Wicked It Is!

Maya Rodale’s, The Bad Boy Billionaire’s Wicked Arrangement is a fantastic short story. It is the contemporary version of Rodale’s Wicked Wallflower, but in a modern setting. This novella has all the traditional elements that a traditional Rodale book contains. Set with interesting characters and witty dialogue, and fantastic writing make this first book is simply enjoyable. My only complaint is that it is too short.  Without giving away too much of the tale, Jane is the wallflower in this modern setting, and Duke well he’s the rich and powerful one.  She believes herself to be boring and spinster like and he’s known for being that traditional bad boy. When Jane and Duke both need a way to mask their true selves for their own goals, a very romantic weekend excursion ensues. Fans of Maya Rodale will no doubt enjoy this book and having not read The Wicked Wallflower previous to this I did not feel the least bit lost. If you enjoy quick serials I would highly suggest grabbing a copy of this novella that is sure to delight readers.

ARC provided by Harper Collins 4 ½ Stars

A Sweet and Delightful Historical Romance

With Lady Vivian Defies a Duke Samantha Grace, once more proves that she has the writing talents to run with the big names like Quinn, James and Jefferies. She has been on my auto buy list since the release of Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel and continues to rise into a beloved personal favorite author to read. I am waiting for a Samantha Grace book that I do not enjoy. I have enjoyed each and every one of her book releases. Lady Vivian Defies a Duke is no exception to this.  

Lady Vivian Defies a Duke is a quick and sweet read. It is the fourth book in Grace’s Beau Monde series, but it can be read on its own without feeling lost. Lady Vivian is vivacious and strong willed; she has a spark of life that sometimes is lacking in historical romance. Luke Forrest, the Duke of Foxhaven; who wants to avoid the duties that come with the title, including his betrothal to Lady Vivian. However the more he gets to know this charming lady the more he begins to want her. Their path to happiness is one that is paved with several pitfalls partially caused by Lady Vivian’s hoydenish ways.  An old enemy of Luke’s also arrives on the scenes attempting to put a wedge between the two love birds.

Lady Vivian Defies a Duke is a wonderful read. It is an example of the very reason I fell in love with historical romance genre. The characters are great, they are fresh and fun and the romance is sweet without the new normal of page after page of steamy sex scenes. I would recommend Lady Vivian and all of the previous four Beau Monde books to anyone who is looking for that feel good historical romance.

Arc provided by Netgalley. 4 ½ Stars.

A Wonderful Conclusion for Julianne and The Professor!

Let me first start by saying that of all the young/mature protagonist stories romances out there these days the Gabriel’s Inferno series has been a personal favorite on a lot of levels. I highly recommend this series of books to anyone that enjoys a well written romance. Gabriel’s Redemption was my most anticipated tale of 2013, and it does not disappoint.

Sylvain Reynard’s Gabriel’s Redemption is the final book in the Gabriel’s Inferno series. I will state that with many other series you can read the books out of order but with Inferno I highly suggest that they be read in order as the books build up on each other.

Gabriel’s Redemption is that timeless love lost, love found story line. If you’ve read the first two books then you will understand the rocky road that Gabriel and Julianne have traveled.  The book itself picks up right where Gabriel’s Rapture leaves off. In Redemption readers will see a much more mature Julianne, especially when she stands up for her interpretation of Dante against a well known Dante specialist. The story also delves deeper into Gabriel’s dark past as the couple begins to discuss having a family. Family is a major story arc within Redemption among many of the characters involved.  

Gabriel’s Redemption is about the struggle with fear and guilt and making those right choices. It is about coming to terms with the past and accepting that which cannot be changed. It is also a tale about love and how the right love can ease past pains and carve a path towards a bright future. For Julianne and Gabriel the story is about taking those risks to ensure their happily ever after.

 I found this book to be a bit lighter than the previous books in the series, and loved the Superman references that popped up from time to time.  It is very well written, and unlike others in the genre it is more sensual than sexual.  Gabriel’s Redemption was the perfect way to close out the Inferno series and for those that have followed the series from the beginning it is a must have book. I loved seeing Julianne and Gabriel find their HEA.

4 ½ Starred Recommended Read

Boom! Laura Kaye Has Done it Again!

It’s really tough to find a Laura Kaye book that isn’t enjoyable and well written and Hard as it Gets is no exception! It is edgy, fast paced and oh so steamy.  Hard as it Gets is the first book in Laura’s Hard Ink series and this particular book really has everything that a well written contemporary romance should have. Ride along with Becca and Nick on this fantastic thrill ride, their chemistry simply explodes off the pages with plenty of heart and sizzle. The suspense in the story is tight and keeps readers going.  The action starts from the first chapter and clips along at a well honed pace that only a seasoned author can bring.  All along the way readers will meet some fascinating secondary characters whose personalities will make you fall in love.

