Secrets Desires of a Gentleman

I ordered this book a while back, I’ve had it in my possession for about a month. I was saving it for a “treat”. But after the last read, I needed a picker-upper.

Here’s the blurb of Secret Desires of a Gentleman by Laura Lee Guhrke:

Once Upon a Time…

Maria Martingale was going to elope. But Phillip Hawthorne, Marquess of Kayne, put a stop to those plans when he learned his younger brother intended to marry a cook’s daughter. Now twelve years later, Maria discovers that the man who holds her fate in his hands is none other than the haughty gentleman who sent her packing – and he’s as handsome and arrogant as ever.

Happily Ever After?

Always the proper gentleman, Phillip will do anything to protect his family from scandal, and when Maria dares to move in right next door, he knows scandal will surely follow. She is as tempting as he remembered… and the more he sees her, the harder it is for Phillip to hide his own secret desire for her…

Was this book brilliant? No, it wasn’t. But it was definitely the picker-upper that I needed. And enjoyable, too.

I enjoyed the setting, the time period, and the characters. The heroine, Maria, is strong willed, independent and stubborn woman. The hero, Phillip is hard working, intelligent, controlling and somewhat of a snob. He’s desperate to control his desire for Maria, because she’s not for him, and she is completely clueless of his desires. She’s still rilling about the loss of his friendship.

Although the story moves well along the book, I found that the ending was rushed and abrupt. And a lot of questions came to mind with the ending. Which I'm not going to mention...because I don't want to give anything away.

Secret Desires of a Gentleman by Laura Lee Guhrke (3.5/5) Historical Romance; Published: Avon (10/2008); 100 + Reading Challenge (80); Keeper shelf;

Carrot Cake Murder

Once upon a time, one of my favourite sleuths, Hannah Swenson made me run to the bookstore to buy her books as soon as possible. But after several books where she cannot make up her mind between her two male suitors, I got tired. She doesn’t deserve neither one of them. They should move on, yes I think Norman and Mike need new love interests, and then Hannah will just learn from her mistakes and not take them for granted. Ok, got that off my chest!

When I found this book at the library, I wasn’t all too sure if I should pick it up, but I do enjoy the Swensen sisters, and I thought about giving Hannah another chance. So Carrot Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke found a place in my tote bag.

Here’s the blurb:

Summertime has finally arrived in Lake Eden, Minnesota, and Hannah Swensen, owner of The Cookie Jar bakery, is looking forward to warm, lazy days, eating ice cream, and sharing picnics with friends. But when a family reunion takes a deadly turn, it's up to Hannah to find a killer...

Hannah Swensen has a lot on her plate, baking up a storm for The Cookie Jar. But she'll always make time for her business partner, Lisa, who's preparing for a big family reunion. Everyone is delighted when Lisa's long-lost uncle makes a surprise appearance. No one has heard from Gus in twenty-five years. Uncle Gus is immediately the hit of the reunion. He's almost as popular as Hannah's scrumptious carrot cake. But the next morning, as the whole family gathers for the group photo, one person is missing. Hannah offers to track down Uncle Gus, but her search leads to a shocking find. Over by the bar at the pavilion, she spots two slices of her infamous carrot cake, frosting side down on the floor -- and Gus's corpse with an ice pick jutting out of his chest!

A little snooping reveals that not everyone was celebrating Gus's return. And when Hannah unearths secrets from Gus's past, she discovers many more people with an axe to grind. Now Hannah's got to sift through a long list of suspects to find a killer -- even if it could be a recipe for her own demise...

I don’t know why I even bothered! I thought maybe, just maybe, that this book would be the one to bring Hannah out of her slump. I don’t mean just Norman/Mike triangle, but the way she just commandeers the whole population of Lake Eden. It seems to me that Hannah is the only person able to figure out or resolve problems in town, they’ve lost all confidence in the police. It seems that even the police think the same, because they ask for her help! Is that realistic?! Please!

