2010 Romance Challenge

Book Review: Dating Mr. December by Phillipa Ashley

December 29, 2010 by Darlene

Dating Mr. December by Phillipa Ashley is the kind of book that you go to when you need a light and fluffy read laced with a flirty romance and a good dose of hanky panky! Every once in a while I need to sit down and lose myself in some good chick-lit and Dating Mr. December filled that need perfectly.

Emma has been kicked and tossed around a lot lately. She lost her boyfriend to her boss and consequently lost her job. So, what does she do? She leaves London and heads for the boonies of Cumbria to work instead and just get away from it all. What’s she going to be doing? Well the first order of business is getting a bunch of down home kind of guys to agree to do a calendar — with not a whole lot of covering up going on if you catch my drift — to raise money for a new base camp that they desperately need. The men seem responsive to the idea — all but Will — the most ruggedly handsome man she’s seen in a while.

Will is very opposed to the calendar but agrees since he’s all for supporting the team not to mention that Emma seems to set his heart to pounding. It seems though that he and Emma keep butting heads at every turn and managing to spur each other on without even trying hard. Not to mention that they both seem to be making eyes at each other without either of them knowing it. Now the thing is that Emma has been hurt enough. She’s certainly not going near another man for a while and certainly not one that seems to have the reputation of a love em’, leave em’ kind of guy. Then there’s Will who has this hard exterior but maybe is a lot softer than most think – is he hiding a few deep hurts himself that make him leery of falling for anyone?

Try as you might in a small town it’s hard not to get thrown together and to top it off Emma and Will do seem to have some serious sparks flying between them. Emma doesn’t want a broken heart again though but Will keeps doing things that make her think that maybe there is a chance for them. Will she open up and give the relationship a chance? Is there even a relationship to worry about? Then there’s Will – is he willing to give up his wild ways for Emma? Or does he want his space and freedom, thereby breaking Emma’s heart again?

Dating Mr. December by Phillipa Ashley is great for those who love chick-lit or romance. I enjoyed it although did find it a bit slow in some parts. However the author’s witty dialogue had me laughing more than once and the storyline did keep me interested to the point where I needed to know what was going to happen. It’s a good read for this time of year when people are busy and just want something cute and light that they can lose themselves in for a little while. Keep in mind though that this book has nothing to do with Christmas even though you might think so from the cover.

You can pick up your own copy of Dating Mr. December by Phillipa Ashley here in the US and here in Canada. Be sure to check out Phillipa Ashley’s website as well!

My review copy of Dating Mr. December by Phillipa Ashley was provided by Sourcebooks.

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Book Review: Christmas Letters by Debbie Macomber

December 24, 2010 by Darlene

For the month of December my book club, The Reading Cove, voted to read Christmas Letters by Debbie Macomber. It’s a light, fluffy read which makes it a pretty good choice for this busy time of year. I didn’t find it particularly Christmasy although it takes place at that time of year – more it is a cute romancey type of book.

Katherine O’Connor, called K.O. for short, is currently working at transcribing medical records while she applies for jobs but has a side business writing other people’s Christmas letters for them. K.O. loves Christmas and manages to make these people’s lives sound so much better than they actually are.

So one day when K.O. is talking to her sister, she finds out that Zelda has decided not to have Christmas this year. Why you ask? Well because she’s read this book by a Dr. Wynn Jeffries on child rearing and he feels you shouldn’t let your children live in a dreamworld by believing in Santa and all things Christmas. Well K.O. is livid – really beyond livid! How dare he ruin Christmas for her twin nieces.

Imagine her surprise when she gets home to her apartment building to find that Dr. Wynn Jeffries lives there as well up in the penthouse of course. K.O. can’t resist confronting him and reaming him out on all his hair-brained ideas on raising children. Needless to say they aren’t too fond of each other at this point. Later K.O. is invited to her neighbors for cocktails and who should be there as well? You got it – none other than Dr. Wynn Jeffries himself!

