Tuesday…… Really?

I know, I know I’m outta order. It’s not Friday. It’s been one of those weeks already so here I am. Had a great Thanksgiving, spent it with my family and for once just chilled. For me that doesn’t happen very often. It’s now time to dive into the holiday season as well as a new series for me. Because I totally needed to add a new series to my already HUGE to read list. In this case I’m not complaining because I like where this series is going. I’ll admit I was skeptical about it being a historical background but I found it easy to read and keep up with (Jenn and Tyra keep blonde comments to yourselves).

The Chief by Monica McCarty
Sisters Christina and Beatrix Fraser are nothing but tools that their father is planning to use for his own gain. He plans to use them to bargain with Tor Macleod. When Tor refuses to take one as his bride their father plots to trick Tor into marriage. Christina steps up to the challenge to protect her frail sister. Once her father’s plan is in place and her virginity taken, Christina’s father is certain that he has forced Tor to do the “noble” thing and marry her. Tor, not to be forced into anything refuses. Although thru further talks he agrees to marry Christina for the good of his clan. For Tor, his clan and their well being is all he lives for, for now….……
Once whisked away to her new home land Christina has to learn the ins and out’s of clan life and her role as the Chief’s wife. She soon learns that it is far from her Lancelot stories that she loves to read. She is to be seen and not heard and she seems to have a problem with that. Since Tor refuses to tell her his business she takes it upon herself to follow him, read his correspondence and anything else she can to learn more about him. She can see there’s more too him than he let’s her or anyone else see. She gets herself caught on more than one occasion! While she’s snooping around Tor is trying his hardest to run his clan and train in secret the elite group of men that he was all but forced into training.

As the story unfolds, Christina slowly gets Tor to open up here and there but he shuts down quickly. In her last attempt to spy on him he loses his patience and says some harsh words that he will later regret. Christian decides that this cold life isn’t for her and leaves on a boat to Iona to be with her sister. In route the boat is taken over and Christina is held hostage. When Tor discovers Christina has been taken hostage he realizes that he really does love her and gathers his elite team to rescue her. Will he and his elite warriors be out numbered or will he get to her in time?
I truly enjoyed this story. Sometimes the first book in a series tends to get a little bogged down with character and setting details but this one wasn’t bad. I think my favorite part of this story was watching the men ban together to become the elite guard. I also praise Christina for not settling for what she was given but strived to improve her situation.

I give this book 4 chocolate dipped strawberries and a shout out to the leading lady of the story Christina for not being afraid to get her dress and slippers dirty!

Cyber Monday

Hello everyone, I hope you all survived the holiday weekend. I had a wonderful holiday. I spent time with family and friends, ate some great food, drank some really good wine(thanks Jenn's dad for the yummy Malbec)and yes I also did some shopping. I spent Saturday taking down the fall decorations, putting up the inside Christmas decorations, and signing the family Christmas cards. And yes I might have read a book or two or five, LOL.

We have a treat for our followers this week, we are spotlighting Monica McCarty's new Highland Guard series and at the end of the week we will draw a name from everyone who posts a comment and that follower will win a SIGNED copy of the first book in the series, The Chief!

The Chief, Monica McCarty, Ballentine 2010

AN ELITE FIGHTING FORCE UNLIKE THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN . . .
Scouring the darkest corners of the Highlands and Western Isles, Robert the Bruce handpicks ten warriors to help him in his quest to free Scotland from English rule. They are the best of the best, chosen for their superior skills in each discipline of warfare. And to lead his secret Highland Guard, Bruce chooses the greatest warrior of all.
The ultimate Highland warlord and a swordsman without equal, Tor MacLeod has no intention of being drawn into Scotland’s war against the English. Dedicated to his clan, the fiercely independent chief answers to no one—especially not to his alluring new bride, bartered to him in a bid to secure his command of the deadliest fighting force the world has ever seen. The treacherous chit who made her way to Tor’s bed may have won his hand, but she will never claim his heart.
Although her husband’s reputation is as fierce as his manner, Christina Fraser believes that something softer hides beneath his brutal shell. But the only warmth she feels is in their bed, in glorious moments of white-hot desire that disappear with the dawn. When Christina’s reckless bid to win her husband’s love goes awry and thrusts them into danger on the eve of war, Tor will face his ultimate battle: to save his wife and to open his heart—before it’s too late.

Let me start by saying that most of the historicals that I have read have had a paranormal aspect to them, Karen Marie Moning's Highlander series and Diana Gabaldon's Outlander. So I never really considered myself a reader of straight historicals, history was never one of my favorite subjects in school but it wasn't my least favorite either(math). So with this in mind I was a little surprised when I picked up Monica's first book Highlander Untamed, a few years ago and could not put it down and couldn't wait to get to the next one. I have now read everything that she has written and have gone on to read a few other authors historicals. So thanks Monica, for opening my eyes and helping me learn to enjoy a time before running water and penicillin.

This series begins right after William Wallace has been executed and Robert the Bruce is fighting to become king of Scotland and drive out the English. He has decided to create an elite guard to help him in his quest. To do this he must convince Tor Macleod to not only train these men but to lead them. Tor is known in the highland's as the greatest warrior of that time. The problem, Tor doesn't want to become involved in a war that he doesn't think concerns him.

Christina Fraser is the daughter of a scottish noble who has just recently been released from an English prison and he is looking for revenge. He will stop at nothing to achieve this including using his two daughters. In an attempt to spare her sister Christina agrees to the plan that her father comes up with to trick Macleod into marriage. Unfortunately the plan works to well and before Christina knows what's happenening she has lost her virginity and Macleod refuses to marry her. Eventually he does relent and does marry her but it's not the most trustworthy of ways to begin a relationship.

Much of this book is spent building the world in which the series will be written, so there is a lot of history and character development, which is tedious for some people, cough Jenn cough, but I think needed for this type of series. I enjoyed seeing the relationship build between the couple but I think my favorite part was seeing the relationships develop between the members of the guard. These men come from different clans many of which were fighting with each other, so I thought those scenes were some of the most entertaining. I give The Chief 4.5 chocolate dipped strawberries and look foward to the continuation of this series.

