Monday, December 30, 2013

Book Blogger New Year's Challenge 2014


Hi my loves,

How are you doing?? How was your holidays?? Are you excited about the upcoming New Year?? As many of us always do I'm always making resolutions and generally by March I have forgotten what those resolutions are.  (yeah I know, not very good, but heh at least I make it to March)

This year I'm not making any, yep you've heard me. I'm not making any big plans I know I won't follow through on, this year however I'm setting goals, not resolutions but actual goals *that have deadlines and everything*. I had done a similar idea last year and had quite a bit of success so to help kick start my goals.  I'm participating in the New Year's Challenge set up ny Rachel over at ParaJunkee's View

You can swing on over and check out the very interesting list of items to post about, and hey lookie there I already have 14 posts all set up!!! I love this idea, of course as always I will be signing up for challenges galore so don't be surprised to see more of these posts popping up.  Won't you join us?? Sign up and share you links so we can all get to know one another, I'm not a new blogger, nor am I a new book blogger, but this is my first dedicated book blog.  For the last few years the books have been taking over my other blog, I'm excited to see the developments throughout the year and getting to know y'all, and sharing my love of books with y'all.

Thanks so much for stopping by, leave a comment below and let me know if you are participating so I can check you out as well.
 
Happy New Year


Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Book Review & Giveaway: Gabriel's Redemption & Christian Louboutins

Book Title: Gabriel's Inferno Book 3: Gabriel's Redemption
Author:  Sylvain Reynard |Website| TwitterFacebook|
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Genre:  Erotica Romance
Series/Standalone: Series Book 3
Format: ebook/paperback
Cost: $7.99, $9.41
Pages: 496
How I got it: NetGalley
Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Shelfablilty: Must Read It
Season: All Year
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:
Professor Gabriel Emerson has left his position at the University of Toronto to embark on a new life with his beloved Julianne. Together, he’s confident that they can face any challenge. And he’s eager to become a father. But Julianne’s graduate program threatens Gabriel’s plans, as the pressures of being a student become all consuming. When she is given the honor of presenting an academic lecture at Oxford, Gabriel is forced to confront her about the subject of her presentation – research that conflicts with his own. And in Oxford, several individuals from their past appear, including an old nemesis intent on humiliating Julia and exposing one of Gabriel’s darkest secrets. In an effort to confront his remaining demons, Gabriel begins a quest to discover more about his biological parents, beginning a chain of events that has startling repercussions for himself, Julianne, and his hope of having a family.


*sobs* OMG it can't end this way....Ok Ok I'm going to get myself together now. *deep breathe in* And ....

Hi there!! Can I just say well heck these stories flew by pretty darn fast. I started on book one on Friday and I was shoulder deep in book two on sunday and completed book three last night and OMG I'm so glad I had them all on hand.  So book three was never supposed to happen and I can totally see why she made the book. I just wanted more from each of the characters than I got in book two.  And man oh man did SR deliver.

I got more sexy Professor, more cool but learning her way Julia, more family dynamics and drama, more gentle giant Paul, more just more everything.  This book tied up so many ends and yet left a few open to the reader's own interpretations.  I have to say while racing to the end I was sobbing right along with the character (not really but man my heart seized like *nooo it can't end this way*).  Either ending would have been great but I loved this ending better.  It gave us a better more well rounded view of the characters and made me glad I had read the series in the first place.  I giggled at Gabe's description of nurses shoes, his clear love for Julia in her vulnerable moments, I just loved that man.  Now I'm so happy to see Julia on her way to being a better woman and a great academic.  I'm happy for the progress they have made from book one, especially with respect to their belief in themselves and each other as a couple, it's amazing to see how far they have come.

Now I will say t took a little while to enter into the world of Julia and Gabe, simply because I'm not really that informed about Dante's Inferno and I really dislike reading someone else's interpretation before I have read the book myself, but I didn't have time to put these books aside and read it then come back to this so I just had to take her words for it.  I really learnt a few new words, some really great places to check out in Toronto when I go and even learnt a little bit more about the academic life (or a least this version of it).

I have only a few cons, and I can't tell you about them without ruining the ending for y'all so I'm going to let them slide for now.  But I must say these have been an entertaining read for me and I have enjoyed rolling around the world of Julia and Gabe.  I believe this has earn each of the stars it has and I really would love for you to check it out.

