Review: A Taylor-Made Life by Kary Rader

This review is a little different from my other reviews. I was so moved by this story I felt giving an in depth review would ruin it. I will be blunt. This book is about two young people that have cancer. There is beauty and pain in this story. Below are my thoughts as I wrote them directly after I finished reading and the day after. It isn’t as refined or put together as most of my reviews are and I’m ok with that, because life isn’t ready made or perfect.

I’m not going to lie when I first started reading this book I was a little put off with an almost 18 year woman dating a 25 year old man but age is just a number and circumstances change and make people grow. Cancer is a circumstance that would change anyones thoughts about life, death and time. So the age difference did not bother me for long (maybe the first few chapters).

Cancer is ugly. Kary Rader has written a story of how truly ugly cancer is but what can come from it. Since I do not like giving away spoilers I will not give a lot of information about the book. The best way to truly understand and love this story is by having an open mind and heart. You will find yourself giggling more than you think. But I warn you..have your tissues near by becuase when your tears begin to fall they won’t stop.

When I finished this book I could barely see through my glasses because of all the tears. I kept it together until I got towards the end of the book and every tear I had been fighting back found its way out. The tears weren’t all of sadness but tears of hope.

Still thinking of the story I am moved to tears. I am in awe of the beautiful words Kary Rader has written and I look forward to the next book in this series. Yes, there is a book two. Now you’re interested, right!? A book about a cancer and a book two? Go out and get your copy now on Amazon.

-Romance Reader Girl

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Book Quote for a Friday

“He smiled his dimpled smile. “Well, I’ve found something in my heart, my love, and it’s you. You fill it up so completely that I don’t need anything else.” His gaze turned solemn. “I don’t want to be the river anymore. I want to be the earth that the tree roots in. And I believe that I can, if you’ll be my tree. Will you?”

It was too much. She began to cry, though she smiled so he’d know that they were happy tears. “That proposal…is vastly superior…to your last one,” she choked out between sobs. “I would very much love to be your tree.”

-Jarret and Annabel”
― Sabrina Jeffries, A Hellion in Her Bed

Review: How to Entice an Enchantress (The Duchess Diaries #3) by Karen Hawkins

This is the first book I’ve read by Karen Hawkins and I’m so glad I picked it up on a whim. I am a pug owner (I have three) and any book I read, especially a historical romance with pugs just makes my heart smile.

The Duchess of Roxburghe is known for her matchmaking skills. With her sidekick Lady Charlotte and her pack of pugs at her side (six pugs! OMG!) she meets her biggest challenge yet… her godchildren. Can she make this match happen?

Dahlia Balfour is a beautiful bookish young lady. She is the youngest sister to two of the Duchess’ matchmaking successes. Also, she is one of many godchildren to the Duchess. Dahlia intelligent and practical with a romantic heart. She wants to find love and live happily ever after. She knows this can happen when the right gentleman comes along. Dahlia will not settle for anything less. She wants to be truly in love with the man of her dreams and he must feel the same and show it.

Viscount Kirk (Lord Kirk) is a widower. He is scarred due to the terrible accident that took his wife. He doesn’t care one whit what the world thinks of him or his manners. Though, he realizes he needs a wife to produce an heir. He has met Dahlia Balfour and spent many hours in her company talking about books. Kirk has decided they are compatible therefore they should marry. Only his godmother the Duchess can help.

Oooh the chemistry between Kirk and Dahlia is electric. From the moment they are in the same room there are sparks but not necessarily the sparks of a good kind. There is some history these two share that the Duchess and Lady Charlotte did not know; including a marriage proposal that really wasn’t very romantic. Dahlia and Kirk are very similar they feel they both are right. Which makes understanding one another very difficult. Dahlia believes in love, romance and poetry. Kirk believes love, romance and poetry is not real but compatibility and being practically is real and lasting. These two have a bumpy road before they realize what truly is important. Along the way we will meet some fun interesting characters that will help them see what is right in front of them.

