Read With Me

Baby Love

2009-05-24T13:59:00.004-04:00

Baby Love by Catherine Anderson
Why I read this: The back cover blurb sounded good.

Penniless, desperate and determined, Maggie Stanley grabs her small baby and runs into the snowy Idaho night, fleeing a dangerous, hurtful life. Now, in her loneliest, blackest hour, a handsome, down-and-out stranger's compassion shines forth like a torch in the darkness, offering her the warmth and comfort she has always longed for but has never known. But though tenderness lives buried deep in Rafe Kendrick's heart and though Maggie sees a soul wounded like her own in the depths of his startlingly beautiful eyes she knows she must never, ever trust any man again.

Rafe, however, is more than he seems—an enigmatic man of secrets who could give Maggie the moon and stars, had he not solemnly vowed to spend the rest of his life alone. But sometimes, without warning, love can transform a cold, pitiless world into paradise. And a man who has lost nearly everything, a woman who has forgotten how to dream, and the helpless child who needs them both can truly become that most wondrous of creations: a family.

Rafe, the hero of this book, is going into my top 10 Best Heroes list. Rich, charming, loves kids, a protector, good looking, good in bed, etc. You name, Rafe has got it.

Baby Love captivated me from the very first page. The entire time I was reading it I didn't want to put it down.

I'll admit to the fact that the book is cliche in the sense that it is a rich man with a nice family who saves the poor, single mother and loves her baby right from the get-go. The over all scenario that brought the couple together is not one that I relate to or even believe could happen this day and age, however, the way it is written makes me believe it.

Besides the villain, there is a cast of wonderful characters that I fell in love with the instant I read them.

B+ for Catherine Anderson's Baby Love.

Lover Avenged

2009-05-19T15:52:00.004-04:00

Lover Avenged by J. R. Ward
Why I read this: Yes, WHY!? I gave up on the series, but a dear friend sent me the book. For what she spent on the hard cover copy and shipping costs, I owed it to her to give it a try.

Caldwell, NY, has long been the battleground for the battleground for the vampires and their enemies, the Lessening Society. It’s also where Rehvenge has staked out his turf as a drug lord and notorious nightclub that caters to the rich and heavily armed. His shadowy reputation is exactly why he’s approached to kill Wrath, the Blind King, and leader of the Brotherhood. Rehvenge has always kept his distance from the Brotherhood, even though his sister is married to a member. Because he’s a sympath, his identity is a deadly secret- the revelation of which will result in his banishment to a colony for sociopaths. And as plots within and outside the Brotherhood take their toll against Rehvenge, he turns to the only source of light in a darkening world- Elhena, a vampire untouched by the corruption that has its hold on him- and the only thing standing between him and eternal destruction.

This will be short and sweet because I don't want to waste any more of my reading or reviewing time on this series than I have to.

The brothers still dress in leather, they still wear shit kickers, and they still have a stupid vocabulary of words.
The Lessers continue to bore me.
Ward is so busy flipping back and forth from storyline A to story line B to story line C to Storyline D, etc, that there is not near enough time for me to become invested in the supposed h/h.

This series used to excite me. It used to make me happy to follow the brothers and watch them fall in love.
Ward's odd story lines and inability to keep my attention makes this a DNF. I don't care what happens to anyone in this series any more.

Dead and Gone review

2009-05-09T22:39:00.005-04:00

Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris
Why I read this: It's Sookie, baby!

Except for Sookie Stackhouse, folks in Bon Temps, Louisiana, know little about vamps -- and nothing about weres.
Until now. The weres and shifters have finally decided to reveal their existence to the ordinary world. At first all goes well. Then the mutilated body of a were-panther is found near the bar where Sookie works -- and she feels compelled to discover who, human or otherwise, did it.
But there's a far greater danger threatening Bon Temps. A race of unhuman beings -- older, more powerful, and more secretive than vampires or werewolves -- is preparing for war. And Sookie finds herself an all-too human pawn in their battle.

I'll start by linking you to the review of the last Sookie Book I wrote. Just like it was for me then, it will be hard for me now to write a review without giving away spoilers. I'll black any out so that it isn't ruined for those who want to find out key things on their own.

Just like other Sookie fans, I started to watch True Blood last year. I liked the first few episodes, but it soon got on my nerves. Tara and Sookie were both so wrong that I couldn't get past it. The plot changes were so off course that I didn't even feel like I was watching something that was created in the authors mind. The only reason I continues on with the series is because my friend's husband had a recurring role on True Blood, and I always like to watch any show that he is on.

A big fear I had was that the True Blood would ruin the books for me. I was convinced that I would be picturing Anna Paquin (ugh!) while I was reading. That would have been bad. No way would I have been able to read even one page.

Ah, but Charlaine Harris is a fantastical author who truly knows her stuff. The sheer wrongness of True Blood wasn't a blimp on my radar screen while reading the book. Yay!

As always, Sookie was a strong heroine who didn't allow herself to be pushed around, but at the same time knew when to back down from any type of situation where she could get herself hurt.

The dynamics between Eric and Sookie are sheer fireworks. I enjoy Eric and I am pleased with any scene that he is a part of. My only complaint is that Sookie's relationship with Eric is starting to feel too much like the one between Anita Blake and Jean-Claude. (Laurel K Hamilton) Sookie isn't sure if what she feels is real or if it has to do with the blood exchanges, so she is reserved with her feelings for him. That is near to how things were with Anita and Jean-Claude, except Anita didn't know if it was real or because she was his servant.
It's subtle, but still made me aware enough to think of the other series (which I stopped reading, by the way)

All the usual characters play a role in one form or another, and poor Sookie is betrayed by someone she has known for a very long time. Readers wont be as surprised as Sookie was, though.

Dead and Gone was awesome. It was perfect except for the LKH reminder. For that, I'm going with an A- rather than the A+ I wanted to give it. Still pretty damn good, though, if you ask me :)

And because I have to tell someone, I'm going to post some major spoilers that I can't wait to start chatting about. *Highlight with your mouse to read spoilers)

Eric and Sookie are MARRIED!! Okay, not married the way you or I are married, but in Vampire society she is married to Eric and belongs to him and only him. Oh yeah!

Bill express his love for Sookie and nearly dies trying to protect her. There were a few pages where I thought he really had died. That was sad for me because I had started to forgive him for the shitty thing he did to Sookie. I'm relived he is not dead. Well, not dead dead. LOL.

Two deaths. One was Crystal. Meh. I hated her anyway. The other... Claudine! And she was pregnant. I was not expecting that at all.

One last thing is that I think we have seen the last of Sookie's great grandfather. Pity. I liked him. He didn't leave without telling her that he (he, as in Bill or Eric) really does love her. She didn't know which man Niall was talking about. I hope Sookie figures it out in the next book. I hope it's Eric.

That's it. That's all I wanted to spill.

Charming the Highlander

2009-05-03T10:22:00.000-04:00

Charming the Highlander by Janet Chapman
Why I read this: The back cover blurb sounded good.

When a plane crash strands brilliant scientist Grace Sutter on an icy mountaintop in Maine, she finds herself alone in the wilderness with the only other surviving passenger -- Greylen MacKeage,a sexy, medieval warrior who's been tossed through time to find the woman he's destined to love. Forced together to survive the harsh, wintry landscape, neither expects the fierce passion that flares between them. But Grace is not used to letting her heart take control, and Greylen will settle for nothing less than her heart's surrender....

There were a few things that had me excited to read this; highlander, plane crash, time travel.
I'm disappointed. That blurb is much too misleading.

I was wanting and expecting something similar to Linda Howard's Up Close and Dangerous, but with a highlander twist.
It wasn't even close.

Only two or so chapters covered the survival aftermath of the plane crash, so there goes the plot as described on the back cover that I was wanting to read.

Since I enjoyed a the other Janet Chapman books that I have read I figured I'd just read on. Even though it wasn't the story I was lead to believe, it could still turn out to be a good book, right? Sadly it didn't turn into a good read.

The story was all over the place. Heroine is to give her nephew to his father, but she doesn't want to (even thought she made a promise to her now dead sister) she lies about who the baby belongs to. There is a weird kidnapping plot that is inserted over half way in that doesn't fit the book at all. The heroine trying to help both her Hero and her sister's baby daddy, but there is resistance on both sides. None of it fit. It could have, though. But as it was, it felt like a bunch of different stories meshed into one.

DNF on page 272, however, I did jump to the end to skim the last few pages.

I'm not giving up on this author. I have the next few books in the series, which I do plan to read.

April '09 reads

2009-05-01T08:25:00.000-04:00

Hello, blogger land.
I did a hella good amount of reading this month. Bam-bam-bam, one right after the other. It feels nice to have been able to do that again after so long. Twenty-one books! :)

There were a few bombs, (Sorority Girl, beging the worst.) Some average reads, and a few amazing ones, (Manhunting, Butterfly Tattoo) so it was quality as much as quantity, which is good.

1) Too Far Gone by Marliss Melton
2) Sorority Girl by Cheryl Dragon
3) Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon
4) Drop Dead Gorgeous by Linda Howard
5) Heart of Fire by Linda Howard
6) Naughty Housewives by Elizabeth Scott
7) Nauti Intentions by Lora Leigh
8) Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich
9) Her Notorious Viscount by Jenna Peterson
10) Fire of Winter by Johanna Lindsey
11) Secret Submission by Diana Hunter (re-read)
12) Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur
13) To Wed a Highlander by Michele Sinclair
14) Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
15) Twin Fantasies by Opal Carew
16) Butterfly Tattoo by Dierdre Knight
17) Heart of a warrior by Johanna Lindsey
18) Submission Revealed by Diana Hunter (re-read)
19) Manhunting by Jennifer Crusie
20) Star Quality by various authors (anthology)
21) Tempt me Twice by Eden Bradley

A little note to let you know that my eBookwise is still in working order after that fall which caused it to go into a coma for an entire day. Whew. My Dh saved my whole year being able to fix it.

Double re read review

2009-04-30T08:00:00.003-04:00

For Nath's re-read challenge this month I decided to re read two of my favourite BDSM books.
Secret Submission and its sequel Submission Revealed by Diana Hunter.

The reason I decided on these two was because there are many books of this genre, but very few of them delve into the real emotions and physical happening of this topic. Anytime I read a Diana Hunter book I always feel like I am reading the real thing. It doesn't matter to me whether or not an author has personal experiences with it, but when I read these types of books, I expect it to sound valid and real. With this author it does. Every time.

When Phillip asks Sarah if she is a compliant sort of woman who will do anything he asks of her, she plays along, wanting a bedroom romp that will quiet the urges within her.

But Phillip has much more than a "bedroom romp" in mind. As he introduces Sarah to the world of bondage and submission, she discovers a need to be dominated. Phillip invites her to explore her sexuality each weekend at his cottage - as his slave.

The question is: how willing is she to give up her hard-earned independence? Even to a man so meltingly handsome as Phillip Townsend...

Secret Submission brings us through the courtship of Phillip and Sarah. Phillip is a Dom who has been searching for the perfect woman who will be his submissive partner both in and out of the bedroom. As it states in the blurb, Sarah first thinks that Phillip is only interested in playing the Dom/sub games and goes along with it for fun.

Phillips made mistakes in the past with women, so he made sure that Sarah knew what he was looking for. It's a bit of a shocking and arousing wake up call when she finds out that he wants the games to go beyond the bedroom. With his help she is eager to learn more about herself and her sexuality.

This is a good book for anyone who isn't too sure about the genre or lifestyle and want to learn about it. It's more than an erotica book with good sex. It's an accurate portrayal of how many true life BDSM relationships start and evolve.

Sarah and Phillip are planning their marriage and exploring the boundaries of an extreme Dominant-slave relationship. As Phillip opens the doors to Sarah's submission, she discovers places she had buried deep within herself. Under his guidance, she will become the woman she has always yearned to be.

But chaos ensues when Sarah's secret submissiveness is revealed to the world, and Phillip's dominance is considered abuse when the law gets involved with their sex lives. Their happiness is threatened, their lives put on hold as they are forced to defend their most private actions and the sex games they play.

Secret Revealed should be an award winning book, IMO. It's a continuation from Secret Submission, and the blurb is correct. Phillip and Sarah are planning their wedding. Sarah has some questions and concerns about their roles as Dom/sub, which are questions that anyone would have for any real life 24/7 Dom/sub couple that they know.

Sarah ends up getting into a car accident and gets pretty banged up. On her body, her buttocks and breasts to be exact, the doctors notice some marks that could not have occurred in the accident. It's soon revealed that Phillip caused the marks, and he is arrested for domestic abuse. The couple is first forced apart by the law, and then they have to defend their actions against friends and society.

I had picked Submission Revealed as one of my best books of the year when I first read it, plus I previously reviewed it on my blog here.
I'm going to copy/past a little bit of what I said in my original review, because I still feel the same way, it sums up my feelings perfectly...

Submission Revealed is an emotional read and had me getting angry, not at the book, but at how the couple was treated, because authorities refused to believe/accept that what was going on in their bedroom was consensual.

They couldn't understand how a woman would not only ask to be spanked with a cane, but also crave it and orgasm from it. Sarah got up on a witness stand and told this to a judge and jury. I can't imagine having to do that.

Just because you do not understand something, it does not mean that it's wrong. Sure, the majority of the world is into monogamous, vanilla, straight sex, so I understand the hesitation when it come to a couple who call each other Master and slave. Still, though, a lot more acceptance would do a world of good.

This was a really enjoyable read. I didn't want to put it down. Even if there are no more books based solely on them, I hope to get a glimpse of Phillip and Sarah in future books.

So those are my re-read books for the month of April. Both get an A. I'm positive that I will read them again and again.

Lora Leigh 3-some review

2009-04-29T21:02:00.003-04:00

There is a f/f/f review posted over at Breezing Through.

Ohh, did you think it was a girl on girl on girl menage review?
Well, it isn't. Hehe.

It IS Lora Leigh, and it is a 3-way... A 3-way review, though.
Ames and I invited Kris to review Nauti Intentions with us.

Since he saw Janey Mackay taking a dip in her bikini, Major Alex Jansen has had to quell the fire she ignites in him. Even touching her would mean death at the hands of the Mackay men. Until now, the girl of his dreams—and fantasies—has lived in a vacuum of affection, shying away from the danger she thinks men represent. Alex sets out to prove her wrong, with his torturously slow caresses.Everyone thinks Janey’s safe now, with her abusers dead. But when someone starts leaving spine chilling notes, Alex won’t rest until she’s completely safe. And completely his—body and soul…

The life and death of an eBookwise

2009-04-27T12:58:00.007-04:00

Two years ago I bought my eBookwise, it was a gift to myself because as much as I enjoy e-books, I'm not fond of reading off of my computer.

Holly probably remembers the day my eBookwise arrived. I was so excited to get started that I didn't even read the instructions first. Holly talked me through it, step by step. She didn't even laugh too hard when I complained that it was hard using my fingers when I named and registered it and that I wished there was a special pen that I could use. She calmly informed me that there is indeed a pen and that I can find it slid into it's spot on the top right hand corner of my device.
Oh.

My lovely eBookwise has been everywhere with me. It's awesome being able to cart around as many books as I want in one handy little device.

Sadly, I left my eBookwise unattended yesterday and when I went back to retrieve it it was not left in the spot I had put it. I said, "Who touched my eBookwise?" My youngest child said "Cotton did."

Oh, really? Cotton is one of our dogs. A tiny Maltese who can do a few tricks, but moving an eBookwise from the headboard to the dresser is not one of them.

Bottom line is that the eBookwise was dropped to the floor and would no longer turn on.
Have you ever lost your wallet, or have one of your kids go missing while out in public?
No joke when I say I felt that kind of panic.
I was also mad. At the little one for touching it and at myself for leaving it where he could get it.

I waited all day for Dh to come home and see if he could fix it.

He plugged in the charger to make sure the battery just wasn't dead. I knew it was fully charged, but Dh still had to make sure.

Then he started to take it apart.

Here is the inside of the back piece. That's the battery.

This is the over half-- the motherboard that is underneath the LCD screen.

Somehow there were some crumbs, so Dh cleaned it. He also looked closely for anything that may have moved around or something during the drop. He found what was broken, he fixed it, put it back together!!

MY EBOOKWISE WORKS AGAIN!

For real, I was so sure that I would have buy a new one. I even looked on eBay to try and find a used one. Huge relief. Phew.

To Wed a Highlander Review

2009-04-22T11:10:00.007-04:00

To Wed a Highlander by Michele Sinclair
Why I read this: The first book which I reviewed here was one of my best reads of that year. I was excited and thrilled to get my hands on this next McTiernay brothers book.

To Wed a Highlander, focuses on the second McTiernay brother, Colin, who is forced to marry his brazen, impetuous sister-in-law, Makenna, in order to protect the clan of his beloved, gentle dead wife.
Pride and unfamiliar desire guides much of their initial interactions as each wrestle with unexpected and intense feelings for the other. Conor and Laurel (from The Highlander's Bride) come back in this story and add to the lively interplay plaguing the Dunstan keep as Colin and Makenna discover the joy of their hidden, unknown passions.

This has been one of those books where I dread the ending because I simply do not want the book to end. Colin is as wonderful as his brother was in the first book and Makenna is a heroine who I would love to be friends with in real life.

Colin is the typical alpha medieval highlander male who goes to great lengths to make sure his wife and clan are protected. He is big, strong and has a heart of gold.

The reason I like Makenna so much is because she started off as terrible 'lady of the keep'. She did not know how to manage the household duties of being Lairds. Growing up, she was always practicing her sword play and had no want or will to learn how to cook, clean, manage, etc. When she comes to realize how much her non-actions are effecting everyone withing the castle, she swallows her pride and asks for help.

One of the biggest conflicts in the story is that the clan does not like the new laird. Not because he is mean or uncaring, but because there is a clash of customs when it comes to highlanders VS lowlanders. The clan does not want A McTiernay to lead them, so they rebel against the new Laird.

Ah, but when when the clan is attacked who do you think they run to for help? To their Laird, of course.

My only complaint was the head hopping, however, the story was good enough to look over it most of the time. I wont pretend that it didn't bother me, though.

B+. A sweet love story mixed in with an interesting plot. It was a real treat to see Connor and Laurel come back in this story, and I look forward to the many more McTiernay brothers books to come.

Update on Evanovich tour..

2009-04-18T11:22:00.003-04:00

We have the tour date.

Wednesday, June 24
Chapters Queensway
1950 The Queensway
Etobicoke, Ontario
6 p.m. signing

*Happy Dance*

Any other Canadians going to be there?

Yay!

2009-04-14T13:54:00.003-04:00

Janet Evanovich is coming to Canada, and I am so going to be there with my Rangeman hat and t-shirt.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

We're pleased to report that we've added Toronto, Canada to the Finger Lickin' Fifteen book tour. We're not yet sure of the date or the bookstore, but we'll give a full report aboot those facts as we learn them.

Except for the 'aboot' (meh--I'm over Americans making fun of the way we talk) I am super excited!

Check out the new website for Janet Evanovich. It's nice. Much easier to nagivate than it used to be.

Angel's Blood

2009-04-13T11:25:00.002-04:00

A trio review of Angel's Blood by Nalini Singh has gone up over at Breezing Through.

Once again all the opinions were different with ratings of A, B and C.
Check it out.

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux knows she's the best—but she doesn't know if she's good enough for this job. Hired by the dangerously beautiful Archangel Raphael, a being so lethal that no mortal wants his attention, only one thing is clear—failure is not an option...even if the task is impossible.

Because this time, it's not a wayward vamp she has to track. It's an archangel gone bad.

The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other…and pull her to the razor's edge of passion. Even if the hunt doesn't destroy her, succumbing to Raphael's seductive touch just may. For when archangels play, mortals break…

Sorority Girl

2009-04-12T21:21:00.009-04:00

Sorority Girl: Pledge Time by Cheryl Dragon
Why I read this: I was in the mood for some f/f and the cover attracted me.

I struggled with whether or not I should post this review. It's the worst one I have ever given. Perhaps you can call it a rant more than a review, but I did try to explain the things that where wrong with it.

Hazing has never been this hot! At the mercy and sexual whim of their kinky sorority president, Ashley and Blanca must work together to please her and each other. However these former enemies find more than great sex, kinky toys, and Dom/sub play. Lesbian Ashley finds herself falling for the experimenting Blanca. In the past Blanca used sex to get what she wants from men so women are no different but the pleasure and intense connection is more intimate with women. Even when she backslides and brings two men in to play with, Blanca wants Ashley nearby. True love and great sex in the form of her high school nemesis is just too weird. Blanca needs Ash's help and it tests how far she will go for her in this three-way that pushes their limits. One night could push them apart or bring them together for good. Can they build trust and find love under the wrathful paddle of their sorority president?

It's always been difficult to find a good f/f book. Out of all the ones I have read there has only been one that was any good and it was not even erotica. I've come to the conclusion that the reason f/f is not popular is because the grand majority of them are nothing more than porn disguised with a pretty cover and labeled as erotica.

