Saturday Movie Review: Dial M For Murder

I'm not sure how it got started, but for the last couple of weeks Tasha, from Truth, Beauty, Freedom & Books has held what we call a hitchfest, on Twitter on Saturday nights at 10pm est where each a group of us watch a different Alfred Hitchcock movie every week. Last Saturday's movie was Dial M For Murder. I have to say, I had a lot of fun discussing the movie with everyone.

Dial M for Murder stars the beautiful Grace Kelley, Ray Milland and Robert Cummings. I admit my movie tastes generally run towards romantic comedys with a few dramas thrown in(Is anyone really shocked by that??) This Hitchock movie is about a Tennis pro who hires someone to murder his wife,because she was having an affair, but things of course go horribly wrong and the movie is all about the twists and turns of him trying to get out of this mess.

I really loved watching Tony (the tennis pro) get out of the mess he caused by trying to have his wife, Margo killed. Ray Milland was excellent at making you not like him and wanting him to see what he deserved. Watching the movie with others was interesting because they picked up on stuff that I never would have-like how the camera angles changed depending on who was talking (the good guy vs the bad one) and how in the beginning Grace Kelley's character Margo, always wore red, which everyone agreed was to let us know about her cheating ways. I also really liked how people brought up different lighting things like shadows-things I never would've picked up on my own.  While I didn't pick up a lot on the special effects, I loved talking about the clothes Grace Kelley wore. She had a few outfits that were just beautiful, and we all agreed that we missed the days when people dressed more formally.


Tonight's movie is going to be Suspicion starring Cary Grant, and I can't wait! What movie will you be watching tonight?

Review: Through the Wall by Keri Ford

Title: Through The Wall 

Author: Keri Ford 

Genre: Erotica/Contemporary 

Series: Uninhibited in Apple Trail, Arkansas #1

Publisher: Turquoise Morning Press 

Number of Pages: E Book Novella N/A 

Source: Bought

 
Every now and then you just need to read something a little fun! Through The Wall was just that. If you are looking for something hot and steamy then look no further!


Stephanie Faulkner and Parker Madison have been neighbors for years. He helped her get over her divorce, but lately she's found that she wants more from him then just friendship. Parker lives in the next apartment over from her, and the walls are thin. Very thin. She's tired of hearing girl after girl leave his apartment. She wants to be that girl. After one or two too many drinks she makes her move...and gets turned down. Stephanie plots to make Parker totally want her by making him think she's having hot sex-payback can be evil, right? :) Eventually Parker can't take it and gives in. What happens next is lots of sex-with no commitment. However, both of them realize that the no commitment thing isn't really working and work to make the other one realize that they need something more. 


There wasn't a whole lot of storyline outside of the bedroom, and honestly that was just fine by me. Parker and Stephanie were both likable-the only thing I didn't understand is why Parker kept thinking he was the rebound after she had been divorced for seven years. Granted she hadn't dated because she was hurt and wanted Parker for herself, but I thought it was a bit ridiculous on his part....but that was the only flaw I found in this fun novella.

Curran Crush Meter: Medium

Ethan/Merit Sizzle Meter: High 

Martini Sigh Meter: Medium 

Barrons Hero Hotness Meter: Medium

Winners!!

 The winner of Tangled Threads is Robin K! Congratulations!! :)


If I don't hear from you by 11:00pm 4/29/11, I will have to unfortunately pick a new winner.



To the winners of Touched By An Alien and Alien Tango and my Easter Hop  I have not forgotten you! Your books will be mailed this week.

ARC Review: As You Wish By Gabi Stevens

Title: As You Wish 

Author: Gabi Stevens
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Series: Time of Transition book 2 

Publisher: Tor Books

Number of Pages: 320

Source: Sent to me by the author to read

Release Date: April 26, 2010

Born into a magical family, Reggie Scott is content to live out her life as a normal human until the moment she’s informed that she’s a newly appointed fairy godmother. Left struggling to deal with powers the never thought she’d have, Reggie faces a curse, a plot to overthrow the Arcani, and an entirely too enthusiastic mother—all in a matter of days. Jonathan Bastion is a man of power and wealth—and a dangerous secret. He desperately hopes that Reggie's new powers will hold the answer to his problem and he isn't above using her to achieve his goals. What he doesn't expect is how much Reggie will affect him. Her honor, her honesty, and her strength quickly make cracks in his ruthless exterior. As danger from the Arcani swirls around them both, Jonathan realizes that what was once a ploy to get Reggie to assist him has become a battle to keep her safe and protected…in his arms. (from goodreads)

*I left this up because I want every one to love this book as much as I did, and was afraid of missing something in my review.*

As You Wish is a totally sweet Paranormal Romance.  It's book two in the Time of Transition series, but it can be read as a stand alone book-but like all books in a series, it helps to read the books in order. :)  I just adored this book. It had all the right ingredients-romance, magic, strong hero and heroine and a lovable secondary cast of characters. 

Reggie Scott is born into a magical family, but has no magical abilities and instead is happy running her bakery. Then out of the blue, she discovers that she's a fairy godmother. As soon as she is given the news, by the old fairy godmothers, they take off for parts unknown because they are wanted by the Arcani council because of actions that take place in book one. Reggie's left on her own to figure out what it means to be a fairy godmother...she does have a little help from the mysterious Jonathon Bastion, a guy who is really rich from wand making and Nate, a customer from the baker, and of course her family.  I think one of the best things about this book was how once Reggie discovered she had magic, her friends, family and the place she worked didn't disappear from the storyline. In so many books, the heroine tries to do everything by herself, and her old way of life just disappears.  Not so in this book-they all work to help Reggie out, and it was just refreshing to see.

