Ring In 2011 Blog Hop

As most people are doing this New Year's Eve, I am thinking of the resolutions I want to make for the new year. I have many, some personal and some professional; some family oriented and some fun oriented. Needless to say, I know that there are many ways that I can become a better person for myself and for those around me. All I can do is try my best to meet my goals and work hard to have a happy and love-filled future. All those stopping by for this blog hop, I wish you a prosperous, safe and happy new year. Happy blogging in 2011.

Review for "Married by Morning" by Lisa Kleypas

They say that opposites attract. We have the easy-going, relaxed, devilishly handsome, witty, let-life-happen, devil-may-care, aristocrat Leo Hathaway, also known as Viscount Ramsay. And then there is Catherine Marks...the extremely proper and polite, rigid, eye-glass wearing governess to Leo's youngest sister. The two cannot stand each other, constantly bickering and teasing. Yet, Leo can't stop thinking about her...and it's not the usual teasing and provoking that are occupying his mind.

Catherine has lived through a sordid past, one she continues to hide from. Acting as governess to the youngest Hathaway siblings has allowed her to see what it is like to be a member of a family...a crazy one albeit, but one where you feel unconditionally loved and supported. Something Catherine knew would never be a reality for herself. And Leo.....well, he was everything she loathed....a gambler, immoral in his actions toward women and full of disrespect for his station in life. But God....he was handsome! Then came that kiss in the garden... that kiss Leo had been fantasizing about for so long..... and they both knew that their relationship would have to change. But would they both be able to handle this new path they were forging? Would Leo be able to love someone again after losing his first love and almost himself in the process? Would Marks, as Leo so lovingly calls her, be able to let go of her haunting past and give in to her desires and dreams?

Lisa Kleypas has managed to take Leo, a not-so-likable character in book one, MINE TILL MIDNIGHT, and turn him into a charming, deeply committed man with a devilish sense of humour and a touch of wickedness that will keep his lover forever happy.

"I have the most profane desire to be in bed with you for...oh, weeks, at least...committing every mortal sin known to man. I'd like to do more than sketch you naked. I want to draw directly on you with feather and ink...flowers around your breasts, trails of stars down your thighs." He let his warm lips brush the edge of her ear. "I want to map your body, chart the north, south, east, and west of you."

I really enjoyed this fourth installment in the Hathaways series. Having relished the witty banter between Leo and Marks in previous books just made be look forward to their own story. The sexual tension between these two could be cut with a knife. It is a hot and steamy romance, one filled with desire, longing, passion, erotic love scenes and heart touching admissions. Watching Leo reveal more of his true self to Marks, allowing her to see the genuine man inside touched my soul. Marks managed to withdraw the armour around his heart and allowed him to love again. And in return, Marks learned to trust a man, a man who gave her his body and soul. If you are a fan of Lisa Kleypas or historical romance, you need to run out and get this one. It is a heart-stopping tale that will keep you laughing, sighing and wishing for your own Leo Hathaway.

Review for "Tempt Me At Twilight" by Lisa Kleypas

We all know and are attracted (even if we don't admit it) to that villain of a man, the seemingly cold-hearted, manipulative hunk who, underneath the layers of bravado, just wants and needs to be held, to be wanted, to be loved. Harry Rutledge is such a man in the third installment of the Hathaways series, TEMPT ME AT TWILIGHT.

Harry is the reclusive, handsome, American born owner of the prestigious London hotel, The Rutledge. He is a self-made man and one of the richest in London as well as one of the most mysterious, hence his instantanious attractiveness to all women. He is notorious for his shrewd business sense, his manipulative nature and ruthless determination to get whatever he wants. And what he wants...... is Poppy Hathaway. Poppy is beautiful, intelligent, with a love for life that is engrossing. She wants a normal, predictable, peaceful life, which, of coarse, does not happen when your last name is Hathaway. Staying at the Rutledge Hotel during the season, Poppy believes she has found her true love in Michael Bayning, a young man secretly courting her, witholding a proposal due to his fears that his father will not approve of the match. But if a man truly loves a woman, nothing would stop him from having her. As Harry tells Poppy,

"You were courted by a boy, who had to do as he was told." His hot breath feathered against her lips as he whispered, "You should try it with a man, who needs no one's permission."

Nothing will stop Harry from getting what he wants, especially not a young buck like Michael Bayning. A little bit of manipulation and maneuvering, and Harry has Poppy where he wants her....in a very uncompromising position that could ruin her reputation forever. But what will happen when Poppy discovers that she is married to the villain, a man who manipulates people with his power and money.....a man who doesn't tell her the whole truth.

As the story progresses, Poppy comes to accept Harry for who he is, and in doing so, offers him the love he so desperately wanted and needed his whole life. Harry finally comes to realize and accept that he is deserving of love and that he is capable of loving. Little did he know that Poppy was the woman he was waiting for his whole life, the one who would make him laugh, intrigue him, beguile him, adore him....the one who would unleash in him a profound love that he could no longer contain.

“I have so much love for you, I could fill rooms with it. Buildings. You’re surrounded by it wherever you go, you walk through it, breathe it...it’s in your lungs, and under your tongue, and between your fingers and toes...” His mouth moved passionately over hers, urging her lips apart. It was a kiss to level mountains and shake stars from the sky. It was a kiss to make angels faint and demons weep...a passionate, demanding, soul-searing kiss that nearly knocked the earth off its axis. Or at least that was how Poppy felt about it.

This is another great Lisa Kleypas story. It has it all.... villainous hero, lovable heroine, hot and heavy love scenes, humourous dialogue, and charming secondary characters. I have loved this quirky Hathaway family from the beginning in MINE TILL MIDNIGHT. The author keeps us laughing with the return of the familiar, unconventional family members whom I have come to know and love so well. The author's revelations about Catherine and the obvious growing attraction between her and Leo is enough to make me run to the nearest book store. Thank god for the internet and ebooks.....with the push of a button, I am already engrossed in the next Hathaway love affair.

Review for "Romancing Mister Bridgerton" by Julia Quinn

Penelope Featherington, a self-admitted wallflower. Society sees her as a plump, plain Jane type of girl who is quiet and unpopular and worst of all, a spinster. Yet those very few who get to know her realize that there is more to Penelope...she is witty, charming, intelligent....and so desperately in love with her best friend's brother, Colin Bridgerton. Colin....extremely handsome, flirtatious, suave, witty, charming.....yet he feels that there is something missing in his life. Colin is searching.....searching for a purpose, a way to leave his mark upon the world. These two characters have known each other since childhood, but it is only now, in their later years, that they truly come to KNOW each other and themselves.

