Friday Reads

Yikes! I've been so crazy busy that I'm looking for an escape. I found a little bit of time to myself last night, and finished Johanna Lindsey's NO CHOICE BUT SEDUCTION, not my favorite by her...the writing seemed a bit off, but I can't put my finger on it.  I did love the scenes between James and Anthony, but, well they've been on the top of my romance hero list for YEARS. :) I'm not giving up on JL and the Malory clan, so if I can find some free time this weekend, I plan to read THAT PERFECT SOMEONE, it's kind of a stretch to call  it a Malory book, but I hope to get some great cameos (especially from James...hubba hubba) LOL. I needed this historical change up, I went on a Shiloh Walker suspense binge last week.

So what are you reading? 

Have you heard the news? There's a new Publishing Assistant in town!

I'm really excited about this.  It's a new service being offered especially for indie authors, The Authors Red Room your virtual Publishing Assistant.  They offer all the great services you'll need to make your book shine.  Such as:

• Cover designs
• Website templates
• Manuscript formatting
• Manuscript editing

and much much more! I was over there browsing around, and saw many awesome things. I think this will be a great opportunity for new authors.

This is why I watch....

AMC's Hell on Wheels

Cullen Bohannon...a tortured hero, bent on revenge. Is he to far gone for redemption? (oh HELL no!)

This is a character I keep rooting for, even when he crosses the line. I love the storyline of this new series, I'm sad that I have to wait until next fall to enjoy it again. :( 

In the meantime, I think I need to read some Westerns...any suggestions?  I'm sad that there aren't more published...guess it's time to go on a hunt!

Review: SLADE by Sarah McCarty

The Shadow Wranglers #4
Paranormal (Vampire/Weres)
Berkley Sensation

As the tech guru of the Renegades, Slade Johnson is the genius behind most of their weapons against the Sanctuary. But with all his knowledge there is one thing that escapes him, how to cure his nephew's illness and save his life.

Scientist Jane Frederickson has made a remarkable breakthrough in her genetic studies. But what she discovers could be used to cure world hunger, or destroy humanity.

Can Slade and Jane keep her research out of the Sanctuary's hands? Is she the answer to Slade and his family's prayers?

*****

This was one of those stories that I enjoyed most of, but there were some aspects that just drove me nuts. I like the Johnson brothers, and their fight against the Sanctuary. I like the kick-ass storyline. I'm a fan of alpha heroes, but I really hate the over-alphaness of some of Sarah McCarty's lead male characters. I also hate how her strong, capable heroines all of a sudden become mealy little wimps, with bursts of stubbornness. I can handle weak characters, but I'm better with it when they start out being weak. Or if they are strong, it's okay to have a weak needy moment, but not to fall under the “oh save me because I just can't save myself” mode.


Jane kind of flip-flopped for me. I understood that she spent most of her life in a lab, so physical strength wasn't her strong point. In the beginning part of the book she tried to be strong, but when they finally made it to the ranch, and when Slade figured out she was his mate, he crossed the line of suddenly not thinking she was capable to make her own decisions. Jane bucked at some of it, but she seemed to cave to most of it. I understand the concept of compromise, but that didn't seem to be the case between Jane and Slade. It became a “what he says goes” kind of relationship...that's I'm not good with. Mostly because she seemed to have a good head on her shoulders, and I felt she should have had more say in the choices that were made for her.

I will read more of Sarah McCarty's books, especially her here historicals...I don't mind the over-alphaness is a time period where women were expected to be strong but meeker (note: there is a difference between being more submissive and being stupid or weak), more followers than leaders. That is one setting that I get annoyed with too modern heroines.

Rating: 3

WINNER from Donna Grant's Guest Post :)

Congratulations Kristina Parmenter you're the winner of Donna Grant's ECHOES OF MAGIC!

Review: BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE by Lisa Kleypas

Capital Theater #2
Historical (Victorian 1833)
Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins

Lady Madeline Matthews believes she has the perfect plan to escape the arraigned marriage her parents are planning. If she can get herself ruined everything would be fine; anything would be better than being married to Lord Clifton, even being shunned by society. When she sees a print of the devilishly handsome actor, Logan Scott, Madeline knows who she is going to engage her ruinous affair with, now if she can only entice him into a liaison, things will be perfect...or will they? 

 

Logan Scott had enough on his plate being the owner of the Capital Theater, along with being the leading male actor, without having to dodge the naïve yet enticing Madeline. But can he keep his stern disciplined life under control, or will he be distracted by the lovely Madeline?

*****

This book has had a long standing spot on my keeper shelves, I have reread it A LOT throughout the years, and I'm sure I will read many more times in the future, as it is one of my go to comfort reads. It is always a pleasure to revisit Logan and Madeline. I love the passion and the angst that flows between these pages. Madeline is very naïve, but she is just what the jaded Logan needs. I love seeing her tantalize and push Logan who does his surly best behave, but of course he eventually succumbs to her innocent charms.

BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE is one of those stories that takes me through a whole range of emotions. I was brought to tears as I hated seeing the emotional suffering each of them went through, and Logan was hateful to Madeline for a brief period. But there was also smiles and laughter as I read this book. And most importantly was the very satisfactory end Ms. Kleypas took me to.

Lisa Kleypas is an auto-buy for me, no matter what genre she is writing. I absolutely adore her historicals, but her contemporaries are on the top of my list of favorites also. I'm eagerly awaiting her next book, RAINSHADOW ROAD, the first book in her new series, though it's the second book taking place in Friday Harbor with the Nolan brothers.

Rating: 5

A new beginning...

Boy-oh-boy am I ready for 2012 to begin!  2011 had a LOT of sucky moments between family illnesses, deaths and financial strains. I am firmly planting into my head...and anyone else I can convince, that 2012 will be a STELLAR year, one full of opportunities and improvements. 

Here are my 2012 plans:

• FAMILY - I'm praying that this year my family will be blessed with better health and more financial security--my in-laws and older relatives were struck hard last year.
• HOME- We currently searching for a home to purchase...if only we weren't so dang picky...or had a bigger budget :~P
•  READING- I always have high expectations for a good reading year, why should this year be any different.
•  EDITING - I'm dipping my feet into a new venture as an assistant editor...hopefully to eventually move up after proving myself--yes I know this will take time, but I learned long ago to always strive to be better. :~) I'm also looking forward to the new friends and contacts I will make on this adventure.
• DAY JOB - I'm still keeping my day job at the office...fingers crossed that we (my co-workers and I) don't go through the same crap as last year--I was stressing about whether or not I would be laid-off from July until the end of Oct. 
• REVIEWING - I'm want to be more punctual and active with writing and posting my reviews.
• BLOGGING - I love the new friends I've made since I've started, and especially with the author pimping I really began to get into. I can't wait to spread the word more about the books/authors I love and to communicate with other like mined people

I'd be remiss if I didn't at least mention the end of the Mayan calender in this post, especially since when my dad was alive we used to discuss the meaning of the Mayan calendar all the time. I'm sad he's not around to talk to anymore, but I'll be thinking of him lots, especially at every mention of this Mayan myth. I choose to believe that it will signify some changes, not the end of the world. I'm very interested to see what will be reported on and what other people believe.  How about you, do you think that December 21, 2012 really signifies the end of the world apocalypse, or some great Earth changes? Or do you think that it will be just another day?

Okay, simpler question, what do you think 2012 has in store for you?

Happy New Year's Eve

So do you have big plans for the evening? Me, not really; I'm planning to  hang out at home with my husband and kids.  We  have a bottle of champagne to pop open at midnight...though in all honesty we'll probably open it earlier...otherwise I'll be drinking it all by myself. o.O

...WINNERS.... CHRISTMAS EVE AT FRIDAY HARBOR .... WINNERS....!!!!!

Congratulations to Leagh , TerryF, Linda Henderson , and Harlie Reader!!! 

I hope you enjoy CHRISTMAS EVE AT FRIDAY HARBOR as much as I did.

Review: SWITCHBLADE GODDESS by Lucy A. Snyder

Jessie Shimmer #3 Sci-Fi
Del Rey

Picking right up where SHOTGUN SORCERESS ended, Jessie and Pal are off to save Cooper from the goddess Miko, who is still pissed that Jessie refused to join her. Jessie has her work cut out for her, as she and Pal are still healing from exhaustion and their injuries. Can they save Cooper ...and the world or will Miko triumph?

*****

Wow, what an awesome ride Lucy A. Snyder took me on with, SWITCHBLADE GODDESS, a twisted erotic tale that took Jessie to some very dark places, as we learned more about what made Miko tick, and watched Miko drag Jessie into some of those very spots. Jessie's only concern was to save Cooper, but in the process she had to face some very messed up crap.

If you read SHOTGUN SORCERESS (I hope you have, or a lot of this wouldn't make much sense) you will remember that Miko started screwing with Jessie, Cooper and the Warlock's minds, twisting their relationships into something dark and difficult to come to grips with. Well Miko did NOT let up at all. She continued to take Jessie on a distortedly erotic journey, throwing in plenty of horror, action, and finally some tender relief to bring the story to a satisfactory end.

I loved this latest installment to the Jessie Shimmer series and am absolutely thrilled to hear that there could be more to come!!!!

Rating: 4.5

Guest Post and Contest with author Donna Grant : New Years Resolutions

Bestselling author Donna Grant writes historical paranormal romances for St. Martin’s Press. She lives in Texas with her husband and two kids.

