Review: Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts

Savor the Moment

Author: Nora Roberts

Publication: Berkley Trade; 1 edition (April 27, 2010)

 

Description: New Love takes the cake in the third novel in Nora Roberts's new Bride Quartet-in a stunning French flap edition

Wedding baker Laurel McBane is surrounded by romance working at Vows wedding planning company with her best friends Parker, Emma, and Mac. But she's too low-key to appreciate all the luxuries that their clients seem to long for. What she does appreciate is a strong, intelligent man, a man just like Parker's older brother Delaney, on whom she's had a mega-crush since childhood.

But some infatuations last longer than others, and Laurel is convinced that the Ivy League lawyer is still out of her reach. Plus, Del is too protective of Laurel to ever cross the line with her-or so she thinks. When Laurel's quicksilver moods get the better of her-leading to an angry, hot, all-together mind-blowing kiss with Del-she'll have to quiet the doubts in her mind to turn a moment of passion into forever...

 

My Thoughts: This was another Nora Roberts "feel good" romance. Laurel is the pastry chef for the wedding planning business that she runs with her friends. I loved the descriptions of the cakes and pastries (and wished for recipes). However, she has a bit of an inferiority complex when it comes to one of her partner's brothers - Del. Del was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and Laurel wasn't. However, Del is also smart, kind, ambitious, protective of his sister and her friends and also drop-dead gorgeous.

 

When Laurel kisses him it forces him to reassess his relationship with Laurel. He has always loved her but now he is edging into being in love with her. Since two of the other partners have found their romances in the first two books of the series and, since they all live and work on the Brown estate, Del and Laurel have lots of advice, support, and input from the others. We see lots of the details of wedding planning as the girls plan and put on beautiful weddings. We also see them on vacation at the beach. There is a great sense of extended family in this series.

 

I am looking forward to the conclusion of this series in November. I believe I know who Del's sister Parker will be matched with. But I am very eager to read the details of their journey to "happily ever after".

 

Challenges: RYOB Reading Challenge

 

April Report 2010

Here is an overview of what I read and what I got in April.  I read 21 books this month. Young Adult Princess for Hire by Lindsey LeavittTwilight the Graphic Novel by Stephenie Meyer and Young KimKin (The Good Neighbors) by Holly Black and Ted NaifehBrightly Woven by Alexandra BrackenKith (The Good Neighbors) by Holly Black and Ted NeifehMistwood by Leah Cypess Middle Grade The Emperor's Code by Gordon KormanLet's Pretend This Never Happened by Jim BentonA Dangerous Engine: Benjamin Franklin, from Scientist to Diplomat by Joan DashA Place for Delta by Melissa Walker Adult Books Born to Be Wild by Christine WarrenBlack Jack by Lora LeighSilver Borne by Patricia BriggsSaltation by Sharon Lee and Steve MillerChangeless by Gail CarrigerSpooky Little Girl by Laurie NotaroBroken by Shiloh WalkerLion's Heat by Lora LeighA River in the Sky by Elizabeth PetersChanges (Dresden Files, Book 12) by Jim ButcherBurning Lamp by Amanda Quick 

And I'm currently reading Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts.  Added This month I added 89 books to my LibraryThing account. Right now 71 are still TBR. Young Adult - 23Middle Grade - 9Kindle Books - 27 Progress on Challenges 

2010 YA Debut Author (Goal = 24 books)January I read 3February I read 3March I read: 4April I read: 3Total to Date: 13 

2010 YA Reading Challenge (Goal = 25)January I read 7February I read 5March I read: 7April I read: 8Total to Date: 19 

Flashback Reading Challenge (Goal = 6)January I read: 0February I read: 1March I read: 2April I read: 0Total to Date: 3 

2010 E Book Reading Challenge (Goal = 20)January I read 4February I read 1March I read: 13April I read: 1Total to Date:19 

RYOB Reading Challenge (Goal = 100)January I read: 16February I read: 12March I read: 19April I read: 17Total to Date: 64 

2010 TBR Reading Challenge (Goal = 12)January I read: 3February I read: 1March I read: 0April I read: 1Total to Date: 5 

Bottoms Up Reading Challenge (Goal = 36)January I read 3February I read 3March I read: 0April I read: 1Total to Date: 7  

In the Middle Reading Challenge (Goal = 10)January I read: 3February I read: 3March I read: 3April I read: 4Total to Date: 13  

Mostly this month was a good reading month. One week was a little disturbed by my attendance at two conferences about children's and young adult books. The conferences were great but they added to my TBR stack rather than allowing me to reduce it.

