Too Good to Be True

A Bride Unveiled (The Bridal Pleasures #2) by Jillian Hunter

Summary: Violet Knowlton is betrothed to the sensible, if tedious, Sir Godfrey Maitland. When Godfrey escorts her to a fencing demonstration, she looks forward to the adventurous diversion, but everything changes when she realizes the swordsman displaying his skill-and dashing good looks- is none other than her childhood friend Kit.

Soon the flames of their forbidden past ignite into a passion neither can refuse. Although Violet has been promised to another, Kit remains her first and only love. He vows he will possess her, no matter what stands in his way...

Review: A sweet romance between two childhood friends that suffered from the unbelievable thoughts and actions of a few of the main characters.

It was nice to read about a main male character who wasn’t nobility, especially a duke. It was nice to see a character that came from nothing and make something of himself. I really did like Kit. He was a great character, although he certainly wasn’t as bad as he made himself out to be. Violet was nice enough I suppose although she didn’t have too much fire to her, at least when she got older. I honestly preferred the foursome when they were children.

I know there is a cheating aspect to this book that many people didn’t enjoy. That honestly didn’t bother me. What did bother me was how quickly everything comes to a head with Violet, Kit, and Godfrey. I couldn’t believe that everyone, including Godfrey, would be so ok with Violet breaking off the engagement with Godfrey and marrying Kit. Violet’s aunt raised her to be respectable and a lady and was so afraid of Violet turning into her mother. But she suddenly decides she has quashed Violet’s spirit and that she must do right by Violet. I didn’t believe that sudden change of heart.

Rating:

Recommendation: I would recommend this book to those that enjoy romances about childhood friends becoming lovers. 

Fields of Elysium Book Blast

Fields of Elysium by A.B. Whelan

How can love mend a heart full of hate?

Small town girl, Molly Bennett, moves to Los Angeles where she becomes an outsider while attending Beverly Hills High School. It seems life cannot be any more dreadful. Then one day after school, something magical happens. On a secluded hike in the Hollywood Hills, Molly chases her disobedient mutt and only friend into a hidden cavern. She stumbles upon a strange glimmering gateway that transports her to Arkana, a planet that is the cradle of an advanced human race. There, teenagers navigate amazing flying vehicles, compete in perilous games for glory, and possess supernatural powers. While Molly tries to wrap her mind around this unbelievable discovery, she meets the alluring and mysterious Victor Sorren. He is a Sentinel Apprentice, whose hatred toward people from Earth is beyond understanding. Yet every time Victor unpredictably saves Molly's life, his heart draws closer to hers, no matter how much he tries to fight against it. It further complicates things that their growing friendship is strictly forbidden. Earth people are prohibited in Arkana, yet Molly continues to cross through the portal to Arkana to see Victor. Torn between their double lives, they go down a dangerous path, from where there is no return and multiple endings.

Fields of Elysium is a suspenseful, romantic tale full of forbidden secrets, unimaginable danger, deception, and the never-ending fight for true love.

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PRAISE

"The novel's take on otherworldly travel is a compelling one, and the romantic plot will likely appeal to Twilight fans." - Kirkus Reviews

"I expected a good love story with a paranormal twist. I got so much more. I think you should take the chance and read it. Let this book take you on the adventure, fall in love." - Young Adult and Teen Readers

"Fields of Elysium is a fabulous read. ... Whelan paints her faith into the fabric of her story with deft, light brushstrokes, making her work accessible to all, no matter their spiritual beliefs or background." - Readers Favorite

"I escaped into this fantasy world, author, A.B.Whelan, created and I didn’t want Molly to go. From detailed descriptions, to sweet romance, and to all the twist and turns in the story, it had me captivated from page one." - Mary Ting, author of the Crossroads Saga

"Whelan's writing is very vivid and descriptive. It's more formal than the average YA novel, but I enjoyed the lyrical and mesmerizing quality to it. I thought the overall story read like a fairy tale--very sweet." - Megan Thomason, author of Daynight

Author A.B. Whelan

A.B.Whelan is a Hungarian born, American writer. She currently lives with her husband and two children in Southern California.
While growing up in a wealthy Eastern European family, she had a chance to travel Europe. Later as an adult, she visited Africa and the Middle East and lived in Ecuador and in Crete.

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$50 Book Blast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash plus a gift bag of one signed copy of Fields of Elysium, a scrabble-tile pendant with a butterfly image on a chain necklace, and a fridge magnet.

