Review ~ Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey

When Keri Daniels' editor finds out she has previous carnal knowledge of reclusive bestselling author Joe Kowalski, she gives Keri a choice: get an interview or get a new job.
Joe's never forgotten the first girl to break his heart, so he's intrigued to hear Keri's back in town--and looking for him. Despite his intense need for privacy, he'll grant Keri an interview if it means a chance to finish what they started in high school.
He proposes an outrageous plan--for every day she survives with his family on their annual camping and four-wheeling trip, Keri can ask one question. Keri agrees; she's worked too hard to walk away from her career.
But the chemistry between them is still as potent as the bug spray, Joe's sister is out to avenge his broken heart and Keri hasn't ridden an ATV since she was ten. Who knew a little blackmail, a whole lot of family and some sizzling romantic interludes could make Keri reconsider the old dream of Keri & Joe 2gether 4ever.

I was just sitting here, looking at the title of this book, trying to put my words together when it occurred to me.  I do not clearly see how the title fits the book.  I've probably waited too long to write this review, and I digress...

I loved the whole scene of this book.  Convincing Keri to go on this camping trip with his family set this up so nicely.  Not the most idyllic place for Keri after the luxuries of living in LA for so long, but hey, she needs the story, right?  Joe's family was an awesome group of characters.  They were caring, funny and just the right amount of nosiness.  Joe's twin sister and Keri have history so there is a bit of a subplot there which also enhances the fun of Joe & Keri's possible rekindling.

I have not read contemporary for a long time, and if it hadn't been for book club, I probably would not have found this gem.  I rated it at a 4 stars mainly because I really enjoyed it, but am so unfamiliar with that genre right now, I have nothing to compare it to.  It was a fun, romantic read though and I would definitely recommend it.

Read for:  Book Club
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Challenges:  2013 Audiobook Challenge
Published:  June 7, 2010

Sunday Edition Post 16

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.

Hello All!  It has been crazy with vacation and family visits etc. so I missed last week's post.  I will get you all fixed up today though on what you may have missed!

My sister, her husband and two boys have been in town so we decided to take them to San Antonio for a few days.  I was hit with the realization, I am so very out of shape.  Did you know there are like 340 some steps to go deep into the Natural Bridge Caverns?  Can you say "holy crap"?  They were beautiful though and definitely worth the workout.

We stayed in a hotel right on the Riverwalk so we didn't have to spend too much time driving around to different places.  We did miss the tour of the Alamo, but we did visit the outside.  There is so much to see along the riverwalk that we spent all our evenings walking along and visiting the shops and restaurants!

Then you can't visit San Antonio without a trip to Seaworld.  I am not one for the rides, but the kids had a great time on the roller coasters.  I loved the Sea Lions.  They are my favorite and we got to take in a show with them one huge walrus that knew how to do sit ups!  It was hilarious.  Definitely a trip worth making.

So that pretty summed up my week.  Crazy busy, my fitbit didn't know what hit it.  

My VS copy of Lover Revealed arrived this week.  I love when I forget I ordered something and it suddenly appears!  I am in desparate need of a new way to display my signed books.  I want the covers to show, but I am running out of space (not to mention my family is not too big on all those hot covers covering the walls of the house!).  I may have to give up that cover obsession and shelf them like my other books.  I need my own library.

If you have been as busy as we have been here, you may have missed some posts so here is what has been on the blog for the past couple of weeks:

Review of Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs

Review of Deadly Sting by Jennifer Estep

Review of Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris

Waiting on Wednesday featuring Darkest Craving by Gena Showalter

Review of Lover At Last by J.R. Ward

We also saw the end of the Bad Boys of Romance Giveaway and our winner was Bookish Stacy!  Congrats Stacy and enjoy your goodies by Addison Fox!  Check out the winners to the grand prizes here.  Thanks to everyone for participating and I hope you all enjoyed our tribute to those bad boys we all love.

Up coming you can check out my reviews for Exclusively Yours By Shannon Stacey and Blood Therapy by Lynda Hilburn as well as a Waiting on Wednesday.

I must not forget, I currently have a giveaway going on because we totally blew away my Facebook page likes goal.  Winner of the giveaway will get a signed copy of Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian as well as some great swag.  Make sure to get some entries in the We Surpassed our Goal giveaway!

Has everyone chosen their new feed reader yet?  You can follow my blog with Bloglovin, or email.  I personally have chosen to use Feedly, and I have a button up on the left where you can follow with that option as well.

How has your summer been going?  Have you been getting lots of reading done?  My reading time has suffered terribly and I have got to start rewarding myself a little more.  I've been in a bit of a slump though where the books I'm reading just haven't been holding my interest.  I need to sort through my tbr and find something that I know will get me out of the slump for sure.

Have a great week everyone!

Review ~ Lover At Last by J.R. Ward

Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another....

Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.

Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions... but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together... finally become one.

I think Lover At Last by J.R. Ward was one of the most anticipated books of the... well... year?  I know it was for me because I absolutely adore the Black Dagger Brotherhood.  I was excited, however I was also a bit leery.  I was a m/m virgin.  Yes, I know, the whole Quay thing had been building and I knew it was coming, but I always kind of pushed it to the side.  Now it was right there, front and center, no avoiding it.

Due to my lack of knowledge on the m/m literary world, I'm just going to say that the sex scenes fit my expectations.  You have two warriors, and I didn't really envision these long, romantic sex scenes.  I expected raw, earth shattering, (furniture shattering), desperate sex.  I think that is what I got.

Ok, I'm sorry, I do not, and I don't think I will ever like, Xcor.  I know a lot of people are all for that Xcor and Layla connection, but.... no, Wrath must take care of that creep.  What I am thinking is going to happen (and this is just in my imagination and has in no way been instigated by the author) is Layla is going to tame Xcor enough that Wrath will end up bringing the Band of Bastards into the royal circle.  Essentially they are doing the same thing by fighting the Lessers, and the only thing stopping the combination is Xcor's determination and hate of Wrath.  Let's knock Xcor out of the way, bring in the Band of Bastards, then we have new blood.  Or start training some new guys.

I am very interested the Assail story line.  Sola sounds like a very interesting character and I can't wait to see how the new drug lord's relationship is going to work out.

Quinn was a badass warrior in this book, and I know he did some pretty noteworthy acts, but I was still surprised by his reward.  When it came to this reward, I was expecting it to be a group thing, especially how close the Quinn/Blay/JM connection is. Speaking of badass though, there were some really great action scenes, and let me say Hollywood is still my guy!

All together, I'm giving Lover At Last a 4 star rating.  I took a star because I sometimes got confused on what scene or who's POV I was in due to there being so much going on.

Read:  For Fun
Challenges:  2013 E-book Challenge
Published:  March 26, 2013