New Years Resolution’s

2015 is nearly over and I can’t believe just how fast this year has gone, it seem’s to me that the year goes faster as you get older, I don’t usually make New Years Resolution’s mainly because I don’t stick to them; sometime’s I set my Resolution’s too high or just get bored and give up by February, but this time last year I did make one and that was to do something new for 2015. That something new was this very blog, I decided to take the plunge and even though I have only been blogging for a few month’s it has been so much fun I have been able to share my love for book’s with people and in the process I have had so many lovely message’s and so much support from some absolutely wonderful people who have taken time out of their very busy schedule’s to show this new blogger a bit of kindness.

So my Resolution for 2016 is to carry on with Chick’s, Rogue’s and Scandal’s, read many, many more book’s and hopefully encourage more people to become reader’s and maybe get a few more nervous book lover’s to take up their laptop’s and create a blog of their own. Just go for it, take the chance and dive right in, you’ll meet some great people and learn some new thing’s and be introduced to some brilliant book’s.

So I hope every one has a Brilliant News Years Eve (whatever you are doing) and a Happy and Healthy New Year and I’ll be seeing you all in 2016.

I’m curious to know what your New Years Resolution’s are!

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The Last Embrace ~ Review

Pam Jenoff : The Last Embrace

Back Blurb :

A World Torn Apart By War. . .

August 1940; Sixteen year old Addie flee’s fascist Italy to live with her aunt and uncle in Atlantic City, where she find’s friendship with the Connally family and their three son’s. Spending an idyllic summer with the eldest, Charlie, show’s Addie the love she has always been missing. . .

A Family Destroyed. . .

But war changes everything. When one brother’s action’s lead to the tragic death of another, the Connally family is devastated and Addie along with them. Now she has no choice but to escape again, this time rebuilding her life in war-torn London. . .

But when Charlie reappear’s in her life, Addie discover’s the past is impossible to out run.

My View :

I do hate to say this, but The last Embrace isn’t the strongest of Pam Jenoff’s work, which is a shame because I do love Pam Jenoff she is an incredible writer, she easily transport’s you from your armchair to WW2 with out any effort but I found this one lacking with that certain Jenoff magic touch. It is a lovely story, highly emotional and atmospheric as it is with all her work but this one I am afraid doesn’t live up to the Brilliance that was The Kommandant’s Girl; which is the best War/Resistance Romance I have read.

I just found it was lacking something, the lead character Addie wasn’t as strong as I would have liked her to be and I was more drawn to the secondary character’s especially Liam who didn’t have the time and mention that he should have. I know that this is all shown through Addie’s eye’s; but I do think that by not having character’s such as the scarred and vulnerable Liam Connally take a greater part in the story doe’s weaken it, because as lovely and independent as Addie is she isn’t enough to carry such an emotional and important story.

There was some really lovely moment’s though and the relationship’s were as always flawless but this time it wasn’t enough and I did find that the best part of the book was at the end when we finally got to see Liam trying to mend and get on with his life after what happened. But saying that it’s not the strongest of Jenoff’s work I would still like a sequel to it just to see how Liam and Addie get on with their life together, to see if Liam can ever truly heal completely.

I do urge people to go out and read it and make your own mind up about it; it’s not the usual war story what you would come to expect from Pam Jenoff, mainly because it’s focused on the American home front instead of the actual war and the Resistance and everything we have come to love from her. Maybe that’s what let’s it down. All in all in OK, sweet at time’s but not great.

Merry Christmas!!

Wishing family, friend’s and my Wonderful Reader’s a Very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Wishes!

With Christmas only being a matter of day’s away I think it’s time that I got into the festive spirit so here are my must read’s for Christmas. If I don’t blog before the big day then I wish everyone a very lovely Christmas.

Scarlett Bailey : The Night Before Christmas

All Lydia’s ever wanted is a perfect Christmas…

So when her oldest friends invite her to spend the holidays with them, it seems like a dream come true. She’s been promised log fires, roasted chestnuts, her own weight in mince pies – all in a setting that looks like something out of a Christmas card.

