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We hope to see everyone of you over there and I hope you all are prepared for lots of giveaways coming in August and are prepared for Anna & I's big 30th birthday bash - August 18th-September 5th.
We have lots of stuff to giveaway to you all and we are bringing our 30th birthday in style. =)
GOODBYE Blogger - It was nice while it lasted...but it's time for a BIG change and to make it easier for our followers to find us. =)
Showing posts with label ARC Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ARC Review. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
The Ink Me Blog Tour with Sidney Bristol (Guest Post/ARC Review)
Hello! And thanks so much to the Book Lovin’ Mamas for hosting me today! *whew* it’s been a crazy couple of days for me. The second book in my So Inked series about a bunch of female tattoo artists released on Friday and I’m uber excited.
You probably don’t know this, but I’m something of a tattoo
nut. I have a bunch, and I’m a sucker for big, brightly colored pieces. So of
course I’d write books about tattoo artists!
Since not all artists are the same, and many focus on
different schools of tattooing, I thought it was important that the So Inked
cast represent the different popular divisions. The heroine of The Harder He
Falls is a half Korean second generation artist who specializes in Asian
tattoos and artwork. The most popular form we see today are the images borrowed
from Japanese culture.
One of the most prominent images I see is the Japanese
dragon. It’s a powerful, mythic creature. Unlike the European dragon, which is
often depicted as a cave dwelling, fire breathing tyrant, the Japanese dragon
is a regal, benevolent creature. It’s actually an old belief that dragons were
gods and that the very first Japanese emperor was descended from a dragon! Can
you imagine those family reunions?
According to the mythos surrounding the Japanese dragon,
they were thought to bring the ultimate balance. The perfect representation of
yin and yang. At home in both the water,
air and on land, even fire is woven into the fabric of their being.
Physically, the dragon
is an amalgamation of many creatures knit together. Though all dragons are
unique, some common features you can find in the Japanese depiction include:
long, skinny bodies, snake like bellies, demon or rabbit eyes, ears like a cow,
horns from a stag, koi scales, a camel shaped head, talons from an eagle or
hawk, breath sweet as perfume and a voice like music. Whereas the European
dragons breathe fire, most Japanese dragons have fire that erupts from their
limbs! Careful when shaking a hand with one?
One really unique quality about the Japanese dragon is that
they develop colored scales after about five hundred years of life. The older
the dragon, the more colorful they become until at one thousand years they grow
feathered wings that borrow heavily from the Japanese phoenix.
As a symbol in art and tattooing, the dragon has many
meanings that aren’t immediately obvious because of our European heritage.
Again, unlike the early European tradition of dragons, the Japanese version is
incredibly benevolent and works for the greater good of humans. They embody
wisdom and strength. They dole out blessings. Instead of relying on strength,
they use wisdom and knowledge to defeat problems.
Now,
how does this translate to tattoos?
As with all Japanese tattoos, it’s all in the placement.
Typically the dragons are depicted with red, fiery eyes
wrapped around a sword or other weapon, which represents power. Another other
standard depiction is of a dragon flying in the clouds to represent freedom.
The Buddhist “closed-lotus form” is one of my favorites, which depicts a floating
dragon holding an object, usually a pearl, gem or ball, and represents control
of the elements, where the dragon protects the world from those who would do it
harm.
The image of the dragon is visually arresting, and one of my
favorites. I thought the heroine of The Harder He Falls was a dragon type of
gal. I won’t spoil that tattoo, you just have to read the book to find out more
about hers!
If you were going to
have a tattoo, would you want a particular style, like the heroine of The
Harder He Falls? Or would you go for something original and unique?
It
can never be said that Sidney Bristol has had a ‘normal’ life.
She is a recovering roller derby queen, former missionary, and tattoo addict.
She grew up in a motor-home on the US highways (with an occasional jaunt into
Canada and Mexico), traveling the rodeo circuit with her parents. Sidney
has lived abroad in both Russia and Thailand, working with children and
teenagers. She now lives in Texas where she splits her time between a job she
loves, writing, reading and belly dancing.
A woman who doesn’t have time for love…
A hot night full of
hotel-destroying sex was all Kellie wanted from her client-turned-sex god.
Between family and work, there isn’t room for love, just hot, sweaty lust. An
arrangement for mutual gratification is exactly what Kellie wants, but every
kiss, each mind-blowing orgasm twines her heart around a man she cannot have.
A man building a new life…
Quinton’s
assumptions about the So Inked shop owner are turned on their head after one
session under her tattoo machine. Kellie’s not the vandal he’s looking for, but
she’s the woman he wants. In his bed, on the desk or under the stars, he’ll
take her any way he can get her. But Quin has secrets and someone is out to
destroy him. Someone who has their sights set on Kellie now.
My Review
Oh man! Do I LOVE me some tattooed bad boys and it's even better when there is a tattooed bad girl too!
I am so glad I took the opportunity to read and review this book when I was given the chance! I absolutely loved it! It's witty and sexy and the characters are tons of fun! There's a lot of drama both in the gym and tattoo shop and with the characters, so there's always something going on. I pretty much guessed the mystery with Quin's gym and the vandal right off the bat but it still added that suspense element which made the story better. Although I am new to this series and this author, I am loving her style and I look forward to discovering more of her books very soon.
