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Welcome to my little part of the blog world of reviewing.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Almost Perfect by Jenna Jaxon

Before I let Jenna take over the blog, I just want everyone to go to Decadent Publishing, buy a One Night Stand book and I dare you to NOT love it.  This series is one of the best series that I have read, bar none.  You do not have to read the stories in order at all.  This series has something for everyone and I mean everyone.  ***sorry shameless plug and I was NOT compensated for it***  Bummer, I know.  :)

Just my thoughts, so without further introduction...Jenna Jaxon.  Who, by the way, is funnier than hell...


Movie Madness


First I want to thank you, Marika, for having me here today at Harlie Books.  This is going to be fun!


I always wonder when I read novels how much of the author appears in her characters?  I’ve learned some things about some of my favorite authors that I have later noticed in their characters.  And though I know not all stories or characters are autobiographical, I assume bits and pieces of the author can be found in their works.

That being said, I’ve found that I am no exception to that rule.  Not the easiest confession for a writer of erotic romance--people will of course jump to the conclusion that the steamiest bits were inspired by real life happenings.  My husband would certainly be happy if that were so!  But those scenes, beyond the very basics, are the stuff of my imagination.

However, I do have things in common with several of my heroines, including Pam Kimball from Almost Perfect.  As I wrote this story about a woman abandoned on a deserted (well, mostly deserted) island, I began to think about what I would do if stranded in such a predicament.  And my first thought turned to the movies I’ve loved for years about castaways.  And poof!  a character is born.  A large part of Pam revolves around her love of movies, so I decided to showcase that characteristic.  I wanted to show how her obsession with movies had been her downfall and how even the movies couldn’t teach her everything she needed to know about love and relationships. 

And the movies Pam references, I have to admit, are some of my favorites:  her ship is the yacht from Some Like It Hot, her island is reminiscent of the one Captain Jack Sparrow is marooned on in Pirates of the Caribbean, she figures out how to fish from Cary Grant in Father Goose.  And her and Roger’s sparring is sometimes quite similar to that of Anne Heche and Harrison Ford in Six Days Seven Nights.

Pam never reveals what her favorite movie is, but I’ll tell you mine.  My favorite romantic comedy isn’t in evidence in the story because it has nothing to do with the water or being stranded.  For totally inexplicable reasons, the one movie I will stop doing whatever I’m doing and sit down and watch is Notting Hill.  I love Hugh Grant in this movie.  I love the story.  I especially love the end where they come together during a press conference.  That, ladies, says romance to me. J

But let Pam tell you some of her favorites in this excerpt from Almost Perfect:


Okay, what’s the worst-case scenario? Level one answer on Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? The ship doesn’t return tonight. What could she do to prepare for that eventuality? She shot a glance down the beach in the direction her ex had stalked. Nope. Not an option. Next.

She often watched disaster movies where people ended up marooned on desert islands, or as the last living things on earth. Surely she could draw on those as her resource for survival?

Ticking off a mental list of castaway-themed shows, she started with the obvious choice, Castaway. What would Tom Hanks do? First things first, of course. Food and water. Tom sipped water collected on leaves. A glance told her the bushes around her were dry. No water there. On to option number two. A stream? She could explore what little interior the island possessed. But if that proved a dead end, she’d have lost valuable light and time. Damn, this looked easier in Six Days, Seven Nights. Of course, there had been two of them…. No! No depending on Roger.

“So what else did Tom Hanks do?” Speaking aloud focused her attention on what she could do by herself. Gather food came to mind as the next option. Coconuts. She shaded her eyes and craned her neck back, peering up the tall tree next to her. Damn. Were there even any nuts up there? So what else was available? Crabs? Sighing, she hurried onto the beach in search of crustaceans.

She inched into the lapping surf, searching for movement. Reflection off the water made the task harder than expected. Wasn’t the Caribbean supposed to be teeming with fish? Now that’s something she’d had a lot of instruction in. Almost every marooned-on-an-island movie had a scene where the heroine learned to catch fish. Six Days. Father Goose. Blue Lagoon. All you needed was your hands and patience. She could do this.

Wading out further, she stopped just before the water hit her now dry shorts. “Not gonna have a damp crotch all night.” The words reminded her of exactly what she had hoped for. “At least not from wet shorts!” She headed back to shore to remove them and draped them next to her shirt. The bandeau was a different story. Still damp, even after several hours, and uncomfortable. Might dry better if not next to her skin anyway. “Screw it! Live dangerously.”