Just like all but one of the other f/f's I have read, Sorority Girl is no different. Porn and erotica are NOT the same thing and it's books like this that give erotica a bad name. Although the author appears to write well when her subjects are men (I've not read her m/m books, but she has plenty--so someone likes them) it felt too me like Sorority Girl was written by a man for a man who had a f/f fantasy.

The plot was unbelievable. The two main characters who hated each other in high school are in the same Sorority. When they start having a sexual relationship it's simply because they are horny. They don't like each other, and call each other bitches, sluts and other names during their sex scenes. One of them can't resist a naked girl, no matter how much she hates her, and the other just likes to have sex... with anyone, anywhere, at any time.

The girls fall in love at the end, but I don't see how. When they were together the only thing they did was have have sex. There was no conversation that had anything to do with anything other than sex with each other, sex with the Sorority President, wanting to have sex with a teachers aid or how they were going to hide the sex they have together from the Sorority President--who had forbid them to have sex with anyone other than her.

Sorority Girl is a F (This is my first F...). It was a bunch of sex scenes slapped together. No story, no romance. It was porn.

Please! Someone recommend me a f/f that I will like before I give up the genre for good.

Booking Through Thursday

2009-04-09T23:48:00.003-04:00

Here is this weeks Booking Through Thursday question.

Some people read one book at a time. Some people have a number of them on the go at any given time, perhaps a reading in bed book, a breakfast table book, a bathroom book, and so on, which leads me to…

Are you currently reading more than one book?
If so, how many books are you currently reading?
Is this normal for you?
Where do you keep your current reads?

1) Yes, I am currently reading more than one book.
2) Three.
3) Sometimes.
4) One is in my eBookwise wise. It moves around a lot, but at this moment it sits in its case on the coffee table. My other two reads, print copies, are on my dresser.

Too Far Gone

2009-04-06T15:42:00.004-04:00

Too Far Gone by Marliss Melton
Why I read this: Nath review it on her blog and even though she didn't like it I thought that I would like it, so she sent it to me.

Ellie Stuart's life ended the day her children were stolen from her. Driving on a Virginia backroad, Ellie was ambushed by two men who violently pulled her from her car and drove off with her three sons inside. Devastated, Ellie begs the police to bring her babies home. But the authorities wonder if this stressed-out single mom may not be telling the whole truth about what happened that day...

Navy SEAL Sean Harlan agrees to help Ellie find her children, but vows to keep their relationship professional. He's got no room in his life for a woman and her kids--no matter how beautiful she is, or how desperate their situation. But when a sinister organization begins pulling strings behind the scenes, the investigation suddenly targets Sean. Can he and Ellie rescue her children and save themselves? Or are they already...

Three words--Nath was right.
First off, the blurb is misleading. The way it's written makes it sound like she asks him for help, or that he didn't know her before the kids were taken.
A few things; She never asks for his helps. He volunteers, both before and after the kidnapping, to care for the kids. Sean spoils them them toys, games and outings. Once they are kidnapped he is livid and goes out of his way to get them back.

If you look up the word 'inconsistent' in the dictionary, you will see a picture of Sean. (who does not sound at all attractive by the description of him.) He is extremely attracted to Ellie, but over and over again we hear about how he does not date women with children. Then why does he hang around so much? It doesn't make sense that he wont date a mommy because of her kids, but he will still get attached to the kids of someone he is lusting over.
An explanation about that would have been nice, but the author didn't give us one.

Ellie was not an easy character to relate to. As a mother I tend to get emotionaly involved when children are hurt in books. The feeling that come off the pages usually go right to my heart, but that was not the case with Gone Too Far. Anytime Ellie showed grief about her kidnapped sons it rolled off my shoulders. Something was missing, not once did I feel anything for the charaters that would allow me to realate to them.

Romantic Suspense books are a favourite of mine, but this time I could have done without the romance. The sex scenes were misplaced and felt awkward. Almost as if they were thrown in because they had to appear somewhere.

As much as I wanted to like Gone Too Far, and as as much as I thought I would enjoy it, I did not. It's a D book. Everything that one looks for in a romance was missing. Everything one looks for in a good Hero and/or Heroine was missing. IMO, of course.

March 09 reads

2009-04-01T21:38:00.005-04:00

March was a good month. I went kind of crazy and read as much of Susan Elizabeth Phillips as I could. Why the hell did it take me so long to discover this amazing author? I have not got drunk on a back list this bad since the first Lucy Monroe book I read. The same thing happened then that has happened now--I can't get enough! Take a look at the SEP titles I have read, and I'm not done yet, I don't want to be done! Expect next months list to be as full of SEP as this one has been.

Along with the many wonderful books I read in March, I also had 3 DNF's (did not finish)
They were,
The Lover by Robin Schone. The Lover appealed to me when I read the review someone had posted for Nath's re-reach challenge. I fell in love with Annie's Song, which I discovered via the reread challenge, so I thought this would be another good one.
Well, I didn't like it. For the great review and all the raves in the reply, it was a huge disappointment. I stopped reading when the hero licked up the heroine's hymen blood. Ick.
Before that part I had put it down twice because the love scene was odd. It was supposed to be an erotic read but it all came off so forced and uncomfortable.

The Maverick by Lora Leigh. ~~My first ever LL DNF~~ Correction: Wicked Pleasure was a DNF. I forgot about that one :(
Wild Card was fantastic, I loved it! Maverick being the next book in the series I had high expectations for, but I was pretty much turned off right from the first page. The hero/Heroine were always 'destroying' each other. The heroine was attracted to the hero but his tough sexuality is too much for her. The hero is an annoying sort of alpha man. "You are mine mine mine whether you want to be or not. My big penis, rock hard chest, tight ass and sunglasses make it impossible for you to resist me." *thumps chest*
You get what I'm saying, right?
Change the H/H's names and it could have been any other LL book.
The final straw with this book was being reminded over and over again about how plain or ugly the heroine is. Tiring.

The Duchess, Her Miad, the Groom & Their Lover by Victoria Janssen. Out of the three DNF's I had in March, this is the only one that went back into the To Be Read pile.
There was nothing wrong with the story, but I had a problem with the writing style, phrasing and flow. It wasn't easy to follow which started to put a negative spin on the story, so I had to put it down. In a few weeks I'll try to get back into. Normally my DNF's go to the second hand store given away, but this one I will try to read again, I hope.

Here is the list from last month,

1) Dream a Little Dream by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

2) Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

3) Angel's Blood by Nalini Singh

4) First Lady by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

5) And to Hold by Pepper Espinoza

6) Lady be Good by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

7) After Shock by Jill Shalvis

8) The Zebra wore Fishnets by Pepper Espinoza

9) Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

10) What I Did For Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

11) Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

12) It Had to be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

13) The Vampire's Bride by Gena Showalter

Aftershock by Jill Shalvis

2009-03-30T13:09:00.007-04:00

Aftershock by Jill Shalvis
Why I read this: My book of the month for Nath's Re-read challenge.

If it hadn't been for the earthquake, Amber Riggs would never have made love to a perfect stranger. And no doubt about it, fire inspector Dax McCall was perfect! Who else could have taught her the meaning of passion at a time like that?

Still, when Amber ran into him a year later she wasn't sure how he'd react. She hadn't meant to keep the news from Dax.... But he'd been out of town, and she'd been sort of relieved. After all, how do you tell the perfect man he has a perfect baby girl with a woman he doesn't know from Eve?

I first read this book when it was released with Harlequin's Temptation line. I remember loving it at the time, but now, after reading it all these years later I find that I liked it rather than love it.

The premises is simple. A woman is trapped in a building with a man, they both think they are going to die, and cling to one another. They can't see what each other look like but they can feel each others bodies. They like what they feel because they end up having sex.

They don't die and she gets pregnant. She tries once or twice, half hearted, to contact him to let him know, but messages get lost, so he does not find out that he is about to be a father.

He runs into her one day, sees the baby and puts two and two together that he is the baby daddy.

Dax was fantastic. He stepped up immediately. He never doubted that the baby was his, and even though he was angry at Amber for not telling him, he didn't hold it against her for very long.
I was happy that Amber acknowledged both to her self and to Dax that she did not try hard enough to contact him, and she didn't try to come up with excuses about it. She messed up, she owned up to it and I respect her for that.

My problem while reading this book is that even though I liked it, my mind kept wondering to another Tempation book that had a similar plot that I wanted to re read.
Because it could not keep my full attention, I'm going with a C+. It was well written, the heroine redeemed herself for being dumb about not trying hard enough to contact the father, and Dax was wonderful. Hello, firefighter who is a wonderful dad and puts his baby and baby mama first.

It was a cute read. Give it a go :)

... And to hold

2009-03-14T09:22:00.003-04:00

... And to Hold by Pepper Espinoza
Why I read this: I'm interested in one of her longer length novels, but I wanted to try one of the shorter (cheaper) ones first to see if I like her writing style before I spend on the longer book.

Can an unorthodox solution relieve the tension between a bride and her impotent groom?
Mari is deeply in love with her husband, Justin. But shortly after their marriage, a tragic accident leaves Justin impotent. The newlyweds do their best to work around the problem, but no matter what they try, Mari remains unsatisfied.

Until Justin brings home his best friend, Paul...

This was a fast read. Only 66 pages on my e-reader. The blurb is correct. Justin can't get it up and spends a small fortune on various toys for his wife, but after a while she can't get off anymore, she needs the real thing.

Mari loves Justin and has never once thought of being with another man so she is shocked and a little bit angry when Paul walks into the bedroom for sex.

Like I said, it was a super short read and to add to that, it felt unfinished. Readers never learn how Justin's impotency causing accident happened, and we don't find out if they will continue the menage relationship.

It was supposed to be m/m/f but the only m/m part was a kiss. That was a disappointment. I was wanting some more man on man action.

My verdict for ... And to Hold is C+. I wish I had not been left with unanswered questions. It's true that stories this short do not require a lot of history, but I think a few extra lines would have answered questions that I want to know.

Even with the abrupt ending I liked it enough to want to read the longer one. If you are looking for a super fast m/m/f with just a touch of m/m, then this is the book for you.

Puppy post

2009-03-09T13:53:00.004-04:00

Not at all book related, but I feel like sharing :)
This is my dog, Jojo. She is a 7 month old shih-tzu who recently underwent a spay, hernia repair and had an identity micro chip inserted. Her procedures were 11 days ago and today I had her at the groomers for a little bit of pampering. Because of her incision we still can't get her underside wet, but I still took her in for a bit of a trim and clean up.

She looks darling with her little hair clip.

She is still pretty young, but according to the vet, she is at her adult size. Her parts that were removed were full growth when it comes to size and weight, so we can expect her not to get bigger. She might get fatter if I over feed her, but as it stand, she is the biggest she will ever be.

Her mom is 7lbs, her dad is 10lbs, and she is 6lbs 8oz. Her breeder, who is a relative of mine is shocked at how small she is, but I think she is perfect. I wanted a small dog, and that's what I got.
Of course, she is not as small as Ame's She-Rah, though. LOL (*reminder* Send Jojo's out grown clothes to She-Rah like I was supposed to do months ago! Ames, tell She-Rah I will do it soon, I promise :-)

I'm trying to convince my husband to let us get either a Pug or a Dachshund so that Jojo can have a playmate. Keep your fingers crossed. I really want another dog :)

SEP twofer

2009-03-06T15:43:00.005-05:00

Dream a Little Dream and Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
Why I read these: Dream a little Dream because I liked the blurb. Kiss an Angel because I liked Dream a Little Dream so much.

SEP is a new to me author. Having only read three of her novels I feel like I have been missing on on something really big and great.

Dream a Little Dream was about a widow and her young son coming back to a town that once loved, but now hated her. Her husband was a Televangelist preacher who scammed people out of their money. He confessed his sins on live TV, putting all the blame on her.
When she returns, she begs for a job from Gabe, a man who is the towns most loved son. Gabe is also a widow. He lost his wife and son is a car accident and as much as he falls for (name) he can't bring himself to like her son.
Rachel will do anything and everything for the welfare of her child, even if it means giving up on the man she loves so much.

My feelings are summed up in this series of emails with Holly.

Re: Dream a Little Dream
Holly: I just saw on your sidebar that you read this book. What did you think? It's one of my favorites by her, but it's not for everyone.

Me: Oh, I loved it! I finished it in less than a day.
It reminded me a little bit of Ain't she Sweet? in the sense that she was coming back to a town that hated her.

Even better than the love story I liked how the relationship with her son and Gabe evolved. Some of those parts, as a mother, were hard to read, but I liked how it ended.

Holly: I completely agree about Gabe and her son (remind me what his name is...I'm drawing a blank). That was painful to read at times, but completely understandable from Gabe's perspective. I wanted to be angry with him or hate him for the way he acted, but I couldn't because my heart was breaking for him.

It really grabs you right from the beginning, doesn't it? I loved that Rachel was willing to do whatever it took to support her son, though. Even if it meant being humiliated. I need to re-read. lol

Me: Edward is his name (or Chip, lol)

Have you read Cal and Janet's story? I wonder if it's any good.

There were many emotional parts to DALD. After that teen stole the car with the kids in it, and then got into the accident. eek. Poor Gabe. I mean, poor Rachel for having to go through that fear, but more so for Gabe who had already gone through it once before :(

Holly: That's right! Duh. lol

Yes, I've read all of SEP's books. I didn't care for Cal's story (Nobody's Baby But Mine). I think it's mostly because the storyline isn't one that works for me. That one and Heaven, Texas are my least favorite by her.

There were a lot of emotional parts. The whole book is just an emotional roller coaster ride from start to finish. My heart broke for Rachel when she'd go hungry so Chip could eat. :(

Holly is exactly right. Dream a Little Dream was indeed an emotional roller coaster. I can see myself picking it up for re-reads many times in the future.

After reading Dream a Little Dream I wanted to dive right in to another SEP book, and Kiss an Angel was recommended by both Ames and Holly.
Gosh, I don't know which book I liked better. Both touched me in different ways, they were so good.

In Kiss an Angel, Daisy is forced to go to jail or marry Alex, a man who runs a Circus. She chooses to marry Alex, and they agree that the marriage will last only six months. Alex is a hard hearted man who wont love Daisy, and he refuses to let her believe that they will last longer than the 6 months, no matter how good they are together in bed. Daisy, or Feather head as he calls her, (because of the way her hair is feathered) chips away at the ice covering his heart, and by the end of the book it is he who is begging her for a chance to make things work.
Truly a Happily Ever After.

One of my favourite things about Kiss an Angel is how Daisy grows. She starts off being deathly afraid of animals, but by the end of the book she has a pet tiger and a pet elephant.

I loved both these books. Can't wait to delve into my next SEP!

Feb Reads 2009

2009-03-01T10:15:00.003-05:00

This was an content reading month. No Ds, no DNFs. Yay.

We hosted a great contest over at Breezing Through-thank you so much for playing along. We hope to offer more contests like that throughout the year.

I've made another pie chart, hehe.

After reading Plum Spooky I decided to go back and read all the other in between the numbers books. They are pretty good. That Lula cracks me up every time! What a ho'. And Diesel? Woot.

Bones Crossed was my only A book for the month. It's always a good feeling to have your expectations met when it comes to books. :)

1) The Spy Who Wants Me by Lucy Monroe

2) Annie's Song by Catherine Anderson

3) Cabin Fever by Diana Hunter

4) Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs

5) Conspiracy in Death by J. D. Robb

6) In for a Penny by Carol Lynne

7) Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs

8) Dark Lover by J.R. Ward (re-read)

9) Coyote's Mate by Lora Leigh

10) Dirty by Megan Hart

11) Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich

12) Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich

13) Second Chance Pass by Robyn Carr

14) Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich

15) Only Pleasure by Lora Leigh

Dark Lover. Again

2009-02-27T09:30:00.007-05:00

Dark Lover by J. R. Ward
Why I read this: I picked this book for the re-read challenge.

With the hype of the next BDB book that is out soon, I felt the need to refresh my mind with Dark Lover. Imo, as many flaws as it has, it's the best book of the series.

Click here to see my review from the first time I read it.

The only purebred vampire left on the planet, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But when one of his most trusted fighters is killed- orphaning a half-breed daughter unaware of her heritage or her fate - Wrath must usher the beautiful female into the world of the undead…

Racked by a restlessness in her body that wasn't there before, Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerously sexy man who comes to her at night with shadows in his eyes. His tales of brotherhood and blood frighten her. But his touch ignites a dawning hunger that threatens to consume them both…

Reading this book a second time had a few highs and lows. It was wonderful to see Wellsie again. She never had very big parts, but she was a much loved Shellan and I enjoyed her character. As much as it was nice to see her again, I also felt the same anger that went through me when she was murdered in a later book.

During this re read I skipped all the the lesser POVs because they were boring. You can not read a single word of the Lesser POVs and not miss out on any of the story. I'm not sure why the lessers have their own pages. They are not needed.

The BDB speaking terms were still hard to read, but having read all the BDB books to date, it's not like I didn't know what I was getting myself into.

It was interesting to re read the friendship between Butch and V from the start, now that I know what I know happens in future books. Just like the murder of Wellsie and her baby, I think that not putting Butch and V together as a couple was a mistake.

I enjoyed reading Dark Lover again. It's the best book of the series, and did a great job sucking me into the rest of the books. With each new installment I keep hoping that the books will be as good as Dark Lover. It hasn't happened yet.

The first time I read this book I gave it a B. I'm going to knock it down to a C+. Dark Lover is entertaining and I do recommend it to all. I will more than likely re read it again, but like I said, it's very flawed. And the fact that I skip over parts isn't good. To mark it higher would feel like a lie.

Now I know how authors feel

2009-02-27T09:07:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I was very excited to see that a letter I sent in to the editor had been printed in the paper. Until I got to the name and someone else was there instead.

What are the chances of someone else in my city writing the exact same letter, word for word? Everything from my use of an exclamation point and em-dash?

It's too much of a coincidence. Someone else is getting credit for something that *I* wrote, and it really pisses me off.

I called the paper and they are unsure as to how the mix up happened. They will "look into it and possibly print a retraction."

Sigh.

Annie's Song

2009-02-24T09:48:00.000-05:00

Annie's Song by Catherine Anderson
Why I read this: Ames read it for the re-read challenge last month, it sounded very good.

Annie Trimble lives in a solitary world that on one enters or understands. As delicate and beautiful as the tender blossoms of the Oregon spring, she is shunned by a town that misinterprets her affliction. But cruelty cannot destroy the love Annie holds in her heart.
Alex Montgomery is horrified to learn his wild younger brother forced himself on a helpless "idiot girl." Tormented by guilt, Alex agrees to marry her and raise the babe she carries as his own. But he never dreams he will grow to cherish his lovely, mute, misjudged Annie—her childlike innocence, her womanly charms and the wondrous way she views her world. And he becomes determined to break through the wall of silence surrounding her—to heal—and to be healed by Annie's sweet song of love.

Annie's Song was a good romance that left a warm, fluffy feeling in my heart. I just love feeling good at the end of a romance and thinking, "That's how all love should be."

Poor Annie didn't have it easy in life. Everyone thought her to be dimwitted, and she was treated as such. Her parents loved her, but didn't show it to her in the right way. They kept her hidden most of the time thinking that it was best for her, but really, it just made things worse.

After Annie is attacked and becomes pregnant, Alex, the attackers brother, steps up and marries Annie.

At first Alex thinks just what everyone else thinks... that Annie is just some dumb girl who doesn't know anything. After getting a wake up call from his housekeeper, he soon finds out that there is nothing mentally wrong with Annie, she simply can't hear.

Together, they find ways to communicate, and as Alex helps Annie, he falls head over heels in love with her.

Reading Annie's Song felt like magic. It was like a different version of an old fashioned Cinderella story.

Great book, great story. A.

Still around

2009-02-13T21:01:00.004-05:00

Hi everyone,

Thank you to the the people who have emailing me. I am still around, but laying low for a while.
The daughter of a friend of mine died of cancer, she was only 11 years old and it has been very difficult for me to deal with.
When I attempt to blog or interact I feel like I am doing the wrong thing. It just feels wrong to go on with my life while a little I knew has died. There are a mixture of conflicting emotions going through my head that I am not dealing well with.

Stay safe and healthy, friends. I might not be saying much, but I am reading your blogs.

WINNER!!!

2009-02-05T13:24:00.003-05:00

Thanks to those of you who decided to play along in my Instant Attraction contest.

I was in a good mood and decided to pull two names.
It's a not a requirement, but I do hope you will both post a review of the book after you have read it.

The winners are...

Flora
and
Ames

Please send me an email with your mailing address. ReadwithSeneca at gmail dot com (you can figure that out ;-)

Congrats ladies.

Contest!

2009-02-02T22:43:00.003-05:00

We have a contest running at Breezing Through.

Don't forget to see this post and get your chance for Jill Shalvis' Instant Attraction.

