Review: Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye by E.C. Sheedy

Gwen’s review of Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye by E.C. Sheedy
Contemporary romantic suspense published 25 Sep 07 by Brava

Sybil has also reviewed this book. I can’t expand much on what Sybil has said, so I’ll just give a quick rundown of what I liked. Yes - I really liked this book.

The story is set up interestingly - a young woman searches out her “step” brother to help her rescue their “mother” from an unknown danger. There are rafts of complications and misunderstandings, but none of the frustratingly boring misunderstandings that I typically read in a romance novel. These are interesting misunderstandings resulting from flawed people assuming things about each other, right or wrong. This was a very refreshing read.

Here’s the book blurb:

Fear…

She knew him only as the dark-eyed man, the one who put her in that dank basement. She was only nine years old when she stared into those eyes and understood that something unspeakable lived in them. Though she was saved at the last minute by an unlikely ally, she’s never forgotten that fear. And fear has not forgotten her…

Never…

Now the woman who rescued April from that living hell long ago has disappeared, and it’s no accident. Whoever came after her wants April–dead. April has one chance to save her guardian angel before it’s too late. But to do that, she’ll have to break the promise she swore she never would and contact the one man she knows she shouldn’t…

Dies…

Joe Worth’s horoscope said he was in for trouble, but the woman sitting in his office is the kind of trouble any guy would welcome–mile-long legs, blond hair, gorgeous face. She’s also scared. Very scared. Protecting people is Joe’s business, but this time it’s also personal: the woman April wants him to find is the mother who abandoned him. He can only say yes, and that could cost him. A stone-cold killer is out for vengeance–a man who will do anything to keep his dark, twisted past behind him. Anything.

Read an excerpt.

I really enjoyed the heck out of this book. The hero was flawed, noble, and all man. The heroine was smart, beautiful, and didn’t suffer the dreaded TSTL syndrome - she actually had a brain! The dialogue was quick and intelligent, the plotting smooth, and story arcs logical. The character development (primary and secondary characters) was excellent and I sincerely enjoyed how some of the good guys suffered from poor decisions. Sheedy let her characters suffer (not overly so, but still), even while letting them find their HEA. And I really liked the villains, well, not “liked” so much as “enjoyed the hate.” You know what I mean.

I highly recommend Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye for the fans of the genre, and if you’ve never picked up a romantic suspense, the snappy dialogue and a thoughtful storylines make this an excellent first choice.

Grade: A

An Enchanted Season by Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy, Nalini Singh, Jean Johnson

An Enchanted Season by Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy, Nalini Singh, Jean Johnson
Releases Oct 2

Give readers a gift-new stories from a bestselling lineup of romance authors.

It’s the time of year when dreams come true, miracles happen every day, and love is the greatest gift of all…

The holidays always seem to bring out the best in everyone, with heartfelt hugs for long-missed friends, sincere smiles in the spirit of the season, and a feeling of magic in the air.

Here, for the first time, is a collection of paranormal romances celebrating the holidays as never before. From a shape-shifting leopardess who wants a packmate to be her soulmate to a snowstorm that brings a surprise gift, these all-new tales by Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy, Nalini Singh, and Jean Johnson will stir your spirit in all the right places.

Melting Frosty by Maggie Shayne:

For Matt, Christmas has aroused painful memories ever since his father died, leaving his family all but destitute and Matt with far too much responsibility too soon. Holly lost her family in a tragedy—but found solace and strength in the holidays her family loved so much. So when Matt and Holly cross paths, it’s more than fate—it’s a chance for both of them to find the one perfect gift they have both searched for all their lives…

Charlotte’s Web by Erin McCarthy

For the longest time, Charlotte Murphy has burned for Will Thornton. But as far as Charlotte can tell, Will sees her only as a friend. Tired of waiting for Will to recognize her as the sexy, wanton woman she truly is, Charlotte decides to fall back on her genes—and embrace the witch within her. Her newfound powers offer a tempting way to get what she wants out of who she wants. But does she really want a man like Will to love her because of witchcraft—or because he wants to?