Ends 3/11/13

Gift Bag open to US only.  If winner is international they will receive only the gift card or paypal cash.
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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The Divinities Series Book Blurb Blitz

Title: Forgotten Visions

Series: The Divinities #1

Author: Lia Davis

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing

Format: Ebook

Length: 62,000 words

Purchase: Soul Mate Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ARe

Book Description:

Kalissa Bradenton isn’t your average coffee shop owner. Born to an elite witch bloodline with a rare genetic mutation, she’s a Divinity on a mission. The death of her parents sends her away from her Maxville, Florida, home and into an ancient war between witches and demons. When childhood friend Ayden Daniels comes to her aid after an almost fatal accident, visions of a past she doesn’t remember sparks an old flame and new desires. With the past slowly becoming clearer, she eagerly sets her sights on mending Ayden’s heart and gaining his trust–until a ghost from her past returns to claim her as his demonic mate.

Ayden, the new Sheriff of Maxville and grandson of the oldest living Divinity, is investigating a series of Divinity killings. When he comes face-to-face with the one woman he hopes to have little to no contact with, old pain rises, quickly followed by anger and resentment. Through his rare power of adaptability, he learns actions from the past may not be what they seem. Hope fills his broken heart and determination pushes him to do whatever it takes to win Kalissa’s heart once more before he loses her forever.

Together they must find the strength to mend their tormented souls, while fighting an evil out to destroy the world.

Title: Death's Storm

Series: The Divinities #2

Author: Lia Davis

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Self Published

Format: Ebook

Length: 42,000 words

Purchase: Amazon |  B&N | ARe | Kobo

Book Description:

Technical genius and demi-goddess--aka Divinity--Khloe Bradenton relies on no one for help, and she definitely doesn’t need comfort from anyone other than her twin. After her parents died by the demons’ hands over two years ago, she has graciously stepped up to her place in the war between demons and witches. When a creature far more dangerous than the ones responsible for killing her parents claims he is her guardian, she is torn between her desires for the dark predator and the painful loss she has endured at the hands of her enemies.

One of the last death demons still in existence, Jagger has pledged his life to the Goddess Hecate. Charged with the guardianship over the Divinities, he is never to approach them, but to aid them from a distance. When the firestorm, Khloe, sacrifices herself to save her twin and best friend and becomes the prey, he has no chose but to reveal himself to her. He is taken by surprise when the need to claim her as his own emerges. A desire he has never felt before could be more dangerous than the demons out to destroy them.

About the Author:

Lia Davis is a mother to two young adults and two very special kitties, a wife to her soul mate, a paranormal romance author, graphic designer, and co-owner to Fated Desires Publishing, LLC. She and her family live in Northeast Florida battling hurricanes and very humid summers. But it’s her home and she loves it!

An accounting major, Lia has always been a dreamer with a very activity imagination. The wheels in her head never stop. She ventured into the world of writing and publishing in 2008 and loves it more than she imagined. Writing and designing are stress relievers that allow her to go off in her corner of the house and enter into another world that she created, leaving real life where it belongs.

Her favorite things are spending time with family, traveling, reading, writing, chocolate, coffee, nature and hanging out with her kitties.

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It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Book Journey. This meme lets you show fellow readers what you have read, what you are reading, and what you will be reading.

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Red Madrassa Tour: Review and Top Ten Authors List

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Red Madrassa by Terah Edun

A magical accident threw them together. But when Fate holds all the cards, it can be impossible to tell the difference between pure chance and Destiny...

The Madrassa, a magical school for mage practitioners, is the stuff of legend. With selective entrance exams and quotas for only the most advanced of mage children, it's almost impossible to attend.

When Allorna, a guardian trainee for the royal family, ends up on the doorstep of the citadel on the eve of the final day of a recruitment ceremony, she decides it must be fate.

She was sure she knew the path her life would take before she enrolled. But sometimes life has a way of throwing in magical curveballs and strange friends, just to see if you’ll trip up.

Oh, and one of those friends is a mage accused of murder, another is a slightly psychotic dragon, the third a healer facing an existential crisis, and the last is a female storm-caller with more hidden secrets than a thief lord.

Do they all belong at the new school they call home?

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Review: Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a review.

An enjoyable story of five people thrown together in an elite magical school with plenty of antics and adventure. 

