TBQ'S Book Palace: 05/01/2012

Thursday, May 31, 2012

[NOR + ARC Review]: "Chaos Burning"

Edit Post

Chaos Burning by Lauren Dane

Publisher: Berkley (June 5, 2012)

Series: Bound by Magick, 2

Genre: Paranormal Romance

From the “always fabulous Lauren Dane”* comes her new novel of a treacherous family legacy, a temptation just as dangerous, and an evil so depraved it can only be spoken of in whispers…

The life of Lark Jaansen, hunter in Clan Gennessee, has been shaped by violence and unrest—and it defines her future. Well-trained and resilient, she’s met her militaristic match in Simon Leviathan, a warrior not of this world. Locked in mutual admiration, and a desire so hot it burns, Lark and Simon have something else in common: they love the dark, and as a shadow is cast over their world, they’re each coming into their own.

A mysterious war has been waged among the Others. As witches and humans turn against each other, as faes retreat in fear, and as vampires rise, Lark and Simon discover that an unseen force is behind it. A single, hungry entity older than recorded history has returned to gorge on the magick of his victims. He is the Magister, nothing less than the end of time. Finding him is Lark and Simon’s first hope. Surviving him is their last.

Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle | BN | NOOK

More Info:

Author's Site | Booke Site | Excerpt

Other Books in the Series:
Click on the covers to buy from BN; the title links to the book's page on the author's website.

Book 1: Heart of Darkness

My Review:

Chaos Burning was my first time sampling Lauren Dane's work. I've seen her various books for years, have put many on my list, but this paranormal of hers is the first one I've ever read. My feelings upon finishing the book were a bit...uncertain. In my opinion, it was only an 'okay' read. That is, it wasn't one of those books that you can't put down, but it also wasn't a book that left a bad taste in my mouth. Instead, it was just, well, average. And that's not necessarily a bad thing!

Lark Jaansen, our heroine for this journey, is definitely a tough gal, no doubt about that. She knows how to handle herself, and her job, as well as protect and defend those around her. And that's great—there's nothing I love better than a strong heroine. But it's not just physical strength that I look for, and while Lark had plenty of that, as a character, I personally didn't feel that she was a well-rounded one. She was a bit flat, and while I wasn't ready to kick her to the curb, I also wasn't ready to call her my new BFF. And that's a bit of a disappointment for me.

Simon Leviathan's an alpha male, a Lycian who has been alive for over 600 years. He's turned more than a few heads during his time, but he's never met his mate, the one he wants to mark as his—until he begins to work with Lark. Suddenly the only thing he wants to do is take her, claim her, show the world—and his pack—that she's his, and always will be. But she's not going to give herself over without first getting to know him, including learning what saying “yes” entitles.

Although usually I'm all for sexy alpha males (especially shapeshifters of any kind), Simon was about as flat as Lark, and in the end I wasn't dying to chase her off and take him for myself. Again, another disappointment, as I think falling for the hero is one of the best things that come from reading romance novels. I was simply left wanting more from the characters, Simon and Lark especially. If I don't absolutely love the hero and heroine, it's hard to truly enjoy the rest of the book. Perhaps that's just me though...

The world building and fantasy action going on in Chaos Burning was pretty good. But as this is the second in this series, and only the first one that I have read, I felt like I was missing a lot of critical information, things that make the story smoother and more enjoyable to read. In that case, perhaps if I had simply read the series in order, I may have liked it better and gave it a higher rating—who knows? Either way, I think it's best to start this series from the beginning, just in case.

3 STARS! Although it didn't blow my mind, Chaos Burning was still a likeable enough paranormal romance, one with plenty of fantasy creatures (from witches to shapeshifters to Fae of all sorts) and even a good deal of steamy loving! I can't say that I didn't like the book—I did. But it just didn't grab my attention, and what should have taken me but a day or two to read turned into almost a week. For this reader, it wasn't a hit, but it also wasn't a failure by any means. I will still be recommending this book to others, and I'll still come back and try another Dane novel in the future. But for now, this one was just “okay” and I was hoping for a “wow”.

~~~

Thanks to Night Owl Reviews, where I received this ARC for free in exchange for reviewing the book. (Free book does not equal biased review, however!) This review is the property of NOR.
~~~

Enjoy!

Until Next Time,

*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

Labels: 3 Stars, ARC copy, Fantasy, Magic, NOR, Own, Paranormal, Review, Romance, ShapeShifters |

0 Comments

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Pen-Pals for Book Lovers --- Anyone Interested?

