Just wanted to share this:

Ms. Jewel has written a wonderfully emotional story. The characters are interesting and engaging. Their pasts have formed them as they are in this book. The story is packed with adventure and danger. Over every other emotion, the reader will experience the depth of the love between Edward and Sabine. This is one of the best books I've read all year. I would highly recommend it to others.
Leanne Davis -- Fresh Fiction

Read the full review Leave a comment, too. If you feel like it.

I try to bask in the good reviews because, well, it feels good and it makes up for the small number of copies out there for people to buy. If you haven't bought Indiscreet yet, hey, can you resist now?

Labels: Indiscreet, reviews

The attraction and tension between Foye and Sabine is palpable as the story advances, and Carolyn Jewel does a remarkable job at keeping their attraction and sexual tension building throughout the story. Both Foye and Sabine are in denial of their feelings, and both have emotional obstacles to surpass before they are free to love each other. [ ...]

Indiscreet has the perfect balance of intrigue, action, romance and desire to keep the reader hooked from page one to conclusion. Readers will find themselves rooting for Foye and Sabine and hopeful that they can overcome the odds to find the true love they each so deserve. Indiscreet is deliciously sensual and suspenseful in turn, a perfect formula for a wonderful romance novel.
By: Joyce Greenfield

Read the full review: Reader to Reader

Labels: Indiscreet, reviews

From RT Book Reviews

RT Rating: 4 Stars
Category: HISTORICAL
Setting: 1811 Turkey
Publisher: BERKLEY SENSATION
Published: October 2009
Type: Historical
Two British subjects meet while traveling in Turkey -- an intelligent but naive spinster trying to outrun rumors of a scandal and a nobleman who not only recognizes her, but is partially responsible for the scandal. Jewel places strong, likable characters in a part of the world where they're challenged at every turn. After a slow start, the pace picks up, leaving the reader breathless by the end.

Summary: Miss Sabine Godard is traveling in the Far East with her elderly uncle, who is writing a book about the area. When she meets the Marquis of Foye at a local assembly, she recognizes him as the friend of the man who ruined her reputation.

Against all odds, Sabine and Foye become friends. Both have vowed never to marry, but their attraction becomes heated. When a political leader invites Sabine and her uncle to his palace, Foye realizes that the pasha's intentions are to add Sabine to his harem or sell her as a white slave. Can he rescue her before the pasha carries out his evil plans?

(BERKLEY SENSATION, Oct., 293 pp., $7.99) HOT
Linda Roberts

Labels: Indiscreet, reviews

For those who don't know, Ava Gray is Ann Aguirre so, yes, be excited about this either way. Plus, the ARC (Advanced Reading Copy) is signed. There's a catch though which I explain at the end of telling you all about this book.

Skin Game, by Ava Gray

A Beautiful Fugitive -- Wanted Dead or Alive
Kyra is a con woman and a particular kind of thief. She steals with a touch, but she only takes one thing: her target's strongest skill. Which means she can be a fighter, an athlete, a musician, an artist -- anything she wants... for a limited time. Heartbroken, she turns her gift toward avenging her father's murder. With deadly patience, Kyra works her way into casino owner Gerrard Serrano's inner circle. After pulling off the ultimate con, she flees with his money and his pride.

A Hit Man Who Never Misses the Mark
Reyes has nothing but his work. Unfortunately for Kyra, he's the best-- and mercy never sways him once he takes a job. He's been hired to find out where Kyra hid the cash-- and bring her back to face Serrano's "justice." Dead will do if Reyes can't locate the loot. He's never failed to complete a contract, but Kyra tempts him with her fierce passion and her outlaw heart. So Reyes faces a hell of a choice: forsake his word or kill the woman he might love.

Purchase Skin Game, read an excerpt

Road Trip!!

This is a great Road Trip book. For anybody who's longing for a paranormal that's not the usual supernatural creature, this is the story is for you. If you just like great characters and even better writing, you'll want to read this book, too.

Skin Game is a wonderful Urban Fantasy Romance. I have no idea if there is such a genre, but this book is it. The world is contemporary, a bit gritty -- life isn't always easy-- and features a heroine who breaks every romance stereotype you ever read. I adored Kyra. Gray created a real person, flaws and all, with a life you can't help but admire.

I loved watching Reyes fall for Kyra, too. The moment when Kyra reveals the truth about her particular talent was beautifully done and never overwhelmed the story at any point. Plus, this book features what must be the best, most romantic, make up scene ever. The hero and heroine are adults and they behave like it, even when things aren't going well for them. (Yes! Total win!!)