I loved the charming, witty Colin Bridgerton from the first time he was introduced in the Bridgerton series. I was very much looking forward to his story. I was even more intrigued once I discovered that he was to fall for his sister's best friend, the plain, plump, unpopular Penelope Featherington. I loved the genuine truth of their love. For Colin, it wasn't a "knock-me-down over the head" kind of love...not even a "she's so hot I gotta have her" kind of love. It was a "wow...she is great...why haven't I noticed that about her" kind of love. It was a bond that grew... a friendship that blossomed into a need for another person, a person he realized he could not live without. The love scene that Colin and Penelope finally share is just that.....a LOVE scene, not a hot and steamy sexually arousing interlude, but a scene that is so filled with deep, honest love for another that I couldn't help but reach out for my own love. Colin's admission of his feelings for Penelope just made me melt:

He murmured her name, tenderly taking her face in his hands. “I love you,” he said, his voice low and fervent. “I love you with everything I am, everything I’ve been, and everything I hope to be.”

“I love you with my past, and I love you for my future.” He bent forward and kissed her, once, softly, on the lips. “I love you for the children we’ll have and for the years we’ll have together. I love you for every one of my smiles, and even more, for every one of your smiles.”

Julia Quinn has managed to create characters that are truly relateable. We all have insecurities.... we all have questioned our purpose in life.....we all have longed for a person that we knew we could never have. I found myself smiling throughout this wonderful story, even laughing out loud at times. And of course, I too fell in love with Colin Bridgerton, insecurities and all.

Highlander Reading Challenge

I have never entered a reading challenge. Something about reading a set amount of books by a certain time makes me feel unnecessarily pressured. Well....along comes a Highlander and SUDDENLY I have no issues entering a reading challenge! Wow...the things a muscular, brawny man in a kilt can make you do!! This sounds like a fun challenge that I will have NO problems completing. Lori at Escape Between the Pages is hosting this challenge. Head on over to her blog to sign up. I can't wait to meet all of those hunky, claymore wielding Scotsmen with their seductive Scottish burrs!

Review for "Seduce Me At Sunrise" by Lisa Kleypas

Kev Merripen, a mysterious, handsome gypsy man who considers himself nothing but a brute. Winnifred Hathaway, a beautiful, well-bred women with a very determined spirit. Two people who seem to be so very different, yet two people who have shared an inescapable bond since they met as children.

Kev was raised to fight, fight till the death or be killed himself. He was treated like an animal and trained to fight like one. Left for dead, he was discovered and rescued by the Hathaways, who brought him into their home and treated him with a gentleness that was foreign to him.
From the moment Kev "felt" Win's presence, he has loved her. But he feels he is no good for her, beneath her, a man with nothing to offer a woman like her. Yet, he feels he has to protect her. He will never leave her. But Win knows better. She knows the gentle soul that resides within the heart of her mysterious and brooding Kev. She loves him....he comforts her.... and her nights are filled with a longing for this man she has known forever. She is determined to make Kev admit his love for her and succumb to the passion and yearning that he struggles so hard to control.

I really liked this 2nd book in Lisa Kleypas' 'Hathaways' series. The characters were memorable and I especially loved the hero, the ever-brooding Kev. He worked so hard at keeping his true self bottled up, keeping his desires under control and his feelings in check. Yet deep down, he was hiding words like these:

"I love you, he thought, looking at Win. I love every part of you, every thought and word...the entire complex, fascinating bundle of all the things you are. I want you with ten different kinds of need at once. I love all the seasons of you, the way you are now, the thought of how much more beautiful you'll be in the decades to come. I love you for being the answer to every question my heart could ask."(pg.252)

Lisa Kleypas teases her readers, throwing Kev and Win together and then pulling them apart. Their desire for one another was palpable and their love scenes were smoldering....well worth the wait. I also enjoyed the second story line about Kev and his brother Cam's journey to find their estranged gypsy family. What ensues is surprising and ironic. Those of you looking for a historical tale about the journey and power of love, pick up SEDUCE ME AT SUNRISE....your heart will not be disappointed.

Book Blogger Hop Nov.26to28

This week's question comes from Sarah who blogs at Writer, Reader, Dreamer:

"What is your favorite book cover?"

Well, I must admit that the covers with hot men on the front usually catch my eye. What can I say, I am a hot-blooded Canadian girl who truly admires the male form! Having said that, it doesn't mean that I will actually read the book. I will pick it up and read the synopsis, which, I know, is exactly what the publisher wants me to do. If you scroll down, you will see that on the right panel of my blog, I even have some pictures flashing of some very hot covers. Enjoy!

By the way, I have a giveaway running for a historical romance called THE PORTRAIT. Click here to read my review and enter the giveaway.

Also, give me some feedback on my writing. Click here to tell me what you think of something I wrote all by myself!

Review & Giveaway for "The Portrait" by Hazel Statham

Two people, undeniably in love, yet denying their feelings. A good, solid man, the ravages of war wreaking havoc on his body. A young woman, betrothed, looking to familiarize herself with her soon to be husband. Thus begins a sweet historical romance by Hazel Statham.

Edward Sinclair has returned from battle, but not as the man he once was. Night terrors invade his slumber and the war has taken his arm. He has to adjust to his new title as Earl and to his new image of himself. He decides that he will free Lady Jennifer Lynton of their engagement, for the last thing he wants is a woman looking at him with pity in her eyes. Little does Edward know that Jennifer has come to the same decision, yet for entirely different reasons. The two agree to be friends, yet deep in their hearts, there is more than just friendship....if they would only admit to their feelings.

I found myself cheering for this couple, wanting them to see how well they suited each other. I wanted Jenny to see how much Edward adored her, how much he longed to wrap her in his embrace, how much he wanted her to be his. I wanted Edward to see how Jenny loved his smile, the twinkle in his eye and the good, strong man that he is, was and always will be.

