Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Art in the Secret


19497141Secrets The Complete Collection (Omnibus Volumes 1-5) by H.M. Ward

Sex is supposed to be sexy, tantalizing, and completely erotic, but Anna never seems to find the right guy. This one seems to be a germ-a-phobe, and the previous boyfriend wasn't much better. Anna just wants to be wanted. Is that too much to ask?

As Anna tries to wiggle out of one relationship, a new one surfaces, but it's forbidden. Cole Stevens is twice her age, arrogant, rich, and sexy as hell. To make matters worse, he's her boss and her teacher.

When Anna's internship plans derail, she ends up working at Cole's elite New York City studio. Close proximity leads Anna to discover that the billionaire bachelor is emotionally scarred. Everyone has secrets, but Cole's run deeper, cutting him to his core. Cole is trouble in a sexy shell. He's nothing Anna needs and everything she wants. 



Rate & take

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Heat Index 1 ☼

I enjoy H.M. Ward so much as an author. She writes solid characters with believable dialog and plot twists. And her steamy scenes are a lot of fun to read. This particular story takes place in the photography world in NYC and I find it refreshing when books delve into the creative process involved in other arts. This story was very satisfying on many levels. And by buying this version you get the whole story from beginning to end, no waiting on future editions...the only down side that I noticed (because I read so many H.M. Ward titles) was that this tale didn't have quite the impact some of her other stories have, thus the 3 skull rating over my usual 4 for her works. Still a decent read all in all.

Monday, January 27, 2014

Witchley Fail


19088477Bishop Witches by Ruby Knight 

Savannah Martin was a college student, until she wasn't.
A handsome guy with purple eyes shows her that the world as she knows it, isn't the world she knew at all.
He introduces her to a world of sorcery and magic.
Savannah is a Witch.
A vengeful sorcerer takes Savannah's roommate as leverage, in an attempt to stop Savannah from accepting the power that is rightfully hers.
If she accepts her magic, her roommate dies. Will she choose to become a light witch?
If she doesn't, she will go back to living a completely normal mortal life and save her roommate.
But could she live a normal life after tasting a bit of magic?
Savannah has to find a way to accept her magic and save her roommate.
With a witches kiss, is she killing her friend? 


The Martin Family sorcery line dates back to the Salem Witch Trials.
The guy that introduces the world of magic also brings baggage laced in danger and persecution that has lasted decades. In a nice little man candy wrapped package, making every hour a magic hour.
Can Savannah find a way to accept her power and save her roommate, accepting her magic in the final hour?
Savannah's mom lied to her and kept any sorcery from her, to keep her safe from dark magic.
But the truth can't hide and Savannah can't deny her fate.



Rate & take


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Boy was I wrong in thinking that if you used the Bishop witches as a back story to prop up your book it was sure to be a good read. Not so much in this case. There were elements of the story that did work and were solid story telling, but the reactions of the main female character were sometimes erratic and took away from enjoying the story. There were also places where obstacles were easily shrugged off and written away too quickly. So in light of my review you may have guessed I will not be returning to this series when book two is released.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Facing the music


18040296Nocturne by Andrea Randall


Savannah Marshall is a gifted flutist and daughter of musical royalty when she enrolls in the elite New England Conservatory of Music. Brilliant, eclectic and passionate, she lives music, but struggles with her plans for the future.

Gregory Fitzgerald is one of the most renowned cellists of his generation. A member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and professor at the Conservatory, he is laser focused on his career to the exclusion of friends, family and especially romance.

When Gregory and Savannah’s paths cross in the classroom, it threatens to challenge more than their wildly differing beliefs on music. Friendships, ethics, and careers are put on the line as Gregory and Savannah play a symphony of passion and heartbreak.

In the final movement, Gregory and Savannah are handed their greatest challenge, as the loss of absolutely everything they've held as truths hangs in the balance.



Rate & Take

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Heat Index 1 ☼

There is some really good writing here, the author was very skilled at pacing the story and making nothing come easy to the reader. I was even convinced at one point I knew where the story was going to zig, and it totally zagged! The atmosphere had a very original feel having the story begin in a conservatory. If you are looking for a different kind of a romance this book is a great starting point.


