Waiting on Wednesday

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.

"Tangle of Need"
By: Nalini Singh


Adria, wolf changeling soldier, has made a break with a past as 
unpredictable in love as it was in war. Now comes a devastating new complication: Riaz, a SnowDancer whose lone-wolf appeal is beyond sexual. It’s primal. And it consumes them as completely as the impending cataclysmic Psy war—a battle that may alter the very fate of the world.


Releases May 29, 2012

"A Night Like This" By: Julia Quinn Review

 

"A Night Like This" 

By: Julia Quinn

Synopsis from Amazon:

Anne Wynter might not be who she says she is . . .

But she's managing quite well as a governess to three highborn young ladies. Her job can be a challenge—in a single week she finds herself hiding in a closet full of tubas, playing an evil queen in a play that might be a tragedy (or might be a comedy—no one is sure), and tending to the wounds of the oh-so-dashing Earl of Winstead. After years of dodging unwanted advances, he's the first man who has truly tempted her, and it's getting harder and harder to remind herself that a governess has no business flirting with a nobleman.

Daniel Smythe-Smith Might be in mortal danger . . .

But that's not going to stop the young earl from falling in love. And when he spies a mysterious woman at his family's annual musicale, he vows to pursue her, even if that means spending his days with a ten-year-old who thinks she's a unicorn. But Daniel has an enemy, one who has vowed to see him dead. And when Anne is thrown into peril, he will stop at nothing to ensure their happy ending . . .

My Thoughts:
      I've said it before and I'll say it again, Julia Quinn is a best-selling author because of her unique voice in romance. She could write about a squirrel and I would read it. She has an amazing track record of romances, and “A Night Like This” is no different. She can really write great, flawed people that create a sense of realness unlike any other author.

      “A Night Like This” starts with a duel, so you know its gonna be good. Daniel Smythe-Smith accidentally injures one of his friends in one of those duels that young men know better than to have but feel they must. Daniel leaves the country after his friends' father vows revenge over the injury. The story then picks up years later when Daniel's friend approaches him in his isolation and asks him to come home, promising that no one will try to try to hurt Daniel again.

      Anne Wynter is a governess to the Smythe-Smith cousins. Daniel first meets Anne when she's filling in for one of the cousins at the famous musicale the Smythe-Smith's put on every year. Anne isn't simply a governess though and the magic in the story is watching Anne discover its ok to be yourself and Daniel finding out who Anne really is. The two characters are irresistibly drawn together, yet determined to keep their secrets.

      This story has it all...romance, intrigue, hilarity, and great characters. Daniel is so earnest its endearing. Anne is so surprised to find someone who is willing to take chances...willing to put themselves on the line. A great addition to the Smythe-Smith series, I can't wait to see what comes next.

I received this book from Edelweiss in order to give a fair and honest review of the material.

Book Details

Publisher: Avon

Date of Publication: May 29, 2012

# of Pages: 384

ISBN: 978-0062072900

It's Monday! What Are You Reading??

It's Monday! -

What Are You Reading?

is hosted weekly on Mondays

by Sheila from
"One Person's Journey"

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

What I Read This Week...

"Master of the Mountain" 

By: Cherise Sinclair

When Rebecca's boyfriend talks her into vacationing at a mountain lodge with his swing club, she quickly learns she's not cut out for playing musical beds. Now she has nowhere to sleep. Logan, the lodge owner, finds her freezing on the porch. After hauling her inside, he warms her in his own bed, and there the experienced Dom discovers that Rebecca might not be a swinger...but she is definitely a submissive.

Rebecca knows that no one can love her plump, scarred body. To her shock, lodge owner Logan not only disagrees, but ties her up and shows her just how much he enjoys her curves. Under his skilled hands, Rebecca not only loses her inhibitions, but also her heart.