Edit Post

Hi everyone!

A few weeks ago, my closest friend and I decided to bring back the hand-written letter. Well, at least between us. We've been writing letters back and forth ever since (2 each, so far).

Is it speedy, like texting, emailing, or using Facebook/Twitter? No. Do we often have to wait over a week for a response? Yes. Is the "news" in our letters sometimes outdated? Sure.

But, to be honest with you, it's the most "fun" we've had in a looong time. Well, I think so, and since she hasn't complained to me (yet!), I'm guessing that she thinks so as well. :)

There is simply something about letter writing that cannot be appreciated or understood via the other, more modern, ways of communicating. It's...oh, just a great feeling, waiting for a letter to come, opening it and reading what the person wrote--actually wrote, not just typed. It's too bad that very few people do this anymore, and those that do, well, let's be honest, it's not usually the younger generations. :)

But I want to change that!

Around the time that my pen-pal journey started with my friend, I also had an idea. Many of us, I know, live in areas where there are few, if any, fellow book lovers around (for the genre we read, at least). That is why many, including myself, have turned to the Internet, where fellow readers abound, and they too are looking not only for good books, but people to discuss them with.

And while I've met a ton of great people online, and had more then a few good chats, often it's hard to keep up with Tweets to a dozen different people at once. Or have a real conversation in the comment section of a blog. (Though both ways are still a good way to talk, don't get me wrong!).

And then it hit me--what about a pen-pal program for book lovers?

Maybe I'm odd, but I would totally joining such a program! {And by the way, if there is one out there, and I'm totally clueless to it, please let me know, I've been wrong before!}

My question today is how many of you would be interested in such a program?

Update: Since I've seen a fair amount of positive feedback so far...

What would you name this program? :) I'm going to start working things out so the fun can begin, but I need a little help with a name. What do you think?

Enjoy!

Until Next Time,

Labels: Discussion, Random Stuff |

12 Comments

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

"The World is a Stage" Winner!

Edit Post

A big thanks to the lovely Tamara Morgan for stopping by again--I loved your post and I loved the books! :)

Now, on to the winner!

Erin F!

Congratulations, Erin! I will be emailing you later this morning to get your contact information. You have 48 hours to reply back or another winner will be chosen (as per the original rules). :)

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and entered, as well as those who helped to spread the word!

Enjoy!

Until Next Time,

Labels: Contest Winner |

3 Comments

[Review]: "Fated"

Edit Post

Fated by Alyson Noel

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (May 22, 2012)

Series: Soul Seekers, 1

Genre: YA Fantasy

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Immortals, Alyson Noël, comes Fated—a breathtaking new saga brimming with magic, mystery, and an intoxicating love story that will steal your heart away. Meet The Soul Seekers.

Strange things are happening to Daire Santos. Crows mock her, glowing people stalk her, time stops without warning, and a beautiful boy with unearthly blue eyes haunts all her dreams. Fearing for her daughter’s sanity, Daire’s mother sends her to live with the grandmother she’s never met. A woman who recognizes the visions for what they truly are—the call to her destiny as a Soul Seeker—one who can navigate the worlds between the living and dead.

There on the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico, Daire sets out to harness her mystical powers. But it’s when she meets Dace, the boy from her dreams, that her whole world is shaken to its core. Now Daire is forced to discover if Dace is the one guy she's meant to be with...or if he’s allied with the enemy she's destined to destroy.

Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle | BN | NOOK

More Info:

Author's Site | Book Site

My Review:

Alyson Noel kicks off a new paranormal series, one that revolves around Native American myths and magic. Fated begins the story of Daire's journey to not only find out who she is, what she can do, but also what her destiny is—to prevent Coyote from throwing off the balance of life and turn their world into chaos. The battle for the souls has begun, and only Daire has the power as Seeker to stop it. But is she strong enough to do it?

First, may I just say that I absolutely love the cover for Fated? I know, I know, covers shouldn't matter, but I'll proudly admit it—I'm a cover whore! :) The prettier/sexier/yummier, the better! And Fated is just gorgeous; I'm tempted every time I pick it up to stroke it....

But back to the book itself. :)

I already knew that Alyson Noel has a real talent for writing fantasy novels, and she proves it yet again in the debut for her new Soul Seekers series. The writing is done nicely, and the story is interesting, allowing the reader to journey into the book easily, not wanting to come out until the very end!

I really loved this book because of the interesting fantasy elements we get. The magic and spirit animals, all based on Native American myths, added a unique spark to the story. I love Native American myths, so needless to say

I knew I was going to like this book!.

