Happy Easter

Happy Easter!  

May you and your family enjoy the warmth and the love of this holiday!

From Everyone at Place of Reads!

A Fall of Water by Elizabeth Hunter

Description:

“No secret stays hidden forever.”

Still grieving from their loss in the far East, Giovanni Vecchio and Beatrice De Novo discover that for them, all roads really do lead to Rome. But nothing is quite as it seems in the Eternal City. Joined by Carwyn and Tenzin, unexpected clashes greet them almost immediately, and rivalries churn beneath the glittering facade of the old Roman court. They quickly realize that allies might be enemies, and ancient rivals could hold the key to a deadly secret.

Giovanni and Beatrice will be forced to call on old alliances, ancient power, and fierce cunning to survive for the eternity they both desire. Sometimes, finding the end means going back to the beginning. Fire, Earth, Wind, and Water finally meet with devastating results in the conclusion of the Elemental Mysteries.

Review:

A Fall of Water by Elizabeth Hunter

5 out of 5

In this AMAZING conclusion to the Elemental Mystery Series, we get a happy ending in a library (no, not that kind of happy ending!)… Which kind of reminds me of the beginning of the series, and I like that. 

Beatrice is amazing!  She showed strength, courage, and intelligence.  Though she is still mourning her father and is still adjusting to being a new vampire, she is still growing even more into a character that I can’t help but love.

Giovanni’s secrets are coming out.  So much so, that I began to wonder if we as a reader knew him at all in the first 3 books. There are a lot of flashbacks, which also give us a better idea about what made Giovanni who he is. 

I found it interesting about the 4 oldest vampires that were introduced.  These ancient vampires were the ones who were experimented on, but held onto these secrets.  I liked that we got to know their origins, what happened with the experiment, and why they were going to team up with Giovanni and Beatrice.

Personally, I loved the resolution to this series.  It was the happily-ever-after kind of ending, but it definitely gave a peace to the reader, as most of the problems had a resolution.  It was wonderful.

Overall, this is a great book from a great series.  Definitely looking forward to reading more by Ms. Hunter.  Highly recommend.  

Happy Reading!

Cana

Meeting Jeaniene Frost, Author Extraordinaire

So, when my friend Becca with Bending the Spine Book Blog and I saw that Jeaniene Frost was going to be not too far from us in our South Carolina hometown, you know that we couldn’t resist going! So we packed up in my car and rushed up to North Carolina... Through flurries (I called it a snow storm, and Becca told me I was paranoid), we made it safe and sound and had the time of our lives!

If you can't tell, I'm a little excited!

We went to a little book store called  Malaprop’s Bookstore, which was so cute!  I highly recommend if you are in the Asheville area to check out this independent bookstore.  It is just a wonderful little bookstore.

 So while we waited for the witching hour of 7pm (the time that we would get to meet Ms. Frost), we sat and met some great people, and check out the store.  And then, Ms. Frost came out early to talk to us.  Of all the authors that I have ever gotten to meet so far thanks to my blog, she is honestly the most personable one that I've met (She is one of those people that you meet and really believe you could become best friends).

She did some Q & A, and we got some wonderful answers to some questions that we the fans are dying to know.  Yes, there will be a book for Ian… Though we might have to wait a bit to get it, as it might be a bit more … mature due to what kind of vampire Ian is ;).  Vlad’s castle and the Biltmore house have a lot more in common that you could believe. 

During the book signing, she took the time to talk to each of the fans that were in line to get their books signed.  Unlike some authors, she never rushed to get on to the next book/person, and I loved that! 

Becca... Before she became putty at the feet of Ms. Frost!

Even better was when she asked my friend Becca about what blog she was with, and Jeaniene Frost said she actually knew her blog!!!!! I thought I was going to have to scrape Becca off the floor with a spatula she was so floored! 

My actual conversation with Ms. Frost was not quite as exciting as my friends, but that is okay.  I still had fun!  And I LOVED meeting her!

Overall, I had a great experience.  I think just from this event, even if I didn’t like the books, I would tell people to read them just because of the author being just THAT awesome!  But I do like the books, and Ms. Frost is awesome, so you HAVE TO read her books J.

Happy Reading!

