Kerrelyn Sparks ends the Love at Stake series with "Crouching Tiger Forbidden Vampire"

**********Thank You Edelweiss for an Advanced copy of this Title*********

Oh no!!!!!!!!! It's over!! Sparks has ended the Love at Stake series with this book,  Russell's book. She says that she still has more ideas for maybe later but for now, she has other plans. 

So, Lets get this started.

Description:

Russell woke from a coma to find he’s become a vampire. Now he has a thirst—for revenge. Determined to hunt down the master vampire who turned him, he’s used to working alone . . . until he meets Jia. She is after the same vampire for murdering her parents and insists she can help Russell on this mission. Reluctantly, he agrees, and sets up some ground rules: 

Rule #1: Their partnership is strictly business. If he holds her a little too close . . . if she looks at him with those exotic eyes . . . well, that has to stop. 

Rule #2: He’s in charge. Jia isn’t used to taking orders and questions every move he makes. So he stops her the only way he knows how. 

Rule #3: Don’t Fall in Love. But the kiss that was supposed to quiet her awakens something else in him . . . something forbidden. Because Jia is engaged. To someone else. 

Russell wants revenge. Master Han turned him into a vampire and left him in a coma for years. All his family died without him being there for them. His ranch gone. He has nothing left except for his revenge. 

 Jia is a tiger princess, her family murdered by Master Han, and she too wants revenge. She secretly trained her whole life to be able to take him out. Russell stumbles upon her and saves her instead of taking out Master Han. Something about her keeps bringing him back to her, even though she is engaged to a tiger prince. A betrothal she knew nothing about until now. Jia is drawn to the vampire, even though she grew up thinking all vampires were bad. Many tiger shifters still have that view, even though the vampires have been helping them to find and kill Master Han. 

Master Han has kidnapped the dragon boy and, trying to get in his good graces, treats him like a son. But the boy knows thats not who Master Han really is. He communicates with the birds to try and tell his friends where he is, but the demon finds out and kills all the birds. His hopes of rescue are dwindling, but Russell and Jia find him and make a horrible discovery as to who Master Han really is. 

This was such a great book! I love Jia and Russell was so cool. I won't spoil it and tell you who Master Han is, but hollllllly cow what a shock to everyone! I am so sad to see this series end as it has entertained me for many years. I look forward to her future works!

John Flanagan's Brotherband Chronicles returns with "Scorpion Mountain"

*************Thank You Edelweiss for an advanced copy of this title*******

Okay seriously, this is the most fantastic youth series (outside of Harry Potter) that I have ever read. The Ranger's Apprentice and the companion series the Brotherband Chronicles are so well written and fast paced and interesting! My eleven year old son is almost finished with "The Royal Ranger". It took me three years to get him to read this series, and we have such awesome conversations about the books! Its great to have something in common with him!

In the last book, Hal and the Herons sailed to Araluen for a year of service to King Duncan. They rescued a dozen slaves from slave sales in Socorro and now are sailing to meet with King Duncan about a new mission.

The new mission is to protect Princess Cassandra. A new cult called the Scorpion Cult have assassins trying to kill her. Hal, Gilan, and the Herons set sail to Scorpion Mountain to find a way to cancel the contract on Cassandra. And away they go again.

As always, this book was absolutely fantastic. The books are fast paced, always something happening to keep your interest. The only thing I can say about this author is.. GO READ!

G.A. Aiken brings on the humor and romance with "Light My Fire"

**********Thank you NetGalley for an Advanced Copy of this Title*******
Description:
The trouble with humans is that they're far too sensitive. Forget you put a woman in the local jail for a few months--and she takes it so personally! And yet she is the one trying to assassinate the queen. And now I'm trapped with Elina Shestakova of the Black Bear Riders of the Midnight…gods! That endless name!

But what am I to do? I am Celyn the Charming with direct orders from my queen to protect this unforgiving female.

Even more shocking, this unforgiving female is completely unimpressed by me. How is that even possible? But I know what I want and, for the moment, I want her. And I'm sure that she, like all females, will learn to adore me. How could she not when I am just so damn charming?

Okay, seriously, anyone who has not read this series is absolutely missing out. It is a medieval fantasy series about dragon shapeshifters. Which is great, but the best part of this series is how absolutely hilarious it is. I laugh through all of them! This book was no different.

Elina is sent by her tribe to kill the white dragon queen. She marches straight up to her and says "I was sent to kill you". The dragon queen thinks this is hilarious so instead of killing her, she has Celyn tuck her away in a safe place. Celyn, takes her to the human prison. And everyone promptly forgets about her. For seven months.

A raving mad cult is gaining support throughout the country, so the queen decides she wants Elina to go back to her tribe and negotiate an alliance. She sends Celyn along to protect Elina.  Oh my gosh.. every time Elina calls Celyn "Dolt"  I can't stop laughing. Elina frustrates Celyn to no end. 

