Honored Vow by Mary Calmes

4/5 stars

You know, I love Mary Calmes and pretty much all her books, but this series is sometimes so confusing to me that I have a hard time with it. While I really like the story line it just has so many terms for each character and rules that get confusing, not to mention that I can't even pronounce half of those titles. After each book in this series (this is #3) I tell myself that I'm done with it, then I just can't help but pick up the next because I just have to know what poor Jin is going to get into next and how Logan is going to get him out of it. I actually think this was the best of the series and by the way it ended was left with me wondering if it this was the end (since things were kinda wrapped up) or if there will be another book or maybe a spin-off series. This is a very emotional series and I'm glad I took the time to read this and would recommend this to lovers of paranormal romance; just be sure to read them in order.

The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark

4/5 stars

This book really took me by surprise. When I started it I wasn't sure if I was going to like it because it was slow for about the first quarter of the book. I set it down and started another book, but like the demon lover in the book, something kept bringing me back to it and I'm glad it did. By the time I got to the half way point I was reading as fast as I could so I could see what else was going to happen. I really can't wait for the next book cause I just need to see if a certain character makes a comeback.

Unshakeable Faith by Lisa Worrall

4.5/5 stars

What can I say about this book except for how much I really liked it. I'm such a sucker for happy endings and this one had it even though it was brought about by unhappy circumstances. Plus, as the author noted in the dedication, it was inspired by a fabulous movie called Random Harvest which also happens to be one of my favorites.

So, that being said let me tell you what I liked about it. The fact that we meet Nash as this guy who has no memory of who he is and is just so lost and Brody, who just seems so strong and has it together is a great way to start this book. I feel in love with them. Then later we see the "real" Nash and I wanted to hate him for what he was doing to Brody, but as much of an ass as he was I just kept reminding myself that the old Nash was in there buried deep (waaay deep). Also, those two had such a great supporting cast of friends and family that it was hard not to be jealous of them! All in all, this was a really good story of love and loss and love regained. Anyone wanting a great romance should give this book a try.

Worth by Adrienne Wilder

3/5 stars

This book was really hard for me rate. I liked the concept of the story and the world it set in, but it was hard to read. By that I mean some of the scenes were pretty brutal and had me cringing as I read them (one almost had me quit reading the book) and even though there was a glossary of terms at the start of the book, there were times I was utterly confused. I realize now after reading the book that there are other books set in this world (City of Dragons and Darwin's Theory) though not in this series. Maybe if I had read these I'd understand more about the difference between half-breeds and lesser-breeds or being kept as opposed to belonging or being a Link. That being said I guess I would recommend this book to people who have read other books set in the Grey Zone, but I wouldn't have them start with this series as I think they would be missing out on the world-building.

Cop Out by K.C. Burns

4/5 stars

I really liked this story about a man, a cop, coming to terms with his attraction to another man, who happens to be his dead partner's lover. I thought it started out really well with Kurt just trying to help Davy through his grieving and becoming friends along the way even though the more he learns about Ben (the dead partner) the less he likes the man. I felt the more I read, the more I could see the love growing between them first as friends then as something more. Reading about Kurt falling to pieces after he comes to terms with his feelings was pretty heart-wrenching, but seeing Davy come back to life (for lack of a better phrase) ended up being worth it. I'm glad they had a HEA considering for a few chapters I wasn't sure it would or even could happen. This was the first book by K.C. Burns, but I'm sure it won't be the last. I'm hoping there will be a sequel centering on Ian (Kurt's brother) or even on Ivan (a vice cop) since they both need a little happiness in their lives.

Demon Does it Better by Linda Wisdom

4/5 stars

When I started reading this book I wasn't sure I was going to like it, but I ended up getting sucked into it and before I knew it I was almost finished. It's the second in a series about witches and demons and all sorts of really cool supernatural creatures. The story revolves around a hospital and the insane asylum housed in the basement. Lili is a doctor, who also happens to be a witch, charged with taking care of the inmates of the asylum where she ends up falling for Jared, one of her patients. Working together they figure out what sinister plot the head of the hospital has in the works. Jared was my favorite character in the book and I thought the relationship between him and Lili was exactly what he needed. Hopefully there will be more books in this series. I'd really recommend this book to those readers that don't mind staying in all weekend to read a really good paranormal romance.

Immortal Rider by Larissa Ione

5/5 stars

I really didn't think this series could get any better, but boy was I wrong. This book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it. I don't even think I blinked....well you get the point right? This book was awesome. Arik was a perfect fit for Limos and has been since we met them in the Demonica series. It was great to see some characters from the Demonica series as well. These two, Arik and Limos, were smokin' hot together and brought a lot of emotion to this book, more so then Ares and Cara from the first book, Eternal Rider. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves urban fantasy.

