Love To Read For Fun

Shameless Giveaway Blog Hop Winner

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:55:00 +0000

Thanks to everyone who entered!

The winner is:
Ann R (kyreadinggirl....)

The winner has been contacted.

Take My Books Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:08:00 +0000

It's been awhile since I've had one of these giveaways. I had a nice surprise arrive at my doorstep today. A box of books from a publisher....that I've already read and reviewed! Their error is your gain! Oops! Maybe I shouldn't announce that to the entire world. Anyway, I'm giving away all 5 books to one lucky commenter.

What's up for grabs? Look below.

I'm going to make you guys work a little for this one. To enter, answer the question below:

Did you have any New Year's resolutions? If so, have you broken them already?

Please include your email address. Open to US Residents only. Ends 1/31/12.

Good luck!

Guest Post: Author Cassandra Carr

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:34:00 +0000

He said, she said
by Cassandra Carr

One thing authors struggle with is how to tag dialogue. We want the reader to know who’s saying what, but we don’t want to overtag. In fact, overtagging is one of those “rookie mistakes” writers rid themselves of as they move through their writing journey. Some go too far, though, and readers lose track of the conversation.

Another thing authors do to try to keep their writing fresh is use a million different dialogue tags. While you certainly don’t want to repeat “said” eight thousand times in your story, is it really necessary to use a different tag for every line of dialogue?

Which words annoy you when they’re used to tag dialogue? I’m not a big fan of sneered, unless you’re talking about a bad guy threatening an ingénue. Otherwise it makes the character sound pretty irritating. And what about pieces of dialogue that look like this:

“Where are you going?” he asked.

She snorted. “None of your business.”

“It is my business,” he asserted. “You’re my daughter.”

“Yeah, only because my mother was stupid enough to marry you!” she cried.

This is lazy writing. Why? Because instead of describing the character’s facial expressions and other mannerisms that give the reader cues about what’s going on, the author is relying on dialogue tags.

Tell me in the comments about what bugs you in dialogue tagging.

Review: Under the Same Sky by Genevieve Graham

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Title: Under the Same Sky
Author: Genevieve Graham
Published: January 3, 2012
Pages: 336
Genre: Historical Romances
Source: Publisher (Berkley Trade)
Rating: A
Reviewed by: Ellie

Favorite quote: “Then he felt her, a presence that came from nowhere: a surge of warmth that stirred hope in his heart. He couldn’t see her, but that wasn’t strange. Often she came to him on the breeze. In a thought. A melody in the air.”

summary from Goodreads
The year is 1746. A young woman from South Carolina and a Scottish Highlander share an intimacy and devotion beyond their understanding. They have had visions of each other their entire lives. And yet they have never met. Now, with their lives torn asunder, Maggie Johnson and Andrew MacDonnell's quest to find each other is guided only by their dreams—and by the belief in the true love they share.

On the Carolina frontier Maggie Johnson’s family struggles to survive. Maggie’s gift of “the sight” and her visions show her a presence she calls Wolf. She watches him grow from a boy her age to a man even as she goes from child to woman.

Andrew MacDonald has always wondered about the girl he sees in his dreams. He is able to talk to her through their thoughts and vows that even if he must cross an ocean he will find her. They are thrust into different situations: Andrew fights for the doomed Jacobite cause and Maggie is captured by slavers, then rescued and brought into a kind, loving Native American tribe. They each believe in destiny and the power of the love they have shared forever.

Ellie's thoughts:
Maggie Johnson has the sight, just like her grandmother, but in colonial South Carolina it can be dangerous for a woman especially one with special gifts. Only Maggie’s immediate family know about her psychic dreams but no one knows that she dreams of a young man who she calls Wolf. Maggie and the young boy grow up together and help each other get through some very traumatic events in both of their lives. After one such event Maggie and her sister are adopted by a tribe of Cherokee Indians where Maggie’s gift is finally seen as a blessing. As Maggie gets older the connection with Wolf gets stronger and she knows he is on his way to find her. She just has to survive until he does.

Andrew MacDonnell has always know the girl that he has dreamt about his entire life is the girl for him.He never spoke a word about her to anyone but she was always there especially when he needed help. After losing his entire family at Culloden, a battle that killed thousands of highlanders, Andrew meets very few lone survivors but they band together and set off for America. Through his dreams he knows this is where the girl is and he is determined to find her no matter what it takes.

What a amazing debut from Genevieve Graham. Under the Same Sky is one of the best books I’ve read all year and combines so many things that I love: paranormal, highlanders, colonials, Indians and a great love story. This book takes place in both America and in Scotland in the 1740’s and leads us through a famous battle and what it was life for women in the colonies. This book is heavy on the historical and a less on the romance but it’s so well written and so captivating that it worked perfectly.

Maggie is a very strong woman who has had a very hard life. Unlike a lot of heroines in historical romance novels Maggie has been brutally raped, beaten and watched her family murdered. I liked that Mrs. Graham gave a very honest and accurate portrayal of what life was life in America for women. There was no sugar coating of how great life was like and how easy and nice everyone was to each other. This is one of the few books that really shows how scary it was for women without men to protect them and how tough you had to be to survive.

I love highlanders and I loved Andrew. Andrew had also had a very hard life and the battle at Culloden changed him as a man.This book reminded me a little of Outlander but I think that’s just because of Culloden and the paranormal aspect. I loved the interaction in dreams between Maggie and Andrew and I especially loved how they to came to one another when they both were in need of saving. The bond between them is amazing and together, even though a part, they could and did survive anything.

When Maggie and her sister are rescued by the Cherokee Indians and join their tribe I really fell in love with this book. I love reading about Native Americans and how they lived and once again I feel that life was portrayed accurately. This tribe plays such a big role in saving Maggie and her sister and they really embrace the girls and make them a part of them. I really loved that Maggie found not only a safe place to have dreams but a place where she is considered wise and special.

This is a great book that is looking to be a great series. Usually when the hero and heroine don’t meet in a book until the very end I get very annoyed but that wasn’t the case here. I loved reading about the two separate worlds these characters were living in and seeing how their bond drew them together over time and distance. This a beautifully well written book and one of my favorites that I read all year.

Author Interview: Genevieve Graham

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:30:00 +0000

I'd like to welcome Genevieve Graham, author of Under the Same Sky, to Love To Read For Fun.

Hi Genevieve! Thanks for stopping by!

Thanks for having me! I’m excited to be here.

1. Tell us a little about yourself. Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Nope. I never knew I wanted to be a writer. Not until I was 40. Even then, I had no idea. I’d just finished rereading Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” series for the umpteenth time and was feeling a little Highlander-deprived. I told my husband I felt like writing a little something … and now I can’t stop.

2. What do you love most about writing?

The part I love the most is when I’m not there. I don’t mean I’m not at my computer — I’m constantly at my computer! What I mean is that I love losing myself in the story, living through the events as they unfold, experiencing what my characters feel. It’s like I’m just the typist, not the creator. I absolutely love when I pull out the story a month or so later, and I have to stop and reread sections, thinking, “Wow. Did I write that? I don’t remember that at all!”

3. Describe Under The Same Sky in 140 characters or less.

Since childhood, Maggie & Andrew have communicated through dreams. When her life is torn apart, dreams aren’t enough. He’s her only hope.

