A Notorious Countess Confesses- Julie Anne Long

Evie Duggan is no stranger to scandal, born an Irish peasant; she becomes an opera dancer and becomes the Countess of Wareham, after being won by the Earl in a card game. She quickly earns the title of the Black Widow when her new husband drops dead shortly after the wedding. Shunned by the Ton, Evie decides to seek peace at the Manor that is now hers in Pennyroyal Green.

His uncle made Adam Sylvaine the Vicar of Pennyroyal Green, but his hard work and dedication to his new position earned him the respect of his community (Not to mention the fact that most of the ladies are in love with him).

The community of Pennyroyal Green is not ready to accept the Black Widow. Evie seeks help from the Reverend to remedy this problem. Adam and Evie have an attraction that is magnetic right from the start, but both are determined to avoid the complication. Adam sets out to help Evie and begins an internal struggle as he beings to feel more than friendship for this woman.  

Fans of the Pennyroyal Green series will not be disappointed with this latest edition. This book did not contain a high-action plot, but had just the right amount of drama and humor to keep me thoroughly entertained. I found myself feeling sorry for Evie and anxiously waiting for her and Adam to realize that while being together may seem wrong, it is definitely oh so right!

A Notorious Countess Confesses is available at the price of $5.99 for Mass Market Paperback, $5.49 for Kindle and $5.99 for Nook.

GIVEAWAY!

I have a copy of this wonderful read that I am going to share with you, my readers. Please use the rafflecopter to enter below. The winner will be selected a week from today and prize will be sent out by US Priority Mail! 

Until next time… Happy Reading! 

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A Cowboy for Christmas, A Jubilee, Texas Novel

Lissette Montcrief may have lost her husband Jake in Afghanistan, but she had really lost him to the military long before his death. Finding out that her infant son, Kyle is slowly going deaf and that her husband left his life insurance and military death benefits to a half-brother she never knew of puts her into panic mode. Struggling to figure out how she will support her son and take care of his added medical expenses, she begins her own baking business and tries to stay calm. 

Upon receiving the monies from his brother's estate, Rafferty Jones knows that he can’t accept money that should be for his brother’s widow and sets out to give her what is rightfully hers. Rafferty is used to taking care of people and once he sets his eyes on Lissette and Kyle he knows he can’t just leave, they need him and maybe he needs them just a little bit more. 

Lissette is determined to do things on her own, Rafferty is determined to help, when these two opposites get together sparks fly and just maybe Lissette’s husband Jake knew what he was doing all along when he left his estate to his half-brother. 

This is a heartwarming contemporary read. The characters are genuine and the background romance between Jake’s mother and her neighbor only add to the story. Readers of Lori Wilde’s other Jubilee, Texas novels will certainly enjoy this latest addition. This book is a great pick for a Christmas romance and will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy after the last chapter. This book would make a great stocking stuffer for that romance lover in your life! 

A Cowboy for Christmas is currently available as a Mass Market Paperback for $7.99 or $4.37 for Kindle and $5.99 for Nook.

SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY- REVIEW & GIVEAWAY!

How do you get the man you are in love with to notice you? That is the question advice columnist Annabelle Swift asks the readers of Dear Annabelle in the London Weekly Newspaper…

Annabelle is the quiet one of Mr. Knightly’s Writing Girls. She has lived with her brother’s family since she was orphaned in her early teens and is treated more as a member of the household staff than as family. Her family thinks she spends her days working on charitable endeavors, having no idea that she is the Infamous, “Dear Annabelle”.

Mr. Knightly was the well-loved bastard son of a member of the Ton. He has worked hard to establish himself within their ranks by making his newspaper successful. The final item on his to do list is to marry well into the Ton to complete his transformation. There is drama in the publishing world, writers are being arrested all over London for unethical tactics they are using to get inside information for stories. Mr. Knightly has the chance to marry the daughter of the man spearheading these arrests, thus solidifying his newspaper and also completing his marriage goal. Things seem to be coming together for him, that is until he begins to notice Annabelle.

 Annabelle’s readers have lots of suggestions for her to try, from lowering the bodice in her dress to pretending to faint. Seducing Mr. Knightly is a delightful, feel good novel, that will make you laugh out loud and will leave you smiling long after the last page has turned.

I read this story before realizing it was the fourth in Ms. Rodale’s Writing Girls Romance Series. I immediately bought the previous three books in this series (A Groom of One’s Own, A Tale of Two Lovers & The Tattooed Duke). This entire series is phenomenal and the books do not have to be read in order to be enjoyed!

Seducing Mr. Knightly is available for purchase for $4.74 for Kindle or $4.99 Nook and Mass Market Paperback for $7.99 at both Amazon & BN.com.