Turkey Day

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It's always nice to step back and spend the day with friends and family completely stuffing your face while your doing it.

Too Wicked to Wed by Cara Elliott

4/5 stars

Lady Alexa is a woman who hates the double standards that are put in place by the Ton and she has no problem telling them what she thinks, especially Connor Linsley. After a few quick meetings and shared kisses they find themselves on the run and trying to figure out who is trying to ruin Connor. What follows them on their journey is the undeniable attraction they have for each other and the unwanted feelings. Aided by friends they fight to figure out what Lady Luck has in store for them.

This was my first book by Cara Elliott and it won't be my last. Her quick and witty dialogue had me burning through the book to see what Alexa would do next. Alexa and Connor where a perfect match for each other and their friends were just as great. I can't wait to read more.

Night Moves by Stephanie Tyler

3.5/5 stars

This book is the fourth in a series and each book has plenty of action from the start to finish. This was Kell and Teddie's book, but Reid plays a big part in it also and sets his book up as well. Kell and Teddie meet by running in to each other, literally, during an op in Mexico. What follows is the three of them running for their lives from two different groups. Without trying to give too much of the plot away, I'll say the chases were the most exciting part as I didn't really feel that much between Kell and Teddie, except for instant sexual attraction. I did like the relationship between Kell and Reid and seeing where they came from and where they are headed. I think I liked Reid the most in this book and the set-up for his book was a really good sub-plot.

Dreaming of the wolf by Terry Spear

3.5/5 stars

I really liked this book and it can be read as a stand alone which is good because somehow I've read them out of order. This one is about Jake Silver and Alicia Greiston. He spots her taking pictures of someone's car and is intrigued with her enough to follow her and try to figure out what she's doing. What he soon learns is she's a bounty hunter trying to get the men she believes killed her mother. After a rocky start and time apart they eventually work together to bring these guys down and find love along the way. The story was good and even though Alicia being a bounty hunter in over her head was a bit tedious at times the humor made up for it. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.

Surgery

Just had surgery last week to place a new infusa-port in my chest. It will help in the long tern, but as of right now I'm still in pain and can't figure out why I actually wanted this thing. But, like I said it will make getting IV antibiotics much simpler since my veins are so scarred up their hard to find. Hopefully I'll be able to type better by this weekend cause right now it's killing me.

Artistic Appeal by Andrew Grey

5/5 stars


I really don't think it's possible for Mr. Grey to write anything except great books and Artistic Appeal exceeded my expectations. This is the follow up to Legal Artistry and continues with the process of trying to retrieve stolen art from the Austrian government. Along the way love has been found by the lawyers involved in the case. Gerald and Dieter were first to fall in love and then they take it upon themselves to help out their friend and fellow lawyer Brian.
Brian meets Nicolai at a party and soon they start dating. It seems their relationship is not going to go very far since they have to deal with so many things keeping them apart, an ex-wife and an ex-boyfriend, to name a few. But they do overcome all those and more while figuring out how they fit in each others lives. They were such a strong couple and I loved the way Brian learned ASL to show Nicolai how much he meant to him.

Cry Wolf by Angela Campbell

5/5 stars

This book surprised me in that it was a book about a werewolf but neither MCs were the werewolf. Instead it focused more on a legend about the Woodbine Werewolf and the MCs were trying to figure out what exactly it was. The relationship between Andrea and Sean is built on a friendship they had during college and she fights the attraction they have now. It was a slow build and was very sweet. I also really liked the supporting characters that ranged from a helpful high school kid to Sean's sister and even an irate councilman. Can't wait to read more from Ms. Campbell.

Dylan by C.H. Admirad

4/5 stars

I read this right after reading Tyler and gotta tell ya, I liked this one much better. This book was the perfect amount of humor, drama and good old-fashion lovin'. The two MCs were the perfect fit for each other. Dylan knew exactly what he wanted when he saw Ronnie and after their first meeting he knew she was worth the trouble to get to know. All Ronnie saw was a sexy cowboy who was very confident of his ability to snap her up whether she wanted it or not. Thankfully, she decides that yes, she does want him and from there they heat up the sheets. Even the secondary characters are great and I can't wait to read Jesse's book to see which lucky girl catches his attention.

Just What the Truth Is by Cardeno C.

4/5 stars

This was the first book I've read by Cardeno C. so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I must say that I really enjoyed it. Now I'm going to read the rest of the series and I'm sure I'll reread this one.

I liked Ben, even with all his inner turmoil, and found him to be quite funny some times. The attraction and soon the relationship he has with Micah is just what he needed to push him to realize that being gay is okay. The world won't end if he steps out of the closet. Micah at times seemed clueless about Ben's struggles, but after he finds out whats going on he becomes very supportive. The ending was a little too sweet. I mean everything worked out perfectly.

