Fan girl Friday

I can't believe tomorrow is the first day of October. I may cry:(
I have a busy weekend planned but it's all good and it keeps me out of trouble. Which my friends seem to think I have issues with???? I stayed out of trouble all week this week because I had the new Lauren Dane book from her Chase Brothers series. I heart Lauren Dane (insert squeal and giggle)! Jenn even loaded the Chase boys books on my Kindle for me. She knew that I would pick that sucker up and read it then! Here's what's going on in Petal, Georgia....

Once and Again by Lauren Dane

Seven years ago, Lily Travis was only too glad to see her hometown of Petal, Georgia in her rearview mirror. Thanks to her father running off with a twenty-year-old, though, here she is, trying to pick up the pieces. First order of business: meet with her brother’s teacher in a quest to pull his grades out of a downward spiral.

Nathan Murphy is pretty much resigned to his bachelor status—until he looks up from his desk to see an all-grown-up Lily walking into his classroom. Of all the women who turned out to be totally wrong for him, she’s the only one who felt right. At least until his foolish, immature mistake drove her away.

Lily has to admit that time has been more than kind to gorgeous, sexy Nathan. Except there’s no room on her full plate for another complication. Especially with a man who broke her heart once before.

With a little help from his friends, Nathan has a plan to rekindle the flame. It isn’t long before they’re burning up the sheets. Winning her heart? That’s another matter.

Ahhhh it was so nice to be back in Petal. I feel a re-read of the Chase boys books coming on. This was a wonderful addition to the Chase brothers. This book was Nathan's story. He's Tate's brother. That luck girl is married to Matt the fireman! This story had a real feel to it. It sucks to have to struggle but to have to do it alone and have the whole town know your story makes it even worse. Lily is fortunate to have friends to support her (I have the best ones though). Again, I'm gonna have to bust out the what a man award. Nathan is willing to take on her issues and to help her thru the tough times and also is able to sit back and give her space while she deals with a full plate of life. Go Nathan! If you haven't checked out this series please do so. I promise you will love them.

I give this book 5 chocolate dipped strawberries and some pie!
PEACE!

Delicate Freakn' Flower

I have to tell you about this great book I just read. It was a freakn’ funny book about a feisty heroine who thinks she knows exactly what she wants until fate throws her a curve ball (quite literally). Eve Langlais’s Delicate Freakn’ Flower is a gem, a romance that envelopes love, sensuality and humor all into a delicious story.

The book’s heroine, Naomi, screams from the pages. She is a wolf shifter determined not to follow the tradition of mating to another shifter, instead wanting to settle down with a calm human husband. After growing up in a family with five, testosterone-driven brothers where chaos reigned, she wants peace in which to live her adulthood completely opposite of how she spent her childhood. She considers herself a delicate flower – though there is clearly more to her personality than that - and she’s furious when her life is thrown off course by not just one, but two very alpha shifters claiming to be her mate.

An unexpected encounter at a lacrosse game brings these two shifters to her front door in a most humorous way. Still Naomi wants nothing to do with them because they are everything she does not want in a mate. They’re shifter athletes with not enough brains and too much brawn. Though she can’t help but notice they’re also a whole lot of hot. Naomi might consider herself a delicate flower, and even may want to be treated like a delicate flower but that is so not what Naomi is. She’s tough, strong, determined, capable and so full of attitude and spunk. Seriously, she’s pretty bad-ass. It’s hysterical when she proudly declares to her mate in one of their earlier encounters:

“I abhor violence. How many times do I have to say it? I am a delicate. Freakn’. Flower!” She punctuated her claim with a twist of his nuts that made his breath whoosh out.

Ethan and Javier drive her crazy with their attempts to win her over, wanting nothing more than to make their new mate happy. Ethan is an enormous Kodiak bear shifter, shy but determined, and Javier is a sleek panther shifter, a classic ladies man shocked but convinced he’s found the perfect woman. And, my, oh my, are they ever sweethearts. They go to incredible lengths to see that her life is not disrupted by them but enhanced, enriched by their courting. They are so sweet as they attempt to show her they don’t fit her stereotype of shifter males. And Naomi is far stronger than I because I would not have held them off as long as she did! But I also admit that her fight made the moment in which she comes to accept her mates unforgettable. *sigh* This book has some major build up before it gets to some major hot lovin'.

Ethan and Javier are perfect alpha heroes – their relationship with each other is genuine and enhanced the storyline as they worked as a united force. In fact, I’m pretty certain it took both of them to woo her. One mate wouldn’t have been enough for this dynamic heroine. The men both had these amazing personalities that made it difficult for me to choose which I loved most. Ethan was sweet in deed but short on words while Javier was more suave and flirtatious. And when we discover they both in fact did have brains to match their brawns, I wanted to scream at Naomi to CLAIM THEM!

So lucky for Naomi, she didn’t have to choose which mate – she just had to choose to accept her happily ever after. What a funny book this is as readers get to experience these great characters. Delicate Freakn’ Flower is truly a gem. And so very delicious, it deserves the honor of 5 chocolate-dipped strawberries.

Indulge and then “comment” to let me know which you would choose… Ethan or Javier? I dare you to try and choose between the two – I still can’t decide...

Humpday Hello!

With a pretty heinous migraine - I have to beg off on anything wacky for this week. I will, however, allow you to indulge in some books and eye candy! (Sometimes a girl needs an Angel on her side....) Enjoy!








Strings Attached, Anne Holly, Wild Horse Press, May 2011



Who knew the wilds of the Canadian North would be such a romantic setting? Anne Holly apparently! Bringing a quirky love story to life in her latest novel, Anne Holly's STRINGS ATTACHED will capture readers' "hopeful" romantic soul.

Josie Sergeant defines independent woman. Having taken over the family sheep ranch, she not only survives but thrives in the wilderness. Kept company by her dog and cat seems to suffice until she examines her life a little too closely after receiving a call from her brother, Richard, with news of his engagement to his girlfriend, Julie Sabich. And as distressed as she is about her brother's upcoming Christmas wedding, her reservations don't even touch those espoused by Julie's brother. Their initial meeting in Winnipeg goes badly, despite their instant attraction to one another, but Josie adores her brother and agrees to "entertain" the surly Theo at her ranch while the lovebirds plan their nuptials.

STRINGS ATTACHED snags the readers' attention from the start. Well written with beautifully descriptive scenes and witty dialogue, Ms. Holly spins a tale of hope, redemption and love. While the plot was relatively simple in nature, the characters themselves were strong and relatable. Occasionally, point of view shifts distracted from the story line but overall the story moved quickly and was very enjoyable. Ms Holly's skillful unveiling of the deeper emotional motivations of her main characters had this reader in tears - the good kind that promises hope and happy endings.

A classic contemporary romance, STRINGS ATTACHED delivers a solid story. Josie and Theo's romance is well worth the read. This reader highly recommends this slightly sappy, but nevertheless sweet story of two souls who fall in love despite their best efforts not to. Theirs is the kind of romance that makes you want to know what happens after "The End"!

This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews

Happy Happy New Release Day

It's my favorite day of the week, Tuesday, and you all know what that means.....NEW RELEASE DAY!! This is the day that most bookstores put the new books out on the shelves, or finally allow us to download to our e-reader of choice. This Tuesday was kind of an extravaganza for me and has thrown my "oh, pretty shiny" problem into overdrive. I can't decide if I want to go to Budapest and hang out with the Lords from waaayyy down under, or take a trip back in time to hang with some really sexy highlanders, or how about a trip to New York and do shots of Blissky with the staff of McKay Security, heck I might want to head down to North Carolina and get me some BBQ.

