New Covers

Some new covers shared recently. . .

I love Lila DiPasqua's super steamy fairy tale retellings so I am very excited she has a novella hopefully out this month!  She shared the cover for The Duke's Match Girl on her website and I can't wait to read it!

What a perfectly festive cover for a holiday novella!  Deck the Halls with Love is part of Lorraine Heath's current series, Lost Lords of Pembrook and will be out Dec 18th.

Well, this cover is certainly different from Christina Brooke's previous covers (which I loved)!  I'm a bit on the fence about it...I like the pretty dresses better I guess but since these upcoming books focus on the men I guess it makes sense.  Oh well I have London's Last True Scoundrel preordered for its June 25th release as I loved the previous books!

For all you Stephanie Laurens fans she shared her newest cover in her newsletter this week.  I have not read a lot of her writing but what I have, I have enjoyed.  Look for And Then She Fell March 26th.

Maggie Robinson also shared her newest cover via her newsletter this past week and its another good one!  I enjoyed the previous book in this series so I look forward to Captain Durant's Countess and will pick it up on its Feb 21st release.  Bonus the ebook is only $5.94 instead of tenish for a trade paperback!  This makes me really happy and I hope to see it happening more in the future!

And lastly Delilah Marvelle is continuing her School of Gallantry series with three new books she will be self publishing!  The first is Lady of Pleasure which she shared this week.  I have not yet read the previous two books in this series but they are on top of my list for the new year as I have come to really enjoy her wicked sensual unique stories!  Look for this around March.

Well, thats all for now!  Which of these covers caught your eye?

Undone by Lila DiPasqua

Well, I devoured this book within days of its release and I see I never wrote a review for it!  So, this won't be overly long as, unfortunately, the story is not as fresh as when I should have written this review (and that just makes me anxious to reread it soon!).  I knew what to expect from this romance--a hot, sexy retelling of the fairy tale Rapunzel but the way it was wove together was pure magic.  I really liked the fact that the heroine didn't have a hair the length of a tower--because really, how was that going to work? :) But our heroine, Angelica, has grown up basically in seclusion in order to hide from her evil stepfather and is rescued by our handsome hero, Simon.  Angelica really did not want to be rescued and has to tell Simon the truth of her life and as she does, it becomes clear that the man Simon is hoping to uncover as a liar and a thief is also the man that most wants to harm Angelica.  Will Simon, a commoner, be able to prove to himself and Angelica that he is good enough for a noble lady or will he just let it all go?

Sigh.  I really adored this book.  I absolutely love retellings of fairy tales and I know I can count on Lila DiPasqua to deliver a winner with plenty of heat!  Simon and Angelique really know how to burn the fire!  Have something cool to drink handy :)  Angelique is strong and will do whatever she can to protect those around her and Simon has had to overcome a brutal childhood and it has molded him into the strong and commanding man is is today.  When the past is revealed to the full extent, have some tissues handy as you are sure to tear up!  If you like your historicals burning but filled with angst, love, passion and a bit of humor, please, grab Undone today and settle in for a treat!  I know I look forward to more from this auto-buy author!  4 1/2 stars

Fiery Tales
Can be read out of order...Simon was in A Midnight Dance...

Three Reckless Wishes
Exp Sept release -- So, so, so excited for this book! Read A Midnight Dance first

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a a weekly blog hop hosted by Breaking the Spine where we all mention one upcoming book release we are waiting for.

This week my can't wait for release is Undone by Lila DiPasqua. I have loved all of her Fiery Tales (steaming retellings of fairy tales) and I have no doubt her take on Rapunzel is going to be awesome!  She is self-publishing this one and we can expect it in April.  Goodreads says April 9th so I am really, really hoping for that date!  Here is the gorgeous cover and blurb from her website:

Inspired by the tale of Rapunzel, Lila DiPasqua offers a new steamy, emotionally charged historical romance in the acclaimed Fiery Tales Series . . . Rescuing this beauty from the ‘tower’ is only the beginning . . .

Maintaining her ruse as a commoner, and trusting no one has kept Christine safe. But a chance encounter with a handsome stranger lands her right where danger lies. Now, this sinfully handsome man with arresting blue eyes and a polished manner thinks he’s saved her life, when in fact he’s placed her in great peril. She’s intent on keeping him and everyone else at arm’s length. Yet, the smoldering attraction between them is difficult to deny. And impossible to ignore . . .

As commander of a number of privateer ships, Simon Boulenger dresses and speaks like an aristocrat, and has obtained wealth. But he is still not a noble. Or an officer in the King’s Navy. His lifelong dream to elevate himself from his station of birth and attain a respectable place in society is dead. Worse, he’s ensnared in deadly scheme, and must get out. But how is he to stay focused on his dangerous mission when the mysterious beauty has him utterly intrigued? He can’t afford the distraction any more than he can resist the carnal hunger she stirs. Simon soon discovers that she’s not only a passionate soul mate, but a woman born into privilege. A woman he can never have. But they’re in too deep. Their hearts are at risk . . . as well as their lives.

