WELCOME GUEST AUTHOR, Cassandra Carr!

The Buckin' Bull Riders- what's coming next?

I want to thank the lovely ladies of Guilty Indulgence Book Club for featuring my bull riders this week. Who doesn't like a hot bull rider, am I right?

I thought you might be interested in hearing where the series is going, so here's the rundown:

Impact: book 1; Conner and Jessica; published February 2, 2012
Collision: book 2; Brady and Leah; published April 4, 2012


Momentum: book 3; Marco and Natalie; SOLD; publishing summer 2012

BLURB: Marco D'Allesandro has a destiny he wants no part of-running his family's olive oil empire. He's the oldest son and has been groomed for the job since he was twelve years old. After seeing a professional bull riding event while on vacation in America, Marco is hooked. Against his family's wishes, he moves to America to pursue his own dream to become a professional bull rider himself. Now he's at the pinnacle of his career, but his family wants him home. Things only get more complicated when he meets Natalie Webster, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed angel who's got problems of her own. Marco wasn't looking for love, but might have found his true destiny in Natalie.

Velocity: book 4; Paolo and unnamed heroine; NOT YET WRITTEN; publishing fall 2012
Inertia: book 5; Garrett and unnamed heroine; NOT YET WRITTEN; publishing spring 2013

I have rough outlines for books 4 and 5 but I'm going to keep them in my pocket for now, especially since I'm a pantser and my books don't always turn out like my outlines. 

Will there be a book 6 and beyond? Who knows? If you guys want it, you can probably convince me to keep going... *wink*

I've also been asked- what about Jessica's brothers? Well, I'm glad you asked! Jessica's brothers are getting a spin-off series. I'm not sure when the first of those will release because, frankly, I have no idea when I can write the first one. I can tell you it will be a BDSM series. I've been getting badgered (and I say that with great affection) to write more BDSM books, so Jess's brothers will all be involved in the lifestyle. I know the over-reaching plot points of the series, but I'm not going to share them just yet. ;-)

So how many books do you want to see in the Buckin' Bull Riders series? Are you excited about a trilogy for Jess's brothers?

COMMENT BELOW - talk to me and I will be happy to respond.
Cassandra Carr
          
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Collision of Ice & Bull

Collision
Buckin' Bull Riders, Book Two
Cassandra Carr

BLURB:
Olympic Gold medal-winning figure skater Leah Fitzpatrick, dubbed “The Ice Queen”, is on the down slope of her career when she finds herself roped into a joint promo gig on the professional bull riders’ tour. She’s paired with “The King of Rodeo”, Brady Parrish, and although his looks could stop traffic, she’s got a future to worry about that doesn’t leave room for knocking boots with the sexy bull rider. No matter how hot he is.

Brady is living the good life. He’s at the top of his profession, and has no idea something is missing until the cool Leah is thrust into his life. But he sees something in her that hints at an underlying fire, and sets out to prove her nickname wrong. In the midst of their steamy affair, he falls hard. Blindsided by the potent combination of beauty and vulnerability Leah displays, Brady is determined to melt “The Ice Queen’s” heart.


REVIEW:
With a premise of opposites attract, Collision is a story of the Ice Queen colliding with the Rodeo King. But these are just their public personas because in real life, neither are truly what their nicknames state, especially Leah. She hated the Ice Queen nickname yet she perpetuated it with her own actions and attitude. Though readers come to realize she was lonely, had one friend (her manager) and no connection with her family. Her persona gave her the distance she needed from the public so when Brady broke right through that barrier, Leah had no idea how to cope with Brady. But it's when Brady draws her out that readers begin to see the true tragedy behind her facade. I only wish there was more development for Leah - it was far easier to get a read on Brady but that may have been because he was a secondary character in the first book Impact. Together, they made a perfect pair - and I am not so sure they really were opposites. As athletes, they understood their mutual way of life with training, competing and discipline.

Carr's characters have spunk and charisma, something I've noticed in each of the three books I've read by her. These two together - Brady and Leah - burst from the pages with their chemistry. She effortlessly brings the story to life with realistic dialogue, descriptive imagery and steamy sex. This is a hot read you won't want to miss. And then get ready because book three in the series comes out this summer! *squee!*

RATING: 5 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries 
This book was given to us by the author. Many thanks.

EXCERPT:

