... sweet vernal zephyr

Tuesday Teaser

2009-11-10T11:01:00.003-05:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read & open to a random page
• Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
• Share the title & author

I love Miz B's blog and her Teaser Tuesday's... I just have to take part!

My Tease:

"Tall, broad-shouldered, with long black hair just tousled enough to tempt a woman's fingers, and brilliant blue eyes that hinted at secrets, he was a major wow. Okay, maybe not as major a wow as Brynn, but still totally gorgeous."

~ pg 18 Wicked Pleasure by Nina Bangs

This is the second book in the Castle of Dark Dreams Series! Here is the cover blurb for a little more background:

A man who can't say no
Brynn McNair has spend the last five hundren years of his existence offering his body to any woman who desires him. The evil entity that created him has made sure that if he tries to resist the compulsion to play love slave, he suffers. So it's no wonder that he thinks of women as his enemy. Until he meets Kimberly Vaughn.

A woman who won't say yes
Kim Vaughn is a demon hunter. It's a family business and her destiny. But Kim is all about avoiding her destiny. She wants to marry and ordinary guy, have ordinary kids, live in an ordinary house, and work as an architect. No way does she want anything to do with a man who has paranormal connections. Until she meets Brynn McNair.

Kim comes to the Castle of Dark Dreams, the main attraction in a sexy theme park, to plan a few upgrades. She stays to join forces with Brynn and save Galveston from a supernatural takeover. Can a woman who wants to marry Mr. Ordinary and a man who thinks of love as sleeping with the enemy find happiness together? You'd be surprised.

Click HERE to read Chapter 1 but be warned - you will be hooked!

Click to comment HERE or at the top of the post.

Friday 56

2009-11-06T11:52:00.006-05:00

A weekly meme hosted by Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56. * Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
* Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

While rifling through my TBR pile, my eye caught on this shiny cover. I am exactly two pages ahead of this quote. Here's an exceprt from Desire Unchained: A Demonica Novel by Larissa Ione - pg 56

"Her head snapped back as if her had slapped her. 'I would never wish this on you.' She looked down at her hands, which were folded in her lap. 'I know what it's like to love a sibling.' "

Here's the cover blurb for a little more background.

Pleasure is the ultimate weapon...

Runa Wagner never meant to fall in love with a sexy stranger who seemed to know her every deepest desire. But she couldn't resist the unbelievable passion that burned between them, a passion that died when she discovered his betrayal and found herself forever changed. Now, determined to make Shade pay for the transformation that haunts her, Runa searches for him, only to be taken prisoner by his darkest enemy.

A Seminus Demon with a love-curse that threatens his with eternal torment, Shade hoped he'd seen the last of Runa and her irresistible charm. But when he wakes up in a dank dungeon chained next to an enraged and mysteriously powerful Runa, he realizes that her effect on him is more dangerous than ever.

As their captor casts a spell that bonds them as lifemates, Shade and Runa must fight for their lives and their hearts - or succumb to a madman's evil plans.

Comment on this post HERE or click the link at the top of the page.

Short & Sweet Writing Contest

2009-11-04T13:19:00.011-05:00

Want to flex those writing muscles.

Need to hone the wordsmith skills.

Then, I challenge you to a quickie!

*shwingg*

May the best author win!

NIGHT OWL ROMANCE

Under the Mistletoe Contest

Writing Contest

Romance Novel Kiss Scene

400 words max.

First 50 entries

1 entry per person

Published & Aspiring Authors

over 18

Deadline for submission

November 8th, 2009

Round I voting November 12th - 30th, 2009

Finals voting December 3rd - 20th, 2009

First Place Prize: $50 cash by check or $70 NOR Promotion Credit

Second Place Prize: $30 cash by check or $50 NOR Promotion Credit

Third Place Prize: $20 cash by check or $30 NOR Promotion Credit

Tuesday Teaser

2009-11-02T11:56:00.014-05:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read & open to a random page
• Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
• Share the title & author

I love Miz B's blog and her Teaser Tuesday's... I just have to take part!