Hazel Statham has created an endearing tale where the reader is drawn into the plot with memorable characters and dialogue that is true to the times. Although there is definite sexual tension between Edward and Jenny, theirs is a romance that blossoms as they come to know each other. I enjoyed this sweet story. It is a quick read that I'm sure will delight every fan of regency romance.
About the author:



Hazel Statham lives in England and has been writing on and off since she was fifteen. Initially she was influenced by Austen, the Brontës, and Sabatini but when she turned seventeen, Georgette Heyer opened up the romance and elegance of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. She immediately knew she had found her eras and wanted nothing more than to re-create them in her work. Her latest book is the Regency romance novel, The Portrait, released by Avalon Books in August 2010. Hazel lives with her husband, Terry, and a beautiful Labrador named Mollie. Apart from writing, her other ruling passion is animals, and until recently she acted as treasurer for an organization that raised money for animal charities. You can visit her online at
www.hazel-statham.co.uk and her blog at http://hazelstatham.blogspot.com/

My thanks to Cheryl Malandrinos at Pump Up Your Book Promotions for inviting me to participate in this tour, and to Hazel Statham for the review copy. I was not compensated for my opinions.

GIVEAWAY
Thanks to the author, Hazel Statham, I have a copy of The Portrait to give away! This giveaway is open to Canada and the U.S. and the only requirement is that you are a follower of this blog. Please leave a comment at the end of this post, including your name and email address so that I can contact the winner as soon as possible. The winner will be randomly chosen. This giveaway is open until Friday, December 3rd. Good Luck!

Would You Read This Book?

Like many other book bloggers, I have a dream of one day writing my own book. Yes, it is a dream, a dream that may take many years to become fulfilled. But at present, I try to write whenever I get a chance. I have many pieces of paper everywhere, with many starts and not too many finishes. I thought I would get some feedback from the very people who do all of the reading and reviewing....all of you! Take a read and let me know what you think. Would this be something that would peak your interest? Would you want to read more? Leave a quick comment with your thoughts and opinions. Thanks!

She was running late as usual. In fourty-five minutes she had managed to take a shower, slap on some makeup, make four lunches and feed three groggy kids a semblance of something called breakfast. As she walked by the closed door she flung it open and cried “It’s eight o’çlock, would you get dressed! Wash your face! You’re fourteen, why do I have to do this every morning?”
Why did she have to do this every morning? Where the hell was he? Where else? Still in the shower. Same routine every day. Did she actually believe it would ever change? Every morning he spent half an hour in their ensuite bathroom, languishing in the steam while she managed to pull everyone and everything into some sense of order and routine.

She could still hear the sound of the water as she entered with the sole purpose of giving him a piece of her mind. As she strode in she took a quick glimpse at the mirror to ensure she looked presentable for another day at work. She gave a short sigh as she tried to flatten some of those unruly dark curls. No use. It would only get worse as the day wore on and the humidity increased.

She turned and opened the shower stall, fully prepared to launch into him about needing some help in the mornings. “You’ve been in here for half an hour, do you think you have any skin left?” He opened his eyes and replied, “I’m done. I’m coming out.” Her eyes caught the sinew of his broad shoulders as the water cascaded over him. His muscular arms bulged at the biceps, naturally exuding a brawny strength that enraptured her. She could see the definite lines of his pecs as they flexed with his every movement. She loved this part of his body. She instinctively wanted to reach out and flick the nipples that had puckered in the shower. Her mind instantly jumped to the night before when he had held her so tight against that very same chest, nuzzling her neck with his lips. She started to feel that familiar ache within her. As she raised her eyes to his again, he tilted his head in an open invitation, a playful grin on his face. She quickly stammered “I have to get to work. Remember the kids have soccer tonight!” As she rushed out of the bathroom, she noted the flush to her cheeks in her reflection in the mirror. How did he do that? He managed to elude her lecture once again. Damn that man!

This piece of writing is the work of Mandy and in no way is to be duplicated without permission.

Book Blogger Hop for Nov.12 to 15

This week's question comes from Christina who blogs at The Paperback Princesses:

"If you find a book that looks interesting but is part of a series, do you always start with the first title?"

I always have to start with the first title. If a book is recommended to me and it is number 2 or 3 in a series, I will not read it until I have read the previous books. I feel that the first book really sets the tone for the series and gives the reader a lot of background information that will shed more light upon the characters. Even if reviews say the book can stand alone, I still go out and find the series and read them in order. I know...pretty anal! That's me! How about you?

Review for "The Duke And I" by Julia Quinn

Did you ever want to date your brother's best friend? Did he make you shiver with a look across the room.... or make you gasp for breath as he whispered a secret in your ear... or make you tingle all over as his fingers accidentally brushed your skin? If he is as hot and roguish as Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, you definitely would want to make him yours!

Simon is a tortured hero, a man who overcame a great obstacle at a very early age. But not without its costs. Although he lives a carefree life as a Duke, his life is really just an empty shell filled with hate. Simon doesn't even realize how much the hatred inside of him is eating away at his soul, his future, his happiness. That is, until he meets Daphne Bridgerton, his best friend's sister.

Daphne is a member of the Bridgertons, a boisterous, funny, drama-filled family full of love for each other. Simon and Daphne devise a plan. They PRETEND to be courting. This will keep all of the ton's conniving mothers away from Simon and it will give Daphne many suitors just clamouring for the girl that the Duke supposedly wants to make his own. But in true romantic style, this friendship becomes more, for Daphne becomes the one woman who can save Simon from his bitter, angry existence and give him a life filled with laughter, family and love, three things he didn't feel he even wanted or deserved.

I truly enjoyed this book. The Bridgerton family is one you cannot help but enjoy, from Anthony, the over-protective older brother, to Colin, the fun-spirited, young rogue, to Violet, the matriarch of the family. There is great use of dialogue with descriptions of family interactions that were very amusing. The author has managed to reveal that true love can break down barriers, even walls of hatred around one's heart. Daphne was a ray of hope shining into Simon's dark-filled soul, revealing the truth....for all Simon truly wanted was to be loved for who he was. Isn't this what we all want?

Review for "The Sixth Surrender" by Hana Samek Norton

Lady Juliana is forced to choose between marriage or life in the cloister, thus becoming the prefect pawn of the always scheming Eleanor of Aquitaine. She becomes betrothed to Guerin de Lasalle, a bad boy, a man with no soul, a very unlikeable man by modern standards. What ensues is a tale filled with intrigue, romance, mystery, political drama and scheming royals.

