Hello There 2011!

 I originally had had some kind of hope of doing an actual worthwhile post here, with goals for 2011 - maybe thoughts about the future - something. But I realized amidst my 4th or 5th YouTube makeup tutorial video, watching my nails dry, and reading on my new Nook, all I really want to say is: 

 

Have fun and be safe no matter your celebrations!

What Rocked My Socks This Year (I don't care when it was published)

Ok originally this was going to be some great post, similar in theme to some others my favorite bloggers have done, about the books I loved in 2010. But you know what? I'm started to go down my list and a lot of the books I loved and reread a million times over are not from 2010 - they're older.

I've decided I don't care.

I love these books and in 2010 they were either new to me or favorites that came back and reminded me why they were my favorites. Out of the 250+ books I read this year only a few made this list so really I don't feel too bad about it. This list could have been pages and PAGES long but instead I used self control and logic to work it down to these 18 books. Be grateful.

BWAHAHAHAH! I kid, I kid!

Well I don't kid on the the 'I don't care when they were published part' but you already knew that, didn't you?

So in no particular order, here are the books that Rocked My Socks This Year:

Blaze of Memory, Mine to Possess, and Bonds of Justice by Nalini Singh (Paranormal Romance)

I don't feel that anyone can really say enough about Nalini Singh. Her Psy-Changeling series is fantastic, and these are just some of the standouts for me. If you're not reading these there's really no excuse!

What a Dragon Should Know G.A. Aiken (Fantasy Romance)

This book is laugh out loud hilarious, with enough romance and action to keep even a HEA-junkie like me entertained. Loved it!

Queen by Sharon Sala (Contemporary Romance)

Contemporary romances are hard to get right. That special blend of emotion, dialogue, and plot is not the easiest to nail down, but this one by Sala is one of my favorites and while it's old I pulled it out time and again this year.

The Mane Squeeze and Beast Behaving Badly by Shelly Laurenston (Paranormal Romance)

Laurenston is probably the holder 'best paranormal romance' in my heart. They're always straight forward fun with kick ass heroines and steamy sex with unbelievably great Alpha Males. She always makes me wish I had one of my own!

An Artificial Night by Seanan McGuire (Urban Fantasy)

McGuire really brings this series into its own with this book, filled with enough frights for anyone and emotion that touches you.

Lion's Heat by Lora Leigh (Paranormal Romance)

How could I not mention this book?! Readers have been waiting forever for Jonas's book and Leigh did not disappoint.

Changes by Jim Butcher (Sci-Fi/Fantasy)

Why Jim Butcher, why?! I'm on pins and needles waiting for Ghost Story because his books are just that good!

Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews (Urban Fantasy)

So. Freaking. Good. That's all that needs to be said.

Bullet Laurell K Hamilton (Paranormal Romance)

I loved that LKH brought Anita back to her kick ass police-esque roots in this one, along with her signature blood, sex, and  violence.

Roadkill by Rob Thurman (Urban Fantasy)

An outstanding example of Urban Fantasy. Rob Thurman has written an amazing cast of characters and since in each book the point of view moves around readers get to know all of them. Can't wait for the next one!

Cast in Chaos Michelle Sagara (Fantasy)

One of the very few pure fantasy series I read right now, Sagara has created a compelling world and characters you can't help wanting to know more about. 

Touched by an Alien and Alien Tango by Gini Koch (Sci-Fi)

The dark horse of the year! Koch's science fiction romances have popped up as favorites across the blogger board and for good reason. Her snappy dialogue and fast action are as good as any big screen movie.

bonk by Mary Roach (Non-Fiction) 

I was surprised by how much I learned from this book. And how much of what I learned I really didn't need to know. Grad students, I'm ashamed of you - taunting those monkey's with your fingers of sexual satisfaction. [[Shudder]]

Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer (Young Adult)

This book made me ashamed that I have no idea how to take care of myself in the event of an apocalyptic event.  It also made me cry. But it's a very powerful novel and as it takes place through diary entries yet still managed to catch my attention, it stands out even more for me.

Hungry for You by Lynsay Sands

This vampire has been alone for far too long . . .

As one of the most ancient in the Argeneau clan, Cale Valens has given up on finding a life mate. His friends and family, however, have not. In fact, they believe they've finally found his perfect match. Getting them together, however, requires one little white lie . . .

