Waiting on Wednesday: Volume 1 Issue 12

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. It is showcases upcoming releases of books that I'm looking forward to. It is somewhat similar to one of my previous posts, Anxiously Awaiting.

Title: Four Play

Author: Maya Banks & Shayla Black

Release Date: October 5, 2010

Zoe Michaels may be in a committed relationship with her boyfriend Chase, but there’s no lack of heat between her and her other two roommates Brody and Tate. After all, the three guys are all firefighters. Then one night, Chase reveals his number-one fantasy: for Zoe to perform an everything-goes strip tease for his two best buddies. A turn-on for them means a turn-on for him. And for Zoe? It proves to be even more, and it opens the door for a secret desire all her own to come true.

Review: A Fostered Love by Cameron Dane

Title: A Fostered Love
Author: Cameron Dane
Published: March 24, 2009
Publisher: Loose-Id
Format: E-Book
Source: Personal Library
Characters: Christian Sanchez, Jonah Roberts
My Rating:

Synopsis

Christian Sanchez never thought he would see Jonah Roberts again. Foster brothers for a short time as teens, Christian developed a massive crush on Jonah, his tough, older roommate. That all ended when the cops came and arrested Jonah, stealing him from Christian’s uncertain world.

Jonah never forgot Christian, even though he cut off all contact with the boy. Jonah knew the kid with the crush on him would be better off forgetting that Jonah ever existed. Jonah stayed in contact with his foster mother Marisol, but refused to hear stories about Christian, and made the woman promise never to tell Christian anything about him.

Fifteen years later, Marisol passes away. She leaves a request that Jonah come home and help Christian renovate her house. Jonah can’t refuse, even though he knows he will have to face Christian once again.

Although they haven’t seen each other in years, neither man has forgotten the other. Neither man will deny Marisol her final request either…even if it means facing their past, working together, sharing the room they had as teens, getting to know one another now as men, and discovering that the brief friendship they shared has altered into a consuming, abiding love.

I've enjoyed previous Cameron Dane novels but this one was a little lacking. It was a lot of sex but not much else. I didn't form any kind of connection with either Jonah or Christian. The couple of flashback scenes throughout the book seemed to be one of the highlights of the book.

Teaser Tuesday: Where Have All the Cowboys Gone by Kate Pearce

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB @ Should Be Reading. To participate, all you have to do is the following:

• Grab your current/upcoming read
• Open to a random page
• Share 2-3 "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers! (You do not want to ruin the book for others.)

Share the title & author so that others who enjoy your "teaser" may add the book to their TBL pile.

"Honey, that  is one gorgeous hunk of a man. It's a wonder he allowed you out of bed long enough to get on a plane. How can you bear to leave him?"

Lauren cleared her throat and refused to look back for a glimpse of Grayson striding away from her. She managed a shaky smile for the enthralled cabin attendants. "I don't know."

page 124; Where Have All the Cowboys Gone? by Kate Pearce

Review: Crazy for Love by Victoria Dahl

Title: Crazy for Love
Author: Victoria Dahl
Published: July 1, 2010
Publisher: HQN
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 376
Source: Personal Library
Characters: Chloe Turner, Max Sullivan
My Rating:

Synopsis

Chloe Turner thought she was going to marry the perfect man--until her fiancé's plane crashed. And then she got the really bad news: he'd tried to fake his own death to avoid marrying her. Now America's most famous bridezilla (a tag she most definitely does not deserve), Chloe escapes to a remote island to avoid the paparazzi. And right next door is a man who just might be the cure for Chloe's heartache....

A magnet for wild, complicated women, Max Sullivan is relieved to have finally found someone "normal." Chloe is his girl-next-door fantasy come to life, and best of all, she gets him. With her, he can be himself, a treasure-hunting millionaire who desperately wants out of his sexy but reckless job. But when Chloe's notoriety catches up with them, will their torrid romance make it to the mainland?

I'm not surprised that I enjoyed this book, because I have yet to come across a Victoria Dahl book that I don't enjoy. Max and Chloe meet while on vacation and are instantly attracted to each other. Both have their own issues and baggage, and both are trying to keep them hidden from each other. Chloe's ex-fiance faked his own death and everyone assumes he did it to get away from Chloe. Max has this OCD type complex to help/save everyone he encounters. So these two seem to be a match made in heaven, except that Max is trying to break this habit of saving every damsel in distress.