Happy Reading my loves and Good Luck on the contest:

 ★★★★☆
 Also make sure to enter below for the giveaway being hosted by the author:
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Friday, November 29, 2013

Book Review: The Homesteader's Sweetheart

Book Title: The Homesteader's Sweetheart ( Wyoming Legacy 1)
Author: Lacy Williams |WebsiteTwitterFacebook|
Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired
Genre: Romance
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: Paperback
Cost: $5.75
Pages: 280
How I got it: BEA 2012
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Published: May 2012
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:
To escape a dreaded arranged marriage, Penny Castlerock will face anything—even life on her grandfather's farm. But it isn't the rustic lifestyle that's got the Philadelphia socialite tied in knots. It's the handsome homesteader and his eight adopted children next door...…. With seven boys and a girl to raise, transplanted farmer Jonas White could sure use some help. He just didn't expect it to come from the high-spirited, copper-haired beauty he's always admired from afar. But surely working the land is no life for a woman like Penny. Yet a threat to Jonas's farm just might show him how perfect Penny is for him after all.
This was a first-time genre read for me.  I can't remember ever reading this kind of romance and I like it. I was pleasantly surprised by it.  I really loved the characters, they were down to earth, and both so sweet that you couldn't help but want things to be good for them.

Jonas wanted to be more than just the help but no one would give him the chance, after being accused of a crime he takes off and creates a life worth being proud of.  He also happens to be a great neighbor and a good friend, and an even better Father, who was struggling now that his broad was getting bigger and needed things he wasn't equipped to provide.  He made the decision to start looking for a bride, one who would be able to help on the farm and would have no problems with raising seven children.  Penny is looking for a way out, her father is hell-bent on selling her off to a local businessman who makes Penny's skin crawl.  She can't prove it, but something about this man is off. When given the chance to help out her Grandfather who is ill.  In the process, she reconnects with Jonas who worked at a local business when she was going to school.

Before long the two are fighting, working, and without realizing it at first making a family.  I loved how they challenged each other, on faith, on beliefs, they had about themselves and others and just all around pushed each other to grow.  The children were a great addition to the story, helping to make points and clarify things for the adults in only a way children can.  I loved that Penny first fell in love with the children then with Jonas, once she knew him and why he had so many kids.

A very good story that I flew through pretty quickly.  I haven't read anything by Lacy before, but I will continue this series as soon as I have space on the TBR Pile. A definite read for those looking for a great religious romance, that doesn't really preach at you but shares the message in a beautiful way.
 ★★★★☆
Happy Reading

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Book Review: Love at First Date ( Better Date Than Never 1)


Book Title: Love at First Date ( Better Date Than Never 1)
Author: Susan Hatler|WebsiteTwitterFacebook|
Publisher: Hatco Inc
Genre: Romance
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: ebook
Cost: $2.99
Pages: 85
How I got it: Kindle Freebie
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble |
Publication Date: 10/2012
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:
Ellen may not believe in storybook love, but it’s about to rewrite her life . . . Ellen’s figured out that finding the right guy is all about compatibility. That’s why she signs up for Detailed Dating—the local online dating scene in Sacramento. They ask men the hard questions, compare their answers with hers, then she filters through the profiles of each provided “match.” After numerous email exchanges, she narrows it down to two promising candidates she’s excited to meet in person. When Ellen’s best friend asks her for a favor, dog-sitting leads to disaster and Ellen ends up at the local vet where she meets a man she can’t get out of her mind. Henry isn’t a logical choice, but she finds herself paying for dog obedience class to spend more time with him. Ellen knows that in order to have a lasting relationship, she should take the safe route and go for one of the pre-screened guys. But, how can she think with her head when her heart keeps begging her to give Henry a chance?
This one was hilarious, it's the start of a fun little series by the auhtor and i', enjoyeing myself immesnly.  Ellen creates a profile online looking for the perfect guy, but she also gets roped into taking care of her friend's dog.  As with all stupid pets the dog eats his way throguh her pocketbook and she rushes him to the local vet, There she meets Henry a ho hunk of a man, but he doesn't have any of the qualities she requires from a guy. Or so she thinks

I loved reading this story and getting in the characters' heads and seeing how they thought. It made for some seriously funny moments.  Poor Ellen doesn't believe love and ever after because her mom never met a man she could keep.  Because of that Ellen went about love differently and yet when faced with having to change she fought it a little more than necessary.

I really loved the ending of this novel and don't want to spoil it but man oh man was Henry amazing!!! I loved that even though this was a romance novel, the author managed to make the characters liekable and relateable, she made Ellen a character you wanted to route for.  I loved reading her friendships, and can't wait to learn more about the other women in the series.

