Monday, October 29, 2012

TURNING UP THE HEAT by Laura Florand






ebook, 110 pages
Published October 2012 by AOS Publishing 
Genre: contemporary romance novella, women's fiction
Rating: 5 stars plus

Daniel: "Léa - when a man climbs a glass mountain, it's not usually for the damn golden apple. It's for the person he gives the apple to."

Léa: "I  gave all of me to you" she said, low, muffled. She had never even realized it before. All of her. To him. To everyone else. "And I didn't even get you back for it. You were too busy."

Daniel: "You've always made me feel like I was your whole world. To the point that if you stopped believing in me, I think I wouldn't exist. [...] You've got to admit, it's a beautiful irony, chérie. I gave myself up for you. You gave yourself up for me. And we're here scrabbling to find enough of each other we can hold onto."

How often in our married life we loose the ability to hear the words that are not spoken? How easily married couples grow apart and drift away from each other under the crushing pressure of hard work, business responsibilities and pursuit of success? How many times bonds and  emotional connection between two lovers are shuttered because our hearts sometimes speak different "love languages" and the same emotions are expressed in different manners? Even the most solid love match may fall victim of mixed signals and heart-wrenching misunderstandings. 
When a driven, dominant, perfectionist Daniel, and a yielding, generous and selfless a met, they were immediately drawn to each other, like an arrow to its target. Him, the young and ambitious kitchen protégé of an acclaimed three-star restaurant, all energy and unfailing will. Her, the owner's young and adoring daughter, creative and artsy, all sweet charm and pliant warmth. Love between the two teenagers was fresh and intense like a fragrant jasmine flower in bloom, unfaltering even under the overwhelming weight of a's father's death. A nineteen year old Daniel proposed to a right away, taking the reins of the restaurant and providing for his wife's younger siblings at the same time. Taking the reins of their lives and their family business with the same endless energy that has now brought Daniel, eleven years later, on the top of the culinary world as the most sought-after chef. Completely absorbed by their all-consuming topnotch restaurant, tv appearances and consultancies around the world, Daniel and a lose sight of each other. Too often it happens in a marriage that we take our partners for granted, as if they were the fixed stars of our personal constellation. Daniel's endless supply of energy, his unwavering dedication to his profession and the success of the restaurant, his very larger-than-life personality have always filled a's heart with pride, but over time those same things started to smother her, making her feel small and inadequate, even unable to pursue her own dreams of an artistic career and preserve her own identity. During one of Daniel's many travels overseas, a tired and atrophied a escapes to Tahiti to take a break and find herself, throwing Daniel's into a panic and a deep state of uncertainty:

"[He] realized she had been slipping through his fingers for months, like water he was trying too hard to hold. Panicked as if he literally would be wiped out of existence without that love".

He will follow her to the end of the world to make her understand that she is the driving force that fuels his engine, the reason of his accomplishments, the granite base on which his whole world stands on. Her nurturing love, her sweet and infectiously happy personality have a re-stabilizing influence on the frantic life of the renown top chef.

" He got through the day just on the promise that sometime that night he would be able to smell her hair. Oh, shit, he could not go home to an empty bed that did not smell of her. He couldn't. He couldn't do it."

So, in the exotic frame of a tropical paradise, surrounded by the luxuriant beauty of a French Polinesian island,  Léa and Daniel will find each other again, finally turning up the heat of their relationship, giving shape and substance to unfulfilled erotic dreams, unbridling their passion in surges of sizzling sensuality and heart-tugging emotional connection.  
 
What an enchantingly sensual and romantic read this was! In her new novella, Laura Florand delivers another intense and insightful portrait of the workings of the human heart.  Brace yourselves...this exquisite and love-filled tale will engage you and inflame your senses with heart-warming romance and steamy sensuality.

Laura Florand is the author of luscious and sensual romantic comedies. Her latest full length novel, The Chocolate Thief (read my review here), is the first installment of The Chocolate series. The Chocolate Kiss, book #2 , will be released on December 24th 2012.

*A complimentary e-copy was generously offered by the author in return of an unbiased opinion.

Friday, October 26, 2012

POPPED OFF (Stay At Home Dad Mysteries #2) by Jeffrey Allen



POPPED OFF (Stay At Home Dad Mysteries #2) by Jeffrey Allen

Paperback, 281 pages
Published September 4th 2012 by Kensington
Genre: cozy mystery novel 
Rating: 4.5 stars

"As usual, I was the only male in the room, the rest of the waiting parents being moms who were either just coming or on the way to spinning class or a tennis match or whatever else the moms of Rose Petal did during the day. I was an anomaly in Rose Petal - a father who stayed at home - and was regularly viewed with a raised eyebrow whenever I ventured somewhere new during a time of the day when most other dads were at a desk."

