Review and Giveaway: The Sayers Swindle

The Sayers Swindle (Book Collector Mystery - Book 2) by Victoria Abbott

Publication Date:12/03/2013
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 305
ISBN-10: 0425255298
ISBN-13: 978-0425255292

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Victoria Abbott (aka. Mary Jane Maffini and Victoria Maffini) on the WEB: website, twitter, facebook, goodreads

Books in the series:

The Christie Curse (2013), The Sayers Swindle (2013)

Coverart: Click the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from The Says Swindle, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature.

Synopsis:

Jordan Kelly is delighted to make money tracking down rare and valuable mystery novels for her employer, Vera Van Alst, an avid collector and the most difficult woman in  Harrison Falls, New York. But now her boss’s complete set of Dorothy Sayers is missing, and finding them may lead Jordan to a murder suitable for Sayers’s esteemed sleuth, Lord Peter Wimsey…
 
When Jordan manages to locate her boss’s missing books, they are in the possession of Randolph Adams, an elderly man in a nearby town. Offering a valuable Hemingway first edition as an incentive, Jordan thinks she’s about to seal the deal—but some of Randolph’s relatives think he should hold out for more.
 
Then the entire family disappears—and a dead body shows up.  It’s up to Jordan to collect the clues—and make sure a killer gets booked. 

Thoughts:

The mother/daughter duo that make up Victoria Abbott brings readers the second book in the Book Collector Mystery series, The Sayers Swindle. Rich in detail and full of interesting characters this mystery is sure to tempt any rare book lover. With insights into the rare book business, creative Dorothy Sayers tie-ins and enough comedy to make you chuckle more than once, this is a great cozy mystery that promises to give the reader an enjoyable whodunit.

What I liked:

Oh, where to start with this one. I am a book lover from way back and this series really hits the spot for me. The first book in the series focused readers on Agatha Christie and now in the second we get a great read that focuses on Dorothy Sayers and her Lord Peter Wimsey books. I like the fact that Abbott is taking book collecting and using it for her subject. I could never afford a first addition or anything like that, but I find all of the information about rare books and the business of buying and selling them captivating. I think the authors did a great job of using those elements as a backdrop for this mystery.

Jordan Kelly is a very likable heroine. She definitely has moxie and she isn't afraid to use it. She is sassy and vibrant and drawn so well that readers will love everything about her. I loved the fact that Abbott didn't find it necessary to make Jordan a do-gooder necessarily. She has been known to use some less than above board tactics when it comes to finding out things she needs to know. Her uncles are hilarious and give a whole new dimension to Jordan's character.

Ah, the uncles! They had some adventures in their day and Jordan has learned a thing or two along the way. They give a lot of comic relief to the book and are endearing characters in spite of their nefarious ways. Abbott uses comedy skillfully in this book and makes readers chuckle now and then or shake their heads at the uncles' antics.

The mystery in this one was engaging and entertaining. Jordan has to find a set of Dorothy Sayers books which have been stolen from her employer. There are a ton of suspects and of course there is a dead body thrown in the mix and Jordan methodically puts the clues together to figure it all out, but I sure didn't... LOL! Which means it was a very good book.

What I didn't like:

There wasn't anything bad to report on this one and that means it earns a five from my book bag.

Bottom Line:

If you are a book lover of any kind, you will love this series. The Sayers Swindle is well thought out and executed. The authors don't leave anything to chance, they provide a great whodunit, and some really good humor. This is one you definitely want to pick up.

About the Author:

Victoria Abbott is a pseudonym for the collaboration between artist, photographer, and short-story author Victoria Maffini and her mother, Mary Jane Maffini, author of the Charlotte Adams mysteries.

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of The Sayers Swindle by Victoria Abbott.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US Addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, January 13th.

