Colonel Brandon's Diary

Colonel Brandon's Diary by Amanda Grange
Published by Robert Hale of London


Now in paperback, this is the story of James Brandon's life before he met Marianne and the Dashwood sisters. At 18 he is idealistic and filled with plans for his life with Eliza, the girl he loves. However, his father needs an heiress for the estate and the elder brother Harry being a wastrel he determines to marry his ward to Harry
for the sake of the estate. Neither Eliza's feelings or James are allowed to matter and the doomed marriage goes ahead. Devastated, James enters the army and becomes a colonel until both his father and then his brother are dead and the estate is his. Although his search for Eliza is successful she is dying and he takes on the guardianship of her daughter.

The rest of the story is known to millions but this insight into the early years was beautifully done and I found it an enjoyable read. Grange tells her story in a way that is in keeping with Jane Austen's work, but, dare I say it, easier to read and therefore will appeal to some who would not pick up the original.

I did not want to put it down and have nothing but praise for this talented author.

I award the book five red roses for merit. Linda Sole

Dreaming of the Wolf

Dreaming of the Wolf by Terry Spear

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

December 2011

ISBN: 978-1-4022-4555-8

Pages: 384



Contemporary, Paranormal Colorado


Alicia Greiston is a bounty hunter that is determined to bring down a mob family. Because of her career choice she has made sure that she doesn’t have relationships with men for fear of them being killed because they are involved with her. All that changes when she meets Jake Silver. Alicia knows it is a very bad idea to get involved with him but she just can’t seem to help it.

Jake Silver took one look at Alicia and was determined to protect her. Luckily for her Jake is a lot more than he seems and knows how to protect himself and her from whatever threats might come their way. Jake’s instincts are telling him to protect Alicia but when they starting having very real passionate dreams together Jake knows that Alicia is more to him than he first realized and now he will show her how a wolf protects his mate.

With the passion that flairs between Alicia and Jake they are going to have to find a way to take down the bad guys and keep themselves safe while dealing with their attraction for each other. Alicia may not realize at first just how capably Jake is at taking care of them both but she is about to learn just what kind of man Jake truly is.


This is a wonderful continuation to a series that is sure to please reader that love werewolves. The premise of this series really makes it stand out in a genre that has a great many wonderful stories in it. The author has managed to write a series that stays fresh and will keep the reader interested and addicted to the series. This will bring back some characters that readers familiar with this series will recognize and get a chance to visit again. This is one worth reading.


I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

Lord of the Abyss

Lord of the Abyss: Royal House of Shadows by Nalini Singh

Publisher: Harlequin

December 2011

ISBN: 978-0-373-83775-5

Pages: 288





Liliana may be the daughter of the Blood Sorcerer but she is nothing like him. Liliana knows that there is only one hope for the land of Elden and that is to brave the place that Micah the last heir to Elden is at. Forced to live under the rule of her father she knows what it will take to defeat him. Now she just has to help Micah do what needs to be done to defeat the Blood Sorcerer.

Micah is now Lord of the Abyss and has no memories of Elden and the fact that he is the heir to the land. All Micah remember is the Black Castle he lives in now and the Abyss, until a woman braves the land and castle to come to him. Now Micah is starting to remember things that he didn’t know existed and his whole world is changing.

Liliana never expected to find a man that would attract her the way Micah does, but will he still want her when he finds out exactly who she is and what her father has done? Liliana knows that by helping Micah remember the past may destroy her future but she also knows that there is no choice is she wants to save Elden and the people that live there. Only time will tell if she will be able to have the happiness she has only found with the Lord of the Abyss and whether she will be able to survive the battle that is coming because her father has no intention of loosing.


This take Beauty and the Beast and gives it a very unique twist that will make sure the reader never looks that that tale the same again. This story is wonderfully written and very emotionally charged. The reader will hate to put it down for any reason once the start reading this tale. The character come to life for the reader and the reader will get emotionally involved in this one. The trials that the characters have to face make the story line move along quickly and will keep the reader reading until the very end. While this one brings the series to an end the way it ends is very satisfying and will have the reader wishing for more stories by the authors of this series. The whole series is worth getting and reading as readers will not be disappointed in this one.

I give this one 5 red roses

Because of the List

Because of the List by Amy Knupp

Publisher: Harlequin

December 2011

ISBN: 978-0-373-71748-4

Pages: 282



Contemporary, Madison, Wisconsin


Taylor McCabe is a computer whiz that is more comfortable dealing with computer code than she is with people. She knows it is now time to get over her childhood crush and start looking to the future. That is harder than she thought since Alex has been in her life for so long and the fact that he was her brother’s best friend makes things more complicated. Taylor thinks she has come up with a solution that will help her find a man that will help her get over her crush and be the type of husband that she is sure will be perfect for her. The plan is easy enough for Taylor who loves to make lists and that is to list the top ten traits she wants in a man. Perfect solution for a computer whiz.

