Blogging When I Should Be Snoring (*not that I snore* lol)

I have to wake up tommorow morning to work out, clean my house, play taxi cab for a friend and hopefully work in a trip to the bookstore somewhere in there...and yet am I asleep? Me who needs at least 7 hours of peaceful sleep to be only slightly groggy in the morning? I think not. Instead of sleeping I am listening to music better suited for a dark, loud night club, chatting with friends who manage to bring out my inner wild child, and blogging on my wonderful blogger.com haha...yeah, much more constructive than sleeping! ;) I am currently reading A Reluctant Reformer by Lynsay Sands (pretty good so far...creative storyline), and am repeating a few novels like Cole's Immortals After Dark Series (can never get enough of them!!! lol). And unfortunately I have been unable to locate the third book in Katie MacAlister's Aisling Grey, Guardian series so I am stuck in limbo until my order can go threw...not a fun place to be (especially when you're as hooked as I am...really they should make patches for book addicts *then again...maybe not* haha). Alrighty, well I suppose I should probably pull myself away from the computer screen and take the headphones out of my ears and say goodbye to my friends before it gets any later.

I'll keep ya posted *fingers crossed that Light My Fire Comes VERY SOON!!!*
Cherie

Jacquie D'Alessandro ~ Whirlwind Wedding!!!

SHE WAS A TOTAL STRANGER...

YET SHE SAW RIGHT INTO HIS SOUL...

Austin Randolph Jamison, Ninth duke of Bradford, met the uncanny beauty at the ball at Bradford Hall. And from that first moment, he was stunned. How could this unsophisticated female, who climbed a tree in a ball gown to rescue a kitten, know secrets that could ruin his family, and speak of danger that threatened them all? Who was she, this American bluestocking who knew too much, whose innocence shone in her eyes even as her full lips tempted sin? Suddenly the duke knew he could not afford to let her go....

Some called it a gift. To Elizabeth Matthews, however, her visions were a responsibility that bound her to protect others from danger, no matter that the gossipmongers whispered she was chasing the duke to the alter. She vowed to use her powers to protect Austin at any cost, reckless of the passions that drove her into his arms., the need that made her his bride, never expecting marriage to turn into a love match that would become the ton's most delicious scandal....

- Taken from Jacquie D'Alessandro's website http://www.jacquied.com/index.html -

~*~My Review ~*~

Whirlwind Wedding was the book that first captured my attention and drew me to Jacquie D'Alessandro's novels. From the very moment I read the excerpt on D'Alessandro's website I was a goner. I knew I would love this story and so I have! I had originally hoped to make it the first novel I read by this author however it happened that I was able to get my hands on her book Who Will Take This Man? first and so Whirlwind Wedding was not the book that introduced me to this fabulous author, however Who Will Take This Man? wound up being an amazing read (see my review below to see just how amazing!!) and merely wetted my appetite for more of D'Alessandro's works.

Whirlwind Wedding is a fresh take on historical romances because rather than the heroin being the perfect, saught-after beauty, Elizabeth is an unconventional, eccentric American who captures not only the heart of our dashing Duke but the hearts of readers as well. D'Alessandro has once again blown me away with her superb writing, unique storyline, witty dialogue and completely loveable characters. D'Alessandro's novels are must reads for anyone who enjoys historical romances!!! I love this story! =)

~*~ Excerpts ~*~

"You want to kiss me."

Her whispered words brushed by him, setting his pulses thrumming. Damn it, yes, he wanted to kiss her. Needed to. Had to. Surely one kiss would satisfy this inexplicable hunger to taste her. Giving in to a craving he couldn't explain or fight any longer, he leaned forward. She stepped back. He closed the distance between them, but again she retreated, her expressive eyes filled with uncertainty.

Hell, the woman hadn't backed down before him once--not in the face of his anger, his sarcasm, or suspicions. But the thought of his kiss sent her into retreat.

"Is something amiss?" he asked softly, stepping closer.

"Certainly not," she retorted, inching backward until the wooden wall stopped her. "I'm merely, er, warm."

"Yes, it's quite, er, warm in here."