My Tease:

"I enveloped her in a hug, careful not to crack a rib. Besides our difference of forty-some pounds, I'm a black belt. Even men don't have my muscle.

Or my cop instincts. My Spidey-sense kicked in.

Danger.

Behind me.

My gun was out and pressed into Bo Strongwell's rippling abs before recognition made me groan."

~ chapter 3 Bite My Fire by Mary Hughes

This is the first in a series that I can't get enough of!

Read the book blurb and my review HERE.

Click to comment HERE or at the top of the post.

REVIEW: Bite My Fire

2009-11-02T09:05:00.019-05:00

Bite My Fire: A Biting Love Novel

by Mary Hughes

At last, the perfect love. Now what? Stake him, shoot him—or screw him?
Elena O'Rourke lusts for two things—her detective's shield and a good lay. Sass-Cgal's "Bad Girl Sex Tips" will win her the man. But keeping the shield hinges on solving a murder. Warrior-gorgeous Bo Strongwell stands in her way. Powerful as a Viking warship, Bo would be Elena's one-stop solution to celibacy—except for his apartment building full of mysteries. Plus, his kisses...and nibbles...and full body tongue-swipes...keep distracting her from the case.
As if a caped clown named Dracula, a hooker with a heart of gold (and boobs of steel), and Elena's own clueless partner aren't distraction enough. Bo Strongwell is a master vampire who needs a cop snooping around like he needs a garlic enema. Fighting rogues keeps him busy enough without Elena trying to pin the murder on one of his kind...even if she does taste like heaven. Two fighters for justice. One incredible attraction. A terrible secret. Drunken women dancing on the bar...It all rides on Elena solving the Case of the Punctured Prick.
Warning: Jammed with hot explicit sex, graphic fanged violence, and acid cop humor. May contain donuts.

Cover Art: Obligatory attractive female body, Not much else, Typography speaks slightly to the genre, Color palate overall too dark in comparison to the heavy use of humor throughout. *

Sexuality: M/F; Exhibitionism; Sexual frustration; Superhunky supersexed paranormals; Imaginative, descriptive, destrucive, hot, & crazy with the foreplay!

Paranormality: Vampires that purr, Psychics in denial

Review:

This story had me laughing out loud so many times, my cats abandoned the couch! Seriously funny & Seriously Sexy.

Elena's self-depreciating humor cuts me to the quick. Puns abound and blatant use of current social references and exaggerated descriptors drag me into the Case of the Punctured Prick. This mystery encases Elena's career and social life while expounding on the luxuries of small towns. I should know, I live in one... and she has got it soooo right on the head!

The plot twists and turns in slightly predictable but entertaining directions. Random thoughts become integrated into the story line to create a menage of humor, sex, and mystery. I loved it, was entertained every reading moment, and will be looking for more!

Mary Hughes is currently published through Samhain Publishing. Her works include Biting Nixie, The Bite of Silence (December 2009) & Biting Me Softly (April of 2010).

Click HERE for the excerpt that got me hooked!

Click HERE for a Tuesday Teaser from this book.

Click HERE to comment or use the link at the top of this post.

* I'm a graphic artist. We are trained to be vicious bloodsucking weapons of truth, hence the "rough" critiques/reviews. It's not that I don't like this novel. Simply, everything can be better. And examining what could be polished allows me to learn and better MY skills.

Friday 56

2009-10-30T11:41:00.000-04:00

A weekly meme hosted by Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56. * Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
* Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

This is the first book in the Southern Arcana Series. Werewolves, Magic & Stalkers, oh my! Here's an exceprt from Crux by Moira Rogers - pg 56

"[Nick] shrugged. 'Consider that an advance.' "

That's not a very good snippet. Let's try switching the numbers. Here's an exceprt from Crux by Moira Rogers - pg 65

"So, Jess—I'm sorry. So, MACKENZIE... you finally starting to believe?"

