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ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY
ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY

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December's delights are here! Thrilling tales, romance, and magic await you.

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Family secrets aren't just dangerous, they are deadly.


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A headstrong heiress and a noble gambler: wagers, intrigue, and irresistible romance.


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An immortal vampire, a relentless agent, and a past that refuses to stay buried.


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A PI protecting a determined daughter, a killer ready to strike again.


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Three homeless puppies, two lonely hearts, and a massive snowstorm.


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Two restless souls, one wild Christmas on the ranch�where sparks fly, and dreams ride free.


Pretty Persuasion
Olivia Kingsley

Author Self-Published
November 2011
On Sale: October 31, 2011
Featuring: Robert Balfour, Earl of Sheffield; Lady Georgiana Montford
284 pages
ISBN: 1466247320
EAN: 9781466247321
Kindle: B0061TB634
Paperback / e-Book
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Romance Historical

Young Lady Georgiana Montford is heartbroken and infuriated when she discovers her lifelong betrothed, Robert Balfour, in the arms of another woman. Severing their friendship, she vows to choose her own husband, a man who'll share her thirst for adventure. Yet, despite her attempts to forget him, Robert's place in her heart proves more unwavering than she could ever have imagined.

After seven years on his Caribbean plantation, Robert returns to England a changed man. Weary of traveling and troubled by his past, he hopes to attain peace of mind through marriage and family. Though scarcely daunted at finding Georgie in love with another man, he soon learns that winning her hand—and heart—will take more powerful means of persuasion than expected.

Read An Excerpt

Comments

33 comments posted.

Re: Pretty Persuasion

I like the premise of this story. It is always nice to see a
man try to figure out how he can right a wrong. I look
forward to reading this.
(Cindy Olp 2:03am January 9, 2012)

I never thought about rating a book but I do know what I like. I usually stop within the first twenty pages or so if I don't like the book. I enjoy reading different writing styles so that is not a problem for me but sometimes I just don't like the main characters. The kindle samples was a good sugestion. Thanks.
(
Kathleen Yohanna 3:24am January 9, 2012)

I always finish the book and I do rate them. Like you most of the books I read get a 4 or 5 star rating, only a few got less and I did that after careful thought. I really hate giving anyone less, but some books just don't cut it.
(
Theresa Norris 7:35am January 9, 2012)

I don't rate books. Even if I'm not enjoying a book, I will
push through and finish it. It may take a while, but I keep
going until I'm done. I try to give the book every opportunity
for me to change my mind about it.
(
Joanne Balinski 9:14am January 9, 2012)

A 5 star book for me is one that has the perfect character balance and level of detail that excites me and keeps my interest from page one to the very end and is so well written I can imagine myself a character or spectator in within the story. I may lower the rating I give a book if the subject matter or story jumps around a lot and is confusing/hard to follow. I also take into consideration the amount of what I call "fluff", paragraphs/passages/details that I find boring or unnecessary and skim through or skip over completely.

As a general guideline for me:
5 star would be a book I consider awesome.
4 star would be a really great book.
3 star would be a good book.
2 star would be a chore to finish reading
1 star I wouldn't finish

For me, a book rating is a matter of opinion as not everyone likes the same type of book. Some readers are more into action/less action, love scenes, particular types of heroes/heroins, different settings, plots etc. So reviews can vary based on a number of reasons. That's why I usually don't go by a review when deciding whether or not to buy a book. What I find more helpful and take note of is the "Customers Who Bought This Also Bought" suggestions on book store websites.
(
Christine Stack 9:27am January 9, 2012)

I'm the type of reader who will finish the book, whether I like it or not. Sometimes the story line will surprise me further down the line. Other times it ends up being a dud all the way through, and I wonder what the publisher was thinking when they took the book on. Each book does have its' own merit, though. They tell their own story, takes you away from your problems and whisks you away to their own world, and makes you think. When I read an excellent book, I've never gotten on a website and given my review, but I have told all of my friends about the book so they have a chance to enjoy it as much as I have. I've also mentioned a couple of them on this site. I do feel that each Author does have their reason to tell their story, and I'm sure if its' bad to some people, there's somebody out there who thinks it's a great book!!
(
Peggy Roberson 10:03am January 9, 2012)