“Can I help you with something, darlin’? Need a hand back there?” Then he turned on the full force of his smile and she cursed her weak knees. As soon as she was able to recover, she berated herself. Here she was, a grown woman, practically falling at the feet of this cowboy who was so not her type.
“No,” she bit out, but then rolled her eyes and relented. “Well, yes. I need someone to help me into my dress.”
He winked and the phrase “bad boy” flashed through her brain. Yeah, this Brady was no Boy Scout. “Helping women into their dresses isn’t my specialty, but I’ll give it a shot. You must be Leah.”
She held up a hand to shake his, but snatched it back when the dress began to fall, briefly revealing the side of her breast before she was able to conceal it once more. “Yes, I’m Leah. And I need the wardrobe assistant’s help. She’s over there, brushing off some chaps from what it looks like, if you can believe it.”
Brady laughed. “Yeah, I wore them last night, they’re probably pretty dusty.”
Leah’s mouth fell open. She’d been making a joke about the chaps, hoping Brady would agree with her about the apparent cheese factor. “You wore them? In public?”
“Yes ma’am. But I’d be happy to oblige you if you need help—”
“No! Just get Sandy,” she commanded, adding, “Please,” when he didn’t move immediately.
Giving her another smile, as well as a smoldering look that had her nipples tightening and her thighs clenching involuntarily, he loped away. Sandy came to zip up her dress and then her hair and makeup were done. She was wearing twice as much makeup as she usually did, which was saying something, considering by necessity she wore entire vats of it to perform. Not only that, but the makeup they used were colors she thought were better suited to a burlesque dancer than a figure skater, but she was so eager to get the show on the road she sat there and let them do whatever they wanted without protest.
Through it all, she watched as other assistants fussed over Brady, helping him dress in his chaps, which she was quite sure he was perfectly capable of putting on himself, and smoothing their hands over his Western-style shirt on the ridiculous premise of making sure it wasn’t wrinkled. All the while Brady smiled and laughed and flirted, and Leah fumed. He was acting totally unprofessionally, like a country bumpkin on his first trip to the big city. And of course the girls were eating it up. It was disgusting to watch, and yet Leah couldn’t take her eyes off him. She didn’t stop to consider why it bothered her so much.
When they were both ready, David brought them together. “All right, now we’re going to take a whole bunch of pictures. All you two have to do is stand there and look good. We’re gonna play off your nicknames. Leah, did you know Brady’s is ‘the Rodeo King’? Isn’t that perfect?”
“Perfect,” Leah grumbled, not happy they were going to use her dreaded nickname.
As they were being positioned, Brady spoke to her out of the side of his mouth. “Come on, sweetheart. This whole thing’ll be a lot more fun if you loosen up a little.”
“I’m plenty loose,” she ground out between clenched teeth.
“You’re about as loose as a calf I’m tying up on the ranch.” He paused and then gave her another long, thorough perusal. “Though I like tying up women a lot more.” Despite the heat that flooded her in parts she’d rather not think about at the moment, she managed to throw him another glare which he laughed off. Did he take nothing seriously? Her career was hanging in the balance and he acted as if he didn’t have a care in the world. It would be nice if she wasn’t the only one with a stake in this.
Turning away from him, she concentrated on the cameraman. Through the next few hours, she simply shut down and gave them whatever they wanted, put on each ugly skating dress without complaint, even while knowing the pictures were only going to give more fuel to those who hated her for whatever reason. She posed however they put her, and smiled through it all. Brady continued to laugh and joke with the crew as if this was the most fun he’d had in months.
The cameraman gave them a break while he checked the pictures he’d taken thus far, and Leah took the opportunity to eat a sandwich and guzzle down a bottle of water. When the cameraman called them back, he said, “All right. We’ve got some good pictures so far, but I’d like to sex things up a little.”
“Sex things up?” Leah echoed.
“Yeah. Both of you are young and good-looking, let’s play that up. Now, Leah, if you could turn toward Brady. Great. Put your left arm around his waist and your right hand on his chest.” Rolling her eyes, Leah complied. As soon as her hand made contact with his muscular pecs it started to tingle and her breath caught. Luckily Brady was listening to the photographer and didn’t seem to notice her sudden discomfiture.
“Brady, put your right arm around her shoulders and stick the thumb of your left hand in the belt loop of your jeans. Pull them down just a little. Perfect.” He took a few shots that way and then cocked his head as Leah fought to get her breathing under control. No man had ever caused a pure visceral reaction in her like Brady did, and she was stumped about what seemed to draw her to him like bees to honey. “Brady, would you mind unbuttoning your shirt?”
Brady grinned and Leah snorted, trying her damndest to cover her still-increasing respiratory rate. Of course he didn’t mind. The women on the crew were already drooling and falling all over themselves—including her, much to her own chagrin. When he began to unbutton his shirt and finally separated the two plackets, pulling the shirt out of his jeans as he did so, it was all she could do to keep her own mouth closed. The man’s chest was mouthwatering, sprinkled with the same dark-blond hair that was on his head. His well-developed pecs led down to six-pack abs, where another trail of hair led to…
Brady cleared his throat and Leah’s head snapped up. “Excuse me?”
“The photographer is talking to you.” Brady was smirking and she had a crazy notion to shock him by kissing that expression right off his face. Instead, with her cheeks flaming she turned to the cameraman.
“Yes?”
“I want you in the same position as before, but,” he walked up and shoved her hand underneath Brady’s shirt, “put your hand here.” Leah’s stomach dropped as her fingers came into contact with the coarse hair and smooth skin of Brady’s chest. “Brady, lower your right arm and put your hand on Leah’s hip. Pull her into you. That’s good, very sexy.”
Her gaze flew up to Brady’s face. His brown eyes had darkened with heat. Forcing her eyes away, she concentrated on the photographer and tried to ignore how warm and hard his body felt against hers.
A few moments later Brady leaned down and whispered into her ear, his own breathing hitching, “Darlin’, if you don’t stop petting me we’re gonna have a mighty interesting situation that I don’t think any amount of airbrushing can disguise.”
Copyright 2012, Cassandra Carr

Impact - Cassandra Carr

YEE HAW!! As if being a bull rider isn't alpha enough he has to be a Dom too??  This week we are featuring Cassandra Carr's Buckin' Bull Riders series and Ms. Carr is a new to me author, but now that I have found her I plan on reading more. And since I am posting on Wednesday I went looking for some HOT looking cowboy eye candy to share with you! I'm rockin it old school but you really don't get much sexier!!!






Impact, Cassandra Carr, Ellora's Cave
Buckin' Bull Riders #1
Professional bull rider Conner Raub hides a secret from the world. He’s a Dom. When he meets a submissive on tour who pulls at his Dom tendencies, he fights to deny his true self, believing his colleagues will condemn his lifestyle.
Jessica Talbot is new to the BDSM scene and the bull riding tour, but after seeing Conner come to the aid of a submissive being mistreated in a club, she sets out to have him for her own. After their first night together she asks him to train her to submit and he refuses, afraid to mix business with pleasure. But Jessica isn’t deterred. She’ll do whatever it takes to make him realize he can have it all—a career, true love, and the BDSM lifestyle he craves.

There is something about bull riders that is just intrinsically mysterious and sexy as hell. And yeah just a little bit crazy too but that just adds to the mystery. What kind of man volunteers to get on the back of a bull and hold on with just one hand? Conner exudes that sexy, protective alpha male persona not just in the ring but in the bedroom as well.

Jessica is a woman in a mans world and she has no problem being strong in her job. But she is looking for someone else to take over in the bedroom. She may be naturally submissive but she isn't afraid to go after what she wants...and she wants Conner.

I found myself instantly drawn to both characters in this book and just could not put it down. I really enjoyed how spunky Jessica was and had to laugh at how she always seemed to be "topping from the bottom".

Ms. Carr created a believable world with real characters you can't help but like and root for. The bull riding aspect was believable and exciting to read. There is one strong secondary character that is the MC in the next book and I have a feeling that there will be more humor in that book just because Brady is so funny in this book.

I had a couple of problems with the BDSM aspect of this novel in that there are several times when Conner can't seem to make up his mind on what he wants and that seemed a contradiction to how his character is originally introduced. His vacillation seemed very un-Dom like to me.