4. What do you love about historical romances?

I love believing they could have happened. The stories seem to tell themselves in my head, so sometimes I wonder if the characters are just telling me what had really happened long before. I also love the ruggedness of history, the masculine energy of men battling, hunting, defending. You know. Men in capes, with swords, leather boots …

5. How do you go about doing research when writing one?

When I research, I mostly go to the experts: the re-enactor groups. There are groups all over the place who re-enact ancient times and battles, and they are passionate about their period in history. They pay attention to the tiniest of details. They’re usually a terrific resource.

6. What made you decide to have the book take place in the 1700s?

It only made sense for “Under the Same Sky” to take place in the 1740’s, since I’d just been reading Diana Gabaldon’s series and was swallowed up by the time period.

7. What are you currently working on?

“Sound of the Heart” is the companion novel to “Under The Same Sky”, and it will be out May 1. I have also written the third in the series, “Out of the Shadows”, but it hasn’t been published yet. I have a series about four street-smart Scots in the early 1700’s in my head: one book per sibling. I’m also working on a WW1 story about a Nova Scotian fisherman, since that’s where I live. We have a treasure trove of history out here!

8. What are you reading right now? Who are some of your favorite authors?

I recently finished Kathryn Stockett’s “The Help” (which was incredible) and am now reading “The Black Hawk” by Joanna Bourne. I love Joanna’s books. She gives her characters so much … character, and injects the black times of the French Revolution with some wonderful humour along with delicious romance.

Next on my list is Diana Gabaldon’s “Scottish Prisoner”, a special request I found under the Christmas tree.

I can’t wait to read Kaki Warner’s next book, “Colorado Dawn” when it comes out Jan 3. If you haven’t read her work, you should! 19th century Westerns with tons of my kind of adventure.

Before I go, I’d love to invite you all to my guest blog appearance tomorrow on http://kbgbabbles.blogspot.com/. I’ll be talking about my perspective on different kinds of Historical Romance. Which kind do you prefer?

Thanks Genevieve!

Thanks so much for having me!

Author links:
Website
Facebook
Twitter

I have an extra copy of Under The Same Sky that I'm giving away. To enter, leave a comment with your email address. Open to US Residents only. Giveaway ends 1/31/12.

Review: Darker After Midnight by Lara Adrian

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Title: Darker After Midnight
Series: Midnight Breed, #10
Author: Lara Adrian
Published: January 24, 2011
Pages: 384
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating: A
Reviewed by: Ellie

Favorite quote: "Well, fuck us both, Harvard. She’s bloody brilliant.”

summary from Goodreads
In the dark of night, a blood war escalates within the hidden world of the Breed. After existing in secret for many long centuries, maintaining a fragile peace with the humans who walk beside them unaware, a single act of retaliation has put the entire vampire nation at risk of discovery. It falls to the Order—a cadre of Breed warriors pledged to protect their own and humankind alike—to stop Dragos, the power-mad vampire at the center of the conflict, before his push for domination can explode into catastrophe.

At the center of the Order’s quest is Sterling Chase, once a morally rigid enforcer of Breed law, now a warrior fallen from grace, whose biggest battle is the one he wages against his own savage nature. With addiction beckoning him toward eternal darkness, Chase’s path to redemption has never seemed more out of reach—until he finds himself drawn to a beautiful young woman who may be something much more than she seems . .

Ellie's thoughts:
Two years ago Sterling Chase was living the high life. He came from a very respectable family, leader of a Darkhaven and a high ranking member of the Enforcement Agency, a police like agency for the Breed. Two years later Chase has lost everything including his new job working for the Order, a group of Breed males and their mates who protect humans from rouges, and is in danger of becoming a rouge himself. One last heroic move to help save the Order and his friends will actually lead Chase to the woman who can save him from his bloodlust and the woman who might be able to help stop the worst enemy the Order has ever had Dragos.

Tavia Fairchild never expected to be the main witness in a murder or to be kidnapped by the main suspect Sterling Chase. This chance encounter with Chase has turned Tavia’s world upside down and has changed everything she every thought she new about herself and those she cared about. The more time Tavia spends with Chase the more she realizes he could be the key to helping her discover the truth of her past and he just might be the key to her future.

Let me start this review by saying “Lara Adrian is back!!!!!!”. I love the Midnight Breed series but I haven’t been a big fan of the last couple of books and felt that the were missing some of the magic from earlier books. Darker after Midnight has that magic and might just be my favorite of the entire series. As many other Breed fans I have been waiting for Chase’s book since I met and fell in love with him in Kiss of Crimson and was so happy with his story.

Chase has been in a downward spiral the entire time we’ve known him and has just gotten closer and closer to bloodlust and becoming a rouge. Darker after Midnight picks up right were Deeper than Midnight left off with Chase saving the Order and letting himself get arrested by human police. Chase is determined to the female witness, Tavia, who for some reason has gotten under his skin and is the key to finding Dragos. Chase’s answer to getting Tavia is to kidnap her of course but he never expected to be so attracted to her or for her to be a huge game changer in the war with Dragos.

I already knew I loved Chase but I also really loved Tavia. She is perfect for him and has a fearlessness about her that is just amazing. The sexual chemistry between the two is sizzling and the sex scenes are so hot I had to fan my face a couple of times. Watching Chase finally fall for a woman and finally face his demons and the blood lust was so well written and as a huge fan was everything that I wanted and needed for one of my favorite characters.

There is a lot of other stuff going on in this book. We get a great look into life of past couples especially Lucian and Gabrielle who were my favorite until Chase and Tavia. I loved that we got to catch up with all the former characters and see that life isn’t perfect and they are all trying to cope with the war with Dragos and still live their lives. The females of the Order make a big discovery about breedmates that I love and hope Adrian spends more time exploring this discovery and it gets tied into more of the books.

As I said before this book was perfect. From beginning to end it was full of romance, heartbreak, love, friendship and a lot of rouge ass kicking. I’m not sure where the series is going to go from here be I am feeling great about future books. I can’t wait to see what happens next with the Order and all of the many changes that have happened. Adrian hit it out of the park with this book and hopefully it only gets better from here.

Blog Update

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:54:00 +0000

Well, 2012 isn't getting off to a great start here at Ye Old Blog. I'm sure my readers have noticed that the reviews slowly trickling in. Real life has gotten in the way and the folks behind Love To Read For Fun have been busy. I don't know when things will be back on track (meaning posting 2-3 reviews a day) but I hope that everything will calm down in February.

Be patient and hang in there. I'm trying to add on more reviewers to help pick up the slack but it's a process. I am stretched super duper thin. I barely have time to read, review, blog hop etc. Being in a reading funk definitely doesn't help. So finding time to look for reviewers is at the bottom of my To Do List at the moment. Right now, the blog isn't my top priority. I say it's about my 10th or 11th. There are so many things I want to do with this blog like switch over to Wordpress, clean up labels, ratings, tinker with the layout etc. But I just don't have the time.

I'm hoping once things calm down at work (dealing with year end stuff), I will be able to refocus on the blog. Right now everything is work, work, work. And since it's work that pays the bills, the blog is gonna have to be put on the back-burner.

Love To Read For Fun is still here. There will still be reviews posted sporadically. But we'll soon be back on track eventually. I promise.

Review: Destiny by Carly Phillips

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Title: Destiny
Series: Serendipity, #2
Author: Carly Phillips
Published: January 3, 2012
Pages: 304
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher (Berkley)
Rating: B+
Reviewed by: Marq

Favorite quote: "You're bold, daring, and you protect the people you care about."

summary from Goodreads
Nash Barron may be cynical about love, yet even he likes a good wedding. But the only good thing about his brother's wedding is Kelly Moss. Nash can't help but admire her confidence and beauty, but he's forced to keep his distance because getting involved with Kelly could destroy his relationship with his newly discovered half sister, Tess...

