baby party pics

7/31/2009 11:15:00 AM / Posted by Kris / comments (4)

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

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July re-read Psy-Changeling books

7/30/2009 05:02:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (2)

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.


Product DetailsSlave 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.


Product DetailsVisions 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.

Product DetailsCaressed 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.

Product DetailsMine 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.

aHostage 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.

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Dragon's Heir review

7/26/2009 06:52:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (1)

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.

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Hidden Currents and a Winner

7/14/2009 08:12:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (2)

The winner of the Catawba giveaway is

Nath


Product DetailsHidden 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.

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My baby is 1

7/10/2009 09:32:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (5)

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.












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The Women and Winds of Catawba and a Giveaway

7/08/2009 01:14:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (1)

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/a Novel 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) 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.

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June reads

7/03/2009 10:56:00 AM / Posted by Kris / comments (5)

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

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The World of Celta - Re-read Challenge

7/01/2009 01:11:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (6)

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.

heartmatereissueHeart 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...

hearttheifHeart 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 duelHeart 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.

heartchoiceHeart 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.

heartquestHeart 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.

heartdanceHeart 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.

heartfateHeart 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?

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Life

6/13/2009 10:14:00 AM / Posted by Kris / comments (4)


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?

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Dragon's Heir promo

6/10/2009 04:18:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (1)

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

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New books

6/05/2009 09:45:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (4)

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

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May's reads

6/01/2009 06:34:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (3)

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-)

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May re-read challenge

5/31/2009 08:36:00 AM / Posted by Kris / comments (1)

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.


Product DetailsThe 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.

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Ender's game

5/04/2009 06:41:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

Product DetailsEnder'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.




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Nauti Intentions

4/29/2009 11:09:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (1)

[nautiintentionslg.jpg]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.

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Relentless

4/25/2009 10:13:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

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.

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Going to a book signing

4/25/2009 01:24:00 AM / Posted by Kris / comments (4)

Free Stock Photo of Bookstore Sign

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 :)

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April reads week 3

4/20/2009 10:38:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

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

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My Oldest

4/20/2009 10:10:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (5)

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

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April week 2 reads part 2

4/20/2009 09:41:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (2)

Product DetailsThe 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.


Product DetailsClaiming 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.

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Some talented people

4/18/2009 07:58:00 AM / Posted by Kris / comments (4)

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

4/16/2009 08:01:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (1)

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

Product DetailsThe 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.

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April week 1 reads

4/13/2009 11:18:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (1)

The First Sin (Lexi Steele Book 1) by Cheyenne McCray (A-) review here at Book Binge.
Marked by Passion (Book 1) by Kate Perry (A-) review to come at Book Binge

I also have a review for The Mage (Sons of Destiny Book 8) by Jean Johnson posted here.


Product DetailsDawnkeepers (Final Prophesy Book 2) by Jessica Andersen
The countdown to the end of days has begun—and Only the Nightkeepers can stop the annihilation of all mankind... Though a Nightkeeper, Nate Blackhawk refuses to allow others to control his fate. The gods have even tried to influence his love life, sending him visions of Alexis Gray, a sleek blonde who is everything he’s ever wanted in a woman. The two warriors can’t deny their attraction. But a frightening vision leads Nate to distance himself in spite of the intense passion he feels. Thrown together once more, they must reassemble seven Mayan artifacts that hold the key to preventing the end of the world…

Good addition to the series. If you liked the first one, then you will like this one. If you did not like the first one, then I would not recommend this one to you. I liked the first one a little better than this one. Her male characters are so pigheaded it gets annoying sometimes. I liked the Lucius storyline and Rabbit's storyline. Why do they treat him so badly? That poor boy has such a low self -esteem and they do nothing to encourage him, they just ignore him.

I give it a C.

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What Happens In Vegas... After Dark

4/11/2009 04:47:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (1)

Awesome Contest

4/07/2009 05:29:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

A great contest from some great ladies. Check it out here.

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Vacation reads lightening reviews

4/05/2009 05:09:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (4)

I had a great vacation and got to read lots of great stuff.

Instant Gratification by Jill Shalvis (A) review to come soon
Kaydana and the Staff of Ishlun by Nyki Blatchely (review here at Book Binge)

Product DetailsFragile by Shiloh Walker
Six years after trading in his combat gear for hospital scrubs, Luke Rafferty is faced with things just as heartbreaking as those on the battlefield. The abused children being brought in by the pretty redheaded social worker tug at his soul like nothing he’s ever known. For Devon Manning, being a social worker is a rewarding job, but also a constant reminder of her own troubled youth. Devon takes everything one day at a time—unable to form a relationship with anyone except the children she rescues. When Luke meets Devon, he thinks he might have found what he’s been looking for, but in order to get the life he wants, Luke has to break through Devon’s emotional barriers and make her realize that his healing touch might be just the complication her life needs…

I was very not sure of this book, because Shiloh has very rarely worked for me, but I really enjoyed this book. They only really see each other when she is bringing in another child that needs a physical examination or needs to be patched up after a parent beat the crap out of them, so not happy-go-lucky circumstances and definitely not very conducive to romance. Finally he gets up the nerve to ask her out.
Good solid storyline. There is nice romance and some suspense in there too. No paranormal elements if you were wondering. If you have not been able to get into her books before, give this one a try. I give this one an A-.

Product DetailsTemptation Ridge (Virgin River Book 6) by Robyn Carr
At twenty-five, after five years as her mother's caregiver, it's time for Shelby to experience freedom and adventure. Time for travel, college and romance. But when she visits Virgin River, she runs into Luke Riordan, decidedly not whom she has in mind. A handsome Blackhawk pilot, Luke exited the army after twenty years, four wars and having been shot out of the sky three times. At thirty-eight he's tough and jaded. His major was in one-night stands, with a minor in commitment avoidance. Technically, these two are all wrong for one another. But sometimes what you want and what you need are two different things…two very good things.

Loved the storyline, great addition to the series. The only thing that bugged me was Luke's difficulty in making decisions, he is a Blackhawk pilot, they have to make life or death decisions immediately all the time, but he floundered a lot during this story. It made for a good story, but in my mind i am wondering how he did so many years as a pilot being this unsure of himself.
I give it an A- because of the hero.

Product DetailsKisses Like a Devil (Devil Books book 5) by Diane Whiteside
Strikingly handsome, wealthy, and accomplished, Brian Donovan has succeeded in everything he puts his mind to - except marriage. Now, as a favour to his former military commander Teddy Roosevelt, Brian is investigating a powerful new weapon invented in the small European country of Eisengau. The task carries prestige, danger, and an enticing complication in the lithe form of Meredith Duncan. With her deliciously candid approach to all things sensual, Meredith is unlike any woman Brian has known. In fact, she wants him to ruin her reputation - and Brian eagerly obliges, initiating a passionate, playful, and wildly erotic affair...A feminist who believes in free love, Meredith has always battled convention. When her parents urge her toward an odious marriage, Meredith turns to the dashing, thoroughly masculine American who could be her only hope of escape. But nothing is as simple as it seems, and as competition to acquire the new weapon turns deadly, two lovers are drawn into a treacherous game where the stakes run as high as their raw, mutual desire, and the greatest risk of all may lie within an untested and all-consuming love...

This is about William and Viola Donovan's son (one of them anyway). Interesting setting, middle of Europe in 1893. Not your typical historical setting, nice change. Very strong heroine who is trying to change things politically in how the workers/laborers are treated where she is at. It is very hot, like all her books are, but the blurb made me think of her as this very open woman (kind of like a Susan Johnson heroine), but she just is not against sex before marriage, she has had a total of two partners before him.
The other books in this series are nice to read before hand but not necessary, this one stands alone fine. This gets a C+ from me. This was good, but I liked some of the other books by her more.

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March Re-read Challenge (a little late)

4/04/2009 04:42:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (1)

Well, I was going to put this out on time but the travelling internet gods were not with me. Hubby and I went to Alabama for a week leaving the kids with my mother (i love her). And the friend's house that we were staying at had very spotty internet so I was not able to be online except in short spurts. But I got to read alot :) I finished a book a day while I was away. I will tell you about those in the next post.