Easily a 4 ½ Top Star book. 

Roxanne St.Clare Scores Another Winner.

Roxanne St. Claire has been one of my it authors for as long as I can remember. Barefoot by the Sea the fourth book in her fantastic Barefoot Bay series is no exception. St. Claire once more proves that she can pen a vibrant and heart touching romance. Tessa and Ian (John) complement each other well, and the supporting cast of characters is no different.  Barefoot by the Sea proves that Roxanne St.Claire is a player in the contemporary romance world. She has a knack of putting her own unique spin on tender yet suspenseful small town romance. Barefoot by the Sea drew me in and kept me flipping pages until the very end.

I easily felt that I knew Tessa from the previous books and this book only made me appreciate her that much more. To follow on her emotional journey towards love was simply beautiful. If you haven’t as yet read the Barefoot books, you might want to get your hands on them because each are fantastic on their own, but together they tell a wonderful tale of love and friendship.

Hauntingly Beautiful!

There are a lot of adjectives that I could attach to Marie Claremont’s Lady in Red, but I will stick to just riveting. This dark and intoxicating book gets into the nitty gritty side of Regency England’s elite. This is the second book in Claremont’s Mad Passion series and it far surpasses the emotion she brought with her first book The Dark Lady. Although Lady in Red stands alone and readers can easily grasp the back story, it is strongly advised to read the Mad Passions books in order.

As the daughter of a Duke, Mary Darrel should be the talk of the town dancing away her nights in the glittering ballrooms of London, but instead the world believes that she is dead. The Duke of Duncliffe is violent sort and when his wife mysteriously tumbles to her death from a staircase he has his daughter committed to madhouse claiming she was as mad as her mother. When Lady Mary narrowly escapes the brutal madhouse, the first place she heads to a brothel and into the arms of a woman who had been friends with her mother prior to her mother’s marriage to Duncliffe.

Edward Barrons, Duke of Farleigh is fighting his own demons, including a family scandal that resulted in the death of a young girl. Edward will do anything to escape his demons including taking in the shell of a girl he meets at the brothel. Edward sees those same dark demons in Mary that he is fighting in his own right.  In Mary he spies his own redemption.  He has no idea who Mary truly is, only that the town’s most famous madam has asked him for his help.

As Mary recovers not only in body, she’s awakening in spirit to a man whose own soul has been as tormented as her own. The flicker of revenge towards her father begins to burn and with Edwards help Mary seeks to grow strong enough to enact that revenge. With bittersweet passion and tenderness, Mary and Edward come together as they seek to rebuild her into what she should have been all along. Their quest for revenge leads them to an even bigger test of the bonds of true love.

Beautifully written, The Lady in Red is very haunting and will easily leave readers in awe of the strength that these characters have within them. Its prose will emit every possible emotion a reader has and in some cases bring readers to tears of both happiness and sorrow. Once more Claremont has penned a stunner of a historical romance.

Ashes, Ashes, They All Fall Dead, Third Times is A Charm!

I have been hooked on Lena Diaz’s Nursery Rhymes series ever since the first book He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not. I love these books and Ashes, Ashes, They All Fall Dead did not fail to achieve to hit that status. I was captivated and hooked by the end of the first chapter. Ashes, Ashes, They All Fall Dead is the third book in the series. It is easy to fall in love with Tessa and Matt as they fall in love with each other, all while they chase clues left by a serial killer. Tessa is an amnesiac FBI agent who must remember her past before another person dies; a budding personal and work relationship develops with Matt who proves that he is more than just another pretty face. Diaz writes a very addictive thriller that leaves readers wanting more.

This book has everything a reader could want in a romantic suspense and more. Diaz once more proves that she can write a fast paced romantic thriller that ranks right up there with the greats like Sandra Brown, Linda Howard and Allison Brennan. Ashes, Ashes, They All Fall Dead can be read on its own, but I’d highly recommend reading all three (He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not, Simon Says Dead and Ashes, Ashes, They All Fall Dead) as they do build upon the previous books in the series.

Easily a 4 ½ Star Read

Lily Dalton's Highly Enjoyable Debut!

