After Dark Review of One Dance with a Duke by Tessa Dare

I have added After Dark Reviews to my blog as a way of notifying you of a review of a book with Adult themes and scenes. From now on I will keep my reviews of all books I read that have explicit scenes in them for late night posts for those of you who prefer to avoid them or easy to find for those of you who seek them out ;)



Synopsis: "A handsome and reclusive horse breeder, Spencer Dumarque, the fourth Duke of Morland, is a member of the exclusive Stud Club, an organization so select it has only ten members—yet membership is attainable to anyone with luck. And Spencer has plenty of it, along with an obsession with a prize horse, a dark secret, and, now, a reputation as the dashing “Duke of Midnight.” Each evening he selects one lady for a breathtaking midnight waltz. But none of the women catch his interest, and nobody ever bests the duke—until Lady Amelia d’Orsay tries her luck.

In a moment of desperation, the unconventional beauty claims the duke’s dance and unwittingly steals his heart. When Amelia demands that Spencer forgive her scapegrace brother’s debts, she never imagines that her game of wits and words will lead to breathless passion and a steamy proposal. Still, Spencer is a man of mystery, perhaps connected to the shocking murder of the Stud Club’s founder. Will Amelia lose her heart in this reckless wager or win everlasting love?"

My Review: Tessa Dare is quickly becoming one of my favorite historical romance authors! I loved One Dance with a Duke! The characters and story line are fantastic. I absolutely love Amelia, gone from a quiet, near spinster on the outskirts of society to a bold, confident, demanding and outspoken woman. I love how she gives up waiting for things to happen and takes control of her life. Then there is Spencer *swoons* oh Spencer. A tough, cold and mysterious Duke that has so many secrets to be uncovered. Even the sub characters are much to be loved, Lily, Jack, Claudia, Rhys & even Bellamy add so much to the story. I can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy!

My Rating: I really didn't want to put this book down at any time and have already downloaded the second book in the trilogy so how can I give it any other rating than Four Paws?!

After Dark Review of The Bear and The Bride by Jianne Carlo

I have added After Dark Reviews to my blog as a way of notifying you of a review of a book with Adult themes and scenes. From now on I will keep my reviews of all books I read that have explicit scenes in them for late night posts for those of you who prefer to avoid them or easy to find for those of you who seek them out ;)

Synopsis: "Jarl Torsten glimpses Ainslin of Durham, a recent widow with two sons, and immediately covets her for his wife. He outmaneuvers his rival, Ainslin’s neighbor Earl Sigrid, and receives the king’s blessing to marry her.
Ainslin fears Torsten reaction when he discovers she’s a virgin. How to explain her maidenhead and twin sons?
Her worst nightmares are realized when Earl Sigrid arrives in Norway for King Cnut’s coronation. What does he suspect? Will Torsten cast Ainslin and the boys aside when he discovers the truth?"My Review: I saw a review of this on Pedantic Phooka book blogger's page and loved the idea. The characters are fantastic! I loved each of them, I just wish there was more story development. There were a lot of great story plot ideas that could have extended the book but they were all cut short and resolved without any major conflicts. However if you are looking for a hot steamy book to read in one night, this is it!

My Rating: While I wish there was more story to this one, the characters were great and it was exactly what I was looking to read at the time. I give it a rating of Three Paws.

Note: Explicit scenes and a lot of them

After Dark Review of Once Upon a Winter's Eve by Tessa Dare

I have added After Dark Reviews to my blog as a way of notifying you of a review of a book with Adult themes and scenes. From now on I will keep my reviews of all books I read that have explicit scenes in them for late night posts for those of you who prefer to avoid them or easy to find for those of you who seek them out ;)

Synopsis: "Violet Winterbottom is a quiet girl. She speaks six languages, but seldom raises her voice. She endured bitter heartbreak in perfect silence. The gentlemen aren't beating down her door.

Until the night of the Spindle Cove Christmas ball, when a mysterious stranger crashes into the ballroom and collapses at Violet's feet. His coarse attire and near-criminal good looks would put any sensible young lady on her guard. He's wet, chilled, bleeding, and speaking in an unfamiliar tongue.

Only Violet understands him. And she knows he's not what he seems.

She has one night to draw forth the secrets of this dangerously handsome rogue. Is he a smuggler? A fugitive? An enemy spy? She needs answers by sunrise, but her captive would rather seduce than confess. To learn his secrets, Violet must reveal hers—and open herself to adventure, passion, and the unthinkable... Love."

