Free Ebooks for the Weekend! July 1

Here are a couple of free romance ebooks for you to enjoy during the upcoming holiday weekend!

I hope everyone has a great 4th of July weekend!

I could only find these for free for the Kindle.

"Surrender the Heart" by MaryLu Tyndall





"Surrender the Wind" by Rita Gerlach




"A Hint of Rapture" by Miriam Minger




UPDATE!! Added July 1

Thanks to Gina from Hott Books for the heads up on this one!

AND it's available for both Kindle and Nook!

"Breathe: A Novel of Colorado" by Lisa T. Bergren


Kindle
Nook

"Uncommon Criminals" Review

"Uncommon Criminals"
by Ally Carter

Publisher: Hyperion
Release Date: June 21, 2011 
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life: Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. But for the last two months she’s simply been known as the girl who ran the crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. That’s why Kat isn’t surprised when she’s asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners.
There are only three problems. First, the gem hasn’t been seen in public in thirty years. Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long — and in Kat’s world, history almost always repeats itself. But it’s the third problem that makes Kat’s crew the most nervous, and that is . . . the emerald is cursed.
Kat might be in way over her head, but she’s not going down without a fight. After all, she has her best friend — the gorgeous Hale — and the rest of her crew with her as they chase the Cleopatra around the globe, dodging curses and realizing that the same tricks and cons her family has used for centuries are useless this time.
Which means, this time, Katarina Bishop is making up her own rules.

My Review:

If you like movies like "Oceans Eleven", you are going to love this book! The teens in the book are smart, strong, and are able to pull off major heists, (almost) all on their own.

This was such a fun book. The action never stopped, and it was smart action, too. The teens always found clever loopholes and tricks to get their way.

The book does walk a fine line, almost glorifying stealing. But I think the author makes it clear that they are stealing what was already stolen and returning it to its rightful place. I also think I may have missed some of the explanation of what they will and will not steal/do by not reading the first book.

One of the things I loved most about the book was that Kat teamed up with her cousins for the capers.  It was great to see extended family represented as a team like this. They were always under the guidance of their uncles, I loved that it was a family business.

Of course, Hale was not Kat's cousin. He was a great love interest, just aloof enough to keep you guessing, but also still caring.

I'd say the main theme of the story is admitting that you need back up. It sends a great message about working together to get the job done.

After reading the Gallagher girls book by this author, I was really impressed with "Uncommon Criminals." The characters and story are much more mature. Kat and her gang seem more like young adults instead of young teens.


Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5

Setting: 5/5

Romance: 4/5

Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 5/5
Writing: 5/5



Bottom Line: A fast-paced, quick-witted, overall fun read!


 

Waiting on Wednesday (73)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it is a way to show off the books you can't wait to be released!!


This week I chose:

"Damned" (Crusade #2)
by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Release Date: Aug 30, 2011


The following description is from goodreads.com:


There is a fine line between love and sacrifice…. Antonio would do anything for his beloved fighting partner Jenn. He protects her, even suppresses his vampire cravings to be with her. Together, they defend humanity against the Cursed Ones. But tensions threaten to fracture their hunting team and his loyalty—his love—is called into question.
Jenn, the newly appointed Hunter, aches for revenge against the Cursed One who converted her sister. And with an even more sinister power on the rise, she must overcome her personal vendettas to lead her team into battle.
Antonio and Jenn need each other to survive, but evil lurks at every turn. With humanity’s fate hanging in the balance, they must face down the darkness…or die trying.
I haven't had a chance to read the first one yet, but this series looks great!!

What are you waiting for this week???

"Haunting Violet" Review

"Haunting Violet"
by Alyxandra Harvey

Publisher: Walker Books
Release Date: June 21, 2011Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?  

My Review:


This is a great YA historical with a spooky, supernatural element, not to mention a sweet romance!

I've always been fascinated by the seances in the Victorian era, including all the tricks that mediums and con artists used to make people think they were communicating with ghosts. The book really portrays Violet's mother as taking advantage of people at their worst. We get to see all of the ways she tricked them in detail.

