The Cravenator Call To Arms

The Book Binge is running a top LK Hero Standing and our Derek is NOT in first place.

He is trailing that other Kleypas hero by quite a bit. This can not be allowed to continue.

Derek needs our help!!!!!

Unite Cravenators - go - put him in the place he so rightly deserves!!

Number 1

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

UPDATE

I just checked and Derek is leading - by one vote. So for those of you who watch SYTYCD Canada - do what Jean-Marc keeps telling everyone to do:

Voix, voix, voix

Recent Reads

Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas

Why this one: It’s Lisa Kleypas – nuff said

Level of Steam: I might put it back in the microwave to make it hotter – but not for the required length of time

Blurb: As advice columnist “Miss Independent,” Ella Varner thought she had all the answers, but when her sister, Tara, leaves her brand-new baby with their mother and then disappears, Ella discovers that problems in the real world are not quite as easy to solve as those in print. Ella’s mother insists that she come and deal with the situation, since the very idea of her being a grandmother will ruin her social life. When Ella arrives in Houston, her first goal is to find the baby’s father—one of Tara’s friends believes it’s millionaire Texas real-estate developer Jack Travis. When Ella shows up at Jack’s office, she is surprised to discover that not only is Jack more considerate than she imagined—especially since he insists the baby is not his—but way sexier than she thought possible.

My Thoughts: I loved the first two books in this series Sugar Daddy and Blue Eyed Devil and I loved this one, but it didn’t give me the same kind of emotional punch that the first two did. And for the first time in the series, I missed Jack’s POV. In the first two, the heroine was dynamic enough and interesting enough that I didn’t notice the lack of the hero’s POV but not so in this one.

Don’t get me wrong – I really enjoyed it – but not quite as much as the first two. You can find all kinds of reviews in blogland so I thought I’d go different and just post my ‘what worked’ and ‘what didn’t work’ thoughts.

What Worked

Jack. Another great Travis hero, I loved how he stepped right up and helped Ella out with baby Luke. Even though he knew Luke wasn’t his son, he was more than willing to do anything Ella needed.

That even though he said Texas men liked missionary – he also liked it other ways – heh heh heh

Ella. I thought she was a great heroine. She seemed to be the opposite of every other woman that Jack dated and I like that she wasn’t taken in (too much) by his wealth and position. She was practical and I liked that about her. I love how much she loved Luke.

I like how she overcame her past. Living with a mother like hers wouldn’t have been too easy.

And I loved her reaction to the steak dinner she had with Jack *g*

What didn’t work

I was somewhat uncomfortable with the whole set-up of Luke’s father. They hypocrisy of it all bothered me and the fact that despite what was planned, he was going to get away with it all.

Tara. I just did not like her character. I wasn’t sure what we were supposed to feel for her; whether we were supposed to dislike her or feel sorry for her and I would have liked to be either a little more likeable or a little less likeable. And I really despised her plans for the future.

I know I’m being very vague here but I don’t want to give spoilers and hopefully those who have read the book know what I’m talking about and those who haven’t plan to some time.

Grade: 4 out of 5

Once an Outlaw by Debbi Rawlins

Why this one: It’s a Western and a Time Travel and a Blaze which are hotter than some of the other lines Harlequin has to offer. I love both those genres so I snapped it up. What put it on the top of the list was the review I read at Dear Author and the fact I’m way behind in my reading and reading a Harlequin books is nice and quick.

Steam Level: Though it takes this one to come to a boil, once it does, it’s nice and steamy.

Blurb: In the rough-and-tumble town of Deadwood in 1876, cowboy Sam Keegan is about as hard as they get. Considered a real sexy piece of man by the local womenfolk, Sam runs the town livery stable. And he was last seen in the company of a pretty gal in a wedding dress, Reese Winslow…who escaped one of the local brothels!

The little lady claims to be a doctor—from the future, no less! Beware of her, as she's causing no end of problems. Mostly for Sam, who is real skittish about the law. But trouble or not, the man can't seem to stop himself from wanting Reese…and learnin' firsthand what women from the future like to do with hot, hard cowboys!

My Thoughts: First off – who on earth wrote that back cover blurb? It’s awful and doesn’t really portray the book at all!!!

Series books are shorter and as Wendy pointed out in her review of this one at The Good, The Bad, The Unread, it really could have done with about 20 more pages, but nevertheless, I really enjoyed it.

When Reese finds herself back in the past, in the Western town of Deadwood, in a brothel no less, she finds it hard to take in at first. That only makes sense. But once she escapes from the brothel, she is offered sanctuary by Sam Keegan. What a yummy hero he was. And no – there was nothing in the book about all the womenfolk considering him a real sexy piece of man. That part is just made up on the back and stupid as far as I’m concerned. Sam is a great, typical, Western kind of hero and an example of why I love the genre so much. He is tormented still by the actions he was forced into at the end of the Civil War and as a result sees himself as a bad person. But Reese and the reader know that he isn’t; that he is a caring, protective, gentle and a very fine hero.

While it takes him a while to believe Reese and her wild story of coming from the future, eventually he believes it.

For the shortened length for me this one really packed a nice wallop. This is the second Blaze book in a row that I’m giving a high grade on. And since it was out in March and this is now April, the sequel dealing with Ellie, Reese’s younger sister is out and is my current read. Although written by a different person, I am enjoying it too – and best of all there is a third book in this ‘Stolen from Time’ line coming in May.

So if your are looking for a pretty good Time Travel, a pretty good Western and a book that can be read in a day and up your reading numbers, then this is the one for you.

Grade: 4.5 out of 5

**~**~**~**~**~**

And while playing with the new blogger - and with Lea's poll in mind, I have a poll on the right. Boy are they ever easy with this new blogger layout!!