I also did not do well on reading books that have been on the TBR stack for a while for the Bottoms Up Challenge. I also only read one book on my Kindle this month. I just have one more e-book to read to complete that challenge and raise the number of completed challenges from one to two. I did complete the In the Middle Challenge this month but I am still going to keep track of the number of middle grade books I read.

 

Book Beginnings and Friday 56: Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts

Happy Friday everybody!!

Book Beginnings

Book Beginnings on Friday is a meme hosted by Becky at Page Turners. Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading. If you like, share with everyone why you do, or do not, like the sentence.

Alone, with Norah Jones whispering through the iPod, Laurel transformed a panel of fondant into a swatch of elegant, edible lace.

The Friday 56

Rules:

• 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 Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
• Post a link along with your post back to Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
• Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Both my beginning and my 56 come from Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts. This is the third book in the Bride Quartet following Vision in White and Bed of Roses.

It had been a second home to her for as long as she could remember. Now, of course, it was home. And that lovely house stood only a quick call from the pool house and guest house where her friends lived and worked.

This ought to be a nice, relaxing romance and a perfect way to end the work week.

Review: Burning Lamp by Amanda Quick

Burning Lamp (Book Two in the Dreamlight Trilogy)

Author: Amanda Quick

Publication: Putnam Adult (April 20, 2010)

 

Description: In this second novel of the Dreamlight Trilogy from New York Times-bestselling author Amanda Quick, psychic power and passion collide as a legendary curse comes to a burn...

The Arcane Society was born in turmoil when the friendship of its two founders evolved into a fierce rivalry. Nicholas Winters's efforts led to the creation of a device of unknown powers called the Burning Lamp. Each generation of male descendents who inherits it is destined to develop multiple talents-and the curse of madness.

Plagued by hallucinations and nightmares, notorious crime lord Griffin Winters is convinced he has been struck with the Winters Curse. But even has he arranges a meeting with the mysterious woman Adelaide Pyne, he has no idea how closely their fates are bound, for she holds the missing lamp in her possession.

But their dangerous psychic experiment makes them the target of forces both inside and outside of the Arcane Society. And though desire strengthens their power, their different lives will keep them apart-if death doesn't take them together.

 

My Thoughts: This was another enjoyable historical romance by Amanda Quick. I like that the trilogy is spanning all three and Jayne Ann Krentz's pseudonyms. The first book was the contemporary Fired Up written by Jayne Ann Krentz. The final book will be Midnight Crystal by Jayne Castle and will be the futuristic.

 

This one is the historical. The story begins with Adelaide escaping from the brothel that she has been sold to by putting the man who purchased her to sleep with her talent of manipulating Dreamlight. Mr. Smith wanted to use her talents to control an artifact that he brought with him.

 

The story then continues 15 years later when Adelaide has returned from the United States. While she was away she made a fortune and learned to be very self-sufficient and competent. She meets Griffin Winters who is a local crime boss in London and who is searching for a missing artifact and a woman who can control dreamlight. Without her, he fears that he will go insane. As it happens, Adelaide took the artifact with her when she escaped the brothel and is willing to help Griffin. However, the villain who attempted to use her in the brothel is also searching for the artifact. Griffin and Adelaide must find out who he is and stop him. He is in league with one of Griffin's rival crime bosses too.

 

I liked that we met again some characters from other Amanda Quick books. In an earlier one we had learned about he formation of Jones & Jones Detective Agency. Now we could see how Lucinda and Caleb were getting along. The book is filled with nasty villains and dangerous situations. It is also filled with romance and Adelaide and Griffin learn to trust and love each other. This was a very pleasant read. Fans of the Arcane Society paranormal romances will enjoy this episode.

 

Challenges: RYOB Reading Challenge

  

Contest: Beautiful Malice

Daisy Chain Book Reviews is giving away 5 ARCs of Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James. She gave it a good review. Check out all the details here. You have until May 5 to enter and the contest is International.

