ARC Book Review: Thrill Ride

Book Title: Thrill Ride
Author:  |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Format: ebook, paperback

Cost: $7.99

Pages: 352

How I got it: NetGalley, 

Purchase: Amazon| Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository| Publisher
My Rating:★★★★1/2
Erotica Rating: 
Add To Goodreads



Synopsis:

He's Gone Rogue Ex-Navy SEAL Rock Babineaux’s job is to get information, and he’s one of the best in the business. Until something goes horribly wrong and he’s being hunted by his own government. Even his best friends at the covert special-ops organization Black Knights Inc. aren’t sure they can trust him. He thinks he can outrun them all, but his former partner—a curvy bombshell who knows just how to drive him wild—refuses to cut him loose. She Won't Back Down Vanessa Cordova hasn’t been the team’s communication specialist very long, but she knows how to read people—no way is Rock guilty of murder. And she’ll go to hell and back to help him prove it. Sure, the sexy Cajun has his secrets, but there’s no one in the world she’d rather have by her side in a tight spot. Which is good, because they’re about to get very tight…

My Review:
I'm so in love with the Black Knights. Where can I meet them?? This is the second book by Julia Walker I have read and I love her writing.  Rev It Up was my introduction to her and I loved the Jake the Snake so much I went and got all the other books in the series that I didn't have right away.  I really loved the glimpses of Rock and Vanessa we got in the book.  I love that each book gave you a preview of the next Black Knight to fall in love.  I'm so intriqued I can't wait to read the next one.

In reading Rev It Up, I had some serious expectations for Rock & Vanessa's story and Julie delivered on them all.  Rock is just that man who is so awesome but doesn't take himself too seriously, he's confident but not arrogant, and he fell hard for Vanessa although he didn't think he should act on it.  Vanessa fell for the hot cajun the minute she walked into the Black Knights building, she wanted to be a tough operator and she did her best to toughen up so she could fit in.  She totally kicked ass when she needed to, and even though her goal was 'tough operator" she was still in touch with her feelings; & still knew when she was totally out of her depths and allowed Rock to lead where Rock led.

That moment in Eve's house?!?!?!?! OMGawds, even though I knew what was happening I was still devestated right along with her. I was totally invested in the story and couldn't put it down, Poor Vanessa, she probably lost like ten years off her life.

It took one day to read this because I dived right in and didn't come up for air until I finished it.   The characters are so well written and it's so engaging, the wit, the funny stories, I can't wait to read Steady's story by the way, "details are superflouos" indeed, I loved those glimpse into each character's personality.  I loved the inner monologue of both Rock & Vanessa, they are so awesome, I so couldn't stop reading that garage scene then when Ghost caught them?!!! The laugh was pretty loud when I read that scene. Heck I'm smiling now writing about it.

Eve looks like shs's going to be a great character as well. I can't wait to read the story between her and her guy, it should be totally interesting. Now excuse me while I catch up with the rest of the Black Knights I'm heading to Becky's first then I hear Ali's story is kick ass as well. See you guys. Have fun!!

 

***FTC Rules require I state that I received this as a review copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review**** 

Book Review: Guarding The Princess

Book Title: Guarding The Princess; Sahara Kings #5
Author: Loreth Anne White |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Harlequin Romantic Suspense
Format: ebook, paperback

Cost: $3.82, $4.95

Purchase: Amazon| Barnes & Noble| Publisher| The Book Depository
Pages: 288

How I got it: NetGalley

My Rating:★★★★★
Erotica Rating: N/A
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Synopsis:

"You're not just a job anymore." It was supposed to be a 72-hour mission, in and out, until Brandt Stryker got stranded in the arid African plains with predators before him, a killer at his heels and an exotic princess by his side. Dalilah Al Arif stirs his blood, makes him crave things he'd lost long ago - but she is off-limits, promised to a sheik. Dalilah's wedding contract stipulates she must wed before her 30th birthday - just months away. It's a duty she accepts. But in the arms of her handsome protector, she's torn between her sense of duty and honor, and her freedom. And as the terrorists close in, she fears the most dangerous creature in the savannah is Brandt himself…...

My Review:
I haven't read any of the other books in this series and I so need to get on that.  This book is so awesome. I loved Dalilah as an character, she was strong, she knew what she wanted and when it looked like her life wasn't going the way she wanted she made the tough choices and did what made her happy.

OmGosh I so fell in love with them as a couple, and with the landscape as it was being described. I so fell into the story and felt like I was right there with them as they struggled to make it out of the country.  Brandt was so well described ( I love the show Arrow on the CW and he reminded me of the man who was teaching Oliver you know the hot Aussie para military guy, yeah him hotness) so that's who I pictured Brandt as, and man oh man I totally understood his dilemma,, but I personally really did feel bad for that girl she was a class A idiot. And she left Brandt with scars because of her stupidity. Just some people really don't deserve a good thing when they have it.