Standing as good as naked on the deserted beach, she smiled as the warm breeze caressed her bare body. The sense of being slightly naughty added to her delight in the sensual feel of the air as it dried her breasts. Her nipples peaked as the wind cooled them. She strutted down to the water’s edge to sink her toes in the sand, the salty tang in the air adding to the perfect moment.

“If you’re skinny dipping, you forgot to remove one very important piece of clothing.”

She whirled around. Roger stood on the beach behind her, a green bottle of Perrier in one hand. His gaze played up and down her naked torso and his salacious grin widened. “Mind if I join you?”


What’s your favorite romantic movie?  Bet you can’t name just one!  I’ve a dozen or more that I adore.  Share one of your favorites with me and Pam, and one lucky commenter will win a copy of Almost Perfect.





Bio:
Jenna Jaxon is a multi-published author of historical  and contemporary romance who has been reading and writing historical romance since she was a teenager.  A romantic herself, Jenna has always loved a dark side to the genre, a twist, suspense, a surprise.  She tries to incorporate all of these elements into her own writing.

Jenna lives in Virginia with her family and a small menagerie of pets.  When not reading or writing, she indulges her passion for the theatre, working with local theatres as a director.  She often feels she is directing her characters on their own private stage. 
She has equated her writing to an addiction to chocolate because once she starts she just can’t stop.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

#SBBG7 Giveaway Winners!



I want to thank everyone who came by last week and commented.  Below is the link that announced all the winners.  I plan on doing this again soon.  It was alot of fun and I hope that everyone found some new blogs and authors to read.



#SBBG7 Giveaway Winners!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Kiss of Death Blog Tour




Love on Laird Avenue
By Cindy A. Christiansen
Who said it would be easy for Tatum to leave her over-protective father, buy a 1911 bungalow, and start her own business at the same time? When things fall apart, literally, she hires a hunky home restoration specialist named Ryan to come to her rescue. She never dreamed he’d have his own ideas about protecting her...namely sabotaging her dates.

Cindy is graciously giving a copy of Love on Laird Avenue to one lucky person today.  Please leave a comment and an email so I can get a hold of you.  

Romantic Suspense: Always a New Twist
By Cindy A. Christiansen

Romantic suspense. Even the title arouses excitement. And that’s just what romantic suspense does—stimulates and exhilarates the reader’s senses. There’s no better romance to read…or write. Not only does the reader have the conflict and climax of the hero and heroine finally coming together and joining forces, but the apprehension throughout the book of some pending doom. Suspense can either be an action/adventure, mystery, thriller, on-the-run or woman-in-jeopardy. It doesn’t matter, as long as the reader experiences a suspended state of uncertainty.
Romantic suspense is considered one genre, but a reader could read a thousand authors and never find two that have the same idea of what suspense means to them. Guaranteed, you’ll be taken on a masterful ride of romance interwoven with a state of incertitude. Hold on to your hats and ride the fast-paced rollercoaster known as romantic suspense.

Cindy is one of the many talented authors who belong to the Romance Writers of America’s Kiss of Death chapter. At Kiss of Death we believe that every great romance should include suspense. Whether a spy thriller in Regency times, a paranormal romance with a revenge-seeking zombie, or a traditional serial killer after the heroine, romance relies on suspense, leading the reader through the trials of the heroine and hero to see if they will get their happily ever after ending. If you can call your writing suspenseful, then the Kiss of Death has something for you! Find out more and join at http://www.rwamysterysuspense.org and follow us on Twitter at @RWAKissofDeath.

Cindy writes sweet romance with comedy, suspense…and dogs. Join her in donating to organizations who help abused and homeless dogs. Find out more about her on her website www.dragonflyromance.com .

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Once a Mistress by Debra Mullins-review

Her love will capture the ultimate treasure—his heart

Diana Covington is a dutiful daughter with a boring future all mapped out for her. A shipping fortune and lush Jamaican estate that will someday be hers, a husband of her father’s choice. Romance and Caribbean adventure exist only in her dreams, in which the Black Spaniard, El Moreno, plays a starring role.

Until she is kidnapped by the evil pirate Marcus, and her girlish fantasies quickly turn to nightmares.