Cana

Waiting on Wednesday: Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is: 

Description:

Sybella arrives at the convent’s doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge—but at a price. Naturally skilled in both the arts of death and seduction, the convent views Sybella as one of their most dangerous weapons.

But those assassin’s skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to a life that nearly drove her mad. Her father’s rage and brutality are terrifying, and her brother’s love is equally monstrous. And while Sybella is a weapon of justice wrought by the god of Death himself, He must give her a reason to live. When she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for?

This heart-pounding sequel to Grave Mercy serves betrayal, treachery, and danger in equal measure, bringing readers back to fifteenth century Brittany and will keep them on the edge of their seats.

Coming out on April 2, 2013

Why?

1.  I loved the first book!  It was a delicious historical paranormal YA book... and I expect nothing less from this book.  
2. I thought Sybella was a bit crazy and/or evil, but now I'm wondering.  What has happened to her that has made her this way?
3. I'm thinking the captive is Beast, and boy do I hope it is... He was really one of my favorite characters in the first book.
4. I love the cover.  She looks like she is ready to take down anyone who comes near her. 

So what are you waiting for?

Happy Reading!

Cana

The Force of Wind by Elizabeth Hunter

Description:

How far would you go to protect the ones you love?

What would you sacrifice to kill the one you hate?

Join Giovanni Vecchio and Beatrice De Novo as they travel to a hidden island on the far edge of China to seek the help of an ancient immortal court. Can they weave their way through the tangled web of centuries-old alliances and ruthless feuds to find what they’ve been looking for? Friends will be revealed, enemies will find them, and a dangerous secret will come to light.

The third book in the Elemental Mysteries series will see Giovanni and Beatrice joined by a group of unlikely allies as they explore the history and myth of the far East. Many have been stolen, but only one holds the key.

Review:

The Force of Wind by Elizabeth Hunter

5 out of 5

This is one big story of change.  Change from human to vampire; change of parent to sire; change of relationships. All of which helps lead up to the biggest mystery:  What is this book and what makes it so important?

I liked how we got to meet some really old vampires (like some of the oldest ones around).  Plus, we get to travel to an island off the coast of Asia. 

I like how we got to know Tenzin better.  Her past (which was both heart breaking and strengthening) and all the way to her present with her mate was very enlightening.  It was awesome to understand her and what made her who she was/is.

We FINALLY get to meet Stephan De Novo, the mysterious character that seems to be the driving force of this novel.  We want to know what he knows, what he is protecting, and why he is hiding away from Lorenzo.  Plus, we get other surprises from him as we go along. 

Again, there is definitely something about Beatrice and Giovanni.  They love each other, but their arguments are major and earth shaking (figuratively only).  Sometimes you wonder if they will survive as a couple with some of their arguments. 

Overall, this is a great book.  Heartbreaking, but great.  Highly recommend and I’m looking forward to reading some more from this series.  

Happy Reading!

Cana

Shades of Honor by Wendy Lindstrom

Description:

Former Union soldier Radford Grayson returns to his small hometown, looking for a stable and comforting place to raise his young, motherless daughter. Despite his troubled past, his hopes are to reconcile with his family and put his dark secrets behind him. But he doesn't count on falling in love with Evelyn--his brother's financee...

When Evelyn Tucker accepted her childhood friend Kyle Grayson's marriage proposal, she thought it was the best way to make her ailing father happy. But after Radford arrives home, the fiery and independent Evelyn realizes that the comfort and friendship Kyle gives her will never hold a candle to the instant, undeniable passion she feels for Radford. Now their forbidden desire threatens to shatter family ties and destroy newfound dreams--unless their love has the power to overcome all obstacles...

My Review:

Shades of Honor by Wendy Lindstrom

5 out of 5

     Haunted by a gruesome war and his own dark secrets, Former Union Soldier Radford Grayson returns home, seeking a loving reunion with his brothers and a place where he and his young daughter can make a home. Desperate for peace, Radford is ambushed by his unexpected and forbidden love for Evelyn—his brother's fiancée.

       I found this book while looking for free books.  The description makes you think of the numerous other cheesy romance novels.  It really is a wonderful story though.  Radford and Evelyn battle hardships and a past that threatens to keep them apart.

