Book Review: Barely A Lady by Eileen Dreyer

Barely A Lady by Eileen Dreyer (392 pages)

Synopsis: Olivia Grace has secrets that could destroy her. One of the greatest of these is the Earl of Gracechurch, who married and divorced her five years earlier. Abandoned and disgraced, Grace has survived those years at the edge of respectability. Then she stumbles over Jack on the battlefield of Waterloo, and he becomes an even more dangerous secret. For not only is he unconscious, he is clad in an enemy uniform.

But worse, when Jack finally wakes in Olivia's care, he can't remember how he came to be on a battlefield in Belgium. In fact, he can remember nothing of the last five years. He thinks he and Olivia are still blissfully together. To keep him from being hanged for a traitor, Olivia must pretend she and Jack are still married.

To unearth the real traitors, Olivia and Jack must unravel the truth hidden within his faulty memory. To save themselves and the friends who have given them sanctuary, they must stand against their enemies, even as they both keep their secrets.
In the end, can they risk everything to help Jack recover his lost memories, even though the truth may destroy them both?

Book Review: Barely A Lady is book one from the Drake's Rakes series and it's the first book I have read by Eileen Dreyer.

I wasn't into historical romance but when I saw the cover of Barely A Lady, I realized I had been reading too much of the same old same old and this book was my 'out'. I welcome change and this book solidified my curiosity for historical romance books.

I really enjoyed Olivia and Jack's story line. The characters were very well placed and developed to the point that one of the main character's behavior provoked in me some strong reactions. Let's just say I wasn't feeling tender hearted towards Jack, no matter how likable of traits he possessed. Jack did some unforgivable things.

Olivia, the heroine, was so amazing and courageous, and very much a lady in all sense of the word. It was so refreshing to read about a classy lady with a brave heart. She made her goals a reality no matter how terrifying, and her struggles rang true, making her story that much more heart felt.

I was grateful for Lady Kate and her wicked humor. Eileen Dreyer did a wonderful job with her character. She was the comic relief and a fearless woman. She was given a clever tongue to sound off accusations Olivia, and the girls, (and I) wanted to hurl at Jack.

The most bothersome of conflicts was Jack's flip flopping between his love for his wife and his lover. I would have rang his neck...that's just not done, especially in front of his wife.

The pacing of the storyline was fantastic, never a dull moment, and the secondary characters were very tempting and deliciously written.

In the end: I enjoyed reading about love, betrayal and redemption. The pages literally flipped themselves it was such a brilliantly written story. I am looking forward to "Never A Gentleman" by Eileen Dreyer to be released April of 2011.

LIKED IT!

And All I Needed Were Two Puffy Cushions!

I love books.

I was at Walmart just the other day to pick out some table mats and chair cushions for my new breakfast table I had bought earlier that day. As I neared the shortest line, I happened to pass the book section. Just outside the book section there were two book racks/stands with big bold signs above them advertising "Bargain Books...$1.00".

I completely lost track of where I was going because all I saw were books, books and more books, LOL!!! You know what I'm talking about ;)

Mind you, I didn't have a cart or a basket so I was shifting the big puffy yellow cushions and the mats from one arm to the other, and busying myself with the other...hunting for fantastic books.

The books I bought include: Fallen by Clair Deloacroix and Faceless by Debra Webb. I also bought some baby books for my nephews and a cool Sudoku book for my hubby.

Fallen and Faceless are not YA. Fallen is adult fiction, paranormal and Faceless is romantic suspense. I am really looking forward to Faceless from Debra Webb. I have read a couple of her novels and I have reviewed her book titled, Nameless. So I have high expectations for this one and I feel I will not be disappointed.

My point in all of this is that I spotted a bargain with my very own eagle eyes, lol, and pounced on it like a chip in dip. The deal was too good to pass up and in that I found two great sounding books I am looking forward to reading. I know my fellow reading comrades would be proud of me as I am ;)

Here's a look at the two I purchased.


Deputy district attorney Carson Tanner has dedicated his life to justice. But he is still haunted by one case that was never solved: the murder of his entire family in
cold blood. Back then, the teenage Carson was protected by his girlfriend's influential father, Senator Randolph Drake. But now, fifteen years later, Carson finds himself facing a whole new world when a man confesses to the Tanner killings. His name is John Stokes. And his confession only scratches the surface of the truth.

Carson knows that Annette Baxter uses her brains and beauty as a fixer for the rich and powerful, making their indiscretions disappear in exchange for security and influence. But now someone is using her clients' secrets - and her own - against her. And even though Carson can't ignore his attraction to her, he is dead-set on making Annette pay for her crimes.but what if she holds the key to the burning secret he's spent his whole life seeking?





The Eyes of the Republic are Everywhere.

When her estranged husband's mysterious death is declared an accident, Lilia Desjardins knows that it is a lie. She leaves all she knows to risk the dark heart of the Republic -- only to find that she herself has been targeted by forces unknown.

Adam Montgomery will do anything to complete his earthly mission, even if he has to tangle with the enigmatic Lilia Desjardins. But when his contact is murdered and he must rely on Lilia's silence to save him from the slave dens, Adam knows that his wings were only the first sacrifice required of him.

As danger and intrigue surround them, Lilia and Adam realize that they must work together -- body, mind, and soul -- in order to save the world.

My book bargain adventure was completely unexpected so be sure to keep your eyes open and on the look out for great book bargains.

Happy Hunting!!

Barely a Lady by Eileen Dreyer

Hi everyone! Goodreads is hosting fantastic book giveaways through 2010. I recently won a copy of "Barely a Lady" by Eileen Dreyer from the Goodreads giveaway. I'm so excited to read it. I haven't read anything from Eileen Dreyer and so this is completely new territory for me. Anyway, become a member of Goodreads and enter awesome book giveaways.

On a separate note, I haven't been doing much blogging because I haven't read any new books. Instead I had this itch to return to my book shelf and pick out a book I know and love and truly enjoy reading. So what did I pick you ask?...Well, my pick was the Mercy Thompson series. It's urban fantasy written by Patricia Briggs; she's one of my favorite authors which I've had the honor to meet.

I've recently finished Moon Called, Blood Promise and now I'm reading Iron Kissed, the third book in the series. I decided to re-read these because 1) Mercy Thompson is so kiss ass I love her personality, a true hero 2) I love the budding romance between Mercy and Adam Hauptman, the Alpha Werewolf from the Columbia Basin Wolf Pack and 3) Ever book is a page turner, very satisfying.

I knew I couldn't go wrong with this series. Besides what's the point of buying a book if you don't plan to read it again?

"THERE IS only one way to read a good book -- re-read it. There are books and there are more books. But generally we divide them into two broad categories: those we read and discard, and those we read and re-read."

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Barely a Lady (Paperback) is to be release June 29, 2010 and here is a quick bit.


Olivia Grace has secrets that could destroy her. One of the greatest of these is the Earl of Gracechurch, who married and divorced her five years earlier. Abandoned and disgraced, Grace has survived those years at the edge of respectability. Then she stumbles over Jack on the battlefield of Waterloo, and he becomes an even more dangerous secret. For not only is he unconscious, he is clad in an enemy uniform.

But worse, when Jack finally wakes in Olivia's care, he can't remember how he came to be on a battlefield in Belgium. In fact, he can remember nothing of the last five years. He thinks he and Olivia are still blissfully together. To keep him from being hanged for a traitor, Olivia must pretend she and Jack are still married.

To unearth the real traitors, Olivia and Jack must unravel the truth hidden within his faulty memory. To save themselves and the friends who have given them sanctuary, they must stand against their enemies, even as they both keep their secrets.

In the end, can they risk everything to help Jack recover his lost memories, even though the truth may destroy them both?


 

Author Spotlight-Tory Richards!!

Good Saturday evening everyone!! Karina and I are super excited to be posting our FIRST author spotlight. We had the privilage to work with Tory Richards, Author of sizzling romances!

We hope you enjoy this interview as much as we did!!

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1) Your name and where are you from? My name is Tory Richards and I live in Florida but I'm originally from Maine.

2) Tell us about your latest project? My first erotic romance with Ellora's Cave was just released in May. Talk Dirty to Me is a short, hot romance that won't disappoint! I've since had another romance contracted with them, Breathless Surrender. And I've begun work on a third.

3) What inspired you to write your first book? I loved fairy tales when I was young, and how the princess and prince lived happily ever after. I wanted to write my own stories with happy endings.

4) When did you starting writing romances? I've always written romances! Is there anything else? LOL

5) When you’re not writing, what are you up to? Well, I have a full time day job. And I spend a lot of time with my family. I like to travel.

6) What was the last book you read? Decoy by Brandi Michaels.

7) What is your inspiration when confronted with writers block? I'm usually working on several projects at a time so if I experience writers block I'll switch books for a while. If it's total writers block I walk away. I can't force myself to write. And since writing is a hobby for me I'm not under any time lines.


8) What has been the most rewarding part of being a published author? Seeing the finished product. The editing is done, the book cover has been designed, and it's release day. Nothing sweeter!


9) What advice would you give to up and coming authors? Don't give up on your dreams, ever! If you believe in yourself someone else will, too. And expect rejections. They're a part of a writer's life.


10) Open to a random page in your book. Can you tell us what is happening? Well, this is the first time I've ever had a question like this. Fantastic! You didn't say which book so I picked my latest, Talk Dirty to Me, page 46. Lilly and Blake are attending a rehearsal dinner the night before her brother's wedding. When another man asks Lilly to dance she goes out of her way to tease Blake until he breaks in, deciding to punish Lilly right there on the dance floor. In a series of erotic moves he turns Lilly on until she's mindless with desire against him, and takes it one step further until she loses total control. What happens after is just as hot.


11) Favorite quote? It's never to late. If it isn't a quote it should be.


12) If I came to your home and looked in your refrigerator, what would I find? LOL, another good question! You would find milk, eggs, all the normal condiments, cheese, lunch meat, vegetables, salad, yogurt, a hamburger left over from dinner last night, opened bottle of wine, olives, pickles, salsa and apple juice.


13) If you had 3 wishes what would they be? That my daughter has a healthy baby in December. That the car I just bought today was paid off. That my husband's health was better.


14) Where can book lovers find your novels and how can they contact you for more information? They can contact me at: tory.richards@yahoo.com, visit my website at: www.toryrichards.com. They can find my novels at Barnes and Nobles, Amazon, Fictionwise, All Romance eBooks, Whiskey Creek Press Torrid, Ellora's Cave, and soon The Wild Rose Press. Publisher's links: http://whiskeycreekpresstorrid.com/authors/Tory_Richards.shtml and http://www.jasminejade.com/p-8369-talk-dirty-to-me.aspx


15) Is there anything else you would like to share with your fans? That I love hearing from them, especially after they've read my books. Also, if they leave a comment on any post on my blog they have a chance to win my monthly blog giveaway. I randomly pick one reader the last Saturday of every month. They can access my blog through my website.

Again we just really want to thanks Tory for taking the time for this interview, be sure to check out her books!!