Along the way of figuring out what powers she actually has a Fairy Godmother, Reggie discovers that the council wants her to swear an oath that she isn't against them because the last new fairy godmother Kristen from book one, tried to warn them that someone was trying to take them over, and they didn't believe her and declared her and the former Fairy Godmothers public enemy number one. Reggie doesn't like how the council is operating, and wants to figure out for herself if Kristen and the Fairy Godmothers really are as bad as the council says they are. Nate and Jonathon both win a place in Reggie's heart as they work with her to figure out if the councils on the up and up. They quickly figure out there is more to the story, and help Reggie to clear Kristen and the former Fairy Godmothers name. The council though, keeps trying to pressure Reggie into pledging her loyalty to them, and she has to keep escaping them...I love how there are a few bad guys in this book, including a familiar evil guy from the first book.

The love story between Reggie and Jonathon is just so well, sweet. I loved how there was actually a romance in this story, and they weren't fighting the whole book. There was some fighting their feelings, but I loved watching them realize how important they were to each other and that there is more to someone then meets the eye. I liked how the whole time you knew something was up with Jonathon-he became friends with Reggie for his own selfish reasons, but it took me awhile to figure out what the reasons were and then I was like "duh" I should've known that. :) Jonathon is one of the few "nice guy" heroes that I actually really liked. Reggie did have some moments that made me go "Oh, Reggie, really?" but they were few and far between.

The secondary characters in this book were wonderful. I'm not sure who I liked more-Alfred the gruff gnome who helps out at the bakery when Reggie has to concentrate on her magic, Sophronia who is her mothers fiercest rival who is to judge if Reggie is fit to become a Fairy Godmother or not (she's just so fun not to like) or Tommy and Joy, Reggie's co-workers who have disabilities, and are very loyal to Reggie. I just love how their characters were written The former Fairy Godmothers are hilarious, and I love how they just drop bombshells and then take off again.  I also really liked how Kristen and Tennyson from the last book make an appearance, but don't overtake the storyline.   I guess what I'm trying to say is that I loved everyone. :)

While I liked  book one in the series, The Wish List, I just adored As You Wish and can't wait for the next book in this series.

Curran Crush Meter: Medium 

Martini Sigh Meter: Medium 

Ethan/Merit Sizzle Meter: Medium 

Finnalicious Side Kick Meter: High  

Barrons Hero Hotness Meter: Medium

Chatting W/Buckeyes Author Interview: Jules Bennett

Please help me Welcome our latest Chatting With Buckeyes author, Jules Bennett, author of contemporary romances such as FROM BOARDROOM TO WEDDING BED and SEDUCING THE ENEMY'S DAUGHTER, both from Shillouette Desire.

Can you tell us about your latest book?
My latest book is from Harlequin Desire, HER INNOCENCE, HIS CONQUEST. This story involves an architect who would much rather ride his Harley, impress women and wear faded jeans and Tees than to sit behind a desk wearing a stuffy suit. He's completely blindsided when he hires a construction company run by the sexiest woman he's ever encountered. And when he finds out she's a virgin, he's all the more intrigued, but she turns the tables on this playboy and brings out his soft, tender side.

How many books do you have out now? And where can we find them?
I have 7 books out and the one from Harlequin this month is available wherever books are sold. All of my other titles are available through Amazon or any bookstore, they may just need to be ordered. My website has a complete list of my books and links to buy!



Which of your books is the steamiest?
That's hard to say. This one is pretty steamy. I'll just say, there's a heavy makeout session on the Harley:)

Are Silhouette Desires as much fun to write as they are to read?
 They are a blast to write. I love, love, love writing about Alpha heroes who think they are at the top of their game. Making them fall fast and hard in love is the best job ever!

I noticed that you are a big fan of accessories. Do you have a favorite?
I can't choose one accessory that's my favorite. I really love hats in the winter. In the summer, I love pairing long beads or long simple chains with my sundresses and heels:)

What's the accessory you feel everyone must have?
If you have a nice purse and cool shoes, I'd say your outfit can be very, very simple. Keep basics in your closet and go all out with the accessories:)

Where can we find you on the web?
www.julesbennett.com



What's your favorite city in Ohio?
I love so many of them for different reasons. But I'd have to choose Columbus. I'm always up there and I know my way around. The shopping is awesome, the restaurants are amazing and a great deal of my author pals are there;)


Do you have a favorite Ohio place to visit that not many people know about?
Not really. We did take a nice trip to Lithopolis one day and checked out all the antique stores and had lunch at this little diner. That was so nice. We also love to visit Aberdeen for sentimental reasons;)

Do you have a favorite Ohio sports team you cheer for?
I'm a Buckeye girl all the way! We live our lives around Buckeye Football. There's nothing better than a game at the Shoe! We also cheer for the Reds. I love going to games early and watching the teams warm up!


Do you have a favorite Ohio food?
Buckeyes...what else:)

Review: Wicked Enchantment by Anya Bast

  

Title: Wicked Enchantment

Author: Anya Bast

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Series: Dark Magick #1 

Publisher: Berkley

Number of Pages: 336

Source: Library   

When you’re a half incubus, your reputation precedes you…All eyes are on Gabriel Mac Braire the day he makes his first appearance in the Seelie Court, including those of Aislinn Finvarra. Despite deep bitterness over her last failed relationship, Aislinn cannot help but be curious about the half incubus who is known to possess dark magick, both lethal and sexual in nature. Rumors abound of the women who have become enslaved to his irresistible charms. So when the Summer Queen of the fae orders Aislinn herself to act as his guide in the court, she is understandably on guard. She’s fallen under the spell of far less persuasive men before. In addition, Gabriel might be more than he seems and his true mission is far from innocent.This time, Aislinn must protect not only her heart, but her very life.. (From goodreads.)

I read Wicked Enchantment after seeing blog post after blog post about Anya Bast's newest release-Dark Enchantment which everyone seems to love and comes out soon. However, the virgo in me had to read the series in order, so I picked up book on of Dark Magick at the library.

Gaberiel Mac Braire was thinking of switching fae courts. It's not easy to switch from the unseelie courts to the seelie courts, but he had a some seelie blood on his mothers side and was determined to give it a go. I know what you're thinking: The dude's got to be up to something...and he was...that being Aislinn Finvarra. She was chosen to be his tour guide around court, luckily for him-because his goal was to seduce her to the unseelie court. We're not told why, until the very end, but Aislinn has some unseelie blood in her and the unseelie king wants to lure Aislinn over to his side, and figures that the succubus (Gaberiel) is the best way to do it. However, Aislinn isn't a pushover. She's coming off a nasty break off and unlike every other women at court isn't all that into Gaberiel. She thinks it's weird that he wants to switch courts and doesn't really want to be his tour guide. She agrees to be it because one doesn't really say no to the Summer Queen and because her best friend has been forced to flee to the unseelie court with her husband and she wants some info on how they are doing.


This was almost a dnf for me, and I'm still trying to figure out why. Aislinn was a strong, spunky, independent heroine, and Gaberiel was just the sort of hero I love-strong, dark, handsome with a bit of an attitude.   While I liked each of the main characters, I had trouble buying into their romance...I think it was because Aislinn spent most of the book fighting her attraction for Gaberiel, and by the time they finally got together, I just found myself not being all excited about it. I think another part of the problem why I didn't get these two was because a lot of time was spent on Aislinn's best friend who is featured in a novella in this series. I kept thinking that she was character that I should've known from a previous series by the author and wasn't sure why we should care about the romance so much between Aislinn's best friend and husband except that it was a way to bridge the two courts together...which brings me to the last problem I had with the book. There was a lot of world building going~it took about half the book, and random enemies kept popping up. I know it was setting up for future storylines, and I don't know why the pace of the world building bothered me, but it did.


While it sounds like I was really annoyed by this book, I actually liked it, it just didn't blow me away like I thought it would.  Once the world building was finished and the characters introduced, it became a fun read, and I look forward to reading the other two books in the series.

Curran Crush Meter: Low

Martini Sigh Meter: Medium 

Rhiannon Kick Ass Heroine Meter: Low 

Ethan/Merit Sizzle Meter: Low 

Finn Sidekick Meter: Low

Author Interview & Giveaway with Jennifer Estep

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSEDPlease help me to welcome one of my favorite Urban Fantasy writers to the blog-Jennifer Estep. She has a new book, Tangled Threads, book 4 of the Elemental Assassin Series coming out on April 26, 2011.  We are giving away one copy of this new release ~for more details, please see the end of the interview. :) 

Jennifer, Welcome to A Buckeye Girl Reads!!  Can you tell us a bit about the elemental series so far?

 Hi, Colette! Thanks for having me on the blog today. I appreciate it. ;-)

Sure. The Ele­men­tal Assas­sin urban fan­tasy series focuses on Gin Blanco, an assas­sin code­named the Spi­der who can con­trol the ele­ments of Ice and Stone. When she’s not busy killing peo­ple and right­ing wrongs, Gin runs a bar­be­cue restau­rant called the Pork Pit in the fic­tional South­ern metrop­o­lis of Ash­land. The city is also home to giants, dwarves, vam­pires, and ele­men­tals – Air, Fire, Ice, and Stone

Books in the series are Spider’s Bite, Web of Lies, and Venom. Tan­gled Threads, the fourth book, will be pub­lished on April 26.In Tangled Threads, Gin learns that her nemesis, Mab Monroe, has hired an assassin named Elektra LaFleur to come to Ashland to find and kill the Spider, aka Gin. Also, Gin tries to rescue a kidnapped girl and debates whether or not to tell her younger sister, Detective Bria Coolidge, who and what she really is. So the book is basically assassin vs. assassin with a lot of juicy family drama thrown in. I hope folks have as much fun reading it as I did writing it.

The rune Gin has plays such an important part of the series, how did you decide on a Spider rune for Gin? 

I used to work for a newspaper, and several years ago, I did a couple of stories on psanky, the Ukranian art of Easter egg dyeing. There are lots of cool symbols used in psanky, one of which is a spider. I thought the symbol and the name the Spider would be great to use in an assassin story someday. So I did.

Do you have a favorite Gin Kick Ass moment?

 I have to say that Tangled Threads has been one of my favorite books to write in the series so far because of Gin’s big showdown at the end with Elektra LaFleur. There’s a line near the end where Gin says something to LaFleur like “I don’t have to live to win. I just have to make sure you die.” I think that sums up Gin’s philosophy on life pretty well. LOL.

Are Team Owen or Team Caine or both?