Every now and again a book is written that cannot help but touch your heart. Never Desire a Duke is a book that does just that. Not only does this book touch your heart from the first chapter, it holds on until the final page. This book is filled with everything one comes to expect from a regency romance. It has all of the   adventure, drama, passion, scandal, and sweetness needed to make up a delightful read.  Dalton proves that she has a knack in writing likeable characters that leap off the page. Both Claxton and Sophia were realistic and showed emotions that were true to form. Add in a menagerie of side characters and readers have that enjoyable mix needed in a strong regency romance.

Never Desire a Duke is Lily Dalton’s debut book and what a debut it was. What it did not have was murder and mayhem what it does have is a delightful storyline that revolves around the holiday season which will put a twinkle in your eyes. It easily swept me off my feet. I look forward to her follow up book next spring.

4 ½- 5 Stars

Super Hot Temptation

Let me start by saying that this is another wow! The second story in the Covert Affairs series First Temptation is one firecracker of a novella. Like Intimate Enemies, it is full of adventure and steam in a compact short story. The novella is centered around Taft and Zoe who go under cover as a pair of sex store owners. The fun comes in when Zoe admits that she knows nothing about sex toys. Taft is more than willing to teach her all the fun that can be had with the various devices. On top of all that they are trying to capture a known Mexican drug cartel. The novella is heavy on the heat, and short on the suspense but it's a great filler for the series.
I love Joan Swan's writing as even in a novella she manages to capture the heart of her characters. Zoe and Taft are strong and romantic which will leave readers breathless. If I had any real complaint it would be that I would have loved to see a full length book featuring these two to delve more into their personalities.
Easily 4 1/2 stars.

Rachel Gibson's Blue By You

I went into Blue by You knowing that it was a short story, and also knowing that I am not a huge fan of them. That being said, I am long time Rachel Gibson reader. Blue by You has all of the humor, and passionate romance that Gibson’s readers have come to expect, so I am not sure what happened here. The ending for Blue by You felt like it was abrupt.  Like with most of Rachel Gibson’s books it draws you and leaves you breathless but it is a short story and it will leave you wanting more.  For what it was Blue by You is an enjoyable short story and one to surely not be missed by readers.

A New and Improved Book Bin Coming to a Screen Near You!

As you can see there are some changes being made to Misty’s Book Bin. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the page, I encourage you to do so! I have not only updated the visual attributes to this page; I am in the process of bringing in my business side of life to it.  The Book Bin will still remain a go to for book reviews and more, but I hope that it will also become a go to site for authors who are looking for affordable packaging and more. Lastly please feel free to mention the bin to other readers, so that we can continue to grow.

Wow What a Keeper

When "Life Coach to the Stars" Jocelyn Bloom is embroiled in scandal, the only place she can hide is the one place she wishes she could forget. She left Barefoot Bay and the boy next door who knew all her secrets years ago. Now nothing about the tiny island off the coast of Florida is quite how she remembers it, especially Will Palmer.

There is nothing bad that I can say about Barefoot in the Rain, the second book in Roxanne St. Claire’s Barefoot Bay series. I loved every minute of it. The characters are extremely likeable and the story flows well.  I will also add that there are not many books that can make me cry, but this one tugs at your emotions.  Just the prologue alone will grab your heart and rip it apart and the emotions just keep rolling along.  With every page that is turned one cannot help but fall in love with Jocelyn and Will.

I have been a Roxanne St. Claire reader for years, and the Barefoot Bay series is so completely different from her Bullet Catchers in that there is a lot more heart and soul written into the pages of these books. Barefoot in the Rain is one of those books that will stick with you for a very long time. If you were to read just one romance this year be sure not to miss Barefoot in the Rain.

A Sweet First in a Series

Lori Wilde’s Love at First Sight is one of those cute feel good books. If you like the sweet than this book is the one for you. It is the first full length book in her Cupid Texas series, and it was delightful.

Natalie McCleary is the heart of this book. As Cupid Texas’ very own cupid, she wants to believe in love first sight but has yet to experience it herself. As she is giving thought on how to reply to one of her “cupid” letters she is suddenly struck with what one could only describe as lightening, for there on the road sits Dade Vega an ex Navy Seal fixing his bike. It’s love at first sight for Natalie.

Dade Vega has come to Cupid in search of a former Seal friend who has gone missing.  Dade is a wanderer with a troublesome past, who doesn’t trust anyone. As he catches Natalie riding by on her bicycle, lightening seems to strike him as well. Like Natalie it’s love at first sight, although Dade tries to fight his feelings.