Kelly came to Serendipity to give Tess--her half sibling as well, thanks to an illicit affair--a second chance at life. She learned long ago not to rely on anyone but herself. Besides, she doesn't want to upset Tess's life by pushing for a fling with Nash. Except the more she gets to know him, the more vulnerable she becomes to the kindness beneath his gruff exterior, and the less she's able to stay away. But she has other reasons for keeping her distance. Like the secret from her past she knows Nash will never forgive...

Marq's thoughts:
Nash Barron had a lot of making up to do. In the first book in the series, he was a total ass towards his older brother Ethan and then to Ethan's soon-to-be wife Faith. I immediately disliked the middle brother, Nash, and my dislike of him carried on to Destiny. I wondered if Carly Phillips was able to make Nash a likable character. Throughout most of the book, I didn't like him. But I didn't like him because of the way he treated his brothers. As a sibling, he sucked. But as Kelly's love interest, he was awesome. Crazy, huh? But it was like Nash was two different characters in this book and he had my emotions all over the place.

Nash has not forgiven or forgot that his older brother Ethan took off after their parents died. Ever since Ethan has returned to Serendipity, Nash has not let him forget it. Destiny starts off at Ethan and Faith's wedding reception. Everyone is enjoying the festivities but Nash finds it difficult to be happy for his brother. As far as Nash is concerned, neither Ethan nor Faith (whose father was part of a Ponzi schemed that affected a lot of the Serendipity residents) deserve to be happy. Hold a grudge much?

Destiny is a book that kept me engaged from start to finish. I was invested in Nash's redemption. Nash is a character that had me cursing, yelling, holding the book tight in frustration. LOL! And I loved it! I love characters that elicit great emotion from me. At one point I called him a self-righteous mofo. And in my opinion, that's exactly how he was acting. In Destiny, Nash has to do a lot of soul-searching and introspection. Nash would point the finger at everyone else for letting him down but not look at himself as the reason why the people closest to him lied and betrayed him. Which I don't think he was betrayed but secrets were kept due to Nash's rigidity. Nash sees everything in black and white. There's no room for a gray area. It's difficult to confide in someone like that because you feel like they are going to immediately judge.

Kelly is making a life for herself in Serendipity so that she can be close to her sister, Tess. Her attraction to Nash is unexpected but she is not afraid to pursue it. As her relationship with Nash gets deeper, Kelly's past rears its ugly head and threatens to ruin the life she has built for herself and her relationship with Nash. Nash and Kelly's relationship is very steamy and sexy. Kelly is very different from Nash's ex-wife Annie, whom Nash feels the constant need to protect due to her illness. But when he's with Kelly, that urge to protect isn't there because he sees her as an independent woman. Kelly helped Nash work through his family issues. I loved how she supported him without judgment.

As much as Nash frustrated me, I loved his character. I went from liking him to not liking him to liking him again. Destiny isn't just about Nash and Kelly's relationship; it also focuses on the Barron family dynamic. Ethan is back with a new wife and a teenage sister. The Barron brothers are finding their way back to each other. It's a long and difficult road.

Even though Nash worked my nerves, I loved Destiny. I loved seeing the characters grow and how they are becoming a family, baggage and all. Nash is a complex character who needed to change the way he viewed his family and the world. I am so happy he finally took the blinders off. Luckily he has an older brother that wasn't afraid to tell Nash about himself.

Destiny is a great addition to the series. I thoroughly enjoyed even with my frustrations with Nash.

Review: Sinfully Scandalous by Rosalie Stanton

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Title: Sinfully Scandalous
Series: Sinners and Saints, #2
Author: Rosalie Stanton
Published: January 16, 2012
Pages: ebook
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased with my own money
Rating: B
Reviewed by: Marq

Favorite quote: "Sex isn't a big evil, you know. We're kinda wired for it. The fact that you wanna do the nasty doesn't make me think any less of you."

summary from Goodreads
Thou shalt not commit adultery. It’s an order that Luxi, Sin of Lust, never saw coming. When you work for Lucifer, though, you tend to lay off the questions. She isn’t comforted when she discovers her assignment is to intern for a preacher-turned-politician, especially when her directive goes no further. As Luxi prepares for a long ride to nowhere, she can’t help but wonder if something else is at play…or what the King of Hell has up his sleeve.

Grayson Bailey’s run for state senate is going nowhere fast. The poll numbers are depressing, his campaign advisor is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and someone out there has a bullet with his name on it. Yet when temptation herself struts through the door with a sassy smirk and an attitude to match, Grayson finds it very hard to remember which obligations are at the top.

The closer Grayson gets to Luxi, the stranger his life becomes. With Election Day—and a psycho with a gun—just around the corner, he can’t afford any detours. And while Luxi never puts her heart on the line, there’s something about this man that tests her resolve…though it might end up costing her more than she can afford.

Marq's thoughts:
Luxi is the Deadly Sin, Lust. She is sent on an assignment to work for preacher, turned politician, Grayson Bailey, as an intern. Lux isn't given any instructions beyond that. She's not supposed to seduce him or sleep with him. Lux isn't happy that she doesn't know what Lucifer has in store for Grayson but she is going to be a good employee and do what she is told. Grayson is a liberal preacher and the people of Springfield aren't too happy with his views. His polls numbers are in the toilet and he needs to get them up, fast. When Luxi walks into his campaign headquarters, poll numbers are the least of Grayson's worries. Grayson's attraction to Luxi is instantaneous and his priority is no longer his campaign.

Luxi is now one of my favorite PNR heroines. She is sassy, snarky and outrageously funny. She has no filter and I love it. I didn't expect there to be so much humor in Sinfully Scandalous. The funniest parts are when Luxi and Grayson's campaign manager, John, are going toe-to-toe with the insults. Luxi definitely held her own in dishing it. Grayson is a great hero. I wondered how his character was going to be written since he is a preacher. Grayson is sexy with a sense of humor and a great personality. He lives his life the best way he knows how and doesn't judge people based on appearances (unlike his campaign manager).

I know that the fact that Grayson is a preacher and is fornicating outside of marriage will probably turn people off but I loved it. It showed that even though he's a man of God, he's still just a man. Stanton did a great job of blurring the lines between good and evil. The running theme throughout this book is that it's not black or white; what's good isn't always good. And what's bad isn't always bad. Plus, I wouldn't have been mad if Grayson went over to the "dark side" cause I figured that that would be the only way for him and Luxi to be together.

Sinfully Scandalous is sinfully sexy. Remembering that Grayson is a man first, there are some smoking hot sex scenes between him and Luxi. I liked that there was a balance of sex and relationship development. It would have been too easy to have Luxi and Grayson to hump like rabbits and then at the end, have their HEA. Throughout the book, both Luxi and Grayson have to look at themselves and their issues. Luxi may be Sin but she has her own insecurities. Her exterior is snarky and confidence but inside she has insecurities like a normal woman.

Sinfully Scandalous exceeded my expectations. So far it is my favorite of the series (even though this is only book 2). I loved Luxi and Grayson. I loved the humor, the introduction of the other Sin siblings. We revisit Ava and Dante who are still happy and in love. I liked that I had no idea how Grayson and Luxi were going to end up together. I was completely taken by surprised. But I felt that how it was done, it was the only option.

