Jane and the Canterbury Tale by Stephanie Barron

New Stephanie Barron book to be released August 28, 2011 in the Jane Austen Mystery series.....Jane and the Canterbury Tale.

Book synopsis:

"Three years ago, after a night of reckless gaming, Curzon Fiske fled England for an uncertain future in India, leaving scandal and prodigious debts behind him. When news of his death from fever in Ceylon reached his raven-haired wife, Adelaide, she mourned him for a time—then quietly restored her damaged reputation.

Now Adelaide is at the altar again, her groom a soldier on the Marquis of Wellington's staff. The prospects seem bright for one of the most notorious women in Kent—until Jane Austen discovers a corpse on the ancient Pilgrim's Way that runs through her brother Edward's estate. Why is the dead stranger dressed as a pilgrim, and who wrote the summons he carries in his pocket? Who is the aristocrat masquerading as a sailor? And why will none of Adelaide's friends reveal Curzon Fiske's final wager, the night he abandoned his wife? As Chief Magistrate for Canterbury, Edward is forced to investigate, with Jane as his unwilling assistant. From the shooting parties and balls of her wellborn neighbors, to the grim and airless cells of Canterbury gaol, Jane leaves no stone unturned. When a second corpse appears beside the ancient Pilgrim's Way, Jane has no choice but to confront a murderer...lest the next corpse be her own."

Click here to read the first chapter at Stephanie Barron's website.

The Dark Enquiry by Deanna Raybourn

"The Spirits Speak of Secrets.......

Partners now in marriage and in trade, Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane have finally returned from abroad to set up housekeeping in London. But merging their respective collections of gadgets, pets and servants leaves little room for the harried newlyweds themselves, let along Brisbane's private enquiry business.

Among the more unlikely clients: Julia's very proper brother, Lord Bellmont, who swears Brisbane to secrecy about his case. Not about to be let out of anything concerning her beloved -- if eccentric - family, spirtied Julia soon picks up the trail of the investigation.

It leads to the exclusive Spirit Club, where the alluring Madame Seraphine holds evening seances....and not a few powerul gentlemen in thrall. From this eerie enclave unfolds a lurid tangle of dark deeds, whose tendrils crush reputations and throttle trust."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

A new installment in The Lady Julia Grey series is always a cause for celebration, and I got my hands on the eagerly anticipated The Dark Equiry that was hot off the presses at RWA. Once again, Raybourn expertly blends the history and lifestyle of Victorian England with mystery, romantic suspense, and a bit of the supernatural in her distinctive and witty voice.

Book #5 reveals a bit more about the enigmatic Brisbane's past, and at the same time drops some tantalizing teasers that there is still much more to be revealed about the half-gypsy, half-Scottish hero -- secrets he fears may cause Julia to turn away from him. The relationship of Brisbane and Julia is one of mutual devotion and love, but there are still conflicts in the relationship to work out. Contrary to the times, Julia is not content unless she has some interesting projects of her own, and this independent streak and interest in crime-solving puts her at odds with her husband who would like nothing more than to keep her safely out of his dangerous investigations. When one of her brothers finds himself in a situation that would bring scandal to his family and career, he turns to Brisbane for help....thus putting Julia and Brisbane investigating in the world of spiritualism and seances....and murder.

I savored each new layer of mystery, intrigue, and smoldering chemistry between Brisbane and Lady Julia. I was paticularly pleased that we experience more of the quirky and eccentric March family as well as more adventures among Brisbane's people in a gypsy camp. A truly surprise ending (did NOT see the culprit)and a clever teaser ending left me assured that while this installment brought them closer-than-ever with a taste of tragedy and heartache, the devoted husband-wife investigative team will be back soon and hot on the trail of another exotic adventure!

4.5/5 stars

Title: The Dark Enquiry (#5 in the Lady Julia Grey series)
Author: Deanna Raybourn
MIRA
2011
387 pages
genre: historical fiction/Victorian mystery

Highlights from New York & RWA!

