Holiday Kisses by Shannon Stacy, Jaci Burton, HelenKay Dimon and Alison Kent

Review posted on Single Titles
http://singletitles.com/?p=6562

Whats in my mailbox?

Angelique by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

Angelique by Dixie Lynn Dwyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After a past relationship taught her not to trust men again, Angelique Aubert put all her effort into creating her lingerie line. Keeping her efforts a secret and wanting to see where it would lead to, Angelique travels for her weekly visit to pick up the beads she ordered. Harrassed by a couple of drunks, she is rescued by Armand and his Sheriff brother Eloi both huge in stature and stunning to look at.

Armand and Eloi realize she is the one they have been looking for immediately, but they need their other brothers Remy and Marcel to meet her before they act on anything. The four brothers had all agreed they wanted one woman to share, love, and have a family with but Angelique is skittish about entering a relationship with them. They want to know why she flinches and what secrets she keeps, but her fiesty temper gets in the way more often than not and there is a new danger that could ruin their blossoming realtionship.

Overall pretty good, had a couple things that had me wondering at the end. A time difference that really is not noted in the book and one question that does not really get answered. Had some good chemistry though and opens the door for more sequels.

View all my reviews

50 State Challenge

January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012

Are you ready to take the challenge!?!

The goal of this challenge is to read books that are set in each of the fifty states. Your books can be of any genre and any format (ie. paperback, ebook, audiobook, etc.). No short stories. Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are fine. (Re-read reviews must be written within the year 2012; you can not use old reviews.)

You can list your books in advance or list them as you read them. The idea of this challenge came from a Goodreads group.


**Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
**Non-Bloggers: Sign up in the comments section. Post your reviews with other book sites (ie. Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, Shelfari, etc.) and post the link in the comments section of the 50 States Reading Challenge. (will post January 1).

When you sign up on Mr. Linky, put the direct link to your blog post about this challenge. Include a link to this post, so that your followers can sign up too! You can either list your books on your challenge post, sidebar, or a page dedicated to your challenges.

Feel free to sign the Mister Linky with your name and blog name. (ie. Tasha (Book Obsessed)) or just your blog name (ie. Book Obsessed) You are welcome to sign up now, but please check back on January 1, 2012 for the 50 States Reading Challenge Review Link! (You will be able to link your review of the book for others to read and drive traffic to your blog.)

Hosted by Book Obsessed

<br /> <a href="http://www.book-obsessed.com/2011/10/50-states-reading-challenge-2012-sign.html/"><img alt="Book Obsessed" src=" http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc365/avidbookaholic/blog%20banners%20buttons%20and%20pics/flag.jpg” /></a><br />

*grab this button for your sidebar

The goal of this challenge is to read books that are set in each of the fifty states.

1.	Tasha {Book Obsessed}	10.	Colleen @ Les Livres
2.	Cathy	11.	Sarah (The Brazen Bookworm)
3.	Carrie • Journey Through Words•	12.	Megan @ Hardcover Feedback
4.	Heather	13.	Kara @ Great Imaginations
5.	Sarah Reads Too Much	14.	Simply Gina
6.	Diana @ Book of Secrets	15.	Psique @ Book Travels
7.	Melanie @ Christian Bookshelf Reviews	16.	Gloria Green
8.	Bex (An Armchair by the Sea)	17.	Holjo @ Pedantic Phooka
9.	Crystal @ Just Another Book Lovin' Girl

(Submissions close in 398d 13h 24m)

<>

URL:	(URL of your blog post)
Name:
Email:	(Not visible)
	Trouble linking up? Try here

Link tool by inlinkz.com

 



Tuesday Theme Day: Football

Sports stories are some of my favorite books.  Since we are in football season, I thought it would be fun to highlight a few of my favorite football themed stories.



I am going to highlight Game For Love review for this one.

Game For Love by Bella Andre
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Living a life as the good girl who would never do anything to deviate from the white line she had surrounded herself with, Anna Davis is tired of the feeling that everyone expects her to be plain boring Anna.

Football player Cole Taylor makes a desperate attempt to give his dying Grandmother the one thing she wants, him to have a family. When Cole sees Anna in a Vegas nightclub, he knows she is out of her comfort zone but something about the innocent woman calls to him. In a moment filled with lust, confusion, and some unexplained feelings he has never had he proposes to Anna and she accepts. With a quickie marriage after only a couple hours of knowing each other both find themselves holding on to the rides of their lives as they discover they want more than one night together.

Loved this book, just a fantastic read. Would read again in a heartbeat.