Sinfully Scandalous is a great addition to the series. I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. I could not put it down. If you're looking for a funny, sexy read, I highly recommend this one.

Author Guest Post: Tori St. Claire

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Why Do Action and Sexy Mix So Well?

Mr. and Mrs. Smith is a classic example of beautifully mixed action and sexiness. Many of the erotic novels – well romance period for that matter – have elements of suspense and high action. Have you ever stopped to wonder why? Or ponder the answers?

I think it is because both share adrenaline rushes. If you think about it – when you first met “that special someone”, you were higher than a kite. The phone would ring, your pulse would bound. When you’re running for your life – and I hope many of you haven’t experienced that! – your pulse bounds. Same effect, different cause.

There’s a certain euphoria after a heavy, strenuous workout, or a good run. There’s a certain euphoria after… cough. Yes. Well.

When you read an intense action scene, you’re experiencing at least some of the characters’ emotions. Or you should be if you’re into the book. Action and sexual tension (or sex ) are perfect pairings. The characters (and the reader) are already on a high after the heroine’s been in a life or death fight. We’re not yet ready to come down from that high, and the tension that remains unravels in the intimate encounters.

Intimate encounters also keep a different level of tension present. So, in effect, we’re always prepared for the next adrenaline surge.

It’s like the old saying about make-up sex. You fight, you have bottled up emotions that are the product of being angry, (action), you need an outlet, and the level of intensity because of those amped up emotions is increased. If there’s a combative streak in someone, that’s a perfectly “safe” environment to let loose a little aggression – which is often scene in erotic romance.

There’s another aspect that blends in a little as well. Many of the erotic romances have themes relating to the “dark side” or they employ the “bad boy” or the “tough heroine”. The setting itself lends to a lot of action, and the characters by design are walking a darker line. This is actually really close to a lot of the elements in STRIPPED. It’s a dark underworld, my characters aren’t angels by any means, and the world they interact in is far more conducive to a sexy rendezvous. In these instances, it’s almost expected. For instance – would you really expect the local bad boy to suddenly practice abstinence when it came to the nun-like heroine? No. You’d expect him to be doing whatever it takes to get her to remove her habit. And chances are, they didn’t meet because he went to the church picnic. They probably met because she somehow found herself in his environment.

It’s expected that while he’s helping her track down the killer they are going to be tangling up the sheets.

But in the end, the driving factor is the tension. Tension needs and outlet, but it also must remain in order to hold the reader’s attention. Allowing the reader a little downtime, while simultaneously keeping her on the edge of her seat, is a perfect way to accomplish that.

~Claire

A $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour and to the host with the most comments, and encourage your readers to follow the tour and comment; the more they comment, the better their chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/11/virtual-book-tour-stripped-by-tori-st.html

Author bio:

Tori St. Claire grew up writing. Hobby quickly turned into passion, and when she discovered the world of romance as a teen, poems and short stories gave way to full length novels with sexy heroes and heroines waiting to be swept off their feet. She wrote her first romance novel at seventeen.

While that manuscript gathered dust-bunnies beneath the bed, she went on to establish herself as a contemporary, historical, and paranormal author under the pen name, Claire Ashgrove. Her writing, however, skirted a fine line between hot and steamy, and motivated by authors she admired, she pushed her boundaries and made the leap into erotica, using the darker side of human nature and on-the-edge suspense to drive grittier, sexier, stories.

Her erotic romantic suspense novels are searingly sensual experiences that unite passion with true emotion, and the all-consuming tie that binds -- love.

Tori can be found at:

www.toristclaire.com
www.claireashgrove.com

Twitter: @claireashgrove

Review: Stripped by Tori St.Claire

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Title: Stripped
Series: Black Opals, #1
Author: Tori St. Claire
Published: January 3, 2012
Pages: 416
Genre: Erotic Romantic Suspense
Source: Goddess Fish VBT
Rating: B
Reviewed by: Marq

summary from Goodreads
As a member of the CIA's elite Black Opals, Natalya Trubachev must live a lie, working undercover as the lover of Dmitri, a Russian mob boss. His business is trafficking vulnerable Las Vegas strippers overseas for twisted sex games. Natalya's business is to blow the ring wide open and bring down Dmitri and his American contacts. But the stakes are raised when she learns that the next target is her own sister Kate, a dancer in the famed club Fantasia. Only now does Natalya realize how personal her mission has become, and how far she's willing to go to complete it.

The manager of Fantasia is Brandon Moretti, an undercover detective who keeps a close eye on his girls, and an even closer one on his sinfully sensual newest hire. For Natalya, working the club could be the break she's been waiting for. But for Moretti, Natalya is a possible link to a killer. Only he never counted on her being so lethally seductive or so dangerous to get close to. As every forbidden pleasure between them is stripped away, his own secrets threaten their security, but it's Natalya's secrets that could destroy them both.

Marq's thoughts:
I didn't know what to expect when I started reading Stripped. There was a bit of judging a book by its cover but I decided to put my pre-conceived notions aside and give this book a try. I am so glad that I did.

Natalya is working undercover for an elite CIA team. She has been working for and living as Dmitri's girlfriend for three years. She is close to bringing down his human trafficking ring until she finds out that his next victim is her sister. Natalya is sent to Vegas to make sure that she catches Dmitri's cohorts in the act and to make sure that her sister stays protected and Natalya's cover is not blown. Brandon is working undercover at Fantasia, a strip club on the Vegas strip. He's trying to track down who has been killing strippers. The killer has a formula; it's just a matter of stopping the killer before he claims his next victim.

Stripped immediately pulled me in. Natalya is a strong heroine (which I love) and I found her to be very likable. Some people may be put off by her due to the nature of her job and what she has to do to maintain her cover. For me, I knew that Natalya The Black Opal is different from Natalya the woman. Natalya has worked hard to maintain her cover which means she's had to be the loving fiancee to Dmitri 100%, doing some of his dirty work and leading innocent women to their doom. Natalya doesn't do this without feeling sadness, hurt and guilt; her goal is to bring down Dmitri's organization so despite the guilt she feels, she has to keep her eye on the prize.

Brandon and Natalya are a great match. They are both strong, stubborn and sexy. The attraction is instantaneous and when they are in the same room together, they are explosive. There is a lot of sexual tension between these two characters and some hot, hot, hot smexy times. I found the attraction between Brandon and Natalya believable and not contrived. These are two people who have more in common than they think and they see something in the other that they see in themselves.

The supporting cast of characters were wonderful and added to the wonderfulnesss (is that a word?) of the overall plot. Stripped is a nice blend of suspense and erotic romance. Most of the action takes place towards the end but there is a nice build up that has you itching for the bad guy to get his comeuppance.

Throughout Stripped, both Brandon and Natalya are trying to make sure that the other doesn't figure out their true identity. Little do they know is that they are both working towards the same goal; to take down the human trafficking ring. There were some "out there" moments in the plot but I felt that it fit with what was going on. I think when you're reading this book, just go with it. Whatever happens, no matter how unbelievable or coincidental it may seem, just go with it. Some of those moments totally work in this book.

Stripped kept me on the edge of my seat. When the big bad was revealed, I was blown away. (I'm normally good at guessing before the big reveal) I am looking forward to reading more by Tori St. Claire. Stripped was a sexy, suspenseful ride that I enjoyed from start to finish.

Excerpt: Stripped by Tori St. Claire

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:30:00 +0000

“Tell me what you want, beautiful.” His breath rasped over her cheek. Featherlight kisses accompanied the whisper, trailing across her skin in a taunting path toward her mouth.