It is clear that these two are meant for each other. The characters and the romance blend smoothly for what can only be described as a heart-felt book. While there are portions of this book that are sugary sweet, there are other portions that come off as kooky. There are parts of the book were I felt the dialogue did not make sense, and also portions of the story that did not quite add up. Overall I didn’t love the book but I enjoyed it. Love at First Sight is worth the read and I would suggest it to anyone who enjoys a sugary sweet romantic tale.

Vampire Candy for your Sweet Tooth!

If you enjoy light hearted and sweet vampire tales than Cat Devon’s Sleeping with the Entity is the book for you! In a market that is over flowing with the dark and dangerous vampire tale that this was a fantastic change of pace. It’s full of steamy romance, and light hearted humor, making this a guilty pleasure summer pick for me.

Daniella has plans to open a cup cake shop in a building that her father owns, but what Daniella doesn’t realize is that she is planning to open a cup cake shop in the heart of vampire territory, and the last thing Vamptown needs is a cup cake shop and she is not exactly a welcomed edition to their happy little community. The neighborhood vamps join together in hopes of getting Daniella to change her mind about setting up shop in their town. It doesn’t take long until they realize that their vampire tricks are wasted on Daniella, and the race is on to find out why. Nick St. George is the business association leader and head vamp in this normally quiet town. Like the rest of the vampires, Nick doesn’t want Daniella to move into Vamptown. When he discovers that he cannot compel Daniella to do as he wishes, he makes it his mission to discover why.

Soon the sparks between Nick and Daniella begin to fly in what becomes a delightful vampire romp in the tradition of Katie MacAlister and Maryjanice Davidson. Sleeping with the Entity is divinely cute and creative. I loved all the pop culture references from Twilight to Tru Blood. I fell in love with Vamptown and all of its wacky characters, and you are sure to fall too!

Who would have thought that the Lucky Harbor series from Jill Shalvis could get any better? Well it happened; Jill has managed to once more knock it out of the park with It Had to Be You! Jill proves that she is quickly becoming one of the top writers in the contemporary romance genre. She knows how to write characters which draw the person who is reading her books right in.

If it wasn’t for bad luck Ali Winters would have no luck at all. She catches her current boyfriend cheating, he’s moved out of the place they were living and neglects to tell her that the least runs out that same day, and then she’s arrested for missing community money. Luke Hanover is a detective from San Francisco who returns to his home town for a much needed vacation.  He returns to his grandmother’s house that at this point should be renter free, not knowing that Ali remains in the house. Ali is desperate for a place to stay, and she and Luke reach a compromise about her remaining in the house. With his last case having gone wrong, the last thing Luke needs or wants is to be dragged into another case, but when Ali is arrested in his home Luke cannot help but be pulled in. As he’s pulled into the case to help Ali set her life right, the sparks between these Ali and Luke begin to fly.

It Had to Be You is like cotton candy, you can eat this book up in a single sitting. She writes very vivid and often times true to life characters that seem to come to life off of the pages. I love that she doesn’t neglect to revisit characters from the previous books, and she does it in such a way that they don’t take focus of the story but add to the current couples.

It Had to Be You ranks up there as one of my favorites thus far in the Lucky Harbor series! Be sure not to miss this gem of a story. 

An Amazingly Good Read! Much better than Fifty Shades!

First let me start off by stating that I have been reading J. Kenner for years. I have followed her books throughout all of her various series. I have loved everything she has written since the publication of Aphrodite’s Kiss. When Release me was released I of course jumped and purchased this book, for the simple fact that it was a new release from a favorite author. However, as a bookseller I was burned out on all of the many variations of 50 Shades of Gray that are currently available on the market. So I found myself avoiding Release Me, but instead reading many other books in the meantime.

Finally after listening to a customer who had read and raved about Release Me I took picked it up and started to read. What a pleasant surprise this book was! I could not put it down and found myself connecting to the characters on so many levels.  While Release Me has all of the elements that the current erotic romance market seems to be demanding this book has so many more levels than some of the other out right erotic tales which seem to lack a genuine story.

In Release Me we meet Nikki, a beautiful and troubled 24 year old who is looking to break free of her former pageant lifestyle and make it on her own in the business world. She is a breath of air when compared to all of the other erotically written females these days. She is independent, strong, and self- sufficient. She has no fear of standing up to Damien and pursuing the life goals that she has set forth for herself. Damien Stark is a commanding and powerful billionaire who could have any woman he chooses but has set his sights on Nikki.  He is a former tennis star and a very private person who will go to any length to keep his personal life private. There is little doubt that Damien Star is a dominant, power simply steams off the pages of this book. Each of these two protagonists has an extremely dysfunctional past and yet they come together on a somewhat equal playing field. Passion begins to steam as these two strong willed characters come together. Release Me takes place over several days and yet the story never comes off rushed nor does the relationship between Nikki and Damien ever feel like it was forced. Release Me is full of steamy passion, and mild BDSM scenes. however the sexual relationship is slow growing at first.  In my view Ms. Kenner has a way of writing a more natural version of a dominant/submissive relationship.