View all my reviews

Rules of Desire by Leah Brooke

Rules Of Desire by Leah Brooke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Erin Robinson moved to Desire, Oklahoma with only one goal in mind to be there for pregnant sister. Erin has had a hard time adjusting to the lifestyles of most of the residents, it's not that she opposes their preferences it is she does not understand how jealousy would not be a huge part of the relationships.

Jared, Duncan, and Reese Preston have set their eyes on Erin and plan to claim her. She is giving them one hell of a chase as she goes out of her way to avoid them, but they are not going to thwarted. When Erin becomes a victim of poisoning, right in front of their eyes they have to rethink their plan for courting her, instead they are moving her into their home and protecting her when it becomes apparent someone is out to hurt her.

I liked this one a lot, 4.99 on rating but I did get a bit tired of Erin's reluctance where jealousy was concerned. You could tell that it was a control/jealousy problem that has her conflicted from taking what she really wants.

View all my reviews

Weekend Wrap Up

After eating enough food to tip the scale in a negative way, I hit the Black Friday sales.  We went on Thursday night to the early sale at Walmart at 10 not realizing there were items that could not be purchased until midnight, argh.  However did get some good Christmas gifts fro the family.  The best find I found  a store called Maurice's I happened upon that had bra converters for $5.00.  Perfect stocking stuffers for my girls.

Other highlights, reread  Desire for Three by Leah Brooke, finished Swat Team Two by Dixie Lynn Dwyer.  Reviews posted.

The only movie I watched was Elf.

This is my third favorite holiday film.  First is Christmas Vacation and Second is Meet Me In St Louis/Harvey Girls (not sure why I lump these together but I do.)

Love Elf, it cracks me up especially the scenes with Peter Dinklage.  Love this actor.

2012 Immortal Reading Challenge

Hosted by Under The Covers

Vampires, angels, demons, werewolves and fae. If you can’t pick a favourite, then that’s okay!

At UTC, we love them all! So let’s celebrate our love for all things immortal with 2012’s Immortal Reading Challenge.

Here’s the rundown:
1. The Immortals Reading Challenge runs from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. You can join at anytime from now and throughout the year. This is a 2012 challenge, so books read before January 1 will not count to your progress.
2. You pick your goal! Read as many books as you’d like for each species. This means that you can do just one category or all five or a combination of. The choice depends on you and your reading pace.
*We have chosen to have a three book per species standard. However, if this is a breeze for you, then feel free to tackle on the additional bonus entries of two more books of the same level.
3. Re-reads are acceptable.
4. Books chosen can be of any genre.
5. To participate, copy and paste this post on your blog along with the challenge button. We ask that you provide a link back to the sign-up page in case others wish to participate.
6. Readers without blogs can still participate! Keep track of your progress with Goodreads, Shelfari or LibraryThing.
To sign up:
1. Make a sign up post announcement, listing the level you've chosen and a list of books you plan to read. If you don't have a blog, post on GoodReads or another site as a thread where we can access your list of books. Be sure to take the image code above.

2. Come back here and using the list below, add your entry with a link directly to that post so we can see what you'll be reading.

You're done! Every month during 2012 we will make a challenge update post where you can come and updates us on how you're doing with your challenge.

Category 1: Vampires
Some ideas for Vampire books
Read any THREE books with vampires as the main characters.
Bonus Entries: Additional TWO books with vampires

Category 2: Angels and Demons
Some ideas for Angels and Demons books
Read any THREE books with angels and/or demons as the main characters.
Bonus Entries: Additional TWO books with angels and/or demons

Category 3: Fae
Some ideas for Fae books
Read any THREE books with Fae as the main characters
Bonus Entries: Additional TWO books on Fae.

Category 4: Shifters/Werewolves
Some ideas for Shifter books
Read any THREE books with shifters or werewolves as the main characters.
Bonus Entries: Additional TWO books on shifters or werewolves.

Happy Reading Maidens!

Desire for Three by Leah Brooke

Desire for Three by Leah Brooke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jessica "Jessie" Tyler finally relented and has agreed to visit her sister in Desire, Oklahoma. Desire is unlike most towns where women come first, menage relationships, and Dom/Sub couples are normal. Nearly forty with an ex-husband who is worthless and really played havoc on her self esteem. It doesn't take but a day for her to meet Clay and Rio Erickson show an interest in her.

Brothers Clay and Rio were married once, but quickly realized they would never feel complete unless they were able to share a wife. They know Jessie is the one, but she is fiercely independent and not willing to let anyone take care of her. Clay and Rio plan to show her everything she has been missing as well as tame her wild need to get herself in trouble. Love wont come easy for these three, when Clay and Rio make a huge mistake which leads Jessie to danger. They will have to learn to trust one another again in order for them to have any future together.

