Tag Archives: books

“Enticed by His Forgotten Lover” by Maya Banks

Rafael is at a very exclusive fund raiser that he’s throwing and bumps into a pregnant woman that claims to know him. He has no memory of her but is intrigued so tracks her down to her hotel room. She not only doesn’t back down but claims he fathered her unborn child as well.

Here’s a quote from Maya Banks’ “Enticed by His Forgotten Lover”, from beginning of the book, that sums up Rafael and Bryony’s relationship while giving us a  glimpse of the mystery that unfolds throughout the story:

“It was hard for him to discern why he was so arrested by her….
“….’Met? Have we met?’ Her voice was barely above a whisper, but he felt each word like the crack of a whip. ‘You sorry bastard!’
“Before he could process the shock of her outburst she nailed him with a right hook….”

I love Maya Banks dialog – it flows into the narration seamlessly. When the narrator, Harry Berkley reads the manuscript there’s no breaks with he said or she said type repetition its perfectly scripted for audio. Harry also gives Rafael’s character depth with the accent he chooses.

“Enticed by His Forgotten Lover” is a mystery romance that will keep you guessing to the end. I enjoy Maya Banks’ descriptive scenes and her ability to make up intriguing characters that I want to learn more about.

Maya is an engaging author, I want to know how it ends so I listen at every opportunity until the very last word. Thanks, Maya for delivering with “Enticed by His Forgotten Lover”.

Also thanks to my local library for providing this title on One Click Digital provided by Hennepin County Library – love this libraries selection of audio and e-books.

You may also purchase audiobook at the link below:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/enticed-by-his-forgotten-lover/id627801063

Or Kindle e-book at the link below:

Book Reviews – Melissa Style

Hi Everyone,

Hope where you are the weather is getting milder, frozen North is still frozen but we have hope – around 40 today so all things are possible.

This is a note on my philosophy on book reviews.  I’m not doing my reviews for money or any sort of compensation – such as free books or other give a ways.

I’m doing my reviews because a librarian once told me to read only what you like when its for entertainment. So I read for enjoyment and hope you’ll be able to pick out books you’ll like based on my reviews.

Since I’m doing this as a way to share my likes you won’t see critical reviews on this site.  Sometimes I wonder why, with our finite time on earth, some feel it necessary to be critical.  You’ll accomplish much more by promoting and supporting authors you like and you’ll feel better when you’re sharing positive energy.

I do the same with any reviews on Amazon or iTunes where my user name is MissMed51.  In those cases it will cover reviews not only on books, but movies, TV or equipment I may need to buy.

This is my soap box talk for tonight – won’t promise never to do another post like this one but will if needed.  A good rule of thumb is this, if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all.  Don’t know who said that but have been hearing it in one form or another all my life and whenever I follow the advice my life goes very smoothly.

Also, one should always remember, each of us has a bias where anything is concerned.  Know the books you enjoy reading and review those. There are many styles – find one that makes you say, yes, this is something I like.

Authors are making their living based on book sales – your opinion matters – make the most of it.  My wish is to help out a few authors while sharing my joy in having shared an imaginary world with them for the length of the book.  Hope you find something in what I write that helps you find your favorite book type that will lead to your next arm chair trip into the jungles of South America or the Carpathian Mountains in Europe. Take some time to travel.

“Dark Witch,” Book One of the Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy by Nora Roberts

IMG_0228.JPG (2) IMG_0235.JPG (2)IMG_0229.JPG (2)Dark Witch Back Cover

I love this book and recommend to all who enjoy well written mystery romance with a little Magick thrown in.

The following quote from Dark Witch, gives us the keys to solve the mystery in Book One, Two and Three.

“Sorcha shook her head as Brannaugh started toward her.  ‘Not yet.  Magick is work.  It gives, and it takes.  It must be finished.’  She reached in the cauldron, drew out three copper amulets.  ‘To Brannaugh the hound, to Eamon the hawk, to Teagan the horse.’  She slipped an amulet over each child’s head.  ‘These are your signs and your shields. ….’” (Dark Witch, copyright 2013 Nora Roberts, written by Nora Roberts pages 14 and 15 published by The Berkley Publishing Group).

The modern story begins with Iona Sheehan.  She’s from Baltimore, Maryland but never felt a part of that place and time.  All of her life she’s heard stories about Ireland from her maternal Grandmother, Nan, and longed to go to County Mayo to live and work.

Iona sells all that she has to fund the trip that will begin her new life in Ireland.  She’s in search of her destiny.  Relying on a map from her Nan, her first stop is to find the Dark Witch, Branna, her cousin.  Branna gives her a place to live and knows of a stable where Iona may be able to find work.

Iona meets Alaster, the wild stallion, at the stable where she gets a job as stable hand.  Alaster is destined to be Iona’s protector.  He is a magnificent animal beautiful in how he yields to Iona’s will.

Boyle McGrath, her new boss, is a force to be reckoned with, big and tough, will he be Iona’s destiny as well?

Dark Witch is a mystery full of adventure, intrigue and the bonds of family both those formed by birth or by will.   The descriptive scenery, witty dialog and well written story bring Iona and her quest to life.  The plot is steadily building throughout the book and comes to fruition at the end.  The story doesn’t end there though, for the next cousin must fight the evil that is even now restoring itself to full strength.  The saga to follow your destiny to overcome evil continues with Shadow Spell Book Two of the Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy, by Nora Roberts, due for release on March 25th, 2014, I’ve got my signed copy coming in the mail soon.

