#Hour 5 Self Portrait #readathon

Boy, even with my handy dandy AMP energy drink, I still look like I need a nap!  Consider all my read-a-thon friends the unfortunate viewers of exhausted mess.  Sorry guys!  :)

PS:  Has anyone created an I.V. of this stuff yet?

Hour Four #readathon Mini Challenge

This hours mini challenge is hosted over at Geeky Bloggers Book BlogBlog.  The challenge is to re-title our current read.  I am reading Lover at Last right now.  At this point in the book I am going title it, Mansion of Heartbreak.

Head on over to Geeky Bloggers Book Blog to enter your own title for a chance to win a book of your choice valued up to $20.

Back to reading!

Dewey's 24-Hour Readathon Start

So, in 7 short hours we will be kicking off the great Dewey's 24-hour Read-a-thon, where participants will be spending the next 24 hours reading in all different formats.  I've thought about trying to put a goal out there for myself, but I realize I am a slow reader, plus I've only ever tried to do this once before and I was not very prepared so I can't use that information to form a good goal.  At least I TELL myself I was not very prepared.  Looking back, I was not only not prepared, I suck at not sleeping!  I am determined to do better this time.  I'm going to try and keep up with the social media and the challenges as well as read on my kindle.  If the battery dies on that, I've got my phone, and if that dies, I've got the laptop.  Funny how I say nothing about an actual paper book!  I have a big jug filled with passion tea, some lemonade to go with it.  Ready to get my groove on!  

On my Kindle I will be starting out reading Lover At Last by JR Ward.  In audio I am halfway (Chapter 13) done with Blood Therapy:  Kismet Knight, Vampire Psychologist.  I want to finish both of these books and get as far into Green-Eyed Demon by Jaye Wells that I can.  I don't want to make my goal so unattainable as to keep me from participating in challenges etc.

Holy shit Batman, it's after midnight!  Must. Go. To. Bed.  See you all here bright and early in the morning!

Review ~ Twice Tempted by Jeaniene Frost

Dating the Prince of Darkness has its challenges...

Leila's psychic abilities have been failing her, and now she isn't sure what the future holds. If that weren't enough, her lover, Vlad, has been acting distant. Though Leila is a mere mortal, she's also a modern woman who refuses to accept the cold shoulder treatment forever–especially from the darkly handsome vampire who still won't admit that he loves her.

Like choosing between eternal love and a loveless eternity...

Soon circumstances send Leila back to the carnival circuit, where tragedy strikes. And when she finds herself in the crosshairs of a killer who may be closer than she realizes, Leila must decide who to trust– the fiery vampire who arouses her passions like no other or the tortured knight who longs to be more than a friend? With danger stalking her every step of the way, all it takes is one wrong move to damn her for eternity.

Oh my dear Vlad, you need some help in the love department, especially if the one you love is a human.  Although, I could also say that is part of your charm.  

Wouldn't it figure that as soon as Leila leaves Vlad's protection, the danger ramps up?  Now it is a matter of figuring out who her enemy is before she gets killed.  I would yell at Leila not to believe the lies she was being told.  I had faith and I wanted her to, too.

Vlad acts so cold.  I suppose he has to, being Vlad the Impaler.  But I really wished he would at least let Leila see something, anything from him.  I could see that he was trying, but it just wasn't what Leila was looking for.  My heart broke for him even though he showed nothing.  He just needed to get out of his own way.

"You should be afraid. Very afraid. Before, I told you if you wanted to end things between us, I would let you go, but, Leila"--his voice deepened--"I lied."

The string of bad guys was kind of surprising.  People that you wouldn't have expected were doing things to hurt Vlad and for different reasons.  I was so pissed at these people!  Just when you would think you had it all figured out, some other glitch would come up.  One of those glitches will change Leila forever.

Ok, I'm jumping up and down trying not to give away important details, so you all have to read this and then leave me comments so we can gush over Vlad.  I just loved this book so much and cannot wait until we see more of Vlad and Leila.  Of course, more Bones and Cat would be good too.  Cat does make a quick appearance in Twice Tempted, and the preview for the next Night Huntress has me so impatient.  I love the stories that Jeaniene Frost tells and just want them to keep going forever!

Obviously, after this rant you have probably figured out that I give this book 5 stars.  Definitely a must-read.  To make it even easier to take advantage of this awesome series, Amazon has the Kindle of Once Burned on for $1.99.  Grab it quick!

