tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40457215157721850322024-03-14T00:30:25.641-05:00Randomness and Reading by ChristinaChristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.comBlogger417125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-9855747246017222302023-04-09T18:44:00.009-05:002023-04-21T19:05:41.150-05:00Heart Thief by Claire Thompson<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxXPUMkpIAOx09NnMAq_eBi94yhIEGeQP4bAI_7jSSaYRuQCE25hVwsnWZ9-I8bf5pHHjbfrVkHy5TiPaN9zlpv6L1jNJ9quGx2BM8EbwkQSABgpS2dLtZ35tGlIGEGvK3zcE9YbKoaoZracfrDdM__ruy4Fpk50QPsQpX-aMRB_kcuKXaZM8yg_O/s300/heart%20thief.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxXPUMkpIAOx09NnMAq_eBi94yhIEGeQP4bAI_7jSSaYRuQCE25hVwsnWZ9-I8bf5pHHjbfrVkHy5TiPaN9zlpv6L1jNJ9quGx2BM8EbwkQSABgpS2dLtZ35tGlIGEGvK3zcE9YbKoaoZracfrDdM__ruy4Fpk50QPsQpX-aMRB_kcuKXaZM8yg_O/w267-h400/heart%20thief.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Title: Heart Thief</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Author: Claire Thompson</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Series: Serving His Master (#5 in the series)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Genre: Contemporary Wester M/M Romance</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Publisher: Romance Unbound Publishing (July 8, 2011)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Source: Kindle Unlimited</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ☕☕</span></p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Synopsis:</span></b> <b>Caught in the snare of a cruel Dom… Only a cowboy’s love can set him free… </b></p><p>Sawyer Croft has been through hell and back, and come out the stronger for it. A cowboy to his core, he’s determined to help his father save their horse ranch. At the same time, he dreams of one day finding a man who understands the passion of sensual domination and the transcendence of erotic pain.</p><p><br /></p><p>After a stint in the Army, Luke Malone meets a powerful billionaire who offers him a job…with benefits. He’s intrigued by Glenn’s dominance and experience with BDSM, but Glenn’s penchant for rough sex and extreme control, as well as his reputation for the catch and release of sub boys, takes a toll. When Glenn sends Luke to an East Texas ranch to scope out a business deal, Luke knows he has been dismissed and replaced. </p><p><br /></p><p>While his connection with Sawyer sparks blazing need between them, deep emotional scars make Luke slow to trust again. Sawyer knows Luke won’t get past his anger and pain unless he can move through the feelings and then let them go. Together, they embark on a D/s journey that opens both their worlds in ways neither had ever imagined. </p><p><br /></p><p>That is, until Glenn decides he wants his boy back. And what Glenn wants, Glenn gets.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span></b> I really wanted to like this book, but it was seriously a bad example of the BDSM lifestyle. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else: </span></b>We have Luke, who realized he was a sub when he was approached by Glenn. Glenn is a really wealthy jackhole who pretty much uses the BDSM lifestyle to abuse his Subs. We weren't supposed to like Glenn but we were supposed to like Sawyer. The author was heavy handed with the way she "guided" us readers to those conclusions. Glenn = Bad. Sawyer = Good. I'd rather draw my own conclusions thank you very much. Also, not once did either Doms discuss limits, safe words, or after care (even though Sawyer did provide after care he didn't discuss this with Luke before any scenes started.) As Luke was new to the entire lifestyle all of this should have been number one with Sawyer after realizing Luke was pretty much a newbie even after spending a few months with Glenn. All Sawyer wanted to talk about was some weird pain equals a spiritual experience that could transcend the sub while deep into a scene. It reminded me of some sort of weird stuff a hippie would spout while high on 'shrooms.</p><p><br /></p><p>Besides all that there was an issue with the romance itself. we spent 1/3 of the book reading about Glenn's abusive tendencies (3 months in Luke's time) and only one week with Sawyer, where they jumped right into Luke being hog tied and hanging from a support beam on the day they met. Somehow, in that week, they fell in love. Of course, when their eyes met that first day birds sang their song of love, butterflies danced, and fireworks burst only for them. Just kidding but almost not. The author did add some poetic flowery words for the Sa-luke couple. Or is that Luyer? I don't know but I probably won't go back and read any more of this series knowing Thompson regularly writes BDSM stories.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">In a Nutshell:</span></b> I'm glad I read this book using my Kindle Unlimited subscription and even though the rest of the series is available to me with KU I probably won't go back and read any more knowing Thompson regularly writes BDSM stories and they are probably similar to this one. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGl20pRNNTJBB76TwFMzjWUKUPDYmg2D2mBCYEp5vwJx5GJSBAutcHK2oqyduXrfWH_Vmj6kMVMkQZLdc2lGKVZoZXwYu5_48KKRBkAST2Kv2WIUeB3D4yjynIzkolMayMKOnhS_-oVn1Btg2ppgjC90_Y_vhAMaWbZ9fV4tJBKWASFbinDOoOZWoA/s100/2%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="100" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGl20pRNNTJBB76TwFMzjWUKUPDYmg2D2mBCYEp5vwJx5GJSBAutcHK2oqyduXrfWH_Vmj6kMVMkQZLdc2lGKVZoZXwYu5_48KKRBkAST2Kv2WIUeB3D4yjynIzkolMayMKOnhS_-oVn1Btg2ppgjC90_Y_vhAMaWbZ9fV4tJBKWASFbinDOoOZWoA/s1600/2%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" width="100" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcTMPgn589DY6U1QeRFEBznL0YXOMEKah48j6BMYTbOyR5hhnKAM8w4KzE8xUmTKHu5mleR-1_4cUDS_53vgv0Z7CvS2NssYyQBwb-jqQpK6F3Grc42MLx7Fl-345YKO9-AKj2gzV14hThIEaOvHdzcJ7cOLfMwv82XLiO_JtZlEnkEEZ1zAmjFAp/s170/sig%20tag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcTMPgn589DY6U1QeRFEBznL0YXOMEKah48j6BMYTbOyR5hhnKAM8w4KzE8xUmTKHu5mleR-1_4cUDS_53vgv0Z7CvS2NssYyQBwb-jqQpK6F3Grc42MLx7Fl-345YKO9-AKj2gzV14hThIEaOvHdzcJ7cOLfMwv82XLiO_JtZlEnkEEZ1zAmjFAp/s1600/sig%20tag.png" width="170" /></a></div><br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-92069609501765386052022-09-28T20:48:00.011-05:002022-09-28T20:48:00.208-05:00Nighttime Wishes by M.A. Church<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVp4QOeNDuDNQ2VlzTJbFA2Zk4iSJJ1c-t8VARTds7s5xwSPjiz34eXMmP8EkRjjAmqKPa-nsEHfzZGvfEacQ1BVuzWtl_75oOjGDpaseU3lK2RMT19aCc-yvPAjnBUNHqEjIT83ubXw1C47fBjDWK3pQN4iScohuBIrAoZk51XF7dm2_iohMtnJzv/s500/nighttime%20wishes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVp4QOeNDuDNQ2VlzTJbFA2Zk4iSJJ1c-t8VARTds7s5xwSPjiz34eXMmP8EkRjjAmqKPa-nsEHfzZGvfEacQ1BVuzWtl_75oOjGDpaseU3lK2RMT19aCc-yvPAjnBUNHqEjIT83ubXw1C47fBjDWK3pQN4iScohuBIrAoZk51XF7dm2_iohMtnJzv/w266-h400/nighttime%20wishes.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Title: Nighttime Wishes</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Author: M.A. Church</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Series: #1 in the Make a Wish series</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Genre: M/M Sci-Fi Romance</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Publisher: M.A. Church, THIRD Edition pub. 2017 (first published May 10, 2012)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Source: Kindle Unlimited</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ☕☕☕☕</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Synopsis: </span>*Previously published in 2012 and 2015. This edition's cover has been changed but the story has not been changed*</p><p>Ziang, a tentacled warrior from the planet Maz'Rar, has come to Earth to claim his most precious prize and start a new life. When an unforeseen accident results in a crash landing, his plan for a quick removal of the human Shawn lays in a twisted ruin at his feet, much like his shuttlecraft. If that isn't enough, the FBI is sniffing around.</p><p>Confronted by the very same alien who observed him since he wished on a shooting star as a child, Shawn finds his initial inability to communicate with Ziang leads to misunderstanding and fear. Forced to hise until rescue arrives, tensions mount. Shawn learns of Ziang's intentions of taking him as a mate. Ziang, on the other hand, is completely befuddled at Shawn's less than stellar response to said taking.</p><p>As they wait, a spark ignites. Turns out humans and Maz'Rarians are very compatible--tentacles and all. Shawn falls for the big alien he jokingly call E.T. Now he must decide if he's willing to throw away all he knows to travel the stars with Ziang.</p><p>(Synopsis courtesy of GoodReads)</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span> A good introduction to MA Church's writing and, although, not an award-winning book, she completely hooked me on her Aliens and left me wanting more.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else: </span>3 days. That's as long as this storyline really lasted to create a believable romance. It didn't work as well for me, mostly because I don't like insta-love and in my eyes that is what this was. Never mind Ziang had been watching him practically his whole life. So that sounds creepier than it really was. Honestly. I wouldn't lie to you. Ziang was intrigued by the boy Shawn was as he didn't seem afraid of the "lights" he saw in the sky. Ziang then came back every 6 years or so to check up on Shawn and waited until Shawn was in his 20's before coming to claim him. Ok it still sounds a bit sketch but this romance really did work for me, and I don't consider myself to be skeezy so there it is.</p><p>I really liked the Aliens Church created although with some tentacle action (tentacles on the males where their hair would be) I really pictured more of a Predator/humanoid hybrid rather than E.T. and it kind of annoyed me with Shawn continually called Ziang this. I know it was supposed to lend a lighthearted humor to the book, but I think it missed the mark. </p><p>The sex was spicy enough and not overly done although I would have liked to know more about the Maz'Rarian's mating season. Ziang mentioned it was his time and it was a bit precarious for Shawn as the Maz'Rarian males could go into a Rut situation (like some animals here on Earth...I'm think like a Bull or Stallion type rutting.) Anyway, this wasn't explained enough for me. Like how long their mating season is and how often it happens etc. I like details and there wasn't enough for me. I think some additional details would have enhanced the storyline and I would have enjoyed it even more.</p><p>On a positive note, I really did like the Prologue. Although I have to be honest it did confuse me at first as to the time frame because there was an alien ship crash that happened in the Prologue and then the present-day chapter one opened up with a crash. It took me a while to realize it was 2 different crashes. Back to the prologue and the importance of the crash. I'll not go into details just in case you want to read for yourself, but I appreciated it and found it to be a positive to the storyline.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In a Nutshell:</span> I'm hooked and will definitely read book 2. As of this review there are only 2 books in the series, and I'm really interested in reading the next as it is set up really well towards the end of this first book.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvqkmGLqSxoVHRVQREpab6noF1_ocN_cA7JD4uSZA37q8cXiDhrZ_60nyxcAH21wuRCpz1470Bh87JSkvWU61x-Rt8kUWjmtrCeHKI4-ecuZF523EiGKILkUtkG1Sa93han1x48IcWd_11tf37sAMCRZnb_mphWzqziV3lW6QDmUVDss-G3VqDu-X/s198/4%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="198" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvqkmGLqSxoVHRVQREpab6noF1_ocN_cA7JD4uSZA37q8cXiDhrZ_60nyxcAH21wuRCpz1470Bh87JSkvWU61x-Rt8kUWjmtrCeHKI4-ecuZF523EiGKILkUtkG1Sa93han1x48IcWd_11tf37sAMCRZnb_mphWzqziV3lW6QDmUVDss-G3VqDu-X/s1600/4%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzV0NMRChF1ylGs0RuKtAbViJloAMyX4zYQuGjh7O_Ecf2CESdbnTO-lh4oX4eYssHe7YO5zG_Bxd6JaxP9pkf1pBKACQttdLEdbTA598BtluNkXj97lG1ksF-TFONwgS4kkcPp4BrYJKNSD_q-Kn2LVZqRQOOBG9jtc3LSTIhMjncCwjV57LjBgi/s170/sig%20tag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzV0NMRChF1ylGs0RuKtAbViJloAMyX4zYQuGjh7O_Ecf2CESdbnTO-lh4oX4eYssHe7YO5zG_Bxd6JaxP9pkf1pBKACQttdLEdbTA598BtluNkXj97lG1ksF-TFONwgS4kkcPp4BrYJKNSD_q-Kn2LVZqRQOOBG9jtc3LSTIhMjncCwjV57LjBgi/s1600/sig%20tag.png" width="170" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-42369249910501667972022-08-31T21:04:00.003-05:002022-08-31T21:04:36.829-05:00Cookies and Clairvoyance by Bailey Cates<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCqXfBH4R0UaaDCE-bfI-T2mT3QNpUetiFZgNvGUSfUB0W14bPLcoPQKYh7PUzuPZkbCM2C5jBR5g4HhG_teBrC7QMMC_YDmjLojNvh83AfjBEg0kZu03v_8xvE7P1QV9-FnBpw0uZOiGfLv_Sgm2VeBUD2EbnqFST798p1ZDveo6-xdJ8t88kPgC/s342/cookies%20and%20clairvoyance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="342" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCqXfBH4R0UaaDCE-bfI-T2mT3QNpUetiFZgNvGUSfUB0W14bPLcoPQKYh7PUzuPZkbCM2C5jBR5g4HhG_teBrC7QMMC_YDmjLojNvh83AfjBEg0kZu03v_8xvE7P1QV9-FnBpw0uZOiGfLv_Sgm2VeBUD2EbnqFST798p1ZDveo6-xdJ8t88kPgC/w400-h400/cookies%20and%20clairvoyance.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Title: Cookies and Clairvoyance</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Author: Bailey Cates</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Narrator: Amy Rubinate</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Series: #8 in The Magical Bakery series</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Genre: Cozy Mystery</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Publisher: <span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;">Berkley (August 27, 2019)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Source: Library Find</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ☕☕☕☕</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Synopsis:</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600;">Baker Katie Lightfoot serves up enchanted delicacies and tracks down a malicious murderer in the newest installment of this</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600;"> </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600;">New York Times</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600;">bestselling series...</span></p><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Hedgewitch Katie Lightfoot is juggling wedding preparations, a visit from her father, and home renovations on top of her long hours at the Honeybee Bakery, where she and her aunt Lucy imbue their yummy cookies and pastries with beneficial magic. But when firefighter Randy Post is accused of murdering a collector of rarities, and his prints are on the statue that was used to kill the man, Katie steps in. </span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Randy is not only Katie's fiancé's coworker, but also the boyfriend of fellow spellbook club member and witch Bianca Devereaux. Bianca and Declan are both sure Randy is innocent, and so is Katie. However, to prove it she'll have to work with ornery detective Peter Quinn again—and this time around he knows she's more than your everyday baker.</span><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span> Another great installment of this series!