December reads

12/31/2010 05:36:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

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+)
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.

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November reads

12/02/2010 09:49:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

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
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.

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October Reads

10/31/2010 04:36:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

Beastly by Alex Flinn (B+)

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


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Love this

10/05/2010 07:55:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (1)

Read this today and had to share!


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Converted man

10/03/2010 09:42:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (4)

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) (, , , , , ,, )

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.



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September reads

10/01/2010 04:04:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

Water Bound (Sea Haven Book 1) by Christine Feehan (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)
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.)

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Lightning reviews

9/25/2010 12:21:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (3)

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.

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The Darkest Hour

9/13/2010 04:07:00 AM / Posted by Kris / comments (3)


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.

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August Reads and life update

9/03/2010 11:00:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (3)

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)
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)
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-)
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.

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Andrew Peterson - Dancing in the Minefields (Official Video)

8/17/2010 07:28:00 AM / Posted by Kris / comments (1)

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

Summer Solstice

8/12/2010 08:28:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

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?

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Love in the Afternoon

8/03/2010 08:41:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (3)

62212589.jpg 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.


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July Reads

7/31/2010 06:16:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (4)

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
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
Beast Behaving Badly by Shelley Laurenston
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)
On the Edge (Edge Book 1) by Ilona Andrews
Deadly Fear (Deadly Book 1) by Cynthia Eden
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

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June Reads

7/01/2010 06:07:00 AM / Posted by Kris / comments (3)

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-)
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)
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)
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

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Guest Reviews

6/29/2010 08:39:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)


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.

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Embarrassing but Funny moments

6/24/2010 10:26:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (4)

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.

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Torn by Natalie Imbruglia

6/20/2010 11:37:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

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

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Never underestimate an old gal

6/11/2010 04:00:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)


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.

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Night Myst

6/08/2010 09:07:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

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?

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My Anniversary!! (and my hair :)

6/06/2010 06:20:00 AM / Posted by Kris / comments (5)


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.



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May reads

6/03/2010 03:22:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (1)

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
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

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Silent Scream

5/30/2010 10:18:00 AM / Posted by Kris / comments (2)

Product DetailsSilent 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.

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Bookstore Loot

5/28/2010 10:00:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (2)

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.


Product DetailsSilent Scream by Karen Rose (signed!!!)


Product DetailsPleasure of Sin by Shauna Hart (signed!!!)

Product DetailsMen of Danger anthology

Product DetailsGiving Chase (Chase Brothers Book 1) by Lauren Dane

Product DetailsTaking Chase (Chase brothers Book 2) by Lauren Dane

Product DetailsBranded as Trouble (Rough Rider series) by Lorelei James

Product DetailsWild West Boys (Rough Riders anthology) by Lorelei James

Product DetailsStrong, Sleek and Sinful by Lorie O'Clare

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April reads

5/01/2010 07:36:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (2)

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
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)
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)
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

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Broken

4/25/2010 01:09:00 AM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

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



Broken (Berkley Sensation)
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.

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Flirt review

4/10/2010 03:44:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

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.

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FYI: Free ebooks

4/02/2010 11:09:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (2)

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.

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March reads

4/01/2010 06:16:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (3)

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)
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


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Price of Love

3/29/2010 04:27:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

Price of Love by Shelley Munro 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.

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Bone Magic

3/23/2010 04:22:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (0)

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.

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Loss and happiness and a tribute

3/19/2010 08:50:00 PM / Posted by Kris / comments (6)

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.

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Blogger award

3/16/2010 11:26:00 AM / Posted by Kris / comments (3)



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:

Jill D.

Nath

Laura

Ames

Stacy



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