Monday, January 20, 2014

The issues of birthin'/Another two-for


17878042BirthRight by Sydney Addae

When you’re the top wolf on the continent with the backing of the Goddess, how does an enemy topple your kingdom? By challenging you to a fight? No. By changing the rules.

After three hundred years of fighting and service to the Goddess, Silas Knight is the Patron, Alpha to the Alphas on the North American continent. As the top wolf, he fears little and has seen most things. But when he discovers someone or something has been quietly disturbing the natural order of things, he’s surprised. Certain human women have the ability to birth fully functioning wolves, and that’s a major problem.

Jasmine Bennett has no idea her deceased husband was a wolf shifter or that her twin sons are shifters. Her life changes when she rushes to her son’s bedside after he’s wounded in Afghanistan
and returned stateside. Now her life’s in danger because of her ability to give birth to a breed of beings she never knew existed.




18138967BirthControl by Sydney Addae

After three hundred years of fighting and service to the Goddess, Silas Knight is the Patron, Alpha to the Alphas on the North American continent. As the top wolf, he fears little and has seen most things. But when he discovers someone or something has been quietly disturbing the natural order of things, he’s surprised. Certain human women have the ability to birth fully functioning wolves, and that’s a major problem.

Jasmine Bennett has no idea her deceased husband was a wolf shifter or that her twin sons are shifters. Her life changes when she rushes to her son’s bedside after he’s wounded in Afghanistan and returned stateside. Now her life’s in danger because of her ability to give birth to a breed of beings she never knew existed.

After sending out a mating call which Silas answered, Jasmine’s pregnant and depressed. Her life has spiraled out of control. Silas is angry that his first “litter of pups” are half breeds. A group of human breeders offer her a chance to leave Silas, offering a strange brand of protection. When a human breeder enters the compound using a weapon the wolves are helpless against, Silas and Jasmine understand the true meaning of Birth Control.




Rate and take


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Heat Index 1 ☼

These are the first two books in the La Patron series and I found the overall premise interesting (and the download inexpensive) enough to keep reading from book one to two. There is at least one more book in the series but I've decided to end it here mostly because I can live with where I left the story. I will say I did have some issues with the writing, much of which could have been cured with only a small amount of semi-careful proof reading. I am no English teacher and am willing to let a lot go but when you confuse someone who rode in a car with someone who road in a car, I am going to call you out on it. There were a few more problem areas but I did not let that deter me from my enjoyment of the larger story. If you like a Wolfie story every now and then, you might consider giving this one a try. It has enough uniqueness to make up for the areas lacking.


Wednesday, January 15, 2014

The 'Me's' have it/a two-for-one special


17832487Tie Me by Olivia Cunning

His heart is tied to his past…
When Sole Regret’s rhythm guitarist, Kellen Jamison, vowed to be faithful to his fiancĂ©e and love her forever, he meant it. He never expected to lose her to cancer so early in life. He’s certain he’ll never love again, but destiny has another plan for him.

Her heart is tied to her work…
Grammy-winning classical composer and piano virtuoso, Dawn O’Reilly, is overwhelmed with music-writing deadlines, a fickle muse, and high-expectations. She doesn’t have time to find love, but chance seeks to interfere with her carefully devised plans.

They’re bound to become entangled...
From the instant Kellen hears Dawn’s latest musical composition, his spirits rise. The stirring melody and the remarkable woman responsible for its creation are impossible to resist. His attraction is undeniable; her passion unquenchable. Kellen teaches Dawn there’s freedom in bondage, while her sensuality drives him to unleash his tightly controlled self-restraint. Will the ropes Kellen uses to secure Dawn’s body be the force that binds them together or ultimately sever all ties between them?



Rate 



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Heat Index 1 ☼





16112637Touch Me by Olivia Cunning


He went there looking for a sure bet…
Sole Regret’s bassist, Owen Mitchell, is convinced that romance is for chumps. He’s only looking for a good time, and when he spots an attractive, older woman emitting men-suck vibes at a brand new sex club, he’s sure he’s found it.

