A Milestone Moment :)

Know what yesterday was? Yesterday marked my 500th post! Woohoo! Happy dance!! (there's some booty shaking there that you can't see - you should probably be grateful.)

And while I know it's a bit self congratulatory, I'm going to take a moment here and enjoy that. Reading Amidst the Chaos - or anything like it really - has been a idea of mine since highschool. Begun in the back rows of Women's Chorus when I realized my friends actually liked when I recommended books to them. And that I liked even more when they recommended things back to me. It was a whole recommendy-fest if you will.

But that recommendy-fest was destined to be something more than a table on an Angelfire or Geocities site, more than an Excel spreadsheet I could email out to friends. Apparently I was already on the road to blogdom, which I am more than happy to find myself amidst now. Even on the bad days where I don't feel like reading anything new or my brain feels like mush and completely lacking in anything funny, I'm thankful. I've read some amazing books, connected with people who love what I love in ways strikingly similar to my own, and continue to have the chance to put my often insane ideas out there. Ideas that people actually read.

So THANK YOU to everyone who's stuck with me and continues to read and recommend RAtChaos. When my low moments hit and I wonder why the heck I still do something that so many other people seem to do better, you keep me going. I hope I won't let you down.

Ladybugs and Fireflies by Cheryl Alldredge

A Southern Romance

Feisty fraud investigator, Callie Roberts, isn’t looking for a knight in shining armor to rescue her. She’s perfectly capable of taking care of herself. She’s had to be. Now, her business is thriving and her goal of owning her own home is finally in reach…if she can land her dream client.

The last thing she needs is to be distracted by a man, especially when he’s the powerful New York attorney who’s in town to represent the man her dream client has hired her to investigate.

Taylor Powers’ big city law career has brought him success, but a trip back to his home state of Florida has him wondering if it might be time to think of coming home for good. The sweet, sexy woman he’s drawn to only confuses matters. Callie’s career has made her a pro at keeping secrets and that plays havoc with his zero tolerance for deceptive women. Yet she attracts trouble like a magnet, kicking his protective instincts into overdrive.

Can Taylor unravel the mystery that is Callie? And with a past full of heartache, will Callie ever allow herself to believe happily ever after really can come true?

~~

This is a cute entertaining little read :)

I've said before how much I enjoy contemporary romance, especially ones set in small town, but they're not easy to write (for me anyway). Getting the dynamics just right and bringing in enough supporting characters to place the hero and heroine in the community doesn't just happen. For the most part Alldredge is right on track on with this title.

Callie and Taylor both have their hot buttons - places where emotional scars have made them a bit tougher around the edges than usual. What that creates though is some great sparks because both are willing to talk back and stand up for what they believe in. I don't want surface wall flowers, but a man and woman who make mistakes and are willing to grow and change when they've found love. Yes it's corny, yes it's the prelude to the HEA, but that's what I like about contemporary romances. A wonderful HEA. 

There are a couple places where things could be improved - I feel like we got a whirlwind look at the cast of characters around Callie and Taylor, but not really enough information to make me feel connected to the community. I want to know more about Dara and Johnnie, about the homeless people that Callie talks to - these men and women are what make me believe in that 'Southern down home town' and I feel like we didn't get enough of that her. A similar sense of 'surfacey'-ness could be felt at some points of Callie and Taylor's relationship. It could have been necessitated by the length, but sometimes things just jumped really fast between the two of them and it was hard for me to follow as well understand how their feelings could have blossomed in such a sort time. It wasn't terrible or anything, I just could have wished for a few more pages here and there to get inside their heads a bit more.

All in all this is a good ebook and I would recommend it to anyone who likes their romances short and sweet.

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up

Series - None (? - I think)

**Ebook sent by author for review consideration**

Hunt the Moon by Karen Chance

Cassandra Palmer recently defeated a god, which you'd think would buy a girl a little time off. But it doesn't work that way when your new job description is Pythia — the world's chief clairvoyant. Cassie is busier than ever, trying to learn about her power, preparing for her upcoming coronation, and figuring out her relationship with the enigmatic sexy master vampire, Mircea.

But someone doesn't want Cassie to become Pythia, and is willing to go to any lengths to make sure the coronation ceremony never happens—including attacking her mother before Cassie is even born.

