Bewitching Book Tours Book Review: Prohibited Passion

Author: Alissa Linn Palmer
Title: Prohibited Passion
Publish Date: Jan 2012
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: Bewitching Book Tours and the author
Book Blurb: This erotic romance brings you right into the middle of Prohibition...

Ruth wants to escape the boredom of Bandit Creek and the strict expectations of her father, the local pastor. Her life changes the day she meets CeeCee, a world-wise flapper, and an irresistible attraction develops between them. She’ll be disowned and shunned if anyone discovers their prohibited passion, but can they keep their growing affection a secret?

CeeCee is drawn to Ruth, but things become complicated when her gangster companion disapproves of their liaison. He’s in town to broker a deal with the owner of the local speakeasy, and he’s not above using them to further his own plans. Can CeeCee protect Ruth and their budding relationship?

As Ruth gets drawn further into their world, she must decide between her familiar life and a new, dangerous path with the woman she loves.

Review: This novella (approx 52 pages) is definitely something different for me. Its lesbian historical fiction. As you might guess from the title it is set during the prohibition era

Ruth is the pastor's daughter who longs for something more. CeeCee is flapper from Chicago who has a boyfriend who is a gangster. It is easy to see that there will be conflict her. The good vs the evil. Plus a relationship that isn't quite the thing.

Their relationship develops but things in life conspire against them.

The sex scenes are more sensual then scandalous. That worked well here. The relationship between the two women was definitely believable. I'm just sad that they couldn't be together.

This was a great bedside read. (Actually because it was so short I read it on my computer, something I almost never do). It did leave me wanting to know more about Ruth and what will happen to her and her father the preacher. He wasn't painted in a good light, but he didn't seem all bad, just as the gangster, Sheridan couldn't have been all bad, I only wish this would have been a full length, so we could have learned more about the characters.

Rating: 4 flowers

M.J. Rose is asking if you've ever smelled a story?

“He struggled to separate out the notes he recognized from the ones he didn’t, searching for the ingredients that gave the blend its promise of hope, of long nights and voluptuous dreams, of invitation and embrace. Of an everlasting covenant ripe with possibility.  Of lost souls reunited.”  —The Book of Lost Fragrances

Discover the perfume inspired by The Book of Lost Fragrances

Pre-order The Book of Lost Fragrances by M.J. Rose and we'll send you a free sample of Âmes Soeurs, the Scent of Soulmates. This exclusive fragrance, inspired by the novel, was created by Joya Studios and is not yet for sale.  Joya’s Âmes Sœurs hints of Frankincense, Myrrh, Orange Blossom and Jasmine. It’s smoky uncommon finish suggests the past and the future, and lost souls reunited.

Just use one of the links at http://mjrose.com/fragrances/scent.asp and follow the directions there.

Offer ends March 1, but pre-order now since we have a limited number of supplies! US and Canada only.

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The Book of Lost Fragrance has received terrific advance praise:

Selected by Indie Booksellers for the March 2012 Indie Next List.

Selected by Publishers Weekly as one of the Top Ten Mystery/Thrillers Spring 2012

"From 18th-century Egypt and France to present-day Paris, New York, and China, Rose's deliciously sensual novel of paranormal suspense smoothly melds a perfume-scented quest to protect an ancient artifact with an ages-spanning romance. A complex plot that races to a satisfying finish." — Publishers Weekly, Starred and Boxed Review 

" A sensuous thriller combined with a heartbreaking love story.”  — Karen Briggs at Great Northern Books & Hobbies in Oscoda, MI

  

"A spellbinding love story and historical novel of mystery, reincarnation, ancient Egypt.  Being immersed in Rose's fictional world is one of those times when you don't want to come back to the real world." —Susan Wasson of Bookworks, Albuquerque, NM

"Smoothly blends historical events, compelling characters, and international intrigue into an absorbing and thrilling ride through the centuries." —Library Journal

Book Review: Rachel's Secret

Author: B.J. Hoff
Title Rachel's Secret
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
Publish Date: Oct 1, 2008
Buy: Amazon

Book Blurb:Bestselling author BJ Hoff promises to delight her many faithful readers with her compelling new series, The Riverhaven Years. With the first book, Rachel’s Secret, Hoff introduces a new community of unforgettable characters and adds the elements readers have come to expect from her novels: a tender love story, the faith journeys of people we grow to know and love, and enough suspense to keep the pages turning quickly.

 When the wounded Irish American riverboat captain, Jeremiah Gant, bursts into the rural Amish setting of Riverhaven, he brings chaos and conflict to the community--especially for young widow, Rachel Brenneman. The unwelcome “outsider” needs a safe place to recuperate before continuing his secret role as an Underground Railroad conductor. Neither he nor Rachel is prepared for the forbidden love that threatens to endanger a man’s mission, a woman’s heart, and a way of life for an entire people. 