For me this was a fun, sexy read and I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series Collision.
RATING: 4 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries This book was given to us by the author. Many thanks.

Humpday Hello - Get ready for Impact!

Greetings and Salutations Humpday Nation! What a glorious Memorial Day weekend - who ordered the bright blue skies, sun and fun? We sure did! It was awesome to have a three day weekend - although, truthfully by Monday afternoon I wasn't quite sure what to do with myself....so I flopped on the deck with a popsicle and a good book! Shocked, aren't you?

Belated salutes to all our troops: Past, present and future - we are truly humbled by the work you do! I'd post some hottie military eye candy in honor of, but I am saving it for our BIG July 4th Extravaganza....stay tuned! So, in honor of this weeks spanky cowboy goodness - I give you another dish of hot hunky bull ridin delight! Mmmmmmmm

Impact - Book 1, Buckin Bull Rider Series, Cassandra Carr, Ellora's Cave, February 2012

Professional bull rider Conner Raub hides a secret from the world. He’s a Dom. When he meets a submissive on tour who pulls at his Dom tendencies, he fights to deny his true self, believing his colleagues will condemn his lifestyle.

Jessica Talbot is new to the BDSM scene and the bull riding tour, but after seeing Conner come to the aid of a submissive being mistreated in a club, she sets out to have him for her own. After their first night together she asks him to train her to submit and he refuses, afraid to mix business with pleasure. But Jessica isn’t deterred. She’ll do whatever it takes to make him realize he can have it all—a career, true love, and the BDSM lifestyle he craves.

This week brings another new to me author with her wickedly delightful tale of a Dom in the closet....on a bull riding tour no less!  Creative, clever characters capture the reader quickly with the tease of a one night stand that seems destined either for complete disaster or possible true romance.  At times quirky and entertaining, at others sizzling off the page - Impact overall made for a genuinely enjoyable read.

Carried by a solid storyline, both well written and well edited, Impact seems poised for perfection.  It's one flaw also seems to be it's most interesting aspect: the concept of a reluctant Dom and a sub who definitely tops from the bottom.  Novice Jessica is truly fascinated with exploring her submissive sexuality and has the major hots for PBR Conner after seeing him rescue an abused sub in a Dallas BDSM club.  Connor wants to hide his Dom personality from all those on his tour, only reluctantly confiding in his best friend, Brady, when he gets emotionally tangled in knots over the hot pursuit of tour staffer Jessica that he is a Dom.  Connor's dream of having a full-time D/s lifestyle looses some plausibility - as if he can put it on hold for the duration of his career and then live it full time once he retires.  However jumbled their D/s relationship seems, their chemistry is undeniable and Carr can definitely write some steamy scenes to scramble the readers brains when the try to hard to figure out who's topping whom!

With several more tales to be told in this enticing series - Ms. Carr will absolutely capture a fan base of readers who like their alpha males hot and their heroines sassy!  Grab a copy and be prepared for one erotic Impact....on it's way to Collision (Book 2)!

RATING: Four Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries This book was given to us by the author for an unbiased review. Many thanks.

Cassandra Carr lives in Western New York with her husband, Inspiration, and her daughter, Too Cute for Words. When not writing she enjoys watching hockey and hanging out on Twitter. Her December 2011 release, Caught, was named Best BDSM Book 2011 by LoveRomancesCafe.

For more information about Cassandra, check out her website at http://www.booksbycassandracarr.com, "like" her Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/AuthorCassandraCarr or follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Cassandra_Carr.

Armed & Dangerous - Abigail Roux

Hello everyone!! I hope you all had a FABULOUS Memorial Day weekend. I spent a lot of time at the ball field...I know you are shocked. We are coming up on the end of season tourny and I am both excited and sadden by this. Lane has been playing at this ball field for six years and if he decides to play next year he will be moving up Babe Ruth and will not be playing at Keezletown anymore. My husband and I have put a lot of time and energy into making the Keezletown league and field a great place to play and it will be weird not to be a part of it anymore.

Ok let me just start by saying that I LOVE Ty and Zane! They have got to be the hottest couple out there right now. They are stubborn and loyal and sexy and you just can't help but want to read more and more. Ms. Roux was by herself this time around and she pulled it off seamlessly.

Armed & Dangerous, Abigail Roux, Dreamspinner Press
Cut & Run Series Book 5 
Left alone in Baltimore after his unpredictable lover bails, Special Agent Zane Garrett takes his frustration out on everything in his path until he is ordered to Chicago to back up an undercover operative. When he gets there, though, he finds himself face to face with his wayward partner, Special Agent Ty Grady. They have to deal with the uncertainty lingering between them while they work to retrieve their intended mark, a retired hit man and CIA wet-works operative named Julian Cross.
Ty, once a marine and now an FBI hotshot, has a penchant for being unpredictable, a trait Zane can vouch for. Zane is a man who once lived for his job but has come to realize his heartbreaking past doesn’t have to overshadow his future. They're partners, friends, lovers, and the go-to team for unusual cases. With Cross and his innocuous boyfriend, Cameron Jacobs, in tow, Ty and Zane must navigate the obstacles of a cross-country trek, including TSA pat-downs, blizzards, their uncooperative prisoners, CIA kill teams, a desperate lack of sleep or caffeine, and each other. Ty and Zane are determined to get Julian Cross to DC in one piece, but it’s starting to look like it might be the last thing they do.


Ty & Shane are back! Everyone who is as excited as I am raise your hand!! Everyone who threw the last book across the room when they read the last chapter, also raise your hand?? Yeah, pretty much everyone. LOL Well the good news is....there is resolution and it comes pretty quickly in the beginning of the book...it's not one of those things that get drawn out through the whole book. Please...there isn't enough time for that kind of drama in this book because there is SOOO much else happening.

STOP!! If you have not read Warriors Cross you will want to do that before you proceed!(just trust me on this one folks)


Not only do you get Ty and Zane in this book but you also get Julian and Cameron. There was so much testosterone in this book I thought I was going to have to pee standing up. The one-liners and snarky comments were abundant and funny as hell. The storyline was intense and fast paced and really kept you guessing who to trust right up until the end. The core of this story is relationships, both new and old.

Ty and Zane are sent to Chicago to bring in a CIA operative named Julian Cross and what should be a fairly open and shut case is anything but. Now they are on a planes, boats and automobiles escapade that not only strains their relationship but brings into question some old relationships.