GIVEAWAY!

I am giving one of my readers the chance to win an AUTHOR SIGNED- copy of SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY, here’s how to enter! This awesome giveaway is part of our Avon Addicts Blog Hop! Please check my previous post before this review for a full schedule of the Hop! 

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My review of ONE FINE FIREMAN- Jennifer Bernard

Kirk nicknamed "Thor" (for his resemblance to the God), returns to the San Gabriel Fire Department after a bout with skin cancer. His plans are to finish up his duties and relocate to another area where the sun isn’t so hot and dangerous for his skin.

Maribel works as a waitress at the Lazy Daisy, an establishment frequented by the scorchingly HOT Bachelor Fireman. Maribel is shy and has secretly had a crush on Kirk for years, not knowing that he had the same feelings toward her. With some help from her son and an abandoned dog the two of them find there is enough heat between them to cause a five-alarm fire. Many obstacles stand in their way, namely Kirk’s plans to move, Maribel’s engagement, will they overcome all obstacles to find real love?

One Fine Fireman is the prequel to Jennifer Bernard’s Bachelor Fireman series. She packs a lot into the short format! It has wonderful chemistry, lots of steam and is full of action! I had the pleasure of reading this first and have since bought the other two books in the series  and proceeded to finish them both off in just two days! Let's just say if you plan to read these keep a large glass of ice water handy! 

This novella is on sale today for the  STEAL price of $1.99 for Kindle and Nook and in paperback for $3.79 at BN.com and $3.99 at Amazon.com

The first two books in the Bachelor Fireman series are also available on Amazon & BN.com. I will include their details below because I am certain like me, after reading the novella, you will want to read the series! 

The Fireman Who Loved Me: A Bachelor Fireman Novel #1

Kindle Edition: $4.74

Nook Edition: $4.99

Paperback: $5.99

(The Story of Captain Harry Brody and News Producer Melissa McGuire)

Hot for Fireman: A Bachelor Fireman Novel #2

Kindle Edition: $4.74

Nook Edition: $4.99

Paperback: $5.99

(The Story of Katie Dane and Firefighter/Bartender Ryan Blake) 

I was given access to this eARC for review purposes, as always all opinions expressed here are my own! 

Review of Alice's Wonderland by Allison Dobell

Alice's is the owner of Alice's Wonderland, an upscale adult boutique. Flynn O'Grady the Man About Town blogger for a local paper targets Alice's shop and others in his blog. Flynn says if you need to add toys to make the relationship better, than your better off finding a new relationship. 

In the words of Flynn O'Grady:

"If your bored with the routine, change the partner. Works for me. Every time.  Oh wait I forgot. That goes against women's romantic notions of "happily ever after". Does anyone really believe you can sleep with one person your whole life and not get bored?" 

Alice sets out to prove him wrong, tempting him into a little cat and mouse game with nightly variety keeping things interesting. 

Flynn's blog has also causes other notice to her shop and she begins to receive messages threatening to expose things that Alice would rather remain non-public knowledge to protect herself and a friend. Will Alice prove to Flynn that variety is the spice of life? Will they each overcome their own issues and maybe realize that love is possible? 

Alice and Flynn have great chemistry. The story pulls you in, keeps you on your toes with the slight mystery about the blackmailer and and will keep you entertained until the end. I loved the cover of this book. I would give this book 4 Stars and say it is a good easy read, flows well and you can finish it in one day. 

This book is scheduled to be released on December 4, 2012, is 272 pages. The price point for this book is awesome!  Currently available for pre-order the paperback is $4.99 on Amazon.com & BN.com, Kindle and Nook versions are also available for $2.99. 

I was given advance access to this book for review, as always any opinions expressed here are my own. 

Happy Election Day!

Happy Election Day!

I hope you are all heading out to the polls (if you haven't early voted) and exercising your fundamental right as an American!

Last night my 22 month old and I had the following conversation regarding the election:

Me: Brady who do you think Mommy should vote for?
Brady: "Momo" (Elmo)

No matter who you vote for, just get out there and rock the vote.

Appropriately, I thought I would recommend a few books that would be fun and appropriate reads while waiting for those results to come in late tonight!

FIRST LADY-  Susan Elizabeth Phillips:  One of my favorite books, by one of my favorite authors.  This book is the story of the beautiful young widow of the President of the United States, who thought she was free of the White House, but finds herself back in the role. She makes up her mind to escape for a few days, heads out on a wild ride with two orphaned girls and a very sexy stranger...  This book is available for your Kindle for only $5.99, your Nook for $6.99 and in Paperback for $7.99.

