tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76964679118998482452024-03-06T06:37:57.140+01:00Pearl's World of Romance - Reviews with a PassionPearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.comBlogger647125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-11790333077262355332012-02-06T16:36:00.001+01:002012-02-06T16:40:25.361+01:00Announcement: Pearl's World of Romance has moved to Wordpress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5r_K_CLmyvns6OeNQQeiZlSt6LztAkPLTIUCoeiJHk4QVkbXBlsjyUkjIP0htv2Et7TeIHE7bQGWV3ZJ4q7Y1QdXF0RD8OjIPqhUXJYlIvObhDRGmjHOhnwWJlWtN9SLZ1VzPmy89aE/s1600/moving-van.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="248" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5r_K_CLmyvns6OeNQQeiZlSt6LztAkPLTIUCoeiJHk4QVkbXBlsjyUkjIP0htv2Et7TeIHE7bQGWV3ZJ4q7Y1QdXF0RD8OjIPqhUXJYlIvObhDRGmjHOhnwWJlWtN9SLZ1VzPmy89aE/s320/moving-van.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Due to problems with blogger I decided to move my blog to the Wordpress platform. After about 4 years of reviews, giveaways, guestposts, feature-weeks and comments, blogger no longer offers the platform my internet-challenged self needs. <br />
<br />
I'm still working on the look and feel of the new blog and as soon as I've settled in I will be reassuming business as usual: aka lots of reviews and special (guest)posts.<br />
<br />
Visit pearlsworldofromance.wordpress.com and continue reading the reviews of my ever-growing romance novel collection. I want to thank everyone who followed this blog, commented and wrote guestposts for it and hope to see you all at the <a href="http://pearlsworldofromance.wordpress.com">"revamped" Pearl's World of Romance</a>!<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-1170354768982737892011-12-05T22:30:00.010+01:002011-12-05T22:30:03.548+01:00ARC-Review: UNWRAPPED by Cari Quinn<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCye8U9heQBvIyGzSf3b7h-xh1J4h5r83hK495GrqRkbFJxyOyVzRhON0nAxSk0newr8GN-wpHZODSk9zwL3vCg_JJ1tLrGzhShFXqcHwYPDoMakdiGV0lhJ-NJ0BPeHhT-lGGVZSRqM/s1600/unwrapped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCye8U9heQBvIyGzSf3b7h-xh1J4h5r83hK495GrqRkbFJxyOyVzRhON0nAxSk0newr8GN-wpHZODSk9zwL3vCg_JJ1tLrGzhShFXqcHwYPDoMakdiGV0lhJ-NJ0BPeHhT-lGGVZSRqM/s320/unwrapped.jpg" /></a></div><i><b> Caitlyn Sachs has a great life. A family she loves, check. An incredible design job working with her best friends, Tristan and Matt, check. An amazing home she shares with the guys, double check. But her upcoming twenty-fifth birthday and the desire to shed the burden of her virginity have spurred her to consider something shocking. All she wants is one uncomplicated night with one of her best friends, no strings attached. But how can she choose? <br />
<br />
Except there’s another problem. Tristan and Matt are already involved sexually with each other, much to Cait’s shock. And both men have long harbored feelings for Cait that go way beyond friendship. When they whisk her away for her birthday to a cabin in the mountains, she discovers the extent of their lust—and her own. The gift they give her is one she'll never forget. <br />
<br />
But when the weekend's over, will she retreat to the safety of the status quo, if they'll even let her? Or will she finally embrace what she's secretly craved for so long</b></blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br />
<b>Title:</b> UNWRAPPED<br />
<b>Author:</b> Cari Quinn<br />
<b>Series:</b> standalone (as far as I know)<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Loose ID<br />
<b>Year of release:</b> 2011, December 6<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
<b>Source:</b> Received an e-ARC from the publisher for review<br />
<br />
<b>First line:</b> <br />
When plotting to finally lose your virginity, being swarmed by children—cute as they may be—definitely added a douse of cold water.<br />
<br />
<b>Memorable Scenes:</b> <br />
- Cait catching Tristan and Matt in the 'act' > awesome scene, what a way to introduce the m/m part of this story! <br />
- Every. Single. Sex scene > no explanation needed, they were trademark Cari Quinn: hot doesn't even come close! </i></span><br />
<br />
Caitlyn 'Cait' Sachs likes her ordered life in contrast to the chaos of her family's. She wants to do well in life, she’s ambitious, has a wild imagination sometimes, and underneath her good girl reputation she's wicked and naughty when it comes to her sexual needs. She’s also independent and headstrong. Cait isn’t perfect and I loved that about her. She has her flaws and the way she perceives her family (mother and sisters) is one of them, but she’s willing to face that and acknowledge her faults.<br />
<br />
Then there are the two heroes of this story. They were awesome each on their own but together they were irresistible. <br />
<br />
Tristan Baldwin is seemingly unflappable, yet volatile when he loses his calm. He can be very stubborn and quick-tempered but he’s also sweet, refined, impulsive and protective. <br />
<br />
Matt Collins is the rational, sensible one of the triad. He’s also rugged and patient. Even though he’s not the one prone to talking about his feelings he's the one who discusses the feelings between the three of them first and sets the whole ménage in motion. <br />
<br />
So we have three best friends, working together at their graphic design business and living together with the two men turning to each other when their desire for Cait remains unanswered. What they don't know is that Cait wants to lose her virginity and intends to ask one of them to take care of it. What Cait doesn't know is that her best friends have been dying for a chance to have her...together. This is the perfect set-up for this magnificently written ménage. A wild weekend turns into something permanent, but not without some complicating factors along the way.<br />
<br />
The sex scenes nearly did me in. They are so hot and so excellently written. I’ve said it before and I'll say it again and keep repeating it till the day I quit reviewing romance novels: when it comes to sizzling, explicit, arousing sex scenes no one beats Cari Quinn. It's like she goes into my head and finds what I find extremely hot and puts that on paper. And let me tell you that’s pretty eerie. She writes erotic romance that will heat up even the most frigid readers. And if her writing doesn't affect you that way, erotic romance just might not be your thing! <br />
<br />
The secondary cast of UNWRAPPED is comprised of family members of all three main characters. They all played an important role in the emotional part of the story and even though some of them weren’t always likeable in their reactions, I mostly liked them and the way they offered support to the main characters. I especially liked Cait’s youngest sister Valerie. Brave, brave kid!<br />
<br />
Cari Quinn has been on my favorite author list from the first ever book I read by her. And with every next book she just secured that spot more. UNWRAPPED is once again awesomely written. It's the perfect combination of the elements Cari Quinn always masters in a brilliant way: hot explicit sex, extremely likeable and believable characters, talented writing and the emotional intensity that just gets to me every single time!<br />
<br />
I adore how layered Cari Quinn's work is. Both in her writing and in her characters. On the surface the topics and her characters may seem everyday and common but the layers she puts on them through her writing and the emotionality makes her books stand out in the vast pool of erotic contemporary romance. UNWRAPPED could have been just another friends-to-lovers ménage story with a holiday-themed background but Cari Quinn makes it into so much more by giving the characters and their story a uniqueness through the emotional difficulties and by putting them through some realistic and believable dilemmas. <br />
<br />
I knew UNWRAPPED is an erotic romance so a HEA is guaranteed, but still Cari Quinn had me biting my nails sometimes, wondering how that HEA was going to be reached as there were many emotional moments of doubt, of fear of how other people might judge their unconventional relationship. Between Cait's insistence on their weekend together not being anything more than just living out a fantasy, Tristan family stuff and silent stubbornness and Matt's worry about the practical sides of a permanent threesome, they had me in knots and relying on my trust in Cari Quinn to make it all work in the end. This trust wasn't unfounded. She definitely did...in an awesome way!<br />
<br />
Cari Quinn and Loose ID seem to be the perfect match as this is the second book by Quinn I've read published by Loose ID that I must give my highest rating! UNWRAPPED is the first m/m/f I've read by Cari Quinn. I love ménages but I'm picky when it comes to m/m/f as I am not fond of m/m sexy times. There are a few authors who make me love their m/m/f ménages and Cari Quinn has joined those ranks with a bang: a perfect 10 rating as there was absolutely nothing I did not love about this book! <br />
<br />
<blockquote><i><b><u>Favorite Quotes:</u></b><br />
He’d been attracted to her for years, and the reasons weren’t all physical. She was so funny and sexy and sweet. Cait was a nice girl. A good girl.<br />
One he’d yearned to taint for so long he’d almost resorted to taping his dick down whenever she was within speaking distance. Another secret withheld between them. (Matt)<br />
<br />
The sound that escaped her mouth and slipped into his spoke of pleasure, not fear. When he extended his fingers into her hair, angling her head backward so he could lick his way inside, she wrapped her tongue around his to invite him in.<br />
Thank God.<br />
Intensity grew quickly, hijacking his plans to go slow. He slanted his mouth over hers and consumed her hungrily, their tongues fighting for dominance while her body revved against his. (Matt)<br />
<br />
Matt sighed and scrubbed his hands over his face. She slid her gaze to his c#ck, slid it away. Slid it back again. She shook her head at the immediate liquefying between her legs. Clearly horny virgins had no shame. Or very little.<br />
<br />
If tonight didn’t go the way he’d planned, he didn’t know how they’d survive it. All he knew was they couldn’t lose her. Tris was just as miserable as he was, sterling proof of what he’d always known deep down.<br />
If there was no Cait, there could be no them. She was the glue that held them together. Without her, the pieces simply didn’t fit.<br />
<br />
“Matt’s not interrupting me, but you are. Know why? Because he’s seen me in ways you haven’t. When the civility’s stripped away and there aren’t words left. The way you’re going to see me soon enough. If we let you watch.” He took immense satisfaction in the slackening of her jaw. “That’s dependent on how much talking you do between now and then. We have ways of keeping you quiet. If you think we won’t…well, you’re thinking wrong.” (Tristan)<br />
<br />
“Well, I’d never thought of another guy till Matt. The thing people forget is you fall in love with whomever you’re meant to. It’s not always about their sex, but who they are.” (Tristan)<br />
<br />
All he needed was them. Just them. Not trying to be sexy and rev his motor, not putting on a show worthy of a backroom sex shop. He needed to hold them and love them just as they’d given him their love in a million little ways he doubted they even realized. (Tristan)<br />
</i></blockquote><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6xx2IR0_zi0UzfpKU1k8tyCH7lCsec6Ku9HojvE3D3MWEMuzibUpKD7nh-Lzy8aY2X3-i2LZxWyFXwOC8JWxf-4l1P8FmYVen3kT_g4f6GpEKHQvRPIv3-uuyBbLXcDPsZHfaixtg9Y/s1600/RatingPWOR_100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="269" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6xx2IR0_zi0UzfpKU1k8tyCH7lCsec6Ku9HojvE3D3MWEMuzibUpKD7nh-Lzy8aY2X3-i2LZxWyFXwOC8JWxf-4l1P8FmYVen3kT_g4f6GpEKHQvRPIv3-uuyBbLXcDPsZHfaixtg9Y/s320/RatingPWOR_100.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-39273343021672325062011-12-02T08:00:00.009+01:002011-12-02T08:00:02.383+01:00Review: CHASIN' EIGHT by Lorelei James<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBeIwi1BY1gAxFcW3cvPExlRSDFtIXhO5l48CN7FYLIU-5Qc8Oa6_upQr1X57DYWHRfcCOUnLko_mGU44j8dD2LqddSAQ-0Dwn4RAW9slEEy2q3slswU-VFmV7lBSARmT0oyhkHqCKxk/s1600/chasineight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBeIwi1BY1gAxFcW3cvPExlRSDFtIXhO5l48CN7FYLIU-5Qc8Oa6_upQr1X57DYWHRfcCOUnLko_mGU44j8dD2LqddSAQ-0Dwn4RAW9slEEy2q3slswU-VFmV7lBSARmT0oyhkHqCKxk/s320/chasineight.jpg" /></a></div><i><b> She wants it…he’s got it…and the chase is on… <br />
<br />
Bull rider Chase McKay has finally landed in a pile too big to charm his way out of. Caught with his pants down, he finds himself bucked right off the PBR tour until he can get his act together. <br />
<br />
Hollywood actress Ava Cooper became the tabloids’ favorite target when her longtime boyfriend was outed as gay. She needs a place to lay low and a chance to prove to herself that she can satisfy a red-blooded man between the sheets. The sexy, rugged cowboy she finds holed up in her Wyoming hideaway seems like the answer to her every fantasy. <br />
<br />
But Chase has sworn off women. Forever. Or at least a month. Whichever comes first. <br />
<br />
When they take to the road to get Chase more hands-on bull riding experience, they have every intention of keeping their hands off each other. But the two headstrong stars quickly end up riding a hot and heady rodeo circuit all their own—until the press gets wind of their affair. When the dust clears and the lights of the paparazzi fade, are they ready to give up chasing the dream for a chance of finding forever? <br />
<br />
Warning: Strap in, another hot McKay is about to bust out of the gate and this bull rider knows a thing or two about riding hard…</b></blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br />
<b>Title:</b> CHASIN’ EIGHT<br />
<b>Author:</b> Lorelei James<br />
<b>Series:</b> Rough Riders, book 11<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Western Romance, Erotic Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Samhain Publishing<br />
<b>Year of release:</b> 2011, June 28<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
<b>Source:</b> Bought via Samhain eBookstore<br />
<br />
<b>First line:</b> <br />
There was nothing like live porn. <br />
<br />
<b>Memorable Scenes:</b> <br />
- Chase and Ava's very first encounter > funny as hell<br />
- the fried Twinkie scene > talk about sexual tension and teasing<br />
</i></span><br />
<br />
CHASIN’ EIGHT is the 11th book in this series. 11th!! I still remember discovering the first in this series a few years ago and falling in love with the McKays, Lorelei James’ writing and contemporary western romance. And now I have read 11 books in this amazing series and I’m still hooked, still enjoying every installment I read and looking forward to every new addition to the series. <br />
<br />
The main characters of this book are Ava Drummond aka famous actress Ava Cooper and famous bull rider Chase McKay. Ava is vivacious, funny and adapting. She’s looking for her place in life, a purpose. She’s also a little insecure despite her famous actress status. Chase is stubborn, gruff resilient and sweet. Despite his reputation as a womanizer he’s also a loner. Though he gives off this bold, rough bad boy vibe he’s also a easy-going and a little complacent. <br />
<br />
I loved Ava and Chase together. Their banter added to the chemistry between them and they were both characters I loved because of their sharp wit. They are characters that at first sight you would never pair together but their pairing worked splendidly.<br />
<br />
I had a bit of trouble getting into this book. First off I didn’t really like the opening page, it was too porn-y for my taste. Also, the first half, before Chase gave into the physical pull Ava had on him, kinda felt a bit uneventful and slow-going. However, despite the slow start I absolutely enjoyed this book. I still miss the magic of the earlier Rough Riders books but CHASIN' EIGHT definitely kept me entertained.<br />
<br />
One of the things I loved about this book was seeing some characters from the earlier books come back to the forefront: Colby, Gemma, and Cash for instance. But also loved seeing Kane and Ginger. Though their book isn’t one of my favorites in this series, I really liked them and their role in CHASIN’ EIGHT. Another thing I liked was an in-depth look into the bull riding and rodeo-circuit. As a total ignorant about rodeos I took it all in and was fascinated by it all. This was also what brought the characters I mentioned above in play. <br />
<br />
I always mention this in my reviews of books in this series but I really adore the family feel of this series and how Lorelei James shows us the expansion with every next book and gives the readers who follow this series an in-depth look into all the branches of this very large family with their problems, their happy moments, their loves and their losses. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the Rough Riders series is a family saga, not merely a string of connected books. <br />
<br />
Lorelei James' writing is satisfying as always. It’s the perfect combination of scorching heat, intense emotions, in-depth back-stories and a great collection of supporting characters. Lorelei James always manages to pull on my heartstrings with the emotions she infuses into her stories and to get me all hot and bothered with the heat that radiates from the love scenes. No matter if I adore, love or just like the book, her writing is an addiction I can’t quit!<br />
<br />
And with the enticing blurb I’ve read of the next book, Ben McKay’s (Chase’s middle brother) story, I can’t wait until COWBOY CASANOVA comes out next week!<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i><b><u>Favorite Quotes:</u></b><br />
“Fine. I get it. Hands off. No hugs, no kisses, no holding hands, no hot looks, no copping a feel. No chance for a hard, fast, sweaty, screaming, raunchy f#ckfest against the wall, or on the floor, or in the shower, and definitely not on the bed.” (Ava to Chase)<br />
<br />
Ava released a long, deep moan. A moan that sounded like a woman about to come undone by pure pleasure.<br />
Chase shot her a sideways glance. Her beautiful face had a dreamy look best described as post-orgasmic. From sucking on a hot dog?<br />
“That’s the best chili dog I’ve ever eaten.” Ava kept making throaty groans.<br />
His brain overloaded. He imagined dragging her across the console and giving her another reason to moan.<br />
<br />
Ava expected he’d keep the kiss slow and easy. So when Chase kissed the living shit out of her, she understood she didn’t know this Chase at all. The Chase who trapped her face in his big hands. The Chase who ably slipped his tongue past her teeth and fried her circuits with a kiss that stirred something inside her she’d never felt with any man.<br />
Lust with an edge of danger. Lust that had no boundaries.<br />
<br />
[Taz]“I seen how he’s been lookin’ at you.”<br />
“And how’s that?”<br />
“Like you’re a hot, sweet fried Twinkie and he’d like to lick you up one side and down the other before devouring you completely.”<br />
“Except the man seems to be on a sugar-free diet,” she said wryly.<br />
Taz chuckled. “Maybe. But I reckon he’s just trying to keep from gorging himself.”<br />
<br />
Ava immersed herself in him. The scent of his skin. The tangy taste of his sweat. The way his muscles strained beneath her tongue. She kissed, licked and nibbled her way down the center of his throat, from his square jaw to his breastbone. And could she get a halleluiah that he had chest hair? Talk about manly, masculine goodness. She rubbed her face over the dark patch of hair, breathing him in, listening to the pounding of his heart, warmed by the heat from his skin, and knowing his body’s response to her was echoed in her body.<br />
<br />
Ava had no control. Chase held her head, keeping her in place. “Ava. Look at me. See what you do to me.”<br />
Her gaze connected with his. Such lust. Such hunger in his eyes. Such need. She felt it all flowing between them, felt her body responding to the call of his.<br />
<br />