Alexandra Willan is in a panic. Her restaurant is due to open in two weeks, but her chef just walked out. Then a highly recommended replacement arrives, an impossibly handsome culinary genius who sends electric tingles racing through her body . . .

Except he can't cook. In fact, Cale hasn't eaten real food in two thousand years. Yet he's determined to prove to Alex his prowess in the kitchen . . . and elsewhere. Because never has he hungered so for any mortal woman. And not just for a taste of her, but for the whole delicious feast! 

~~

**I requested this title to review from NetGalley**

This book definitely had some ups and downs for me. I'm not ashamed to say that I usually really like the 'fated to be' and 'from the moment I saw you I knew' romances. When done right they're usually a great mix of romance and heat, which is just how I like my books. The problem with this one is that while the relationship itself I liked because of the Alex and Cale, the supporting characters really irked me. 

The little turn of having Cale work in Alex's restaurant worked. There was just enough subterfuge to get him in, but quickly enough things were turned around so that Cale was doing what he was actually good at and Alex was doing what she loved. Plus their relationship evolved I think somewhat realistically with Alex being stand off-ish due to her own past and concerns about getting involved with an 'employee'.

If I really had to put my finger on it it wasn't until the last few chapters that I felt things got wonky. I didn't like the fact that Alex got pinned down in an 'I'm a vampire and you have to listen to what I have to say' situation (not with Cale though - with someone else). How about you let her freak out as is her right and Cale has to come after her and do some of the work too? Those endings are infinitely more satisfying to me and I feel more true to way two people work out bumps in the relationship road. Also, the fact that Alex had to make a decision before leaving this familial home (again not Cale's) or she would leave with all memories of Cale AND her sisters wiped and she would in fact never see them again also irked. There was just irked feelings all around when it came to the ending.

Thinking back on it now, this book would appeal to someone who's involved with this series and the characters, but for me there isn't enough to entice me to read another. Which is a shame because I liked the romance itself but having any more of this 'decide now or be effectively banished' would probably drive me crazy. Alex and Cale are strong characters, neither of them willing to take a lot of crap (he's over 2,000 years old for f*ck's sake), and don't need busy bodies forcefully changing their actions. I wish I could just tell Sands to leave them alone and let them fight it out for themselves - I'm sure things would work out!

Overall Feeling - Eh.

Series - ...13) Bitten by Cupid 14) Born to Bite 15) Hungry for You

Merry Christmas!!

I know it's almost too late, but at least by East Coast standards I still have 2 more hours or so to wish all everyone a

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

and  a Happy Holidays! I hope you've all spent the day and the season with family and friends, celebrating just because you can. 

Later!

~Dana

And the winner is....

I'm so excited to announce the winner of my CSN Stores giveaway! To make sure everything was fair I listed every person first in the order they commented and then at the end gave additional entries to those who got some of the '+1's. I then stuck that into Random.org's list randomizer, thereby ensuring that everything was all mixed up, and the list look liked this:

   1. Domestica Diva
   2. Jessy
   3. Jessy
   4. Liz
   5. Debbie
   6. Liz
   7. Jessy
   8. Jessy
   9. Ashley
  10. Image Chaos
  11. Tea Gal
  12. Mami2jcn
  13. Katrina
  14. Liz
  15. Debbie
  16. Debbie
  17. Domestic Diva
  18. Tea Gal
  19. Tea Gal
  20. Tea Gal
  21. Liz

From there I let Random.org pick the winner and that is...

16. Debbie

Congratulations Debbie!! I've just sent you an email and when you reply back I'll forward all the gift certificate information on to you.

Thank you to everyone who entered, stay tuned for more giveaways because I've got a lot of books that need new homes!

Alien Tango by Gini Koch

It's been five months since marketing manager Katherine "Kitty" Katt started working with the aliens from Alpha Centauri, and she and Jeff Martini are getting closer. But when an experimental spacecraft is mysteriously returned to the Kennedy Space Center, Kitty and the rest of her team are called in to investigate. Now the team must survive murderous attacks, remove a space entity from a group of astronauts, and avoid an unhinged woman with a serious crush on Kitty's high school boyfriend. And that's all before evil masterminds decide Kitty's extermination is vital.

~~

Oh my goodness, look, look! I remembered what I am supposed to be doing around here and have a book review for you guys!