Sometimes, I wanted Violet's mother to be just little more of a sympathetic character, but she really turns out to be just all bad.

One of my favorite characters was Violet's little ghost dog, Mr. Rochester. He was just so cute, and I think he made Violet feel like she wasn't so alone among all the ghosts with her new found talent. And also she was able to feel a little less scared of what was happening.

Violet's long time friend, Colin, was flat-out adorable. He was always there for Violet and I can't think of a single time that he let her down.


Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5

Setting: 5/5

Romance: 4/5

Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 5/5




Bottom Line: This book is a good old fashioned gothic spook fest with sweet characters and a fast paced story. I'm really hoping to see more of Violet and Colin (and Mr. Rochester) in future books!!

Teaser Tuesday (39)

Yay for "Teaser Tuesday" from MizB of Should be Reading!!

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:


  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!  




My teaser Tuesday pick:




" 'Good evening, Sire.'  Well, Louise thought, my voice is fairly steady."




p 275 ARC of "Before Versailles" by Karleen Koen

"A Vision of Lucy" Review

"A Vision of Lucy"
by Margaret Brownley
 
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: June 28, 2011
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Trouble may follow Lucy wherever she goes, but with the help of God and the rugged, reclusive David Wolf, she'll never face adversity alone.
Lucy Bradshaw dreams of working as a photographer at the Rocky Creek newspaper. If she can earn money making photographs, then maybe her father will see that what she does is worthy, more than just a distraction. And her deepest hope is that he'll see her as an artist, the way he thought of her deceased mother, a painter. But trouble follows Lucy on every photo shoot: a mess of petticoats and ribbons, an accidental shooting, even a fire.

When Lucy meets David Wolf, a quiet, rustic man who lives on the outskirts of town, she thinks she can catch the attention of the town with his photograph. She doesn't count on her feelings stirring whenever she's near him.

Two things happen next that forever change the course of her life: Lucy meets someone who sees her as no one else has-as the compassionate, creative young woman that God made in His image. And Lucy helps David uncover a secret that forces him to change his perspective on an event that left him deeply-scarred.

God's arms are around this unlikely couple as they discover the truth about long-held assumptions and the importance of forgiveness.

My Review:

This is a darn-tootin good read! There's something for everyone- romance, family secrets, a mystery, great friends, and town gossip. The message is delivered subtly and realistically.

I loved reading about the photography of the time period. The author has a great knowledge of how photography worked back then. I also loved the advice at the start of each chapter given to both photographers and their subjects. The advice was sometimes humorous in how dated it was, and sometimes still true today!

I loved both of the leads, Lucy and David. I especially liked the growth that David experienced throughout the book regarding his reaction to the incident that changed his life. As with a lot of Christian historical romances, the point of view was skewed more heavily towards the female, but in this book, the balance worked.

There were so many characters and so much going on in this town! It reminded me a lot of the town in "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman." There was never a dull moment with these folks! I really liked Lucy's younger brother, Caleb, from the start. He was adorable as the teenage future town doctor, so ready to help, but with so much to learn.


Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5

Setting: 5/5

Romance: 4/5

Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 5/5




Bottom Line:I loved this book right from the start, it was un-put-downable!

Winner Announced! Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop!

Winner Announced!!
 
The winner of The Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop is
 
 
annette
Winner was chosen via random.org random number generator. Congrats to the winner!! I have emailed the winner for her mailing address. Winner has 3 days to respond :) A huge thank you goes out to everyone who entered!! Congrats!!

In My Mailbox (68)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren, and is a way for everyone to show their new books for the week, including those bought, swapped, won, or received for review.


for review:

 "Queen of the Dead" by Stacey Kade
I've heard this series is fantastic!

"Lady of the English" by Elizabeth Chadwick
 Despite being slightly disappointed in her last book, I think I'm addicted to her writing!