I loved the story of Jock & of South Africa, of Brandt's home. Poor Brandt had a tough life, and I never really thought of what it meant to be a princess and seeing Dalilah's choices and the brutal life she and her family has had was heart breaking.  I loved that they fought for their happiness, as it wasn't easy.  I loved that she faced the practicality that it was lived with her ideals and die or  do what was necessary to stay alive (even though she was a little stubborn at first).

In the end the intensity of feelings expressed in the book drew me in, I am intrigued enough to put her brother's stories on my list of books to read sometime in this lifetime.  This has been a first time read from this author, and her writing is so beautiful that I will be checking her out again ( at least four more times as those are the books in the series).  ohhh I also learnt something I never knew about giraffes, that was pretty interesting.  I loved how the Safari played just as much a part in the story as the characters did as well.  And the symbolism at the end of the book wasn't lost on me either. Yeah the Lions have certainly returned.

Highly recommend it my loves, so enjoy it and fall in love with Brandt, Dalilah and the beautiful Safari.

 

***FTC Rules require I state that I received this as a review copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review**** 

ARC Book Review: Lucretia & The Kroons

Book Title: Lucretia & The Kroons
Author: Victor LaValle

Publisher: Spiegel & Grau via Random House Digital
Format: ebook
Genre: Adult Fiction

Cost: $0.99

Pages: 100

How I got it: Publisher via NetGalley

My Rating:★★★1/2
Erotica Rating: N/A
Synopsis:

From one of the most acclaimed young writers of fiction in America today comes a fast-paced and fantastical novella about a young girl's journey into a dark netherworld to find her missing best friend. This eBook edition contains an exclusive excerpt from Victor LaValle's new novel The Devil in Silver, about which Gary Shteyngart raves, "Literary horror just found a new master." Lucretia's best friend and upstairs neighbor Sunny-a sweet pitbull of a kid, even as she struggles with a mysterious illness-has gone missing. The only way to get her back is for Lucretia to climb the rickety fire escape of their Queens tenement and crawl through the window of apartment 6D, portal to a vast shadowland of missing kids ruled by a nightmarish family of mutants whose designs on the children are unknown. Her search for Sunny takes Lucretia through a dark fantasyland where she finds lush forests growing from concrete, pigeon-winged rodents, and haunted playgrounds. Her quest ultimately forces her to confront the most frightening specter of all: losing, forever, the thing you love the most. Lucretia and the Kroons is a dazzlingly imaginative adventure story and a moving exploration of the power of friendship and the terror of loss. This all-new novella serves as the perfect companion piece to The Devil in Silver, a thrillingly suspenseful work of literary horror that continues the story of Lucretia.

My Review:

"Being young doesn't protect you, horrors come for kids, too"

It took forever to get to this book, and it's one of the few novellas I have read that went as fast as it did.  I've never read this author before, so his writing style was new to me. The story just jumped right into it, now pretense or build up, it just went right to it.

Now this is a very different kind of book for me, a bit of a magical realism, yet very different.  Loochie is a kid who doesn't realize that the world is kind of harsh; her best friend was sick from leukaemia and dying and she still doesn't understand just how bad the disease is.  When her older brother visits just before her friend comes over to celebrate her birthday, he shares with her the story of the Kroons as a way to scare her about being alone in the house for the first time by herself.

I was kind of confused reading this book, what would have happened if her brother didn't tell her about the Kroons?? How would have this worked out?? How comes she didn't hear the sirens and think anything about it?? I knew immediately what was wrong, but she was completely clueless.

I felt so bad for her knowing what was going on and she didn't know.  Then the Kroons happened and I was just engrossed in the story. Holy Crap, I just...WOW.  What a story. I was still confused reading it, the main thing that stuck out to me was the fact that if her brother didn't tell her this story about the Kroons would the rest of it happen??

It's an okay story, engaging while you're reading it. The ending didn't make any sense, why not say ok maybe I was dreaming; but she refused to back down even when it meant she was going to get into trouble.

Enjoy while reading, he's an interesting author.

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***FTC Rules require I state that I received this as a review copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review**** 

Book Review: About Last Night

Book Title: About Last Night
Author: Ruthie Knox | Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

Publisher: LoveSwept, Random House Digital
Format: ebook

Cost: $2.99

Pages: 248

How I got it: NetGalley

My Rating:★★★★1/2
Erotica Rating: N/A
Synopsis:

Cath Talarico knows a mistake when she makes it, and God knows she’s made her share. So many, in fact, that this Chicago girl knows London is her last, best shot at starting over. But bad habits are hard to break, and soon Cath finds herself back where she has vowed never to go . . . in the bed of a man who is all kinds of wrong: too rich, too classy, too uptight for a free-spirited troublemaker like her. Nev Chamberlain feels trapped and miserable in his family’s banking empire. But beneath his pinstripes is an artist and bohemian struggling to break free and lose control. Mary Catherine—even her name turns him on—with her tattoos, her secrets, and her gamine, sex-starved body, unleashes all kinds of fantasies. When blue blood mixes with bad blood, can a couple that is definitely wrong for each other ever be perfectly right? And with a little luck and a lot of love, can they make last night last a lifetime?