The uneventful life of a happy and proud "full-time dad" turned into a much more exciting deal when in book #1 (Stay At Home Dead) Deuce Winter decided to become a part-time detective. In this hilarious new installment of the Stay At Home Dad Mysteries series, the small Texas town Rose Petal has to deal with the disappearance of the president of the local youth soccer league and the theft of all its funds.  With the help of his quirky and unlikely business partner, Deuce will solve the mystery  and restore the order in the palsy-walsy community of Rose Petal, while successfully juggling his jobs as a full-time caring parent of a four year old girl, household manager, and loving husband of a high-profile attorney. 
This was a down-right funny read and a very good combination of clever mystery plot and hilarious situations, frothing with lough-out-loud dialogues, quirky characters (how to forget Deuce's dad ranting over Facebook, the midgety business partner Victor, or the air-headed but ruthless girls from the college sorority group) and, surprisingly, even with some very tender and romantic moments, the more so intriguing because written from a male's point of view. I am really starting to appreciate the comedic relief of the cozy mystery genre and I strongly believe that the ability of injecting spot-on humor in every compartment of a story (plotting, characterization, dialogues) takes natural talent as well as a considerable amount of writing skills. Therefore I wholeheartedly recommend The Stay At Home Dad Mysteries series. Pick it up from the prequel (Stay At Home Dead, book #1) and keep an eye on the upcoming third installment Father Knows Death, book #3


About the author
Jeffrey Allen is the alter-ego of national best selling mystery writer Jeff Shelby. He is a recovering stay at home dad who now teaches high school English and coaches basketball. A graduate of the University of California, Irvine, he currently lives with his daughter in the suburbs of Dallas, TX. To know more about this author, visit his website http://jeffshelby.com/
 

*Review based on a complimentary copy graciously offered by the publisher in return of an unbiased opinion




Thursday, October 25, 2012

TRICK OR READ! A treat for every reader from my Halloween book basket #4

Trick or treat! Give me something good to read...

That time of the year when many of us will bring their glycemic index through the roof is just around the corner. So, together with those devilish mini candy bars and a list of hotline numbers to the best dentists in the area, I am stuffing my Halloween treat basket with a few book recommendations in a variety of genres...cozy mystery lovers, horror, and young adults, paranormal and shapeshifters fans, these treats are for you.




BROWNIES AND BROOMSTICKS by Bailey Cates
Mass Market Paperback, 323 pages
Published May 1st 2012 by Signet
Genre: cozy mystery, fantasy, contemporary romance, paranormal (witches) 


Katie Lightfoot's tired of loafing around as the assistant manager of an Ohio bakery. So when her aunt Lucy and uncle Ben open a bakery in Savannah's quaint downtown district and ask Katie to join them, she enthusiastically agrees.While working at the Honeybee Bakery—named after Lucy's cat—Katie notices that her aunt is adding mysterious herbs to her recipes. Turns out these herbal enhancements aren't just tasty—Aunt Lucy is a witch and her recipes are actually spells! When a curmudgeonly customer is murdered outside the Honeybee Bakery, Uncle Ben becomes the prime suspect. With the help of handsome journalist Steve Dawes, charming firefighter Declan McCarthy, and a few spells, Katie and Aunt Lucy stir up some toil and trouble to clear Ben's name and find the real killer...




Hardcover, 376 pages
Published February 13th 2007 by William Morrow
Genre: horror, fantasy, paranormal novel (ghosts)


Aging, self-absorbed rock star Judas Coyne has a thing for the macabre -- his collection includes sketches from infamous serial killer John Wayne Gacy, a trepanned skull from the 16th century, a used hangman's noose, Aleister Crowley's childhood chessboard, etc. -- so when his assistant tells him about a ghost for sale on an online auction site, he immediately puts in a bid and purchases it. The black, heart-shaped box that Coyne receives in the mail not only contains the suit of a dead man but also his vengeance-obsessed spirit. The ghost, it turns out, is the stepfather of a young groupie who committed suicide after the 54-year-old Coyne callously used her up and threw her away. Now, determined to kill Coyne and anyone who aids him, the merciless ghost of Craddock McDermott begins his assault on the rocker's sanity.





DARKNESS DAWNS by Dianne Duvall
Paperback, 345 pages
Published March 3rd 2011 by Zebra
Genre: paranormal romance novel (vampires)


In this dazzling, sensual novel, Dianne Duvall beckons readers into a world of vampires, immortals, and humans with extraordinary gifts…where passion can last forever, if you’re willing to pay the price…Once, Sarah Bingham’s biggest challenge was making her students pay attention in class. Now, after rescuing a wounded stranger, she’s landed in the middle of a battle between corrupt vampires and powerful immortals who also need blood to survive. Roland Warbrook is the most compelling man Sarah has ever laid hands on. But his desire for her is mingled with a hunger he can barely control…In his nine centuries of immortal existence, no woman has tempted Roland as much as Sarah. But asking her to love him is impossible—when it means forfeiting the world she’s always known, and the life he would do anything to protect.