 "The Near Witch" by Victoria Schwab

 Can't resist a book about a witch!

 "How to Seduce a Scoundrel" by Vicky Dreiling

 I loved her previous book, and I can't wait to read this one! I'll be having a contest too!

"Waterfall" by Lisa T. Bergren

 Yay! Lisa was able to send me the first book so I can read the series in order!

 
 "A Lady's Lesson in Scandal" by Meredith Duran
I love Duran's books, and this cover is absolutely gorgeous!!! I love it!

 "Sylvester or The Wicked Uncle" by Georgette Heyer
 "The Quiet Gentleman" by Georgette Heyer
 These two will be my first Heyer books!
 contest win:
  "Queen of Kings" by Maria Dahvana Headley
 
 I loooove Cleopatra!!! Won from Deb's Book Bag!  
What did you recieve in your mailbox this week????


"The Soldier" Review

"The Soldier"
by Grace Burrowes
 
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: June 1, 2011
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
 

Summary from goodreads.com:

This Regency era battle of wits, wills, and the sexes features a wily duke determined to see the succession of his line secured. The duke can't force his sons to marry, but he can make their lives miserable until they do. Resisting his pressure, each gentleman holds out for true love.
The second book in the series features Devlin St. Just, the duke's oldest, but illegitimate, son. He arrives at his new estate weary in body and spirit only to find the previous owner's bastard daughter and her beautiful cousin are his responsibility and making his life almost unbearably complicated.

My Review:

Wow, I loved this book! This was one of the more heartfelt romances I've read for a long time. Some scenes are real tearjerkers, but there's still a lot of hope and glimpses of the sun peeking through the clouds.

Devlin was, when it's all said and done, the perfect tortured hero. His years at war gave him many emotional scars to heal. But he was still nothing but considerate and caring. Sure he was a little grouchy at times, but he was never less than respectful and loving to his family and loved ones. He even takes a child into his home to raise, who is a complete stranger.

There is so much love between Devlin and Emmie, you can feel the intensity flying off the page. For the most part, they were friends first, and their love developed into something deep and meaningful over the course of the book.

The secondary characters were fantastic, too. Val, Devlin's brother, was adorable and I would love to see the solitary and sensitive musician get his own story.


The first 3/4 of the book was so wonderful that I found myself disappointed in the last 100 or so pages. I just could not understand Emmie's reasoning for her behavior. When a perfect solution presents itself, why fight it for 100 pages?


Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5

Setting: 5/5

Romance: 5/5

Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Writing: 5/5




Bottom Line: I absolutely loved this book. It was a real love story with two real, and really scarred, people. I can't wait to read more from this amazing author.


Book Blog Follow and Book Blogger Hop June 24

Happy Friday, Everyone!!

It's time for Book Blog Follow Friday hosted by Parajunkee.com and The Book Blogger Hop hosted by Crazy for Books!









My Answer: Fave series about fae: the Holly Black trilogy! wow!






 
 

My Answer: for as long as I can remember!!


If you're visiting for the first time, I'd love to hear from you, so please leave a comment and say hi!! :)

Why not check out my contests while you're here!!
Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop! Ends 6/24

Win "Beg for Mercy" Ends 6/29

Waiting on Wednesday (72)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it is a way to show off the books you can't wait to be released!!


This week I chose:

"Darker Still"
by Leanna Renee Hieber
Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: Nov 1, 2011

The following description is from goodreads.com:

The Picture of Dorian Gray meets Pride and Prejudice, with a dash of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.New York City, 1882. Seventeen-year-old Natalie Stewart's latest obsession is a painting of the handsome British Lord Denbury. Something in his striking blue eyes calls to her. As his incredibly life-like gaze seems to follow her, Natalie gets the uneasy feeling that details of the painting keep changing...
Jonathan Denbury's soul is trapped in the gilded painting by dark magic while his possessed body commits unspeakable crimes in the city slums. He must lure Natalie into the painting, for only together can they reverse the curse and free his damaged soul.


