Theme Day: Wallflowers

Wallflower:
1. a person who, because of shyness, unpopularity, or lack of a partner, remains at the side at a party or dance.

2. any person, organization, etc., that remains on or has been forced to the sidelines of any activity.

3. A person you never looked at, talked to, or made an attempt to get to know but may just surprise you the most.....

Night Fever by Diana Palmer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rebecca Cullen has not led an average life of a twenty-four year old, with the responsibilities two brothers and an ailing grandfather she spends all her time either at work or home working to keep her family afloat. The only spark in her life is the irritating banter she shares with a stunning man she rides the elevator with everyday.

Rourke Kilpatrick is known as a merciless district attorney who has made it his number one goal to rid the streets of drugs, when Rebecca's brother is arrested on a drug charge they finally meet, but Rebecca is mortified when she learns it is the man she has been throwing jabs at in the elevator.

Rourke finds himself fascinated by Rebecca, who seems to have the weight of the world on her shoulders. A bit of a loner, Rourke ensues himself in Rebecca's life but as her brother continues to spiral downward and a deception is revealed will it turn Rebecca against Rourke?

I thought this was one of Diana Palmer's better books. Rourke is a hard man, but you understand why and there is a softness to him as he becomes involved with Rebecca. Wonderful read.

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Dillon's Claim by Callie Croix

Dillon's Claim by Callie Croix
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"Dillon is tough as nails and wants answers, but the gentler side of him makes him an instant heartthrob."

Full review on Sensual Reads
http://sensualreads.com/?p=8748

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Unraveling Midnight by Stephanie Beck

Unraveling Midnight by Stephanie Beck
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Scott, a wolf who has been exiled from his pack, with his three children in tow would do anything to keep his children happy. His twin boys are rambunctious and growing quickly, while his daughter Jessie is quieter and has taken a sudden interest in knitting.

For Jessie's sake he is willing to learn to knit, it helps that the woman teaching them is his mate, only thing is she doesn't know werewolf's exist.

How could you not adore a book with a wolf knitting, this was a ton of fun. Scott is so manly and yet imagining him with needles inspires an all new vision of studly. Great book.

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One Night, Two Heirs by Maureen Child

One Night, Two Heirs by Maureen Child
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Marine Rick Pruitt returns home to Royal, Texas with a month to figure out if he wants to reenlist or come home and take care of his land. The only thing he is completely sure of is he wants to seek out the woman he couldn't stop thinking about for the last three years, Sadie Price. One night with her and Rick's world turned upside down, literally.

Sadie knew the time had come to tell Rick he had twin daughters when she bumped into him, but she is shocked when he demands marriage. As often as she turns him down, he strikes back with every enticement he can think of, seduction among them, but the one thing Sadie truly wants he is not offering, his love.

I liked the idea of this one, but was disappointed. I struggled with three years of not telling Rick he was a father, although it is rationalized in the story it was something I couldn't get past.



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Kiss of Moonlight by Stephanie Julian

Kiss of Moonlight by Stephanie Julian
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tamra McMillian has been hopping from place to place trying to forget the memories of a traumatic event that happened six months before, seeking out solitude and having little luck fighting the nightmares that continue to plague her.

At his daughter's pleading, Lucani Kyle Rossini seeks out his new neighbor, what he finds is a broken soul who happens to be his mate. Kyle has been the Assassin for the King for so long, he never planned on finding his mate. Normally feared by most, Kyle wants to comfort Tamra, but when a failed kidnapping puts Tamra in danger, Kyle plans to keep her safe one way or another.

I thought this was a wonderful story, a ton of rich history of the Lucani which adds a different flair to the shifter stories. I was completely intrigued with by both Kyle and Tamra, a memorable couple. Can't wait to read more.

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Manhattan Holiday by Linda Engman

Manhattan Holiday by Linda Engman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"Linda Engman has quickly become one of my favorite authors, her writing style is full of beautiful descriptive details that engage the reader with the world of her characters."

Full review on Single Titles
http://singletitles.com/?p=6739

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Christmas At Hartford Hall by Fenella J. Miller

Christmas At Hartford Hall by Fenella J. Miller
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

"I liked James, in the beginning his feelings for Elizabeth is jumbled but he is quickly at her side and finds every excuse to spend time with her. Magical read."

