The Reading Spot

July reads

2011-08-01T18:19:00.002-04:00

Dare to Believe (The Gray Court Book 1) by Dana Marie Bell

Have to find the next in this series!! (A)

Hit List (Anita Blake Book 20) by Laurell K. Hamilton (A-)

Cut and Run (Cut and Run Book 1) by Madeleine Roux and Abigail Urban (ebook) (B+)

Handcuffs and Leather by Kim Dare (ebook) (B)

Forbidden Heat by Opal Carew (B-)

Private Games anthology by Tawny Taylor (ebook) (C)

A Wicked Wolf by Beth Williamson (ebook) (B)

Backstage Pass (Sinners Book 1) by Olivia Cunning (re-read)

Noble Blood (The Gray Court Book 2) by Dana Marie Bell (A)

Chasin' Eight (Rough Riders Book 11) by Lorelei James (ebook) (A-)

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah McLean (B+)

Loving the Beast by Naima Simone (ebook) (C)

Eye of the Beholder by Emma Jay (ebook) (B-)

Making a Scene by Trudy Doyle (ebook) (C+)

Muffled Drum by Erastes (ebook) (B+)

Colters' Lady (Colters' Legacy Book 2) by Maya Banks (ebook) (B)

Death Blows (Bloodhound Files Book 2) by DD Barant (B-)

Revelation (De La Vega Book 2) by Lauren Dane (A)

Ember by Bettie Sharpe (ebook) (B-)

Eternal Hunger (Mark of the Vampire Book 1) by Laura Wright (re-read)

Goddess with a Blade by Lauren Dane (ebook) (B)

Eternal Kiss (Mark of the Vampire Book 2) by Laura Wright (A-)

Wolf's Passion (Rutledge Werewolves Books 3 & 4) by Elizabeth Lapthorne (C+)

A Rush of Wings (Maker's Song Book 1) by Adrian Phoenix (B)

In the Blood (Maker's Song Book 2) by Adrian Phoenix (B)

25 books this month. Not too bad :) Pretty good reading month, had some fun reads and some okay reads. My favorite was probably either Noble Blood or Revelation.

June Reads :)

2011-07-01T10:33:00.026-04:00

Kiss of Snow (Psy-Changeling Book 13) by Nalini Singh

Read in a day and a half, great book (A)

Grady's Awakening (Resonance Mates Book 4) by Bianca D'Arc

Finally got to read this, cannot wait for more (A)

Wicked Garden by Lorelei James (ebook) (B)

Black Moon (Moon Trilogy Book 1) by C. L. Bevill (ebook) (C)

Bless the Beauty by Stacey Kennedy (ebook) (C+)

Three to Tango anthology by Lauren Dane, Emma Holly, Beth Kery and Megan Hart

Trinity (De La Vega Cats Book 1) by Lauren Dane (ebook) (A-)

Adrien English Mysteries Book 1 and 2 by Josh Lanyon (ebook) (B)

Magic Slays (Kate Daniels Book 5) by Ilona Andrews (A)

Wicked Sexy (Wicked Book 1) by RG Alexander (ebook) (A)

Wicked Bad (Wicked Book 2) by RG Alexander (ebook) (B+)

Faceoff (Playing the Field Book 1) by JM Snyder (ebook) (C+)

Boys Next Door by Sierra DaFoe

(wanted it to be longer, ended rather abruptly) (B-)

Rock Hard (Sinners On Tour Book 2) by Olivia Cunning (C+)

The Geek Job by Eve Langlais (ebook) (B-)

Love Script by Tiffany Ashley (C+)

The Debutante's Dilemma by Elyse Mady (ebook) (B)

Treachery in Death (In Death Book ???) by JD Robb (A)

Northern Exposure (Compass Brothers Book 1) by Jayne Rylan and Mari Carr (ebook) LOVEd this book (A)

You Belong to Me by Karen Rose (A)

Silver Moon (Moon Trilogy Book 3) by C.L. Bevill (ebook) (B)

Amber Moon (Moon Trilogy Book 2) by C.L. Bevill (ebook) (B-)

Tyger, Tyger Burning Bryght (Orion Book 1) by Carolyn Brown (ebook) (B)

Marked (Norther Shifters Book 1) by Joely Skye (ebook) (B+)

Riding the Storm (ACRO Book 1) by Sydney Croft (A)

Unleashing the Storm (ACRO Book 2) by Sydney Croft (A)

Beneath the Thirteen Moons by Kathryne Kennedy (B+)

Snaring the Huntress by Sylvia Day (ebook)

Fun! 29 books/stories this month

Just got back from camp so got to do a lot of reading. I decided to play a little catchup on my tbr pile and read the two Sydney Croft books that have been on my shelf for about two years now. Regretting not reading them earlier, I really enjoyed them.

I read a lot of great books this month and most of the ones that are A's I expected to be great. Come on, I mean I had the newest Psy-Changeling book, the newest JD Robb, Karen Rose and Ilona Andrews, all awesome authors and great series. My most unexpected enjoyment though, was probably Northern Exposure by Jayne Rylan and Mari Carr. The second book comes out in a couple of months and it is going on my tbb list now.

Kindle giftcard score

2011-06-05T17:20:00.003-04:00

Well I got some unexpected money and treated myself to a kindle gift card and had a lot of fun. I spent it in about 2 hours. I bought:

Grady's Awakening by Bianca D'Arc (already finished it :)

Adrien English Mysteries Book 1 and 2 by Josh Lanyon

Colters' Lady by Maya Banks

Trinity by Lauren Dane

Dare to Believe by Dana Marie Bell

Northern Exposure by Mari Carr and Jayne Rylon

Wicked Garden by Lorelei James

Playing the Field: Faceoff by JM Snyder

Wicked Sexy by RG Alexander

Wicked Bad by RG Alexander

Bless the Beauty by Stacey Kennedy

The Geek Job by Eve Langlais

SEALed Forever by Mary Margret Daughtridge

May reads

2011-06-03T22:03:00.003-04:00

Winds of Fury (Valdemar (Reign of Selaney) Book 7) by Mercedes Lackey (re-read)

Bent by Sean Michael (ebook) (B-)

Storm Warning (Valdemar (Reign of Selaney) Book 8) by Mercedes Lackey (re-read)

The Stranger's Secrets (Plum Creek Book 3) by Beth Williamson (B+)

Beast Behaving Badly by Shelly Laurenston (B-)

Guilty Pleasures (Bound Hearts Book 11) by Lora Leigh (C+)

A Little Harmless Sex by by Melissa Schroder (ebook)

Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison (A)

Sweet Possession (Sweet book 5) by Maya Banks (A-)

Storm Rising (Valdemar (Reign of Selaney) Book 9) by Mercedes Lackey (re-read)

The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride Book 1) by James Patterson

Racing Outside the Lines by Kimberly Montague (ebook) Review for Book Binge

Only 12 books this month, but I may have forgotten some, did not keep this list updated well. But school is almost out, yay. I was cut because of budget cuts again, so am back looking for another teaching position. I had a lot of fun this year and learned a lot though so am glad that I had this position. It should also be easier to get a job with more experience. I taught music for 4 years but an also certified in math, but it is hard to get a math job with no math teaching experience. So after this year I actually have that so hopefully that will help with finding another job. Wish me luck. :)

On a more fun note, I got a $50 Kindle giftcard and went crazy shopping, so much fun, bought lots!

April reads

2011-05-01T11:19:00.034-04:00

I love many things about April but one of the things I have learned to love about it is All Romance Ebooks does a month of free books, one each day to feature a certain series, so they give you the first book in the series for free. Which is great for me who loves series and an awesome promo for them. If they can get you hooked on the series then you will be back. Well this go round i have found a couple of new series and authors that I am looking forward to reading more by them, so it has done its job :)

Wolf Signs (Granite Lake Book 1) by Vivian Arend (ebook) (A)
Restless Heart (Heart Book 2) by Emma Lang (A)

Coin Operated (Dirty Laundry Book 1) by Ginny Glass (ebook) (B-)

Club Shadowlands (Masters of the Shadowlands Book 1) by Cherise Sinclair (ebook) (A-)

Angel's Master by Sandra Sookoo (ebook) (C+)

A Savage Lust (Pride Brothers Book 3) by H.C. Brown (ebook) (B)

Past Pleasures by Charlotte Stein (ebook) (DNF)

Acting Naughty (Action Book 1) by GA Hauser (ebook) (B+)

Backstage Pass (Sinners on Tour Book 1) by Olivia Cunning (B+)

Afterlight by Elle Jasper (re-read) (reviewed on Book Binge)

The Lone Warrior (Four-Sided Pentacle Book 3, but it is the 5th story in the series) by Denise Rosetti

Arrow's Flight (Valdemar Book 2) by Mercedes Lackey (re-read)

Arrow's Fall (Valdemar Book 3) by Mercedes Lackey (re-read)

By the Sword (Valdemar (Reign of Selenay ) Book 4) by Mercedes Lackey (re-read)

Chains (single author anthology) by Shiloh Walker (B)

Winds of Fate (Valdemar (Reign of Selenay) Book 5) by Mercedes Lackey (re-read)

Winds of Change (Valdemar (Reign of Selenay) Book 6) by Mercedes Lackey (re-read)

17 books this month

Love this :)

2011-04-17T19:39:00.002-04:00

March reads

2011-04-01T09:35:00.003-04:00

This is my March read posts but I just realized it is also my 5 year blogiversary. This blog has been a lot of fun for me and helps me keep track of my reading. I have met so many new people and friends because of blogging. Well, here is what I read this last month

Angel's Blood (Archangel Book 1) by Nalini Singh (re-read)
Without Reservations (With or Without Book 1) by JL Langley (ebook) (A)

River Marked (Mercy Thompson Book 5) by Patricia Briggs (A)

Hidden Away (KGI Book 3) by Maya Banks (A-)

Archangel's Kiss (Archangel Book 2) by Nalini Singh (re-read)

Archangel's Consort (Archangel Book 3) by Nalini Singh (A)

Perfect Play (Play by Play book 1) by Jaci Burton (A)

Mesmerized (Federation Corps Book 2) by Lauren Dane (A)

Dancer's Fire (Dancer Book 1) by Ann Maxwell

Surrender of a Siren by Tessa Dare (B+)

Trey (Red, Hot and Blue Book 1) by Cat Johnson (ebook) (B)

When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James (A-)

Love Under Siege (Brothers in Arms Book 2) by Samantha Kane (re-read)

Fire Lord's Lover (Elven Lords Book 1) by Kathryne Kennedy (A)

Alot Like Love by Julie James (A)

Redemption of Micah (Plum Creek Book 2) by Beth Williamson (B)

Rough Cut by Mari Carr (ebook) (C)

The Reluctant Dom by Tymber Dalton (A+)

Ascension by Caris Roane (A)

19 reads this month :) yay!

Some great reads this month. Hard to pick my favorite, probably either Mesmerized, The Perfect Play or The Reluctant Dom. I love stories that make me cry and The Reluctant Dom made me cry repeatedly. "Seeing" a strong man cry always makes me cry. Mesmerized was a good addition to the series, I enjoyed watching Adrian find his girl. I need to re-read that one because I am not sure if I loved it because of the anticipation of reading it or because I really liked it. I had to read The Perfect Play because of the cover, I am such a cover slut ;) Luckily it was also a great story. Totally recommend that one.

February Reads

2011-03-03T20:26:00.004-05:00

Dark Horse by Kate Sherwood (ebook) (B)

Inside Out (Brown siblings Book 3) by Lauren Dane (re-read) (A)

Happy Ever After (Wedding Quartet Book 4) by Nora Roberts (A-)

Finding Destiny (From the World of The Sons of Destiny) by Jean Johnson (B+)

Master of Smoke (Mageverse Book 7?) by Angela Knight (B)

Cowboy Trouble by Joanne Kennedy (ebook) (C)

Naked Dragon by Annette Blair (B+)

Bedeviled Angel by Annette Blair (B)

Bejeweled by Anya Bast (A)

Enchanted No More by Robin D. Owens (B)

Just Right (The Bradfords Book 1) by Erin Nicholas (ebook) (B+)

Out of Body by Stella Cameron (DNF)

Pride and Prejudice: Hidden Lusts by Mitzi Szereto (review for Book Binge)

Pride and Pleasure by Sylvia Day (finished in about 5 hours, could not put down) (A)

Blood Wyne (Sisters of the Moon / Otherworld Book 9 ) by Yasmine Galenorn

Only 14 books this month. My reading mojo has been nil. Work is getting in the way of my reading :(

January Reads

2011-02-02T22:50:00.001-05:00

Undercover by Lauren Dane (re-read)

Relentless by Lauren Dane (re-read)

Insatiable by Lauren Dane (re-read)

Immortal Ops (Book 1) by Mandy Roth

Dangerous Boys and their Toy by Shayla Black (re-read)

Captive of Sin by Anna Campbell

Naughty and Nice anthology by Megan Hart, Lauren Dane, Shannon Stacey, Jaci Burton

Werewolf in Manhattan by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Sasha's Calling by TA Archer (review for Book Binge)

Eternal Hunger by Laura Wright

Laid Bare (Brown siblings Book 1) by Lauren Dane (re-read)

Coming Undone (Brown siblings Book 2) by Lauren Dane (re-read)

Flame Seeker by Kay Danella

Caleb by Sarah McCarty

Dirty Thirty by Cara McKenna (review for Book Binge)

15 books this month :)

Snow

2011-01-01T18:10:00.017-05:00

Well, I grew up in FL and have lived here my whole life. As such I have not seen snow since I was about 6 years old. My children have also not seen snow so Hubby and I decided to take a trip after Christmas to see snow. We travelled to Chatanooga, TN and then over to Pigeon Forge, TN to see and play in snow. We had such a great time.

We drove out to Smokey Mountain National Park and drove out to Cade's Cove. The drive out there was beautiful. There were a lot of ice warnings out which made me nervous and so glad that i was not driving, but Hubby did just fine. The only time we had a real issue was when someone on the two lane river road decided to stop in the middle of the road and take pictures instead of pulling off at one of the designated pull off areas. Once we stopped we got stuck on ice and spun for a bit until the wheels caught.

It is a 24 mile drive along the river road to get to Cade's Cove (which is a dri

ving tour of 11 miles through the forest). The drive was gorgeous and I took lots of pics but will not inundate you with those.

When we got to Cade's Cove, the trail was closed to traffic because of the snow and ice. but there was a nice area you could get out and play and you could walk a ways down the trail if you were so inclined. So we made our first snowman (the girls and mine), I think we did a good job :)

Pigeon Forge was fun to go to, but a major tourist trap. Our opinion was that it was worse than Orlando and that is pretty bad. There is nothing wrong with it but with the back drop of the

beautiful mountains, it just made everything seem so fake. We want to go back and do the trip again in the summer and also in the fall when the leaves change.

Hope everyone else had a great vacation too!

December reads

2010-12-31T17:36:00.000-05:00

Wow, it is currently when I am writing this, December 21 and i am just now writing down what i have read this month, talk about crazy busy. Here are the books that I could remember that I read.

Raising Kane (Rough Riders Book 9) by Lorelei James (B)

Cowgirls Don't Cry (Rough Riders Book 10) by Lorelei James (B-)

No Place to Run (KGI book 2) by Maya Banks (A)

Going all In by Jess Dees (C+)

Make Mine Midnight by Annmarie McKenna )B-)

Dragon Storm (Dragon Knights book 6) by Bianca D'Arc (A-)

Reading Between the Lines by Lauren Dane (C) (I had a hard time getting into this one, I had to force myself to finish it. I think I was in the wrong mood for it because I usually love her writing)

Falling Freestyle by Vivian Arend (B+)

Scoundrel (Blades of the Rose book 2) by Zoe Archer

Rebel (Blades of the Rose book 3) by Zoe Archer (B+)

He's No Prince Charming by Luanne McLane (C+)

11 books this month. Not a whole lot this month, have been so busy and there are quite a few that I picked up and put back down. Been loving my Kindle though. :)

Will write another post about our trip to TN to see snow and my review of books for this year.

November reads

2010-12-02T21:49:00.001-05:00

The Bodyguard anthology

Alpha by Rachel Vincent (DNF)

The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook

In Other Worlds by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Night Life by Caitlin Kittredge

Shoulda Been a Cowboy (Rough Riders Book 7) by Lorelei James

All Jacked Up (Rough Riders Book 8) by Lorelei James

Slow Ride (Rough Riders 8.5) by Lorelei James

Indulgence in Death (In Death Book??) by JD Robb

Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage (Mackenzies Book 2) by Jennifer Ashley

Play of Passion (Psy-Changeling) by Nalini Singh

Warrior (Blades of the Rose Book 1) by Zoe Archer (review for Book Binge)

My Shifting Showmance (Shifting Reality Book 1) by RG Alexander

My Demon Saint (Shifting Reality Book 2) by RG Alexander

14 books this month. Not too bad. Busy month but got a Kindle so got lots of new books from my Hubby to help fill it :)

Favorite book: hard pick but I will go with The Iron Duke

Least favorite: Alpha, had a hard time getting into it, it was not a bad book and will come back to it later but got distracted by other books.

October Reads

2010-10-31T16:36:00.005-04:00

Beastly by Alex Flinn (B+)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (HP Book 4) by JK Rowling (re-read)

Marriage in Moonlust by Kate Hill (reviewed for Book Binge)

Taking Fury (Hunters for Hire) by India Masters (reviewed for Book Binge)

Hot Finish (Nascar book 3) by Erin McCarthy (B)

Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer (A) (reviewed for LibraryThing)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (HP book 5) by JK Rowling (re-read)

Wolf Signs (Granite Lake Wolves Book 1) by Vivian Arend (free e-book from Borders.com)

Harvest Hunting by Yamine Galenorn (reviewed for Book Binge)

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (HP Book 6) by JK Rowling (re-read)

Running in Fear: Escaped by Trinity Blasio (reviewed for Book Binge)

Shaken by Dee Tenorio (reviewed for Book Binge)

Four Play by Maya Banks and Shayla Black

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (HP Book 7) by JK Rowling (re-read)

Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantasky

Wolf Unbound (Cascadia Wolves Book 4) by Lauren Dane

Foundation (Valdemar series) by Mercedes Lackey

Intrigues (Valdemar series) by Mercedes Lackey (for Book Binge)

If I Pay Thee Not in Gold by Piers Anthony and Mercedes Lackey (re-read)

19 books?? I stopped keeping track when I got busy around the 20th of October and cannot remember what other books I read.