I absolutely loved Release Me! I loved that Nikki was not a simpering ninny; she is smart and has overcome many of her own demons on her own. Words cannot express the connection to Damien Stark I felt. One can feel the power of this well written character. If there was any BDSM written novel that I would recommend it would be Release Me. J. Kenner has a way with words that makes people feel her star characters. Be sure to grab your copy of Release Me today, you will not regret it! Easily a five star read.

Death Doom and Detention Blog Tour!

I am very excited to be taking part in the Darynda Jones death, doom and dentention Blog Tour.

Welcome to the Book Bin Darynda!

Book Description: The normal part of Lorelei MacAlister’s life didn’t just slip away quietly the day Jared Kovach came to town. Nope. The normal part of her life shattered. It exploded. It burst into a gazillion shards of fleeting light.

It went out with a bang.

Goodbye normal.

Hello dark and eerie.

While her best friend, Brooklyn, is focusing all of her energy on helping Lorelei hone her abilities, Lorelei is dealing with the reality that Satan’s second in command has taken up residence inside her body. Oh, and the fact that she has a crush on the Angel of Death. But what a beautiful death it is. If those weren’t bad enough, something sinister has come to town and it wants nothing more than to hear Lorelei’s dying breath as it strangles it out of her. Thank goodness the gang has a supernatural champion. But what happens when the only being who can save them switches sides midstream? How can a group of misfits capture one of the most powerful beings ever created? And will they find out how to bring Jared back to them before it’s too late?

Excerpt: 
DEATH, DOOM AND DETENTION
Chapter One
FUZZY EDGES

“Is this class ever going to end?”

My best friend, Brooklyn, draped her upper body across her
desk in a dramatic reenactment of Desdemona’s death in Othello.
She buried her face in a tangle of arms and long black hair for
effect. It was quite moving. And while I appreciated her freedom
to express her misgivings about the most boring class since
multi-celled organisms first crawled onto dry land, I wondered
about her timing.

“Miss Prather,” our Government teacher, Mr. Gonzales, said,
his voice like a sharp crack in the silence of study time.

Brooklyn jerked upright in surprise. She glanced around as
our classmates snickered, either politely into their hands or more
rudely outright.

“Is there something you’d like to share with the class?”

She turned toward Mr. Gonzales and asked, “Did I say that
out loud?”

The class erupted in laughter as Mr. G’s mouth formed a long
narrow line across his face. As though a miracle from heaven,
the bell rang and Brooklyn couldn’t scramble out of her seat fast
enough. She practically sprinted from the room. I followed at a
slower pace, smiling meekly as I walked past Mr. G’s desk.
Brooklyn stood waiting for me in the hall, her face still frozen
in surprise.

“That was funny,” I said, tugging her alongside me. She fell
in line as we wound through the crush of students, fighting our
way to PE. I wasn’t sure why. I didn’t particularly enjoy having
my many faults and numerous shortcomings put on display for
all to see, so why I would fight to get there was beyond me.

“No, really.” She tucked an arm through mine. “I didn’t mean
to say that out loud.”

I couldn’t help but smile despite the weight on my chest, a
weight that seemed to be endless. “Which is why that was funny.”
I did that a lot lately. Smiled. It was easier than explaining
why I wasn’t.

“You don’t get it,” she said. “This is exactly what I’ve been
talking about. Everything is weird ever since . . . you know.”

I did know. Ever since Jared Kovach came to town. Ever
since he’d saved my life after a huge green delivery truck
slammed into me. Ever since we’d found out he was the Angel
of Death and he had been sent not to save my life but to take it.
To tweak the timing. To take me sooner than nature— or a huge
green delivery truck— had intended.

And ever since I found out I’d been possessed by a demon
when I was six years old.

Still, that wasn’t the worst part of that day all those years ago.
The worst part was the fact that my parents were gone. Vanished
in a whirlwind when some guy— we still had no idea who—
opened the gates of hell. And I’d led them straight to it. The fact
that a demon—Malak-Tuke, to be exact, Lucifer’s second in command—
escaped from his fiery pit and decided to crash at my
place was just the icing on the cake. But I didn’t know any of
this until two months ago.