Daire's character is likeable, and easy to relate to. She wants to find where she belongs, what it's like to have a home and a purpose—and by the end of Fated she realizes that she's finally found one through the help of her grandmother, Paloma. I was glad to see that Daire never fell for the fake glamor of Hollywood, and she wasn't one of the hundreds of girls that just want to fit in with the popular crowd—by whatever means necessary. Instead, she was proud to be herself, even when that meant being seen as the outcast, the loner. I respected her for that, and enjoyed her story all the more because of it!

4 STARS! A wonderful start to what is no doubt going to be another great series by Alyson Noel, Fated brings a new twist to the YA paranormal genre! I cannot wait to see what happens next, as Daire's journey is only just beginning. She has a lot to learn, a lot to do, and I will definitely be coming back to see how she manages everything. Besides the great fantasy element, Fated also has a good dose of romance, sweet but with the promise for more. I'm curious to learn more about Dace's character, his skills, and his destiny, and to find out more about how and why they are fated to be together!

~*~*~*~

I received this ARC from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.
~*~*~*~

Enjoy!

Until Next Time,

Labels: 4 Stars, ARC copy, Magic, Own, Review, Teen Fantasy |

0 Comments

Sexy Snippets (4): "One Naughty Night"

Edit Post

Tuesdays have never been so sexy!

Sexy Snippets is a weekly feature hosted by Reading Between the Wines for the 18+ crowd. To join in visit this week's Sexy Snippets post on RBtW!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Okay, so this one is more like a "passage" than a "snippet". So sue me. LOL.

One Naughty Night by Laurel McKee

With a groan, his mouth opened under hers, and his arms came hard around her body, lifting her against him. His tongue pressed past her open lips to touch and tangle with hers.

It wasn't a soft, tentative kiss, a gentle seeking. Aidan devoured her, his lips and tongue and teeth seeking out every part of her, claiming her, possessing her. And she wanted it, wanted more. It was as if his taste intoxicated her, and something white-hot exploded inside of her. She felt him press her back tightly against the shelf, bracing her there as he lifted her higher against his body.

Her skirts fell back in a ruffled froth as she wrapped her legs tightly around his lean hips and let herself fall completely into his hungry kiss. She shoved his coat away from his shoulders and dug her nails into his linen-covered back.

"Lily," he groaned. His lips tore away from hers, and she cried out in protest, only to moan as his mouth trailed down the arch of her neck, his tongue tasting her skin. He licked and nipped at her, until her head fell back and her fingers drifted into the waves of his hair to hold him to her. He bit down hard on the sensitive spot between the neck and shoulder.

Mmmm.....I'll take her spot anyday! :) A good writer can make a reader pant with nothing but some very passionate kissing. I can't wait to see how things heat up when they finally...*ahem* ;) Great book so far, loving it!

Now it's your turn--show me your sexy! :) And be sure to read the other Sexy Snippets for this week.

Enjoy!

Until Next Time,

Labels: Sexy Snippets |

2 Comments

Monday, May 28, 2012

Blog Tour: Guest Post w/ Lauren Hawkeye

Edit Post

Lauren Hawkeye is a writer, theatre enthusiast, knitting aficionado and animal lover who lives in the shadows of the great Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada.

She’s older than she looks—really—and younger than she feels—most of the time—and she loves to explore the journeys that take women through life in her stories.

Where to Find Lauren:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Why I Write + What I Write

I am very open about the fact that I am a writer. I used to be shy about it, but I have worked through it.

I still do blush when I tell people what I write, however. Romance? Well, enough people shake their heads at that. Nobody reads romance novels, do they? And erotic romance? Forget it. That’s just depraved… not to mention those aren’t real books.

Not many people ask me why I write what I write, however. I wish they did. This past weekend a friend told me that she hadn’t discovered romance novels until several months after her first child was born, when she was going a little crazy. She told me that they offered her a much needed escape from the stresses of real life—and let’s face it, we all have that stress! Isn’t that why most of us turn to romance novels? No matter what the story is, we know one thing—the hero and heroine will end up together.

Writing a romance isn’t much different. It’s an escape for me. I don’t have a hard life by any means, but with a slightly more than full time day job, writing and a toddler I need a break from time to time—and the worlds in my stories are mine, mine, mine until I choose to share them. Adding a steam factor just adds to the enjoyment for me. Plus, as a writer, I find that sex is a great vehicle to navigate plot and character.

What about those of you out in blogland? Why do you read romance novels? Do you like steamy one or more chaste ones? I’d love to know what drew you to them in the first place!

