Re-Read Challenge Review: Montana Sky by Nora Roberts

In life, Jack Mercy hadn't been a kind man. In death, he was no different. His daughter Willa expected to inherit his ranch, the place she'd put her heart and soul into. But at the reading of the will, she learns that her home has been given not just to her, but to two sisters she barely knows as well. And in order to inherit, they must all live on the ranch for a period of one year.

None of the three sisters are happy with the arrangement. And apparently, neither is someone else as deadly incidents begin occurring around them. Willa, Tess and Lily find themselves fighting for their lives alongside the men who have become part of the lives and their hearts.

Willa is heartsick and pissed off that her father has willed the ranch that she’s worked her ass off on to not only her, but her two sisters as well. Jack Mercy had cast off two of his daughters and their mothers when they failed to produce sons. He would have done the same to Willa’s mother, I’m sure, had she not died when Willa was a baby.

The sisters must live on the ranch in order to receive their inheritance. Willa of course will be there til the end of her days, but now she has to run the ranch on her own.

The oldest sister, Tess, is from California and wants nothing to do with Mercy Ranch. She’s a screenwriter and wants Rodeo drive and spa treatments. When she finds out how much the ranch is worth, however, she’s willing to stick it out for a year so that she can be bought out at the end.

Lily, the middle sister, thinks she’s found heaven. She’s running from an abusive ex-husband who can’t seem to leave her alone. She’s finds Mercy Ranch to be the solace that she needs in her life.

I read this book when it first came out in 1996. I absolutely loved it. Of course I wasn’t reading a whole lot of anything Nora Roberts at the time so the diversity in my reading was pretty much non-existent. I remember this book as being laugh out loud funny in a few parts and pretty awesome in the romance department. All I can say is: what was I thinking? Lol

The romance with the 3 different girls and their 3 men was ok, but relatively unexciting (not that romances have to all be exciting but I just remembered it that way) . Tess’s was mostly based on sex even though her man was in love with her. The resolution came extremely quickly and then the story moved on to the next girl. Very dissatisfying.

Willa’s romance was written about the most but was kind of stilted. Neither party wanted to admit their feelings, and when they did it was done in a grumbling manner as if they truly just wanted to say it and get it the hell over with.

Lily’s romance was the best of the three in my opinion. She fell in love and found what she had deserved all along: a good man. Was it perfect all the time? No, but they worked it through and it was all good.

I have to say though that the suspense portion of this book was probably the best part. Kind of bloody, but Roberts kept us pretty much in the dark about who it was for most of the book. I had my ideas but not until a few pages before the end did we know whodunit.

Overall not a bad book but just not what I remember it being.

In 1996 I would have rated it 4.5 out of 5.

Today’s rating: 3 out of 5

Cynthia Eden Contest

This one looks like a pretty darned good vamp book, ladies.


For more info on the book and the contest check out Cynthia's blog.

Guest Review is Posted

My guest review on The Book Binge for Devil of the Highlands by Lynsay Sands is up now.

They call him the Devil, the most notorious laird in all of Scotland. But Cullen, the new Laird of Donnachaidh, pays them no heed. He cares only about the survival of his clan, and for that, he needs a wife. He wants someone stout to bear him sons. He wants a pliable woman who wouldn't question his dictates. He wants a passionate woman to warm his bed...one out of three isn't bad. Evelinde has lived under the cruel thumb of her stepmother for too long. That is the only explanation for her eagerness to wed the "Devil of the Highlands". She's determined to be a good wife, but this Devil needs to learn that there is more to a marriage than what goes on in the bedchamber...

Review: Land of Falling Stars by Keta Diablo

Penniless, her parents and brother dead, Sophia Whitfield struggles to save her beloved childhood home during the Civil War. Another bluecoat is staggering down the hill, but before Sophia allows him to rob and pilfer like the others, she shoots him. How is she to know it is Gavin, the dark knight of her youth, carrying secrets too horrific to imagine and a passion that ignites her deepest desires?

As Sophia gradually learns Gavin's secrets-and enjoys his talents in the bedroom-she discovers how to finally know her own heart. Can she save the Land of Falling Stars, or will she lose it all to the horrors of the War and Reconstruction? And will the Southern lady and the Yankee soldier be able to recapture the bliss of their youth - this time in each other's arms?