Beat of Temptation
Young Tamsyn has always held a special place in her heart for her powerful fellow pack-member Nate. But as a dominant male leopard in the pack, the more experienced Nate doesn’t want to trap Tamsyn into the fierce demands of the mating bond—a bond driven by the animal within—when she’s hardly had the chance to grow into a woman. But Tamsyn knows what she wants for Christmas, and she’s going to get it…
EXCERPT

Gifts of the Magi
Steve Bethel and his fiancée Rachel could use a few miracles right about now; the family bed-and-breakfast is mortgaged to the hilt, the biggest blizzard in half a century is ruining the shortest day of the year, the local bank manager is a stickler for bills being paid on time, and their guests are canceling right and left. But when three strangers show up at what seems like the darkest hour, looking for a place to stay for the holidays, the simple gifts of peace, knowledge, and comfort seem to be just the miracles they need.
EXCERPT

Have no idea if these stand alone. But I have just started the book, which kicks off with Melting Frosty a feel good holiday tale where four people are dead so far and I am not through the second chapter! Let me me tell ya, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

Hwang Special Reserve

Some Contest Details Coming Monday!

Video Made a Book a Star (contest closed)

It is out of the norm for me to schedule two historical authors not only back to back but in the same week. In case you haven’t noticed I general flip the subgenre. But there are two fabulous historical romance novels by two of the most talented writers in the biz, who are oddly enough awesome in person as well (which really means nothing to the books but tis cool none the less) and if they were willing I just couldn’t resist having them both guest.

I hope if you have never tried a novel by Madeline Hunter or Lisa Kleypas, by the end of the week you will want too. If you haven’t already finished one by next Sunday. Just out of curiosity who hasn’t tried one of them? Or if you have tried one and didn’t like it, tell us which one and why - if you don’t mind sharing that is *g*.

We have put up two book trailers for our upcoming guests and they reflect two different styles. Lisa Kleypas’s is a more commonly used style - text with flipping pictures that often makes the cover look like it is in motion and you are in it. It generally uses music to invoke feelings and set a mood, if done well it should reflect the tone of the novel.

Madeline Hunter’s trailer has more of a commercial feel to it and uses actors. We have been seeing more of lately and I would guess is the more costly of the two since you would have to pay the actors. They sometimes play out scene in the book or pieces of dialog. Some of them just use pretty people, looking pretty. And some of them could give skinamax a run for their money.

Now I personally am not much of a book trailer girl. Hey I hate myspace too, what the hell do I know? But I find they are growing on me. And with such sites as Romancenovel.tv and the others video book info sites that have followed, I am wondering can video make a book a star? Or is it just a shiny new toy that can cost a way too much money.

Do you watch them? Do you seek them out or only view them if you happen to run across them. Do you prefer one style over the other? Or if neither of them work for you and why. Do you have a favorite book trailer? What is the worst you have ever seen?

Most of all have you ever purchased a book because of one?

Tell us we wanna know…

Comments between now and 2 am CST Friday October 5th, 2007. And you will be entered to win two books!

First book is your choice of either The Rules of Seduction or Lessons in Desire

Second book is your choice of Sugar Daddy (Hardcover signed as a giveaway for the blog) or Mine Till Midnight.

The contest is being ran by the blog so the books will not be signed. No whining, I don’t even have signed copies so shush and be happy! Or visit on the 2nd and Madeline Hunter will have a contest or the 5th when Lisa Kleypas will have one (and we even promise to award the prize unlike last time… oops… no worries Gwen is here to keep us in line!).

Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas

Review: Truly Yours by Barbara Metzger

Truly Yours by Barbara Metzger
Review by Connie

It has been a while since I have read a true historical romance. I have read some of Barbara Metzger’s old traditional regencies, so this seemed like it might be an interesting book to dip my toes back into the genre.

Alone in the world, Amanda Carville has no dowry, no reputation left, and no one who believes her to be innocent of murder, since she was found holding the gun that killed her stepfather. Viscount Rexford also has his troubles. He’s scarred by war, and cursed—or blessed—with the family trait of knowing the truth when he hears it, and his success at extracting the truth from military prisoners has left many doubting his honor and his methods. When Amanda tells him she didn’t do it, he believes her. Tired of the truth business, Rex refuses to get involved…until his heart leaves him no choice.

When Amanda Carville is accused of murder it is her godmother who wants Viscount Rexford to help her. The godmothers turns out to be his estranged mother and for some reason he feels he has no choice but to help her.

All of Rexford’s family has a gift for truth. And each member has paid a high penalty for the special power. Along with the paranormal element they fall in love with each other but seem to snub their noses at proper Regency behavior as they try to find the real murder.

Overall it isn’t a bad book but I was expecting more of a traditional and don’t feel it was done as well as it could have been. The frustrating part was I wanted to enjoy the book more than I did, it seemed to just miss the mark. I am not sure if it was the addition of the paranormal element in the novel or if Barbara Metzger is still feeling her way from moving from traditional regency form to a the longer full length historical. Maybe True Lady, her next novel in June 2008 will be better.

Grade: C-

Guest Author: Madeline Hunter **Tuesday Oct 2, 2007**

No really… she will be here.

Lessons in Desire is OUT NOW! Go grab yours so you can talk about it with us on Tuesday. It shall be grand.

She was beyond fun and just too much the few times I spoke to her in Dallas. I am guessing Gwen will adore her too. Maybe we should be afraid *g*.

Lessons in Desire is the follow up to The Rules of Seduction. If you haven’t already read it and loved it muchly, my review is here. Then you can run out and pick up both of them.

Dear Harlequin,

Dear Harlequin,

Why do you hate me? Haven’t I always been there for you? Holding your hand, loving you, pimping you out to all my friends like a good reader.

Harl babe I even had Lawson holding a HSR and laughing at it, only to stop and say well hmmm I could read this one (Make-Believe Mom by Elaine Grant ). I know we have had our ups and downs. But I have TRIED to be there for you, time and time again!

Don’t you think it is only fair you give back, just a lil? Honestly I am beginning to think you just don’t appreciate me. ::sob:: I understand… it will never be just the two of us. I do! But can’t you at least TRY to stop hurting me so!

Is it too much to ask that you mark your upcoming books with what line they are in? IS IT?!? Mass Market Paperback, tells me jack shit and just makes me go well duh. Do you know how happy I was when I saw Homespun Bride by Jillian Hart available for Pre-order (Feb 12, 2008). Homespun Bride… what does that make you think of? YES! Historical!

I Sqqqquuuueeeee’ed! I told Lawson something wonderful was happening!!! I was gonna email Wendy, Jillian Hart was going to have a new Harlequin Historical! Yes all those exclamation marks were needed. But you cut me to the quick Harlequin, Jillian Hart isn’t returing to Harlequin Historical ::sob:: but kicking off a new steeple hill inspirational line ::double sob::.

You are cruel. I cried. I may never recover. ::cries:: Stop it or I swear I will quit you! I could do it too! Shut up gwen, I could, if I tried really really hard.

Crushed,
Sybil

:: just a note, me think someone else cried cuz this was really put into draft last weekend and now amazon shows it as: Homespun Bride (Love Inspired Historical) (Mass Market Paperback) and not just (Mass Market Paperback)::

Go team Amazon! For those of you that like inspy, I highly rec this author. You should check it out and tell us how it is.
Homespun Bride (Feb., $5.50) by Jillian Hart. When a young rancher rediscovers his now-blind high school sweethearts, they both must come to terms with broken dreams and the blessing of love.

The Perils of Pleasure by Julie Anne Long **Feb 2008**

The Perils of Pleasure by Julie Anne Long

A rescued rogue . . .

Scandal has rocked the city of London. Colin Eversea, a handsome, reckless unapologetic rogue is sentenced to hang for murder and, inconveniently for him, the only witness to the crime disappears. Then again, throughout history, the Everseas have always managed to cheat fate in style: Colin is snatched from the gallows by a beautiful, clever mercenary.

A captivating captor. . .

Cool-headed, daring Madeleine Greenway is immune to Colin’s vaunted charm. Her mission is not to rescue Colin but to kidnap him, and to be paid handsomely for it. But when it becomes clear that whoever wants Colin alive wants Madeline dead, the two become uneasy allies in a deadly race for truth. Together, they’ll face great danger—and a passion neither can resist.

I have adored Julie Anne Long’s writing since her first book The Runaway Duke. In fact I have an extra copy Julie Anne Long was nice enough to sign for the blog at RWA. Even though she had no clue who I was, I know made me sad too. hee I kid most people didn’t know who I was ;). Kathryn Smith, did of course, who was kind enough to tell Wendy at the book signing that when she saw me to tell me if I forgot to go by and see Kathryn, she would kick my ass. No worries I was looking for her already and really she is a lil thing, I could take her… I digress…

Sadly I am not much on ‘criminal’ heroes or heroines. So I am crossing my fingers this rocks. It could be worse, there could be spies. Ugh they could be spies pretending to be criminals.

Guess I will just have to wait and see. Le sigh…

The Perils of Pleasure will be her first book with Avon, just in case you didn’t know that already. Yes, let the whining begin now.

From the authors site:
A little background: If you read the blurb above, you know our intrepid hero, one of the most popular criminals in recent English history, Colin Eversea, is snatched from the gallows, only to find himself still a captive— of an elusive and irritatingly intriguing woman. In this snippet of a scene, we’re in an what Colin believes is a sort of abandoned basement, and he’s still bound to a chair. For the moment.

EXCERPT**EXCERPT**EXCERPT

As for Madeleine Greenway, she can’t wait to free herself from Colin Eversea. But fate has other plans, naturally.

Madeleine reached for a broom, but behind her the chair creaked; she turned her head swiftly just as Colin Eversea was turning his toward her. Her narrowed eyes met his bright pale ones in that sliver of sunbeam.

He went oddly motionless then, as if the very act of turning had winded him.

Beautiful.

Read the rest here and then come back and tell me what you think. I will pick a winner on Monday for a copy of The Run Away Duke.

Comments posted by Monday Oct 1, 2007 @ noon CST to be entered into the drawing.

Lessons of Desire by Madeline Hunter **September 25, 2007**

Lessons of Desire by Madeline Hunter

He first appears beneath her prison window as her savior—a sinfully attractive man whose charm and connections have ensured her release from an unjust arrest. But author and publisher Phaedra Blair quickly learns that the price of her “freedom” is to be virtually bound to her irresistible rescuer.

For Elliot Rothwell did not come solely on a mission of goodwill. He came to extract a promise that Phaedra won’t publish a slanderous manuscript that would destroy his family’s name, and he’s not above bribery, threats, or bedding her to get his way. And with each erotic encounter raising the stakes between them, Elliot discovers he’s ever more reluctant to lose this sensual game. . .or the unusual, provocative woman who is every bit his match.

I so can not wait to read this book! The first book in this new series, The Rules of Seduction, was just grand. And the excerpt at the end of it for this book made me want to read it RIGHT that second.

Sadly that didn’t happen, but soon my friends, soon. But before that (hopefully in the very near future) Madeline will be sending us an excerpt to post! Even better is the fact she will be a guest on the blog in October. I know… makes you wanna sqqqquuueeee doesn’t it *g*.

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