Pride and Prejudice + Picture of Dorian Gray + Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde = Something I want to read!! And  I love the historical setting!!

What are you waiting for this week???

Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop

Welcome to my stop on the "Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop" hosted by Kathy at I am a Reader, Not a Writer.

Here at In the Hammock Blog, I'm giving away an
ARC of "The Red Queen" by Philippa Gregory!!


I'm passing my copy of the ARC on to one of my readers!

6/21 BONUS Prize!!

I was sent an extra copy of "Never a Gentleman" by Eileen Dreyer, so I will be adding a BRAND NEW finished copy of "Never a Gentleman" by Eileen Dreyer to the winner's prize!!


Winner received BOTH books!!
GIVEAWAY RULES:

The winner will receive an ARC of "The Red Queen" by Philippa Gregory AND a finished copy of "Never a Gentleman" by Eileen Dreyer


All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and leave a comment on this post with your email address!
Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :) Also, if you aren't comfortable leaving your email here, go ahead and leave a comment and then send me an email with your email addy.
 
There are no extra entries for this one, I know you all are wanting to get to each giveaway quickly! All you have to do is be a GFC follower!

Rules:








  • US only
  • Must be a follower to enter
  • Leave a comment with your email address
  • Books will be mailed out by me 
  • Ends June 24 at midnight
  • Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!
    Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop!

    "Crush Control" Review

    "Crush Control"
    by Jennifer Jabaley
     
    Publisher: Razorbill
    Release Date: June 9, 2011
    Source: sent by publicist

    My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
     

    Summary from goodreads.com:

    Willow has spent most of her life as her mother's sidekick in a popular Las Vegas hypnotism show. So when she and her mom move back to their sleepy southern hometown to start over, she thinks she's in for a life of quiet normalcy. Except that her new life turns out to be anything but, when she kinda sorta hypnotizes Quinton, the hottest guy on the football team, to fall madly, deeply, head over heels in love with her. But what started out as an innocent way to make her best friend, Max, jealous soon gets way out of hand, and Willow begins to wonder if the mind - and more importantly, the heart - is something you can really control.


    My Review: 


    This is what great YA fiction is all about! A cute romance, great family relationships, a story with a lot of heart, and a little supernatural twist.

    Quinton was just too adorable as her hypnotized boyfriend. Never mind that she was using hypnosis to make him what she thought was her perfect boyfriend! It was too cute too see him take the smitten boyfriend to the extreme.

    I liked the storyline with Willow's family a lot. It felt very real. Even though she, her mother, and her grandmother all clashed at times, you could tell there was a lot of love in their family.

    I also liked that the "mean girl" cheerleader really wasn't that mean after all. Mia was a well-rounded character who actually added a lot to the story.

    My only complaint about the book was that Willow and her best friend did get a little silly with all the remedies they used in order to un-hypnotize Quinton. Other than that, I couldn't find a fault with this book if I tried.


    Main Characters: 5/5
    Supporting Characters: 5/5

    Setting: 4/5

    Romance: 4/5

    Uniqueness: 5/5
    Cover: 5/5
    Writing: 5/5




    Bottom Line: This is the perfect 'anytime' read-a real page turner with a lot of heart. I can't wait to see what's next from this author.

    Giveaway and Review: "Beg for Mercy"

    "Beg for Mercy"
     by Jami Alden

    Publisher: Forever
    Release Date: June 1, 2011

    Source: ARC sent by publisher


     


    Summary from goodreads.com:
    Megan Flynn thought she was falling in love. Cole Williams wasn't just handsome and passionate, he was one of the good guys. Or so she thought, until he arrested her brother - the only family she has left - for a murder she knows he couldn't have possibly committed. Now, with her heart broken and her brother's life hanging in the balance, Megan will risk everything to prove his innocence. Even if that means throwing herself into the path of a sadistic killer with a hauntingly familiar MO.

