Book Review: Bared To You (Crossfire Series Book 1)

Book Title: Bared To You (Crossfire Book 1)
Author: Sylvia Day |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Berkeley Trade
Genre: Erotica Romance
Series/Standalone: Series Book 1
Format: Trade Paperback

Cost: $15.00

Pages: 334

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Shelfability:  Must Have
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Gideon Cross came into my life like lightning in the darkness… He was beautiful and brilliant, jagged and white-hot. I was drawn to him as I’d never been to anything or anyone in my life. I craved his touch like a drug, even knowing it would weaken me. I was flawed and damaged, and he opened those cracks in me so easily… Gideon knew. He had demons of his own. And we would become the mirrors that reflected each other’s most private wounds…and desires.The bonds of his love transformed me, even as i prayed that the torment of our pasts didn't tear us apart...

Originally I borrowed this from the library, I was thirty two (32) pages into the book when I jumped up and ran to the local Target to get the second book because the library didn't have it. So I got it so I wouldn't have to wait to read it.  Let me tell you the best decision ever because I could read from one book to the third without waiting. And I finished this book in one day.

I truly enjoyed meeting Eva & Gideon, they were both good, strong characters with depth and issues and flaws but with each other they absolutely made each other great and at the same time the worst people.  And OMGawd their private moments???!!! Sweet jeezus it's a fire!!  They did move with lightening fast speed but I guess when you know you know, and boy did they know.  I LUUURRRVE Gideon Cross, why yes I do!! OMgosh I know see why people love this book/series so much, and why they are always tweeting Sylvia about it.

Eva's background story is so heartbreaking and I'm so proud of her mother for doing the best for her daughter with a tough situation, especially when she could have pretended she didn't know just to keep the money on tap/ Instead she was a good mother and *although personally I think if she had been paying attention more she would have caught it before it reached that boiling point* did what was best for Eva. It still left her with scars though and Gideon pushed all the wrong buttons when he first met her.  I wrote on goodreads "is it ok to like a character and still want to punch them in the face??" Yeah that's how Gideon made me feel when I first met him.  Gideon himself has a pretty messed up background as well but we haven't been given the full story, I'm going to have to read to find it all out.

Imma need exes to take all the seats over there and stay out of grown folks business. Really though??*ghetto moment over*These women are doing the most especially because he isn't giving you even the slightest time of day. Just tacky.

The attraction, the love that develops, the complications of the relationship are just so well written & amazing. Ms.Day writes in a way that draws you in & keeps you glued you just want to know what happens next and how are they going to meet the next challenge as a couple & as individuals.  Even some of the side characters are interesting and have depth, 'm looking forward to learning more about them as well.

Reading Eva's and Gideon's journey to couple~dom has been wow, good and fraught with lots of danger **for others who tried to interrupt the reading, I'm looking at you mister man**.  Definitely a story I will be re-reading especially now that I own my own copy. Yeah I wasn't even into book two before I went online and purchased the other two for my own library. That's how good they are ok?!!

Make sure to check back for the review of Book 2: Reflected In You.
 ★★★★1/2

Burn Rubber to get it kind of series!!

Happy Reading my loves

Aisha

YT Posts: 30 Books in 30 Days Challenge

Hi everyone this is my post about my participation in the 30 books in 30 days challenge on Youtube. The challenge was started by NerdInTranslation and she started the challenge by stating she wanted to clear up her to be read list, it stated reading books with 200 pages or less. My goal was 200 pages books (or more), & a total of 6000 pages read which would be 30 books read.

These are the books I read and series I completed during the challenge:

The Seven Series I started

The Crossfire Series: by Slyvia Day

1. Bared To You
2. Reflected in You
3. Entwined in You

The Goddess Test Series: by Aimee Carter

1. The Goddess Test 
2. The Goddess Interrupted
3. The Goddess Inheritance

Thunder Point Series: by Robyn Carr

1. The Hero

Giants in the Land: Clark Rich Burbridge

1. The Way Things Are

Highlander Series: Terry Spear

1. Howl For the Highlander

HP Lovecraft Middle School: by Charles Gilman

1. Substitute Creature

The Submissive Series: by Tara Sue Me

1. The Submissive

Single Books Read:

1. Lauren Dane's "Cake"
2. EB White's "Charlotte's Web"
3. Heather Graham " The Night is Watching"
4. Christen Haden " Creepy Crochet"
5. Kim Lawrence " The Brunelli Baby Bargain"
6. Alice Hoffman's " Indigo", "Survival Lessons"

So these are my books I completed from June 16th to July 15th. I completed 18 books, for a total of 4975 pages!! Yes I am so excited, if only I could keep this pace up for the rest of the year. Make sure to check out the other vloggers who participated and view their lists as well. Check-out the Shelf on Goodreads. 

