How Miss Rutherford Got Her Groove Back by Sophie Barnes

• Title: How Miss Rutherford Got Her Groove Back
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Historical Romance
• Format: Paperback, 368 pages
• Publisher: Avon Impulse (February 21, 2012)
• ISBN-10: 0062190334
• ISBN-13: 978-0062190338
• Author's website:  http://www.sophiebarnes.com/

"I'm not ready for marriage yet," he said. "But when I will be, there's nobody I'd rather marry than you, my dearest friend."

Emily and Adrian had been best friends for ages. When they were younger they came to what Emily thought was an understanding, that they would eventually marry. She wasn't the only one who thought so. When Adrian finally confided to his parents he was going to propose, his own mother thought to let Emily know of his intentions so she would be prepared for the proposal. The one that never came--at least not for her. She hadn't a clue there was someone else in his life nor did anyone else except the woman whom he proposed to, who just happened to be Emily's second best friend in all the world. To say she was devastated would be an understatement. Now she'll have to pick herself up and move on.

So I must confess the use of the anachronism "Got Her Groove Back" in the title made me a little apprehensive about reading this book. I mean, let's face it, "Got Her Groove Back" brings up thoughts of  a well known contemporary movie title and is a phrase that would never be heard in historical times. So while I loved the picture on the cover, I didn't know what to expect on the inside of this book. Would it be more of the same? Luckily, it was a traditional historical romance.

Now I know some didn't like this book, but I absolutely loved it. Perhaps this is one of those 'love it or hate it' type books? I don't know, but I actually had tears in my eyes as I read the first four or so chapters. I could so sympathize with Emily. I felt as if I were experiencing the let down as much as she did. She was sweet and had an innocent air to her that made you just wish she never had to experience such a thoughtless cruelty. Perhaps I reminisced about a time when I too had such an innocent and rose colored view of the world. I loved how she went from being the sort of person who avoids confrontation to growing a backbone and sticking up for herself. The way Ms. Barnes described the transformation in the character's posture from Francis' perspective when she gained the courage to speak her mind just made me smile.

Francis, Lord Dunhurst, is described as "a fine specimen: tall and lean with broad shoulders. His thick black hair, cut short, still retained an untidy look that Emily found oddly appealing. His eyes were dark, as though filled with concern and sadness: his nose perfectly straight like that of Michelangelo's David." *sigh* Who doesn't like the dark brooding type? Emily has known him just as long as she's known Adrian and, at one point, the two had been thick as thieves, but something happened that changed him. He'd never confided as to what it was, and the boy she had once known seemed to disappear seemingly overnight. She never had figured out the mystery of what had changed her fun loving friend into a brooding young man. I loved how we slowly learn what happened to him all those years ago that caused him to pull away from society and his closest friends.

I loved how the two reinstated their previous friendship and how it quickly turned into something more substantial. I just adored Francis and by the end was left asking "Adrian who?" lol The two seemed a perfect match that steamed up the pages with the undeniable attraction. I gave this one 5 out of 5 roses. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read Ms. Barnes' next one. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one gets a STEAM rating - too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Monday Musings - Defining a classic

There seems to be some controversy as to what defines a book as 'classic'. Does it need to be able to transcend time? Does it need to have a message that will perhaps change lives? Does it need to be popular or a best seller? Does it need to evoke thought? There seems to be no set in stone definition, and it seems to be a mysterious distinction that has a sort of "I'll know it when I see it" mentality. What exactly makes a book a classic? Well, when I searched for a definition I found the following on wikipedia, "A classic book is a book accepted as being exemplary or noteworthy, either through an imprimatur such as being listed in any of the Western canons or through a reader's own personal opinion." So after scratching my head and going a bit crossed eyed at that definition I decided to search for a better more 'layman friendly' definition.

I found the following definition by punkrock_matthew on Yahoo Answers. It was my favorite of all those I found-- "A classic is a book that transcends a fad or what's in. If years (a lot) later people still talk about it, it can very well be a classic. But you really can't answer the question, there aren't a set of rules you can follow. Usually, a classic will hold a depth, that no one can hope to understand. It creates a profound statement, at society or politics, that still holds truth even long after. It's not something that holds true for a couple of years and withers away. It transcends the basic notions of a good book. To use the cliche phrase, it's timeless." (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070425175542AASIfZy)

Now this subject seems to go hand in hand with another question that I've posed to others--Do you think you could spot a classic in the making? While having a conversations with a lady who was working at one of the library branches I frequent (she volunteers) we started discussing classic books. She was surprised to learn that Gulliver's Travels was a classic. Apparently it wasn't a classic when she was younger. I decided it would be rude to ask her age, so I didn't, but it got me thinking, could I or anyone I know spot a classic in the making? Are there any books you think in the next 20 years or more might be considered a classic? I'm thinking maybe 'The Book Thief' and perhaps 'The Kite Runner'. What do you think? Are there any books you predict will become classics in the years to come?

