On the Rim of Love

by Marie Astor

The middle of December I received an email from Meghan Williams offering me an ebook copy of Astor's 3rd book.  Since I knew I was receiving a Kindle for Christmas I jumped at the chance.  My first ebook!

As most of you know I am NOT a romance reader.  Guess I overlooked that in my enthusiasm to load and read my first ebook.  On the Rim of Love is a quick, light, easy romance.  The main character, Maggie, is a smart, pretty girl who has been dating a rich, egotistical jerk for two years and hasn't figured out yet that he is a jerk.  I'm not particularly smart but I had his number in the first few pages.

Maggie accepts a proposal of marriage from this Neanderthal and then goes to Vancouver with him for a proposal celebration that turns into a business trip.  And that's as much of the storyline I'm going to give away.

The thing about Kindle is that it keeps track of the reader's progress through the book.  I found it torturous at first to realize I had only read 35% and had so much more to read but when I reached 50% things started  getting more interesting.  I have to say that I rather enjoyed this book and found it to be a nice respite from the strenuous biography I was reading at the same time.

If you are a romance reader, I think you will thoroughly enjoy On the Rim of Love.  Let me just whisper the name Taylor to you... 

** I received a free copy of On the Rim of Love in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was received.

As Shadows Fade

by Colleen Gleason

It just seems like a few months ago that Colleen's first book hit the blogosphere and already the Gardella Vampire Chronicles ends with book five, As Shadows Fade. Although I've been waiting with white knuckles for this book, it seems like the whole trip went just way too fast.

Most of you know that I'm not a romance reader and though these are found in the romance section of the bookstores they are so much more than romance. May I also insert that I think they are so much better than the Twilight series - better written and miles more interesting!

I'm sorry to see the story of Victoria, Sebastian and Max coming to an end. Others have reported that they liked how the series ends. I did too but I feel a little pang of sadness - for some of the characters, for the end of the series - probably both.

A comment concerning the cover: What is with that young, young boy standing behind Victoria? It can't be either Max or Sebastian! I picture those two as MEN, wiser and more self-assured than that BOY on the cover. That's my only complaint about this book. Oh, one more - it went too fast. Loved it!

Colleen so amply described a familiar feeling that I have never found the words to describe:

Victoria felt marginally better after her nap and a good meal, yet an angry, itchy sort of internal grumbling continued to nag at her.

Jane Austen Ruined My Life

by Beth Pattillo

Looking for a fun, light but very good book for Valentine's reading. This one fits the bill. I've read several Jane Austen take-offs in the last year or two and this is by far the best. It rates higher than Austenland, The Jane Austen Book Club, and Jane and Cassandra. At least in my opinion. And I really liked two of those.

Emma has lost her husband to another woman and she has lost her college professorship for suposedly stealing the her teaching assitant writings. In hopes of gaining back her professional reputation she flies to England on a quest to find the missing letters of Jane Austen - she has a contact who wants to help her.

Mrs. Parrot claims to have over 500 unpublished letters that Austen's sister Cassandra was put in charge of destroying. Before Emma is permitted to see the letters she must complete several task to prove her worthiness. I had lots of questions about Mrs. Parrot and the tasks which let just enough mystery to keep me interested in how things would turn out.

There were several passages that hit a chord with me but I didn't mark them. I usually put several BookDarts on the first page so they are handy when I run across a neat quote, but I keept forgetting to get the BookDarts. I'm passing the book on to my 19-yr-old daughter. I think her age group all the way up to my age group will enjoy this book. It's MUCH better than those Twilight books that were making the rounds.

This book will be released on Feb 3. Great timing for Valentine's and a perfect book for that holiday.

The Bleeding Dusk

by Colleen Gleason

I received an unexpected, but delightful surprise in November when I opened a package and discovered an ARC of Colleen's latest book in the Gardella Vampire Chronicles. I immediately sent off a thank-you email expressing my surprise and delight. Colleen emailed back and told me to be sure and read the acknowledgments. There, right after the illustrious name of Carl V, was my name! I had to sit down and do some deep breathing exercises. In the acknowledgments Colleen expressed her thanks to several blogging friends who have read and reviewed her books and sponsored contests. I was downright tickled to be mentioned.