I bought my autographed copy of Dark Witch and Shadow Spell from Turn The Page Bookstore TTPBooks.com 

Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe to Host Nora Roberts Book Signing

Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe to Host Nora Roberts Book Signing
Tomorrow March 22 from 12 – 2 pm Eastern time Click here to find out more information
.

Why I Recommend “Delusion in Death” In Death, Book 35 by J.D. Robb Book & Audiobook?

What do you look for in a good mystery?

First thing I want is a complex crime that takes some time solving. I want a strong detective that thinks through their search in a way I can share. The criminal(s) needs to have some moves that keep police guessing.

These key elements are in every J.D. Robb story. “Delusion in Death” is no exception.

The crime is particularly nasty because friends are viciously killing friends, no apparent reason is on scene, and they are dying in very large numbers.  The time of the murders is also ironic – during Happy Hour.

Eve – a strong, smart female Lieutenant of Detectives at NYPSD – knows there’s more going on than just a bad day.  She starts her investigation with her usual style – all business. Her methodical search gives me a look into the criminal mind and the motives that drive them.

“Delusion in Death” brings out the best in Eve helping her learn more about how she thinks so I, as the reader, find insight into my own thoughts.  Always more than just the main story in J.D. Robb books.  When I study the story I acquire knowledge about human nature, what it takes to keep sanity on a job, and maintain a happy, healthy home life in a stressful career.

Give “Delusion in Death” a look – you won’t be disappointed.

Why try the audiobook? Because Susan Ericksen is the narrator of the series!  She creates characters I recognize from tone and inflection alone.  Emotions come out as the story unfolds.  Better than any old time radio drama by far.

The number one reason to try the audio J.D. Robb writes dialog that’s real (doesn’t describe every conversation with said, or asked, for examples – the text flows together without identifying every nuance of the speech).  You’ll never find yourself keying in on and counting phrases like “he said” or “she said” instead of what the book is about.

Where I buy J.D. Robb is at the following links:

Audiobook:

http://www.audiobookstanddl.com/51FA9AEE-1110-4CCE-AEDD-204FCE8C8D55/10/119/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=75779298-4189-4E72-8A3C-5505161828D1

My Favorite for Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb books, audiobooks and movies:

http://ttpbooks.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=TTPB&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=X35DELUSIONmm

Book and Kindle:

Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe to Host Nora Roberts Book Signing

Link for event details and ordering website is https://TTPBooks.com

When:  Sat., March 22 from 12-2pm EST

Who:  Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb will be signing her work, along with fellow authors Mary Behre, Addison Fox, Cat Johnson, Erika Robuck & Tracy Anne Warren.

Books I bought through the excellent virtual signing option are:

SHADOW SPELL by Nora Roberts book 2 of the Series: The Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy 2 (loved book one – looking forward to book 2).

THE ACCCIDENTAL MISTRESS by Tracy Anne Warren,

SPIRITED by Mary Behre, HE’S THE ONE anthology, with stories by Cat Johnson, Linda Lael Miller, Jill Shalvis,Luck Monroe and Kate Angell,

THE REEF by Nora Roberts (Special Offer),

CHANGE OF HEART by Nora Roberts (Special Offer),

THE MACKADE BROTHERS DEVIN & SHANE by Nora Roberts (Special Offer). 

I’ve been getting books from Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe since last July, safe and secure on the website and in person.  Check them out.

Can not wait for “The King” to come out by J.R. Ward

A friend of mine loves this author – I think I should give J.R. Ward another look. Thanks for sharing and reviewing:)

Release Date for MIRANDA WARNING, Audio Version of God’s Daughter, & Call Out for Early Readers

Love mysteries on audiobooks reminds me of old-time radio drama. Thanks for sharing I’ll be watching for “God’s Daughter,” by Heather Day Gilbert

“Whispers in the Dark” by Maya Banks – Romantic Thriller

What makes this KGI Series Book 4 a must read?

When a tough man is nearly broken its a story but when a woman this man has never met steps in with an empathetic gift to bring him comfort and new hope you have a Maya Banks romantic thriller.

Fast paced novel with lots of twists and turns but throughout you never give up hope. The images that Maya Banks writes about are still in my mind, when the hero is searching for his rescuer she describes what’s around her. Its as if I can still remember the smell of pine – the writing a vivid intense artwork.

When you finish you’ll want to read about Shea’s sister, Grace, a class act that wants the best for Shea.

Great story of family love and what really goes into defining a true clan.

Since I also benefited from the audio version of this book, I wanted to say that Harry Berkeley does a first class job with creating distinct voices for every character. Hearing the story really brings it to life.

I hope you all get the chance to experience “Whispers in the Dark,” its not your average thriller but something more.

Below is the image for Book 5, Grace’s book.

Echoes at Dawn

Here are some links to where you may find the Whispers in the Dark (I’m also thankful to Hennepin County Library for providing this excellent work on OneClickDigital last link listed below::

https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/whispers-in-dark-kgi-novel/id533299033
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/whispers-in-the-dark/id453095699?mt=11
http://hennepinmn.oneclickdigital.com/Login.aspx

Link

Enticed by His Forgotten Lover

Enticed by His Forgotten Lover

New York Times best-selling author Maya Banks presents a story of lost love and new beginnings.

This novel grabs you and won’t let go – recommend for all that love a good mystery/romance.

Listening to this title today courtesy  of OneClickDigital an excellent source of audiobooks from Hennepin Count Library

See http://www.hclib.org/pub/

Love the selection at this library in Minneapolis MN. Be sure to support your local libraries – so much more than just books are shared – check yours out today.