I really enjoyed this read. It was fast pace with lots of intriguing characters and laugh out loud moments. Of course, a book with a group of pugs that were written to the breeds true characteristics makes me love it all the more. I loved the side stories and theme that maybe we aren’t always right and it’s ok to realize that maybe what we really want isn’t what we really need. I believe Ms. Hawkins has quite the backlist of books and I look forward to reading them.

Purchase How to Entice an Enchantress and other books by Karen Hawkins on Amazon and B&N.

-Romance Reader Girl

My Pugs!

*Pre-Release* Review: Lady in Red by Maire Claremont

From the moment I finished reading The Dark Lady by Maire Claremont in February I knew I would read anything this amazing writer put out. Her deliciously dark stories grab at your emotions and you are not able to put the book down. Her second book Lady in Red is no exception. Once again my attention was grabbed from the beginning and stayed until the end.

The theme of this story is taking back control of yourself and fighting to regain your self worth.

Lady Mary Elizabeth Darrel has been locked away in an asylum by her father, a powerful Duke.  When Mary escapes she is broken but determined to never go back again. When she arrives on the doorstep of friend of her beloved mother’s her life will take a turn she never saw coming.

Edward Barrons, Duke of Fairleigh has spent years trying to fix his fathers mistakes by doing what he feels is right. He lives a very closed off life. One evening he see’s a woman that he can help save brining himself some peace and forgiveness. What he doesn’t see coming is this woman will change his view on life that he never thought possible.

I loved the theme of this book-fighting to regain your self-worth and power. Edward and Mary use one another as a pillar of strength to discover themselves and what truly is important in life, love and acceptance. There are many dark moments as Mary must fight to push out the evils done to her by her father and the people of the asylum, but with the help of Edward she is able to do it. Edward must fight his past and realize that what his father did was not his fault. He also must realize that to help Mary he must allow Mary to help him. Not an easy task. With the help of the Edward and his friend the Viscount Powers Mary is able to find the strength to face her father the man she once loved more than anything but also the man that locked her away.

This is an amazing read. The follow up book to The Dark Lady does not disappoint. Ms. Claremont brings a powerful read full of dark moments but moments of hope and laughter. You will be taken on a journey of self discovery through love, strength, passion, heart wrenching terror, sadness and hope. I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend this book to lovers of historical romance that love to read deliciously dark stories that will have you crying one moment and snickering the next.

Lady in Red will be available for purchase on OCTOBER 1, 2013. You can find it on Amazon or B&N.

*A big thank you to Maire Claremont for sending me a copy for an honest review. 

-Romance Reader Girl

Review: The Viscount’s Vow by Collette Cameron

Collette Cameron will take you on a brilliant memorable ride when reading The Viscount’s Vow. You cannot help but being dazzled by the rich characters and setting of this romantic story.

Before I start with my review I have to say, the cover of this book is very romantic.

Evangeline Caruthers (Vangie) is vibrant as the day is long. She bounces off the page with her feisty tongue and very kind forgiving heart. Vangie is a woman stuck in two worlds; the Elite English Ton  and the Gypsy Roma, a group of wondering kindhearted people. Trying hard to fit into the Ton she is taken for a women that gives away her favors and tongues begin to wag. Vangie becomes a target for men becuase of her heritage and beauty.

Ian Hamilton, Viscount Warrick is out for vengeance. Coming home from abroad to a dead brother and father he is out to take back what he lost. Listening to his step-mama and sister Ian is out to ruin Miss Evangeline Caruthers as she is to blame for his brother’s death. He will stop at nothing to ruin the beautiful taunting Miss Caruthers.

After a dance Ian and Vangie find themselves immersed in scandal forcing them to marry. With a quick marriage ceremony they are off to Northumberland to Ian’s Somersfield Estate. Along the way Ian realizes that Vangie isn’t the woman the world has portrayed her to be and begins to realize he married a wonderful vibrant woman he would like to get to know. This is where you see Ian being the wonderful romantic he truly is. However things never go according to plan and Vangie will soon realize that maybe Ian has not been as honest as she would have liked and takes her life into her own hands.