List of Jan reads

2009-02-01T08:22:00.000-05:00

Hello fellow bloggers!

2009 is off to a good start, yay!

There have been some great reads for me this month, that always puts me in a good mood.
I notice a few people had pie graphs for their year end post. I thought they looked cool, so I'll be making one each month that is broken up into A, B, C, D and DNF.

This is the chart for Jan. 40% of my reads were C books. I don't consider C (unless it's a c-) to be bad, so 40% of them is okay with me. A, B and DNF were each 20%. There were no D books.

This list of books I read in January 2009,

1) Darker than Love by Kristina Lloyed

2) Broken Wing by Judith James

3) Moon Awakening by Lucy Monroe

4) Red Ribbons and Blue Balls by Tia Fanning

5) Cesar's Way by Cesar Millan

6) Free Pass by Elizabeth Scott

7) Unlawful Contact by Pamela Clare

8) Wicked Burn by Beth Kery

9) To Die For by Linda Howard

10) Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis

11) Pirate by Fabio

12) Sweet Topping by Carol Lynne

13) Stranger by Megan Hart

14) Alpha and Omega by Patricia Briggs

15) To Seduce a Texan by Georgina Gentry

Be sure to click on the Instant Attraction review. I'm holding a contest!!

Re-Read: Moon Awakening by Lucy Monroe

2009-01-31T00:16:00.000-05:00

Moon Awakening by Lucy Monroe
Why I read this: Nath's Re-Read Challenge of books from the keeper shelf.

When Emily Hamilton's family is ordered to send a woman to the Scottish highlands for marriage to the laird of the Sinclair, Emily volunteers in order to save her younger sister from such a fate. But at her new home, the only friend she finds is the laird's sister-especially after Emily's stubborn streak causes the laird to cancel the marriage. And though her plans have gone awry, she refuses to return home...

Lachlan Balmoral is laird of his clan-and leader of his pack. One of the most feared werewolves prowling the Highlands, he is on the march against the hated Sinclair, who have abducted a Balmoral woman. He kidnaps the sister of the Sinclair laird, planning to marry her off in revenge-but the woman he takes along with her proves to be the greater prize...

For Emily feeds a desire he has never known existed. And though Lachlan would not think of touching his enemy's betrothed, he must know how a mere woman could tame his heart so easily...

It was difficult to pick a book for this challenge. There are only 12 months in a year and I have way more than 12 books on my keeper shelf, so just picking the first book to read was a challenge on it's own.

This book was decided on because I remembered from my first read that, I was emotionally invested in the book. I knew that the author had written it in a way that made me feel like I was in the story, that I was the heroine. I wanted to feel that way again.

This is the link to my original review of this book. Reading it I notice that my reviewing style has changed over the years. I used to give away most of the story, and that does not happen anymore.

In Moon Awakening, Emily is sent to marry a Laird who she does not want, and who does not want her. While waiting for the Laird to set a wedding day, Emily becomes good friends with the Laird's sister. One day they are both kidnapped, and during their captivity, Emily falls in love with Lachlan, the Laird who has captured her.

My opinion on a few of the story issues has changed. I no longer feel annoyed that Emily was kept housed in a tower room that is normally meant for prisoners. After the first night she had the freedom to come and go and she pleased, so it's not like she was treated like a captive.

Something new that didn't bother me before but tended to make me pause this go around is the use of 'sweetest spot'. Emily's sweetest spot is her clitoris. Since I am a fan of the authors work and I have read all of her books, I've come to notice that the term is used in some of her other books. Lucy Monroe writes amazing love scenes that are super sexy, so 'sweetest spot' feels out of place for me. It would suit better with more vanilla love scense, I think.

For me, reading this book the second time made it all the better. It was a B- the first time I read it, and now it is a B+. It's not perfect, but it's damn good and it made me happy to read it a second time. I'm even thrilled to read it a 3'rd and 4'th time!

Instant Attraction and CONTEST!

2009-01-30T09:05:00.000-05:00

Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis
Why I read this: I won it from Book Binge!

The first in a sensational new series, Jill Shalvis introduces Cameron, Stone, and T.J. Wilder – three bad-boy heroes who effortlessly mix breathtaking adventure and scorching sex appeal.

Accountant Katie Kramer is a quintessential good girl – working hard, recycling diligently, all the while trying to ignore the feeling that she doesn’t fit in anywhere. That’s all she wants. Well, that – and amazing sex, and the kind of daredevil escapade she can look back on when she’s crunching numbers in a dusty cubicle. Which explains why she just took a job in Wishful, California, working for Wilder Adventures and Expeditions. Waking up to find a magnificently built stranger towering over her bed – that part defies explanation.

After wandering the planet for months following a life-changing accident, Cameron Wilder has come back to the only home he knows. Under other circumstances, he might be thrilled to find a gorgeous woman sleeping in his cabin, but now, while he’ll risk his body taking clients on adrenaline-drenched excursions, his heart is off limits. Still, Katie’s killer smile triggers something deep in his gut . . . among other places. Showing her how exhilarating it can be to stop balancing her life as if it was a checkbook is the biggest rush he’s ever felt – and an adventure Katie’s wishing would never end.

The first thing I should say is that I'm very glad to have been one of the winners of the giveaway contest. To tell you the truth, I really don't like the cover at all, and the back cover blurb doesn't make the book sound very interesting. So for those reasons, I'd have not purchased this book.

Do not judge a book by it's cover or back blurb.

This was good. So good. Very good!

I'm kicking myself for even thinking that I would have not read this.

Our heroine, Katie, is the classic boring, good girl. She never did anything wrong, and she never did anything adventurous. After being the lone survivor of a bridge collapse, she decides to take a look at her life, and she does not like what she sees. Boring. Plain. A simple life doing nothing exciting.
She decides to start on a quest of adventures. She doesn't know what it is exactly she will do, except that whatever it is, she wants it to be fun and exciting. What better place to start than taking a job at a place called Wilder Adventures and Expeditions.

Instant Attractions opens with Katie waking up in bed and finding one hot, sexy dude staring at her. It's the prodigal son (in a sense) who has come back after a year away wallowing in self pity.
Cam and Katie are instantly attracted to one another. Katie wants to count Cam as one of her adventures... a night of great sex.

Katie gets her night of hot sex, and so much more.

What I liked best about Instant Attraction is how Katie helps Cam. Just like Katie, Cam was also in an accident that nearly took his life. The difference between the two of them is that Katie decided that because of her near death experience she was going to do something with her life. She was going to live. Cam, on the other hand, did the opposite. He tuned out everyone who cared for him and went off on his own to do... I don't know... feel sorry for himself, I guess. With the help and love a good woman, namely Katie, Cam is brought back to the land of living.

Instant Attraction was a great read. A B read from me.
It had excitement, great sex, a hot hero, a smart heroine and an all around good story.

When is the second book out? I can't wait for it!

CONTEST

Since I was given a chance to read this wonderful book, I am passing a copy on to another lucky reader.

If you want to win a free copy of Instant Attraction all you have to do it tell me what the most adventurous thing is that you have ever done. Or if you are a homebody (like me) then tell me what kind of adventure you would like to go on.

The book will be shipped from Chapters.ca, so I can only send to addresses within Canada or the United States. (sorry!)

To Seduce a Texan

2009-01-24T22:20:00.006-05:00

To Seduce a Texan by Georgina Gentry
Why I read this: It was the cover and blurb that attracted me to it. Plus I can never turn away from a kidnapping plot.

Texan Will 'Waco' McCain and his gang are under orders to rob a bank in Prairie View, Kansas, and get the loot back to their home state, pronto. Trouble is, the town's crawling with Yankee soldiers so it's on to Plan B: kidnap the banker's stepdaughter. Nabbing the delectable Rosemary Burke turns out to be easy as pie. But Waco soon discovers the smart, stubborn heiress is quite the handful - in every sense.

Rosemary knows this kidnapping is the perfect opportunity for her greedy stepfather to get rid of her and keep her inheritance, which is why he's ignoring her captors' ransom demands. Truth be told, living in close quarters with the handsome cowboy isn't the worst thing to happen to a girl who's had few chances to hone her feminine wiles. Come to think of it, seduction might be her best chance at escape - not to mention a bit of fun.

With the ransom dropping, his deadline looming, and something entirely unexpected blooming with Rosemary, Waco wonders if this dangerous game she's playing is about to turn deliciously real...

To Seduce a Texan had elements that I enjoy in books.

1. Kidnapping
2. Historical Western
3. A parental villain
4. An ugly ducking heroine

It should have been a book that I had a good time reading.

It wasn't.

My first issue is that even though I like a heroine who is not model perfect, I don't like to be constantly reminded of her physical short comings. It was mentioned in just the first chapter alone that she was plump, too round or fat-- five times. It was mentioned several more times, per chapter, until chapter four. From then on it was repeated only every other chapter instead of every other page, like it had been.

My second issue is that the heroine was made out to be a lady. Dialogue from people around her as well as her own inner dialogue stressed it. She expected to be treated like one, however, she had a mouth that no lady in that time would have used. Her favourite thing to say was "shut up" and she was fond of name calling.

My third issue is that there were several phrases both in narrative and dialogue that were used, word for word, more than once. It was distracting to read the same things over like that. I kept getting flashes of deja vu, and twice I stopped reading and flipped back to see if there was a printing error with the page numbers. Not so. It was all in the right order.

All of those I could have kept on reading through if not for the fact that I could not stand to read one more word from the uneducated, backward hero. I get that he had no learnin' and that he don't know what them there big words mean, (*Ahem* sarcasm) but holy hell, reading the way he talks made me feel like I didn't have an education past the second grade. It was way too distracting, and did nothing to make the hero look like, well, a hero!

To Seduce a Texan is not a book I could finish reading. DNF.

Have you read this book?

2009-01-23T14:30:00.002-05:00

I received a recommendation for this book when I placed a book order.

The Vampire Shrink by Lynda Hilburn

Denver psychologist Kismet Knight just wants a little excitement in her life. She doesn't believe in the paranormal, especially not vampires. Until she meets gorgeous, 800-year-old Devereux and finds herself up to her neck in undead. And blood-drained bodies. Enter another gorgeous man, FBI profiler Alan Stevens. Uh. . .No more worries about excitement. . .

More about it here on the author's website.

I thought I was over Vampires, but this one sounds interesting. However, I have been dupped before.

Thoughts?

Have you done your re-read yet?

2009-01-19T10:21:00.004-05:00

This is a bossy reminder for those of you who are taking Nath's keeper shelf re-read challenge.

There are only 12 days left for you to read your book. Remember, if you want to qualify for the free gift certificate to the bookstore of your choice then you must post your re-read review on the last day of the month!

Hurry, hurry to all you slow readers. Get to it!

Wicked Burn

2009-01-16T13:08:00.005-05:00

Wicked Burn by Beth Kery
Why I read this: There were lots of great reviews, and Ames stayed up all night reading it.

Vic Savian knows what he wants when he sees it. And what he wants is his sexy neighbor, Niall Chandler. So when he sees her in the hallway of their building being harassed by an aggressive suitor, Vic makes his move—and finds himself greatly rewarded…
Sleeping with her gorgeous neighbor—when she didn’t even know his last name—was the craziest thing Niall’s ever done. Now, she can’t seem to get enough of Vic—or the uninhibited passion he stirs in her. Suddenly, with his help, she’s opening to sensual pleasures she’s never known before. But when Niall’s past comes back to haunt her, will she and Vic let themselves venture beyond the bedroom and explore the possibility of love that’s in their hearts?

Ames and I were supposed to review this one for Breezing Through, but we decided that I should go ahead and post my review here, and she will maybe post her review on her own blog.

Since all I have to say about it I already told Ames via email, here you have it, my thoughts on Wicked burn.

Me: Hi Amy,

I'm not liking it at all, don't even want to finish it. I'm sorry :(
I don't mind still doing the review with you, but it will be a DNF one.

Ames: That's all right.

What part are you at? What aren't you liking?

Me: I'm in the middle of chapter five.

The dialogue isn't very good, I can't get a feel for Vic's voice at all.

The Amount of POV changes during the love scenes is past the point of annoying. One, maybe two, I am okay with, but I lost count at eight times in a single love scene. I like to stay in the moments during those parts and the going back forth kept giving me pause. I don't like that.

Where is the story? They meet, they have sex a bunch of times. Is there even a plot, a conflict?

You like it, right? Tell me something that makes me want to read on. I don't want a DNF this soon into the new year.

Ames: LOL I found all the sex at the beginning a bit tiring too. I was wondering when it was going to pick up...but around the middle it gets better - that's where the conflict enters the program.

Niall is just on the verge of telling Vic about her past when her mom comes over and coldly tells her her husband is getting better. So Vic is all "you're married?" and Niall doesn't say anything (confirming her guilt to Vic) and Niall goes to see her husband b/c he is asking for her.

Do you want me to tell you more? LOL

Me: Hmm, that does sound a bit better.

I'll read a few more chapters, and get back to you.
Thanks!

Ames: Ok. :P It might frustrate you though, what Niall doesn't do. But just keep going.

Me: That's another thing. I hate her name. I keep trying to pretend her name is Nelly or something.
First I didn't know how to pronounce her name, which is not fun, then we find out that she has a boy name (so, Neil?) ugh. I don't like it when girls have boys names.
If I was enjoying the story, then the name thing would not bother me. But you know how it goes. Little things are hard to ignore when there are so many of them.

Ames: LOL Yeah, I understand. Then you start nitpicking.

I say it the way it looks. Ni-all. Sounds dumb though.

One day later...

Me: I'm a few pages into chapter 12, and I'm going to stop now.

The dialogue did get better and I started to like Vic, but not enough to keep going.

Just waiting for something interesting to happen with this story isn't at all fun.

Is this the book that you stayed up until 3am reading? Can you tell me what you liked that much about it?

Ames: The emotion from the characters is what kept me reading. Like what Niall goes through with her ex. Did you get to that scene when he goes apeshit on her??

Me: No, I didn't get to that part in the book. I don't feel anything for the characters. I don't' care what they are thinking, what they did or what they will do in the future. For me, it's a DNF.

Ames gave it a B.

Unlawful Contact

2009-01-14T09:42:00.004-05:00

Unlawful Contact by Pamela Clare
Why I read this: At the start of this month I noticed that a few of this authors books were on several Best and worst lists (in the best category, of course) so I put an order in for them with Chapters. Untamed is the other book I bought.

Taken hostage by a convicted murderer while reporting at a prison, Sophie Alton has no idea that the man holding the gun to her head is the bad boy who was her first love in high school. Condemned to life without parole, Marc Hunter finds himself with no choice but to break out of prison after his younger sister disappears with her baby.

Though he regrets what he has to put Sophie through, he can’t let anything get in the way of his stopping the corrupt officials who are set on destroying what’s left of his family. But being near Sophie rekindles memories for both of them. As the passion between them heats up, so does the conspiracy to put both of them in their graves.

Marc, the hero of this book, is who kept me drawn to Unlawful Contact. He is the prime example of the perfect tortured hero. He had a hard childhood and had some terrible experiences in prison. What he went through in life turned him into a hard man, but it didn't turn him into a sissy man-boy.

The suspense parts were well written. I can usually pin point the bad guy during his or her first scene, but that only happened with one of the bad guys this time.

My favourite part of the whole story was the very end. I'm a sucker for a baby ending. I've made it no secret that, to me, the best love stories wrap up with a pregnancy or a birth.

Sophie was hard to deal with. For someone who is supposed to be such a smart journalist, she sure did have a few too many TSTL moments. For that reason, I'm going with a C+. I liked this book, but Sophie prevents me from ever wanting to read it again. However, I did enjoy it enough to recommend it to others, and I absolutely plan on getting the first two books in the series.

Free Pass

2009-01-09T16:32:00.004-05:00

Free Pass by Elizabeth Scott
Why I read this: I stumbled upon the author's blog and read an excerpt that I liked. I was sold in a nanosecond. (By the way, I can't seem to find her blog anymore-and I don't mean her MySpace page. If you know the addy, please post it for me. Thanks :)

Cherisse and Wesley. Melanie and Thomas. Debra and Gordan.

These three couples have shared good times with each other as friends. But as they celebrate their seven-year anniversaries, they're planning to share some even better times - with strangers.

Vacationing in Miami, Cherisse and Wesley are up for more than sunbathing, when Wesley spies a naughty lady through his telescope and Cherisse focuses her gaze on the lifeguard. Meanwhile, Melanie passes on the hot men at her health club and chooses a private workout with an out-of-towner. When her husband accidentally walks in on them, it's anything goes. And at their rental in Greece, Debra and Gordon discover a Russian couple making love in a private show just for them. For the restless Americans it's quite a come-on - and an irresistible invitation.

I'll admit that I went into this book thinking that it would be your typical sex filled romp. Obviously I don't mind sex filled romps, which is why I bought Free Pass, but I was not expecting more than that.
I'm thrilled to say that it was so much more than 3 couple each getting it on with a stranger.

It wasn't as simple as the wives bringing up the idea of sex with someone else, then the men agreeing to it in a heart beat and then going out to find the second girl of his dreams. There were slight to major reservations, lots of talking, and jealousy.

The wives used the seven year itch as an excuse to bring up the free pass to their husbands. At first they told their men that since most cheating happens for the first time during the seventh year of marriage, they will give them a free pass to go head and get it out of their system now, in order to avoid any cheating in the future.

The men decided early on that the seven year itch thing was a weak excuse. After some talking, they got to the real route of why each wife offered the pass.
I'm glad it went that way. If avoiding some cheating that may or may not happen in the future had stayed the reason for going along with the free pass, then I would not have enjoyed this book as much as I did.

I can tell you right off the bat that if you believe that sex should always be totally monogamous and that even consenting couples should never, ever have sex with anyone other than the person they are married to, then this book is not for you.

If you like menage, but can't handle or accept an open type marriage, I say it again, this book is not for you.
The trio of couples are not in open marriages, but they do have sex with other people. Away from and with their spouses.

Free Pass in a B+. At times I felt that there was too much talking going on. I think I may even said, "hurry up and get it on," at least twice.

The best thing about Free Pass is the unexpected outcome for each couple. I liked very much how there was a twist to each situation. Not any of the couples had things happen the way they expected them to. I like being kept on my toes that way.

Author Dedications

2009-01-09T16:15:00.000-05:00

Do you read author dedications and acknowledgments that are in the first few pages of books that you read?

I do. With every book.

Before reading the story I always read the dedications. It gives me the chance to learn a little bit about the author because a lot of the times there is plenty of personality in those dedications.

Some are funny, some are very thoughtful, some have hidden meaning where you need to be in on the joke to understand, some are... interesting. For instance, there was one where the author had written a very religious dedications. It initially made me uncomfortable because it was so preachy. It went way way beyond thanking God.

Another author had given her thanks to her spilled tea and dirty socks. That one had me in giggles as I imagined her on a roll with her writing then accidentally spilling her tea and absently using her socks to clean it up because she was so deep into her book, she didn't want to stop writing for even a moment. It could mean something totally different but that's how I read it.

Recently there was an author that thanked the artist for the beautiful cover of her book. You know the term 'A face only a mother could love?' Well, said author has a cover that only an author could love.

My favourite dedications are the sweet ones that thank friends and family. Simple and sweet, they warm my heart and put a smile on my face.

If you have never read dedications then I urge you to take a peek at them. They are not always interesting and they wont always bring out your laughter or smile, but I think that reading them is just a nice thing to do :-)

Red Ribbons and Blue Balls

2009-01-07T19:50:00.005-05:00

Red Ribbons and Blue Balls by Tia Fanning
Why I read this: Between the cover, the summery and the fact that I have read and loved the authors others books, I couldn't not read it.

After Winter's dominant husband, Nicolas, punishes her for being naughty, the-usually-nice-but-now-sexually-frustrated Winter arrives at their secluded mountain cabin bearing gifts-special gifts that will ensure his submission and her revenge.

With only seven days left until Christmas, Nicolas expects to spend the night decorating the house for the approaching holiday, but Winter has other plans.

Christmas might be coming, but if Winter gets her way, Nicolas won't be.

Red Ribbons and Blue Balls is an adorably sexy read. It's a short story about a submissive wife, Winter, who is fed up with the type of punishments her husband inflicts on her. He gets her to the point of teetering on the edge of an orgasmic cliff but denies her the final push. She decides to give her husband a taste of his own medicine, but unfortunately, things don't go as planned.

This is a good book for anyone who likes it hot and to the point. The hero and heroine are already married so you get to skip right to the good stuff.

Even though it's a short story we still get a glimpse into the workings of their relationship outside of the bedroom. Even though Winter is a sub to her Dom husband, she still needs to occasionally rebel and prove to herself that she has some control.

I give Red Ribbons and Blue Balls an A. The light BDSM of this D/s couple is good enough to whet the appetite of someone who loves a good BDSM read (like me). But is still gentle enough for those who are not overly fond of the life style, but still appreciate to read about it every now and then.

