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Thursday, 30 June 2011

UTC Insider: Burning Up July


JULY IS HERE AND WE ARE BURNING THINGS UP! Welcome to Under the Covers's Burning Up July, an erotica special event!

This July we have a ton of goodies for all our maidens so please check in often and maybe you can win some really hot prizes!

This month we have author appearances by:
Olivia Cunning, author of BACKSTAGE PASS and ROCK HARD
Cathryn Fox, author of INSTINCTIVE
Lissa Matthews, author of SIMPLE NEED
Evangeline Anderson, author of CLAIMED
Lorelei James, author of CHASIN' EIGHT
Cherrie Lynn, author of UNLEASHED and ROCK ME
Megan Hart, author of COLLIDE
Shayla Black, author of WICKED TIES and SURRENDER TO ME



We are also hosting our first ever giveaway hop with the ladies from Madame D's Boudoir, Riverina Romantics and Satin's Bookish Corner!!! Join us from July 2 - July 9 for our Sinful Summer giveaway hop!

Prizes include:
The complete OUT OF THE BOX series by Kallysten
THE GREEK JOB, HYBRID MISFITS, and an ARC of DELICATE FREAKIN' FLOWER by Eve Langlais
BLESS THE BEAUTY by Stacey Kennedy

Battle of the Covers
Any demon lovers out there? Look forward to a Demonica showdown as the new UK covers take on the US covers!

Mind Spill
Ever been put down for reading romance? This post shares my experience with romance and why I read it!

Reading on the Dark Side
More Demonica!! We love this series, so there's no shock that we'd be pimping this out! Stay tuned for more information!

Freebies!
Get extra entries in our July giveaways! Take one of our Burning Up July buttons and put it on your site!

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Freedom Giveaway Hop Announcement


Under The Covers is happy to announce that we will be participating in the Freedom Giveaway Hop hosted by Simply Stacie and I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, which will run from July 1st to July 7.  We have also reached 400 followers and want you to celebrate with us!  We have a special giveaway planned for this hop...
We are having a 7 day event with Olivia Cunning!

During the 7 days of this hop we will be posting reviews to all her books, she has also prepared a special guest post for our readers and finally we were lucky enough to have interviewed her for you!  Make sure you keep checking back and make sure you don't miss anything!

Prizes of this giveaway will include a print book from the Sinners on Tour series for one lucky US/Canada winner, and two ebooks of Loving on Borrowed Time which will be open for all readers to enter (international)!  

To enter, please:
1. Be a follower of this blog.
2. Fill out the form below.  Please keep in mind you can only fill out the form once, so check any extra entries, even if you haven't done them at the time but plan on it.


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June 2011 Monthly Recap

 
We have to say goodbye to our hottie Paul Marron!  As we are getting ready for July (which let me tell you we are VERY excited about everything we have lined up for you. In case you might've missed something... here's what's been happening at Under The Covers this past June.


Dirty Little Secret
We just launched our brand new Thursday meme!  Join us from now on every week.  And it's Thursday now, so come and join us!  Click here!


Author of the Month
Laura Wright


Author Interviews
We had some great authors stop by for an interview and giveaways!


Wright, Laura

Myles, Jill

Thompson - Geer, Stacey

Trinity, Stevie

Clare, Pamela

Taylor - Karen E.

Julian, Stephanie 


Author Override
Laura Wright - Interview with a Vampire...or Three


Battle of the Covers
The Psy-Changeling US vs UK covers!  You voted and the results are in!!!!  UK wins with 56% of the votes!  See the post again here.


Kiss of Snow
We celebrated the Kiss of Snow release with a special IM transcript review (click here to read it) and we asked you to vote on which TEAM you were.  Results are in, and the winner is SnowDancer with a whopping 70% of the votes!!  *snickers* I knew it, who can resist those hot wolves!


Mind Spill
Suzanne shared with us why she sometimes prefers ereaders, and when she would rather have a real book.  You voted and 59% of you prefer ereaders.  Missed the post?  Click here!