Elina has not told Celyn that returning to her tribe when she failed her mission is a death sentence. But Celyn sees what's happening and saves her. They along with Elin's sister run. They meet up with Anwyl's twins and a creepy old dragon lady named Brigit that everyone thought was long dead. 

Elina has lost an eye to the tribe leader, who happens to be her mother.. When Anwyl finds out that Elina's own mother tortured her, she is absolutely livid and the "mad" queen is back... Celyn and Elina unravel a plot to take out the people important to the dragon queen and Anwyl. 

Aiken doesn't know how to write a bad book, I think. They are all really funny, have a good romance, and usually some fighting. Its great! Come one, come all, try this series!

Blackcoat Rebellion continues with "Captive" by Aimee Carter

**********Thank you NetGalley for an Advanved Copy of this Title*********

Description:

For the past two months, Kitty Doe's life has been a lie. Forced to impersonate the Prime Minister's niece, her frustration grows as her trust in her fake fiancé cracks, her real boyfriend is forbidden and the Blackcoats keep her in the dark more than ever. 

But in the midst of discovering that her role in the Hart family may not be as coincidental as she thought, she's accused of treason and is forced to face her greatest fear: Elsewhere. A prison where no one can escape. 

As one shocking revelation leads to the next, Kitty learns the hard way that she can trust no one, not even the people she thought were on her side. With her back against the wall, Kitty wants to believe she'll do whatever it takes to support the rebellion she believes in—but is she prepared to pay the ultimate price?

When I read the first book "Pawn", I was absolutely hooked. Kitty just wanted to escape the life the government had set for her but she instead ended up having to work for the government she hated. She was forced to take on the roll of Lila Hart, niece of the Prime Minister. 

Kitty has screwed up. She went looking for files in Daxtons office and found what she wanted, but Knox turned her in and she was sent to Elsewhere. Where people are hunted for sport. Everyone in Elsewhere has one goal: to survive. Simple things will get you thrown into a cage with another person and forced to kill or be killed. Kitty makes one friend but no one is as they seem. Everyone is out for themselves and darn the consequences on what happens to others. She does stumble upon a plot to find the codes for the armory so that prisoners of Elsewhere can fight back. She sets out to find the codes and finds Knox instead, and she wants him dead. 

I'm horrible at writing descriptions! This has been one of my favorite dystopian books after Hunger Games. It is certainly worth the read!

Laura Kaye's Hard Ink Series continues with "Hard to Come By"

*******Thank you Edelweiss for an advanced copy of this title*********
This series really grabbed me straight from the beginning.

Description:
Derek DiMarzio would do anything for the members of his disgraced Special Forces team--sacrifice his body, help a former teammate with a covert operation to restore their honor, and even go behind enemy lines. He just never expected to want the beautiful woman he found there.

When a sexy stranger asks questions about her brother, Emilie Garza is torn between loyalty to the brother she once idolized and fear of the war-changed man he's become. Derek's easy smile and quiet strength tempt Emilie to open up, igniting the desire between them and leading Derek to crave a woman he shouldn't trust.

As the team's investigation reveals how powerful their enemies are, Derek and Emilie must prove where their loyalties lie before hearts are broken and lives are lost. Because love is too hard to come by to let slip away...

Another awesome story! Okay seriously, the tattoos seriously do it for me. Just had to say that.

Emilie has noticed that her brother has changed since he returned from Afghanistan. One minute hes her normal brother, the next he's ... crazy. She suspects that he has done terrible things and wants to have him committed. 
Derek puts himself in a position to meet Emilie. He needs to know if she is involved in his dealings or not. He immediately suspects not but his teammates find a stash in her basement. 
Derek continues contact with Emilie, hoping beyond hope that she isn't involved, because he is definitely developing feelings for her. And his fake legs don't bother her a bit. 
But when she files for her brother to be taken for mental incompetence, the bad guys find her because they want him.
So much going on in this book. I love this series. Its so incredibly fantastic! Read read read read... Sigh and tattoos :D 

Anyways, This is book number three and I can't wait for number four!

O'Hare and Fox return in an all new book by bestselling author Janet Evanovich!

************Thank You NetGalley for an advanced copy of this title**********

Description:

The FBI had one demand when they secretly teamed up Special Agent Kate O’Hare with charming con man Nicolas Fox—bring down the world’s most-wanted and untouchable felons. This time it’s the brutal leader of a global drug-smuggling empire.  The FBI doesn’t know what their target looks like, where he is, or how to find him, but Nick Fox has a few tricks up his sleeve to roust this particular Knipschildt chocolate–loving drug lord.
 
