Review: The Storm That is Sterling by Lisa Renee Jones

The Storm That is Sterling
Lisa Renee Jones
Series: Zodius #2
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publish Date: November 1, 2011
Mass Market Paperback {p.339}
Source: Publisher
Genre: Paranormal, Sci-Fi
Rebecca Burns, Sterling Jeter
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

Sterling Jeter, Renegade Super Soldier, is fearless, powerful, and wildly unpredictable. His life-threatening mission is to save the beautiful, brilliant astrobiologist Rebecca Burns from ruthless villain Adam Rain. But their immutable mutual attraction threatens to put them in the path of death... or worse...

This book drew me in from the prologue. I was instantly intrigued by Sterling and the blossoming relationship he had with Rebecca. You could tell there was a mutual attraction that had the possibility of becoming more.

Fast forward 14 years later that attraction is still there. Only this time they also have a little issue with trusting one another. With both the Renegades and the Zodius trying to get their hands on Rebecca, she doesn’t know which team Sterling is playing for.

This is another action-packed installment to this paranormal series. It’s a fast-paced read with something for everyone. Even the secondary characters bring something to the table other than just filling pages. There’s never a dull moment with this series.

In My Mailbox {71}

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/library/store of that week.

Books via Bookmooch

Oceans of Fire by Christine Feehan

Books via Half Price Books

Along for the Ride by Michelle M. Pillow

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

Clay: Armed & Dangerous by Cheyenne McCray

Nothing But Trouble by Rachel Gibson

Out of Sight by Stella Cameron

Seduction of a Highland Lass by Maya Banks

Take Me There by Susane Colasanti

Waiting for You by Susane Colasanti

When it Happens by Susane Colasanti

Books via Paperback Swap

The Game by Mackenzie McKade

Books via Publisher

Say You'll Be Mine by Julia Amante

The 50 States Reading Challenge 2012 Sign Up

January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012

Are you ready to take the challenge!?!

The goal of this challenge is to read books that are set in each of the fifty states. Your books can be of any genre and any format (ie. paperback, ebook, audiobook, etc.). No short stories. Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are fine. (Re-read reviews must be written within the year 2012; you can not use old reviews.)

You can list your books in advance or list them as you read them. The idea of this challenge came from a Goodreads group. 


**Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
**Non-Bloggers: Sign up in the comments section. Post your reviews with other book sites (ie. Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, Shelfari, etc.) and post the link in the comments section of the 50 States Reading Challenge. (will post January 1).

When you sign up on Mr. Linky, put the direct link to your blog post about this challenge. Include a link to this post, so that your followers can sign up too! You can either list your books on your challenge post, sidebar, or a page dedicated to your challenges.

Feel free to sign the Mister Linky with your name and blog name. (ie. Tasha (Book Obsessed)) or just your blog name (ie. Book Obsessed) You are welcome to sign up now, but please check back on January 1, 2012 for the 50 States Reading Challenge Review Link! (You will be able to link your review of the book for others to read and drive traffic to your blog.)

<br /> <a href="http://www.book-obsessed.com/2011/10/50-states-reading-challenge-2012-sign.html/"><img alt="Book Obsessed" src=" http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc365/avidbookaholic/blog%20banners%20buttons%20and%20pics/flag.jpg” /></a><br />

*grab this button for your sidebar

Reading Challenges 2012

50 States Challenge
January 1, 2012- December 31, 2012
Hosted by: Book Obsessed

 

Alabama
Alaska:
Arizona:
Arkansas
California: Redwood Bend
Colorado: Just One Taste {The Guy Next Door}
Connecticut:
Delaware
Florida: Gail, Gone Wild {The Guy Next Door}
Georgia: Baby, Come Home
Hawaii:
Idaho:
Illinois:
Indiana:
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky: The Queen of Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine:
Maryland
Massachusetts: Silver Girl
Michigan:
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri:
Montana:
Nebraska
Nevada:
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York: Deliver Me From Darkness
North Carolina:
North Dakota
Ohio: Ready, Set, Jett {The Guy Next Door}
Oklahoma:
Oregon
Pennsylvania:
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee:
Texas: The Cowboy Takes a Bride
Utah
Vermont
Virginia:
Washington:
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming:

 

 

 

Antonym Reading Challenge
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Level: Bachelors {20 books}
Hosted by: Book Obsessed

 

1.

• Baby, Come Home by Stephanie Bond
• Baby, Don't Go by Stephanie Bond

2.

• Silver Girl by Elin Hilderbrand
• The Guy Next Door by Lori Foster, Susan Donovan, Victoria Dahl

 

 

Men in Uniform Reading Challenge
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Level: Captain {11-15 books}
Hosted by: The Book Vixen

 

 

 

Young Adult Reading Challenge
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Level: Mini {12 books}
Hosted by: The Eclectic Bookshelf

1. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
2. The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker
3. Pure by Julianna Baggott
4. Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

 

 

 

Romance Reading Challenge
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Level: 4 {15+ books}
Hosted by: The Eclectic Bookshelf

1. Dylan by C.H. Admirand
2. Baby, Come Home by Stephanie Bond
3. Baby, Don't Go by Stephanie Bond
4. A Perfect Storm by Lori Foster
5. Deliver Me From Darkness by Tes Hilaire
6. Stud by Cheryl Brooks
7. The Guy Next Door by Lori Foster
8. The Cowboy Takes a Bride by Lori Wilde
9. Redwood Bend by Robyn Carr
10. Sweet Possession by Maya Banks
11. Time For a Fresh One by Lexi Michaels

 

 

 

Reading Bucket List
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Level: Mid-sized Sedan {8 books}
Hosted by: The Eclectic Bookshelf

My list is here.

