My Favorite Reads for January
Sorry I’m late in posting my favorite picks from my January Readz. I had 11 reads and there were two that stood out. Here they are:
Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Summary:
For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.
But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.
My thoughts: I’ll admit that I’m not one for young adult romance. I read the Twilight series and for me the series was okay but not WOW. So I put reading YA books on the back burner. But it was the cover that drew my attention to this book. So I gave the book a try and I am very happy I did.
The book did not disappoint. I loved how Patch was so mysterious. All the characters were great. I thoroughly loved the plot. The plot had me guessing all the way up to the end on Patch’s true identity. There were clues and hunches while reading but everything is really confirmed towards the end. Also right up to the end, I trying to figure out who really was the villain. I love when a book does that. I was sucked in from the beginning and I could not put the book down. I can’t wait for the sequel. And after reading this book, I’m now looking forward to trying other young adult authors again.
My rating: 5 out 5 stars
Pleasure Unbound by Larissa IoneSummary:
In a place where ecstasy can cost you your life…
In a place where ecstasy can cost you your life…
She’s a demon-slayer who hungers for sensual pleasure—but fears it will always be denied her. Until Tayla Mancuso lands in a hospital run by demons in disguise, and the head doctor, Eidolon, makes her body burn with unslakable desire. But to prove her ultimate loyalty to her peers, she must betray the surgeon who saved her life.
Two lovers will dare to risk all.
Eidolon cannot resist this fiery, dangerous woman who fills him with both rage and passion. Not only is she his avowed enemy, but she could very well be the hunter who has been preying upon his people. Torn between his need for the truth and his desire to find his perfect mate before a horrific transformation claims him forever, Eidolon will dare the unthinkable—and let Tayla possess him, body and soul…
My thoughts: I’ve completed reading the 1st three books in the series. I’ve read the books out of order but after reading all three, this is my favorite thus far. I really enjoyed the world and the plotline. The concept of a demon hospital was very creative and believable. I really fell in love with Eidolon. Tayla grew on me. I liked seeing how she comes to realize everything isn’t as black and white as she thought it was. The book is a page-turner with lots of action, adventure and hot steamy romance scenes.
I highly recommend the series. The fourth book in the series, Ecstasy Unveiled was just released on January 26th. I can’t wait to read it.
My rating: 5 out 5 stars
My Favorite Reads for December
I read a lot of books in December and there are two book's that stood out. First was Jane Porter's Duty, Desire and the Desert Prince and second was Sherrilyn Kenyon's Born of Night.
Duty, Desire and the Desert King by Jane Porter
Summary:
As the black sheep of the Fehrs, a powerful desert family, middle son Zayed has sworn off love and marriage. This playboy prince is happiest when cruising the casinos of Monte Carlo. But then family tragedy leaves him the heir to his kingdom's throne. Custom dictates that a wife must be seated beside him, and he's got just the bride in mind….
Born of Night by Sherriyn Kenyon
Summary:
In the Ichidian Universe, The League and their ruthless assassins rule all. Expertly trained and highly valued, the League Assassins are the backbone of the government. But not even the League is immune to corruption . . .
Duty, Desire and the Desert King by Jane Porter
Summary:As the black sheep of the Fehrs, a powerful desert family, middle son Zayed has sworn off love and marriage. This playboy prince is happiest when cruising the casinos of Monte Carlo. But then family tragedy leaves him the heir to his kingdom's throne. Custom dictates that a wife must be seated beside him, and he's got just the bride in mind….
Rou Tournell is a feisty, independent woman—and if she won't marry Zayed for duty, maybe desire will help persuade her….
My thoughts: This was my first time reading a Jane Porter book and it was also my first time reading a Harlequin Presents book. The 3rd of the Sheikh books, this book can be read as a stand alone. I was able to keep up with the storyline and didn't even realize that there were previous books. The book was a fast read and very heart warming and delightful story. When the couple is together all their insecurities diminish and their love for one another shines bright. However, duties call and they are separated only to have fate bring them back together in a warm and heartfelt surprise.
Born of Night by Sherriyn KenyonSummary:
In the Ichidian Universe, The League and their ruthless assassins rule all. Expertly trained and highly valued, the League Assassins are the backbone of the government. But not even the League is immune to corruption . . .
Command Assassin Nykyrian Quikiades once turned his back on the League—and has been hunted by them ever since. Though many have tried, none can kill him or stop him from completing his current mission: to protect Kiara Zamir, a woman whose father’s political alliance has made her a target.
As her world becomes even deadlier, Kiara must entrust her life to the same kind of beast who once killed her mother and left her for dead. Old enemies and new threaten them both and the only way they can survive is to overcome their suspicions and learn to trust in the very ones who threaten them the most: each other.
My thoughts: Wow, this book sucked me in. I couldn't put it down. It was an action packed romance novel with a sci-fi flare. The universe Ms. Kenyon creates is not a difficult one to follow. The romance between Nykyrian and Kiara is beautiful and tender. A great and heartwarming ending. I can't wait to read the other books in the series.
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
December 20th Book Gathering with Authors Jane Poter & Cherry Adair. Location: Aina Haina, Hawaii
Thanks to Kellie Chang for putting on such an awesome gathering. It was nice to meet new people with similar interests. A big mahalo to authors Jane Porter & Cherry Adair for taking time out of their busy schedule and spending it with us. A special thanks to Jane for inviting us into your home.
Also thanks to all the other authors who contibuted to Kellie's event: Jessica Andersen, Kate Douglas, Jennifer Haymore, Sabrina Jeffries, Rosemary Laurey, Kim Lenox, Melissa Mayhue, Nalini Singh & Beth Williamson. I wish I could name them all but there are just so many. Thank you, we had a blast. Happy reading to everyone!