You can read the cover blurb and my review of the novel HERE.

Comment on this post HERE or click the link at the top of the page.

REVIEW: Crux

2009-10-29T09:53:00.006-04:00

Crux: Southern Arcana #1

by Moira Rogers

Jackson Holt makes a decent living as a private investigator in New Orleans, home of one of the largest underground supernatural populations in the United States. He and his partners have never met a case they couldn't crack... until a local bar owner asks him to do a little digging on her newest hire.
New Orleans is the fourth destination in as many months for Mackenzie Brooks, a woman on the run from a deranged stalker. After all, any man who shows up on her doorstep claiming to be her destined lover has more than a few screws loose. But crazy doesn't explain why he always finds her no matter how far she runs.
When her well-meaning boss puts a PI on her case, Mackenzie comes face to face with the incredible truth: magic is real, and whatever spell has kept her hidden and separate from the paranormal world is rapidly deteriorating. With time running out, she has no choice but to trust Jackson as he struggles to uncover the truth of her past - and her destiny.

Cover Art: Suitably dark color palate, No feeling of being on the run, Good use of suggestive symbols, Trendy use of decorative overlays *

Sexuality: M/F, Self-denial, HOT shameless lust, SWEET emotional love, DIRTY talk

Paranormality: Werewolves etc, Witches, ESP, Magic

Review:

Moira Rogers is currently promoting their new release in the Red Rock Pass Series & during the celebration I won a digital version of Crux!

This story grabbed me by the throat and held on 'til the bittersweet end!

Mackenzie is a heroine alone and at her wits end, but still fighting. Strong and determined, she is starting to crack. With a horrible destiny stalking her every running step, its easy for her to be suspicious of overly friendly strangers and their motives. The realization of magic rocks Mackenzie's personal existence upside down as she questions everything she has ever known.

Jackson struggles to ignore the chemistry between them and simply be a friend to a damsel in distress. This hero showcases the internal struggle of a man that thought he knew what he wanted. Romantic interest abounds throughout the characters main & secondary and adds a nice spice and branching of story lines.

Southern Arcana displays a harsh culture of paranormals living in a shrouded parallel society to the normal world. Politics intrude and lives are shackled based on fear and power in a haunting echo of the darker sides of our real lives.

The plot twists force you to the edge of your seat. Never quite sure who is on what side and what will happen next - I flew through this novel in two days! Now I await with bated breath for book 2. This is a highly recommended read, just make sure you have a solid chunk of time to become absorbed in the action & suspense.

Click HERE for the excerpt that got me hooked!

Click HERE for a Friday 56 spotlight on this book.

Click HERE to comment or use the link at the top of this post.

Werewolves & Contests!

2009-10-28T11:27:00.013-04:00

Werewolves vs. Vampires:

Are werewolves the underdog?

Or is superior breeding and the warmth of life the ultimate achievement?

Blog with Bite is hosting a Werewolves vs. Vampires giveaway until Halloween night. Head on over and let them know Sweet Vernal Zephyr sent you.

Lots of fans will debate with you Twilight-style over Edward vs. Jacob (Right now I am all for Team Jacob) especially with the release of New Moon coming up November 20th.

Kristi at Books and Needlepoint is giving away a Twilight Saga companion novel, Touched by a Vampire. You have until November 12th to enter.

I think the Vampires are loosing ground and the Werewolves are gaining momentum 'cause I've started to notice werewolves dancing in and out of my virtual digital peripheral vision - and I LIKE it! *Become witness to my delusions below*

*dance*

Mary Syring found herself some awesome magic werewolf gloves at Walgreens. They might be marketed to children, but I sure do seem to have an animal urge to run out and grab a pair!

*twirl*

Jilltheimpossible made her own werewolf t-shirt and is showcased over at the Clothesmonaut Blog. Sexual innuendo at its most blatant. The claw marks down the back are pure genius!

