Maddie James Book Club

Title: Secrets
Author: Jude Deveraux
Genre/Historical Period: Contemporary
Grade/Rating: A
( quick overview of book )
Summary/Review: Fun book with mystery and romance. One of her better contemporary books.
Part of a Series?: no
Would I recommend this book?: Yes
Planning to read anything else by this author?: Yes

Title: Viking
Author: Fabio
Genre: Historical

After the hilarious post about his other book "the Pirate" I went to Amazon to buy my own Fabio book. I will tell you now I'm glad I only paid a penny for this thing! Three hundred pages of raging bitch is not my idea of a good book. (there are 404pages of book) It takes that long for Reyna to stop trying to eviscerate Viktor. Everything he says she has to have the opposite opinion. It took me nearly a week to read this because it didn't become interesting until chapter thirty. Viktor is really a movie actor from our time that was transported, via burning longship, into the past.
On a lighter note here are some humorous quotes from the book.

"And he was aroused--more aroused than he had ever felt in his entire life, as if a log were suddenly lodged in his leggings." (142 of hardcover edition)
A log? Are you kidding me?!

"He winked down at her enraged countenance. 'You're not on the pill, are you, love?' He teased." (143) Ha ha she doesn't understand that idiot.

"'Tis so large!" (233) I nearly peed myself with laughter when she said that.

"'What do I do now?' she asked half frantic. "Darling, you've already done it. Just relax and enjoy your ride.'" (239)

There is a part in the book where Reyna gets horny after watching a fox give birth. It was a little disturbing.

"Naked, Viktor crawled in among eleven squirming dogs, and finally squeezed in next to his wife. He glanced up at Geri, who was panting in his face, while Thor's wagging tail was whacking the crown of his head. Meanwhile, four of the cubs began to leap about and chirp eagerly at his and Reyna's feet, one of them chewing on Viktor's toes through the pelts.
Viktor scowled murderously. 'Reyna, this is ridiculous. I feel like I'm making love to you in a kennel, with eleven dogs serving as voyeurs. This will never work--'
'Twill work,' she said huskily, drawing him closer.
'Come here, my husband, and I will show you how two bodies can share the space of one.'
'Hmm...' he murmured, already thoroughly enjoying the demonstration." (340) Creepy much?

If you feel the need to punish yourself I recommend reading this book.

Title: Smuggler's Bride
Author: Darlene Marshall
Genre: Historical: Victorian/Edwardian

I just finished this book in one day and really enjoyed it! Has anyone else read these books? They all take place around St. Augustine, FL in the early 1800's. Cute story with forced marriage scenario and mistaken identities. A short book, really loved the way it all turned out - I just sped through it!

Julia, a shipping heiress (who's parents we read about in the previous book, Pirate's Price) is mistakenly kidnapped and brought to be a servant for Rand Washburn, a notorious smuggler (we think) in the backwoods of the Florida panhandle and winds up being his bride against her will. This book has a lot of likable characters and a dreamy hero - though I would like to see what happens with one of the side characters, James Crane, he was interesting material, I'd like to read his story eventually, he deserves a love interest. My Review.

WOW! I just bought this and had to MAKE myself go slow. I loved Vaughn's first trilogy that started with Warprize and bought this book based on that love.

Red Gloves is a true mercenary. Everything has a profit or it is of no use to here. Vaughn doesn't ( Read more... )

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Pam is a fellow Nocturne author and we will be sharing the shelves next week when our June releases appear. In addition to writing for Nocturne, Pam has two other paranormal series coming out soon with other publishers.

The interview is on my main blog--stop by.

Title: Agnes and the Hitman
Author: Jennifer Crusie/Bob Mayer
Genre/Historical Period: Contemporary, suspense
Grade/Rating: B
( insert witty text/spoiler alert here )
Summary/Review: Not one of her best books. Slow moving but an ok read. Not enough romance.
Part of a Series?: no
Would I recommend this book?: If you are a Crusie fan, sure
Planning to read anything else by this author?:
Yes, everything she writes I read. She's had other books much better.

Hello guys!

My name is Joyce and I’m a new member of this community. I’ve been a reader ever since but only recently (To be honest, about two weeks ago…^_^) have I been introduced to the romance genre. I was staying at my cousin’s house and was so bored to death that I rummaged through her room to find anything to read. I was flipping through her magazines when alas, I found Julie Garwood’s The Wedding on her bedside table. The premise of the story piqued my interest and the next thing I knew, I finished the book in one day. That's the first romance novel I've read in my entire life. ^_^ When I told my cousin about it, she was ecstatic and gracious enough to lend me some of her other romance books. As of this moment, I’ve read most of Julie Garwood’s historical romance, though I have to say that although some of her stories were worth reading, the others became too predictable for my taste. Then there’s Christina Dodd. I’ve also read Judith McNaught’s Once and Always and Until You. I actually liked her writing style and would like to read more of her works. Care to recommend some? These are the few titles my cousin lent me to read. I actually don’t have a single romance book yet on my shelf but I’m arranging it now to leave room for the romance books I’ll have in the future. *laughs*

I don’t know what took me so long to be introduced into this genre. But I’m so glad that now my eyes are open. *laughs* There’ll be a book sale in our university the day after tomorrow and I’m itching to get my hands on a lot of romance novels to read for the rest of my summer vacation. Can you recommend some to me? I’ll accept all genres: historical, regency, contemporary, time-travel, vampire etc.

