Daisy Update (54)

I feel like I start with this every time lately, but it's been A WHILE. Seriously, it's been two months. I feel like I haven't sat down to blog in ages, and it's mostly due to this happening:

We got the key to our new home!!! I'm SO happy!! I can't take time off from work because of some silly rule, but the boyfriend has been painting and we had friends and family helping yesterday, so we've already painted all the walls and started on the floor downstairs and I'm SO EXCITED! We're planning on moving all our stuff there next weekend and the boyfriend and I spent today looking at couches and tables and all lovely new things and just YAYYYY! :D We'll have so much more space than we do now, even though I'll probably miss the apartment once we move out, because you know, I've lived here for 8 years and it'll be emotional saying goodbye.

So I've been busy planning and working and more planning and also fun things like a weekend away with friends last week and bookclub and many good things. But I've also been a bit exhausted and haven't really had much energy to spare to go into blogging.

I've also become addicted to Hart of Dixie, which you probably know, but for those of you who don't, it's about a GP in a small town and I just love it. And while I'm a GP in training, TV also sensationalizes everything. And also: it's not really deemed appropriate to wear short shorts or skirts while you're working as a doctor around here. But I do love it! It allows me to zone out and not stress over all the things I need to be doing for work/study/things around the house, other people's drama and all that :) It has drastically lessened the time I have to read though...

It'll probably be a while before everything calms down and I apologize in advance for lack of posts and lack of commenting on other people's posts, because I haven't checked my Bloglovin reader in weeks... Sorry! I'll get back to being a good blogging friend once we're settled in, promise!

Hope you're all having a great week!

Book spotlight: My Lady, My Lord by Katharine Ashe

Title/Author: My Lady, My Lord by Katharine Ashe
Publisher/Date published: Billet-Doux Books, March 10 2014

Goodreads summary: Book #1 in a new series of historical romances... with a twist.

The Bluestocking
Lady Corinna Mowbray has three passions: excellent books, intelligent conversation, and disdaining the libertine Earl of Chance.

The Rake
Lord Ian Chance has three pleasures: beautiful women, fast horses, and tormenting high-and-mighty Corinna Mowbray.

Neighbors for years, they've been at each other's throats since they can remember. But when a twist of fate forces them to trade lives, how long will it be before they discover they cannot live without each other?

So I've talked about how much I love Katharine Ashe's historical romance before and today I'm happy to tell you she's releasing a new book: My Lady, My Lord. It sounds really good and I can't wait to read it!
Until March 31st it's only $2,99 for Kindle, Kobo and Nook.

And if I haven't convinced you to give it a try yet, you can read the excerpt below:

“Pelley is in there.”
Corinna halted her flight and looked over her shoulder. Ian stood in partial shadow, his long legs and handsome face slanted with torchlight.
“He is?” she said.
He folded his arms over his chest. “I thought that might stop you.”
“Are you telling the truth?”
“I never lie.”
She bit her lower lip. “I didn’t consider the possibility of his presence here.”
He frowned, his gaze slipping along her bodice to her hips. “Apparently.”
“Don’t look at me with such disapproval,” she snapped. “Your doxies wear much less than this.” How on earth had she gotten herself into this? What had she been thinking? He was right: this was not she. She was trying to be something she wasn’t and making a fool of herself. And now Lord Pelley would see her in this scandalous gown, and any last hope she might still have of convincing him she was the serious woman to whom he should sell his publishing company would be lost.
“I don’t disapprove,” Ian said. “Quite the contrary. I’m merely curious as to your motive.”
The words that were so easy to practice alone in her dressing chamber now clogged her throat. His eyes sharpened. For a moment that seemed like forever, neither of them spoke. He strode forward and grasped her arm. Raindrops pattered on the shoulders of his dark coat and her lashes.
“I’m taking you home.”
She resisted. “What if I don’t want you to?”
“Oh,” he said in a low rumble. “You want me to.”

Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway of Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy

Title/Author: Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy
Publisher/Date published: Balzer + Bray, March 18th 2014
How I got this book: received it from the publisher as an egalley
Buy this book at: The Book Depository

Goodreads | Amazon Paperback | Amazon Kindle | B&N | iTunes

Goodreads summary: What if you’d been living your life as if you were dying — only to find out that you had your whole future ahead of you?

When sixteen-year-old Alice is diagnosed with leukemia, her prognosis is grim. To maximize the time she does have, she vows to spend her final months righting wrongs — however she sees fit. She convinces her friend Harvey, whom she knows has always had feelings for her, to help her with a crazy bucket list that’s as much about revenge (humiliating her ex-boyfriend and getting back at her arch nemesis) as it is about hope (doing something unexpectedly kind for a stranger and reliving some childhood memories). But just when Alice’s scores are settled, she goes into remission.

Now Alice is forced to face the consequences of all that she’s said and done, as well as her true feelings for Harvey. But has she done irreparable damage to the people around her, and to the one person who matters most?

Side Effects May Vary was one of my most anticipated debuts of 2014. To me, the concept of a girl going through her bucket list and living like she is going to die soon and then NOT dying and having to deal with the consequences is fascinating. As a doctor, I have seen that sometimes it's just as hard for people to live as it is to die, especially when you've been expecting the opposite.

So obviously I wasn't expecting Side Effects May Vary to be rainbows and butterflies, and it wasn't. Julie Murphy's debut novel is brutal and honest and raw. And I liked it. There's nothing shiny about being diagnosed with leukemia and having to go through chemotherapy and it wasn't sugarcoated in this book and I appreciate that. The reality is harsh and awful and I felt that while reading Side Effects May Vary.

Alice wasn't necessarily a likeable character, but I didn't mind so much. She felt like a real girl with real fears and feelings and just a big mess. She's vindictive and then she has this moment in which she does something truly selfless for the little girl living next door. She has issues and she knows it.
Harvey is a good guy. He truly is. He's just also a bit spineless when it comes to Alice and her crap. And while it didn't make me awwww, I did believe their lovestory. There were moments when I believed in them and it made me understand why Harvey kept going back when she called him.

Julie Murphy takes us back and forth between Then and Now, switching from the moment Alice was diagnosed to the present after she's gone into remission. And slowly the whole story unravelled. I liked that both the Then and the Now were linear, and I wasn't thrown around all over the timeline, cause that makes me loose my bearings easily. I'm not sure it was really necessary to tell the story this way, I think it could have been linear all the way, but this worked as well.

Side Effects May Vary will have me thinking about it for a while I think, but from the subject matter, I think it could have packed a greater punch. I wasn't emotionally involved and I think that's what made me like it, but not love it. Julie Murphy told me a believable story about a girl with leukemia and the impact it has on someone and their loved ones without sugarcoating it and I really appreciate that.

My rating: 3,5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Julie lives in North Texas with her husband who loves her, her dog who adores her, and her cat who tolerates her. When she's not writing or trying to catch stray cats, she works at an academic library. Side Effects May Vary is Julie's debut novel.

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The Frost of Springtime by Rachel L. Demeter Book Blast + Giveaway!

The recent release of The Frost of Springtime, by debut author Rachel L. Demeter, transports readers to the war torn streets of nineteenth century Paris. Driven by paradoxical characters, steamy encounters, and a compelling storyline, it's a bittersweet tale of revolution, redemption, and the healing power of love. Described as "poignant," emotionally devastating,” and “beautiful," The Frost of Springtime is sure to please historical and romance readers alike. Available now in both eBook and paperback. Currently Amazon Prime members can read the Kindle edition for free!


Publication Date: February 14, 2014

Black Lyon Publishing

Formats: Paperback, Kindle eBook

Genre: Historical Romance/Historical Fiction



To rescue her was to rescue his own soul.

