The Reading Spot

Kill For Me by Karen Rose

Five teenage girls have been murdered. One survived, and only she can reveal the secrets of a disturbing ring of people who kidnap and sell teenage girls on the black market. But those responsible for the crimes will do whatever it takes to maintain her silence.

Susannah Vartanian and Luke Papadopoulos have both sworn to stop the murderers for their own reasons. Susannah, the sister of the hero in SCREAM FOR ME, suffers from a mysterious past that is connected to the sinister black market. Luke is an investigative agent and a computer expert who refuses to let another child predator get away.

Susannah and Luke are instantly attracted to each other, but their troubled pasts prevent them from immediately acting upon their feelings. The case will lead them to the shady realm of Internet chat rooms, where anyone can mask their identity. As Susannah and Luke draw closer to the criminals, they discover a chain of deception so intricate they don't know who to trust. Susannah and Luke find comfort in one another's arms, but the killers are ruthless and determined, and will take extreme measures to insure their anonymity and keep their business intact.

Wow, this is an intense book. I started it on Saturday and then I woke up Sat. night/Sunday morning like at 4 and could not go back to sleep so I decided to go read and could not put it down to try to go back to sleep, it was so engrossing.

Well, you definitely have to read Scream for Me before you read this one, it continues on with the storyline. Ms Rose has a great Related books page on her site here that gives a diagram and maps out how the books are related and what characters are in each book including secondary characters that you see in other books, cool stuff. Though she does need to update her site a little.

Okay here is a really cool part of this, guess who I got to meet on Saturday? Karen Rose!!!!! I found out on Thursday that she was doing a book signing at my book store on Saturday and I had to go. She is a very nice lady. We talked some about being a teacher and about her books. it was very fun.

Labels: contemporary, suspense

Labels: book promo, misc

One of my absolute favorite hero archetypes is the sexy nerd. I married one and some of my favorite books have nerd heros. But I have not read a good nerd hero story in a while and when I was reading the Liquid Silver Newsletter I was reminded of them from this article by Michelle Lauren.

Hot Hero Archetype: The Sexy Nerd

By Michelle Lauren

Once upon a time, the heroes I read about in mainstream romance novels fell into two categories: The Playboy or the Jock. Nerds were either sidekicks or impotent foils to the hero. They generally weren’t considered “leading man” material, in fiction or in film. However, in 1987 something happened to change my mind.

Two words: Patrick. Dempsey (a.k.a. McDreamy).

In Can’t Buy Me Love, Dempsey plays Ronald Miller, a high school student obsessed with astronomy and with winning the heart of the most popular girl at school. After seeing him in his infamous car washing scene I knew I had to rethink my opinion of nerds.

That was the day that “geek” took a new meaning to me: sexy. So, why exactly are nerds sexy? Let me count the ways.

Top Four Reasons Why Nerds Are Sexy:

1. They have great imaginations.

Lewis from Revenge of the Nerds said it best: [After making out with his sorority girl crush Betty] “Jocks only think about sports; nerds only think about sex.” Combine this with the fact that many “nerds” are quick learners, and you have the perfect recipe for passion.

2. They might secretly be superheroes.

Think about it. Peter Parker, Clark Kent, Bruce Banner, Hiro Nakamura – all nerds. Coincidence? I think not.

Okay. So in real life, this doesn’treally apply. However, in fiction this possibility opens up the door to unique plot twists and character development.

3. They have better sperm.

Seriously. A 1985 study conducted by researchers led them to the conclusion that “brainy men do have better sperm.” This study was later referenced in a December 2008 paper by London scientists whose findings concluded what I’ve known all along: intelligence is sexy.

4. Intelligence.

Romance depends on more than animal attraction. A true “happily ever after” relies on the hero’s ability to connect with the heroine on an emotional and intellectual level.

Happy Reading!

- Michelle Lauren

Now can anyone give me some recommendations of good nerd heros. I need to get a nerd fix and my hubby is out of town.

Labels: misc, nerd

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Inferno by Bianca D'Arc

A forbidden union forged in love-and tempered in hellfire.

One last task and Megan will be free of the debt of honor owed by her family. Spying on Dante, a powerful vampire with questionable friends, sounds simple enough. But her mission is complicated by the fact she's got something every vampire wants-tangy, powerful, werewolf blood.