Kiss me. She turned her head in search of lips she instinctively knew would be warm, the words on the tip of her tongue. Kiss me until I don’t care whether I live or die.

Honesty. Just once.

He caught her lower lip with his teeth, the nip nowhere near gentle. But the lazy stroke of his tongue soothed the stinging bite. She parted her lips, dipped her tongue out to touch his.

Brandon’s body tightened like a whip. The pressure in her lower back increased as his fingers curled into her skin. Their breaths mingled. The tips of their tongues met in a slow, sensual dance. As another spasm of ecstasy threatened to send her tumbling into his solid chest, she braced her hands on his shoulders.

And then Brandon was gone, the magic of his fingers disappearing as he stepped back and set both hands on her waist. His gaze scorched in to flood her body with tingles. He waited, his question unspoken, but hanging between them.

Tell me what you want.

Clearly he intended to make her admit she wanted to feel him deep inside her. Wanted to experience the slide of his bare skin against hers. And God, how she wanted to kiss him. To taste the desire that burned in his gaze and the indescribable flavor of hot, aroused man.

Confessing might lead her to an early grave, but for once, her conscious would be clear. She swallowed hard and dug deep for the courage that had kept her alive these last three years. His gaze followed the sweep of her tongue as she moistened her lips.

“Kiss me.” Her senses honed in on her whisper, amplifying it and the ragged fall of their mutual breathing. She became aware of every minuscule sound as she waited for Brandon to either dip his head and honor her request, or shove her aside with a wicked sneer.

He took a step closer, bringing their bodies in contact from chest to toes. One arm wrapped around her waist, then slid up her back to offer support between her shoulder blades. The other tangled in her hair, tipping her head back. Putting her where he wanted her—subtle dominance that thrilled her in places she hadn’t known existed. Her womb clamped hard, sending another rush of moisture through her pussy.

His mouth descended. Warm lips played against hers, drawing her into the spell his body wove. Pulling her in so deep she struggled for air.

The sudden, brassy ring of her cell phone jolted her out of hazy desire. She froze. With Kate and Sergei due to arrive at Fantasia any minute, there could only be one other person calling at this time of day—Dmitri. It would be almost one in the morning in Moscow. The time Dmitri put aside his work and crawled into bed.

He’d want to talk before he slept.

“Don’t answer that,” Brandon whispered against her mouth.

Damn if those lips weren’t compelling. She’d had his mouth on her breast, knew the incredible magic his tongue could create there, but had yet to experience the tantalizing slide of his tongue against hers. The need to feel his mouth on hers, to get lost in his potent masculinity pressed her to ignore the ringing tones.

Duty, however, rose up screaming. If she didn’t answer, Dmitri would get suspicious.

“I have to.”

Shameless Giveaway Blog Hop

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Hosted by Jen (Red Hot Books), Brie (Romance Around the Corner) & Michelle (Michelle’s Book Blog).

Is your blog a little too racy for some people's taste? Maybe you like to look at pictures of half-naked men... maybe you like to read a little erotica... maybe, just maybe, you visit your favorite blogs when your kids are not in the room. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact, you're in just the right place.

What's up for grabs? A book of your choice (up to $10) from either the Book Depository (dead tree book) or Amazon (digital or dead tree). Open to US and International Residents. To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter widget below.

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I'm over at Ramblings From This Chick

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:36:00 +0000

Today I'm over at Ramblings From This Chick, being interviewed for her Behind The Blogger feature.

Stop by for a visit and comment!

Review: Under Attack by Hannah Jayne

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Title: Under Attack
Series: Underworld Detective Agency, #2
Author: Hannah Jayne
Published: November 1, 2011
Pages: 352
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher (Kensington)
Rating: C-
Reviewed by: Ellie

Favorite quote: “You said yourself you don’t think God shops at IKEA. That doesn’t leave much else around here.”

summary from Goodreads
She's one of the Underworld Detection Agency's best. But her job is really starting to bite . . .
Sophie Lawson is a human immune to magic, which comes in handy for helping paranormal beings transition into everyday life. But fallen angel Alex Grace and his search for the Vessel of Souls is one curse she never saw coming. Suddenly an unexplainable string of killings and destruction has even San Francisco's demons fearing for their immortal lives. And Sophie isn't about to trust Alex's all-too-vulnerable charm or his secret agenda. Now their hunt is revealing dangerous secrets about Sophie's past, and a malevolent power hellishly close to turning one irreverent human into the ultimate supernatural weapon. . .

Ellie's thoughts:
Sophie Lawson considered herself just a normal human, if you can call someone who is immune to magic normal, working for the Underworld Detective Agency with demons, shifters, vampires and other magic users. Life was going along as normal, at least normal for Sophie, until her ex-boyfriend and fallen angel Alex Grace walked back into her life after disappearing without a trace six months earlier. Alex needs help finding the Vessel of Souls after losing it centuries before and Sophie is his only hope but they aren’t the only ones after the vessel. Soon everyone is trying to kill Sophie and her normal life is about to be rocked by secrets from her past that can change everything.

This book was nothing like I thought it was going to be in some good ways and some bad ways. I did not read the first book in this series but found it very easy to catch up and dive head first into Under Attack. From the very first pages I was laughing and the great dialogue and snarkiness of the heroine Sophie and her best friend and roommate Nina who just so happens to be a vampire. There are some really great one liners throughout the book and I had a hard time picking my favorite for this review. The quick dialogue and banter kept the book from getting boring and kept me smiling for most of it.

Sophie is the main character and the book is told from her perspective. I should start by saying that from the cover and the description I expected Sophie to be a bad-ass who kicked demon butt and solved crimes of the underworld and instead she is kind of a cry baby, very dense and works in an office filing paperwork for dragons and other underworld creatures. I was very disappointed in her a lot through out the book and there were times that I had to stop reading because she was so clueless or acting like a baby. It took way too long for her to show any type of guts and she was my least favorite part of the entire book.

Where Sophie killed the book for me the side characters Nina, Will, Vlad and Sophie’s grandma made it wonderful, funny and readable. Without these characters and their amazing humor I don’t think I would have finished this book. Alex wasn’t my favorite but I didn’t dislike him as much as I did Sophie. I was very disappointed in the lack of relationship, romance and sex. I thought that there would be at least some type of physical intimacy between Alex and Sophie after he’s been gone for six months but all we get is one kiss and almost no romance.

I really liked the story and the hunt for the Vessel of Souls but again Sophie ruined it for me. I hope that this series continues but I would love for Will, Nina, Vlad and others at UDA to get their open books because I enjoy them so much more then Sophie. I do plan on reading the next book in this series because the side characters and the dialogue are just that good and I have to hear what Nina is going to say or do next. This is a great book but with an annoying heroine but I’m hoping that Sophie will grow a pair and get better in the next book.

SOPA Blackout

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:04:00 +0000

Hey folks. I normally keep my blog all about the books and man candy but there's something going on that I can not ignore. If you've been watching the local news or trolling the interwebs, you know that something big is about to go down that could change the internet as we know it forever - and not in a good way. SOPA is the Stop Online Piracy Act, a bill that was introduced as a way to stop online piracy. I am all for stopping online piracy. I know what it feels like to have someone steal my reviews and post them as their own. I can't imagine what its like to write a book, record a song, make a movie and find it all over the internet, free of charge. All of your hard work in the hands of others and you're not seeing a dime. That sucks.