~~

First let me get my happy dancing out of the way because this book was so good! It's been a while since Curse the Dawn came out and rereading that and getting through Hunt the Moon just reminded me why I like Karen Chance so much. Her books are a lot of fun and I think a wonderful example of the paranormal romance genre.

Everyone, Cassie, Mircea, and Pritkin, are still wrapped up in the politics of establishing the Pythia outside of Apollo's influence and where Cassie is going to fit in relation to the Senate (sorry book references that only sort of make sense to those who haven't read these). It's not going to be easy because Cassie, as a strong kick-ass character, is not going to be just a figure head. She'll either do it and succeed or mess up on her own merits or not do it all - no puppet Pythia-ing here. Combining that with Cassie's determination to 'date' Mircea and keep things platonic with Pritkin in the midst of all this, and it's a complicated novel that you've got here.

I love Chance for the strength of her characters and the intricacies of the world she's built. I know she's only 5 books in but I feel like she's really taking the time to create a series that makes sense and doesn't just have bad guys and other randomness thrown in to extend it. I'm not sure who I'm voting for relationship wise, she's definitely got me on the fence. Being deliberately vague, what I liked and was rooting for in the beginning isn't quite how things might end up, and so for a lot of this book I found myself cringing at what was happening while being completely unable to look away. Highly recommended :)

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up.

Series - 1) Touch the Dark 2) Claimed by Shadow 3) Embrace the Night 4) Curse the Dawn 5) Hunt the Moon

Why oh why wild turkey?

You read me right there - wild turkey. I went tubing in West Virginia yesterday and it was incredible and so much fun! So much fun in fact that today I look like this:

Ok maybe without the 'I'm so sore how am I going to go on?' face, but you get the general idea. And the day included a little bit of this:

And maybe more than a little bit of this:

So with that said I hope you all understand if I don't have a spiffy new book review ready for today. Look for some later this week though, because I do have some great sounding titles on my TBR shelf.  Happy Monday!

Side Jobs by Jim Butcher

Meet Harry Dresden, Chicago’s first (and only) Wizard P.I. Turns out the “everyday” world is full of strange and magical things – and most of them don’t play well with humans. That’s where Harry comes in.

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does, despite tending to stumble from crisis to drama in his dealings with the supernatural world. Somehow he unfailingly manages to get on the wrong side of werewolf, fae and vampire alike. But that’s where his own rather special powers come into play.

Magic – it can get a guy killed.

~~

I have to admit that I was a complete wuss about this book. I bought it for Murphy's story at the end, one that takes place immediately after Changes. I rushed out to buy the book but when I got it home I just couldn't read it! I was too freaked out. Freaked about the ending of the last book, about Harry, about Murphy - about what Jim Butcher could do next that would potentially rip my heart out (because yes, he can totally do that). 

Finally though I had to man up. In the midst of a bunch of other books I sat down and read through Side Jobs and I'm very happy I did because Jim Butcher didn't disappoint. Each of these short stories are great glimpses into what makes the Dresden Files so wonderful and fun to read. It shows off Harry's particular blend of morality and practicality along with the supernatural in the 'normal' that characterizes the series. Plus Murphy's story? Pretty fan-f*cking-tastic if I do say so myself. She's been a favorite character of mine from the beginning and with the chance to finally read the thoughts in her head it's hard not to love her more. She and the rest of the things that go bump in the night in Chicago have a rough road ahead, no doubt about it, but I can't wait to get my hands on Ghost Stories. 

Oh and you've be warned - I don't think this collection will be as enjoyable if you haven't read the whole series. Yes Harry is a great character and he shines in whatever story you put him in, but a lot of these take place between particular books and thus have a lot of history. Full enjoyment will only truly come if you know all the emotional ups and downs that come before and after them.

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up.

Series - ...11) Turn Coat 12) Changes 12b) Side Jobs (short stories) 13) Ghost Story (July 26, 2011)

Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson: Moon Called Volume 1

Mercy Thompson inhabits two worlds without truly belonging to either. To the human inhabitants of the Tri-Cities she's an oddity, a female mechanic operating her own garage. To the town's darker residents, werewolves, vampires, and fae, she's a walker, a last-of-her-kind magical being with the power to become a coyote. Mercy warily straddles the fine line dividing our everyday world from that darker dimension... 'till a boy, mauled by vicious werewolves and forever changed by the attack and on the run from those who committed the crime, appears at her door. Now her two worlds are about to collide!