It's easy to capture his attention. The hard part will be getting out with her heart -- and soul -- intact. Not to mention her life, thanks to a crazed bomber.

Dante isn't the kind to forgive or forget easily, especially the grudge he holds against werewolves. Still, he is instantly drawn to the injured lone wolf in his care. When he and his friend Duncan treat her wounds, they discover something that marks her as much more than she seems.

The mark is a neon sign warning to be careful, but Dante can't help himself. He wants her and nothing will stand in his way. Not her species. Not his. Not the strange woman who keeps trying to kill him.

Not even the magical poison in Megan's blood...

This book comes after Lords of the Were and is Dante's story. It is helpful to read that one first because some of the characters are in this one, but it is not imperative. These two books are also related to Sweeter than Wine and the Brotherhood of Blood Trilogy. She seems to list them like Lora Leigh does her Breed books, they are related but she lists them separately. Maybe because it is not imperative that you read them in order outside of their own series. Anyway, very good story.
It starts off with Megan getting her final orders before her family debt of honor is paid. She is to spy on a vampire named Dante and report back on his movements. As soon as she meets him there is an instant attraction. Which works in her favor in getting close to watch him. He figures she is up to something so keeps her close until he can figure out what she is up to. As they spend time together he sees that her heart is good and hopes that he can trust her but then they find out the hard way that her blood has been poisoned to vampires and that Dante is not going to let her go easily. And Dante's recent past comes back to haunt him with his dealings with Patrick Vabian.
Great storyline. It moved the series storyline along but I do not think it would be that hard to follow if you have not read the other books. The story kept me very engaged and the love scenes were hot (as always :). Like Sweeter Than Wine, there are some menage scenes, but it is still an MF story.
I love Ms. D'Arc's books and will read anything she writes. I cannot wait until Grady's Awakening come out.

Labels: paranormal, shape-shifter, vampires

This month was a pretty good month 26 books including 7 re-reads. But alas my summer is almost over and that means I have to go back to work and cut down on my reading, sad stuff. But I got Hot Pursuit by Suzanne Brockmann from the library yesterday and am starting that today so things are very nice at the moment.
I was talking to Casee about Hot Pursuit she said that she was waiting for it from the library. Now i get a good portion of my books from the library because I am blessed with my library system. It is awesome and the more people that I talk to about their libraries makes me appreciate mine even more. I can have up to 20 requests at a time ( but starting today they are lowering that to 10), they will deliver free to my house if I so choose or I can pick them up at a branch, the get tons of romance and lots of copies of the bigger names. I also just discovered that I can check out ebooks from them as well. the titles are all ones that have been released in mass market but is another option instead of waiting to get the book. So far they have like 350 romance titles. Exciting. I will say that I live in a very populated county so I think that has a lot to do with it but I think it is also very well run and organized. I will hate it if I ever have to move out of county.
Women of Catawba by Hilda Stahl Winds of Catawba by Laurie StahlMaverick by Lora Leigh
Hard and Fast by Erin McCarthy
Ashes of Midnight (Midnight Breeds book 6) by Lara Adrian
Kissing Midnight by Emma Holly
Breaking Midnight by Emma Holly
Burning Wild by Christine Feehan
Storm Glass by Maria Snyder
Breath of Fire by Tammy Kane
Deadly Desires by (Riley Jensen Book 7) by Keri Arthur
Secret Life of a Vampire (Love at Stake book 6) by Kerrelyn Sparks
Promises Revealed (Promises Book 4) by Sarah McCarty
Burn by Linda Howard
Hidden Currents (Drake Sisters Book 7) by Christine Feehan
Forbidden Nights with a Vampire (Love at Stake Book 7) by Kerrelyn Sparks
Double Play by Jill Shalvis
Lords of the Were by Bianca D'Arc (re-read)
Sweeter than Wine by Bianca D'Arc (re-read)
Mates anthology by by Sean Michael, Julia Talbot and BA Tortuga
My Wicked Enemy by Carolyn Jewel
Psy-Changeling series (books 1-5) by Nalini Singh (re-read)

Labels: contemporary, fantasy, historical, paranormal, psychic, shape-shifter, vampires