Sorry things have been a little slow lately, life has been doing it's usual interfering and keeping me from 1) reading all the books I want to be reading and, 2) writing any reviews that would help show the world I'm not a sloth. Still things are getting better (mostly) and here's a review to prove it!

But seriously though I have to admit that this is a bit of a cop out because if you read book blogs AT ALL you've heard about Gini Koch. Her science fiction romances are the new blog darlings, and I have to say deservedly so. She has a unique voice and a really fun way of writing about what could be a trite topic. Kitty is forthright and strong on her own, and while she dances on that 'invincible heroine' line she never completely trips over it.

Alien Tango picks up 6 months after Touched by an Alien, with Kitty trying to find her place with Jeff and in this new MIB-like world. We're not really so much about Super Beings at this point (though they pop up a little), it's the nitty gritty of the AC world that's got everyone tangled up. Can Kitty marry Jeff? Does Kitty want to marry Jeff? What about Christopher? What about Chuckie? Are any of the Americanized (or Earth-ized? Earthian-ized? Whatever) AC's going to get the chance to live their lives without parental influence? Who knows! The book whizzes through a lot, and if you blink you might miss the fact that Koch is doing more than just writing a romance book. She takes a hard look at religion, prejudice, immigration, acceptance - all with a small and crap ton of action.

If I had to make a complaint I'd have to say that I would appreciate if Koch would stop 'testing' Kitty and Jeff. While the question of who she would end up with worked really well in the first book, in this one I just got distracted by the possible foreshadowing. Yes romances wax and wane and it would possible for Kitty and Jeff to break up. But how about we stop having Kitty's mother and every other random trying to point out how she's the densest woman on the planet and there are all these other options just in case she changes her mind? Just saying - just putting it out there. Not completely necessary.

Either way this book is a ton of fun and I highly recommend to anyone who loves a sense of humor and a great HEA!

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up. 

Series - 1) Touched by an Alien 2) Alien Tango 3) Alien in the Family (2011)

Cut your time in line by HALF

....by just looking around you!

I'm going to let you guys in on the 'big secret' of Barnes and Noble and Borders - you can check out in the cafe area too! I promise!

I was in Borders last night and the cashwrap line went down and around and around some more - all of it culminating in a line headed towards the back of the store. But do you know what didn't have a line?

The cafe.

I took one look over there and practically skipped to the counter with my books and coupon - no line for me! And yet my joy was not full, it was not complete. The damn season had filled me with a sense of compassion for my fellow man, stuck in the line of death.

So as I walked out of the store I tapped the shoulder of the last woman in line and whispered the secret I'm now sharing with you:

"You can pay for those in the cafe too."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Time for a non-denominational all inclusive festive season GIVEAWAY!

I have to admit that I'm not ready for the holidays. I have one pre-organized light thing set up in my house that I bought from CVS last year and that's it. The only reason there's anything wrapped is because I'm doing a secret Santa with my coworkers.

Sigh.

Still, it occurs to me that I'm probably not the only who's feeling a little lazy! There's always a few of us, even if we hide away in the shadows, waiting to hit the malls or that 'purchase all' button online at the very last moment. I'm happy to say that with the help of CSN it's time for a:

FESTIVE SEASON GIVEAWAY!

CSN is an online retailer and they sell a ridiculously great number of things: luggage stores, bookshelves, lamps, chairs, BEDS - you name it and I feel that somewhere in their system they've got it. I did a post about them previously (you can find it here) and I love the high level of communication you get from their representatives. It's always such a relief, especially when things are stressful.

This giveaway is for a $65 certificate to CSN Stores. Woot! To enter all you have do is comment below with a little 'Enter Me' and your email address so I can let them know where to send the code.

But what is that I hear? You want additional ways to enter? Well since you asked....

+1 for subscribers of this blog

+1 for Facebook fans

+1 for subscribers of my personal blog (Bittersweet Musings)

Each '+1' means I'll add your name an extra time to the Random.org mix, giving you more chances to win! Just make sure to tell me which ones you qualify for in your comment.

Giveaway runs through 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, December 22nd. I'll announce the winner next Thursday morning!

Good luck!

Making that holiday shopping a little easier - coupons!