 Sigh, I can't wait! :)

Most Antcipated for 2012

Ok, looking into the new year here are my 5 most anticipated traditionally published books:

Thief of Shadows (out July 1st) is finally Winter's story and as he has been so mysterious and quite for the most part until now, I can't wait to see how it plays out with the seemingly opposite Isabel. Ok, fine I can't wait for the next in the series either but since that says it has a publication of Dec 31st it will have to tag on to this one (Lord of Darkness).

I have adored all of Sarah MacLeans books so far and I am sure that A Rogue By Any Other Name will be another one added to my keeper cover (I mean, look at that cover!). This one releases on February 28th and I am beyond excited that I have it from Netgalley and get to read it a bit early. But I already have my paperback copy preordered :)

I don't read too many contemporaries lately but one author that is still on my auto-buy list is the talented Julie James and we can finally get Sawyer-look-alike Kyle's story on April 3rd in About That Night.

I know this is two books but since Mad about the Earl comes out in a few days on January 3rd, I also wanted to add A Duchess to Remember which will release on June 26th. I really enjoyed Christina Brooke's first historical and can't wait to see what happens next in the Ministry of Marriage series.

And finally I have The Rogue Pirate's Bride (out Feb 7th and I will be reading soon thanks to Netgalley and Ms Galen!).  Shana Galen instantly became an auto buy author for me with Lord and Lady Spy and I know this book has been greatly anticipated since it is the third in a trilogy so I can't wait to start it.  I believe she is working on something for later in the year as well and that will be on my anticipated list as well :)

As you may have noticed I said those were my traditionally published....that is because I have a few self-published authors that I am also eagerly awaiting and here are my top choices for them:

First up is two books from Lila Dipasqua. Undone will be out April 4th and is her first book through self publishing and I love the cover. I have loved everything I have read from her so I can't wait for this one!

But perhaps the one I am most anticipating is this one. Three Reckless Wishes (Sept 5th) follows A Midnight Dance (which I LOVED and left us with a bit of a cliffhanger) so I am just itching to read this one!!

My next author that I can't wait for their self published books is Ashley March who will be writing as Elise Rome starting in the new year.  She already has six books listed in the goodreads.com system and I think she will be doing some set in the 1920s so that should be fun!  Ashley is a great author who communicates so well with her readers and I adore her for that and I can't wait to see what the new year brings us from her! :)

The Governess Affair is the start of a new series from Courtney Milan and is a novella so I hope this means we can expect at least one full length novel as well :)  Release date to be determined.


So, these are all my choices for the new year.  What are you most looking forward too?

New Covers!

Oohh, look at all the pretty new covers that I've seen!

First up is a book I can not wait to get my hands on!!  Three Reckless Wishes promises to be a hot, sexy, sexy fiery tale from the awesome Lila DiPasqua.  If you have not read any of her previous Fiery Tales...go do so....now! A Midnight Dance (the previous book to Three Reckless Wishes) was one of my favorite books of the year and I can't believe we have to wait until summertime 2012 for this one.  Sob!

ETA:  OMG!! Lila has also posted the cover for her fall release of Undone on her website!!  Gorgeous!!  This one is going to be based on the fairy tale Rapunzel.  Can.Not.Wait!!!  Also, she has announced these are both going to be self published, both in print and e formant which was a surprise to me but I will follow Ms DiPasqua wherever she goes :)

Next up is a really bold cover I think with our heroine front and center and a sexy pair of abs as a backdrop ;) This is book two in Julia Londons The Secrets of Hadley Green series and I did enjoy the first but I think it left a bit of a cliffhanger so I will need to refresh myself on it. Look for The Revenge of Lord Eberlin Feb 21st.

The Husband Hunt is book three of Lynsay Sands Madison Sisters and one I am quite eager to read.  Another pretty white cover (I'm noticing alot of white dresses for covers lately and liking them all!) which releases on Feb 28th.

A Duchess to Remember is yet another stunning white cover and another book I am dying to get my hands on!  Christina Brooke has had an awesome set of covers so far and I love how they all go together.  Look for book three of the Ministry of Marriage series June 26th.

Sigh, another winner from Grace Burrowes in the cover department. I mean, seriously, her covers for her books have been some of my favorites. I love the green and the handsome..almost naked looking man behind her . Look for Lady Maggie's Secret Scandal (The Duke's Daughters, #2) on May 1st.

