Can love triumph over revenge when the revenge is sought because your vampire sire left you buried in a coffin for over two hundred years? Blood Fued by Alyxandra Harvey is the second book in The Drake Chronicles series and continues where Hearts at Stake left off.  With the death of the vampire queen, things at the vampire court are a bit tense as new alliances are being formed. Isabeau St. Croix has been sent to the court as the representative of the Hounds, a group of vampires viewed by most of the court as being wild and superstitious.  Isabeau, in addition to representing the Hounds, has her own agenda with a plan to seek revenge against Greyhaven, Montmarte’s top lieutenant.

Logan Drake, one of the sons of the new vampire queen, has been assigned as Isabeau’s guide at the court.  As Isabeau and Logan begin to get to know each other, the Court is attacked and they must help each other out against the common enemy.

Isabeau is originally from the French Court during the French Revolution, having survived the horrors of seeing her parents decapitated by the guillotine, she travels to London to be with her family where she is transformed into a vampire by a guest at a ball.  Isabeau was thought to be dead so her family buried her and her sire left her alone in her coffin, where she remained for over 200 years until the Hounds’ hounds scented her and dug her out.  Isabeau is a strong character, not only being trapped in the coffin, but having to quickly adjust to life in the 21st Century.  As the Court is attacked, Logan and Isabeau are a good balance for each other, Logan’s suave charm with Isabeau’s wild attitude as a member of a  tribal vampire group.  It was nice to be able to see Lucy and Solange from the first book for a little bit, and I enjoyed this continuation of the series and of the Drake brothers.

The first book in the series was part of the Pajama Chat Readers online book club and you can listen to me discuss the book with two other fabulous ladies here.

The Drake Chronicles Website covers all things Drake related.

The Drake Chronicles Reading Order:

Hearts at Stake

Blood Fued

Rating:

Title: Blood Feud

Author: Alyxandra Harvey

Format: Paperback

Page Nos.: 272

ISBN: 978-0-8027-2096-2

Publisher: Bloomsbury Teens

Release Date: July 2010

Available for purchase: Bookstores, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble

Reviewer: Jessica

**I received a copy of this book from the publisher but was not required to provide a review and it did not impact my review in any way.

Recently a friend was helping me put some books into a bin for storage (the dream lives that someday I will have a library for all my books and not a shed) and she made the comment that I must have a book set in every continent.  This got me thinking about where the books we were putting away took place and further contemplation led me to the conclusion that I think I do have a novel set on every continent except Antarctica.  Not only that, I think I have a novel set it just about every time period.

This thinking about where books take place and when they take place was the beginning of the themes for the month on Novel Reaction.  I decided to focus on a specific novel setting and/or time period for a month.  I have really enjoyed this because it has allowed me to revisit some old great favorite books but it has been hard at the same time because I now realize that I tend to read specific time periods and places more than others.

For me, there is nothing like a Historical/Regency period romance novels, something involving Lords and Ladies and the social whirl of London.  This is not to say that I don’t enjoy other novel settings but I find myself drawn to the historicals more than other novels.

The other thing I have realized with the theme months is that I tend to get into cycles where I like to read specific setting type books, one right after the other, until the cycle moves on to the next type of book.  This realization has been great for me but at the same time, because of the themes for each month, I find myself reading twice as much as I normally do (which is saying something because I read ALL the time). So, reading books that fall within the theme for the month and then the books just for my enjoyment.

Do you find yourself reading a specific time period or location more than others? Also, do you know of a novel set in Antarctica? I need to complete my collection.

What happens when the world as you know it ends, for the second time?! Do you have the courage to pick up the pieces and find happiness in a world that is not your own? Abby, known as Glowing Sun by the Native American tribe that took her in and raised her after her white family was killed by fever, has witnessed the massacre of her tribal family and now has no where to go except with Wade Sawyer.

Wade, a cowboy who found God after traveling down the path of drunkenness, finds himself having to return the absuive father who raised him and sent him down the path of drink.  But his father has been injured, his ranch is not being worked and Wade must come to terms with his past.

I love Abby’s strength and refusal to show weakness.  After witnessing the slaughter of her tribe Abby decides to travel with Wade, a cowboy who saved her before but only until she decides to go somewhere else.  She slowly accepts some of the habits of what she considers the crazy white people, even going so far as to wear a gingham dress but she refuses to give up her knife and pulls it on anyone she considers a threat.  Slowly, both her and Wade begin to realize that  true strength is found in quietly standing up for oneselves in the face of adversity and not in forcing your will on others. Several of the characters found in this third book of the trilogy were in the first two books.  Wildflower Bride was a great read with Abby beliveably struggling to find her place in the world, she doesn’t really belong with the tribe but she doesn’t fit in with the white either and I want to read the rest of the trilogy.