HOW TO LOSE A DEMON IN 10 DAYS by Savanna DeWylde
Paperback, 320 pages
Published August 28th 2012 by Kensington Brava 
Genre: paranormal romance novel (demons), urban fantasy

GOT DEMON?
Grace does. She's got more demon than she can saddle. In fact, she's got a sinfully sexy Crown Prince of Hell named Caspian. She's also got ten days to get rid of him or Bad Things shall ensue. See, her Russian mobster ex-boyfriend didn't take kindly to her smutty Mephistophelean contract. It's not that she's conspiring with fiends; that was his idea. It's that she's conspiring against him with outrageous devilry that runs the gamut from embarrassing to a dead hooker turned dominatrix demon gunning for his soul. One should never trust demons, let alone shag them. They don't have hearts. Yet Grace is buying hers some slightly tarnished armor and hoping that once he's been shoveled into it, kicking and screaming, he'll find it's just his size. This wicked witch needs a white knight--or at least a Prince of Darkness for a Happily Ever After.





MISS SMITH AND THE HAUNTED LIBRARY by Michael Garland
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published August 20th 2009 by Dutton Juvenile 
Genre: illustrated children's book
When Miss Smith reads from her magical book, the worlds she describes come alive - literally! Today Miss Smith is taking her class on a field trip to a deliciously spooky library. There the class meets librarian Virginia Creeper and settles down to listen to a few scary tales. Before long everyone's favorite creepy characters are stalking the library and a haunted party is in full swing. So . . . who's for taking a ride with the Headless Horseman? This richly illustrated, colorfully designed story captures the thrill of letting imagination run wild.


 
Spooky, sexy, cozy, funny...different flavors, great Halloween reads!
 



Monday, October 22, 2012

TRICK OR READ! A treat for every reader from my Halloween book basket #3

Trick or treat! Give me something good to read...

That time of the year when many of us will bring their glycemic index through the roof is just around the corner. So, together with those devilish mini candy bars and a list of hotline numbers to the best dentists in the area, I am stuffing my Halloween treat basket with a few book recommendations in a variety of genres...cozy mystery lovers, children and young adults, paranormal and shapeshifters fans, these treats are for you.



CAPTIVE BRIDE (A Regency Ghost Novel) by Katharine Ashe
Kindle Edition, 263 pages (only $ 1.99 !!!)
Published October 13th 2012 by Katharine Ashe
Genre: historical romance novel, Regency, paranormal (ghost) 
Sensible, practical Beatrice Sinclaire has two secret passions: gothic novels and Lord Peter Cheriot, the man her beautiful sister left heartbroken years ago. When Bea’s scapegrace twin brother begs her help to rescue a maiden from a haunted castle, Bea seizes the chance for real adventure. If only Lord Cheriot didn’t insist on protecting her! How can she maintain a clear head in the face of terrible danger when all she wants is to be in his arms? Lord Cheriot may be the catch of the London season, but he has only ever loved one woman, Bea Sinclaire. And he’s determined to have her. He doesn’t count on a meddling ghost whose demand for a virgin bride threatens Bea in the direst manner. But the specter has a deadline, All Hallows Eve, and it’s fast approaching. In the race to capture the heart of one daring lady, it’s every man—and ghost—for himself.






THE SEDUCTION OF PHAETON BLACK (Paranormal Investigator #1), by Jillian Stone
Paperback, 1st Edition, 335 pages
Published March 27th 2012 by Brava 
Genre: paranormal romance novel, steampunk, sci-fi, fantasy

In the gaslit streets of Victorian London, phantoms rule the night, demons dance till dawn, and one supernatural detective dares to be seduced by the greatest power of all. . . He's The Man With The Magic Touch
A master of deduction, seduction and other midnight maneuvers, Phaeton Black is Scotland Yard's secret weapon against things that go bump in the night. His prodigious gifts as a paranormal investigator are as legendary as his skills as a lover, his weakness for wicked women as notorious as his affection for absinthe. But when he's asked to hunt down a fanged femme fatale who drains her victims of blood, he walks right into the arms of the most dangerous woman he's ever known. . .
She's The Devilish Miss Jones
Pressing a knife to his throat--and demanding he make love to her--Miss America Jones uses Phaeton as a willing shield against the gang of pirates chasing her. As deadly as she is, with a derringer tucked in her garter, Miss Jones is not the vampiric killer he's been staking out--but she may be just what Phaeton needs to crack the case. As the daughter of a Cajun witch, she possesses uncanny powers. As a fearless fighter, she can handle anything from Egyptian mummies to Jack the Ripper. But when an ancient evil is unleashed on the world, she could be his only salvation. . .or ultimate sacrifice.