A: I’m definitely Team Owen. I think he’s just the more interesting character, and he really gets Gin in a way that Donovan Caine never did. Owen has had to do a lot of the same things that Gin has over the years just to survive, and he understands and accepts her for who and what she is – something that Donovan was never going to be able to do.

 

Finn is always drinking coffee~do you have a favorite recipe?

 Actually, it’s kind of ironic that you ask that since I don’t drink coffee – at all. I love the way that it smells, but I just don’t like the taste. I never have, no matter how much milk and sugar I add to it. I don’t like coffee-flavored anything, not even ice cream. LOL.

So I don’t have any coffee recipes to share. Really, my favorite recipes are the simplest ones – mix and stir recipes, I call them. You just put a few ingredients together, throw the dish into the oven or refrigerator, and it’s done. I’ve posted a few recipes on the Elemental Assassin page of my website that I’ve gotten from friends and more and tweaked over the years to suit my own personal tastes: http://www.jenniferestep.com/books-series/elemental-assassin-series/

What do you like most about the series? 

I love writing such a strong heroine, and I love writing action-packed fight scenes. Luckily with Gin, I get to do both of those things.

Do you have anything new that you are working on that you'd like to tell us about?

 I’m always working on something. LOL. Here’s what I have on tap for the rest of the year:

Spider’s Revenge, the fifth book in the Elemental Assassin series, will be released in Octo­ber.

I also have a new series coming out this year – the Mythos Acad­emy young adult urban fan­tasy series for Kens­ing­ton. The books focus on Gwen Frost, a 17-year-old Gypsy girl who has the gift of psy­chom­e­try, or the abil­ity to know an object’s his­tory just by touch­ing it. After a seri­ous freak-out with her magic, Gwen is shipped off to Mythos Acad­emy, a school for the descen­dants of ancient war­riors like Spar­tans, Valkyries, Ama­zons, and more.The first book, Touch of Frost, will be out in August, while the sec­ond book, Kiss of Frost, will hit shelves in Decem­ber. First Frost, a prequel e-short story to the series, will be out in July. Visit http://www.jenniferestep.com/ for excerpts and more.

Tangled Threads Giveaway 

This giveaway is open to those living in US/Canada only, sorry. You don't have to be a blog follower, but it would be nice if you came one. :) The giveaway is open until 11:59pm Monday April 25th. If I don't hear from the winner in 2 days after announcing who the winner is, I will have to unfortunately have to pick a new one. Please state if you are entering the giveaway, and if your email isn't apart of your blogger profile, please leave it so I have a way to contact you. :) Good luck. :) 

ARC Review: Tangled Threads by Jennifer Estep

Title: Tangled Threads

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Elemental Assassin #4

Publisher: Pocket

Number of Pages: 384

Source: Sent to me from the author to read

Publication date: April 26, 2011

*May contain a few unavoidable spoilers if you haven't read the other books in the series!*

But here I am. Gin Blanco, the semi-retired assassin known as the Spider. Hovering outside sexy businessman Owen Grayson’s front door like a nervous teenage girl. One thing I like about Owen: he doesn’t shy away from my past—or my present. And right now I have a bull’s-eye on my forehead. Cold-blooded Fire elemental Mab Monroe has hired one of the smartest assassins in the business to trap me. Elektra LaFleur is skilled and efficient, with deadly electrical elemental magic as potent as my own Ice and Stone powers. Which means there’s a fifty-fifty chance one of us won’t survive this battle. I intend to kill LaFleur—or die trying—because Mab wants the assassin to take out my baby sister, Detective Bria Coolidge, too. The only problem is, Bria has no idea I’m her long-lost sibling . . . or that I’m the murderer she’s been chasing through Ashland for weeks. And what Bria doesn’t know just might get us both dead. . . .I’d rather face a dozen lethal assassins any night than deal with something as tricky, convoluted, and fragile as my feelings.

The Elemental Assassin Series by Jennifer Estep will forever hold a special place in my heart because it was the first nitty gritty Urban Fantasy series that I read, thanks to Mandi over at Smexybooks and her review of A Spiders Bite. (book 1) Tangled Threads is book 4 in the series, and by far my favorite.


When I started Tangled Threads I was worried that I had forgotten too much of the previous books to enjoy this one properly, but I had no need to worry because it was like greeting old friends as soon as I started the book. Previous story lines are woven into the story without taking anything away from the story being told or taking away from any of the action. This book really could be read as a stand alone, but I don't recommend it because so much of the animosity Gin and Mab feel for each other started in the other books. 

Gin is one of my favorite all time kick ass heroines, and Finn is just well,  Finnalicious, I felt like this book was really different then the others. While it still had a lot of action, this was more about Gin dealing with her feelings and wanting to get close to Owen, but at the same time wondering if she was good enough for him. (Damn that Detective Caine for getting to her like that! I have never disliked a love interest more then I loathed him!)

There is a new enemy to defeat in this book-the La Fleur, another assassin is out to get her because Mabs, the leader of the underworld is still hopping mad that Gin killed one of her best people in book three, and my memory is a bit fuzzy, but also because Gin killed her brother who was out to get her in book two, A Spiders Bite. The La Fleur will stop at nothing to kill Gin, and is frustrated because she keeps failing at it. Gin hasn't seen another elemental as powerful as the La Fleur, and is forced to tap into her powers more then ever before. While her stone powers have always been greater, she is forced to tap into her ice powers to save herself against the La Fleur. I really enjoyed how there is also a new danger to Gin along with the continuous war with Mab Monroe. In this book it's really more about Gin growing as a person rather then just battling it out-which I loved. It was was a nice progression from book one when Gin could have cared less about anything or anyone other then herself.  One of the things I love about this series is that everything fits together like a puzzle piece, and past characters suddenly come into play when you least expect it.