Love this

2010-10-05T19:55:00.002-04:00

Read this today and had to share!

Converted man

2010-10-03T21:42:00.003-04:00

Saw this post at an author's site and had to post about it. It is from EpicBlackCar

The original post is here. And he has put out an all call asking for our best romance book for him to try. But this was a great post, a must read.

Romance novelists are secret, epic army of man boosters
September 20, 2010 at 4:16 am (epic) (Arts, Fiction, Lady Gaga, Literature, Novel, Romance,Romance novel, United States)
Let it be known: we men must rethink our natural manly instinct that romance novelists are something to avoid, like SEX AND THE CITY 2, which is indeed worthy of scorn, and woe unto any man whose girlfriend or wife coerced them into wasting two hours of their life to see that stupid thing. No bribe is sufficient.

The trifecta: no shirt, mullet and sword.
Published romance novelists have found the Epic Black Car blog, posted comments and sent me e-mails — and they are not only hilarious, but many can write circles around the 6.57 gazillion reporters, writers and novelists I know. Also — and most importantly — they CELEBRATE AND ADORE MEN, which we should encourage.
I have thought about this, and it makes sense. These women are more talented than most folks writing about elves and spaceships, or elves riding spaceships, not because of the subject matter, but because there is so much freaking competition with romance novels.
It’s like throwing 10,000 authors into the Thunderdome, tossing in a single chainsaw and refusing to unlock the door until there’s only one woman left. By definition, that woman is going to kick tail. She will be a writing goddess.
And I was wrong to ever believe that romance novelists might be writing 80,000 words about shoes or amazing handbags. They focus on writing about men, though they apparently want us to be as allergic to shirts as Lady Gaga is allergic to pants. They also spend a lot of time writing steamy scenes encouraging women to do natural things with men. This is a Good Thing, and should be encouraged, and celebrated throughout the land, unless we men have been busy taking Stupid Pills.
Also, they want us to be packing swords, if not guns, and sometimes guns and swords. Any man can learn this from googling “romance novel covers.” IT IS AN EDUCATION.
Do they want us to be office drones, worried about TPS reports? No. Do they want us to talk about our feelings to a shrink and cry when we see a sunset? No.
Women want us to have one of three manly jobs: Viking, pirate or Native American warrior. This in itself is epic, and wonderful. We should thank them.
Fabio covers two of the three manly jobs that women want us doing. He's missing Native American warrior, but we can forgive him for that, because he has the mandatory sword.
Aside from piracy and swordsmanship, they specifically want us to punch things that need punching and spend our time with a beautiful long-haired woman who happens to be heiress to a billion-dollar fortune but does not know that, because her evil uncle has hidden this fact from her so he and his plastic-surgery obsessed witch of a wife could keep all that money for themselves, and it is our job to dropkick the evil uncle into the next century. If that doesn’t work, hey, all men are required to carry a sharp sword.
I have never read romance novels, or even checked the covers until now. Yet we men should secretly pool our resources to fund these female authors, because they are an army of dedicated women doing a $16.5 billion public relations campaign on our manly behalf.
So, romance novelists: I am holding a mug of Belgium beer, and I raise it in your direction.
Keep up the good work. We men may not know it, or admit it, but we owe you a huge favor.

September reads

2010-10-01T16:04:00.001-04:00

Water Bound (Sea Haven Book 1) by Christine Feehan (A+)
The Darkest Hour (KGI Book 1) by Maya Banks (A+)
The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians Book 1) by Rick Riordan (A)
No Werewolves Allowed (Night Tracker Book 2) by Cheyenne McCray (B)
Power Struggle by Kelly Jamieson (ebook) (review for Book Binge)
Shattered Glass by AC Katt (ebook)(Review for Book Binge)
Fair Game by Josh Lanyon (e-book from Net Galley) (B+)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (HP Book 1) by JK Rowling (re-read)
Masked by Moonlight (Book 1) by Nancy Gideon (B+)
Chased by Moonlight (Book 2) by Nancy Gideon (B+)
Captured by Moonlight (Book 3) by Nancy Gideon (B+)
Awakened by a Kiss by Lila DiPasqua (B) (won)
Wonderland anthology by Adam Carpenter, Curtis Comer and Jeff Wilcox (DNF)
Lux in Shadow by RG Alexander (borrowed) (A)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter Book 2) by JK Rowling (re-read)
Ripping the Bodice by Inara Lavey (ebook) (A-) Received free from All Romance ebooks
Saving Sophie by Elle Amery (ebook) (A-) Received free from All Romance ebooks
Last Dragon Standing (Dragon Book 4) by GA Aiken (B-)
Dare to Surrender by Lilli Feisty (B+)
Burning Up anthology
Nalini Singh's story (from Psychangeling series) (A)
Angela Knight's story (A)
Meljean Brook's story (A)
did not read Virginia Kantra's story

20 books this month, not bad at all. Some very good reads this month too.
Favorite: The Darkest Hour by Maya Banks or Water Bound by Christine Feehan
Least favorite (besides my DNF): Last Dragon Standing by GA Aiken (could not get myself to like the heroine.)

Lightning reviews

2010-09-25T12:21:00.003-04:00

All of these were free from All Romance ebooks and Ravenous Romance, good and not so good in the ones that I have read so far. But here is what I thought.

Ripping the Bodice by Inara Lavey (ebook) (A-)

Got sex and romance on the brain? So does Cassandra Devon. She also has hard-boiled private eyes, dashing pirates, jet-setting super spies and other sexy rogues entertaining her in her surprisingly explicit subconscious. All these erotic daydreams make it hard to stay focused on Cassandra's current dilemma: namely, rebuffing the advances of Connor, a wild Irish rascal who wants to play the starring role in her fantasies. Cassandra is only interested in getting together with Raphael, the tall, dark and handsome man of her dreams. May the best romance hero win!

Walter Mitty meets Erica Jong in this wickedly funny and sexy hot comedy-romance.

This was such a fun book. It was kind of shades of Walter Mitty. Cassandra loves her bodice ripper romances and has read them for so long they have become her model for her ideal man. She also has an active imagination in that she constantly loses herself in scenes out of her books and her head. The characters were a lot of fun and the storyline especially with all the mock scenes from old time romances was hilarious. The romance was full of banter and great chemistry. Definitely recommend this one.

Wonderland anthology by Adam Carpenter, Curtis Comer and Jeff Wilcox (ebook) (DNF)

Welcome to Wonderland, a quiet, picturesque village located on the Pacific Coast, just south of San Francisco. Prodigal son Rich North and his partner, Marc Anderson, have just relocated to Wonderland after leaving behind their lives-and a secret scandal-back in New York City. They buy a house on exclusive Eldon Court, where five Victorian homes stand. Three other gay couples lives in the other houses, while Number Two Eldon Court remains mysteriously empty. There they meet Edgar and Jack, the longest-tenured residents of Eldon Court; Aaron and Juan, a couple with their own relationship issues; and Sawyer and Dane, a young, gorgeous couple with too much money and time of their hands.
Something is afoot on Eldon Court. A peeping Tom, a possible murder attempt, a case of arson. The clues lead back to Bayside Hotel and the mysterious new owner, Danvers Converse. He is a man with perverse appetites and unstoppable ambition. He will resort to blackmail-or worse-to gain possession of Eldon Court. But why, and at what cost? The only thing the neighbors have is their solidarity. But with a spy in their midst, Eldon Court is being threatened from all sides, and Rich and Marc realize that, as they newcomers to the block, they must stop what's happening. Until newer neighbors move into Number Two-and all hell breaks loose on Eldon Court.

Received free from All Romance ebooks. I started this one and it is written by different authors. That was ok, some of it was the same happenings from different perspectives but not too much of that. It is about the relationships between all of these gay men who live on this cul-de-sac. But there is this mystery also happening during the story, which sort of interested me but about 3/4 of the way through I was getting a little bored. So I turned to the end to see if it was worth finishing and it ended with a cliffhanger and the mystery was not resolved. Plus there was some infidelity between the couples which is a hotspot with me. So I did not finish it.

Saving Sophie by Elle Amery (A-)

Sophie Huntsman’s crush on gorgeous Jake Muscat began when she was a frizzy-haired and flat- chested little twerp. She’s all woman now, and determined to fulfill her fantasy, even if it means following Jake’s rules. Jake’s always been a lone wolf, the type of guy who will never commit, but Sophie will take anything he’ll give her, even if it’s just one night of amazing sex.

Jake’s never opened up to a woman like this before, and Sophie’s discovered that Battery Operated Boyfriends can’t bring her to the heights Jake can. However, when Jake’s the only one who can save Sophie’s career, they agree to leave that night of sex behind. But lust ignites again, and this time it leaves Sophie reeling and Jake convinced his obsession will bring nothing but pain. When Jake walks away this time, Sophie needs to be saved from both a failing career and a breaking heart.

This time, can Jake save both Sophie and himself, and find the lasting passion they both desire?

Two of my favorite romance themes, brother's best friend and friends to lovers. Enjoyed this a lot, had a hard time stopping to go to bed. Solid storyline, great chemistry and nice characters. Good stuff.

The Darkest Hour

2010-09-13T04:07:00.000-04:00

Wow I started off the month with two awesome reads. This one and Water Bound by Christine Feehan. I hope the month continues to be this good bookwise.

The Darkest Hour (KGI Book 1) by Maya Banks

It’s been one year since ex-Navy SEAL Ethan Kelly last saw his wife Rachel alive. Overwhelmed by grief and guilt over his failures as a husband, Ethan shuts himself off from everything and everyone.His brothers have tried to bring Ethan into the KGI fold, tried to break through the barriers he's built around himself, but Ethan refuses to respond… until he receives anonymous information claiming Rachel is alive.To save her, Ethan will have to dodge bullets, cross a jungle, and risk falling captive to a deadly drug cartel that threatens his own demise. And even if he succeeds, he’ll have to force Rachel to recover memories she can’t and doesn’t want to relive—the minute by minute terror of her darkest hour—for their love, and their lives, may depend on it.

This is Ms Banks first MM release. I love her writing style and have many of her other books already so she is an autoread for me. This book sucked me in and would not let me go. I LOVED the storyline. Because this is Ms Banks who writes some erotic books I was expecting lots of love scenes even though I knew this was not an erotic release. But no, the ones that were there were hot but they were minimal. This was not a bad thing just unexpected. I loved watching these two try to build their relationship back and learn each other all over again.

The book starts out with Ethan facing the one year anniversary of his wife's death. He receives a package in the mail that day with photos and information that his wife is not dead but being held prisoner in the jungles of Columbia. Lucky for him, he is in a military family with three of his brothers running a company that does work like that, usually for the government when they cannot technically be there. They are suitably upset and plan a op to get her back. They find her and she is not in good shape, her captors have hooked her on drugs to help control her and because of her trauma she has no memory of her life before her imprisonment. That is just the first quarter of the book. The rest is her fight to get clean and get her memories back and deal with the trauma that she has endured. it is also Ethan's fight to find the balance he needs to help her get healthy again, body and soul. But he also has a secret that he is terrified that Rachel will remember.

A secondary storyline is Ethan's parents have taken in a teenager they caught trying to steal food from their house. Rusty's mom has abandoned her and her mom's boyfriend does not want her either. So watching how the family interacts with her and her reaction to it is very interesting. She accepts Mom's invitation to stay but then when Rachel returns she feels her new place in the family is threatened.

Awesome story!!!!!!! I was so engrossed in this book, I could not put it down.

August Reads and life update

2010-09-03T23:00:00.002-04:00

Well I totally missed the fact that it turned September. Reading wise I did very well but it will definitely taper off this month now that school is back in session. I got a job, sort of. I am teaching but I am only covering a maternity leave, but it buys me some time to find a job. The ten day count is now up so schools will hopefully be looking to hire more teachers to keep class counts down. So please continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers. But in the mean time I am having a blast teaching middle school. I am learning all sorts of new things that I never had to do as an elementary music teacher, testing and such. So it is neat, but also exhausting. I come home and as soon as the kids go to bed I am ready for bed too, my poor hubby is tired of me being tired. I am so wiped from getting back into the teaching groove and having so much to learn and do in a 7.5 hour day (that gets extended to grade papers, get grades inputted, make sure all the office paperwork gets turned in, call parents, detentions, tutoring, etc.).

Anyway, in other news, my church is having its grand opening the end of this month so that is exciting. We have been working on getting it going for about a year. The church that is planting us has been dreaming about this for about three years, but we just got hooked up with them about a year ago.

I hope that everyone is doing great and that everyone has an awesome Labor Day. We are running all over this weekend, which is great to see friend and family but also busy. but it is a fun busy :)

Here are my reads and grades for the month, great reading month, lots of good books.

Rapture Untamed (Feral Warriors Book 4) by Pamela Palmer (B)
Red Hot Fury by Kasey MacKenzie (reviewed for Book Binge)
Love in the Afternoon (Hathaways Book 5) by Lisa Kleypas (A-)
Her Vampire Husband (Wicked Games Book 3) by Michele Hauf (B)
Body Master (Body Book 1) by CJ Barry (review for Book Binge)
Regina in the Sun (Book 1) by RG Alexander (B)
Heart Journey (Celta Book 9) by Robin D. Owens (A)
The Unblessed King (Book 1) by Michelle M Pillow (B)
A Little Bit Wicked by Victoria Alexander (B)
Once Bitten (Kita Book 1) by Kalayna Price (B)
Dark Embers (Dragon Shifter Book 1) by Tessa Adams (Review for Book Binge)
Take Me by Bella Andre (A)
And the Lady Makes Three anthology (ebook) (re-read)
Veil of Night by Linda Howard (B)
Edge of Desire (Primal Instincts Book 3) by Rhyannon Byrd (B-)
Infamous by Suzanne Brockmann (DNF)
Seducing Jane Porter (Jane Porter Book 1) by Dominique Adair (B)
Wicked Pleasure by Lora Leigh (A-)
Blue Lady (Middlemarch Book 10) by Shelley Munro (Review for Book Binge)
Honoring the Goddess by Madison Blake (ebook) (B)
Master of Fire (Mageverse book 6, but actually the 10th story) by Angela Knight (B+)
Possess Me anthology by RG Alexander (A-)
Heart Throb by Suzanne Brockmann (re-read)
Love's Fortress (Brothers in Arms Book 7) by Samantha Kane (review for Book Binge) (A)

23 books this month.

Favorites: Love's Fortress by Samantha Kane, and Dark Embers by Tessa Adams

Least favorite: Infamous by Suzanne Brockmann. Now I am a total Suzanne Brockmann fangirl but I had a hard time getting into this one. The ghost aspect is throwing me off. I will definitely try it again because it is probably just I am not in the mood for it. I have yet to read abook of hers that I did not love and I do not want it to start now. That is why I re-read HeartThrob to get my Brockmann groove back on.

Andrew Peterson - Dancing in the Minefields (Official Video)

2010-08-17T07:28:00.000-04:00

This is such a great song about love a marriage, it is one of my favorites at the moment.

Summer Solstice

2010-08-12T20:28:00.002-04:00

This looks really good and the cover is HOT :) It just came out this week from Samhain.

SUMMER SOLSTICE by Eden Bradley

Book Three in the Celestial Seductions Series

This summer is going to be twice as hot…

The view from Leigh’s front porch was never this nice. In fact, her hunky new neighbor is sparking all kinds of naughty ideas about how to beat the heat. Much to her delight, the feeling is mutual—as long as they keep things light. Her divorce left her a little lonely, but far from needy.

Jared doesn’t plan to spend much time in his new place before jetting off on his next photojournalism assignment. Leigh’s classic, California blonde looks are any man’s fantasy. A little flirting, a little playful, neighborly car washing, and it isn’t long until their summer fling is in full swing.

Neither can imagine the sex being any hotter—until Jared’s sometime roommate and lover, Matteo, comes to town. In the arms of two men, Leigh brings her ultimate fantasy into scorching reality.

Jared revels in the chance to command his two lovers’ every move, but when he gets the call for his next overseas gig, he’s not so sure he’s ready for the fireworks to end. And even as Leigh gives her two lovers the most precious gift—their freedom—she wonders how she’ll find the strength to say goodbye.

Warning: Hot M/M/F ménage, sex in public places (sort of—read it and you’ll see!), every possible orifice filled (some simultaneously), a big, sexy, bossy alpha, an equally hot beta and a little spanking for good measure. Because let’s face it, who doesn’t need a little spanking now and then?

Love in the Afternoon

2010-08-03T20:41:00.003-04:00

Love in the Afternoon (Hathaways Book 5) by Lisa Kleypas

As a lover of animals and nature, Beatrix Hathaway has always been more comfortable outdoors than in the ballroom. Even though she participated in the London season in the past, the classic beauty and free-spirited Beatrix has never been swept away or seriously courted…and she has resigned herself to the fate of never finding love. Has the time come for the most unconventional of the Hathaway sisters to settle for an ordinary man—just to avoid spinsterhood?

Captain Christopher Phelan is a handsome, daring soldier who plans to marry Beatrix’s friend, the vivacious flirt Prudence Mercer, when he returns from fighting abroad. But, as he explains in his letters to Pru, life on the battlefield has darkened his soul—and it’s becoming clear that Christopher won’t come back as the same man. When Beatrix learns of Pru’s disappointment, she decides to help by concocting Pru’s letters to Christopher for her. Soon the correspondence between Beatrix and Christopher develops into something fulfilling and deep…and when Christopher comes home, he’s determined to claim the woman he loves. What began as Beatrix’s innocent deception has resulted in the agony of unfulfilled love—and a passion that can’t be denied…

I have not read any of the other books in the series but I did not have a hard time following this one. It was a fun read, Beatrix was a fun, quirky heroine you could not help but like. She has an affinity to animals and has turned her family's house into a menagerie of orphaned animals. Her two favorites being a three legged cat named Lucky and a hedgehog named Medusa. When Christopher went away to war he was a snotty, self-centered rogue but as he had to fight for his life and for the life of the men under him he changed. He told beautiful Penelope that he would write her but when she got his first letter she was turned off by how unromantic he was. Her friend Beatrix was intrigued by his adventures and struggles so she agreed to answer the letter for Penelope. Little did she know how close those letters were going to make her with Christopher. Now he is coming home and will he want the package he was dreaming of or the brains.