*Cha Cha*

Just something about that ANIMAL side of a man showing through that makes me want to roll over and beg - or smile and run... the thrill of the chase... now I am just getting carried away with my imagination ;)

Tuesday Teaser

2009-10-27T09:46:00.005-04:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read & open to a random page
• Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
• Share the title & author

I love Miz B's blog and her Teaser Tuesday's... I just have to take part!

My Tease:

"He drove carefully, politely, through the rain-flooded streets. Water peeled away under the groundcar's tires on long plumes, but the only people outside during cloudover were one or two employed stud males with street licenses hurrying back to their households or dormitories..."

~ pg.22 Carnival by Elizabeth Bear

From the blurb, this seems to be a sci-fi suspense/ multi-sexual romance. I haven't gotten very far into this thick paperback yet. Seems I keep getting distracted by novella ebooks!

Elizabeth tries to sum it up like this:

Carnival is a novel of intrigue, spies, ancient alien technology, and what happens when a trio of borderline personalities decide to save the universe.

Carnival is about what happens when a couple of diplomats who also happen to be ex-lovers are sent to subvert the government of a rogue colony world, except unbeknownst to everybody, everybody is double-crossing everybody else.

Ultimately she suggests that the cover copy explains it best:

In Old Earth’s clandestine world of ambassador-spies, Michelangelo Kusanagi-Jones and Vincent Katherinessen were once a starring team. But ever since a disastrous mission, they have been living separate lives in a universe dominated by a ruthless Coalition—one that is about to reunite them.

The pair are dispatched to New Amazonia as diplomatic agents Allegedly, they are to return priceless art. Covertly, they seek to tap its energy supply. But in reality, one has his mind set on treason. And among the extraordinary women of New Amazonia, in a season of festival, betrayal, and disguise, he will find a new ally—and a force beyond any that humans have known….

Click to comment HERE or at the top of the post.

Friday 56

2009-10-23T07:13:00.009-04:00

A weekly meme hosted by Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56. * Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
* Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

I'm posting from home today and surrounded by books. An old favorite caught my eye as I looked up at the shelf. A heartbreaking love story that I think would make a bittersweet movie. I just HAD to post more than one sentence, forgive me. Here's an excerpt from The Falconer by Elaine Clark McCarthy - pg 56

"She wanted his hands to reinvent her skin, she wanted his eyes to find her there behind her face and release her.

She wanted her heart thrown into the sky; she wanted to fly.

She wanted it before the dark closed in. So much dark and so soon."

Here's the blurb:

For all of her thirty-seven years India Blake has lived a life of difficulty and loneliness: first an alcoholic mother whose needs ate up her youth, then an empty marriage with a man who couldn't be faithful.

Only after being told she had, at most, a few months left to live, did she meet Rhodri MacNeal, the falconer. Has some perverse destiny kept her from finding love until her time is nearly up? Or did this passion come too late because of some flaw within herself?

India is afraid she'll die before she learns to understand her life. And she must know: Was her brief, intense time with the falconer merely meant to tease her with a taste of what she'd always missed, or had she, by some miracle, found a love to last forever?

As she lies wakeful on her last night, the heroine unflinchingly examines her history and relives the love that seemed to lift her above it, searching for an explanation that will let her face death without bitterness.

To Comment click HERE or on the link.

Adulteress vs. Wife

2009-10-21T19:29:00.003-04:00

My husband likes to listen to Howard Stern - I have never been a big fan. BUT a clip on today's show got me thinking.

A husband was having an affair with a younger woman. The younger woman figured out it was coming to an end and wrote the wife a letter explaining that she didn't want to hide her love any more and offering to meet the wife to tell her anything she wanted to know.

What would your reaction be as the wife?

After a few moments, my answer came clear and steady:

Tie up the husband in the bedroom with a video link to the kitchen. Accept the younger woman's invitation to meet and let him watch as things unfold, helpless to affect any outcome - whether a cat fight ensues or psycho-manipulation on the wife's part causes the younger woman to hate his guts.

