Weekly Geeks - The Weirdest Thing

The Weekly Geeks would not be Weekly Geek if it did not toss in it's Halloween hat in the fray of all the blogosphere Halloween madness..

We have a guest on Weekly Geek this week and she has cut right to the chase about the weird and wonderful things we have been reading lately and not only because of Halloween...

So I'll tell you mine, make sure you tell me yours......

"---- I've been finding myself wondering if it isn't getting a little WEIRD and CREEPY in here. What with books about vampires (Twilight) and orphaned wizards (Harry Potter) in the mainstream, and a book about a child raised by vampires, werewolves, and ghosts (The Graveyard Book) being on the New York Times children’s best seller list for 52 weeks, it seems like maybe I'm right.

At the same time, I'm a real fan of the weird and creepy and I seek it out. So maybe asking me if things are a little weird in here is like asking a fish if the water feels a little wet today. Maybe my barometer is under water.

1) Tell us about something weird, unusual, terrifying, or creepy you've read lately.

2) Tell us what you think. Are things getting a little more weird and creepy than usual, or less? If your choice for the answer to question number 1 was written in a different decade, what does it say about that era? Maybe you think that the weird and creepy is status quo. Or maybe we’re all like lobsters in a pot, and we can’t tell if things are getting hot in here.

Mine

For this weeks questions, I am not sure I am the best person to answer this question - mainly for the reason that I read 70% Erotica and it all about the smut in those book, irrespective of the genre...

Don't get me wrong there are enough weirdness in erotica to give anyone whiplash - from too much hands to unheard of positions... then there is male pregnancy and the list goes...

...But I think the question was more for the paranormal sort... The latest weirdest sort of thing I read of  in a paranormal nature is from ON THE EDGE - Ilona Andrews

A stench lashed his nose, bitter and harsh, followed by a creepy feeling that something cold and slimy had dripped on the back of his neck. He whirled.

A beast stood on the grass. Five feet tall, it balanced on four skinny legs, its body turned at an angle, its head facing Jack. Its chest was deep, and past it, its body slimmed down, each of its ribs clearly visible, before terminating in powerful hindquarters. It looked like a racing dog. At first glance, the beast’s hide seemed almost black, but when the sun touched its spine, the thick skin stretched over the beast’s back turned a dark smoky purple tinted with black and green, like a bad bruise. It had no fur, only a row of short, sharp spikes running down the backs of its legs and along its spine.

The beast’s head was long, very long, but without any ears. Two pairs of long slanted eyes stared at Jack with dull, weakly glowing gray, like fog backlit by headlights.

In his adventures in the Wood, Jack had looked into the eyes of a dire wolf, a fox, a bear, and countless other things for which he had no name, but none of them had eyes like that. They were cruel eyes. Cruel and merciless like the eyes of a gator.

On The Edge (c) Ilona Andrews

And it only gets worst from there on in. That was one good book....

ON THE EDGE  was paranormal at it's best, so outside of any decade - it had all the stereotypical stuff, but it also had a style of it own which made it a winner in my book...

What's your weirdest read so far....

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Review – Kiss of Moonlight © Stephanie Julian

Title: Kiss of Moonlight

Author: Stephanie Julian

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave (Jasmine Jade)

Main Character: Tamra McMillan & Kyle Rossini

Plagued by nightmares. Stalked by kidnappers. Tamra McMillan needs a safe haven. When tattooed bad-ass Kyle Rossini steps into her life, the last thing she expects to find is a sanctuary from her demons or steaming hot sex. In fact, everything about him screams danger. But appearances can be deceiving. The tender possessiveness of his touch, the hunger in his eyes, the scorching sensuality of his kiss—all of it sears him into her soul and brands her as his for life.

But otherworldly forces are afoot and death hovers…

Etruscan werewolf Kyle is a loner. The king’s assassin with a killer’s instincts. The last thing he needs is a mate who could be placed in danger because of him. Until he meets the one woman who needs him more than he needs his solitude. When Tamra, battered but not broken, stumbles into his world and tumbles into his bed, she captures his heart. And nothing—not kidnappers or visions of his possible death—will keep him from her.

 

“Cat, it’s just a cookout. It’s not like I’m going on a date.”

Cat’s sigh sounded so much like her mother’s Kyle almost checked behind him to make sure Margie hadn’t appeared. “Gee, Dad. Do you even know what that word means anymore? Just wear the clothes I picked out for you. And hurry up. She’ll be here soon.”

Cat turned from the door of his bedroom and headed toward the kitchen, where she started banging bowls around and gathering ingredients out of the fridge, leaving Kyle to finish dressing.

He had to admit he’d been stewing about what to wear as he took a shower. Which just pissed him off. This wasn’t africking date.

Yeah, so why are you acting like a teenager going to a dance?

Because he was an idiot, that’s why.

Grabbing the t-shirt off the bed, he pulled it over his head. Plain black but not as loose as he normally wore. He turned toward the mirror and realized the tight fit emphasized his shoulders, chest and arms. Tinia’s teat, he looked like a hard-ass biker with the tattooed runes on his left arm and the muscles bulging.

He’d probably scare the girl away.

Except the shorts kind of balanced it out, made him look a little more normal.

Yeah, like the reformed convict down the street doing his lawn.

“And they have a pocket for your knife,” Cat had noted when she’d set them out. “So you can still be armed even while being fashionable.”

Damn, he loved his kid. But he fucking hated that she knew he needed to carry a concealed weapon.

“Dad, honestly. You’re worse than a girl,” Cat called from the kitchen. “I can hear you sighing all the way out here. Just put the clothes on and come help me. Jeez.”

Yep, someone should just take his balls and hang ’em in a closet somewhere.

Since his combat boots didn’t exactly go with the ensemble and Cat hadn’t bothered to put any shoes out for him, he went barefoot, which he preferred anyway.

 

Review

Kyle Rossini likes is  little slice of the world, it was far removed from society and yet near enough for his friends to know where he is and for his daughter to let her inner self shine.

That said daughter is the one person he loves most in the world, yet she is also the bane of his life with how much she is like her mother. Despite his warning to her to stay on his land and have as much fun as she can, alone – she finds her self more often then not doing her own thing and this time she has guilt him into checking out her new find.

Kyle follow up on his daughters request and goes visiting, he however goes as his other self, which is a big, black, wolf and before long he is privy to a lot of the new neighbours secrets and his wolf his chomping at the bit to make things right for her. However despite all this, one thing Kyle is almost certain of, the new neighbour Tamra McMillan is also his mate.

Tamra McMillan is in hiding and mostly from herself – after going through a traumatic experience both physically and emotionally less than a year ago, she is barely surviving. All she does is move from place to place and watches who and what is around her. Her last stop is little more than a house in the middle of nowhere and she is not expecting to find anyone out here to talk to – yet she finds herself talking to two dogs as she doubts  they are wolves in this part of the world.  But more than the two pooches she has visitors and they are unlike any body else that she has ever met. The young lady Cat is vibrant, tenacious and does not know how to take no for an answer. Her dad Kyle is just about the hottest man she has ever seen and also the first man in along time that her libido has stood and said HELLO to.

Once these three meets things escalates at a fast pace and not in a way that made any of the three are any wiser. One of the first bubble to burst is the fact that Kyle and Cat are shifters and from there it’s all a tempestuous situation, with danger, tension, lust and taking chances all rampant and around every corer. Something had to give as Kyle is caught in the middle because as much as he knows Tamra is his mate – he is also the shifter assassin and he is trained to killed.

I have been eagerly awaiting this books for a while now and as soon as Ellora’s Cave put it up this morning I was running up a tab…. I really wanted to try this new new series by this author for a few reasons. Firstly, a while ago  I started Ms. Julian previous series and didn’t even finish the first book – not because it wasn’t any good but because I didn't have the time to appreciate it, secondly I am a big fan of shifter books and from the blurb this was built as something a little different.