</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else:</span> Honestly, I didn't care for Katie's attitude this time around. I know her circumstances with her trying to finish the carriage house and planning her wedding and running a business and helping clear a friend's name kind of justifies her being grumpy. However, she was unnecessarily snarky to Declan who was super understanding and kind to her when a spell backfired changing her magical life. With that said, in the past I was on the fence about Declan because I didn't think he fully supported Katie and her magic. In this book I was completely in his corner because he proved he accepted her with everything in her life. </p><p><br /></p><p>The mystery was pretty good with multiple suspects, and I liked that Katie did her best to solve the mystery without the aid of her magic. The ending was satisfying but we'll have to wait another book for a wedding to happen. Also, poor Conal! </p><p>I listened to this book as I've listened to all of the previous books and once again Amy Rubinate did a great job narrating. I'm so used to her as Katie I don't know if I could get used to another voice by this point. Her voice work for the other characters are just as good especially Conal's. </p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In a Nutshell:</span> I love this series and I can't wait for to get to the next book!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADQXZWobHu1Fb0czwWqcEH9u7rJRcW9-C8AdAr-kZeiVhtkaNmnGfQelJ7CyyemkYsASRAZk1zMfzSRehBvXMnAZhNgyI54XxIkLvLrLet_2yXfAJtwZbXZ_KVfe9o2z3ivou7jXTza5oVKROZlBt1tRM10t0VfRBTFNQb4czqPs9i4IIk_5skIaI/s198/4%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="198" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADQXZWobHu1Fb0czwWqcEH9u7rJRcW9-C8AdAr-kZeiVhtkaNmnGfQelJ7CyyemkYsASRAZk1zMfzSRehBvXMnAZhNgyI54XxIkLvLrLet_2yXfAJtwZbXZ_KVfe9o2z3ivou7jXTza5oVKROZlBt1tRM10t0VfRBTFNQb4czqPs9i4IIk_5skIaI/s1600/4%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4CCV4VKZFYWQBDcAoeWkeAEV3EFbv5YMFqH8LS7kDuuHnXx5ckOusX8K_N2KoiTeHU1zHFz6h1mPz1KPi6d9xz4-F4QFYBP3AsxZ8s0-kACEGtOymxVCL9Dxl_EE__HIa2CLc_ETBD0PP2meOt7GTb4c_0HOd3_3pBckysZM2z9Y5ToMwnsmNVnX/s170/sig%20tag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4CCV4VKZFYWQBDcAoeWkeAEV3EFbv5YMFqH8LS7kDuuHnXx5ckOusX8K_N2KoiTeHU1zHFz6h1mPz1KPi6d9xz4-F4QFYBP3AsxZ8s0-kACEGtOymxVCL9Dxl_EE__HIa2CLc_ETBD0PP2meOt7GTb4c_0HOd3_3pBckysZM2z9Y5ToMwnsmNVnX/s1600/sig%20tag.png" width="170" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-38664775526758987302022-08-30T16:41:00.002-05:002022-08-30T16:41:30.227-05:00Abduction by Amelita Rae<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZbGYJF55dzHFYppNeEHWPolnl9jyaVGbhnO5zjJWB57NkYi7I8AQeeiZJDdXwalXm03a_eFNQACKAIcTK9VK4V6gvwhgPdlngdFM4g2SHiNa8ScI4Ve00BRr9u7jM8Fsgv8UxblFZtrvjL_PcJRTZDqZ7O0U_RQkFMoc3C1AWiS2WWuR-Au3Ma19/s500/abduction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="341" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZbGYJF55dzHFYppNeEHWPolnl9jyaVGbhnO5zjJWB57NkYi7I8AQeeiZJDdXwalXm03a_eFNQACKAIcTK9VK4V6gvwhgPdlngdFM4g2SHiNa8ScI4Ve00BRr9u7jM8Fsgv8UxblFZtrvjL_PcJRTZDqZ7O0U_RQkFMoc3C1AWiS2WWuR-Au3Ma19/w273-h400/abduction.jpg" width="273" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Title: Abduction</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Author: Amelita Rae</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Series: Stand-Alone</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Genre: M/M Romance/Erotica</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Publisher: Amelita Rae (June 22, 2016)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Source: Kindle Unlimited</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ☕☕</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Synopsis:</span> <i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">An Mpreg Yaoi Alien Romance</span></i></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">In a freak accident, the hull of Hisao’s ship is breached by meteor debris and the young spaceman is sucked out into space. Terrified, alone and rapidly running out of oxygen, the young man waits to die until a bright light suddenly appears and sucks him into it.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">For a moment, Hisao thinks he HAS died, but his adventure has only just begun.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">Aboard the alien vessel, Hisao encounters a monster straight from his worst nightmares. Katashi is the name his alien ‘rescuer’ calls himself and he is the perfect predator; towering over the little human at ten-feet tall, with carbon-plated armor for skin, a mouth full of razor-sharp fangs, super-human strength, acidic blood, venomous saliva and dozens of semi-autonomous tentacles. Poor Hisao fears the worst but fortunately for him (or unfortunately) the powerful creature sees the pretty little human not as prey to be consumed, but rather as the perfect little broodmare for the many offspring he wishes to sire. He feels no guilt about altering Hisao’s body without his consent and no qualms about breeding the beautiful young man against his will. The alien is utterly rational, but simultaneously devoid of human conscience or morality.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">Will Katashi ever learn to respect and treat his mate as an equal, despite the human’s physical inferiority? Can Katashi come to understand the importance of free will to Hisao? Will Hisao ever be able to forgive Katashi for what he has done? Can true love blossom after such a difficult start?</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">It is an interspecies romance for the ages, that will change the fate of the universe because what neither Katashi nor Hisao realize is that their love and their children may just turn out to be the saving grace for both of their worlds.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">This strange, space-age ‘Beauty and the Beast’ style story by Amelita Rae explores issues of free-will, consent, and what it means to be human, in the midst of some of the most graphic erotica you will ever encounter. The content is explicit and extreme and includes such sexual taboos as multiple penetrations, Mpreg, oviposition, minor scatology, tentacle sex, erotic birth, prolapse play and more. It may be quite disturbing for some readers so please enjoy responsibly!</span></span><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span> All I can say is WTF did I just read and not in a good way.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else:</span> While Katashi is a warrior alien with no feelings of love, kindness, well, feelings period, it was hard to keep those things in mind as Katashi took Hiroshi and pretty much enslaved him for his own personal breeding pet. I have really enjoyed my journey in M/M romances. I have really enjoyed my reading of alien/monster </span><strike style="font-family: verdana;">porn</strike><span style="font-family: verdana;">...er romances. What's a major issue with this book is somehow the author forgot that even though her alien "hero" was created with nothing we would consider to be human feelings, her readers are indeed human. This reader couldn't set aside the problematic taboo subjects of rape, forced pregnancy, and slavery.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In addition to those issues the erotic nature of the book was not sexy spicy but rather gag inducing. Multiple sex sessions ending in various prolapses, an alien that feeds his human parts of his (Katashi's) body for nourishment (tentacle meat anyone?), same alien being also eats Hisao's digestive waste and urine, oh and Katashi used his superior technology to alter Hisao's body by adding a vagina/womb to his current anatomy. Also, somehow the by the end of this book Hisao loved Katashi (hello Stockholm Syndrome.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So, what did I like about this book? Amelita Rae's writing itself is easy to read. The creativity was impressive (this coming from someone with zero creativity.) Ok I've got nothing else but I'm very much considering reading more by this author anyway. I know, I know, I don't understand it either but there it is. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">In a Nutshell:</span> Despite the yuckiness that was all about this book I will pick up another book by this author. I'll think twice about picking up another alien book by her though.</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6AQu23gWOf96GVimuQXrAvKKGvs0q4gy-HbEVD0nOnY1ihs24zL5XzF-haBEjF0IgITARAhc-W22FYZM_cxfwZdeBTn4kfhGRnOpaTlY3bFofIFtRUc-OBtQcBali_5Ea-tQQzOuk0DALrT12wZdHd5TiNBoXU1zogH2mhUxruFa95B2WB6CTZQB/s100/2%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="100" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6AQu23gWOf96GVimuQXrAvKKGvs0q4gy-HbEVD0nOnY1ihs24zL5XzF-haBEjF0IgITARAhc-W22FYZM_cxfwZdeBTn4kfhGRnOpaTlY3bFofIFtRUc-OBtQcBali_5Ea-tQQzOuk0DALrT12wZdHd5TiNBoXU1zogH2mhUxruFa95B2WB6CTZQB/w320-h176/2%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_pHrxOhLvZ3kkosvF9EoGZ9XA0e9Q2YKWMrBSkeJqjDO9NMg7Y4GsG9Ifd_FK3qHnRd4r87JQqC7ULuktrfJwbDUAp2yaEY8nQPSIFst5B3po6bZvLAHctlGKRibtyjPPV0tof4Y0YDvH4W2Io2UX2KW-CXRqsDTaObfLOwkNCOAcP9TFUo_g6vu/s170/sig%20tag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_pHrxOhLvZ3kkosvF9EoGZ9XA0e9Q2YKWMrBSkeJqjDO9NMg7Y4GsG9Ifd_FK3qHnRd4r87JQqC7ULuktrfJwbDUAp2yaEY8nQPSIFst5B3po6bZvLAHctlGKRibtyjPPV0tof4Y0YDvH4W2Io2UX2KW-CXRqsDTaObfLOwkNCOAcP9TFUo_g6vu/w320-h235/sig%20tag.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-62112147470577024882022-08-30T16:37:00.005-05:002022-09-02T16:42:58.722-05:00Troublemaker by Linda Howard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRng3XCPaf_0pJ6hL2y7WNtzPJzj8hM7Ugj65al2zz6TArAr3bugxmwt1vqy8DTQGkOEYIgrb8XIUtgxAAJnKudp-sGEPTiOdzPLYpiKkYIcqGuZi2j-i8xiyJIcjOoOifIYeUGFBqAUIXlXI1HYOg3vPt6CaR3OcOmQaDGIc-iC4vjrM7yGqHBXby/s400/troublemaker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRng3XCPaf_0pJ6hL2y7WNtzPJzj8hM7Ugj65al2zz6TArAr3bugxmwt1vqy8DTQGkOEYIgrb8XIUtgxAAJnKudp-sGEPTiOdzPLYpiKkYIcqGuZi2j-i8xiyJIcjOoOifIYeUGFBqAUIXlXI1HYOg3vPt6CaR3OcOmQaDGIc-iC4vjrM7yGqHBXby/w400-h400/troublemaker.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Title: Troublemaker</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Author: Linda Howard</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Narrator: Tanya Eby</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Series: #1 in the Go-Team</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Genre: Romantic Suspense</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Publisher: William Marrow (May 10, 2016)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Source: Audiobook borrowed from the library, Own the kindle copy</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ☕☕☕☕</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Synopsis: </span>For Morgan Yancy, an operative and team leader in a paramilitary group, nothing comes before his job. But when he's ambushed and almost killed, his supervisor is determined to find out who's after the members of his elite squad--and why. Due to worries that this unknown enemy will strike again, Morgan is sent to a remote location and told to lay low and stay vigilant. But between a tempting housemate he's determined to protect and a deadly threat waiting in the shadows, keeping under the radar is proving to be his most dangerous mission yet.</p><p>The part-time police chief of a small West Virginian Mountain town, Isabeau "Bo" Maran finally has her life figured out. She's got friends, a dog, and a little money in the bank. Then Morgan Yancy shows up on her doorstep. Bo doesn't need a mysterious man in her life--especially a troublemaker as enticing and secretive as Morgan.</p><p>The harder they fight the intense heat between them, the closer Morgan and Bo become, even though she knows he's hiding from something. But discovering the truth could cost Bo more than she's willing to give. And when Morgan's cover is blown, it might just cost her life.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span> An explosive beginning that grabbed me from the start coupled with a hero worthy of the title Book Boyfriend.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else: </span>So, I loved Morgan Yancy. There I said it. No takesies backsies. Howard created an amazing ex-military special ops hero that could rival Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooters men. I only wish we would have got more about his job. Maybe showing him on a mission rather than starting the book state side after finishing up a mission. Even with him on death's door and recuperating couldn't detract from his appeal. As a matter of fact, his recouperation and subsequent rebuilding his strength and stamina made him more appealing. He hated being so unhealthy and unable to even get to the toilet without assistance, but it made him more "real". In so many books we see chest beaters and the "I'll fix everything for you" alpha men so seeing a strong virile man vulnerable and at his weakest was refreshing. However, Bo was mostly unlikable. Her saving grace was her relationship with her dog, Tricks, and Tricks herself was amazing. I love dogs and am so happy Tricks had such a big part in this book. </p><p>Somewhere along the middle the suspense aspect fizzled while Morgan's recouperation and rehabilitation took center stage. The synopsis really highlighted their "intense heat" but honestly it seemed it felt more all of a sudden with Bo "innocently" licking the frosting off her cupcake and Morgan's mind went straight to the gutter. Oh, Bo was certainly not intending to be provocative, but TBH a woman just knows what the licking of anything (be it frosting, ice-cream, popsicles etc.) in front of a man (regardless of if there is attraction or not) looks like to a man. Since she was not characterized as being naive this particular scene stuck out as not being very authentic.</p><p>I did like the additional storyline of a young married couple whose marriage imploded in a public way and the asshat husband of the couple (the offspring of the richest man in the area who always had daddy bail him out of everything) took things too far and the day was saved by Morgan (who recovered sufficiently by that time.) I thought the end of the book brought back the suspense of the beginning but perhaps not fully realized as I ended up not fully invested in the suspense part of the story. I really think it took a backseat to the characters and their budding relationship.</p><p>The audio version was narrated by Tanya Eby. I really enjoy her narrations and this one was good as well. Her voice for the men was well done and her voice for the women didn't squeak out while I listened to the audio at 2x's the speed.</p><p>Full disclosure, I actually read the second book back in 2020 not realizing it was book 2 of the "series". When I finished this book, I immediately went to look for book 2 and while reading the synopsis of book 2 (The Woman Left Behind) I felt it sounded really familiar and after some digging through my library past borrows, I found I did indeed read it 2 years ago. I failed to notate it in GoodReads (which I've remedied now) and I also failed to review it. It's way too late to go back and do that now but as a side note I remember the suspense was intense almost all the way through and the heroine was a badass (or became one at the end.)</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In a Nutshell:</span> A good book by Linda Howard with an amazing hero, a wonderful dog, and a lukewarm heroine. I, of course, will continue to read everything she writes and has written.