On a cold Parisian night, Vicomte Aleksender de Lefèvre forges an everlasting bond with a broken girl during her darkest hour, rescuing her from a life of abuse and misery. Tormented by his own demons, he finds his first bit of solace in sheltering little Sofia Rose.

But when Aleksender is drawn away by the Franco-Prussian war, the seasons pass. And in that long year, Sofia matures into a stunning young woman—a dancer with an understanding of devotion and redemption far surpassing her age.

Alongside his closest friend, Aleksender returns home to find that “home” is gone, replaced by revolution, bloodshed, betrayal—and a love always out of reach. Scarred inside and out, he’s thrust into a world of sensuality and violence—a world in which all his hours have now grown dark, and where only Sofia might bring an end to the winter in his heart.

Inspired by the 1871 Paris Commune, The Frost of Springtime is a poignant tale of revolution, redemption, and the healing power of love.



Read an Excerpt

The heat of their bodies mingled as one. With each breath, Aleksender drank in the sweet essence of his beloved ward. His mind swam with unorthodox visions and desires. He inclined his head, lost to the power of her nearness, entranced by everything that was Sofia.

“Alek, my Alek …”

Each word infused Aleksender with a delicious and undeniable warmth. Intoxicated by roses and wintertime, he found it difficult to speak, difficult to think. Breathless, he swallowed and met the haunting depths of her eyes.

“Please,” she dreamily murmured, “I want you to kiss me again…”

READ SAMPLE PROLOGUE & FIRST TWO CHAPTERS ON GOODREADS.

Watch the Book Trailer







Praise for The Frost of Springtime

“I am astonished at this being Rachel L. Demeter’s debut work, for in form and style, it is very much a tour de force. A riveting story of love and courage in the aftermath of a brutal war, the author brilliantly juxtaposes the hazing splendor of French nobility and the impassioned elegance of two people in love, despite all the world’s oppositions. The title is, in a sense, a representation of change: the beginning of a new spring with La Belle Époque and the transition into a new era, for the world and our protagonists. The wistful loveliness of the setting paints a picture of a crying France, blending in with the dynamic romance perfectly. Or rather, it does not merely blend in the background as much as glitters like the brightest jewel, shining with a vibrancy that makes one want to relieve the halcyon days of grand old Paris.

I was captivated by the setting, the lush writing of Rachel L. Demeter, and the subtle expressiveness of the characters, which all compelled me to research more of the historical background, of the 1871 Paris Commune, through which this story is made more infinitely dearer.” – Buried Under Romance



“We are in awe. The Frost of Springtime is a MUST HAVE! Despite that we loved the true facts, we fell instantly in love with the story. It was dark, emotionally devastating, and sensual. The innocence between the two main characters was beautiful and their love grew so strong throughout the story with such grace. One of us even cried while reading The Frost of Springtime. We loved the cover, we loved the writing style, and we adored the characters. We fell in love, really hard." – Divas Book Blog



“This novel is intricately detailed and wonderfully written! Opening with a heartbreaking scene, I was immediately drawn to the story of Aleksender and his Sofia. Of course, as the story moved on, other enchanting characters helped to make this poignant book complete. The author has blended historical facts with fiction skillfully, and presented several narratives flawlessly. It’s beautiful! I loved it!” – Romancebookworm’s Reviews



“I absolutely love this book. The Frost of Springtime shows how love and tragedy go hand in hand and that love can actually be more powerful than anything. I have found that most books do not hit this point right on the nail like this one does. It’s a Historical Romance and let me just tell you this is one book I couldn’t put down.” – Magic Within The Pages



“WOW!! The Frost of Springtime is a powerful, epic love story unlike anything I’ve ever read before. The emotional and visual/sensory depth is astounding. I felt Aleksender and Sofia’s connection from beginning to end. Aleksender’s path to healing was at times breathtaking and heartbreaking. This is a hero who loves his woman with every last breath, every fiber of his being… and there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for her. AMAZING cast of secondary characters as well… a 'villain' who actually leaves you morally torn! Beautifully written (loved the vivid imagery and descriptions!), dark, unusual, rich with history, epic scope, and a soul deep love that only comes once in a lifetime… Brava!!!” – Sivonna, an advanced reader


Buy the Book

Amazon (Kindle eBook) *Amazon Prime members can read the kindle edition for free!