Giveaway & Excerpt of 'The Taker' by Alma Katsu

The Taker is coming out in paperback March 27th. In celebration of its paperback release, Simon & Schuster is allowing me to do a giveaway.  Haven't read The Taker yet? Check out this excerpt:
***Please be warned this is one of the more darker excerpts from the book and the content is of a sexual nature. 

The Taker by Alma Katsu

Giveaway

Rules of Eligibility:
1. Only residents of the US are eligible.
2. Please leave either your email address or a link to your Goodreads profile so I may get in contact with you to get your mailing address. No P.O. Boxes, please. If uncomfortable about giving out such information on my blog, please feel free to email me your information at seducedbyabook@gmail.com.
3. Become a follower of my blog, if you aren't already.
4. If you win The Taker Fan Pack Giveaway which ends the same time as this giveaway, you will be disqualified from winning this one. The Fan Pack also includes a copy of the book. Feel free to enter both giveaways. The winner of the Fan Pack will be selected first.

Winner will be randomly chosen. Giveaway ends March 27th, midnight eastern time. Winner will be posted on my blog and notified by email or message posted to them via Goodreads. Winner will have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be selected. Good Luck!



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Between the Duke and the Deep Blue Sea (Royal Entourage, #1) by Sophia Nash

• Title: Between the Duke and the Deep Blue Sea
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Historical Romance
• Format: Paperback, 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon; Original edition (February 28, 2012)
• ISBN-10: 0062022326
• ISBN-13: 978-0062022325
• Author's Website:  http://www.sophianash.com/
• 
  

"Look, plans rarely work. Don't you know that by now? Life never goes according to any grand scheme. Don't count on anyone or anything, even me. You of all people should know that by now."

That was an understatement. Roxanne, Countess of Paxton, was literally left hanging on a cliff by her dear husband. Holding on for dear life, several hours after he left, she finally came to the horrible realization--He'd set her up for a fall and had left her to die. Unfortunately for him, but fortunate for her, the Duke of Kress just happened to rest his horse nearby where the incident happened and with the help of her dog, found the poor woman. While some people find themselves between a rock and a hard place, she literally found herself 'Between the Duke and the Deep Blue Sea.'

Alexander Barclay, the Duke of Kress, just came into his own. He inherited a Dukedom and small fortune and was looking forward to all the benefits the position and wealth had to offer. Just a week into his newly acquired position, and he found himself having a very bad day or rather "morning after". While celebrating with the rest of the Royal Entourage he'd toasted in the night and the Duke of Candover's impending marriage with the only liquor to be found in his newly inherited cellars--Absinthe. The results of the previous night's revelry (or rather debauchery) were plastered the next day in the papers:

"And, indeed, this columnist has it on the very best authority, partially one's own eyewitness account, that not only the august bridegroom, His Grace, The Duke of Candover, but also seven other dukes, one archbishop and the Prince Regent himself, were seen cavorting about all of London last eve on an outrageous regal rampage. Midnight duels, Swimming amok with the swans in the Serpentine, a stream o scantily clad females in tow, lawn bowling in unmentionables, horse races in utter darkness, wild uproarious boasting, and jesting, and wagering abounded. Indeed, this author took it upon himself to retrieve and return to White's Club their infamous betting book...In this fashion we have learned that the Duke of Kress lost the entire fortune he so recently acquired with the title."

As a result, Alexander is barred to his country estate and ordered to select a bride within the next month from a pre-approved list of eligible females of the ton. The last thing he needed was to come to the aid of a damsel, or rather countess, in distress. After rescuing her he should have left her behind., but he just didn't have it in him to turn away a woman whose entire world had been shattered by the betrayal of the man she'd married. Perhaps he wasn't the rake all of London thought him to be?

