Winners for the Rita Awards Books from Forever Romance

*Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)

*nfmgirl

*Kailia Sage

Congrats and you have seven (7) days in which to get me your shipping info or your prize will be forfeit and awarded to someone else. Please send your shipping info to terraontop57 @ yahoo . com .

Renegade Angel by Kendra Leigh Castle (Terra's Review)

It's been thousands of years since Raum's angelic wings turned from white to black, and the Destroyer of Dignities and Robber of Kings never looked back. These days he's also on the outs with Hell and works with a motley crew of ex-demons on a new mission: snuffing out lesser demons and their half-human progeny.
Raum's latest assignment brings him to a small Vermont town—and a sweet, funny half-demon, half-human he'll risk everything to save. Ember Riddick stirs him as no woman ever before—and she holds the key to what Lucifer will move Hell and Earth to prevent: his team's redemption.

But Ember's secrets are as dark as Raum's midnight wings. And their fate may leave them entwined…but destroyed….

(Terra's Thoughts) Kendra Leigh Castle has done it again! This story is nothing short of heart stomping and an absolutely delicious paranormal romance that will knock your socks off. Action packed and sizzling hot don't even come close to how scorching this one is.

Ember is such a beauty but is in hiding and she doesn't really even know why other than she seems to pose a danger to anyone whom she might get close to. She knows there is something wrong with her but it quickly becomes weird out time when she finds out she is half demon. Ember has a hard time accepting what she is until weird out hits grand central proportions.

Raum is a Fallen Angel that has even been cast out of Hell. Good gosh, no Heaven no Hell, where can a guy go for a little piece and quiet. No where and that's why he's playing both sides of the coin. He's about as rude as them come, bossy enough to make him Bully Of The Year but dead on gorgeous with his black hair and green eyes to make you really, really want to commit a sin. At least I would anyway. Oh dear God, just 5 minutes with him please!

The story has Raum aka Fallen Angel playing the part of Guardian Angel to Ember aka half demon. You have Raum being arrogant and Ember with a temper that gives the phrase, "Hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn" a whole new meaning.

The best part is that the two of them connect on a baser level at first sight and oh my the sparks that fly from just a quick glance send shivers down your spine as you know that the sex is going to be nothing short of hot. Raum and Ember having sex is nothing short of liquid Hellfire that literally rocks the foundation of the house. Yowzer!

If you're looking for a really hot and really good Paranormal Romance then this one is most certainly a must have. I don't know about the rest of you but I'm finding that there is quite a bit more Urban Fantasy Romance out there now and to be honest I would rather just have a good ole fashion Paranormal Romance any day of the week. This satisfied a craving that I have been having for quite some time and oh boy did I need it. Thanks Kendra!

Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Harlequin (September 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373618425
ISBN-13: 978-0373618422

Captured by Desire by Kira Morgan (Terra's Review)

In 16th century Scotland, young Miss Florie Gilder runs away from her drunken foster father to find her real father and her noble heritage. Along the way, she is accused of theft, becomes a fugitive hiding in a forest, and is accidentally wounded by a handsome local huntsman. The huntsman--a Robin-Hood figure who poaches wild game from the landowner's estate to feed the starving poor--carries the beautiful maiden to a church where she is guaranteed 40 days of sanctuary from the law. During that time, he learns her true story, falls in love with her, and helps her in her quest, at the risk of his own life. Smitten with him, she worries more for his survival. But enemies of the state are seeking to overturn the Catholic royals, while a vicious noblewoman is out to destroy Florie.
(Terra's Thoughts) This book caught me off guard with it's romantic intensity. Ever so sensual and emotional this is sure to catch you in the huntsman's bulls eye having cupids arrow slice deliciously into your soul. A grappling story of life's injustices, curses and down right evil greed that add the perfect touches to a story of true love at first sight.

Florie Gilder is truly beautiful, delicate, petite, stubborn as the day is long and a much admired goldsmith in her own right. Even making pieces that have Princess Mary of Scotland commissioning Florie for her own use.

What Florie really needs though is to find her real father for she is a bastard child raised by her mother and a Goldsmith of high standing in his guild. With her mother now gone and her step father in his cups more than out, Florie decides that it's time for her to see for herself if she can make it as a goldsmith and find the man who sired her. Being naive and far too trusting sets off a chain of events that will show Florie just what the real world is really like outside of Stirlin.

Rane McAlister is a Viking God in every physical way possible. Tall, light haired with golden skin from being outside working, a mannerism that speaks of a kind gentle giant. He has a skill as a huntsman of the highest standing but one skip of the arrow from a moments distractions puts him in a place that causes him emotional pain so searing that it will surely take this kind and generous hunk of man and change him forever.