Skin Game put me in mind of John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee series. I loved McGee's off-the-grid life, his quirky car and boat and the way he kept falling head over heels for a woman who either dumped him or died a tragic death. At the end of every book McGee and his broken heart would sail off in his boat.

Gray's book reminded me of MacDonald's series because of some really first-rate writing, its grittier setting and the delicious pairing of two loners who don't mind being alone, by the way. The difference being, of course, that there's a happy ending for the couple at the end.

The secondary characters and plotlines are strong and interesting and they never did quite what I expected. I can't wait for Skin Tight which appears to feature Kyra's friend Mia. Hoo boy!

So, Carolyn, How can I Possibly Win This Signed ARC of Skin Game?

I'm so glad you asked! It's easy. There's 3 things you need to do.

1. Leave a comment to this post in which you either tell a joke and/or mention why you'd love to read this book


2. If you win, agree to post an honest, thoughtful review of the book on your own website or here, if you don't have a website or blog.


3. Leave me a way to contact you or else check back here on Wednesday August 26th to see if you've won

See? Easy! Please keep in mind that I have read this ARC, so it's as gently used as I could manage.

Go forth and comment!

Labels: ARCs, Authors, books, contest, reviews

Today I was over at the Risky Regencies blogging about Regency era Ottoman Empire. Check it out!

Also, here's part of a great review of My Forbidden Desire by Lori Sears at The Romance Reader's Connection

4 1/2 stars!

Ms. Jewel has another winner with this latest release and I can only hope that there is more to come!

Oh, yes!

Labels: My Forbidden Desire, reviews, Risky Regencies

My Forbidden Desire

Check out my website page for My Forbidden Desire where you'll find lots of great information, links to reviews, my book trailer, an excerpt, links to various places to buy and more information about the characters in the book.

Oh, and you should know, too, that My Wicked Enemy is available as an eBook for $1.99 -- from Amazon, Fictionwise etc, so if you haven't read it, here's your chance to get your feet wet for a very modest investment.

Reviews

4 1/2 stars and a Top Pick from Romantic Times

Jewel's darkly perilous and sizzling world is back in a second installment that pits mortal enemies against each other. Her excellent characterization makes each of the players intriguing, which adds richness to the exciting plot. Brava to Jewel for delivering pure and exhilarating entertainment.

Janine, at Dear Author: B+
My Forbidden Desire is a sexy, engrossing read, one that I really enjoyed. The action is fast at times but not so fast that there aren’t also some wonderful slower moments in which Xia and Alexandrine become intimate, and I don’t mean just physically.

Labels: My Forbidden Desire, reviews

Here's the Romantic Times review for My Forbidden Desire

MY FORBIDDEN DESIRE

by Carolyn Jewel

RT Rating: 4 and a half stars - Top Pick!
Category: PARANORMAL ROMANCE
Publisher: FOREVER
Published: June 2009
Type: Paranormal

Jewel's darkly perilous and sizzling world is back in a second installment that pits mortal enemies against each other. Her excellent characterization makes each of the players intriguing, which adds richness to the exciting plot. Brava to Jewel for delivering pure and exhilarating entertainment.

Summary: Witch Alexandrine Marit has never had much power, so she's intrigued when she's given a mysterious amulet and hopes it boosts her abilities. For the last decade, Alexandrine has thought her brother Harsh was dead, so she's shocked and angered when he suddenly reappears and demands that she accept the demon Xia as a bodyguard.

That her sexy bodyguard wants to kill her just adds another layer of danger to Alexandrine's out-of-control life. Her amulet is not what it appears, and a dangerous mage intends to take it back. But not if Alexandrine has anything to say about it! (FOREVER, Jun., 384 pp., $6.99) HOT

--Jill M. Smith

Labels: My Forbidden Desire, reviews

My Forbidden Desire by Carolyn Jewel

Alexandrine Marit has just found out that her brother is pretty much back from the dead. She's not seen Harsh in 10 years, all of the sudden he shows up with a very hunky, muscled, leather-clad biker that he says will stay and protect her. From the get-go Alexandrine and Xia don't get along, but the more time and action they spend and face together, things start heating up. Xia can't take his mind off the naughty things he wants to do to the little witch, but he's a fiend, and has a total hatred of witches. There's a first time for everything right?