Two long, unhurried strides brought him directly in front of her. He braced his hands on the wall on either side of her shoulders, bracketing her in. Raising her chin a notch, she stared at him with what he had to admit was a fine show of bravado, but her rapid breathing spoiled the effect. "If you're trying to frighten me, your grace--"

"I'm trying to kiss you, which will be much easier now that you've stopped moving about."

"I don't want you to kiss me."

"Yes, you do."

He moved closer, until only inches separated them. The scent of lilacs filled his head.

"Have you ever been kissed?"

"Of course. Thousands of times."

He raised a brow. "I meant by a man."

"Oh. Well, then, hundreds of times."

"A man other than your father."

"Oh. In that case…one."

Unexpected irritation rippled through him. "Indeed? And did you enjoy it?"

"Actually, no. It was rather…dry."

"Ah. Then you were not properly kissed."

"And you wish to kiss me properly?"

"No." He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "I intend to kiss you most improperly."

***

The kiss became an endless blending of heated sighs and pleasure-filled moans. Just one more...just one more will be enough...I'll have my fill of her.

But it wasn't enough. He couldn't get her close enough, feel her enough, taste her enough. His hands wandered restlessly up and down her back, first tunneling through her silken hair, then spanning her waist and cupping her rounded bottom, pressing her closer to him.

;) *hee hee*

I'm Back---again *blushes*

I know, I know...I should just permanently change my name to MIA and face the truth. I keep disappearing on this blog (although thankfully this time my excuse is being wrapped up in books rather than in my sickbed's blankets so that's something...right?). I have seriously neglected this blog and am thoroughly ashamed of myself.

...Ok I'm over it. Well now that I'm back I have a million book reviews to post up and will post some tonight (I swear) and I have also fallen behind (once again) on my quote of the week so I will post one of those on here today too. ;)

I have been reading some really good books lately! I have finally gotten into MacAlister's Aisling Grey series and boy can I tell you, I am soooo glad I stopped passing these books by in the book stores! I will be posting a review on these books although I think I may wait a few days until I have finished the entire series so I can give an overall review of it. I have also read more of Jacquie D'Alessandro's books and it is official --- she has definitely become one of my favorite authors!! It seems so rare that you find an author whose every single book you love but D'Alessandro has become one of those authors for me!! I will post on the novels of hers I've read later on tonight!! I am also currently reading Hoyt's "To Taste Temptation" and thus far am enjoying it :)...

Well I think that's all for now...I'll keep ya posted (literally) ;)

Smile,
Cherie

No Longer MIA ;)

Sorry I've been absent for so long. For the past week I've been tying up loose strings and dealing with college plans and graduated so yay!! Unfortunately however an hour after my graduation a friend and I both caught some bug from another friend and so now we're both glued to our beds. Which is good for my reading but bad for the body.

I just recently acquired some new books!!!!

I bought Whirlwind Wedding (by Jacqui D'Alessandro) and read it today!! Needless to say I will be posting a response soon - although perhaps not tonight seeing as how crummy I'm feeling - I am so going to send the friend who got me sick a disgruntled message! lol ;). I also bought Moon Called (by Patricia Briggs)...I'd got a lot of good feedback on this book and read an excerpt online so hopefully it will prove to be an interesting read. I also bought The Darkest Night (by Gena Showalter) - I wanted to hold off until the first three were all out but couldn't resist buying it in the stores the other day *hee hee*. Also, I'm not sure if I mentioned this before but I have also recently purchased Elizabeth Hoyt's To Taste Temptation, and Who Will Take This Man (by Jacquie D'Alessandro).

So you can expect some upcoming reviews (I think I actually have a few reviews I need to catch up on for books I previously read) so keep an eye out. And I intend another visit to the bookstore soon, so if you have any suggestions give me a holler!!

Have a wonderful Monday tommorow!!!
Cherie

Who Will Take This Man? ~ Jacquie D'Alessandro

WHO WILL TAKE THIS MAN?

