MONTH IN REVIEW ~ NOVEMBER 2013

~ HAPPY HOLIDAYS ~ 

The year 2013 will soon be just a memory. 

I am two books away from reaching my goal of 200 books for the year. Some of my friends and family think this number is outrageous, but when I see what others have set over on Goodreads, I feel like I'm about average. 

What goals did you set with your reading? What were some of your favorite reads of the month? 

Here were my favorite reads for the month of November:

Hard As It Gets ~ Laura Kaye

Jake Undone ~ Penelope Ward

The Fifth Favor ~ Shelby Reed

The Curio Series ~ Cara Mckenna

Surprise Reads of the month were from Cara McKenna--Her Curio series is about a male prostitute who was simply delicious. Also, The Fifth Favor, by Shelby Reed. Her character, Adrian, was a very expensive male escort, who had become jaded with his life. Apparently, it was a month for men who liked to please the ladies.  

And now, for an update on my reading challenges:

~ 2013 Immortal Reading Challenge ~ 

Challenged: 20  Read: 38 

Hosted by UTC 

1. Vampires 
Challenged:  5  Read: 13 
Bonus reads: 13 

*Lover At Last ~ JR Ward
*Up From The Grave ~ Jeanine Frost
*A Kiss of Blood ~ Pamela Palmer
*Twice Tempted ~ Jeanine Frost
*Immortal Ever After ~ Lynsay Sands 

2. Angels/Demons
Challenged:  5   Read:5
Bonus Reads: 3
*Fifth Grave Past the Light ~ Darynda Jones
*Death, Doom, and Detention ~ Darynda Jones
*The Collector ~ Victoria Scott
*Forbidden ~ Syrie James
* Natural Born Angel ~ Scott Spear

3. Fae/Witches/Magic
Challenged:  5  Read:7 
Bonus Reads: 4

*Iced ~ Karen Marie Moning
*Glass Heart ~ Amy Garvey
*Shadow of Night ~ Deborah Harkness
*Winterblaze ~ Kristen Callihan
*Endure ~ Carrie Jones 

4. Shifters/Were
Challenged:  5  Read:11 
Bonus Reads:8

*MacReive ~ Kresley Cole
*Fury of Seduction ~ Coreene Callahan
*Fury of Desire ~ Coreene Callahan
*Black Moon ~ JD Tyler
*Hunter's Heart ~ JD Tyler

Men In Uniform Reading Challenge

Challenged: 13 (Captain)  Read: 21 

1.  Forged In Fire ~ Trish McCallan 

2. Hold 'Em ~ Katie Porter 

3. Shades of Gray ~ Maya Banks

4. Battered Not Broken ~ Ranae Rose

5. SEALed Forever Mary Margaret Daughtridge

6. Heat of the Moment ~ Elle Kennedy

7. Because of You ~ Jessica Scott

8. Love Irresistibly ~ Julie James

9. Bare It All ~ Lori Foster

10. One Sweet Ride ~ Jaci Burton

11. Taking A Shot ~ Jaci Burton

12. Thrown By A Curve ~ Jaci Burton

13. Hard Way ~ Katie Porter

Bonus Reads: 18

The 2013 Romantic Suspense Reading Challenge is hosted by The Book Vixen

The 2013 Romantic Suspense Reading Challenge is hosted by The Book Vixen

Romantic Suspense Reading Challenge

Challenged:  13    Read:18  

1. Scorched ~ Laura Griffin

2. The Heart of a Killer ~ Jaci Burton

3. Underground Guardians-Protector ~ Lisa Renee Jones

4. Fatal Destiny ~ Marie Force

5. Heart of Danger ~ Lisa Marie

 Rice

6. Mr. Real ~ Carolyn Crane

7. Mystery Man ~ Kristen Ashley

8. Because of You ~ Jessica Scott

9. Shades of Gray ~ Maya Banks

10. Crazy Hot ~ Tara Janzen

11.  ?

12.  ?

13.  

Bonus Reads: 16

Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge 

Challenged: 10  Read:  31

**NOTE--with so many books coming out and 

considered New Adult, I had to look at my books  

and take out those I consider New Adult Genre. 

