Guest Review: Plight of the Darcy Brothers by Marsha Altman

The Plight of the Darcy Brothers: A Tale of the Darcys & the Bingleys
By Marsha Altman

Sourcebooks
2 Heart Review

Cheeky Reads is happy to welcome its very first Guest Reviewer Cheeky Girl Lisa! Lisa is a well known lover of the fabulous Jane Austen and so I thought who better to review The Plight of the Darcy Brothers? Please welcome Lisa to Cheeky Reads!

In this lively second installment, the Darcys and Bingleys are plunged into married life and its many accompanying challenges presented by family and friends.

With Jane and Elizabeth away, Darcy and Bingley take on the daunting task of managing their two-year- old children. Mary Bennet returns from the Continent pregnant by an Italian student promised to the church; Darcy and Elizabeth travel to find the father, and discover previously unknown—and shocking—Darcy relations. By the time Darcy discovers that there's more than one sibling of questionable birth in the family, the ever-dastardly Wickham arrives on the scene to try to seize the Darcy fortune once and for all.

I should start out by saying that although I am a serious fan of Jane Austen’s novels, I’m not exactly a Jane Austen purist. If anyone who has a talent for entertaining and compelling writing wants to continue Ms. Austen’s stories about love and life, then that’s fine with me. In the case of The Plight of the Darcy Brothers, however, I have to contend that the story isn’t compelling and is light on entertainment.

Marsha Altman’s talent lies in understanding Jane Austen’s characters well enough to keep their personalities intact – even affording Mr. Bennett and Mr. Darcy a few great lines. Seeing the young family life of the Darcys and the Bingleys provides a few funny moments but from then on its one clumsy reveal after another of predictable scandals and family secrets. Too much time is spent on a sub-plot featuring Caroline Bingley and her doctor husband, while not enough time is given to the ongoing Darcy-Wickham rivalry in spite of a “game-changing” revelation.

By the end of the novel, I felt like I’d just sat through a long episode of one of those campy British sitcoms – complete with a Monk, a Madame, a Prince and a long-running joke about ink-stained children. Not to mention an overly-violent duel that isn’t in keeping with the rest of the novel’s tone.

The Plight of the Darcy Brothers is certainly a light and easy read, but I wouldn’t recommend putting it on your “must-read” list.

(It should be noted that this is the second sequel that Marsha Altman has written. I haven’t read the first, but the second is not written in such away that you’d be lost if you don’t read them in order.)

Thanks Lisa!

So, leave a comment telling us if you've read any Jane Austin sequels or are you a purist who likes to stick to the original- and all it's many movie adaptations? What's your favorite Jane Austin movie and do you like the new modern contemporaries like the Jane Austin Book Club?

Welcome Rita Herron on her Dark Hunger Blog Tour & Enter To Win A Copy!

UPDATE: Winners Announced!

The following Cheeky Readers have won a copy of Dark Hunger. Email me at cheekyreads(@)gmail.com with your mailing address so I can send your prize.

Brenda
Dottie
Catslady
2nd Chance
Hellion

Congrats to the winners and look for more giveaways soon!

Today Cheeky Reads is honored to welcome Rita Herron, author of the DEMONBORN Series! Dark Hunger is Rita's latest book in the series and it just released. Rita was kind enough to answer some questions for us and we are giving away 5 copies of Dark Hunger!

Welcome Rita!

Many readers know you from your Harlequin Intrigue titles. For those not familiar with your new DEMONBORN series, what can they expect?

Readers can expect the same type of romantic suspense, emotion and overall theme of love, but the Demonborn series is much darker, more erotic, has grittier language, and deals with deeper issues. It's like taking an Intrigue and raising it several degrees.The spooky paranormal and sinister demon creatures add another level of danger and mystery, and the series is chalked full of myths and folk legends, both fictional and based on actual folklore.

Dark Hunger is Book Two in the series. Would you recommend readers check out Insatiable Desire first, or is each book able to stand alone?

Hmm, I always think it's more fun to start a series with the first book as it sets up the series and the heroes in the demonborn. That said, readers can pick up Dark Hunger and read it and not feel lost. I weave in the backstory and set up, and Vincent makes a return visit!