The dynamic between Julian and Ty is so freakin' funny that I would suggest not drinking anything until you are done unless you want it coming out your nose. The way they went at each other you would have thought they were related.

Speaking of related, we get to spend some time with Ty's brother Deuce and there are new and exciting things happening in his life. Of course we don't find any of this out until after he takes a baseball bat to Ty.(see what I mean about relationships)

My favorite parts are with Ty and Zane and I have to admit I was a hot mess the first time they are together in Chicago. Ty could not have been sweeter and when Zane finally gives him the "present" that he bought for him on the cruise ship I just lost it. And seriously anytime you can pull a Princess Bride quote into a book you know you are channeling the Good Book Gods.

I think this may have been the best Cut and Run book since the original and I for one am hoping for many more!


RATING: 5 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries This book was given to us by Dreamspinner Press. Many thanks.

The Hourglass is Perfection.

The Hourglass

Delicious erotica masterfully written.

Using first person narrative, Weller absolutely drew me into the story of the prim and proper librarian, Mary, who has traveled to Italy in search of an old manuscript rumored to belong to international millionaire Emilio Vittorini. Mary is caught breaking into his library to steal a glimpse of the manuscript. Through her eyes, readers watch this intriguing and sexy little interlude as Mary learns viewing the manuscript depends on her willingness to submit to him.

The hourglass not only serves as the title for this book but also as the tool used to count down Mary’s discipline – delicious as it may be. Though she has come all this way to discover the manuscript, Mary soon realizes when she submits to Vittorini’s discipline her sexual desire is awakened. She experiences more passion than she knew she possessed.

The Hourglass is perfection. Not an extra wasted word in this short story. Masterfully done with heat and sexual tension so tight, readers are strung along and then left craving more.

RATING: 5 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries 
This book was given to us by the author. Many thanks.

The Hourglass is the 
Guilty Indulgence
May HOT READ
chosen by Rebecca.




ABOUT THE AUTHOR...
Anne Weller
It has been said that the largest sexual organ is the human brain, and author Anne Weller agrees. A resident of the West Coast, Anne is a voracious reader and an adventurous writer who creates tales of romance and erotica. She enjoys getting to know each of her characters, and isn’t afraid to explore the difference between their public face and their hidden libido.
As an author, Anne finds it hard to say goodbye to her creations when a story is done, so don’t be surprised if her characters talk her into staging a sequel where they can play out any lingering issues and conflicts that weren’t fully resolved in their first adventure. Her readers can reach her at awellerbooks@gmail.com

BOOK TOUR: Dance Me To The Stars

Marie Astor, Self-Published Contemporary Romance

BLURB

Twenty-eight-year-old Claire Chatfield has everything a girl could possibly wish for: looks, a promising career at New York’s top architectural firm, and an engagement ring from one of New York’s most eligible heir-bachelors! Life should be a dream, but when Alec Brunell, a sexy tango dancer, moves into the apartment one floor above from Claire’s, he unwittingly awakens Claire’s old insecurities, making her question her life choices. Will Claire brave her fears and allow herself to take a chance on Alec, or will she continue to play it safe? In order to secure his place as his father’s successor, thirty-three-year-old David Lawson must settle down with a wife befitting the future head of Lawson Enterprises - and who could fit the prerequisite better than the stunningly beautiful and incredibly bright Claire Chatfield? There is just one glitch – David Lawson is in love with another woman – a Hollywood Legend Claudia Block. A successful tango instructor, Alec Brunell has never lacked for women’s attention, but he finds himself at a loss when faced with his downstairs neighbor, Claire Chatfield. Upon hearing of his occupation, most women swoon with desire, but Claire runs for the door. Still, her iciness only adds fuel to his fire, as Alec is determined to change Claire’s view of him. Claudia Block has been basking in the limelight of Hollywood for more years than she cares to admit. While she still has her looks, she would much rather not mention her age, which makes her unconventional affair with young and handsome David Lawson that much more difficult for her to give up. Dance Me to the Stars is a love story about finding one’s perfect match - sometimes following one’s heart is as convoluted as learning the steps of tango.
 Dance Me to the Stars, has been selected in the first round of entries in the General Fiction category in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel contest this year.

EXCERPT

Claire’s purchase was almost wrapped up when the front door swung open, blowing in a fresh burst of May air. Hearing the noise, Claire turned toward the source of distraction and immediately regretted her decision.

“Are you OK?” Lindsay nudged her. “Your face is all flushed.”

“I’m fine,” Claire murmured. “I’m just really hungry that’s all – let’s go grab a bite to eat after this.” Claire ducked her head, hoping to remain unnoticed.

“Claire?”

She had only heard his voice a handful of times, and yet, it was enough to unleash a flurry of goose bumps on her skin. “Hi Alec.” Claire widened her lips in a bright smile, attempting to sound nonchalant.

“Hi, I’m Lindsay.” Lindsay stepped in, alternately darting curious glances at Claire and Alec.

“This is Alec, my new neighbor.” Claire swiped away at an unruly strand of hair that fell over her forehead.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lindsay.” Alec momentarily tore his gaze away from Claire.

“Likewise. So, are you an art fan, Alec?” Lindsay asked, clearly oblivious to Claire’s tense state.

“You could certainly say that, although dance is my first love, as Claire might have told you.”

“No, she did not.”

“Alec is a big tango fan,” Claire cut in, eager to put an end to this unnerving chitchat.

“Actually, I’m a dance teacher – I teach tango and I also compete professionally.” Alec’s dark brown eyes found Claire’s. “I’m afraid Claire and I had started off on the wrong foot when I inadvertently woke her up on a Saturday morning by playing my tango music too loud, but I hope that she has forgiven me.”

Alec kept his eyes on Claire during the entire tirade, and all she could do was blush and mumble a muffled yes.

“Ah, that’s much better.” Alec exhaled, his muscular chest puffing out. “I’ve always had a good rapport with all of my neighbors and I was hoping that my good record would not get marred. So, are you doing some decorating, Claire?”

“I’m buying an anniversary gift for my boyfriend,” Claire snapped, wishing the store clerk would hurry up with the wrapping.

“Oh, I see. Well, I’m sorry to have bothered you – I’ll be on my way now.”

