Waiting on Wednesday

For those who don't know, Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly book meme where we
get to let everyone know about what books we are eagerly anticipating the
release of. WoW is hosted by Jill over at Breaking the
Spine. Want to participate? Grab the
logo on her page, post your own WoW entry on your blog, and leave your link on
her blog

Lucy Marinn is a glass artist living in mystical, beautiful, Friday Harbor, Washington. She is stunned and blindsided by the most bitter kind of betrayal: her fiancé Kevin has left her. His new lover is Lucy's own sister. Lucy's bitterness over being dumped is multiplied by the fact that she has constantly made the wrong choices in her romantic life. Facing the severe disapproval of Lucy's parents, Kevin asks his friend Sam Nolan, a local vineyard owner on San Juan Island, to "romance" Lucy and hopefully loosen her up and get her over her anger. Complications ensue when Sam and Lucy begin to fall in love, Kevin has second thoughts, and Lucy discovers that the new relationship in her life began under false pretenses. Questions about love, loyalty, old patterns, mistakes, and new beginnings are explored as Lucy learns that some things in life - even after being broken - can be made into something new and beautiful. (descripition was taken from http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/)

This is book 2 in Lisa Kleypas' Friday Harbor contemporary series.

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor was book 1 and that was released in October of 2010. So needlessly to say I have been waiting very patiently for this book to be released. Lisa Kleypas is one of my absolute favorite authors! She can write historical or contemporary it doesn't matter they are all great!

Happy Reading

Teaser Tuesday

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 & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"Now, I want to love you one more time before I go."

"Please don't act like it could be the last time. I don't want to be afraid."

Reading Romance Challenge 2012!

I have decided to participate in the Reading Romances Challenge. This challenge is being hosted by Nat at the Reading Romance Blog. The description below is directly from her blog.

The Reading Romances Challenge is not about the amount of books you read, but the variety of titles you’ll have read when the challenge is over! Our goal is to read a bit of everything related to romance and open our minds to new genres we wouldn't usually read.

Challenge Guidelines:

1. The 2012 Reading Romances Challenge will run from Jan 1, 2012 – Dec 31, 2012.
2. Anyone can join, you don’t need to have a blog. Feel free to sign-up in the comments – you can post reviews to any book site (i.e. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Goodreads, Librarything, Shelfari etc).
3. I’ll post a list of romance sub-genres and a few cool themes for you to choose from each month (you can read all of them or just a couple).
4. You can list your books before reading them (by leaving a comment on the post with the topics for that month) or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, don’t feel obligated to read them, changes are welcomed!
5. When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the Reading Romances Challenge. If you don’t have a blog, please link it to the page where you post your reviews (Goodreads, Shelfari, Amazon etc).
6. You don’t have to participate every month, but please try to!
7. Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2012, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.

• I will never tell you to read one specific author, but I might suggest a few titles and authors to give you some ideas.
• You can read the same author more than once and the books can be old or new, but they must be read during the course of the challenge.
  
• Books used in this challenge may be used in other challenges.
• Books can be in any format – paper, audio, ebook.
• Post the button to post on your sidebar, this way others can find their way back to this post and join in the fun!

At the beginning of each month there will be a roundup post for you to add your reviews for that month. If you forget, feel free to add your reviews in the following month. It can be something simple and short, please don’t worry about it!

There will also be random giveaways during the year for everyone who is actively participating on the challenge. There might be special giveaway by the end of the year for those who read all (or most of) the topics during each month . If you are an author and want to contribute with prizes, please contact me.

To Sign-up:

Please go to the Reading Romances blog post to sign up for the 2012 Reading Romances Challenge!

New Covers

Discovered some great covers!!! Check them out!

Release Date - November 1, 2011

Release Date - November 22, 2011

Release Date - October 25, 2011

Release Date - January 3, 2012

pictures are from amazon.com

Waiting on Wdnesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine,that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

Taken from FantasticFiction Website

Call Me Irresistible

R.S.V.P. to the most riotous wedding of the year . . .

Lucy Jorik is the daughter of a former president of the United States.

Meg Koranda is the offspring of legends.

