"See Jane Score" By: Rachel Gibson Review

"See Jane Score"

By: Rachel Gibson

Synopsis from Goodreads:

THIS IS JANE

A little subdued. A little stubborn. A little tired of going out on blind dates with men who drive vans with sofas in the back, Jane Alcott is living the Single Girl existence in the big city. She is also leading a double life. By day, she's a reporter covering the raucous Seattle Chinooks hockey team—especially their notorious goalie Luc Martineau. By night, she's a writer, secretly creating the scandalous adventures of "Honey Pie"...the magazine series that has all the men talking.

SEE JANE SPAR

Luc has made his feelings about parasite reporters—and Jane—perfectly clear. But if he thinks he's going to make her life a misery, he'd better think again.

SEE JANE ATTRACT

For as long as he can remember, Luc has been single minded about his career. The last thing he needs is a smart mouthed, pain in the backside, reporter digging into his past and getting in his way. But once the little reporter shed her black and gray clothes in favor of a sexy red dress, Luc sees that there is more to Jane than originally meets the eye.

Maybe it's time to take a risk. Maybe it's time to live out fantasies. Maybe it's time to....

SEE JANE SCORE!

My Thoughts:
   I LOVE this book. Love it! Recently when the blog “Smart Bitches, Trashy Books” asked what Rachel Gibson book you loved the most, easily “See Jane Score” came to mind and I just had to reread it. So I ran over to Barnes & Noble and immediately bought it for my Nook.
  Jane is a reporter who has just gotten her big career break, writing about the Seattle Chinooks hockey team. To make ends meet, Jane is also writing erotic fiction for a magazine. The beginning of her time with the Chinooks is fraught with hardship, made none the easier by our hero, Luc.
    Luc Martineau is perhaps one of the most important and popular members of the Chinooks hockey team. He simply hates reporters, especially female reporters who he thinks doesn’t know anything. Jane makes his life more complicated by not being a stereotypical reporter and is actually someone he respects and likes.
     The romance between these two is explosive. Luc and Jane are very different yet alike and they rub one another wrong all the time. It provides for really funny situations and AMAZING dialogue between the two characters.

“Do you really think that I don’t have anything better to do than to spend my time thinking about you? Digging up a little of the goods on Luc Martineau?" 

Fine lines appeared at the corners of his eyes and he laughed. “Sweetheart, there is nothing little about Luc’s goods.”

“You’re a complication I don’t need.” He followed, placed his hands on each side of her head, and planted his knee between her thighs. “But you’re a complication I want. One I’m going to have.”

     “See Jane Score” is an absolute must-read for anyone who likes fun contemporaries with amazing dialogue, funny quirky characters, and a fast moving interesting plot. I love the world of the Hockey players and think Gibson does a pretty great job of writing men and women in a realistic light within this world. All of Gibson’s back list is pretty wonderful, so definitely check her out if you haven’t read her. I’m going to leave with my favorite quote of the book, but beware, it’s totally swoon-worthy!

“I love you, and I want to be with you because you make my life better.” He pushed her hair behind her ear. “You asked me once what I see when I look into my future.” He slid his palm down her shoulder and took her hand. “I see you,” he said and kissed her knuckles.”

Book Details

Publisher: Avon Inspire

Date of Publication: January 28, 2003

# of Pages: 384

ISBN: 978-060009243

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.

Wow! Another Monday post, have I mentioned that I love these? 

On Wednesday I traveled to Princeton, Missouri for a library conference. Already talking about Summer 2013 activities, isn't that hard to believe? 

Beyond that, I had a pretty quiet week. I have some book clubs upcoming this week though, so hopefully I have some fun stuff to share next week!

What I read this week...

 
"Motorcycle Man"
By: Kristen Ashley

Stuck in a colorless world, Tyra Masters decides to chuck her old life and starts searching for something. She doesn’t know what it is until she meets her dream man. The goateed, tattooed, muscled, gravelly voiced motorcycle man who plies her with tequila and gives her the best sex of her life. But she knows it isn’t the tequila and sex talking. He’s it. He’s who she’s been daydreaming about since she could remember.