I hope you can help me out guys. Thanks in advance!

~Joyce

I'll be reading from my bisexual historical romantic comedy, Phyllida and the Brotherhood of Philander, this Thursday, May 15, at the Park Slope (Brooklyn) Barnes and Noble, 267 Seventh Avenue (at 6th St.)

Anyone in the Brooklyn area, I'd love to see you. Take the F train to the Seventh Avenue stop, which lets you out at 9th St., and walk three blocks north.

So, I know you guys probably haven't heard from me in a while (finals are the devil.) but i just picked up a book that I've been wanting to read for awhile! Here's a small review!



Now! Onto funner things. My friend is turning 21 on June 1st and I would like to get her the trashiest romance novel i can find. She's never read a romance novel before and constantly makes fun of my collection so I thought it would be funny to get her one. She has some misconceptions about romance novels in general But i think she's been secretly wanting one. I have plenty of good romance novels that I plan on hopefully lending her but I want to get her something funny for her bday.
So does anyone have any suggestions? I would definately want something that is still in print today. so nothing that i can't find in a bookstore easily or online easily. Contemporary or regency is fine by me. I personally don't like murder mystery romance types so yea. All suggestions are welcome!

I just read Iris Johansen's new book Quicksand. I was so mindnumbingly bored with this book that I seriously just typed 'quickfire' which is apparently my brain's way of saying "You missed a rerun of Top Chef for this?" Brain, you are so right, I shouldn't have. The book may be really well done, I have no idea. While reading it I found that I was So Incredibly Over a number of things in romantic suspense in particular and this series in the specific.

In order to rant about that I'm going to need to be spoilery. Super extra mega spoilery. Like a carton of milk on an LA Freeway in August. Don't come near this LJ cut unless you're willing to be splattered. Forreals. Ok, Last warning, Rosebud was a sled, I'm not kidding here!

( Let's do this, then. )

So that's how I felt about the book. Your mileage may vary, especially if you don't discover while reading it that you've switched to rooting for evil baby killer madmen.

Does anyone have an opinion??

I have noticed she has a lot of published work and my s/h bookshop said that anything of hers that comes in goes straight out

Thanks Janet

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Title: Private Arrangements
Author: Sherry Thomas
Genre/Historical Period: Victorian/Edwardian

I've already praised this book when I was halfway through it two days ago in my personal journal, but as I just finished it yesterday and haven't seen it on this blog, I figured it's time to do some more sharing :) So LJ friends, bear with me, or read this much more in-depth review.

I first came across this book on the blog Dear Author - a recent discovery of mine, and a gold mine. As with The Spymaster's Lady, for some reason I just kept seeing it on their site and eventually decided impulsively I had to buy it. I've been blessed with such good books lately that I'm just waiting for the other shoe to fall...ah knock on wood!

Well, here's the summary (for those who don't want to read it, I suggest watching it HERE, it's amusing): To all of London society, Lord and Lady Tremaine had the ideal arrangement: a marriage based on civility, courteousness, freedom—and living on separate continents. But once upon a time, things were quite different for the Tremaines…When Gigi Rowland first laid eyes on Camden Saybrook, Lord Tremaine, the attraction was immediate and overwhelming: she simply had to have him. But what began in a spark of passion ended in betrayal the morning after their wedding—and Gigi wants to be free to marry again. Now Camden has returned from America with an outrageous demand—an heir—in exchange for Gigi’s freedom. Gigi’s decision will have consequences she never imagined, as secrets are exposed, desire is rekindled—and one of London’s most admired couples must either fall in love all over again…or let each other go forever.

Now to go on to all the amazing things about this book.



All in all, I felt this was a really good debut book, gripping and heartbreaking - with wonderful characterization and an amazingly cute ending to boot. I've already put Sherry Thomas' next book, Delicious, on my TBR list and am looking forward to it!

Hugs and Kisses,
Vivian

I like to do interviews over at my full time blog. :) In the last week I've posted two I thought might interest the group. Today's is with paranormal romance author, Tate Hallaway. Last week shapeshifter/romantic thriller author, Rebecca York, stopped by. Both have new releases out TODAY. :)

So, wander on over to learn what is up in their worlds, a bit about their writing process, and fun stuff like their favorite candy and cartoon characters.