I love stories with this Cyrano de Bergerac story line. I had a hard time putting this book down, I wanted to see them finally deal with all their issues and get together. Great read, will have to look for the others in the series, some of the other couples made me curious to read their stories.

Review also here at LibraryThing

July Reads

2010-07-31T18:16:00.005-04:00

Wow, I did a lot of reading this month. I will say though that about a quarter of those were ebooks that were 100 pages or less. Broke down and started the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews this month and plowed through all the books they were great!
I also read two manga series (one is still ongoing) this month. Silver Diamond was excellent. I am eagerly awaiting the next volume of that one.

On the homefront, things are going well, on the job front, not so well. My position at my school was cut and I have been job hunting. I found out about two weeks ago that there was something that i had to do online to apply that I did not know about. I did not know that I had to do that as an already employee, so that has hindered my job hunting. I had been handing out resumes but the schools could not do anything with them because I had not signed up for the position online, so they ignored my resume. Sucky stuff. But still looking and teachers are supposed to go back in two weeks, I am worried.

Magic Bites (Magic Book 1) by Ilona Andrews

Tropical Exposure by Wynter Daniels (Review for Book Binge)

Kessa's Pride by Kama Spice (review for Book Binge)

Deal with the Devil by Evangaline Anderson (Review for Book Binge)

Ecstasy Unveiled (Demonica book 4) by Larissa Ione

Magic Burns (Magic Book 2) by Ilona Andrews

Edge of Hunger (Edge Book 1) by Rhiannon Byrd

Magic Strikes (Magic Book 3) by Ilona Andrews

Bonds of Justice (Psy/Changeling Book 9) by Nalini Singh

Must Love Hellhounds anthology (only read Ilona Andrews and Nalini Singh stories)

Insatiable (Federation Book 3) by Lauren Dane

Triple Knot by Nikki Soarde (review for Book Binge)

Beast Behaving Badly by Shelley Laurenston

A Home for Christmas by Deborah Grace Staley (reviewed at LibraryThing)

Silver Diamond manga series 1-6 by Shiho Sugiura

Jager's Mate (Roxie's Protectors) by Marisa Chenery (ebook)

My Soul to Take (Soul Screamer Book 1) by Rachel Vincent

Colter's Wife by Maya Banks (ebook)

Coin Operated Boy by Bryl R. Tyne (ebook)

MayDay by Bryl R. Tyne (ebook)

Once Bitten Twice Dead (Zombie book 1) by Bianca D'Arc

Eternal Hunger (Night Watch Book 1) by Cynthia Eden

The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker by Leanna Renee Heiber

Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels Book 4) by Ilona Andrews

Bad Girl Bridesmaids anthology by Susanna Carr

Changing Perspective by Marilu Mann (free ebook from Ellora's Cave)

Two Lovers for Molly by Lynn LaFleur (review for Book Binge)

On the Edge (Edge Book 1) by Ilona Andrews

Deadly Fear (Deadly Book 1) by Cynthia Eden

Tiger by the Tail (Middlemarch Book 9) by Shelly Munro (ebook) (review for Book Binge)

Coach Me (Gridiron Book 4) by Ann Jacobs (ebook) (review for Book Binge)

Destiny Star (Star Book 3) by Elizabeth Vaughan

Feral Heat (Untamed Hearts Book 1) by Jenna Byrnes and Jude Mason (ebook)

Old Friends by Constance Day-O'Flannery (DNF)

Desire Climax (manga series) by Ayane Ukyō

A whopping 34 books this month (plus one DNF), whoo hoo! I think that is my record for a month and almost all of them were really good.

My favorite books: Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews and Insatiable by Lauren Dane

Least favorite: Old Friends by Constance Day-O'Flannery

June Reads

2010-07-01T06:07:00.007-04:00

Since it is summer and I had two weeks of vacation this month I decided to try to make a dent in my ebook tbr folder. So instead of bringing a bunch of books with me I brought a couple and my computer so a lot of ebooks this month.
I am loving Rachel Vincent's Shifter series.

Angel's Blood (Archangel Book 1) by Nalini Singh (re-read)

Archangel's Kiss (Archangel Book 2) by Nalini Singh (A)

Wild West Boys (two book anthology) by Lorelei James (B)

Heat Seeker by Lora Leigh (B)

Lover Mine (Brotherhood book ?) by JR Ward (A-)

With Grace by Samantha Wayland (e-book)(review for Book Binge)

Were Seduction (Were Legends Book 2) by Lia Slater (e-book)(review for Book Binge)

Pleasure Unbound (Demonica Novel Book 1) by Larissa Ione (re-read)

Desire Unchained (Demonica Novel Book 2) by Larrissa Ione (re-read)

Out of Eden by Beth Ciotta (B) review at LibraryThing

Prey (Shifter Book 4) by Rachel Vincent (A-)

Passion Unleashed (Demonica Book 3) by Larissa Ione (B+)

My Soul to Keep by Dianna Hunter (e-book) (D)

Secrets of the Wind by Charlotte Boyett-Compo (e-book)(review for Book Binge)

Truth or Dare (Dareville Book 1) by Leigh Ellwood (e-book) (B-)

Object of my Obsession by Cara North (e-book) (B)

All Work and No Play (Cattle Valley Book 1) (e-book) by Carol Lynne (C)

Shift (Shifter Book 5) by Rachel Vincent (A)

Skin Tight (Book 2) by Ava Gray (B)

Calling Dr. Love by G. A. Hauser (e-book) (B+)

Love Means...No Shame by Andrew Grey (B+)

Shared by Lily Harlem (review for Book Binge)

Beauty's Beasts by Teal Ceagh (review for Book Binge)

Magician's Chains by Michelle Polaris (review for Book Binge)

Acts of Passion by Sedonia Guillone (review for Book Binge)

Satisfying Sophie by Ava McKnight (review for Book Binge)

Sweet Temptation (Sweet Book 4) by Maya Banks (B+) (but not for everyone)

27 books this month (gotta love summer break and vacations)

Favorite book: Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh

Least favorite book: My Soul to Keep by Dianna Hunter

Guest Reviews

2010-06-29T20:39:00.001-04:00

I have a review up over at Book Binge for the book Saddle Broke by Darah Lace here.

Lindsey Baker knows Clay Talbot's dirty little secret—he likes to watch, he likes to share, and he likes his sex a little on the rough side. So does she. Six years ago he was quick to brush her off for being too young and inexperienced. Now she's back in small-town Grayson, Texas, determined to show Clay she's all grown up and knows exactly what she wants—him.

Clay doesn't play in his own backyard. His dark cravings are better fed at Silver House, a private fetish club where his identity is protected and his privacy respected. And where the women know the score. But Lindsey Baker pushes all the right buttons and he soon finds himself torn between keeping her at the edge of his world and dragging her into it.

Saddle up for a smokin'-hot turn between two cowboys who like a little twist with their ride.

Embarrassing but Funny moments

2010-06-24T22:26:00.008-04:00

Well, I decided to post this here because they were too funny not to share and they are book related in a way.

First incident happened a last month. I get a call at my school from my daughter's school saying that my oldest daughter had brought something to school that she said I told her she could bring but that they were not school appropriate. I have a bin that I have on my bookshelf with other coverflats, bookmarks, keychains and other such stuff.

I had gotten, with a bunch of other book promo stuff in a contest, a set of feathered handcuffs to promote a story that had them in it. Do you see where this is going...? I had totally forgotten they were even in there. I was so embarrassed. The office worker was quick to say she did not need any explanations but just wanted to know what I wanted her to do with them. If you can imagine I am beet red at this point. I told her they were a gag gift and that she could toss them. I was ready to strangle my oldest daughter. We had a very long talk after school that day.

The other incident happened this week while I was at the library looking for books to bring with me on vacation. (Afterwards I discovered my library lets you check out ebooks and I was set.) Well this story is about my youngest baby girl who will be 2 next month. She is talking well with some words and some words I am still trying to interpret what she wants. I was in the romance paperback section and trying to look at books and keep her from grabbing books off the shelf at the same time. When all of a sudden she cries out (in a volume that 2 years olds pull off so well because they have no concept of whispering) and points, "Boobie, boobie" and I do a double take and to figure out what she is saying and what she is pointing at. She does it again and I move her stroller in the direction she is pointing at to see if I can correct what she is saying. But no in fact she was pointing to a cover that she saw that looks similar to this

and she put her finger directly on his chest.

I decided it was time to leave the library at that point.

Torn by Natalie Imbruglia

2010-06-20T23:37:00.001-04:00

Heard this song while on vacation this week and it made me want to see this video again.

Never underestimate an old gal

2010-06-11T16:00:00.002-04:00

She is 75 years old. I hope I have her stamina and energy when I am that age. I do not think i have her stamina now. She is dancing on Spain's Got Talent tv show.

Night Myst

2010-06-08T21:07:00.005-04:00

I have a guest review up at Book Binge for Night Myst by Yasmine Galenorn. It was a great book check it out here.

Night Myst (Indigo Court, Book 1) by Yasmine Galenorn

Eons ago, vampires tried to turn the Dark Fae in order to harness their power. Instead, they created a demonic enemy more powerful than they dared to dream. Bent on enslaving the world, the Vampiric Fae have been quietly massing their strength for centuries. Now, Myst, queen of the Indigo Court, is rising again...and a long-prophesied war is brewing...

Born a witch, Cicely Waters can control the wind. When her Elemental warns her that her aunt and cousin are in danger, she packs her Pontiac GTO and returns home for the first time in twenty years. But the magical town of New Forest, Washington has changed. The Indigo Court holds the city in fear; people are vanishing, and strange deaths plague the town. Swept into an unexpected and passionate reunion with her trusted childhood friend Grieve, the Fae prince who taught her how to harness the wind, Cicely finds herself with a fierce and territorial lover. But Grieve has become enslaved by Myst's court, and now both lovers must walk a fine line to survive the machinations of the Vampiric Fae Queen. Caught between two evils, both vying for supremacy, Cicely must fight for her family and her future. As she discovers the hidden secrets to her own heritage, will she lose her soul in the process?

My Anniversary!! (and my hair :)

2010-06-06T06:20:00.005-04:00

Today is my anniversary. Hubby and I have been married for 12 years!!!! I am so glad that we are still just as much if not more in love and still going strong. He is my best friend and I am so thankful for him. He is a wonderful man, provider, father, lover, and friend. I thank God that He put him in my life. I cannot wait to spend 12...30...50 more years with him.

On a side note, I also got my hair cut. I wanted something new so for Mother's day I asked for a haircut at a salon (my mother or a friend usually cuts it for me). I am very happy with it, it is so light and cool now. It is interesting as i look at this pic it looks like I have streaked my hair in the front, but that is just how my hair is, weird. Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

May reads

2010-06-03T15:22:00.003-04:00

This month got away from me trying to finish up stuff for school and school performances (which all went well). So I totally forgot to post. I feel like I read more than I apparently did, but maybe I missed writing something done. Anyway, pretty good month even without.

Two Week Trial by Missy Jane (review to be posted at Book Binge)

Passion Untamed (Feral Warriors Book 3) by Pamela Palmer

Savor the Moment (Brides Book 3) by Nora Roberts

Tall, Dark and Deadly by Lorie O'Clare

Long Lean and Lethal by Lorie O'Clare

Dungeon Gourmet by Nara Malone (for Book Binge)

Bonded Souls by Nina Pierce (for Book Binge)

Mark of the Demon by Diana Rowland

Black Seduction by Lorie O'Clare

Spy Games by Gina Robertson

Silent Scream by Karen Rose

Giving Chase (Chase Brothers Book 1) by Lauren Dane

Taking Chase (Chase Brothers Book 2) by Lauren Dane

Branded as Trouble by Lorelei James

Pleasure of Sin by Shauna Hart

15 books this month

Silent Scream

2010-05-30T10:18:00.002-04:00

Silent Scream by Karen Rose

When a teenage girl dies in a suspicious fire, Detective Olivia Sutherland is assigned to track down the arsonist. Then she discovers something more sinister: a vicious blackmailer who preys on young people and murders without hesitation. Making her work even harder is sexy firefighter David Hunter. He's not only sharing the case but sparking memories of their long-ago night of passion, when feelings were left unspoken and hearts were broken.

David has his own ghosts, and a million regrets. But while he and Olivia try to face the wall of pain between them, a diabolical puppet master is pulling strings to make a group of twentysomethings do his bidding. Soon Olivia and David are scouring the city for a calculating criminal who seems tantalizingly close--and is moving in for the kill.

I got to get this book the day it came out and get it signed by Ms Rose and it was very cool. She is a very nice lady. We talked a little bit about her books and then about Nora Roberts. Then I had to quit hogging her and let someone else talk to her. So of course when I got home I started on this one. Like most of her books it is long, but that allows for a lot of development. But it also works for me because if a book is too short sometimes I feel cheated or just sad because I want it to keep going.

This book comes after I Can See Her and is David Hunter's story. We have met him in some of the other stories but have not learned much about him. In this one all is revealed. (yay!) Great storyline. Suspenseful, and kept you moving. There were no downtimes where you felt the story was dragging or extra scenes that you kind of skim over.

The storyline is kind of intricate you have one main bad guy and then you have a group of mini bad guys who get in over their heads because of the main bad guy. David is a firefighter and gets called out to a fire and while there discovers a body in the building so homicides gets sent in. Enter Olivia, homicide detective and one-night stand that David had two years ago but has not forgotten. Olivia has been avoiding him since he moved there because of her embarrassment. And because she is the one who left and his memories of that night are spotty, David is keeping tabs on her but not talking to her either. Now they have to talk because there is a dead 16 year old.

I loved this book, it is a great addition to the series. If you like romantic suspense this is a great read for you.

I give it an A.

Bookstore Loot

2010-05-28T22:00:00.003-04:00

Well got to go to a book signing on Sunday (but forgot to bring my camera!) with Karen Rose and Karen Hawkins and Karen Kendall and Shauna Hart. Got my signed copy of just released Silent Scream (already finished it, great book, will post review later). Then went back later in the week to get more books :) here is what I grabbed.

Silent Scream by Karen Rose (signed!!!)

Pleasure of Sin by Shauna Hart (signed!!!)

Men of Danger anthology

Giving Chase (Chase Brothers Book 1) by Lauren Dane

Taking Chase (Chase brothers Book 2) by Lauren Dane

Branded as Trouble (Rough Rider series) by Lorelei James

Wild West Boys (Rough Riders anthology) by Lorelei James

Strong, Sleek and Sinful by Lorie O'Clare

April reads

2010-05-01T19:36:00.024-04:00

Queen of Song and Souls (Tairen Soul Book 4) by C L Wilson

Abandon the Night (Book 3) by Joss Ware

Delicious by Sherry Thomas

Broken by Shiloh Walker (reviewed at Book Binge)

Lion's Heat (Breed Book 21) by Lora Leigh

Rosemary and Rue (October Daye Book 1) by Seanan McGuire (B+)

Pleasure of a Dark Prince (Immortals After Dark Book 8) by Kresley Cole

Instant Temptation (Instant book 3) by Jill Shalvis (A)

A Local Habitation (October Daye Book 2) by Seanan McGuire (review at Book Binge)

Love Mode manga series by Yuki Shimizu (A-)

Silver Borne (Mercy Thompson Book 5) by Patricia Briggs (B-)

Marly's Choice by Lora Leigh (C+)

Undercover by Lauren Dane (re-read)

Strength in Numbers by Mandy Roth (review at Book Binge)

Saddlebroke by Darah Lace (review posted at Book Binge)

Desire Untamed (Feral Warriors Book 1) by Pamela Palmer (A)

Scenes of Passion by Suzanne Brockmann (re-read)

Obsession Untamed (Feral Warriors Book 2) by Pamela Palmer (A-)

Werewolf Me by Amarinda Jones (review to be posted at Book Binge)

19 books this month

Broken

2010-04-25T01:09:00.002-04:00

I have a review for Broken by Shiloh Walker up over at Book Binge here.

Quinn Rafferty is working as a bounty hunter for a private detective agency in St. Louis when a new neighbor catches his eye. He's drawn to her-but he has his own soul to mend before he can worry about anyone else.

Sarah McElyea is on the run, but not for the usual reasons a woman goes on the lam. She has a plan for her future. And as much as she finds herself attracted to her gruff, tough neighbor, she can't risk telling him the secrets she's hiding.

But Quinn must get closer to Sarah when she turns out to be the target of his new missing persons case, and both Quinn and Sarah will have to expose their true feelings-as well as their fragile hearts-if their love is to survive.

Flirt review

2010-04-10T15:44:00.001-04:00

Have a review of LKH's latest book Flirt over at Book Binge here

When Anita Blake meets with prospective client Tony Bennington, who is desperate to have her reanimate his recently deceased wife, she is full of sympathy for his loss. Anita knows something about love, and she knows everything there is to know about loss.

But what she also knows, though Tony Bennington seems unwilling to be convinced, is that the thing she can do as a necromancer isn't the miracle he thinks he needs. The creature that Anita could coerce to step out of the late Mrs. Bennington's grave would not be the lovely Mrs. Bennington. Not really. And not for long.

FYI: Free ebooks

2010-04-02T23:09:00.007-04:00

From All Romance E-books

but I think you have to be on their mailing list to find out what book it is that day. Today(April 2) is Slave by Cheryl Brooks. I can try to update this each day for the next book, but it might be easier to join their mailing list.

April 3 All Work & No Play (a M/M romance)
April 4 The Arrangement by Cat Grant (menage story)
April 5 Last Call: Kamikaze by Moira Rogers

Free eBook!

To celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd we are showcasing some great series books by offering the first in 21 series for free.

Each day from April 1 - April 21, there will be a new free eBook. Sample a new to you series and experience some fabulous authors you may have missed.

