Lost Truth (Truth, #4) by Dawn Cook

Lost Truth by Dawn Cook

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Fluff

This is the final book in nationally bestselling author Dawn Cook's magical ''Truth Series''. One last lesson. Alissa is steadily advancing in her magical studies with the last surviving Master at the legendary Hold. But she's haunted by dreams--dreams revealing that other Masters have survived. Alissa's dreams lead her to a distant island where she and a rescue party discover countless Masters, alive and part of a flourishing magical society. But instead of being welcomed, Alissa finds that she herself may need to be rescued. The Masters' leader, Keribdis, believes that she should be Alissa's teacher, whether Alissa likes it or not. When Alissa rebels, she endangers not only her magic but also her life.



The final book was my favorite! We have a love triangle throughout this book. This was action packed and a perfect ending to the series. I don't want to give anything away so I will just say keep reading until you get to the end, it is well worth it.

Forgotten Truth (Truth, #3) by Dawn Cook

Forgotten Truth by Dawn Cook

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Fluff


This third book of the enchanting Truth Series is a tale of magic and love. Alissa is the only student living in the Hold, learning a millennium's worth of magic from the last surviving Master. Even shape-shifting to her dragon-like raku form is becoming second nature. But when a spell goes awry, Alissa is transported back four centuries to an era when the Hold and its city thrive with magic students and their tutors. Separated from the man she loves by four hundred years, Alissa's distress and confusion are causing her to lose control of her shape-shifting. If she can't return to her own time, Alissa will be permanently transformed into her bestial form with no memory of her human life--or her love.



I read this and the the last book Lost Truth back to back so it is hard to remember where this one stopped. Another great book in the 4 book series and still highly recommended! It was completely clean and in no way lacking because of it.

Hidden Truth (Truth, #2) by Dawn Cook

Hidden Truth by Dawn Cook

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating : Fluff 


Alissa never believed in magic. But then she went to the Hold, a legendary fortress where human Keepers once learned magic from enigmatic Masters. Under the tutelage of the last surviving Master, Alissa discovered that she had inherited her father's magical ability.
       But the Hold is ruled by Bailic, the renegade Keeper who seized the First Truth, a book of magic he will use to harness the might of the city of the dead and wreak a war of total devastation. The book has thwarted Bailic's every attempt to access it, while it continually calls to Alissa—who must summon all her will to resist it. For if she gives in to the First Truth's ultimate power and knowledge, she will be utterly changed—and the man she loves could be lost to her forever.


The second book in the "Truth" series starts up right where the first book finished so abruptly. As I said with my review of the First Truth, the author still has problem keeping time in order while this is easily overcome, I wonder that it wasn't caught after editing the 1st book. I was happy to see Strell and Alissa grow closer but still they are so far apart. .. I highly recommend this series for anyone looking for a clean fantasy romance.

First Truth (Truth, #1) by Dawn Cook

First Truth by Dawn Cook

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Fluff


Alissa doesn't believe in magic. Her father's stories about the Hold, a legendary fortress where human Keepers learn magic from the enigmatic Maters, are just that―stories. But her mother insists that Alissa has inherited her father's magical ability, and so she must go to the Hold―the only place her talents can be trained. 
      On her way, she crosses paths with Strell, a wandering musician from the plains. And though Alissa is not sure she can trust a plainsman, Strell has something she needs―one of her father's old maps. Traveling together, they can reach the Hold before the snow sets in.
      But they don't know that the Hold is nearly empty. Something is very wrong and someone believes that Alissa and Strell knows about a book called First Truth.



This was a very good book. The writing aggravated me a little because it seems the author had troubles keeping the time throughout the story.  There is an undertone of romance running very deep under the surface and I look forward to seeing where it will end up. All in all I would recommend this book to historical romance, time travel, mythical and magic story lovers. Very clean and entertaining.

A small disclaimer: This should have been one book together with the 2nd book ... it feels like the author took one book and split it in two so be sure to have the Hidden Truth before you finish this book or the suspense might rip you apart. :-)

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3) by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Clean/ Some Violence


Young Katniss Everdeen has survived the dreaded Hunger Games not once, but twice, but even now she can find no relief. In fact, the dangers seem to be escalating: President Snow has declared an all-out war on Katniss, her family, her friends, and all the oppressed people of District 12. The thrill-packed final installment of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy will keep young hearts pounding.



This book was both wonderful and heartbreaking. I couldn't stop until I knew how it was going to end. Poor Katniss, Poor Peta, Poor Prim, Poor Gale...the list goes on and on... there were so many twists in this book. I don't want to give any spoilers but I was happy with the ending and would definitely recommend this series.

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2) by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Clean/ Some Violence


Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster boys for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol. Catching Fire maintains the adrenaline rush of Suzanne Collins's series launch.