Happy Reading 

Aisha

YT Posts: BookTube Challenge: Update

Well, it's that time again. a time to check up and let y'all know about how I have done in the challenge thingie that I have signed up for (yet another one) Here is my progress so far:

The Books I will be Reading:

1. The Submissive Tara Sue Me 
2. The Dominant Tara Sue Me
3. Indigo Alice Hoffman
4. Survival Lessons Alice Hoffman
5. Substitute Creature Charles Gilman
6. Cake by Lauren Dane
7. Bared to You S. Day
8. Reflected in You S. Day
9. Enticed by You S Day
10. The Hero Robyn Carr
11. The Wanderer Robyn Carr
12. The Newcomer Robyn Carr
13. Unwind N, Schusterman
14. Unwholly N. Schusterman
15. The Goddess Test Aimee Carter
16. The Goddess Inheritance Aimee Carter
17. The Immortal Rules J. Kagawa
18. The Eternity Cure J. Kagawa
19. Born Wild Julie Ann Walker
20. Giants in the Land
21. Poisoned Politics Maggie Sefton
22. The Night is Watching Heather Graham
23. the christian mama's guide to baby's first year erin mcpherson
24. Soapmaking Anne Marie Fiola

There you have it, I have completed 11 books so far. BOOM!!! It's so awesome. How are y'all doing?? Leave it in the comments below

Happy Reading

Classics Review: Charlotte's Web

Book Title: Charlotte's Web
Author: E.B. White

Publisher: Scholastic Inc
Genre: Children
Format: Paperback

Cost: $7.19

Pages: 184

How I got it: My Mother's Library

Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Synopsis:

An affectionate pig named Wilbur befriends a spider named Charlotte, who lives in the rafters above his pen. In this story of friendship, hardship, and the passing on into time, White reminds readers to open their eyes to the wonder and miracle found in the simplest of things.

I really enjoyed this book, I remember my mother reading this book to me when I was younger, but I didn't remember all the details, so I made the decision to re-read this story.

It's a good story, that highlights the life on a farm from the point of view of the animals. I really liked it, I'm not sure I liked the rat, no in fact I don't really like the rat, I never like rats in any kind of setting, real or unreal.  The little characters are intriguing and I am really glad I have read this story again.

As I was reading I was laughing that this book probably wouldn't be published now since it's so 'graphic' (which is what one of my friends said when I asked her if she wanted a copy for her child O_o). I loved Charlotte she is a genius, and the little ideas she comes up with to save her friend are just amazing.  It's a wonderful read about friendship and listening especially thanks to Fern.

I highly recommend this as a good read to children who are a little older.  It's a great read!!
 ★★★★☆

ARC Book Review: The Officer and The Secret

Book Title: The Officer & The Secret
Author:  Jeanette Murray |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Romance
Format: ebook, Mass Market

Cost: $6.99

Pages: 352

How I got it: NetGalley

Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Recommedation: Burn Rubber to Get It!!
Synopsis:

After a rougher than expected deployment, Captain Dwayne Robertson craves the sense of normalcy that his friends can bring him. But when he returns home, there's an unexpected, but pleasant, twist in the mix—Veronica Gibson. As he struggles to adjust to daily life again, Dwayne craves Veronica and the peace she brings him. But Veronica isn't without faults. Dwayne hates lies, and Veronica's entire past is a well-guarded mystery. When the completely unexpected happens, they both realize it's time to lay their cards on the table and hope they're ready for love.(

Perhaps one fo my all time favorite romances, Yeah I loved how real Dwayne was, and the glimpses back into the other stories, watching as they advance and grow as couples. I totally get why Veronica did what she did, but at the same time I can't cosign on her mess, her lies just kept snowballing and even when given plenty of chances to come clean she kept them going )which made her a complete and real character as well, totally loved her), those final few pages had me glued to the kindle until I was done, I just knew the crap was going to hit the fan & I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen, how they would handle it, and if Veronica would grow as a woman.