March reads

2010-04-01T18:16:00.001-04:00

What a Dragon Should Know (Dragon series Book 3) by G. A. Aiken (A)

Fantasy in Death (In Death Book 30) by J. D. Robb

The Big Bad Wolf (previously Fantasy Fix) (The Others 8) by Christine Warren

The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie (Highland Pleasures Book 1) by Jennifer Ashley (A)

Moon Awakening by Lucy Monroe (A-)
Slow Heat by Jill Shalvis (A-)
Fairyville by Emma Holly
The Executive's Engagement Contract by Maya Banks (B)
Embrace the Night Eternal (Book 2) by Joss Ware (A)

Price of Love by Shelley Munro (B+)
Born to be Wild (The Others Book 9) by Christine Warren (C)

Flirt (Anita Blake Book 18) by Laurell K. Hamilton (C) (reviewed on Book Binge)

Divine Misdemeanors (Merry Gentry Book 8) by Laurell K Hamilton (B+)

King of Sword and Sky (Tairen Soul Book 3) by C. L. Wilson (A-)

14 books this month

Price of Love

2010-03-29T16:27:00.000-04:00

Price of Love by Shelley Munro

Tiger Kersen Amat wants to marry leopard Jarita Namar. All he needs to do is find rubies for the bride price and woo the sexy shifter. Unknown to him Jarita is already interested. When they meet in the Burmese jungle sparks fly, along with love and laughter. Mutual pleasure explodes, sweet, erotic and compelling, until thieves intent on stealing rubies intrude. A disaster since without the rubies there’s no bride price and their courtship will be doomed. Obtaining Jarita, a jewel beyond price, as his mate might take more than rubies and seduction…

Ms Munro asked for some volunteer reviewers for some of her short stories and I was very happy to volunteer. This story was part of an anthology put out by Ellora's Cave called Risque Ruby, but it is also available on its own from Ellora's Cave.

This was a great short story. It had a good storyline, a little action, great love scenes and did not leave me with a feeling that I was missing something. I wanted more from this world but this chapter of it was complete.
These shifters live in the wilds of Thailand where they can roam without too much fear of regular humans. Kersen makes arrangements with Jarita's father for her hand but he has to court her to get her acceptance first without her knowing about the arrangement. While he is courting her they run into some bad guys and Jarita gets a chance to see if Kersen really wants her or a pretty statue to put on a shelf.

I enjoyed reading this story and would look forward to seeing more in this world.

Bone Magic

2010-03-23T16:22:00.004-04:00

I have a review up at Book Binge here for Bone Magic by Yasmine Galenorn. It is the 7th book in her Sisters of the Moon series.

Another equinox is here, and life's getting more tumultuous for the D'Artigo sisters. Smoky, the dragon of Camille's dreams, must choose between his family and her. Plus, the sisters can't locate the new demon general in town. And Camille's summoned to Otherworld, thinking she'll reunite with her long-lost soul mate Trillian. But once there, she must undergo a drastic ritual that will forever change her and those she loves.

Loss and happiness and a tribute

2010-03-19T20:50:00.004-04:00

this has been a rough end of the week for me. On Thursday I learned that one of my roommates from college died during childbirth. She had pre-eclampsia and was 35 weeks so they did an emergency C-section. The baby was born healthy but my friend died from intercranial bleeding. Now her husband, Matt, is left with four little ones and no wife.
I had grown apart from Kylee in the last few years but what I remember about her was how much life she had and how much she loved God. That is where I am getting my comfort, I know that she is now singing and dancing up with the angels and having a blast. with all this happening I found out that she had a blog that she occasionally posted to and I went back and started reading old posts. This is one that I read today and started crying because it is so her.

Hungry for Home

This week I had a conversation with a friend. It was difficult, sad, and full of truth at its purest. What was spoken was nothing to be argued with and yet it made me long for Home.

Last week Matt was gone for our staff retreat. I chose to stay home with the kids and it was difficult, fun, and full of laughter and some tears. I realized that I am deeply connected to Matt. The kind of connection that I am scared to admit. Part of me wants to believe that if I had to, I could make it on my own. But the truth is, I am a better person with him around. I laugh more, choose truth more, cry more for others, seek Christ more fervently, am sharpened and well...more like Jesus because he and I are deeply intertwined. It made me wonder what Home will be like, with all of us together in our purest form, tightly wound around eachother, depending on one another without self-protection, without reservation or fear.

I am longing for Home. I know this is good because I was never meant to nestle in here. The verse that has haunted me often is when Jesus is talking and says that birds have nests, foxes have dens, but the Son of man has no place to lay his head...it sobers this world up a bit. It keeps me from being intoxicated by what it has to offer. There is a line in a Rich Mullins song that says, "Nobody tells you when you get born here, how much you'll come to love it and how you'll never belong here. So I'll call you my country, but I'll be longing for my home. I wish that I could take you there with me."

What I do long for on this side of heaven is deep, intertwining friendships that never question the realm of purity and never tap into self-protection. There is a loneliness that subsides only for a little while, usually with a hug or a warm smile. But usually...usually it haunts me because I know I have no place to lay my head and weep.

Kylee, I will miss you but am happy that you are Home.

Blogger award

2010-03-16T11:26:00.000-04:00

I received this award from Tracy at Tracy's Place

I am supposed to list 10 things about myself, then pass the award on to some other bloggers! Okay, here it goes:

1. I teach music to elementary schoolers and love it!

2. I have three beautiful little girls.

3. I have a major sweet tooth, can never pass up a piece of chocolate or ice cream.

4. My whole family loves to read, we have 9 very full bookshelves in our house.

5. i love to sing, but my piano skills are sorely lacking.

6. I enjoy scrapbooking, but it usually gets pushed aside to read, alot less clean up.

7. I have lived in FL my entire life and only seen snow once when i was little.

8. I abhor housework, especially dishes. Waiting to win the lottery so I can hire a maid.

9. I have always wanted to visit England and Ireland.

10. I married a boy I dated in High School. We unintentionally ended up at the same college and got back together and got married.

I award this to some old friends and some new ones I am interested in knowing more about:

love this commercial

2010-03-09T21:41:00.001-05:00

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie

2010-03-07T08:33:00.005-05:00

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Highland Pleasures Book 1) by Jennifer Ashley (A)

The year is 1881. Meet the Mackenzie family--rich, powerful, dangerous, eccentric. A lady couldn't be seen with them without ruin. Rumors surround them--of tragic violence, of their mistresses, of their dark appetites, of scandals that set England and Scotland abuzz.
The youngest brother, Ian, known as the Mad Mackenzie, spent most of his young life in an asylum, and everyone agrees he is decidedly odd. He's also hard and handsome and has a penchant for Ming pottery and beautiful women.
Beth Ackerley, widow, has recently come into a fortune. She has decided that she wants no more drama in her life. She was raised in drama--an alcoholic father who drove them into the workhouse, a frail mother she had to nurse until her death, a fussy old lady she became constant companion to. No, she wants to take her money and find peace, to travel, to learn art, to sit back and fondly remember her brief but happy marriage to her late husband.
And then Ian Mackenzie decides he wants her.

At our first FL blogger meeting, Jill and I were talking as we were shopping and were discussing Jennifer Ashley's newest release because we both had it. Then she asked if I had read this book, I hadn't. She told me it was one of her favorites from 2009 so I had to go find it. My library had it so I grabbed it. I read it in one day. I am not a big historical reader as I prefer contemporaries and paranormals. I am very glad that I picked this up.

Lord Ian is a unique hero, and I loved that. For me he made the book. I loved his cluelessness. He was basically a historical nerd. He has an eidetic memory which means that he remembers everything he sees and hears. (Like Dr. Spencer Reid on Criminal Minds)

The story starts with Beth Ackerly being engaged to a nasty man named Mather. Ian warns her about Mather's predilictions and then proposes to her. Beth refuses but also breaks things off with Mather.

Beth is a strong heroine. She was raised in the slums but met a nice lady who hired her and then left Beth her wealthy estate when she died. She is an interesting blend of strength and naivete. Because of that naivete and optimism she does have one or two TSTL moments but I still liked her.

Ian, because of his memory, lack of social understanding and a couple of other things was put into an asylum when he was a child. His brother got him released years later after their father's death. But he is still labeled by most as "mad" because of his mannerisms and difficulty focusing on what is going on. I loved his character. It was such a nice change from the usual rakish characters in historicals.

Loved this book, I give it an A. Thanks Jill for the recommendation :)

Here is Jill's review as well.

February reads

2010-02-28T01:08:00.005-05:00

Nauti Deceptions (Nauti Book 5) by Lora Leigh (C+)
Laced with Desire anthology by Jaci Burton, Jasmine Haynes, Joey W. Hill, Denise Rossetti (reviewed on Book Binge)

Dragon Actually (Dragon series Book 1) by G. A. Aiken (A-)

Shadowlight (Kyndred Book 1) by Lynn Viehl (C+)

Lake Magic by Kimberly Fisk (reviewed on Book Binge)

Ravenous (The Dark Forgotten Book 1) by Sharon Ashwood (A-)

Pride Mates (Shifter Book 1) by Jennifer Ashley (B)

The Mane Squeeze (Pride Book 4) by Shelley Laurenston (B-)

Coming Undone by Lauren Dane (A-)

Running Wild (Wild Book 1) by Sarah McCarty (re-read) (A)

Wild Instinct (Wild Book 2) by Sarah McCarty (B+)

Raw, Rough and Ready (Rough Riders Book 5) by Lorelei James (B-)

About a Dragon (Dragon series book 2) by G. A. Aiken (A)

Mysteria anthology (re-read) (B)

Beyond the Night by Joss Ware (B)

Bone Magic (Sisters of the Moon Book 7) by Yasmine Galenorn (reviewed on Book Binge)

Scorched (Dark Forgotten Book 2) by Sharon Ashwood

17 books this month.

My Favorite read: Coming Undone by Lauren Dane or Raw, Rough and Ready by Lorelei James

Least Favorite read: Shadowlight by Lynn Viehl

Laced with Desire

2010-02-19T19:58:00.003-05:00

I have a guest review of Laced with Desire anthology up at Book Binge here. It was a great book, check it out.

No Strings Attached by Jaci Burton

Jaci Burton breaks the rule of mixing business with pleasure when two professional rivals cross paths at a tropical resort. She figures she can handle a fling with no strings attached. He's out to show her that she figured wrong.

La Petit Mort by Jasmine Haynes

Jasmine Haynes explores the lust of a former supermodel who needs to finally fulfill a no-holds-barred sexual fantasy. Finding two men to do it with is easy. But are they up to giving her all the pleasure she's been denied?

Honor Bound by Joey W. Hill

Joey W. Hill reveals the erotic bond between a master and the beautiful submissive who stole his heart. Recapturing their night of unparalleled passion won't be easy—until a specific piece of lingerie comes into play.

Rhio's Dancer by Denise Rossetti

Denise Rossetti goes beyond the limits of desire when she pairs a battle-scarred veteran of love and war with a woman who's just as fearless and twice as dangerous. What happens between them is positively combustible. But what a way to go.

Lake Magic

2010-02-15T13:35:00.000-05:00

I have a guest review up of Lake Magic by Kimberly Fisk over at Book Binge here.

After the loss of her fiancé Steven, Jenny Beckinsdale has more than a broken heart to deal with-their fledgling seaplane service is going under. In debt to Steven's best friend and fellow Navy pilot, she plans to convince the sexy, cynical flyboy to help save the business...and in the process these two lost souls may find they're saving each other.

Get together and new books

2010-02-14T04:39:00.007-05:00

I met up with Jill D. from Romance Rookie yesterday and went to Panera for lunch then headed over to B and L Books to do some shopping. We had a bunch of responses from other people but they could not make it this weekend. But are going to meet up with us next time. I realized after Jill and I parted ways that I did not take any pictures of us. Next time. I had a great time, it is so nice to shop with someone else who loves to read. But got a nice score of books.

from B and L:

Coming Undone by Lauren Dane

Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews

Raw, Rough and Ready by Lorelei James

Fairyville by Emma Holly

Beyond the Night by Joss Ware

Wild Instinct by Sarah McCarthy

The Street Where She Lives by Jill Shalvis

Long, Lean and Lethal by Lorie O' Clare

Traded with Jill for:

For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper

Lone Star Surrender by Lisa Renee Jones

Lessons in French by laura Kinsale

Breathless by Laura Le Guhrke

The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy by Sara Angelini

Valentine contest

2010-02-06T00:57:00.005-05:00

The ladies at Breezing through Books are having their 2nd annual Valentine contest. Check it out here, they are giving away some good books. But hurry, the contest ends on Saturday the 13th.

January reads

2010-01-31T21:56:00.000-05:00

Covet (Fallen Angels Book 1) by JR Ward

Happy Hour at Casa Dracula (Casa Dracula Book 1) by Marta Acosta

Beyond the Dark anthology (re-read)
Heart Change (Celta Book 8) by Robin D. Owens

Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James

Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James

The First Sin (Lexi Steele Book 1) by Cheyenne McCray (re-read)

The Second Betrayal (Lexi Steele Book 2) by Cheyenne McCray
Night's Cold Kiss (Dark Brethren Book 1) by Tracey O'Hara
Blaze of Memory (Psy-changling book 7) by Nalini Singh

Kindred in Death (In Death Book 30) by JD Robb

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

Skin Game by Ava Gray

Sea Glass (Opal Book 2) by Maria Snyder

The Mane Event (Pride Book 1) by Shelley Laurenston (re-read)

The Beast in Him (Pride Book 2) by Shelley Laurenston (re-read)

The Mane Attraction (Pride Book 3) by Shelley Laurenston (re-read)

17 books this month

Shout out to FL book bloggers

2010-01-28T19:31:00.001-05:00

This is shout out to any FL book bloggers. Jill D. from Romance Rookie and I are organizing a Central FL book blogger get together. On February 13th, we will be meeting in Orlando for lunch and then heading out book shopping. Please email me at froggykm at gmail dot com if you are interested in joining us. We plan on doing this regularly, so be sure to send me an email if you are interested, even if the 13th doesn't work for you. We want to make sure you are on the list for next time. Details will go out via email as soon as everything is nailed down.

Hope to hear from you :)

Firefly Lane

2010-01-26T16:47:00.002-05:00

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

In the turbulent summer of 1974, Kate Mularkey has accepted her place at the bottom of the eighth-grade social food chain. Then, to her amazement, the “coolest girl in the world” moves in across the street and wants to be her friend. Tully Hart seems to have it all---beauty, brains, ambition. On the surface they are as opposite as two people can be: Kate, doomed to be forever uncool, with a loving family who mortifies her at every turn. Tully, steeped in glamour and mystery, but with a secret that is destroying her. They make a pact to be best friends forever; by summer’s end they’ve become TullyandKate. Inseparable.

So begins Kristin Hannah’s magnificent new novel. Spanning more than three decades and playing out across the ever-changing face of the Pacific Northwest, Firefly Lane is the poignant, powerful story of two women and the friendship that becomes the bulkhead of their lives.

From the beginning, Tully is desperate to prove her worth to the world. Abandoned by her mother at an early age, she longs to be loved unconditionally. In the glittering, big-hair era of the eighties, she looks to men to fill the void in her soul. But in the buttoned-down nineties, it is television news that captivates her. She will follow her own blind ambition to New York and around the globe, finding fame and success . . . and loneliness.

Kate knows early on that her life will be nothing special. Throughout college, she pretends to be driven by a need for success, but all she really wants is to fall in love and have children and live an ordinary life. In her own quiet way, Kate is as driven as Tully. What she doesn’t know is how being a wife and mother will change her . . . how she’ll lose sight of who she once was, and what she once wanted. And how much she’ll envy her famous best friend. . . .

For thirty years, Tully and Kate buoy each other through life, weathering the storms of friendship---jealousy, anger, hurt, resentment. They think they’ve survived it all until a single act of betrayal tears them apart . . . and puts their courage and friendship to the ultimate test.

Firefly Lane is for anyone who ever drank Boone’s Farm apple wine while listening to Abba or Fleetwood Mac. More than a coming-of-age novel, it’s the story of a generation of women who were both blessed and cursed by choices. It’s about promises and secrets and betrayals. And ultimately, about the one person who really, truly knows you---and knows what has the power to hurt you . . . and heal you. Firefly Lane is a story you’ll never forget . . . one you’ll want to pass on to your best friend.

I got this book from a friend who was doing a house

party or something like that. In the program they

gave her like 12 copies of the book and she is
supposed to give them out to friends and then meet

later with everyone to discuss it. I guess it is kind of

like a book club, but they give you the book.

Well, it is a big book and it took a little while for me to
get into it because it is not a romance and I very rarely

read books that have not romantic element in them.

But yesterday and today I was hooked. I started

reading during my lunch time today and could not
stop. It was the end of the book and I could not put

it down and I just kept crying and reading.

The book was very well written. I loved how she moved

time in the story because the book spanned about 30

years so time was advanced by Tully's hairstyle,

clothes and what she reported on that year. So it was

cool to reminisce as I read. I do not remember

everything they mentioned but I remembered a lot of it.

This book was a great friendship book. And very

emotional as well. It was kind of like reading a very

intensive Beaches. Of which I have never read that

book but loved the movie. I say intensive because you

become a lot closer reading about the characters

and hearing their thoughts and emotions than when

you watch a movie. Which is one reason why I love

reading.

But great read. I give it an A.

Night's Cold Kiss

2010-01-18T21:07:00.003-05:00

Night's Cold Kiss (Dark Brethren Book 1) by Tracey O'Hara

The tension between the Aeternus, an ancient vampiric people, and humanity has been mounting for over a century. But when rogue vampires begin to drain humans in order to achieve an illegal blood-high, all bets are off.

After the death of her parents, Antoinette Petrescu devoted her life to becoming one of the top Venators, the elite hunters who destroy the rogue Necrodreniacs. Her kill count is legendary and her skills superb.

But now the serial killer who killed her parents has returned. And to stop him Antoinette must join forces not only with the Aeternus, but also their most legendary killer. One that is both dangerously attractive, and involved in buried secrets of her past. More dangerous still, a dark attraction grows between them--one that could doom both races.

I grabbed this book from my library because I liked the cover. Than I read the cover quote by Nalini Singh and the back of the book and took it home. I really enjoyed it. It was a interesting new world. New spin on the vampire lure, I would say similar to Lynsay Sands' series, but still different. Great start to a series and I look forward to reading the next book.

Antoinette was a great strong character, she was a kick-butt huntress with a quick mind and sarcastic mouth. Christian is a strong, sexy hunter who has gone through a lot in the time that he has lived and is determined not to get his heart broken again.

I believe this is her first book and i definitely look forward to reading more by her.

2009 year in review

2010-01-02T09:21:00.001-05:00

Well this was a decent read for reading. Some great books came out this year and for me this was the year for re-reads. Thanks to Nath for her Re-read Challenge and to my lack of finances that do not allow me to get new books. I had 52 re-reads this year.