Contest Alert! I want to win this book!

We had a field trip at work today - all the branches in our area. It was really good and I enjoyed the day quite a bit. They had an motivational speaker - a most excellent one and one of the things he said to do was to take ownership. So - this is me taking ownership.

I don't often post contest alerts - no particular reason, I just don't think of it I guess 0r I blog about something else. But in this case I am blogging about it because.

I. WANT. TO. WIN. THIS. BOOK.

No if ands or buts about it. This is me. Taking ownership.

Dear Author and Smart Bitches have combined forces and are having a Save the Contemporary Campaign going and as you may have noticed, I'm all about the campaigns. And as I've always loved contemporaries and

I. WANT. TO. WIN. THIS. BOOK.

I'm fully on board.

Now there are a number of ways to enter. You can Twitter about it - using some kind of hash mark thing a ma jig - but I don't twitter. You can email about it - but I don't really send a lot of emails or you can blog about it. Since

I. WANT. TO. WIN. THIS. BOOK.

I'm going the blogging route. They have set up a special page here and also a nifty little place you can add your own rec's for contemporaries you have enjoyed. Now I'm going to make a list of a lot of them I've enjoyed.

Hopefully I've done the blogging thing right because

I. WANT. TO. WIN. THIS. BOOK.

If I didn't get it right - which to be honest wouldn't surprise me, hopefully someone will tell me how to do it right because

I. WANT. TO. WIN. THIS. BOOK.

Now I know there are others saying the same thing about Smooth Talking Stranger and (yippee for us) St. Martins Press is donating 20 copies! AND there is a second prize St. Martins is offering - a 20 book package of their backlist.

In addition, Borders is offering 30% off all pre-orders. But since I don't live in the US, this particular incentive doesn't work. Thus

I. WANT. TO. WIN. THIS. BOOK.

Now, in case I'm missing something - this is what you have to do

Lisa Kleypas Smooth Talking Stranger

Email This Page ShareThis

Ella Varner has it all–a successful career as an advice columnist, a handsome boyfriend, and a circle of friends in Austin. When anyone has a problem, Ella knows the answers.

But one night she receives a call that changes everything. And as Ella’s world is turned upside-down, she meets a man who is the opposite of everything she ever wanted . . . a man who will offer her the most irresistible challenge she has ever known . . . Excerpt

To reward those who help spread the contemporary goodness, St. Martin’s Press has provided us with 20 copies of Smooth Talking Stranger to giveaway and a grand prize package of 20 titles from SMP’s backlist (Lora Leigh, Jennifer Crusie, Cheyenne McCray, and the like) to a random entrant.

To participate, simply forward the details to a friend using the “Email This Page” link above. The more times you forward the details of this giveaway for Smooth Talking Stranger, the greater chance you have of winning. Alternatively, use the “Share This” and twitter the contest and link or blog about it. You’ll need to send us a link, though, or twitter us too at @smartbitches or @jane_l.

Smooth Talking Stranger Covers: USA VS. UK

Lisa Kleypas's cover is up for her March 2009 contemporary Smooth Talking Stranger. The wonderful ladies at The Book Smugglers were the first (that I know of) who posted both the UK and USA covers.

This is the USA cover:

This is the UK cover:

As you can see, they are very different. The USA version is a bit more sexual, where as the UK version seems more family orientated, with a child involved. I find the USA cover more appealing mainly because the UK cover makes me think this is a plot with a baby involved, meaning, "I am pregnant with you child. " or "The love affair you had resulted in a child and now you must take responsibility." I have to admit those stories are not my favorite in romances.

**Lisa also has an excerpt up from Smooth Talking Stranger on her website!**

Which cover to you like better? Why are both covers so different from one another? Do covers influence your decision to buy or read a book?

Katiebabs (KB)

Blue-Eyed Devil *MUST READ BOOK THIS YEAR!*

There are not many books that can effect you so much that you can hardly bare to start reading a new one. Or you just simply sit and stare into space because you are trying to hold back tears and figure out why such a book has affected you the way that it did. One such book that tore me apart emotionally was The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons. I literally balled my eyes out after I finished and refused to pick up another book for two weeks after. Quite shocking coming from me, because if I don’t read almost everyday, I get the shakes. I need my books!

I have found another book that comes in a very close second and almost gave me the same reaction just like the one I had with The Bronze Horseman. This time around my experience was much more personal and internal. I did not cry, or fall apart, but was very much out of it the whole day. Not a good thing to be when you must be on your toes at work. But even though I felt this way, I look back and was beyond thrilled I had the chance to read this insightful and wonderful piece of literature. Lisa Kleypas has reached her zenith with Blue Eyed Devil and is my number one top read of 2008, and will go down in my top 20 of all time favorite books. If you have not yet read Blue Eyed Devil, you are missing out on something so powerful. Lisa has tapped into so many of my emotions that were long forgotten and pushed deep down inside.

Blue Eyed Devil is the first person POV of Gage’s (hero from Sugar Daddy) younger sister, Haven Travis. Things start with Haven at Gage and Liberty’s (heroine from Sugar Daddy) wedding where she has brought along her boyfriend and soon to be fiancee’ Nick. Things could never be better because Haven is marrying the man she loves and who she wants to build a home and family with. Haven feels her own family life is lacking since she is always at odds with her father and she doesn’t really get along with her two brothers, Jack and Joe. The only one she has a real connection with is her other brother Gage. Also at this wedding is party crasher Hardy Cates who has known Liberty ever since she was a teen. Liberty and Hardy have a past and Hardy is not welcome at the Travis shindig. But there is something about Hardy that speaks to Haven even though she is with another man. For a brief moment, Haven and Hardy come in contact with each other and that scene between them speaks wonders. But since it is only for a brief moment, they go their separate ways.