The story is solid and very romantic. Light but with a dark reality strewn from greed and just plain evil. It shows a compassion and forgiveness that all of us should take a lesson from. The author has most certainly captured the true essence of the times and dear God am I glad to live in this day and age. A nice piece of fluff to let you escape your own harsh reality even for just a little bit.

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Forever (July 27, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446548189
ISBN-13: 978-0446548182

Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt (Terra's Review)

A MAN CONTROLLED BY HIS DESIRES . . .

Infamous for his wild, sensual needs, Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, is searching for a savage killer in St. Giles, London's most notorious slum. Widowed Temperance Dews knows St. Giles like the back of her hand-she's spent a lifetime caring for its inhabitants at the foundling home her family established. Now that home is at risk . . .

A WOMAN HAUNTED BY HER PAST . . .

Caire makes a simple offer-in return for Temperance's help navigating the perilous alleys of St. Giles, he will introduce her to London's high society so that she can find a benefactor for the home. But Temperance may not be the innocent she seems, and what begins as cold calculation soon falls prey to a passion that neither can control-one that may well destroy them both.

A BARGAIN NEITHER COULD REFUSE

(Terra's Thoughts) Oh my, first off let me say that if you love Elizabeth's other books this one is going to grab you by the collar and not let go. I think this is the best yet and it's another series. Wohoo! More, I want more!!!!

Temperance Dews is the most compassionate, saintly, and wonderfully attractive woman that has come along in some time for our hero. Although she is not exceptionally beautiful she has a quality about her that shines brighter than the stars and a secret hidden so deep that even Satan himself would have a hard time finding it buried in the dark charcoal depths of Hell.

Temperance and her brother Winter run a home for orphans from the St. Giles part of London which is the most dangerous place in all of England itself. They risk limb and life to rescue children who are just thrown away like yesterday's rotten trash. But how can they keep the home running now that their patron has died?

Lazarus Huntington, aka Lord Caire is a bastard in the most professional meaning of the word and an uncaring one at that. He feels intense physical and emotional pain should someone physically touch his skin almost akin to the most scorching burn. So how is it he frequents a whore a few times a week? And as uncaring as he is how is it that he should find it a mission to find the whore's murderer hidden somewhere in St. Giles?

The story is full of action and stark sizzling romance, just a bit of purity, extreme danger, heartache, anger and a few deliciously described men that are sure to make you feel like a young girl in the throws of her first orgasm. Really, what more could you ask for. The author has outdone herself here and I personally can't wait to read the story of Lady Hero. Yowzer!

Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (July 27, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 044655894X
ISBN-13: 978-0446558945

The Sixth Surrender by Hana Samek Norton (Terra's Review)

In the last years of her eventful life, queen-duchess Aliénor of Aquitaine launches a deadly dynastic chess game to safeguard the crowns of Normandy and England for John Plantagenet, her last surviving son.

To that end, Aliénor coerces into matrimony two pawns-Juliana de Charnais, a plain and pious novice determined to regain her inheritance, and Guérin de lasalle, a cynical, war-worn mercenary equally resolved to renounce his.

The womanizing Lasalle and the proud Juliana are perfectly matched for battle not love-until spies and assassins conspire to reverse their romantic fortunes.

Populated by spirited and intelligent women and executed in flawless period detail, The Sixth Surrender is a compelling love story that heralds the arrival of a major new talent in historical fiction.

(Terra's Thoughts) This is not so much a book of romance as it is a story of Historical Fiction. Not a bad story but this one is on the much darker side of what might have gone on during the reign of King John and his mother Alienor of Aquitaine.

The storyline is set pretty close to the end of Alienor's life and portrays her as a schemer in all aspects of the lives of those whom her son rules and those that she loves. Granted I doubt that living during those times would have been easy on anyone but not all could be as bleak and brutal as what is portrayed here.

Queen Alienor decrees that Lady Juliana de Charnais marry, bed and give Guerin de Lasalle an heir so that the viscounty of Tillieres is safely in English hands. What Lady Juliana doesn't realize is that Lasalle is a landless mercenary with a soul that has been blackened beyond possible repair. Or has it? Lasalle is known for his whoring and even keeps his best whore in the same house as his wife. Nothing like a slap in the face for Juliana.

The story does go on to show us the back and forth skirmishes between King John and King Phillip of France. It shows us how backstabbing and loyalty comes with a huge price and no one is safe from the almighty clutches of Greed.