From the streets of Nashville to the back alleys of Lisbon, from the rooftops of Istanbul to the middle of the Thames, Nick and Kate chase their mark. When they find themselves pitted against a psychopathic bodyguard and a Portuguese enforcer who gets advice from a pickled head, they decide it’s time to enlist some special talent—talent like a machete-wielding Somali pirate, a self-absorbed actor, an Oscar-winning special effects artist, and Kate’s father Jake, a retired Special Forces operative. Together they could help make this Fox and O’Hare’s biggest win yet . . . if they survive.

Kate and Nick return in an all new adventure! Haha, I've always wanted to say that!.  Anyways, A former cohort  of Nick's named Serena is framing him for thefts to get his attention. Her brother was murdered by a notorious crime lord that no one can pin point. He had plastic surgery (by Serena's brother) and then he was murdered so no one could say what Menendez looks like. Serena wants Nick's help in finding him.
Kate and Nick come up with an elaborate plan to get Menendez's attention. They hire a computer graphics company to make a digital sunken treasure, supposedly from a ship that sand carrying much gold coins and other gold items. It has to look real. They revamp a ship to look like a research vessel, and hire all of their old friends from the actor to the crazy woman who will drive anything to help out.

Evanovich's books really need no introduction. This series as been absolutely fantastic. It has the hilarious feel of the earlier Stephanie Plum novels before they turned into the same thing over and over.. This series has been great from cover to cover! 

Dark witch series comes to an end with Nora Roberts' new book "Blood Magick"

Description:

County Mayo is rich in the traditions of Ireland, legends that Branna O’Dwyer fully embraces in her life and in her work as the proprietor of The Dark Witch shop, which carries soaps, lotions, and candles for tourists, made with Branna’s special touch.

Branna’s strength and selflessness hold together a close circle of friends and family—along with their horses and hawks and her beloved hound. But there’s a single missing link in the chain of her life: love…

She had it once—for a moment—with Finbar Burke, but a shared future is forbidden by history and blood. Which is why Fin has spent his life traveling the world to fill the abyss left in him by Branna, focusing on work rather than passion.

Branna and Fin’s relationship offers them both comfort and torment. And though they succumb to the heat between them, there can be no promises for tomorrow. A storm of shadows threatens everything that their circle holds dear. It will be Fin’s power, loyalty, and heart that will make all the difference in an age-old battle between the bonds that hold their friends together and the evil that has haunted their families for centuries.

Roberts' books need no introduction. I love her series, and this one especially. I love when she spreads her wings into the paranormal romance genre! They always turn out well.

We know its coming. Its almost time for the Dark Witch three and their circle to confront the evil that has been shadowing them for a thousand years. Branna and Fin know they are in love, they know they want to be together, but the mark keeps them apart, and they each know they can't be together because of it. But they must work together to defeat Cabhan, who has been stalking the family for a thousand years. Fin was born from Cabhan's line. He is determined to defeat Cabhan and find a way to remove the mark and be with Branna.

The book doesn't really need any introduction. Everyone knows the goal of the book as, hopefully, they have read the first two books. If not, then get to it People! I'm going to leave it here for now. Happy Reading!

Julie Kagawa returns with an all new series... Dragons! YES!

Description:

Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.

Ember and her brother Dante have finished the beginning part of their training. The next step is to integrate into the human world... Learn to be human to be able to hide, but not forget what they are. Dragons.  Ember is so excited she can barely contain herself. A month of freedom! Friends, fun, and being free. After being stuck in a compound her whole life, she can't wait to make friends and play on the beach for a whole summer, until the next part of her training starts. 

Ember and Dante integrate well. Ember makes friends immediately and also learns to surf, which is almost as awesome as flying. When her friends meet a couple of guys and head off to a private location, Ember knows this isn't going to end well. And it doesn't. They are rescued by a couple of guys who are not what they seem. Ember is immediately drawn to Garrett, and Garrett to Ember. But Garrett is part of a secret organization sent to kill Ember. They believe she is dragon, and all they need is the proof. Garrett is sent to flush out the sleeper dragon.

What Garrett and Ember don't plan on is enjoying each others company so much. They both know its wrong. Ember is a dragon, Garrett is a human. Garrett is a warrior, trained to kill dragons.  Neither knows who each other really are, although Garrett suspects.

Throw in the mix Riley, a rogue dragon who wants Ember to join him, who also feels a pull to Ember. Ember chafes at the Talon authority. She doesn't want to spend her life doing what they want her to, she wants to be free. And she suspects that with Riley, that could happen. 

Okay, so I'm not going into more detail. I think that everyone just needs to go read this book. Kagawa doesn't know how to write a bad book. Through all of her Iron Fey, Call of the Forgotten, Blood of Eden and this new book, I have thoroughly enjoyed every single thing she has written!  So, go forth and read, my friends! Because these dragons are AWESOME!

Rachel Lacey unleashes a great story!