With pure male heat and hunger, he undressed her, then himself. This wasn’t a sensual exploration resulting in an achingly sweet union of bodies. No. This was raw mating. He demanded. Took. Teased. And ultimately gave all of himself with such unending passion, he left her knowing no other man would ever reach inside her like he did.</i></blockquote><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lzpj6rnLvYXD4SzyAEPGYREw54oDV78EE-nmlPL_AqMa6E95L9SSStOpruN_yQHBf-2J6SBEdJtEtMd-Z3NAus0Bt-iqEdJy0zBanDvIjWy4MqWZEfpqGoeZlxLtRbeEVuQz5IQO1wo/s1600/RatingPWOR_84.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="269" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lzpj6rnLvYXD4SzyAEPGYREw54oDV78EE-nmlPL_AqMa6E95L9SSStOpruN_yQHBf-2J6SBEdJtEtMd-Z3NAus0Bt-iqEdJy0zBanDvIjWy4MqWZEfpqGoeZlxLtRbeEVuQz5IQO1wo/s320/RatingPWOR_84.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-32921308570341865482011-11-30T23:00:00.000+01:002011-11-30T23:00:02.428+01:00QuickScore-Review: THE FEARLESS MAVERICK by Robyn Grady<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGTHA4M_H4bIcdTJGs7LTkYS1IvIzkx6RKrPVEzcDXDtSkcB7AQxs7B2RQz5JuPnl69cxX-QpqHYhvJNXeMWwq_hpJsJQCejN8smnT_UADgGWCoisp5pEJjPJaYU6IElp6sfkhyphenhyphenZNa04/s1600/fearlessmaverick.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGTHA4M_H4bIcdTJGs7LTkYS1IvIzkx6RKrPVEzcDXDtSkcB7AQxs7B2RQz5JuPnl69cxX-QpqHYhvJNXeMWwq_hpJsJQCejN8smnT_UADgGWCoisp5pEJjPJaYU6IElp6sfkhyphenhyphenZNa04/s320/fearlessmaverick.png" /></a></div><i><b> Driven to succeed, Alex's only desire is to win, win, win—at all costs! A champion race-car driver, he lives like he drives—fast, reckless and always number one. But after a huge crash, with his racing career facing ruin, Alex must confront his biggest fear: failure.<br />
<br />
Physio Libby Henderson is there to help him get back to fitness, and all Alex wants to do is get physical! Libby's dealt with more challenging things in life, but it's taking all of her professionalism to keep this stubborn playboy at bay! </b></blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br />
<b>Title:</b> THE FEARLESS MAVERICK<br />
<b>Author:</b> Robyn Grady<br />
<b>Series:</b> The Notorious Wolfes, book 4<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Harlequin Books, Harlequin Presents<br />
<b>Year of release:</b> 2011, September 27<br />
<b>Format:</b> Mass Market Paperback<br />
<b>Source:</b> Bought via The BookDepository<br />
<br />
<b>First line:</b> <br />
The moment Alex Wolfe’s car went airborne, he knew the situation was bad. <br />
<br />
<b>Memorable Scenes:</b> <br />
- their weekend on the Gold Coast > highlight: dancing on the beach, loved that scene!</i></span><br />
<br />
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<b>QuickScore-Verdict:</b><br />
Alex Wolfe and Libby Anderson are the main couple of this fourth installment in the Notorious Wolfes series. They are a race car diver and the physiotherapist who has to nurse him back into his race car after a shoulder injury during second race of the season. <br />
<br />
Alex is disarmingly charming beneath a veneer of steel determination. His rough past made him the man he is now. Libby is as tenacious as Alex is. She carries the consequences of her surfing accident with poise and grace but there are times insecurity creeps up on her. I loved the chemistry between Alex and Libby. It was completely in line with the rest of the series with Libby as the feisty young woman falling under the magical thrall of yet another enigmatic and seductive Wolfe sibling. <br />
<br />
As a Formula 1 fan I was delighted with the setting. I loved reading the racing stuff and through Libby's character it was also shown that the author knew a lot and or did her research on physical therapy as well.<br />
<br />
I also really liked Robyn Grady's writing style. It was fluent, fast-paced and engaging. Combined with the characters' chemistry, snappy dialogues and the themes that were much to my liking I utterly enjoyed this 4th installment in The Notorious Wolfes series. <br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i><b><u>Favorite Quotes:</u></b><br />
This man’s power to captivate with a single look, the slightest touch, was palpable. She’d like to meet the woman who was immune to the magic of that smile. Charm was as instinctive to this man as taking a corner at death-defying speeds.<br />
<br />
Giddy. He whipped up a hurricane inside of her, a dark powerful storm that tossed her off course and hurled her places that promised such blissful satisfaction. <br />
</i></blockquote><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-84219973452901337932011-11-29T08:00:00.003+01:002011-11-29T08:00:09.762+01:00ARC-Review: SOME LIKE IT HOT by Louisa Edwards<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVveMUrG1mRlLjBctNvVx1_Y7x6hiUpCt04N0__D40aMiMr7P7qB4Y2aMFtd2n-n1AfH5yIf-Z91oLf006qqr48-zwIdZZGjzEJ4N6NSCc386hf9mOSue5UToHWFlmQWG1m086c3l0ug/s1600/somelikeithot.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVveMUrG1mRlLjBctNvVx1_Y7x6hiUpCt04N0__D40aMiMr7P7qB4Y2aMFtd2n-n1AfH5yIf-Z91oLf006qqr48-zwIdZZGjzEJ4N6NSCc386hf9mOSue5UToHWFlmQWG1m086c3l0ug/s320/somelikeithot.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
<i><b> Sexy, single, and even sweeter than the treats he bakes, New York pastry chef Danny Lunden is trying to stay focused on food—not females. With the Rising Star Chef competition approaching, he doesn’t have time to get all steamed up over the gorgeous woman he encounters on the plane to Chicago. Even if she is Eva Jansen—the billionaire heiress in charge of the contest… <br />
<br />
Danny assumes that “Eva the Diva” is a spoiled rich girl who doesn’t share his passion for food. But when the two meet up again in an elevator—alone—they share more than just passion. They share a kiss hot enough to start a kitchen fire—and they’re hungry for more. To indulge their new secret craving, Eva and Danny have to break every rule in the cookbook. But—like chocolate and caramel—some ingredients are are so sinfully good together, one scrumptious bite is never enough... </b></blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br />
<b>Title:</b> SOME LIKE IT HOT<br />
<b>Author:</b> Louisa Edwards<br />
<b>Series:</b> Rising Start Chef Trilogy, book 2 and Recipe For Love Series, book 5<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Romance, Culinary Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> St. Martin’s Press<br />
<b>Year of release:</b> 2011, November 29<br />
<b>Format:</b> Mass Market Paperback<br />
<b>Source:</b> Received a digital ARC from publisher for review<br />
<br />
<b>First line:</b> <br />
So this is what it's like to leave home, Danny mused, narrowly avoiding a collision with a woman who seemed to have forgotten she was pulling a wheeled carry-on case behind her. <br />
<br />
<b>Memorable Scenes:</b> <br />
- Danny and Eva's kiss in the elevator > great first kiss scene<br />
- any scene with Claire and Kane > I love those two! <br />
- the love scene where Danny's hands are bandaged > holy hot tamales! <br />
- Eva making her wrongdoings right > have to admit she turned her like-factor up right there in that scene </i></span><br />
<br />
Eva Jansen is spoiled. There is no other word for it. She is used to getting what she wants, when she wants it and how she wants it. Yet, deep down she's not the diva she shows to everyone. Beneath all the brass, the seemingly selfish actions and the big ego attitude is a caring and sweet woman lurking in the shadow, waiting for the right man to lure her out.<br />
<br />
That right man is pastry chef Danny Lunden. He’s a man who has this need to take care of others. It’s engrained in him. He’s calm, levelheaded and reassuring and has a talent for soothing others. So much that he forgets that he sometimes needs reassurance and soothing too. He loves order and control but underneath all that calm there’s a lot of repressed anger and other feelings waiting to come to the surface.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately I didn't have the immediate click with Eva and Danny as I did with Jules and Max in the first book. However, they really grew on my along the way because they were definitely a match for each other! When Danny let go a bit of his need to take care of others and think of himself and his own needs first and Eva, though still having a diva attitude, showed her vulnerable and caring side, that’s when I fell for both of them and their romance. <br />
<br />
Again the secondary cast was awesome! I loved Max and Jules as secondary characters. (I still have a soft spot for Max!) And the blend of familiar supporting characters and a few new intriguing ones, contributed to my enjoyment of SOME LIKE IT HOT. Of course I also loved that Louisa Edwards continued the secondary romance she started in TOO HOT TO TOUCH. Claire and Kane captured my heart and I truly enjoyed their story, at times even more than Danny and Eva's. <br />
<br />
The culinary competition part of the book was also great. I liked it even more than I did the first book of this trilogy because the way the challenges in this book were set up, reminded me even more of my favorite cooking competition shows. For giving me this great mix of romance and culinary type TV-shows, I can only thank and love Louisa Edwards. I love how she combines food and romance. It's clear she has knowledge of food and cooking and a talent for writing romance and heat. I loved the food analogies (both in SOME LIKE IT HOT and in TOO HOT TO TOUCH).<br />
<br />
There's also simplicity and subtle humor to her writing that make her books very accessible and easy to go through. The make-out and love scenes are exquisite. Louisa Edwards knows her foodie stuff but she also knows how to write love scenes that will make you forget you're sitting in a chilly room as the heat that radiates from them will warm you up just fine. <br />
<br />
So even though it had a slow start and I had to warm up to the main couple I really enjoyed SOME LIKE IT HOT and I can’t wait for the next and final book in this trilogy. Louisa Edwards has become a permanent dish on my reading menu!<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i><b><u>Favorite Quotes:</u></b><br />
But when she’d seen Lunden standing in the doorway of the plane, long-fingered hands on lean hips like an avenging warrior, all the exhaustion and nervousness and self-doubt went up in a firestorm of excitement and lust. The way the chill of condemnation clashed with the unmistakable glitter of instantaneous hunger and sparkled his eyes to a bright sizzling blue called to the fighter in Eva. She wanted to stoke the fire of that hunger, feed it craftily and carefully until it flamed up and overwhelmed the disapproval.<br />
<br />
She made a sound deep in her throat, rough and unashamed, and immediately pure unadulterated high-octane lust flooded his system. He’d been hard since he’s seen her splayed out against the back wall of the elevator, but when she growled like that, the rush of his blood through his body made his c#ck throb so thickly he was momentarily afraid he’d pass out.<br />
<br />
"It suits you."<br />
Dazed, wondering if he'd missed something crucial to the conversation while zoning out on the many uses tot which he’d be happy to put her tongue, Danny said, “What does?”<br />
“Danny.”<br />
How did she manage to make the name he’d been called since kindergarten sound like pure, filthy sex?<br />
<br />
Kane dipped his spoon into the center, the yolk broke and ran out the white like a river down a mountain. He peeked under the egg to see the shredded beef. It didn’t look like much on its own, but when Kane lifted the spoon to his mouth, he had to work hard not to moan like a kid discovering what his dick was for.</i></blockquote><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-59567745637115005492011-11-28T15:15:00.002+01:002011-11-28T15:15:00.493+01:00Review: TOO HOT TO TOUCH by Louisa Edwards<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXiCd9CcnmZHb71CG0UTRqoFaaUvFtd6EmJbrAREzGFw3c7ufiiGPas28KL0BLtbOsYHa9F0vS2AX19Y6ZQwflUoEFMPRaAhPicGecqF3cmmd-DGCjUvU0aejqSjXbh8mT1rrGbv6qwo/s1600/toohottotouch.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXiCd9CcnmZHb71CG0UTRqoFaaUvFtd6EmJbrAREzGFw3c7ufiiGPas28KL0BLtbOsYHa9F0vS2AX19Y6ZQwflUoEFMPRaAhPicGecqF3cmmd-DGCjUvU0aejqSjXbh8mT1rrGbv6qwo/s320/toohottotouch.jpeg" /></a></div> <br />
<i><b> When it comes to competitive cooking, Max Lunden is no stranger to winning…though he’s never been great at working with a team. A master chef—and major hunk—he’s traveled the world, picking up new cooking techniques as well as beautiful women. But when the prodigal chef returns home to his family’s Greenwich Village restaurant, he discovers one too many cooks in the kitchen—and she’s every bit as passionate as he is… <br />
<br />
Juliet Cavanaugh used to have a crush on Max when she was just a teenager, hanging out at Lunden & Sons Tavern, hoping to catch a glimpse of the owner’s oldest, and hottest, son. Now a chef herself—competing in the biggest culinary contest in the country—Juliet will be cooking side by side with the one man she’s always admired…and desired. But despite their simmering attraction, Juliet is determined to keep her cool—no matter how hot it gets…<br />
</b></blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br />
<b>Title:</b> TOO HOT TO TOUCH<br />
<b>Author:</b> Louisa Edwards<br />
<b>Series:</b> Rising Start Chef Trilogy, book 1 and Recipe For Love Series, book 4<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Romance, Culinary Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> St. Martin’s Press<br />
<b>Year of release:</b> 2011, August 2<br />
<b>Format:</b> Mass Market Paperback<br />
<b>Source:</b> Bought via The BookDepository<br />
<br />
<b>First line:</b> <br />
Juliet Cavanaugh wrapped her arms around her ribs for warmth and stomped her feet as she walked. <br />
<br />
<b>Memorable Scenes:</b> <br />
- Jules and Max against the wall in the upstairs kitchen. First “frisky” scene after their kiss in the pantry > hot as chili peppers :)<br />
- the trivia preliminary round > awesome foodie facts<br />
- Kane Slater > loved the storyline with him and Claire<br />
</i></span><br />
<br />
Juliet “Jules” Cavanaugh is ambitious, smart and practical. After a difficult youth she finds a warm and loving family at her best friend, Danny Lunden’s house. His parents take her in like a daughter and she grows up to be a talented chef. I admired Jules tenacity and her practical look on life.<br />
<br />
Max Lunden, Danny’s older brother and Jules secret teenage crush, left that same loving, home to find adventure when his father refuses to let him take the family restaurant to the next step. Max is a wanderer and stubborn. He’s outspoken, impulsive and shameless. I loved his dry sense of humor and his oneliners (both in thought and spoken).<br />
<br />
Even though the reader doesn’t get any interaction between Jules and Max when they are younger, I still saw this book as a bit of a reunited lovers thing and I loved how flirty Max was with Jules. His sense of humor and determination to win her affection went through her resistance like a warm knife through butter and I melted right alongside Jules.<br />
<br />
The cast of secondary was awesome, impressive and they all immediately conquered their rightful place in the book and in my heart. <br />
Win, Beck, Danny, Claire, Eva and Kane all contributed to my appreciation of this awesome book and its equally awesome author because even though the majority of the secondary cast was formed by more than just supporting characters, they never outshone Jules and Max. I must admit Claire and Kane and their secondary romance almost did but in the end I loved Max and Jules just that tad bit more.<br />
<br />
This first book I’ve read by Louisa Edwards made me fall in love with her writing and also had me kicking myself for not reading her work sooner than this. But rest assured, her backlist will be devoured as soon as I’ve read SOME LIKE IT HOT (which is the reason I read TOO HOT TO TOUCH). Louisa Edwards’ writing is fast-paced, filled with heat and humor and I gobbled TOO HOT TO TOUCH up from the first page to the last and then licked my fingers clean. <br />
<br />
<blockquote><i><b><u>Favorite Quotes:</u></b><br />
Max’s ribcage expanded with joy like phyllo pastry puffed up with honey. For a moment, he was honestly afraid his chest would pop open and spill his heart onto the street.<br />
<br />
“Jules, Jules. I seem to remember a Juliet hanging out with you, the two of you following me around, looking to get into trouble. Same girl? I bet it is. A chick on the team. Score. Come on, dish it up. Is she hot now? I bet she’s hot.”<br />
Danny shook his head, amusement relaxing the tense line of his mouth. “Is that all you ever think about?”<br />
“No! Sometimes I think about food. And beer. Scuba diving. Horse races. The color cyan. I’m a complex and multilayered flower, Danny.”<br />
<br />
Max was honestly starting to worry that if someone didn’t sit on Winslow, the kid was going to jitter right out of his basketball sneakers. </i></blockquote><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-84635473768600486522011-11-23T23:45:00.010+01:002011-11-23T23:45:00.103+01:00Requested Review: INFATUATION by Melissa Schroeder<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVMdzqdUH6xRhs0WFuYMv5a_ITmQUUKZViQyHLUPktxiJtpe7zv56rjF4YYtT0hAAXIPisgQs2x8SX4fmKr03mcUU_boHP3UhQFCmvochbtD7noASIoZcVUL16HULncB0gUWirjyGEds/s1600/infatuation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVMdzqdUH6xRhs0WFuYMv5a_ITmQUUKZViQyHLUPktxiJtpe7zv56rjF4YYtT0hAAXIPisgQs2x8SX4fmKr03mcUU_boHP3UhQFCmvochbtD7noASIoZcVUL16HULncB0gUWirjyGEds/s320/infatuation.jpg" /></a></div><i><b> To prove her love and save her man, she has to go above and beyond the call of duty.<br />
<br />
Francis McKade is a man in lust. He’s had a crush on his best friend’s little sister for years but he has never acted on it. Besides that fact that she’s Malachi’s sister, he’s a Seal and he learned his lesson with his ex-fiancé. Women do not like being left alone for long months at a time. Still, at a wedding in Hawaii anything can happen—and does. Unfortunately, after the best night of his life, he and Mal are called away to one of their most dangerous missions.<br />
<br />
Shannon is blown over by Kade. She’s always had a crush on him and after their night together, it starts to feel a little like love. But, after the mission, Kade never calls or writes and she starts to wonder if it was all a dream. Until one night, her brother Mal drags him into her bar and grill and Shannon gets the shock of her life.<br />
<br />
Kade isn’t the man Shannon knew in Hawaii, or even the last few years. Twelve hours of torture changes a man, especially one who had never felt so vulnerable. He still can’t shake the terror that keeps him up at night. Worse, he is realizing that the career he loves just might be over.<br />
<br />
Shannon is still mad, but she can’t help but hurt for the man she loves. He is darker, a bit more dangerous, but beneath that, he is the Kade she’s known for so many years. When he pushes her to her limits in the bedroom, Shannon refuses to back down. One way or another, this military man is going to learn there is no walking away from love—not while she still has breath in her body.<br />
<br />
Warning: This book contains two infatuated lovers, a hardheaded military man, a determined woman, some old friends, and a little taste of New Orleans. As always, ice water is suggested while reading. It might be the first military Harmless book, but the only thing that has changed is how hot our hero looks in his uniform—not to mention out of it. </b></blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br />
<b>Title:</b> INFATUATION<br />
<b>Author:</b> Melissa Schroeder<br />
<b>Series:</b> A Little Military Harmless Romance, book 1<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Romance, Military Romance, Erotic Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Self-Published<br />
<b>Year of release:</b> 2011, November 14<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
<b>Source:</b> Received an e-copy from author for review<br />
<br />
<b>First line:</b> <br />
The sound of Hawaiian music drifted lightly through the air as Kade took a small sip of his beer. <br />
<br />
<b>Memorable Scenes:</b> <br />
- the one (first) night in Hawaii > It was so hot it melted my brain cells<br />
- the scene with the scarves > the action with that one scarf... OMG! *fans self*<br />
</i></span><br />
<br />