One of them is about to marry Mr. Irresistible - Ted Beaudine - the favorite son of Wynette, Texas. The other is not happy about it and is determined to save her friend from a mess of heartache.

But even though Meg knows that breaking up her best friend's wedding is the right thing to do, no one else seems to agree. Faster than Lucy can say "I don't," Meg becomes the most hated woman in town - a town she's stuck in with a dead car, an empty wallet, and a very angry bridegroom. Broke, stranded, and without her famous parents at her back, Meg is sure she can survive on her own wits. What's the worst that can happen? Lose her heart to the one and only Mr. Irresistible? Not likely. Not likely at all.

Call Me Irresistible is the book Susan Elizabeth Phillips's readers have long awaited. Ted, better known as "little Teddy," the nine-year-old heartbreak kid from Phillips's first bestseller, Fancy Pants, and as "young Teddy," the hunky new college graduate in Lady Be Good, is all grown up now - along with Lucy from First Lady and Meg from What I Did for Love. They're ready to take center stage in a saucy, funny, and highly addictive tale fans will love.

"Crown Susan Elizabeth Phillips the queen of romantic comedy," raves the McClatchy-Tribune News Service, just one of numerous accolades the beloved New York Times bestselling author has earned in her remarkable career.

For more than three decades, this wise and witty writer has charmed hearts and won the devotion of legions of readers. Now she's back with the book her fans have been demanding - a sassy, sexy, downright irresistible tale of true love Texas-style, featuring gorgeous heartbreaker Ted Beaudine, now grown up and in a heap of romantic trouble all his own.

2011 Sexy Reading Challenge

The Sexy Reading Challenge will run from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. The challenge is being hosted by Brazen Broads Book Bash.

Here are the details from Brazen Broads Book Bash blog.....

Okay, we Broads have decided to offer a reading challenge for the next year-the 2011 Sexy Reading Challenge! Any book with sexy romance or erotica qualifies, so that means regency, Steampunk, paranormal (vamps, weres, shapeshifters), even sci-fi, if it's sexy. The goal is to read 12 books in 2011 that qualify.

The Sexy Reading Challenge will run from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.
So what do you have to do? First, sign up with Mr. Linky. Then, read your books. When you post a review, use the 2011 Sexy Reading Challenge button and let us know so we can go read it. Each time we see a review, you'll be entered to win a prize that we'll randomly select at the end of the year from everyone who read all 12 books. It's that easy!

We hope you'll sign up for the 2011 Sexy Reading Challenge! It's a chance to find some new authors and subgenres of romance and erotica, and maybe revisit some of your favorite authors for a second or third time.

Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge 2011

This challenge is being hosted by Romance Book Maven. So head over to her blog if you would like to join.

Here are the details:

1. By contemporary romance I mean straight contemporary, so without paranormal, fantasy or time-travel elements. Sexy, steamy contemporaries are eligible and so are category romances. (i.e. Harlequin Blaze, Harlequin Presents, Harlequin Super Romances, Silhoutte Desires, etc.)

2. Read at least 10 contemporaries between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011

3. You don’t have to pre-select your books, you can just add them as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed. Nothing is set in stone! Also, the books you choose can crossover into or from other challenges you are participating in.

2011 Debut Romance Author Reading Challenge

This challenge is being hosted by Romance Book Maven. So head over to her blog if you would like to join.

Here are the Details:


1. Read at least 10 books by “debut” romance authors between January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.


2. I debated about this and books where an author is “debuting” a new name (i.e. Maureen Child who will have a book out in 2011 as Regan Hastings) will be able to count in this challenge.


3. You don’t need to make up a list beforehand but if you want to, feel free to do so. Just keep in mind it’s not a “strict” list and you can change it at any time to fit your reading schedule. Crossovers into other challenges are allowed in this one.


Have fun & Happy Reading!!

2011 Goals

Hi everyone! I have set a goal for myself to start my blog up again. I'm going to try and post a least one review a week. I also love the "Waiting on a Wednesday" the is hosted by Breaking the Spine so I'm going to start featuring that again. I'm also going to join some challenges that I'm going to track here.

I hope everyone has a Happy and Safe 2011!!

REVIEW - The Wolf Next Door

Rating 4 stars!!

Book Description (from author's webiste):

They can’t ever be in the same room together…..
Ever since a disastrous encounter on a full moon years ago, Prisca Hawthorne has taunted, insulted and in every way tried to push him away. If only her heart didn’t break every time Lord William Westfield left her….

But staying apart is even worse….
Lord William throws himself into drinking, gambling, and debauchery and pretends not to care about Prisca at all. But when he returns to find a rival werewolf threatening her, he just about goes berserk …
Can Prisca forgive the unforgivable, or are the moon crossed lovers going to be forced into a battle of will that could be fatal…?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed Lydia Dare's Westfield Brother Trilogy. While the The Wolf Next Door wasn't my favorite of the three. It wrap up the brothers stories nicely. The one problem I had is that Prisca doesn't find out about William's secret until the end. I think that's why Tall, Dark and Wolfish is my favorite of the three because Elspeth knows the secret right away. What I liked about the story is that you see a lot of Simon and Ben without it taking away from William's story. This author has been an auto buy for me.

Next up is The Taming of the Wolf will be released in November.

I Finally Did It!!!

I finally bought an ereader. I never thought I would, but so many people in blogland love them so I decided to look into which ereader I wanted. I decided on the Sony Reader Touch Edition. I was able to find it at Target for $199.99 which I thought was pretty reasonable.

Where does everyone buy their ebooks? Do you have a favorite ebook store? Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

Blog Award

I just want to say thanks to Renee with Addicted to Romance for giving me this award!!!

"A prolific blogger is one who is intellectually productive, keeping up an active blog with enjoyable content. After accepting this award, recipients are asked to pass it forward to seven other deserving blogs." I am passing these on to these amazing bloggers that deserve this award!!!

Mandi @ Smexy Books

Krisite @ Ramblings on Romance Etcetera, Etcetera

Jill @ Romance Rookie

Renee @ Renee's Reads

Cover Alert!!

The cover for the last book in Nora Roberts' Bride Quartet series has been released. Isn't beautiful!!

Here is a brief description from fantastic fiction: As the public face of Vows wedding planning company, Parker Brown has an uncanny knack for fulfilling every bride's vision. She just can't see where her own life is headed. Mechanic Malcomb Kavanaugh loves figuring out how things work, and Parker is no exception. Both know that moving from minor flirtation to major hook-up is a serious step. Parker's business risks have always paid off, but now she'll have to take the chance of a lifetime with her heart.

Now all I have to do is wait for November!!!

Check out the first 3 books in this series.

New Layout

A big Thank-You to Melissa for sharing these great layouts!

Review ~ Tall Dark and Wolfish by Lydia Dare

Rating 4.5 stars!!!!

Book Description (from fantastic fiction): The reckless, rakish younger brother of a powerful duke, Lord Benjamin Westfield transforms into a wolf under the light of the full moon - until one fateful evening when he doesn't change and his life is shattered. Fearing he may never be able to change again, Benjamin sets out for Scotland in search of a witch who can heal his inner beast. The noble werewolf is drawn to the beautiful young woman, but what does he have to offer in this broken state?

My Thoughts: This is the 2nd book in Lydia Dare's Westfield Brothers Series. This series is about three brothers that are Lycan (werewolves).

What I enjoyed so much about this story was there were no secrets between Ben and Elspeth. He knew she was a witch and she knew he was Lycan. You watch these two becomes friends while Elspeth tries to help Ben figure out why he can't change. All I'm going to say is about that is Blueberries! Then you watch was they fall in love and it's a very beautiful story to read. There was also more paranormal elements in this story then there was in the first book which I also enjoyed.

Tracy has a great review at The Book Binge you should check out!