"The Glass Castle"
By: Jeannette Walls
In the tradition of Mary Karr's "The Liars' Club" and Rick Bragg's "All Over But the Shouting," Walls has written a stunning and life-affirming memoir about surviving a willfully impoverished, eccentric, and severely misguided family



"Gabriel's Inferno"
By: Sylvain Reynard
Enigmatic and sexy, Professor Gabriel Emerson is a well respected Dante specialist by day, but by night he devotes himself to an uninhibited life of pleasure. He uses his notorious good looks and sophisticated charm to gratify his every whim, but is secretly tortured by his dark past and consumed by the profound belief that he is beyond all hope of redemption.

When the sweet and innocent Julia Mitchell enrolls as his graduate student, his attraction and mysterious connection to her not only jeopardizes his career, but sends him on a journey in which his past and his present collide.

An intriguing and sinful exploration of seduction, forbidden love and redemption, “Gabriel's Inferno” is a captivating and wildly passionate tale of one man's escape from his own personal hell as he tries to earn the impossible...forgiveness and love.

"Backstage Pass: Sinners on Tour"
By: Olivia Cunning

It’s been months since Brian Sinclair, lead guitarist for the famous rock band, Sinners, composed anything. Unable to write the music that once flowed so naturally, Brian is lost without his musical mojo. But when sexy psychology professor Myrna Evans comes on tour to study groupie mentality, Brian may have found the spark he needs to reignite his musical genius. When lust turns to love, will Brian be able to convince Myrna that what they have is more than just a fling, and that now that he’s found his heart’s muse, he doesn’t want to live without her?

"Rock Hard: Sinners on Tour"
By: Olivia Cunning


An ultimatum can break your heart.... 
Every night lead singer, Sed Lionheart whips thousands of women into a frenzy with his voice alone. But the stage is the only place Sed feels any passion since he lost Jessica...

If you’re not willing to break all the rules...
It shattered her heart, but law student Jessica broke off her engagement to Sed, determined to be successful on her own terms. But no other man can ever hold a candle to Sed...

Then a chance meeting and tortuously close quarters lead to uncontrollable flares of passion and rediscovery of their unique penchant for public encounters. Now, in addition to the risk of mutual heartbreak every time they get together, they’re in danger of truly scandalous public exposure...


May 22nd is my BIRTHDAY!! Woot Woot! 
So I am currently in Kansas City visiting the zoo, museums, and eatin' some bbq! :)
What are you guys reading this week??

Follow Friday

FEATURE AND FOLLOW FRIDAY IS A BLOG HOP PUT TOGETHER BY TWO HOSTS:PARAJUNKEE AND ALISON CAN READ AS A WAY TO HELP BLOGGERS BECOME AWARE OF OTHER BLOGS AND BLOGGERS. 

IT'S A GREAT WAY TO MAKE NEW BLOGGER FRIENDS.

Q: Summer Break is upon us! 

What would be the perfect vacation spot for you to catch up on your reading & relax?

I'm a Missouri girl and I love...

 the Lake of the Ozarks! 

The lake, the tranquility, the sound of the water...it all just comes together to create a luscious, warm, fun environment - Perfect for reading!

Sunset at Lake Ozark, Missouri

Sunset at Lake Ozark -
Gorgeous isn't it?

Lodge of the Four Seasons -
Lake Ozark, Missouri

Lodge of the Four Seasons -
Lake Ozark, Missouri

Lodge of the Four Seasons -
Lake Ozark, Missouri

"Hearts in Darkness" By: Laura Kaye Review

"Hearts in Darkness"

By: Laura Kaye

Synopsis from Goodreads:

      Makenna James thinks her day can't get any worse, until she finds herself stuck in a pitch-black elevator with a complete stranger. Distracted by a phone call and juggling too much stuff, the pin-striped accountant caught only a glimpse of a dragon tattoo on his hand before the lights went out. 
      Caden Grayson is amused when a redhead literally falls at his feet. His amusement turns to panic when the power fails. Despite his piercings, tats, and vicious scar, he's terrified of the dark and confined spaces. Now, he's trapped in his own worst nightmare. 
      To fight fear, they must both reach out and open up. With no preconceived notions based on looks to hold them back, they discover just how much they have in common. In the warming darkness, attraction grows and sparks fly, but will they feel the same when the lights come back on?