~Lauren Hawkeye

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

My Wicked Gladiators by Lauren Hawkeye

Publisher: Avon Red (June 5, 2012)

Genre: Historical Erotica

Alba has spent her entire life pleasing others.

As an upper-class plebeian woman in Ancient Rome, that is her place in life. But when her husband Lucius, the owner of aprestigious gladiatorial school, uses her body as a bargaining tool to increase his fortunes, she is faced with doing as he demands, or finding herself on the street.

Forced to lay with masked gladiators chosen by Lucius, Alba is surprised to discover pleasure in being powerless. Only in the forbidden arms of Caius and Marcus does she find comfort, however temporary it may be.

But with Lucius’ demands looming and the threat of death for her gladiators ever-present, will Alba’s fleeting pleasures be enough? Or will Alba finally grab hold of her happily ever after, no matter the consequences?

Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle | BN | NOOK

More Info:

Author's Site

Read my review for My Wicked Gladiators--I really enjoyed this very sexy, and unique, story! :)

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Thanks for stopping by, Lauren! I loved your post and I really enjoyed your book-- I hope that you write more like it soon! :)

Thanks to Bewitching Book Tours for hosting this tour and allowing me to participate and review. :)

Enjoy!

Until Next Time,

Labels: Blog Tour, Guest Post, Lauren Hawkeye |

1 Comments

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Lusting for Covers (74)

Edit Post

Lusting for Covers is a weekly meme, held on Sunday, that allows bloggers to share their current cover obsession with fellow book lovers.

This meme is hosted by TBQ @ TBQ's Book Palace.

To view complete instructions on how to participate, as well as grab the HTML code for the graphic, see this page first!

Once you are ready to join the fun, please fill out Mister Linky below with your name/blog name and the direct link to your Lusting for Covers for this week!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Here's my candidate for the week:

Demon's Curse by Alexa Egan

Publisher: Pocket Books (December 26, 2012)

Series: The Immortal Brotherhood, 1

Genre: Historical/Paranormal Romance

A fast-paced and captivating debut—the first in the dark and sexy Imnada Brotherhood series about shape shifters in Regency-era England.

A rising star on the Covent Garden stage, Bianca Parrino believes she has everything she wants. Independence. Wealth. And a life finally free of her violent, abusive husband. But when her close friend, Adam, is murdered and Bianca is suspected in his death, she is unwittingly drawn into the search for his killer and soon must question everything she believes—about her friend, about herself, and about a world she never knew existed.

A member of the mysterious race of shape-shifting Imnada and part of an elite military unit, Captain Mac Flannery gathered intelligence during the Napoleonic wars. As a result of a savage massacre, Mac and the men he served with are cursed. Now one of them has been found murdered, and Mac suspects the existence of the Imnada has been discovered at last. His only link to unearthing the truth is the beautiful actress who turns up unexpectedly at Adam’s funeral.

Before long, Mac has more to contend with than Bianca’s overt mistrust, his ill-fated attraction to the haughty and beautiful actress, and his ongoing search for an end to the curse. Because Adam’s killer is back, and Mac is next on his list.

Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle

More Info:

Author's Site

Why?
In a way, it's simple, and I like that.

Plus, you know, the whole naked man-chest doesn't hurt. :)

And the fact that it's about Shifters set in historical times? Yum! Count me in! :D

Labels: Lusting for Covers |

8 Comments

Friday, May 25, 2012

[Blog Tour Review]: "My Wicked Gladiators"

Edit Post

My Wicked Gladiators by Lauren Hawkeye

Publisher: Avon Red (June 5, 2012)

Genre: Historical Erotica

Alba has spent her entire life pleasing others.

Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle | BN | NOOK

More Info:

Author's Site

My Review:

Sex. Lies. Power. Blood. Orgies. Gladiators. Ah, the fun times of Ancient Rome! :)

My Wicked Gladiators is definitely not the book for the faint of heart. The sex is very explicit, involves some rough play, menage action, as well as some m/m scenes. To be honest, it's not usually the sort of book that I go for. But I was intrigued by the setting (Ancient Rome) and the cover is simply to die for. So I took a leap, stepped out of my comfort zone. And I'm glad I did. Because even though, yes, I had a few small problems with the book, over all I really enjoyed Lauren Hawkeye's newest release, and I will be looking for her other books!