Here is just a small sampling of the books that came out today:


The Sexiest Vampire Alive, Kerrelyn Sparks, Avon
The secret is out . . . Vampires do exist!

When a video reveals to the world that vampires live among us, it’s up to “young” vamp Gregori Holstein, VP of Marketing, to persuade the U.S. government to declare the video a hoax. But first the president wants a favor, one that requires Gregori to spend forty-eight hours in very close contact with the First Daughter.

Abby Tucker would rather spend her nights in a lab than attend her father’s state dinners. She’s dedicated her life to finding a cure that will save her dying mother and needs only two more ingredients. To find them, she’ll have to venture into the most dangerous region of the world—with a vampire. Her Armani-clad escort may be Undead, but he still makes her heart race. And the greatest danger won’t be the predatory hordes lying in wait for them; it will be her undying desire for the Sexiest Vampire Alive.


The Darkest Surrender, Gena Showalter, Harlequin
Possessed by the demon of Defeat, Strider cannot lose a challenge without suffering unimaginable pain. For him, nothing stands in the way of victory. Until Kaia, an enchanting Harpy, tempts him to the razor's edge of surrender.Known among her people as The Disappointment, Kaia must bring home the gold in the Harpy Games or die. Strider is a distraction she can't afford because he has an agenda of his own-steal first prize, an ancient godly artifact, before the winner can be named. But as the competition heats up, only one prize will matter-the love neither had thought possible...


Spider's Revenge, Jennifer Estep, Pocket
Old habits die hard. And I plan on mur?der?ing some?one before the night is through.

Killing used to be my reg?u?lar gig, after all. Gin Blanco, aka the Spi?der, assassin-for-hire. And I was very good at it. Now, I’m ready to make the one hit that truly mat?ters: Mab Mon?roe, the dan?ger?ous Fire ele?men?tal who mur?dered my fam?ily when I was thir?teen.

Oh, I don’t think the mis?sion will be easy, but turns out it’s a bit more prob?lem?atic than expected. The bitch knows I’m com?ing for her. So now I’m up against the army of lethal bounty hunters she hired to track me down. She also put a price on my baby sister’s head. Keep?ing Bria safe is my first pri?or?ity. Tak?ing Mab out is a close sec?ond.

Good thing I’ve got my pow?er?ful Stone and Ice magic — and my irre?sistible lover Owen Grayson — to watch my back. This bat?tle has been years in the mak?ing, and there’s a chance I won’t sur?vive. But if I’m going down, then Mab’s com?ing with me...no mat?ter what I have to do to make that happen.


Seduction of a Highland Lass, Maya Banks, Ballentine
A warrior is caught between family loyalty and forbidden love in book two of bestselling author Maya Banks’s sensual new trilogy featuring three indomitable Highlanders.

Fiercely loyal to his elder brother, Alaric McCabe leads his clan in the fight for their birthright. Now he is prepared to wed for duty, as well. But on his way to claim the hand of Rionna McDonald, daughter of a neighboring chieftain, he is ambushed and left for dead. Miraculously, his life is saved by the soft touch of a Highland angel, a courageous beauty who will put to the test his fealty to his clan, his honor, and his deepest desires.
An outcast from her own clan, Keeley McDonald was betrayed by those she loved and trusted. When the wounded warrior falls from his horse, she is drawn to his strong, lean body. The wicked glint in his green eyes ignites a passion that will follow them back to Alaric’s keep, where their forbidden love draws them deeper into the pleasures of the flesh. But as conspiracy and danger circle closer, Alaric must make an impossible choice: Will he betray his blood ties for the woman he loves?

If you are excited about any of these books, make a commment and let us know which one you are going to read first. Make a comment any day this week and you will be entered in our Bag O' Swag conest celebrating our Blogiversary!!!

The Policeman's Balls

I don't know how many of you use Goodreads but I started using it this year and it's a great way of keeping track of what you have read and what other books your favorite authors have written or are going to write. At the beginning of the year I signed up for their 2011 Reading Challenge, I challenged myself to read 150 books for this year....well I am at 145 already this doesn't mean I am only allowed to read 5 more books for the whole year does it?? Because let me tell you that is just not going to fly!!! LOL Don't forget to make a comment this week for the chance at our Bag O' Swag, come on is there any easier way to win something??


The Policeman's Balls, Mia Watts, Resplendence Publishing
Brian McCray can’t believe his bad luck in getting caught by the police for breaking into his own home—until he sees the cop in question. Now all he wants to do is catch the sexy protector of the peace and give him some piece…of ass.
Officer Joshua Severn has to admit that Brian is attention grabbing. Brian’s also going to rack up a lot of tickets if he doesn’t stop inventing reasons to see Josh. Then one night a kiss sparks something Josh wants to explore, unfortunately so does Internal Affairs when it’s caught on cruiser cam.
What began as a little play has turned into something loaded, and Officer Severn is more than prepared to fire his weapon.

This is one of those books that at 60 pages reads much longer. Ms. Watts is very good at giving you a lot of information in a short time and bringing her character's to life in a very real way. It didn't take me long to fall in love with Brian and Josh, their courtship was funny and hot and brought a smile to my face as I was reading it. The story comes together quickly but doesn't feel rushed. Every time Brian came up with a different plan to get Josh’s attention I could just picture all the ways it could go wrong. And while it could have been mistaken as stalkerish I just thought it was endearing. Brian's neighbor, Mrs. Jackson was a great addition to the storyline and I couldn't help but laugh at everything she said. So if you are looking for a quick, funny and hot read then wrap your hand around The Policeman’s Balls! I give it 5 chocolate dipped strawberries!

It's Anniversary Time!!!!

Hello readers, as promised we are getting our swag on. Make a comment any day this week and your name will be entered in the contest to win a GIANT BAG O' SWAG! The more times you comment the more chances you have to win! It's hard to believe we are one year old, my my how the time does fly.


Ash Swan, Amber Kell & Stephani Hecht, Resplendence Publishing
Cob Brothers, Book One
When Prince Landon Cob sees Brian Dawson, he's not sure what to make of the bicycle courier with a pierced nose and green streaks in his hair, but the man's gentleness in feeding the water fowl strikes a chord with him. In this story of Swan Prince meets Cinderfella, two men from different backgrounds have to find a way to counter magic and divergent lifestyles to find their happy ending.

Two of my favorite authors writing together, as soon as I saw this I was squealing like a fan girl. Both authors are great at taking what could be run of the mill story lines and making them into unique, hot, can't put down, page turners. Add in some amazing sex and a happily ever after and what more could you ask for. They have taken the Cinderella and Swan Princess fairytales and married them together with a bit of a twist. And of course it's the twist that makes it really decadent.

Landon will be the king of Aria when he turns 30, so for the next 4 years he and two of his brothers are going to check out the technology on earth. When Landon spots Brian in the park he can’t help but be fascinated by the man.

Brian is just wasting some time feeding the birds in the park when a cranky goose causes him to fall into the pond. Brian can’t believe his luck when a drop dead gorgeous man helps him out of the pond and offers him a place to clean up.

The men are immediately attracted to each other but Landon wants to take things slow so he can woo Brian. What he doesn’t know is back home things are being set into motion that may make it impossible for the two to be together.

This is the first book in an ongoing series that I am excited to read more of. You have everything you need to make a great fairytale; an evil sister, a megalomaniac sorcerer, a Fairy Godmother that I want to be when I grow up, and a curse that only true love can break. I loved the Landon and Brian character's but for me Petra really stole the show. You know there are is more schemeing going on behind the scenes and that helps to draw you further into the story line that just makes you want more. I enjoyed this spin on an couple of classic tales and can’t wait to see where the authors take this story line next. I give Ash Swan 4 chocolate dipped strawberries.