As Alec walked away, Claire was caught off guard by a sudden sense of regret. “Come, let’s get out of here.” She grabbed Lindsay’s arm.

“So, are you going to tell me what that was all about?” Lindsay stared at Claire once they stood outside the gallery.

“Yeah, but I need a drink first.”

BUY LINK

Amazon Kindle:

http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Me-Stars-Contemporary-ebook/dp/B0078IPNCW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333508381&sr=8-1

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marie Astor is the author of contemporary romance novels Dance Me to the Stars, On the Rim of Love, and Lucky Charm.  Marie Astor has also authored a collection of short stories A Chance Encounter and Other Stories.

Marie’s latest contemporary romance novel, Dance Me to the Stars, has been selected in the first round of entries in the General Fiction category in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel contest this year.

Currently, Marie is working on her next novel – a first installment in her romantic suspense series.

Author Website: www.marieastor.com

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Marie-Astor/e/B004EBDX9Q/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/marieastorcollection

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4665230.Marie_Astor

Twitter: @marieastor

Books by Marie Astor

Dance Me to the Stars – a contemporary romance about finding one’s perfect match.

http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Me-Stars-Contemporary-ebook/dp/B0078IPNCW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1334533879&sr=8-3

On the Rim of Love – a contemporary romance about the unexpected power of love.

http://www.amazon.com/Rim-Love-Contemporary-Romance-ebook/dp/B005TOWI7K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322449445&sr=8-1

Lucky Charm – a humorous contemporary romance about love, luck and friendship.

http://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Charm-Contemporary-Romance-ebook/dp/B005BZL3L4/ref=pd_sim_kinc_2?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

A Chance Encounter and Other Stories – a short story collection about love and everyday life.

http://www.amazon.com/Chance-Encounter-Other-Stories-ebook/dp/B004E112TO/ref=pd_sim_kinc_2?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

CONTEST

A Cowgirls Pride, Lorraine Nelson

A secret teenage crush or was it something more?  That is the question that has plagued the minds of Leah Manning and Cal, the foreman of the Thunder Creek Ranch.  Leah was always the princess, baby girl of the ranch and her desire to see the world, spread her wings and hopefully become a dancer was stronger than her need to discover just what her relationship with Cal really was.  But that hasn’t stopped her from wondering about it ever since. 

Her life away did not turn out as she hoped and after too many dumb blond moves to count she finds herself in the worst possible situation.  Her charming rich boyfriend is in fact an evil crime lord and after seeing him murder his best friend she goes from girlfriend to prisoner forced to do whatever he wants.  After 4 long years, she manages to escape and return home hoping that the ranch will keep her safe.  Which is where the story begins. 

The story is moving tale of Leah having to swallow her pride and ask for her family’s help and shelter from the mess she has gotten herself into.  But in returning she has to see Cal and face the feelings that have never died in her heart regardless of what she has felt for another man in the interim. 

Cal has also never forgotten what they shared and has yearned for her return home.  But his image of her is of the sweet innocent girl that stole his heart.  He has his own battle with pride to face when he is confronted with the truth of just what Leah has been doing the past four years.  It is a heart felt battle for him to try to come to a level of acceptance and see the strength it took for her to do what she had to do and to not only survive but also come out sane on the other side. 

So let me say that this is the first in this series that I have read.  So if you are a fan of this series then you may have a different take on this story then I did.  As a stand alone – it is very well written.  I was impressed with Ms. Nelson’s talent and her ability to tell a really well written suspenseful story in such a short number of pages.  However, I really felt like I needed more back-story on Cal and Leah for their romance to make sense.  Cal was hired while they were friends in school and has worked his way up to foreman since.  But he has never been allowed in the main house or treated as part of the family.  And since their relationship as teenagers was a secret this behavior continues when she gets home.  Therefore, the interaction between them is very limited and he spends most of his time spying on her from afar.  The scenes where they both reminisce about their past seem more sexually based than based on a true mental connection.  So when they do get together and Cal is looking for an immediate “pick up where we left off” instant supper hot connection and complete emotional commitment it feels like the reader has to take a big leap of faith that they were ever that serious.  Which left me feeling like I was missing a piece of the back-story especially given all that Leah has been through in the past four years.  In reading the blurbs about the other books it doesn’t look like they were in them much, if at all.  So again if they were and this is the piece that I’m missing then I’m sorry.  As I mentioned I’m reviewing this as a stand-alone piece.   I also wished she had given a bit more detail on why Leah thought the ranch was so safe.  The characters kept making comments about how the place was tighter then Fort Knox but never went into details.  Again, maybe that was discussed in previous books.   All though this is set on a ranch it doesn't have a overly western feel about it.  It is winter time and the weather is harsh really limiting their time around the horses and ranch itself. 

All in all – this was a very nice book.  I really enjoyed it.  The suspense and mystery involved in stopping her ex was very exciting.  And the chemistry between her and Cal made for some very hot scenes. 

RATING:  4 chocolate dipped strawberries.

Many thanks to Evernight Publishing and Lorraine Nelson.

Saturdays With Sid: BENEATH The PALISADE

... like Tuesdays with Morrie But With More Kink!

Beneath the Palisade:  Reliance

by Joel Skelton

Rising star attorney Harper Callahan hires Ian Burke to landscape his backyard, but it’s his heart that gets the real makeover. Cautious at first, Ian is soon won over by Harper’s good looks and charm, and before they know it they’re on the fast track to romance.
Then a brush with death makes Harper and Ian reassess their plans for the future… and offers them an opportunity for adventure. What starts out as a casual fantasy of owning and operating a B&B on Lake Superior soon explodes into reality as Harper and Ian realize that when they rely on each other, they can accomplish great things.

I’ve got a bone to pick with you, Joel Skelton!  I stayed up LATE, like past 3 am late, to finish this book.  On a school night!  Y’all know I turn into a pumpkin at 10 every night so staying up that late for a book was a major event.    

I got sucked into “Beneath the Palisade:  Reliance” on the first page.  Mr. Skelton develops his characters so well that you have to take a minute and remember that these are characters on a page and not your real friends.  I felt an immediate kinship with both Ian and Harper.  The speed of their relationship is a little scary, but who am I to judge.  Lord knows I’ve jumped off into something that quickly before with decidedly different results, but I also know others who have had the same results as Ian and Harper.  Mr. Skelton does a phenomenal job of making everything so real, I just could not put it down.  