The first in the series, a reread for me. This series is fantastic, each book is different from the next and I especially liked that the lead in this is an older woman. A great series.

View all my reviews

SWAT Team Two and Miss Robin Hood by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

SWAT Team Two and Miss Robin Hood by Dixie Lynn Dwyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Melissa has had to do some things she may not be overly proud of to make sure her family and friends are taken care of, but is willing to do it to ensure they get what they need. Working in a strip club as a bartender is not the most ideal, either is her creative way of taking form the seedier side in order to provide for those that cannot do it themselves.

When SWAT team officers and brothers Vince, Logan, Sunny, Frankie, and Jake are at the club for a bachelor party, they realize they have just met their mate. They want her out of there quickly, in their bed and mating before they get a chance to realize she has a side job that has their blood boiling. It does not take long to realize Melissa has secrets and is going to be skittish about starting a relationship, but they will use all of their skills to seduce her as well as find out what she is hiding.

Great book, had one thing that I thought should have been addressed but other than that I liked the story. Vince and Logan were my favorite, hope there is another sequel.

View all my reviews

Follow Friday

RULES To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

(Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}

1. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - Books and Beyond & The Book Addict.
2. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
3. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say "hi" in your comments and that they are now following you.
4. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
5. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
6. If you're new to the follow Friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Happy Follow Friday! Follow it up with your twitter address if you want to get that one out!

 

Question: It's Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. so we want to know what you are Thankful for - blogging related of course! Who has helped you out along the way? What books are you thankful for reading?

 

I am thankful for friends and family.  I am also thankful for all the new friends I have made through blogging and good reads. 

 

As for books, I would say lately I am thankful for finally listening to the recommendations to read Karen Marie Moning, why oh why did I wait so long.

Book Cover Highlight: Marked by P.C. Cast

I love the cover for this whole series, with each book they get better.


Marked by P.C. Cast
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Zoey Redbird is just your average teenager when she is marked as a fledgling to become a Vampyre. Sent to the House of Night to prepare for her journey into immortality, Zoey finds she is not average at all, her new powers are unmatched and unheard of at the House of Night. All is not different though from high school to her new school, there are still cliques and bullies, and one in particular who is abusing her role as High Priestess, Zoey knows what she has to do as she begins to find her role as a Vampyre.

I thought this was an exceptional read. I saw this book on so many lists I finally buckled down to read it, and it was well worth it. Having two daughters who are just out of high school, so much of the day to day life of teenagers is accurately portrayed in this book it is almost scary. Can't wait to read the next book.

View all my reviews

Overheated by Laina Kenney

Overheated by Laina Kenney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Sara James was hired at DIG, Army Ranger and specialist Dash Williams knows she is the one for him. Sara's shy demeanor has him baffled on how to approach her, usually women throw themselves at him, where Sara is concerned she keeps her distance. When Dash finds out that an ex-boyfriend is stalking Sara he not only sees his chance to keep her close, what he doesn't expect is the passion that he sees in her eyes when he makes his intentions clear.

I love this series, the first book is semi short but pack full of passion, intrigue, and hints towards the next book. This was a reread for me.

View all my reviews

Just Added to Book Shelf

Unbridled and Unbound by Elle Saint James

Unbridled and Unbound by Elle Saint James
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Stella Gilbert's day was bad enough with her boss from hell sending her on a last minute errand during a treacherous storm, now her car has crashed and she is stuck in a snow storm with no cell service.

Dominick Hunter just wanted to put his feet up and watch the football game, when his roommate called to have him close the gate to their property. Not wanting to venture out alone in the storm, he drags his best friend Tyler Wilson to help him lock up when they find a woman stranded outside their place.

Dominick knows the instant he lays on the sultry beauty, there is something special about her. Not wanting to scare her or ruin any chance of getting to know her he tries to hide his desire, but like a puppy with a bone Tyler has no reservations about staking a claim on Stella. As members of the Double Rider Men's Club, both men always wanted to find a woman to share between them but although Stella is very curious about their lifestyle and wants to sample what they have to offer, she is also fiercely independent. They are willing to wait for Stella, but have every plan in place to seduce her along the way.

3.75, had a few holes that I was not sure what happened. Overall pretty fun read, Tyler is reminded me of a randy hound dog though, where Dominick's feelings were more apparent.

View all my reviews

Single White Vampire by Lyndsay Sands

Single White Vampire by Lynsay Sands
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Kate C. Leever has had difficult clients before, but Lucern Argeneau takes the the meaning difficult to a new level. Sending letters requesting Lucern to consider book signings, tours, and events to help promote his popular vampire novels have all ended with a curt "No", not willing to give up Kate finds herself on Lucern's doorstop and does not plan to leave until he agrees.