This post is about my re-reads. I picked a Johanna Lindsay trilogy that has been on my shelf for a few years. I originally read them out of order (2nd, 3rd, 1st then went back and read the 2nd one again because then it made more sense). These are very spread out in publication dates and the writing style shows it.
The worldbuilding confused me some. I thought from the way the first book was written that Tedra lived on a futuristic Earth just renamed, but in the third book he had to travel for 2 months to reach "Earth". I guess it makes sense and i just read it wrong, could be and would not be the first time.

Product DetailsWarrior's Woman
In the year 2139, fearless Tedra De Arr sets out to rescue her beleaguered planet Kystran from the savage rule of the evil Crad Ce Moerr. Experienced in combat but not in love, the beautiful, untouched Amazon flies with Martha, her wise-cracking, free-thinking computer, to a world where warriors reigns supreme--and into the arms of the one man she can never hope to vanquish: the bronzed barbarian Challen Ly-San-Ter. A magnificent creature of raw yet disciplined desires, the muscle-bound primitive succeeds where no puny Kystran male had before--igniting a raging fire within Tedra that must be extinguished before she can even think of saving her enslaved world. . .

Came out in 1990. I had a hard time with the hero, he is one of those Ultra-Alpha males. I love my alpha male but there is such a thing as too much for me. There is no compromising with these males, they have to have it their way and cannot fathom that there might be another option than the one they have come up with. But Tedra is a good match for him. She is strong enough to deal with him so she would not get squashed by his attitude but soft enough to deal with his hardness.
This is still a keeper for me, mainly because I like to read this one before the second book, but I think I could only re-read this one about once every 5-7 years.

Product DetailsKeeper of the Heart
Where Warriors Rule. . .

In search of a true and gentle love, fiery Shanelle Ly-San-Ter flees the lustful advances of the blue-eyed barbarian who has been chosen as her lifemate--confused and frightened by the fevered yearnings the handsome brute has awakened in her innocent soul.

Where Passion Reigns. . .
A warrior, virile and magnificent Falon Vanyer is overwhelmed with intense desire for the spirited beauty who has vowed never to be his. And though the heavens themselves conspire against him, he will pursue his sensuous prize--and brave any peril to conquer and claim the keeper of his heart.

Came out in 1993. This is my favorite of the trilogy. This is Tedra and Challen's daughter. She has grown up with the Kan-is-tra but does not want a warrior for a lifemate. They are too arrogant and uncompromising for her. Also she is terrified of the punishments that a warrior gives his woman. All she knows is what she hears and she wants nothing to do with it. The warriors in her culture use sexual frustration as a punishment technique. Which actually makes the next book more interesting in that aspect.
But anyway, the hero in this one is still an Alpha but I like him more than Challen. I think he is a little more compromising than Challen. She got on my nerves occasionally with her whining. But then got a little better.


Product DetailsHeart of a Warrior
Stunning statuesque Brittany Callaghan isn't used to seeing Nordic gods in her tiny California town. But when the spectacular blond Viking -- whose name is Dalden -- turns up at her doorstep, Brittany knows her dream man is very real. Dalden claims to be a barbarian warrior -- since Brittany's passion has been running red-hot since she first saw him, the sexy giant can fancy himself anything he pleases! The truth is a very rude awakening -- for Dalden is exactly what he claims to be: a warrior to the depths of his soul from a place where the women always obey. Intelligent, independent Brittany isn't about to be subservient to any male -- not even one who's everything she ever wanted in a lover. But the proud, powerful barbarian is accustomed to fighting for what he wants -- and winning. And what her wants most of all...is Brittany.

Came out in 2002. This one was good and is the story of Tedra and Challen's son, Dalden. This story took a regular and very skeptical American girl and put her into a fantasical situation. Two months after being involved with Dalden and flown to another planet, she still thinks that it is all an elaborate hoax and that it is a sociologcal study that someone is doing, observing her reactions to the odd situation. Her skeptcism did get a little old after a while but I can think of many people that might have the same reaction. Of course by the time she figures out that it is not a scam, she is stuck on another planet with a man who will never let her go back, a little creepy, but he is very cute. She is not complaining too much though, she just starts making changes there.
The punishment part is funny in this book because he goes to "punish" her and she thinks it is hilarious that that is the punishment, modern people on her planet make themselves sexually frustrated all the time, it is called "dating". That made me smile.
Good book, will keep on my keeper shelf.

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