 

Highlights

The book begins with Kyle the main protag not only in a heated discussion with his daughter but also with him doing a whole lot of soul searching. I liked how the book opened – it caught my interest and the dynamics between Kyle and his daughter Cat was one of the better scenes of the book.

This is definately book one in a series and it reads like it as well. With introductions here and there and enough back history on the etruscan - Ms. Julian did a great job in laying the framework.

Recently I have found myself not being able to handle books with too much abuse or emotional drama and I was pleased that as much as Tamra has been through a unholy ordeal, it was not detailed – so I empathized with her and I was very sympathetic to what she was going through, but I also knew she had to move on from it all without getting all the gory details.

I loved Kyle, he acted tough, he was tough, but when it came to his daughter and his new mate – he was mush, it was a thrill to see the mighty fall.

I liked the chemistry between Kyle and Tamra, at first  I was not sure Tamra was ready for Kyle after all she had been through – but when a woman see’s what she wants who am I to say any different.

There was a fine balance with the storylines, as much as it was all bits and pieces at first, it came together and soon everyone was on the same page.

The mystery was well thought out – the explanations of the angst and unknown were not outside of the realm of the paranormal and I look forward to where the second book takes this mystery.

I love an author who is not unwilling to share and I was very pleased to see the kindling's of the next books playing out at the end of this story and I was LOVING it… yup I so was…

There is smut involved in  KISS OF THE MOONLIGHT and it was good – not too over the top and with due consideration for the fact that Tamra was cutting loose for the first time in a hell of a long time.

There is an earthiness to this book which I like alot. All the cast were very into nature and in everything they did it was with the intension of giving back to mother nature.

 

Lowlights

This book could have done with a glossary right from the first page. While it didn’t stress me to figure out what was happening and who was what – I really didn’t get up to speed on the whole Etri/ Etruscan situation until about fifty pages in.

There are shifters, witches and etri (humans) presented in this book – however other worldly being or either on the outskirt of the plot or alluded to in KISS OF THE MOONLIGHT, I would love to see them introduced into future books – as they play such an integral part in how the story shapes up.

There is one storyline that I only got a little and I mean a little glimpse of and I was so disappointed this was not the book it was followed up in – I eagerly awaiting that plot line….

 

Bottom line.

A wonderful first book in a series that I was very pleased to have read. There is an excitement to the pace that the book takes which I was very impressed with. The protags are easy on the eyes and on my nerves as well. I was not bored or tired of them in the least and I am looking forward to seeing them again in future books.

The support cast were friendly, nosey and knows how to get their own way all too easily. What issues I had with this book I can deal with because if the little glimpse that I have seem of the second book is anything to go by – it is going to be one hell of a storm … and I can’t wait…. definately a series to watch.

 

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Review – The Favour © Crissy Smith

 

Title: The Favour

Author: Crissy Smith

Publisher: Total E-Bound

Main Characters:  Matt McCoy & Trevor King & Annebelle Scott

Book one in the Corporate Wolves Series

Doing a favour for her two bosses will turn out to be the most erotic experience of her life.

Annebelle Scott has lusted over her bosses for some time. When they ask a favour of her, she agrees. All she has to do is accompany them to their weekend house to work on a file that must be completed before Monday. Oh, and manage to hide her desire for them for a couple days. How hard can that be?

Matt McCoy and Trevor King have put their plan in motion to add Annabelle to their family. They concoct a story to get her to go away with them for the weekend. In the safety of their weekend house and family territory, they will not only claim her as a mate, but introduce her to the world of shape-shifters.

 

Annabelle Scott nervously ran her hands over her grey knee-length skirt as the elevator took its time taking her up to the top floor.

She’d only gotten the message that her boss wanted to see her minutes ago. Unfortunately her co-worker Justin Black had thought it would be funny to see her rush so she didn’t keep the top man waiting.

She wasn’t nervous about meeting with her boss about work, knowing that she did her job well. Since she’d joined the company over a year ago, the accounting department had run smoothly. Nothing like the mess she’d had to clean up when she’d arrived.

No, she was unsettled over the thought of being in close contact with her boss. Ever since the day she’d interviewed with him, she had been hiding a secret desire for him.

It was not proper in the business world and more unlikely to ever happen. She wasn’t a size two. While her friends had told her she was pretty, she knew she was nothing compared to the drop-dead gorgeous woman Matthew ‘Mac’ McCoy seemed to like on his arm.

Then there was the problem with his right-hand man. While Mac was tall, dark, and handsome, his vice president, Trevor King, was muscular, blond, and blue eyed. The two of them together were potent. And every woman’s wet dream. Every time she ran into one man, he was with the other. Her hormones couldn’t take much more.

The elevator chimed, letting her know that she had reached her destination, and Annabelle flicked her hair from her eyes and took a deep breathe.

Stepping onto the thick tan carpet she felt her heel dig in and tried not to trip. What would her boss think if he saw her sprawled out over the floor? Her lips lifted in a smile at the thought.

“Ms. Scott,” her boss’s secretary greeted as Annabelle walked towards her desk.

“Hi Mary,” she returned. She liked the older woman and had from the moment she met her.

“He’s waiting for you,” Mary told her with a smile.

Glancing at her watch, Annabelle frowned. She wasn’t late yet.

“You’re not late,” the other woman confirmed. “He’s just in a mood today.”

“Okay thanks,” Annabelle responded distractedly. She really didn’t want to see her boss in a bad mood.

Annabelle stopped at the entrance of his office and looked in on him. He sat bent over his computer keyboard, pounding away. Mary was right if the way his fingers flew over the keyboard was any indication he was most definitely not happy. She knocked on the doorframe, not wanting to walk in without permission.

Matt’s head snapped up, and she watched as his golden eyes narrowed. She had never seen that colour before, but it fit him perfectly. Just like everything about him was perfect.

“Ms. Scott, finally.” His deep voice carried to her.

The Favour © Crissy Smith

 

Review

When Annebelle is summoned to the inner sanctum of her bosses office, she is not really surprised , after all she works for  them. However when the bosses Matt McCoy and Trevor King lay out the ultra urgency of a favour that they needed from her she agrees with alot of reservation.

Annebelle had hot the hots for both men ever since she started working for the men – not feeling like she was up to their standard she has never made herself shine. Annebelle is now puzzled by her employers request to have a rush job done over the weekend that requires only her skills.

Arriving at their home she is stunned at the sort of life they live and is ultra nervous by the fact that all their family and friends are just within a stone throw from where they are staying. The biggest shock comes however when she more or less stumbles onto their closely kept secret.

For Matt and Trevor having Annebelle in their home is what they have been working for ever since she started to work for them – now that their secret was out all bets were off about taking it slowly – the situation has just passed that stage.

This is my third book by Crissy Smith and this one continue with the same shifter theme. a short story that cuts right to the chase with Matt,and Trevor caught out in their secret and having their wicked ways with Annebelle.

This is a sweet read and if you have never read Ms. Smith work before THE FAVOUR is one that you can start with to get a intro to this authors work.

The theme is nothing new, but Ms. Smith voice is exciting and make THE FAVOUR a book that the pages just flew through my fingers. There are a few side cast that are introduced and the sexual tension is off the charts – I was liking this book alot.

 

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Thanks You All and Enjoy One of my Favourite

I want to thank all the guys who supported me during my read-A-thon, from the start to the finish I got little bumps through my inbox and comment telling me to hang in there. I had fun and of course I am looking forward to next years event. 