The Zero Knot by KZ Snow

This was a really good story about finding out who you really are and what you want in life and love. Jess and Dylan decide that they have grown apart from their high school friends and have a strong attraction to each other. While trying to figure out their feelings for each other an act of jealousy causes a brush with the law and coming out to their families.

I thought that Jess and Dylan were a very believable couple beginning a new relationship. I really liked them together and really liked Jess's family. Their friends on the other hand were complete jerks. The thing that drove me crazy was all the nicknames (Mig, Two-toned, Red and Tomby). I hated them calling Dylan "Mig".

Divide & Conquer by Madeleine Urban & Abigail Roux

5/5 stars


Oh, how I've missed these guys! Zane and Ty are one of my favorite couples in a series. Their both so strong and protective of each other, but they share some pretty tender moments too. I think this book was the most emotional book so far. A couple times I really wanted to smack Zane and yell "Say it already!". But then it really made an impact with the way Zane actually said it so in the end I was satisfied. I really liked seeing a little into Ty's past relationships with his friends and his ex-girlfriend. I would love to read more on Nick and the recon team. You definitely need to read these in order, but it's so worth the time.

Breaking Faith by M. King

4 out of 5 stars

What a really good book that explores first love and trying to stay together through tragedy and years apart. The two MCs were very believable and very likable together. I felt more emotionally involved with this book then I have with any books that I've read lately. My only complaint was I wish we could have seen more of their life together at the end. This was a beautifully told story about love, loss, abuse and trying to keep sane while everything around them seems to be keeping them apart.

The Ruby Kiss by Helen Scott Taylor

2.5 out of 5 stars

First off, I didn't realize this as part of a series. So, that being said it just jumped right into the story with very little back story. It wasn't too hard to figure it all out and there were only a couple times I was left scratching my head (what the heck is a pisky?). It seems like a really cool world to read about, but I guess I'm going to have to read the first two books to understand it a little better.

I'm not sure how I feel about the two MCs. Nightshade at times seemed a little child-like then other times he was quite the alpha male. He did have some interesting friends and family though. Ruby was a little annoying. She never really put up a fight about being kidnapped and forced into certain situations. She just went with the flow, said a few smart remarks and that was it. The bonding really threw me since it's suppose to be sacred, but Ruby was bonding with everybody. I guess it all worked out in the end so that's okay.

Enter Night by Michael Rowe

3.5 out of 5 stars

I'm actually giving this book 3.5 stars. I thought it was really slow at times and filled with a couple back stories that I really didn't care about reading. There was also a lot of different point of views, I mean a lot...like 10 or 11. That being said, I really liked the idea of the book, two people who escaped their hometown (both for their own reasons) have to come crawling back 15 years later right when all hell is about to break loose. There were a couple twist I didn't see coming that really made the story more interesting. With the way it ended I'm left wondering if there will be a sequel. I'm looking forward to reading more by Mr. Rowe in the near future.

Fundraiser Ideas

Anybody know any good fundraiser ideas that are low-maintenance? My van is dying a slow painful death. Every time I go somewhere it seems as if something starts banging, knocking or worse just quits making any noise. The beast is a 1988, so the poor thing needs a little rest.

Baby Don't Go by Stephanie Bond

4 out of 5 stars

Alicia was just too cute. Stepping out of her comfort zone of the city to go undercover in Sweetness sounded like a good story, but she got a little more then she bargained for in Marcus. Her problem with fire was pretty funny considering her new job in the diner. Marcus has been my favorite brother all along, due to the fact he just seemed so strong and in charge. What we got to see in this story was all the problems and stress that Marcus has been putting on himself break through his strong exterior. The two of them together were pretty sexy and funny and a really good match. I'm really hoping this isn't the last book in the series cause there was so many people I'd like to read more about.

Casing Seth by J.R. Loveless

4 out of 5 stars

I really liked this book. Seth was such a sweet guy trying to recover from a very traumatic event that occurred two years ago so he decides to dust off his veterinarian degree and open a clinic in a new town. He soon meets the sheriff and discovers they are true mates. Kasey is beside himself when he finds his mate is a white man and not Native American like himself. After dealing with coming to terms with race Kasey decides he'd do anything to keep his man. What follows is a very emotional journey for both men that only brings them closer together and test their trust in each other and friends and family. We also get a peek at another potentially steamy couple that hopefully gets their own book soon. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a great paranormal romance.