Between fighting off the magehelds, running from her father that wants her Talisman, and her on again off again magic, Alexandrine is getting to know the good side of her protector. Her Talisman is very important, and Xia must do the only thing he knows how, to get rid of it. From that moment, things start to get a little strange; and Alexandrine sees Xia in his true form. Talons and all, she still gets all hot and bothered.

My Forbidden Desire by Carolyn Jewel is a great paranormal romance novel. You can really get into the story a definite page turner. There was so much action, heat, and bit of sarcastic banter, that made My Forbidden Desire an additive read. 4.5 Hearts

Release Date June 2009 by Forever
ISBN# 978-0-446-17824-2
Crystal Adkins www.bookreviewsbycrystal.blogspot.com

Labels: My Forbidden Desire, reviews

From Romantic Times

Jewel plays readers' emotions like a virtuoso, ensuring they will eagerly follow her characters into dramatic, intensely passionate and gripping love stories that will steal your heart and make you beg for more. She grabs you at the first word and never lets go.

Summary: The Earl of Banallt takes pride in his status as a rake, but even a rogue can fall in love, and he does -- with his friend's wife, Sophie Evans.

Unconventional, smart, witty and yet filled with quiet reserve, Sophie takes his breath away. But she won't fall into his arms even after her husband's death. Banallt is determined to prove to Sophie he's a changed man. He no longer thrives on debauchery, but he has no idea of the secrets Sophie hides nor the deep passion he awakens in her and the longing she denies. If she surrenders, Sophie fears she'll lose her independence and her very soul.

-- Kathe Robin

So really, come on. Can you resist? Places to pre-order

Still not sure? Read Chapter 1.

Labels: reviews, Scandal

I'm blogging early because I suspect I'll end up too tired later tonight. So, it's an early post.

In writing news, Scandal is being moved to February 09 from January which I am actually happy about. A February release is better. Holiday sticker shock is wearing off and there's Valentine's day. Romantic book for a romantic month. That totally works.

I have another review for My Wicked Enemy The reviewer picked a very intense scene as an opening excerpt-- No WAY am I showing it to anyone at work! -- but here's the review part:

Wow. This is powerful stuff and I don't like many paranormals. I may not understand every bit of it, for authors of paranormals tend to make up the rules as they go along (and why can't they list these rules and enlighten us?), but it held me captivated from the first page to the last. There are some pretty amazing characters in this story and I am hoping that we can read more of them in the future. Good going, Carolyn Jewel!

Donna Doyle, Romance Reviews Magazine

This will post in the August 2008 issue, so I can't give you a direct link yet. But that's a good review.

No, I am not performing stupid web tricks. My publisher sent the review to me.

In other writing news The List desperately needs a new name. There's no list in the story whatsoever. And speaking of new names, I changed some more names. My heroine's name is now Sabine. And my hero's late wife is named Camilla and before she didn't have any name at all. She was just, you know, dead.

Book Title, Book Title, Who's Gotta Book Title?

Not me. But the best title, the one I really like is The Philosopher's Daughter only that's never going to make it past marketing. But maybe I should just call it that because I like it.

What do you think?

Oh, and here's my current favorite line so far:

"If she's married, Foye," Crosshaven said, "I hope to God her husband is a neglectful ass and that she hates him soundly."

The reason it's my favorite so far, aside from being new and shiny cuz I wrote it today at lunchtime, is Crosshaven is talking to my hero, Foye, about the heroine, and Foye just happens to be married to her, which nobody knows. It's a secret marriage story!!

It's quite possible it won't be by the end, but it is right now, and speaking of which, I need to go write it.

Labels: My Wicked Enemy, reviews, Scandal, The List

• Got the RT review for My Wicked Enemy (see previous post)


• Didn't make it to the gym this AM because 4:30 was too early for someone who stayed up too late the night before. Came out of a dream at 5:15am--


• The dream was one of those dreams where I am observing as a commentator in case my dreaming self is too stupid to get the significance of dreaming about the characters in my book --


• Dream-observer Carolyn said something to the effect of: You DO realize that this is exactly the backstory that's missing from your book, right? Your h/h get married in Anatolia.


• Dream-observer appears to be right.


• Celebrated my son's 13th birthday. He acted just like a pre-teen, too. He was supremely uninterested in hanging with the family. He and his cousin disappeared into his room and performed Satanic almost-a-teenager rituals, I'm sure.


• Talked with siblings and in-laws.