Worse yet K.O.’s neighbor has decided that they are meant to be together because in all the wisdom of her psychic powers she saw this in the kitty litter and her bran flakes. Obviously K.O. and Wynn don’t agree but decide to have dinner as their neighbor planned for them. Sparks continue to fly as their attraction to each other heightens but will it be enough for them to be able to both see past their differences in the matter of Wynn’s beliefs on raising kids?

Christmas Letters by Debbie Macomber was fun to read although very predictable. I found it pretty funny at times so I have to say I did enjoy it. Most of us in my book club found it an easy enough and pleasant read for this time of year!

My copy of Christmas Letters by Debbie Macomber was purchased by yours truly.

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Book Review: Dining with Joy by Rachel Hauck & GIVEAWAY

December 13, 2010 by Darlene

Dining with Joy was my first experience reading any of Rachel Hauck’s work but it most certainly won’t be my last. What a fantastic, feel good read and perfect for all us foodies out there! There’s even a couple of recipes at the end of the book — one for banana bread that I fully intend to try out!

Joy Ballard is the star of the very popular cooking show, Dining with Joy. The problem—Joy can’t cook! At all! She’s one of those who can’t even boil water without burning down the house kind of cooks. However, she has that special something that captivates an audience and makes the show a success. How did Joy end up on a cooking show when she can’t cook, you ask? Well it was her father’s show and when he became suddenly ill and passed he asked that she take over. She couldn’t refuse her father and after with Joy being so popular, it seemed easy enough to continue the lie.

Things are going merrily along until the producer sells the show right out from under Joy without warning. The new producer Allison has no idea about Joy and her little secret but she is money hungry and ambitious and she plans on taking the show to new heights. She does the one thing that Joy hates which is being thrown into a cooking competition and worse it’s with Wenda – Joy’s trouble making rival who just may know about Joy’s secret. Of course Joy is terrified – she can’t cook! However, just in time and to the rescue, is the handsome and talented chef Luke Redmond to save Joy’s day. He saves more than Joy’s day though; he may have stolen her heart as well.

Luke becomes Joy’s co-host and her hope is that he’ll be able to take over all the cooking segments, leaving her the reality stuff. Along the way sparks seem to fly between them but then sizzle out only to sparkle again. However, as with all things, nothing stays the same. It’s only a matter of time before Joy’s lies will catch up with her and everything will go up in smoke. Will she still have a career? More importantly, will she still have Luke?

I loved Joy. I thought she was funny even while being really stubborn. There is so much more to this book than just the cooking aspects as well. There is Joy’s family and all the other stuff surrounding the story that makes it good too like her past relationship with her father. The novel is classed as Christian Romance and there are numerous references to God but not overwhelmingly so although for me I love Christian fiction so it in no way bothered me. The romance is light and fun – just the way I like it. Dining with Joy by Rachel Hauck is a light and fun read – just perfect for this time of the year when you just want to relax and enjoy a book. It’s definitely one of my favorites of the month!

I read Dining with Joy by Rachel Hauck for her book tour with TLC Book Tours. Be sure to stop by and check out the other tour stops as well as Rachel Hauck’s website. If you’d like to purchase your own copy you can do so here in the US or here in Canada. That or you can try your luck in my giveaway below!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have 1 copy of Dining with Joy by Rachel Hauck to share with my readers courtesy of the publisher. To enter:

For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you.
For 2 entries follow my blog. Those who do get the extra entry as well – just let me know in your comment.
For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway to spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, January 8, 2011. Good luck everyone!

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
My review copy of Dining with Joy by Rachel Hauck was provided by TLC Book Tours and the publisher.

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Book Review: Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

November 23, 2010 by Darlene

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto is a tale about angels coming to earth trying to do their best to straighten things out. Three angels are sent down posing as siblings to Venus Cove – Gabriel, Ivy and Bethany with Bethany being the youngest and most inexperienced since she came to be only seventeen mortal years ago. Their mission is to conquer the dark forces that seem to be taking over everywhere.