Lord of the Abyss by Nalini Singh

4.5 out of 5 stars

This was my favorite book of the series. I'm not sure if it's because I really like Ms. Singh's style of writing or if it was because this book just seemed darker. Having Micah not remember his childhood, but having Liliana bring out his playfulness was a very sweet touch. I also liked the fact that Liliana had more in stake then the other heroines (or hero) since her father started the whole mess. It would've been nice to have the siblings interact with each other a little more, but all in all it was a nice ending to the series. One question never answered was the time difference between the second book, which was a couple weeks after the castle take-over, and the other three books, which was 20 years.

Lord of the Wolfyn by Jessica Anderson

3 out of 5 stars

Having never read any books by Ms. Anderson I wasn't sure what to expect. While I found the concept of this book (and series) to be pretty interesting, I wasn't too impressed with it. I couldn't bring myself to really care about Reda or Dayn. Reda was busy over analyzing everything about the relationship she was going to give up in four days while still having tons of sex with Dayn. She also went from a freezing-in-place coward to being a kick ass warrior woman in one chapter. Dayn, on the other hand, went from total alpha male to having to be rescued twice. I'm also still confused about the difference in the time span between each book.

Legal Artistry by Adrew Grey

4.5 out of 5 stars

Andrew Grey always writes great books with believable characters and has done so again with Legal Artistry. This is part of the Bottled Up series so we got to revisit a little with Mark, Sean and Bobby, but this story focuses on the relationship between Dieter and Gerald. At first I didn't think they would work as a couple since Dieter is so shy and innocent and Gerald is a lawyer trying to make a name for himself, but then I realized that's exactly what made them a great pair. In helping Dieter recover stolen paintings Gerald brought him out of his shell and showed him unconditional love and understanding from someone besides his late grandmother and aunt. I can't wait to read Brian's story so I can learn more about him, but to also get a little peek at how Dieter and Gerald have settled in with each other. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great romance as you will not be disappointed.

Bulletproof by Mary Calmes

5 out of 5 stars

Oh, how I've missed Jory! I was so excited to read this and I was not disappointed. Jory is still somehow getting into trouble every time he turns around. This time with a mobster who's brother he saved. There were quite a few place where I just had to laugh out loud and a few place where I wanted to smack Jory for all the crap he does, but it wouldn't be him if he didn't run his mouth so much. And I still think Sam is the only man who can really balance Jory's crazy ways. Without trying to give away too much of the plot, I was glad at the decision Sam made about his career since it drove poor Jory out of his mind. I would recommend this to any fan of the series or any fan of Ms. Calmes.

Touch

You know, I never knew how much of a tactile person I was til recently. I miss being touched and being able to touch others. It seems the only people that touch me is my nurse and caregivers. My friends act like they might catch quadriplegia if they touch my arm or something. I never realized how often I would touch an arm or a hand while talking to someone before my accident. Now, my fingers curl into fist so I can't really feel anything with them anyway. It's sad really, living without fine motor skills. Touch being the thing most missed.

Blood Rock by Anthony Francis

3.75 out of 5 stars

While I love the Skindancer series as a whole, I liked Frost Moon more then Blood Rock. I read the first book in one day and this one took me almost a week. I really like the Atlanta these books are set in and find the relationships between the different groups interesting. Magical graffiti was a cool idea, but I didn't quite understand half of the explanations about it since I don't understand physics at all. I did like that Dakota and Calaphase became better friends, but trying not to give any spoilers away, hated the way it ended up going. Now I just have to wait and see what other kind of trouble Dakota and Cinnamon get into next.

New Wheels

I am so freakin' excited today! First it's my beautiful mother's birthday. Second, I got a phone call from a company that built and delivered me a brand new wheelchair today. It was molded to fit me perfectly. I had the appointment to get fitted back in June, but didn't think my insurance would pay for it. So it was a total surprise when they showed up this morning. It was like I was upgraded from the old family station wagon to a new Porsche! And lastly, I just pre-ordered a new Kindle Fire. Can't wait to get that puppy!

Tipping the Balance by Christopher Koehler

4 out of 5 stars

I really liked the relationship between Drew and Brad. The feelings Brad went through to come to terms with his attraction to Drew was some of the most believable I've read. And I must say Drew had the patience of a saint to deal with some of the things Brad said. I read this one first before I realized it was actually a sequel and went back to read the first one; I liked this book a lot more then the first. This is a really good story that focuses more on the romance and less on sex (though there is some pretty hot sex). Can't wait to read more from this author.