She went there hoping to get over her ex-husband…
Successful business woman, Caitlyn Hanson, is still infuriated and hurt over her ex-husband’s affair with a much younger woman. She’s only looking to scrub his claim from her body by offering it to the first attractive man who shows her interest, and the young, hot stud, who just sat down at her table, will do quite nicely.

They never meant to get personal…
Caitlyn knows she’s not supposed to get attached to Owen just because he gives her body pleasure unlike any she’s ever known, but it’s her first one-night-stand and she can’t seem to keep her heart out of the equation. For once, Owen finds himself in the same conundrum. He likes Caitlyn too much to keep his heart at a safe distance, but will a mistake from Owen’s past drive her away forever?



Rate

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Heat Index 5 ☼☼☼☼☼



The take on both

Anyone who has spent more than 5 minutes with me and this blog knows of my love for the Rock Stars (in books anyway). That beneath the attitudes and tatt's there beats the heart of a romantic and just the right combination of equipment, the knowledge to use said equipment, and a love of visiting the south, turns me right into a fangirl. So it should come as no surprise that I got hooked on this, the Sole Regret series and now I just can't stop. 

I enjoyed both books and thought they were well written. I did however give one less skull to Tie Me, it had a bit thinner plot. Usually the Sole Regret books feature one member of the band finding their true love, while the same happened in these two books the difference is that both titles still have more to come before their stories are complete...I love that I'll have even more books to look forward to, and just in time since we are now down to just one band member that is left single.

The above are books 5 & 6 of the Sole Regret series, I did not do an all out review of books 1 and 2 because the came in this anthology, I did however review 3 soon after I read the first two. 


Rock On Sisters!!

Monday, January 13, 2014

In the offing



18136455Off Course by Sawyer Bennett

Renner Caldwell has her life perfectly mapped out. She has the ideal relationship, the perfect job and all is right in her world. When a shameful turn of events happens, she boards the first plane bound for Ireland to lick her wounds and get her head back on straight.

Cillian O’Bradaigh is the sexy, front man to the Irish rock band, Over The Edge. His rising fame and sultry voice make him every woman’s fantasy come true. Not to mention his single-minded determination. To put it simply: what Cillian wants, Cillian always gets. And he wants Renner, because there’s just something about the flame-haired beauty he has to possess.

If their relationship was just about sex and rock n’ roll, it would be easy for them to get lost in their desires. Only their relationship is anything but a hook-up. Will lies, deceit and hidden tragedy get in the way, making the path to true love uncertain? Or will the girl whose been knocked Off Course, find her footing with the man who is teaching her it’s okay to lose control?



Rate & take


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Heat Index  3 ☼☼☼


This story had a nice flow to it and the setting of Ireland gave it some more interest for me. While the attraction between the two main characters had some heat, the obstacles felt like they were over come a bit too easily without any real fight to get around them. But having said this I do still feel it's a decent and enjoyable beach read.


Friday, January 10, 2014

Continuing to Rock


17693329Beat of the Heart by Katie Ashley


After years of bad relationships and a cheating ex-fiancĂ©, twenty-eight-year-old Mia Martinelli prefers healing her patients’ hearts on the Cardiac Care floor rather than risking having her heart broken again. But that all comes to a screeching halt when caring for the head roadie for Runaway Train puts her into the orbit of drummer and Latin Lover, AJ Resendiz. After a scorching weekend of steamy passion, Mia’s intention of getting out with her heart unscathed is challenged by the stud with the wicked sense of humor, especially when he wants to continue seeing her. But when the harsh reality of AJ’s hoard of female admirers sends her insecurities into overdrive, Mia bails, leaving him handcuffed to his bathroom shower.

AJ never imagined that after two weeks of the best sex and female companionship he’d ever experienced, he would need rescued by his band mates from his shower prison. Although he tries to forget the sensual brunette whose curves made his mouth water, AJ can’t get her out of his mind…or his heart. Months later when he finally seeks Mia for answers as to why she left, nothing could prepare him for their life-altering reunion.

Can AJ prove to Mia that regardless of the women after his body, his heart belongs only to her?