Poor Haven’s marriage is unlike anything she imagined it would be. In the beginning, things are great with Nick, until he starts to change. His change becomes a snowball effect of emotional and physical abuse. Haven tries to stay to the bitter end because she believes things will get better or she is the one at fault for the way Nick acts. Then one night everything comes crashing down and Haven has no choice but to leave her husband with only the clothes on her back. Because she is so bruised and beaten she limps to the nearest pay phone and calls for Gage to help her.

Haven is welcomed back by Gage and Liberty, but she is so ashamed. She can no longer be touched, even by her own brother, and feels she is a failure. Her own father said her marriage would never last and now she has come crawling home with her tail between her legs. Gage, along with Jack and Joe want to beat the ever loving crap out of Nick for his crimes against Haven, which in this situation was not a shock. I had hoped Nick would get “his” by the Travis boys, but Haven won’t let them. She is bigger than that, and rather just divorce Nick and try to pick up the pieces of her life.

Haven does pick up the pieces, but very slowly. She goes to therapy and relies on her family, even though she is still on the outs with her father. And you would think Gage would be the main one who helps her the most out of her brothers, but it is actually her brother Jack, the one who never understood or got along with her. These two have become the best of friends and he is now one of her closest confidants.

Suddenly, Hardy Cates comes waltzing back into Haven’s life. Haven is still very much attracted to Hardy, but she is still healing and will not put herself in the same position she was with Nick. Hardy is gruff and a bit unhinged around the edges. He could hurt her badly if he chooses to. One horrible thought Haven has about Hardy is where she wonders if he has ever hit a woman. She is so very scared but also intrigued by this man who looks at her like he is parched and she is a drink of water. Ever so slowly, Hardy breaks through her defenses. He courts her much like a cowboy or stable hand would with a horse that doesn’t want to be tamed. Hardy isn’t aware about the abuse Haven has suffered, but he knows she needs extra special care. Even his kisses ease her into accepting him. Hardy heals her with his respect and love, and when these two do become intimate; their lovemaking is full of fireworks, love and care. But, Nick is in the background, and he won’t go away. There comes a point where Haven has to decide what to do with him and if she should go ahead and have a future with Hardy.

I was very much like Haven at one point in my life, more so with the emotional abuse rather than the physical. She spoke to me on so many levels. For someone like Haven to walk away from a person she has loved and tried her hardest to please is very, very hard. She is a survivor and even though she does walk away from the abuse, the only way she can heal is to continue on with her life, get her self esteem back and learn to possibly love again. She does love again with Hardy in so many ways. I guess you could say Hardy is her knight in shining armor, and her savior. He is to a point, but Haven is the one who has saved herself. She is her own savior.

Lisa has taken the subject matter of abuse and has written a story unlike any I have read. There are so many forms of abuse; the main one here being marital. But there are other forms showcased her such as the one with Haven and her boss who is very manipulative. There is even abuse between a parent and a child where Churchill, Haven’s father, has his doubts about her, which began when she was younger. In a way this is also a form of abuse.

When I finally closed the last page of Blue Eyed Devil, I felt drained but happy at the same time. Perhaps it is the knowledge that I have overcome so much in my life, much like Haven has done. Some situations were small, others so big that it shaped me into the woman I am today. And just knowing there is someone who can reach me in so many ways without knowing me personally is a hero in my eyes.

Without any doubt, Blue Eyed Devil gets:

5 out of 5 stars and the best book of 2008!

Katiebabs (KB)

All in All, there's just no more brick in the wall

This particular post was inspired by Jace’s recent review of Gabriel’s Ghost. We are now both eagerly waiting for Shades of Dark! The author Linnea Sinclair popped in with some comments and one of them just struck me:

First person POV is a POV I love but I didn't set out to write first person. It was simply that the story could be told no other way. It was never even a question but over the past few years, when I've been confronted by readers who refuse to read Gabriel's Ghost because it's first person, I've given it some thought.

A few years ago that could have been me – the reader I mean – not the author (although I’d never write an author and tell her I wouldn’t read her books – I just wouldn’t read them and not tell her)

When I was younger I used to read a lot of first person books and they never bothered me. If I remember correctly most of Mary Stewarts books were written in the first person and I loved them. Jennie could confirm that but the poor dear has gone to Hawaii.

But that was before I really started reading romance books and since I've been pretty much strictly a romance reader for a while now, first person doesn't allow you to get into the hero's head. We only get one person’s POV. I would pick up a book in a bookstore and if it was written in the first person I would immediately put it back on the shelf. I even have a few books I purchased through a book club not realizing they were first person and when I discovered they were, I put them somewhere else and never even attempted them.

But with a well skilled writer, I've discovered you can get a good enough sense of the hero through the heroine's thoughts. I've read a number of really excellent first person romance books now and I no longer cringe when I realize that's how they are written. It's like a much bigger world has opened up again.

I think there is still a certain prejudice amongst many romance fans against first person books, and even I until very recently had a lingering trepidation myself, but I am discovering that I need to get over that.

I first started weakening when I began reading the Stephanie Plum books. Although not exactly romance books, there was enough romance in them to satisfy me. I love them. I adore them. And for the record – I’m a Joe girl – just wanted to get that out.

But even though I was weakening in my stance with first person books, I still wasn’t a happy camper when I heard that Linda Howard would be having a first person book coming out. Her books were definitely more romance focused. I presumed they wouldn’t be as good as her third person books because one of the things I like best about third person books is getting into the hero’s head during love scenes. When you think about it though, it really isn’t all that credible. Let’s face it – men and women view sex differently and being in the hero’s head in a love scene in a book is really still being in a women’s head as the vast majority of romance books are written by women.