If you were to describe Quinton Valtrez, the hero of Dark Hunger, in three words what would they be?

Mysterious, wicked, sexy...

What excited you about Quinton and Annabelle and their story?

I loved that he had a wicked sense of humor and that she was spunky, had her own goals and didn't back down from him. I also liked the fact that they had to work together in a race against time to stop the Death Angel from murdering. Annabelle brought out the good in Quinton, but she also played to his erotic nature, and even liked it, so I found that sexy and hope readers do, too!

You include lots of mythology and legends in your DEMONBORN series and I love it! What was the research process like for setting up a paranormal world that plays on some of the established myths?

Having been born in the South, I've always been fascinated with local folklore, myths and legends. It was really fun to build my world around these elements, although I did throw in a few of my own fictional myths (even more so in Insatiable Desire.) I think using the myths and legends adds another mysterious level, brings the setting to life and makes it unique. Building the folklore about All Hallow's Eve also added authenticity. And using my three favorite Southern cities actually made the storytelling easier because I've been to these cities and love the flavor and culture of each one. Having visited them and having done research on the areas and legends also sparked my creativity and ideas for parts of the series.

The DEMONBORN Series is set to be a trilogy with Forbidden Passion releasing in April 2010. Now that Book Two has been released, do you find yourself wishing that the series could go on, or do you feel three books were perfect for telling this story?

Hmm, yes I'd love to see it continue and spin off into an extended series, but I do think these three books told the Valtrez brothers' stories. If I did continue, I'd spin if off with other characters or in a different directions, but the cruz of the brothers' conflict, their relationships with one another and their father is tied up here. However, I did like writing men/heroes who were both good & evil.

I know you're super busy and don't always get time to read for pleasure, but authors always have great recommendations! So, what book would get your latest recommendation to our readers?

Any book my Karen Rose! She's my favorite. And I like Larissa Ione's paranormal series!

What other exciting things do you have in store for readers in the future?

I have some things in the works, but nothing definite to share yet. I'm working on ideas for another romantic suspense trilogy (set around a mental hospital), and may include paranormal elements. I also have a paranormal series in mind, am working on a YA paranormal series, a paranormal romantic suspense screenplay, and of course, I'll be writing more Intrigues.

Read an excerpt.

Check out the Fun Facts.

Watch the video.

Go to DemonBorn.com to learn more about the characters, the legend, symbols, and the series.

Visit Rita Herron’s website.

Now for the Dark Hunger giveaway! Leave a comment below to be entered to win one of five copies of Dark Hunger. For an extra entry be a follower of this blog. Just mention that in your comment and you'll be +1! Contest is open until Wed. August 19th!

Some fine print: This giveaway is only open to residents of the US and Canada and cannot ship to P.O. Boxes. Make sure you leave your email so I can contact you if you win!

Buy Dark Hunger Today!


Follow Rita's Blog Tour as she stops at:
Books and Needlepoint - Aug. 19
All About {n} - Aug. 20
This Book For Free - Aug. 20
Park Avenue Princess - Aug. 21
Morbid Romantic - Aug. 21
Falling off the Shelf - Aug. 22
My Book Views - Aug. 22
Found not Lost - Aug. 22

Tuesday Tease - Trailer for Dark Hunter by Rita Herron

Tomorrow - Tuesday - Cheeky Reads will be featuring author Rita Herron as part of her Dark Hunger tour. Make sure you stop by for the chance to win a copy!

To tempt you to remember, here's the book trailer for Dark Hunter. Yeah, I'm a bit of a tease, but if you come back tomorrow I might fulfill your wish to get your very own copy!

Haven't Read Sookie Stackhouse? Here's Your Chance!

Book Junkie is offering one lucky reader the chance to take home a box set of books 1-7 in the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlene Harris!

Who's Sookie Stackhouse? Have you heard of a little TV show called True Blood on HBO? It's based on the Sookie series and features telepathy, vamps and fairies set in a small southern town!