Quin and Kellie were both great characters. Both are strong and independent and have really strong personalities and they both take their responsibilities very seriously, so they were a great match for each other. And it's was really nice to have such a 'kick butt now and take names later' type of woman to read about. Most of the time you don't get a character like Kellie and it was a nice change for me. Not only does she care for her sick grandmother alone but she also helps run her own business. I really enjoyed her! Quin is a sweetheart, an awesome dad for sure and it was really nice to have a man who is co-parenting with his daughter's mother so well. That made me love him even more! And the two of them together. HO-LY MO-LY it was HOTT!!!
The other characters, mainly Kellie's friends, played a big part too. There's definitely more story there and I can't wait to find out what happens with them in the future. Especially Carly!
This book is the second book in the So Inked series but even though I haven't read the first book this one was still really good. The author does a great job with filling us in on what we've missed and I personally will be going back and reading the first book, Under His Skin, which is Pandora and Brian's book. So if you haven't checked out Sidney's books yet, you definitely should! I'll definitely be coming back for more very soon!
I am so glad I took the opportunity to read and review this book when I was given the chance! I absolutely loved it! It's witty and sexy and the characters are tons of fun! There's a lot of drama both in the gym and tattoo shop and with the characters, so there's always something going on. I pretty much guessed the mystery with Quin's gym and the vandal right off the bat but it still added that suspense element which made the story better. Although I am new to this series and this author, I am loving her style and I look forward to discovering more of her books very soon.
Quin and Kellie were both great characters. Both are strong and independent and have really strong personalities and they both take their responsibilities very seriously, so they were a great match for each other. And it's was really nice to have such a 'kick butt now and take names later' type of woman to read about. Most of the time you don't get a character like Kellie and it was a nice change for me. Not only does she care for her sick grandmother alone but she also helps run her own business. I really enjoyed her! Quin is a sweetheart, an awesome dad for sure and it was really nice to have a man who is co-parenting with his daughter's mother so well. That made me love him even more! And the two of them together. HO-LY MO-LY it was HOTT!!!
The other characters, mainly Kellie's friends, played a big part too. There's definitely more story there and I can't wait to find out what happens with them in the future. Especially Carly!
This book is the second book in the So Inked series but even though I haven't read the first book this one was still really good. The author does a great job with filling us in on what we've missed and I personally will be going back and reading the first book, Under His Skin, which is Pandora and Brian's book. So if you haven't checked out Sidney's books yet, you definitely should! I'll definitely be coming back for more very soon!
Kellie shifted on the wooden bench, still restless. The evening breeze was cooler than normal thanks to a cold front blowing in. It was ridiculous that dropping into the nineties was considered a cool spell, but in the height of Texas summer, you took what you got. She swept her hair up into a knot and tipped her head back. The slight dampness of her skin, courtesy of the ever-present humidity, was a small price to pay for being able to sit outside. She’d shed the formfitting dress for jeans and a tank top and felt more like herself for it.
“How hot does it get here?” Quin plunked down their dinner
and sat on his side of the picnic table. Behind him the food truck was starting
to pack up.
“Can’t handle the heat?” It was too much to ask that the man
be able to cope with everything. He’d sat through the tattoo yesterday without
complaint, being a heat weenie wasn’t terrible.
His brilliant blue eyes stood out in the dim illumination of
the parking lot light. “When you have A/C, why should you?”
“You do realize that it’s going to get at least ten degrees
hotter and stay there, don’t you?” She unwrapped the tacos and inhaled the
spicy aroma of peppers and onions mixed with tender beef.
Quin made a show of wiping his forehead with a napkin. “I’m
going to melt.”
“Why the hell are you still here then?”
He hefted his burrito and wrapped the tortilla tighter.
“Family.”
She nodded, understanding that reason above all others.
They descended into companionable silence while they ate. The garbled sounds of a Tejano station melded with the distant sounds of Highway 75 and the light street traffic up and down Greenville Avenue.
“What are you so wound up about, doll?”
Her head snapped around. Quin watched her with one brow
arched.
“What?” she asked.
“Your knees are bouncing and you keep looking around. Are
you expecting someone I don’t know about?” He glanced over each shoulder.
The bubble of anger swelling in her breast burst. It wasn’t
Quin’s fault she was suffering from a case of bitchitis.
Instead of snapping at him, she put her taco down and
massaged her temples. “No, I’m just sitting on too much energy and not enough
time to expend it.”
“Ah.” He nodded as if he understood. “We used to call that
the fight or fuck stage.”
It was her turn to quirk a brow at him. She shivered despite
the heat. He had a point; one or the other would help. “Fight or fuck stage?
What did you used to do?”
“First I was in the Marines, then I used to fight MMA,
semipro.”
Her eyebrows crept upward. Mixed martial arts? She saw Quin
in a whole new light, and when she looked at him in this proverbial light, he
looked damn good. Fighters came with their own set of issues, but as an MMA
hobbyist herself, Kellie had to admit that her bad boy draw was sitting across
from her. Growing up around the gym meant she’d become more than competent in a
few martial art forms. As an adult, branching out into the grappling, wrestling
and more violent aspects had given her a much needed outlet.
Kellie grabbed her drink, the cup covered in condensation,
and gulped it down to get moisture back in her dry mouth.
“Why’d you stop?”
“I got hurt. Fractured a few vertebrae. Everyone was amazed
I could walk after that. Realized there was little to no chance of me coming
back from the injury, so I switched over to training. I like it.”
“Do you train around here?” An invisible fist clenched her
heart. There had been a time when she would have known the different gyms, who
trained where, which ones were worth going to and so forth.
Quin didn’t answer immediately. He chewed his food without
haste and took a drink before replying. “I’m transitioning locations. Parting
with someone. It’s a little messy.”
Her nose wrinkled. “Yeah, I’ve been there. I’m lucky to have
Mary as my co-owner. The guy I worked with before her was a man-child.”