Broken Wing

2009-01-05T15:50:00.004-05:00

Check out Breezing Through for the review of Broken Wing.
One of us gave it an A, the other a B, and there is also a C.

Of the many buddy reviews we have done this one was my favourite. It felt like a girl chat gab fest. The only thing missing was the chocolate (which I can't eat-allergies) and the fact that we are each live so far away from one another.

In the end I may not have enjoyed the book but I sure did enjoy the time with my friends chatting about it.

Hurry! For book discounts.

2009-01-04T10:00:00.014-05:00

There is only one day left to get a nice 20% discount on all e-books at Resplendence Publishing. Use code SHOP20 at check out. Discount code ends Jan 5'th. So hurry!

Here just a few titles to choose from.

Red Ribbons and Blue Balls by Tia Fanning

After Winter's dominant husband, Nicolas, punishes her for being naughty, the-usually-nice-but-now-sexually-frustrated Winter arrives at their secluded mountain cabin bearing gifts-special gifts that will ensure his submission and her revenge.

With only seven days left until Christmas, Nicolas expects to spend the night decorating the house for the approaching holiday, but Winter has other plans.

Christmas might be coming, but if Winter gets her way, Nicolas won't be.

Male Me by Amarinda Jones

After Delaware Brooks sends a silly email about what she would like the new boss to do to her, she is called into the boss's office. The punishment? Every hot, sexual craving she has ever had, fulfilled. But Templeton McAdam is not the only new man in her life. His best friend, Speed is invited to enjoy Delaware much to her surprise and excitement. Two men. One woman. Their only desire is to please her.

Intense pleasure is one thing, but is it wrong to enjoy both men? What would a good girl do? And should she be falling in love with them so fast? But sudden love is not the only problem Delaware has. Someone is watching her every move and planning on teaching her a lesson.

Secrets of the Heart by Jannifer Hoffman

Nicole Anderson owns a successful costume design business, has a wealth of small town friends and sleeps in a lonely bed haunted by demons from the past. She’s convinced herself her life is exactly the way she wants it and has shot down every marriageable man within a fifty-mile radius.

When Hunter Douglas is assigned the task of delivering a deceased friend’s children to their aunt, he must first convince the belligerent Nicole Anderson that she actually had a sister. Though forced to take his two charges to Minnesota, Hunter fully intents to persuade Ms. Anderson to allow the children to return to New York with him —without sharing his own little secret. The last thing he wants to do is fall in love with a woman who lives in a small Midwest town with neighbors who seem to know every move he makes.

As the heat index between Nicole and Hunter rises, a bizarre puzzle begins to unfold involving false birth certificates, a stolen suitcase, odd pictures, an elusive stalker, and a grandfather’s legacy that could turn deadly.

Winter's Blood by Midnyte Dupree

When Angelina's sister is kidnapped, she is forced to steal a much sought-after formula. Fortunately, fate has paired her with a handsome vampire who has promised to help save her beloved sibling.

Dante wants to break through the frozen barriers of Angelina's heart, and will do almost anything to accomplish his goal. But first, he and Angelina must fight the evil and keep the precious formula out of evil hands.

Will Dante and Angelina be successful in their quest? Or will the blood spilled be their own?

Unwrap Me, I'm Yours by Demi Alex

Hope Verdetti lies to her mother about having a phenomenal fiancé who surprises her on a trip to Vegas. Now, her family expects him to come home with her for the holidays. She needs a man that fits the bill- and fast!

After seven interviews with hired, handsome applicants in three days, she finds her solution in the neighborhood coffee shop. Sexy and irresistible Jon Edwards volunteers for the task, having an agenda of his own.

With their holiday agreement set, Jon turns up the heat and gives Hope the present of her life… himself.

Go forth and buy ye books. There are many other great titles that await you.

Darker than Love

2009-01-03T21:33:00.007-05:00

Darker than Love by Kristina Lloyd
Why I read this: I was told that the author was supposed to be the next big thing in BDSM writing. Of her published books, this is the one that appealed to me the most.

Clarissa is set to marry Lord Marldon, the depraved and gleefully cruel earl to whom she’s been promised. When her friends try to scupper the proposed marriage, Clarissa, oblivious to their plan, falls in love with Gabriel, a beautiful Italian artist. Marldon hears of the blossoming relationship and kidnaps Clarissa, imprisoning her in his Piccadilly mansion and subjecting her to his darkest desires. When Gabriel attempts a rescue, he too is taken captive and the young lovers find themselves at the mercy of the debauched lord.

Darker than Love is a very dark read. It is marketed as a BDSM book, but it's less that and more head games mind control. I'll say right off the bat that even if you like BDSM (and I do) this is not a book for everyone. Even though the heroine's body is not violated, unless you count her being forced to perform oral sex when she does not want to, her mind is violated. Her captor, a twisted and cruel Earl, uses mind games and Clarissa's sexual kinks against her in order to get his own way and simply because he is a bastard, who enjoys seeing other people suffer.

I liked Kristina Lloyd's writing style. As much as I don't consider Darker than Love to be the best BDSM book I have ever read, it was indeed entertaining.

It's rare for me to enjoy an erotic historical because the ones I have read have been too off course when it comes to many things (dress, manners, etc) It was easy to tell that the author did her research, and even though it was an unconventional read, it stayed true to it's time, even for an erotic.

Darker than Love gets a C. I'm tempted to rate it higher because I have next to nothing negative to say about it, however, I expect to feel sexy when reading an erotic--that did not happen with this book. I also wont be re-reading this book, there was just a little bit too much dark not enough romance for my tastes.

Do you know this book?

2009-01-03T11:10:00.002-05:00

One of the recent hits to my blog was a Google search that said,

what's the book where the plane crashes and she gets trapped on a mountain with a movie star

I enjoyed the last plane crash book I read, so I bet I would like one where there is a movie star around.

Any ideas which book this could be?

2008 reading list

2009-01-01T08:00:00.003-05:00

Wow! 2009. A new year, a new list of books to start on.
I'm pretty eager to delve into my TBR and read many of the wonderful books that I know are hidden in the pile.

I'm sad to say that my list for '08 is small compared to the one I had for '07. My New Years resolution, the only one I will make, is to beat my list from '07.

In 2008 I read just under 100 books. Some were great, some were ok, and some were shitty.

1)Trapped by Chris Jordan
2)Forbidden Freshman by Carol Lynne
3)Breaking all the Rules by Summer Jordan
4)Going against orders by Carol Lynne
5)Succubus on top by Richelle Mead
6)Naughty Paris by Jina Bacarr
7)Whispering Rock by Robyn Carr
8)Glory in death by JD Robb
9)Highlander untamed by Monica McCarty
10)All play and no work by Carol Lynne
11)Goldilocks by Kimberly Zant
12)Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas
13)Colter's Woman by Maya Banks
14)Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh
15)Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
16)Tempted by Megan Hart
17)Immortal in death by JD Robb
18)Everybody Loves Evie by Beth Ciotta
19)Dawn's Awakening by Lora Leigh
20)Private Party by Jami Alden
21)Naughty Neighbor by Janet Evanovich
22)Paralle Attractions by Dierdre Knight
23)Stay with me by Maya Banks
24)From dead to worse by Charlaine Harris
25)The flame and the flower by Kathleen E Woodiwiss
26)Deal with this by Lucy Monroe
27)The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter
28)The Prize by Julie Garwood
29)Playing with Fire by Katie MacAlister
30)The Bartered Bride by Mary Jo Putney
31)Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
32)Remember me by Sophie Kinsella
33)Be with me ARC by Maya Banks
34)Bet me by Jennifer Crusie
35)The Darkest Kiss by Gena Showalter
36)Combat! by KS Augustin
37)Ain't she sweet? by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
38)Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich
39)Lover Enshrined by JR Ward
40)Through the Veil by Shiloh Walker
41)Rapture in Death by J.D Robb
42)Lessons From a Courtesan by Jenna Petersen
43)Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
44)When a Lady Misbehaves by Michelle Marcos
45)Sam's Creed by Sarah McCarty
46)Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
47)Darkest Pleasure by Gena Showalter
48)Cry no More by Linda Howard
49)Taken with the Enemy by Tia Fanning
50)The Secret by Julie Garwood
51)Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon
52)The Italian's Suitable Wife by Lucy Monroe
53)The Dark One by Rhonda Thompson
54)The Second Wives Club by Jane Moore
55)Flashpoint by Jill Shalvi
56)Crossing the Line by Lori Wilde
57)A Wanted Man by Linda Lael Miller
58)Hired: The Sheikh's Secretary Mistress by Lucy Monroe
59)Nauti Dreams by Lora Leigh
60)Ceremony in Death by J.D. Robb
61)Wild Card by Lora Leigh
62)Vengeance in Death by J.D. Robb
63)Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh
64)The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn
65)The Squire by Shawn Lane
66)I'm the Vampire, That's Why by Michele Bardsley
67)Dark Rival by Brenda Joyce
68)Mr. Cavendish, I presume by Julia Quinn
69)Tin Star by J.L. Langley
70)Healing Doctor Ryan by Carol Lynne
71)High Noon by Nora Roberts
72)Necklace of Shame by Carol Lynne
73)Up in Smoke by Katie MacAlister
74)Succubus Dreams by Richelle Mead
75)How to Abduct a Highland Lord by Karen Hawkins
76)Tempt me With Darkness by Shayla Black
77)Kiss and Tell by Cherry Adair
78)In the Bed of a Duke by Cathy Maxwell
79)You Suck by Christopher Moore
80)Mercury’s War by Lora Leigh
81)Passion by Lisa Valdez
82)The Runaway Princess by Christina Dodd
83) The Untamed one by Rhonda Thompson
84)A Virgin River Christmas by Robyn Carr
85)The Hemingford Scandal by Mary Nichols
86)Highland Vow by Hannah Howell
87)Deep in the Valley by Robyn Carr
88)Just Over the Mountain by Robyn Carr
89)Holiday in Death by J.D. Robb
90)The Wedding by Julie Garwood
91)Down by the River by Robyn Carr
92)A WallFlower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas
93)Up Close and Dangerous by Linda Howard
94)Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs
95)Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs
96)Highland Wedding by Hannah Howell

There you go. That is a list of the books I read in the year of 2008.

I wish you all a Very safe and happy New Year.

Mercy Thompson

2008-12-27T14:02:00.006-05:00

Moon Called, Blood Bound and Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs
Why I read these: Great reviews around blog land.

In Mercedes Thompson's world there are Vampires, Fae, and Were Wolves. Both the Fae and Weres have come out to the public. The Vamps are still secret, and they want to keep it that way.

Mercy is a mechanic who was raised by the Marrok of Were Wolves. Even though she is not a wolf, she can shift into Coyote form anytime the mood strikes. She shares a property line with the Alpha Wolf, Adam. She is also roommates with her former flame, Samuel. Sam is the Marroks son as well as a Dr.

In this trio of books Mercy is both a hero and a victim. She is a strong willed, smart, independent woman. She is not some alpha wannabe who pretends to be the toughest bad ass around. She knows her limits as to what she can and can't do, and even though she is able to accomplish many things on her own, she knows when to ask for help, and she is not too proud to do so.
That is why I love Mercy so much.

Like most series books of this nature, there is a bit of a love triangle happening. It's subtle enough to keep us interested, but not so in the plot that we are angry that she has yet to choose who she wants to be with. By the third book, Iron Kissed, Mercy does have to make a choice, and IMO, she made the right one. Not only because she picked the guy I liked the best, but it was a smart move for her and the people around her.

In the first book, Moon Called, Mercy helps rescue the Alpha's daughter who has been kidnapped.

In the second book, Blood Bound, Mercy helps to find a monster who has been killing humans. She works both with and against the vampires in this one.

In Iron Kissed, the third book, Mercy comes to the aid of Zee, a Fae who is in all three books. He has been accused of murder, but she and everyone around her knows that Zee is innocent.
Iron Kissed was an emotional read. Ames had once mentioned that she cried when she read this one, and I must say that I don't blame her. I was not at all expecting to see the book take a turn as it did. The author took a very important issue and handled it perfectly. She wrote it in a way that was sensitive to readers, without portraying it in a too graphic way. One of the Weres, Ben, who I wasn't too sure of through out this series surprised me. I have a new respect and understanding of him. I hope to see more of him in future books.

The next book, Bone Crossed, is out in Feb! You can read the first chapter on the authors website. I ate it up, because the way Iron Kissed ended was a bit of a cliff hanger. I just HAD to know what happens next.

A+ for Mercedes Thompson!

Up Close and Dangerous

2008-12-22T18:39:00.002-05:00

Up Close and Dangerous by Linda Howard
Why I read this: I felt like a contemporary read, and it was the first one that caught my eye when I delved into my TBR pile.

A mysterious plane crash . . . a dangerous trek through the Idaho wilderness . . . a smoldering attraction . . . and a deadly game of cat and mouse. In her latest tour de force of romantic suspense, New York Times bestselling author Linda Howard blends these elements into a gripping story that will keep readers breathless–and leave them begging for more. For in Linda Howard’s world, trust can be a weapon, a kiss can be a threat, and intimacy can be deadly.
Bailey Wingate’s scheming adult stepchildren are surprised when their father’s will leaves Bailey in control of their fortune, and war ensues. A year later, while flying from Seattle to Denver in a small plane, Bailey nearly dies herself when the engine sputters–and then fails.

Cam Justice, her sexy Texan pilot, manages to crash-land the aircraft. Stranded in the wilderness, and struggling to douse her feelings for the ruggedly handsome man by her side, Bailey begins to wonder whether this was a mere accident. Who tampered with their plane? Who’s trying to reunite Bailey and her husband in the afterlife? Cut off from the world, and with little hope of rescue, Bailey must trust her life–and heart–to Cam, as they battle the harsh elements to find a way out of the unforgiving wilds and back to civilization . . . where a killer may be waiting to finish the job.

I've now read three Linda Howard books. Cry No More, Mr. Perfect, and now, Up Close and Dangerous. I have enjoyed all of them!

I read this book in one day. It caught my attention at once and didn't let go. I was flipping pages so fast that I got a paper cut-I'm not even joking. I still have the band-aid on my finger to prove it.

What I liked about Up Close and Dangerous is that it was exciting from the get go. A plane crash, injuries and trying to survive. Wow. It was interesting to read all the detail that went into making shelters, gathering food, melting water, etc. That stuff intrigued me and there wasn't a single thing about their survival that left me asking questions about how they did this or that.

The villain of the story, the one that caused the plane to crash, was a surprise to me. I wasn't expecting the book to take that turn, so kudos to the author for keeping me on my toes.

My only complaint was the end. It felt too sudden and incomplete. I was left saying that's it?

I'll give Up Close and Dangerous a B. It was good, but not great. The ending was lacking, and I felt like there could have been more with the romance part of the story.
Other than that it was awesome. I'm happy to read another Linda Howard book ASAP.

Grace Valley

2008-12-18T18:36:00.010-05:00

Deep in the Valley, Just Over the Mountain and Down by the River by Robyn Carr

Why I read these: Having met folks from Grace Valley in the Virgin River books, I wanted to head on over to Grace Valley and read their stories.

I read these books pretty much back to back because that's simply how you must do it with the trilogy. In fact, I wont even call it a trilogy. I'd say that they are one continuous book split into three different packages.

Reading just a singular book wont allow you to appreciate the love story between June and Jim. Especially since they only have about 3 scenes together in the entire first book.
If you read each book, in the proper order, you'll not only fall in love with June and Jim, but with each and every character that Robyn Carr introduces into this wonderful little community.

Even though there is a romantic element to this series, I don't classify it a romance, but instead I'll call it a warm hearted fictional read that sweeps you off your feet and makes you feel like part of the town. I'm even tempted to sell our house, pack up my family and go of in search of a town just like Grace Valley. :)

I truly loved these books, and I hope that the author continues to write more stories for both Grace Valley and Virgin River.

I can't give these books anything less than an A.

In order,
Deep in the Valley
Just Over the Mountain
Down by the River

I wasn't tagged...

2008-12-10T15:01:00.004-05:00

So I wasn't tagged by Izzy, but I wanted to do this one anyway :)

1.Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrap, wrap , wrap.

2.Real tree or Artificial?
Fake. But I would like to try a real one.

3.When do you put up the tree?
No set day, usually. It used to go up the first of November (not a typo) but this year it went up the last week of November.

4.When do you take the tree down?
Usually 2-3 days after Christmas.

5.Do you like eggnog?
Yes.

6.Favorite gift received as a child?
I can't think of one...

7.Hardest person to buy for?
Everyone is easy to buy for.

8.Easiest person to buy for?
See above.

9.Do you have a nativity scene?
Nope.

10.Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail. I'm not fond of e-cards.

11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
A Jesus door stopper.

12.Favorite Christmas Movie?
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

13.When do you start shopping for Christmas?
In the summer, around August.

14.Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Never. I think it's rude and tacky.

15.Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Stuffing.

16.Lights on the tree?
Yes

17.Favorite Christmas song?
I'm not much into Christmas music.

18.Travel at Christmas or stay home?
I like to stay home.

19.Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Nope.

20.Angel on the tree top or a star?
Santa.

21.Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
One each on eve, then the rest in the morning.

22.Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
I can never find a good parking spot at the mall.

23.Favorite ornament theme or color?
Santa theme this year. I change it up every year.

24.Favorite for Christmas dinner?
As long as there is stuffing, then I am happy.

25.What do you want for Christmas?
Scrapbooking stuff.

Time for a change

2008-12-04T23:17:00.004-05:00

I was happy with this layout at first, the snowman is cute, but the formatting gremlins are bothering me.

The quotes and pics for my reviews don't manage well together, and I can't seem to make paragraphs on my side bar (I know I have the HTML correct)

As long as you all don't mind the little troubles, then I think I'll keep it like this for a while :) I really do like Mr. Snowman.

Since I am here I'm going to ask... Any news on the next Stephanie Plum novel. Number 15?
I checked the author's website, but nothing about it is listed that I can find. Not that her site is easy to navigate. Grrr.
I'm having some Ranger withdrawal.

A Virgin River Christmas

2008-12-04T11:42:00.006-05:00

A Virgin River Christmas by Robyn Carr
Why I read this: Virgin River is one of my favourite books
.

Last Christmas, Marcie Sullivan said a final goodbye to her husband Bobby. This Christmas she's come to Virgin River to find the man who saved his life and gave her three more years to love him.

Fellow marine Ian Buchanan dragged Bobby's shattered body onto a medical transport in Fallujah four years ago then disappeared as soon as their unit arrived Stateside. Since then, Marcie's letters to Ian have gone unanswered.

Marcie tracks Ian to the tiny mountain town of Virgin River and finds a man as wounded emotionally as Bobby was physically. But she is not easily scared off. As Marcie pushes her way into his rugged and reclusive life, she discovers a sweet but damaged soul beneath a rough exterior.

Ian doesn't know what to make of the determined young widow who forces him to look into the painful past and, what's worse, the uncertain future. But it is, after all, a season of miracles and maybe, just maybe, it's time to banish the ghosts and open his heart.

Something I noticed when I turned the last page on this book is that I had a big smile on my face. There are a few words to describe A Virgin River Christmas... pure, refreshing, happy, nice, pleasant.
It was a contemporary that was without suspense, there was no killer, no kidnapper, no too stupid to live heroine who you wanted to see shot in the head or eaten by a bear.

It was simply about a man and a woman who fell in love. A Virgin River Christmas is a true test to the talent that Robyn Carr has. The fact that she can write such an entertaining, moving, romantic love story that is not full of fillers and nonsenses stuff puts me a great mood.

I give a Virgin River Christmas an A+, because there was nothing that made me roll my eyes, scoff at, complain about or say WTF?!

Ian was a great hero. He was tortured soul, but it was just enough that all he needed was a little love from the perfect woman. Marcie was sweet, but smart. she knew what she wanted, and didn't let anyone bully her or get in her way.

Being able to see Jack and Mel from Virgin River was a treat.

The Books I read in November

2008-12-02T09:30:00.002-05:00

Here is my list for books that I read last month. There were a few DNFs... DNF during the first chapter, that I have not listed. Those books I will try to read another time.

The best book for me in November would have to have been Passion by Lisa Valdez, with In the Bed of a Duke coming in second. I was most disappointed with Tempt Me With Darkness by Shayla Black. So much so that I don't want to read any future books in the series.