Review: This is the first Amish historical I've read. It definitely was a different style of story from what I'm used to with Amish fiction/romance, and I have to say, it was a really enjoyable read.

Like most  Amish stories there's a lot of drama involving the characters and the Englischers. In this case, an Irishman is shot and seeks the help of Rachel and her family. Jeremiah Gant is a conductor on the underground railroad, that in itself brings a whole new spin one what to expect in Amish fiction.

A lot of the story deals with the persecution of the Amish in the Riverhaven area. Rachel's husband was a victim of a violent act of hatred. When the violence starts again, families are torn apart, because the Amish believe in forgiveness and not revenge.

B.J. Hoff does a wonderful job describing how the Amish live and their beliefs. I also loved the two romances that bloom in this story, although only one comes to anything so far.

It was really easy to get wrapped up in the lives of the characters, each had something special that is brought to the story, whether it is Asa, the free man of color, helping Jeremiah with the Underground Railroad, Doc Sebastian and his secret love for Rachel's mother Susan,  Fannie,  Rachel's sister and Gideon her brother. These are character's you really feel like you know. 

I look forward to reading the next two books in this trilogy!

Rating:  5 flowers

Guest Post: Allie Pleiter

So, you start with a fireman...

Or, in this case, a fireman who’s sort of hiding out as a fire marshall--it seems Chad Owens has issues. Right across the street from his pristine, safe office, you plunk down a wildly optimistic chocolatier who wants to build a new store but is far too impatient to put up with all those pesky rules and regulations.

Jeannie Nelworth has got issues, too. Having just survived a fire, she doesn’t have the best relationship with flame, with firehouses, and with a certain obsessive fire marshall. Her son Nicky isn’t handling life very well. As a solution, Chad’s boss decides that Nicky needs to walk the firehouse’s dog, Plug. Sure, Plug is fat and needs a workout, but the real need here is Nicky needing a man to talk out how the fire has rattled his teenage life.

Jeannie is convinced that enough faith and unsinkable spirit can get them through anything. Chad is sure things cut far deeper than that. She needs his realism, he needs her optimism, and Nicky needs both of them if he’s going to truly heal.

It’s a truth that God often hands us what we most need in the package we least want. As a reader, I love it when I figure out the hero and heroine are perfect for each other long before they figure it out for themselves. When I start to cheer for their happy ending, I know I’ve been drawn into the story.

I hope this is what happens to you when you read FALLING FOR THE FIREMAN. The cute dog, the clever kid, the hunky fire marshal...oh, and the chocolate--they’re all ingredients for a story I think you’ll enjoy. Happy Reading!

Falling for the Fireman
Harlequin Love Inspired February 2012
ISBN #978-0-373-87725-6

Back Cover Copy:
There's something achingly familiar about the look in fire marshal Chad Owens's eyes. Widowed mom Jeannie Nelworth knows firsthand what it is: loss, hurt and yes—bitterness. Ever since the fire that changed their lives, Jeannie's young son has borne that same look, pushing everyone away. So she's grateful when Chad tries to get through to the boy with the help of his trusty fire station dog.

But the man who's all about safety and prevention keeps himself protected—from loving and losing again. Seems as if Jeannie will have to add his kind, guarded heart to her rebuilding efforts.

Author Bio:
An avid knitter, coffee junkie, and devoted chocoholic, Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction. The enthusiastic but slightly untidy mother of two, Allie spends her days writing books, buying yarn, and finding new ways to avoid housework. Allie hails from Connecticut, moved to the midwest to attend Northwestern University, and currently lives outside Chicago, Illinois. The “dare from a friend” to begin writing has produced two parenting books, fourteen novels, and various national speaking engagements on faith, women’s issues, and writing. Visit her website at www.alliepleiter.com  or her knitting blog at www.DestiKNITions.blogspot.com

Giveaway: One lucky commenter will receive a copy of Falling For The Fireman. Just leave your email in the comment so I can notify you if you win. The winner will be announced on Valentine's Day.

A Chick Ponders Bookish Things

I have too much to read. It is a horrible thing and a good thing. My TBR pile is toppling over. I have book requests coming out the yin yang. What I don't have is time, or apparently stamina, because in the last few weeks I've been conking out earlier and earlier.

Oh and the other thing that's cramped my reading style. My nook's USB cable died. The old Nook wifi and the Nook Color don't work on the same USB. Does that make any sense? No, I didn't think so. The only USB that will charge Nanny The Nook is my smartphone's USB....which means my phone isn't getting charged properly.

Can I get an ARGH please?

And while I'm whining and moaning; isn't it true that when you have a deadline for a review, that you'll read the book slower?

I'm just saying...

Apparently I need take up speed reading!