1. Please leave a comment describing any collectible books you may have, first additions and the like.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review: Gentlemen Prefer Mischief

Gentlemen Prefer Mischief (Regency Mischief - Book 2) by Emily Greenwood

Publication Date: 12/03/2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Imprint: Casablanca
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 352
ISBN-10: 1402276346
ISBN-13: 978-1402276347

(Received for an honest review from Sourcebooks Casablanca)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Emily Greenwood on the WEB: Website, Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Books in the series:

A Little Night Mischief (2013), Gentlemen Prefer Mischief (2013)

Coverart: Click the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from Gentlemen Prefer Mischief, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature.

Synopsis:

When Adversaries Clash, Mischief Ignites Passion...

If it hadn't been for the crazy rumors, Lily Teagarden would never have approached her neighbor, Hal, Viscount Roxham—the careless rogue who broke her fledgling heart. But strange noises and lights on his property are causing serious problems for her, and she needs his help.

Trouble is oh-so-diverting for Viscount Roxham, and what could be more amusing than investigating what's plaguing his prim, beautiful neighbor—haunted sheep, of all things. Every time he seems to make progress, though, she throws mischief in his path, and his attraction to her is becoming extremely distracting...too bad Lily's the only woman in England who doesn't think he's Lord Perfect.

Thoughts:

Emily Greenwood's second book in the Regency Mischief series, Gentlemen Prefer Mischief, is out of the ordinary for Regency romances. With a plot device like haunted sheep, how could it be otherwise? This novel also features a prim and proper heroine who could use a little mischief of her own in her life. Greenwood's knack for character development is showcased here, when Lily is forced to acknowledge that she may have feelings for the Viscount next door. A good sophomore effort by an up and coming author!

What I liked:

Contrary to what some readers enjoy. I liked Lily and her closed up, buttoned up ways. Part of the charm of this book, was Hal's teasing and bantering with her, to get her to come out of that proper lady shell. Greenwood let's Lily's character simmer under the surface, behind a lot of no-nonsense behavior and duty driven attitudes. But I had a feeling there was more to her than met the eye and Hal eventually finds it. Lily is a woman of contradictions and I enjoyed her a lot.

Hal, the Viscount Roxham was a true hero in my opinion. He may be a rake, but he's a rake with a conscience. He is a kind man, who understands his duty to his position and family, but he doesn't turn it inward like Lily has done. He is outspoken and boisterous and I understood how he was so enchanted with Lily, she was completely opposite of what the reader thought this kind of man would want. It was a great idea and for me it worked.

Who doesn't love some outrageousness, especially in a Regency romance? The ton is so full of rules and regulations and this must be that way and that must be this way's. I thought the haunted sheep and the reason behind them was a great idea. It brought the hero and the heroine together and it provided a back drop to their growing affection for each other. The fiend was certainly a very fun element to this story.

What I didn't like:

Having read Greenwood's first book, I was excited to read this one. There were definitely some things I liked, but there were a few things that bothered me with this one as well. The pacing was off a bit. I couldn't put my finger on what the issue was for awhile but then I realized that there was just too much going on. I loved the story surrounding Hal and Lily, but the diversion into the the romance of Hal's sister was a merely a distraction that wasn't needed. Perhaps this was set up for the next book, but it took away some of the originality from this novel.

Gentlemen Prefer Mischief is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

  

About the Author:

Emily Greenwood worked for a number of years as a writer, crafting newsletters and fundraising brochures, but she far prefers writing playful love stories set in Regency England, and she thinks romance is the chocolate-and in some exquisite cases, the wine-of literature. A Golden Heart finalist, she lives with her husband and their two daughters in Kensington, Maryland.

Guest Post and Giveaway: Emily Greenwood

Please join me in welcoming Emily Greenwood to Debbie's Book Bag today. Emily is here promoting the release of her book, Gentleman Prefer Mischief. Take a look at ten fascinating things she wanted to tell us about her book. The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Gentleman Prefer Mischief, see details at the end of the post.

Please tell us ten fascinating things about GENTLEMEN PREFER MISCHIEF.

