Logan’s Literary Libations

Treated Myself today!!!

2010-03-04T21:19:00.002-05:00

Jaci Burton's Bound, Branded and Brazen and Shayla Black's Delicious released this week and since I will be no where near a book store anytime soon I had to buy them in Ebook.

Now the only problem is which one will I read first!!!

Re~Read Challenge June 2009 ~ Long Hard Ride ~ Lorelei James

2009-06-30T21:46:00.002-04:00

One lucky woman…three sexy cowboys…she's in for the ride of her life!

Channing Kinkaid itches for a change; a wild western adventure with an untamed man. Determined to shed her inhibitions and embrace the steamier, seamier side of life, she sets her sights on hooking up with a real chaps-and-spurs-wearing cowboy.

Enter Colby McKay—bull rider, saddle bronc buster and calf roper. From the moment he sets lust-filled eyes on the sweet and fiery Channing, he knows he's found the woman who's up to the challenge of cutting loose. What rough and rowdy cowboy could resist a no-holds-barred sexual romp with a sassy young thing starring as his personal buckle bunny?

Intrigued by Channing's bold proposition of horsing around on the road, Colby impulsively sweetens the deal; sexual escapades not only in his bed, but in the bedrolls of his rodeo traveling partners, Trevor and Edgard.

Although Channing's secretly longed to be the sole focus of more than one man's passions, Colby's demand for complete submission behind closed doors will test her willful nature.

Can Channing give up total control? Especially when not all is as it seems with the sexy trio? Or will the cowboys have to break out the bullropes and piggin' string to break in this headstrong filly?

Product Warnings
Warning: This title contains the following: lots of explicit sex, going strong long after the cows come home, graphic language that'd make your mama blush, light bondage with bullropes, ménage a trois, and – yee-haw! – hot nekkid cowboy man-love.

I knew this month's re-read would be Lorelei James book almost from the start of the month, she had a Novella release today at Samhain that is loosely tied to her Rough Riders Series. So what better book to read then the one that got me hooked on Lorelei's Cowboys.

LONG HARD RIDE is not a book for the faint of heart and although I do love sweet romance their is just something about a book with hot cowboys that makes me a happy girl. Lorelei James writes books grounded in reality. She took her love of PBR (professional bull riding) and mixed it with her no nonsense approach to love. Sure the sex is smokin hot but the core of her books are about finding love, even if it means pushing her characters boundaries and making them take a good hard look at what they really want in life.

Colby McKay is a man who at first glance has it all, a career he loves, friends and family he can rely on and when he wants a woman he only has to reach out and grab one. That is until he crosses paths with the sexy, smart and sassy Channing Kincaid. She's a woman looking to unleash her inner wild child and for her a chance with Colby to experience a no holds barred fling is just want she needs before she returns to the life her family wants her to live. On the surface these two are lovers seeking mutual satisfaction, quickly their connection becomes more and they find themselves falling in love.

Once you look past the heat to the emotions buried in this scorching hot novel, you can truly see the depth of Lorelei's voice and her ability to deliver not only the erotic side of love but the sweet tender sides as well. Without spoiling too much of LONG HARD RIDE, not only do you want Colby and Channing to find HEA, but you can't help but feel that Trevor and Edgard to find their's as well.

LONG HARD RIDE is as good this time as it was the first time and the ROUGH RIDERS is a series I know I will enjoy again and again.

9 out of 10

TBR Challenge June 2009

2009-06-18T19:20:00.004-04:00

Well once again I'm late posting this, kids are finally out of school and I have my laptop back so hopefully I'll be posting more. Now on to the review.

Title: Fighting Lady Jayne

Series: Devinity Warriors Book 2

Author: Michelle M. Pillow

Blurb: The second Divinity Warriors book, set in the Divinity Universe.

Jayne Hart has earned her independence by becoming Divinity Corporation’s inter-dimensional boxing champion. Life is great, until a dirty fighter knocks her unconscious. Now, abandoned by the corporation in a parallel world, Jayne will use every weapon she has to be free once more. Even if it means running from her sexy new “husband” and spending the rest of her life in a primitive forest.

Ronen of Firewall longs for a woman to warm his bed and his home, but he had no intention of choosing a bride. In an unprecedented move, one chooses him. Never in the history of the breeding ceremony has a woman dared to lay claim. How can he resist the alluring Lady Jayne? She’s confident and sure in her decision to be with him—until their wedding night when she’s nowhere to be found. But Ronen is not one to shy from a battle. He will find Jayne and when he does, he has one particular “weapon” in mind for taming his seductive, wayward wife.

What worked for me: I love her ability to blend the stories in her series. She did it with Dragon Lord and Lords of the Var, she does it in the Divinty Warriors as well. Plus she writes heroines I can get behind, no simpering TSTL women for Ms. Pillow. Jayne is tough physically, but underneath she is vulnerable and believable. I really liked her and was anxious for her to find her HEA with Ronen.

Ronen on the other hand has spent his life defending his people, he's a warrior through and through passionate and stoic his sex appeal is smoldering. He's intelligent when it comes to war but when it comes to Jayne he is clearly out of his element she frustrates him at every turn and he can't help but want her. Watching as he falls for Jayne was amusing and the sexual chemistry between them is off the charts. Fast paced and well written I definitely found another keeper from Ms. Pillow.

9 out of 10

May 2009 Reads

2009-06-01T19:45:00.003-04:00

Lots of re-reading this month. I just struggled it seemed to find new books I wanted to read or that I could get into enough to enjoy.

30 Books however is not to shabby, once again it's more eBooks than Print and I don't see that changing now that I started getting more and more print book in eformat. I just love the instant gratification.

The Real Deal ~ Samhain ~ Niki Gree ~ 8

Strong Silent Type ~ Samhain ~ Lorelei James ~ 9

Born in Fire ~ Berkley Jove ~ Nora Roberts ~ 9.5

Line of Sight ~ Ellora's Cave ~ Desiree Holt ~ 8

To Kiss a Gargoyle ~ Ellora's Cave ~ Sally Painter ~ 8

Buckling Down ~ Samhain ~ Moira Keith ~ 8

Mad About Mirable ~ Ellora's Cave ~ Amarinda Jones ~ 8

Penned Again ~ Ellora's Cave ~ Amarinda Jones ~ 8

Born In Ice ~ Berkley Jove ~ Nora Roberts ~ 10

Born In Shame ~ Berkley Jove ~ Nora Roberts ~ 9.5

One Hot Momma ~ Tease ~ Cara North ~ 8

Wanderlust ~ Samhain ~ KyAnn Waters ~ 8

Shelter Mountain ~ Mira ~ Robyn Carr ~ 9

Whispering Rock ~ Mira ~ Robyn Carr ~ 8

A Virgin River Christmas ~ Mira ~ Robyn Carr ~ 8

Second Chance Pass ~ Mira ~ Robyn Carr ~ 8

Pretend You Love Me ~ Samhain ~ Stacia Wolf ~ 7

Temptation Ridge ~ Samhain ~ Robyn Carr ~ 8

Paradise Valley ~ Samhain ~ Robyn Carr ~ 9

Virgin River ~ Mira ~ Robyn Carr ~ 9

The Inn at Eagle Point ~ Mira ~ Sherryl Woods ~ 9

Maiden Flight ~ Samhain ~ Bianca D'Arc ~ 9

Border Lair ~ Samhain ~ Bianca D'Arc ~ 9

Almost Perfection ~ Ellora's Cave ~ Lynn LaFleur ~ 8

Deep in the Valley ~ Mira ~ Robyn Carr ~ 8

Just Over the Mountain ~ Mira ~ Robyn Carr ~ 8

Down by the River ~ Mira ~ Robyn Carr ~ 8

Ice Dragon ~ Samhain ~ Bianca D'Arc ~ 9

Prince of Spies ~ Samhain ~ Bianca D'Arc ~ 9

Wings of Change ~ Samhain ~ Bianca D'Arc ~ 9

May 2009 Re-Read Challenge

2009-06-01T19:17:00.001-04:00

I'm a day late, which stinks but unfortunately my 11 yr old autistic son wanted to see if movies could fly last night so no post last night.

This months Reread goes out to Nath, she along with the reread challenge exposed me to Robyn Carr and now I am hooked. I love Virgin River and I can't wait to read the next books in the fabulous town.

WANTED: Midwife/nurse practitioner in Virgin River, population six hundred. Make a difference against a backdrop of towering California redwoods and crystal-clear rivers. Rent-free cabin included.

When the recently widowed Melinda Monroe sees this ad she quickly decides that the remote mountain town of Virgin River might be the perfect place to escape her heartache, and to re-energize the nursing career she loves. But her high hopes are dashed within an hour of arriving: the cabin is a dump, the roads are treacherous and the local doctor wants nothing to do with her. Realizing she's made a huge mistake, Mel decides to leave town the following morning.

But a tiny baby, abandoned on a front porch, changes her plans...and a former marine cements them into place.

Melinda Monroe may have come to Virgin River looking for escape, but instead she finds her home.

I love this series, I actually reread the whole set this month. I couldn't get into reading this month, so I found comfort revisiting this small town and rediscovering Mel and Jack. Two people, survivors who rose above all they lost, what more could you ask for in a hero and heroine. Jack the tough ex-Marine who makes sure he watches over the small town just like he watched over his men in battle. He's a true hero, yet he vulnerable and surprisingly tender with Mel. And Mel she's so strong yet she doesn't see it. She walked away from all she knew, took a huge risk and found the love was still in the cards for her.

But VIRGIN RIVER is more than just Jack and Melinda's story, it the basis for a world, a town that I've come to love. From Preacher and Paige to Rick and Lizzie there isn't anyone I'm not happy to see each time I return to the river. Jack and Mel may have started it all and for that they'll always hold a special place in my heart, but it's the town and it's people that having me coming back time and again.

9 out of 10

TBR Challenge May 2009

2009-05-21T11:07:00.001-04:00

"Pretend You Love Me" by Stacia Wolf
Buy from MBaM!
Read An Excerpt Online
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
ISBN: 1-59998-177-7
Price: $5.50
Length: Novel
Publication Date: December 12th, 2006
Cover art by Stacia Wolf and Scott Carpenter

It's one thing to deceive your meddling family, it's quite another to fool yourself.

Cassie Delistraty is one tough woman. A brilliant attorney, well-schooled in self defense, she's quite capable of taking care of herself. But can she face down her own mama? Heck, no!

Nursing a bruised heart from her failed marriage, Cassie has returned to Seattle to decide the next chapter in her life. But she's stalled she spends all her time remodeling her new home, playing with her dogs, and flirting outrageously with her former crush, Mike Ashford, whenever they come into contact. She thinks it's working, but her mother has other ideas. She stages a dance contest to find a suitable man to date her hermit daughter.

Enter her knight in shining armor or rather, a bar apron. Rescuing girl-next-door Cassie Delistraty has been a habit throughout Mike's life. The headstrong don't-rescue-me-I-can-handle-it female always finds some sort of trouble from helping the downtrodden to protesting wrongdoings. And despite her protestations, she does need someone to watch over her. But could this be one rescue too many? Because who's going to save Mike from Cassie?

The fake relationship Mike springs on Cassie presents her with a tempting new possibility use the farce to finally eradicate this crush Cassie's labored under for over a decade. But what to do when the flames she fans to life threaten to burn out of control?

When I was looking for a book in my TBR that was a novel about friends to lovers I realized I'd read them all, then when I looked a little more I found this book in my Samhain bookshelf. So I dove right in.

But now I find myself struggling to write this review, so much so that it's late for the TBR Challenge, but since I read it and liked it enough to give it a 7 I feel like I need to come through here. PRETEND YOU LOVE ME fits all the Friends to Lovers points that I for one expect to see. Mike is Cassie's brother's best friend, he promised Cal to never get involved with Cassie, yet he's attracted to her. Cassie who is no dummy still manages to get herself into situations she needs to be saved from and Mike is her "Knight in Shining Armor". There chemistry is off the charts and the story is one that left me smiling in the end.

The only part that I struggled with and why this is a 7 and not higher is Cassie and Cal's parents storyline, it was complicated and deep and without spoiling it riddled with deception and mistrust. They went for Thirty years unmarried and yet still in love with each other. I found myself scratching my head over this, they never once talked about what kept them apart. Cassie dad would propose every year and every year her mother would refuse. So why oh why doesn't anyone try to get to the bottom of why? It was quite frustrating to me. Then when the truth was revealed we find Mike's mom had something to do with keeping Cassie and cal's parents apart. I was shocked and well amazed at how easily this deceit was forgiven not only by Cassie's parents, but by Cassie and Mike as well. It pushed the boundaries of just how much I am willing to believe. granted this is based on how I feel I would react to the situation, but I don't think I could have forgiven Mike's mom and it would have definitely derailded any chance of Me staying with Mike. Cassie is a better woman than I.

So that being said PRETEND YOU LOVE ME is a solid 7.

April Reads 2009

2009-05-08T18:08:00.004-04:00

I was off to a good start on my reading blog writing short reviews of each book as I read them, but then life threw me a few curve balls. I had to get one of my dogs neurtered, then another one of my dogs ate through the charging plug for my laptop. Leaving me pretty much internetless. Since yesterday I have a new cord. Yeah I'm back on-line!!!