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfjuFn-UpguPY3yIi0vIrbySmLiTybxXdnqYmfe5mk-ZmypKGPLDV59xZ9f8slmOklTOgCvBQJBlil3WAs5OWJ8kaVvcF5kQJ9Z3svdV7-wSvvO64OTy5epQtCO7Jiv4w5D17wx7LUY4DHb7RZXZxU4OIuvhdOIHh5EQzl-uU5czmeRTxZk4HKJr2/s198/4%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="198" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfjuFn-UpguPY3yIi0vIrbySmLiTybxXdnqYmfe5mk-ZmypKGPLDV59xZ9f8slmOklTOgCvBQJBlil3WAs5OWJ8kaVvcF5kQJ9Z3svdV7-wSvvO64OTy5epQtCO7Jiv4w5D17wx7LUY4DHb7RZXZxU4OIuvhdOIHh5EQzl-uU5czmeRTxZk4HKJr2/s1600/4%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9V4ZKIOmwbH6NXHir7rVlsportNOmh7E2NCaNVrAw3cb3dBC-IV413pDc7MntcE7Z7iL6FSU3EhToF8tyUu1IQTw8Eabr3LL2btSUsjz6359PWbIPQEOn4_Un5XPBIQ5pIievlsbHISc-j0FNCmoaDHMSofHSr3C1hPzIDdnycPJk6XSFv3DbhD1/s170/sig%20tag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9V4ZKIOmwbH6NXHir7rVlsportNOmh7E2NCaNVrAw3cb3dBC-IV413pDc7MntcE7Z7iL6FSU3EhToF8tyUu1IQTw8Eabr3LL2btSUsjz6359PWbIPQEOn4_Un5XPBIQ5pIievlsbHISc-j0FNCmoaDHMSofHSr3C1hPzIDdnycPJk6XSFv3DbhD1/s1600/sig%20tag.png" width="170" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-17099917188319144672022-08-28T23:30:00.000-05:002022-09-02T16:14:35.451-05:00Otterly in Love by Lorelei M. Hart and Aria Grace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDvHRUv3_tPN1H715gL1htWIsn-tgQgDYjn3Lfc0lnwG5wPjt1VW9ouSDdlyqhaLoGErJl5ANkZwPff0LtAidEiNYUSwba3Gb2MtxKaew3MpZQSUzJNR4BTtIPbSfZshNUZgyrY5fbKPiMuHICRPcGpIpGZ7ITWxwlqCAcI_4mnWyfGKMSotUEbdJ/s2560/otterly%20in%20love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDvHRUv3_tPN1H715gL1htWIsn-tgQgDYjn3Lfc0lnwG5wPjt1VW9ouSDdlyqhaLoGErJl5ANkZwPff0LtAidEiNYUSwba3Gb2MtxKaew3MpZQSUzJNR4BTtIPbSfZshNUZgyrY5fbKPiMuHICRPcGpIpGZ7ITWxwlqCAcI_4mnWyfGKMSotUEbdJ/w250-h400/otterly%20in%20love.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Title: Otterly in Love</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Author: Lorelei M. Hart and Aria Grace</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Series: #3 in The River's Edge Shifters series</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Genre: M/M Paranormal Romance</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Publisher: Surrendered Press (November 21, 2020)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Source: Kindle Unlimited</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ☕☕☕</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Synopsis:</span> An M/M MPreg Shifter Romance</p><p>Sometimes the past holds your future...</p><p>Omega otter shifter Doc loved his adopted son and wanted to protect him from his past. But when the boy's past flings itself at him in the form of a series of letters, Doce is faced with the heart wrenching decision of either ripping open old wounds or keeping unforgivable secrets from the child.</p><p>Rabbit shifter Levi hates his life as Alpha of his Colony. Put there by birthright and held there by his past, he has no choice: If he leaves, they will kill his one true mate. Rabbits were brutal like that.</p><p>When the colony is all abuzz with word of a stranger in town, Levi doesn't expect an otter and he certainly doesn't expect the man to be the bearer of both the worst and the best news of his life: His mate was gone and he had a son. And he most definitely doesn't expect to have his rabbit announcing the man as his mate. </p><p>Otterly In Love is a sweet with knotty heat M/M shifter mpreg romance featuring an otter shifter looking out for his son, a rabbit shifter who fears he isn't strong enough to fix the wrongs of his path, an evil sheriff who won't stay gone, a boy who in some ways has more to teach him, true fated love, and an adorable little baby. This is the third book in the River's Edge Shifters series brought to you by the co-writing team of Lorelei M. Hart and Aria Grace and can be read as a stand-alone.</p><p>(Synopsis courtesy of GoodReads)</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span> I was really looking forward to getting to know Doc more and although this was his story it left me wanting more.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else</span>: So, about the synopsis.... for the most part it is exactly what this book is about, but that last paragraph isn't quite accurate. The evil sheriff is taken care of in book 2 and although it's been 4 days since I finished this book, I'm pretty sure I am remembering this book correctly. Also, the "adorable little baby"...not sure which baby this is in reference to. I believe August and Jase's baby is in the book and she is adorable, but she isn't in a lot of the scenes as at least half the book takes place at the rabbit Colony and not in River's Edge. There is another baby, but I believe doesn't make an appearance until the very end. One more complaint about the last paragraph of the synopsis and then I'll move on....it says it is the 3rd book in the series but can be read as a stand-alone. I'm terrible about reading things in order and my GR friends could attest to this. I often pick something up based on what I get approved at NetGalley. I'll pick something up based on what my library has available at the time. I'll even pick something up based on the shiny cover. However, I really think in order for Doc's story (and Xander's as well) to be fully appreciated the first book in the series should be read before this one, at the very least. Book 2 is almost an independent book within the series as the characters in that story don't make an appearance in book 3 but more about that later.</p><p>While I did enjoy this book, I was sad that Leo and Ron (from Feline the Love) weren't in this book. I really liked those characters. Also, I know Doc was older, but I don't recall how much older (I'm actually thinkin it never said) and for some reason this bugged me. I like an age gap romance but like to know what ages I'm working with LOL. </p><p>With the background story of Xander being heartbreaking and intense from the first book I was disappointed that part of that story was concluded off page, happening sometime after book 1 ended and book 3 started (but not mentioned in book 2 at all.) I know that is quite vague, but I don't want to include any spoilers for anyone who may want to read the series.</p><p>As far as Levi and Doc go, I really wanted more from their story. On one hand it was a really good story, but I think the page count limited the development of a believable love story. As with most fated mate tropes the "I Love You's" happened quickly and in shifter romances sex usually means love. Too bad I'm not a shifter and can't appreciate this type of relationship. Hello insta-love. <insert should shrug here>. </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In a Nutshell:</span> I am definitely moving on to book 4 although I'm not sure who will find their true love as there weren't any new shifters introduced except 3 bunny adults (new adult age so not viable for relationship status in my mind), a handful of rabbit Colony asshats (only good for evil mastermind status), and Mama (a widowed lion shifter who played a major role in helping Levi leave the Colony....loved her by the way.) I guess I'll have to wait until I can pick up book #4, Canine Love You after I finish up my current reads.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxGZJAXJu4yZv0dbBe2rwLU2wQULBn5OfKHiwzh103xvHdvv7D5QLzSN851lU3FT7wjQ6IhILe7SCKuwTI6l49DBPFjDXJQT8FbTrh3VgiRPrzafl6zbjzct8TknuIMJMued2gXF63EYIxsuJE59OyJoMOQhX_-Id1FTIoKMrkfWBaXH-9cp-Xt7E/s149/3%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="149" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxGZJAXJu4yZv0dbBe2rwLU2wQULBn5OfKHiwzh103xvHdvv7D5QLzSN851lU3FT7wjQ6IhILe7SCKuwTI6l49DBPFjDXJQT8FbTrh3VgiRPrzafl6zbjzct8TknuIMJMued2gXF63EYIxsuJE59OyJoMOQhX_-Id1FTIoKMrkfWBaXH-9cp-Xt7E/s1600/3%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" width="149" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSbpU2cqgcy9apqb9nreHKIjfbEJ_aVBfs4nlLvgkfPa9isfM-qPBb1L6Nu5C0wJzSVVn_1NxE_2zOQzOGhgxepd5Mr4f2UlOMgCyhPFxPwvms1v89jaRszmM-fvzs_ZURErzbwv7vrZHdox5vdH0lzNbfHU9BK1gbVg_nnAr8hjvfwxJXc8z9nCg/s170/sig%20tag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSbpU2cqgcy9apqb9nreHKIjfbEJ_aVBfs4nlLvgkfPa9isfM-qPBb1L6Nu5C0wJzSVVn_1NxE_2zOQzOGhgxepd5Mr4f2UlOMgCyhPFxPwvms1v89jaRszmM-fvzs_ZURErzbwv7vrZHdox5vdH0lzNbfHU9BK1gbVg_nnAr8hjvfwxJXc8z9nCg/s1600/sig%20tag.png" width="170" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-55918053501852861312022-08-28T19:13:00.001-05:002022-08-30T19:52:06.349-05:00Feline the Love by Lorelei M. Hart and Aria Grace<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpto0LzZHXM62xm9LZDMcUmy-atDGZsytKuf0TuEDDwW6e5K_-2JJt-EegQpa8FA1TuWtBFZzHGSApJMN53P1rzkfkwOmkN7hH8wnp_Zyt3CGz0W407PDfLqEfB_owVMVWtTGj73I-KjlBTnF55GQRWQsWTp5OkyuGg2em8U3WoednzLAgjOUJEjq/s2560/feline%20the%20love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpto0LzZHXM62xm9LZDMcUmy-atDGZsytKuf0TuEDDwW6e5K_-2JJt-EegQpa8FA1TuWtBFZzHGSApJMN53P1rzkfkwOmkN7hH8wnp_Zyt3CGz0W407PDfLqEfB_owVMVWtTGj73I-KjlBTnF55GQRWQsWTp5OkyuGg2em8U3WoednzLAgjOUJEjq/w250-h400/feline%20the%20love.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Title: Feline the Love</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Author: Lorelei M. Hart and Aria Grace</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Series: #2 in the River's Edge Shifters series</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Genre: M/M Paranormal Romance</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Publisher: <span class="a-text-bold" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 700 !important;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;"></span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;">Surrendered Press (August 6, 2020)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Source: Kindle Unlimited</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ☕☕☕☕</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Synopsis: </span>An M/M MPreg Shifter Romance</p><p><br /></p><p>Sometimes love arrives with a purr...</p><p><br /></p><p>Omega cat shifter Leo needs to get out of city life. He’s sick of people trying to rescue him when he shifts. He’s no domesticated animal—he’s a cat shifter descended from lions for goodness sakes. If only he hadn’t been saddled with a recessive gene that made him the least fierce of his clan...and sent him running to the big city.</p><p><br /></p><p>A city he now loathed.</p><p><br /></p><p>It seemed that a move to the country was in order.</p><p><br /></p><p>Alpha human Ron loves his job as the Deputy of Riverview Township, even with his annoying boss, but he needs more out of life than just his career. If only he had figured that out sooner, back when he still turned a few heads. Now he was just The Deputy and no one looked at him as a potential anything.</p><p><br /></p><p>Ron’s life is turned completely upside down when Leo moves to town, taking over a fixer upper that was barely standing. There’s just something about Leo that has him wanting to both protect and help him.</p><p><br /></p><p>Feline the Love is a sweet with knotty heat M/M shifter mpreg romance featuring a cat who finds more in Riverview Township than just a new home, a human who discovers there is an entire world he never knew about, a real estate bargain that very much isn’t one, two men who finally find their place in the world, true fated love, and an adorable little baby. This is the second book in the River’s Edge Shifters series brought to you by the co-writing team of Lorelei M. Hart and Aria Grace and can be read as a stand-alone.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts</span>: I very much enjoyed this book and both heroes so much.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else</span>: Another instance of me not doing great on doing my reviews this year so I never did one on book 1 in this series. In this series we have short paranormal books with unconventional shifters set in the Omegaverse. In the first book there was a bunny shifter. In this book we have tabby cat. </p><p>Leo is one of our heroes. A tabby cat shifter who purchased a rundown property in the small town of River's Edge. I adored Ron (not a fan of the names of the heroes in this book especially after the first book's heroes Jase and August.) He's an adorable deputy who loves his job. The romance was really good. Although the series really relies on more of a fated mate trope, we did get to see them fall in love by them spending time together a little while before they fell into bed. The sexy times were spicy but not overly so. The humor of the story made me laugh. Multiple times someone suggested the tabby should be neutered. As the tabby was Leo, it made me laugh quite a bit.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In a Nutshell</span>: A short book but well written. I liked this one as much, if not a little more, than the first. I'll definitely read the next book in the series.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DTT0NPXmb3940PHp8Z0ddjp85AzbejlaSQXPOrdizuY2uS5o3OK0y-WcT2L3HKM9A6zZ1sD-Z178H3h6xAlC1EPQOx97WpF-ZnmnylBb1AKNtbJhjGEQ0ahn7WfCaGZYGaxdZeofFoVg8lSa5qNTfvePAxp5Gtnh3vvAkSo3M1yftq_JP_fxkgnK/s198/4%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="198" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DTT0NPXmb3940PHp8Z0ddjp85AzbejlaSQXPOrdizuY2uS5o3OK0y-WcT2L3HKM9A6zZ1sD-Z178H3h6xAlC1EPQOx97WpF-ZnmnylBb1AKNtbJhjGEQ0ahn7WfCaGZYGaxdZeofFoVg8lSa5qNTfvePAxp5Gtnh3vvAkSo3M1yftq_JP_fxkgnK/s1600/4%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRZof8CFnPtsv72Sbj698QPcF65kTVMamSoORR_hszcDr28tFR0a1uR1dXcwoMK8kz0ZCfCsmSOec1OTn6fcihlll0P5bCN3gbself53MqqROSMeS3fChr5ZXape6lPjYZBHeXAMDDBNvt7-EUyt8EerYyPIldcnMUKEFjSoh-pvJcgf5HvhPdC31/s170/sig%20tag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRZof8CFnPtsv72Sbj698QPcF65kTVMamSoORR_hszcDr28tFR0a1uR1dXcwoMK8kz0ZCfCsmSOec1OTn6fcihlll0P5bCN3gbself53MqqROSMeS3fChr5ZXape6lPjYZBHeXAMDDBNvt7-EUyt8EerYyPIldcnMUKEFjSoh-pvJcgf5HvhPdC31/s1600/sig%20tag.png" width="170" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-33357725337199933312022-08-28T17:08:00.002-05:002022-08-30T17:55:04.767-05:00Baby from Frost by Ashe Moon<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJBsWDnYEUQDcXoO7kTiKsrLhTmYJfrtrkjsiqGzGXuzfuaqat3MZFaH7yuhlsdf5X_a9fCzpIHw7P13SrgqYFJ7jY_1VwAhUW5dvdUFqf8TI0uuBBf3ZziuYFK-US6C-QbzbqmWj7NktpOTbffdfBOgM13qr6z0ikX4XMYyX-gDkm4TT9MEYxUOT/s475/baby%20from%20frost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJBsWDnYEUQDcXoO7kTiKsrLhTmYJfrtrkjsiqGzGXuzfuaqat3MZFaH7yuhlsdf5X_a9fCzpIHw7P13SrgqYFJ7jY_1VwAhUW5dvdUFqf8TI0uuBBf3ZziuYFK-US6C-QbzbqmWj7NktpOTbffdfBOgM13qr6z0ikX4XMYyX-gDkm4TT9MEYxUOT/w268-h400/baby%20from%20frost.jpg" width="268" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Title: Baby from Frost</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Author: Ashe Moon</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Series: #3 in the Dragon Firefighters Series</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Genre: M/M Historical Paranormal Romance</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Publisher: Ashe Moon (<span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;">September 14, 2021)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Source: Kindle Unlimited</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ☕☕☕☕</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Synopsis: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Fleeing from his dangerous dragon family, half-human omega Raka finds himself unable to control his desires for Delos, the winsome ice dragon alpha he hired to escort him across the frozen sea. But falling in love was never part of the escape plan. To protect them both, Raka vanishes from the flaming wreckage of their ship, leaving Delos behind with a broken heart—not knowing he's carrying the alpha's child.</span></p><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">After seven years, Delos’s icy heart shows no sign of thawing. On an away mission for his dragon flight brothers, he unexpectedly finds the omega he can’t forget. His resentment is matched only by his enduring need for Raka, but the omega is in hiding, unable to leave his library sanctuary. It’s clear they can’t have a second chance together—but then there’s Raka’s son, the boisterous little boy who looks so much like Delos. The child needs an alpha to teach him how to be an ice dragon—can Delos open his heart and become the daddy he was meant to be?