Reading on the Dark Side
Due to the release of Hunt The Moon, we dedicated our special feature this month to Cassie Palmer's series.  Check it out again here!


The Month in Review
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Dirty Little Secret # 2








Dirty Little Secret is a weekly meme hosted by us at Under the Covers. Every Thursday we get to know other bloggers and our readers more intimately by asking them a question hoping to reveal their dirty little secrets.  We hope that you will all join us!

To participate in the meme all you need to do is:

1. Be a follower of Under the Covers.
2. Create a post in your blog taking the meme image (code above) and copy instructions.
3. Answer the question we propose! This can be done in any way you like, post a video, write a post etc.
4. Then add your link below.

Non-bloggers: We want to hear from you as well!!!  Let us know your answer in the comments!

We hope you join us and let us know your Dirty Little Secrets!

This weeks question:

"Which heroine from a book would you most want to be and why?"
Our answer:

Francesca:  I have to go with Annika from the ACRO series.  I think I've said this before somewhere, but SHE HAS CREED!!!!  And as you all know he is mine... Plus she doesn't put up with shit from anyone, can take care of herself, hates when people tell her what to do or that she can't do something.  She's strong and determined, and she has cool superpowers!

Suzanne: I nominate Kate Daniels! Sarcastic, funny and looks menacing in leather, and the biggest bonus I get to shag Curran until I can't walk straight! : P

Annie:  I pick Elena Deveraux from Guild Hunter series.  She gets to fuck Raphael. She's tough as nails woman who doesn't let men of greater power or status to overpower her. With Raphael, she's his equal. Not just his lover. And there's also the fact that she has awesome wings.

Now let's hear it from you!
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Wednesday, 29 June 2011

And The Winner Is...





Tina W.
&
Tracy Smith

Thank you all for entering and participating for stopping by our chat with Stephanie Julian and entering the giveaway and congratulations to the winners of What A Goddess Wants!  We will be contacting you via email soon!  Enjoy!  The winners were picked via Random.org


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Three Line Thursday

Three Line Thursday is a weekly trivia meme hosted by Hesperia Loves Books

Every Thursday, we'll post three lines from a book (or from more than one at times) and it's up to you to figure out the book they came from. Please leave your answers in the comment section of the post!

If you would like to join in the fun & create your own Three Line Thursday, here's what you need to do:
  • Grab the logo
  • Post your own T.L.T. on your blog
  • Leave your link via the InLinkz widget at Hesperia Loves Books
Most of all have fun!!!

Here's the first one:

"He's crazy about you, isn't he?"
Eve jerked her shoulders and drank. "He's rich, I mean mag rich, gorgeous as a god, and that body-"
"What d'you know about his body?"
"I got eyes. I use 'em. I've got a pretty good idea of what he looks like naked."


And the second one:

His eyes narrows. "I'm not kiddin' Ava. I am not sleeping with you."
"I understand."
"Seriously. We won't be getting nekkid together."
"Totally your call."
"I mean it. We will not be havin' sex."
"Fine. I get it. Hands off. No hugs, no kisses, no holding hands, no hot looks, no copping a feel. No chance for a hard, fast sweaty, screaming, raunchy fuckfest against the wall, or on the floor, or in the shower and definitely not on the bed."
For fucking Christsake.

Do you know the answer? Please comment with your guesses!!  The answer will be revealed next week!
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Review: The Mane Attraction by Shelly Laurenston

The Mane Attraction
by Shelly Laurenston
(Pride # 3)
Paranormal Romance

If there is a reason why you haven't picked up the Pride books yet, you have to put everything else aside and get them! If you didn't know about them, then let me introduce you to the sexiest shifters around!

This Pride book is all about fun! Mitch Shaw has a "nothing-bothers-me" playful attitude towards life, and Sissy Mae, even though crude and mean at times, is a fun chick!

