Leslie's Psyche

Finally Back...

2012-01-30T11:14:00.001-07:00

Some of you might have noticed the blog has been very quiet in the last couple of weeks. It was for a very good reason! You might remember months ago when I mentioned my brother had cancer and needed a stem cell transplant? And I was a match? After all the waiting and setbacks the transplant finally took place last week!

Look! Snow! Big deal since I haven't seen snow in nearly 20 years. I actually stood outside and got snowed on! LOL

I spent 9 days in Denver getting poked and prodded and poked some more while my brother got ready with 5 days of chemo and 2 full body radiation treatments leading up to the transplant. So far everything is going as the doctors expected which means big brother is feeling like crap while his immune system bottoms out so my stem cells can take over. That's a very basic explanation so if you want to know more you can read about the process here.

I got home late Friday night and spent the weekend with hubs and kids taking it easy. Lots of sleeping while my body works to get back to normal after the process. It's been an emotional past few weeks and now we waiting to see if the transplant worked. I'm so proud and amazed by my brother for his strength and his positive outlook through all of this. I just hope this horrible thing called cancer never touches any of you or your loved ones!

So now it's time to get back into blogging. It might take me a little while to get back into the groove. :) I did get some reading done while I was gone and hope to post some reviews this week. It was freeing in a way to get away from the computer and the internet. But I will say I missed you guys so much! It still amazes me what strong friendships we create without ever meeting yet still feeling such a close bond.

TBR Challenge Review: The Mistaken Widow

2012-01-18T08:45:00.002-07:00

The Mistaken Widow
Cheryl St. John
Historical Romance/1869
Harlequin/August 1, 1998

I'M NOT WHO YOU THINK I AM!

Sarah Thornton wanted to shout, but revealing her true identity could only bring disaster on herself and her infant son. Still, sorrowful circumstance had turned a mistake into a miracle. She suddenly had a home, a family --- and Nicholas Halliday, a man as dangerous to her as he was desirable!

His newly widowed sister-in-law wore mystery as elegantly as an evening wrap, rousing more than suspicions in Nicholas Halliday --- for this beautiful stranger had a claim not only to the family fortune, but also to his heart and soul...!

Another year, another chance to conquer, or at least tame the ol TBR pile. Thanks to Wendy for once again hosting. It not only helps reduce the TBR pile, it also helps to confirm why certain books are in that pile when other participants post positive reviews of those books. I have a number of books by Cheryl St. John on the TBR pile but decided to go with The Mistaken Widow because it's a stand alone and I liked the mistaken identity premise.

Sarah Thornton's life has taken a tragic turn when she finds herself pregnant, alone and thrown out of her father's house. She's traveling west, trying to start a new life when another tragedy strikes. Sarah is then mistaken for the widow of a man from a wealthy family and is taken under the protection of his brother. It's easy to understand why Sarah doesn't tell the truth. If she had she would have been left destitute with her newborn child and no means to take care of him. Instead she is welcomed into a beautiful home where she and her son have everything they need. St. John does well showing how Sarah is pulled between her guilt and her desperate situation. But the longer Sarah lives the lie, the harder it is to confess.

Nicholas Halliday knows something isn't quite right about his brother's widow. She's sweet, quiet and his mother adores her. But Nicholas is suspicious and is determined to find out more about the woman his brother wed. Nicholas is not in an ideal situation - falling for his dead brother's wife. Talk about uncomfortable! I liked how he continued to question her story even as he was falling for her. He tries to keep his role as family protector, there's money involved, even as he continues to see Sarah as a wonderful person. He's certainly conflicted in his feelings for Sarah, thinking she's his late brother's widow along with his gut feeling that she can't be trusted.

Sarah is walking on a tightrope as she pretends to be someone she's not. It was inevitable the tightrope would become shaky and Sarah would start to fall. The cause of the fall didn't come as a surprise, neither did Sarah's reaction. So in that sense the suspense was not very suspenseful. The romance is slow moving, with Sarah and Nicholas having some huge obstacles to overcome. Even with those obstacles I was surprised at how long it took Nicholas to make his move and follow through.

The Mistaken Widow was a touching story of one woman's desperation to find a safe home for herself and her child. Instead she finds a family and love. It's sweet and tender, sad at times but ultimate a lovely read.

Rating: B

ARC Review: Under the Never Sky

2012-01-11T23:20:00.004-07:00

Under the Never Sky
Veronica Rossi
Young Adult/Dystopian
1st in Trilogy
HarperCollins/January 3, 2012

EXILED from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland--known as The Death Shop--are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild--a savage--and her only hope of staying alive.

A HUNTER for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile--everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must learn to accept one another to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.

Ah, I just can't seem to get enough of these young adult dystopian novels. In Ms. Rossi's world there are really two worlds comprised of the Dwellers and the Savages. The Dwellers live in Pods, sealed in from the Aether storms that ravage the world outside. The Savages live in tribes, surviving as best they can in the harsh environment.

Aria is meant to die and she would have without the help of an Outsider. She knows her best chance of getting to her mother is teaming up with the quiet Savage named Perry. But she doesn't have to like it. Right off, there's a feeling that Aria is different from the typical Dweller even if we see very little of the Dwellers after Aria is exiled. She has preconceived ideas about the Outsiders and their world which she allows to color her judgement of Perry.

Perry is desperate to get into Reverie and he's willing to do whatever it takes even if that means traveling with the Dweller Aria. At first she is a burden to him but he needs her help. He agrees to help her if she will help him once they get inside Reverie. It's an uneasy alliance they form for Perry thinks little of the girl who has had what he perceives as an easy life inside the Pods.

As Aria and Perry make their way across the bleak and dangerous landscape, they begin to learn more about each other and how their suspicions were not all based on fact. I liked seeing each character evolve into more than what they were. Aria learns of strengths she never dreamed she had and Perry learns to value himself.

It's easy to become absorbed in the world with it's menacing overtones, never knowing where the next threat will come from. While I found the journey Aria and Perry take compelling, I didn't get a feeling of completeness to the world itself. It needed more details on how the two separate worlds came to be.

Aria and Perry do have a romance but it stays secondary to their ultimate goals. They do become friends/allies before they take that final step to become romantically involved but I couldn't help but feel the romance was heavily influenced by their constant proximity and life and death situations. Along with them are secondary character who offer support and guidance but the focus stays on Aria and Perry and their relationship.

The story is told in alternating chapter POV between Aria and Perry. This seems to be the most common for young adult fiction. I enjoyed Ms. Rossi writing style - it follows well with a descriptiveness that can at times captivate. The ending is left with some questions answered but the future still remains open in this first book of the trilogy. I know I'll want to read about Aria and Perry and their continuing story.

Rating: B+

Grading, Stars and Changes...

2012-01-10T21:14:00.001-07:00

It's been something that I've been thinking about for a while - changing my grading system. I've decided to change my letter grade-to-stars ratio. I don't want to because I feel that an A+ read should get a higher grade than an A- read. Since Amazon and Goodreads still don't allow 1/2 stars it's become difficult to accurately translate the letter grades to the star grades. So I've decided to give in but I'll also include the actual letter grade on the review when posting to Amazon or Goodreads.

Previous Grading System ~

A+/A = 5 Stars
A-/B+ = 4 Stars
B/C+ = 3 Stars
C/C- = 2 Stars
D+/D = 1 Star

New Grading System ~

As = 5 Stars
Bs = 4 Stars
Cs = 3 Stars
Ds = 2 Stars
DNF = 1 Star

I decided to include DNF (Do Not Finish) since Amazon will not allow a no star grade.

It's my hope that the review itself allows other readers to understand any likes and dislikes I have of the book being reviewed and not place so much importance on the grade. But I know many readers, myself included, like to see the grade, especially when I have yet to read the book and only want to see the grade.

So how do you like to grade? Stars? Letters or something else? And if you post on review sites, how do you translate your grades? Curious minds...

Review: Show No Mercy

2012-01-09T23:19:00.002-07:00

Show No Mercy
Cindy Gerard
Romantic Suspense
Black Ops Series/Book 1
Pocket/September 23, 2008

THE SULTRY HEAT...

Only two things can compel journalist Jenna McMillan back to Buenos Aires after terrorists held her captive there just months before: a rare interview with a shadowy billionaire and the memory of the dark and dangerous man who saved her....

HIDES THE DEADLIEST THREATS...

Bad guys, bombs, and bullets are Gabriel Jones's way of life. But he'll never forget the brash redhead he rescued not so long ago...or the passionate kiss they shared before he sent her packing....

AND EXPOSES THE DEEPEST DESIRES.

Now, forced together by a bombing at the National Congress, Jenna and Gabe confront the urgent longings that simmer between them. But this surprise meeting is no coincidence. A ruthless enemy stalks them with deadly precision. The question is...if they make it out alive, will Gabe turn his back on Jenna...again?

I love when I start a new-to-me series that already has a list of titles going. Such is the case with Cindy Gerard's Black Ops series. There are currently six books in the series with the seventh due out in a few short weeks. (January 31).

Gabe Jones has been in a hell of a lot of dangerous situations but nothing has scared him more than seeing Jenna McMillan again. Right off I liked Gabe a heck of a lot. He's gruff, tough and very sexy! He exudes confidences in his work but when it comes to Jenna that's when he hits a wall. It was entertaining to see Gabe in action, falling for Jenna and defeating the bad guys. He's a man's man and a hero any woman would want.

Jenna McMillan has very strong memories of her time spent in Buenos Aires. She was terrorized, captured and feared for her life. She also met a man that left a lasting impression on her. While she can't forget either, she's determined to face what happened by going back to work, in Buenos Aires. She's very surprised when she runs into Gabe, or rather he literally runs into her, rescuing her from terrorists again. Jenna is smart and strong, not willing to let Gabe face all the dangers without her.

Gabe and Jenna spend a lot of time either running, fighting or recovering from their encounters with those that want them harmed. But they do find time to reignite that flame that started months ago. Their romance, even with all the interruptions, was believable. They actually find time to talk and find out what's behind Gabe's tough exterior and Jenna's fierce determination. I found I really liked these two together and lovers and as a team.

The story isn't all just Gabe and Jenna. The guys from the Black Ops team play a role in all that fighting, running and taking down of the bad guys. I loved these guys! They have different military backgrounds, along with some former CIA operatives but they have formed a tight unit, a brotherhood. Gerard does well in making each man distinct, enough to form impressions while still leaving more to be discovered in future books. They have that camaraderie of men who have survived battle alongside each other and forged unbreakable bonds. They also show their love of each other by teasing and torment, just like brothers do.

The action is fast, the setting interesting with both an urban and jungle backdrop. The guys, along with Jenna, have their work cut out for them with an enemy that is both evil and cunning.

Being the first in the series, Show No Mercy gives the reader plenty of over-the-top action, romance and sexy men with big guns! All that left me wanting more of these Black Ops warriors.

Rating: A-

Black Ops Series ~

Show No Mercy
Take No Prisoners
Whisper No Lies
Feel the Heat
Risk No Secrets
Leave No Trace (novella in Deadly Promise anthology)
With No Remorse
Last Man Standing (January 31, 2012)

Review: Sapphire

2012-01-08T22:27:00.000-07:00

Sapphire
Jeffe Kennedy
Contemporary Romance/BDSM
Carina Press/October 24, 2011

A successful executive, M. Taylor Hamilton is on track with her ten-year plan. Too bad her personal life consists of hitting the gym and grocery shopping. Enter the seductive Adam Kirliss. They may have a working relationship, but everything changes at an office party when he handcuffs her to the rail of a yacht.

Taylor writes off the adventure as too much champagne, but when Adam challenges her to a date, she agrees to meet up with him. And follow his rules. They share a night of exquisite intimacy, brimming with both pain and pleasure. But afterward, fearful of losing her heart, Taylor pulls back emotionally.

Adam is determined to prove that she longs for the loss of control he can give her—and the passionate release it provides. How can he make her see that he wants her, and not just her body?

Sapphire is a short, intense story, easily read in one sitting. The intensity is what drew me in and kept me reading late into the night.

Taylor has no time for real pleasure, instead she finds pleasure working her way up the corporate ladder. One of her most recent triumphs included working with Adam Kirliss whom she intends to keep strictly as a business relationship. Taylor's curiosity is aroused by Adam's boldness and his offer. She's in need of a release from the stress of work and Adam is about to give it to her. Taylor is very typical in her focus on her career, believing it's the only way to achieve her career goals.

Adam Kirliss is far more than he seems, hiding an affinity for BDSM behind his cool predatory gaze. He sets his sights on Taylor and this guy doesn't give up! Seeing how determined he is, Taylor she probably just save herself some time and give in to his demands. When she does, he shows her how he can give her what she wants and needs. Adam plans out Taylor's seduction, leaving nothing to chance. So when she does take him by surprise, it's interesting to see him adjust not only his plan but his thinking.

The sex scenes are smoking hot, with bonus points for creativity! It's obvious Adam is no novice at finding pleasure in dominance. One thing that made this more than one bondage scene after another is seeing Adam and Taylor get to know each other away from the intensity of their sexual play. They have quiet, romantic moments, giving each other glimpses of their vulnerable side.

Overall, I did have some issues with the power plays that went on between Taylor and Adam but in the end, Sapphire proved to be a delicious erotic romance.

Rating: B+

Review: Marked by the Moon

2012-01-04T23:05:00.001-07:00

Marked by the Moon
Lori Handeland
Paranormal Romance
Nightcreature Series/Book 9
St. Martin's/November 2, 2010

From Goodreads ~

Tough as nails Alexandra Trevalyn does what most people can’t: She kills werewolves. Once part of an elite group of hunters, she’s going rogue these days, though no less determined to rid the world of bloodthirsty beasts…once and for all. That’s why Alex had no choice but to kill Julian Barlow’s wife—and will have to pay the price. Julian’s brand of vengeance is downright devious, and now he’s turned Alex into a member of his pack. It’s only a matter of time before she falls under his spell. With the wild freedom of the wolf in her veins, Alex can’t deny that Julian wakes her most primal passions…and draws her that much closer to the moon’s call, where evil lies in wait.

There was a long wait of nearly three years between this book and the previous release in the series. After the wait, it took me a while to pick this one up. I had vague memories of what the previous books were about and didn't feel heavily invested in the series anymore. The good news is Marked by the Moon doesn't rely heavily on previous characters and the world building is well covered to allow this to be a stand-alone. The bad news, the pull of the moon was weak, leaving me less than satisfied.

Alex Trevalyn is a hunter and killer of werewolves - a Jäger-Sucher. For Alex, the only good werewolf is a dead werewolf. It's the only life she's know since she was a little girl and her mother was killed by a werewolf. Alex is a smart-ass, tough loner who doesn't play well with others. I didn't dislike her but never warmed up to her either.

Julian Barlow is a Viking and a werewolf who is out for revenge. He has a unique way of getting it but it doesn't turn out the way he planned. Julian hates Alex for killing his wife and at first we're given the impression that his wife was the love of his life but in fact, they had some major problems. He did love her but it wasn't perfect. The mega attraction Julian has for Alex really pisses him off! I found this amusing since he wanted so bad to hate her but couldn't stop wanting her. The guy has super powers beyond typical werewolf powers and yet he overpowered by a woman.

Julian and Alex are a very unlikely pair. She wants to kill him, he wants revenge. Where's the love? I had a hard time believing these two were falling in love. They didn't have much time together other than when they were arguing or having sex. The ending got all mushy and they both had much love for each other. I'm just not sure how they got there.

There is a murder mystery running through the story with locals being killed and one of Julian's pack the most likely suspect. I wouldn't say the killer was obvious but there were only a few characters to choose from. The reveal of the killer was anti-climatic since the main problem Julian and Alex faced, her having been a Jäger-Sucher, him wanting revenge had not been resolved. When the dust settled the positions Alex and Julian found themselves took an odd turn and I found it less than believable given how powerful Julian is.

I do have the next two books in the series on the TBR pile and I'll get to them someday but not anytime soon.

Rating: C

1. Blue Moon
2. Hunter's Moon
3. Dark Moon
4. Crescent Moon
5. Midnight Moon
6. Rising Moon
7. Hidden Moon
8. Thunder Moon
9. Marked By The Moon
10. Moon Cursed
11. Crave The Moon

ARC Review: Hidden Summit

2012-01-03T23:43:00.001-07:00

Hidden Summit
Robyn Carr
Contemporary Romance
Virgin River Series/Book 17
Harlequin/December 27, 2011

From Goodreads ~

Sick of running into her cheery ex-husband and his new wife, Leslie Petruso accepts a job at the Virgin River branch of Haggerty Construction and takes the high road right out of town. Now she's got Paul Haggerty's business running like a well-oiled machine. In fact, things are so busy Paul jumps at the chance to hire an extra set of hands.

Just like Leslie, Conner Danson has been burned by love. But if Leslie was disappointed by her relationship going bad, Conner was decimated. He's got no time for women…although he spends an awful lot of time pretending not to notice Leslie. And she's pretty busy "ignoring" the chemistry between them.

According to Conner and Leslie, they have only one thing in common—they're done with love. But everyone in Virgin River can see that things are heating up at Haggerty Construction. And as far as Paul Haggerty can tell, the best thing he can do is hang on to his hard hat and watch the sparks fly!

When I read the blurb for Hidden Summit I was so thrilled to see a heroine with my name! I can't tell you how rare it is. I don't remember ever read a romance with a heroine named Leslie. But that's just a bonus since this is Robyn Carr's Virgin River series.

If you have to hide out, Virgin River, California isn't a bad place to do it. Conner Danson has lost everything and is now pretending to be someone else. I was expecting him to be a bitter recluse but he surprised me. He's friendly with the locals and slowly becomes part of the community. In doing so he also starts a friendship/romance with his co-worker Leslie Petruso.

Leslie Petruso is leaving her past behind for a new start in Virgin River. Her ex-husband is a complete ass, I couldn't believe some of the stunts this guy pulled! He definitely had a few screws loose. What she finds is a new home, new friends and a new guy. She hit the jackpot! She's smart, funny and a good friend. She's an easy heroine to like.

The romance is sweet and easy. Surprisingly it was Connor doing the chasing. I thought it would be Leslie trying to pull him out of his shell but it turned out he just couldn't resist her! She's the one who tries to put the breaks on and it makes sense since her ex is El Wackjob! Conner is persistent and woos Leslie, giving her every reason to say yes. I liked how Carr kept the power in this romance equal, with both saying how they felt and actually talking about their past relationships and the difficulties they have to over come.

It was great seeing the Virgin River gang. Jack is still as friendly, and nosy, as can be and Mel is there to rein him in. Brie got some page time, since she is Conner's local contact. And there are some fairly new residents that we got to see more of. Leslie and Conner fit right in with this close-knit community.

There is a suspense plot running through the story but much of the time I forgot about it. It stayed mainly in the background until near the end. The resolution to the plot felt rushed. It was the weakest part of the story. The main focus is on the developing romance between Leslie and Conner. Carr does do a nice job of including the other residents without loosing sight of the romance.

Hidden Summit is another terrific addition to this beloved series.

Rating: B+

Virgin River Series ~

1. Virgin River
2. Shelter Mountain
3. Whispering Rock
4. A Virgin River Christmas
5. Second Chance Pass
6. Temptation Ridge
7. Paradise Valley
8. Under the Christmas Tree (novella in That Holiday Feeling)
9. Forbidden Falls
10. Angel's Peak
11. Moonlight Road
12. Midnight Confessions (novella in Midnight Kiss)
13. Promise Canyon
14. Wild Man Creek
15. Harvest Moon
16. Bring Me Home for Christmas
17. Hidden Summit
18. Redwood Bend (February 28, 2012)
19. Sunrise Point (April 24, 2012)

Review: A Place Called Home

2012-01-02T21:55:00.004-07:00

A Place Called Home
Jo Goodman
Contemporary Romance
Zebra/December 6, 2011

From Goodreads ~

When Thea Wyndham and Mitchell Baker learn they've been named joint guardians for their late friends' three children, they're little more than acquaintances. Barely polite acquaintances, at that. Something about Mitch's forthright intensity has always left ad exec Thea feeling off-balance, while Mitch makes no secret of his disdain when Thea offers him financial assistance if he'll take sole guardianship.

Thea is far from heartless. She's just plain terrified of her new parenting responsibilities. Both she and Mitch are romantically involved with other people. Yet the more time they spend together, the less certain she is of her loyalties. There are complications and mis-steps, tears and laughter - lots of it. And somehow, through it all, the dawning realization that the last place she thought she'd find herself could be just where she belongs.

I've been reading Ms. Goodman for many years but this is her first venture into contemporary romance, having stuck to historical and western romances. I must say I was cautious, knowing how much I enjoy her writing but unsure as to how that would translate into a contemporary setting. My concerns were needless, Ms. Goodman easily brings her wonderful, emotional story-telling to a modern day setting.

Thea Wyndham has suffered a tremendous shock. After learning her childhood friend and his wife were killed by a drunk driver, Thea then finds out she, along with Mitch Baker, has been named guardian of their three children. Thea is unprepared to become a parent to the children and makes this clear to Mitch. At first she comes off as cold and distant, showing only glimpses of her concern for the children. Thea's mothering instincts had been buried deep which made me want to know why. She's not cruel but has her shields up and defenses at full strength.

If you must appoint a guardian for your children, Mitch Baker is a great choice. He doesn't have kids of his own, in fact his experience with kids is with his friends children. But he embraces his guardianship even though inside he is terrified of making a mistake. Mitch is nearly perfect in his parenting, with only one real mistake. I kept wondering when his mask would slip and we would see the real person behind the perfection but it never really did. I would have liked to see him less than perfect since his perfection only served to spotlighted Thea's flaws.

The romance is balanced with the growing relationship between Mitch, Thea and the children. You really couldn't have the romance without including the children since they are the reason for Mitch and Thea to be together. I do think it's fair to say the romance wasn't always front and but character development apart from each other also occurred. There are other people in their lives that impact not only the relationships with the children but also how Thea and Mitch proceed with their growing feelings. Goodman handles it well, showing how each of the characters perspectives change and grow.

The ending didn't come as a surprise but getting there was filled with a complex romance that showed not only how two people can come together but can create a new family out of a tragedy. The main problem I had was Mitch's perfection, since flawed characters are so much more interesting. There was also the odd romance from two secondary characters. What made it odd is that it didn't add much to the overall story. I felt it was unnecessary to the main plot and found I cared little for either character. Otherwise, I enjoyed this contemporary romance from Ms. Goodman and will read any more contemporaries she writes.

Rating: B

Favorite Books of 2011...

2012-01-01T23:15:00.004-07:00

It's that time of year again. A fresh start with a new year. But before I start on the great books waiting for my in 2012, I want to recap my favorites of 2011. It wasn't easy to get the list down to the proverbial 10 so I decide to go for 20 and even that wasn't easy. The books that made the list are the ones I not only enjoyed but left a lasting impression on me. Links are to my reviews.

Favorites of 2011 in No Particular Order ~

1. The Greyfriar by Susan and Clay Griffiths ~ The Griffiths are new authors who blew me away with their steampunk vampire novel. Yes, steampunk vampires.

2. You Belong to Me by Karen Rose ~ Ms. Rose is one of my favorite authors (thanks Nath!) and she can always be counted on to deliver a well written romantic suspense.

3. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater ~ Different from her Wolves trilogy but so very, very good. No matter what she writes, Stiefvater delivers strong emotions and well developed characters.

4. Snapped by Laura Griffin ~ Love, love, love this romantic suspense series from Ms. Griffin. It continues to get better with each book.

5. The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa ~ Simply amazing young adult fantasy series. This installment took a different turn with the POV of the hero but it still delivered all the action, adventure and emotional punch Kagawa is becoming known for.

6. A Lot Like Love by Julie James ~ I've said before, I'm not fond of lawyer protagonists except for Ms. James' lawyers. This time, no lawyers but a hero and heroine I couldn't help but cheer on. Can't wait for About That Night!

7. Head Over Heels by Jill Shalvis ~ If you know me, you know I love Jill Shalvis. Will even admit to being a fangirl. (Not something I do very often.) I read 6 books by Ms. Shalvis in 2011 with Head Over Heels my favorite.

8. Tempted by Elisabeth Naughton ~ Favorite hero and heroine in this series! A wild adventure with equally wild and emotional love scenes.

9. Heartbreak Creek by Kaki Warner ~ Mail order bride and Kaki Warner for the win! Warner worked her magic again with this new series.

10. Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews ~ This series continues to grow and get better and better. If you love UF, this is one of the best!

11. When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James ~ What a lovely, funny romance! Completely enjoyed Ms. James take on one of my favorite fairy tales.

12. Breaking Point by Pamela Clare ~ Ms. Clare is a wonder. She writes romantic suspense and historical romances with exceptional talent.

13. One Was a Soldier by Julia Spencer-Fleming ~ Oh, if you haven't started this series, please do! Love this small town mystery series with the very unique lead characters - Reverend Clare Fergusson and Chief of Police Russ Van Alstyne.

14. Notorious Pleasures by Elizabeth Hoyt ~ Ms. Hoyt is one of my favorite authors for a reason - I can count on her to tell me a wonderful story.

15. Blackout by Rob Thurman ~ Hands down one of the best Urban Fantasy series. Love Cal, Niko and Rob. These guys never fail to keep me coming back for more.

16. Pleasures of a Notorious Gentleman by Lorraine Heath ~ Such strong emotions in this beautifully written romance. Still can't believe how much I ended up loving the hero!

17. Demon from the Dark by Kresley Cole ~ I shifted away from this series for a while. Getting back into it I discover one of my favorite heroes - Malkom Slaine!

18. Hot Zone by Catherine Mann ~ This book took me on an adventure so unexpected I couldn't help but enjoy the ride. I need to explore Ms. Mann's back list for more gems!

19. A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare ~ So happy to have finally read something from this author. And the first time was a hit! Definitely a historical romance series I would recommend.

20. Scandalous Desires by Elizabeth Hoyt ~ Do pirates ever go out of style? Not if Ms. Hoyt is writing about them!

And there's the top 20 of 2011. There were plenty of other fabulous reads last year, I could easily list a top 50. Here's hoping 2012 turns out to be just as amazing!

November Reads...

