Mullet Hall - Irvin House Winery

I sit here, sipping on a light red from Irvin House Vineyards and think back to five years ago when I started this blog.  A lot of has changed since then, but a lot has stayed the same.  I had never been to a vineyard then, I preferred sweet moscato and I was stranded on an island in the middle of the Pacific.

And here I am now, in a new surrounding, the south.

Seems only fitting that I continue on with what I began so many years before.

I dislike writing.  Well, I dislike the thought of people reading my writing.  So I think that's enough of that.

I'm currently drinking Mullet Hall from Irving House Vineyards.  The winery offers 5 varieties made from Muscadines- which is a disgusting form of grape that the south grows.  Seriously. So gross. It doesn't even make good wine.  But if you find yourself in Charleston, South Carolina I recommend you stop by and try it for yourself.  $5 is all you need to purchase a tasting and you get a wine glass.

As an added bonus Irvin House Vineyards is attached to the Firefly Distillery.  And, boy, that is a treat you do not want to pass up.  Once again $5 is all you need to try 6 of their moonshines, vodkas and liqueurs.  You'll receive a souvenir shot glass as well!  They're grapefruit vodka is DANGEROUS and oooooh so delicious.  And their Apple Pie Moonshine is the one moonshine you won't mind drinking.

Well, that seems like enough musings for one evening.  Time to kick back with my glass and enjoy some Parks and Recreation.

A Hui Hou!

My Sunshine by Catherine Anderson

  

My Sunshine by Catherine Anderson is the 6th book in the currently 12 book "Kendrick/Coulter/Harrigan Families" Series. You can check out the order here.  Miss Anderson does a great job of having each book stand alone in its series, so don't feel as though you need to start from the beginning to enjoy this book.  If you're an animal lover than this book is the book for you.  It had me crying at the sheer happiness and cuteness of some moments, and sadness at others.  Overall this was a very sweet book that kept me emotionally engaged the whole way through.

Book Blurb

   "Five years ago, Laura townsend's life was nearly destroyed when a head injury impaired her ability to use language and force her to abandon a brilliant career.  Despite her difficulties, however, she never lost her vivacious spirit or sunny dispostion.  Now she has a great new job at an animal clinic-- and a handsome new boss who fills her heart with longing.  But beterinarian Isiah Coulter deserves a woman who can meet all his needs.  Battling her feelings, Laura decides that sometimes a woman must love a man enough to walk away...

    When Isaiah first hired Laura, he was't expecting her to be such a breath of fresh air.  Impressed by her healing touch- and captivated by her dazzling beauty-- Isaiah finds himself falling in love.  And he'll move heaven and earth to convince Laura that she's the woman he needs... the only one who can bring joy to all his days."

Rachel's Ratings: 16

Plot: 6

   Strong Beginning: 2

    Keeps You Hooked: 2

    Predictability: 2

Characters: 6
    Believability: 2

    Intriguing Leads: 2
    Secondary Characters: 2

Steaminess: 4

    Mood: 2
    Hotness: 1

    Number of Times: 1

Catherine Anderson Book List

Catherine Anderson Book List by Series

Comanche
1.  Comanche Moon
2.  Comanche Heart
3.  Indigo Blue
4.  Comanche Magic

Kendrick/Coulter Family
1.  Baby Love
2.  Phantom Waltz
3.  Sweet Nothings
4.  Blue Skies
5.  Bright Eyes
6.  My Sunshine
7.  Summer Breeze
8.  Sun Kissed
9.  Morning Light
10.  Star Bright
11.  Early Dawn
12.  Here to Stay

Related Books
1.  Keegan's Lady
2.  Beautiful Gifts
3.  Summer Breeze

Rosamund by Bertrice Small

   
     Well, the good news is that this book was better than the previous book by Miss Small that I read. The bad news is that it lacked another good 200 pages to end properly. This book had a lot of English history in it,and followed a similar plot outline as "A Dangerous Love".  Overall the book had a very good beginning, a strong middle and lacked an ending.  If the English history in the early 16th century appeals to you then I'd say this is the romance novel for you, if not, I would pick up another book.

Book Blurb:
    "Rosamund Bolton is the heiress to the manor of Friarsgate on the wild Cumbrian border between England and Scotland. More than a splended inheritance, Friarsgate will chart the fate of the orphaned beauty widowed at a precious young age. It will take her from the treacherous custody of a devious uncle, sweeping her in to the magnificent court of Elizabeth of York, into the confidence of Katherine of Aragon, and past the intimate chamber doors of a young, handsome Henry VIII. It's an adventure that will test the limits of passion and betrayal, change the meaning of the word enemy, and turn even the most daring fantasy into true love...."