He snorted. “Man-child?”
“Yeah, you know. Frat boy types.”
He tilted his head back and laughed. “That’s a good one,
doll. Man-child. I’ll have to remember that.”
The pet name slid over her nerves as if it were sandpaper.
“Do you have to call me that?”
“What?” He blinked as if he had no clue what she was talking
about.
“Lay off the doll crap already.”
He shrugged. “You look like a doll.”
Her scalp itched and her hand balled into a fist. “You think
I look like a whore?” she growled. Moments like these she felt as if she were a
passenger in her own body. The urge to do something, or even the man across
from her, had her muscles too tense and her nerves strung too tight.
Quin jerked his face away from his cup. “What? No. That’s
not what I meant. You’re attractive and exotic-looking. You look more like a
doll than a real person.”
Heat crawled up her neck and she was thankful the parking
light was their only illumination. It was the most convoluted compliment anyone
had ever paid her, and it turned her on even more. She folded her taco wrapper
into a neat square.
“You realize the term china doll is what men called Asian
prostitutes and war brides?”
“The fuck—no. No, that’s definitely not what I meant. Hey,
guys probably hit on you all the time. I figured I had to be a little
creative.”
She rolled her eyes. “At least you don’t talk to my boobs.”
His gaze dipped to her chest and her nipples perked up at
his inspection. She squeezed her thighs together. This was ridiculous. She was
not an animal in heat ready to throw herself at some random guy.
“Well, in their defense, most guys probably only come up to
your chest, so it’s not entirely their fault.” One side of his mouth kicked up
in a roguish smile.
She chuckled and rolled her eyes. “Yeah, blame it on me
because I’m tall.”
“It’s not your fault you’re tall. It’s their fault they’re
short.”
Her phone buzzed against her hip. Conversation forgotten,
Kellie dug it out of her pocket and unlocked the screen. The home-care provider
always texted her when Grandma finally went to bed. She breathed a sigh of
relief when nothing else was mentioned, which meant the day had passed without
incident. She had all night before she would need to go home and face those
troubles. For now she was her own woman.
“Everything okay?”
She glanced up from the phone. “Yeah.”
“Good.”
“So you moved here for family. Wife? Girlfriend?”
“None of the above.”
He was unattached and available. She went very still, the
possibilities running through her head.
Quin cleared his throat. “My schedule right now doesn’t lend
itself to dating.”
Even better. She laid her palms on the rough wooden surface
of the table. “Neither does mine.”
His stillness echoed hers. A predatory awareness came over
him, but she wasn’t prey. “That’s a shame.”
She looked him over, even as he did the same. He wouldn’t be
the first client she slept with, she wasn’t a saint. But neither did she know
him.
“Excuse me.” The food truck cook had walked up on them
without either noticing. “I need to load the table, sorry.” He smiled and wiped
his hands on the dirty apron.
Kellie swiped the napkin across her face. Had she really
inhaled the burrito? Judging by the sad remnants left, yes she had.
“That’s fine. Thanks for the food.”
She rose, gathered up her trash and tossed it in a recycling
bin, then leaned against the front of Quin’s truck, out of the way while Quin
lent a hand to their cook and helped load the table. Too many thoughts spun
around in her head, she needed a minute to get her head screwed on straight,
but she wasted those watching Quin’s arms and the way his t-shirt stretched
across his back. She pretended she hadn’t been staring when he headed for her,
perching her elbows on the hood and
leaning back. The truck’s grille pressed into her back but with her elbows
perched on the edge, it thrust her breasts out. As if she needed to draw any
more attention to them.
Quin’s gaze roved freely over her body and she could already
anticipate his strong touch. He would be an energetic lover, but would he be
gentle? Or rough? Did he always have to stay in control? Because sometimes she
liked to put a man through his paces.
“I can’t tell what you’re thinking and I’m dying to know.”
He stopped less than a foot away.
She smiled slowly, already having a pretty good idea what his answer to her question would be. “I was wondering if you would like to get a room?”
Saturday, July 20, 2013
ARC Review: "Escaping Reality" by Lisa Renee Jones
Escaping Reality
(The Secret Life of Amy Benson #2)
by: Lisa Renee Jones
Publishing Date: 7/22/13
Genre: New Adult
Source: Provided for Blog Tour
Description:
Infinite possibilities….
Infinite passion…..
Infinite danger….
His touch spirals through me, warm and sweet, wicked and hot. I shouldn’t trust him. I shouldn’t tell him my secrets. But how do I not when he is the reason I breath? He is what I need.
At the young age of eighteen, tragedy and a dark secret force Lara to flee all she has known and loves to start a new life. Now years later, with a new identity as Amy, she’s finally dared to believe she is forgotten–even if she cannot forget. But just when she lets down her guard down, the ghost’s of her past are quick to punish her, forcing her back on the run.
On a plane, struggling to face the devastation of losing everything again and starting over, Amy meets Liam Stone, a darkly entrancing recluse billionaire, who is also a brilliant, and famous, prodigy architect. A man who knows what he wants and goes after it. And what he wants is Amy. Refusing to take “no” as an answer, he sweeps her into a passionate affair, pushing her to her erotic limits. He wants to possess her. He makes her want to be possessed. Liam demands everything from her, accepting nothing less. But what if she is too devastated by tragedy to know when he wants more than she should give? And what if there is more to Liam than meets the eyes?