Alex Worth is an injured Army pilot that is trying to get over his injury so that he can go back to the job he loved, flying. While he is home though he is determined to honor his friend by keeping an eye on Taylor, even if that means checking out the men she thinks will be perfect for her. Spending this much time with Taylor is giving Alex a whole different view of her though and he isn’t sure that is such a good thing.

Taylor isn’t sure she will be able to find anyone with the way Alex is acting more like a boyfriend than a protective older brother. The more time they spend together the more she is attracted to him and not getting over her crush at all. The only problem is that he doesn’t even come close to meeting any of the criteria on her list.


This is a wonderful story about just how perfect opposites can be for each other. The storyline is emotional at times and helps the story move along very well. The character are well written and well developed and the reader is completely able to relate to them. The reader is also able to feel what the characters are going through and will be completely engrossed in the story until the very end. And being published by Harlequin the reader is guaranteed a happy-ever-after. This is one book that will be sure to lift the spirits of any that read it. This is worth getting.


I give this one 5 red roses.

Christmas Awards 2011

THIS YEAR WE ARE GIVING THE AWARDS TO THE REVIEWER'S CHOICE RATHER THAN VOTING. NEXT YEAR WE HOPE TO RETURN TO THE VOTING FOR YOUR FAVOURITE.

REVIEWER'S CHOICE OF SHORT NOVEL
HOT VAMPIRE KISS BY LISA RENEE JONES

REVIEWER'S CHOICE OF LONG NOVEL
COFFESSIONS OF AN IMPROPER BRIDE BY JENNIFER HAYMORE
AUTHOR CYNTHIA EDEN


CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH THESE AUTHORS.

To receive your award
PLEASE SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESSES TO
linda@lindasole.co.uk


Linda's Special Award this year is for producing books that are emotional, sympathetic and always readable.

THE WINNER OF MY SPECIAL AWARD IS RAVEN STAR


CONGRATULATIONS RAVEN

You will receive notification of your award.

Keep sending in your books for review to Larena

Happy Christmas to all our readers and authors from Larena, Linda and other reviewers.

Teacher Plus Two

Teacher Plus Two by Valentina Heart

Publisher: Dreamspinner

October 2011

ISBN: 978-1-61372-178-0

Pages: 200


Futuristic


Orrin, is a human that because of his sexual expertise he is close to reaching the revered status of Teacher. The one thing Orrin never expected was to be kidnapped and forced to teach other slaves how to pleasure those that will be their new masters. While he is a prisoner Orrin meets Fai and has to find a way to save his as Fai is in very bad shape. Just as he gets Fai purring again they have a new occupant to their cell, Hara. Hara has been a slave for a very long time so he knows how things are done but he never expected to find the other two or the bond that soon develops between the three of them.

Fai is a Mattain, which are like small lion that purr. Fai is thrown into a situation that is completely beyond anything he has known in his life. Fai is going to have to learn quickly if he has a chance to survive even with both Orrin and Hara there to take care of him.

Hara has been a slave for so long that he has begun to forget what his life was like before he became a slave. Things change though when he meets both Orrin and Fai but that might not be enough when he is sent clear across the universe to his new master. Now he is separated from the two people that mean the most to him and he wonders if they will ever have a chance to be together again.


Now the three men are going to have to find a way to survive so that they can be together again and have a future that isn’t dictated by others. Their bond is being tested and none are sure just how strong it is or if it can survive what they are all going through.


This is a good story and different from most. The world building is very interesting and comes to life for the reader as they read. The characters are well written and engaging and interesting. While this story may not be for some it is worth taking a chance to read.


I give this one 4 red roses

A Still, Small Voice

A Still, Small Voice by D. W. Marchwell

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

September 2011

ISBN: 978-1-61372-150-6

Pages: 200


Contemporary, Canada



Noah Lowe loved his job as a teacher until the day he was falsely accused of a sexual assault by a student. That was when he had to find another career. Now six years later he has found a career he loves more but he still needs to rebuild the confidence he lost due to the accusations. Noah is now a computer programmer during the day and a drag queen with his best friend, Aiden in the evenings he is finally finding a measure of happiness that they accusation stole from him.

Oscar Reynolds is the owner of the club that Noah and Aiden perform at. Oscar has watched Noah from afar for a while but has never gotten the courage up to ask Noah out. That all might be changing. Now as Oscar and Noah are starting to see each other and see if they might have a chance at a future together the past comes back to haunt them.

Noah’s past and a part of the past is suddenly moving in next door and he as to see if he can finally put the past behind him where it belongs. Noah also has a chance to find some answers to what happened six years ago that might give him the closure he so desperately needs so that he can build something lasting with Oscar. Noah is going to find out just how strong his and Oscar’s relationship is and if it can survive the revelations from the past.


This is an excellent book that will take the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride with the characters. The story is very well written and have the reader eagerly turning the pages to find out exactly what happened to Noah in the past and what exactly the truth was. The characters are sympathetic and will get the reader emotionally involved in the story. The story plot is different and well written. This story while is very good it may not be for all readers. This is one that once the reader starts will be very glad they picked it up.


I give this one 4-1/2 red roses