Arc Reading Challenge 2011 Wrap Up!

I've been a busy beaver with all these review requests, so this turned out to be an easy one to complete for me. Next year I should probably try the next level. Well, we'll see next year. LOL

This challenge is hosted by Teddy Rose at So Many Precious Books, So Little Time.

I completed the Bronze Level and here's what I read...

1. Bloated Goat by Manley Peterson Click for review
2. How Sweet it Is by Sophie Gunn Click for review
3. Indefensible by Pamela Callow Click for review
4. Soul Sacrifice by Leonore Elliot Click for review
5. The Innocent by Vincent Zandri Click for review
6. The Wishing Hour by Jewel Adams Click for review
7. Stir Until Thoroughly Confused by Heather Wardell Click for review
8. Vestal Virgin by Suzanne Tyrpak Click for review
9. Capable of Murder by Brian Kavanaugh Click for review
10. Embroidered Corpse by Brian Kavanaugh Click for review
11. Anasazi Intrigue by Linda Weaver Clarke Click for review
12. Fatal Embrace by Aris Whittier Click for review

Anasazi Intrigue by Linda Weaver Clarke

Genre: Mystery, Adventure, Suspense
Format: EBook (available in paperback)
Publisher: American Book Publishing
Release Date: March 2010

This is the first book in “The Adventures of John and Julia Evans” series. There are two books already released with one on the way this May.

Reporter, Julia Evans, is shocked as an horrific flood destroys many homes in Santa Clara, Utah. As she prepares to write about this tragedy, she stumbles upon fish and cats that have been poisoned. She investigates to learn whether this was deliberate or a terrible accident. Being the low person on the totem pole at her newspaper, Julia has to fight for the assignment and prove herself.

With the help of her beloved husband, John, they go on a journey they never expected. Julia realizes there are some dangerous forces behind the mysterious poisoning and discovers, what could be, the story that will put her name on the map. The question becomes whether or not she and John will survive long enough for her to write the story.

This is the first book I’ve read by Linda Weaver Clarke and I’m already hooked. The first pages grab you right in and grab at your heartstrings as you read about the destruction caused by the flood. When Julia and John fight for their lives, readers will be on the edge of their seats for this one.

There’s also romance in the mix. John and Julia’s marriage is strong and they are quite supportive of each other. Even when they have their ups and downs, it’s not for long and they get right back into each other’s arms. It’s nice to see a relationship portrayed this way. Very realistic and believable. In fact, all the characters are portrayed realistically including their three daughters.

This series is a “must read” for me and I’m excited that there are still at least two more books to enjoy.



And...my Socrates Great Book Alert Award



Check out the interview I did with Linda Weaver Clarke where she discusses the series. Click here for the interview

For reading challenges:

Ebook Reading Challenge
ARC Reading Challenge
A to Z Reading Challenge

The Embroidered Corpse by Brian Kavanagh

Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Bewrite Books
Release Date: May 2006
Format: Ebook (also available in paperback)

Belinda Lawrence is back and, once again, finds herself involved in a brand new mystery. She is now settled into the house she inherited from her great aunt Jane. The gardens, designed by the famous Capability Brown, are now on display for tourists.

Belinda and her associate Hazel Whitby attend an auction and discover an ancient tapestry which leads them to discover two murders which replicate the death of a medieval king. There is much more involved to this mystery as it takes them straight to a religious cult, buried treasure and a devious plot to murder anyone who gets in the culprits’ way.

Along with her friend Hazel, Belinda gets some added help from her lover Mark Sallingers. The three of them delve into an adventure and take on more than any of them expected.

This is another fast-paced, enjoyable entry into the Belinda Lawrence cozy series. Readers can enjoy learning more about the heroine and seeing her relationships develop more since the first book. His characters are believable and he created villains you can truly despise.

I love the way the author takes the reader right to England and makes you feel as if you are really in a small English village. This book can be read in one sitting. You will not want to put it down.



For reading challenges...

Cruisin' thru the Cozies
A to Z Reading Challenge
ARC Reading Challenge
E-Book Reading Challenge

Fatal Embrace by Aris Whittier

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Five Star Expressions
Format: EBook (also available in hardcover)
Release Date: September 2010

After tragedy strikes, Michael Carven leaves his career as a police detective behind and runs his own ranch in Montana. When his former partner, Dan Walker, calls to seek his help in tracking down a serial killer, he feels obligated to lend a hand in the investigation. Dan hires Jessica Stanson help out on the ranch as a horse trainer. Michael is not thrilled to discover his new horse trainer is a woman. Against his better judgment, he agrees to give her a chance.

Jessica has no intentions of letting Michael run her off the ranch just because she happens to be female. She’s a good horse trainer and she plans to prove it. It doesn’t take long for the sparks to fly between Jessica and Michael, despite his insistence that he has no room in his life for anyone other than himself.

Things take a scary turn when Jessica is the sole witness who can identify the serial killer. She, also, becomes his next target. Michael is determined to keep Jessica safe at all costs. He already lost one woman through a tragedy, he’s not going to let it happen again.