INFATUATION is the first book of Melissa Schroeder’s I’ve read for review and the third one in total. I read her first two Harmless books way back when I didn’t even fathom reviewing the romance novels I was reading. So when this book was offered for review I grabbed it with both hands! <br />
<br />
And I do not regret the grabbing! With a heroine (Shannon Dupree) who is strong, capable and positively a woman whom any man would want standing in his corner and a Navy Seal hero (Francis ‘Kade’ McKade) who is sexy, quiet and commanding Melissa Schroeder gave me an awesome read. <br />
<br />
Melissa Schroeder knows how to crank up the heat in the love scenes. The start of the book set the tone and it didn't let down till the very last page and word. The added subtle hint of BDSM just made it all the more interesting. When sex scenes in a book give me goose-bumps I know I have a scorcher in hand. <br />
<br />
And next to the burn-the-pages heat there was so much more to INFATUATION. Starting with the small, subtle military plot of a mission gone FUBAR and the consequences of that to the members of the team. But there was also great characterization and a cast of secondary characters that were intriguing to say the least. <br />
<br />
Schroeder has a writing style that I took a liking to from the very first page. She combines heat and emotions with humor, great characters and fabulous dialogues, making this book fast-paced and character-driven. Reading INFATUATION makes me want to go back and start the Harmless series again from the start and review them all. <br />
<br />
INFATUATION is an awesome contemporary, erotic and military romance that was such a joy to read, I finished it in 24 hrs while having to work. It was sizzling hot and emotional. The two things I always seek in the erotic romances I read.<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i><b><u>Favorite Quotes:</u></b><br />
Her sister’s eyes danced with barely suppressed amusement. “It couldn’t be because of one hot Seal with a hint of an Aussie accent, could it?"<br />
Shannon closed her eyes and sighed. “That man gets my temperature up. All he has to do is smile, and I’m ready to strip naked and jump his bones.” She opened her eyes. “Is it that obvious?”<br />
<br />
“Now, naughty girl, you can’t move.”<br />
She opened her eyes and frowned at him. When she opened her mouth to respond, he placed one finger against her mouth.<br />
“You’re the one who awoke the beast, so you get to live with the consequences.”<br />
She wanted to tell him to go to hell, but there was something so...sexy about him commanding her, telling her what she could and could not do. Unlike her brother, Chris, she had never been into BDSM, but with Kade, the possibility was titillating. And dammit, arousal deepened his accent. That alone made her toes curl.<br />
<br />
She was laughing at something Deke said, and dammit, he couldn’t help the way the air backed up in his lungs.<br />
“Looks like they had a good time,” Mal said.<br />
Indeed it did. Her face glowed with happiness as she looked up at Deke. He leaned closer and said something to her. She laughed, and although it wasn’t loud, he could hear it. It wrapped around his heart and gave a little tug.<br />
<br />
Mal shook his head. “Do you know what you’re doing?”<br />
“Yeah, dammit.” He started walking again. “I’m going to get my woman.”<br />
</i></blockquote><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWWeyS4AcdwLWLgnw16BU7CvvW9k_ALAMloEiiDHzmxKntjGCPE5Ps_GLTzoqfXM7VxFwXtbRI9EI1OFZk-8ELskFTt2_PahyaImeTidzsrg2X-r8e7sr7u7o-kLH61xzTIp673B5tRI/s1600/RatingPWOR_90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="269" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWWeyS4AcdwLWLgnw16BU7CvvW9k_ALAMloEiiDHzmxKntjGCPE5Ps_GLTzoqfXM7VxFwXtbRI9EI1OFZk-8ELskFTt2_PahyaImeTidzsrg2X-r8e7sr7u7o-kLH61xzTIp673B5tRI/s320/RatingPWOR_90.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-91633472943184343762011-11-21T08:00:00.007+01:002011-11-21T08:00:03.958+01:00ARC-Review: HEAD OVER HEELS by Jill Shalvis<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5ZDHp80qyRrBhHJhFM-9w25W6ZJ0uyu6rduRaNtm7p6Of12vEgeN4POj2StRvoGI4PTz7ustE7QqgY4XaqCamPKCl8xxFjyxQRA06PXJ_Q92SF0pbzqsic0NdbLBuHXAGnNF6kxbPbE/s1600/headoverheels.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5ZDHp80qyRrBhHJhFM-9w25W6ZJ0uyu6rduRaNtm7p6Of12vEgeN4POj2StRvoGI4PTz7ustE7QqgY4XaqCamPKCl8xxFjyxQRA06PXJ_Q92SF0pbzqsic0NdbLBuHXAGnNF6kxbPbE/s320/headoverheels.jpeg" /></a></div><i><b> Free-spirited Chloe lives life on the edge. Unlike her soon-to-be married sisters, she isn't ready to settle into a quiet life running their family's newly renovated inn. But soon her love of trouble—and trouble with love-draws the attention of the very stern, very sexy sheriff who'd like nothing better than to tame her wild ways.<br />
<br />
Suddenly Chloe can't take a misstep without the sheriff hot on her heels. His rugged swagger and his enigmatic smile are enough to make a girl beg to be handcuffed. For the first time, instead of avoiding the law, Chloe dreams of surrender. Can this rebel find a way to keep the peace with the straitlaced sheriff? Or will Chloe's colorful past keep her from a love that lasts . . . and the safe haven she truly wants in a town called Lucky Harbor?</b></blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br />
<b>Title:</b> HEAD OVER HEELS<br />
<b>Author:</b> Jill Shalvis<br />
<b>Series:</b> Lucky Harbor, book 3<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Grand Central Publishing <br />
<b>Year of release:</b> 2011, November 22<br />
<b>Format:</b> Mass Market Paperback<br />
<b>Source:</b> Received a digital ARC from author for review<br />
<br />
<b>First line:</b> <br />
It wasn’t often that Chloe Traeger beat her sisters into the kitchen in the morning, but with Tara and Maddie currently sleeping with the town’s two hottest hotties, it’d been only a matter of time. <br />
<br />
<b>Memorable Scenes:</b> <br />
- Maddie's shirt-inside-out moment > funny as heck<br />
- outdoor shower scene > playful fun lead to sizzling heat lead to anticlimax LOL<br />
- painting Sawyer's dining room scene > touching and sweet and the paint handprints part was both funny and hot<br />
- the scene involving Chloe showing Sawyer how she can climax without going into an asthma-attack > loved Sawyer's dirty story and what followed after that</i></span><br />
<br />
Ever since finishing book 2 in this series I've been eagerly anticipating Chloe and Sawyer's book and my anticipation was rewarded. <br />
<br />
Chloe Traeger is the youngest of the three half sisters who play the main roles in the three first Lucky Harbor books. She’s an esthetician who travels all over the place as it’s ingrained in her nature to wander. She’s a wild child, impulsive, stubborn, witty and resilient. Every chapter of this book started with a Chloeism and I loved them. Here are a few of my favorites:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>“If at first you don’t succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.” <br />
“If things don’t seem right, try going left.”<br />
<br />
“It’s always darkest before the dawn. So if you’re going to steal your neighbor’s newspaper, that’s the time to do it.”<br />
<br />
“A closed mouth gathers no foot, though that’s hard to remember in the moment.” <br />
<br />
“Just when you think you’ve hit rock bottom, someone’ll throw you a shovel.”<br />
<br />
“I’ve always wanted to be somebody. I should have been more specific.”<br />
<br />
“They say money talks, but all mine ever says is ‘good-bye, sucker’.”<br />
<br />
“Sure, good things come to those who wait – but they’re the leftovers from those who got there first.”<br />
<br />
“Women might not like to admit their age, but men don’t like to act theirs.”</blockquote><br />
Sawyer Thompson, the local sheriff is determined to make up for his not so squeaky clean past as he wasn’t always the upstanding citizen he now is. He’s guarded, calm, patient, unflappable an intense. I loved Sawyer. To be honest I loved all the heroes in these three books as they are awesome partners to the three awesome ladies who snag them up.<br />
<br />
You know, it's the quiet ones...really it is! Who'd have thought upstanding sheriff Sawyer could give wild child Chloe a run for her money in the bedroom. I loved the beginning where the romance was building up but the chemistry was definitely there and promising. Sawyer's dirty thoughts were both funny and hot. The love scenes totally matched the romance they accompanied. They complemented both story and characters.<br />
<br />
What I adore about the Lucky Harbor books, next to the great writing and superb romance, are the characters and the bonds between them. These bonds are the perfect basis for awesome and fun dialogues. I especially loved the interactions between the sisters and between Jax, Ford and Sawyer.<br />
<br />
I really loved that HEAD OVER HEELS was a realistic, character-driven small town contemporary romance that focuses on interpersonal relationships and everyday life. No mysteries or weird plot twists although there is a subtle yet crucial suspense-ish plot that I thought was brilliantly woven into the rest of the story. <br />
<br />
Jill Shalvis writes awesome small town contemporary romances. The combination of her fluent, easy writing style, her humorous voice, characters, setting and romance is excellent. She’s a master at witty dialogue. <br />
<br />
I like that the books in this series are not just about the main couple starring in that book. They are still the focal point but it's not just about them. The story of each sister/friend is told through their connections with the others and really enjoyed seeing the couples and other characters from the first two books make their appearances and form a strong supportive background for Sawyer and Chloe. <br />
<br />
I must rate this 3rd book of the Lucky Harbor series an awesome read! It ticked almost all the boxes for me: it was fun, it was romantic, it was emotional and I loved the characters so much! A fabulous combination of plot, romance, characterization, humor and emotional impact!<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i><b><u>Favorite Quotes:</u></b><br />
He ran a long, callused finger down her calf alongside one particularly nasty gash, and she shivered. Not from pain. Maybe it was her exhaustion, or hell, maybe it was just from having him stand so close, but the stoic, tough-guy thing was sort of doing it for her this morning. He was a little on edge and sweaty, and a whole lot hot and sexy, and utterly without her permission, her brain rolled out a “Stern Cop And The Bad Girl” fantasy …<br />
<br />
There was a wildness to her tonight, hell every night, and an inner darkness that he was drawn to in spite of himself. <br />
It called to his true inner nature, the matching wildness and darkness within him, which he’d tried to bury a long time ago. <br />
<br />
“You’re tense,” Chloe said. Standing up, she moved behind him, putting her hands on his shoulders. She dug her fingers into his tight muscles, working them with a surprising strength, until he melted into a puddle at her feet.<br />
“Better?” she murmured against his ear, making him nearly groan when she pressed her breasts against him.<br />
Was she kidding? The only way for this to be better would be for them to be alone and naked.<br />
<br />
In answer, he brought his head up and kissed her. Deep, hungry, tasting her in a purposely slow, thorough manner before pulling back to once again look into her eyes.<br />
Oh, God. “Sawyer, what are we doing?” she whispered.<br />
He shook his head. “No fucking clue.” <br />
She let out a low laugh. “Maybe then, we should do it some more.”<br />
He obliged, pulling her in for another kiss, which grew rougher and more demanding, until she was vibrating with need, making little whimpers in her throat for more.<br />
<br />
He’d have gone in search of Chloe but Tara’s hand on his arm stopped him.<br />
“She thinks she’s a real tough cookie,” she said. <br />
“She is.”<br />
“Not when it comes to you.”<br />
He met her gaze. “What does that mean?”<br />
“You’re going to have to figure that out yourself. I like you, Sawyer. I like you a lot, but hurt her and I’ll hurt you.”<br />
“Smile. It’s the second best thing you can do with your lips.”<br />
<br />
Life’s short, Sawyer. Sometimes you have to take what you can get and make it okay.”<br />
<br />
Slow. <br />
Easy. <br />
Driving her right out of her mind. “Please. Sawyer, please.”<br />
But her entreaty fell on deaf ears. He did his own thing at his own pace, gently massaging and teasing and coaxing her right into a blissful explosion that shocked and rocked her to the very core. <br />
While she trembled and shuddered back to Planet Earth, he gave her one last soft kiss and moved back up her body to study her face closely. “Okay?” he asked.<br />
“If I was any more okay, you’d have to peel me off the ceiling.”<br />
<br />
She cupped his face, slid her fingers into his hair, and beamed up at him. God, he loved her smile. She felt so good. Her eyes were a staggering, fathomless green, and looking at her made him ache, and he ran out of air. <br />
Completely. Ran. Out. He struggled to breathe and thought this must be how she felt. But then she pressed her mouth to his and gave him her air.<br />
</i></blockquote><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRwPSuVyuC-W5d-OppAo3IlvF4j28avaLfB9WdSsnU7juAd9dCTI-VGCd7OmiJPD5S_z-UUOgi1SzuApOOGC5w8r3_typfR8mnBMh5rClRcDWzQIIKyE7WC9QkK3TGx01_V6aXUJ5Fok/s1600/RatingPWOR_95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="269" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRwPSuVyuC-W5d-OppAo3IlvF4j28avaLfB9WdSsnU7juAd9dCTI-VGCd7OmiJPD5S_z-UUOgi1SzuApOOGC5w8r3_typfR8mnBMh5rClRcDWzQIIKyE7WC9QkK3TGx01_V6aXUJ5Fok/s320/RatingPWOR_95.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-77267772270003053242011-11-20T23:55:00.000+01:002011-11-20T23:55:00.322+01:00Announcement: Winners Vivian Arend Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURFlFCvczWIrgyuF-Ywl81ln4TNBI5_botwLa3ZtaZpWzjxdPZ2UdvJLhyMuFNCnBnhYhzsoC4RJ4TFqbfDUIoQ0XgpVMQfxMDEgRn8FBfzyWVoJOooqhi4b4G5buoHv5-yxAQcfJ1oI/s1600/winner-ribbon-md.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="75" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURFlFCvczWIrgyuF-Ywl81ln4TNBI5_botwLa3ZtaZpWzjxdPZ2UdvJLhyMuFNCnBnhYhzsoC4RJ4TFqbfDUIoQ0XgpVMQfxMDEgRn8FBfzyWVoJOooqhi4b4G5buoHv5-yxAQcfJ1oI/s400/winner-ribbon-md.png" /></a></div><br />
Random.Org decided as follows: <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmTqYWULX4RH43075l0dOANa01dfmqmZpQnfJfmsAJrTNqz2PdR41BHAviX0tQ-7xA5Ey3VwgJxSXEFBCTflQs3Y82XCGJR_xPnGlIO0IUdNCu074a7nTGFIWvvfUUJ_eHYU3mX2XIa8/s1600/Schermafbeelding+2011-11-20+om+22.57.49.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="225" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmTqYWULX4RH43075l0dOANa01dfmqmZpQnfJfmsAJrTNqz2PdR41BHAviX0tQ-7xA5Ey3VwgJxSXEFBCTflQs3Y82XCGJR_xPnGlIO0IUdNCu074a7nTGFIWvvfUUJ_eHYU3mX2XIa8/s400/Schermafbeelding+2011-11-20+om+22.57.49.png" /></a></div><br />
Congratulations <b>Erin</b> and <b>June M.</b>! <br />
<br />
The winners have been emailed. Thank you, everyone who entered! <br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-19136676763358680782011-11-18T08:00:00.003+01:002011-11-18T08:00:02.953+01:00ARC-Review: SUCK AND BLOW by Lexxie Couper<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYARpG31veZj_vUV7K_FyASx4yKNAkj99KFU9HjshLoY7JGgAO5r2gNWB9LPPfCLjRxD4aQBBUoTZZn2yUC1JsEPdftE1T9Jeu-IOewvRSBRUj9mBYF8-YFg06h0nemhXad8TTpkz_IA/s1600/suckandblow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYARpG31veZj_vUV7K_FyASx4yKNAkj99KFU9HjshLoY7JGgAO5r2gNWB9LPPfCLjRxD4aQBBUoTZZn2yUC1JsEPdftE1T9Jeu-IOewvRSBRUj9mBYF8-YFg06h0nemhXad8TTpkz_IA/s320/suckandblow.jpg" /></a></div><i><b> Let the games begin…<br />
<br />
Talent agent Frankie Winchester is a hellion. Her motto is all a girl needs is a fun time, a fast car and an awesome masseur on speed dial. There’s only one person who could beat her at anything. Alec. Bane of her high-school existence, a kid whose parents were as working class and loving as hers were rich and distant.<br />
<br />
When celebrity landscape architect Alec Harris spots Frankie at an exclusive Sydney house party, everything comes rushing back. The memory of being the “cheap-money” kid, trying and failing to prove himself—and impress his dream girl, Frankie Winchester.<br />
<br />
Unexpectedly partnered in a wildly sexy game, the delicious friction ignites a scorching sexual tension. But there’s more than a playing card trapped between them. Frankie refuses to admit that kiss shook her to the core. Alec wants nothing less than her full surrender.<br />
<br />
Warning: C’mon, the book’s called Suck and Blow. What more warning do you need?<br />
</b></blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br />
<b>Title:</b> SUCK AND BLOW<br />
<b>Author:</b> Lexxie Couper<br />
<b>Series:</b> Party Games, book 1<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Erotic Romance, Contemporary Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Samhain Publishing<br />
<b>Year of release:</b> 2011, November 22<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
<b>Source:</b> Received an e-ARC from author for review<br />
<br />
<b>First line:</b> <br />
Francesca-Maree—Frankie—Winchester, had to admit the party was a success. <br />
<br />
<b>Memorable Scenes:</b> <br />
- the scene in the powder room during the party > dirty sexy! <br />
- Alec telling Frankie his back-story > the emotional sauce I was waiting for<br />
</i></span><br />
<br />
Francesca-Maree 'Frankie' Winchester aka The Gun is an agent to Australian celebrities. I loved Frankie! Beneath her tough girl attitude there's a woman who's not as self-assured as she appears. Her upbringing by famous parents put her on a sure course to shallowness and entitlement but she turned out pretty okay. Not in the least because of the hero of this story. <br />
<br />
Aleczander 'Alec' Harris aka Alley Cat is big and upcoming in the landscaping business. He’s confident, competitive and fought his way up from wrong side of the tracks. Alec is a down-to-earth and what-you-see-is-what-you-get kinda guy. His constant challenging Frankie when they were in high school made her into the woman she is now. <br />
<br />
SUCK AND BLOW is my second encounter with Lexxie Couper's work and it was as much, if not more, a pleasure as the first. Her writing is pure, raw and unapologetic and her characters are a joy to read and get to know. <br />
<br />
I loved the setup of the romance and the verbal sparring between Alec and Frankie. And boy, the sex scenes were off the charts hot. Frankie and Alec are perfectly matched and challenge each other constantly, bringing out the best in one another. <br />
<br />
The collection of secondary characters is very, very interesting and they made me wish for this series to go on for a long while after this first installment as there are quite some fascinating pairings to make. (Fortunately for me a little birdie told me there are going to be at least 2 more books after the 2nd one, by the fabulous Rhian Cahill, in this series. This made me a very, very happy reader.)<br />
<br />
SUCK AND BLOW is another winner for Lexxie Couper. It's sexy, scorching and fast-paced. It gave me a few very pleasurable reading hours as I couldn't stop reading. I loved the characters, I loved the romance, I almost drooled at the sexiness of Alec and I'm yearning for the next Party Games book like an addict for her next fix. <br />
<br />
<blockquote><i><b><u>Favorite Quotes:</u></b><br />
As if he felt her stare, Alec swung his head in her direction, his brilliant blue eyes—still the colour of a cloudless summer day—finding her with ease.<br />
Her heart just didn’t thump harder in her throat, it damn near tried to slam its way out of her body through her mouth.<br />
<br />
She sucked in her breath, the sudden gasp fixing the playing card to her lips. His fingers scalded her through the supple leather of her pants, his grip loose and relaxed and far from suggestive. So why was her heart thumping so hard? Why was her p#ssy fluttering like a psychotic horde of ADHD butterflies?<br />
<br />
