Review: The Irresistible Earl by Regina Scott

The Irresistible Earl by Regina Scott

Love Inspired Historical / 2011

Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

About the book:

If Chase Dearborn, the powerful Earl of Allyndale, found Meredee Price's family in Scarborough, surely he'd continue his quest to challenge Meredee's stepbrother to a duel. Meredee is determined to avoid the earl at all costs. But saving a drowning young lady thwarts Meredee's plans when her act of heroism nets her the attention of the lady's brother and guardian—none other than Chase himself.

Meredee's gentle ways and tranquil beauty touch Chase's guarded heart from the moment he meets her. He's waited a lifetime for a worthy companion—someone he can trust with his deepest secrets. But then he discovers that Meredee has harbored a secret of her own, one that love may not overcome.

My rating:

My thoughts:

The Irresistible Earl is the fourth book I've read by Regina Scott and I really enjoyed it! I really liked the characters and loved seeing them grow. One character in particular surprised me as I had misjudged him and what kind of man he was - I was pleased to find out I was wrong and he was actually a great guy. :)

A little bit of The Irresistible Earl reminded me of Cinderella - Meredee's father had remarried giving her a stepmother and stepbrother. Later, her father dies and Meredee sort of has to serve her stepmother - who isn't evil or anything, just needy.

The romance was very sweet and made The Irresistible Earl even more enjoyable to read. Sir Trevor Fitzwilliam was introduced in this book and I look forward to reading An Honorable Gentleman (Trevor's story) as soon as I can. I recommend The Irresistible Earl if you enjoy historical romance. :)

*I received this book as a gift from the author. I did not have to write a review, but chose to - all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

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Review: Offworld by Robin Parrish

Offworld by Robin Parrish

Bethany House / 2009

Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

About the book:

"Every Person on This Planet Has Disappeared." 

Commander Christopher Burke and his crew are humanity's greatest explorers. They've finished their mission on the red dirt of Mars and now they just want to get back to Earth. To see friends, family, and loved ones. To be home. But even with communication to ground control cut and a perilous landing, nothing could prepare the crew for what they discover when they step foot back on planet Earth. Everyone...everywhere...is gone. It's not a dream. It's not a trick. Now Burke and his team have one mission: find out who or what is behind the disappearance of all mankind.

My rating: 

I have not read a Robin Parrish book that I did not enjoy, so I was very much looking forward to Offworld and it definitely met my expectations!

The story was very good and interesting throughout, although it wasn't until Chris and his team got back to earth that my attention was really grabbed. :)

I was surprised by how things turned out at the end of Offworld - it was NOT what I was expecting - and while I did find a few things really weird, it did make for an intriguing story.

I really liked the characters - my favorite probably being Terry with Owen and Chris close behind. :)

Overall, I really liked Offworld and recommend it for fans of suspense books with some sci-fi elements.

*I did not get this book for review - it is my own personal copy. I was not required to write a review, I chose to. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

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Review: A Passion Redeemed by Julie Lessman

A Passion Redeemed by Julie Lessman

The Daughters of Boston series: Book Two

Revell / 2008

Find on: Amazon, Christianbook, Goodreads

About the book:

No man can resist her charms. Or so she thought.

Charity O'Connor is a woman who gets what she wants. Her stunning beauty and flirtatious ways have always succeeded with men. Until Mitch Dennehy, that is. Brilliant and dangerously handsome, Mitch is a no-nonsense newspaperman who wants nothing to do with her. Charity burned him once, destroying his engagement to the only woman he ever truly loved. He won't play with matches again. But Charity has a plan to turn up the heat, hoping to ignite the heart of the man she loves. And she always gets what she wants--one way or another.

Or does she? Will her best-laid schemes win his love? Or will her seductive ways drive him away forever?

Book 2 in the Daughters of Boston series, A Passion Redeemed will captivate your heart and stir your soul with a story of faith and redemption rising from the ashes of temptation, desire, and shame.

My rating:

My thoughts:

Well, A Passion Redeemed definitely changed my opinion of Charity and Mitch. I had liked both characters from reading A Passion Most Pure (yes, even Charity, though she could be really frustrating at times), but it wasn't until reading this book that they both became favorites of mine... along with Brady. :)

Julie Lessman definitely knows how to weave a gripping tale! I found myself "on-the-edge" of my seat wondering what was going to happen throughout this book, and even though I thought I knew who (if anyone) Charity would end up with, I found myself second guessing. There was so much in this story I did NOT see coming and it definitely showed Charity (and why she acted the way she did) in a new light.

I LOVED the redemption story in A Passion Redeemed! I even got a little teary-eyed while reading because it was so powerful! Also, Charity made me laugh really hard a few times during this book (especially during one scene that shall remain nameless here)...which is just another reason I loved this book!