Alex Rawnsley’s dark Spanish looks makes him the perfect choice to take on the identity of El Moreno. His mission is to bring Marcus to justice, but his heart thirsts for blood. Vengeance for his brother’s murder is within his grasp when Diana’s kidnapping throws a hitch in his strategy.

Original Cover

Snatching her from Marcus’s clutches is easy enough, but what to do with her now? He cannot return her home lest she be taken again. He has no choice but to keep the distracting, innocent beauty aboard his ship. In his cabin. In his bed. The temptation to make her his own grows stronger by the hour…but opening his heart to love may forever close the door on his quest for revenge.

Originally published in 1999 by Avon Books    

Review:

OH MY GOSH!!!  I really don't know where to start on the review.  Pirates?  Check.  Sexy, Alpha male?  You bet.  Head strong, beautiful woman?  But of course.  Passion?  Oh my...  :)  Intrigue?  That and more.  Ready for my thoughts?  Here goes:

I was so excited when I heard that Samhain was going to launch a Retro line of books from authors that had the rights back to their back lists, I was intrigued.  I wondered what authors and their books would find a home at an e-publisher that had already been in print before.  I'll be honest though, most of the authors that were signed I had never heard of but that didn't stop me from reading and reviewing Once a Mistress.  Its the blurb that reeled me in. I'm a sucker for pirates and that time period of the late 1600's.  Ms. Mullins further reeled me in with her vivid descriptions of the boats, the islands, but most importantly, her characters.

Diana Covington is not your typical heroine for the time period.  In fact, I found her to be much more like a woman from the present.  She is beautiful, spirited, head strong, able to take care of herself and not as naive as you would think.  She was sheltered but once she knew what she wanted, she went for it.  Did it get her in trouble some times?  Yes but that only endeared me more to her and the situation that she was in.  Diana started out a girl with foolish dreams and became the heart of the story very quickly.  She would do anything to get out of an arranged marriage and to prove her father's innocence.  She wouldn't take no for an answer from Alex and she came across as his equal partner in both the relationship and circumstance.  Keep in mind that the story is set in the late 1600's, so you would think that Alex would be a brute about Diana's head strong thoughts and feelings but instead he embraced them and made him stand up and take notice.

Alex, my Alex...sigh...I'm not even sure where to start with him.  He is a pirate, honorable even but there is so much more to him then meets the eye.  He's a lover not a fighter but he vows revenge on his brothers killer.  He didn't anticipate having to rescue a woman from the killer or to want her as bad as he did.  When we first meet Alex, I thought of him as a rogue or a scoundrel.  I couldn't have been more wrong about a character.  He is loving, tender, funny, honorable and fair with Diana and with his crew.  He fears his attraction to Diana and tries to keep her at arms length but can not resist the temptation any longer.  For me, Alex is one of the most intriguing characters that I have read in a long time.  I never felt confused by his actions or his words.  He was man of word but never felt like he love again or find the woman that would truly steal his heart.  He found her in Diana and it confused him.  Emotions that he had not felt for a long time came to surface and slightly blurred his quest for revenge.

I would be remiss in not telling you about the sea battles.  I really felt like I was on the ship feeling it rock from side to side and hearing the cannons go off.  Ms. Mullins paints a very realistic portrait of the sea and the battles between the two pirates.  The climatic scene between Marcus and Alex was so engaging that I started yelling and cheering in my head and then realized...wait, this is a book.  Her use of imagery and attention to detail is vivid and made me feel the scenes instead of just reading them. 

When I was reading, I found myself laughing out loud at some parts in the books.  The secondary characters are fleshed out perfectly and you knew who the villain was from the start.  I was cheering right along with the characters and found the ending perfect.  A couple of scenes will leave you laughing out loud.  The tavern scene is the scene-stealer of the book.  Trust me, read it and try to disagree.  :)  Once a Mistress is a sensual read, nothing too graphic but worth it.  Alex and Diana's bedroom scenes are sensual, tender and loving.  The dialogue in the book is rich and layered.  I found myself never wanting the book to end.

I highly, highly recommend Once a Mistress to anyone that loves pirates, a book that you can't put down for fear that you might miss something and a beautifully written historical that never felt like a historical at all.  Kudos to Ms. Mullins and I'm anticipating her next release from Samhain.  Meanwhile, I'll be gobbling up her recent releases on her website.