He kissed her, not even remotely interested in reigning in his hunger. […] He reckoned if he were lucky, he’d get one good thrust into Frankie’s heat before he’d erupt. The best thing he could do now was show her just how bloody much he wanted her, show her just how goddamn wild she made him before he embarrassed himself beyond all salvation.<br />
<br />
She opened her eyes and turned to him, doing her damnedest to not notice that he was dressed again and so goddamn sexy to look at it was like visual Viagra, or whatever the hell the chick’s version of Viagra was.<br />
Oh, Francesca, you are in so much trouble.<br />
<br />
She did as he told her, laying her arms flat on the bed above her head, her hands loosely open, palms to the ceiling.<br />
She did as he told her, laying her arms flat on the bed above her head, her hands loosely open, palms to the ceiling.<br />
“Very good. Now, this is the way it’s going to go, Ms Winchester. I am going to explore every inch of this sexy, f#ckable body of yours from head to toe. I’m going to put my tongue wherever I want to. I’m going to bite whatever I want to. I’m going to suck whatever I want to, and you’re not going to move.”<br />
[...] “And if I do move?”<br />
A wicked gleam filled Alec’s eyes, the sides of his mouth curling into a slow smile. Devilish, that was the only word Frankie could think of to describe it. Devilish.<br />
No, there was another. Untamed.<br />
“If you move, I will flip you onto your stomach, lift your butt into the air and smack its tight, firm perfection until you beg me to f#ck you.”<br />
</i></blockquote><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-18702538838366104612011-11-16T08:00:00.013+01:002011-11-16T08:00:03.706+01:00QuickScore-Review: HOT TEXT by Cari Quinn<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-zRYxArGvqnpswGlRlbDLkXOwjOQ9ZduRxsEF6TrWvDDYXpUnclLaI08Jrcp5ovQoRfPTmvJcK23IfzWZbQM7Z-SaIGiyDMUXvY2av01dWAY1Ek7JPD8XFOEhXyfv80QeExGdK_V_Wc/s1600/hottext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-zRYxArGvqnpswGlRlbDLkXOwjOQ9ZduRxsEF6TrWvDDYXpUnclLaI08Jrcp5ovQoRfPTmvJcK23IfzWZbQM7Z-SaIGiyDMUXvY2av01dWAY1Ek7JPD8XFOEhXyfv80QeExGdK_V_Wc/s320/hottext.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<i><b> Sometimes what you think you want and what you need are two very different things.<br />
<br />
As a technical editor, Jeffrey Maddox deals with plenty of words, leaving him few to spare on people, except his baby sister. To keep Daisy from wrecking her newly rehabbed life by shacking up with her older, married lover Lonny, he impulsively texts Lonny’s wife, Karyn. And then meets her at a coffee shop on a snowy night, ostensibly to convince her to stay with her philandering husband.<br />
<br />
But soon texting turns to sexting. After spending the night getting to know Karyn, Jeff wants something much more personal—Lonny’s wife. For himself.<br />
<br />
Despite her misgivings about Jeff’s intentions, Karyn can’t fight their attraction. She’s still not divorced, though she knows there’s no way she’ll return to her husband. But maybe an amazing night of conversation—and even more amazing lovemaking—can lead to more than just one night of hot text </b></blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br />
<b>Title:</b> HOT TEXT<br />
<b>Author:</b> Cari Quinn<br />
<b>Series:</b> stand alone (to my knowledge)<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Ellora’s Cave Publishing<br />
<b>Year of release:</b> 2011, November 2<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
<b>Source:</b> Bought via Jasmine Jade eBook Store<br />
<br />
<b>First line:</b> <br />
Jeff Maddox stared at the cell phone vibrating on his sister’s coffee table.<br />
<br />
<b>Memorable Scenes:</b> <br />
- Jeff and Karyn's booty call > hot with some unexpected character revelations<br />
- the body painting scene > loved it</i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8jBPHj0ljEBUjvOPcCPhcbbV4OlFvqx6LBt6vTzy0eN9sfc_Bf3-UKSuDQ6GXaglZhIIzkfVu5TViNZUaQhQ0fUeCWDrTkwGEwOvKodR0BO7D0H79824RFfkzo2fl6VukWBBf-92v-s/s1600/QSC_HotText.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="280" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8jBPHj0ljEBUjvOPcCPhcbbV4OlFvqx6LBt6vTzy0eN9sfc_Bf3-UKSuDQ6GXaglZhIIzkfVu5TViNZUaQhQ0fUeCWDrTkwGEwOvKodR0BO7D0H79824RFfkzo2fl6VukWBBf-92v-s/s400/QSC_HotText.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<b>QuickScore-Verdict</b>:<br />
Jeff Maddox, the hero is this story, was a very interesting character. He is a technical editor with 2 ex-wives who is very protective of his baby sister and when I read all this I thought: whatever direction is Cari Quinn going to take with him… Suffice to say Cari immediately took him down the right path and I truly liked Jeff, even if he is a little rude grouchy and ornery. <br />
<br />
Karyn James is a preschool teacher. She’s a quirky homebody who talks to herself a lot and paints to express her creativity. She is open and direct despite not being overly assertive. <br />
<br />
Cari Quinn could write the technical manuals Jeff edits and I'd still gobble it up. In HOT TEXT it wasn't just the hot sex scenes. It was the instant connection I felt with the characters, their imperfections and their personalities. I loved this story about two average, normal people. It was very character-driven, fresh and original with a unique premise. The characters were awesome and despite of them having total different personality traits they matched perfectly. <br />
<br />
I loved reading Jeff and Karyn's story and could've read more if there had been more. Yet despite the shortness of the story it felt well rounded and complete. Though the characters may be average, normal people...the sex scenes are as fabulously hot as I've gotten used to from Cari Quinn. I expected scorching heat, Cari went above and beyond and definitely delivered! <br />
<br />
<blockquote><i><b><u>Favorite Quotes:</u></b><br />
She’d clearly gone too long without male companionship if any brute who walked her way made her sit up and take notice. Even one with pretty eyes and scowling lips.<br />
<br />
She laughed and the sound loosened something inside his gut, unwinding snakes of need that wrapped around his c#ck in a viselike grip.<br />
<br />
She expected an easy kiss. Good, perhaps, but not intense. He seemed like a low-key, moderately passionate person. As she’d been, without the right stimulation.<br />
Without this .<br />
What she got was a glancing blow of lips that soon turned to a furious meshing of mouths and teeth. It wasn’t elegant. It was messy and rough and God help her, bordered on dirty.<br />
<br />
There was something so alluring about a woman’s— this woman’s—creamy back, especially offset by her wavy dark hair. She was sensual in the extreme and so beautifully fragile. But not weak. She had an inner strength he doubted she even gave herself credit for. She might bend, but break? Not Karyn.<br />
<br />
She kissed him so deeply his mind shuddered to a halt. Wasn’t he supposed to take control? He couldn’t. How could he control this? She’d become a one-woman wrecking ball against his determination to shut her out. He didn’t want complications but here she was, her lips on fire, melting his last resolve.<br />
Stripping him bare before she left him alone.<br />
<br />
“Bring it,” she challenged.<br />
He brought it. Hard, fast, with all of his frustration and every wet dream from the last year wrapped up in the hope and desire she’d evoked tonight.</i></blockquote><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-45750113149330659322011-11-14T08:00:00.002+01:002011-11-14T08:00:00.618+01:00ARC-Review: ROCKY MOUNTAIN HEAT by Vivian Arend<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUIYoRUDR3qRQzMvNC7ERok1QZ1oE9xWy9Yj0LreQCElN35SHKi8vU476CoLSEp7jTS3ZNM7e28fv183fHDkHTUAYAZbVhgp_iZFOb1NAkQULSh6Dxznd1LSFC0oHmj5NV_-v_E3GTkk/s1600/rockymountainheatrr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUIYoRUDR3qRQzMvNC7ERok1QZ1oE9xWy9Yj0LreQCElN35SHKi8vU476CoLSEp7jTS3ZNM7e28fv183fHDkHTUAYAZbVhgp_iZFOb1NAkQULSh6Dxznd1LSFC0oHmj5NV_-v_E3GTkk/s320/rockymountainheatrr.jpg" /></a></div><i><b> He’s the one who taught her to ride. Now all he wants is to ride her.<br />
<br />
Blake Coleman is old enough to know that acting on impulse causes nothing but a heap of trouble. But when trouble’s a western-hat-wearing blonde with slim legs that go on forever, what’s a man to do? Wanting the sweet girl next door is just wrong. The responsible thing to do is keep his hands off.<br />
<br />
Jaxi has other plans for Blake’s hands, and his heart. She may have once considered him a big brother, but that was a long time ago. She’s all grown up now and ready to convince him that she’s perfect for him. Except he can’t seem to see past the big “don’t touch” sign that’s apparently still hanging around her neck.<br />
<br />
When Jaxi ends up living right under Blake's nose, the undeniable heat between them slides off simmer and leaps up to barn-burning levels. However, a few of the younger six-pack Colemans have decided Jaxi’s brand of trouble is worth risking a few busted bones.<br />
That is, if Blake’s finally ready to let go the reins and fight for what he wants…<br />
<br />
Warning: Sexy cowboys seducing and being seduced in trucks, pool halls and barns. Droolworthy country charm, a little double-teaming, a few secrets and a whole lot of brothers to look forward to. Anyone wanna go for a ride?<br />
</b></blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br />
<b>Title:</b> ROCKY MOUNTAIN HEAT<br />
<b>Author:</b> Vivian Arend<br />
<b>Series:</b> Six Pack Ranch, book 1<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Romance, <br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Samhain Publishing<br />
<b>Year of release:</b> 2011, November 15<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
<b>Source:</b> Received an e-ARC from author for review<br />
<br />
<b>First line:</b> <br />
“Are you sure you can’t last a bit longer?”<br />
<br />
<b>Memorable Scenes:</b> <br />
- Blake playing Peeping Tom while Jaxi is in the shower > awesome clash of conflicting feelings warring within Blake<br />
- the pool game > the triple play challenge took the scene beyond fun and into sizzling hot<br />
- the hot scene in the Coleman kitchen > No when I see or hear the mention canned peaches I will not only think of Inez Kelley's TURN IT UP but of Vivian Arend too!<br />
- Jaxi's exotic dance for Blake > HOT!<br />
</i></span><br />
<br />
The hero and heroine of ROCKY MOUNTAIN HEAT have known each other for quite some time. Ever since Jaxi was a little girl and only child she’d come and hang with the rambunctious Colemans on their ranch and from the moment she knew what it meant to desire, she desired Blake Coleman, the oldest son of the bunch.<br />
<br />
Jaxi has been in love with Blake forever and when she is asked to stay on the ranch for a while, taking care of his mom after a fall from an apple tree, she seizes the opportunity to show Blake exactly how much she wants him and hopes she can convince him to want her back. <br />
Little does she know that Blake hardly needs any convincing as Jaxi has been his forbidden fantasy for quite some time and it's getting more and more difficult to keep seeing her as a little sister. He tries to hold on to their age-difference, seeing it as a reason for them not to be together but the feelings and attraction are too strong to deny. <br />
<br />
Jaxi is giving, selfless and outspoken. She’s also a goal-getter. She sets her mind on something she wants, she’s bound to get it. In this case she has set her mind on Blake and will not rest until he’s where she wants him.<br />
<br />
Blake is the oldest son. The one who thinks he needs to set a responsible example for his younger brothers. He’s honorable, stubborn (oh my God is that man stubborn!) and commanding. He resists Jaxi for a long time but when he eventually gives in to the feelings he can no longer deny, he gives his all<br />
<br />
Vivian Arend definitely turned up the heat in this one...it took a little while for the chemistry between Blake and Jaxi to combust but when it did it was full steam ahead all the way to the last page. Scorching, sizzling, steamy heat made for some awesome love scenes. I also loved the romance even though there were moments where I would think they should just come out and express their feelings towards each other since it was so plain to everyone else. <br />
<br />
I fell in love with the Colemans the first time I read about them and fell even harder this second time! I'm still fascinated by the twins, I still swoon for Blake, down-to-earth Daniel and considerate Matt and I still think Travis can be a major, major jerk whom I just want to smack upside the head sometimes. <br />
<br />
An extra treat was a secondary romance involving Matt. Though I definitely don’t want them to end up together because the woman is annoying and selfish as heck, their story was intriguing and I loved getting to know Matt a bit more and see an interesting side of him. Still I don’t think Helen is worthy of sweet, caring Matt. There has to be a better woman out there for him. <br />
One thing about this secondary romance storyline was that I didn’t like that this storyline (even if it covered one of my favorite tropes) almost overtook Blake and Jaxi's story. Although I'm sure Vivian Arend incorporated so much of their story in ROCKY MOUNTAIN HEAT for a good reason. So I trust it will all be revealed in Matt’s book.<br />
<br />
I don't know what to say about Vivian's writing anymore without gushing about it. I like it so much and it fits me because though she broaches serious subjects she still manages to keep it light, fast-paced, humorous and emotional yet free of melodrama. Vivian Arend is my go-to author for feel-good romance, the kind of books you pick up knowing when you’ve finished it you have a smile on your face and a happy sigh leaving your mouth.<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i><b><u>Favorite Quotes:</u></b><br />
A bright red mark on his neck caught his eye, and he groaned in frustration. Like he was going to be able to explain that one easily. He shook his head and aimed the truck for home. In his lap, Jaxi’s feverish cheek burned a hole into his thigh while his unanswerable lust burned a hole in his conscience.<br />
<br />
“She’s too young for me. Be my guest and go for it, I don’t think of her that way.” Sweet mercy, what a bunch of bull . He thought of little but Jaxi. It was no use though. She was too young. She still looked up to him as a big brother, and he wasn’t going to step over that boundary like some hormone-crazed animal.<br />
<br />
Blake bit back the urge to lay his mouth on hers and lick over the wetness, tasting her skin and her sweet flavor. He needed to retreat, needed to stand and flee from temptation and the heavenly smell of her warm breath on his skin before he did something they would both regret. But heaven help him if he could budge.<br />
<br />
Blake watched, motionless and noiseless for so long he felt like a statue, every bit of his body gone as hard and rigid as his aching shaft. Indecision held him, immobilized him. The rush of blood through his veins drowned out the part of his common sense saying he needed to leave. The pounding faded everything logical and rational away in him and stripped him bare to need and desire.<br />
<br />
Damn, he wanted her so bad he had to restrain himself from tossing her over his shoulder like a caveman and hightailing out to his truck for a little action in the back. Or forget even making it to the truck, he’d slip them into the back room and fuck her against the wall, hard and fast, until they both made more of those noises of pleasure she was so good at producing.<br />
<br />
“Damn it, stop with the questions and give me what I need.” Jaxi arched hard, thrusting her hips against his hand. She was on fire, and he was keeping her at such a steady burn she was liable to pass out from need.<br />
<br />
He grinned at her with his new cocky smile that made her heart melt and her panties wet all at the same time. </i></blockquote><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-24111929072232456212011-11-11T08:00:00.002+01:002011-11-11T08:00:02.516+01:00Guestpost & Giveaway by Vivian Arend: The Elusive Perfect ManToday I'm happy to welcome Vivian Arend once again to the Blog. She is one of the few authors whom I follow in all the romance subgenres she writes...whether it's her paranormal, erotic, contemporary or cowboy romances...Her writing in all the subgenres is consistently good and I most definitely click with the light, humorous tone she pours over her work. <br />
<br />
Today she's treating us to a post about the "perfect man" and introducing us to ROCKY MOUNTAIN HEAT , which I've had the pleasure of reading not once but twice as I read the original release too. My review is coming up Monday and I think I loved it even more the second time around. <br />
<br />
So without further ado I want to give the floor to Vivian:<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">Oh, the elusive perfect man. Where will we find him?<br />
<br />
The interesting thing is he’s everywhere, but no hero is perfect for just any heroine. It’s the exact right combination of personalities, strength, weaknesses, that combined make or break a relationship in a book.<br />
<br />
One of the comments I got the first time someone read Rocky Mountain Heat was ‘Jaxi kissed all the brothers? ICK!’ (Jaxi being the heroine, the brothers being 6 of them.) The reality is in small towns, the dating pool is often very shallow, so yes, she’d kissed or been kissed by all of them by the time the story opens.<br />
<br />
All, that is, except the one she really wants. And who’s that perfect match for her.<br />
<br />
Blake is in for a fine ride to get to his happily ever after, but between the two of them, it happens. With more an a few kisses along the way. Which is how it should be, right? The perfect hero finds his perfect partner.<br />
<br />
___</span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhMm22NqK6yFz4qOmNuK_6MC-XBb_VNNLZwGAUoIHRXBOU5zid1_gavA9IfkfLAAXKn3Y9YxMuuELt5xrEC6Z_3LGaI5yzPgVqJo0YwpPEC4mcu5oyw-Z-PGWBJ-omA2T5k1rkiJINy0/s1600/rockymountainheatrr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhMm22NqK6yFz4qOmNuK_6MC-XBb_VNNLZwGAUoIHRXBOU5zid1_gavA9IfkfLAAXKn3Y9YxMuuELt5xrEC6Z_3LGaI5yzPgVqJo0YwpPEC4mcu5oyw-Z-PGWBJ-omA2T5k1rkiJINy0/s320/rockymountainheatrr.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>He’s the one who taught her to ride. Now all he wants is to ride her.<br />
<br />
Blake Coleman is old enough to know that acting on impulse causes nothing but a heap of trouble. But when trouble’s a western-hat-wearing blonde with slim legs that go on forever, what’s a man to do? Wanting the sweet girl next door is just wrong. The responsible thing to do is keep his hands off.<br />
Jaxi has other plans for Blake’s hands, and his heart. She may have once considered him a big brother, but that was a long time ago. She’s all grown up now and ready to convince him that she’s perfect for him. Except he can’t seem to see past the big “don’t touch” sign that’s apparently still hanging around her neck.<br />
<br />
When Jaxi ends up living right under Blake’s nose, the undeniable heat between them slides off simmer and leaps up to barn-burning levels. However, a few of the younger six-pack Colemans have decided Jaxi’s brand of trouble is worth risking a few busted bones.<br />
That is, if Blake’s finally ready to let go the reins and fight for what he wants…<br />
<br />
Warning: Sexy cowboys seducing and being seduced in trucks, pool halls and barns. Droolworthy country charm, a little double-teaming, a few secrets and a whole lot of brothers to look forward to. Anyone wanna go for a ride?</blockquote><br />
~~~<br />
First Chapter: <a href="http://www.vivianarend.com/books/six-pack-ranch/rocky-mountain-heat/">Excerpt</a><br />
<br />
Buy links: <a href="http://store.samhainpublishing.com/rocky-mountain-heat-p-6531.html">Samhain</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005F0WRB0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=viviaren-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B005F0WRB0">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rocky-mountain-heat-vivian-arend/1030799483?ean=9781609285517&itm=2&usri=vivian%2barend">Barnes & Noble</a> |<a href="http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Rocky-Mountain-Heat/book-Kd2CJLiIOUGbKnYBgOTyjg/page1.html"> Kobo</a>| <br />
<br />