I am still on a little over reading high from the weekend but I am so loving this feeling. I am up and about and of course I am playing one of my old time favourite song…. Share with me…

 

I song this song on my way to primary school most mornings – swinging  my bag handles around and a book for the mic…

(Imagine a 8-9 year old singing this song for days on end. Parents with kids who love Hannah Montana you know how my parents felt – yes exactly)

 

I had it played at my graduation party – everyone knew it by then, so we all had a blast.

First week at secondary – I made it known it was my favourite song and I made sure they never forget it for the entire durations)

 

At my 21st – My loves play this for me – as of course – Love me love THE song I love as well.

(Well what did you expect I had a list – If a guy loved me – he had to love my songs as well)

 

Now years later – I bombard my kids with it as often as I can. They even know the words….

(And they use it every chance they get to get their own way  - I am so easy)

 

I was a romantic even from way back then – and this song is so much more than just the lyrics, and I love it…

Looking back now, that was not a song I should be singing at 8-9, but as my mom said, “Sign’s of things to come” – yup a house full of romance novels)

 

 

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An Offer for You – Life After 187 © Wade J. Halverson

Fans of high octane action and loads of emotional charges scenes – I have an offer for you. Author Wade J. Halverson is offering a copy of his recently released LIFE AFTER 187 to a few readers for review.

Halverson brings a wealth of experience and diversity to this book. Not only will this book touch you heart but it will take you on a whirl tour of far off places.  

If you would like to review this book please drop me an email at erotichorizon@googlemail.com and you will be contacted by the author.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sentenced to life in prison when he executes the men who murdered his wife, Kane Silver is singled out by the warden for his fighting ability. Along with inmates Valentino Lopez and Si’Ling Lee, Kane is drafted into service and forced to fight for money in high-stakes tournaments. But when the three friends escape during a New Year’s Eve match in Lake Tahoe— saving the warden’s life in the process—their situation becomes more complicated.

Their status undetermined, they vanish underground and sign on to help a young woman whose parents are being held by an Argentinean drug kingpin. Follow Kane and his friends as they compete and grow closer while rediscovering what it means to be free. From Lake Tahoe and the western United States to Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Buenos Aires, and Thailand, Life After 187 takes readers on an exhilarating ride filled with big money, intense action, justice, and the pursuit of honor.

 

 

Excerpt

Chapter 4

Kane read the morning paper in his cell. There was an article on his trial.

“Kane Silver will not receive the death penalty due to his contribution to the U.S. Military. His wife, Melinda Silver, had been brutally raped and then killed with a hunting knife. One of the four assailants was found dead next to Mrs. Silver, a stainless steel thermometer lodged in his eye. Although the jury was divided on a few issues and there were questions about crimes of passion due to the fact that Mr. Silver found his home being invaded, Mr. Silver was found sane and was charged with multiple homicides. The Ortiz family was not at the court proceeding and does not support the defense of Kane Silver. Melinda Silver was a graduate of Cal Poly. She also donated several weeks a year to environmental causes. Kane Silver was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences on Monday without the possibility of parole.”

Kane put the paper down, closed his eyes, and tried to take a nap. He wasn’t mad about the sentencing, but he was mad about not being able to bury his wife. Mr. Ortiz decided to have his daughter cremated and her ashes spread in the ocean.

Kane had gotten past his mother’s death, then his father's, and now he would get past his wife’s. He knew the difference between getting over the deaths and not forgetting them. He would never forget one moment or detail, about any of them. But the Colonel had instilled in him the idea that he could survive any situation or environment. Every negative had a positive, his father had said. You just had to find it. Kane couldn’t see it and knew he might never find it. But he knew he would survive it.

The press had a field day with Kane’s statement:

“My name is Kane Silver. I was raised in a Christian family. The values, morals, and ethics that were instilled in me were the ones this country was built on. My father was a full bird Special Forces colonel who served three tours in Vietnam. Later, we both served in the Gulf War together. He was killed in action in the Gulf. I joined the U.S. Army at the age of seventeen. I served in the Special Forces for five years and then in Special Ops for the last four. I discharged after coming back from the Gulf. I met my wife Melinda in the Gulf where she was working for the United Nations. She was conducting studies on the environment and the damage the war was having on it. We were married two weeks after we met.

“I am aware Mr. Ortiz was not happy about this fact and had wanted to give her a big wedding. Also, a Special Forces solider was not his first choice for his only daughter. I can say, though, that Melinda was very happy, and that we were completely and utterly in love with each other. We married in the desert, just the two of us and an Army chaplain. It was a very beautiful and spiritual ceremony. I swore before God that I would honor and protect her. Well, I failed.

“Melinda fought like a tiger. She had a tremendous amount of life force. She was humble and kind, and did not deserve to die this way. When I found her lying on the bed, dead, I decided I wouldn’t fail Melinda again, as the court system unfortunately would. I heard the perpetrators running out the door. I did chase them down and yes, as the district attorney said, I ‘painfully executed them.’ I did so with no hesitation and with no regrets. I failed my wife in life, but I would not fail her in bringing justice to her killers. I am Kane Silver, and this is my statement.”

 

About the Author

Wade J. Halverson is the author of Kane Silver novels and the 187 book series. For the last twenty years, he has owned kickboxing gyms and has worked as a bodyguard. He has lived in Alaska, Miami, Colorado, Thailand, and Los Angeles. He currently resides in Southern California. Readers may learn more about Wade and his work at his website, www.187books.com.

 

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I Made It - Dewey 24 Hrs Read-A-Thon

 

 

 

 

It the end of another long 24 hours and I am barely hanging on. I am very pleased that I finished all the books that I picked out and they were EXCELLENT – I will be following up with reviews later on in the week..

I didn’t get around to much blogs but the few I did get to everyone was organized and having loads of fun…

This is last survey for  the event and I am ready to pull the covers over my head….

 

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?

Just after the time change – 2 am, because the clock them jumped back another hour…. then, I was definately at the “KILL ME NOW” moment..

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?

Nope – not even going to go there. It’s up to each individual taste and tolerance.. and of course how much planning they can or are willing to do to prepare for the day.

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?

Nope – I was good with it all…

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?

 

The organization and the communication of info was excellently done

5. How many books did you read?

Six books

6. What were the names of the books you read?

Ryder's Wife -  Sharon Sala – 326 pages
Roman's Heart  - Sharon Sala – 287 pages
Royal's Child  - Sharon Sala – 362 pages

Horizons - Mickie B. Ashling – 284 pages

What A Dragon Should Know – G. A. Aiken – 384 pages

It’s not how good you are, It’s how good you want to be – Paul Aden – 127 pages

 

Total page count – 1770 pages

 

7. Which book did you enjoy most?

Horizons - Mickie B. Ashling

What A Dragon Should Know – G. A. Aiken

8. Which did you enjoy least?

 

All six were exceptional good books

9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?

 

nope – nice job… by all

10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?

Definately I will be participating next time. Last time I was a cheerleader and this time due to other commitments I just read through..

But as long as I have nothing that I can’t et out of next time, I will consider being a cheerleader again or even holding a mini Challenge…

 

 

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Hour 21: 24 Hours Read-A-Thon

 

 

Cuffed To A Book

1. Grab your camera and and snap a pic. This pic can be of your completed reading pile, or maybe can be a representation of all the snacks you've consumed so far. Or for the really daring take a pic of what it feels like to be up at this hour. It can be a pic of you or something more abstract....what ever.

2. Go back to your blog, and post your photo, feel free to add a creative caption or story if you want to try and kick that brain into gear. Don't have a blog? Then post a pic to twitpic (or some other online photo place).

 

The challenge for hour 21 is a challenge in itself – I am here on about 3 hrs of sleep and the demons have decided to wake early and demanding toast and orange juice.

To make matter worst, the clock went back last night and I have that lost one hour feeling – but I have actually gained an hour and I am thinking Oh God – “KILL ME” – LOL

But The good news, I am so pleased with the books i have chosen all recommended read. I have read five so far and about a third into the last one.