To enter to win the 7 book set, head over to Book Junkie and leave a comment!

Good Luck!

Crazy with Waiting: Dreamfever will be here August 18th!

I'm an addict. Seriously addicted and having withdrawals. To what you ask? To Karen Marie Moning's Fever Series!

It all started with a trip to the library where I picked up an unknown (to me) author's book because I was in the mood for a historical that involved kilts - if you get my drift! That's when I first got hooked on Moning's Highlander series.

I read them all and then found out she had a brand new book out called Darkfever that was different from the Highlander Series, but that some of the myth and world building would be similar. I was all about that so I checked out the LARGE PRINT version - the only version of Darkfever my library had - and boy was I instantly addicted! It gave me FEVER! Ok, that was corny. Sorry!

BTW - If you haven't read any of the Fever Series yet I have great news...the first book in the series is available for FREE as an ebook! So, you can check it out for free to see if you get addicted too! Click here to go get that FREE book!

So, skip ahead to Bloodfever and Faefever, books 2 and 3 in the series, and I'm in a full blown, fever and sweats addiction that kills me in the time between books!

Faefever was the last book, and the very first book I literally threw across the room after reading. I had gotten on my treadmill thinking I would walk and read and seriously stayed on over 2 hours because I got lost in the story! Karen does a cliffhanger like no other, and Faefever has one hell of a crazy one! After reading the last page I look up and promptly threw my book across the room - leaving a small dent in my wall!

It's been about a year and I'm on the countdown to August 18th - when Dreamfever releases and I can get my Mac on! (Mac being the title character who was left in a precarious situation at the end of book 3!)

This is a five book series so I know there will be another humdinger awaiting me at the end of Dreamfever and still I can't wait to get my hands on it! Even with knowing I'm cruising for a bruising with withdrawals again, I can't help it...I'M ADDICTED!

What book series are you addicted to? What series makes you preorder or rush to the bookstore on release day? Tell me your addictions!

What's New Wednesday

So we have some very cool things coming up here at Cheeky Reads and I thought I would give you a heads up!

First, I'm working on some changes and updates to the site that I think you'll enjoy and I'll be giving the site more structure so that you'll see more frequent posts. Look for themed days, more reviews, more guest authors and more giveaways! Basically more of everything!

I'll be posting details about some of these new changes soon.

I'm excited to announce Cheeky Reads will be hosting author Rita Herron on August 18th as part of her Dark Hunger Tour! It's the second in her DEMONBORN Series and the cover is quite striking (check it out above)! Make sure to stop by as we'll be giving away copies of Dark Hunger!

Lastly, if you haven't tried Twitter give it a go! I was very hesitant and well thought it sounded stupid, but I've been able to talk with some of my favorite authors and other book bloggers. And, not to blow my own horn too much, I try to tweet lots of deals on books sales, industry news and info on authors. If you don't do Twitter, you can check out my latest tweets in the left hand sidebar. Maybe it will entice you to follow me! LOL!

More news and changes coming soon!

Book Drive To Benefit Louisville Library

On August 4, heavy rains caused flooding in Louisville, Kentucky and the surrounding areas. The Louisville Free Public Library’s main branch was hit hard and the damages are estimated at $5 million. Three book-mobiles, electronics equipment and 50,000 books were destroyed.

I’m putting together a book drive in an effort to help.

How you can help:

Everybody:
Donations of new books, all genres.
Information about monetary donations can be found at WFPL.

Authors & Publishers:
Donations of both signed and unsigned books. All genres, from children’s books to romance to non-fiction, etc, etc.
Signed books can be used in fundraiser purposes. Unsigned books can be used to help replenish the books that were lost due to the flood.

I have spoken with somebody with the library and at this time, they have no place to store books. However, I’m close and I will keep the books at my house until they are able to take them.

For those wishing to donate books, there are two ways you can send them. I can either receive them my post box address or a friend will receive them at her home.

If you wish to mail them via the USPS, send to:
Shiloh Walker
PO Box 976
Jeffersonville, IN47131

**Please note, I did speak with library personnel before I started this bookdrive. I realize they had no storage/no way to process books, which is why I’m holding them for the time being, and I did discuss that with library personnel as well. Several members of the library do have my contact info, should they have concerns, and none have contacted me.