Sophia, Gavin and Jesse had been friends since childhood, getting into trouble here and there – basically wherever they could find it. Jesse and Sophia were promised to each other in marriage at the time of their births but as they grew older Gavin discovered that he loved Sophia with all of his heart. Being Jesse’s best friend was a huge problem so he chose to love her from afar and never tell her of his feelings for her.

When Gavin returns to Sophia’s home after being discharged from the service, and being shot by Sophia when he comes back to her, he is distraught. He’s hiding the fact that Jesse’s death is on his hands and he just wants to deliver a letter to Sophia that Jesse had given him and be on his way. He wants to die. But seeing Sophia again has ignited his desire and love for her to a level that he just can’t ignore it any longer. Though he knows that as soon as she finds out about Jesse she will hate him he can't seem to leave her side. Sophia does end up hating him, but not for the reasons that Gavin originally thought. And when they are forced together on a long journey their love and hate walk side by side.

Sophia and Gavin were an extremely volatile couple IMHO. They loved passionately but they hated passionately as well. Sometimes this was taken to the very extreme and would border on unrealistic but then would be pulled back before it went too far. I really liked Gavin a lot for many different reasons: his undying love for Sophia, the sacrifices he made for her over the course of the book, his protectiveness. Sophia I didn’t care for quite as much. She seemed more than bratty and couldn’t, until the very end of the book, quite make up her mind what it was she wanted. I really couldn't connect with her at all.

Despite the ups and downs of the book I found it a pleasant way to spend an evening. I usually enjoy Civil War romances and this was no different. The author made everything feel real and authentic when describing places or even what the city looked like after having been attacked. I will be reading more by this author in the future.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Year of the Category Review: Private Confessions by Lori Borrill

Pisces

"Career and love will intersect--are you ready to play?"

Experience has taught ad exec Logan Moore that office affairs always end in disaster. Which is why his online romance with Scorpio63 is exactly what he needs right now--the anonymous, steamy encounters help him forget the secret urge for Trisha he gets every day.…

Scorpio

"Today you'll clear up the mystery shrouding your love life, but will you like what you find?"

Virtual sex with Pisces47 is so sinfully good it leaves Trisha Bains hungrier for the good, old-fashioned kind with Mr. Moore, her unattainable boss. But a chance remark of his makes her think the unthinkable: could the private sex fantasies she's been indulging in now become her reality?

Logan is a man who has been burned but good. He dated and then married a woman who worked for him in is Ad agency but once she became his wife she revealed that all she had wanted him for was his agency. She took his heart and half his agency with him in the divorce…oh, and most of his clients. Logan has sworn that he will not be dating an employee ever again cuz they just can’t be trusted.

Trish yearns for Logan in a big bad way. She is hot for everything about the man but he doesn’t seem to give her the time of day when it might come to a personal relationship. When she finds a brochure for lovesign.com, a cybersex website, she decides to get Logan out of her mind once and for all. Trisha finds Pisces47 an incredibly wonderful and sensitive cyber lover but she still can’t seem to get Logan out of her head. The problem is…she’s just found out that Pisces47 is Logan. Oh the dilemma!

This was a cute, fun book. The cybersex was pretty wicked and I liked Logan and Trisha together…because they do get together...I’m not saying how. Logan’s observances of Trisha in her every day life at the office made me sigh with pleasure. When he starts telling her little things about herself that he’s noticed, he got me. Oh how I love men who notice and appreciate the little nuances in a woman.

But Logan had such trust issues and Trisha certainly had some unrealistic expectations of the poor man. Despite their issues I thought that this was a most enjoyable read.

I’d say that the only thing I didn’t like about this book was the secondary story. It was a very cute story in itself but I just felt it was filler and completely unnecessary to Logan and Trisha’s story.

Rating: 3 out of 5

What I've Been Reading This Week

Hey Kids! How was your week? Mine was good. It was a pretty quiet week all in all.

Yesterday the fam and I went to Knott's Berry Farm. We had tickets from when Lisabea, Rosie and I had gotten together and never used (cuz it was pouring down rain) so we went to use them before they expired at the end of the month. What fun! My favorite was the Big Foot Rapids - totally cool! Of course my oldest's back got completely drenched and since it wasn't the warmest weather yesterday I had to buy her another shirt just so she didn't freeze - but it was a blast. My youngest and I went on a lot of rides together since I'm not a huge roller coaster person. I used to be but now I get motion sickness so my hubby and oldest go on the rides together. My oldest is a complete adrenaline junkie. I swear that girl will be climbing Mt. Everest when she's older!