Will see how I get on for the next three hours….

The pic about is how I am feeling now – CUFFED TO A BOOK.

 

 

 

 

For Dana’s Mini Challenge

Hi everyone and congrats on still being awake! In honor of Miss Adison who is 4, I'd like you to tell me 4 of your favorite books. To play along you need to link and/or post pictures of your favourite 4 reads either from childhood or from now

 

 

The Gamble

LaVyrle Spencer

 

 

Charade

Sandra Brown

Whitney, My Love

(The second book in the Westmoreland series)
Judith McNaught

 

Five Wishes

Gay Hendricks

 

 

 

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Hour 13: Read-A–Thon, A Survey

1. What are you reading right now?

I am currently reading  Royal’s Child – Sharon Sala

2. How many books have you read so far?

Three books so far

     Ryder’s Wife – Sharon Sala

     Roman’s Heart – Sharon Sala

     It’s not how good you are, It’s how good you want to be – Paul Aden

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?

I only have two books left and I am so looking forward to G.A. Aiken’s - What A Dragon Should Know

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?

Nope – I was just prepared to take it nice and easy as I had friends around so I read in short burst…

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?

I live with kids plus a nosey mother – you do the math. How did I deal with it ? - Grin and bear it and pray for the night to come around, even vampires' must sleep at some point….

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?

How organised everyone seemed to be this time around… Even the newbies had their act together and enjoying the spirit of what the Read-A-thon is all about

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?

Nope it just get better and better every time – why mess with an already perfect system…

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?

Nothing –Last time I read 18 books, plus some filler books – this time I knew my time was limited so I opted for a few book and I think I planned it perfectly.

9. Are you getting tired yet?

Nope – Slept until about 12noon UK time – so just gone 1am here and still feeling fit and alert..

10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered?

Have fun, It’s not a competition – enjoy your self and find people who you can connect with or have similar taste, because chances are you would not have found out about them if not for the read-A-thon..

So far I have found loads that I will be following up on after the 24hrs is done…

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It’s Here: Dewey’s - 24 Hours – Read – A - Thon

Yup it finally here Dewey’s-Read-A-Thon, the day where I read books all day and night if my system will allow it and my kids as well.

I don't have a ton of boos like the last time to read – I have ear marked five books – which I know I will finish.. anything else is just gravy… This is my second Read-A-thon so I really want to go around and have loads of fun with what everyone else is reading.

 

My Reading List

Ryder's Wife -  Sharon Sala
Roman's Heart  - Sharon Sala
Royal's Child  - Sharon Sala

Horizons - Mickie B. Ashling

What A Dragon Should Know – G. A. Aiken

 

Short Books to break up the day…

It’s not how good you are, It’s how good you want to be – Paul Aden

(Will add more as the 24 hrs roll along)

 

I am reading from home today and will be either forced  to move from room to room or will be stuck to my side of the bed in my jammies for the day at least if I can keep my brats out of it….

 

 

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Review – Casadia Wolves Bk 7 : Trinity © Lauren Dane

Title: Casadia Wolves Bk 7 – Trinity

(book 1 of de La Vega Cats series):TRINITY
This story is a spin off from the Cascadia Wolves Series)

Author: Lauren Dane

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Main Characters: Renee Parcell  & Jack Meyers &  Galen

One witch, one cat shifter. Add one wolf. Blend. Safety glasses recommended.

Renee Parcell loves her life. Her smoothie/coffee cart business is successful, and she’s deeply in love with her boyfriend, Galen. He makes her laugh, he’s gainfully employed, and he satisfies her as only a sexy cat shifter can. He even puts the toilet seat down.

Yet they both sense something in the air. An anticipation that leaves them both unsettled.

Tall, blond and gorgeous Jack Meyers, Enforcer of National Pack and one of the most beautiful men Renee and Galen have ever seen, stumbles into Renee’s life and the riddle of their expectation is solved—Renee is Jack’s mate. What surprises them all is when the three of them touch, magick creates an unexpected triple bond of witch, cat and wolf.

Even as they learn to navigate the steamy intricacies of their bond, a threat looms over Renee. First in the form of resurrected memories, then in the shape of darker magicks someone is aiming at her. Set on stealing her inherent powers—even her life.

Renee can stand to lose almost anything, except her mates. But there seems to be no talking them out of laying everything on the line for her…

 

Review

Renee Parcell is happy, dizzily happy if truth be told.  She has her own business, takes charge of her finances and most importantly she has Galen, the man of her dreams in her life – what more could she ask for.

That thought only goes as far as the front door of her business, because she bumps into a man that does make her look twice at forbidden fruit. Not one to beat about the bush Renee and Galen talk about the new introduction into Renee’s life because not only was the stranger eyeing Renee up like a tasty morsel but he was also a wolf.

Galen and Renee are happy together and have been together for some years, but Galen a shifter cat and Renee a lot more than human are not under any illusion that something is coming their way – but what.

Jack Meyers the wolf in question knows immediately that Renee is his mate, but knowing this and doing something about it is a task in itself and Jack has some hurdles to scale before he has any attempt at a chance of happiness with Renee.

Renee and Galen are a team and as much as Jack knows right away that he is Renee’s mate he is not willing to be a home wrecker just to have his mate, therefore this call for a pow wow between all three. Things goes better than either Jack, Galen or Renee would have imagined and before long they were setting the night to magic – because that is exactly what happens when the three connect, a magical moment.

It would be too much to hope that their mating would be a blessing and a cause for celebration – no, not with these three. With angst and animosity on both Galen’s and Jack’s side of the family Renee is in for both a rough ride and a rude awakening if she continue on as she is.

She is not blameless in the angst department herself – because all her ducks have come home to roost and it is not a nest that they are building. These three has to survive because nothing else is acceptable, but as each day pass they are not even sure they can all survive the night.

Where do I begin with this review to express how much I love this seventh addition to the Casadia Wolves series of books. Without a doubt this is the best one so far. Ms Dane begins this journey by introducing me to Renee and Galen first – and not only introducing like character development or familiar  history but she showed me them as a unit, they were happy, they were fun and most importantly they were honest and loyal to each other.

“I’m not complaining.” She paused, watching him move around the room, totally comfortable in his nakedness. “You want to talk? About the Jack situation?”
“What is he to you, Renee?”
“I don’t know,” she answered truthfully as she scooped loose tea into the cache within the ceramic pot before pouring the boiling water in. “I think he’s not someone to me, but to us. There’s this pull between us. More than attraction. I see gorgeous men every day, Boston’s full of them. No, it’s something else. But when you came in, when the three of us touched? Something happened and I don’t know what it was. I just know that I’ve been on edge, waiting for something and I think he’s it. What, I just can’t say.”
She put two mugs out and turned back to him. “But I need to say again that I’m not going anywhere. You and I are solid. I’m with you forever, no escaping for you, mister.”

Trinity © Lauren Dane 

I of course then meet Jack and he was never really developed in past book – so it was like meeting him for the first time and I could not only see the alpha wolf in him but the human, caring and practical side of him as well. I saw jack in his element, where he was comfortable, where he was respected. The almost opposite of this cosy feeling happens less than a few pages later because when he come up against Galen and Renee as a team he is unsure and very reluctant to not only put the wrong foot forward but to spoil his shot of his mate accepting him.

 

Highlights

Straight off I was pleased by the turn of adding different paranormal personality to this book. I have been loving Casadia Wolves for a while, but the series did need an injection of new blood – and new blood is definitely what Ms. Dane gave me.

