Thursday, October 28, 2010

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.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Book Blogger Hop for Oct.22

Book Blogger Hop

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!

Monday, October 18, 2010

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!

Monday, October 11, 2010

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, October 8, 2010

Friday Blog Hop for Oct.8 to 10

Book Blogger Hop
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, October 1, 2010

Friday Blog Hop

Book Blogger 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.

 
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