    Seattle Detective Cole Williams had given up on making Megan see reason where her brother is concerned. But when she insinuates herself into the most shockingly brutal case Cole has ever worked, he can't stand idly by. Plunged into a secret world where the city's elite indulge their darkest desires, Cole will do whatever it takes to bring down a madman who has made Megan his most coveted prey.

    My Mini Review:

    This book is not for the faint of heart like me. I actually didn't finish this one because the crime scenes were way too intense. I wouldn't classify it as a romance, but as a thriller. So if you are fans of crime thrillers that don't shy away from the gritty details, you will love this one! I'd recommend this book to readers who are up for a very scary thriller, not those looking for a romance and mystery.

    Bottom Line: Way too scary for me!!






    GIVEAWAY RULES:

    Hachette books has generously provided three copies of this historical romance for readers of my blog!

    All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and leave a comment on this review with your email address! Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :) Also, if you aren't comfortable leaving your email here, go ahead and leave a comment and then send me an email with your email addy
    Extra Entries:
    +1 Tweet this contest (leave link in comment)
    +1 Post link in sidebar of your blog (leave link in comment)

    Rules:
    • US and Canada only
    • No PO Boxes please
    • Must be a follower to enter
    • Extra entries are optional and can all be left in the same comment
    • Leave a comment with your email address
    • Books will be mailed out by Hachette
    • Must be 18 or over 
    • Ends Wed June 29
    Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck! 

    Waiting on Wednesday (71)

    Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it is a way to show off the books you can't wait to be released!!


    This week I chose:


    "David"
    by Mary Hoffman
    Bloomsbury
    Release Date: Oct 11, 2011

    The following description is from goodreads.com:

    Michelangelo’s statue of David is famous around the world. Millions flock to Italy every year to admire the physical perfection of the young man captured within the marble. But the identity of the model has never been known . . . until now. In this epic tale, acclaimed author Mary Hoffman imagines the story of Gabriele, a naïve but incredibly handsome young man who is hired as Michelangelo’s model, only to find himself drawn into a world of spies, political treachery, and murder. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Florence in its most turbulent times, this is a rich, colorful and thrilling tale that gives life to one of the world’s greatest masterpieces.

    Oooh, this sounds so awesome! I love that it features art history! Who wouldn't want to know who David really was!? Basically, I can't wait for this one!

    Teaser Tuesday (38)

    Yay for "Teaser Tuesday" from MizB of Should be Reading!!

    Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:


    • Grab your current read
    • Open to a random page
    • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
    • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
    • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!  






    My teaser Tuesday pick:




    " 'My lord, the next time a woman comes calling wearing work gloves, will you bring her attention to the matter before she embarrasses herself?' "




    p 68 ARC of "The Soldier" by Grace Burrowes


    In My Mailbox (67)

    In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren, and is a way for everyone to show their new books for the week, including those bought, swapped, won, or received for review.
    for review:
     "Haunting Violet" by Alyxandra Harvey
     

    I haven't read the rest of her books, but this one has a historical angle! Yay!


    "Cascade" by Lisa T. Bergren


    I didn't get a chance to read the first one, but I can't wait to try this one! I've heard such great things about these books!

    "The Eighty Dollar Champion" by Elizabeth Letts


    You know I can't resist a horse story!

    "A Vision of Lucy" by Margaret Brownley


    Historical romance from a great author!

    "The Greatest Love on Earth" by Mary Ellen Dennis



    This one looks sooo good! So different, and I looove the cover!!

    "The Lady of the Storm" by Kathryne Kennedy



    I've heard nothing but good things about her books. Fantasy plus romance!


    What did you receive in your mailbox this week???

    Book Blog Follow and Book Blogger Hop June 10

    Happy Friday, Everyone!!

    It's time for Book Blog Follow Friday hosted by Parajunkee.com and The Book Blogger Hop hosted by Crazy for Books!











    My Answer:






     
     

    My Answer:


    If you're visiting for the first time, I'd love to hear from you, so please leave a comment and say hi!! :)

    Winner Announced!! "The A Circuit"

    Winner Announced!!
     