1. Unbeautifully ~ Madeline Sheehan

2. It Had to Be You ~ Jill Shalvis

3. Kissing Under the Mistletoe ~ Marina Adair

4. Fall Into You ~ Roni Loren

5. Love Irresistibly ~ Julie James

6. Getting Rowdy ~ Lori Foster

7. Bare it All ~ Lori Foster

8. A Shot of Sultry ~ Macy Beckett

9. Caught Up In You ~ Roni Loren

10. One Sweet Ride ~ Jaci Burton 

*Bonus Reads: 24

TBR Reading Challenge 

Challenged:  12   Read: 10

Hosted by Fiktshun   

1. Scorched ~ Laura Griffin

2. Fatal Destiny ~ Marie Force

3. Because of You ~ Jessica Scott

4. Forbidden ~ Syrie James

5. Iced ~ Karen Marie Moning

6. Shadow of Night ~ Deborah Harkness

7. Endure ~ Carrie Jones

8. Fury of Seduction ~ Coreene Callahan

9. Black Moon ~ JD Tyler

10. Battered, Not Broken ~ Ranae Rose

11. Sealed Forever ~ Mary Margaret Daughtridge

12. Hold 'Em ~ Katie Porter

Bonus Reads:  6

I think for next year, I'm gonna have to put more thought 

into my selections, lol. I didn't read a lot of the books I 

thought I would. 

Are you doing any reading challenges? If so, what ones, 

and how are you doing in finishing them up? Leave me a 

comment, I'd love to hear from you. 

SEXY SNIPPET ~ THE EDGE OF ALWAYS BY J.A. REDMERSKI

Tuesdays have never been so sexy!

Sexy Snippets is a weekly feature hosted by Reading Between the Wines for the 18+ crowd. To join in just grab the button, post a sexy paragraph or two from your current read and share the author & title so other participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like. Then add your post to the linky over at RBtW's blog so everyone can follow along. Have a sexy good time!

This week my SS comes from an ARC--The Edge of Always, so it may not appear as written in ARC in the new release today.

I move my hand from the outside of her pants and slide it behind the loose-fitting fabric to find her warmth. God damn, she's already wet. Leaning into the crook of her neck, I shut my eyes and inhale the scent of her skin. She stays very still, but I can feel her body quivering and her pulse beating fast under my touch. I want to fuck her so bad. But I won't yet, because I like to torture myself. I fucking love it.



And I just love Drew in this book. He is scrum-deli-ish-ous!

Now it's your turn to show me your sexy!

Month In Review ~ August 2013

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall ~ 

I am still in the middle of moving...living in a rental house until the middle of September. 

UGH.

But I have had time (hah) to read a bit between shuffling things around in boxes, registering the kids for school (YAY!) and packing stuff up for storage. 

So, lets do a run down on how I am doing on my reading challenges...the year is almost over, if you can believe it. 


First off:  

My Reads For August

The Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo ~ Kerrelyn Sparks

Rush ~ Joan Swan

Against The Ropes ~ Sarah Castille

A Million Dirty Secrets ~ C.L. Parker

The Awakening: Liam ~ Abby Niles

Lick: Stage Dive ~ Kylie Scott

Darkhouse ~ Karina Halle

A Werewolf in Manhatten ~ Vicki Lewis Thompson

Killing Sarai ~ J.A. Redmerski

Frigid ~ J. Lynn

The Redemption of Callie and Kayden ~ Jessica Sorensen

The Nature of Cruelty ~ L.H. Cosway

Shooting Scars ~ Karina Halle

Jet ~ Jay Crownover

Favorite Read of August  ~ Killing Sarai by J.A. Redmerski

Surprise Read of August  ~ Lick by Kylie Scott

Scared the bejeezus out of me in August  ~  Darkhouse ~ Karina Halle

Hottest Sex on the planet in August ~ A Million Dirty Secrets ~ C.L. Parker

~ 2013 Immortal Reading Challenge ~ 

Challenged: 20  Read: 36 

Hosted by UTC 

1. Vampires 
Challenged:  5  Read: 13 
Bonus reads: 9 

*Lover At Last ~ JR Ward
*Up From The Grave ~ Jeanine Frost
*A Kiss of Blood ~ Pamela Palmer
*Twice Tempted ~ Jeanine Frost
*Immortal Ever After ~ Lynsay Sands 

2. Angels/Demons
Challenged:  5   Read:5
Bonus Reads: 2

*Fifth Grave Past the Light ~ Darynda Jones
*Death, Doom, and Detention ~ Darynda Jones
*The Collector ~ Victoria Scott
*Forbidden ~ Syrie James
* Natural Born Angel ~ Scott Spear

3. Fae/Witches/Magic
Challenged:  5  Read:7 
Bonus Reads:4

*Iced ~ Karen Marie Moning
*Glass Heart ~ Amy Garvey
*Shadow of Night ~ Deborah Harkness
*Winterblaze ~ Kristen Callihan
*Endure ~ Carrie Jones 

4. Shifters/Were
Challenged:  5  Read:11 
Bonus Reads:8

*MacReive ~ Kresley Cole
*Fury of Seduction ~ Coreene Callahan
*Fury of Desire ~ Coreene Callahan
*Black Moon ~ JD Tyler
*Hunter's Heart ~ JD Tyler