 

WHEN DARKNESS COMES (Guardians of Eternity #1) by Alexandra Ivy
Paperback, 359 pages
Published January 1st 2007 by Zebra 
Genre: paranormal romance novel, urban fantasy (vampires, demons, witches)

It's been a hell of a day for Abby Barlow. In just a few hours, she's survived an explosion, watched her employer die, had a startling dream, and now she finds herself in a seedy Chicago hotel with the sexy, unearthly Dante, a man she both desires and fears. For 341 years, Dante has stood as guardian to The Chalice, a mortal woman chosen to hold back the darkness. A terrible twist of fate has now made Abby that woman. Three hours ago, Dante would have used all his charms to seduce her. Now she is his to protect. And he will do so until his very death. A terrifying plan has been set in motion, one that will plunge Dante and Abby into an epic battle between good and evil - and a desperate race to save their love...




Hardcover, 418 pages
Published February 21st 2012 by HarperCollins
Genre: young adult, fantasy, short stories
Dangerous promises and beguiling threats swirl together in a dozen stories of enchantments dark and light by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr. Uncanny and unexpected creatures appear from behind bushes, rise from beneath the seas, or manifest from seasonal storms to pursue the objects of their attention—with amorous or sinister intent—relentlessly. From the gentle tones of a storyteller’s cadences to the terror of a blood sacrifice, tales of favorite characters from Marr’s Wicked Lovely novels mix with accounts of new characters for readers to fall in love with...or to fear. Lush, seductive, and chilling, Melissa Marr’s stories revel in the unseen magic that infuses the world as we know it.




Paperback, 32 pages
Published August 25th 2003 by Puffin
Genre: children's picture book


The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch's hat, then her bow, and then her wand!  Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom.  But is there room on the broom for so many friends?  And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from a hungry dragon?



Spooky, sexy, cozy, funny...different flavors, great Halloween reads!

Friday, October 19, 2012

TRICK OR READ! A treat for every reader from my Halloween book basket #2

Trick or treat! Give me something good to read...
That time of the year when many of us will bring their glycemic index through the roof is just around the corner. So, together with those devilish mini candy bars and a list of hotline numbers to the best dentists in the area, I am stuffing my Halloween treats basket with a few book recommendations in a variety of genres...cozy mystery lovers, children and young adults, paranormal and shapeshifters fans, these treats are for you.




Paperback, 281 pages
Published September 4th 2012 by Kensington
Genre: cozy mystery

For stay-at-home dad Deuce Winters, the cutthroat world of suburban kiddie sports leagues is unavoidable. In his small town, Moises Huber is known at the King of Soccer. But it seems the king may have fallen from his throne when he disappears--along with $73,000 of the youth soccer association's registration fees. Original. (Read my review here. What a great combination of light-hearted mystery and humor !)






 
PAMPERED TO DEATH by Laura Levine
Hardcover, 228 pages
Published August 1st 2011 by Kensington 
Genre: cozy mystery
Jaine Austen is looking forward to an indulgent spa getaway--until she learns it's more about deprivation than relaxation. Between miniscule meals and a deadly brush with fame, surviving this vacation will be no piece of cake. (I have recently reviewed  Levine's Death of A Neighborhood Witch, book #11 in A Jayne Austen Mystery series, and it was outrageous! Her backlist is like a bag of mini chocolate bars...cannot have just one! Delicious!!!)




A CERTAIN WOLFISH CHARM by Lydia Dare
Mass Market Paperback, 375 pages
Published April 6th 2010 by Sourcebooks Casablanca 
Genre: paranormal romance novel, historical, shapeshifters (werewolves)
In Lydia dare's debut trilogy, Regency England has gone to the wolves "He gets crankier and crankier as the moon gets full..."

The rules of Society can be beastly-especially when you're a werewolf and it's that irritating time of the month. Simon Westfield, the Duke of Blackmoor, is rich, powerful, and sinfully handsome, and has spent his entire life creating scandal and mayhem. It doesn't help his wolfish temper at all that Miss Lily Rutledge seems not the least bit afraid of him, and in fact, may be as untamable as he is...

"A woman whose charm is stronger than the moon..."

When Lily's beloved nephew's behavior becomes inexplicably wild, she turns to Simon, the boy's cousin and guardian, for help. But Simon's idea of assistance is far different than hers, and Lily finds herself ensconced in his house and engaged to the rogue.

They both may have bitten off more than they can chew when each begins to discover the other's darkest secrets... (I loved this Westfield Wolves series! Read my review here.)





BORN TO BITE by Hanna Howell, Diana Cosby, and Erica Ridley
Paperback, 266 pages
Published August 28th 2012 by Kensington
Genre: paranormal romance novel, historical, shapeshifters (vampires)
Darkly handsome and dangerously sexy, these voracious vampires are out for blood—and bound for eternal love…

Dark Secret by Hannah Howell

Alone in the world, Murdina Dunbar sets out in search of the only family she has left—and finds an ally in the mysterious Sir Gillanders Baldwin. Something about her sexy protector stirs her blood. Soon, not even the whispers that he’s a dangerous demon can keep her from his bed….

