Thursday, January 31, 2013

January 2013 Challenge Roundup

January 2013


Here is a round up of the books I read this month and which challenges to which they belong 

2013 New Adult Reading Challenge 

1. “Beautiful Bastard” By: Christina Lauren


2013 Where Are You Reading Challenge
(My Post / Challenge Post / My Map)

1. “Weekend’s Required” By: Sydney Landon

2. “Not Planning on You” By: Sydney Landon
3. “Beautiful Bastard” By: Christina Lauren
4. “Release Me” By: J. Kenner
5. “The Accidental Cougar” By: Tiffany N. York 
8. "Kiss of a Demon King" By: Kresley Cole


2013 Immortal Reading Challenge

1.



2013 Library Books Reading Challenge

1.



2013 Sequel Challenge




1. “Not Planning on You” By: Sydney Landon
3. "Kiss of a Demon King" By: Kresley Cole


2013 E-Book Challenge

1. “Weekend’s Required” By: Sydney Landon

2. “Not Planning on You” By: Sydney Landon
3. “Beautiful Bastard” By: Christina Lauren
4. “Release Me” By: J. Kenner
5. “The Accidental Cougar” By: Tiffany N. York

8. "Kiss of a Demon King" By: Kresley Cole


2013 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge

1. “Weekend’s Required” By: Sydney Landon

2. “Not Planning on You” By: Sydney Landon
3. “Beautiful Bastard” By: Christina Lauren



2013 Women's Reading Challenge

1. “Weekend’s Required” By: Sydney Landon

2. “Not Planning on You” By: Sydney Landon
3. “Beautiful Bastard” By: Christina Lauren
8. "Kiss of a Demon King" By: Kresley Cole


2013 Men in Uniform Reading Challenge

1.

2013 Immortals After Dark Reading Challenge

1. "Kiss of a Demon King" By: Kresley Cole




2013 - 100 Books in a Year
2013 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge



1.

"Not Planning On You" By: Sydney Landon Review


Not Planning on You
By: Sydney Landon

Synopsis from Goodreads

Suzy Denton seems to have it all together. She loves her job as an event's planner for Danvers International, and she loves her high school sweetheart and fiance Jeff.
Fast forward a month and it's all gone to hell in a hand-basket. She finds out Jeff's dentist has been doing more than drilling his teeth, and Danvers is in the process of merging with Mericom creating the largest communications company in the US and also bringing Gray Merimon, the CEO of Mericom into her life.
Gray pursues her from almost their first meeting. Even though he looks like sex on a stick, Suzy is afraid of being hurt again, and she thinks Gray is just another stuffed shirt looking for a relationship. When he calls her bluff, Suzy agrees to one night of sex, hoping that he will be terrible in bed and she can finally get him out of her system.
When circumstances throw them together for more than one night, can Gray convince Suzy that two complete opposites can be a perfect fit?
My Thoughts 
    After my hard time with “Weekend’s Required” By: Sydney Landon, I still wanted to try “Not Planning on You.” I loved Suzy when I read about her and just had to read her story. I wasn’t disappointed in the least and absolutely loved this crazy, zany lady and her happily ever after.
    Suzy met Gray Merimon briefly in “Weekend’s Required,” at a business dinner. Intrigued by him but not wanting to get caught up in a relationship so soon after breaking up with her, she kind of plays hard to get. Flirting but not quite crossing that line. Finally Suzy breaks down and agrees to one night with Gray, thinking it would get him out of her system and out of her life. Unfortunately, before her special night can commence, she breaks her ankle. Who else is there to help her out during her time of need, but said enemy/crush Gray?
     This book is so dang cute, I can’t even begin to relate. Suzy is so funny and sassy that you find yourself laughing at her quick comebacks. Gray finds himself drawn to her and her quick wit. Nothing ever goes the way they plan and slowly they fall in love over broken bones and breakfast.
     Not your usual romance, Suzy and Gray find themselves in a very unconventional romance that still makes me sigh. There is a secondary story with an ex-girlfriend that I could have done without, but besides that the romance was very well done. I loved Suzy, Gray made me smile and I had none of the problems with this one I did with the first in the series. Anxiously waiting for the next book and crossing my fingers it will be Suzy’s sister Beth and Gray’s brother Nick. Here’s hoping folks!