Hana Norton has certainly done her homework. A great deal of research and historical detail add to the richness of the story, with some wonderful descriptions of life in medieval England and France. However, there were so many plot threads and so many characters, some with several different names, that the reader becomes quite lost at times. Those of you who love the 13th century and all of the political intrigue that goes with it, The Sixth Surrender is the book for you.
About the Author:



Hana’s passion for the Middle Ages dates to a childhood exploring the ruins of castles and cloisters in the (now) Czech Republic. She also developed that “lurid taste in fiction,” by reading dog-eared novels full of the drama and melodrama of history. She graduated with an MA from the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, and a Ph. D. (both in history, of course), from the University of New Mexico where she currently resides. She is married to an Englishman, teaches part-time, and works as a historical consultant. Her latest book is The Sixth Surrender. You can visit her website at http://www.thesixthsurrender.com


My thanks to Dorothy Thompson at Pump Up Your Book Promotions for inviting me to participate in this tour. I was not compensated for my opinions.

Book Review for "Laird of the Mist" by Paula Quinn

Callum MacGregor is the Laird of the persecuted Clan MacGregor. Revenge is his only purpose in life. Revenge for the years of torture he endured under the hands of the Campbells. Revenge for the loss of his clan name and his lands. So much hatred inside of one man; so much hatred and so much pain.

Kate Campbell cannot believe it! Her knight in shining armour has come to save her from the raiding McColls. He is breathtakingly strong, wielding his sword with purpose and power. But soon, Kate discovers that her knight is really her enemy, her worst enemy, the dreaded Devil himself...Callum MacGregor.

These two soon come to realize that each has misconceptions of the other. As they journey to Callum's home on the Isle of Skye, their hearts are journeying on a path towards love, a path neither expected or is prepared for. Can love conquer anything, even hatred and revenge?

What I loved about this story was that the heroine believed in her hero. She didn't fight the fact that she was in love with the leader of her rival clan. She gloried in the fact that he made her feel what no other man could....safe, protected, wanted and ravished. She knew the true man behind the mask...the mask of The Devil. How could The Devil touch her so gently, so lovingly? How could The Devil smile at her with adoration filling his eyes? How could The Devil make her feel like nothing else mattered but his passionate kisses? Kate knew Callum MacGregor was no Devil. She could see it in his eyes and feel it in her soul. And she would not rest until he knew it too.

I believe Paula Quinn does a wonderful job of bringing the MacGregor saga to life. She weaves a tale filled with passion, intrigue and history, feuding clans and star-crossed lovers. I enjoyed the relationships between all of the characters, and I would love to read more about Maggie, Callum's sister, and Graham Grant, the handsome captain of Callum's men. For those of you in love with the Scottish Highlands and their men in kilts, this is a quick read you are sure to enjoy.

Book Blogger Hop for Oct.22

This week's question comes from Becky who blogs at Becky's Barmy Book Blog:

"Where is your favorite place to read? Curled up on the sofa, in bed, in the garden?"

My absolute favourite place is lying on my chaise lounge in my bedroom. I bought it just for me...just to escape into my own world with my books. I can lie with my legs outstretched or curl up with a soft blanket. Heaven! How about you? Do you have a favourite place to escape with those wonderful characters?

BY THE WAY, SINCE YOU ARE ALREADY HERE, ENTER MY GIVEAWAY FOR A NEW HISTORICAL FICTION CALLED THE BLUE BELLS OF SCOTLAND. JUST SCROLL DOWN TO MY NEXT POST AND LEAVE YOUR ADDRESS. YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!

Book Review & Giveaway for "Blue Bells of Scotland" by Laura Vosika

"You don't know what you've got till it's gone." Joni Mitchell sang these lines in her song "Big Yellow Taxi". The Counting Crows created their own version, but kept these ever so poignant words. Some of us have learned the effects of these words in our very own lives. For Shawn Kleiner in Laura Vosika's novel Blue Bells of Scotland, these words become a reality.

Shawn Kleiner is a famous twenty-first century trombone player. He has everything....money, fame, talent, a loyal girlfriend, and women swooning over his every step. Niall Campbell is a Highland warrior from the 1300's. A loyal, brave, honest man who is willing to die for his people and their liberty. Within the walls of a Scottish castle tower, these men trade places in time and history. Shawn finds himself back in time, fleeing for his life, pursued by English soldiers. Niall finds himself in the future, with a pregnant girlfriend and scantily clad women throwing themselves at him. One of these men stays true to himself, and the other finds himself on a journey that will change his life forever.

Writers are always being told to "write about what you know". Well, Laura does just that in this historical read. She takes her knowledge of music and weaves a tale of redemption, love and self-discovery. A great deal of research and historical detail add to the believability of the story. I was so entranced with the characters that I felt like I could reach out and touch them. I found myself holding my breath as Shawn hid in the cellar from the English soldiers who sought to kill him; I found myself yelling at Niall to keep searching, don't give up; I found myself reaching out to Shawn at the final fair day, wanting so badly to just grab hold of him and tug him back to the future. I admire the way that Laura Vosika led Shawn down the path of self-discovery, one where he finally comes to be the man I feel he was meant to be. This is a captivating story that you will truly enjoy. I am eagerly awaiting the second installment in this trilogy.About the Author:

Laura Vosika grew up in the military, visiting castles in England, pig fests in Germany, and the historic sites of America’s east coast. She earned a degree in music, and worked for many years as a freelance musician, music teacher, band director, and instructor in private music lessons on harp, piano, winds, and brass. Laura is the mother of 7 boys and 2 girls, and lives in Minnesota. Visit her website at http://www.bluebellstrilogy.com/

Let the music take you there in this book trailer....




My thanks to Dorothy Thompson at Pump Up Your Book Promotions for inviting me to participate in this tour, and to Laura Vosika for the review copy. I was not compensated for my opinions..

GIVEAWAY

Thanks to the author, Laura Vosika, I have a copy of Blue Bells of Scotland to give away! This giveaway is open to Canada and the U.S. and the only requirement is that you are a follower of this blog. Please leave a comment at the end of this post, including your name and address so that I can get the book sent off as soon as possible. The winner will be randomly chosen.
Good Luck!