Amazon (Paperback)

Barnes & Noble

Black Lyon Publishing



About the Author


Rachel L. Demeter lives in the beautiful hills of Anaheim, California with Teddy, her goofy lowland sheepdog, and high school sweetheart of ten years. She enjoys writing dark, edgy romances that challenge the reader’s emotions and examine the redeeming power of love. Imagining stories and characters has been Rachel’s passion for longer than she can remember. Before learning how to read or write, she would dictate stories while her mom would jot them down for her. She has a special affinity for the tortured hero and unconventional romances.

Whether sculpting the protagonist or antagonist, she always ensures that every character is given a soul. Rachel strives to intricately blend elements of romance, suspense, and horror. Some common themes her stories never stray too far from: forbidden romance, soul mates, the power of love to redeem, mend all wounds, and triumph over darkness.

Her dream is to move readers and leave an emotional impact through her words.







Author Links

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Book Blast Schedule


Monday, March 3

HF Book Muse-News

Read More Romance

A Bibliotaph's Reviews

Oh, for the Hook of a Book

Romance Reviews by Alice

Good Books and Good Coffee



Tuesday, March 4

Diva's Book Blog

Room With Books

LovLivLife Reviews

Perusing Princesses

The Maiden's Court

Book Lovers Paradise

Flashlight Commentary



Wednesday, March 5

The True Book Addict

Curling Up By the Fire

Buried Under Romance

A Blog Hop Place for Books

Svetlana's Reads and Views

History From a Woman's Perspective



Thursday, March 6

Bibliophilia, Please

One Book at a Time

Susan Heim on Writing

Just One More Chapter

Romantic Historical Lovers

Blushing Divas Book Reviews

Devilishly Delicious Book Blog



Friday, March 7

I Read Indie

A Bookish Libraria

Historical Tapestry

Literary Chanteuse

CelticLady's Reviews

Magic Within the Pages

Confessions of an Avid Reader



Saturday, March 8

Book Nerd

MIBookshelf

Mina's Bookshelf

Between the Pages

Historical Fiction Obsession

Caffeinated Bookworm Reviews



Sunday, March 9

Rookie Romance 

A Dirty Book Affair

Passages to the Past

Caroline Wilson Writes

Book Obsessed Chicks

Love Romance Passion

Peeking Between the Pages



Giveaways

To enter to win one of the following prizes, please complete the Rafflecopter form below.

2 - Kindle Ebooks of THE FROST OF SPRINGTIME (open internationally)

1 - Signed Paperback of THE FROST OF SPRINGTIME (open to US residents only)

1 - $15 Amazon Gift Card (open to US residents only)



Giveaway will run from March 3-9. You must be 18 or older to enter.

Winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter on March 10 and notifiied via email.

Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.



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Review of The Bride Says Maybe by Cathy Maxwell

Title/Author: The Bride Says Maybe (The Brides of Wishmore #2) by Cathy Maxwell
Publisher/Date published: Avon, February 25th 2014
How I got this book: received it from the publisher as an egalley
Buy this book at: The Book Depository

Goodreads summary: What happens when a bride says maybe?

She'd once been the toast of London, but now scandal has brought her down. Still, pretty, petted Lady Tara Davidson can't believe her new fate. She had wanted to marry for love... but her profligate father has promised her hand to none other than Breccan Campbell, the "Beast of Aberfeldy" and laird of the valley's most despised clan! Well, Tara may have to marry him, but Breccan can't make her love him — can he?

What happens when the groom insists?