Never Been Bitten by Erica Ridley

Rumored to be a vampire, the rakish Mr. Macane is ravishing all the ladies of the ton! Yet, Miss Elspeth Ramsay cannot bring herself to tremble in his presence. But once Ellie feels the touch of his teeth at her throat, she finds herself biting him back! Surely this sudden bloodlust can only mean danger for her family—and her heart….

Highland Vampire by Diana Cosby

As King of the Highland Coven, vampire Aedan MacGregor knows that falling for the fey Rowan Campbell could destroy her. But one taste of her healing blood and he craves her like no other. Dare claim her as his own, knowing he might lose her forever?





STORM by Brigid Kemmerer
Paperback, 1st Edition, 353 pages
Published April 24th 2012 by Kensington 
Genre: young adult, paranormal novel, fantasy
Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys all the ones she doesn't want. Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They're powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life's at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who's hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

The storm is coming.





DEMONS by Heather Frost
Hardcover, 432 pages
Published September 11th 2012 by Cedar Fort Books 
Genre: young adults, paranormal romance, fantasy
Kate's life is far from normal. She can see Auras, her boyfriend is immortal, and her powers make her a target. But now that the Demon Lord is hunting her, things are about to go from dangerous to truly deadly. Packed with action, mind-blowing plot twists, and characters you can't get enough of, this is a fast-paced, heart-pounding read from cover to cover.





THE THREE LOST KIDS (The Series, Books 1-3) by Kimberly Kinrade
Paperback
Published January 2012 by Evolved Publishing 
Genre: children's books
Enjoy this full color paperback edition of Lexie World, Bella World, and Maddie World in a complete set.

These children's chapter books are great for kids 4-9 and take kids on great adventures with Unicorns, Dragons and Fairies all the while teaching them important lessons about life.

Illustrated by Josh Evans





DEATH WARMED OVER by Kevin J. Anderson
Paperback, 304 pages
Published August 28th 2012 by Kensington 
Genre: mystery, urban fantasy, supernatural
 Ever since The Big Uneasy unleashed vampires, werewolves, and other undead denizens on the world, it’s been hell being a detective—especially for zombie P.I. Dan Chambeaux. Taking on the creepiest of cases in the Unnatural Quarter with a human lawyer for a partner and a ghost for a girlfriend, Chambeaux redefines “dead on arrival.” But just because he was murdered doesn’t mean he’d leave his clients in the lurch. Besides, zombies are so good at lurching.
Now he’s back from the dead and back in business—with a case load that’s downright unnatural. A resurrected mummy is suing the museum that put him on display. Two witches, victims of a curse gone terribly wrong, seek restitution from a publisher for not using “spell check” on its magical tomes. And he’s got to figure out a very personal question—Who killed him?
For Dan Chambeaux, it’s all in a day’s work. (Still, does ***everybody*** [delete: the media] have to call him “Shamble”?) Funny, fresh, and irresistible, this cadaverous caper puts the P.I. in R.I.P….with a vengeance.


Spooky, sexy, cozy, funny...different flavors, great Halloween reads!

 


 


Thursday, October 18, 2012

THE MEMORY THIEF by Emily Colin



Paperback, 432 pages
Published August 21st 2012 by Ballantine Books
Genre: contemporary novel, women's fiction, romance, paranormal (ghost)
Rating: 5 stars


I loved the idea and the execution of this stunning and original debut novel authored by talented new-comer Emily Colin. It's been also difficult to wrap a definition around it: not completely women's fiction despite the intricate plot, the deeper characterization, the introspective tone and the bittersweet 'happy ending'; not entirely romance novel despite the tight focus on the romantic aspect and a good dose of sensuality; not exactly paranormal despite the 'supernatural' element. But for the effective blend of romantic literature and a sort of magic realism, its appeal was even wider and the author's choice of a somewhat tragic storyline and the bittersweet ending resonated with great emotional depth.