Feel free to repost this information in its entirety.

Shiloh Walker
http://shilohwalker.com/
http://shilohwalker.wordpress.com

This post was submitted by Shiloh Walker.

Get TORTURED with Amanda McIntyre! Join Day Three of the TORTURED Tour and Win a Signed Copy!

"25 Blogs in 25 days...the TORTURED tour!"

August 6th - Day Three of The Tour

Leaving Chicago, we had an interesting trek through Gary, Indiana (where I paid silent homage to the late Michael Jackson) and Ohio –which I discovered is much like driving through Nebraska (only those in the Midwest will understand) we arrived in the state of New York. Who knew that New York State was such a lush green, forested place? The short jaunt from Fredonia to Niagara Falls was a pleasant one and our weather at around seventy with low humidity and brilliant sunshine could not have been more perfect. After a quick lunch at my fav spot, Hard Rock Café, we ventured to the “falls” where I stood in amazement and memory of the last time I’d seen that area almost …dare I say it, forty years before. Eeek! It was well worth every mile to see my kids snapping away, their eyes wide with respect and wonder of such a magnificent sight. Yes, we’d seen the IMAX movie on Niagara, but seeing something of such magnitude in real life is far more incredible!

Then came the challenge, trekking down to the base of the falls to the “Cave of the Winds.” I could remember my trip on the “Maid of the Mist”—the boating excursion that takes soaked passengers on the river beneath the falls—but for the life of me I couldn’t recall this “Cave of the Winds” being there. Still, you live only once and I am a secret adventuresome pirate at heart, so I donned the required foam-soled sandals and rain poncho and stood before the simulated falls mural with my three of my children to snap our picture for posterity. (Oh yes, dad opted to hold bags, wait on the surface and test out the homemade ice cream)

I later wondered as we stood in a “cattle line” waiting our turn, if the picture was taken in case of an unexpected accident. What can I say? I’m a writer. Finally, we made it to the front of the line, where a man stood repeating the litany I’m sure several times over during the course of his shift, “this elevator will take you 175 feet below the surface and then you walk through a tunnel…” at which point I began to wonder how he could look so casual when sending people into this watery abyss.

I cinched my glad bag style poncho tight and got on my game face as I prepared to squeeze into the cubicle that would plummet me to the base of the falls. I tried not to think of thousands of tons of water rushing over the rocks, centuries old, one of the true wonders of the world—and I was going to get to stand in its grandeur and get soaked. I started thinking then about my latest work, my deadline and it suddenly seemed less stressful.

We emerged from the tunnel into the sunshine and stood a moment overlooking the churning waterway below. I chided myself for being overly concerned, and yet I had a feeling this wasn’t all there was. People with various odd looking expressions, soaked to the skin were coming from around a bend. THAT “feeling” came to fruition a few moments later when I stood at the base of a set of wooden stairs that angled every which way—looking like something out of the movie ”Labyrinth”—to a platform high above, settled right into the midst of the falls.

So I began the maze of steps, taking note of the haphazard and yet I was certain carefully placed wood planks jabbed here and there, bracing the structure against the rock. I tired not to think of the constant roar in my ear, the hundreds of thousands of pounds of pressing pushing against the narrow wood steps and single person walkways that crisscrossed the falls ahead. I tried not to think of having to stop part way when I small child decided firmly they didn’t want to go any further. Later, my husband tried to reason that hundreds of people go on this daily and each year they tear it down and rebuild it. Which I suppose was meant to appease my concern, but I’m not sure that it did. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat ;)

In my erotic Medieval historical, TORTURED (Harlequin Spice-Books, Aug. ’09) Sierra must face her fears and the unknown in order to survive. What fear have you had to face that made you realize the strength you have inside you? Read a full excerpt from TORTURED on my website! http://www.amandamcintyre.net/

One lucky commenter will win a signed copy of TORTURED! Having read this book, I can personally tell you that you really want to win this one. I actually cheered out loud at the ending!