I hope everyone is keeping warm now that the cold weather has hit. My house is all ready for Christmas, the tree is up, gifts are under it, decorations from floor to ceiling. Every time I walk into my house and see how Christmasy it looks, I get some happy fuzzy feelings :-)

1)Succubus Dreams by Richelle Mead
2)How to Abduct a Highland Lord by Karen Hawkins
3)Tempt me With Darkness by Shayla Black
4)Kiss and Tell by Cherry Adair
5)In the Bed of a Duke by Cathy Maxwell
6)You Suck by Christopher Moore
7)Mercury’s War by Lora Leigh
8)Passion by Lisa Valdez
9)The Runaway Princess by Christina Dodd
10) The Untamed one by Rhonda Thompson

Passion by Lisa Valdez

2008-11-30T11:22:00.006-05:00

Passion by Lisa Valdez
Why I read this: It was in a box of books that I got a yard sale for $2.00. It's been sitting in my TBR pile since the summer, but I hate the cover so thats why it took so long for me to read. When I wasn't sure which book to read next, I told my dog to pick one. I brought her to my TBR shelf, and picked the first one she licked. LOL

A woman called Passion. A man who would make her true to her name.
In her second year of mourning, lovely young widow Passion Elizabeth Dare never dreamed she would be with a man again--and certainly not a complete stranger. But amidst the crowds of London's Crystal Palace, Passion finds herself discreetly, yet insistently, pursued by a sensual gentleman who awakens her long-supressed desires. After a loveless marriage of restrained propriety, Passion abandons herself to true bliss for the first time.
Intoxicated by his encounter with the beautiful stranger, Mark Randolph Hawkmore, Earl of Langley, cannot wait to see her again. As a series of rapturous rendezvous follows, he and his mystery lover find something rare and wonderful blossoming between them. But a blackmail scheme against the Earl threatens to destroy everything. As a scandal brews, each will have to choose between duty and desire...their love for their families--and their love for each other.

Oh, wow. I was not expecting such a sexy read. Truly, I was shocked! What a pleasant surprise :)

I understand why readers are so up in arms about the release of the second book. I'm dying to read it, too. Can Lisa Valdez pull off another Passion? Some say no, and that's why Patience is so far behind in its release. I have no idea what the the truth is behind Patience is, but what I do know is that I enjoyed Passion, a lot.

Our Heroine, Passion, meets the hero, Mark, while she out in public. The attraction is instant, and that very same day they have sex, hidden behind a big Chinese screen, while people mill about.

Passion is a widow, and even though her name is Passion, she lacked that type of intimacy in her marriage. Her husband was more of a wham bam thank you mam, type of guy. In their years of marriage, Passion was never even naked in front of him.

Passion and mark meet daily behind the screen to make love. Mark want to know about her, but Passion would rather they keep their identities secret. She wants to enjoy her time with him, and then go back home.

Mark isn't having any of that, though, he wants more from her. More than just wild sex, he wants her heart.

Things take a turn for the lovebirds when Mark is blackmailed into becoming engaged to Passion's cousin. Passion is heart broken, Mark is angry, and since Passion doesn't want to be Mistress, nor betray her cousin, she breaks things off with Mark.

It is a romance, so the two do end up together, but it takes a time for them to get there. I was in tears reading some the scenes in this book. I wanted them to be together so bad, I didn't want them to have to wait, or sneak around, or have any troubles at all. It's always nice to like both the hero and heroine in a book.

Passion is an A read for sure. I will now sit back and see how patient I can be for Patience to come out.

How do you spell PAIN?

2008-11-26T08:55:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I burned two of my fingers. I was giving a cooking class to a bunch of 12 year olds. One of them had taken the tray from the toaster oven out, removed the garlic bread (made with home-made garlic butter), but she left the toaster tray right there on the counter. The tray had been used several times in a row on broil, so it was very hot. I was absent minded and picked it up with my bare hand.
Oh, my holy hell! It HURT!
Huge, ugly blisters. redness, I've taken the steps to avoid infection, and today it looks as it should.

I was tears. Okay, more than tears. Screaming sobs. No joke. It was pathetic.

There is still some pain today, and goodie, it's my right hand, so I can't do anything. Right now I am typing with just my left hand. Any idea how hard that is? I'm right handed!

This sucks!

I have tried to read, but it is difficult to hold the book with my left hand. *(^%&*^&*(~ Grrr.

Mercury’s War by Lora Leigh

2008-11-20T20:49:00.005-05:00

Mercury’s War by Lora Leigh
Why I read this: I'm addicted to the Breeds.

Someone has been slipping the Sanctuary’s secure information to a pharmaceutical company. Now it’s up to Ria Rodriguez to pose as a clerk and uncover the leak. Yet she has no idea of the danger
she’s about to encounter—or the passion she’s about to ignite in one of the greatest Breeds ever created.

This Breed book is much like the others, plot-wise. There is either someone trying to bring down the Breeds, kidnap the Breeds, kill the Breeds, spy on the Breeds Etc. Breed readers know what I mean.
I'm not complaining. I like how the stories go and follow each other. Consistency is good in a series.

The hero/heroine conflict in this book is that it's thought by both Mercury and Ria that Mercury was supposed to have been mated to a different woman. That was thought to have died. So they were not able to go through the mating head and bond to each other.

When Mercury and Ria do start to show signs of mating to each other, Ria is convinced that the heat he has is for someone else. Even though she accepts him as her mate and aches for him, she feels like second best.
For those who are confused-Breeds can only mate once, however, they can have mate-like tendencies to anyone as long as they have not physically gone through the mating heat with a specific person.

I had always been under the impression that a Breed could only share the hormones from his tongue with a mate that nature picked for them. According to this book, it does not have to be nature's mate, but the real mate will suffer if the one meant for her mates with someone else.

That is why Ria was feeling bad after the mating. She was convinced that she was not really the one nature meant to be mated to Mercury.

I did enjoy this book. There were a few minor issues. The first being that Ria was drinking so much coffee during her heat. Every other Breed book has the women avoiding coffee because it makes the pain of heat so much worse. In this book there is one line mentioning that she should not be rinking coffee, but it felt to me like that line was just thrown in there as an after thought.

Also, it's mentioned through the book how Mercury's nail are actually claws. Although they are blunt, they are still claws (Because Mercury is more lion than man in appearance) At one point during the story, he uses his blunt nails/claws to rip apart off all Ria's clothes. If he can shred clothes, then why the heck was he fingering her so much? Seems to me she would have been torn up. Just sayin'.

3/4 of the book was awesome. The story was engaging, entertaining, and even though it lacked anal, (Lora Leigh writes anal so good!) there was lots of oral to make up for it.

The last 1/4 took a negative turn, imo. There was this big twist about Ria that came way out of left field, and honestly, it was not at all believable, and I actually put down the book for a bit, not because I had to do something, but because I needed to roll my eyes a few hundred times to work out the annoyance I was feeling.

All in all, it was a good Breed book. It wasn't the best, it wasn't worst. I give it a C+. That twist with Ria brought it down for me.

For Jonas fans, he is in this book a lot. Yay. I have a sneaking suspicion that Dr. Ely might be his mate. I'm not too sure how much I would enjoy a book with her as the star of it. She is in most of the books, but I don't like her that much.

Book promo

2008-11-16T13:05:00.004-05:00

Secret Sacrifices by Jannifer Hoffman

Driver, Jamie LeCorre, competing in the male dominated Stock Car Racing field, needs a tape that will exonerate her from a deadly crash. Weary of dealing with domineering, chauvinistic males, she is suddenly attracted to just such a man. A man who can get her tape.

Quint Douglas has sworn off high profile, over intelligent women. He discovers the blond bimbo of his dreams, trying to change a flat on a pink BMW. Offering help, he uses a bit too much attitude and is shot down. Quint struggles to win her over in spite of his deep-seated fear of speed.

Together they enter the tight knit Stock Car Racing world to investigate an old murder, a new body, and a highway collision—all tied together, with too many suspects. Quint tries to keep Jamie from being the next victim even as she races around the track at 180 miles an hour, pursued by those who would like to see her eliminated, in more ways than one.

Available this Tuesday, November 18'th, at Resplendence Publishing.

How to Abduct a Highland Lord

2008-11-10T11:12:00.004-05:00

How to Abduct a Highland Lord by Karen Hawkins
Why I read this: The back cover blurb looked good.

Shy, quiet Regency miss, Fiona MacLean, must save her brothers from becoming embroiled in a centuries old feud that could mean the death of them all. All she has to do is commit one, teeny, tiny, barely noticeable . . . crime.

Sinfully handsome Black Jack Kincaid has spent his entire life philandering with other men's willing wives, trying to forget beautiful, wilful Fiona MacLean, so he's shocked when he awakens one day and discovers himself married to that very lass! Will he help her save her brothers and end a centuries old family feud? Can he accept being married to the woman who broke his heart so many years ago? And now that he has her, can he afford to let her go?

On the cover of this book is a quote from Victoria Alexander. It says "Fun, sexy, and delightful"
Normally I do not pay attention got cover quotes, especially since I have seen one or two books have quote from Harriette Klausner on them. All informed readers know that she is a joke, so why publisher would put her name on a book is silly at best.

This time, though, this quote is exactly what it says. This book was Fun, it was sexy, and it was delightful.

Fiona knocks out and kidnaps Jack. She tells the priest that she is with child so that he must marry them.
Fiona got it into her head that the only way to stop the fighting and death between their two families is to combine blood... with a child.

At first, Jack resists the marriage. He didn't want o get married, and he wont let the fact that he is now a husband stop him from doing what he used to do. Like going to gaming hells all hours of the night, and drinking.

Fiona, as feisty as she is, decides to play Jack at his own game, so she also goes to gaming hells and drinks, too.

It was fun to watch these two butt head and compete, while at the same time, fall in love.

How to Abduct a Highland Lord was a cute, fun, fresh read. I give it an A.

Another book related post secret

2008-11-10T09:55:00.002-05:00

This one makes me kinda mad.

Succubus Dreams

2008-11-08T09:59:00.005-05:00

Succubus Dreams by Richelle Mead
Why I read this: I loved the first book. I Hated the second, so I just had to see how the third would do.

Some days, a girl just can't catch a break...especially when the girl in question is Georgina Kincaid, a shape-shifting succubus who gets her energy from seducing men. First there's her relationship with gorgeous bestselling writer Seth Mortensen, which is unsatisfying on a number of levels. It's not just that they can't have sex in case Georgina inadvertently kills him (generally a turn-off for most guys). Lately, even spending time together is a challenge.Seth's obsessed with finishing his latest novel, and Georgina's under demonic orders to mentor the new (and surprisingly inept) succubus on the block. Then there are the dreams. Someone, or something, is preying on Georgina at night, draining her energy, and supplying eerie visions of her future. Georgina seeks answers from Dante, a dream interpreter with ties to the underworld, but his flirtatious charm only leaves her more confused - especially as the situation with Seth reaches crisis point. Now Georgina faces a double challenge - rein in her out-of-control love life, and go toe-to-toe with an enemy capable of wreaking serious havoc among mankind. Otherwise, Georgina, and the entire mortal world, may never sleep easy again...

In this installment of The Succubus books, Georgina has some more problems. Her relationship with Seth is on the rocks, something is sucking the life force after her every time she seduces a mortal for his life force. Instead of having that beautiful after sex glow she has after stealing some soul, she is tired, weak and doesn't look her best.

With the help of some of her Angel friends, they try to stop the being who is stealing her energy.

Georgina has really grown and come a long way from the way her character was written in the second book. I downright hated her in that book. The author seemed to veer off course from a great debut with the first book, and threw in a bunch of contradictions with the second. I am very happy to say that this third book, Succubus Dreams, is as great as the first one one--story wise.

Like other books by this author (including her Vampire Academy books) I do have a problem with her writing style. It would be nice if she could go one page without using an adverb.

Some authors (a few of my favourite actually) are SO good at weaving a great story, that they can get away with breaking basic English rules. Richelle Mead isn't there yet. This book was damn good, and I wanted to know what would happen next, so I just tried to ignore the intensifiers as much as I could.

Fans of Georgina Kincaide will love this book. I'm eager and excited for the next one, Succubus Heat, to hit stands this summer.

Succubus Dreams was a solid B for me. The plot was great, and there is one scene (okay, two scenes) where I actually had tears in my eyes. I said *oh my god* out loud, I was so shocked.

I liked it so much that the next time I am in a slump I'll be picking git up for a re-read.

If you have not started this series, then this is your chance.
The books are,
Succubus Blues
Succubus On Top
Succubus Dreams

October reading list

2008-11-03T10:50:00.002-05:00

Once again I did not read much. I had some medical issues that put me out of commission for a while. I'm starting to get back on track. I have a list of books I am key on reading this month. Wish me luck that I get to consume them all.

Resplendence Publishing has a new blog, check it out
http://resplendencegems.blogspot.com/

Be sure to take a peek and get your discount codes. Remember that your purchases go toward a charity. :)

1)Dark Rival by Brenda Joyce
2)Mr. Cavendish, I presume by Julia Quinn
3)Tin Star by J.L. Langley
4)Healing Doctor Ryan by Carol Lynne
5)High Noon by Nora Roberts
6)Necklace of Shame by Carol Lynne
7)Up in Smoke by Katie MacAlister

Has anyone else read High Noon?
Stupid Question, it's Nora Roberts. Of course many have read it :)
I found that it was very similar to the In Death books. There were a few moments where I actually had thought I was reading an Eve and Roarke books, then got a bit of a shock when someone else's name popped up.
That bothered me, but other than that, it was a good read.

Romance readers are ageless

2008-10-17T21:14:00.003-04:00

A few weeks ago I was walking out of Walmart and saw a gentleman, about 60 years old, sitting on a bench reading a Judith McNaught historical. For some reason that made me smile all the way home.

Then a few days ago, I went to vote for our federal election. My polling station was at a retirement home in my neighborhood, in the residence library.
An entire 4 shelves were all Harlequin romances, and upon further sneaking around, I saw many, many romance novels.

I'd totally fit in with that reading group :)

New review up at BR

2008-10-09T19:41:00.003-04:00

We have a triple review posted at Breezing Through.

This time it's for Julia Quinn's Mr Cavendish, I presume. Having loved The Lost Duke of Wyndham I was expecting great things for Mr. Cavendish. I was wasn't impressed.

Read on to find out why.

Dark Rival by Brenda Joyce

2008-10-08T11:31:00.004-04:00

Dark Rival by Brenda Joyce
Why I read this: It was time.

A golden man, he is called Black Royce—a battle hardened soldier of the gods. His vows are his life—until he is sent to New York City to protect a Healer from those who would use her powers for themselves. The moment Royce sees beautiful, feisty Allie Monroe, he knows she will be his only weakness—and he is right. Allie Monroe is more than an heiress. She is a Healer, willing to do anything to save victims of the evil that lurks in the city at night. But alone, she can do only so much—until destiny sends her the darkest Highlander of them all. Then evil strikes and Royce is destroyed before Allie's eyes. Now Allie will do anything to save Royce—even if it means going back in time to a dark, dangerous world to be with him. And confronting their enemies could cost not only their lives, but also their love—for all eternity.

I went into this read a little bit scared. I was very disappointed with the first book in the series. You can read why here. My reason for waiting so long to read this one directly relates to how I felt about the first book.
Brenda Joyce is a favourite author for me, so I wanted to give this series another chance. I'm glad I did. It was SO much better than the first one.

True to the series, Royce is a Master of Time. He protects people from those who commit pleasure crimes. (Bad guys who sex you up so good you die of orgasm. I am paraphrasing, of course)

Allie has powers of her own. She is a healer who can send her white light into the sick and hurt. You have a sore throat, fever or your arm is nearly cut right off? Allie is the gal you want to go to see.

What I liked about Dark Rival is that it is romantic. I wanted the couple to be together no matter the obstacle, and believe me, there were obstacles to climb.

Royce was hot, Allie was a smart, likable heroine.
Good book. Going with a B-.
Give it a go, I think you'll like it, too.

What I read in September

2008-10-02T21:20:00.005-04:00

Holy Moly, September went by FAST!
The best book I read last month was The Lost Duke of Wyndham, and the worst was Nauti Dreams.
I've been book shopping again, so my TBR is no closer to getting under control that is has been. Ah well. There are worse things to worry about right? This just means I have tons of cool books to devour.

Everyone loves a discount, right? Resplendence Publishing is giving it's readers daily discounts! For the next few days the discount codes are,

Oct. 3 - Techies Day - Geeks Rule!
Discount Code: TECH15

Oct. 4 - Frugal Fun Day - Picnic in the Park...priceless
Discount Code: FUN15

Oct. 5 - Do Something Nice Day - Awwwww
Discount Code: NICE15

Please visit Resplendence Publishing to get your codes for every other day.

This is my list for last month, :)

1)Nauti Dreams by Lora Leigh
2)Ceremony in Death by J.D. Robb
3)Wild Card by Lora Leigh
4)Vengeance in Death by J.D. Robb
5)Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh
6)The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn
7)The Squire by Shawn Lane
8)I'm the Vampire, That's Why by Michele Bardsley

The Lost Duke of Wyndham

2008-09-26T10:40:00.008-04:00

The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn
Why I read this: It's Julia Quinn! There is never a reason not to read her books.

Jack Audley has been a highwayman. A soldier. And he has always been a rogue. What he is not, and never wanted to be, is a peer of the realm, responsible for an ancient heritage and the livelihood of hundreds. But when he is recognized as the long-lost son of the House of Wyndham, his carefree life is over. And if his birth proves to be legitimate, then he will find himself with the one title he never wanted: Duke of Wyndham.

Grace Eversleigh has spent the last five years toiling as the companion to the dowager Duchess of Wyndham. It is a thankless job, with very little break from the routine... until Jack Audley lands in her life, all rakish smiles and debonair charm. He is not a man who takes no for an answer, and when she is in his arms, she's not a woman who wants to say no. But if he is the true duke, then he is the one man she can never have...

Let me say it right now I LOVED THIS BOOK! I loved Jack, I loved Grace. I even loved the grumpy Dowager Duchess.

Julia Quinn did a fantastic job of writing characters that were easy to fall in love with. Jack was simply amazing. His sense of humour, his loyalty, everything about him had me wishing that he was mine. Jack is definitely at the top of my list for a favourite hero.

I felt so positive reading this book. It was touching on so many levels. And boy, did it make me giggle time and time again. The dialogue between Jack and Grace, and then Jack and his grandmother is some of the best I have ever read.

She was for sure a miserable old thing, the Dowager, and Jack told her so, right to her face. I loved it.

All through out the book it shows that Jack does not want to be Duke. At first, I didn't understand his reasons, they seemed rather meek to me, then at end, it all came out, and a light bulb went off.
Spoiler...

Jack was afraid that he would ruin the estate becuase of the fact that he cannot read. He was so worried about it, that he tried to deny he was Duke, even after it was proven that he is the rightful heir. That was an emotional scene for. Very well written.

After they are married, Grace tries to help him with his reading but nothing she tried worked. Nowadays, Jack would be diagnoses with dyslexia. Back then, there was no such term, so there was no way for Grace to know the proper way to help him.
End spoiler..

I'm happy I read this. It put a huge smile on my face. I'm eager for the next in the series.

Julia Quinn has put out another A book. The Lost Duke is a page eater for sure :)

In Death Series

2008-09-23T19:19:00.004-04:00

------------------------->
I love her shoes in that picture.

It's been a slow process, but I am on my way to finishing the J. D. Robb books.

Vengeance In Death was the last one I read. It is book # 6 out of I don't know how many.

I'm not going to get into the plot lines of all the books, you'll have to read them yourself to find out :-P. I'll just talk about the series as a whole.

What I enjoy about this series is that it gives me everything that I want. An example is that as soon as I told myself that I would like to see Summerset with a bigger role, he became the center of an investigation.

Summerset is a blast. Every scene he is in I enjoy. The back and forth bickering between him and Eve is priceless. I think that deep down, they really like each other. I always look forward to seeing Summerset in the books, so I hope that those of you have completed the series will tell me that he is still around.

Roarke. *Dreamy sigh* What a man. Eve is such a lucky bitch. I do think that at times Eve can be a bit hard on him, but it's who she is, I don't expect her to react any other way that she does.

Besides the fascinating world that J.D Robb has created, she has written a truly amazing woman to star in these books. Every story we learn a little bit more about Eve. We get a glimpse of the girl she was, the things that made her into the woman that she is. I'd love to have her at my back, or by my side in real life. She is a gem.

We can't forget about Mavis :) What a sweetheart. Like Summerset, I can't imagine a story where she isn't in it. I'm excited to find out what she will be wearing or what crazy thing she will try to get Even to do... like spa day, or a shopping trip! LOL

Good stuff. 6 books down 230 or so to go.

Wild Card by Lora Leigh

2008-09-14T15:12:00.004-04:00

Wild Card by Lora Leigh
Why I read this: I wanted to get the horror that was Nauti Dreams out of my head. I also thought this was the most recent Tempting Seals book, but it is not. Players from the Temping Seals series are in this book, but Wild Card is in fact book one in the new Elite Ops series.

It was supposed to be simple. All Navy SEAL Nathan Malone had to
do was rescue three young girls from a Colombia drug cartel, then allow himself to be captured just long enough to draw out a government spy. That was before his mission went disastrously wrong…and before his wife, Bella, was told that Nathan was never coming home.
Bella’s mourned her husband’s death for three long years. But she has no idea he’s still alive. Forced to assume a new identity, the man Nathan was is now dead. If he can get back to his wife, can he keep the secret of who he really is…even as desire threatens to consume them? And as danger threatens to tear Bella from Nathan’s arms once more?