Contest Alert!

Don't forget to make a comment any day this week for a chance to win a signed copy of The Chief, the first in this great series by Monica McCarty.

Its Everlong

Everlong by Hailey Edwards is a fast-paced read cloaked in danger and intrigue within an intricate world. It’s a story about recognizing our responsibility in shaping our futures. The characters are well developed with attractive dialogue to draw the reader in. All four of the main characters – Madelyn, Emmaline, Harper, Clayton - are strong, fiercely loyal and likeable.

Everlong is written in the first-person narrative from Madelyn’s point of view. Maddie is a demon princess who has always loved Harper, her Evanti guard. Together with her half-sister, Emma, they form Maddie’s support network in a world where cruelty is just a way of life. Suddenly, their lives are turned upside down when Harper attacks their father and rescues the sisters. He takes them to a secret Evanti colony where they can all be free. After going out to warn others, Harper doesn’t return (and is assumed dead) and the sisters are forced to survive at the colony without him.

Everlong jumps ahead five years, a plot strategy that I often don’t like but Edwards made it work. Maddie is now living as Harper’s widow. She knows it’s time to break out of her depression but is forced to confront the reality when she marks the fifth anniversary of Harper’s death, the colony’s allowable time for grieving. The story line picks up its pace as Maddie transforms from the naïve princess into an assertive young woman.

Enter Clayton Delaney, leader of the colony and Harper’s brother. An immediate attraction forms when Maddie meets Clayton for the first time. Clayton is not the typical alpha male but that didn’t take away from his appeal. He is loyal and strong but insists Maddie make her own decisions about her feelings instead of allowing the intensity of his feelings to overwhelm her.

Everlong is wrought with sexual tension but surprises the reader by not overdoing the sex scenes. Yet another difference about Everlong’s hero, Clayton waits to consummate his love until they are both certain of their relationship. What an inspiration!

When at last the book ends with Maddie claiming her own future, the reader is satisfied by the conclusion but aware that there are still several loose ends. With an Evanti rebellion in the near future, I am crossing my fingers for another book about this world. In fact, there are some strong secondary characters that deserve their own book. I will be waiting… in the meantime, I give this book four chocolate dipped strawberries.


This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews. http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=763

Not Your Usual HARDWARE

Have you ever read one of those books that just seem to have everything it needs to be a perfect romance? Hardware by Sara Brookes was one of those books.

Allison is a regular at The Perfect Shot, a coffee shop on her way to work. Allison walks in one day to find the shop under new management, with a long line and only one employee behind the counter. Having barista experience, she steps in to help only to discover it’s their computer system that is slowing them down. She leaves her business card, recommending a fix to their current system, but not before she catches the eye of Patrick, one of the brothers who now own the shop.

Since I measure a book first by the hero, Patrick offers my first measure of perfection. He feels genuine, a dominate male with the manners of a gentleman. A story that brings to light the struggles of a man trying to merge society’s image of masculinity with his own desires while fighting against his father’s legacy of abuse is few and far between. Patrick’s struggle makes him real and his insecurities and fear of losing Allison lent depth to his character.

When Allison, a female computer guru in their small town, returns to install the new system at The Perfect Shot, Patrick is taken by her passion for her work. He imagines this passion could extend to other parts of her life and he hopes to be a part of it. When they go to the movies on their first date, Patrick tries to keep it light - priding himself on his ability to be a gentleman – but he can’t keep away from her. One flaming kiss in a dark theater and their romance ignites.

I need to feel the love to love the book and Brookes was able to pull it off masterfully. While much of the book is focused on their chemistry in bed, an equal amount of time is also spent on their evolving relationship. Allison is a strong woman with confidence in her field of expertise – computers, gaming and hardware – but lacks confidence as a woman. Imagine spending your life so heavily inserted into a male-dominated industry. Allison is often just one of the guys so she enjoys the different type of attention Patrick gives her.

Patrick may be a gentleman but he also prides himself on knowing how to please a woman. He tells Allison early in their relationship that his sexual preferences include bondage which intrigues her. She allows Patrick to guide her into a new world where she discovers a deeper passion than she’s ever dreamed possible. Comforted by his dominance in the bedroom, she becomes more secure in herself as a woman.  The light bondage theme is more tender than most books on the subject which would allow a reader new to the BDSM topic to explore without feeling overwhelmed, much in the way Allison did herself.

Hardware is firmly centered on the relationships of the characters which feel genuine and immediately draw the reader in. Brooke’s ability to draw pictures with her words and to stir emotions puts the reader directly into the story and forms a connection to her characters. As they struggle with coming to terms with their new relationship and taking their love to higher and higher levels, the reader can’t help but cheer them on.

Instead of all that awful holiday shopping at overcrowded stores, stay home and curl up with a cup of coffee and spend some time in Gatlin Falls, Virginia.  This book deserves a leisurely read.

RATING: Four Chocolate Covered Strawberries.

This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews and can be found using the following link: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=551

I'm Tempted

I can usually sit to write a review just moments after completing a book. Not the case with Megan Hart's TEMPTED. I'm still not certain how to accurately describe this book since I truly believe the message may sound different to every reader. It certainly gave me pause, leaving me raw, so compelling was the storyline. So much for believing that all romances have happy endings. This book doesn't have the "happily ever after" of a traditional erotica or romance which took me by surprise. Actually, TEMPTED is far from a traditional erotica in so many ways.

The character development was more advanced and the storyline deeper than a traditional erotica. Written as Anne in the first-person narrative, the author carefully paints a picture of an adoring couple. Anne has a good marriage with James. When Alex, James childhood best friend, comes to visit, Anne easily forges a friendship with Alex which progresses into flirtation until one night, the three give in to the sexual tension that has been swirling around them. James believes it will be simple - a summer of indulgence – but it becomes more for Anne as her heart opens to Alex. However, a mystery behind an argument James and Alex had as young men haunts their relationship and leaves Anne with doubts.