Review for "Ravished by a Highlander" by Paula Quinn

Mmmmmm....Robert MacGregor.....tall, handsome, dark curls, a dimpled chin, vivid blue eyes, muscles rippling as he handles his claymore with the greatest of ease, utterly devoted to those he loves....delicious. And though his looks are enough to slay any lass, his words are a whisper upon your heart:

"Davina". He was there, above her, his breath hot against her mouth. She opened her eyes to him, ashamed of her tears, and then astounded to see them in his eyes as well. "I love ye, lass, " he whispered deeply, running his fingers over her cheek. "Ye will always be first and foremost to me."(pg.219)

Robert MacGregor is the eldest son of Callum MacGregor, born to fill his father's shoes as protector and leader of his clan. His whole life he has prepared for his duty as the future laird, honing his skills with a sword, prepared to defend his kin with his life, confident in his abilities as a warrior and unrelenting in his beliefs and decisions. Yet nothing has prepared Robert for what Davina Montgomery can do to him with her smile. He saves Davina from a burning Abbey, the place where she was hidden away as a babe and raised by nuns. Davina holds a secret, one that could kill anyone who surrounds her. But once Robert has made up his mind, nothing can steer him from his purpose. And he has made up his mind....he will protect Davina from her enemies, whoever they may be. But at what cost? Will he protect her at the cost of his loyalty to his father and his clan? Will he put the lives of his people at risk for a woman he burns for?

This was my first Paula Quinn book and I have to say it will not be my last! From the first chapter I was enthralled. It is a story filled with action, history and, of course, hot romance. Not only did I fall in love with the hero, the dark and dangerous Rob MacGregor, but I was invested in the minor characters as well. Will and Finn were delightful and I am glad to see that the next book in the series centers upon Tristan, a member of the MacGregor clan I truly wanted to know more about. Historical figures are weaved into the plot, one that is filled with surprises, secrets and betrayal. I now yearn to see the Isle of Skye and the MacGregor fortress. Perhaps in this hidden sanctuary there will be my very own hot man in a kilt, ready to defend me, enrapture me and ravish me. A girl can only dream!

Review for "Queen Vernita Meets Sir Heathybean The Astronomer" by Dawn Menge and Heath Rhoades

Genre: Juvenile Fiction

Publisher: Outskirts Press

Published: July 27, 2010

ISBN: 978-1432731205

Queen Vernita has invited Sir HeathyBean the Astronomer and Cora the Teacher to her castle to continue their educational adventures. The two have arrived to teach visitors about the planets, the sun, moon and asteroids in our solar system. Each month of the year is spent with one visitor, with the focus on a specific planet.

Queen Vernita Meets Sir HeathyBean the Astronomer is a wonderful work of fiction where readers are actually learning facts while enjoying a story. The pattern and repetition within the layout of each page allows children to read with ease and more confidence. Knowing what to expect when reading allows young readers to read with more fluency and better comprehension. The illustrations are large and vividly colourful, capturing the readers' eye. Children who love astronomy and teachers looking for an easy read to aid in researching the planets will need to add this book to their collection.

This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. No compensation was given for this review.

Friday Blog Hop for Oct.8 to 10

This week's question comes from Suko who blogs at Suko's Notebook.

What's your favorite beverage while reading or blogging, if any? Is it tea, coffee, water, a glass of wine, or something else?

Well, it depends on the season, the weather and my mood! If it is a hot summer day and I am reading outdoors on the patio, I would definately have a pomegranite martini in hand. If it is a cool, autumn day, a glass of wine is preferable. In the evenings, it is almost always a cup of tea, my sony reader (or a real book!) and me in my chaise lounge with a soft blanket. Bliss! How about you....any favourite beverages while reading/blogging?

Friday Blog Hop

This week's question comes from Tina who blogs at Book Couture.

"How do you spread the word about your blog?
(e.g. Social Networking sites, Book Blog Directories, comments on other blogs...)"

I started blogging in April and found a whole, new world. I didn't realize how big the blogging community really is! Of course I would like the whole universe to read and hear what I have to say. But I have found that it is a full time job promoting oneself. I have a full time job and I'm a mother of three active kids. I could be at the computer ALL DAY spreading the word about my blog, but there is a real world out there that I have to partake in (although somedays I just want to hide behind the screen) I have recently joined twitter to help promote my blog, but again, tweeting takes time. Like anything else, I do my best and try to have balance in my life. Blog hops help me to meet and comment on other blogs, and thankfully, I have made some online friends and followers and they come back to read what I have to say. So, happy hopping and I hope you read something on my blog that will bring you back time and again.

A Birthday Present!

It's my birthday today. As usual, I checked my blog and... low and behold....a present awaited me....the Versatile Blogger Award! YAY!

First, a BIG THANK YOU to Nikki over at Nikki's Starbucks Reviews for passing the Versatile Blogger Award on to me. She has a great blog with very unique posts. Check her out and show her some love!

So, here's the drill for all award winners:

a) Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.
b) Share 7 things about yourself.
c) Pass the award along to 10 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic.
d) Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.

AND SO... seven things about me:

1. It's my birthday today...September 30th! (notice I didn't specify the YEAR!)
2. I think "The Rock" (Dwayne Johnson) is a hottie! I mean...that chest...those pecks...!
3. I live in Canada...it doesn't always snow in Canada and there are no polar bears in my backyard!
4. I love historical romance books about Scottish hunks in the highlands...yet I'm married to a hunky Jamaican!
5. I just want to hang at a beautiful beach with a hot book and an even hotter man!(OK, I'll take the husband!)
6. As a kid, I cut my eye in the same place twice in one day!
7. I love pizza, chicken roti, jerk chicken and a fresh french baguette with asiago dip spread all over it....MMMMMMM!

It is my pleasure to now pass this award on to:
1. Book Noise
2. ScrapArt by Pris
3. The Book Girl
4. Buried in Books
5. Snowdrop Dreams of Books
6. Book loving Mommy
7. Fresh Off the Shelf
8. A Book Geek
9. Super Librarian
10. WV Stitcher

Review for "When Blood Calls" by J. K. Beck

You hear about it all the time. Your girlfriend tells you that she had a one night stand with a hunk of a man. Your sister divulges that she had wild sex with a guy she met at a bar Friday night. This type of unexpected exploit may even have happened to you. It never means anything...it's innocent fun, an un-planned encounter that will never amount to anything. But....what if you can't stop thinking about him? What if, every time you close your eyes, you can still feel his hands upon you....his breath brushing against your ear as he whispers your name.....his rock-hard body pressed against yours as he makes you teeter on the edge of abandon? This is exactly the state Sara Constantine finds herself in at the beginning of "When Blood Calls".