5 Harlies and a highly recommended must read!




Amazon Buy Link    Samhain Buy Link

Website: www.debramullins.com
Email: deb@debramullins.com
Twitter: @debramullins
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Debra-Mullins/161717291054


Sunday, January 22, 2012

Eden Series by Rynne Raines-Review

Blurb:


Within the walls of Eden, temptation rules and anything goes…
Psychiatrist Caitlyn Ward never imagined setting foot inside the hottest fetish club in Los Angeles until the day a patient’s concerns about sexual desires went beyond her expertise. Now, determined to uncover the answers needed to alleviate her patient’s mind, Caitlyn ventures into a world of dark and forbidden pleasure beyond her wildest dreams.

Review:

I can not tell you how many times I have read this book.  At least a dozen times and I still find something new every time.  Caitlyn is a no nonsense psychiatrist that has been stumped on how to help one of her clients.  What she didn't expect to find was that she had secret desires that even she didn't know she had.

Wow, from the moment that Caitlyn stepped into Eden, I was spellbound.  This book was actually my first book into the world of BDSM and I still refer back to it from time to time.  Ms. Raines touches on every aspect of BDSM.  Well, okay, not the real hardcore stuff like blood play, S&M and M/s but there is wax play, bondage, submission, tenderness and trust, plus everything else.

While the scenes are beyond hot, its the emotional openness that Evan and Caitlyn have with each other that is priceless.  Caitlyn is way above her head when she enters Evan's club but by the time she leaves, she is in too deep.  Evan can not believe his luck when he finds the perfect submissive and the perfect partner for life. 

I highly recommend Welcome to Eden for the newbie BDSM reader that wants to learn about the lifestyle and get caught into a passionate encounter that will have you wanting more.

5 Harlies and a recommended read

Amazon link            Smashwords Link

Whips. Blindfolds. Restraints. And a man rumored to be the most skilled Dom in the city... As the BDSM instructor at the hottest fetish club in Los Angeles, Bianca Alexander prides herself on being open, honest, and informative with her clientele when it comes to kink. The fact that she hasn’t knelt before a master of her own in four long years doesn’t affect her ability to teach, though a part of her longs to be back in her Dom's arms. But when her boss hires Cade Sinclair--her primary rival from a competing club--to assist teaching her classes, Bianca’s comfortable solo act becomes a sinful duet drenched in Pure Sin.

Review:

I was intimidated at first by this book.  I know, I know, I read Welcome to Eden many times before but the blurb scared me.  Weird, huh?  Well, there is nothing to be scared of in this book.

Bianca is my kind of woman.  She is bold, ballsy, honest and a little emotionaly scared from an innicendent that happened four years ago with her Dom.  When Evan approaches her about teaching a class with Cade, she is beyond speechless.  Professionally, Bianca knows that she can handle Cade but personally, she not so sure.  Cade is the Dom that she left four years ago and still holds the emotional scars to prove it.  Cade is one skilled Dom.  He knows that to have Biance kneel before him will take some time and time is all he has.  He is patient, kind and knows exactly what he wants.

The dialogue, misunderstandings, lies from the past and the emotions that Ms. Raines brings to the table between Cade and Bianca make this book one to read over and over.  The scenes between Cade and Bianca are beyond hot but are tender too.  Cade knows what Bianca needs and Bianca knows how to make Cade lose control.  The twist at the end made me want to reach in the book and slap someone upside their head but I couldn't.

I highly recommend this gem of a BDSM book for the reader that appreciates hot BDSM with side of pure love.  That's the core of Pure Sin and I surely hope that you don't miss that.

5 Harlies and a recommend read

Kindle Link           Smashwords Link



Evelyn Morgan has a secret. Donavan Carver wants to expose it. Bondage, debauchery, and a weekend at Eden lands one of them on their knees. 
For years, Eve has craved sexual domination, but a kinky romp in the hay isn't worth destroying her prestigious legal reputation over. Even if that romp’s with her handsome rival and legendary Dominant, Donavan Carver. Desperate to protect her secret and keep the notorious playboy at bay, Eve clings to the lie she’s told for two years—she’s a Domme. Donavan doesn’t buy it. Given an opportunity to put Donavan’s doubts to rest, Eve lures him into a bet he can’t win--one that will tether him to her leash. So what if she cheats to win? He’ll never find out. Or will he?

