Book Review-Season Of The Sun

Season Of The Sun
Viking Series
Catherine Coulter
Signet, 378 Pages
Published April 1999
Viking
ISBN: 978-0-451-20648-0

Synopsis:
Zarabeth, with hair as red as an Irish sunset, is chosen by Magnus Haraldsson, a Viking on a trading visit to York, to be his wife. She is both stunned and fascinated by his bluntness, but is soon won over by this man who makes her laugh, brings her desire, and ultimately makes her trust him with her future and that of her little sister, Lotti. But her stepfather, Olav the Vain, has no intention of setting a bride price on Zarabeth. Zarabeth does eventually return with Magnus to his farmstead in Norway, but as his slave, not as his wife. She wears the slave collar around her neck for all to see, but bears his distrust of her and her own pain deep within her.
It is the season of the sun in Norway, the clear midnight light of summer. It is a season of growth and flowering, of treachery and malice, of love and learning.

Summary:
Zarabeth, lives in York with her step father and her step brother and younger sister. Zarabeth has yet to find a spouse, due to the fact that her step father chases most of her suitors away, until a warrior viking comes into town and starts courting her and wanting to marry her. At first Zarabeth is shocked at Magnus at his bluntness at wanting her for his wife and lover, but is intrigued and knows that she wants him as well, because he stirs up her senses like none other has ever done before. But when her step father finds out her true feelings for Magnus, he forces her to betray him threatening to hurt someone she cares for, so she does it, not knowing another way out. But then he comes back and takes her back to Norway as his slave, instead of his wife as he had once planned, however things never seem to go as planned. And Magnus despite her betrayal of him, can't deny the desire that she rises within him, more so than any other woman ever has. However things at home only get more hectic once he brings her to his home, and things between the two defnitely get heated, which could only end up in love.
The Hero 
Magnus Haraldsson, goes to York for a trading visit searching for a wife. Magnus has a son, and lost his wife when his son was two years old, and now is looking for someone to share his bed, and have children with. Then he see's a red haired beauty that charms him, and he starts to have tender feelings toward her until she betrays him, even though it doesn't seem right, but what else can he believe when she isn't honest with him. However after he takes her for his slave, he starts to feel once more for this stunning woman, and wonders if he could ever let her go.
The Heroine 
Zarabeth, is a red haired beauty who has recently had suitors, but her step father chases them away and has yet to be married, and unsuspecting of her step father's plans for her. She is very protective of her younger sister Lotti, who lost her hearing at two years of age. Then a handsome and breathtaking viking comes into York, claiming that she will become his wife, and he makes her life and feel alive as she has never felt before, and knows she could fall in love with Magnus. However then her step father's evil plans step in and she is forced to betray him, even though she desperately wishes there was another way to let him know the truth. Now she ends up his slave and taken to his home in Norway. But things are about to get even more dicey but Zarabeth is a strong willed heroine and up for any challenge.

My Thoughts 
I truly enjoyed Season of the Sun, although I never know when I read Coulter's book if I am going to be able to really enjoy them and immerse myself into the stories, but with this one, I had it read it just a few hours. Crazy I know, but when I like a book, I truly immerse myself and before I know it, its at "The End" part and I look at the time, and its just crazy how fast I can read once I get into a story. I just love Viking romances and this is at the top of my list. Although I thought that throughout the story that there was some things missing from the book. I don't want to spoil the book too much so I wont however share any details, but I thought that there seemed to be a few things in the relationship between these two that I had issues with. However overall it was a great romance read, well written, with vivid characters and a intriguing plot, so defnitely if you like Viking Historical Romances you definitely don't want to miss out on this one or this series!!

My Grade On This Book 
4 Blossoms

Other Books In The Series
Season Of the Sun 
Lord of Hawkfell Island
Lord of Raven's Peak
Lord of Falcon's Ridge

Lusting For Covers (23)

Eva with A Striped Armchair, and Marge with The Adventures of a Intrepid Reader, which you should check out both of them, they are great!!! This meme is created to encourage bloggers to share books that they get from the Library, and since I am a avid lover of Libraries this is going to be one meme I am going to love doing every week. And I got quite a lot of books since there was so many of them I wanted to read!! So here they are

Season of the Sun is the first in the Viking Series by Catherine Coulter. And since I love reading this author, and I just am looking forward to read. And I also got the other books in the series to read as well which includes Lord of Hawfell Island, Lord of Ravens Peak, and Lord Falcon's Ridge. So excited!!!