I was pleasantly surprised at the depth of emotions this book covered. Alongside the primary storyline is the complicated family dynamics in both James and Anne's families. Anne's sisters are a sustaining factor in the book as they allow the reader to glimpse the imperfections of any human being; an alcoholic father, adultery, gambling addiction, miscarriage, and an unwanted pregnancy. And then there's the meddling in-laws tossed in to make this a family to relate to. All of this is going on while the relationship develops between Anne, James and Alex.

Megan Hart uses emotion to draw pictures with her words, often highly erotic pictures. When Anne, James and Alex have sex, they worship each other's bodies without pretence. The writing is explicit, sensual, and quite graphic, but never making it seem dirty. The story is believable – the most believable polyamorous ménage story I have ever read – so that I immersed myself in the book and found my heart aching for Anne. What an amazing author to use her words and create such a connection between a character and a reader.

I loved every page of this book, and none for the reason I thought when I chose the book to read. TEMPTED is a vivid, well-written book that goes beyond the traditional erotica. The author includes characters with depth and heart, realistic storylines and connections. Despite being classified in the erotica genre, it's not just another book about sex. Megan Hart steps it up and brings erotica to the mainstream audience.
I give this book five tempting chocolate dipped strawberries.

Of all the things I am thankful for.....

As I drove home from work this evening, I watched the moon rise. A huge glowing orb, rising above the treeline edging the mountain range near my home, I was nearly brought to tears. How can a ball take my breath away? Sometimes, surrounded by all the natural beauty of the Valley every day, I forget that nature has the uncanny ability to surprise me. And for this I am truly thankful...


I seem to also be succumbing to the spirit of the holidays here - taking the opportunity to take stock and review. This year, I vow to appreciate everything I do have and not sweat the stuff I dont.


I am thankful for my family - that my parents are both healthy and thriving in their new lives, that my siblings are all well and making moves and changes that excite them and keep them looking forward to many more tomorrows, that my children are learning and growing and occasionally like to hang out with me still...


I am thankful that this year, for all our health woes (despite pesky gallbladders, livers, uteruses, infections and fractures - I dub this the year of meeting deductibles) we are all well and able to spend Thanksgiving with our friends and families...even if some of us are lucky enough to make it to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade live and some of us are home vacuuming dog hair up before company comes!

I am thankful for the beautiful women I call my friends for they alone know what makes me tick, how to make me laugh until tears stream down my face (or beer out my nose), and what new books must immediately rise to the top of my TBR pile...

I am thankful that sanity is being restored to those who have been out of work, new jobs mean friends moving but I have faith in our ability to remain friends over the miles as well as years. Can anyone say roadtrip???

I am thankful that Chile's wine crops weren't decimated by the earthquakes of early 2010 because I really love Chilean reds and I am even more thankful that we discovered Argentinian Malbecs and that my dad was kind enough to take the hint that I desperately wanted some as a souvenier of his trip to Buenos Aires! (Six lovely bottles...mmmmmmmm)

I am thankful that my favorite authors keep supplying me with juicy reads to stimulate my mind...(that means Cat, Charli, Lynsay, Jules, Maya, Shayla, Gena, Larissa, Katie, Kresley and Michelle!) and I am thankful that I have found the inspiration to start writing my own juicy reads (I'll be even more thankful when I get some time to sit down and do it!)...

I am definitely thankful for all of you who drop by to catch up with us or check out our reviews and keep us inspired to keep you in tune with our favorite guilty indulgences....

Oh, yeah - I am also super thankful for my favorite snack of all time, that truly calorie free guilty indulgence....Eye Candy! (did I also mention I am thankful that he was tapped to play the Green Lantern??????) Mmmmmmmm

Being in Books

It is Thanksgiving 2010, the holiday where Americans take a look at what we are grateful for in our lives. So its only natural that I've been reflecting on the things that I am thankful for. It wouldn’t be right not to start out my list of things I am thankful for with my husband and three sons, my extended family, and my friends. But today I want to talk about the STUFF I am thankful for… you know, like the iPod that tunes out the rest of the world or the coffee that helps me get through the day and the books that give me a place to relax once I’ve made it. Ok. I know that sounds a bit anti-social but really my favorite place to be is in a book and if I can take a caramel latte with me, I’ve achieved nirvana.

Being in a book is relative for me as a hopeful author. I love to read but I live to write. And I am thankful to have a lifestyle that allows me the time to pen my characters to paper, to give them a home beyond my head.

Seven sisters have recently been found dancing around in my mind and demanding their stories be told. I stopped another project and began writing their stories just to shut them up but then I discovered that I really liked them. Most of the sisters are completely opposite me and I am grateful I have had the chance to create their world to share with others. It was fun to step outside myself and write in a new realm. So today, I share one of their stories with you. I hope you take a moment to tell me what you think once you read the excerpt.

Enjoy.

“Open the damn door,” Madden’s deep voice vibrated through the thin door of the Sinster sister’s home.  He pounded and it seemed as if his large fists were going to knock down her door.  He probably could if he wanted to.

Crap, her sisters had sworn he hadn’t followed her home.  And now their neighbors were going to have a coronary over all the noise if she didn’t let him in.  They were always complaining that her family was too loud for the neighborhood.  But darn if it was all her fault, with her sisters running in and out at all hours of the night.  And none of them chose to live here – the house was a gift from their parents – but in truth, neither would they choose to live anywhere else.

“Damn it, Layla, I saw your eyes,” Madden continued pounding on the door as he shouted, “I know.”  He had the good grace to lower his voice at the final two words but she heard them deep in her bones.  With those two words, her hands became clammy, her heartbeat accelerated and a sensation lit in her stomach.