Vivian Arend: <a href="http://www.vivianarend.com/">Website</a> | <a href="http://www.vivianarend.com/blog/">Blog</a> | <a href="http://twitter.com/VivianArend">Twitter</a><br />
<br />
The Six Pack Ranch series was originally published with a small epub. Rocky Mountain Heat in August, 2009, and Rocky Mountain Haven in March, 2010. The reception to the books was very positive, including Haven winning the 2010 EPPIE award for Erotic Western Romance. The publisher then dropped their print program, and because Vivian wanted this series to go to print, she approached her current publisher, Samhain Publishing, and they offered to contract the series. (Pearl: Much to my pleasure! Because this series needs to be in continued and in print!)<br />
<br />
Both book 1 and 2 have been extensively revised, with over 20K more material added to each. A brand new book, Rocky Mountain Desire, was written so that the two rereleases can be followed immediately by a new book in the series.<br />
<br />
Release information for the upcoming Six Pack Ranch books<br />
Book 1: Rocky Mountain Heat: November 15.<br />
Book 2: Rocky Mountain Haven: January 10, 2012<br />
Book 3: Rocky Mountain Desire: March 13, 2012<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><center><b><u>GIVEAWAY!</u></b></center><br />
Vivian has offered two ebooks from her backlist to giveaway with this post. The rules are simple. To enter just leave an answer to the question below and a way to contact you (if it's not included in your profile) in the comments and I'll pick two winners in the course of next week. <br />
<br />
<b>Question: Who is your perfect cowboy? Or if you don't have a perfect cowboy, your perfect hero? ...and he doesn't have to be fictional...</b></span>Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-81841000247189410322011-11-07T08:00:00.002+01:002011-11-13T23:21:14.221+01:00QuickScore-Review: LUCILLE'S LAWMAN by Beth Williamson<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxf8yrEc7Pxqp3PqUxYHrePLXzct-8DzWJrCONzN97EH7SG-EtuVmwNBQXJlqy6OGDtI3hUtK_FV9NCQQWA0AsKYbvnGMsTfhbxASRVv7i8Imhg5-jTNiszd8DJ0oWTrBb28jRGS5qxM/s1600/lucilleslawman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxf8yrEc7Pxqp3PqUxYHrePLXzct-8DzWJrCONzN97EH7SG-EtuVmwNBQXJlqy6OGDtI3hUtK_FV9NCQQWA0AsKYbvnGMsTfhbxASRVv7i8Imhg5-jTNiszd8DJ0oWTrBb28jRGS5qxM/s320/lucilleslawman.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<i><b> More than the law will be tested when a marshal meets a feisty widow. <br />
<br />
Sean Reilly had the bad luck to be assigned the blue marble – the "cursed" marble shunned by the four other marshals in the Arizona Territory. He's sent to take care of a land dispute for a widow named Lucille Quinn. He has no idea just how his life will change because of the dang blue marble. <br />
<br />
Lucille Quinn needs help to settle the matter of some missing cattle. The marshal that arrives is unexpected as he is good-looking. Who is she to deny the urge to pleasure herself and him? What she doesn't expect is to find there's more to the man than good looks and broad shoulders. <br />
<br />
The meeting is by pure chance, the result is pure magic.</b></blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br />
<b>Title:</b> LUCILLE’S LAWMAN<br />
<b>Author:</b> Beth Williamson<br />
<b>Series:</b> standalone<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Historical Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Self-Published<br />
<b>Year of release:</b> 2011, June 27<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
<b>Source:</b> Received an e-copy from author for review<br />
<br />
<b>First line:</b> <br />
"That blue marble is cursed."<br />
<br />
<b>Memorable Scenes:</b> <br />
- Lucille shooting at Sean > awesome! <br />
- scene at the waterfall > oh my hotness! <br />
</i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qse0NE3l9xkyKYlwyP1YsxAjNv8WbAD2WLQ2VEJ9lm87cqClepFnYbJe03FqFjchQnu09bcTFB1oXUcPKxWZqiCg8RM74a72oHfDnyLt33ARXcswPutBm7KVc0a38uisGClmKiMu8D0/s1600/QSC_LucillesLawman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="280" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qse0NE3l9xkyKYlwyP1YsxAjNv8WbAD2WLQ2VEJ9lm87cqClepFnYbJe03FqFjchQnu09bcTFB1oXUcPKxWZqiCg8RM74a72oHfDnyLt33ARXcswPutBm7KVc0a38uisGClmKiMu8D0/s400/QSC_LucillesLawman.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<b><u>QuickScore-Verdict:</u></b><br />
A confident, capable U.S. marshal and a feisty, bossy, blunt widow who have a past together make for some main great characters in this ultra-short 25-page story. The humor in this story was perfect! There were many moments where there was a grin on my face. It's too short for depth or romance but who cares, when it was so hot it set the pages on fire!<br />
<br />
LUCILLE'S LAWMAN is one hot little number. Though I'm not a big fan of historical westerns I must say this tasty little morsel has definitely whetted my appetite for more. <br />
<br />
<blockquote><i><b><u>Favorite Quotes:</u></b><br />
Sean’s annoyance notched up quickly. “Hell no. What you think I can’t perform my duties if it’s hot?”<br />
“No, he’s trying to save you from the Black Widow.” Forrest made some kind of odd gesture with his hands.<br />
“I don’t think I need saving. And just what the hell are you doing?” Reilly stared at the man. This was a US Marshal?<br />
“Warding off evil. She’s a witch, you know. She’s the one who put the curse on that marble. She been nagging us for months about some missing cows.” Forrest picked up his hat from the scarred wooden table top. “I’m leaving before the curse gets itchy for someone else.”<br />
<br />
“Slowly reach down and pull out your badge, and only your badge.” She took pleasure in watching that tanned, long-fingered hand slide down into his trousers. The movement made her nipples pop, which was a bit embarrassing. He didn’t need to know her traitorous body reacted so strongly.<br />
As he moved slower than Mabel, she almost told him to hurry up. He was being careful, and rightfully so because she would shoot him if need be, but hell, he didn’t have to be that careful. By the time he took the badge out and tossed it in her direction, she couldn’t keep quiet any longer.<br />
“I think a spider spun a web near your boot while you were taking your sweet time.”<br />
<br />
“I ain’t gonna stand here with the door open all night. The bugs will think it’s an invite for a feast.” She raised her brows. “You joining me in here or not?”<br />
A small grin played at the corners of his mouth. “Are you inviting me in, Lucy?” <br />
She pursed her lips. “I’m telling you it’s gonna be witch tit cold out there tonight with nothing but coyotes and snakes for company. In here you got a warm woman, a place to lay your head and a night of pleasuring.” </i></blockquote><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-67324809031478394072011-11-04T08:00:00.004+01:002011-11-04T08:00:00.269+01:00ARC-Review: THE DESIRES OF A COUNTESS by Jenna Petersen<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoxsT_L62LA9mvGl9jfMgGHKx0bWeUYkqcpFOXvm2I5SIjPREYQfIYS7XYYFkAOqtMMEDWHi0e7XMZ8pnJfZpabWOZTA8z6OS-rFhntu0mHig9GKWcUyyU_WRwM8qRzjdYYZvCfcK2mo/s1600/thedesiresofacountess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoxsT_L62LA9mvGl9jfMgGHKx0bWeUYkqcpFOXvm2I5SIjPREYQfIYS7XYYFkAOqtMMEDWHi0e7XMZ8pnJfZpabWOZTA8z6OS-rFhntu0mHig9GKWcUyyU_WRwM8qRzjdYYZvCfcK2mo/s320/thedesiresofacountess.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<i><b>After Ginny Blanchard's abusive husband died, she looked forward to a more independent life where she could raise her young son as she pleased. But when Simon Webber is assigned as trustee to her estate and her son's fortune, she feels she must come up with a plan to force him from her life. But she doesn't count on sensual Simon's insistence that he not only take a role in her son's life but in her own. <br />
<br />
But Ginny has dark and terrible secrets that she must hide. Even from the man she loves. And even if it puts her own life in terrible danger.</b></blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br />
<b>Title:</b> THE DESIRES OF A COUNTESS<br />
<b>Author:</b> Jenna Petersen<br />
<b>Series:</b> The Jordans, book 3<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Historical Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Self-Published<br />
<b>Year of release:</b> 2011, October 25<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
<b>Source:</b> Received an e-ARC from author for review<br />
<br />
<b>First line:</b> <br />
"If he comes here, I'll run him out myself!" <br />
<br />
<b>Memorable Scenes:</b> <br />
- Simon and Jack on the stables with the horses > very endearing<br />
- Simon giving Ginny lilacs after their first night together in London > oh so very romantic *sigh* and *melt*<br />
- The reunion scene with Ginny, her sister and her mother > moved me to tears </i></span><br />
<br />
Virginia 'Ginny' Blanchard is Lady Westdale, widow of Henry Blanchard, a drunkard and unfaithful abuser. The only good thing that came from her marriage is her son Jack. Ginny is outspoken, defiant and spirited even though her late husband tried to break her. She is sharp-minded, and guarded but can also be icy and prickly. <br />
<br />
Simon Webber is Henry's cousin and trustee of Jack's inheritance. He is commanding and occasionally rigid but he can also be patient and he’s big on honor and responsibility.<br />
<br />
The chemistry between Ginny and Simon is there instantly yet starts off hesitantly from both sides. Though Ginny tries to conceal her attraction by being hostile and untrusting, she's drawn to his quiet and kind manner. Simon at first doesn't know what to think of Ginny and doesn't understand where her hostility is coming from yet he is drawn to her fiery personality. The romance is built up slowly but in a great way. I was anticipating the moment they would give in to the attraction. Once they did, the sparks came off the pages. <br />
<br />
I was wondering when I would get to see more of the Jordans as I had grown fond of the entire family over the first two books and at that moment the plot took me and Ginny to London and to her estranged family. I liked this development in the story and loved seeing the former couples again. Also, just as I was wondering where Jenna Petersen’s trademark heinous family members would enter the secondary cast, she presented me with Cordelia, Simon’s aunt from hell and Ginny’s horrible mother-in-law. <br />
<br />
The book focuses mainly on the romance between Ginny and Simon but there a tiny plot of exactly what happened when Ginny's late husband died. Subtle hints led me to a certain strain of thought and I was curious to see if I was right. Well I was close but no cigar… As subtle as the suspense was woven throughout the majority of the book, the culmination and wrap-up was surprising and riddled with twists that had me reading with bated breath. Well done, Ms. Petersen!<br />
<br />
I think historical romance readers who prefer their romances without a spy or suspense plot will definitely like this third installment in the trilogy the best. It was wonderfully written and I loved the focus on the romance even if I did miss the thrill of a more elaborate suspense or spy plot, which are there in both previous two books, a bit.<br />
<br />
THE DESIRES OF A COUNTESS is an emotion- and character-driven historical romance with a hint of suspense that was wrapped up in an exciting and satisfying way. I loved the recurring themes of family and duty and love pitted against each other as much as I love Jenna Petersen’s writing style, which is easy and fluent, filled with great dialogue, intriguing characterization and light on extensive descriptions. In short, an author with a style that is very much to my liking and I look forward to more of her work in the future.<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i><b><u>Favorite Quotes:</u></b><br />
Where was this venom coming from? And how could it exist in the guise of such loveliness? He‘d come to Westdale with an open mind, ready to do his duty and assist in any way he could. He‘d expected a brokenhearted widow to greet him. Instead he found this… this… <br />
Fireball<br />
<br />
He rubbed his thumb along her palm and little tingles shot through her body. Like waves they grew from the source until her whole body sang with pleasure.<br />
<br />
Cordelia sputtered as she always did when her poison was met with civility. It was a tactic Ginny had to bite her tongue to use, but it served her well. Later she would be free to ponder all the nasty things she wanted to say to the witch.<br />
<br />
She caught her breath at the tingles created by his mouth. ―Y-yes.‖ <br />
How was she able to talk when she could barely breathe? And what was he doing that was making her vision blur like that? </i></blockquote><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-72795378002189925642011-11-03T08:00:00.008+01:002011-11-03T08:00:05.653+01:00ARC-Review: SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS by Jess Dee<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqyOAcK0yDcJugoPMWdcihiEDwy8OpzEE863-a-62A1rbAk4OSDngH-0MaFZhodsdVZGuM7YIxuy-S-o9ptClQV5XlhduEPUI5lDlm9c1A8WZp_o_OER0C9jfB_9HhKeFOn-YeMy1XxSU/s1600/seeyouinmydreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqyOAcK0yDcJugoPMWdcihiEDwy8OpzEE863-a-62A1rbAk4OSDngH-0MaFZhodsdVZGuM7YIxuy-S-o9ptClQV5XlhduEPUI5lDlm9c1A8WZp_o_OER0C9jfB_9HhKeFOn-YeMy1XxSU/s320/seeyouinmydreams.jpg" /></a></div><i><b>Every girl’s fantasy…one woman’s dream<br />
<br />
Sophie Butler is sure she’s about to lose her much-needed cleaning job. She’s not only walked in on a guest—a violation of her employer’s cardinal rule—but she can’t seem to tear her gaze away from his gorgeous, naked-as-the-day-he-was-born body.<br />
<br />
If all that isn’t bad enough, her usually sensible judgment and behavior are clouded by a nagging sense of familiarity. She knows the man from somewhere, she just can’t quite place him.<br />
<br />
Nathan Pace is certain he’s just lost his jealously guarded anonymity. But hold on…if she’s just another fan looking for a piece of his alter ego, rock star Jamie Speed, why is she blushing six shades of scarlet? And why is he instantly aroused? When he catches a glimpse of her eyes, he knows. She’s the woman who for ten years has haunted his dreams.<br />
<br />
The attraction that flares between them is undeniable—and unstoppable. But getting close means risking Nathan’s secret identity. Just this once, he’d like a woman to fall for the real man, not the press’s version of a celebrity superstar.<br />
<br />
<u>Warning:</u> This may be an erotic contemporary romance, but it does contain a hint of fantasy. And when that fantasy involves erotic dreams about a gorgeous rock star, you know you’re gonna want the fantasy to become reality… </b></blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br />
<b>Title:</b> SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS<br />
<b>Author:</b> Jess Dee<br />
<b>Series:</b> Speed, book 1<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Samhain Publishing<br />
<b>Year of release:</b> 2011, November 1<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
<b>Source:</b> Received an e-ARC from the author for review<br />
<br />
<b>First line:</b> <br />
Shocked all the way down to her toes, Sophie Butler gawked at the man.<br />
<br />
<b>Memorable Scenes:</b> <br />
- the second time Sophie walks into Nathan in his appartment > awesome scene and 'Holy moly' indeed!<br />
- the scene in Nathan's spa/hottub > OMFG!! HOT x 10000<br />
- the concert and Nathan singing for Sophie > moved me to my core</i></span><br />
<br />
Sophie Rose Butler is working as a cleaner to pay off the student loan she took to pay for her psych degree. On the job she walks in on one of the guests and this changes her life in ways she couldn’t have dreamed of. Sophie is outspoken, she blurts out anything that comes to her mind. She’s also spontaneous and down-to-earth.<br />
<br />
Nathan James Pace is wary of stalking groupies who are after his rock star alter ego, Jamie Speed (lead singer of the band Speed) so when Sophie appears in his bedroom at first he’s suspicious but soon the suspicion turns into something entirely different. He’s commanding and a hero after my own heart as he’s talkative (and we all know how much I love my dirty talking heroes…<br />
<br />
The banter between Sophie and Nathan was as enjoyable as the chemistry between them was hot. The sex scenes set my e-reader on fire as they were beyond scorching! Jess Dee writes sex scenes like nobody's business. They are explicit, evocative and luscious. Though this is only the second book I’ve read by Jess Dee, I have quite taken a liking to her writing style.<br />
<br />
There weren’t many secondary characters but it suffices to say that I am intrigued beyond measures by Nathan’s brothers and fellow band members Zachary and Seth and their band manager Luke. As SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS is the first book in the series I am thrilled to know there will be books about the brothers and hopefully Luke too. <br />
<br />
I loved the premise of this book and the execution of said promise. The rock star spiel and the fact that Sophie and Nathan have been seeing each other in their dreams for ten years without ever meeting one another, was an interesting concept and gave this book a fabulous edge that makes it stand out from other contemporary romances. <br />
<br />
From the first word, page and chapter I was drawn into this story and Jess Dee's writing. It's clean, crisp, unapologetic and fast-paced. Just the way I like my contemporary romances. I love how her writing is pure and unembellished and very down to earth while still being hot, emotionally gripping and erotic. The way she combines red-hot heat with the beautiful build up of deeper feelings and love and the depth of her characters is simply mesmerizing. <br />
<br />
I couldn't stop reading and read SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS in one sitting. More accurately, I gobbled this second book I've ever read by Jess Dee up, like a starved pauper at an all-you-can-eat buffet. And I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i><b><u>Favorite Quotes:</u></b><br />
Her body burned. Lust seeped from the point of contact with his mouth, through her arm, into her stomach and lower. It curled in a tight ball between her legs, stirring up an insistent hum of need.<br />
<br />
“I wanted you yesterday at the pastry shop too.” Nathan’s voice drizzled over her like melted chocolate. Sweet, creamy and so damn smooth.<br />
<br />
Look, Sophie, we can’t kid ourselves. I live a million miles away, and I’ll only be in Sydney another two days. But we’re here now, and whatever forces have thrown us together, this feels good now. It feels right.”<br />
If by right he meant tingly all over, shaky with anticipation and desperate to touch, then yes, now did feel right.<br />
<br />
She had no idea whose groan filled the air, but it was low and infused with a desperate cry of hunger.<br />
<br />
“You’re the first guest I’ve walked in on.”<br />
“And your last, I hope.” Jesus. Where did that come from? He had no right to demand anything from a woman he’d met just the day before. Even if she did seem to soothe his soul and fill the emptiness in his heart.<br />
<br />
Nathan’s heart wrenched. His chest ached as he watched her erotic dance. He could fall in love with this woman. He could fall hard and fast and never know what hit him.<br />
That tingle in his spine, that seemed to have been present since he yanked the front door open, multiplied. Electricity chased its way over every nerve ending.<br />
<br />
Lights exploded behind his eyelids, the tingles spread, fingers of electricity snaking up his spine.<br />
He fought it off. Damn, he fought.<br />
Didn’t help. Those lips. That tongue. Her mouth…<br />
<br />
No matter that he’d made love to her in the dressing room a little over an hour ago, he was ready again. He groaned softly. “I’ve got an erection from hell.”<br />
