Giveaway: Just Jennifer Reading, How to Marry a Duke by Vicky Dreiling

Just Jennifer Reading: How to Marry a Duke, Vicky Dreiling

Follow the link above for further details and to enter.  The giveaway will end 2/9/11 at 11:59pm (EST)

Description:

Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne is a man with a mission: find a wife he can tolerate as long as they both shall live. Love is not necessary--nor desired. But how to choose among a dizzying array of wealthy-yet-witless candidates? Hire London's infamously prim and proper matchmaker. Then pretend she's not the most captivating woman he's ever met...

Helping a devilish Duke create a contest to pick his perfect mate is the kind of challenge Tessa Mansfield relishes. Her methods may be scandalous, but she's determined to find the notorious bachelor more than a wife--she'll bring him true love. Yet when Tessa watches the women vie for the Duke's affections, she longs to win his heart herself. And after a stolen kiss confirms Tristan's desire, Tessa knows she has broken a matchmaker's number one rule: never fall in love with the groom.

Review: Into the Wild, Beth Ciotta

Title: Into the Wild
Author: Beth Ciotta

Mass Market Paperback: 364 Pages
Publisher: HQN
Release Date: 9/1/10
ISBN: 978-0373774678

Description:

When River Kane's fiancé abandons her at the altar for being too conventional, she's heartbroken. But everything changes when her estranged archaeologist father sends her his journal—filled with cryptic maps and a note indicating he's in mortal danger. Worried, River faces her greatest fears and flies to the Amazon to find him. But she needs a guide. Someone completely unlike danger-seeker Spenser McGraw.

A charismatic treasure hunter who thrives on risk, Spenser hosts the popular TV show Into the Wild, dedicated to locating lost treasures and mythical icons. But River's father's life depends on discretion, and too-sexy Spenser is all about publicity. Forced to team up, they embark on a jungle adventure ripe with temptation and danger…ultimately discovering a hidden treasure that could alter history—and a steamy love neither expected.

My Review:

River Kane jilted by her fiancée and as a photographer has no time to worry about her recently ended engagement when she received a encrypted message from her farther along with his journal.  Knowing he is in danger she heads off to find him.  Which causes a problem for someone who is a very OCD.

Sexy Spenser McGraw is a famous treasure hunter who has his own show.  Spencer did not want to help River at first but he would be the one who would make a great guide because he lives for dangerous regions.

Together they track through the jungle in search of River’s father.  Danger appears at every corner and passion unites them.  Another great book who leaves you guessing who is behind the attacks and one that you would never guess.

My Rating:

Into the Wild (Hqn)

Review: Master of Smoke, Angela Knight

Title: Master of Smoke
Author: Angela Knight

Series: Mageverse

Mass Market Paperback: 302 Pages
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: 1/4/11
ISBN: 978-0425239162

Description:

After surviving a werewolf attack, Eva Roman finds herself able o turn fanged and furry even as she copes with emotional scars from the attack.  When she saves a handsome Shapeshifer from a similar attack, she can’t imagine where the chance rescue will lead them.

The shifter she rescues cannot tell her who he is because he was stripped of his memory and powers during the assault.  So Eva, calls him David, not knowing his true identity as Smoke, a Sidhe warrior.  His attacker was Warlock, the magic-imbued leader of a cult or werewolf assassins trained to destroy all but their own kind in Mageverse.

Eva and Smoke aren’t the only ones determined to stop him.  Nor is Warlock their only enemy.  Now, as a war ignites between all the immortals of the Mageverse, Eva and Smoke will need more that their love for each other to survive.

My Review:

Eva Roman works in her father’s comic book store and none of her family or friends know her secret she is a werewolf attacked, and left on her own.  When Eva came across a man being attacked, a very hot naked man, she had no choice but to help.  Taking him home may not have been the best idea but she cannot complain.  Calling the stranger David, desire pulled them together.

David, who does not know who he is, may not remember who he is or what exactly he is but he does know how to fight and he does know how to please a lover.  Slowly Cat, Smoke, and David came about, all are bound together, brothers.  (I must admit I did get a bit confused between Cat, Smoke, and David.) 