Breccan Campbell is nobody's fool. He knows that Tara is trouble. Yet he's determined to reform the Campbell name even if it means forging an alliance with the arrogant beauty. There's no doubt that Tara is a challenge, and Breccan loves nothing more. For he's vowed to thoroughly seduce Tara — and make her his in more than name alone.

So I have mixed feelings about this book. There were parts that I really enjoyed and parts that made me roll my eyes. I'm not really sure which part winds up winning in the end.

I had a problem with Tara. I liked her feistiness, but I really had a problem with the way she handled things at times. I mean, she was way overreacting about Breccan's dogs. I mean, ok, I wouldn't exactly appreciate them jumping on the bed and everything, but these dogs are trying to greet you and you whack one on the head? That is just wrong. And cruel. Have you guys ever seen a dog when you tell him off? They do this whole sad-heartbreaking thing and it kills me every time. And I imagined these dogs doing the same thing and for no good reason (obviously installing some rules isn't a bad thing, but this was just UGH) and I almost stopped reading right there. That did not win her sympathy points.

I might be a little oversensitive about this.

I know.

But I liked how Tara decided to make this marriage work and trying to cook for Breccan and really trying to be a partner, which earned her some respect from me. And also, she learned to work with the dogs, so there's that. But still.

Breccan was a manly man who was following a different part of his anatomy than his brain when he decided he wanted to marry Tara. I mean, honestly, if you haven't really had a conversation with someone, you shouldn't go around marrying them, because WOW DUDE you have to live with them and not just look at them from across the room. There's a person and not just a pretty face.
I did like the responsibility he felt for the people living on his land and how he truly wanted to help them.
I did want to slap him for a bit when he was basically ruining his relationship with Tara over something his evil cousin said and I was like WTF??? And this never gets discussed. I mean, if I were her, I would have been SO angry. But this never really gets sorted out other than that he realises his cousin was wrong.

These two did have chemistry and I love how Breccan's uncles fit into the story. And also: the dogs. Especially the tiniest one, who provided comic relieve and was just plain awesome with a huge personality, as little dogs often have.
I did however feel like the 'love' part came in out of nowhere and unrealistically fast, but that is also one of my pet peeves and something that happens a lot in the genre.

I liked the story in general and the setting and Tara and Breccan definitely had chemistry in abundance, but I also had some major annoyances..

My rating: 2,5 stars

Review of Dark Star by Bethany Frenette

Title/Author: Dark Star (Dark Star #1) by Bethany Frenette
Publisher/Date published: Disney Hyperion, October 23rd 2012
How I got this book: received it from the publisher through NetGalley
Buy this book at: The Book Depository

Goodreads summary: Audrey Whitticomb has nothing to fear. Her mother is the superhero Morning Star, the most deadly crime-fighter in the Twin Cities, so it's hard for Audrey not to feel safe. That is, until she's lured into the sweet night air by something human and not human - something with talons and teeth, and a wide, scarlet smile.

Now Audrey knows the truth: her mom doesn't fight crime at night. She fights Harrowers - livid, merciless beings who were trapped Beneath eons ago. Yet some have managed to escape. And they want Audrey dead, just because of who she is: one of the Kin.

To survive, Audrey will need to sharpen the powers she has always had. When she gets close to someone, dark corners of the person's memories become her own, and she sometimes even glimpses the future. If Audrey could only get close to Patrick Tigue, a powerful Harrower masquerading as human, she could use her Knowing to discover the Harrowers' next move. But Leon, her mother's bossy, infuriatingly attractive sidekick, has other ideas. Lately, he won't let Audrey out of his sight.

When an unthinkable betrayal puts Minneapolis in terrible danger, Audrey discovers a wild, untamed power within herself. It may be the key to saving her herself, her family, and her city. Or it may be the force that destroys everything - and everyone - she loves.

You guys, I have a confession to make: I really like superheroes. And it's pretty rare in YA that the main character (or the boyfriend) isn't the superhero in question, so I was intrigued by the summary! The cover is a bit misleading though, Audrey's mom is actually the one who wears a hoodie with a white star on her back.