And Mitch is one of my favorite felines in ALL shifter series! How adorable is he? We first met him for a little bit in the second story of book 1 (Shaw's Tail). We thought he was the good-for-nothing brother of successful Brendon Shaw, turns out he was a cop who had gone undercover to expose a mobster, and was now in the witness protection program! They need him alive to testify, the criminals want him dead. And lets not forget that he IS the karaoke king among the Kuznetzov Pack, to be worshiped at their altar. *snickers*

Mitch and Sissy are best buds, they've been working together at Mace & Smitty's security firm. Mitch is being his usual prankster self, and Sissy is her usual "just-a-tad-bitchy" she-wolf. This book begins while we are still at Jessie Ann & Smitty's wedding, and yes, Mitch and Sissy Mae are both still fighting their attraction to each other, because between good friends sex will only complicate things, and then there's the fact that Mitch knows after he testifies he will have to assume a new identity and disappear. But things take a turn for the worst when Mitch gets shot. Yes, someone is after him, wants him dead, and it just happens to be shifter. How can they protect Mitch?

Sissy takes it upon herself to "kidnap" him, taking him where she swore she would never return. Back home to Tennessee. Nobody knows he's there. And Sissy soon finds herself full of hot naked lion, in a town full of crazy wolves, and BOY he can eat!!!

Crazy, hysterical, extremely sexy and cute. This book will keep you entertained from page one, and you won't be able to put it down! Their banter had me almost in tears laughing. And some of the things that happen just... I have no words. Like when Mitch ends up wrestling with Ralph (the alligator), or when we meet cousin Dee Ann, or when they go to the grocery store because Mitch "ate her out of her house".

And as any good, honorable lion shifter, when this bad boy gets all hot and bothered, HE CAN DELIVER!

So what are you waiting for? You have to read this series! You have to read this author! It is guaranteed to get you out of any reading funk, improve your mood, and... make your insides quiver.

It is so difficult to pick a favorite quote, since most of this book is full of humor, but here's my best attempt:

Best description of Sissy Mae:
To quote Janie Mae, "Sissy came out of my womb with her middle finger raised."

"Is that why they call you Mr. Fumble Paws?"

"Sexy, sexy," she growled at him before she could stop herself.
"You treat me like a whore"
"You are a whore"
He grinned "This is true"
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Review: Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh

Blaze of Memory
by Nalini Singh
(Psy-Changeling # 7)
Paranormal Romance

Dev Santos discovers her unconscious and battered, with no memory of who she is. All she knows is that she's dangerous. Charged with protecting his people's most vulnerable secrets, Dev is duty-bound to eliminate all threats. It's a task he's never hesitated to complete...until he finds himself draws to a woman who might prove to be the enemy's most insidious weapon yet.

Stripped of her memories by a shadowy oppressor and programmed to carry out cold-blooded murder, Katya Haas is fighting desperately for her sanity. Her only hope is Dev. But how can she expect to gain the trust of a man who could very well be her next target? For in this game, one must die..

We are doing group reviews of the Psy Changeling series as we are all such huge fans of this series, but for this book, we were split in the middle! Annie loved it but Fran and Suzanne...not so much! So instead of integrating our reviews, here are our individual opinions about a couple of aspects of the books:

DEV & KATYA

Suzanne- This was the thing I disliked most about this book! At first it was because they hadn’t had much of a build up in the other books, especially Katya, so I don’t have that sense of knowing them a little before the book starts, but that’s okay, I can learn to love them, but even by the end of the book they still felt like secondary characters! And Dev, I didn’t like him. At all. He reminds me of a 80’s historical romance hero, you know the horrible ones I mean, controlling and aggressive, he would blow hot and cold, one minute being tender and gentle, the next thinking about killing her and threatening her! As for Katya, complete Stolkholm Syndrome heroine, he held her captive and kept intimidating and bullying her, how the hell do you fall in love!?