Veronica's upbringing skates close to the edge of becoming cultish & abusive (actually scratch that) it was cultist and abusive, just because you have a calling on your  life doesn't mean you have to demand others follow that same mission, perhaps if her parents hadn't interpreted the Bible so harshly this would have been a fun way to grow up, but to oppress her and lock her away from living life so she can do what you do is not being a good parent or a good Christian.  you know who does that?? Oppressive regimes & cults, yeah, all her parents needed were a few followers and they would have been a full on cult. Idiots. I loved that Veronica recoginized it for herself and made a break for it, and demanded of herself something more, something better, she's a survivor and I totally understand why she lies about who she is and where she's from. Although, in a relationship lying to one's partner?? O_o *unless it's for an awesome surprise?* Yeah no bueno.

This had to be the second book I have read this year that deals with PTSD in military characters and handles it well, even though it's part of the story it doesn't become the whole story, it doesn't overwhelm the character and make him less, which sometimes those who aren't in the military or don't have military ties can write or talk about it in a way that helps to stigmatize those who are suffering.  Jeanette did a wonderful job discussing it, discussing even how the Marines themselves can be reluctant to seek help, or even worse believe somehow they are less for needing the help.

It's just well written as a romance, one I can't wait to add to my collection, Definetly a burn rubber to get it as soon as it comes out kind of book.
 ★★★★★

Stacking the Shelves (1) BEA Edition

Hi my loves

Welcome to the BEA edition of Stacking the Shelves. After the fun of the last three days, the convention, the publisher parties and NYC at it's best I'm totally swamped and exhausted, I'm excited however about the sheer number of books I received via the book expo, yeah, and totally scared too, I'm going to be reading forever and a day to complete these books, 175. Yep you read that right I got a grand total of 175 while at the expo. No wonder my shoulders hurt, but anyway onto the books:

Since the sheer number of books is too ridiculous to count I'm going to link to the Goodreads list, so instead I will feature my favorites that I'm dying to dive into.

The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova

Another great one is

I also go this awesome picture with Katie McGarry the author of the second book:

Dare You To!!











I loved another awesome one is The Submissive:

There are just so many to choose from so I only picked the ones with amazing covers!!
Check out the full list on Goodreads and make sure to check back often for the reviews of the awesome books!!

What did you get?? Share down below.
Thanks again BEA and to all the authors and publishers. I need to go sit, my feet are hurting.

Book Review: Sleeping With Dogs & Other Lovers

Book Title: Sleeping With Dogs & Other Lovers: A Second Acts Novel Book 1
Author: Julia Dumont |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: BroadLit
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: ebook, paperback

Cost: $8.99, $14.99

Pages: 254

How I got it: NetGalley

Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Shelfability:
Season: Beach Read
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

A SECOND ACTS NOVEL: Sleeping with Dogs and Other Lovers Cynthia Amas has her hands full. In the middle of launching a boutique matchmaking service amid the sun, surf, and celebrities of Southern California, her own romantic life gets a whole lot more complicated...and steamy. While expertly juggling the needs of her exclusive clients, her own maddeningly irresistible bad-boy, sometime lover unexpectedly returns for a hot and heavy reunion. Meanwhile, her high-maintenance mother busily concocts harebrained schemes for meddling in Cynthia’s affairs. And her new best girlfriend—the sexy proprietress of a chic Beverly Hills dog-grooming salon—just happens to roll with a purebred entourage of curiously gifted canines. Before long, Cynthia’s personal, professional, and amorous lives begin crashing hilariously into one another. Join Cynthia as she begins "Second Acts " and find out who accidentally slips into bed with whom, who has a penchant for low-cut lederhosen, and who winds up naked and alone on a beautiful beach in Malibu!

I'm confused, what the hell did I just read??!!! This was supposed to be a good fun love story read, which was what it started out as and then it went left.  Somewhere out there is the point in this story, it just isn't in this book.