Carrot Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke (2.5/5) Mystery; Published: Kensington (2008); Series: # 10, Hannah Swenson; Waste of Time; 100 + Reading Challenge (79); Library book;

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...November 17th, 2008

Outside my window... I see the snow stacking up on my deck.

I am thinking... I really dislike winter!

I am thankful for... Bear hugs and wet kisses from my children.

From the learning rooms... Still working on geomatry with S, and word study with K.

From the kitchen... I thinking about making sausage and penne in wine sauce for dinner.

I am wearing... Blue jeans, with stripped white and black turtleneck, and chenille socks.

I am creating... Finally finished knitted hubby's sweater, and now it's my turn.

I am reading... Haven't started anything yet.

I am hoping... That we don't get any more snow! I know it's wishful thinking, but a girl can dream...

I am hearing... I'm listening to a local radio station.

Around the house... I need to organize our Christmas decorations, so we can put them up next weekend.

One of my favorite things... Grabbing a book, a nice cup of tea and getting comfortable in front of a fire.

A few plans for the rest of the week: We have S's birthday party Wednesday evening, and we have our family party on the weekend. For a change, I will try to be organized!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...


This is what I'm not looking forward to, but it will come. Yikes!

Please don't forget to visit The Simple Woman's Daybook to join in the fun!

Bookworm Award

I've been awarded! The lovely Ana has tagged/awarded me! Thank you Ana!

Here are the rules:

Open the closest book to you, not your favorite or most intellectual book, but the book closest to you at the moment, to page 56.

Write out the fifth sentence, as well as two to five sentences following there.

Pass this on to five blogging friends.

I just got back from the library, and I have my tote right here with so I came out with Crazy For You by Jennifer Crusie.

"But you'd think somebody would notice me standing next to a guy."
She screwed the cap off of her own bottle and drank, and he watched the curve of her neck as she leaned back and the movement of the muscles in her throat, willing his eyes not to drop farther down that curve to that damn pink sweater. Her hair fell back in the same smooth bell cut she'd worn since she was fifteen. No kink to Quinn at all, he thought, keeping his mind off curves. Just all that smooth silky red-gold hair, the kind that looked like it would fall like water through his fingers.


I'm going to tag:

Luisa's Corner
Amy's Corner of the World
~debbie's~ Crazy Mixed Up Life Stories #1
Thrifty Reader
Nose in a Book

The Velvet Promise

I cannot remember the last time I read a book written by Jude Deveraux, it’s been years. She writes both historical and contemporary romance, but as you might have guessed I prefer her historical books. I have read several, and one of my all time favourites was written by the author, but I have not read any books of the Velvet series, so when The Velvet Promise was chosen as our group discussion book, I had no problems getting into the mood.

Here’s the blurb:

All of England rejoiced on her wedding day. But Judith vowed that her husband would get only what he took from her!

At the flower-bedecked altar, the first touch of their hands ignited an all-consuming passion. Gavin Montgomery looked deep into her golden eyes and burned with desire for her...but his heart had been pledged to another.

Humiliated and alone in a strange castle, Judith resolved to hate this husband who took her body, but rejected her love...never admitting her fear of losing him.
But destiny held another fate for Judith...a fate that would keep at last...The Velvet Promise.

My first thought after reading this book was: historical romance has definitely changed in the past twenty years. I thank you, publishing gods! This book was originally published in 1981, and it shows.

It wasn’t all bad. I enjoyed the heroine, Judith, I thought she was strong and independent but when it came to the hero she was a bubbling idiot, her emotions all over the place. I didn’t care for the hero, Gavin, a blind fool who was guided by his honour (or something else!). I enjoyed the hero's brothers, Miles, Stephen and Raine. I will be looking for their books, as well, they sparked my curiosity. But my favourite character was the villain. I loved the villain, she was so wicked, so crazed and so well written that it made the whole book.

Another thing that I had a problem with, was the violence against women. I realize that the time that the book is set, it was common for men to show their superiority with fists and much more. But it really turns me off, so I skimmed through these bits in the book.