Fran- I actually liked Dev before this book, I thought he was an interesting character when I first read about him in Talin & Clay's book, and was actually looking forward to his story. But now that we get to read more about him, he fell flat. I think maybe he needed a different mate. I think a changeling female might've been better suited for him and we might've seen a different Dev. As for Katya...I have no comment for Katya. LOL She was just there! I felt bad for her and all, but there was no connection.

Annie- I freaking love Dev! As the Shine director, although we have no Changeling alpha males, he’s kind of like the alpha of his own people. I found myself loving him despite his initial icy persona. He also has a really cool gift with metal and it would have been great to him use it a little more. As for Katya after five pages I found myself really sympathising with her (Love the new name it suits her so much better, don’t you think? It’s less Psy and more personable). As a Psy she is physically weak and after what that bastard Ming did to her she is mentally caged but I found a quiet strength in her. She’s definitely my favourite of the Psy women! I adore her! In several parts of this book she shows some real courage, and I loved her for it and wanted to beat her for putting herself in so much danger!

CONCLUSION: I think we are going to have to agree to disagree! We will let you have Dev for your harem Annie LOL!

SILENCE:

Suzanne & Fran- I liked the progression of the breakdown of Silence. This book demonstrates perhaps more than the others that although Silence is in no way a good thing breaking Silence WILL have deadly consequences for a lot of people, Psy, human and Changeling. This book also gives you an understanding of perhaps why Silence was implemented in the first place. I love books when nothing is black and white and good and bad, and Nalini Singh has muddied up the waters a little, I found that although I don’t agree with Silence, I can see how it is useful and why it was used in the first place.

Annie- I totally agree! This book was great at showing Silence and when breaking Silence goes really bad. I like that the Forgotten were also considering trying to use Silence, this shows that maybe the Psy did have a good reason to start using it, even if it got corrupted later. But I am glad they finally decided against it!

LETTERS TO MATTHEW

All of us- I think we all agreed that the letters were really beautiful and a great way of demonstrating that piece of time from when Silence was first brought to the attention of the Psy to when it was finally implemented. It gave you a very human look at what Silence meant to the Psy and it gave you information in little tantalizing pieces rather than just having one big monologue to read. For Fran and Suzanne these were some of the best bits of the book and Annie thinks they enhanced an already fabulous read.

We are all definitely going to be carrying on reading the rest of this amazing series, although a couple of us didn’t really like this one as much as the rest in this series, it will not stop us reading on to find out what happens next! 

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Review: Glory in Death by JD Robb




Glory in Death (In Death # 2)
by JD Robb
Romantic Suspense


Opening line: “The dead were her business.”

From that first line, I was sucked in. There is something about Robb’s writing that just sucks me in completely. I love the way she describes things. I love the way the words flow and I love that there’s this sense of detachment or coldness in the overall tone of her writing. It makes the mystery of the story that much more intriguing.

Eve Dallas is one of my favourite heroines. I love her strength and determination in her work. It’s admirable. Ironically enough, Eve Dallas lives and breathes death. It’s her job and Eve takes her duty seriously. So much so that she forgets to take care of herself.

In Glory in Death, Eve is the primary on another murder case, this time of a well-known woman in law who was caught off-guard with a slice to her throat. Lieutenant Dallas is on the case, doing her job to perfection. But when more deaths occur, Dallas is thinking that maybe the person she initially thought was committing the crimes isn’t the right person anymore. This causes her to retrace her steps and review the evidence. The suspense in this book is amazing, all the way to the end of the book. I can’t even choose which one I prefer between the first book or this one! Both are great!

And then there’s Eve’s relationship with Roarke. There are some rough tides between the lovebirds in this one, but in the end, Roarke is still as loyal as can be. I want to marry Roarke! Even when he’s angry, he manages to turn me on. There’s nothing about this guy that isn’t sexy. Simply put, Roarke is a dream. And I want him bad.