My Review:
Every time I read a Lisa Renee Jones book....I have withdrawals afterwards and have no idea what to read next since Lisa tends to leave me hanging. I cannot even work on my college assignments due to the ending of Escaping Reality. The first page alone in this book had me hooked and had a hard time putting it down. Amy Benson definitely has a life of mystery and running. I am still trying to figure out why she is on the run and who the heck is her handler. She is even trying to figure it out herself and in Escaping Reality, she is starting to feel like everything she has ever known has been a lie.
I am even more intrigued by Liam, especially after reading the last chapter. I have no clue what to think about him. Is he a good guy or bad guy?...I seriously need the next installment so I can find out. I want him to be the good guy. I really do. Please let him be the good guy. (fingers crossed)
Although, I am even more intrigued by Jared the neighbor across from Amy. There is something about him that has been questioning who he really is.
I will not go into detail about what the book is about because I will give too much away. I will say this about Escaping Reality. It definitely is a New Adult book and it will have you feeling emotional, especially when it comes to Amy Benson's character (whoever she really is since she has had other names before). She goes through a lot in this book and she finds out certain things that even has me wondering what the heck is really going on.
Lisa Renee Jones knows how to build up a story and leave the reader with so many questions. I love her writing style and like I stated in my first sentence in my review...I am having a hard time doing anything or reading anything else. I need to know what happens. I loved every minute of the book even though Liam tended to make me mad at times, and so did Amy at certain parts,...Lisa just knew how to keep you reading on. I would continuously tell myself, I need to do other things, but Lisa would leave you wanting more at the end of each chapter. Let me tell you the best part of the book was the tension between Liam and Amy. Liam opened up Amy and made her do things she usually does not do. ( Lisa knows how to write some amazing sexual scenes ) Liam won me over at certain parts of the book because of those scenes. =)
I highly recommend this book to New Adult readers out there. You will get the angst, the sexual tension, and the drama. You will even have mystery in Escaping Reality.
I give this book 5 full moons and look forward to the next book in Amy's story. Here's hoping we find out what truly happened. I also hope to find out about who is her handler, and if Liam is the wrong guy for Amy to hang out with.
I am even more intrigued by Liam, especially after reading the last chapter. I have no clue what to think about him. Is he a good guy or bad guy?...I seriously need the next installment so I can find out. I want him to be the good guy. I really do. Please let him be the good guy. (fingers crossed)
Although, I am even more intrigued by Jared the neighbor across from Amy. There is something about him that has been questioning who he really is.
I will not go into detail about what the book is about because I will give too much away. I will say this about Escaping Reality. It definitely is a New Adult book and it will have you feeling emotional, especially when it comes to Amy Benson's character (whoever she really is since she has had other names before). She goes through a lot in this book and she finds out certain things that even has me wondering what the heck is really going on.
Lisa Renee Jones knows how to build up a story and leave the reader with so many questions. I love her writing style and like I stated in my first sentence in my review...I am having a hard time doing anything or reading anything else. I need to know what happens. I loved every minute of the book even though Liam tended to make me mad at times, and so did Amy at certain parts,...Lisa just knew how to keep you reading on. I would continuously tell myself, I need to do other things, but Lisa would leave you wanting more at the end of each chapter. Let me tell you the best part of the book was the tension between Liam and Amy. Liam opened up Amy and made her do things she usually does not do. ( Lisa knows how to write some amazing sexual scenes ) Liam won me over at certain parts of the book because of those scenes. =)
I highly recommend this book to New Adult readers out there. You will get the angst, the sexual tension, and the drama. You will even have mystery in Escaping Reality.
I give this book 5 full moons and look forward to the next book in Amy's story. Here's hoping we find out what truly happened. I also hope to find out about who is her handler, and if Liam is the wrong guy for Amy to hang out with.
I received a complimentary copy of the book for the blog tour in exchange for an honest review.
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Pre-order at Amazon
Friday, July 19, 2013
Review: "Promise Me This" by Sarah Ashley Jones
Promise Me This
(Promise Me #1)
by: Sarah Ashley Jones
Publishing Date: 6/17/13
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: New Adult
Source: Provided by Author
Description:
WARNING: This book is intended for readers 17+ due to strong language and sexual situations.
Welcome to the South - where the tea is sweet and the accents are sweeter. This Southern way of life is all Charlie has ever known. It’s not until she loses the only person who pushed her to break free of the Southern Belle mold that she starts living the life she needs and not the life her parents forced on her.
Jhett has lived on the edge for as long as he could remember - constantly teetering back and forth between being a rock star and living a normal life. His rebellious and sometimes arrogant attitude is known to get him into trouble, especially with the girls who hang on his every move.
Charlie never thought that a trip to pack up her brother’s apartment would leave her feeling even more unsettled about the grainy details of her brother’s death. Her quest for information leads her straight to his old hangout and into arms of Jhett, who suspiciously knows more about her situation than he ever should.
Only a few questions remain - Can you trust someone based on their word alone? And if you make a promise, how far will you go to keep it?
My Review:
I read this book last month and I am just now getting to the review. (*hangs head*) Life had put my reading/reviewing on hold due to the move to Florida and college finals and now life is finally getting back to normal. (*thank goodness...I was having reading withdrawals and snapping at hubs too much*)
Promise Me This has to be one of my favorite New Adult books I have read this year so far. Sarah Ashley Jones does an amazing job telling Charlie's story and how she ends up meeting the irresistible and sexy Jhett (which I LOVE his name by the way). It is not at the best of times though due to her losing brother to an accident. She is taking it hard, but she finds out that there are people there to help her get through it. When she meets Jhett, she finds out things she never knew about her brother. Jhett is automatically intrigued by Charlie and feels like he already knows her due to her brother.
