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January 31, 2012

NetGalley Month (January) Wrap Up


A couple of weeks ago I declared January was NetGalley month here at Oh My Books!, and the time to finally read those galleys I have and still haven't read. I compromised myself to read as many as possible...

I read:
  1. Holiday Kisses (Anthology)
  2. Last Chance Beauty Queen by Hope Ramsay
  3. Until There Was You by Kristan Higgins
  4. Kiss Me, I'm Irish by Roxanne St. Claire, Jill Shalvis, Maureen Child (review to be posted)
  5. Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen (currently reading)



What do you think? :P

January 29, 2012

Book Review: Last Chance Beauty Queen by Hope Ramsay

Last Chance Beauty Queen by Hope Ramsay
Last Chance Beauty Queen
Author: Hope Ramsay
Series: Last Chance #3
Release Date: February 1st, 2012
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Age: Adult
Dear Reader,
Gracious me, my beautiful daughter Rocky sure could use my help. I always knew she wasn't much interested in the local boys - but who'd have thought she'd come home with English royalty?
Trouble is, Hugh wants to buy some of our folks' land. We don't want to sell, but Rocky's job depends on her closing the deal. And though Hugh's obviously smitten, I'm not sure he's right for my Rocky. Oh, he's classy and handsome - and you should've seen the way he judged pies and fixed stock cars at our Watermelon Festival! - but what do we know about him, really? I know I sound like a nervous mother hen, but after forty happy years with my Elbert, all I want is to see my little girl find the same.
Well, time for me to quit chattering and get back to Miss Bray's wet set. Always nice talking to you, and remember: the Cut 'n Curl's got hot rollers, free coffee, and the best gossip in town.
See you real soon,
Ruby Rhodes
When I read the synopsis of Last Chance Beauty Queen, I remember thinking 'I have to read this book'. Ruby Rhodes has an appealing voice, and I couldn't wait to see if she was right about her daughter's love life.

Rocky is a successful woman, and she's at one step to having her dream job. She only has to convince the English royalty Hugh that he doesn't need her father's land to complete his factory's plans. The thing is, Hugh is not so easy to convince, and the idea of a new factory in the town isn't so bad.

Rocky was so much fun. She was very successful and know exactly her plans. Also she's very independent but very nervous about Hugh, his plans, and going back to her home town, specially when there are so many uncomfortable memories. She was / is the beauty of the town, and everyone in the town is convinced she should marry someone. But she's not falling for that, she's just going to convince Hugh to move his factory somewhere else and it doesn't matter if he's the one who make her heart jump.

Hugh is English royalty, with a hot accent and plainly yummy. He is going to build a factory at Last Chance but he needs more land, and Rocky's father is not going to sell it. He really needs this land, and the factory, but he was so sweet. Everyone wanted and expected him to be the bad guy, but he wasn't at all. He was very understanding, not demanding at all, even when he knew that he needed to be stronger.

Their romance was definitely sweet and with the right amount of spice! They were attracted since the beginning but had so many reasons to not be together. Specially since the matchmaker of the town apparently said they were matched to different people, and everyone was pushing them apart. But the author took the time to write a beautiful and realistic love story, were the characters finally decided to follow their hearts.

Although I liked the secondary characters, because each one of them appeared to have their own story to tell and it's one of the reasons you will love this book, I wasn't happy with the way Rocky's family treated her and I really wished she would have stood up against them sooner. I know her brothers and parents were trying to protect her, but really, they were only hurting her.

Overall, Last Chance Beauty Queen is a fun love story, about two people following their hearts even when life (and everyone else) is convinced they are not meant to be together. If you like contemporary romance, this one is a must read!

BTW, this one is part of the Last Chance series, but I think you can enjoy it as a stand alone.


More about this book at  www.hoperamsay.comGoodreads, AmazonThe Book Depository.

In My Mailbox # 60

In My Mailbox is a weekly bookish meme hosted @ The Story Siren

This week I got:


Free for Kindle:

NetGalley:




Bought:

I loved my IMM this week. I really want to read Mark Haddon's book, and the last two books I bought them at a garage sale :P I'm still waiting for A Millions Suns.... Anyway, What did you get this week? Leave your links in the comments :)

BTW, the dog in the picture is Cotton, wearing his Christmas scarf.