When Maddie Kimble fell in love with Aidan James, cocky and bold mountain climber, she knew from the start that she would loose him sooner or later. A six year marriage and a son later, Aidan is still selfishly pursuing his career as a professional climber, and despite Maddie's ominous premonitions he's off to a new expedition on Mt. McKinley, Alaska. He dismisses his wife's pleas and he promises that nothing in the entire world would hold him from coming back to her and to their beloved son Gabe. The expedition proves to be a fateful one for the fearless mountaineer. He is killed by an avalanche, his climbing partners (among which his best friend J.C.) the only survivors. As the terrible news reach her, an heartbroken and lonelier than ever Maddie is left to cope not only with the tragic loss and the heartwrenching pain of seeing her son growing without his father; she also has to deal with an emotional dilemma involving her new widow status and her feelings for Aidan's best friend and partner J.C., a man who has always been in love with her. As the honorable man that he is, J.C. has been loyal to Aidan and is now ready to fulfill his promise to take care of his childhood friend's family.
Aidan's body will remain buried under the avalanche, but for some bizzarre cosmic conjunction, his soul travels  into Nicholas' body, a social studies teacher from North Carolina, who was simultaneously involved in a motorcycle accident miles and miles away from the avalanche. When Nicholas wakes up in a hospital, his memory is wiped clean, except for vivid glimpses and haunting dreams of a mountain, an avalanche, and the two unknown but strangely familiar faces of a beautiful young woman and a little boy. Nicholas is tormented by his memory loss and by a profound sense of dislocation. He doesn't recognize himself in his old environment: he is, in fact, being used by the deceased alpinist as a conveyor to deliver a last desperate message to Maddie and Gabe. Haunted and urged by Aidan's compelling memories, and in an attempt to restore balance in his own life, Nicholas decides to get to the bottom of his grotesque situation and contact the climber's family. The most striking aspect of his surreal experience is that what feels like an unexplicable obsession and a cause of great turmoil, turns out to be a blessing: it will open Nicholas' eyes on his real purpose in life. The soul of the Universe has a way to restore the cosmic order: a precious life is lost to an imposing and unforgiving mountain, but a new love will stem from this loss, and another life will be steered on a new and more meaningful course.
Love that defies death and time is definitely one of my favorite tropes. The storyline unfolds at a pleasantly easy pace, narrated by three different 1st person POVs: Aidan's, Maddie's, and Nichola's.  I found Ms. Colin's writing style to be refreshing and capable of conveying great suspense thanks to her skillful switching between timelines and perspectives. The dynamics that tie in our characters and their stories move along simmetric and specular lines: Aidan is a ghost, he lost his corporeal quality on that mountain, but his stubborn streak and the intensity of his love for Maddie and Gabe trascend his physical death. Nicholas, on the other hand, survives a mortal accident, but comes out of it like a ghost, devoided of his soul, deprived of those memories his spiritual essence is made of. Aidan's death gives strength to the connection (dismissed but undeniable) between Maddie and J.C., and it also helps Nicholas understand where his relationship with fiancee Grace is really heading to. I wasn't initially comfortable with Maddie's swaying between the memory of her just-deceased husband and her physical attraction for her husband's best friend. It feels to me like her feelings for J.C. went deeper than friendship even before Aidan's death. I ultimately resolved  not to judge Maddie for falling in another man's arms when her husband was not cold in his grave yet. I tried to identify with her in order to be able to fathom how heart-piercing her grief is, how tormenting her sense of emptiness and loneliness after her beloved husband's death. I can catch glimpses of her sorrow in her words, when she dreams about Aidan trapped in the snow:

"On those nights, I wake up panicked and afraid. Then I look over to the other side of the bed, where he should be. Of course it's empty, the pillow plumped, the sheets pulled tight, which makes me feel lonelier than ever (...) his absence hits me harder than ever."

Emily Colin builds her characters and explores their emotional world with a mix of stream of consciousness, vivid dreams, and a bittersweet trip down memory lane. Her masterful use of multiple POVs helps bridge the distance between readers and characters, disclosing their thoughts, exposing their hearts, gradually unveiling their personal stories and the intensity of their feelings. Her prose has a pleasant conversational feel, never labored and rather authentic despite the complex texture of her narration, her voice harmonious and eloquent throughout the entire novel. The love scenes are explicit and well written, perfectly embedded in the emotional flow of the events and pivotal in the advancement of the plot: the intensity of the love-making trascends the "survivor lust" and has its roots in long-denied mutual feelings. Now, explicit sensuality is not common in women's fiction, but in this as in other aspects Colin's debut novel defies any formulaic definition.
The Memory Thief is a very original debut, engaging and emotional. I look forward to Colin's next novel with great anticipation. 



Friday, October 5, 2012

DEATH OF A NEIGHBORHOOD WITCH (A Jaine Austen Mystery) by Laura Levine




DEATH OF A NEIGHBORHOOD WITCH (A Jaine Austen Mystery) by Laura Levine



Hardcover, 304 pages
Published September 1st 2012 by Kensington Books
Genre: cozy mystery
Rating: 5 stars