And now I'm going to bed airquotesearlyairquotes. The sad thing is, that's exciting for me.

Labels: Dreams, plotting, reviews, writing

Romantic Times Review of My Wicked Enemy

Unless you're a Romantic Times subscriber, you won't be able to access the complete review with summary until you get your hands on the August issue. But here's the bit that counts:

Magic and its sensual pull lie at the heart of this super-sizzling paranormal adventure. The transformation of this heroine from victim to powerful witch is exciting and sexy. As heroes go, Nikodemus is tough to beat, and the secondary characters are dangerously fascinating. If you like your paranormal steamy, this is the book for you!
- - Jill M. Smith

And, I'm in very good company as a spotlighted author. If you're a subscriber, you can check this out. That's me!! Yippee!

Labels: My Wicked Enemy, reviews

Gulp. But thank you SciFi author John Scalzi. Really. This was good for me.

Bad reviews happen and well, I have to just suck it up. Going on to Amazon and looking at these reviews was actually a surprisingly uplifting experience. I know that seems odd, but it's true. I've taken to not looking at reviews at all. The bad ones depress me and the good ones don't seem to uplift me as much as the others depress me. So I don't look. Well, because of Mr. Scalzi, I did and I discovered a few things. One is that people seem to have strong reactions to my writing. I knew that. But A Darker Crimson was particularly polarized that way. (Although I can't help but note that two people gave two stars when they meant to give 4.) 'Nuff said.

Also, some people seem to have read a different book(s) as they refer to things that just didn't happen or wildly misstate what did happen, though, one imagines that if they hated the book(s) that much, at some point they stopped reading closely. OK, one last little whine -- there were also a lot of rave reviews. But I own these, too, dammit!

I own my one stars:

The Spare - historical romance

1.0 out of 5 stars Could the hero be any more unlikable????

I do love a great regency/historical book. That being said, I dislike more than I like. I guess I am particular. But one thing that has to be strong in any book is a desire to finish! And one needs to be interested in the characters. Sebastian Alexander is perhaps one of the most unlikable hero's (and I use that term loosely) I have ever read. Sure, handsome, but there was really not a facet of his personality that came across as likeable so unless our feisty spinster Olivia has a martyr complex, why be interested? And yes, Sebastian spent 12 years at sea but geeze, sorry, having zero manners does not make that much sense. I found him creepy is his coldness. And the murder mystery just did not hold my attention.

Warning Buy USED, not NEW !

By A Customer

I was so disappointed in this book! I had high hopes after reading the author's first work - Lord Ruin. It truly was a jewel. However, she falls so far off the mark with this one, that I cannot in good conscience even justify the expense of buying the novel new. I feel cheated out of a good story and six bucks! The book is 352 pages and the only sex scene occurres somewhere on page 330...that should give you a fair example of what you're getting...pages and pages of endless dialogue. The plot meanders so far off the path that by the end you are left reading in disbelief as the author tries to neatly solve the murder mystery and send the hero and heroine off to happy-ever-after land. It just doesn't work on so many levels. The heroine is likable but the hero is not - because readers never get to know him. And while switching the point of view from male to female is a trait of this author, this time around she did not use it to advantage. In all, I would say buy it used, you'll be less likely to be disappointed.

A Darker Crimson

1.0 out of 5 stars Not really crimson, more puce

What can I say about this book? It was a tragedy. I have enjoyed all of the other Crimson City books, but Jewel's addition left a bad taste in my mouth.

From the first pages of the book I found it to be choppy, and disjointed. This sensation was partly created by the author's overuse of simple sentences, which produce the choppy effect, as opposed to complex sentences which contain clauses and conjunctions and, when used occasionally, enhance the flow. The book also lacked any solid descriptive writing, which left the book with no sense of time or place to ground the reader. The plot was forced. Events either happened too quickly, with no foreshadowing, or they dragged on too long, further adding to the disorientation on the part of the reader.

The dialogue was quite bad. If the heroine had said, "Yeah right," as her snappy comeback one more time I think I might have actually torn that page from the book. Granted, the trite responses and complete lack of wit on the part of the heroine is more realistic in a crisis, however if I wanted to hear realistic dialogue, I would eavesdrop on teenagers in a mall, not purchase a romance novel.

The characters were shallow, and lacking in any discernable motivation. The heroine was motivated by the kidnapping of her daughter, but I could not quite feel that her emotions were real because she seemed so false, like a prop on a stage. The vampire was a stock character from a vast repertoire of vampire romances available today, the demon appeared out of nowhere too late in the book to actually make sense, the only truly frightening villain is killed too quickly, and the heroine's daughter has approximately one appearance.