Those of you who have been following the escapades of Victoria Gardella, vampire slayer will be happy to know that The Bleeding Dusk will be out and on shelves on Feb 5. We learn some pretty interesting things about Max and Sebastian, the two main men in Victoria's life. Desire puts her at the mercy of Sebastian, while loyalty binds her to Max, but can she trust either man? And what of the 3rd man lingering in the shadows?

I found myself a bit annoyed with Victoria. She's so young and impetuous and gets herself in some dangerous situations. Doesn't she have a brain to go along with that beautiful body? It's just a good thing she has others who aren't so full of themselves watching out for her best interests.

As with the first two books, there are a lot of suspenseful moments. I love that part, as well as the mystery surrounding the main characters. One of the good things about this series is the slow reveal of important aspects of the characters' lives. I look forward to the next book so I can get more insight into both Max and Sebastian. AND of course, I can't wait to read what further adventures await.

A Bride Most Begrudging

by Deeanne Gist
I don't usually read Christian literature or romances. (I may have to quit saying that about romances, because it seems like I've read quite a few over the past year. What's happening to me?) Anyway A Bride Most Begrudging is a Christian romance which means it doesn't go into details. I appreciate that. Even without the details there was a lot of sexual tension and misunderstanding between the two lead characters.

From the back cover: "Any ship arriving from England means good news for Virginia colony farmers. The 'tobacco brides' would be on board. Drew O'Connor isn't stirred by news of a ship full of brides. Still broken-hearted from the loss of his beloved, he only wants a maid to tend his house and care for his young sister.

What he ends up with is a wife - a feisty redhead who claims she is Lady Constance Morrow, daughter of an Earl, brought to America against her will. And she wants to go straight back to England as soon as she can. She hasn't the foggiest notion how to cook, dares to argue with her poor husband, and spends more time working on mathematical equations than housework. What kind of wife is that? Drew's Christian forbearance is in for some testing."

It's a well-written and captivating story with equal amounts of heartache and joy. I enjoyed this book.

Rises the Night

by Colleen Gleason
By the cover you can tell that this book is a romance and those who know me well know that I don't care for romances. And yet I LOVED this book. LOVED it. I prefer to think that Gleason's vampire series belongs in the suspense/thriller genre. This is not total rationalization - Rises the Night is a gripping, page-turning, nail-biting read.

Victoria Gardella is a venator, whose job is to help rid the world of vampires. She never goes anywhere without several wooden stakes, a vial of salted holy water, and a silver cross. There are two men in her life, Max and Sebastian, who we met in the first book, The Rest Falls Away. These men are not only handsome, they are mysterious. I was constantly wondering about there loyalties and agendas.

Victoria faces some especially challenging and horrifying experiences. The action is non-stop and really quite terrifying. I am in love with this series. I mean to tell you, this book rocks! Gleason has a gift, her writing is beautiful and tight. The characters are complex, the story is rife with twists and turns.

Rises the Night will be released in stores on June 5. I know, I know that's another 6 long weeks of waiting. But to offset that bad news I have some really great news: You could win a free copy of this book before the release date. Keep watching my blog. I'm going to hold a drawing for a signed copy of Rises the Night. The drawing will be held on May 20. I'll get a post up announcing the contest in a week or two.

The Rest Falls Away

by Colleen Gleason
Rating 4.25/5
I received a free, signed copy from the Colleen for hosting a drawing for her book on my blog. Needless to say, I was was thrilled. This book will keep you reading and asking questions. Kailana over at Kailana's Written World have shared comments via email about the ending and some of the questions we have about certain characters.

The main character is Victoria Gardella, who learns just prior to her coming out party that she is a venator, or vampire killer. There are three men in her life. The complexity of these relationships and the drama between Victoria's daily prim and proper life versus her nightly adventures as a vampire killer and her destined meeting with the vampire leader create a building crescendo of intrigue and tension.

I've read only 2 vampire tales: Bram Stoker's Dracula and Stephanie Meyer's YA book, Twilight, so I'm by no means an expert, but I really like Gleason's creative takes on the vampire lore. According to Gleason, there have been vampires trying to take over the earth since the time of Christ. There have been venator's since that time who have taken on the dangerous responsibility of ridding the earth of vampires and protecting the unsuspecting masses. Some become venators through bloodline. Victoria is chosen through the Gardella bloodline.


I also liked the quote at the beginning of the book by Muriel Rukeyser: "I think there is choice possible to us at any moment, as long as we live. But there is no sacrifice. There is a choice, and the rest falls away."