Outnumbered and out-muscled, can Mercy possibly save the boy... or even herself?

~~

I don't think I'm meant for to read comic versions of books I've already loved. I'm the kind of reader that takes the time to mold the author's words into a vision in my head, and with that I have my own thoughts about what the character should look like. There's good and bad to that, but this is a perfect example of the bad because the art here just didn't live up to my own personal movie.

The characters look stilted and childish, with not enough of the depth that made them so compelling when in written form. The rapid movements of Mercy as a coyote or the werewolves translated into them looking like they were flying - actually flying - on the page, which was humorous and not exciting at all. Since the words were Briggs' I don't have a lot of complaints and the placement of the thought and speech bubbles weren't bad to tell the story to new readers. I just couldn't get over the artwork and after about 60 pages I realized that this one had no where to go but down.

If you're a new comer to the Mercy series, just buy the books. They're worth it in the long run and the soul of what makes the story and writing so great shines through, without any bad drawing to distract you. (Plus Adam is much hotter than this comic makes out. MUCH hotter.)

Overall Feeling - DNF. Thumbs down.

Series - Mercy Thompson Moon Called: Volume 1, Volume 2, & Volume 3

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

Hexed by Ilona Andrews, Yasmine Galenorn, Allyson James & Jeanne C. Stein

Four of the bestselling names in romance and fantasy come together in this collection of thrilling novellas featuring powerful women who know how to handle a hex or two...

New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews spins "Magic Dreams." Shapeshifting tigress Dali Harimau finds herself in deep waters when she must challenge a dark being to a battle of wits or risk losing the man for whom she secretly longs.

In "Ice Shards," New York Times bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn returns to the Otherworld as Iris Kuusi, a Finnish house sprite, journeys to the frozen Northlands to confront the crazed shadow of her former lover and break the curse that is keeping her from marrying the man she loves.

National bestselling author Allyson James takes you to Magellan, Arizona, where Stormwalker Janet Begay and her friends are trapped by a powerful curse. It will take every bit of magic simmering beneath her skin for the Stormwalker to survive being "Double Hexed."

From national bestselling author Jeanne C. Stein comes "Blood Debt," in which bounty-hunter-turned-vampire Anna Strong is visited by three witches who ask her to right an old magical wrong. Anna will have to live up to her last name to make it through alive.

~~

I can't say that all anthologies leave me feeling satified but this one defintiely doesn't disappoint. Even though I'm not reading the full novels by Galenorn anymore I enjoyed her entry. It gave me insight into the background of a character I already like and by itself introduces new readers to at least a bit of the back story of the whole series. Plus it doesn't have any creepy rape-ish undertones anywhere so that's always an A+ thing in my book :)

I have to say something similar about James's Walker addition. I liked Janet from the series already, but here we get a quick action filled look at the world she lives in. New readers might be taken aback by the sex under pressure, lol, that James includes here but in the overall realm of the series it makes sense, thus it worked for me. Also the inclusion of supporting characters that made sense and displayed clear personalities of their own was a lot of fun.

I'm not going to talk about the Andrews story again (you can read about here) but I do want to say that as a new reader of Stein's work she almost has me ready to read more. I like her character, I liked the plot of the vignette she included here, but I'm not sold on whether how she writes would annoy me in the long term. Which is aggravating to say the least. There was just something about how she uses first person that, especially when compared to Andrews, irked me. I kind of felt that I was getting a jumbled up look at how the protagonist was feeling while also including some third person observations that interrupted the general flow. I guess I'd have to give this story an 'eh' review, but keep in mind it's more because I'm not really jiving with how Stein writes, even though on the whole I liked it.

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up.

Series - Various.

Happy Captain Picard Day!

....belated anyway. Sometimes I could wish The Mary Sue would update just when I'm remembering to reload the site because then I'd see things like this more quickly! Still, from The Mary Sue...

"It’s the day that corresponds with Stardate 47457.1, that’s what. It was first mentioned as Picard Day in Star Trek: The Next Generation‘s, a day when the Enterprise would host children as a way of showing them what the Starfleet experience was like."