My Thoughts:

      I initially found “Hearts in Darkness” on one of those lists that recommend boosk if you liked “Fifty Shades of Grey.” The concept sounded intriguing and I looooved the cover! Surprisingly, I ended up really liking this novel, even though more than half of the story takes place in the complete dark in an elevator.
     Makenna and Caden are busy and hardly notice one another when they get on the same elevator. A quick glimpse and suddenly the elevator stops,the lights go out, and they are trapped in the elevator with just the two of them for company. At first uncomfortable with one another, as the hours pass they increasingly become more aware of one another. They share stories of their childhoods, they talk about their families, they truly come to know one another.
     It's a strange concept, yet it works on so many levels. The romance in this story isn't based on looks, gazes, or how the outside world treats the two people. It's just the two, in the dark, with only conversation. I wish sometimes the world was this way, instead of worrying how we looked like and instead knowing what our souls are like.
     It's billed as an erotica story and there are elements there, yet not so much for it to be 'officially' in the genre I don't think. There are some hot scenes but very little actual sex. Most of the novel is actually conversation. What the novel loses in scenery and plot twists, it gains in character development. I loved both Makenna and Caden and if anything, hoped they would have been in the stuck elevator even a little longer.

Book Details

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

# of Pages: 112

Date of Publication: April 21, 2011

ISBN: 294-00-1266-8929

"Love's Rhythm" By: Lexxie Couper Review

"Love's Rhythm" 

By: Lexxie Couper

Synopsis from GoodReads:

His music moves the world. Can his love move her heart?

Nick Blackthorne knows all about words of love. They’re the reason he’s the world’s biggest rock star. The irony? He turned his back on love a long time ago, lured away by the trappings of fame.

An invitation to a friend’s wedding is a stark reminder of how meaningless his life has become. When he enters that church, there’s only one woman he wants on his arm—the one he walked out on a lifetime ago. But first he has to find her, even if all she accepts from him is an apology.

Kindergarten teacher Lauren Robbins once had what every woman on the planet desires. Nick. Their passion was explosive, their romance the stuff of songs…and it took fifteen years to get over him. Then out of the blue Nick turns up at her door, and all those years denying her ache for him are shattered with a single, smoldering kiss.

But molten passion can’t hide the secret she’s kept for all these years. Because it’s not just her heart on the line anymore…and not just her life that’ll be rocked by the revelation. 

My Thoughts:
      Nick Blackthorne is a rock star known the world over. Lauren Robbins, Nick's long lost ex-girlfriend, is an elementary school teacher and about as removed from that world as can be. Yet when Nick and Lauren reunite, sparks fly, and as always romance is in the air! First off, a small disclaimer – this book is the second or third in a series and involves many characters from previous books. I have not read the previous books so I don't know much about them, but at points in the book, there are references to the characters, so beware that when you pick this one up.
      Nick receives a wedding invitation (friends from a previous book) and decides the only person he wants to invite is the only woman he has ever loved, Lauren. They had a close relationship when they were both fresh out of school, but as Nick became famous, Lauren drifted away until they finally broke up. Lauren still lives in the same town Nick grew up in so she is fairly easy to track down.
      Lauren is a Kindergarten teacher now and has no interest in Nick whatsoever when he shows up. Yet she can't deny there is chemistry and as always, their shared past keeps coming between them. Nick wants a chance to fix the relationship, wants to go back to the way things were yet Lauren does not. She still feels all the hurt she felt years before and has no desire to go back to that.
      “Love's Rhythm” is an interesting take on stardom. You always think that it would be fantastic to have fame and money, yet this book shows that's not always the case. Family, life, friends all change when fame and money enter into the mix. The characters were interesting and I think I will probably go back to read the other stories to find out what happened in previous novels. I wish the book had a little more history of what happened between the two characters, yet there was enough to infer what happened. “Love's Rhythm” was a fun, light romance...now if only I can find me a rock star!