Waiting on Wednesday Featuring Heart of Venom

Heart of Venom by Jennifer Estep

Release Date:  August 27, 2013

The hotly anticipated ninth novel in the hugely popular Elemental Assassin series finds Gin Blanco on a dangerous mission to rescue a friend. 

When a terror from the past threatens Gin’s friend and body-disposer, Sophia, Gin will stop at nothing to protect her, even if it means walking straight into a killer’s trap. Meanwhile, the rocky romance between Gin and Owen reaches a turning point—can they reunite and rekindle their love? Or will the things Gin has been forced to do in her line of work as the deadly assassin the Spider keep them apart forever? Assuming, that is, she survives long enough to find out…

I haven't posted my review of Deadly Sting yet, but wow, it was great, and now I'm so excited for Heart of Venom!  Things are still up in the air for Gin and Owen so I'm hoping things come together for them in this book and I love Sophia!  It will be a great, action-packed Elemental Assassin book I'm sure!

Review ~ Die For Me by Cynthia Eden

Goodreads Synopsis ~ She thought her fiancé was the perfect man—until he turned out to be the perfect killer…

Katherine Cole is running for her life, desperate to escape the Valentine Killer—so-called because he stabs his victims through the heart and leaves them holding a telltale single red rose. Still he tracks her to New Orleans and begins carving a bloody path to her door. But this time, Katherine refuses to run any farther. This time, she’ll do anything to stop the madman she once loved, even trust the sexy cop promising to keep her safe…

Detective Dane Black never lets his emotions interfere with his job, even as the Valentine Killer surfaces in New Orleans to stalk his prey. But when Dane agrees to protect the killer’s ex-fiancée, Katherine Cole, he can’t ignore the passion kindling between them. After a single unforgettable night binds them body and soul, Dane knows he won’t rest until Katherine is safe in his arms—and the Valentine Killer is dead.

Dark and intensely sexy, this romantic suspense novel from USA Today bestselling author Cynthia Eden is sure to leave readers breathless.

Katherine Cole has been running from her ex for years now, and finally thinks she has lost him.  She is beginning to relax in this new life, and then it all falls apart again. This time though, she's not going to run.  Especially with hot detective Dane Black covering her.

I wondered about Katherine's part in the plot more than once.  I couldn't help thinking that maybe she was not completely innocent in the crimes. I loved Dane.  He was fierce, determined and loyal, but is his trust in Katherine too premature?

Cynthia Eden takes us on a ride full of surprises and twists.  If I wasn't yelling warnings at the characters, I was holding my breath to see what would happen next.  We are led to believe we "know" a character, only to be surprised by some of their actions.

I enjoyed every minute of this book and would recommend to any thriller-loving, adrenaline junkie.  I both listened to and read the ebook so these will be added to my 2013 Ebook Challenge and my 2013 Audiobook Challenge.

Nice job Cynthia Eden, a 5 star rating from me!

Sunday Post Edition 14

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer. ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

I don't know what was up this week, but I am hearing I'm not the only one who had a pretty crappy one.  Some kind of virus smacked me up side of the head and took me out completely for 2 days straight and I am just now getting moving again.  I guess I got too cocky about not getting the flu this season.

In review:

Tuesday ~ A review of a Rogue By Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean

Tuesday we also kicked off sign ups for the Bad Boys of Romance Giveaway Blog Hop.

Wednesday was my Waiting On Wednesday post featuring Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris

I am working on some of the graphics for the blog, so things may appear kind of crazy this week.  Hopefully it will be all pretty soon!  I'm not really great at graphics so let me know what you all think when you see it.  I would love some advice on some of the pieces I'm putting up here.

Don't forget to sign up:

OH!  Just in case you didn't know, the Dewey's Read-a-Thon is happening on April 27th!  There are going to be loads of prizes and other fun as we all see how much reading we can get done in 24hours!

I hope everyone has a great week!

Waiting On Wednesday ~ Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris

Waiting on Wednesday


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

May 7, 2013
Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris

Sookie Stackhouse has one last adventure in store.

Life has taken her from a waitress in Merlotte’s Bar, Bon Temps, to part owner; from social outcast to the heart of her community; from a vampire’s girlfriend to the wife of one of the most powerful vampires in the state. She has survived earthquakes, revolutions and attempts on her life. Sookie has endured betrayal, heartbreak and grief . . . and she has emerged a little stronger, and little wiser, every time.

But with life comes new trials . . .

The question is, in the end: who will love, who will live, and who will be dead ever after?