And before anyone asks me, yes I know which episode they're referring to in that explanation. I've seen it multiple times. Because I'm just that cool. But if you're one of the poor lost souls still looking for a reason to love Captain Picard, please see what kind of greatness can occur when he pops up on Sesame Street.

Enough said, am I right?

Mini Me: Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh

Since the moment of her defection from the PsyNet and into the SnowDancer wolf pack, Sienna Lauren has had one weakness. Hawke. Alpha and dangerous, he compels her to madness.

Hawke is used to walking alone, having lost the woman who would've been his mate long ago. But Sienna fascinates the primal heart of him, even as he tells himself she is far too young to handle the wild fury of the wolf.

Then Sienna changes the rules and suddenly, there is no more distance, only the most intimate of battles between two people who were never meant to meet. Yet as they strip away each other's secrets in a storm of raw emotion, they must also ready themselves for a far more vicious fight…

A deadly enemy is out to destroy SnowDancer, striking at everything they hold dear, but it is Sienna's darkest secret that may yet savage the pack that is her home…and the alpha who is its heartbeat…

~~

Yes this book is amazing. I may have not have broken down into tears of joy at the ending, but I don't think we can blame Nalini Singh for that. The truth of the matter is that if I could have gotten to one of her signings in 3hrs or less I would have made the trip - AND nagged by BFF until she agreed to go with me. 

Hawke's fantastically alpha - that wonderful mix of protective and sensitive that Singh's created. It's like she looked into the secret fantasies of millions of women and created the perfect hero who loves babies. 

It's that irresistible. If they weren't already in animal form half the time I'd say the only thing that was missing was a dog. But they have that too! It's really no wonder that I love them.

The only itsy bitsy minor little thing I can say that took me aback for a minute was how 'young' Sienna seemed sometimes. Yes I guess I got caught up in thinking she was extra mature because of her powers and how she was brought up because of them, but I'm just saying. I was surprised when some of her emotional concerns and lack of experience reminded me of how actually 'young' she was in years. That could legitimately be a fault of my own though, so let's just keep things real.

Buy the series, borrow the series, whatever - READ the series.

Trace of Fever by Lori Foster

Undercover mercenary Trace Rivers loves the adrenaline rush of a well-planned mission. First he’ll earn the trust of corrupt businessman Murray Coburn, then gather the proof he needs to shut down the man’s dirty smuggling operation. It’s a perfect scheme—until Coburn’s long-lost daughter saunters in with her own deadly plan for revenge.

With a smile like an angel and fire in her eyes, Priscilla Patterson isn’t who she seems to be. But neither is the gorgeous bodyguard who ignites all her senses. Joining forces to plot Coburn’s downfall, Priss and Trace must fight the undeniable heat between them. For one wrong move, one lingering embrace, will expose them to the wrath of a merciless opponent...

~~

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

I know I reviewed the first book in this series not too long ago, but I feel like you guys would want to know when an author is still keeping things fun and interesting :)

Alpha male military series can be tricky, keeping the hero strong but writing a heroine that's his equal. Not as easy as it sounds really. In this particular book what keeps things interesting is just how ready for anything Priss is. She's introduced as this strong, knowledgeable character that's not going to take Trace's crap. She'll listen to him when he's saying something intelligent, but she's just as committed to make sure her own goals remain in sight.

I also liked how in this book Foster has depicted a further chunk of Trace's life that makes sense. After what happened concerning his sister in the Edge of Honor book, it makes sense that he wouldn't be able to let that go. He's too much of a protector to let the fact he couldn't help his sister go. Aligning himself in the battle against human slavery and forced prostitution allowed him the opportunity to work for a cause he believed in and help some of the weakest part of humanity.

The only part I'd have to say I didn't love as much was just how 'innocent and wide eyed but ready to go in the bedroom' Priss was. I can't say it didn't ring true with her background, it did, it just irked me. I guess I had seen Trace with a take charge woman in all ways and while Priss wasn't a wilting flower in the bedroom, it just seemed off. In my opinion Foster has written better virginal characters, and .....ugh. Sorry. I'm not sure how to explain what bugged me about it, but it just wasn't my favorite. If you're concerned about the spice level of the love scenes though don't be, because they're great as usual and Foster doesn't skimp on the electricity between these two.