Under the Skin by Niki Bennett & Ariel Tachna

4 out of 5 stars

Sexy dangerous tattooed mobster. Check. Cop conflicted by his feelings for the mobster and his duty to do his job. Check. Smokin' hot sex between the two. Check. The writing team of Bennett and Tachna have hit another one out of the park with this one. The world they have set this book in is both believable and terrifying. There was a lot more sex then plot in the beginning, but I think it did a good job of siting up the relationship between the two MCs. I kept trying to figure out what I would do and the lengths I'd go through in Patrick's situation and came to the realization that if I had the chance of all-consuming love like he did, I'd gladly follow in his footsteps. I loved the way the story ended and my only complaint was we didn't get to see more of the life they ended up getting to live.

Birthday Trouble

So, today is my great-nephew's first birthday. What should be a happy occasion has become a royal mess. He was take away from my niece when he was only a couple months old because of her drug use. He lives with my sister now which I have always thought as the best place for him even before he was placed there by the state. The reason today went to shit is because my niece found out he was having a birthday party this weekend and she can't be there because there will be no representative from the state. She, in her drug-hazed mind, believes the family is doing this to control her and force her to give up her drugs. Well...yeah we are, partly. She thinks she should be able to keep using while having him live with her. She doesn't realize that when she gets too high and passes out he is left on his own. She did go to rehab for a month and got clean, but when she found out the halfway house she was going to required her to either go back to school (she's a high school drop-out) or get a job (one that paid in check form not under-the-table cash) she gave up and started using again because "the state will pay me to stay home and watch my kid". She doesn't see the gift in front of her and it drives me crazy. Anyway, she's doped up now and calling me and my mom (her grandma) every hour to scream and cry to us about how unfair my sister is being in keeping her son away from her. Hopefully she won't show up Saturday to the party and make a scene. Family- gotta love 'em.

Bounty of Love by Scotty Cade

5 out of 5 stars

This was my first book by Mr. Cade and I was not disappointed. The tragic way the book started was almost enough to make me cry. The emotional journey that Zander must go on to deal with the deaths of his parents and partner is a story unto its self, but add in trying to get answers in their murders from unwilling people and finding new love was well worth the pain he endured. I don't feel as if I missed anything in reading this book first, it only makes me want to read the first two books of the series even more. I think Jake was the perfect fit for Zander with his patience and understanding of the trauma he went through. Though it was predictable at times it was still enough to catch and keep my attention til the very end.

Waking Hours by Lis Wiehl

3 out of 5 stars

Good solid story about a group of teens mixed up in a murder. The story was equal parts mystery and supernatural. There were also quite a bit of biblical references that added an end-of-days subplot that seems will be carried into the next book. At times I felt the book dragged on then the next few chapters the book would pick up and I'd be so engrossed in reading that I didn't want it to end. This was a really good start to a series that can only keep getting better and better.

Hospital Stay

Just got home from a week stay at the hospital. Had the flu and my doctor was worried I'd get fluid in my lungs. Feeling much better, but still weak. Hopefully I can back into the habit of blogging. I've had lots of time to think of topics that's for sure.

The Heart of a Killer by Jaci Burton

4.5 out of 5 stars

This was the first book I've read by Jaci Burton and I must say I will be reading more. The story is about a group of friends that were involved in a crime when they were teenagers that changed their lives. Twelve years later they're reunited by a series of murders that resembles the original crime. While there was also a romance between two of the main characters, the main focus was on the solving of the case. I can't wait to read Gabe's story.

Hold Me by BetsyHorvath

3.5 out of 5 stars

I received this ARC from NetGalley.

Pretty good book with lots of action that balances the romance perfectly. In this book we find Lucas, a FBI agent, running for his life from the mob and hops into the car of Katie. After a car chase and an arrest by the local PD, Katie also must go on the run and who better to guard her then the very man who got her into the whole mess to began with. Over the next couple days they act on their attraction while coming to terms with secrets that could tear them apart. I liked how Katie seemed to become a stronger woman who could stand up for herself in the face of a very scary man. She didn't stay the weak woman who went along with what the strong alpha males dictated to her. I would love to read a follow up book to find out more about Lucas's friend and boss, David.

Hellbent by Cherie Priest

5 out of 5 stars


I love this series! This was the second book and it did not disappoint. It follows Raylene, a vampire thief and her band of misfits, which includes a drag queen/ex-Navy SEAL, a blind vampire and a pair of homeless siblings. The dialogue was fantastic and the storyline was equal parts action and slap-stick comedy. Anyone wanting a break from the usual vampire book should give this a try.

A Vampire for Christmas

4 stars out of 5

I got an ARC from netGalley to review.

I loved two out of the four stories in this book and really wished both would have been longer. I generally stay away from anthologies because I tend to not like most of the stories and think it's a waste of money. I was pleasantly surprised by this one.

Enchanted by Blood by Laurie London was my favorite. It's part of the Sweetblood series and featured Trace and Charlotte. They reconnect over the holiday season and try to find happiness in their time together.

