TO SIN WITH A SCOUNDREL by Cara Elliott

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TO SIN WITH A SCOUNDREL
Author: Cara Elliott
Source: Publisher
* I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
  • Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Forever; Original edition (March 1, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 044654129X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0446541299
SYNOPSIS:
A reclusive widow known for her scientific scholarship, Lady Ciara Sheffield is shadowed by rumors that she poisoned her husband . . . A rakehell rogue notorious for his devil-may-care antics, Lucas Bingham–the Earl of Hadley–is not accused of murdering anything–save for the rules of Polite Society. The only thing they have in common is seeing their names featured in the lurid gossip columns of London’s newspapers. Until an ancient manuscript draws them together.

Ciara needs a titled fiancé to quell the slanderous speculations which may send her to the gallows. Lucas needs brilliant scholar to help his elderly uncle decipher the secrets of the mysterious manuscript. So when her friends urge her to accept the earl’s proposal of a temporary alliance, Ciara decides that she has no choice but to make a deal with the Devil. And so begins a seductive dance of sinful pleasures and hidden desires as the two of them waltz through the mansions of Mayfair. Lies, intrigue, treachery, sex. They find themselves facing slanderous whispers, unscrupulous relatives-not to speak of their own simmering passions, which quickly ignite into dangerous flames. It’s a potent mix and the result may be explosive-and perhaps deadly-if they don’t watch their step.

 MY THOUGHTS:
Like I said before, I am picky about my historical romance books. This was a new to me author and I thought I would give it a chance and see if I would be able to add the author to my list of favorites for this genre.
I enjoyed the book, but I didn’t love the book. I loved the balance between seriousness and witty humor that the author created. The romance was nice but not an instant spark for me.  I just couldn’t fall for the couple like the author was wanting you to do. I can’t really point my finger at just one thing.  I am not sure why I couldn’t seem to get into this couple. The writing was great, the characters had flaws that should have kept me interested, but I just can’t get excited about this book. 
Overall it was a great read, but not a favorite read.  I would read the next in the series though to see if it would spark my imagination. 

MY RATING:


 
Perfect For Rainy Days From the Library!

FLIRTING WITH FOREVER by Gwyn Cready

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FLIRTING WITH FOREVER
Author: Gwyn Cready
Source: Publisher
* I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
  • Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
  • Publisher: Pocket; Original edition (March 30, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1439107246
  • ISBN-13: 978-1439107249
SYNOPSIS:
Art historian Campbell Stratford is about to make a name for herself with her scandalously sexy tell-all “fictographies” of famous seventeenth-century artists, but she’s more intimately familiar with her subjects than her eager readers can imagine. Thanks to a time portal she accidentally discovered, she has caused quiet a stir in the Great Beyond.

To save their reputations, the Guild protecting the dead artists convinces playboy Peter Lely, portraitist to the king, to sabotage Cam’s latest project. A few hours posing on Sir Peter’s modeling chaise leads to a night of seductive passion–then Cam returns home and discovers his betrayal. But before she can turn her angry pen on her lover, Sir Peter makes a surprise visit to the future and transforms Cam’s twenty-first-century life into chaos of classic proportions…

MY THOUGHTS:
This was a new author to me and I must say, the plot was a little different for me as well.  It has a bit of historical romance, contemporary romance and science fiction time travel all in one book.  The humor was nice mixed with the romance and the book flowed okay for me. 
I am still not sold on the whole time travel plot, but it was an okay read for me.  It sparked my interest enough to see what the next book the author brings to the table. 
MY RATING:


 
Perfect For Rainy Days From the Library!

SAVING THE WORLD & OTHER EXTREME SPORTS by James Patterson

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MAXIMUM RIDE: BOOK3
SAVING THE WORLD & OTHER EXTREME SPORTS
Author: James Patterson
Source: Purchased at store
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 432 pages
  • Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (July 1, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 031615427X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0316154277
SYNOPSIS:
In MAXIMUM RIDE: SAVING THE WORLD AND OTHER EXTREME SPORTS, the time has arrived for Max and her winged “Flock” to face their ultimate enemy and discover their original purpose: to defeat the takeover of “Re-evolution”, a sinister experiment to re-engineer a select population into a scientifically superior master race…and to terminate the rest. Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel have always worked together to defeat the forces working against them–but can they save the world when they are torn apart, living in hiding and captivity, halfway across the globe from one another? 
MY THOUGHTS:
To me, this book was the deal breaker so to speak on whether you would finish reading the series.  Some people hated it and some loved it. I on the other hand, fell in the middle of these groups.  I started off addicted to this series. I just couldn’t wait to see what the bird kids would have to face next.
First the bad points of this book.  Unfinished plot lines are bad.  I couldn’t stand how some of the stories were left with us scratching our heads wondering WTF?  I feel by this book, some things should have been answered and cleared up.  I am feeling like the author was trying to figure out what to do at this point, and didn’t have a clear plot figured out while writing this. I still enjoyed the book, but I wish some things would have been resolved by now.
On the other hand, the way he turned characters sides around was great. I love how Ari started out to be a bad guy and always trying to kill the flock. By the end of this book, you will see Ari in a new light and actually cry for him in the end.  I felt cheated with his story line.  The author could have done so much more with that character! 
We get to see how the flock survives when they are split up.  We get to see Fang and Max try to figure out what is happening between them and Angel just gets creepier and creepier in my opinion. 
Overall not a bad book, but not one of the better ones either.  Yet, I am a determined little book reviewer and will be finishing the series for you. 
MY RATING:


 
Perfect For Rainy Days From the Library!

ALICE IN WONDERLAND & PHILOSOPHY by William Irwin

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ALICE IN WONDERLAND & PHILOSOPHY
CURIOUS & CURIOUSER
Author: William Irwin
Source: FSB
Thank you Julie!
* I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
  • Paperback: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Wiley; Original edition (January 12, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0470558369
  • ISBN-13: 978-0470558362
SYNOPSIS:
  • Should the Cheshire Cat’s grin make us reconsider the nature of reality?
  • Can Humpty Dumpty make words mean whatever he says they mean?
  • Can drugs take us down the rabbit-hole?
  • Is Alice a feminist icon?
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has fascinated children and adults alike for generations. Why does Lewis Carroll introduce us to such oddities as a blue caterpillar who smokes a hookah, a cat whose grin remains after its head has faded away, and a White Queen who lives backward and remembers forward? Is it all just nonsense? Was Carroll under the influence? This book probes the deeper underlying meaning in the Alice books and reveals a world rich with philosophical life lessons. Tapping into some of the greatest philosophical minds that ever lived—Aristotle, Hume, Hobbes, and Nietzsche—Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy explores life’s ultimate questions through the eyes of perhaps the most endearing heroine in all of literature. 
MY THOUGHTS:
This is one of those books that give you some insight on a book you may have read in the past.  With all the publicity for the movie for Alice in Wonderland that is out right now, this book came at the perfect time.  This book gives you some things to think about and ponder as you go along in the book.  
While this book is not necessarily something I would read again, it was informative and kept me thinking.  I like how they take a different view on the story and give you many things to question.
Overall not a bad book.  One I would only recommend if you are into these sort of books.
MY RATING:


 
Perfect For Rainy Days From the Library!

UNMASQUED by Colette Gale

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UNMASQUED:
An Erotic Novel of The Phantom of the Opera
Author: Colette Gale
Source: Contest Win
  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: NAL Trade (August 7, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0451221370
  • ISBN-13: 978-0451221377
SYNOPSIS:

One of the world’s most beloved stories as it has never been told before, Unmasqued is a novel of breathtaking historical erotica.
 
His exquisite obsession… Christine DaaŽ heard rumors of the hideous Phantom said to haunt the great Opera House in 19th-century Paris. But its youngest and brightest star knows something no one else does-the truth. For in the darkness she thrills to the deep velvet timbre of his arousing voice, and quivers to the soft strokes of his leather-gloved fingers. He is real. Her inspiration. Her Musique d’Ange. Her liberator. 
Her erotic awakening… Condemned to the catacombs below, Erik has desired his obsession from the shadows, careful to keep his identity, and his secret, in the dark. Only he understands Christine’s extraordinary talents and her beauty. Only he can pleasure her like no man has before. But his sensual power comes with a price-and a risk to everyone who stands between them. For Christine too is succumbing to her most forbidden and dangerous desires-and to the Phantom who’s making them all come true. 
MY THOUGHTS:

Recently I have found myself trying to read more and more fairy tale themed books.  I was never really a big fan of The Phantom of the Opera, but it included Erotic in the title so I was all for it!

First of all, I have never read the original Phantom of the Opera. I haven’t seen the movie either. I did however sing some of the songs in my Choir days at school.  I don’t think that really helps me though.  I can say that this book does have erotic scenes that I doubt would be in the movie.  The writing was well done, yet I am still on the fence about this book.  The characters were okay, but the ending wasn’t very good.  This book would be okay if you didn’t have any other books around. Not one I would likely read again, but it wasn’t too bad.  Worth checking out at the library at least.

MY RATING:


 
Perfect For Rainy Days From the Library!