Seriously, who is NOT waiting for this book?  This is the end of a long running series and I am eager to get my little hands on it and see just how it all ends for Sookie and the crew.  A lot of people who have not read this series so far because it there really was no end in sight, can now pick it up and not worry about cliffhangers, etc.  I was a little confused on Amazon yesterday when I saw that Charlaine Harris is actually releasing something ELSE in the Sookieverse after this book.  Kind of a compilation of the futures of all the characters.  I kind of thought that was the point in making a "final" book in a series, so now I worry that we are going to be left with loose ends in Dead Ever After.

I am going to be sad to say goodbye to all my Bon Temps friends.  I could say, at least I have True Blood, but I love the books more.  True Blood has kind of veered WAY off the storyline.  (Naked, blood covered Bill, anyone?)

Bad Boys of Romance Giveaway Hop!

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Oh you know you love them. Those "bad boys" of romance. 

And now we're celebrating them and all their naughty deliciousness. Mmmmhmmm. 

Which "bad boy" revs your motor? Is it a hero? Villain? A secondary character?

Show those boys off June 7th-June 17th!

The Hop Deets:

• All bloggers and Authors are welcome
• The hop will run from June 7th to June 17th
• There will be a grand prize giveaway of a Kindle or Nook in addition to the individual giveaways each blog does on their own (authors/bloggers wanting to help sponsor please email for info!  acade29@gmail.com)
• Giveaway can be anything theme/book related :) Have fun with it!

Any questions? Contact us!

acade29@gmail.com

Don't forget to grab the hop button and add it to your side bar! 

To Sign Up enter your info below!

Please include if your giveaway is US/CAN/INT

Review ~ A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean

Goodreads Synopsis ~

What a scoundrel wants, a scoundrel gets...

A decade ago, the Marquess of Bourne was cast from society with nothing but his title. Now a partner in London’s most exclusive gaming hell, the cold, ruthless Bourne will do whatever it takes to regain his inheritance—including marrying perfect, proper Lady Penelope Marbury.

A broken engagement and years of disappointing courtships have left Penelope with little interest in a quiet, comfortable marriage, and a longing for something more. How lucky that her new husband has access to such unexplored pleasures.

Bourne may be a prince of London’s underworld, but he vows to keep Penelope untouched by its wickedness—a challenge indeed as the lady discovers her own desires, and her willingness to wager anything for them... even her heart.

My Review ~ 

A Rogue by Any Other Name is the first in The Rules of Scoundrels series by Sarah MacLean.  I'm still fairly new at the whole historical genre, and I've read a few where I kind of felt awkward.  Like historicals have a whole set of rules I haven't really "clicked" with.  

Lady Penelope Marbury won me over in this book.  I liked how independent she was, and how ready to just live her life on her own if she couldn't have a husband she loved.  Bourne's life was so full of character!  After losing everything, Michael fights and works his way back to where he came from.  All he needs is his home back.  Penelope can give him that.  I was fascinated with Bourne, but he really had a thick head!  He fought his emotions for Penelope valiantly, but she was not going to stand for it.  Go Penelope!

The book showed glimpses of letters between Penelope and Michael as they were growing up, before Michael lost it all and changed.  Those were really sweet and helped see a younger, more carefree Michael.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, one of the best historicals this historical newbie has read.  The snippet from book two, which features Penelope's sister Pippa, had me grinning and wanting to buy it right away!  This was one of the reads I did with Amazon's Whispersync and the narration was done really well.  I am giving A Rogue by Any Other Name a solid 4 stars.

2013 Audio Challenge 1st Quarter Update!

It is time to update on my progress with the 2013 Audio Book Challenge!  This first quarter I've done better than I thought I was going to.  I have discovered Amazon's Whispersync and am grabbing up audio books like crazy.  I am new to audio books, only been listening maybe 4-6 months and can't believe I waited so long to discover this!  
Some genres are easier to listen to than others.  I'm still adjusting to historicals, and some male voices done by women still rub me the wrong way. 
If you haven't tried an audio book before now, you need to give it a go, and what greater incentive than to join the 2013 Audio Challenge hosted by The Book Nympho and Hot Listens.  To sign up, just go to the original post and add your link there.  Below are all the details.
Also, the hosts have an update giveaway going on for the participants on the update post.

Reading Challenge Details: 

• Runs January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013. You can join at anytime. 
• The goal is to find a new love for audios if you are new to them or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2013 than you did in 2012.
• Books must be in audio format.
• ANY genres count. 
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed. 
• If you're a blogger grab the button and do a quick post about the challenge. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. 
• You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads or LibraryThing or on your audible.com or other accounts you have.

