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All orders will go through my Etsy shop. For custom items I'll create a special listing with your name on it.
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Monday, April 29, 2013

Blog Tour: A Note of Scandal





BLURB:

What’s the harm in a little white lie?

Especially when it could carry so much good: a new life for a wounded soldier, catharsis after long years of war—and an opportunity for lady composer Olivia Delancey to finally hear her music played in public.
Newspaper publisher Will Marsh refuses to compound the sins of his father’s generation by taking money to print propaganda. But with the end of the wars in France and America, he needs something new to drive Londoners to grab his paper first. Why not publish the score of the “Tune That Took Waterloo,” by a wounded vet, no less?
As Olivia struggles to keep her secrets from this unsuitably alluring publisher, and Will fights to find the truth without losing his hold on this bright-eyed angel who has descended into his life, both discover another sort of truth.
Being the talk of London can be bad—or very, very good.

Interesting elements:
The newspaper-publishing setting is very rare in regencies but fascinating to the author, a former newspaperwoman.
Music plays a big role: Olivia plays pianoforte and Spanish-style guitar; there are three very different concerts in the story.
Water also is big: the hero falls in the sound and nearly drowns; the heroine surprises the hero during a steamy bath.
Olivia lies to help a wounded veteran and he is a strong secondary character. Services and conditions for war veterans were poor at this time.
 