January 2009 (28 books)
Favorite book: King of Sword and Sky by CL Wilson

February (17 books)
Favorite book: Dark of Night by Suzanne Brockmann

March (18 books)
Favorite book: Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs

Honorable Mention: Relentless by Lauren Dane

April (21 books)
Favorite book: Education of Madeline by Beth Williamson

Honorable Mentions: Animal Attractions by Charlene Teglia

Bound by Please by Lilli Feisty

May (19 books)
Favorite book: Deadline by Chris Butcher

Honorable Mention: Cowgirl Up and Ride by Lorelei James

June (17 books)
Favorite book: Blue Diablo by Ann Aguire

July (26 books)
Favorite book: Double Play by Jill Shalvis

August (25 books)

Favorite book: Laid Bare by Lauren Dane

Honorable Mentions: I Can See You by Karen Rose

Inferno by Bianca D'Arc

September (16 books)

Favorite book: Gentle Rain by Deborah Smith

October (19 books)
Favorite book: Sweet Seduction by Maya Banks

Honorable Mention: Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon

The Boys Back Home by Sierra DaFoe

November (20 books)
Favorite book: Very Much Alive by Dana Marie Bell

Honorable Mention: Letters to Kelly by Suzanne Brockmann

December (20 books)
Favorite book: Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs

Honorable Mentions: Shifting Plains by Jean Johnson (with the exception of the cover)

Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts

Total 246 books for the year.

December reads

2010-01-01T22:38:00.001-05:00

Kiss of a Demon King (Immortals after Dark Book 6) by Kresley Cole
Bed of Roses (Bride Quartet Book 2) by Nora Roberts (A)
Hunting Ground (Alpha and Omega Book 2) by Patricia Briggs (A)
Thief of Light (Pentacle Book 2) by Denise Rossetti (C) guest review at Book Binge
Witchcraft by Jayne Ann Krentz (DNF)
Shifting Plains (Sons of Destiny spinoff) by Jean Johnson (A) guest review at Book Binge
Lady Emeline's Remedy by Cynthia Moore (C+)
Their One and Only by Trista Ann Michaels (re-read)
The Firefighter anthology (re-read)
Truly, Madly (Lucy Valentine Book 1) by Heather Webber (A-)

SEALed with a Ring (SEALed Book 3) by Mary Margret Daughtridge (B+)
Just Between Friends by Dakota Trace (ebook) (B)
Dying to Please by Linda Howard (re-read)
Moving Target (Rarities Unlimited Book 1) by Elizabeth Lowell (re-read)
Cowboy by J M Snyder (ebook) (C-)
Ice by Linda Howard (C-)

Running Scared (Rarities Unlimited Book 2) by Elizabeth Lowell (re-read)
Bastards and Pretty Boys by KZ Snow (ebook) (B-)
Four Love (By the Numbers Book 4) by Riley Ashford (ebook) (B-)

19 books this month

Moving Target and Running Scared Re-read challenge

2009-12-31T09:31:00.001-05:00

I re-read a few books this month. I decided to write about two books on my keeper shelves that I re-read this month. The first two books in the Rarities trilogy. They were both as great as I remembered. They get alot of mixed reviews because they are very heavy on details and the art side of things. I love that though, humanities was my favorite subject in college so I loved all the history technical stuff. the romance is good but in this series the story is more and the romance is more of a sideline.

Moving Target (Rarities Unlimited Book 1) by Elizabeth Lowell

The troubling message from Serena Charters's late grandmother appears in a package containing four pages of a centuries-old illuminated manuscript -- a strange inheritance that hides many secrets...and has already cost many lives. Seeking answers, Serena turns to Erik North of Rarities Unlimited, a reclusive manuscript appraiser with a passion for the past. Without warning, they are thrust together into the center of a lethal firestorm that rages between two worlds -- one long dead, yet living on in an ancient text, the other chillingly alive and fraught with peril. In the blink of an eye, Serena and Erik have become targets of an unseen and determined stalker as they get closer to shocking revelations about Serena's legacy, the cold murder of an eccentric old woman in the heat of the Mojave Desert...and just how far a remorseless killer is willing to go. And now their only slim hope of survival is to keep moving.

This was my first ever romantic suspense book. I was a late bloomer for romance reading. This is not the first time I have re-read it but I still enjoyed it. It is not as HOT as some of the books I read now, but it has a great storyline. I love books that deal with the art/antiquities world. I will definitely be keeping on my shelf.

Running Scared (Rarities Unlimited Book 2) by Elizabeth Lowell

In the scorching heat of the Southwestern desert, afrightened old man knows his time is quickly running out ... as the lethal secret he protects can be hidden no longer.Risa Sheridan knows everything about gold -- its mysteries, its allure, its perils. Her boss, Shane Tannahill -- owner of the ultra-successful Las Vegas gambling mecca, the Golden Fleece -- is addicted to the stuff. Now an ancient Celtic piece is being offered to Shane for his collection, with the promise of more to come, and the casino owner is hooked. But though she shares Shane's enthusiasm, Risa is wary -- because something about this particular artifact is mysterious and troubling, something that says "stay away." It is a voice that should be heeded, because soon people are dying all around them. And whether it's an ancient curse that has taken hold of their lives or the simple, murderous greed of unscrupulous adversaries, there is suddenly no place in the surreal, blinding glitter of Vegas for Risa and Shane to hide.

I think I like the first book more than this one, but i still enjoyed this one. If you did not like the first book then you probably will not like this one. It was same style of story and writing just different characters that you meet in the first book.

Christmas and Ice

2009-12-27T15:41:00.007-05:00

I hope everyone had a great holiday. My family and i are having a bummy day today around the house. It is great. Our holiday was great, and we had a fun time.
I got three books this year and have already finished one of them. Look at what i got :)

Ice by Linda Howard

’Tis the season for mistletoe and holly, Santa . . . and suspense. And the gift that keeps on giving is Ice: premier thriller author Linda Howard’s breathless tale of a man, a woman, and a battle for survival against an unforgiving winter–and an unrelenting killer. Oh what fun it is to read.

Gabriel McQueen has only just arrived home on holiday leave from the service when his county-sheriff father sends him back out again with new marching orders. A brewing ice storm, and a distant neighbor who’s fallen out of contact, have the local lawman concerned. So he enlists Gabriel to make the long haul to the middle of nowhere, and make sure Lolly Helton is safe and sound. It’s a trip the younger McQueen would rather not make given the bitter winter weather–and the icy conditions that have always existed between him and Lolly.

But there’s no talking back when your dad is the town’s top cop. And there’ s no turning back when night falls just as Gabriel arrives–and discovers that the weather outside isn’t the only thing that’s frightful. Spotting strangers in Lolly’ s home–one of them packing a weapon–is all it takes to kick Gabriel into combat mode. And his stealth training is all he needs to extract Lolly from the house without alerting her captors. But when the escape is discovered, the heat–and the hunt–are on. And the winter woods are nowhere to be once the ice storm touches down, dropping trees, blocking roads, and trapping the fleeing pair in the freezing dark.

This is the one I have read already. I was not that great. It was an okay short story but definitely would not pay hardback prices for it. I would recommend getting a library copy of this and waiting for paperback, if that. There was nothing that was horrible about it but it was very blah and same old, same old. I would give it a 2.5 out of 5.

Covet (Fallen Angels Book 1) by JR Ward

Redemption isn't a word Jim Heron knows much about-his specialty is revenge, and to him, sin is all relative. But everything changes when he becomes a fallen angel and is charge with saving the souls of seven people from the seven deadly sins. And failure is not an option. Vin DiPietro long ago sold his soul to his business, and he's good with that-until fate intervenes in the form of a tough- talking, Harley-riding, self-professed savior. But then he meets a woman who will make him question his destiny, his sanity, and his heart-and he has to work with a fallen angel to win her over and redeem his own soul.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austin and Seth Grahame-Smith

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains." So begins PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES, an expanded edition of the beloved Jane Austen novel featuring all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem. As our story opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton - and the dead are returning to life! Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but she's soon distracted by the arrival of the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy. What ensues is a delightful comedy of manners with plenty of civilized sparring between the two young lovers - and even more violent sparring on the blood-soaked battlefield as Elizabeth wages war against hordes of flesh-eating undead. Can she vanquish the spawn of Satan? And overcome the social prejudices of the class-conscious landed gentry? Complete with romance, heartbreak, swordfights, cannibalism, and thousands of rotting corpses, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES transforms a masterpiece of world literature into something you'd actually want to read.

Truly Madly

2009-12-20T08:23:00.004-05:00

Truly, Madly (Lucy Valentine Book 1) by Heather Webber

Lucy Valentine is as smart as can be, as single as you can get, and so not qualified to run a matchmaking service. But when her parents temporarily step down from the family business, Valentine, Inc., it’s Lucy’s turn to step up and help out—in the name of love.

Plus, her rent is due.

Here’s the problem: Lucy doesn’t have the knack for matchmaking. According to family legend, every Valentine has been blessed by Cupid with the ability to read “auras” and pair up perfect couples. But not Lucy. Her skills were zapped away years ago in an electrical surge, and now all she can do is find lost objects. What good is that in the matchmaking world? You’d be surprised. In a city like Boston, everyone’s looking forsomething. So when Lucy locates a missing wedding ring—on a dead body—she asks the sexy private eye who lives upstairs to help her solve the perfect crime. And who knows? Maybe she’ll find the perfect love while she’s at it…

Very fun book. Won it from LibraryThing as an ARC, it comes out in February 2010. It is the start of a new series about a misfit in a line of matchmakers. Since this is the start of the series, the romance aspect is still developing fully. But we did meet the hero, Sean, and they make an interesting team. She has a vision of a dead body and solicits Sean's help in finding it, though does not give him any details. No one is supposed to know about her psychic abilities and she ends up outting herself while she is trying to help some people. The ending was great and I look forward to reading the next in the series.

Great light-hearted paranormal, I give it an A-.

Shifting Plains

2009-12-12T01:07:00.003-05:00

I have another guest review up at Book Binge for the book, Shifting Plains (in the Sons of Destiny series) by Jean Johnson. If you want to see it check it out here. It is a great book, here is a bit about it.

Centuries before the time of the Sons of Destiny, a female shapeshifter became the leader of the people of the Shifting Plains...

Tava Ell Var never really knew her mother, but she did know her tragic fate at the hands of a band of cruel shapeshifters-a history set down by Tava's father as a warning about life on the Shifting Plains. But after her father is murdered, Tava encounters a Shifterai warband fighting to rid the Plains of the terrorizing bandits

Shifterai leader Kodan Sin Siin is sympathetic to Tava's suffering, but he's determined to bring the wary young woman to the Plains. Because he knows her secret: She, like he and his men, is a shapeshifter. Once she joins them, he knows that she will see for herself the true fate that awaits her on the Plains, and most of all, lose her fear of his people. And, in time, he knows she will find her place is in their fight-and by his side.

Thief of Light

2009-12-10T18:52:00.001-05:00

I have a guest review of Thief of Light by Denise Rossetti up at Book Binge here.

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In the subtropical city of Caracole, Erik the Golden is widely known as irresistible-his Voice an instrument of incredible pleasure. But the Voice is a curse as much as a blessing, for once Erik used it to steal a soul, and now he must pay.

Pruella Takimori McGuire is the business manager for the beautiful courtesans of the Garden of Nocturnal Delights. She deals in numbers, not Magick, and when Erik turns his charms in her direction, she sees only vanity, not a golden gift. If Erik cannot use his power to win Prue's heart, how can he truly possess her?

And all the while, a far darker power corrupts the foundations of Caracole-the Necromancer, who feasts on souls. When the Necromancer's hired assassin kidnaps Prue, Erik must harness his air Magick to recover the woman he has come to love more than life itself.

November reads

2009-12-03T06:33:00.002-05:00

Well, sorry for the late post. Since thanksgiving i have not been online much. A lot going on and my computer is dying so am trying to extend its life as much as I can.
20 books read this month; 12 of them were re-reads

A Bride in the Bargain by Deanne Gist (B)
The Mountain's Call (White Magic trilogy Book 1) by Caitlin Brennan (C+)
Shadow Dance by Susan Andersen (re-read)
Letters to Kelly by Suzanne Brockmann (re-read)
A Man like Mac by fay Robinson (re-read)
Mouth to Mouth by Erin McCarthy (re-read)
Mackenzie's Mountain by Linda Howard (re-read)
Mackenzie's Mission by Linda Howard (re-read)
Mackenzie's Pleasure by Linda Howard (re-read)
Bad Attitude by Sherrilyn Kenyon (re-read)
Born to be Bad by Sherrilyn Kenyon (re-read)
Tied Up and Tied Down by Lorelei James (A-)
Bengal's Heart (Breed Book ??) by Lora Leigh (B+)
Very Much Alive (True Destiny Book 1) by Dana Marie Bell (A-)
Beyond the Rain by Jessa Granger (B)
SEALed with a Promise (SEALed Book 2) by Mary Margret Daughtridge (B)
Firedrake (Dragon Knights Book 6) by Bianca D'Arc (B+)
One Bite with a Stranger (The Others Book 1; expanded version of Fantasy Fix) by Christine Warren (re-read)
Fur Factor (The Others Book 2) by Christine Warren (re-read)
Wolf at the Door (The Others Book 4) by Christine Warren (re-read)

New to me books

2009-11-17T19:45:00.004-05:00

well my birthday was this past weekend, I feel so old. Like always, I told my hubby that I wanted books. He refuses to bookshop for me, with good reason, so he gave me some money and said to go get what I want. I immediately went to my ubs (I love my store, this is their website, if you are ever in the Orlando area and want to go shopping, check it out). and this is what I brought home.

Tied Up and Tied Down by Lorelei James
SEALed with a Promise by Mary Margret Daughtridge
Bengal's Heart by Lora Leigh
Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole
Stand-in Groom by Suzanne Brockmann
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (to replace my copy that I gave my sis)
and I was such a good little wifey that I bought my hubby two books for a fantasy series (The Death Gate Cycle) that he is collecting that he did not have.

Then I still hada little money left to get a couple of e-books. I got
Firedrake by Bianca D'Arc
Very Much Alive by Dana Marie Bell

October reads

2009-11-03T10:07:00.001-05:00

Mystic Warrior (Book 3) by Patricia Rice (B)
The Boys Back Home by Sierra DaFoe (re-read) (A)
Sexy Devil by Sasha White (re-read) (B+)
The Tiger Within by Viki Lyn (B-)
Once a Cowboy by Linda Warren (B-)
What Do You Say to a Naked Elf? by Cheryl Sterling (re-read) (B-)
Laid Bare by Lauren Dane (re-read) (A)
Sweet Restraint by Beth Kery (C+)
Baby.com by Molly Liholm (B-)
The Badge and the Baby by Alison Kent (C)
The Undercover Princess by Suzanne Brockmann (B)
Night Play (Dark-Hunter Book 6) by Sherrilyn Kenyon (re-read) (A-)
Sweet Surrender by Maya Banks (re-read) (A-)
Sweet Persuasion by Maya Banks (A-)
Sweet Seduction by Maya Banks (A-)
Bitten (Women of hte Otherworld Book 1) by Kelley Armstrong (re-read) (A)
SEALed With a Kiss by Mary Margret Daughtridge (re-read) (A)
Surviving Demon Island by Jaci Burton (re-read) (B)
Hunting the Demon by Jaci Burton (B-)

Breakdown
19 reads total; 9 re-reads; 8 from my tbr pile; 2 won from recent contest

Re-read challenge and Halloween

2009-11-01T06:16:00.009-05:00

Well, I have not posted at all this month. I blame that on my laziness, busyness and lack of desire to review. I have done a lot of re-reads this month and that makes it heard to decide what to review.
We have been having financial difficulties this month so reviewing has taken a back burner. My hubby has basically been out of work for a year now and like many people are struggling to pay bills, but he just got a part time computer job that will give us some regular income!!! yay!
Halloween was a blast this year. I do not post pics as often as i should but I will today.
Oldest was an American Girl (from the book series), Medium was a Fairy princess (costume of her own choosing from her dress up box) and baby was an angel.

We went Trick or Treating last night and the girls had a blast. They were excited that they saw no one else with their costumes on. Though we did see some adorable ones. I was surprised that i saw no other angel costumes, of any age. I guess it is not the fashion right now.

Anyway, I had many re-reads this month (9 of them) so picking what to review is hard. I decided to go with one of my oldest books and i have been saying that I was going to re-read it for years but haven't. I have been going through my books and keep debating over getting rid of this series or not because I am not reading them any more but I was thinking of re-reading all of them and then re-evaluating. But I remembered this being my favorite so I picked it up again.

Night Play (Dark-Hunter Book 6) by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Bride McTierney has had it with men. They're cheap, self-centered, and never love her for who she is. But though she prides herself on being independent, deep down she still yearns for a knight in shining armor.

She just never expected her knight in shining armor to have a shiny coat of fur...

Deadly and tortured, Vane Kattalakis isn't what he seems. Most women lament that their boyfriends are dogs. In Bride's case, hers is a wolf. A Were-Hunter wolf. Wanted dead by his enemies, Vane isn't looking for a mate. But the Fates have marked Bride as his. Now he has three weeks to either convince Bride that the supernatural is real or he will spend the rest of his life neutered--something no self-respecting wolf can accept...

But how does a wolf convince a human to trust him with her life when his enemies are out to end his? In the world of the Were-Hunters, it really is dog-eat-dog. And only one alpha male can win.

I loved this book for the characters. Bride (unique name too) is a beautiful woman that is a size 18 and i love when the heroine is not a tiny, petite doll. Because I cannot relate to that (of course I cannot really relate to having a relationship with a vampire or werewolf or anything like that either but I digress), I have never been the smallest. I was always the tallest kid in the class until like sometime in middle school when others started to catch up. So I like that she is not your typical heroine body type. I loved Vane and all the crap he went through but was still a good man. I am really interested in reading Fury and Fangs' stories. The storyline was very good, but my favorite part was the relationship between them. He treated her awesomely and loved her body and self the way she was.
I keep this one at an A. This is still on my keeper shelf and even if I get rid of the rest of the series I will keep this one.