As always, I found myself laughing throughout the book. Chloe was always saying the most outrageous things! The side romance between Chloe's BFF Jenn and Max's brother Elliott was so sweet. Elliott is the sexy nerd type and Jenn is the supermodel type with an innocence and vulnerability. They both think they're out of each others league but finally make a go of it. Their relationship added something extra to the story, like the icing on the cake.

In My Mailbox: Volume 1 Issue 10

In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Every week I'll post what books I've received either by mailbox/library/store.

I'll try to post an entry of IMM every Sunday that I receive books by mail of that week.

Listed below are the books I received this week.

Books via Bookmooch

Ain't Too Proud to Beg by Susan Donovan

Books via PaperbackSwap

Night's Promise by Sandy Lynn

Where Have All the Cowboys Gone by Kate Pearce

On My Wishlist: Volume 1 Issue 10

On my Wishlist is a weekly meme hosted by Book Chick City. I'll try to participate in this meme each week either on Saturday or Sunday. I will be posting books that I haven't bought yet or have not been released yet.


Title: Missing Linc

Author: Kori Roberts

Published: January 20, 2009
Publisher: Loose Id

Rocked by the bitter betrayal of their former lover, Tomi and Mitch spent years picking up the pieces in order to mend their damaged relationship. They never imagined they'd find a third again. However, they never expected to meet someone like Linc. He's all the things they were missing in their relationship. Now that they've met him, they can't imagine their lives without him in it.

After suffering devastating personal and professional losses, Linc has relocated and rebuilt his world, with the painful memories of his past safely stashed away, and his heart closely guarded in order to avoid being hurt again. Then Linc meets Tomi and Mitch. In them, he discovers what true happiness really means, and finds real love for the first time in his life.

But after their past experiences, Mitch and Tomi, and lover Linc, are afraid to admit their feelings have grown deeper than a hot, sexy fling. None of them want to ruin what they have - Mitch and Tomi's relationship, a new life - but they didn't know how much they needed each other until their relationship abruptly ends and they are forced to walk away. Now they'll have to find a way to reconcile before they spend their lives missing Linc.

Title: Mrs. Robin's Sons

Author: Kori Roberts

Published: May 2008

Publisher: Loose Id

When Nick and Rylee meet, their attraction is instantaneous and undeniable, in spite of their age differences. They share a night of pleasure together that turns into a weekend they won’t soon forget, and leads to a relationship that neither of them can resist.

As Rylee comes to terms with how much she cares for Nick, she finds herself physically drawn to his brother, Noah. She discovers that her attraction to Noah is returned, and she’s forced to decide between what she wants, and what’s right.

But, Nick and Noah make it easy for her. They’re both crazy about Rylee, and are more than willing to share. As their three-way relationship grows, so does Rylee’s love for these two brothers who make her feel complete.

However, ‘happily ever after’ isn’t so easy to find. As they struggle to build a life together, disapproving family and friends threaten to destroy their happiness, and leaves Rylee to wonder whether loving two men is the answer she’s been seeking, or if she’s set herself up for twice the heartache.

But, everything isn’t always as it appears. And, in the end, they prove that nothing is strong enough to break the bond of true love.

Book Blogger Hop: June 25-28, 2010

It's Book Blogger Hop time! Check out Crazy-For-Books to sign up and find more great blogs.

ABOUT THE HOP:

In the spirit of the Friday Follow, I thought it would be cool to do a Book Blogger Hop to give us all book bloggers and readers a chance to connect and find new blogs that we may be missing out on! So, I created this weekly BOOK PARTY where book bloggers and readers can connect to find new blogs to read, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start PARTYING!!

Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews. And if that's how you found my blog, please leave a comment to let me know. Sign up and start hopping!

Cover Crush {3}

Cover Crush (Attraction) is a meme that is hosted by Marcia @ The Printed Page. My meme is somewhat a cross between Marcia's Cover Attraction and Book Chick City's Cover Crush. In this meme, I'll be posting covers of books that I find beautiful, appealing, interesting, or that just catch my eye.

This week's cover choices:

Naked

Megan Hart
August 2010

No strings. No regrets. And no going back.

I didn’t think he wanted me. And I wasn’t about to get involved with him, not after what I’d heard. Alex Kennedy was tall, dark and unbearably hot, but I’ve been burned before. Maybe it was stupid of me to offer but he needed a place to crash and I needed to pay the rent, but now he’s my tenant…with benefits. And now that we’ve crossed that line, I can’t seem to find my way back.

But I can’t give my heart to a man who’s so…unconventional. His last sexual relationship was with a married couple. It’s enough that my ex-fiancé preferred men, I won’t take that chance again no matter how much my body thrives on Alex’s touch. I can’t risk it, but I can’t resist it, either.