She knew this feeling – that warmth in her lower stomach, that dull ache between her legs.  It was one she had managed to avoid for years.  Lust.  It was her soul sin.  She was destined to feel lust for only one being in her lifetime.  And when she did feel it – when she saw Madden tonight – she ran like a bat out of hell.  Layla was all too aware that as legend told it, lust that came on a night brightened by a full moon was for her mate. 

She absolutely couldn’t believe this.  Layla, the careful one, is the first to be taken.  She knew – they all knew – that this would happen to each of them.  Their mother and aunts had explained it all but she didn’t want to be the first.  They would definitely torment her as only sisters could, teasing her that she had fallen first.

“Layla, you get two more minutes before I push this damn door in instead of acting the very gentleman I am.”  It wasn’t a threat.  It was a clear warning.  And she would meet it head on.  After all, it wasn’t like he was wrong.  He was hot and she was horny.  Lust had shown itself tonight and she couldn’t deny it.  She wanted him.  She lusted for him.  And before the night was over, sure as destiny spoke, she would be his.  But why not make it a little fun?

She squared her shoulders, lifted her chin and unlocked the large wooden door that gave entry into her family’s sanctum.  And as soon as she waved her arm, inviting him in, he stepped over the threshold.  He placed his hands on his hips and looked down at her.  He was enormous, larger even than he had looked in the bar, and incredibly intimidating if you were the type of girl who got intimidated by a man which she so was not.  A full six feet at least, Layla came just to his chest.  She felt tiny.  But she remembered she was mighty – great things, small packages and all that stuff. 

Her eyes scanned upwards, not meeting his glare.  Ooh, she wanted to touch.  But not yet.  She’d just take a look.  His shoulders were like a linebacker, broad and strong.  Layla had no doubt that the muscles hiding beneath his leather jacket and oxford shirt were corded and rock hard.  When he strode by to take a look around, she took a look herself – at his ass which was fine.  Her hands bunched into fists holding back the urge to squeeze.  His jeans were tight and sweetly snug in the right places and his long legs crossed the room in just a few quick strides before he turned back to her.

“So this is the elusive Sinster House,” Madden interrupted her perusal.

“This is it.  You know once you come in, we don’t let you go,” Layla teased.

“Oh, I do believe it’s the other way around,” Madden teased right back, tilting his head to the side to look at her down at her through his dark lashes.  His big, beautiful silver eyes sparkled and his dark hair framed his face with just enough length to tug on.  He was smoldering.  She needed to put out the fire.

“Drink?” Her voice came out high.  Damn him.

“Oh yea,” Madden looked at her as if she would be the drink.  He leaned against the table in the foyer and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Easy, Madden, I think a beer first would be good,” she said but grinned at his disappointment.  With the distance between them now, she noticed the other large part of his anatomy and nearly dropped to her knees.  It was big.  No, seriously, really big - bigger than anything described even in her romance novels she liked to read.  Her heart was thudding and when she swallowed, she realized she really did need a drink.  Her throat was dry.  She also really did need to get a hold of herself.

She heard her sisters’ giggles.  They could read her thoughts – they all could read each other’s thoughts – a trait passed on from their mother.  She’d never wanted that connection to be broken until this very moment when she was faced with this delicious man and no idea what to do with him.  Well, she had ideas but aside from her trashy romance novels she greedily read, she had no experience. 

Flashes in her head of her sisters’ thoughts bombarded her… “Take him.  He’s yours,” said Amelia.   “You can do this, little sister,” said Sadie.  “Grab what you want,” said Gemma.  “Be brave.  Be bold,” said Paige.  “Eat him up.  He’s yummy,” said Gracie.  “I so wish I was you,” said Eloise.

“… beer?”  Madden was asking something and she only caught the end.  She shook her head, trying to push her sisters out.  “So they’re all talking to you?”

Layla’s head whipped around and she looked him directly in the eyes.  “How do you know?”

“Ah, this will be one of those things you get to learn about me,” he said with a cocky grin that Layla wanted to lick off his face.  Crap, she meant smack.  No, she didn’t but she wished she had.  What was wrong with her?  Why was this man driving her so crazy?

Being Thankful

Hello everyone, for those of you in the US this is the week of Thanksgiving. We do a lot of eating, drinking, watching football and oh yeah just a bit of shopping as well. This is also a time when people stop to think about the things that they are thankful for in their lives. Now for me it goes without saying that at the top of my list is my husband and kids, because they make my life better just by being in it. I am also thankful for the friends that I have in my life, I am very blessed that I am still friends with people that I met in grade school, and I have made friends with some truly fabulous people later in life who I would be completely lost without. But what we want to talk about here are the guilty indulgences that I am thankful for, and those are going to be books and wine.

When it comes to wine I am almost exclusively a red wine girl. Give me a good cab/sav or merlot or my new fav a malbec and I am a happy girl. I love to go to wineries and do tastings and living in the Shenendoah Valley in Virginia I am very lucky in that you can't throw a stick without hitting a university or a winery. I know some of you are saying, "Virginia....a winery hot spot??", well Yes we are!

My other guilty indulgence is books!! I am one of those people that cannot stand to part with a book that I have read and enjoyed. There are certain books for me that I can pick up and turn right to those scenes that touched me the most. I will go back and re-read a book and I feel like I am visiting an old friend. When I find an author that I like I will read everything that they have written. A great night out for me includes getting my toes done and then appetizers and wine and then to the book store where I can spend the rest of the night walking up and down the aisles looking at all of the covers and talking about my favorite scenes in books. I love giving a new book to a friend and having them fall in love with the characters as much as I do. It never fails that when I get together with my friends that we start talking about our favorite books, which leads to the questions of favorite series, couple, character, and setting. Let me tell you that some of those discussions can get UGLY. LOL We all have our favorites and defend our choices to the end.

So tell us followers....what are you thankful for??

Vampire Academy RULES.

I began my trek into the Young Adult genre like so many other moms; first reading the Twilight series. I fell in love with the paranormal genre and the world building in young adult novels. So what was I to do when I finished with that series? I went on a hunt for more. After a recommendation from friends, I dug into the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead.  It took just one book and I was hooked.