The secondary characters have all become like members of the family and I loved seeing them all again-especially Finn. He's just so well, Finnalious! I love that he has met his match in this book with Bria, and can't wait to see their story develop alongside that of Gin and Owen. Let me just say that Owen makes me sigh all over the place. He's just so crush-worthy in this book. I love how he gets Gin and has done somethings that he's not proud of in his past, so he totally understands where Gin is coming from.  The Deveraux sisters are also back~and I love how they try to instill little lessons into Gin to remind her that she's not completely alone. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the La Fleur and Mab Monroe. The la Fleur was a great match for Gin, but I have to admit she has nothing on Mab. I know I keep using this word a lot, but really, I love the continual duel between Mab and Gin. I can't wait to see how it all plays out. Mab's probably my favorite villianious.

Tangled Threads does not disappoint, and come back this afternoon for a chance to win Tangled Threads and for my interview with Jennifer Estep!

 Favorite Quote:

A slow, lazy grin spread across Owen’s chiseled face.“Well, maybe that’s one of the things we can talk about in greater detail—at my house this evening.”The grin dropped from his face, and he was seriousonce more. “What do you say, Gin? Come home withme. Even if it’s only for today.”

Please. He didn’t say the word, but we both heard itin the rough, raw tone of his voice. And try as I might, I couldn’t stop the silken threads wrapped around my heart from quivering in agreement. From wanting to enjoy just one more carefree day and night with Owen, before I focused all my attention on the deadliest enemy I’d ever faced.

* This book has made me do something I've never done before: change the name of a meter. The Sidekick meter, formerly known as the Giguhl sidekick meter is now the Finn Sidekick Meter. I love him that much. *

Curran Crush Meter: High 

Martini Sigh Meter: Super High 

Barrons Hero Hotness Meter: Super High 

Rhiannon Kick Ass Heroine Meter: Super High 

Ethan/Merit Sizzle Meter: Medium

Finnalicious Side Kick Meter: Super High

Easter Hoppin' Blog Hop

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

 A big thank you to Jo Jo of JoJos Book Corner and Danielle of Lush Book Reviews For Hosting this great event! I am giving away a copy of Megan Hart's Naked and Liberating Lacey by Anne Calhoun for some Steamin' Easter Reading and a cute little tiny stuffed teddy bear (picture to come) that I won in my first ever read a thon, and while I love it I think it should see the world a bit!

Please state which book you'd like to win in the comments :)

                                                                 Giveaway A:

No strings. No regrets. And no going back. I didn't think he wanted me. And I wasn't about to get involved with him, not after what I'd heard. Sure, Alex Kennedy was tall, dark and unbearably hot, but I've been burned before. When I solicited him to model for my erotic photography book, I didn't expect such a heated, passionate photo session. And now that we've crossed that line, our bodies aren't the only things that have been exposed. But I can't give my heart to a man who's so...unconventional. His last sexual relationship was with a married couple. It's enough that my ex-fiancé preferred men, I can't take that chance again no matter how much my body thrives on Alex's touch. I can't risk it, but I can't resist it, either. Alex can be very convincing when he wants something. And he wants me.. (goodreads.com)

GIVEAWAY B:

Newly divorced Lacey Meyers wasted too many years yawning through sex in the missionary position. Now she's looking for a hookup with a man who can make her shatter. What she gets is a hot younger cop with handcuffs...and he's not afraid to use them.

Hunter Anderson knows the score—though classy, successful women like Lacey might play with guys like him, at the end of the evening, they walk. But when one night leads to another and then another, he finds himself getting too attached to a woman he can't have.
Lacey knows Hunter—gorgeous, hard-edged and eight years younger—won't want anything permanent. No matter how hot and daring he makes her first public sex, quickie, backseat encounter and secret fantasy role-play, she can't mistake adventurous sex for emotional involvement.They both know it's got to end, and soon, or someone's going to get hurt. But can either of them go back to life without the other?
Reader Advisory: Lacey's highly erotic "forced" sex fantasy comes true in this book. Lucky her!



Rules and such:

This giveaway is open only to residents in US/Canada-sorry! You must also be a blog follower to enter :)  If your email isn't on your blogger profile, Please leave it so I have a way to contact you if you win! If I don't hear from the winner by 2:00pm on April 20th,  then I'll have to pick a new winner.   Check the blogs below for other great giveaways!!



Review: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Title: Unearthly 

Author: Cynthia Hand

Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy 

Series: Unearthly #1 

Publisher: HarperTeen 

Number of Pages: 435

Source: Library

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side. As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny? (goodreads.com)

I really wish I could remember what review I read that made me pick Unearthly up from the library, because I owe them a debt of gratitude. This book was pure magic. I loved it so much that I could just go on and on about it.  Unearthly is one of those rare books where you automatically feel like you are part of the world being created and have known the characters forever.

Clara Gardner and her family aren't like everyone else. They have a bit of angel blood in them. It makes them able to do things faster and better then everyone else and more importantly, they have a Purpose that they are suppose to fulfill. Clara isn't sure what her Purpose will be~until she starts having these dreams of a boy her age standing in the middle of a forest fire needing help. When the dreams start occurring when she's awake, her mom knows that her Purpose is to save that boy from the fire that will happen sooner rather then later.