A Sacrifice, An Indulgence

It's our BLOG-iversary and we are celebrating all week here at Guilty Indulgence. COMMENT any day (or every day) for a chance to WIN our BAG o' SWAG!

As women, particularly those of us who are mothers, we make daily sacrifices. Often times, I don't even realize I'm making one because it's so intrinsic in raising my boys. And when I reflect, I don't regret a single sacrifice. But I wonder if this lack of resentment for my sacrifices is because I equally know how to indulge myself when necessary. Reading is my indulgence... slipping into another world is decadent... and I couldn't be the mother I am (which I'm pretty sure is totally awesome!) without that time away. I may not have time to take a weekly trip to the spa but I certainly can make time to read a romance novel or two (or five - that's my weekly quota). So for those mothers out there who do a whole lot of sacrificing without taking time for whatever your indulgence might be, I recommend you take the time for yourself. And if you're reading this, maybe your indulgence is romance novels too. So read my review of Sacrifice by Samantha Sommersby - it is a great indulgence.

Sacrifice is book one in the Forbidden series. At its core, the book is a paranormal romance with a quirky cast of characters where the secondary characters really make the book. Uniquely written in the hero’s POV, readers will find themselves most easily connecting with Wesley while being left wondering a bit about Katherine. The story moves along at a good pace once it gets started – just hold on through the very beginning and you’ll figure it all out – as Sommersby adds depth by weaving multiple strands of the story together.

Wesley Atherton is a wealthy psychiatrist living in London. He’s never believed in love at first sight despite being raised by parents that swore by it. He does, however, firmly believe in determining what it is he wants and working hard to get it. So it is the case when he first meets Katherine. Despite her engagement to another man, he knows enough about reading people to know she doesn’t love the man. Wes does everything he can to convince her that she should share her life with him instead. Wes’s character is quite appealing – he’s witty, intelligent, charming, self-deprecating (in a funny way) and driven, confident. And his commitment to Katherine is beautiful.

It’s after they survive a deadly train wreck that the paranormal world closes in on them. One of Wesley’s patients, a psychic, warns them the Reaper doesn't like to be cheated out of his quarry and is now seeking a soul. A series of dangerously strange events convince Wes that he and Katherine are living on borrowed time. He uses the wit and brawn of those around him – his inner circle of friends and a great cast of secondary characters – to battle against death itself in an effort to protect the woman he loves. Using richly illustrative scenes, the final battle is intense and serves as the climax to this solid book.

Though the paranormal world is important to the story, there remains a true sense of reality to Wes and Katherine’s love story. The struggles the couple have in their developing relationship keep the story grounded in reality while the fantastical paranormal storyline will keep readers riveted, never certain where the story is going from one page to the next. Both Katherine's ex-fiance and Wes’s ex-girlfriend attempt to intrude on the budding relationship but seem only to strengthen their commitment to one another. 

Sacrifice is a fantastical love story worth reading - a true indulgence and worthy of our 5 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries rating. Yum.

First day of Fall Friday

Well it's here....and it's not gonna go away. It's only gonna get worse as time goes on. Fall is here as my children pointed out as they danced around me pointing and laughing at my misery. It poured all day and I sat at my desk wishing to be home in bed with a book. I made it through the day and now am in bed writing my blog and then getting ready to pick up the Kindle and start something new. Hmmm....what to read,what to read??? This week I went back to my world of the Dark Hunters (I'm very happy there by the way!). The wonderful Sherrilyn Kenyon will be a guest at a book event in June 2012 that I may have to sell a portion of my soul to attend. Surely the soccer gods will not scorn me for missing a tournament!

Retribution by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Setting: Las Vegas, NV

Harm no human…

A hired gunslinger, William Jessup Brady lived his life with one foot in the grave. He believed that every life had a price. Until the day when he finally found a reason to live. In one single act of brutal betrayal, he lost everything, including his life. Brought back by a Greek goddess to be one of her Dark-Hunters, he gave his immortal soul for vengeance and swore he’d spend eternity protecting the humans he’d once considered prey.

Orphaned as a toddler, Abigail Yager was taken in by a family of vampires and raised on one belief- Dark-Hunters are the evil who prey on both their people and mankind, and they must all be destroyed. While protecting her adoptive race, she has spent her life eliminating the Dark-Hunters and training for the day when she meets the man who killed her family: Jess Brady.

A gun in the hand is worth two in the holster…

Jess has been charged with finding and terminating the creature who’s assassinating Dark-Hunters. The last thing he expects to find is a human face behind the killings, but when that face bears a striking resemblance to the one who murdered him centuries ago, he knows something evil is going on. He also knows he’s not the one who killed her parents. But Abigail refuses to believe the truth and is determined to see him dead once and for all.

Brought together by an angry god and chased by ancient enemies out to kill them both, they must find a way to overcome their mutual hatred or watch as one of the darkest of powers rises and kills both the races they’ve sworn to protect.


Once again another fab book. There are no bad Dark Hunter books and the greatest thing about them is the series moves forward. It's a continuing story. It's not just the story of how the main character finds their happily ever after. I call this book the "throw back" story. You know like 80's music and leg warmers. LOL I call it "throw back" because we meet Jess way back in Zarek's book (he's Zarek's only friend) and he's mentioned here and there in others. I liked the twist of Abby being adopted by a vampire family. It has to be crazy wild to find out that the people you call family miss led you and caused you to unleash hell on earth. I have to give Jess the most forgiving man on the planet award. Abby has been killing his Dark Hunter family members, tries to kill Jess and like I stated before unleashes hell on earth and he literally forgives her immediately and protects her. I swear the man doesn't get rattled easily!

I really hope you guys have picked this series up as much as I've raved about it. I promise you won't regret it. I give this book 4 chocolate dipped strawberries and some RAID bug spray. You never know what kinda swarm will come at you next. I will also never look at one of those drive thru car washes again quite the same (hehehe). Kinda like I never look at a dressing room like I used to after reading a previous Dark Hunter book (hehehe). I am now going back to my own little world and wait for the third Chronicles of Nick book. Feel free to visit me anytime there. I always have snacks.
PEACE!

Mary Had A Little Problem

Mary Had A Little Problem by Destiny Blaine is not the light-hearted story the title would suggest by likening it to a nursery rhyme. The topic is realistic and had the story been more developed, it would’ve been amazing. As is, the story of Mary is compelling. But the author missed opportunities to deepen her characters.

Mary is believed to be a newly widowed Navy Seals wife but she doesn’t accept her husband’s unexplained death as the Navy would like her to. Given no real answers surrounding his death, no body to bury or witnesses to explain what happened, Mary can’t get past her state of denial and confusion. Her persistence in seeking answers and her strength drew me to her.

When the book opens, she’s out at a bar with her sister who is trying to help her embrace life again. That’s when she meets her sister’s friend Brock, a suave and persistent Marine who reminds her of her husband. There’s a connection there – one that Mary isn’t even aware of at first - and it’s not long before Mary and Brock fall in love.

Brock’s dominant personality is sexy (love those alpha heroes) and his way of caring for Mary was sweetly protective. I’d be remiss not to mention the hot sex scenes, particularly the bdsm type play that Mary engages in with both men. Their romance overall was electric. But to the author’s credit, I felt torn even as Mary began moving on that she was leaving the love of her life behind even though I adored Brock.

