Spotlight: Pride and Sensuality by P O Dixon + Giveaway

Book Blurb: ~ A lighthearted, whimsical, entertaining, yet ever so sensual tale of Darcy and Elizabeth's pleasurable pursuits pending their nuptials. ~ 

With his mind agreeably engaged on the pleasures that await him once he and his dearest, loveliest Elizabeth are man and wife, Darcy's patience wanes, and he begins to wonder if he will ever find time alone with his betrothed. 

Elizabeth is not oblivious of the discomfort Darcy must surely suffer. Not only does she have the key to his heart; she knows how to use it. 

~ What's the second most often ask question about Pride and Sensuality? ~ 

If Pride and Sensuality were a film, what rating would it be? 

The Answer: This wonderfully entertaining short story about Darcy and Elizabeth, an engaged young couple violently in love, would be rated PG. 

The most often question has been when is Pride and Sensuality available. It's available now! 

*****

Having read Pride and Sensuality, I am looking forward to reading this fun, sensual, and quick read again while soaking in a nice hot bath…perhaps with some hot chocolate too. ;)

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***Giveaway Time***

P O Dixon is generously giving away ONE (1) ebook copy of Pride and Sensuality to one lucky commenter! 
To enter: Comment on this blog post and fill our Rafflecopter form.
Giveaway is open internationally!
Giveaway ends April 6, 2014.

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Review: Accidentally Yours by Robin Helm + Giveaway!

Two worlds . . .
Two centuries . . .
Two men who love the same woman . . .
Two prayers fervent enough to shift time . . .
What would a man give for a second chance at love?
What would he sacrifice to keep it?

What if the proud, arrogant Fitzwilliam Darcy of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice never changed after his disastrous proposal to Elizabeth Bennet at Hunsford?
What if the humbled man who successfully courted her was not the same Mr. Darcy?

In Accidentally Yours, Book 1 of the Yours by Design Christian fantasy romance series, the lives of two men are turned upside down when both of them fall in love with the same woman.

Book Review:
What if there were two Darcys separated by time and in love with the same person?  What an intriguing concept and way to tell the same story with a surprising twist.

First we have the proud, and some would say arrogant, man Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. He is deeply hurt by Miss Elizabeth’s rejection and thusly wrote her a letter explaining his actions. Having just delivered his letter, he rides away from her as fast as he can, praying he never has to see her again, then everything goes dark. Second we meet a modern day Mr. Will Darcy who loves all things Austen and especially loves Pride & Prejudices and thusly longs to meet his very own Miss Elizabeth. His love of Austen comes from his most beloved grandmother, Nana Rose. Unfortunately, Nana Rose is very ill and her death leaves him alone and feeling lost. After a rather uneventful lunch date, Will is walking back to his office praying to meet his Elizabeth soon day soon, when his world goes dark. When the two wake, they realize that they have switched places, both having suffered some kind of accident.

From here we see how Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy handles our modern day traditions while trying to hold onto some his 18^th century traditions. He has to come to terms with his disastrous proposal and knowing that his prayer was answer in that he will never see his Elizabeth again. Luckily for him he has the Darcy’s trusted housekeeper Mrs. Thomas and Will’s best friend, Lance. Whereas Mr. Will Darcy must, with the help of Colonel Fitzwilliam, learn the customs of the 18^th century and figure out a way to win the heart of Miss Elizabeth. He must also learn how to run Pemberley while trying to sort out the books at Rosings; which seem to be in some sort of disorder; all the while building a relationship with his new sister, Georgiana.

I loved how this story explains the sudden changes in Darcy that will inevitably change Elizabeth’s heart; it is a totally new Darcy. Both Darcys have much to learn about life and love not just from each other but also in those around them. They are different given the times in which they were born, but they have so much in common. As the story unfolds, we learn that these two Darcys are related and were known to the Austen family. Is this the way a young Jane Austen came up with idea of Pride & Prejudice to start out with? Maybe.  It was also nice to have stronger Jane Bennet; someone that will not cave in when Mr. Bingley comes back into her life. This time around he has competition in the way of Colonel Fitzwilliam.