    The winner of "The A Circuit" is

    vidisha
    Winner was chosen via random.org random number generator. Congrats to the winner!! I have emailed the winner for her mailing address. Winner has 3 days to respond :) A huge thank you goes out to everyone who entered!! Congrats!!

    "Nowhere Near Respectable" Review

    "Nowhere Near Respectable"
    by Mary Jo Putney
     
    Publisher: Zebra
    Release Date: April 26, 2011
    Source: sent by publicist

    My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
     

    Summary from goodreads.com:

    Mary Jo Putney's riveting Lost Lords series unleashes a high stakes royal plot—which may prove easier for Damian Mackenzie to handle than his own unruly desire...
    He's a bastard and a gambler and society's favorite reprobate. But to Lady Kiri Lawford he's a hero—braver than the smugglers he rescues her from, more honorable than any lord she's ever met, and far more attractive than any man has a right to be. How can she not fall in love. . .?
    But Damian Mackenzie has secrets that leave no room in his life for courting high-born young ladies—especially not the sister of one of his oldest friends. Yet when Kiri's quick thinking reveals a deadly threat to England's crown, Damian learns that she is nowhere near as prim and respectable as he first assumed...and the lady is far more alluring than any man can resist... 

    My Review:

    I was looking forward to this book because I really liked the previous book in "The Lost Lords" series. Unfortunately, this one didn't have the last book's charm.

    Mac was a nice hero, with a heart of gold underneath the seedy image. And there wasn't a touch of alpha-male in him, much to my relief. Kiri was also the sort of heroine that I like when you read the traits written out on paper. She was strong, unique, and independent. But there was something missing from this couple that would make me really want to root for them.

    A lot of the book centered on a kidnapping plot and events kept happening to throw the hero and heroine together in less than likely situations. It seemed a little too set up as a way to get them alone together.

    This book would suit someone who likes to read intricate mystery and adventure plots, with just a dash of romance. The romance and characters weren't developed enough for my tastes, even though there was really nothing objectionable about the book.


    Main Characters: 3/5
    Supporting Characters: 3/5

    Setting: 4/5

    Romance: 3/5

    Uniqueness: 3/5
    Cover: 4/5
    Writing: 4/5




    Bottom Line: Great if you like mystery, if you prefer romance with a loveable lead couple pick up "Never Less than a Lady" instead!

    Waiting on Wednesday (70)

    Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it is a way to show off the books you can't wait to be released!!


    This week I chose:


    "Little Women and Me"
    by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
    Bloomsbury
    Release Date: Nov 8, 2011

    The following description is from goodreads.com:

    Emily is sick and tired of being a middle sister. So when she gets an assignment to describe what she'd change about a classic novel, Emily pounces on Little Women. After all, if she can't change things in her own family, maybe she can bring a little justice to the March sisters. (Kill off Beth? Have cute Laurie wind up with Amy instead of Jo? What was Louisa May Alcott thinking?!) But when Emily gets mysteriously transported into the world of the book, she discovers that righting fictional wrongs won't be easy. And after being immersed in a time and place so different from her own, it may be Emily-not the four March sisters-who undergoes the most surprising change of all. Lauren Baratz-Logsted's winning confection will appeal to fans of Little Women as well as anyone who enjoys a modern twist on an old favorite.

    "Little Women" is one of my absolute favorites and I think this twist is so interesting! Can't wait to see what the author does with it!

    What are you waiting for this week???


    Free Ebooks from Sourcebooks: This Week Only!

    Sourcebooks is offering a lot of free ebooks this week! Stock up now, they're free for this week only!! 
    All of the books are available in many digital formats, I've listed the Kindle and Nook links, links to other formats can be found on the Casa VIP page!