But the problem with SOPA and PIPA is that the wording is to broad and is open to interpretation and abuse. In essence, what it is set out to do -- stop online piracy -- is not what it will be used for. It could be used to shut down blogs, censor content on the internet. And we don't want that, do we? I sure as hell don't. I love my blog and to think that because I unknowingly linked to a site that's linked to a site that's linked to a piracy site could cause me to lose my blog, my domain name, money and who knows what else is scary. There's no wiggle room, no gray area no "what if" clause with SOPA and PIPA. It's all or nothing. And that doesn't work for me.

So on Wednesday, to protest SOPA, my blog is going black from 8am to 8pm.

To find out more about SOPA and PIPA, click HERE

Review: Graveminder by Melissa Marr

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Title: Graveminder
Author: Melissa Marr
Published: January 17, 2012 (re-release)
Pages: 336
Genre: Fiction, Gothic
Source: Publisher (Harper Collins)
Rating: B
Reviewed by: Ellie

Favorite quote: “Part of being strong is knowing when to hide your weakness, and when to admit them. When it’s just us, you can cry. In front of the world, you keep your chin up.”

summary from Goodreads
Three sips to mind the dead . . . Rebekkah Barrow never forgot the attention her grandmother Maylene bestowed upon the dead of Claysville, the small town where Bek spent her adolescence. There wasn't a funeral that Maylene didn't attend, and at each one Rebekkah watched as Maylene performed the same unusual ritual: She took three sips from a silver flask and spoke the words "Sleep well, and stay where I put you."

Now Maylene is dead, and Bek must go back to the place she left a decade earlier. She soon discovers that Claysville is not just the sleepy town she remembers, and that Maylene had good reason for her odd traditions. It turns out that in Claysville the worlds of the living and the dead are dangerously connected; beneath the town lies a shadowy, lawless land ruled by the enigmatic Charles, aka Mr. D. If the dead are not properly cared for, they will come back to satiate themselves with food, drink, and stories from the land of the living. Only the Graveminder, by tradition a Barrow woman, and her Undertaker—in this case Byron Montgomery, with whom Bek shares a complicated past—can set things right once the dead begin to walk.

Although she is still grieving for Maylene, Rebekkah will soon find that she has more than a funeral to attend to in Claysville, and that what awaits her may be far worse: dark secrets, a centuries-old bargain, a romance that still haunts her, and a frightening new responsibility—to stop a monster and put the dead to rest where they belong.

Ellie's thoughts:
Claysville is not your normal town. People are born in Claysville, the raise their kids in Claysville and they die in Claysville. Children don’t get sick and most residents live until eighty all because of a deal the towns founders made in 1712. Three hundred years later that deal will change the lives of Rebekkah Barrow and Byron Montgomery and force the former lovers back to the town and the relationship they both ran from. Rebekkah’s grandmother, Maylene, has died and has left her the Barrow’s women family legacy as the Graveminder, the woman who helps keep the graves of Claysville properly kept and the dead in them. Rebekkah and Byron must work together to learn their new roles and to depend on each other because the dead are rising in Claysville.

This book is amazing and from the very first page I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. Melissa Marr is so good at creating worlds that are addictive, hard to leave and filled with complex characters that you love but also make you want to pull your hair out. Graveminder kept me on my toes the entire time and was such a mind tease that I found myself thinking about it every time I had to leave and put it down. As I write this review I don’t want to give anything away but at the same time there was so many great things in this book that I don’t even know where to start.

Rebekkah and Byron have a very long, complex and heartbreaking relationship. Byron has always loved Rebekkah and Rebekkah has always ran away from the relationship Byron has wanted with her. Now in their new roles, her as the Graveminder and his as the Undertaker, they are forced to confront the feelings they both have for each other and try to find a balance to their new relationships. As the Undertaker, Byron’s main job is to protect Rebekkah and help her keep the dead in their graves and help put them back if they get out. I found the Undertaker/Gravemind relationship fascinating and I wanted to learn more about all the others who came before Rebekkah and Byron.

As I mentioned before there are so many characters and so much going on in the town of Claysville and beneath it. I am under the impression by how the book ended that it is a stand alone but I would love to learn more about Claysville and it’s inhabitants. I would love to have an entire book take place in the world underneath Claysville involving Abigail and Charles. I loved the scenes that take place in the underworld and found that would even more interesting then Claysville.

I think the only problem that I had with the book, and it only really bothered me at the end, was how long it takes Rebekkah to face her relationship with Byron. After a while it got very annoying that she would just constantly run away again and again. Other then that I loved this book and I love the world that Marr has created. Once again Marr has proved that she is a must read author who can suck a reader in with just the first paragraph and not let them go until she has told her story.

Review: Haunted Warrior by Allie Mackay

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Title: Haunted Warrior
Author: Allie Mackay
Published: January 3, 2012
Pages: 352
Genre: Historical Romance
Source: Publisher (Signet)
Rating: C-
Reviewed by: Ellie

Favorite quote: “Now at last she understood why American women swooned over Scottish men. It wasn’t the long, proud history and heritage, all the flashing plaid and swagger. Nor was it the swinging kilts and the age-old-mystery of what was or wasn’t beneath them. Above all else, it was the accent.”

summary from Goodreads
Kendra Chase is exhausted from her work as a ghost whisperer, so she's been looking forward to her vacation in Edinburgh. But work awaits her as the tiny fishing village is being excavated, and supernatural uprisings have been reported.

Graeme MacGrath knows the source of the psychic trouble. The excavation is disrupting the protective veil between this world and darker, more ancient ones. He hates to admit it but he will need the fetching Kendra and her paranormal abilities to save the town he loves from unspeakable evil.

Ellie's thoughts:
Kendra Chase has two jobs: one as a landscape historian and the second working for Ghostcatchers International. As someone who can speak to ghosts Kendra’s work for Ghostcatchers takes her all over the world and her latest assignment has sent her to a small fishing village in the Scottish highlands called Pennard. A large company is trying to buy Pennard and turn it into a tourist amusement park and many of the locals, both dead and alive, are not happy about this. Kendra’s job is to find out why the ghosts are unhappy and fix the situation but Kendra never expected to feel such an attachment to the small village or to one of the key protesters Graeme MacGrath.

Graeme MacGrath will stop at nothing to save Pennard from the development project and from his long time enemy Gavin Ramsay. The MacGraths and the Ramsays have been at odds for hundreds and hundreds of years and as the last descendants of their bloodlines neither man will stop to protect or destroy what they believe is theirs. Graeme has never felt the way about any woman the way he feels about Kendra and he will do anything in his power to protect her from Ramsay and himself. Graeme and Kendra both have secrets that they have sworn not to reveal but by trusting each other they might be able to save Pennard and finally destroy the evil that lies beneath it.

I was very excited when I was offered the chance to review Haunted Warrior because I love a good Scottish romance but sadly I was very disappointed and found the story to be very predictable. I was very excited after reading the first couple of paragraphs and was really starting to lose myself in the plot and the characters and then Kendra went a started acting really annoying and continued to do so for the remainder of the book. There is nothing that I dislike more then either the hero or heroine “falling in love” with the other after sixty pages and no knowledge of who the person they “love” really is. Kendra started “falling in love” with Graeme at page sixty and it all went downhill from here.

Graeme is a great character and I really enjoyed him throughout the entire book. Without him I honestly can’t say that I would have been able to finish Haunted Warrior. Kendra, as I mentioned before, was very annoying and all I wanted was for her to stop saying she was in love with Graeme at the end of almost every single chapter. I wish that more of the story would have been told from Graeme’s point of view because then we learned more of the village and the history of the MacGraths which I loved.