I’d been living with my grandparents since the disappearance,
but my semi- normal existence changed forever when I was
knocked into the street by a skateboarder and hit by that truck.
That near- death experience taught me a valuable lesson:
Never get hit by a huge green delivery truck if I can help it. But
if I hadn’t, if my life hadn’t almost ended that day, then Jared
Kovach would not have been sent. And oddly enough, Jared Kovach
was definitely worth the risk.

The events that followed were both terrifying and life changing.
I learned that there really was a heaven and a hell. That
there really were angels and demons. That I was a prophet, the
last prophet in a long line of incredible women, descended from
a powerful woman named Arabeth. And I’d learned that I had a
demon inside me, that I’d had him inside me for years.

Even Jared had never seen anything like it. Most people possessed
by evil spirits were lucky to survive. People possessed by
demons— a rarity, from what I’d been told— never survived more
than a month. Ever. And yet here I stood. As possessed as a girl
with a demon inside her could be.

And, yes, things had been weird.

Bonus: Character Interview for Lorelei

Hello, Lorelie! I’m so excited to have you here today!

I'm excited to be here! Thanks so much for having me.

1. What was your life like growing up with grandparents?

I don’t think it was any different than anyone else’s. I was simply raised by my grandparents the way others were raised by their parents. And my grandparents are pretty cool when they want to be, but lately our relationship has been more tension filled than usual. They want me to stay away from Jared just because he’s the Angel of Death. They forget that he saved my life when he was supposed to take it. I think that counts for a lot.

2.                  Do you enjoy school? What is your favorite subject?

School’s okay. I mostly like it because I get to hang out with my friends. I’m not great at Math or Science like Brooklyn is, but I like my science class because of my teacher, Ms. Mullins. She’s fun even though her tests are hard. History is kind of cool and English is okay, but I think I like lunch the best. :)

3.                  How would you describe your personality?

Unfortunately, next to Brooklyn and Glitch, who are both brimming with personality, I’m pretty dull. I’m not the most coordinated person at school and my comebacks lack the sparkling sass of Brooklyn’s, but I do okay in a pinch. I like to think I’m kind. I guess that would be my strong point.

4.                  What is your favorite food?

My grandma’s green chile stew. And nachos.

5.                  Who are your closest friends?

For years it’s just been Brooklyn and Glitch, but now we have Jared and Cameron in the gang. they are both supernatural beings so they certainly make life interesting.

6.                  Who do you love?

I love them all: My friends, my family, the members of our church, but sadly I am IN LOVE with Jared Kovach. It makes life complicated and while life would be a lot easier if that were not the case, I wouldn’t have it any other way. The fact that he likes me too boggles my mind. I’m not the kind of girl guys who look like him fall in love with.

7.                  What’s your greatest talents? Sing? Dance?

Drawing is my favorite thing to do on Earth. Besides that, I sing in the shower and dance in my underwear when no one is looking. Neither of those are things I would do in public.

8.                  What would you do if you had no electricity for a week and could not use your cell or the internet?

Probably go through withdrawal.

9.                  Who is your favorite author?

I love Jane Austen and Stephen King. It’s hard to choose between the two.

10.              What song do listen to the most on your ipod ?

Right now I’m completely enamoured with Come Along by Vicci Martinez.

11.              What prank or crime would you most likely pull/commit with your best friend?

I’ve always wanted to break into abandoned buildings and explore them, but I would get caught. I always get caught. Other than that, I would love to put blue dye in Glitch’s toothpaste.

12.              What do you collect?

Bruises. I’m not very coordinated. And I’m pasty.

13.              What are your 3 most prized possessions?

A necklace that Glitch gave me for my birthday, my memories of my parents before they disappeared, and the apricot blouse I was wearing when I got hit by a big, green delivery truck and Jared brought me back to life. It’s proof, in my mind, that it all really happened.

14.              What is your favorite movie?

Brooklyn, Glitch and I just watched the Breakfast Club. I think it’s my favorite right now.

15.              How do you feel about your new found powers?

I don’t like them. I wish they would go away. They are becoming too strong for me to control and I’m seeing things I never wanted to see, feeling things I never wanted to feel.


Thank you for being here, it's been so much fun!

It has been loads of fun! Thanks again!

NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious Golden Heart®, a Rebecca, two Hold Medallions, a RITA ®, and a Daphne du Maurier, and she has received stellar reviews from dozens of publications including starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and the Library Journal. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike, and she is ever so grateful for the opportunity to carry on that tradition. She currently has two series with St. Martin’s Press: The Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband of almost 30 years and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys. She can be found at www.daryndajones.com.