I loved that Eve let herself feel in this one. She’s so preoccupied with her work life that she doesn’t take time for herself. In this one, she does. She spends some quality time with Mavis, her awesome best friend and of course, Roarke, who does the most sweetest things for her. I’m incredibly jealous. Would it be creepy to say I wish I was Eve Dallas?

I can’t wait to read the next one! I wonder why it took me so long to read this series. Obviously, I was missing out. And if you haven’t read this either, then make sure you pick this one up soon! 

This is my Roarke *sigh*

 


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Review: Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione

Pleasure Unbound
by Larissa Ione
(Demonica # 1)
Paranormal Romance

There is a battle going on between demons and the Aegis, humans who are trained to kill the demons. They believe demons kill and rape innocent humans indiscrimately and are little more then evil beasts. At least that is what Tayla Manusco has been told and past experience confirms this. But when Tayla is picked up by an ambulance after being badly hurt and taken to a demon hospital who where she is introduced to Eidolon, a hot demon doctor who heals her, and discovers a few unwelcome truths about her.

These demons are just hot! I love the concept of this series. Just as the author describes it, it's a perfect combination between Buffy and ER, but with a lot more supernatural creatures! There were loads of different demons who were varying degrees of evil and they even had a demon bible, which was very interesting. I loved Underworld General, the staff is hilarious, the portals, the werewolves, the fights, the aegi deceptions. This whole story is captivating and original.

I love Eidolon! His dark hair, his lickable dermoire and his brains? What’s not to love! And as a Seminus demon, he requires sex often. As if there wasn’t more to love about him! Eidolon is cool, centered, focused, the serious and dedicated brother. He is half Justice Demon. He is also a doctor at Underworld General Hospital and his hunky brothers Shade *cue swoons* and Wraith work there as well. They are all half brothers (same Seminus dad) but by different mothers, so they're all half something else. All three of them are such well developed characters that I am dying to know more about! He is close to the age when all incubus demons go through the s'genesis and he finds the perfect girl to help him go through that.

The characters Eidolon and Tayla, although were the focus of the story, I didn't find them the most intriguing characters. However, although they may not stand out in a genre jam packed with similar characters, I still found their story interesting and was eager for them to have their HEA. In the beginning, Tayla is consumed by this blind rage against all demonkind, but after she learns more about the demon world and herself, she becomes more and more open to different possibilities. She learns that not everything is black and white. There are grey areas in between. She learns this through her love with Eidolon and her developing fondness for Gem.

Gem, Tayla's long lost twin. I love love LOVE Gem! The first line from her perspective is hilarious: “Doctor Gemella Endri was up to her elbows in condoms.” The situation she is in makes it all the more hyterical. But I don’t want to spoil anything! Gem has her own little romantic story going on throughout the first three books.

In that case, I have to mention how interesting Kynan is. I want to learn so much more about him. I feel bad about what happens to him, but it also opens up a lot of opportunities for him as well. Especially when he does the most unthinkable thing at the end.

I cannot wait to see how the rest of the series spans out. What's so great about this series is that it's dark and brooding, but there is that light in there too. There's hope for these characters after all that they have endured. Ione's got the skills to write the most amazing books and she is now officially one of my favorite authors.


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Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  The pre-publication release we are eagerly anticipating this week is:

The Many Sins of Lord Cameron
by Jennifer Ashley
Highland Pleasures #3

Lord Cameron Mackenzie is intrigued when he finds the pretty widow, Ainsley Douglas, hiding in the window seat of his bedchamber. Cam remembers Ainsley Douglas all right—six years ago, he’d caught her in this very bedchamber, during a house party in the Mackenzies’ Scottish manor. Enchanted by her ingenuous excuses, he decided to seduce her, but stopped shy when she’d made a rather touching appeal about her “good husband who didn’t deserve to be heartbroken.”