 
London, 1815—A resourceful composer falls for the newspaper publisher she tricks into printing her music, crossing the political aisle, the class line, and the new method of journalism: “nothing but the truth.”
Miss Olivia Delancey can’t disclose that she wrote the piece of music a former flame played to lead his regiment into battle at Waterloo because the news would ruin her in high society. But by selling it as his work, and sharing any profits, she might offer her badly injured friend a decent way to pay his hospital bills and start on his new life.
Powerful, principled Will MARSH won’t publish anything of suspicious origin. The fledgling newspaper’s reputation was badly tarnished after his father was sent to prison for printing political slander. In the five years Will has run it, he has lifted the London Beacon out of the pockets of politicians and grown a steady circulation interested in timely, uncensored news from the wars in Europe and the Americas. But now even as England only begins to return to civilian life after Napoleon’s second defeat, he finds circulation declining. He needs to change his paper and deliver something that appeals to the public’s changing tastes. This paper is his life.
Why not try featuring the arts? The lady makes a good point, and Will agrees to publish the piece. He proposes a new style of story, a profile, and offers to print the piece of music to pair with it. The uplifting, martial tune by “an injured war veteran” is a hit, performed at parties and even during a peace celebration held by the regent. At the celebration, they discover their attraction is more than cerebral.
She likes his straightforward manner, and how he doesn’t immediately discount what she says just because she’s a lady. She finds she wants to please him, wants him to look at her that way that makes her feel desirable for herself, not the filigree that is her image as a lady.
Will is shocked by his attraction to the lady, and at first treats it as simple flirting. But he can’t stop himself after a surprise touch during the regent’s celebratory ball; he cozies up to her in the midst of a throng of people—and she plays along. He forces himself to step back.
Olivia is thrilled to hear her tune played and admired, but family finances force her to leave for Plymouth at the height of the interest. She sells Will on running another piece “by the same composer,” then leaves for her family’s house in Plymouth.
The story grows so large (and the other news so small) that a rival publisher starts chasing after the titular composer, initially coming up cold. Will brushes them off, and when he hears that Napoleon is headed to Plymouth aboard a British “jail” ship, he decides to travel south to cover the Little General’s story—and see a certain lady.
Olivia, who had offered to be his local guide, meets him at the dock, where the flotilla of Britishers goggling at the former emperor inspires them both: Will to caricature and Olivia to composition. After an altercation with another boat, Will falls into the bay, which even in summer can bring on hypothermia. Olivia nurses him on the boat and takes him home to clean up. He repays her with a kiss, which grows deeper than either expect.
With all the tourists in town, he can’t find lodgings. Her aunt insists he stay with them. She finds he is not as out of place here as she expected; a year at Oxford has put polish in his manner. She doesn’t know that that year also turned him off Society woman, as the sister of a college chum publicly played him for a fool. But Will finds his attraction growing to this unusual lady. They tell childhood stories and Olivia plays the piano for him.
Later, they kiss, and this time Will doesn’t step back. Neither does Olivia.
Will wakes to find the competitor paper accusing him of lying about the music story. Before Olivia wakes he has left for London. He assigns his best reporter to investigate.
A few days later, at the funeral for one of Olivia’s father’s Commons allies, the father, a baron, offers his political support to Will. Politics was a pipe dream while Will was getting the paper up and profitable, now it could be a reality.
But later in the Commons, during a confrontation with the rival publisher, the baron lets slip that Olivia is a gifted composer. Will feels he has been deceived again, repeating his mistake from college and his father’s mistake in politics (his father’s “source” was a woman, too). He and her father agree to confront Olivia.
Meanwhile, at the engagement tea for the faux composer, the man tells Olivia his new fiancée “won’t marry a man whose life is a lie” and he must come clean. This and her aunt’s earlier lecture convince Olivia to confess to Will, but she’s too late, he’s heard it already, and after a confrontation walks away from her. His paper runs a terse retraction, not naming her.
Hearing others belittle the Beacon and its “dupe of a publisher,” Olivia realizes what her white lies have meant to Will and to his paper. She knows he hates being part of the story, and that he will not forgive her. But, she decides, she must make things right anyway.
Will has learned to see shades of gray, and realizes there are worse things than losing a story, such as losing the affection of a good, if wayward, woman. But he decides it is up to Olivia to see sense, and he’s not sure she’s up to it.
Olivia offers to tell the whole story to Will’s chief correspondent. Will is suspicious, but she proves to him this story is truth, and he runs it. She finds that having the cat out of the bag is not so bad: Though the invitations to the homes of the Upper Crust have declined, her family is still her family, and her friends still her friends. But she has changed. The third piece of music she publishes, with the new story, is melancholy.
Will decides it’s time to hand the reins of the daily paper over to his editor, who had suspected the story from the first, and announces his candidacy for a seat in the House of Commons. His first campaign rally gives him a sense of déjà vu—just months before he had covered a rally in the same coaching inn for his predecessor. That time, Olivia and her family had attended to show their support. It was where they first met.
This time, she appears again, surprising him and the crowd as Will leans Whig. She publicly says she is here because he is a good man; privately, she tells him it is to make up, in some small way, for the wrong she has done him. It’s not right to hurt the people you love, she says.
Cut off by her political family, Olivia tells him she plans to leave London and live cheaply in Plymouth, trying to make it as a composer. He suggests she take up residence in his district, which is close enough to London she could still enjoy the music and arts. In fact, he has just the home for her. And while she would make a very poor newspaperman’s wife, he says, as a politician’s wife she’d be perfection. She agrees.



BIO:

Nicky Penttila writes stories with adventure and love, and often with ideas and history as well. Her favorite settings are faraway cities and countries, because then she *must* travel there, you know, for research. She lives in Maryland with her reading-mad husband and amazing rescue cat. She’s chattiest on Twitter, @sunshinyday, and can also be found at nickypenttila.com and on Facebook.



ONLINE LINKS:
Pinterest (sometimes): http://pinterest.com/nickypenttila/
Present but rarely on: Google+, FriendFeed, new.myspace.com, shelfari, Kindleboards

Member of: 
Washington Romance Writers (Romance Writers of America), The Beau Monde (RWA), Historical Novel Society, National Association of Science Writers


BUY NOW LINK:

Giveaway link
http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/48732-a-note-of-scandal



Thursday, April 25, 2013

Roaring Midnight - Gardella Vampire Chronicles by Colleen Gleason

From NEW YORK TIMES and USA Today bestselling author Colleen Gleason, the long-awaited spin-off of the international bestselling Gardella Vampire Chronicles.

Amid the glitzy age of Jazz, when gangsters and bootleggers control the cities, there lies another, more insidious threat....the undead.