     

    "Cotillion" by Georgette Heyer
     

     
      
    "Dating Mr. December" by Phillipa Ashley




    "The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook" by Matt Dunn
     

    "Seduced by the Wolf" by Terry Spear
     

     
    "The Allegra Biscotti Collection" by Olivia Bennett 
    Middle Grade
     
     
     
     
    Enjoy the books, everyone!! Thanks, Sourcebooks!!

    Teaser Tuesday (37)

    Yay for "Teaser Tuesday" from MizB of Should be Reading!!

    Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:




    • Grab your current read
    • Open to a random page
    • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
    • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
    • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!  


    My teaser Tuesday pick:




    " Everyone knew my mom was the Hip Hypnotist. It's not like I could conceal it -- there were twenty-foot billboards broadcasting her face across town. "




    p 18 ARC of "Crush Control" by Jennifer Jabaley

    "The Autumn Palace" Review

    "The Autumn Palace" (Ondine #2)
    by Ebony McKenna
     

    Publisher: Egmont Books Ltd
    Release Date: Feb 7, 2011

    Source: sent by publisher

    My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
     

    Summary from goodreads.com:

    One boy, one girl, one plot to be foiled! Hamish the gorgeous man (and part time ferret) has a new job with the Duke as a spy in his Autumn Palace. So Ondine goes with him. She imagines a hugely romantic escapade together that involves lots of kissing. What she hadn't imagined was having to do endless laundry, go to school and keep Hamish the man a secret. All the while trying to find out who is plotting to kill the Duke. And if that weren't bad enough, it seems that Hamish is more interested in getting the Duke's attention than hers. Plus he's always in ferret form. Things can't go on like this! Can Ondine foil the would-be assassin, save the Duke and get her man back in gorgeous human form? It's going to take a little bit of magic, a lot of stolen kisses and some ferreting around...

    My Review:

    I absolutely loved the first book in this series - "Ondine: The Summer of Shambles." The mix of fantasy, sweet romance, and an adorable talking ferret had me head over heels in love. "The Autumn Palace" did not disappoint, and I was left with that warm fuzzy feeling all over again.

    This time around, Shambles the ferret and his super cute human self, Hamish, along with Ondine and her Aunt Col, travel to the Duke's Autumn Palace. The Duke has enlisted Col and Shambles to utilize his ferret form to spy on his household. Ondine doesn't find it quite as glamorous as she thought when the only job available to her is in the laundry, and then she becomes the Duke's persnickety sister's butler. All the while, Hamish seems to be having a great time, how frustrating!

    I must say I did miss Ondine's family in this one, but the prickly Infanta did start to grow on me as Ondine's employer. Hamish was such a cute and nice boyfriend, even if his work kept him from spending a lot of time with Ondine. Shambles wasn't quite up to as many antics as in the first book and I missed that a lot. But there was an unfortunate incident with a tube of toothpaste that was just like his old self.

    Ondine and Hamish's romance was just as sweet as ever and their relationship grew in this installment. I can't say enough how much I love that their relationship is healthy! Sure they have disagreements, but they deal with it in a positive manner. In today's YA world of stalkers and abusive relationships being glorified as romantic, I LOVE seeing a healthy romance that is so swoonworthy!



    Main Characters: 5/5
    Supporting Characters: 4/5

    Setting: 4/5

    Romance: 5/5

    Uniqueness: 5/5
    Cover: 4/5
    Writing: 5/5




    Bottom Line: I really love this series and I'm hoping to see more Ondine and Hamish soon. Hopefully Shambles can stay out of trouble long enough for another book!

    In My Mailbox (66)

    In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren, and is a way for everyone to show their new books for the week, including those bought, swapped, won, or received for review.
    for review:

    "Uncommon Criminals" by Ally Carter


     This will be my first book in this series!


     "Crush Control" by Jennifer Jabaley


    This one has such a fun premise!

    "To Win Her Heart" by Karen Witemeyer


    My first book by this author, I've heard great things about it!

    "Becoming Marie Antionette" by Juliet Grey


    I just love all things Marie!!

    What did you receive in your mailbox this week???