Rachel's Ratings: 18

Plot: 6

   Strong Beginning: 2

    Keeps You Hooked: 2

    Predictability: 2

Characters: 6
    Believability: 2

    Intriguing Leads: 2
    Secondary Characters: 2

Steaminess: 6

    Mood: 2
    Hotness: 2

    Number of Times: 2

How to Seduce a Duke by Kathryn Caskie

 

  How to Seduce a Duke is the first book in the Royle Sister Trilogy by Kathryn Caskie.  This book was confusing and very difficult to get into, I had actually tried to read this one a few times before and couldn't get past the first few pages.  The series has a rather unique plot and I'm interested in seeing how it plays out in the later books.  One thing that really bothered me in this book was that the lead's two sisters both had really interesting characters at the beginning of the book, but then they turned into shells about halfway through and were really quite boring by the end.  I'm worried that the Mary's character, which was quite interesting in this book, will get destroyed in the later books, I hope that Caskie proves me wrong.

Book Blurb:

    "Why is the notorious Duke of Blackstone ruining Mary's well-laid plans to marry his brother, the handsome Viscount Wetherly?  Every time she turns a corner, he is there-- tantalizing her, teasing her... and the more she tries to ignore him, the more insistent he becomes.  Mary knows she must make an advantageous marriage, but surely Blackstone is the wrong man for her.  Isn't he?

    Blackstone is not about to let his brother become bewitched by some wily blueblood pretender... even one as deliciously tempting as Mary.  But until she came along, no woman has ever resisted his smooth, well-practiced seductions.  Could it be that he's actually fallen in love with this infuriating chit?"

Rachel's Ratings: 15

 

Plot: 4

   Strong Beginning: 0

    Keeps You Hooked: 2

    Predictability: 2
Characters: 5
    Believability: 2

    Intriguing Leads: 2
    Secondary Characters: 1

Steaminess: 6

    Mood: 2
    Hotness: 3

    Number of Times: 1

The Princess and her Pirate by Lois Greiman

  Book Blurb:
     Passions' Prisoner- Princess Tatiana needs a groom to help her rule her vulnerable country.  So she embarks on a desperate mission-- traveling in disguise to a neighboring land to forge an alliance with the dashing Cairn MacTavish, the fabled "Pirate Lord". but instead of a marriage, a rude welcome awaits the brave, beautiful royal when she is accused of being a common thief-- and is taken captive by the rogue she had meant to wed!
    Not since his adventurous days on the high seas has MacTavish felt the sort of excitement this gorgeous hellion inspires.  He knows she is hiding something-- and each claim of innocence that comes from her lush, inviting lips only inflames his desire for a kiss... and for the passionate night that will inevitably follow.  Yet a past betrayal is still fresh in MacTavish's memory, and he dares not trust his heart.  Now he vows to learn this mystery woman's secrets... even if he has to seduce her to do it.

Rachel's Ratings: 19

Plot: 6
    Strong Beginning: 2

    Keeps You Hooked: 2
    Predictability: 2
Characters: 7
    Believability: 2

    Intriguing Leads: 3
    Secondary Characters: 2
Steaminess: 6

    Mood: 2
    Hotness: 2

    Number of Times: 2

Maybe Baby by Elaine Fox

  

    I absolutely adored this book, although, I might be slightly biased.  The book takes place in Harp Cove, a small coastal town in Maine, population 5,000.  I'm from a decent size town in central Maine (population about 8,000) and am currently living in the farthest possible state away.  Consequently this book struck home for me and made me slightly home sick.  "Listening" to the town's gossip and knowing more about people then you really should, even getting "a-yea" correct, Elaine Fox did a fantastic job.  The book made reference to Bangor, the city by my town, and even the University I went to (although she did get the abbreviation wrong...).  All gave me warm the warm fuzzies and even more home-sick for the holidays.  

    All that aside the book was quite sweet, if not somewhat predictable.  One thing that bothered me, and it'll bother you mothers out there too, is that her baby wasn't mentioned as often as I thought it should be.  Also, the book blurb is slightly misleading and you'll notice that too when you finish the book.  

    I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!

Book Blurb:

     Dr. Delaney Poole thinks Harp Cove, Maine, will be ther perfect palce to settle down and raise her infant daughter-- though she can't say why.  something wonderful happened in this charming, two-stoplight coastal town on a previous summer night, when a sexy stranger stole his way briefly into her heart and then moved on.  But now single-mom Delaney has to invent a husband in order to deflect smalltown gossip-- buying masculine clothing that no one will ever wear, framing pictures she's cut from magazines.  Her foolproof plan has one small glitch, however: her one-time mystery man is Delaney's new landlord!

    Jack Shepard never dreamed he'd see Delaney again- and he doesn't believe for one minute her cockamamie story about a husband!  While he's exploring the leaks in Delaney's bathroom- and her alleged "marriage"- he's trying desperately to get her to admit that they share something special.  But when the truth does come out, can Jack and Delaney deal with the consequences?

 

 Rachel's Rating: 21

Plot: 8
    Strong Beginning: 3

    Keeps You Hooked: 3
    Predictability: 2
Characters: 8
    Believability: 2

    Intriguing Leads: 3
    Secondary Characters: 3
Steaminess: 5

    Mood: 2
    Hotness: 1

    Number of Times: 2