Character development, character development – how many ways can I say it – this was brilliantly done. I KNEW every single person that I met in this book –

• Jack – Understated,  a little carefree and can be blasé about confidences. He however always gets the job done and is definitely the one to watch in  that trio.
• Galen – The team player, but who knows what he wants and is determined enough to defy the odds and anyone else in his zest to get the girl.
• Renee – the protag who went through the most dramatic change during this book – at the core of her being she just wanted to get through each day under her own steam, but when life tosses her some curve balls she has to redefine her values and whoooo – ass kicking had noting on my girl.

This is a weightier book than any of the previous books in the series. With a few decently played out story line running right along side Renee, Jack and Galen's mating – it was intense.

This is the first book that I have read by Dane where she has actually let her pen flow into M/M kingdom and yup another WOW. It was not as in-depth as I would have liked, but I liked where she went with it and in the big scheme of things it helped to give the three a firmer playing ground, because they needed every advantage that they could get.

Ms Dane went into alot of explaining in this book because the story line warranted a few explanation. I liked the time she took to do this and I was easily caught up in her words

“What is it you want? You know she’s your mate. You know she’s imprinted with a cat, which means she’s married to him. You can find another woman, you know that too. You haven’t claimed her so there’s nothing more than attraction holding you to her right now.”
Jack shook his head and groaned, knowing he couldn’t be heard doing that. “No. It’s more than that. More than attraction. It’s like…it’s more like all the potential is there, welling up between us. All the what-can-be draws me to her like nothing I’ve ever felt before. I don’t want that with anyone else. I’m…I can’t explain it, but I know I’d never have this with anyone but her.”

Trinity © Lauren Dane

All the old Casadia wolfy stuff came into play – and there was of course the anchor issue – because Jack was Grace’s (wife of Cade) anchor and people you need to  read that scene – girl fur was flying ---- yup yup yup… one of the best scene of the book.

TRINITY rushes ahead on steam of anticipation and surprises – because at every turn the unexpected happen and I was not putting this book down for love or money.

As a woman sometimes I read a book and as much as I enjoyed the book or not as the case might be,  I know as a woman that there are some thing's I wouldn't have done or said, in TRINITY Ms. Dane caught the essence of who a woman really is and she goes a step further to give her men a sense of awareness to know their woman – very well done..

Once I f**k you and the Claiming is done, we’re going to take our time and do this all over again.” Jack’s voice had gone low, his wolf in every word.
She opened her eyes again once he started to thrust, sensation lighting up her body with each press. His cock touched parts of her Galen didn’t, just as Galen’s cock had that swing to the left and nudged her just right.

Trinity © Lauren Dane

The book ends at a cliff hanger of sorts that might not work for everyone – but for me I am hoping this is a new path that the Casadia Wolves  and the De la Vega series is about to go down and open the pack to everything that is out there in paranormal world, as the Casadia wolves were becoming quite insulated.

Can I be mean spirited here and say I was so pleased Lex Warden was not seen nor heard from in this book. I was getting totally fed up of how perfect he was and just the extraordinary amount of petty jealousy there was of him…

Despite the extra dose of furnickiness and male testosterones that was coming from all angles, Ms. Dane gave Renee’s men a way with words that was all that and more. Most of which they were not shy about expressing but it’s the words that are not said that really made me love these men.

He heard the laughter as she approached, knew her footfalls as she descended an inner staircase. And then she was before him, her smile tentative but genuine and he knew, trouble or not, that he’d cleave himself to this woman until he drew his last breath.

Trinity © Lauren Dane

 

Lowlights

Ok guys – you know my motto if it’s good it can also be bad and the fact that this book was a weightier book in terms of storyline and depth it is also not a read that you are going to rush through – because you are going to need to read every word.

One of the thing that really niggled me was the amount of smut scene toward the last third of the book. It was all tastefully done – but at less than 200 pages there is only so much sex scenes that I want to read.

There were one story line that feels like it was just there to pull the past and the present together – but it was just that. Little scenes and mention of the unknown and even the aftermath was shrouded in secret and word of the “must not be mentioned” variety

Bottom Line..

TRINITY is a book I was anticipating and I was not disappointed. If anything Ms. Dane surpass my expectation and then  some. The characters  connect, the storyline flowed and the little issues that I had were just not issues enough to take away from how much this books rock…

Totally recommended read….

 

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Review - Tooth and Claw © Annmarie McKenna

 

Title: Tooth and Claw

Author: Annmarie McKenna

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Main Characters: Seth Gramble & Paxton Tenor

Seth Gramble is a prince among his people. Half vampire, half jaguar, he is one of a rare few who can shift into an animal form. Both his halves have found their mate in a female detective determined to lump all vampires in with the rogue who killed her former lover. He’s given her six months to see him differently. He’s done waiting.
Paxton Tenor wants nothing to do with a blood-sucking fiend, no matter how much he makes her body sing. Nothing good can come of a vampire. A case she’s working on partners her with Seth, and she’s forced to reconsider her hatred. He doesn’t seem at all like the rogue who sucked the life from her boyfriend in cold blood.
When Seth’s kitty comes out to play, Paxton realizes she’s been stupid to deny herself this man. And when he puts his life on the line to protect hers? All bets are off.

 

“What do we need him for?” Paxton whispered to Luke.
No need for her to whisper, Seth could hear every word, and she damn well knew it. Ah, the joy of being the bane of her existence. No problem. He’d take pleasure in teaching her that not all vampires were cut of the same cloth as the one who’d killed her lover.
The gun at Paxton’s right hip caught on Luke’s at his left as they walked, they were so close. Seth silently thanked God for making Luke a lefty. The small amount of space created by their weapons was the only thing keeping them from being glued together from shoulder to ankle.
Luke shrugged. “Maybe he can sniff out the bandit.”
“By smelling underwear? This I’ve got to see.”
Luke chuckled. “I don’t know exactly why Cap wanted him, but the mayor’s having a conniption, and I wasn’t about to question him.”
“I still don’t understand why you had to come get him. I thought the captain could…you know, talk to him. In his head or something. Don’t all vampires do that? And doesn’t the man own a phone?” she grumbled, still talking under her breath.
“He can, normally,” Seth answered, even though he knew she’d been speaking to Luke.
“Don’t do that.” Paxton stopped so fast Seth had to put his hands up to keep from running over her.
Her shoulders under his fingers—thank God his claws had disappeared—felt fantastic. It was all he could do not to run his hands down her body to her waist where he could yank her close and smother her lips with his.
He raised an eyebrow. “Do what?” he asked innocently.
“Read my mind.”
“But I didn’t. You said that out loud.”
“You did, Pax,” Luke confirmed. “Sorry.”
Paxton swallowed and lifted her eyes to Seth in an almost-shy way. “I didn’t say it loud enough for anyone else to hear.”
“For another human, sure. But to a vamp? I can hear your pulse, sweetheart.”
Her hand shot to the base of her throat, covering it.
Oh, Princess, give me an inch…

 

Review

Seth Gramble has finally made up his mind to make a move on the gorgeous yet stubborn Paxton. Paxton who has  avoided him ever since the day he was introduced. Payton is also a cop and partnered with his best friend so he runs into her more often than not and it has been a battle just to not snatch her up and run – he’s at the end of the line with her giving him the cold shoulder and he intends to do something about it first chance he gets…

Seth is a vampire and just a little more on top, and there is not anything he can do about that to make Paxton get over her fear of him. Due to no fault of his own but of his kind she is not only uncomfortable around him but full of tension as well and he has just about had it. He has waited long enough and not prepared to wait any longer.

Seth’s chance to rock Paxton off her feet comes sooner than he expected with a new case for him to sink his teeth into. Paxton does not play hard to get but there is more to Seth than meets the eyes and both Seth and Paxton are not players – so some surprises are in store for them both. 