I really enjoyed the interactions with the ghosts of Pennard and really wish there had been more of them. I found the book lacking in both paranormal and actual romance scenes. A lot of the story, for me was Kendra talking over and over again about how she wanted to kiss Graeme again and how she was either falling in love or was in love with him. I would have enjoyed more sexy scenes between the two or more scenes with the ghosts of the town.

This is definitely a stand alone book and parts of it are very enjoyable. I find it hard to love a book when you really dislike a main characters and that was my problem with Haunted Warrior. I wanted Scottish paranormal romance and instead got a lot of an American girl whining over a sexy highlander.

Reader Rally Blog Hop Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 02:26:00 +0000

Welcome to the Reader Rally Blog Hop Giveaway

I am giving away By A Thread by Jennifer Estep

When killing people is your job, there’s no such thing as a vacation.

Then again, how often does an assassin live long enough to enjoy her retirement? In this line of work, you either get lucky or you get dead. And since I destroyed my nemesis Mab Monroe a few weeks ago, all of Ashland’s lowlifes are gunning to make a name for themselves by taking out the lethal Spider—me, Gin Blanco. So I’m leaving behind my beloved barbecue joint and heading south with my baby sister, Bria, to cool my heels in a swanky beach town. Call it a weekend of fun in the sun. But when a powerful vampire with deadly elemental magic threatens an old friend of Bria’s, it looks like I’ll have to dig my silverstone knives out of my suitcase after all. Complicating matters further is the reappearance of Detective Donovan Caine, my old lover. But Donovan is the least of my problems. Because this time, the danger is hot on my trail, and not even my elemental Ice and Stone magic may be enough to save me from getting buried in the sand—permanently.

***Edit: By A Thread will be released on 2/28/12. I thought that the release date was 1/31/12. If you are the winner, you can either chose By A Thread as your prize or pick any new release ($10 limit) instead. Sorry for the inconvenience.

There is also going to be a GRAND PRIZE given away by Romance At Random! Click on this link to be taken to the site to enter the grand prize giveaway.

Click on the link below to enter using Rafflecopter. Giveaway ends 1/31/12. Open to US residents only.
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Review: Infatuation by Melissa Schroeder

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Title: Infatuation
Series: A Little Harmless Military Romance, #1
Published: November 14, 2011
Pages: ebook
Genre: Erotic romance
Source: Purchased with my own money
Rating: B+
Reviewed by: Marq

Favorite quote: You're the one who awoke the beast, so you get to live with the consequences."

summary from Goodreads
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.

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.

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.

Marq's thoughts:
This is my first time reading a book by Melissa Schroeder and it won't be my last. Infatuation pulled me in from start to finish. Kade is one sexy hero who is "crushing" on his best friend's sister. What Kade doesn't know is that the feeling is mutual. Shannon has been lusting after the handsome SEAL for a while and decides that now is the time to finally make her move. After a sinfully sexy and hot tumble between the sheets, Kade is called away on a mission. A couple of months later, he returns; battered and broken. Shannon's feelings for Kade have not gone away but she's not to sure that he feels the same for her.

Infatuation is not only a hot and sexy read but it's very emotional. Even though it's not a full-length novel, the characters and plots are well-developed. Growing up around SEALS, Shannon knows how to stand on her own. She knows the danger that her brother and his friends face when they leave. She keeps the home fires burning, so to speak, where they have somewhere to rest, recuperate and relax when they are in town.

After returning from his mission, Kade is in limbo. He's not sure where he's headed next but he does know that he misses Shannon terribly even though he has nothing to offer her. He's dealing with an injury and PTSD. But Kade doesn't give Shannon a lot of credit. She is strong. And he realizes that he can lean on her as he works his way back to health.

I loved each character, especially Deke, also known as "Chief." His book is next and I can't wait! Infatuation has the perfect combination of emotion, humor and smexy times. I will definitely be reading more by Melissa Schroeder.

Review: Flashfire by Deborah Crooke

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Title: Flashfire
Series: Dragonfire, #7
Author: Deborah Crooke
Published: January 3, 2012
Pages: 396
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source: Publisher (Signet)
Rating: C-
Reviewed by: Ellie

Favorite quote: “I refuse to have my life and my choices shaped by fear.”
“A team. She’d never had a partner or confident before, not like this, and Cassie liked the prospect a lot.”

summary from Goodreads
Master illusionist Lorenzo wants nothing to do with the Pyr. His dragon nature is just another secret to hide and another detail to juggle, like ensuring that each of his Las Vegas magic shows is a true spectacle. Until he feels the burn of his firestorm and his whole world shifts....

Cassie Redmond is tired of photographing celebrities. She wants to pursue her dream of serious photography—despite the lucrative offer for a shot of a dragon shifter. Las Vegas is the last place she wants to be, but Lorenzo arouses more than her curiosity when he shifts shape as the finale of his show. Instead of forcing him to reveal his secrets, Cassie gets swept away by this illusionist’s masterful touch.

Lorenzo wants to satisfy the firestorm and put it behind him. But Cassie is hard to forget—and he can’t ignore the danger when Slayers target the mate Lorenzo didn’t believe he wanted....

Ellie's thoughts:
Lorenzo is a Pry, a shape-shifting dragon, and uses his powers in his Las Vegas show as a magician. Lorenzo maybe a Pry but he has refused for hundreds of years to join their cause defending humans against Slayers, shape-shifting dragons who want to destroy mankind, and wants nothing but to be left alone. Lorenzo is gearing up for his biggest illusion yet, one that will help both himself and his father disappear and start a new life. Lorenzo never expected just days before his big disappearance to have his mate attend one of his shows and for the firestorm that happens between mates to occur.

Cassie Redmond needed a vacation and that’s how she ended up with her best friend in Las Vegas, Nevada and at the show of master illusionist Lorenzo’s show. Never did Cassie expect sparks to literally fly between the two or for the intense passion that would later follow. Now that Cassie has been revealed as Lorenzo’s mate both the Pry and Slayers want to use her to get him to join their side. While the Pry want her help the Slayers will use force and try to force Lorenzo’s hand to make a decision that could change the world as we know it.

I had a very hard time with this book. I usually try not to read books that are so far along in a series that I have not read and I should have known better then to try and pick up this series with book seven. I felt very, very lost for the first fifty pages about the Pry and Slayers and was actually surprised that there wasn’t any explanation about who they were except that both were dragon shape shifters. I wish that there would have been a glossary of terms included because I feel that it would have eased a lot of my confusion about who and what things were.

Once I figured out what was going on I really enjoyed the first half of this book. I really enjoyed both Cassie and Lorenzo and found the firestorm, sparks that show a mate, really interesting. I liked that it took Lorenzo a while to see how beautiful and strong Cassie was but I didn’t like that he fought so hard against having a relationship with her. There were many times when I wanted Cassie to get mad at him and tell him to take a hike and when she finally did it was too late for me.

As I mentioned before I really liked the first half of this book but the second half, for me, was really bad and almost unreadable. I was so bored and annoyed with everything that was going on that all I wanted was for the book to end. I thought there was almost too much going on and then add in that I was already confused I just kind of gave up caring or trying to figure everything out.