Book Details 
Date of Publication: February 5, 2013 
# of Pages: 304 
ISBN: 978-0451419620
Source: Netgalley 

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday - "Hot Ticket" By: Olivia Cunning


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly book meme where we let everyone know what books we are eagerly anticipating the release of. 

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine

Hot Ticket (Sinners on Tour, #3)
Hot Ticket
By: Olivia Cunning

There are things in bassist Jace Seymour’s past that he is unwilling to share with anyone. To cover his guilt and anguish, he seeks dominatrix Mistress V (Aggie) to temporarily placate his inner turmoil. Aggie doesn’t have much use for men–besides the power rush she gets when they’re begging for mercy at her feet–but Jace isn’t like her usual clients. His cool defiance and unexpected dominance in the bedroom drives her to distraction and quickly steals her heart. When circumstances threaten Jace’s position in Sinners, Aggie must help him regain his rightful place in the band while showing him that time and love can heal all wounds

Expected Publication: February 5th 2013

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

"Beautiful Bastard" By: Christina Lauren Review


Beautiful Bastard
By: Christina Lauren

Synopsis from Goodreads

An ambitious intern. A perfectionist executive. And a whole lot of name calling. Discover the story that garnered more than two million reads online. 
Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He’s exacting, blunt, inconsiderate—and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard. 
Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family’s massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who’d been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative—completely infuriating—creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he’s never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe’s so tempting he’s willing to bend the rules—or outright smash them—if it means he can have her. All over the office. 
As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they’re willing to lose in order to win each other.
My Thoughts
    I’m gonna admit this first off - the entire reason I picked this book was absolutely because of the terrible reviews on Goodreads. People were saying it was the worst book of all time, the characters were terrible, the dialogue atrocious and tons of other not to nice things. Totally fine, we all have those books we looove to hate. So, what did I do but go and request it from Edelweiss in order to see just how terrible it was. Only, it wasn’t.
    I’m not going to say this is wonderful literary fiction because it isn’t. However, I was a little shocked at how negative the reviews were when I found myself kind of liking both Bennett and Chloe. It’s not realistic in the least and if people acted this way in real life I’d be calling the cops, but otherwise I found it pretty entertaining.
    Chloe is working as an intern for Bennett’s company. He is an executive and she is his assistant. Its a trope used since the romance genre began, but it works. There is a delicious give and take in this book that I found fascinating that frustrated other readers. She hates him, he thinks she’s a shrew, yet they are explosive together.
     Each chapter is written from a different perspective - one from Bennett and the next chapter from Chloe. I think it gave the story a good balance and I enjoyed seeing each character’s perspective. Bennett was so overwhelming at times and could be so overbearing, I found myself just hating him. Yet, I liked seeing Chloe bring him to his knees so to speak.
     It felt very Fifty Shades of Grey to me, which I’m sure was the author’s intention. Originally published on the Internet under the name The Office, Beautiful Bastard is another piece of fan fiction for Twilight. Nothing makes me madder than when people talk badly about fan fiction. I don’t read fan fiction but I have a great respect for it. Sure there is crap out there, but there is crap writing everywhere. Its ok to not enjoy a book but I hate it when people want to get grumpy because it began as fan fiction. As I read this story, I was not assaulted with ideas of Twilight (which I HATED) and I thought it was a pretty good piece of fiction.
     Beautiful Bastard does have its annoying points. Bennett can be completely overbearing and frankly, if he behaved that way in my world I’d be callin’ the cops for harassment. But I think part of the fun is letting yourself fall into that world of make believe and fantasy. I wouldn’t behave that way but I kind of liked the thought once in a while, you know?
     I guess what I’m trying to say, I liked the book. Bennett and Chloe were unique and I enjoyed falling into the fantasy that was there world. I am definitely planning on reading the sequel Beautiful Stranger. Unique in its tone, I think the authors will find success in the post Fifty world.