Cover Alert - The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton

Book Description from the Author's Blog:

Football pro Mick Riley is an all-star, both on the field and in the bedroom. But a sexy, determinedly single mom just might be the one to throw him off his game…
For years Mick has been taking full advantage of the life available to a pro athlete: fame, fortune, and a different girl in every city. But when he meets and beds confident, beautiful event planner Tara Lincoln, he wants much more than the typical one-night stand. Too bad Tara’s not interested in getting to know football’s most notorious playboy any better.
As the single mother of a teenage son, the last thing Tara needs is the jet-set lifestyle of Mick Riley; even though their steamy and passionate one-night stand was unforgettable. Tara’s life is complicated enough without being thrust into the spotlight as Mick’s latest girl du jour. Tara played the game of love once and lost big, and she doesn’t intend to put herself out there again, especially with a heartbreaker like Mick.
But when Mick sets his mind to win, nothing will stop him. And he has the perfect play in mind.

I LOVE romances with Heroes that are professional athletes. I can't wait for this one. I haven't read anything by Jaci Burton. Have you?

Review ~ A Certain Wolfish Charm by Lydia Dare

Book Description (from author's website): He gets crankier and crankier as the moon gets full.... The rules of Society can be beastly---especially when you're a werewolf and it's that irritating time of the month. Simon Westfield, the Duke of Blackmoor, is rich, powerful, and sinfully handsome, and has spent his entire life creating scandal and mayhem. It doesn't help his wolfish temper at all that Miss Lily Rutledge seems not the least afraid of him, and in fact, may as untamable as he is.....

A woman whose charm is stronger then the moon...... When Lily Rutledge's beloved nephew's behavior becomes inexplicably wild, she turns to Simon, the boy's cousin and guardian, for help. But Simon's idea of assistance is far different than hers, and Lily finds herself ensconced in his house and engaged to the rogue. They both may have bitten off more than they can chew when each begins to discover the other's darkest secret.

My Thoughts: One of my new favorite genres is Historcial Paranormal. I really enjoyed Simon and Lily's story. I do wish that Simon had told Lily his secret sooner, so we could have had more of the story with Lily already knowing. I haven't read a lot of shape shifter stories, but the ones that I have read the Shapeshifter was able to shifter whenever they wanted. What is different about Ms Dare werewolves is that they can only shift during the full moon.

I would definitely recommend this for anyone who loves historicals with some paranormal elements.

Ms Dare has written Simon's brothers stories which will be released in May and June.

Romance Reading Challenge 2010 ~ Completed ~

I have finished the Romance Challenge that is being hosted by the ladies at the

Royal Reviews Blog.

There are four levels:
-- Curious – Read 3 Romance Fiction novels.
-- Fascinated – Read 6 Romance Fiction novels.
-- Addicted – Read 12 Romance Fiction novels.
-- Obsessed – Read 20 Romance Fiction novels.

I choose to do OBSESSED!

Here is what I read for this challenge:

1. Catch of a Lifetime by Judi Fennell
2. Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning
3. Legend of the White Wolf by Terry Spears
4. Sealed with a Ring by Mary Margret Daughtridge
5. Slow Heat by Jill Shalvis
6. True Love and other Disasters by Rachel Gibson
7. Hard to Hold by Stephanie Tyler
8. Too Hot to Hold by Stephanie Tyler
9. Hold on Tight by Stephanie Tyler
10. Witch Fire by Anya Bast
11. The Bleeding Dusk by Colleen Gleason
12. When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason
13. A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh

14. Loves Me, Loves Me Knot by Heidi Betts
15. A Certain Wolfish Charm by Lydia Dare
16. Something About You by Julie James
17. Tall, Dark and Wolfish by Lydia Dare
18. The Wolf Next Door by Lydia Dare
19. Broken by Shiloh Walker
20. The Perfect Wife by Lynsay Sands

~ Waiting on a Wednesday ~

Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted here, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This weekly event is hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.

Release Date: July 6th

I couldn't find much of a description for this....

Lady Isabella Scranton scandalized London by leaving her husband, notorious artist Lord Mac Mackenzie, after only three turbulent years of marriage. But Mac has a few tricks to get the Lady back in his life, and more importantly, back into his bed.

I'm so excited about this book. The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie is one of my favorites!!

Cover Alert ~ Blameless by Gail Carriger

Blameless

Book the Third in the Parasol Protectorate

Release Date: Sept 1, 2010

image is from the author's website