This book was a waste of my money and my time.

1.0 out of 5 stars barf

This is quite possible the worst book I've ever read. The plot is horrible, the characters shallow and there is an icky feeling that you are actually reading a bad Jerry Springer episode. The only characters I liked were the daughter and her pet. The bad guy is hate her/love her and dies way to easy. The good guy doesn't care that it was less than a day and a half since she was forced in mind if not body to "mate" with the bad guy before he "mates" with her. The whole thing ends with guess who the daddy is for her new baby. The only thing missing to make this story any more tacky is a dna test and a chair throwing fight. I recommend this book if you need a door stop or perhaps some kindling. To bad zero stars isn't an option!

1.0 out of 5 stars Seeing Red!

I was so angry with this book! I didn't even finish it I was so disgusted. I took it back the day after I bought it. As much as I love this series, this book was a total stink. I loved the first three books but this one just made me beyond mad. Not to disrespect the writer's style in any way, but did Carolyn Jewel even contact the other writers or read the other books before she did this book? It had hardly nothing at all to do with the other books except that it had vampires and demons in it. Another thing, I couldn't keep up with her. It was like trying to keep up with a jackrabbit with a hawk on its tail. I know the writer has a love for detail. That much is apparent. I can understand giving the man and woman a conlift, but what in the name of Grimm was she trying to do? There was nothing romantic or appealing about this book, not even the vampire stud-muffin she falls for, much less her demon life mate that basically rapes her and leaves her for dead. Which I have to say was a mockery to the paranormal romance connisour. There is nothing romantic about rape in any form, be it mock rape, mind rape or other. I could see it in a S&M erotica novel, but not in a novel like this. Trust me, I wasn't plesantly surprised.

The characters were shallow, trite and dry with no life,(even with all the detail, which I felt was nothing but filler for a lifeless book) no virve or anything. The only thing interesting that happens in this book is that the daughter, Holly, gets kidnapped. Yeah, the main character is a cop, but after knowing Eve Dallas in J.D Robb's 'In Death' series, she's a still-wet-behind-the ears rookie.

Respectfully, better luck next time Carolyn.

Labels: Owning up, reviews

Tomorrow morning we head 120 miles southeast to Ripon CA for more soccer. If my son's team wins, we stay the night for another game Sunday. If not, we come home Saturday. I have my GPS and am hardly stressed at all with respect to the once-certainty of getting lost. I'm having a hard time calculating when to leave because I no longer need to factor in getting lost. Strange. Very strange. I have the laptop ready to go in case I have some afternoon and evening time.

Yesterday, I sat in the car during soccer practice since practice was from 4:00 until too-dark-to-see-the-ball and got LOADS done. I more than exceeded even the secret minimum. For one thing, I was working on an idea I had on the way home from work yesterday and it involved a new chapter or two inserted early on. I wrote one of those in the car and after we got home and got settled etc, I fixed it up. I'll be continuing on with that. But I also need to get my historical proposal to my agent. I don't think I have a synopsis for it, so I need to work on that. Ick.

What else? Oh, right. This is a writer's diary so yeah. I do have a release, Shards of Crimson and the usual review stuff is going on. As ever, people either love my stuff or hate it. There's so rarely an in between. One review I'm not sure what to think of because it was riddled with misspellings and other language issues. I'm doing pretty well at avoiding Stupid Web Tricks, but some review links have come my way and I didn't delete the emails fast enough. I don't need the stress. But, just to give a flavor, one review said DX was outstanding, and another said it was the weakest of the stories. Geez, I'm stressing just writing about it. See, this isn't good for me.

In other news, the bookmark requests have trailed off from 40 a day to 3-5 a day. There must have been upwards of 150 or more. About 10-15 people also signed up for my newsletter. I still have a few Crimson City Safety Tip Cards, so I'm still sending newsletter subscribers a free set. Quite a few of the bookmark requests were from other countries: Canada, several from Italy, then Pakistan and India to bring up the rear. No other countries that I can recall. So, why so many from Italy? Why none from France or Spain or Asia? A couple of nights my son and I sat down and stuffed and stamped envelopes.

Now, I'm going to get into bed and start on one of the RITA books. With luck, I'll get to sleep early and then, off to Ripon.

Labels: bookmarks, reviews, writing