Here's my youngest's version of fun (although she looks pretty bland about it she went on it 5 times in a row). She's the one on the far left.



And here's my oldest's version of fun. Bleck. I would have barfed out my eyeballs! lol She's the one 8th from the right, not that you can really see her.



Anyway, we had a great time and the kids were exhausted and fell asleep the minute we were in the car. Ahhhhh blessed silence! :)

What I read this week:


First up was Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James. Review is below. I just loved the book and thought it was a great contemporary read.











Next was Montana Sky by Nora Roberts. This was the book I read for the Re-read challenge and you're going to have to check back next Saturday to see what I thought the second time around! :)










My next book was Land of Falling Stars by Keta Diablo. This is a civil war romance book that I was asked by the author to review. My review will be posted on Thursday.

Note the conveniently placed lock of fallen hair in this cover. I think she has more material at the back of her dress than the front.







My Year of The Category read for this month's challenge was Private Confessions by Lori Borrill Check back Tuesday for my thoughts.











Devil of the Highlands by Lynsay Sands was a book that I read for The Book Binge. I'm not sure when it will be posted but I'll keep you informed. Good book. I like her historicals.










Tempt Me Tonight by Toni Blake was my last read. I really like her books. I seem to sit down with her books and not want to put them down. This was the story of Trish and Joe. They were high school sweethearts and so in love & planned to get married. In a stupid, retarded, idiotic, drunken moment Joe didn't something very, very, very wrong and broke Trish's heart. Now it's 14 years later and Trish meets Joe again. It's a sexy, fun yet emotional book that tells the tale of forgiveness, trust and love. I very much enjoyed it.



Happy reading!

Review: Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James

Cool. Calm. Collected.
Nothing fazes Taylor Donovan. In the courtroom she never lets the opposition see her sweat. In her personal life, she never lets any man rattle her–not even her cheating ex-fiancé. So when she’s assigned to coach People’s “Sexiest Man Alive” for his role in his next big legal thriller, she refuses to fall for the Hollywood heartthrob’s charms. Even if he is the Jason Andrews.

Confident. Famous. Irresistible. Jason Andrews is used to having women fall at his feet. When Taylor Donovan gives him the cold shoulder, he’s thrown for a loop. She’s unlike any other woman he’s ever met: uninterested in the limelight, seemingly immune to his advances, and shockingly capable of saying no to him. She’s the perfect challenge. And the more she rejects him, the more he begins to realize that she may just be his perfect match...

Chicago lawyer Taylor Donovan has been sent by her firm to LA to take charge of a sexual harassment case. But right in the middle the partners also put her in charge of Jason Andrews and the courtroom education he needs for an upcoming legal thriller he’s been cast in. Jason thinks he can pretty much charm his way into or out of anything and Taylor’s done with him before they even begin.

I admired Taylor from the beginning of the book. She had worked damn hard to get where she was and she had her eye on the prize – a partnership. She didn’t need anyone to get in her way. Was she possibly a tad too focused? Sure…but I understood her most of the time and enjoyed her drive.

Jason Andrews sounded heavenly…except he just expected everyone to fall at his feet. Did he get his comeuppance? Yeah. And I loved it. He really wasn’t a bad person he was just a little full of himself as I’m sure a lot of movie stars are.

I really enjoyed Taylor and Jason together. I loved the fact that as focused as Taylor was at some points in the book Jason could just make her laugh. I thought they had a great chemistry together and thought their story was great. I’m definitely looking forward to more of reading more books by Julie James.

Rating: 4 out of 5

If You're Interested...

My review for Fragile by Shiloh Walker is up on The Book Binge.

What I've Been Reading This Week

So I sat down to do this post and realized I've not got a whole lot to say. lol Isn't that funny? It is for me because strangely enough I'm rarely at a loss for words. But it was a very quiet week for the fam.

