Now that the busiest period at work is over, it’s time for me to pick up my posts where I left off. First up is a long overdue review of a book that I originally read for Keishon’s TBR Challenge for March.

Title: The Firebrand

Author: Marion Zimmer Bradley

Genre: Historical Fiction/ Fantasy

Publisher: ROC

Year Published : 2007

Stand alone or series: Stand alone

Why I read it:
I’ve been fascinated by Greek mythology since young, and one of the tales I love most is that of the Iliad. I’ve read numerous different accounts and rewrites of this war epic, and have yet to get tired of it. One of the best I’ve read is Colleen McCullogh’s Song of Troy, told from the perspectives of different key players in the war.

Marion Zimmer Bradley has long been a favourite author of mine, and I’ve been wanting to read this recount of the war from the perspective of the Trojan princess Kassandra.

On the Back cover:

Though born of noble blood, Kassandra is destined for a life greater than that of a Trojan princess. Even before her mother sends her to live among the Amazons, Kassandra is chosen by the Sun God Apollo as his priestess – and has the gift of foresight bestowed upon her.

She has foreseen the destruction of Troy – a great war between the Akhaians and Trojans and the wrath of the gods upon them all. But no one believes Kassandra’s prophecies, or heeds her warnings about the beautiful woman known as Helen …

You’re probably wondering at the silence after the last post in February. Well, the dust has finally been dusted off the furniture, the new walls and the kitchen, and we’re finally ready to be reconnected to the virtual realm.

Yes, it’s been a long month of packing, planning, and rushing, and now … I’m much relieved and happy to tell you that we’ve officially moved into our new home.  Which means that posts would be forthcoming.  Stay tuned …

Since I’ve still got quite a few backlogged reviews to post, I’m bundling the following contemporary romance novels into a round-up review, just to save some time. The books

Title: Heaven, Texas
Author: Susan Elizabeth Philips
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Piatkus Books
Year Published : 2007

Stand alone or series: Book #2 in the Chicago Starrs series

Why I read it: The author is new to me, and the back cover description of the story sounded interesting.

On the Back cover:

Former sports star Bobby Denton has agreed to lend his fame and his name to a movie. But when he doesn’t show up the film company sends straight-laced Gracie Snow to bring him to the set with surprising results.

Despite his dazzling good looks and killer charm, Bobby has reservations about being a movie star- and no plans to cooperate with anyone from the studio, let alone shy little Gracie. But though she comes across as a wallflower, Bobby soon discovers Gracie is really a steel magnolia and the more time he spends in her company the more he finds himself drawn to this plain Jane with a heart of gold…

In my books …
If you enjoy humour in your romance, then this book is definitely up your alley. From page one, when the hero Bobby Tom (or BT, as he’s referred to in the book) mistook Gracie for a stripper, a birthday treat he presumed was arranged by his friends, and tried to ‘teach’ her how to do her job, the author makes you laugh out loud with the hilarious situations both lead characters get into, the bantering between the two and of course, the undeniable chemistry between them.

If you haven’t noticed this, perhaps you will now.

It’s time for me to catch up on my backlog of book reviews, so I’ve grouped these romantic suspense books into this bundled review.

Now, I’ve long admired the way The Book Smugglers structured their review post, and since one of the Top 10 Things I’ve resolved to do this year is to be more disciplined about posting, I figured that having a good structure to emulate would help a lot in clearing the backlog, so with a little bit of tweaking and my own creative interpretation, here are my opinions of Kill Me Twice and Thrill Me to Death by Roxanne St. Claire.

Title: Kill Me Twice
Author: Roxanne St. Claire
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Pocket
Year Published : 2005

Stand alone or series: Book #1 in the Bullet Catcher series

Why I read it: Having read books 4 to 6 for the TBR Challenge hosted by Avidreader Keishon last year, and enjoyed them tremendously, I thought it was a good idea to back track and go back to the series debut which began this sexy, thrilling series.

On the Back cover:

WATCH YOUR BACK

Alex Romero is the hottest “Bullet Catcher” in the business. Tall, dark, and deadly if necessary, this high-priced bodyguard’s got the muscle and the moves — especially when it comes to the ladies. Alex can keep his beautiful clients out of danger, but sometimes they can’t keep their hands off of him. Now Alex has one last chance to prove he belongs among the elite force known as The Bullet Catchers, but his assignment is stacked…against him.

WATCH YOUR HEART

Private investigator Jasmine Adams is fiercely independent and fearless under pressure — she doesn’t need some hunk-for-hire’s help to catch the creep stalking her twin sister. But when Jazz uncovers bigger forces targeting her sister for death, she’s glad to have Alex’s brain and brawn handy. From the steamy streets of Miami to the sultry beaches of Key West, Alex and Jazz try to fight temptation as they race to keep a madman from fulfilling his promise to kill not just once, but twice. And some temptations are too powerful to resist….

If I were asked to name one great male romantic fiction author 2 years ago, I would have said “None comes to my mind.”

However, having read A Walk to Remember and watched the movie (on YouTube, no less!), and recently followed that up with the heart-achingly sweet war romance (well, sort of), I can confidently name Nichols Sparks as a favourite male author now. I gladly recommend Dear John to all die-hard romantics.  Here’re the reasons why …

Synopsis:

A rebel in his younger days, John Tyree joined the army “because he needed to” and to make something out of an aimless life with an uncommunicative father. While on home leave one summer knowing he’s ready to turn over a new leaf, he met the lively Savannah Lynn Curtis, the girl of his dreams. The attraction is mutual, and the budding romance quickly turned into a serious vow, on John’s part to marry her when his tour of duty is over, and on Savannah’s part to wait for him.

However, none of them could foresee the great change that 9/11 would wrought to their lives and their love. Faced with the choice of country or love, John made a decision that changed their future. Now, finally returned, he would finally learn the transformational power of  love.