I'm always a sucker for a story involving a magic school. I blame Harry Potter the most. Who wouldn't want to be a wizard? I really liked how the Madrassa school was set up with eight schools or specialties and the ability to sub specialize or cross specialize in another area. The classes were well thought out and very detailed with a good dose of variety. I really liked how magic was explained, the different types, and all the myriad ways it could be used. 

As much as I liked the classes, every class that each character went to was detailed. It could get a little repetitive at times. While I was glad that everyone was able to get in, I was still surprised that everyone wound up there and decided to go along with the idea that they were there to take entrance tests. How did they get there and why? Was there something or someone behind their meeting at the Madrassa school? Very little time passed in the book (perhaps a few days) and I am eager to see how everyone gets on for the rest of the year.

Rating:






Recommendation: I would recommend this book to fans of young adult fantasy, especially stories involving magic schools.

Author Terah Edun

Terah Edun is a young adult  fantasy writer born and raised in the Atlanta metropolitan area, who transplanted to the Northeast region for college, and now lives in South Sudan. She writes the stories that she always loved to read as a young girl.

She prefers tales of adventure, magic, fellowship and courtship – in other words high fantasy. But she’s not adverse to the occasional contemporary fantasy coming her way. Sometimes you’ll see cloaks, daggers, independent and strong girls, independent and strong guys, sweet and soft spoken girls, sweet and soft spoken guys, markets, cute guys, sparkly magic and irritatingly know-it-all boys. The book she’s currently working on is SWORN TO RAISE,  the first in the Courtlight series.

Outside of writing, she’s a international development professional with a penchant for Starbucks.

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Top Ten Authors List

Tamora Pierce 

Cinda William Chima
Elle Casey
Mercedes Lackey
Jim Butcher
Kristin Cashore
Anne Bishop
Michelle Sagara
Richelle Mead
Naomi Lane

There are a couple of excellent indie authors mixed in there. Hope you check them out!

Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card & Red Madrassa Ebook
5 Ebooks of Red Madrassa

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Just Marry Him Already!

One Night Scandal by Christie Kelley

Summary: A Night with a Marquess

Born on the wrong side of the blanket, matchmaker Sophie Reynard understands the consequences of unbridled desire all too well. Despite the many highborn friends she has matched, falling in love with an aristocrat without a pedigree of her own would be an act of futility. But that doesn’t stop her from succumbing to one evening of anonymous passion…

A Lifetime of Desire

Nicholas Tenbury, Marquess of Ancroft, knows nothing of Sophie’s lineage. He knows only that the enchanting beauty captured his heart in one night and then fled, leaving no trace of her identity. But when he seeks answers from London’s finest matchmaker, he finds none other than the woman herself—stubbornly refusing to acknowledge the attraction they share! Now the enamored Marquess has no choice but to sway Sophie with seduction…

Review: A meh romance with decent characters, but a lot of “I can’t marry you because I’m a bastard so I would ruin your reputation.”

I picked this book out at the library due it being a romance (I need to read five this month for a book challenge) and starting with the letter O (another book challenge). The cover and story only appealed to me a little. I also wish I had known it was the fifth in a series. I tried seeing if it was part of a series, but I saw nothing that told me it was. With romance novels, you don’t necessarily have to read them in order, but I still hate reading books in a series out of order.

I honestly didn’t understand Sophie’s extreme instant attraction to Nicholas and vice versa. They are both strangers to each other and don’t know anything about the person’s past, including any diseases. I did really like Nicholas. He was a kind, caring, and considerate man. Sophie was ruled too much by her passions and she often didn’t stop to think about what she was doing. I really got tired of Sophie refusing to marry Nicholas even though he obviously cared about her a great deal. Just marry him already!

Rating:

Recommendation: As I haven’t read the other books in the series, I cannot recommend the series sight unread, but I believe that people who enjoy Regency romance might get some enjoyment out of this book, and possibly the series.

The Super Special Moron

The Accidental Demon Slayer by Angie Fox

Summary: Newly anointed with demon-fighting powers and suddenly able to hear the thoughts of her hilarious Jack Russell terrier, a preschool teacher finds a whole new world of dark and dangerous, including a sexy shape-shifting griffin she's not entirely sure she can trust.

Review: A confusing plot, a whiny main female character, and the standard “I shouldn’t trust you/like you/love you, etc, but you’re hot so it’s ok” male character.