This book is a bit unusual because instead of being told from the third person POV, it's from the first person—the heroine, Alba. And while I think having it told purely from her POV was needed to show how much she changed over the course of the book, how she was fighting to get her own freedom and desires fulfilled---I do wish that we had at least seen a few scenes from the “heroes” POV. Instead, Marcus and Caius came across as very flat and seemed more like the sex-toys for Alba that the rest of society saw them as. I didn't like this, as I wanted to like Marcus and Caius, and I wanted to know a bit more about their relationship with each other, their past lives and their characters. Instead, we see only the little bit that Alba learns about them.

Obviously the time period that My Wicked Gladiators is set in wasn't the best time for romance and free will. Slavery was rampant, screwing everyone around you purely because you could was common place, and the class levels in the society were very strict. Sticking true to the time and the way that things we run creates a slight problem for many readers today. How can we read about such blatant abuse and slurs—in a romance novel, no less? But I think, even though I don't approve of the way things went back then, Hawkeye did a wonderful job at bringing it to life.

The mistress of the house does not run away with her slaves, her gladiators, nor does she treat her slave girl like a best friend. And yet Alba did both of these things. At the beginning of the book, Alba was like any other well-off Roman wife; she listened to her husband without complaining, lay about letting everyone take care of her, and let others control her life, especially what was expected of her. But as the story continued, she quickly starts to change. She doesn't love her husband, hates what he's become. She'll do anything to leave him, to run away and live her own life, where it's not expected that she treat her own friend like a slave. I was glad to see her change, and happy to watch her finally get control over her own life. She showed a lot of courage and strength by doing this, and I can well imagine how hard that would be, especially during this time when women had no real power and were expected to answer to their husband and master.

4 STARS! Extremely sexy and honest to the point of being a bit rough to read, My Wicked Gladiators is a great historical read, and one that is unlike most of the others on the market. If you don't mind erotica, including some m/m sex scenes, and want something new to read, I highly suggest picking up this one! I know I wouldn't want to live in this time period, but reading about it is really quite interesting, and since it's not a common setting for romance/erotic novels, I enjoyed reading something new. I will be looking for more books by this author, as well as more books similar to this one—though I would prefer that it be in the usual 3^rd person POV so I can feel more of a connection to all of the characters, not just the one. :)

~*~*~*~*~
I received an e-ARC of this book while participating in this blog tour, delivered via Edelweiss, in exchange for my honest opinion.
~*~*~*~*~

Enjoy!

Until Next Time,

Labels: 4 Stars, ARC copy, E-Book, Edelweiss, Erotica, Historical, Review |

0 Comments

Thursday, May 24, 2012

[Blog Tour Review]: "Once Her Man, Always Her Man"

Edit Post

Once Her Man, Always Her Man by Heather Long

Publisher: Decadent Publishing Company, LLC (April 7, 2012)

Series: Always a Marine, 1 [1NightStand Series]

Genre: Contemporary Erotica (novella)

Fulfilling a favor and executing a business plan, Luke Dexter arrives at Dallas’ Sybarite Club for a one-night stand. He never imagined he’d come face to face with the woman he left behind a decade earlier.

Rebecca Rainier fell in love with Luke Dexter in high school and was crushed when he dumped her to join the Marines after 9/11. Set up on a 1Night Stand by her business partner, nothing could prepare Rebecca for who her date is.

Can Luke and Rebecca bridge the pain of a decade-long abandonment, in one cold Texas night?

Where to Buy*:

Kindle | BN | ARe

More Info:

Author's Site | Book Site

My Review:

Usually novellas leave a reader hanging, wanting more. They're quickies meant to help tide you over until the next book in a series is out or to introduce you to a new author. Rarely have I seen a novella that offered much more than that—but I found it in Heather Long's newest novella, Once Her Man, Always Her Man!

Rebecca and Luke were childhood friends and highschool sweethearts. They were crazy for each other—up until the last part of their senior year, when 9/11 happened, a tragedy that even affected their small town. Luke, whose father was already a Marine, enlisted even before graduation, leaving Rockwell—and Rebecca—behind. He loved her, but felt that she deserved a better life, not one stuck in Texas, worrying about him in Iraq. It was a mistake, and one he's regretted ever since.

Out of the military now, he's came back to the area to start a rehab or sorts for returning Vets. When the rest of his team signs up for a dating service (1NightStand) he does so as well—to support them more than anything. After all, he still thinks of Rebecca...

His first setup is in a club-and who does he find waiting there? Rebecca, his love, the one he pushed away 11 years ago. It's rare to get a second chance, but Luke's taking this one. Can he explain to Rebecca why he left, why he never came home—why he stills loves her to this day? Will she listen?