The author skims through a lot of the story as she moves along to the conclusion. Mary and Brock fall in love, he leaves on an assignment, and they plan a wedding. During all of this, short excerpts reveal that her husband Luke is still alive and had been captured but now escaped. This is an area that could’ve used more detail, details that would’ve greatly enriched the story and given the reader empathy for Luke.

When Luke reappears at Mary and Brock’s wedding, Brock is prepared to step aside. But it’s Mary who isn’t sure she can give up one man in exchange for the other. Their story was an interesting twist on a ménage relationship that forms in an untraditional way but still appears to work in the end. However, the end left me thinking about the parts that were missing from the story. I wanted to know more about these characters and felt cheated out of information.

RATING: Four Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries.

See also Jenn's review on this same book posted on September 19, 2011.

Humpday Hello...Get Your Spider's Revenge On!

Hello Humpday lovelies! Halfway through the work week....again! Big breath in, let it out. Ahhhhhhh. Now, ponder this: The Guilty Indulgence blog turns one this week and you, the readers, are in for a super treat! A year - yes, a whole year - has come and gone, and with it many fabulous new friends and even more fabulous new books! Let's rock it out for our anniversary time!!! Drop in, make a comment and get entered for a super huge bag o' swag! (Who doesn't like goodies from authors, publishers, books and goodies and more!) But just in case you need a little snack to tide you over until the big reward comes - have a bite of eye candy....Mmmmmmm! Hits the spot, doesn't it???

Jennifer Estep, Spider's Revenge, Pocket Books, October 2011

Gin is back. With a vengeance. All she needs to do to reach her final destination is fight, to the death, to avenge the deaths of her mother and sister. Good thing her only obstacles are an army of hired assassins, fear of involving her loved ones and mastering her secondary magic, now as powerful as her first! Easy as pie, right? If she succeeds, she rids the city of her mortal enemy, Mab the Fire elemental holding it hostage. If she fails, she rids the city of it's secret savior. Put my money on the Spider - ready to snare this "fire" fly into her web!

The final showdown is finally here: in one corner, our favorite stone cold killer with a heart of gold, in the other the uber powerful bitch burning for the chance to halt the prophecy! When you are the best of the best at what you do, you don't expect everything that can go wrong to do so. That's why you have a back up plan and the support of the best friends an assassin can have!

Jennifer Estep knows action. She creates some of the most exciting fight scenes, full of movement and graphic violence but choreographed in an eloquently visual way. Her cast of characters, by now well loved, bandy quips and crack jokes throughout some of the most intense moments. Their sarcasm and snarky commentary often providing clues into the emotional depths these odd collections of people feel for one another. Our hard-hearted heroine manages to explore not just her passion but deeper feelings for the ever-true Owen Grayson. And, with some luck and perseverance, Gin may have the Snow sister she's dreamed of having return to her as well.

Like a boulder rolling down a mountainside, this story takes off from the first line and doesn't lose momentum until the final line. A pulse pounding, page turning thrill ride, readers of the Elemental Assassin series are guaranteed to be delighted with this fifth installment. Shedding light on some of the previously alluded to mysteries and building on the promise of previously hinted relationships, Spider's Revenge provides some serious satisfaction to those who have, like our story's namesake, waited patiently!

The fact that Estep has more Gin Blanco in the works makes the ending even better...making it The End....for now! I totally agree with my bookworm bestie - I wanna be just like Gin when I grow up!

I give Spider's Revenge 5 chocolate dipped strawberries and a generous serving of whatever the Pork Pit wants to dish out on any given day!

Spider's Revenge

It's anniversary time!!! The Guilty Indulgence blog came into being a year ago this week, and my how times and books do fly. As happens from time to time life gets in the way so we will be celebrating our BIG anniversary next week with a FABULOUS gift bag full of ALL kinds of swag. So be sure and tell you friends to stop in a make a comment next week cause we are getting our swag on!!!

One author who has been very generous to us here at GI is Jennifer Estep and her next release in the Elemental Assassins series comes out next Tuesday. Well I am here to tell you that revenge....is a dish best served ICE COLD!



Spider's Revenge,Jennifer Estep, Pocket, September 2011
Old habits die hard. And I plan on murdering someone before the night is through.
Killing used to be my regular gig, after all. Gin Blanco, aka the Spider, assassin-for-hire. And I was very good at it. Now, I’m ready to make the one hit that truly matters: Mab Monroe, the dangerous Fire elemental who murdered my family when I was thirteen.
Oh, I don’t think the mission will be easy, but turns out it’s a bit more problematic than expected. The bitch knows I’m coming for her. So now I’m up against the army of lethal bounty hunters she hired to track me down. She also put a price on my baby sister’s head. Keeping Bria safe is my first priority. Taking Mab out is a close second.
Good thing I’ve got my powerful Stone and Ice magic — and my irresistible lover Owen Grayson — to watch my back. This battle has been years in the making, and there’s a chance I won’t survive. But if I’m going down, then Mab’s coming with me...no matter what I have to do to make that happen.

Gin can't believe her luck. She has Mab in her crosshairs, all she has to do is pull the trigger. She is going to take the fire elemental out in her own home during one of her dinner parties. But these guests aren't the usual crowd of well dressed sycophants, this crowd has an unrefined dangerous air to them. But when Gin finally takes the shot she misses!!!

This is how the latest in the Elemental Assassins series begins and it never stops. By the time I finished this book I felt like I had run a marathon and not only needed a nap but a rather large glass of the alcohol that the lead character is named for. Phrases like action-packed and hanging on the edge of your seat might sound like cliches but they are also very true. There are so many times when the build up to a show-down is much more exciting and interesting then the actual event but this would not be one of them.

Emotions are running high in this installment not just between Gin and Mab but everyone else too. There are some very touching moments between Gin and her sister Bria, and seriously Owen has to be the GREATEST guy ever. We even get some back story on the Deveraux sisters. The attraction between Finn and Bria gets hotter as well.

This would have been a great ending to the series but I am thrilled to learn that there will be more books to come. This is one kick-ass chick that isn't afraid to take on the bad guys, or girls, to protect the people she loves, and I want to be just like her when I grow up. I give Spider's Revenge 5 chocolate dipped strawberries.

Mary Had a Little Problem....

Oh Man, It's a Monday with a capital M! You all know there are two things I don't do well...one is mornings (need mucho java to make the day happen) and the other is Mondays! Let's put it this way - checking out Tyra's new sofas was the high point of my day! However, I did have a few rays of light in an otherwise gloomy start to the week - one of which was a new-to-me author, Destiny Blaine. Rebecca sent this novella over for me to check out and you get to reap the rewards! Mary Had a Little Problem....and it was bigger than Monday, let me tell you!

Destiny Blaine, Mary Had A Little Problem, Resplendence Publishing, August 2011

Mary Worthington is a widow, or at least, she should’ve been. A former Navy Seals wife, Mary has a difficult time accepting the fact her husband isn’t coming home. Without a body to bury or witnesses to explain what happened, there’s no way Mary can put the past to sleep until someone provides her with the truth about her husband’s final hours.

Trying to step out and socialize once again while gathering facts about her husband’s death, Mary is introduced to Brock Taylor, a hard-core ladies man dedicated to the Marines and sharing himself with any woman who wants a piece of one. That is, until he meets Mary, a woman he's heard about through a man they both know well.

Mary and Brock fall in love, plan a wedding in the Great Smoky Mountains, and well, things could’ve been headed toward a happy ending only six months after Brock finally wins Mary’s hand, but Mary’s missing husband reappears. And Mary isn’t sure she can give up one man in exchange for another.