Review: 
This book was a little harder for me to review.  Don't get me wrong, I loved it but it didn't hold my interest as much as Welcome to Eden or Pure Sin.
Evelyn and Donavan have been frenemies since their college days and once again, they are on opposite sides of the chair on a case.  When Evelyn finds the evidence that would help her client win, she bets Donavan one weekend at Eden that he is her's to do with as she pleases.  Donavan sees past the lie and realizes that she is a submissive to the core.  He plays along with her game until he realizes that he has been played.  Once, they enter Eden, all bets are off for Donavan. 
Donavan has craved Evelyn since college but she has always kept him at arms length.  She has her reasons and Donavan is determined to break through her reasons.  Evelyn has always known that she craves domination in the bedroom and what scares her the most is that Donavan is the perfect Dominant for her in and out of the bedroom.  This is where I kinda lose some interest.  Some of the BDSM scenes at the club felt a little rushed to me and over the top.  Okay, I don't live the lifestyle so I might be talking out of turn but I didn't feel like I was in the scenes as much as I was in the first two books.  Trust me, the scene in the big playroom was totally hot and very necessary, I just felt like I was disconnected in the private scenes between them. 

Now, the dialogue between Donavan and Evelyn was emotionally charged and heartfelt when they dropped the facade and really got the heart of why they were there at Eden.  The scene between Caitlyn and Donavan is priceless and it was nice to see a familar face.  I really did like Donavan and Evelyn and this book is definitely on the keeper shelf.  Maybe I just need to re-read it again to get a better feel of the private scenes between them. 

I highly recommend Legally Bound and the ending was perfect and a fit beginning to Donavan and Evelyn.

4 1/2 Harlies and a recommended read

The Wild Rose Press Link    Kindle Link           Barnes & Noble Link     Fictionwise Link



Overall Review:
Personally I think this is one of the best BDSM series of books out there.  Ms. Raines brings everything to the table and doesn't scrimp on the details regarding the lifestyle and the emotions that bring people into the lifestyle.  While this series is not hardcore but more for the newbie reader into the subgenre, it will leave you breathless and squirming none the less.  I look forward to maybe reading about Cade's sister in a future book to see what makes her tick.



Saturday, January 21, 2012

Teacher's Pet by Kenzie Michaels-review

What happens when you discover the man you had mind-blowing sex with three months ago is your son's teacher? Tammy Saunders is horrified when she realizes the man who set her heart racing is her son's favorite teacher. With one bad relationship behind her, will she trust her heart again, or will she continue to deny her feminine side?

And is this particular teacher popular only with his students? Kevin has made some bad choices in his life, but sleeping with not only one, but now two, of his students' mothers, has got to be the worst mistake he ever made. Especially when he realizes he's lost his heart to one of them...

Genre: Contemporary
Rating: Spicy
Book Length: Novella
Word Count: 41,958
Pages: 143

Review:

When Kenzie asked me to review Teacher's Pet, I was thrilled.  I have been waiting impatiently for this book to come and then waiting to buy Teacher's Pet.  With the holidays, money was tight but I vowed I would buy it and read it.  Well, I didn't have to but I would surely pay Kenzie for this book.

This story starts off hot and never lets up on the heat level.  But wait...there is so much more than two people that are so hot for each other that they are like bunnies.  There is passion, misunderstandings, emotions, children, school politics, scandal, town gossip and an evil soccer mom.  Kenzie has taken a troupe, widowed woman with children, and put a fresh spin on it.  The moment that Tammy locks eyes on Kevin she really didn't know what the outcome would hold for her or her heart.  Kevin knew from their first meeting that he had to have her mind, body and soul.  Their first coupling was an act of impulse and Tammy fearful of what transpires, disappears.  Kevin has to wait 3 months until he sees her again.

I know what your thinking?  Children in a romance book?  Is this Harlequin?  No its not and trust me Tammy's children, Teri and Danny, are crucial to the story.  Danny is in Kevin's class and Ms. Michaels hits all the right buttons with the teasing that Danny endures from classmates and the embarrassment of his mom and Kevin together.  In the end, when a single parent makes the decision to get back into the dating pool, they need to take into consideration the children.  Tammy does this and more with her children.  Kevin is also included with his feelings toward Tammy's children.  Beautifully done. 