I really liked Audrey. She has my kind of humour and I could relate to her being jealous of her mom's and Leon's superpowers, because as cool as her Knowing is, it's not really useful in a fight. Audrey has spunk and she's not the kind of girl that sits around moping in a corner, but instead thinks of a plan. I loved seeing her friendship with Tink and Gideon, those three were true friends and not just there to provide a background for the story (is anyone else annoyed at how friends are sometimes used as scenery instead of actual characters?) and I LOVED IT!

Also: one thing I'm forever rolling my eyes at is non-existant in Dark Star! The absent-parent-syndrome has definitely NOT hit this book and Bethany Frenette gets major brownie points for having Audrey's mom be a big part of her life and actually doing a fair bit of parenting. I mean, really, it was awesome. And Audrey's mom is awesome. Aside from not telling Audrey anything about the Kin. But other than that she's awesome and just a true mom.

And I really liked the romance potential in this book! There wasn't a lot of actual romance, but TENSION! EEEE!! I totally loved the scene where Audrey and Leon basically have a giant food fight and turn into life-sized cookie-ingredients. I love how Audrey gets frustrated by him and is maybe secretly having a crush on him, I LOVED it! And it all comes together in a scene towards the end that totally made me smile by the awkwardness of it and I believe that could have totally happened in real life.

I'm intrigued by this first book in the series and will be reading Burn Bright soon! I hope we'll learn more about the Kin and Audrey's father, cause I have so many questions!

My ratings: 4,5 stars

When the Duke Was Wicked by Lorraine Heath

Title/Author: When the Duke Was Wicked (Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James #1) by Lorraine Heath
Publisher/Date published: Avon, February 25th 2014
How I got this book: received it from the publisher as an egalley
Buy this book at: The Book Depository

Goodreads summary: Lady Grace Mabry’s ample inheritance has made it impossible for her to tell whether a suitor is in love with her — or enamored of her riches. Who better to distinguish beau from blackguard than her notorious childhood friend, the Duke of Lovingdon?

With no interest in marriage, Lovingdon has long lived only for pleasure. He sees little harm in helping Grace find a proper match. After all, he’s familiar with all the ploys a scoundrel uses to gain a woman’s favor. He simply has to teach the lovely innocent how to distinguish honest emotions from false ones. How better than by demonstrating his wicked ways. But as lessons lead to torrid passion and Grace becomes ensnared in another man’s marriage plot, Lovingdon must wage a desperate gamble: Open his heart fully — or risk losing the woman he adores...

You guys, I REALLY like Lorraine Heath's books and this one was no exception!

We meet Grace, who's determined to marry a man who loves her and is realistic about her dowry attracting the wrong kind of men: ones who are only after the money. I like that she knows what she wants and isn't afraid to ask for it. I thought it was a teensy bit obsessive that she's determined to bring Lovingdon back to society, but hey, whatever works for you. Also, if this hadn't been a romance novel, but real life, and Grace was my friend, I would have warned her that trying to convince a widower who's all bitter about love to love again is something that she should maybe forget about. So I liked that she had some people in her life warning her off. Not that she paid any attention. But let's be honest, if everyone was sensible all the time, not a lot of exciting things would happen right?

I liked Lovingdon. He's loved and lost and doesn't want to go through that again and you know what, I can understand it. I mean, his loss was devastating. That's not something you bounce back from easily and you shouldn't in my opinion. I liked that he truly cared for Grace and how he wasn't really sure what it was exactly what he was doing: AKA he was loosing his head over Grace. I like that in a man.

I REALLY liked seeing these two together and felt all the heartache Grace did when he was kissing her but saying he didn't mean anything by it and was just 'showing her what a rake would do' I mean SERIOUSLY?? I would have slapped him as well. Stupid man. You can't do stuff like that. But he had the best intentions, so I forgave him.

I love how Lorraine Heath's books always make me smile and they're just feel good books for me!

My rating: 4 stars