• Pub. Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
• ISBN-13: 9780800719241
• ISBN: 0800719247

THE UNFINISHED GIFT BY DAN WALSH is a Christian Christmas fiction. It is a tear jerking story, with a well written plot. The characters are sweet, caring, realistic people. The story is about forgiveness, redemption and reconciliation. It’s about aggrieving little boy and his estranged grandfather who takes him in after a tragedy. The little boy’s father is in the Air Force flying over Germany during the war. The grandfather is harsh to the little boy, who only wants a toy soldier he finds in the Attic.Due to some letters the grandfather finds in a box, the grandfather finds redemption and forgiveness. This is truly a wonderful story, but beware you will cry. It’s fast paced. A must read this holiday.

Reviewed by AAR

Rating 4.5

Sweet

• Pub. Date: December 2009
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• All the King’s Men Series, Book Two
• ISBN-13: 9780446553384
• ISBN: 0446553387

Synopsis

 THE GREATEST PASSION
Lady Isobel Hume is an expert swordswoman who knows how to choose her battles. When the king asks her to wed a French nobleman to form a political alliance, she agrees. But that’s before the devilishly charming Sir Stephen Carleton captures her heart-and tempts her to betray her betrothed, her king, and her country.

IS WORTH THE GREATEST PERIL
Sir Stephen Carleton enjoys his many female admirers-until he dedicates himself to winning the lovely Isobel. So when a threat against the king leads Isobel into mortal danger, Stephen has a chance to prove that he is more than a knight of pleasure…and that love can conquer all.

 Thanks to the wonderful Anna at Grand Central, I’m thrilled to offer 5 copies of KNIGHT OF PLEASURE to my readers. You must live in the US or Canada in order to enter giveavay. No P.O Boxes please! This giveaway will run from today, December 3rd, until December 9th at 12pm EST. In order to have your name in for the giveaway you must post a comment to this post, telling me what you love most about reading romance.

Good luck to all!

hugs,

WendyK

THE CHRISTMAS DOG

by Melody Carlson

• Pub. Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
• ISBN-13: 9780800718817
• ISBN: 080071881X

From the Publisher

Betty Kowalski isn’t looking forward to the holidays. She just can’t seem to find Christmas in her heart. There’s church, of course. But who can she bake for these days? And who would care whether or not she pulled out the Christmas decorations?

Her new neighbor just adds to the problem. He’s doing home improvements that don’t appear to be improving much of anything. These days when Betty looks out the window, she sees a beat-up truck, a pile of junk, lots of blue tarps, and—horror of horrors—an old pink toilet.

But when a mangy dog appears at her doorstep, the stage is set for Betty to learn a very important lesson about what Christmas is all about. This contemporary Christmas story is a timely yet gentle reminder that God can work miracles through something as seemingly insignificant as a little brown dog.

 THE CHRISTMAS DOG by Melody Carlson  is a Contemporary fiction. It is a neat story. It’s very simple,with a well written story. The characters are enjoyable. There are misunderstandings with the new neighbor. A little, lovable dog enters into the three main characters’ lives. They learn what Christmas is really all about. This is a must read Christmas story.It is a fast read you will want to keep turning the pages to the end. It has hope, love,family and the granddaughter learns to grow up with the help of her grandmother and the neighbor and the mangy dog.

Reviewed by AAR

Rating: 4.5

A sweet contemporary Fiction

Read an excerpt here.

Please visit Melody Carlson’s website for more information on this and other titles.

*This title was sent from the publisher for review*

As you may have noticed I haven’t been around much. Between being sick and the holidays, my time just hasn’t allowed me to do the updates I should.

I thank you to everyone who’s continued to stop by and I will be updating tomorrow.

hugs,

WendyK

Today I am deeply honored to welcome Jambrea Jones and Emily to my blog. Please set back and enjoy!