*************Thank You Edelweiss for an advanced copy of this title***********

Description:

What happens when you find the right one at the wrong time?
Cara Medlen has a serious case of animal attraction. And it's not because of all the foster dogs she's rescued. She's got it bad for her incredibly sexy neighbor. Her one rule: Don't get attached. It's served her well with the dogs she's given to good homes and the children she's nannied. Yet the temptation of Matt's sexy smile might just convince her that some rules are made to be broken.

Matt Dumont doesn't need his skills as a private investigator to detect disaster on the horizon. Cara is everything he thought he'd never find-gorgeous, funny, and caring. But there's no way he can start a relationship just as he's about to move to another state. Talk about bad timing. As their attraction sizzles too hot to deny, they'll have to make a decision: forget the consequences and let loose, or forget each other and let go...

This is a debut novel from Rachel Lacey, and I must say, I really enjoyed it! I loved Cara. When I read about her illness it really made me sad, but I loved that she was trying to live her life the way she wanted to. Matt was an interesting character, and I loved all of Cara's friends. I'm sorry, I really suck at writing reviews. I think most people know that by now. But I would suggest this book to any reader of Rachel Gibson or Susan Mallery. Happy reading!

Christine Feehan returns with the next Carpathian novel "Dark Blood"

Description from Amazon.com:
At long last you are truly back with us...

Zev Hunter was an elite warrior, a dark-blood dealer of death to rogue Lycans who preyed on mankind. He was a loner, never given to personal attachments, and damned fierce at his job. But Zev begins to question his past and his purpose when he awakens in the darkness of the sacred cave of warriors—and is soothed back to consciousness by the sensuously familiar voice of one woman, the woman who has haunted his fantasies for centuries. She was Branislava, member of the Dragonseeker clan…

Mother Earth called the ancients to witness your rebirth… 

For this half-mage, half-Carpathian temptress, the ritual of awakening Zev to the council of warriors was the only way to save him. Locked away for his own protection, the time has now come for his rebirth, for his blood to stir with that of the ancient warriors before him. He has been assured by Branislava that their fates are entwined, that their spirits are woven together for eternity and that his new purpose in life is beyond imagining.

Now, with a blood-sworn vow of honor, mercy and endurance, and under the influence of a siren as bewitching as Branislava, Zev begins to wonder what his purpose is, what it means for the future of the Carpathians and what it is about his rebirth that he has to fear…

Go waaay back to the original Dark series books.. The first eight were absolutely fabulous. The next several were.. meh. Ivory and Razvan was interesting. Many of them were waaay too scientific when it came to figuring out there was a problem with the soil caused by the Mage Xavier. It was just too darn confusing. Skylar and Dimitri.. I waited a decade for that book. And it sucked. So when I picked up this new book, I was very apprehensive. I said after the last one that I wouldn't read her anymore, after being a loyal fan for so long.. But, for some reason I did. I can say it was.. Okay. 
*************spoilers but promise not to give away the whole book*************

What gets me is all this new stuff that she is adding in. Twenty-six books into the series and all of a sudden there is a Cave of the Ancients... Now, why wait fifteen years and twenty-six books to bring this up? Oh wait, twenty-five years because the last book had it in there. Still, ya get the point. I did enjoy the whole ancient Dark Blood Carpathian lineage. That was kind of cool, with the story of Zev's grandparents. And so here is an interesting twist. Xavier was one of a set of triplets, each of the others just as nasty as he was. Each set out to destroy one of the races. Xavier was after Carpatians, Xayvion went after the Jaguars, and Xaveiro was after the Lycans. I may have misspelled some names, but I don't have the book right here in front of me. 
I loved Branislava. She is so cool. Especially in her dragon form. There was one really great scene in the book where there was an impromptu party in a meadow where many old characters showed up along with many children. That was pretty cool.

Okay that's all I have to say. This book was definitely better than the last ... twelve. But still not as good as the original eight. Have a nice day!

Son of No One and Kenyon's Big "Revelations"

I have been a fan of Ms Kenyon for over ten years. She is my all time favorite author. There is a big BUT here. This book was an absolute FLOP to me.

Description from Amazon.com:
In Son of No One, next in the blockbuster The Dark-Hunters series by Sherrilyn Kenyon, it’s not easy being life’s own personal joke, but Josette Landry has made an unstable peace with the beast. Completely down on her luck, Josette takes a job with a local paranormal group as a photographer and camerawoman. Yeah, they’re even crazier than she is. The only paranormal thing she believes in is the miracle that keeps her rusted-out hoopty running. But when something truly evil is released into the world, they are forced to call in reinforcements.

From the moment Josette meets Cadegan, she knows something about him isn’t quite right.　 Mysterious and armed with lethal sarcasm, he seems a lot older than his age. 

Centuries ago, Cadegan was viciously betrayed into an immortal prison by the only person he’d ever trusted and was cast into an immortal prison. Forced against his will to do good, he hates everything in life. All he wants is a way out. But for the damned there is only eternal suffering. And yet there is something about Josette that intrigues him. Something he can’t seem to fight and the last time he felt this way about a woman, it cost him everything. 