He wants to help her realize what she wants in life due to what Charlie's brother was trying to help her with. Charlie has to cut the strings back home and this may be the only way of doing it. Of course her family is not being supportive, but it helps when you have a sexy boy helping you realize what you have been missing out on.
Charlie is about to find out what she should do with her life and how she can do anything. Her brother was trying to help her figure it out and now she can.
Although, Sarah Ashley Jones does throw in some dilemmas between Charlie and Jhett that Charlie has to question, who she should trust. I was a little weary when it came to Jhett's sister and a few other characters.
This book definitely gives you the angst and tension that New Adult gives as far as the genre. It also gives you a troubled character like Jhett, who has secrets that come out at the end of the book.
Sarah did an amazing job building up to the end and how she ended it. She really did not leave you hanging....although...I am already missing Jhett. I need some more of him.
He had to be the sweetest guy I have ever read in an New Adult book. He was always there for Charlie even at the end. Seriously...he won my heart.
I give this book 5 full moons and highly recommend it to New Adult genre readers out there.
I will warn you this book may require tissues due to some parts making you cry, or you will need some cold water to cool down after some of the scenes between Jhett and Charlie.
This is Sarah's debut novel and I definitely am a big fan after reading it. I look forward to what she brings out next. =)
I read this book last month and I am just now getting to the review. (*hangs head*) Life had put my reading/reviewing on hold due to the move to Florida and college finals and now life is finally getting back to normal. (*thank goodness...I was having reading withdrawals and snapping at hubs too much*)
Promise Me This has to be one of my favorite New Adult books I have read this year so far. Sarah Ashley Jones does an amazing job telling Charlie's story and how she ends up meeting the irresistible and sexy Jhett (which I LOVE his name by the way). It is not at the best of times though due to her losing brother to an accident. She is taking it hard, but she finds out that there are people there to help her get through it. When she meets Jhett, she finds out things she never knew about her brother. Jhett is automatically intrigued by Charlie and feels like he already knows her due to her brother.
He wants to help her realize what she wants in life due to what Charlie's brother was trying to help her with. Charlie has to cut the strings back home and this may be the only way of doing it. Of course her family is not being supportive, but it helps when you have a sexy boy helping you realize what you have been missing out on.
Charlie is about to find out what she should do with her life and how she can do anything. Her brother was trying to help her figure it out and now she can.
Although, Sarah Ashley Jones does throw in some dilemmas between Charlie and Jhett that Charlie has to question, who she should trust. I was a little weary when it came to Jhett's sister and a few other characters.
This book definitely gives you the angst and tension that New Adult gives as far as the genre. It also gives you a troubled character like Jhett, who has secrets that come out at the end of the book.
Sarah did an amazing job building up to the end and how she ended it. She really did not leave you hanging....although...I am already missing Jhett. I need some more of him.
He had to be the sweetest guy I have ever read in an New Adult book. He was always there for Charlie even at the end. Seriously...he won my heart.
I give this book 5 full moons and highly recommend it to New Adult genre readers out there.
I will warn you this book may require tissues due to some parts making you cry, or you will need some cold water to cool down after some of the scenes between Jhett and Charlie.
This is Sarah's debut novel and I definitely am a big fan after reading it. I look forward to what she brings out next. =)
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Purchase at Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Friday, July 5, 2013
ARC Review: "Fangs for Nothing" by Erin McCarthy and Kathy Love
Fangs for Nothing
(The Fangover #2)
by: Erin McCarthy
Publishing Date: 7/2/13
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Description:
When one of their own ties the knot with a dominatrix (no pun intended), The Impalers—a vampire rock band—are ready to party down. But trouble awaits them once again when they wake up…
Attending their bandmate Saxon’s wedding seemed simple enough for Johnny Malone and Drake Hanover. But after waking up in a dominatrix’s dungeon, they realize their cash and cell phones have been stolen—along with the bride’s wedding dress and the groom. And then there’s the matter of the two women in the room….
Loose cannon Johnny is handcuffed to Lizette, an uptight paper pusher. She wants to help save Johnny from the horrible fate in store for him at the hands of the Vampire Alliance, but he won’t sign the paperwork. Then there’s Josie, the waifish caterer from the reception, who rescues Drake from a sex swing. Josie may be cute and make a great cupcake, but Drake knows she might also be the thief. Or it could have been that gang of drag queens all dressed as Cher….
Regardless, Johnny and Lizette need to get out of these handcuffs. Drake and Josie need to find their missing belongings. And Saxon needs to be located before the Vampire Alliance comes down on them hard.
My Review:
Ever read a book that leaves you laughing, so hard your family looks at you crazy? Yeah, this is definitely the book that did that to me.
I read the first book, The Fangover, and when I read Fangs for Nothing, I was prepared for the same kind of storyline. I was not prepared for some of the craziness that Johnny and Drake dealt with in this book though.
Erin McCarthy and Kathy Love give you the sexy Impalers again, where they have no clue what happened to them the night before. They know someone drugged them again and they want to find out who and why they did it.
You get Cher impersonators, a dungeon (that involves a sex swing, an alligator, and someone wearing chaps that involve showing off the goodies), and of course so many other obstacles that involve the Impalers having to re-trace their steps due to not remembering anything.
This time it is Johnny and Drake from the Impalers that are falling in love with the most unlikely women, who are also confused from the night before. One of the women works for the Vampire Alliance, who is in town to investigate Johnny's death and the other woman works for a catering business, who got stuck with the Impalers for some reason.