“Yeah? Well, at least it’ll ease in a few minutes,” Sophie grumbled in his ear. “I have to walk around in wet panties for the rest of the night.”</i></blockquote><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UrAoL5svhrAFBJyk6VP1MOPl0v3SVQZMeuJlGQbIQ8VbncoDWBhDfAF8uKD0kbb6cpl2BoVsHtw23Aa6anB7AZgmm4YXbX1ojg6yvifEMHkm9c5zPiYf2PSUv2mT2QY56vcOmsXZ2YM/s1600/RatingPWOR_89.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="269" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UrAoL5svhrAFBJyk6VP1MOPl0v3SVQZMeuJlGQbIQ8VbncoDWBhDfAF8uKD0kbb6cpl2BoVsHtw23Aa6anB7AZgmm4YXbX1ojg6yvifEMHkm9c5zPiYf2PSUv2mT2QY56vcOmsXZ2YM/s320/RatingPWOR_89.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-66147076930432459202011-10-31T20:00:00.002+01:002011-10-31T20:00:04.191+01:00ARC-Review: HEART OF DARKNESS by Lauren Dane<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNW0RlHlWivlwcy1h8E8pa7S9bH1QhCWbVC8ZrAaPnutgJ5KBViGksG_uvLksxuOJvJOp2mdRfHHBjpgFvLPerzLiMO6qgoYTk2zkk6EAZ6TAdRrHkPqrkFaK0mJk2H0L6NqAKuBIBwQQ/s1600/heartofdarkness.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNW0RlHlWivlwcy1h8E8pa7S9bH1QhCWbVC8ZrAaPnutgJ5KBViGksG_uvLksxuOJvJOp2mdRfHHBjpgFvLPerzLiMO6qgoYTk2zkk6EAZ6TAdRrHkPqrkFaK0mJk2H0L6NqAKuBIBwQQ/s320/heartofdarkness.jpeg" /></a></div><i><b> From national bestselling author Lauren Dane comes a white-hot new series of a dangerous family legacy, and sensual paranormal passions played to the death on the knife-edge of darkness… <br />
<br />
Meriel Owen, next in line to control the largest organization of witches in the country, is asked to investigate the owner of a notorious club reportedly siphoning magic from the font of the Clan. It’s a direct violation of the Clan Code of Conduct, but one look at Dominic Bright and Meriel’s willing to make a deal. One taste of the sexually feral outlaw witch, and she’s eager to go further: he’s her bond mate, a legal conduit into the world of Clan witches and their magic. <br />
<br />
Playing by the rules isn’t Dominic’s style, but bonding with Meriel—night after explosive night—is. However, Meriel has unwittingly invited someone else into her world: Dominic’s mother, a dangerous and poisonously influential magic addict whose lust for death and power corrupts all she touches. Now her shadow is closing in on Meriel, her Clan, and the man Meriel loves, and it’s casting them all into the inescapable heart of darkness.<br />
</b></blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br />
<b>Title:</b> HEART OF DARKNESS<br />
<b>Author:</b> Lauren Dane<br />
<b>Series:</b> Bound by Magick, book 1<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Paranormal Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Berkley Sensation<br />
<b>Year of release:</b> 2011, November 1<br />
<b>Format:</b> Mass Market Paperback<br />
<b>Source:</b> Won an ARC at author’s Blog<br />
<br />
<b>First line:</b> Meriel sat, taking notes as her mother spoke from the head of the table. <br />
<br />
<b>Memorable Scenes:</b> <br />
- Dominic apologizing to Meriel after he shut her out when he found out his true heritage > very moving and first time I saw the vulnerability that was lurking beneath Meriel's tough exterior. <br />
</i></span><br />
<br />
Meriel Owen is the witch next in line to lead the Owen Clan, the crown princess so to speak. She is shrewd, compassionate, stubborn and up-front. But she’s also powerful and perceptive. She says what she thinks and though she may have a soft and compassionate side, when necessary she can be tough as nails.<br />
<br />
Dominic Bright is an outclan witch who likes to play on the edge. He’s bold, rebellious, cocky and self-sufficient. He can also be a bit bossy and has enough self-assurance to pull of arrogant without going over the top.<br />
<br />
The chemistry between Meriel and Dominic is scorching and tantalizing. From the moment they met on the page the sparks flew between them. I really liked the dry, subtle humor of both Meriel and Dominic, which made their dialogues interesting and entertaining to say the least.<br />
<br />
Some interesting secondary characters are introduced in this first installment of the series. Some of these characters I’m sure will definitely have their own books further along in the series, others are already at the place where they form a secondary supporting cast for the main couple in HEART OF DARKNESS but also those in future books.<br />
<br />
HEART OF DARKNESS wasn’t all about the romance. It also had some good world-building, it was not too complex but still very intriguing. To me, a reader who is not into too heavy world-building and likes her paranormal romances focused on the romance with the paranormal lightly weaved into it, HEART OF DARKNESS was a great read. <br />
<br />
However I can imagine that readers who like their PNR and UF dark, will find this one too light for their taste. What I also loved about the plot part of HEART OF DARKNESS is that the overall main plot will presumably span several books in this series but this first book definitely had its own rounded plot-arc that will have its place in the overall plot. I really liked how the plot was set up and executed in this first installment.<br />
<br />
I like that no matter what genre Lauren Dane books I read, they always have this distinctive recognizable style I like. With HEART OF DARKNESS it was no different. Her straightforward, direct and unapologetic writing appeals to me in both her contemporary and paranormal settings. I loved the vibe of this book. It had something laid-back and easy about it, but was still exciting, intriguing and compelling. <br />
<br />
What I liked most in HEART OF DARKNESS was the chemistry between Dominic and Meriel, which led to awesome dialogues and some steamy love scenes . Combined with good, clear and not too descriptive world-building and the great characterization of both Meriel and Dominic I just loved reading this book and I look forward to whatever else Lauren Dane has to offer in this series. <br />
<br />
<blockquote><i><b><u>Favorite Quotes:</u></b><br />
Dominic Bright in the flesh was a punch to the gut. A sensory wallop of total and unbelievable hotness.<br />
<br />
She continued her approach, steadying legs that may have buckled had she been a lesser woman, stopping finally when her thighs touched the table. The scent of his magick hung about him like a heavy cloak. And fed her like she’d been starving.<br />
“Mr. Bright, you’ve been a very naughty boy.”<br />
“So I’ve been told a time or two. I take it you’re Clan Owen here to spank me.”<br />
<br />
She was everything all at once but he never felt as if he’d lost part of himself. Just more of something else added to that. She hadn’t made him whole, she’d simply snapped all the missing pieces together and in doing so he was whole.<br />
<br />
This was part of what they were together. Meriel made his blood sing, made his magick rise, made him hard and short of breath. <br />
This was everything.</i></blockquote><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-60842190645811706112011-10-28T08:00:00.002+02:002011-10-28T08:00:03.949+02:00QuickScore-Review: COVER STORY by Olivia Brynn<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROEvgRlefGy5Qgw-acQYlNEuRPC7_wWOSKJZkgYY3ZFY_NLkA3Yvta-la_j-_DNW9qT_SopRLttrLs9M8werArqOpQ4Lx0mmu7sx5PWq1jQ9Mi-oAYHlxA8bfZWUhTOAPFSvJ8k2DLEk/s1600/coverstory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROEvgRlefGy5Qgw-acQYlNEuRPC7_wWOSKJZkgYY3ZFY_NLkA3Yvta-la_j-_DNW9qT_SopRLttrLs9M8werArqOpQ4Lx0mmu7sx5PWq1jQ9Mi-oAYHlxA8bfZWUhTOAPFSvJ8k2DLEk/s320/coverstory.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<i><b> Forty-something divorcée Cate Roberts was always a pushover when it came to her little sister, but agreeing to pose for the cover of Zoe’s romance novel might be taking it too far. Especially when she’s confronted with the male lead, Bo Gaddis. It’s a good thing that Bo is gay, and much too young for her, because Cate could easily see herself falling for the embodiment of every romance lover’s dream man. <br />
<br />
Bo never renounced the rumor that he was gay. In fact, it helped his career, and helped him stick to his strict rule about sleeping with his co-model. That’s about to be tested though, because Cate is everything he wanted in a woman. If only he can convince her that age isn’t a factor, and he’s not only straight, but very attracted to her.</b></blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br />
<b>Title:</b> COVER STORY<br />
<b>Author:</b> Olivia Brynn<br />
<b>Series:</b> standalone <br />
<b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Self-Published<br />
<b>Year of release:</b> 2011, June 22<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
<b>Source:</b> Received a copy from the author for review<br />
<br />
<b>First line:</b> <br />
Cate groaned into the phone.<br />
<br />
<b>Memorable Scenes:</b> <br />
- the photoshoot > hot-hot-hot with awesome sexual tension</i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2WKcHeJmDKrM5kuerGwqR5OlzJmUPVXzNW-uO4HovU9TVX3JrQzPHEtnbR0Z66fsptqoxinQcwBcuZNmhRXWIU4tvWfZxGcfEw65PG57k9wsw4CJi4PhqqEJ6LPxaE8CkUtOB89F7v4/s1600/QSC_CoverStory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="280" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2WKcHeJmDKrM5kuerGwqR5OlzJmUPVXzNW-uO4HovU9TVX3JrQzPHEtnbR0Z66fsptqoxinQcwBcuZNmhRXWIU4tvWfZxGcfEw65PG57k9wsw4CJi4PhqqEJ6LPxaE8CkUtOB89F7v4/s400/QSC_CoverStory.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<b> QuickScore-Verdict:</b><br />
COVER STORY is a very short story (56 pages) but it was an example of great things that come in small packages. I loved Cate and Bo, I loved the plot (shooting a romance novel cover), I loved Olivia Brynn's easy, fast-paced, clean and crisp writing and the trope (cougar) is one of my favorites too!<br />
<br />
My first taste of Olivia Brynn's work, though short, was definitely a blast. I was never that interested in the covers but this book might have made me perk up and pay more attention to them now. And Olivia, any time you want to write a story on Keith, I’ll run to get and read it ;)<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i><b><u>Favorite Quotes:</u></b><br />
"We're going to get pretty intimate in the next few hours." He raised one eyebrow. "I don't like to get naked with a complete stranger."<br />
Keith snorted. "Liar. You'd take your clothes off to order a pizza."<br />
"No one's talking to you."<br />
<br />
Bo laughed. "Keith likes the blonde bombshell beach babes."<br />
"Not anymore." Keith pulled the tie out of his hair and shook it loose. "I've switched to brunette bombshells. They don't break your heart."<br />
Keith grinned. "My body is made to please, but my heart is off limits. That's why it's still intact."<br />
<br />
"Now, we'll start by getting used to me being close to you. Try touching me."<br />
She raised both hands to cover the dark circles of his nipples. Hot. His skin was so warm. She curled her fingers, denting the smooth flesh of his pecs.<br />
"That's right," he growled. "Learn me. Don't be shy. Nothing is off limits to you."<br />
<br />
If his heart didn't slow down, he'd probably have a stroke, and his palms were sweating like a pre-teen at his first dance. For the first time, he'd forgotten his role. Gay model. Women are more comfortable when at their most vulnerable, when the stranger manhandling them is gay. Less pressure. Less fear. He knew that. He'd come to terms with it as part of the job. Ironically, he'd put himself in a closet for these women, but fighting attraction had never been so damn hard.<br />
<br />
"I don't know what you did to me, but I don't think I can walk out of this room without tasting your mouth." (Bo)<br />
<br />
Everything about Bo assaulted her senses to the point of infusing her with an electric jolt of need.</i></blockquote><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-39301325651734166242011-10-26T08:00:00.007+02:002011-10-26T08:00:09.256+02:00ARC-Review: REAL MEN WILL by Victoria Dahl<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHrURUndKvXfWTNHBIov9RbLTkRrYCjZsDq3s7XSvxHXWJXkZ-uCTkIO7_vsFDgg6S11umC51-ohaHgi0oMR5u8FLPq_Tz0Q2rn0m6cotDo2cvnTwp5z9L-G7gj5-w52tpxPkWMboPBI/s1600/realmenwill.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHrURUndKvXfWTNHBIov9RbLTkRrYCjZsDq3s7XSvxHXWJXkZ-uCTkIO7_vsFDgg6S11umC51-ohaHgi0oMR5u8FLPq_Tz0Q2rn0m6cotDo2cvnTwp5z9L-G7gj5-w52tpxPkWMboPBI/s320/realmenwill.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
<i><b> It was meant to be a one-night stand. One night of passion. Scorching hot. Then Beth Cantrell and Eric Donovan were supposed to go their separate ways. That’s the only reason he lied about his name, telling her he was really his wild younger brother. Hiding his own identity as the conservative Donovan. The “good” one. <br />
<br />
But passion has its own logic, and Eric finds he cannot forget the sable-haired beauty with whom he shared one night of passion. When Beth discovers that Eric has lied, however, she knows he cannot be trusted. Her mind tells her to forget the blue-eyed charmer. If only every fiber of her being did not burn to call him back.<br />
</b></blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br />
<b>Title:</b> REAL MEN WILL<br />
<b>Author:</b> Victoria Dahl<br />
<b>Series:</b> Donovan Brothers Brewery, book 3<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> HQN Books<br />
<b>Year of release:</b> 2011, October 25<br />
<b>Format:</b> Mass Market Paperback<br />
<b>Source:</b> Requested an e-ARC for review from publisher through NetGalley<br />
<br />
<b>First line:</b> <br />
Beth Cantrell hadn't thought about him in almost six months. <br />
<br />
<b>Memorable Scenes:</b> <br />
- Cairo and Beth's 'wax talk' > priceless<br />
- scene in the entryway of Beth's house after drinking wine with Beth's dad > OMG beyond hot </i></span><br />
<br />
Beth Cantrell is the manager of erotic boutique the White Orchid. Even though she has this exciting job she thinks of herself as neither cool nor hip or spunky She is self-concious and doesn’t want to be seen as a novelty or held to other people’s standards or expectations.<br />
<br />
Eric Donovan was an interesting character. He is serious, intense and quiet. Controlfreak is an understatement when it comes to describing him and he hates being wrong or ashamed. Eric was a complex character for me. I never really disliked him, but I did not approve how he treated his siblings in their books and in his own book, definitely in the beginning I thought he didn't own up to what he'd done... <br />
<br />
However I did understand where he was coming from. He felt like he had to work extra hard to prove himself and to be the parent to his siblings, always setting the right example and when the opportunity arose to be a little wild and wicked albeit under the assumption of his brother's name and reputation he thought it wouldn't hurt. He's also pretty quick on drawing conclusions and accusing his siblings of stuff without giving them the benefit of the doubt. Not a fine trait to be honest. As I said, Eric was a complex character because on one page I'd have the urge to smack him and on the other I would feel sorry for him and sympathize. <br />
<br />
I read the anthology story in THE GUY NEXT DOOR where Eric and Beth's story started so I was waiting for the confrontation when Beth found out Eric had lied to her. And it was awesome. I loved how stunned Eric was when he realized he was found out and Beth's fury of having been lied to. Sparks flew in that scene and I was looking forward to how this was going to pan out. However in the first part of the book I felt there was more attention given to the sibling bickering and drama because of Eric and Jamie's not so good relationship than there was for Beth and Eric's romance. <br />
<br />
And man, as rude and condescending as Eric was in BAD BOYS DO, Jamie was obnoxious and bratty in REAL MEN WILL, especially in the first part of the book. <br />
<br />
Though I liked this book better than Tessa’s book I didn’t like it as much as I did Jamie’s. Once again I missed the humor, the spark that makes Victoria Dahl's books stand out to me from other contemporary romances. It really wasn’t a bad book and it's well-written as Victoria Dahl knows her brewery/hospitality stuff and the sexy times are hot but when you don't mesh with the characters and you miss the spunky humorous vibe, like me, it still misses the mark a bit. <br />
<br />
<blockquote><i><b><u>Favorite Quotes:</u></b><br />
[…] she suddenly felt as if she’d swallowed a heart that was way too big for her chest. She wanted him to touch her so she could turn to him. At the same time she wanted to edje around him and run away.<br />
<br />
She knew from experience that a first kiss said a lot about how a man would perform in bed. For example, that guy two years ago who’d immediately thrust his tongue down her throat…that had been his level of restraint and subtlety during sex, as well. Foreplay had been something along the lines of “Brace yourself, I’m coming in!”<br />
<br />
Eric swallowed hard. “My office is this way.” He gestured toward the hallway and she glared at his hand as if she wanted to snap it off. <br />
“We might want to stay out here. Whoever you are, you’re less likely to end up dead if there are witnesses.”<br />
<br />
He tried to think of something witty to say. Or something sexy. Or just a few words that might make sense when strung together. But his brain had gone into Neanderthal mode at the husky appreciation in her voice.</i></blockquote><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-73914411352741062682011-10-24T08:00:00.002+02:002011-10-24T08:00:09.120+02:00ARC-Review: IF YOU HEAR HER by Shiloh Walker<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EXXwr8iRcKg7m89q3C4bB_1SabqAUeT5fK08IzgWEMljWv8Og_eZ44ekxigsQszY1UP0zUt-R9ZwbG2y8xSNhjrsM6RrvmMFtymR11Yod_MPaKR1YqTv3gaUaxA5z58YjAgHp3rYHhA/s1600/ifyouhearher.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EXXwr8iRcKg7m89q3C4bB_1SabqAUeT5fK08IzgWEMljWv8Og_eZ44ekxigsQszY1UP0zUt-R9ZwbG2y8xSNhjrsM6RrvmMFtymR11Yod_MPaKR1YqTv3gaUaxA5z58YjAgHp3rYHhA/s320/ifyouhearher.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<i><b> A CRY IN THE WOODS <br />
The scream Lena Riddle hears in the woods behind her house is enough to curdle her blood—she has no doubt that a woman is in real danger. Unfortunately, with no physical evidence, the local law officers in small-town Ash, Kentucky, dismiss her claim. But Lena knows what she heard—and it leaves her filled with fear and frustration. <br />
<br />
Ezra King is on leave from the state police, but he can’t escape the guilty memories that haunt his dreams. When he sees Lena, he is immediately drawn to her. He aches to touch her—to be touched by her—but is he too burdened by his tragic past to get close? When Ezra hears her story of an unknown woman’s screams, his instincts tell him that Lena’s life is also at risk—and his desire to protect her is as fierce as his need to possess her.<br />
</b></blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br />
<b>Title:</b> IF YOU HEAR HER<br />
<b>Author:</b> Shiloh Walker<br />
<b>Series:</b> Ash Trilogy, book 1<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Romantic Suspense<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Ballantine Books<br />
<b>Year of release:</b> 2011, October 25<br />
<b>Format:</b> Mass Market Paperback<br />
<b>Source:</b> Received a digital ARC from author for review<br />
<br />
<b>First line:</b> <br />
Her name was Carly Watson. The final hours of her life were brutal. <br />
<br />
<b>Memorable Scenes:</b> <br />
- Lena and Ezra's first love scene > awesome, awesome scene!<br />
- Ezra's declaration of love > awesome! Not some sappy all-of-a-sudden-in-the-middle-of-nookie epiphany but a heartfelt, almost involuntary, spontaneous outburst<br />
- the stuff that happened after Hope and Lena went shopping > OMG OMG OMG!</i></span><br />
<br />
Lena Riddle, chef at Running Brook Inn. She lost her eye-sight but despite her blindness she is perfectly able to take care of herself. She’s confident, outspoken and quick-tempered. <br />
<br />
Ezra King is a police detective on leave due to an injury on the job. His past involves being betrayed by a woman he loved and trusted both personally and on the job. This leaves him guilt-ridden and untrusting of women. He’s sharp and direct. <br />
<br />
I loved the chemistry between Lena and Ezra. It was hot but still had this laid-back ease about it. That is, until the first love scene...everything they (especially Ezra) were holding back came out full-force and made it a memorable scene. The romance was perfect! The love scenes were sizzling hot and scorching. Ezra was a (dirty) talker and he and Lena were perfectly balanced and matched. What more could I want?<br />
