A Governess Tempted

A quick 20 page story dubbed an erotic historical couples' fantasy...not at all what you're expecting with a fun little twist at the end!

Improper Relations

When Hannah's caught watching her late husband's cousin debauch the maid in the library, she's mortified—but also intrigued. An unpaid companion to his aunt, she's used to being ignored.

The black sheep of the family, Leo has nothing but his good looks and noble birth to recommend him. Hannah ought to be appalled at what she's witnessed, but there's something about Leo that draws her to him.

When Leo claims he can prove that women can feel desire as passionately as men, Hannah is incredulous. Her own experiences have been uninspiring. Yet she can't bring herself to refuse his audacious proposal when he offers to tutor her in the art of lovemaking. As the tantalizing, wicked lessons continue, she begins to fear she's losing not just her inhibitions, but her heart as well. The poorest of relations, she has nothing to offer Leo but herself. Will it be enough when their erotic education ends?

This is an historical erotic novella just the way I like them...spicy yet also very sweet, with an unlikely couple you will find yourself rooting for. The story is rich with historical detail, and I especially loved the descriptions of the English countryside when Hannah left the residence of the Marchioness.  Juliana Ross is a fresh new voice in historical romance I hope to see more of in the future.

Cake on a Hot Tin Roof

Pastry chef Rita Lucero's Mardi Gras party turns funereal when one of her guests is found dead after a public fight with her uncle-leaving Rita no choice but to find the real killer and clear her uncle's name...

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but loved this second even more! Set during the fun and chaos of Mardi Gras, we are introduced to Rita's beloved Uncle Nestor and Aunt Yolanda. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out what secrets they were hiding, and hope to find out in subsequent books how they are doing. The mystery had me stumped, with a wealth of suspects. And the fate of the murderer really surprised me in the end. With Rita being a pastry chef, the descriptions of her cake creations had my mouth watering. I love books set in New Orleans...it is a city with the perfect atmosphere for a mystery. Bravo!!!

Kaspar the Titanic Cat

When kaspar the cat first arrived at London’s Savoy Hotel, it was Johnny Trott who carried him in. After all, Johnny was a bellboy and was responsible for all of Countess Kandinsky’s things— including Kaspar. But when tragedy befalls the Countess during her stay, Kaspar becomes more than Johnny’s responsibility: Kaspar is Johnny’s new cat, and his new best friend.

And when Kaspar and Johnny meet Lizziebeth, a spirited young heiress, they find themselves journeying across the Atlantic with Lizziebeth’s family on England’s newest and most magnificent ship, the Titanic. Because there is always adventure in the air with a cat like Kaspar around. After all, he’s Kaspar Kandinsky, Prince of Cats, a Londoner and a New Yorker and, as far as anyone knows, the only cat to survive the sinking of the Titanic. . . .

This book was featured in last weekend's USA Today newspaper, and I love this quote from the review: "The plot is clever, but it is the simple yet subtle writing and insights into human and feline pain that make this one of the best works of fiction published this year."  This book is so special; it is a perfect read for YA fans, cat lovers, history readers. The action on the Titanic is actually a small part of the book, the majority of the story focuses on Johnny's search for a place to belong, his special friendships with the tragic Countess and feisty Lizziebeth, and the love they all share for a very special cat. Written by the author of War Horse, I can only hope this book becomes a movie one day too.

Crops and Robbers

Bailey's Farmer's Market is all abuzz with the impending visit of the Central South Carolina Restaurant Association. Becca is quite excited, especially since her parents are visiting. But when the president of the Association vetoes Becca's strawberry preserves, she finds herself reeling from the snub. After pulling herself together, Becca heads home, only to find the president's body in her kitchen and her mother with bloody hands. Now, Becca has to use her sleuthing skills to get her mom out of this terrible jam...before she winds up preserving in prison.

This fun 3rd entry in Paige Shelton's Farmers' Market mystery series introduces more members of Becca's family...her hippie parents! I loved the role sweet Hobbit played in catching a killer...what a brave little girl! (I hope we get to see her on a book cover soon!) And I really enjoyed the twist in Becca's love life, and look forward to finding out what decisions she makes.

Always Adding to the Wish List

A book addict is never safe from finding new books to add to the wish list. This morning I'm browing the USA Today website, innocently click on the Book section, and BINGO 4 more books I'm coveting. And my will power is weak.

* The House of Velvet and Glass by Katherine Howe. (Oh how I loved The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane!)

*Kaspar the Titanic Cat by Michael Morpurgo (The author of War Horse)

*Kitty Cornered by Bob Tarte

*Giant George_ Life with the World's Biggest Dog by Dave Nasser (Have I ever mentioned how much I adore Great Danes? Look at that face!!!)

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What have you added to your wish list lately?

Book Giveaways

I love scouring blogs for opportunities to win books. I also love receiving ARC's of books to review on my blog. So far I've made it a point to only request books I would have purchased/read anyways. The way I look at it is I'm saving money to buy still more books!

Weeks will go by I don't win a thing. But the past week I've been extremely lucky with my ARC request/blog winning attempts. I've gotten:

* Rest in Pizza by Chris Cavender
* The Cat Sitter's Pajamas by Blaize Clement
* Dawn Comes Early by Margaret Brownley
* Brody by Emma Lang

Let the mailman stalking begin!!!