Kane “Tack” Allen has a rule. He doesn’t employ someone he’s slept with. Tyra is determined to keep her job and keep away from Tack. But she makes a big mistake. During their head-to-heads, she lets it all hang out and shows Tack she is who he’s looking for. And Tack has had a good woman slip through his fingers, he’s not about to let that happen again.

Although Tack colors Tyra’s world with a vibrancy that’s blinding, being with him means she has to live in his Motorcycle Club world. Full on, no holds barred. And since Tack’s world, not to mention Tack, is a little scary, Tyra isn’t so sure. It's Tack's job to convince her

"Law Man"
By: Kristen Ashley

Four years ago, Mitch Lawson moved across the breezeway from Mara Hanover and she fell in love with the tall, good-looking police detective who had an uncanny ability to dress well even though he’s single. It was not a stalker kind of love; she knows she has no hope since Mitch is way out of her league. That doesn’t change the fact that he’s her dream man.

Then one day Mara’s faucet won’t turn off and she knows nothing about plumbing. Being a good guy, Mitch offers to help then he invites himself over for pizza. Mara gives it a go but finds herself running away from him (literally) on their first date, standing him up their second and then she runs into him (again literally) on her way to save her ne’er do well, criminal cousin’s kids who’d just run away from their ne’er do well, criminal Dad.

Suddenly, Mara finds she has on her hands the guardianship of two kids and a gorgeous police detective who’s willing to do anything to help out… including giving fabulous foot rubs.

But Mara knows who she is and where she came from and she knows Detective Mitch Lawson is better than her. Hot law man Mitch disagrees and his challenge is to convince Mara to let go of her past and he sets about building a family at the same time he finds he also needs to protect them all against known and unknown adversaries that would tear them apart

"The Sacrifice"
By: Evangeline Anderson

Emma Krist is a dud a person from a powerful line of witches with no magic of her own. Not only that but she’s full figured instead of thin, like her gorgeous, talented cousins, and has dishwater brown hair and muddy hazel eyes to match. So she figures there’s no way she’ll be chosen as the Bloodlust Sacrifice for the new vampire Sovereign. Not that she would want to be what girl in her right mind would volunteer to be a slave for a year, giving up the rights to her own body to a dominating male who likes to bite? Not Emma, that’s for sure.

So when Aiden James calls her out of the crowd, picking her over every other single female in the supernatural community, Emma doesn’t know what to think. Now she must begin a whole new life of submission to her new master, giving herself body and soul without reservation…or suffer the punishment for her disobedience. 


What I'm Reading Now...

"Rock Chick"
By: Kristen Ashley

Indy Savage, cop's daughter, rock chick and used bookstore owner, has been in love with Lee Nightingale, once bad boy, now the man behind Nightingale Investigations, since she was five years old. No matter what ingenious schemes Indy used to capture his attention, Lee never showed an interest and Indy finally gave up. Now Indy's employee, Rosie, has lost a bag of diamonds and bad guys are shooting at him. When Indy gets involved, Lee is forced to help. Complicting matters, Lee has decided he's interested, Indy's decided she's not. But she can't seem to keep Lee out of her life when she's repeatedly stun gunned, kidnapped and there are car bombs exploding (not to mention she's finding dead bodies).

Indy's best bet is to solve the mystery of the diamonds before Lee. Lee's challenge is to keep Indy alive and, at the same time, win back her heart

I'm going to leave you with a picture of my Daisy Jane from Tuesday - she was awfully tired from resting all day!

"The Kitchen House" By: Kathleen Grissom Review

"The Kitchen House"

By: Kathleen Grissom

Synopsis from Goodreads:

      Orphaned while onboard ship from Ireland, seven-year-old Lavinia arrives on the steps of a tobacco plantation where she is to live and work with the slaves of the kitchen house. Under the care of Belle, the master's illegitimate daughter, Lavinia becomes deeply bonded to her adopted family, though she is set apart from them by her white skin.
     Eventually, Lavinia is accepted into the world of the big house, where the master is absent and the mistress battles opium addiction. Lavinia finds herself perilously straddling two very different worlds. When she is forced to make a choice, loyalties are brought into question, dangerous truths are laid bare, and lives are put at risk.

My Thoughts:

Whoa. I have just finished this book and so many wild and crazy things are going on in my head- Did I like it? I honestly don't know. It was good, kept you on the edge of your seat certainly, but I just don't know. “The Kitchen Hosue” is without a doubt an emotional roller coaster that will absolutely leave you wrung out when you have finished.
The story centers around two main characters, Lavinia and Belle. Lavinia begins the story as an 8 year old Irish immigrant the Captain brings home after her parents perish on the trip to America. Not knowing what to do with this small child, the Captain brings her to his plantation as an indentured servant and drops her off with his slaves to raise.
Belle is the Captain's half black 20-something daughter who works in the Kitchen House on the plantation. Her Mother had been the Captain's mistress before his marriage and she is often mistaken for being white. She is in love with a slave named Ben and everyone seems to love her, while also understanding the awkward position her father has placed her in.
When the Captain returns with this young white girl, he deposits Lavinia with Belle. Belle is resentful for having to take care of this young white girl, and Lavinia is absolutely terrified of her new life. While being different, these two women are in situations not of their choosing and must forge their own paths through life.
The story is a wild ride to say the least. The story covers many years and these two characters essentially grow up together. Lavinia grows up not understanding that she isn't like those around her, she's different yet the same. She's a servant, but not a black slave, and there is a huge divide there that is invisible to a small child and later a teen. It was an interesting contrast, yet confusing and frustrating for the reader at times.
Within the first few pages of the book, it is revealed Belle is the Captain's daughter by his mistress. Yet, he allows his white family, his wife, and even his other children, to think of Belle as his Mistress and not his daughter. Understandably this creates negative feelings and animosity. This seemed like an easy thing to clear up and is the cause for much of the conflict within the novel.
It's so hard to talk of this story and not reveal anything pivotal. There is heartbreak and loss, happiness and love, confusion, and ultimately a battle of loyalty and life. Belle and Lavinia were strong characters who you enjoyed reading about, and when something absolutely horrific happened (which it did frequently), I just kept asking what else could happen? What else terrible could happen, and of course, something else did.
Even after writing this, I am still torn in my feelings for this novel. While reading this, I put down the book several times as tears or incredulity overcame me. If you decide to read it, be prepared. Ultimately, “The Kitchen House” is a heartbreaking story of two women, at times helpless and confused, and yet fearless in approaching life at full force. This one will leave you mad, sad, angry, but finally full of hope for these characters and their futures.

Book Details

Publisher: Touchstone

Date of Publication: February 2, 2010

# of Pages: 369

ISBN: 978-1439153663

Giveaway and Spotlight on "Maybe too Good to be True" By: Christy McKee

Today we are talking about 

"Maybe too Good to Be True" 

By: Christy McKee

Gabrielle March is summoned to an oceanfront estate in Massachusetts by the matriarch of Atlantic-Hastings International where she is presented with a hefty block of shares as amends for a crime committed against her family. The stock—worth several million dollars—can give her the means to make her dream come true if only she can muster the courage to break free from her past and believe in her unique creative talent.

Pierce Hastings, son of Gabrielle’s benefactress, grudgingly agrees to take her under his wing and acclimate her to Atlantic-Hastings. Never one to mix business with pleasure, Pierce stuns himself when he ignores his own self imposed rule. Gabrielle’s complete lack of artifice, unvarnished honesty and quirky sense of humor are intoxicating to him―and he’s rapidly becoming addicted. He’s blindsided when Gabrielle confesses that, in spite of her growing feelings for him, she will never fit into his world of power and privilege and has no desire to try. 

A Word from Christy McKee - 

      My addiction to reading emerged when I was ten and down with measles. My mother, trying to keep me entertained, brought home a stack of Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew books. Within days, I’d consumed them all and asked for more. That’s when it truly began−the pleasure of reading which would eventually lead to my writing.

     I can’t pin point precisely when I knew I was different from everyone else−at least from my tight group of hometown friends. Didn’t everyone have movies playing in their heads starring beautiful characters leading adventurous lives in exotic places? NO—they did not. Did that mean they were normal and I was the odd, slightly wacky duck? My answer to that conundrum came when I attended my first writer’s conference in Savannah. Nervous about being on my own at the crowded event, a kindly writer from Texas took me under her wing and introduced me to at least a dozen writers. Surrounded by so many writers who were so like me, I fit right in. I wasn’t an “odd” duck after all; I’d simply been in the wrong pond!

    As a result of that conference, my desire and conviction to write blossomed. Still working a full time job at a Louisiana cancer center, I carved out time to write every night and on weekends. My first manuscript went through four incarnations, and a year under the bed, before success came knocking.

     Today my family and our two Labs—Lambeau, the Green Bay Packers unofficial mascot and Gracie, who is just plain, sweet Amazing Grace—live in a picturesque little town in Ohio wrapped around a lovely town square with an intricately carved gazebo where weekly band concerts take place all summer long.

http://www.christymckee.com

http://christymckeewriter.blogspot

http://twitter.com/ChristyMcKee

Excerpt
     Pierce answered him with a glare. What the hell was wrong with him? What difference did it make what she thought of him? Until a few weeks ago, he had never heard of Gabrielle March. So why had she suddenly become so important to him?

     "I think our Gabrielle has gotten to you little brother. What a pleasant change it is for you to be the one cooling your heels."

     The crunch of gravel drew their attention to the driveway. When Elizabeth’s blue Mercedes came around the curve, Pierce abruptly turned his back to the driveway and leaned against the porch railing.

     James snorted with laughter. "Wouldn't want the lady to know she'd been missed would we." He sauntered down the steps to greet Gabrielle.

     "Did you have a nice afternoon?" James opened her car door.

     Pierce swiveled to face them but remained on the porch, propped against a sturdy post, his strong arms folded across his chest. "You missed some excellent water skiing this afternoon, Peaches."

     Gabrielle came even with him on the porch. "Really? Why I'm surprised you need skis at all," she sniped. "I assumed someone like you walked on water." 

My Thoughts

     Christy McKee is a new author to me but I can guarantee this will not be the last I read of her. An interesting and fun ride, McKee made a standard romance funny and utterly romantic. The story is wonderful, but truly the characters are a masterpiece. Gabrielle and Pierce are so fun to watch as they grow and change while fighting their attraction every step of the way. The pacing was perfect, it moved quickly, but I think the gem of the book are the truly unique, original and frankly fun characters. A great story that I definitely recommend! 

What can you win??

Christy will be awarding a digital copy of Maybe Too Good To Be True to a randomly drawn commenter at every stop and a $30 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. 

Comment for a chance to win this great summer read!

Check out the rest of the stops during the tour for more chances to win!

September 3:  Christine Young Romance Writer
September 4:  Ramblings From This Chick
September 5:  The Brunette Librarian
September 6:  Rachel Brimble Romance
September 7:  Sexy Adventures, Passionate Tales
September 10:  Delighted Reader Book Reviews
September 11:  Novel Reflections
September 12:  Queen of all She Reads
September 13:  The Muse
September 14:  The Bunny's Review
September 17:  It's Raining Books
September 18:  Black Velvet Seductions Blog
September 19:  MK McClintock Blog
September 20:  Carrie Ann Ryan's Blog
September 21:  Kacey's Konnections
September 21:  Crazy Four Books
September 24:  MeganJohnsInvites
September 25:  Realmantic Moments
September 26:  Welcome to My World of Dreams
Setpember 27:  Storm Goddess Book Reviews & More
September 28:  I talk books!

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.

"Hidden" 
By: Sophie Jordan

Synopsis:

Jacinda was supposed to bond with Cassian, the "prince" of their pride. But she resisted long before she fell in love with Will—a human and, worse, a hunter. When she ran away with Will, it ended in disaster, with Cassian's sister, Miram, captured. Weighed down by guilt, Jacinda knows she must rescue her to set things right. Yet to do so she will have to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory. 

The only way Jacinda can reach Miram is by posing as a prisoner herself, though once she assumes that disguise, things quickly spiral out of her control. As she learns more about her captors, she realizes that even if Will and Cassian can carry out their part of the plan, there's no guarantee they'll all make it out alive. But what Jacinda never could have foreseen is that escaping would be only the beginning.... 

Loyalties are tested and sacrifices made in the explosive conclusion to Sophie Jordan's Firelight trilogy.

Releases September 11, 2012

"Take It Like a Vamp" By: Candace Havens Review

"Take It Like a Vamp"

By: Candace Havens

Synopsis from Goodreads:

     Vampire Nick Christos might have been born in the Middle Ages, but those days seem tame compared to the last eight years spent ruling the Supernatural Council. The only respite in his long days of governing is with his sweet neighbor Casey Meyers. Sure, he’s forced to take a cold shower after every encounter, but no way will he risk anything more with a human. Not with his blood thirsty ex on the prowl and out to ruin Nick’s life.     But when said crazy ex shows up at the ball and flies her freak flag high, Nick has more to worry about than keeping his hands off his neighbor. He’ll have to stay closer than ever if he hopes to keep her alive, but will she want to leave him forever when she learns the truth? 

My Thoughts

     “Take It Like a Vamp” is a brand new paranormal by Candace Havens, an author I have never read before. I picked up this short e-book during the week it was released when it was on sale. I just hate to miss a vampire romance, if you know what I mean. While the story had promise, I was never really drawn into the story nor its characters.
     Nick Christos is the Vampire King or leader of the vampires in some form. He has a downstairs neighbor, Casey, who is both a human and a friend. Sure he’s attracted to her and really likes her, but he worries that if he brings her into his vamp world, her human life would cease.
     Casey has a bad case of hero worship for her upstairs neighbor. She has no idea he’s a vampire, but does think he’s insanely cute and they are pretty good friends. Nick randomly invites her one night to a party and her whole world is turned upside down when other vampire factions threaten her and she has to deal with what and who Nick truly is.
      Charming premise and I was really excited to see where this was going. Honestly, the plot wasn't bad but I just didn’t care for the hero or the heroine, which was certainly disappointing. It seemed as if every problem Nick faced should or could have been dealt with much sooner or with better communication. Casey had a huge, huge, HUGE case of hero worship going on. Anything Nick did or said was just so wonderful and it began to get annoying very quickly.
     Another thing that seemed to bother me was the absolute un-vampireness of the whole thing. Nick was a vampire, sure, but none of the normal rules applied. He could go outside in the sun, eat regular food, etc. Really the only mentions of him being a vampire, beyond it being repeated a thousand times, was the appearance of his fangs once or twice. If I’m going to read a vampy romance, I want a little vamp in it!
     “Take It Like a Vamp” was an ok read for me, I did finish it. The characters seemed flat, stereotypical and just not for me but the plot moved along quickly. It was an interesting take on the vampire world, just not for me.

Book Details

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Date of Publication: July 21, 2012

ISBN: 978-1622669509

"Hard Mated" By: Jennifer Ashley Review

"Hard Mated"

By: Jennifer Ashley

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Spike, a wildcat Shifter and the champion fighter of Shiftertown, is stunned when Myka, the best friend of a dying human woman, announces that Spike has fathered a cub. What's more, the mother is giving the boy to Spike to protect and raise.
Myka, who'd been raised by an abusive stepfather, is not sure that a wild fighter named Spike is the best man to bring up the cute little jaguar cub. She goes to Shiftertown to check out Spike, and finds that the man behind the name is a lonely Shifter who's lost most of his family and is a fierce caretaker to those he has left.
Spike is torn between the cub and his duties as tracker to the Shiftertown leader, and begs Myka, the only person who understands, to help him. He starts to like the sassy Myka, a horse trainer who's not afraid of working with animals, even if they're wildcats who turn into humans.
When Spike's job puts his cub and Myka in danger, Spike is forced to choose between those to whom he's pledged his loyalty and his need to protect the woman and cub he's come to love.

My Thoughts:
   Have you ever woke up at 2AM and couldn’t go back to sleep...so you pick up a book to read? I found myself in that exact predicament not too long ago and I made the mistake of picking up “Hard Mated” thinking it would make me tired. Two and a half hours later at around 4:30, I looked up as I was finishing one of the best short stories I’ve read this year, disbelieving that time could go by so fast. If that isn’t a glowing review for a book, I don’t know what is.
   Spike is a fighter, a strong almost alpha fighter within Ashley’s Shifter world, but he works under other shifters. He’s content living with his Grandmother, doing his job, and once in awhile letting out his aggression in a secret fight club.
     Myka finds Spike during one of these illegal bouts. Scared of shifters but seeing no choice, she approaches him after the fight and informs him that he has a son. Not with her, but with her terminally ill friend. Immediately Spike takes up the mantle of father and impresses Myka with his utter devotion to this new found child.
    Spike, oh spike, how I love you. Not your name mind you (his real name is Eron, Yay!) but everything about you. Your strength, your wisdom, quick wit and thoughtfulness. But, call me soft hearted, I absolutely melted as he learned to be a Father. Utterly unafraid to make mistakes and making his own way in the world, Spike tried his best and when that wasn’t sufficient, looked to Myka for help.
     Jennifer Ashley is a master storyteller and I adore pretty much anything she writes, whether it be paranormal or historical.  There is a whole lot of story packed into this “short story.” A super sweet romance, great advancement of the plot within the series, and a pretty endearing father/son tale that are done so well that you, hopefully like me, will lose track of time and find yourself immersed in the story.