He knows he has to stay away from her, but the unleashed demon is hell-bent on consuming her soul. If one more innocent is taken, he will be sent back to an unimaginable prison that makes his current hell look like paradise. But how can he keep her safe when his being with her is the greatest threat of all?

Josette "taking a job with a local paranormal group" never actually happens. She goes to this big haunted house with her family, but the camera doesn't work. Next thing ya know, she is falling through a mirror into another realm, and is rescued by a big dude in a robe. They only have a certain amount of time to find a dragon key and get her back to her own world. Seriously, within 5 pages these two are "in love". 

The best part of the book is about halfway in where, after doing the "deed", Cadegan and Josette accidently switch bodies. For about three pages here I laughed so hard I almost fell out of my chair. 

Now, for all of the big "Revelations" that were supposed to happen, maybe I missed them all. I saw very little that I would call a "Big Revelation!" . Maybe next year, with the Year of the Dragons, which everyone knows I absolutely adore dragons, will be different, but honestly, this one was one of the worst books in the series.

OMG I am so sorry. I'm so mean, and I'm sorry but we are supposed to leave honest reviews, right? Well, there is is. I'm sorry if I offended anyone but that is how I feel. I'll go away now. Because I hate writing bad reviews and now I feel bad. Tata...

Tracy Solheim's Out of Bounds series is great!

I recently went looking for more sports romances. I loved Deirdre Martin's hockey series, and I don't even like hockey! I also loved Susan Elizabeth Phillips' Chicago Stars/Buchanan brothers series. So I really wanted some new sports romances, and I went on Amazon and looked around and found this series. I read book one, and loved it. Waited and waited... had the library get book 2 and 3.. 3 came first, waited another week before 2 came. Frustrating!! I wanted to read them in order, I cant stand reading books out of order!
So before I go on, let me give you a description of book one.

With a reputation for fast moves on the gridiron and even faster moves off the field, Shane Devlin was a player in every sense of the word. Unfortunately, his bad-boy persona has made him a risky prospect as a quarterback, and only the Baltimore Blaze are willing to give him a chance. And he’s about to take a hit he never expected.

Working for the Blaze, Carly March knows too well how jocks think—and what they think with—so she’s always made a point of keeping them at arm’s length. But when she shares a kiss with the devilishly handsome Shane, she finds it hard to play by her own rules—and even harder to resist him.

Can a football hero and a business-minded beauty take it all the way? Or will their mutual attraction cost them the big game?

Carly first runs into Shane while she is on vacation. Where he has no clue who she is, she knows exactly who he is. And that she's going to be forced to work with him. He's the new quarterback for the Baltimore Blaze. The Blaze team is very family friendly and they tell Shane has to work on his reputation. It needs to be a lot more clean. The last thing Carly wants to do is keep track of this guy, but when her friend is injured, Carly steps up to help out. 

Shane has never has a good relationship with his father. Matter of a fact, he wants absolutely nothing to do with him. But when his father and stepmother are killed, the will states that they want Shane to take care of his little brother. Shane, of course, really has a fit about it and says for the boy to go to his grandparents. Troy shows up though with a few friends from his father's coaching job at the university. Carly steps up to help the boy, who has been through quite enough already!  Can she bring Shane and Troy together, without falling completely in love with both of them?

I really enjoyed this book. I also enjoyed the next two books and I am on pins and needles waiting, because she is going to write another book set in North Carolina, where book 2 mostly took place. 

"Heir of Fire" by Sarah Mass will make you "OH MY GODS!"

Description:

Celaena has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak—but at an unspeakable cost. Now, she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth . . . a truth about her heritage that could change her life—and her future—forever. Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. Will Celaena find the strength to not only fight her inner demons, but to take on the evil that is about to be unleashed?

Celaena has survived the salt mines, the palace, and is now on a mission. The king belives she is going to kill the royal family of Wendlyn. In reality, she goes in search of the Fae queen. She needs to find out more about the Wyrdkeys so she can take down the King of Adarlan.

In the mean time, Chael teams up with Aedion, Celeana's cousin, to help the rebels. Dorian teams up with a healer to try to understand and control his secret magic. 

Celeana is met in Wendlyn by Rowan, a prince of the fae court in service to Maeve, the Fae Queen. Maeve tells Celeana that she will not help her until she has trained with Rowan. Maeve wants to know the extent of Celeana's abilities and can't do that until Celeana even admits to all that she has. 

The king also has a devious plot in the works. The witches have come together and are becoming dragon riders. They fight amongst themselves very easily. Manon, heir to the Blackbeak clan, chooses a dragon that no one approves of, who was bait for the stronger dragons. One of the four heirs will lead the dragon squad, and Manon intends to be that person. Failure is not an option.