Here is the newest cover for Jenny Browns upcoming release, Perilous Pleasures which releases March 27th. I have yet to read anything by Jenny Brown but have heard good things about this series which has some interesting ties to astrology.

One Naughty Night is the start of a new series from Laurel McKee called The Scandalous St. Claires. The cover has caught my eye as well as the premise so I'm looking forward to May 22nd.

And lastly here is the cover for debut author Erin Knightley. I believe More Than a Stranger: A Sealed With a Kiss Novel is the start of a series and I am always enjoy reading debut authors. This one releases June 5th.

A Midnight Dance by Lila DiPasqua

Hmm, steamy retelling of one of my favorite fairy tales, Cinderella...check!  I have been eagerly waiting for Lila DiPasquas newest Fiery Tales to come out and I was surprised when my library notified me that it was in already, last Friday, four days before it was supposed to come out.  Naturally, I hurried over to check it out and then proceeded to devour it over the weekend.  Did it live up to the high hopes I had for it?  Absolutely.

Sabine Laurent is desperate.  Her family needs to pay taxes or they will be thrown into the debtors jail.  She comes up with an outlandish plan to steal chests of silver from a camp of men...by posing as a whore and hopefully getting the men to drink some tainted wine before anything should happen.  Sabine is floored when she shes who is in charge though.  It is her childhood crush, her Dark Prince, one of the reasons her family is in the desperate circumstances, Jules de Moutier.

Jules de Moutier is desperate as well but for a different reason.  His father was falsely accused of a crime and hanged for it and his family lost their titles and lands.  For someone who grew up as an Aristo, this is unacceptable and he needs all the silver to find out who set up his father and get the title and lands reinstated.  He initially doesn't trust Sabine but he can not get this blond fairy and the two start a very steamy, hot relationship.  Jules is amazed at the feelings he feels when with Sabine, it is nothing like he has ever felt before but that all comes crashing down when Sabine finally succeeds in stealing his silver.  Then he is bent on revenge on her as well but still...he can't quite shake his feelings and when it is revealed that Sabines beloved missing twin may have been involved in his fathers death, they set out to find out the truth.

Sigh, what a book and what a story.  I mean the villain of the story, whoa, whiplash, I did not see that one coming and he is just an evil man. We have the stepmother, who really isn't that evil, two stepsisters, who are just a bit silly, some special glass slippers and a fabulous ball.  Sabine was a wonderful female, strong, independent and she went for what she want.  Jules, now he took a bit for me to warm up too as his nose was stuck for far in the air I was surprised he could walk.  I don't think he completely redeemed himself but he did change enough to make me happy.  I loved watching Sabine and Jules fall in love.  Their lovemaking was scorching hot but it was also special.  And the ending!  Oh, I can not wait for the next book!  Overall, 5 stars and a definite keeper and reread.

Upcoming August releases

Here are a few of the upcoming historical romance releases:

Arriving on August 2nd we have some very eagerly anticipated releases including The Many Sins of Lord Cameron (Berkley Sensation), A Midnight Dance, and It's Always Been You (which I mistakenly thought came out the end of July, sorry!).




Also coming out on August 2nd is a reprint of The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Berkley Sensation) which a much better cover this time around!  No missing hand in this one :)

New cover (love) vs old cover with missing hand, lol

And a few other historicals that sound good to me :)  A new one from Judith James on Aug 23, The King's Courtesan (Hqn).  On Aug 30 we see new releases from Maya Banks, In Bed with a Highlander, Sylvia Day, Seven Years To Sin and Maggie Robinson, Mistress by Marriage.  Also on Aug 30 comes the reprint of one of Lisa Kleypas original books from 1988, Love Come to Me.  Here is hoping they reissue more of her backlist so those $30+ prices for these oldies but goodies go away.  I just have a hard time plunking down that much cash for one book :/

And here are all of Avons August 30 releases.  I have already read Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue: A Cynster Novel (Cynster Bride) (really good!) and I have One Night in London: The Truth About the Duke and The Seduction of Scandal (Scandals and Seductions) ready to go from Netgalley and both sound good.  I still need to get caught up on Katherine Ashes trilogy but the short story (A Lady's Wish) I read by her was excellent and I am looking forward to the rest of her books.  I am really looking forward to Tessa Dares newest, A Night to Surrender (Spindle Cove) as it is the start of an interesting sounding trilogy!  Also releasing is a new one from Jenny Brown, Star Crossed Seduction (Lords of the Seventh House) and a reprint from Lynsay Sands, The Deed.






Also this month from Avon you will notice all the special K.I.S.S. and Teal stickers on these books.  They have partnered up to help promote Ovarian Cancer awareness and are donating 25 cents from the sale of each book pictured (ebook and paperbooks) purchased from 8/30 to 2/28/2012.  For more info see this site:            
http://www.avonromance.com/kissandteal/