2011-12-31T23:51:00.001-07:00

Almost caught up. Now if I can just get the Decembers reads up before spring, I'll be okay. LOL

Is everyone spending a quiet or maybe semi-quiet New Years Eve at home? Or are you out painting the town? Me, I'm home watching Big Bang Theory marathon, hanging with the kids, reading and enjoying some wine. Did you know that Paul Newman's company also makes wine? I love that his company gives to charities.

On to the reading...

Audio Books

1. Heart of Fire/Linda Howard/RS/B+
2. The Next Always/Nora Roberts/Contemporary/B-
3. No One Heard Her Scream/Jordan Dane/RS/C
4. No One Left to Tell/Jordan Dane/C-

The Linda Howard was a good one and one I hadn't read before. Lucky I got it in audiobook since the print version has been sitting on my TBR piles for what has probably years!

Print/Electronic Books

1. Hot Zone/Catherine Mann/RS/A
2. Head Over Heels/Jill Shalvis/Contemporary/A
3. The Scorpio Races/Maggie Stiefvater/YA Fantasy/A
4. Scandalous Desires/Elizabeth Hoyt/Historical/A-
5. Forever Mine/Elizabeth Reyes/YA Contemporary/B+
6. Chased/Lauren Dane/Contemporary/B
7. Home for Christmas/Kate Davies/Contemporary/B
8. Hammered/Kevin Hearne/UF/B
9. Promises, Promises/Erica James/B
10. Must Love Mistletoe/Christie Ridgway/B
11. Shatter Me/Tahereh Mafi/YA Dystopian/B-
12. A Cold Day for Murder/Dana Stabenow/Mystery/C+

A good month with the standouts being a mix of Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, Young Adult and Historical. Good to know I didn't get into a rut!

*This is the picture currently on my desktop. I simply love wolves! I've also been feeling the need for some Patricia Briggs wolves. Might need to do a re-read of Cry Wolf and Hunting Ground before Fair Game comes out in March!

Review: Not Another New Year's...

2011-12-31T20:31:00.002-07:00

Not Another New Year's
Christie Ridgway
Contemporary Romance
Sequel to Must Have Mistletoe
Avon/January 2007

From Goodreads ~

After all, this year brought Hannah Davis nothing but the memory of her wandering fiance marrying someone else behind her back. Now, sitting alone at a bar in Coronado, California, on December 31, she decides to do something radical . . . and lets a brooding good-looker take her to bed. But when a hysterical woman bursts into their room much too early on New Year's Day, Hannah realizes this guy's more complicated than she thought . . .

Ex-Secret Service Agent Tanner Hart screwed up, big-time! Hoping to temporarily boot some of the ghosts from his life, he hooked up with this sexy stranger for a hot one-night stand—only to discover she's the woman he's agreed to protect... from men just like him!

But a new year is a time for fresh beginnings. Despite the danger, the hoopla, and the hangovers, if Hannah's brave enough to risk her heart again—and Tanner's wise enough to realize he deserves it—maybe this one will be different.

What's a girl to do to get over her ex on New Year's? Go to bed with a bar pick-up! And if she doesn't remember what happened the next morning, all the better! This is an amusing romance with some action and suspense added to the mix.

Hannah Davis is searching for some answers. She's come to Coronado, California hoping to find those answers. But first she stops off at a local bar, has one too many Mojitos and wakes up in a stranger's bed. Then things get even weirder. Hannah is likable enough but she did have a few "I Love Lucy" moments. I'm a little surprised she made it to the end of the book without major trauma.

Tanner Hart is feeling sorry for himself. He made headlines during an attempted assassination, left his job as a Secret Service agent and is now passing the time in his brother's bar. He has a chance to get his job back - all he has to do is play tour guide. Tanner played Desi to Hannah's Lucy, using his Secret Service training to keep her (mostly) out of trouble. Tanner's a good guy but he really wallowed in the self pity a little too long.

The secondary romance is a delicious little side venture that I found sweet, tender and funny. Unfortunately, I liked the secondary characters and their romance more than the hero and heroine. I wish it had been their story in the spotlight.

The situations Hannah and Tanner found themselves in are a little too far fetched to take seriously. It's as if the story couldn't decide if it was a romantic comedy or a romantic suspense. I certainly would have preferred one or the other but by trying to be both, neither felt complete.

Not Another New Year's has it's good points, the sex scenes were smoking hot. Too bad the secondary romance out shown the main romance.

Rating: C+

Review: Holly Lane

2011-12-30T12:22:00.002-07:00

Holly Lane
Toni Blake
Contemporary Romance
Destiny/Book 4
Avon/November 2011

From Goodreads ~

The weather outside is frightful, but kisses by the fire are so delightful...

Sue Ann Simpkins is working hard to rebuild her life and find some holiday spirit. A weekend away from Destiny in a cabin on nearby Bear Lake seems like the perfect Christmas gift to herself—until her ex’s best friend, Adam Becker, shows up at the door, claiming the cabin is his! And if that’s not trouble enough, how had she never noticed how gorgeous he was?

Alone for the holidays and forced to play a reindeer at the local department store, Adam’s been feeling rather Scrooge-ish himself. But finding the smart, sexy woman he’s admired since elementary school waiting in the house he rented is helping to brighten his humbug mood. And when a sudden snowstorm strands them together in very close quarters, leading to one very hot night together, Adam soon realizes that what he really wants for Christmas is a second chance at love. Now all he has to do is convince Sue Ann...

A friends to lovers story is one of my favorite tropes and Holly Lane certainly delivers. Not only do these friends take their friendship into the bedroom, they deepen their friendship, learning more about each other.

Sue Ann Simpkins is trying to recover from her divorce while keeping the holidays happy for her young daughter. It's not easy with her recent ex-husband being such an ass but she's trying. Between the holiday stress and dealing with her idiot of an ex, Sue Ann continues to encounter Adam Becker. They do live in a small town but Adam does seem to pop up a lot! LOL I really enjoyed seeing these two take their hesitant steps from friends to lovers. The lovers part happened quickly but it was the deepening friendship and the falling in love that really sparked the story.

Adam Becker is at loose ends after his twin boys go on vacation with Adam's ex in-laws, leaving Adam alone during the holidays. He's reaches out to his best friend's ex-wife who also happens to be a childhood friend of Adam's. See, small town. Adam is pulled in two directions, between his growing feelings for Sue Ann and his long time friendship with her ex. There were times when I wanted to smack Adam for even thinking of siding with Jeff, Sue Ann's ex. I get the long time friendship but Jeff treated Sue Ann horribly and how anyone could side with him was beyond me. Adam lost a few points for that but gained them back in his wooing of Sue Ann. He really was a sweet and sexy guy!

The days leading up to Christmas are not only filled with Sue Ann and Adam's growing romance but with catching up with the heroes and heroines from the previous books. This is one of the reasons I like romance series. I love seeing how everyone is doing - it's like a little family reunion.

Holly Lane is another sweet, funny, emotional romance in this wonderful series. I found it a great way to spend a few hours and look forward to more from Destiny, Ohio.

Rating: B+

Destiny Series ~

One Reckless Summer
Sugar Creek
Whisper Falls
Holly Lane
Willow Springs (July 2012)
Untitled Book 6 (February 2013)

October Reads...

2011-12-29T21:44:00.001-07:00

It's not even the end of the month and the monthly reads post is up! Unfortunately it's my reads for October. LOL Where did this year go!? I'm sure I say this every year but this year has flown by! The busy, craziness of Christmas is past but I find I'm having a hard time getting back into the groove. The distractions multiply everyday and the blogging and reviewing are paying for it. That's where determination and pure stubbornness come into play. The reading hasn't suffered much and I did manage to read some good books way back in October.

Audio Books

1. Unholy Ghosts/Stacia Kane/UF/B
2. One Grave at a Time/Jeaniene Frost/PNR/B-
3. New York to Dallas/J.D. Robb/Futurists RS/C+

I think some audio books are missing from the list but one of the best finds for the month was Stacia Kane's Downside Ghosts series. The narrator is Bahni Turpin who does an excellent job of bringing these characters to life. Absolutely love the accents she gives the characters. Very distinct and unique.

Print/Electronic Books

1. Snapped/Laura Griffin/RS/A
2. The Rose Garden/Susanna Kearsley/Time Travel/A
3. The Iron Knight/Julie Kagawa/YA Fantasy/A-
4. Real Men Will/Victoria Dahl/Contemporary/A-
5. City of Ghosts/Stacia Kane/UF/A-
6. The Virtuoso/Grace Burrowes/Historical/B
7. Unholy Magic/Stacia Kane/UF/B
8. After the Fire/Kathryn Shay/Contemporary/B
9. Frostfire/Lynn Viehl/PNR/B
10. Devil's Own/Veronica Wolff/Historical/B
11. Only His/Susan Mallery/Contemporary/B-
12. Devil's Highlander/Veronica Wolff/B-

As I'm writing up this post, I'm remembering all these wonderful books. Included are four new to me authors. Stacia Kane, Susanna Kearsley, Kathryn Shay and Veronica Wolff. All four are certainly worthwhile reads but at the same time, very different. Love it when I find new authors to read, although my mountain of a TBR pile merely groans in resignation!

*The stunning picture above was submitted by Sean Heavey for the 2010 National Geographic Photography Contest. You can see more submissions and the winner here.

Review: The Comforts of Home

2011-12-28T17:01:00.001-07:00

The Comforts of Home
Jodi Thomas
Contemporary
Harmony/Book 3
Berkley/November 1, 2011

From the Back Cover ~

In Harmony, Texas, twenty-year-old Reagan Truman has found her place and found her family. But with her uncle taken ill and her friend Noah lost and disheartened with his life, Reagan is afraid of ending up alone again, and she's not the only one. Harmony seems to be full of people yearning to make a connection. Like funeral director Tyler Wright, who longs to take his relationship with his friend Kate to the next level, but doesn't know how. And Ronelle Logan, a woman frightened of everyday human interactions, until she meets an angry, lonely man - someone just like her.

When a terrible storm threatens the town, the residents of Harmony are forced to think about what they really want. Because making the connections they so desperately desire means putting their hearts at risk...

This book and the series itself are not what I would call a typical romance novel. They are more of a look at small town life which includes romances but the romances are not the focal point of the story lines. It's more about character growth, both within the romantic relationships and without. And those romantic relationships are not always typical either with some getting their HEA and others... not ready for their HEA just yet.

Coming back to Harmony, we find Tyler Wright, the owner of the town's mortuary, still in the odd relationship with Kate Cummings. They mainly communicate through emails with the occasional get together but remain more friends than romantically involved. Although it's obvious to anyone Tyler's feelings go beyond friendship. The guy's in love with Kate but she keeps holding back. Tyler is willing to take whatever he can get from Kate which I thought was sad. I also thought it wasn't right how Kate kept stringing Tyler along. Either take the next step or let him go. Their odd romance didn't do much for me aside from annoy me.

A couple of new characters certainly held my attention. Ronni has worked at the small, local post office for many years. She goes beyond shy, becoming afraid when she thinks someone might talk to her. Much of this attitude can be laid at Ronni's mother's feet - a horrible woman who has taught her daughter to fear life. One of my favorite parts of this book was seeing Ronni come out of her shell and build confidence in her decisions. The catalyst for this was gruff, former ski star Marty, who Ronni develops a friendship with. Their story line left me feeling satisfied with the results yet still wanting to know more.

Two of my favorite characters are back! Reagan is a character I've enjoyed from the first book. She's the reason I read the second book. The relationship between Reagan and Noah has had many rough spots and they are still going through a transition where neither seems certain what the outcome will be. I feel so sorry for Reagan and Noah but more for Reagan because she's giving up more. Noah gets to go for it while Reagan must wait even though he doesn't ask her to wait which I'm not sure how I feel about that. It's as if he's not holding to his dream but he's not letting her completely go.

There are reoccurring characters to catch up with as well as another romance that I've had no interest in since it began. A new secondary character, Autumn, that I liked. She's a survivor and adds color to this seemingly wholesome town. No doubt will see more of her in books to come. I find I'm finally comfortable in the all encompassing feel of this series. There is no one main focus but several getting more or less equal page time.

The farther I go in to this series, the more I like it. I've come to what you might say is an understanding with this series. My expectations are different than they are for my usual romance novel. The series as a whole has grown into itself and continues to get better. I do think it's best to start with the first book, even though it was my least favorite. It does introduce the reader to the town, the characters and the feelings Thomas' writing produce in this small town setting.

Rating: B

Harmony Series ~

Welcome to Harmony
Somewhere Along the Way
The Comforts of Home
Just Down the Road (April 2, 2012)

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-25T21:31:00.001-07:00

It's Christmas night here and let me tell you it's been a long, long day. It was good seeing the extended family but it's also good to be home and winding down. The kids are playing with their new video games and I'm huh, doing laundry and catching up on emails. (This laundry thing on Christmas is becoming a bad habit.)

If you celebrate Christmas, I hope you and your loved ones had a wonderful day. And for all of you, I hope the coming new year brings you much joy, love and peace.

TBR Challenge Review: One Cowboy, One Christmas

2011-12-21T09:01:00.006-07:00

One Cowboy, One Christmas
Kathleen Eagle
Double D Ranch/Book 2
Silhouette/December 1, 2009

From Goodreads ~

Stranded and half-frozen in a South Dakota snowstorm, bull rider Zach Beaudry reached out for help at the nearest house he could find. And the beautiful rancher-schoolteacher who answered the door was a vision. Zach thanked his lucky stars for the kindness of strangers. But to Ann Drexler, this man was no stranger.

Zach didn't seem to remember their shared night of passion all those years ago—but how could Ann forget? Seeing Zach on her doorstep was as shocking as seeing the ghost of Christmas past. And though running her family's wild mustang ranch gave Ann a thing for strays, she tried to keep her distance. Yet as Zach regained his strength and became indispensable with the horses, Ann had to wonder—was a second chance with this cowboy in her Christmas future?

The first book In Care of Sam Beaudry, which I read, was about Zach's older brother. And while the books are about brothers, the stories are set in different states so the characters may be related but the stories are written as stand alones. Both books are contemporary westerns complete with cowboys and ranch hands and at times a little heavy on the cowboy vernacular.

The life a rodeo cowboy takes it's toll on the body and for Zach Beaudry his body is about to give out, just like his truck does, leaving him stranded. This guy is banged up and in need of some tender care. In walks Ann Drexler who just happens to find the cowboy passed out on her doorstep. Ann and her sister Sally take in Zach and bring him back to life. Zach agrees to help out on the ranch in return for his truck is being fixed.

Ann and Zach have an almost immediate attraction even thought Zach isn't at his best when he shows up at Ann's home. Ann does have an advantage - she remembers Zach and the night they spent together eight years ago. Zach - no clue. They've both changed in those eight years, most notably is Ann's weight loss and increased self confidence. Zach is still himself, only older and we hope, wiser. He has slowed down his partying and given his current circumstances, that isn't going to change.

The romance is kinda sweet, kinda cute but I didn't fall into it like I had hoped. It came across as more of Ann's crush on Zach bearing fruit. I'm not sure why Zach fell for Ann. She's a nice person but would he have fallen for her if they hadn't been so isolated? Not sure. I think this is one romance that could have used more time to develop rather than the week or so that it took for Ann and Zach to fall head over heels.

Rating: C

Double D Ranch Series ~

In Care of Sam Beaudry
One Cowboy, One Christmas
Cool Hand Hank
Once a Father

ARC Review: How to Save a Life

2011-12-19T21:11:00.005-07:00

How to Save a Life
Sara Zarr
Young Adult/Contemporary
Little, Brown/October 18, 2011

From Goodreads ~

Jill MacSweeney just wants everything to go back to normal. But ever since her dad died, she's been isolating herself from her boyfriend, her best friends--everyone who wants to support her. You can't lose one family member and simply replace him with a new one, and when her mom decides to adopt a baby, that's exactly what it feels like she's trying to do. And that's decidedly not normal. With her world crumbling around her, can Jill come to embrace a new member of the family?

Mandy Kalinowski knows what it's like to grow up unwanted--to be raised by a mother who never intended to have a child. So when Mandy becomes pregnant, she knows she wants a better life for her baby. But can giving up a child be as easy as it seems? And will she ever be able to find someone to care for her, too?

This is a story of surviving loss and moving on. Jill and her mom Robin are trying to survive the devastating loss of father and husband. Mandy is trying to survive the loss of everything she knows, even if those things and people are not good for her. All three women take an interesting journey to find what the next stage in their lives will hold.

Jill and her mom Robin are coping with the loss of Mac, father and husband, who died unexpectedly. They are well off financially but both still struggle with an emptiness Mac left behind. Robin decides to not only adopt a baby but bring the birth mother home to live them until the baby is born. This doesn't go over well with Jill who thinks it's a crazy idea. It does sound farfetched - a 50-something woman with a seventeen year old deciding to adopt a baby. But Robin, like Jill, is reacting from the death of her husband Mac. I thought Robin was a little too trusting for a woman who is portrayed as a very intelligent business woman. But she is thinking with her emotions when it comes to the adoption.

Robin thinks the baby will bring hope into their lives but Jill thinks it all a big mistake. She was very close to her father and it shows in how she thinks of him and what advice he would give her in different situations. Jill has tried to shut out the world so bringing a very pregnant Mandy into the home is seen by Jill as an invasion. I thought Jill's reactions were genuine given the situation. It's less than a year since her dad died and while she may act like she doesn't want attention, she still needs her mom. So to have her mom focus on this stranger and her unborn child causes Jill to become defensive.

Mandy is an odd character. At times she is comes across as innocent and younger than her years (she's 18, nearly 19). Her life has been sheltered but she's also had her share of abuse. She has a tendency to say what she's thinking, often being too blunt. Her thought process and actions don't always show someone with a sense of how society and social situations work. She wasn't an easy character to relate to.

How to Save a Life is intriguing for it's contrasting look at grief and how people work through that grief. I could easily picture this as a Lifetime movie. The characters are solid but not easy to connect with. The ending didn't come as a surprise, it was fairly obvious how it would end early on. Even with the predictable plot, How to Save a Life turned out to be a satisfying read.

Rating: B

Review: Once Upon a Winter's Eve

2011-12-14T21:15:00.002-07:00

Once Upon a Winter's Eve
Tessa Dare
Historical Romance/England/1814
Spindle Cove/Book 1.5
Samhain/November 15, 2011

From Goodreads ~

Some wallflowers bloom at night...

Violet Winterbottom is a quiet girl. She speaks six languages, but seldom raises her voice. She endured bitter heartbreak in perfect silence. The gentlemen aren't beating down her door.

Until the night of the Spindle Cove Christmas ball, when a mysterious stranger crashes into the ballroom and collapses at Violet's feet. His coarse attire and near-criminal good looks would put any sensible young lady on her guard. He's wet, chilled, bleeding, and speaking in an unfamiliar tongue.

Only Violet understands him. And she knows he's not what he seems.

She has one night to draw forth the secrets of this dangerously handsome rogue. Is he a smuggler? A fugitive? An enemy spy? She needs answers by sunrise, but her captive would rather seduce than confess. To learn his secrets, Violet must reveal hers—and open herself to adventure, passion, and the unthinkable... Love.

After reading and loving the first book in this series, when I read Tracy's review for this one, I knew I had to read this novella. We head back to Spindle Cove during which an uninvited guest crashes the officer's ball. He's certainly not dress for the ball and turns the village of Spindle Cove upside down with talk of spies and invasions.

Violet Winterbottom has been hiding out in Spindle Cove but her seclusion is about to end when she returns to her family and London society. The night before she is due to leave a surprise is delivered in the form of a man at her feet. Violet has a gift for languages and is given the task to find out what she can about this stranger. I love how Violet takes charge of the situation, using her intellect and bravery to get to the bottom of the mystery. She doesn't back down when her captive refuses to cooperate.

As the night progresses, Violet learns exactly who has invaded her solitude leaving her with decisions to make that will affect her future. Even though this is a novella, there is plenty of emotions and action packed into the short format. We see Violet come out of her seclusion, demonstrating her strength and her deep love of the man she never forgot. It's obvious the forward thinking of the women of Spindle Cove have had a profound affect on Violet, giving her confidence in herself and her decisions. The hero, I will only say that he is smart and amusing, filling the role of dashing man of mystery exquisitely. But it is Violet who held this reader's attention, with her hero there to champion her.

Dare's writing is smart and fast paced giving the reader a romantic adventure with Violet and her mysterious hero playing the separated lovers. I only wish it had been a full length novel so more time could have been spent with Violet and her hero. Certainly a wonderful addition to the series.

Rating: A

Spindle Cove Series ~

A Night to Surrender
Once Upon a Winter's Eve (novella)
A Week to Be Wicked (March 27, 2012)

Review: Dark Inside

2011-12-12T13:57:00.001-07:00

Dark Inside
Jeyn Roberts
Young Adult/Dystopian
Simon & Schuster/November 1, 2011

From Goodreads ~

Since mankind began, civilizations have always fallen: the Romans, the Greeks, the Aztecs…Now it’s our turn. Huge earthquakes rock the world. Cities are destroyed. But something even more awful is happening. An ancient evil has been unleashed, turning everday people into hunters, killers, crazies.

Mason's mother is dying after a terrible car accident. As he endures a last vigil at her hospital bed, his school is bombed and razed to the ground, and everyone he knows is killed. Aries survives an earthquake aftershock on a bus, and thinks the worst is over when a mysterious stranger pulls her out of the wreckage, but she’s about to discover a world changed forever. Clementine, the only survivor of an emergency town hall meeting that descends into murderous chaos, is on the run from savage strangers who used to be her friends and neighbors. And Michael witnesses a brutal road rage incident that is made much worse by the arrival of the police--who gun down the guilty party and then turn on the bystanding crowd.

Where do you go for justice when even the lawmakers have turned bad? These four teens are on the same road in a world gone mad. Struggling to survive, clinging on to love and meaning wherever it can be found, this is a journey into the heart of darkness – but also a journey to find each other and a place of safety.

Another young adult dystopian novel you say? Yes it is. I could say this is different because it is. And I could also say it's creepy as hell because it is. And filled with suspense that will keep you glued to the page because it is. It's all that and more.

The dark inside has come out to play and those left to face it have very little chance of surviving it. Those that do survive the initial outbreak are forced to fight for lives never knowing when or where the next attack will come from. We follow four teenagers in the aftermath of horrendous events which leave them to face the uncertainty of a world gone mad.

I started reading this late at night, planning to only read a little before going to bed. At nearly 3 am I forced myself to stop and get some sleep. It's a very fasted paced story with five different POVs that switch with each chapter. This is really my only complaint. It's like reading different stories that eventually intersect but until they do, you must keep track of each separate story line. This caused some problems with the flow of the story because each time the POV switched, I had to scramble to remember that particular character's story line.

The four main characters not only come from different places but different backgrounds. Marcus was raised by his single mom. They are very close and her loss devastates him. He has no chance to mourn before the world falls apart around him. Aries is separated from her parents and has no chance to search them out before she is running for her life. Michael's parents are divorced and he lives with his dad who is out of town when disaster hits. Clementine's story is heartbreaking - she is forced to run, knowing death is all she's leaving behind. Her only hope is traveling cross country to find her brother. The fifth POV comes from Nothing. It's left up to the reader to decide who or what Nothing is.

Of all the different main characters I found I liked something about each one of them. Marcus for his deep emotions and kindness. Aries for her leadership and determination. Michael - I'm conflicted about. I found his perceived faults fascinating but are they really faults or just genuine human reactions to horrifying situations? Would the other characters have done the same? The one character that surprised me the most was Clementine, the cheerleader from the Midwest who would probably be at the bottom of the list to survive but she has guts and a fierce will to go on.

The monsters are here and they're hungry. This time it's not zombies or aliens or vampires or werewolves. The monsters are humans. Humans who have lost their humanity and become the thing of nightmares. They terrorize and kill, roaming in groups using cunning and deceit to capture their victims. There are no true safe places since these monsters can go anywhere the survivors can. This kept the suspense high, never knowing where the next killer may turn up.

Dark Inside is a clever, highly addictive novel about what could happen if the darkest side of human nature is released.

Rating: A-

ARC Review: A Lady Awakened

2011-12-11T18:55:00.002-07:00

A Lady Awakened
Cecilia Grant
Historical Romance/England
Bantam/December 27, 2011

From Goodreads ~

Newly widowed and desperate to protect her estate and beloved servants from her malevolent brother-in-law, Martha Russell conceives a daring plan. Or rather, a daring plan to conceive. After all, if she has an heir on the way, her future will be secured. Forsaking all she knows of propriety, Martha approaches her neighbor, a London exile with a wicked reputation, and offers a strictly business proposition: a month of illicit interludes . . . for a fee.

Theophilus Mirkwood ought to be insulted. Should be appalled. But how can he resist this siren in widow’s weeds, whose offer is simply too outrageously tempting to decline? Determined she’ll get her money’s worth, Theo endeavors to awaken this shamefully neglected beauty to the pleasures of the flesh—only to find her dead set against taking any enjoyment in the scandalous bargain. Surely she can’t resist him forever. But could a lady’s sweet surrender open their hearts to the most unexpected arrival of all . . . love?

A different twist is spun on the hiring of a lover. A desperate woman looks to her neighbor for his services in the hopes of keeping her home. All he needs to do is get her with child then fade into the background. It sounds simple enough especially when you consider the neighbor in question is quite fond of women. But everything doesn't go as planned when emotions become involved.

Martha Russell is a widow with only one option if she wishes to keep her home from her late husband's reprobate of a brother. She contrives to get with child and her sights land on Theo Mirkwood, whom she first sees across the aisle in church. She hears of his reputation with women and decides he would make the perfect candidate for hire. So that's what she does, hire him for stud service as he puts it. I had a very difficult time warming up to Martha and so did poor Theo. She is very proper and exact in her demeanor. Theo finds this out rather quickly as well as her fridged complacency in bed. She looks upon their arrangement as a task that must be done, and done quickly. Nothing more.

Theo Mirkwood has been sent to the family country estate in an attempt to mend his ways. His father sent Theo from London after one too many indulgences and now Theo is rusticating and growing quite bored. Then Mrs. Russell propositions him with a highly unusual request. But Theo thinks quickly on it and agrees. No surprise there. But it turns out this "job" isn't as easy as he expected. Theo really has to work at getting Mrs. Russell to loosen up and not be a "corpse", as he refers to her at one point. The beginning scenes of the attempts at conception left me feeling quite sorry for Theo and feeling his frustration. Martha might as well have been doing needlepoint for all the encouragement she gave him. Theo has a lot of work ahead of him to awaken his lady.