Mary Connealy

Montana Marriages Trilogy:

Montana Rose

The Husband Tree

Wildflower Bride

Rating:

Title: Wildflower Bride

Author: Mary Connealy

Format: Paperback, ebook

Page Nos.:  320

ISBN: 1602601445

Publisher: Barbour Books

Release Date: May 2010

Available for purchase: Amazon.com

Reviewer: Jessica

**I received a copy of this book from Net Galley but was not required to provide a review and it did not impact my review in any way.

This past spring I attend the Online Book Bloggers and Publishers Conference and you can read about it here. Let me just repeat that it was an amazing experience that has helped me so much as a blogger! In addition, I met some amazing bloggers and authors who I continue to follow, read and learn from. It was worth every penny I paid (which was not a whole lot) and I learned more than I can measure from the conference.  That being said, I am SOOOOO excited for the two day conference that will be online on August 6th and 7th. Now for the really exciting part, I am going to be participating as a moderator. **sqquuueee** Yep, little ‘ol me will be talking and moderating some great panels and get to talk with some of the wonderful people I have gotten to know online over the past several months. So mark your calendars, pay your dues, and plan on being edified (not by me but by the other amazing individuals who will be speaking at the conference).

Goals of the Conference
Authors and Bloggers are both working together online to reach out to readers and spread the word about the books we read and love.  We all face challenges with online promotion that can be alleviated by working together.  By streamlining the process of co-operative work between Authors and Bloggers we can move forward using social media and online outlets to expose more readers to more books.

How it Works -
Never been to an online conference? – Well here is how ours works.  It is hosted through a private Ning.  The panels are audio using Blog Talk Radio and each has a corresponding chat room so listeners can discuss the topic together.  Panels can be heard live and will accept callers and questions.  After they can all be listened to in archive on the Ning till the end of the month. There is a $15 registration fee and spaces are limited.  This 2 day event is a great resource to network and meet fellow book lovers.

We have the tentative schedule for the BBA Online Conference with the announcement of panelists to be added soon.  Friday Night and all day Saturday August 6&7 radio panels and live discussions.  A complete listing of the panels scheduled can be found at Book Bloggers and Authors Website here.

In times of great National Security, sometimes everyday individuals are called upon to put their relationships and lives on the line.  In Times Like These by Emily Loring, Page and Vance as so asked as this novel takes place post WWII, during the space race and cold war in America.  Page Wilburn, after suffering the loss of both parents, her father’s reputation, all the wealth her parents had accumulated and her fiancé because of the loss of wealth, has retreated from living and hides behind shapeless mourning clothes and dark glasses.

When Page is approached by her boss to pose as the fiancée of Vance Cooper, one of the heads of the company and the man in charge of a project of great National Security, Page decides to accept this chance to get out and live a little, never realizing that her life and heart would end up on the line.

Vance has his doubts that the mousy woman presented to him by his boss can be convincing as his fiancée and succeed in fooling the woman he suspects is a traitor that they are really in love.  When Page accidentally receives a mysterious jade pendant as a gift after being followed, both her and Vance must pull together to save their country and their very lives.

I grew up reading Emilie Loring and love her books! In Times Like These is my favorite, Page’s attitude of forgiveness and willingness to take a chance at living after suffering all the loss is inspiring.  Vance is your typical good looking corporate head with a soft spot for his family, what is not to love about that?! As their sham engagement becomes more real and Page ends up in great danger, they have to pull together to protect each other and the country.  Everytime I read an Emilie Loring I am reminded of the great patriotism that existed and continue to exists in the hearts of Americans.  She had a way of inspiring me to want to be a better person, a happier person after reading her books. If you are in need of a little lift, pick up one of her books and enjoy!

Rating:

Title: In Times Like These

Author: Emilie Loring

Format: Hardbound

Page Nos.: 248

ISBN: 0884113566

Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

Release Date: June 1976

Available for purchase: Amazon.com

Reviewer: Jessica

Not everyone may be aware that July 24th is Pioneer Day, a day for remembrance of all the brave men, women and children who left their homes in the east and traveled across the North American Continent.  Many lost their lives but more survived, showing great strength and the American Determination to accomplish what we set out to do.  Having recently moved from Utah, this day is on my mind because it is a Utah State Holiday.