OHM,AHM is indeed a quick story, only a few chapters total. But what it lacks in length it more than makes up for in romance, writing quality, emotions, and steamy chemistry! I absolutely loved reading Rebecca and Luke's story, devouring it in only about 20 minutes. And while, yes, I would have liked it to be a full length novel, it wasn't absolutely necessary—Heather manages to weave quite a story for us even with such limited pages to work with.

There was depth to the story, the background and characters—something that not even all novels have, little loan most novellas. Their story blew me away, and I'll even admit to blinking back a few tears while reading, as their relationship was very touching, very sweet. And once they worked out their problems and decided to, ahem, show their love for one another....Well, I'll just leave it at “hot damn!”. Yes, a Marine definitely knows how to treat his woman...*sigh*

5 STARS! For a quick, but totally satisfying, second-chance-at-love romance, this is the perfect choice! Sweet, touching and very sexy, this novella is a must read! And as it is short, it won't take you long to finish—even better for those times when reading a 400 page book is made almost impossible by our hectic lives! I will definitely be adding Heather Long to my list, and I look forward to seeing what one of her full length novels has to offer. Because when she can make me fall in love with a book in less than 40 pages, imagine what she can do in 300! :)

~*~*~*~

I received this e-ARC from Sizzling PR blog tours n exchange for my honest review.
~*~*~*~

Enjoy!

Until Next Time,

Labels: 5 Stars, Blog Tour, Contemporary, E-Book, Erotica, Military, Novella, One of my Favorites, Own, Review |

0 Comments

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

[ARC Review]: "The World is a Stage"

Edit Post

The World is a Stage by Tamara Morgan

Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (June 5, 2012)

Series: Games of Love, 2

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Highland Games athlete Michael O’Leary is famous for his ability to charm a woman right out of her pants. Maybe a little too famous. When he’s sidelined with a knee injury, his wingman pounces on the chance to take full advantage of Michael’s idle time.

Trying out for the local adult-themed Shakespearean production seems simple, but there’s a catch. Michael must woo the notoriously demanding lead actress, Rachel Hewitt, thereby freeing his friend to pursue a courtship of Rachel’s sister.

Rachel hates the thought of handing over the lead role in her admittedly scandalous troupe to someone so wholly uneducated in the ways of the Great Bard. But she’s in a bind, and the only one who can step up is a man who looks way too good in a codpiece—and knows it.

To add insult to injury, he refuses to take the role until she agrees to take his place in some barbaric warrior race. She’ll do it, but not with a smile. Unfortunately, the hardest part isn’t antagonizing her Scottish foes. It’s resisting the one man who seems determined to line and cue her heart—forever.

Warning: This book’s half-naked Shakespearean actors are not approved of or acknowledged by people with actual literary merit. Neither are the dirty limericks.

Where to Buy*:

Kindle | NOOK | Publisher

More Info:

Author's Site | Excerpt

Other Books in the Series:
Click on the covers to buy from BN.

Book 1: Love is a Battlefield
Read my Review!

My Review:

Tamara Morgan has done it again, giving readers a glimpse into the Highland Games Society, in a book filled with wit, dirty jokes, brawny men and strong women, not to mention a great romance! Be warned: you will sigh and blush a bit, and laugh out loud, which may cause others to look at your funny—ignore this and enjoy the book! :)

Michael O'Leary is a cocky, but totally loveable, guy. He knows he's a catch and he enjoys making jokes about it—and everything else he can think of. Dirty jokes are his specialty, and I doubt there's a teenage boy out there with a dirtier mind than Mikey! He's been competing in the Highland Games for years, but a reoccurring knee injury may finally take him out of the competition—for good. Then what will he do?

Rachel Hewitt followed in her mother's footsteps by becoming a stage actress. But rather than turning to booze and men, like her mother, Rachel goes for power, control, though she she doesn't yet realize it. She picks up after her mother—time and time again—and she's there for her sister, trying to protect her from dating the wrong guys (again). But she forgets about herself, and refuses to tie herself to anyone—physically or emotionally. When Molly gets involved with a man who looks like he can be the poster child for bad-boyfriend-choice, Rachel may take things too far in her quest to protect. Can she fix things or will Molly refuse to speak to her ever again?

Although The World is a Stage is much different from Morgan's first book, I loved it all the same. I loved the humor in this book—I think I spent the entire time reading the book with a smile on my face! Giggles may have also escaped my mouth. :) In short, it was a blast, a fun read with fun characters and writing, not to mention a great romance.