First we have the lead character who has a mother that is 'typical' of these novels, nosey, setting her 'lonely' daughter up all the time and has no sense of boundaries AT ALL.  And while yes I freely admit to having my own frustrations with my mother, telling you mother to respect your boundaries and to just do better or limit their interaction isn't that hard.  Why support her shennaigans by going out with the man she tried to set you up with?? Why for the love of God WHY would you go to a Doctor that isn't yours just because she made the appointment?? Please tell me what insurance she has that is paying for all these visits and why haven't the cops been called in???

The story started off great, then it started ding weird stuff, then it began to try too hard to fun, funny and quirky and just dragged. Half way through I wanted to quit reading, but I was already so involved I might as well finish. Each character was thrown in and some of them were just to show how awesome she is at being a matchmaker, yet she makes the world's worst mistakes when it comes to men.  It just wasn't cohesive or worth really reading. I knew I was done when she followed through on the doctor's appointment, as a nurse I know that as a new patient the doctor will have a nurse in the room just to make sure nothing improper was to happen or believed to happen.  Plus asking her out after he had examined her???? So beyond improper & unprofessional.  Then the date?? Her mother being there and allowing it to happen?? I was so done with everything after that.

The phone call from Max, Max as a character?? He was a player, a whore and just the worst human being ever. Just way too much I can't with this book, or it's plot attempts. It's like watching a horrible B movie. I did have a few giggle worthy moments when she talked about who had the biggest pen*s in Hollywood (the asterisk is so that I won't be blocked by filters, not because I think the word is wrong). That list was very cool to know *dirty smirk*; especially because I know that Colin Farrell wins hand down. *yes I totally admit to watching that video*.  Other than that this story was totally not worth reading IMHO. I just can't finish reading the second book much less the third book; but since I'm already reading the second book I have to finish because I refuse to be haunted by any of these characters, especially Max the whore.

 ★★1/2☆☆☆

Good Luck with this book, & Happy Reading

BookTube Challenges: 30 Books In 30 Days

I have joined the book tube community. Yeah At the moment I am stalking the videos and making so many of my own, but without a computer it's getting hard to really do anything for these here blogs. But I'm sneaking in some stuff now.  I'm participating, here are the rules, created by NerdinTranslation.

The goal is to read 200 pages per day or a book a day so you can clean up those TBRs. Mine are getting seriously out of hand right now so this hcallenge is essential to my life.

The Books I will be Reading:

1. The Submissive Tara Sue Me
2. The Dominant Tara Sue Me
3. Indigo Alice Hoffman
4. Survival Lessons Alice Hoffman
5. Substitute Creature Charles Gilman
6. Cake by Lauren Dane
7. Bared to You S. Day
8. Reflected in You S. Day
9. Enticed by You S Day
10. The Hero Robyn Carr
11. The Wanderer Robyn Carr
12. The Newcomer Robyn Carr
13. Unwind N, Schusterman
14. Unwholly N. Schusterman
15. The Goddess Test Aimee Carter
16. The Goddess Inheritance Aimee Carter
17. The Immortal Rules J. Kagawa
18. The Eternity Cure J. Kagawa
19. Born Wild Julie Ann Walker
20. Giants in the Land
21. Poisoned Politics Maggie Sefton
22. The Night is Watching Heather Graham
23. the christian mama's guide to baby's first year erin mcpherson
24. Soapmaking Anne Marie Fiola

Those are the ones I know MUST be read by the end of the challenge, what are you doing for this challenge my love??

I still have six more to go that should be added in as well, what are you going to read.