In between trying to conceive the heir that will save all, Theo is learning more about the estate where he has been banished. There is talk of fields and cows and the repairing of roofs. All of these topics seem to hold more interest for Martha than anything they do in bed. It was very odd and I kept wondering if she would ever thaw out. She did eventually because Theo is nothing if not persistent. Their romance didn't start out very romantic and took a long time to get to the romance. There was too much frustration on Theo's part and too little warmth on Martha's. I will say that Martha did try but she was not an affectionate woman by nature and her attempts came across as too analytical rather than emotional. While both Theo and Martha did alter their thinking regarding not only each other but the environment they found themselves in, it was Theo who showed the most progress with Martha still having a ways to go.

A Lady Awakened is not a fast paced romance, instead it takes it's time with the relationship. You could say Theo and Martha start at the customary end as they start off with a physical relationship that progresses to a friendship and emotional bond. The writing is good, if a bit slow in spots and I look forward to reading more from this new author.

Rating: B-

Review: The Fire Lord's Lover

2011-12-08T21:07:00.003-07:00

The Fire Lord's Lover
Kathryne Kennedy
Historical Fantasy Romance
London, England/1724
Elven Lords/Book 1
Sourcebooks Casablanca/July 6, 2010

From Goodreads ~

In a magical land ruled by ruthless Elven lords, the Fire Lord's son, Dominic Raikes, plays a deadly game to conceal his growing might from his malevolent father—until his arranged bride awakens in him passions he thought he had buried forever.

Lady Cassandra has been raised in outward purity and innocence, while secretly being trained as an assassin. Her mission is to bring down the Elven Lord and his champion son. But when she gets to court, she discovers that nothing is what it seems, least of all the man she married.

But beneath the gilded castles lies an unspeakable evil, greater than either Dominic or Cassandra had ever fathomed, and without each other they may not survive.

The was a free download that has been sitting on my nook™ for months. After reading it I am so ready for more of Ms. Kennedy's fascinating world. The combination of Georgian England and the alluringly but often deadly Fae take readers into a magical realm full of the familiar and the enchanted. I found myself drawn to not only the characters but the details of the world.

General Dominic Raikes leads his Elven father, The Imperial Lord's army to victory but the relationship he has with his father is far from a loving father/son bond. Theirs is one of competition with Dominic always having to prove his worth, being a half-blood bastard, tainted with the blood of a human. Dominic has learned to snuff out his emotions, showing only a cold exterior least his father use anyone or anything Dominic cares for to control him. His haughty detachment keeps him at arms length from all, with only a dragon to share his inner most thoughts. Dominic was interesting since I knew there was more to him than the coldness he initially shows to Cassandra. His indifference towards her in public and the physical need of her he has in private shows his battle between his human side and his elven side. He doesn't think he can survive if he lets human emotions control him.

Lady Cassandra has been school to be the proper lady and wife. She's also been trained to assassinate the powerful and evil Elven Imperial Lord who is now her father-in-law. The fact that he can kill her as easily as squashing a bug doesn't deter Cass from her mission. She has faith in her god and her beliefs and in the Rebellion. When Cass is wed to Dominic she knows it's political and not a love match but she still comes to love him and it's that love that breaks down his barriers. I liked how Cass didn't give up on either her mission or Dominic even when both seemed to be doomed to failure. She has this intriguing balance of innocence and deadly skills that really worked. She has a great deal of common sense which kept her from becoming a TSTL heroine (thanks be!).

The romance is a troubled one without love or trust. Dominic's father wants Cassandra to have a child quickly so he can raise the child to become his next champion. The guy's a real sick bastard and a true Fae with no love or kindness in him. I thought he made a very formidable enemy for Dominic and Cass.

I did like how the romance progressed with Dominic trying his best to maintain his coldness towards Cass while she continued to knocked down his barriers. It would have worked better had Dominic not changed so much once he did give in to his feelings for Cass. The coldness he had maintained for most of his life disappeared overnight, leaving him a little too mushy for my tastes. I liked his dark, brooding side and was sad to see him abandon it so quickly.

The world itself is an illusion of beauty while underneath lies a evil darkness. It's a scary world Cass and Dominic must live in and I liked how they were both able to find the good hidden beneath the deceptions. Kennedy makes the obstacles they must overcome seem almost too large but uses the constructs of this fantasy world's magic to bring about an outcome I didn't foresee.

In a world ruled by Fae, the humans and half-bloods must work together to combat the crazy evil that are the Imperial Lords who rule England. I look forward to reading more about this fantasy world filled with the familiar and the extraordinary.

Rating: A-

Elven Lord Series ~

The Fire Lord's Lover
The Lady of the Storm
The Lord of Illusion (February 2012)

Review: Head Over Heels

2011-12-05T21:12:00.003-07:00

Head Over Heels
Jill Shalvis
Contemporary Romance
Lucky Harbor/Book 3
Grand Central/November 22, 2011

From Goodreads ~

Free-spirited Chloe lives life on the edge. Unlike her soon-to-be married sisters, she isn't ready to settle into a quiet life running their family's newly renovated inn. But soon her love of trouble--and trouble with love-draws the attention of the very stern, very sexy sheriff who'd like nothing better than to tame her wild ways.

Suddenly Chloe can't take a misstep without the sheriff hot on her heels. His rugged swagger and his enigmatic smile are enough to make a girl beg to be handcuffed. For the first time, instead of avoiding the law, Chloe dreams of surrender. Can this rebel find a way to keep the peace with the straitlaced sheriff? Or will Chloe's colorful past keep her from a love that lasts . . . and the safe haven she truly wants in a town called Lucky Harbor?

The third novel in the wonderful Lucky Harbor series does not disappoint. In fact, it might be my favorite so far. This story centers around youngest sister Chloe Traeger and Sawyer Thompson. There has been something going on between these two, a sort of underlying tension and it's about to explode.

Chloe has always been thought of as a free spirit. A lot of that is due to her nomadic upbringing, never settling down in one place for very long. Then she and her two half sisters inherit a run down inn and decide to make a go of it. They each lend their expertise to the inn with Chloe's area of beauty treatments. She also lends a hand whenever and wherever needed. Chloe is at a crossroads in her life and has some tough decisions to make. Adding to the new complications are her growing feelings for Sawyer. He's the law and Chloe and the law rarely see eye to eye.

Sawyer is a very black and white type of guy with no patience for the gray areas. It's the gray areas where he continues to find Chloe. Their time together becomes more intentional and less accidental with both seeing things in the other that draw them together time and again. Sawyer holds himself up to very high standards due to his need for redemption. Chloe isn't the only one to be called wild. Sawyer was a troubled teen who is now trying to make up for his past mistakes. He projects this air of cool confidence but deep down he's still this guy trying to be worthy of the trust the community has placed in him. I adored Sawyer with all his different sides. The by-the-book sheriff, the good friend and the attentive lover. He's a keeper!

Chloe and Sawyer not only have their odd couple relationship issue but there is Chloe's relationship with her sisters that still needs work. And Sawyer has some major father issues he needs to work through. The way they help each other and learn to lean on each other was very realistic. They are a couple that don't seem to fit on the outside but Shalvis makes it work to perfection! The best part - they accept each other just as they are, warts and all.

We do get to see Maddie and Jax and Tara and Ford again. I love the scenes with the guys hanging out, just talking about everyday life, giving each other shit all the while knowing they've got each others' backs. Shalvis has a knack for the male dialogue.

The secondary characters are a collection of small town living. They're a fun, eclectic group, much like what you would expect to inhabit a fictional Shalvis town. They add much to the story without taking away from the main focus. I especially liked Chloe's friendship with Lance, her partner in crime. Chloe has a hard time saying "I love you" but she has no problem showing it, her friendship with Lance is proof of it. They have some emotional scenes that really got to me.

One of my favorite things about Head Over Heels and the series in general, is that I have no problem immersing myself into these characters lives. Lucky Harbor is a place I can easily imagine, feeling as if I'm right there while reading about some of my favorite characters.

Rating: A

Lucky Harbor Series ~

Simply Irresistible
The Sweetest Thing
Kissing Santa Claus(novella in Small Town Christmas anthology)
Head Over Heels
Lucky in Love (July 2012)

ARC Review: Hot Zone

2011-12-01T22:25:00.002-07:00

Hot Zone
Catherine Mann
Romantic Suspense
Elite Force/Book 2
Sourcebooks Casablanca/December 1, 2011

From the author's website ~

Days full of danger…
For Pararescueman Master Sergeant Hugh Franco, it’s all about saving other people’s lives. Then he moves on. But when he pulls beautiful Amelia Bailey and her adopted nephew from the rubble of a catastrophic earthquake, he finds himself entangled in their lives in ways he could never have imagined…

And desire-filled nights…
Amelia’s trip to the Bahamas to help with an international adoption has been no vacation, but the hardest part is yet to come. As Amelia and Hugh are pulled unawares into a deadly smuggling scheme, simmering beneath their growing need to protect each other is a compelling attraction they’re both determined to deny…

The second book in Catherine Mann's Elite Force series about a group of Pararescuemen pulls you in tight and never lets go. It takes place in the beautiful Bahamas but this time it's more deadly than beautiful after an earthquake shatters the region. The team is sent to help in the recovery after the devastating earthquake, risking their lives in the unstable environment.

Hugh Franco doesn't mind the more dangerous jobs, he volunteers for them. Some might say he has a death wish, and they might be right. Hugh takes his job very seriously but feels he has nothing to keep him here and everything waiting for him on the other side. Mann does a good job conveying Hugh's feelings of longing for his deceased wife and daughter and his hope that he will be with them again in death. He's not a reckless, loose cannon type rather he feels that he's the one who should take the most dangerous missions since he has no one waiting at home for him. The people he loved most are dead.

Amelia Bailey went to the Bahamas to help her sister and her husband with the adoption of their son. She never expected to be fighting for her life and the life of her nephew. It's in those desperate hours that she meets her hero and the man who will have a far greater impact on her life than she ever imagined. Amelia is a prosecutor back in Alabama so her expertise is in the courtroom, not trying to keep herself and her nephew alive while buried underneath the rubble of a building. The way Amelia reacts to her situation was very realistic. She tries to be calm and in control but has her moments of panic like anyone would. I do think a lot of that calmness was because she was also responsible for her nephew. She's a fighter and doesn't give up.

The scenes when Amelia and Hugh first meet during the rescue are amazing. Seeing Hugh's training at work, how not only his physical abilities but his mental abilities all play a part in the rescue was fascinating. Trying to stay calm and in command while keeping a civilian calm and knowing that any moment they could be crushed made for some very stress-filled scenes. Of course I knew they would live through it, occurring as it did at the beginning of the book. But I still felt that tension as each moment passed as their lives were still in jeopardy.

After the rescue neither Amelia or Hugh can put the other out of their thoughts. Amelia is recovering from her injuries and needs to find her sister and her brother-in-law. Hugh is still part of the rescue team but finds time to check on Amelia. It's that pull towards each other that finds them together again in dangerous circumstances. This is definitely an action oriented novel and even during the slower scenes, you could feel the energy of the surroundings just below the surface. It's a story where I liked all the plots and sub-plots but I did enjoy Amelia and Hugh's the best. I liked them together as they fought for their lives and still found those little moments to learn about each other. Their romance may start as gratitude on Amelia's part and fascination on Hugh's but it becomes much deeper the more they know of each other.

There is a flirtatious second romance blooming between Major Liam McCabe and a rescue worker. They were a fun pair - him a total player and her not falling for his lines. Which makes him change his plan of attack and stop the BS with this woman who has captured his interest. I liked this pair a lot and hope they get their own story. We also see an established couple dealing with the stress of the dangerous situation and loss. Mann does well showing how they must rely on each other through the crisis.

Ms. Mann does a wonderful job showing all the different emotions played out during a crisis. I enjoyed the tropical setting coupled with the danger and instability running through the story. The obstacles Amelia and Hugh had to overcome were huge and at times held a dose of implausibility to them but in the end Hot Zone proved to be a spectacular ride.

Rating: A

Elite Forces series ~

Cover Me
Hot Zone
Under Fire (May 2012)

Review: Forever Mine

2011-11-29T22:08:00.002-07:00

Forever Mine*
Elizabeth Reyes
Contemporary Young Adult
Moreno Brothers/Book 1
Self-published/September 6, 2010

From Goodreads ~

Seventeen-year old Sarah’s life is turned upside down when her single mom is sent to jail. She’s forced to move, leaving behind everything she’s ever known, including her best friend Sydney. Lost and bitter in a new school, her one goal is to save money and move back home. Then she meets Angel Moreno.

Enigmatic but gorgeous, Angel is almost too good to be true. Except for one thing, his archaic belief that guys and girls can never be “just friends”. The problem? Sarah’s best friend Sydney is not a girl.

With their unexpected romance intensifying to places neither ever experienced, how long can Sarah keep Angel in the dark about the guy waiting for her back home?

It's another free Kindle download and another worthwhile read. Hey, I'm on a roll here! This is categorized as Young Adult but I would say it is for older teens because of the sexual situations. Many young adult novels will state ages 12 and up but I would go a bit higher on this one.

Sarah's lucky in my opinion. Her mother is headed to jail but instead of foster care, Sarah is headed to La Jolla, California where her aunt lives. Yes, she's upset about leaving her friends and familiar surroundings in Flagstaff, Arizona but still... it could have been much worse. Sarah does try to make the best of it but her intent is to return to Flagstaff when she turns 18 after the first of the year. Sarah's home life hasn't been very stable, moving a lot with only her mother as her family. When they settled in Flagstaff, Sarah finally felt like she could put down roots. So it's understandable that she would want to go back. I do think she didn't show as much gratitude as she should have towards her aunt and her family. Her focus was getting out of there and she didn't seem to realize how that may have made her aunt and cousin feel. Then Sarah meets Angel and while she's very attracted to him, wants to be with him, she's still adamant in her plan to leave.

Angel Moreno isn't in a gang or in trouble with the law. He is instead a decent student, star athlete and raised in a close family. He works when he's needed in the family restaurant along with his parents and siblings. He's a decent guy if a bit possessive when it comes to Sarah. It never felt like he was too controlling but he does have a very distinct idea of relationships between males and females. We see it not only in how he is with Sarah but also how protective he is with his own sister. He's almost too mature, he could have easily been a college senior instead of a high school senior. His maturity is what Sarah needs since she had to grow up quickly and carry a lot of responsibility. Now Angel is there for her and he wants her to stay.

There is conflict beyond Sarah wanting to leave and the secret she's keeping from Angel about her best friend being a guy. There is also Angel's fan club to deal with. He's very popular with the girls at school and one in particular has fixated on him. She gives Sarah some difficulties but Sarah's secrets and lies are what really cause the problems.

The secondary characters of Angel's family, Sarah's cousin Valerie and her BFF Sydney all play their roles well. There are romances in the making between some and they do get their own books in the series. The struggles Sarah and Angel go through are resolved but not without some misunderstandings, tears and grief. When they finally do get their HEA, it's well worth the adversity they have faced.

Forever Mine was an enjoyable read that left me wanting to know more about the Moreno family and the people in their lives. The free read did what it was suppose to - captured my interest and made me want to read more from this author.

Rating: B+

Moreno Brothers Series ~

Forever Mine
Always Been Mine (Adult Contemporary)
Sweet Sofie (Mature YA)
Romero (Adult Contemporary)
Making You Mine (Adult Contemporary/December 2011)

Mini-Prequel of Sarah and Sydney on author's blog.

*Currently a Free Read on Kindle

Review: Home for Christmas

2011-11-28T22:15:00.006-07:00

Home for Christmas*
Kate Davies
Contemporary Romance
Samhain/December 18, 2007

From Goodreads ~

She left everything familiar behind-but love found her anyway. A story from The Perfect Gift. Sophia is determined to spend Christmas on her own terms this year. Her daughter will be spending the holidays with her boyfriend's family, and Sophia has no intention of staying home alone with her memories. She knows Ethan would be more than happy to keep her company. But he's her business partner-and her late husband's best friend. It's past time to stop leaning on him and learn to stand on her own two feet. A cruise to the Caribbean might be just the ticket to discovering who she is now, and what she really wants.

Ethan is stunned to discover that Sophia has decided to go on a cruise for Christmas-alone. He'd thought something more was finally developing between the two of them. If she's ready to move on after the loss of her husband, he'll be damned if he lets her move on without him!

On the spur of the moment, Ethan books a stateroom, determined to prove to Sophia that what they have goes far beyond friendship. The romantic atmosphere of the cruise sparks a passion the two had only dreamed of before-but can their fledgling relationship survive beyond the vacation of a lifetime?

Warning, this title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language (but don't tell my mom).

This was a sweet, quick read with a holiday theme but a very different location. The cruise ship gets both Sophia and Ethan away from everything familiar and lets them concentrate on enjoying each other. It's finally time for them to take the next step in their relationship and the romantic Caribbean is the perfect setting.

Sophia loved her husband Dan very much. That's never in doubt. But he's gone and she's not sure what her next step should be. Her heart knows what it wants but she's afraid to take the chance. The previous Christmas was so hard to get through so Sophia decides to get away but her daughter and her business partner are not thrilled about the decision.

Ethan is such a cool hero! He doesn't hesitate but follows Sophia to Florida and the cruise ship. He surprises her and is determined to show her how interested he is in her. It was just what Sophia needed to get her to realize Ethan felt more than just friendship for her.

The romance had both Ethan and Sophia learning new things about each other not just as friends but as lovers. They both have insecurities about this new relationship and while it felt they worked them out a little too quickly, I chalked it up to the cruise ship/holiday atmosphere.

Home for Christmas is a short read so don't expect highly developed characters or any great plot twists. It's fairly predictable. I would have liked more background on both Sophia and Ethan but the short format doesn't allow for that. It's not at all heavy on the holiday theme and could have easily been set during another season with few changes. A greater sense of the holiday season would have been nice.

Rating: B

*Currently available for free on Kindle.

Review: The Scorpio Races

2011-11-27T18:13:00.002-07:00

The Scorpio Races
Maggie Stiefvater
Fantasy/Young Adult
Scholastic Press/October 18, 2011

From the inside cover ~

Some Race To Win
Others Race to Survive

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line.

Some riders live.
Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a choice. So she enters the competition – the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

When I was a kid I loved horses, was a bit obsessed with them even. I would save my money and buy Breyer collectible horse figures. If there was a chance to go riding, I was there. So when I heard that Stiefvater's next release involved horses I knew I had to read it. Plus, the teen read it before me and gave it a thumbs up. Which was saying something since she didn't like Stiefvater's Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy but I did.

The races take place on an small island where everyone knows everyone. That is except when the tourist come for the races. Then the population swells and the money flows into the island. The races are big business for this small, fairly poor community but it's the final race that everyone is anticipating. It's the most exciting and the most dangerous. Stiefvater does an exceptional job building that excitement leading up to the finale.

Puck Connolly loves her horse Dove. Dove is not only a wonderful horse, she's Puck's best friend. When Puck's life takes a dramatic turn, she needs money fast. The upcoming excitement for the races pull her in and she suddenly finds herself stating that she will ride. The only problem, she doesn't have a capaill uisce, a water horse and no chance of catching and training one by race day. Puck is stubborn and fierce in her convictions to not give up. Her choices are few and when everyone tells her she doesn't belong in the race, well that just makes her even more determined. I adored Puck. I loved her stubbornness, her kindness and her love for her family. It would have been hard not not to cheer her on.

Sean Kendrick is a celebrity on the island, having won the last four races. He doesn't revel in his popularity but keeps to himself. He's a hard worker, has no family and his only companion is his horse, Corr. Corr is the water horse that Sean has ridden in the past races and plans to run in the upcoming race. Sean understands Corr and would do anything to keep him. He doesn't think Puck should be in the race either but as he gets to know her, he comes to care for her. They have much in common, both orphans and both love their horses, treating them like family.

The story is told in alternating POVs between Puck and Sean. I liked that we got the two perspectives of the same events. Even though Puck and Sean have grown up on the island, they don't really know each other. The preparations for the race allow them the time, placing them together on the beach for training. In Puck's view we see the rookie rider, inexperienced in the challenge but making up for her inexperience with guts, bravery and her knowledge of horses. In Sean we see the veteran rider, a bit jaded with the experience but still holding on to the love of the race.

The way Puck and Sean's relationship develops, both wary of the other but drawn together by their love of horses and their love of the island, gives the reader insight to why they make the decisions they do. Due to circumstances both Puck and Sean face far more hardships in addition to what they will face on race day.

There are a few secondary characters have a profound impact on the lives of Puck and Sean. The way Stiefvater wrote them, you can easily see how the lives of the residents of the island are intertwined. Not only did I come to care about Puck and Sean but also about some of the other residents on the island.

The people are not the only inhabitants who make their presence known. The personalities of the horses, mainly Dove and Corr, shine through. They are as much a part of the story as the people. The capaill uisce are as beautiful as they are dangerous. They are alluring in their promises of fame and fortune. They are fascinating in their savagery, scary in their determination to dominate their riders and their surroundings.

The Scorpio Races, per Ms. Stiefvater, is intended to be a single title with no plans for a follow up book at this time. And I'm fine with that. The ending felt complete even though there is certainly more story that could be told about Puck, Sean and the island. So either way, if there is a sequel, I would definitely read it. If not, I'll hold fond memories of this beautifully written story.

Rating: A

Review: Must Love Mistletoe

2011-11-26T22:17:00.002-07:00

Must Love Mistletoe
Christie Ridgway
Contemporary Romance/Holiday
Avon/December 1, 2006

From Goodreads ~

Bailey Sullivan can't stand Christmas, even though her family's business is a store specializing in the perfect holiday. But now her hometown's chief supplier of rooftop Rudolphs and treetop angels is in danger of going under—it's up to Bailey to save the shop.

She has it all planned: She'll arrive on December 1 and be gone by Christmas. Plus there's always spiked eggnog to ease the pain. But "Humbug" Bailey's not the only one home for the holidays. Finn Jacobson—legendary local bad boy-turned-Secret Service agent and Bailey's long-lost high-school sweetheart—is once again the boy next door. Only this time he's all grown up, and the sparks are flying faster and hotter than ever!

Bailey believes in true love about as much as she believes in Santa Claus. But as the holiday draws closer, she's starting to think about one thing she'd like to find under her tree . . .

This was a quick read with a holiday theme but not overly heavy on the Christmas references. There is talk of Christmas since Bailey is working in her family store, The Perfect Christmas, and gets reluctantly involved in hosting various holiday events in the store. She needs to recruit a Santa and as it turns out, a pirate Santa will do.

Bailey Sullivan practically ran from Coronado and her family legacy. She lives in Los Angeles, managing a large law firm. No Ho Ho Hos or reindeer in sight. The last thing she wants is to go back and run the family holiday themed store. When Bailey gets back to Coronado she learns how much she left behind. She's reunited with her childhood best friend and her first love. We see how Bailey learns to open up and form the begins of long term relationships. She has always maintained it's best to get out before things get ugly. A legacy from her father before he took off when she was a child. She learns how wrong that is and I liked seeing the process she goes through to get there. I do think she took a little too long to realize what's really important. Too stubborn for her own good.

Finn Jacobson is in Coronado to take care of his grandmother as she recovers from an illness. He and Bailey were friends as children when Finn would spend the summers at his grandmother's, Bailey's neighbor. They became more than friends when the teen years hit. Then Bailey ran and left Finn heartbroken. Now they're both back and Finn is carrying some serious baggage. I think Finn's issues helped keep this story from being too sweet, lending a seriousness to the plot. That along with Bailey's commitment issues gave the story a nice balance between the humor and holiday spirit.

Bailey and Finn don't seem to have a shot at second chances - she's determined to leave on Christmas Day and he's still having trust issues regarding Bailey. So they try to fight their desires but it's hard to avoid the person you're lusting after when they live right next door. And Bailey does ask Finn for help which puts them together even more. It's sweet and sexy how they battle each other and their lust only to have them fall in love all over again.

The sub-plot of Bailey's mother and step-father trying to work out their differences fell a bit flat for me. I didn't dislike them but I didn't really care if they reconciled or not. There is also Finn's friend Tanner who could have been more fleshed out. He gets a book (Not Another New Year's) but I wasn't left dying to read his story.

Must Love Mistletoe was a fun, sexy romp with some serious issues thrown in the mix.

Rating: B

Thanksgiving Wishes...

2011-11-24T00:14:00.003-07:00

Here's hoping you and all those you love have a wonderful, joy-filled holiday.

Safe travels if you're spending the holiday away from home. We're staying home to play and relax and enjoy the company of our family.

And if you're shopping on Friday - may the force be with you, because you're going to need all the help you can get!

Cover Love : Thief of Shadows

2011-11-23T07:47:00.009-07:00

Elizabeth Hoyt has posted the cover for the fourth book, Thief of Shadows, in her wonderful Maiden Lane series.

Isn't it gorgeous! Love the colors and of course the beautiful stepback. This is one of my favorite series and I can't wait to read Thief of Shadows! Previous delightfully good books in the series are: Wicked Intentions, Notorious Pleasures and the most recent release, Scandalous Desires.

Here's the blurb but if you haven't read the previous books in the series (do it now!) then don't read any further because there are SPOILERS AHEAD.

A MASKED MAN . . .
Winter Makepeace lives a double life. By day he’s the stoic headmaster of a home for foundling children. But the night brings out a darker side of Winter. As the moon rises, so does the Ghost of St. Giles—protector, judge, fugitive. When the Ghost, beaten and wounded, is rescued by a beautiful aristocrat, Winter has no idea that his two worlds are about to collide.

A DANGEROUS WOMAN . . .
Lady Isabel Beckinhall enjoys nothing more than a challenge. Yet when she’s asked to tutor the Home’s dour manager in the ways of society—flirtation, double entendres, and scandalous liaisons—Isabel can’t help wondering why his eyes seem so familiar—and his lips so tempting.

A PASSION NEITHER COULD DENY
During the day Isabel and Winter engage in a battle of wills. At night their passions are revealed . . . But when little girls start disappearing from St. Giles, Winter must avenge them. For that he might have to sacrifice everything—the Home, Isabel . . . and his life.

Thief of Shadows is set for release July 2012.