September Reads

2009-10-02T11:14:00.000-04:00

16 books this month not as good as other months but have been very busy and very tired. My oldest (7 years old) has been going through a waking up in the middle of the night scared phase. So she crawls into bed with me and wakes me up and have to walk her back and get her back to sleep. I feel like I am doing nightly feedings again and not getting enough sleep, so her and I are both tired all the time. Last night i fell asleep really early at 9pm so that was nice, but then got woken up at 2am with her. I hope she gets over it soon.

Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock Book 1) by Faith Hunter
Daring the Moon by Sherrill Quinn
The Tycoon's Secret Affair (Anetakis Tycoons Book 3) by Maya Banks
Hunted (book 5) by PC and Kristen Cast
Dying Bites (Bloodhound book 1) by DD Barant (for Book Binge)
Sapphire Dream by Pamela Montgomerie (for Book Binge)
Angels Fall by Nora Roberts
Call Me by Alison Kent
The Heartbreak Kid (sequel to Call Me) by Alison Kent
Tex Appeal anthology
Shameless Embraces by Lora Leigh
The Bride-Finder by Susan Carroll (Re-read)
Skin Deep by Anna J. Evans
Pride by Rachel Vincent
A Gentle Rain by Deborah Smith
A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban (cute young reader book, pre-teen)

Re-read challenge The Bride Finder

2009-09-30T06:28:00.004-04:00

The Bride Finder (Book 1) by Susan Carroll
Chosen by the Bride Finder, a man blessed with amazing insight, Madeline Breton has come to Cornwall to meet her new husband, the enigmatic Anatole St. Leger. But her dream of happiness soon diffuses in his overpowering shadow. Anatole knows only too well the legacies that to him have been more curses than gifts. But as Madeline embarks on an odyssey both otherworldly and undeniably real, she and her husband fall hopelessly in love--until she sees a haunting vision of murder and a terrifying enemy emerges to threaten both their lives. . . .

I saw this book on my shelf (mine is the old cover) and it has been one that I have been wanting ot re-read for a while so I grabbed it before I could change my mind. I have only read this book once and it was about 5 years ago. But I kept it for a reason and could not remember why until I read it again. This book brought tears to my eyes at least once. I think I am just that sappy but it did. Them both trying so hard in their own way to make things work and it missing over and over for a while was hard to watch. But reading about how his mother treated him and how he was raised made me cry. Anatole was a great tortured hero. Madeline, of course, was a perfect foil for him.
Anatole's family has psychic powers passed on to them by a sorcerous ancestor. Anatole's gifts (or curse as he sees it) are to see glimpses of hte future but he always ends up seing bad things and cannot change them no matter how he tries, and telekenesis, moving things with his mind. but within his family there are many legends and one of those says that St. Legers can only marry the woman chosen for them by The Bride Finder. If they marry someone else then disaster will occur for them. Anatole reluctantly sends the bridefinder out to find his bride for him, but gives the finder a list of attributes he wants in a woman thinking to pick someone he could live with but not fall in love with. the Finder comes back with a very disillusioned madeline who is not at all what he had in mind for a wife. But then he is definitely not what she had in mind either.
This was written in 1999 and in some ways shows that but not too much, I thought it was a great book and am glad that I finally re-read it. There are two more books about the St. Legers. the next one is Night-drifter and then Midnight Bride. I have Night-drifer and plan to re-read that one too.

Gentle Rain

2009-09-28T16:28:00.000-04:00

A Gentle Rain by Deborah Smith

A Connecticut heiress. A Florida cowboy.

Her secret. His heart.

And the very special family she's come home to find.

I won this a while ago from LibraryThing and never got around to reading it. I started it yesterday and finished it up today and really enjoyed it. It takes place in South Florida on a ranch. Now with me being raised in FL I loved the history and the backwoods (Cracker) culture. It took me a little bit to get hooked but once I was I had a hard time putting it down.
The story is told First person but switches back and forth between Ben and Kara, but it tells you at every section who is POV it is from. I am not a big fan of 1st person but I had no problem reading this one.
Ben is a poor Florida cowboy with a little brother with Down syndrome who he has been taking care of by himself since he was 16. Kara is a wealthy environmentalist who is now set adrift when her parents die and she finds out that she was adopted.
Ben has a unique little ranch that he has built unintentionally around a group of misfits. Most of the people at his ranch have some sort of disability (most mental) and he has made them a home. They all contribute and earn their keep and are productive on the ranch.
Kara has grown up following her wealthy parents around the world as they try to better the environment and learn from various native tribes in South America. She speaks many languages and has a great boarding school education, but dreads the limelight and wants a simple life. When her parents die and she find out that she was adopted, she wants to find her birth parents. When they turn out to be not exactly what she expected she stays to learn more about them. Under a pseudonym, which you know always bites you in the butt later.
The characters were great. Ben and Kara were very believable and the secondary characters were awesome and a lot of fun. I would definitely recommend this to any romance reader.
4 out of 5 stars from me

PS, the bedroom door was closed, so you could also let teenagers read it as well.

Pride and life

2009-09-26T19:46:00.004-04:00

Well, school is going well as is home, just busy so have not been around much online. I have a fine on my library account and cannot pay it until we have more money so cannot check out any library books. It is killing me, but on the bright side it is forcing me to read from my tbr pile. I spent about four days this week picking up books and putting them back down until I got to this one. Apparently it was what I was in the mood to read.

Pride (Shifter series Book 3) by Rachel Vincent

Here's hoping cats do have nine lives... I’m on trial for my life. Accused of infecting my human ex-boyfriend—and killing him to cover up the crime. Infecting a human is one of three capital offenses recognized by the Pride—along with murder and disclosure of our existence to a human. I’m two for three. A goner. Now we've discovered a rogue stray terrorizing the mountainside, hunting a wild teenage tabbycat. It's up to us to find and stop him. With my lover Marc's help, I think I can protect the vulnerable tabby from both the ambitious rogue and the scheming of the territorial council. If I survive my own trial…

This book picks up where the last one left off. Faythe is on trial by a three person Tribunal to decide if she is guilty of murder or if it was self-defense. One of hte guys on the Tribunal has it out for her and even though they have never killed a tabby before he is pushing for it saying that she is not planning on getting married and having children so she should be treated as a male would be. then things get interrupted by a new tabby showing up that no one has ever heard of and Faythe is the only one that she will talk to.

Good story, definitely looking forward to the next book. good addition to the series.

The Marquis and The Duke

2009-09-12T22:10:00.000-04:00

I read these last month and wanted to post about them and just got the chance so I am :)
Well, I was looking for new books in my library's catalog and seeing if they had any new Samhain books and came across these two. I do not read historicals often but these two were very good I would recommend them as nice reads, they are not light and fluffy but not really dark either.

The Marquis (Gypsy Legacy Book 1) by Denise Patrick

One promise, two pendants…love that was destined to be.

Lady Christina Kenton’s life is turned upside down when her gypsy great-grandmother gives her a pendant, along with a deathbed request—Tina must promise to marry only the man wearing its mate. But Tina cannot bring herself to make the promise, for her late stepfather has already pledged her hand to his long-absent heir.

Jay Collings, now the Marquis of Thanet, returns to England after an eighteen-year absence to honor a promise to a gypsy who once aided him, only to discover he must break his vow in order to secure his inheritance. The last thing he wants is a wife chosen by the father he despised.

Tina’s gentle strength touches Jay in ways no other woman has. And, unknown to them both, she holds the key to Jay’s promise and his inheritance. But just as their fragile relationship begins to take root, the legacy of her gypsy blood brings danger to their doorstep.

Jay and Tina’s destinies may be entwined—but will they live long enough to fulfill them?

I liked the characters they were engaging and the storyline kept me interested. I liked the mystical element in these, it appeals to my love of paranormal. Enjoyed this very much so I rushed to the second one.

The Duke (Gypsy Legacy Book 2) by Denise Patrick

He doesn’t need a wife. She doesn’t want a husband. Destiny’s not listening.

As children, Brand Waring, heir to the Duke of Warringham, and his brother were kidnapped and sold to a plantation in the West Indies. Now Brand is back to wreak vengeance on those responsible for his brother’s subsequent death. The last thing he wants, or needs, is to be distracted by an instant attraction to a flighty Society belle.

Felicia Collings has found it easy to refuse every marriage proposal, thanks to a ring left to her by her gypsy great-grandmother. Reportedly it will lead her to the man whom she is destined to marry. To her relief, the ring has been blessedly silent on this issue. Until Brand recognizes it, and sparks fly.

In spite of himself, Brand finds himself drawn to the beauty, and to the wounded soul reflected in her eyes. At his gentle hands, Felicia begins to learn what it means to be cherished and loved.

Then the past rears its head to threaten their fragile happiness. As Brand begins to doubt whether vengeance is as sweet as a lifetime with Felicia, he finds himself racing to save them both from not one cold-blooded killer—but two.

You meet Brand in the first book but he quickly sails off again so you do not see much of him. i liked this book better than the first, it had more suspense in it and Felicia had issues that brand had to deal with and i love watching a strong hero be gentle with his lady. Very good stories. There is one more book still to come in the series, her brother, the Earl.

August reads

2009-09-03T22:46:00.001-04:00

Sorry i have not been around, school and kids are running me ragged so I have not been online. And I racked up a fine on my library account so I cannot check out books from the library which totally sucks (no money to pay the fine at the moment). But on the bright side, I forces me to read from my tbr pile, which is a good thing. The thing that just irks me is the waiting lists that I have been on where I was like 110thin line for the book and now i am 10th and am probably gong to have to re-request it once I get my fine paid and start over on the list. oh well. I have plenty to read.
Moviewise, Hubby and I have been making our way through the Robin Hood BBC series, and really enjoying it. We watched a strange movie last night called Blueberry Nights. It was slow but interesting. Good cast, Jude law, Norah Jones, Natalie Portman and Rachel Weisz. I was expecting a movie kind of like Elizabethtown, but this one was kind of like that but not as good. Norah Jones met Jude Law in a cafe that he runs and they become friends. she leaves to travel and "find herself" and meets Natalie Portman and Rachel Weisz along the way, who teach each her a different lesson and then she ends up back in NY with Jude Law and more of a solid person instead of the basket case she started out as. interesting but a little slow. 3 out of 5

Well, here is my reading list for this month, 25 books for August.

Hot Pursuit (Troubleshooters Book 14) by Suzanne Brockmann
Inferno (Tales of the Were book 2) by Bianca D'Arc
Animal Instincts by Gena Showalter
Outcast (Cat Star Chronicles Book 4) by Cheryl Brooks
The Marquis (Gypsy legacy Book 1) by Denise Patrick
The Duke (Gypsy legacy Book 2) by Denise Patrick
Obsidian Prey by Jayne Castle (review for Book Binge)
Huntress anthology (reviewed for Book Binge)
Kill For Me (series book 9) by Karen Rose
Demons Not Included by Cheyenne McCray (review for Book Binge)
Vision in White (Brides Book 1) by Nora Roberts
Out of the Dark by JoAnn Smith Ainsworth
Don't Tell (series book 1) by Karen Rose
Ghostland by Jory Strong
Not Another Bad Date by Rachel Gibson
Salt and Silver by Anna Katherine
Hara's Legacy (Resonance Mates Book 1) by Bianca D'Arc (re-read)
Davin's Quest (Resonance Mates Book 2) by Bianca D'Arc (re-read)
Jaci's Experiment (Resonance Mates Book 3) by Bianca D'Arc (re-read)
Bending the Rules by Susan Andersen
I Can See You (series book 10) by Karen Rose
Branded by Fire (Psy-Changeling Book 6) by Nalini Singh
Laid Bare by Lauren Dane
At Love's Command (Brothers in Arms book 3) by Samantha Kane
Love Under Seige (Brothers in Arms book 2) by Samantha Kane (re-read)

Kill For Me and Karen Rose

2009-08-13T16:37:00.001-04:00

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.

Stolen Heat contest

2009-08-12T07:30:00.002-04:00

Sexy Nerds

2009-08-10T20:29:00.002-04:00

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.

Inferno

2009-08-09T18:13:00.000-04:00

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.

July reads and my library

2009-08-01T08:27:00.003-04:00

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 Stahl
Maverick 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)

baby party pics

2009-07-31T11:15:00.003-04:00

I realized I never posted pics from the baby's 1st birthday party. She totally demolished her cake, it was awesome.

July re-read Psy-Changeling books

2009-07-30T17:02:00.001-04:00

For the re-read challenge for July I decided with the release of Nalini Singh's newest Psy-Changeling book, Branded by Fire, I needed to re-read the rest of the series. I noticed when I read the last book and was reading different people's reviews, I was getting the people's names mixed up. So I picked these for this month. Great books to re-read the stories and characters are wonderful. These are best read in order because they build on one another and the characters pop up in each book. Here is the order and my brief opinion about each.
If you want to see what everyone else read this month here they are.

Slave to Sensation (Psy-Changeling book 1)
In a world that denies emotions, where the ruling Psy punish any sign of desire, Sascha Duncan must conceal the feelings that brand her as flawed. To reveal them would be to sentence herself to the horror of "rehabilitation"- the complete psychic erasure of everything she ever was....

Both human and animal, Lucas Hunter is a Changeling hungry for the very sensations the Psy disdain. After centuries of uneasy co-existence, these two races are now on the verge of war over the brutal murders of several Changeling women. Lucas is determined to find the Psy killer who butchered his packmate, and Sascha is his ticket into their closely guarded society. But he soon discovers that this ice-cold Psy is very capable of passion-and that the animal in him is fascinated by her. Caught between their conflicting worlds, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities-or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation...

Awesome start to the series. Enough background knowledge so you are not lost, but not so that it dragged. Very well told story.

Visions of Heat (Psy-Changeling Book 2)
Used to cold silence, Faith NightStar is suddenly being tormented by dark visions of blood and murder. A bad sign for anyone, but worse for Faith, an F-Psy with the highly sought after ability to predict the future. Then the visions show her something even more dangerous-aching need...exquisite pleasure. But so powerful is her sight, so fragile the state of her mind, that the very emotions she yearns to embrace could be the end of her.
Changeling Vaughn D'Angelo can take either man or jaguar form, but it is his animal side that is overwhelmingly drawn to Faith. The jaguar's instinct is to claim this woman it finds so utterly fascinating and the man has no argument. But while Vaughn craves sensation and hungers to pleasure Faith in every way, desire is a danger that could snap the last threads of her sanity. And there are Psy who need Faith's sight for their own purposes. They must keep her silenced-and keep her from Vaughn...

I liked this one alot, it gave a different Psy perspective and Vaughn is just sexy. Well of course all of them are, but Vaughn just fun to watch.

Caressed by Ice (Psy-Changeling Book 3)

As an Arrow, an elite soldier in the Psy Council ranks, Judd Lauren was forced to do terrible things in the name of his people. Now a defector, his dark abilities have made him the most deadly of assassins—cold, pitiless, unfeeling. Until he meets Brenna…

Brenna Shane Kincaid was an innocent before she was abducted—and had her mind violated—by a serial killer. Her sense of evil runs so deep, she fears she could become a killer herself. Then the first dead body is found, victim of a familiar madness. Judd is her only hope, yet her sensual changeling side rebels against the inhuman chill of his personality, even as desire explodes between them. Shocking and raw, their passion is a danger that threatens not only their hearts, but their very lives…

I was glad to see Brenna find happiness and love after her ordeal, she deserved it. I was glad that she was not miraculously better, I hate when stories do that. She had a lot she needed to deal with and I was glad watch Judd help her.

Mine to Possess (Psy-Changeling Book 4)
Clay Bennett is a powerful DarkRiver sentinel, but he grew up in the slums with his human mother, never knowing his changeling father. As a young boy without the bonds of Pack, he tried to stifle his animal nature. He failed...and committed the most extreme act of violence, killing a man and losing his best friend, Talin, in the bloody aftermath. Everything good in him died the day he was told that she, too, was dead. Talin McKade barely survived a childhood drenched in bloodshed and terror. Now a new nightmare is stalking her life--the street children she works to protect are disappearing and turning up dead. Determined to keep them safe, she unlocks the darkest secret in her heart and returns to ask the help of the strongest man she knows... Clay lost Talin once. He will not let her go again, his hunger to possess her, a clawing need born of the leopard within. As they race to save the innocent, Clay and Talin must face the violent truths of their past...or lose everything that ever mattered.

I remember really liking this one the first time around, but the second time not nearly as much, Tally got on my nerves. It still must be read for the series sake, but did not enjoy it as much.

Hostage to Pleasure (psy-Changeling Book 5)

Separated from her son and forced to create a neural implant that will mean the effective enslavement of her psychically gifted race, Ashaya Aleine is the perfect Psy--cool, calm, emotionless...at least on the surface. Inside, she's fighting a desperate battle to save her son and escape the vicious cold of the PsyNet. Yet when escape comes, it leads not to safety, but to the lethal danger of a sniper's embrace.

DarkRiver sniper Dorian Christensen lost his sister to a Psy killer. Though he lacks the changeling ability to shift into animal form, his leopard lives within. And that leopard's rage at the brutal loss is a clawing darkness that hungers for vengeance. Falling for a Psy has never been on Dorian's agenda. But charged with protecting Ashaya and her son, he discovers that passion has a way of changing the rules...

Loved it. What is not to like. Had been waiting for Dorian's story, the shifter who cannot shift and was so excited to see him get his mate. Ashaya was a very intriguing character especially with her relationships with her sister and her son. I loved seeing Dorian with her son and wished i could have seen them interact a little more.

Now I cannot wait to read Branded by Fire.

Dragon's Heir review

2009-07-26T18:52:00.000-04:00

Forgot to add this to my June list. But how do you count this? it is a collection of 6 novellas I guess it would just count as one really long book. I posted about this book a while ago for Ms Dafoe and wonderfully enough I ended up winning a copy, yay!

The novellas in this collection are:
The Dragon's Daughter
Dragon's Heir
Dragon's Desire
Dravidian
The Dragon Prince
Double Dragon

Djarera. The dragon planet. A world of passion and politics where the Southerlins, hereditary rulers of the dragon kingdom, struggle to maintain peace among the hot-blooded clans…
For decades, the two most powerful dragon clans have been at each other’s throats over one very important question: who will get to marry the Dragon Queen’s daughter? Determined to end their feuding, Melgara sends the two young princes to Earth where her daughter has grown up in hiding, ignorant of who she is.
But when two sexy, shapeshifting dragons start vying for her affections, Lara Southerlin finds herself in a wholly unexpected predicament. On the one hand there’s Darrek Hausther, dangerous and dominant and darkly handsome. On the other, there’s the red-headed Rand Aurorea, strong and sweet-tempered and willing to defend her to the death. The one who wins Lara’s heart will be heir to the throne -- while the other will be banished forever.
Or will he? With the appearance of the charismatic rebel Zendar, life becomes even more complicated. And when Melgara herself goes unexpectedly into khef, the dragon mating frenzy, a new contender for the throne arises, threatening the survival of all four clans.