There was really only one thing I didn't personally care for and that was when characters heard a voice or thought in their head and it seemed to be from God. While most of the time it was just scripture, there were a few times it wasn't and that just is a pet-peeve of mine.

Still, I loved A Passion Redeemed so much and am giving it 5 stars (it was sooo close to becoming a favorite!). Same as with the first book, I would only recommend A Passion Redeemed to mature readers who enjoy romantic/historical books because there is a lot of passionate scenes and things mentioned that wouldn't be appropriate for young readers. If this book sounds like something for you, then I encourage you to try it, BUT make sure you read A Passion Most Pure first, because otherwise many things will be spoiled for you. This is definitely a series best read in order. :)

*I borrowed a copy of this book. I was not required to write a review, but chose to. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

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Review: A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman

~Personal Copy~
A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman

Revell / 2008

Find on: Amazon, Christianbook, Goodreads

About the book:

She's found the love of her life.
Unfortunately, he loves her sister.

As World War I rages across the Atlantic in 1916, a smaller war is brewing in Boston. Faith O'Connor finds herself drawn to an Irish rogue who is anything but right for her. Collin McGuire is brash, cocky, and from the wrong side of the tracks, not to mention forbidden by her father. And then there's the small matter that he is secretly courting her younger sister. But when Collin's affections shift, it threatens to tear her proper Boston family apart.

Book 1 of the Daughters of Boston series, A Passion Most Pure will carry your heart from the sophisticated streets of Boston to the green hills of Ireland as men go off to war and women long for their return. Full of passion, romance, rivalry, and betrayal, it will captivate you from the first page.

My rating:

My thoughts:

First let me just say that I was completely wrong about this book. I admit it. After reading some reviews on Amazon about it being too "edgy" or "passionate" or something along those lines, I didn't really plan on reading it, but my sister and mother both loved the book so I thought I'd give it a try.

I really don't know what people were talking about. Yes, there were scenes with the mother and father and them talking about love, but the scenes ended before anything like that happened. I mean there were some things that some people might not like - like the lust certain men felt in this book - but I loved the redemption story. Although I didn't particularly care for a lot of the kissing, in my opinion nothing went overboard and I think the characters were realistic.

I finally see what people meant about Charity! Not going into specifics, but let's just say I thought she was very mean and selfish at times - I'm looking forward to reading her book, A Passion Redeemed, to see how/if things change.

There were some shocking surprises in A Passion Most Pure that I did NOT see coming! I was so shocked and it literally brought tears to my eyes (even now, as I'm thinking back on it, I'm getting misty-eyed). One thing in particular about this book that I really loved was that many Bible verses were quoted and faith was a big aspect of the book.

While I don't recommend this book for younger readers, I think mature readers who enjoy historical romance will also enjoy A Passion Most Pure.

*I won a copy of this book and was not required to review it... I chose to. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

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Review: Nightmare by Robin Parrish

~Personal Copy~

Nightmare by Robin Parrish

Bethany House / 2010

Amazon / B&N / Goodreads

About the book:

The Nightmare is Coming...

Ghost Town is the hottest amusement park in the country, but when Maia Peters visits, she's not expecting to be impressed. The daughter of two world-renowned "ghost hunters," she's grown up around the paranormal and to her most of the park is just Hollywood special effects. Until the very last attraction.

There, in a haunted house, a face appears from the mist. The face of Jordin Cole, a girl Maia knows. A girl, Maia discovers, who has gone missing.

Convinced what she saw wasn't a hoax and desperate to find Jordin, Maia launches into a quest for answers. Joined by Jordin's boyfriend--a pastor's kid with very different ideas about the paranormal--the two soon find themselves in a struggle on the edge of the spirit realm as dangerous forces try to keep the truth from emerging.

My rating:

My thoughts:

I was pretty sure before I even started Nightmare that I would enjoy it - none of Robin Parrish's books that I've read so far have disappointed me. In fact, Corridor and Vigilante are two of my favorite books and I loved the Dominion Trilogy when I read it years ago!!

Nightmare was really weird - in a good way! I don't know if I've ever read a book that went into so many details about ghosts and the paranormal. I liked how almost every other chapter was about a haunting Maia and Jordin went on - some of them were really creepy!

I think Nightmare will definitely make you think about what you believe regarding ghosts and the paranormal... it definitely did for me!

There was very little to no romance in Nightmare which I found great for a change. Most books I read have a romance story in it, and while I do like that, I love a good suspense/thriller!!

I wouldn't recommend reading Nightmare late at night... especially if it's storming. I did, and let's just say I had a little difficulty falling asleep...

Overall, I loved Nightmare and recommend it if you like suspense/thrillers and don't mind reading about ghosts and the paranormal.

*I got Nightmare on my own and decided to share my thoughts about it. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*