Levels:

Newbo (Not quite addicted) 1-5 audios
Ear Worm (Narrator's voice gets stuck in your head) 5-10 audios
Tickle Me Audio (Seriously, I'm getting serious) 10-15 audios
Plugged In (I can quit anytime) - 15+ audios

My goal for 2013 is the Tickle Me Audio (Seriously, I'm getting serious)
This is what I have listened to so far. `

1. Kill You Twice by Chelsea Cain ~ See Review
2. Sleepwalker by Wendy Staub ~ See Review
3. Guardians of Stone by Anita Clenney ~ See Review
4. The Seventh Victim by Mary Burton ~ See Review
5. The Vampire Shrink by Lynda Hilburn ~ See Review
6. A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean

Sunday Post Edition 13

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer. ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

This has been a crazy week for me and I have been itching to sit down and get  some good reading time in.  Monday was a book club night, so I got to get out and talk books with friends.  I have another book club meeting coming up this Tuesday and I'm really looking forward to it.  We read some really great books this month and I'm eager to talk about them with everyone.

So, here's my recap of the week.  

Monday:  Book Club Night!  We read Peach Pies and Alibis by Ellery Adams and Hell On Wheels by Julie Ann Walker.

Tuesday:  Review of the Seventh Victim by Mary Burton

Wednesday:  Waiting on Wednesday featuring Affliction by Laurell K Hamilton

Thursday:  Review of Hell on Wheels by Julie Ann Walker

Friday:  Dragged my sorry ass home from a long week at work.

Saturday:  I think a little too much shopping went on.  Normally it is just a grocery day, but we decided to splurge a little and even got our little fur babies some treats.  We've been trying to find Peanut (our little male chihuahua) a tag small enough for him but would fit our numbers, etc. on it.  We finally found him a little black bone-shaped tag, and even had both sides engraved so we could put his name on it.  Our cat Tator has never (at least since we've had him) had catnip.  We have heard that the kitties LOVE catnip so we went and picked some up for him.  Everyone got a little something.

Doesn't he look excited?

I went to Amazon and pre-ordered the hardcover of Styxx by Sherrilyn Kenyon.  I wanted a hardcover, even though I am getting the Kindle because Sherrilyn will be at a convention I'm going to in the fall and I want to be sure I have it on hand to be signed.  She's selling a signed collectible edition online, and I did that with Time Untime, but if I can get a live signature, it will mean a lot more.  To me anyway.

Just in case you didn't know, The Darkest Craving by Gena Showalter FINALLY had it's kindle pre-order go up!  I've been watching Amazon forever waiting for this to be available.  And now, it is, so be sure to head over and get yours!

Amazon has Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet (Charley Davidson Series) on sale for $3.99 right now. I haven't read the first three books yet, but they are on my TBR and, well, I couldn't pass up the deal. Now if they would just put the others on sale I could pick them all up too!







We must not forget the audios!  I had to pick some of those up too!  Lately I've been picking books I can get the whispersync from Amazon.  The next reads on my TBR though, were not available that way so I had to go straight one way or the other.  I had a really hard time choosing and ended up actually downloading two.  I got Frostburned by Patricia Briggs in audio, even though I have the ebook, because I really wanted to get to it, and I desperately needed to start Deadly Sting by Jennifer Estep, which I'm reading on my Kindle.  Just on a side note, Deadly Sting is now on for $3.99 on Amazon.  I am slightly pissed.  This is where pre-ordering comes around and bites me in the ass.  This book has only been out for a little less than two weeks!  People, you all better jump on that deal!  I also see that you can get the audio for $3.49 if you buy the Kindle.  So, if you buy now, you can get both for the price I paid just for the e-book.  Damn.  You all are out there laughing at me, aren't you?

Reading this post, it has occurred to me that I need to take a good, long look at my book budget.  Or lack thereof.  I see some of you all working on taking control of this obscenely expensive habit, and think I may need to do the same.  There won't be any "may" about it if my spending gets discovered.  Shhhhhh....

Well guys, that was my week.  I hope you all had good ones!  Drop me a note and let me know if you found any other great deals out there I may have missed. 

Bloglovin

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Most of you have heard that Google Reader is going away at the end of June.  This means that many of us need to find new ways to connect with our favorite blogs.

This post is a set up post so that I can make sure any of my readers who want to read my blog in Bloglovin can easily add me.  So if you have made the decision to use Bloglovin, please make sure to add me to your feed!

Review ~ Hell on Wheels by Julie Ann Walker

Goodread's Synopsis ~ 

Black Knights Inc.--Behind the facade of their tricked-out motorcycle shop is an elite special ops team assigned the jobs too hot for anyone else to handle.