Michael—oh Michael! He was great, very unique and funny and dirty-minded, not to mention the fact that he can pull off wearing a kilt. Yum!

Now Rachel, although a strong heroine, kind of bugged me. I can understand her being a bit leery of men after all the problems Molly has had with them, but the lengths she goes to to get rid of Eric pissed me off. Eric was a good man—and father—and if Rachel had even attempted to learn more about him, get to know him, she would have known this. I wanted to shake her, many times over, and tell her to open her eyes, change the way she acted, realize that Michael was there for her and that Eric wasn't going to kill her sister.

Yes, she finally came around, but, for me, it took too long. But even this little character flaw wasn't enough to throw me off the book—another talent of Tamara's, I think. Being able to write characters and events that may bug us, but we still love the overall story all the more for it. :)

I was a bit disappointed in Rachel and Michael's relationship though. The sexual tension between them was pretty heated through most of the book, but the only love scene they received was not only short, but practically nonexistent. All we know is they had a sweet hour or two in the fields—not what I expected from that at all! Michael is more complex than many think, I'll agree, but he's still very much the kind of alpha man to press a woman against a wall and show her what she needs—and he never did. (sigh)

4.5 STARS! A fun (scratch that—hilarious!) contemporary, The World is a Stage is a great pick, and one I highly recommend. While reading the book, I had just as much fun highlighting Michael's (maaaany) dirty quotes as I did watching him finally get through to Rachel. And I'd like to say that if any romance series should be made into movies, it's Morgan's Games of Love series. They would both make great romantic comedies—and I'd be first in line to watch them! :) Just saying... If you loved book one, you'll love this one! And if you have yet to try Tamara's work, all I have to say is: what are you waiting for?

~*~*~*~

I received this eARC from the author, in exchange for my honest review.
~*~*~*~

Enjoy!

Until Next Time,

Labels: 4.5 Stars, America, ARC copy, Contemporary, E-Book, One of my Favorites, Own, Review, Romance |

1 Comments

[NOR Review]: "Eternity's Mark"

Edit Post

Eternity's Mark by Maeve Greyson
Publisher: Brava (February 28, 2012)

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Sacred blood flows in Hannah MacPherson's veins; she's just too hard-headed to realize it. After losing a husband to the Iraq war, she's squirrelled herself away in a tiny town where she snarls at any man who gives her a second glance. But Taggart de Gaelson knows more about Hannah than she could ever fathom. As her assigned protector, Taggart's grown tired of Hannah ignoring his messages from Scotland - and now he's come to retrieve her. The balance of the Continuum depends on a race of sacred creatures who maintain the strength of the portals. Only Hannah's touch can release the hatchlings from their eggs. Sworn to protect Hannah from others who lust for control of the beasts, Taggart must win her trust. But as he battles at her side, can he protect his heart?

Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle | BN | NOOK

More Info:

Author's Site | Book Site | Excerpt

My Review:

Maeve Greyson's newest release, Eternity's Mark, combines the fantasy world of dragons—excuse me, Draecna—and the wild beauty of Scotland, creating a unique story, and one that will please many!

I was intrigued by the story, the fantasy world created and the Draecnas. However, the book ended up as a bit of a disappointment for me.

The story was not evenly paced. The time-line was a bit hard for me to follow at times, and while the first few chapters did a fair job at starting the story out, by the end it felt rushed, with pieces missing. Still, the premise behind Eternity's Mark was good, and I only wish there had been more to it, as it left me wanting.

The romance, however, was the biggest disappointment. I just didn't see the connection between Hannah and Taggart. The love was too quick to build, and wasn't based on much (that I could see). I wanted to see their relationship develop, not just the one-time lovin' and then they were mated for life. The connection just seemed forced, and also left me wanting.

3.5 STARS! Eternity's Mark had a lot of promise, and I loved reading about this new “dragon” fantasy world, but overall I felt that things were simply missing from the story. While I still liked it, it did lower my rating. I will still be looking for future books by Greyson. I will also recommend Eternity's Mark to other readers who may enjoy this fantasy novel with a slight Scottish flair!

~~~

Thanks to Night Owl Reviews, where I received this book for free in exchange for reviewing the book. (Free book does not equal biased review, however!) This review is the property of NOR.
~~~

Enjoy!