</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Baby From Frost</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> is the third book in the Dragon Firefighters mpreg series. It expands on characters and the story introduced in the previous books, and while it can be enjoyed as a standalone it’s recommended you read the others first. This book features ice dragons, second chances, a secret child, an industrial fantasy setting, pregnancy and dragon eggs, toddlers, family moments, friendship and loyalty, love in a library (shhh!), light drama, and, as always, a happily ever after.</span><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts</span>: Another good installation to the Dragon Firefighter series.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else:</span> I've been remiss in my review writing, so I haven't reviewed books 1 and 2 in this series so here's a bit of thought about the series in general. It's written is if they are historical romances but there are very little clues as to the timeframe. There are no modern vehicles (cars, planes, etc.), the fighting of the fires is very primitive (buckets being hauled), and dragons are common. The series is set firmly in the Omegaverse and to my knowledge thus far in the series, dragons are the only shifters in this world. The dragons have classifications based on their elemental affinity. Altair and Rainor (from books 1 and 2 respectively) are both Fire Dragons. Delos is an Ice Dragon.</p><p>With that said I've really enjoyed this world Ashe Moon has created. I like the idea of a hodgepodge of dragons creating a family (called a dragon flight.) They, of course, are more openminded than most and have expanded their circle to include human mates and they don't feel Omegas are less of a person than someone else. This theme of Omegas being lesser than, let's say, an Alpha is a common occurrence within the Omegaverse no matter who is writing the book (at least in my experiences with the sub-genre.)</p><p>As far as this book goes, I've wondered what Delos's deal was. Brooding, self-isolated, more interested in Alchemy than personal interactions are what makes up Delos. Now we find out why. Raka was the deal. I like a brooding hero for sure and Delos fit the bill. I wish there was a more substantial reason Raka was in hiding. Unless the conflict is carried over from this book to the next the entire reason Raka couldn't be with Delos to begin with was a moot point. Nothing happened with that storyline. The romance was sweet, and the sex was spicy (library sex anyone?) I wish the relationship had more oomph though. As I mentioned since the entire reason Raka and Delos couldn't be together was not substantiated within this book there was no conflict or added intensity other than what was in Raka's head making me a bit miffed because Delos suffered alone for 7 years for no reason.</p><p>I really like Shen (a Thunder Dragon) and am glad he was introduced as now all 3 dragons in the flight are mated. I wasn't ready for the series to end. </p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In a Nutshell: </span>I'm hooked. I cannot wait to read the next book to see where the series goes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAxJRPm_9p9HeShdCfk_mzBRiojQB3uQqx-QQ9Spo2TO9HqGvJ1nJodHhyygCJinM6K7NkY4q2LzfsjC6-NlzOGmwRDI-SjOsU8f8i7RitbSZx3UDlRIwE6Y2dpIaDB3btnuv3QYIPi-m8knjiY6oLovFkgdaodrAiKLsJdOtt-g_QwkaNtXBTont/s198/4%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="198" height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAxJRPm_9p9HeShdCfk_mzBRiojQB3uQqx-QQ9Spo2TO9HqGvJ1nJodHhyygCJinM6K7NkY4q2LzfsjC6-NlzOGmwRDI-SjOsU8f8i7RitbSZx3UDlRIwE6Y2dpIaDB3btnuv3QYIPi-m8knjiY6oLovFkgdaodrAiKLsJdOtt-g_QwkaNtXBTont/w320-h89/4%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJUDfE-8qEmp7dBn3J32Untqswn-HONpykllq8izlta4vssYP-xvFV91sN8nxWRiVzJ4_SHYu90K-fYnSi7Pu9-h3KdmPoe65Wo5fRpqzrhakG_3pi1Ozi9Y1Cd6MzPiTYEVQDOMOfClZ049IP04hOkYJ70bIqpMFnT2s-GAqUNMuvKeA0H8RPlob/s170/sig%20tag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJUDfE-8qEmp7dBn3J32Untqswn-HONpykllq8izlta4vssYP-xvFV91sN8nxWRiVzJ4_SHYu90K-fYnSi7Pu9-h3KdmPoe65Wo5fRpqzrhakG_3pi1Ozi9Y1Cd6MzPiTYEVQDOMOfClZ049IP04hOkYJ70bIqpMFnT2s-GAqUNMuvKeA0H8RPlob/w320-h235/sig%20tag.png" width="320" /></a></div>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-3295681117705175732022-08-28T16:26:00.007-05:002022-09-02T16:31:32.485-05:00An Omega Bear for Kit by Lorelei M. Hart and Colbie Dunbar<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhk8SS_kTQMpSt6KFfGAHqNzoOZbGm2ckyKux1xWmQ4huPVUlQYoHoIrSeC32RpUvlNmpsFL3csGOCKBK1K-bdfMh-ucUSLFyOKBmHnlHVcsbnVVGgV_5eiqJ3ucR374Pp9frl6Fa5kkJZWSOYf7VB-cV94mxbuk3grv2NcC__ZCRJanwqOIw78gi/s2560/an%20omega%20bear%20for%20kit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1708" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhk8SS_kTQMpSt6KFfGAHqNzoOZbGm2ckyKux1xWmQ4huPVUlQYoHoIrSeC32RpUvlNmpsFL3csGOCKBK1K-bdfMh-ucUSLFyOKBmHnlHVcsbnVVGgV_5eiqJ3ucR374Pp9frl6Fa5kkJZWSOYf7VB-cV94mxbuk3grv2NcC__ZCRJanwqOIw78gi/w268-h400/an%20omega%20bear%20for%20kit.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Title: An Omega Bear for Kit</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Author: Lorelei M. Hart and Colbie Dunbar</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Series: #2 in the Bruin Ridge Bear-Ginnings series</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Genre: M/M Paranormal Romance</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Publisher: Surrendered Press (May 22, 2022)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Source: Kindle Unlimited</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ☕☕☕</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Synopsis:</span> Grant didn't know an omega could become Beta of his Bear Den, but that's exactly what just happened.</p><p>Omega bear shifter Grant loves all of the positive changes that his den has seen since their new Alpha arrived. Now that he has food in his bellym, a comfortable place to live, and a taste of the human world, he yearns to take another step and do what no one from his den has attempted--get a college education. If only he was brave enough to ask.</p><p>Alpha mountain lion shifter Kit enjoys his life in the city. Great food, fun nightlife, andf best of all... no pack politics. That's until his pack's Alpha sends word he's needed at home. Kit has no choice but to agree and decides to take a detour to the Bruin Ridge shifters to visit his old roommate, their new Alpha. Anything to delay the inevitable.</p><p>Kit's short trip is complicated when he scents his true mate and doubly complicated when Grant, his fated, is name den Beta.</p><p>An Omega Bear of Kit is the seond book in the Bruin Ridge Bear-ginning series, a sweet with knotty heat M/M Mpreg Shifter Romance by the popular writing team of Colbie Dunbar and Lorelei M. Hart. It features an alpha mountin lion thrown into a role he is woefully unprepared for, an omega bear trying to find his place, a den beginning to thrive, an unexpected position, true lovem, fatedf mates, and of course, an adorable baby. If you love your shifters hawt, your omegas strong, and your mpreg with heart, download your copy of An Omega Bear for Kit today.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span> While I didn't like this book nearly as much as the first it held my interest from the first page to the last.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else:</span> So, I honestly don't know why I didn't connect to Grant and Kit as much as I did Aspen and Lucian other than Lucian's plight caught me in my feels and both Grant and Kit were just, well, there. Not saying their tumultuous relationship wasn't worth reading about because it certainly was. I just found it to be more angsty than anything else. They are not necessarily star-crossed lovers but each of the separate lives dictated they were on different paths. It was Kit's situation that made for them not being able to be together and I while I did feel for them, I just didn't like the situation. We had a healthy dose of tyrannical Alphas from the former Bruin Ride Bear Alpha in the first book, so, having yet another one in Kit's pride was a bit too much for me. </p><p>I thought Grant was an exceptional character though and his battle with his bear was captivating. Although Grant was an Omega, I'd venture to say his bear was a little bit alpha with how strong he was. </p><p>The love story between Kit and Grant was lovely and although this was a short novel (as they all are) I felt it was well balanced between the spicy sex, the angsty plot, the fated mate trope, the character development (even though Grant was more fleshed out than Kit), and the insta-love I love you's.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In a Nutshell:</span> I'm still hooked on this series and I'm looking forward to the 3rd book a lot.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSK5c1UmxRgCyff6h2IkNY2a11Adkm3SMHTpUPQaC-KBgV9cGFKuLscvshz01GS6QOodRfsesH9G1HJ65yImcl-GKNDbnMvb0uJENVKkykrz0Ap0UljprvApM6VPxZ2U34GsB25g3Y6l2HUGMMYyR_uDzHiyX04RkNchhzuUfGQnPKpREmeToNNkYm/s149/3%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="149" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSK5c1UmxRgCyff6h2IkNY2a11Adkm3SMHTpUPQaC-KBgV9cGFKuLscvshz01GS6QOodRfsesH9G1HJ65yImcl-GKNDbnMvb0uJENVKkykrz0Ap0UljprvApM6VPxZ2U34GsB25g3Y6l2HUGMMYyR_uDzHiyX04RkNchhzuUfGQnPKpREmeToNNkYm/s1600/3%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" width="149" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_PZrQd0LIOVhyeW3OBXei3-3iH0zM0m5YvpuAHKRIvQ1YQt4v_X8HpiRo_Ce84GzbmTDDEIqGtLTPseC1-QqMrgILcVJ8-5JgB0lD3DHcv1UGpB4hd53LJPEAm4cH2ViTzEI6_yQDNdnZI7rx3coO1seuW0_j6KJ5M2hNdmf61JgHHc5FHlfsliv/s170/sig%20tag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_PZrQd0LIOVhyeW3OBXei3-3iH0zM0m5YvpuAHKRIvQ1YQt4v_X8HpiRo_Ce84GzbmTDDEIqGtLTPseC1-QqMrgILcVJ8-5JgB0lD3DHcv1UGpB4hd53LJPEAm4cH2ViTzEI6_yQDNdnZI7rx3coO1seuW0_j6KJ5M2hNdmf61JgHHc5FHlfsliv/s1600/sig%20tag.png" width="170" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-91183036136025976802022-08-26T16:32:00.005-05:002022-09-02T16:37:00.741-05:00The Heart of Devin MacKade by Nora Roberts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1H62lklGtzz-qNR9cWk-enK1yw0Z1sZyIGXANlnzqL00JMUcTNObaS2rR2nS2Su79TaJB5NzMeeiKpj9pSj0_0Ka5cN0J17VMiDnZ7UqCiY5nHNfxrFp6KBvw0Zo9EDZCK5f4F8uf_gf9EhAkHwzGpT8cx2eaBYuHDWb8qdaHTZvjy-F-NyJZigJ/s500/the%20heart%20of%20devin%20mackade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1H62lklGtzz-qNR9cWk-enK1yw0Z1sZyIGXANlnzqL00JMUcTNObaS2rR2nS2Su79TaJB5NzMeeiKpj9pSj0_0Ka5cN0J17VMiDnZ7UqCiY5nHNfxrFp6KBvw0Zo9EDZCK5f4F8uf_gf9EhAkHwzGpT8cx2eaBYuHDWb8qdaHTZvjy-F-NyJZigJ/w253-h400/the%20heart%20of%20devin%20mackade.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Title: The Heart of Devin MacKade</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Author: Nora Roberts</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Series: #3 in The MacKade Brothers series</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Publisher: Silhouette Special Edition (first published March 1, 1996)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Source: Purchased</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ☕☕☕☕1/2</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Synopsis:</span> Sheriff Devin MacKade has always known his destiny was to serve and protect the small town of Antietam, Maryland--and for a long while he thought that future would include Cassie Conner. She's the only woman he has ever loved, but he'd never worked up the nerve to tell her. When Cassie married the wrong man, Devin did the honorable thing and kept his feelings to himself. Now that Cassie's divorced, Devin can finally follow his heart. Question is, can Cassie?</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span> I loved Devin and Cassie enough to make this 90's romance a favorite and a keeper.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else: </span>OK so this is a 90's romance through and through. It is a bit dated in places with the terminology and pop culture references in addition to the Alpha-beat-on-your-chest man and the poor abused needed-to-be-taken-care-of heroine. Even though I loved Devin I was a bit irritated at him a few times in the book. He pinned away for Cassie for so long and told her he would be just fine waiting until she was ready but then a few days later he flipped the script and said he was tired of waiting for her to make her mind up. Also, Cassie, poor abused Cassie. She felt authentic to me up until I felt she was a little bullied by Devin to have sex. Technically she initiated it but as Devin was asking her the right questions but continued to go through with them having intercourse despite her thoughts on sex in general (something a woman needs to do to make her man happy and not something to be enjoyed by a woman) I was disappointed in him. She changed her mind, of course, after one night with a sex god (yes, I said it.... sorry...not sorry.)</p><p>I think this book would have held up into the 21st century if Cassie would have been less of a victim once breaking away from her abuser becoming a lioness instead of the timid mouse, she was through most of the book.</p><p>What did I like about this book to make it darn near a 5-star rating you may ask? Well, as with any book that makes my feelers feel a range of emotions, I tend to rate it higher than average. This book did make me tear up, laugh, say awwww (because let's face it those kids were adorable), and make me curious about the ghost in the Inn. Also, I tend to give Nora a half star extra just because she's Nora. It's my rating system I can do what I want!</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In a Nutshell:</span> A great conclusion to this series. I know it's not the end of the series but book 3. I read them out of order. I read this one last and the second book first. Needless to say, I read them all and I enjoyed them a lot. I will re-read them at some point...maybe even in order. Who knows?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1l7odpu5UgHRk5-ikX2lls4k7_TFKiplZ6wh4OzRiciQC8vzcKaXeq-ntR9o7YrAIYHYbv9Ehr-SagwZxfmuOkC8IF6xU_UHorVhV9lEaF8QDKNUoFxU1Bt2-Nc84NH9WTMzz8enYEZXDX_kOcRUL7XWB3aAHF2_4LpvSsHrIvTOmrJR6AEOz_wUN/s220/4.5%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="220" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1l7odpu5UgHRk5-ikX2lls4k7_TFKiplZ6wh4OzRiciQC8vzcKaXeq-ntR9o7YrAIYHYbv9Ehr-SagwZxfmuOkC8IF6xU_UHorVhV9lEaF8QDKNUoFxU1Bt2-Nc84NH9WTMzz8enYEZXDX_kOcRUL7XWB3aAHF2_4LpvSsHrIvTOmrJR6AEOz_wUN/s1600/4.5%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfi5ii1w0sqd_cWBvad3Ewj9MdrRLTj63OUBKh0sGhfGLruLja-vLf8HkLIREnIzU979uZW46MFLK_Gm-9aeiEUfPjXHuTXHA2iJMq2z9zrUAzRloUQtNSJPchhdkD1BxOCRhTiQ3KQ5C_8PzFBNLATbIE3pTwMdhAqT6LTzZZVxgQIJnlPQVCEfde/s170/sig%20tag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfi5ii1w0sqd_cWBvad3Ewj9MdrRLTj63OUBKh0sGhfGLruLja-vLf8HkLIREnIzU979uZW46MFLK_Gm-9aeiEUfPjXHuTXHA2iJMq2z9zrUAzRloUQtNSJPchhdkD1BxOCRhTiQ3KQ5C_8PzFBNLATbIE3pTwMdhAqT6LTzZZVxgQIJnlPQVCEfde/s1600/sig%20tag.png" width="170" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-20800973931957102682022-08-25T16:43:00.006-05:002022-09-02T16:48:25.875-05:00Going Down by Shelli Stevens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOQw7rdX7Krlblxv98OSZsc_tY7FmJsyN6nITJwOGgULzuORdPzkR-bmgE2XvIHnZFws__u7Wx4ByrclJr8nRX-lQkYX9g9TH8uBqRjO0k_lrw0qOd9ecUGmkSXJmbwQBTvOvfHKGTWg8oaHCbfUDne-7TxWvGynEFbQI-IHRoWZqiDeE6_e47ECq/s300/going%20down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOQw7rdX7Krlblxv98OSZsc_tY7FmJsyN6nITJwOGgULzuORdPzkR-bmgE2XvIHnZFws__u7Wx4ByrclJr8nRX-lQkYX9g9TH8uBqRjO0k_lrw0qOd9ecUGmkSXJmbwQBTvOvfHKGTWg8oaHCbfUDne-7TxWvGynEFbQI-IHRoWZqiDeE6_e47ECq/w267-h400/going%20down.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Title: Going Down</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Author: Shelli Stevens</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Series: #1 in The Holding Out for a Hero series</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Genre: Romantic Suspense</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (July 17, 2010)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Source: Owned/Kindle Freebie</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ☕☕</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Synopsis:</span> One man wants her heart. The other wants her dead....