ABOUT THAT NIGHT- Julie James: This was one of my favorite reads from 2012 and Julie James is an author I always follow for new releases, as they are guaranteed to be good reads!  Rylann Pierce is the Assistant US District Attorney and  comes face to face with billionair eheir Kyle Rhodes, nine years after he stood her up for their first date, he was just released from prison, and not very happy about being the star witness in a very high-profile criminal case.. she refuses to mix business with pleasure, but sometimes chemistry and temptation can't be avoided.. This book is available for Kindle, Nook and in Paperback for $7.99.




 FATAL AFFAIR- Marie Force: Senator John O'Connor's Chief of Staff  and best friend, Nick Cappauano finds him murdered. The lead detective is Sergeant Samantha Holland, who just happens to be Nick's one night stand from years before. Samantha is coming off a drug raid gone bad and needs this to help her career.  Samantha and Nick's chemistry nearly ignites a fire in every room they are in together, the press is looking for blood, the murder is leading them through twists and turns. This is the first book in Ms. Force's Fatal Series, it is hot and the plot will keep you guessing. This book is currently FREE for Kindle and Nook, this is a STEAL for a great read.


Reader's- what books with this sort of theme would you recommend? Any thoughts  on any of the above books if you have already read them? Comment below, would love to get your "read" on things :)

Happy Reading!

One Good Earl Deserves a Lover

Pippa has always been a little "odd" from her spectacles to her interest in science.  With just days remaining before her marriage to Lord Castelton she decides she wants to learn the other side of what she can expect in a marriage, so naturally she approaches it scientifically..

Cross, an  owner of the gaming den (and unbenounced to Pippa, an Earl)  The Fallen Angel seems like a perfect candidate to teach her these, reluctant at first, he finds teaching her about temptation, may just be more temptation than he can handle himself...

This excerpt is from one of my favorite parts of the book. The chemistry between Pippa and Cross is apparent in every interaction, this one had me quickly flipping to the next page to see what was next!

"I don't understand. What is temptation, then?"
"Temptation…" He hesitated, and she found herself leaning forward, eager for this curious, unsettling lesson. "Temptation turns you. It makes you into something you never dreamed, it presses you to give up everything you ever loved, it calls you to sell your soul for one, fleeting moment." The words were low and dark and full of truth, and they hovered in silence for a long moment, an undeniable invitation. He was close, protecting her from toppling off the block, the heat of him wrapping around her despite the cold. "It makes you ache," he whispered, and she watched the curve of his lips in the darkness, "You'll make any promise, swear any oath. For one... perfect... unsoiled taste." 

ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER (The Second Rule of Scoundrels) is 376 pages of wonderful historical romance, it has everything to make it a win/win, chemistry, heat, humor and a great plot. This book will be released on January 29, 2013. It is available for pre-order on Amazon and BN.com for $7.99.

This was the first book of Ms. MacLean's that I've had the pleasure to read. This is the second book in her Scoundrels series. We we "reintroduced" to Penelope and Bourne, who are the couple from the first book, A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME (The First Book of Scoundrels).  I haven't had the pleasure of reading this book, but just purchased it for my Kindle, for the awesome price of $4.49 (Nook book is also $4.49). Amazon and BN.com have the paperback for $7.99.

I plan to find all previous books by this author, she has definitely made my favorites list with this awesome read!

I was given an advance copy of this book by Avon Romance in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Seduced by a Pirate- Review & My First Giveaway!

We were introduced to the legend, Sir Griffin Barry, cousin of the hero in Eloisa James latest release, The Ugly Duchess.  

Sir Griffin Barry left his bride on the night of their wedding and never consummated the marriage; he was kidnapped on a pirate ship that he eventually took over and became Captain. He returns 14 years later looking for his Bride only to discover that Poppy (Phoebe) now has three children and has no desire to be married.

Once Poppy sets eyes on her estranged husband sparks fly and before long one thing leads to another and a fire definitely ignites! 

This is a lovely quick read, it's funny and romantic and is very much worth the bargain price of .99!  I bought this, read it and also gifted it to a friend that loves a good quick read, she immediately responded with a prompt Thank You, saying it made her day, she read it yesterday morning on her Nook while waiting in the lovely post Sandy NYC commute traffic. 

*******GIVEAWAY!*******  

I have decided that since I loved this novella so much I will gift this to one of my blog followers in the form of a Kindle or Nook book. Here's how to enter! 

• One entry for commenting below
• Another entry for each new follower to my blog that also comments that you sent them
• Earn 1 final entry by following me on Twitter @MommyIves, be sure to post your Twitter name below so I can give you credit and also follow you right back :)

I am new to the giveaway world, so we will be doing this the old fashioned way, I will put the names in a hat and draw one out on Tuesday, November 6^th! 