<br />
As is usual in romantic suspense there are a lot of secondary character introductions and quite some walk-ons and mentions. I wondered how many of them will survive to appear or star in future books. While reading and getting introduced to these intriguing characters I kept wondering how it all fit together because I just knew Ms. Walker wasn't introducing these secondary characters and giving them POVs just for the fun of it. <br />
<br />
I really liked how Shiloh Walker inserted the multiple men into Lena and Hope’s lives. Lena had Ezra, Law and Remy. Hope had Remy and Law, though Law was more protective in a friendship kind of way than really smitten with her. I definitely liked how Ezra and Law were circling around each other, scoping each other out while vying for the same woman but again Ms. Walker did an awesome job of keeping it all focused on the main romance.<br />
<br />
The first page immediately grabbed me and I wasn't let go until the very last page. The suspense is gritty as heck. Mind-blowing good! The last few romantic suspense novels I read didn't have the villain POV and reading IF YOU HEAR HER, which does, made me realize once more how much I like that. For me it adds another layer to the suspense, which I like a lot. <br />
<br />
While reading and enjoying this book I was analyzing the different POVs and that of the villain to see if I could deduce who the villain could be...adding suspects to my list, crossing suspects off when the villain's POV would give me little pieces of information that didn't fit certain suspects. Now THAT'S a perfect romantic suspense! <br />
<br />
Shiloh Walker's writing never fails to amaze and captivate me. Her suspense is awesome. Her characters, both primary and secondary, are fleshed out with back-stories and great characterization, giving them depth and likeability (and making them horrifying in the case of the villain). The romance is in perfect balance with the suspense. <br />
<br />
I was at about 65% into this book when a friend asked me what I thought about it as both she and I were anxious for this book to come out and both ecstatic when I got an ARC. When in answer all I could do was make unintelligible sounds and weird sighing and grunting noises I knew this was a book headed to another 5-star/perfect 10 read. Individually the suspense and the romance were awesome! Put together and combined with the characterization, back-stories, intertwined character connections and Shiloh Walker's brilliant emotionally gripping writing style they turned IF YOU HEAR HER into the nearly perfect read for me. <br />
<br />
That is until I got to the end, because when I got there I wanted to kill and hug Shiloh Walker at the same time. The ending could have made this a perfect 10 read but because it did not give me what I wanted, I have no choice but to give this book an almost perfect read stamp. I am not telling what it is that I wanted because that would spoil this book. All I can say is that Shiloh Walker is a brilliant and evil genius when it comes to romantic suspense and the start of this trilogy!<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i><b><u>Favorite Quotes:</u></b><br />
His mouth came down on hers, easy and light, keeping it slow at first. She opened for him and shuddered as he traced his tongue along her lower lip. He tasted like coffee and chocolate cheesecake and man. Delicious.<br />
<br />
Looking at her mouth had him all but drooling for another taste, just like looking at her body had him wanting to touch. No. Forget want. Need. He needed to touch.<br />
<br />
Don’t you “Hello, Lena” me, she almost snapped. She managed to bite it back simply because she didn’t want him to know she’d been looking forward to him calling her . . . like he’d said he would. Bastard.<br />
“You okay, Lena?”<br />
“Oh, I’m just peachy,” she drawled, resisting the urge to cross her arms over her chest. Just the sound of that low, sexy drawl had her body doing bad, bad things—her nipples beaded up, her belly went hot and loose, and her heart was racing. <br />
Sexy, so damned sexy, the sort of voice a woman wants to hear murmuring in her ear during just the right moment— hell, with that kind of voice, any moment would be right.<br />
<br />
“He talk to himself a lot?” Ezra asked, trying to distract himself. It was either that . . . or lean in and press his face against the curve of her neck. She smelled good, something light, almost citrusy, but not quite. Female, and sexy. Completely delicious.<br />
Friends, he reminded himself. They were just going to be friends. F#ck . . . that smell was killing him. He desperately wanted to find the source of it and just start licking it right off her skin.<br />
<br />
[...]and his hands . . .whoa. He could do things with his hands that just might<br />
be illegal in some countries. Then there was his mouth— his mouth could almost put his hands to shame and if she wasn’t careful, she just<br />
might start whimpering in need if she thought about it too much.<br />
<br />
“I started to fall for you that night, Lena. I guess it’s why I backed away . . . maybe I didn’t think I could handle it.”<br />
“And what makes you think you can handle it now?”<br />
“Oh, I’m pretty sure I can’t. But then again if I wait until I can handle things, then I never would do anything,” he murmured, rubbing his lips against hers.<br />
“Things happen when they happen, not when you’re ready for them.”<br />
She sighed against his mouth, a smile curling her lips. “That sounds kind of . . . well, romantic, Ezra. Never would have thought it of you.”<br />
“Hmmm.” Lifting his head, he smiled at her. “Oh, I can get plenty romantic.”<br />
</i></blockquote><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-87245641251491990042011-10-21T08:00:00.002+02:002011-10-21T08:00:00.538+02:00QuickScore-Review: LETTING GO by Dee Carney<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVQ5MS0rAGcpFKfAI_yMkuDzt3AN0N-1471TVlttcpnq5Yu3A8yIGrZVhSPWM-WXUIlQumKg48cjBsHXInKTL-bSU5jwjzt_EadxGXYVYZgC-KEz_RTKh2SHcom_cVh8HuP4QVoOivsM/s1600/lettinggo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVQ5MS0rAGcpFKfAI_yMkuDzt3AN0N-1471TVlttcpnq5Yu3A8yIGrZVhSPWM-WXUIlQumKg48cjBsHXInKTL-bSU5jwjzt_EadxGXYVYZgC-KEz_RTKh2SHcom_cVh8HuP4QVoOivsM/s320/lettinggo.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<i><b> Kane has to convince his best friend Nadine of two things. First, it’s time for her to stop mourning her deceased fiancé. Second – and most importantly – Kane has fallen in love with her. <br />
<br />
Nadine knows if she can move past Justin’s death, the tentative feelings she’s denying Kane will blossom. Only she can’t seem to move on. Desperate, she turns to a psychic for help so she can say the final goodbyes she’d been denied years before. <br />
<br />
For one night, Kane, Nadine and Justin will face the grief threatening to break down a friendship and turn to a love that will make them whole again. </b></blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br />
<b>Title:</b> LETTING GO<br />
<b>Author:</b> Dee Carney<br />
<b>Series:</b> standalone<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Romance, Paranormal Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Noble Romance Publishing<br />
<b>Year of release:</b> 2009, February 12<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
<b>Source:</b> Received an e-copy from author on a dare because I said on Twitter I don’t like romances with ghosts in them.<br />
<br />
<b>First line:</b> <br />
He ignored the silence at their table.<br />
<br />
<b>Memorable Scenes:</b> <br />
- first chapter > starts off with a nice voyeurism scene<br />
- the love scene > heartbreaking, beautiful and hot at the same time</i></span><br />
<br />
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<b> QuickScore-Verdict:</b><br />
Dee Carney sent me this book after I was saying on twitter that I don't like romance novels with characters that are ghosts and that even mentions of ghosts in a back cover blurb will stop me from buying or reading a book.<br />
<br />
I really liked the opening chapter. It set the stage and immediately gave me a great first look into the main characters and their personalities. I still don't like ghosts in my romance but I have to give it to Dee Carney that she wrote a wonderful story and her approach to the whole ghost plotline seemed quite original. I say seemed because obviously I haven't read enough romances with ghosts in them to be able to make a comparison.<br />
<br />
LETTING GO is an emotional coworkers & friends-to-lovers romance that didn’t blow me away but it still worked for me despite the ghost. This says a lot about Dee Carney and her writing skills.<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i><b><u>Favorite Quotes:</u></b><br />
Nadine forked through fluffy grains of arroz con pollo. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on or not?”<br />
“I’ll catch you up even though the blood is leaving my head to race toother parts of my anatomy unknown to you.”<br />
“Kane!” She could let that last bit slide, but having to hear about a growing erection teased her neglected libido. At the same time, it flummoxed her. The anatomy they discussed belonged to Kane, of all people. His grin widened. “I’m just sayin’, if what I say doesn’t make any sense,you know why.”</i></blockquote><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-89946340625989921822011-10-19T08:00:00.002+02:002011-10-19T08:00:03.202+02:00Requested Review: DESTINY CALLS by Samantha Wayland<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaH7KCi5nvxepCBGsUP0CEpLdBwphfrOITJueOgAw1wFlD7Mb2jIt7DSxmwu8NUTG1LEqYfq23d_wqIYcDYR0xVRkF089uNBnBTeYZM5jwq9-rh_12V9rSgNu5GJAA97MUvb5svli5Qsg/s1600/Destiny+Calls+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaH7KCi5nvxepCBGsUP0CEpLdBwphfrOITJueOgAw1wFlD7Mb2jIt7DSxmwu8NUTG1LEqYfq23d_wqIYcDYR0xVRkF089uNBnBTeYZM5jwq9-rh_12V9rSgNu5GJAA97MUvb5svli5Qsg/s320/Destiny+Calls+Cover.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<i><b> Patrick didn’t think it would be a big deal to kiss his best friend Brandon. Hell, they’d done crazier things to avoid a bar fight. He was totally unprepared to be wildly turned on, the kiss opening up new avenues of pleasure he’d never dreamt of—Patrick, after all, was straight, even if Brandon wasn’t. <br />
<br />
Destiny’s never been afraid to ask for what she wants. When she sees Patrick and Brandon together, she knows exactly what she wants—the three of them in bed together, preferably with her in the middle of a hot, naked-man sandwich with her two best friends. <br />
<br />
When Brandon finds himself hunted by an unknown enemy, the three friends find themselves fighting for their lives—and their hearts.</b></blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br />
<b>Title:</b> DESTINY CALLS<br />
<b>Author:</b> Samantha Wayland<br />
<b>Series:</b> standalone (as far as I know)<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Erotic Romance, Contemporary Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Ellora’s Cave Publishing<br />
<b>Year of release:</b> 2011, July 6<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
<b>Source:</b> Received the ebook for review from author<br />
<br />
<b>First line:</b> <br />
He should have just stayed home.<br />
<br />
<b>Memorable Scenes:</b> <br />
- Destiny's little experiment with Brandon > my heart broke for Brandon at his realization that he was alone, had no one who was "his"<br />
- the scene at Patrick's house after Brandon's attack > I teared up<br />
- Captain Sullivan's reaction to Patrick's confession about loving both Destiny and Brandon > gotta love that man! </i></span><br />
<br />
Destiny Matthews is a marketing executive with commitment issues. She’s take-charge, outspoken and tough but she has a soft core and her heart is in the right place. <br />
<br />
This ménage has two heroes. First we have Brandon, who is bi-sexual. He’s also restraint, and stubborn but can be volatile when pushed to far.<br />
<br />
Second we have Patrick who is straight, or at least he’s always thought he was straight until one kiss turns his world upside down. He’s kind, explosive, and outgoing. He’s also quick-mouthed and only shows his sweet side in private<br />
<br />
Brandon and Patrick are both police officers and longtime best friends. Patrick seemed to be the binding factor in this ménage. Both Brandon and Destiny have (secret) crushes on him. Brandon tries to contain his attraction to Patrick and hides his unrequited love in favor of their lifelong friendship. Destiny and Patrick have been lovers off and on but it has always stayed on a sexual level. <br />
<br />
While Patrick is the binding factor that brings them together, Destiny is the glue that keeps them together. She's the calming element when the guys' explosive tempers rear their heads. I clicked most with Destiny and Patrick.<br />
<br />
This is an emotionally complex and intense story. Three lives with their different individual connections to each other are intricately woven together through some major attraction, explosive chemistry and deeply rooted love. Samantha Wayland has made a very good first impression on me. However there were some things that didn’t completely work for me.<br />
<br />
I had a bit of trouble getting into the story but that lasted about a few chapters and had to do with the fact that the story opened with and at first focused on the m/m part of the m/m/f ménage. As known I'm not a m/m romance reader but do enjoy m/m/f romances when the woman is the focal point of the ménage. DESTINY CALLS started with just Brandon and Patrick though and that threw me back for a bit. However once Destiny entered the scene I was completely engaged...And more importantly, the story needed the opening it had as the whole dynamic between the friends and the development of the ménage hinged on it. <br />
<br />
I believed in the Destiny/Patrick and Brandon/Patrick sexual and emotional connections, but in the beginning I had trouble believing in the Destiny/Brandon connection since there was no obvious foundation in something past fond friendship, contrary to the foundations that were present between respectively Brandon and Destiny with Patrick.<br />
<br />
However sex scene wise I believed it all and gobbled it all up once I accepted that Samantha Wayland was going to tell this story as she saw fit and it wouldn't be conforming to my notions of how a m/m/f ménage should be. And the way she saw fit, was the way to go because that was the only way to let the story run its course towards the HEA that I ultimately what want to see in the end. And whatever I might have found not to my liking in this book, it was never the hot, rife with raw emotions, love scenes. <br />
<br />
Next to the intricate and emotionally complex romance there's suspense as well (well duh, Brandon and Patrick are police officers). I started believing it was going to involve the arrest a mob kingpin. But there's also a violent attack on Brandon and this turned out to be the major element in the plot. Though there is a lot happening in this book, the pace was slow and not slow in a bad way, but just not fast-paced compared to everything happening. <br />
<br />
Even though I'm still not a fan of too much m/m action and focus in m/m/f ménages and for me there wasn't enough focus on the female in the triad somehow this book still worked for me because of the raw emotions and emotional struggles that the characters went through to accept each other and all the consequences that went with that. <br />
<br />
After finishing this book it stayed with me for quite some time as I couldn’t exactly form my final thoughts on it. Even though it had that m/m focus I am not fond of, it still made a big emotional impression on me. She definitely pushed some buttons with me and made me think about what I like and don’t like in ménages and I will definitely be looking for more books by Samantha Wayland. <br />
<br />
<blockquote><i><b><u>Favorite Quotes:</u></b><br />
God, Brandon tasted good. Familiar and different. The strength of Brandon’s arms, his sheer size, his flavor and texture. It was like Patrick’s first kiss all over again. A world of discovery in one lip-locked moment. Heat poured through him, thrumming with rough need.<br />
<br />
She sat watching him [Patrick], her heart filled with compassion, her body humming with desire. His face was a mask of confusion and shock.<br />
<br />
Patrick’s tongue stole over his, his lips yielding, responding, working at Brandon’s mouth. Each touch, each parry of Patrick’s tongue sent electric shocks zinging through Brandon’s body. He acquiesced, giving the kiss over while sinking deeper into it. It was so sweet. So good. Patrick ran a thumb over Brandon’s jaw and he let his eyes close, simply losing himself in kissing Patrick.<br />
[...] Three days of jerking off hadn’t even come close to easing the ache. But this. His blood sang on its way south, his head spun from its rapid retreat. Every nerve ending was on full alert, gathering in sensations, swamping him with data.<br />
<br />
He stared at her, achingly aware of his need for her, his desire that couldn’t be spent with one orgasm. Especially since he’d come in his pants like a freaking teenager. Jesus. (Brandon)<br />
<br />
Brandon wanted to reach out, to shout his denial at the loss of contact, but stopped himself. He couldn’t pressure Patrick, no matter how the need beat at him. He had to let Patrick set the pace, even if Brandon wanted to fall to his knees and beg.<br />
Come to that, if he were to fall to his knees in front of Patrick, there were a few things he’d like to do while he was down there.<br />
<br />
She backed toward the door, her hand up. “No. I have to go. Don’t look at me like that! I can’t miss this meeting.” Dropping her hand, she clutched the handle of her briefcase. “I swear to god, Patrick, stop looking at me like that. It’s not fair.”<br />
Brandon covered his mouth with one hand, doing a fairly poor job of hiding his laughter. They both knew what they’d done to her. Jerks. Mouth-watering, hunky, sex-god jerks.<br />
<br />
He knew he should say something to make Brandon believe it would all be worth it, but he didn’t have the words. He had never been more acutely aware that being the one with the big mouth wasn’t the same as being the one who knew the right thing to say.</i></blockquote><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-55634849741204028352011-10-17T08:00:00.004+02:002011-10-17T08:00:09.009+02:00ARC-Review: THE HEART OF A KILLER by Jaci Burton<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQGmF07iKLmqkInWf-X5N82OoS1gFefcP7W-Mgc7TP6eXTjtNYSfD_TJYwCbTRkcZCyHtW9Gv_-ZaewniD_ZXOlfpoPazbuWp_otCmQzmgy-XtSY04MPQYeZSEv59XLa01uz27D25Lw0/s1600/HeartOfAKiller-Med.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQGmF07iKLmqkInWf-X5N82OoS1gFefcP7W-Mgc7TP6eXTjtNYSfD_TJYwCbTRkcZCyHtW9Gv_-ZaewniD_ZXOlfpoPazbuWp_otCmQzmgy-XtSY04MPQYeZSEv59XLa01uz27D25Lw0/s320/HeartOfAKiller-Med.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<i><b> No one said coming home would be easy. But for Dante Renaldi, it's murder. <br />
<br />
Before the Special Forces hero has even unpacked his bags from twelve years of active duty, he's embroiled in murder—corpses bearing the brutal trademark he's seen only once before—on the worst night of his life. <br />
<br />
The last time Detective Anna Pallino saw Dante Renaldi, they were in love. Now, he's part of the connection to a string of fresh homicides and a horrible assault Anna only survived thanks to him. <br />
<br />
More than anything, Anna wants to trust Dante. But as the bodies and the coincidences stack up, Anna will have to decide, and fast: Is the man she owes her life to the very same one who wants her dead?<br />
</b></blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br />
<b>Title:</b> THE HEART OF A KILLER<br />
<b>Author:</b> Jaci Burton<br />
<b>Series:</b> The Killer series, book 1<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Romantic Suspense<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> MIRA Books (Harlequin)<br />
<b>Year of release:</b> 2011, October 18<br />
<b>Format:</b> Mass Market Paperback<br />
<b>Source:</b> Received an ARC from author for review<br />
<br />
<b>First line:</b> <br />
He shouldn't have come home. (chose first line of Ch 1, not the prologue) <br />