Ms. Michaels blends the usual topics of school politics, an evil soccer mom, town gossip and one woman's brave journey to find herself again, and one hot romance perfectly.  The dialogue is crisp and clean.  The sex was hot and trust me, they are like bunnies but appropriate for the story.   The children's reactions to their mother's relationship with Kevin and how it effects them.

I highly recommend Teacher's Pet for anyone looking for a feel good story about a woman with a second chance to love and a teacher that every woman wishes she could meet for a conference.  Okay, maybe not the hot teacher but a girl can dream, right?  I'm married...

5 Harlies and a recommended read



Buy Link from Amazon

Friday, January 20, 2012

Twice in a Lifetime

Be Careful What You Wish For. . .

No-nonsense stuntwoman Isabella Douglas will do anything to stop an unwanted divorce and reclaim the happy life she had, even allow her old friend to concoct a magical spell to turn back time. But when the spell goes awry, Izzy finds herself trapped aboard a 1768 Caribbean pirate ship with a captain who’s a dead ringer for her sexy as sin husband, Ian. Convinced he’s playing a cruel joke, she's furious - until she realizes he doesn't know her or believe they're married.


Captain Ian Douglas does not have time to deal with an insane woman who claims to be his wife; he has to save his kidnapped sister. But as Izzy haunts his dreams and fills him with erotic memories he can’t explain, he’s forced to admit he feels more than lust.


Trapped in a vicious cycle of past mirroring present, Izzy knows they only have days to find Ian’s sister and prevent disaster from striking a second time. If she doesn’t, their marriage will be destroyed again – along with the man she loves.

Review:

Ms. Jakes had me at the cover.  I love pirates and all that they encompass.  Sexy, driven, alpha but tender on the inside.  What kept me in the story was the witty dialogue and captivating story.

Izzy is a woman that is on a mission.  She doesn't want the divorce that her husband has decided between the two of them.  Izzy still loves Ian very much and will do anything to stop the divorce.  When Ian shows up on the set of Izzy's latest movie, she feels like something is off, something not natural.  With the help of her friend, Izzy gets the one chance to make things right with Ian.  What she didn't count on was Ian not remembering you she was.

This book was a joy to read.  Quick, fun, sexy, hilarious in parts and a feel good read, too.  Ms. Jakes weaves time travel and the real world seamlessly.  One minute you are on the movie set and the next on a pirate ship.  The dialogue between Izzy and Ian was great.  I had laugh out loud moments and sigh worthy moments.  The sexual tension you could cut with a knife and Ms. Jakes makes it all worthwhile in the end.

I would highly recommend Twice in a Lifetime for anyone that likes a little magic with their story and a heart stopping pirate to fill your fantasies.

5 Harlies and a recommended read


Buy Links:





Thursday, January 19, 2012

Going to the doctor in Dallas

Mmm
Okay, I know that I have a review blog but the topic I'll be talking about has nothing to do with books or reviewing.  I'm talking about going the lady doctor.  We've all been there, right?  Not a pleasant experience but we have to do it.

Well, for the people that don't know, I grow up in Dallas and moved away from there about 5 years ago.  My doctor told me under no circumstances was I to use a quack in the small town that I was moving to.  (He actually has a lake house in my town, so he knows the doctors)  Anywoos, every year I drove the hour back to Dallas, in traffic, wait forever it seems, go in and I'm out a hour later.  Well yesterday appointment was far from that. 

I actually got there early thinking this will be quick.  Wrong!!!!  Its OB day at the doctor's.  Don't get me wrong, I loved being pregnant and we wished that we had more than one child but it wasn't in the plan for us.  Of course, getting their early only made me wait even longer.  What should have been an hour appointment, took 2 hours of waiting and then finally going to the back.

While I was waiting, two mothers (pregnant, no less) all of sudden realized that their other children were at the same playgroup/daycare.  Here's were I get snarky...I felt like I was in soccer mom hell.  On and on did they talk about their kids, their teachers, lunching together soon and on and on.  Gag!  I felt like I was going to gag on the sugary, airkiss, OMG fakery between these women.  I mean, really at the gyn/ob's office?  I grew up in Dallas right by the Galleria Mall and I don't remember my mother being such a pretentious snob like these two women.  I really don't mean to be a mean person but come on?  I never realized how fake Dallas is until that moment.

I complain about living in the sticks and being away from all the conveniences that I grew up with but yesterday experience just made me appreciate the fact that I don't live in a city anymore and that I didn't become one of the pretentious snobs like those two women. 