Towards the end of one year I always look to the next and think of things that I’d like to do. Some call them resolutions. I try not to since that usually means they don’t last more than a month.

So, I make goals. Sometimes its as simple as excising three times a week. I always slack off during the holidays, so I make this one of my top goals.

I also try to be realistic in my goal setting. I’d love to add getting to see more readers via conferences or book signings, but I know what my schedule is next year, and I’m barely going to have time for a family vacation. So, I know that one is pretty low on the list and will probably hold off until the next year.

Since I know I won’t be getting to readers in person as much as I want, I’ll make other ways to reach them. One is my Virtual Signings. This is when a reader buys the book and pays for postage from my website, the books are ordered, sent to me, and I sign them and get them sent out to the reader on release day.

I did my first Virtual Signing last year and it was a great success, and something I plan on continuing as long as readers want it.

Another of my goals for next year is taking more time for me. I always forget to schedule that into my time. lol. My hubby and kiddos often remind me of it, so I’m going to make it a priority for next year.

So, tell me what is/are your resolutions (goals) for the coming new year?

**I’ll be giving away an ebook copy of ECHOES OF MAGIC, the second in the Sisters of Magic trilogy to one lucky commenter!**

Here’s the blurb and cover for DANGEROUS MAGIC that just released!

.

Dangerous Magic

Never tempt magic…

With the darkness holding firmly onto his soul, Cade knows he’s destined for Hell. Men like him don’t perform the deeds he has, regardless if they came by order of the king, and not elude the darkness…

A loner, Cade takes what the land provides and vows to keep the two men he thought of as brothers alive from the great evil after them. He knows his time is short and the evil is looking for him, but there is just enough humanity left in him to aid his friends. When the flame-haired witch finds him, Cade is instantly spellbound by her beauty. He can either forget her – or give in to the reckless, impossible love that could destroy her…

ISBN-13: 978-1600883996

Ebook Only

Sisters of Magic #3

December 27, 2011 Rerelease

To learn more about the Sisters of Magic trilogy or my other series, see book trailers, and sign up for my newsletter please visit me at www.DonnaGrant.com.

Hugs,

D

Thank you so much for visiting us here on Rambling Reads today, and don't for get to comment for a chance to win!

Review: HOLD ME IF YOU CAN by Stephanie Rowe

SoulFire #3

Paranormal

Sourcebooks Casablanca

After spending more than a century held prisoner in the Den of Womanly Pursuits, Nigel Aquarian has found a sense of peace by sketching, but now it seems to be the one most dangerous pursuit he could follow. Whomever he draws is being pulled back into the Den. There is only one person who can help him, the delectable chocolatier, Natalie. 

 

After surviving a deadly deedub bite, Natalie Fleming has a new lease on life. But that doesn't mean she's going crazy and living it up. She refuses to lose control ever again, because the last time she lost control she nearly died. As she is readying her shop Scrumptious, for the reviewers of Michelin-O, the premier judges of fine foods, she realizes that she has lost her mojo. Her sensuous magic is not working AT ALL. Then she discovers that she is the newest attraction on the deedub tour as the only Sweet to have ever survived there bite, oh and to just top everything off, she finds out that she is being used as a vessel to receive the residual smut from Mari's dark magic, making Natalie turn into the one demon she most despises, a deedub.

Can Nigel convince Natalie that what she really needs to do is to let loose of a little of that control, to find release, and reopen her magic for herself and to help him rescue his fellow warriors from the Mari and the Den. 

 

*****

Stephanie Rowe takes us back to her slap-stick SoulFire world with her latest addition to the series, HOLD ME IF YOU CAN. I really enjoyed the humorous roller-coaster of a story she penned. There was enough action and adventure thrown in with the silly to keep the story moving. Not to mention the delicious sexual tension between Nigel and Natalie. I loved that while they really wanted to indulge, they held back. I know that most of it was because of Natalie's fears of losing control, but I think it helped to keep the story moving, to show that not everything can be answered by a romp in the sack...though it sure didn't hurt anything.

I look forward to visiting the SoulFire series again in the future, just to see how these guys are going t o continue to heal...and to see what else the Den of Womanly pursuits may hold. 

Rating: 3.5

SQUEEEEEEEE

I just received this:

in my mail box!!! I'm so excited, that as soon as I catch up my emails I'm going to find a place to hide in my house so that I can read this. ( I'm thinking my safest spot will be locked in my bathroom in the bathtub!)

Don't forget that I'm still running a contest to win a copy of CHRISTMAS EVE AT FRIDAY HARBOR, where we first meet Sam, the hero of RAINSHADOW ROAD.

*~*~*~*~*~*ho ho ho*~*~*~*~*

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with blessings and many many great reads!