This reading challenge hosted by The Book Vixen

Men In Uniform Reading Challenge

Challenged: 13 (Captain)  Read: 13 

1.  Forged In Fire ~ Trish McCallan 

2. Hold 'Em ~ Katie Porter 

3. Shades of Gray ~ Maya Banks

4. Battered Not Broken ~ Ranae Rose

5. SEALed Forever Mary Margaret Daughtridge

6. Heat of the Moment ~ Elle Kennedy

7. Because of You ~ Jessica Scott

8. Love Irresistibly ~ Julie James

9. Bare It All ~ Lori Foster

10. One Sweet Ride ~ Jaci Burton

11. Taking A Shot ~ Jaci Burton

12. Thrown By A Curve ~ Jaci Burton

13. Hard Way ~ Katie Porter

Bonus Reads: 10

The 2013 Romantic Suspense Reading Challenge is hosted by The Book Vixen

Romantic Suspense Reading Challenge

Challenged:  13    Read:11   

1. Scorched ~ Laura Griffin

2. The Heart of a Killer ~ Jaci Burton

3. Underground Guardians-Protector ~ Lisa Renee Jones

4. Fatal Destiny ~ Marie Force

5. Heart of Danger ~ Lisa Marie Rice

6. Mr. Real ~ Carolyn Crane

7. Mystery Man ~ Kristen Ashley

8. Because of You ~ Jessica Scott

9. Shades of Gray ~ Maya Banks

10. Crazy Hot ~ Tara Janzen

11.  ?

12.  ?

13.  

Bonus Reads: 10

Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge 

Challenged: 10  Read:  23 

**NOTE--with so many books coming out and considered New Adult, I had to look at my books again and take out those I consider New Adult Genre. 

1. Unbeautifully ~ Madeline Sheehan

2. It Had to Be You ~ Jill Shalvis

3. Kissing Under the Mistletoe ~ Marina Adair

4. Fall Into You ~ Roni Loren

5. Love Irresistibly ~ Julie James

6. Getting Rowdy ~ Lori Foster

7. Bare it All ~ Lori Foster

8. A Shot of Sultry ~ Macy Beckett

9. Caught Up In You ~ Roni Loren

10. One Sweet Ride ~ Jaci Burton 

*Bonus Reads:  17

TBR Reading Challenge 

Challenged:  12   Read: 10

Hosted by Fiktshun   

1. Scorched ~ Laura Griffin

2. Fatal Destiny ~ Marie Force

3. Because of You ~ Jessica Scott

4. Forbidden ~ Syrie James

5. Iced ~ Karen Marie Moning

6. Shadow of Night ~ Deborah Harkness

7. Endure ~ Carrie Jones

8. Fury of Seduction ~ Coreene Callahan

9. Black Moon ~ JD Tyler

10. Battered, Not Broken ~ Ranae Rose

11. Sealed Forever ~ Mary Margaret Daughtridge

12. Hold 'Em ~ Katie Porter

Bonus Reads:  6

Are you participating in any reading challenges? Leave me a comment, I'd love to hear from you! 

MONTH IN REVIEW ~ JULY 2013

Summer is almost over.

I am in the middle of moving, finishing my manuscript, starting my kids at a new school, and I need a vacation!
Or maybe a strong shot of whiskey.
Or both.

But I thought I'd post early my Month In Review, as I don't know when I'll have time again to get to this.

Hope everyone has had a kick-ass summer and read some really amazing books! 

My Reads For July

• How To Love ( San Amaro Singles, Book Two) ~ Kelly Jamieson
• Prey ~ Rachel Vincent (Shifers, Book Four)

• Breaking ~ Claire Kent
• Because of Low ~ Abbi Glines (Seabreeze, Book Two)
• Claimed (Club Sin, Book One) ~ Stacie Kennedy
• Wicked Beat (Sinners, Book Five) ~ Olivia Cunning
• Twisted Perfection (Perfection, Book One) ~ Abbi Glines
• One Sweet Ride (Play by Play, Book Six) ~ Jaci Burton 
• Indelible ~ Bethany Lopez
• A Kiss of Blood (Vamp City, Book Two) ~ Pamela Palmer
• Beneath The Surface (Reluctance, Book One) ~ M.A. Stacie 
• The Cowboy Takes A Bride ~ (Jubilee, Texas Series, Book One) ~ Lori Wilde
• MacRieve ~ (IAD, Book Thirteen) ~ Kresley Cole
• Lost & Found ~ Nicole Williams
• Black Heart (Cursed Hearts, Book One) ~ R. L. Mathewson
• Strong Enough ~ Alexis Alexander

Favorite Read of July ~ MacRieve by Kresley Cole

Surprise Read of July ~ Breaking by Claire Kent

Made Me Cry in July ~ Prey by Rachel Vincent

What were your favorites of July?