This was such a fun and lighthearted read. I just loved the way Alexander sort of became Roxanne's knight in shining armor. Roxanne was a bleeding heart who didn't have it in her to hate another nor have it in her for an out and out confrontation. The main thing she wanted to know once the initial fury and shock of the matter had passed, was why her husband would want her dead. Unlike some characters that you might find weak for not gaining some vengeance, I thoroughly liked her and could sympathize with her for seeing this situation as a way of getting out from underneath the thumb of any and all males.

Alexander really shouldn't have taken Roxanne in and allowed her to stay with him under the guise of a distant cousin several times removed (whatever that means lol). He was supposed to keep himself out of any unsavory gossip and be above reproach from the day after all went to hell in a hand basket. Taking in another man's wife, one not related to him, was really not his brightest idea.

The relationship between Alexander and Roxanne progressed at a slow and steady pace. I liked how they grew to mutually respect one another. It was fun how Alexander took a protective type role for Roxanne when it came to her husband, and Roxanne, likewise, took a protective stance with all the females from which Alexander was to choose a wife from. It had a subtle 'The Bachelor' undercurrent to the whole selection/elimination process without being overpowering.

Some of my favorite quotes/lines:
-    "I loved you even before I met you. I loved the idea of you." she said quietly. "And to think you existed all this time. And it only took that horrid moment when everything went wrong for the both of us for our paths to finally cross. I would fall off that cliff again and again for the promise of you."


-    "I detest informality. You may not call me Meme. But, I suppose, since we are in some thin fashion related, you may call me Antoinette."
     "I would be honored to do so." 
     The older lady harrumphed.
     It wasn't until the evening meal that Roxanne learned that the comtesse's true given name was Jacqueline.

-    "Love comes when it chooses. You don't get to say when and you don't get to say who...I guess the only choice you have is whether to say yes or no when it knocks on your heart."

I have to admit the ending had me rolling my eyes a bit, but I actually liked it even though it was a bit cheesy. Somehow it just kind of fit and made me laugh. Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one scored a STEAM rating - too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Highlanders - What do they wear under those kilts?

I don't think most of us who read romance novels, or books in general, realize how much research goes into creating all the wonderful stories we read. If an author gets their facts wrong about a place or a time period they will hear about it. Occasionally, an author stumbles across some fun facts while doing all that research. Pamela Clare, author of the I-team series and, more appropriately for this post, the MacKinnon’s Rangers series stated in a recent blog post, "While doing research for 'Defiant', book three in my MacKinnon’s Rangers series, I came across this historic cartoon, a drawing someone made and published long ago, decrying women’s curiosity about what is under a Scotsman’s kilt." The said photo was listed in a blog post entitled, 'What is it about Scottish heroes?' To check out the cartoon and what she wrote check out this link:
http://www.pamelaclare.blogspot.com/2011/12/what-is-it-about-scottish-heroes.html

Gwyn Cready's book 'A Novel Seduction'  included one of my favorite retorts to the age old question of what is worn under kilts:
     "Open bar," he said. "They just announced your company's picking up everything."
     "I can think of one thing I'd like them to pick up," she said, and leered at the hem of his kilt.
     "Ah, ah, ah." He waved a forbidding finger at her, and she gave him a big smile.
     Someone had set up a tip jar, and the woman pushed a bill toward it. "There's ten pounds in it for you if you tell me what's worn underneath."
     A white-haired gentleman sitting at the far end of the bar snorted, and Axel sighed, dropping the dirty pint glasses in the suds. "Nothings's worn, I assure you. It's all in perfect working order."



 Jill Salvis, however, recently blew the cover off this one in a very revealing way. Check out her blog post to see what I mean. I think we can all agree she found the answer. Take special note of the second piture:
 http://jillshalvis.com/blog/2012/01/31/best-of-32/

But perhaps you'd be more convinced hearing for yourself from a well known celebrity who knows first hand the dangers of wearing a kilt--actor Gerard Butler:

Further proof, check out this Scottish barstool. I had to do a double take with this one:

P.S. In case you're wondering, GOT-KILT.COM is an actually website that sells kilts. Also, pictures/images were not taken or created by me, but I could not find who to credit for them.