I’m also pretty enamored with the surrounding cast of characters.  I really want “Straight Cat” of my own and I want a cute little waiter to mentor.  But, really, can I marry an undercover millionaire too?  Where can I get one of those Joel Skelton? 

K’so, seriously folks.  Get off your couch, find your laptop, and buy Joel Skelton’s book.  It is truly a great read!

5 Strawberries Dipped in Chocolate for “Under the Palisade:  Reliance”  

And…Just so you know Joel, if there isn’t sequel in the very near future, I’m hunting you down! 

Bye Ya'll,

Sid

BOOK TOUR: Sometimes It's Fate

Sometimes It's Fate (Canada's Finest, Book 1)

Angela S. Stone

Phaze Publishing

The full tour schedule is posted HERE. 

BLURB

Jason McCarthy is gay. He’s also a police officer living in a small-minded northern New Brunswick town where being gay could spell the end of his career. When an impending snowstorm threatens to strand his best friend and policing partner, David, Jason offers up his spare room for the night - a move that reveals Jason’s secret, and changes their friendship and lives forever.

David Richard isn’t gay- at least he doesn’t think he is. He knows he loves his best friend, and he admits to feelings that had started after a tragic accident almost a year before. When David acts on these feelings, it doesn’t go well, leaving both men alone and hurt. Jason, however, doesn’t think twice about stepping in and rescuing David’s children when their mother abandons them. The move brings David and Jason back together, but Jason’s past rears its ugly head and they both have to make difficult decisions that are sometimes best left up to fate.

Don’t forget by commenting you can WIN! A copy of Sometimes It’s Fate, in your choice of digital or Print copy! 

EXCERPT #1

“I think we should go out to dinner,” Jason told David, his head resting on his partner’s stomach as they watched the television.

“We just ate dinner,” David reminded him gently.

“I don’t mean now, I mean like this weekend we’re both off. On Saturday we should go out for a fancy dinner,” Jason said looking up at his partner.

“Fancy? In Bathurst?” David snorted. “Where do you have in mind?”

“What about that place by the theatre?” Jason suggested.

“Over priced, crappy food.”

“The one by the grocery store?”

“Closed.”

“The Greek place on Main Street?”

David smiled. “That is a good idea.” Jason settled back on David only to be disturbed when David asked. “Why do you want to go out to dinner?”

“Because I thought it would be nice.”

“Just nice?”

Jason slid up David’s body so that he was fully lying on top of him. He kissed the older man. “I want us to go on a proper date.”

“A date?” David murmured.

“Mmhmm. You know we’ve been together for close to two months, and we’ve never gone on a proper date.” Jason shifted so that David could feel how much he wanted him.

“Has it been that long?”

“The twenty-first.”

“You know the date.” David laughed. “I never gave it any thought.”

“I was thinking about it on Monday,” Jason admitted softly.

David reached around and hugged the younger man tight to him. It had been a rough couple of days. Monday had been the one year anniversary of the accident.

Jason snuggled into David’s embrace, grateful for his understanding. David had always understood his feelings about the crash. He’d always been there for Jason, supporting him. Even in those horrible days after, he had been a steady hand that guided Jason. It was then that Jason realised that their relationship was much more than co-workers, much more than friends. He never dreamed it would get to this level. To the point where Jason was sure that they were in love—even if they hadn’t said those exact words yet.

“Can I tell you something,” David asked.

“Besides the fact that I’m probably smushing you,” Jason replied.

David scrunched his nose and Jason planted a kiss on it. “I think that’s when I realized I loved you.”

Tears welled up in Jason eyes and he blinked them back. “Oh,” was the only response he could manage without losing it completely.

“It’s crazy right?” David continued. “Something so awful. But somehow this happened. Something good from something horrendous. I’ll never understand it. But I’m grateful to have found you.”

Tears tracked down Jason’s face as David spoke. He had felt that way for so long. “It’s almost like it was fate.”

“Fate,” David mumbled kissing the tears off of Jason’s face. “I like that.”

They kissed, softly. Jason sat up and pulled David with him. They pushed clothes aside, and David took Jason on the couch. A slow intense burn that left them both physically and emotionally exhausted. Jason cried during their love making. Not out of fear or anger or pain, but out of love. Because Jason didn’t think they were in love anymore. He knew. He knew down to every fiber of his being that he loved this man. He wanted nothing more than to know that David felt the same way.

EXCERPT #2

“McCarthy,” Jason answered his cell phone sleepily. David mumbled in his sleep next to him and rolled over.

“Where are you?” Craig‘s distressed voice floated over the line.

“In bed.”

“Where?”

“In my apartment.”

“Since I‘m at your apartment I highly doubt that.”

“What?” Jason sat up in alarm and slid out of bed. He padded out of David‘s bedroom and into the hall. The clock read four a.m. “What the hell are you doing at my apartment at four a.m.?”

“I think the question is why aren’t you at your apartment at four a.m. You‘re not working.”

“I—don‘t turn this around. What‘s wrong Craig?”

“Can you come back here, or can I go there or something? Please…”

“Craig you‘re scaring me.”

“I‘m scaring myself Jase.”

“I‘m at David‘s. I‘ll give you directions.”

“Alright.”

Jason gave Craig directions to David‘s house and hung up. He went back into the bedroom and pulled on a pair of pj pants.

David shifted in his sleep. “Jason,” he mumbled reaching out. “Who was that?”

“Craig,” Jason told him sitting on the edge of the bed.

“What time is it?”

“Just after four.”

“What did he want?”

Jason sighed. “I don‘t have a clue. He was at my apartment. I told him to come here.”

“Jason.”

“Sorry just—trust me, something is wrong, very wrong. Why else would Craig drive up from Moncton and be at my apartment at four a.m.?” Jason leaned over and kissed his partner. “Go back to sleep.”

David nodded and rolled over. He fell asleep wondering just what was going on.

“I don‘t know what to do.” Craig‘s voice jolted David from his sleep. He glanced at the clock. It was just after five.

“I can‘t believe you were so stupid,” Jason hissed back.

“You‘re one to talk.”

“That is fucking different and you know it.”

“Different how?”

“I wasn‘t stupid enough to have unprotected sex with someone who I knew was positive.”

“I didn‘t know.”