Later, Cameron learned that her visit to his bedchamber was part of some female intrigue against him, the kind his late wife used to practice. Ainsley protested her innocence, but Cameron’s anger made him never want to see her again. Now she’s back, at another houseparty—and Cameron finds the gray-eyed minx in his bedchamber, again. Her excuses are just as ingenuous, but this time Cameron is determined to teach her a lesson.

Release date: 2nd August

I cannot wait to read this! I have wanted to read his book since I read the first book, The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie Jennifer Ashley really knows how to write hot highland men! And have you seen the cover, I love me some lickable abs!
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Tuesday, 28 June 2011

Dropping Tuesday!


The Rebel by Jessica Bird

NOTE: This is a re-issue of BEAUTY AND THE BLACK SHEEP Book 1 from the Moorehouse Legacy series.

Nate Walker has never shied away from the hard road. Even when it meant leaving behind his family, wealth, and the fiance who only wanted a rich man. Nothing was going to stop him from opening his own five-star restaurant.

And he was on his way until his car broke down on a dark road in the Adirondacks, leading him right to White Caps Inn and Frankie Moorehouse.
 
Suddenly Nate has a job he doesn't really need and an affair that has to end when summer does. Except Frankie has a way about her. She gets under his skin. She even makes him want to do what he never thought he could stay forever.



Taken by Fire by Sydney Croft

HIS MISSION WAS TO TAKE HER OUT.

BUT DESIRE GOT IN THE WAY.

A product of genetic manipulation, Melanie Milan shares a body with her malevolent sister Phoebe. A sleek, blonde predator with a heart of pure darkness, Phoebe puts their body through the wicked underbelly of sex for thrills—when she’s not igniting her pyrokinetic skills for an evil organization bent on taking over the world. Melanie rarely gets out to play—much less fall in love. But that changes when rival ARCO agent Stryker Wills shows up, with a mission to take out the woman who torched his partner.

An operative with rare abilities, Stryker soon realizes that the woman he’s about to kill isn’t the murderous fire starter he’s hunting. But he does want her. Melanie, with the power to ice anything in her path, is heating things up in ways that are setting his blood on fire. As long as Melanie stays in control, she is his best ally to bring down her sister and stop hellish havoc from being unleashed. Walking a tightrope of longing and hate, Stryker and Melanie begin to understand that true power lies in sweet surrender to each other, to the fire between them, to the erotic adventure that’s joined their hearts and abilities to become their salvation—and perhaps the world’s.


Deeper Than Midnight by Lara Adrian

At eighteen, Corinne Bishop was a beautiful, spirited young woman living a life of privilege as the adopted daughter of a wealthy family. Her world changed in an instant when she was stolen away and held prisoner by the malevolent vampire Dragos. After many years of captivity and torment, Corinne is rescued by the Order, a cadre of vampire warriors embroiled in a war against Dragos and his followers. Her innocence taken, Corinne has lost a piece of her heart as well--the one thing that gave her hope during her imprisonment, and the only thing that matters to her now that she is free.

Assigned to safeguard Corinne on her trip home is a formidable golden-eyed Breed male called Hunter. Once Dragos's most deadly assassin, Hunter now works for the Order, and he's hell-bent on making Dragos pay for his manifold sins. Bonded to Corinne by their mutual desire, Hunter will have to decide how far he'll go to end Drago's reign of evil--even if carrying out his mission means shattering Corinne's tender heart.

Chasin' Eight by Lorelei James

She wants it…he’s got it…and the chase is on…

Bull rider Chase McKay has finally landed in a pile too big to charm his way out of. Caught with his pants down, he finds himself bucked right off the PBR tour until he can get his act together.

Hollywood actress Ava Cooper became the tabloids’ favorite target when her longtime boyfriend was outed as gay. She needs a place to lay low and a chance to prove to herself that she can satisfy a red-blooded man between the sheets. The sexy, rugged cowboy she finds holed up in her Wyoming hideaway seems like the answer to her every fantasy.

But Chase has sworn off women. Forever. Or at least a month. Whichever comes first.