I really wish the plot was clearer and at least some things explained. It really hindered my enjoyment of this book when I couldn’t understand why something was happening or why Lizzie was doing this, but not that. My biggest questions were: why did she have to be thirty before she came into her powers? Why can’t witches kill demons and why does their magic seem to be so ineffectual? What made Lizzie so special (besides the seemingly requisite of main female characters being super special)?

I didn’t like Lizzie. She whined so much, complained about her adoptive parents (whom I suspect had a lot more reason to complain about her), was ungrateful, and of course fell for the person who her instincts told her not to trust. I get that hot guy is hot, but what else? Just because your body had a physical reaction, doesn’t mean you should keep trying to get in the hot guy’s pants if your instincts warn you away. People have been seriously hurt and killed in real life when they don’t trust their instincts. Lizzie’s an idiot.

Rating:

Recommendation: I would recommend this to big fans of supernatural/paranormal fiction with romance involved. 

It’s a Small World After All

The Evolution of Human Intellect: Discover the Information that Schools and Religions Aren't Yet Teaching by L.N. Smith

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a review.

Summary: Why did women lose their facial hair during evolution? Where did the notion of god(s) come from? Why did self-awareness arise in the torso before migrating behind the eyes? What transition sparked the feud between science and religion? All of these questions have simple and logical answers, which are entertainingly revealed in the form of two amusement park attractions.

Review: A relatively short, but still an intriguing and powerful way to look at human development.

I will admit to being thrown off by the book being told through a Disney ride. I honestly think it could have been told without the Disney ride aspect. It didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story. I just found it odd. An incredible amount of time is covered in this book and while they are large gaps of time, most of the important time periods and moments in time are dealt with.

I personally think that our history does lend itself to the idea of a journey into enlightenment and growth (which is how I saw it), but not perfectly due to some civilizations going much farther than others, some reverting back to an earlier form, and some going farther and then reverting. Despite that, I found the stages of human evolution very logical although some of the concepts I didn’t agree with or saw no evidence for. The book is definitely worth a read though. The philosophic and religious implications make it worth reading.

Rating:

Recommendation: I would recommend this book to those interested in philosophy, the history of religion, or the evolution of human culture. 

The Politics of the Maid

The Maid and the Queen: The Secret History of Joan of Arc by Nancy Goldstone

Summary: The untold story of the extraordinary queen who championed Joan of Arc. 

Politically astute, ambitious, and beautiful, Yolande of Aragon, queen of Sicily, was one of the most powerful women of the Middle Ages. Caught in the complex dynastic battle of the Hundred Years War, Yolande championed the dauphin's cause against the forces of England and Burgundy, drawing on her savvy, her statecraft, and her intimate network of spies. But the enemy seemed invincible. Just as French hopes dimmed, an astonishingly courageous young woman named Joan of Arc arrived from the farthest recesses of the kingdom, claiming she carried a divine message-a message that would change the course of history and ultimately lead to the coronation of Charles VII and the triumph of France.

Now, on the six hundredth anniversary of the birth of Joan of Arc, this fascinating book explores the relationship between these two remarkable women, and deepens our understanding of this dramatic period in history. How did an illiterate peasant girl gain access to the future king of France, earn his trust, and ultimately lead his forces into battle? Was it only the hand of God that moved Joan of Arc-or was it also Yolande of Aragon?

Review: An informative history of Joan of Arc, which also provides a basic overview of the Hundred Years’ War

I’ve wanted to read this book for a while now, especially after playing Jeanne D’Arc, a videogame for the PSP. Before reading about the Hundred Years’ War, all I knew about Joan of Arc was that she saved France. From my pervious reading, I learned that her time did not last long and she was only able to win a few battles before being captured by the English. It doesn’t sound very impressive, but her story really is impressive. Those few battles she won were very important and helped to spur France on.

This book was such a great read since I had never thought about what brought Joan of Arc out of obscurity. There were other mystics that appeared during this time period, but none had the popularity of Joan. It was Yolande of Aragon who helped bring Joan to the forefront. Yolande wanted to see Charles become crowned as king and would do anything to achieve that goal. I don’t know if Yolande actually believed in Joan or was using her as a pawn. This book makes a lot of assumptions and I’m sure how truthful they actually are. I’ll have to read more about the Hundred Years’ War.

Rating:

Recommendation: I would recommend this to anyone interested in Joan of Arc or the Hundred Years’ War.

A Truly Horrific Horror

The Evil Visitor by Fernando Sobenes

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a review.

Summary: Northern Kuwait, 1991. The first Persian Gulf War.