I love the Mageverse universe I love the twist and turns.  Passion burning between Eva and David was hot and heavy.  Eva had to learn to accept one she had to accept all three.  They had to trust each other, protect each other, and love each other.

My Rating:

Master of Smoke (Mageverse)

Review: Once upon a Scandal, Delilah Marvelle

Title: Once upon a Scandal
Author: Delilah Marvelle

Series: Scandal Series

Mass Market Paperback: 384 Pages
Publisher: HQN
Release Date: 1/18/11
ISBN: 978-0373775453

*I received a copy from HQN*

Description:

Lady Victoria Jane Emerson left behind her girlish notions of romance when Jonathan deserted her without a backward glance. Now the time has come when she must finally choose a husband, and she has vowed to marry someone who will never break her heart.

Jonathan Pierce Thatcher, Viscount Remington, has returned home, free of all his family's debts. Only to discover that by some miracle he has been chosen to vie for the hand of his beloved Victoria. To convince his only love to once again believe in the magic of love and the promise of desire will be his greatest challenge yet. And one he cannot fail!

My Review:

Lady Victoria’s heart was broken when Viscount Remington left for Venice eventually breaking all communication with her.  After fifty-two more letters, Victoria herself stopped writing. 

Her father’s health was failing they all knew it, she took care of him with no desire of marrying, her father needed her, her brother and mother are dead.  Her cousin Grayson, would not tell her what happened to Jonathan.  Little did she know what her father had planned.

Jonathan Thatcher has a lot to atone for.  For five long years he wouldn’t dare contact his Lady Victoria, it was too dangerous, and he wanted to be the man she needed and he couldn’t do that while in debt.  His family came first and he agreed to a five-year contract.  After which he would be free for Victoria again.  He made his best friend Grayson swear not to speak of him to Victoria she had no clue what his life was like.

In a twist of faith both were trusted together again.  While Victoria’s father was in his right mind he chose three men to vie for Victoria’s hand, however, they did not realize this.  And by midnight she had a choice to make.

What choice would she make?  What happened in Venice?  Could Victoria forgive Jonathan or would it tear them apart even more?

The second book in the Scandal Series kept me wanting more, begging for more.  I love how Delilah Marvelle takes historic information and turn it into something that rarely is written about.  My heart when out to everyone in this book I laughed and I held back tears.  I enjoyed reading Once upon a Scandal very much and a keeper.

My Rating:

Once Upon a Scandal (Hqn) 

Review: Black Magic, Cherry Adair

Title: Black Magic
Author: Cherry Adair

Mass Market Paperback: 400 Pages
Publisher: Pocket Star
Release Date: 7/20/2010
ISBN: 978-1439153819

Description:

SHE HATES USING MAGIC…

Ever since the death of her parents, Sara Temple has rejected her magical gifts. Then, in a moment of extreme danger, she unknowingly sends out a telepathic cry for help—to the one man she is convinced she never wants to see again.

HE’S A POWERFUL WIZARD…

Jackson Slater thought he was done forever with his ex-fiancée, but when he hears her desperate plea, he teleports halfway around the world to aid her in a situation where magic has gone suddenly, brutally wrong.

THEY’VE BEEN CHOSEN TO SAVE THE WORLD...

But while Sara and Jack remain convinced they are completely mismatched, the Wizard Council feels otherwise. A dark force is killing some of the world’s most influential wizards, and the ex-lovers have just proved their abilities are mysteriously amplified when they work together. But with the fate of the world at stake, will the violent emotions still simmering between them drive them farther apart… or bring them back into each other’s arms?

My Review:

Sara has a problem with her powers she hated them.  Unknowingly she sent her ex Jack.  Jack appears back in her life and saves the day.  (Did I mention that Jack is oh so yummy?)  Under orders from the Council they must work together both refusing and yet both were forced to do just that work together.  Together they find passion again while in search of what is killing wizards. 

Discovering the truth about Sara’s parents that they were murdered, the truth about her powers, about Jack and Sara’s former relationship, and the truth behind the deaths are all connected, and the cause of it was right in front of them the entire time.