1.) I could be wrong about this, but I think GENTLEMEN PREFER MISCHIEF may be the only new romance release that has haunted sheep. Other books might have haunted cows, possessed badgers, perhaps even a ghostly worm, but I think I’m good on the sheep. As to just how haunted these sheep are…you’ll have to read the book!

2.) My heroine, Miss Lily Teagarden, is so prim and focused on useful undertakings that she doesn’t even like men to give her flowers. She’s got important plans for her life—none of which include her neighbor, Hal, Viscount Roxham. He’s a terrible teaser and a man who spends his time on pleasures—pretty much in one handsome package everything Lily doesn’t respect.

3.) Unfortunately, she needs his help with those haunted sheep. Sightings of eerie lights and weird noises have been observed in the woods that separate their properties, and this seems to have something to do with her sheep. 

4.) There is also the little matter of a certain something embarrassing of hers Hal took four years ago. She’d forgotten all about it until he teased her over it, but now that he’s reminded her, she wants it back desperately, and she’ll do anything to get it.

5.) Hal, who used to be an army captain, loves adventure and excitement, but his brother’s death has made him viscount, and his new life lacks fun. Boredom has always a problem for Hal—but solving the mystery of Lily’s haunted sheep looks like it’s going to be the most entertainment he’s had in ages.

6.) Lily has special knowledge about making dyes for wool. Some of the materials used to make dyes in Regency England included moss, tree bark, and crushed flowers.

7.) Hal has a particular fondness for follies, which are small buildings whose construction was popular in England before and during the Regency. Many of them were replicas of the classical buildings and ruins seen by aristocrats on tours of Italy and Greece. The buildings –usually things like towers and miniature temples— often had no purpose but to decorate the landscape of a property, though some follies might have rooms inside.

8.) Soon after Lily asks for Hal’s help, she mysteriously starts trying to thwart his efforts to solve the mystery of what’s going on it the woods. Could there be some reason she’s changed her mind about needing his help? He suspects she has a secret, and he’s going to use every means he can to get her to confess.

9.) Hal and Lily aren’t the only ones caught up in mischief—Hal’s teenage sister has an enormous crush on her brother’s friend, along with a flair for boldness that just might cause trouble.


10)It’s possible the viscount is responsible for some local vandalism. Also, a little theft. Or maybe it’s all just mischief…

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Gentleman Prefer Mischief by Emily Greenwood.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US And Canadian Addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, January 13th.

1. Please leave a comment describing a book you've read that uses haunted animals.

2. Please fill out the FORM.

Announcement!

Hello, everyone!

Just wanted to let you know that the Cry in the Night Giveaway link is now working properly. Thank-You for letting me know there was a problem with it. Have a great day! and read a good book.

Review and Giveaway: Cry in the Night

Cry in the Night by Carolyn Hart

Publication Date: 12/03/2013
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 256
ISBN-10: 0425269906
ISBN-13: 978-0425269909

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Carolyn Hart on the WEB: Website, Facebook, Goodreads

Excerpt from Cry in the Night, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature.

Synopsis:

From the national bestselling author of Dead, White, and Blue and Ghost Gone Wild comes a mystery of intrigue and danger in the world of international art theft. 

Egyptologist Sheila Ramsay develops a newfound interest in MesoAmerican affairs after meeting an outspoken—and attractive—Mexico City curator, a harsh critic of museums that deal in stolen art. And her own museum gives her the perfect opportunity to see him again: a valuable Aztec manuscript needs to be returned to its rightful owners, the wealthy Ortega family. 

But things don’t go as planned for Sheila south of the border. An anonymous note threatens her with death if she remains in Mexico City. The curator she longed to see treats her with contempt. And the Ortegas are as mysterious as they are charming. What Sheila has stumbled into is much bigger—and more deadly—than she ever dreamed. And amid the splendor of Mexico’s ancient ruins and treacherous hillsides, Sheila will realize that there’s no one she can trust…

Thoughts:

Carolyn Hart's latest book, Cry in the Night hearkens back to an earlier time in mystery writing. Her style and the atmosphere of her writing remind me of greats like Agatha Christie. This book has a young and vibrant protagonist who finds herself in the middle of sinister plot and readers will be delighted. Hart has a knack for making her readers feel like something is around every corner. Her books exude fear and mystery. Her style is somewhat Gothic but still appealing to a younger set of cozy mystery readers.