 ★★★★☆
i Highly recommend this book and the series to follow ( as I have read two others already)
Happy Reading


Book Review: Truth or Date (Better Date Than Never 2)


Book Title: Truth Or Date ( Better Date Than Never 2)
Author: Susan Hatler |WebsiteTwitterFacebook|
Publisher: Hatco Inc
Genre: Romance
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: ebook
Cost: $2.99
Pages: 188
How I got it: NetGalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble |
Publication Date: 4/2013
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:
(Better Date than Never series, Book #2) Gina Hall is done with men who won’t commit. Ten years waiting for her ex to propose wasted her time. Never again. When her friend Kristen starts a game of Truth or Dare, she dares Gina to go on a date with Ethan, who’s amazing and total marriage material. As Gina plans the going away party for office playboy Chris Bradley, she spontaneously initiates a game of Truth or Dare with him. When his turn comes around, he dares Gina to pose as his girlfriend to help get a flirty colleague off his back. Gina finds playing couple with Chris way too much fun. Even though Gina and Chris are pretending, their relationship begins to feel painfully real. Fearing she might be falling for another fly-by man, Gina must focus on Ethan so she doesn’t make the same dating mistakes all over again.
I lol'd a lot reading this book. The characters were quirky and funny. Gina's relationship ended badly I mean really though all that time and no ring or date picked out?? NO madam.  I loved catching up with Gina who made a few appearances in the first book in the series.

After her breakup Gina has decided that men aren't for her for a while, yet she finds herself playing Truth or Dare with office friend Chris who is leaving soon. When Chris needs to make an impression he dares Gina to help him out and she goes for it. What Gina doesn't know is how much Chris has liked her and now that he's leaving the company policy no longer counters that and she's now free, Yeah you know where this is going... let the shenanigans Begin!!,

Gina didn't realize at first that she had a thing for Chris; it wasn't until another woman started making advances that she began to clue into her true feelings. Due to her previous relationship she still has some issues with her sense of self worth, and attractiveness and I could totally relate to he feeling blue when it seemed another girl had gotten his attention.  She was relateable and real and I loved every moment of her coming back to herself.

It was awesome to read Gina's reawakening, as she's been off the market so long she doesn't know how to do this fake dating thing, but boy oh boy Chris is hell bent on showing her.  I really loved them together.

I really loved how much emotion was packed into this small book and how well Susan wrote the converging of a relationship.  It was realistic and so well done.  I just loved how everything flowed and how well each scene was depicted.

I also enjoyed the little side characters & the side stories that were being told, the foundation for the other books being laid out so you kinda knew the next story. Of course I'm going to get those as well.

*I want to note that I received this from NetGalley then forgetting that I had the review copy purchased the second & third books from Amazon.  They had given the first book away for free and that one hooked me in.  It's both a review copy and a purchased book and neither of those influenced my review*
 ★★★★☆
I highly recommend the series, it's fun, funny and a romping good time
Happy Reading

Friday, October 11, 2013

Month In Review: September


Where the heck did the month go?? Why is it already about to be October???  I can't believe this it's only a few more weeks until my favorite time of year. Samhain and then after that Yule!!! (otherwise known as Halloween and Christmas to you muggles).

Well, I new I wasn't going to complete the 30 books but I did come pretty darn close, I'm breaking the books down by genre so here it goes.

Adult Books:



Erotica


Young Adult Books

Well there you have it folks. 16 Books!!!  What did y'all do for the month?? I can't wait to hear from y'all share in the comments down below and I'll be sure to swing on by to check them out.

What's going on your TBR for October?? I'm picking some horror/paranormal romance what about you??

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Book Review: Survival Lessons


Book Title: Survival Lessons
Author:  Alice Hoffman |WebsiteFacebook|
Publisher: Algonquin Books by Chapel Hill
Publication Date: October 1, 2013
Genre: Inspirational
Format: Hardcover
Cost: $13.95
Pages: 96
How I got it: Book Expo America 2013
Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:
Fifteen years ago, Alice Hoffman received a diagnosis that changed everything about the life she d been living. Most significant aside from the grueling physical ordeal she underwent was the way it changed how she felt inside and what she thought she out to be doing with her days. Now she has written the book that she needed to read then. In this honest, wise, and upbeat guide, Alice Hoffman provides a road map for the making of one s life into the very best it can be. As she says, In many ways I wrote this book to remind myself of the beauty of life, something that s all too easy to overlook during the crisis of illness or loss. There were many times when I forgot about roses and starry nights. I forgot that our lives are made up of equal parts sorrow and joy, and that it s impossible to have one without the other. . . . I wrote to remind myself that in the darkest hour the roses still bloom, the stars still come out at night. And to remind myself that, despite everything that was happening to me, there were still some choices I could make

I love Alice, yes, I love her so much, so when I heard she was going to be at BEA I was all over myself to get to her.  I got the book and I love it!!! As a long term disease sufferer, it's a pain in the rear to read books that try to make it sound like that you will be fine (you will be, but still don't invalidate my pain).