Macey Gardella is a typical young woman of the Roaring Twenties: she works a job, has her own flat, and loves to dance the Charleston. But when a mysterious man named Sebastian Vioget informs her she belongs to a family of vampire hunters, Macey is stunned and disbelieving.

Yet, strange and frightening things begin to happen, and when Macey comes face-to-face with one of the fanged creatures, she has no choice but to believe Sebastian. And when she learns his own soul depends on her willingness to carry forth the family legacy and hunt the undead, Macey capitulates and joins the fight.

As she begins to learn about her new life, Macey meets the handsome newspaper reporter known as Grady--who seems to know more about vampires than he should. When he begins to ask too many questions, she has to juggle her strong attraction to him with the need for secrecy.

Slipping into speakeasies and sampling bootlegged whiskeys, dodging gangster gunfire and trying to keep her nosy landlady from finding the stakes in her flat, Macey Gardella must navigate through a world of stunning violence, passionate romance, and dark betrayal...

RELEASE DATE: JUNE 18, 2013

I can't tell you HOW excited I am about this book! It my most anticipated read of the past few years! Not only do I LOVE the Gardella series, she chose my favorite character EVER to put in the spin off. Sebastian Vioget. Wow, I can't wait!

If you haven't read the series, please check out my previous post here
 

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Reivew: The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires, by Molly Harper



Iris Scanlon, Half-Moon Hollow’s only daytime vampire concierge, knows more about the undead than she’d like. Running all their daylight errands—from letting in the plumber to picking up some chilled O neg—gives her a look at the not-so-glamorous side of vampire life. Her rules are strict; relationships with vamps are strictly business, not friendship—and certainly not anything else. But then she finds her newest client, Cal, poisoned on his kitchen floor, and only Iris can help.

Cal - who would be devastatingly sexy, if Iris allowed herself to think that way - offers Iris a hefty fee for hiding him at her place until he figures out who wants him permanently dead. Even though he’s imperious, unfriendly and doesn't seem to understand the difference between "employee" and "servant," Iris agrees, and finds herself breaking more and more of her own rules to help him - particularly those concerning nudity.

Turns out what her quiet little life needed was some intrigue & romance—in the form of her very own stray vampire.


Review:


Personally, I think this one should have been the first book in the series, as its timeline seems to come before Driving Mr. Dead, but you could read either book as a stand-alone and be fine! 
 
Plenty of action and comedy.
I don't think any of the characters will ever compare to Jane, but I am still in love with Half Moon Hollow and all the crazy people it contains.
I like that this one was different from the others, as some people actually stay human and do not make the transformation into Vampire. It was a simply decision that changes the whole storyline for me. :)

I really hope this series continues, I don't know that I will find anything quite as funny too read after this! 


Review: Driving Mr. Dead, by Molly Harper



After failing as a magician's assistant, a photographer, and most recently, a bride, Miranda Puckett takes a position as a driver for Beeline, Half-Moon Hollow's premiere vampire concierge service.

Miranda's assignment? Driving Collin Sutherland, the world's most fastidious vampire from Washington to Kentucky, so he can deliver a mysterious black case to Council official Ophelia Lambert.

Collin, a paranoid, aristocratic vampire with a debilitating fear of flying, refuses to let the case out of his sight. Miranda needs this time on the road to decide whether to permanently cut her ties with the fiance that had an "emotional affair" with a childhood pal, but Collin’s neatnik tendencies are driving her around the bend. The man acts as if leaving a fast food wrapped on the passenger seat is reason for a full-on CDC de-contamination scrub-down of the car. All she can do is promise to stop intentionally doing the things that make his stiff upper lip twitch with irritation.

As more and more mishaps occur on the road trip from hell, Miranda and Collin work together to meet his delivery deadline. Hotel rooms are destroyed. Beloved cars are defiled. And somewhere along the line, client-driver hostilities become snarky flirtation.

Will Collin and Miranda make it to the Hollow in one piece? And if they do, will Miranda leave old, safe relationships behind for something new and well, just plain weird?