Links To Author:

• Darynda Jones Website  
• Facebook
• Darynda’s World
• Twitter

Links To Purchase Books:

• Amazon
• Barnes & Nobles
• Audible

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Death Doom and Detention by Darynda Jones- Blog Tour!

I am excited to announce that on Wednesday March 13^th, we will have Darynda Jones on the Book Bin’s Blog! She is the amazingly talented author of the adult paranormal Charlie Davidson Series and the Young Adult Darklight Series. We will be featuring book 2 in the YA Darklight series along with a give away! This is is one blog you don’t want to miss! 

Super Cute Time Travel Debut!

I love both regency and contemporary romances alike. Over the years I have read many outstanding time-travel romances and a few others that simply fell flat. The Geek Girl and Scandalous Earl lived up to my expectations. I found it to be a very well written and charming time-travel romance. It’s a predictable romance but very cute in the way it was written.  It’s filled with plenty of sweet and sexy romance between the geek girl (Jamie) and the devilishly albeit grumpy Earl (Micah).

Jamie is a very modern girl who loves her music and video games. She lands in the 1800’s after falling through an antique mirror. She’s headstrong if you tell her not to do something; she is going to do it anyways. Micah has just split up from his current mistress and he’s still suffering from the heart ache of losing his first love. Micah is drawn to Jamie after discovering her half dressed and in his bedroom, but truth be told he is set on finding a proper girl and getting his heir. His only concern for Jamie is to act as a protector, but as these two come together the sparks begin to fly.

Gina Lamm has managed to blend the regency and modern worlds together into a sweet and humorous book. She has included everything from a beautiful masked ball to Angry Birds into this well penned romance.

If you enjoy a funny, sexy sweet and thrilling romance then this is the book for you. It appears to be a start to the Geek Girl series as the book includes a blurb to Geek Girls Don’t Date Dukes. Don’t wait grab yourself a cup of tea and a copy of this book and dive right in. You won’t regret it.

Spring Time at The Book Bin!

Hey all as you can see I have decided it was time to give the blog a new look. Think spring! I have some exciting things coming to the blog in the next couple of weeks. We will be hosting Darynda Jones’s blog tour and I’ve a ton of reviews to get posted.  Hope to see you all soon! Photo credits go out to Model Jason Baca and photographer Mark Jenkins to find these and much more be sure to check out the following link!

http://www.deviantart.com/art/Jason-Aaron-Baca-a4919-312375766

A Beautifully Dark Delight

I have been anxiously awaiting Máire Claremont's debut from the moment I first spied the cover. The lush art work led me to believe that the contents inside would certainly be even better. The Dark lady had me from page one and kept me entranced right through the final pages. The writing is solid. The Dark Lady’s hero and heroine are equally matched in strengths and tragedies.  The story weaves its way through the dark side of Victorian England, a side which is often forgotten.  Claremont draws readers into the dark recesses of an often cruel era where those who have power often abused such power. From a country side madhouse to the beautiful ballrooms of London this book takes readers on ride that so few historical romances do.
They had been friends since early childhood but destiny and duty fell in their paths. Lady Eva Carin has not only lost her husband but soon after suffers a much greater loss than that, the loss of her infant son in an accident of her own making. Her brother-in-law Thomas, the new Lord Carin sees fit to commit Eva to an asylum of which she has endured many cruelties including a regular dosing of laudanum and many pain filled beatings.  Lord Ian Blake has returned from India haunted by the events that led to the former Lord’s death and dreads coming face to face with Eva, but he knows he owes her the truth about what really happened to her husband. Ian is stunned to learn that she’s been committed, but upon entering the halls of the asylum that she has been placed in, he becomes livid and enraged. The only thing that stops him from committing murder is the thought of never being able to see Eva again. This sets off a chain of events that puts them both in danger as they each try to overcome the torments that life has thrown at them.
I was drawn into the story from beginning and my heart went out to Eva and Ian. The story telling is lush and simply draws you into the period. There are many strong secondary characters that will make you want to come back for a second helping. Beautifully crafted, and has been written in a fashion that believable for its time period. For a novel that has an overall darkness to it, the light soon begins to filter in.
Easily a Five Star

What Sweet Debut Just In Time for Valentine's Day!

