Hard to believe it’s turkey week already, but save some time for enjoying some good books in between cooking, eating left overs and Black Friday.  Here’s the WW Ladies reading list for the week.

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No Proper Lady by Isabel Cooper

Read by joysann

A powerful wizard in his own right, Simon Grenville doesn’t bat a eye when, in a flash of light, a strangely dressed, heavily armed woman appears in the woods of his Victorian estate. When Joan explains that she’s from the future, and has come back in time to slay an evil magician who dooms her world, Simon helps prepare her to pass as a normal society lady. The fact is, the man she’s come to assassinate is none other than his own enemy.

Not having read even the cover blurbs, I didn’t know what I was getting into when I picked up No Proper Lady, so I was thoroughly surprised and pleased to find what I’m wanting to call a Futuristic Historical, as absurd as that sounds. The concept seems fresh to me, and the characters are enjoyable. I didn’t put it down for hours while I was enthralled by this exciting fantasy.

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 Devious by Lisa Jackson

Read by Loretta

If I am walking down the aisle in this wedding gown to meet him and be married, why is the chapel so dark and cold?  Terror and panic encircle Camille as she is unable to loosen a cord relentlessly tightening around her throat…..is this punishment for her sins?  “Help Me” she tries to call out…..

Lisa Jackson’s novel, DEVIOUS, has layer upon layer of horrors hard to imagine, especially since they occur in a convent.  A killer of a tale…. thrilling this reader from beginning to the startling end!

My Favorite Countess by Vanessa Kelly

Read by Ashley
Bathsheba is now the widow of the Earl of Randolph and now very, very broke. Her solution is to marry a rich Earl, because her first marriage of “love” turned out to be a disaster. She enters England’s season wanting to find a boring man and live comfortable in wealth. What she doesn’t expect is to be taken by and up and coming Dr. John Blackmore and to feel things she has never felt before. Nothing is going as planned and she doesn’t know if she should trust her heart or just settle for dull life.
My favorite Countess is filled with witty and sassy conversations that kept me amused. Bathsheba is my ideal heroine and by far my favorite countess to read about!

A Texas Christmas by Jodi Thomas, Dewanna Pace, Linda Broday and Phyllis Miranda

Read by Heidi

This anthology features 4 stories in the Texas Panhandle in 1887
One Wish: A Christmas Story by Jodi Thomas
Sam Thompson has been in love with Margaret Allison since she showed him kindness in grade school. But Thompsons are considered bad news in the town of Kasota Springs. So he lives in the canyons and away from town. But when Sam hears that Margaret’s life is at risk, being the sole mercantile owner in town, he can’t help himself but watch and make sure she is safe. To help her escape, Margaret goes with Sam to his home before a blizzard hits, to keep them safe. But safety is hard to come by, and the killers are closer to them, even with the dangerous storm.

Naughty or Nice by Dewanna Pace
James Elliott III is tracking the pink Bluebonnet flower in the Texas Panhandle, but loses his way and time before the blizzard hits. Independent saloon owner Anna Ross is returning with supplies to town, and finds James hurt and almost frozen. They seek shelter with friends and townsfolk but their judgment of Anna, brings James to the rescue for her, while they are stuck together for days during the blizzard.

The Christmas Bell by Linda Broday
Sloan Sullivan knows the train headed to Kasota Springs is in trouble. No movement and no smoke rising from the train. He heads out despite the blizzard to bring supplies to the stranded passengers. Unfortunately, the one person he didn’t want to see, is stuck on the train; Tess Whitgrove. Tess is proving to the town that she can handle herself, returning from Boston with the town’s new church bell, which needs to be rung for Christmas Day and . But with the terrible weather, it may not happen. Soon, other strangers show up and seem to have other plans, than to get warm and out of the weather.

Away in the Manger by Phyllis Miranda
Local Blacksmith Randall Humphrey had one wish for Christmas. To be alone. Unfortunately, with the blizzard approaching, he is unable to be alone, when he is hired to watch over a niece and her two charges who are coming to Kasota Springs. What Randall wasn’t expecting is the niece is beautiful Sarah Callahan to arrive with three-year-old twins and to be stuck with them when the blizzard hits. After a short time, Sarah and the children seem to warm Randall’s heart.

I really enjoyed how the authors wove the stories around the same location and the blizzard theme. Each story has a unique take on romance all while the goal is to have the best happen by Christmas. It was a cozy, heartwarming story, which really put me in the holiday mood.

His Darkest Salvation by Juliana Stone

Read by Marsha

Jaden DaCosta has never forgotten the man who rejected her several
years ago.  She insists that  she hates Julian Castille yet there is no
denying this heat between them when chance brings them together again.  Julian is a changed man after spending 6 months in hell and now embraces his shifter nature determined to win back his soul at any
cost.  Julian and Jaden,  who works for the PATU,  Paranormal Anti-terrorist Unit, must find a a way to rewrite their painful history and work together.  They race against time to prevent a catastrophic event that would open the portal beyween hell and the unsuspecting human population.

Juliana Stone weaves a classic good versus evil story,  complete with sorcerers, fallen angels, vampires and demons and it is not always clear who are the good guys and who are the bad guys.  I couldn’t help but find myself rooting for Julian and the woman who
will bring him peace at last.  A twist at the end of the story draws me towards Ms. Stone’s next tale.

When Passion Rules by Johanna Lindsey

Listened to by joysann

Alana Farmer is surprised when pressed by her guardian to leave London Society and return to her land of her birth, ostensibly to prevent a succession war, for she is the missing princess of Lubania. Not believing it herself, she is nonetheless put out when the handsome captain of the Palace Guard detains her as a scheming impostor. As things become more dangerous, and passions heat up between them, the puzzles surrounding Alana come apart and her guard becomes her most devoted defender.

An avid Regency historicals reader, I can forget that there is a whole world of intrigue going on beyond the parlors of London’s ton, so I was fascinated to cross into Europe to imagine the courts and societies there. Highly romantic and excitingly suspenseful, Johanna Lindsey writes a delicious and seductive interplay between Alana and Captain Christoph Becker that made my toes curl. Narrator Rosalyn Landor’s rich, aristocratic voice only adds more dazzle to this delightful story.

Bottom Line:  I have Christmas music on already while I read…I know, I’m pathetic, but it makes me feel so good.

 

Monday Giveaways

 

From Jill Stone:  GET LOST IN A STORY GIVEAWAYS: MONDAY: Mia Marlowe – Winner’s choice between e-novellas A DUKE FOR ALL SEASONS or MY LADY BELOW STAIRS. TUESDAY: Tessa Dare – A print copy of A NIGHT TO SURRENDER and an e-copy of ONCE UPON A WINTER’S EVE

From Mia Marlowe:  Mia Marlowe’s guest Farrah Rochon is offering a $10 Amazon or B & N gift card to a random commenter on Mia’s blog.