I can't describe how incredibly awesome this book is. And now I must wait a year or more for another. I might just cry. Celeana is an awesome, strong female character. Maas' keeps you on your toes as you read. Each character has their own milestones to overcome before they can meet again and fight together against the King. The growth of Manon Blackbeak even. This series had captivated me. I have suggested it to sooooo many people now who are as eager as myself. I wish I were better at writing reviews because this book deserves a good one!

Laura Kaye's Hard Ink series is AWESOME!

Hard As It Gets is the first book in the Hard Ink series.. Description:

Tall, dark, and lethal...

Trouble just walked into Nicholas Rixey's tattoo parlor. Becca Merritt is warm, sexy, wholesome--pure temptation to a very jaded Nick. He's left his military life behind to become co-owner of Hard Ink Tattoo, but Becca is his ex-commander's daughter. Loyalty won't let him turn her away. Lust has plenty to do with it too.

With her brother presumed kidnapped, Becca needs Nick. She just wasn't expecting to want him so much. As their investigation turns into all-out war with an organized crime ring, only Nick can protect her. And only Becca can heal the scars no one else sees.

Desire is the easy part. Love is as hard as it gets. Good thing Nick is always up for a challenge...

I got the third book from NetGalley, not realizing that it was the third book! So I tracked down book one. I am ever so glad that I did!
Nick works as a process server and occassional tattoo artist at his brother's tattoo shop, Hard Ink. (This definitely got my heart pumping as I love tattoos!) 

Becca is concerned because her brother has disappeared. Where Charlie is paranoid about everything, its not like him to just disappear. The only note she has tells her to find Rixey for help. So she finds Rixey, who absolutely is not interested in helping her. Becca's father was Rixey's commander in the Army Special Forces. The Colonel had betrayed his men and been shot in the process. Seven men died. The remaining five men were discharged from the Army, not honorably, their lives in tatters. The last thing he wants to do is help anyone from the Colonels family. 

But something about Becca sticks in his craw. He finds her address and stakes her house out. As he watches, he sees Becca come home, but he also sees someone sneaking around upstairs. He rushes to her defense. The man ran off. Becca told Rixey that her brothers place had been trashed, and Becca's house had been searched as well. Rixey decided he has to help her. Especially if it means that maybe they can repair his and his friends reputations. Charlie had found something about the Colonel that was buried deep. Something that could help him.

Rixey calls in help. He calls his friends left from their Special Forces team and all of them come to help. Becca is almost kidnapped while at work. Now they know something major is up. They set about trying to find Charlie. And in the mean time.. Rixey and Becca just can't resist each other. 

Everything about this called to me.. Special Forces... Tattoos.. Brother Jeremy's hilarious pervy t-shirts.. The puppy, oh the puppy!! Becca finds a 3 legged dog who actually helps save her from the man who tried to kidnap her at work! The naming of the puppy is absolutely hilarious!  The book just sucks me in, I read this one in a day.... and book two in a day.. and im part way through book 3 now! Loooooving it 

So, if you don't mind a bit of sex, tattoos, and hot Special Forces guys, go forth and read! 

Sharon Sala's conclusion to the Stormchaser series is finally here! Three cheers for "Going Gone"!

***********Thank You NetGalley for an Advanced Copy of this Title*********
Description:

The final storm of the season could be their last. 

After barely escaping death when her plane crashed deep in the Rocky Mountains during a snowstorm, Laura Doyle is left with a lingering fear for her life. Her lover, FBI agent Cameron Winger, reassures her that he found her then and always will. But Laura is right to be afraid, because when their engagement is announced it signals to a madman that it's time for his killing spree to begin again. 

Twice thwarted by Cameron and his partners, the Stormchaser pairs random acts of God with deliberate acts of evil. His final act of vengeance will finish his twisted vendetta by taking from Cameron the thing he loves most: Laura. 

As law enforcement struggles to connect the gruesome murders he's committed to mask his return, the Stormchaser draws closer to his true target. But Cameron and Laura don't realize they're in the eye of the storm—and this time, being unprepared for the onslaught could spell disaster.

Ms Sala went a slightly different route with her romance this time. Laura and Cameron met in previous books and at the start of this one, they are already in love.  Laura is on a business trip and on her way back to DC, her plane goes down in the Rocky Mountains. The only survivor, and forced to drastic measures so that wildlife doesn't get to her, she pulls through and Cameron is on the search team that helps find her.

After spending time in the hospital, she heads home where she has a permanent position in DC and rarely has to travel. Unbeknownst to the Stormchaser team and their women, Hershel is living large in Mexico in a retirement community. He has surgery to repair his burn scars and lost some weight. The need to kill finally gone. He makes one more trip back to New Orleans to visit his wife's grave on the anniversary of her death. During his time in Louisiana, he sees a report about the plane crash and Laura's photo. He had worked with her, his cover as a Red Cross volunteer helping him to find his previous victims. He thought they were all dead! They should have been! Now he feels he needs to even the score and heads to DC.