Here is an update of my Reading Challenges...*Note--I have decided not to post entire list, as there are just so damn many of them for my bonus reads. Also, a lot of them reappear on multiple categories. So, I'll just include only those I actually listed at the begining of the year. No Bonus Reads are listed. 

~ 2013 Immortal Reading Challenge ~ 

Challenged: 20  Read: 33 

Hosted by UTC 

1. Vampires 
Challenged:  5  Read: 12 
Bonus reads:8 

*Lover At Last ~ JR Ward
*Up From The Grave ~ Jeanine Frost
*A Kiss of Blood ~ Pamela Palmer
*Twice Tempted ~ Jeanine Frost
*Immortal Ever After ~ Lynsay Sands 

2. Angels/Demons
Challenged:  5   Read:5
Bonus Reads: 2

*Fifth Grave Past the Light ~ Darynda Jones
*Death, Doom, and Detention ~ Darynda Jones
*The Collector ~ Victoria Scott
*Forbidden ~ Syrie James
* Natural Born Angel ~ Scott Spear

3. Fae/Witches/Magic
Challenged:  5  Read:7 
Bonus Reads:4

*Iced ~ Karen Marie Moning
*Glass Heart ~ Amy Garvey
*Shadow of Night ~ Deborah Harkness
*Winterblaze ~ Kristen Callihan
*Endure ~ Carrie Jones 

4. Shifters/Were
Challenged:  5  Read:9 
Bonus Reads:6 

*MacReive ~ Kresley Cole
*Fury of Seduction ~ Coreene Callahan
*Fury of Desire ~ Coreene Callahan
*Black Moon ~ JD Tyler
*Hunter's Heart ~ JD Tyler

This reading challenge hosted by The Book Vixen

Men In Uniform Reading Challenge

Challenged: 13 (Captain)  Read: 13 

1.  Forged In Fire ~ Trish McCallan 

2. Hold 'Em ~ Katie Porter 

3. Shades of Gray ~ Maya Banks

4. Battered Not Broken ~ Ranae Rose

5. SEALed Forever Mary Margaret Daughtridge

6. Heat of the Moment ~ Elle Kennedy

7. Because of You ~ Jessica Scott

8. Love Irresistibly ~ Julie James

9. Bare It All ~ Lori Foster

10. One Sweet Ride ~ Jaci Burton

11. Taking A Shot ~ Jaci Burton

12. Thrown By A Curve ~ Jaci Burton

13. Hard Way ~ Katie Porter

Bonus Reads: 10

The 2013 Romantic Suspense Reading Challenge is hosted by The Book Vixen

Romantic Suspense Reading Challenge

Challenged:  13    Read:9   

1. Scorched ~ Laura Griffin

2. The Heart of a Killer ~ Jaci Burton

3. Underground Guardians-Protector ~ Lisa Renee Jones

4. Fatal Destiny ~ Marie Force

5. Heart of Danger ~ Lisa Marie Rice

6. Mr. Real ~ Carolyn Crane

7. Mystery Man ~ Kristen Ashley

8. Because of You ~ Jessica Scott

9. Shades of Gray ~ Maya Banks

10. Crazy Hot ~ Tara Janzen

11.  ?

12.  ?

13.  

Bonus Reads: 8

Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge 

Challenged: 10  Read:  19 

**NOTE--with so many books coming out and considered New Adult, I had to look at my books again and take out those I consider New Adult Genre. 

1. Unbeautifully ~ Madeline Sheehan

2. It Had to Be You ~ Jill Shalvis

3. Kissing Under the Mistletoe ~ Marina Adair

4. Fall Into You ~ Roni Loren

5. Love Irresistibly ~ Julie James

6. Getting Rowdy ~ Lori Foster

7. Bare it All ~ Lori Foster

8. A Shot of Sultry ~ Macy Beckett

9. Caught Up In You ~ Roni Loren

10. One Sweet Ride ~ Jaci Burton 

*Bonus Reads:  14

TBR Reading Challenge 

Challenged:  12   Read: 10

Hosted by Fiktshun   

1. Scorched ~ Laura Griffin

2. Fatal Destiny ~ Marie Force

3. Because of You ~ Jessica Scott

4. Forbidden ~ Syrie James

5. Iced ~ Karen Marie Moning

6. Shadow of Night ~ Deborah Harkness

7. Endure ~ Carrie Jones

8. Fury of Seduction ~ Coreene Callahan

9. Black Moon ~ JD Tyler

10. Battered, Not Broken ~ Ranae Rose

11. Sealed Forever ~ Mary Margaret Daughtridge

12. Hold 'Em ~ Katie Porter

Bonus Reads:  6

Are you participating in any reading challenges? Leave me a comment, I'd love to hear from you!