January 25, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday # 83 - Tempest Unleashed by Tracy Deebs

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick: Tempest Unleashed (Tempest #2) by Tracy Deebs

Tempest Maguire is happy with her decision to embrace her mermaid nature and live among her mother’s clan within the ocean’s depths. Even though training to one day ascend the throne for the aging mermaid queen is rigorous, she finds refuge in the arms of Kona, the selkie who first opened her up to her mermaid side. But when word comes that one of her brothers has been gravely injured on land, Tempest immediately rushes to his side—which also brings her back to her old flame, Mark. And in her absence, a deadly battle begins raging at the hands of Tempest’s old nemesis, the sea witch Tiamat. As the dangerous war erupts, Tempest’s two loves—Kona and Mark, sea and land—will collide for the first time, both to protect her and to force her to choose.
June 5th 2012 by Walker Childrens

I loved Tempest Rising, and I can't wait to read this one! But, I'm not really exited about the love triangle..

January 22, 2012

In My Mailbox # 59

In My Mailbox is a weekly bookish meme hosted @ The Story Siren




Destined by Jessie Harrell (Sounds interesting and only 0.99 $ for Kindle!)
Always The Wedding Planner, Never The Bride by Sandra D. Bricker (Free for Kindle!)

From NetGalley:
Much Ado About Rogues by Kasey Michaels (Loved the first book of this series)
Kiss Me, I'm Irish by Roxanne St. Claire, Jill Shalvis, Maureen Child (really hot cover!)

So, what did you get this week? Leave your links :)

January 19, 2012

Book Review: Until There Was You by Kristan Higgins

Until There Was You by Kristan Higgins
Until There Was You
Author: Kristan Higgins
Release Date: October 25th 2011
Publisher: HQN Books
Age: Adult
Posey Osterhagen can't complain. She owns a successful architectural salvaging company, she's surrounded by her lovable, if off-center, family and she has a boyfriend—sort of. Still, something's missing. Something tall, brooding and criminally good-looking…something like Liam Murphy.
When Posey was sixteen, the bad boy of Bellsford, New Hampshire, broke her heart. But now he's back, sending Posey's traitorous schoolgirl heart into overdrive once again. She should be giving him a wide berth, but it seems fate has other ideas….
It's the first time I read a book from Kristan Higgins. I really didn't know what to think, I love all of her covers with the dogs, and I'm glad I finally read one!

I loved the writing. I started to read this book and only stopped because I had to sleep and work, but if not, I would have read it in a couple of hours. It managed to immerse me in the story, where Posey, the awkward protagonist is again face to face with her first (and only) love, Liam.

I liked Posey, she was a nice woman, very different from the usual protagonists. She is adopted, always uses  jeans and she barely has a womanly body. She doesn't feel like she's part of her German family, and her love life is a disaster.

Liam Murphy is the sexy bad boy. Of course, he isn't really a bad boy. He's widow, and absolutely adores his daughter. But he isn't as perfect as everybody thinks.

 I really liked this book, specially because the characters were so realistic and not perfect. Liam, although he was very hot, actually is suffering from stress and is over protecting his daughter. I do like Posey, specially because she was very sweet, had many friends and could take care of herself, but I really wished she wasn't so naive and had better self-esteem.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It was very sweet, and I'm sure going to read more books from Kristan  Higgings.


More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon, The Book Depository.

January 18, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday # 82 - Truth by Julia Karr

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick: Truth (XVI #2)by Julia Karr

Nina Oberon’s life has changed enormously in the last few months. When her mother was killed, Nina discovered the truth about her father, the leader of the Resistance. And now she sports the same Governing Council–ordered tattoo of XVI on her wrist that all sixteen-year-old girls have. The one that announces to the world that she is easy prey to predators. But Nina won’t be anyone’s stereotype. And when she joins an organization of girls working within the Resistance, she knows that they can put an end to one of the most terrifying secret programs the GC has ever conceived. Because the truth always comes out...and the consequences can be deadly.
January 19th 2012 by Speak

I loved XVI, I can't believe this one missed my radar until now!

January 16, 2012

Book Review: Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari

Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari
Author: Jo Treggiari
Release Date: June 1st 2011
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Age: Young Adult
A thrilling tale of adventure, romance, and one girl's unyielding courage through the darkest of nightmares.

Epidemics, floods, droughts--for sixteen-year-old Lucy, the end of the world came and went, taking 99% of the population with it. As the weather continues to rage out of control, and Sweepers clean the streets of plague victims, Lucy survives alone in the wilds of Central Park. But when she's rescued from a pack of hunting dogs by a mysterious boy named Aidan, she reluctantly realizes she can't continue on her own. She joins his band of survivors, yet, a new danger awaits her: the Sweepers are looking for her. There's something special about Lucy, and they will stop at nothing to have her.
Thanks to the Random Reads meme, I picked Ashes, Ashes from my to-be-read shelf. I'm glad I did, it has been there for a few months and I didn't know what I was missing!