Jessica is a likeable, upbeat character. Michael is a brooding loner who you want to give a huge hug to. I did think Michael opened up a bit too quickly for someone who shut himself off from the world for such a long time, but readers can’t help but be happy that he did.

This is a nice romantic suspense – more romance than suspense, which is fine with me. Lately I’ve been reading more suspense than romance. Most of the book was building up the romance between Michael and Jessica. The mystery part didn’t really heat up until the final few chapters. I did figure out who the killer was pretty quickly, but that’s probably because I’ve become a suspense expert lately. LOL

Fatal Embrace is the first book by Whittier and she’s off to a great start. It’s a fast-paced story with characters readers can truly care about. I will definitely be looking for more work by this author.




For Reading Challenges:

A to Z Reading Challenge
EBook Reading Challenge
Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge
Romance Reading Challenge
ARC Reading Challenge

Blog Tour: Indefensible by Pamela Callow-Review and Book Giveaway!

Genre: Suspense, Thriller
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Mira
Release Date: December 28, 2010


Attorney Kate Lange is still recovering from the horrific experience she went through a few months before. She still has nightmares, but her life takes another stressful turn when she’s given the biggest case of her life. It’s her job to defend her high profile boss, Randall Barrett who is charged with murdering his wife. To add to her troubles, she’s never handled a criminal case before and this one appears to be particularly difficult since they do have an eyewitness - Barrett’s own son! Kate is feeling anything but confident.

Kate fights her inner demons as she tries to defend her client against a community ready to crucify him and his two teenaged children who believe their father murdered their mother. As Kate begins to put the puzzle together, she realizes that the children could be in danger themselves. She races against the clock to prove her case before anything else dire happens to this sad family.

This is the second book in Pamela Callow’s new Kate Lange series. I didn’t read the first book (although I do have it in my TBR) and, while this story stands alone, I think it would have been better had I read the first book before this one. There are several references to the first book that I would have appreciated more had I read the first one, but that’s my own fault. I’m usually very fussy about reading series in order and this time I didn’t.

However, the story was fast-paced, exciting and had reader’s at the edge of their seat wondering how Kate was going to get the Barrett family out of this mess. There is also a dash of romance thrown into the story which runs the gamut of emotions – fear, betrayal, depression, despair and even a little love. This is definitely a series I will continue reading and I intend to go back and read the first book, Damaged. I do love my suspense genre and this is a great entry into the genre.

I'm giving this 5 kitties even though I didn't read the first book and didn't have all the details - the story was that good that it overcame that for me. It was a fast read, too, and I'm generally a slow reader.




For reading challenge:

ARC Reading Challenge


AND NOW A BOOK GIVEAWAY!!!!

Thanks to Anna at Planned TV Arts-Ruder Finn, I am able to giveaway a copy of this great book. If you would like to enter, here's the deal...

1) Comment here that you want to be entered.

2) Leave a valid email address in your comment (I need a way to contact you! No email address, no entry!)

3) For an extra entry, follow my blog. If you already follow my blog, just mention that in your comment.

4) US and Canada residents only, no P.O. boxes.

5) For an additional entry: If you follow me on twitter, you'll get an extra entry. Just mention it in your comment!

6) Subscribe to my blog and mention that in the comments, too, for another entry! If you already subscribe, mention that in the comments!

7) If you blog about the giveaway on your blog, you get 2 extra entries!

All entries must be submitted by March 19th, midnight est. I will contact the winners by email. If I don't get a response within 3 days, another winner will be chosen.

All winners are picked by Random List.org. I will announce the winners on the 4th during the blog tour!

Good luck everyone!

Vestal Virgin by Suzanne Tyrpak

Genre: Suspense, Historical Fiction
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Smashwords
Release Date: January 2011-03-05

Elissa Rubria Honoria is a Vestal Virgin. When she was very young she was taken from her family, with her parents’ consent, and became one of the most powerful women in Rome. With this position, came sacrifices. One of which is that she lives a sequestered life and is sworn to a vow of chastity with a penalty of death. Nero, the Emperor, considers himself above the law and is determined to have his way with Elissa.

Elissa finds herself in the middle of a dangerous game with Nero which could not only put her own life at risk, but her entire family as well. She begins to stumble on secrets which could endanger everyone, including Rome.

Suzanne Tyrpak transports readers to Ancient Rome when life was much different than it is today. This is a genre I’m unfamiliar with, but since it is a romantic suspense, I decided to try it anway. History isn’t my usual reading choice. However, this book captivated me from the beginning. It drew me right in. I was completely engrossed in this tale of betrayal, angst, murder and romance.

The characters literally come to life with each page. The author has given us a diverse cast with each one being well rounded and written to perfection. The story is rich with history and will hold the reader’s attention to the end. Historical fiction could become a new genre for me to read.

Note: There are sexual scenes throughout this book, but they are written tastefully and fit in with the story.

I have to give this one 5 kitties and a Socrates Great Book Alert Award. The characters stayed with me long after I finished reading, so that’s what makes this a great one for me.






