A Novel Seduction by Gwyn Cready

 Title: A Novel Seduction
Author: Gwyn Cready
Publisher: Pocket Star Books
ISBN: 978-1-4516-1264-6
$7.99 U.S./ $9.99 Canada
Format: Mass-Market Paperback
Pages: 373
How I Read It: Mass-Market Paperback from Publisher
Rating: 5 Cups

When snobbish book critic Ellery Sharpe screws up at Vanity Place magazine, her boss assigns her the ultimate punishment: write an ode to romance novels, a genre she considers the literary equivalent of word search puzzles. To make matters worse, he hires her sexy former party boy ex, Axel Mackenzie, to shoot the photos. Axel really wants the project to succeed. For one, the magazine will double his fee if he convinces strong-willed Ellery to write a story no woman can resist. Besides, getting Ellery to fall for romance novels might be just the push she needs to believe people can change . . . even him. At his sister’s advice, Axel gives Ellery a copy of Kiltlander, a much-adored romance whose warrior hero is utterly irresistible. To her dismay, Ellery finds herself secretly falling in love with the story—and with Axel, who’s drawing his own lessons from the book’s compelling hero. With her carefully crafted image of herself crumbling and her dream job on the line, will Ellery risk it all to make the leap from tight-lipped literati to happily-ever-after heroine?
(from the back cover)

My First Thoughts After Reading The Blurb:

This has the potential to be a rather grand read. The name Axel Mackenzie sounds so sexy. 

My Review:

After writing up a scathing review of Bettina Moore’s memoirs, Ellery Sharpe finds herself being forced to write an ode to romance novels. And who better to be her photographer and guide into the world of  romance novels than her bad boy ex, Axel Mackenzie?
My Thoughts:

I have read devoured Gwyn Cready’s time travel romances-- thoroughly enjoying each of them. When I was offered this book to review, I jumped at the chance. Although I was not, sure how this would play out since this is a contemporary rather than a time travel.  I am please to say that this book was just as brilliant as her time travel romances.

Right from the start, I was hooked and found that I could not put this book down. Some romance novels start off a bit slow gaining speed only after the first steamy scene, which was not the case with A NOVEL SEDUCTION. Because the hero and heroine had a history, the novel starts at a good pace, which continues throughout the novel.

I also loved the fact that this is a romance novel about a woman that hates romance novels. It’s a plotline that you do not see often in the world of romance novels and I found that to be intriguing.

I will admit it--I was an Ellery Sharpe. I loathed romance novels and believed them to be a waste of reading time until my second year at Uni when I was forced to read one romance a week for two months straight. For the first two weeks I then started to loath my Professor, until I found that one novel that clicked with me and opened the doors to a whole new world of novels.  Sadly, I did not have anyone who looked as yummy as Axel to act as my guide. 

I could identify with Ellery and her dislike of romance novels, which made me even more intrigued with the novel. In addition, I loved the way that it was Axel who acted as her guide into the world of romance novels.

Overall:

This was a witty contemporary romance, with believable characters and plot less taken approach. A perfect book to cozy up with.

A fun fact:

The three romance novels that Axel gives Ellery to read are based upon actual novels and one of them is Gwyn’s.

 

Angela

Thursday Tea

The Book: Scones & Bones by Laura Childs.

In the latest installment, Theodosia Browning (owner of Indigo Tea Shop and unintentional super-sleuth) finds herself and her coworkers in the midst of another murder. Although this time the case, centers around a Pirate & Plunder part gone wrong which left a history intern dead and a priceless piece of Pirate booty missing.

I absolutely love Laura Childs’ Tea Shop Mystery Series! I can never get enough of Theodosia or her coworkers. I have read numerous books in this series, so far (I am only on chapter 5), this one has been my favorite. It must have something to do with the Pirate aspect of the novel. Who doesn’t like Pirates?

The Tea: Blackberry Sage.

Description:

   Tea For Wisdom - An enchanting blend of black tea, fruit and herbs. Finest quality tea leaves mingle with sweet, fragrant blackberries and cool, soothing white sage. The mild, head-clearing character of the white sage herb contributes to a wise tea mind.

I purchased this tea on a whim so I was not sure what to expect. I was also a bit worried that the sage would overpower the blackberry; surprisingly the tea was smooth and refreshing. You can taste a hint of sage but it is the blackberries that predominate.

Do they go together? Sure, why not. If I were to be precise about it, I would have gone for one of the teas mentioned in the book although I did not want to dig around in my tea cabinet. 

 

Until We Meet Again,

Kiss of Night by Debbie Viguie

Title: Kiss of Night
Author: Debbie Viguie
ISBN: 978-0-446-57086-2
Publisher: Faith Words a division of Hachette Book Group
Format: Trade Paperback
$14.99/ $16.50 Canada
Genre: Fiction/Christian Suspense
Pages: 304
How I Read It: Advance Uncorrected Proof from Publisher
Rating:

 

Centuries ago, Raphael was a blasphemous knight who fought in the Crusades purely for his own mercenary benefit, and to satisfy his taste for killing. Now, condemned for his evil passions and hypocrisy, he wanders the earth a vampire, cursed with first-hand knowledge of the supernatural world he once denied existed. The powerful relic he still possesses from his days as a Crusader has been stolen by a rival vampire who has recruited an army of soulless underlings to aid him in spreading evil. At the time he learns this, Raphael has been hunting this vampire for nearly a century, and it seems the final battle is destined to take place in Prague.

For help in this quest, Raphael must enlist the aid of two humans, David and Susan, who suddenly find themselves immersed in a world they never imagined, entangled with supernatural forces they can't control. Susan, in particular, finds herself conflicted as she struggles with her inexplicable attraction to Raphael. In the end, both Susan and Raphael will be called upon to exercise courage and faith, and in the process, the question What would happen if a vampire truly accepted God? is answered.
(from the publishers)

My Review:

Susan Lambert has traveled to Prague for her Grandmother’s funeral. Seeking solace, she prays in an ancient church where she feels that someone is watching her. When she looks around, she sees a man staring at her and blocking the exist to the church. In the blink of an eye he is gone, only to be seen later in the shadows while she is having dinner with her family.

Soon Susan finds herself immersed in a world she knew nothing about with a vampire as her guide.

My Thoughts:

When I first read the concept of this book, I was intrigued. I wanted to see how the writer would pull off a Christian-based Vampire novel. While the theology of God creating vampires as a source of atonement was a bit absurd, it did make for an interesting read.
I loved the character of Raphael. I loved his struggle to be a good vampire and I could have read his pov forever. The same could be said for Susan‘s story. It was the addition of David’s pov that made this novel a bit stop and start. Too many main characters can taint the novel, making it seem slow and forced. I must admit, that did happen in parts of the novel. Right when Raphael/Susan was gaining speed, David’s pov came in disrupting the momentum.

While David’s disruptions did indeed make me want to throw the book against the wall, it was Raphael and Susan’s story that kept me reading away until the wee hours of the morn.

Kiss of Night, is the first novel in a series and I have to say that the author is off to a good start. I cannot wait to read the next book since this novel closes with a cliffhanger.

5 Cups stands for “I love it! Pour me another one!” I gave it a 5-Cup rating for the simple fact I loved it and cannot wait to read the next book in this series

I know this book will probably ruffle a few feathers for the simple fact that it is a Christian-based vampire novel. Although you must remember, this is simply a work of fiction and I do not believe that a work of fiction can sway a persons religious views.

 

 

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Best Wishes & Happy Reading,