Paperback: 480 pages
Publisher: Plume (July 27, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0452296234
ISBN-13: 978-0452296237

Last Week's Mail Call

These are the books I received to review. Looks Yummy don't they!

Barely A Lady by Eileen Dreyer (Terra's Review)

Olivia Grace has secrets that could destroy her. One of the greatest of these is the Earl of Gracechurch, who married and divorced her five years earlier. Abandoned and disgraced, Grace has survived those years at the edge of respectability. Then she stumbles over Jack on the battlefield of Waterloo, and he becomes an even more dangerous secret. For not only is he unconscious, he is clad in an enemy uniform.

But worse, when Jack finally wakes in Olivia's care, he can't remember how he came to be on a battlefield in Belgium. In fact, he can remember nothing of the last five years. He thinks he and Olivia are still blissfully together. To keep him from being hanged for a traitor, Olivia must pretend she and Jack are still married.

To unearth the real traitors, Olivia and Jack must unravel the truth hidden within his faulty memory. To save themselves and the friends who have given them sanctuary, they must stand against their enemies, even as they both keep their secrets.

In the end, can they risk everything to help Jack recover his lost memories, even though the truth may destroy them both?

(Terra's Thoughts) Barely A Lady is a story of how true love can overcome any obstacle. How a matter of trust can mean so much and hurt even more when betrayed. A story of passions that run so deep they're sure to make your blood sizzle. Oh, and they say that Love is Blind, well in this case it's the Lovers are Blind to what is sitting right in front of their noses.

Olivia Grace has been on the run for five years hiding from her ex-husband and his family. Under a simple ruse right out in plain sight Olivia has found her salvation but for how long? You would think being in such a beautiful place as Belgium would be perfect under the circumstances. A beautiful city besieged with tourist's but also on the verge of war, you would think that there is much to much going on to be noticed.

Jack Wyndham, Earl of Gracechurch has had more than his share of action. Being a Golden Boy with an ego bigger than England itself, how could he not find his way into trouble. It's not until he is found by Olivia on Belgium soil half dead and with no memory that makes things get slicey and dicey for the Earl. Can he be saved from death's grim grip? Will he ever get back the memories that got him into this place in the first place and will Olivia ever be able to forgive all the wrongs that have been done to her by this cad?

This is a delightful story with twists and turns, secrets abound and more mysteries to be solved that will never let you put the book down until devoured. I can tell you this much, expect to get very angry with Jack and his family for what they have done to Olivia. Actually, it's quite easy to be angry just for the injustices that were placed on women in the time period let alone anything else.

Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Forever (July 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446542083
ISBN-13: 978-0446542081

Christmas in July Contest

Christmas In July Contest!

I don't know about you but I love Christmas and decided to have a Christmas in July contest with the books shown above. Some are ARC's, some I've bought and one or two are autographed. They are all wonderful books and I really do need to make some room before Tim throws me out and keeps the books. LOL!

The books included in this box are as follows:

Barely A Lady by Eileen Dreyer

The Making of a Dutchess by Shana Galen

The Highlander's Sword by Amanda Forester

Renegade by Sarah Parr

Born to Bite by Lynsay Sands

Larceny and Lace by Annette Blair

Stolen Promise by Lisa Marie Wilkinson

To Conquer a Highlander by Mary Wine

Anywho, if you are interested make sure and leave me a comment on why you think you deserve to win along with your email addy(no email addy no entry). This is open to US Residents only folks. Sorry but shipping is a bit much for outside the US and I really can't afford it.

I will pick one winner on July 25th and post the winner's name by the 27th. Make sure and stop back because if your name is picked and you don't contact me within 7 days I will pick another winner. No and's, if's or but's!!

The King's Mistress by Emma Campion (Terra's Review)

History has not been kind to Alice Perrers, the notorious mistress of King Edward III. Scholars and contemporaries alike have deemed her a manipulative woman who used her great beauty and sensuality to take advantage of an aging and increasingly senile king. But who was the woman behind the scandal? A cold-hearted opportunist or someone fighting for her very survival?

Like most girls of her era Alice is taught obedience in all things. At the age of fourteen she marries the man her father chooses for her, dutifully accepting the cost of being torn from the family she holds so dear and losing the love of her mother forever. Despite these heartbreaks Alice finds that merchant Janyn Perrers is a good and loving husband and the two settle into a happy life together. Their bliss is short-lived, however, unraveled the dark day a messenger appears at Alice's door and notifies her of Janyn's sudden disappearance.