“Then you shouldn‘t have been stupid enough to have unprotected sex.”

“You think I don‘t know this Jason? Fuck.”

David rubbed his face and sat up as their conversation continued.

“How many other guys have you lied to?”

“I never lied to you.”

“That‘s bullshit and you fucking know it.”

“No it‘s not, okay? Everyone else was fine, you were fine.”

“I thought you were too. When‘s the last time you were tested?”

“A week ago.”

“Before that Craig.”

“I dunno a year, year and a half.”

“How the fuck could you be so stupid? You not only put yourself at risk, you put me at risk.”

“I‘m sorry.”

“You‘re sorry! You‘re SORRY!”

“I didn‘t wake up and decide to get HIV, Jason.”

BUY LINKS

Phaze Publishing

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Sometimes-Its-Fate-ebook/dp/B005IQDRZQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333569581&sr=8-1

ARe

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-sometimesit039sfate-595508-237.html

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Angela, is a twenty-something Registered Nurse and writer living and working in central Canada. She is a proud Canadian and an even prouder girl from back east. She thoroughly enjoys writing novels featuring character that live in or are from the Maritimes. Angela freely admits to living at starbucks when writing as well as being a bit of a social hermit, when she isn’t busy looking for Mr. Right (or hey even Mr. Wrong) she is working hard on advocating for persons with disabilities.

Email: angela@angelastone.ca

Website: http://angelastone.ca

Twitter: @angelasstone

Facebook: http://facebook.com/AngelaStone.Writer




REVIEW


I really, really liked this book, but I have to tell you that I was completely emotionally spent at the end. This author is incredibly good at painting a picture with her words, I felt almost voyeuristic while reading. It's also one of those novels that once I started it I was compelled to finish it, I HAD to know what was going to happen next in the lives of Jason and David. 


Jason and David are partners at work. David is a divorced father of three and Jason is an in the closet gay man who has been in love with David for years. When David overhears a conversation that Jason is having and realizes Jason is gay he starts to reevaluate the feelings he has for him. But a relationship between the two men won't be easy, there is an ex-wife, homophobic co-workers, children and a possibly devastating health condition that the two would have to deal with. They have to decide if their love is strong enough to even try.


This story really runs the gamut of emotions and feelings, from laughter and tears to some really beautiful love scenes between the men. Ms. Stone's storytelling will draw you in and make you feel a part of their lives. It is one of the most realistic feeling books that I have read in quite a while. 


There are a few editing problems, a couple of phrases that are very repetitive and a few threads that were left open and felt out of place because they were not addressed. I am hoping theses things will be addressed in the following books in the series.


If you are looking for a beautiful, realistic story about real life situations and the feeling that sometimes fate gets it right, then Sometimes it's Fate is one that you don't want to miss.


RATING: 4 chocolate dipped strawberries. This books was given to us for a fair and honest review. Many thanks.

Today I’ve decided to share another tasty (and easy!) recipe found in my novel.  This is featured when Jason goes to visit his Brother for Christmas

Chicken cacciatore


· 2 cups all-purpose flour for coating


· ¼ cup of milk


· ½ teaspoon salt


· ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper


· ¼ teaspoon of paprika (smoke paprika is even better)


· 4-6 chicken thighs, or 2-3 cubed boneless skinless chicken breasts or 1 (4 pound) chicken, cut into pieces


· 2 tablespoons olive oil


· 1 onion, chopped


· 2 cloves garlic, minced


· 1 green bell pepper, chopped can add Red, Yellow, or Orange for variety


· 1 can of tomato paste


· 1 can of diced tomatoes (or fresh diced)


· ½ teaspoon dried oregano, thyme and basil


· ½ cup white wine


· 2 cups fresh mushrooms, quartered or 1 can

Dip the chicken in milk then Dredge the chicken in the flour, salt, pepper and Paprika, or add to a large Ziploc type bag, and shake, thoroughly coating the chicken.

In a large sized pan, add Olive oil, onion and garlic cook on high until the onions are clear.

Add floured chicken and fry until golden

Add in Tomato paste, diced tomatoes, wine. Add in spices and mushrooms.

Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

 Add in peppers and simmer for another 20 minutes, until peppers are cooked.

Serve over egg noodles, or rice.

Alternatively you can add the peppers with the onion and garlic.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 50 or less depending on how large your chicken is.

Sounds yummy! I know what I’m having for dinner tonight!

I hope you get a chance to try out this recipe and you can pick up a copy of Sometimes It’s Fate.

Xx

Angela

Marked by Elizabeth Naughton

It's been another long week. Full of unpleasant things. Glad that after this weekend soccer season is finished and JJ gets a well deserved break. School is almost out for the summer which gives us all a well deserved break. Last Sunday marked my last day at my part time job. I now have my weekends free. You have no idea how excited I am about that. In the midst of all the chaos this is where I hid to recover.......

Marked by Elizabeth Naughton

Dark haired, duty bound and deceptively deadly. He’s the leader of the Argonauts, an elite group of guardians that defends the immortal realm from threats of the Underworld.
From the moment he walked into the club, Casey knew this guy was different. Men like that just didn’t exist in real life—silky shoulder-length hair, chest impossibly broad, and a predatory manner that just screamed dark and dangerous. He was looking for something. Her.
She was the one. She had the mark. Casey had to die so his kind could live, and it was Theron’s duty to bring her in. But even as a 200-year-old descendent of Hercules, he wasn’t strong enough to resist the pull in her fathomless eyes, to tear himself away from the heat of her body.
As war with the Underworld nears, someone will have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

This was a new to me author. I always get twitchy when I have a new author/series to read. I worry that I won't like the book and I will have wasted precious reading time on a book I didn't want to read. This time I was not disappointed. There is some world building but it's not extreme but it's detailed enough that I wasn't lost. The further the story went on the mythology pieces started dropping in and we all know what a mythology geek I am. Out of all the books I have read this has to be one the top tough decision stories I think I've read. I look forward to reading the rest of this series.

 I give this book 4 chocolate dipped strawberries and a big chuck of stock in Barnes and Noble. THEY TORCHED A BOOK STORE! THAT'S A SIN WHERE I COME FROM!

PEACE

It's A Long Relief

Long Relief by Abigail Barnette is a hot little romance that is just too short.