I'm glad I read this. After Nauti Dreams and a few other LL books lately, I was ready to give up on this author. Wild Card was a save. Whew.

Next to amnesia, hidden identity is my favourite cliche storyline, so this was a real treat.

Bella is devastated when her husband, Nathan, dies on a mission. For three years she stays hidden away, putting her life on hold. When she finds out that Nathan's shop is about to go under, she comes out of her depression and works her ass off to keep it afloat.

Another 3 years pass by, and Noah comes to town. Noah is really Nathan, but due to some major plastic surgery to repair damage done to him while he was held by enemies, he is unrecognizable.

At first, I thought that this was going to be an eye roller. Even after 6 years, and some operations, who is not going to recognize her husband as soon as she first kisses him?

Lora Leigh made it work though. She delved into the psyschy of each character and I believed it.

There is a time when Bella figures it all out, and she has a bit of fun messing with Noah. Saying things that only Nathan would get, etc.

Noah goes through a bit of a roller coaster with his emotions. He loves Bella, never stopped loving her, but for reasons explained in the book, he can't let her know who he is, and he almost feels jealous at both sides of himself. The Nathan part of him feels jealous that Bella seems to be moving on with Noah, and the Noah part of him is jealous that Bella wont totally let go of her dead husband.

Like I said, the psychological aspect of it is written very well. It was interesting.

B+. Because even though the sex scenes all started off damn good, by the last few, they were starting to get repetitive.

August reading list

2008-09-08T19:35:00.005-04:00

I know, I know. I've gone back to neglecting my blog. I'm sorry. I give my blogging buddies permission to harass me as much as they want to get my butt in gear.

Here is my book list from August by the way :)

1)Cry no More by Linda Howard
2)Taken with the Enemy by Tia Fanning
3)The Secret by Julie Garwood
4)Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon
5)The Italian's Suitable Wife by Lucy Monroe
6)The Dark One by Rhonda Thompson
7)The Second Wives Club by Jane Moore
8)Flashpoint by Jill Shalvi
9)Crossing the Line by Lori Wilde
10)A Wanted Man by Linda Lael Miller
11)Hired: The Sheikh's Secretary Mistress by Lucy Monroe

The R word (again)

2008-08-24T22:54:00.003-04:00

I know, not book related.
This was posted on a parenting site that I am part of, and it explains what I was trying to get across in one of my earlier posts about not being able to read books that have the R word in them.

It's long, but really good. Be sure to read the last part, written by a highschool student.

Many of you might have recently heard about the concerns about the
new Ben Stiller movie, "Tropic Thunder." It is allegedly a satire
about self-concerned actors. In a sub-plot, Stiller's character
portrays an intellectually disabled character (poorly) and the "R-
word" is used repeatedly in this movie (nearly 20 times)
pejoratively. One of the movie's catch-phrases is "full retard" and
it was marketed on t-shirts promoting the movie. I find this humor
about as funny as elder abuse, child pornography, or genocide. The
only difference is that most people find elder abuse, child
pornography, or genocide abhorrent, while denigrating the
intellectually disabled is viewed with humor. And this movie is
released just in time for "Back to School." The hallways of school
were sometimes pretty scary for those of us without a disability, so
just imagine the hardships the disabled face.

There have been numerous protests of the movie around the country,
uniting no fewer than 12 national disability groups, including a
protest here in Austin, in which my family participated last night.
This is not about censorship or political-correctness. This is a
civil rights issue, and the right to be treated with dignity and
respect as a human being. And the disability community is glad to
have the opportunity for a public discourse about the R-word.

This is an issue that is far greater than a movie. The
word "retard" is on par with "nigger" for the African-American
community. I shudder at even typing the N-word, though many, no
doubt, have few reservations about using the "retard." The R-word,
when I was a child, was used only to refer people with actual
intellectual disabilities. Now, however, the R-word is endemic in
our society, much as the word "like" (As in, "I was, like, so mad,
and he was, like….") is casually used among youth.

Maybe people don't realize the pain they cause by using this word.
Maybe they don't realize that people with intellectual disabilities
are 4-10 times more likely to be a victim of crime. Perhaps they
didn't know that people with intellectual disabilities were among
the first victims of "eugenics" in Nazi Germany. Perhaps they don't
realize that "termination" rates are between 89%-94% for those
diagnosed, in utero, with Down syndrome. Often, many of these
families have no issue themselves with having a child with Down
syndrome, but cite the cruel treatment by society as a reason for
termination. And Down syndrome is not the only diagnosis here.
Think of cerebral palsy or a head injury. Think of people with
speech problems. Think of the kids with learning or behavioral
conditions, such as ADHD or dyslexia. Think of the person in a
wheelchair, or the blind person that is talked to as if they had an
intellectual disability. Think of anyone that is "different." The R-
word is hurtful, hateful, and targets the most vulnerable of our
population.

As adults, we set the tone and expectations for youth. How can I
expect young people to make a better choice of words, when adults
all around them are in the habit of throwing around the
word "retard" casually? Like when a nurse at a doctor's office
referred to a crooked-swimming fish in the aquarium as "retarded"
before I turned around holding my son with Down syndrome. Or the
mom, from this list, whom I like and admire, who used the
phrase, "That is just retarded." Or my husband's co-worker's spouse
at a family-oriented pool party saying something was "so retarded."
Fortunately, Rigel is too young to understand that this word applies
to him.

As a mom, even before having a child with a diagnosis, I realized
how my views shaped my child, and how powerful words can be. We
avoid using the word "fat" in this household, instead focusing on
what is "healthy." We avoid even using the word "stupid," instead
discussing "smart" choices or "better" decisions. Aren't we all
more polite drivers when our kids are in the car with us? They
learn from us – we are powerful models.

While I doubt that many of my mom friends with young children would
waste the rare "date night" seeing this movie, thus requesting a
boycott would seem superfluous, there are things we can do. You can
stop using the R-word. You can educate other people that do use it,
about its harmful ramifications. You can not tolerate its use in
your presence – such as leaving the room, as I do when I hear racist
jokes. You can teach your children to stand up for those that are
younger or weaker, or who are for some reason unable to defend
themselves. You can teach your children the difference between
humor and humiliation. You can realize that some of our lazy
vocabulary choices reflect a poverty of words, and can come up with
better choices. You can learn that you, having gifts of intellect,
appearance, education, and strength, can afford to be more generous
to those who do not. You can forward this note to whomever you
wish.

While this is the end of my note, I am including links to recent
articles written about this issue. And, I am including the text of
a powerful speech written by a courageous and wise high school
student last year about the R-word.

Thank you, and please pass this along....
Paula

http://www.r-word.org/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-
dyn/content/article/2008/08/10/AR2008081001869.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

http://davehingsburger.blogspot.com/2008/08/r-rated.html

http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/editors-blog/tropic-blunder-r-rated-
comedies-and-the-new-offensive.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k4Ekz3cWjQ&mode=related&search
(about the speech, below)

High School Speech
By Soeren Palumbo
I want to tell you a quick story before I start. I was walking
through hallways, not minding my own business, listening to the
conversations around me. As I passed the front door on my way to my
English classroom, I heard the dialogue between two friends nearby.
For reasons of privacy, I would rather not give away their race or
gender.

So the one girl leans to the other, pointing to the back of a young
man washing the glass panes of the front door, and says, "Oh my gaw!
I think it is so cute that our school brings in the black kids from
around the district to wash our windows!" The other girl looked up,
widened her slanted Asian eyes and called to the window washer,
easily loud enough for him to hear, "Hey, Negro! You missed a spot!"
The young man did not turn around. The first girl smiled a bland
smile that all white girls - hell, all white people - have and
walked on. A group of Mexicans stood by and laughed that high pitch
laugh that all of them have.

So now it's your turn. What do you think the black window washer
did? What would you do in that situation? Do you think he turned and
calmly explained the fallacies of racism and showed the girls the
error of their way? That's the one thing that makes racism, or any
discrimination, less powerful in my mind. No matter how biased or
bigoted a comment or action may be, the guy can turn around and
explain why racism is wrong and, if worst comes to worst, punch `em
in the face.

Discrimination against those who can defend themselves, obviously,
cannot survive. What would be far worse is if we discriminated
against those who cannot defend themselves. What then, could be
worse than racism?

Look around you and thank God that we don't live in a world that
discriminates and despises those who cannot defend themselves. Thank
God that every one of us in this room, in this school, hates racism
and sexism and by that logic discrimination in general. Thank God
that every one in this institution is dedicated to the ideal of
mutual respect and love for our fellow human beings. Then pinch
yourself for living in a dream. Then pinch the hypocrites sitting
next to you. Then pinch the hypocrite that is you.

Pinch yourself once for each time you have looked at one of your
fellow human beings with a mental handicap and laughed. Pinch
yourself for each and every time you denounced discrimination only
to turn and hate those around you without the ability to defend
themselves, the only ones around you without the ability to defend
themselves. Pinch yourself for each time you have called someone
else a "retard."

If you have been wondering about my opening story, I'll tell you
that it didn't happen, not as I described it. Can you guess what I
changed? No, it wasn't the focused hate on one person, and no it
wasn't the slanted Asian eyes or cookie cutter features white people
have or that shrill Hispanic hyena laugh (yeah, it hurts when people
make assumptions about your person and use them against you doesn't
it?).

The girl didn't say "hey Negro." There was no black person.
It was a mentally handicapped boy washing the windows. It was "Hey
retard." I removed the word retard. I removed the word that destroys
the dignity of our most innocent. I removed the single most hateful
word in the entire English language.

I don't understand why we use the word; I don't think I ever will.
In such an era of political correctness, why is it that retard is
still ok? Why do we allow it? Why don't we stop using the word?
Maybe students can't handle stopping - I hope that offends you
students, it was meant to - but I don't think the adults, here can
either.

Students, look at your teacher, look at every member of this
faculty. I am willing to bet that every one of them would throw a
fit if they heard the word faggot or *** - hell the word Negro -
used in their classroom. But how many of them would raise a finger
against the word retard? How many of them have? Teachers, feel free
to raise your hand or call attention to yourself through some other
means if you have.

That's what I thought. Clearly, this obviously isn't a problem
contained within our age group.

So why am I doing this? Why do I risk being misunderstood and
resented by this school's student body and staff? Because I know how
much you can learn from people, all people, even - no, not even,
especially - the mentally handicapped.

I know this because every morning I wake up and I come downstairs
and I sit across from my sister, quietly eating her Cheerio's. And
as I sit down she sets her spoon down on the table and she looks at
me, her strawberry blonde hair hanging over her freckled face almost
completely hides the question mark shaped scar above her ear from
her brain surgery two Christmases ago.

She looks at me and she smiles. She has a beautiful smile; it lights
up her face. Her two front teeth are faintly stained from the years
of intense epilepsy medication but I don't notice that anymore. I
lean over to her and say, "Good morning, Olivia." She stares at me
for a moment and says quickly, "Good morning, Soeren," and goes back
to her Cheerio's.

I sit there for a minute, thinking about what to say. "What are you
going to do at school today, Olivia?" She looks up again. "Gonna see
Mista Bee!" she replies loudly, hugging herself slightly and looking
up. Mr. B. is her gym teacher and perhaps her favorite man outside
of our family on the entire planet and Olivia is thoroughly
convinced that she will be having gym class every day of the week. I
like to view it as wishful thinking.

She finishes her Cheerio's and grabs her favorite blue backpack and
waits for her bus driver, Miss Debbie, who, like clockwork, arrives
at our house at exactly 7 o'clock each morning. She gives me a quick
hug goodbye and runs excitedly to the bus, ecstatic for another day
of school.

And I watch the bus disappear around the turn and I can't help but
remember the jokes. The short bus. The "retard rocket." No matter
what she does, no matter how much she loves those around her, she
will always be the butt of some immature kid's joke. She will always
be the butt of some mature kid's joke. She will always be the butt
of some "adult's" joke.

By no fault of her own, she will spend her entire life being stared
at and judged. Despite the fact that she will never hate, never
judge, never make fun of, never hurt, she will never be accepted.
That's why I'm doing this. I'm doing this because I don't think you
understand how much you hurt others when you hate. And maybe you
don't realize that you hate. But that's what it is; your pre-emptive
dismissal of them, your dehumanization of them, your mockery of
them, it's nothing but another form of hate.

It's more hateful than racism, more hateful than sexism, more
hateful than anything. I'm doing this so that each and every one of
you, student or teacher, thinks before the next time you use the
word "retard," before the next time you shrug off someone else's use
of the word "retard". Think of the people you hurt, both the
mentally handicapped and those who love them.

If you have to, think of my sister. Think about how she can find
more happiness in the blowing of a bubble and watching it float away
than most of us will in our entire lives. Think about how she will
always love everyone unconditionally. Think about how she will never
hate. Then think about which one of you is "retarded."

Maybe this has become more of an issue today because society is
changing, slowly, to be sure, but changing nonetheless. The mentally
handicapped aren't being locked in their family's basement anymore.
The mentally handicapped aren't rotting like criminals in
institutions. Our fellow human beings are walking among us,
attending school with us, entering the work force with us, asking
for nothing but acceptance, giving nothing but love. As we become
more accepting and less hateful, more and more handicapped
individuals will finally be able to participate in the society that
has shunned them for so long. You will see more of them working in
places you go, at Dominicks, at Jewel, at Wal-Mart. Someday, I hope
more than anything, one of these people that you see will be my
sister.

I want to leave you with one last thought. I didn't ask to have a
mentally handicapped sister. She didn't choose to be mentally
handicapped. But I wouldn't trade it for anything. I have learned
infinitely more from her simple words and love than I have from any
classroom of "higher education." I only hope that, one day, each of
you will open your hearts enough to experience true unconditional
love, because that is all any of them want to give. I hope that,
someday, someone will love you as much as Olivia loves me. I hope
that, someday, you will love somebody as much as I love her. I love
you, Olivia.

Soeren Palumbo is a senior honors student at Fremd High School in
Wheeling, Illinois, and big brother to Olivia. During Writer's Week
(in March 2007), he gave the following speech to a gymnasium full of
his high school peers and faculty and received a standing ovation.

For the record, I did go to see this movie, and I walked out. I wish I had known all this before I went to see it.
I used to love Ben Stiller.

Question about Acheron

2008-08-13T00:33:00.003-04:00

Is this a romance or not?

There had been a lot of heartach, a lot of violence and suffering, but no true romance. A heroine has not even been introduced yet, and I'm pretty far into the book.

The only type if book I want to read lately is romance, and if this is a truly of that genre, I'll read on, but so far I want to put the book down until I'm in the mood for a different genre.

What do I do, read on or put down?

July

2008-08-02T00:45:00.003-04:00

Nice reading list for me this month. One book I didn't think I would like (Sam's Creed) turned out to be awesome. I didn't review it, but it gets a B+. Very sexy, wonderful Hero.
A book I thought I would enjoy, but didn't (Through the Veil) was a huge disappointment.

I'm not surprised about Lover Enshrined. I was expecting it to be riddled with annoyances, and true to form, it was. I truly have given up on the series now. LE was my last Ward book.

Still way behind with the In Death books. I'll get caught up this year, I hope.

I'm back to enjoying the Lords of the Underworld series. The second book was a DNF for me, but the third got me back on the bandwagon. Can't wait for the next one. I'm eager for Paris' story.

Sorry about the lack of reviews. It's summer time :)

1)Lover Enshrined by JR Ward
2)Through the Veil by Shiloh Walker
3)Rapture in Death by J.D Robb
4)Lessons From a Courtesan by Jenna Petersen
5)Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
6)When a Lady Misbehaves by Michelle Marcos
7)Sam's Creed by Sarah McCarty
8)Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
9)Darkest Pleasure by Gena Showalter

When a lady misbehaves by Michelle Marcos

2008-07-25T11:01:00.004-04:00

When a Lady Misbehaves by Michelle Marcos
Published by St. Martine's
Why I read this: I was in the mood for a historical that didn't have a proper lady or noble as the Heroine.

As a maid at The Pleasure Emporium, Miss April Jardine has witnessed her share of sinful acts, but nothing as brazen as her own money-making scheme. By blackmailing the gentlemen named in the Madame’s private diaries, April can escape a life of drudgery—as long as she avoids the hangman’s noose. All goes swimmingly until she crosses paths with Lord Blackheath, the most powerful judge in England. His wicked gaze suggests he is torn between exposing April and seducing her—and April is only too pleased to oblige.

This Heroine is one of the worst I have ever read. I can't stand her. She is selfish, rude and every time we were in her POV I could not wait to get out of it.

Having said that, the story is very interesting with a few twists I was not expecting. It was not at all predictable, and that, I enjoyed very much.

April is a maid in a whore house. When the madam tells her that she must sell her body like all the other girls or leave, she decides that she is too good to sell her body and runs off. But not before she steals the madams diary. In the diary are all the men that the madam was with when she was a courtesan, over 20 years ago. The diary also says that the madam had a baby. April gets it into her head that she can go to these men pretending to be the madams daughter. She tells the men that they are her father and that she wants to live with them, now that her mother has died.
Of course the men what nothing to do with her, and pay her off so that she will go away. Because she doesn't actually come right out and ask for money, she doesn't consider her self to be a blackmailer.

The last man she tries this with turns out to be someone who is still in love with the madam and asks April to stay on with him. She falls in love with the idea of being accepted and treated like a daughter. She is happy for a few days, but then her plan all goes to hell when she if found out. Lies are made up to cover lies. Everyone is now in on it in order protect the reputation of the Duke and his sons.

The story was good. Like, really good. Things kept happening that I didn't expect and I was glued to the pages wanting to find out what would happen next. As much as I hated the heroine, I loved the story.

But, and it's a big but-The flow was all wrong. It's hard to review this book because as much as I liked the story, the execution of it was bad. The writing style was choppy and difficult to follow.I kept getting pulled out of the story becuase of it and that confused me because I wanted to read on, to find out what was happening next, but I had to pause way too many times to say "why did she write it that way?". I don't like being pulled out of my reading for any reason.

When a Lady Misbehaves is a C. If it was a different writer I can see this book as an A, because as much as the Heroine sucked, the Hero was terrific, and the story was very good and entertaining. Ms. Marcos just wasn't able to pull it off as well as someone else could of.

Mr. Perfect is perfect

2008-07-20T19:22:00.003-04:00

Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
Published by Simon & Schuster
Why I read this: I heard it was good.

Jaine Bright and three close friends share dinner one night and during casual conversation, create a list of qualifications for the perfect man--some logical, some hilariously funny, some racy. Within days, their tongue-in-cheek wish list of attributes for Mr. Perfect has been leaked to the press and the resultant publicity is overwhelming. Coworkers, TV crews, and reporters barrage the quartet with comments and criticism.
As if Jaine doesn't have enough to cope with, she has a new neighbor who she suspects is a criminal. She's relieved to learn that her neighbor is really an undercover cop, but she's still wary--because smart, sexy Sam Donovan handles her sharp witticisms with easy humor, and Jaine suspects that he may threaten her heart. What Jaine doesn't know is that she's about to need Sam desperately for something other than romance because her circle of friends is in big trouble. Unfortunately, that list of qualifications for Mr. Perfect has touched off a madman's rage. All of their lives are threatened and some of them are going to die, maybe all of them, if Sam can't stop the unknown killer.

Two words. KEEPER SHELF.

Jaine and her 3 best friends put together a list of what the perfect man to them is. It gets out of control when the list is made public and there is a huge uproar. Like the women in the novel, I can't figure out what the big deal was about the list, but hey, it still made for a great story.

One of the women is killed by someone who has a big problem with the list. I figured out the bad guy very early on, and I felt kinda proud of that, because I usually always have the villian wrong.

Sam, who is a police officer and Jaine's next door neighbour helps to protect Jaine and catch the killer. I absolutleye loved the back and forth banter Jaine and Sam had. They are indeed the perfect match.

Mr. Perfect had me sucked in right from the get go. This novel is romantic suspense, but there is just the right amount of both to even it out. Something that surprised me was how many times I laughed out loud. What a pleasant surpise it was to find so many laughs when I least expected it. Every comical moment fit in perfectly with the story line and each scene. Nothing was forced or out of place.

That brings me to another thing about it. The romance. In true suspsens fashion, the H/H fell in love fast, but the flow of it, while reading, felt natural. The love scenes were not just thown in there at odd moments.

Everything from the story, the H/H, the writing style was great. No doubt in my mind that Mr. Perfect is an A book.

Are all novels by this author so good? If so, I have some major back list buying to get to.

Offending words

2008-07-17T23:13:00.004-04:00

Last night I started a new book. A contemporary from a new to me author that I thought was going to be a nice light read.

It became a DNF on page 4 because of one word.