Next stop Novel Thoughts at RRH http://www.novethoughts.wordpress.com/ -- August 7

See you on the road!
Amanda McIntyre
DIARY OF COZETTE Harlequin Spice Oct. '08
TORTURED Harlequin Spice Aug. '09
"Winter Awakening" in WINTER'S DESIRE Nov.'09

Doing The Naughty: Welcome Guest Author Dee Tenorio

A huge welcome to today's guest blogger Dee Tenorio!

Dee is the author of numerous books from Samhain Publishing and her newest novella, Love Me Knots, releases today. Big congratulations to Dee and I'm so pleased to have her here at Cheeky Reads!

Check out Dee's guest blog below and enter for a chance to win a ecopy of Love Me Knots!

Dee's Website
Dee's Blog
Check out Love Me Knots at Samhain

Doing The Naughty

When I first started writing, I thought I was being oh so titillating by having my characters make out.

I was like, seven.

By the time I was ten and had discovered romance---particularly historicals! WOWSA!---I quickly learned the error of my thinking. Still, it was a long time before I got comfy enough to actually write a frisky love scene. I remember when I started writing "Test Me" as an erotic romance. I was sitting on my bed, my husband innocently working on his computer across the room and my face was absolutely on fire while I typed like mad. (Incidentally, I was in this same condition while doing research on Vetta's waterproof sex toy in that same book, for much the same reason. Believe me, gang, you do not want to get researching sex toys by hubby who is pretty sure he's taking care of business. Well...not without taking your vitamins first.)

Where was I?

Oh yeah, doing the naughty. So, anyway, at first, it was really difficult to allow myself to write erotic. I was so sure my mother was going to find out and I'd wake up in the night with her standing over my bed with that look on her face she'd get when I forgot to do the dishes. The "Girl, I'm gonna beat you so hard, you're going back in time and you done better do the dishes when you get there" Look. (Note: Mom never actually beat me, but she sure looked like she would.)

But after that first scene got written of Travis getting a hell of an eyeful of his nekkid heroine, Mom didn't show up. Mom didn't have a clue. So I kept going, and "Test Me!" got naughtier and naughtier. And you know what? It was fun! No holds barred, as descriptive as I wanted to be. I totally relaxed about the content I was writing. And with that freedom, I was able to write several more books with characters that had complete sexuality, which I think was part of making them more realistic. I didn't flinch when things got hot. I didn't blush and worry about Mom acting like the end of the movie "Carrie". And when a story idea came along about a couple that has great sex but bad communication... Well, who was I to say no? And there you have it, "Love Me Knots" was born.

I look at writing more explicitly as a different kind of honesty. I'm not going to get all preachy about how it's empowering to write the naughty. But the way a couple expresses themselves physically is as much a language as what they say. And if it means taking a few more vitamins, why not? :)

Of course, there are certain caveats are required for doing the naughty regularly on paper, particularly if you've never done it before.

1) After describing a man's appreciation for the feminine privates, keep in mind that your CPs just might wonder if YOU have an appreciation for feminine privates...

2) Mom's DO smack you in the back of the head when they find out you've been writing.

3) You really need to stock up on vitamins and Wheaties.

So, how about you? Have you ever worried about doing something, only to find out that it's the right thing for you? Share a comment and win a free ecopy of my new erotic novella, "Love Me Knots"!

Upcoming Guest Bloggers - Dee Tenorio & Amanda MacIntyre

I'm excited to announce that on August 4th, we'll be featuring as a guest blogger, author Dee Tenorio!

Dee has a brand new Samhain Novella coming out that day, and she's launching her book tour right here at Cheeky Reads!

Come back on August 4th to congratulate Dee on her release. One lucky reader will win an e-copy of her new release Love Me Knots! Here's a sneak peek at an excerpt.

On August 6th, the fantastic Amanda MacIntyre will be here to talk about her new release Tortured!

Smart Bitches Sony Rest Drive

The Sony Reader test drive over at Smart Bitches Trashy Books in in full swing! I'm head over heels for my 505, and fellow test driver Billie is adoring her 700.

