Seducing Mr. Knightly
by Maya Rodale
Genre: Historical Romance

SUMMARY

He’s the only man she’s ever loved…

For ages it seems advice columnist Annabelle Swift has loved Derek Knightly, editor-owner of The London Weekly from a distance. Determined to finally attract her employer’s attention, she seeks advice from her loyal readers—who offer Annabelle myriad suggestions…from lower-cut bodices (success!) and sultry gazes (disaster!) to a surprise midnight rendezvous (wicked!).

She’s the only woman he never noticed…

Derek never really took note of his shy, wallflower lady writer. But suddenly she’s exquisite…and he can’t get Annabelle out of his mind! She must be pursuing someone, but who? For some inexplicable reason, the thought of her with another man makes Knightly insanely jealous.

Will Dear Annabelle find her happy ending?

But Knightly’s scandalous periodical has been targeted for destruction by a vengeful Lord Marsden, and the beleaguered editor now faces a devastating choice: either marry Marsden’s sister to save his beloved newspaper…or follow his heart and wed his Writing Girl.

———————————————–
A Special Letter featuring Annabelle!
Dear Annabelle,

I fell in love with a man who turned out to be a duke. Unfortunately, I don’t think I would make a good duchess! I don’t care for fashion, feel awkward in society, and prefer discussing business ledgers to gossiping about other people. What should I do?

Sincerely,

T. Neville from The Way to a Duke’s Heart by Caroline Linden

Dear T. Neville,

Most women are hardly vexed to discover their husband is a duke, but such are the problems romance heroines face. We care for kisses and conversation with handsome rogues and then discover that we must dazzle high society whilst running vast estates all in between those scorching kisses and sparring conversations.

I do empathize with you, T. Neville, as I have fallen in love with a man determined to conquer the Haute Ton. I am just not the right bride for such an endeavor! I haven’t the wardrobe required for impressing the ton gossips nor am I comfortable in society.

But I suspect all that matters are those kisses and conversation…that was certainly my favorite part of my love story and I’m sure it was the highlight of yours.

Yours,

Annabelle from Seducing Mr. Knightly

Reprinted with permission from The London Weekly

Question: Do you think you would make a good duchess? 
———————————————

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Maya Rodale began reading romance novels in college at her mother’s insistence. She is now the author of numerous “dazzlingly sexy and witty” historical romance novels. A champion of the romance genre and it’s readers, she is also the author of the non-fiction book Dangerous Books For Girls: The Bad Reputation Of Romance Novels, Explained and a co-founder of Lady Jane’s Salon, a national reading series devoted to romantic fiction. Maya lives in New York City with her darling dog and a rogue of her own.
———————————————
From now on I will be posting My Book Haul on Saturdays.
Feel free to link up in the comments if you would like to share your mailbox post 
with me (and others) to check out.

This week book haul is pretty huge.  Not only did I receive some amazing review books, but my husband purchased me a big stack of books for my birthday. 

—————————————————————————-

FOR REVIEW

King of the Damned by Juliana Stone
How to Deceive A Duke by Lecia Cornwall
– Thanks to AVON –

Chance of a Lifetime by Jodi Thomas (ARC)
– Thanks to Berkley –

Dr. Frankenstein’s Daughters by Suzanne Weyn
– Thanks to Scholastic –

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi (ARC)
*omg, omg, omg!*
– Thanks to Harper Teen –

Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari
– Thanks to Scholastic –

The Lucky Ones by Anna Godbersen
-Thanks to Harper Teen –
———————————————
GIFTED FOR MY BIRTHDAY
The Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst
The Marriage Mistake by Jennifer Probst
The Marriage Trap by Jennifer Probst
Rogue Rider by Larissa Ione
Shadow’s Claim by Kresley Cole
Seven Years to Sin by Sylvia Day
Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick
Reached by Ally Condie
– Thanks to my husband –

————————————————————

So what did everyone else get this week?
Top Ten Quote’s of the Week
(Inspired by Smexybooks Top Ten Friday)
(This will be a Friday meme, but I will be out of town this Friday)

Top Ten Quote’s of the Week is where I have looked around the quote section on Goodreads while searching for books.  Each week I will share with you ten quote’s I have found that I added to my favorites list on Goodreads. Enjoy the new Meme and if you would like to join in, leave a link to your post in the comments.

—————————————

1. Easy by Tammara Webber
“You’re full of contradictions, Ms. Wallace.”
I looked up at him and arched a brow.
“I’m a girl. That’s part of the job description, Mr. Maxfield.”

2. I’m the Vampire, That’s Why by Michele Bardsley
“Damnú air.”
“You’re cussing!”
“I refuse to admit to uttering bad words in any language.” Patrick grinned and his teeth flashed white. “Jenny has been Googling German insults. I don’t want her to look up Gaelic next.”
Oh Lord. I tried not to think about what kind of information Jenny discovered in her search. “You let her Google curse words?”
“She said it was for educational purposes.”
“Yeah, right. You are so fired as the baby-sitter.”

3. How to Marry A Millionaire Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks
Roman might have survived the Great Vampire War of 1710, but he was about to face an even worse terror.
A mortal female in full rage.

4. The Secret of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen
“You’ve always had a good grasp on what’s right and wrong. You just have a hard time admitting that sometimes you choose the wrong.”

5. Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon
“Life isn’t finding shelter in the storm. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

6. On Dublin Street by Samantha Young
“You’re good with the words, I’ll give you that.”
“I’m good with my hands. Will you let me give you that?”

7. Motorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley
“Got it all scheduled,” he noted.
“Yes,” I returned.
“What’s a huge-ass wedding?”
“Don’t ask that,” I advised. “Just show up.”
His grin turned wicked and I liked it. That was, I liked it until he enquired, “You askin’ me to marry you, Red?”
I wasn’t even sipping coffee and, still, I chocked. Then I pushed out, “What?”
“I accept.”
I shook my head and kept shaking it when I requested clarification, “Let me get this straight. Did you just accept my non-marriage offer?”
“Non-marriage?”
“I didn’t ask!” My voice was rising.
“So you just wanna shack up?” he asked but didn’t wait on my answer. “I’m good with that too.”
Gah!
“I’m getting my huge-ass wedding,” I declared.
“So you are askin’ me to marry you,” he noted.
Gah! Gah! Gah!!
Sharp as a tack.
Someone kill me.”

8. Whispers in the Dark by Maya Banks
“I’m tempted to shove one of my romance novels up your ass”- P.J. said sharply
“But I love my books too much to desecrate them like that. I’ll settle for my boot.”

9. Make Me, Sir by Cherise Sinclair
“Impertinent submissive,” Raoul snapped, and his dark brown eyes turned mean. “Nothing new for this one. You’re doing a lousy job of bringing her to heel, Marcus.”
“Bring me to heel? Like I’m a dog?” Without thinking, Gabi instinctively yanked away and snapped out, “Bite me.”

10. Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen
“Bishop’s brows went up. “Okay, fine. Yes, I followed you here. Better?”
“Yes. Stalkery, but better.”
“I’m not stalking you.”
“Spoken like a true stalker.”

Life was different in the Before: before vampires began devouring humans in a swarm across America; before the surviving young people were rounded up and quarantined. These days, we know what those quarantines are—holding pens where human blood is turned into more food for the undead monsters, known as Ticks. Surrounded by electrical fences, most kids try to survive the Farms by turning on each other…

And when trust is a thing of the past, escape is nearly impossible.

Lily and her twin sister Mel have a plan. Though Mel can barely communicate, her autism helps her notice things no one else notices—like the portion of electrical fence that gets turned off every night. Getting across won’t be easy, but as Lily gathers what they need to escape, a familiar face appears out of nowhere, offering to help…

Carter was a schoolmate of Lily’s in the Before. Managing to evade capture until now, he has valuable knowledge of the outside world. But like everyone on the Farm, Carter has his own agenda, and he knows that behind the Ticks is an even more dangerous threat to the human race…

Q & A With Emily McKay

Lightening Round:
1) Favorite literary heroine? Lizzie Bennet
2) Vampires or Werewolves? Vampires
3) True Blood or Vampire Diaries? True Blood
4) The Notebook or Pretty Woman? Pretty Woman
5) Best way to spend Saturday night? Cuddling on the sofa with my family
6) Best way to spend Sunday morning? Eating at Café Brazil
7) How do you take your coffee? Light and Sweet … and caffeinated
8) If you had 3 things to take with you on a desert island, what would they be? My Nook, Chocolate-covered almonds and a satellite phone
9) If you won the lottery, how would you spend your money? I would buy a vintage Tesla, a diamond tiara and solar panels for all my friends.  And after that I’m pulling a J.K. Rowling and giving a ton to charity.

PREVIOUS STOP @ Katie’s Book Blog
NEXT STOP @ Wastepaper Prose on Dec. 3rd
CONTEST
Thanks to the publisher, I have one copy of The Farm and a Vampire Apocalypse Survival Kit to give to one winner.  
1. Contest is open to the USA only.  ( your package will be coming directly from the publisher)
2. No P.O. Boxes (your package will be coming directly from the publisher)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How To Marry A Millionaire Vampire
Series: Love At Stake #1
Author: Kerrelyn Sparks
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source: Personal Purchase
ISBN: 9780060751968

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Nobody said love was perfect…

Roman Draganesti is charming, handsome, rich…he’s also a vampire. But this vampire just lost one of his fangs sinking his teeth into something he shouldn’t have. Now he has one night to find a dentist before his natural healing abilities close the wound, leaving him a lop-sided eater for all eternity.

Things aren’t going well for Shanna Whelan, either. After witnessing a gruesome murder, she’s next on the mob’s hit list. And her career as a dentist appears to be on a downward spiral, because she’s afraid of blood. When Roman rescues her from an assassination attempt, she wonders if she’s found the one man who can keep her alive. Though the attraction between them is immediate and hot, can Shanna conquer her fear of blood to fix Roman’s fang? And if she does, what will prevent Roman from using his fangs on her?

MY THOUGHTS

I admit, I must be the last person in the world to read this series.  After seeing everyone rave about them, and even hosting the author on my blog, I decided to dive into the Love At Stake series by author Kerrelyn Sparks.

The first half of this book I thought was rather cliched.  While I found it funny at times, other times I found myself rolling my eyes at some of the story.  Not only was the dialogue cheesy, but so was the plot.  Then after I got past the first half of the story, it really started to pick up and really grab my interest.  I did like the authors writing style though and the side characters were ones I can’t wait to read about — especially those kilt wearing/sexy talking Highlanders!

While I am not completely sold on the series yet, this is definitely one that I am going to continue reading.  I am interested to know how the Vampire “Civil War” is going to play out now that there has been a dramatic change in hierarchy. With the fall of one and the partnership of another, you can’t help but wonder what side is going to win.  I also like the side story of the Stake-Out Division of the CIA and the impact they will have for future stories.

For an old time paranormal romance mood, this one fits the bill on the quirky side.  Not one to take seriously, but one that will definitely leave you smiling.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!