I loved this book due to its storyline and of course this time it was Johnny and Drake that got their story. I loved Drake in this book due to his personality and I loved how Johnny handled his dilemma with the Vampire Alliance. You will have to read the first book to find out what Johnny did to get him in this sticky situation in this book.
Both women in this book are what made this story even better. You have the stuck up all about the rules vampire and you have the human woman, who just wanted to make her mark in the world. Both of them are complete opposites to Johnny and Drake.
The best part in the book...was the very beginning. Seriously...I could not stop laughing on how everyone woke up after the night of being drugged.
If you like your paranormal romance with some humor, you will definitely want to read this book. I highly recommend you read the first though. Otherwise you will miss out on some of the other favorite Impalers that got their crazy story already.
I highly recommend this book and give it 5 full moons. I want some more Impalers already. I need some of these crazy New Orleans bandmates that keep me laughing at night.
I read the first book, The Fangover, and when I read Fangs for Nothing, I was prepared for the same kind of storyline. I was not prepared for some of the craziness that Johnny and Drake dealt with in this book though.
Erin McCarthy and Kathy Love give you the sexy Impalers again, where they have no clue what happened to them the night before. They know someone drugged them again and they want to find out who and why they did it.
You get Cher impersonators, a dungeon (that involves a sex swing, an alligator, and someone wearing chaps that involve showing off the goodies), and of course so many other obstacles that involve the Impalers having to re-trace their steps due to not remembering anything.
This time it is Johnny and Drake from the Impalers that are falling in love with the most unlikely women, who are also confused from the night before. One of the women works for the Vampire Alliance, who is in town to investigate Johnny's death and the other woman works for a catering business, who got stuck with the Impalers for some reason.
I loved this book due to its storyline and of course this time it was Johnny and Drake that got their story. I loved Drake in this book due to his personality and I loved how Johnny handled his dilemma with the Vampire Alliance. You will have to read the first book to find out what Johnny did to get him in this sticky situation in this book.
Both women in this book are what made this story even better. You have the stuck up all about the rules vampire and you have the human woman, who just wanted to make her mark in the world. Both of them are complete opposites to Johnny and Drake.
The best part in the book...was the very beginning. Seriously...I could not stop laughing on how everyone woke up after the night of being drugged.
If you like your paranormal romance with some humor, you will definitely want to read this book. I highly recommend you read the first though. Otherwise you will miss out on some of the other favorite Impalers that got their crazy story already.
I highly recommend this book and give it 5 full moons. I want some more Impalers already. I need some of these crazy New Orleans bandmates that keep me laughing at night.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the Author in exchange for an honest review.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
ARC Review: "Shadow Hunter" by Kait Ballenger
Shadow Hunter
(Execution Underground #0.5)
by: Kait Ballenger
Publishing Date: 6/25/13
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source: Provided by the Author
Description:
Vampire hunter Damon Brock's first assignment with the Execution Underground is Rochester, New York, a city crawling with the undead. But he isn't the only hunter in town gunning for vamp blood. Tiffany Solow is fierce and ruthless when it comes to slaying the monsters that destroyed her family-and she works solo. But being alone is no longer so desirable when she meets the mysterious hunter who wants more than just her turf. As they work to massacre the local covens, the line between good and evil blurs when they are forced to decide between their lifelong beliefs... and their newfound hearts.
My Review:
(I am only reviewing Shadow Hunter from After Dark)
I read Gena Showalter's The Darkest Angel back three years ago and loved it...and I was excited to read the debut novel of Kait Ballenger's upcoming Execution Underground series.
Shadow Hunter is the debut novel of the series and it definitely gives you insight on what is to come in the series. Kait Ballenger does a superb job introducing Damon Brock, who happens to be a vampire hunter and has his work cut out of him in Rochester, New York. She lets you know what is going on ahead of time in Rochester and why Execution Underground has gotten a team there. Damon Brock blames himself for what happened to his partner when they tried to raid a vampire nest, but he finds something else that is worst than death to what happened to his partner / best friend. He ends up meeting Mark's baby sister, who Damon used to write to constantly, but never met in person and now she is in too deep with the big name vampire in Rochester and it is up to Damon to protect her. Tiffany Solow is not going to make it easy for him at all.
Kait Ballenger definitely has a way of keeping a reader turning the pages to find out what happens next and she of course leaves a cliffhanger at the end. I loved Damon and Tiffany in this book. Kait even introduces just a smidgen of the other E.U. members that are to come. This is definitely a book that must be read before you start the first full-length book that comes out later on. You will definitely want to know about the dark and sexy Damon Brock ( I just love his name ).
Kait Ballenger gives you not only vampires, but she also makes sure to let you know that there are other supernaturals that are going to be in the series as well. Be prepared for some steamy sex scenes and action packed adventures in this book. It may be short, but it opens up the series very well.
I recommend this book to PNR lovers out there everywhere. I give this book 4.5 moons and I look forward to reading Twilight Hunter when it comes out.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Purchase at Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Monday, June 24, 2013
ARC Review - "Claiming His Mate" by Savannah Stuart
Claiming His Mate
(Crescent Moon #2)
Author: Savannah Stuart
Publisher: Self
Published
Release Date: 6/16/13
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source: ARC Provided by Author
Description
She thought the house was empty when she broke in…
When jaguar shifter Lauren Hayes breaks into an alpha’s home
to steal back what rightfully belongs to her pride, she doesn’t expect to be
tackled by Max McCray, second-in-command of the Kincaid wolf pack. As
punishment for her crime the sexy wolf shifter demands that she stay with him
for one week. Knowing she’ll start a war between her pride and his pack if she
doesn’t, she has no other choice but to agree, even if the thought of being
near him 24/7 makes her scared that she won’t be able to hide her growing
attraction to him.