Check out the hilarious first review from Billie over at Smart Bitches.

If you are even considering the pros and cons on an ereader, you should follow these reviews. We're a random group of reviewers giving you our honest ups and downs with the Sony. You're sure to find a reviewer who has your reading habits and opinions on print versus ebooks, and that should be helpful in deciding if an ereader is right for you.

Happy Reading!

Cheeky Book Review: Bunco Babes Tell All by Maria Geraci

Review:Bunco Babes Tell All
By Maria Geraci
Berkley Books
5 Heart Review
Buy From Amazon

Woman cannot live by Bunco alone!

Meet the Bunco Babes of Whispering Bay. Every Thursday night they roll dice, drink frozen margaritas, and catch up on all the gossip in their small north Florida town. Kitty Burke is the only Bunco Babe who is still single – which is okay – but she's thirty-five and may need to face the fact that her image of Mr. Right is all wrong.

Take Steve. Very sexy, but – with three failed marriages and a shady career – on paper he is not great husband material. And yes, his ringtone is “Free Bird.” Fellow Babes Shea and Pilar certainly vote thumbs-down. But maybe there's more to Steve than meets the eye? Is it time for Kitty to take a chance and hope that she can be as lucky in love as she is in Bunco?

Sometimes I run across a book that I enjoy so much that I can't help but wish the characters would invite me over to play sometime. That was exactly how I felt after reading Bunco Babes Tell All by the very talented Maria Geraci! In fact, I've wanted to crash her Bunco night and beg her to be my friend – since I only live a few hours away I've really had to restrain myself!

This book gave me the same sense of longing for a group of strong female friends as Sex and the City had. These women are not only believable, but you'll want them as your closest pals. They'll be your support network and the ones making you laugh out loud. They come to life as you turn the page, and I felt deeply connected to them. It takes a great writer to pull the reader in so deeply and I can't wait to read the next books in Maria's Bunco Babes series.

The story of Kitty and Steve was delightful to read and I loved them as characters. Each is interesting in their own right which makes the payoff when they come together even better! From the first meeting that includes bathroom humor, mistaken identity AND a male stripper, to the obstacles they overcome, I was under their spell. This book's characters had me thinking about them days after having finished the book and I'll be happily following their relationship in the coming Bunco Babes books.

This book is a fun, sassy, laugh out loud read that will leave you looking for your own Bunco Babes group, and counting the days til the release of the next book in the series! (Hint – It's soon!) I finished this book weeks ago, and I've been itching to pick it back up for a re-read for the past few days! I really loved it and know my copy will be worn and dogeared before the end of the year!

This book has perfect beach read written all over it! What book would you recommend for the beach or to take on vacation?

The Winner of Sexist Man Alive Is...

According to the random number generator at Random.org, the winner is poster #7 - Chicky!

Drop me an email at cheekyreads(@)gmail.com with your mailing address and I'll send your prize out!

If you didn't win, stop back by often becuase we have lots of giveaways and guest authors coming up!

Romance Book Review: Lucky Streak by Carly Phillips

Romance Book Review: Lucky Streak
By: Carly Phillips
HQN Books
3 Heart Review
Buy Lucky Streak

Long ago, a witch proclaimed an eternal curse that every Corwin male who married for love would be destined to lose his woman and his fortune...

When Mike Corwin awakens after some wild partying in Vegas $100,000 richer and married to Amber, the gorgeous woman he met the night before, he thinks he's hit the jackpot. The bad news is that Amber's a con who takes his money and runs. Seems the family curse has finally hit him. Hard.

But to Amber, Mike isn't business as usual. If only she didn't need the money to ensure her father's safety, she might actually have fallen for the intense lawman. Instead, she's forced to betray him.

Now Mike's hell-bent on divorce and Amber's on the run...but when a twist of fate reunites them, can they turn their run of bad fortune into a lucky streak?

Lucky Steak is Carly Phillips’ second book in the Corwin Curse series and I found it to be a cute story with lots of fun characters. Not only did I enjoy Amber and Mike, but Mike’s family is loads of fun and the bad guys chasing Amber add some extra excitement.

