When I received DESIRED by Nicola Cornick it reminded me of when we met in Washington, DC at the RWA Conference. It was chaos during the book signing but what a wonderful time we had nevertheless. She graciously accepted an invitation to dinner where we talked about her books, her life in England, her wonderful pets, and the fabulous time we were all having in DC.
What I walked away with then and what I am reminded of now is how kind she was to answer my questions about everything. She never rushed me through what I wanted to know and accepted my naïve knowledge of life outside the United States. World traveler I am not so I live my life vicariously through others and their experiences. My other memory is how she spoke of her animals and the love she has for them. I too am an animal lover and when we get started on our pets that conversation goes on forever and is also pleasurable.
We have remained email friends, drop a note asking how things are going, and in general try our best to stay in touch. This is the friendships we keep and never lose even though they are not next door but an ocean away. I am grateful for them and celebrate them every day of my life.I am proud to let you know that I received a copy of DESIRED from Nicola Cornick to be given away along with a bookmark. To be eligible to win please leave a comment on “how far away does one of your close friends live?” then come back on Sunday – December 18th to see if you have won. Please remember if you do not come back, you will not know if you won, because I am going to need your address.
As always I wish you happy reading, encourage you to celebrate your Little Victories, and come back to see what book I am reviewing and offering up for a giveaway. Do not forget to cast your positive votes for me on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Your vote matters!
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REVIEW from Mary Gramlich "The Reading Reviewer"
DESIRED by Nicola Cornick
Book #5 in the Scandalous Women of the Ton Series
11/11 – Harlequin - Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Should I stop running and let you catch me?
Teresa, Dowager Marchioness of Darent has to turn her terrible reputation around to save everything she cares for. Tess is determined to find a biddable man to marry her and has a remarkable knowledge of the institution, as this will be her fourth time down the aisle. Love may have certain advantages but control of the relationship is essential to its long-term success.
After much thought and research, Tess has found the perfect man to suit her plans, Captain Owen Purchase, the Viscount Rothbury. This man is titled albeit through odd circumstances and he is a Yankee of all things but these are problems she can overcome because he has the one thing she covets, a sterling reputation. Owen fits the requirements and her proposition of a marriage in name only should be perfect for both of them or so Tess assumes. Owen for reasons he cannot begin to understand is drawn to Tess and his desire for her is rampant and something he is trying unsuccessfully to control. When the prospect of marriage is presented, he devises a plan to repair her reputation while allowing him to entertain all manner of adventure with her delectable body. She may think him incapable of showing her passion but Owen is determined to do just that.
There are so many secrets these two harbor, that digging through them might take forever if not for the fact they are both headstrong and want answers now. Tess fears the touch of another man and believes intimacy will only cause more pain. Owen however is going to prove her wrong and trusts her enough to reveal those dark places he also hides from which will draw them closer together to fight the demons outside the door.
With rebellion among the masses surrounding them, the ton looking down upon them, and family not rallying support for this union Tess and Owen move on and learn to live as a couple. The problems will not go away and the secrets when revealed may ruin both of them, but when they are in each other’s arms, nothing seems impossible to overcome.
Nicola's books have one of the most beautiful covers I have seen. Gorgeous dresses! No entry for me, but I'd like to answer your question. Although I live in Italy, originally I'm from Latvia. I moved here 5 years ago, so all of my best friends, of course, still live there. But we try to keep in touch :)
ReplyDeleteMy close friends live close. Same town as I do. I moved around a lot as a child & a grown up & lost touch with old friends. I have one particular friend I value above all others.
ReplyDeleteMy closest and most reliable friends live pretty far away from Germany. Most of them are in the US or Australia and one in the most southern part of Germany, which is the closest one. I learned the hard way, who are true friends and who are not. Funny that people who you sometimes have never met in person are there in your hour of need and people who you have known for years suddenly turn out not be friends at all
ReplyDeleteMy friends from college and high school are quite far. I have made new ones and I have a good friend who lives up the street.
ReplyDeleteGreat review Mary. My closest friend lives in Oregon. I too met her on the Internet and we have been best buds for the past 5 years.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a lovely interview and amazing excerpt.
ReplyDeleteMy closest friends live in England. I just wish that I lived closer and got to see more of them. I don't have any friends here in Florida. Everybody keeps to themselves or, already have their established friends. I just thank God that my daughter lives close and is always there for me in my time of need.
I love Nicola's books, and your book reviews always leave me wanting to read the book.
Thanks for this opportunity.
love to win the nicola's book and bookmark ;)
ReplyDeleteMy friends lived in australia but we still chatting on fb and ym ;)
One of my close friends lives in Australia, a continent away. I can't wait until she comes back so we can catch up in person.
ReplyDeleteOne of my close friends lives in Hawaii - Kim!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review and giveaway!
Barbara
I live in Oregon and my friend lives in Tennessee.
ReplyDeleteOne of my close friends lives in New York City and I live in Fort Worth, Texas.
ReplyDeletePlease don't enter me in this giveaway - thanks.
My really close friends live in Kentucky with me.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed Nicola's books and I always love hearing about what authors are really like. Anyone who loves animals is special in my eyes.I can't say I have any close friends very far away but I do have some cyberfriends that I have talked with for many, many years. The furthest aways lives in England while I'm in Pa. I almost got to meet her when she was coming to the states but her plans got canceled after 911. Maybe another time.
ReplyDeletecatslady
hi Mary!
ReplyDeleteMy closest friend lives north of Detroit, which is about 4 hours from here. We still see each other at least a few times a year.
Nicola, what fun to see you here on Mary's blog, after just leaving your blog guest in Scotland.
ReplyDeleteMy best friend, my sister, is a 1,000 miles away, which is an improvement on the 4,000 miles when she was in Hawaii.
I have close friends back home in Louisiana. We keep in contact through email and cell phones. Thanks for review and giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMy friends live close to me but a couple live in New Jersey.
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