Alex can be very convincing when he wants something.

And he wants me.

The Perfect Play

Jaci Burton
February 2011

Football pro Mick Riley is an all-star, both on the field and in the bedroom. But a sexy, determinedly single mom just might be the one to throw him off his game…

For years Mick has been taking full advantage of the life available to a pro athlete: fame, fortune, and a different girl in every city. But when he meets and beds confident, beautiful event planner Tara Lincoln, he wants much more than the typical one-night stand. Too bad Tara’s not interested in getting to know football’s most notorious playboy any better.

As the single mother of a teenage son, the last thing Tara needs is the jet-set lifestyle of Mick Riley; even though their steamy and passionate one-night stand was unforgettable. Tara’s life is complicated enough without being thrust into the spotlight as Mick’s latest girl du jour. Tara played the game of love once and lost big, and she doesn’t intend to put herself out there again, especially with a heartbreaker like Mick.

But when Mick sets his mind to win, nothing will stop him. And he has the perfect play in mind.

Isn’t it just yummy?

Burton's The Perfect Play cover looks absolutely delicious, and Hart's Naked, the title alone is reason enough to check it out.

Waiting on Wednesday: Volume 1 Issue 11

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. It is showcases upcoming releases of books that I'm looking forward to. It is somewhat similar to one of my previous posts, Anxiously Awaiting.

Title: Kade: Armed and Dangerous

Author: Cheyenne McCray

Release Date: October 26, 2010


The Blurb

After a bitter divorce, reporter Kelsey Nichols has erected a border around her heart too strong for any man to cross. She’s not ready for a relationship of any kind with any man. But when Kelsey meets Kade she can think of nothing but being in his powerful arms and in his bed.

Intelligence Agent Kade Owen is hot on the trail of a notorious smuggler when the sensual blonde reporter comes into his life. Once he gets a hold of Kelsey, nothing will stop Kade from winning her heart.

Teaser Tuesday: Crazy for Love by Victoria Dahl

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB @ Should Be Reading. To participate, all you have to do is the following:

• Grab your current/upcoming read
• Open to a random page
• Share 2-3 "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers! (You do not want to ruin the book for others.)

Share the title & author so that others who enjoy your "teaser" may add the book to their TBL pile.

"You're going to make out with me just to keep me from swimming!"

This time his whole body jerked back when his chin drew in. Chloe gave him a disappointed push to help him along.

"What?" he huffed.

"You don't want me to swim at night, so you're pretending you want to make out!"

Panic flashed in his eyes, but Max assumed an incredulous expression.

page 84; Crazy for Love by Victoria Dahl

Review: Honeysuckle Summer by Sherryl Woods

Title: Honeysuckle Summer
Author: Sherryl Woods
Published: May 25, 2010
Publisher: Mira
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 384
Source: Personal Library
Characters: Raylene Hammond, Carter Rollins
My Rating:

Synopsis

Her devastating marriage behind her, Raylene Hammond is truly thankful for her best friends, the Sweet Magnolias. They've taken her in, shielding her from the world. Then she meets sheriff's deputy Carter Rollins, and suddenly Raylene's haven no longer feels quite so safe.

Carter understands why Raylene is trapped inside. He's even taken to bringing the outside world to her. But with two kid sisters to raise, just how much time can he devote to this woman who's stolen his heart?

Raylene knows Carter is a man worth loving, but she may never be strong enough to accept what he's offering. How long can she ask him to wait? Maybe they'll never have more than this one sweet summer.

Raylene and Carter meet under misfortunate circumstances, and Carter takes an immediate dislike and attraction to her. She also has an immediate attraction to him, which she is surprised by due to her history with her ex-husband.

The story progresses rather slowly from there and tends to drag on a little too much. The side stories between Walter and Rory Sue and Carter's sister kept the story moving along. We did see all the cast from the previous books, but I don't recall any sightings of Mary Vaughn and her husband Sonny, which I would have liked to catch up with since the last book ended with her being on bed rest for the remain of her pregnancy.

In My Mailbox: Volume 1 Issue 9

In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Every week I'll post what books I've received either by mailbox/library/store.

I'll try to post an entry of IMM every Sunday that I receive books by mail of that week.

Listed below are the books I received this week.

                                                           Books via Half Price Books

Light Cooking

Bound, Branded, & Brazen by Jaci Burton

Books given to me FREE

The Road to Wealth by Suze Orman

On My Wishlist: Volume 1 Issue 9

On my Wishlist is a weekly meme hosted by Book Chick City. I'll try to participate in this meme each week either on Saturday or Sunday. I will be posting books that I haven't bought yet or have not been released yet.