Two book coupons just popped into my inbox this morning. The first is for 40% off one item at Borders (in store only). These are my favorite to print and use at the cafe and the cash register :

(they're also apparently doing free shipping, no minimum, through 12/12)

The second is 15% off one item at Barnes and Noble:

Pick your favorite, the book chains are ready to accept your business, lol. You can either print the coupons straight from here, or click on them and (hopefully) the coupon link will work and you can print them that way.

November in Review

Ok there's really no way for me to play off how late this is. This post is like 'maybe you should have just waited till next month because you fail!' late.  Well it's just been one of those kind on months I guess. I started out on a high note with the new Nalini Singh and the library opening up down the street from my house - it was joyousness all around I tell you. Then two big things hit 1) I turned 25, and 2) doctor madness.

Turning 25 definitely didn't suck. In fact it didn't suck to the point that I let a lot of things slide, including remembering to write down what I'd read. Sigh. Then right before Thanksgiving I was inundated with a lot of personal doctor stuff, and the recovery time associate with that, and unsurprisingly things began to slide. There's really only so much stuff you can remember to do when you're reduced to a narcotic haze, lol.

Well that's life I guess, and what's more important is here's the (mostly correct) list of what I managed to read this month and I hope you find something here that peeks your fancy!

Later!

Play of Passion by Nalini Singh  

The Mane Attraction by Shelly Laurenston

Inside Out by Lauren Dane (x2)

Cover of Night by Linda Howard     

Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts     

The Shadow Queen by Anne Bishop   

Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh     

Obsidian Prey by Jayne Castle     

Harvest Hunting by Yasmine Galenorn     

Midnight Crystal by Jayne Castle  

Sunshine by Robin McKinley   

The Beast in Him by Shelly Laurenston   

The Mane Squeeze by Shelly Laurenston 

When He Was Bad by Shelly Laurenston

Beast Behaving Badly by Shelly Laurenston

Books Read/Reviewed: 16/8

Back from the only sorta lovely land of convalescence

Hey Everyone! Sorry things have been so kind of topsy turvy lackadaisical here at RAtChaos. I had some personal stuff jump into the forefront and it's been taking me some time to get back on the horse. Plus there was the fact that since during my convalescence I only seemed to be reading books I'd read a million times before didn't exactly put me in the reviewing mood! I felt like I was letting people down or something, reading nothing new but a lot of ones I'd read before (and an insane number of Shelly Laurenstons). I hope to have everything back to normal soon, with a post going over the books I read in November scheduled to be up later today!

Random side note: You know what I did think about while recovering? How much I wish I could read with my eyes closed. I don't like audio books (I have this weird thing about hearing other people read/pronounce words I say in my head differently) but sometimes when I don't want to watch TV or sleep it's almost more than I can do to force my eyes to stay open and read!

I wish I had some kind of cool device that I could attach to the sides of my head and would project the words into my mind. Then I could just read them with my mind's eye and not actually have to continue with the physical work of making my eyes focus and go across the page. Who knows, I could be the new cuter Geordie :)

Happy Turkey Day!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

I feel like sometimes I'm one of the first to forget that there's so much I have to be thankful for. I have a job, friends who love me, and outlets like this that let me reach out to all parts of the world. 

I hope Americans and not are taking today to have some good food and good company, even if its only in remembrance of how great those two are :)

Midnight Crystal by Jayne Castle

Adam Winters has enough responsibility as the new head of the local Ghost Hunter Guild without being saddled with the family curse. He's convinced his recent nightmares and hallucination swill lead to him becoming a psychic rogue- unless he can find a stolen relic and a woman who can read dreamlight.

Marlowe Jones rides into his life on a motorcycle and with a dust bunny at her side. Though a descendant of the rival Arcane family, she's just what Adam needs: a psychic private investigator and dreamlight reader extraordinaire.

Together, amid the glowing catacombs and steamy underground jungles of Harmony, Adam and Marlowe must break the curse, save the entire underworld- and fight a passion that could destroy them both...

~~

I always love Jayne Castle's forays into the world of Harmony and I think the only reason I didn't love this more is because it's part of trilogy I haven't read. Oy. Jayne Castle also releases books as Jayne Ann Krentz and Amanda Quick and there first two books were each released under a different name. It makes sense when you consider that she writers contemporary suspense romance, historical romance, and futuristic paranormal romance, but even I admit it can be a bit confusing.