What I liked: 

I liked lead character Shelia Ramsey a lot. She was young, but she had a good head on her shoulders. She is extremely intelligent and she knows her work. I thought it was interesting that Hart makes her an Egyptologist but gives her the role of solving a Meso-American mystery. Regardless she knew her stuff, but she was very impressionable and found herself enamored with a Mexican museum curator. I thought Hart developed Shelia's character well and readers get to see her change grow throughout the book. I liked that she figured out that Jerry was not the man for her and that someone else could possibly be.

The mystery itself was interesting and there were lots of things going on. At times it felt like there were more motives than people who could have pulled them off. I thought Hart did a great job of showing how more than one thing could have happened. It was reminiscent of a good game of clue. I kept waiting for Shelia to say something like, "it must have been Professor Plum in the library with the wrench." LOL!

I always have a heard time deciding if I think Carolyn Hart's books fit into the cozy genre. They are not overly graphic and there certainly isn't a lot of sex in them. The protagonist is usually a female and she usually has another career. So, Cry in the Night definitely meets the criteria, where some of Carolyn Hart's books do not. 

What I didn't Like:

I felt like this one was kind of all over the place. One minute I was glued to the pages and waiting with baited breath to see what would happen next and other times it dragged and there were confusing and unnecessary details. I liked Shelia, didn't like Jerry and was on the fence about Tony. It was just a hard book to get a feel for. Overall I think I liked it, but it just wasn't as good as Hart's Death on Demand series or her other books of late.

Bottom Line:

I would recommend this one, to readers who like Christie. To those who like Carolyn Hart's writing in general and those who like a Gothic atmospheric mystery. But it may not be what everyone enjoys reading. Give it a try and see what you think!

Cry in the Night is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

An accomplished master of mystery, Carolyn Hart is the author of fifty novels of mystery and suspense. Her books have won multiple Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity awards. One of the founders of Sisters in Crime, Hart lives in Oklahoma City, where she enjoys mysteries, walking in the park, and cats. She and her husband, Phil, serve as staff—cat owners will understand—to an orange tabby and brother and sister brown tabbies.

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Cry in the Night by Carolyn Brown.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US Addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, January 10th.

1. Please leave a comment describing what you know about the pyramids in Egypt or Mexico.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

Guest Post, Giveaway and Review: Unrestrained

Unrestrained by Joey W. Hill

Please join me in welcoming Joey W. Hill to Debbie's Book Bag today. Joey is here to promote her book, Unrestrained. I hope you enjoy her guest post about the degrees of dominance and submission. The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Unrestrained. See details at the end of the post.

Degrees of Dominance and submission…

Because of a difference of opinion that cropped up in reviews about the same story— my newest release, Unrestrained—I’ve been thinking recently about the degree of BDSM in my books. One reviewer felt Unrestrained was very light-handed; another felt it was hardcore and warned readers it wasn’t for the faint-hearted. Both were complimentary of the book, which I appreciated greatly.

This polar opposite opinion on the same book underscores what I was taught at the beginning of my writing career. When you write a story, if you want it to be an honest effort and an honor to your craft, you can’t write it for your audience, your publisher, your royalty check, et cetera (though I might keep a peripheral eye on those things, because electric bills must be paid, and the compliments of readers inspire a warm glow that keeps the creative fires burning – grin). 

Why is that? When I’ve been asked in the past if I ever make decisions about the degree of BDSM in my books based on my intended audience, the answer to that is no. The single determining factor of any element of my stories, including the BDSM content, is my characters. What they desire, and the path they must follow to get to the happily-ever-after they need. 