So I'm going to wrap up the month's reading here and then start fresh for this months reading, hopefully I will be able to review more and blog more.

I read 31 books, all of them were in eBook format.

9 of them are also available in print.

Some were based on recommends from others TBR piles or just from reviews I saw on other blogs.

Paradise Valley ~ Mira ~ Robyn Carr ~ 9
Saddled ~ Samhain ~ Delilah Devlin ~ 9
Phantom Desires ~ Samhain ~ Bianca D'Arc ~ 8.5
Be With Me ~ Berkley Heat ~ Maya Banks ~ 9.5
Sweet Surrender ~ Berkley Heat ~ Maya Banks ~ 8.5
Glutton for Pleasure ~ Samhain ~ Alisha Rai ~ 7
Saving Sarah ~ Total E Bound ~ Lacey Thorn ~7
Covert Lessons ~ Ellora's Cave ~ Mari Carr ~ 8
Facing It ~Samhain ~ Linda Winfree ~ 9.5
For Her Pleasure ~ Berkley Heat ~ Maya Banks ~ 7.5
Montana Creeds: Tyler ~ Harlequin ~ Linda Lael Miller ~ 8.5
Past Promises ~ Samhain ~ NJ Walters ~ 10
Wolf Signs ~ Samhain ~ Vivian Arend ~ 8.5
Taking Chase ~ Samhain ~ Lauren Dane ~ 9
Chased ~ Samhain ~ Lauren Dane ~ 9
Always ~ Samhain ~ Lauren Dane ~ 9
The Cowboy Way ~ Champagne ~ Cat Lovington ~ 6
Theirs to Capture ~ Samhain ~ Shelli Stevens ~ 7
Making Chase ~ Samhain ~ Lauren Dane ~ 10
Friends With Benefits ~ Samhain ~ Kelly Jamieson ~ 8
Mia Dolce ~ Ellora's Cave ~ Cerise DeLand ~ 7
Red Alert ~ Ellora's Cave ~ Lynne Connolly ~ 9.5
Steel Beauty ~ Samhain ~ Dana Marie Bell ~ 8
Giving Chase ~ Samhain ~ Lauren Dane ~ 9
Butterfly Tattoo ~ Samhain ~ Diedre Knight ~ 10
Bossy and Clyde ~ Ellora's Cave ~Jaid Black ~ 8
Catherine's Awakening ~ Ellora's Cave ~ Joanna Wylde ~ 8
Journey to the Pearl ~ Ellora's Cave ~ Desiree Holt ~ 7
Howling for My Baby ~ Samhain ~ Beverly Rae ~ 8
Anything But Mine ~ Samhain ~ Linda Winfree ~ 9
Falling Into You ~ Samhain ~ Linda Winfree ~ 9

And I read three books that were a 10 in my book.

So not to shabby.

See you next month!! Happy Reading!!

Re~Read Challenge April 2009 ~ Fall Into Me ~ Linda Winfree

2009-04-29T20:28:00.013-04:00

Well it's that time again. I told myself I would re-read a print title this month and well... I failed. LOL!! It's clear my obsession with eBooks continues and now I justify it by remebering that eBooks are the green way to go. Less paper more trees.

Anyway my re-read choice was driven by a few factors. 1. This Author is an autobuy for me 2. She had a new release this month and 3. She writes cops who talk like cops and are down right sexy.

So who is this author? It's none other than the fabulous Linda Winfree.

Her Hearts of the South series is well written and emotionally charged. Tick, Cookie, Stanton, Chris and the one and only Troy Lee have her fans wanting more and more from Chandler County. So with all these fine male specimens to choose from who would I choose to be the focus of this months re-read?

I couldn't help but want to visit Troy Lee again, he and Cookie vie constantly for the spot of favorite Lin hero for me. Last month it was Cookie, this month Troy Lee. I'm a fickle thing aren't I.? ;)

So the big thing about a re-read is that you go back and enjoy for a second time people you already know in a story that depending on how long ago you read it may or may not be firmly inprinted on your mind. This month's review is more about expectations than an indepth review of Fall Into Me. I could easily go on and on about any of Lin's books, but more than that I knew that when I opened this eBook I would get an excellent story, told in a way that involves the reader, that has you cheering for the characters and in the end leaves you wanting more.

Expectations vary, IMO from a novel you've read for the first time to one you read the second time.

The first time you read it you only know what you read in excerpts and in the books blurb. You wonder if the story will live up to the blurb that enticed you in the first place, or if the excerpt you read was the only good part of the story?

But the second time it's all about what you remember, did it really move you that much, was it really that well written, or were all of your previous feelings somehow more than what you really experienced the last time? Is the reality equal to the hype?

Fall Into Me for me was as emotional and sexy as it was the first time, perhaps even more so.

This time around I noticed so much more about Troy Lee and Angel, they became more real to me.

Troy Lee is brilliant, his mind is just as sexy as his body. I never put it all together the first, he's a Deputy Police Officer and I do love a man in uniform, he's a musician; plays the guitar and sings a total double Whammy for me. Then I realized something as I re-read the scene with Troy Lee at dinner with Angel's parents and he's talking about what he went to school for and it clicked for me, Rocket Scientist, this sexy, talented musician and law enforcement officer was going to school to be a Rocket Scientist and I had to laugh.

Troy Lee, who admits he's made mistakes on the job, who's afraid of Tick Calvert and yearns for his approval, is really, really smart, yet still utterly human. He makes mistakes, he has uncertainty and doubts just like anyone else and for that I love him even more.

Hope eyed him again. “Did you go to college up there?”

“I started out at Georgia Tech, then transferred to UGA when I changed my major to criminal justice.”

Angel slanted a glance at him from beneath her lashes while buttering her roll. “What was your first major?”

His attention narrowed to her mouth as she bit into the fluffy bread and licked a bit of butter from the corner of her lips. He dragged himself back to the question, lifted his gaze to her eyes, which glinted with a wicked awareness of what she’d done to him with the innocent action. “Um, physics and aerospace engineering. Mainly propulsion theory.”

Darryl turned his head. “What’s that?”

“Rocket engine design.” He accepted the gravy boat from Marie and drizzled the thick sauce over his potatoes.

“Rocket science.” Hope turned toward Angel and some sort of unspoken communication flashed between the two.

“Kind of. A lot of math, a lot of research into alternative energy options.”

Darryl frowned, looking at the television again rather than him. “Well, how the hell did you end up driving a cop car down here?”

Images flashed in his head, his father’s bruised and swollen face, head swathed in bandages, ventilator tubing invading his mouth, the flatline on the monitor once the life support had been disconnected. “Being stuck in a lab all day, crunching numbers, wasn’t for me.”

And Angel on the surface may just seem like a woman who owns a bar and by her own thoughts and actions thinks she can't compete with the other officer's wives and girlfriends. Case in point before she attends the Police Officers ball she tries to talk Troy Lee out of it, she's not as good as Autry the Attorney, or Caitlin the FBI profiler and Tori the Grief Counselor that Mark Cooke choose over her, and for a brief second you could believe it because Angel is that convincing. But then you realize she's more than what you see on the surface, observed not through her own eyes, but through Troy Lee's.

She twined her hands together in her lap. “Why are you angry?”

The swiftness of his moving stole her breath. He knelt before her, both of his long hands covering hers. “Because you don’t see what I do.”

“You see what you want to see.”

He ignored her. “Talk to me about respectability.”

Her shoulders slumped on a weary exhale. “Oh, come on, Troy Lee, surely you get this part. Do you know what I did after community college?”

“You worked days at McGee’s and waited tables at the diner at night.”

It was her turn to stare at him in shock. “How do you know that?”

“Mr. Hubert at the diner.” He named one of the town’s elderly residents, a World War II veteran who spent his days sipping tea and talking to anyone who’d pass the time with him. “He adores you. And you saved your money and when the Cue Club went up for sale, you wrote a business plan, secured a loan, turned it into a profitable venture when no one thought it was possible. So no, I don’t see how the hell you can be intimidated by anyone or anything, Angel Henderson.”

“But I am,” she whispered, tears stinging her perfectly shaded and mascaraed eyes. “I don’t want to be, but I hold up the bar against who they are, what they do and there’s no comparison.”

“You’re right, there’s not.” He seemed to breathe the words, a pure emotion glinting in his gaze as he looked up at her. “You took nothing and you made something out of it, just like Christine and those balls of clay she starts with when she’s sculpting. It takes a rare and unique talent, you know, to make something great out of nothing, and you have it.”

She closed her eyes, trying to pull her wild feelings together. He moved, the fine cotton of his shirt rustling, and pressed his cheek to hers. “Don’t discount it, baby. Be proud of it.”

On a trembling sigh, she lifted her lashes, finding his gorgeous blues close to hers. A shift of her head and their lips met in the mingling she cherished. He pulled back, rubbing warm hands over her bare knees. He stared at her, his eyes alight with a fierce passion, his expression serious. “I’m not going to ask you to do something that makes you sincerely uncomfortable, but I would like to have you with me tonight and I’d damn sure be proud to have you with me.”

He rose and extended his hand, palm up. Holding his gaze, Angel sucked in a deep breath and wrestled the fear down.She laid her hand in his and let him draw her to her feet. His fingers tightened around hers and she moistened her lips, probably messing up the lipstick she’d painted on with painstaking care. Damn it all, if she was going to do this, she’d do it on her own terms. She kicked out of the pumps she’d never worn because they really weren’t her.

“Get me the darn hooker shoes then.”

His pleased laugh rumbled over her and she caught a glimpse of pride shining in his eyes as he leaned in to kiss her. “You got it, babe.”

Real people's emotions laid bare right there and throughout this series. How she does it I don't know, but each new book brings characters I can love, men I wish I could have as my own and women who I wouldn't mind being or at the very least knowing and counting as friend. Isn't that what a re-read is all about, that satisfaction that it was as just as good if not better the second time around?

“Fall Into Me” by Linda Winfree

Buy from MBaM!

Read An Excerpt Online

Genre: Contemporary Romance

ISBN: 978-1-60504-366-1

Length: Novel

Price: 5.50

Publication Date: January 6, 2009

Cover art by Anne Cain

She’s finally falling for the right man…at the worst possible time.

A part of the Hearts of the South series.

After two back-to-back romantic disappointments, bar owner Angel Henderson isn’t looking for love. In the past month, she’s been passed over twice by men she’d pinned her hopes on, both times in favor of a younger woman. She’s ready to swear off men for life. The only problem? A certain younger man determined to prove he can be her right man.

Sheriff’s deputy Troy Lee Farr is tired of being the department screw-up. The harder he tries to prove himself, the worse it gets. The only thing that’s gone right recently is getting a second chance with Angel. Except she’d rather jam on the brakes than rush into a new relationship. Now he has to work hard to prove his worth as a romantic prospect.

Troy Lee is a patient man, and it isn’t long before Angel is falling into him as hard as he’s fallen for her. Just as Angel begins to think of him as more than a fun date, her past—and Troy’s dangerous reality—threatens the tentative happiness they’ve found in one another.

Reminding them both that security is tenuous…and unconditional love is the biggest challenge of all.

Warning: Cops who talk like cops, explicit older woman-younger man lovin’, and two-boxes-of-tissues emotion.

TBR Challenge April 2009

2009-04-16T22:17:00.007-04:00

Well once again I'm coming in just under the wire. This month it was Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, or SF. I started Tempt Me With Darkness, but I didn't finish it on time, so last night I checked through my eBooks and found a gem I'd purchased from Samhain and had yet to read.

“Wolf Signs” by Vivian Arend
Buy from MBaM!

Read An Excerpt Online

Genre: Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 978-1-60504-476-7

Length: NovellaPrice: 3.50

Publication Date: March 24, 2009

Cover art by Angie Waters

Talk about getting your signals crossed…

Granite Lake Wolves, Book 1

Robyn Maxwell doesn’t care that her brother has to cancel out on their backcountry ski trip. She can do it alone. The fact she’s deaf doesn’t make her survival skills any weaker. The chance to get away from it all and relax in the Yukon wilderness is just what she’s been craving.

Meeting wilderness guide Keil at the cabin starts cravings of another kind. Keil’s one hot hunk of ripped, tasty male. Now she has to deal with raging hormones as well as strange questions about wolves and mates and challenges to the death.

Keil was trying for a nice reflective retreat before challenging for the Alpha position of his Alaskan pack. He wasn’t planning on meeting the woman destined to be his mate, or finding out she’s not aware she has the genes of a wolf.

Between dealing with his accident-prone younger brother, a deaf mate with an attitude and an impending duel to the death, his week—and his bed—is suddenly full.

Far from the relaxing getaway any of them had in mind…

Warning: Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “talking with your hands”. Includes dangerous use of sarcasm and hot nookie in a remote wilderness sauna.

WOLF SIGNS is the first book in Ms. Arend's Granite Lake wolves series. It has a multitude of pluses that had me enjoying this book all the way through. Starting with the Heroine, she is feisty, bossy, independent and oh yeah deaf to boot, but she doesn't let it stop her, in fact it makes her want her independence more. She never uses it as crutch to fall back on, she knows her limits and she knows when to conceed to those who may know more than her.

Then there is Keil, he's ALPHA, but yet he handles Robyn with care. He finds a way to easy the communication between them, he never lets her feel inferior and protects her without smothering her. And heck he's just downright Sexy.

Keil's brother and Robyn's brother both make appearences and their brief parts of the storyline were engaging enough to have me hunting up Ms. Arend's website to see what she has planned next for this series. I guess that's probably the biggest compliment I can give any author, to want more from her right away means she wrote something that spoke to the reader.

Witty dialogue and Robyn are probably what impressed me the most and of course the sex was smoking hot and the love story believable. That's the beauty of the werewolf paranormal genre, mates meet and they just know.

I really enjoyed WOLF SIGNS, I'll definitely be looking for more from Ms. Arend in the future.

8 out of 10

Past Promises ~ Jamesville ~ N.J. Walters

2009-04-14T19:05:00.011-04:00

Title: Past Promises

Series: Jamesville #7

Author: N.J. Walters

Available: April 14, 2009

Read an excerpt here.

Available at MBAM!

NJ's website

Sometimes the only way to leave the past behind is to ignore the voice of reason—and leap.

Jamesville, Book 7

For Linda Fletcher, the sign in front of her new business says it all.

Past Promises Antiques is her declaration of independence from her powerful and manipulative family—and a vow to herself that her future will be different.

She never considered herself the no-strings-affair type, but the chemistry between her and her newly hired handyman is too intense to ignore. Moving to Jamesville was a bold step, so what’s the harm in taking one more—into his arms?

Levi Mann’s shadowed past keeps his bags packed light and his feet on
the move. But one look at Linda, and he finds himself willing to hang around—just long enough to figure out what it is that triggers their
explosive passion.

Warning, this title contains very explicit language, a dysfunctional family, a very large inheritance and lots of wild, hot sex.

What can I say I'm an NJ fangirl, I bought PAST PROMISES as soon as I could this morning. It didn't matter that I was at work when it came out, I had to go and buy it. I snuck some at work during lunch, then as soon as I got home I threw together dinner (Spaghetti and sauce from a jar) and sat down to read the rest of this installment of Jamesville.

It was admittedly bittersweet since I know that for now the Jamesville series is complete, here's hoping NJ goes back there, I knew that when I finished PAST PROMISES I'd be leaving this little town and it's wonderful people.

So the question is Did Levi and Linda live up to the hype in my mind?

The answer is simply yes, I cried, I laughed, I saw old friends (SHAMUS O'ROURKE he's still my favorite man of Jamesville), and I realized that NJ put as much into Linda and Levi's story as she did in Dani and Burke's.

N.J. just gets it, she knows how to create heroines who are strong on their own and even stronger with a man who loves them by their side. Linda could have easily given up on her dreams long before she came to Jamesville. She could have let her family force her hand, but she didn't, instead she risked everything for her new life. She doesn't need Levi to save her and protect her, but she is willing to let him. Like with everything Linda does she does it all the way and when she begins to fall for Levi, she embraces it and prepares her heart just in case he doesn't feel the same. She's everything a good heroine should be, she smart, brave and beautiful both inside and out. I like her, could easily be her friend and was glad she found Levi and Jamesville.

Levi Mann, his name says it all, he's all "MAN!" He is quiet, watchful, and that mysterious kind of sexy that makes me want him for myself. But then N.J. never short changes the reader when it comes to her heros. I'm not sure if it's the characters or N.J.'s voice that has readers loving the men she creates, but whatever it is she manges to do it everytime.

Since reading BY THE BOOK I have wanted to know about Levi, what makes him the way he is, and what he'd be like when he met the woman he could love. His past defines him, has made him who he is and one thing that stikes me about him comes across loud and clear during a passage where he analizes a difficult decision he had to make.

"He’d been in situations that no person should ever have to endure. He’d killed. He’d learned to shut down his emotions to survive, but that had lasted only so many years before the cracks began to show. That’s why he’d retired. He wasn’t certain of himself and his reactions anymore. That made him dangerous in combat situations and he wouldn’t risk the safety of his fellow soldiers. So he’d opted out and come here to figure out his life. All he’d wanted was peace and quiet, but he’d found so much more."

That pretty much sums up Levi, he puts others first, he's careful and ultimately knows who he is and what he wants. He is a man of action, not one to sit idly by. He is the first to run to aid Linda, he stands beside her and supports her with no expectations and when he loves he does so with all he has.

PAST PROMISES is a fitting conclusion to a series that has explored it all from healing the body and the mind like Patrick and Shannon, to learning how to forgive and trust; like Dani and Burke or Cyndi and Shamus, to Linda and Levi who in learn that moving beyond their pasts will bring them the promise of future full of love and happily ever after.

BRAVO N.J. BRAVO, you made me cry, you made me cheer and you made me love Levi and Linda as much as you clearly love them.

10 out of 10

Amazon Rank Shunning Readers Since 2009

2009-04-12T16:18:00.004-04:00

Two little words with enormous meaning behind them.

AMAZON RANK

The meaning however in this case far out exceeds the impact of them. I was shocked when I read this morning about Amazon and it's new ranking system. One that is not consistent and is insulting to the publishing industy as a whole.

The every same people Amazon makes money off of are now being stipped from the front pages and from the tops of searches because they are labeled "adult" and not suitable.

I'm not by any means an expert on the law, I'm not an author or a publisher, but I am a consumer so aside from hitting them with this Google Bomb, I'm hitting them in the wallet.

We are in a recession, yet I still faithfully buy books, but after this I can tell you I won't be buying them from Amazon.

Facing It ~ Hearts of the South ~ Linda Winfree

2009-04-10T13:01:00.019-04:00

“Facing It” by Linda Winfree

Buy from MBaM!

Read An Excerpt Online

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense

ISBN: 978-1-60504-488-0

Length: Novel

Price: 5.50

Publication Date: April 7, 2009

Cover art by Anne Cain

There are worse things than facing your greatest fear.

A Hearts of the South story.

Mired in a brutal marriage for far too long, Ruthie Chason takes her courage and her children in hand to flee the trap that has become her life. Yet she’s no fool. She knows he’ll come after her once he discovers she possesses criminal evidence that will put him away for good—and seal her deadly fate if he ever catches up with her.

Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Parker offers emotional refuge, a safe place to begin to reclaim her life…if she can let herself trust the strong, quiet cop that far.

Chris surprises himself when he agrees to act as guardian for Ruthie and her children. He does it as a favor, then finds something about her calm strength soothes his battered soul. Now if only he can silence the demons from his past that make him cautious of falling too fast for any woman.

Their need explodes into a heart-stopping night of passion that exposes their deepest vulnerabilities. But just as they begin to explore how healing love can be, violence tracks them down. And backs them into a desperate corner…

Warning: Contains a to-die-for deputy with secrets in his past, a woman ripe for the love of a good man, and a controlling husband bent on revenge. Deep emotion, passionate lovemaking and violent mayhem to ensue.

The book opens with a supercharged and emotionally disturbing scene that sets the tone and gives the reader a very real and shocking view of Ruth Ann Chason's life. Right from the beginning you can't help but want her and her children to escape, the fact she stayed as long as she did really demonstrates that even the strongest of people can be controlled by someone they love. I didn't think for one moment that Ruthie wasn't strong. Far from it actually, she is stronger than most people, the proof is easily seen as she flees her husband and takes with her the one thing he wants more than her and her children.

As for Chris Parker he has always been a mystery to Linda's fans, he is an enigma, just when you think you have him figured out he throws you a curve ball you never expected. He's strong and silent yet when the truth is revealed about Chris and his past you can't help but want to embrace him and love him. Chris and Ruthie truly are kindred spirits and they both need the support of another survivor to move beyond the pain of the past.

When I think of Chris I automatically think of Troy Lee, I'm not sure why but I think of them as partners so when Chris turned to that friendship as he battled with uncertainty I was ready to stand up and cheer. If anyone would be able to encourage Chris to open up I knew it would be Troy Lee, he that kind of guy one part reliable cop and one part understanding friend. He would do anything for anyone. (Can you tell I'm a Troy Lee fan?)

The action builds quickly and the danger mounts as Ruthie's estranged husband begins to search for her, I was on the edge of seat for a large part of FACING IT. I have so many things I want to talk about, but doing so would give away too much.

Another substory is present in FACING IT that is just as interesting as the main plot. Jennifer and Harrell, they are reminiscent of Cait and Tick but with the roles reversed. Jen knows she wants him and he try to find a laundry list of reasons why they shouldn't. Their love percerveres and I hope to see them both back in Chandler in the future.

Of course we see some of my favs in this book, Cait and Tick, Cookie and Tori, and my new fave Troy Lee (sorry Cookie). It's always good to check in with the gang, and I wish we could have seen more of them, but if Linda covered all of them everytime FACING IT would have been 1000 pages. Not that would bother me, but I'm sure Linda would still be writing it.

FACING IT can be read as a stand alone title, but I definitely recommend reading THE HEARTS OF THE SOUTH series in order, there are so many fabulous stories in this series and IMO none of them should be missed.

A big BRAVO to Linda Winfree for another emotional and turbulent read, it had me from the first page till the very last one.

9.5 out of 10

Glutton for Pleasure by Alisha Rai

2009-04-06T08:00:00.001-04:00

Aside from buying ebooks from my autobuy authors I try to find new authors through reviews, blurbs and in the case of Samhain Publishing I use their best sellers list. GLUTTON FOR PLEASURE is one of those books. I'd read the blurb on the coming soon page, read the excerpt, but still I hesistated. After reading it I'm not sure why I waited. Now I can't wait for Ms. Rai to write Leena and Rana novels, rest assured when they release I won't be waiting to buy them.

“Glutton for Pleasure” by Alisha Rai
Buy from MBaM!
Read An Excerpt Online
Genre: Contemporary Romance , Red Hots!
ISBN: 978-1-60504-470-5
Length: Novel
Price: 5.50
Publication Date: March 17, 2009
Cover art by Anne Cain

They’re craving something sweet. She likes it spicy.

Devi Malik knows how to heat things up. She does it every night as head chef in her family’s Indian restaurant. Her love life, though, is stuck in the subzero freezer. Now, with a chance to fulfill a secret fantasy with her long-time crush and his brother, it’s time to put her desire on the front two burners.

For Marcus Callahan, a love-’em-and-leave-’em attitude isn’t only a necessary evil of their kink. It’s a protective device. Lately, though, his brother Jace has been making noises about craving something more.

Jace’s dissatisfaction with their lifestyle grows with every glimpse of sweet little
Devi. Yet Marcus is too haunted by the pain of their shared past to give love a
chance.
Despite their reputation for vanishing with the dawn, they discover
one night with Devi isn’t nearly enough. And Devi finds herself falling in love
with two very different men.

It’ll take more than explosive sex to light up the shadows surrounding the Callahan brothers’ secrets. But Devi’s never been afraid of the dark…

Warning: This title contains two sizzling men for the price of one, ménage a trois, oral sex, anal sex, fun toys, great food, and creative uses for syrup and dressing rooms.

Devi reminds me alot of a friend I had for years, she was shy and innocent on the outside, but underneath she was a sexy woman waiting for the right man to light her fuse. Like Devi, my friend loved with her whole heart and she is still happily married to the man who IMO swept her off her feet. All we can hope for in "real life" is to find the one person who completes us, who we can share are hopes and fears with, unlike Devi we usually get one person who fills that need.

Jace and Marcus however are IMO two halves of the same whole, their actions indicate it this as well as the secrets that are revealed from their past. Honestly they could have been one person I guess, but yet not. It must be the twin thing.

Anyway, Ms. Rai's debut with Samhain hits one into deep right field (excuse the baseball analogies, I was watching the WORLD CHAMPION PHILLIES earlier). It's not a homerun I'm afraid though,it has heart, erotic menages, hunky heros and one kick a** herione, but their love seemed a tad rushed. However it was well written and will have me buying more from Ms. Rai in the future.

7 out of 10

Reading eBooks Vs. Print

2009-04-05T12:14:00.006-04:00

I used to always buy books in print, holding my favorite authors new release in my hands was the one experience I always looked forward to. On new release dayI would rush out to the book store and load up on new books, making my credit card and sometimes my hubby scream.

Then in 2003 I discovered eBooks, books on demand and I was hooked. It's 11:30 pm and I want something new to read, I can just hop online and in minutes have the books I'm looking for. Originally I bought books electronically to get the hotter more erotic novels not offered in Print formats, but now I find that I am buying almost all my books online. Case in point, I discovered Karen Rose through the reading challenges I signed up for this year, so instead of running to the local book store I fired up the laptop. A few clicks, my CC number and a mobipocket download and I had DIE FOR ME. I was reading and enjoying this new author in under 10 minutes. Ultimately I ended up buying all her books, but Kill for Me in eBook.

So when did it all change, when did I move from loving Print books to becoming an eBook addict? I hope to get my Print Book mojo back, but I think I may need to join a 12 Step Program to break my eBook habit first.

March 2009 Reads Recap

2009-04-04T11:00:00.010-04:00

Less books than January, but more than February. A total of 27 books

26 books were eBooks

4 of the eBooks were also issued in Print

6 of them were ReReads

1 book rated a 7
2 Books rated a 7.5
10 books rated an 8
4 rated an 8.5
9 books rated a 9
1 books rated a 9.5

Miss October ~ Ellora's Cave ~ Madison Hayes ~ 8 ~ Calendar Girls
Miss August ~ Ellora's Cave ~ Madison Hayes ~ 8 ~ Calendar Girls
Montana Creeds ~ Logan ~ HQN ~ Linda Lael Miller ~ 8 ~ Montana Creeds
Montana Creeds ~ Dylan ~ HQN ~ Linda Lael Miller ~ 8 ~ Montana Creeds
Star Bright ~ Signet ~ Catherine Anderson ~ 9 ~ Harrigan Family
Saving Sophie ~ Ravenous ~ Elle Amery ~ 8
Grace on Fire ~ Ravenous ~ Elle Amery ~ 8
Tally's Gift ~ Ravenous ~ Elle Amery ~ 8
Running from the Past ~ Ellora's Cave ~ Katie Rues ~ 8
Tempting Tori ~ Ellora's Cave ~ NJ Walters~ 9
Seductive Secrets ~ Samhain ~ Lynne Connolly ~ 9 ~ Secrets Trilogy
Alluring Secrets ~ Samhain ~ Lynne Connolly ~ 9 ~ Secrets Trilogy
Tantalizing Secrets ~ Samhain ~ Lynne Connolly ~ 9 ~ Secrets Trilogy
Lily Blossoms ~ Ellora's Cave ~ NJ Walters ~ 9 ~ Summerville Secrets
Falling In Love ~ Zebra ~ Pauline Trent ~ 8
Second Hope ~ Samhain ~ J.B. McDonald ~ 7
Fortune's Deception ~ Samhain ~ Karen Erickson ~ 8.5 ~ Fortune
Fortune's Promise ~ Samhain ~ Karen Erickson ~ 8.5 Fortune
Fortune's Chance ~ Samhain ~ Karen Erickson ~ 8.5 Fortune
Lilith Enraptured ~ Ellora's Cave ~ Michelle Pillow ~ 9.5 ~ Divinty Warriors
A Fine Specimen ~ Ellora's Cave ~ Lisa Marie Rice ~ 7.5
Tasting Candy ~ Samhain ~ Anne Rainey ~ 7.5 ~ Vaughn Series
Heat of Passion ~ Samhain ~ Elle Kennedy ~ 8.5 ~ Out of Uniform
Dance of Seduction ~ Samhain ~ Elle Kennedy ~ 9
The Warrior Prince ~ NCP ~ Michelle Pillow ~ 9 ~ Dragon Lords

Releasing Today!!! Phantom Desires Bianca D'Arc

2009-04-03T14:10:00.010-04:00

I Love Bianca's Books and today marks the release of PHANTOM DESIRES book 3 of the Brotherhood of Blood Series.

This book was released previously and I loved it then. This novel has been reworked and expanded and I can't wait to read Carly and Dmitri's re"vamp"ed novel.

Congrats Bianca!!!

This time, the creature under the basement is real. And dead sexy.

Brotherhood of Blood, Book 3

Computer expert Carly is tired, burned out and ready to downgrade her hectic lifestyle to something simpler. Her solution—pull up stakes and move to an old farm house in the middle of Wyoming. Her new house is full of old-time charm, and it comes with an unexpected surprise. Dmitri Belakov.

Dmitri, a Master Vampire, had an agreement with the former owners of the house to let him live peacefully beneath it in his hidden lair. Now there’s a new owner, and he may have to risk revealing his presence to negotiate a new contract. He moves cautiously because
if she won’t deal, he’ll have to kill her once she knows his secret.
Carly’s mind is unusually hard to influence, but he makes inroads when she is asleep.Their shared dreams are more erotic than he ever expected, firing a hunger within him to know her feel and taste in the flesh. But doing so risks far too much. Even if Carly can’t deny the attraction arcing between them, loving him will force her to make a choice. An eternity in darkness with him—or life in the sun without him.

This book has been previously published and has been substantially revised and expanded from its original release.

Edited to add: I wrote a short review of this book on my reading journal here.

Re~Read Challenge March 2009 ~ The Warrior Prince ~ Michelle Pillow

2009-03-31T19:26:00.014-04:00

I had a hard time getting into reading this month, between the winter blahs and fighting allergies and colds, reading seemed to me like it was taking a backseat to everything else.

I did however find inspiration to get a reread done last night. I just finished Michelle Pillow’s newest release LILITH ENRAPTURED; book one in her Divinity Warriors Series. It made me think of the one warrior from her past books that has always been on of my favorite Alpha Males. Zoran is hands down one of my all time favorite characters of Michelle’s and I decided that I’d reread his story to see if he continues to live up to my expectations.

The Survivor…

Though no one could ever command her, this
warrior would try to conquer her heart…

Physically scarred in childhood in an act of
betrayal, Pia has never been considered an attractive woman. One horrible mistake and she is on the run. Desperate to hide her identity, she makes a deal with Galaxy Brides—in exchange for a new face, she’ll marry anyone they put in front of her. Never did she realize her future husband would be the most handsome warrior of the Draig.

The Warrior…

Though no man could thwart the brave Draig leader, a woman would be his undoing…

Zoran of Draig is a man who knows what he wants. He has to. Being a Prince and the Captain of the Draig Guard, he has to make swift decisions, be ready to battle at a moment’s notice, and most of all, he always has to be in control. When his wife, the one person who should obey him refuses to, Zoran discovers the battle for his heart’s desire is fiercer than any he has ever waged before.
Could the conqueror become the conquered?

Rating: Contains graphic sexual content, adult
language, and violence.

My first feeling as I began to reread THE WARRIOR PRINCE was it was like coming home and visiting old friends you haven’t seen in years. The opening scenes with Pia as she escapes after murdering the Mayor’s son start the action right away.

Scarred, scared and desperate, she turns to the Galaxy Brides to change her appearance and secure her escape. Pia is tough both physically and emotionally, she has to be, her multiple surgeries uncover the beauty under the scars, but Pia’s scars run deep. So it’s not surprising when Zoran chooses her as his bride she thinks it’s a joke, she honestly can’t believe that Zoran finds her beautiful.

Zoran on the other hand is all male, ALPHA MALE, and in typical male fashion he makes many, many mistakes. As Commander of the Guard he expects obedience, with Pia his more than he could have ever bargained for. Watching as he learns the hard way the difference between training warriors and winning a wife live is quite amusing.

Zoran struggles, spends nights sleeping alone, but in the end Pia teaches her big bad Prince a lesson in love he’ll not soon forget.

For me THE WARRIOR PRINCE is just as good the second time around, it’s intertwining story lines with the previous novels is seamless and the emotions it evokes are just as strong this time as it was the first time I read it.

My only regret is that I didn’t reread all of them, but then I can easily remedy that situation.

THE WARRIOR PRINCE can be read as a stand alone, but for a fuller and more enjoyable read I would say reading them in order is best.

9 out of 10

Riding On Instinct Contest

2009-03-26T08:31:00.002-04:00

Check out this incredibly cool contest from Jaci Burton for her next release Riding On Instinct. I can't wait for this book to release and in the meantime if your looking for a hot and romantic read Jaci's backlist is not to be missed.

Michelle Pillow has a New Series Starting!!!

2009-03-20T09:27:00.003-04:00

I am admitedly a Michelle Pillow fan girl. I love her books, I reread them quite often.

This new series with Ellora's Cave looks so good it can't come out fast enough. Click on the banner to check out Michelle's books currently available at Jasmine Jade.

Have a great Friday and Congrats to Michelle on her new series.

The Winter Blah's

2009-03-19T10:32:00.004-04:00

I saw this picture and it reminded me of how I've been feeling lately and honestly it had me wishing I could take a nap.

It also brought to my mind thoughts of the Winter Blahs, I have them this year. Sometimes I get them and sometimes I don't it's never a definite for me unlike so many who actually suffer from Winter related Depression year after year. When I do get them though everything suffers, my reading, my reviewing and my energy level.

I can't wait for Spring and Summer, we've been getting glimpses of it here in PA, but nothing that stays for days at end. When I was younger I never understood why so many people were down over the winter months, but in recent years I seem to relate more and more.

One of my friend's mother suffered severely from the winter blues, so much so that she up and moved to Florida to escape them. She happier now I assume, but such drastic measures seem to be over the top IMO. Although if I felt like this ever year I can't say that the thought of moving to a warmer climate might just seem like a dream come true.

So I say bring on the nice weather, so I can go outside with my kids, teach my youngest son to ride his bike and walk my dogs without freezing to death while I do it. I see a light at the end of the tunnel, I just wish the car would go faster.

TBR Challenge March 2009

2009-03-18T22:44:00.005-04:00

Well it’s that time again! I had a great time looking through my TBR to find a title that was both Historical and a Mystery. I did however realize two things; I have way too many TBR books and Historical mysteries are not that plentiful, at least in my collection of books.

I went to an auto buy author for me for this review. I had purchased Lynne Connolly’s SEDUCTIVE SECRETS when it first came out and it languished in my TBR, I even bought the second and third books of the trilogy and still they sat waiting for me to read them. What I was waiting for I have no idea, but then of course I got to read all three at once.

When I think of Historical Novels I think of Lynne Connolly, she’s written some wonderful tales that push the boundaries of the historical genre, she make the reader think and shows that while times may have been different then, some of today’s stereotypes still apply.

To survive, she’ll have to trust him with all her secrets.

The Secrets Trilogy book 1

Nick is back.

After eight years of facing public scandal and private humiliation with her head held high, Isobel’s courage fails when the man she never stopped loving returns and asks her to marry him. Once he discovers her secret, he won’t visit her bed more than once. And she can’t bear his rejection.

Nicholas, Marquis of Cardington, is confident he can cope with the baggage Isobel carries from her first marriage. It doesn’t matter that the beautiful widow once left him to elope with another man. After all, he was partly to blame for that disaster. All that matters is he has always loved her, and now she’s free to accept his proposal.

Only on their wedding night does Nick learn the terrible secret Isobel has harbored for eight long years. To win his wife’s trust will take every ounce of tenderness he possesses - when what he really wants is to show her the passion he saved for her and her alone.

But just as Isobel begins to believe her heart is safe with Nick, the blackmailers who drove her first husband to suicide reappear. And they want their pound of flesh.

Isobel must finally trust Nick will all her secrets—and her life—or their enemies will destroy them both.

Scandals and Secrets are two things Isobel and Nick are not strangers too. Years before Isobel abandoned Nick the day before they were to wed. It was her fears and his utter devotion to her that drove Isobel into the arms of her now late husband Harry. What at the time seemed like an escape quickly became a living hell for Isobel and even though Harry is gone she is still haunted by their life together and a secret she is sure would destroy any chance she has at happiness with Nick.

From the opening pages the readers are granted glimpses at the motives and the realities that Nick and Isobel lived with and suffered through during the years they were apart. Its fear of rejection that prevents Isobel from telling Nick of the horrors of her marriage and its his love for her that has Nick hiding the real reason he wants Isobel for his wife. Both of these string characters immediately show us a vulnerability that makes them likable. Sitting back as Isobel’s secret is revealed was as painful for me as it was for Nick.

These passages evoked strong emotions in me and had me wanting their love to conquer all. A stellar cast of characters made this novel sing. I love to be sucked into the story I'm reading and Lynne never fails to draw me in. True love, mixed with danger and intrigue, add a splash of hot sex and Lynne Connolly's knack for story telling and you have a winner.

I loved Nick, he is one of those romance heroes you never forget and Isobel is strength personified. Seductive Secrets was a great series starter and I devoured it great big greedy bites. The only downside was that it had to end.

A very satisfying read that will have me reading Lynne Connolly's books for years to come.

8 out of 10

February 2009 Reads Recap

2009-03-02T22:19:00.003-05:00

Less books than January, but still a respectable 24 books in February.

21 books were eBooks

15 of the eBooks were also available in Print

5 of them were ReReads

1 book rated a 7

17 books rated an 8

5 books rated a 9

1 books rated a 10 (Kill For Me ~ Karen Rose)

Ty Temptation Ellora's Cave Patrice Michelle 8 Bad in Boots

Coyote's Mate Berkley Lora Leigh 9 Breeds

Rare Vintage Samhain Bianca D'Arc 8 Brotherhood of Blood

Annabelle Lee Ellora's Cave NJ Walters 9 Summerville Secrets

The Devil Inside Samhain Kate Davies 8

Private Property Samhain Leah Braemal 7

Brazen Samhain Maya Banks 8

Irresistible Forces Harlequin Brenda Jackson 8

Once a Cowboy Harlequin Linda Warren 8

Kill For Me Hatchette Karen Rose 10

Tangled Up In You Avon Rachel Gibson 9

Not Another Bad Date Avon Rachel Gibson 9

Sex, Lies and Online Dating Avon Rachel Gibson 8

I'm In No Mood For Love Avon Rachel Gibson 9

Reckless Samhain Maya Banks 8

Deep in the Valley Mira Robyn Carr 8 Grace River Valley

Just Over the Mountain Mira Robyn Carr 8 Grace River

ValleyDown by the River Mira Robyn Carr 8 Grace River Valley

Virgin River Mira Robyn Carr 8 Virgin River

Shelter Mountain Mira Robyn Carr 8 Virgin River

Whispering Rock Mira Robyn Carr 8 Virgin River

A Virgin River Christmas Mira Robyn Carr 8 Virgin River

Second Chance Pass Mira Robyn Carr 8 Virgin River

Hearts Awakened Samhain Linda Winfree 8 Hearts of the South

February 2009 Re-Read Challenge

2009-02-28T11:35:00.006-05:00

Title: Hearts Awakened

Series: Hearts of the South

Author: Linda Winfree

Blurb: “Hearts Awakened” by Linda Winfree

Buy from MBaM!

Read An Excerpt Online

Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 1-60504-186-6

Length: Novel

Price: 5.50

Publication Date: September 2, 2008

Cover art by Anne Cain

It’s not the past that wounds us…it’s the ghosts we hold on to.

Hearts of the South Book 6

A lifetime ago Mark Cook’s pregnant wife vanished, taking everything and leaving an empty, aching hole in his life. Since then, as penance for his failure as a husband and father, he’s refused to allow himself to live. Refused to lay his sleeping heart on the line for any woman.

Enter Tori Calvert, his best friend’s baby sister. Suddenly, against his will—and against his better judgment—that same damaged heart seems determined to reawaken. And Mark’s not sure he can withstand the pain.

When she was a teenager, a vicious attack ripped away Tori’s very essence as a woman. Finally she feels ready to focus her existence on something other than her job as a rape crisis counselor. And to step outside the shelter of her loving, protective family. She trusts Mark more than any man, yet fear holds her back.

Fear that even the healing light of love may not be enough to banish the shadows of the past.

What worked for me: Cookie and Tori, here are two people who deserved to be happy and to find love. In HEARTS AWAKENED we learn so much more about Mark Cook and Tori Calvert it's simply amazing to me how these two strong yet vulnerable people have moved past the tragedies in their lives.

Tori Calvert lost her innocence at the hands of rapist, yet she rose above it and dedicated her life to helping others survive and move on with their lives. Sure she has her own issues she needs to overcome, but it's her fears combined with her incredible spirit that make her endearing to readers as well as the thing that jaded Investigator Mark Cook needs to shake up his life.

Mark Cook is a fan favorite, I for one have always wondered what his story was. He's a great officer, a trusted and loyal friend, and known as a ladies man, but what hides beneath the surface. When the truth is revealed, your heart can't help but break for him. His actions make sense, he hides behind his wit and using meaningless sex to keep himself isolated and shielded from hurt.

If two people were meant for each other it's Tori and Mark.

This story was as emotional and touching this time as it was the first time I read it. It was great to revisit Chandler and relive the birth of little Lee Calvert, to see Tick get put in his place again and to watch two great characters find love.

What didn't work for me: It's not so much what didn't work for me, but what I felt was missing. I love the comradery of the Chandler County Sheriff's office and since not current crime was being worked on in the installment that piece was missing from HEARTS AWAKENED. The banter between Tick and Mark wasn't their, Tick's lack of patience with Tory Lee was absent and while Chris made an appearance helping Mark solve a cold case, it was still missing that strong Crime element Linda does so well.

Of course the Cold Case was a vital piece of this story and it let the reader see more of Chris Parker, and probably a crime would have crowded this novel, but yet when I try to think of something I didn't like about this novel, this is all I could come up with. I missed, but I'm other would say it wasn't necessary, and since I have no real reason why I need it in this novel I'd have to agree.

Please don't get me wrong I loved this book, but Linda writes crime and cops so well I just missed it, it in no way lessened the value and emotional intensity of HEARTS AWAKENED.

8 out of 10

February TBR ~ Tangled Up In You ~ Rachel Gibson

2009-02-18T10:08:00.014-05:00

Wow time flies it seems and I thought that I would be more prepared for this month TBR. I read my DIK book last week fully intending to post the review well in advance, but as usual for me here it is TBR Day and I’m just writing this on the sly here at work.

So when I first saw this month’s suggestion I realized that had never bought a book based on a DIK review. So the first thing I did was check out AAR review section and was I surprised to see how many books lurked in my TBR that were listed as DIK.

The biggest hurdle was trying to decide what title and then of course stopping myself from reading the AAR review. So with much thought I went a picked an author I know I always enjoy reading a book from.

FEBRUARY’S TBR is Tangled up in You by Rachel Gibson.

TANGLED UP IN YOU
Avon Books – August 2007
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-117803-0
ISBN-10: 0-06-117803-9

Maddie Dupree isn’t in Truly, Idaho looking for a husband, a boyfriend, or anything in between. Maddie is looking for the truth and is determined to uncover the untold story about the town’s sordid past—her past. As a child, Maddie lost everything, and now she’s back at the scene of the scandal—a local establishment that’s always belonged to the Hennessy’s—determined to uncover the truth, and nothing is going to stand in her way. Especially not a black-haired, blue-eyed Hennessy.

Everyone in Truly knows that the Hennessy men are irresistible, and the current owner, Mick, is no exception. His late father was a skirt-chasing-heartbreaker who ended up causing disaster for two families, So far, Mick’s managed to keep the ladies in line, but when he claps eyes on Maddie, with her luscious curves and tempting lips, he can’t resist getting tangled up with her.

But Maddie is keeping secrets, not the least of which is her true reasons for being in town. And when Mick discovers what’s really going on, there is going to be a whole lot of trouble in Truly.

So first things first, I probably should have done a bit more research before diving into Tangled Up In You, not that it was bad, in reality it was pretty damn awesome, but apparently it’s book three in a loosely tied series that Ms. Gibson wrote, starting with Sex, Lies, & Online Dating and ending with Not Another Bad Date. For me reading out of order is a big no-no, but I was engrossed in this book that I over looked my rule and finished it. * I then read Not Another Bad Date, still out of order and I’m reading Sex, Lies, & Online Dating now. That leaves I’m In No Mood For Love for last, so much for reading in order*

Once I got over the fact that I was learning background info on Lucy and Claire before reading their books I tore through Tangled Up In You like a cat escaping a wet paper bag. My husband was amazed that I read in one sitting while he watched One Sporting event after another. I spent most of the day laughing and at times crying as I read this novel, along with the ever present comments of my DH, his favorite being “You’re not even listening to me” Poor Hubby.

Maddie is fabulous; she’s funny, unassuming, and intelligent and best of all she has no qualms about going after what she wants. As a true crime Writer she has some interesting quirks and for Mick somewhat scary habits. She carries a Taser, mace, brass knuckles and she has to know ho to use all of them. I wondered as I read this story of Maddie and Mick that is True crime writing was her choice or if it chose her. Her mother’s death clearly had an impact on who she was as an adult; she took a tragedy, one that could have had negative affects and made it work for her.

Her attraction to Mick is troublesome and in her opinion could impede her investigation of her mother’s death; she doesn’t have time to fall under the charm of a Hennessey man, but fall she does. The interaction between Maddie and Mick is combustible and rife with sexual chemistry their biggest obstacle was the secrets that lay between them like the proverbial White Elephant, every time Maddie got close to telling Mick who she really was, she’d chicken out or he’d distract her with more of his kisses. It was funny actually to watch the confident Maddie melt for Mick, if not for the fact that the truth had the power to destroy all they built.

Mick on the other hand like his father before him has no trouble with the ladies; his trouble is with forever and ever. He saw the destruction his father affair’s created and staying single would ensure that he wouldn’t follow in the Hennessey footsteps. Of course he probably never thought he’d meet Maddie and if you ask the women of Truly they would tell you that capturing Mick Hennessy for their own was job number one.

Mick inherited all the Hennessey good looks, case in point Maddie finds herself at her neighbors Fourth of July Picnic, where she meets some of the ladies of Truly, one minute the single woman are friendly and nice, but then one of the woman sees Mick cozying up with Maddie and well if looks could kill, Maddie would be a corpse for sure.

I genuinely like Maddie and Mick they took their tragedy and managed to come out better for it. Mick might be his father’s son in looks, but inside where it mattered most he was able to see the mistakes his dad made. He was able to look beyond the quick fling and embrace true love, not just love for the moment. Maddie was able to get the course I think she needed to move completely beyond the past and really understand her mother through her journals and the people of Truly.

Funny, fast paced, witty and emotional Tangled Up In You has it all, characters I loved, a town I was glad to visit again and an HEA that was ore than well deserved. Ms. Gibson takes us to a town we all would want to live in, gives us the neighbors we wish we had out of and has me hoping that she let us visit Truly again and again.

9 out of 10

Today is the DAY!!!!!! CONGRATS BIANCA D'ARC!!!!

2009-02-06T09:10:00.007-05:00

I have been a bit off lately. I still need to post about Bianca's January Challenge, where I fell short and what I acomplished, but I have to just shout because RARE VINTAGE releases today!!!!!

She would give her life to save his, but can he save her from himself?

Marc LaTour is the Master vampire. Kelly is the new Gal Friday at the winery her best friend and her new husband own. Marc is obsessed with Kelly, though he doubts he could be so lucky as to finally find his One after over six hundred years of searching. Still, he reacts with jealousy when his old friend and fellow Master comes for a visit.

Marc and the other men take turns watching over Kelly, hoping to prevent heinous events foreseen in her future from taking place, but there are other intrigues afoot. An upstart vampire in Marc's territory issues a challenge to Marc's leadership. It will be a fight to the death, but Marc knows he has much to live for... if Kelly turns out to be his One.

YEAH BIANCA!!!

I have been waiting for this rerelease for what seems like forever. I do own the original and I can't wait to see what Bianca has done with Marc and Kelly.

You can learn more about Bianca and hre books at her website and buy your own copy of Rare Vintage at Samhain Publishing.

Breezing Through's Anti-Valentine's Day Contest

2009-02-03T19:21:00.003-05:00

So many fun contests out in blogland, but this one from the reviewers at BREEZING THROUGH is generous and down right fun. Easy too!! Thanks Ladies !!

Click the graphic to head on over and join in, you can't win if you don't enter!!

January Reading Recap

2009-02-03T18:08:00.003-05:00

Between Ebooks and Paperbacks I managed to read 31 books this month.

Here's how it breaks down:

11 Print novels

9 Ebooks

11 Ebooks that I own in Print

1 Author on my list was new to me "Karen Rose"

12 were Re~Read's for me (I blame Nath's Challenge and NJ Walters) :)

19 were from my TBR

6 rated 7 out of 10

1 rated 7.5 out of 10

5 rated 8 out of 10

18 rated 9 out of 10

1 Perfect 10 for WOVEN DREAMS by NJ Walters

So not too bad for the first month of the year. Thanks to two great challenges I re~read some great books and discovered some treasures in my TBR.

Last but not least here's the books with their ratings.

Enlightening Lucinda M.A.Ellis 7.5

Mating Run Tielle St Clare 8

Die For Me Karen Rose 9

The Daddy Dilemma Karen Rose Smith 8

The Daddy Plan Karen Rose Smith 9

Fall Into Me Linda Winfree 9

Don't Tell Karen Rose 9

Have You Seen Her? Karen Rose 9

I'll Be Watching You Karen Rose 9

Nothing to Fear Karen Rose 9

You Can't Hide Karen Rose 9

Count to Ten Karen Rose 9

Scream for Me Karen Rose 9

Hypnotica Kimberly Dean 7

Tapestry Dreams NJ Walters 9

Woven Dreams NJ Walters 10

Christina's Tapestry NJ Walters 9

Craving Candy NJ Walters 9

Capturing Carly NJ Walters 9

Jackson's Jewel NJ Walters 9

Rough, Raw, and Ready Lorelei James 9

Burn Anne Rainey 9

Tandem Elizabeth Donald 7

Bakra Bride NJ Walters 9

Unexpected Mr. Right Kelley Nyrae 8

Saint Jillian's Rebel Eve Jameson 7

Off the Deep End Anna J. Evans 8

Water Lust Mary Winter 7

Wicked Delicious Anna J. Evans 7

Thunderfire Lynne Connolly 8

Harm's Hunger Patrice Michelle 7

Re-Read Challenge Jan 2009

2009-01-31T12:59:00.013-05:00

First a Big SHOUT OUT to Nath for hosting the Re-Read Challenge. Check out her blog here for more participants.

Well here it is time for the first reread book of the year. At first I wasn’t sure what book I would “Reread” then it dawned on me. One of my favorite authors had a new book coming out. What better opportunity to reread then to read the previous book in NJ Walters Tapestries Series as I waited for TAPESTRY DREAMS to be released. So without further ado I present CHRISTINA’S TAPESTRY, BAKRA BRIDE & WOVEN DREAMS by NJ Walters.

It’s no secret that I love NJ’s Books, she an author who easily touches our emotions, she has that one thing present in her novels that you can’t always explain, you come to expect that somehow manages to make me teary eyed.

So as I began to reread these novels I couldn’t help but wonder would the powerful emotions I felt the first time still be as strong as they were the second time? Would my heart ache for the same characters as it did before? Would I still shed tears and feel my breath catch as I waited for the Tapestry to return and give the women their choice? Would knowing the outcome change how I felt about Marc, Jarmon and Zaren as I did before? So many questions to which I’m glad I can say YES!! to and one I can firmly say NO!! to.

CHRISTINA’S TAPESTRY is the first of NJ’s novels. It introduces us to Javara and the Garen brothers. It’s the novel that brought us to this different yet utterly intriguing world and it let all of us fall in love with Marc Garen. Of all of the TAPESTRY men he is the most loved by the fans, he got the tortured hero vibe down in spades and he manages to be utterly sexy doing it.

Along with Marc we have his equally appealing and sexy brother Jarek, it’s not hard to see why Christina has trouble choosing, but she does and without giving away too much she does make the choice that the reader expects and well it left the door open for Marc’s book, need I say more.

I will however leave you with this little spoiler tidbit, when the tapestry appears and the brothers awaken believing Christina is gone I cried the first time I read it and again this time. CHRISTINA’S TAPESTRY was as good if not better the second time around.

9 out of 10

Next up is BAKRA BRIDE, we first meet the sexy Bakra brothers in CHRISTINA’S TAPESTRY, Zaren comes to try and claim Christina for himself and his brothers. They are unsuccessful and the beginning pages of BAKRA BRIDE have Zaren and his brothers helping to defend Castle Garen against attack from the Craddock brothers. The Craddock’s have come to steal away Christina and in the end Jarmon, the youngest brother, is gravely wounded.

While the second novel centers around Zaren and Bador and their need to win the affection of Jane Smith. Jane is an independent modern woman who had her world upset when she witnessing a crime she is compelled to report. Just a ray of hope appears in her horizon so does a beautiful tapestry. Like Christina she has to own it, it’s beauty calls to her and all too soon she finds herself in Javara and under the sexual spell of the older two Bakra Brothers.

It’s her independence and drive that make her perfect for the staid and fierce leader of the Bakra Family. Together all three of them heal each other as well as Jane’s incredible ability to bring Jarmon back from the brink of death. But sooner then they like the tapestry returns and Jane must choose.

Like Christina she chooses her Bakra brother, but unlike her she is more open to both Zaren and Bador being in her bed. There’s really is a relationship of three, one that is believable and IMO lasting.

More spoilers here the scene where Garrick asks Jane to speak with Jarmon alone is touching and profoundly moving. Jane knows nothing of Jarmon only what’s she has been told yet she forges ahead, accusing him of being lazy and not caring about his family. It’s her harsh yet powerful words of love and honor that ring back from the brink and is easily one of the most beautiful yet sad passages I have ever read. Tissues are needed on more than one occasion as you journey with Jane to Javara.

9 out of 10

Last in my list of rereads is WOVEN DREAMS, it is the novel in this series that takes the rules created in the series and bends them just enough to introduce the beautiful yet scared Genita, but keeps them intact enough that you can believe that she is meant to be here. If anyone needed the Tapestry to save then it’s her. I don’t want to ruin the story but her tapestry is even more special than Jane’s or Christina’s.

This installment focusing on the remaining Bakra brothers, since recovering from his injuries Jarmon has slowly come back to his family, convinced that if they ever find a woman his scars would have her choosing Garrick over him. Jarmon has accepted this and in doing so he had me heart breaking for him, he was still as appealing as his twin and his ability to be stronger than he was before the accident is a testament to how incredible he truly is.

Aside from Marc, he is easily one of my favorite NJ heroes. Together he and Genita along with Garrick love and support learn the meaning of true love and that there is someone out there for everyone.

The story’s climax has Jarmon risking his life to save Genita’s, he is determined to keep her even though he believes she will chose Garrick over him. He fights for her when no one ever has and proves to her and the reader how much he’s come to love her.

WOVEN DREAMS will have you believing in dreams and that anything is possible. Emotion is a powerful presence in all of the TAPESTRY novels, with WOVEN DREAMS having more than it’s fair share of it.

I love all these novels, but WOVEN DREAMS gets…

A 10 out of 10

So that's it for January, I'll see you all next month.

TBR ~ Challenge January 2009

2009-01-21T08:00:00.004-05:00

January TBR Challenge ~ Check out the other participants at Avidbookreader.

Title: The Daddy Dilemma

Series: Dad's In Progress

Author: Karen Rose Smith

Blurb: Could he be her little boy?

Six years ago, Sara Hobart helped a childless couple create their own miracle. Now she needed one of her own. All her instincts were telling her she was Kyle Barclay's birth mother. Only one thing stood in her way: Kyle's widowed father.

Ever since his wife had died, Nathan had tried to be the best parent he could to five-year-old Kyle. Then this sensual stranger showed up. Legally, Sara had no claim on his son. But how could he keep her from the little boy who already adored her? That went double for Nathan, who was suddenly yearning to go from single dad to devoted family man....

Oddly enough I read the last book of this series first, and I have had this title along with THE DADDY PLAN waiting for me to read them for almost a year. I'll admit I'm a sucker for a single Dad who is making it on his own, who's devoted to his son and doesn't need a woman to complete his life. So many times we sing the praises of single Mom's, and rightfully so, and forget about the single Dad's out there who have to do it all as well.

Nathan is such a Dad, he isn't raising his son alone by choice, but raising him he is. He's made sacrifices and chosen to move away from the corporate life he built to a quieter and slower paced life in his home town. Imagine his surprise when Sara appears on his doorstep with her sad tale of pain and suffering, announcing that she may be in fact Kyle's Biological Mother. As a young woman she gave Nathan and his wife a gift that allowed them to have the child they always wanted, only to lose her ability to be a Mom to an unfortunate accident.

Together they embark on a journey that is rocky at best and an emotional hurricane at worst. Sara wants a chance to know the only child she may every have and Nathan wants to preserve the memory of the woman he loved, the one he lost while she gave birth to Kyle.

Ms. Smith takes two sensitive topics and intertwines them with a tale of love over coming all odds. She never leaves the reader feeling like Nathan and Sara are together just for Kyle, they try to temper their desires for one another by putting Kyle's needs and happiness above their own. I like each of them equally and found their story to be both beautiful and believable. I was more than pleased with this installment of the DADS IN PROGRESS SERIES and although I went into this novel knowing some of the outcome I still enjoyed the ride.

Ms. Smith managed to make me cry and smile in equal measure throughout THE DADDY DILEMMA and it will have me looking forward to even more releases from her in the future.

Keeper?: I will be keeping this novel along with the other two books in this series, they are all quick satisfying reads with complex characters and heartwarming stories that I won't soon forget.

Rating 1 to 10: 8

Challenge Check-In Week 2!!

2009-01-19T15:31:00.003-05:00

So I’m a few days late in posting my update for the January Challenge, but I have a good excuse.

My son’s birthday was this weekend and I had much to do. Wrap presents, make a cake and as tradition dictates in our familty the birthday boy got to choose his birthday meal. Did my son pick an easy meal, like meatballs and spaghetti or tacos? UMM NO!! He wanted a Turkey Dinner with all the trimmings.

So yesterday as we watched the Eagles Lose to the Cardinals I made a full Thanksgiving dinner. Sadly since the Eagles did not win the meal was the high point of the day.

But enough about that, where do I stand on the challenge. I managed to open a savings account for Christmas, I cleared out quite a bit of Junk from my house and a work, I managed to eat better and less often, but I still haven’t written a single review.

So tonight the goals are simple finish as much laundry as possible and write at the very least one review for Romance Junkies and write a review here for the blog. The first TBR Challenge is due on Wednesday, so I want to write it and post it tonight to go up automatically on Wednesday.

Seems easy enough, I’ll let you know how I did this Thursday.

Weekly Calendar Quote #2

2009-01-09T16:07:00.002-05:00

"Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go" ~ William Feather

Happy Friday!!

Challenge Check in Week 1

2009-01-08T08:18:00.006-05:00

Well I hoped to have more to report, but like Bianca, I'm off to a slow start. I have a plan in place at work to get organized I just have to getting up and moving. As for home, well in a word that a bit of a diaster, one I hope to start to tackle this weekend with the help of my famliy.

I mean the husband and sons helped to make the mess, they should help clean it up.

I did manage to write one review here and started a second, but I'm still woefully behind at Romnace Junkies, so I have yo fit that in as well. I think what I am going to do is start with the blrbs for all the books I have left to review, then I'll only have to write me feelings on them. Hopefully this will get me good head of steam to get then in ASAP. Also on the writing front I do have a little written for a story that contiually rolls around in my head. Even if nothing comes from it I would still like to get more written on it, if for nothing more than to get it out of my head and onto paper.

I haven't started to exercise, but I've cleaned out the snack food at work so I can't munch as much when I'm there. The next step of course is to get back to packing my own lunch instead of eating on the run. Although I did manage to eat salad and soup for lunch yesterday.

The Christmas club right now is my saings account. I will put the first payment so to speak in there when I get paid tomorrow.

So it's not a fast start but a start it is and I just want to say thanks to Bianca for suggesting it and letting us all have each other for support while we strive to reach are goals.

See you all next week.

Fall Into Me ~ Linda Winfree

2009-01-07T10:24:00.014-05:00

Title: Fall Into Me

Series: Hearts of the South

Author: Linda Winfree

She’s finally falling for the right man…at the worst possible time.

A part of the Hearts of the South series.

After two back-to-back romantic disappointments, bar owner Angel Henderson isn’t looking for love. In the past month, she’s been passed over twice by men she’d pinned her hopes on, both times in favor of a younger woman. She’s ready to swear off men for life. The only problem? A certain younger man determined to prove he can be her right man.

Sheriff’s deputy Troy Lee Farr is tired of being the department screw-up. The harder he tries to prove himself, the worse it gets. The only thing that’s gone right recently is getting a second chance with Angel. Except she’d rather jam on the brakes than rush into a new relationship. Now he has to work hard to prove his worth as a romantic prospect.

Troy Lee is a patient man, and it isn’t long before Angel is falling into him as hard as he’s fallen for her. Just as Angel begins to think of him as more than a fun date, her past—and Troy’s dangerous reality—threatens the tentative happiness they’ve found in one another.
Reminding them both that security is tenuous…and unconditional love is the biggest challenge of all.

Warning: Cops who talk like cops, explicit older woman-younger man lovin’, and two-boxes-of-tissues emotion.

Normally I would discus what worked for me and what didn't, but I'm hard pressed to find anything about this novel that doesn't work. Starting with Linda's sheer ability to tell a story. She weaves threads together seamlessly and never loses focus on the HEA she heading toward.

Categorized as a contemporary romance it hits all the necessary marks. The build up, that slow realization that love is right there for the taking, the pivotal climatic event and the HEA that you can't wait to get to. THE HEARTS OF THE SOUTH series revolves around the Chandler County Sheriff's office so I was more than pleased to see Tick, Cookie, Cait, Tori, Chris and the other deputies throughout this novel. We're treated to glimpses of the lives of Linda's other couples, given subtle hints at new love on the horizon and sitting center stage are Angel and Troy Lee.

Angel Henderson is woman that has lost at love, not by her choice mind you, but she always seems to pick the wrong men. She's a successful business owner, a sister, a daughter and a true southern woman. She deserves much more than she been getting. She likable albeit a bit uncertain about her own worth. When Troy Lee sows interest, IMO it seems that her reservations are more than just about his age, but her own belief that she might not be enough to keep him. In the end when the deck seems stacked against her and he back is against the wall she not only rallies but she shines. She fights for what she wants and in the end finds the one ting she always wanted in the arms of Troy Lee.

Troy Lee, Troy Lee yo could very well knock Cookie ad Del out of the top two spots on my list of Hero's from Linda. You may have made some mistakes, but boy oh boy did you learn from them. And then of course there's your fabulous brain, you thought I was going to say body didn't you. Shame on you, OK seriously he is hot, hot, hot. I mean hello he's a Sexy Sheriff's Deputy, he plays guitar and sings in a band and he is just a damn nice man. All that aside he does have a brain and he knows how to use it. There's a scene in which Cookie and Tick are discussing how fast a car is going and then poof Troy Lee is telling them quoting Drag Coefficient and stuff that goes over my head, but still made me sigh and lust for Troy Lee even more. He's younger than Angel, but he loves her like no other and WOW is Angel one lucky lady.

Linda does hit you with some zingers as the story progresses, ones that will have you reaching for the tissues, but that make FALL INTO ME all the more powerful. Writing series are no easy task for any author the possibility of rehashing the same story lines is easy, yet each novel in the series is different, they each have that unique hook or secret you never saw coming. FALL INTO ME's is equally surprising, I thought I knew what was coming and as usual I did and I didn't.

Troy Lee and Angel add their story to a series already rich in fabulous books. One more hit for Linda Winfree and The Hearts of the South series to be certain

Why did I buy the book: I love Linda's Books she is an Auto Buy author for me.

Keeper?: Absolutely

Rating 1 to 10: 9.5

You too can fall in Love with Deputy Troy Lee Farr just click here to own him for your very own.

Weekly Calendar Quote

2009-01-02T11:05:00.002-05:00

I got this neat little purse Calendar and in it are famous quotes. One every week.

Here's This Weeks

"The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time" ~ Abraham Lincoln

Bianca D'Arc's Challenge for January 2009

2009-01-01T20:11:00.003-05:00

I think this is going to be a good thing to help people, like me, jump start my goals for 2009!!!

So if you are interested hop over to Bianca's Blog and Sign Up!

Oh and here are my goals so far: (I may add more as I go)

1. Start eating better and lose weight, I eat on the run too much and make poor choices

2. Open my Christmas Club. It’s a great way to save money for presents early on.

3. Write and review more.

4. Get organized. Both at work and at home.

That should get me started

More Puppy Pictures!!

2008-12-29T13:12:00.008-05:00

Sisters are so special, you can see just by looking at the puppies. All girls, their papa is so proud.

Sadly one of the dogs has a new home. It's close by and we will see her a lot, but it will still be sad to see her go.

Here she is relaxing one last time on our bed. Enjoying all the comforts she can get with two unruly sisters she can find trouble with.

Our friend and sometime babysitter Steph is taking her and naming her Ruby. As for the other two I think they are destined to be members of our family forever and ever.

They will be known as Chase (the one with one Blue and one Brown eye and The brown one will either be Shanie or Bella, the jury is still out on that one.

Keeping two is such a hardship I tell you, I mean just look at them, what's not to love.

We Have Puppies!!!

2008-12-27T00:58:00.010-05:00

I have neglected to share this bit of information, I just had to share some pictures of the dogs. They are just so cute not to share with the world.

Their mother is a Puggle and their father is an Australian Cattle Herder. I wish I could keep all three of them but sadly we will have to give them away.

Try to block out the scarey woman holding the puppies she hadn't had any coffee yet that day.

They never seem to want stay still, but they are so darn sweet.

This is the runt of the Litter, we call her Shanie.

My autistic son loves her so we will probably keep her.

This one is the craziest of the three dogs. You can't see her eyes, but one is Blue and one is Brown.

I took more pictures, but have yet to download them yet. When I do I'll post more.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

2008-12-24T10:31:00.005-05:00

No matter what you celebrate I hope you have a wonderful and safe Holiday Season with the ones you love.

To those still overseas and away from those you love, never forget we are thinking of you and hoping for your safe and quick return.

A Big Congrats and New Releases at Samhain!!!

2008-12-23T08:50:00.016-05:00

First I'm late in saying a Big WOO HOO to my friend NJ on her release yesterday. NJ along with some other great authors offered up this for your Gift giving needs this Holiday Season. Sadly I have only read one novella in this anthology so far, but I hope to carve out some time tonight to read some more.

Ellora's Cavemen: Jewels of the Nile IV
By: Alexa Silver, Allyson James, Dawn Halliday, M.A. Ellis, N.J. Walters, Patrick Silver, Tielle St.Clare

Enlightening Lucinda
M.A. Ellis

Lucinda is scarcely the quintessential Victorian widow. She paints male nudes, ignores society’s dictates and is on a quest to regain a sexually explicit journal confiscated by her late husband’s partner, Gideon. It contains information she plans to explore. With Gideon.

Gideon admires Lucinda’s unconventionality and has never refused her requests—until now. But if Gideon won’t enlighten her, Lucinda threatens to find someone who will. Abiding loyalty goes only so far when the woman you adore leaves you little choice. Lucinda will learn her lessons well and her proficiency will be thoroughly tested. By Gideon.

Mating Run
Tielle St. Clare

When Cat loses a bet, she has to participate in her Pack’s Mating Run—an archaic tradition to match strong males with clever females. It’s nothing more than a Pack-sponsored orgy in Cat’s opinion but there’s no getting out of it. If all goes well, she’ll get a night of sex.

She isn’t prepared when two males chase—and catch—her. Devon and Trejean have haunted her fantasies for months and now they tell her she doesn’t have to choose between them. They want to share her.

Reader Advisory: Contains scenes of male/male sexual interaction and ménage a trois.

Midnight Seduction
Dawn Halliday

Lacey is terrible in bed. A fact confirmed by her ex when she caught him in bed with another woman. After that, whatever confidence Lacey had was ground to dust.

Now Lacey’s dating her boss, the scrumptiously sexy Kyle Turner. But every time Kyle touches her, she panics, pushing him away rather than risk exposing her lack of bedroom finesse. Lacey is about to lose the man she loves. She needs help, and she’s about to get it from an unlikely source—Kyle—who’s not even aware of his ability to seduce her in her dreams.

Moon Magic
N.J. Walters

Under the light of the full moon, Meghan Flynn stands before an ancient stone well and wishes for a lover. The magic of the hot summer night surrounds her and she gives in to her sensual needs, pleasuring herself beneath the moonlight.

Watching from the shadows, Rory Shaunnessey is entranced. When she returns the following night, he steps forward, offering himself as her lover. But a hot summer fling can only last so long and when Rory pushes for more, Meghan must face the demons of her past if they are to have a future.

Practically Perfect
Allyson James

Between bounty-hunting jobs, Walker stops at Station 358 for some R&R—and perhaps a chance to scorch the sheets with the gorgeous woman assigned as his guide.

Guides are forbidden to fraternize with guests, but Tierre is captivated by the handsome hunter. She willingly explores the strange sensations he invokes…until her secrets betray her. Tierre isn’t what she appears—but she can still teach Walker lessons in life, love and sacrifice that will change him forever.

Third Course
Alexa & Patrick Silver

Lesley’s marriage is in a rut. Her husband is wonderful, but the spark has gone. She stops at an exclusive restaurant every day and flirts with the bartender, but she knows nothing will come of it. Or at least she thinks nothing will come of it!

Lesley’s fortieth birthday brings a surprise that promises to shake up her world. Her husband and a mystery man have arranged a night of surprises, both in and out of the bedroom. Lesley is the main course in a string of sensual delights to fill the body and soul.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If that's not enough I'm anxiously awaiting for Samhain to release their books for today which include books by Lauren Dane, Jaci Burton and Lorelei James. All Auto Buy authors for me. My credit card is ready and waiting to buy these Books they all look so good. My biggest dilemma is going to be which book to read first.

"Mistress Christmas" by Lorelei James

...all signs point North for not-so-Saint-Nick

A part of the Wild West Boys series.

In a rare moment of recklessness, mild-mannered accountant Holly North lets her best friend guilt her into filling in as Mistress Christmas at Sugar Plums, a Christmas-themed strip club. Fearing she’ll be recognized—or worse, considered a fraud—she dons a velvet mask along with the Mrs. Claus-meets-dominatrix costume. She’s shocked at how deliciously wicked anonymity feels.

Detective Nick West is determined to discover how his friend was supposedly robbed after a lap dance at Sugar Plums. His visions of revenge vanish faster than a flying sleigh upon his first peek at Mistress Christmas—a leggy brunette with smoky eyes and a lush mouth begging for hours beneath the mistletoe.

Their attraction flares hotter than a fireplace on a cold winter evening, and Nick is only too happy to oblige when Holly blurts out her one Christmas wish…

For a naughty secret Santa to sweep her away for a night of anonymous sexual pleasure.

Warning: This erotic comedy contains naughty holiday innuendo, creative use of garland, sexy love scenes hot as spiced cider, a heroine as sweet as sugared plums, and a wildly romantic hero with a great big…candy cane.

"Sweet Charity” by Lauren Dane

A bad boy is about to find out just how naughty a good girl can be.

After eight long years of pretending a horrible one-night stand hadn’t happened and wondering if it had been her fault, Charity Harris has finally coaxed handsome bad boy and lifelong friend, Gabriel Bettencourt, back into her bed. It’s not just good, it’s fanfreakingtastic! Trouble is, he’s persisting with his story about not wanting a relationship and not being good enough for her even as their friendship blooms into something looking a lot like love.

Gabriel has ached to make Charity his for years, and finally having her in his bed, not just enduring but enjoying his darker urges is more than he’d ever imagined it could be. Despite what she says, he knows she deserves candlelight and roses, not candle wax and ropes. He’ll enjoy her while he can and let go when she finds the right man.

Charity knows Gabriel’s game and she’s not having any of it. A man can like it rough in bed and still be good and kind. He’s exactly the kind of man she wants to marry and she will. She loves him and she knows he loves her and she’s not taking no for an answer.

So when he runs off “to think” just after Christmas, it’s up to her to let him know that good girls can like it dark and rough and bad boys can be good men.

Warning: Bad boys and their toys and the sweet girls who love them. Naughty sexin’, the appearance of floggers, blindfolds and a crop. The occasional bad word.

“Unraveled” by Jaci Burton

The greatest gift is getting what you never thought you wanted.

Mitch Magruder, rich, successful, wildly popular surfer and entrepreneur, is always on the lookout for the next big wave or the next great deal. So when he’s home for the holidays, he jumps at the chance to build one of his famous hotels right on the white, sandy, Florida beach where he grew up. The only thing standing in his way is Greta Mason.

Divorced with two children, Greta welcomes the struggle to make ends meet at the ramshackle beachfront motel her father left her. The motel means everything to her, and no amount of money—or hot nights of persuasion—offered by gorgeous, sexy Mitch is going to change her mind. No matter how much his touch unravels her defenses.

For once, Mitch finds he’s the one doing the chasing, and Greta’s doing more than throwing a monkey wrench into his perfectly orchestrated world. She’s making him think about things he’s never considered before, things other than the pursuit of money. Things like settling down with the right woman.

Now if only he can convince her he wants more than hot sex, moonlit nights, and her hotel…

Warning: This book contains sun, sand, surf, bikinis, hot men in board shorts, talk of Christmas shopping (ack!) foreplay, midplay, afterplay, and all that deliciously naughty explicit sex (up against the wall, in a limo and…*gasp*…even in a bed!).

Mistletoe Magic ~ By Carlysle, Holt and Pape

2008-12-21T20:59:00.011-05:00

For me Christmas is always hectic time of year, filled with endless days of shopping, baking and cleaning. That when I do finally sit down to take a break I find myself looking for a good book to relax with. Aside from all the novels and novellas I have accumulated over each Christmas since discovering eBooks I always treat myself to a few new ones.

This year I chose (for now, I’ll buy more I’m sure) the three Mistletoe Magic books from EC. These three novellas; BREATH OF MAGIC, TOUCH OF MAGIC and WHISPERS OF MAGIC can be read as stand alone books I found that reading them in order only enhanced the storyline.

The first novella BREATH OF MAGIC by Regina Carlysle is the story of Liza Woodward. Liza is the oldest of the Woodward girls, she is successful, beautiful and the most driven of all the sisters.

Book 1 in the Mistletoe Magic series.

Powerhouse attorney Liza Woodward knows a little something about losing control and it’s been her life’s mission never to do it again, especially when it comes to small-town lawyer Tyler Blackwell.

Ty takes one look at the woman he’s always loved and knows it’s way past time he seduced away the control she wears like a suit of armor. It will take a steady hand, a bit of dominance, and a little breath of magic from a Christmas Elf to win this sassy Texas woman.

Click here for an Excerpt

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Click here for Regina's Website

The second novella TOUCH OF MAGIC is the story of Maddie Woodward. She's the middle sister and the one that is the most intune with the ranch the girls were raised on. Determined to leave her career behind she's ready to come home permanently.

Book 2 in the Mistletoe Magic series but may be read as a stand-alone story.

Maddie Woodward is in a pickle. The last person she expects to see when she returns to the family ranch for one last Christmas is her former lover, Zach Brennan.

He’s hotter as he ever was, all male and determined to get her naked. She’s just as determined to show him she’s over him—until she ends up in his bed, enjoying the wildest sex of her life. A night of uncontrolled, erotic sex shows her that Zach is far from out of her life. Now if she can just get him to help her convince her sisters not to sell the ranch…

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Click here for Desiree's Website

The third novella WHISPERS OF MAGIC is that of Jenna Woodward, she may be the youngest of the Woodward sisters but she's living proof that size doesn't matter when in your heart lives the soul of an adventurer. Her return home is just the balm her wounded heart needs.

Book 3 in the Mistletoe Magic series, but may be read as a stand-alone story.

Hoping to get back in Santa’s good graces, Sparkle the elf takes on a difficult assignment—arrange a merry Christmas for photojournalist Jenna Woodward. Jenna has just lost her parents, her job, and her cheating “fiancé”.

Rancher Mitch Sterling doesn’t want his face on a book, but he does want Jenna back in his life. He offers a deal—he’ll sign off, if she agrees to be at his mercy for one day. Jenna left him once because she was afraid of his Dominant lifestyle. Now, with help from a magical snowstorm, Mitch has twenty-four hours of tempestuous passion to convince her that she’ll love being his sub.

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Click here for Cindy's Website

BREATH OF MAGIC starts the series with a brief prologue that sets up the series and explains the circumstaces that lead all three Woodward sisters back home to Texas. Liza returns determined to settle her parents estate and to leave just as fast as she arrived, but her younger sister Maddie has other plans, ones that have Liza coming face to face with the one man she's tried to forget.

Attorney Tyler Blackwell has never forgotten the one that got away, Liza was all he was looking for in a woman and a wife, but a large misunderstanding had Liza running from him faster than a Texas tornado. He knows she’s back in town he intend to settle their differences and pick up where they left off. He wants it all and this time he playing for keeps.

No pretences and no BS these two square off and heat up the pages from the moment they meet again. You can feel the passion and sadly the tension as they see each other at Tyler’s Office/Home when Liza comes over to begin settling her parent’s estate. Both are equally likable and stubborn, making it hard for me to decide who I related to or liked better. As these lovers reunite you can’t help but wonder what drove them apart in the first place, a question I am please to say Ms Carlysle does manage to answer for us. They just seem so perfect for one another.

Neither of them put up much of a fight and when Will, the Elf charged with aiding in Ty and Liza’s reconciliation, turns up the heat and the snow. All bets are off when these two give in to temptation. Explosive and sexy, BREATH OF MAGIC is guaranteed to have you feeling warm, festive and dare I say frisky this holiday season.

TOUCH OF MAGIC is the story of Maddie Woodward, the middle sister and the one who doesn’t want to let the ranch be sold. She returns to Texas fully intending to take over the Ranch and to finally live the life she’s always wanted. She is the one who wanted to follow in her parent’s footsteps even though they encouraged her to see a life outside of the Flying W.

Zach Brennan has one regret in life, letting Maddie Woodward go, now that she’s back and they both want the Flying W he’ll do whatever it takes to make Maddie his again, even if it means swallowing his pride to do it.

Again you can’t help but like these two characters, Maddie has spirit and a spunk that can only be described as ornery. She’s a homebody; she loves to cook and is as fiery as she is sweet. When she clashes wills with Zach look out cause the sparks will fly.

Zach by his own admission has made mistakes but he’s man enough to admt them and fight for what he wants. He’s a cowboy through and through and I just love that. TOUCH OF MAGIC is passionate and sexy, yet it still sows us that the power of love can overcome all.

WHISPERS OF MAGIC is the story of the last and ironically the youngest Woodward sister, Jenna is a free spirit with a wanders soul. She finds herself coming home as she faces a crossroads in her life. What she discovers is home may very well be where the heart is.

Mitch Sterling knew he scared Jenna away with his dominate ways and he’s been kicking himself every since. When he realizes she’s coming home for Christmas he knows that he has to turn up the heat to get the one woman for him.

Jenna is like many women she believes she lives in the shadow of her sisters, not really seeing how much she does shine. She’s adventurous and open-minded which makes her the perfect woman for Mitch. She let her fears get the better f her, yet she faces them head on as she reconnects with Mitch and it’s this bravery that endears her to me.

Mitch is the embodiment of the saying Long Tall Texan. These two teat each other boundaries and along the way find the one thing they’ve both been missing, each other. Sexy encounters and ultimate trust make WHISPERS OF MAGIC a holiday tale not to be missed.

I loved all three of the Woodward sisters; each one was endearing and believable. If pressed I don’t know if I could choose one as my favorite, but because of them I will be adding Regina Carlysle, Desiree Holt and Cindy Spencer Pape to my must have authors list. I can’t wait till ELVEN MAGIC releases on 12-24 to find out what happens with Santa’s Elves; Will, Glimmer and Sparkle, but I will say this I’m sure it will not disappoint.

Bravo ladies you managed to tell three distinctively different stories, yet they flowed like one person could have written them all.

8 out of 10 for each novella.

So I decided to play with my template

2008-12-19T17:52:00.003-05:00

and I think it works. I would love opinions though. Hopefully, now that I got newish used laptop I'll be online more.

So if you drop by, please tell me what you think

Happy Friday!!

Adventurer's Unite for this Really Cool Contest

2008-12-17T18:33:00.003-05:00

I love it when authors can come up with clever and interesting contests to promote themselves.

Check out this one below it's fun, unique and most of all easy. I hope that it helps Ms.Naughton get out the word on her upcoming release.

I know I'm looking forward to picking it up when it releases.

Do you ever wonder how many eBooks you own?

2008-11-25T19:00:00.000-05:00

Well I did and I decided to go through all the files I had on my laptop just to see how many books I had and sadly if I was missing any.

So with my trusty Excel program, my nimble typing fingers and more time then I ever expected it to take I went through them all.

First I found that some of the books I had purchased and downloaded have some how gone MIA, I think they may have been books from the laptop drop and hard drive crash of 2007, but I digrese.

I am the proud owner of 1204 eBooks in a wide variety of genres and from many publishers with the bulk of the books coming from 2 specific publishers. I really don't want to think about how much money I spent and if somone manages to figure it out... Please, Please, Please don't tell my husband.

So how many do you own, or are you too afraid to think about it?

Beyond Shadows by N.J. Walters

2008-11-24T19:28:00.007-05:00

It’s no secret that when NJ has a book coming out that I will buy it. Over the years as her career grew so did my friendship with her and when I think of her it always brings a smile to my face. Then of course I automatically think of Annabelle and Mike from her first novel ANNABELLE LEE. These two characters are like old friends, the ones you never see anymore but when you think of them it’s with fondness and love.

So when I saw that she had BEYOND SHADOWS releasing this past Wednesday I had to buy it that very morning. I knew that I would have to wait to read it, since I had the dreaded day job to get to, but just knowing it sat at home on my hard drive was a comfort. Of course I had to read some before I left for work and then I had to sneak some at work, because well I just had to.

When I finally got home that night I was anxious to read it, yet again I had to face obstacle after obstacle before I could read it. Feed the kids, help with homework, fold laundry, wash dishes, the damn list goes on and on. You see my dilemma, clearly.

Well once I managed to tuck my kids into bed, as well as my husband, I sat down to finish BEYOND SHADOWS and let me say I was not disappointed.

So before we hit the part where I tell you what I liked etc. Let’s take a peek at the blurb for the latest novel from N. J. Walters.

Sequel to “Shadows Stir” from Dreams of the Oasis IV anthology.

An immortal warrior of the Shadow Realm, Blade’s self-control has been honed to a razor’s edge by centuries of fighting, but it vanishes the moment he lays eyes on Jacqueline Harris. The mere sight of her stirs his blood and he craves physical pleasures long forgotten.

Jac is an accountant, not a risk taker, preferring to live her life quietly. That all changes when she is sent to see a client by mistake and stumbles onto a crime ring. Now she’s on the run for her life.

The sexy stranger appears at her beach house, swearing to protect her at all costs. Dark and dangerous, he resembles the assassin she first fears he is. The last thing she expects is that he can morph into the deadly panther tattooed on his chest. The undeniable passion between them flares to life, but it is more than attraction. It is a soul-deep knowing that he will change her life forever. Blade becomes both protector and lover, but it’s up to her to save him from the shadows that haunt him.

First let me say that BEYOND SHADOWS is a stand-alone novel, however reading the novella SHADOWS STIR is strongly advised since its heroine is the sister of Jacqueline Harris in this novel and their stories are definitely intertwined. Ok so enough dialogue from me, on to the review.

The first thing that strikes me about this new series from N J is that its different then most paranormal shifter stories out there. It’s not vampires or wolves, not that I have anything against those types, I actually love them, but sometimes you crave something new.

Easily imaginable N.J. descriptively weaves a world that is easily imaginable, a world of utter darkness with only the smallest existence of light. Where these proud warriors dwell, suffering from extreme apathy and with little regard to the world that is literally passing them by.

In Jacqueline Harris I found a heroine I can really like, she made mistakes and got herself tangled up in a bad situation, but she held tough and fought back. She didn’t suffer from any of those TSTL moments that can turn a reader against a heroine and soil the story with inconsistent behavior. She didn’t cower or wait for someone to ride to her rescue. She’s strong and smart as well as beautiful and is intelligent enough to know when to use these traits to her advantage. She doesn’t necessary need Blade to survive but she is smart enough to know she stands a better chance of living to see another day with him on her side.

Blade on the other hand is truly dangerous, to everyone and anything that gets in his path, with one exception, Jac. He is the embodiment of a true ALPHA male and his fighting skills are as finely honed as the blades of the knives he wields. He’s utterly sexy and ranks easily in the top five of my all time favorite heroes from N.J.’s books. Forget broody and moody, he is just dark and deadly. He makes no excuses for his actions, and act he does, he makes the only choices he can without thought of the consequences to anyone. He’ll protect Jac or die trying.

When they meet the sparks fly and their passionate response to one another is completely palatable. Together they face danger and work to save Jac’s life while giving in to the attraction neither of them can deny. In a mere 123 pages N.J. lays the groundwork for a new and incredible series, introduces two characters that I won’t soon forget and has me wanting more from this series as soon as possible.

While BEYOND SHADOWS does leave some questions unanswered about the Shadow Ryders and their mysterious leader, I can’t help but think that the secrets hidden in the Shadow Realm will be wickedly delicious to uncover, one sexy warrior at a time for years to come.

9.5 out of 10

Dawn's Awakening by Lora Leigh

2008-11-05T17:37:00.004-05:00

I am woefully behind in my purchases of books from some of my Auto Buy Authors, Ms. Leigh being one who sits firmly in my top five must haves. So the other night thanks to the Internet and the book gods/goddess' at fictionwise I was able to purchase and download her two most recent Breed series books in under five minutes.

So a great big WOO HOO to instant book gratification.

With that out of my system on to my thoughts and feelings on DAWN'S AWAKENING!!

New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh takes us on an erotic thrill ride with her series about genetically altered Breeds with feline DNA—and the humans who arouse their lust…

The runt of the lab she was created in, Dawn Daniels endured years of torture by her pride brother and the council soldiers. Finally freed from her torment, she’s now a Breed Enforcer, in control of her own life. Until she’s assigned to protect the one man destined to be her mate—and realizes it’s far too easy to lose total control…

One of the Breed’s most important supporters, Seth Lawrence has spent years trying to forget Dawn, knowing that her lost innocence has made it impossible for her to get close to anyone. But suddenly neither of them can find the strength to fight the overwhelming passion between them. At least until the most brutal tormenter from Dawn’s past reappears—and threatens to destroy their newfound love, along with their lives…

Dawn's Awakening is one of the titles that fans of Ms. Leigh have been waiting for since her epublishing days. Dawn is one of those secondary characters who helps to move a series along and intrigues the reader forcing you to want to know more about them. So powerful are the feelings that I developed for this character over the years that anticipation of reading her and Seth's story was almost overwhelming and had me a little fearful that the build up would never match the actual story.

Ms. Leigh, however, once again show her fans old and new why so many of us come back again and again for her novels. I know that when I open a Lora Leigh novel that I will become emotional invested, that her hero and heroine will be strong and independent yet vulnerable and weak when it comes to love.

Dawn Daniels is that heroine that finds that place in you heart, she rests in that corner that never lets you forget her and when you see her appear again you can't help but smile. Her character is deep and in a word damaged. While arguably all breeds have suffer the injustices of the genetics counsel, Dawn it would seem, like many of her Breed sisters, suffered on a far greater scale. Yet even though I know Sherra (Kiss of Heat Breed Book 3) suffered at the hands of soldiers just as Dawn did, Dawn always seemed so more lost to the pain as she molded herself into something stronger, letting her move past the label of victim to survivor.

So how does one convey the pain and horrors of this proud creation without minimizing her strength? I'm not sure I could do it, but Lora Leigh seems to know how. In Dawn she has a woman of incredible strength, who has beat the odds and is able by the end of this novel to "AWAKEN" as the title implies and allows her find her wings and fly.

As I read this novel it was like coming home, Seth and Dawn are characters that are well known and not surprisingly meant for one another. But aside from knowing the HEA is in the cards for them it was their journey and growth that makes DAWN' S AWAKENING the BEST BREED NOVEL IMO thus far.

Dawn faces the threat of losing her mate with all the tenacity we'd expect from her, she never backs down and forges full steam ahead to fight for Seth and her chance at love. Even though she knows that she may not be able to overcome the nightmares of her past, one that many would probably not have survived. Brutalized and traumatised in ways that I can't even fathom yet amazingly she fights for love, for Seth and ultimately for herself.

Seth is just the kind of man she needs, he has faults don't get me wrong, he makes some choices about his and Dawn's attraction that may infuriate some readers, but his ALPHA male heart was in the right place. He doesn't back down when his back is against the wall and he is willing to take that leap of faith and manages to help heal not only Dawn's damaged heart as well as his own.

Together that make a bond stronger than steel. Along the way as Dawn and Seth move beyond the past and it scars to build their futures we learn that the strength of the human heart is immense. If your ready to cry and rage, sigh and scream, if your looking for that one of kind love that is emotional and sensual then this is the novel for you.

DAWN'S AWAKENING is in a word AWESOME. It's romantic, passionate and erotic in one powerfully written package.

9.5 out of 10

First Post, New Blog

2008-10-27T10:27:00.005-04:00

I never though the time would come when I would find myself in a reading rut. I consider myself to be somewhat of an equal opportunity reader. Since no one genre has ever really edged out another when it comes to favorites for me, I'm usually able to find something that interests me, but lately nothing seems to hold my attention.

Not paranormal, not western, not contemporary, not romantic suspense, historical, Etc., Etc. The list sadly goes on and on. So the question is what is a reader to do, what can you do to break free of that rut where nothing satisfies your need to read?

Any suggestions would be appreciated, whether it be tips on breaking out of my rut or maybe an author you think would really spark up my reading dole drums. For now I'm just re-reading some of my favorites in the hopes of getting over the hump.