Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare and Friday 56 Entry

Ever the bold adventures, Lucy Waltham has decided to go hunting for a husband. But first she needs some target practice. So she turns to her brother's best friend, Jeremy Trescott, the Earl of Kendall, to hone her seductive wiles on him before setting her sights on another man. But her practice kisses spark a smoldering passion – one that could send all her plans up in smoke.

Jeremy has an influential title, a vast fortune, and a painful past full of long-buried secrets. He keeps a safe distance from his own emotions, but to distract Lucy from her reckless scheming he must give his passions free rein. Their sensual battle of wills is as maddening as it is delicious, but the longer he succeeds in managing the headstrong temptress, the closer Jeremy comes to losing control. When scandal breaks, can he bring himself to abandon Lucy to her ruin? Or will he risk his heart, and claim her for his own?

MY THOUGHTS:

Tessa Dare's Goddess of the hunt is a first for me and I wasn't sure what to expect the first time I flip the page. I'm not used to reading historical and so I am mostly curious about certain aspects of the writing style and voice as well as the setting and pacing of the story.

Well, my time is not wasted. This novel is enjoyable and romantic. I simply adore the characters, specially Lucy and Jeremy. The romance between the hero and heroine creeps through my mind as I close my eyes to sleep. Scenes are unforgettably wild and funny at times. Lust and seductive? Yes, but there is more to it than that. It shows that you cannot dictate your heart to acquire happiness and contentment, no matter how much you fight against it. And love conquers in many ways. This novel simply shows a story of unexpected love and the emotional battle to fight against it, only to find love in each others arms.

The writing is exquisite and the plot is interesting, enough to keep me going from one chapter to the next.

When I read certain novels, I can't help but compare certain characters. I think of Jeremy as Hugh Jackman from the movie “Kate and Leopold”, with his aristocratic feature, sexy but powerful voice. Tessa Dare creates such believable characters that anyone can relate and cherish. Both Jeremy and Lucy are not perfect at all and that makes them intriguing. They both have weaknesses and personal daemons to fight with. They are funny and annoying and lovable and hateful. They fail and they conquer. They cry and laugh. They make me fall in love and feel the wanting, the craving, the needing – a web of emotions all tangled in one story.

I dare you to read this novel!

Thanks to Christine from The happily ever after blog, for lending me this book. I look forward to reading more of this genre.

SOURCE: Paperback, borrowed

RELEASE DATE: August, 2009

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I am also including this post for my Friday 56 entry today from Tonya's blog. Kinda like killing two birds with one stone ;-).

Here's the rule:

* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
*Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Below is the fifth sentence from Page 56 of Goddess of the Hunt novel:

She reached toward the chessboard, and he caught her hand in his.

Ahem. That's very romantic, isn't it? I know -- I'm romantic at heart in it's simplest form. Really, you've got to believe me!

~

It's Monday! What Are Your Reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Shiela @ book journey -- where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.

I have seen this posting several times now and I just decided to give this a try...

This past week I have read more books than I would normally do. Part of it because work was slow due to the holiday week and part of it was the eagerness of jumping into the wagon of learning and re-learning English for better reading and writing. And one other important part is that I have challenged myself to finish all my 100+ novels (ahem -- hopefully this year) I've just acquired recently from a friend -- Mariana and they were all given for free. I couldn't believe the kindness shown to me even after I carried bags of these books into my tiny bedroom and linger at the thought of reading them all. I treasure my books and having been blessed with more makes my heart leap for joy.

What I have read this past week?

Intimate Enemies by Shana Abe - I love the story and would like to post a separate blog for what I thought about the novel. Christine gave me the idea of reading this and Mariana, well she gave me this book ;-). This is my first Historical Romance (ever!) -- Unfortunately I had this crazy idea of historical being boring and a waste of time -- of course I was wrong, big time. I plan on reading more historical romance in the future and explore other authors.

Holiday in Death by J.D. Robb - The author never cease to amaze me, I still love and enjoy her books, her style of writing, her unique voice. The characters were developed, the romance between Eve and Roarke is still very intimate and the scenes were carefully crafted providing a great appeal to readers of romance and of suspense. Somehow I have my eye on Peabody and McNab -- I really feel a future romance heating up between the two. Those parts were they both hate and annoy each other stage an interesting relationship that could further be developed into romance. I feel it...it's in the air. I must continue to pay attention to their future lives and hope and pray they end up together.

Impulse by Nora Roberts - I needed to re-read this book for a future writing inspiration, particularly building the emotions between two strangers in the island as well as capturing vivid scenery of the ocean, a picturesque hills, a moment next to a cliff, a secluded olive grove, a hiatus feeling to fall for a man of wealth and power. I have loved this novel before and often times I tell myself to revisit the moments with Rebecca and Stephen -- and there I was on that Thursday night reminiscing their love story in that small island of Corfu in Greece.

Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing by Mignon Fogarty - Reading this book was an interest I could not resist. I have been following Grammar Girl's Podcasts for a while but now I own the book as a gift from a friend. It's a quick read for someone like me who crave for learning and needed serious English help.

Fiction Gallery from Gotham Writer's Workshop - This anthology book recommended from my previous teacher contains 25 short but great stories from several acknowledged masters of short fiction as Anton Chekhov, Dorothy Parker, John Cheever, and Raymond Carver as well as such acclaimed contemporary writers as Edwidge Danticat, Pam Houston, Ethan Canin, T,.C. Boyle, Jhumpa Lahiri, and ZZ Packer. If you are interested in reading short stories I think this book is worth a try.



What I plan to read this week?
...more romance...all romance in different time and world...

Wishful thinking to read them all? -- maybe...but I'll find time somehow.

In Which I Finished Them All

Regardless of my demanding priorities and poor time management on my schedules lately I managed to read several novels I’ve been meaning to indulge myself into reading for quiet sometime now. I also realized my best reading hours fall into the time nearing midnight up to the wee hours in which I find it relaxing and more indulging. Here’s the list of what I’ve read so far in no particular order:

LAMENT (the faerie Queen’s deception) by Maggie Stiefvater

The story is about a 16-year old Deirdre Monaghan, a gifted harpist who can see faeries, hear their thoughts, possess certain magical abilities. Then she met Luke who happens to be another gifted musician in a mysterious way and later Dee finds out his connection to the Faerie Queen in which the intensity of her life’s adventure begins. What I love about this book is how the author convinces me to continue on reading after chapter one. It is the part that captures my interest in music through the lyrical words and the emotional tension Dee is experiencing on the stage together with Luke. The scenery and expressions are very touching I could almost hear them sing and play their instruments. I think that this novel is not only suitable for young adults but also for any other adults whose lives are touched not only by faerie stories but also by music of new age. If not for the recommendation of Christine and for loaning this book to me I would have not been able to experience the chance of such vibrant pleasure with the faeries. Thank you.

SOMETHING ABOUT YOU by Julie James

After reading James’ two previous novels – Just the Sexiest Man Alive and Practice Makes Perfect I had been excited waiting for her third and promising novel “Something About You” – so that early Tuesday morning I was ecstatic to get my hands on this novel at BN. And you know what? It was worth the trip because I loved it! The story is about two sworn enemies – a female lawyer Attorney Cameron Lynde and an FBI agent Jack Pallas when their paths met once again during a crime scene. The tension between the two characters is what makes the plot interesting in itself. Of course there’s always that sexual awareness and tension between the two but James has mastered her skills in creating a flirtatious scene into a masterpiece that pulls you all the way to the end of the story. The dialogues are hard to miss and the sophisticated romance it creates is memorable even after you move on to another book.

Lead Me On by Victoria Dahl

The story is about Jane Morgan who maintains a respectable yet boring life as an office manager trying to hide a rough childhood. Then she met William Chase and thus the romance begins – Chase with his tattoo-covered biceps and steel-toed boots reminds her of the past and pulls her into a fantasy-filled moments. There are many sexy-raw-steamy scenes in this novel in which the author could magnetize the reader into... – just like Her leading you on…If you’re not afraid of that kind of magnetic stuff then you should read the novel and see it for yourself.

WAKE by Lisa McMann

The very first novel I’ve read from this author got me into thinking of a dream catcher story by Stephen King or of the TV show “Medium”. It’s nothing like that actually as this young adult novel is about a seventeen-year old Janie getting sucked into other people’s dreams. And those strange moments could happen anytime anywhere she’s close to someone dreaming – like literary asleep dreaming. Some of those dreams haunt her when she met Cabel and became a participant in his dreams. Honestly, the young voice in the story sound believable to me even if the story is fictional and I think it’s because of how the author presents the story in present time – moment by moment events like you’re closely hearing the tic tac sound of a timer. The scenes are vivid it pulls the reader right into the mind of the characters. This book is first in the series and I just also got the Fade the second book. I look forward reading it. Thank you sister Diane for introducing me to McMann! (and Let's go Yankees...)

DARK LOVER by J.R. Ward

The last but not the least of my pleasurable moments is a Dark Lover the first in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I know, I’m so behind with this but it doesn’t matter at all as it wouldn’t take me long to catch up. This is because the novel about vampire story (although the theme has been used and overused for quite awhile) somehow brings unique and fresh thrill into an edgy and entertaining romance between Wrath the leader of the brotherhood and Beth Randall half-human-half-vampire. The sexual tension between the two is the important ingredient in the story filled with trust and love between brotherhood and how they survive against their slayers. What I like about this novel is Ward’s powerful voice injected into the story – its believable dialogues, vivid scenes and dangerous passion between Wrath and Beth. The novel is written in third person but I could see and feel right through each character’s mind and emotion. I also think that the conflict between vampires and slayers as well as between the brotherhood and Wrath are just icing on the cake because the love between our hero and his heroine is what the makes the story a bloody thrill and mesmirizing romance. This book was also loaned to me by Christine – I owe you a lot girl. Thanks.