This is part of the Lords of the Underworld series, and just became available at my library, so I grabbed it as fast as I could, and I can hardly wait to read Gideon's story.

After reading the first in the series, I have been eager to read the second one, and am thrilled to read it, especially after all the good things that I have heard about it!!

Golden Surrender is the first book of the Viking Saga written by Heather Graham, and its been a few years since I have read it, and I felt it in the mood to read it once more!!! Bring on the romance of the viking era!!!

Tender is the Storm has been on my list for a while of books that I haven't read but have wanted to. Johannna Lindsey is one of my favorite historical romance authors to read from!!!

What Happens In London is the second installment in the Belvestoke series. And it sounds like it going to be a delight to read!!

I have yet to read anything from this author, but have heard great things and am eager to see what kind of romances she writes.

Pleasures of a Dark Prince is part of the Immortals after Dark series, and came out this year, so I am excited to read this one!! Definitely sounds like the kind of romance that I would enjoy reading!!!

Kathleen Woodiwiss is such a great historical romance author, and looking forward to reading this one again since its been a while since I have read her books. Plus I love the new cover as well!!

Book Review-The Notorious Scoundrel

The Notorious Scoundrel
The Hawkins Brothers
Alexandra Benedict
Avon, 384 Pages
Published May 2010
Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-0-06-168932-1

Synopsis:
Like an irresistible siren, the veiled dancer with the bewitching green eyes lures dukes and earls down into London's underworld to see her dance--and succumb to her spell. Some say she's a princess, but only one man knows her darkest secret.

She is Amy Peel, an orphan from the city's rookeries, and she believes the bold rogue who unmasks her to be nothing but a scoundrel--albeit a dangerously handsome one. He may have rescued her from an attempted kidnapping, but she will not give in to his sensual seduction or to the wicked desire she begins to feel . . .

He is Edmund Hawkins, swashbuckling pirate turned reluctant gentleman, and he will not let the lovely Amy slip through his grasp, especially when he learns she's in greater peril than she could possibly know. He will do everything in his power to protect her--for this notorious scoundrel has truly, unbelievably, lost his heart . . .

MY REVIEW
  
Summary:
Amy Peel, remembering little of her childhood, only knows that she grew up as a orphan. Amy is a mysterious dancer at one of london's underworld's clubs, Amy only dancing out of necessity and very few people know of her true identity. Forced into a life to survive, Amy hopes that she may find a way to escape such a life but has no idea how it could be done. Edmund Hawkins is looking for some excitement, and when he hears of a notorious club that is being rumored to being the "most wicked" in all of London. So stealing into the notorious club, he is stunned by a certain stunning woman, and he yearns to know her more, and not just for the desires she rises up in him. So when he saves her life, he finds out her secret, being zarsitti, the sensual dancer of the club. Now through a twist of fate, they are thrown together, when Amy's life is put in danger. Now Edmund is determined more than ever to protect her, but the rising passion between them will turn into a powerful love story.

The Hero
Edmund Hawkins, although being twenty four years of age, is a ex pirate, and has lived a hardened life on the seas. Feeling controlled by his older brother James, he is wanting more in his life, and he defnitely wants Amy Peel in his life, despite his family's protests especially his brothers, whose decisions continually rafe on him. Living in London, he is searching for excitement, the kind that will satisfy him as it did on the seas. After saving Amy's life and being reunited with his family after a short case of amnesia, he is determined to fight for him and Amy to be together, but there are certain obstacles in the way, but will their love be strong enough?