My Review:
I'll be honest, I didn't get much work done yesterday because of this book. It was slow at work so I read while I should have been doing 'busy' work, you know the crap that normally doesn't get done during a regular week, you do when there is nothing left. Yeah I said screw that & stuck my nose to the phone screen so I could read this book.

I was totally engaged and engrossed I almost didn't get any sleep trying to finish this book.  I knew I loved this book within the first chapter when Cath had me laughing out loud on a crowded bus.  Cath is witty, sarcastic, funny and the kind of woman I could totally be friends with, so I loved her as a character.   Plus she works with the arts, like knitting and the awesomeness of history and knitting, yeah I was all over that.

City, good gawd City, can I have one of him served up please??!!! What a guy, what a man. I just wow, He was everything awesome that scene with them after he blind date?? Especially when she said 'don't murder me" I was laughing and snorting so much on the bus, the guy next to me moved.  You could feel the chemistry from them, they were great from the first. Especially when you realized City liked her as much as she liked him

I really wanted them to get together, I just knew that the crap was going to hit the fan when he took her home.  I couldn't wait to read the fireworks between Cath & his mother, they were also awesome, especially when they went head to head, then Cath did what she does so well.  If I was Nev I would have kicked my siblings' a**, you not pulling this crap round here. Nope not going to happen sir..

It's a good engaging read. I had quite a few laughs at Cath's expense, I totally get that she doesn't want anymore mistakes, and Nev's answer to that just floored me.  I love them together, I really loved the ending, I personally loved that Cath had extensive tattoos and was such a buttoned up woman at work; & that Nev's job was so boring but he was such a passionate artist. Just goes to show you never know.

A definite must read, it was extremely fast and funny, & wasn't too outlandish like so many other romance scenarios now a days, which made it even more fun to read, because you could totally see this happening.

Have a fun time reading my loves.

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***FTC Rules require I state that I received this as a review copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review**** 

Book Review: The Officer Breaks the Rules

Book Title: The Officer Breaks The Rules (Semper Fi 2)
Author: Jeannetter Murray

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Romance
Format: ebooks, paperback

Cost: $6.99

Purchase: Amazon| Barnes & Noble| The Book Depository | Publisher
Pages: 336

How I got it: NetGalley

My Rating:★★★★★
Erotica Rating:N/A




Synopsis:

Captain Jeremy Phillips believes in doing his duty...both as a son and as a friend. This means that he should obey the "friend code" and stay away from his best friend's little sister. Too bad Madison O'Shay doesn't believe in his code and is ready to break all of the rules As a Navy nurse, Madison is finally stationed next to the man she's been dreaming about for years. And she's ready to launch a full-scale attack to show this thoughtful, handsome Marine that they belong together.

My Review:
So apparently there is a book before this one & I'm sooo going to have to get it and the one after this?? Yes I NEED that one I can't wait to dive in. Navy Nurse Mad has been in love with Marine Jeremy ever since her brother brought him home from basic training many years ago.  But how does she show her brother's best friend that loving her doesn't break the rules??

I enjoyed the role reversal of the story. And that Madison didn't have to compromise her career, I loved it!!  This story was funny, quirky, immediately draws you in & keeps you hooked in. I really fell into the story because it was so beautifully written.  I also loved the wit and conversations between the characters. I really enjoyed Jeremy's journey to accepting what he wanted for himself and not what his Dad wanted for him, he struggled with his desire for Mad because he didn't want to ruin his friendship with his best friend but he so wanted her.  Jeremy got real clear when he realized that Madison was willing to move on and the thought of losing her made him get his stuff together real quick.

The growth that takes place between the characters as a couple and for Jeremy as a man was awesome and inspiring to read. I really loved Matthew & can't wait to read his story.

I really loved how well this book captured the love of service that many Navy Nurses feel; I enjoyed reading the military speak especially Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (WTF, incidentally this was used in my favorite show Scandal this season. & this was really perfect because I'm really trying to break my extremely bad habit of cursing up a storm).

I like how the author also confronted the aspect of them getting into trouble with the military for breaking the rules, even though they are in different branches, it's still a big deal.  So the title is very appropriate for all the rules he was breaking, his own personal rules, the military rules, his dad's rules, his belief of societies rules. Yeah this is one of my Favorites and I will be getting a physical copy for my shelf.  I highly recommend this book.