I absolutely loved Anne Barton’s When She Was Wicked. Her characters were well developed, believable and likeable. Annabelle Honeycote is a seamstress in a Bond Street dress shop where she barely earns enough money to make ends meet for herself. Working for the dress shop however does not earn her enough to support her sick mother and younger sister.  By working in the dress shop Belle becomes privy to the sorts of gossip that the Ton would be willing to pay to keep a secret, these secrets all Belle to add to her small income via way of blackmail. Belle has rules though, only ask those who can afford to lose a small sum, only use a target once, and do not form a personal relationship with said targets.

When bell overheard the type of gossip that could ruin the Duke of Huntford’s sister, she develops full intentions to make Huntford pay to keep the gossip a secret. Owen Sherbourne, Duke of Huntford doesn’t take kindly to extortion of any kind.  Following his father’s suicide and his mother’s desertion he is tasked with raising his headstrong younger sisters. When he catches Belle in the act, he decides to make her work off her debt versus sending her to Newgate. His sisters are coming out and each needs new wardrobes.  Annabelle’s sweet personality helps the Huntford sisters to form a close knit bond with Belle. All Huntford wants is to do right by his family and right the wrongs from his parents mistakes. He has no intention of falling in love with Belle, but as Belle works her magic on fabric Huntford discovers a diamond in the rough. Huntford finds himself drawn to Belle’s sweetness and beauty.

Barton has written one of the sweetest romances I’ve read in a long time. The characters are well written and easily believable. The romance between Owen and Belle is natural and not forced. I found myself rooting for these two long before the end of the book. I can honestly say that I would highly recommend any romance reader to try Anne Barton’s debut. When She Was Wicked is the first in Barton’s Honeycote series and if the first one is any example I cannot wait for the follow up book.

Arc provided by Grand Central Publishing.

A Medieval Winner

There has yet to be a book from the pen of Colleen Gleason that I haven’t enjoyed and Lily on the Heath did not disappoint. What a delightful romance this book is! Colleen Gleason has a knack for combining all of the right mixes of mystery, comedy and historical romance all into one. Lily on the Heath is a medieval romantic tale of Judith of Kentworth and Malcolm de Monde.  Judith is a Falconer and a good friend to Eleanor of Aquitaine, Malcolm is the Lord of Warwick. Malcolm has watched Judith from afar since they were young. They meet again when Malcolm comes to King Henry II’s court to petition for a wife. Gleason includes some well researched information on the Falconers and the royal court of Henry II. With a side romance that includes secondary characters Judith’s maid and Malcolm’s Master at Arms this book is as charming as all of Gleason’s previous novels.  In her true writing style Ms. Gleason’s characters each have strong personalities that make this book shine. This is the perfect novel for both romance readers and history buffs alike.

ARC provided by the author.

Interesting Conclusion to Shadowlands

 I love the Goblin series but the third installment of Shona Husk’s Shadowland is quite likeable but I didn’t quite love it.  I had a difficult time connecting with either Meryn or Nadine.  Perhaps it was because they don’t spend a lot of time in each other’s company.  In many instances the book simply rehashed a lot of story that had already been told in her previous Goblin King novel.  It’s a typical sweet romance when the pair is together, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys paranormal romance. Overall it is a decent book I just didn’t reach an honest connection. 

Fantastic Contemporary Release

What a fantastic start to a brand new series from Juliana Stone. I am typically a sucker for Michigan romances as it is after all my home turf. This is a typical reformed bad boy returns home contemporary romance.  However there is a lot of heart and depth to this book. It kicks off the tale of three lifelong friends who return home to Crystal Lake Michigan in order to bury one of their own. Rocker Cain is at a turning point in his life, he is recently divorced following the betrayal of his wife and band mate. It becomes clear that he needs his small town, and the love of one woman to help him heal. Cain is drawn to a pretty red head and her young son.

Maggie is a beautiful, southern belle who cleans homes around town in order to make ends meet. Maggie and her son are a mystery to the Crystal Lake residents and it is clear that she is on the run from something or someone. She has been badly burned in love and turns Cain’s romantic advances. Cain didn’t earn his reputation by being a choir boy, and soon these two are burning up the sheets. These two have some monumental road blocks to overcome on their path to love. As they begin to work out their differences, Maggie’s dark past returns to haunt her. Each will have to deal with their exes from hell before, the road becomes clear.

I highly enjoyed this book. The Summer He Came Home struck an emotional chord within me.  As usual Juliana’s characters are vibrantly strong and very likable.  I cannot wait for the follow up books in the Bad Boys of Crystal Lake series If Jake and Mac are anything like Cain the follow ups are sure to be as heartfelt  as this one was. Without a doubt I would strongly recommend this book to my romance loving friends and customers.

A special thank you to Juilana Stone and Sourcebooks for making it possible for me to read this ARC.