Book Details
Publisher: Gallery Books
Date of Publication: February 12, 2013
# of Pages: 320
ISBN: 978-1476730105
Source: Edelweiss
Links

Challenges

#3 for the 2013 E-Book Challenge
#3 for the 2013 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge
#3 for the 2013 Women's Reading Challenge
#3 for the 100 Books in a Year Challenge
#3 for the 150+ Books in a Year Challenge
#3 for the 2013 Where are You Reading Challenge {Chicago, Illinois}

Monday, January 28, 2013

"Hot Ticket" By: Olivia Cunning Review


Hot Ticket
By: Olivia Cunning

Synopsis from Goodreads

There are things in bassist Jace Seymour’s past that he is unwilling to share with anyone. To cover his guilt and anguish, he seeks dominatrix Mistress V (Aggie) to temporarily placate his inner turmoil. Aggie doesn’t have much use for men–besides the power rush she gets when they’re begging for mercy at her feet–but Jace isn’t like her usual clients. His cool defiance and unexpected dominance in the bedroom drives her to distraction and quickly steals her heart. When circumstances threaten Jace’s position in Sinners, Aggie must help him regain his rightful place in the band while showing him that time and love can heal all wounds
My Thoughts
     Finally! I think my favorite rockers are back after that fiasco that was Trey’s book. This book actually comes third in the series, despite being released fourth. Hot Ticket tells the story of Jace, the bass guitarist and most quiet member of the band and Aggie, the badass chick he gives his heart to.
     Little has been known about Jace in the previous books. He’s quiet, standoffish and in Rock Hard we see his initial introduction to Aggie. Many of the events in the story happen concurrently with the previous book, so its a good idea to have at least read Rock Hard  to understand what is happening in the background and why the characters are behaving the way they are.
    Aggie is a pretty rad girl. She works as a dominatrix, which I was a little unsure of to begin with, but it totally works with the book. Jace has tremendous guilt over his past, specifically about relationships with his parents. He feels he has to be punished, has to be hurt but Aggie sees beyond that. She sees the uncertain young boy beneath this tough facade.
     I think its important to mention again that this is actually the third book in the series yet was released fourth. I really wish the publisher hadn’t made this decision and had actually released the books in series order. It greatly diminished my enjoyment of the series but I think Ms. Cunning has been redeemed! I was instantly transported to the events of book two and had no problem going back.
    Aggie and Jace worked really well together. Both a bit broken, both a bit shattered, as their relationship grows they heal one another in ways they never thought possible. I thought the characters were well written and the pace moved well. My favorite though is the band! I love revisiting old characters and finding out what’s happening with Brian, Sed, Trey and Eric. All in all a well rounded addition to the series that I enjoyed ever so much!

I received this book from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

Book Details
Publisher: Sourcebooks
# of Pages: 400
Date of Publication: February 13, 2012
ISBN: 978-1402245831

Reviews for the rest of the Sinners Series
In order of release - not series order
Hot Ticket - Book 3
Eric’s Currently Unnamed Book - Release Fall 2013


Olivia Cunning Links & Sites

Sunday, January 27, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading??


It's Monday! -
What Are You Reading?
is hosted weekly on Mondays
by Sheila from


Post the books you read last week, books currently reading, and books you plan on finishing this week.



Books I've Read...
On the Plus Side (Chubby Girl Chronicles, #1)
On the Plus Side
By: Tabatha Vargo
Big girls need love, too, but at what cost? 

Lilly is loaded, not only with money, but with weight. Both things she could do without. But even with her undesired millionaire status, she doesn’t hold on to false hopes of finding true love. So when a sexy stranger comes into her life dripping with seduction, she finds it hard to resist. The bigger they are the harder they fall and Lilly falls straight through the floor in love with Mr. Sexy. Too bad he’s there for all the wrong reasons. 