Romance at Random's Luck 'O the Irish Blog Hop

Romance At Random is giving away THREE, $20 GC for B&N! This promotion is sponsored by  Random House, Inc. who runs the Romance At Random blog/website. Three winners will be chosen randomly from all the entries acquired from all the blogs involved in the hop by Romance At  Random. The giveaway runs from St. Patrick's Day through March 31st. To enter just fill in the Information below via Rafflecopter. The winners will be posted on there site: http://www.romanceatrandom.com/

Good Luck & may the ‘Luck ‘O The Irish’ be with you!

For a full copy of the rules, CLICK HERE
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Drink Deep (Chicagoland Vampires, Book 5) Chloe Neill

• Title: Drink Deep (Chicagoland Vampires, Book 5)
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Urban Fantasy
• Format: Paperback, 352 pages
• Publisher: New American Library; 1 edition (November 1, 2011)
• ISBN-10: 0451234863
• ISBN-13: 978-0451234865

     Ethan stood beside me, a gold coin between his thumb and index finger. It spun slowly on it's axis, the light catching each rotation like a gold-edged strobe light. 
     "Two sides of a coin," he said. "Heads and tails. Wrong and right. Good and evil.' He lifted his gaze to me. "We all have choices, don't we?" 
     "Choices?"  
     "Between bravery or cowardice." he suggested. "Ambition or contentment."
     "I guess so." 
     "Which choice will you make, Merit?"

Merit is still getting over Ethan's death. Haunted by him in dreams that seem to be uncannily related to the strange supernaturally tinged events going on in and around the city of Chicago. It all begins with the lake coming to a standstill and turning black. The relations between humans and vampires which were already strained are about to get more so. Chicago's new mayor, Diane Kowalczyk, is big supporter of the proposed supernatural registration law. In other words, she doesn't truly like supernaturals and she'll use whatever means necessary, like the water turning black, to her advantage to get the law through. It will be up to Merit to find out who or what could be tampering with things.

If that wasn't bad enough, Cadogan house, now run by Malik, has a receiver living among them. Frank, a representative of the GP (Greenwich Persidium), has been sent to evaluate the house and see where its weaknesses lie. One of the new house rules he's instilled is a the rationing of the blood bags used by vamps to nourish themselves. Drinking from another, human or vamp, has also been banned and that is just the tip of the iceberg.

It will be a fight between good and evil that could go either way. Merit's loyalties as well as that of others will be put to the test. Expect the unexpected in this one and be ready for a bumpy ride.

This is the first book I've read of the Chicagoland Vampires series and it won't be my last. I'm already reading the one before it and will eventually read the others as well. This book blew me away on so many levels. It takes place approximately 2 months after the last book ended in a highly charged political environment where hate for supernaturals, vampires in particular, is on the rise. The book is fast paced and if you blink, you might miss something.

Merit is as smart, sassy, and snarky as ever. Her grief over Ethan's death lingers. Jonah is still attempting to persuade her to join the Red Guards (RG),  "a secret organization dedicated to providing oversight to the American vampire Houses and the Greenwich Presidium, the European council that ruled them from across the pond.", and has become her new partner. If he had his way he'd be a lot more. Together, they'll attempt to put a stop to whatever magic is being used.

Jonah will leave no question as to what his feelings are for Merit. Perhaps the V induced confrontation between Ethan and Jonah in the last book wasn't all drug inspired. We'll get to find out a little more about Jonah and I ended up really liking him.

While the politically charged atmosphere is getting more and more volatile, Mallory, who just recently learned she's a sorceress and is Merit's best friend, is immersing herself in her studies. It appears her upcoming test is stressing her out. Plus, some of what she learns she can't share, and it appears to be taking a toll on her and Merit's and Mallory's relationship gets a bit strained.

Why is the book titled 'Drink Deep'? I believe because of this scene:
Claudia poured a silver goblet of wine for herself, then did the same for us. "Drink deep," she said, "for there is no enchantment in my hospitality. Had I permanent need of your company I could most certainly assure it without such lures."


Be prepared for a lot of surprises. I do believe I've found another series to love. I gave this one 5 out of 5 roses. It has plenty of action, drama, and OMG moments in it. I highly recommend this series.

Sidenote: I listened to the audio version of the book and loved the narrator of it. She did an excellent job with the voices. I rarely listen to an audio book and think that the voice matches the character, but the voice seemed to fit and she did an excellent job with all the other voices as well--even the male ones. I'm currently listening to Hard Bitten. Yes, I'm totally reading this series out of order, but I really wanted to know what happened in the previous book.

Order of the series: