"Bunny and the Bear" By: Eve Langlais Review

 

"Bunny and the Bear" 

By: Eve Langlais

Synopsis from Amazon:

What's a poor bear to do when all he wants is some sweet, bunny pie?

     Bears and bunnies aren't supposed to mix, or that's what Chase keeps telling himself when his bouncy new neighbor won't stay out of his business--and his mind. However, the more he gets to know his overly perky neighbor, the more he craves her, a desire worse than his addiction to honey and pie. Miranda's on a mission for the Furry United Coalition, and it involves secretly guarding one grumpy ol' bear. Staying focused on the job isn't easy when all she can think about is turning his frown upside down, a task made harder when she gets a glimpse of his passion. When she hears about his theory on woodland creatures and predators not mixing, she thinks all is lost, but she didn't count on a bear's curious nature--and possessive need. When an evil force abducts Chase, Miranda unleashes her bunny in order to save him, but the revelation of her shifter side puts her in danger. Is one ornery bear enough to save her from a mad scientist? And if he does, can a bear forget her woodland creature status long enough to love her and make her his mate?  

My Thoughts:
     “Bunny and the Bear” is one of those books that you see on Amazon, if you like this then you'll like that, sort of things. It sounded sweet, funny, and totally corny...and who doesn't like a zany book once in a while? I mean come on, the Furry United Coalition?! Ha :)
    First off, I should explain that is definitely a paranormal romance, if you didn't get that you'd be completely lost. Chase (a bear shifter) has a new neighbor named Miranda (a bunny shifter). He's attracted to her, but of course, why would a carnivore be attracted to a sweet little furry bunny? Yet as it turns out, Miranda is a secret agent for the Furry United Coalition, kind of a private firm for shifter security. Someone has put out an order to capture Chase and its up to Miranda and the FUC to save him.
      While this book isn't one of my favorites, it does have its funny moments. It's so implausible that you shake your head, the character are over the top and the plot is just silly. The author tries to make it fun and sexy and I think she just went way too far. Not something I will read again, but it filled my afternoon and did make me giggle.  

Book Details

Publisher: CreateSpace

Date of Publication: August 11, 2011

# of Pages: 182

ISBN: 978-1466220676

"Taking a Shot" By: Jaci Burton

 

"Taking a Shot"

By: Jaci Burton

Synopsis from Amazon:

If you want to score, you have to get in the game...

The last thing Jenna Riley needs is more sports in her life. While her brothers are off being athletic superstars, she's stuck running the family's sports bar, whether she likes it or not. Then in walks pro hockey stud Tyler Anderson. As much as Jenna would like to go to the boards with him, she's vowed to never fall for a jock-even one as hot as Ty.Ty, intrigued by the beautiful bar owner, becomes a regular. He senses that Jenna wants to do something more with her life. And as he gains her trust, the passion between them grows, as does Ty's insistence that Jenna should start living for herself. With his encouragement, Jenna starts to believe it, too...But first, Jenna has to figure out what she wants, what she needs, who she loves, and if she has the passion and pride to take a shot at having it all-including Ty...

My Thoughts:
     "Taking a Shot" continues to the follow the Riley family in this great new series by Jaci Burton. This book focuses on the baby and only girl in the family, Jenna. I have to confess, I have read this book and the first book in the series, "The Perfect Play," but completely missed the second. After reading this great romance, I am definitely going to go back and pick it up.
     Jenna has lived all of her life surrounded by sports fans, players, and her family in St. Louis. She hasn't left much and she feels stifled as she is now in charge of her family's sports bar. In walks Ty, a professional hockey player, and her world is turned upside down. 
     Ty is your ultimate romance hero - smart, funny, knows what your thinking before you do...that sort of thing. He isn't put off by Jenna's insistence that she doesn't want anything to do with sports people, he's in fact kind of intrigued. 
     My biggest pet peeve with this book might be that the characters are kind of cookie cutter. You know the ending, but isn't that what we like somewhat when we read a romance? Jenna hates sports players - and you know what's going to happen there. Ty is a stereotypical bad boy jock, but he doesn't come off as smarmy or self-centered. I enjoyed getting to know them and I absolutely loved the family interaction by the characters from the past books. AND the book is naughty in all the right spots, if you know what I mean! Pick it up if you get a chance at your local library, you'll be glad you did.

Book Details

Publisher: Berkley Trade

Date of Publication: March 6, 2012

# of Pages:  336

ISBN: 978-0425245521

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...

"Crazy On You"

By: Rachel Gibson

Return to Lovett, Texas, the setting of Daisy's Back in Town, in this smart and sexy new story from Rachel Gibson, the New York Times bestselling author of Rescue Me and the Seattle Chinooks books. 

Lily Darlington's been called crazy in her day-and, yeah, driving her car into her ex-husband's living room probably wasn't the smartest move ever made-but the louse deserved it. Now Lily is happily single, and she's turned it all around. She knows she's a good mom, a homeowner, and a businesswoman, all wrapped up in one good-looking package. 

A package that police officer Tucker Matthews is dying to unwrap. This ex-military man sure doesn't need another woman in his life. His last girlfriend left him with nothing but memories and a cat named Pinky! But living next door to Lily has been driving him nuts. He dreams about her long blonde hair and even longer legs. And maybe it's time to go a little crazy . . . and fall in love

"Fifty Shades of Grey"

By: E.L. James

When literature student Anastasia Steele is drafted to interview the successful young entrepreneur Christian Grey for her campus magazine, she finds him attractive, enigmatic and intimidating. Convinced their meeting went badly, she tries to put Grey out of her mind - until he happens to turn up at the out-of-town hardware store where she works part-time. Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

"The Duke's Perfect Wife"

By: Jennifer Ashley

Lady Eleanor Ramsay is the only one who knows the truth about Hart Mackenzie. Once his fiancee, she is the sole woman to whom he could ever pour out his heart. 

Hart has it all--a dukedom, wealth, power, influence, whatever he desires. Every woman wants him--his seductive skills are legendary. But Hart has sacrificed much to keep his brothers safe, first from their brutal father, and then from the world. He's also suffered loss--his wife, his infant son, and the woman he loved with all his heart though he realized it too late. 

Now, Eleanor has reappeared on Hart's doorstep, with scandalous nude photographs of Hart taken long ago. Intrigued by the challenge in her blue eyes--and aroused by her charming, no-nonsense determination--Hart wonders if his young love has come to ruin him . . . or save him.


"Fifty Shades Darker"
By: E L James
Daunted by the singular sexual tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house. But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, Anastasia cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Anastasia learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven, and demanding Fifty Shades. While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront her anger and envy of the women who came before her and make the most important decision of her life. Erotic, sparkling and suspenseful, Fifty Shades Darker is the irresistibly addictive second part of the Fifty Shades trilogy.

"Fifty Shades Freed"

By: E L James

When unworldly student Ana Steele first encountered the driven, damaged young entrepreneur Christian Grey, it sparked a sensual affair that changed both their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued, and ultimately repelled by Christian’s singular sexual tastes, Ana demanded a deeper commitment; determined to keep her, Christian agreed. Now, together, they have more—love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of infinite possibilities. But Ana always knew that loving her Fifty Shades would not be easy and being together poses challenges neither of them ever anticipated. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian’s opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own integrity, identity, or independence; Christian must somehow overcome his compulsion to control and lay to rest the horrors that blighted his past and haunt his present. Just when it seems that together their love can conquer any obstacle, tragedy, malice and fate combine to make Ana’s worst nightmares come true.

What I'm Reading Now...

"Paris in Love"
By: Eloisa James
In 2009, New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James took a leap that many people dream about: she sold her house, took a sabbatical from her job as a Shakespeare professor, and moved her family to Paris. Paris in Love: A Memoir chronicles her joyful year in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
 
With no classes to teach, no committee meetings to attend, no lawn to mow or cars to park, Eloisa revels in the ordinary pleasures of life—discovering corner museums that tourists overlook, chronicling Frenchwomen’s sartorial triumphs, walking from one end of Paris to another. She copes with her Italian husband’s notions of quality time; her two hilarious children, ages eleven and fifteen, as they navigate schools—not to mention puberty—in a foreign language; and her mother-in-law Marina’s raised eyebrow in the kitchen (even as Marina overfeeds Milo, the family dog). 

Children's book Saturday "How to Babysit a Grandpa" By: Jean Reagan Review

 

"How to Babysit a Grandpa"

Written By: Jean Reagan

Illustrated By: Lee Wildish

Synopsis from Amazon:

This is a hilarious and accessible picture book about a child spending time with his grandpa. Written in a how-to style, the narrator gives important tips for "babysitting" a grandpa, including what to eat for snack (anything dipped in ketchup, ice cream topped with cookies, cookies topped with ice cream) what to do on a walk (find lizards and dandelion puffs, be on the lookout for puddles and sprinklers), and how to play with a grandpa (build a pirate cave, put on a scary play). 

Filled with humor, energy, and warmth, this is a great gift for or from a grandparent, and perfect for lap reading when Grandpa comes to visit! 

My Thoughts:
     Easily one of the cutest books I've read in a long time, “How to Babysit a Grandpa” is an instruction manual for children in the care of their Grandpa's. It highlights ways to entertain them, nap time, and foods they may enjoy. The story also gives tips on the care of grandpa's and even tells how to walk your Grandpa.

    The story is extremely entertaining and keeps you smiling the entire time. With tips like “How to Entertain a Grandpa: Somersault across the room, Put on a Scary Play, and Show off your muscles” children will enjoy it as well. Beyond being an insanely cute story, the illustrations are beyond sublime. With a homey feeling, you instantly fall in love with the little boy and with Grandpa. A wonderful story that will hit a note of nostalgia with everyone, I highly recommend this one to parents and librarians. I sure hope they have tips on Grandma’s next!

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

Book Details

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Date of Publication: April 10, 2012

# of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978-0375867132

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: Have you ever bought a book BECAUSE of a bad review?

I totally just did this last week!

 I had heard so much negativity about "fifty shades of Grey" yet, so many good things that I just had to try it.

and i loved it!! 

read the original  "negative" review for me at smart bitches, trashy books.

what books have you bought because of a negative review?

"Beautiful Disaster" By: Jamie McGuire Review

"Beautiful Disaster"

By: Jamie McGuire

Synopsis from Amazon:

     The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn't drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend America, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University's Walking One-Night Stand.

     Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs--and wants--to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the charming college co-ed. Intrigued by Abby's resistance to his charms, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis' apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

My Thoughts:

Ugh. Seriously. Ugh. 

I paid money for this and am furious! I bought this book because of all of the great reviews, and I am actually mad to have bought this book. I read it thinking it was going to get better...and it NEVER EVER DID. Without a doubt this book is one of the most childish, silly romance novels I have ever read. All sorts of plots that aren't finalized, the characters are incredibly immature, and the material of the novel is plain stupid. 

Extremely, extremely dissatisfied reader. :(

Blog Reviews that I LOVED:

• Janicu's Book Blog
• Dear Reader
• Books: The Cheapest Vacation You Can Buy

Book Details

Publisher: Jamie McGuire, LLC

Date of Publication: May 26, 2011

# of Pages: 235

ISBN: B0052VUNHC

"The Ice Princess" By: Elizabeth Hoyt Review

 

"The Ice Princess"

By: Elizabeth Hoyt

Synopsis from Amazon:

SEVEN NIGHTS OF SIN 

As the madam of Aphrodite's Grotto, the most infamous brothel in London, Coral Smythe knows everything possible about men's needs and desires. Yet she's never experienced the love of a single man-not even that of Captain Isaac Wargate whose hawk-like eyes stare at her with both condemnation...and lust.

SEVEN NIGHTS OF ECSTASY 

Captain Wargate heartily disapproves of the sensuous madam who always wears a golden mask. She lures his officers from both his ship and their duty. But when Coral herself is offered up as the prize in a game of chance, Wargate impulsively enters...and wins.

SEVEN NIGHTS OF LOVE 

Now the puritanical navy captain has just seven nights to learn everything he can about the mysterious madam and what she knows of a man's desires. But when Coral is threatened by the new owner of Aphrodite's Grotto, will Wargate take a chance on the woman beneath the mask...and on love? 

My Thoughts:

      “The Ice Princess” is the fourth installment of the “Princes” series by Elizabeth Hoyt. It follows the books “The Raven Prince,” “The Leopard Prince” and “The Serpent Prince” while telling the story of Coral Smythe who appears in the first novel. Appearing as a short novella, Hoyt does a wonderful job of showing how wonderful a short romance can truly be.

      Coral Smythe appeared as the mistress of a lord when she first appeared in the series. At the end of “Raven Prince” you see Coral as Aphrodite, a Madame at one of the most famous brothels in London. When the novella opens, Coral is still the Madame but has fallen are hard times. She has had to borrow money from some pretty unscrupulous people and is somewhat at their whim. When one of them, as a way to kind of put her in her place, offers her intimate services for seven days to whoever wins a game of cards.

      Captain Wargate has come to the brothel for a drink, but decides to save Coral from these despicable people and actually wins the seven days. I know this doesn't sound like the best set up for a romance, but it is pretty uniquely wonderful. Wargate and Coral slowly get to know one another, something neither one thought possible. They learn eachother's likes and dislikes and who they really are as people, not just brothel owner and captain.

     Hoyt is a master story teller. Everything she writes I simply gobble up and this is no different. It's definitely shorter than her normal stories, but still magical. The romance is very romantic and you love the characters. Perhaps the best part, the characters truly end up with the person who complements them the best. A great romance to read on a rainy afternoon!

Book Details

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

# of Pages: 74

Date of Publication: August 15, 2010

ISBN: B003ZUY19I

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...

 

"Taking A Shot"

By: Jaci Burton

If you want to score, you have to get in the game...

The last thing Jenna Riley needs is more sports in her life. While her brothers are off being athletic superstars, she's stuck running the family's sports bar, whether she likes it or not. Then in walks pro hockey stud Tyler Anderson. As much as Jenna would like to go to the boards with him, she's vowed to never fall for a jock-even one as hot as Ty.

Ty, intrigued by the beautiful bar owner, becomes a regular. He senses that Jenna wants to do something more with her life. And as he gains her trust, the passion between them grows, as does Ty's insistence that Jenna should start living for herself. With his encouragement, Jenna starts to believe it, too...

But first, Jenna has to figure out what she wants, what she needs, who she loves, and if she has the passion and pride to take a shot at having it all-including Ty...



"I Like Old Clothes"
By: Mary Ann Hoberman

I like old clothes, / Hand-me-down clothes, / Worn outgrown clothes, / Not-my-own clothes. . . . Originally published by Knopf in 1976 (with illustrations by Jacqueline Chwast), this poem—an exuberant celebration of hand-me-down clothes—is just as relevant and accessible today as it was over 30 years ago.  Children's Poet Laureate Mary Ann Hoberman offers a bouncy, fun-to-read-aloud text and a refreshingly agreeable, resourceful protagonist who likes old clothes for their "history" and "mystery." Illustrator Patrice Barton brings new, contemporary life to the poem, with an adorable little girl and her younger brother playing dress-up, making crafts, and happily treasuring their hand-me-downs.

What I'm Reading Now...

"Fifty Shades of Grey"

By: E.L. James

When literature student Anastasia Steele is drafted to interview the successful young entrepreneur Christian Grey for her campus magazine, she finds him attractive, enigmatic and intimidating. Convinced their meeting went badly, she tries to put Grey out of her mind - until he happens to turn up at the out-of-town hardware store where she works part-time. Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

 

"Daughter of the Saints"

By: Dorothy Allred Solomon

"I am the daughter of my father's fourth plural wife, twenty-eighth of forty-eight children—a middle kid, you might say."

So begins this astonishing and poignant memoir of life in the family of Utah fundamentalist leader and naturopathic physician Rulon C. Allred. Since polygamy was abolished by manifesto in 1890, this is a story of secrecy and lies, of poverty and imprisonment and government raids. When raids threatened, the families were forced to scatter from their pastoral compound in Salt Lake City to the deserts of Mexico or the wilds of Montana. To follow the Lord's plan as dictated by the Principle, the human cost was huge. Eventually murder in its cruelest form entered when members of a rival fundamentalist group assassinated the author's father.

Dorothy Solomon, monogamous herself, broke from the fundamentalist group because she yearned for equality and could not reconcile the laws of God (as practiced by polygamists) with the vastly different laws of the state. This poignant account chronicles her brave quest for personal identity. Originally published in hardcover under the title Predators, Prey, and Other Kinfolk. 

Children's Book Saturday: "Tumford the Terrible" By: Nancy Tillman Review

 

"Tumford the Terrible"

Written & Illustrated By: Nancy Tillman

Synopsis from Amazon:

Tumford isn’t really a terrible cat. He just has a way of finding mischief—tracking dirt into the house, knocking over breakable things, and disrupting fancy parties. But even though he feels bad, he has a hard time saying, “I’m sorry.” Will the fact that his owners love him, no matter what, help Tummy say the magic words? 

My Thoughts:
      “Tumford the Terrible” is a story about a cat named Tumford Stoutt who doesn't like to say sorry. He has a really great human family that makes him pies and takes him on vacation, but the one thing he can't do is say sorry when he does something wrong. Instead, he hides, which doesn't help anyone.
     Written in a rhyming prose, Tumford is an incredibly cute story with wonderful illustrations. While teaching a great lesson to children, they will enjoy the creative artwork. A great read aloud for children, I would suggest this story for the preschool age group.

Illustration from "Tumford the Terrible" By: Nancy Tillman 

My favorite quote:

“And so, there you go, that's the end of the story

of how Tumford Stoutt finally said he was sorry.

There aren't always cheers when he knocks over platters,

but he's always loved,

and that's all that matters.”

Illustration by: Nancy Tillman

Book Details

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Date of Publication: May 24, 2011

# of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978-0312368401

"It's In His Kiss" By: Julia Quinn Review

"It's In His Kiss" 

By: Julia Quinn

Synopsis from Amazon:

Meet Our Hero . . .

Gareth St. Clair is in a bind. His father, who detests him, is determined to beggar the St. Clair estates and ruin his inheritance. Gareth's sole bequest is an old family diary, which may or may not contain the secrets of his past . . . and the key to his future. The problem is—it's written in Italian, of which Gareth speaks not a word.

Meet Our Heroine . . .

All the ton agreed: there was no one quite like Hyacinth Bridgerton. She's fiendishly smart, devilishly outspoken, and according to Gareth, probably best in small doses. But there's something about her—something charming and vexing—that grabs him and won't quite let go . . .

Meet Poor Mr. Mozart . . .

Or don't. But rest assured, he's spinning in his grave when Gareth and Hyacinth cross paths at the annual—and annually discordant—Smythe-Smith musicale. To Hyacinth, Gareth's every word seems a dare, and she offers to translate his diary, even though her Italian is slightly less than perfect. But as they delve into the mysterious text, they discover that the answers they seek lie not in the diary, but in each other . . . and that there is nothing as simple—or as complicated—as a single, perfect kiss.

My Thoughts:
      I have been a fan of Julia Quinn since the beginning of her Bridgerton Series, "The Duke and I." For some reason, I had missed the last two in the series, so when I was at the library the other day, I picked up "It's In His Kiss," the story of Hyacinth, the youngest of the Bridgerton's. While I was enjoyed entering the Quinn's world, I can see why I missed this title when it was published.
      Hyacinth Bridgerton is the youngest child of the Bridgerton clan. In previous books you see her as she grows into herself, so its fun to see her finally get her happily ever after. She is matched with Gareth St. Clair, the grandson of Lady Danbury. Fan of the series will easily identify Lady Danbury, she's a dragon lady from previous books and knows the ton like the back of her hand.
      Hyacinth initially meets Gareth at a legendary Smythe-Smith musical. Each time they meet, they trade verbal barbs, which I enjoy. I love witty heroines, and I think Hyacinth is extremely funny while being intelligent. Being the grandson of Lady Danbury, Gareth is bound to be a little onery too, which was fun to witness.
    Beyond the character though, I have to say, the story was incredibly boring. The Bridgerton siblings only make limited appearances, not nearly enough for me. I understand the book is about the two main characters, but the secondary characters have brought me here and I want to see them! I also felt there wasn't very much romance between Hyacinth and Gareth, it was almost as if they heard they should be together so they were.
     Fairly disappointed with this title, "It's In His Kiss" is just your standard romance. Nothing your going to rave about but a nice addition if you want to find out about Hyacinth's life. Julia Quinn is an amazing writer, I just don't think this is her best effort. 

Book Details

Publisher: Avon

Date of Publication: June 28, 2005

# of Pages: 384

ISBN: 978-0060531249