I've been absent from my blog for quite a while, but there's a very good reason... I've just returned from a looong vacation in fabulous New York that was jam packed with broadway shows, exhibits, tours, and best of all -- meeting authors at the Romance Writers of America conference!

We stayed at the hotel which was hosting the RWA conference and Literacy Signing, so throughout the week I had many close encounters in elevators and in the restaurants with both aspiring and published authors, and I even managed to meet a few new-to-me authors while sitting at the bar sipping an iced tea and hoping to see some famous authors. (I'm not ashamed to admit I'm a woman on a mission... I'll hunt down a big name author! ha!) I spotted Deanna Raybourn and Robyn Carr chatting at a nearby table and got up my courage to stop at her table to tell her that I loved her books. Deanna was delightful and very sweet, just as you would expect....and beautiful to boot.

The highlight of the RWA experience was when I met up with partner in crime and book blogging buddy Julie from Outlandish Dreaming for the Literacy Signing, and that was quite an experience!! Oh, my.....literally hundreds of authors lined up alphabetically in a huge ballroom with their latest books for sale for literacy charities. Julie and I were like kids in a candy store -- a feast of books and authors!! We each had our "must see" authors, but we began with visiting a mutual favorite, Lauren Willig. I had a little gift for her (I made a Pink Carnation bracelet for her with portraits of a few of her books, including Mistletoe, for good luck -- she was nominated for a RITA award for her Mischief of the Mistletoe.) She loved it and told me she would wear it all week for good luck....and was sweet enough to mention it on her blog and facebook page! And I'm happy to announce that she WON the RITA for Best Regency Historical Romance Novel!! Hurray!!
Lauren has a new Pink book coming out in 2012, The Garden Intrigue, and has a short story in an upcoming anthology titled Jane Austen Made Me Do It (Laurel Ann Nattress, editor).




The next big thrill for me was stopping to chat with Deanna Raybourn again. I couldn't wait to get her newest installment of the Lady Julia series, The Dark Enquiry, and I'm looking forward to more Brisbane goodness.




One of my newest favorite authors is Susanna Kearsley, and she was at the top of my "must meet" list. I discovered her books last year and I think I've read all but one of her terrific novels. The Winter Sea and Mariana remain my top favorites, but really all of her books are a wonderful mix of history, suspense, subtle romance, time slip, and adventure. I highly recommend all of her books, and I am very much looking forward to her fall release in the US of The Rose Garden. What a delight meeting her!




There were many other great authors I met such as Colleen Gleason, Tessa Dare, Robin Kaye, Christine Trent, Julie James and so many others! After an hour and half of wandering around a very HOT and stifling ballroom that was deafening with roaring, excited crowds, I was beginning to fade and had to make an exit. I checked out with my book goodies (see sidebar at right for my picks -- I had to exercise restraint as only so much will fit in my packed suitcase.) Julie and author Robin Kaye are longtime friends, so we all met up after the signing to relax at the lounge at the top of the hotel, and then headed out for a late night dinner. Thanks to Julie and Robin Kaye for a great night of fun and book talk!

Julie from Outlandish Dreaming and bestselling author Robin Kaye



New York is such an exciting place to visit, and the sights and sounds that are in my memory from my trip are amazing. We especially loved The Harry Potter Exhibit and all the broadway shows:

Here's a little taste of the Wicked experience....so fun!


The haunting opening scene and overture from my favorite, The Phantom of the Opera!


Daniel Radcliffe in How to Succeed in Business


Spider-Man Turn off the Dark -- Really cool Bono music! We were in the balcony and Spider Man practically landed in our lap!


Whew! It's good to be back home, but one thing is for sure.....New York, we will be back!

WINNER: Queen By Right by Anne Easter Smith

It's time to announce the winner of Anne Easter Smith's Queen By Right as part of the Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours..........and the winner chosen at random is.......

Carole Rae!!!

Congratualtions to Carole Rae -- an email has been sent today notifying you. Thank you very much to everyone for your enthusiastic participation and comments for the giveaway and guest post!

Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase

"Sebastian Ballister, the notorious Marquess of Dain, is big, bad, and dangerous to know. No respectable woman would have anything to do with the "Bane and Blight of the Ballisters" --and he wants nothing to do with respectable women. He's determined to continue doing what he does best -- sin and sin again --and all that' going swimmingly, thank you....until the day a shop door opens and SHE walks in.

Jessica Trent is a determined young woman, and she's going to drag her imbecile brother off the road to ruin, no matter what it takes. If saving him--and with him, her family and future--means taking on the devil himself, she won't back down. The trouble is, the devil in question is so shockingly irresistible, and the person who needs the most saving is -- herself!"
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

Loretta Chase's Lord of Scoundrels is a hugely popular novel, often topping the list of polls at the #1 spot for all-time favorite romances. Naturally, I wanted to see what all the buzz was about, and now I understand what sets this book apart from all the other conventional romances.

The core of the story is a beauty and the beast theme....with lots of suprises! Not sure I'm a fan of everything that happened in the plot, but it sure was a book like no other.

Jessica Trent is a refreshingly unique character and I enjoyed her from the start. Although she's a spinster, it's not for lack of beauty or brains. She's just been busy being smart and sensible in handling her family's financial affairs as well as raising her insipid brother and a passel of male cousins. Having a really-cool-grandmother as her confidante in matters of men, Jessica is very frank about sexual matters and is completely unashamed of her instant attraction to.....Sebastian, the Lord of Scoundrels!

Sebastian Ballister, on the other hand, is Satan personified. Deeply wounded by his abandonment as a child and the torture he experienced at the hands of bullies, he's hidden his pain by wearing a protective armor. He revels in his reputation for debauchery and fully expects the world to quake in fear when he bellows. He views women as strictly entertainment for his depraved amusement and discards them at will...until a pert little woman named Jessica walks into his life and makes his world wobble on its axis.

These two characters take the reader on one of the most maddening and unusual journeys I've ever experienced in a romance....it's funny and sexy and, at times, shocking; I lost count of the times I said, "Well, I didn't see THAT coming!" Expect the unexpected in this entertaining romance!

4/5 stars

Title: Lord of Scoundrels
Author: Loretta Chase
1995
Avon Books
357 pages
genre: historical romance

WINNER: Margaret Mitchell & John Marsh: The Love Story

Thank you to everyone who entered to win a copy of Margaret Mitchell and John Marsh: The Love Story Behind Gone With the Wind by Marianne Walker......... and the winner is........

ANJULI!!!!!!!!

Anjuli, I will notify you by e-mail as well as inform Peachtree Publishers to ship it off to you! Congratulations and enjoy!

Suddenly Sunday

Happy Sunday to everyone, and a very Happy Father's Day to the special men in your life!

Many things happening here on the blog, so it's a busy Suddenly Sunday.

First, we have a blog name change.....formerly Slice of Life, my new name is Books, Belles, & Beaux. Followers do not need to change a thing as my URL has stayed the same. I hope you like it!

Next, I currently have two GIVEAWAYS for June. In time to celebrate Gone With the Wind's 75th anniversary this June, I have one copy of Margaret Mitchell and John Marsh: The Love Story Behind Gone With the Wind by Marianne Walker. I also have the fabulous Queen By Right by Anne Easter Smith for historical fiction fans. Click on the book cover in the side bar to enter!

I highly recommend two books that are perfect for relaxing summer reading. You can read my thoughts on The Violets of March by Sarah Jio and Only Mr. Darcy Will Do by Kara Louise.

And lastly, since today's post is in honor of Father's Day, I'm going to share a little memory of my father. My dad was very hard working and did not spend any of his rare leisure time reading other than work related papers or the newspaper. But there was one book that he always took time to read to me (or listen to me read to him). Aww...makes me happy just remembering.



Have a great week!

***Suddenly Sunday is hosted by Svea @ The Muse in the Fog Book Reviews.*****