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Heat Index  3+ ☼☼☼

After reading Music of the Heart (see review below) I read the blurb above and decided I had to dive right in. I am so glad I did!! I think it was even better than the first book. As with many rocker series it looks like each band member will get their book, and love interest. There is only the two out at this moment but I do look forward to more. This author is new-to-me but so far so good!
 

Thursday, January 2, 2014

2013 Adieu


I decided to get a little creative while highlighting some of my favorites from 2013. I selected from books that I gave a four or five rating. It was fun for me and nice to give the books one more mention.



  The year began with a secret revealed in a rose Garden where a black swan did dwell. There was talk of true love that would never go too far. Then at nightfall the frost settled in and the creatures came out.



S.E.C.R.E.T. (Secret, #1)     The Rose Garden  Black Swan Rising (Black Swan Rising #1)

True Love Story  Never Too Far (Too Far, #2; Rosemary Beach, #2)  Nightfall

Frost Burned (Mercy Thompson, #7)  Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles, #1)




My thoughts became flat-out about love in all its damaged and twisted perfectionHow
no gem, be it obsidian, onyx, or opal could ever rock me of my obsession or bring me more closely entwined with my forever attraction to tales of love, redemption, and things that go bump in the night.





17611379  Damaged (Damaged, #1)  Damaged 2 (Damaged, #2)


Twisted Perfection (Perfection, #1; Rosemary Beach, #3)  Obsidian (Lux, #1)  Onyx (Lux, #2)


  Opal (Lux, #3)  Rock My Bed (Black Falcon, #2)  Obsession


Being Me (Inside Out, #2)  Entwined with You (Crossfire, #3)  Forever Too Far (Too Far, #3; Rosemary Beach, #4)


I have made many the advanced arrangement so I didn't have to fight destiny for my reading time. I then made a toast to never falling into a tragic situation like ever being without a good book. I also want to make clear while I have never went so far as to lick my e-reader I have maybe drooled on it once...or twice. But we can keep that between us two, right?


 The Arrangement 8: The Ferro Family (The Arrangement, #8)  The Arrangement 9: The Ferro Family (The Arrangement, #9)  The Arrangement 10: The Ferro Family (The Arrangement, #10)


Fighting Destiny (The Fae Chronicles, #1)  Taunting Destiny (The Fae Chronicles #2)  Falling Into Us (Falling, #2)


  Tragic (Rook and Ronin, #1)  Eversea (Eversea, #1)  Lick (Stage Dive, #1)


There are many a society that would have me bound and make me walk in between the lines of manic rules against the reads that I love. They would tempt me and try to pull me away from the Alpha boys that I love so. They would take me to task for being unteachable. If things got too rough I would just go traveling to find pieces of home in with the Rock Chicks who have dangerous and hot nights.


The Society of Sinners (Sinners, #1)  Bound By Ivy (Devoted, #3)  Distorted Lines (Blurred Lines, #2)


Manic (Rook and Ronin, #2)  Tempt Me (One Night with Sole Regret, #2)  Try Me (One Night with Sole Regret, #1)



  Alpha Bad Boys: 7-in-1 Box Set  Take Me (One Night with Sole Regret, #3)  Unteachable



Pieces of You (Shattered Hearts, #2)  Bring Me Home (Shattered Hearts, #3) 


Rock Chick (Rock Chick, #1)  Rock Chick Rescue (Rock Chick, #2)  Rock Chick Reckoning (Rock Chick, #6)


Once there I would get all metaphysical and seek the origin of broken wings and strip away to the simple perfection in our stars. The light would dawn and there would be no signs of panic.


 Origin (Lux, #4)  Broken Wings (Hidden Wings, #2)  Stripped (Stripped, #1)

  Simple Perfection (Perfection, #2; Rosemary Beach, #5)   The Fault in Our Stars  Promise Me Light (Promise Me, #2)


   Panic (Rook and Ronin, #3)




How could it be scandalous to follow your heart and read what you love? To find a book that can touch you, entertain you, educate you, or do all three, is an amazing wonder. 


Scandalous (Scandalous, #1)   Beat of the Heart (Runaway Train, #2)   Touch Me (One Night with Sole Regret, #4)



HAPPY 2014 to Everyone!!!! I wish us all a joyous year filled with endless good reads!!!!