But her winter wonderland is ruined when she finds herself snowed in with her current boyfriend, her old flame and a hunky stranger. Well, three (wise) men is traditional at this time of year…

Lindsey Kelk : I Heart Christmas (I Heart Series #5)

Angela’s planning her very own fairytale of New York…

• Enormous Christmas tree
• Eggnog
• Eccentric British traditions
• Gorgeous man

But Santa’s throwing her a few curveballs – new job (as if it’s not mental enough already), new baby-craze from her best friend Jenny, and Alex determined they should grow up and settle down. Once friends start turning up uninvited on her doorstep (and leading her astray), can Angela really have a merry little Christmas? So much for happy holidays – something’s got to give…

Lisa Kleypas : A Wallflower Christmas (The Wallflowers #5)

The Wallflowers are four young ladies in London who banded together in their wild and wickedly wonderful searches for true love. Now happily married, they join together once again to help one of the world’s most notorious rogues realize that happiness might be right under the mistletoe.…

It’s Christmastime in London and Rafe Bowman has arrived from America for his arranged meeting with Natalie Blandford, the very proper and beautiful daughter of Lady and Lord Blandford. His chiseled good looks and imposing physique are sure to impress the lady in waiting and, if it weren’t for his shocking American ways and wild reputation, her hand would already be guaranteed. Before the courtship can begin, Rafe realizes he must learn the rules of London society. But when four former Wallflowers try their hand at matchmaking, no one knows what will happen. And winning a bride turns out to be more complicated than Rafe Bowman anticipated, especially for a man accustomed to getting anything he wants. However, Christmas works in the most unexpected ways, changing a cynic to a romantic and inspiring passion in the most timid of hearts.

Miranda Dickinson : Fairytale Of New York

Are happy-ever-afters made in Manhattan? Find out in this gorgeous debut, perfect for cold winter nights. Once upon a time an English girl went to New York to live out her very own fairytale! Florist Rosie Duncan’s life couldn’t be better, she has a flourishing business on New York’s Upper West Side and fantastic friends. Moving to Manhattan feels like the best decision she ever made. Even though at the time, it was her escape route from heartbreak …For the past six years Rosie has kept her heart under lock and key, despite the protests of her closest friends – charming, commitment-phobic Ed, unlucky in love Marnie and the one-woman tornado that is Celia. Then a blossoming friendship with publishing hot-shot Nate begins to shake Rosie’s resolve at the same time as her brother arrives in the Big Apple, hiding a secret. But a chance meeting brings Rosie face to face with her past, unravelling the mystery behind her arrival in New York. Rosie is forced to confront questions she has long been trying to ignore, including will she ever get her very own happy-ever-after? A sparkling, romantic comedy about an English girl who finds herself in the city where dreams can come true – or so she thinks

Trisha Ashley : Twelve Day’s Of Christmas

Christmas has always been a sad time for young widow Holly Brown, so when she’s asked to look after a remote house on the Lancashire moors, the opportunity to hide herself away is irresistible — the perfect excuse to forget about the festivities.

Sculptor, Jude Martland, is determined that this year there will be no Christmas after his brother runs off with his fiancee and he is keen to avoid the family home. However, he will have to return by the twelfth night of the festivities, when the hamlet of Little Mumming hold their historic festivities and all of his family are required to attend.

Meanwhile, Holly is finding that if she wants to avoid Christmas, she has come to the wrong place. When Jude unexpectedly returns on Christmas Eve he is far from delighted to discover that Holly seems to be holding the very family party he had hoped to avoid.

Suddenly, the blizzards come out of nowhere and the whole village is snowed in. With no escape, Holly and Jude get much more than they bargained for — it looks like the twelve days of Christmas are going to be very interesting indeed!

Scandal In Spring ~Review

Lisa Kleypas : Scandal In Spring

Back Blurb :

Four young ladies enter London society in 1841 and band together to find a husband each. Three have found love – has the fourth Wallflower now met her match?