The Heroine
Amy Peel remembers moments with her parents whom both loved her, however she ends up taken from them and becomes a orphan. And after having a former royal in charge of the club, and the one who controls her into staying, she wonders if she will ever be able to escape this life. Amy is a exotic dancer known as Zarsitti, the Gold Lady. Amy does what she has to so that she can survive, and prevent her from a life that is much worse than even now. Then her life is thrown into chaos, when Edmund Hawkins saves her life, and one of the few people that knows of her secret, and stirs up her senses, and wonders if she could ever live without him in her life.

My Thoughts:
The Notorious Scoundrel is the second in the Hawkins Brothers series, and this is Edmunds story, which was a pure delight for me to read, better than James' story in my personal opinion. It was definitely more exciting and the character more engaging throughout the whole story. There was also a consistancy of flow throughout the book, that had me turning the pages as fast as I could. I also found the two characters Amy and Edmund, and I found these two to just have such a connection, and another plus was that it was portrayed so well. Although I would have to say my only problem would be with the heroine's characters. I found that until the end, that she was a bit selfish, and Edmund was willing to sacrifice so much for her happiness, but gratefully she came to her senses before it was too late. However overall it was a enjoyable read and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series, especially if they are as good as "The Notorious Scoundrel".

My Grade
4 Blossoms

Other Books In The Series 
The Infamous Rogue
Too Great A Temptation

Lusting For Covers (22)

Lusting for Covers is a meme found on TBQ so come and join in on this fun meme!!!
 

1- Take the graphic (left) to use on your post. Remember to give credit to the original host (TBQ).

2- Choose your own book cover that you've fallen in "lust" with in the past week. It can be new, old, a reprint, or even a book that is not yet out-- it's all up to you! If you find a cover that catches your eye, then showcase it on your blog, and let others see the pretty covers out there.

3- Copy the direct link to your own L4C post into the comment section on my post (when in doubt, use this link and then scroll down to find the post), and allow others to come and see what you picked! (OPTIONAL):
4- Besides posting the picture of the book cover you chose, it's nice to provide the book summary, title, author, or a website link for the book. It's not required, but it can help you readers' to add more books to their own list! A brief "Why I choose this cover" is also appreciated, but not required
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  A HEART TORMENTED
Erienne's father had given her hand to the richest suitor. She was now Lady Saxton, mistress of a great manor all but ruined by fire, wife to a man whose mysteriously shrouded form aroused fear and pity. Yet even as she fell in love with her adoring husband, Erienne despaired of freeing her heart from the dashingly handsome Yankee who couldn't forget her. The beautiful Erienne, once filled with young dreams of romance, was now a wife and woman...torn between the two men she loved.

Book Blogger Hop (26)

So come and join in on the fun and the hopping. Make new friends and discover new blogs!!! LETS DO THE HOP!!!! Come and check it out at Crazy For Books 

This Weeks Question: "Where is your favorite place to read? Curled up on the sofa, in bed, in the garden?" 

I would have to say my favorite place to read is a number of places, but if I had to choose probably in my bed, since that's my most comfortable piece of furniture.  

 The Friday Follow is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and its tons of fun to do these two memes and find tons of new friends and great blogs!!! So come and join in these two fun memes every friday!!!!

 What are you currently reading? Basically, what book is that?

This new Tag Along is hosted by Laurie @ Bitten by Paranormal Romance and here is a rundown of the rules:

 

Rules
1.Make a post for your blog to direct people to this post, you will find a code for the pic on my left sidebar. That way we get more bloggers involved.
2. Place your blogs name in the first box of the Linky
3. Then add your post that you made place that ULR in the second box.
4. When you find a blog that you like to follow please leave comment on the post the blogger made, so they can tag along to your blog.

This is a weekly theme, so make sure you come back next Friday if you can. 

 

HAPPY READING EVERYONE!!!

Book Review-The Sweetest Sin

The Sweetest Sin 

Mary Reed McCall 

Avon, 

367 Pages

Published June 2004 

Paperback 

Medieval/Scottish Highlands 

ISBN 0-06-009812-0

Synopsis
A Love Worth Sinning For ...

For much of her life, Aileana MacDonell has fearlessly accepted the responsibility that has been entrusted to her: to guard the sacred amulet that protects her clan. But never has there been a danger so great as the one presented by the legendary warrior Duncan MacRae, who threatens dire retribution if the lovely Aileana will not submit to his every desire ... and whose breathtaking masculine power tempts her toward sweet sin.

Duncan has good reason to seek revenge on the hated MacDonells -- dark imprisonment and torment have seared that need in his soul. Yet he means no harm to the proud, courageous lady he has captured, wishing merely to learn the location of the magical amulet that was stolen from Clan MacRae years before. But the exquisite Aileana is an adversary more stubborn and cunning than any Duncan has ever encountered, for she strikes where the bold avenger is most vulnerable: at a noble heart suddenly enflamed by passion and the tender agony of unforeseen love.

MY REVIEW
 Summary:
 Aileana McDonnel, ever since her older sister had stolen the sacred amulet, she has been the keeper of the amulet most of her life. Always kept in her room for safekeeping and only allowed out for certain special occassions, Aileanna has lived in solitude, but craves something more. But now the MacRae's have attacked her clan, looking for the amulet. Knowing that they are rumored to be viscious and merciless she knows she must protect it, especially after seeing her father killed. So she barely managed to escape before she is captured once more by none other than Duncan MacRae, who seeks revenge on the MacDonnells, ever since Morgana MacDonnell stole the amulet and took away everything that he held dear including his wife. Now he captured the MacDonnell beauty, until she reveals the location of the amulet, but in return for him not killing her brothers, who survived the raid, she must become Duncan's leman. But despite each others need to stay distanced from one another, there is a sensual magnitism between them that neither one of them can deny, and a love unforseen that will bind them together.

The Hero 
Duncan MacRaie is the leader of the Clan MacRae. Duncan betrayed by his own brother, and Morganna MacDonnell, which in turn his bride ended up dead, he now seeks vengence. Not knowing that Morganna and his brother are still alive, he attacks the MacDonnells in search of the Amulet for his Clan. Now he has yet to find the amulet, but he has found its keeps, a courageous woman unlike her sister in every way, Aileana MacDonnel, is fierce in those that she is loyal to, however she intrigues him like no other woman has before, and is unlike any enemy he has ever come across, and desires her in his bed and in his heart.
The Heroine 
Aileana MacDonell has grown up in solitude, never around her clan, except when her brothers would help her escape the confines of her room. But after what her sister Morganna did, Aileana looks almost exactly like her sister, and knows she bears the mantle of responsiblity of what her sister did and the harm she caused. So when is taken as Duncan's leman, in return for her brother's lives, she never expected that her life would take such a unexpected turn, and she knows that she must be more cunning that Duncan, if only to protect those that she loves, her brothers. But as tempers fly between the two, so does a fiery desire that could enflame them both.

My Thoughts:
The Sweetest Sin is such a tender and poignant romantic story. I have really enjoyed reading from this author, and I just love all of her books and especially her covers, definitely some of my favorites :) The Sweetest Sin takes places in the medieval time period, up in the Scottish Highlands, and is a story about two warring clans, after one betrayed the other, and how two souls destined to be drawn together by fate, and a love worth fighting for. Its a tender love story, with witty characters and a plot that will take you to new heights of adventure and passion. I found that this is to be one of my favorites of this author, and I could definitely re read it. Definitely a romantic love story you wouldn't want to miss out on!!!

My Grade On This Book 
  4 Blossom

Book Review-Beware A Scot's Revenge

Beware A Scots Revenge

School of Heiresses 

Sabrina Jeffries 

Pocket, 

361 Pages

Published June 2007

Scottish Highlands 

ISBN 10: 1-4165-1610-7

ISBN 13: 978-1-416-1610-1

Synopsis:
"Someone's going to call your bluff someday, Venetia -- you'd better hope it's not a handsome man."
-- Mrs. Charlotte Harris, headmistress

Lady Venetia Campbell's visit to her childhood home in Scotland takes a dramatic turn when she's kidnapped at pistol point by her father's sworn enemy. Sir Lachlan Ross is widely feared in his guise as The Scottish Scourge, but Venetia remembers her former neighbor as a handsome youth whose attentions she craved. Now a wickedly sexy man, Lachlan's appeal is even more intoxicating...and much more dangerous. Though Lachlan tries to treat her as his foe, his scorching kisses tell another story. And despite his plan to use her as a weapon against her father, Venetia is determined that Lachlan's lust for revenge will be trumped by an even more powerful desire....

MY REVIEW
  
Summary:
 Venetia Campbell goes for a visit to her childhood home in Scotland, but at a ball she meets a stranger at the masque ball, and dances with him who rouses up her senses after sharing a sensual kiss that makes her melt into him. But then when she finds herself kidnapped by Sir Lachlan Ross, whom she knew as a young girl. Now the one who is feared as the Scottish Scourge, she still finds him tempting as chocolate, only much more wicked. Lachlan, knows that despite him knowing Venetia as a youth, he knows he must get back to her father for all that he owes him and his clan, for once a prosperous one, now struggling to survive. So he kidnaps Venetia, even though he wishes he had another choice, but knows that this will be the only way to get what is owed to him and to his people, whom he has the responsibility to. So now despite his plans to use her, a fiery passion is discovered between the two, and a tender love that could heal betrayal and hurt of the past.

The Hero 
Lachlan Ross knew Venetia as a youth, and although he was close to his mother, his father would beat him for trivial things, things that would only be normal for a young boy. Then he joins the regiment, and is rumored to be dead, however he is far from that after Venetia's fathers men attack him and almost kill him. Lachlan also known as the Scottish Scourge, to provide for his people, he knows he must find a way for the debt to his people to be paid, so he hatches up a plan to kidnap the one person who is filled with innocent and goodness. But after coming face to face with her, he is entranced by this beauty whom he once knew as a lad.
The Heroine 
Venetia has waited 16 years to return to her beloved Scotland. Even though she isn't considered Scottish, she considers herself very much a Scot. Still unmarried, Venetia has yet to find a husband. Before her mother died she promised that she would only marry a  man that stirred up her senses. Then she meets Lachlan Ross who does stirs up her senses, however he has kidnapped her and plans to use her to make her father pay a debt, which she doubts, but after learning certain truths she wonders if she ever knew her father or the young lad whom she worshiped as a young girl.

My Thoughts:
Beware A Scot's Revenge is the third installment in the School for Heiresses series.  I have been able to read this whole series, although not in order, and this being my second time reading Beware A Scot's Revenge, and despite it being a couple years since I have read it, I still found myself mystified by such a magical romance. This is my favorite of the series, and I fell in love with both of these in depth characters that were portrayed so well throughout the story. The plot was enticing and exciting, filled with romance, adventure, intrigue and a powerfully portrayed romantic story. This is definitely a first rate romance that will suck you into the story from the first line! So if you have yet to read this one or any books from this author, I would recommend running to the store right now and treat yourself to a 'romantic treasure'.

My Grade On This Book 
5 Blossoms

Other Books In The Series 
Never Seduce A Scoundrel
Only A Duke Will Do
Let Sleeping Rogues Lie
Don't Bargain With The Devil
Wed Him Before You Bed Him

Waiting On Wednesday (21) Updated

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine,that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.This week I’m waiting on,

 The third novel in Sabrina Jeffries's “Hellions of Hallstead Hall” series, featuring the independent and talented Lady Minerva Sharpe. 

COMING OUT JANUARY 18 2011 SO EXCITED!!!!!

 About:
As the public face of Vows wedding planning company, Parker Brown has an uncanny knack for fulfilling every bride's vision. She just can't see where her own life is headed. Mechanic Malcomb Kavanaugh loves figuring out how things work, and Parker is no exception. Both know that moving from minor flirtation to major hook-up is a serious step. Parker's business risks have always paid off, but now she'll have to take the chance of a lifetime with her heart...

Teaser Tuesday (25)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme that I have just discovered, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading Anyone can play along! Just do the following:


•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others! Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like.

Here Is My Teaser:

 She bumped into the building's edge with her heel and teetered. A desperate shout escaped her lungs before a set of thick, hard arms gripped her waist and pulled her against a sturdy chest. 


The man's dark, thick, wavy locks grazed her temple as he murmured in her ear, "I would have followed you over the edge for one sweet kiss."