SO what's next for me in bookblogging? I plan to switch into reading Scifi novel by Ann Aguirre starting with her first in the series “Grimspace” while continuing into the In Death Series by my very own favorite author – J.D. Robb – starting with Holiday in Death. This time I plan to concentrate into hearing the audio book alone I’ve recently borrowed from another friend. You know who you are – thank you.


XoXo,
Natalie

Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James and Something About You Entry

Summary


Payton Kendall and J.D. Jameson are lawyers who know the meaning of objection. A feminist to the bone, Payton has fought hard to succeed in a profession dominated by men. Born wealthy, privileged, and cocky, J.D. has fought hard to ignore her. Face-to-face, they’re perfectly civil. They have to be. For eight years they have kept a safe distance and tolerated each other as coworkers for one reason only: to make partner at the firm. But all bets are off when they’re asked to join forces on a major case. Though apprehensive at first, they begin to appreciate each other’s dedication to the law – and the sparks between them quickly turn into attraction. But the increasingly hot connection does not last long when they discover that only one of them will be named partner. Now it’s an all-out war. And the battle of the sexes is bound to make these lawyers hot under the collar…

Follow up

This is a first for me with Julie James’ novels and I must say I was never disappointed from start to finish because of several reasons. The author stayed to its original plot all way through the story throwing fresh ideas while keeping ambition to make partner at the firm between the two main lawyers as the main focus of the story– Payton and J.D. goes through interesting yet entertaining battles just to prove who is best amongst each other. In truth opposites attracts each other where they come from opposite backgrounds – they are like cats and dogs fighting for years of law practices. The story reminds me of the movie “Laws of Attraction” played by Pierce Brosnan and Juianne Moore only this novel has better appeal and humor written all over it. There are many flirty dialogues they share with each other that add vital spices to the already heating romance between them; I keep on thinking what would happen to the relationship they unintentionally built for eight years after the partnership news is revealed. And I - being a fan of topic about lawyers makes it even more exciting as I never thought I would finish a novel in one night and still manages to get few hours of sleep. This novel is an easy read - a first for me and will never be the last as I am heading back to the store to get her debut romance novel.

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Julie James' Something About You is soon to be released which I look forward for in just few weeks. Here's an excerpt from the site:
 
FATE HAS THROWN TWO SWORN ENEMIES. . .



Of all the hotel rooms rented by all the adulterous politicians in Chicago, female Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Lynde had to choose the one next to 1308, where some hot-and-heavy lovemaking ends in bloodshed. And of all the FBI agents in Illinois, it had to be Special Agent Jack Pallas who gets assigned to this high-profile homicide. The same Jack Pallas who still blames Cameron for a botched crackdown three years ago—and nearly ruining his career…


 . . .INTO EACH OTHER’S ARMS


Work with Cameron Lynde? Are they kidding? Maybe, Jack thinks, this is some kind of welcome-back prank after his stint away from Chicago. But it’s no joke: the pair is going to have to put their rocky past behind them and focus on the case at hand. That is, if they can cut back on the razor-sharp jibes—and smother the flame of their sizzling-hot sexual tension…

Romance Challenge

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It is not so bad to embrace the romantic part in our lives once in a while. We need that little tingling...that spoken words to help us remember love is all around us. Hence, I have decided to join the Romance Challenge hosted by Alaine from "The Royal Reviews" blog and this is my entry.

There were four levels to choose from and my heart leaped for Obsessed (- read 20 Romance Fiction novels in a year). Why not just go all the way and hit a home run right? At least that is what I hear from my heart ignoring the blabbering sound in my head to be practical and think of my already hectic schedule and overrated work load. I can be stubborn like that you know?


So here's my list where I can update regularly of what I have read and TBR as well:
1. Vision in White by Norah Roberts - [completed]
2. Some Kind of Wonderful by Debbie Macomber - [completed]
3. Seaside Letters by Denise Hunter - [completed]
4. Finding the Dream by Norah Roberts - [TBR]
5. Cindy and the Prince by Debbie Macomber - [TBR]
6. Windfall by Norah Roberts - [TBR]
7. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks - [TBR]
8. Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James - [completed]
9. The Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James - [completed]
10. Just One of the Guys by Kristan Higgins - [completed]
11. The Next Best Thing by Kristan Higgins - [completed]
12. Too Hot to Handle by Robin Kye - [TBR]
13. True Love and other Disasters by Rachel Gibson - [TBR]
14. Something about You by Julie James - [completed]
15. Lead Me On by Victoria Dahl - [completed]
16. Dark Lover by J.R. Ward - [completed]