Kellie's Reading Gang with Authors Jane Porter & Cherry Adair
Updated my blog
Well it's been almost 2 months since I updated my blog. I finally did it. I've updated my Readz lists to the left & posted new books to my in box. I've been having problems with the comment section. So I'm sorry if you can't leave me a comment. I hope to fix it a little later. I haven't had time to write any reviews. I hope to get to that latter. For now enjoy the pictures. Mahalo
My In Box:
These two are my most current purchases from Amazon & B&N:
These are my August & September Contest Wins:
These are my August & September Contest Wins:
These two books were given to me from my sister-in-law. These are new authors to add to my TBR list:
New To My Shelf:
These two books are recent contest wins. Thanks to Joy Nash & Something Wicked:
Annette McCleave from Borders and Larissa Ione from B&N are new authors for me. Can't wait to start these two series:
These books are from Borders and are continuing series I have to finish reading:
These books are from B&N. As you can see, I need to catch-up on series I haven't quite finished yet:
My Review: The Kitchen Witch (Accidental Witch Trilogy, Bk 1) by Annette Blair - 3.75 stars
Don't let the title fool you. This read more like a plain or contemporary romance story. There are no real witches or magic in this book. It was a slow read for me. However, it was a cute tale and I don't regret reading it. I will eventually read the rest of the trilogy.
Lucky in Love Give Away - Ends 9/30/09
Blurb from Goodreads:
When hunky rancher "Lucky Beau" Luckadeau accuses spitfire Milli Torres of stealing his prize bull, she promptly shoots at him, triggering a feud that only gets resolved when they discover they share a steamy hot memory from a night long ago…
It was a night of passion that has always haunted Lucky. The mysterious beauty he seduced at a cousin's wedding disappeared. He's always been lucky at cards, lucky with cattle, and lucky with land, but he's never been lucky in love.
Now Milli Torres has come to southern Oklahoma to help out on her grandfather's ranch. A cut fence and a big, mean Angus bull in the pasture are bad enough, but then she looks up and sees Beau Luckadeau. Great God Almighty, how did he get from Louisiana to Ardmore, Oklahoma, and what in the hell is she going to do if he recognizes her?
Today Interview & Contest with Annette McCleave on SciFiGuy.ca
Excerpt:“I promise not to take more than five minutes of his time.” Drusus smiled again, deeper and longer this time, diving through the protective layers of her conscious mind. Devout believers could not be possessed, but they could be influenced. All it took was a firm, gentle touch.
The nun’s shoulders eased and she beckoned him farther inside. “Can’t see the harm in that. Come, I’ll show you to his room.”
He followed her up the stairs, flinching as he narrowly avoided bumping his shoulder on a large wooden crucifix on the wall. The scent of lemons was harsh now, burning his nostrils, clawing at his skin, but he pushed on. Everything worth having demanded a high price. And he was close to his prize; he could sense the faint undercurrent of the relic’s power.
The old nun smiled shyly at him as she waved him into the sparsely furnished bedroom at the end of the hall. Feeling magnanimous, he returned her smile.
Then he faced the priest.
Like the other Protectors he’d encountered over the years, this one recognized him immediately, despite the intricate human veneer he’d adopted for the occasion. Something in the eyes, perhaps. No matter, it simplified his task. He shut the door.
“Let’s get to the point, shall we? The Linen, if you will.”
“You’re too late,” the priest responded. “It’s gone.”
The words snatched the breath from his lungs, their meaning instantly clear: Although there’d been nothing but confusion in his eyes last night, at some point MacGregor had experienced an epiphany. He’d stolen the Linen. Again. “When did he come?”
The rosary in the priest’s hands slid from one bead to the next as he prayed, silently weaving a powerful shield. “Just after lunch.”
Click on the picture above to be linked to SciFiGuy.ca. Also check out Annette's website for her blog tour dates.
Contest: The Calling by David Mack
Contest: The Calling by David Mack - Ends August 31, 2009
BLURB:
HEAR THE CALLING.
No one would guess by looking at Tom Nash that he's extraordinary, and that's just fine with him. A tall, broad-shouldered jack-of-all-trades from Sawyer, Pennsylvania, Tom has a knack for fixing things. He also hides a secret talent: he hears people's prayers. Stranger still, he answers them. Maybe it's because he's a handyman, but Tom feels compelled to fix people's problems. Which is all well and good — until the soul-shattering plea of a terrified girl sends him on the darkest journey of his life…
SEEK THE TRUTH.
Heeding the call and leaving his home for New York City, Tom discovers a secret world beyond the range of mortal perception — a world of angels and demons and those who serve them. With the guidance of a knowing stranger named Erin, Tom learns that he himself is one of The Called, born with a divine purpose and a daunting task: to help the powers of Heaven in the war against the agents of Hell, an army of fallen angels known as the Scorned. Thrust into an epic battle of the sacred and the profane, Tom Nash must find the girl who prayed for his help — because her fate will determine whether humanity deserves to be saved, or damned for all eternity…
SEEK THE TRUTH.
Heeding the call and leaving his home for New York City, Tom discovers a secret world beyond the range of mortal perception — a world of angels and demons and those who serve them. With the guidance of a knowing stranger named Erin, Tom learns that he himself is one of The Called, born with a divine purpose and a daunting task: to help the powers of Heaven in the war against the agents of Hell, an army of fallen angels known as the Scorned. Thrust into an epic battle of the sacred and the profane, Tom Nash must find the girl who prayed for his help — because her fate will determine whether humanity deserves to be saved, or damned for all eternity…