I just recently started rating the books I read. I try to push through to the end of a book. I have only stopped reading about 5 books and 2 of those I went back and read a few years later. 1 I attempted 5 times because so many people liked it I was thinking what am I missing. Even after I finished it I still didn't see anything great about it. Oh well. I rate a book 5 stars if I think it is something I would give as a gift or re-read. 4 stars if I would recommend it to someone. 3 if it is a good story but not something I would tell someone to go buy it. 2 if I didn't like it and it was hard to finish and 1 if I had to put it down. Because that is so rare for me I don't feel so bad. I try to point out what I really liked about a book and I also try to avoid spoilers in my reviews. I hate reading a review that is either a rewording of the back cover or so full of spoilers that now I don't even need to read the book.
(
Patti Paonessa 10:21am January 9, 2012)

I do stop reading a book half-way if it gets too boring. I don't stop until I am at least halfway through the book. I want to give the book a fair chance....
(
May Pau 10:42am January 9, 2012)

Sounds great. I'd love to win a copy. Best of luck with the book and a great 2012.
(
Nancy Reynolds 12:06pm January 9, 2012)

I normally read books with an open mind so when I rate books, I normally rate by stars. If I enjoyed it enough to not put it down, it's five stars. Pretty close to being addicted is four. Liking it enough to want to keep reading but not enough to make me drop everything is three stars. I've never rated a book below that before so I basically haven't found one I hated. I always finish a book once I start because no matter whet, I have to know how it ends. You sound like an amazing author by the way. Hope to read your books. Have a great day and continue writing :)
(
Ashley Vickery 12:14pm January 9, 2012)

I do rate books. I find that when I read reviews of a book
I like to see what others rate the book. I don't always
follow their reviews, but I like a general idea of what
others think. So, I feel that if ratings help me decide to
read a book, my ratings might help someone else.

Now, there are very few books that I don't finish. Even, if
I find myself not liking a book sometimes gets better toward
the middle of the book.
(
Tanja Haack 12:16pm January 9, 2012)

I always read the entire book....I haven't rated one lower than three stars...because I have not found one that I hate..Thank [email protected]
(
Leisa Prater 12:20pm January 9, 2012)

I usually finish what I start...just doesn't feel right to put it down without finishing it. Now, I might not give it a 'deep read'. If I'm really not liking it...I might give it more of a 'skim'.

barbbattaglia at yahoo dot com
(
Barbara Battaglia 12:27pm January 9, 2012)

I rate the large print books for my local library, I don't always finish a book. If it's not interesting, I go on to the next one.
(
Wilma Frana 1:29pm January 9, 2012)

I don't rate books, but if I read one that is extra interesting, I add the author to my list so I can locate more books by him/her.
(
Anna Speed 1:46pm January 9, 2012)

I don't rate them unless I'm motivated by some reason to write a review (usually in response to another one I've read). I used to feel compelled to finish a book, but in the last couple of years, I've stopped forcing myself...as much. I still read far longer than I should sometimes.
(
Anne Muller 2:21pm January 9, 2012)

There has only been one book that I read that took me 2 years to finish it was so boring... had to keep putting it down... I do not rate books, but I know a book is special when I feel the emotions come off the pages... when I leave the story behind with a great feeling...
(
Colleen Conklin 2:43pm January 9, 2012)

It's very rare for me to not finish a book. I have to be really disgusted with it and usually I try to read at least 1/2 before I give up. I have been rating books since high school (ahem, we won't mention how long that has been) but have only been using the 5 star system since I joined Goodreads a few years ago. My 3 star books have a good plot but a lot of inconsistencies (and sometimes poor grammar and/or punctuation). My 4 star books are gripping and hold my attention well. My 5 star books are ones that I will read over and over again, I will purchase in hardcover for my library and I will try to convince my friends to read, lol. I try to be kind with my negative reviews because I know that the story still represents somebody's hard work but there are an increasing number of books being put on the market that really need basic editing, especially given the trend for self-publishing so I may start having more 2 star reviews!
(
E Felder 4:14pm January 9, 2012)

I don't rate the books I read, I always finish reading my books. Thanks for giving me a chance to win your book.
(
Linda Hall 4:56pm January 9, 2012)