Still Adam and Marlowe were a lot of fun to get to know and appropriately kick ass. Marlowe rides in on her motorcycle (which more often than not I think uber cool for the heroine) and immediately sets herself up as a strong partner to Adam. No protecting necessary, though it can be appreciated anyway. Mystery from the beginning with enough suspense, murder, and action to make the whole book experience a good one.

I think if I had to make a complaint I think it would be that there are a lot of elements to the book and not all of them are treated equally. The biggest bulk of the non-romance action goes to solving the problems with the Ghost Hunter Guild, but that's not the only mystery. Adam's sister has been injured from before, there's some big deal with the Underground Jungle, a psychic con artist and MORE. Like all of these things come at you as you're reading. Castle wraps it all up in the end but I could have done with some more time/book space devoted to these parts.

Still I liked this book and love her work as Castle so this ready is highly recommended!

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up. 

Series - 1) Fired Up 2) Burning Lamp 3) Midnight Crystal 

Teaser Tuesdays (11/23)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

'"What in creation are you?" he said.  "That is no small stuff-changers trick. It is not possible. It is not possible. I have been standing in sunlight and I know it is not possible."'


--pg 65, Sunshine by Robin McKinley

Tis the seaon - it is I tell you! It is!

Ok so maybe it's not exactly the time to be thinking red, white, snow, bells, and funny hats. But you know what? I don't care! I gave in this morning and started listening to Christmas music and I think all of YOU out there in Blogger land should join me! 

I unfortunately can't embed the video but click below to see one of the best scenes from one of my favorite movies!

Harvest Hunting by Yasmine Galenorn

We're the D'Artigo sisters: sexy, savvy operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. But being half-human, half-Fae means our supernatural talents can go haywire at any time. My sister Camille is a wicked good witch whose life recently took a drastic turn. Menolly's a vampire who's still getting the hang of being undead. And me? I'm Delilah, a werecat with a very interesting love life. But life isn't all fun and games. We're on the trail of the demon general who has decided that we've become quite a nuisance...

It's Samhain, and the Autumn Lord, has called for my training to begin with the Death Maidens...and I find that I like it. But we've got problems: werewolves are going missing and a new magical drug, "Wolf Briar," is being used as a weapon. My dear Chase and I have come to a delicate crossroads and there's no turning back from our decision. And most dangerous of all: Stacia Bonecrusher has put a bounty on our heads. Now it's a race to take out the demon general before she realizes the sixth Spirit Seal is within her reach...

~~

I think I'm going to have to call it and say this series is on its way for me. In the beginning I really enjoyed it, and I don't know if I'm letting my feelings from Night Myst taint things, but I just didn't enjoy this book as much. It's a weird feeling though because I can't say the series has changed in any kind of negative way. The action's still pretty good and the sexually charged vibe that most of the relationships have are still there, it's more like the way I'm responding too it all as changed. It's why I hesitate to give this book a full thumbs down; I still see all the good things that initially drew me to the series, but they're not making me happy any more. It's awkward all around let me tell you.

This is another Delilah book and readers are treated to a deeper look into the kind of life she'll lead as  Death Maiden. That of course has to be done while trying to destroy Stacia Bonecrusher AND find the Spirit Seal. Truthfully though I found myself distracted by some whining. Chase has been a pseudo-jerk from the beginning. Oh I'm sorry he's having a hard time with this whole (MINOR SPOILER) 'almost immortal' thing, but why should I care? For the first 1/3 almost half of the book Delilah's is chasing after Chase (ugh) trying to get him not to break up with her or making sure that he wants to break up at all. Not impressed I must say, not impressed.

I did like the new love interest they introduced for her near the end, but it didn't make things all the way better in the end. I'm kind of on the fence regarding the Autumn Lord and how much of a good thing his presence (read: Master) in her life really is....

I'm just eh ok? Eh about the whole thing. I'm sorry if this review turned into more of a rant than anything else, but hopefully someone found it helpful, LOL.

Overall Feeling - eh.

Series -  ....7) Bone Magic 8) Harvest Hunting 9) Blood Wyne (not yet published) (find the full list on Galenorn's website)

Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts

As the public face of Vows wedding planning company, Parker Brown has an uncanny knack for fulfilling every bride's vision. She just can't see where her own life is headed. Mechanic Malcomb Kavanaugh loves figuring out how things work, and Parker is no exception. Both know that moving from minor flirtation to major hook-up is a serious step. Parker's business risks have always paid off, but now she'll have to take the chance of a lifetime with her heart.