Review: Hammered

2011-11-21T22:26:00.003-07:00

Hammered
Kevin Hearne
Urban Fantasy
Iron Druid Chronicles/Book 3
Del Rey/July 5, 2011

From Goodreads ~

Thor, the Norse god of thunder, is worse than a blowhard and a bully—he’s ruined countless lives and killed scores of innocents. After centuries, Viking vampire Leif Helgarson is ready to get his vengeance, and he’s asked his friend Atticus O’Sullivan, the last of the Druids, to help take down this Norse nightmare.

One survival strategy has worked for Atticus for more than two thousand years: stay away from the guy with the lightning bolts. But things are heating up in Atticus’s home base of Tempe, Arizona. There’s a vampire turf war brewing, and Russian demon hunters who call themselves the Hammers of God are running rampant. Despite multiple warnings and portents of dire consequences, Atticus and Leif journey to the Norse plain of Asgard, where they team up with a werewolf, a sorcerer, and an army of frost giants for an epic showdown against vicious Valkyries, angry gods, and the hammer-wielding Thunder Thug himself.

The third installment of Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid Chronicles finds ancient druid, Atticus O'Sullivan preparing for a major battle. A battle he might not survive. But if he does, he'll need to go far underground, leaving all behind but his apprentice Granuaile and his best friend and all around awesome dog Oberon.

Atticus has a lot to do before he takes on Thor. It was interesting to see how many attachments Atticus had. He had survived for so long by laying low and not building lasting relationships. Now, he's realized how many people and places have become important to him. Lots of loose ends to tie up. While Atticus is busy doing this, we also get to know more about Leif and Gunnar. Leif is a lawyer and a vampire. No, really. Gunnar is the alpha of the local werewolf pack. They both want revenge against Thor and will be joining Atticus when he goes after him.

Atticus is under a lot of pressure, he knows he might not make it back alive but he still keeps his humor intact. It's one of my favorite things about him. There is a car/chariot chase scene with Leif driving, Gunnar as passenger and Atticus in the back adding his unique humor to the situation. Atticus and Leif end up in a dueling Shakespeare contest that had me in stitches.

It takes a lot for the gang to get to Asgard where they plan to lure Thor into a fight. It's not just Atticus, Leif and Gunnar who want revenge but there are three others who travel with them to Asgard. I liked the new characters, they were well developed for secondary characters and rounded out the "fellowship" determined to take down Thor. The pacing did slow down quite a bit as everyones' reasons for revenge were told around the campfire. The stories were interesting but tended to drag on too long and for some, the willingness to risk their lives didn't balance with the act Thor was accused of.

There are a number of fight scenes and while I liked them I did find it hard to keep track of everyone involved. There were so many engaged in the various fights. There are gods, goddesses and deities along with their supernatural sidekicks making me wish I had a score card to keep track.

The end provides some twists and turns along with sadness and loss. It also leaves the reader wondering what will happen next. We'll have to wait until next April to find out.

Rating: B

Iron Druid Chronicles ~

Hounded
Hexed
Hammered
Tricked (April 2012)

Audio Review: The Next Always

2011-11-20T20:39:00.001-07:00

The Next Always
Nora Roberts
Contemporary Romance
With Paranormal Elements
Inn Boonsboro Trilogy/Book 1
Brilliance Audio/November 1, 2011

SOME SPOILERS

From the Inside Cover ~

The historic hotel in BoonsBoro has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it’s getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. As the architect of the family, Beckett’s social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there’s another project he’s got his eye on: the girl he’s been waiting to kiss since he was sixteen.

After losing her husband and returning to her hometown, Clare Brewster soon settles into her life as the mother of three young sons while running the town's bookstore. Though busy and with little time for romance, Clare is drawn across the street by Beckett's transformation of the old inn, wanting to take a closer look...at both the building and the man behind it.

With the grand opening inching closer, Beckett is happy to give Clare a private tour - one room at a time, in between blueprint meetings and kindergarten pickups. It's no first date, bu these stolen moments are the beginning of something that could arouse the secret yearning that resides in Clare's independent heart - and open the door to the extraordinary adventure of what comes next...

After reading and loving Ms. Roberta' Bride Quartet, I was looking forward to her newest contemporary series. I'm not sure if it's because the Bride Quartet's main focus was on the four women or if the setting of the was more enjoyable, probably a combination of the two. Either way, I didn't enjoy the trip to Boonsboro nearly as much as I thought I would.

All the talk around town is about the Montgomery brothers and the restoration of the famous inn. It's the inn and it's restoration that is a major focus of of the story. There is a romance between Beckett and Clare but it didn't feel like the central focus of the story. It was more of the restoration, the town and it's characters revolved around the romance. It is understandable that Clare and Beckett don't have an abundance of alone time. Clare has three boys to raise on her own and Beckett is busy with the inn. I liked both characters as well as the secondary characters but felt the inn and the town took too much time away from the romance.

The are two sub-plots running through the story. The first, which didn't work for me, was that of a stalker. It felt very much out of place in this closeknit community. I could see if there was another man competing for Clare's attention but creepy stalker dude just didn't fit in with the idyllic portrait of Boonsboro. He felt like he was transplanted from another book, say a J.D. Robb novel.

The other out-of-place character was that of the resident ghost at Inn Boonsboro. Beckett developed a relationship with the ghost right along with his relationship with Clare. Had the ghost been corporeal, maybe Clare would have had some competition. LOL The ghost angle didn't bother me but the way Becket talked to her did feel odd. He just didn't come across as a guy who would carry on conversations with a ghost.

I did like the time that Beckett and Clare spent together. Clare's boys are her life and the way Beckett becomes a part of that life felt very real. It wasn't easy getting all three boys to accept him without questioning what his place was in their lives. Beckett had to work for it, as it should be. We also see the relationship Beckett has with his two brothers, Ryder and Owen. It's evident they are the other heroes in this trilogy and we also meet their heroines. I liked the three brothers with their joking, teasing and obvious love for each other. Not sure how I feel about the pairings but we'll have to see.

The Next Always was a pleasant listen. While I didn't end up crazy in love with it, I did enjoy parts of it and will return to Boonsboro for the next Montgomery brother's story.

Rating: B-

Inn Boonsboro Series

The Next Always
The Last Boyfriend (May 2012)
The Perfect Hope (November 2012)

TBR Challenge Review: A Cold Day for Murder

2011-11-16T11:49:00.001-07:00

A Cold Day for Murder
Dana Stabenow
Mystery
Kate Shugak/Book 1
Berkley/June 1992

From the back cover ~

She's a savvy investigator with the cool toughness of Sam Spade - and a smile that could melt a block of ice. Once the star of the Anchorage D.A.'s office, she's gone back to her roots in the far Alaska north. But Kate's taken her talent for detection along...and trouble knows where to find her.

The Dead of Winter

When a young national park ranger disappears during the long Alaskan winter, everyone assumes the cold got him. But when an investigator goes in after him, and never comes out, the weather may not be all that's killing. Or so thinks Kate Shugak. With her Husky-breed, Mutt, as an ally, she's hunting for answers among the pipeliners, Aleuts, and hardy eccentrics of the rugged American North. But she's heading for thin ice between lies and loyalties...between justice served and the cold face of murder.

This month's suggested theme is "other genre besides romance". Not an easy task when 90% of the TBR pile is romance but I did manage to find a mystery in there among the rakes and rogues, mistresses and kick-ass chicks. I could have gone with Urban Fantasy but I do read those fairly often. So instead I decide to go in a direction that I rarely travel without at least some shades of romance. And low and behold there was a little smidge of romance in this one. More of a bad break-up with a glimmer of a reunion kind of romance.

This is Stabenow's first mystery novel but not her first published. That was the science fiction novel, Second Star. Then came the mysteries, garnering the Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original for A Cold Day for Murder. The book ended up in my TBR pile not because of the award but because of the location. I've always wanted to go to Alaska. It's the wild far north with a history I've always found fascinating. As it turns out, the location was my favorite part of the novel.

Kate Shugak is hiding out and has been for over a year. Her isolation is about to end when an old friend comes calling with a request she can't refuse. When we first meet Kate, she is far from welcoming to her guests and makes it clear in her actions and words that she is not happy for the company. Kate is not an easy person to like or get to know. Which is why I felt distant from her - watching what happens but not completely engaged in her story. If this had been a movie on TV, I would definitely be doing something else while watching.

Kate may not have engaged my interest but the landscape and culture of the Alaska of her world did. I loved the feel of freedom and danger coming off the pages. It's a world so foreign to what I'm accustomed to and I soaked it up! The mystery and characters paled by comparison and took a backseat to the scenery.

The missing men and their fate is what drives Kate to discover the truth. As she tracks their last days before their disappearances, the tracks eventually lead back to the one place Kate doesn't want to go. The mystery and clues leading to the big reveal are sufficient to bring the reader and Kate to the end of a not so surprising finish. All in all, I might read the next book in the series, still on the fence about that. It's a quick read, only 199 pages, worth the short time to read but nothing to really pull me into the next book.

Rating: C+

Books in this series ~

1. A Cold Day for Murder
2. A Fatal Thaw
3. Dead in the Water
4. A Cold-blooded Business
5. Play With Fire
6. Blood Will Tell
7. Breakup
8. Killing Grounds
9. Hunter's Moon
10. Midnight Come Again
11. The Singing of the Dead
12. A Fine and Bitter Snow
13. A Grave Denied
14. A Taint in the Blood
15. A Deeper Sleep
16. Whisper to the Blood
17. A Night Too Dark
18. Though Not Dead
19. Restless in the Grave

Review: Scandalous Desires

2011-11-14T20:47:00.004-07:00

Scandalous Desires
Elizabeth Hoyt
Historical Romance/London/1738
Maiden Lane/Book 3
Grand Central/October 24, 2011

From the back cover ~

Can a pirate learn . . .

River Pirate ‘Charming’ Mickey O’Connor has lifted himself from the depths of the slums to be the King of St. Giles. Anything he wants he gets—with one exception. Silence Hollingbrook has been haunting his dreams ever since she spent a single night in his bed.

That the only true treasure . . .

Once Silence was willing to sacrifice anything to save the man she loved. Now a widow, she’s finally found peace when Charming Mickey comes storming back into her life with an offer she can’t refuse. But this time she won’t be the only one paying the price for his sins.

Lies in a woman's heart?

When his past comes back to torment him, Mickey must keep Silence safe from a merciless enemy, while wrestling with the delicious hold this widow has on his heart. And in the face of mounting danger, both will have to surrender to something even more terrifying . . . true love.

A pirate hero, a widowed heroine and a cute toddler to bring them back together. It's time to find out just how bad Charming Mickey can be and how hard and fast he will fall. Silence is a match for the notorious pirate king. She is able to temper her fascination with her common sense when it comes to the enigmatic pirate.

Silence Hollingbrook has a history with Charming Mickey O'Connor and it's not a nice one. She was able to get away from him but the association left its mark and she's not happy to be back in his presence. The one thing that could bring her back is the child Mary Darling. A child she has come to love and will do anything to keep her safe, even from her father. From the previous books we know Silence loved her husband but with him gone she has put her energy into the orphan home and Mary Darling. I enjoyed the scenes with Silence and Mary Darling because we see a nurturing and protective side of Silence as well as a happy side which was rarely seen previously. As Silence comes to care about Mickey, we see those qualities when she is with him.

Pirate Charming Mickey O'Connor is a woman's fantasy complete with sexy Irish brogue. But he is a dangerous man who has committed numerous crimes to become powerful and feared. So the obvious question is - is he redeemable? Can he be saved from his life of crime to live a life on the right side of the law? Or better yet - should he? I liked Charming Mickey but I wasn't sure I'd like him as a country gentleman with legitimate business dealings.

Silence's relationship with Mickey is perplexing in that she knows he's a criminal, he makes no secret of it, in fact he enjoys boasting of his activities. But even knowing that, Silence not only tries to understand this criminal but begins to make excuses for him and of course, she tries to change his ways. It's the reformed by a good woman trope in full force. I don't think it worked completely because Mickey really didn't want to give up his lifestyle. After everything we learned about him, I still had a hard time believing he would let go of not only his riches but his power. He wasn't left a pauper but his lifestyle would certainly take a dramatic change.

In the romance department, it was a tug-of-war with Mickey issuing orders and Silence disobeying. Mickey would then "punish" Silence but there was no real punishment and Silence finally came around. I was surprised that it took so long for them to get together considering they were living in the same place and Mickey wanted her in his bed. He's really not accustomed to being told no. Silence did manage to hold out for a while but once she fell, she fell hard and fast. That's when the redeeming truly began.

We see some familiar faces in the cast of secondary characters and a few new ones. The most notable new character looks to be slated for the position of the next heroine. I liked what we saw of her, she's no pushover, and hope she will be a good contrast to the hero.

With Scandalous Desires, Elizabeth Hoyt has added yet another lovely installment in the Maiden Lane series. I had thought the anticipation for Mickey and Silence's story could not be topped but with the way things were left, the next book should prove equally if not more anticipated.

Rating: A-

Books in this series ~

Wicked Intentions
Notorious Pleasures
Scandalous Desires
Thief of Shadows (Summer 2012)

ARC Review: Shatter Me

2011-11-12T21:16:00.003-07:00

Shatter Me
Tahereh Mafi
Young Adult/Dystopian
Harper Teen/November 15, 2011

From Goodreads ~

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Lots of buzz about this book. The film rights have already been optioned before the book even hits the shelves. Does it live up to all the buzz? Well, it wasn't earth shattering or ground breaking or any of those other clichés we hear. But it did hold my curiosity enough to keep my attention to the end.

Juliette has an ability she considers a curse. It has caused her to be alienated from society. No one wants to be near her. Everyone fears what she might do. Eventually tragedy occurs and sends Juliette away and locked up. She is kept isolated from the outside world which is falling apart fast. Then change happens and nothing is the same for Juliette. The plot starts out interesting but doesn't seem to go anywhere for what felt like a long time. I kept waiting for something to happen because it felt like something was going to happen at any moment. Like in a horror movie when you just know something is waiting right around the corner, the actor turns the corner and there's nothing there? Finally, the pace picked up and it felt like the plot was going somewhere.

While I'm not a fan of info dumping, I would have liked more information about the causes of this dystopian world. What we are told is given out in bits and pieces but left me feeling as if I didn't have the full picture of life in this new world. Since this is told from Juliette's POV, we only know what she knows and what the other characters tell us. But the timeline made it seem the catastrophes occurring across the globe happened very quickly. I found it hard to make sense of the timeline.

Juliette is a girl who had a most unconventional childhood but there was this one boy who caught her interest. Otherwise, she had no friends and kept to herself. At this point in her life she is understandably closed off from people and trusts no one. As Juliette's world begins to change I liked seeing how she wanted so desperately to trust but her self-preservation is still very strong. She struggles with trusting even when everything indicates she should.

As the action picks up, Juliette begins to come out of her shell, letting her feelings known and realizing that she is someone important and she can make a difference. She has been through hell and still has a way to go before she can breath easily, at least for a little while.

The writing style took some getting use to as the author implemented the strike through technique to demonstrate what Juliette is truly thinking or wishes to say but doesn't dare. Juliette might say, "I'm not afraid," followed by ~~I am terrified~~. Mafi also used repetition to convey Juliette's thoughts. So it might look something like ~ "I'm not afraid," ~~I am terrified I am terrified I am so terrified.~~ The problem I had, especially with the strike through technique, is needing to slow down in reading in order to read through the strike through, causing the flow to stutter and slow. For some readers this might not be a problem but for myself, the affect was lost the more it was used.

There are a couple of surprises but also a number of similarities to the X-Men series. The main problem was the lack of any deeper feelings for the characters. I felt curiosity but not concern for Juliette and the others caught in this horrific world.

Rating: B-

ARC Review: The Virtuoso

2011-11-09T20:15:00.003-07:00

The Virtuoso
Grace Burrowes
Historical Romance/Oxfordshire
Duke's Obsession/Book 3
Windham series/Book 4
Sourcebooks/November 1, 2011

From the author's website ~

Ellen Markham tells herself she's happy raising flowers and living in near penury in the Oxfordshire countryside, but when Valentine Windham moves in just on the other side of the wood, Ellen's longing for things she can never have threatens to overcome her good sense. Valentine's artistic soul, tender loving, and ducal determination tempt Ellen to trust and confide in a man who can only be endangered, should he learn of her past. For Valentine, regaining his musical skill becomes far less urgent than winning Ellen's heart.

To clear up any confusion, this is the fourth book in the Windham series which is about the Windham offspring, three males, five females. Within the series there are two sub-series, The Duke's Obsession and The Duke's Daughters. This is all explained on Ms. Burrowes' website. I've read the first book, The Heir, and while there were a couple of times when I felt like I was missing information on a secondary character, it didn't detract from the story.

Valentine Windham may not believe it but luck is on his side. He is attempting to recover from an injury when he wins an estate in a game of chance. He decides to journey to the estate and make improvements on his winnings. While there he meets Ellen Markham, a widow who lives in a cottage on the estate. Val comes to know Ellen and in doing so he becomes enchanted by her and propositions her. She's not a simpering virgin nor is she as experienced as Val. Theirs is a relationship based on mutual need, trust and friendship. Which turns out to be a good basis for a romance.

Ellen Markham is content. I would say she has moments of happiness but she is also lonely and foresees no real chance of that changing, or so she thinks. Then Valentine Windham comes into her life and things begin to change. Ellen is attracted to the charismatic Val but believes he would want nothing to do with her. As their perceptions change so do their feelings. I liked seeing their friendship develop along with the romance. You could tell they enjoyed spending time together and were not simply biding their time until they could become intimate.

Both Val and Ellen have secrets which lead to some misunderstandings and hurt feelings. I understood why they kept their secrets but not why they revealed them so late in the game. Val's true identity, that of the son of a powerful Duke, was kept quiet so he could simply be Mr.Windham. It made sense since Val isn't one to "put on airs" but get his hands dirty right along with the hired help. Ellen secret is far darker, causing her great sadness and despair. When it is revealed I could certainly understand her sadness but found it difficulty to believe that she felt such guilt over something that wasn't her fault.

The villain in the story is a complete idiot. Which only proves that even idiots can cause a tremendous amount of trouble through sheer luck and stubbornness. While trying to figure out who is sabotaging Val's new estate, Val and his friends continue to work on repairing the various buildings and getting to know the locals. It's a well rounded cast that adds to the environment of the story. Sometimes there were a few too many secondary characters and I felt like I had missed information on their connection to Val. I did like the country setting but didn't always have a true sense of the time period.

The Virtuoso's strength lies in the hero and heroine and their developing romance. While the hero and his buddies male bonding fell flat. With the stories of the three Windham sons completed, it's up to the Windham daughters to continue the tradition of finding and falling in love.

Rating: B-

Books in this series ~

The Windhams

The Heir
The Soldier
Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish
The Virtuoso
Lady Maggie's Secret Scandal (May 2012)
Lady Louisa's Christmas Knight (October 2012)
Lady Eve's book (Spring 2013/tentative)
Lady Jenny's book (October 2013/tentative)

ARC Review: Promises, Promises

2011-11-08T09:42:00.002-07:00

Promises, Promises
Erica James
Contemporary Fiction
Sourcebooks Landmark/November 1, 2011

From the author's website ~

'I Must Stand Up for Myself More…’ promises Maggie Storm who spends her days cleaning houses for people who often have more money than manners. Married to a man with as much sex appeal as Mr Blobby, she dreams of a life straight from the pages of a romantic novel.

‘My Head Must Rule Over My Heart…’ promises Ella Moore who, determined never to let her heart get the better of her again, is recovering from seven wasted years of failing to win over the daughter of the man with whom she wanted to spend the rest of her life.

‘No More Women…’ promises Ethan Edwards who, to distract himself from the depressing sham of his marriage, is a repeat offender when it comes to turning to other women for sexual consolation. But when Ella appears unexpectedly in his life, he finds himself turning to her for very different reasons.

Erica James has written a smart, funny and sometimes painful look at the intersecting lives of three people from seemingly different backgrounds. Maggie Storm cleans houses for the wealthy snobs who looks down on her. Ella Moore has a little more credibility but is still considered the hired help. And Ethan Edwards attempts to continue paying for these luxuries while knowing, deep down, he has to make some serious changes.

The story is not a romance so if you're looking for lots of page time with a hero and heroine, this isn't it. What this novel does show is how people are willing to settle for something that doesn't make them happy. They get stuck in that rut of sameness, afraid to try for something different and possibly far better than what they have. Such is the case with Maggie. She is married to a man who barely notices her, takes her for granted and leaves her to fantasizing about warm beaches and hot men. Maggie's changes seemed dramatic but what she does is become the woman she was meant to be but was hidden under self-doubt and fear of the unknown. Maggie's a character who is easy to relate to and even easier to cheer on.

Ella Moore is in the process of starting over. She recently ended a long-term relationship with a man she loved. It was made destructive by his lack of discipline of his daughter and her destructive actions towards Ella. Ella bothered me in a few ways. I didn't get why, when she had made a clean break from her ex, that she then decides to give him another chance. She came across as an intelligent woman but concerning her ex, she was easily manipulated. She was more difficult to sympathize with since she kept making the same mistakes.

Ethan Edwards, oh boy. Yes, his wife is a bitch but it doesn't excuse his affairs/flings/one-night stands. And he knows it so he's trying to turn over a new leaf which was made difficult to believe when he starts ~~stalking~~ watching Ella work as she's painting in his home. Ethan tells Ella he wants to be friends and I have to give him credit for being honest with her about his infidelities. But in the end, I couldn't help but feel he had gotten what he deserved when it came to his bitch of a wife. Luckily for him, he has a life-changing event that gives him the push he needs to really turn over that new leaf and start fresh.

Circumstances conspire to cause Maggie, Ella and Edward to reevaluate their lives and finally decide to take that step, making changes that were long overdue. This was more evident for Maggie and Edward that it was for Ella. For Ella, it was more about going back to the beginning and focusing on herself again.

I had said this wasn't a romance but there are some romantic elements throughout the story. The romance simply isn't the focus so much as the by-product of the changes the characters make to their lives. The journey they each take to get to that change is challenging but worth it in the end. It's an interesting look at what happens when you are willing to take that leap into the unknown and rely on yourself for your own happiness.

Rating: B

Review: Wife for a Week

2011-11-03T21:59:00.003-07:00

Wife for a Week
Kelly Hunter
Contemporary Romance
Bennett Family/Book 1
Eligible Bachelors/Book 1
Harlequin Presents/August 7, 2007

From Goodreads ~

Nicholas Cooper must produce a wife for his business deal, and Hallie Bennett is beautiful and intelligent enough to pull it off. She needs the money, and Nicholas has determined some strict rules for their week together.

Rule No. 1: Displays of affection in public only

Keeping their hands on each other in public turns out to be surprisingly easy. It's keeping them off in private that's the problem. Hallie is falling for Nicholas, but will Nicholas make his contract wife his real-life bride?

First I have to thank Angela James for tweeting about how much she enjoyed this book. I was curious enough to check out the blurb, which I liked. A quick look at the local library's website showed they had it available as an e-book. Score! I don't read much from the Presents line, I usually stick with either Harlequin's Historical, Blaze or SuperRomance lines. I'm just not into billionaires, Greek tycoons or their secret babies.

Shoe shopping with your mother can be dangerous. It can also tempt fate and give you everything you've been looking for. Nick Cooper finds out the hard way when he walks into the shoe store where Hallie Bennett works. The sparks are there from the beginning and Hallie shows that she's no pushover when it comes to dealing with bossy men. Right from the first scene with Nick and Hallie, I liked these two. You would think with Nick being the boss and the one paying Hallie he would be the one with all the power. Not so. Hallie is very good at maneuvering situations for the optimal outcome. She doesn't always get it right the first time but her heart is in the right place. This is something that Nick comes to learn and love about Hallie.

Their business relationship takes them to Hong Kong. I was surprised at how much detail Ms. Hunter was able to included in such a short format. I've never been to Hong Kong but certainly had a feel for the city by the end of the book. There is action and passion as Nick and Hallie pretend to be a loving couple. The lines become blurred when the rules are broken and Nick and Hallie do more than pretend. The plot sounds like one you've probably read before and the outcome is obvious but the way Hunter wrote it, I didn't care that it was predictable. It was pure escapism in the very best way!

The romance is sweet and funny. The secondary characters add to the story without taking the spotlight from the hero and heroine. The dialogue is witty and the pacing is spot on with a rich story packed into this short format. Definitely worth reading.

Rating: A

Books in the Bennett Family Series ~

Wife for a Week
Bedded for Diamonds
The Maverick's Greek Island Mistress
Untameable Rogue
Red-Hot Renegade

September Reads...

2011-11-01T21:56:00.003-07:00

Hey - it's still ~~October~~ and it looks like I just made it with my September reads. (Let's pretend okay?) The above picture is one I took on a trip a couple of weeks ago to Flagstaff and the campus of Northern Arizona University. Yes, the leaves actually change up there and we were even told they had snow already. But sadly it was gone when we got there. It was a fun overnight trip I took with my teen who is considering going to NAU next year. She did get accepted but hasn't decided yet. There might be a few more trips in the future to other campuses. It was a fun girls only road trip. Sadly, I forgot to bring my camera and had to reply on the cell phone.

Audiobooks

1. Finding Perfect/Susan Mallery/Contemp/B
2. Sunset Bay/Susan Mallery/Contemp/B-
3. Seduced by Shadows/Jessa Slade/PNR/C+
4. Forged of Shadows/Jessa Slade/PNR/C

Not many audiobooks in September and I don't remember why. September seems a distance memory already. LOL I am all caught up with the Susan Mallery series and frankly, I'm ready for a break. Recently I've been listening to Sarah Addision Allen's audiobooks but that will have to wait until next month's list.