All I Want for Christmas by Alexis Morgan was also really good. I would've loved to learn more about the secondary characters. In this story was Della, a diner owner and Eagan, an undercover cop trying to bust a ring of vampires.

When Herald Angels Sing by Caridad Pineiro was a take on A Christmas Carol. Damien sees visions of the past and present brought to him by Angelina and together they have to change his future.

Monsters Don't Do Christmas by Michele Hauf was my least favorite. I didn't like Daniel and thought Olivia, a famous singer, came off as a little to immature. Just didn't "feel" it

Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter

3 out of 5 stars

I received this ARC from NetGalley.

The first book in a new series by the combined talents of not only Ms. Showalter, but also by Jill Monroe, Jessica Andersen, and Nalini Singh. Each book will be about one of the four adult children of the slain King and Queen of Elden. This one was about Nicolai, the Crown Prince and Jane a human woman who is recovering from an accident that killed her family.

I enjoyed the story, but was reminded of Ms. Showalter's Atlantis series. The parallel worlds, the creatures of myth and the very Alpha male. I understand that each book will bring us closer to reclaiming the kingdom, but I felt like this book ended a little too soon. Too many loose ends were left hanging. Hopefully, some of these loose ends will be tied up in the rest of the series.

All in all this was a fast enjoyable read for when you need a little light entertainment you don't have to think too deeply about.

Sorry...

I will post an actual blog on here tomorrow. My nephew just came home from Iraq on Tuesday and his first child was born on Thursday. So, needless to say it's been crazy around here.

Oh, and just so I can brag it was a beautiful 6 1/2 lbs baby girl. Her name is Camille and she's perfect.

The Usual Apocalypse by Christine Price

3.5 out of 5 stars

I didn't realize this was the second in a series when I started reading it. I got lost in the storyline a few times and didn't understand the world at first. I went back and read the first book to get the full experience of the Society. That being said, I ended up really liking this book. Matt and Brennan played well of each other and made a likable couple. I would've liked more of a back story on Brennan then what was written, but it wasn't missing enough to take away from the story. The rest of the characters were well written, too. I'm guessing by the way it ended that there will be more in this series. I'm actually finding myself to looking forward to it.

Redemption by Eleri Stone

3.5 stars out of 5

I liked the action in this book. The shifter world it takes place in was a nice change from everything else out there right now. I would've liked it a bit more if the ending would have expanded on their relationship a little more. But I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more by Ms. Stone in the future. Hopefully, I won't have to wait very long.

Sophie is in the rain forest of Peru working on an earthquake ravaged archeological site where she meets Adriano. He's there working as he's also searching for an ancient artifact to buy he's way back into his tribe of jaguar shifters. Of course there are other factors working against them as they quickly find themselves acting on their attraction, finding adventure and trying to stay alive long enough to enjoy it all.

State Fair

So, I went to the Kentucky State Fair over the weekend. It was...interesting. There wasn't any really exciting exhibits, but the people were the main attraction. The best thing was the food of course. Were you aware that you can deep-fry Kool-Aid? I would never have believed it if I hadn't seen the booth myself. But the craziest food was the Krispy Kreme hamburger. Who thought it was a good idea to use a KK doughnut as a bun for a hamburger? They actually had the longest line, too. Insane! I just stuck with the plain ol' bbq sandwich. I'm going back later in the week to help out a friend and I might get a little freaky and try the Kool-Aid. Maybe, but probably not.

Bear Otter and the Kid by TJ Klune

5 out of 5 stars

I am emotional exhausted after reading this book. Don't get me wrong I loved it, but it just wore me out. I laughed, I cried then laughed some more. It's a story of love and loss and what a family really means. Bear and Ty are left by their mother when Bear is only seventeen and he must learn to take care of his brother. Thankfully, they have a strong support group in their friends. Bear must also come to grips with his love for his best friend's brother. I just don't have the words to describe how really wonderful this book is and highly I recommend everyone to read it and share in the experience that is the Kid!

Tigers and Devils by Sean Kennedy

5 out of 5 stars

This book was great. It made me laugh out loud and got quite a few strange looks, but they were worth it. The book follows two years in Declan and Simon's lives. It starts out sweet, but they have to hide their romance since Declan is a famous footballer and closeted. Soon they are outed as a couple and the rest of the story is of them coming to terms with the stress of trying to be a couple in the spotlight. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good romance with a little humor.