This first four novellas are about Lara, the Queen's Daughter and the last two are about Lara's brother. I will say that if you do not like mm scenes then do not get this book, the family seems to have a knack of getting men to sleep with men.
I have a hard time saying anything else about the storyline because if I talk about anything other than the first story, it givesaway what happens in the first story. The book starts out with two dragon shifter men from rival Djarera families, Derrek and Hausther, going to Earth to try to claim Lara. Whoever wins her will be the Consort to the next ruler of their people.

The last two stories are about Lara's brother, Kevan. Since these are kind of separate and happen like 18 years after the first four, I can tell you how these start. Kevan knows that he is different than his mother expects. Now that he is of age, he is expected to pick a wife and have an heir. But he has a problem, he does not like girls, he wants a man of his own. So to get away from the pressure he goes to Earth and ends up meeting Cal at a club who he is instantly attracted to (who also looks just like him, is this a case of narcisism?). But now what is he going to do, he is still expected to produce an heir. Are you seeing where this is going with the identical not-twin thing?

My biggest issue with this book was how easily the Earthlings (? for lack of a better word) accepted the shifters. They shifted to dragons in front of her and she accepted that way too easily. I thought it was ironic how it ended with that group. Then later with Lara's brother when he shifted in front of his Earthling, it was accepted awfully quickly.
My only other issue was the love at first sight thing. Which with them all being short stories originally separate, I know that it moves the story along quicker to the love scenes and the rest of the story if they fall in love on sight, but that has never been a favorite theme of mine because I like watching the relationship develop to love. Lust at first sight I can understand, but love at first sight, I do not.

I enjoyed the stories, even with my issues and the love scenes were very, very hot. This was a good collection. Six stories about 400 pages for a good price. Here is the Changeling Press site for it if you are interested.

Hidden Currents and a Winner

2009-07-14T20:12:00.004-04:00

The winner of the Catawba giveaway is

Nath

Hidden Currents (Drake Sisters Book 7) by Christine Feehan
From afar, Sheriff Jackson Deveau has always loved Elle Drake, the youngest telepath of seven sisters. After a long time away she’s finally returning home to the small coastal village of Sea Haven. But someone has been following Elle, someone who doesn’t want her to make it back. And when Elle fails to arrive, her disappearance strikes fear in the hearts of everyone who loves her. Now it’s left to Jackson to uncover the mystery of Elle’s vanishing, and rescue her from an unseen danger. But Sea Haven is no longer safe for anyone, and it’ll take the powers of all the Drake sisters and their men to survive the coming storm.

Wow, this was a bang ending to the series. My only regret is that we did not see more of Elle before her captivity, but maybe that is not a bad thing because we see the new her and do not dwell on the way she used to be.

Elle is captured by a very self centered psychic who has decided that Elle is his mate and will be his. Elle is abused during that time that he has her and that section is semi graphic so many have criticized the book because of it but I do not think it was too much or detracted from the book. I guess I just don't have as delicate sensibilities as some.

The book is about her coping with what has happened to her and her connection with Jackson. I am glad that she is still trying to deal even at the end of the book, because that is not something that is going to be "all better" in a couple of weeks. It will be something that she and Jackson will deal with for the rest of their lives, it will get easier but there will still be issues.

All of the major ends have been tied up and I thought this was a great ending to the series. I have heard that she will be doing Ilya's family next but I will wait and see how those are. I am glad that i collected these book.

I would definitely recommend this series.

My baby is 1

2009-07-10T21:32:00.006-04:00

My little baby turned one today. I promised I would post pictures so here they are
Reminder: Book giveaway here

Here is Hubby with the birthday girl.

Isn't she cute!!!!!

Me and my little baby girl.
They grow up way too quickly.

I also have been meaning to post these pics as well. About a month ago my family went to the Magic Kingdom for the day (except the baby she stayed with my parents) and we had a blast. With the exception of the the Stitch ride, NOT kid friendly ride. Anyway here are some pics we took. When we got pictures with the princesses, the girls especially Medium charmed the photographers into inviting us to stay for a shoot with all three princesses together. Normally it is one princess at a time, but she turned on the charm and had them wrapped around her finger.

The Women and Winds of Catawba and a Giveaway

2009-07-08T13:14:00.002-04:00

A friend from church gave me these to read and pass on. The sequel was written by the first author's daughter after her death. These are inspirational romance so language is PG in nature but there are still some mature subjects addressed so Iwould not let anyone under mid-teen read them. I enjoyed them. I was told to pass these along after I was done so I will pick a commenter from this post Monday night (July 13th) and announce on Tuesday. If you know someone who might like these books please send them over. My first giveaway, I need to do more of these...

PS. My baby turns 1 this Friday!!!!! I will make sure I post pics of her.
PPS. I have a guest review of Animal Attraction by Charlene Teglia up over at Book Binge

The Women of Catawba by Hilda Stahl
From the author of the White Pines Chronicles comes an exciting tale of five courageous women and their fight to build a plantation home in the raw wilderness of South Carolina. Set in post-Revolutionary War days, Women of Catawba is an inspiring story of men and women whose faith, strength, and capacity to love are tested to the limit.

The story starts Taylor and her baby daughter getting ready to sail to America. But she is being coerced into going. She is a new widow and is in debt to her husband's cousin who has told her that she is going with him or to debtor's prison. before they set sail she uncovers a plot of his and sneaks aboard another ship with her slave, Cammie. So now she is on another ship bound for America with a runaway slave. On the ship she meets Maida who is traveling as a companion to her aunt and uncle. And she meets widower Yates Marston and his children, Laurel, Kendra and Reid who are moving to America and meeting up with Yates's brother, Ward. They are the main characters for the series. Things happen that force them together and they all end up at the Catawba Plantation. When they get there it is not exactly what Yates and his family were expecting. Especially Laurel who at 17 and very snobby, was expecting a large plantation home and is faced with a small log cabins and a lack of servants. Some things and people happen to test their relationships and faith. Don't want to say anymore and give away everything.

Good story. It was a nice change of pace from my usual books. Taylor and Maida were the main characters in this part of the series. They become friends but have different outlooks on life. Taylor has known love but Maida thinks it is a fairy tale, she wants it but is to scared to hope for it. I enjoyed reading about them and their trials that they went through, it was a very well told story.

The Winds of Catawba (Sequel to The Women of Catawba) by Laurie Stahl
Kendra longs to tell the world of her love for Court, but he has sworn her to secrecy till he is a free man. Can she keep her true feelings hidden--or will impatience destroy her chance of happiness? Set in post-Revolutionary war days, this sequel to the Women of Catawba continues the saga of the men and women whose faith and strength tamed the American Wilderness.

This installment concentrates mostly on the kids, Laurel and Kendra. It has been 2 years since the first book and the plantation house is built and they are all prospering. Now Laurel is ready to settle down but has always wanted to marry a "proper Englishman" and is ecstatic to find that Joshua Douglas, is coming to visit from England with his sister. But there is a new man in the area that sets her heart pounding and he is definitely not a refined Englishman. Meanwhile Kendra is still waiting for Court to finish his indenture but when he tells her not to wait what will she do? The characters from the previous book are also all involved and are working on saving abused slaves and continue to grow in their faith. Cammie also is looking for a husband, but has her eyes set on a very stubborn and hurting man.

Good ending to the two book series. I wish she would have done a little more with Cammie in this book, we did not see her all that often. But I liked the rest of the story lines. She wrapped up all the loose ends well from the other book.

June reads

2009-07-03T10:56:00.003-04:00

Normally I would like to write more about each book but I have run out of time for June reads and am on to July reads but wanted to post what I read. I pretty much liked them all. My favorite of the month was either Blue Diablo or 21st Century Courtesan. My least favorite was probably Demon Mistress. Lots of series this month.

Blue Diablo (Corine Solomon Book 1) by Ann Aguirre
Skin Trade (Anita Blake Book 17) by LKH
Lover Avenged (Brotherhood book 7) by JR Ward
Dead and Gone (Sookie Stackhouse book 9) by Charlaine Harris
Sexy Beast IV anthology
If You Deceive (MacCarrick trilogy Book 3) by Kresley Cole
Bound by Honor by Colette Gale
Murder Game (GhostWalker Book 7) by Christine Feehan
21st century Courtesan by Eden Bradley
Demon Mistress (Sisters of the Moon book 6) by yasmin galenorn
Celta Heart Mate series by Robin D. Owens 7 books posted here

Total 17 books

The World of Celta - Re-read Challenge

2009-07-01T13:11:00.001-04:00

Well, I had a long post about a bunch of books that I read and wrote a review before I left for camp and it got lost some where on the internet. Then I went to camp for a week and had very spotty internet so did not do any posts, but I got a lot of reading done. I got into a major romantic fantasy mode and wanted to re-read Robin D. Owens' Celta series. So I started with Heart Mate and am just finished up the latest book, Heart Fate. The next book Heart Change comes out in November.

The characters are memorable, and the world building is great. The storylines are not cookie cutter at all so each one is very interesting to read. My favorite of the series is probably Heart Fate because the characters had both been through so much and were so damaged that it was nice to see them heal and bond. I would definitely suggest reading them in order or you miss some of the storylines. But they can be read alone if that is what you have.

Great series, I love them and they will definitely remain on my keeper shelves. If you have not read these and enjoy fantasy romance you have to try these out.

Heart Mate (Celta Heart Mates Book 1) by Robin D. Owens
T'Ash survived the slums then avenged his family's death. He knows Danith is the future of his clan. Danith knows T'Ash is noble, powerful and dangerous. Not for her. The prophecy: A woman surrounded by peril...

Heart Thief (Celta Heart Mates Book 2) by Robin D. Owens
The story of a man without psi powers on a world where they're prized. An outcast, Ruis Elder must overcome all society to survive, pursue his passion for restoring ancient Earth technology, and win his love -- Judge Ailim D'SilverFir

Heart Duel (Celta Heart Mates Book 3) by Robin D. Owens
Holm Holly’s a fighter; Lark Hawthorn a Healer, their Families are at war. Holm knows one thing bone deep. Nothing will prevent him from claiming Lark. Not the feud. Not his Family’s condemnation. Not his own flaws. And not Lark herself.

Heart Choice (Celta Heart Mates Book 4) by Robin D. Owens
Straif Blackthorn is back. To claim his title, restore his home, love his woman (Mitchella Clover). And to fight the enemy who wants all three.

Heart Quest (Celta Heart Mates Book 5) by Robin D. Owens
Trif Clover is searching for her HeartMate. But Guardsman Ilex Winterberry has already found her. He has reasons of his own -- and for her own good -- to keep to the shadows of her life. But there's a killer on the loose, stalking those with unstable psi power like Trif's. Facing his most difficult task yet, Ilex must reveal the truth of their destiny or leave Trif vulnerable to a vicious murderer.

Heart Dance (Celta Heart Mates Book 6) by Robin D. Owens
Dufleur Thyme is a scholar determined to master time itself – and clear her father's name as a mad scientist. Neglected-boy turned nobleman Saille Willow has other ideas. He wants to claim Dufleur as his own, but he has tougher family problems than he thinks. Both must reveal their secrets.

Heart Fate (Celta Heart Mates Book 7) by Robin D. Owens
With Lahsin D'Yew's husband giving chase after she runs from an abusive marriage, she finds sanctuary in a secret garden, where she meets Tinne Holly. Though he is her HeartMate, he cannot tell her, and her troubled past prevents her from trusting any man. Pretending to find her by chance, Tinne helps her through her Second Passage. But when the truth is revealed, can she forgive his deception, and learn to trust in her destiny?

Life

2009-06-13T10:14:00.010-04:00

Sorry I was out for so long. May was insane at school. Between all the various showers and just end of the year stuff it was crazy. Then we had to pack up our classrooms because over the summer we are getting a new air conditioning unit for the school and there will be no air for over 2 months so anything that can be damaged by heat or humidity had to be brought home.

My sister graduated High school last week, that was exciting. I am so proud of her but cannot believe she is old enough to graduate yet. My mom is not sure what she will do now that she does not have to go to any more open houses or school performances. When I started college my sister entered Kindergarten so she literally started all over again and has been going to school functions for 26 years now.

The kids are doing great, the baby is 11 months old now. She is crawling everywhere and walking with assistance, but does not walk on her own yet, she figures it is faster to crawl. She is such a happy baby, we are very blessed. Oldest is out for the summer and is as active as ever. Medium (that is what she calls herself) is content to sit and watch tv all day so I am constantly exiling them to the backyard.

My summer is filled with various projects that I am determined to get done now that I am not prego (severely limited my projects last summer). We are headed to camp in a couple of weeks. Hubby is very involved with camp and runs a week every year. Oldest's week of camp happens to fall the same week on the other side of the camp so she will be there too and my parents are taking hte baby so I do not have to deal with her demanding schedule and carting her around everywhere. So that means i also get some quality time with Medium. Lots of fun, can't wait :)

Hubby and I went to see Star Trek last week, LOVED it. We knew we had too because since the first Generations movie we have seen them all in the theater. Star Trek Generations was our first date (yes, we are such nerds) so we try to continue the tradition of seeing all the Star Trek movies in the theater. I never see movies twice in the theater but I might have to make an exception for this one. Hubby hates when they go back and try to do movies/shows before the original because inevitably they mess something up to contradict the original movie. But he loved this one too. If you have not seen it yet, you are missing out.

Anyone have anything special they are doing this summer?

Dragon's Heir promo

2009-06-10T16:18:00.001-04:00

This looks really good and a great deal as well. Check it out.

DRAGON'S HEIR
by Sierra Dafoe

The Dragon's Daughter, Dragon's Heir, Dragon's Desire, Dravidian,
The Dragon Prince, and Double Dragon all in one e-collection for only $8.99!

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1048

Book One: The Dragon's Daughter

2006 CAPA Nominee! Best Fantasy Erotic Romance

Reviewer's Choice award from Road to Romance!

5 Blue Ribbons! "A magical-fantasy tale that is outstanding from beginning to end!" -- Romance Junkies

5 Hearts! "...[A]n exciting paranormal with engaging characters, a great plot and spiced up with some very sensual, sizzling sex scenes." -- Love Romances & More

5 Angels! "Sierra Dafoe has done a tremendous job creating fire-worthy passion." -- Fallen Angel Reviews

For decades, the two most powerful dragon clans have been at each other's throats over one very important question: who will get to marry the Dragon Queen's daughter? Determined to end their feuding, Melgara sends the two young princes to Earth where her daughter, Elara, has grown up in hiding, ignorant of who she is and safe from the bickering that besets the dragon kingdom. The one that wins Elara's heart will be heir to the throne -- while the other will be banished forever.

But when the two princes find her and start vying for her affections, Elara finds herself in a wholly unexpected predicament. On the one hand there's Darrek Hausther, dangerous and dominant and darkly handsome. On the other, there's Rand Aurorea, who is strong and sweet-tempered and red-haired to boot.

How oh how is a girl ever supposed to choose?

EXCERPT -- PG

Twenty-odd years of wrangling, and it all came down to the same question -- who would to get to marry her daughter?

Sighing, Melgara sat back and rubbed at her temples. Below, at the foot of the dais, the lords Hausther and Aurorea glared up at her, while their sons glared only at each other.

"Allow the challenge, your Highness!" Darmon Hausther demanded, his black eyes blazing. He was lean, hawk-faced, with a high, arrogant forehead and one striking streak of silver in his jet-black hair. Behind him, his son Darrek was coiled like a cat, seeming ready to spring into battle the instant Melgara so much as nodded.

Typical.

The northern Hausther clan was eternally belligerent; the first, always, to leap to arms, and the last to accept an accord. Well, Darmon Hausther would accept one today, by the Winds. Him and that darkly handsome offspring of his -- whether they liked it or not.

On the other side, Thrand Aurorea stood with arms crossed over his huge barrel chest, his son Rand towering beside like a mountain. Thick, orange-red hair cascaded over the youth's broad shoulders -- the very sign and mark of the Aurorean clan. Where Darrek was lean and fast, Rand was built like a young bull; stolid, massive, and enduring. Looking at him, one would never suspect the lively intellect that lurked beneath that fiery head of hair.

A battle between the two young scions would be more than deadly; it could well be disastrous.

The four clans of her realm were held together by only two things -- the balance of power between them, and the queen's law. Her law. Let these two hotbloods at each other's throats, and within weeks the entire realm would be wracked by war. Gerdain in the west would side with Hausther in the north, and the southlands would ally inevitably with Thrand.

At times, she felt it was like trying to control the Winds themselves. And yet, if she didn't, they would rip the very fabric of their world to shreds. The constant sparring between the two clans had been bad enough, as they'd each tried to gain an advantage in their bid for her daughter's hand. She didn't dare allow it to come to open warfare.

Knowing this day would inevitably come, Melgara Southerlin had watched, and waited, and planned. "No." Her tone was final.

Even Thrand looked surprised. "But, your Highness…"

"I said no, Thrand."

"Then choose, your Highness!" Darmon snapped. "Choose a consort for that daughter who is so precious no one may even see her!"

Melgara let just the tiniest trickle of smoke escape her nostrils and Darmon Hausther stepped back quickly, knowing he had gone too far.

"Or let her choose." The words were spoken softly, and Melgara looked up. Yes, young Rand. She was not surprised, though Darrek's head jerked in shock as if such an idea was almost unthinkable.

That one, she chuckled sourly, has a lot to learn.

"She shall." Immediately, at her words, much of the tension seemed to ease from the room. Melgara held up a hand. "Be warned, however. The one she does not choose shall be banished forever from the four corners of my realm." Rand's blue eyes went wide at this pronouncement, while Darrek's grew darker, till they glinted like obsidian amid the sharp planes and angles of his face. Melgara noted their reactions from the corner of her eyes even as she kept her attention on their fathers. "Do you want the throne so badly now, my lords?"

"Rand, no." Thrand stepped forward. "I cannot allow this."