The Velvet Promise by Jude Deveraux (3/5) Historical Romance; Published: Pocket (1981); Series: # 1, Velvet; 100 + Reading Challenge (78); Library book;

Just Breathe

I first discovered Susan Wiggs a few years ago. I read The Firebrand and was hooked. I love her contemporary novels, but I still miss her historicals. But that’s another story…

Here’s the blurb for Just Breathe:

Chicago cartoonist Sarah Moon tackles life's real issues with a healthy dose of sharp wit in her syndicated comic strip Just Breathe. As Sarah's cartoon alter ego, Shirl, undergoes artificial insemination, her situation begins to mirror Sarah's own difficult attempts to conceive. However, Sarah's dreams of the future did not include her husband's infidelity: snag number two in Sarah's so-called perfect life.

With Chicago and her marriage in the rearview mirror, she flees to the small Northern California coastal town where she grew up, a place she couldn't wait to leave. Now she finds herself revisiting the past, an emotionally distant father and the unanswered questions left by her mother's death. As she comes to terms with her lost marriage, Sarah encounters a man she never expected to meet again: Will Bonner, the high school heartthrob she'd skewered mercilessly in her old comics. Now a local firefighter, he's been through some changes himself. But just as her heart is about to reawaken, Sarah discovers she is pregnant. With her ex's twins.

It's hardly the most traditional of new beginnings, but who says life and love are predictable or perfect? The winds of change have led Sarah here. Now all she can do is just close her eyes and breathe.

It was a wonderful read! I loved the setting, the characters, and the comic strips!

I loved the way the heroine, Sarah, grew. From a woman who would do anything to make her husband happy and healthy, to an independent woman who puts her children’s needs ahead of everything, even if it may hurt her own happiness. I loved the way she went about to make friends, she was loner during high school, and it was interesting to see her make friends with one of the most popular girls, one that she always felt intimidated with. But her friendship with Aurora, Will’s daughter, really tugged on my heartstrings. And also her reconnecting with her father, who her view was an absent parent…and don’t get me going on his shower gift … The tissue box in my family room was very handy.

Even though I really enjoyed the book, something about it was missing. Or maybe it was the hero self-sacrificing nature, or maybe it was the criminal tendencies that certain teenagers had… Anyone? Help?!

Just Breathe by Susan Wiggs (4/5) Romance Contemporary; Published: Mira (9/08); 100 + Reading Challenge (77); Library book;

Slow Cooking Thursday

I haven't tried this recipe yet, but I'm planning on doing so, very soon.

Beef and Vegetables In Rich Burgundy Sauce

1 package (8 ounces) baby carrots
1 package (8 ounces) sliced mushrooms
1 medium green bell pepper, cut into strips
1 boneless beef chuck roast (2 1/2 pounds)
1 can (10 1/2 ounces) condensed golden mushroom soup, undiluted
1/4 cup dry red wine or beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 package ( 1 ounce) dry onion soup mix
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
4 cups hot cooked noodles
Chopped fresh parsley (optional)

1. Place carrots, mushrooms and bell pepper in slow cooker. Place roast on top of vegetables. Combine mushroom soup, wine, Worcestershire sauce, soup mix, and black pepper in medium bowl; mix well. Pour soup mixture over the roast. Cover; cook on low 8 to 10 hours.

2. Transfer roast to cutting board; cover with foil. Let stand 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.

3. Blend cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into slow cooker. Turn heat to high. Cook uncovered, for 15 minutes or until thickened. Serve beef and vegetables with sauce over cooked noodles. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

You can find more recipes and/or you can also join the fun here.

The Top Ten Perform

Here are the three performances that I enjoyed the most. And I voted too!

Allie and Nico, dancing a waltz:



Lisa and Miles, dancing contemporary:



Arassay and Vincent, dancing disco:

Yet, another challenge....

I cannot help myself... It's a sickness! But a wonderful one of that...