Sara is a hard-working prosecutor who has just won a very prominent case against one of the worst criminals around. This notorious victory wins her a promotion with a secret division under Homeland Security. She quickly discovers that her new job involves prosecuting supernatural creatures. Sara is thrust into a world filled with werewolves, vampires, shape-shifters, poltergeists, trolls, and soul-suckers....monsters. But the worse part of this nightmare is when she finds out that her first case is prosecuting Lucius Dragos, the dark, sexy Luke whom she had the erotic encounter with....and he's a vampire....a powerful vampire accused of murder. Sara has to determine if Luke is this monster killer that she is being led to believe or if he's the caring, complex man that made her glow under his touch.

This is my first PNR book since I read the Twilight series and I must say, I was a little disappointed. The connection between Sara and Luke was not fully developed. Readers are led to believe that the one night of passion was enough to create a connection for life. The characters did not even interact enough to create a believable connection between them that would justify the deep love they apparently shared. Don't get me wrong, I do believe in "love at first sight" and even love after a one night stand. But you do need some time together to build upon that instant attraction. Sara and Luke didn't get much of an opportunity until about page 179. I so wanted to feel more for this hero and heroine, but there just wasn't enough there to make it truly believable.

I did like the way that the hero Luke was depicted as the noble, self-sacrificing vampire, traits not usually synonymous with blood-sucking immortals, especially those who kill. It is these traits that Sara sees under the dark cloak that Luke wears. However, I did feel that Sara was very quick to accept Luke's murderous ways and turn her back on the law and the fight for justice that she started the book with. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but it just wasn't outstanding, although the front cover is a hot, eye-catching piece of candy. Give this book a shot...I'd like to know what you think.

Another Award!

I can't believe it! I have been honoured with a sweet blogging award from Shannon over at Augmented Gem. Shannon is a very talented fellow Canadian who designs some exceedingly beautiful jewellry. Her jewellry shop is on ETSY so hop on over and give her some love.

Here are the rules for accepting this award:

1 - Post who gave you this award.
2 - Name 10 things you like.
3 - Give this award to 10 other people and notify them with a comment.

Now....on with the show! The 10 things I like are:

1) Pomegranite martinis....mmmmm!
2) Talking about hunky fictional men from the books I read with girlfriend Heather! (We are trying to find her a Scottish Highlander like Jamie Fraser!)
3) Blogging....I am addicted!
4) Writing...it gives me an outlet for some of the emotions I have a hard time revealing.
5) Anything with carbs in it....nachos, bread and dip, more bread....
6) Curling up reading in bed (or in my chaise lounge) with a cup of tea on a rainy day
7) Meeting up with old friends and catching up over a glass of wine...fellow women inspire me!
8) Bling....Sparkly bling!
9) Beautiful little out-of-the-way boutiques
10) My family....3 kids and the hunky husband

Well...what do you think....any other book loving, carbaholics out there?
I will be passing this award on to ten other blogs tomorrow. Cheers!

I Have Been Tagged!

I've been tagged by Heather over at BURIED IN BOOKS!!! Apparently you want to know more about me. So here we go! I'll answer some questions and then pass the tag on to four more bloggers.

4 Things in my Handbag

* many different lipsticks and lip gloss
* a pen and some paper in case I get inspired
* my wallet
* my NEW Sony Reader!

4 Things in/on my Desk

* framed pictures of my kids and one of me and the hunky hubby
* one of those green banker lamps
* my laptop
* every office supply you could think of (I am a teacher you know...got to be organized!)

4 Favorite Things in my Bedroom

* my chaise lounge (I bought it just for me....my place to escape with my books!)
* a small glass-top table from Pier One that holds books and a basket with writing tools
* picture of me and hunky hubby on our wedding day
* does the hunky hubby count? He is a favourite in the bedroom (if I'm in the mood!)

4 Things I Always Wanted to Do (but haven't yet)

* write a romance novel
* visit the Scottish Highlands
* travel throughout Europe with my husband
* visit the country I was born in (Guyana) since I haven't been there since I was 2

4 Things I Enjoy Very Much at the Moment

* blogging
* writing
* reading
* having some girls over to just gab and drink pomegranite martinis

4 Songs I Can't Get Out of My Head

* Lost Without You by Robin Thicke
* Don't Leave Me Girl by Blackstreet
* OMG by Usher
* Unthinkable by Alicia Keyes

4 Things you Don't Know About Me

* I was born in Guyana, South America
* Put me in a room with people I don't know and I am the shy one!
* I am a romantic
* I had 5 pets at once as a kid: guinea pigs, fish, dog, cat, bird....My poor mother!

Now, I will pass this on to:

* Augmented Gem
* The Things We Find Inside
* CMash Loves to Read
* Blog O' The Irish

TAG YOU'RE IT!

Review for "The Exile" by Diana Gabaldon

I have just spent the last 2 hours in bed with....yes....another man! To be more specific, a hot, red-haired, brawny, gaelic-speaking Scot named James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser. Mmmmmm....Jamie.....he's back and in full colour!

It was with much trepidation that I actually opened this graphic novel, for I didn't want to ruin the perfect picture of James Fraser that has been engrained in my psyche since I began my journey with the Outlander series. I am still not sure how I feel about it. (hence my lack of a star rating on this review) The illustrations are beautiful and the artist, Hoang Nguyen, does a remarkable job with the landscape scenes, bringing forth the immense beauty of the highlands with his use of colour and shades of light and dark. The scene with Jamie and Claire consummating their wedding vows is a hot one, yet tastefully done. The ever-famous page 5...hot...truly Jamie in all of his naked beauty! However, I did have some trouble distinguishing some of the minor male characters, for many of their features were the same. But Claire, who could miss Claire with those huge breasts spilling out of every dress!

Being an Outlander fan, I was already familiar with the story line, and I am glad that there were some plots revealed in this book that were different than the original novel, especially the insights from Murtagh's perspective. However, I don't think there was enough development of characters for a new reader to make a sound connection with any of them. Having said this, it is a fast paced, exciting piece of work that could be an engaging invitation into the world of Jamie and Claire. For those truly addicted to Outlander and everything JAMIE, it is a great addition to your collection.



If you are following from a hop, please leave your comment here under this post.

