me drawn in. Now while this book had that, it was also rather...well dirty. Seriously it used 4 and 5 letter words I don't even like saying in my head...and it used them alot. Ginger actually uses the term 'Sexual Panther' to describe Lucio several times, and I couldn't help but laugh. Other then that it's a great read. Full of laughs, questions, great sex, and a ton of Gilligan's Island references. Twin 15 year old boys, who enjoy calling each other awesomely ridiculous names like 'tardvark'. Plus who doesn't love a character that's a photographer who likes telling stories about eating a live octopus in some random country! I'm pretty sure it'll leave you happy...so get to reading!

Aurora Teagarden Series: Charlaine Harris

After a long debate with myself I’ve decided to start with a book series by my absolute favorite author, Charlaine Harris. Before her Sookie Stackhouse series (which I’m sure I’ll talk about later) became popular with the spawn of the HBO series True Blood, Ms. Harris wrote a mystery series about Aurora Teagarden and several “Real Murders”, we’ll start there.

The first installment in the series was written in 1990, I was nervous about how that would affect the way it read almost 20 years later. Honestly after getting into “Real Murders” I didn’t think much about it. Although Ms. Harris mentions clothing and hair styles it’s not so much that I couldn’t picture the story happening in present time.

We meet Aurora (Roe) Teagarden in Lawrenceton, Georgia. She’s a feisty little thing, little being the key word. Roe, one of several librarians in her small town, is 4’11” and loves a good serial killer. It just so happens that there is one on the loose and strikes during the monthly meeting of the Real Murders Club she is a member of. In the eyes of the police she is a suspect, in her own eyes she’s a possible victim. It’s quite the adventure as we help Roe solve the crime all while her love life starts to really develop and she finds herself torn between 2 very different (and hunky) men. This book obviously reads slightly slower than the following 7, I mean we have to have a little bit of character development. All and all it’s a bloody mess but in the end Roe lives to see another day (I mean this isn’t really a spoiler, there’s 7 more books people!!!)

“A Bone to Pick” picks (haha) back up where “Real Murders” left off…several months down the road of course. Little Miss Teagarden has been busy. Not only has she been seeing before mentioned (hunky) Arthur, we find out he’s a lying cheating dirtbag of a man…well of course he is…we have 6 more books to fill. On the plus side a very special lady from book 1 has passed away, leaving Aurora some money, her 2 bedroom home and quite surprisingly a hidden skull and a new mystery to solve. Now we get to witness Roe juggling some dead persons head and dating the local Episcopal priest. This one is a must read, Ms. Harris dives a little deeper into Roe’s brain and we get to know her better.

I love when a books name works ridiculously well with the story. The third installment “Three Bedrooms, One Corpse” means exactly what is says. Aurora is struggling to find herself and where she truly belongs. She decides to take a shot at the family business, working for her (complete opposite of Roe) Mother’s real estate company. I have to take a side note here and just say this poor girl is ALWAYS in the wrong place at the wrong time, I’d lock myself in my room. Anyways, there’s a body in the first house she shows…big surprise right? At this point the detectives in the town think she’s bad news…poor thing. Especially when she happens to be driving by her friend’s house and stops to find another murder victim…geez Louise. The best part about this one? We get to meet Martin Bartell, a yummy piece of older man (think Richard Gere), that Roe is immediately smitten with. Sorry Aubrey, there’s a new guy in town!!

I always tell people you have to get past the first 3 books in a series and then it really starts to get good. The same is true with “The Julius House”. Wedding bells ring for Roe in this 4th, and so far best, in the series. Martin (I want him) buys his new bride a wedding gift she can’t refuse, a house on the outskirts of town that just happens to have a mystery tied to it. The so called Julius House was once home to the Julius family who had disappeared from it several years prior. Of course Roe isn’t interested in finding out what happened to them…hehe just kidding. With the help of her new friend(bodyguard) Angel, Mrs. Teagarden-Bartell starts to literally ‘uncover’ some of her new homes secrets. Unfortunately her new hubby has some secrets he’s been hiding as well. *queue the dramatic music here*

Ok Book 5 “Dead Over Heels” I’ll try to make this one short. The Book starts with Roe chillin’ in a lounge chair while Angel mows the lawn, and then oh it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Superman? Nope, just another dead guy falling from the sky. This time it’s Detective Jack Burns. Oh great the guy who blames Roe for everything, should I be happy or sad about this??? Well people start dropping like flies around Roe, including before mentioned lying cheating dirtbag ex. Remind me to steer clear of small towns in Georgia.

“A Fool and His Honey” is my favorite in the series, hopefully I don’t give too much away. After a man strips naked in the couples front yard, Martin’s niece, with newborn son in tow, show up on their doorstep claiming they need to stay…the weird day gets weirder when Roe and Martin come home to a dead guy on the stairs *Gasp*, the baby under the bed and Regina, Martin’s niece, m.i.a. not to mention some random dude asleep on the couch. Martin and Roe head to Martin’s home town in Ohio to get some answers and find more than they bargained for. I would recommend having tissues nearby because the ending is heartbreaking. If you want to be surprised STOP READING NOW!

I didn’t think I could continue after the ending of the previous book, I did and I’m quite glad. “Last Scene Alive” (another clever title) finds Roe alone…again…I mean the woman is in her 30’s can she ever catch a break?!! But guess what, her luck is about to turn…kinda. After being gone since the first book, Robin makes his long awaited return to film his adaptation of the ‘Real Murders Mystery”. *Jump up and down with excitement*. Unfortunately, the shooting turns deadly, pun intended. Once again someone’s trying to kill half the town and Roe’s in the middle of it all. Oh and she gets some new, trendier eye wear…that’s a plus!

Here we go, “Poppy Done to Death”. The final installment is upon us. We find Aurora and Robin still moving along quite nicely and everything seems to be falling into place. That is until Roe’s sister in Law turns up dead. Now I was confused at when Roe even aquired a sister in law, but it’s actually her new step brother’s wife. Not to be confused with her half brother, who we do meet again many years older than he was in book 1, but not old enough to be married. Although the book has a great mystery to solve it’s really all about tying up loose ends. I’m very happy with the ending of this book and altogether this series. It’s generally a happy ending for a character that deserves nothing but the best. So get to reading!!

A Book A Day Keeps the Doctor Away

I’ve never had a Blog before…this should be fun.


As this is my first post let me tell you a little bit about me. The names Cortney, I like to read. Is that enough?


Ok, ok. I guess there’s a bit more to me than that. As of this day I’ve been breathing, without an umbilical cord, for 25 years and 30 days, give or take a few hours. I’m pretty normal, I like music and film. Have an opinion for just about everything, and probably spend too much time doing things some people think of as “boring”. I’m also very jealous of people with perfect skin, but that’s neither here nor there.


What are my plans for this blog? Well I read a lot; actually as of today, July 6th, I’ve read 200 books this year. I average about 3 books a week and I’m sure my friends and co-workers are getting annoyed with my telling them about every single one. That’s where the blog comes in. I need somewhere to put these thoughts so they don’t come spilling out on an unsuspecting victim.


Warning: I am a Romance junkie. I can probably guarantee 70% of the books I talk about will be of the romance persuasion. The other 30% will be made up of Mystery, Fantasy and a classic every now and then. I’m a huge fan of series and will write many a blog on those.
I have a lot of books I want to talk about so I’ll probably have several posts in the next few days…be prepared!

I’d love to have people read this, but truthfully this is for me and will always be for me