Richelle Mead creates one of the most fascinating worlds I have come across. Her vampire world is complicated and intriguing, setting the stage for a gripping plot with multi-dimensional characters. Lissa is a Moroi princess, a mortal vampire with an unbreakable bond to the earth's magic. Moroi, including Lissa, must be protected at all times from Strigoi which are the dangerous, immortal vampires. Protection comes in the form of Dhampirs who have a blend of human and vampire blood. Rose, Lissa's best friend, has committed herself to a life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi.

After two years of freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and return to St. Vladimir's Academy where it is still not safe for the Moroi. (Herein lays the drama and suspense.) Rose is allowed to resume her Dhampir education under the supervision of Dmitri. A romance blooms slowly between Rose and Dmitri, one fraught with danger and disaster as they live their lives as protectors of the Moroi and undergo an uprising. Rose is a charming character with her in-your-face attitude and strong determination. As a mom, I enjoyed seeing Rose grow throughout the series.

Lissa completes her Moroi education while also resuming her place in the elite social sphere. While separated for much of their education, the girls share a unique bond. Mead uses this connection to literally take the reader into Lissa’s mind and give descriptions of scenes Rose took no part in which otherwise would’ve been impossible since it is written entirely from Rose’s POV.

My favorite part of the series is that nothing is predictable. Storylines, relationships and locations are in constant change. Each book is unique, making everything exciting all over again, without detracting from the main themes and the primary characters – Rose and Lissa.

Mead gives the reader everything you come to expect in a YA series and then some; romance, adventure, mystery and suspense. The Vampire Academy series is darker, more dangerous, than other YA paranormal books I’ve read. But it still covers the necessary YA themes from high school - cliques, boyfriends, reputations, drinking and sex. Amongst all the world building is a well-written story about the bonds of friendship and staying faithful to yourself while fulfilling your destiny.

I give this series 5 chocolate dipped strawberries. I can’t wait for the final book coming in December. Quick! If you haven’t read the series yet, read fast to be ready for the final installment.

Saturday Sure Shot: Melissa De La Cruz's Blue Blood Series

While many of our favorite YA series revolve around the "younged down" versions of classic paranormal characters: vampires, witches and weres....our prevalent theme this week seems to focus on the YA Vamps. So, to toss another hat in the ring for series that keeps you hanging on, try Melissa De La Cruz's Blue Bloods: Blue Bloods, Masquerade, Revelations, The Van Alan Legacy and last month's latest release, Miguided Angel. One would expect the author of the Au Pairs and the Ashleys series to snag teen girl audiences with their high drama, fashion savvy negotiations in the world of boy-meets-girl. What one might not expect would be the appeal to those same teen's mothers.

The sheer number of vampire mythos in current popular fiction (young adult as well as adult) lends itself to dozens of creative options. Melissa De La Cruz, NY Times Bestselling author, takes the standard vampire tale and stands it on it's ear! Not satisfied with blood sucking fiends, she creates a world where vampires are actually the reincarnations of angels, specifically those who fell from grace with Lucifer. Repeating life after life, they continue with the same connections, pairings, allies, until their current incarnations - the wealthy New York teens attending the Duschene School and their "Blue Blood" parents. True "blue bloods" experience a transition phase during mid-adolescence when they suddenly crave raw meat, develop distinctive blue veining, become essentially born vampires. Their greatest enemies are Silver Bloods and one of their own turns out to be just such a creature!

The stories follow Schuyler Van Alan as she navigates the world of the wealthy and priviledged with her best friend Oliver, her crush Jack Force and his uber-popular queen bee sister, Mimi, Bliss and Dylan. Themes such as cliques, drinking and drugs, sex, mean-girls all play frequent and sometimes obvious roles. While some of the story lines read like Gossip Girl scripts, with their over played rich girl hating on poor girl, much of the concepts are fresh and original. Dialogue is snappy and enjoyable and the verbal witicisms shared between Schuyler and Oliver are clever. The mystery is credible and leaves the reader craving more information and feeling at the end of each book like they knew less than when they started! (I love that in a YA series, gets me so angsty and wound up I have been known to throw perfectly good books across the room in abject frustration!)

I highly recommend this innovative approach to the vampire line of YA books - it is well worth the time and emotional turmoil! I remain true tp the Blue Bloods and give this tasty little series (now on book five, Misguided Angel, just released this month) five Chocolate Dipped Strawberries - that's a big ole Yummmmm!

Felix Felicis Friday

What an appropriate day for me to blog about the Harry Potter series. Today the first installment of Deathly Hallows comes out and I will be there (I’ll leave my robe at home)! I have so much I wanna say but I have to attempt to just hit the high points. I wish I could tell you why I love this series so much but I can’t. I have no idea what grabbed me about this series but it did. I’ve read all the books too many times to count and I find something new every time. I take pride in my daughter who just finished book 7. Only one in her grade to have read all 7. Go JJ! I will now attempt to give you the run down on the Harry Potter series. If you’ve never read them do yourself a favor and READ THEM! JK Rowling is amazing! These books will be classics one day. Don’t be the only one on the planet who hasn’t read them. FYI, watching the movies doesn’t count. You’ll miss lots of stuff!

Harry Potter Books 1-7 by JK Rowling (most brilliant woman ever)

Harry’s parents are killed by the most evil wizard ever Lord Voldemort. When he tries to kill Harry as an infant it back fires on him and reduces him to a mere shell of his self. Leaving Harry with the ever so famous lightning bolt scar. Upon the death of his parents he’s sent to live with his mother’s sister Petunia Dursley and her family. They are muggles (non magical folks). They treat him badly and hide the fact that he is a wizard till his 11th birthday when Hagrid comes to take him to Hogwarts (school for witches and wizards). At Hogwarts Harry makes several friends that will stick with him till the end. Friends like Ron Weasley (and his entire family all 9 of them), Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood and many more. Last but not least there has to be “bad guys”. Meet Draco Malfoy and his cronies followed by the Death Eaters (folks still loyal to Lord Voldemort). Naturally, trouble follows Harry because Lord Voldemort is trying to get back to his former self and he needs Harry.