Lucern has never met a more determined female than Kate, nor has he ever met a woman who completely keeps surprising him with her ridiculous assumptions which for the first time in a long time have him smiling. Lucern has been set in his ways for over six hundred years, but Kate has reawakened him and through a series of entertaining events finds himself confessing who he truly is in hopes that she will remain by his side.

Had some hilarious moments like many of Lynsay Sands books. I didn't really feel a connection between Lucern and Kate though, it was entertaining but not a lot of chemistry. Although some of the funny scenes have you chuckling aloud.

View all my reviews

Hunting JC by Dominique Eastwick

Review on Sensual Reads
http://sensualreads.com/?p=8055

One Perfect Night by Rachael Johns

Review on Single Titles
http://singletitles.com/?p=6517

Tuesday Theme Day: Ugly Duckling Stories

I love a good makeover story, it gets me giddy and of course has me wanting to revamp myself if the story is good.  Sometimes the heroine finds herself completely revamped into a stunning beauty while other times she only finds what was inside her the whole time. 

A few of my favorites


Review from The Ugly Duckling, my favorite out of the choices.
The Ugly Duckling by Iris Johansen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Nell Calder witnesses the death of her daughter, she wishes only to die with her, but Nicholas Tanek who was there to protect her won't let it happen. Nell has spent her whole life as a plain jane living behind a frumpy facade. Nell gets a new lease on life getting a complete transformation along the way, the only goal in her sights is revenge on the man who destroyed her family.

One of my favorite books. Nell is determined to not let anything stand in her way. A roller coaster ride of a story.

View all my reviews

White Wedding by Ursula Sinclair

White Wedding by Ursula Sinclair
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Moments before Shanna Stiles is about to walk down the aisle, her fiance' is found embraced with another man. Running out of her dream wedding and to a secret hideaway, Shanna bumps into a man who helps her forget everything she ran from.

Security expert, Ross Marshall, knew the moment he met Shanna, it was kismet. After a mind blowing few days, he plans to convince her to never let go. A call from home though has Shanna going back to a web of deceit and distancing herself from Ross while she tries to understand her conflicting feelings for a man she just met. When she finds herself in trouble though, she calls Ross who does not plan to leave her side again.

New to me author and I thought this was a great read. The chemistry between Shanna and Ross is intense, in their bubble they only have eyes for one another it's the outside influences that are trying to keep them apart. Would read this author again in a heartbeat.

View all my reviews

Weekend Wrap Up

I spent the bulk of the weekend watching movies and reading.  Pretty quiet weekend for me.


Second time I have seen this and still think it is a hoot.



Pretty good, had one scene I could have done without but overall happy with film.


I was thinking when I watched this last night that even though the film is older, it is not overly dated.  Yes, the outfits are not what we wear now but the film is fantastic no matter what.

Was not good at all, very disappointed.

Books read, reviews posted
The Power and the Glory by Kimberly Lang
Love Slave to a Sicilian Billionaire by Jan Bowles
A Shot in the Dark by Christine d'Abo
Cedar Bluff's Most Eligible Bachelor by Lara Iding
Bastien by Tianna Xander

Kansas Heat by Jenny Penn

Kansas Heat by Jenny Penn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Knox, Jace, and Cody Reese are ready to move on with their life and find themselves a wife they can share who will be loyal, proper, and the epitome of what a good wife and mother should be. Working their way through a long list of candidates, Cody finds himself out of turn when Amanda Johnson bumps into him. Amanda had made the list at Jace's insistence, but neither Cody or Knox could figure out why.

Amanda is completely opposite of what they are looking for, with her sensual nature, her tough exterior, and a mouth on her that won't quit Cody is completely captivated. It doesn't take much time for Cody and Jace to realize she is the one, but convincing equally hard headed Knox proves to be harder than expected. Amanda never one to face down from a challenge wont cower to Knox whose brazen dislike of her only ignites a fiery passion between the two that wont go out.

I loved this book, it looks like their could possibly be a sequel to it but not 100% sure on that. Jenny Penn is one of my favorite authors, she always has a rollercoaster of a book with alpha male vs very strong natured women. Amanda is a bit hard but you get why that is, she is a fighter and above all more vulnerable than most. A fantastic read.

Reread 11/21, still a good read. Definitely sequel quality and my review remains the same. Jace is my favorite out of the men, he is more sensitive but it can flip if he is provoked.

View all my reviews

The Power and the Glory by Kimberly Lang

Review on Cataromance
http://cataromance.com/2011/11/