There are only three words in the english language that I don't think should ever be used. One is a racist word to describe a black person. The second is a racist word to describe an Asian person. The third is a derogatory word that I wont even type out. I'm sure you can figure out what the word is by looking at the image I have posted with this post.

I saw the N word in a Kathleen E Woodiwiss novel. I didn't stop reading because of when the book was written. For what it's worth, I hated the book. (The Flame and the Flower.) There are many things about TFATF that I did not like, and the use of the N word was one of them. I get that the way the author used it was historically accurate. Knowing that didn't make it nicer to read though.

Anyway, the book that I started reading last night used the R word. The book was published only last year. I was hugely offended and felt sick to my stomach that anyone would still be using that word.

Would I still have been offended if the book was published 20-30 years ago, or if it was a historical? The answer is yes.
Would I have stopped reading? I don't know.

This time, however, I did stop reading. It was used in a derogatory manner, and it upset me. A lot.

There is no way I can finish the book. I did try. After I stopped and took a few deep breaths, I tried to read on, but my eyes kept jumping back to that word. It made me angrier by the second.

I'm a little bit upset with myself, because I could possibly be missing out on a really great book. At the same time, some things mean more to me than a good read.
This is one of those things.

I understand that there is another word that bothers a lot of women. That would would be c*nt. It doesn't bother me at all, but I did cover it a little because I know many women hate it with a passion.

My question is this. Are there any words that offend you so much, that you would not be able to finish a book because of it?

Funniest Post Secret Ever

2008-07-13T19:35:00.004-04:00

Holy Goddess! Imagine eating the last page of a book?
Chewing paper, with all that dye. Does she take it with water? I bet the page is pretty dry.
I hope she only eats books that buys brand new. It would be even grosser to eat a page from a used book store or library... how many other people have touched it. Ew.

I'm looking at the picture, trying to figure out what genre she likes. True Crime, suspense?
And I thought I had some weird quirks.
The last page eater beats me.

New template

2008-07-12T23:03:00.004-04:00

Pretty, isn't it?

I forgot to back up all my links, so please be sure to comment so that I can click on you to get your blog address, so that I may post a link back to you.

My new tattoo

2008-07-04T20:48:00.010-04:00

Just a fast post to show my new ink.
Lower back, HURT LIKE HELL!
The arm is MUCH less painful.

All smiles, before the needle.

Hurts so much.

OUCH!

Thank Goddess, the pain is over.

Drive by reviews

2008-07-03T09:11:00.009-04:00

The Darkest Kiss by Gena Showalter
Why I read this: Gena Showalter is an auto buy for me, and I thought the first book in the series was great.

I expected great things for The Darkest Kiss. I thought that The Darkest Night was really good, so perhaps my expectations were just too high.

I'm not able to put my finger on what the problem was, but The Darkest Kiss was boring. Thats the only way I can put it. The first few chapters were good, and I thought for sure that it was going to be another great read from a favourite author, but unfortunately it wasn't like that. Something, I'm not sure what, just seemed to fizzle out. There was no desire for me to read on at all. I didn't care about turning the page or finding out what would happen next. I think because nothing was happening. Just a bunch of scenes of the H/H obsessing over each other, fighting and being annoying to the one another as they can be. I guess it was just dragging on too much for me to enjoy.

Th Darkest Kiss was a DNF for me.

Having said that, I still do plan to read the third installment of the series this month.

Ain't She Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Why I read this: I wanted to try something by this author, and this book caught my eye first.

Loved it! A contemporary read about a small town girl who burned a lot of bridges with friends and family back home. When she came back to the town she grew up in to look for a painting, she found love with someone she hurt in the past.

The conflict was awesome, and I must say that of the two main men in the book, she did not end up with the one I thought she would end up with. You see, I only read a few lines of the back cover blurb before deciding that this sounded like a nice read.

I do have a few issues with the way she was treated though. Some of the people who were mean to her when she came back home where just follwing the leader. They had no reason to be SO bitchy to her. Even though I didn't like how they treated her, it went well with the story. I love the writing style this author has. Very nice flow. B+. I can't wait to read more from this author.

Lover Enshrined by JR Ward
Why I read this: I don't know! But I mean it when I say that this is the last one. Grrrr.

Well, the Lesser POV's are back. That sucked. I did a lot of skimming. I skimmed the Lesser stuff, of course. I also skimmed plenty of Phury's POV. For most of his scenes he was talking to a voice in his head. A voice he calls The Wizard. The Wizard shows up when Phury is high or needs to get high.

Not nearly enough time was spent on the H/H. Much of the book focused on Qhuinn and JM. I'm not surprised though. Ward even said that this book would be a stepping stone for Q and JM. The worst part though, the part that I hate the most is the dialogue. Not only is the speech more annoying that it was before, but now all the Shellans talk like that. Some of it was entertaining-I have to admit that Ward can pull off a good twist (when she isn't killing pregnant women, and turning Shellans into ghosts). There was just too much skimming, and too many wall banging moments to make this book anything other than a C-

I need to re read Dark Lover ASAP. I need to get the horrible taste of the last few books in this series out of my mouth.

Books I read in June

2008-06-30T22:47:00.005-04:00

Pretty interesting reading month for me. Not as many books as I was reading this time last year, but still a good mixture, I think.

I'd like to brag about the Maya Banks ARC I got to read. Be with Me is out in November, and I am so sad that we have to wait so long for the release, because I want to talk about it right now! It's no secret how much I LOVED Colter's Woman. It's been a re read for me several times over. Well, Be with Me is better! There. I said it. FINALLY, a menage book that beats Colter's Woman. How cool is it that it's even written by the same author?
Way cool indeed!

I wont get much reading done the next little while. I have family visitng from Alberta, and they will be here tomorrow! Yay. I miss my family so much.
I do plan to post some fast reviews of The Darkest Kiss (DNF-it's a shame, because I gave the first book in the series a great review) and, Ain't She Sweet (B+).

1)The Bartered Bride by Mary Jo Putney
2)Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
3)Remember me by Sophie Kinsella
4)Be with me ARC by Maya Banks (A)
5)Bet me by Jennifer Crusie
6)The Darkest Kiss by Gena Showalter (DNF)
7)Combat! by KS Augustin (B)
8)Ain't she sweet? by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (B+)
9)Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich

Fearless Fourteen

2008-06-26T20:39:00.005-04:00

Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich
Published by St. Martins
Why I read this: I'm hooked on the series, and I was in need of a Ranger fix.

The Crime:

Armed robbery to the tune of nine million dollars

Dom Rizzi robbed a bank, stashed the money and did the time. His family couldn't be more proud. He always was the smart one.

The Cousin:

Joe Morelli

Joe Morelli, Dom Rizzi and Dom's sister Loretta are cousins. Morelli is a cop, Rizzi robs banks, and Loretta is a single mother waiting tables at the firehouse. The all American family.

The Complications:

Murder, kidnapping, destruction of personal property, and acid reflux

Less than a week after Dom's release from prison, Joe Morelli has shadowy figures breaking into his house and dying in his basement. He's getting threatening messages, Loretta is kidnapped, and Dom is missing.

The Catastrophe:

Moonman

Morelli hires Walter "Mooner" Dunphy, stoner and "inventor" turned crime-fighter to protect his house. Morelli can't afford a lot on a cop's salary, and Mooner will work for potatoes.

The Cupcake:

Stephanie Plum

Stephanie and Morelli have a long-standing relationship that involves sex, affection and driving each other nuts. She's a bond enforcement agent with more luck than talent, and she's involved in this bank-robbery-gone-bad disaster from day one.

The Crisis:

A favor for Ranger

Security expert Carlos Manoso, street name Ranger, has a job for Stephanie that will involve night-work. Morelli has his own ideas regarding Stephanie's evening activities.

The Conclusion:

Only the fearless should read fourteen

Thrills, chills and possible incontinence may result.

I admit that I went into this book with low expectations. I try to never read reviews of books I know I will read, as I hate spoilers. Big time. I did not read reviews for Fearless Fourteen, but I did read at Dear Author that several ARC negative reviews were taken down from Amazon.

Having finished Fearless Fourteen, I skimmed a bunch of reviews, and I have to say, I disagree with many of them. Big surprise there. When do I ever agree with the majority?

IMO, Stephanie has come a long way. Even though she does minimal bounty hunting in this book, she does appear to be more confidant with herself as a aprehention agent. Compared to her clumsiness in the few first books, she is almost a new person. When any of her misfit friends tag a long on a pick up, she is very take charge and alpha in work mode.

Fearless Fourteen was not as funny as the other books. I did smile a few times, mostly because of Lula and Grandma Mazur, but I did not laugh out loud.

There were equal amounts of Joe and Ranger. I continue to be on the 'Babe' team, but the 'Cupcake' side is appealing, too.

One of my all time favourite secondary Charaters in the previous books was Mooner. He was back in Fearless Fourteen, so yay for that.

I'm going to go ahead and give this one a B-. Stephanie's character has grown, and there was a fresh spin on the old formula... No one was trying to kill Steph, but she still did stumble across some dead bodies. Her car did not get blown up, but it did get a graffiti make over. Weekly dinners at the Plum house were included in Fearless Fourteen, which is good. I enjoy Mr. Plum's heavy silence, Mrs. Plum's not so hidden drinking problem, and Gradma Mazur's naive bluntness. I just wish it had been laugh out loud funny. I don't have a single funny quote to mention in my post, like I usually do when I review this series.

My review of books 1-13

Read GREEN and give back

2008-06-23T07:01:00.003-04:00

READ GREEN AND GIVE BACK

During the last week of each month, Resplendence Publishing will offer a special coupon code good for 15% off any e-book purchase during the entire week. For each purchase, a portion of the proceeds will be going toward the chosen charity of the month.

Starting June 23 (thats today!) -June 30 the charity of the month is the Arbor Day Foundation.

Please visit Resplendence Publishing here to get your discount code, and also to learn about the Arbor Day Foundation.

Bet me, Jennifer Crusie

2008-06-14T23:08:00.007-04:00

Bet me by Jennifer Crusie
Published by St. Marin's Press
Why I read this: I'm going to blame Holly. She is the cause of many of my reads, and I don't think she even realizes it. She and Wena reviewed it here.

Min Dobbs knows that happily-ever-after is a fairy tale, especially with a man like Cal Morrisey, who asked her to dinner to win a bet. Cal Morrisey knows commitment is impossible, especially with a woman as cranky as Min Dobbs. When they say good-bye at the end of their evening, they cut their losses and agree never to see each other again.
But Fate has other plans, and it’s not long before Min and Cal are dealing with meddling friends, wedding cake, a jealous ex-boyfriend, Krispy Kremes, a determined psychologist, chaos theory, a frantic bride, Chicken Marsala, a mutant cat, snow globes, two Mothers-from-Hell, great shoes, and more risky propositions than either of them ever dreamed of including the biggest gamble of all--unconditional love.

Oh, yes, I liked this book. A contemporary, featuring Min Dobb's, a level headed nice gal, and Cal, a heartbreaking sexy beast.

On a bet (that Min knows about right from the start), Cal asks her out. She says yes hoping to turn the tables on him. From there she falls in love with him, but the whole time trying very hard NOT to fall in love with him.

I think I liked this book so much because the author took the classic 'big misunderstanding' storyline, which I hate, and turned it into something fresh and believable.

By having Min know about the bet from the moment it was spoken, the ball was put in her court to do with it as she pleased. Se figured she could play him for a while, have a date to her sisters' wedding, and then dump him. After all, he did ask her out on a date based on a bet. He didn't even liker her or find her very attractive at first.

There are a number of secondary characters in Bet me, and I liked them all. Even the villains. Without the loser ex boyfriend, obsessed ex girlfriend, crazy friends, and annoying mothers, Bet me just would not have been the same.

An A book. It feels very nice to find out that this book is as awesome as my friends said it was. I have stopped getting my hopes up when a lot of people rave about a book-I tend to not like them and am left scratching my head wondering what dugs all ya'll were on.
That wasn't the case here. :)

I'm even told that there are books by this author that are even better than this one. I can't wait to read them!

(and look, I went the whole post without mentioning that there are super cute shoes on the cover of the book. Oh oh, I guess I just mentioned it ;)

ETA: Check Jennifer Crusie's Bet me page. It has tons of interesting information about this book. Very cool stuff.

Pick a book for me please

2008-06-10T23:34:00.002-04:00

I'm slowly getting through my TBR, and know the next few books I will read, but after that I don't know again.
I know what I am in the mood for, and I hope someone can think of some titles for me.

I'd like to read a story where the hero has captured the heroine. Something, anything, along a capture/kidnapping plot.

An example of one I loved was Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught. Although, what I am wanting to read does not have to be a historical.

Can you help I promise to review it after I read...

46 odd things

2008-06-09T19:10:00.006-04:00

46 ODD Things about you! If you opened this, FILL IT OUT! Learn 46

things about your friends, and let them learn 46 things about you!
Remember send it back to the person who sent it to you.

1. Do you like blue cheese? Gross. Disgusting.

2 Have you ever smoked? Sigh. Yeah, back when I was a teenager. I'm ashamed of it.

3. Do you own a gun? No. Never ever ever!

4. What flavor do you add to your drink at sonic? I have never been there.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? No.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? I like them. With lots of onions and mustard.

7. Favorite Christmas movie? I like the Santa Clause

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Pepsi

9. Can you do push ups? Nope. I'm a weak wimp

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? A ring that my Pepere gave to my Memere, who in turn gave to me.

11. Favorite hobby? Does buying shoes count as a hobby?

12. Do you have A.D.D.? No.
13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? I hate my face and my body.

14. Middle name? I don't want to share it

15. Name 3 thoughts at this emailing
1) It's giving me something to do 2)I'm going to send it my aunt 3)I hope I don't give TO much away about myself

16. Name 3 things you bought yesterday:
1)Ice cap 2)Sunscreen 3)and three pairs of shoes. They had a sale. buy 2, get the third 1/2 off. :-) These are them.

These I got because I need a new pair of cute flats to wear to the zoo next week.

These I got because they match a skirt I have.

Since I was getting three pairs, I just grabbed these because a girl can never have too many pairs of heels. I certainly can't turn down pink ones either.

17. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?
1)Pepsi
2)ice cap
3)lately, bottled flavoured water

18. Current worry? Don't want to talk about it

19. Current hate right now? Ants, bees and mosquitoes

20. Favorite place to be? In my bed, reading

21. Where would you like to go? Back in time and re live time spent with my Pepere

22. Name three people who will complete this?
Ames. She is my favourite wench, and I'll just keep bugging her until she does :-P
Not sure who else.

24. What shirt are you wearing? I'm wearing a dress

25. What year would you go back in time to? 1997

26. Can you whistle? A little tiny bit

27. Favorite color? Pink

28. Would you be a pirate? A pirate wench

29. Favorite girl's name? Lily

31. Favorite boy's name? I don't have a favourite boy name.

33. Last thing that made you laugh? I can't think of anything

34.Favorite Halloween costume? Witch

35. Worst injury you've ever had? Never had any bad ones

36. Do you like where you live? yeah, I guess.

37. How many TVs do you have in your house? Six. But one is just a little 12 inch.

38. Who is your loudest friend? I am the loudest person I know

39. How many dogs do you have? Zero

40. Does someone have a crush on you? No

41. What is your favorite book(s)? The Real Deal by Lucy Monroe

42. What is your favorite candy? I love jub jubs

43. Favorite sports team? I hate sports.

44. Your favorite meal? Steak-well done. Loaded baked potato, mixed green veggies, and a garden salad with french dressing.

45. What were you doing @12 AM last night? Sleeping

46. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? My head hurts. Woke up with a head ache

Remember Me

2008-06-08T20:42:00.004-04:00

Remember me by Sophie Kinsella
Published by Dell
Why I read this: I like amnesia story lines.

Lexi wakes up in a hospital bed after a car accident, thinking it's 2004 and she's a twenty-five-year old with crooked teeth and a disastrous love life. But, to her disbelief, she learns it's actually 2007 - she's twenty-eight, her teeth are straight, she's the boss of her department - and she's married! To a good-looking millionaire! How on earth did she land the dream life??! She can't believe her luck - especially when she sees her stunning new home. She's sure she'll have a fantastic marriage once she gets to know her husband again. He's drawn up a 'manual of our marriage', which should help. But as she learns more about her new self, chinks start to appear in the perfect life. All her old colleagues hate her. A rival is after her job. Then a dishevelled, sexy guy turns up...and lands a new bombshell. What happened to her? Will she ever remember? And what will happen if she does?

Remember Me was a cute and fast read.
Lexi wake sup from an accident having lost the last three years of her life. She is very confused but also happy, because things seem to be great.
They are not great though.
Her husband, although rich and handsome, is not someone she can connect with. Her new best friend is shallow and not at all reliable, and all her old friends can't stand to be around her.

Jon, a man who works with her husband pays special attention to Lexi, and as kind as he is, Lexi doesn't want to be a cheater or complicate her life anymore. She just wants to find herself, get her old friends back, and be happy.

I wont give it away, but Lexi does end up with a man at the end of the book. I believe I was the right choice.

The bedroom door is closed on this romance, but it was a light, quick read. I liked it. I want to read more from this author, so I'll give it a B.

Vampire Academy

2008-06-08T11:20:00.004-04:00

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Published by Razorbill
Why I read this: Well, I love Succubus Blue, but did not like Succubus on Top. I thought this might be a good tie breaker.

St. Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school--it's a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run, but now they're being dragged back to St. Vladimir's--the very place where they're most in danger. . . .

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy's ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi--the world's fiercest and most dangerous vampires--make Lissa one of them forever.

Vampire Academy is a young adult book that I almost didn't finish. It was hard to get into, started off pretty boring actually. However, I stuck with it, and it did get better.

The summery is rather accurate, so I don't need to re-hash it here.

I liked Vampire Academy because it was different than any other paranormal book I have read. It's not your typical Vamp storyline, which was a refreshing change. All the characters are interesting, likable, and once things picked up, then the story itself had a good flow to it.

I'll give it a C/C+. The writing wasn't very strong. It contained more ly-adverbs than was necessary. Thats something that always annoys me. It just screams amature author which surprises me, becuase Succubus Blues had such good writing.

The friendship between Rose and Lissa was heartwarming. It reminded me of my best friend, and that put a smile on my face :)

If you want to read a young adult book with a bit of a twist on the Vamp front, then this is the book for you.
However, if sloppy writing is something you can't get past, then skip this one. Try Succubus Blues instead. (SB is not YA though.)

Reading meme

2008-06-07T15:42:00.003-04:00

I stole this from Holly. If you decide to do it, then leave a link so I can check it out :)

Contemporary, Historical, or Paranormal?
If I had to pick them order it would be,
Paranormal
Historical
Contemporary
I don't not like contemporaries. It's just that they tend to bore me more often than the other two genres do.

Hardback or Trade Paperback or Mass Market Paperback?
I like trade paperback and hardcover to look at on my shelf, but I like paperback better for when I read the book.
Thats kind of an odd answer, I know, lol

Heyer or Austen?
Nothing beats Austen.

Amazon or Brick and Mortar?
I refuse to buy at amazon based on the fact that they are really shitty and unethical when it comes to how they treat reviewers.

Barnes & Noble or Borders?
Chapters. It's a Canadian one.

Woodiwiss or Lindsay?
Hmmm, well, they are both rather fond of rape, but I'd like to so no to both. If I had to choose... I'll go with Lindsay.

First romance novel you ever remember reading?
I don't remember the name. It was a Harlequin Presents when I was about 14.

Alphabetize by author Alphabetize by title or random?
Right now it's random. But when my new shelves get here, it will be by author.

Keep, Throw Away or Sell?
I give away the ones I hated, keep all the rest. I was selling on eBay for a while, but I like having a book collection, so now I keep all but the ones I want to burn.

Read with dustjacket or remove it?
I leave it on.

Sookie Stackhouse or Anita Blake?
Sookie for sure. Anita Blake stopped being good at about book 13.

Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks?
When tired. Or when I am pulled away to do something.

“It was a dark and stormy night” or “Once upon a time”?
They are both crappy starters.

Crusie or SEP?
I have not read either.

Buy or Borrow?
Buy print, borrow audio.

Buying choice: Book Reviews, Recommendation or Browse?
I only buy based on reviews if it's someone I know and trust. I'd consider a recommendation based on who is wanting me to read it. I also buy by browsing.
All of the above then.

Tidy ending or Cliffhanger?
I HATE CLIFFHANGER ENDINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Morning reading, Afternoon reading or Nighttime reading?
Anytime I can. Mostly at night though.

Series or standalone?
Both. I don't want to decide between the two.
However, I admit to liking series books the best when they are in first person.

Favorite book of which nobody else has heard?
Child of her Heart by Cheryl St. John.