Print/Electronic Books

1. A Night to Surrender/Tessa Dare/Historical/A
2. Bad Boys Do/Victoria Dahl/Contemp/A-
3. Atlantis Betrayed/Alyssa Day/PNR/A-
4. Animal Attraction/Jill Shalvis/Contemp/A-
5. Doubleblind/Ann Aguirre/SciFi/B+
6. Her Colorado Man/Cheryl St. John/Historical/B+
7. Forever/Maggie Stiefvater/YA/B+
8. Giving Chase/Lauren Dane/Contemp/B
9. Unleashed/Sara Humphreys/PNR/B
10. Soldier on Her Doorstep/Soraya Lane/Contemp/B
11. Archangel's Blade/Nalini Singh/PNR/B
12. Outside In/Maria V. Snyder/YA/B
13. Tempted by His Target/Jill Sorenson/RS/B
14. Everything I Know About Love I Learned From Romance Novels/Sarah Wendell/Nonfiction/B

The Numbers

Contemporary ~ 4
Historical ~ 2
Non-Fiction ~ 1
PNR ~ 3
RS ~ 1
SciFi ~ 1
YA ~ 2

Format

Print ~ 10
E-Book ~ 4

Pretty good month and now that I'm looking back, I'm starting to remember some wonderful reads. LOL I don't seem to have any one sub-genre that I'm sticking to lately which is good since maybe I won't get burnt out on any of them.

This year, and I say this every year, I'm going to get a short list of holiday themed romances to read, yep, during the holidays. So far on the list is the anthology Snowflakes and Stetsons by Jillian Hart, Carol Finch and Cheryl St. John and reviewed here by Hilcia over at Impressions... of a Reader. The rest on the list will come from the ever growing TBR pile. I figure it's a good way to get in the holiday mood or possibly keep me sane and carve away at the TBR pile before it takes over the house.

So how about you - do you enjoy reading holiday themed romances around the holidays or do you read them anytime of the year?

ARC Review: The Iron Knight

2011-10-31T20:50:00.002-07:00

The Iron Knight
Julie Kagawa
Young Adult Fantasy
Iron Fey/Book 4
Harlequin Teen/October 25, 2011

Spoilers for previous books

From Publishers Website ~

To cold faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase — a half human, half fey slip of a girl—smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the unwelcome company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end—a quest to find a way to honor his vow to stand by Meghan's side.

To survive in the Iron Realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. And along the way Ash learns something that changes everything.

The final book in the Iron Fey series and I'm sad to see it end. But Kagawa ended it on a high with a different view to the ongoing struggle of the world of the Fae. Instead of getting Meghan's POV we get Prince Ash as the narrator. At first I wasn't sure how well this would work since I had come to enjoy Meghan's voice but Ash proved to have an exceptional voice, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Prince Ash of the Winter Court is on a quest. He's been through a lot since meeting Meghan Chase. Now he's without her but trying desperately to get back to her. The problem is that Meghan is now the Iron Queen and if Ash tries to live in the Iron Realm with her, it will kill him. So Ash comes up with a new plan. He will become human. He's willing to give up everything he is to be with Meghan.

This was such an adventure with Ash, Puck, Grimalkin and a couple of surprise companions to round out the group. They are taken on an journey through terrifying and amazing places filled with challenges they can't be sure they'll make it past. The excitement continued throughout the story with Ash forging on over obstacles, determined to make it to his goal. The adventure kept me entranced, wondering what would happen next and who might not make it to the end.

Since this is, in essence, Ash's story, it's not surprising we learn much more about Ash and his history. Details that even Meghan doesn't know. It's heartbreaking to learn some of what Ash has been through and how he was raised in the ice cold world of the Winter Court. Ash worked hard to fit in to the cruel world of the court to please his mother, Queen Mab. By seeing his past, the reader sees how far Ash has come and how far he's willing to go.

The one problem some readers may have is the lack of the presence of Meghan. She is featured in flashbacks, dreams and towards the end but otherwise, this is all Ash's quest. I did mention I liked Ash's voice but I also missed Meghan and her outlook on the world of the Faery. We do get a lot of Robin Goodfellow aka Puck and this is a very good thing. It's hard not to like and Puck and his tireless antics, especially when he sets aside those antics and becomes serious with insight and concern.

So we come to the end of a wonderful series filled with adventure, dangerous situations, friendship and hope. I can't wait to see what Ms. Kagawa has in store for us in her next series.

Rating: A-

Books in this series ~

The Iron King
The Iron Daughter
Winter's Passage
The Iron Queen
Summer's Crossing
The Iron Knight

Audio Review: New York to Dallas

2011-10-30T21:17:00.001-07:00

New York to Dallas
J. D. Robb
Futuristic Suspense
In Death/Book 33
Brilliance Audio/September 13, 2011

From Goodreads ~

Isaac McQueen is a savage pedophile who just can't quit. Now that he's escaped from New York's Riker Island, he has only three goals: Stay free; continue his perverted attacks; and wreak revenge on the cop who brought him down: Eve Dallas. J.D. Robb's 33rd futuristic In Death novel promises to take readers deep into the mind and heart of Eve Dallas than ever before.

A different take on the popular In Death series. This time Eve Dallas, sans the Scooby gang, travel to well, Dallas, to hunt down a nasty bit of human refuge who has a past association with a young Officer Dallas. With Dallas is husband Roarke who is once again there to aid his wife in her work. It's understandable that Roarke refuses to let Eve go to Dallas without him. It's the scene of a past trip to hell that Dallas made as a child. A time that still haunts her.

The scenery might have changed from crowded big city to cowboys and cattle but cops are still cops no matter where they reside. The Dallas police are a little different than what Eve is use to. Their bullpen is much neater and not as noisy but they do learn quickly to work as a team and Dallas gets the support of the other cops. She also meets up with a victim from her past. The victim, Bree Jones, was one of the women Isaac McQueen, sicko killer pedophile, kidnapped. I liked the dynamics of Eve and Bree as they meet again after 12 years. This time it's not cop and victim but cop to cop working together on the same case. The rest of the Dallas police force were simply okay but not memorable.

Roarke is there of course. His and Eve's relationship seems to have settled in, changing very little from recent books. They both support each other and understand the demons that haunt them. Roarke is there for Eve when she suffers the flashbacks of the room with the red light. I've gotten tired of those scenes but wasn't surprised they figured prominently in this installment.

There wasn't much in the way of action and the big surprise, well it wasn't that big or that surprising. Maybe the series is winding down. It felt like it with much of the same happening, just a different location. New York to Dallas wasn't a bad book, it just wasn't up to the caliber of many of the previous installments.

Rating: C+

ARC Review: Everything I Know About Love I Learned From Romance Novels

2011-10-28T22:51:00.002-07:00

Everything I Learned About Love
I Learned From Romance Novels
Sarah Wendell
Non-Fiction
Sourcebooks/October 1, 2011

From the Publisher's Website ~

Take a dashing hero with a heart of gold and a mullet of awesome. Add a heroine with a bustle and the will to kick major butt. Then include enough contrivances to keep them fighting while getting them alone and possibly without key pieces of clothing, and what do you have? A romance novel. What else? Enough lessons about life, love, and everything in between to help you with your own happily-ever-after.

Lessons like...

Romance means believing you are worthy of a happy ending

Learning to tell the prince from the frog

Real-life romance is still alive and kicking

No matter how bad it is, at least you haven’t been kidnapped by a Scottish duke (probably)

Straight from the heart of influential romance blogger Sarah Wendell, this inventive gift book provides the best wisdom about love that the romance genre has to offer. Laced with signature witty commentary and peppered with thoughts from bestselling romance authors (Nora Roberts, Jennifer Crusie, Debbie Macomber, Eloisa James, Robyn Carr, and lots more) and avid readers, these pages will reveal what every romance reader already knows: while romances are certainly steamy, they have more to offer than just a sexy hero. In fact, they might have more to say about love than we give them credit for. Sarah Wendell is cofounder of one of the top romance blogs, SmartBitchesTrashyBooks.com.

Well, if you're familiar with Sarah Wendell, then you're probably familiar with her website, Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. Sarah has been an outspoken advocate for the romance genre. She takes it one step further and breaks down the subtle and not so subtle nuances of the romance genre. This isn't a dry, dull text but a fun and insightful look at why romance novels are so popular and have been for decades and how readers can benefit from reading them.

Through interviews of both readers and authors, Wendell talks about what is important in a good romance novel and how readers are able to relate to the characters whether they be human or something else altogether. Much of this information we as reader are familiar with but by giving examples and discussing excerpts, she gives readers even more to talk about. The excerpts will no doubt have readers nodding their heads either in agreement or remembrance of reading that particular scene and how it made them feel. Wendell also gives those of us still made to feel embarrassed about reading romance novels good reasons why we shouldn't be.

All of this is done with Wendell's trademark humor and sarcasm. Nothing is taboo here. EIKAL is an interesting looking into the world of romance novels for both lovers of the genre and skeptics alike.

Rating: B

Review: After the Fire

2011-10-26T11:07:00.001-07:00

After the Fire
Kathryn Shay
Contemporary Romance
Firefighters Trilogy/Book 1
Berkley/November 3, 2004

From the back cover ~

Detective Megan Hale has come to Hidden Cove to begin a new life. What she's leaving behind are painful memories - of her father and husband, both policemen killed in the line of duty. What lies ahead for Megan is a dream - to start a summer camp for the orphaned children of firefighters and police officers.

Firefighter Mitch Malvaso vowed to change his life after escaping an inferno - by promising to be a better husband in a marriage-gone-bad. Instead, he finds his newfound peace in Megan's selfless plan, and a deep respect that turns to unspoken love. As they work together on the camp and cross paths in their respective roles as police officer and firefighter, the attraction between them grows; so does the fear that theirs is a love never meant to be - unless they can find the courage to face the past and embrace a passionate future of endless possibilities.

I was in the mood for a contemporary romance and since I like firefighters and small town settings, After the Fire fit the bill. While this is a romance, it's not your typical romance. The hero is married, the heroine a widow still working through the death of her husband and the problems they had before he was killed. It's not an easy road before them. The secondary romance is a friends to lovers romance which I enjoy but when the two people are beyond stubborn, it gets to be tiresome.

Megan Hale is tired of the big city and ready for a change. She takes a job as a detective in the small town of Hidden Cove, about 100 miles from New York City. It's a different environment for Megan but a good change of pace. Megan wants to open a camp for children of fallen police and firefighters and Mitch Malvaso is behind her idea and more than willing to lend a hand. Megan is attracted to Mitch but there is no way she would get involved with a married man even if that man's marriage is falling apart. I liked Megan and respected her stance on not getting involved with Mitch. They do develop a friendship that heightens the tension with everyone involved.

Mitch Malvaso loves being a firefighter and he knows the risks. After nearly losing his life in the Sinco fire he and his two siblings who are also firefighters, decide to improve their lives. Mitch wants to work on his dying marriage but he knows the reality is that it's been over for a long time. He's staying for the kids since his wife is a crazy bitch and he doesn't trust her with the kids. The stress Mitch has at home wears on him and when he meets Megan, she gives him something to focus on, the kids camp. Mitch is a decent guy who married the wrong woman but he's determine to stick with her for the kids sake. Yes, Mitch should have left the bitch but there was a good chance she would get custody of the kids and he couldn't let that happen. Her daddy was rich and powerful so Mitch had good reason to worry.

Being a small town setting, the secondary characters play an important role in the overall story line. There is Jenny, Mitch's sister and fellow firefighter. Her best friend is Grady, an EMT who shares a duplex with Jenny. They are friends who have a boatload of past failed romances between them and neither thinks they are ready for a serious relationship. They both are attracted to the other but have buried those feelings so deeply when they do act on the attraction it takes them by surprise. Unfortunately, they are both stubborn about moving from friends to lovers even though it's obvious they were meant to be together and are miserable apart. I found their story line aggravating at times and wished they'd simply get on with it.

The other secondary character with a troublesome past is Zach Malvaso, Mitch's brother and fellow firefighter. Zach was a ladies man in the past. The only problem is, he was married at the time. He's divorced now but still not ready to let go of his ex. She's moved on but Zach is having a really hard time. He wants to make up for his past sins and be a better father to his kids but he also wants a second chance with his ex. Yeah, that's not happening. I did like Zach but had I known him during his screwing around period, nope. His was an interesting storyline that left me wondering what happens to him. (His story is next in the trilogy)

There are other sub-plots that feed into the Malvaso firefighters stories. Their family and other siblings are a large part of their lives and impact how they continue to change and improve their lives. I did like the family feeling the story had not only with the Malvasos but also the firefighters themselves and to a lesser extent the police force.

I have the next book on the TBR pile and find myself curious about Zach's story and his heroine, who we meet in After the Fire. I'm wondering what her back story is and why she is such a loner. They should make for a compelling couple. The other couple featured in the next book I have no feelings one way or the other. So we'll see. After the Fire is a solid start to the Firefighter trilogy with an uncommon romance and an array of secondary characters to add to the drama.

Rating: B

Books in the trilogy ~

After the Fire
On the Line
Nothing More to Lose

ARC Review: Real Men Will

2011-10-24T21:13:00.002-07:00

Real Men Will
Victoria Dahl
Contemporary Romance
Donovan Brothers/Book 3
HQN/October 25, 2011

From Goodreads ~

It was meant to be a one-night stand. One night of passion. Scorching hot. Then Beth Cantrell and Eric Donovan were supposed to go their separate ways. That’s the only reason he lied about his name, telling her he was really his wild younger brother. Hiding his own identity as the conservative Donovan. The “good” one.

But passion has its own logic, and Eric finds he cannot forget the sable-haired beauty with whom he shared one night of passion. When Beth discovers that Eric has lied, however, she knows he cannot be trusted. Her mind tells her to forget the blue-eyed charmer. If only every fiber of her being did not burn to call him back.

The first time I met Eric Donovan I liked him. That was in the novella Just One Taste from The Guy Next Door anthology. Then I read the next two full length books in the series and Eric ended up my shit list. I knew Dahl would have her work cut out for her if I was going to like this hero. Thankfully, Dahl's one hell of a hard worker.

What we know about Eric Donovan is that he's been in charge of the family business since his parents died when he was twenty-four. He also was left to raise his siblings, Jaime, sixteen and Tessa, fourteen. That's a lot of responsibility for someone. But Eric takes his responsibilities seriously, almost too seriously. He's so damn uptight, I don't think he knows what fun is. I get why Eric takes the brewery so seriously. It's the family heritage and was important to their father. I think by seeing things from Eric's POV, Dahl really gives the reader a better insight to Eric. She does an exceptional job showing why he comes off as such an ass sometimes. This is not how he intended his life to be. Is there some resentment? Hell yes! Eric is human but there is also a lot of love for his siblings. They may fight like cats and dogs but in the end, they really do care about each other.

Beth Cantrell doesn't do one-night-stands but for Jamie Donovan, she makes an exception, or does she? Beth meets Eric Donovan but thinks he's ladies man Jamie Donovan and Eric doesn't correct Beth's mistake. To say she's pissed off when she finds out which Donovan brother she really spent the night with is putting it mildly. Beth is a kind and generous person who has what some might consider an unconventional job. She manages The White Orchid, an upscale erotic boutique. It's a source of pride for her to have a place where women, and even some men, can go and feel comfortable exploring their hidden desires. But Beth doesn't look like a woman who runs a store like The White Orchid. I liked that Dahl didn't go with portraying Beth as this sexpot but instead went with projecting a more professional image like that of a business woman, except for the shoes. Beth's shoes drove Eric nuts and I loved it! It's like they were a glimpse of the woman behind that professional persona. A bit of her wild side peeking out.

When Eric and Beth meet again, months after their one night stand, it's a surprise for both of them. It also brings back feelings they thought they had buried. Turns out one night wasn't enough for either of them. When they let go of their inhibitions and gave in to their desires, it was beyond hot. Each pushing the other and willing them to go where they really wanted to. They still have to get past the lying Eric did and that wasn't easy for Beth to forgive or Eric to forget why he did it. Theirs is a complex relationship that works because they have to work for it.

Eric has a secret that has driven him for most of his life. It's something he needs to let go of and realize that the importance he has placed on it is not where his focus should be. It's that and other things that bring the relationship of the Donovan siblings to a head. I liked how the siblings finally had it out and Tessa and Jaime began to understand Eric better and why he acts like he does with them. I only wish they had hashed things out sooner since the arguing between the brothers was at times juvenile and petty. Their relationships are not perfect but it wouldn't be realistic if they were.

The conflicts and emotions run high in this series, with the siblings' relationships providing much of it. The romance and passion also runs high, proving that two people can overcome past mistakes and love being who they are with the person they were meant to be with.

Rating: A-

Books in the series ~

Just One Taste (novella in The Guy Next Door anthology)
Good Girls Don't
Bad Boys Do
Real Men Will

TBR Challenge Review: Frostfire

2011-10-20T21:20:00.006-07:00

Frostfire
Lynn Viehl
Paranormal Romance
Kyndred/Book 3
Signet/January 4, 2011

From the back cover ~

As one of the genetically enhanced Kyndred, Lilah can read and control the minds of animals. Rescuing a group of kids form a wayward bear brings her to the attention of GenHance, the shadowy biotech company willing to murder to acquire superhuman DNA. After being drugged and abducted, Lilah wakes up handcuffed to a half-dead man in a refrigerated truck.

Walker, a soldier critically wounded in Afghanistan, is brought back to life by Lilah's warmth and determination, and resolves to do anything he can to free and protect her. But as the two struggle to escape their grim fate, they stumble upon a remote town hiding a dark secret, and learn that Lilah is also being hunted by someone she never expected to fear: A Kyndred friend.

It's a day late and probably more than a dollar short once you factor in inflation but I finally got my TBR Challenge review up. I won't go in to details but let's just say I've been... distracted. :)

Lynn Viehl's Darkyn series is a favorite of mine so when she began the spin-off series of the Kyndred, I knew I had to read it. With the next and last book of the series due out 1 November, I decided to get ready for release day by reading the third book in the series.

Lilah Devereaux has a way with animals. Unfortunately, it didn't come naturally but through genetic enhancement done when she was a baby. Now those that experimented on her want her and those like her back. Lilah is a survivor and that is never more evident than when she is kidnapped and forced to work with a stranger to stay alive. Lilah is a tough heroine, she was the driving force behind her and Walker escaping and surviving. Walker did it more for Lilah where as Lilah did it for both of them.

Walker Kimball is a contradiction. He is soldier who was thought to be dead but in reality he is more than human and much harder to kill. When he and Lilah are kidnapped, he is protective of her, then his more baser nature comes out and he can't decide if he wants to rip out her throat or have sex with her. I have to say, there were times when Walker confused me. But, all is not lost because in the end his actions made sense. I just wish it would have made sense a little sooner.

The romance happens very fast. And it's not very romantic since Lilah and Walker are in danger for most of the book. They do find some alone time to let loose but the falling in love didn't feel right. It felt too rushed and not believable.

There is a lot going on that isn't necessarily spelled out but inferred through the actions and reactions of the characters. Sometimes I found myself re-reading certain passages to make sure I understood what was going on. It's a complex plot with a number of secondary characters having a large impact on Lilah and Walker's lives. I did enjoy the tie in of the Darkyn characters - Nick and Gabriel. Since I preferred that series over this one, it was good to see some familiar faces of the Darkyn.

Frostfire was a whirlwind story with a number of sub-plots all tying in to the two main characters and their story. While I enjoyed the action and suspense, I do wish there had been more time devoted to the romance and not felt that it was rushed for the sake of the overall world building.

Rating: B

Books in this series ~

Shadowlight
Dreamveil
Frostfire
Nightshine

ARC Review: The Rose Garden

2011-10-18T23:06:00.003-07:00

The Rose Garden
Susanna Kearsley
Historical Time-Travel
Sourcebooks Landmark/October 1, 2011

From the author's website ~

When Eva’s filmstar sister Katrina dies, she leaves California and returns to Trelowarth, Cornwall , where they spent their childhood summers, to scatter Katrina’s ashes and in doing so return her to the place where she belongs.

But Eva must also confront the ghosts from her own past, as well as those from a time long before her own. For the house where she so often stayed as a child is home not only to her old friends the Halletts, but also to the people who had lived there in the eighteenth century. When Eva finally accepts that she is able to slip between centuries and see and talk to the inhabitants from hundreds of years ago, she soon finds herself falling for Daniel Butler, a man who lived – and died – long before she herself was born.

Eva begins to question her place in the present, and in laying her sister to rest, comes to realise that she too must decide where she really belongs, choosing between the life she knows and the past she feels so drawn towards.

While I've read some wonderful things about Susanna Kearsley's novels, The Rose Garden is the first for me. If this is any indication of the beautifully told stories that wait for me in Ms. Kearsley's novels, I will certainly be reading more.

The story starts out with sadness and pain. As Eva tries to make sense of her sister's death, she also needs to decide what to do with her own life. Her only real tie to Los Angeles was her sister. Now that she's gone there's nothing keeping Eva there. You get the sense that Eva is looking for comfort so she's not only going back to Cornwall to scatter her sister's ashes, she's going back to where she felt the most comfortable. I liked how Eva eased her way into life at Trelowarth, fitting in and making herself feel useful.

Eva's trips to the past begin with hearing the men speaking then venture into physically being there. Eva, like any of us would, has a hard time believing what she's hearing and what has happened to her. It's funny when she meets Daniel and tells him he's not real. As she comes to realize her reality has shifted dramatically, Eva familiarizes herself with the time period, doing some investigating as to who lived at Trelowarth House during that period. She has to be careful that she doesn't alert the Halletts and others of her interest since she doesn't want them knowing that she is traveling back and forth between the present and past.

The Halletts and their friends welcome Eva and are just what she needs to begin to feel again. I enjoyed the family and friendship bonds that are just as strong as they were years ago. It's like seeing a friend that you haven't seen in years and yet those years fade away and it's as if you were never apart. The secondary characters, both present and past, play important roles in Eva and Daniel's lives, giving insight into their pasts and how they developed into the people they became.

Daniel Bulter is a man of history. Kearsley does well incorporating the history of Daniel's time period with the political upheaval and the danger to Daniel and anyone who is loyal to him. He's a man of principles who doesn't waver on his beliefs. He's also opened minded enough to believe in Eva and her story of time travel. It's not that he doesn't have any questions or concerns, he has a lot, but he's also captivated by Eva and her story. Daniel takes the time to get to know Eva, as well as he can since she never stays around too long. It's an interesting romance with the hero and heroine never knowing how much time they will have together. It makes them truly cherish their time together.

The time travel is not only convincing due to the writing but also due in part to the location. Trelowarth has an enchanted feel about it. You can almost believe that Fae are hiding in the woods. That the fairy tales of old all happened here. If magic does exist anywhere, it's here. I loved how Kearsley describes the land, the rooms of the house and the people who inhabit this bewitching place.

The Rose Garden is a story filled with sadness, hope, fears, laughter and joy. It was at times a roller coaster ride of emotions, making me laugh and shed a few tears. Time travel romances may not be for everyone but Kearsley makes you believe in the unbelievable.

Rating: A

Review: Snapped

2011-10-12T22:13:00.001-07:00

Snapped
Laura Griffin
Romantic Suspense
Tracers/Book 4
Pocket/September 1, 2011

From Goodreads ~

On a sweltering summer afternoon, Sophie Barrett walks into a nightmare. A sniper has opened fire on a college campus. When the carnage is over, three people—plus the shooter—are dead and dozens more are injured. Sophie escapes virtually unscathed. Yet as details emerge from the investigation, she becomes convinced that this wasn’t the random, senseless act it appeared to be. No one wants to believe her—not the cops, not her colleagues at the Delphi Center crime lab, and definitely not Jonah Macon, the homicide detective who’s already saved her life once.

Jonah has all kinds of reasons for hoping Sophie is mistaken. Involving himself with a key witness could derail an already messy investigation, not to mention jeopardize his career. But Sophie is as determined and fearless as she is sexy. If he can’t resist her, he can at least swear to protect her. Because if Sophie is right, she’s made herself the target of a killer without a conscience. And the real terror is only just beginning. . .

I knew after reading Unforgivable (Book 3) that I would love Sophia and Jonah's story. And hey, I was so right! I did not want to put this one down. It was such a thrill ride with Sophie and Jonah right along with me.

Sophie may not have a bunch of degrees like many of her colleagues, but as the receptionist and the face of the acclaimed Delphi Center she is smart and resourceful. Sophie is a heroine I knew I would connect with. She's written with flaws and strengths that we can all relate to. She comes from a family of doctors and feels like her intelligence is in questions because she didn't graduate from an Ivy League school. But she is very intelligent and has street smarts that help her out of more than one tough situation. She's not perfect but she is funny with a nice slice of attitude to go with that humor.

Jonah Macon is a big guy - 6'4 with plenty of muscles to go with the height. But I never felt like he was this lumbering neanderthal who used his size rather than his brain. He's smart but like so many men, doesn't understand woman well. One woman in particular confuses him - Sophie Barrett. Jonah has know Sophie for months, ever since she was kidnapped and Jonah was the Detective to find her. There's some sexual tension between them but Jonah is giving Sophie her space, which is very cool. But now she's throwing him some mixed signals and confusing him even more. His confusion made him even more attractive.

Sophie and Jonah together really clicked for me. I could see how they could become a couple beyond the physical attraction. There's plenty of chemistry going on but it goes past that and into a more intellectual connection. There is respect and mutual admiration for their abilities regarding their professions. The sexual tension only adds to the overall attraction they have for each other. Definitely a couple you can cheer for.

The gunman, his motivations and the theories surrounding him are well written with Griffin building the crime investigation in and around the romance. The suspense is kept tight, with a good balance of police procedure and action. The investigation didn't simply pause to add in some romance but worked right along side Sophie and Jonah's developing love story.

The Tracer series continues to entertain with appealing characters and absorbing story lines. Spring can't get her fast enough, bringing with it Ms. Griffin's next release.

Rating: A

Books in this series ~

Untraceable
Unspeakable
Unforgivable
Snapped
Twisted (Spring 2012)

Review: Giving Chase

2011-10-10T22:03:00.002-07:00

Giving Chase
Lauren Dane
Contemporary Erotic Romance
Chase Brothers/Book 1
Samhain/September 1, 2006

From Goodreads ~

Together they find a special love-can it survive the threat stalking her? Some small towns grow really good looking men! This is the case with the four Chase brothers. The home grown hotties are on the wishlist of every single woman in town and Maggie Wright is no exception. Maggie has finally had it with the men she's been dating but a spilled plate of chili cheese fries drops Shane Chase right into her lap. The sheriff is hot stuff but was burned by a former fiance and is quite happy to play the field.

After Shane's skittishness sends him out the door, Maggie realizes that Kyle Chase has had his eye on her from the start. Now that Shane has messed up, Kyle has no intention of letting anything stop him from wooing her right into his bed. Despite Maggie's happiness and growing love with Kyle, a dark shadow threatens everything-she's got a stalker and he's not happy at all. In the end, Maggie will need her wits, strength and the love of her man to get her out alive.