When they take to the road to get Chase more hands-on bull riding experience, they have every intention of keeping their hands off each other. But the two headstrong stars quickly end up riding a hot and heady rodeo circuit all their own—until the press gets wind of their affair. When the dust clears and the lights of the paparazzi fade, are they ready to give up chasing the dream for a chance of finding forever?

Warning: Strap in, another hot McKay is about to bust out of the gate and this bull rider knows a thing or two about riding hard…

Savor the Danger by Lori Foster

She may be aloof, and more pretty than gorgeous, but Alani Rivers is the kind of woman a hot-blooded mercenary can't forget, no matter how hard he tries. So when Jackson Savor wakes up next to the naked, sleeping beauty—with no memory of what happened— he knows he's been drugged…even if Alani doesn't.

After she was kidnapped, Alani vowed never to trust another man again. Still, something about this strong, sexy hero with the tender touch makes her want to believe him. As Jackson hunts down a mysterious intruder, he swears he'll move heaven and earth to keep Alani safe. But what really happened that night? And will the truth bring them closer than they ever thought possible—or put Alani squarely in harm's way again?
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Review: Dragon Actually by G.A. Aiken

Dragon Actually
by G.A. Aiken
(Dragon Kin # 1)
Paranormal Romance

Why did it take me sooo long to pick up this series? I know G.A. Aiken is Shelly Laurenston. And I LOVE HER! I think in a way it was the fact that I've never been big on dragons as the lead character in a paranormal romance. But whether it's the fact that I was wrong about dragons, or the fact that this series has a really interesting and fun storyline. Or that it was written by Ms. "Aiken". All I can say is that this book was excellent!

Somehow managing to mix incredibly hot shape-shifting dragons, historical war times, battles, intrigue and some hot tumbles between the hero and heroine, as well as a great supporting cast (yes, lots of them dragons as well) I am now officially hooked.

This book contains two stories, so I'll review them individually.

Dragon Actually - 4.5 Feathers

Oh Fearghus the Destroyer! He is a a dragon of roughly over 200 winters. He has lived most of this time alone in a way, having also little contact with his kin. He is awaken by a battle and a dying beautiful female, Annwyl the Bloody. She is a fierce warrior, leader of a sort of rebel group, with the purpose of killing her estranged brother.

When Fearghus finds her almost dying, all he can do is try and save her. He even calls his sister Morfyd, a healer, to tend to her during recovery.

Except Fearghus presents Annwyl with a human knight whom she thinks is different than his dragon form, and now he can't bring himself to tell her they are one an the same, mostly for fear of rejection.

Annwyl's relationship develops with both on separate levels. Her relationship with the dragon is on a deeper level and she comes to care for him, while the knight stirs things in her she didn't know even could, she was a virgin after all!

While recovering the knight helps train her so that she is prepared to defeat her brother. The dragon makes a promise to help her even going against his family, which will soon come to interfere.

There is a bit of a side storyline and sexual tension between Fearghus sister Morfyd and Brastias, first in command in Annwyl's army. I can't wait to read more about these two!

Chains and Flames - 3 Feathers

I'm sorry to say I really didn't enjoy this story. First of all, after the side story of Morfyd and Brastias, I was expecting to read THEIR story. Instead I get a bit of a prequel to Dragon Actually. How Fearghus father Bercelak comes to wed Princess Rhiannon, and why he has her chained to their bedchamber walls, and how come she likes it so much.

I actually liked the grumpy bastard! Bercelak was endearing, being in love with Princess Rhiannon for years, and now given the opportunity to finally have her.

Princess Rhiannon on the other hand? She was just a total bitch from the beginning! She thought everyone was beneath her, her disdain for humans, for family ties, for Bercelak himself!

I understand what she's gone through with her mother, and now the threat that her mother wants her dead. But this does not justify her actions.

And Bercelak at the end of the day was nothing but sweet to her!