</p><p>Holding Out for a Hero, Book 1</p><p>Eleanor Owen needs to get out of Chicago and quick. It's not that she doesn't want to obey the subpoena to testify against her drug-trafficking ex-boyfriend. It's making it to the witness stand alive, should a dirty cop make good on his threats.</p><p>Tiny, remote Wyattville, Oregon, looks like the perfect place to disappear, but it's hard to blend into the woodwork when one of the town's infamous namesakes sends her heart racing. Worse, Mr. Tall, Hot and Packing is the town sheriff, which means she should stay as far away from him as possible.</p><p>Tyson Wyatt is positive the sexy new girl in town is hiding something. Question is, what? He vows to feel out her secrets--including what she feels like beneath him. Preferably naked. Until then, he's not buying the story she's selling.</p><p>Their chemistry is sheet--melting hot, and Ellie realizes much too late that the man with the badge is as dangerous to her heart as her ex is to her life...</p><p>Warning:</p><p>A city girl on the run, and a small-town sheriff set to seduce. Explicit sex. Dirty talk. A hint of danger. Oral sex with a cupcake.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts: </span>I wanted to like this more than I did. </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else: </span>I love me some small town lovin' and a man in uniform revs my engine. For the most part this novella fit that bill. What I didn't like was the entire relationship was built on hot sex and when the I Love You's happened it didn't feel authentic. The suspense started out well but fizzled right after the beginning and was concluded quickly at the end with lies and sex filling up the middle. Not to mention the glaringly obvious hotel "suspenseful" scene that really pushed Ellie into the TSTL category. I mean who doesn't look through the peephole when someone knocks on your hotel door? WTF girl?!?! You deserved to be dead just for that!</p><p>Tyson's character was too domineering and could not get past his penis to really give this book depth. He also got all butt hurt when he found out Ellie was lying to him about who she was and that she was on the run. Well Ty, your powers of deduction are less than impressive. The woman took one look at you when you first pulled up to her rental property and she took off running (literally out the backdoor and into the woods). He chased after her and had to rescue her from almost running off the cliff she didn't know was there by tackling her. And so, begins Ty thinking with his little brain because he was then laying on top of her and despite her suspicious behavior, he absolutely wanted her sexy body. </p><p>Despite the fact that I love small town law enforcement romances I kind of like the deputy (or sheriff in this book's case) to be more guy next door (like Levi Cooper in Kristan Higgins's The Best Man from her Blue Heron series) rather than who Ty turned out to be (a dirty talking, little brain thinking, Alphatool.) Oh, sure he really wasn't a completely terrible character but not one anywhere close to some of my Romantic Suspense favorites and he definitely won't make it into my all-male harem. </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In a Nutshell:</span> Ok, so as much as it sounds like I hated this book I really didn't. It was a quick read and it fit into a challenge I was doing. Also, it was a kindle freebie at one point, and I always look at those as you get what you pay for. With that in mind there are other Wyatt brothers books to read and if I can get them for free, I'll eventually read them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDrFu3Hu9p9xEHDhB4A9xkcGPgjqFylFS2swLiZBrkGZcAOg71ZAQQpNR9JXdut7AIRN9g8oB_4_JpLCk-i644ZmZ0uWY3rPLnBlXVouP97AjQrKr6pJWSuLVaoqeiRfqd-4qdfr5VerBHCHTtvZhPTtz9I22j0OpXCsb7x0ATHRnSIhbe3Smuos-/s100/2%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="100" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDrFu3Hu9p9xEHDhB4A9xkcGPgjqFylFS2swLiZBrkGZcAOg71ZAQQpNR9JXdut7AIRN9g8oB_4_JpLCk-i644ZmZ0uWY3rPLnBlXVouP97AjQrKr6pJWSuLVaoqeiRfqd-4qdfr5VerBHCHTtvZhPTtz9I22j0OpXCsb7x0ATHRnSIhbe3Smuos-/s1600/2%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" width="100" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoZqM2-YH1mB_xU7ZTk3A-1acywTz-zTe5ghql38qnKYVPZVXYpiDUJM-AmAdeMii6iQeoqWN4Jz6JhIoo1q598jT3FEFflQoGOyKrq6UeyqIBaoWorEluK28NfXlm1xY3msSAw_0qojMr-CENCSCTjxUgafGNPqZ8vLgXhflI3NwBdd2mIHxi9CV/s170/sig%20tag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoZqM2-YH1mB_xU7ZTk3A-1acywTz-zTe5ghql38qnKYVPZVXYpiDUJM-AmAdeMii6iQeoqWN4Jz6JhIoo1q598jT3FEFflQoGOyKrq6UeyqIBaoWorEluK28NfXlm1xY3msSAw_0qojMr-CENCSCTjxUgafGNPqZ8vLgXhflI3NwBdd2mIHxi9CV/s1600/sig%20tag.png" width="170" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-43644235036927729072022-08-22T16:49:00.007-05:002022-09-02T16:52:38.201-05:00Sweetheart by Sarah Mayberry<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVm0V7N9hDr-b5mwBcQ6HBWGKHGgvDFOGAzU31XrjweGCsMIsz1JDTwuIBthn5jPFfBtw6AhBraIXu-s6ziaimu0HinaF_k5MLq7iTzX5cJ8uChKDw8EbnVcirXSb4nM5YxPHbRJwx6OTzM0pmj3R1IOooC4Ha-2Ka_AXYnF4uotjTm1_eJXuGOSt/s500/sweetheart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVm0V7N9hDr-b5mwBcQ6HBWGKHGgvDFOGAzU31XrjweGCsMIsz1JDTwuIBthn5jPFfBtw6AhBraIXu-s6ziaimu0HinaF_k5MLq7iTzX5cJ8uChKDw8EbnVcirXSb4nM5YxPHbRJwx6OTzM0pmj3R1IOooC4Ha-2Ka_AXYnF4uotjTm1_eJXuGOSt/s320/sweetheart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Title: Sweetheart</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Author: Sarah Mayberry</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Narrator/s: Aiden Snow and Virginia Rose</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Series: #1 in The Busy Bean series</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Publisher: Tantor Audio (August 10, 2021) First published by The World of True North (February 26, 2021)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Source: Library Find vis Hoopla</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ☕☕☕☕☕</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Synopsis: </span>I wanted to get my hands on his beans</p><p>Four years ago, I had a ridiculous crush on my sister's boyfriend. But when they moved away together, I put Beck out of my mind and my heart. But now he's back and roasting the best coffee in Vermont. I need to convince him to supply the Busy Bean. And i need more of those kisses we accidentally shared outside the coffee shop. He still makes my heart race faster than a triple shot of espresso.</p><p>She should be off limits, but instead she's pushing mine</p><p>Her sister burned my life to the ground, so Haley Elliot is the last woman I should bring into my bed. Although our business relationship is giving way to something more than a fine grind. Neither of us can help ourselves. And what's worse, I think I'm falling for her.</p><p>Content note: this fun and sexy romance contains a secondary character with mental health challenges. While that story is merely a small part of the book, we mention it out of an abundance of caution.</p><p>(synopsis courtesy of GoodReads)</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts: </span>I abso-freakin-lutely loved this book!</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else:</span> It's been a hot minute that I completely identified with such a young (one closer to 20 than 30) heroine especially one that was working in a coffee shop and initially comes off as a bit flighty. But I totally did. Being the "good" daughter in a family with a sister that is super extra, whose moods change quicker than the weather in Iowa, I knew what Haley was going through. My family wasn't as extreme as the Elliots were, but I have always been placed in the role as peacemaker, whether self-imposed or by circumstance...I'm not sure. Someone who tried soothing and smoothing situations as to not escalate things. And someone who did their very best to not be the cause of the conflict often fading into the background to my sister's attention demanding personality. All of these things were Haley's cross, and she was my Soul sister.</p><p>Beck had his cross to bear as well. Having dated the unstable Elliot sister for over a year and coming away from all that was Jess with a battered soul and PTSD from, let's call it what it was, the abusive relationship it's no wonder when he encountered Haley for the first time his reaction was bad. Their second encounter wasn't any better and their third was when Haley let him have it. It stunned him. It pulled him out of his reactionary mode and made him think. It was a beginning and I loved what came next.</p><p>The spicy scenes were really good, and you can absolutely see the relationship unfolding as Beck and Haley spent time together dating and not just having sex. There is a fair amount of angst because when a woman starts dating her unstable sister's ex things can't be all rainbows and roses and at one point Beck really had to do some soul searching to decide if being with Haley was worth bringing Jess back into his life. Since this is a romance and as such comes with pretty much a 100% guarantee of a HEA you already know what his decision was but the path getting there was so worth the journey.</p><p>As far as the audio...Virginia Rose was a new to me narrator and I think she did a good job. I very much enjoy dual narration productions especially when the book has alternating POVs. As for Aiden Snow.....OMG Aiden Snow! I would listen to that man read the dictionary. I will hunt down more romances narrated by him just to hear him read the naughty bits. I'm kidding. </p><p>But for real I will.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In a Nutshell:</span> I loved this book. Will everyone love it as much as I did. Nope. Will someone else find the characters not easy to identify with? Probably. But that's ok as every reader takes away something different when reading a book. Also, I will read more in the Busy Bean series but won't expect the same reaction as the books are all written by different authors and Sarah Mayberry doesn't write any more of them. But for reals I'll pick up another Mayberry book in a heartbeat.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJU3FGyxqin4e1qhzHzBoL2pav5X7pS2ARaZz-smhZgU98jGGDD_lGTM0_HQknXjvyxGg0nSs0jXY5rxjJlOItmONnsuYBlSB_oaexceLXO215eSB3hThgZ5MeqH734OtuDxmhCJFFVKkVnFELWfyBubVBEDM1m-h1yeXGfjFpGrsmSl39wvMfxLY/s246/5%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="246" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJU3FGyxqin4e1qhzHzBoL2pav5X7pS2ARaZz-smhZgU98jGGDD_lGTM0_HQknXjvyxGg0nSs0jXY5rxjJlOItmONnsuYBlSB_oaexceLXO215eSB3hThgZ5MeqH734OtuDxmhCJFFVKkVnFELWfyBubVBEDM1m-h1yeXGfjFpGrsmSl39wvMfxLY/s1600/5%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8G27n9JbVoTUll2X7GfJuLbNI_dKJBoOTClPGHLbxdH0iv-JZAAZtP9-8U95KbAkZTqZxxq5eN_4Temwu6XgHsETSmlVlYiqPSl0L41IqBKTJ8kiN8cgzsuArfaa1kiEA5PWSbf5j8r71A9IrTd91v3kHXv9whZW3stP8cjwWreVPGCeBfKsRCqmd/s170/sig%20tag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8G27n9JbVoTUll2X7GfJuLbNI_dKJBoOTClPGHLbxdH0iv-JZAAZtP9-8U95KbAkZTqZxxq5eN_4Temwu6XgHsETSmlVlYiqPSl0L41IqBKTJ8kiN8cgzsuArfaa1kiEA5PWSbf5j8r71A9IrTd91v3kHXv9whZW3stP8cjwWreVPGCeBfKsRCqmd/s1600/sig%20tag.png" width="170" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-12307202851402220052022-08-09T16:21:00.001-05:002022-09-02T16:26:09.380-05:00An Alpha Bear for Lucian by Lorelei M. Hart and Colbie Dunbar<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRwWsir3DfArHbJWgPKak8Qe0IQEy98h8TfFcCnJRKkMrwCVwuEBoM4GA_jHgPSjFJIRC9mErSUaodhYZ718rsDDiwYwOtqlsECno7BbyI7mRE1M-4ajmxlIt9rm_eHwErBQ_UW4HwuzjVChOk6D3Yqlslwd2ZVC0MURCGL06HJF4-HdsMfSGdOMW/s2560/an%20alpha%20bear%20for%20lucian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1707" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRwWsir3DfArHbJWgPKak8Qe0IQEy98h8TfFcCnJRKkMrwCVwuEBoM4GA_jHgPSjFJIRC9mErSUaodhYZ718rsDDiwYwOtqlsECno7BbyI7mRE1M-4ajmxlIt9rm_eHwErBQ_UW4HwuzjVChOk6D3Yqlslwd2ZVC0MURCGL06HJF4-HdsMfSGdOMW/w266-h400/an%20alpha%20bear%20for%20lucian.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Title: An Alpha Bear for Lucian</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Author: Lorelei M. Hart and Colbie Dunbar</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Series: #1 in The Bruin Ridge Bear-Ginnings</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Genre: M/M Paranormal Romance</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Publisher: Surrendered Press (February 27, 2022)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Source: Kindle Unlimited</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ☕☕☕☕</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Synopsis:</span> Aspen didn't know you could accidentally become Alpha of Den, but that's exactly what he just did.</p><p>Apha bear shifter Aspen was ready to begin his new life in the big city. He has a job lined up, a lease signed, and his truck packed. All he has left is to get there. Too bad that's easier said than done because his truck picked the middle of nowhere to break down--alongside a bear den's land of all places. When Aspen seeks permission to spend the night, he plans to keep his head down and just mind his own business and he does, until he hears the scream that changes everything.</p><p>Omega bear shifter Lucian hated his den. No, that wasn't fair. It wasn't the den he hated as much as it was the leadership. Wehen the Alpha he had most of his life died, he crossed his fingers the new one would bring their den into this century. He didn't--the alpha was not only old-school, but also cruel. When rumors of an alpha bear seeking refuge until his truck is repaired reach him, Lucian forms a plan. If he can convince the shifter to take him when he leaves, he can escape this horrible life. </p><p>Sneaking out to find the new bear sounded like a great idea, until Lucian gets caught. His den Alpha is a strike first kind of guy, and strike he does. Lucien knows better than to scream, it only makes the punishment worse, but scream he does, the pain too much to hold inside. A flurry of furm, teeth, a dead Alpha, and the scenting of his fated mate leaves the visiting shifter a their new Alpha.</p><p>So much for best laid plans.</p><p>An Alpha Bear for Lucian is the first book in the anticipated Bruin Ridge Bear-Ginning series, a sweet with knotty hear M/M Mpreg Shifter Romance by the popular writing team of Colbie Dunbar and Lorelei M. Hart. It features an alpha bear thrown into a role he is woefully unprepared for, an omega whose plans for the future very much did not include being his den's Alpha Omega, a pack on the verge of collapse, the challenge that changes everything, true love, fated mates, and of course an adorable baby. If you love your shifters hawt, your omegas strong, and your mpreg with heart, download your copy of An Alpha Bear for Lucian today.</p><p>(synopsis courtesy of GoodReads)</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span> This was a darn good book with a great balance of love and conflict.