Colonel Joe “Magnus” River’s sole purpose in life is to protect the United States of America. It isn’t just a job; it’s his reason for being. Magnus’ life is turned upside down when he is informed a woman will be joining his team of elite marines. She made it through boot camp, but can she make it through Magnus?

Nothing in NCIS Special Agent Emily Patterson’s career could have prepared her for Colonel Rivers. Her orders: infiltrate the Colonel’s team and find out who has been kidnapping women and children from third world countries and selling them as sex slaves. A string of unexpected events changes everything, potentially exposing Emily before she finds the guilty party. Her mission becomes more difficult as she gets to know the man behind the uniform. Magnus can’t be involved, can he? 

Jambrea:  Hey Emily. I’ve noticed Magnus out and about on the web lately so I thought it might be nice for the two of us to have a chat about your upcoming book.

Emily:  I’ve noticed that too. I’d love to chat. It’s nice to talk to another woman, someone who knows who I really am.

Jambrea:  It must be hard being undercover, not knowing who to trust.

Emily:  You have no idea. I want to trust the marine unit I’ve infiltrated, but someone is guilty.

Jambrea:  Do you have any ideas?

Emily:  As of right now? No. I know who I don’t want to be guilty, but I don’t see things happening in the unit without his knowledge.

Jambrea:  And who might that be? *Jambrea tries to hide her grin*

Emily:  Joe ‘Magnus’ Rivers. That man makes it hard for me to do my job. He makes me want to give him 110% and I can’t. Not until the mission is over and I’ve cleared his name.  I think he might be suspicious of my actions. Sometimes I can’t help myself when training.

Jambrea:  How so?

Emily:  Joe has this way about him that you want to do your best, but I can’t. I have to get noticed by the individuals responsible for the sex ring. The more I get to know Joe, the more I question his involvement. He would do anything for those men. Even me and I’ve done nothing but fuck up from the moment I stepped foot on base. You see my dilemma. Not to mention the fact that I’m very attracted to the man. Who wouldn’t be? He is so hot.

Jambrea:  I won’t argue with you there. Can you tell us anything about your mission?

Emily:  Not too much. I am undercover. I will tell you that I’m hunting down a person who has been kidnapping women and children from third world countries and selling them as sex slaves.

Jambrea:  And you think Magnus is behind it?

Emily:  I hope not, but, with the kind of man he is, I don’t see him not knowing what was going on with his men. I’m so confused.

Jambrea:  Hopefully you’ll be able to clear him.

Emily:  Speaking of him, I need to get back before I’m missed. I hope to talk to you soon.

Jambrea:  Thanks for talking to me! I’ll see you soon.

And as a special treat here is a great excerpt from MAGNUS:

Excerpt:
(Unedited)

“All clear, Alpha.”

“Back to base, double-time.”

The soldiers made it to the camp without incident.

“Sir…sir!” Patterson called.

He stopped and she ran right into him

Ten feet and I could have been in my office. Goddamn it.

He didn’t turn around. “What seems to be the problem, Patterson?”

“I need to talk to you, sir.”

“Then talk.”

“Um…could we go into your office?”

He nodded, continued to his office and didn’t stop until he sat behind his desk and she stood at attention in front of it.

“At ease, Lieutenant. Talk.”

She stood at parade rest, but didn’t look relaxed.

“I thought we were on a real mission today, sir.”

“Are you questioning me, Lieutenant Patterson?”

“No, sir.”

“Let me ask you a question, princess.”

She started to say something, but he could tell she thought better of it when she pinched her lips together and stood straighter. He had to fight his grin.

“Sir?”

“Why are you here? Why the Marines?”

“Permission to speak freely?”

He waved her on.

“Because Daddy said I couldn’t do it,” she said with malice in her voice. “I’m here to prove him and everyone else wrong. I can do this.”

“Daddy trying to make it easy for you? Paving the way to a combat troop?” he taunted, knowing full well she’d paid her dues.