Title: Every Road Leads Back to You

Author: Kori Roberts

Published: July 10, 2007
Publisher: Loose Id

When Clarke, chef and co-owner of a family restaurant, met hotass tough-cop Jack, it was love at first sight. Despite their ten-year age difference, she's determined to have him. She's not above shaking her tail, and her toys, to get him.

Jack has been fighting his growing attraction to Clarke since they met, but the more he tries to resist her, the more he craves her. Unfortunately for him, Clarke seems to sense his weakness and keeps moving right on in for the kiss, if not the kill.

Just when Jack thinks he'll give it up, give in to Clarke and how they feel, an enemy from his past throws up roadblocks. Fortunately, when it comes to love, age is just a number and even the worst revelations can be overcome, because the roads of the heart all lead the same place.

Title: Colter's Lady

Author: Maya Banks

Published: June 1, 2010
Publisher: Samhain Publishing

When police officer Seth Colter sees the delicate, shabbily dressed beauty in line at the soup kitchen where he's serving, he's gut shot over the idea of her being on the streets cold and alone. More baffling is the dark, possessive instinct that tells him she belongs to him.
For Lily Weston, home is a secluded nook in a back alley?until Seth offers her a place to stay. She's wary of his offer, but even one night out of the cold is too much temptation to resist.

Seth is convinced Lily is his. The problem is, when his brothers lay eyes on her, the same primitive instinct comes roaring to the surface. The Colters never imagined they'd follow the unconventional path of their fathers, but they can't ignore their mutual need to offer Lily their protection?and their love. But before Lily and the brothers can forge a future together, they must heal the deep wounds of her past.

The Friday 56: Candid Camera by Susie Charles

The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Tonya @ Storytime With Tonya and Friends. Check out the rules and join in the fun.

Rules:

• Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
• Turn to page 56.
• Find the fifth sentence.
• Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
• Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
• Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

He grinned. "Yeah, shame about her timing." More than a shame, he could wring her scrawny neck! Grabbing a robe off the hook behind the door, he wrapped her in it,  kissing her lightly on the forehead before releasing her. "Remember, we ain't done yet."

page 56; Candid Camera by Susie Charles

Book Blogger Hop: June 18-21, 2010

It's Book Blogger Hop time! Check out Crazy-For-Books to sign up and find more great blogs.

ABOUT THE HOP:

In the spirit of the Friday Follow, I thought it would be cool to do a Book Blogger Hop to give us all book bloggers and readers a chance to connect and find new blogs that we may be missing out on! So, I created this weekly BOOK PARTY where book bloggers and readers can connect to find new blogs to read, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start PARTYING!!

Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews. And if that's how you found my blog, please leave a comment to let me know. Sign up and start hopping!

Review: Almost Perfect by Susan Mallery

Title: Almost Perfect
Author: Susan Mallery
Published: June 29, 2010
Publisher: HQN
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 379
Source: Personal Library
Characters: Liz Sutton, Ethan Hendrix
My Rating:

Synopsis

Back in high school, Liz Sutton was the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Then she’d stolen the heart of the most popular boy in town, and their secret romance helped her through the worst of times. Until Ethan Hendrix betrayed her and everything they’d ever meant to each other. Devastated and pregnant, Liz left Fool’s Gold, California – forever, she thought…

Now Liz must return to town and face the man who doesn’t know of their son’s existence. And this time she won’t have the option of making a quick getaway. Ethan and Liz can’t deny their passionate attraction, even after all these years. But will their desire be enough to spark a second chance at love?

I loved how this book started out with Liz believing Ethan wanted nothing to do with her or their son. I really liked both the hero and heroine and their interaction with each other. The story just took off, there wasn't a lot of filler pages before getting to the point, which is always a plus to me. It was emotional in the sense that you could understand both of the point of views of the situation.

Ethan did start to annoy me and make me care less about what he was feeling or going through. I just felt he could have handled the situation a litter better. Granted Liz didn't handle it great either, but she had the excuse of been a teenage mom, whereas Ethan's bad behavior took place as an adult. He did redeem himself to me in the last few pages, of course.

I guess this is what you would call a feel good story because I found myself hoping they would work things out even though Ethan did handle the situation poorly. I most definitely recommend reading the series, and I hope it's not just a trilogy. I would love to see what happens with Ethan's sisters: Nevada, Montana, and Dakota.