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else:</span> It's been a while since I finished this book (3 weeks ago) so I don't necessarily remember every little detail, but I do remember how I adored these characters. I'm so character driven that if I can connect with the characters, I'm sure to love the book even if the plot is weak. In this instance I don't think the plot was weak either, but I was so wrapped up in Aspen and Lucian I might not have noticed. Grant also gets special consideration from me as well. He's a great friend to Lucian. </p><p>The whole dynamics of the Den was very interesting when Aspen took over after the death of the previous alpha. There was some set-in tradition and refused to accept the new path Aspen was taking the Den and the ones who were happy about the changes were mostly Omegas who were considered less than in the hierarchy of the Den. Aspen never planned on being the leader of a Den, ever, but he ends up being great at it. </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In a Nutshell:</span> I'm certainly invested in the future of the Bruin Ridge Bear Den and the shifters living there. I am really looking forward to reading more about them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iUsM5l45BCAfR7ol7iFFywwt02zN9tFrQSTI9T9BNxeen4T_QXrh5IOpwpduu3DjHWiegQzFjNTN60ktO1q_haAIkuITv-RjRDLLD-s8V3pKuFkpkxaLOJfC6Rp4LcKGHNWDIH4bJCPybKKvZSpSq4VZk023l6aWhLorXAsn-gcOLqQUijumDzeX/s198/4%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="198" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iUsM5l45BCAfR7ol7iFFywwt02zN9tFrQSTI9T9BNxeen4T_QXrh5IOpwpduu3DjHWiegQzFjNTN60ktO1q_haAIkuITv-RjRDLLD-s8V3pKuFkpkxaLOJfC6Rp4LcKGHNWDIH4bJCPybKKvZSpSq4VZk023l6aWhLorXAsn-gcOLqQUijumDzeX/s1600/4%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSRPAzin5sbLUdFh_5VyYU7HPe23NZzKfEPN2IPJdLHcA7gIPlrjRvFUnL-MJQ9fX7cI8W-dchxbf8x6yobFYbvQd5ZE8WgMcOx1FqIJbmMGk1T0bi1gR939PNgmsvjR6MMuwHR_d6hudeJjOwHt1j0lHy4RvqbYRRD1rcD-v3ZAARvaswwCcORrV/s170/sig%20tag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSRPAzin5sbLUdFh_5VyYU7HPe23NZzKfEPN2IPJdLHcA7gIPlrjRvFUnL-MJQ9fX7cI8W-dchxbf8x6yobFYbvQd5ZE8WgMcOx1FqIJbmMGk1T0bi1gR939PNgmsvjR6MMuwHR_d6hudeJjOwHt1j0lHy4RvqbYRRD1rcD-v3ZAARvaswwCcORrV/s1600/sig%20tag.png" width="170" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-73079736215416900352022-04-01T22:27:00.001-05:002022-04-28T23:33:08.051-05:00Sweeping Ashley by Eve Langlais<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbS7mGPKmFfUJv4XixMadXNruITAC_7zKvWUDZCpiqe44MZDsyPyhSeSq7rmbXbD3td2xQAQyZEAIldzTWUQdlGYEXHT7w0DP8K7eZ9oTPoQKwz1UPx9StB3QsA1uVU5LOJLJFlesRtTRNeSVTeX7PzXmkZNI4Mn5F5jNHUEW-sYwRy0qkmc-n02Dy/s475/sweeping%20ashley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbS7mGPKmFfUJv4XixMadXNruITAC_7zKvWUDZCpiqe44MZDsyPyhSeSq7rmbXbD3td2xQAQyZEAIldzTWUQdlGYEXHT7w0DP8K7eZ9oTPoQKwz1UPx9StB3QsA1uVU5LOJLJFlesRtTRNeSVTeX7PzXmkZNI4Mn5F5jNHUEW-sYwRy0qkmc-n02Dy/w268-h400/sweeping%20ashley.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-size: large;">Title: Sweeping Ashley</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Author: Eve Langlais</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Narrator: Troy Duran</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Series: #2 in the Grim Dating series</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Genre: Paranormal Romance</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Publisher: Eve Langlais (February 10, 2021)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Source: Hoopla Library Find</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ☕☕☕</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Synopsis:</span> Sometimes love is messy.</p><p><br /></p><p>In exchange for some witchy powers, Ashley promised the Devil her firstborn, but when the time comes to pay her due, she has nothing to give.</p><p><br /></p><p>With Lucifer insisting that she fulfill the terms of her contract, Ashley turns to Grim Dating for help. There’s only one problem—they’re having a hard time finding her perfect match.</p><p><br /></p><p>Which is where Derrick comes in.</p><p><br /></p><p>He’s the company’s problem solver; however, even he has no idea how to get a prim and proper witch to let loose. Frustration leads to him kissing her, but he never meant to seduce her.</p><p><br /></p><p>…or fall in love.</p><p><br /></p><p>However, his witch isn’t interested in more than a one-night stand. And when an angel gets involved, the reaper realizes he’d best do a better job of sweeping Ashley off her feet.</p><p><br /></p><p>Or risk losing her forever.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span> While I didn't love this as much as I did the first book in the series it was an OK addition to the series.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else: </span>I really don't feel this book was nearly as good as the first in the series. I loved the first one despite some things others may have disliked. Unfortunately, this one was lacking the intensity I thought the first did. The connection Ashley and Derrick had wasn't really there for me as the couple from the first book was. They definitely had heat though and I liked they got their HEA. As with the first book in the series my very favorite thing was the narration of Troy Duran. His vocals elevated the experience so much but unfortunately it elevated to an average book.</p><p><br /></p><p>Honestly, I'm living for Lucifer's interference and wish there was more. I still love the idea the "good guys" are Lucifer and his 9th favorite Grim Reaper and 2nd most wicked witch and the "bad guys" are angels. I'm hoping to see more of the "good guys" and more Luc. I love him. </p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In a Nutshell:</span> I'll continue on with the series and only on audio based purely on Troy Duran's narration. I don't think if I'd read this book myself I would have liked it nearly as well and continuing on with the series may have not been an option. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf327qO-AuuUE56MGWmhhvlSn2b_kiW5iaVhqr72h9Folj9vzOjNUL_USnT06nkshBSkFMsagRe48N3EgucEbx6BhKrBX4qAUUM7zC4FW7uRyk531gB_Bm4s0JOQ90252tlxf3s1padS-iDRqB0Y8Kwax9kZeZsuH4hYVc_if7seuX_lNdmFQyOFmC/s149/3%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="149" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf327qO-AuuUE56MGWmhhvlSn2b_kiW5iaVhqr72h9Folj9vzOjNUL_USnT06nkshBSkFMsagRe48N3EgucEbx6BhKrBX4qAUUM7zC4FW7uRyk531gB_Bm4s0JOQ90252tlxf3s1padS-iDRqB0Y8Kwax9kZeZsuH4hYVc_if7seuX_lNdmFQyOFmC/s1600/3%20cups%20of%20coffee.jpg" width="149" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19BLBF4haJJ7GIt6W9XIrDTndEtkQ_2v5hZEBtPhoUHL0gzj6UvsqB6dx2vSGxLmrOzXyNOVn9WcfAmRzA-WDc8cu9nXellSGU2O1LL4L-IQkapgfjCssrqHk-uFINUWkfq656nFOm5oVZb2HzjwNMPQYeP0E-iFo8_BDj0sAamnpxNG-WYa66EtC/s170/sig%20tag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19BLBF4haJJ7GIt6W9XIrDTndEtkQ_2v5hZEBtPhoUHL0gzj6UvsqB6dx2vSGxLmrOzXyNOVn9WcfAmRzA-WDc8cu9nXellSGU2O1LL4L-IQkapgfjCssrqHk-uFINUWkfq656nFOm5oVZb2HzjwNMPQYeP0E-iFo8_BDj0sAamnpxNG-WYa66EtC/s1600/sig%20tag.png" width="170" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-48801803865870575862022-03-18T01:59:00.003-05:002022-03-18T01:59:25.416-05:00Mountain Lion by Terry Bolryder<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiduTPANoJsFmJXWi4A-ovseV9D-lvh7goAN757iaQOlF3MxG4CrhQKji-zb-hECYJoR35VtB0MgXsAiCFX1Q4CYpvZohG_-wl-3Owqm_JseXBk_dm624v_4izUmTF6XojatqE73fNCR7a52nhoVkyDNpqThHKq9r4IkCj9f-Jl29CYhdEgvexcZ70N=s475" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiduTPANoJsFmJXWi4A-ovseV9D-lvh7goAN757iaQOlF3MxG4CrhQKji-zb-hECYJoR35VtB0MgXsAiCFX1Q4CYpvZohG_-wl-3Owqm_JseXBk_dm624v_4izUmTF6XojatqE73fNCR7a52nhoVkyDNpqThHKq9r4IkCj9f-Jl29CYhdEgvexcZ70N=w266-h400" width="266" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Title: Mountain Lion</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author: Terry Bolryder</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series: #4 in the Bear Haven series</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Genre: Paranormal Romance</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher: Terry Bolryder (October 12, 2015)</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source: Kindle Unlimited</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rating: ☕☕☕☕</b></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Synopsis:</span> This sexy shifter is never giving up...</p><p><br /></p><p>Mountain lion shifter Wyatt Reynolds has finally found something to fight for. Life has been a bit lonely for the tall, sexy cowboy on his upscale Montana ranch, but he never found the right woman to settle down with. Until a small, mysterious person walks into his office one day, hidden under bulky men's clothing and needing his help.</p><p><br /></p><p>Valerie knows not to trust men. After being raised in the remote Montana mountains with a terrible father that sold her to the highest bidder because of her rare blood, she has written men off forever. When she comes to Wyatt looking for a job, all she wants is a place that's safe, quiet, and will allow her the freedom to finally live a life of her own. But what she doesn't realize is that a tall, ripped cougar shifter might be enough man to give a woman ideas.</p><p><br /></p><p>Though they start as friends, Valerie is starting to get sexy thoughts about Wyatt that she never intended, and Wyatt seems to feel exactly the same way. But even as friends become lovers, Valerie's dark past remains a constant threat. The men who want her aren't giving up, but neither is Wyatt. Anyone who threatens this mountain lion's mate is going to see his claws.</p><p><br /></p><p>Book 4 of the Bear Haven series or can be read alone as a satisfying standalone!</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span> What a great conclusion to a good series!</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else:</span> While I thought this series had some ups and downs it truly ended on a good note. Wyatt was an incredible hero. He was patient and kind when Valerie needed someone to show her not all people or shifters are bad. Val came to Wyatt's ranch bruised and abused. Over the following weeks she healed and became more confident. Their relationship was a sweet progress of friends becoming more. When they became lovers those scenes were spicy and well written. </p><p>The length of the book (and all of the books I've read by Terry Bolryder really) is just too short to get deep into character history/development or to get a full on amazing romance that a 300+ page book would allow. They often rely on insta-love and use a fated mate trope to accommodate the quick I Love You's. I always mention insta-love in my reviews because I don't really like it and prefer slow burns where I can actually see them falling in love rather then having them "BOOM" in love. In most cases insta-love would be a negative but with Terry's work I just take it as it is and enjoy the books for what they are. So, with that said, this book was a little different. The book was a bit longer than the rest of the books in the series with 50 pages more than the first two and 30 more than book 3. It made a difference. We ended up with a longer courtship and a bit more background information. Another 150 pages would have given us even more but for the length of 165 pages this was a really good book. Wyatt and Val had some great moments together and the suspense was pretty good as well. I wish the tension would have played out a little longer though, as it was wrapped up pretty quickly. </p><p>At the end of this series we're left with a feeling of completion with all 3 McAllister brothers and their neighbor, Wyatt, finding their mates but the author opened up a new hero for us with Jace, a rare weretiger, and an interesting shifter policing "organization" led by dragons I'm looking forward to reading more of. </p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In a Nutshell:</span> I'm honestly so thrilled with this book and I'm really happy I discovered Terry's work and I'm totally binging in her books. I can't get enough!</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7q9QAdQTcvqHyKSUXjnuII8ip186LNvxiHAtMQMib6Vwlb-5XO2gAirFV4Ng0All5HSmA0SAdvCiWCK_Bg4213jTi9qVOKRxdj5yFvVgBHMskXLBWi37YjmjPBZkEtEJb6u8oZH6HmhnQJNjgM5Y0URkUW-MWx2y21YfJ2kvIets92qLE653Qhav8=s198" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="198" height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7q9QAdQTcvqHyKSUXjnuII8ip186LNvxiHAtMQMib6Vwlb-5XO2gAirFV4Ng0All5HSmA0SAdvCiWCK_Bg4213jTi9qVOKRxdj5yFvVgBHMskXLBWi37YjmjPBZkEtEJb6u8oZH6HmhnQJNjgM5Y0URkUW-MWx2y21YfJ2kvIets92qLE653Qhav8=w320-h89" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjss-XcBB34PTwP5sGWoWYyO1J0j3Z8zYiMZGS9A6Aj-A_mYBEhFnaCs3J73O7P9Z4d--SibjaLp5bJ4j-3rIC5CHtZ2Jtjp1Xf2Pp-ZkT_5YM7nY_9pefdXGeacydcW2FXMdN3xrIGwN9J2HdeGSMDRMmtLbS-DsB_5xPlfyQU94j5HbSERdDfl07D=s170" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjss-XcBB34PTwP5sGWoWYyO1J0j3Z8zYiMZGS9A6Aj-A_mYBEhFnaCs3J73O7P9Z4d--SibjaLp5bJ4j-3rIC5CHtZ2Jtjp1Xf2Pp-ZkT_5YM7nY_9pefdXGeacydcW2FXMdN3xrIGwN9J2HdeGSMDRMmtLbS-DsB_5xPlfyQU94j5HbSERdDfl07D=w320-h235" width="320" /></a></div><br /><u><br /></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><p><br /></p>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-15748484576956622472022-03-16T02:57:00.001-05:002022-03-18T02:57:37.317-05:00Wild Bear by Terry Bolryder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0pkJChLLYh4q9cADU2feui3RQUv8yznWxNMDicANPaZ7r043ptUNVBeIrQ44bn37CgKzuXQtdXoeogMfwkVZVj4DBgB6Mlxm5qwj9YYgY42eTvMKmaOzkzwDlH5m6N8FWS7M4jM3Qt2rmpSZDywid28CyYB4E7Kz8G44_gwQL2ycRlaMxqWpcI5r1=s475" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0pkJChLLYh4q9cADU2feui3RQUv8yznWxNMDicANPaZ7r043ptUNVBeIrQ44bn37CgKzuXQtdXoeogMfwkVZVj4DBgB6Mlxm5qwj9YYgY42eTvMKmaOzkzwDlH5m6N8FWS7M4jM3Qt2rmpSZDywid28CyYB4E7Kz8G44_gwQL2ycRlaMxqWpcI5r1=w266-h400" width="266" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Title: Wild Bear</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author: Terry Bolryder</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series: #3 in the Bear Haven series</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Genre: Paranormal Romance</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher: Terry Bolryder ( September 27, 2015)</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source: Kindle Unlimited</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rating: ☕☕☕☕</b></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Synopsis:</span> Book 3 in the Bear Haven Series! </p><p><br /></p><p>Maverick McAllister is as wild as they come. Born in the wilderness and closely attuned to his bear, nothing has made him happier than the untamed land surrounding Bear Haven ranch. That is, until a curvy, sassy woman shows up to tempt him. And all too soon, the rugged bear knows exactly what he wants-- his mate.</p><p><br /></p><p>Harmony has tried to make it as a musician in the Big Apple, but despite her best efforts, nothing has worked out. And though she's happy for her two friends that are now happily mated to larger-than-life McAllister cowboys, she can't help but hope that there's something good waiting for her as well. And maybe that something good is in the sexy, dominant Maverick.</p><p><br /></p><p>The chemistry between Mav and Harmony is undeniable, and every time they are together the room heats up like a firestorm. But as sexy as Maverick may be, he might be too wild to tame. And no matter how badly Maverick wants to keep Harmony forever, he'll have to show her that he's ready to love, even if it means bringing out the man inside of him that's been hidden a long time.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts: </span>What an improvement over book 2. I loved it.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else:</span> Maverick's book was so good. He was more animal than human and preferred to live in his bear form out in the woods rather than as a man with clothing restraints. His background explains why this is and his character is actually deeper than every other character I've read by Terry Bolryder thus far. He's really pretty charming in his own way and even though he doesn't try to be funny he is. His entire thought process is innocent as an animal's would be without the devious intentions that unfortunately are found in many humans. As a matter of fact he often refers to others as human and doesn't consider himself even part human. Harmony is his complete opposite and I liked how she appreciated him for who he was and didn't expect him to change. He did a lot of growing up in this book and I absolutely loved him. </p><p>The romance felt quick but when you factor in the H and h met months ago it wasn't as insta-lovey as the first two books in this series. Although it did wrap itself in an almost fated mate type of situation I wasn't unhappy with it. Mav was a bear. He thought as a bear. In his mind he gave himself to Harmony as her mate and she was his. The End. As an animal it was simple. Humans make things more complicated and he honestly didn't know if he was capable of being human enough to actually love Harmony as a human loves their partner. </p><p>There was conflict, a bit of suspense, epiphanies, and a big bear of a man who finally figured out humans sometimes need the help of other humans.