Although Ms. Helm’s story follows along with the original, it is very intriguing and captivating. Cannot wait to read book two and see how the rest of the story unfolds.

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*Review written by Leatherbound Reviews contributor Liz Castillo.
*Review copy provided by author in exchange for fair, honest review.

***Giveaway Time***

Author Robin Helm is generously offering ONE (1) ebook copy of Accidentally Yours to an international winner and ONE (1) paperback or ebook copy of Accidentally Yours to one U.S. winner!!

To enter: 

Please comment on this review WITH an email address or Twitter handle

For extra entires, tweet this review and leave a comment with your tweet address.

Giveaway ends April 2!

Review: The Road to You by Marilyn Brant

From the publisher:

~Sometimes the only road to the truth...is one you've never taken.~

"Until I found Gideon's journal in the tool shed -- locked in the cedar box where I'd once hidden my old diary -- I'd been led to believe my brother was dead. But the contents of his journal changed all that."

THE ROAD TO DISCOVERY

Two years ago, Aurora Gray's world turned upside down when her big brother Gideon and his best friend Jeremy disappeared. Now, during the summer of her 18th birthday, she unexpectedly finds her brother's journal and sees that it's been written in again. Recently. By him.

THE ROAD TO DANGER

There are secret messages coded within the journal's pages. Aurora, who's unusually perceptive and a natural puzzle solver, is hell bent on following where they lead, no matter what the cost. She confides in the only person she feels can help her interpret the clues: Donovan McCafferty, Jeremy's older brother and a guy she's always been drawn to -- even against her better judgment.

THE ROAD TO YOU

Reluctantly, Donovan agrees to go with her and, together, they set out on a road trip of discovery and danger, hoping to find their lost brothers and the answers to questions they've never dared to ask aloud.

"In that expectant space between silence and melody, our trip began…"

Review:

Two years after her brother and his best friend, Jeremy, disappeared, Aurora Gray still refuses to believe that Gideon, her brother, is dead, especially now in light of discovering his journal. But it’s not merely discovering the journal’s presence that gives Aurora pause; it’s that the journal has been written in…two weeks ago.

Needing some expert help in decoding Gideon’s mechanic talk in the journal, Aurora seeks out the one person who she knows can help, the one person she has avoided these past two years, Donnovan, Jeremy’s older brother and Aurora’s teenage crush. Aurora knows there has to be a hidden message amidst the steps for changing one’s oil and radiator fluid, but what is it? What is Gideon trying to tell her? And can she keep her feelings for Donnovan simmering below the surface, or will they ignite and combust along Route 66 like a Fourth of July firecracker?

As Aurora sets out on a cross-country journey, she will discover that it is not just a physical journey she will embark on; Aurora will also head down the road of self-discovery. Uncovering the truth behind her brother’s disappearance will finally allow Aurora to ask herself what she wants in life…and how Donnovan may fit into that plan.

Similar to Jane Austen, Aurora Grey is a great studier of character, and she uses this to her advantage on her journey. She can read those she meets, understand their stories, and decipher their feelings just by momentarily observing them—everyone except Donnovan, that is. It is this intrigue along with the aura surrounding them that make the tension, both sexual and emotional, between the two tangible.

From the dark wood paneling, muscle cars, classic rock, pay phones, and TV antennas, Brant captured the tone and mood of the late 70s in such a way that I thought I truly was transported back in time. Couple this with the amount of research conducted to write such a realistic story, and I was wishing this were a true story, one I didn’t want to end.

As with any historical novel I read, I enjoy comparing that time to present day. I love seeing how things have changed. As I read The Road to You, I enjoyed comparing the differences between 1978 and now: gas was only $0.61 per gallon, a Chicago theater played 4 movies—and that was a lot!—and it only took a dime to make a call on the pay phone…a payphone! (are they even around anymore?) My how times have changed!

There are several attributes I have encountered with each Marilyn Brant book I have read: true-to-life characters—perfectly flawed and dynamic—descriptions that easily transport readers to the present setting, a gamut of feelings felt, analogies and other figurative language that connect to the plot on several levels, all woven together so masterfully it creates a remarkable web, sure to trap any reader.