***FTC Rules require I state that I received this as a review copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review**** 

Book Review: Running for My Life

Book Title: Running For My Life
Author: Lopez Lamong

Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Format: Hardcover

Cost: $24.99

Pages: 226

How I got it: From the Publisher's 

My Rating:★★★★☆
Erotica Rating: N/A

Synopsis:

"Running for My Life" is not a story about Africa or track and field athletics. It is about outrunning the devil and achieving the impossible faith, diligence, and the desire to give back. It is the American dream come true and a stark reminder that saving one can help to save thousands more. Lopez Lomong chronicles his inspiring ascent from a barefoot lost boy of the Sudanese Civil War to a Nike sponsored athlete on the US Olympic Team. Though most of us fall somewhere between the catastrophic lows and dizzying highs of Lomong's incredible life, every reader will find in his story the human spark to pursue dreams that might seem unthinkable, even from circumstances that might appear hopeless. "Lopez Lomong's story is one of true inspiration. His life is a story of courage, hard work, never giving up, and having hope where there is hopelessness all around. Lopez is a true role model." ―MICHAEL JOHNSON, Olympic Gold Medalist "This true story of a Sudanese child refugee who became an Olympic star is powerful proof that God gives hope to the hopeless and shines a light in the darkest places. Don't be surprised if after reading this incredible tale, you find yourself mysteriously drawn to run alongside him." ―RICHARD STEARNS, president, World Vision US and author of "THe Hole in Our Gospel"

My Review:
When I was prepping for the Olympics ( to watch, not compete) the Visa commercial came on about Lopez Lamong and how he ran. I was so intrigued I started looking into his story, the publishing company for his book happened to be Thomas Nelson which is the originator of the Booksneeze book exchange program I was so happy. I had to snag that book immediately.

When I started reading I was immediately drawn in by his story.  I was both heartbroken and devastated when reading the book. To think that people who would do that to children, & to know that it wasn't being covered by the news, that the information wasn't being shared with the western world.

The book has strong religious overtones, but considering that his how he dealt with the trauma of his life, you can't escape how instrumental it is to his survival.

Reading about the life he had in the refugee camp and what happened there, about the food situation especially, just really made me sad.  How could the organization thing that one meal a day really helped?? I mean considering the option of starving, yes it helped, but to give only one meal?? What happens to all the money we donate?? Who the hell is getting it then?? Is it like the Reservation and Bureau of Indian Affairs, where when they were first created, white supervisors would take the food, blankets and aide sent by the government to the Native Americans forced onto the reservations, and would sell the best cuts, then give the rotting meat, the infested blankets and dirty tools to the Tribal members, until it was exposed and brought to the attention of the President.  Is that what is happening, because I don't understand how these organizations collect so much money each year and can only afford enough food for these refugees for one meal per day and meat only once a year.  I think we need to start asking questions about this.

I remember that moment in the Olympics as well; the moment that sparked his interest, that gave him something to hope for, watching Michael Johnson tear up that track was inspiring for me as a kid as well.  His story of writing the plea, of being on the plane and being too afraid to eat, to the language barrier, it all just pulled your heartstrings and pulled you in.

 I laughed when reading about his many discoveries when he immigrated to America, & I totally understood his determination to do more for himself and for the others that weren't allowed to immigrate as well.The devastation & fear he felt on September 2001, I totally get it, feeling you were safe then discovering that violence goes everywhere must have really thrown him for a loop. I know it did many of us that day.

Reading this story made me grateful, grateful for the family, friends and experiences I have had. It made me thankful for the relative peace we have had growing up.  It has made me re-evalauate many of the people & things I have allowed into my life, & has reminded me that not everyone is so lucky.  Yet he did it, he made something of himself, when many here can't.  He has done more with his opportunity than many of us Americans have.   it's a humbling experience and one I don't mind sharing.

This is a definite must read and a book we should all pass on to our friends and book lovers.

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***FTC Rules require I state that I received this as a review copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review**** 

ARC Book Review: Stolen

Book Title: Stolen
Author: Shiloh Walker

Publisher: Ballantine Books
Format: ebook

Cost: $7.99

Pages: 400

How I got it: NEtGalley

My Rating:★★★★1/2
Erotica Rating: N/A
Synopsis:

Shay Morgan has stayed hidden for a long time. Living a reclusive life in Earth’s End, Alaska, she’s as far away as she can get from the trauma of her childhood and the man who hurt her long ago. But terror takes over Shay’s life yet again when an unknown stalker steals away the fragile peace she’s built for herself—targeting not only her but the one man who’s ever managed to get past the walls she’s built around herself. Elliot Winter has lived through being falsely accused before—it ruined his military career. Now it’s happening all over again. And this time, his accuser is a twisted impostor who’s targeting his ex-girlfriend, Shay. Despite a fierce mutual attraction, Shay and Elliot broke up because Shay couldn’t let her guard down, couldn’t let Elliot in. But now they both need to trust each other to confront a psycho who seems to know all their secrets.

My Review:

Coming in here had been a BFM. Big fucking mistake. She should have just waited in the car…“I miss you." Closing her eyes, she whispered, “Don’t.” His lips brushed across her brow. “Don’t want? Tell you that I miss you? Miss us?”
“Us?” She laughed hollowly as she turned to face him. “There is no us, remember? You said that. There’s me…and there’s you…and sometimes we’re together, but there’s no us.”
His gaze held hers. “I never wanted it to be that way. And maybe there was more of an us than I realized. Seeing you…” he paused, took a deep breath. “Seeing you just drives that home.”
Those intense, hypnotic eyes held hers. Her heart kicked up a few beats, stealing her breath away. As he started to dip his head, Shay stood there, frozen. Shit. What now…
His mouth, so warm, brushed against hers. She gasped and then almost wished she hadn’t as he used that opportunity to tease the inside of her lips with his tongue, moving deeper and deeper. His hands came around her waist, tugging her closer.
This is a bad idea…
The warning was already screaming in her head. She couldn’t give him what he needed. And he couldn’t accept what she had to give. They would just hurt each other again—

OMG.. this book is so good, so heart wrenching you become hooked from the get go. Just amazing. best description of the emotions you go through with plagiarism. 20% in and I'm going to say it's ...yep I picked out the killer from the beginning. See I just knew it!! That biotch is just cray cray.  This however highlights that you can't shove your head in the sand then be surprised when it all goes to shyt around you.


Shay's had a pretty awful life upon until this point, really bad things have happened to her. And in response she has hidden herself away, instead of facing it head on. This made her the perfect target, she never knew what hit her; this hiding away?? Yeah it clearly didn't work out either.  Shay need some serious therapy, lots and lots of it.  Her family is just so wrong, my heart just broke for her, while reading this, I'm devastated for her as everything was revealed.

I loved Elliot & I really liked Shay.  Shay was both strong & stupid I mean she makes some seriously dumb decisions just so she doesn't have to face reality (at least at first).  Most of what happened could have been prevented if she would listen to advice and gotten justice and closure instead of ...well  I'll let you read and see.

I'm happy for them but Shay's going to have her work cut out for her in this relationship; and so is poor Elliot.  I loved him, he was the perfect boyfriend, he was patient when she needed it, he gave her the room she needed and boy oh boy he let her have her way when she needed him to let her do so.  Reading from Elliot's point of view it made me wonder about how partners deal when their lovers are harmed and they can't do anything.  Especially when they meet and marry wo/men who have survived childhood abuse.  It made me heart sick for those whose partners are raped,  and they are left to pick up the pieces, left to deal when their partners flinch each time they come near, or look at them with terror if they do something unexpected. I have to admit i never really thought about the partners who are left with wounded lovers.

This book was excellent for highlighting that, the strain on the relationship  the daily terror that some victims live with.  How people shut down to cope. She kinda reminded me a bit of Eve from the In Death series, & gave me a better glimpse of what Roarke must go through with her.

Slight Cons:
We needed more from Elliot. He started off strong but then he kinda became just a shadow there to help her along but not really his own character, he seemed to only be there thinking about her feelings and what she needs from him, never what he needs (which is let's be real a human trait).

I also would have loved to get more from the other characters, more background on Angie & her 'bad-ass cop" & Lorna & her cop Mark.  We really didn't learn much they were just on the periphery of her life.  Integral but not at the same time.  The background information about each character was only enough to let us know how the interact with Shay.  We only know enough about Elliot to know he's a good guy,and I noticed there were hints to some damage done to Leslie as well but not much information  was given about her either.

Even without all that it was still a great book and one I can see reading again. Ohhh I really really loved that he was just an 'average' guy, not picture perfect six feet tall and ripped, he was a little over five feet ten, yeah that really caught my eye.  This is my first time reading this author and I have added all her books to my list. Yep it was that awesome.

It's a must read, have tissues handy book. Enjoy my loves!!

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***FTC Rules require I state that I received this as a review copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review**** 

Book Review: Crochet One Skein Wonders

Book Title: Crochet One Skein Wonder
Author: Judith Durant

Publisher: Storey Publishing
Format: ebook

Cost: $10.42

Pages: 288

How I got it: Netgalley 

My Rating:★★★★★
Erotica Rating: N/A
Synopsis:

Finally, a One-Skein Wonders book just for crocheters! Edie Eckman and Judith Durant offer 101 great crochet projects--from jewelry and scarves to bags, hats, dresses, and home dec items--that each use just one skein of yarn. Whatever your experience level, you'll find something here to delight you!

My Review:
Hello my name is Aisha and I am a yarn addict.  I love yarn, the feel the smell of fresh wool, I love moving my hook and watching a new project forming. I love creating scarves, hats, baby booties & afghans, crocheting works way faster than knitting (although I love that too).  I have seen so many one skein wonder books, but when I saw one for crocheting I had to jump for it of course.  And I don't regret it, I will have a good ten more projects on the hooks by time I get this book in hardcover.

It has an easily adaptable kindle cover project that I have started on as quickly as I started reading the book.  I am deeply in love with this and can't wait until I purchase more yarn and different varieties so that I can actually make it through the book.  I never realized that there were so many different kinds of yarns, I have gone into a local yarn shop and fell in love and stayed and stayed until she had to kick me out so that she could close. I haven't enjoyed so much yarn and the different textures in forever and I'm now going through my yarn at home and looking at it like "your not worthy to be on my needles, I need REAL yarn" Bamboo silk recycled saris, Goddess I have never been so in love with skeins, hanks and roving oh Goddess the roving, a spinning wheel, and and the wonderful wonderful yarn that flows through your fingers and makes you want to dive into the pile. Yep it's official I am now a yarn addict.

I'm so excited.  Please get a copy if your a yarn lover and crochet fanatic.  It's well worth it.

**FTC regulations require that I state I received this book for free from the publishers in exchange for an honest review**

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***FTC Rules require I state that I received this as a review copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review**** 

Book Review: Three Musketeers: Midnight Heat

Book Title: The Three Musketeers # 3: Midnight Heat
Author: Donna Kauffman

Publisher: Loveswept: Random House
Format: ebook

Cost: $2.99

Pages: 240

How I got it: NetGalley

My Rating:★★★1/2
Erotica Rating: N/A
Synopsis:

They call themselves the Three Musketeers: three lifelong friends, men who will put it all on the line in the name of honor and loyalty. Friendship is the most important thing in Dane Colbourne’s life—apart from his job as a determined investigator who never leaves a case unsolved. After the near-catastrophic midair collision of two planes, Dane focuses his laserlike intensity on the air traffic controller who appears to be responsible. But when she claims innocence with equal ferocity, Dane knows he may finally have met his match. Adria Burke has gone over the details of “the incident” in her head: She is certain there was a third plane in the air at the time of the collision, and that she actually saved hundreds of lives with her commands. But how can she convince Dane of the truth? As they try to ignore the fact that there is an undeniable spark between them, together Adria and Dane uncover evidence that there was something else going on in the sky the night of the incident. But will their passion leave both of them permanently grounded?

My Review:
Good story, this is the first book in the series that I read & I am looking forward to reading the rest. These men seem captivating.  This story in particular had well written characters, it's also apparently picking up where Born to Be Wild left off, which is great if you have read the other story (which I haven't done so yet).

Donna writes in a way that draws you in and allows you to fall in love with her characters.  they are so well written & rounded that you feel like you know them.  In this book she smoothly brings back the other characters without them taking over the book, but enhancing this story at the same time.  I enjoyed how Adria & Dane met, especially because they both had to hold back their natural inclinations: to be a smart ass in Adria's case and rampant curiosity & attraction in Dane's care. Right away you could tell they were going to be a fun couple to read & they didn't disappoint.

Adria's & Dane's love & passion for flying planes & being around planes provided them with great common ground & so did their past, both having had tough times with deep loss.  I loved that they were drawn to each other & decided to explore it.  Despite everything going on around them they still made the decision to be together.

Adria has a few issues she needed to deal with and when it seems like Dane has gone against everything she thought they had, she decided to take matters in her own hands.  That final confrontation between then was both sad and endearing because here were two people trying to decide if they were in it together or if they should stand behind their pride.

Poor Adria, her whole career in the balance, being threatened, a co-worker who allowed her to take the rap for him, considering their job, she actually was being foolish there, but I get helping out your friends. The only thing good out of this situation had to be meeting Dane, and the family he brought along with him.


This is perhaps out of the two I read that is most dated, they talked of beepers, and payphones, while talking about cellphones, but I get it, some places still have payphones (not DC where they are but some still do)

A very good, quick read, I highly recommend this one as well as the rest of the series.

Happy Reading my loves

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***FTC Rules require I state that I received this as a review copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review**** 

ARC Book Review: Three Musketeers: Surrender the Dark

Book Title: The Three Musketeers # 1: Surrender the Dark
Author: Donna Kauffman

Publisher: Loveswept Harlequin
Format: ebook

Cost: $2.99

Pages: 240

How I got it: NetGalley

My Rating:★★★★☆
Erotica Rating: 
Synopsis:

They call themselves the Three Musketeers: three lifelong friends, men who will put it all on the line in the name of honor and loyalty. Jarrett McCullough values those bonds as seriously as he values his job heading a covert group of operatives skilled in handling sensitive international information. But his current mission has suddenly gone very wrong—and he finds himself wounded and near death in the last place he ever expected to be. Rae Gannon is stunned to find her ex-boss bleeding from a gunshot wound, mere paces from her front door. It has been two years since her move to the remote Blue Ridge Mountains, where she tried to erase the memories and the pain she suffered from having been part of McCullough’s team. Yet as Rae tends to Jarrett’s battered body she realizes that the air between them is still sizzling with a slow-burning need. But this time there are more than just hearts at stake. The mission that almost got Jarrett killed threatens to put Rae back in harm’s way. And if they surrender to their desires, it may cost them their lives.

My Review:
It's a re-issue that has been updated for the times, this is the first time I am reading it however.  I read this book after the third in the series, so I got a glimpse of the characters before reading their story. I really enjoyed reading this book. It's emotional, the characters are well rounded and written in a way that makes them easy to love.  Of the three men who grew up together Jarrett is the one who goes into military intelligence, it's a job that suits him, it gives him something to look forward to and is a way for him to honor his father, his inspiration & hero.

It's a beautifully written story about the healing power of love, of knowing that there is one person in the world to whom you matter and who matter to you.  Rae got out of her job away from those she considered a family two years ago, when all that was important to her was tainted.  Lost, confused & broken, she retreats to the seclusion & safety of the mountains.  Using crafting as a healing therapy  she slowly comes to create her own haven & finds peace.

Then a little pup comes knocking at the door & with it her old world comes crashing back in.  She does what she has to do to protect the wman who trained her with the goal of kicking him out the second he's conscious  but it all changes and slowly they both learn to open up to their emotions and to each other.  It doesn't take long before the walls begin to crumble and in their place stand two lonely and world weary people who are battered by their fight for justice and the battles that has chosen them.

It's a beautifully written story that bring you in, this glimpse of Jarrett & rae was both heartbreaking & endearing, they both desperately wanted to belong to someone but feared sharing their world with anyone, because who else would understand what they need from each other?  I liked that the characters are well written, well rounded & fully vibrant. They clicked well, which made their sparing moments awesome & when they stripped themselves raw you just felt the emotion.

I loved it.   The emotions felt so real and were strongly described, the sense of growth, of love of belonging, just amazing. I especially loved that they were strong separate but choosing each other made them even stronger; which then of course made their intimate moments beautiful.

Because it's a re-issue some of the 'age' shows especially in the comment about women and equality and fighting in the front. Sadly even though this was written many years ago it's still applicable to now. It's an amazingly fast read as well, so make sure to go get it!!!

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***FTC Rules require I state that I received this as a review copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review**** 

ARC Book Review: A Scandal, A Secret, a Baby

Book Title: A Scandal, A Secret, a Baby
Author: Sharon Kendrick

Publisher: Harlequin Presents
Format: ebook

Cost: $3.82

Pages: 384

How I got it: NetGalley

My Rating:★★★ 1/2
Erotica Rating: N/A
Synopsis:

One sinful night…Dante D'Arezzo is the last person famous songwriter Justina Perry wants to see at her best friend's wedding. The wickedly sexy Italian is ruthless to the core. He broke her heart once; she won't surrender to his insatiable desire again. But what Dante wants… One very big scandal! Justina's pregnancy hits the front page and Dante knows he's the father. He'll make her pay for trying to keep his child from him. His Miss Independent is about to become completely dependent…on him! This Italian will claim his heir and—if he wants her—a wife! Plus a Sharon Kendrick reader-favorite: Marriage Scandal, Showbiz Baby!

My Review:
I'm a huge murder`mystery  paranormal & erotic romance lover. I love reading book that get your adrenaline kicking, heart racing, and your mind engaged, but every once in a while i need to gear down and read something simple, for that I read simple romance like these, they are little bites that aren't too deep, too drastic or too overwhelming   It's like sniffing coffee beans after smelling lots of perfumes, it just cleanses the palate.

I liked this book, it's simple and it's actually two books in one.  I believe the male characters are related they both have the same last name anyway, but there was no real mention in the second book of relatives.  so I can't be sure.  Each book is about famous people and the rigors of that fame.  Personally it did kind of make me feel sorry for those in the spotlight but then I thought about it, you choose that life. The first story really pulled me in because these were two headstrong people who just didn't know the meaning of the word "compromise".  The situation that they found themselves in could have been prevented if they talked about it, but you know hindsight being what it is, they never realized how much they had until it was gone.  Dante' believed women should have their lives then marry and then their lives become their husbands and their children, Justina is a woman who grew up with a broken mother who found herself through the men she snagged from their wives, so Justina swung the other way trying not to be like that AT ALL.  Control became her savior and her success kept her together.  I get why she was like that, I understand her fear, but I just don't understand Dante' hard line, like did you not grow up in the 21st century?? I get it your old school but umm my man, no, just no.

As for the second book??? Once a cheater always a cheater, I don't care how or why you cheated. You made the  decision to step out on your partner, that makes you the bad guy.  As for Jennifer, she wanted to prove that she wasn't just there because of her husband's fame, and she then took her great relationship and threw it away. Just because other women are idiots and disrespect your marriage doesn't mean you have to blame your partner, he choose you, and he's here with you, so what if the waitress is giving him the eye balls?? Stop being an idiot.

I love these books because they are small and quick to read, but because they also remind of what the heck not to do. Both of these women had me rolling my eyes at their stupidity  then sympathizing because let's be real, how many of us have done the same thing?? *raises hand*  I'm not sure if I like Matteo, he was a bit of an ass, but i did like Dante' because he really strives to change when he realized he lost the woman he loved because he was archaic in his views, Matteo?? he cheated I'm not sure I can forgive that.  Although his panic at the end?? Yeah I totally liked him a little better since he wasn't so damn sure of himself.

I do however give mean O_o to the mothers of both the women in the story, lets just say broken women raise broken children. Get your stuff together and stop passing that crap on. Grrr also one to Dante's mother too but for being such a know it all.

So there you have it, I liked the book, it's a check it out when you have a chance, and if you love little romance books that are quick reads; then this is perfect.

Happy Reading

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***FTC Rules require I state that I received this as a review copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review**** 

ARC Book Review: Dark Knight

Book Title: Dark Knight
Author: Donna Kauffman

Publisher: Random House
Format: ebook

Cost: $2.99

Pages: 240

How I got it: Netgalley/ Purchased

My Rating:★★★★☆
Erotica Rating: N/A
Synopsis:

A rogue warrior who challenged her to taste the pleasures of surrender. . . He was her mission, a midnight capture she'd trained for, but Logan Blackstone sensed her presence in the isolated cabin--and pinned agent Scottie Giardi to the bed! Utterly primitive, stark naked, and dangerous in every way that mattered, Logan demanded the truth in a voice as seductive as it was lethal. Recklessly aroused by this dark god, Scottie responded with potent abandon, but once he'd claimed her soul, would he keep it? Fierce and mesmerizing, achingly intense and breathlessly sensual, Donna Kauffman's sizzling story of perfectly matched adversaries is one of her wildest--and one of her best! He tantalized her, overwhelmed her, and taught her the exquisite thrill of losing control, but could a woman who never played it safe find sanctuary in this renegade's heart?

My Review:
"After all, she had drugged, shot at, and chained the man within twenty-four hours of meeting him. Why the hell shouldn’t he believe her capable of worse" Scottie, Dark Knight

Extremely fast read. Well written characters that weren't stilted or stiff, the story line nor the dialogue felt forced. I really loved the characters because they made sense together, they flowed well.  From the get go I loved Scottie, she's driven, resourceful, & knows her own mind (of course that's before she met Logan, then all hell breaks loose).  Here to do the job the by the rules Scottie is in for it with a fly the seat of his pants renegade Logan; who doesn't it take kindly that this strange woman has shot him full of drugs & hogtied him to the bed.

He grumbled something, then wrenched onto his stomach as if some invisible force had shoved him. Her mouth went dry. A coil of white linen between his legs was all that covered him. Somewhere she found enough spit to swallow. But she couldn't dredge up a denial. She wanted that sheet gone. In fact, she curled her hands into fists against the temptation to step into the room, grab the sheet and tug it the rest of the way off of him.The man was simply too glorious to be covered. He deserved to be naked. He had the kind of sprawled grace that would make artists of any medium salivate. Chapter 1.

Man oh man from the first few pages, the two hit it off. Ever mindful she has a mission to accomplish Scottie is here to the job & Logan's not about to make that easy for her. Every turn they find themselves fighting for the upper-hand. In each other the two have found a kindred spirit & even though the book states that there is some adventure involved it's mostly off the pages (so like deep background stuff).  This book is more of a character book with the focus being on Logan & Scottie & the love affair they are engaging in.  

I can't wait to find Lucas story or the other women/men of the Dirty Dozen, they sound intriguing.  Although accelerated due to the dangerous situation the action is a foregone conclusion & takes place mostly off page.  The rest of the book is about them & the buildup of trust between them.

The pop & sizzle between the two gives a pretty big buildup, it leads to a pretty good love scene between them. Not the modern day, porn/graphic erotica detail but still a good basic about them love scene.  I liked that they were 'kindred souls' & found a home in each other.  It was a good novel.  I like Donna's writing & look forward to enjoying some more of her books.

A definite must read, add to your book pile asap. Happy Reading

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***FTC Rules require I state that I received this as a review copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review****