Hold On Tight...

Ex-Marine Nate "Ghost" Weller is an expert at keeping his cool--and his distance--which makes him one hell of a sniper. It's also how he keeps his feelings for Ali Morgan in check. Sweet, sexy Ali has always revved his engine, but she's his best friend's baby sister...and totally off limits.

Rough Road Ahead

Ali's never seen anything sexier than Nate Weller straddling his custom Harley--or the flash of danger in his eyes when she tells him she's in trouble. First something happened to her brother, and now she's become the target of a nasty international organization. With Nate, her life is in the most capable hands possible--but her heart is another story altogether.

My Review ~

Hell on Wheels by Julie Ann Walker was a book club selection.  I used Amazon's amazing Whispersync to gobble up this action-packed book.

Nate "Ghost" Weller is one tough dude.  He has gone through some pretty intense situations that have made him build some very thick walls around his emotions.  He needs someone with a lot of patience to work him out of that shell.  He's definitely someone you would want on your side in a fight.  All those muscles on a custom bike... yeah I can deal with that.

Ali, I just didn't think was the right fit.  To me, she seemed too sweet and just totally opposite of Nate.  I like my heroine's to have their own tough streak.  We could see a bit of tough and determination in her, but it wasn't enough for me to count her as someone who could really fight for herself.  I like the hard ass women who aren't afraid to let the cuss words fly and really dig in their heels and tear a strip off anyone who tries to stand between her and what she wants.  Ali just didn't cut it for me.  

I have heard a lot of good reviews about the series, so I am going to give the next one a try.  It features Rebecca and she is a badass heroine so I think I will like it better.

One word of warning.  Read the e-book or paperback for this one.  I think the audio had a lot to do with how I felt about this book, despite me trying to keep it separate.  

So, I'm going to rate this one as a 3 out of 5.  Good enough to continue on and give the series some room to sweep me off my feet.  This was read for book club and will count as my Audio 2013 Challenge as well as my E-book 2013 Challenge.

Waiting on Wednesday ~ Affliction by Laurell K. Hamilton

Waiting on Wednesday



"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Release Date:  July 2, 2013

Goodread's Synopsis ~ 

Micah is called back home by his estranged family, because his father, a county sheriff, has been attacked and is terribly injured. Anita and Nathaniel are going with him for moral support and to meet his family under very trying circumstances.

Micah has been estranged from his family for a decade, deliberately turning his back on them to protect them from the sadistic killer who once led his leopard pack. But now Micah’s father lies dying, rotting away inside from some strange ailment that has his doctors whispering about “zombie disease.” 
Anita—who understands zombies better than anyone—knows there’s more to it than that. While zombies have unlovable traits, being one doesn’t cause human beings to rot in agony. She needs to solve that mystery—but now a more immediate issue is pressing: Micah’s father may have only five days to live.

I'm really hoping for a return to the days of more action and suspense.  It doesn't sound like my favorites are going to play a part in this one.  I'm not a big fan of Micah or Nathanial.  But, as long as there are new ones, this reader will keep reading.  Just pllleasseee don't disappoint me!

Review ~ The Seventh Victim by Mary Burton

Goodreads Synopsis ~ 

IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED

It’s been seven years since the Seattle Strangler terrorized the city. His victims were all young, pretty, their lifeless bodies found wrapped in a home-sewn white dress. But there was one who miraculously escaped death, just before the Strangler disappeared…

KILL

Lara Church has only hazy memories of her long-ago attack. What she does have is a home in Austin, a job, and a chance at a normal life at last. Then Texas Ranger James Beck arrives on her doorstep with shattering news: The Strangler is back. And this time, he’s in Austin…

AND KILL AGAIN…

He’s always craved her, even as he killed the others. For so long he’s been waiting to unleash the beast within. And this time, he’ll prove he holds her life in his hands—right before he ends it forever…

My Review ~ 

The Seventh Victim by Mary Burton was a book club read.  It is out of my reading genre so I'm being adventurous!  That is what book clubs are for, right?

The story and suspense was pretty good.  I did have kind of an idea of who the killer was, but I couldn't figure out how he did it.  Then I was hit with an added on surprise.

I liked the characters of Lara and Danni.  They were very strong fighters.  I thought Beck was a bit of a hard ass with Lara most of the book, so I couldn't figure out the "romantic" part of this "romantic suspense". 

I give this book a 3 star rating as I did enjoy the suspense portion of it.  This was an addition to my 2013 EBook Challenge and 2013 Audio Challenge.