In addition, this subject is near and dear to my heart because my ancestors crossed the plains pulling a handcart similar to the one in the photo. My great Grandfather, Daniel D. McArthur, led the second handcart company across the plains, a group of 227. Daniel D. would cross the plains five more times assisting other groups to the Salt Lake Valley. The handcarts were only six to seven feet long and five people shared one with a loaded handcart carried four to five hundred pounds. Each adult was allowed seventeen pounds and a child ten pounds, that included bedding, clothes, cooking utensils and personal belongings. (I can’t imagine having to limit myself like that, my book collection alone weighs several hundred pounds.)

The groups crossing the plains dealt with blistering heat, freezing blizzards, drought, dehydration and starvation, not to mention attacks by wild animals, Native Americans, and outlaws.  The trek from Iowa City to Salt Lake City was thirteen hundred miles and each handcart company could only travel an average of eight and half miles per day.

The courage exhibited by these men and women have captured the imagination and hearts of generations of readers. Walk into any bookstore and you will find books set during this pivotal time in our history. It was rough, harsh, and deadly, yet it seemed to bring out the best of people.  Groups pulled together to ensure the survival of all, they would gather to assist in the building of homes and to socialize.

It seems incredible to me as I sit in my air conditioned house writing this that people had the courage to leave everything they knew to travel across untold dangers to a place they had never seen to live a new life.  As the 24th approaches I just wanted to take a second to remember the great men and women who had the courage to tame this large land and pave the way for the life we get to live.

More information can be found at American West and The Fur Trapper.

When three woman appear at the Sheriff’s office confessing to the murder of a man that can’t be found, what is a sheriff to do? So he raffles them off to any man who can pay the fine with the understanding that the man will marry them.  The Texan’s Wager by Jodi Thomas is the first in the The Wife Lottery series and tells the story of Bailee, sent off by her father to cross the plains and never return, Bailee is the practical one and finds herself married to Carter McKoy, a stranger.

Carter doesn’t like strangers and surprises himself when he enters his name for the wife lottery. When he takes Bailee home he is surprised at how well she fills the silence of his life but he finds it hard to say anything to her.  Bailee invites strangers into the house, causing Carter to worry about sharing everything with her. But when Carter is needed to communicate with the small child who is the only witness still alive from a train robbery, Carter and Bailee will need to pull together to combat the danger that threatens their very lives.

I love The Wife Lottery series but especially Bailee’s story. Bailee’s practicality and willingness to do what needs to be done is great but underneath she hides a vulnerability and a desire to be wanted forever.  Carter’s character breaks my heart and just makes me want to give him a big hug.  Carter, having almost starved as a child, rations his food like he will never have enough and the scene where she serves his entire ration of bread to a guest and Carter almost cries as he watches the bread disappear is incredible in its ability to make you feel all Carter’s feelings.  Jodi’s characters are sympathetic and entertaining.  The three woman are all so different, Bailee the practical one, Lacy the woman-child who speaks her mind and Sarah, the broken angel.  There is also a fourth book that is the story of Two-bits, the child who helps the three out of their danger and her Ranger, Dalton. I highley recommend the entire series.

Jodi Thomas

Rating:

Title: The Texan’s Wager

Author: Jodi Thomas

Format: Paperback

Page Nos.: 309

ISBN: 0-515-13400-7

Publisher: Jove Historical Romance

Release Date: November 2002

Reviewer: Jessica

Considine is a very cautious outlaw who has to decide whether to pull off the biggest bank robbery in all times or tofollow after the girl he might love as she travels with her father through heavy Indian territory. In High Lonesome by Louis L’Amour, Considine discovers that the girl he thought he loved isn’t the right one for him after she destroys an amazing friendship between Considine and Pete Runyon. When Considine runs from town with a broken heart, he turns to outlawry to earn money. With each heist he pulls, he plans for every event that could possibly happen to change the outcome until there is no chance that it could go wrong. When he is about to get back at Pete for stealing his girl, he meets Lennie and her stubborn father passing through the same region. The girl and her father are bent on making it through the Indian territory to a free land in California. Circumstances quickly change around both Lennie and Considine until he is forced to choose between revenge and love.

I really loved this book and I believe it contains all essential components to make a great western! It has a quickly moving plot involving a test of character, an intense fist-fight, a gun battle, and just a touch of romance. When reading this book I was reminded how much I love reading Louis L’Amour’s including the hundreds I read while in middle school. I have never grown out of them!