</p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In a Nutshell:</span> My very favorite book by Terry Bolryder so far. I loved this book.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrpi6Cbe1dMpRvZV3DlQqjNwAsiw5OoHKxaSry7eCQJUaQq92xoBGhPNnwQ2cYEdkkKBK_E9BZK9yznnYvR5UXRZrpZ2CX5Xdy8KEExnzNhXUNUz88OyK3X6UBg7D0k4SIaKSKChYXQQeQnuDqKHAd5N_2UtQ--jItVvoSViO9d4kZjDdHZpKr0E0y=s198" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="198" height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrpi6Cbe1dMpRvZV3DlQqjNwAsiw5OoHKxaSry7eCQJUaQq92xoBGhPNnwQ2cYEdkkKBK_E9BZK9yznnYvR5UXRZrpZ2CX5Xdy8KEExnzNhXUNUz88OyK3X6UBg7D0k4SIaKSKChYXQQeQnuDqKHAd5N_2UtQ--jItVvoSViO9d4kZjDdHZpKr0E0y=w320-h89" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUHUmKukS9TmMbs3xVEMqnDG2g6LI8bx0OhbfGdjV1l2va_0QGtx9f1SjmlYSSct2vMjSug6USCk8MUY2NivyUPcrS_TxS0dR3Lvynb4iBxOkgdVtLmyYeBhyc6a5mDf1337uu3TQpUgOIiHkSOywE0sf24_6JdaVXegbbd00A54rJn_WQ7MVitfjA=s170" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUHUmKukS9TmMbs3xVEMqnDG2g6LI8bx0OhbfGdjV1l2va_0QGtx9f1SjmlYSSct2vMjSug6USCk8MUY2NivyUPcrS_TxS0dR3Lvynb4iBxOkgdVtLmyYeBhyc6a5mDf1337uu3TQpUgOIiHkSOywE0sf24_6JdaVXegbbd00A54rJn_WQ7MVitfjA=w320-h235" width="320" /></a></div><br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-71252284456293134282022-03-13T03:35:00.017-05:002022-03-19T04:47:58.308-05:00Rancher Bear by Terry Bolryder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhB4_WDip07n8rvYCNo6PH01I0M9QF4TlBT7qVcoRNa5m1TwN8l03StyhgeIESpHgs6pWaPfVYRBjpD9rkghkUeC1pfkNN_WJ2avSb7uf1h1Oqdy-g0OD1YJSgc26f_ayH5oaJkTISEy-rHmMufLQiNkPj5TaBWY6tIr5XioyAIVaMZgXE6eL60uIlR=s475" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhB4_WDip07n8rvYCNo6PH01I0M9QF4TlBT7qVcoRNa5m1TwN8l03StyhgeIESpHgs6pWaPfVYRBjpD9rkghkUeC1pfkNN_WJ2avSb7uf1h1Oqdy-g0OD1YJSgc26f_ayH5oaJkTISEy-rHmMufLQiNkPj5TaBWY6tIr5XioyAIVaMZgXE6eL60uIlR=w266-h400" width="266" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Title: Rancher Bear</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Author: Terry Bolryder</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Series: #2 in the Bear Haven series</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Genre: Paranormal Romance</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Publisher: Terry Bolryder (September 20, 2015)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Source: Kindle Unlimited</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ☕☕1/2</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Synopsis: </span>Jesse is used to being the calm one of the three overprotective, overbearing Mcallister brothers. But ever since the beautiful, redheaded Bonnie came into town with her two friends, the big bear has been on the hunt for one thing only- her heart.</p><p><br /></p><p>Bonnie can’t deny that the tall, unfathomably sexy Jesse Mcallister is the hottest thing she’s ever seen on two legs, and that the attraction they feel for each other is undeniable. The only problem? She’s been engaged to a man that doesn’t love her and that Bonnie’s friends believe is all wrong for her. So when things with the ill-fitting finance finally break off, Bonnie sees this at her first, and maybe only chance for true love.</p><p><br /></p><p>The second the two are together, fireworks go off and Bonnie knows she’ll never be able to get enough of the incredible Jesse. But Bonnie’s ex isn't going down without a fight, and there’s a secret that Bonnie and Jesse share that may endanger their relationship and change everything they ever believed in.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span> I really wanted to like this book but both the MCs bugged me to distraction. </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else: </span>Honestly what you have here is a short, fated mate, insta-love, shifter story. That's it. Nothing more. I did give this less than my typical rating for these type of books but only because as a character driven reader I just didn't like or connect with Jesse or Bonnie. With only 118 pages there just isn't enough background on them even though both were introduced in the first book in this series, Mountain Bear. There is even less on world building required for me to fully understand the Lynx shifter part and why other shifters can't sense cat shifters like they can all other shifters. Apparently, cat shifters can sense other cat shifters but a bear shifter can't sense a cat shifter or even if they are shifters at all. Jesse's lineage is mentioned and then not brought back up until the epilogue but only as side note to the story and not something that I, for one, find rather important especially since the McAllister men are actively seeking out mates that aren't bear shifters.</p><p>I also think Bonnie's ex, Seth, is a wasted character. He was written to be one we wouldn't like yet his story had the potential to be quite tragic as it appears LGBTQIA+ shifters either don't exist (in a Don't Ask Don't Tell kind of way as long as they still do their duty to their family and breed the next generation anyway) or the author only writes a queer character to be a throw away. I think Seth had more depth than Jesse and was really underplayed within the book. I keep hoping I'll run across an M/M shifter romance by this author featuring Seth. It wouldn't be the first time an author could take a character not written as hero material and flip it to be an amazing story and a worthy hero. </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In a Nutshell:</span> Even though I really didn't care for this book I will absolutely read the rest of the series and the author's other series as well.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFWQ4gitYUWdOc0YBhZ_VhdPwDhJ4AQiIQTHp_1syEkUgPpEQn4GImvRnkFBEy1pBSBl6eAxCCrMVBrOfA41BsIgH6hl0ypmrkns36Nj5gnQrS7LAIYfr4ijiHift7GcJZghMizMLSrKwgFmD48eOeoyagX5eK7AzjrMA_mC6NmKTcGRfJ4jmYGNJJ=s122" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="122" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFWQ4gitYUWdOc0YBhZ_VhdPwDhJ4AQiIQTHp_1syEkUgPpEQn4GImvRnkFBEy1pBSBl6eAxCCrMVBrOfA41BsIgH6hl0ypmrkns36Nj5gnQrS7LAIYfr4ijiHift7GcJZghMizMLSrKwgFmD48eOeoyagX5eK7AzjrMA_mC6NmKTcGRfJ4jmYGNJJ=w320-h144" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMmIVhJ0RjRdkE5JcyL9fVeQ4oY7DsRMS-krupfZiIS1W1LH63m_hY-Ged-XfS5E-iwKnQ0-Y2qc5c8bVUTeirmtsip6vz3N0QQYL3uEQbk0O_tUXf7OjKIkAhWuobnvJAEAMbCfEbg5AQFi6iYA3AyxMKNCywsHx6Pz1y1jZ6upT6EtZHN4MSY8w0=s170" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMmIVhJ0RjRdkE5JcyL9fVeQ4oY7DsRMS-krupfZiIS1W1LH63m_hY-Ged-XfS5E-iwKnQ0-Y2qc5c8bVUTeirmtsip6vz3N0QQYL3uEQbk0O_tUXf7OjKIkAhWuobnvJAEAMbCfEbg5AQFi6iYA3AyxMKNCywsHx6Pz1y1jZ6upT6EtZHN4MSY8w0" width="170" /></a></div><br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-22413896623010334242022-03-11T01:03:00.000-06:002022-03-11T01:03:22.961-06:00Midnight Frost by Jennifer Estep<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7bDSa0h0-5gSiyZDwyfjmFfoEPirU_gOnfoVaswyV8GZQzQCIbGE0va081z2DaZFJ80pCn4ACNQcB6XysSII4VlKlTQyCGE-IbiDKafcFai1ziBj91HorpKslF-nMXql8mKVWrHMo0RBJxiwy1SYQIuYS_UAXkGIcx1Gq0uJrfxonelkwGShp-CP_=s475" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7bDSa0h0-5gSiyZDwyfjmFfoEPirU_gOnfoVaswyV8GZQzQCIbGE0va081z2DaZFJ80pCn4ACNQcB6XysSII4VlKlTQyCGE-IbiDKafcFai1ziBj91HorpKslF-nMXql8mKVWrHMo0RBJxiwy1SYQIuYS_UAXkGIcx1Gq0uJrfxonelkwGShp-CP_=w265-h400" width="265" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Title: Midnight Frost</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author: Jennifer Estep</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series: #5 in the Mythos Academy series</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Genre: YA Urban Fantasy</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher: Kensington Books (July 30, 2013)</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source: NetGalley</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rating: ☕☕☕☕</b></span></p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Synopsis:</span> </b> Here we go again …</p><p><br /></p><p>Just when it seems life at Mythos Academy can’t get any more dangerous, the Reapers of Chaos manage to prove me wrong. It was just a typical night at the Library of Antiquities — until a Reaper tried to poison me. The good news is I’m still alive and kicking. The bad news is the Reaper poisoned someone else instead.</p><p><br /></p><p>As Nike’s Champion, everyone expects me to lead the charge against the Reapers, even though I’m still hurting over what happened with Spartan warrior Logan Quinn. I’ve got to get my hands on the antidote fast — otherwise, an innocent person will die. But the only known cure is hidden in some creepy ruins — and the Reapers are sure to be waiting for me there … </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>My Thoughts:</b></span> Another installment of the never-ending battle between good and evil.</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Good, The Bad, and Everything In Between:</b> </span>So, the thing with this book, or rather Jennifer Estep's writing in general, it is a bit repetitive. Reapers attack. A bunch of kids training to be warriors kill most of them. Rinse. Repeat. Don't get me wrong. That doesn't make this a bad book. There are enough new additions between slightly different scenarios and new characters being brought in that the book has enough of a difference between it and it's predecessors to keep us interested. I have to admit though I am glad there is only one more book in this series though. I'm ready for this story arch to end. Last year I read the first book in her spin off series and enjoyed the newness of the new setting and new characters but even it is still all about a bunch of kids battling Reapers. I'm honestly not sure how long Estep can continue with this same theme with the same bad guys.</p><p><br /></p><p>With that said I did like the forward movement Gwen had in her life by finding a cousin and learning more about her own dad who was an unknown to us and really to her. I liked Rory and Rachel (but then I already met them when I read the first book in the spin off series last year) and really liked the Colorado setting. I liked the return of Logan even though it was almost at the end of the book. I also liked how Gwen was coming into her own person. She has learned to be just as much of a warrior as the Valkyries and Amazons and has stopped doubting herself. </p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>In a Nutshell:</b></span> I enjoyed this book a lot and even though I'm ready for this series to come to an end I'm still looking forward to reading book 6 and the conclusion to this chapter of the Mythos Academy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0bF9fHiLzANQWqquGcl1o3NEOsTxl_MgyPBDc8SJFZQo37_oUTXKBoAJquGcEs-sM4xbg9nfPPSaHyHYgxWUjfk1tdTbY79EXVWpTGJDIR2qLVtVJakJGDhvsZIjplfMWUmn8o7XvADLOaolpaxzPftcOcvIeZa8oBpYow14XpkSAtNTe3PoGA6iY=s198" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="198" height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0bF9fHiLzANQWqquGcl1o3NEOsTxl_MgyPBDc8SJFZQo37_oUTXKBoAJquGcEs-sM4xbg9nfPPSaHyHYgxWUjfk1tdTbY79EXVWpTGJDIR2qLVtVJakJGDhvsZIjplfMWUmn8o7XvADLOaolpaxzPftcOcvIeZa8oBpYow14XpkSAtNTe3PoGA6iY=w320-h89" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOiyGSfI-29BOt5nPD4EQVKwQ08QidjlUl-FUYl-Wguu7nwkRxZ8PdSKHU8Bsk2o4qA1q8Qb02Pkv1QInLY4LCL_-kyQ_OgZcCX_4kOF2XrxtXIcK6OaVnlu9wWSlmvmZ2_fIU2epUQ-bZhb1FJ30aWDvlQ2X5t_nxOjL1b5c3zE9KfVZh5QEUvPF-=s170" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOiyGSfI-29BOt5nPD4EQVKwQ08QidjlUl-FUYl-Wguu7nwkRxZ8PdSKHU8Bsk2o4qA1q8Qb02Pkv1QInLY4LCL_-kyQ_OgZcCX_4kOF2XrxtXIcK6OaVnlu9wWSlmvmZ2_fIU2epUQ-bZhb1FJ30aWDvlQ2X5t_nxOjL1b5c3zE9KfVZh5QEUvPF-=w320-h235" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-18734271181479621522022-02-25T22:27:00.001-06:002022-02-26T22:38:43.197-06:00Pushing Up Posies by Eve Langlais<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNPseXbyDVkZw32zi1BALCXiCDYuPWmq0BQFWyCYjBInaTur7ccX31ppdFT6os33Ys8EpJtffatgXCH9aU68kPyczuP2CdBrEFsqYSvFuBhFpSEhRXwI2ywR2UMosoYwSKktC6YI1CyY4zwZfwuXV85FfsGb37JUtd64wnWXua7dXJhPBB1eybJ2HN=s318" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="318" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNPseXbyDVkZw32zi1BALCXiCDYuPWmq0BQFWyCYjBInaTur7ccX31ppdFT6os33Ys8EpJtffatgXCH9aU68kPyczuP2CdBrEFsqYSvFuBhFpSEhRXwI2ywR2UMosoYwSKktC6YI1CyY4zwZfwuXV85FfsGb37JUtd64wnWXua7dXJhPBB1eybJ2HN=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Title: Pushing Up Posies</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author: Eve Langlais</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Narrator: Troy Duran</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series: #1 in the Grim Dating series</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Genre: Paranormal Romance</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher: Eve Langlais (January 7, 2021) Audio published by Eve Langlais (January 11, 2021) </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source: Hoopla</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rating: ☕☕☕1/2</b></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Synopsis:</b></span> Netflix and Chill takes on a whole new meaning when Posie starts dating the Reaper.</p><p><br /></p><p>Poor Brody. As reaper leader for the Canadian guild, he and his crew don’t get as much work as other countries until the Dark Lord gives them a new mandate: Establish a dating service on Earth that will facilitate the meeting between citizens of Hell and humans with the end goal being babies.</p><p><br /></p><p>In other words, become a pimp.</p><p><br /></p><p>It’s a cruel demotion for a reaper who just wanted to guide souls to their final destination. He is dying to return to Hell, until he meets the stubborn woman living across the hall.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Devil wants Posie mated, but she is resisting all attempts. What will it take to make her see the light?</p><p><br /></p><p>And how will she react when she finally discovers that death has been knocking at her door?</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>My Thoughts:</b></span> When I finished this audio book, I was adamant in my OMG I loved this book so much! 4 Stars! Totally 4 stars...maybe even 4.5! Once my finished book satisfaction (i.e.: frenzy) wore off a bit I recognized this short book wasn't maybe as fantastic as I initially thought. Sigh.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else: </b></span>So typically, I discuss the plot (although briefly) and the characters before spending a line or two about the narration but Imma strike that, reverse it, and state upfront...I think Troy Duran's narration stroked all my buttons and boosted my book euphoria into "This is the best book I've ever read!" proportions. So, our black robe shrouded Grim, Brody Reaper, has a deep voice. Thanks to Troy Duran, Brody has a melt your panties off voice. Of course, that probably is just Duran's natural voice and, in that case, the next 3 books in this series are going to have male protagonists who are sure to create panty puddles as well. I'll keep this in mind when I read them and won't fall for the book euphoria that each one will surely create. Am I done talking about the narration yet? Nope, but here is my last thought on the subject. I might even go so far as to say I would seek out a book just because Troy Duran is narrating. Of course, it better be a spicy romance because if it's a thriller him narrating a series killer's thoughts might just ruin things for me.