“I did my time on Parris Island. I deserve to be here”

“I’ve been over your records, Patterson. The General showed them to me before he put you on my team. I know you’re a solid Marine, but you shouldn’t be here. My team is on the front line. You’re a distraction we don’t need.”

He looked to see if she would respond, but she said nothing.

Mag continued, “What happens when you miss the target and go down? My men would be worried about protecting you, not fighting the enemy. I can’t have that. Our lives depend on trusting each other in a fight. Just last month you shot Stewart in a mock exercise. Today your ass wiggled so far in the air I’m surprised the patrol didn’t spot it. You aren’t ready.”

Patterson stepped forward and put her hands on his desk, placing her face-to-face with him. He cocked a brow at her and wondered if she realized she’d broken protocol.

She leaned in and spoke in a low, soft voice. “I’m ready, Sir. Put me on the line. I’ll do my job.”

His body reacted in an unexpected way. His cock rose to attention.

Goddamn it! Down, boy, nothin’ to see here.

Mag brought his face so close to hers they were almost nose-to-nose. He spoke just as softly. “You are not ready. You will never be ready. Go home now before you fucking kill someone or end up dead.”

He watched her shiver a little and his cock throbbed in answer. It took all his military control not to kiss her. When her tongue eased out of her mouth to lick her lips he thought he would lose his military bearing and he almost groaned, but caught himself.

No fucking way is this happening.

She never dropped her gaze and he respected her just a little more for that. Most men couldn’t hold his glare. She wasn’t afraid of him, he realized when she didn’t back down.

Well Fuck.

“What was that, sir?”

He must have spoken aloud. He needed to get her off kilter. Mag leaned in closer so their noses touched, his lips pressed almost on hers. Her breath mingled with his.

“Get the fuck out of my office. You’re dismissed. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll go home.”

Then she did the unthinkable. Patterson’s tongue touched his mouth as she moistened her dry lips. He couldn’t help it. He tried, but before he could think, his tongue met hers for a brief second before they both pulled away. Patterson stood at attention, saluted him, spun around and raced out of his office as if the devil himself followed on her heels.

“Shit. Fuck. Goddamn it!” He slammed his hand on his desk. “No way is this happening. No fucking way!”

If you’d like more information about this great story or Jambrea please visit her website.  Thank you Jambrea and Emily for visiting with me today.

From Freya’s Bower: OTOG Anthology & Runaway Man
From eXtasy: Heart Song ; Unseen Path
From Total-e-Bound: Over the Moon
Semper Fi: Magnus – available from Liquid Silver November 23rd
Unwinding Path – available from eXtasy December 15th

SOUTHERN COMFORT, SAVANNAH STYLE by USA Today Bestselling Author Dianne Castell

Hot and Irresistible:

Four Southern gals

Four hot guys

One lost jewel

A splash of ghosts

A mix of voodoo

And a big dose of mystery

   that brings them all together

Hot and Irresistible is the second book in my Savannah Sizzles series and those two titles tell all.

Nothings more fun or steamier or more intriguing than falling in love in Savannah. Have you ever been? Then you know the restored mansions, the subtle glow of the old lamplights through the big live oaks, the clip-clop of the horse drawn carriages, jazz wafting from an open window and whispers of ghosts and voodoo and things that happened long ago make this a city like no other. And the Southerners who live there are unique characters who live a little slower, cook a bit better and fall in love hard and fast and forever.

My goal was to make the reader feel as if they were there with my characters living in Savannah. I wanted it to be about the South and about romance and the problems and rewards of living and loving. Hot and Irresistible has a Yankee hero who just doesn’t get that who your parents are play a big part in who you are. That the Civil War was truly that unfortunate Northern occupation and that friendships run true and fast and deep and last a lifetime and are often sealed in blood.

Hot and Bothered was the first book in the series. In old-South Savannah, family name and seasoned money mean a lot…especially when you don’t have either. So, Charlotte, Prissy, Bebe and BrieAnn bonded because they didn’t really have family like the other kids and swore they’d never look up their biological parents…if they didn’t love us enough to keep us then the hell with them. Then twenty years later Otis Parish died and everything changed.