The chance of losing it all will make you do some crazy things and Devin’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep his life together. All seems lost when out of nowhere he’s approached by a Millionaire Momma with an offer he can’t refuse. But even a womanizer like Devin has a heart and when the short, chunky girl with the carefree attitude breaks through his icy façade, he finds that losing everything takes on a whole new meaning.

The Tycoon's Revenge
The Tycoon's Revenge
By: Melody Anne

Jasmine Freeman’s world is about to tumble down around her and the one responsible for it is none other than her first love, Derek Titan. She hasn't seen him in ten years, and they are both going to learn the truth of what happened back then. 

Jasmine grew up wealthy and oblivious to the destruction her father caused all around him. Derek was from the wrong side of the tracks. In ten years their lives will be reversed. He is now a multi-billionaire tycoon and she works hard, but barely gets by due to her father’s unethical business practices. 

Derek comes seeking revenge and instead finds out he has a half grown son and the woman he's been angry with for so many years is not who he thought she was. They both fight against the passion they still feel for each other, but in the end it is irresistible. 

Come take the journey with Derek and Jasmine as they rediscover a passion that never died and the lies that kept them apart.

Where I Need to Be (B&S Series, #1)
Where I Need to Be
By: Kimberly Knight

Spencer Marshall was done moping. After catching her boyfriend cheating with his secretary, she decides to have a girl's weekend in Vegas with her best friend Ryan. Lady Luck must be looking out for Spencer, because that weekend will change her life forever. Despite what people say, not everything stays in Vegas.

Knight (Unfinished Hero, #1)
Knight
By: Kristen Ashley

Anya Gage has learned that to get anything good in life, you have to work for it. She has no expectations, no dreams.

Then she finds herself at a party where she doesn’t want to be and she meets Knight.

Knight Sebring knows who he is, what he wants and what he likes. And he gets it. But he never expected something as sweet as Anya Gage to wander into his bedroom during a party he did not expect to be having to borrow his phone.

Knight tries to leave Anya to the life she deserves of white picket fences and a man who watches football on Sundays – good, normal and clean. But when Anya comes to his nightclub and finds herself in a situation, he knows someone has to look after her, he can’t fight it anymore and he decides that man will be him.

Knight teaches Anya that, just as with the bad, in life you should also expect the good. And he teaches her this by giving it to her.

But Knight has a dark past and just as he desires Anya for exactly who she is, he fears when she finds out exactly the man he has become and always intends to be, she’ll leave him for good, normal and clean.

Big Boy
Big Boy
By: Ruthie Knox

When Mandy joins an online dating service, she keeps her expectations low. All she wants is a distraction from the drudgery of single parenthood and full-time work. But the invitation she receives from a handsome man who won’t share his real name promises an adventure—and a chance to pretend she’s someone else for a few hours.

She doesn’t want romance to complicate her life, but Mandy’s monthly role-playing dates with her stranger on a train—each to a different time period—become the erotic escape she desperately needs. And a soul connection she never expected.

Yet when she tries to draw her lover out of the shadows, Mandy has a fight on her hands…to convince him there’s a place for their fantasy love in the light of day.

Back on Track
Back on Track
By: Donna Cummings

Allie Whittaker is in a dating slump, too busy getting her fledgling marketing company off the ground to have a personal life. All that could change, though, if she can get baseball superstar Matt Kearns on the cover of a charity calendar. Except Matt won't even talk to her.

Matt is in a slump, worried his career might be over. A Napa Valley wine tour isn't enough to take his mind off his troubles--until sexy, funny Allie plops into the adjacent seat and tells him three things about herself. One of them, she says, is a lie.

Matt can't resist playing along, and soon the afternoon getaway becomes an interlude with lies, truths, and desire flowing as fast as the wine. Then Allie lets slip one truth too many...and they both realize they're playing for keeps.

What have you read this week??