Review:

Another really good book by Molly Harper!

If you were to tell me that this whole book basically takes place in a car I would be you it wasn't very good... BUT I was amazed at the amount of action and sarcasm that was packed in to this road trip!
I can relate to Miranda - if something can go wrong it will, and always to me!

I can't wait to read more! 

 
 

Review: Lover Mine (BDB # 8) by J.R. Ward

In the darkest corners of the night in Caldwell, New York, a conflict like no other rages. Long divided as a terrifying battleground for the vampires and their enemies, the city is home to a band of brothers born to defend their race: the warrior vampires of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

John Matthew has come a long way since he was found living among humans, his vampire nature unknown to himself and to those around him. After he was taken in by the Brotherhood, no one could guess what his true history was- or his true identity. Indeed, the fallen Brother Darius has returned, but with a different face and a very different destiny. As a vicious personal vendetta takes John into the heart of the war, he will need to call up on both who he is now and who he once was in order to face off against evil incarnate.

Xhex, a symphath assassin, has long steeled herself against the attraction between her and John Matthew. Having already lost one lover to madness, she will not allow the male of worth to fall prey to the darkness of her twisted life. When fate intervenes, however, the two discover that love, like destiny, is inevitable between soul mates.


Review: 

 I read the first 7 books nearly back to back a couple years ago, but it was getting old. Seemed like each book was basically the same, brothers fight the enemy, some massive drama happens, one brother finds his mate... So I put it down thinking I'd read a few other books and come back to it.
I never had the urge to pick them back up.

Audible was having a sale a few weeks ago and I was scrolling through the list and saw them, and I figured why not, it's cheap. So I downloaded books 8 and 9. I listened to everything in my audible library until this was my only option, so I started it.

Once again, it was the same basic fundamental storyline - though one of the side stories made absolutely NO sense until the very end - and then it seemed nearly pointless that so much time was spent on it. Overall the book was good, lots of action and suspense. This series just doesn't do it for me anymore. Maybe it should have stopped at book 6 or 7.. or perhaps it's just the characters in the last couple of books that I'm not feeling, I'm not sure.

I will be listening to book 9 as it's in my library, and hopefully it picks back up. :)



~ Kim 

 
 

Thursday, April 18, 2013

NEW: Roaring Midnight, Gardella Vampire Chronicles by Colleen Gleason



I can't wait for this to come out! 

The Gardella Vampire Chronicles has always been my favorite series, and I am ecstatic that she's decided to write another one! I was devastated when the series ended.

No information has been released about this book yet, but you can be sure that when it is I'll share!








If you haven't read the Gardella Vampire Chronicles yet, you definitely should! It's an amazing Historical Paranormal Romance, with a perfect kick ass female and men that you'll fall in love with.


The description of book 1, The Rest Falls Away:  

Vampires have always lived among them, quietly attacking unsuspecting debutantes and dandified lords as well as hackney drivers and Bond Street milliners. If not for the vampire slayers of the Gardella family, these immortal creatures would have long taken over the world. In every generation, a Gardella is called to accept the family legacy, and this time, Victoria Gardella Grantworth is chosen, on the eve of her debut, to carry the stake. But as she moves between the crush of ballrooms and dangerous, moonlit streets, Victoria's heart is torn between London's most eligible bachelor, the Marquess of Rockley, and her enigmatic ally, Sebastian Vioget. And when she comes face to face with the most powerful vampire in history, Victoria must ultimately make the choice between duty and love.
 
Just reading talking about the series here is making me want to do a re-read, though I'll probably wait until the release date is approaching so it is fresh in my mind.  :) 

 

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Cover Reveal: Forsaken (Academy of the Fallen # 4)

 

If you haven't started the series yet, check it out here: 
(click on cover to be taken to Amazon) 

 Book 1


Book 2                    Book 3
 



Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Review: Nice Girls Don't Bite Their Neighbors (# 4)



Just as Jane Jameson’s unlife seems to be stabilizing, fate sinks its fangs firmly into her butt. Despite her near-phobia of all things marital, her no-frills nighttime nuptials to her sexy boyfriend Gabriel are coming along smoothly. But the road to wedded bliss gets bumpy when a teenage acquaintance is fatally wounded in front of Jane’s shop and she turns him to save his life. The Council pronounces Jane responsible for the newborn vamp until he can control his thirst.