After reading Lauren Dane's futuristic romances, I decided to give her contemporary series a try. The setting of small town Petal, Georgia also pulled me in, filling my mood for a steamy small town romance. The town and it's residence definitely give off that good 'ol boy feel of friendly neighbors who look out for each other. That intrusiveness can sometimes be a hindrance to the romance but this time it felt like it belonged.

Maggie is a teacher at the local high school and she looks the part. After a makeover from her best friend, Maggie gets noticed by the notorious Chase brothers. Maggie is a nice woman with some serious image issues. She's been downplaying her looks and now that she's gaining more confidence, she feels like she can handle one of the Chase brothers. I liked how Maggie dealt with her problems stemming from her bitch of a mother and her equally bitch of a sister. They both demoralized Maggie, criticizing her looks and belittling any achievements. Thankfully, Maggie finally stood up to them and the Chase family backed her up. Love that about them!

Shane Chase is the stand-in hero. He screws up with Maggie so Kyle can step in and give her a hero she deserves. Kyle was so cool about his attraction to Maggie while Shane was dating her. Kyle is a decent guy and didn't want to compete with his brother. But once Shane dumps Maggie (he's such an ass), Kyle steps in and boy does he fall fast. It felt a little too fast but he's very clear on what he wants and that's a serious relationship with Maggie. Kyle is almost too good to be true and a little too smothering regarding Maggie.

This is a family affair with the Chase clan welcoming Maggie with open arms. She gets far better treatment from them than she ever did from her mother and sister. It was sweet and sad to see Maggie overwhelmed by the love and affection showered on her by the Chases. She had a hard time believing she deserved it thanks to the number her mom and sister did on her.

Maggie and Kyle's romance moves quickly and the added threat of a stalker only pushes them closer together. There may be a stalker lurking about but that doesn't stop Maggie and Kyle from steaming up the windows! This is erotic and Dane knows how to write it. I would have liked to see more of Kyle and Maggie developing their relationship and less of the stalker sub-plot. It felt that both Maggie and Kyle fell into lust/love too fast. I got that they liked each other but the love felt like it was do more to gratitude on Maggie's part than a deep, lasting love.

Even with the issues I had, Giving Chase was a pleasant way to spend a few hours and meet some new characters I hope to read more of. Three more Chase brothers to look forward to!

Rating: B

Books in this series ~

Giving Chase
Taking Chase
Chased
Making Chase

Free Novella From Elizabeth Hoyt

2011-10-07T08:13:00.006-07:00

In great anticipation of the upcoming release of Scandalous Desires (October 18), the next book in the wonderful Maiden Lane series, Elizabeth Hoyt has released a free fairy tale novella. Clever John is the enchanting fairy tale at the beginning of each chapter of Scandalous Desires. The novella also includes the first three chapters of Scandalous Desires. So if you're impatient waiting on the 18th, you can get a taste of Ms. Hoyt's next release.

You can get the e-book free at B&N or Amazon.

ARC Review: Only His

2011-10-05T10:20:00.002-07:00

Only His
Susan Mallery
Contemporary Romance
Fool's Gold/Book 6
HQN/September 27, 2011

From Goodreads ~

Wedding bells are ringing in Fool’s Gold, but not for Nevada Hendrix. Her triplet sisters are engaged, and even her mother has a more active love life than she does. Determined to make a fresh start, she applies for her dream job, only to discover that her new boss is her first love. Maybe she could overlook the fact that they’ve seen each other naked, but she’ll never forget the way he broke her heart.

Tucker Janack agrees to Nevada’s “business only” ground rules. After all, love is a trap that the construction millionaire has avoided his whole life. But when great business partners turn out to be so much more, every rule gets broken. Will either of them be willing to try again…or will their past get in the way?

I was surprised I liked all three of the Hendrix sisters but I think Nevada, with her sometimes brusque manner, intrigued me the most. She has a secret in her past that was alluded to but now we find out that secret is centered around Tucker Janack.

Nevada Hendrix is ready for a change. She works ~~for~~ with her brother Ethan as an engineer but has decided to apply for a position with Janack Construction. They are building a casino and resort just outside of Fool's Gold and Nevada thinks this will be a great opportunity for her. It's a surprise when she find Tucker Janack instead of his father conducting the interview. Nevada is such a dynamic heroine. Someone I can see myself hanging out with. She's so generous and giving, always thinking of others which is where I had some problems with her and wanted to just yelled are her "What are you doing?!". But I'll get to that later. Now, she's trying to move on and get the job but Tucker wants to rehash the past and it just pisses Nevada off. She's more mature about the whole thing than Tucker was - good for her! She handles the situation well and once she's cooled off, listens to advice and makes the logical choice.

Tucker Janack is used to traveling the globe for his work. He never really had a permanent home so life in Fool's Gold is a new experience to him. Nevada Hendrix is not a new experience. They have a past, although Tucker doesn't seem to place as much importance on it as Nevada does. He was too absorbed in the power of Cat, as in Caterina Stoicasescu, a temperamental artist who left an impression on both Tucker and Nevada ten years ago. Tucker isn't the same guy he was ten years ago but I still had a hard time warming up to him. I'm not sure I can say I even really liked him. He was just kind of there but the real focus for me was Nevada.

As Nevada and Tucker start working together, the attraction starts to build but fate is about to bitch slap them both in the form of Caterina Stoicasescu. Seriously, I could never figure out why Nevada was so damn nice to Cat. At first Nevada felt sorry for her but then she actually started to like the stuck up diva. This just bugged the crap out of me since otherwise, I liked Nevada. Could not stand Cat. Far too manipulative and self-centered.

Nevada has other things going on besides her annoying to me, friendship with Cat. Both of her sisters are engaged and it looks like there will be a triplet wedding for two since Nevada has no prospective groom in sight. I felt so bad for her. To have to deal with this on top of everything else. There were a few bright spots in Nevada's life, namely Heidi, Charlie and Annebelle. It was good to see Nevada branch out from her sisters and have some new girls to hang out with. I would imagine all three women will get their own stories, maybe next year.

There is also a secondary romance of Nevada's mom, Denise, and a past love. I thought it was merely okay and Denise at times acted like a hormonal teenager rather than a woman in her fifties. The town of Fool's Gold also get in on the action, as usual but it didn't feel as intrusive to the romance as in some previous books.

I did find myself laughing at some of the situations Nevada found herself in. It's a good thing she has such a great sense of humor, otherwise she probably would have gone crazy!

Only His had some good points, mainly Nevada, but I think I'm ready for a break from Fool's Gold. I hope the next group of heroes and heroines are not as marriage focused as those in the past. While it's sweet and romantic, it can become a little too sweet and unrealistic. So for now I'll say good-bye to Fool's Gold and maybe I'll see you sometime next year.

Rating: B-

Books in this series ~

Chasing Perfect
Almost Perfect
Sister of the Bride (novella in Summer Brides anthology)
Finding Perfect
Only Mine
Only Yours
Only His

ARC Review: Unleashed

2011-10-04T07:40:00.003-07:00

Unleashed
Sara Humphreys
Paranormal Romance
Amoveo Legend/Book 1
Sourcebooks/October 1, 2011

From Goodreads ~

What if you suddenly discovered your own powers were beyond anything you'd ever imagined...

Samantha Logan's childhood home had always been a haven, but everything changed while she was away. She has a gorgeous new neighbor, Malcolm, who introduces her to the amazing world of the dream-walking, shapeshifting Amoveo clans...but what leaves her reeling with disbelief is when he tells her she's one of them...

And shock turns to terror as Samantha falls prey to the deadly enemy determined to destroy the Amoveo, and the only chance she has to come into her true powers is to trust in Malcolm to show her the way...

Going home can be a comfort. It can also reveal a fascinating hidden world of shapeshifters. Such is the case for Samantha Logan. She thinks to start her life new, moving into a house filled with wonderful childhood memories. It's not just the house she goes back to but Nonie, her beloved grandmother. It turns out Nonie isn't the only one waiting on Sam's arrival.

Samantha Logan gave it her best shot but she's tired of waiting to make it big in the art world. She's decided to take a break from New York City and return to the place that's calling her back. It's her grandmother Nonie's home on the coast of Rhode Island where she seeks shelter. Samantha is very down to earth, but it felt like she accepted Malcolm and his shapeshifting a little too easily. She did put up a fight when he told her they were "life mates" and destined to be together. She's a likeable character with plenty of qualities that kept her from falling into the TSTL heroine category. She does have this way of teasing Malcolm that he is so not use to. It was amusing to see him take her out on dates, which he was reluctant to do. He's very old fashion and thinks dating is for humans, of which he does not consider himself. But he wanted to please Sam so he attempted to woo her in the way of humans.

Malcolm Drew is a very attractive man who has been waiting a long to for his life mate. His wait is over and he's anxious to bring Sam into his world of the Amoveo. He doesn't want to scare her off but he also has other concerns, mainly the fact that his powers are growing weaker and there might be a Caedo after Sam. The Caedo are the enemies of the Amoveo and have tried to wipe them out. That's why the Amoveo live in secret. So along with keeping Sam safe he needs to get her to trust him which requires getting to know each other. Sometimes Malcolm was so unsure of himself while dating Sam. He would get nervous, not sure of what to say or do, which was odd since otherwise he was very confident in himself. It was sweet at times but also at odds with how he was the rest of the time. I think it had to do with his lack of experience in dating and developing a relationship with a woman. He had been with women, just nothing long term.

The world building was interesting with the different clans of Amoveo represented by different animals. They also have the ability to speak to each other through their minds and travel at the speed of thought. While there is information on the Amoveo and their history, I was still left with a lot of questions and hope Humphreys will go deeper into the Amoveos and their history in future books.

The plot involving the Caedo held my interest even though I had a pretty good idea of the identity of Sam's stalker. There was a nice twist at the end with both Sam and Malcolm making a joint effort at defeating the big bad. The secondary characters add to the story with Nonie providing Sam guidance and family and Davis, Malcolm's butler, providing some much needed advice for Malcolm. There are other Amoveos who are part of Malcolm's life and they certainly have the potential for future heroes. Sam's best friend Kerry gets in on the action and catches the eye of one of the Amoveos so I wouldn't be surprised if they get their own book.

The romance is sweet at times, intense at others. There is the life mate angle that some readers might not like. Sam and Malcolm did getting to know each other through their dates but for Malcolm it was already a done deal. Malcolm's attitude bothered me but he eventually did come around. I did like how Sam handled his bossiness, letting him know she would and could make her own decisions. He learned how to loosen up a bit and not be so domineering which was good since their relationship wouldn't have worked had he not learned how to bend a little. So, while it started out with Malcolm seemingly holding the power, in the end they both ended up as equals.

Unleashed begins a new series and while it didn't blow me away, it did make me want to learn more about the world of the Amoveo.

Rating: B

ARC Review: Tempted by His Target

2011-10-02T21:48:00.003-07:00

Tempted by His Target
Jill Sorenson
Romantic Suspense
Harlequin/September 20, 2011

From Goodreads ~

Wanted for the murder of a Mexican drug lord's son, party girl Isabel Sanborn fled to Oaxaca. Now she owes her life to Brandon Knox, a passing tourist who just saved her from a hit man.

But Knox is no accidental hero—he's an undercover U.S. marshal assigned to bring Isabel to justice. Instead, wanting to protect her, he joins her on the lam…with cartel goons and corrupt police in hot pursuit!

And as the danger escalates, sexual tension sizzles. For the first time in his career, Brandon considers jeopardizing his mission to safeguard his target. And though Isabel can elude the authorities,she can't escape her feelings…

The opening pulled me in, set on a beach, with the hero watching the heroine surf. (One movie I can watch over and over is Blue Crush). He may be the well-trained one but she can hold her own against the men after them. The setting is not a place we see often either. Although I've only been to Baja, Sorenson did a good job describing not only the landscape but the people and culture of the Oaxaca region. It was an enjoyable change of scenery.

Isabel Sanchez loves the ocean. It's one of the reasons she's living in this region of Mexico. She fled her life and the high living in LA when a night of drugs and loss of memory put her on the most wanted list of a dangerous man and the US government. But it's the drug lord that she's more afraid of since she thinks he wants her dead. Isabel Sanchez aka Izzy Sanborn has come a long way from the party girl she use to be. I liked how Izzy has transformed herself into a survivor. She still makes mistakes but her survival instincts have kicked in.

Brandon Knox is just a surfer, looking for the perfect wave when he shows up on the same beach as Izzy. A harmless tourist who just happens to teach self defense classes which explains why he's so good at saving Izzy from the men who are after her. Just like Izzy, I had no problem buying into this but when Brandon pulls out a gun and ammo, his story started to get shaky. His fear of Izzy bolting if she knew who he really was very genuine. The reason she's in Mexico is because she ran so there's no reason to believe she won't do it again but as they became closer and he thought of them having a life after she was safe, he should have come clean and trusted her.

The romance was an on-the-run romance which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. This time it didn't fully work for me. I got the physical attraction part. Izzy and Brandon had no problem steaming things up, but the actually falling in love part is where I felt the story weakened. Since they were both lying to each other about who they were, it was hard to believe they actually fell for the real person. Too many lies in the way. Maybe if they had had a chance to fall in love after they were no longer on the run, it might have made it more believable.

The suspense runs fairly high with little down time. With Izzy knowing the country and how the drug cartels work, she proved to be a real asset to Brandon. At times, he played the muscle while she was the brains. Even with all of Brandon's training, Izzy was just as important a factor in keeping them alive as he was. (I liked that!) They did learn to work together quickly with part of that due to the fact that they didn't have much choice if they wanted to survive. There was still an air of mistrust between the two which made sense since neither was telling the full truth.

Tempted by His Target was a quick read with a lot of action. The romance seemed to be brought about by the physical attraction and driven by stressful circumstances. I did like the pacing of the story, I never got bored just wish I had believed more in the couple. Looking forward to reading Sorenson's full length novels.

Rating: B

ARC Review: Animal Attraction

2011-09-29T22:07:00.001-07:00

Animal Attraction
Jill Shalvis
Contemporary Romance
Animal Magnetism/Book 2
Berkley/October 4, 2011

From Goodreads ~

Jade Bennett couldn't be happier to escape her past for the quiet ranching town of Sunshine, Idaho. Plus, there's nothing like working for veterinarian Dell Connelly. And though Dell has no intention of settling down, Jade's strength and sass are enticements no red-blooded male can resist.

Yes! We're back in Sunshine, Idaho where three very sexy brothers live. After reading Brady and Lilah story (Animal Magnetism), I was left wanting to know more about Brady's foster brothers Dell and Adam. It seems obvious that there is an attraction between Dell and Jade but something is keeping them apart.

Jade Bennett doesn't look the part of a receptionist at an animal clinic. She is far too sophisticated in her pleated pants, high heels and sweaters. But she doesn't mind getting cat hair on her designer clothes as long as she can wield her spreadsheets and keep the office under controlled chaos. I really loved how she is portrayed. She's not easy for other characters to get to know, sharing only bits and pieces of her life but never really letting anyone get too close. Her stay in Sunshine was always suppose to be temporary even though we see how she is, in spite of herself, making a life there. I liked how we see her slowly start to open up with Dell, making him want to get to know her even though he knows she's leaving.

Dell Connelly is such a wonderful, wounded hero. He loves animals and loves his job as a veterinarian. He also lusts after women but only on a short term basis. Dell is a hero controlled by his past. He grew up with very little stability and went through very tough times before finding an adult he could depend on. He only lets a select few get close and doesn't do long term relationships when it comes to women. I love when the hero insists he doesn't want to get serious with any woman but you can see him doing exactly that. Then he keeps telling himself and anyone who will listen that he doesn't do serious relationships. Dell is that guy! It was wonderful to see him fall head over heels in love with Jade.

The romance is this dance of two steps forward and one step back, leaving Jade and Dell wanting what they think they can't have. Jade has made promises to leave Sunshine and go back home and Dell doesn't want to be the one to stand in her way. I understood Dell's reasoning but man I wanted him to just tell her what he felt in the worst way! I thought how Jade's fears concerning the event that drove her to Sunshine were handled well. I found her reactions to situations believable based on her past trauma. I also loved how Dell didn't push Jade but let her know that he was there for her. Their sparing sessions were fun and sexy with Dell teaching Jade how to defend herself and kick some ass. They have their friendship as a basis to build on which made their romance that much stronger and convincing.

The setting of the clinic and Sunshine itself, make for a wonderful backdrop to Jade and Dell's romance. The animal characters add their own unique humor and charm to the story. The bonus of seeing Brady, Lilah and Adam again only adds to the overall feel of friendship and family. It never got too sugary sweet. That wouldn't happen with these guys, especially the way Dell and Adam tease and torment each other. They're such guys when it comes to showing affection but it comes through very strongly how much they close these brothers are.

Shalvis has a way of writing that is not only entertaining but makes you believe in these characters and want them to find happiness. Adam's book is next and I can't wait! This is a witty, sexy, romantic series filled with passionate alpha males and the women who show them loving someone is worth the risks.

Rating: A

Books in this series ~

Animal Magnetism
Animal Attraction (October 4, 2011)

Review: Archangel's Blade

2011-09-26T20:22:00.007-07:00

Archangel's Blade
Nalini Singh
Paranormal Romance
Guild Hunter/Book 4
Berkley/September 6, 2011

From Goodreads ~

The severed head marked by a distinctive tattoo on its cheek should have been a Guild case, but dark instincts honed over hundreds of years of life compel the vampire Dmitri to take control. There is something twisted about this death, something that whispers of centuries long past...but Dmitri's need to discover the truth is nothing to the vicious strength of his response to the hunter assigned to decipher the tattoo.

Savaged in a brutal attack that almost killed her, Honor is nowhere near ready to come face to face with the seductive vampire who is an archangel's right hand, and who wears his cruelty as boldly as his lethal sensuality...the same vampire who has been her secret obsession since the day she was old enough to understand the inexplicable, violent emotions he aroused in her.

As desire turns into a dangerous compulsion that might destroy them both, it becomes clear the past will not stay buried. Something is hunting...and it will not stop until it brings a blood-soaked nightmare to life once more...

In the fourth full-length book of the series we get a marked change in the protagonists. Raphael and Elena are out of the country leaving Dmitri in charge of the Tower. I've been curious about the dark, brooding vampire. He's perceived as being cold and cruel, the humanity long gone from him. But we know he can't be all that and still be a romance hero. There is a dark history to Dmitri that explains so much of his remoteness.

Honor has been hiding from the outside world. She's been living at the Guild, keeping close to the one place where she feels some sense of safety. But it's time she gets out and back to work. She's given an assignment at the Tower and ordered to report to Dmitri. This is where Honor shows not only courage but sheer guts. She was tortured by vamps for two months and Dmitri is the vampire other vampires fear. This is where my emotions engaged, feeling a protectiveness towards Honor.

Dmitri is determined to keep this cold shell around him but I do think we see little cracks in the armor. Whenever he is talking to Raphael we can see a bond that goes beyond their working relationship into camaraderie and a deep respect and friendship. I liked that Dmitri didn't suddenly become this sweet, docile being once he accepted Honor's love and compassion. He stayed true to his nature but opened up and brought her into the small circle of beings he cares about.

The two external challenges Dmitri and Honor face are finding out who is leaving bodies for Dmitri to find and who was involved in Honor's kidnapping and torture. It's a matter of both Dmitri and Honor facing their ghosts. I liked how they each encouraged each other, Dmitri's method may have been harsher but it got the job done. Honor isn't timid when dealing with Dmitri, which worked. Had she been cowering in a corner half the time I don't see how Dmitri could have developed any respect for her let alone love.

The ending is where I had a problem. In trying to keep this spoiler free, I won't go into details but the secret of how Honor was able to connect with Dmitri and help him break out of that coldness that surrounded him didn't work for me. I felt let down and couldn't help but wonder if this had not been the case, would Dmitri still have fallen for Honor?

I don't know who the hero and heroine will be in the next full length novel or if Raphael and Elena will take center stage again. I'm kind of hoping they keep to the background a little longer since there are a few secondary character I would like to see more of. I do like this series, although it took me far longer to get into than Singh's Psy/Changeling series. It doesn't have the full power to completely suck me in just yet.

Rating: B

Books in this series ~

Angel's Pawn (special e-book prequel)
Angel's Blood
Archangel's Kiss
Angel's Judgement (novella in the Must Love Hellhounds anthology)
Archangel's Consort
Archangel's Blade
Angel's Wolf (novella in the Angel's of Darkness anthology)
Angel's Flight (3 previously released novellas, 1 new/March 2012)

ARC Review: Bad Boys Do

2011-09-22T11:17:00.003-07:00

Bad Boys Do
Victoria Dahl
Contemporary Romance
Donovan Brothers/Book 2
Harlequin/September 27, 2011

From Goodreads ~

Olivia Bishop is no fun. That's what her ex-husband said. And that's what her smart bob and glasses imply. So with her trademark determination, Olivia sets out to remake her life. She's going to spend time with her girlfriends and not throw it all away for some man. But when an outing with her book club leads her to a brewery taproom, the dark-haired beauty realizes that trouble—in the form of sexy Jamie Donovan—may be too tempting to avoid.

Jamie Donovan doesn't mean to be bad. Sure, the wild streak in his wicked green eyes has lured the ladies before. Now it's time to grow up. He's even ready for a serious romance. But how can that be when Olivia, the only right woman he has ever met, already has him pegged as wrong?

The second book in Dahl's newest contemporary series features a sexy as hell, kilt wearing ladies man as our hero. But is he really the irresponsible modern day rake that everyone thinks he is? Not by a long shot. Jamie is getting a chance to tell his story and show his siblings (I'm looking at you Eric) that he is far more than just a sexy man in a kilt.

Olivia Bishop is thirty-five years old. That thought is most prevalent in her mind when she finds herself attracted to Jamie Donovan. Olivia has a hang up about her age when compared to young Jamie's twenty-nine years. Did she dwell on it a little too much? Yep. Did it bug me? Not too much but I don't see six years as a big difference. Olivia is an intelligent, successful woman but her split with an ass of an ex left her doubting her value. So it made sense that she would focus on the age difference as her reason for not getting serious with Jamie. Between that and Jamie's rep, Olivia tried to convince herself that it was just a fling. A very satisfying fling that wouldn't lead to anything serious. I thought Dahl did a good job explaining Olivia's fixation on the age difference and showed how Olivia was able to finally look past the numbers to the man she had fallen in love with.

Jamie Donovan loves women and women love him but it doesn't end with that. Sure he's had his share of physical relationships/one-night-stands/quickies. Whatever you call them, Jamie is ready to move on from those and into something deeper. You can see it in his actions, how he still welcomes, smiles and gives attention to his female customers but there is so much more going on behind that gorgeous smile of his. How he wants to be treated as more than just eye candy, asking his sister to stop with the tweets that encourage the women to fondle, grope and kiss him. When Jamie meets Olivia he knows she is different. I think that difference both scared and intrigued him, he wasn't sure how to treat her. Jamie is smart and he learns quickly, realizing Olivia is someone special.

Olivia and Jamie start their relationship acting on the mutual physical attraction. It becomes more than that for both which has Olivia panicked and Jamie deciding he wants more than just casual. Jamie is truly trying to change his ways and pursue what is important to him which is expanding the family business. Olivia helps him, realizing he has some great ideas. It's Jamie's siblings that need convincing and that's where I felt Jamie totally won me over. The treatment he endured from his siblings Eric (the ass) and Tessa made me feel so bad for Jamie. He's trying to be more responsible and they won't let him. Jamie showed a lot of restraint and maturity with Eric. Eric did reluctantly come around but I think a 2 x 4 would have been more effective (and more satisfying!).

In case you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly fond of Eric. I did like him in the novella Just One Taste, so there is hope. Dahl has her work cut out to turn this ass of a brother into hero material but if anyone can do it, I believe she can.

I loved how Jamie and Olivia get to know each other through late night phone calls. And how Jamie finally opens up about what happened when his parents died. You can't help but feel overwhelming sympathy for him and everything he's been through. It's easy to see that Olivia is good for Jamie but he also has much to give in return. It was good that Dahl didn't give Jamie all the sexual power in the relationship and Olivia all the intellectual power but brought a nice balance of both between the two. There is a whole lot of heat going on between Olivia and Jamie. My goodness can Dahl write the steam. It's classy steam with a taste of naughty thrown in making for some very erotic scenes.

This is a contemporary series that keeps getting better. The relationships between the three Donovan siblings continue to change and progress. Jamie and Olivia, for all their surface differences, have real chemistry that was a pleasure seeing developing into far more than either imagined. Definitely recommend this series!

Rating: A-

Books in this series ~

Just One Taste (prequel novella in The Guy Next Door anthology)
Good Girls Don't
Bad Boys Do
Real Men Will (November 2011/Eric)

TBR Challenge Review: Doubleblind

2011-09-21T13:06:00.001-07:00

Doubleblind
Ann Aguirre
Romantic Science Fiction
Sirantha Jax/Book 3
ACE/September 29, 2009

*Spoilers for Previous Books
*Highly recommend reading in order

From the back cover ~

Sirantha Jax isn’t known for diplomatic finesse. As a “Jumper” who navigates ships through grimspace, she’s used to kicking ass first and taking names later—much later. Not exactly the obvious choice to sell the Conglomerate to the Ithtorians, a people whose opinions of humans are as hard as their exoskeletons.

And Ithiss-Tor council meetings aren’t the only place where Ambassador Jax needs to maneuver carefully. Her lover, March, is frozen in permanent “kill” mode, and his hair-trigger threatens to sabotage the talks—not to mention their relationship.

But Jax won’t give up on the man or the mission. With the Outskirts beleaguered by raiders, pirates, and the flesh-eating Morgut, an alliance with Ithiss-Tor may be humanity’s only hope.

Which has Jax wondering why a notorious troublemaker like her was given the job…

I've had this book since its release nearly two years ago. I do remember starting it then putting it down. It had to do with the slower pace and lack of fight scenes. I had become accustomed to Jax, March and the gang getting into some serious trouble and fighting their way out of it. I'm thankful I gave Doubleblind another try because it was certainly worth it. This time, the fighting is there but on a mental level that tests Jax's abilities just as much, if not more, than jumping through grimspace and kicking ass.