Wow! What a series. We start this second installment of the Hunger Games Trilogy with a bang. Katniss has to convince everyone her love for Peta is true and wasn't meant to start a rebellion... After some big twists and turns we finish the book with a HUGE cliffhanger... do not start this book unless you have the last book Mockingjay ready to go before the end. Highly recommended!!

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1) by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Clean/ Some Violence


In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
       Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.



The concept of this book is a lot to swallow but Ms. Collin's tells a story that only a masterful author could make it seem natural. WOW! This is an excellent book! Couldn't put it down. I understand why Stephenie Meyer recommended it.

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Sweet


Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were terrifyingly beautiful—too beautiful for words.

Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings.

In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.


This was a cute YA romance. I thought it was very original and am very interested to see where the author will take us next.

Finally a Bride by Vickie McDonough

Finally a Bride by Vickie McDonough

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Sweet


Keep your eyes wide open for romance in Lookout, Texas. Jody Chapman, aka Butch Laird, returns to town determined to make up for past misdeeds. Will reporter Jacqueline Hamilton uncover his secret before Jody can capture her heart? With nowhere else to go, ex-con Carly Payton returns to the Lookout boardinghouse. Garrett Corbett is looking for an upstanding wife, not some jailbird. What will he do when overpowered by Carly’s appeal? Twice-widowed Christine Taylor isn’t looking to get re-hitched. Will love-stricken Rand Kessler find a way to woo her into wedlock? Does love deserve a first, second, or third chance?



I received this book as a pre-publication from netGalley






        This was my first book by Vickie McDonough and I am impressed.  I thought it was very sweet and moved along at a nice pace. I like the fact that we could see what both Jack and Noah's thoughts were... I love knowing the H/H's thoughts! The side story between Carly and Garret was sweet also but a little distracting and I caught myself skimming through to get to Noah and Jack. I personally thought is was VERY unlikely that Jack wouldn't have recognized Noah and that point was hard to get over since it kept going back to that.

         This was definitely a inspirational/Christian book and referenced back to God's plan enough to make it a little excessive even for a someone that has a relationship with Jesus Christ. I enjoy a Christian romance but it causes me to feel miffed when the dialogue has to re-explain that the person in question is born again and no longer the same as they use to be over and over again.


         That being said, I would definitely recommend this book to any and everyone because it has a positive and uplifting story with a great outcome. The story itself is very entertaining and it was hard for me to put down. It goes to show that when someone willingly commits their life to Jesus they have to change from their old ways, no matter how major or minor, to truly follow Him.

River Marked by Patricia Briggs

River Marked by Patricia Briggs

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Fluff - Heated (somewhere in between)

Car mechanic Mercy Thompson has always known there was something different about her, and not just the way she can make a VW engine sit up and beg. Mercy is a shapeshifter, a talent she inherited from her long-gone father. She's never known any others of her kind. Until now.



An evil is stirring in the depths of the Columbia River-one that her father's people may know something about. And to have any hope of surviving, Mercy and her mate, the Alpha werewolf Adam, will need their help...



Another great installment in the Mercedes Thompson Series. River Marked had everything I enjoy in a book and couldn't have been better! There was great growth in Mercy and Adam's relationship and while the original supporting characters were almost non existence, we learned much more about Mercy's Indian relations and had some new characters introduced. I look forward to the next book!!!

Regency Buck by Georgette Heyer

Regency Buck by Georgette Heyer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Sweet


Miss Judith Taverner and her brother travel to London to meet their guardian, Julian St. John Audley, Lord Worth, expecting an elderly gentleman. To their surprise and utter disgust, their guardian is not much older than they are, and is determined to thwart all their interests, hoping to return them to the country until they reach majority and his job is done.

But Miss Taverner begins to move in the highest circles of society and Lord Worth can't do a thing about it ...

        While Heyer's sparkling Regency romances usually depicted the secondary nobility, with an occasional Duke, in Regency Buck, Heyer mixes her fictional characters with real-life personages of the highest of the haut ton-the circle of the Prince Regent and his brothers (all huge men with huge appetites), and Beau Brummell, the famous dandy who single-handedly set the fashions for male attire and manners.

Sylvester by Georgette Heyer

Sylvester by Georgette Heyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Sweet


Sylvester, the Duke of Salford, is a polished bachelor who has stringent requirements for his future wife—she must be well born, intelligent, elegant and attractive. And of course she must be able to present herself well in high society. But when he is encouraged to consider Phoebe Marlow as a bride, Sylvester is taken aback by the coltish woman who seems to resent him.



When Phoebe runs away, circumstances find the two striking up an unusual friendship. Phoebe discovers that the duke isn't the villain she first thought. And Sylvester stumbles upon something he never dared hope for.



Great Book! The reasons I love Heyer are all in this book! So good!

Arabella by Georgette Heyer

Arabella by Georgette Heyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Sweet


The prolific Georgette Heyer--author of more than 70 novels--is perhaps best known for her Regency romances. A consummate storyteller, Heyer was also an astute historian of the times she wrote about; every detail of the language, dress, and customs rings with authenticity. Arabella is one of Heyer's most charming Regency novels. In it, young Arabella Tallant, the beautiful daughter of an impoverished clergyman, comes to London for her social debut and almost immediately runs afoul of Robert Beaumaris, a wealthy, eligible aristocrat. Beaumaris suspects that Arabella engineered a carriage accident in order to meet him; Arabella, in a rage, leads him to believe that she is the heiress to a massive fortune and thus quite uninterested in his own riches.

Having set the stage for inevitable misunderstandings between this arrogant Romeo and hotheaded Juliet, Heyer then peoples it with unforgettable secondary characters. Arabella's warm heart and strong principles lead her to befriend such unsavory types as an abused apprentice to a chimney sweep, a stray dog, and a fallen woman happily known as "Leaky Peg"--all of whom she foists on the reluctant but gallant Mr. Beaumaris. Arabella is an intelligent, witty romp--both a romance with a hearty sense of humor and a historical novel that remains true to the times it depicts.

A great book! This is the reason Heyer is one of my favorite authors. Funny and sweet... with everything working out in the end in a realistic way! GREAT!

Venetia by Georgette Heyer

Venetia by Georgette Heyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Sensuality Rating: Sweet


Her beauty rivaled only by her sense, Venetia Lanyon is nearly resigned to spinsterhood, thanks to the enormous amount of responsibility she inherited with a Yorkshire estate, an invalid brother and the lackluster efforts of two wearisomely persistent suitors. Then she meets her neighbor, the infamous Lord Damerel, a charming rake shunned by polite society--exactly the type of man that a woman of quality should stay away from.

Though his scandalous past and deepest secrets give Venetia every reason to mistrust him, a rogue always gets what he wants. Without warning, his demanding kiss threatens to become a bachelor's undoing…and a spinster's most passionate awakening.



GREAT!

Lady of Quality by Georgette Heyer

Lady of Quality by Georgette Heyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Sweet


Miss Annis Wychwood, at twenty-nine, has long been on the shelf, but this bothers her not at all. She is rich and still beautiful and she enjoys living independently in Bath, except for the tiresome female cousin, who her very proper brother insists must live with her.



When Annis offers sanctuary to the very young runaway heiress Miss Lucilla Carleton, no one at all thinks this is a good idea. With the exception of Miss Carleton's overbearing guardian, Mr. Oliver Carleton, whose reputation as the rudest man in London precedes him. Outrageous as he is, the charming Annis ends up finding him absolutely irresistible.



Another classic Georgette Heyer. When Lucilla Carleton runs away from an unwanted marriage she finds Miss Annis Wychwood to take her in. Little does Miss Wychwood know but her life is about to completly change because of one young girl.

This book was full of witty humor and quips and a sweet building romance. I would recommend this book for Jane Austen and P.G. Wodehouse lovers as well as anyone looking for a good clean romance.

The Tide of the Mermaid Tears by Marcia Lynn McClure

The Tide of the Mermaid Tears by Marcia Lynn McClure

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Sweet


Ember gasped as she looked forward up the shore to see a man struggling in the water. He was coughing—spitting water from his mouth as he crawled from the water and onto the sand. As he collapsed face-down on the shore, Ember lifted her skirt and ran toward the man, dropping to her knees beside him.

“Sir?” she cried, nudging one broad shoulder. The man was stripped of his shirt—dressed only in a pair of trousers—no shoes…

Ember shook her head, rolling her eyes at her own foolishness.

“Sir?” she called again, nudging his broad shoulder once more. The man lay on his stomach—his face turned away from her. “Are you dead, sir?” she asked. Placing a hand to his back, she sighed with relief as she felt he yet breathed.

“Sir?” she said, clambering over the man’s broad torso.

The man coughed. His eyes opened—his deep blue eyes, so shaded by thick, wet lashes that Ember wondered how it was he could see beyond them.

“Sir?” Ember ventured.

He coughed, asking, “Where am I?”

“On the seashore, sir,” Ember answered.



A sweet story. More of a 4.5 but overall a classic Marcia book. Read it in one sitting.

Beneath the Honeysuckle Vine by Marcia Lynn McClure

Beneath the Honeysuckle Vine by Marcia Lynn McClure

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Sensuality Rating: Sweet


Civil War-no one could flee from the nightmare of battle and the countless lives it devoured. Everyone had sacrificed-suffered profound misery and unimaginable loss. Vivianna Bartholomew was no exception. The war had torn her from her home-orphaned her. The merciless war seemed to take everything-even the man she loved. Still, Vivianna yet knew gratitude-for a kind friend had taken her in upon the death of her parents. Thus, she was cared for-even loved. Yet, as General Lee surrendered signaling the war's imminent end-as Vivianna remained with the remnants of the Turner family-her soul clung to the letters written by her lost soldier-to his memory written in her heart. Could a woman ever heal from the loss of such a love? Could a woman's heart forget that it may find another? Vivianna Bartholomew thought not. Still, it is often in the world that miracles occur-that love endures even after hope has been abandoned. Thus, one balmy Alabama morning-as two ragged soldiers wound the road toward the Turner house-Vivianna began to know-to know that miracles do exist-that love is never truly lost.



This was an excellent book!!! A story of a loyal girl in love that finds when her love returns is no longer the man he once was. Now she must make a choice to stand by him or follow her heart in another direction.
SO SWEET! Marcia's writing is so clear. She can weave a story that is so endearing and creative and that you finish the book with all your questions answered! GREAT BOOK!

The Pirate Ruse by Marcia Lynn McClure

The Pirate Ruse by Marcia Lynn McClure

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Sweet


An instant before the sea swallowed her, Cristabel Albay gasped her last breath. She was certain it would truly be her last breath… Yet, mere moments later, her head broke the surface of the sea and she exhaled the breath she had been holding—the one that had not been her last—gasping for another.

“Do you swim, woman?” the pirate Navarrone growled.

“Y-yes,” Cristabel stammered. Her thoughts were muddled—for panic was her only ally. Yet, she was cognizant enough to know that her life was still in danger—not from pirates perhaps—but from the sea.

“Then swim!” the pirate growled. “If you want to live to see another sunrise, then swim for The Merry Wench.”

…She glanced up to the Chichester where pirates and British sailors yet battled. The Screaming Witch was already sailing, and Cristabel would rather have died than be the victim of the atrocities that would have met her aboard it.

Yet, to abandon one pirate ship for another? It was madness! Still, she could not fathom drowning—for drowning terrified her more than any other fate of death. Her only hope in surviving was to do as the pirate ordered. …She had heard tales of The Blue Blade Navarrone—tales of mercy. …Perhaps he would take pity on her… Thus, with no other venue to follow, Christabel began to swim—to swim for The Merry Wench and whatever fate awaited her there.



This was a very good book. I am not a pirate story kind of girl but would still recommend this. Trevon and Cristabel were a very sweet couple and I absolutely loved their interactions and thoughts about one another . .

Mini Spoiler(don't read if you don't want to know)

It was heartrendingly sweet and sad when he took the beating for her from the cat of 9 BUT how could he leave her there!!!!! WHAT ON EARTH!!I wanted to scream for her! If he died after he left her she would have had no closure... or she would have been waiting the rest of her life for him to possibly show up when he knew there was talks of war!!! Thank goodness it worked out but those where the things I was thinking when he said he was leaving her.

The kisses were as wonderful as ever and VIRTUE was still upheld. . . so 5 stars!!

The Inimitable Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse

The Inimitable Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Total Humor

Since his first appearance in print in 1919, Jeeves has become synonymous with British tongue-in-cheek humor. Valet to bumbling aristocrat Bertie Wooster, Jeeves is continually helping his employer out of scrapes. In this debut novel, Wooster's lovesick pal Bingo Little decides to marry and enlists his friend's help. Luckily for Wooster, Jeeves comes to the rescue.



This book was very funny and totally clean! Not my usual but definitely recommended.

The Importance of Almack's by Denise Patrick

The Importance of Almack's by Denise Patrick

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Sweet

Banished and disowned for saving a stranger's life. In Regency England, lineage and vouchers to Almack's are everything, but Pamela Clarkdale has neither. After her father casts her out, she considers herself fortunate to have obtained a position as a companion to an elderly widow. Kitt Covington has sworn off Almack's and marriage. Why attend one when he has no interest in the other? Guilt, however, is a powerful motivator. Knowing he caused Pamela to be thrown out of her home, he proposes a sham betrothal between them to ease his conscience. Kitt's offer is tempting and Pamela agrees, with the caveat that the betrothal will disappear at the end of the season. But not only is Pamela refused vouchers to Almack's, her family is scheming to destroy her to protect a secret she doesn't realize she knows. When the twenty-year-old web of lies and deceit begins to unravel, will Pamela and Kitt discover that Almack's isn't really that important after all?



This was a very good book! I loved both the H/H and the little twists and turns were very believable and truly added to the story! The best thing about this book is that it is TOTALLY clean!!! Thank you Ms. Patrick!