Oh, well, my youngest did graduate Clown School. I know, most of the people in my family have but she actually got a certificate and a red nose! :) Let me explain: The first grade class that she's in has a theme this year and it's "Under The Big Top" so a lot of the stuff they do is circus related. Her homework folder is circus themed, and they have a little tent in the classroom where 2 kids at a time can go in and read in the library. It's very cute. What they also do every Wednesday is Circus Sight Words. They have a list of words that are in sections by 10 that they need to learn and my youngest completed her first set of 100 Circus Sight Words so she graduated Clown School! lol Here she is in all her glory. We're so proud! (lol I just realized when looking at the picture that she's wearing a polka dot dress! Always in character, eh?)

Let's see...oh my hubby made me a Valentine card and put it by our bed so I'd see it when I went in and read in bed...only I didn't go in there all day so he ended up stuffing into the book I was reading so when I opened at the bookmark the card fell out. So cute. And there was a Borders card in there too which was fab. He's so cute. I asked him if the thought ever crossed his mind to actually hand me the card. He said no. That's my guy.

Anyway, that was the extent of my excitement for the week. So, on to what I read:

I started my week with Second Chance Pass by Robyn Carr. My thoughts on it are below if you're interested.











The it was on to Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis. Cute book. I really enjoyed the story of Katie and Cam and their romance. It was just ssweet and comfortable read. If you like contemporary romances I'd say this is a good one for you. Although I already know who the other two brothers are gettin with I'm still looking forward to reading their books.







Next I read a short little story called Whirlwind Wedding by Lilian Darcy. This was a Harlequin Mini that I downloaded for free from Books on Board when I was testing my MS Reader after my new computer was installed. It was a cute little story about a woman who's about to marry a man that she's only known for 7 weeks and as she gets to him the man she always had planned on marrying bursts in on the wedding. For such a short book I thought it was well done and I'll be reading more of Ms. Darcy's work.





When shopping at Borders right before the So Cal Blogger Get Together I snagged a copy of Scandal by Carolyn Jewel. I'd heard good things about the book and was anxious to read it. It was good, no doubt about it. I think Rosie said it best when she said it was a gentle book. Stirring and moving but not a ton of excitement. You just didn't need it - it had everything it needed. The heroine of this book kind of bugged me though. Yes she's been hurt over and over and I could understand her reluctance but I thought it went on a tad too long. But that's me...others might not agree.





I read Fragile by Shiloh Walker as my last read of the week and my next book review for The Book Binge. I'll let you know when the review gets posted.









FYI - I forgot to post about 2 books that I read last week - oops. The first was Stroke of Midnight by Julie Kistler - another Harlequin Mini. A story about a woman who goes to a New Year's Eve party to break up with her fiance and falls in love with another man in about an hour. Not really my cup of tea, but not bad.








Also Techno Thrall by Storm Grant was a novella that I read for The Book Binge. You can read my review here.







Happy Reading!!

Happy Valentines Day

A few poems for you: (no, I didn't write them!)

My love is like a cabbage
Divided into two,
The Leaves I give to others
The heart I give to you.


Oh, sweet center of my heart's affection,
your charms warm me beyond all discretion.
Let your strong fingers wander
and I'll grow ever fonder. . .
Yes, you do know my every intention!


When I'm with you, I feel in a stew,
I want to stick to you like glue.
My heart starts to swell
and my chest aches as well,
Do you think this is love or just flu?


Don't need roses or candy or bling
'fact I really don't need anything
except you with me
wherever I be;
you're the only one makes my heart sing.

A friend of mine emailed me this picture and I just had to share.
I hope you all have a wonderful Day!

My Very Own Harlequin

The Tycoon's Virgin Nanny

After being stripped of her wealth, Tracy may be down, but the suddenly broke beauty is far from out! As a glamorous socialite, she's just landed the ideal position in Paris, the City of Lights with sexy wealthy tycoon John. And how hard can it be to take care of his irresistible four-year-old twins?

The modest ex-heiress is the last person John expected to bond with his orphaned niece and nephew. But Tracy is confounding the wealthy tycoon with her shy ways. She's clearly the perfect nanny for his kids. Is she also the woman John wants and needs to complete their instant family?

Thank you to KMont! I saw this on her blog and just loved it. What a fun thing to do when your at home with quiet children and a day off! lol (And let me tell you, quiet is a rare thing in my house!)

You can go get your own Harlequin story here. It's free!