For me, Domination and submission are the orientation of my characters; BDSM represents the practices that they exercise to express those orientations. For some characters, pure psychological domination is what is needed. My submissive heroine might get weak-kneed and aroused from her Dominant hero simply telling her to sit down with a quiet, pointed look and “that” voice.  Another submissive protagonist might need to challenge his Domme in a way that results in her hog-tying him and zapping his privates with a violet wand, resulting in intense pleasure for both of them with the punishment and restraint. And that’s a random example, btw. I’m not saying male subs are always the ones who crave harsher treatment, because the most hardcore contemporary submissive I’ve had to date was female (Marcie in Hostile Takeover). 

As an example of the contrasts, I’ve posted an excerpt below. This scene is where Dale and Athena, my hero and heroine of Unrestrained, meet for the first time. Athena is at her usual BDSM club, watching a performance by a masked Dom (Dale). Athena served her husband as a Mistress because that’s what he needed, but now that she’s a widow, she’s discovering a deep longing to try the submissive side of things. 

While Dale is working with a submissive who needs higher levels of pain, I think Athena’s need for a very psychological form of Domination (at least at first) comes through during this scene. That’s the joy and pleasure of writing the BDSM romance genre. Every love story is so diverse, I never know exactly where we’re going to go until we’re there. It keeps things interesting. Hope you enjoy this glimpse of Dale and Athena!

WARNING: This is an erotic romance and the book and excerpt may contain materiel not appropriate for readers under 18 years of age. (Debbie's Book Bag!)

Follow this link for Joey's excerpt and the complete first chapter of Unrestrained.

Publishing Details:

Publication Date: 12/03/2013
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Heat
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Pages: 416
ISBN-10: 0425260682
ISBN-13: 978-0425260685

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Heat)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Joey W. Hill on the WEB: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Synopsis:

From Joey W. Hill—author of the Knights of the Boardroom series—comes a novel of erotic games and power plays, in which an adventurous woman attempts to break down her own barriers…

Athena is an accomplished businesswoman in control of every aspect of her life. But since the death of her husband, she’s had the desire to explore submissive cravings she’s had for some time. Unfortunately, Athena is known as a Mistress, because that’s the role she’s always played.

Her type A personality was strong enough to serve her husband as a Domme because that’s what he needed. It’s not until she meets Dale, a retired Navy SEAL, that she attempts to discover what her own submissive desires are. But letting go of her control is not so easy.

Fortunately, Dale is an accomplished Master who can help Athena live out her fantasies. And as she slowly surrenders to his touch, both of them will learn more about the nature of love between Dominant and submissive, and how it defies all expectations.

Thoughts:

Joey W. Hll is in arguably the queen of erotic romance. Her latest book, Unrestrained is nothing less than impressive. Hill's characters are strong willed and very comfortable in their own skins. They know what they want and how to get it. This novel focuses on the idea of submission and mastery in a way that readers of the genre may not have experienced before. The tables turn for main character Athena when she meets a new Dom, Dale. She goes from being a mistress to being a sub who is exploring her own inner desires. A great spin-off from Hill's Knights of the Boardroom series!

What I liked:

I've been reading erotic romance and BDSM books for quite some time. Most of them are your typical books of this kind, with sexy young characters who are either just getting acquainted with the lifestyle or fall into it rather accidentally. Not so with Joey W. Hill's latest book, Unrestrained. Unrestrained is definitely the horse of a different color. The main characters, Athena and Dale are not new to BDSM scene. Both are not youngsters, but adults who have lives and careers outside the BDSM community. Athena has long been a mistress in the boardroom and in the bedroom and Dale is retired Navy SEAL who is adept at mastery. I liked the fact that Hill gives us seasoned characters who have experience and know what they want and what they need. It was a good choice of characters and development.

Athena is a very capable woman. She knows how to accomplish things in her career and her life. She spent a wonderful marriage with a husband whose needs she lovingly accommodated, as his wife and as his mistress. She is well known in the BDSM community in that role, even after Roy succumbed to cancer three years ago. But now that he's gone she can't seem to adjust to taking on a new sub. When she meets master Dale, she begins to realize her inner desires to flip the script and explore her submissive side. I loved the fact that Hill allows Athena to learn about her own needs in this book. She isn't giving in to someone else or even giving up her control. She is in the drivers seat here all the way. She is just letting Dale guide her where she wants to go. A great character!

Dale is quite the Dom. A former Navy SEAL, and it is not conceivable that he would not be dominant. But there are so many other things about him that not what the reader would expect. He is a gardener, he rescues animals and he operates a junk yard. LOL...he's definitely an interesting guy. He has a softer side, but he needs that extra punch when it comes to his sex life. His drives are strong and unrelenting in his life and his bed. I thought he was a perfect match for Athena. She can be dominant but she doesn't need to be. He is dominant but he can be soft as well. Great counterparts!

What I didn't like: 

Club settings are common for BDSM books. They are places where doms and subs can meet and explore in a public venue. Club Surreal is a typical club of this kind. Sometimes I wish the setting could be a bit more diverse. It's that... "you've read about one club, you've read about them all" idea. You have a lot of clubs, resorts and that sort of thing in this kind of book, that I wish we could sometimes get away from. Certainly not a deal breaker though, this book was top notch all the way.

Bottom Line:

This book was exceptional. Joey W. Hill knows how to write erotic romance. Her characters are diverse and different. I liked the fact that they weren't young pups, so to speak and the fact that they were real people who needed a little something more when it came to the bedroom. Not all of us are able to explore our fantasies in this way, but reading Hill's writing, definitely hits the spot.

Unrestrained is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Joey W. Hill’s erotic romances, both paranormal and contemporary, have earned a unique place in the genre with their memorable characters and exceptional emotional depth. She is the author of the Knights of the Boardroom series including Honor Bound and Controlled Response, and the Vampire Queen series including Taken by a Vampire and Bound by the Vampire Queen. A recipient of multiple Top Reviewer Picks from Romantic Times, Night Owl Romance, ParaNormal Romance Reviews, TwoLips and others, she has been nominated for the Romantic Times 2009 Career Achievement Award in Erotica.

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Unrestrained by Joey W. Hill.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US Addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, January 10th.

1. Please leave a comment describing how you feel about dominant and submissive behavior, pros and cons, good, bad, ugly, you decide.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review: Legend of the Highland Dragon

Legend of the Highland Dragon (Highland Dragons - Book 1) by Isabel Cooper

Publication Date: 12/03/2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Imprint: Casablanca
Genre: Paranormal Historical Romance
Pages: 356
ISBN-10: 1402284675
ISBN-13: 978-1402284670

(Received for an honest review from Sourcebooks Casablanca)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Isabel Cooper on the WEB: Website, Blog, Goodreads

Excerpt from Legend of the Highland Dragon, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature.

Synopsis:

He Guards a Ferocious Secret

In Victorian England, gossip is often as precious as gold. But the Highlanders are a more mysterious bunch. And if anyone found out that Stephen MacAlasdair really was, he'd be hunted down, murdered, his clan wiped out. As he's called to London on business, he'll have to be extra vigilant—especially between sunset and the appearance of the first evening star.

Mina just wanted to find out more about the arrogant man who showed up in her employer's office. Some might say it was part of her job. She never thought the stranger would turn into a dragon right in front of her. Or that he'd then offer her an outrageous sum of money to serve as his personal secretary. Working together night and day to track a dangerous enemy, Mina comes to see a man in love is more powerful and determined than any dragon.

Thoughts:

Isabel Cooper brings readers the first book in a new series, called the Highland Dragons. The Legend of the Highland Dragon is part historical romance and part paranormal romance. It will easily entertain readers of both genres. Cooper does a fantastic job of showing the mind of a dragon and it's base instincts. She also describes a magical underground that will captivate readers. Cooper also gives readers strong characters with intriguing personalities and a bit of a mystery. A great first effort.

What I liked:

Being a paranormal fan I liked the fact that Cooper chose to write her own take on a dragon shapeshifter. I thought the background given was a bit sketchy and needed more depth, but Stephen MacAlasdair made a fantastic dragon. When Cooper gets down to brass tacks and lets the reader see MacAlasdair as a dragon, how he thinks, how he problem solves and how he gets what he wants, her writing shines. I thought she did an excellent job with the paranormal aspects of this book creating a fascinating culture that I personally want to read more about.

I enjoyed Stephen very much. He was certainly an alpha male but he was not overbearing with it. He didn't command or show an aggressiveness that some alpha's do. Which was really unexpected considering he is a dragon shifter. He shows great concern for his family and for Mina. He doesn't plan on her finding out his secret, but when she does, he rolls with it and doesn't expect to fall in love with her.

Mina was a great character. She comes from a lower class background and has established herself as a secretary for a well renowned scholar. She most definitely is not a pushover. She earned her way up in the world and she isn't inclined to let anyone take her down a peg, not even a dragon. She stands her ground and knows what she wants. She is inquisitive and gutsy. A great leading lady. Cooper shows a lot of depth in character development with Mina and readers will be drawn to her in spite of themselves.

The chemistry between these two is apparent from their first meeting but it doesn't really boil over until the second half of the book, which in turn becomes quite a bit more romantic. There are not as many love scenes as in most historical romances, but when they occur between Mina and Stephen, they are hot and steamy and seem appropriate. Their relationship is build over time and flows quite naturally. I liked the fact that each of them saw something in the other that not only captivated them, but completed them in a sense. Cooper did a great job of making their relationship believable and enchanting.

What I didn't like:

Unfortunately, there were a few issues with this one. Which are really not that unexpected for a first book in a series, by a debut author no less. Cooper's pace in this one was a bit flawed. It started out intriguingly but slow. Throughout the book there are a lot of small scenes but nothing really explosive until the end. And then all of the sudden it's over. So the start is slow but the ending is rushed. Overall it was still an enjoyable read, but had that stop and start motion that is a little irritating at times.

The other thing that disappointed me was the back story. Usually in the first book in a series an author spends an inordinate amount of time setting up the series. Telling readers and how and why things are occurring. What the characters motivations are, what happened in the past to make the present more interesting. But in this one, Cooper skimps on the back ground and places more emphasis on the here and now. I wanted to know more about the dragons, their history, the reason the villain had it in for Stephen, that kind of thing. I felt it was bit glossed over and not explained in enough detail.

Bottom Line:

Though this one had some flaws, they were not insurmountable. The characters made up for a lot in their personalities and their delivery of the story. Cooper, like most debut authors, will redoubtable get better, as she goes along. I would definitely recommend this one and read another from this author. There is a lot of potential here, that I think will be realized in future books in the series.

The Legend of the Highland Dragon is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Isabel Cooper lives in Boston with two thriving houseplants. During the day, she maintains her guise as a mild-mannered project manager working in legal publishing. None of the houses she's lived in has been haunted, although one of her former roommates might have dated a zombie. For more visit isabelcooper.wordpress.com.

Review: Wicked Little Secrets

Wicked Little Secrets by Susanna Ives

Publication Date: 12/03/2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Imprint: Casablanca
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 384
ISBN-10: 1402283571
ISBN-13: 978-1402283574

(Received for an honest review from Sourcebooks Casablanca)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Susanna Ives on the WEB: Website, Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Pinterest

Excerpt from Wicked Little Secrets, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature.

Synopsis:

It's Not Easy Being Good...

Vivacious Vivienne Taylor has finally won her family's approval by getting engaged to the wealthy and upright John Vandergrift. But when threatened by a vicious blackmail scheme, it is to her childhood friend that Vivienne turns; the deliciously wicked Viscount Dashiell.

When Being Wicked is so Much More Exciting...

Lord Dashiell promised himself long ago that his friendship with Vivienne would be the one relationship with a woman that he wouldn't ruin. He agrees to help her just to keep the little hothead safe, but soon finds that Vivienne has grown up to be very, very dangerous to all of Dash's best intentions.

Thoughts:

Author Susanna Ives brings readers a rollicking Victorian romance, with a dash of mystery in her latest book, Wicked Little Secrets. Ives has a knack for humor and her characters are well drawn and easy to relate too. Blackmail is the order of the day in this novel and Ives sets the scene with attention to the smallest of details. Historical romance fans will find more than just romance in this book, as the mystery is both entertaining and engaging. Ives has a writing voice that was made for the genre and Wicked Little Secrets will likely be an instant hit.

What I liked:

This was actually a very well written historical romance. Some of the themes were a little predictable. Dashing rake next door falls in love with damsel in distress. But the addition of the blackmail plot sets this one apart. The book is still most definitely a romance, but the air of mystery is a plot device that really works here. Ives does a wonderful job of incorporating blackmail into every aspect of the book. Since this is what brings the hero and heroine together, it takes on the characteristics of an actual character. Well done!

The humor is exceptional in this book. Ives knows how to use humor without overwhelming the story with it. Her humor is subtle, but hilarious. When those moments of comic relief are needed, Ives steps up. She is able to put her characters into humorous situations without seeming over the top or unrealistic. Lord Dashiell's grandfather is among the most comical in the book and gets himself into quite a few messes. I found myself smiling a lot, giggling on occasion and laughing out loud more than once. 

The main characters were very well written as well. Vivienne Taylor was a lot of fun to read about. She was a bit wild and undisciplined. Used to being trodden down by her family, never in the right place at the right time... until now. She has finally gotten a marriage proposal from a businessman that will keep her family from financial ruin. But she isn't in love with him. I thought Ives did a great job of showing Vivienne's insecurities. Her need for her families approval, her disregard for her own safety, and even her feelings of unworthiness. She was a great heroine.

Lord Dashiell was a consummate rake. Money, bad reputation, the devil may care attitude. He certainly wasn't the kind of man that Vivienne's parents wanted for their daughter or their situation. What I liked most about him was his total acceptance of Vivienne. She didn't have to change one thing for him to care about her, in fact he didn't want her to change a thing. He thought she was perfect. I also enjoyed his relationship with is grandfather and his no nonsense ways. He didn't care a whit about what anyone else thought. That was refreshing in this type of character. 

I also really enjoyed the side romance between Hadrian's grandfather and Vivienne's aunt. It was comical and fun and added another dimension to this already lovable book. The secondary characters were all so well written. Each with their own backstory and reason for being in the novel. They are people that readers will want to know more about and who strike a cord with them. I thought Ives was very conscientious about making each character give something to the plot that only they could have provided.

What I didn't Like:

Not too much really. I did have to shake my head at Vivienne's heedlessness. She kind of went at things in a more haphazard way than I would have liked. She had a disregard for how her actions were affecting the other people in her life. Also Lord Dashiell was way to hesitant to suit my tastes. Readers obviously could tell that he and Vivienne were made for each other, but it sure took him a lot of time to figure that out on his own. But neither of these points is a deal breaker. This is still an exceptional historical romance.

Bottom Line:

I loved this one. The humor was on point. The characters were engaging. The blackmail plot added a mysteriousness to the book and overall it was just a very good read. I liked the fact that it was set in the less popular Victorian era as well. This one has a lot going for it.

Wicked Little Secrets is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Susanna Ives started writing when she left her job as a multimedia training developer to stay home with her family. Now she keeps busy driving her children to various classes, writing books, and maintaining websites. She often follows her husband on business trips around Europe and blogs about the misadventures of touring with children. She lives in Atlanta.