Happy Reading

Aisha

ARC Book Review: Let The Dead Sleep (Cafferty & Quinn) Book 1

Book Title: Let The Dead Sleep (Cafferty & Quinn)
Author: Heather Graham  |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Publication Date: March 26, 2013
Genre:Paranormal Romance/Romantic Suspense
Format: ebook, Hardcover, Paperback

Cost: $8.99, $23.95, $14.95

Pages: 336

How I got it: NetGalley

Series/Standalone: Series
Shelfability: Borrow
Season: Halloween Season
Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

It was stolen from a New Orleans grave – the centuries-old bust of an evil man, a demonic man. It’s an object desired by collectors – and by those with wickedness in their hearts. One day, its current owner shows up at Danni Cafferty’s antiques shop on Royal Street, the shop she inherited from her father. But before Danni can buy the statue, it disappears, the owner is found dead…and Danni discovers that she’s inherited much more than she realized. In the store is a book filled with secret writing: instructions for defeating evil entities. She’d dismissed it as a curiosity…until the arrival of this statue, with its long history of evil and even longer trail of death. Michael Quinn, former cop and now private investigator, is a man with an unusual past. He believes that doing the right thing isn’t a job – it’s a way of life. And the right thing to do is find and destroy this object weighted with malevolent powers. He and Danni are drawn together in their search for the missing statue, following it through sultry New Orleans nights to hidden places in the French Quarter and secret ceremonies on abandoned plantations. Cafferty and Quinn already know that trust in others can be misplaced, that love can be temporary. And yet their connection is primal. Mesmerizing. They also know that their story won’t end when this case is closed and the dead rest in peace once again.

When I got this, I was all over it, I happily started reading, the book moved pretty quickly although it took a while for it to become a romance, and even then it wasn't a deeply romantic book (or graphic). It was definitely a ground work laying book, especially for the main characters, I was really confused about the ending because I was like "Wait ..what?!??!??!? I mean all of this for that ending, you must be crazy." It wasn't until I was writing the review and linking all the websites that I noticed it said that this was part of a new series being launched in New Orleans. WoOOOhoooo!! Ok. That make more sense now, especially because there were so many more loose ends than those tied up in the book.

As you read in the synopsis, Michael Quinn is a former police officer who has switched to being a P.I due to a change that took place in his life during college.  He now hunts those objects that cause too much trouble in the world and he used to get help from Angus Caferty in doing so, now that Angus has passed he's left with a novice who might not even know how the job is supposed to be done.  Danni has been sheltered her whole life, and she doesn't quite know how she's going to fill her father's shoes, but she's a Cafferty and she's darn stubborn & whatever she doesn't know she's going to learn!! I loved reading the book, even though I guessed about half way in the traitor in midst, I wanted a little more about why they would betray others so easily. And why that cult leader was a leader.

The bust and it's evil was so well written and the history that was given was well researched and I have to say it made the story even more convincing.  I loved that New Orleans is a major character as well. Heather's insistence on letting you know the differences between witchcraft, VooDoo, & satanism and the mish-mass of crap some cults come up with.  I enjoyed reading the depth of research that was clearly done.

I do want to read more from this series, especially because this book reminds me of Warehouse 13 a bit.  Danni sounds like she is going to be a good character. I want to learn more about the shop too. These warriors they gather around them is going to make this pretty interesting.
 ★★★1/2☆☆

It's good, not perfect, but still really good.

I Apologize

My computer broke recently and all the posts I need to create my blog posts are on there, yeah I know backing up your blog and info is smart we'll just go ahead and call me dumb now.  It should be back in a week or two and I will be back to regular scheduled posts and all the fun stuff will come back then.

I'm typing this from a tablet I don't have the full capailities like a computer can. (it's the kindle)

Thank You and see you in a few weeks I love y'all
Aisha

ARC Book Review: X Marks The Scot (Bad Boys of Scotland #2)

Book Title: X Marks the Scot, (Bad Boys of Highlands Book 2)
Author: Victoria Roberts |Website| Facebook| Facebook|

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication Date:Feb 5, 2013
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: ebook, paperback

Cost: $6.99

Pages: 352

How I got it: NetGalley

Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Series/ Standalone: Series
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

He was a Highland rogue— wicked with a bow and just as wicked with the ladies. Declan MacGregor hadn’t a care in the world beyond finding a soft bed and willing woman…until he had to escort Lady Liadain Campbell to the English court. The woman needles him at every turn, but he can’t just abandon her to that vipers’ nest without protection. She never asked for a bodyguard… Liadain wasn’t thrilled to be left in the care of her clan’s archrival. It was as if the man never had a lady tell him no before! And yet as whispers of treason swirl through the court and the threat of danger grows ever sharper, her bitter enemy soon becomes the only one she can trust…

I was totally looking forward to reading Declan's story especially after he annoyed me a bit and intrigued me in the first book, Temptation In A Kilt.  When I dived in, the story moved pretty fast in the beginning, then dragged a little in the middle then quickly wrapped up in the end.