Review: Second Chance Pass by Robyn Carr

Before I start this review I just want to talk about my rating system for a moment. This past week I took a good look at my rating system. I like it and plan to stick with it. But what I noticed is that I’m really not being true to it. That sounds strange but I think I’ve been a little more free with my 4’s than I have been in the past. I will stick with all of the ratings that I’ve given but I’m thinking I really need to think a little harder before handing out that number. A lot of books I read are 3’s. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a 3 according to my system. A 3 is a perfectly good book…just not one I consider very good or excellent. Anyway…just needed to get that out of my system. I’m good now, carry on.



In the space of a few months Vanessa buried her husband, Matt, and gave birth to their son — breaking her heart while filling it with a whole new kind of love. But the one man she longs to share this love with now acts as if she doesn't exist.

Paul Haggerty lives by the marine motto: Semper Fi. Ever faithful to his best friend, he's done right by Matt's widow as best he can...considering he's been secretly in love with her for years. Now, just as he's about to make his move, another woman has staked her claim on him — a claim that will be tough to escape.

With courage, humility and not a little meddling from the good folks of Virgin River, Vanni and Paul might just get a second chance to have the love they both desire and deserve.

I have to say that I had great expectations for Vanni and Paul’s relationship. The build up from the previous book had me really pulling for the two. When Paul ends up going home to Grant’s Pass after the last book (I won’t give away too many details if you haven’t read the book) he falls into the arms of another woman. This just pissed me off. I guess it’s a guy thing…he thought he didn’t have a chance with Vanni so he’s going to take comfort where he can get it. But I just looked at it as being wimpy. Ok so he thought he didn’t have a chance but he still loved her with all of his heart and he really hadn’t given it the old college try IMO. And unfortunately I felt that Paul was kind of wimpy through the entire book. Yes, he is very sensitive but it got to a point where I just didn’t want to read about it any longer.

For Vanni I thought she was kind of two people rolled into one; soft on the outside and crispy on the inside. Yes, she had been through hell and yes she had a horrendous temper but I just thought for someone who was in love with Paul she should have tried to act a little nicer to him. Yes she comes around…but still.

I really loved the first part of this book. I was completely engrossed in what was going on in the Virgin River Community and wanted more. But the longer I read the more eh I got about reading the book. The writing was fabulous as usual, don’t get me wrong, but I just couldn’t get emotionally attached to the main characters. There is one part of the book involving Mel and Jack that had me on the edge of my seat but that was it. Even the second and third romances they had going on in the story were only mildly entertaining. I do have to say thought that I still love the way VR comes together as a community in a time of need. That I will never tire of.

It was a good book but I just didn’t feel that the story itself was on the same grand level as the first books in this series.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Reading in Bed

So I know I've posted this one before but I just got to thinking about a conversation that Lisa and Rosie and I had this past weekend. We were talking about the Ebookwise and how it was great to have the backlight (I'm sure other ereaders do too but I happened to have mine with me and was demonstrating) so I could read in bed without bugging my husband. Lisa's hubby G agreed that it was quite handy. Rosie's hubby thought it was a brilliant idea because if she's staying up late to read a book she has to leave the bedroom as to not disturb GG.

Anyway....it made me think of this cartoon so I looked it up and thought I'd share it again. I'm sure we can all relate! lol

So, do you read in bed and does it drive your SO crazy???

What I've Been Reading This Week

Well it was an interesting week but an excellent weekend. My youngest was home sick on Tuesday and Wednesday and then my oldest joined the crowd on Thursday. I hate it when they're sick - as most moms do - but I have say that only working 2 days a week is wonderful! lol

Then yesterday I met Rosie and Lisabea and their hubby's, along with my hubby, down in Buena Park. We were to "do" Knott's Berry Farm but alas it was pouring down rain and the park closed. We took our CT visitors to Hollywood and mosied along and had a wonderful lunch. Today the So. Cal Bloggers got together and omg did we have a great time! There were 11 of us and we just talked about books until we were blue in the face while dining on great food at PF Chang's. It was so much damned fun I can't wait to do it again, and soon. Of course it was an extra special treat to have Lisa there to add to our group even though she had a twitchy eye. We tried not to stare. (muah Lb)

So our group consisted of (in picture order):
Blanche, Holly, Lori, Daphne, Moi, Lisabea, Wendy, Rosie, Nikki, Alice & Renee. Aren't we cute??