My Letter to Hollywood

Dear Hollywood,

I know it's hard to live among such smart people like Paris, Lindsey and of course those uber-sisters the Kardashians, but don't you think you could come up with an original idea for a movie? Stop remaking movies that I've already seen a hundred times! Conan, Fright Night, Dirty Dancing, and Footloose just to name a few were good movies when they were made. Why mess with them? And don't get me started on sequels! I think Final Destination is on what 5 now. I just read there is a new Ghost Rider movie....really? The first one wasn't even that good. Why don't you promote more indie films instead of big budget movies that are crappy remakes. Granted this is just my opinion which isn't much.

Thanks,
Angie

The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen

3 out of 5 stars

I don't usually read YA because it's too, for lack of a better word, soft. Even though it centered around 17 year-old Sasha and a lot of it took place in a high school I still liked it. Sasha's struggle with her faith, her family, and her growing attraction for Jax made for an interesting read. The concept of the hero seeking redemption and there being only one girl in the entire world who can help has been done countless times, but the mythology behind this story was what made it different. I believe there will be a book for each brother and I'm actually looking forward to reading them.

The six sons of Mephistopheles has been charged with rounding up the lost souls on earth. During one such take down Jax finds his Anabo. An Anabo is the light to his dark or his soul mate. After her mother is sent back to Russia she is sent to live with her aunt and uncle, who she has never met. After finding lost souls in her aunt and cousin she gets help from Jax and his brothers. At first she only sees the darkness in him, but soon realizes there is more to him. Soon they embark on a mission to save others from selling their souls while trying to keep hers intact.

Thanks to netGalley for the ARC.

My Horrible Florida Trip Days 1-3

I just recently went on vacation with some family members to Ft. Myers, FL. It sounded like a good idea at the time, boy was I wrong! It started off with 6 people (ages 62-12) in a mini-van for a day and a half drive there. My mom drove, which she should not be allowed to do for long periods of time and believes firmly in synchronized peeing. My aunt rode shot gun and commented on gas prices at every exit from Indiana to Florida and back. My cousin had broken her ankle the week before we left and complained about every single thing she could find to complain about the entire trip. Two pre-teen girls being girls and myself rounded out this trip. Did I mention that my mom and I paid for the entire trip? Normally this wouldn't even come up, but for this story it needs to be known.

After getting to the condo on Saturday we discovered the air conditioner was not working and maintenance workers didn't work on the weekends. So, six people in a two room condo with no air was enough to drive me crazy. By the third day I was on edge. I decided to take everyone out to eat at the resturant next door. We get there, get seated out on the deck by the bay and start looking over menus, sounds calming yes? No. The two girls would only eat hot dogs (thankfully they were on the kid's menu) and my aunt looked at the prices and decided she was no longer hungrey. It took all of us about 10 minutes to convince her to eat. My cousin on the other hand, ordered the most expensive thing on the menu! A beautiful filet in a merlot reduction sauce, then turned around and asked for A1 to smother it in!

Finally, dinner was over and we walked back to our condo. My cousin and I went out to set by the tennis courts to relax. She had the nerve to set there and complain about her $50.00 meal by saying the steak tasted funny (well, we you mix A1 with merlot reduction sauce what do you expect?) and there wasn't enough alcohol in her drinks. Of course she also complained about the service and how long it took to get our food (15 minutes) and even the weather. Did I mention this was all free for her? I mean who acts like that?

That was my first three days. I should've known that it was only going to get worse.

Signed and Sealed by B.A. Stretke

3 out of 5 stars

The story centers around Will and Eli. Will gets a call from his estranged sister for help and he drops everything to go to Montana to help her. When he shows up at the ranch he meets Eli and realizes the trouble is now his not his sister's. Through the confusion a love develops, but neither really trust the other.

I liked this book, but I wasn't crazy about the writing style. The shifting perspective jumped around too much for me. Not only was both Eli and Will's thoughts heard, but so were neighbors, housekeepers and their siblings. If only the story focused on either Will or Eli I would have given it another star. I will try reading more in the future from this author.

Electric Out

I really hate this time of year. Every time the wind blows it knocks out my electric for hours. Usually, I really wouldn't bitch about this, except now on doctor's orders I have to sleep on this crappy air mattress that is suppose to do wonders for my skin. Yeah, but when the electric goes off so does my bed! I just spent the last 4 hours with my bed wrapped around me like a taco shell. I guess it could've been worse, but dang it I feel like complaining to you, dear reader. Being on bed-rest really sucks. I could have had my parents move me to another bed, but the only one available is in a room with no windows. No thanks. But now everything is back to working order so now it's time to turn off the lights and go to bed. Go figure.

Dream Lover by Adrienne Staff

2 out of 5 stars

I had a hard time trying to get into this book. The story is Carol, an assistant manager at a hotel, moves to Arizona for a promotion. Her first day there she meets Cody, a professor/tour guide and they don't hit it off. He's rude and spiteful to her for no reason. She's already damaged from something that happened nine years before and wants nothing to do with him. Then all of a sudden he has to be with her and pursues her relentlessly. While this is all going on there is also a lot of dreams of old Indian men and eagles. I thought at one point this was going to be a shape-shifter story, but it's not.