Now he has a week to make her his…
Max has waited months to make a move on the sexy jaguar
shifter and now that she’s broken shifter rules, he’s not letting her go. He
doesn’t care that he’s a wolf and she’s a jaguar, claiming her forever is the
only thing that matters. Unfortunately, not everyone likes the idea of him
being with a feline shifter. Max is forced to choose sides between Lauren and
members of the pack he’s sworn allegiance to in order to protect the woman he
knows is his destined mate.
Review
I'm a big fan of Katie Reus so when I found out about her alter ego Savannah Stuart I knew I would love her writing and I was so right! This story was a fantastic summer read! It's quick and sexy and has some nice plot twists to it to make a good story.
I loved the two main characters! Lauren the jaguar shifter and Max the wolf shifter. They don't seem like they'd fit together but they so do! The sexual tension between the two is thick and it gets pretty hot once she finally gives in. I liked the other characters too. Lots of potential for more books....I hope.
I very much enjoyed reading this one and it only took me a few hours to read so it's a great one night read. If you are a fan of Katie Reus, you'll wanna check these books out! They're classic Katie but a little bit steamier! Trust me, you'll love them. And if you haven't read Savannah/Katie's books yet, now is the time to. You'll become hopelessly addicted just like me. :)
Thursday, June 20, 2013
ARC Review - Fixed On You by Laurelin Paige
Fixed On You
(Fixed #1)
Author: Laurelin Paige
Publisher: Mandevilla
Press
Release Date: 6/24/13
Genre: Erotic Romance
Source: ARC Provided by Author
Description
Stalking and restraining orders are a thing of Alayna
Pierce’s past. With her MBA newly in hand, she has her future figured out—move
up at the nightclub she works at and stay away from any guy who might trigger
her obsessive love disorder. A perfect plan. But what Alayna didn’t figure on
is Hudson Pierce, the new owner of the nightclub. He’s smart, rich, and
gorgeous—the kind of guy Alayna knows to stay away from if she wants to keep
her past tendencies in check. Except, Hudson’s fixed his sights on her. He
wants her in his bed and makes no secret of it. Avoiding him isn’t an option
after he offers a business proposition she can’t turn down and she’s drawn
further into his universe, unable to resist his gravitational pull. When she
learns Hudson has a dark history of his own, she realizes too late that she’s
fallen for the worst man she could possibly get involved with. Or maybe their
less than ideal pasts give them an opportunity to heal each other and finally
find the love their lives have been missing.
Review
This was quite the sexy read! I’m not a huge fan of serial
books like this one because I enjoy my HEA all wrapped up pretty but when it’s
done right, like I think this one was, it’s very enjoyable! I am so glad I
decided to read this book. It’s fun and entertaining but it’s also a very
emotional and deep story.
I really liked Alayna and Hudson. They were genuine people
with real emotions. Both of their pasts were so sad but believable, especially
with the family lives they had. Hudson is a very charming man and I fell for
him within seconds and Alayna is just a very likable character. And together
they are HOT! We can’t forget that! The sex scenes aren’t the hottest I’ve ever
read but they have potential and I’m ready for more of Hudson, he’s so sexy!
It was heartbreaking the way Hudson was with his mother. She’s
such an unhappy person. And his dad was a riot! I hope to see more of him in
the next book. He was very entertaining in a very inappropriate way! You’ll
just have to read it to understand because it’s worth it just for him! He has
no shame! As for Alayna’s brother, even though the guy has reason to be a jerk
that doesn’t excuse it! I wanted to reach into the book and punch him in the
nose and tell him to have some faith, people can change! I hope she shows him
and he eats his words!!!
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I think that most
erotic romance fans would very much enjoy this one. It’s sweet, and sexy, and
funny and quite a bit angsty. The perfect late night read if you ask me! I’m
dying for the next book now though, so be prepared to wait after you’ve read
this one!
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble (Purchase links will be added once the book is available to purchase)
Monday, June 3, 2013
ARC Review: "His Clockwork Canary" by Beth Ciotta
His Clockwork Canary
(The Glorious Victorious Darcys #2)
by: Beth Ciotta
Publishing Date: 6/4/13
Publisher: Signet
Genre: Steampunk Romance
Source: Provided by Publisher via Netgalley
Description:
History is repeating itself.
For ambitious engineer Simon Darcy, winning Queen Victoria’s competition to recover lost inventions of historical significance is a matter of pride—and redemption. After all, it was Simon’s failed monorail project that left his family destitute, and winning the tournament would surely restore the Darcys’ reputation.
Simon sets his sights high, targeting no less than the infamous time-travel device that forever changed the world by transporting scientists, engineers, and artists from the twentieth century. The Mod technology was banned and supposedly destroyed, but Simon is sure he can re-create it.
His daring plan draws the attention of Willie G., the Clockwork Canary, London’s sensationalist reporter. Simon soon discovers that Willie is a male guise for Wilhemina Goodenough, the love of his youth, who left him jilted and bitter. He questions her motives even as he falls prey to her unique charm. As the attraction between the two reignites, Simon realizes that this vixen from his past has secrets that could be the key to his future…as long as he can put their history behind him.
My Review:
I was introduced to the Steampunk genre thanks to Beth Ciotta's first book in the Glorious Victorious Darcys Series and now it has become one genre I must read more often. I was definitely looking forward to Simon Darcy's story and, who he ended up being with.