Blurb
Halloween is just around the corner, and between cauldrons of candy and a deliciously cute new neighbour, Jaine Austen is struggling to resist her sweet tooth. But this year, her once humdrum neighbourhood seems to be handing out more tricks than treats...When her faithful feline Prozac unwittingly scares to death a parakeet belonging to the neighbourhood's resident curmudgeon, Jaine finds herself knee-deep in toil and trouble. The cantankerous Hollywood has-been once played the part of Cryptessa Muldoon, television's fourth most famous monster mom. Now a bitter, paranoid old dame, Cryptessa spends her days making enemies with everyone on the street, and accidental bird killer Jaine is no exception. So when the ornery D-lister is murdered with her own Do Not Trespass sign on Halloween night, the neighbourhood fills with relief - and possible culprits. With a killer on the loose, Jaine hardly has time to fall under the spell of her yummy new neighbour Peter. As the prime suspect, she summons her sleuthing skills to clear her name and soon discovers that everyone has a few skeletons in their closets - and the motives for murder are endless. Could it have been Cryptessa's next door neighbours, the barracuda husband and wife realtors whose landscaping Cryptessa had bulldozed? Or the seemingly sweet old lady whose beloved dog was the object of Cryptessa's wrath? Or perhaps the crotchety actress was done in by her own nephew in a desperate attempt to get his hands on her money? As the masks come off, Jaine's search for sweet justice turns up more questions than answers. And just when she thought nothing could be scarier than her run-in with a tortuous Tummy Tamer, she closes in on the killer and learns the true meaning of grave danger...

Review
I voraciously devoured this cozy mystery novel by comedy writer Laura Levine! I absolutely loved it, consumed it in just a couple of sittings, and wholeheartedly recommend it not only as a seasonal reading, but also as an excellent starting point to experience Levine's witty and humorous writing style. This is, in fact, the book number eleven in The Jaine Austen Mystery series, each installment a charming vignette portraying our junk-food addicted, cooking impaired, hopelessly romantic heroine, Jaine, involved in some ghastly situation. Utterly endearing!
Cozy it may be, but the mystery isn't any less enthralling, thanks also to the vivid and warm characterization of a splendid cast of characters, each one of them popping out of the pages with their unique quirks and flaws. All sprinkled with a light romance that was as intriguing as the murder mystery itself, and flavored with a generous dose of humor that had me laughing out loud at very page. 
Narrated from the heroine's self deprecating point of view, hilarious dialogues and comic situations are strung together smoothly and merrily and definitely earned Laura Levine a well-deserved place in my list of must-read authors.

 *This is the review of a complimentary copy graciously offered by the publisher in return of an unbiased opinion.




Thursday, October 4, 2012

TRICK OR READ! A treat for every reader from my Halloween book basket #1

That time of the year when many of us will bring their glycemic index through the roof is just around the corner. So, together with those devilish mini candy bars and a list of hotline numbers to the best dentists in the area, I am stuffing my Halloween treats basket with a few book recommendations in a variety of genres...cozy mystery lovers, children and young adults, paranormal and shapeshifters fans, these treats are for you.



DEATH OF A NEIGHBORHOOD WITCH by Laura Levine
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published September 1st 2012 by Kensington Books
Genre: cozy mystery 

Halloween is just around the corner, and between cauldrons of candy and a deliciously cute new neighbour, Jaine Austen is struggling to resist her sweet tooth. But this year, her once humdrum neighbourhood seems to be handing out more tricks than treats...When her faithful feline Prozac unwittingly scares to death a parakeet belonging to the neighbourhood's resident curmudgeon, Jaine finds herself knee-deep in toil and trouble. The cantankerous Hollywood has-been once played the part of Cryptessa Muldoon, television's fourth most famous monster mom. Now a bitter, paranoid old dame, Cryptessa spends her days making enemies with everyone on the street, and accidental bird killer Jaine is no exception. So when the ornery D-lister is murdered with her own Do Not Trespass sign on Halloween night, the neighbourhood fills with relief - and possible culprits. With a killer on the loose, Jaine hardly has time to fall under the spell of her yummy new neighbour Peter. As the prime suspect, she summons her sleuthing skills to clear her name and soon discovers that everyone has a few skeletons in their closets - and the motives for murder are endless. Could it have been Cryptessa's next door neighbours, the barracuda husband and wife realtors whose landscaping Cryptessa had bulldozed? Or the seemingly sweet old lady whose beloved dog was the object of Cryptessa's wrath? Or perhaps the crotchety actress was done in by her own nephew in a desperate attempt to get his hands on her money? As the masks come off, Jaine's search for sweet justice turns up more questions than answers. And just when she thought nothing could be scarier than her run-in with a tortuous Tummy Tamer, she closes in on the killer and learns the true meaning of grave danger...







STAY AT HOME DEAD by Jeffrey Allen

Paperback, 283 pages
Published January 1st 2012 by Kensington 
Genre: cozy mystery
When Deuce Winters, a stay-at-home dad in sleepy Rose Petal, Texas, discovers a dead body in his mini-van, it quickly throws his quiet life into disarray. It doesn't help that the victim ruined Deuce's high school football career and married his ex-girlfriend. As the number one suspect in the court of public opinion, Deuce is determined to clear his name, with a little help from his wife, Julianne, a high-powered attorney. His search for the killer leads him to a business plan gone awry and a gaggle of jilted lovers.