As their goal is to fit in on earth, Gabriel poses as a music teacher at the high school where Bethany attends as a high school student. Ivy spends her days focusing on many charitable works. Of course high school is something very new to Bethany and her first days there are nerve wracking. She knew that to fit in is the most important thing to accomplish but luckily Bethany is quite beautiful and has no trouble making some friends. It was funny to read about her learning the normal things that teenage girls take for granted – for the most part she simply couldn’t understand how all this ‘stuff’ could be important.

Without even trying Bethany also captures of the interest of one of the most popular boys in school – Xavier Woods; a boy that, after losing his girlfriend in an accident, has been uninterested in any girls. However Bethany isn’t just any girl and Xavier is very attracted to her and she to him even though she knows she should be avoiding anything human like the emotions involved in caring about someone. Yet Bethany just can’t stop herself; she has fallen in love with Xavier. He knows the truth about her and doesn’t care. The only thing he cares about is he doesn’t want to ever be separated from her and yet they both know one day she will be sent back.

Allowing your emotions to get involved in your work though can lead to problems and it seems that some very dark forces have come to stay in Venus Cove. The angels must battle them while trying to keep the humans they’ve come to care about safe. It will take all of their powers – Gabriel being the warrior, Ivy, the healer and Bethany, the one with the closest connection to the human race to win the battle against evil…providing they can.

I enjoyed Halo, a YA novel which is classed as paranormal/fantasy/romance. It’s a great story that kept my attention throughout even though it weighs in at almost 500 pages. The amazing thing is it was written by a now eighteen year old and I found that surprising while reading it – it’s really quite well written. It’s also the first of a trilogy and I’m looking forward to reading more about Bethany and her ‘earth family’. I think this is the type of book that you have to just let go of reality and enjoy and isn’t that the point of enjoying a book in the first place? If you like to read books like this, make sure and read Halo – I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

You can purchase your own copy of Halo by Alexandra Adornetto here in the US and here in Canada.

My copy of Halo by Alexandra Adornetto was provided to me for review from Zeitghost Media.

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Book Review: The Miracles of Prato by Laurie Albanese and Laura Morowitz

August 10, 2010 by Darlene

Let me say right off that I loved The Miracles of Prato by Laurie Albanese and Laura Morowitz! It’s a wonderful blend of fact and fiction that is a must read for the historical fiction fan! This novel has everything that I love in a book: it’s set in Renaissance Italy and it has to do with a convent, nuns, monks, art, passion, romance, tragedy, ambition, greed and miracles…Oh, it has it all! It truly is a really good novel and one that will rate as one of my favorites this year.

The novel is based on the life of the painter Fra Filippo Lippi and begins in the year 1457 with the arrival of Lucrezia Buti to the Convent Santa Margherita. Her father has just passed and along with it the family fortune is gone leaving Lucrezia and her sister Spinetta no choice but to enter a convent. Now for Spinetta the convent life is perfect; it is what she wanted all along but Lucrezia is a different story; she expected to marry into a fine family and have children. The convent life is not for her and she is very unhappy.

Lucrezia had heard that there was a famous painter in Prato and already she is intrigued. She further learns that he is serving as chaplain at Santa Margherita. She sees the painting of The Coronation of the Virgin and is amazed by the beauty of Lippi’s work. Later he finds her at the altar in the chapel looking at the altarpiece he had painted and when she turns to him he is stunned by her beauty. Thus begins the story of Lucrezia becoming not only Lippi’s muse but his one great love.

Lippi wasn’t known for a polished reputation even though he was a monk. In fact he had many indiscretions and had also served time in jail. Lately he has been having trouble keeping up to all the commissions he has to paint pieces. He has no inspiration – that is until he sees Lucrezia. She will be his Madonna. He is completely taken with her beauty – he has never seen a woman so beautiful. He begins to work towards having her model for him and with the powerful friends he has, he succeeds. While things are quite innocent in the beginning, the undertones of the relationship are anything but innocent and pure.

Lucrezia feels the same about Filippo even though she feels guilty. She is fascinated by him and his work. Eventually their feelings can no longer be denied and they confess their feelings to each other. When a tragedy befalls Lucrezia, Filippo vows to marry her and protect her. He is willing to give up anything to be with her. However Filippo has this tendency to be very behind in all of his commissions and one such commission leads to trouble not only for him but Lucrezia as well.