1. Sweet Possession by Maya Banks

 

 

What's in a Name Challenge
January 2012 - December 2012
Hosted by: Beth Fish Reads

 

• topographical feature (land formation) in the title: Black Hills, Purgatory Ridge, Emily of Deep Valley
• something you'd see in the sky in the title: Moon Called, Seeing Stars, Cloud Atlas
• creepy crawly in the title: Little Bee, Spider Bones, The Witches of Worm
• type of house in the title: The Glass Castle, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Ape House
• something you'd carry in your pocket, purse, or backpack in the title: Sarah's Key, The Scarlet Letter, Devlin Diary
• something you'd find on a calendar in the title: Day of the Jackal, Elegy for April, Freaky Friday, Year of Magical Thinking

 

 

Sports Reading Challenge
January 2012 - December 2012
Level: Pee-Wee {1-3 books}
Hosted by: Crazy Book Slut

 

And the Winner is...

Always a Temptress by Eileen Dreyer

P.S. Winners ~ Don't forget Eileen stopped by for the giveaway and posted this in the comments:

Eileen Dreyer said...[Reply]
Tasha--Thanks so much for hosting this giveaway. It's a pleasure to be here. And anybody who wins, I'm happy to autograph your book or send you an autographed book plate. Just let me know via my website.
Best of luck!

Review: Out of Bounds by Ann Jacobs

Out of Bounds
Ann Jacobs
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Publish Date: August 30, 2006
Kindle {p.262}
Source: Personal Library
Genre: Erotica, BDSM
Dani Murdock, Brand Carendon
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

Young love that had to end...
He loved his rag doll, pretty Dani Murdock from the wrong side of the tracks. She filled his heart, his life with the kind of love he'd only ever dreamed could be his. But as college loomed, even their love and a rushed marriage couldn't keep them together when malicious lies and harsh words ripped them apart. The worst day of his life was the day Dani ran away, not only leaving him brokenhearted, but taking with her a secret that would take years to be revealed.

Lust destined to be satisfied...
Twelve years later, all-pro quarterback Brand Carendon rediscovers his first love...and their son. But the years-and time apart-have changed them both. For Dani, the golden boy she loved is gone, replaced by a man hardened by life, with no love for any other but the son he never knew he had. For Brand, the only woman he's ever loved, who can fire his blood with just a look, the lightest touch, Dani is the perfect submissive, his perfect mate, if only he dares trust her after she left him years ago without a word.

Dani and Brand had been apart for 12 years but picked back up like it had only been a day. These two couldn’t seem to get enough of each other.

Brand and Dani were both likeable, relatable characters that could pass as your next door neighbors. Even though there was a heavy amount of sex, the storyline was strong enough to stand on its own without the sex.

The few struggles they did face were within their own family. Most of which were with Brand’s mother and daughter and some from their son. Although I did feel Dani could have stood up for herself a little more, especially where her son was concerned. I just don't think that was realistic of her to stand by and take a lot of that from a child.

Out of Bounds was an enjoyable read with strong, well-written characters.

Book Beginnings & Friday 56: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice. Check out the rules and join in the fun.

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.

Book Beginnings on Friday is a meme hosted by A Few More Pages. Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence, or two, of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading.

Book Beginnings:

The ornate script on the board twisted in the candlelight, making the letters and numbers dance in my head. They were jumbled and indistinct, like alphabet soup.

Friday 56:

We watched as two of them vied on opposite ends of the lot for the same space; one of the waiting vehicles, a black Mercedes sedan, squealed its tires as the driver propelled it forward into the spot, cutting off the other car, a blue Focus.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Review: In Bed With a Highlander by Maya Banks

In Bed With a Highlander
Maya Banks
Series: McCabe Trilogy #1
Publisher Ballantine Books
Publish Date: August 30, 2011
Kindle {p.368}
Source: Public Library
Genre: Historical
Characters: Mairin Stewart, Ewan McCabe
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

Ewan McCabe, the eldest, is a warrior determined to vanquish his enemy. Now, with the time ripe for battle, his men are ready and Ewan is poised to take back what is his—until a blue-eyed, raven-haired temptress is thrust upon him. Mairin may be the salvation of Ewan’s clan, but for a man who dreams only of revenge, matters of the heart are strange territory to conquer.

The illegitimate daughter of the king, Mairin possesses prized property that has made her a pawn—and wary of love. Her worst fears are realized when she is rescued from peril only to be forced into marriage by her charismatic and commanding savior, Ewan McCabe. But her attraction to her ruggedly powerful new husband makes her crave his surprisingly tender touch; her body comes alive under his sensual mastery. And as war draws near, Mairin’s strength, spirit, and passion challenge Ewan to conquer his demons—and embrace a love that means more than revenge and land.

Mairin is hiding out with nuns because if anyone finds out who she truly is they’ll use her to gain control of the dowry. The read starts out rather interesting enough with Mairin being kidnapped. Mairin is no meek, mild lady, she puts up a fight throughout the novel.

She manages to get away from her kidnappers and snag her a good and honorable man for her husband. Ewan and his two brothers were great men. I truly enjoyed watching them interact with each other and with Mairin.

I found myself getting a bit bored with some of the storyline. I skipped numerous pages that just seemed to drag on. The only thing that made me finish this one was the fact that I wanted to know who the culprit behind Mairin’s misfortunate events was.