Jane’s kitchen at River Oaks barely holds enough Faux Type O to satiate the cute teen’s appetite and maintain Gabriel’s jealous streak at a slow simmer. As if keeping her hyperactive child from sucking the blood out of the entire neighborhood isn’t enough to deal with, the persnickety ghost of Jane’s newly deceased Grandma Ruthie has declared a war on the fanged residents of River Oaks. Suddenly,
choosing monogrammed cocktail napkins and a cake that she can’t eat seems downright relaxing in comparison.


Tensions inside the house are growing…and outside, a sinister force is aiming a stake straight for the center of Gabriel’s heart. Most brides just have to worry about choosing the right dress, but Jane fears that at this rate, she’ll never make it down the aisle for the wedding all nice girls dream of…


Review:
 
Perfect ending to the series.

I'm sad that it's over, but it did end in the perfect way. I think Jane is probably my favorite female character in any book. As with the previous books in the series, it's packed full of sarcasm, humor and quick wit. I found myself laughing out loud on multiple occasions, and even wanting to tear up at some parts.

I will be continuing to follow the characters in Molly's Spin off series about the Hollow! 


Highly Recommended for everyone! 
  

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Review: Nice Girls Don't Live Forever (book 3)



Nothing sucks the romance out of world travel like a boyfriend who may or may not have broken up with you in a hotel room in Brussels. 
Jane Jameson’s sexy sire, Gabriel, has always been unpredictable. But the seductive, anonymous notes that await him at each stop of their international vacation, coupled with his evasive behavior over the past few months, finally push Jane onto the next flight home to Half Moon Hollow — alone, upset, and unsure whether Gabriel just ended their relationship without actually telling her. 

Now the children’s-librarian-turned-vampire is reviving with plenty of Faux Type O, some TLC from her colorful friends and family, and her plans for a Brave New Jane. Step One: Get her newly-renovated occult bookstore off the ground. Step Two: Support her best friend, Zeb, and his werewolf bride as they prepare for the impending birth of their baby . . . or litter. Step Three: Figure out who’s been sending her threatening letters, and how her hostile pen pal is tied to Gabriel. Because for this nice girl, surviving a broken heart is becoming a matter of life and undeath...

Review:

Another hilarious book by Molly Harper. I just can't get enough of Jane Jameson, and the crazy situations she manages to find herself in!

This book is full of humor, sarcasm, and extraordinary characters. I can't seem to put these books down, as I find myself wanting more and more as the pages thin.

I'm already working on the next book in the series!

I highly recommend this series to everyone.



Review: Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men (# 2)

Following Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs, this is the second in a hilarious, smart, and sexy romantic series about an out-of-work librarian who is turned into a vampire.

With her best friend Zeb’s Titanic-themed wedding looming ahead, new vampire Jane Jameson struggles to develop her budding relationship with her enigmatic sire, Gabriel. It seems unfair that she’s expected to master undead dating while dealing with a groom heading for a nuptial nervous breakdown, his hostile werewolf in-laws, and the ugliest bridesmaid dress in the history of marriage.

Meanwhile, the passing of Jane’s future step-grandpa puts Grandma Ruthie back on the market. Her new fiance, Wilbur, has his own history of suspiciously dead spouses, and he may or may not have died ten years ago. Half-Moon Hollow’s own Black Widow has finally met her match.

Should Jane warn her grandmother of Wilbur’s marital habits or let things run their course? Will Jane always be an undead bridesmaid, never the undead bride?


Review:
  Another hilariously sarcastic book!

I swear Molly Harper based this series on my home town and just added the paranormal element to it. lol
There's plenty of action, suspense and sarcasm to keep you turning the pages for hours!
This book had me cracking up constantly, I think it's probably the funniest series I've ever read