In the wake of this tragedy, Alice learns that her husband kept many dangerous secrets--secrets that result in a price on her own head and that of her beloved daughter. Her only chance to survive lies in the protection of King Edward and Queen Philippa, but she therefore must live at court as a virtual prisoner. When she is singled out by the king for more than just royal patronage, the stakes are raised. Disobeying Edward is not an option, not when her family is at risk, but the court is full of ambitious men and women, many of whom will stop at nothing to see her fall fron grace. The whispers and gossip abound, isolating Alice, who finds unexpected solace in her love for the king.

Emma Campion paints a colorful and thrilling portrait of the court of Edward III--with all of its extravagance, scandalous love affairs, political machinations, and murder--and the devastating results of being singled out by the royal family. At the center of the storm is Alice, surviving by her wits in this dangerous world where the choices are not always of her own making. Emma Campion's dazzling novel shows that there is always another side to the story.

(Terra's Thoughts) The cover on this book looks fabulous and believe me the story in between is equally captivating. The story is paced perfectly from beginning to end and leaves you wondering how people could actually live like this at any time period.

There is so much that goes on with the story here of Alice Salisbury and it shows you the innocence, kindness, love, anger, hatred and so many more emotions that we as humans take for granted every day without thought as to how it will affect others. I do believe that even though during the reign of King Edward and Queen Philippa things were anything short of quiet and peaceful, the subjects of the King and Queen's knew more how to take care of themselves and use their wits than we do today.

Our story starts off with Alice Salisbury, a merchant's daughter who is only thirteen is betrothed to marry and does indeed marry a rich merchant within six months that is twenty years her senior. Alice's husband is kind, gentle and very caring of her but he is also keeping a secret that will in effect plague Alice for most of her life. Thank goodness she is made of stronger stuff than those that were born with silver spoons in their mouths.

As the story progresses, Alice is summoned to be part of Queen Philippa's household and is groomed by the Queen herself for a very important role that will take Alice down some dark and dangerous avenues. This all takes place without Alice's even recognizing a hint of what the Royals are up to and will test her in every capacity that a woman can indeed be tested.

I found the story to be breath taking in every sense of the word. From the descriptions of horses to houses to castles to the very clothes that the Royals wore kept me entranced and struggling to put the book down. Even now as I write this my mind wanders to the possibilities of what I would've done if caught in the same life shackling situation. A must read for anyone who loves a good book.

Hardcover: 464 pages
Publisher: Crown (July 6, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0307589250
ISBN-13: 978-0307589255

Last Week's Mail Call

Here are the books that I received last week. Some to review and some just for a good read.

To Review



















To Read for Enjoyment

Happy 4th Of July!

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

RITA Nominees Giveaway by Forever Romance and Hachette Books (3 sets to giveaway)

ONE SCREAM AWAY
By Kate Brady
Best First Book & Romantic Suspense Categories
Mass Market, ISBN 9780446541527, US$6.99 /CAN$8.50

FOR THE LOVE OF PETE
By Julia Harper
Contemporary Single Title Romance Category
Mass Market, ISBN 9780446619189, US$6.99 /CAN$8.50
TO BEGUILE A BEAST
By Elizabeth Hoyt
Historical Romance Category
Mass Market, ISBN 9780446406932, US$6.99 /CAN$8.50
KNIGHT OF PLEASUREBy Margaret Mallory
Historical Romance Category
Mass Market, ISBN 9780446553384, US$6.99 /CAN$8.50
MY FORBIDDEN DESIRE
By Carolyn Jewel
Paranormal Romance Category
Mass Market, ISBN 9780446178242, US$6.99 /CAN$8.50

KILL FOR MEBy Karen Rose
Romantic Suspense
Mass Market, ISBN 9780446616935, US$6.99 /CAN$8.50


I've got 3 sets to give away, many thanks to Anna at Forever Romance (Hachette Books) for this fantastic giveaway!!
So This Is What You Have To Do To Get An Entry!
1. Leave a Comment +12. Follow Me +1 already a follower +23. Post this contest on your blog (can be on your sidebar or a post) +3
PLEASE put your email in your comments or no entry (no exceptions).
This is for the USA and Canada only please and no Po Boxes (publishers rule)!
Winners will be announced on July 28th 2010!

Winners of Desire Me by Robyn DeHart

*kimmyl
*Mitzi H.
Marianna
*Cecile
*ScorpioM

Please send your snail mail info to terraontop57 at yahoo dot com. Congrats to our winners and I hope you enjoy your prize!