Full review on Single Titles
http://singletitles.com/?p=6743

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Can't Fake This by Casey Crow

Can't Fake This by Casey Crow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"Can’t Fake This was a lot of fun, extremely creative ways of exploring each day of Christmas."

Full review on Sensual Reads
http://sensualreads.com/?p=8720

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Howling for Sara by Beverly Rae

Howling for Sara by Beverly Rae
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Through her dreams, Sara has the most erotic images of five men possessing her heart, body, and soul but when she awakes she continues live her solitary exsistence. When the call comes to find them through a dream, Sara sets out trying to understand what is happening.

Michael has been waiting for his Alpha mate to be ready, the time has come. He has every plan to take it slow in the claiming, but once he sets eyes on Sara his emotions are too powerful to explain everything she needs to know, instead he shows her.

This was a disappointment, very convulted and just didn't have much depth. I wanted to like it more, but had a hard time connecting with the males in the story.

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Dragon Actually by G.A. Aiken

Dragon Actually by G.A. Aiken
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Knowing her latest wound is most likely fatal, Annwyl aka Annwyl the Bloody, has never let her courage fail her and has no plans to now faced with a dragon hovering over her, that is until she passes out.

Humans have always bored Fearghus the Destroyer, there only purpose is to toy with before they become food, but the fearless woman before him bleeding to death has caught his interest.

For the first time, Fearghus has brought a human to his lair, the more he gets to know Annwyl the harder it is to let her go. In dragon form, Fearghus is her confident and close friend, when he shifts to his human form Fearghus is treated with hostility and heated passion that is stifled by Annwyl's unwillingness to betray her dragon. Fearghus knows that he needs to tell Annwyl that he is one and the same, but as a new attack comes, she has to get back to the war her brother has launched and protect what is hers.

This book is actually two stories, the first Fearghus and Annwyl'story. The second is Fearghus mother and fathers story who is introduced in the first book, I wish I had read their story first. I think I would have enjoyed it more, it was a great story but I knew ahead of time how it would turn out. Fearghus and Annwyl though, wow. Why oh why did I not pick this up earlier? Loved it. 4.5



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Book Cover Love: Caleb by Sarah McCarty

Caleb by Sarah McCarty
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Allie has been trying to get secretive rancher Caleb Johnson to notice her, but he has always shied away from more than a cup of coffee and bear claws she offers at her bakery. When Allie's life is put in danger, Caleb is there to protect her from death but in return Caleb exposes himself as a vampire. Staying away from Allie now is impossible, pulling her into his life with his brothers and the alliance he has with the McClaren werewolf packs.

One of the best things about goodreads is finding books like this, I saw it on so many friends lists I had to give it a try and hot diggity what a fantastic read. I would read this again in a heartbeat.

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Hide and Seek by Elizabeth Lapthorne

Hide and Seek by Elizabeth Lapthorne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Josephine Madox inadvertently finds herself looking at a setup to kill her between the owners son and a dirty cop, after she uncovers some accounting inconsistencies at the company she works at. Panic is her first emotion and she runs, three months later she is depressed and lonely hiding in Montana, until she meets bassist William Rutledge at the bar she stopped in at.

Her growing attachment to William is refreshing and filled with chemistry, until she finds out his day job is a cop. With a stumped up charge against her, she flees. Six months later William is still looking for the woman who he realizes is his mate, when he finds her she has a few surprises for him.

I am still perplexed on what to think. On one hand it was an interesting story, on the other it was missing something. I never did really figure if I liked Josephine or not, I would try one more in the series to see if it was better.

I am rereading this series, since I had only initially read this one and want to read them all. I liked this better the second time around, a lot of the shifter information is explained in the first one so it falls into place the second time around.

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Operation: Tempt Me by Christina James

Operation: Tempt Me by Christina James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"This is another fantastic read from Christina James, not only does she write a scorching story but you get a visit from some of my favorite characters from her first book, Operation: Spank Me."

Full review on Sensual Reviews
http://sensualreads.com/?p=8665

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Overexposed by Laina Kenney

Overexposed by Laina Kenney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Avelyn has to get out of Ireland fast, calling her Uncle Conn a security expert for help, she is put under the watchful eye Locke McCann.