LOL - What do you think?

Movie Madness & Contest

2009-10-21T09:15:00.004-04:00

I was just over at Large Hearted Boy's blog entering his Beat the Reaper Contest (See Contest Bar) and he got me thinking....

About movies.

I love movies. I get lost in movies. For about 120 minutes I am in another world riding a wave of sensations that I have no control over. Kinda like reading a great book. The fantasy becomes your reality for the time your nose is between those pages.

My husband has a distinct dislike for movies. He says they always disappoint him in the end. He expects too much. I just see that as evidence that he gets sucked into the fantasy world as much as I do to have such a strong emotional reaction to characters making stupid decisions and causing the world to explode etc, etc!

So here is my ToBeWatched list!

Xmen Origins - Wolverine (Too many hot bodies to resist)

2012, Coming Soon

District 9

Growl, Coming Not So Soon

GI Joe

New Moon, Coming Soon (Addiction)

Transformers (Childhood memories)

Inglourious Basterds

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (I've seen all the rest of them, might as well see this one too)

Wanted (I have this embarrassing fascination with Angelina Jolie)

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant

Role Models (Supposed to be funny, we'll see)

Push

Tuesday Teaser

2009-10-20T08:07:00.005-04:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read & open to a random page
• Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
• Share the title & author

I love Miz B's blog and her Teaser Tuesday's... I just have to take part!

My Tease:

"What made the pressure worse was that everyone seemed to think Harry was some kind of genius. He could solve puzzles and see patterns better than most people, but he didn't consider himself a genius."

~ pg.17 The Polyamorous Princess by Melodee Aaron

I purposely avoided a steamy sentence or two for my tease. I'm up to page 75 and there actually is a plot along with the hot sex!

This ebook has been given a sex rating of SCORCHING by Siren Publishing. "Erotic, contains many sexual encounters; may contain unconventional sex; will offend delicate readers"

Click to comment HERE or at the top of the post.

Spooky Ebook Freebies

2009-10-19T08:51:00.030-04:00

Samhellion Publishing is celebrating the Autumnal Equinox with Treats!!!!

Sneak on over to the Samhellion website to scare up some free ebook shorts all through October!

Treats revealed as of 10/19/09 include:
Treat by Karen Erickson
Soul's Choice by Kari Thomas
A Hallowed Warning by Nikki Duncan
Ginnir: Mystic Mayhem by Toni L. Meilleur
Little Red: A Halle Pumas/Poconos Wolves Story by Dana Marie Bell

HALLOWEEEEEN - It's Party Time!!!

October 24th - 7:30pm - Miranda & Tucker's House

Wanna help me plan? Wanna observe me plan? (You voyeur, you!)

ACTIVITES

Bonfire - Tucker

Donuts on Strings - Powdered & Plain, EZup, Witch hat lights

Bobbing for Apples - Towels, Tomato, In what?

Stake the Vampire & Pin the tail on the Werewolf - Twilight Posters, Foam Board, Stakes?

Guess the Guts - Soaked Raisins, Pumpkin strings, Soft Peaches, Dried Apples, Warm Oiled Ballon

Sugar Cookie Cutouts - Decorate your own!

Extra Costumes - Set up in Bathroom

Photo Corner?

PREP

Carve pumpkins & Toast Seeds

Decorate <-- clicky link

Prepare food

SAVORY

Hot Dog Mummies <-- clicky link - Kristine 6:30 arrival

Stromboli - Mummy Style? <-- clicky link

Orange Cheese Fountain <-- clicky link - What shall we dip in it?

Tortilla Chips, Purple & Orange - Taylor?

Crudites/Raw Veggies - Lisa?

SWEET

Iron Fence Cupcakes <-- clicky link

Donuts & Cookies

Candy & Jello Molds?

Pumpkin Cookies - Jess

DRINKS

Punch - Could we put it in a watermelon brain? <-- clicky link

Vampire Wine

Cider mixed drinks

Friday 56

2009-10-16T16:15:00.005-04:00

A weekly meme hosted by Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56. * Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
* Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

WARNING: This excerpt is explicit! To unveil the steamy sentences, simple caress with your highlighter.