Lucy is surviving. It's the best way to describe it. She's young and absolutely alone. She has to hunt, to cook, to sleep, all by herself. The world she knew is totally destroyed because of natural disasters and also the epidemic disease. Lately, she has been feeling like someone is watching her. But who? Isn't almost everyone dead or worse, sick?

Aidan is not sick, he's a survivor too. He has been watching Lucy, and when she needs help, she rescue hers and invites her to live with the survivors. But it's difficult to be again with people when you are so scared.

The description of the world where Lucy lives is very scary and realistic. The author did a great job in making you understand that it was a total disaster, and maybe it was worse if you survived. No food, water. Anything. I wonder how people manage to have the strength to survive.

I don't know how to describe what I felt with this book. Fear? Desperation? Disgust? When I feel all of that in a book, I like it. (I know, masochistic) But really, I got into the story and actually wanted to know more.Why the disease started? No one could stop it? And why are people looking for Lucy?

Even when Lucy and Aidan are barely surviving, they are attracted to each other. Their romance was a bonus, it was realistic. They liked each other, but it was not the most important aspect of the story.

I don't want to say more because I'll be giving you spoilers, but if you are into post-apocalyptic (or just apocalyptic?) stories, you have to read this one.


January 15, 2012

In My Mailbox # 58

In My Mailbox is a weekly bookish meme hosted @ The Story Siren


Suddenly You by Lisa Kleyplas
Wicked in your Arms by Sophie Jordan

Both authors have been on my wishlist since forever. It was time to finally get them.


Hounding the Pavement by Judi McCoy
Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlay
Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke

Cozy mysteries! It has been a while since I read something fun and light :)



Novellas from some of my favorites series!

I also ordered A Million Suns by Beth Revis, but it's going to take a few days until I receive it at home. I can't wait to read it!

What did you get this week?

January 12, 2012

Book Review: The Next Always by Nora Roberts

The Next Always by Nora Roberts
Author: Nora Roberts
Series: Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy #1
Release Date: November 1st 2011
Publisher: Piatkus Books
Age: Adult
The historic hotel in Boonsboro has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it’s getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. Beckett is the architect of the family, and his social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there’s another project he’s got his eye on: the girl he’s been waiting to kiss since he was fifteen.

After losing her husband and returning to her hometown, Clare Brewster soon settles into her life as the mother of three young sons while running the town’s bookstore. Busy, with little time for romance, Clare is drawn across the street by Beckett’s transformation of the old inn, wanting to take a closer look . . . at the building and the man behind it.

With the grand opening inching closer, Beckett’s happy to give Clare a private tour - one room at a time. It’s no first date, but these stolen moments are the beginning of something new - and open the door to the extraordinary adventure of what comes next . . .
It's the first time I read one of Nora Roberts books (*gasp* I know..) but I'm really glad I did. It was cute, sweet and refreshing, just what I needed.

Beckett is one of the Montgomery's brothers. He and his brothers are restoring an old inn Booksboro, and it's going to be amazing. The whole town is curious about it, including Clare. I loved Beckett, he's just a regular guy, close to his family and with a big heart, which has been throbbing for Clare since they were teens.

Clare is a young widow, with three kids and a lot of work. She owns a bookstore, and it has been a while since she had some time for herself. But when Beckett starts to enter their lives, she's ready for him.

I usually stay away of widows romance books because I can't relate to them, but in this case I really liked Clare and Beckett's relationship. Clare was very easy to like because she was a real mom and young woman. She took care of her kids but knew when she could use some time for herself. Beckett was so in love with her, it's obvious they had to be together, and I'm glad they realized that soon. Their romance was sweet, just what they needed. Also, the kids were so cute!

I loved the writing, I think the characters were very realistic. I felt like I was with them inside the story and their thought were exactly the same I'd had in my mind. But, I think the whole stalker thing/ghost were not necessary.

Overall, I'm glad I finally read Nora Roberts. The Inn BoomsBoro trilogy is definitely on my to be read shelf, I really enjoyed The Next Always and I can't wait to read what will happen with the rest of the Montgomery's brothers.


January 11, 2012

Giveaway: Significance by Shelly Crane

Hi guys ;) Today I have a big surprise to you! Shelly Crane, author of the Young Adult Paranormal: Significance, Collide and Devour series wants to give you the opportunity to read one of her books!