        Radford is the eldest Grayson brother and the war hero.  He is haunted by the horrors he saw during the Civil War.  He feels like he never lived up to the hero his family thought he was.  Radford did whatever his brother Kyle wanted to try and make his way back into his family.  He gave up his share of the saw mill their father built and helped out in Kyle’s fiancé’s livery.  Radford even agreed to stay in another home instead of his mother’s.  He fell in love with Evelyn and still tried to do the right thing by fighting his feelings.  Radford shows his strength, courage, and love throughout the book.  It is wonderful to see the wounded and defeated man finally start to find the family and home he so desperately wanted.

        Evelyn grew up with the Grayson brothers and was always the tomboy of the group.  No one realized she had turned into a beautiful woman except Radford.  She worked hard to keep her father’s livery business going and stay faithful to Kyle.  Evelyn had a connection to Radford through his daughter.  They also were able to share the pain and outsider feeling they felt.  The ability to finally connect with a man in a way other than friendship sent her world upside down. No matter what, she tried to honor her promises and take care of her dying father.

        Kyle is the second oldest Grayson brother and took over the saw mill after their father died.  He worked hard to make the business a success, and he resents having Radford back in town.  It doesn’t help that Radford falls for Evelyn.  Kyle had to grow up and forget his dreams to take care of his family.   This changed him and put him on a different path.  He struggled with his anger over his brother leaving everything to him.

        This love triangle is one that breaks your heart.  You hope that Radford and Evelyn will end up together, but you are not sure if that will happen.  It is set during the Reconstruction Era, so the choses for a woman are limited.  This was a sweet story that made me eager to read the next.  The Grayson brothers have a bond that makes you want to call your own siblings.  This book doesn’t just give you an interesting love story, but it shows the importance of family.  I am eager to read the next book and see what happens to the Grayson boys.

Happy Reading, 

Kimberly

This Same Earth by Elizabeth Hunter

Description:

Beatrice De Novo thought she had left the supernatural world behind…for the most part. But when the past becomes the present, will she leave her quiet life in Los Angeles to follow a mystery she thought had abandoned her? Where has Giovanni Vecchio been, and why has he returned? Giovanni has his own questions, and he’s looking to her for answers.

The sequel to A Hidden Fire will reunite Beatrice and Giovanni to continue their search through the past while both wrestle with the future. When the world as you knew it has changed forever, is there any way you can turn back?

Review:

This Same Earth by Elizabeth Hunter

5 out of 5

This book was absolutely delicious!  I mean, you have your mystery, your romancing, your heart breaking knowledge that because of decisions made the mystery has gone on longer than it needed to... It was amazing!  

So in the 2^nd installment of the Elemental Mysteries Series, we have had several years pass since the first book.  Beatrice is older (and maybe wiser), Giovanni has been looking and investigating the book that they have been searching for, and a lot of changes have been happening in the world of vampires. 

Characters:

So Beatrice… She was not one of my favorite characters at first.  She kept holding a grudge, being whiney, and staying distant from Giovanni.  I was really juvenile and really irritating.  But slowly, as she came back around, she started to be one of my favorite characters. 

Giovanni was awesome.  Everything he did was with the plan to prove to Beatrice that he loved her and that he wasn’t going to leave again. That was really hot!

Overall:

I loved how we got to meet some more of Carwyn’s family.  It provided a bigger way to learn about Vampire families and how the whole things work.

Again, this book reminds me of how many ways I despise Lorenzo.  Ugh!  He does some pretty shitty things that make you want to kick his ass. 

Here we are lead into more of the mystery of the book that they are looking for and Stephan De Novo.  The book contains something important, but we aren’t exactly sure what it does, or what makes it important.  I liked how the mystery was the primary motive, but not the only movement in the novel.  There are definitely other little mysteries going on in this book. 

I will admit that I hated how this book started and ended.  But thankfully, I quickly got over it.  My only problem was that the beginning and the end of the book was written as a bunch of journal entries.  BLEH!  I don’t like reading journal entries (even ones that I wrote).  But since the journal entries were only at the beginning and the end, I easily was able to zoom through them without them affecting the overall opinion of the book.

Overall, this book was pretty awesome.  I’m so looking forward to reading more from this author.

Happy Reading!