The dreams/visions lead Clara and her family to  move to Jackson Hole, Wyoming so that Clara can save the boy from the fire.  I have to admit, that when this happened,  I questioned her mom a bit on this move. I mean you are seriously going to uproot your entire family for one girls vision?? One of the most frustrating parts of this book-for both Clara and I was the fact that her mom is stingy with handing out angel information. I just didn't understand why her mom would help her with some of the angel transition stuff like flying, but not other stuff like what her own Purpose was and what Clara could expect to happen to her during own Purpose. (There's a reason for this, but it's not given until the end of the book)  One of the things that I loved about Clara and her brother Jeffery was that while they tried their best not to let their angel blood be obvious to everyone when they move to Wyoming, all of the things they've tried so hard to hide start slowly coming out into the open.  Clara becomes best friends with Wendy and Angela-two girls who couldn't be more different from each other, but both sense something is up with Clara and her brother...especially when her brother beats out the whole wrestling team to join it after tryouts for the year are already over and every time Clara tries a new sport with Wendy she automatically gets it right on the first time, which makes her twin brother Tucker weary of her.

While there are lots of things Clara is good at one there is one thing that Clara doesn't get right-she just can't fit in at her new school, and the guy she's suppose to protect in her Purpose is Christian Prescott, aka Mr. Popular.  He also happens to be dating the most popular girl in school who happens to dislike Clara with a passion.  One of the things that endeared me to Clara was that she kept trying so hard to make Christian notice her or do things that he liked so she could fulfill her Purpose, and it all totally backfires.  I think this is what made Clara one of my favorite all time YA heroines~because she tries so hard at being the good daughter, good angel and everything just totally backfires on her.  She's just completely likable and adorable in her quest to figure out everything on her own.

The secondary characters and layers in this book are wonderful. I really liked Christian-it seems like he's just so oblivious to everything that Clara is trying to do to get closer to him. He's nice, and while I wanted cheer for them to get together, after meeting Tucker, Wendy's twin brother I just couldn't do it. Tucker won me over immediately when he called Clara Carrots-which totally reminded me of Gilbert in Anne of Green Gables. I thought it was interesting how that book was never mentioned-but I picked up on the word immediately and what Tucker meant by it.  (That makes me old, doesn't it?) The friendship of Clara and Tucker was enjoyable to watch. (I had so many sigh moments with Tucker that it made me feel like a cougar.) I loved the banter back and forth and how for once, it was age appropriate.   (I think in so many YA books on the market today that the romance is way to mature for the age group reading it, but then again it could just be my old age showing up.)   Angela and Wendy her two best friends are great because they are so totally different from each other, and I liked how they each brought out different sides to Clara.  I also really liked how Clara's family wasn't forgotten in the storyline. While her mom and brother do disappear for a bit in the book, they aren't written out completely and are around to help just a little bit. There are a lot of different layers to the book but the most obvious ones being good vs evil and honesty vs. dishonesty and how far you can go before one turns into the other. (I still think Tucker and Wendy and Clara's mom are hiding something more then what we've seen in this book, I'm just not sure what yet.)  Unearthly is one of those books that just sticks with you long after you've finished reading it.

I've never been a big fan of the angel themed books that are so popular right now, but I am so glad that I made an exception for this book. In case you couldn't tell I loved it to pieces. It's a treat for all ages. I don't have a star rating, but it's totally 5 star worthy.   I can't wait for the second book in the series to come out in October!

(I apologize for the long winded review, but I couldn't leave anything out & I left the synopsis on in case this review only made sense to me...)

Teaser Tueday

My allergies have attacked. I haven't gotten a lot of reading done since I finished Unearthly by Cynthia Hand. It's one of those books that just won't leave you once you've finished it, and is impossible to review. I think I've written and scratched three reviews of it so far.  I should have it up by the end up the week! I couldn't decide on what book or genre to read after that book, and finally decided that the newest book by Larissa Ione was the perfect way to get over my mini-book slump and the perfect book to share with Teaser Tuesdays!  

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My current read is: 

pg 102:  
Straightening, she caught sight of herself in a mirror a
And screamed.
In the center of her chest between her breasts, where the arrow pierced man had touched her was a brand.

Winners of Touched by an Alien and Alien Tango by Gini Koch

The winners were chosen by random.org, and congratulations goes to:

         Lil for Touched By An Alien 

 and

                                                              MBreakfield for Alien Tango

Just a reminder: If I don't hear from the winners by  2:00pm Monday April 11th, I will unfortunately have to choose new ones.



ARC Review: Demons Are A Girl's Best Friend by Linda Wisdom

 
Title: Demons Are A Girl's Best Friend
Author: Linda Wisdom
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Number of Pages: 384
Source: Sent to me by the Publisher to Read
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Edited to add: I am unable to do the readathon here, so if I'm on your list, please cross me off, thanks...
 
  


Demons Are A Girl's Best Friend is a new Urban Fantasy out by Linda Wisdom. I have to admit even I after finishing it, I'm still all over the place on my thoughts on it. I kept going back and forth between loving it, to being confused, to not liking it to loving it again.
 