1morechapter is hosting The 2009 Pub Challenge. Here are the rules:

1. Read a minimum of 9 books first published in 2009. You don’t have to buy these. Library books, unabridged audios, or ARCs are all acceptable. To qualify as being first published in 2009, it must be the first time that the book is published in your own country. For example, if a book was published in Australia, England, or Canada in 2008, and then published in the USA in 2009, it counts (if you live in the USA). Newly published trade paperbacks and mass market paperbacks do not count if there has been a hardcover/trade published before 2009. Any questions on what qualifies? Just leave a comment here, and I’ll respond with the answer.

2. No children’s/YA titles allowed, since we’re at the ‘pub.’

3. At least 5 titles must be fiction.

4. Crossovers with other challenges are allowed.

5. You can add your titles as you go, and they may be changed at any time.

6. Sign up below using Mr. Linky. You can find it here.

7. Have fun reading your 2009 books!

Here are my titles:

1. A Veiled Deception by Annette Blair - Published January 2009 ** Completed January 19th, 2009

2.Dawnkeepers by Jessica Andersen - Published January 2009 ** Completed February 5th, 2009

3.The Ghost and the Haunted Mansion by Alice Kimberly - Piblished January 2009 **Completed on February 15th, 2009

4.Fireside by Susan Wiggs - Published February 2009 **Completed on February 18th, 2009

5.The Illumination by Jill Gregory & Karen Tintori - Published January 2009 **Completed on February 27, 2009

6.What I Did For Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips - Published January 2009 **Completed on March 1st, 2009

7.Mayhem in High Heels by Gemma Halliday - Published January 2009 **Completed on March 6, 2009

8.Corked by Cabernet by Michele Scott - Published February 2009 **Completed on March 9, 2009

9.Devil of the Highlands by Lynsay Sands - Published February 2009 **Completed on March 18, 2009

10.When a Stranger Loves Me by Julianne MacLean - Published February 2009 **Completed on March 23, 2009

11.Smart Girls Think Twice by Cathie Linz - Published January 2009 **Completed on March 25, 2009

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The 2009 100 + Reading Challenge

I'm not sure how well I'll do in the 2008 100 + Reading Challenge, so far I've read 76 books this year, and I'm hoping that I will manage to get to 100, but with this slump (enough already!) I just can't manage to read anything....



Anyway, I'm committing myself (again) to the 2009 100 + Reading Challenge, hosted once again by the lovely J. Kaye.

Here are the rules:

1) You can join anytime as long as you don’t start reading your books prior to 2009.

2) This challenge is for 2009 only. The last day to have all your books read is December 31, 2009.

3) You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2009.

4) If you don’t have a blog, please join our Yahoo Groups.

5) When you sign up under Mr. Linky, list the direct link to your post where your 100+ books will be listed. If you list just your blog’s URL, it will be removed.

6) All books count: children’s, YA, adults, fiction, non-fiction, how-tos, etc.

Lest We Forget

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (November 30, 1872 – January 28, 1918)

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...November 3rd, 2008

Outside my Window... Surprise! It's raining, again!

I am thinking... About having another cup of coffee.

From the learning rooms... We're working on improving K's reading skills, also we're working with his IEP. S just started geomatry, and she's loving it.

I am thankful for... Sticky kisses from my children.

From the kitchen... Haven't decided what to make just yet...but I'm leaning towards spaghetti and garlic bread.

I am wearing... Blue jeans and purple hoodie.

I am reading... I'm currently listening to Just Breathe by Susan Wigg, and I'm getting ready to start reading The Velvet Promise by Jude Deveraux.

I am hoping... For a pain free day.

I am creating... Still working on J's sweater.

I am hearing... A local radio station.

Around the house... I have to clean the fish tank.

One of my favorite things... Vanilla scented candles.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Cleaning up, and storing the Halloween decorations.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

This is what I'm looking forward to this afternoon...I don't have exotic fish, but maybe sometime soon.

You can join the fun here!