The Sunday Salon 28 March

Sunday 28 March, 2010 By 5 Comments

The Sunday Salon.com

This past week was filled with numerous ups and downs. Life is filled with these roller-coaster moments, which usually keep life exciting, but as with all roller coaster there are unpleasant spots.

Our beloved neighbours, our adopted family is moving. Exactly when and where is unknown to date and this is creating a lot of anxiety in my home and theirs.

We are still on the hunt for the college/university that best matches our son’s needs and desires. This should be an enjoyable time and we are trying. Many have offered advise, all of which I appreciate. Our son will need to stay within a reasonable driving distance as he will need to be home when dorms close and there is no other form of transportation we can afford.

This past week I have received some much anticipated books and I cannot wait to share them with all of you.

Today I will be spent nursing my head, I am in a bad cycle of pain, while my DH works with one of the boys on building another section of our new picket fence.

This past week twelve reviews went up:
Today I am planning to read:
  • The Overnight Socialite by Bridie Clark
  • Watchlist based on an idea by Jeffery Deaver

Happy Reading and please feel free to leave comments or suggestions.

All are welcome to join The Sunday Salon.

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Book Review and Tour: To Sin With A Scoundrel by Cara Elliott

Saturday 13 March, 2010 By 1 Comment

Title: To Sin With A Scoundrel
Author: Cara Elliott
Publisher: Forever Special Release
Publication Date: March 1, 2010
Paperback: 384 pages
ISBN: 9780446541299
Genre: Historical Romance

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About the Book:

A reclusive widow known for her scientific scholarship, Lady Ciara Sheffield is shadowed by rumors that she poisoned her husband . . . A rakehell rogue notorious for his devil-may-care antics, Lucas Bingham–the Earl of Hadley–is not accused of murdering anything–save for the rules of Polite Society. The only thing they have in common is seeing their names featured in the lurid gossip columns of London’s newspapers. Until an ancient manuscript draws them together.

Ciara needs a titled fiancé to quell the slanderous speculations which may send her to the gallows. Lucas needs brilliant scholar to help his elderly uncle decipher the secrets of the mysterious manuscript. So when her friends urge her to accept the earl’s proposal of a temporary alliance, Ciara decides that she has no choice but to make a deal with the Devil. And so begins a seductive dance of sinful pleasures and hidden desires as the two of them waltz through the mansions of Mayfair. Lies, intrigue, treachery, sex. They find themselves facing slanderous whispers, unscrupulous relatives-not to speak of their own simmering passions, which quickly ignite into dangerous flames. It’s a potent mix and the result may be explosive-and perhaps deadly-if they don’t watch their step.

My Review:

The novel is told in alternating narratives between Lady Ciara Sheffield and Lord Hadley, both of whom are rather infamous. Lady Ciara has a brilliant scientific mind and rumours are circulating that she poisoned her husband. Lord Hadley on the other hand has been making the gossip section due to his rather rakish behaviour. While Lady Ciara has her young son Peregrine to focus on as well as her scientific endeavours along with the other ladies in The Circle of Sin, Lord Hadley has his chums and many ladies. Lady Ciara and Lord Hadley could not be more opposite, however, the prevailing belief is opposites attract and what brings this extremely opposite pair together is none other than Sir Henry Phelps. Lard Hadley’s uncle, Sir Henry Phelps, has come into possession of a manuscript that may possibly be an ancient scientific treatise. Knowing the brilliance of Lady Hadley, he has requested his nephew bring her the manuscript in hopes that she and the Society of Sin may be able to translate and verify the contents. To Sin With A Scoundrel is the first novel in Cara Elliott’s newest Regency Series, Circle of Sin. Her female characters, especially the members of the Circle of Sin are highly intelligent for the era and of course the new man is not only devilishly handsome he is also a rogue who needs to be tamed. Whether or not Lady Ciara and Lord Hadley are able to come together as a couple remains to be seen, as both are equally matched when it comes to stubbornness. Elliott’s novel is written with wit, intelligence, and intriguing characters. Unlike some romantic historical works, this one has a few unexpected plot twists throughout the novel. To Sin With A Scoundrel is a delightful and intellectual romantic historical novel in Elliot’s newest series. The Circle of Sin series is off to a brilliant beginning.