Then, because it was Linda Howard and I just couldn’t pass it up, I read To Die For and even though we never got into Wyatt’s head, it didn’t seem to matter. I loved the book and I think it really worked told from Blair’s POV. I know many readers found her annoying, but I loved her. And I think a large part of that was because it was Blair head we were in.

Then after reading Games of Command last year, I simply had to read more Linnea Sinclair books and the next one on my list was Gabriel’s Ghost and I was pretty much sold after that. I loved it just as much as GOC. I remember reading a review on Jennie’s B(ook) Blog just before I posted my own thoughts. Jennie commented that she didn’t even really clue in that it was first person. I thought that this was very telling. A book can be read and enjoyed written in the first person without it even being an issue.

The next big leap was when Lisa Kleypas wrote her first book in the first person – Sugar Daddy. I confess that even though the wall I used to have was more along the lines of rubble, still, this was Lisa Kleypas. Then I got past my previous bias and thought if Linda Howard could write a first person book that I loved, then so could Lisa Kleypas. And so she did! When I picked up The Blue Eyed Devil, there was no hesitation at all. If two of my favourite authors could write in the first person and I could love the books, then I’m pretty sure even the remaining rubble is gone now. I eagerly picked up Blue Eyed Devil and read it - not a single moment of hesitation. And one of the books I'm really looking forward to is as I mentioned earlier, Shades of Dark which like Gabriel's Ghost is again done in the first person.

So how about anyone else? Do you have that preconceived notion that first books person books can’t be as enjoyable as third person? Have you put a book back on the shelf in the store when you discover it’s first person? And even more important *g* if you are one of those kinds of readers, have I a former first person chauvinist convinced you to give one of them a try?

Or are a reader who has no problems with first person romance books? Which ones are your favourites? Now that I'm cured, I'm open.

Next hurdle - first person, present tense. I hear that Grimspace by Ann Aguirre is the book for this one.

Blue Eyed Devil

Since this is obviously a special book for me, I didn't want to do a normal kind of review. So instead I did the review in pieces as I was reading. I read this book in 24 hours. I started it the night before last around midnight and finished it last night around the same time. So without further ado - my thoughts

***warning, there may be spoilers***

also

***this is longer that most reviews I do***

Blue Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas

Well, I’m 102 pages into Blue Eyed Devil so far and whew has it punched me in the gut so far! This one, like Sugar Daddy is told in the first person rather than in the third person. While I didn’t used to like this style, the Stephanie Plum books softened me up and as you may (or may not) remember I loved Sugar Daddy.

This book is told by Haven Travis, Sugar Daddy Gage’s sister. It starts out with a bang as Haven mistakes Hardy, the hero/anti hero who didn’t get the girl in Sugar Daddy, for her boyfriend Nick in the wine cellar at Gage and Liberty’s wedding. She turns out the lights and kisses him only to discover much to her dismay that she has just locked lips with her family’s enemy. Although gob smacked by the kiss they share, she still goes on to marry her boyfriend.

This is where the book starts punching me in the gut. Nick, you see, is an abuser. Ms Kleypas (or I guess I should call her author Lisa) details it one step at a time how Haven is slowly stripped, one piece at a time, of her very self. It’s powerful, it’s real, it’s heartbreaking and it’s very believable! It’s superb!! Just the other day I read on DA that many romance books don’t tackle real life issues – which some authors just skim over tough issues. Not so this one.

But I’ve got past that part and now Haven is just starting to reclaim her life back – scarred and different, but she is on the road to recovery.

I have to take a break – one for relief and also ‘cause I’m having company and I have to get ready. But let me say, I am ITCHING to get back to this book!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~

I managed to get a few pages in before company came. I’m at the part where she runs into Hardy at the bar! So what the heck am I doing writing this instead of reading more of the book?!?!?! I don’t know – except to say Haven has herself between a rock and a hard place with her new boss. Now – back to reading!

~~~~~~~~~~~

I’m on a bit of a break time (bathroom) I’m anxious to get back to the book but I stopped here to write a bit more. I am loving this book! Haven and Hardy have reconnected and not wanting to say too much and spoil it for everyone – Haven is very conflicted at the moment. She’s still very emotionally damaged, yet she is very attracted to Hardy – and it seems vice versa. And her brother Jack who’s also her boss isn’t to happy at the moment that they are contact with each other.

Now – back to the book!