Rating:

Title: High Lonesome

Author: Louis L’Amour

Format: Paperback

Page Nos.: 152

ISBN: 0-553-25972-5

Publisher: Bantam Books

Release Date: September 1962

Reviewed by: Jillian

Thanks to everyone who entered to win Beastly by Alex Flynn and the yummy bath salts. The winner is…… Teresa! Congrats Teresa, I will be contacting you to get your mailing address.  Thanks to everyone who entered.  The winner was chosen using Random.org.

Novel Reaction is so excited to be doing its first interview with Love Inspired Historical author Carla Capshaw! First, let’s get to know Carla a little better, Florida native Carla Capshaw always dreamed of being a writer and world traveler, she followed her wanderlust around the globe before beginning work on her first novel. A two-time Rita nominee, she’s found inspirational historical romance is the perfect vehicle to combine lush settings, vivid characters and a Christian worldview. Currently at work on her next novel, she still lives in Florida, but is always planning her next trip…and plotting her next story. Carla loves to hear from readers.  You can learn more at http://www.carlacapshaw.com/.  To contact her, visit her Web site or write: Carla@carlacapshaw.com. __________________ NR: What is your favorite genre to write? Carla: I love writing Inspirational Historical Romances.  I enjoy researching various eras and imagining what life was like for the people of those times. NR: How old were you when you wrote your first book? Carla: Hmm…I don’t remember exactly.  I do remember when I began my first Historical.  I was 31 years old and it was May 1, 2002. NR: Why did you start writing and what inspired you to become a writer? Carla: When I was ten years old, I watched a television mini-series about Marco Polo.  From learning about Marco, I fell in love with the whole idea of traveling the world and writing books along the way.  As I grew up, Historical romances were my favorite reading material.  My favorite subject was History.  I loved learning about other cultures, the past and imaging the lives of the people in different eras.   So, when I decided I really did want to concentrate on writing novels, it just made sense to put all my favorite elements together.  I’m just blessed there are so many other people who seem to love Inspirational Historical Romances as well. NR: What is your favorite genre to read? Carla: Romance, definitely.  I love happy endings and I love the journey the hero and heroine have to take to earn their happiness even more. NR: Who is your favorite author or favorite book to read? Carla: My favorite book is the Bible.  I love its Author, too.  J   Another favorite book is The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis.  My favorite Romance is Shanna by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. NR: This month the theme for NovelReaction.com is American Historical, when you think of American Historical what time period does this bring to mind? What inspired you to write during the American Revolution? Carla: I think the American Historical stretches from Colonial times (1600s) to World War 2.  For me, I immediately think of the Revolutionary War.  I love everything about that time period.  I never get over the magnitude of what forbearers did for us.  The sacrifices they made, the upheaval and loss they suffered to win our freedom is just amazing to me. NR: You have a new novel being released this month, would you like to tell us a little bit about it? Carla: The Protector is set in 81 AD.  It’s a sequel to my first published novel, The Gladiator.  The hero and heroine are Quintus and Adiona.  Quintus is a Christian who was sentenced to death for his beliefs.  While waiting for execution, he was sold to a slave trader, then to a gladiator school.  He’s trying to earn his freedom and return to his hometown to make sure his son, who died just before Quintus’s trial, received a proper burial, since funeral rites were paramount to first century people.  Adiona is a socialite, who hides a lifetime of pain behind a mask of indifference and a lot of attitude.  She has good reasons to hate men and has sworn them off for good.  Unfortunately for her, she can’t shake her attraction to Quintus.  Quintus is hugely attracted to Adiona, but doesn’t want anything to do with her.  His marriage was miserable and Adiona reminds him of his wife, who committed suicide after the death of their son. When someone tries to assassinate Adiona, Quintus is made her bodyguard.  Adiona has to leave Rome and Quintus accompanies her for protection.  Away from the intrigues of Rome and the differences in their social status, they’re finally able to learn the truth about one another and what’s really important to each of them. NR: Anything else you would like to add? Carla: I want to thank you for letting me visit with you today.  I love hearing from readers and if they’d like to contact me, they can at: Carla@carlacapshaw.com.  I can also be found on most of the social networks like Facebook and Goodreads. Finally, as with all author visits, Carla has given us a view of “where the magic happens” for her. Thank you Carla for joining us and we look forward to reading your next novels.