First, let me just say I have loved the covers of this series and I plan on buying these books in print soon because these books will definitely look great on my book shelves at home.
Beth Ciotta brings you yet another riveting story, and this time it is about Simon Darcy, who is determined to win Queen Victoria's competition with an invention that will definitely have him winning. Simon was one character, who was trying to find a lot of answers in this book, and he ends up hooking up with the one person he should despise due to the person telling a story about his father's demise. Willie G., otherwise known as the Clockwork Canary is known to be a famous reporter, but what people do not know is that he really is a she and she's just trying to be normal. If she does not act like a guy and look normal, she will be seen for what she really is. She is a freak due to what she is and what her parents did. She can do things normal people cannot. She has rainbow colored eyes and she never expected her next story to be her past love, Simon Darcy. She broke his heart and now she has to keep her biggest secret from him still.
Wilhemina Goodenough is definitely a favorite from His Clockwork Canary. She's strong-willed, determined, and down-right stubborn at times in the book. I just adored her. She put herself into such a big dilemma and what I loved most about her is that she ends up proving women can do what men do....and most definitely better.
She puts Simon in his place several times...and I have to say Simon puts her in her place as well. He put her in the place over one thing that I had to agree with him. Do not let family interfere with love and scare you away from what you really want.
Poor Willie was hooked with Simon for one reason and ends up doing something completely different at the end. I am so glad she did not do what she originally was supposed to do.
Beth Ciotta leaves me hanging quite a bit in this story though. I am now fascinated with Simon's twin, Jules and what he is up to. I get a little taste at the end of the previous characters Amelia and her Sky Cowboy. I loved their story. They played a significant part in this book. =)
Poor Simon and Willie G. went through a lot in this book and Willie G actually has to make adjustments to what happened to her. (I have to give her props because she saved Simon in this book) Have I said it enough, how much I adored her in this book.
I definitely liked her better than Simon. Simon had his moments where he was a pain, but he had his reasons. I feel bad for him because he found out secrets in this book that he thought he knew his twin better and his family better.
I look forward to the next installment in this series. I want to know more about Jules and several other characters.
I give this book 4.5 moons and highly recommend it to steampunk readers out there. This definitely is one book that will intrigue you from the first page to the last page.
Beth Ciotta did a fabulous job again in the second book in the Glorious Victorious Darcys books. I cannot wait for Jules story. He definitely sounds like he may become a favorite Darcy of mine due to what I found out about him in this book. =)
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Review - "Undeclared" by Jen Frederick
Undeclared
(Woodlands #1)
Author: Jen Frederick
Publisher: Jen Frederick
Release Date: 4/28/13
Genre: New Adult
Source: Provided by author
Description
For four years, Grace Sullivan wrote to a Marine she never
met, and fell in love. But when his deployment ended, so did the letters. Ever
since that day, Grace has been coasting, academically and emotionally. The one
thing she’s decided? No way is Noah Jackson — or any man — ever going to break
her heart again.
Noah has always known exactly what he wants out of life.
Success. Stability. Control. That’s why he joined the Marines and that’s why
he’s fighting his way — literally — through college. Now that he’s got the rest
of his life on track, he has one last conquest: Grace Sullivan. But since he
was the one who stopped writing, he knows that winning her back will be his
biggest battle yet.
This is a mature New Adult book. I see that it is classified
as YA - not sure how to change that - but I wanted to be clear that it has
explicit love scenes in the story.
Review
I’m not sure yet how I feel about this New Adult genre. I
enjoy it ok but the characters are a bit too young for me and sometimes they
are too close to YA, which I'm not a big fan of, that I just don’t enjoy the story at all. ;) I’ve managed to read a few different NA books so
far and of those few this one was my favorite one. I actually enjoyed this one
a lot more than any of the others and I plan to continue reading this series
and this author in the future. She
managed to keep it young and light mostly but for me it read like a regular
contemporary romance and that I really liked! I didn’t feel like I was reading
about teenagers like I did with the other NA books I've read.
Noah and Grace start off by just writing letters back and
forth, this started by Grace for a high school project she did writing to
someone in the military. (I LOVED reading their letters back and forth! It made
it sweeter for me.) But then Noah stopped writing after Grace revealed her
feelings for him and kind of blew any chance he had with her. Or so Grace says,
Noah has other ideas. Now he is there attending where she is going to college
and he wants her to be his and he’ll do pretty much whatever it takes to get
her.
It was really sweet while Noah was pursuing Grace! Lots of
aww! moments. And I didn’t blame her for being reluctant but there were times I
just wanted to scream at Grace because the guy was working hard to win her
back. Though, I guess he did kind of deserve it! Even so, she eventually comes
around and all is well.
I wasn't a big fan of Grace's friend Lana, she is VERY negative and I kind of wish we had learned a bit more about that but I have a feeling we will be seeing much more of her later so maybe we'll find out then.
I loved Noah’s friends! All the guys, especially Bo though. He is hilarious and I’m excited for more of
him in the future!!! Heck, I'm excited for all of the guys! The are all so different, it should be interesting to see what happens with them all.
I really really enjoyed this book! It’s a straight up normal
low drama romance, very easy to read. Great for a summer day! I honestly wasn’t
sure how I would like it but once I started that very first page I couldn’t put
it down until I read to the very last page. This story is fun and sweet and hot and all
things in between and best of all there’s more to come! I can not wait for Bo’s
story! Seriously, the guy is very entertaining. I’m anxious to see what kind of
girl knocks his socks off! I have a guess who but we will see! ;)
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