The Bartered Bride

2008-06-05T15:17:00.004-04:00

The Bartered Bride by Mary Jo Putney
Published by Ballatine Books
Why I read this: It was one of the 'just in' audio titles at my local library. The cover was pretty :)

Sweeping from the exotic temptations of the Orient to the ruthless grandeur of 19th century London, The Bartered Bride is a compelling romantic adventure that begins with a daring act of courage. After building a fortune amid the splendor and dangers of the China seas, American adventurer and merchant prince Gavin Elliott is sailing for London, where he intends to establish himself in the society that forced his family to leave in disgrace when Gavin was only a child. But fate intervenes on an infamous island in the East Indies when he tries to save a European woman being sold at a slave auction.
Alexandra Warren ventures to Australia as a young bride eager for adventure. A dozen years later she is returning home as widow and mother when a pirate attack separates her from her beloved daughter and condemns Alex to a life of servitude. Then a miracle arrives in the form of a steely-eyed Yankee captain willing to risk everything to set her free.

A shocking turn of events brings an unexpected alliance with her rescuer, and Gavin and Alex arrive in London as intimate strangers joined by too many painful secrets. Yet attraction and affection soon overcome the trial of their first meeting. Until the past reaches out to change Gavin's life—and threatens the passionate love he has found with his irresistible bartered bride.

This is a book that that I hope all my blogging buddies will read. Then I want us all to lobby for it to be made into a movie. It was that good.

Alexandra and her are daughter are kidnapped by pirates, seperated from one another, then sold into slavery. For 6 months Alex lives as a slave with no rights or opinion, and bounces from one owner to another. She has no idea where her daughter is, or if the girl is alive.

Gavin in a merchant ship captain. He arrives in the Indies and comes across a woman in a slave market. Gavin tries to buy her freedom, but it's forbidden by the Sultan.
Instead, Gavin embarks on a 'game' with the Sultan. If he should win, he gets to leave with Alex. If he does not win, then Alex is still a slave, and Gavin must dedicate 10 years of service to the Sultan.

The game that he plays is just the first exciting part of this book. It was very interesting, and I'm sure, a game that was played in truth during that time in history.

It involved tossing special dice, and completing a task according to the image that lands up. They were not easy feats that Gavin had to accomplish, but he did them nonetheless, and is able to leave with Alex.

In order to save her reputation, because Alex had become pregnant by one of her slavers, Gavin weds her. It was something that both of them did not want to do at first, but Gavin, who has a deep respect for women did not want Alex being shamed for returning home pregnant and unwed, so he insisted on the marriage.

Something I liked so much about this book is that nothing was rushed. Alex clearly had fears and reservations about entering into a sexual relationship with her husband, yet Gavin was so very patient. An ideal Hero in every sense of the word.

Several weeks after returning home, Alex is kidnapped and Gavin is sentenced to hang for her murder. It's an exciting, yet heartbreaking time. The suspense was killing me! I knew that Alex would get free in time to stop the execution, but as the story went along I was on the edge of my seat, I had doubts.

There is nothing bad I have to say about The Bartered Bride. Its an A+, and nothing less.
Both Alex and Gavin were amazing characters who I easily became attached to. There was not a single slow moment or plot problem that had me annoyed or scratching my head. The story was fast paced, but still slow enough to get all the right emotions across.

My goal is to seek out the authors entire back list and get busy reading. I hope they are all this good!

May read list

2008-06-01T23:24:00.004-04:00

Those of you who were sure I'd read more in May, you were right :-)
Not as much as I wanted, but still, an improvement from the months before.

I'm still waiting for someone who read, and liked, Woodiwiss' The Flame and the Flower to come forward and tell me why they thought it so good. Seriously, I don't get the hype over this book. I don't understand why it is a 'classic'. Not at all.

Gena Showalter's new paranormal series is really good so far. Mind you, I am only a few chapters into the second book, however, I'm enjoying it.
If you liked JR Wards' BDB books, but hated the brothers quirks and dressing style, then you will love The Darkest Night.

1)Naughty Neighbor by Janet Evanovich
2)Stay with me by Maya Banks
3)From dead to worse by Charlaine Harris
4)The flame and the flower by Kathleen E Woodiwiss
5)Deal with this by Lucy Monroe
6)The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter
7)The Prize by Julie Garwood
8)Playing with Fire by Katie MacAlister

On Friday I got a letter from irewards. They were reminding me to re new my membership. They also included a note telling me that in the last year I have saved, get ready for it...

$161. 34

Not bad. I do pretty much live at Chapters, my favourite bookstore. I didn't realize how much it all added up though.
Don't even ask me how much I spent on books these last 12 months in order to save that much, I have no idea, LOL! I do keep all my receipts, so I bet I could add it all up one of these days.

With irewards you save 10% off all books in store. 40% off best sellers-but the books I want are never best sellers, sigh. And you save 5% when you shop online. Every now and then they have the double discount days. I posted about that a few days ago.

Free book!

2008-05-29T00:07:00.003-04:00

Midnyte Dupree is guest blogging over at Book Binge.
Go leave a comment for the chance to win a free copy of her sizzling new menage book, called Finding Her Place.

The Darkest Night

2008-05-28T15:41:00.005-04:00

The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter
Published by HQN
Why I read this: Gena is an auto buy author for me.

All her life, Ashlyn Darrow has been tormented by voices from the past. To end the nightmare, she has come to Budapest seeking help from men rumored to have supernatural abilities, not knowing she'll be swept into the arms of Maddox, their most dangerous member—a man trapped in a hell of his own.

Neither can resist the instant hunger that calms their torments…and ignites an irresistible passion. But every heated touch and burning kiss will edge them closer to destruction—and a soul-shattering test of love….

This was an interesting book.
Ashlyn is a mortal woman who has a unique talent. She can stand in any spot, and immediately be able to hear every conversation that has ever taken place there. It sounds like it would be a cool power to have, but she hates it. She hears these conversations all the time, everywhere she goes. It's driving her insane, and when she hears about some men who are said to be angels, she thinks that they can help her.

Maddox and his friends are no angels though. They are cursed warriors who must live with their own unique 'gifts'.

Once Ashlyn and Maddox come together, the attraction is without a doubt. When Maddox is near, Ashlyn no longer hears the voices around her. When Ashlyn is near, Maddox is able to control his own burden--the gift of Violence.

I liked this book. A lot. It has a great JR Ward feel to it, however, it lacks all the leather, questionable sexuality, and gang banger talk. That is a very, very good thing.

Spoiler: Please highlight text to read.
It is my opinion that all those rabid Ward fans (Hey, I like the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, too. I am able to see it's faults though) should read this book. In The Darkest Night, Ashlyn is killed. The way that Showalter worked around that, and kept it a romantic story was brilliant! For all those Warden fans who said that Ward has 'no other choice' but to turn Jane into a transparent ghost... read The Darkest Night.

I give The Darkest night a B+. Showalter was able to write a romantic love story, as well as build an intriguing world.
It's nice to see Maddox and his fellow warriors have a close relationships without wondering when they will jump into the sack together.
These Lords of the Underworld are all man, and all hetero. No question about it.

There are some unanswered questions that I hope will be answered in the next book. The Darkest Kiss is sitting right in front of me now(Yay, HQN, for shipping releases out early all the time)

Check out the website for this series. Looks like there will be many more Lords of the Underworld books in the future :)

Finding Her Place

2008-05-27T20:41:00.007-04:00

Finding her Place by Midnyte Dupree
Published by: Resplendence Publishing

The war is over and Cameron Cabot no longer knows who she is. Her life was enveloped and consumed by the fight, but suddenly things have changed. Instead of fighting creatures wanting her planet, Cameron is now fighting the urge to lay claim to two men who believe she is their mate. Has Cameron found her new assignment in the arms of a Noah and Mars?

Yes, if a mischievous little spirit has anything to say about it...

Exclusive Excerpt:

Sitting up, she looked around her the room. It wasn’t familiar. It was sterile and cold. The furniture was bland in color and not very distinguishable. A bed, two tables, a closet, and small dresser were the only things in there. Nothing personal of any sort.
Looking down at the bed, she noticed two lumps at her side. Her heart began to pound in her chest as she carefully pulled the covers back and away from the bodies.
She sucked in a breath.
“Holy shit!”
She clamped her hand over her mouth, fearing to wake the unknown men. Memories began to assault her. She held her head between her hands and leaned forward into her lap.
The crash. She and Simone had been flying to Andro for a vacation. A rogue ship had shot them down. She thought she had killed them.
Maybe these men were with them.
She pulled the blankets further away from the men and, revealing the most well-cut bodies a woman could ever hope to see. A sliver of remembrance flashed through her mind. Could it be these men reminded her of the men in her dream?
One had tawny skin and well defined muscles, and the other’s skin was creamy white and not quite as muscular, but slim and athletic. Their bodies were nothing like she had ever seen on Venusia.
Feeling a breeze, she looked down and noticed her nakedness.
“What the hell?”
Cameron slapped both men on the chest as she drew the sheet higher on her body.
The muscled one quickly pulled out a laser weapon from under his pillow and pointed it dead at her face, just inches from her nose.

--------------

You can buy this ebook here at Resplendence Publishing.
:-)

The Prize by Julie Garwood

2008-05-27T19:38:00.004-04:00

Mine and Ames' review of The Prize by Julie Garwood is live at Breezing Through.
Ames thinks that I am weird because it was my first Garwood book.
Head on over and help me decide on the next Garwood book to read.

Irewards members... Double Discount days

2008-05-27T19:19:00.007-04:00

This weekend, May 31-June 1'st, we get 20% off all books.
Thats an extra 10% off of. Yay.

Today while I was at Chapters getting some books, there was a man in front of me buying a bunch. He had about 60 books! The cashier asked if he had an irewards card. He said yes, then said that it belongs to his wife.

Uh oh.

The cashier would not let him use it. She said that it has to be his card, and unless his wife is in the store, then he can't use her card.
The guy was pissed.
He and the cashier did some back and forth talking about it, and he ended up asking her to call the manager over.

By that time I had already paid for my books at the cashier next to him, so I had to leave. Shoot. I really want to know if he got to use the card or not.

I'm thinking that the guy should not have said anything about the card belonging to his wife, rather than him. It's not like they ask for ID. Actually, there are not even names on the irewards card. Just our member number.

*shrug*

The Flame and the Flower

2008-05-19T20:07:00.009-04:00

The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E Woodiwiss
Published by Avon books
Why I read this: I heard so much about it being one of the best historicals ever.

The Flower

Doomed to a life of unending toil, Heather Simmons fears for her innocence until a shocking, desperate act forces her to flee. . . and to seek refuge in the arms of a virile and dangerous stranger.

The Flame

A lusty adventurer married to the sea, Captain Brandon Birmingham courts scorn and peril when he abducts the beautiful fugitive from the tumultuous London dockside. But no power on Earth can compel him to relinquish his exquisite prize. For he is determined to make the sapphire-eyed lovely his woman. . . and to carry her off to far, uncharted realms of sensuous, passionate love.

This was supposed to be the ground breaking historical of it's time? Why? What is so great about it?

Aside from the fact that the so called hero rapes the heroine--yah, I get that rape was common back then. That's still not an excuse to have the HERO rape the heroine in a *romance*. If it was that common then all historicals would have a rapist hero. And since I'm on the topic, I have heard people say that most historicals from the 70's or early 80's had a rapist Hero. Uh no! I have read tons of historicals written back then, and the rapes by hero are far and few between. In fact, I can only count 3.. This one being number 4.

Not sure why or how Heather fell in love with Brandon. He wasn't kind to her. He was only nice to her after she almost died from fever, and then again at the end when he told her he loved her.

Heather hated and feared Brandon, then as soon as he is forced into marrying her, she is all of sudden getting these warm fuzzies. Weird. I don't understand it. What did she see in him?

It bothers me that the rape scenes were a page long, and then when they finally have consensual sex, it lasted less than a paragraph in length.

I felt no connection to either of the main characters, and the only one in the book I have any interest in at all is Brandon's brother.

The classic, oh so popular, The Flame and the Flower, gets a D from me. There is nothing I liked about this book. I'm even trying to forget about the rape and thinking how I would feel if it had not been in the book...yup, still don't like it.

From Dead to Worse

2008-05-19T10:37:00.006-04:00

From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris
Published by Ace Books
Why I read this: It's the current book in a series that I enjoy.

After the natural disaster of Hurricane Katrina and the manmade explosion at the vampire summit, everyone—human and otherwise—is stressed, including Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse, who is trying to cope with the fact that her boyfriend Quinn has gone missing.

It's clear that things are changing—whether the weres and vamps of her corner of Louisiana like it or not. And Sookie—Friend to the Pack and blood-bonded to Eric Northman, leader of the local vampire community—is caught up in the changes.

In the ensuing battles, Sookie faces danger, death, and once more, betrayal by someone she loves. And when the fur has finished flying and the cold blood finished flowing, her world will be forever altered.

I started reading this series last year after my buddy Ames posted a round up review of all the released books. I was so eager to start on them that I didn't even wait for the first book to be back in at the library. I believe I started on the 3'rd book. Then I read the first, then the 4'th, then the 2'nd..um, it was all mixed up. Those of you who know me will think that reading out of order was very strange indeed. It was. My rule is to always read in order. Sigh.

From Dead to Worse is the 8'th Sookie book. It's difficult to do a review on a series book. There is always so much going on, and since all the books connect so well with other I'd have to go into what was happening in the other books.

What I like best about this book, about the whole series, is Sookie herself. The star of the story can make or break a book. Sookie makes it.
She is kind, without being a push over and thats important to me. She isn't afraid to stand up for herself, and even when she loves the person, she does not let them take advantage of her.
At the same time she is interesting. It's not just her telepathy either. Sure, being able to read minds is cool, or a pain, as it tend to be sometimes for Sookie, but she is super cool. Someone I'd love to be friends with... after I learn how to put up a mental block on my brain, that is.

In From Dead to Worse Sookie got into a few close calls. The Ware community and her brother made things difficult for her. A problem with some Vamps who want to take over caused problems. Her boyfriend, Quinn... well, lets just say that after this book, I don't like Quinn as much as I used to.

Sookie book eight gets an A from me. I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Not a single lagging moment or any plot problems. Go Sookie! You rock, girl!

Naughty Neighbor review is up

2008-05-14T09:49:00.003-04:00

Nath has posted our chit chat of Naughty Neighbor.
Check it out :)

Help Shiloh Walker raise money for charity

2008-05-10T16:04:00.003-04:00

I found this via Let's Gab.

From Shiloh Walker:

I've got an auction up on ebay to help raise money for the cyclone victims and I'm trying to get the word out.

Right now, it involves a couple of ARCs, several books, but more have added, and a GC to Barnes and Noble.

It's up on ebay thru missionfish-the charity I chose was SAVE THE CHILDREN since they already have people in the country and have had some success getting much needed supplies. And they have an excellent rep for putting their money where their mouth is- 90% of all monies received go to their programs, which is beyond excellent for a charity.

I know some people feel not doing anything might be best considering the actions of the junta and hold off waiting until that situation changes, but I don't think letting people suffer is a viable option either if there are ways of getting help in.

From Save the Children's 5/9 update-

Westport, Conn. (May 9, 2008) — The death toll in Myanmar continues to rise as a result of Cyclone Nargis and hardships for hundreds of thousands of survivors left in its wake are increasing. With 500 staff on the ground, Save the Children has reached 72,000 people, 24,000 of whom are estimated to be children, through the distribution of food, water purification tablets, plastic sheeting for shelter and other needed supplies

And this is part of the reason why I chose them-they already have people inside the country and they seem to be a trusted by those within the country, making it easier to get help in.

So far, the auction includes:

Signed copy of Private Places, historical romance anthology, not due out until 8/08 with stories by Robin Schone, Allyson James, Claudia Dain & Shiloh Walker
The Perfect Ten, signed, donated by Janice Maynard
The Legacy & bookmarks, signed, donated by Beth Williamson
Hard as Nails, signed, *7/08 release* ARC donated by HelenKay Dimon
Signed books donated by Rosemary Laurey-titles to be listed at a later date
Hunters: Heart and Soul, signed, by Shiloh Walker
Hunting the Hunter, signed, by Shiloh Walker
Hunter's Salvation, signed, by Shiloh Walker

Recently donated but not yet listed items include books from Patrica Sargeant, Ann Jacobs, Charlene Teglia, Kate Angell & a gift card from the Brown Literary Agency for Barnes & Noble.
Recently added items include:
Wild, Wild West-signed-donated by Charlene Teglia
Eternally His & Full Circle-both signed-donated by Ann Jacobs
Boys of Summer Series - Squeeze Play, Curveball & Strike Zone - signed-donated by Kate Angell
$50 Gift Card to Barnes & Noble donated by The Brown Literary Agency
You Belong to Me & On Fire-signed-donated by Patricia Sargeant

Anybody interested in bidding on the auction, it can be found here

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270236138496

Authors interested in donating can contact me shilohwalker at gmail.com

Isn't that cool?
Hmmm, I wonder how much shipping to Canada is...

Want a lollipop, or a free book?

2008-05-10T11:09:00.006-04:00

Lucy Monroe has made some changes to her website and has asked her readers to take a peek. This is what she says on her blog,

I just did some updates to my website and sent some others off to my designers to accomplish. I was wondering if you feel like browsing a bit? Just check around my website for dead links or glaring errors and post them here. I've got a lollipop and signed bookmark for everyone who finds an error.

Then, in a couple of days, I'll draw a name from all the comments to this post and that winner will receive a book of choice from me. :)

Speaking of winners, DQ told me she has posted the winner to the comment section on her blog. I'm still waiting to hear from the lucky poster. :)

Hugs and thanks!

Lucy :)

What are you waiting for? Go find those errors on her website. :)

New look

2008-05-10T10:42:00.003-04:00

I did some tweaking and this is what I came up with. (Okay, I totally stole it from some free skin website :P)
I'm still in the process of getting all my old links back up. I'll get to that soon enough.

You like?

It's a beautiful sunny day in my neck of the woods. Ahhh, I love summer.

Stay with me, by Maya Banks

2008-05-08T12:18:00.002-04:00

Ames I read and reviewed Maya Bank's newest release from Samhain called Stay with me.
Check it out over at Breezing Through :)

Getting her back will be the toughest deal they’ve ever negotiated.

On the night of her fifth anniversary, Catherine Cullen-Wellesley intends to break the news to the two men in her life. She’s pregnant with their child. It’ll be the perfect preamble to the vacation they’ve promised her: Two weeks on a Jamaican beach. No cell phones, no emails, no business.

But when Logan and Rhys blow off the trip for yet another “business emergency”, Catherine faces some difficult truths. She hasn’t come first in her busy husbands’ lives in a long time. Defiantly, she packs her bags for her long-awaited vacation—alone. It’ll give her a chance to figure out what the hell she’s going to do with the rest of her life.

When Logan and Rhys come home to an empty house, they realize two things: One, it was a mistake to take Catherine for granted. Two, they’re not willing to just let her walk out of their lives.

Winning her back will be the most difficult battle of their lives—more important than any business deal they’ve ever negotiated.

Naughty Neighbor by Janet Evanovich

2008-05-07T11:31:00.003-04:00

This is a book that I read with Nath. I'll let you know when our chat about it is posted over at Breezing Through. In mean time here is a little information about the book.

Dear Reader:
In a previous life, before the time of Plum, I wrote twelve short romance novels. Red-hot screwball comedies, each and every one of them. Nine of these stories were originally published by the Loveswept line between the years 1988 and 1992. All immediately went out of print and could be found only at used bookstores and yard sales.
I'm excited to tell you that those nine stories are now being re-released by HarperCollins. Naughty Neighbor is the eighth in the lineup, and it's presented here in almost original form. Usually when I edit these books I do some modernizing. For instance, I change VHS to DVD, and roller skates to Rollerblades, and sticks of gum are now pieces of gum. I do this because the books were meant to be contemporary (as opposed to historical), and I don't want the reader to have a time disconnect. In the beginning of the original Naughty Neighbor, my heroine throws a handheld phone into the toilet, and the next morning she goes into the bathroom and sees the "slim silver antenna caught between the toilet lid and seat." Okay, so most phones don't have extended antennas anymore, but I just loved the image . . . so I left it in. And I don't know how many women wear front-closure bras anymore, but that got left in, too.
Naughty Neighbor is probably the most romancey of all the Loveswepts I wrote, but there's still a small mystery to unravel. Louisa Brannigan is a no-nonsense, hardworking press secretary, fighting her way to the top of Capitol Hill, with no help from her annoying neighbor, Pete Streeter. He receives phone calls all night long, he steals her morning paper, he thinks jeans are formal wear, and worst of all he's involved Louisa in the disappearance of a pig. So this is the story of a pig in Witness Protection and love being found by a workaholic woman and a fun-loving man who makes terrible pots of coffee.
Enjoy!
Janet Evanovich

Synopsis:
A classic romance by a #1 "New York Times" bestselling author is now repackaged. Louisa Brannigan has her life in control--until Pete Streeter moves in next door. The infuriatingly attractive Pete wreaks havoc on Louisa's well-ordered existence, entangling her in a bizarre search for a missing pig.