Hot and Irresistible and Hot and Bothered are fun and romantic, steamy and very sexy. The stores will take you away and make you want to visit Savannah with your own special someone. I loved writing these books and wish you a good time reading them.

Dianne Castell

www.DianneCastell.com

Dianne Castell’s Bio:

USA Today best selling author Dianne Castell writes for Kensington BRAVA. She also writes a monthly editor interview column for Romance Writers Report. Her books have won Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, been on the cover of Romantic Times Magazine and included in Rhapsody Book Club, Doubleday Book Club and have made the Waldenbooks Bestseller list.

The second book in her Savannah Sizzles series for the BRAVA line, Hot and Irresistible, hits the shelves Nov‘09. Hot and Dangerous is on in May ‘10

Dianne lives in Cincinnati with her two cats and will do just about anything to get out of housework.

DianneCastell.com

DianneCastell@Hotmail.com

Why I am a Closet Southern Belle

One of the reasons I wrote Hot and Bothered and Hot and Irresistible was I wanted to set a book in the South, the real South. It has a flavor all its own from the way folks talk…How’s your mamma and daddy?…to the food…anything that has a stick of butter and cup of cream has got to be delicious! Just ask Paula Deen…to the way gals and guys behave.

So my question today is… Are you a closet Southern Belle? Now you ask, Okay what the dickens makes a Southern Belle? Well, I just happen to have a little list…

                             Do you never wear white after Labor Day or before

                             Easter

                             Do you own a strand of real pearls and wear them

                                      with pride

                             Always drink sweet tea and love it when they

                                      have it on the menu

                             A part of you truly believes in those Yankees

                             Civil War? What Civil War? Now that unfortunate

Northern Occupation…that you know about

                             Have Lee as part of your name or your children’s

                             Fav movies are GWTW and Steel Magnolias and Fried

                                      Green Tomatoes

                             Actually read GWTW and reread parts from time to

                                      time. Wish you had the name Scarlet

                             Have a tiara hidden in your panty drawer and

                                      know how to twirl a baton

                             Have an umbrella that looks a bit like a parasol

                             Make sure your children know manners and use them

                             Love Red-eye gravy, grits, country ham and make

                                      your own biscuits

                             Know that prime real estate is The Mall,

                                      The Country Club and The Beauty Salon

                             Buy more then one can of hair spray at a time

                             Have actually said Y’all come back, Bless your

                                      your heart, Drop by when you can, How’s your

                                      mamma?

                             Love white gloves and wear hats

                             Have a subscription of Southern Living or ripped

                                      a recipe from that magazine at the doctor’s

                                      office

                             Have a pineapple decoration somewhere in your

                                      House

                             Think the magnolia is a piece of heaven on earth

And what about the food? Do you own a Paula Deen Cookbook? Catch her on TV whenever you can? Actually copied a recipe and made it and know how to make cream gravy from scratch and would rather poke yourself in the eye with a sharp stick than put cool whip on your homemade pumpkin pie! Is there anything better than southern cooking? Well maybe Italian but that’s another blog.

So, how do you measure up? Is a part of you a Southern Belle? Know someone who is? I really tried to keep these characteristics in mind when writing Hot and Bothered. A gal in NY city is way different than a gal in Savannah and I sure wanted it to feel that way.

I am definitely a closet Southern Belle! I do make fried chicken and bathtub gravy. That’s what my kids call my cream gravy because they could eat a bathtub full of it. I do make my own pies, have white gloves, crab at my kids if they don’t use their manners, buy extra-hold hair spray, subscribe to Southern Living, have a fancy umbrella that I’ve been known to twirl from time to time and do know how to twirl a baton for real. Even took lessons.

On the Southern Belle scale I’m about a 7. What about you? What is your Southern Belle Score?

Thanks for being here!