Until Next Time,

Labels: 3.5 Stars, Dragons, Magic, NOR, Own, Paranormal, Review, Romance, ShapeShifters |

0 Comments

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

[NetGalley + ARC Review]: "About Last Night"

Edit Post

About Last Night by Ruthie Knox

Publisher: Loveswept (June 11, 2012)

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Sure, opposites attract, but in this sexy, smart, eBook original romance from Ruthie Knox, they positively combust! When a buttoned-up banker falls for a bad girl, “about last night” is just the beginning.

Cath Talarico knows a mistake when she makes it, and God knows she’s made her share. So many, in fact, that this Chicago girl knows London is her last, best shot at starting over. But bad habits are hard to break, and soon Cath finds herself back where she has vowed never to go . . . in the bed of a man who is all kinds of wrong: too rich, too classy, too uptight for a free-spirited troublemaker like her.

Nev Chamberlain feels trapped and miserable in his family’s banking empire. But beneath his pinstripes is an artist and bohemian struggling to break free and lose control. Mary Catherine—even her name turns him on—with her tattoos, her secrets, and her gamine, sex-starved body, unleashes all kinds of fantasies.

When blue blood mixes with bad blood, can a couple that is definitely wrong for each other ever be perfectly right? And with a little luck and a lot of love, can they make last night last a lifetime?

Where to Buy*:

Kindle | NOOK | Publisher

More Info:

Author's Site | Book Site

Enjoy the first chapter below:

ABOUT LAST NIGHT by Ruthie Knox, Excerpt

My Review:

Cath Talarico's life has been one huge train-wreck, damaged and twisted. She's made mistake after mistake, and they've all cost her, emotionally and physically. She decides to turn her life around and start anew, never again to make such mistakes.

Until she met Nev.

Nev Chamberlain has lived the life expected of him. A respectable—and well-paying—job in the family business, the proper wardrobe, the right friends. But he doesn't want to live like this, never has. He's been trying to break out of the mold his family has placed him in for years. This point is driven home once he meets Cath. He realizes that he needs to find himself, change his ways, live his own life. But will Catch allow him to live out his new life with her?

About Last Night is one of the most emotionally charged books I have read in a while! I am not one to cry while reading, but watching Cath open up to Nev, and learn to put her past behind her—well, my eyes were a bit misty, I'll admit. And I loved every minute of it!

Cath makes for a great heroine, tortured, scarred (emotionally and physically), but strong, much stronger than she thinks. She's been through hell, but she's turned things around. And after Nev enters her life, she finally realizes that, yes, her past helped to make her who she is today, but it isn't who she is. I really enjoyed Catch, and I wouldn't turn down having her as a friend if given the chance. :)

And Nev...oh Nev! I never thought I'd fall for a stuffy, wealthy banker, English accent or not. But I fell for Nev—hard, just like Cath did. Not because of the character we were first introduced to (the stuffy, wealthy banker). Nope. It was the man he became for Cath that made my heart flutter and my pulse race. His creativity, his talent, his devotion and love for Cath—all these things and more made me love him. And his sexy, passionate side didn't hurt, either. :) Not to mention that accent... *sigh*

5 STARS! I really enjoyed Knox's writing style in her debut novel earlier this year. But I absolutely loved her second novel, About Last Night! Sexy, romantic, witty—this contemporary had it all! And the heart-wrenching emotional roller-coaster that made up Cath and Nev's story had me crying like a babe, sighing like a romantic, and cheering for their HEA until the very end. A terrific and extremely steamy romance, About Last Night is a must read for any fan of the genre! I will definitely be putting Ruthie Knox on my auto-buy list, and I cannot wait to see what story she spins for us next.

~*~*~*~*~
I received this e-ARC from the publisher to review, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest opinion.
~*~*~*~*~

Enjoy!

Until Next Time,

Labels: 5 Stars, ARC copy, Contemporary, E-Book, England, NetGalley, One of my Favorites, Review, Romance |

1 Comments

Authors/Bloggers/Publishers

I'm a Proud

Upcoming Reviews

Recently Read Books: April

Book Stats

S-a-T-R-a-L GoodReads Group

Books we're currently reading

Search My Library!

Shop BN.com

Shop Amazon

Upcoming Events

Search

Popular Posts

Blog Archive

Most Common Labels

About Me

Donate

Current Giveaways

Shifter-a-Thon-Read-a-Long!

I'm

Guest Authors

Grab My Button!

Become an Ink Reader

Sexy Sunday Fun

Followers

Follow this blog with bloglovin

Follow by Email

Linky Followers

Networked Blogs

Subscribe

Find Me Online!

My Rating Scale

Tour Host, Rockstar, + Reviewer!

RAK

Visitors to the Site

Blogoversary

Copyright

Disclosure