Maggie is a  700 yr old witch and is apart of the Hellion's Guard-a paranormal law enforcement agency.  She loves  her job, even if it means she doesn't have much a social life. She's on assignment to catch a creature on the run, it takes her to Damnation Alley, a night club for everything paranormal, and she has a run in with the new owner, Declan half fire demon and half human when the creature she's trying to capture explodes all over the place ruining half of the club he just took over.  Maggie doesn't think she'll run into the hot night club owner again after her last case ended so badly, but finds out otherwise. Her newest case involves trying to stop a bunch of demons from bringing back the ancient Mayan God of Destruction, and it leads her right to Declan. The two are forced to work together to help protect
a 15 yr old human teenager, Courtney when it's learned that the demons want to use her as a sacrifice.
 
With any new series, there is a lot of world building. I thought the first 130 pages or so had so much information on the new world being created that it was a little hard keeping all the characters straight and why they have the magical abilities they have...for example, Maggie, the main character is a witch, and while we're told that she was taken to a witches academy after her family died, we aren't told really why the academy took her in. I have a feeling that this is when it would have been helpful to have read the Jazz series by this author. I'm sure Maggie was introduced there, and some of her back story told. Another character where we had bits and pieces of information thrown at us was  with  one of my favorite characters in the book, Elle is a black widow spider. While we were told that she has her own mini computer and social life, it wasn't until half way through the book that we learn that she's actually a tattoo on Maggie's arm that can leave it, kind of like Semi and Archeron, (of the Dark Hunters Series) but it's not explained how or why she can do it.
 
 
Another thing that confused me was that half way through the book characters from this authors other series are mentioned by Declan. They are just thrown out there and then brought into conversation from time to time, but as I hadn't read that series I had no idea how Maggie became friends with them, and thought it was weird that they while their names were mentioned, they didn't make any sort of appearance to bridge the two series.  While it seems like I had a lot of problems with the book, there were a lot of good moments with it as well. What I did like was Maggie's personality and her chemistry with Declan. It took me a bit to get used to the brashness of Maggie's sense of humor, but once I caught on to it, I really liked it. She is also my favorite kind of heroine-tough, independent and not afraid to take chances and kick a little demon butt. I also liked how even though she had her doubts about Declan, and fought her attraction to him, it didn't take over the storyline and somehow worked. I just loved these two.  Declan totally has potential to climb into book boyfriend material.  He wasn't your typical alpha demon-I thought he kind of let Maggie take charge, and I liked that. He was also the one trying to convince her that they should be together instead of the other way around. I should throw out a warning  here-even though there is a touch of romance, it's not the entire story there's just enough of it to make you want more.
 
While I did have some issues with this book, I can't wait to see where this series goes...I also want to read the Jazz series by this author to see if it helps me with the issues I had in this book.  Edited to add: I thought this was the beginning of a new series, but I couldn't find out the series name on Goodreads or Amazon, so I'm assuming that it's a stand alone book.
 
Curran Crush Meter: Medium-low
Martini Sigh Meter: Medium
Barron's Hero Hotness Meter: Medium Low
Rhiannon Heroine Kick Ass Meter: High
Ethan/Merit Sizzle Meter: Medium-Low
Giguhl Sidekick Meter: High

Review: Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Title: Incarceron 

Author: Catherine Fisher

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy 

Series: Incarceron #1 

Publisher: Hopper Children's Books 

Number of Pages: 458

Source: Library 

Confession: The only reason I picked up this book was because I read that they were going to make a movie based on this book and it was staring Taylor Lautner.  I'm one of those people who loves reading a book before the movie comes out so I can see how horribly Hollywood has messed up the book. I'm weird that way. 

Incarceron is set in the future, and is one of those books that you don't soon forget. It's about a prison that started out as a social experiment and was supposed to be paradise. It's where a society sent their prisoners, poor and a few scholars who volunteered to be apart of the project. The prison soon grew out of control and became a living thing. Paradise didn't last long, and people soon began doing awful things just to survive in it. Incarceron was supposed to be controlled by the Warden, and each warden in charge was the only person who knew where it was located and how to supposedly control it. The current wardens daughter, Claudia is set to be married to a guy she wants nothing to do with, but because of political reasons can't get out of the arranged marriage. In her world, they live in what's known as an era-everything and everyone looks and acts as they did in a certain part of the past~the year is never said, but I imagined it to be a regency era time period.  


Claudia is bored and curious about her fathers office. Why is it always locked? Why is he in there for days at a time without leaving? One day she braves his anger (he's not the best father in the world) and breaks into his office. She finds a key and discovers that she can communicate with someone else...that someone else is Finn, who is a prisoner in Incarceron and has found a similar key.  Finn believes that there is a world outside of Incarceron, and his friends think he's crazy. He just wants to get out and leave the prison behind. Even though only one of friends believe him, the others work with him to find a way out because they aren't exactly happy in the prison. Claudia discovers that the prison isn't the paradise it's suppose to be and works with Finn to try to help him out.   


The adventures that Finn and Claudia have are just amazing...the pov switches from Claudia to Finn, and is a little confusing in the beginning, but once you get used to the switching povs, the story just flows and you become apart of Incaraceron. Claudia's father is great as the evil warden, and he just made me shudder. Her fiancee is horrid as well, and I really began feeling sorry for her because anyone could see that they weren't a good fit. 

There is so much going and you're never quite sure who is telling the truth or not or who to believe. I loved how the prison is always changing, and you never know what will pop up next to try to stop Finn and his friends. This is one of those books that is just impossible to describe how great it is without giving everything away. I think this could be a great movie, but honestly it should be interesting to see how Taylor Lautner does as Finn, because I couldn't picture him as that character at all. This was such a great book because of all the layers that are thrown into and how interesting all the characters were. I can't wait to read book two in the series, Sapphique.