I just got my hands on some great ebooks. I haven't read this one yet... it is second on my TBR ebook list! Here's an exceprt from Calendar Boys: July, Vintage by Jamie Craig - pg 54

"Alain tried to take more of their lengths into his mouth, but succeeded in only swallowing a few more inches. It squeezed the two tips together, tighter than anything Simon has ever felt..."

This hot read is apparently part of a series. Here's the blurb:

Friends of lovers - or is it possible to be both?

For more than a decade, renowned chef Alain Tiessart has been married to his restaurant. Lonely and ready for a change, he packs up his bags and drives to the countryside.

Retired Brit Simon Hastings is prepared to spend Bastille Day as he always does - quietly and alone. When his oldest friend arrives on his doorstep, Simon is surprised but welcomes him.

A friendly bet and an eager young man cast Alain in a new light & now Simon doesn't know what he wants. Or who...

REVIEW: How to Tame a Modern Rogue

2009-10-15T09:49:00.009-04:00

How to Tame a Modern Rogue

by Diana Holquist

Commitment-phobic Sam Carson has only dated model-gorgeous women. But one stolen kiss from a plain-Jane schoolteacher and he's hell-bent on stripping away her floral dresses and teaching her the art of being bad. If only her good-girl ways didn't make him want to be a better man...
Ally Giordano is at the end of her rope. Her beloved grandmother actually believes that she's living in her favorite romance novel in Regency England and Ally doesn't have the heart to set her straight.
But now Granny Donny's last wish is for a retreat to the country and Ally Can't refuse her... until she demands that Sam accompany them. And though his smiles turn her knees to jelly, Ally knows better than to trust a playboy... and she definitely knows better than to try to change one. Or does she?

Cover Art: Generic, Playful, Unrelated to the story line - There should be soccer or regency dresses or a carriage on there somewhere!*

Sexuality: M/F, Role playing, Hot but not smutty

Paranormality: Does not apply

Review:

This story addressed issues close to my heart.

Caring for aging family (Just what am I going to do when Mom & Dad can't take care of themselves anymore?)

Finding your life direction (Where did I leave my compass?)

Expanding your horizons past your comfort levels (Worryworts Inc. - That's me!)

Going for what you want with grace & style (I try, I really do...)

Not so much a story about good and bad but the question of just "Who is the rogue?".

I enjoyed the Regency era references within the modern day romance. Reminds me of when I was totally addicted to historical romances & would create costumes and fantasies...

The characters felt real to me. The mystery of Mateo, the fleeting sanity of Granny Donny, the frivolity of Sam, the despair of Ally, the ire of Sam's Bellman (I can't remember his name... M-something), and the friendship of June. These all were true emotions to me, I allowed myself to be carried away and it was a wonderful adventure - ball and all!

I recommend this as a quick light read. I won this book from Park-Avenue Princess - Thank you!

Click HERE for a Teaser Tuesday spotlight on this book.

Click HERE to comment or use the link at the top of this post.

Tuesday Teaser

2009-10-13T08:58:00.007-04:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read & open to a random page
• Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
• Share the title & author

I love Miz B's blog and her Teaser Tuesday's... I just have to take part!

My Tease:

"The floral print on her dress was irritating him like a personal affront. In a way, it was a personal affront because it said, 'I am not here to turn you on.' A very odd thing for a woman's clothes to say."

~ pg.81 How to Tame a Modern Rogue by Diana Holquist

* I won this at Park Avenue Princess! Thanks Amy!! * This novel showed up on my doorstep on Monday evening and I only have 73 pages left! :)

Click to comment HERE or at the top of the post.