Nothing says "die hard romance" like a story about learning to love after loss. Mary Worthington has the love of her life in husband Luke. Without a body however, she has a hard time truly believing he's dead and she can't seem to get any answers from the military brass he served under. Brock Taylor served with Luke, heard his stories and yearned for the type of love Luke shared with Mary. When Brock has the opportunity to meet Mary through her sister Anna, he grabs for the brass ring, knowing this is his chance. In an almost ruthless manner, Brock seduces the obviously grieving widow but the chemistry they share keeps the seduction from sliding into something dark or nefarious.

The romance and passion the couple share seems very carnal and the emotions that arise from it happen very quickly. That Brock really helps the pretty widow through the grieving process makes their emotional bond that much stronger. Their chemistry sizzles on the page and makes for some sexy entertainment but the Dom/sub aspect feels a bit forced - rather than a true D/s relationship, theirs is one that incorporates aspects of it for play effect. Once Luke reappears and the distinction in their two Dominant styles is established, the reader garners the impression that Luke "lives the lifestyle" and this makes for some new exciting sexy twists. I am not entirely convinced either man is much more than a stereotypical military alpha male, full of brawn and bravado and love of country (and sexy toys). However, watching the two try to convince the completely shell-shocked love of their lives to keep rather than reject them makes for some good story tension.

Overall, I'd say this novella deserves a read - it has decent characters, sultry romance and some interesting plot twists. I'd call it more BDSM-lite than true BDSM, however, the menage scene will definitely have readers reaching for a cold beverage and a fan! Hoo boy! Bring on the next story Ms. Blaine - please!

I give Mary Had A Little Problem a tasty four chocolate dipped strawberries....and a toast with champagne for helping me survive yet another mayhem Monday!

The Geek Next Door

I received The Geek Next Door by Lauren Fraser through a contest. It was a fun read with almost all the elements I look for in a romance book… a hot cover, sexy (if not alpha) hero, and the happily ever after. The author developed strong characters and a compelling storyline. While I didn’t love it, that mostly had to do with not connecting to the heroine whom I very much disliked. And I have to admit that the author wrote this very unlikeable character very well.

Computer nerd *hate that word because I am constantly telling my children not to say it* Dylan Crane has adored Erin Sharp since she moved next door two years ago. But she’s been clear that it’s a friendship she wants from Dylan – nothing more until one evening when everything changes and Erin finally sees her geeky neighbor as more than a buddy, noticing him as a man and seeing how sexy a geek can be… "Geeks weren't supposed to have asses like that. She just wanted to bite it, it looked so scrumptious."

Dylan, oh Dylan...I really think he’s too good for Erin. He’s a unique alpha male that’s in charge in a very sly, quiet way and it really drew me to him. He may be a geek but he’s also endearingly sweet, intelligent and loyal. But his best quality was his integrity which I found lacking in Erin.

Erin already loved Dylan as her friend, but she worries about turning it into more and how that might fit into her future. She’s incredibly driven and just a smidge selfish. She gives Dylan a makeover which at first made sense since he was attending a formal affair with her but then I wondered if she wasn’t overly concerned about appearance. While I disliked this about her, it was believable for her character. And then when she’s asked to do some questionable things by her boss, she went along with it for the sake of her promotion. While this made me dislike her, it was realistic given her character.

When Erin draws Dylan too far into her pursuit of success, she nearly loses him. At first not understanding why he couldn't see things her way, and even suggesting he was lucky to have her, Erin’s realization that Dylan – and her own integrity - was more important than a job was slow to come about. But to the author’s credit, she created a character in Erin that grew on the pages because she was much more likeable in the end once you forgive her mistakes. And I figure, if Dylan can forgive her then so can this reader.

RATING: 4 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries.

Legal Artistry

Holy cold snap Batman. I don't know why I am surprised because last night was the first night of fall baseball so of course it's going to be cold. Fall is one of my favorite times of the year, I love the cooler weather after a hot summer but come March I will be wishing for the hot weather....Hey I am a woman I can change my mind!I love the color changes in the leaves and of course college football!!! But what is up with the all of the weird uniforms(Maryland...nuf said!)? The cooler weather also makes me feel like it's OK for me to spend the day snuggled under my soft blanket reading a steamy book. I am behind on a few series that I read and I need to take a couple of weekends and play catch-up with the yummy Lords of the Underworld and those too serious Carpathians and those oh so very bad Archangels.

This week we have been spotlighting Andrew Grey and if you haven't read one of his books you should really take the time to pick one up. His character's are so real and you walk away feeling like you've made new friends. I had the pleasure of reading Legal Artistry which is the 5th book in the Bottled Up series and it comes out on September 23rd.



Legal Artistry, Andrew Grey, Dreamspinner Press
Years ago, Dieter Krumpf’s grandmother died and left him everything, including a photo album containing pictures of the art collection she left behind when her family fled the Nazis. Now, Dieter is calling on the services of a lawyer, Gerald Young, to determine whether his family’s legacy might be returned to him.
Gerald doesn’t hold out much hope that the paintings will be returned, but Dieter’s earnestness speaks to him and he agrees to help. At first he concludes that while Dieter has a case, suing in Austria isn’t practical. But Gerald is a good lawyer, and as his feelings for Dieter develop, so does his determination to win the case. Together, Gerald and Dieter navigate research, hearings, and a dysfunctional family in the pursuit of fine art—and discover the art of love along the way.

Dieter is devastated over the loss of his Grandmother,so he takes some time before he decides to clean out her house. While going through the attic with an antiques dealer friend he finds her old photo album. Tyler recognizes a painting that is hanging in the background of one of the pictures and when he learns that it is of Dieter's Great-Grandmother he sets Dieter on a path to reclaim his family's legacy.

When Gerald hears the story of the Lady in Blue he is intrigued by the case but doesn't think anything will come of it. After meeting Dieter and hearing more of the story behind the painting he finds himself wanting to help Dieter reclaim the painting for more reasons the the prestige of winning an international case.

The odds are stacked against them, but they aren't going to give up without a fight.

Andrew Grey weaves a beautiful love story around an intriguing complex storyline. While this book started out slow I felt the background information gave the overall story much more depth. The amount of research that must have gone into this story gives it a very personal feel and made the story come alive for me. I found Dieter's vulnerability sweet and Gerald's sense of integrity refreshing. Most lawyers are written as villains so this was a nice switch. Watching the relationship grow over the course of the book instead of the often used insta-love was enjoyable and a nice change. It was great that there are cameos from all of the character's from this series, and they added to the continuity of the book. Since Dieter had no family and Gerald's family is dysfunctional with a capital "D" the addition of the secondary characters gave it a sense of community. So if you like captivating story lines and sensuous loves scenes and are looking for a real love story then you need to purchase this book. I give Legal Artistry 5 chocolate dipped strawberries and a bottle of Malbec cause wine makes everything better.

New Friend Friday

I have survived another week. This one, not so crazy busy as the last. A few practices got rained out so I actually got to go home after work! The weather has been quite cold the last two days. No, not chilly. I said COLD people! Both my kids have come and go fevers. My son knows the school nurse on a first name basis now. He was awesome in his first football game. I had tears in my eyes when he came running thru the banner onto the field. I would have loved for my grandma to have been there to see it. My daughter plays her first official travel soccer game this weekend. She's 11 and plays on U13. Good luck Flash! Seeing as I had a little free time this week I managed to get some reading done. I even broke out the Kindle........

Shared Range by Andrew Grey

After a year in medical school, Dakota Holden returned home to take care of the family business full time and help his father cope with multiple sclerosis. Devoted to his family, Dakota allows himself just one week of vacation a year, which he spends in some exotic location having all the fun he can stand. On his last vacation, a cruise, Dakota struck up a friendship with Phillip Reardon, and it fills an important role in Dakota’s life. So when Phillip decides to take Dakota up on his invitation to visit the ranch, Dakota is happy to see him and meet his veterinarian friend, Wally Schumacher. Despite Wally’s inclination to help the wolves Dakota’s men shoot to protect the cattle, he and Dakota find they have a lot in common, including a fierce attraction. But they’ll have to decide if the Wyoming range is big enough for Dakota’s cattle, Wally’s wolves, and their love.

How funny is it that I busted out my Kindle that I won at Author's After Dark and I get to blog about a new author I met there as well. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Grey at this conference and he is such a delight to chat with. I can't put my finger on it but once you've met the author of a book/series that you read it changes how you view the story. Not in a bad way of course! The characters feel more real. Like the people that live in your town. It just pulls you right in and that is exactly how Andrew's book made me feel. As far as I'm concerned these people could live on the farm down the road from me (ok, minus the wolves but we do have coyotes!). It always amazes me the fierce devotion that people have to animals.. Don't get me wrong I love animals. I mean how many times have my friends heard me say OMG you're not gonna eat that are you or my personal favorite order a veggie burger with bacon! It's fun to see if the cooks and waitstaff catch it! LOL Anyways...Dakota and Wally find themselves between a rock and a hard place. As a vet Wally is compelled to protect the wolves but from Dakota's position they are hurting is herd which in turn hurts the family business. It's easy to see each ones point of view but how do you compromise in a situation like that? I'm not gonna tell you! Read the book!

I give this book 4 chocolate dipped strawberries while sitting on the deck of a cruise ship!

PEACE!

Can You Spot Me?

“Can you spot me?” It’s got to be one of the cheesiest pick up lines at the gym but it totally worked for me (and obviously Dan) because I thought this was a very sweet m/m romance story. Perhaps the author intended the men to be unlikely in their pairing but I thought they were perfect for each other from the very beginning.

Spot Me by Andrew Gray is the first in his Work Out series. I admit I haven’t read Andrew Grey before this – yep, you can call me a Grey virgin. I’ve listened to other indulgent bloggers tell me I needed to read him but with my TBR pile so big, I kept putting it off. So now that we’re spotlighting him as a featured author, I have an excuse to go out of my TBR pile for a read.

The premise of the book is simple. Dan works out daily at the gym with his friend Lonnie. Lonnie, as far as a secondary character goes, is a bit obnoxious but thankfully goes on vacation and we get a break from him. While Lonnie is away, Gene, a professional bodybuilder who Dan has been eyeing from across the gym, asks Dan to work out with him. Up until then, Dan thought his attraction to Gene was a lost cause, lacking self-confidence because of a past relationship and believing both his older age and smaller frame put him nowhere in the same league as gorgeous Gene.

But when a bet wins Dan a smoothie, a little flirting leads to a date. The men seemed to develop an easy friendship which continued to heat up with a few sparks. While Dan is cautious to take things slowly, the attraction is clear and Gene continues to gently bring Dan around. While Spot Me is sweet, it lacks the angst to pull me into the story. Though there’s a smidge of conflict, its mild and readers can be confident this pair will find their HEA in one another.

It’s simply a sweet romance between two men who meet and fall in love. For a light touch of romance in a quick story, Spot Me is spot on.

RATING: 3 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

DON'T FORGET TO COMMENT ON ANY REVIEW THIS WEEK FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A COPY OF ONE OF ANDREW GREY'S BOOKS!

Humpday Hello....to Andrew Grey!

Hello again my fellow hump day friends. Just scraping by again - post full moon... seriously' I think some people need to be locked up to save themselves during this time! (Yup - hospital wackiness prevails again. Don't know why but I always manage to work the full moon weekends!) At any rate, I got a weekday off, which never happens' and used my precious time for some truly guilty indulgences: Lunch with the BFF (mmmm Chipotle!), some shopping, a massage and, of course, reading! And what am I reading this week? Why our new fav fella who we are spotlighting this week - Andrew Grey! All those yummy romances can make a gal hungry so allow me to share a snack with you, as always calorie free....eye candy! Mmmmmmm.

My treat this week accompanied my exploration of Andrew Grey's Bottled Up series. His website promises "Making the World sexier one reader at a time" and I must say his lead off in this series, The Best Revenge, definitely made the world a little sexier! An award nominated story, The Best Revenge, has the elements that capture AND keep a reader's heart - strong characters, well developed story and chemistry that keeps the pages turning!

Tyler O'Connor meets Mark Burke during a furniture appraisal at Mark's mother's house. Mark takes a huge chance by asking Tyler out. Their date is magic but the consequences are dire. Mark's homophobic brother and deeply religious mother find out about the relationship and Mark is simultaneously outed to and ousted by his family. With nowhere to go, he turns to his new friend Tyler who has had his own painful family drama. Mark gains strength and confidence from the gentle antiques dealer who not only encourages his artistic talents but provides him with a circle of caring friends. Tyler finds his attraction growing with his emotional connection to the man he finds himself living with. Despite the adversity they face, it becomes readily apparent they are stronger together than alone and love is most definitely the "best revenge" of all!

The Best Revenge is no simple boy meets boy story. Tyler and Mark compliment each other in the way that great romantic couples do. And of course, "the course of true love never did run smooth" so there are many great obstacles thrown in the way of these chaps. Watching them struggle and lean on one another, watching their love unfold slowly through the course of the story, watching their relationship go from sexy to sizzling can only cause the reader to cheer them on to their HEA. (Warning to sappy romantics, tissues may be required at points - not a bad thing but not pretty if you are reading in the dentist's office).

While I enjoyed this story immensely, it was the secondary characters that really tempted me to keep reading more: Sam the cop, Bill and Tom the leather guys, the son of local deli owner paid in beer. Mr. Grey's talent lies in his ability to create a fully depicted world complete with quirky elements that pulls the reader in, inviting them not just to visit it but to stay awhile. This reader definitely plans to stay awhile and see what else the fellas of the Bottled Up series are serving!

I give The Best Revenge four delish chocolate covered strawberries and a glass of malbec on the side....Cheers!

Andrew Grey!!!

Hello Guilty Indulgence followers, LOL that makes us sound like a cult or something...how about GI readers?? Yeah that sounds much better. While we were at AAD this year we met many authors who were incredible nice to us, but one of them really stood out for us and that was Andrew Grey. Since the fabulous Mr. Grey has so many outstanding series and books we thought it would be fun to spotlight him and give you a sampling of some of our favorites from his library. He writes in many differnt genres from paranormal with his Satyr series to contemporary with his Love Means series to western with his Range series so take some time and checkout his site to see everything that is available to you and maybe add another author to your guilty indulgence list!

Andrew very graciously took the time to answer a few questions for us and we have posted them below. Be sure to leave a comment anytime this week for a chance to win one of two copies of an ebook from his backlist!

1. Do you write full time? If not, how do you juggle work and writing?
No. In addition to writing, I work full time in Information Technology. Juggling my full time job with the writing takes some effort. Once I get home from work, I write while my partner cooks dinner and then we eat together and I write for another hour or so until an hour before bed. For me the hard part isn’t juggling work and writing, but making sure the other parts of my life aren’t completely ignored.

2. Do you listen to a certain type of music when you write?
Generally not. I often have the television on so I have something to ignore and other times I like complete quiet so I can be alone with my thoughts. I know many authors play music when they write, but I’m not ne of them.



3. What is the one event in your life that has impacted your writing the most?
A number of years ago, I changed positions at work. My new position required less travel and allowed me to have a more regular schedule. This in turn prompted me to join a gym to get in shape and I needed something to read while I was on the treadmill. That chain of events led me to gay fiction and then to gay romance. After reading it for a while, I decided to try my hand at writing it. The rest is history.

4. Do you prefer contemporary stories to paranormal (Home vs Satyr)?
Actually I love both genres. I tend to write more contemporary because that’s where my ideas are coming right now. A number of years ago, I did have an idea for a satyr story that led to three novels and a number of shorter stories. But since them I haven’t had any really original paranormal ideas. Right now, I don’t have any plans for another paranormal, but that could change. The muses dictate a lot of things.

5. Other than writing what are your hobbies and interests?
I love to garden. When we purchased out current home, the yard was a tangle and I’ve worked over the last eight years to relandscape the entire yard. My partner and I also collect antiques and as I’ve gotten older I’ve discovered a passion for art.

6. Who do you like to read when you have time?
In my spare time, I read a huge variety. I love adventure stories, Clive Cussler and Ken Follett. I also adore a good mystery. Anne Perry has written a number of historical mysteries that I adore. I have also read a great deal of gay romance, Ariel Tachna, Connie Bailey, as well as a number of other authors. I’ve even read some straight romance for ideas and to make sure the quality of my work is where it should be.


And finally the question we ask every guest blogger:
7. What is your guilty indulgence? Chocolate is my everyday guilty pleasure but once a year my partner and I take a Caribbean cruise and I get to spend an entire winter week in the sun with sand and absolutely nothing that I have to do. That’s heaven.

Monday Monday

Hmmm….My first ever blog post! I saw the movie “Contagion” last night and there was a quote that struck me “Blogging isn’t journalism, its graffiti with punctuation..”. I will do my best to be better than graffiti today. My job is to review Andrew Grey’s “Love Means...No Shame”. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Grey at AAD in Philadelphia in August and I’m thrilled that I get to review the first book of his Farm series.


Love Means.....No Shame, Andrew Grey, Dreamspinner Press
Geoff is in the city, living the gay life to the hilt, when his father's death convinces him to return to the family farm. Discovering a young Amish man asleep in his barn, Geoff learns that Eli is spending a year away from the community before accepting baptism into the church. Despite their mutual attraction, Geoff is determined not to become involved with him, but Eli has discovered that Geoff shares his feelings and begins to court him, neatly capturing first Geoff's attention and then his heart.
Their budding relationship is threatened by closed-minded, gossipy relatives and the society at large, a whole new world to Eli, and he must decide whether to return to the community, his family, and the world and future he knows or to stay with Geoff and have faith in the power of love.

This book really struck a chord and pulled a few heartstrings for me. I grew up in a rural area in the Bible Belt of the South and I can personally relate to the restrictions that religion puts on homosexual relationships. Mr. Grey does a wonderful job of making you understand Eli’s Amish faith and you feel the hurt, confusion, and joy that Eli and Geoff feel as their love grows and Eli struggles with whether to build a life with Geoff or return to his Amish home. “Love Means…No Shame” also includes a wonderful cast of characters that you just wanna put in your pocket and take home with you. What will Eli choose? Will he return to the personal prison of his Amish upbringing or will he take a leap of faith and build a live on the farm with Geoff. Pick up “Love Means…No Shame” and find out today! I give this book 4 strawberries dipped in chocolate. Yum! An awesome start for the week. Happy Monday everyone!

Contest Contest Contest Contest!!!!
Don't forget Andrew Grey will be guest blogging with us tomorrow. Be sure to drop by and leave a comment for a chance to win an e-book copy of a book from his backlist, there will be two winners.

We Remember...Always!

I am not a particularly maudlin person. Not prone to reliving the past over and over. Not one to harp upon the woes of the world. Life is precious, without a doubt. To be relished, to be cherished, to be appreciated. Those who fight to preserve our way of life, those who respond in the face of disaster, those who allow us to remain at home - safe, grateful, hopeful - have no equal.

There isn't a man, woman or teen who cannot clearly recall when they heard the news ten years ago about the terror assault waged in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington DC. September 11, 2001 terrified us like no other (excepting possibly Pearl Harbor) because the horrors of war were brought to our soil. Loss of life is tragic. Violence is abhorrent. Exacting long-lasting change takes more time than most are willing to give.

I propose the following on this, the tenth anniversary of 9/11 - take pause to remember. But do not dwell upon the anguish, the pain, the desire for retribution. Retribution comes from our survival, our recognition that life is precious. Retribution comes with our appreciation for those things that we do have, rather than the things that we don't. Tell your friends and family that you love them, so there is never any doubt. Enjoy that dish of ice cream, that glass of wine, that escapist fiction, those things that seem like guilty indulgences. For our ability to indulge in them today means we have not given in to the fear that terrorism provokes but rather that we have chosen not only to survive, but to thrive!

May peace find you all. Enjoy your guilty indulgence today!

Seducing Steve

I've seen a bunch of these geek next door type books and was skeptical of yet another following the same theme but Maggie Well's Seducing Steve is a laugh-out-loud read with realistic dialogue and incredibly sensual scenes between two friends-turned-lovers. The story flow is a bit stop and go but the character’s chemistry and wit win out in the end.

Erotic romance novelist Sara Wright seeks the very passion she writes about for herself after leaving a marriage that proved to be more fizzle than sizzle. Her best friend and muse, Steve Larson, is not our typical romance hero. He’s described as a redheaded computer nerd with a slow, southern drawl though he does seem to have a steady stream of one-nighters. The two characters are good friends – have been since he bumped into her at a local coffee shop years earlier – turned lovers.

When Sara confesses that she’s attracted to him, Steve recognizes his chance to finally take their relationship to the next level. He has been in love with Sara since their first meeting but the timing has never been right. Now she’s come to him asking for his help with research for her latest book. Though he’s willing to take what he can get, he’s truly hoping for the whole package. The question is whether or not she feels the same way because although they have good sex, neither is willing to put a label on their new relationship.

Since my husband abhors the idea of reading romance, my favorite part – and the reason for some quite humorous scenes – is that Steve buys some of Sara’s books to do a little research of his own. He’s surprised at how hot her books are and uses them for a little bedroom creativity of his own. He’s determined to win her over by making her fantasies come true. But it’s when his own personality shines through that he wins this reader over.

I love these two characters and enjoyed seeing them make sense of their new relationship while trying to maintain their established friendship. The easy dialogue clearly exhibits their comfort and ease with one another; but the transition from friends to lovers isn’t oversimplified and has some bumps along the way that add more interest to this love story. This story has engaging characters, an interesting plot and fun dialogue. It is a good read.

RATING: 4 Yummy Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries.

My review of SEDUCING STEVE by Maggie Wells  is also posted at: 
http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=2731

Fall to be read list Friday

IIII'm baaack! Last week just over took me and Tyra had to step in for me. Thanks girl! School started back for my kids and I had had a crazy busy week at work and extra hours at job two. This week has been better but still crazy busy. This week I'm going to share my fall to be read list. As much as it pains me the weather is gonna get cooler and I'm gonna have to face the fact that summer is over, but they will have to drag me out of summer kicking and screaming! Jenn has my Kindle up and running and stocked with books so I guess I'm gonna have to use it. In fact there are some things on there I can't wait to read. Please excuse my lack of details on my list. I have all this stuff in my head and it sometimes gets away from me!


