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! 

2013 TBR Pile Reading Challenge

Click here for more information about this reading challenge hosted by Fiktshun. 

TBR Reading Challenge 

Challenged:  12   Read: 9   

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

Rock Star - Ginger Voight

Unravel Me - Kendall Ryan

Blood of Gold - B.V. Larson

Make It Last - Bethany Lopez

Darkness Dawns - Dianne Duvall

The Opportunist - Tarryn Fisher

Are you participating in this challenge? Have you whittled down your TBR pile? Leave me a comment---I'd love to hear from you ~

BOOK REVIEW ~ BLOOD OF GOLD BY B.V. LARSON

Title: Blood of Gold (Seeker, Book One)

Author: B.V. Larson

Release Date: June 3, 2010

Reviewer bought own copy of eBook for review 

Her young man stepped out of nowhere onto a mountaintop... 

Her high school counselor came from Hell. Literally... 

Haley learns she has a unique gift. She normally lives her life escaping notice, but now two gorgeous strangers are interested in her. Very interested. Seth is the best-looking young man she (or anyone else) has ever met. Every girl in school is after him and the competition turns strangely vicious. She soon realizes that he is not fully bound to this world. Although they both feel the mutual attraction, there’s something holding him back... The second stranger is equally attractive, but more frightening. When she is with him, she somehow loses her self-control. To say more would give away too much, but Las Vegas will never be the same... 

Book Review

Blood of Gold is the first book of a Young Adult series that left me feeling a little cheated and a little disappointed. I had this book on my kindle for a while and decided to finally check it out. 

Unfortunately, there was nothing original in this dark fantasy novel involving a mysterious teenager who shows up at school and seems to be more than..human. Sounds very familiar and very predictable.  

In spite of the cliches and the predictability of the plot, I did continue to read, hoping for an unexpected twist or a compelling climax that would make me yearn for more. Unfortunately, it never happened.

Haley is the heroine of the story who has self-esteem issues and the best friend who seems to have it all--looks and a healthy dose of confidence. But when the new boy, Seth, shows up at school, the two best friends become estranged. And when Seth shows his favor for Haley, things turn a bit nasty. 

Haley's sudden attraction to Seth just seemed way overboard and I never felt a connection to either character. Their relationship never really developed-it was more like an instantaneous thing that I would have loved to see grow over time. 

When you finally get some answers as to what exactly Seth is and how Haley plays an important role in it, I felt a bit cheated. Haley's role wasn't really developed enough for my tastes. I was left with more questions than answers. 

Overall, Blood of Gold lacked originality, depth, and its shaky plot  with little answers left me disappointed.  

BOOK REVIEW ~ UNRAVEL ME BY KENDALL RYAN

Title: Unravel Me (Unravel Me, Book 1)

Author: Kendall Ryan 

Release Date

Reviewer bought own copy of eBook

Psychology student Ashlyn Drake’s neat, orderly life takes a turn for the crazy when she finds the perfect subject for her amnesia thesis – a young man without any memory of his previous life, including the murder he’s accused of committing. 

Against all common sense, Ashlyn’s drawn to him like a moth to a flame. Perhaps it’s that he’s so incredibly male, and even handcuffed to his hospital bed he could pass for a cologne ad – Scent de Insanity. Or perhaps it’s because she’s spent too many lonely nights studying. Either way, she’s determined to help him solve the mystery of his past. She begins to unravel who he was before, using his cryptic tattoos, and his paintings that scream of a dark past as her only clues. When she finally learns his secret there’s no telling which one is the real him, the gentle lover she’s fallen for or the troubled man with a dark past.

Book Review

Sometimes when you read a book where there is an instant connection between the hero and heroine, you can understand it and it makes sense. Other times, it just doesn't sit right. 

With Unravel Me, the instant attraction that Ashlyn feels towards Logan is a bit unrealistic. Even though the heat factor was scorching, I can't say that I would have let a stranger who was questioned for murder stay the night at my house. Sexy tatts or not. 

Ashlyn is a post graduate psychology student who sets up an interview with an amnesia patient for her doctorate thesis. She enters his room in the hospital and finds the patient asleep and restrained to the bed. This is where I felt the implausibility of the story. Ashlyn asks the nurse to remove the patients handcuffs--and she does. This doesn't happen in real life. There is no way a nurse would do this. ( as an RN, I have taken care of incarcerated patients, and I know this to be factual). 

This really was the only scene that bothered me in the book. I chose to overlook it, as this is a fictional story. Also, I wanted to see where the author was going with this story. The plot itself was very intriguing. 

The only clue to the patient's past is the tattoo he has--the name Logan inked across his arm. Instead of calling him John Doe, Ashlyn decides to call him Logan. 

During her visits, we find out that Logan as no recollection of his past at all. With dissociative amnesia, his memories are there, but are blocked and Ashlyn hopes to find the key to help him regain his memories. 

One night as Ashlyn is returning home, she finds Logan outside on a park bench, sleeping. The police could no longer hold him due to lack of evidence, and the hospital had discharged him. He has no place to go. Ashlyn invites him to stay at her place--again, not what I would do with someone the police found passed out cold by a dead body covered in blood with a sledgehammer near him. Just saying. 