Sneak Peek at Blue Bells of Scotland

I am very close...so very close to the end. Part of me wants to read quicker and find out what happens to Shawn and Niall. But the other part of me is afraid to reach the end, afraid to say goodbye to new characters that have grown with every turn of the page. So, I have put down the book, with only 30 pages to go, and instead I have chosen to give you a sneak peek at this historical fiction by Laura Vosika. Check out the video below. The music always transports me back in time, back where the lochs are black and the bluebells grow scattered across the fields. I will be posting my review of this novel on October 22 as part of Laura Vosika's virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Books.

Grand Hop News

Yes, it is Saturday the 18th of September. I was supposed to launch the GRAND HOP today. Unfortunately, my co-host over at TTWFI has been under the weather lately. So, we have decided to postpone the launching of this new hop until she is feeling better. So please check back for updates. I will be tweeting about the GRAND HOP on Twitter. Yes....I have finally joined the rest of the world and I now have a Twitter account. Please look on my sidebar and click on the Twitter icon to follow me. I always return the favour. Hope everyone has a great weekend. I am going to settle in with my current read, Blue Bells of Scotland. Only 150 pages to go!

Grand Hop at Mandy's Escape

I love blog hops. Being relatively new to the world of blogging, blog hops have been a great way for me to meet new bloggers and discover some awesome blogs out there. So I've decided to co-host a GRAND HOP once every month with my great blogging buddy over at The Things We Find Inside.

This GRAND HOP will include a blog hop, a twitter hop and a Facebook fan page hop all in one. We will be looking for two guest hosts every month who will be willing to add the code to their pages on the 'grand' day. If you would like to be considered for the guest host position please leave a comment here. We will ask you to place the code for the hop on a post telling others of the GRAND HOP. Your blog address will be featured in slots 3-4 of the hop. To participate, we will ask ALL who link up to follow the blogs in slots 1-4. The ones who follow this rule will be considered for the following month's guest host position.

As this hop is all about making new online friends...it's only fitting we call this hop 'I love my Online Friends'. So...we've decided to host the first Grand Hop on Saturday, the 18th of September.

Come on back to Mandy's Escape or TTWFI to sign up on the link. Hope to see you all on the 18th.

Review for "On Mystic Lake" by Kristin Hannah

Annie Colwater's life looks picture perfect. She's married to an attractive, very successful lawyer, she has a beautiful daughter who's on her way to college, and she lives in southern California in a prestigious, gated community in a huge house she designed. But Annie's world comes tumbling down the same day her only child, her seventeen-year old daughter, goes off to England. Blake, Annie's husband of twenty years, tells her he's in love with someone else and that he's leaving her. Leaving her. How can he do that? She's his wife, the mother of his child. These roles defined her. It was all she ever wanted to be for as long as she could remember.

Annie, adrift in an ocean of misery, heads back to her roots and her hometown, a small but beautiful place in Washington State called Mystic. It is here that she looks for comfort from her dad and recalls heart-wrenching memories of her deceased mother. But it is also in this nature-lover's paradise that Annie is reunited with her first love, Nick Delacroix, and his young daughter Izzy. Nick has recently become a widower and Izzy is "disappearing" since her mother died. Together, Annie, Nick and Izzy fight for survival and healing. Together they are strong. Yet it is just as Annie begins to feel she can let go of the past, just as she is beginning to understand who she is, just as she begins to believe in herself....she is forced to choose.

It is something so many of us do...mothers, wives, sisters. We become the nurturers, the caregivers, the organizers and lovers. But then, one day, twenty years later, when Johnnie is all grown up and traveling across Europe and Mary is off to university in Texas, we ask ourselves: What now? Who am I? What will I do now? The world is full of Annie Colwaters.

Kristin Hannah has once again put me through an emotional experience I won't forget. Through these so- very- real characters, she has reminded me to ask those questions of myself: "Who am I and what do I really want in life?" As a woman, I should not feel guilty because I want to do something for myself, be it a fulfillment of a lifelong dream or simply to travel where I want to go. Women can be who they want to be and still be a loving, nurturing parent and a passionate, caring wife. A woman's life need not revolve around those she loves; her life should involve the ones she loves. As Kristen Hannah states "I cannot lose sight of my own reflection". Thankfully, I have found the outlet for my innermost self...it is here in my words upon the page.

Wow! Another Award!

Can you believe it? I have just received another award! That's two awards in two days! I want to thank BOOK NOISE for giving me the "One Lovely Blog" award. She has a great new site all about books. Please check it out. Now it is time to spread the joy to other book lovers.

Rules:

1. Accept the award. Post it on your blog with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.

2. Pay it forward to 15 other bloggers that you have newly discovered.

3. Contact those blog owners and let them know they've been chosen.

So, this award gets passed on to the following great blogs:

1. About Happy Books
2. Augmented Gem
3. The Things we Find Inside
4. Midnight Bloom Reads
5. Must Read Faster
6. One Book Shy of a Full Shelf
7. The Bookish Snob
8. Writing, Reviews, and a Little Bit of Me
9. My Love Affair with Books
10. Book Obsessed
11. In the Hammock
12. Good Choice Reading
13. Tic Toc
14. For the Love of Books
15. Simply Ali

SHARE THE LOVE AND HAPPY READING!

My First Award!

Today was the first day back to school and of coarse, that means back to work for me. My class is wonderful, but the first day is always exhausting. However, I immediately perked up when I got home and checked my blog. I received an email from a great blogger saying that she has given me an award. MY VERY FIRST BLOG AWARD! I was so excited that I too did a happy dance!

So...you all need to check out Marie's blog "The Things We Find Inside". (Look for the link button on the right side of my blog) She is the wonderful blogger who bestowed this amazing award on to me. She has generously helped me with my blog and her site is marvelous. Tastefully done with great features! Marie.....my students would say the same thing...You Rock!

To accept the award you must link back and thank the person who gave you the Life is Good award and answer the 10 questions and pass it along to 6 other blogs :)




1. If you blog anonymously are you happy doing it that way; if you are not anonymous do you wish you had started out anonymously so you could be anonymous now? I don't blog anonymously. I don't give my last name ( to be on the safe side) and I use my childhood family nickname Mandy, which is short for my given name Amanda.

2.Describe one incident that shows your inner stubborn side. Well...I'm a Libra, so I am looking for that balance in life. I can't remember one particular incident off hand, but when it comes to my writing, I won't just put something on paper until it is exactly how I want it, even if it takes me until 3 in the morning!