For reading challenges:

Ebook Reading Challenge
ARC Reading Challenge
A to Z Reading Challenge

Capable of Murder by Brian Kavanagh

Genre: Mystery
Publisher: BeWrite Books
Release Date: December 2010
Format: EBook

Belinda Lawrence is summoned to England by her great aunt Jane. Leaving her home in Australia behind, Belinda heads to the small English village but she is shocked beyond belief to discover her aunt’s dead body. The police insist it was an accident, but Belinda isn’t buying it. She’s convinced someone murdered her aunt and she intends to find out who that person is.

When Belinda learns she is the sole heir to Jane’s home and belongings, she suddenly finds herself in danger. First, the home she inherits from her aunt is broken into and vandalized, then her own life is threatened. She also finds herself involved with two very handsome men, but she doubts their motives. Are they truly interested in her or are they more interested in her inheritance?

This is the perfect cozy mystery. It has everything from a curious heroine, to a small English village, to a mysterious old house and two men trying to be heroes to our heroine. This is the first Belinda Lawrence and hopefully there are many more to come. Three others have already been written and I will eventually be reviewing those as well.

I loved that this was set in a small English village. It’s been a long time since I read one with this setting and it made me feel like I was right there in that village. It was a warm, cozy feeling.

The author gave us an amazing cast of characters. Belinda is the type of heroine that will be beloved and leave readers wondering what’s happening to her next. I know I will be.

This book had the feel of a mystery along the lines of Agatha Christie. There were many twists and turns leaving readers guessing right along with Belinda. It was fast-paced leaving me wanting more.

Since I loved this so much and it reminded me so much of older beloved mysteries that I'm giving it a Socrates' Great Book Alert Award.








For reading challenges:

A-Z Reading Challenge
A-Z Mystery Reading Challenge
Cruisin' Thru The Cozies Reading Challenge
ARC Reading Challenge
EBook Reading Challenge

Stir Until Thoroughly Confused by Heather Wardell

Genre: Romance
Publisher: Smashwords
Release Date: December 2010
Format: EBook

Talk about being down on your luck – Mary is going through a difficult divorce and has no job. The one thing Mary always wanted to do was be a chef, but she was looking for the perfect opportunity. She’s sure she found it when the owner of a popular restaurant is opening a new one and is searching for the right person to be their chef. After the job interview is over, Mary is sure she’s going to get the job. Disappointment fills her when the owner, Kegan Underwood, informs her that his plans have changed and he won’t be opening the restaurant after all. He advises her to come back in three months when his plans might change.

Mary doesn’t accept this decision and proceeds to camp out in front of Kegan’s restaurant, determined to win him over and get him to change his mind. She succeeds, but when outside forces get in the way, she wonders just what she’s gotten herself into. Not to mention that sparks fly all over the place between Kegan and Mary. Can a romance with her controlling boss really work? When Mary is faced with the choice between the man she loves or the career she loves, she’s completely torn.

The chemistry between Mary and Kegan sizzles, add a dash of mystery to the recipe and you have a fun story with an excellent cast of characters. Even the secondary ones make their presence known. Several characters from Heather’s previous book “Go Small or Go Home” make an appearance in this book. It is not necessary to read them both (although you will want to – they are both wonderful stories). Each book stands alone, but it’s fun to see returning characters and find out how they are doing after their story ended.

I really enjoy Heather’s writing style. Go Small or Go Home was the first book of hers that I read and I loved it, this one is no different. I’ve already added some of her other books to my Nook. She’s a wonderful storyteller. Check out the interview I did with Heather back in January.



For reading challenges…

ARC Reading Challenge
EBook Reading Challenge
Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge
Romance Reading Challenge

The Wishing Hour by Jewel Adams

Genre: Romance, Fantasy
Format: EBook
Publisher: Jewel of the West
Release Date: December 2010

Celine Anderson lives a normal life. She’s a loner with the only company being her cat, Henry. Her parents died and she has no siblings, so she’s truly on her own. Then a sexy immortal enters her life and nothing is ever normal again.

Sebastian’s mission is to protect Celine. He takes her to another land, Challis. A place where people are truly at peace and happy. Celine discovers that she is the Woman of Prophecy who must give birth to the Golden Child. Sebastian has been chosen to be her mate and their love continues to grow as they take this journey together.

However, there are evil beings out in the world who are determined to stop them. If Sebastian cannot save Celine, their peaceful world will come crashing down upon them and all the citizens of Challis.

This is a contemporary romance with fantasy, mystery and adventure all rolled into one absolutely delightful story. Readers will fall in love with these beautiful characters. Celine and Sebastian will touch everyone’s heart and grab onto it.

Fantasy stories are usually hit or miss with me and this was a definite hit! I was totally captivated and swept into the world of Challis (wishing there truly was such a place). The main characters are truly good people that you can both sympathize with and cheer for. This is definitely an author I intend to watch out for.

When a story moves me this much (I honestly did not want to see it end), then it gets my Socrates Great Book Alert Award 







For reading challenges:

ARC Reading Challenge
EBook Reading Challenge
Romance Reading Challenge
A to Z Reading Challenge