Locke is afraid that Avelyn will react unfavorably to his scar riddled face, enlisting the help from his twin Sam in order to ensure he finds her when she arrives in Texas. After one sizzling introduction, Sam has no plans to leave Avelyns side and for all of Locke's hesitation about his looks being off putting, Avelyn could care less, she likes his handsome demeanor. Just as they begin to get to know one another, the threat Avelyn has been running from has arrived and he is determined to take her hostage.

I am a big Laina Kenney fan, her first two books are a couple of my favorites. Overexposed is another great read, my only complaint..too short. I wish it had been longer.

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Call of the Wolf by Madelaine Montague

Call of the Wolf by Madelaine Montague
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Abigail Winthorpe is furious with her current predicament, she has had to change her name, job, relocated thanks to the witness protection program. Scared and feeling incredibly vulnerable, the first person she meets in the new town happens to be cop Seth Banner. Unwilling to trust her instincts about being able to trust him, after all she has been burned before, she finds herself conflicted by the other three neighbors Cameron Fontaine, Adrian Pauslon, and Jerico Collins who equally have made her the focus of their attention.

Seth knows Abigail is hiding something, if that were not enough with the Harvest Moon Festival in full gear and the desire to mate strongly pulling at him, he has to contend with friends Cameron, Adrian, and Jerico for her. All four all Alpha's and want her, ultimately it is Abby to decide who she wants, but danger lurks in the air when an attack to eliminate her as a witness is in the air.

Overall I liked this one a lot. The only flaw for me was you did not get enough of Adrian and Jerico in it. Mostly Cameron and Seth are the dominate males in the story. Aside from that, found it highly entertaining.

I decided to reread because I was cleaning up my kindle and remembered this one and had hankering for studly alphas. Very good reread.

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Theme Day: Cops

Who cant resist a sizzling story with one of my favorite characters, cops. They can be broody, seductive, hard to read, and often pure sultry alpha.






Second Chances by Lauren Dane
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There is so much about the story that shouldn't be revealed so I am just going straight to my thoughts. The book was intense, seductive, and filled with an enormous amount of love that you felt through each and every page. Made my spine tingle, just a beautifully written book that really grasped at the depths of fully giving yourself to someone as well as becoming who you were always meant to be.

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Jinxed by Inez Kelley

Jinxed by Inez Kelley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When a seat mix up has a handsome flyer asking Frannie to move from her seat, her hackles come up and she quickly asserts her claim to the seat. He is not swayed though, for the handsome man has just met his soul mate and he doesn't plan to let her go. His biggest obstacle in claiming her though, is getting Frannie to let down her guard and trust him enough to accept is is more than willing to offer.

There were qualities in this book I liked, but I did not like Frannie. She was so mean to Jinx in the beginning, and I just couldn't understand how he tolerated it all. Even as she softened she still called him names I thought even in an endearment term, were off putting.

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New to RAK

New on RAK


Just click the RAK tab at top of page if you would like the book.

The Burn List by Julia Devlin

The Burn List by Julia Devlin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Loved it, this is pure sinful fun."

Full review on Sensual Reads
http://sensualreads.com/?p=8641

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Just Breathe by anna Leigh Keaton

Just Breathe by Anna Leigh Keaton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"Left with two newborn twins who have exercised their lungs thoroughly Dexter Williams is at his wits end as another nanny quits on him."

Full review on Sensual Read
http://sensualreads.com/?p=8639

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Fated by Rebecca Zanetti

Fated by Rebecca Zanetti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Talen Kayr shows up at Cara Paulsen's house in the early hours of morning claiming he is there to protect her and her daughter, she knows there is something off by the intense but sensual man. As he rushes them to safety, she is sure she was right about him, when he announces they will be married and mated by the end of the night in order to ensure her protection, not to mention the fact that he is a three hundred year old vampire just as frosting on the cake.

Intense pure fun. A page turner in it's finest form. Talen is seductively arrogant but has such a tenderness when it comes to Cara and her daughter. His one mission is to protect them, but Cara is stubborn and not one to be told what to do after a difficult childhood. A new favorite series, can't wait until the next one.