Book 1 The Sorcerer’s Stone~ Harry is trying to unravel the secrets of the Sorcerer’s Stone and keep it from Voldemort.

Book 2 The Chamber of Secrets~ Harry must solve the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets.

Book 3 Prisoner of Azkaban~Harry discovers the real story of how his parents died and must clear the name of his god father. None other than the man himself Mr. Sirius Black!

Book 4 The Goblet of Fire~ Someone puts Harry’s name in The Goblet of Fire and he is chosen to complete dangerous tasks to become the Tri-wizard champion. Harry tries to tell the wizarding world that Voldemort is back but they think him insane.

Book 5 Order of the Phoenix~ Harry learns the in and outs of the secret group the Order of the Phoenix. A fateful battle at the Ministry of Magic proves that Voldemort has indeed returned. You will need tissues for this book! Yet it is still my favorite of all the books.

Book 6 Half Blood Prince~ The wizarding world is living in fear at the knowledge of Voldemort having returned. Harry’s head master and friend Albus Dumbledore has discovered that Harry is the only one who can rid the world of Voldemort and in Voldemort’s quest to become immortal he has split his soul into seven pieces (horcruxes) and hid them. Each must be found and destroyed if he is to be defeated. So the search begins. You will need tissues for this book also!

Book 7 Deathly Hallows~ Harry and his friends are on the search for the horcruxes and to rid the world of Voldemort. You will need a BOX of tissues!

Well folks that’s about as streamlined as I can get it and now I gotta get myself ready to go to the movie. For those of you that don’t know Felix Felicis is the name for the lucky potion. I now leave you with my favorite quote, compliments of Fred and George Weasley. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.... Mischief managed."

Vixen

It's a new year for me.  I am always introspective on this day every year... the day after my birthday.  Here I am with a chance at a brand new start - my own personal New Years Day - so I take stock, give myself an assessment and make plans to be better, do better.  My own personal challenge to live each day better than I lived the one before it, to find balance in all things, to be kind but not at the expense of my well-being, and to celebrate life.  Hmmm... but first a double-shot latte to get me going on my way.  Cheers to that!

And cheers to the Young Adult (YA) ARC, Vixen.  Back in late October, I was selected to be in the B&N First Look YA Book Club.  I received an ARC for the purpose of an unbiased review.  No worries there - I've got lots to say...

Vixen is historical young adult fiction set in the roaring twenties with speakeasies, flappers, bootlegged booze, gangsters and socialites. There is so much to grab the reader in this debut novel by author Jillian Larkin, I recommend the book to anyone who gravitates to either historical fiction or young adult genres. You can’t go wrong, either way.

The plot is divided into three distinct storylines, each focusing on a different girl: Gloria, the newly engaged socialite; Clara, Gloria's cousin with a dark past; and Lorraine, the best friend cast in Gloria’s shadow. The chapters switch between the points of view of the three girls which keep the story moving but may be confusing to younger readers.

Through the three separate paths of the girls, we watch as the teens assert themselves by walking the line of acceptable behavior to try to gain their independence and freedom. The overall message of Vixen seems to be “the only thing that matters is pleasing yourself” which is quite the opposite of the philosophy parents hope to impart in their children. The characters are selfish, manipulative, arrogant, pompous and cruel to some extent. Violence, sexual innuendo, and drunken behavior fill the story with drama that keeps a quick pace for the reader.

The book covers the gamut of controversial topics; i.e. prohibition, corrupt politicians, adultery, deceit, interracial relationships and injustice, pre-marital relations and pregnancy, the mob and its corruption. Foolish decisions, a tiny glimmer of innocence and misguided choices surround the three girls as they find paths of discovery which are woven with danger. While I found their behavior too extreme for the typical teen, even in the days of flappers, the storyline held my interest and this same behavior made the book that much more interesting. However, with that said, there is too much alcohol, sex, cigarettes and other elicit behavior for the younger teen readers. THIS IS MY WARNING, PARENTS: Read this book first and have a conversation with your young reader. There are good discussions to be had on topics introduced in the book but left unaddressed, young readers could get a wrong message about acceptable behaviors.

Vixen is a solid debut novel, and definitely a strong beginning to The Flapper Series. Since the book ends on a cliff hanger with several questions left unanswered, the author makes it impossible for the reader not to rush out and buy the next one as soon as it is published. Watch for book two, Ingénue to come out in 2011.

Rating: 3 chocolate dipped strawberries

Happy Hump Day!

Happy, happy hump day one and all. I have to admit this fall has been something of a dud for me but coming up on the Thanksgiving season always puts me in mind of things I am thankful for: family, friends and, um, well....books of course! (I'd throw in wine and chocolate but those are a complete given, aren't they?!?!) Oh, and how could I forget? I am, of course, also very thankful that there are deep and lovely gene pools out there to produce such fabulous eye candy confections for our viewing consumption!!!! Yummmmmmy!


In many ways, I feel like this week's topic of YA favs is a refreshing palate cleanser. I especially have a soft spot for YA literature - both classic and current hits. I got reconnected with YA lit several years ago when "pre-screening" the Stephanie Meyer Twilight series for my daughter. Quickly following were the Cassandra Clare Mortal Instruments series which my kids and I listened to on Audiobook - amazing, action-packed, angsty drama to suck us in and fill the endless voids during summer vacation travels! My kids enjoyed the stories certainly, but for me these series hurtled me back to that time in my life when romance and friendship dilemas were new and all consuming. I find that many well written YA series have all the clean, intense story lines of their adult counterparts but the authors are compelled to generate deeper characterizations, witty and engaging dialogue and breath stealing, soul deep connections between heroes and heroines because they do not have sex to act as a binding ingredient. While you couldn't pay me to be 16 again, there is something tantalizing in the yearning for that "something more" that these kids experience and I'll be damned if I don't want that in my life again!