All in all it's another fun book, filled with action though not as much suspense. I'm definitely looking forward to reading how things conclude in Savor the Danger.

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up.

Series - 1) When you Dare 2) Trace of Fever 3) Savor the Danger (6/28/2011)

Ruby Red Winner!

It's that time again -  time to pick a winner! The Random.org gods have spoken and the winner of a copy of Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier is...

jldean729!

Congratulations! Please check your email and send me your shipping address as soon as possible so that your book can be on its way!

If you didn't win this time don't despair readers, more giveaways are already in the works ;)

Teaser Tues...ok let's just be real. This is an excerpt. You're welcome.

And Dee gave the only answer she could think of. "So?"

"Could you at least pretend to be happy for me?"

"I'm not unhappy for you. I guess I just don't care one way or the other."

"What's wrong with you?" Ronnie demanded.

"Nothin'. Why?"

"Sissy was happy for me! I got a hug and tears. What do I get from you? A 'so.'"

"Sissy's your best friend."

"And what are you?"

"Your Packmate. On more occasions than seems right, your drinking buddy."

"That's it? That's how you see me?"

"I don't know why you're so upset."

"Because we're friends, and friends are happy for each other."

"When did we become friends?"

Frowning, Ronnie asked, "We're not friends?"

Dee though about it a moment and finally answered, "No."

At this point, Sissy Mae was lying on her side, hysterically laughing, her arms around her stomach.

"How could you say we're not friends?"

"We're not enemies."

"I don't understand you sometimes."

"Thereby proving we're not friends."

"Stop!" Sissy begged. "Stop! You two are killing me!"

"I don't think it's funny, Sissy Mae."

"Is this where you tell me I hurt your feelings?" Dee asked.

"Yes!"

"Sorry. Not my intent."

"Are you like this with Ric?" Ronnie Lee demanded.

"No. 'Cause with him I'm usually naked when we're having these kinds of conversations which makes them a lot less painful."

"This is not funny, Sissy Mae!" Ronnie bellowed.

"The hysterical snorting and feet kicking would suggest she feels different on that."

"Shut up, Dee-Ann."

Dee shrugged. "I would, but you keep talking to me."

-pg 227, Big Bad Beast by Shelly Laurenston

Hit List by Laurell K Hamilton

A serial killer is hunting the Pacific Northwest, murdering victims in a gruesome and spectacular way. The local police suspect "monsters" are involved, and have called in Anita Blake and Edward, US Marshals who really know their monsters, to catch the killer.

But some monsters are very real. The Harlequin have been the bogeymen of the vampire world for more than a thousand years; they are a secret so dark that even to speak their name can earn you a death sentence. Now they are here in America, hunting weretigers, and human police.

The Harlequin serve the Mother of All Darkness, the first vampire. She was supposed to be dead, but only her body was destroyed. Now she needs a new one, and she's decided that Anita Blake's is the body she wants. Edward thinks the serial killings are a trap to lure Anita closer to the most dangerous vampire they've ever hunted. The vampires call Edward "Death," and Anita the "Executioner," but Mommy Darkest is coming to kill one, and possess the other, and she doesn't care how many others have to die along the way.

~~

So yeah. I can't say that I loved this book. I can say that I had high hopes. SUCH high hopes. I remember when Laurell first revealed that this was going to be an Edward heavy book and I did a mental happy dance. Edward? Such a great character! I loved Obsidian Butterfly (old I know - but I'm just saying!) and I figured that with him featured in this installment things couldn't be too bad.

But see, this is a great example of how I can in fact be wrong sometimes.

The whole thing was just 'eh'. I felt like nothing happened until the last chapter and then that was so anti-climatic I just sat there going "That's it? That's really it?" with a look of confusion on my face. Luckily only one person was recipient of my 'less than pleasant' texts about the whole thing. I'm not even sure what's happening here because I was never one of those LKH fans that sat there wringing my hands because Anita started going out and having explicit sex. I still liked Anita, I liked the small - small - harem she had going on at that time, and I didn't feel like it detracted from the overarching storyline.