So onto what I read this week:

Line of Scrimmage by Marie Force was great. I've not read a lot of romance's that have to do with sports but this one was great. Yes, there were a few misunderstandings that I could have done without but overall I enjoyed it.











Next was Dark of Night by Suzanne Brockmann. My thoughts are below if you're interested. Loved it.










Everything to Lose...the new novella by Katie Reus. Good book. I really liked that it was a married couple trying to get back together. Similar to what I read in Line of Scrimmage but so completely different. I liked the characters and the sex was pretty darned hot too.









Broken Wing by Judith James was next. I really liked it. I have to say that the hero goes through some tough shit but I couldn't completely appreciate how he handled everything (can't give anything away, you know! :)). It didn't stop the enjoyment of the book for me though. We also got introduced to new characters in this book that I hope will be in future stories.







At Graves End by Jeaniene Frost was pretty good. I didn't connect with the book like I had the previous two books, but it was still good. Bones, as always is just luciously yummy and I want to eat him up with a spoon. He keeps me coming back for more, that's for sure.









Bikini Diaries by Lacey Alexander was a book I read for The Book Binge. My review is here.











And last but certainly not least was Gobsmacked by LB Gregg. I really liked this book and give it 4 stars. I thought that the characters were likable and funny and that they just seemed like average everyday people that anyone could find in their town. I love books like this one that suck me in quickly and don't let go. A great fast paced read!

It's Here! Gobsmacked by LB Gregg

OMG can you believe it? The anxiously awaited release of Gobsmacked by LB Gregg is finally here. Released today from Aspen Mountain Press. Go get your copy now!!!


No more Mr. Nice Guy.
Mild mannered Mark Meehan’s good judgment flies out the window when he finds his lover banging another man. Things go from bad to worse as Mark’s crazy revenge scheme uncovers shocking secrets—sending him straight into the arms of hunky lawman and old friend, Tony Gervase, a man of limited patience and secrets of his own.

Congratulations LB!!! (*sniff* I'm so proud!)

The Great Buddy Award

Last week Holly from What Were You Expecting gave me a wonderful award: The Great Buddy Award and I was a total slacker and didn't post it on my site. Yeah, I suck. Then today Rosie from Nobody Asked Me...gave me the same award and I thought I really need to post this! I have to say that both of the times I saw this award given to me I was a little slap happy. It's so nice to have people say nice things about my little slice of bloglandia. Thanks guys!

How it works:

1.. Put the logo on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3. Award up to ten other blogs.
4. Add links to those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message for your awardees on their blogs.

My problem is this...the rules of the award are that you should "gift" up to 10 bloggers with this award and I have so many more than 10 that I'd love to gift! How do I ever choose?

Well I'm obviously handing it back to Holly and Rosie because they definitely deserve it...and that doesn't count for any of my 10! lol
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*
*
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OK - so I started adding links and names and was getting my groove on....and then I looked at the names. I wanted them all there, but then I started thinking about all of the blogs that I go to and I just can't not include them all - so I deleted it all. So my decision: I'm awarding all of the blogs that I visit. I love you all and can't choose. That's like choosing between my kids...can't be done.

Happy Award Day to you All!!

A Few of My Thoughts: Dark of Night by Suzanne Brockmann

I finished reading this book last night. Ok, it was 1:00 am so…I finished this book this morning. I’m not gonna do the whole review thing because I think that’s been taken care of in so many different ways.

One of my friends told me in advance (yes, she asked me if I wanted to know before she told me! :))who was gonna end up with whom and I have to say I was a little shocked. I kept repeating the names almost saying…WTF??? But the more I thought about it I decided that since I love Brockmann’s series so much I was willing to be open minded about the outcomes. I think I’m in the minority according to some reviews I’ve read. Holy Mac!

I have to say, I really liked it. Were there some unexpected happenings? Sure. Did I like the character pairings? Well, not at first, actually not even until about ¾ of the way through the story. But when I closed the cover on this one it gave me that warm fuzzy feeling I get when I read a really good book. It was definitely hard for me to get to sleep last night just thinking about it. Brockmann writes such incredibe stories and I adore the way she writes…it’s like a friend is telling me a story over a cup of coffee and that’s so refreshing! So many things happened with so many different couples that in the end it was just…satisfying. Let’s face it folks, I’m a sucker for that happily ever after. I completely felt that the couples that ended up together were perfect for each other. Were they who I would have chosen for them? No, but I’m not the author and she did choose them to be together and for damn good reasons, too, which I totally got.