~~~~~~~~~~~

I had to take a dinner break – It was tough letting this book go I tell you! I’m over halfway done now and Hardy has entered Haven’s life with a bang. I don’t know Texas men at all, but if they are like Hardy – well – you lucky Texan women. He is one mighty fine hero. He’s after Haven and he ain’t takin’ no for an answer. Can I say I like that in a guy? She’s interested too, but she has a lot of baggage. What I’m really liking is the banter between them. It’s cute and it’s funny and it’s making me chuckle. And I hate, hate, hate her boss. Luckily I’ve never been faced with workplace harassment but I’m feeling for Haven. Her brothers though are bossy and adorable. If I had brothers like them I’d want to hug them, then brain them, then hug them again. They clearly love their little sister. And I like that we get to see Gage and Liberty again. They are integral to it but they aren’t overwhelming the story. But I have to get back the book now. Someone from her past has just made an appearance and I need to read what happens!

~~~~~~~~~~~

She made it through that, but I have a feeling it’s not the last we are going to see of this person. I’m headed to bed – to read so this will be my last ‘thought’ for the night. But once again Hardy - *shiver*. He’s just saved Haven’s life and then turned her down for a night of hawt lovin’ ‘cause he thinks that she’s not in the right frame of mind and doesn’t want gratitude sex. I love it when a hero does this!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Well – I finished it and I just had to turn the computer back on.

I’ll say this right off the bat. This one’s a fiver. At the end of Sugar Daddy – for those who haven’t read SD yet – read no further – Hardy did a pretty rotten thing to Liberty and Gage. One would think him unsalvageable at that point but Writer Lisa has a way of turning not so good guys into terrific good guys. She did it with Derek Craven. She did it with Sebastian St. Vincent. She did it with Nick Gentry. And she has done it with Hardy Cates. He is one heck of a good guy in the end, even if he did have a TSTL moment – the kind we usually equate with heroines. But she made me believe in the reason why he did. Now as wonderful and terrific Hardy is, because this is written in the first person, the one who we feel the most for is Haven Travis. Ms. Kleypas takes us on a wonderful and totally believable journey with Haven from a beaten down, unsure of her own thoughts woman to one who at the end of the book is strong, capable and ready to take on the world. This is really her story and a wonderful one it is. And for anyone wondering – yes this one is nice and steamy – very steamy.

For all those anxiously waiting for this book – for me the payoff is worth it. I loved it!

~~~~~~~~~~~

OK – now it’s the next day and I’ve had time to ponder and absorb this book. I’ve been dwelling on it all morning now and I reiterate what I said earlier. Ms. Kleypas takes a real life issue and deals with it realistically. Although the book is told from Haven’s point of view only, she manages to make Hardy a real, larger than life character and we don’t even miss not seeing his point of view. He had his flaws – we saw that from Sugar Daddy, but by the end of the book we sympathise with and cheer for him. For those who loved Sugar Daddy, I’m thinking you will love Blue Eyed Devil just as much if not more.

Speechless

On rare occasions I am beyond words. Such was the case the other day. Chapters sent me Blue Eyed Devil early. I just held it and fondled it for a while - I think many of you know that feeling. Then I eventually got around to opening it. That was when I was rendered mute.

After I got myself together, I tried scanning - this is the best I could do without doing damage to the book.

Recent Read

Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas

Why this one: Well – that’s really a no brainer. It’s a Lisa Kleypas book. Plus she sent a copy to me. I kept meaning to read it sooner but there are just so many books to read that it took longer to read it than I thought it would.

Level of Steam: I could sure feel the heat!!

Amazon Blurb: Money is tight while Liberty Jones is growing up in Welcome, Texas, but somehow she and her mother Diana manage. Having good friends like Miss Marva, Lucy Reyes, and especially Hardy Cates, on whom Liberty has a crush, helps. Then tragedy strikes and Liberty must take care of her younger sister and find a way to support them. Hard work and determination get Liberty through cosmetology school, then, while working in a Houston salon, she meets wealthy older businessman Churchill Travis, who offers her a job as his personal assistant. At first Liberty is reluctant to accept, especially since Churchill's son, Gage, seems to think she's a gold digger. Then, just as Liberty is settling into her new life and her initially frosty relationship with Gage is heating up and turning romantic, Hardy Cates, her first unrequited love, reappears.

My thoughts: I don’t know if I should confess this or not. When I filled out my AAR ballot, this was my pic as Best Chick Lit/Women’s Fiction. But I hadn’t read the whole book yet. I’d read half of it and I knew it was going to be the best one (and the only one) And I must quickly add – that this was the only ballot that I filled in that I hadn’t finished the whole book yet.

But it turned out I should have finished it first! Then I might have picked it for more categories. I LOVED this book.

When I first heard Lisa Kleypas was going into contemporary books unlike many other readers, I wasn’t dismayed. She is such a talented writer that I knew no matter what she wrote it would be good and since I love contemporaries too that was fine with me. I think there are a number of authors who can write good in different settings – Anne Stuart for example. And then I heard she would be continuing to still write historicals and I was even happier that we would be getting both.

Then I heard it was going to be in first person and I had a bit of a qualm as I don’t normally read first person books. But since I love the Stephanie Plum books I wasn’t really that concerned.

Sugar Daddy was amazing. I loved Liberty. I loved her down to earthness. I loved the love she had for Carrington. I loved the way she didn’t let life get her down. And another confession time here. When I was in Grade 3 I met a boy a couple of years older than me – the son of good friends of my parents – and I has a SEVERE crush on him for YEARS. Years I tell you. Right up until I moved to another city when I was 18 he was my main crush although others came and went. And if I were to see him today, I would still have strong feelings. So I could really relate to her feelings for Hardy and her mixed emotions when he showed back up in her life.

Both Hardy and Gage were interesting men. I could see why she was torn for a while.

And at the end – I’m glad Liberty made the choice that she did. I wasn’t sure I would be – but I was.

My advice – if you haven’t read this book yet because it was out in hardcover, it will be coming out in paperback soon. Buy it! Do not miss this wonderful story by a wonderful author.

Grade: 5 out of 5

The Great North and South Crusade

Day 4

Special Guest Day

Well, now that I'm completly red faced with embarrasement and wondering why we thought that was a good idea *G* it's time to move onto something else special we have for you. And by the way, we aren't really planning on going to Budapest for vacation. I don't think............we aren't are we?

When Sula, Katiebabs and I tossed about ideas for North and South week, one of the things they suggested was getting one special author’s opinion on this series. I knew she had seen it since she mentioned it on a message board when I asked her if she had.

It might be handy to give a bit of background first for any new visitors. I lost my husband of 31 years a year ago last August after a battle with cancer. I had taken a leave of absence from my job to be his primary caregiver. A week before I was due to go back to work, I received notice that all contracts had been cancelled so there was no job to go back to. I wasn’t in any state emotionally to start looking for a job.
Thank goodness for the friendships I have made on-line. They helped keeping me going. One of the things that helped the very most was the Dreaming of You campaign. As I ‘encouraged’ more and more bloggers to give it a try – and they did and enjoyed it, I could laugh and smile and had a reason to get up in the morning. I know that sound almost overly dramatic, but it’s also so very true.
Then when I went to Dallas this past summer, thanks to Sybil for which I can never say enough thanks, I had an opportunity to meet this author in person and even go out for lunch with her. I blogged about it at the time.

So I sort of reluctantly agreed. I have no problem whatsoever doing favours for people, but I think, like many of us, I hesitate to ask. But I gathered myself together and sent her an email asking if she would be open to helping with The Crusade. She responded within the day in the most gracious of manners. Of course that was expected because she is truly a warm and gracious person.

I asked Katiebabs and Sula for some questions I could ask and along with some of my own sent them off. I wanted to ask tons and tons but then my brain shut down and I couldn’t think of hardly any. This is my first author interview – I’m sure you’ll be able to tell *g*. She responded with her answers and so here we go. I just adore her answers!!

Lisa Kleypas on North and South


Lisa, first off thank you so very much for helping us in our Crusade to get romance readers to see this fascinating series. Now many people may not know this, but I have a tendency to get a wee bit carried away when I’m blown away by something I’ve seen or read that really touches me and I can’t help wanting to share something that deeply touches me. Thankfully Kate and Sula both feel the same way and have joined the Crusade with me.

Now for a few questions.

You’ve seen North and South. Why would you think romance readers would enjoy this?
movie?

LISA K.: Kristie, this is one of the few miniseries I’ve seen that provides a similar experience to reading a great historical romance. Sometimes when a historical book is made into a movie, it seems as if the filmmakers are so concerned with the period trappings, they don’t spend enough time on the characters and their relationships. But North And South has it all . . . beautiful cinematography (remember when we first see Thornton , dressed in black, with all those feathery white bits of cotton floating around him like snowflakes?) . . . wonderful acting and compelling dialogue . . . and most of all it has Richard Armitage!

What made you decide to watch this series and what do you think makes it so special?

LISA K.: I had heard of it before, but I didn’t really know what it was and I hadn’t heard any recommendations, so I disregarded it. Then you mentioned it, and pointed out that Richard Armitage would make a good Derek Craven. Not only was I intrigued by that, but also by the time period, and the fact that it was a romance between a professional man (a mill owner) and a genteel young woman. As you know, that kind of story is right up my alley! When I started watching, I was immediately swept away by the quality of the production. It has a few enjoyable similarities to Pride and Prejudice, but it is also very fresh and different, with a grittier storyline. It’s Pride and Prejudice with a social conscience.

I know you know we kind of now imagine John Thornton aka Richard Armitage as our visual of Derek Craven, one of our most beloved heroes. How would you compare the two characters – other than the fact that one is written and one is on the screen of course?

LISA K.: I was almost flabbergasted by the physical similarities between Derek Craven and Richard Armitage, as well as the wonderful brooding sexiness Armitage gets across.

What I especially love is Armitage’s incredible ability to convey many qualities at once in a single scene. So when Margaret sees Thornton beating a man up, and Thornton realizes she’s seen him behaving so violently, his expression flickers with anger, defensiveness and a touch of resignation, all in quick succession. You know he desperately wants her good opinion, but he knows he’s just blown it, and at the same time he feels justified in his actions. And he’s angry at her for judging him, and he still yearns for her. You can tell that John Thornton has not had much pleasure or gentleness in his life, and that his inner grace of character (the fairness, the concern for his employees) has been hard-won. You can tell that his attraction to Margaret is an unwilling one, and that he is trying with all his might to resist her.

In my mind, that echoes the duality of Derek Craven, who struggles so hard to stay locked in his solitude, even as he is falling hard for Sara Fielding. Although Derek is in many ways a powerful man, he is completely undone by this very innocent woman, and he fears her power over him. I think he knows deep down that if he ever falls in love, it will affect him more than it does most men . . . it could save or destroy him. And because of his past violence and “dirty deeds,” he understands his own potential to harm the woman he loves. I think part of the appeal of “Dreaming Of You” is possibly because of this weird sense of relief that Derek and the reader feel when he eventually succumbs to his love for Sara, and instead of disaster, it becomes a healing experience.

It’s also been suggested that Daniela Denby-Ashe would make a good Sarah. What are your thoughts?

LISA K.: She would be perfect! The big eyes, the round little face, the mixture of strength and vulnerability . . . she would make a great Sara.

Why would a romance reader fall so hard for the love story of John Thornton and Margaret Hale?

LISA K.: It is that delicious storyline of two characters who, because of their reluctant attraction, have to rise above their initial impressions of each other. They have to learn to see the other person for whom he or she truly is. This process of reaching beneath all the defenses and misunderstandings, struggling to reach each other despite all the inner and outer forces that try to keep them apart, is truly romantic. One of my favorite parts of the story is a small but telling detail . . . do you remember when they’ve had a quarrel, and Thornton wants to “part as friends” and asks Margaret to take his hand? And she won’t. Because as gesture like that is “not done” where she comes from, and also she is wary of the physical contact with him and the vaguely sexual threat of their hands touching. BUT . . . later at the big party scene, she does bring herself to take his hand, and I swear you can see little sparks all over the screen. Moments like that are what show the conflict and yearning and pleasure between these two characters.

What did you think of the other parts of the series? The class struggles and the Master worker storyline?

LISA K. : As you know, class struggles are endlessly fascinating to me, and play a part in many of my books. So I loved that aspect of the series! It provided a dark and realistic framework for the love story, and Margaret’s and Thornton’s actions regarding the strike were a wonderful way to illustrate their characters. The way they tried to understand the other’s one’s viewpoint, and the principles that each tried to live by, showed how two people can disagree but at the same time respect their differences.

Now that you’ve seen what the BBC can do, is there any one of your books you would like to see made into a series if wishes were horses and we knew how to ride?

LISA K.: Oh . . . a Wallflower miniseries would be so fun!

This is more of a rhetorical question, but what do you think makes British actors so much more ‘real’ than many American actors?

LISA K.: This has always been a fascinating question to me. I’ve heard it said that American actors work from the inside-out, whereas British actors work from the outside in. And I prefer the latter method, because a British actor starts with his appearance, changes himself to fit the script, and goes deeper and deeper inside to serve the character. Whereas an American is more likely to change the character to suit his own personality. I think the British goal is far less vain, and far more effective.

If you ever get the time would you like to read the book?

LISA K.: I have the book! I had to order it once I saw the DVD. And I am going to read it over the holidays. It will be so fun to see the differences between novel and film.


Finally Katiebabs had a question she wanted me to ask. Here goes: I need to know this- In "Suddenly You", the scene were Jack and Amanda use a bowl of raspberries in a very shocking and erotic way has never been repeated or written in a comparable way that I can think of in any of your books since then. What made you use that scene and were you afraid your fans wouldn't accept it as well as you would imagine? I FOR ONE LOVED IT :)

LISA K.: LOL. Thank you, dear! At the time I wrote “Suddenly You” I was in a process of self-liberation . . . I was really enjoying the last few years of my thirties, because I loved the sense of confidence and sexiness I was feeling as I got older. (I wouldn’t go through my twenties again for anything!). I was also pregnant with my second child, and it was a really happy time for me. So even before I started “Suddenly You,” I knew it was going to be an unusually sexy novel because of the older woman/younger man storyline. And I decided to go for it.

To me, the appeal of such a pairing is that a younger man would tend to be more daring, more playful, and more sexually “out there.” Jack is a unique hero because he is a publisher, he adores books, and he has an imaginative and liberal turn of mind. And in his strong need for connection and intimacy, there is very little he wouldn’t want to try or experience.

So in that love scene, when Jack is trying so hard to reconnect with Amanda, I thought it would be appropriate for him to do something a little shocking. And she enjoys the experience, and to me it shows that she finally trusts him enough to let go of every last inhibition.

I knew that some readers would understand and like the scene, and that others wouldn’t. I will admit that I was surprised by the extremity of both reactions! But that’s the wonderful thing about sex . . . everyone has their own preferences and limits, fantasies and inhibitions. I would never expect all of my readers to like everything that happens in my books. When you think about it, the safest way to go is to make everything plain vanilla and predictable, and make every plot a “crowd-pleaser” . . . but that would be boring for everyone, including me!

Any final thoughts?

LISA K. : Just that I love your passion for sharing books and movies that you enjoy, because sometimes that is the only way that some of us (like me) will discover something really wonderful, like North And South. So thank you to you, Kate and Sula for doing your part to bring romance to all of us!
And a HUGE Thank You to Lisa for taking time out of her busy writing schedule to help with our crusade. I think anyone who has seen this series, while maybe not obsess the way we have, has enjoyed it. Lisa Kleypas has. *huge grin*

I Have Infiltrated!

KristieJ has so kindly asked me to join in on the fun at her wonderful blog here from time to time, because like her I have a true love of romance novels. If there is a story where boy meets girl, (in some cases, boy meets boy, girl meets boy and then other boy and they all want each other, girl means a dragon, vampire, werewolf, a plant… well, you get the point!) I am there to read it.
And what I love most of all are discussions on characters in romances, including my favorite heroes and heroines. And lately there has been a lot of talk about two of Lisa Kleypas’s extraordinary heroes- Derek Craven from Dreaming of You and Sebastian St. Vincent from Devil in Winter. I am definitely on team Derek. Sebastian is way down on my list of wonderful Kleypas heroes. But, Derek is not my number one hero. He comes close, but my favorite of them all happens to be in my favorite book of hers.

That is Suddenly You and he is Jack Devlin.

Ah Jack! He sends shivers down my spine when I think of him. And Suddenly You is my favorite Lisa Kleypas novel and overall in my top 20 of all time favorite romances. But what is it about Jack that makes him so special, even more so than Derek?
In some ways, Derek and Jack are a lot alike. They are men who came from nothing and made their way in the world and conquered it. They are smart, handsome, overall kind and worthy. They like a different type of woman, not your regular I am so pretty you must worship me type of woman, or even that stereotypical heroine I find myself reading in other romances.
Derek falls for Sara who is a writer, spinster, wears glasses and loves and adores the man Derek is, regardless of his past. Jack also falls heads over heels in love with Amanda, who is also a writer and a spinster. But there are two things about Amanda that Jack loves most of all (and this is very swoon worthy). Jack likes older women! Amanda has just turned thirty, Jack, as we find out later is around twenty-five. And Jack goes crazy over a woman with curves. Amanda can’t understand, and I quote-

“You prefer short women with large hips?” she asks of Jack.
And the way Jack responds to her “I prefer everything about you. The way you feel beneath my hand, the way you taste…every curve and valley. But, as much as I desire your body, your most attractive feature is here.” He tapped her temple with his fingertip. “You fascinate me.” OH MY!

Jack also has this cute nickname for Amanda, “Peaches” and wants to cover her in jewels, which Amanda also can’t understand.
After Jack has bought Amanda a priceless necklace-

“But it is not appropriate for a woman like me.”
“Why not?”
“Because I know quite well what my limitations are. You may as well tie a peacock father to a pigeon’s tail…”
“Limitations…. Why can’t you see yourself as I see you?” He responds.

I could quote forever from this wonderful book and praise Lisa on her incredible insights on romance between a man and woman and what I as the reader enjoys. Lisa can writer passion and love so well that I honestly believe she will go down as one of the top historical romance authors of all time. I believe I have about eight of her titles on my bookshelf, more than any one author (not counting the JD Robb in Death series).
So, besides Derek or Sebastian, what other Kleypas hero has you drooling for more?

But you can’t have Jack because he is mine! ;)

Katiebabs :)

© Lisa Kleypas. All rights reserved

Heading out of town

I'm headed out of town for a few days and I asked a fellow Cravenator to fight the fight, to do The Rumble while I'm gone! You have to strike while the iron is hot don't you know.

And I think after the latest bout of ugly, it's time to get back to what we really love. Since I'm not going to be here, I bring you *trumpets please*

Katiebabs

Many of you might recognize her as a regular poster at AAR. She will be posting her take on what on romance.

Recent Reads - Part 1

'tis been a while since I've written about the books I've read recently so I have a number to go through. I've just had a wee bit of a minivacation - on which I did a lot of reading so here goes.

Just Perfect by Julie Ortolon
A while ago I raved about the first book in this series, Almost Perfect. Well, I'm most pleased to say I'm raving about this next book too. As a reminder, this is a series about 3 friends who each make a commitment to do something they have always been afraid to do. This is Christine's story and she, while an excellent skier, has been terrified of getting up the mountain on the ski lift. Her challenge is to get past her fear of the ski-lift and beat her brother in a downhill race. Since she hasn't skied in over 7 years, she hires a ski instructor to help her. Instead of a regular ski instructor, she gets Alec Hunter.
This is absolutely charming story. Christine is an overacheiving trauma surgeon in an emergency ward who comes from a real dysfunctional family. All her life she has been trying to please her rigid and disapproving father, so far without success. I can't say too much about Alec without giving away spoilers - other than to say he's a delighful hero and he's much more than what Christine first believes him to be. This also is an older woman/younger man story - one of my favourite types. However in this version, Christine has what I consider a healthy, and much preferred outlook on their age difference:

"How old are you"?
He sighed. "It's the face, isn't it? Do you know I still get
carded, which the guys think is flippin' hilarious."
"You don't look that young. I mean, you aren't are you?"
"I'm twenty-nine."
She sagged in relief. "That's only four years' difference. I
can live with that." Which left no reason why she couldn't spend every
minute of the next two weeks with Alec. Grinning, she crooked a
finger at him. "Come here."
His eyes lit with understanding. Ripping off his seat belt, he leaned
over, moving in for a kiss. Before his lips met her, though, he pulled
back. "Wait a sec. You're only twenty-five? How'd you get to
be a doctor so young?"
She laughed. "No. Four years the other way. I'm thirty
three.' She traced his jaw with her fingertip. "But you win major
points for thinking the opposite."
"An older woman." He smiled slowly. "Cool."

What starts out to be a vacation flirtation, of course, develops into something much deeper.
Many times the second book in a series can be weaker. I'm happy to say this one isn't. Another point in it's favour is both Christine and Alec are completely different characters from Maggie and Joe in the first book. And the third one is out in November. Cool.
Grade 41/2 out of 5


Practice to Deceive by Patricia Veryan
This is the first book in her Golden Chronicle series. I've probably said enough about the author, but I haven't really said much about her books and why I find them so special. Talking about them recently made me want to reread them again. If you follow the link, the reviewer does a good job in explaining this book. I just have to add that Ms. Veryan has a way of writing that really draws you into the stories she is writing about. While reading Penelope and Quentin's adventures, it was like I was right along beside them, feeling the adventure with them. She does a wonderful job in describing events and it's always an emotional read. I'm looking forward over the next little while to a reread of all the books in this wonderful series. This books was published in 1985 and it's just as exciting now as it was 20 years ago.
Grade 5 out of 5


It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas
To me, Dreaming of You is a classic and THE perfect historical romance. I’ve been reading everything she has written since then hopping for a repeat. Although none have quite come up the standard of DOY, some have come pretty close and some not nearly as much. This is one that has come close. This is a series (boy we are in series mode aren’t we) of four friends that have named themselves The Wallflowers due to their lack of popularity in the ton. This is the second installment and is the story of older sister Lillian, a young woman from America who has come to England to land herself a titled hero. I really enjoyed the character of Lillian. She is open and honest and says what she thinks and does what she wants – sometimes a little to much for those around her. Marcus, Lord Westcliff is one of those who finds her much to bold and lacking in the social graces. They had already met in Secrets of a Summer Night and rubbed each other the wrong way then. This continues as the Bowman family is invited to a month long house party at the estate of Marcus. Even though he completely disapproves of her, Marcus is still very attracted to her much to his dismay. And this attraction and feeling of dismay is reciprocated by Lillian. Their bickering is fun to read and I quite enjoyed both characters. Before I started reading it, I wasn’t sure I would warm up to Marcus. He has made appearances in a few books by Ms. Kleypas now and I wasn’t impressed. But this one is fun watching a stuffy, arrogant lord get such a comeuppance and act so far out of character. I liked the first book and I liked this one even better. Now it seems such a long wait for the next book in the series The Devil in Winter. There has been some discussion on the character of Sebastian – but I for one can hardly wait. I understand these were originally supposed to be released much closer together, but Avon decided against this. I really wish they had stuck to the original plan. I want to read the next one - NOW!
Grade 41/2 out of 5

Part 2 coming shortly

'til later