This wonderful crafted story has all the good parts; romance, mystery, comedy, kindness and something that I haven’t encountered but really liked, the Roma culture. The last book I read with the Roma culture was by Lisa Klepas. That book was good but Ms. Cameron gives us so much more and you feel like you really know who the Roma people are. I loved the scenes where Vangie and Ian are with the Roma people. It was rich with description and she makes you feel like you are there with them. I loved it!

I had a great time reading this story and will go back to read Ms. Cameron’s first book Highlander’s Hope. I look forward to reading more vivid romantic story from Collette Cameron.

Purchase The Viscount’s Vow on Amazon.

*Received a copy of this story for an honest review. 

-Romance Reader Girl

Review: The Untamed Mackenzie (Highland Pleasures #5.5) by Jennifer Ashley

Disclaimer up front for this review- I adore the Mackenzie’s Series. This is one of my all time favorite series. I devour each Mackenzie book Jennifer Ashley’s writes. The Untamed Mackenzie is no exception. Ok! Disclaimer over, please enjoy my review below. 🙂

We first met Lloyd Fellows in The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie as he tirelessly tries to to put Ian and Hart Mackenzie away for murder. We learn later that Lloyd is the half brother of the Mackenzie men. So it’s only natural that Mr. Fellows gets his own love story. Keeping it in the family Lloyd Fellows is enamored with Isabella Mackenzie’s (Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage) younger sister Lady Louisa Scranton. They have chanced meetings and shared kiss or two in the previous Mackenzie books.

Lady Louisa Scranton is trying to put her life back together after her deceased father has disgraced her family name. She is trying working to find an acceptable husband but cannot get one of the Mackenzie men off her mind. Louisa is at a elite garden party when she is asked to join Bishop Hargate in the tea tent. Alone she goes in prepares a cup a tea as he is announcing his attentions. As she begins to respond he falls to the ground and dies. She is alone with a dead man she rushes out to get assistance and that’s when tongues being to wag…

Detective Inspector Lloyd Fellows is about to go on holiday to visit his half brother Cam Mackenzie when he told to go on special assignment to assist in a murder. When he arrives he is left speechless when the woman he cannot get out of his mind is the one being accused of murder.

This novella was a fast paced intriguing story. From the beginning you are brought in wanting to know who killed Bishop Hargate and will Lloyd and Louisa come together and recognize their feelings for one another? There are twist and turns through the story and there are of a couple of “I didn’t see that coming” moments. Of course, you cannot have Mackenzie story without having a few if not all Mackenzie’s making an appearance. I will say Daniel Mackenzie definitely stole some scenes. He is on his way to being a charmer and I am looking forward to reading his story out in October!

Overall this was great read. It was nice to see Lloyd and Louisa find their happy ending with all the twist and turns. This could be a standalone read but to really understand the dynamic of the Mackenzie’s I recommend going back and starting from the beginning with The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie.

Purchase Jennifer Ashley’s Mackenzie’s Stories on Amazon or B&N.

-Romance Reader Girl

Review: Romancing Lady Stone by Delilah Marvelle

Fellow lovers of historical romance- Delilah Marvelle can add another amazing, wonderful story to her list of amazing stories!

Keep the magical hour of midnight in your thoughts while reading this story. It a key element to this story.

Lady Cecelia Stone is on her way to Russia to stop her son for marrying a Russian actress. This will not be an easy trip. She finds herself waking up in a carriage sitting across from a man all alone. Her Russian speaking companion is gone. Luckily for her, the mysterious man speaks English and destiny is going to take her for ride with Konstatine Levine that she never could have dreamed of.

Konstatine Levine believes in destiny. One of the many lessons he learned from his father was to believe in fate. Konstatine is on a path to change his life around. He is turning a new leaf and heading to London when he finds a beautiful Lady needing his help in his home country.

Cecelia and Konstatine have such a romantic sweet story. Konstatine makes Cecila feel like a woman who should be cherished, love and embrace. Konstatine is a man with passion and heart. I enjoyed watching his transformation throughout his travels. Also the power of midnight is intriguing and brings an wonderful element of mystery to the story. Delilah Marvelle has done it again; written a romance that makes you heart sing while reading it. I just do not think it’s possible to feel anything but romance when reading Delilah’s stories.