Product Description

Publisher: Samhain

# of Pages: 155

Date of Publication: April 17, 2012

Waiting In Wednesday

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.

 

"Lethal Rider"

By: Larissa Ione

They're here.
They ride.
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Born of a match between good and evil, four siblings stand between hell's minions and everything they want to destroy. They are the Lords of Deliverance, and they have the power to ward off Doomsday . . . or let it ride . . 

LETHAL RIDER

Thanatos, the most deadly Horseman of the Apocalypse, has endured thousands of years of celibacy to prevent the end of days. But just one night with the wickedly sexy Aegis Guardian, Regan Cooper, shatters centuries of resolve. Yet their passion comes with a price. And Thanatos must face a truth more terrifying than an apocalypse-he's about to become a father.
Demon-slayer Regan Cooper never imagined herself the maternal type, but with the fate of the world hanging in the balance she had no choice but to seduce Thanatos and bear his child. Now, as the final battle draws closer and his rage at being betrayed is overshadowed by an undeniable passion for the mother of his child, Thanatos has a life-shattering realization: To save the world, he must sacrifice the only thing he's ever wanted-a family. 

Releases June 1, 2012 

"The Governess Affair" By: Courtney Milan Review

"The Governess Affair"

By: Courtney Milan

Synopsis from Goodreads:

She will not give up… Three months ago, governess Serena Barton was let go from her position. Unable to find new work, she’s demanding compensation from the man who got her sacked: a petty, selfish, swinish duke. But it’s not the duke she fears. It’s his merciless man of business—the man known as the Wolf of Clermont. The formidable former pugilist has a black reputation for handling all the duke’s dirty business, and when the duke turns her case over to him, she doesn’t stand a chance. But she can’t stop trying—not with her entire future at stake.

He cannot give in… Hugo Marshall is a man of ruthless ambition—a characteristic that has served him well, elevating the coal miner’s son to the right hand man of a duke. When his employer orders him to get rid of the pestering governess by fair means or foul, it’s just another day at the office. Unfortunately, fair means don’t work on Serena, and as he comes to know her, he discovers that he can’t bear to use foul ones. But everything he has worked for depends upon seeing her gone. He’ll have to choose between the life that he needs, and the woman he is coming to love… 

My Thoughts:
      As soon as I heard Courtney Milan had a new romance out, I immediately bought it, I had that much faith in her. New series, new characters, even a new time period...it didn't matter, I was just thrilled to have a new story from her! Courtney Milan definitely delivers the romance in her new novella, "The Governess Affair" and the beginning of her new series, the Brothers Sinister.
      Serena Barton, our heroine, begins the story by sitting on a bench in front of a disreputable Duke's home. Everyone knows something is going on with her, but she is dedicated to making a stand. Hugo Marshall is sort of the Duke's man of business who has to deal with the troublesome woman sitting on the bench in front of the house. He doesn't know what she wants, but as each day passes he becomes more and more interested in this woman who holds so strongly to her beliefs. 
     I don't want to give away any spoilers, but rest assured, this story is incredibly unique. Being ruined isn't standard fair in regency romances, yet this story does it admirably. As the romance grows between Hugo and Serena, you see their vulnerabilities, but you also see their strengths. It's a slow go, a slow boil if you will, but the finale is worth it.

Check out Courtney's website for more details. 

She has an awesome author website!

Brothers Sinister Series

"The Governess Affair" (April 2012)

"The Duchess War" 

"The Heiress Effect"

"The Countess Conspiracy"

Product Description

Publisher: Courtney Milan

Date of Publication: April 21, 2012

ISBN: B007WIOP68

It's Monday! What Are You Reading??

It's Monday! -

What Are You Reading?

is hosted weekly on Mondays

by Sheila from
"One Person's Journey"

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

What I Read This Week...

"Vision in White"

By: Nora Roberts

Wedding photographer Mackensie "Mac" Elliot is most at home behind the camera, but her focus is shattered moments before an important wedding rehearsal when she bumps into the bride-to-be's brother...an encounter that has them both seeing stars.