Declan is the irresponsible child because he is the third son, nothing much is required of him and so he spends his days wenching, drinking and dithering his life away, after his brother's life changed & he found that he wasn't as fond of his own life as he thought he made it his mission to look out for the Bloody Campbell's little sister until King James made a decision about her fate.  Once the major players were mentioned I kind of knew what was going to happen especially because I'm a huge history fanatic lover.  I still read on because I wanted to see how Victoria (the author) was going to spin the tale, how each character was going to react and just what was going to happen within her story.

This was perhaps the longest story to get to the point, I know she had to build the characters, but at times I was tempted to skip ahead and see what was happening on the action front, especially after they left court.  Perhaps because I knew the history of the events; I found it to be a bit predictable ( I mean you can only do so much when it's historical facts and not just conjecture) I was a little impatient and it made me rush the story a little.  About 3/4s of the way into the story the tone kind of changed and I wasn't really fond of the change.

I loved this side of Declan & I really enjoyed seeing his growth and even how much Liadain kept him on his toes.  I enjoyed reading their tale because they were such a fun couple to read.  I liked that they were enemies, then uneasy friends and that they built up from that.  It made it a little more awesome that there was a little bit of familiarity already there.  Although Liadain kept surprising

As I read however I noted that Liadain was using words which wouldn't necessarily have been around at that time like "dolt", in her thinking towards men, especially towards Declan, which was out of character for her, at least from what we have read so far, when she started using it.  The other women's insistence on 'girl' power, and their demand to wear pants <~~~ yeah at that time it wasn't going to happen, let's be real. I know it's a romance and we want the characters to be strong, feminine women in charge of themselves but historical that wasn't going to happen at all. It was way too modern and didn't really enhance the story at all.

My other pet peeve in reading was the lack of names used, Delan insisted on calling her "healer" the whole time, instead of her name or title which would have been more accurate for the time period.  Which made for an interesting love story read, because by doing that aren't you creating distance m?? between them?  Hmmm, then again Liadain called him MacGregor the whole time as well.

Beyond my own quirky issues, the book actually flowed well, had great dialogue and moved well enough to keep you engaged.  There wasn't much action in this one, and what little there was, was reserved for the end of the novel, as the bulk of it was about Declan and Liadain's courtship (I mean that's why we're here isn't it??).  An enjoyable read.
 ★★★1/2☆☆

ARC Book Review: Highland Werewolf Wedding (Heart of the Wolf 11)

Book Title: Highland Werewolf Wedding
Author:  Terry Spear |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Soucebooks Casablanca
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: ebook, paperback

Cost: $6.39, $7.99

Pages: 351

How I got it: NetGalley

Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher

Add To Goodreads

Synopsis:

Elaine Hawthorn is a gray American werewolf, currently out of work, and on a mission to share in a family treasure. When she arrives in Scotland, she nearly has a head-on collision with one hot, kilt-garbed Highlander, and runs him off the road. Werewolf laird Cearnach MacNeill isn't happy Elaine ruined his car, but he quickly becomes her protector after a misunderstanding lands her right in the middle of two feuding clans. Now he's out to ensure that this sexy female wolf gets her fair share of her clan's treasure. He knows he should leave well enough alone, but it's too late to leave his heart out of it.

I can't believe that I haven't read this series before, hot Scottish men, kilts, and werewolves?? Where do I sign up??? I fell in love with Terry Spear's writing not too long ago, when I saw that she had a few more coming out I clicked and prayed I would be approved and YESSSSS!!! They approved me. I'm pretty certain I danced a jig. Now you know how weird I am, let's move onto the review shall we.

Elaine is on the run from an unintended mating and she ran right into the man she needs help from desperately. I loved their meet-cue it's too awesome and sad, really really sad. Cearnach is an awesome character, strong but not too arrogant; he's a hot werewolf the second in command to his brother and he is on his way to the wedding of his best friend even though he knows it's just going to cause trouble between their warring clans, on the way there he is run off the road by a crazy hot woman dressed in red and so begins the story of Cearnach & Elaine.