I read this book on the train and I was crying my eyes out, because it's so good to hear so many of these lessons from someone who has also suffered.  The book is small but she gets right to the point and shares what she has learnt during her years of chemo.

It's crazy to think all of this was happening and we didn't know about it.  I'm glad she is sharing with us now, This is a small but had quite a strong impact and I totally recommend this to anyone who loves to read survival stories.

 ★★★★



Happy Reading my loves


Monday, September 30, 2013

YA Book #Review: Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti

Book Title: Keep Holding On
Author:  Susane Colasanti |WebsiteTwitterFacebook|
Publisher: Viking/Penguin Publishing
Genre: Young Adult
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Format: Hardcover
Cost: $17.99
Pages: 202
How I got it: BEA 2013 (Book Expo America) 
Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Shelfablilty: Must Have
Season: All Year
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:
A romantic and empowering book about bullying Noelle's life is all about survival. Even her best friend doesn't know how much she gets bullied, or the ways her mom neglects her. Noelle's kept so much about her life a secret for so long that when her longtime crush Julian Porter starts paying attention to her, she's terrified. Surely it's safer to stay hidden than to risk the pain of a broken heart. But when the antagonism of her classmates takes a dramatic turn, Noelle realizes it's time to stand up for herself--and for the love that keeps her holding on.
When I got this I thought this was just going to be another teen book, then I got into it and I was just so thrown. Holy hell, Noelle is so messed up, she's in so much need of help.  Her life was so beyond messed up. I'm not being articulate right now, because as I'm writing this I'm tearing up remembering different sections of the book.  Susanne wrote an emotional book about the effects of bullying, just amazing.

As I was reading this is what I was thinking about:
  • OMG Really?? Why is her self-esteem, so shyt?? 
  • What the hell happened to her friend??
  • Why don't the teachers care?? 
  •  Why didn't she run??
I was totally freaking out when I was reading this book.  This is seriously bad sign that when this happened that she didn't run. I'm glad it clicked for her then that she was in serious trouble. I'm glad adults began to care and to look into her situation. because had it gone unchecked it would have been really bad.  I just couldn't understand how it got so bad for Noelle, before they started picking on her she was just another kid with them, why was her self-esteem so bad that she wasn't willing to fight back??  Where are the teachers and why aren't they more involved??? How is it that Carly was able to run rampant on campus and no one said anything especially when she did it in front of them???

This book hit close to home because in school (private school with my mom as one of the teachers for other students) I was bullied and it seemed like for many months that certain teachers encouraged the kids who didn't do well in my mother's class to take their frustrations out on me, I wasn't physically harmed but being secluded from all the games when there are only 12 girls in the class and 9 boys means you're all alone.

Eventually, one of the girls stood up to the bullies and became my friend and then others followed along after but reading this makes me wonder what would have happened if I didn't have just one friend.  That's all that Ali Walsh was asking for, one friend who was going through the same thing she was, someone she could talk to, and Noelle couldn't even do that.

It's an amazing book and I highly recommend it. Not just for young adults either.  This is a book I think all those in education should read, something they would be able to recommend to kids in the same situation and it might even help them recognize some of the signs of kids in trouble.

I liked that this book discussed the effects of loss of income on kids, going from middle class to poor doesn't just affect the adults.  Can I just also say her mother is a worthless woman??!!! Yes I get that her life didn't go as planned, but ummm you made these choices, we are here because of your choices, you don't get to be mad about them now.
 ★★★★
I highly recommend this novel. I cried, my heart ached, I wanted to yell, and I just felt so many emotions.  Be prepared but you should read it.  