Ladies and gentlemen I introduce to you my fall to be read list in no particular order...........





1. Demons Prefer Blondes by Sidney Ayers....Why? Because it sounds cool and I'm a blonde!


2. On Grave at a Time by Jeaniene Frost..... LOVE THEM!


3. Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep..... Loved the first one. Sharing them with my niece!


4.Once and Again by Lauren Dane..... Chase boys series. Nuff said.


5.What a Goddess Wants by Stephanie Julian.... Picked up the book mark at AAD and it looks good.


6. Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione... Met her at AAD and people raved about her work.


7. The new Cat and Bones book which I know is on my Kindle but I can't find at this time. Stop laughing! It's not that funny!


8. The latest Dragon book by G.A. Akins which too may be on my Kindle. Again not that funny!





Well that's it my peeps. I've got a big list for fall. Hoping that it doesn't spill into that other season that starts with a w that I don't speak of. Till next week.


PEACE!

Hunting Human

Hunting Human is now sitting on my favorite books shelf. As Amanda Alvarez’s debut book, Hunting Human places her among some of the best paranormal writers. Her writing style is smooth, the story flowing easily from suspense and violence to romance and humor. It is an emotional and compelling story, tainted with horrific scenes, that I just couldn’t 

stop reading.

The heroine Elizabeth Williams has run from her past for two years. She is dealing with haunted memories that readers come to understand through a series of flashbacks. While on vacation with her best friend, four men abduct the women to be hunted come nightfall. As incentive to run, one of the men transforms into a wolf to show them just what they’re up against. Once released, the women trek through the forest all day. Liz believes she’s found an escape but when she returns to Rachel, she sees that her friend has already been killed. In her anger, Liz fights off the wolf’s attack, pounding him over the head with a rock until he’s dead. But the wolf leaves her with a bite – one that eventually transforms her into a wolf herself. She resists this side of herself, convinced by doctors it’s a psychosis and roams around the country trying to wipe the memories aside. 

Having changed even her name, Liz-now Beth believes she’s finally ready to move on when she meets Braden Edwards, an irresistibly charming man. Drawn to her immediately, Braden pursues Beth until she agrees to date him. Thoughtful, gentle and kind, handsome, charming and persistent - he is the perfect hero and captures her heart. Their relationship progresses naturally with realistic dialogue that captures the reader. All is well until Beth finds Markko, one of her captors from those many years ago, inside her apartment. He’s finally caught up with her to seek vengeance over the death of his brother. She fights him off and when she runs out the door, she falls right into Braden’s arms.

Beth’s world is once again turned on its side when Braden shifts. Instantly recognizing Markko as his century-old enemy, Braden readies himself to protect Beth and fight Markko off. But when Beth starts to shift too, Braden believes she’s his adversary also. He and his cousin use a taser on Beth, bind her hands and toss her in the trunk, so like how Markko had kidnapped her that Beth is terrified. While she’s now afraid of Braden, he is now suspicious of her and brings her to his family’s home.

Sorting out the truth proves to be far simpler than hurtling the barrier their lack of trust in one another now presents. Beth remains with the Edwards for safety until they can find Markko.  Though Beth is still angry with Braden, she relies on him and allows him to care for her when the Edwards discover that Beth has been denying her wolf, never allowing herself to shift or caring for herself appropriately. Braden and his family help her learn to accept he wolf and shift. The uniqueness of the Edwards shifters is evident in how they don’t hunt to survive but shift to allow their wolf to embrace its nature. They are the most gentle of shifters and a loving family. Humor fuses into the story during the time Beth spends with his family. They are a strong group of secondary characters that made me laugh and smile - lightness in the midst of a dark tale.

The magic in the book was the author’s ability to weave such a dark story with a romantic tale of trust. What happens to Beth in the beginning of the book was heart wrenching – the scenes so descriptive my skin was tingling. For her to survive such an attack and resume a fairly normal life is amazing. She is a strong heroine who proves her strength as she undergoes continuing adversity and discovery.

Hunting Human is one of the best first novels I’ve read. Intense is probably the best word to describe this book. For an author to come out this strong with her first book only leaves great things to come. And I am hoping what’s to come is a full series on these wolves.

RATING: 5 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

Happy Humpday - Zola's Magic Touch!

Well...hello there! Half way through the week and we are on the downhill slide. I am probably the only one to admit I am actually enjoying the rain - it's my guilty indulgence: watching it trickle down the windows, sipping on lovely dark java, listening to some mellow tunes and sneaking a peek at my latest e-book download! Now that's a way to spend your day!

Whatever your favorite guilty pleasure is - I sincerely hope you indulge yourself just a bit! Go ahead, you deserve it. As a catalyst, allow me to help you indulge in another treat - calorie free as always! Eye candy....Mmmmmmmm!

Beauty and the Geek: Zola's Magic Touch, Shiree McCarver, Mocha Memoirs Press, May 2011

Glossophobia - the fear of public speaking.

Shirou Tsubasa, a glossophobic Japanese scientist, and Zola Simpson, a determined plus-size African-American public affairs specialist, find themselves immersed in a battle of wills. NASA needs their golden boy to perform like a trick pony at an important convention in Atlanta to assure future funding, but the thought of getting up in front of hundreds causes Shirou such intense anxiety he flat-out refuses. Frustrated and at their wits’ end, the bosses decide Zola’s magic touch is the only thing that can snap their residential genius into shape for the big event. Zola is resentful that she has to give up a planned weekend of sexual abandon with her ex after a long dry spell. However, she’s never met a geek she couldn’t crack, and Shirou Tsubasa will speak at that convention—even if she has to seduce the egghead into it.
Zola works her ass off for NASA as a Public Affairs specialist. However, all work and no play has made her a sexually frustrated woman. Plans to hook up with an ex are foiled by her boss who sends her to Atlanta to convince an eccentric and phobic physicist into speaking to a large group of political big wigs to ensure their government funding doesn't get cut. Zola strikes up a conversation with an interesting man at the gate which leads to a sexy meal a deux in First Class and an even sexier encounter in the lavatory. At least it was sexy until she realizes the sweet but enticing Asian man she is sexing up is the very scientist she's been sent to babysit.

Shin can't believe his luck when a luscious lady chats him up in the airport. Instantly attracted to her, he is even more amazed at the ease with which he is able to talk. Zoe is sexy, sassy and direct and he is totally and utterly captivated. Their chemistry sizzles and he is left foundering when she jilts him before landing and bolts in the airport.

Shirou and Zola batter down each others defenses, dispel each others preconceived stereotypes and bolster each other's hearts with a hot little affair that morphs into something entirely different. Zola is smart mouthed and sassy, completely at ease with her size and completely endearing. Shin takes tall, dark and handsome to a cerebral level, making smart sexy as all get out! The biggest question of the night for them appears to be, can they leave their emotional baggage at the door of their hotel suite long enough to find how far they can go?

This reader is always up for a new adventure, a new recipe and a new author. This week, I found an author that managed to cook up a new adventure with some exotic ingredients that pleasantly surprised me! Being a self professed Queen of the Nerd Herd, I am always intrigued by stories with really brainy heroes and heroines. I find the clash between brains and sex to be, well, sexy! Ms. McCarver apparently believes this as well. Make the heroine a curvy, sassy, smart girl and the hero a super nerdy sex god and you have SOLD written all over the piece for me!

I give Beauty and the Geek: Zola's Magic Touch a delish five chocolate dipped strawberries. I am also eagerly looking forward to whatever Ms. McCarver is cooking up next!