So that being said, my pick for today's YA series topic embodies all the angsty goodness I so adore and builds upon a really inventive twist on the vampire mythos that has become so very popular this decade! Rachel Caine is the popular adult urban fantasy author of the Weather Warden series (djinn rock!) as well as the Morganville Vampires (which defintely hold a high place on my favs list and are always a must buy). The newest release, Ghost Town, is the ninth in this series which continues to follow the life of Clare Danvers and her crazy Glass House compadres as they battle the bad vamps and learn to navigate the good vamps of Morganville, Texas.



The series begins with Glass House, a fitting introduction to Clare Danvers. Clare is a 16 year old genius who graduates high school early but whose parents aren't ready to let their little girl go off to M.I.T. to study the engineering she so desires. The compromise of local Texas Prairie University seems like a good interim solution but nearly becomes Clare's undoing. Harrassed and victimized by the vicous popular girls of her dorm, lead by Monica the daughter of the local mayor, Clare nearly dies in her escape efforts. She flees the "safety" of the college campus and finds sanctuary in an off campus house with new allies: Goth girl Eve, rebel-with-a-cause Shane and mysterious rocker hunk Michael Glass. Through them she learns the truth about Morganville - it is home to dozens of vampires who essentially run the town. Oh, and once you know this, you can never, ever leave. Oh and Michael has a big secret that gets even bigger and only Clare knows at first. Oh, and the vampires have a huge secret that only Clare knows as well....high drama, indeed! Are you feeling me?

Throughout the series, Clare manages to maneuver through the drama and intrigue of the vampire society - aiding brilliant but mentally damaged founders, manipulating secret dimension shifting passageways throughout the town, saving her friends continuously only to fight another day. Clare uses her brains, remains true to herself and her ideals, refuses to betray those she loves - a true role model for young women. In a place where alliances are daily made and broken, humans remain pawns on the game board of vampire politics in this bizarre vampire utopia. Like little rewards for suffering with the Glass House gang, readers are treated with the blossoming romances between Eve and Michael, Clare and Shane. Caine refuses to allow the romances between these young adults on the verge of extinction to burn out quickly, letting the embers smolder delivering a message of hope and love in the chaos. As much as I want more, somehow it feels right and when immersed in the thick of each novel, it is enough for me!


These reads are fast-paced, juicy little bon-bons. Appropriate for mature middle school and up - nothing like sharing a treat with your friends and your daughters! I give Morganville Vampires a tasty 5 Chocolate Dipped Strawberries - yummmm! They'll keep you coming back for seconds....and thirds.....and......

Young Adult Books are Evermore Entertaining

I can honestly say that Young Adult books got me back into reading for pleasure.  I hadn’t read a work of fiction for years and years (career and babies will do that to you) and, then, about 7 books and 5 movies in, I started reading the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling and was hooked.  After that, it was the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer and the Inheritance trilogy by Christopher Paolini and the habit and delight of reading as a get away and guilty indulgence returned. 

Of course, it wasn’t until I met my book pimp, Tyra, that I became more fully versed in all things supernatural; the fae, the weres, etc. and realized that you didn’t have to wait, ala Stephanie Meyers, until the end of 1500 pages to have sex with a vampire.   While I do really enjoy what I now affectionately call my more adult “vampire porn”, I also continue to be drawn to the Young Adult stories that focus more on the development of magical worlds, interesting characters, compelling relationships, quests, moral dilemmas, etc.  It also gives me a connection to my own children and collegiate nieces as we explore some of these worlds together. 

Some of my recent favorite Young Adult Series include PC Casts House of Night, the Cinda Williams Chima Heir Series, Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments and Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy all of which I give at least four, and sometimes five, chocolate dipped strawberries.

Recently, when I was trolling the Young Adult section at Barnes & Noble, I lingered on Alyson Noel’s Evermore, Book 1 in her Immortals series, and decided to give it a whirl.  It was interesting and kept me wanting to learn more about the main character Ever Bloom and figure out the mystery of who she is and why she has the powers she does. 

Noel does a good job of creating the voice of a “normal” sixteen year old even though Ever has the ability to see other peoples’ auras,  hear their thoughts, and know their histories just by touching them. She has a depressing side which has become somewhat of a stereotype of teens, but is also the result of the fact that her entire family was killed in a car accident that she believes was her fault.  Presumably because of her special abilities she remains connected to her little sister Riley (a really great character who I may have liked better than Ever) who continues to visit Ever rather than “cross over” with the rest of the family.  Noel does an excellent job of conveying the angst that Ever feels when she realizes that Riley may be lingering because of her, but not wanting her to go because then she would truly feel alone. 

Layered on top of dealing with this family tragedy and its consequences, Ever enters a complicated relationship with Damen, a gorgeous mystery hunk, about whom you spend much of the book wondering what he is… a vampire? a fae? a shifter?  The end of the first book gives you some answers (which I won’t spoil here) and leaves you wanting to find out more in the remaining books.

I haven’t made it to the other books yet because there were so many others in my TBR pile, but I give this book a solid three chocolate dipped strawberries.

Cat Devon

House of Night

House of Night, PC and Kristin Cast, St. Martin’s Press
Ok, so it’s Young Adult week here at the Guilty Indulgence blog site, and I get to tell you about The House of Night series. This series is written by the wonderful mother/daughter duo of PC and Kristen Cast. I am very excited to blog about this series because I enjoy reading it very much, but I feel I must start with a warning:


DO NOT READ THESE BOOKS WHILE RUNNING ON THE TREADMILL!!!! (The tears can cause you to fall and injure yourself)


This series is centered around a teenage girl from Oklahoma named Zoey Redbird. She has been “marked” as a vampyre, and has to leave her family to attend a boarding school for other fledgling vampyres until they complete the “change”. The mythology for this series is a Matriarchal society and the Vampyres worship the Goddess Nyx. Vampyres are out in this world and in fact are some of the most talented and popular people in society, a lot of actors and poets and artists. There are also your hate groups in this series, you have your pure blood fanatics, of which Zoey’s step-father and mother are members, which causes Zoey to basically lose all touch with her family except her FABULOUS Grandmother who is Native American and has her own non-traditional beliefs.