Bewitching Book Tours Promo: Kiki Howell w/Giveaway

Bewitching Valentine’s Blog Tour for
Love, Creativity & Magick:
A Valentine’s Day Steampunk Tale
and Sacred Sex

Love, Creativity & Magick: A Steampunk Valentine’s Day Tale –
A Novelette by Kiki Howell
Blurb:

All acts of magick take on shades of gray in the end. Especially for Emma, one of four females witches who by birthright belong in the social circles of the privileged upper ten thousand in London. Yet, by rumor of the unknown and the misunderstood, she stands apart, cut by her peers along with her cousins, because they hold a secret—each is gifted with magick.

Their elders had taught them respect for their powers even when mixed with a spanking amount of fanciful mischief. On the other hand, if a lesson was warranted, then white verses black magick could be hard to define. No where was the color of steam more evident than in the matters of justice, a slippery term to define. Yet, they’d made breaking the laws of society their mission. Most of their nights at parties and balls were spent creating a magickal comedy of errors, helping the uptight aristocracy side step their fastidious standards.

Only this year, days before Valentine’s Day, a damnable day for women without suitors, Emma is not quite sure what is happening to her. Something dark and seductive, something not of this world, is luring her, possessing her, and she has no comprehension of what or who the presence really is. But, when he does show his face finally, and she feels him to be a night walker, she must fear not only the threat he poses to her blood and to the energy or magick he can suck from her, but also the danger he poses to her heart. After all of these days feeling him, wanting him, she has to wonder if her feelings are just a matter of his compulsion, if she is under this vampires own type of magick.

To complicate matters further, the vampire’s propositions are as exciting as they are scandalous, to teach her how to power her magick with the overabundance of sexual energy she bears. But, how he knows such thinks he remains elusive about. And there is the added attraction that this vampire was a failed inventor in life, one with a basement full of contraptions she finds she can power through the use of her sexual energy. Valentine’s Day seems like it could be all kinds of fun this year now.

Yet, in these days of social unrest and out-of-control creativity, what is a witch to do with a vampire? When Valentine’s Day rolls around, and a secret is revealed, what will be left for her?

Genres: Valentine's Day 2012 Theme, Paranormal (witches and vampires), Steampunk (Victorian England), Erotic Romance from Naughty Nights Press

Sacred Sex
A Valentine’s Day Short Story
by Kiki Howell


Blurb:

Just a few days before Valentine’s Day, Margaret visits her aunt’s craft consignment shop hoping for a spell or oil, and any advice on how to re-connect with her husband, Michael, who has become distant since losing his job. Determined to save her marriage, she gets more than she bargained for from Aunt Minny, a practicing witch. Armed with recipes to enhance love, a massage oil type love potion, a new Valentine’s Day candle and a book on Sacred Sex Rituals, Margaret prepares to seduce her husband.

But, his initial reaction is not what she planned for…

Follow Margaret and Michael on a holiday of love journey, a throwback to the kinky pagan sex rituals once practiced long ago on this day before it was named after a saint. You may want to take notes to enhance your own Valentine's Day this year!

Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Wiccan/Pagan, Holiday - Valentine’s Day from Rebel Ink Press



Author Bio:

Ever since she was young, Kiki Howell has loved to listen to a well-woven tale with real characters, inspired plots, and delightful resolutions. Kiki spend hours lost in books and soon knew creating lives, loves, and losses with just words had to be the greatest thing she could do. She’s now had over twenty stories published and couldn’t be more thrilled or grateful to see her creations polished and out in the real world.

www.kikihowell.com


Giveaway Fill out the form below to have a chance to be one of 5 winners on this tour! Winners will be announced on Valentine's Day!

Prize #1 – Fashion Heart Necklace and Earrings



Prize #2 – Steampunk Necklace


Prize #3 – eBook Erotic Romance Short Story Bundle: Includes Love & Marriage Cures, The Healing Spell, Rituals and Working Out the Kinks
For more information on these stories go to http://www.kikihowell.com/2010/06/stories.html



Prize #4 – Print Book Sweet Romance Bundle: The Sorcerer’s Songs Novella with Weathervanes CD
For more information on this story and the CD that inspired it go to http://www.kikihowell.com/2010/06/sorcerers-songs-trade-paperback-novella.html


Prize #5 – Print Copy of Torn Asunder Erotic Romance Novel
For more information on this story go to http://www.kikihowell.com/2010/09/torn-asunder.html

A Chick Ponders Bookish Things

Ebook lending sucks. Ebooks from libraries suck too. There are too few copies and not enough selection. I understand publishers wanting to sell books, but we lend our hard copies to friends, why not our ebooks? It just doesn't seem fair.

Ebooks are highly overpriced in comparison to other digital media. In fact, unless you are buying a brand new, only out on hard cover book, you aren't saving money. Once a book makes it to mass market paperback, you are better off buying a physical copy of the book. Unless you don't want your friends/co-workers/family to see you reading that smut novel (LOL).

I love ebooks, because I love discovering new Indie authors, but I seldom buy major authors on ebook format, because it is such a waste of money.

What do you think?