Ms. McKenna is one of those authors that no matter how long her books hang around on my TBR pile – I am going to get to it and I am going to love it. She is also one of those authors that is able to cross the genres and very well in my opinion. So I have read shifter, paranormal, m/m , contemporary and ménage as well as just about all the spice you can imagine between the pages of a decent book by her.

TOOTH AND CLAW is a short read – it picks up at the point where both Seth and Paxton are ready to explore a simmering attraction between them that has been building for some time. There is no hanging about on the horizontal activities and it was enjoyable for all myself included.

A little mystery is involved but nothing to sing and shout about as this book was all about breaking down Paxton’s defences and Seth finding that one person that makes him more of a man than he already was.

There are definite pluses to this book including the support cast, they are fun, funny and hard arse as well. There was also an openness between Paxton and her partner Luke that I found refreshing and the dialogue between the two was the highlight of the book. 

I can’t recommend Ms. McKenna enough – if you are looking for a series to start with, try her Mates Series

M/M – Court Appointed.

Ménage – Blackmailed.

Check out her SITE to see her full list – each and every one is a winner.

 

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Review – Bodyguards in Love Bk 1: Brier’s Bargain © Carol Lynne

Title: Bodyguards in Love Series BK

Author: Carol Lynne

Publisher: Total EBound

Main Characters: Brier Blackstone & Jackie Benoit

Love is always special, but when you're a thirty-six year old man experiencing it for the first time, it's everything.
After spending his entire life in a hospital, Brier Blackstone is finally free to become the person he's always wanted to be. With the men of Three Partners Protection Agency as role models, how can he go wrong? And falling in love with bodyguard Jackson Benoit, is a dream come true, but the dream becomes a nightmare when Jackie is gravely injured in the line of duty. Feeling helpless, Brier makes a promise to God in exchange for his lover's life. One he intends to keep no matter what.
Jackie Benoit cherishes the love he's found with Brier. When his new lover insists on testifying against a violent man from his past in order to fulfill a promise, Jackie has no choice but try to stop him. If that doesn't work, Jackie will protect Brier with everything at his disposal.

 

Bram looked up from his computer, those little tiny reading glasses perched on the end of his nose that Brier thought made his brother look so smart. “Yep. Just give me another ten minutes or so.”

“Okay. I’m gonna see if Mac’s going to the carnival.”

Bram nodded and went back to his computer. Brier travelled back down the hall to Mac’s office. He leaned against the doorjamb and waited for Mac to notice him.

“Hey,” Mac greeted. “How was your day?”

“Good. I got everything filed that Sheila asked me to, and I finished painting the break-room.”

“I know. The break-room looks terrific. I’m glad you suggested we go with the yellow. It really livens it up.”

Brier felt a blush creep up his cheeks. Mac always said nice things to him, but it was still hard for Brier to take a compliment without getting embarrassed. “Are you going to the carnival?”

Mac smiled and leaned back in his chair. “No, I think we’ll skip it this year. You?”

“Yeah. Bram and Declan are taking me.” Brier held up his paycheque. “Except I’m paying for myself.”

“That’s good.”

Brier tapped his foot on the leg of the desk. He wanted to ask a question, but didn’t want Mac to get mad at him.

“Something wrong, Brier?”

Brier shook his head. “I was just wondering if you’d talked to Jackie? He hasn’t called me for a while.”

Mac looked uneasy for a moment before his attention shifted to the door. Brier looked over his shoulder at Bram. “You ready?” Bram asked.

“Yeah. I was just asking Mac if he’d talked to Jackie.”

Bram took a deep breath. “I imagine Jackie’s too busy to call anyone these days. Don’t take it personally, brother.”

Brier stood and stuffed his cheque back into his coat pocket. He had a feeling something was going on. For several days he’d caught Bram whispering to Declan. A couple of times Brier thought he heard Jackie’s name, but when he questioned Bram, his brother always denied it. Maybe Jackie wasn’t coming home. What if he fell in love with someone else and didn’t want Brier anymore?

He felt that throbbing thing start in his head again. Brier lifted his hand to the thick scar on the side of his skull to rub away the pain, but it didn’t help. The scar his father had given to him as a baby was a constant reminder that he’d never be as smart as his twin brother. How a father could abuse an infant and then just sign over custody to the state when that abuse had permanent repercussions, Brier still didn’t understand. At least he was happy his father had been convicted after abuse led to the paralysis of his younger brother Thor. Brier didn’t feel a bit sorry that his father had been murdered in prison. He began to rub harder at the raised scar that ran in a large arc above his right ear.

“You okay?” Bram asked, stepping into the office.

“Head hurts.”

“Did you take your medicine?”

Brier hated it when Bram tried to baby him. He wasn’t a baby. “Yes. It just hurts sometimes when I get upset.” He pushed past Bram to the hall. “See you Monday, Mac. If you talk to Jackie, tell him I said hi.”

Brier’s Bargain © Carol Lynne

 

Review

Another new series from one of my must read authors, BRIER’S  BARGAIN is the first book in the Bodyguard In Love series and I am totally loving this book.

This book is a spin off of the Men In Love series and it starts off with Brier’s crack at love and happiness. If you have not read any of the series before  you will definitely be at a disadvantage – because Brier comes with baggage and issues and without going into two much detail lets just say Brier is emotionally challenged and as big and lovable as he is, he will never be the man that his brother Bram is.

This is where this books starts because Jackie is the man that Brier has set his heart on and luckily for him Jackie returns his feeling one hundred and fifty percent. Jackie is a bodyguard and knows that some risk are part and parcel of his trade. When he is hurt in the line of duty everyone in their zeal to protect Brier from the stress of the situation hides it from him.

When Brier finds out he does not take it well and make his own pack with the big man himself. Brier’s wish is granted and Jackie comes home to him and Brier is all set to take on the new and more optimistic Jackie and help him through this rough period.

Then when all seems to be going well – a period from Briers past rushes into his preset and once again all those around him band together and want only to protect him as usual – Brier knows that if he is going to be the man that Jackie needs he has to face up to his responsibility and do the right thing.

Ms . Lynne is just one of those author that you either love or hate – for me it’s all love, even when I am not happy with the offering. BRIER’S BARGAIN deals not only with the fact that Jackie a healthy and Hearty young man has had a tremendous blow and is dealing with it with in a sterling manner – I have not read a book with this sort of attitude to a physical disability in a long time… and I thought it was dealt with in a timely manner.

Brier is actually the main protag of this story, he is liked, he is loved and he is the first one to admit he is not all their and I loved him all the more for that. Brier’s heart is like a open book and his selflessness is something else to see, however the biggest plus for Brier is his sense of responsibility – it goes beyond anything his man, his brother or his friends realised.

Lynne's tackles some stereotypical mindset and gave not only Brier but Jackie even issues to push this book along and really made me look at both men differently. That said there are some convenient scenes that could have benefit from some issues, but these were few and far between and did not turn me off the story..

Fans of Lynne – I am sure you have either read it or chomping at the bit to start reading, new readers, yeah you can start with this one, but as said before you need to read at least the last book of the Men in Love series to get up to speed on Briers back history.

 

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Discussion Point - Lending a Friend or Piracy

I jumped on Dear Author site to day and it was a spectacular revelation…. One of the Ja(y)ne’s has put together a rather brilliant piece on eBook piracy verses lending.

Sharing is a fundamental part of reading.  Sharing is a reader’s way of saying “try this, I think you’ll like it. There is no risk here.” It’s a way of building a relationship with another reader so that the next time you are reading a book, you can say, “get this” and that person will go and buy it, solely on your recommendation.  From one reader to another, there is no greater expression of trust than to buy on another reader’s recommendation.

Jane © Dear Author

I urge you all to visit and get involve in the discussion, because personally it’s about time someone tackle this issue. While I am the first to jump on the band wagon to root out piracy, there is a limit to how far is too far when it comes to who you share your books with… and who you label as thieves..