Time for another road trip, this time to Bugland, home of the creatures of Ithiss-Tor. Bugs. But these are not bugs from our world. These bugs are highly intelligent, dangerous and real snobs when it comes to humans. They think humans are savages, beneath them. So it's up to Jax to form an alliance which is odd in itself since Jax isn't what you would call diplomatic. She's really out of her element which I think made her try that much harder. I loved seeing this side of Jax. Not only her ability to think quickly but she was also dealing with the fallout of March's breakdown and subsequently emotional shut down. Jax is walking a thin line between the two, giving the story the tension I craved.

The relationships in Jax's world are complex. None more so than her's and Vel's. Vel is one of the Bugs but he left Ithiss-Tor in disgrace many turns ago. He's different than others from his home planet. He doesn't look down on humans, not choosing to limit his small circle of associates. Vel is one of the very few Jax trusts and that's saying a lot since they first met when he was a bounty hunter and she was his prey. They've come a long way and I'm glad Aguirre didn't limit Jax to only the one important male relationship with March but gave her this deep friendship with Vel.

As the story progressed, I became quite interested in the outcome of Jax's diplomatic mission. You couldn't tell which way it would turn out since someone was committed to sabotaging the mission and it would go from looking positive to possible imprisonment for the gang. The relationship of Jax and March mirrored the diplomatic mission, with Jax making progress with March only to suffer a setback. I loved how Jax refused to give up on March. If their roles had been reversed, he would have done the same.

The ending of Doublind I will say left me relieved that Killbox, the next book in the series is sitting on my TBR pile. I have a feeling there will be more than enough action waiting for me in the next installment of this uniquely entertaining series.

Rating: B+

Books in this series ~

Grimspace
Wanderlust
Doubleblind
Killbox
Aftermath
Endgame (September 2012)

ARC Review: A Night to Surrender

2011-09-19T19:36:00.000-07:00

A Night to Surrender
Tessa Dare
Historical Romance
Sussex/1813
Spindle Cove/Book 1
Avon/August 30, 2011

From Goodreads ~

Welcome to Spindle Cove, where the ladies with delicate constitutions come for the sea air, and men in their prime are . . . nowhere to be found.

Or are they?

Spindle Cove is the destination of choice for certain types of well-bred young ladies: the painfully shy, young wives disenchanted with matrimony, and young girls too enchanted with the wrong men; it is a haven for those who live there.

Victor Bramwell, the new Earl of Rycliff, knows he doesn’t belong here. So far as he can tell, there’s nothing in this place but spinsters . . . and sheep. But he has no choice, he has orders to gather a militia. It’s a simple mission, made complicated by the spirited, exquisite Susanna Finch—a woman who is determined to save her personal utopia from the invasion of Bram’s makeshift army.

Susanna has no use for aggravating men; Bram has sworn off interfering women. The scene is set for an epic battle…but who can be named the winner when both have so much to lose?

My first Tessa Dare novel and what a joy it was! Dare has such a lovely, amusing voice, it was easy to be pulled into the world of Spindle Cove. A Night to Surrender is not just a beautifully written story about two people falling in love but also about a town embracing the misfits who deserve love just as much as anyone else.

It all started with the sheep. Then the explosion happened. Then they were in each others arms. It isn't exactly how Susanna Finch expected to meet her future husband and at the time she looked upon him as more of an annoyance than hero material. But Susanna is an intelligent woman who knows a good thing when she sees it. Susanna isn't a typical woman of her time. She practically runs Spindle Cove, the haven she's created for young girls and women who don't fit society's idea of acceptable. Susanna is an organized leader of her band of misfits. She's a unique heroine of her time in that she doesn't let Bram intimidate her, standing up to him while still offering her compassion towards him. She's a fixer and she wants to fix Bram.

Victor Bramwell, a lieutenant colonel in the British army, wants only to return to the war. He was injured, forcing him to spend time in England but now he's ready to head back. First he must secure the assistance of Sir Lewis Finch, Susanna's father. Sir Lewis has influence with the Prince Regent and Bram is hoping that will get him back with his regiment. Sir Lewis has other plans and Bram finds himself in charge of forming a local militia. Bram's hero-ness is stretched to the limit when he has few men to choose from and finds a lovely distraction in Susanna. I liked that Bram never lied to Susanna, he never pretends that he wants to stay in Spindle Cove - he still plans to return to his regiment.

Susanna and Bram have an instant physical attraction but I couldn't see them being together in the long term. Susanna is such a part of Spindle Cove and Bram is a soldier born. But as the story progressed, I could see them together. They don't always agree on topics but do develop a grudging respect for each others accomplishments. That, along with the physical attraction gives them a believable basis for a relationship. I do like how Susanna turns her nurturing instincts on Bram. He is is desperate need of nurturing, having had little care or kindness in his life. He in turn gets Susanna to release her adventurous side. Bram can get very alpha/caveman but in a way that is sexy, not irritating. So it turns out they are a good fit after all!

The village of Spindle Cove plays an important role in the story, giving Susanna confidence and Bram mostly headaches. It's the backdrop to their conflicts, with secondary characters lending a hand at either bringing Bram and Susanna together or trying to keep them apart. There is plenty of drama and comedy to ride alongside the romance with a few heroes and heroines in the making.

The pace of the story was a pleasant surprise in that it went fairly quickly. Usually, I have a tendency to read historical romances at a slower pace but I read A Night to Surrender a little over a day and on a very busy weekend no less! The romance is clever with Bram and Susanna giving an almost Tracy/Hepburn feel with their banter. A truly delightful romance. I only wish we didn't have to wait until next year for a return trip to Spindle Cove.

Rating: A

Books in this series ~

A Night to Surrender
A Week to Be Wicked (March 2012)
Untitled (Fall 2012)

August Reads ...

2011-09-18T22:07:00.004-07:00

I don't know where August went. It was here, then gone in a blink. Hot. Busy. Hot. Busy. That seemed to be the theme for August. Good time to stay inside and read.

Those are solar flares in the picture above. I think I can say I know how it feels. Surface of the sun - Phoenix, Arizona. Not much difference in August.

Audiobooks

1. Attachments: A Novel/Rainbow Rowell/Contemporary/A-
2. Shift/Jeri Smith-Ready/YA/A-
3. Chasing Perfect/Susan Mallery/Contemporary/C
4. Almost Perfect/Susan Mallery/Comtemporary/C+
5. Delicious/Susan Mallery/Comtemporary/C+
6. Retribution/Sherrilyn Kenyon/PNR/C

As you can see, I went on a Susan Mallery binge which I've continued into September. I like certain parts of her stories but so far none have blown me away. The Kenyon was simply okay. I kept having a sense of deja vue. It felt like it was the same basic plot as the last few, only with the names changed.

Print/Electronic Books

1. Summer at Seaside Cover/Jacquie D'Alessandro/Contemporary/A
2. Kiss of Snow/Nalini Singh/PNR/A
3. Tempted/Elisabeth Naughton/PNR/A
4. Deeper than Midnight/Lara Adrian/PNR/B+
5. Good Girls Don't/Victoria Dahl/Contemporary/B+
6. Making Waves/Tawna Fenske/Contemporary/B+
7. Summer's Crossing/Julie Kagawa/YA Fantasy/B+
8. No Proper Lady/Isabel Cooper/Time Travel/B
9. Hexed/Kevin Hearne/UF/B-
10. Deadline/Mira Grant/Dystopian/C
11. Midnight Man/Lisa Marie Rice/RS/C

The Numbers

Contemporary ~ 3
Dystopian ~ 1
PNR ~3
Romantic Suspense ~ 1
Time Travel ~ 1
Urban Fantasy ~ 1
YA ~ 1

Format

Print ~ 9
E-Book ~ 1

Well, I'm not sure how it happened, but I managed to review all the print/e-books I read in August. The fact that it's already mid September might have something to do with it. LOL That's okay, I'll take it. :) I've been trying to write the reviews within a day or so of finishing the book but that doesn't always happened. When it does, it seems like the writing comes quicker. Always a plus!

How's September looking for everyone? Good I hope!

Review: Atlantis Betrayed

2011-09-15T21:36:00.007-07:00

Atlantis Betrayed
Alyssa Day
Paranormal Romance
Warriors of Poseidon/Book 6
Berkley/September 7, 2010

From the back cover ~

A Warrior's Mission. A Woman's Desire...

What could Christophe, powerful Warrior of Poseidon, have in common with Fiona Campbell, the notorious jewel thief known as the Scarlet Ninja? Answer: The Siren, a legendary Crown Jewel that Fiona has targeted for her next heist. It's said to be worth millions, but to Christophe it's invaluable. For the Siren also happens to be one of the missing jewels from Poseidon's trident.

And The Unnatural Evil That Could Destroy Them Both.

But breaking into the Tower of London is a two-person job, and Christophe and Fiona must team up to commit the crime of the century. As new found passions fire their motive - and cloud their judgement - they realize they aren't the only ones after the priceless gem. A dark force is shadowing their every move and threatening to shatter their trust with revenge, betrayal, and a haunting revelation about the past.

Confession time: I only read this book because I wanted to read Vampire in Atlantis and I have a real hard time skipping books in series. I wasn't expecting to like this, it was more a read it so I could move on to the book that I really wanted to read. Boy was I in for a very pleasant surprise! I loved Christophe and Fiona! So far, they are my favorite couple of this series.

Christophe has a fuck it attitude and a big chip on his shoulder to go with it. He doesn't care about saving humanity but since that's what the warrior are sworn to do, he does it, if with reluctance. I didn't feel like I knew Christophe very well prior to reading Atlantis Betrayed. He seemed to stay in the background. It turns out that's were he likes to be. Christophe has a darkness from his past that colors his views of the world. I like that he's not exactly likable. You can see glimpses of his potential goodness - he just needs someone to unlock it. Then, Fiona comes along.

Lady Fiona is my kind of heroine. She's smart, loving and ballsy when needed but still manages to be a lady when it's called for. She's an interesting mix of proper lady and crusader. She's a thief that gives to the needy, looking out for those who need help. When she runs in to Christophe is friction and fire between these two. They don't waste more than a day before they get busy between the sheets. That surprised me but Fiona and Christophe both justify their quick turn in the sheets with the "it's just sex" and "I needed it really bad" logic. LOL Where have we heard that before? There is a lot of wickedly humorous banter between the two making for some amusing scenes.

There is one scene where Fiona uses her special ability while she and Christophe are getting hot and heavy on a balcony in Atlantis. It's sexy and funny and I'm so glad the author went there. No spoilers so you'll just have to read the book. :)

So the thief and the warrior have the same goal but for different reasons. Fiona wants the sword, containing The Siren to sell, Christophe wants it for Poseidon's Trident. The missing stones of the Trident need to be found before Atlantis can rise again. They're not the only ones after the Siren. The competition is fierce with the the Unseelie Fae and vampires getting involved. The action and romance are well balanced in this story, giving plenty of steam between Fiona and Christophe along with ample amounts of fighting, running and hiding to keep the plot moving.

The two secondary characters introduced in Atlantis Betrayed stood out for me. Fiona has a brother, Declan who is a computer geek extraordinaire with an exuberance for life while still holding onto a bit of innocence. He was such fun to read not only his interactions with Fiona and seeing their close relationship but also the friendship he and Christophe develop. Then there is Hopkins, Fiona's butler. But he is so much more than a butler. He keeps his composure in all and any crisis, offering tea when anyone else would be running for the door. You can see how much Fiona relies on him and how they are as close as father and daughter.

Atlantis Betrayed not only proved a highly entertaining story, it moved the series arc along quite nicely. The other warriors and their mates are still an integral part of the fight so I liked that they still maintain their importance. The vampires continue to escalate their plans to take over but they have to get past the Warriors and their allies. It should be interesting to see how the different fractions come to together to fight their common enemy.

Rating: A-

Books in this series ~

Atlantis Rising
Atlantis Awakening
Wild Hearts in Atlantis (Wild Thing anthology)
Atlantis Unleashed
Atlantis Unmasked
Shifter's Lady (Shifter anthology)
Atlantis Redeemed
Atlantis Betrayed
Vampire in Atlantis
Heart of Atlantis (May 1, 2012)

Review: Outside In

2011-09-14T11:17:00.004-07:00

Outside In
Maria V. Snyder
Young Adult/Science Fiction
Insider/Book 2
Harlequin Teen/March 1, 2011
Spoilers for Inside Out

From Goodreads ~

Me?
A Leader?
Okay, I did prove that there's more to Inside than we knew. That a whole world exists beyond this cube we live in. And finding that led to a major rebellion - between worker scrubs like me and the snobby uppers who rule our world. Make that ruled. Because of me, we're free. I thought that meant I was off the hook, and could go off on my own again - while still touching base with Riley, of course. He's the one upper I think I can trust. But then we learned that there's outside and then there is Outside. And something from Outside wants In.

If Trella thought the rebellion was hard, she had no idea that what came after would be just as difficult. The aftermath of a rebellion, the overthrowing of the current leadership, may get rid of problems but it also creates new ones. Leadership is still needed and determining that leadership can be tricky with different fractions having different beliefs and needs. Not everyone thinks things are better and getting the uppers and the scrubs to work together is going to take a lot more than simply changing who's in charge.

Trella didn't want to be a leader but she found herself thrust into the role when friends old and new, needed help against the rulers of Inside. Now that the rebellion is over she's ready to go back to keeping to the shadows, or the ducts while continuing her relationship with Riley. Instead, she is still looked to for advice and assistance. Part of Trella's reluctance to get more involved and take a role as a leader in the new society is her lack of confidence in her decisions and her fear that she might cause injury or death to someone she cares about. She still feels guilt for the arrest and death of her good friend Cog. Trella's reluctance is accurate since prior to the rebellion, she kept to herself, having few friends and fewer allies.

It doesn't matter what Trella wants, she finds herself right in the middle of what looks to be sabotage and is caught up in finding who is behind the destruction. This is when things begin to pick up. Prior to that, it was more of a recap of what happened in the first book, which is helpful if a bit slow. As Trella hits the ducts again discovering conspiracies and threats to her world, she begins to question who she can trust. Here's where we see again Trella's lack of confidence in her judgement. She's only 17 1/2 years old and was trained to clean the ducts not deal with political intrigue. I can see how she would begin to question everyone's motives but she stops trusting her instincts and trusting her instincts is one thing that the Trella from the first book did.

The relationship between Trella and Riley goes through some rough times. I was surprised that we didn't see more of them working together since they meshed so well in the first book. Their romance is definitely a sub-plot so don't expect there to be much from that front. Trella is pulled in so many directions from her conflicts with Jacy and his gang, to Doctor Lamont, who may or may not be Trella's mother, to Bubba Boom and his crush on her, to Anne-Jade and Logan. There are a lot of distinct relationships that Trella finds herself in. None really had much depth and I didn't feel like I got to know any of the characters very well except for Trella.

The pacing through most of the book is fairly quick with little down time. Trella jumps from one crisis to the next with a few stops for imprisonment and torture. There are some questions left from the first book that are answered here but there are also more questions brought to light with the threats that Trella and the other Insiders must face down. I look forward to seeing what comes next in this YA sci-fi series.

Rating: B

Books in this series ~

Inside Out
Outside In

ARC Review: No Proper Lady

2011-09-13T00:54:00.001-07:00

No Proper Lady
Isabel Cooper
Historical Romance/Time Travel
London/1888
Sourcebooks/September 1, 2011

From Goodreads ~

England, 1888. The trees are green, the birds are singing, and in 200 years demons will destroy it all. Unless Joan, a rough-around-the-edges assassin from the future, can take out the dark magician responsible. But to get close to her target she'll need help learning how to fit into society.

Simon has his own reasons for wanting to destroy Alex Reynell, and Joan may be his perfect revenge. But as each day passes, Simon is less sure he wants her anywhere near Reynell. Because no spell in the world will save his future if she isn't in it.

I love the premise of this story. It's one that we don't see too often. The heroine going back in time to save her world. This time around our heroine is the alpha, the kick-ass, weapon wielding time traveler who has a lot to learn about 1888 London. Simon Grenville is more than happy to show her how to fit in, along with a few other exciting things.

Joan's world is a harsh, bleak land of destruction with little hope of survival. We don't see much of it, mostly in Joan's thoughts and what she tells Simon and his sister Eleanor. It's not a place you would ever want to go but it's home and it's all Joan knows. It's also where her family is but at this point she doesn't know if they're still alive. Even with the responsibility of her world surviving, Joan holds a vitality of life that is surprising considering where she came from. I think it's what gives her the ability to enjoy the little things that many take for granted and overlook. She's a complex character, having to leave everything she knows and everyone she loves behind to attempt to stop a powerful man who might very well kill her. I liked her a great deal, she's very straight forward with no patience for fools.

Magic is a very big part of Joan and Simon's world. It's magic that takes Joan back in time and it's magic that has caused such destruction in the future. Simon is quite familiar with various sorts of magic, having studied it for many years. So he's not exactly surprised when Joan tells him that she comes from the future. It's what she's come back to do that surprises him. Simon is a proper gentleman who leads a secret life filled with magic. He's a decent beta hero, using his powers when needed and offering support and guidance to Joan but ultimately it's Joan who is in charge.

The plot brings not only Joan in contact with Simon but also has Joan forming a friendship with Simon's sister Eleanor. The relationship between Joan and Eleanor lets us see how Joan's life has been lacking in anything we would consider nice or frivolous. She's been trained to be an assassin, not attend balls and take tea in the afternoon. I liked how Joan tried to fit in to the London society but still maintain her independence and continues to rely on her training.

The romance is not at all a conventional romance with Joan posing as a widow from America and trying to get close to one of Simon's colleagues. Joan and Simon keep their potentially doomed romance in secret. Joan isn't what Simon is accustomed to when it comes to ladies. She is bold and experienced, she doesn't play coy but tells Simon what she wants. I think he really enjoyed that side of Joan! Joan doesn't expect to live long so she's making the most of the time she has with Simon. They fit well together even though they're from strikingly different worlds. They have their knowledge of magic and science in common. And a very strong mutual attraction.

The pacing is where I had the main problem. It's fairly slow, having Joan turn from a dangerous predator to a woman of fashion and decorum left me a bit bored at times. There are few action scenes until near the end. Joan spends more time learning and using her training in decorum instead of kicking ass. The antagonist and the man Joan is after did made things more interesting. He's very wicked and has no morals to get in his way.

No Proper Lady is an intriguing story with part My Fair Lady and part Sarah Connor (T2 version). I would have liked more action and more on Joan's family. Still, it was a good way to spend a few hours. I do hope we see more stories from Ms. Cooper, possibly in this same world.

Rating: B

Audio Review: Attachments: A Novel

2011-09-12T07:33:00.002-07:00

Attachments: A Novel
Rainbow Rowell
Contemporary
Dutton/April 14, 2011

From Goodreads ~

Beth and Jennifer know their company monitors their office email. But the women still spend all day sending each other messages, gossiping about their coworkers at the newspaper and baring their personal lives like an open book. Jennifer tells Beth everything she can’t seem to tell her husband about her anxieties over starting a family. And Beth tells Jennifer everything, period.

When Lincoln applied to be an Internet security officer, he thought it was a big opportunity. He hardly imagined he’d be sifting through other people’s inboxes like some sort of electronic Peeping Tom. Lincoln is supposed to turn people in for misusing company email, but he can’t quite bring himself to crack down on Beth and Jennifer. He can’t help but be entertained – and captivated – by their stories.

But by the time Lincoln realizes he’s falling for Beth, it’s way too late for him to ever introduce himself. What would he say to her? “Hi, I’m the guy who reads your e-mail, and also, I love you.” After a series of close encounters and missed connections, Lincoln decides it’s time to muster the courage to follow his heart… he can’t see exactly where it’s leading him.

Written with whip-smart precision and charm, Attachments is a strikingly clever and deeply romantic debut that is sure to earn a place in the hearts of readers alongside such memorable novels by Jennifer Weiner, Claire Cook, and Marian Keyes.

After reading Ames' review of Attachments: A Novel, I knew I wanted to check out this quirky novel. It turns out the library had it in both print and audio download. Since the print version required me to request it, I decided to go with the audio. You know how we'll say "I couldn't put it down" when referring to a good book? Well, in this case I couldn't stop listening. It was amusing, sweet, cute and even had a few sad moments. It also felt very real. As if you could add -'Based on a true story' to the title. I think it could make for a good date night movie too!

The story is told in the point of view of Lincoln and through the emails of Jennifer and Beth. At first I wasn't sure how this would work as far as the flow of the story. Would it be jarring to move from emails to Lincoln's current POV? It turns out it worked just fine with the emails about Jennifer and Beth giving plenty of insight into their lives and letting the reader get to know these two friends. It didn't feel like Lincoln was being a peeping Tom or invasive when it came to reading the emails. Heck, I would have had a hard time not reading them had I been in his shoes.

As Lincoln continues to read the women's emails, we get to know what Lincoln's home and social life are like. Oh, boy is this guy stuck in a never ending cycle of D & D and mama's home cooking. Lincoln wants to escape, you can feel it, but he doesn't know how and needs that push to make him take the jump. Lincoln is an intelligent man but unsure of how to use that intelligence. He's been doing the same thing for years and has a difficult time getting out of his comfort zone. Reading the emails puts him out of that zone and into a whole other world of women and relationships. He sees it as if from an observation room but as time passes, he wants to experience it.

The emails between Jennifer and Beth are far longer than any emails I ever sent at work. They know they emails are monitored but don't really care, figuring they're monitored for illegal activity and not women discussing sex, weddings, babies and men. You can tell they have a close relationship based on how personal the emails are. They give advice, comfort, cheer and a good does of reality when it's needed. They were very funny, with both women giving those quick jabs of sarcasm that only good friends know how to give with out truly pissing you off.

There were a few points when the dialogue between Lincoln and his friends and family became repetitive with "he said" and "she said". At those points I was looking forward to getting back to the emails. Lincoln does come off as a bit of a wimp in the beginning and I would have liked to give him a kick in the ass for being so complacent with his life.

It may not feel like a traditional romance novel, and it's not. But there is a romance in there, it's just buried under the need for both parties to come to the point where they're ready for a romance. I do think that if you are hoping for a lot of romance, this isn't it. It's much more about Lincoln discovering what he wants to do with his life and taking the steps to make it happen. Him falling in love with a woman through her emails, which are not even to him, is secondary.

On a personal note: I could relate to so much of what happens in this book. It takes place in 1999/2000 when people were worried about the computers crashing and the end of the world as we know it. (thanks REM) I worked in the IT department at the time and it was very anti-climatic when nothing happened. LOL There's talk about games like D & D (Dungeons & Dragons)which my husband still has his dice and Axis and Allies which we also still have. (We really are geeks!) There's also mention of Pikachu who I just happen to do a very good impression of. :)

Attachments is a humorous look at life with well developed characters and an interesting plot. It's definitely worth the listen or read.

Rating: A-

Review: Forever

2011-09-08T23:13:00.002-07:00

Forever
Maggie Stiefvater
Young Adult Paranormal
Wolves of Mercy Falls/Book 3
Scholastic/July 12, 2011

*Spoilers for previous books*

From the inside cover ~

then.

When Sam met Grace, he was a wolf and she was a girl. Eventually he found a way to become a boy, and their love moved from a curious distance to the intense closeness of shared lives.

now.

That should have been the end of their story. But Grace was not meant to stay human. Now she is the wolf. And the wolves of Mercy Falls are about to be killed in one final, spectacular hunt.

forever.

Sam would do anything for Grace. But can one boy and one love really change a hostile, predatory world? The past, the present, and the future are about to collide in one pure moment - a moment of death or life, farewell or forever.

The final installment to this fascinating trilogy. When I started reading Forever I had a difficult time getting into it, knowing it was the last time I would read about these characters. (I'm still hoping for more books). I read a few pages then put it down. Once I did finally allow myself to read it, it went very quickly. There are some slow points to the story when I couldn't help but think "come on guys, you don't have much time" since that bastard Tom Culpepper was on the hunt again. But other than a few slow moments, the story arc continued, giving Grace and Sam a sort of happy ending.

Sam is holding on, barely. He's lost without Grace and he doesn't know when he'll see her again, if he'll see her again. Their positions have shifted with Grace the wolf and Sam the possibly cured human. Sam is questioning his position in life. He no longer has the pack to give him that sense of place but being human without Grace has left him adrift. I liked that Sam didn't slide easily into his human role but struggles with it. If he had made the adjustment easily, it would have lessened the importance of his wolf. Sam's wolf is still with him, under the surface, dormant until the right trigger occurs.

Grace is not the girl we first met in Shiver. She still has some of the same characteristics but she has also made some changes, and not just the fury kind. She's becoming less concerned with what her parents think of her and with trying to please them. She's always been portrayed as being mature for her age but now she's taken that maturity and used it to help herself and the people closest to her. I like how she's become the adult Grace and left the insecure Grace behind.

Cole is playing mad scientist, turning Beck's house into his chaotic lab. Cole's experiments are dangerous with possible fatal outcomes. Cole uses himself as the guinea pig with his usual recklessness. He's not this pampered rock star anymore but has morphed into a man driven by desperation to find the cause of the werewolf virus. I loved when Cole was on the page. He could be harsh and impulsive but it didn't come from being self-centered but rather from his need to know and to prove to his father that he could do this, could be more than a irresponsible rock star. Cole definitely brought a much needed edge to the story.

Isabel is the only one of the main four characters that is not a werewolf. That doesn't mean that she doesn't play an important role in the lives of Sam, Grace and Cole. She's still has an odd relationship with Cole. In another world where things were normal, they might have dated but in the world of Mercy Falls there is not room for normal. Still, I liked Isabel's role and how she finally stopped worrying about the consequences of her actions, how it would affect her, and did the right thing.

We learn more about Cole and Sam's backgrounds and what got them to this point in their lives. We also learn more of both of their relationships with Beck and how each saw Beck. There is something similar to sibling rivalry between these two when it comes to Beck. I found the dynamics of the four (Sam, Grace, Cole & Isabel) interesting in how they worked together towards a single purpose, setting aside any distrust or hurt they might have felt. It made the story far more interesting than having them cheerfully working together towards that goal.

As this is the final book in the trilogy, it didn't have that feeling of finality. It felt more like the end of a season, with a long wait until the return. I hope there are more books about these characters, there are certainly more stories to be told about them. I would say Forever gave us a for now ending with the potential for more.

