Greetings and salutations dear Humpday nation. I'd like to say things are settling down but truthfully...not so much! On a bright note, I made it to one fall festival and have a few more to go. Gotta check off that Fall Bucket list! However, it is hard to get jazzed about hot cider, raking leaves and pumpkin patches when its 87 degrees.... Anyhoodle, we will persevere! There are plenty of books to read and relay and lucky for you all, we Indulgent Bloggers are prepared to make the sacrifice and read, read, read so we can give you something new to put on your own TBR piles!
So, before we move on to the new stuff - don't forget to stop and have a nibble on this weeks delish eye candy! Inspired by my read (and re-read! Yes, it was that good!) - who doesn't love a man in a kilt. Mmmmmm kilty goodness. You're welcome.
Alyssa Goodnight, Austentatious, Kensington Publishing, January 2012
It started innocently enough. While browsing in one of Austin's funky little shops, Nicola James is intrigued by a blank vintage journal she finds hidden among a set of Jane Austen novels. Even though Nic is a straight-laced engineer, she's still a sucker for anything Austen-esque. But her enthusiasm quickly turns to disbelief once she starts writing in the journal--because somehow, it's writing her back. . .
Miss Nicola James will be sensible and indulge in a little romance. Those twelve tiny words hit Nic like a thunderbolt, as if her diary was channeling Austen herself! Itching for a bit of excitement, Nic decides to follow her "Fairy Jane's" advice. The result: a red-hot romance with a sexy Scottish musician who charms his way into Nic's heart in about five seconds flat.
Sean MacInnes is warm, funny, and happens to think Nic is the most desirable woman he's ever met. But a guy like Sean doesn't exactly fit into her Life Plan. With no one but Fairy Jane to guide her, Nic must choose between the life she thought she wanted--and the kind of happy ending she never saw coming. . ..
Contrary to popular belief, the world really does need more Jane Austen. And magic. And romance. And Scotsmen in kilts. And fortunately for readers, Alyssa Goodnight crafted a gem that has all this and more. Even those who are fanatic Janeites will appreciate the clever wit and kooky characters that live and love in Austin.
Goodnight really has a knack for creating characters that are imminently relatable and that make the reader stay tuned as the quick paced story unfolds. Nicola, the squared-away, life mapped, girl geek heroine lives a contented and orderly life that everyone in the world conspires to derail. Between the mystical journal giving her fortune cookie style advice to the funky grunge chick intern to the lesbian karaoke posse next door, she doesn't stand a chance. Certainly not when hunky, sexy accented rockers are pursuing her with single minded focus! The secondary characters are colorful and snarky and utterly enjoyable, adding to the madcap feel to parts of this modern, old-fashioned romance.
An integral aspect of the story overall is the mysterious bound journal that Nicola purchases in an quirky antiques shop. And once the key is located, the true magic of it's history is revealed. Fairy Jane dispenses advice that sparse and cryptic, frustrating for it's brevity and potential for misinterpretation. But the soul searching clues serve as a catalyst for Nicola's romance and, ultimately, personal growth. And let's face it, who wouldn't want Jane Austen to be their wing man when it comes to navigating the world of modern dating?
Either way you slice it, this is the most realistic paranormal romance or the most magical contemporary romance. Full of giggles and sighs, full out laughs and even some tears, this thinking girl's romance delivers the whole enchilada (hey, it's set in Austin, you have to stick with Tex-Mex references)!!!!
Goodnight really has a knack for creating characters that are imminently relatable and that make the reader stay tuned as the quick paced story unfolds. Nicola, the squared-away, life mapped, girl geek heroine lives a contented and orderly life that everyone in the world conspires to derail. Between the mystical journal giving her fortune cookie style advice to the funky grunge chick intern to the lesbian karaoke posse next door, she doesn't stand a chance. Certainly not when hunky, sexy accented rockers are pursuing her with single minded focus! The secondary characters are colorful and snarky and utterly enjoyable, adding to the madcap feel to parts of this modern, old-fashioned romance.
An integral aspect of the story overall is the mysterious bound journal that Nicola purchases in an quirky antiques shop. And once the key is located, the true magic of it's history is revealed. Fairy Jane dispenses advice that sparse and cryptic, frustrating for it's brevity and potential for misinterpretation. But the soul searching clues serve as a catalyst for Nicola's romance and, ultimately, personal growth. And let's face it, who wouldn't want Jane Austen to be their wing man when it comes to navigating the world of modern dating?
Either way you slice it, this is the most realistic paranormal romance or the most magical contemporary romance. Full of giggles and sighs, full out laughs and even some tears, this thinking girl's romance delivers the whole enchilada (hey, it's set in Austin, you have to stick with Tex-Mex references)!!!!
RATING: Five Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries and winner of one of our Ultimate Indulgence awards!
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