The storyline is very believable and will probably hit close to the heart for many readers. Amber is a con only because she desperately needs to pay for her father’s nursing home and care. Mike is afraid of true love because his experience with it has only been through his messed up family (and of course the famous Corwin Curse). These are highly likeable characters and I really cheered for them to get together.

I enjoyed the story, but felt that there was so many characters and side stories that it took away from Mike and Amber. In particular, I felt that the scenes with Jason Corwin were forced into the book as a set-up for the next one. I do think his story sounds very interesting, but throwing in his scenes at the end of Lucky Streak just cluttered things up to me.

Lucky Streak was an enjoyable book, but it didn’t totally engross me. This might have been because of all the side stories and characters. I would have liked more focus on Mike and Amber. Although time passes in the book, very little of that time is spent with Mike and Amber together getting to know one another. This left me wanting more to their story. I wanted more Mike and Amber and less side characters. What I can say is that the story is fun to read and the writing made me laugh out loud!

Cheeky Reads Featured at The Daily Dose: Spotlight on Reviewers

This week The Daily Dose is putting the spotlight on book reviewers, and first up was CHEEKY READS!

I was honored to be interviewed and had a great time with Heather's questions. Head on over there to check it out and remember they'll have a new reviewer every day this week!

Serial Lovin': Keeping Series Straight - Win The Sexiest Man Alive!

Cheeky Reader Marissa posted a great question last week: If a book is part of a series, why would I read them out of order? This question kept popping up in my head, so I thought it would make a great blog post.

Marissa's question was in reference to my review of Hard and Fast by Erin McCarthy since it’s the second book in Erin's Contemporary series about NASCAR drivers. So why did I read that book first? Well, in that instance, it was because I was in the mood for a contemporary, went to the bookshelf, and this book seemed to fit the bill. I completely spaced on this being part of a series, and I even have the first book on my shelf to read too! Both of these books, like most contemps, are stand alone books that share characters. So, even though they are linked, it's not 100% necessary to read them in order to enjoy them!

One thing I find very interesting – Why don't contemporaries do a better job of connecting books in a series? Yes, each book is a complete story in its own right, but very few of them bother to mention on the cover or back blurb that this isn't the first or only book with these characters involved.

Paranormals, Urban Fantasies and even mysteries, usually play up the connection between books on the cover. You'll often see “Book 5 of the xxx series” or “A xxx Mystery” right on the front cover. So why don't contemporaries do this more often? What is it about that particular genre?

In thinking about the other times I've read a series out of order I think it’s because I'm a reader just like you! I browse bookstores to find new authors, and that doesn’t always mean I know if a book is part of a series before I pick it up. Impulse shopping when you work across the parking lot from a bookstore can make you try out all kinds of new books!

I've been introduced to many of my favorite authors not through their first book, but through whatever book I first discovered of theirs. I read book three in Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan series without any clue that it was part of a series. What happened? I said, “Whoa! I need more!” That's when I discovered the first two books – now I'm first in line for every new release! I'm constantly buying an author's backlist once I'm introduced to their awesomeness!

There are of course those books or series I've heard about online, so I will start with the first in the series, but I'm a reader like any other – drawn to an individual book like a moth to a flame! Catch my eye with a shiny cover or whet my appetite with a great blurb, and even if I haven't heard about the book or author I'll give it a try.

Have you ever bought a book only to discover that its part of a series, or do you always research books before buying? If you have read a later book in a series, did it inspire you to go back and read the previous books? What do you think about loosely linked Contemporaries that don't mention the series on their cover?

Leave a comment and you'll be entered to win a copy of Sexiest Man Alive by Diana Holquist! Winner will be announced Friday July 24th! A big thank you to Marissa for the great question – Send your mailing address to cheekyreads(@)gmail.com and I'll send you something special!

Way to Step Up your Game Lifetime!

Okay - So Lifetime Network isn't exactly a romance book, but it is the network that brings many of our favorite romances to the small screen! (Remember the recent Nora Roberts movies?)