About the Author:

I started creating books at the age of five, or so my mother tells me. And she has the proof — a neatly penciled story, the pages lavishly illustrated with full color crayon drawings of horses and bound with staples — to back up her claim. I have since moved on from Westerns to writing about Regency England, a time and place that has captured my imagination ever since I opened the covers of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
I have a BA and an MFA in Graphic Design from Yale University and now work as the creative director of a lifestyle sporting magazine, a job which lets me combine my love of the printed word with my love of art. I’m very fortunate in that my work allows me to travel to interesting destinations around the world — however, my favorite spot is London, where the funky antique markets and used book stores offer a wealth of inspiration for my stories.


Excerpt

Author Website

Author Blog

Become a Fan of Cara Elliott on Facebook

Twitter

Five Fun Facts

Bonus Material

I received a complimentary copy of To Sin With A Scoundrel by Cara Elliott from Hachette as part of the tour. Receiving a free copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

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It’s Monday What Are You Reading? 1 March

Monday 1 March, 2010 By 24 Comments

I adore this meme, which was originally What Are you Reading Mondays. This fabulous meme is now being hosted by Sheila and has been renamed, It’s Monday What Are You Reading? Come join the fun.

It’s Monday What Are you Reading is the perfect way for me to begin my week and allows me to focus on what needs to be read and to see what I have or have not accomplished the previous week. I also enjoy discovering new books by visiting other participants blogs.

Once again, this is pre-posted since Rosella passed away Saturday.

I Read and Reviewed (click the title to be taken to the review):

  • Secrets by Robin Jones Gunn
  • The Things That Keep Us Here by Carla Buckley
  • Coming of The Storm by W. Micheal Gear and Kathleen O’Neal Geer (Spotlight)
  • Undress Me In The Temple of Heaven by Susan Jane Gilman
  • Nothing But Trouble by Susan May Warren
  • Double Trouble by Susan May Warren
  • Never Far From Home by Mary Ellis
  • Heaven on Earth by John E. Wade II (Guest Author Post)
  • The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran
  • Life Lessons From A Horse Whisperer by Lew Sterrett


    • This week I am hoping to read:

    • Shadow of the King by Helen Hollick
    • Jordan by Susan Kearney
    • Raven Stole the Moon by Garth Stein
    • Captivity by Deborah Noyes
    • Keeper of Secrets by Anjuelle Floyd
    • Sugar by Bernice L. McFadden

    Visit next Monday to see if I managed to accomplish my reading goals.

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    The Sunday Salon 28 January

    Sunday 28 February, 2010 By 6 Comments

    The Sunday Salon.com

    This past week consisted of very little sleep or reading time for me. My dear friend passed away Saturday morning. I do not even want to think of the work that needs to be done in the next few days. I just want to sleep, selfish, I know.

    This past week seven reviews, one spotlight, and one guest author post went up:

    Today I am planning to read:

    • Shadow of the King by Helen Hollick

    Happy Reading and please feel free to leave comments or suggestions.

    All are welcome to join The Sunday Salon.

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    Book Reviews and Tour: Nothing But Trouble and Double Trouble by Susan May Warren

    Thursday 25 February, 2010 By 3 Comments

    Title: Nothing But Trouble
    Author: Susan May Warren
    Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
    Publication Date: April 2, 2009
    Paperback: 352 pages
    ISBN: 978-1414313122
    Genre: Fiction/Mystery/Christian

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    From the Publisher:

    It’s not fair to say that trouble happens every time PJ Sugar is around, but it feels that way when she returns to her home town, looking for a fresh start. Within a week, her former teacher is murdered and her best friend’s husband is arrested as the number-one suspect. Although the police detective investigating the murder—who also happens to be PJ’s former flame—is convinced it’s an open-and-shut case, PJ’s not so sure. She begins digging for clues in an effort to clear her friend’s husband and ends up reigniting old passions, uncovering an international conspiracy, and solving a murder along the way. She also discovers that maybe God can use a woman who never seems to get it right.