He chooses his victims and starts his killing spree. After the first one, the Stormchaser team thinks that Hershel is back. They can't prove it, and they all thought he was dead, but small parts of his MO are showing up on the victims.
When Cameron tells Laura he thinks the Stormchaser is back, and they all think that he is after Laura. He had tried to kill Nola and Jo. The only conclusion was he was coming for Laura. Then, there's proof that it is Hershel and the team rushes to protect Laura, who has seen him. Twice.

This book was absolutely fantastic. Heck, ALL of Ms Sala's books are fantastic, but this one, the ending brought tears to my eyes. It was so sweet. I even went and commented on her facebook page because I couldn't believe how much this book touched me. Anyways, if you haven't read the Stormchaser series, you are seriously missing out. They are a fantastic  combination of mystery and romance.

Kylie Scott's Stage Dive series is awesome!

Everyone who knows me, knows that I dislike self published books. Grammatical errors drive me absolutely batty and when books are self published, they usually do not have copy editors. However, this series, which has been picked up by St Martins in the US, was different.

Lick is the first book. Evelyn woke up in a Las Vegas hotel room, hungover as hell with a very HOT tattooed guy next to her. Wait, she got married?! She has absolutely no recollection of this very hot tattooed guy but apparently she married him. David is pissed that Evelyn doesn't remember him. He storms out of the room letting her know that annulment papers would be on the way.

What Evelyn doesn't know is that her husband is David Ferris, the hot guitarist from the major rock band Stage Dive. The press has a field day about Evelyn and pretty much stalk her like crazy. Her father is ticked about the situation she is in and that she has completely screwed up the plan. Evelyn is a college student majoring in architecture. David comes to her rescue and flies her to Los Angeles, hoping to help her keep out of the media eye until their annulment takes place and they leave her alone.

The crush of the party taking place at the house has Evelyn on edge. Mal, the drummer for the band, takes Evelyn away, which really ticks off David who comes after them. David takes her to his place on the beach. During their time together, Evelyn remembers small things about the night she married David. She can see what she saw in him. She is drawn to him like she has never been drawn to a person before. He is a caring person, sensitive. David's writing funk has gone and he is writing the best songs of his career, thanks to Evelyn.  But things kept pulling them apart. Can they work things out?

This book was awesome. Not my usual kind of read, more of a New Adult genre than the usual romance I read. And, lemme tell ya, Mal's book "Play" and Jimmy's book "Lead" were just as great. Everyone, go forth and read! The next book, Ben's book, comes out in January and I sooo cannot wait!

What's coming Fall 2014?

First and Foremost! Son of No One by Sherrilyn Kenyon!  From Amazon:
             So, I'm one of those people who is annoyed that new characters keep cropping up, but I am resigned to just let her story flow as she wants it to. I am always excited for the next book, so woohoo! Just a couple more weeks!

Next:  Sharon Sala's Going Gone

         The Stormchaser series has been awesome!  This next installment Im sure will be just as great! Ms Sala is so awesome. I adore her facebook page. She has been caring for her elderly mother for years, a lady with dementia. Ms Sala's everyday stories are a help to those us of who one day in the future will be in her shoes taking care of our own parents.

Next: Nora Robert's last installment in the Dark Witch series Blood Magick. 

    Holy WOW I cannot wait for this book!! This series has been absolutely amazing!

Next: Jill Gregory's Sunflower Lane.

   I feel I have been waiting forever for this next installment in the Sage Creek series. This has been a wonderful series. Readers of Susan Mallery and Robyn Carr would really enjoy them. Nice romances set in small towns.

Next: Larissa Ione's Revenant

  Reaver has a twin, who saw that coming! And he's not a good guy! Woohoo! Cannot wait!

Next: Sarah Maas' Heir of Fire, third in the Throne of Glass series.

   OMG, you do not realize how awesome this series is. Yes it is young adult, but it is absolutely amazing! Female Assassion, a foundling raised by the Assassin Lord but who definitely is not who she seems to be.. 

Next: Redeemed by PC Cast, the final book in the House of Night series.

  Say it isnt so! House of Night is coming to an end??  Okay, so maybe 12 books is enough. I cant wait to see how the authors end it!

Next: Talon by Julie Kagawa

  I <3 Julie Kagawa's books. All of them. Between the Iron Fey, Call of the Forgotten, and the Immortal Rules, I love them all. And I am sooooooo excited that she is writing a book about... DRAGONS! I looooove dragons!! 

Susan Elizabeth Phillips returns with "Heroes are My Weakness"

****Thank You Edelweiss for a review copy of this title****

Description:
The dead of winter.
An isolated island off the coast of Maine.
A man.
A woman.
A sinister house looming over the sea . . . 

He’s a reclusive writer whose macabre imagination creates chilling horror novels. She’s a down-on-her-luck actress reduced to staging kids’ puppet shows. He knows a dozen ways to kill with his bare hands. She knows a dozen ways to kill with laughs. 