Most of the books I select to read have been very good and would definitely merit 4 to 5 star ratings. I usually select books that sound like something I'd enjoy reading, then judge after reading a couple chapters, if it's captivated my interest and how much I'm enjoying it. If I love it so much it's hard to put down, then I try to get all that particular authors books to read. If it doesn't and is a boring or confusing book, I do not finish the book. I've only had about three that I've not finished. One was by a new author (her first book) and it was so drawn out and boring and storyline so unrealistic...that I could barely give it a 1 star rating. I was actually surprised she found a publisher for this new hardcover book that came out this past summer. She may have thought she could be a writer, but she'll never be successful at it. I felt she grabbed parts of it from a Lifetime movie, from the 60 pages I read, because it was somewhat familiar to a movie I'd watched but very drawn out and dull. I've found a few authors that are successful writers to have many errors in their books...misspelled words or a word deleted from the sentence. I don't know who's doing the proof reading, but I have been more than shocked by this at how many I've found in just one book. I do see individuals giving star ratings about books from reviews and they can vary because some are even using 1/2 stars. Not sure how dependable ratings really are, however anything 4 or 5 stars must be worth checking out.
(
Linda Luinstra 5:10pm January 9, 2012)

If I do not finsh a book,I'm just not interested in it's subject matter and give it to charity. But the books that I like I hold on to for years and reread again. Some people ,I know ,only believe in reading a book once and that's it.
(
Deb Pelletier 5:47pm January 9, 2012)

I don't rate my books. If I can't get into a story I usually skim ahead to where it gets better. I always finish reading them.
(
Cheryl Lynne 6:00pm January 9, 2012)

I sometimes rate the books I read. I usually don't finish the books that I just am not enjoying so the books I rate are usually at least three stars. I would say that is for a book that was okay but not really memorable. The five stars are for books that are on my keeper shelf.
(
Maureen Emmons 6:06pm January 9, 2012)

I don't rate books except as one I might or might not reread.
(
Tamara Burks 7:40pm January 9, 2012)

I don't rate books, and I usually don't finish a book if it hasn't drawn me into it within the first 50 pages. A 5 star book to me would be the kind that draw me in so much that I simply CAN'T put it down until I have finished it. The books that don't draw me in quickly I put down--I simply don't have time to waste on something that is not interesting enough to keep my attention right from the start.
(
Kris Bowers 8:38pm January 9, 2012)

I always finish a book. Even if it's 'just ok' I always
hold out hope that it will get better & I still want to see
how it ends. Then, I just may not read the author again if
it wasn't at least pretty good. After all, there are a lot
of books out there to choose from & only so much time to
read. Fortunately, I do enjoy most books I've selected to
read and when I find an author I like I'll got back & read
their earlier books plus keep my eye out for more. So
that's my non-formal rating style.
(
Diane Sallans 9:17pm January 9, 2012)

I almost always finish a book. I can probably count on one hand how many I have not finished. However, I am trying to get into the habit of stopping if I don't like it. For so long, I had a hard time finding books because my mom only took me to the library every two weeks. I would be finished in a week. Reading was my escape and I savor the written word.
(
Renee Brown 9:20pm January 9, 2012)

Even if a book is slow at the beginning, I always finish them...you never know, it could get really good!!
(
Dawn Staniszeski 9:32pm January 9, 2012)

I usually try to finish books, but if it's taking me a very long time to even finish one chapter without falling asleep, I eventually give up.
(
Molly Wilsbacher 10:32pm January 9, 2012)

1 is horrible, 3 is average, and 5 is unbelievably amazing. I do try to finish all the
books that I start, even if I see that it is horrible, in the hopes that it may get a
little better.
(
Hyunjin Jeon 11:16pm January 9, 2012)

I finish, even if I really dont like it. There is always something to like in a book,
so I always have something good to say in my review. 3 stars is good, borrow
from the library. 4 stars is a must own a copy. 5 stars is absolutely loved the
book, buy copies for friends.
(
Lexi Hansen 11:24pm January 9, 2012)

I don't rate stories, but do recommend ones I like and do not recommend those which leave me in the cold.
(
Alyson Widen 4:49pm January 11, 2012)

I usually finish a book I'm reading. I don't rate the books I've read, but do recommend them when they're exceptionally good, and I think someone else would enjoy reading the book. I have read new books with good reviews. With so many new authors, it's a good idea to have ratings from those that have already read the book.
(
Rich Cook 5:12pm January 11, 2012)

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