Successful entrepreneur Maggie Harper has lived and breathed baseball since birth. But when her father, once a legendary player, later a team owner, leaves her the Grand Rapids Bengals in his will, she’s in over her head. Orchestrating a successful season is foreign territory, complicated by a sizzling one-night stand with a player who definitely wants something more.

After pitching a disastrous game that cost the Bengals the championship pennant, veteran pitcher Chris Thomas knows his days as a player are numbered. There are more important things to be worried about than the sexy new team owner, but Maggie’s hot-and-cold act is driving him to distraction. A woman has never come between him and the game before, but now he has to make a choice between his love of playing ball and his love of Maggie.

When their entanglement is discovered, the stakes are even higher. Caught between doing what’s right for the team and what’s right for them, Maggie and Chris have to decide what’s more important, a championship season, or a chance at love.

My favorite Abigail Barnette story to date, Long Relief is a love story set in the sports arena. It is a perfect scenario - a romance infused with humor and light-heartedness. The relationship moves fast and the characters are well developed but my one complaint would be it ends all too abruptly.  Long Relief was a few innings too short – readers may not feel like they got the full story. But it is a yummy little nibble. And perhaps there will be another serving…

4 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries.
This book was given to us by Resplendence Publishing. Many thanks.

Humpday - get Marked!

Howdy Humpday Nation!  How do we do it, week in and week out?  I am telling you - I actually had a day off yesterday....and I need a day to recover!  7am doctor's appointment (obviously forgot I had day off or I would NEVER pick that time.  The crazy MD I went to see had the absolute gall to tell me I had to stop drinking coffee - as if!  I have a petition signed by over a hundred people demanding that never, ever happen!!!!), oil change that turned into brake job (ugh), eight loads of laundry in new washer and dryer (a saga in it's own right) and a two hour trip to Costco that included new glasses (after the insurance company told them I didn't exist - talk about your existentialist angst) and with lunch time munchies making bad food choices....oy vey!  I was too tired to plant the 4 flats of perennials purchased to perk up our curb appeal....
You have already heard Sunday was book club - that the selected by Elizabeth Naughton, Marked, was read and enjoyed by all (along with requisite wine, snacks and dessert).  So I guess it's my turn to throw in my two cents worth.  But first, let us pause and enjoy a brief eye candy snack for the day - rewarding ourselves for hard work, dedication and never ending appreciation for all that is yummy! Oh, and look - he has a cup of Joe, just waiting for me!  I think I'm in love!!!!    Mmmmmmmm

Marked - Book One of the Eternal Guardians

THERON—Dark haired, duty bound and deceptively deadly. He’s the leader of the Argonauts, an elite group of guardians that defends the immortal realm from threats of the Underworld.

From the moment he walked into the club, Casey knew this guy was different. Men like that just didn’t exist in real life—silky shoulder-length hair, chest impossibly broad, and a predatory manner that just screamed dark and dangerous. He was looking for something. Her.

She was the one. She had the mark. Casey had to die so his kind could live, and it was Theron’s duty to bring her in. But even as a 200-year-old descendant of Hercules, he wasn’t strong enough to resist the pull in her fathomless eyes, to tear himself away from the heat of her body.

As war with the Underworld nears, someone will have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Since Tyra threw me under the bus for not liking the first in most series, I will go on record as saying there are exceptions to every rule: I actually really liked this exciting paranormal debut - it had action, romantic tension and the perfect blend of Greek mythology that made it fresh and original.  Naughton nailed the details, characters and storyline and crafted a world that sucks you in from the very beginning.  The concept of Heroes, both literal and figurative, who have to struggle when the meet their destined mate as their humanity returns makes their ultimate consummation with their soulmates that much more spellbinding! 

To say the action in Marked is intense is an understatement.  Warriors fight and people die - the collateral damage can catch the reader off guard at times and the characters are so multi-dimensional that even secondary characters grab the reader - a true good versus evil with cheers for the half-breeds and boos for the Atalanta/daemon posse!  With all the lead in to the descendants of Heracles, a girl has to wonder what the other six greats' progeny have in store! 

Well written story, hottie alpha hero, brave hearted heroine and lots of battles and lovin - bring on the next round Ms. Naughton - we are so ready for round two!!! 

RATING: Five Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries for sure - I'll take mine with a side of Hades (evil intrigues me, what can I say?!?!)  

Marked - Elisabeth Naughton

Ok so our book club choice for the month of May was the first in the Eternal Guardian series by Elisabeth Naughton. Now I had read this book a couple of years ago when it first came out and then got side-tracked by other series and didn't get around to reading any others. So I was excited to re-visit this series and get a little more into the story line.

Marked - Book One of the Eternal Guardians
THERON—Dark haired, duty bound and deceptively deadly. He’s the leader of the Argonauts, an elite group of guardians that defends the immortal realm from threats of the Underworld.
From the moment he walked into the club, Casey knew this guy was different. Men like that just didn’t exist in real life—silky shoulder-length hair, chest impossibly broad, and a predatory manner that just screamed dark and dangerous. He was looking for something. Her.
She was the one. She had the mark. Casey had to die so his kind could live, and it was Theron’s duty to bring her in. But even as a 200-year-old descendant of Hercules, he wasn’t strong enough to resist the pull in her fathomless eyes, to tear himself away from the heat of her body.
As war with the Underworld nears, someone will have to make the ultimate sacrifice.


Now you all know that I really love the first book in a series, unlike some of the others here that shall not be named.(cough..Jenn...Kim...cough) I like entering a new world and learning the rules and finding out how they differ from others books that are of the same ilk. Some authors are really good at this and then some just don't quite hit the mark...Ms. Naughton hits it out of the park. She is a master at blending the story and the history together so that you don't even realize that you are absorbing the information. this series is a unique blend of the Greek mythologies that we know with a new modern twist to them.

Marked is packed with action right from the beginning and it just doesn't stop. The world came alive in my mind with Ms. Naughton's descriptive words and imaginative storytelling. With a plethora of colorful secondary characters it's not hard to imagine that this series will be around for a while. And with the way things ended there is no telling which way she is going to take us but I for one am along for the ride.

So let's see...super alpha sexy hero, kick ass I am not gonna sit around waiting for you to save me heroine, brooding, moody secondary characters and Gods that are BAD. Yep sign me up!

RATING: 5 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries.