The Lure of Shapinsay

 

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From: tweeelfin@live.com
To: tweeelfin.bookworm@blogger.com
Subject: The Lure of Shapinsay
Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:16:57 -0500

 
 
Blurb:

Ever since Kait Swanney could remember, the old crones of the village have been warning her to stay away from the selkies. They claim that like sirens of old, the seal men creep from the inky waters, shed their skins, and entice women to their deaths beneath the North Sea. But avoiding an encounter becomes impossible when Kait is spotted at the water's edge, moments after the murder of a half-selkie infant.

Kait is woken unexpectedly by a beautiful, naked selkie man seeking revenge. After she declares her innocence, the intruder darts into the night, but not before inadvertently bewitching her with an overpowering lure.

She obsesses over a reunion deep beneath the bay and risks her own life to be reunited with her selkie. But when she lands the dangerous lover, the chaos that follows leaves Kait little time to wonder-is it love setting her on fire or has she simply been lured?

 

There is also a trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXqeRPKaoqw
 
 
 
 When I was starting to read this I remembered that I actually don't care to much for selkie books. Mostly because they always have a bittersweet ending or are sad and I hate those types of endings. I was really happy with the ending and it was different from the others. I would read it again and look for more books from this author. This is a clean read but I would rate it a little on the pg-13 side. I give it a high 4* stars

The Lure of Shapinsay

 
 
Blurb:

Ever since Kait Swanney could remember, the old crones of the village have been warning her to stay away from the selkies. They claim that like sirens of old, the seal men creep from the inky waters, shed their skins, and entice women to their deaths beneath the North Sea. But avoiding an encounter becomes impossible when Kait is spotted at the water's edge, moments after the murder of a half-selkie infant.

Kait is woken unexpectedly by a beautiful, naked selkie man seeking revenge. After she declares her innocence, the intruder darts into the night, but not before inadvertently bewitching her with an overpowering lure.

She obsesses over a reunion deep beneath the bay and risks her own life to be reunited with her selkie. But when she lands the dangerous lover, the chaos that follows leaves Kait little time to wonder-is it love setting her on fire or has she simply been lured?

 

There is also a trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXqeRPKaoqw
 
 
 
 When I was starting to read this I remembered that I actually don't care to much for selkie books. Mostly because they always have a bittersweet ending or are sad and I hate those types of endings. I was really happy with the ending and it was different from the others. I would read it again and look for more books from this author. This is a clean read but I would rate it a little on the pg-13 side. I give it a high 4* stars

An Unlikely Alliance by Rachel Van Dyken

 

 

Title: An Unlikely Alliance

Author: Rachel Van Dyken

Genre: Historical Romance

Length: 123 pages

Release Date: 2-1-2012

Buy Link: http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=662245&mode=product&product=9158231

Blurb: Spoiled New York rogue Royce Mc Arthur lives a charmed life. He sees no reason to settle down, until his mother issues her decree that he must grow up, find a wife and produce some grandchildren?preferably before she dies of old age. But his choices are quite limited considering the only women of his acquaintance are ones of ill repute.

Meeting the beautiful Evelyn DeJarlias at a ball gives him hope he may have found the one. Her southern blue collar outspokenness and lack of refinement draws him like a moth to a flame. Unfortunately, she does not find him nearly as endearing -- consistently refusing his lavish gifts and his attentions, she poses a challenge he simply cannot ignore.

When his mother and her widowed father begin to keep company together secretly, it provides theperfect excuse for him to spend time with Miss DeJarlias. But figures from Royces past threaten to destroy the blossoming love between the couple. Evelyn must decide if she is willing to trust the man or hold his past indiscretions against him.

 

I enjoyed this book. At first when I saw the cover I was not sure if it was a clean read, but I was happy to find out that it mostly was. This was the first time I had ever read any books by this author but I came across one of her books on Goodreads that I wanted to read. I thought this was a good story to start with. I know want to read more of her books. I give this book 4*stars.

MY FIRST 2012 REVIEWS

 

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From: tweeelfin@live.com
To: tweeelfin.bookworm@blogger.com
Subject: MY FIRST 2012 REVIEWS
Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 14:43:01 -0500

From Now Until Forever by Sherry Gloag

Sweet Contemporary Romance/ Romantic Suspense

Length: 21203 words

Publisher: Astraea Press

Buy Link http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=662245&mode=product&product=7105194

Blurb: For Prince Liam, families meant bad news, unwanted commitments, and the loss of his personal freedom. Love spawned white picket fences, slippers at the hearth with a wife and kids making demands, so why did those images disappear when he met Melanie Babcot?

Melanie Babcot fought hard to escape the horrors of her youth and vowed to remain single and free, so when paid to protect Prince Liam from insurgents why did her personal pledge fly out the window?

 

When I first started to read it I was a little confused on what was going on, it was a little hard to follow. I also didn't really feel any connection with the characters. I am happy it was a clean read. I will give it *2 1/2* stars

 

 

 

Title: The Painted Lady

Author: Felicia Rogers

Published in January 2012 by Astraea Press

Genre:Inspirational Romance

Length: 283 pages

Publisher's web site: www.astraeapress.com

Purchase links: http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=662245&mode=product&product=8347303

Blurb: John Tillman, a simple man, has died. His wife seeks justice. By pure happenstance, Bruce Malone, a famous criminal attorney, receives the case. Unfortunately, it's going to take a miracle to win. But that's just what he gets.

Elizabeth Smith is a preacher's daughter. An "ugly Betty", she transforms her look like a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis. Because of her change in appearance, her position of employment changes and she becomes the 'miracle' Bruce Malone needs. Not only for the case, but for the salvation of his family and his own soul.

 

I am a very picky reader and it can be hard to keep my attention if the first chapter is not interesting. I was happily surprised that when I first read this book it kept my attention. I give it *3* stars

 

 

Title: Aegean Intrigue

Author: Patricia Kiyono

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Mystery

Length: 84 pages

Release Date: 2-1-2012

Buy Link: http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid%3acategory%3d662245%26mode%3dproduct%26product%3d8347324

Blurb: Someone has been stealing priceless Greek artifacts and it's Alex Leonidis' job to uncover the thief. His prime suspect is beautiful archaeological graduate student, Francie Vasileiou. His plan is to join in an archaeological dig and catch her in the act. All he has to do is keep his mind on his job, and not on the way his lovely suspect warms his heart. He's learned the hard way not to trust fragile-looking women who seem to need his help.
Francie wants to get her PhD and become an archaeologist, like her famous father. The sudden invitation to participate in a dig on the beautiful Greek island of Paros is a wonderful opportunity. She has no time for distractions like Alex, the handsome Project Director. Experience has taught her to stay clear of handsome, charismatic Greek men.

On the shores of the Aegean Sea, Alex and Francie work together, searching for treasures from Greece's past. While pursuing their goals, they discover some of the truths they had believed to be carved in stone may have been flawed.

I liked this book. I wish it wasn't a short story, I also loved the location. In the future I would read more books from this author. *3 1/2*stars

 

 

MY FIRST 2012 REVIEWS

From Now Until Forever by Sherry Gloag

Sweet Contemporary Romance/ Romantic Suspense

Length: 21203 words

Publisher: Astraea Press

Buy Link http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=662245&mode=product&product=7105194

Blurb: For Prince Liam, families meant bad news, unwanted commitments, and the loss of his personal freedom. Love spawned white picket fences, slippers at the hearth with a wife and kids making demands, so why did those images disappear when he met Melanie Babcot?

Melanie Babcot fought hard to escape the horrors of her youth and vowed to remain single and free, so when paid to protect Prince Liam from insurgents why did her personal pledge fly out the window?

 

When I first started to read it I was a little confused on what was going on, it was a little hard to follow. I also didn't really feel any connection with the characters. I am happy it was a clean read. I will give it *2 1/2* stars

 

 

 

Title: The Painted Lady

Author: Felicia Rogers

Published in January 2012 by Astraea Press

Genre:Inspirational Romance

Length: 283 pages

Publisher's web site: www.astraeapress.com

Purchase links: http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=662245&mode=product&product=8347303

Blurb: John Tillman, a simple man, has died. His wife seeks justice. By pure happenstance, Bruce Malone, a famous criminal attorney, receives the case. Unfortunately, it's going to take a miracle to win. But that's just what he gets.

Elizabeth Smith is a preacher's daughter. An "ugly Betty", she transforms her look like a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis. Because of her change in appearance, her position of employment changes and she becomes the 'miracle' Bruce Malone needs. Not only for the case, but for the salvation of his family and his own soul.

 

I am a very picky reader and it can be hard to keep my attention if the first chapter is not interesting. I was happily surprised that when I first read this book it kept my attention. I give it *3* stars

 

 

Title: Aegean Intrigue

Author: Patricia Kiyono

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Mystery

Length: 84 pages

Release Date: 2-1-2012

Buy Link: http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid%3acategory%3d662245%26mode%3dproduct%26product%3d8347324

Blurb: Someone has been stealing priceless Greek artifacts and it's Alex Leonidis' job to uncover the thief. His prime suspect is beautiful archaeological graduate student, Francie Vasileiou. His plan is to join in an archaeological dig and catch her in the act. All he has to do is keep his mind on his job, and not on the way his lovely suspect warms his heart. He's learned the hard way not to trust fragile-looking women who seem to need his help.
Francie wants to get her PhD and become an archaeologist, like her famous father. The sudden invitation to participate in a dig on the beautiful Greek island of Paros is a wonderful opportunity. She has no time for distractions like Alex, the handsome Project Director. Experience has taught her to stay clear of handsome, charismatic Greek men.

On the shores of the Aegean Sea, Alex and Francie work together, searching for treasures from Greece's past. While pursuing their goals, they discover some of the truths they had believed to be carved in stone may have been flawed.

I liked this book. I wish it wasn't a short story. I also loved the location. I will give it *3 1/2*stars