Review: Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James

Just the Sexiest Man Alive

by Julie James

Contemporary Romance

Find it on Goodreads!

Taylor Donovon is a star Chicago lawyer who comes to Los Angeles to represent her firm at an important trial. As a lawyer, Taylor is sharp, efficient and ruthless. But her dating life hasn’t had the same success as her work life.

Betrayed by her fiancé, Taylor finds herself hurt and untrusting towards men. And I don’t blame the girl. Catching your fiancé with his teaching assistant isn’t something a woman needs to experience. With this, it’s no wonder why she is so resistant towards men’s advances.

And then comes the Sexiest Man Alive.

Jason Andrews.

When her boss asks her to do a favor for him, Taylor agrees not realizing that she has just accepted babysitting duty for the number one top celebrity and the three- time “Sexiest Man Alive.”

Jason Andrews is used to getting what he wants. So when Taylor Donovon struts in and points a finger at him for his mistakes, Jason is taken aback by her tenacity. And this intrigues him.

I loved the “cross-examination” part! I thought it was hilarious and Taylor really kicked ass in that scene. For me, the best thing about Taylor’s character was that her feelings where persistent. Despite her growing affections for Jason, she didn’t automatically turn around and start falling to her knees for him. I loved that Ms. James kept that resistance in her throughout this entire book because even though Taylor does fall in love in this one, she doesn’t forget her past hurts.

The fact that there is no sex in this book is an example. Catching your fiancé with another woman is traumatic and has scarred Taylor’s dating life. So there is no way a woman who has been cheated on will suddenly jump in the sack with some guy. Even if he’s the sexiest man alive.

This book was another hit for James. I loved it and if you’re a fan of sweet, smart and witty romances, then this is for you!

True Blood Season 4 Premiere

The new True Blood season is finally here!!!  How I love summer Sunday nights!  After last night's premiere episode I was also able to watch Episode 2 through HBOGO and here's what I thought of the new season so far.

10 Things I Liked About the Premiere:

1. Eric!!!!  Still hot and badass.  I loved when he was being interviewed for an ad (in the show) and he said he serves humans (and not for dinner)  You can serve me any day!!
2. Pam.  I love her!  She's funny, she's sarcastic, and she looked damn well with her leather pants.
3. Jason was kinda sexy with his new sheriff uniform, goatee, and take charge attitude.
4. Jesus looked HOT!
5. There was a lot of humor in the show.  I was literally laughing.  Pam and her comment to Sookie... "Wer are friends now?  Do we go to a book club together?" or something.  And when that random drunk was asking Tara and her girlfriend to get it on and said "Chocolate banana swirl".
6. Loved the ending of Ep # 1, and without giving you any spoilers, LOVED the ending of Ep # 2.
7. Eric buying Sookie's house!!  HAHAHA ;)  He owns you now!  But he can own me anytime!
8. Tara looked really good!  I was surprised by the ultimate fighting thing, and that she has a girlfriend!  I have a feeling they're going to make Tara into Amelia's book character.
9. If you thought Ep # 1 was very sexual or had a lot of nudity, be prepared for Ep # 2.  Now what does a girl have to do around here to see a naked Viking getting it on?  I'm tired of looking at everyone else!
10. Hotshot! LMAO They are a bunch of weird ones!  And Jason is sooooo dumb.  Yeah, let me jump in this cooler to see what's wrong. Poor baby!  He's going to get bit!

10 Things I Didn't:

1. Bill.  Or should I say King Bill.  He needs to die!!!!  Who made him King in the first place?  And what the hell was up with his hair?  Well, speaking of hair, what the hell was up with Eric's hair?  Did they fire the male stylists?
2. Jessica.  What the hell is up with her!?!?!?  Hoyt is so sweet, she needs to take care of him.
3. The fae fiasco.  WTH???  I wasn't sure I was watching an episode of True Blood for a bit at the beginning.
4. Grandaddy Earl coming over to this plane with her and then dying.  Was that really necessary?
5. Sometimes Alan Ball deviations from the books are for good, and sometimes not.  I don't think I like where he's going with the evil baby storyline.
6. The witch covenant people are kinda lame.  They were supposed to be more kick ass.  Thank God for Lafayette.
7. Sam's new shifter friends.  Dinner parties for shifters?  Really?  At least we get to meet Luna.
8. Tommy and Hoyt's mother.... That's just eeewwwwwww.
9. NOT ENOUGH ERIC!  I'm just happy there'll be lots of him in Ep #3 I'm sure! Can't wait.
10. NO ALCIDE!!!!! Even though I expected that, since the werewolves are not part of Book 4 until later.  But I need some hot werewolf action!