Cana

Bewitching Book Tours: Pooka in My Pantry by R. L. Naquin

Pooka in My Pantry

Monster Haven, Book Two
R.L. Naquin

Amazon BN

Book Description:

Zoey Donovan—empath, wedding planner, go-to girl for monsters with personal problems—has been marked twice for pickup by Death. On both occasions, Riley the smoking-hot reaper has refused to follow through. For his breach of protocol, Riley is now on probation. For her refusal to die on schedule, Zoey's right to live is challenged. She will have to undergo a life-or-death trial, but she won't know when or where it will happen…

Staying alive might not be so difficult if the Leprechaun Mafia hadn't strolled into town. Now every business owner with the slightest connection to the supernatural community is being threatened with the most appalling bad luck if they don't pay up. Mirrors are smashed, bodies are dropping, and Zoey's still got clients waiting for fabric samples.

With a little luck, she might be able to save everyone and still have time for a second attempt at a decent first date with her favorite reaper.

Excerpt:

  You help one monster in need, and everybody hears about it.

The recent appearance of various monsters and mythical creatures in my life took some adjustment. But no amount of flexibility prepared me to assist in the live birth of a sea serpent in my own backyard. That’s a lot to ask of anybody.

My swimming pool looked like a major crime scene, and I was pretty sure bits of mucus mixed with dried blood flecked my hair. I’d probably have to take out a personal loan to cover the water bill once I took a three-hour shower, then drained and refilled the pool.

When the sea serpent appeared in my pool a month before, I had no clue what to do about it. Fortunately, Maurice, my resident closet monster, was quick on his feet. While I stood slack-jawed at the kitchen window, he ran to get Molly to be our translator. Fluent in all sorts of crazy creature languages ranging from house pets to gargoyles, Molly, the brownie, lived in a mushroom house in my backyard with her kids.

As it happened, she was unable to decipher a word of sea-serpentese.

Fortunately, a pygmy dragon with a nasty cold had recently spent his convalescence in my garage. Molly spoke dragonish, and Bruce, the dragon, spoke serpentese. Problem solved.

Except it took over three weeks to find Bruce, leaving us with no idea why a listless, snorting sea serpent had moved into my swimming pool. Communicating in pantomime with a creature that had no hands was futile, absurd and probably hilarious to watch.

When Bruce (via Molly) explained the situation, I did my best not to panic. The sea serpent was pregnant, but she could tell something was wrong. Naturally, she came ashore to my house for help, since everyone in the supernatural community seemed to think I had the answer to every problem.

I had no experience delivering healthy babies of any species. All I had to go on were basic anatomy and zoology classes in college, and a wealth of medical procedural shows on television. And yet, something inside me clicked when Frannie went into labor and the baby stopped moving. I jumped into the water without a thought for my spangled, dry-clean-only shirt, or for the discomfort of wet jeans and high tops. In hindsight, I should’ve at least kicked off my shoes.

I’m not sure how to describe the supreme ick factor of having both arms shoved up to the elbow inside a sea serpent’s body. The baby was turned wrong, kind of folded in half and pointed to emerge center-first, rather than in a straight line with its head or tail facing the exit.

“Don’t push, Frannie,” I said. “I have to unfold the baby or it’ll stay stuck.”

Molly made a series of grunting snorts, which Bruce translated into a series of clicks and yowls. I felt the serpent relax around my squashed arms and wrestled the slippery baby into a better position. Another contraction hit and I stopped, waiting until I had more room to work.

The mournful cry from Frannie needed no translation.

When the contraction was over, I made another grab with one hand to hold the baby steady and pulled the head with the other. I’m not a dainty woman, but I’m not big enough to palm a basketball, either. That’s what it felt like I was trying to do in there, only the basketball in question had eyes I needed to avoid poking, and it was covered in what felt like tapioca pudding.

I got a good grip on a dorsal fin at what I hoped was the back of its neck as the next contraction hit.

“Push!”

Clacks and snarls followed down the translation line, and Frannie pushed while I pulled. My other hand shoved, guiding the rest of the baby straight. Once the head slipped into place, nature took over, and out everything slid. Right into my pool and all over me.

As an empath, I try never to leave the house without my protective walls up. The emotions of other people tend to overwhelm and drain me. But I was at home, and I was exhausted. I’d been so focused on the birth that I hadn’t built any barriers, so there was nothing between me and the small group around me to barricade my psyche against what wasn’t mine. I stood in the frigid water, unconcerned by my shaking body or the gore that covered me.