After spending three London season’s searching for a husband, Daisy Bowman is told by her father – in no uncertain term’s – that if she can’t snare an appropriate suiter, she will marry the man he chooses; the ruthless and aloof Matthew Swift.

Daisy is initially horrified. But she hasn’t counted on Matthew’s unexpected charm – or the blazing sensuality that soon flares beyond their control. But right at the moment of sweet surrender, a scandalous secret is uncovered – one that could destroy both Matthew and a love more passionate and irresistible than Daisy’s wildest fantasies.

My View :

The fourth instalment of the Wallflowers is just as we would come to expect it to be, it is full of evocative, sentimental and emotional angst everything that a Kleypas book should be, but I have to say that it doe’s lack that usual Wallflower charm. True it is very entertaining the character’s as always a so beautifully written that we fall in love with them from the first page but for me this isn’t up there with Secret’s of a Summer Night or Devil In Winter which I think are by far the best wallflower instalment’s.

I have always found it harder to relate to the Bowman sister’s then I have Annabelle and Evie, not that they are bad character’s on the contrary they are exactly what you want for a Lisa Kleypas heroine. They are beautiful, sensitive and highly entertaining but like I thought about Lillian Daisy sort of lack’s that sort after charm. What I do like about this one is Matthew he really is the model Kleypas hero he is very much like Marcus; Lord Westcliffe he is opinionated, self assured and extremely evocative he steal’s every scene which isn’t an easy task especially when you have ruthless Simon Hunt, bad boy Sebastion; St Vincent and compelling Westcliffe all in the place but I think he doe’s it with super ease and that is the making of a really, strong character.

There are some very sweet moment’s between Daisy and Matthew and it is very funny when they are bickering, I especially like the Lawn Bowl’s match between them. Equally there is some highly charged, steamy one’s too where your toe’s curl just by being present.

I do love the Wallflower Series, true some I have loved more especially Devil In Winter , which is by far the best in the whole series but it is still a marvellous series. This one may not be my personal favourite but really there is nothing wrong with it, it has everything that you would want from a well loved historical romance series; love and romance, intrigue and suspense we all know how the story’s are going to end but it is fun watching it play out especially if like these they do a lot of bickering.

Like the previous Wallflowers this is definitely a must read.

Scandalous Desires ~ Review

Elizabeth Hoyt : Scandalous Desires (Maiden Lane #3)

Back Blurb :

Can a pirate learn that the only true treasure lie’s in a woman’s heart?

Widowed Silence Hollingbrook is impoverished, lovely and kind – nine month’s ago she made a terrible mistake. She went to a River Pirate for help in saving her husband and in the process made a bargain at the cost of her marriage. That night wounded her so terribly that Silence hide’s in the Foundling home she run’s with her brother. Except that same river pirate is back. . .and he’s asking for help.

‘Charming’ Mickey O’Connor is the most ruthless river pirate in London. Devastatingly handsome and fearsomely intelligent, he has clawed his way up through London’s criminal underworld. Mickey has no use for tender emotion’s like compassion and love, and he see’s people as pawn’s to be manipulated. And yet he’s never been able to forget the naive Captain’s wife who came to him when she was most in need. . .

My View :

This is by far my favourite one out of he Maiden Lane Series, Elizabeth Hoyt really did out do her self with this, it is exciting, riveting and utterly sexy the plot is as always brilliant and the character’s are flawlessly written. There is strong over protective men, highly opinionated women and baddie’s that you love to hate.

The definite best thing about this is the main character ‘Charming’  Mickey O’Connor the ruthless, manipulative pirate he isn’t what you would come to expect from a hero but Mickey is absolutely wonderful and really who doesn’t like a chiselled, handsome rogue? He has got so many layer’s and it is fascinating watching as Silence and daughter Mary strip each one away until we see the caring, protective and supremely sexy man below the pirate disguise.