Peter Donovan, a US Army lieutenant leads a group of soldiers into an
ambush in the Iraqi desert. The fight begins and the enemies get
massacred. Hearing a terrible child cry, trying to help, he encounters a
terrifying force in a grave beneath the sands of the desert where he
has unknowingly pocketed an amulet that contains enormous power. Evil
takes him to death's door, yet he is able to escape.

Years later, Peter, now a civilian and a small town sheriff, unwittingly opens
a door for that ancient evil with a what many consider to be a child's
game, the Ouija Board. Donovan enlists the help of Father Josh Carter, a
Catholic priest beset by his own doubts, in his effort to fight this
paranormal threat.

Will evil destroy them? Will they be able to save those they love or will evil triumph and send them all to hell?

Review: An extremely graphic horror story, that is not for the faint of heart, about pure evil.

I must admit that I am not a big fan of horror, be it in book or movie form. So while I don’t read it often, I do enjoy a good horror on occasion. I decided to read this book mainly due to not having read a horror novel in a while and the religious aspect associated with the horror. Religious mythology lends itself well to horror stories and Christianity is no exception. As a warning, this book does feature some derogatory views of Catholicism and is very violent, why may upset some people.

I very rarely have a problem with violence in books. In this book, it seemed like the author was trying to stick in as much violence as possible. I had a very visceral reaction to this book, some of it good and some of it bad. Some specific instances of violence came very close to becoming triggers for me. While I did enjoy this book, the writing was stilted at points and the translation, mainly with verb tenses, could have used some work. The ending might be unsatisfactory to some, but I liked it.

Rating:






Recommendation: I would recommend this book to those that enjoy horror, especially religious based horror, but people of the Catholic faith or people who do not like gratuitous violence or people who have had past traumatic experiences should think twice about reading this book.

Say It's Not True!

Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard

Summary: James A. Garfield was one of the most extraordinary men ever elected president. Born into abject poverty, he rose to become a wunderkind scholar, a Civil War hero, and a renowned and admired reformist congressman. Nominated for president against his will, he engaged in a fierce battle with the corrupt political establishment. But four months after his inauguration, a deranged office seeker tracked Garfield down and shot him in the back. 

But the shot didn’t kill Garfield. The drama of what hap­pened subsequently is a powerful story of a nation in tur­moil. The unhinged assassin’s half-delivered strike shattered the fragile national mood of a country so recently fractured by civil war, and left the wounded president as the object of a bitter behind-the-scenes struggle for power—over his administration, over the nation’s future, and, hauntingly, over his medical care. A team of physicians administered shockingly archaic treatments, to disastrous effect. As his con­dition worsened, Garfield received help: Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, worked around the clock to invent a new device capable of finding the bullet. 

Meticulously researched, epic in scope, and pulsating with an intimate human focus and high-velocity narrative drive, The Destiny of the Republic will stand alongside The Devil in the White City and The Professor and the Madman as a classic of narrative history.

Review: An incredibly emotional tale of James A. Garfield, his assassination, and his assassin. 

Garfield has the dubious honor of being the second president ever assassinated. I've been wanting this book for a while now and I'm glad to see that it didn't disappoint. I knew very little about Garfield except that he had been assassinated and died due to poor medical care. This book really brings the main characters in the tale to life. 

Garfield's assassination and death were so tragic and terrible and what's worse, could have been readily available had proper medical care been taken. It really was such a different time back then. I can't imagine a president not having a secret service to protect him nor having people being unaware of germs and when being told about germs, don't believe they exist. Doctors not washing their hands or their instruments. 

I felt like I really got to know Garfield and started to really care about what happened to him. I knew what was going to happen, but I kept hoping beyond hope that Garfield wouldn't get shot, that everything would be ok. Should Guiteau have been killed? Yes, he killed the president, but he seemed very delusional and might not have been in full command of his mental facilities. 

Rating:

Recommendation: I would recommend this book to anyone interested in presidential history, medical history, or American history. 

Just a Tad Bit Complicated

A Grand Complication: The Race to Build the World's Most Legendary Watch by Stacy Perman

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a review.

Summary: Two wealthy, powerful men engage in a decades-long contest to create and possess the most remarkable watch in history. James Ward Packard of Warren, Ohio, was an entrepreneur and a talented engineer of infinite curiosity, a self-made man who earned millions from his inventions, including the design and manufacture of America’s first luxury car—the elegant and storied Packard. Henry Graves, Jr., was the very essence of blue-blooded refinement in the early 1900s: son of a Wall Street financier, a central figure in New York high society, and a connoisseur of beautiful things—especially fine watches.