The emotional inrush saturated me in love and happiness.

Frannie nuzzled her new offspring, and a quiet joy settled over me, warming my freezing flesh. From Molly’s direction, relief lay across my shoulders like a heated blanket, and Bruce’s delight prickled my skin in electric jolts. My eyelids burned. I closed them to relieve the sensation. My back bumped against the side of the pool, and I let my knees bend so I could float.

Worry.

Panic.

They shot through the other emotions like tiny arrows. My eyelids cracked open, but only for a few seconds. Nothing was wrong. All was right. My job was done, so what would it hurt to take a little rest?

Thin fingers dug into the flesh in my arms, hauling me from the pool. I made a weak attempt to slap at the intruder.

“Zoey, come on, wake up.” Maurice was there, dragging me away from the water and piling towels on my wet skin.

My eyes snapped open. Well, crap. I lay flat on the pavement, still shivering, despite the previous illusion of warmth. Bodily fluids coated my skin, and Maurice had covered me with my good towels.

The closet monster’s big yellow eyes hovered inches from my face. His worry was so intense, it blocked all the warm fuzzy stuff happening behind him. He coaxed me to my feet, fussing at the towels to keep them from sliding off, and leading me into the house.

“Seriously, Zoey. I don’t know how you stayed alive before I got here. If you didn’t drown, hypothermia would’ve had you.”

About the Author:

Rachel’s head is packed with an outrageous amount of useless Disney trivia. She is terrified of thunder, but not of lightning, and tends to recite the Disneyland dedication speech during storms to keep herself calm. She finds it appalling that nobody from Disney has called yet with her castle move-in date.

Originally from Northern California, she has a tendency to move every few years, resulting in a total of seven different states and a six-year stint in England. Currently, she’s planning her next grand adventure. Rachel has one heroic husband, two genius kids, several annoyed cats, and an imaginary dog named Waffles.

She doesn’t have time for a real dog.

http://www.rlnaquin.com/

https://twitter.com/RLNaquin

https://www.facebook.com/rlnaquin

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5323230.R_L_Naquin

And Now for a Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Happy Reading!

Cana

Waiting on Wednesday: Lover At Last by J. R. Ward

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week’s pre-publication “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is: 

Description:

Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another….

Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.

Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions… but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together… finally become one.

Coming out on March 26, 2013

Why?

Because I’m addicted to the rest of the series… I mean, come on, I’ve got a whole group of women who discuss this series, and we are slowly getting more women to join in on reading these books :P.

I want more resolution between Qhuinn and Blay… I mean, I know that they love each other, but will they ever get to be together?  That is the answer all of us are wanting as we read this series.

I’m not sure how I feel about this new competition for the throne.  I have a feeling that this new guy is going to be playing around with some important characters, and I’m not sure how I feel about it, but I’m going to read it. 

So what are you waiting for?

Happy Reading!

Cana

Bewitching Book Tour: A Touch of Sin by Christy Gissendaner

Description:

Julie Hendricks is a workaholic thirty-year-old who goes to her friend’s bar to meet him for a drink. It’s her first night out in years, and she envisions a normal evening. Instead, she meets Sin, a sexy karaoke DJ who’s not what he seems, and her idea of normal goes completely out the window.

Sin is actually Taliesin, the Welsh god of music and wisdom. For fun, he helps his old college football buddy at the local bar, Out of Bounds. His buddy’s prim friend captures his attention and he soon reveals more of himself than he usually does.

Julie's attraction to Sin is immediate even though she doubts she could ever please a god. When her friend’s business is threatened, Julie must help hunt down the enemy while resisting falling in love with the dangerously intriguing Sin.

Review:

A Touch of Sin by Christy Gissendaner

5 out of 5

What a yummy book! 

Characters

Sin is like chocolate-covered sex on legs!  But he is more than just a pretty face and a great lay.  He feels deeply for Julie, and doing everything he can to show her that he loves her.

Julie is a sweet, caring, “normal” person who could never believe that a lot of supernatural things exist.  But she definitely takes it a whole lot better than any mortal that I can think of. 