As for Silence she is this slightly naive, self assured little thing that you started wanting her to run home away from the manipulative rogue but then she start’s showing her true colour’s her fierce independence and complete loyalty, she is really a woman that shouldn’t be trifled with, she is actually a lot like Mickey, she will do anything within her power to get want she want’s and to protect those that she love’s.

I just love the relationship between Silence and Mickey, from their destructive argument’s to the more intimate and loving scene’s where we see them be themselves and show each other who they really are. It is a fascinating combination on the surface they are so far removed and so different that you wouldn’t imagine them to be in the same room but yet put them in that room and you get a stonking good relationship.

I have always preferred the earlier Maiden Lane book’s to the newer one’s, even though there is nothing at all wrong with them I just prefer the first few and this one never fail’s, I love the fact that the brilliant Ghost of St. Giles make’s an appearance who is such a brilliant addition the series. Anyone who has read Maiden Lane will no doubt know that the Ghost is actually three main  character’s and as you get to know the character’s you start to see how each one personalises the Ghost and then you start wondering who is behind the mask this time.

Another really great thing about this one is that you don’y actually have to read the previous two to understand who is who and what’s going on because this is just so brilliantly written, there is the back ground info there when you need it. But I always see this one as more stand alone but with the Maiden lane charm we love.

Every time I read this I get utterly charmed each time. Brilliant, definitely  must read.

The Duke’s Perfect Wife ~ Review

Jennifer Ashley ~ The Duke’s Perfect Wife (Highland Pleasure’s #4)

Back Blurb :

 
Lady Eleanor Ramsey is the only one who know’s the truth about Hart MacKenzie. Once his fiancee, she is the sole woman to whom he could ever pour out his heart.

 
Hart has it all – a dukedom, wealth, power, influence, whatever he desire’s. Every woman want’s him – his seductive skill’s are legendary. But Hart has sacrificed much to keep his brother’s safe, first from their brutal father, and then from the world. He’s also suffered loss – his wife, his infant son, and the woman he loved with all his heart though he realized it too late.

 
Now, Eleanor has reappeared on Hart’s doorstep – with scandalous nude photograph’s of Hart taken long ago. Intrigued by the challenge in her blue eye’s – and aroused by her charming, no-nonsense determination – Hart wonder’s if his young love has come to ruin him. . .or save him.

 
My View :

 
This is actually the first Jennifer Ashley book that I have read, I have read a lot of good review regarding her work and I thought it was about time that I gave her ago and i have to say that I wasn’t disappointed. This was amazing, the only thing I have to say against it and that is that I should have started from the beginning of the series and not the end which is entirely my fault but one that I m going to correct by starting reading the Highland Pleasure’s from the beginning.

 
But even thought I jumped into this series at the end it didn’t take any of the shine of, it was so well written that you know exactly who is who and what’s going on from the first page, because I hadn’t read any Ashley’s work before I didn’t have any high or low expectation’s so even if her work wasn’t has good as a lot of other review’s claimed it to be I wasn’t going to start wailing that I was severely disappointed but in this case all the review’s that I have read were correct Jennifer Ashley is a marvelous writer she is a skilled and intelligent writer, The Duke’s Wife is pure brilliance.

 
I absolutely adore Hart MacKenzie he is the ideal Historical Romance hero that we all wish for he is charming, self righteous, a sensual devil that never take’s No for an answer and I have to say that I did fall in love with him and my oh my can this man love a woman. . .If Hart is just one brother then I can’t wait to get acquainted with the other’s and if they are anything like their big brother then I am going to have a jolly good Christmas. Eleanor is the perfect heroine, she is independent, self assured but you can see that vulnerable side of her that shine’s through especially when she is in the same room as Hart, they are a match made in heaven how on earth Hart could have walked away from her is a mystery, but in a way it is a good thing that he did because in doing so it has made him the man that he is.

 
This really is pure brilliance and I am so glad that I finally picked up one of Ashley’s book’s and I do have to thank all those wonderful blogger’s out there that have introduced me to one incredible author, and I can’t wait to read more, the MacKenzie’s are incredible and I can’t wait to get to know them a bit more.