<br />
<b>Memorable Scenes:</b> <br />
- the prologue > I was immediately hooked<br />
- the love scenes > there weren't many but those that were there were exquisite<br />
- suspense wrap-up scene > nail-bitingly awesome<br />
</i></span><br />
<br />
Anna Pallino is headstrong and fierce, sharp, tough and tenacious. Ever since the attack 12 years ago she has PTSD-induced panic attacks but she doesn’t let that hinder her in any way. I loved Anna as the heroine of THE HEART OF A KILLER. <br />
<br />
Dante Renaldi is protective and mysterious. I connected more with Anna than with Dante and this was probably because of this air of mystery that surrounded him and the way he kept his feelings close to himself.<br />
<br />
The romance is subtle as the focus in THE HEART OF A KILLER is more on the suspense but the subtlety did bring that perfect balance between romance and suspense I look for in romantic suspense novels. The love scenes are excellently done, though there aren't many the ones that are in the book are plenty sexy because of the simmering chemistry between Anna and Dante. They fit the romance perfectly and follow the characters' emotional path throughout the book seamlessly. <br />
<br />
As usual with romantic suspense, there are quite some secondary characters. They way Jaci Burton used all these characters in the plot was awesome. She really surprised me with some of the twists and choices and I love to be surprised when it comes to secondary characters. Gabe, one of Dante’s foster brothers, especially intrigued me and I hope he'll get his own story in this series. <br />
<br />
The prologue immediately grabbed me and set the pace and premise: gritty and action-packed yet with room for a little romance. Within 50 pages I was totally immersed in the suspense that was brilliantly set up from the start. It was not too mysterious and not too revealing either, giving me enough rope to form suspicions, some of which were spot-on, yet leaving room for some utterly unexpected turn of events. <br />
<br />
This is my first encounter with Jaci Burton's full-length work. I read some contemporary e-novellas some years ago. Since then I bought her backlist as I liked her writing style and I’m so glad my intuition was right. In THE HEART OF A KILLER she does a great job of penning down a romantic suspense with just the right amount of gritty, nail-biting suspense to keep you breathlessly in its grip. Yet, there is the counterbalance of an emotional romance that was built up gradually yet held firm in the turmoil of the suspense.<br />
<br />
As known I read quite some Romantic Suspense and I must say that THE HEART OF A KILLER, though light on the sexy (in terms of quantity...), and subtle on the romance, is engaging in the heart-wrenching emotions and has an awesome suspense plot. Not only the plot itself (serial killer copycatting an accidental manslaughter from 12 years before and now after the people involved) was impressive, but also the execution of it. The way it was written, it kept me in its grip from the prologue, throughout the investigation right to the moment it was all revealed and wrapped up. <br />
<br />
I totally loved this book and I’m now anxiously waiting for the next romantic suspense from Ms. Burton. All the right buttons were hit by voice, writing-style, pace and plot leading the way but romance, trope and heat-level were very close behind them. My first taste of it has definitely left me craving more.<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i><b><u>Favorite Quotes:</u></b><br />
He laid his palm against the door above her head, his body hot and enticing as he stared down at het with sea-blue eyes that made her want to dig her teeth in to his shirt and rip it off, then bury her face in his neck and lick the bead of sweat that had formed there.<br />
<br />
Though she would have clocked other men for grabbing her, she melted against him. Dante’s body was familiar to her. She couldn’t help herself, she had to touch, to test her reaction. She slid her palms along his biceps. Hard muscle and soft skin eased across her hands, making her tingle in places that just flat out never tingled.<br />
<br />
That’s what he wanted. Anna engaged, listening to the needs of her body instead of walking through the motions of sex as if it was a road map. She had a lush, beautiful body that was made to be loved, and he knew she’d either had lousy lovers in the past or she just hadn’t allowed any man to take his time and giver her the attention she deserved.<br />
<br />
Her mouth tempted him, always had. Besides the sassy things that came out of it when she spoke, she had full, sweet lips and she knew how to kiss. She wasn’t tentative about it and she’d always thrown herself fully into a kiss. He loved a woman who did that.<br />
<br />
“Everything I am is here for you to see, to touch, to taste,” he said, rising up to meet her again as he took her hands in his. “I won’t hold anything back from you.” Dam him for his honesty, for letting her see the naked truth in his eyes. His fingers dug into her hips and he dragged her against him again, taking her so close she had to bite down on her lip to keep from catapulting over the edge. <br />
“It’s only fair to give me the same, Anna. Let go.</i></blockquote><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-5464142103623218622011-10-14T08:00:00.006+02:002011-10-14T08:00:06.092+02:00QuickScore-Review: SATISFYING HER TASTES by Keri Ford<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBPRhLj8uMvudS2x_ROlrmm56TZYeztb174SUIjkxzYLNg66NJREkxIxbnL7HhNp5MPYCQtDeMXj3-FeJqbIefBeJKrb487_K1_z3bG-fBzQ8ysgYVsCyW40cQn4qrTPqddSNLPkRkCg/s1600/satisfyinghertastes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBPRhLj8uMvudS2x_ROlrmm56TZYeztb174SUIjkxzYLNg66NJREkxIxbnL7HhNp5MPYCQtDeMXj3-FeJqbIefBeJKrb487_K1_z3bG-fBzQ8ysgYVsCyW40cQn4qrTPqddSNLPkRkCg/s320/satisfyinghertastes.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<i><b> Blondes have more fun? Pfft. Bad Girls have more fun. Rebecca Gabel was accused of being a bad girl and she discovered life was easier (and more fun!) to live up to the reputation than try to deny it. But now with a new comer who’s taking her up on her suggestions, Rebecca is a little out of her element. There’s talking the talk…and then there’s having to walk it.<br />
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Grant Iverson recently inherited land from his mother, so he’s arrived in Apple Trail, Arkansas to check the place out and see if there are any treasures hidden there. What he doesn’t expect to find is a woman full of curves and a mouth of pure sin, but whose eyes reflect nothing but curious innocence.</b></blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br />
<b>Title:</b> SATISFYING HER TASTES<br />
<b>Author:</b> Keri Ford<br />
<b>Series:</b> Uninhibited in Apple Trail, Arkansas – book 5<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Turquoise Morning Press<br />
<b>Year of release:</b> 2011, August 26<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
<b>Source:</b> Bought via the publisher’s eBookstore<br />
<br />
<b>First line:</b> <br />
“You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”<br />
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<b>Memorable Scenes:</b> <br />
- Scene at the pond > hot and kind of a turning point</i></span><br />
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<b> QuickScore-Verdict:</b><br />
Two people with totally opposite romantic goals (Rebecca wants to flirt it up and have some sexy fun, Grant wants to settle down and calm his cavorting ways) end up finding what they didn't know they wanted in each other. Bad boy wants to go good, good girl wants to go bad.<br />
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I loved this installment of the Apple Trail series and enjoyed Rebecca and Grant but it was not the best of the series for me. The middle part seemed to stay on the surface a bit...not going deeper into the layers of Grant, Rebecca and their budding relationship. The end however gave me what I was looking for, but it seemed as if I missed an important chunk of the story before the final few chapters.<br />
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Reading this book once again made me look at the trap of having too high expectations. I loved the previous books a lot and built my expectations of this book on them, which is why I think it fell a little bit short for me<br />
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<blockquote><i><b><u>Favorite Quotes:</u></b><br />
Damn.<br />
No. She blinked and dragged her chin off her knees. Not just damn, but day-um. Tall. Tanned. Tattooed. Shaved head down to a dark shadow over his head. Black grease smeared over his white tank that just barely—oh, what the hell—that wasn’t even coming close to hiding rippling, pouring, drool worthy muscles of his chest and abs and holy hell, look at those thighs in those jeans.<br />
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If being wrapped in and around this warm wall of rock was any indication, she would certainly forget for a bit and have loads of memories to take home.<br />
Very, very good memories. Like how being pressed to his rippled, chiseled chest and abs caused her thighs to tingle and tighten. His rock hard chest was unforgiving against her sensitive nipples. His hips rocked against her pelvis. He didn’t merely kiss her with his mouth, he kissed her with his body. Where their skin touched, delicious tingling sensations chilled and heated her all at once.<br />
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She shimmied her shorts off her hips and gravity took them and his eyeballs from there down the curves of her legs to the ground.<br />
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Grant was coming toward her. Water splashed around his knees…then thighs as he walked toward her full of purpose. She shuddered, thinking of his purpose on that four-wheeler ride. Every. Long. Hard. Thick inch of purpose in his jeans that had been sandwiched to her ass through every bump and hole on the trail. She swallowed and dipped lower in the pond to cool off.<br />
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“You whimper. You cry. You get choked. You arch and your legs twitch against mine. Your hips rock into me hard enough I’m about to come in my shorts. Your head falls back and your lips thrust up. You are a sexy woman, Rebecca and not because of some damn rumors I’ve never heard of before. It’s all you. So yeah, shh and let me hear you. Listening to you get hot for me is one of the best things I’ve ever heard in my life.”<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696467911899848245.post-75943768157491160142011-10-13T08:00:00.002+02:002011-10-13T08:00:06.347+02:00Requested Review: WITH NO REMORSE by Cindy Gerard<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwzdA0Vdmt1rq26ruaObeFln8FnUoObEIfJ7vehXLObewICReQ1mrwWxTeFrdIPNHcu7LEIScDpbobf1KNZPoeSqF3FQiWv-4AbjPCaaevFFkG4Dxl1ZXqf-yxqPBC61EKLY8QRwYfss/s1600/withnoremorse.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwzdA0Vdmt1rq26ruaObeFln8FnUoObEIfJ7vehXLObewICReQ1mrwWxTeFrdIPNHcu7LEIScDpbobf1KNZPoeSqF3FQiWv-4AbjPCaaevFFkG4Dxl1ZXqf-yxqPBC61EKLY8QRwYfss/s320/withnoremorse.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
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<i><b> Black Ops, Inc. operative Luke –Doc Holliday– Colter is taking some much needed down-time, making his way across the Peruvian Andes via rail, when banditos attack the moving train in the midnight hours. It soon becomes apparent that robbery is not their intent but the abduction of super model Valentina, who is traveling incognito while recovering from a public scandal involving her ex-husband, high profile US Senator, Marcus Chamberlin. <br />
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Luke whisks Valentina off the train in a daring escape but the two of them become the targets of a relentless manhunt. Enlisting the aid of Luke's BOI teammates, they soon discover that Val’s intended abduction is linked to a plot put in play by an international gun smuggling alliance. The BOI team led by Luke, with Val along as a necessary pawn, must race halfway around the world to thwart a ruthless attack that would not only result in a devastating loss of life but destroy a tenuous peace the US and her allies have established in a vastly unstable part of the world.</b></blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br />
<b>Title:</b> WITH NO REMORSE<br />
<b>Author:</b> Cindy Gerard<br />
<b>Series:</b> Black Ops Inc., book 6 <br />
<b>Genre:</b> Romantic Suspense<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Pocket Books<br />
<b>Year of release:</b> 2011, July 19<br />
<b>Format:</b> Mass Market Paperback<br />
<b>Source:</b> Received an ARC from author for review at RWA Nationals in NYC<br />
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<b>First line:</b> <br />
Luke Colter's number one rule of self-preservation: Don't ignore the itch.<br />
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<b>Memorable Scenes:</b> <br />
- Luke and Val's escape from the bad guy shooters on the mules > I was holding my breath and at the same time thinking 'Doc makes a sexy cowboy' </i></span><br />
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Luke 'Doc Halliday' Colter is charming, gentle, protective and witty. <br />
Lately he’s been questioning his job, whether he should keep doing what he does (coincidentally Wyatt was thinking the same in the previous book.). Then on the way home from his holiday during his one break per year, he runs into trouble and cannot stop his protective instincts from kicking in.<br />
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Hollywood star actress Valentina (Val) is sarcastic, tenacious and sassy. She’s trying not to depend on or need men for her happiness and safety as all they've done is hurt and use her but circumstances drive her right into the arms of knight in shining armor, Luke. Colter Good thing he's a good guy and a former Navy SEAL. When Luke prevents the kidnapping of Valentina during a train ride on one of the last days of his 2-week leave from BOI, they escape to Buenos Aires where the other BOIs join in to find out who is after Val and why.<br />
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The love scenes are hot and I love how Cindy Gerard keeps them original and fresh in every installment and how every romance is unique to the main characters at hand. I also liked the element in the romance where Val is the big movie star Luke had a crush on when he was younger. It gave the romance something extra, making it yet again different from the other romances in the series.<br />
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In this book there are some introductions of interesting secondary characters that were added to the original BOIs and with this series ending after the next book I'm hoping Cindy Gerard is going to start a new series with these men. My interest was definitely piqued by not only former naval pilot Brown but also the guys assigned to protect Val, Santos in particular. <br />
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The plot of WITH NO REMORSE takes us from Peru via Argentina to the USA and Sierra Leone and takes place almost a year after the end of RISK NO SECRETS and within 10 pages I was in the middle of exciting action and ready to enjoy Doc's story to the fullest. If there were things that should be noted in the less positive column of this review it would be that the references to movies/TV shows were cute but I'm not sure it doesn't date the book and Val's constant references to Luke as Indiana Jones started to become bothersome at one point. <br />
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Again Cindy Gerard created a different, unique plot for an installment of this great series. I also suspect the plot of the next book has it’s origin in the end of this one and I also think the overall wrapping up of a story line that started in SHOW NO MERCY (book 1) and was deepened out a little bit in the previous book (RISK NO SECRETS), was being geared up in this one for the next book as well. I love that! <br />
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Though I'm normally not quick to figure out the plots I must say the one in this book I had my finger on it from the start, knowing who was involved and why. And because I'm not the best at guessing these things in the romantic suspense books I read I think it's safe to say Cindy Gerard took the predictable and easy road there. However, despite the predictability the suspense still kept me at the edge of my seat as reading how the BOIs take down the bad guys is still a sight to behold and in the end there were some twists I didn't totally see coming. Those last 60-80 pages were breathtaking and awesome and totally in line with what I'm used to in this series. <br />
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Cindy Gerard writes mesmerizing romantic suspense. The balance in the mix between the suspense and romance is perfectly done and once I start reading a BOI book I just can't stop because when it's not the plot keeping me on the edge of my seat, it's the romance making me keep reading on thinking 'just one more page, one more chapter.'<br />
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WITH NO REMORSE is another great installment in this series and I'm sad to know that the next book is the final one. I've truly fallen in love with this series and Cindy Gerard's writing. I'm running out of words to describe how much I love the romantic suspense that Cindy Gerard writes. She blends mind-blowing military stuff with edge-of-your-seat suspense and hot, satisfying romance together so well, her books are highly addictive and impossible to put down once you start them. When I think Romantic Suspense I think Cindy Gerard!<br />
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<blockquote><i><b><u>Favorite Quotes:</u></b><br />
And when he undid the buttons of his shirt, then whipped it off and handed it to her with a clipped, “Cover up with this”, her argument lost its steam. <br />
That wasn’t all she lost when she was suddenly face to face with the lean, muscled breadth of his chest. Her power of speech took a hike as she sat like a mute and stared.<br />
<br />
Luke took a moment to grieve for his balls, which were taking a hammering on the boniest backbone he’d ever had the misfortune to straddle. But when a barrage of automatic weapon fire cracked across the ground beside them, the state of his balls took a backseat to the danger to Valentina’s life. <br />
<br />
Luke was going insane. <br />
Break-out-the-anti-psychotic-drugs, dust-off-the-lobotomy-kitts, and lace-up-the-straitjackets insane. All this lush, sexy woman pressed against him was more than he could take. <br />
<br />
Well, hell. He wasn’t gone yet. To make certain she understood that, he strode straight to the bed, leaned down, cupped her nape in his palm, and pulled her up to him. Then he kissed her like tomorrow might not come and he wanted to experience every nuance, every sigh, every sweet wanton response from the mouth that he wasn’t sure he could ever get enough of.<br />
<br />
He made love to her with a tenderness he hadn’t known he was capable of expressing. With a reverence that he hoped showed her that this wasn’t about sex. This was about communion. This was about seekers who hadn’t even known they’d been searching. About lost souls who had defied fate and found themselves in each other.<br />
<br />
Everything had seemed clear in the intimacy of the night, in the heat and intensity of the most profound emotional and sexual experience of Luke’s life. <br />
Then morning, the bitch, showed up and muddied the waters again.<br />
<br />
“Now let’s try that again. Ask my wife nice,” Reed ground out, butting his chest against Luke’s, “and maybe I’ll let you sleep in the same bed as your teeth tonight.”<br />
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“You’re my heartbeat, Val. You’re my reason for being the man I need to be. With you, anything’s possible. Without you…without you, I’m not the man I want to be.</i></blockquote><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/MaggieBdC/NEWPWORDESIGN/Signature.jpg" />Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com2