I chose to reread this one when I saw Rebecca Zanetti has just named her next upcoming book. Just as good the second time around. I like this story the best so far out of the series, Talen is the ultimate dangerous hero.

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Coming Undone by Lauren Dane

Coming Undone by Lauren Dane
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I decided to reread this after getting craving for a hero with tattoos.

After raising his brother and sister when his parents died, Brody Brown never expected himself to truly get involved in a relationship that would require anything more than some shared intimacy. When he meets Elise Sorenson for the first time, he thinks he has had a glimpse of an angel. His new neighbor and her six year old daughter continue to draw his attention and now for the first time in his forty years he is wondering if they are what he has been missing all along.

I love this story, Brody is a charmer and Elise is shy and quite opposite of Brody but they work. The one thing I really enjoy about this story is it takes the time to unfold, like when you meet someone for the first time and that hesitant kiss with promise that it leads to something more, only to wait in anticipation to see if it actually does. Beautiful story.

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Scent of Passion by Elizabeth Lapthorne

Scent of Passion by Elizabeth Lapthorne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alpha Artemais Rutledge has not been able to put the one night he spent with human Sophie Briggs out of his mind. He has spent years searching for his mate, wishing it was Sophie but a true mate is the only one he can conceive a child with and he wants to spare her feelings in the future. Instead he invades her dreams filled with erotic thoughts of all the wonderful things he would like to do to her body, until he realizes she is pregnant.

Sophie can't stop staring at the blue line she is wondering if it is a test malfunction, how can one night with a man lead to pregnancy? She has no clue on what to do, but she doesn't have to wonder much longer when Artemais shows up knowing that she is pregnant and making plans to spend the rest of their life together. The path to claiming his mate is not going to be as easy as he had hoped, for Sophie is sassy, has a mind of her own, and can be a bit grumpy in the morning.

I had been waiting for this book for awhile and it did not disappoint. Has a lead into Williams story, which I will need to reread so I can finish the series. I liked Artemais a lot, he is clueless on a couple of things with Sophie and as the Alpha who should know everything is grasping at straws on what to do with her and really doesn't want to turn to his brothers who will mock and laugh at him. Very fun read.

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Minion by L.A. Banks

Minion by L.A. Banks
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Damali Richards only wanted to pursue a career in music, believing she was following her dream when she accepted an offer with the Warriors of Light Records she didn't realize that it would change her life forever. As a Vampire Huntress her group is in trouble as rogue vampires begin a personal attack on her fellow artists. It also draws her back in the path of the one man she walked away from, when those close to him are attacked she begins to wonder if it is all tied together.

I am not sure what I think of this one, I just didn't get into the story as much as I had hoped. I can't pinpoint a certain thing I disliked but I can't pinpoint a specific thing about the story that I did. It just didn't click for me.

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The Best Mistake by Kate Watterson

The Best Mistake by Kate Watterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"All Lacey Billings can think about is going to her boyfriend Ran’s and surprise him with a late night wake up call. So many naughty things are running through her mind as she caresses the man in bed and promptly sets out to satisfy both of their needs, that is until her progress is stopped when he confesses who he really is, Ran’s cousin Rick."

Full review on Sensual Reads
http://sensualreads.com/?p=8622

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Just One Bite by Barbara Elsborg

Just One Bite by Barbara Elsborg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Although this is a very quick read, you feel like you've read a full story."

Full review on Sensual Reads
http://sensualreads.com/?p=8619

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18 & Over Book Follow Friday

18 & Over Book Blogger Follow is a weekly feature that begins on Fridays and runs through the weekend, hosted by Crystal from Reading Between the Wines. This is a Friday blog hop with the objective to find and visit other book blogs that share the same interest as you, namely books geared towards the 18 & over crowd, and make some new friends!

Question of the Week:

Do you prefer your romance heroes inked, pierced, neither or maybe even both? 

 

Great question, this is a depends for me.  I do love a good book where they are both,  like Lauren Dane's series but it has to make sense for the character.    For the most part they do in books, but I have read a few that it just did not mesh with the character.  I tend to think of these heroes as deep thinkers who are hard to read with a touch or two of naughty and a sinful grin to match. 