My Review: Loved it! Violet is such a fantastic character, she acted as one should expect she should act, with hesitation. I love how intelligent the characters are. The play with languages is entertaining and added a fun almost secret element to the story, it was really as if you were spying on Violet and the gentleman. The ending was great, loved it (you'll just have to read it to find out what happens). The only issue I have is that I want more!!

My Rating: as I said, I want more of the characters! I really didn't want to stop reading at any point so I give it a rating of Four Paws!

Review of For Camelot's Honor by Sarah Zettel

Synopsis:"Set in Arthurian England, FOR CAMELOT'S HONOR is the follow-up to "IN CAMELOT'S SHADOW (LUNA, 3/04) and is based on the epic "Geraint and Enid from the "Mabinogion. Elen, the daughter of a Welsh chieftain, believed that nothing could withstand her retribution against her family's killer. But the evil sorceress Morgaine had other plans--an elaborate plan to cause Elen to betray all she held dear, including her new ally, the High King. Still holding fast to hope, facing deadly foes seen and unseen, Elen traveled through the wild mountains to find a magical weapon to strike down the sorceress. Sir Geraint, her only companion, would risk life and love to complete their quest--but never honor. Would Elen, too, choose honor and the future over revenge and a shattered past?"

My Review: Another fantastic Arthurian romance! Of all the brothers I would pick Geraint as my hubby, he is so quite, intelligent and honorable. This book took on an even more magical story, literally, it is littered with magic and curses for Elen and Geraint to wade through and correct. The curse laid upon Elen is one of the worst I could imagine, but she quickly figures out the loop holes Morgaine didn't close. Elen is very observant and determined to avenge her family and reclaim her lands, but she requires help from some very powerful beings to achieve her goals.

My Rating:  Another of my favorite books from one of my favorite series. The characters were great and while the story got magical and seemed to go a little of course for an Arthurian Legend, it was still a great book! I give it a rating of Four Paws!

For the Arthurian Legends Challenge in 2012

Monday Reading List & Meet Me on Monday

Its Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Share what books you have finished in the last week, are currently reading and what might be coming up next!

What I Read Last Week:

Links will take you to my review

For Camelot's Honor by Sarah Zettel (review coming soon)

The Bear and the Bride by Jianne Carlo (After dark review coming soon)

Currently Reading:

Frost Kisses by Kailin Gow - pb - on page 45 of 284

On Falcon's Wings by Lisa Yarde - Nook - on page 242 of 749

Once upon a Winters Eve by Tessa Dare - Nook - on page 45 of 233

Next Books to be Read:

Catundra by Stephen Cosgrove - Childrens/Bedtime stories
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden - May Book Club

Liberty: A Lake Wobegon Novel by Garrison Keller- Mount TBR Challenge

Under Camelot's Banner by Sarah Zettel - Arthurian Legend Challenge

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Meet Me on Monday

So I found this fun little meme I thought would be great to add so people get to know me a little better (and discover my strange little quirks). Meet Me On Monday is hosted by Acting Balanced where 5 questions are posted each week for us to answer about ourselves and share with all of our readers.

And now for this weeks Questions:

1. Finish this sentence - The chore that I hate most is...  

                        That's a tough question, it probably changes each time I do the chores. I dislike cleaning the bathroom, I dislike putting clean clothes away (don't mind doing laundry or folding just putting them away), but I really hate cooking!! It's a good thing I married an Italian ;)

2. What are you most looking forward to this summer?    

                    Um that's a secret for now ;)

3. Where do you do most of your grocery shopping? How often do you shop?

                    Oh gosh I should have put this in question number 1!!! I really really hate shopping! Grocery shopping, gift shopping, clothes shopping . . . I hate them all (except book shopping of course lol).  I shop at several stores, Walmart or Target for cleaning supplies and non perishables, some groceries at Stop and Shop and produce & meats at Dave's Market.

4. Why do you blog?
                         Because I love books! I want to share my love of reading and hopefully bring books that someone hasn't read into the light and give them a new fun adventure.

Number 5 is for you to answer.  What is your favorite summer time meal and beverage?

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Wow, another totally insane week and weekend!! I fall in love with my new bathroom more every day. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like any more work will be getting done this month as Hubby has to take an emergency trip to Florida this weekend and then he is going to DC over Memorial Day weekend :(

Oh well I guess I have plenty of pony projects to finish and some book shelving to do in the mean time!!

Hope you all have a great week filled with new adventures!