Book Details

Publisher: Penguin

Date of Publication: August 20, 2012

# of Pages: 160

ISBN: B008ZXE8N4

Jennifer Ashley’s Shifter’s Unbound Series

Shifter Made

Pride Mates

Primal Bonds

Bodyguard

Wild Cat

Hard Mated

Mate Claimed (Coming October 2012)

Tiger Magic (Coming in 2013)

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...

"Obsidian" 
By: Laurann Dohner
Dr. Allison Baker is obsessed with saving the comatose New Species male. She has tried everything and there’s only one option left. Alli will break every rule and put her life in danger by tempting 880 to wake, using only her feminine scent and touch. She just has to kidnap him and crawl into bed with him to make it work.

880 wakes in a different world with a small female who’s been sleeping beside him, caressing him and wrapping her sweet body around his, teasing his senses. He lies silent and still, listening and evaluating each arousing touch, fighting his body’s reaction. Hatred flares when he discovers she’s human, but Mercile stole everything from him so he decides it’s fair to take her in return.

But things quickly change and he wants her at his side and in his bed. 880 has chosen a new name—Obsidian—the personification of dark and dangerous. He’ll fight them all to keep her and no one will stand in his way of taking a new mate as well.


"Seduction & Snacks"
By: Tara Sivec
Claire is a twenty-something, single mom that grudgingly helps her best friend sell sex toys while she attempts to make enough money to start her own business to give her foul-mouthed, but extremely loveable (when he’s asleep) toddler a better life. 

When Carter, the one-night-stand from her past that changed her life forever, shows up in her hometown bar without any recollection of her besides her unique chocolate scent, Claire will make it a point that he remembers her this time. 

With Carter’s undisguised shock at suddenly finding out he has a four-year-old son and Claire’s panic that her stretch marks and slim to none bedroom experience will send the man of her dreams heading for the hills, the pair will do whatever they can to get their happily ever after.


"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.

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.


"Mystery Man"
By: Kristen Ashley
While drinking cosmopolitans, Gwendolyn Kidd meets the man of her dreams. Then she takes him home. Then she wakes up alone. But her fear that she lost her dream man turns into a relationship with a mystery man when, night after night in the dead of night, he comes back for more. Hoping it will blossom into something real, she lets him. But she doesn’t even know his name.

Gwen’s struggling with the decision to end their crazy non-relationship when her sister-from-hell, Ginger’s best friend pays a visit and warns Gwen that if she and her sister don't get smart, they'll both get d-e-a-d, dead. Gwen has no clue what’s going on but she’s used to Ginger’s antics and decides to lay the problem on her sister’s biker boyfriend's doorstep. Bad choice. She hits the Denver Underground radar with a big, loud ping.

This means Gwen’s Mystery Man, Cabe “Hawk” Delgado has to step in to keep her safe. But when Hawk gets a dose of Gwen in the daylight, he makes the decision that he finally wants real with Gwen. However when Gwen gets a dose of badass, bossy, straight-talker Hawk in the daylight, she decides she’s done.

Thus begins the head-to-head of the Commando vs. Cosmo Girl as Hawk woos Gwen in his own unique way, Gwen survives firebombs, drive-bys, kidnappings, hot pursuits by biker hotties and gorgeous police detectives and discovers the heartbreaking reason why Hawk kept her at arm’s length.

What I'm Reading Now...