Avenger's Angel by Heather Killough-Walden

5 out of 5 stars

Wow, I don't know where to begin describing this book. It was a fantastic start to a new series that I can't wait to read more of. Even with all the new books about angels out now, this one really stood out. It's the story of the four favored archangels search for their archesses, or soul mates. Uriel, the former Angel of Vengeance, is now a famous actor and is doing promotional signing for his new movie when he runs across Ellie, his archess. They are instantly attracted to one another and Ellie gets scared. She's spent the last ten years hiding trying to keep her gifts secret. Of course there are other factors trying to keep them apart that ends in a battle of good and evil.

Michael, the former Warrior Angel, is now a policeman with the NYPD. Gabriel, the former Messenger Angel, is a fireman with the NYFD. Azrael, the former Angel of Death is now a famous rock star. Along with these guys we have Samael, the Fallen One, and Max who is their guardian. Each of the characters stand out in their own right and each compelling. I really think that this series will just keep getting better with each book. I know that I'm hooked after reading this one.

Trying Something New

So, I've decided to try my hand at blogging (again). Hopefully along with book reviews I can share a little about myself. To start, as my bio says, I'm a C5-6 quadriplegic. That pretty much means that I'm paralyzed from the chest down with limited use of my arms and my hands are useless. I made a stupid decision 9 years ago to drink and dive into a swimming pool and that decision has put me into a wheelchair for the rest of my life. Before, my life was full of work ( I was a manager at a well-known steakhouse) and lots of friends. Now, I have very few friends and am home-bound. Hopefully this blog will help me with issues that I still haven't come to terms with and get things off my chest. If anyone has any suggestions to help me along, feel free to comment.

Change of Heart by Mary Calmes

3 out of 5 stars

Jin, a were-panther, is just trying to live a normal life when things get complicated. He meets his mate who he doesn't want to accept. Of course, fate has other plans and they must fight or die.

I've read quite a few books by Mary Calmes and have always liked them. This book however, took me awhile to get into due to the fact I felt like I needed glossary to understand what was going on. Once I figured out what each person's title was I really got into the story. The ending left it so that the reader knows there will be a sequel, which I'm sure I will read

Dutch Treat by Andrew Grey

4 out of 5 stars

After being dumped on the way to the airport, Michael leaves for the Netherlands for a job that will last six months. On the flight he meets a lady who helps him see that it was probably for the best. Once he arrives he meets Stephan, a co-worker, and they quickly become friends. The relationship between Michael and Stephan builds into a stronger commitment the longer they spend together. But is it enough to last after the six months are up?

I enjoyed the story and really liked the setting being in the Netherlands. The detail in the scenery was almost like being there. Mr. Grey brought to life two men that fit together very nicely and seemed to really fall in love at the right time in their lives. It is always a joy to read one of his books and this definitely will not be the last.

Crying For The Moon by Sarah Madison

I enjoyed this story about a vampire who is trying to cut himself off from an ex-lover and a veterinarian with secrets of his own. The snarky attitude of Alex, the vampire, was kind of charming. He was surrounded by a pack of werewolves that should have been his enemy and a half-feral cat that had an attitude to match his own. Add to that trying to remodel an old farmhouse and a growing attraction to Tate and the story was quite entertaining.

When Memory Fails by D.W. Marchwell

The sequel to Fallen picks up two years into the relationship of Hank, an adrenaline junkie logger and Scott a composer. The love for each other shows through in a wonderful storyline filled with humor and heartbreak. I'm glad this couple worked out and was given a follow-up book delving deeper into their relationship and the relationship with their families. With the way it ended, I'm left to wonder if there will be a third book?

Touch of Crimson by Sylvia Day

A new series about angels, vampires, lycans and their struggle to protect humankind. I found the dynamics of the relationships of these three groups very intriguing. The vampires are Fallen angels and the lycans guard the angels. There were a few places that I got confused, but overall the story is great.

Adrian is the leader of the Sentinels, an elite group of angels that enforce punishment, who has lost the mortal women he loves over and over again. When he meets Lindsey in an airport he realizes he has found her after two hundred years. Lindsey feels an immediate attraction for Adrian, but has no memory of him. She is on her way to relocating for a new job with Gadara Enterprises (from the Marked series Ms. Day wrote under the name of S.J. Day). Of course things don't go very smoothly and they along with their lycan guard are thrown into a very dangerous situation where things aren't what they seem.

I'm really looking forward to more books in this series.