UPDATED: On vacation

2009-10-10T09:15:00.008-04:00

Hello surfer dudes... no Friday Fifty Six for me this week... I'm on vacation:) See you tuesday

UPDATE: I'm back from vacation! Thanks for the well wishes!!!! We headed out to Maryland to visit friends and hoped into Washington D.C. to site see. There was a Red Dress Run that went right by us and a demonstration, N O H 8, that we missed seeing.

I HAD a slideshow up but it seemed to be increasing the load time for the websiteSOOO just click on the pic if you are curious about our trip!
From Washington D.C.

Tuesday Teaser

2009-10-06T08:27:00.003-04:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read & open to a random page
• Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
• Share the title & author

I love Miz B's blog and her Teaser Tuesday's... I just have to take part!

My Tease:

"Then, as though it were being sucked up, the leashing spell coalesced into bands about their necks. Unseen to any but me, another band snugged about the base of their [roosters]*."

~ pg.5 Howl Anthology by Jet Mykles, Jeigh Lynn, Raine Weaver

* Roosters are also known as cocks * This anthology has a focus on shifters - and horny ones at that! Yum! The tease is from the first novella, Leashed: Two for One Deal by Jet Mykles. Click on the pic to jump to Amazon for purchase!

Friday 56

2009-10-02T20:52:00.000-04:00

A weekly meme hosted by Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56. * Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
* Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

I love to troll the second hand book stores and library sales AND sometimes I even buy a book just for the cover! This one has a beautiful orchid front and center. An excerpt from Elixir by Gary Braver - pg 54

"From those batches he made subcultures. He kept that up for four weeks until the untreated cells stopped subdividing and died."

The priceless essence of a rare jungle blossom with the power to prolong youth, health, beauty ... and life. Indefinitely. At a price.

Desire for it will drive people to madness and murder, cause governments to collapse, and destroy the natural order of life.

When biologist Christopher Bacon headed for the rainforests of Papua New Guinea in search of medicinal plants, he had no idea that he would bring home a flower rumored by a tribal shaman to prevent human aging. Chris conducts secret experiments on the flower's extract at his Boston pharmaceutical lab, only to discover that test animals not only stopped aging, they were rejuvenated. Driven by fountain-of-youth dreams, Chris begins tampering with the ultimate secret of nature, the consequences of which could be unimaginably horrific.

How far would you go to possess it?

UPDATED: My First Award!

2009-10-02T11:54:00.001-04:00

Update: Thanks also goes to Carol's Notebook for thinking of me with this award!

8/26/09: Thanks to Book Addict I have my first award: Bingo's Beautiful Blog Award started by Booking with Bingo

This "B-I-N-G-O" Beautiful Blog Award means that this blog is...

B: Beautiful
I: Informative
N: Neighborly
G: Gorgeous
O: Outstanding

You've got me blushing Patti!!

Time to spread the beauty!

I nominate the following 5 blogs to receive the BINGO Beautiful Blog Award:

Stumbling Over Chaos - I can relate to black cats!

Leauge of Reluctant Adults - Who can resist this?

The Thrillionth Page - Snarky all the way through, just like me!

Silk & Shadows - I could stare at this webpage all night!

Romance Book Wyrm - Dragons here, dragons there, dragons everywhere!

REVIEW: Desire, Oklahoma Series

2009-10-02T10:31:00.000-04:00

Desire, Oklahoma Series

by Leah Brooke

Blade's Desire: Desire, Oklahoma Series #2

The author shows an intimate knowledge into the life of bondage and submission. I learned alot reading this story and was impressed by the emphasis on safety within the fetish. This story also touches on the very sensitive issue of domestic abuse. The abuse is addressed but not described in too graphic detail - the pain and trauma is still extremely evident.

This series repeats over and over that a woman can love her man and his dominance and still be strong. Violent acts occur but are short lived and quickly resolved.