I love paranormal romance books especially ones that involve dragons which is why I was so excited to read Flashfire but I found this one way too confusing, with way too much going on and not enough explanation of the world of the Pry and Slayers. I never fell in love with the characters and the story and had no desire to try and get lost in the plot. I do not recommend reading this book if you have not read this series before and credit most of my confusion and dislike of the book from trying to jump into what seems to be a complex world of dragon shifters.

Winner of Crash Into You Trading Cards

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 02:54:00 +0000

Thanks to everyone who commented on Roni Loren's interview.

The winner of a set of Crash Into You Romance Trading Cards is....
Catherine

The winner has been contacted.

P.S. I Love You Winners

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 02:55:00 +0000

And the winners are....

Congratulations! Emails have been sent to the winners.

Review: Scrumptious by Amanda Usen

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Title: Scrumptious
Author: Amanda Usen
Published: January 1, 2012
Pages: 368
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Source: NetGalley
Rating: D
Reviewed by: Marq

Favorite quote: "Man's best friend is dog, but woman's best friend is vibrator. You'll have to forgive me if I don't ask you to stay."

summary from Goodreads
Sparks between love 'em and leave 'em pastry chef and poker sharp Marlene Bennet and traveling chef-for-hire Joe Rafferty when the two culinary perfectionists are forced to share a kitchen. But several suspicious accidents at the restaurant convince Marlene and Joe to work together to uncover the saboteur. Maybe a little intrigue and high-stakes poker will be the perfect ingredients for these commitment-phobic foodies to whip up a happily ever after.

Marq's thoughts:
Scrumptious had the potential to be a fun, sexy romance. I don't normally read romance novels where food is a big part of the plot, but I decided to give Scrumptious a chance because of the blurb and the cover. I really wanted to like this book but I had serious issues with two of the main characters and these issues ruined the book for me.

Marlene has been working at Chameleon since she was teen alongside her best friend, Olivia. Olivia's family owns the restaurant and took Marlene under their wing. While Olivia was off at culinary school for two years, Marlene ran Chameleon. Olivia then marries Keith and makes him the chef and to be in charge of the line, in essence exiling Marlene to the bake shop. When Olivia catches Keith cheating on the premises with an employee, she immediately fires him (even though he has been a tough screw up since he got the chef gig at Chameleon). Olivia calls her good friend, Joe, and asks him to temporarily be chef while she looks for one to replace Keith. When Marlene and Joe are introduced, there's instant chemistry. Marlene wants to take a tumble with Joe but Joe is interested but doesn't want to give in. He made a promise to his dying mother that he will no longer date "sluts." And this is where Scrumptious started to lose me.

The ongoing theme throughout Scrumptious is the huge double standard. Joe is an admitted "man whore" who prefers one-night stands to relationships. Thanks to her daddy issues and a mother who is looking for husband #5, Marlene doesn't want to be in a relationship. She is a sexual woman, is confident in her sexuality and makes no apologies for it. But throughout Scrumptious, she is thought of by Joe and others as a slut. This thoroughly disgusted me the entire I was reading it. In a lot of romances, the heroine is always borderline virginal. She always has a "healthy sexual appetite" but hasn't slept with anyone in over a year. Ummm...that is not a healthy sexual appetite in my book. I was happy to finally see a heroine like Marlene who doesn't apologize for wanting what she wants. Of course, her behavior has to be explained by saying she's this way because of her parents. I guess an excuse has to be provided to make her "sluttiness" more palatable.

Olivia has to be the worse best friend ever. Marlene has continually had Olivia's back and covered her ass and yet Olivia has no appreciation for what Marlene has done for her. When weird things start happening at Chameleon, Olivia and Joe immediately point the finger at Marlene. Yes, Marlene did play a joke on Joe and admitted she wasn't happy that he was there but she owned up to it. Marlene denied being behind the sabotaging that was happening at Chameleon but neither Joe nor Olivia believed her. I can understand Joe not believing her but I was shocked that Olivia thought that her best friend was behind it. Again, Marlene has had Olivia's back and continued to have Olivia's back even though she was being treated the way she was.

At one point in Scrumptious, Olivia tells Marlene to be a big girl. I found this laughable because Olivia has no business running a restaurant because she is weak and has no spine. She doesn't know how to handle a crisis and Marlene and Joe had to constantly save her ass and tell her to buck up. She couldn't even acknowledge the fact that Keith was an incompetent chef and that he needed to be fired a long time ago. Why Marlene continued to be that woman's friend is beyond me. The friendship was one-sided, for sure.

Scrumptious wasn't a total loss. I loved the detailed descriptions of the food and the work that went into preparing a dish. The attention to detail was great without weighing the story down. I did enjoy Joe and Marlene's relationship when he wasn't constantly reminding himself about his "no sluts" rule. If that aspect had been left out, I would have liked Joe more. Again, huge hypocrite since he dips his peen in the strange pool frequently. I felt that Marlene got the short end of the stick and should have told Joe and Olivia to kiss her butt.

Scrumptious wasn't the book for me. My dislike of Joe and Olivia ruined the book for me. I was hoping that there would be some redemption for Olivia but it came too little, too late. Joe redeemed himself a little but not enough for me to want to see him and Marlene together. In a romance, you want to root for the h/h to be together but in this book, I couldn't muster up any enthusiasm for Joe and Marlene's HEA.

Review: The Fever and the Fury by Stephanie Draven

noreply@blogger.com (Marquetta W) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Title: The Fever and the Fury
Author: Stephanie Draven
Published: January 1, 2012
Pages: ebook (novella)
Genre: Paranormal romance
Publisher: Harlequin Nocturne Cravings
Source: Copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review
Rating: B
Reviewed by: Marq

Favorite quote: "I guess whatever STD you catch from her will burn up the next time you're reborn from the flames so you don't have to worry about venereal disease."

summary from Goodreads

She's already killed him twice this week.

Phaedra, a fury, is bound to make Lieutenant Luke Lazaros atone for his supposed crime, but her usual method of inflicting pain doesn't work very well on a phoenix with the power to be reborn every time he dies. However, each rebirth leaves him with an overwhelming need for sex. Phaedra's new plan: to drive Luke mad with desire....

But Phaedra has never touched anyone—even herself—except to cause pain. She's an innocent when it comes to pleasure...but Luke isn't. His touch is a revelation, arousing a passion in Phaedra that is as delicious as it is terrifying. For no matter how much she wants Luke, giving herself to a man risks awakening her goddess's wrath....

Marq's thoughts:
The Fever and the Fury gets off to a humorous start. Phaedra is tasked with making Luke atone for his sin. Luke refuses because he feels that he hasn't done anything wrong. The novella starts with Phaedra trying to kill Luke for the third time that week. Phaedra can not be released from her obligation until her job is done. Phaedra realizes that if she wants to succeed, she may have to change her method.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed The Fever and the Fury. I loved Phaedra and Luke's characters. Both are characters that are used to following orders without questioning them and together they both discover that it is okay to question. The chemistry was believable and undeniably hot. I loved that there was humor sprinkled throughout the book.

Luke is a great alpha hero and Phaedra is a funny, sarcastic Fury. I would have liked to have had more info on exactly how Luke became a Phoenix and on what a Phoenix is. Other than being reborn, what other abilities does he have?

The Fever and the Fury is a hot and steamy read. Once the book ended, I wanted more! I wasn't completely happy with how it ended. I want to know the repercussions, if any, of Luke and Phaedra's relationship. Will Luke ever go home again? I guess we just have to let our imaginations play out how Luke and Phedra's HEA truly ends.

I loved The Fever and the Fury. This is my first time reading a book by Stephanie Draven and it won't be my last.