I also thoroughly enjoyed Sam Starrett’s role in this story where it pertains the Nash. He was just a breath of freakin fresh air. As funny as it might seem to get relationship info from Sam...it worked for me.

Anyway…I loved it and this series will continue to be an auto-buy.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

The Anti-Valentines Day Contest

So Valentines day is almost upon us and we're all getting ready for the big day of romance, right? But why should we celebrate romance just 1 day a year? No wonder my hubby's view of romance is jacked...the man thinks he only has to be romantic one time a year! lol (and even that's pushing it for him).

Well apparently the ladies over at Breezing Through had the idea that we shouldn't celebrate just once a year, so they're having the Anti-Valentines Day Contest. Vera cool. There are some great books up for grabs. My advice: Go forth and enter. (Way better advice than my: don't eat yellow snow, don't ya think?)


Just click on the picture to get to the contest and enter away!!

What I've Been Reading This Week

Hey kiddles! How's tricks? Things are good in the Tracy household. Never a dull moment. My oldest sprained her ankle and has been on crutches for the past few days but she's walking on the foot now so I'm sure she'll be crutch free by tomorrow. My youngest fell off an apparatus at school and banged her head. She was a trooper though and luckily there was no outer or inner damage. :) Gotta love those kids with hard heads! lol She obviously takes after her mother.

I'm looking forward to this next weekend when Lisabea of Nose In A Book will be visiting our little slice of America. We'll have a So Cal. Blogger Get-Together on Sunday which will be fun, fun, fun I'm sure. According to weather.com it's supposed to be 70 and partly cloudy that day. Hopefully we can pull out some great CA weather for her.

Ok, reading...I started off with 2 great books by JL Langley: Without Reservations and With Caution. Both m/m werewolf books and both wonderful. I really liked how JL brought these men together and showed us their lives. I can't wait for the next story in this series...which according to JL's WIP page will be Matt's story. Very cool.





Next up I read Sizzle by Jennifer Crusie. According to Crusie's site the novella was the first book she wrote and she's trying to forget it. I don't know, it had a pretty hot scene with a desk involved. lol Although it had some great dialogue and funny scenes I didn't love it. The hero didn't listen and the heroine was trying to get him to do so...but I wasn't all that interested in the heroine because in her own way, she wasn't listening to him either.







Smart Girls Think Twice by Cathie Linz was my next read. It was a pretty cute book. There were some things I didn't care for - like when the hero was trying to push the heroine away because he was scared of his feeling he was downright nasty - being one of them. I just don't think there's ever a call to be that nasty, but I can't love every word of every book, now can I?







Next I read a short called Sandwich Play by Brigit Zahara. Ok, I hate the name of this book! I get that the guys played football in high school and that was one of the names of their plays...but I still hate it! lol It was very short but there was some incredibly hot sex involved. A widowed cop and the two men she had the hots for back in high school run into each other and love play ensues. But when the men aka vampires tell her what they are she accepts it just too easily for me. And then the book is done. Wha...??? I was wondering where the rest of it was! :) I know it was a quickie but a few more pages would have done the story a world of good.



I started reading Border Moonlight by Amanda Scott with great expectations. I'd not read one of her novels but really liked the blurb for this one. Unfortunately it didn't work for me and was my first DNF for 2009. I read it for The Book Binge and my review will be up sometime so if you're interested in more details keep your eye out. :)







My last book for the week was my first foray into the work of Megan Hart. I've seen so many great reviews about her books I was looking forward to reading one of her novels. She did not disappoint. Broken was the book I read and it was amazing. Narrated by Sadie it brought me into her struggles with every day life having a quadriplegic for a husband and also her weakness in meeting the same man the first Friday of every month to hear about his sexual adventures. It was so incredibly well written and even when my heart was hurting for so many different reasons I couldn't stop myself from reading it. This isn't a light read by any means and it's not a romance - just so you know. But it is an incredibly amazing book.
Here are a couple of reviews that go in to more depth about the story if you're interested: Dear Author, I Just Finished Reading

Happy Reading!

Oh I almost forgot. I added a new feature over to the right...a list of books read in January and their ratings. Enjoy!