Their Virgin's Secret by Shayla Black

Their Virgin's Secret by Shayla Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Burke Lennox saw Jessa Wade for the first time, he knew she was different. Even though his twin Cole refuses to get involved while on a difficult assignment that could put her in jeopardy, the three of them form a bond that they can no longer resist. A few days later, Cole and Burke have to leave to finish their work promising to return and pursue a life filled with hope.

A year later, an urgent message from Jessa comes and Burke and Cole finally get to see the woman who broke their heart. Everything they had found out about her in the year they have been away, becomes blatantly obvious that someone has betrayed them trying to keep them apart. Now they have to keep Jessa safe as well as try to win back her trust.

Without saying to much to give away key points of the story as it unfolds this was an excellent book. Cole is my favorite, dark and dangerous while Burke is the ray of sunshine. Fantastic addition to the series.

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Foreign Affair by Shelli Stevens

Foreign Affair by Shelli Stevens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"Shelli Stevens has a way of writing that makes you feel as if you are part of the scenery."

Full review on Sensual Reads.
http://sensualreads.com/?p=8610

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One Wicked Night by Kelly Jamieson

One Wicked Night by Kelly Jamieson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"For ten years, Kaelin Daume has replayed the images that she saw between Nick Kernsted and Tyler Wirth and a woman bound in rope, only wishing it had been her."

Full review on Sensual Reads
http://sensualreads.com/?p=8613

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Book Cover Love: The Mating by Nicky Charles

Although there is not much to the cover, it is intriguing enough I wanted to read it.


The Mating by Nicky Charles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

For the good of the pack, Elise has been told she will be mated with an Alpha from another territory. Gone are the dreams of remaining by her best friend, the man she had hoped to spend eternity with. Presented in front of Alpha Kane she must do what is expected from her. Within twenty four hours her life has changed, she is mated and relocated to the new pack.

Finding her way though is an uphill battle when loyalties are questioned, despite her growing feelings for Kane, will he trust her enough as his mate to believe in her.

This was a fascinating read, loved every morsel of it. From the very beginning it is startling as Elise's life is being ripped apart but she endures and has a strength that would challenge even the best heroines in books. Kane is a complex character, as the story unfolds you begin to realize what his hopes are from Elise, but he is vulnerable when it comes to her as well. Would reread this one in a heartbeat.

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In The Still of the Night by Marla Monroe

In The Still of the Night by Marla Monroe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jenna doesn't know what it is with the men in her life, but she is a loser magnet. Divorced from a man who made every attempt to kill her, and now another date with a man she was seeing ended up with her being hit, thankful for her unspoken protector Riley who saved her from getting truly hurt.

Riley is a loner who rides his bike from place to place always following the open road. Never settling he finds himself reconsidering when it comes to Jenna, a fierce need to protect her has overcome him but he feels that Jenna deserves better than what he has to offer. When Jenna's ex gets out of prison and wants to make good on his promise to her that she will never escape him, Riley plans to be right by her side, whether she wants it or not.

I really enjoyed this story. Riley is troubled, a dominant man who generally does not discuss his thoughts but is conflicted by his feelings for Jenna. He wants the best for her, but feels he is not it. He comes off as a drifter, but there are layers behind that look more like his is looking for acceptance. Beautiful story.

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Challege: Erotic Reading Challenge

Skinny Dipping-20 books-COMPLETED
1. Poppy's Passion by Stephanie Beck
2. Justice by Laurann Dohner
3. Eagle River Alpha by Becky Wilde
4. Hard To Resist by Natalie Rosewood
5. Quinns Quest by N.J. Walters
6 Found in Bliss by Sophie Oak
7. Rocky Mountain Desire by Vivian Arend
8. Their Divine Doctor by Heather Rainier
9. Bobby by Cat Johnson
10. Dangerous Lover by Lisa Marie Rice
11. Cowboy Casanova by Lorelei James
12. Fire and Rain by Lauren Dane
13. Five Ways til Sunday by Delilah Devlin
14.Touch Me by Callie Croix
15.Love Under Two Navy Seals by Cara Covington
16. Picking Art by Tonya Romagos
17. See You in my Dreams by Jess Dee
18.Nice and Naughty by Jayne Rylon
19. Their Virgin Captive by Shayla Black
20. Dakota Ranch Crude by Leah Brooke

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