I am a early converter to eBooks – I have a staggering amount of eBooks. Where I couldn’t buy books – like  back dated stuff I have begged on bended knees and some authors have been wonderful in allowing me to have copies of their very very old stuff…

That said when I started my blog, my one aim was to get more people reading, even if it was only one person reading one book  (My friend Kelly – Chic Geek – Has read four books (see comments) this month – so  I am filled with joy ). I have gone out and met people who read and my Fitzroy (Iliad - Ereader) has made the rounds through a few hussies hands – Does that make me a pirate, after all they are reading the same books I paid for and vise versa.

Bear in mind my little band wagon is made up of seven people and we jump around a lot with our eBooks and print. Why must I prove myself to anyone for this fact, that between one to six other people might like the books I have bought and would like to read them or that I might like the sound of how a book might make one of my friends gush and would like to try it myself.

I will be honest and say I feel like I have to look over my shoulder every time I loan pass on my books to my friend… even to the point where I physically give them my Fitzroy for the duration rather than email a eBook to them… And ultimately this is really sad because one of the core principle of reading is based on lending….

 

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Review: Were Chronicles Bk 2 – Pack Enforcer © Crissy Smith

Title: Were Chronicles Bk 2 - Pack Enforcer

Author: Crissy Smith

Publisher: Total E-bound

Main Character: Cain & Emily

Enforcing his control never felt better.

As Enforcer for his Pack, Cain is used to people listening to him and following his orders without question. The only one to ever challenge him is Emily. Emily is good at pushing his buttons and making him want things he has no business wanting.

Emily has loved Cain all her life, but he denied her years ago. The two are thrown together when Emily returns home because of terrible attacks on Pack females. The sexual tension between the pair is explosive. No one is safe when this alpha male and strong female get together.

 

Cain immediately recognised the young Were’s voice on the other end of the line. She spoke softly to the Alpha of the Pack, although her tone showed frustration. Hearing her voice sent a shiver down Cain’s spine and a jolt to his cock.

They all worried about the young Were women who were out of the Pack’s territory. In all of the attacks that had recently taken place, the females were away from home, out of Pack territory. Showing why he was Alpha, Lamont was calling them home before Cain had thought of it.

“Have some bags packed when your ride gets there,” Lamont said sternly into the phone.

Cain barely held back a smile when he heard the order.

“No, someone will be there to pick you up.” He looked over at Cain. “It will be someone you recognise from the Pack. Do not leave with anyone else.”

Lamont listened for a few more minutes before cutting her off. “No. You will stay in one of the cabins. It will be fully furnished for your arrival.” He waited again. “You’ll stay until we know what is going on and I tell you it’s okay to go back.” That was all Alpha speaking to one of his Pack. Cain knew how Lamont felt about Emily. How everyone felt.

Emily had been changed as a child, which was against every rule and law they had. Most children could not handle the stress of change. That was why it was forbidden. Too many children had died back in the settling days before his family had a Pack leader. It was Lamont’s father who had forbidden the change of children or anyone who did not choose it. There were too many risks.

Someone could carry the Were DNA two ways—through birth or by being bitten. However, being bitten did not mean they would automatically change. They must carry the strain somewhere down their line.

Cain’s brother, Tony, could explain it better. Tony was a natural born talker. He could smooth over anything or anybody. He was the face of the Pack. When the Packs had decided to come out in the open, to stop hiding from the world, there needed to be a recognised face. A face that people could see and not think of a monster. Cain was just glad it wasn’t him. He would rather stay home in his Pack’s territory, keeping watch and protecting his Alpha.

He turned his attention to the man who sat behind the desk. A man he respected more than anyone else.

“Emily Black,” Lamont told him once he hung up the phone.

“She’s coming home?” Cain asked even though he knew the answer.

Lamont nodded at him. “I want every female home and safe. Especially her.”

Cain understood what Lamont was saying.

They had rescued her from the cage she had been put into after she had been changed—when the ones who had changed her couldn’t handle her. She had been filthy and bruised from head to toe. Neglected and scared with no idea what was going on. She’d been twelve. Now, ten years later, she would be coming home to be kept safe once again.

“I want you to go get her and get her here safely,” Lamont told him.

Pack Enforcer © Crissy Smith

 

Review

Someone was hurting the female of the local packs and pack alpha Lamont was calling all his pack females home. All female means all female even if they didn’t want to come home.

Emily is one of those female who just didn’t take the news well but knows she can’t deny a direct order from her alpha. With her bags packed and all set to go she awaits her escort as per her alpha she is not allowed to travel back to pack land on her own – but at no time did the alpha say he was sending Cain to collect her – yes Cain.

Cain is the alpha’s son and pack enforcer as well, he is also the man who has always kept a strict hold  on his emotions when it comes to Emily. Cain has seen Emily grown from a gangly teenager into a full fledge woman who rings all his bell and more. Cain is more than aware of the insane attraction he has for Emily but he is determined to continue to resist her as he’s always done, irrespective of how hard it was for him.

Being home together is another thing totally, as they are toss together at every turn and it seems as if the whole world is conspiring to push them together. They do get together because, if it’s one thing that wolf’s are - it’s sexual – so there is little they can do to avoid it.

Their joining is not the stuff of fairytale because a force unlike anything the pack has seen in a long time is at work and it is affecting Cain the most – and as the pack knows Cain is one dangerous man when you mess with what is his.

PACK ENFORCER is the second book in the Were Chronicles by Crissy Smith and I am loving it. The language was clean, to the point and the protags are in your face dynamic.

I meet Cain first and I got a little bit of why he treats Emily has he does, as well as his interaction with his father as both a son and an enforcer. When Emily enter the scene she immediately brought a world of angst with her - with her questioning attitude and her less than respectful attitude for Cain.

The two together are fun and the smut was immediate and right off the cuff which made it all the hotter to read. The support staff were integrally placed to make sure they push this book along and I got to love some of them in the meantime.

So far this has shaped up to be an exciting series and I am loving the novella approach to each book. I am already looking forward to the third book in this series – because there is a mystery to be solved and I was none the wiser about that storyline after this book.

 

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Waiting On Wednesday

The Mortal Instruments

Cassandra Clare

Format: Audio Book

Publication Date: 27 October

In City of Bones, fifteen-year-old Clary Fray is introduced to the world of the Shadowhunters, a secret cadre of warriors dedicated to driving demons out of our world. And she's introduced with a vengeance, when Clary's mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a grotesque monster sent by the evil and powerful Shadowhunter, Valentine. How could a mere human survive such an attack.

In the second novel, City of Ashes, Clary just wants her life to go back to normal--but that turns out to be impossible. For one thing, her mother is still in the hospital, in a mysterious coma. For another, she and her newfound brother Jace have fallen under a cloud of suspicion now that the Shadowhunter world knows that Valentine is still alive--and that Jace and Clary are his son and daughter. Then Clary's best friend Simon is turned into a vampire and kidnapped by Valentine, who intends to sacrifice him as part of a bloody ritual that will make the Mortal Instruments Valentine's forever.

In book three, City of Glass, Clary has to use all her ingenuity and newfound magical skills to get herself to the Glass City in Idris, the secretive Shadowhunters' home country, where she is forbidden to go--for it is only there that she can find the cure to the enchanted sleeping sickness to which her mother has succumbed. When Valentine attacks the city and destroys the demon towers, Clary and her allies are all that stand between him and the total annihilation of all Shadowhunters. Love is a mortal sin and the past tangles inextricably with the present as Clary and Jace face down their father in the final installment of the Mortal Instruments series.

I have the trilogy of Ms. Claire Mortal Instrument  series all tucked away on my shelves for months now. I am not a fan of bulky books and these are tomes in their sizes.