Then, as now, expensive watches were the ultimate sign of luxury and wealth, but in the early twentieth century the limitless ambition, wealth, and creativity of these two men pushed the boundaries of mathematics, astronomy, craftsmanship, technology, and physics to create ever more ingenious timepieces.

In any watch, features beyond the display of hours, minutes, and seconds are known as “complications.” Packard and Graves spurred acclaimed Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe to create the Mona Lisa of timepieces—a fabled watch that incorporated twenty-four complications and took nearly eight years to design and build. For the period, it was the most complicated watch ever created. For years it disappeared, but then it surfaced at a Sotheby’s auction in 1999, touching off a heated bidding war, shattering all known records when it fetched $11 million from an anonymous bidder.

New York Times bestselling author Stacy Perman takes us from the clubby world of New York high society into the ateliers of the greatest Swiss watchmakers, and into the high-octane, often secretive subculture of modern-day watch collecting. With meticulous research, vivid historical details, and a wealth of dynamic personalities, A Grand Complication is the fascinating story of the thrilling duel between two of the most intriguing men of the early twentieth century. Above all, it is a sweeping chronicle of innovation, the desire for beauty, and the lengths people will go to possess it.

Review: An intriguing story of two very different men with a similar passion.

I enjoy clocks, mechanical clocks anyways. Digital watches give me no pleasure. I love old clocks with gears and lots of moving parts. When I have a house one day I am going to get a beautiful grandfather clock for it. I also love the tick-tock sound they make. In short, I was very interested to read about the most complicated watch ever made. Despite the title, this book focuses mainly on Packard and Graves and the competition between them to create the world's most complicated watch. It's an interesting story, but I had been hoping for more about the world's most complicated watch and how it mechanically works. 

I must admit that I really didn't like Graves. Both Packard and Graves were rich, but Packard made his own wealth. This book is about the competition between them, but beyond Graves mentioned Packard once, I am very curious as to how they knew about each other and their desire to have more complicated watches. A lot of this book was a catalogue of watches and their complications. I would have liked to have more explanation or at least pictures of the complications mentioned. 

Rating:

Recommendation: I would recommend this book to those interested in watches and timekeeping or Packard.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Book Journey. This meme lets you show fellow readers what you have read, what you are reading, and what you will be reading.

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A Need So Insatiable Cover Reveal

A Need So Insatiable

by Cecilia Robert

Release Date: Winter 2013!

Genre: Contemporary romance

Cover Designed by: Najla Qambar

Summary from Goodreads:

“I’ve never bowed or kneeled for anyone,” Rafael said. “Never thought I would.” Then he was on his knees. He slid his arms around my waist, tugging me closer and bowed his head.

“You own me, Sophie.” He looked up, his dark eyes hitting me with enough force to snatch the breath from my lungs. “You’ve owned me from the moment I walked into your life in that music room. Then I saw you slipping out the window like the wolves were after you and I knew I wanted you in my life. You’ve wrapped yourself in my heart and mind. I can’t get you out. I don’t want to.”

Graduate opera singer, Sophie Fisher’s life is on fire and it’s not her breathtaking voice lighting it, but the trail of debts her father left behind after he passed away a few months ago. If she’s not ducking around corners or slipping out of windows to escape the debt collectors and a slew of characters sent from hell, she’s dealing with her rebellious fifteen-year-old sister, Lilli, who is still coming to terms with their father’s death. And as if that’s not enough, Rafael Van Rees bursts into her life—literally—bringing with him a set of emotions she isn’t prepared to deal with and a life the public had no idea of.

Rafael Van Rees, Maestro extraordinaire, just wants to be left in peace to date whichever woman he feels like, have dinner with whomever he feels like, and just enjoy his life. Until he meets Sophie and his past returns to haunt him. And just when he thought he didn’t care about her, his history proves him wrong. He knows when it comes to her, it’s all or nothing. Besides, she makes him feel fuzzy all over.

Is Sophie’s fire hot enough to melt the ice coursing through his veins?

About the Author

Cecilia Robert lives in Vienna with her two children, has an incurable obsession with books, anything romantic, TV and medieval architecture. When not working in her full time job, catching up with her two children, writing or reading, she can be found, knitting or crocheting, taking photos of old buildings.

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