ARC Review: Alien in the Family by Gini Koch

Title: Alien In The Family
Author: Gini Koch
Genre: Sci Fi Romance
Series: Katherine "kitty" Katt #3
Publisher: Daw
Number of Pages: 424
Source: Sent to me by the publisher to read

Super-Being Exterminator Kitty Katt and the Alpha Centaurian she loves, Jeff Martini, should be finalizing their wedding plans. But that was before she discovers Jeff is in line to become Emperor back on his home world. Kitty knows she is everything a royal family wouldn't approve of, and is bracing herself for the worst. As it turns out, the royal family is just the beginning. Especially when extraterrestrial Amazonian terrorists are determined to start and end Kitty and Jeff's nuptial festivities with a bang. (from Goodreads.com)


I'm going to try to be objective in my review, but by now everyone knows how much I love JeffMartini, this series, so I'm not sure how objective it will be.

One of the best things I love about this series is all the laugh out loud moments there are with Kitty and Martini and the rest of the gang.  Sure, Kitty can be a bit,  ok, way over the top at times, but it's what makes her fun and a unlike any heroine  I've ever seen.  Kitty seems to be rubbing off on Jeff, because he had a lot of great one liners as well in this book.  These two are such a great couple. I love that they are actually together and can't keep apart-although I have to admit that Jeff carrying her around all the time got a little old-or maybe I was just jealous of Kitty.

Next to Kitty and Martini my next favorite character is Reader. I loved seeing the friendship between him and Kitty grow. Gower and Martini just cracked me up with how jealous they got of those two. Speaking of jealously...Chuckie had me shaking my head over and over again. I am firmly on Team Martini, so maybe that had something to do with my almost dislike of him. I just thought he was a little too flirty with Kitty-he had has chance and blew it!

In every series there always seems to be one book that sets up the rest of the series, and Alien In the Family seemed to be that book for this series. There were a lot of new characters introduced in the first half of the book and a lot of back story that had to be told to catch people up to speed with the storyline and to set up the storyline for the new characters. It was a lot to get through, but it was worth it because I loved the second half of the book. There was so much action! Once the introduction of the new characters was over, I began to really like them. I can't wait to see a few of them in future books. My favorite of all the new characters were the Poofs. What's a poof you ask? You'll just have to read the book to find out, because they are just the cutest things ever. 

Reading Alien In The Family was like returning to old friends. They made me laugh, cry and shake my head.  I can't wait for the next book in this series, Alien Proliferation to come out in December!

Curran Crush Meter: Off the Charts!
Martini Sigh Meter: Well, since this is named after Jeff Martini, it has to be: Off the Charts
Barrons Hero Hotness Meter: Super Duper High
Ethan/Merit Sizzle Meter: High
Sidekick Meter: High

ARC Review: Rock Hard by Olivia Cunning

Title: Rock Hard
Author: Olivia Cunning
Genre: Erotica/Contemporary Romance
Series: Sinners, book 2
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Number of Pages: 424
Source: Sent to me by the publisher to read






The Sinners are my favorite fictional rock band. They just pull at the heartstrings while being incredibly hot and sexy. With each book I find myself having a new favorite member. This book it's Jace. I can't wait to find out more about him, but I am getting ahead of myself. Rock Hard is Sed's story, and honestly I didn't know how he was going to be likable because he was such a jerk in the first book. He's still a jerk, but a nice jerk because his jerkish ways are meant to be helpful, they just come out all wrong.
 
Sed and Jessica are a much more complex couple then Brian and Myrna were in book one. These two have a past, and it has messed both of them up. Sed and Jessica were engaged to be married, and she broke it off because when she got into law school Sed demanded she choose between him or school. Jessica didn't want to choose between the two, but knew she couldn't have him controlling her life so she choose law school. Jessica doesn't know it, but when she broke up with Sed she's the reason he turned into a huge jerk and kept breaking Brian's heart by stealing the girls he was interested in. Sed doesn't realize it, but Jessica hasn't been able to get over him. She has guys falling all over themselves to be with her in law school, but she can't stop thinking about Sed.
 
They happen to meet up again in Las Vegas where the Sinners are touring and Jessica is working in a  strip club to make money for law school because she wasn't able to get a paid internship in a law firm. This was the first of many "What in the heck were you thinking Jessica?" moments I had with her. There were so many actions of hers that I didn't agree with that it made it really hard for me to like her. It was the same with Sed. Even though we find out why he's such a jerk, I never warmed up to him like I did to Brian. 
 
While these two weren't my favorite couple what I loved more then the actual romance was the friendship and banter between the band members. When the Sinners are on tour, it's like we are there with them. I love how even though they might have issues with each other, no body else can mess with them. I also really liked the band they were headlining for and hope we get to see more of Dare and Max. I so wouldn't mind a spin off series! As for band members Trey and Jace are clearly miles ahead of everyone else for being my favorites. Jace because he's so mysterious and Trey..just because he's Trey. 
 
Backstage Pass is still my favorite of the books, but with Rock Hard we got to see more of the personalities of the band members, which I loved. I just can't seem to get these Rockers out of my system. I can't wait to read each band members book.
 
Curran Crush Meter: Low
Barrons Hero Hotness Meter: High
Martini Sigh Meter: Low
Ethan/Merit Sizzle Meter: Medium