Bonus! We learn just a little bit more about Duc de Andelot and Madam de Maintenon, owner of the School of Gallantry (which will be a full length book!).

Get this story now on Amazon.

-Romance Reader Girl

Review: A Rake’s Midnight Kiss (Sons of Sin #2) by Anna Campbell

Oh Anna Campbell you never disappoint. I have spent a good part of my summer reading Anna Campbell books as. She is becoming a book household name.

MY THOUGHTS of A Rakes Midnight Kiss:

Take a brilliant scholar that is tucked away in the country having her vicar father taking credit for her work, match her with one of London’s most notorious rakes known as a bastard add a valuable relic and what do you have? You have story full of laughs, mystery, romance and sexual tension.

Genevieve Barrett keeps secrets. Her number once secret is her brilliant mind. She writes papers and her father who is the local vicar takes the credit. She has a plan to take control of her life and work. However her plans goes awry when a very handsome young man comes to study with her father.

Sir Richard Harmsworth is known in London as one of the titled gentleman that is a bastard as his sire is questionable. He has used his handsome good looks and incorrigible personality to get what he wants. What he wants the most is for the world to respect that he is Sir Richard Harmsworth the rightful heir to his title and having a ancient relic will help prove his claim. With the help of his friend the Duke of Sedgemoor, Richard finds his way to country and changing his identity to Christopher Evans a young wealthy scholar wanting to study with vicar. What Richard doesn’t fit into the equation is a beautiful young lady that will question himself and beliefs and make him realize what is really important in this world.

From the first meeting in the dark the sparks fly and you know this is going to be an exciting story with explosive characters. Genevieve and Richard spark across the pages with their fun banter and explosive personalities.  There is a lot of secrets being kept among all the characters in this story and it makes it fun while reading it. Richard is a hero you will fall for. He may have London believing he is a rake of the worst kind but he has a big heart tender heart and you cannot help but fall for him. Genevieve is a sweetheart that has been driven to be hard because all she wants is for someone to really say, “Your writing and work is amazing, great job!”.

This read was very different from the first book in the series (Seven Nights in a Rogues Bed). This story had a lot of comedy built in with suspense and action. Anna Campbell has a well ensembles cast of characters that having you turning pages to see what they will and do next. My favorite part of this book is the epilogue. In fact I have coined it as the best epilogue I have ever read. I had tears streaming down my face while I read it AND becuase I try very hard not to give spoilers in my reviews that is all I will say… BEST EPILOGUE EVER!

Anna Campbell keeps bringing her A game to each books she writes. I enjoyed all the elements of this story and I look forward to reading all about the Duke of Sedgemoor in the next book in the series.

Buy on Amazon or B&N.

-Romance Reader Girl

My Opinion: Crossfire Series by Sylvia Day

Alright! Last year I did jump on the Fifty Shades of Grey bandwagon. At first I was shocked by it and didn’t know what to think. I rode the fan bandwagon until I read Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale (that is writing). However, this summer I decided to give Sylvia Day’s Crossfire Series I try. I heard it was WAAAAAYYYY better than Fifty Shades of Grey and I wanted to see for myself. It’s not like it was really hard to surpass Fifty Shades of Grey now was it?

There are a lot of similarities in both series. The names and premise are nearly the same. HOWEVER, there is a big difference between the two… The difference is Sylvia Day actually has main characters with depth and the secondary characters have interesting back stories. This series is not about how many different positions they can have sex or what toys can be used. It’s more about how their life experiences and relationships have impacted how they use sex in their lives. Is it the best thing I have ever read? No, it is not, but it was much better than Fifty Shades of Grey. Each book the writing does improve.

There is a fourth book coming out in October. Surprisingly, I actually am looking forward to reading it. Like I said, this book had secondary characters that makes the story very interesting.

If you are looking for something a bit better than Fifty Shades of Grey give this a try.

You can purchase the Crossfire Series on Amazon.

-Romance Reader Girl

Pre-Release Review: Flirting with Fortune by Erin Knightley- Happy Release Day!

Pre-Release Review: Flirting with Fortune by Erin Knightley.