3.What do you see when you really look at yourself in the mirror?
A woman trying for balance and yet still reaching for a dream.

4. What is your favorite summer cold drink?
Oh...that's an easy one....strawberry daiquiri!

5. When you take time for yourself, what do you do?
Read in the sunshine, preferably by an ocean!

6.Is there something you still want to accomplish in your life? What is it?
Well....perhaps write that romance novel. And travel with my husband all over Europe...see the world and its many people.

7. When you attended school, were you the class clown, the class overachiever , the shy person, or always ditching? I was always a very good student. I was a bit shy and found it difficult to make friends in the beginning of high school. I am much more confident and outspoken now. However, I still have that shy side to me if you plunk me in a room with strangers.

8. If you close your eyes and want to visualize a very poignant moment of your life what would you see? The birth of my first child. Unforgettable.

9. Is it easy for you to share your true self in your blog or are you more comfortable writing posts about other people or events? I believe when someone writes, they cannot help but reveal something about themselves. When I review books, I always talk about how the story made me feel, how it affected me. Ultimately, although I am talking about someone else's words, I am revealing much about my own self.

10. If you had the choice to sit down and read or talk on the phone, which would you do and why? Mmm....hard one! Sometimes, I just want to curl up and be alone with the characters in a book. Yet other times, I long to enjoy the sound of a friend's voice and laughter. I guess it depends on my mood.

Now, the award needs to be passed on to 6 people. Here are my choices:

1. Heather at Acting Balanced
2. CMash Loves To Read
3. Crazy Bookworm
4. Romance Book Junkies
5. Mad About Romance
6. Bookhounds

Review for "Winter Garden" by Kristin Hannah

I am at the auto body shop and I have to stop to contain myself. I wipe the beginnings of tears from the corners of my eyes and take a deep breath. I am on page 326 and I'm about to cry amidst the smells of gasoline and oil. "Control yourself", I think. Yet...I continue on... I can't stop reading. The universal theme of loss of loved ones hits me like a ton of bricks. I cannot help but be affected by this story, one of motherhood, loss, guilt and grief. I am getting closer to the end of the "fairy tale" within the tale, and I find myself at odds....I want to know the ending, but I dread the knowledge of a terrible event that must be revealed.

Meredith and Nina are sisters, yet not very close ones any more. They lead very different lives, yet they share one thing...a need, a need to be comforted and loved by their seemingly cold-hearted mother. These sisters tried not to care that their own mother never looked at them and barely spoke to them. Nina makes a promise to her dying father to listen to her mother's "fairy tale" one last time, yet this time, she must hear it to the end. Little do these three women know that the telling of this tale will force them to reexamine their lives and thus change them forever.

This is one of those books that will stay with me long after I have turned the last page and cried my last tear. The author, Kristin Hannah, has done a marvelous job of moving between the past and present, from an apple orchard in Washington State to war torn Russia and finally to modern day Alaska. The way she interweaves the daughters' personal struggles with the mother's telling of her past in Leningrad is well done. She tackles many themes in this wonderfully written book....the ravages of war, the strength of women, the pain endured by mothers, forgiveness and healing. After reading this book, the reader learns how one's past affects one's future. As Kristen Hannah says, it all began with a sentence: "Sometimes, when you open the door to your mother's past, you find your own future." I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy books that are "part epic love story, part family drama, part historical novel". However, be warned...have a box of Kleenex nearby!

Friday Blog Hop

It's Friday and that means hopping from blog to blog, meeting new friends and reading about some fabulous books. This week's question comes from:

Sarah @ SarahReadsTooMuch

Do you judge a book by its cover?

Well, I must admit that when there is a hot man on the cover, it does catch my eye! But I always read the synopsis on the back to see if it is actually a book for me! I guess it is a mixture of both. A great cover will get me to grab it off the shelf and entice me to delve further, but it is the actual words that make me sit with a cup of tea and immerse myself completely. What about you?

Winner of Follower Giveaway

And the winner of my first ever giveaway is......Marjorie!
I hope you enjoy this great historical romance. Thank you for supporting my blog by becoming a follower. Happy reading!

Review for "The Reckless One" by Connie Brockway

"Make love to me," she whispered.
"Love. Dear God. Yes, he wanted to make love to her, to love her, to give her some of the physical pleasure he knew this act could bring and in doing so find for himself that deeper something he suddenly had cause to believe existed.
"You have the most beautiful hands," she said. "I want to know what artistry they might work on my flesh."
His clasp on her chin became a caress. "You don't want this. It isn't going to lead to some blessed union, Favor," he rasped out. "I have nothing. Nothing at all to offer you."
"You have your name," she suggested in a whisper as fearful as it was hesitant. "Dammit, don't you think I want to feel you under me, around me?" he ground out. "I want to drink your cries, I want to make you scream with pleasure. I want to take you. Now. Here...." (from page 285)

Wow....I think I need a drink, or better yet, a man like Raine Merrick! Surprisingly, I really enjoyed this book, and not only for the steamy parts! It takes place in one of my favourite historical settings, Scotland in the mid 1700's. Raine Merrick is a "political prisoner" in France, a place where he has come to realize that his father is is not going to ransom him, and that he will die in this hell. He has one chance and one chance only for survival....escape. But the Gods have smiled on Raine, the handsome, well-built Englishman with honey-coloured eyes and raven-black hair. A mysterious woman helps him gain his freedom, but then betrays him with her lies. Raine decides to return to his father's castle on McClairen's Isle in search of a treasure, a treasure he knows of from his Scottish mother. Surprisingly, it is not treasure that he finds, but the same woman who helped him escape the prison. But she is in disguise....why? Will she lie to him again? And why did he care? Why was he attracted to this woman, with her unique beauty and strong convictions? There was something about her, something in her past that connected them to each other, a past that would ultimately affect their future together.

I liked this book for its original storyline. Most historicals set in this time period deal with the war between Scotland and England. Connie Brockway deals more with the idea of the destructive nature of greed. Yet within this moral she intertwines a love affair that transcends cultural barriers. There is a definite connection between Raine and Favor and I liked the fact that he didn't succumb to his manly urges.... for although he was once wild and reckless, Raine grew up to be an honourable man, one who finally found out what it meant to be in love. If you are looking for a quick, summer read or a story that will make your heart soar, this is the book for you.