But she’s not laughing now. When she was a teenager, he terrified her. Now they’re trapped together on a snowy island off the coast of Maine. Is he the villain she remembers or has he changed? Her head says no. Her heart says yes. It’s going to be a long, hot winter.

At one time, Theo and Annie's parents were married. All was well until Theo started terrorizing Annie, and at one point, tried to kill her. As per the agreement on the cottage, Annie must spend 2 months of the year on Peregrine Island. Right now its a godsend, because after Annie's mother dies of cancer, there are mounting bills. Supposedly, Mariah left Annie a legacy at the cottage. The trick now is to find it. But a trip up the hill to Harp House shows Theo in residence and Annie not quite sure what to do.

The last Phillips book disappointed me. I didn't even finish it. But she definitely kept me going with this book! With a tid bit of suspense.. Someone ransacks the cottage and tries to shoot Annie! But its not a deep, dark mystery, really. Except that Annie thinks Theo is a psychopath. Theo, however, tired of being blamed for the odd things happening, decides to protect Annie. But can he protect his feelings? He wishes Annie would just leave and stop dragging up old memories best left forgotten.

Another part of the story I loved were Annie's puppets. She is a ventriloquist. She has several puppets. Crumpet was my favorite, and she was a big part of the story. Annie used Crumpet to help a little girl who had gone mute after she witnesses her mother kill her her abusive husband. It was an awesome part of the story. 

All in all this was a great book! I absolutely loved it. And the epilogue as well. Sometimes I don't like those but today I did!

Melanie Scott hits a homerun with "The Devil in Denim"

*************Thank You NetGalley for an Advanced copy of this title**********

Description:

LIFE JUST THREW HER A CURVEBALL.As the team-owner’s daughter, Maggie Jameson grew up in the New York Saints’ stadium—glove, cap, hot dogs, and all. Baseball’s in her blood, and she’s always dreamed of the day when she would lead the Saints to victory herself. That was before her dad had to sell the team to Alex Winters. The fast-talking, fiercely attractive businessman has a baseball pedigree that’s distinctly minor league. Maggie wants to hate him but his skills of seduction, however, are off the charts.

WILL LOVE BE A HOME RUN?Alex could never have imagined how much this team means to Maggie. He needs her to help show the players that they’re still a family…even if he and Maggie are at the verge of exchanging blows. But her fiery determination and gorgeous looks prove irresistible to Alex. And much as he wants to relegate their relationship to the playing field—and get the Saints back in the game—Alex just can’t help himself: What he wants to win most is Maggie’s heart…in The Devil in Denim by Melanie Scott.

Maggie is absolutely TICKED that her father sold the Saints right out from under her. She was born and raised at the field, and worked her whole life towards one day taking the team over. But out of the blue, her dad sells the team. To Alex. What the heck does Alex know about baseball? He is a corporate ball buster. Yet Alex wants to hire Maggie to smooth their way with the investors and the players and other employees. Maggie desperately just wants to work with the team she was raised with and considers family, but can she work with Alex?

This was a great book! I thoroughly enjoyed it the whole way through. I loved all the crap that Maggie gave Alex, especially at the bar in the beginning. It was hilarious! This was a great read for people who enjoy Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Deirdre Martin, as well as Susan Mallery. It was just a great, fun read! 

"Return to Glory" starts a great new series for Sara Arden!

************Thank you NetGalley for an Advanced copy of this title*************

Description:

In Glory, Kansas, the best bakery in three counties not only brings together ingredients for sweet treats, but is the place where—through the powerful mix of friendship, community and a well-stocked kitchen—a wounded hero can forge a forever kind of love. 

Back in the hometown he left behind five years ago, Jack McConnell has returned battle-scarred and feeling like half a man. But Betsy Lewis only sees the hero who once saved her life and set her heart on fire. Now she's burning to save him in return. She'll use every trick she's got up her sleeve, from her generous natural assets to her talent for baking, to coax Jack out from the bottom of his whiskey bottle. At first, Jack responds to Betsy like any red-blooded man would. He's always denied his attraction to the innocent girl he used to know, but he's returned to find Betsy's grown into a full-on woman with strength enough for both of them. Until Jack realizes the only way to conquer his demons and be worthy of the hero's mantle she's pinned to his shoulders is to save Betsy one last time—from himself.

What an excellent story. Jack comes home for one reason only. He promised Betsy he would come home. His plan is to see Betsy and then leave.  After being deployed, captured, hostage, he is home but he is not the man Betsy is expecting back. 

Betsy has been waiting for Jack. She has always loved him and always will. She is determined to help him, whether he wants the help or not! But he keeps pulling away, no matter what she tries. But, as in any love story, of course true love wins!

I would recommend any readers of Susan Mallery or Robyn Carr, it is a little.. harder, but still a great romance.