So when I saw that the audio book was due out- I started getting my pennies together and next week it will be available… Can’t wait.

 

Wolf Flight

Vivian Arend

Format: EBook

Publication Date: October 27, 2009

An untriggered werewolf. A runaway Omega. It’s not easy fighting destiny.

Granite Lake Wolves, Book 2

Tad Maxwell’s workaholism serves to keep his bush-pilot company in the air, and his inner werewolf in check. In the two years since he discovered his heritage, he’s resisted the longing to test the power of his wolf side. It would mean compromising his human principles.

Then Missy Leason re-enters his life. Ten years ago, their teenage attraction never went beyond hand-holding. Now their chemistry is off the charts, pushing him closer to the step he’s not sure it’s safe to take, especially with a human.

But Missy is more like Tad than he realizes. She’s wolf too, and a wolf pack is a dangerous place to have secrets. Missy’s Alpha has sniffed out her carefully hidden Omega powers. Her first response: run from the corrupt Alpha’s plan to make her his mate. Step two: get to Tad, and hope like hell his untapped powers are strong enough to negate her own.

Every touch with Missy is hot, hot, hot, but even finding out she’s pure wolf doesn’t solve Tad’s dilemma. Is she using him, or are they truly destined mates? Only one thing is certain. He will defend her to his last breath—on his terms. Even if it means losing his life.

I just read the first book in this series and really liked it. Defiantly looking forward to this release

 

 

Poker Night: Different Suits

Carol Lynne

Format: EBook

Publication Date: Nov 02 - 2009

Book four in the Poker Night Series
Angelo Pilato's worked hard to overcome his upbringing. Born in the rough part of the city, he had two choices, learn to fight or learn to talk your way out of confrontation. He isn't prepared to deal with a man like the sexy detective in charge of his friend's case.
Moody Torrance is vastly different than any man Angelo's ever been attracted to. Stubborn and bossy don't begin to describe Moody's personality and those are his positive qualities.
Moody hasn't the time or energy to put up with sissies. He may be gay, but that doesn't mean he's any less the Alpha he was born to be. Within minutes of meeting Angelo Pilato, Moody both hates and wants him. There's nothing more he'd like to do than bring the prissy man down a few pegs and show him life on the wild side.
How do a quirky neurotic and an unbendable Alpha make a relationship work?

 

I just have to  get this one…

 

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Review – His Perfect Submissive © Alyssa Aaron

Title: His Perfect Submissive

Author: Alyssa Aaron

Publisher: Black Velvet Seductions

Main Character: Kara Hastings & Slade Westin

Kara was the victim of a brutal rape that occurred when she was seven. The event destroyed her family and left her fearful and distrustful of men. When Kara's brother embezzles $30,000 from Slade's company, Kara goes to Slade's office determined to talk him out of going to the police. Slade wants a peaceful, obedient, submissive with whom to share his life and in Kara he glimpses what he wants. He seizes the opportunity and makes Kara an offer she can't afford to refuse. The only way she can save her brother from certain prison is to accept Slade's marriage proposal and become his submissive. Kara faces her wedding with anxiety. She can't tell Slade she can't submit sexually without risking her brother's freedom, yet she doubts she'll be able to keep her promise to be a submissive, obedient wife. This romance explores the role of trust in even the most mismatched of partnerships and explores the complex connections between dominance and submission while it demonstrates the power of real love to heal even the deepest wounds.

 

Slade exited his private elevator and strode into the reception area of his office. His receptionist, Leanne, had died her hair a shocking red today. He smothered a grin. Changing her hair color was her latest form of rebellion against the corporate dress code, and he secretly enjoyed her mutinous protest.

Leanne looked up and reached for a stack of messages. “Ms Hastings is here to see you, Mr. Westin,” she said, handing him the messages.

God, deliver me, Slade thought with a sigh. He knew what she wanted. He didn’t want to play. He’d already made it abundantly clear that he intended to turn the matter over to the police and let them sort out the details.

He thumbed through the stack of messages, knowing he didn’t have much choice about seeing her. She was sitting in the reception area and had probably overheard Leanne tell him she was waiting. Still, he wanted to put off the inevitable as long as possible.

He turned and headed toward his office, hoping for a smooth getaway. “Mr. Westin?” a soft female voice asked.

“That’s me,” Slade answered turning toward the voice with a resigned sigh.

“I’m Kara Hastings. We talked on the phone yesterday. I can’t tell you how sorry I am about this.”

He lifted his gaze from the stack of messages he’d been sorting. His annoyance at her intrusion dissolved as he allowed his gaze to glide over her.

Innocent. The single word echoed in his brain, reverberating like a sharp kick to some buried part of his soul. The descriptive encompassed her and described her perfectly, yet left plenty of room for expansion into the many layers he sensed buried beneath her surface.

He let his eyes linger on the soft waves of dark hair that hung loose around a pretty face with a pert nose. Her peaches and cream skin glowed softly making his fingers itch to touch the soft line of her cheek and the full swell of her lip.

Her soft musky perfume teased his nostrils as her wide brown eyes skittered away from his. They echoed a hint of shyness and sadness that didn’t quite detract from her attractiveness.

She was dressed simply in black slacks and a white sweater that hung off her shoulders. The soft folds of the sweater brushed the full softness of her breasts before drifting downward to skim full rounded hips. The thick folds ended precisely at her knees.

Some would consider her overweight but he found her softness perfect. She was rounded and soft in a way that had him reining in thoughts of plunging hard maleness into female softness.

His Perfect Submissive © Alyssa Aaron 

 

Review

Kara is in a pickle and through no fault of her own. Her brother has gotten himself into a fine mess and she is at his bosses office to beg on her knees if needs be to keep him out of jail.

The man Kara needs to persuade his Slade Westin – as much as she  has spoken to him on the phone and he had told her in no uncertain terms that the matter is out of his hands, it’s her brother and she has to make another attempt at trying to resolve this matter.

One look at Kara and Slade was lost, despite his resolve to have nothing to do with this matter, once he saw Kara the only thing that comes to mind his ‘innocent and protect”. Slade is not your typical nice guy, he has a side to him that he doesn’t let out to play very often and when he does he makes sure his partners knows the score.

Slade is a Dom and not just any Dom – but a Dom looking for that one woman who he will cherish and love forever, but who will also give his woman what she wants even if she doesn’t realise it is what she needs.

Kara just happens to be that woman even  if she doesn’t realise it and Slade know when not to look a gift horse in the mouth – so he offers a deal she really can’t refuse. Things have a way of backfiring when you least expect it and Kara comes with her set of baggage and none of it any good. For Slade this might just be the deal breaking whether his happily ever after is assured or not.

I was in need of a good bondage, sub, Dom book and this one was recommended by a friend.  Firstly this books start off like the traditional Mills & Boons love story and to be honest quite a bit of it carries on along that line. As a lover of those books myself this book was an immediate hit with me.

I meet Kara and Slade as individuals before I met them as a couple and so I understood where their heads were at in terms of life, love and responsibilities. When the two got together despite the fact that it was not under the best of circumstances I was on tender hooks to see how Slade deal with Kara’s issues and more over to see if Kara trusted Slade enough to let him inside.

A lot of this book deals with patience and trust and it’s not a fast read and for the obvious reason. It was like a butterfly emerging and it was beautiful to see.

I likes Slade and Kara and also the fact that the book was written in a bubble effect, so it was just Kara and Slade working their way through years of issues and misconception and doing a grand job of it as well.

The story line was easy to follow, there were some topical issues that were deal with and some rather grim moments – but  I thought Ms Aaron was quite tactful, direct and to the point about the matter so I was able to compartmentalise it and carry on enjoying the book .

The end game for these two was not rushed and I was pleased to see the unit they presented to me after the tear were done and the sun shined again…. 

 

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