I'm not an everyday Lifetime watcher, but I do check it see what they have on and have found myself watching more than usual lately. First up where the Killer Hair and Hostile Makeover movies on Lifetime Movie Network- I love the Crimes of Fashion books by Ellen Byerrum - the movies were high quality and the casting was great! Head to the website to watch the entire movie online along with extra videos from the cast!

During those movies, I caught the promos for the new show Drop Dead Diva. I couldn't decide if it would be cute, or if the premise of a skinny girl who dies and comes back as a larger size woman would be too preachy about weight and not light enough for laughs.

I shouldn't have worried - I caught the pilot on the other night and it was extremely cute! The shows premise on being more than what you look like on the outside is there - which is great! - but there was also so much more to like. The lead actress is fantastic and I hope Hollywood takes notice! She's what made this pilot really pop for me and I think as the show develops we'll see even greater things from her. Oh, and of course Margaret Cho is awesome as always.

Wanna watch the entire pilot episode online? Check it out! The regular season starts this Sunday at 9PM EST.

Romance Book Review: Hard And Fast By Erin McCarthy

Hard and Fast
By Erin McCarthy
Berkley Sensation
4 Heart Review
Book Excerpt

An experiment in romance...

New to Charlotte, North Carolina, stock car racing country, graduate student Imogen Wilson meets Ty McCordle, a driver who inexplicably has her pulse racing. After an encounter at the track with a woman whose main goal in life is to marry a driver, Imogen realizes she's hit on the perfect topic for her sociology thesis. If she follows the rules on how to get a man, can she steer her way into the hearts of the drivers and establish their
dating – and mating – patterns?

...that's testing the limits of passion.

Although sexy and reckless Ty is the ideal test subject, Imogen knows she can't pursue him for the sake of science. Yet he's the one who's chasing after her, and Imogen realizes that she actually wants to be caught. A Southern gentleman like Ty won't disappoint – he will satisfy her curiosity and make all the risks worthwhile...

As someone who doesn't understand the draw of NASCAR, I was slightly hesitant about this book. I wasn't sure how much a love of the “sport” was needed to enjoy it, but I found the book to be very light on the NASCAR references and this was a definite plus for me.

As the title suggests, the writing in this book is fast paced, but it definitely isn't hard to keep up with. This book was good enough to make me want to spout the cheesiest driving references I could think of...The story revved along and purred like the engine of an expensive car...Erin's writing took me for a ride...okay enough driving references!

What I liked about this book was that there was no huge mystery to be solved, no major revenge plot or a detailed historical setting. Instead, I found a straight up, sexy, contemporary with likable characters and great writing. Oh, and did I mention sexy? The sex scenes in this book were outstanding if you enjoy that kind of thing (cheeky smile appears on this reviewer's face).

I've recently purchased Erin's previous book, Flat-Out Sexy and will save it for when I need another great escape with some hot and steamy elements. I was very impressed with Erin's writing and the way she doesn't bog a story down in too many plot twists, minor characters or overly complex relationship hurdles. Hard and Fast was a perfect, uncomplicated story that I thoroughly enjoyed!

Buy From Amazon

Authors on Air - Live From RWA 09 - Four Dukes and a Devil

Head on over to the Avon Books Romance Blog and check out the details on two upcoming live radio interviews with the authors of Four Dukes and a Devil!

The interviews start at 11am today and its really easy to listen to these - just click on the link at Avon's Blog!

Those Smart Bitches Rule! Commencing Sony Reader Test Drive

The super-supreme Smart Bitches over at Smart Bitches Trashy Books ran a contest for the opportunity to test drive a Sony Reader...and they selected yours truly! I'm insanely excited to test drive an ereader and can't thank The Bitches, Sony and Harlequin enough!

The Reader arrived this weekend and I'm getting it all set up this morning. Is it okay that I squealed like a teenager reading Teen Beat when I opened the box? So far, I love how slim it is, and the case is magnetic so that it keeps the flaps closed to protect the Reader. So sleek it makes me feel all uptown girl-ish.

So, look for upcoming posts on my experience with the Sony Reader and ebook reviews!