Overall

Though this story is more novella-sized than novel-sized, it does pack quite a quick punch.  There is no pussy-footing around.  Within the first 5 chapters, you meet the heroine, the hero, the best friend, and discover that one of them is a Welsh god… Now, don’t let this make you think that all the secrets get revealed at once… More is still to come!

I enjoyed the references to Welsh mythology, though I wish that there had been a bit more of Sin’s back story.  I’m not as familiar with Welsh mythology and I had to dig out my Big Book of World Mythology to occasionally help me fill in the blanks on who was who.

Overall, this is an awesome book.  I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.  Highly recommend.  

Happy Reading!

Cana

Bewitching Book Tour: A Touch of Sin by Christy Gissendaner

A Touch of Sin

Out of Bounds Book One

Christy Gissendaner

Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Liquid Silver Books

ISBN: 978-1-93176-143-7

Number of pages: 83

Word Count: 39,820

Book Description:

Julie Hendricks is a thirty-year-old workaholic who goes to her friend’s bar to meet him for a drink. It’s her first night out in years, and she envisions a normal evening. Instead, she meets Sin, a sexy karaoke DJ who’s not what he seems, and her idea of normal goes completely out the window.

Sin is actually Taliesin, the Welsh god of music and wisdom. For fun, he helps his old college football buddy at the local bar, Out of Bounds. His buddy’s prim friend captures his attention, and he soon reveals more of himself than he usually does.

Julie's attraction to Sin is immediate, even though she doubts she could ever please a god. When her friend’s business is threatened, Julie must help hunt down the enemy while resisting falling in love with the dangerously intriguing Sin.

http://www.lsbooks.com/christy-gissendaner-c81.php

Short Excerpt

This was going to be fun.

The crowd must’ve realized what he was about to do because it suddenly grew quiet, and all eyes turned toward him. Sin removed his earphones and reached for the microphones. “I’ve had a request.”

A cacophony of whistles and shouts filled the air.

“About time!” one of the sorority girls shouted and was echoed by the giggles of her friends.

Sin held up his hand for silence. “I’m going to need a volunteer.”

At least fifty female hands shot into the air. Sin ignored them all for the one hand that didn’t go up. As he had expected, Julie shrank against the back of the couch when his eyes met hers.

Jumping off the dais, he weaved his way through the crowd toward the back of the room. “Come here, Julie.”

Julie’s eyes widened, and she frantically shook her head.

Sin laughed into the microphone. “Don’t panic, Jules. I’m not going to make you sing. Now get on up here.”

She continued to shake her head. “No, Sin.”

Sin decided the audience was going to have to help him. He swept his arm out to gesture toward Julie and spoke into the microphone. “Everyone welcome Jules. She’s a good friend of Hal’s, and this is her first visit.”

If looks could kill and he was mortal, Sin would be a goner from the look Julie gave him. He reached out and plucked her from her seat before she could stop him. He wrapped an arm around her waist and propelled her forward. “Don’t worry. All you have to do is stand there.”

Julie elbowed him in the ribs and spoke through clenched teeth. “I don’t like being the center of attention, Sin.”

He twirled her in a small circle so that she faced the crowd. “Lucky for you,” he paused to throw his arm out in a dramatic fashion to gesture toward Hal. “I do.”

The music started, and he could tell the moment Julie recognized the song. Her eyes grew wide with disbelief, and her face paled.

“You are going to pay for this,” she hissed in warning.

“Relax, Jules. It’ll be fun.”

Sin plopped the top hat Hal handed him on Julie’s head, and the crowd went wild. The noise was deafening. For a moment, he thought she was going to bolt. Instead Julie crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. “No funny business.”

Sin winked at her and turned back toward the audience as he sang “You Can Leave Your Hat On.” For each item of clothing he mentioned, he teasingly acted as if he was removing it from Jules.

In previous acts, his helper would sometimes become overzealous and actually strip. Thankfully Jules didn’t show a similar inclination. She merely alternated between glaring at the ceiling and at him.

Sin circled her and reached for the buttons of her jacket. Julie tensed as he undid the top two buttons. His fingers brushed the lacy edge of her camisole and desire shot through him. He wanted to have her.

But first he had to get through the next couple of hours. “Don’t look so frightened, Jules. I’m not going any farther.”

“You’d better not unless you want two black eyes,” she warned out of the side of her mouth.

The crowd hooted and yelled for more. Sin nuzzled the side of her neck, enjoying the feel of her skin against his lips. “The crowd is wild for you, Jules.”

“It is not me they want to see, Sin.”

“Maybe not the female half, but the men in the room can’t take their eyes off of you.”

It was true. Sin sensed the envious looks he was being given. He did not feel threatened by their interest. Julie would be his even though she didn’t know it yet.

Sin undid the third button of her jacket, and then a fourth when she didn’t argue. The lapels of her jacket parted and exposed her thin camisole. Even the women hooted with delight as he ran his hands down the sides of her waist.

No one was more surprised than he was when Jules turned and yanked the mic from his hands.

She turned toward the crowd and lifted the microphone to her mouth. “Ya’ll want to see more?”

The crowd went crazy. She turned back to him with a wicked smile. Reaching up with one hand, she removed the hat.

She plopped the hat on his head at a crooked angle and lifted an eyebrow in challenge. “Turnabout is fair play.”

About the Author:

Christy Gissendaner is a romantic comedy author and believes that laughter and love should go hand in hand.

Christy lives in Alabama with her husband and three sons. She’s always hard at work on her next novel, but in her spare time she loves blackjack, karaoke, and anything resembling a vacation!

To find out more, please visit http://christygissendaner.webs.com

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Happy Reading!

Cana

A Hidden Fire by Elizabeth Hunter

Description:

"No secret stays hidden forever."

A phone call from an old friend sets Dr. Giovanni Vecchio back on the path of a mystery he'd abandoned years before. He never expected a young librarian could hold the key to the search, nor could he have expected the danger she would attract. Now he and Beatrice De Novo will follow a twisted maze that leads from the archives of a university library, through the fires of Renaissance Florence, and toward a confrontation they never could have predicted.

Review:

A Hidden Fire by Elizabeth Hunter

5 out of 5

So a fellow blogger and close friend suggested that I read this series about a year and a half ago… She gushed and raved about how good this series was, and how I had to read it.  Unfortunately, I didn’t listen to her, and waited almost 2 years later to read them.  Boy do I feel stupid for not listening to her about how good these books are.  I mean, I loved this book, and I can’t really see anything wrong with it, it was so good.

So what did I love?       

The Main Characters:

Beatrice

She is one strong character.  Even after losing both her parents and her grandfather, she still has the strength and determination to keep going.  I loved that about her.  

I love how she doesn’t appear to be your average librarian.  Nose piercings, combat boots, and a thing for handsome & extremely old vampires aren’t things that scream librarian to me.  Definitely unique. 

Giovanni

Yummy!  I love vampires, I love Italians, I love men who love books, and I love historians, so I definitely loved Giovanni!  It was inevitable. 

He seems to hold so much back about a lot of stuff.  But I would guess if you had been alone for 500+ years, you would be pretty slow to share information.  But him holding stuff back helps to add to the delicious mystery known as Giovanni.

The Amazing Secondary Characters:

Caspar

I loved him!  He is absolutely hilarious and balances out Gio’s seriousness. 

Now, I will admit that I was a bit confused on whether Caspar was gay or not… Him talking about fashion was just too hilarious!

I would have like to get more of a back story between Caspar and Gio… I know there is one, but what hints we were given is so slight.

Carwyn

He is a priest, a lover of Hawaiian shirts, and a man with a wicked sense of humor.  Then you find out that he is Welsh, and all I can hear is a deep voice in that marvelous Welsh accent (Kind of like Sean Connery, but not quite...)… Yummy!

Other things to tell you!

I loved Carwyn’s & Gio’s “historical relevance of pro wrestling”, and comparing it to the ancient Greeks debating… Really?  I don’t think they have it right, but as a justification, I think it is hilarious!

Lorenzo is the epitome of the creepy ass villain.  He is horribly creepy, and you really want him to loose… Or die.  One or the other. 

Just a warning…

Now, I must warn you, I had no idea what was going on in the book for the first couple of chapters, but don’t let that stop you!  Once I got going (and finally figured out what was going on), I couldn’t put the book down!

Overall:

Overall, this is one amazing book.  It is one of those great, amazing, and necessary-to-live-a-complete-life books!  Highly recommend!

Happy Reading!

Cana