SOMETHING WITCHY THIS WAY COMES by H.P. Mallory
Paperback, 336 pages
Published September 25th 2012 by Bantam 
Genre: paranormal romance novel, fantasy (witches)
For smart and sexy witch Jolie Wilkins, being Queen of the Underworld is a royal pain. Back from a round of time travel, Jolie must now protect her realm from the sinister Lurkers—a powerful breed of half-humans bent on conquering the undead. And if there’s one thing she knows, it’s that the supernatural never go down without a fight.

At least Jolie has her soul mate (and finally official boyfriend), warlock Rand Balfour, by her side. Honorable, brave, and unbelievably handsome, Rand is everything Jolie wants in a man. So why can’t she forget the dangerously alluring vampire, Sinjin Sinclair? With her private life heating up and a battle boiling over, Jolie sets out to prove that in matters of love and war, the fairer hex has its own set of charms.

 
 



THE WOLF WHO LOVED ME by Lydia Dare
Paperback, 384 pages
Published April 3rd 2012 by Sourcebooks Casablanca 
Genre: paranormal, historical romance novel, shapeshifters (werewolves)
Regency England Has Gone to the Wolves!
Regency England Has Gone to the Wolves!

Lady Madeline Hayburn Has Money Problems...

Specifically, she has so much of it that she's dogged by fortune hunters, including her bewilderingly attractive, penniless neighbor, with his wild nature and uncouth manners...

Weston Hadley Has An Identity Crisis...

Specifically, he's just turned into a wolf while Madeline was watching. Now it's up to the regal lady to tame the wild beast...if she can...


RAPTURE by J. R. Ward

Hardcover, 502 pages
Published September 25th 2012 by NAL Hardcover 
Genre: paranormal romance novel, urban fantasy (angels)
Mels Carmichael, reporter for the Caldwell Courier Journal, gets the shock of her life when a man stumbles in front of her car outside the local cemetery. After the accident, his amnesia is just the kind of mystery she likes to solve, but she soon discovers they're over their heads with his past. Over their heads with passion, too ...As shadows walk the line between reality and another realm, and her lover's memory begins to come back, the two of them learn that nothing is truly dead and buried. Especially when you're trapped in a no-holds-barred war between angels and demons. With a soul on the line, and Mels's heart at risk, what in heaven - or in hell - will it take to save them both?


After reporter Mels Carmichael hits a disheveled man with her car
outside the local cemetery, she pays a visit to the stranger in the hospital. The only thing he remembers of his past is seeing a name written on a headstone: that of Jim Heron—a fallen angel charged with rescuing souls from the seven deadly sins. Now, as Mels struggles to help this mysterious stranger rediscover himself, Heron himself returns to prepare for a battle between good and evil.



Published October 2nd 2012 by Evolved Publishing
Genre: children's books, fantasy
Halloween is here and Lexie, Bella and Maddie couldn't be happier. But why does everything feel so different? Fewer houses are decorated and fewer kids are out trick-or-treating. Still, that's not going to stop the three girls from eating as much candy as they can before their parents can stop them, even if that means fighting each other for it.

When they finally discover a haunted house worthy of their favorite holiday, they forget their parents' warnings and go in alone, only to discover that the house really is haunted, and not only that, but they've been transported to a whole different world!

A dying Sugar Fairy in one of the abandoned rooms send them on a quest to find her Sugar Baby and the magic Sugar Flower in order to save her and Halloween. If they fail, Halloween will be gone forever, and they'll never return to their family.

But with Sugar Bug attacks, the Cavity Caves where they must face their deepest fears, and giant gummy bears armed with candy cane swords, the girls aren't sure they'll make it.

Their only chance is to work together, using each of their strengths to help each other. Can they stop fighting over candy long enough? Or will they be trapped in the dying Sugar Land forever?




THE RELUCTANT FAMILIAR by Kimberly Kinrade
Expected publication: November 26th 2012 by Evolved Publishing
Genre: young adult, fantasy
Shamed by her family.

A disgrace to witches everywhere.

Agnes must decide:

Is she a normal 13-year-old-girl, or the most powerful witch alive?

After a seemingly chance encounter with a flea-ridden alley cat finds her bonded to a god and in possession of powers she has no control over, life is anything but normal.

As if that’s not enough to upset a girl’s day, a powerful ring has been stolen, and Agnes and Sebastian are the only hope for getting it back and saving the world from the crazed plans of a powerful deity.

If they succeed, they will each get their heart’s desire.

But if they fail, death will be their only reward.





DEATH OF A NEIGHBORHOOD WITCH by Laura Levine
Currently reading...review will be available in a bit. Laugh out loud, hysterical, awesome read!!! Instead of sampling candies from that bag from here till the end of the month, let's sample some calories-free, great reads!