Favorite Quote:

"You should be scared. I'm a dragon, Annwyl. A born hunter and killer. The most ancient of destroyers."
Annwyl burst out laughing.
"You are so cute when you try to look scary."
She tweaked his nose with her thumb and forefinger."


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Review: Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich

Smokin' Seventeen
by Janet Evanovich
(Stephanie Plum # 17)
Chick Lit

3.5 Feathers


I am both highly disappointed and happy about this book. As far as storylines go, I was glad to see a little bit of a different feel to the chasing skips we get with every Plum book lately. And there are three people trying to kill Stephanie. The skips are crazy as usual, there's an old guy who thinks is a vampire and sleeps in a coffin at the funeral home, the sleezy guy who always seems to have a boner. The humor and inventiveness was back!

Stephanie is still just as clueless as to what to do. The bail bonds office was burned down previously so they are working out of Mooner's bus. Mooner! He was truly hilarious! I never get tired of reading his lines. And then Vinny, the slimeball, decides to advertise by making flyers with a picture of Lula and Stephanie, dressed provocatively, and of course digitally altering Stephanie's breasts. And if that's not embarrassing enough, the same picture is blown up and painted on the outside of the bus! Can't miss them now!

And Lula. I love Lula. She's always wearing crazy outfits, tasering people, and just plain getting in trouble when there shouldn't have been any!

Now onto my complains. I drool over Ranger as the next girl does. However, Stephanie just PISSED ME OFF. She is sorta dating Morelli. They agree to an "open" relationship. And then Stephanie thinks Morelli grandma puts a spell on her that makes her horny all the time, and the first thing she does.... JUMPS RANGERS BONES! Now... normally I would be all for jumping his bones, but not when she's dating Morelli, AND if that's not bad enough, the day after shagging Ranger she has sex with Morelli. And then she goes on a job with Ranger and wants to have sex with him again in his Porsche. What The Hell? When did Stephanie turned into a whore who doesn't care about anyone's feelings?

Morelli doesn't find out, but he's been on excellent behavior. And Ranger, why would he accept this behavior and just be content with getting Stephanie's scraps? They both deserve better than her at this point.

Then there's the Plum family. They are a train wreck, a circus, a comedy show! Stephanie's mom is trying to fix her up with some other guy who apparently went to school with her. He's turned out to be a bit of a loser, but her mom has given up hope on Morelli, so she's trying for another guy. Thank God Stephanie is not interested in bachelor #3. Her mom goes back to ironing.

I suspected who the killer was early on, so I was not surprised at all when we find out at the end. I was not expecting the motives. This guy was nutso!

I really wanted to see a resolution with Stephanie's love life in this book. I've come this far in the series, so I'll def read the next one, because at this point, I have to know what happens on principle. But I don't agree with the authors perspective of dragging out the love triangle until the last book of the series. Believe me, you wouldn't lose readers by letting Stephanie make a choice. You might gain back some you lost. We all still enjoy the humor in these books, we just want Stephanie to mature and stop acting the way she has been and not drag around two wonderful guys. If she has such a problem deciding, I'll take one off her hands *cough* Ranger *cough*
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Teaser Tuesday


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading.  Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read, open to a random page, share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page and BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!  Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.



Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart by Sarah McLean

"Yes, she was a scandal.
Her brother simply didn’t know it.
“I fell in the Serpentine today.”
“Yes, well, that doesn’t usually happen to women in London. But it’s not so much of a scandal as it is a challenge."




Glory in Death by J.D. Robb

The dead were her business. She lived with them, worked with them, studied them. She dreamed of them. And because that didn't seem to be enough, in some deep, secret chamber of her heart, she mourned for them.



Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole

"You'll tell me a story and I'll spare you? You think I don't see what you're doing? I've read Arabian Nights."

"Call me Scheherazade, baby! Actually, she's one tricksy bitch. Who, by the way, still owes me twenty gold pieces and a pound of sesame."
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