And I wouldn't say that it was sex in this book that detracted from the overarching storyline. I just felt like the storyline was a little lackluster in the first place. Everything was too easy and got wrapped in neat little bows that just left me wondering why I'd read the book in the first place.

Which made me sad. Because at one point I really loved these books and sat almost frothing at the mouth in anticipation of the next one. Sigh.

Still, are you by chance looking for something to perk up your expereince while reading this book? If so I'd HIGHLY recommend you go check out the 'Hit List Drinking Game' on ALPHA reader. It has such gems as:

"Anita has sex with a gorgeous stranger because the ardeur needs to feed and said guy is somehow down-trodden/outcast/misunderstood etc, but he appreciates Anita's blatant arousal of him (she likes me, she really likes me!) - CHUG!"

I almost feel like I should reread Hit List just for a chance to play along!

Overall Feeling - Eh/Thumbs down

Series - .... 20) Hit List

~~~

In case you missed it, you still have almost a full day and a half to enter my Young Adult Giveaway!!

Magic Dreams by Ilona Andrews

New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews spins "Magic Dreams". Shapeshifting tigress Dali Harimau finds herseulf in deep waters when she must challenge a dark being to a battle of wits or risk losing the man for whom she secretly longs.

~~

Even though I'm just going to be reviewing one of the stories from the Hexed anthology, I definitely feel it's worth the individual shout out. Why you ask? Because after sitting in Barnes & Noble and reading it I STILL felt like I had to buy it. Team Andrews, on the strength of their writing alone, got me to buy something I'd already finishing reading. And I think that's pretty damn impressive.

"Magic Dreams" is a little vignette, a look into the head of Dali and subsequently Jim, the feline Alpha within the Pack. They're both characters readers have gotten to know well throughout the Kate Daniels series, but as a first person story written from Dali's point of view, we get to learn even more about what makes them so great. Dali has her own insecurities, her own issues, and her own feelings for Jim. Their little romance had just been hinted at previously but here it just explodes and it's fantastic.

As a romance reader I love getting the chance of seeing more of the side characters and their relationship and Ilona Andrews doesn't disappoint. "Magic Dreams" is short and snappy and while it makes me want more, it certainly doesn't leave me feeling like something's missing. I'm just always going to be that person asking for more when it's this good ;)

I highly recommend it and definitely think it's a great addition to the world of Kate Daniels.

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up.

Series - 1) Magic Bites 2) Magic Burns 3) Magic Strikes 4) "Magic Mourns" 5) Magic Bleeds 6) "Magic Dreams" 7) Magic Slays

Mini Me: Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews

Kate Daniels may have quit the Order of Merciful Aid, but she’s still knee-deep in paranormal problems. Or she would be if she could get someone to hire her. Starting her own business has been more challenging than she thought it would be—now that the Order is disparaging her good name, and many potential clients are afraid of getting on the bad side of the Beast Lord, who just happens to be Kate’s mate.

So when Atlanta’s premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose, Kate leaps at the chance of some paying work. Turns out this is not an isolated incident, and Kate needs to get to the bottom of it—fast, or the city and everyone dear to her might pay the ultimate price . . .

~~

I decided to write a mini review Magic Slays mostly in the hopes that I'd be able to refrain myself from going on and on about how great it is. Because it is. Great. 

Writing team Ilona Andrews has done it again with this latest release, showing that the spark and wit that has made Kate so wonderful to read about in previous installments isn't going anywhere. In fact I'd say that things are perhaps even getting better on the character front. Kate, Curran, Andrea - most of the men and women we've been introduced to before become more well rounded in this book, primarily because Andrews brings their inner thoughts to the forefront in this novel. It's not just their job or what they do to protect others, it's their motivations and why they do it that are becoming more and more part of the plot. 

I think this series has nowhere to go but up, but newcomers should definitely pick up the other books in this series before reading Slays. There's just too much back story and character continuity now to let the casual reader pick up the subtle nuances of everything. Don't be sad though readers, because it's a fun ride the first - or the millionth - time!

Young Adult Giveaway! **CLOSED**

I'm so happy to bring you guys another giveaway! Earlier this week a representative from  Zeitghost Media contacted me to let me know about a new young adult release, Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier:

~~

Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era!

Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon--the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

~~

Doesn't it sound great?! Totally up my alley young adult-wise, with what sounds like a spunky heroine, a windy plot, AND maybe a touch of romance! Unfortunately I'm totally swamped and my TBR pile cannot in any way handle another book. It can't I tell you! Complete catastrophic meltdown would be on the horizon if I tried to tweak and nudge my shelves to add another book.

I know - I should just go cry in a corner, right?

Still what this means for you my dear readers is that there's a copy Zeitghost Media can send to you instead! The rules are exceedingly simple, mostly because there's only one -

Leave me a comment (on this post) that says 'Enter Me' with your email address

Giveaway is open until Tuesday June 14th, and the winner will be announced the following Wednesday. Sorry but this giveaway is only open to my US and Canadian readers.

It's as simple as that and like usual I'll be using Random.org to choose a winner. Yay giveaway! They're so fun for you AND me!

Oh and if you're in the mood to wet your whistle with a little book trailer goodness, check out the one for Ruby Red here.

One Night, Two Heirs by Maureen Child

Duty is his world. And upon seeing Sadie Price with twin girls, marine Rick Pruitt realizes he has some proposing to do. He never would have left Royal, Texas, if he'd known Sadie was carrying his babies.

Yet the feisty single mom has no intention of agreeing to a loveless marriage. True, she and Rick share a bond, as well as undeniable passion. But Sadie believes vows should last a lifetime, not be declared out of obligation. Making it Rick's new mission to change her mind…

~~

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

Once upon a time I really enjoyed series romances. Maybe the Presents line wasn't my favorite, but Silhouette Desire often had some good stuff and Maureen Child has definitely reminded me why I used to like them so much. In One Night, Two Heirs she's written a heartwarming story starring two real characters. This isn't a soap opera, the man isn't an ass, the whole world isn't out to get them - it's two people trying to create a life for themselves.

Amazing right?

The plot is pretty clear from the back summary but I don't think it manages to capture the charm. Rick and Sadie don't come together in an immediate happy ending, but neither does Rick spend 90% of the book 'punishing' her for not telling him that she was pregnant. Instead they both have to work through their insecurities and fears to try and find a middle ground. One where they feel safe to love each other and commit to their new family. I kind of found the whole thing refreshing.

Plus, as the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Texas Cattleman's Club readers are introduced to a lot of new characters who I'll be excited to read about later. Though I have to admit I'm little worried since later installments aren't going to be written only by Child. I guess we'll just have to see what happens but I definitely recommend you pick this up because as a quick read (for the beach or not) it's pretty great!

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up.

Series - 1) One Night, Two Heirs (July 2011) 2) The Rebel Tycoon Returns (TBA)

Teaser Tuesdays (6/7)

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!

"'Enjoying yourself?'

He grinned, nodded.

Did he really have to be so cute? Was that really fair to her at all?"

--pg 277, The Mane Squeeze by Shelly Laurenston

I'm severely lacking in the profoundness department

So I feel like I should have some sort of profound statements to blog with today. Something to accurately portray the joy I've experienced at finishing the latest Ilona Andrews and Nalini Singh.

Yeah. I feel like I should. But I don't.

Somehow any of the profundity that sometimes - just sometimes - I manage to grasp onto when I write aren't coming to me today. In fact, I was gonna do a whole post wrap-up for May as ususal but I've decided that instead I'm just going post it here. REBELLION!!!

Let's just hope I feel better about things on Monday.

The Beast in Him by Shelly Laurenston

The Mane Attraction by Shelly Laurenston (x2)

The Mane Squeeze by Shelly Laurenston

Here Kitty, Kitty by Shelly Laurenston

Mona Lisa Eclipsing by Sunny

The Creed Legacy by Linda Lael Miller

When You Dare by Lori Foster

The Search by Nora Roberts

Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh

Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh

Corralled by Lorelei James

One Night, Two Heirs by Maureen Child

Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

Midnight Crystal by Jayne Castle

Pack Challenge by Shelly Laurenston

Side Jobs by Jim Butcher

Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews

No More Mr. Nice Guy by Jennifer Greene

The Unbearable Lightness of Dragons by Katie MacAlister

Books Read/Reviewed:

20 (counting repeats)/5 

**sorry I would have linked more but there's something up with my blog search engine. Darnit Blogger!**