by Janine

If cooler weather has arrived for you, I wish you plenty of time under a toasty blanket with a good book.  To add to your reading choices, I offer you October’s Did You Miss…selections.

Did You Miss…The Soldier by Grace Burrowes?  This utterly charming historical romance has a unique and enchanting hero, a strong heroine, and delightful secondary characters.  The hero stole my heart from page one; I knew in his first interactions with a precocious urchin child that he was going to be a unique and delicious hero.  Devlin St. Just fought Napoleon’s Army and returns to England adrift and disconnected from people around him.  Devlin’s service to the crown earned him a title and a derelict estate, where he intends to live quietly.  But the previous earl left a feral child and her emotionally wounded but stoic aunt Devlin must contend with.  Devlin is obviously suffering from PTSD but I adored how Burrowes made him a responsible, funny, charismatic man who was attempting to put himself back together again.  The heroine, Emmie, is less explored than Devlin but her warmth and self-determination are well written.  This story does revolve around the feral child but she is realistic and not a plot-moppet.  The relationships that develop between the three are believable, humorous and emotional.  Devlin’s family is integral to the story and offer the kind of familial ties we all long for.  This is the second book in a family set, with The Heir introducing Devlin’s family, and is itself on many best of 2010 lists.  The only thing preventing me from giving The Soldier five stars is that Emmie holds out too long before acknowledging her feelings for Devlin but even that didn’t ruin the story.  You really must read this book for Devlin’s character alone and if you don’t quickly fall in love with Devlin then you need to get your stone-cold heart examined!  4 stars, Very Good, 3.5 stars heat level.

Did You Miss…Hunted: Brides of the Kindred 2 by Evangeline Anderson?  This sexy paranormal romance creates a fascinating world of male aliens searching for their mates among Earth women.  The Kindred are an alien consortium consisting of three distinct races: the Beast Kindred with near-animalistic lusts, the Twin Kindred who always share a bride, and the Blood or Tranq Kindred who draw blood from their mates.  Hunted is the story of a Tranq Kindred, Sylvan, and his reluctant human, Sophie.  Sophie is an emotionally wounded heroine whose past has nearly crippled her.  But when the Kindred’s archenemy try to kidnap Sophie, Sylvan refuses to keep his distance any longer and this puts the two in close proximity.  Sylvan and Sophie are both delightful characters.  Sylvan’s caring compassion for Sophie, and Sophie’s growing acceptance of what Sylvan needs make them a compelling couple.  The world building is very good here, especially when Sylvan must take Sophie to his subterranean home world (think the North Pole but colder!).  I loved the humor in the story as well; case in point, Sophie must learn to wear a living fur—so funny!  However, readers be warned: this is a scorching hot romance.  The lead couple has intense but tasteful bedroom scenes as they work through Sophie’s sexual issues but the side characters, especially the Twin Kindred of ménage a trios, offer the erotica.  I know Hunted is the middle book of a trilogy but since the first book was a Beast Kindred story and the third a Twin Kindred, neither of which interested me, I chose not to read them so can’t offer ratings.  Hunted is a steamy read with plenty of heart set in a great science-fiction world.  4 stars, Very Good, 6 stars heat level

So the cooler weather may be the time you start whittling down you TBR (to-be-read) pile but I hope you will add these two book to your pile.

Comment for a chance to win an electronic copy of either book but make certain you post in your comment which e-book you’d like to win.  Sorry, print copies not available. 

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By Giveaways37 Comments on Did You Miss?

37 Replies to “Did You Miss?”

  2. If the leaves would stop falling it would be the perfect time to sit and read. I would love to win The Soldier. It looks like a book I would enjoy.

  8. Hey everyone… If you haven’t read The Soldier…YOU MUST! It’s such a great book. I downloaded it on my DroidX though B&N just last week. I was utterly blown away with Grace Burrowes writing that I had to download her other 2 books (The Heir and Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish). As for the Hunted, it sound like another great read. Great giveaways Beverely!

    Bev, please don’t enter me in this contest. I recently won. Thanks for these great contest, and amazing books 😀

      1. Isn’t Devlin a great hero?! He’s been my favorite of Burrowes’ heroes–so far anyway.

  10. I would read either of these books! 🙂 As far as version, the Kindle version please, if I win.

  11. Happy October, Beverley. The leaves are a profusion of colors here. The Soldier sounds like a good read to me, too. I’m not really into erotica but absolutely adore a good love story – just like the ones that you write, Beverley. 😉

  14. I will have to get the book Hunted if I don’t win it. I have never read anything by Evangline Anderson. I will have to look her up. Thanks for the tip. By the way I love, love, love cold weather.

  15. I adore Grace’s books. Please please let me win….I have never read Evangline before but would love to try her works. I have a Kindle,would love to win either of these giveaways as an e-copy….Cold weather sucks for Arthritis sufferers….Thanks for sharing…

  16. I do like Grace Burrowes and am looking forward to her Christmas story. But since I have never read Evangeline Anderson if I win I would like to give that story a try. Thanks!

  17. I would enjoy either book,but would sooo want The Soldier by Grace Burrows in Kindle,if possible..if I should win…
    Thanks,

  18. I haven’t read either of this books and both sound good to me so I’d be happy to win either of them.

  19. Spring and Fall are my favorite times of the year. The leaves are changing colors, falling, and getting ready for winter now. If I win, I would like to win The Soldier to load on my pc. Thanks for the chance to win, Bev!

  20. I did miss Hunted: Brides of the Kindred 2 indeed. I don’t think I have read about male aliens in a paranormal before even though I read a lot of paranormals. I have both of Grace’s books already 🙂

  21. I did miss both these books. I’d love to win a copy of The Soldier, it’s one that slipped by me. I heard about it, was interested, but never got my hands on it.

  22. Both of these books are really good, but I think I would like to try Hunted more. Thanks for the giveaway.

  25. I highly recommend Grace Burrowes’ books!

    I like picking up debut authors and her debut novel, The Heir wow-ed me — and now I’m a fan for life.

    I’m really glad she has 2 new books out — to tide me over for 2011. Looking forward to her works in 2012!

    1. Forgot to add — I’d love, love, love the digital version of Grace Burrowes book, The Soldier. ^_^

  29. I own The Soldier, would love a chance at Hunted — I read an Anderson freebie and it was really good.

  31. I read ‘The Heir’ but wasn’t as impressed with it as most readers have been. But that could be just me. However, after reading your review of ‘The Soldier’…makes me want to read that book now. Thanks for the giveaway!

  33. The Soldier is on my TBB list. I read The Heir and loved it, so I want to continue this series. Thanks for the reminder.

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