Winner will be announced here on my blog and will be announced on Twitter.  Be sure to comment with your email address so that I know how to find you to send you your prize if you are chosen the winner.

Until next time...  Happy Reading!  

Your Invited: Video Chat with Kerrelyn Sparks!

On Monday, October 22nd from 8pm-9pm ET, Avon Romance will be hosting a live video chat with author Kerrelyn Sparks to discuss: The Forbidden Lady.


This book was her debut novel, originally titled For Love or Country, but is being re-released as an Avon Impulse ebook titled: The Forbidden Lady. 

The Kindle Edition of this book is currently priced at the AWESOME price of $4.74 and the Nook Book is $4.99.

If you would like a chance to meet Ms. Sparks in person and chat with her about this book or any of her other books, please use the following link to RSVP to the Video Chat via Shindig!

http://shindig.com/event/forbidden

I hope to see some of your smiling faces during this video chat!

Until next time....  HAPPY READING!

The Lady Risks All- by Stephanie Laurens

I was given advanced access to the eARC of The Lady Risks All by Stephanie Laurens last month, thanks to my very cool Avon Addict status. I also participated in a very cool Addict exclusive web chat with Ms. Laurens (one of my all time favorite historical authors) and was able to ask her questions about her process in writing this book, and to grill her a little about her next book in the Cynster Series.. "And then She Fell"- to be released on March 2013. 

The Lady Risks All went on sale on September 25th and is in the top 5 on the New York Times Best Seller List for Paperback Mass Market Fiction. Amazon.com has the Kindle Edition listed for $6.99 and the paperback edition for $7.99, The Nook Book and paperback edition is currently priced at $7.99 at BN.com.  Below is my review of The Lady Risks All. 

If you want to take a chance and "risk all", this might be a good place to start :) 

Happy Reading! 

The Lady Risks All- Review by MommyIves

Neville Roscoe was not always Neville Roscoe, he was born Lord Julian Delbraith, Males in his family are susceptible to a gambling addiction, only Lord Julian was the exception, he was actually a good gambler. His older brother commits suicide and leaves the family in imminent financial ruin, Lord Julian gives up his life to save his siblings and nephew from ruin and secretly becomes Neville Roscoe the successful gambling kingpin

Lady Miranda Clifford also has a family "curse", members of her family who have given into impropriety have lost their lives. Upon the death of her mother she and her younger brother Roderick lived with her two spinster Aunts, who constantly remind her of her need to remain untarnished and proper.

Miranda has spent most of her life taking care of Roderick and just when she thinks he is of an age to not need her constant mothering, he disappears. With no other choice she turns to her neighbor the illustrious Roscoe to help her find her brother. Roscoe agrees to help Miranda find her brother and along the way he finds it harder and harder to hide his true identity. Will he open up to her? Will she give up her fear of impropriety for a chance at real love?

This book was another Laurens masterpiece for me. Her characterizations are wonderful and descriptions are so detailed, she paints a beautiful picture in your mind. There are several characters in the book that I hope to see again, in particular- Jordan (please write his story for us Mrs. Laurens). This book is one of her more lengthy  (496 pages), if you enjoy a great period romance that you can really sink your teeth into this is the book for you.

Hi! My name is Melissa and I am an Avon Addict!

I have always been an avid reader! Some of my fondest childhood memories are weekly trips to the local library with my mom and dad. Bedtime stories were never repeated in our house, we had new books every single night!

The first romance book I remember reading was Jude Devereaux's book, The Princess. I was a freshman in high school and I found this book in the bottom of a box while helping clean out my godmother's basement. I started reading the book and found myself sitting in the basement propped up against a box two hours later still mesmerized, by the end of that week I had tracked down all of her other published books and had checked out as many as I could find from our local library. I still buy every one of her books on the day it goes on sale!

Since then, I have discovered so many awesome authors that are part of my regular following, authors like Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Lori Foster, Rachel Gibson, Deirdre Martin, Kat Martin, J.R. Ward and the list goes on and on and on... I also love browsing book sites and blogs looking for other authors that just might make my favorite list some day!

I was recently selected to be a part of the Fall of 2012's class of Avon Addicts! FINALLY I am being rewarded for all of my crazy book buying and reading! I am super excited to be asked to be a part of this amazing program.

Over the next six months, I will receive care packages from Avon Romance with early copies of books to read, review and even some to share! I have also been granted access to eARC (Electronic Advanced Review Copies-this was new terminology for me) of other books. My first care package was AMAZING! See the photo below!

I am new to the blogosphere, So please be patient with me, I hope to build this blog into a fun place that you will want to visit often when you are in search of something new to read, or a great deal on a book and hope to also have lots of cool giveaways as well!  Tell your friends and follow my blog..


Until next time, HAPPY READING!