~~

While this started out not being one of my favorite Nora Roberts series I really feel like she pulled it out in the end. With each successive title Roberts has pulled readers more and more into the lives of these 4 friends and by the time this last book rolled around I was very excited to see how it all ended (yes I had some ideas, but her execution is the point or why else would I be reading it?).

Parker has been tangling with Mal since the beginning, with the sparks of attraction pretty obvious to everyone. Their relationship proceeds pretty much according to form but with Mal it's so much fun! He's that great combo of teasing aggressor and flirtation. He knows what he wants and pursues but the banter between the two of them shows how he's also taking her feelings in account. I know that sounds like it could almost be boring but it can be very HARD to get a contemporary romance to go right, and their relationship rings right to me the entire time.

I highly recommend this book and really the whole series for full enjoyment, though if you wanted to wait until everything got republished in mass market I wouldn't blame you.

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up. 

Series - 1) Vision in White 2) Bed of Roses 3) Savour the Moment 4) Happy Ever After

Teaser Tuesday (11/16)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"'Don't judge, El. Don't judge. I'm gonna play rock band on my soon-to-be-husband's body all night long.'"

--pg 82, Inside Out by Lauren Dane

I wouldn't do it, but why not show off? Literary Body Art

I think possibly my local Barnes and Noble on FB linked to this the other day, but the Huffington Post has a very cool article on their site highlighting literary tattoos. I can't really ever see loving an author or a line enough myself, but why not take a moment and admire the serious book love these other people are demonstrating? My favorites:

 A line from Moby Dick

A Shel Silverstein illustration

Lines from Beckett

Check out all the other tattoos:  15 Amazing Literary Tattoos From Diehard Bookworms

If you were going to get a literary inspired tattoo would you? And who would you consider important enough to have on your body forever?

It's my birthday and I'll read if I want to!

I figured that today, on this day of all days, I can be a little bit selfish and proclaim to everyone and anyone that it's my birthday!! Woohoo! I am proudly (except for a few gray hairs) joining the quarter century club. That's right people, 25 years young and counting. I officially have to check the 'mid to late 20's' box on demographic forms.

Being my birthday, one of the big things I want to say is thank you. Thank you to all my friends who are my family, to my blog buddies and readers who make me proud to keep writing, to everyone around me who passes on positive energy when I'm feeling a little down. 2010 was foretold (by the roomie) as being my year and over the last few months I've got to say that things are finally getting better rather than worse. 

I feel that on my book blog I should have some type of list to mark the occasion. Maybe 25 favorite books or something, but I think for me it would be an impossible task. There are just too many from the last year alone that I love to try say that these particular ones are my uber most favorites. It's like choosing between your children. Or at least I think it must be as I don't have any children and couldn't know for sure.... Whatever - I'm sure you get the idea.

I found it much easier to construct 25 years of me in terms of music though, so head over to my other blog, Bittersweet Melody, later today and check out what songs and bands have helped make me, ME!!

P.S. - I was supposed to have a giveaway this month but OBVIOUSLY that fell through so I think it'll just go into the pot for a big Christmas one instead!

Play of Passion & Inside Out - 2 mini reviews

I've read (re-read in fact) both of these books a couple times since they've come out because they deserve the time.They're a lot of fun and great additions to wonderful series. The thing is that they've been covered a number of times on other book blogs that I like, so instead of doing in depth reviews on my own I'm just gonna highlight their greatness for you here.

First up is Play of Passion by Nalini Singh:

Passion and reason collide with explosive force in the newest installment of Nalini Singh’s “mesmerizing”* Psy/Changeling series. As a conflict with Pure Psy looms on the horizon, two powerful wolves fight a far more intimate war of their own…

In his position as tracker for the SnowDancer pack, it’s up to Drew Kincaid to rein in rogue changelings who have lost control of their animal halves—even if it means killing those who have gone too far. But nothing in his life has prepared him for the battle he must now wage to win the heart of a woman who makes his body ignite…and who threatens to enslave his wolf.

Lieutenant Indigo Riviere doesn’t easily allow skin privileges, especially of the sensual kind—and the last person she expects to find herself craving is the most wickedly playful male in the den. Everything she knows tells her to pull back before the flames burn them both to ash…but she hasn’t counted on Drew’s will.