    My Review:

    Nothing But Trouble is the first book in Susan May Warren’s PJ Sugar series. The reader is introduced to fun and quirky PJ Sugar who is finally returning home to Kellogg, Minnesota after being run out of town on her graduation day. Her homecoming is about as PJ expects, except running into her old boyfriend who is now a police officer, part of the reason she was run out of town. To make matters worse, PJ is left to care for her 4-year-old nephew, whom she has never met, while her sister goes off on her honeymoon, what could possibly go wrong in two short weeks? The reader is soon introduced to the quirky inhabitants of this charming small town and trouble seems to follow PJ wherever she goes. When her best friend’s husband is arrested for murder PJ decides to do some digging around on her own to uncover the identity of the true murderer. PJ Sugar is a loveable and rather sharp-witted character, the novel is quite engaging as well as endearing and I would recommend Nothing But Trouble to anyone looking for a charming cozy mystery, but be prepared to want to immediately follow-up with the next novel in the series, Double Trouble.

    Title: Double Trouble
    Author: Susan May Warren
    Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
    Publication Date: January 11, 2010
    Paperback: 352 pages
    ISBN: 978-1414313139
    Genre: Fiction/Mystery/Christian

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    From the Publisher:

    With one solved case under her belt, PJ Sugar is ready to dive into her career as a private investigator. Or at least a PI’s assistant until she can prove herself to Jeremy Kane, her new boss. Suddenly PJ’s seeing crime everywhere. But is it just in her head, or can she trust her instincts? When she takes on her first official case-house-sitting for a witness in protective custody-Jeremy assures her there’s no danger involved. But it soon becomes clear that there is someone after the witness . . . and now they’re after PJ, too.

    My Review:

    Double Trouble takes up where Nothing But Trouble leaves off, with PJ training to become a Private Investigator and working alongside Jeremy Kane, PI. However, Susan May Warren makes the book easy enough to follow for those readers who have yet to read her first PJ Sugar novel, Nothing But Trouble. However, I strongly recommend reading the novels in order as it allows, in my opinion, for a better understanding of the dynamics between the characters as well as the growth of the characters. As usual, PJ Sugar tries so hard to be perfect and realizes at times quite painfully, that she is human like the rest of us. Double Trouble is without a doubt a page-turner and while I was secretly hoping for the book to head in a different direction toward the end, it is with anticipation that I await the third novel to read which direction PJ Sugar’s life will take. Then again, maybe by the time I am reading the third novel, Licensed For Trouble, my views will have completely changed or maybe PJ’s will, but either way, time will tell. As for Double Trouble, I highly recommend this book as well as the first in the series, Nothing But Trouble, for anyone looking for a delightful, witty, cozy mystery.

    Susan May Warren is the RITA award-winning author of twenty-four novels with Tyndale, Barbour and Steeple Hill. A four-time Christy award finalist, a two-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Book of the Year. Her larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice. Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!) A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at: www.susanmaywarren.com

    The full tour schedule is here.

    I received a complimentary copies of Nothing But Trouble and Double Trouble by Susan May Warren from LitFuse Publicity Group. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

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    It’s Monday What Are You Reading? 22 February

    Monday 22 February, 2010 By 19 Comments

    I adore this meme, which was originally What Are you Reading Mondays. This fabulous meme is now being hosted by Sheila and has been renamed, It’s Monday What Are You Reading? Come join the fun.

    It’s Monday What Are you Reading is the perfect way for me to begin my week and allows me to focus on what needs to be read and to see what I have or have not accomplished the previous week. I also enjoy discovering new books by visiting other participants blogs.

    This is pre-posted, since I will most likely be next door with my neigbours, most especially Rosella, until the end.

    I Read and Reviewed (click the title to be taken to the review):

    This week I am hoping to read (*note there is at least one book that will not be read in time. I will have a spotlight up. It is a historical novel and quite a tome and at this time, I do not have the attention span this novel requires.):

    • *Coming of the Storm* by W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O’Neal Gear
    • The Things That Keep Us Here by Carla Buckley
    • Undress In the Temple of Heaven by Susan Jane Gilman
    • Hasta La Vista, Lola! by Melissa Rameriz (has yet to arrive)
    • Nothing But Trouble Susan May Warren
    • Double Trouble by Susan May Warren
    • The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran

    Visit next Monday to see if I managed to accomplish my reading goals.

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