Happy Reading

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Snippet #Review: Office Toy


Book Title: Office Toy Book 1
Author: Cleo Peitsche |WebsiteTwitter
Publisher: Pouch Productions
Genre: Erotica
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: ebook
Cost: $FREE ON KINDLE/NOOK
Pages: 27
How I got it: NetGalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble |
Publication Date: 10/2012
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:
Office Toy is an erotic MfMM (3 guys, 1 lucky gal) BDSM story of 8,400 words. Elle’s job interview starts with Cunningham throwing away her cheap clothes and sending his assistant to buy new outfits. He’s got her naked, so of course he’ll lay her out on the conference table and claim her mouth. Soon Elle is trussed up, all of her holes stretched full while three hot men have their wicked way. She loves her first tastes of liberated, naughty sex. But she’d better not start falling for her boss—no matter how safe he makes her feel—because while office sex is encouraged, romance is strictly forbidden.

What the F**k did I just read?? It's only 27 pages, how did, you know what?? This is a great porno style book. What I mean is.. thin reason for being there then all of a sudden the characters are having wild raunchy group sex.

If you just read the sex scenes it wasn't that bad, just as long as you didn't think about how she got there or worry about who some of the participants are supposed to be.  If that's what you're looking for, look no further, you have found it.

I so didn't see this coming because I don't like to read reviews before I read a book so not to be influenced. This was a total cover pick, I didn't want to read the premise and be disappointed, yeah that didn't work, I must admit that the cover is gorgeous; a kneeling submissive, yeah totally caught me,

Erotica Rating is 3 Steamy Stars, I would only read it for the erotic scenes, the 'plot' isn't worth it. If this was to be a contemporary romance?? I would hope to the gods above she was going to the police. No madam, not my style at all.  This is apparently a serial book, where they put out several pages at a time, nope I have no desire to continue with this series.
 
Have you read this?? What did you think??



Tuesday, September 3, 2013

ARC Book Review:Thunder Point Book #3: The Hero



Book Title: The Hero Thunder Point Series Book #3
Author:  Robyn Carr |WebsiteTwitterFacebook|
Publisher: Harlequin
Publication Date: September 2013
Genre: Romance
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Cost: $7.99
Pages: 384
How I got it: Book Expo America (BEA)
Series/ Standalone: Series Book 3
Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Synopsis:
In a moment of desperation, Devon McAllister takes her daughter and flees a place where they should have been safe and secure. She has no idea what is around the next bend, but she is pretty certain it can't be worse than what they've left behind. Her plan is to escape to somewhere she can be invisible. Instead, an unexpected offer of assistance leads her to Thunder Point, a tiny Oregon town with a willingness to help someone in need. As the widowed father of a vulnerable young boy, Spencer Lawson knows something about needing friendship. But he's not looking for anything else. Instead, he's thrown his energy into his new role as Thunder Point's high school football coach. Tough and demanding to his team, off the field he's gentle and kind...just the kind of man who could heal Devon's wounded heart. Devon thought she wanted to hide from the world. But in Thunder Point, you find bravery where you least expect it...and sometimes, you find a hero

So this is book three in the series, I do have the first books and yet foolishly I started at the end instead of the beginning, This story just sounded so compelling that I had to read it. and I certainly wasn't disappointed.  With well written, strong, compelling characters, I was immediately drawn into the story.  I want to move to this town, I would love to meet all the people that live there, yes, small towns are a nit of a pain when it comes to everyone knows your business but when you need help they are willing to be there more than anyone else (in the right towns anyway).

I always wanted to know something about what would compel someone to join a commune and in reading Devon's story I truly began to understand.  I believe she is extremely brave for wanting to get away for knowing herself well enough and demanding more for her daughter than what Jacob could give her. Despite her desperate need to belong to and make herself a family because of her early life, she knew what was there wasn't what she needed. She then made a new life for herself. And I just love it!!

There are moments within the book I wasn't happy with Devon because I think she could have done more, but then ou look and realize that it isn't her character to do these things, and yet in the end, she was ultimately her own hero.  I loved Rawley and was totally looking forward to hearing more of his story, and seeing how much he was growing with Devon and Mercy in his life.

Spencer or "Pencer" as Mercy called him.  I liked him as a character, he was both strong and vulnerable at the same time, he was desperate to no longer be hurt after so much tragedy had visited him in such a short time. I totally felt for him as a character, he really grew as a man and as a 'hero' for Devon.  That moment that all characters must face when thrown into a deep relationship came well and really made both of them look deep and accept their own boundaries. I really loved Decon in that moment because she truly showed how much living in Thunder Point made a difference in her life.

I would love to come back and see the rest of the story and see how Mercy grows, how Thunder Point saves others and catch up with the other characters we got a glimpse of in this book. Excuse me while I go read books 1 & 2.
 ★★★★☆
Happy Reading
Aisha