But I will give kudos to Ryan for making me like Logan with the way he presents himself. When they are together, he is nothing but polite and respectful. 

I also enjoyed the build-up between Logan and Ashlyn. Even though Ashlyn makes her intentions known to Logan one night (she wants him to jump her bones), he refuses to sleep with her. He has no memory, no idea what kind of person he is, or if he's even guilty of what the police charged him with. 

Over the next few weeks, the two become closer as Ashlyn struggles to unravel (haha) Logan's past. But when they find the answers to who he is, will their budding relationship have a future? 

Although there were a few unanswered questions as to what really happened in the warehouse, I still loved the unraveling of Logan's past and hope the author continues with this series. 

Unravel Me is an enjoyable read that sizzles with great sexual tension and a sympathetic hero that charms his way into your heart. And because of that, the occasional flaw or two is easier to ignore. 

BOOK REVIEW ~ ROCK STAR BY GINGER VOIGHT

Title: Rock Star (Groupie, Book 2)

Author: Ginger Voight

Release Date: September 25, 2012 

Reviewer purchased own copy of eBook 

"Rock Star" is the highly anticipated sequel to Ginger Voight's Rock and Roll Rubenesque saga, which began with the sizzling debut of "Groupie." For those who have been anxious to see what has become of Andy, Vanni and Graham... buckle your seat belts. You're in for a thrilling new ride right through the dark underbelly of fame. 

In the second book in the series, readers get insight into the mind of the romantic hero, Giovanni Carnevale, as he reaches the pinnacle of success as a world wide rock star. Everyone wants a piece of him, but all he wants is the one thing he can't have. He's angry and he's entitled, with ample opportunity to make really bad decisions. The combination proves explosive.

Andy must watch from the sidelines as her beloved Vanni falls victim to grifters, scandals and alcoholism thanks to this self-destructive behavior. Things come to an emotional head when his estranged father comes on the scene just when Vanni thinks things can't get any worse.

Darkness shadows Graham Baxter as he begins his journey as a paraplegic. The powerful mogul bitterly handles this new vulnerability by lashing out at the people who could help him the most. He needs Andy more than ever, pulling her in yet another hopeless direction. Andy is put in the impossible situation of keeping the most important promise she has ever made, or saving the man that she can't help but love.

Author Ginger Voight turns up the scandals, secrets, passion and heartbreak to 11 in a very Jackie Collins type of way. Flawed characters face excess and all the pitfalls that entails. They fight as hard as they can to hold onto anything real in the fake world of celebrity.

Book Review

I fell in love with this series back in October 2011. The writing of Ginger Voight's book, Groupie, just sang to me. I couldn't stop reading the book and had to finish it! It was like watching a horrible train wreck or car accident. My eyes were wide open, devouring every word as fast as I could read them. Vanni and Andy's relationship was brutal. It was like a kick in the gut and made me curse aloud. 

Thank god there was a sequel! I had a huge WTF moment at the end of the first book. 

Rock Star takes place pretty much immediately where Groupie ended. Vanni returns to his home in L.A. He is hurt, angry, and turns to the bottle to drown his sorrows. He cannot believe that Andy has turned him down. He finally gave his heart to a woman and she decides to stay with another man. Unable to deal with his loss, he drinks his pain away and turns to several nameless women to help ease the ache. 

Andy sees things a bit differently. How can she leave Graham when he took a bullet for her? He's paralyzed and needs someone to be by his side. Guilt is the main culprit to why Andy stays, but she does love Graham. It's just not the all consuming passion that she has for Vanni. She views her time with Graham as temporary and hopes that Vannie will hold out and wait for her. 

Both Vannie and Andy have some major growing up to do and some heavy issues to solve. And along the way, some people are very determined to see that Andy and Vanni never get back together.

There are several new players in Rock Star that will become very important for different reasons:

(1.) Maggie, a nurse who specializes in treating paraplegics, shows up and pushes Graham to find the will to want to walk again. She ignores his threats to fire her (which he does numerous times) and and forms a bond with Andy--the two women become friends, despite the strangeness of their situation. Maggie has her own reasons for not giving up on Graham. Could one of them be that she is falling in love with him?

(2.) Holly, aka The Bitch, as I like to call her. She comes across as this sweet and innocent girl who wants nothing more than to help Vanni when he needs a good friend. Her brother, Julian, is the newest guitarist of Dreaming in Blue--Vanni's band--and her sickeningly sweet persona was about to make me puke a little in my mouth. You know she has a hidden agenda and you hope Vanni is too smart to fall for it. 

(3.) Leo --who is not actually new to the books, but he definitely has an important role in Rock Star.  I wanted to strangle the S.O.B. on several occasions. He is poison and he helps push Vanni over the edge in the wrong direction. 

The web of deceit in Rock Star is thick and tangled beyond belief. It seems like an insurmountable mountain that Vanni and Andy will never be able to surpass. There is much heart ache throughout for all and at the end, just when you think the pieces click in place--FINALLY--there is an evil waiting around the corner, just waiting to ruin the bit of happiness that Vanni and Andy have finally found. 

Mogul, the last book of the emotional trilogy is expected to be released February 5. And if you visit my website on February 15, I will have a spotlight/review of Mogul for your perusal.