Hugs, Dianne Castell

USA Today best selling author Dianne Castell writes for Kensington BRAVA. She also writes a monthly editor interview column for Romance Writers Report. Her books have won Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, been on the cover of Romantic Times Magazine and included in Rhapsody Book Club, Doubleday Book Club and have made the Waldenbooks Bestseller list.

The second book in her Savannah Sizzles series for the BRAVA line, Hot and Irresistible, hits the shelves Nov‘09. Hot Summer Nights is out May ’10.

Dianne lives in Cincinnati with her two cats and will do just about anything to get out of housework.

You can visit her website at http://www.diannecastell.com/.

THE WILDEST HEART

Rosemary Rogers

ISBN-13: 9781402222740

ISBN: 1402222742

NOVEMBER 2009

Publisher: Sourcebooks, INC.

From New York Times Bestseller Rosemary Rogers

No man can tame her, and only a renegade outlaw would dare to try…

No man can tame her
Lady Rowena Dangerfield, wild, headstrong, and scandalously independent, travels from exotic India to the splendor of London to the savage New Mexico frontier hoping to meet her long-lost father and start a new life. She arrives to find herself in the middle of a long-standing feud.

Nothing will stop him from taking what he wants
Lucas Cord, a handsome half-Apache outlaw, is a rebel renegade feared throughout the territories. When he encounters the beautiful stranger, unlike any woman he’s ever known before, he knows instantly that he’ll have to win her for his own. Together they will experience a rampaging passion as wild and hot as the Southwestern winds.

THE WILDEST HEART by Rosemary Rogers is a historical romance. This is a great story with the characters  being human, very realistic and easy to relate to. It is a story of revenge,mystery,searching for the truth, belonging somewhere and romance. There are twists and turns, it is fast paced with disappointments and intrigue. There are rape scenes, and sensual scenes but not too graphic. You also have a strange relationship between Lucas and his step mom and Rowena and her stepfather.  In the end the truth comes out and ends positively.Although this story is very emotional the characters leave you spellbound and unable to put the book down. I would recommend this book.

  

Reviewed by AAR

Rating: 4.5

Heat Rating: Steamy, some rape scenes may be uncomfortable for some

Book is available at Sourcebooks.com

*This was a book sent from the publisher for the purpose of a review*

Iwant to say I’m sorry for these being late. I’ve been sick and still am. So if  do not respond to your email give me a day or two.

Now for the winners:

 The 5 lucky winners of LIFE AFTER GENIUS are:

AliyaD

RobynL

John Walker

Quilt Lady

Jasmine

The 5 lucky winners of THE HERETIC’S DAUGHTER are:

John Washington

pixie13

Armenia

Lethea Benson

Quilt Lady

The 5 lucky winners of THE BIBLE SALESMAN are:

Karen K

Andrea

pixie13

Quilt Lady

Linda Henderson

The 5 lucky winners of THE LOVELY BONES are:

RobynL

CrystalB

Mary Anne Gruen

Linda Henderson

Carla Pullum

The 5 lucky winners of CHOSEN BY DESIRE are:

Linda Henderson

Jasmine

Raonaid Luckwell

Tami

Doreen

And the 5 lucky winners of LOVE YOU TO DEATH are:

Bella

Sandi

cherylc

Jane

Melissa

And finally the 5 lucky winners of TO DESIRE A DEVIL are:

Quilt Lady

Melissa

Martha Lawson

CrystalB

ChelseaB

Congratulations to all the winners. You have 72hrs to send me at email to, highlandlovesong@yahoo.com, with your snail mail addy or a new winner will be chosen. If you have already won the book in a previous giveaway or no longer want it, please notify me. NO PO BOXES please. I thank you to everyone who commented and entered my giveaways. I thank the publishers for being so very generous. If you have questions or concerns please let me know and please post here to let me know you have seen this. I look forward to offering more giveaways in the future,so stay tuned.

hugs,

WendyK