A stable, safe English teacher, Carter Maguire is definitely not Mac's type. But a casual fling might be just what she needs to take her mind off bridezillas. Of course, casual flings can turn into something more when you least expect it. And Mac will have to turn to her three best friends-and business partners-to see her way to her own happy ending.

"Bed of Roses" 

By: Nora Roberts

As little girls MacKensie, Emma, Laurel, and Parker spent hours acting out their perfect make believe “I do” moments. Years later their fantasies become reality when they start their own wedding planning company to make every woman’s dream day come true. With perfect flowers, delicious desserts, and joyful moments captured on film, Nora Roberts’s Bride Quartet shares each woman’s emotionally magical journey to romance.

In Bed of Roses, florist Emma Grant is finding career success with her friends at Vows wedding planning company, and her love life appears to be thriving. Though men swarm around her, she still hasn’t found Mr. Right. And the last place she’s looking is right under her nose.

But that’s just where Jack Cooke is. He’s so close to the women of Vows that he’s practically family, but the architect has begun to admit to himself that his feelings for Emma have developed into much more than friendship. When Emma returns his passion—kiss for blistering kiss—they must trust in their history…and in their hearts.

"Happy Ever After"

By: Nora Roberts

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...

What I'm Reading Now...

"Savor the Moment"
By: Nora Roberts
Wedding baker Laurel McBane is surrounded by romance working at Vows wedding planning company with her best friends Parker, Emma, and Mac. But she's too low-key to appreciate all the luxuries that their clients seem to long for. What she does appreciate is a strong, intelligent man, a man just like Parker's older brother Delaney, on whom she's had a mega-crush since childhood.

But some infatuations last longer than others, and Laurel is convinced that the Ivy League lawyer is still out of her reach. Plus, Del is too protective of Laurel to ever cross the line with her-or so she thinks. When Laurel's quicksilver moods get the better of her-leading to an angry, hot, all-together mind-blowing kiss with Del-she'll have to quiet the doubts in her mind to turn a moment of passion into forever...

"Rainshadow Road" By: Lisa Kleypas Review

"Rainshadow Road"

By: Lisa Kleypas

Synopsis from Amazon:

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.

My Thoughts:
     I love Lisa Kleypas books. There, I said it. I love them. They make me happy. They are the kind of book you can pick up at any time, read it, and end up smiling. While “Rainshadow Road” isn't going to go down as my favorite romance of all time, it did leave me smiling.
     Lucy is living in Friday Harbor, pretty much having a perfect life, until her sister and her boyfriend (Kevin) decide they are in love and want to get married. Pretty much leaving Lucy shocked, alone, and heart broken.
     Sam has known Kevin since they were younger, but is surprised when Kevin asks him to pretend to date Lucy. Kevin thinks that if Lucy finds a new man, his new girlfriend (Lucy's Sister) will like him better and her family will be better able to accept the switch. Got all that? Sam kind of goes with it and yet doesn't...its kind of a weird situation, but he does become interested in Lucy.
     Lucy and Sam are kind of thrown together in a weird mad romance that at points make you go what? They have seen each other like two times and suddenly Lucy is staying at the Nolan's house. I actually read this part 2x because it seemed to come out of left field. I also think Sam was kind of shady in his dealings with Kevin, instead of coming out and telling Lucy he knew him it was kind of kept as a secret. I know it probably needed to be that way for plot but it was annoying.
     The characters aren't as fully developed as they are in the predecessor "Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor" and the plot isn't as tight, but you do come to enjoy Sam and Lucy. They verbally spar for most of the novel which I always enjoy. Quick wit is always fun and Sam is full of it. I also liked delving into the Nolan family again and hearing more about the characters from the first title. I'm looking forward to "Dream Lake" coming out later this year!

Book Details

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Date of Publication: February 28, 2012

# of Pages: 336

ISBN: 978 - 0312605889

Friday Harbor Series

"Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor" (Oct 2011)

"Rainshadow Road" (Feb 2012)

"Dream Lake" (Aug 2012)