Rand looked down at his father with a gentleness Melgara observed closely. "If you command, Lord, I will of course obey. But it would grieve me greatly to not be given my chance. And I think," he added, almost offhandedly, "that the lady deserves more of a choice than Darrek."

At that, Thrand gave an approving bark of laughter, while both Darmon and Darrek tensed in fury. Then Thrand pulled Rand close into a hug that cracked the younger man's spine.

What passed between Darrek and his father was silent, no more than an exchange of glances. When Darmon nodded, Darrek drew himself up and met Melgara's gaze haughtily. "Bring her forth, then, and let her choose."

Insolent whelp! Melgara stared at him, raising one regal eyebrow, until finally Darrek flushed and dropped his gaze.

Yet it had been the fire and ferocity of the Hausther clan which had saved them all, in the Zendarian wars. And someday they might well need that ferocity again. Melgara kept her tone mild as she replied, "She's not here."

"What?" Both the older lords started forward in consternation.

Melgara glared at them. " Darmon Hausther. Thrand Aurorea. For over twenty years the two of you have been at each other's throats. Should I have let my daughter grow up surrounded by your petty brawling? Should I have let her become jaded and cynical from being used as a pawn in your power games? Will you dare tell me that you would not have done so?"

Abashed, the two older men stepped back, Thrand's shaggy head drooping. She eyed them coldly. "One way or another, my lords, your feud ends here."

Dismissing them from her mind, she turned to their sons. "You are both resolved?" The youths nodded. "So be it."

She clapped her hands, and immediately an enormous wind sprang up, howling through the confines of the long, vaulted hall. It wrapped itself around the two young men and threw open the massive doors at the end of the hall with a bang. Outside, the world seemed to tumble away from the high perch of Wind Castle, spreading out far below into a tapestry of green, gold and blue. In the distance, the peaks of lesser mountains glinted in the sunlight.

Under the wind's rough hand, Rand's hair tangled into thick, fiery curls, while Darrek's streamed back, long and smooth and black as pitch. They both leaned into the wind like hounds eager to the scent.

Melgara raised her voice over the wind's keening. "It will carry you to the land where Elara has been hidden all these years -- a land that, I warn you, will seem very strange to you. You are forbidden to offer each other any violence," she continued. Both of them glowered rebelliously, and she eyed them sternly. "Do not doubt that I will know. And if you do…" She left the threat hanging. "You may, however, help each other, if you choose."

From the rolling of their eyes, it was clear the two lordlings found that possibility unlikely. Privately, Melgara sighed.

"You shall each have an equal chance to woo and win my daughter. But first -- " She smiled evilly, allowing herself to enjoy this moment. How she had waited and planned for this day!

"First, you will have to find her."

She clapped her hands again, and the wind redoubled, whipping through the vast audience hall with a hungry ferocity. Under its buffeting, the two young lords seemed to shred, their outlines blurring, stretching, spreading until, with a last muscular shudder, two dragons, one deep-chested and red as flame, the other lean, black, and wickedly taloned, unfurled their wings and sprang from the castle into the rushing wind.

Oh, my daughter, Melgara prayed as they rose, flitting through the cool, clean air, all my hopes rest on you. May you find joy enough now to make up for all your years of exile!

The hall seemed preternaturally quiet after the fury of the wind. Below her, Darmon Hausther shifted, already impatient.

"What now, your Highness?"

"Now?" She settled back, enjoying his discomfiture, and smiled coldly. "Now, my Lord Hausther, we wait."

The Dragon's Heir collection -- get your copy today!
http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1048

Sierra Dafoe -- Feed the Fantasy
http://www.sierradafoe.com

New books

2009-06-05T21:45:00.003-04:00

I won a contest from Caitlyn Willows/Catherine Snodgrass and got a box of goodies today.
It contained:

A slew of author promos (cards, bookmarks, pens, magnets, etc.)
A very unique (to me) promo to promote the Ellora's Cave book, Love Cuffs, a set of "love cuffs" (handcuffs covered in soft red material)
A RT bag (saw everyone with one at the convention and felt very left out, now I have one, yay!)
and a bunch of books

Happy Hour at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta
In the Highlander's Bed by Cathy Maxwell
A 21st Century Courtesan by Eden Bradley
Sexy Beast IV anthology
The Wild Road by Marjorie Liu
Traveler by Melanie Jackson
Moon Fever anthology
Rogue by Cheryl Brooks
Immortals: the Redeeming by Jennifer Ashley

May's reads

2009-06-01T18:34:00.005-04:00

Sorry, I have not been around. The last month of school has been insane. I had my spring program and it went very well. The kids all did a great job, I was so proud of them. But school is out this week!!!! I am so ready for this year to be over. But GREAT news, my job is okay for next year. I am very relieved about that. I have another teacher in my same discipline next year. We started out with two of us at the beginning of the year but the other one got cut and I ended up with double classes. I had a para to help, but it was very challenging this year. Some of these I hope to review further (especially Deadline) but we will see.

Guess what, the baby started clapping today, it was very cute.

I had a good reading month, lots of good books.

Deadline by Chris Butcher (A+) review definitely to come.
Red Fire (Gods of Midnight Book 1) by Deidre Knight (B)
Red Kiss (Gods of Midnight Book 2) by Deidre Knight Review to come at Book Binge
The Perfect Poison (An Arcane Book) by Amanda Quick (C-)
Bad Boy (Sequel to Bad Girl) by Maya Reynolds Review to come at Book Binge
Down in Texas by Delilah Devlin (B+)
Tall, Dark and Deadly by Lorie O'Clare (C+)
Guardian (Time Hunters Book 2) by Angela Knight (B-)
Dangerous Boys and Their Toy by Shayla Black (B+)
Angel's Blood (Guild Hunter Book 1) by Nalini Singh (B)
Wild Heat by Bella Andre (B-)
Unlaced anthology by Jaci Burton, Joey W. Hill, Jasmine Haynes, Denise Rosetti (A)
Cowgirl Up and Ride (Rough Riders Book 3) by Lorelei James (A)
The Tycoon's Rebel Bride (Anetakis Tycoons Book 2) by Maya Banks (C)
Cowboys Dream Too by Morgan Q. O'Reilly Review to come at Book Binge
Prince of Spies (Dragon Riders Book 4) by Bianca D'Arc (B+)
Like Coffee and Doughnuts by Elle Parker Review to come at Book Binge
Flashpoint by Jill Shalvis (B-)

May re-read challenge

2009-05-31T08:36:00.002-04:00

This is for Nath's Re-read Challenge. I have been a slacker and did not post my re-read from last month, you were not missing much because my re-read was a DNF. This month however was much better. I love Lori Foster and was wanting to reconnect with her books. So I grabbed The Winston Brothers off my bookshelf.

The Winston Brothers by Lori Foster
This book is a single author anthology of three of her novellas previously released in separate anthologies. There is another book in the series called Wild. More recently all four stories were released as one book called Wildly Winston.
I cannot find a good summary of the stories. So I will briefly summarize.
Tangled Sheets - Cole Winston has been taking care of his brothers since their parents died but now it is time for him to care for himself. And he has decided that Sophie is the woman for him. But she is too shy to talk to him. so she invents a fictional twin sister to bolster her courage.
Tangled Dreams - This story has a paranormal bent to it. While Chase is working Halloween night at the bar he can suddenly hear Allison's thoughts and they are centered on him and what she wants to do to him. She has some ghosts that want her to find her passionate side, and she wants Chase to help her find that.
Tangled Images - Mack is the youngest of the family. He is trying to get a job teaching but is going though red tape at the moment. So in the mean time, he agrees to help Sophie by posing for pictures for her catalog for her store. Little does he know that the photographer is the woman that he was lusting after in college. Jessica wants very little to do with him, but her wants to convince her otherwise.

Great book I am glad that I grabbed it for this re-read. when I think of Lori Foster I expect a nice solid contemporary read. This one delivers. It stays on my keeper shelf.

Ender's game

2009-05-04T18:41:00.007-04:00

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

In order to develop a secure defense against a hostile alien race's next attack, government agencies breed child geniuses and train them as soldiers. A brilliant young boy, Andrew "Ender" Wiggin lives with his kind but distant parents, his sadistic brother Peter, and the person he loves more than anyone else, his sister Valentine. Peter and Valentine were candidates for the soldier-training program but didn't make the cut—young Ender is the Wiggin drafted to the orbiting Battle School for rigorous military training. Ender's skills make him a leader in school and respected in the Battle Room, where children play at mock battles in zero gravity. Yet growing up in an artificial community of young soldiers Ender suffers greatly from isolation, rivalry from his peers, pressure from the adult teachers, and an unsettling fear of the alien invaders. His psychological battles include loneliness, fear that he is becoming like the cruel brother he remembers, and fanning the flames of devotion to his beloved sister. Is Ender the general Earth needs? But Ender is not the only result of the genetic experiments. The war with the Buggers has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway for almost as long. Ender's two older siblings are every bit as unusual as he is, but in very different ways. Between the three of them lie the abilities to remake a world. If, that is, the world survives.

Genre: Sci-fi
Release Date: 1985
Acquired: UBS
Reason for reading: Hubby asked

Well, Hubby has been wanting me to read this for a while and I finally did last week. It was a great sci-fi book, probably no surprise. I was not sure if would like it with no romantic element in it, but I found it to be a nice change of pace, which was good.
The description above is a good one so I will go with it. This is an earth that has gone through a war with an alien group that devastated them. Now they are looking for a genius to lead them and if they have to make on then so be it. They send 6 year old geniuses to Battle School to earn strategy and to see if they will cut it. But they are still looking for The One that will be the commander over the army. Enter Ender Wiggins.
The version that i have has a really interesting introduction to it. I do not always read those but in this case i am glad that i did. It is written by the author nad gives some background from his POV and he also addresses some issues that came up after it was first published. He said he got a lot of flack about having these children fighting so young but mostly he got flack about they way they spoke. They did not speak like children. He points out in the intro that they speak like they are, geniuses. He also got many letters from genius teenagers thanking him for the book and how it spoke to them because it was about them, the 13-14 year old that is in college. If you ever talk to someone that smart, they do speak like that.
The sad part in this book and the character s in the story even address it is that they never have a chance to do "normal" things that kids do. Card points out that neither do most geniuses anyway and in the book they are playing games (what they perceive as games) everyday. And these games challenge their minds which they also need to stay interested. If you get this edition definitely read the introduction.

Nauti Intentions

2009-04-29T23:09:00.002-04:00

Chantal, Ames and I have a joint review of Nauti Intentions by Lora Leigh up at Breezing Through. I liked it more than they did, but that is okay. :) You can read it here.

Relentless

2009-04-25T22:13:00.002-04:00

Relentless by Lauren Dane

Since the first settlers came through the portals from Earth, fifteen Families have held the rule of the Federated Universes in their hands. There’s never been a better time than now to throw out the old and usher in a new order. Give voice to the unranked. Abbie Haws has spent her life battling the system. A fighter, she’s always been too busy and driven to pay much attention to finding love. But when she’s granted audience with Roman Lyons, the head of House Lyons, who stands for everything she hates, her instant attraction catches Abbie off-guard…

It’s common knowledge that the Known Universe revolves around Ravena—and that Ravena revolves around Roman Lyons, bred to lead since birth. Roman dreads his meeting with a defiant—if stunning—rabble-rouser. But, sometimes, headstrong personalities in the conference room make for hot-and-heavy, guilty trysts in private….

Now, Abbie will show Roman the parts of her world he wouldn’t otherwise get to see. And he’ll give her a glimpse of the Families’ age old tradition and unleash a sexuality he’d never given rein to before.

This book releases May 5th and comes after her previous book Undercover. I loved Undercover so was very excited to read this. I was not disappointed.
The blurb for this was a good summary so I do not have anything to add to it. Abbie and Roman fall in love but are separated by class, how will they span the gap to be together.
Very hot scenes and very poignant scenes in a tough situation, I cried at one point. Great storyline and great characters.
Abbie is a strong heroine who knows what she wants in her personal and professional life. She wants a voice for the people in her society. I loved her character. Her society is a a class system and you are either one of the "Families" or you are not. The Families rule and make all the rules for everyone. Abbie believes that there should be a panel of the "common" people to give the opinions and thought and wishes of the common people. The Families are very stuck in tradition and many will stop at nothing to keep this from happening.
Roman is also a very strong man that has been raised to lead. He needs someone like Abbie to challenge him and keep him grounded. He was a very sexy but conflicted guy.

You do not have to read Undercover to follow the storyline but it is slightly helpful because one of the issues that Roman is dealing with is fallout and the politics and justice of what happened in Undercover.

I had a hard time putting this one down, I give this story an A.

Going to a book signing

2009-04-25T01:24:00.000-04:00

Well I could not afford the RT convention but I get to go to the book signing today. I am excited. I have never been to a book signing before and this is one on a massive scale. I am also supposed to meet up with Jill D. and that will be fun to meet her in person too. I will post more later and let you know how I did. My goal is to actually talk to some people and not stand in the corner and gawk. I do not do well in crowds and will be very tempted to do that. See ya later :)

April reads week 3

2009-04-20T22:38:00.003-04:00

Animal Attraction by Charlene Teglia review here at Book Binge
Bound to Please by Lilli Feisty review here at Book Binge
Shadow Rider by Kathrynn Dennis
The Man for Me by Gemma Bruce

My Oldest

2009-04-20T22:10:00.002-04:00

This is my Oldest singing in Church on Sunday. She is the one in the white dress.

April week 2 reads part 2

2009-04-20T21:41:00.001-04:00

The Education of Madeline (Plum Creek Book 1) by Beth Williamson

Madeline Brewster practically owns Plum City, Colorado. But at thirty-two, she knows she has missed any chance for happiness. Until she finds a tall, strong, handsome Irishman on the wrong end of the hangman's noose. Suddenly this unconventional woman comes up with an outrageous idea...Teague O'Neal has rugged cheekbones, tousled black curls, and eyes as blue as the sky, even if he is caked in Colorado mud. The men insist they caught him horse-thieving, and there's something desperate about him that says he'd do anything for a buck. Maybe it was pure chance, or maybe it was something more that brought Madeline and Teague together. But one thing's clear, between a woman who has just about everything she could ever want, and a man who's lost that and more, they might find something in between worth living for.

This was a very HOT western romance. It had an intriguing storyline. The heroine is very wealthy but very single and has no prospects because of her size (she is 6 feet tall). She enlists the aid of a man who is being tried for horse thievery but claims that he is innocent. He is taller than her and she wants him to teach her about sex. But then they also have to deal with two men in town who want her money and are discrediting her name to get it. Great storyline, very in depth characters, definitely recommend if you want a hot western.

Claiming Their Mate (Feral Attraction Book 1) by Paige McKellan

Jules Kingston is a WereLion destined to be the next Lioness of the White Sands Pride. Her fathers, having decided to step down as Leos, have put out a call for a pair of lions to mate with their daughter. Before settling down with mates and a litter of cubs, though, Jules wants to spread her wings.

Of all the Lions in the Pride, Gabriel and Lucas Beckett are the only two who make her panties wet-and the last two she would ever take on as mates. When the brothers stake their claim, she runs, cursing her hormones for reacting to such prime specimens of her species.

Gabe and Luke have known for years that Jules is meant to be their mate. The trick will be to convince their woman she belongs to them. As expected, Jules leads them on a merry chase.

Then a mate fight and hunt is called by a rival pair. To win Jules as their own, Gabe and Luke must prove their dominance over the Pride-and their woman.

This is a nice erotic shape shifter story. It reads almost like a prologue to a series (maybe it is and i just don't realize it). It is time for Jules to pick a mate whether she wants to or not. Gabe and Luke have already picked her, she just does not know it yet. Good storyline. It was not drug out at all and I liked the emotional aspect that was addressed. I liked how the boys admitted that they might have gone about things the wrong way. Because that is one thing that annoys me occasionally about the over Alpha male. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Some talented people

2009-04-18T07:58:00.004-04:00

If you have not heard of Susan Boyle then you need to check this out. She is a part of Britains Got Talent 2009. When she comes on stage everyone is snickering at her appearance, when she starts singing, no one is laughing now.

This is another Britains Got Talent contestant. This group is called Flawless and their dancing is awesome.

This is the last one and it is amazing as well. the chick does a pirouette on her partner's shoulder. She is incredibly flexible too. There are a few other youtube videos of her (most listed under "acrobatic ballet") and they are amazing.

April reads week 2

2009-04-16T20:01:00.001-04:00

Well I had a minute to post this so I am going to go ahead and do it and not wait til this weekend. Here is what I have been reading lately.
Nauti Intentions (Nauti Book 4) by Lora Leigh review to come at Breezing Through
White Star (Star series Book 2) by Elizabeth Vaughan (A) review here at Book Binge
Bad Boy (Bad book 2) by Maya Reynolds (B-) review to come at Book Binge

The Kissing Game by Suzanne Brockmann
Sunrise Key native and aspiring private investigator Frankie Paresky has her first bona fide case—a client has hired her to find the missing heir to a priceless property. But there’s one complication: Simon Hunt, her best friend’s brother and a notorious heartbreaker, insists on being Frankie’s assistant. For Frankie, even Simon’s street-smart know-how isn’t worth the cost of dealing with his distracting good looks and overactive libido. But Simon’s on a mission to prove he’s not the man Frankie thinks he is. The truth is, he’s been dreaming about Frankie since they were teenagers, and not one woman on his endless list of conquests has managed to stop him. But he needs to work fast. Because the real Frankie—every gorgeous inch of her—isn’t under wraps anymore, and a stranger is already moving in.

This was a cute book. It is connected to the book Kiss and Tell. You do not need to read that one to enjoy this one, you met Simon in that book. Like Kiss and Tell, this is a friends to lovers book, which is one of my favorite themes. There is no suspense or anything like that in this book, it is a straight contemp. romance with a very solid, nice storyline.
Frankie gets hired to find a person by the name of John who vacationed there 10 years ago. Needle in a haystack, right. Well Simon is there when she takes the job and decides to help her out. Simon is realizing that he is sick of meaningless relationships, but is not fully willing to admit that he wants love. Frankie knows that she has been in love with Simon since she was 12. But has enough self esteem not to chase after him or risk losing their friendship (or more of her heart) by sleeping with him.
Like I said good solid read (like most of her older contemps). I give it a B.