"Motorcycle Man"
By: Kristen Ashley

Stuck in a colorless world, Tyra Masters decides to chuck her old life and starts searching for something. She doesn’t know what it is until she meets her dream man. The goateed, tattooed, muscled, gravelly voiced motorcycle man who plies her with tequila and gives her the best sex of her life. But she knows it isn’t the tequila and sex talking. He’s it. He’s who she’s been daydreaming about since she could remember.

Kane “Tack” Allen has a rule. He doesn’t employ someone he’s slept with. Tyra is determined to keep her job and keep away from Tack. But she makes a big mistake. During their head-to-heads, she lets it all hang out and shows Tack she is who he’s looking for. And Tack has had a good woman slip through his fingers, he’s not about to let that happen again.

Although Tack colors Tyra’s world with a vibrancy that’s blinding, being with him means she has to live in his Motorcycle Club world. Full on, no holds barred. And since Tack’s world, not to mention Tack, is a little scary, Tyra isn’t so sure. It's Tack's job to convince her

Romancing the Hop Blog Hop

Here are a few facts about me...

I work in a library

I have a weenie dog named Daisy Jane

I LOVE LOVE LOVE romance novels!

When I started my blog (almost a year ago, gasp!) I wanted to keep track of the books that I read...simple as that. It quickly morphed into a great way to meet new people and talk books! I cannot tell you how much I enjoy the interaction my blog allows. If I hate a book, I know there are others out there that do too and I'm not alone. If I love it, well, its always fun to gush about a favorite with your new friend. :) 

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"Gateway to Heaven" By: Beth Kery Review

"Gateway to Heaven"

By: Beth Kery

Synopsis from Goodreads:

     Life is rough when you're gorgeous, rich, talented and so sexy the media won't leave you alone.
      It was certainly the truth in Christian Lasher's case. He returns to the neighborhood of his childhood to escape the spotlight, hungering for a change in his creative endeavors. In the midst of his soul searching he meets Megan and is captured by the tantalizing hint of her hidden fires. Megan knows nothing about his wild, rebellious youth or his career as a rock star-and Christian would prefer to keep it that way.
      There was much, much more to her than the role of a fragile victim.
     Megan Shreve is a sculptor with creative depths and passions that tragedy had forced into the shadows. When she looks into Christian's eyes she sees herself for the first time as an exciting, sexy woman. She longs to discover more of herself in Christian's arms and in his bed.
      Two passionate souls destined for one another-unless the stifling roles imposed by tragedy and fame rip them apart.

My Thoughts:

     Lately I’ve been on a rock star kick, can you tell? First I started out with Olivia Cunning’s two series', then I read “Love’s Rhythm,” so of course when I saw another rock star book, I had to check it out! Beth Kery is an excellent romance writer so I knew I was in a for a wild ride.
      Wow! Where to start because there is a lot to talk about with this one. Christian is a rock star, a bonafide known all over the world rock star. He has come back to his home town to regroup, having blown out all of his creativity. Just by chance, at a fundraiser at his old school, he encounters Megan, a schoolteacher, and is instantly smitten. She seems so different than all of the women he normally encounters with a little wild side in her eyes.
      Megan has no idea who Christian is, absolutely no idea. When other people recognize him, she immediately chalks it up to people knowing him from the neighborhood. Why would a rock star be interested in a Catholic school teacher anyway? Megan is interested in Christian, but incredibly shy. It isn’t until she spends time with Christian that she understands who he truly is.
      As I started this novel, I didn’t think I was going to like Christian. He was haughty and frankly a bit egotistical. With that said, I think he needed to be that for us to understand how important it was for him to be just Christian and not Christian the rock star. And only Christian could really understand Megan, not Christian the rock star.
      I think one of the most unconventional aspects of the novel is Megan’s history. She had been sexually abused when she was extremely young, which would naturally make her uncomfortable with men let alone with intimacy. It was interesting to see this issue dealt with in the novel and her family’s issues regarding Christian as well.
     “Gateway to Heaven” was a fairly well balanced romance novel that I enjoyed. It’s true that at times the story dragged a little, but its nothing that a little skimming can’t fix. I’m hoping for a sequel if that tells you how much I enjoyed it!

Book Details

Publisher: Whiskey Creed Press LLC

Date of Publication: May 1, 2008

# of Pages: 161

ISBN: B001BWSM7E