Lavender Morning
Author: Jude Deveraux
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Atria (March 31, 2009)
Received: Library

My Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary:
This book kicks off a new series written by Jude Deveraux, that being said I don't know how I feel about this series. Jude Deveraux was one of the first romance writers that I had started reading. I love her work, and when I saw that there was a new novel out by her I knew right away that I had to pick it up. I don't regret doing so, because it was a good read, but for me it didn't live up to her other works.

Jocelyn grew up with a wicked step mother, two awful step sisters and a father who just didn't understand her. Jocelyn's idea of a good time was sitting with a cup of tea and reading a good book, her father's idea was riding a motorcycle or watching a race.

When Jocelyn meets Miss. Edi, her whole life changes. Suddenly, she has a best friend. Someone who understands her quiet demeanor and someone who she can share things with. When Miss Edi passes away, Jocelyn recieves a letter, stating that Jocelyn is the heir to Miss Edi's family home in a town that Jocelyn had never heard of, Edilean.

When she gets to Edilean, she is thrust into the middle of a love triangle. On one hand there is Ramsey, the gentleman that Miss Edi had written would be perfect for her, on the other there is the gardner of the estate, Luke, who is just like her father. Plus there are so many secrets in the small town of Edilean, that Jocelyn swears she's going to go mad.

I had a hard time figuring out who Jocelyn was going to end up with in Lavender Morning, usually when there is a love triangle like there was in this book, I can pick who's going to end up with who, but in this one it took me awhile to figure it out.

I was also sad that there was no mention of a Taggert or a Montgomery in this book at all. It would have made my day, because that is one of my favorite parts about reading a Jude Deveraux book. Knowing the family. I did like the little flashbacks that were thrown in though, honestly that is what made this book a 3 instead of something lower.

Overall, this was a good read. Not great, but good. I enjoyed it, and will read the rest of the books in the series.

• Grab your current book and open to a random page
• Share two 'teaser' sentences from somewhere on that page
• Make sure what you share is NOT a spoiler
• Include the title, author and page number so that others can read the book if they like the 'teaser'
• Head on over to Should Be Reading and leave a comment on the Teaser Tuesday post there

This weeks teaser:

"Naw," he said, "they didn't say that. But it doesn't feel good to be lied to, does it? Lies can hurt."
Edi turned her head from him a moment then looked back at the road. "Yes, I'm from Virginia and I have no boyfriend."
"Thank you, ma'am," he said, then glanced in the mirror at the general.

Found on page 208 of Lavender Morning by Jude Deveraux

Bed of Roses (The Bride Quartet Book #2)
Author: Nora Roberts
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade (October 27, 2009)
Recieved From: Library

My Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
This is book two in The Bride Quartet series, and I have to say that I really liked this one, much more than I liked first book in this series.

Emma is the florist part of Vows, the wedding company that herself and her three best friends had started. She is a romantic at heart, and she loves what she does. Unlike Mac who we read about in the first book, Emma cannot wait to fall in love and have her wedding with her happily ever after. The only problem is that she is realizing that she might want her happily ever after to be with someone who is so close to her, he's practically family.

Jack is a love'em and leave'em kinda guy. Not to say that he doesn't care about the girls he dates, but for the most part the romance has a shelf life of about 2 weeks. His problem is that he's starting to want more, with his best friends unofficial little sister.

I really liked the fact that there was no real 'bad guy' in this book. The only bad guy was the massive difference in personalities between Jack and Emma.
 
I don't know what it is about this book, that seemed to turn me into a blubbering baby, but I would have to guess every other chapter made me bawl my eyes out.  I think it's just the topic of weddings in general, that have been doing to me lately. But, seriously this was a great read.

I didn't want to put this book down, and when I did I often rushed through what I was doing so that I could get back to my book. The banter between Emma and her friends was spot on, and often I could imagine myself having the same type of conversation with my friends. And Emma and Jack, oh boy. They sure brought many a tear to my eye.

I would happily recommend this book to lovers of romance and anyone who just wants a real feel good read.

Quote It is a weekly meme held by Leslie at That Chick That Reads in which you can quote from anything really. Favorite books, people, just anything that you like! Don't forget to visit That Chick That Reads and tell Leslie what you're quote of the week is.