Interview and Giveaway with author Stephanie Julian!

Hello Maidens! Today on Under the Covers we have Stephanie Julian with us, answering our nosey questions! Stephanie is the author of the Paranormal/Erotic series Lucani Lovers and Magical Seduction and now the brand new Forgotten Goddesses series, of which the first book What a Goddess Wants is out the 1st July! For more information on Stephanie Julian, please visit her website here:

Here's the blurb for WHAT A GODDESS WANTS:

It's OK no one remembers Etruscan Sun goddess Tessa. But when a demon threatens her life, she must turn to mythology's darkest warrior for protection...
 
Caligo of the Cimmerians has never met a woman as warm, sunny and inviting as Tessa. Their sizzling mutual attraction quickly sweeps the two of them into a love story that's worthy of the gods...

UTC: Thank you for joining us today, Stephanie! We are thrilled to have you! Let's get started...What has been your favourite paranormal creature to write about? And if you could be one of them which would it be?

SJ: Sal the salbinelli has been my favorite creature. He’s got the lower body of a goat and the upper body of a man and tiny black horns on his head. If you’ve ever been to Pompeii, there’s a statue of Sal in a courtyard. The textbooks call it a faun but really, that’s Sal. And don’t ever dare call him Pan. No one’s really sure how long Sal’s been around and he’s not talking. Right now, he lives in Reading, Pennsylvania, and he runs a safe house for the Etruscans. Sal showed up in the very first published story of the Etruscans, SEDUCED BY MAGIC and he continues to play a role in the Forgotten Goddesses series, starting with WHAT A GODDESS WANTS.

If I could be any paranormal creature, I would want to be a fairy. I mean, who wouldn’t want wings and be able to fly?

UTC: Let's talk about writing in general. What got you started writing PNR/erotica?

 SJ: I love reading it! I cut my teeth on Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe, J. Sheridan Le Fanu, Richard Matheson and HP Lovecraft as a young teenager. And when I found my mom’s copy of Kathleen Woodiwiss’ THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER, I discovered romance. By the time Anne Rice released INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, I was consciously looking for paranormal books with a love story. Then I read Maggie Shayne’s WINGS IN THE NIGHT series and I never looked back.

UTC: What or who inspires you to write?

SJ: Great books inspire me to write. When I read a wonderful story, that makes me want to be a better writer so I can provide that same experience to a reader.

UTC: Do you have any favourite books or series that you read over and over again, if so what are they?

SJ: My keeper shelf is actually a bookcase that sits by my bed. Some of the books on those shelves include the first three books in Tara Janzen’s Steele Street series (I’d have to pick CRAZY COOL and CRAZY LOVE as my favorite), Lora Leigh’s DAWN’S AWAKENING and COYOTE’S MATE, JR Ward’s first five Black Dagger Brotherhood books and Meljean Brooks’ THE IRON DUKE. I also have a keeper page on my Nook, which includes Cherrie Lynn’s ROCK ME and Nalini Singh’s KISS OF SNOW. There are a lot more but those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

UTC: We are huge fans of J.R. Ward and Nalini Singh. ROCK ME is a fantastic erotica read by Cherrie Lynn too!  If you could pick any of your characters to spend the day with who would it be and what would you do?

SJ: I would love to be a fly on the wall if Cal from WHAT A GODDESS WANTS and Kyle from KISS OF MOONLIGHT ever meet up. These two alpha males might not have much to say but put them side-by-side in a fight and they would be poetry in motion.

UTC: That would be interesting! Your books are centred around Italian folk lore, what made you decide to use Etruscan myths and legends?

SJ: My dad is first-generation Italian and when I decided I wanted to write magical stories, I wanted to find something that would tie into my heritage. But I wanted a magical tradition I could play with, that wasn’t over-used, so I found the Etruscans. There’s so much already known about the Romans that I knew I wanted to stay away from most of that, but the Etruscans I knew I could play with. The first book I bought for research was ETRUSCAN ROMAN REMAINS by Charles Godfrey Leland. Fabulous source of information, I pull it out every couple of weeks and page through it, looking for bits and pieces to add to my stories.

UTC: Alright, what's sexier, wings or fangs?

SJ: Wings, absolutely. Fangs are pointy and there’s usually blood involved (that’s not to say I don’t love a good vampire). Wings are fluttery and pretty and when you have sex with someone who has wings, there are all sorts of gravity defying feats you can do with wings…

UTC: If you could cast the characters from your new book What a Goddess Wants who would they be?

SJ: Jensen Ackles from Supernatural is Cal. He’s who I had in mind the entire time and his picture hangs on the board in front of my desk. Tessa is based on a couple of girls of mine who shall remain nameless. But if I were picking an actress, it would be Reese Witherspoon. Actually, the model on the cover is perfect. I wonder if she can act… Sal would be a tough one because Sal is so totally in my head. Think hot Italian guy (which would leave out all of the “Jersey Shore” guys).

UTC: *shudders* Jersey Shore. Tell us, what is next for you?

SJ: I’m hoping the next book in the Lucani Lovers series, GRACE IN MOONLIGHT, will be released before the end of the summer. Still waiting to hear from my editor on that one. The next book in the Forgotten Goddesses, HOW TO WORSHIP A GODDESS, releases in December, and I’m writing the third book, GODDESS IN THE MIDDLE, right now. I’ll also have a sexy contemporary release from Carina Press in January, SEX, LIES & SURVEILLANCE. And I’m playing with the second book in the Fringe series.

UTC: Thanks for joining us today Stephanie!

SJ: Thank you so much for having me here today!

Stephanie Julian will be giving away TWO PRINT COPIES of WHAT A GODDESS WANTS to US and CANADA ONLY. Giveaway runs from June 27-29. Winner will be announced on June 30.

To enter, please:
1. Be a follower
2. Fill out the form below

And The Winner Is...

Charlotte
(Books For All)

Thank you all for entering and participating in our blog tour stop for Karen E. Taylor and congratulations to the winner of Hunger!  We will be contacting you via email soon!  Enjoy!  The winner was picked via Random.org

Remember to stay tuned today for our interview and giveaway with Stephanie Julian

HOTTIE OF THE WEEK: RYAN BARRY

Girls, I have a good one for you this week! Are you ready for it? May I present to you....RYAN BARRY!

I'll give you a minute to pick your jaws up from the floor. Ryan is an underwear model and a certified fitness trainer. He says he first got involved in modeling while he was shopping in New York, trying on clothes when a clerk asked him if he was interested in an underwear contest. I can honestly tell you that I have zero saliva left after looking at these pictures of him!

When asked how he would describe himself, he said, "I'm a hard-working, affectionate Virgo who enjoys sunsets on the beach...! I'm someone who wants the most out of life. I understand the importance of keeping it all in perspective with a good sense of humor. Enlightenment is the ultimate pursuit. I'm on a constant search to figure it all out, make others feel good about themselves, and appreciate all that my life is -- which might be nothing more than a mere blip on a giant radar screen! Family is extremely important to me, as well as the loving relationships I've made along the way. I want to live without fear and without regrets. I want to keep living dreams, having fun, and making the most of every day. Our time on earth is short, so I'm trying to live it to the fullest."

Sounds like a sweet and smart guy! Here are some stills for you since I know how much you ladies like to ogle his goodies. Ryan is how I picture Drew or Riley from Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series. I think he'd fit either one well. What do you think???

*ass grab*

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? Is a meme hosted by Shelia over at Book Journey.

Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas

(Wallflowers # 3)

A devil's bargain

Easily the shyest Wallflower, Evangeline Jenner stands to become the wealthiest, once her inheritance comes due. Because she must first escape the clutches of her unscrupulous relatives, Evie has approached the rake Viscount St. Vincent with a most outrageous proposition: marriage!

Sebastian's reputation is so dangerous that thirty seconds alone with him will ruin any maiden's good name. Still, this bewitching chit appeared, unchaperoned, on his doorstep to offer her hand. Certainly an aristocrat with a fine eye for beauty could do far worse.

But Evie's proposal comes with a condition: no lovemaking after their wedding night. She will never become just another of the dashing libertine's callously discarded broken hearts -- which means Sebastian will simply have to work harder at his seductions...or perhaps surrender his own heart for the very first time in the name of true love.

Glory in Death by J.D. Robb

(In Death # 2)

In Lieutenant Eve Dallas's latest case, two murder victims have one connection--Eve's lover, Roarke.

Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas has no problem finding connections between two violent crimes. Both victims were beautiful and highly successful women whose intimate relations with men of great power and wealth provided Eve with a long list of suspects—including her own lover, Roarke.

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

(Love by Numbers #3)

She lives for passion.

Bold, impulsive, and a magnet for trouble, Juliana Fiori is no simpering English miss. She refuses to play by society's rules: she speaks her mind, cares nothing for the approval of the ton, and can throw a punch with remarkable accuracy. Her scandalous nature makes her a favorite subject of London's most practiced gossips . . . and precisely the kind of woman The Duke of Leighton wants far far away from him.

He swears by reputation.

Scandal is the last thing Simon Pearson has room for in his well-ordered world. The Duke of Disdain is too focused on keeping his title untainted and his secrets unknown. But when he discovers Juliana hiding in his carriage late one evening—risking everything he holds dear—he swears to teach the reckless beauty a lesson in propriety. She has other plans, however; she wants two weeks to prove that even an unflappable duke is not above passion.

Review: Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh

Branded by Fire (Psy Changeling #6)

by Nalini Singh

Paranormal Romance

Find it on Goodreads!

Fragile: Handle With Care. This book is so smokin’ hot it’s guaranteed to leave you with scorched knickers and the irresistible urge to bite...HARD!

This book is our favourite in this series. It just has it all. But the main two reasons? Riley and Mercy. Seriously! To start with... Riley is just perfect. Not only is he so hot that people have been known to spontaneously orgasm when they hear his name *cough Suzanne cough* He's also had a rough past, dealing with the death of both his parents, protecting the pack when he was nothing but a child and then the abduction, torture and almost death of his sister Brenna (from Caressed by Ice). He is always in control; always focused; always thinking. But when he puts all that focus, control and thoughts on one woman, she doesn't stand a chance. He is one extremely hot, very dominant and incredibly amazing wolf RAWR. You can't help but want to have a tumble in the forest with him... or in the shower... or against the door... no need for a bed really. They are completely overrated.

But let’s not leave Mercy behind! She is a dominant leopard female and because of this she struggles to find an equally dominant male who her leopard will respect. She has a take no shit attitude it is extremely loyal to her pack and her alpha, very much like Riley, but this was paired by a compassionate and playful nature. By the end of the book, I was a little in love with her!

The power play between these two caused a lot of tension, both emotional and sexual creating a really intense romance, which as they have such strong personalities, they have to work damn hard to make the relationship work. The tension also makes this book one of the hottest in the series, right from the first chapter, there is lots of biting and clawing going on, who knew being mauled could be so much fun?

We are also introduced to a couple of new characters, Eduardo and Joaquin they were definitely good alpha male material, and as the series seems to be running out of hot alpha felines, we could use a few more! And speaking of hot felines...what about Mercy's brothers? How about giving them some books!?! Bastian, Grey and Sage have some potential! Maybe Bastian could be the next DarkRiver book, huh?

And Sascha and Lucas *wells up* can I just say how happy I am about them!? That is another great thing about this series, you get to see the characters after their HEA. And we love the presence of kids, what kind of pack would it be without adorable little cubs and pups? Whether they are human, changeling or Psy, we love them all! The moments with Sakura and Riley, then Ben and Hawke? Too adorable who can resist a man who loves kids? Then there’s also Toby, whom we think can really be a major player in the rest of the series.

Speaking of children, it seems that Sienna has finally grown up and THANK YOU SINGH for this change! Bring on the Hawke/Sienna action!

And let’s not leave aside the storyline progression, action and drama in this book. The Psy are going crazy and the conflict is escalating as Silence starts to fragment. The Alliance is striking against Changelings and the Psy and in general causing a lot of trouble. And who could be the Ghost? We all have our ideas and can’t wait to find out!