 

It's Monday, What are you reading? (April 26, 2010)

It's Monday, What are you reading is a meme hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books. This is what Sheila has to say about this meme:

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I love being a part of this and I hope you do too! As part of this weekly meme I love to encourage you all to go and visit the others participating in this meme. I offer a weekly contest for those who visit 10 or more of the Monday Meme participants and leave a comment. You receive one entry for every 10 comments, just come back here and tell me how many in the comment area.

I had a very busy week this past week and it really cut into my reading time.

On Wednesday I attended a BER workshop entitled "What's New in YA & How to Use It in Your Program" where I learned about lots of YA books in genres that I don't usually read.

On Friday and Saturday I attended the Spotlight on Books Conference. Friday afternoon's speaker was Doug Johnson who showed us many ways to use technology to enhance reading. I actually got to touch and play with an iPad. Friday evening included a series of Lightning Rounds where people had 5 or 15 minutes to tell us something. I have great bibliographies of books to add to my Elementary Media Center collection. On Saturday we heard from Dara Dokas (Muriel's Red Sweater), author/illustrator Henry Cole (A Nest for Celeste), and Ben Mikaelson (Touching Spirit Bear). What a life of adventure that man has lived!

So I came home with autographed books and more to add to my TBR stack but I didn't have much reading time since I drove to and from these conferences.

What I Finished: Changes (Dresden Files, Book 12) by Jim Butcher was filled with adventure, danger and lots of very difficult decisions for wizard Harry Dresden as he attempts to gather all of his resources to rescue the daughter he didn't know he had from the Red Court vampires. This was an excellent book.

What I am Currently Reading: The Burning Lamp by Amanda Quick. I wanted something lighter after reading the Dresden book and hope this fits my needs. I am a big fan of Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick. I like her style and voice and usually find her books to be very engaging and readable.

What Is Coming Next? These are pretty much the same as last week. I am hoping to get to Mistwood by Leah Cypess, The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner, and Romancing the Dead by Tate Hallaway.

However, Burned (House of Night) by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast and Savor the Moment (The Brides Quartet) by Nora Roberts are supposed to land in my mailbox on Thursday this week too. They may jump the line and become my next reads.

That is my plan. We will see how it holds up in execution. What do you have planned?

 

Review: Changes (Dresden Files, Book 12) by Jim Butcher

Changes (Dresden Files, Book 12)

Author: Jim Butcher

Publication: Roc Hardcover; First Ediition/First Printing edition (April 6, 2010)

 

Description: Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden's lover-until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Susan then disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it.

Now Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered a secret Susan has long kept, and she plans to use it-against Harry. To prevail this time, he may have no choice but to embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power. Because Harry's not fighting to save the world...

He's fighting to save his child.

 

My Thoughts: This was another compelling episode in this long-running series. Harry Dresden has had a hard time before. He has solved many problems and faced many enemies. This time the problem comes very close to home when he learns that the daughter he did not know he had has been kidnapped by an old enemy and is scheduled to be sacrificed. Harry must gather all his resources to battle the Red Court vampires and save his daughter.

 

This book does let us connect again with some or our favorite characters from earlier books in the series. Karrin Murphy has a large role, as does Harry's brother Thomas, and his apprentice Molly. Mouse also plays a big role and we learn more about him. We even get to see more of Harry's godmother the Leanansidhe who is described by Molly as "a spooky crazy death Sidhe lady."

 

The title - Changes - is very apt. Harry experiences many in this book. He loses almost everyting. His beloved car is trashed which also causes the loss of his wizard's staff. His home is burned to the ground which causes the loss of his workshop and the tools there. He is stripped bare of the trappings of his life and is left with only the essentials - his will and his character. The smart mouthed character that we have known throughout the series still remains. Butcher's use of descriptive language is excellent. Many of the analogies were unexpected. "Mac's place looks like Cheers after a mild apocolypse" is just one example.

 

I think the big question here for me is "what choice do you make when all of your choices are bad?" or "what are you willing to give up to reach your goal?" One of my favorite quotations from all of the many books I have read comes from Lois McMaster Bujold. It says "Some prices are just too high, no matter how much you may want the prize. The one thing you can't trade for your heart's desire is your heart." Harry comes terrifyingly near trading his heart for what he most desires. Perhaps he has traded his heart. His next adventures might make that clearer.

 

I highly recommend the Harry Dresden series to lovers of urban fantasy. They are thought provoking and filled with fascinating characters and great adventures.

 

Challenges: RYOB Reading Challenge