She's giving away 3 kindle copies of Significance, first book of the Significance series. Check it out:

Maggie is a seventeen year old girl who's had a bad year. She was smart and on track but then her mom left, her dad is depressed, she's graduating, barely, and her boyfriend of almost three years dumped her for a college football scholarship. Lately she thinks life is all about hanging on by a thread and is gripping tight with everything she has. Then she meets Caleb. She saves his life and instantly knows there's something about him that's intriguing but she is supposed to be on her way to a date with his cousin. But things change when they touch, sparks ignite. Literally. They imprint with each other and she sees their future life together flash before her eyes. She learns that not only is she his soul mate, and can feel his heartbeat in her chest, but there is a whole other world of people with gifts and abilities that she never knew existed. She herself is experiencing supernatural changes unlike anything she's ever felt before and she needs the touch of his skin to survive. Now, not only has her dad come out of his depression to be a father again, and a pain as well, but Caleb's enemies know he's imprinted and are after Maggie to stop them both from gaining their abilities and take her from him. Can Caleb save her or will they be forced to live without each other after just finding one another?
What do you think? I think it sounds cool! BTW, the story continues in Accordance (Significance #2) and Defiance (Significance #3), which is coming out soon!


Do you want to read it? You just have to leave a comment saying why would you like to read it and fill the form below. If you want extra points (not mandatory), you can Follow Shelly Crane's blog, her facebook page, her twitter @AuthShellyCrane or tweet about the giveaway. 

You don't have a Kindle? Don't worry, you can read it on one of the Free Kindle Reading Apps!

Remember to fill the form below:


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Waiting on Wednesday # 81 - Last Chance Beauty Queen by Hope Ramsay

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick: Last Chance Beauty Queen by Hope Ramsey

Dear Reader,
Gracious me, my beautiful daughter Rocky sure could use my help. I always knew she wasn't much interested in the local boys - but who'd have thought she'd come home with English royalty? Trouble is, Hugh wants to buy some of our folks' land. We don't want to sell, but Rocky's job depends on her closing the deal. And though Hugh's obviously smitten, I'm not sure he's right for my Rocky. Oh, he's classy and handsome - and you should've seen the way he judged pies and fixed stock cars at our Watermelon Festival! - but what do we know about him, really? I know I sound like a nervous mother hen, but after forty happy years with my Elbert, all I want is to see my little girl find the same. Well, time for me to quit chattering and get back to Miss Bray's wet set. Always nice talking to you, and remember: the Cut 'n Curl's got hot rollers, free coffee, and the best gossip in town.
See you real soon,
Ruby Rhodes

February 1st 2012 by Grand Central Publishing

I just loved Ruby's voice :) Luckily, I got this one from NetGalley!

BTW, I'm having a giveaway. Check it out!

January 10, 2012

Book Review: Real Men Will by Victoria Dahl

Real Men Will by Victoria Dahl
Author: Victoria Dahl
Series: Donovan Brothers Brewery #3
Release Date: October 25th 2011
Publisher: Harlequin
It was meant to be a one-night stand. One night of passion. Scorching hot. Then Beth Cantrell and Eric Donovan were supposed to go their separate ways. That’s the only reason he lied about his name, telling her he was really his wild younger brother. Hiding his own identity as the conservative Donovan. The “good” one. But passion has its own logic, and Eric finds he cannot forget the sable-haired beauty with whom he shared one night of passion. When Beth discovers that Eric has lied, however, she knows he cannot be trusted. Her mind tells her to forget the blue-eyed charmer. If only every fiber of her being did not burn to call him back.
Real Men Will is the last book of the Donovan Brothers Brewery. I have enjoyed the previous books so I really wanted to read this one.

Eric is the oldest brother, always serious and strict. Except when he met Beth, a very sensual woman. Eric can't let her go, but he decides it's going to be a one time thing with her, so why not use his brother's name?

But when they meet again, disasters strikes. Eric is, for the first time, the bad boy. And Beth isn't really sure to be the sensual sexy woman Eric likes.

I liked this book. I was always curious about Eric, and I think it was great that he finally wasn't the strict and perfect brother. Also, it was good to know why he was so hard with himself and his brother, it was a nice twist in the story.

I liked Beth. She was very insecure but really wanted to take her life on her own hands. It was great to see that she finally was strong enough to do it and face her parents and herself.

It was a nice story, but I thought the ending was a bit rushed. It was so hard for Beth to accept herself and for Eric to finally relax, and in a couple of characters everything was settled...I just think Beth and Eric had much more to say.

Although Real Men Will wasn't my favorite from the series, it was still a great book. I was glad  for Eric and Beth. The Dovonan Brothers Brewery is definitely a great contemporary romance series that you should read.