Rating: B+

Books in the Trilogy

Shiver
Linger
Forever

Review: Soldier on Her Doorstep

2011-09-07T07:37:00.001-07:00

Soldier on Her Doorstep
Soraya Lane
Contemporary Romance
Harlequin/July 2011

From the back cover ~

One knock at her door will change her life forever...

Soldier Alex Dane promised his dying comrade he'd make sure his wife and daughter were okay, and so he finds himself on a doorstep with his heart in his mouth.

Lisa Kennedy loved her husband, but she must focus on her daughter, Lilly, who hasn't spoken since her daddy's death. Still, the least she can do is offer this battle-weary hero a place to rest.

When Lilly's little hand reaches for Alex's big, strong one, for the first time Lisa feels her buried emotions begin to stir...

When you have a heroine who was deeply in love with her husband and has been widowed for a matter of months, it can be tricky to have her fall in love again and make it believable. I did believe in Lisa's love for Alex by the end, and while she had her moments of missing William, the conflict she felt at falling in love with Alex felt very minimal. Which would have been fine but I couldn't help but think it had only been months since William died. Yes, he had been overseas for months prior to that but still...

Lisa Kennedy knew there could come a day when her husband William might not make it home. It still didn't make it any easier when she found out that William had been killed overseas while serving in the army. It's been months since his death and Lisa and her six year old daughter Lilly are trying to move on with their lives in Alaska. The way Lisa is portrayed you can tell she loved William very much and still does. But she understands that loving him doesn't mean she can't someday love another man. She's just not ready for it, instead concentrating on helping her daughter speak again. Lisa's reactions and thoughts were realistic for her situation but I was surprised at how quickly she fell for Alex. I did like that she's practical about it and I think that had to do with her being in love before and still believing in love. She could have become cynical and depressed but instead she continues to try to keep a positive outlook, if not for herself, then for Lilly.

Alex Dane is just passing through to fulfilling a promise. But instead of a quick stop, he ends up staying for a few weeks. Alex would be the last one to call himself a hero but that's what he becomes in the eyes of Lisa and Lilly. The way the relationship between Alex and Lilly developed was critical because there was no way Lisa would ever fall for a man that Lilly didn't trust or feel comfortable with. In creating that relationship Lane allows for Lisa to have a relationship with Alex. With both these relationships, Alex shows little bits and pieces of himself, letting Lisa, Lilly and the reader get to know this solitary man.

The romance is there but it takes a while to develop which makes sense since neither character is ready to jump in, feet first, to love. The problem is, for a short book (187 pages) it moved at nearly a snail's pace. I kept waiting for something, although I'm not sure what, to happen. There is some conflict from Lisa's family, specifically her sister, but it didn't play a large role in the story. Alex's feelings of guilt are lifted after a serious talk with Lisa and Alex finally has a home to call his own.

Soldier on Her Doorstep was a sweet, if a bit slow, romance. The writing is easy to read even with what I thought might be regional terms but now I'm thinking they might be due to the fact that the author is from New Zealand. Whatever is the case, I'm looking forward to reading more from Ms. Lane.

Rating: B

Audio Review: Shift

2011-09-05T22:17:00.003-07:00

Shift
Jeri Smith-Ready
Young Adult Fantasy
Shade Trilogy/Book 2
Simon Pulse/May 3, 2011

*Spoilers for Book 1*

From Goodreads ~

Aura’s life is anything but easy. Her boyfriend, Logan, died, and his slides between ghost and shade have left her reeling. Aura knows he needs her now more than ever. She loves Logan, but she can’t deny her connection with the totally supportive, totally gorgeous Zachary. And she’s not sure that she wants to.

Logan and Zachary will fight to be the one by her side, but Aura needs them both to uncover the mystery of her past—the mystery of the Shift.

As Aura’s search uncovers new truths, she must decide whom to trust with her secrets…and her heart.

Even though I put "Audio Review" in the title I actually both listened and read the book. Sometimes when listening I get impatient with the speed and in this case I also had the book so I switched between the two, reading when I could and listening when I was driving since reading is frowned upon when driving.

In the first book, Shade, we learn about the Shift that gave the younger generation the ability to see and hear ghosts. Aura was the first born after the shift and she not only sees ghosts, she talks to them and translates for them to those who can not see or hear them. After Aura's boyfriend Logan died he comes back as a ghost instead of crossing over to the other side. Aura is torn over her grief of Logan's death but still likes having him around, even if it's only in a ghostly form.

It's been 10 weeks since Aura last saw Logan, since he changed from ghost to a shade. She's the only one that has any hope that he'll change back to a ghost - being a shade is like turning to the darkside, you're not suppose to come back.

But Aura still waits for Logan. Aura is not in an enviable position. She loves Logan, will always love Logan, but he's dead and you can't really plan a future with a ghost. Zachary is very much alive and very much interested in Aura. The way it's written you would think Aura has to choose between the two but there isn't any real choice, it's more a matter of letting Logan go, and of course, Logan actually going. That's the sticking point.

Aura and Zachary find themselves together not only in school but outside of it. The time they spend together only creates a closer bond, showing how strong their feeling are becoming. As the story progresses, I couldn't help but feel that Aura and Zach make a good couple. Then Logan would reappear and throw the whole teenage love cycle out of whack. The reality is, Zach can't compete with a ghost and Aura can't continue to date a ghost. Something or someone has to give and Aura really shows her maturity when she makes some tough decisions.

I like how the trilogy is moving forward and how Aura's relationship with Zachary is developing. Both Aura and Zachary have reasons to discover what happened in the past and what caused them to be the ones born right before (Zach) and right after (Aura) the shift. They also have some typical teen drama to deal with in addition to ghostly boyfriends. Smith-Ready brings a lot of emotions into play without turning it into a teen soap opera. The intricacies of the world building are coming together and we learn more about Aura and Zachary's uniqueness but there are still some mysteries for the final installment.

If you haven't picked this trilogy up or if you like Ms. Smith-Ready's adult novels, you should give this a try.

Rating: A-

Books in the Trilogy ~

Shade
Shift
Shine (summer 2012)

ARC Review: Tempted

2011-09-01T10:31:00.004-07:00

Tempted
Elisabeth Naughton
Paranormal Romance
Eternal Guardians/Book 3
Sourcebooks/September 6, 2011

*Spoilers for Previous Books*

From Goodreads ~

DEMETRIUS — He’s the hulking, brooding warrior his fellow Guardians avoid. Too dark. Too damaged. And given his heritage, he knows it’s best to keep everyone at arm’s length.

Isadora is missing. The words pounded through his head like a frantic drumbeat. For her own protection, Demetrius had done all he could to avoid the fragile princess, his soul mate. And now she was gone—kidnapped. To get her back, he’ll have to go to the black place in his soul he’s always shunned.

As daemons ravage the human realm and his loyalty to the Guardians is put to the ultimate test, Demetrius realizes that Isadora is stronger than anyone thought. And finally letting her into his heart may be the only way to save them both.

I've been looking forward to Isadora and Demetrius' book ever since I finished Entwined (book 2). Isadora intrigued me with her quiet, almost childlike disposition she displays to her father and the public while in private she is a very strong, very determined woman. Demetrius made me sit up and take notice when he so adamantly refused to wed Isadora when the king proposed the match, in Entwined. The dude would rather kill himself than wed her. Jeez, sure know how to break a woman's heart! I knew there had to be a good reason because while he's rough and gruff, he's not really an ass. Turns out Demetrius had a very good reason.

Princess Isadora, the only legitimate heir to the monarchy of Argolea, is to marry the Argonaut Zander. But at the last minute the king allows Zander to be with his soul mate Isadora's half-sister Callia. Which is good except Isadora can't enjoy her reprieve because she's been kidnapped. If anyone can survive kidnapping by crazy witches, it's Isadora. She has a great inner strength and intelligence that Naughton showcases through Isadora's words and actions. I liked how she doesn't back down to Demetrius even though he has to physically save her a few times. Thankfully, she's stubborn and ends up saving him too even though he doesn't think he's worth saving.

Demetrius is the biggest baddest Argonaut around. He really is the biggest, at almost 6'8 but baddest... Well, Zander wasn't exactly Mr. Light and Love but he has mellowed a little so we'll give Demetrius the title. Even with all his gruffness, I couldn't help but like him. He's suspicious of nearly everyone, especially Isadora, but he still protects her and gets jealous when he thinks she's been doing more than studying with Orpheus. Loved that we got to see that vulnerable side of Demetrius. There is so much more to this man than the rough, scarey exterior and it came through here.

The romance is not a sweet, gentle romance but fierce in the emotions both Isadora and Demetrius have. Demetrius wants nothing to do with Isadora but they are forced by circumstances to stay close while fighting off the threats that continue to come their way. Even though they've known each other for ages, they really don't know anything about each other. That all changes as they begin to talk and each opens up, surprising themselves with what they share with the other. Loved these two together!

The series is continuing to grow along with the characters. I liked how Naughton gives the hero and heroine plenty of time to work out their problems instead of making the problems magically disappear. And Isadora and Demetrius have a lot of problems. We get to catch up with the previous heroes and heroines and learn more about the other guardians who have yet to get their stories told. I never felt there were there merely for sequel bait but played an intimate role in the ongoing story. The action is consuming, with the Argonauts battling enemies from without and within. I love the twists and surprises Naughton has woven into the story. Edge of your seat moments leaving the reader wanting to know more about these characters.

Naughton has created a fascinating world, blending myths and legends into a reality where humans, daemons and Argonauts wage fierce battles with metal and magic. Tempted was an exciting adventure with my favorite hero and heroine so far. This series has a lot going for it. Enraptured can't come soon enough!

Rating: A

Books in this series ~

Marked
Entwined
Tempted
Enraptured (April 2012)

Review: Kiss of Snow

2011-08-30T20:19:00.004-07:00

Kiss of Snow
Nalini Singh
Paranormal Romance
Psy/Changeling/Book 10
Berkley/May 31, 2011

*Spoilers*

From the inside cover ~

Since the moment of her defection from the PsyNet and into the SnowDancer wolf pack, Sienna Lauren has had one weakness. Hawke. Alpha and dangerous, he compels her to madness.

Hawke is used to walking alone, having lost the woman who would’ve been his mate long ago. But Sienna fascinates the primal heart of him, even as he tells himself she is far too young to handle the wild fury of the wolf.

Then Sienna changes the rules and suddenly, there is no more distance, only the most intimate of battles between two people who were never meant to meet. Yet as they strip away each other’s secrets in a storm of raw emotion, they must also ready themselves for a far more vicious fight…

A deadly enemy is out to destroy SnowDancer, striking at everything they hold dear, but it is Sienna’s darkest secret that may yet savage the pack that is her home…and the alpha who is its heartbeat…

She's finally grown up enough to handle the alpha of the SnowDancer pack. Was the wait worth it? Definitely! This is not only a well written book but it is well balanced. There of course is the romance between Sienna and Hawke but there is also the continuing and equally important political and physical threats to the packs. And a secondary romance that was both sweet and tender. I don't think I could have wanted more or less of anything - it was just right.

Kiss of Snow starts off with Sienna in trouble, with Hawke, again. It's stressful for both of them and Singh adds just the right amount of tension between these two. They both feel the attraction and Hawke has been fighting it tooth and nail. Sienna is trying to but you can tell she's getting tired of fighting. I thought I might have a problem with Sienna's age, she's nineteen. But it turned out her age wasn't really a factor for me. Her character was developed in a way that I would forget how young she was chronically until it was mentioned. She has never really been young, her life hasn't allowed her to be. Her powers are what brought her to the attention of Psy Councilor Ming LeBon at a young age and put her through hell. It's those powers I had a little trouble with and the resolution of her powers not ending her life. That part of the story I had to simply "go with it".

Hawke is stern, strict and not one for smiling but we get to see a different side to him and it is a beautiful side. We've seen glimpses in previous books, most notably when he would flirt with Sascha, mate of Lucas the alpha of the DarkRiver pack. Now we get to see not only Hawke's dare I say, softer side but also his relationships with his closest friends. I loved seeing this in Hawke. It allows us to get closer to him which engenders those deep feels towards him. If I don't get to know a character, why should I care what happens to them? By the end of the book I not only cared what happened to Hawke, I felt invested in the outcome.

The Psy Council is up to their dirty tricks but who is behind the attacks on the packs is still undecided. We get to learn more about the Council members as the series arc continues with some of the Councilors' final goal of the implementing of PurePsy. But that's not the only goal, the enemies of SnowDancer and DarkRiver want them eliminated. The fighting was intense, coming right into pack territory. This fight has been a long time in coming and Hawke and Lucas had both been preparing for it. I love how they have joined forces and we continue to see that bond strengthen. The series is not only paranormal romance but it also has that sense of strong community that I enjoy in small town romances.

The secondary romance is of Lara, SnowDancer's healer, and Walker Lauren who defected from the PsyNet and is now part of the SnowDancer pack. I loved this soft, sweet romance. There is one scene after they've decided to be 'just friends' (Walker's choice) and Lara has gone on a date. Walker basically confronts her, in the way only a Psy could confront someone and asks her how her date was. When she tells him that her date knew how to make a woman feel good, oh boy does Walker feel some strong emotions.

"An icy calm came over Walker's mind, cold intent spearing through his veins. He was a telepath trained to work with children, his touch subtle, but he measured at 7.8 on the Gradient. It meant he had the capacity to kill without leaving a mark." page 106

Interesting how he thinks about the fact that he can kill. Walker, you are so gone!

The main romance of Sienna and Hawke worked well. Hawke takes his time with her. It's like she has the wild animal inside her and he has to gentle her to his touch. They are funny and tender, sweet and frustrating together. Hawke still thinks his one and only true mate died and therefore he will never mate. Sienna is also dealing with her Psy powers playing some wicked tricks on her and making her rethink what she really wants. Hawke shows such tenderness towards Sienna but that doesn't mean he turns into a total wuss. He's still very much pack alpha. They get to know each other, opening up to each other and sharing their past. They both need to deal with their pasts before they have any chance of creating a future together. There is one scene when Hawke gifts Sienna with a toy, he collects mechanical toys, and she refuses it.

[Hawke] "Don't you like it?"

"You know I do." She touched a careful finger to the detailed face of a black horse with a blue and gold saddle. "But it's yours."

He put it on the grass beside them. "I'll just leave it here then."

Stubborn, stubborn man. She knew he'd go through with it, too. "Why?" she whispered. "Why are you giving this to me? Why are you here when you're angry at me?"

A long, quiet breath, his arms hugging her against the muscled breadth of a chest she'd ached with missing last night. "I don't want to hurt you, baby. Never would I hurt you - but I can't give you what I don't have to give."

A single tear trickled down her cheek at that solemn statement raw with tenderness. Her heart, her damned vulnerable heart, had been his from the day she understood what it was he incited within her. She had no true shields against. Never had. Never would. "Then give me everything else," she whispered, because while she could fight a ghost, she couldn't fight the truth in his voice. page 313

Sienna is such a strong, resilient woman. Even in love, especially in love, she is willing to be strong for both of them. To be the one to accept what Hawke can give instead of giving up on them. Hawke, so stubborn as Sienne pointed out, will eventually see the light but he is a male so we have to give him some slack. I do love how he calls her baby which is saying a lot since this term usually irritates me. But when Hawke does it, it doesn't feel in any way derogatory but only a sweet endearment.

I don't want to forget Judd Lauren and the role he plays. He is there watching out for Sienna and also working closely with Hawke against the threats to the pack. I liked seeing how far Judd has come in the relationships he's made within the pack. There is also one relationship he has outside the pack that is proving very critical. Judd is in contact with a rebel known as The Ghost. There is much speculation by readers who The Ghost is. Psst - I know who it is. Okay, I don't know for sure but after reading Kiss of Snow I do have a strong opinion of who it it. :)

Kiss of Snow proved to be an emotionally fulfilling story. It has romance, mystery, action and even some humor. A wonderful addition to the series.

Rating: A

Books in this series ~

Slave to Sensation
The Cannibal Princess (free short story)
Visions of Heat
Caressed by Ice
Mine to Possess
Hostage to Pleasure
A Gift for Kit (free short story)
Branded by Fire
Blaze of Memory
Bonds of Justice
Play of Passion
Kiss of Snow
Tangle of Need (2012)

Novellas in the series ~

Beat of Temptation in An Enchanted Season
Stroke of Enticement in The Magical Christmas Cat
Whisper of Sin in Burning Up

Review: Summer at Seaside Cove

2011-08-28T22:38:00.004-07:00

Summer at Seaside Cove
Jacquie D'Alessandro
Contemporary Romance
Berkley/May 3, 2011

From the back cover ~

The most basic “girl code” states that you never date a friend’s ex—so wouldn’t it be obvious that a current boyfriend is really off limits—especially to your own sister? Apparently Jamie Newman’s half-sister Laurel didn’t get the memo. Leaving behind New York—and the humiliation—Jamie heads to the tiny barrier island of Seaside Cove, North Carolina, for a quiet summer of healing her broken heart and reassessing her sudden disaster of a life. But instead of solace in a cozy beach cottage, she finds a run-down bungalow complete with stray cats and a leaky roof—and of course it’s raining—and the repairman M.I.A.…

Strays and colorful neighbors are nothing compared to her next visitors. First her drama-prone mother barges in. Then her angst-ridden teenage niece arrives. And the grand finale of the crazy storm is the arrival of Laurel, who’s been dumped by Jamie’s ex. And of course there’s the repairman, who’s finally shown his face—and is way too good-looking for Jamie’s own good. It’s clear there’s more to him than meets the eye, and Jamie would like to know what, but with the family she tried to escape now crammed in her ramshackle cottage, she may never get the chance…

Thanks to Hils' review at Impressions of a Reader, I gave Ms. Alessandro's contemporary romance a try. So very happy I did! This was a lovely, witty romance with a heroine I could totally relate to and a hero that I adored. The small coastal town adds just the right amount of sweetness without overwhelming the romance.

Jamie Newman is running away. But that's okay because she deserves to run and take shelter far away from pain and betrayal. The only trouble is, she can't seem to shake her bad luck or her problems. Right from the start I couldn't help but feel sorry for Jamie. She's betrayed by her sister with her boyfriend then she finds the cottage she rented comes "as is" which translates to falling down and stinky. Jamie's first impression of her landlord is not good either but it is funny. It also sets the tone for more of their encounters. Jamie is so use to taking care of everyone and pleasing everyone but when she meets Nick, she has no difficulty telling Nick exactly what she thinks of him and his rundown rental.

Nick Trent doesn't know what to think of the crazy New Yorker that is now his neighbor and tenant. Due to miscommunication and little deception on the realtor's part, Nick now has an attractive but angry woman on his doorstep. Poor Nick, he really doesn't know if he should kiss the crazy woman or close the door in her face. Nick has that sarcastic humor that I love, along with a gruff sweetness that comes through as he helps Jamie settle in Seaside Cover. And he has the best dog in the world! Godiva, Nick's chocolate lab (hehe) makes her presence known in the most delightful ways. She's just as adorable as her owner. For all his adorable sexiness, Nick does have some secrets that he eventually shares with Jamie after they become friends and lovers.

The romance was funny, sexy and sweet. I loved Jamie and Nick's verbal sparing and the underlying sexual tension that continues to increase every time these two are together. They reluctantly become friends and lovers with both thinking it's only for the summer. Even with the interruptions courtesy of Jamie's family and the townsfolk, Jamie and Nick still fall in love with each other and with the setting. By the end of the book, I didn't want the summer to end and Jamie to leave Seaside Cove. She and Nick belonged together, no doubt about it!

The secondary characters as well as the picturesque coastal town all add to the ambiance of the story. Jamie's family show different facets of Jamie's character and what makes her want to please everyone. We also see Jamie becoming part of the community as she makes friends with the locals. Nick gets pulled into Jamie's family drama and thinks Jamie isn't the only crazy female in the family. LOL

The happy ending comes but Jamie really has to work to get there. She use to put everyone's needs first and learns to finally claiming priority for her needs. It takes a long time but she does get there. With her is Nick who has some issues to work through but he's much farther along than Jamie in knowing what he wants and who he is. Jamie is the one who makes the most changes and evolves as a character. The plot did loose some momentum midway through but picked up nicely as Jamie and Nick became more involved as the end of summer neared.

The sequel, Seaside Cove (March 2012) is Laurel's book. I enjoyed the excerpt and look forward to visiting with these characters again. Ms. D'Alessandro has created a charming setting for a delightful romance that is sure to entertain.

Rating: A

Suzanne Brockmann's New Series

2011-08-25T20:12:00.005-07:00

In case anyone didn't hear, Ms. Brockmann is taking a break from the Troubleshooters series and starting a new series. She recently posted the cover for the first book in the Fighting Destiny series with a release date of February 21, 2012 in hardcover per the publisher.

There's no blurb on the author's site but Ms. Brockmann gives a brief description here and the Ballantine catalog had this ~

In the not-too-distant future, the Obermeyer Institute (OI) has made a revolutionary discovery: With special training, humans can tap into the brain's hidden powers (think telepathy, telekinetic powers, super strength, and more). The training is strenuous, though, and it works only for those with natural potential. Tough girl Mac has that potential, and she's a devoted member of the OI. But there's one rule she can't help but bend. Her boss thinks celibacy is key to their work. Mac's learned differently - an active sexual life enhances her powers. And when she meets Shane, a sexy former Navy SEAL, the sparks are instant. But after the two spend an amazing night together, Mac finds out that Shane's a new recruit at the institute. How can she mix business and pleasure?

So, what do you think? Sounds kind of like a futuristic Troubleshooters series, no? I'll be reading it but since it's hardcover, it will be a library read for me. I'm still hoping we'll get Lopez, Jazz and PJ's books. What the heck ever happened to PJ anyway? LOL

Review: Deadline

2011-08-23T22:32:00.008-07:00

Deadline
Mira Grant
Dystopian
Newsflesh Trilogy/Book 2
Orbit/May 31, 2011

*Spoilers for Feed (book 1)

From the back cover ~

Shaun Mason is a man without a mission. Not even running the news organization he built with his sister has the same urgency as it used to. Playing with dead things just doesn't seem as fun when you've lost as much as he has.

But when a CDC researcher fakes her own death and appears on his doorstep with a ravenous pack of zombies in tow, Shaun has a newfound interest in life. Because she brings news-he may have put down the monster who attacked them, but the conspiracy is far from dead.

Now, Shaun hits the road to find what truth can be found at the end of a shotgun.

This story took me on a long journey complete with bumps, potholes and a long layover. I started reading Deadline at the beginning of July, got about 250 pages into it and had to set it down. The two main problems I was having was the slow moving plot and the narrator's voice. It didn't feel like much had happened in those 250 or so pages. Obviously not enough to hold my attention. After letting it sit for over a month I decided to give it another try. Some might wonder why bother? I hated to to give up, having already read 250 pages. I do like the world Grant has created and I was curious enough to find out what happened next. I just hoped it happened sooner rather than later.

Let's start with the narrator's voice. In book 1, Feed the narrator is Georgia (George) Mason who, while I didn't always agree her views and felt she got too preachy at times, she didn't get on my nerves the way her brother Shaun does, who is the narrator this time around. Shaun is practically wallowing in his grief for George, who died at the end of Feed. It's been over a year since George died and Shaun doesn't seem like he's gotten anywhere close to beginning to heal. He says he wants revenge on the ones responsible but I'm not sure what he's been doing towards that end. Then there's the Coke drinking. George liked Coke, Shaun doesn't, preferring coffee for his caffeine fix. Yet he drinks Coke in George's memory. Lots of Coke. All. The. Time. It got annoying quick. George also talks to Shaun in his head and he talks to her. No one else can hear her and many think Shaun's gone crazy but it's all good since George does give Shaun some decent advice. Was this part of Shaun's coping mechanism? It was more of an example of how Shaun relied on George and still was.

The plot moved slowing, with surprisingly few zombies showing up. There was more discussion of Kellis-Amberlee and it's possible anomalies along with government conspiracies and cover-ups. If you like scientific discussions and conspiracy theories, then this could definitely work for you. For me, I would have liked more suspense and tension in the plot. Based on reading Feed I knew there was a high possibility that not everyone would make it to the end of the book. In fact, I would have been surprised by it. I wasn't surprised. Things do begin to pick up momentum around 3/4 of the way through. Which puts us at around page 430 of a 580 page book. At this point, I had a hard time putting the book down.

There are a number of revelations regarding the truth behind the research of the Kellis-Amberlee virus. The CDC's overwhelming control of information and the power they have to declare an area hazard zone. They have power over who lives and who dies. I found the CDC's abuse of power one of the scariest parts of the story. The zombies are not the major threat to Shaun and the After the End Times staff. It's the CDC that is working to wipe them out.

*Major Spoilers Ahead*

You know when a big shocking revelations occurs in a book and at first you're surprised then the more you think about it and look back, the more you see the signs? That happened a couple of times in Deadline. One of those shockers didn't surprise me for long simply because I found it hard to believe such a strong character was dead. It's George and she's not just in Shaun's head, turns out she's really alive. That's how the book ends but if you read the excerpt for Blackout, book 3, you find out that George has been cloned. Cloning a complete person does happen in Deadline so there is some precedence for it. It didn't surprise me so much that George came back, I just wasn't expecting clone George.

The other revelation was Shaun and George's relationship. They are siblings but they are not blood related. They were adopted by the Masons and raised as brother and sister. Granted, Mr. and Mrs. Mason did not provide what could be called a loving environment, instead using their children as props to get their message out. But the reality is, everyone treated them as siblings. Their relationship was more than that as we find out when Shaun has sex with one of his staff and calls out George's name. Yeah. Adopted and not blood related, it still smacked of incest. I can see how Shaun and George would develop a close relationship given how their parents treated them but I really wish Grant hadn't gone there. It came across as more for the shock than for anything it may add to the story or character development. They could still be as close as best friends and siblings without sex entering into the equation.

So, time for the grade. I did like the final quarter of the book but I don't feel any desire to read the final book. Plus, setting it aside for over a month and considering DNFing it leaves me to think this is not the trilogy for me. I do think if you loved Feed then there's a good chance you'll like Deadline. The science is interesting but can become tedious if that is not your thing. If you're looking for lots of zombies and fighting, then you might want to pass on this.

Rating: C

Books in the Trilogy ~

Countdown (novella prequel, August 2011)
Feed
Deadline
Blackout (May 2012)