Eventually things come at Filippo and Lucrezia from all sides. Filippo is in danger because of all he owes people and he can’t keep up with taking care of Lucrezia. Lucrezia is in danger from people in the church and is terrified. To say anymore would give away an important part of the novel so let’s just say that I was turning the pages pretty fast by this point. I needed to know how it would all turn out and I wasn’t disappointed.

I loved all the descriptions of art in the novel and it’s a new fascination of mine reading historical fiction to do with famous painters. I found it interesting that the novel was written by two best friends as well as it reads so seamlessly. The authors took what there is of Fra Filippo Lippi’s life and expanded on it and weaved in the fictional tale perfectly. I could easily see things having happened this way. The descriptions of time and place were amazing – I felt that I could have been there on the streets or in the convent experiencing their life.

The thing I love most about historical fiction is all I learn about while reading it. In The Miracles of Prato I was introduced to the famous painter Fra Filippo Lippi and learned much about convent life and all the things that make that seemingly simple world complicated. I would definitely recommend this novel especially to those who love historical fiction and art. Not to mention that the love story within the pages was a great one as well.

Be sure to check out the discussion guide for The Miracles of Prato and an interview with the authors as well as the rest of the tour stops for the novel hosted by TLC Book Tours. If you just can’t wait to read the book you can purchase your own copy here in the US and here in Canada.

My thanks…to Trish with TLC Book Tours and the publisher for my review copy of The Miracles of Prato by Laurie Albanese and Laura Morowitz.

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Book Review: Captive Spirit by Liz Fichera

July 7, 2010 by Darlene

You know I’m not usually one for romance novels but Liz Fichera’s, Captive Spirit, sounded like a good one to me – it’s classed as a historical romance. I’m really glad I listened to that little voice because I really enjoyed this book. It’s not a typical romance novel and being based in the Sonoran Desert at the dawn of the sixteenth century made it intriguing to me. I’ve never read anything based in this area which is now known as Phoenix, Arizona so I found it interesting to read about a different time and place.

The book’s main character is Aiyana, a girl who has passed her sixteenth harvest ( I love that method of keeping track of your years) and is very curious about the World Beyond her little village. She felt that the mountains that surrounded them kept them captive from the rest of the world. She felt trapped and she isn’t the kind of girl who wants to just get married, have children and keep house as most did. She’s the type of girl who wants to compete on the Ball Court with all the other boys. From early on you can tell Aiyana is a strong character – not one to faint away at the first sign of trouble.

Only her best friend Honovi knows her secret wish to leave the village. He knows her the best of anyone and just maybe harbors his own secrets with regards to Aiyana; for Aiyana he is like a brother. Then comes the fateful day that Aiyana’s father promises her to a village elder’s son that she doesn’t even know and is definitely not fond of. So what do you do when you’re terrified – you run – especially when one of the respected village elders suggests it.

Aiyana takes off but tragedy hits when she’s captured by Spanish raiders who take her far away from her clan and village. Aiyana is finally seeing the World Beyond but she’s not really liking what she sees. She misses home and her people. Not to mention that one of the raiders, Diego, keeps making her very uncomfortable. Aiyana has no idea what their plans are regarding her and nobody will tell her. However it all becomes clear much too soon – she’s to be traded to an Apache tribe as a trophy wife.

What follows is Aiyana’s struggle to get back to her people and her village. It’s a coming of age story as Aiyana matures into a woman with a woman’s love for a man she never really thought of in that way until it was almost too late for them both. Aiyana is a survivor though and she will stop at nothing to escape. With Honovi by her side they will tackle whatever they need to in order to save themselves. I think along the way Aiyana realizes the true value of home and family and a place where you truly belong. This isn’t your traditional romance – it’s much more!

Captive Spirit is Liz Fichera’s debut novel and it is available digitally through Carina Press here. You can also enter the giveaway I have currently posted for a free copy of the eBook here. Be sure to visit Liz Fichera’s website and blog as well!

My eBook copy of Captive Spirit came from Net Galley.

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