Now of course Zoey can’t be your typical fledgling, because where would the fun be in that. No our Zoey has been touched by the Goddess herself, so her vampyre marking, the half moon crescent tattoo on her forehead, is filled in while all other fledglings are just an outline. So she is starting out in a new school and she is already different, which for those of us that remember high school is NOT the way you want to start out. The good news, she ends up with a great roommate, Stevie Ray, and some great new friends, the twins and Damien. The bad news, there is of course that one snotty girl in the school that tries to make Zoey’s life hell and oh yeah there is always the chance that she won’t survive the “change” and will die a horrible death.


In 7 books Zoey and her friends have battled a fallen angel who thinks he is a God, a teacher with delusions of granduer, killer ravenmockers, friends dying and then maybe not dying and trying to decide which boy is the cutest.(by the way, it is sooo Stark)


I love this series for the simple fact that it’s a great story. It’s well written and the characters are very well developed and it reads very “real” for a paranormal. There are several times in this series when I have to stop and remind myself that Zoey is just a teenager so when she does those incredibly stupid things, which she does, I need to give her a break. I also love the development of the secondary characters and the very witty banter between the friends. But be prepared because there will be moments in this series that will make you cry, but I think there are more that will make you laugh and remember high school and that age fondly….not enough to EVER make me want to go back and do it over again though!

I give The House of Night series 5 chocolate dipped strawberries!!! (and don’t forget the Noxzema to help with the breakouts that the chocolate causes.)

Young Adult Week

We all have our favorite young adult series that we follow... all right, for some of us it's more than one. Our faves include Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy, PC Cast's House of Night, Alyson Noel's Ever, JK Rowling's Harry Potter, Stephenie Meyer's Twilight, and Melissa De La Cruz's Blue Bloods. There's more, I'm sure, and we'll try to touch on all of our favorites during this week as we provide a sampling to introduce some great books to those of you who have never branched into the YA genre. And, for those who've read some YA, we'll give you some other series to consider jumping on. 

Whether you begin reading YA to preview before your own child reads the book or just out of curiosity, the strong world building, multi-dimensional plots and solid characters keep you returning for more great storytelling.  YA books are truly an escape, a guilty indulgence of another sort, as they transport you away from everyday worries to an entirely new world.

COMMENT and tell us what your favorite YA series are.  We'd love to hear from you - maybe there's a series out there you want to share with us.

SOUND THE BELLS: Christine Is Here!

NdulgentBloggrs: Welcome to our book club, Christine.

CB: Thanks so much for inviting me, ladies! I’m excited to be here.

NdulgentBloggrs: We love to feature up and coming authors so we're excited to have you here too. We've all read both of the Wolves of Pray books and enjoyed them. Knowing you're a new author, we had lots of questions about when you got started as an author.

CB: I started writing romantic fiction last December, so it’s only been eleven months, but writing has always been a part of my life in some form or another. I loved taking creative writing classes, writing for my college newspaper, poetry etc

NdulgentBloggrs: What was your first manuscript?

CB: Actually, my first manuscript was Pray! Well, sort of, lol. I wrote the first draft in about two weeks and was feeling pretty nifty. Then I found my crit group and took some writing workshops and realized it was pretty bad! It was a good plot and even then I think my voice came through sort of, but it was riddled with new writer mistakes. “Witty” and plentiful adverbs and dialogue tags, dizzying amounts of head-hopping, just the whole laundry list of "what not to do" packed into one novella. With the help of my C.P.’s, some workshops, a major slash and burn and a little luck, I was offered a contract for it in July. I can honestly say it was one of the HAPPIEST days of my life.

NdulgentBloggrs: That's exciting! Is the process of becoming published really as difficult as "they" say?

CB: See above! Take an editing workshop (I recommend Before You Hit Send with Angela James. It's inexpensive and really on point. She goes over a lot of new writer issues, from passive voice and dialogue tags to how to start en media res and avoid various plot devices). I also suggest, nay, BESEECH you to get a crit partner or a crit group. I don’t care if you’re the next J.K. Rowling, you need another set of (writer’s, not friend’s) eyes on your work, especially early on. They offer a different perspective and can often catch plot holes that your brain may fill in when you’re reading it, but that you never actually put onto the page.

NdulgentBloggrs: You've obviously made it work. Any advice for hopeful authors?

CB: It’s not easy, but luckily talent is a small part of the equation. The rest is entirely within your control, and therefore totally within your grasp. YOU control how much effort you want to put into learning your craft. I chose to put it above everything but family. YOU control how often you write, how often you submit (this is key, many people have a fear of submitting. I wrote and submitted my ass off and still do). Then, once you’re published YOU control whether your publishers and editors want to continue to work with you by making your deadlines, behaving professionally and producing good work. I think with a little talent, and a lot of self-discipline you can get published. Just go after it, you know? I sleep about 4 hours a night because this is my dream and it’s not going to come to me. That’s not how dreams work, so I’m going to actively hunt it down, tie it up and strap it to the hood of my car if I have to. Sounds mean, right? But effective. :o)

NdulgentBloggrs: Thanks for the advice, Christine. And now, our favorite question to ask our guests is... what is your guilty indulgence?

CB: Ack! Let’s see, I hate to be cliché and say chocolate, but that’s definitely one of them. And I looovvves me some shoes, lol. Boots, pumps, sandals, wedges, bring 'em on!

CONTEST ALERT!!!


If you would like to own one of Christine Bell's books, leave a comment. We will draw a name at random for a chance to win your choice of either Pray or Awakening. Entries will be accepted through 8:00am EST Monday, November 14th. Must be a follower or include contact information so we can contact you if you win.