THE WEDDING OF THE YEAR...
Philip Whitmore, Viscount Greybourne, has survived desert sandstorms, unearthed treasures of ancient cities, and defeated knife-wielding grave robbers. But when it comes to something as ordinary as getting married, Philip discovers that it's not so easy. He's been cursed after discovering an ancient stone tablet that dooms any woman foolish enough to marry him. Somehow, his fortune, title and dashing good looks no longer seem appealing -- and his carefully selected society bride has left him at the alter.

THE SCANDAL OF THE SEASON...
Beautiful Meredith Chilton-Grizedale is determined to find Philip his perfect wife. The abruptly terminated "Marriage of the Season" was going to make her reputation as the Matchmaker of Mayfair, so now it's up to her to find someone to marry the most unmarriageable man in England. Yet from the moment she meets the mysterious viscount, Meredith finds herself falling for a man she should not love. With an ominous curse over their heads, risking her life for passion would be madness indeed...

- Taken from Jacquie D'Alessandro's website http://www.jacquied.com/index.html -

~*~ My Review ~*~

As I mentioned in a previous post, I stumbled upon Jacquie D'Alessandro thanks to some very intriguing reviews and am now desperate to read her novels! I was hoping to make "Whirlwind Wedding" my first D'Alessandro novel, however I have thus far been unable to get my hands on a copy, thus it was "Who Will Take This Man?" (another of D'Alessandro's stories that caught my interest) that served as my first taste of this author's talents and let me tell you...it did not disappoint! This novel was definitely worth the read three times over! It had a very unique storyline which is of course always a good thing, and it was a surprising mix of both historical and paranormal romance genres, however I would definitely say this book falls more so into the historical department than the paranormal.

Our hero and heroin were mouth-watering, remarkable, and a perfect fit for one another, and yet somehow D'Alessandro kept her two main characters from resembling the usual leads in romance novels. They were both flawed, having come from difficult - though very different - backgrounds, having both been outsiders, and both making mistakes along the way. The chemistry and utter understanding between Meredith and Philip was very evident and made their love seem somehow more real and true than many of the romances you read about in a good deal of today's books. The author also provided her readers with amazing supporting characters - granting us with a romance on the side, and even hints at a potential love story to come! I remember reading through the book and practically jumping up and down in my seat wanting to know if my assumptions about two of the characters were correct (something I daresay I will learn in the next book *wink wink*) lol.

I must also commend Jacquie on her plot; I was in suspense throughout the story and, although I was 85% sure who the villian was from the beginning, she made it seem so obvious that the reader can't help but feel as though it has to be wrong (I suspect that is part of the genius) and then out of no where makes you suspect another character - someone you soooo dont want to suspect. lol...in the end, even though I had predicted who the bad guy would be all along, I was still practically chomping down on my nails when the time came to see who the man behind the mask was!

As you can probably tell, I really liked reading this novel and am anxiously awaiting my next D'Alessandro experience...I really want to read the next book in the series (especially now that I am very familiar with the hero/heroin) however I am also still dying to read "whirlwind wedding" so who knows which I will read first...either way it's sure to be an utterly thrilling read and I can not wait!! ;)

~*~ Excerpt ~*~

Bloody hell. What was wrong with him? Phillip was normally not prone to lascivious thoughts, especially when he was working. Of course, he had never worked in such close proximity to a woman before. A woman whose skirts rustled with her every movement, inspiring thoughts of the curvaceous form beneath. A woman who smelled just like she'd stepped out of the confectioner's.

A woman who was not his fiancee.

Meredith frowned, and worried her lower lip beneath her teeth, drawing his attention to her mouth. And what a lovely mouth it was. He couldn't decide if it were more likely that those full, moist, delectable lips had been fashioned by an angel or by the devil himself. Miss Chilton-Grizedale portrayed the epitome of a proper lady, but there was nothing proper about that rosy, lush mouth or the heated thoughts it inspired.

He closed his eyes and was overtaken by a vivid image of himself pulling her into his arms. He could almost feel her curvees pressed against him. Lowering his head, he toughed his lips to hers. Warm. Soft. She tasted delicious...like a rich, luscious dessert. He deepened the kiss, slipping his tongue into the heat of her mouth and...

"Is something amiss, Lord Greybourne?"