I enjoyed Black Magic, I wanted more, even as I thought who the person was I was wrong.  With twist and turns at every corner, Black Magic will keep you on the edge of your seat.

My Rating:

Black Magic 

Review: Prelude to a Scandal, Delilah Marvelle

Title: Prelude to a Scandal
Author: Delilah Marvelle

Series: The Scandal Series

Mass Market Paperback: 384 Pages
Publisher: HQN Books
Release Date: 12/21/10
ISBN: 978-0373775378

Description:

The battle between the lady and the rake is about to begin

Lady Justine is willing to trade her good name, her reputation and her place in London’s gossip-hungry ton to secure her father’s release from prison.  But when the notorious Duke of Bradford counters her offer with a proposal of marriage, the stakes grow higher still.  For while the smoldering lord is famous for his conquests, the man is oblivious to both her devotion and her charms.  And Justine is soon afraid she has wagered all for naught…

My Review:

Lady Justine has to get her father out of jail, the sixth Earl of Marwood, a very intelligent man who wrote a book about zoological breeding he found himself into trouble for printing such acts.  These acts and others were the normal to Justine after all, she had spent time with her father.  To aid her father’s release from jail she agreed to marry the Duke of Bradford, Radcliff.

Radcliff has a secret, he is addicted to sex, so staying away from Justine and other women was on his agenda or at least until he married Justine.  He vows to be faithful to her.  Radcliff made a promise and he will do his best to keep it.

Justine wanted love, Radcliff did not believe in love.  Could they make their marriage work?  Or will it end once all debts are paid.

I loved Radcliff, with his sex addiction, even if the book is an historical addictions was still around although they were not made known as they are today.  It was done tastefully and the story was a great read.

My Rating:

Prelude to a Scandal (Hqn) 

Review: Unveiled, Courtney Milan

Title: Unveiled
Author: Courtney Milan

Mass Market Paperback: 384 Pages
Publisher: HQN
Release Date: 1/25/2011
ISBN: 978-0373775439

*I received a copy from HQN*

Description:

He was her bitterest enemy…

Ash Turner has waited a lifetime to seek revenge on the man who ruined his family—and now the time for justice has arrived. At Parford Manor, he intends to take his place as the rightful heir to the dukedom and settle an old score with the current duke once and for all. But instead he finds himself drawn to a tempting beauty who has the power to undo all his dreams of vengeance….

And her dearest love

Lady Margaret knows she should despise the man who's stolen her fortune and her father's legacy—the man she's been ordered to spy on in the guise of a nurse. Yet the more she learns about the new duke, the less she can resist his smoldering appeal. Soon Margaret and Ash find themselves torn between old loyalties—and the tantalizing promise of passion…

My Review:

Ash Turner wanted his revenge and now has arrived at Parford Manor where he belongs.  He has brought to the attention that the current duke is a bigamist he was still married to his first wife when he married his second.  From that marriage his children where then considered bastards. 

His younger brother, Mark, had joined him he is against Ash’s need for revenge.

At first sight his eyes caught, Miss Margaret Lowell, the current duke’s nurse.  He claimed her, he wanted her, and he did not care what society thought.

Lady Margaret the daughter of the current duke plays the nurse as she spies on Ash.  Through the book Margaret forms a bond to Ash, a bond she wish she did not have.  She fought to report what she found out about Ash.  Should she betray him or her family?

It is clear how her father feels about her and her brothers, to him, now his sons are just as bad as women are because they are bastards.  Her brothers are fighting tying to be reinstated as legitimate however, there is a catch.

Would Margaret chose her family over Ash?  Would Ash give up his need for revenge for Margaret?  Would Ash gain the dukedom or would Margaret’s father remain as duke?

Unveiled kept me wanting to read more.  The tension between Margaret and Ash was clear.  I enjoyed reading a male character that did not care about what society thinks for he was not raised within the society circles. 

I fell in love with Ash.  Both Margaret and Ash felt real to me and I cannot wait to read more of the Turners!

My Rating:

Unveiled (Hqn)