Now, two of SnowDancer’s most stubborn wolves find themselves playing a hot, sexy game even as lethal danger stalks the very place they call home…

~~

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up! I can't say it's my favorite of the series, but it's still a fantastic romance with just the right amount of spark.

Series - 1) Slave to Sensation 2) Visions of Heat 3) Caressed by Ice 4) Mine to Possess 5) Hostage to Pleasure 6) Branded by Fire 7) Blaze of Memory 8) Bonds of Justice 9) Play of Passion 10) Kiss of Snow (June 2011)

Other Reviews - Fiction Vixen, Smexy Books

Next: Inside Out by Lauren Dane

 Ella Tipton is a survivor. In the wake of an attack that left her nearly dead, she’s spent each day putting her life back together. Once vibrant and outgoing, she’s needed to reclaim the best parts of who she was while retaining the hard won lessons. There hasn’t been room for any romantic entanglements, even if she were ready. Still, it didn’t mean she had to stop sneaking looks at Mister Tall, Dark and Tattooed himself.

Security professional Andrew Copeland isn’t quite sure when his jones for the lovely and decidedly skittish Ella developed. He’s known her for years, has watched her triumph over the pain she’d been dealt. Cope is no stranger to women, but he knows the nervous flush he gets every time he talks to her is different than any attraction he’s had in the past. Determined to get Ella to let him in, Andy does the one thing he can think of to get close: he offers her hands-on training in self-defense.

While Ella’s sure he’s just being nice, the prospect of being able to touch him and gain the tools to push away the last vestiges of her fear is more than she can resist. Soon enough, Cope shows Ella his feelings are far more than friendly and re-ignites something deep inside her. Before long desire and love turn them both inside out.

~~

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up. Again not my favorite in the series, Cope and Ella's romance still has a lot of heat and a lot of love AND a lot of friends to keep it upbeat.

Series - 1) Coming Undone 2) Laid Bare 3) Inside Out

Other Reviews - Fiction Vixen, Book Addict, Smexy Books

Teaser Tuesdays (11/2)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

'"Marty's right, darlin'," Sissy insisted. "You're real pretty. Got good strong thighs. And you've got oral skills most men would kill for."
Now everyone turned and looked at Sissy Mae. 
"That's lovely, Sissy," Marty sighed out.
"I was only complimenting her."
"Compliments like that create hookers."'


--pg 251, "Shaw's Tail" in The Mane Event by Shelly Laurenston

October in Review

I have had so much fun this month! I've been reading and playing, and while some things could have been better, a lot was better than expected! I hope you find something great to read from my list though some of my standouts have to be Cast in Chaos and Veil of Night. Both were wonderful examples of each authors style and genre, plus they're definitely going to be rereads for me in the future. Talk to you guys later, hope no one's too hung over on this very badly timed Monday.

Cast in Chaos  by  Michelle Sagara

An Artificial Night  by  Seanan McGuire

Out of the Light, Into the Shadows  by  Lori Foster, Erin McCarthy

Coming Clean  by  Inez Kelley

Wild Card  by  Lora Leigh

Bonds of Justice  by  Nalini Singh

Bayou Moon  by  Ilona Andrews

Ghost Hunter  by  Jayne Castle

The Iron Hunt  by  Marjorie M. Liu

Alan & Grant  by  Nora Roberts

Styx's Storm  by  Lora Leigh

Trust Me  by  Jayne Ann Krentz

Veil of Night  by  Linda Howard

Harvest Moon  by  Mercedes Lackey, Michelle Sagara, Cameron Haley

Mackenzie's Legacy  by  Linda Howard

Eternal Hunger  by  Laura Wright

Second Chances  by  Lauren Dane

The Debutante's Dilemma  by  Elyse Mady

Fantasy in Death  by  J.D. Robb

Sweet Fortune  by  Jayne Ann Krentz

The Twilight Before Christmas  by  Christine Feehan

The Mane Event by   Shelly Laurenston

Read/Reviewed: 23/8

Happy Halloween!!

I know it's 10pm (East coast time anyway), so it's a little late to be wishing anyone a happy anything, but still: I wish you lots of fun, candy, and great costumes! 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

 

(this is my 'I'm a badass roller derby girl, who are you?' face)