About the hot little town of Desire, Oklahoma (Excerpt from Rules of Desire)

"To say that Desire, Oklahoma was an unusual town would be putting it mildly ... The men in Desire protected and coddled all of the woman, absolutely adored them and did everything in their power to keep them safe and happy. They also thought nothing of turning their woman over their knees and spanking her if she did anything to risk her health or safety ... Dom/sub and menage relationships were the norm here"

The sex is the hottest I have read - like blush while your reading even though no one is in the room, can't keep the stupid grin off your face type hot. I think it is so effective because it is written real... I can actually imagine it happening just that way. Awesome job!!!

I've read as many books in the series as I can get my hands on and enjoy the twists and turns with polyamorous relationships and varying degrees of dominance and submission. And the intimate lifestyle jewelry - that just blew my mind.

READING ORDER

Desire for Three (m/f/m)

Blade's Desire (m/f)

Creation of Desire (m/f/m)

Rules of Desire (f/m/m/m)

Tuesday Teaser

2009-09-29T10:27:00.002-04:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read & open to a random page
• Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
• Share the title & author

I love Miz B's blog and her Teaser Tuesday's... I just have to take part!

My Tease:

"Embossed in gold, the size of a business card, it simply said, 'Invitation to attend.' On the reverse side was the logo for Incognito, also gold embossed, and a line that read, 'Unleash your darkest desires.'"

~ pg.5 Incognito: Collaring Kat by Madison Layle & Anna Leigh Keaton

I just started this ebook and already have crazy scenarios running through my head!

Spooky Thoughts

2009-09-26T08:28:00.000-04:00

HALLOWEEEEEEEEEN

It's time for me to think about costumes!

<---- And my favorite contemporary artist, Dan McCarthy!

I love a good reason to dress up, and what better excuse than Halloween?

*Well I guess there is Mardi Gras - Renaissance Festival - Christmas - New Years...*

I also love to torture myself by trying to make the costumes personally - just never seems to turn out how I imagine.

"But this time, this time will be different!"

My Handsome Husband has decided he wants to be a Cowboy Sheriff. Visions of pleather chaps are running through my head. Could I secretly costume him as a hot and hunky cowboy hero from one of your favorite cowboy romances???? and live out a little novel re-enactment? Oh, yes - please! *Leave a comment with your fav cowboy character - more reading for me and fodder for my imagination with hubby!*

BUT what shall I be? What novel heroine is worthy of my re-incarnation?

The supplies at my disposal include:

18" clip in real hair extensions

Body Glitter

Sewing machine

Grommetting supplies

Hair dye in unnatural colors

Paint

Purchasing power! (shoes, accessories, raw materials)

Some flitting ideas:

Saloon Girl - to compliment the Handsome Husband

Little Red Riding Hood - seems a little wussy for me

Mermaid - too much visible flesh

Vampire - done it too many times

Pink Cowgirl - would match my hair & my husband!

HELP ME! Got any ideas? Outrageous suggestions? Crazy costumes?

FRIDAY 56

2009-09-25T09:35:00.005-04:00

A weekly meme hosted by Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56. * Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
* Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

I'm an animal lover & a helpless romantic making this book just perfect for me! An excerpt from Love is a four-legged word by Kandy Shepherd - pg 54

"She'd suspected there was a sense of humor lurking somewhere under all that stuffiness. But she couldn't believe that Tom O'Brien admitted he watched animated movies."

Page 56 is blank! So I skipped back a page for the above cute little quote. Makes me think of all the nights I would babysit my sister and have to sit through My Little Mermaid! This is Kandy's 1st book, so take a visit and show her some love if this tiny little taste has you interested. Here's the blurb:

Romance is for the dogs

Tom O'Brien is this close to making partner at the hottest law firm in San Francisco provided his newest client doesn't foul thinks up. Brutus has inherited a multimillion-dollar estate from his late OWNER - and a pretty guardian named Madeline Cartwright.

Tom thinks Madeline is a fortune hunter but must maintain the terms of the will to get his promotion. That means keeping both canine Brutus & chef Maddy happy!

He's trying his best to keep the arrangement professional, but with two clients this adorable, Tom's suddenly craving a different kind of partnership altogether...