Elaine is an Alpha werewolf without a pack, who has managed to pull her life together despite the tragedy she has faced and even though it's been tough she still was willing to meet an Alpha and be with him.  I will note that she had a few hangups but they weren't debilitating, she still had some good sense in there and used it. She was a strong character who was down for the adventure of being in Scotland and went along with whatever happened as long as it also served her purpose, she wasn't a pushover and she wasn't a carzy ball buster either, she wore her Alpha mantel and was comfortable with backing off when she didn't know what was needed. Which totatlly endeared her to me, she was a modern, strong woman and I loved it.

To say I love this story doesn't even begin to do it justice, the characters are well written, fun witty, the story flows well, the questions are answered the old characters pop in but don't take over the book, the history is shared and makes the book even more intriguing, it really wasn't predictable or lame. I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't put it down until I finished which was fun because I was reading while standing on line at BEA in NYC, yeah even on the trains I read, I just wanted to know what happened.

I'm dying to know more about the other clan, why they are the way they are, and what really started the warring between the clans. I'm reading Howl For a Highlander right now (yeah I realized after that I was reading the books in the wrong order, but hey more hot highlanders for me).  and I can't get enough of these werewolves.  I loved how she wove the stories together, giving more information about each brother in each book & let us see more of their partners in each book.  It's an amazing story, a good read that's perfect for the summer vacation.  I mean really Highlander's and kilts are always good anytime of year.

Enjoy my loves
 ★★★★☆

Book #Review: Guarding The Princess

Book Title: Guarding The Princess
Author: Loreth Anne White |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Harlequin Romantic Suspense
Genre: Romance
Format: ebook, paperback

Cost: $3.85, $4.95

Pages: 288

How I got it: NetGalley

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher

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Synopsis:

"You're not just a job anymore." It was supposed to be a 72-hour mission, in and out, until Brandt Stryker got stranded in the arid African plains with predators before him, a killer at his heels and an exotic princess by his side. Dalilah Al Arif stirs his blood, makes him crave things he'd lost long ago - but she is off-limits, promised to a sheik. Dalilah's wedding contract stipulates she must wed before her 30th birthday - just months away. It's a duty she accepts. But in the arms of her handsome protector, she's torn between her sense of duty and honor, and her freedom. And as the terrorists close in, she fears the most dangerous creature in the savannah is Brandt himself…...

I haven't read any of the other books in this series and I so need to get on that.  This book is so awesome. I loved Dalilah as an character, she was strong, she knew what she wanted and when it looked like her life wasn't going the way she wanted she made the tough choices and did what made her happy.

OmGosh I so fell in love with them as a couple, and with the landscape as it was being described. I so fell into the story and felt like I was right there with them as they struggled to make it out of the country.  Brandt was so well described ( I love the show Arrow on the CW and he reminded me of the man who was teaching Oliver you know the hot Aussie para military guy, yeah him hotness) so that's who I pictured Brandt as, and man oh man I totally understood his dilemma,, but I personally really did feel bad for that girl she was a class A idiot. And she left Brandt with scars because of her stupidity. Just some people really don't deserve a good thing when they have it.

I loved the story of Jock & of South Africa, of Brandt's home. Poor Brandt had a tough life, and I never really thought of what it meant to be a princess and seeing Dalilah's choices and the brutal life she and her family has had was heart breaking.  I loved that they fought for their happiness, as it wasn't easy.  I loved that she faced the practicality that it was lived with her ideals and die or  do what was necessary to stay alive (even though she was a little stubborn at first). 

In the end the intensity of feelings expressed in the book drew me in, I am intrigued enough to put her brother's stories on my list of books to read sometime in this lifetime.  This has been a first time read from this author, and her writing is so beautiful that I will be checking her out again ( at least four more times as those are the books in the series).  ohhh I also learnt something I never knew about giraffes, that was pretty interesting.  I loved how the Safari played just as much a part in the story as the characters did as well.  And the symbolism at the end of the book wasn't lost on me either. Yeah the Lions have certainly returned.

Highly recommend it my loves, so enjoy it and fall in love with Brandt, Dalilah and the beautiful Safari.

 ★★★★☆