My quote today

Uncle Sam taught him to shoot
Maybe a little too well
Finger on the trigger, loaded bullet
He hit the stage so full of rage
And let the whole world know it
Six feet away, they heard him say
Oh God, dont let him pull it

From the song Side of A Bullet by Nickleback
I chose this quote because of the horrible shooting in Fort Hood, Texas. The shooting hit unnaturally close to home for me, not only because it was tragic, but because my best friend could have been there. My heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to the family, friends and persons involved.

What's your quote?

To Desire A Devil
Author: Elizabeth Hoyt
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Vision (October 27, 2009)
Received From: Anne at Hatchett for Blog Tour

My Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary:
This is the fourth and final book in the Legend of the Four Soldiers, and even though I had not read the other books in this series I was able to follow along and not be too terribly confused. Even though I say I have not read the other books in this series, I have paged through them. I own a copy of To Beguile a Beast, but was not able to get into it when I started reading it.

Beatrice is in love with a man from a painting.The only thing is that he has been missing for several years and is presumed dead. When he comes crashing into her Uncle's political tea party, demanding to know where his father is, it sets tongues wagging.

Reynaud enters what is supposed to be his house, only to find it full of people he does't really recognize. While he was missing his title, land and house were handed over to Beatrice's uncle. Mad with fever, Reynaud collapses ontop of a table. Beatrice gets excited when this man came crashing into the political tea party, because he looked a lot like the gentleman from the painting.

From there Beatrice's life changes. She gets put in all sorts of difficult situations. She gets shot at and stabbed, all the while trying to figure out what it is about this savage man that exictes her so.

For me this book was actually pretty good. It wasn't one of those OH MY GOD I can't put it down types, but it wasn't one of the 'this is dragging on forever types' either. It moved at a very good pace, and all the ends that were opened in this book were tied together nicely by the ending.

I liked how while yes there was the villian in this book, there really wasn't much harming Beatrice's and Reyaud's relationship other than themselves. Their relationship seemed to grow naturally and while yes it was a bit rushed, it seemed to work.

One thing that did kind of throw me off while reading it however, was the rather random love scene. I understand that Reyaud had been kept in the presence of what are termed, savages, and that he really didn't care too much for what was proper and the like. But he compromises Beatrice before they are married. And to me it just seemed to be an awkward place for it to happen. Especially because the first time that him and Beatrice make love, it is right after Beatrice gets some rather bad news.

There are several characters that if there aren't stories about already, I would love to read more about. All of the characters in this book seemed to really have a presence. I'm going to go back and read the other books in this series now that I have finished this one.

The book trailer for this book, is really what made me want to read it, allow me to share it with you all.





Excerpt: Found at the authors website HERE

• Grab your current book and open to a random page
• Share two 'teaser' sentences from somewhere on that page
• Make sure what you share is NOT a spoiler
• Include the title, author and page number so that others can read the book if they like the 'teaser'
• Head on over to Should Be Reading and leave a comment on the Teaser Tuesday post there

This weeks teaser:

He was a passionate man.
Even if that passion wasn't for her, she admired it. Beatrice stared into those black eyes, so physically similar and so spiritually apart from the living, breathing man.

Found on page 232 of To Desire a Devil by Elizabeth Hoyt

Books Read and Reviewed: 4
Troy High by Shana Norris
Storm Born by Richelle Mead
Highland Dragon by Kimberly Killion
Bitten by Kelley Armstrong


Pages Read: 1,392

Books Not Finished: 1
Beauty and the Duke by Melody Thomas

Exciting Notes About This Month: Nothing too super exciting. I won a copy Geektastic edited by Holly Black from Nely at All About {N}. I also spent a good portion of this month sick, so I'm hoping to get caught up with my reviewing and such in November, before the holiday rush really puts a damper on my reading.

I was also awarded the One Lovely Blog award from Jo at Once Upon a Bookcase
About this Award:
Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

At this time I'm not going to be passing it on, but later this month I will make sure to relink and pass it on :)

Goals For Next Month: Just to get caught up on reviews and such. I do know that I am participating in a blog tour on November 4th so stay tuned to that.

Tell me, how was your month?