Every facet of The Road to You was meticulously executed. If you enjoy reading about days of old, self-discovery, travel, romance, mystery, or the new adult genre, I can’t recommend The Road to You enough.

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FTC disclaimer: Review copy provided by author for my fair and honest review.

Consequences by C.P. Odom Blog Tour!

Join Leatherbound Reviews for our March blog tour! This month's journey will have us following author C.P. Odom through the blogosphere as he talks about his latest release, Consequences, published by Meryton Press. 

Consequences is a cautionary tale about the evils of hasty judgment, revisiting Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and one of those pivotal moments when Elizabeth Bennet throws away Mr. Darcy’s offer of marriage so decisively. What transpires from that point is well known to Austen’s extensive readership, but what if even one element in the chain of events in her novel turns out differently? Does Austen’s happy ending eventually come to pass, or is the outcome more bleak? 

And if, in order to secure financial security for her loved ones, Elizabeth does not reject Darcy, is she married to a proud, arrogant, disdainful man who, as she feared, forces her to deny her own relatives and thus condemns her to a lifetime of misery? Or does she find herself married to a man who cares 
enough for her to reject the opposition of his family and chance his very standing in society in order to marry a woman he loves beyond measure? 

Consequences, written by the author of A Most Civil Proposal, explores two alternate realities—both tragedy and triumph.

*BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE*

3/10 Guest Post at My Jane Austen Book Club

3/11 Review at Addicted to Jane Austen

3/12 Review at Best Sellers and Best Stellars

3/13 Excerpt and Giveaway at So Little Time...

3/14 Guest Post and Giveaway at My Love for Jane Austen

3/16 Interview at My Kids Led Me Back to Pride and Prejudice

3/18 Review at More Agreeably Engaged

3/19 Review at Diary of an Eccentric

3/20 Review at Warmisunqu's Austen

3/21 Guest Post and Giveaway at Joana Starnes

Review: Shadows in a Brilliant Life by Susan Kaye

From the publisher:
Shadows in a Brilliant Life is a short story in which Captain Frederick Wentworth is not an honorable man, but a man looking to gratify his own selfish desires. when Anne Elliot sees that Louisa Musgrove is the object of Wentworth's lust, she must try to stop him. with Louisa out of danger, is Anne his new target?

Review:

At the beginning of her novel, Susan Kaye explains the prompt for this book: She partook in a writing challenge where authors were to take a hero and turn him into a villain. Interesting.

One must truly know Captain Wentworth well—his past, his pain, his fears—and examine other ways in which he may have reacted to Anne’s abandonment. How would Captain Wentworth deal? Would one be bitter and hard-hearted toward love in any form?

When pretty, vivacious Louisa Musgrove offers a pleasant diversion in a secluded cottage, our ignoble, heartbroken hero takes Louisa up on her entertaining offer. However, there is only one thing stopping Captain Wentworth: Anne Elliot.

Totally taken aback by Wentworth’s rakish behavior, Anne confronts the man who still holds her heart, though she no longer recognizes that man. Wentworth agrees to leave Louisa at home on one condition: Anne goes to the cottage in her place. What will Anne do? Can she convince this once-gentleman-now-turned-libertine to change his dastardly ways?

Some may not like seeing Captain Wentworth in such a negative light. And I agree; I probably would not either had the author not forewarned the reader about the prompt for the piece. Yet, at the same time, an argument is taking place in my head. After having one’s romantic hopes totally dashed and disregarded, is it probable that Wentworth could act the rake? I say, yes. It is possible that Captain Wentworth would handle his heartbreak the way so many others do: at the bottom of a bottle and with a string of meaningless swives. Why not? His pain is deep, and hope is lost…almost.

Even though Wentworth plays the cad under Kaye’s pen, he is redeemed. Given the nature of the story, I was pleased with the ending, and it was one I was not expecting. I know this is a short story, but I was enjoying ending so much that I would have liked to have seen more of Anne and Captain Wentworth’s story. It would make a nice novella variation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. 

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