Feel free to flog me, ignore me or hate me.  p.s. Jon is too pretty not to show yall.  ***sigh***

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Sinful-review


BLURB:

Music was their only dream & passion...

Until they found one another...

For years, Mikayla Gallan has dreamed of providing a better life for her younger brother, Matthew, and herself. Coming from a family of musicians, Mikayla and Matthew have dreams of someday making it big. But Mikayla's first priority is always ensuring Matthew's future. When Houdini Records comes knocking on her door, offering her everything she's ever wanted, Mikayla's scared to grab onto their offer.  

Sinclair "Sin" Devlin, part-owner of Houdini Records has loved and lost and has no intentions of ever going down that path again. He's determined to put his company back on the map and is willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen. Meeting Mikayla Gallan, hearing her sultry and passionate voice on stage, Sin believes he has found the only woman that could save the company. He's even more shocked to realize that perhaps she's also the only woman to save him from himself.

Review:
I'll be honest, the cover alone is worth the read.  Just kidding.  Actually, the premise of the series and Sin and his partner make the book worth reading again and now I have to wait for the next book.  I hate waiting by the way.

The book starts off with Mikayla waiting to sing at the bar that her parents worked in while she and her brother were growing up.  Sin and his partner are there to look for the singer that hopefully will put Houdini Records back on the map.  Sin is a songwriter that has had a devastating loss and that loss has left him emotionally unavailable.  He hasn't written a song in 3 years and with Houdini Records needing him back in the fray, he agrees to audition one more singer for the label.

Mikayla has had to raise her brother on her own since the death of their parents.  All she wants is for her brother to be able to achieve his dreams in a songwriting contest that is going to be held in the U.S.  Cash she doesn't have but she's willing to listen to Houdini Records and what kind of offer they will make to her.  Little does she know that with the offer, dreams that she didn't know she had will come true.

I loved this story.  It was fresh, sexy and current.  Who know that a torch singer with a song writing little brother would make it in the music business?  Mikayla was a woman that I would love to meet and be friends with.  She has done the best she can do with her brother but knows now that its time for him to fly but what happens to her?  She meets the sexiest man alive and within minutes of meeting each other the most wonderful thing happened to her.  That one scene in the book sealed its fate for me.  Wonderfully written scene and the dialogue was perfect.

I really felt for Sin and his predicament.  He was in a no win situation but he ended up winning in the end.  His business partner was a complete hoot and I'm really hoping that he gets his own book.  I think there is much more to him for readers to find out about.  Maybe Mikayla's best friend?  His loss was awful but he got in return was much more.

The instantaneous chemistry between Sin and Mikayla was highly believable for me.  Sin had watched her sing all night long and was completely enchanted by her.  Mikayla needed a bit more convincing but ultimately she came out a winner, too.

I highly recommend Sinful, for the beautiful writing, sensual scenes between Sin and Mikayla and an ending that had me crying happy tears.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Canadian-born author, Kacey Hammell is a self-proclaimed book-a-holic, who began reading romances at a young age and became easily addicted.  As a Mom of three, Kacey has made certain that each of her children know the value of the written word and the adventures they could escape on by becoming book-a-holics in their own right.

A decade ago, while working for multiple review sites, Kacey quickly discovered that she was developing the writing bug. Thanks to the encouragement of her own beloved hero husband, she decided to try her hand at writing. 

With a love of contemporary settings, modern day romances and the happily ever after, as well as the excitement of suspense, Kacey creates stories in genres she’s familiar with and that she loves most. She also loves vampires who nibble the necks of the heroines, ghosts who can't leave a loved one, shape-shifters who are sexier than hell and the thought of her very own werewolf or were-cat to tame makes her tremble!

Readers can contact Kacey at kaceyhammell@gmail.com
Readers can learn more about Kacey’s books and contact her via …



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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Dirty Little Secrets

Dirty Little Secret is a weekly meme hosted by us at Under the Covers. Every Thursday we get to know other bloggers and our readers more intimately by asking them a question hoping to reveal their dirty little secrets. We hope that you will all join us!

This week's question:
 Do you prefer your hero's dark and brooding?
or blonde and boisterous?


Leave me your answer, if you want and if interested in participating, go to http://underthecoversbookblog.blogspot.com and follow the directions.