</p><p><br /></p><p>Now for the regular part of my review.... Character wise. Neither Brody nor Posie are very fleshed out. Posie is Canadian who apparently has agoraphobia maybe anthropophobia (fear of people for those who don't want to stop reading this long enough to open up another window to google) and potentially a fear of not being able to apologize enough but then that might just be a Canadian thing (according to the book anyway)(oh and Eve Langlais is Canadian so I'm thinking she should know)(Can my Canadian friends please let me know if this is true...are y'all predisposition to apologize for everything?) Other than those things we know about Posie we don't know much more. We do learn why she is the way she is but other than that Posie might have just been plopped down in somewhere Canada a fully formed if not mildly cracked human being (with only one facet of her past life being told to us because I'm assuming this one factor is the only thing, we need to know about Posie's past.) Brody is as much a mystery as well. We only get one part of his past life and that was the part that led him to his death and his subsequent life of a Reaper. So why did I like this book so much with characters not even fully dimensional characters? Troy Duran. No! Didn't mean to mention him again. Maybe it was the way the book was plotted out? Maybe.</p><p>The Plot or the premise of the story if you will. Lucifer is pissy because the number of his ranks are getting smaller. He blames the humans and their medical science with birth control and the Plan B pill being at the top. He needs higher numbers, so he decides to start a pimp service. Not really. it's a dating service where he matches humans up with his current ranks (reapers, demons, minotaurs, whomever happens to have a penis and is team Hell) to make evil little babies to join him on his quest for chaos and evil fun. What I found I liked about this book as a whole was Hell wasn't all bad, Lucifer wasn't all evil, and angels were kind of assholes. </p><p><br /></p><p>There were a couple spicy scenes and a couple really fun scenes where Posie got a backbone and told off a couple of angels.... well, an angel and an Archangel, Raphael, to be precise. The ending, although quick, was good as well leading to my end of book euphoria belief this was an epically great book. It's not but it's fun, short, and spicy (especially if you listen to it!)</p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In a Nutshell: </span>See all the above. If you're still not sure if I'll be reading more...um listening to more of these books maybe reread the first paragraph in my The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else section.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy8-MOblCYPeBsiT5y6w4jT_QxcBwDCif0ymppddKI_MGPtgxdCIOoDXeoZMimaqGmp9DJq7iBDug6iKz2Ztj7Ow3WXaMTr4svyjmOW4yP8xQE_W2RtFJX9MxLzIO2MbBbglcksu3pPvLI9KIx2bZ8eNnrtmbxG1nlypqB4zBZJMp7t4Vp1A3ppPI2=s171" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="171" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy8-MOblCYPeBsiT5y6w4jT_QxcBwDCif0ymppddKI_MGPtgxdCIOoDXeoZMimaqGmp9DJq7iBDug6iKz2Ztj7Ow3WXaMTr4svyjmOW4yP8xQE_W2RtFJX9MxLzIO2MbBbglcksu3pPvLI9KIx2bZ8eNnrtmbxG1nlypqB4zBZJMp7t4Vp1A3ppPI2=w320-h103" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoAMSN3ijySWoW-KKyYMHDPpHaNFpww-kaEfzC-tsFtcxr1lXUP4w53rdz-3KU2wMD79I_JKrBPKYzkXBr1FcySzGVP3F59b4_5AFAOsVX2z3stDEfUN7y07rNWS43DHiCF-5Db_Q5eo0Pc1zSHipxj2MprjccpQ0oaj6TrnZ-IyuTtXMhlBJtiT1z=s170" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoAMSN3ijySWoW-KKyYMHDPpHaNFpww-kaEfzC-tsFtcxr1lXUP4w53rdz-3KU2wMD79I_JKrBPKYzkXBr1FcySzGVP3F59b4_5AFAOsVX2z3stDEfUN7y07rNWS43DHiCF-5Db_Q5eo0Pc1zSHipxj2MprjccpQ0oaj6TrnZ-IyuTtXMhlBJtiT1z=w320-h235" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-42652873787487283662022-02-24T16:41:00.008-06:002022-03-12T02:29:40.035-06:00Some Enchanted Éclair by Bailey Cates<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgyNmxAfQGkWHe57dYzvrEhNpKCQap4MB93yHojb9h1fdNT9eBiAkjutWg4snAQ5ZAzg8g9uKz29U4g5Kt434Npws8hc32Rsqd4AgidEvVgFowdAKqlPhFWSYgQ88fblEtdp-SmuCTX18Mxvr_X5Jt4H8PshffFGecskREM0MSisWnvpxmcs7OFimU=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="303" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgyNmxAfQGkWHe57dYzvrEhNpKCQap4MB93yHojb9h1fdNT9eBiAkjutWg4snAQ5ZAzg8g9uKz29U4g5Kt434Npws8hc32Rsqd4AgidEvVgFowdAKqlPhFWSYgQ88fblEtdp-SmuCTX18Mxvr_X5Jt4H8PshffFGecskREM0MSisWnvpxmcs7OFimU=w303-h400" width="303" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Title: Some Enchanted Éclair</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Author: Bailey Cates</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Series: #4 in the Magical Bakery series</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Publisher: NAL (July 1, 2014) Audio version Published by Tantor Audio (July 1, 2014 )</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Source: Library Find </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Rating: ☕☕☕1/2</span></b></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Synopsis:</b></span> FLOUR POWER</p><p><br /></p><p>When Hollywood invades Savannah’s historic district to film a Revolutionary War movie, magical baker Katie Lightfoot, and her witches’ coven, the Spellbook Club, take a break from casting spells for casting calls. The witches snag parts as extras, while Katie’s firefighter boyfriend, Declan, acts as on-set security. Katie and her aunt Lucy decide to stay out of the action, but after the movie’s “fixer” fires the caterer, the Honeybee Bakery comes to the rescue, working their magic to keep the hungry crew happy.</p><p><br /></p><p>But when someone fixes the fixer—permanently—and a spooky psychic predicts Katie will find the killer, the charming baker and her fellow conjurers step in to sift through the suspects…before someone else winds up on the cutting room floor…</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>My Thoughts: </b></span>Another good book in an enchanting series. I have really grown to like Katie and her coven although they don't have as big of a part in this book as they have in the past. I liked that Cookie returned (with a surprise in tow) even though it wasn't until the end of the book. I've missed her.</p><p><br /></p><p>In this book a period piece movie is being filmed in the area and some of Katie's friends and family participate in the making of it. Of course, Katie wouldn't be Katie if she didn't arrive at the set just in time for the discovery of a dead body. If that wasn't bad enough a psychic tells her she will bring justice to/for the victim. So what should a good witch do? Investigate of course.</p><p><br /></p><p>There were some interesting additions to the woo-woo paranormal witchery this time around with a new someone who can talk to the dead and one already established someone (at this part of the series someone we know well) who can all of sudden channel spirits. This new addition is explained in a way that was satisfying so the "out of left field" feeling went away by the end of the book.</p><p><br /></p><p>My biggest complaint would be about Declan, Katie's beau. He's kind of a jackass. Super moody and hard to like. He's been pseudo-supportive of Katie's abilities to the point it feels as if he is placating her rather than accepting and encouraging her. In this instance her other (past) beau would have been a much better match but C’est la vie. Honestly the other guy was sketchy anyway but I'm conveniently forgetting about that at this point in time.</p><p><br /></p><p>I know I haven't discussed much of the plot and my feelings for the plot are just *meh. The book was good. I wasn't pulled out of the story by any weird crap and things were wrapped up well. I am just so much a character driven reader that it completely up to the characters to make the book or break it for me. The plot is always secondary in my eyes. I know that's weird but there it is. LOL</p><p><br /></p><p>The audio version was ok. Amy Rubinate is Katie for me, but she doesn't necessarily do other voices. I always know who is who but this is more about the writing than the narration. These audio books are just someone reading to me rather than an amazing production. I have always listened to them because they listen quickly especially as I listen at 2X the speed. Amy's voice doesn't chipmunk out too terribly at this speed.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>In a Nutshell:</b></span> Of course, I'll pick up the next book. These books are fun and quick fluff if you need something to fill a space definitely try them. They are especially nice between weightier more thought-provoking books.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTNtG5qiJpr3lmg54g0Uvar569afGkfXZkGHSkF_7_j3krlUhOLTw3rebKtH3czlMsk2y6D4iXM8lfXN8okKElPx6gIvPlXkKNMtGZSAsvMPk1WHcc05gP1DmkIP8K21UUBgNmMi9MmZduXLadUJWPny-ibT-H_gm8umLJN51WeWAVOeRCotUkRuDb=s171" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="171" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTNtG5qiJpr3lmg54g0Uvar569afGkfXZkGHSkF_7_j3krlUhOLTw3rebKtH3czlMsk2y6D4iXM8lfXN8okKElPx6gIvPlXkKNMtGZSAsvMPk1WHcc05gP1DmkIP8K21UUBgNmMi9MmZduXLadUJWPny-ibT-H_gm8umLJN51WeWAVOeRCotUkRuDb=w320-h103" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg55ksTqttxQ7gDLofPUxM224Jma80lasDYCao5E5V7ukTijzTS-4S0RuW6mSoJdakBT6wObO6_sHbmOSrtLQduJu1-n05VKLUUo-E34Z0nejbfKUpLzm3GVWNM7IeFlUwbQPZ1MZK3NrgyecQYaJ5hl-WZvQ6sZZ0oPsaJ6uOfDndXvF1oxarjWJNM=s170" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg55ksTqttxQ7gDLofPUxM224Jma80lasDYCao5E5V7ukTijzTS-4S0RuW6mSoJdakBT6wObO6_sHbmOSrtLQduJu1-n05VKLUUo-E34Z0nejbfKUpLzm3GVWNM7IeFlUwbQPZ1MZK3NrgyecQYaJ5hl-WZvQ6sZZ0oPsaJ6uOfDndXvF1oxarjWJNM=w320-h235" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-25021707326319525872022-02-23T21:28:00.001-06:002022-02-26T21:35:42.566-06:00Due or Die by Jenn McKinlay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1gjzX1sbMBDz_zhOAUXuWHhe8XLyTx4GAu-nMwgQsXxMmRImQH93WliCACSFm5-v2tNedqLICc79gdQvIJDesO9KwKs4OLZ3K0oJhIaiBviMbJZMWeOa3CfBk9jfnLx9R9reHff1QShKyr4RPWZrpjf0FNdU5GPURKfYBzR5lAi9Z1NSYKE49NASv=s475" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="295" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1gjzX1sbMBDz_zhOAUXuWHhe8XLyTx4GAu-nMwgQsXxMmRImQH93WliCACSFm5-v2tNedqLICc79gdQvIJDesO9KwKs4OLZ3K0oJhIaiBviMbJZMWeOa3CfBk9jfnLx9R9reHff1QShKyr4RPWZrpjf0FNdU5GPURKfYBzR5lAi9Z1NSYKE49NASv=w249-h400" width="249" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Title: Due or Die</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author: Jenn McKiinlay</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series: #2 in the Library Lover's Librarian Mystery series</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Genre: Cozy Mystery</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher: Berkley (March 6, 2012)</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source: Purchased</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rating: ☕☕☕☕</b></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Synopsis:</b></span> Answering tricky reference questions is excitement enough for library director Lindsey Norris. Until a murder is committed in her cozy hometown of Briar Creek, Connecticut, and the question of who did it must be answered before someone else is checked out--for good.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>My Thoughts:</b></span> A good cozy with interesting characters. </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else: </b></span>I'm partial to books with a library setting so this series is right up my alley. An added bonus was to have a group within the book actually discussing books. I loved this. I've read books in the past with the same theme, yet no books are really talked about during the course of the book. It's quite frustrating really.</p><p><br /></p><p>I thought the murderer was fairly easy to figure out, but most cozies aren't super difficult to figure out the whodunit. It would have been nice if more red herrings had been thrown in rather than one giant glaringly easy to see red herring the author used. It is sad when a mystery book has the reader more interested in the personal relationships between the characters than the actual murder plot. Of course, the murdered victim was only introduced briefly, and we definitely were not supposed to like him. For once I'd like a cozy mystery introduce us to a lovely person that we cared about and then bumped them off. Would this go against the cozy code? Probably.</p><p><br /></p><p>I liked how Lindsey's potential relationship with Sully is moving forward and it's really sweet. However, I disliked her flippant attitude with going on a date with the new guy in the book because it's super obvious Lindsey and Sully are going to be together. Some might argue the author's way of ensuring we know Lindsey and Sully are supposed to be together is a bit clunky and lacks finesse but when an author spends more time on their characters, I spend more time enjoying it. Tis the life of a character driven reader. Plot becomes secondary (don't hate on me LOL). Anyway, back to the topic of introducing someone new as a potential match to Lindsey creates an unnecessary love triangle and I am not a fan of those (one of the reasons it's taken me so long to read past the 8th Hannah Swensen book by Joanne Fluke to tell the truth.) I hope the books don't continue with adding more love interests as the series progresses because I'm really wanted to read more of them and would have to shelve them on principle.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>In a Nutshell:</b></span> Of course, I'll read the next book. Potential love triangle aside...there are books, crafts, a library, an adorable puppy named Heathcliff (whom I forgot to mention until now), and a hawt man named Michael Sullivan. Yep, I'm hooked.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOIvaR9PaZvKT_ISTcP0Y5PoKkn-2lqqnWLfvH8U2a2qGVxSfBAyWo9qQdWppdXK9J7EYLmr1WsRCP2X2f_8Pb_2SxTlrZ0cuIL5rnsJkL986l9Z-lxesp9bje7R1OoFzA2zPi0nQFKQbLXL4P-nBmW_Umo5YKXwbvTaExo4Y7lzpdVCBoNZ9KYUYM=s198" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="198" height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOIvaR9PaZvKT_ISTcP0Y5PoKkn-2lqqnWLfvH8U2a2qGVxSfBAyWo9qQdWppdXK9J7EYLmr1WsRCP2X2f_8Pb_2SxTlrZ0cuIL5rnsJkL986l9Z-lxesp9bje7R1OoFzA2zPi0nQFKQbLXL4P-nBmW_Umo5YKXwbvTaExo4Y7lzpdVCBoNZ9KYUYM=w320-h89" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpD5xUVFbtT4SHx6fqDr1hdNpeTwiEsUQtP6Yv5gOLSUtTz7IyM-YNbxTHSYanQbA3tAn3GyoBzH3RxTeNDbtjZtR_BXJnJqGVuUKAGcITZm2uWuVne5mGNvVibXHPntcNjzqZU7CGNdf338R7reL-ELwgZ9KP_21HxDgF959LEj2vHmnMcUWCRKgQ=s170" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpD5xUVFbtT4SHx6fqDr1hdNpeTwiEsUQtP6Yv5gOLSUtTz7IyM-YNbxTHSYanQbA3tAn3GyoBzH3RxTeNDbtjZtR_BXJnJqGVuUKAGcITZm2uWuVne5mGNvVibXHPntcNjzqZU7CGNdf338R7reL-ELwgZ9KP_21HxDgF959LEj2vHmnMcUWCRKgQ=w320-h235" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-58069045584500914942022-02-23T18:10:00.001-06:002022-02-25T18:15:53.761-06:00Awaken the Darkness by Dianne Duvall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjm5gm3WBk-MLAD9fCaM6Nr1Ahu6eLyMUrORrJ_Lb7XzMTTzcBQuETU8zEph-OMXktTFTXQUAPUw5YVvarEK15tuJXyo09M6wWtvNxUgsmyAPoPIOqPJfbBS4-4aMGKdKSa_ntbXa8y0H1HOq8ds-lbuuSdJxgBv1pDoqwCmcVIwb7P0jPi0vLz5KOA=s475" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjm5gm3WBk-MLAD9fCaM6Nr1Ahu6eLyMUrORrJ_Lb7XzMTTzcBQuETU8zEph-OMXktTFTXQUAPUw5YVvarEK15tuJXyo09M6wWtvNxUgsmyAPoPIOqPJfbBS4-4aMGKdKSa_ntbXa8y0H1HOq8ds-lbuuSdJxgBv1pDoqwCmcVIwb7P0jPi0vLz5KOA=w266-h400" width="266" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> <span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Title: Awaken the Darkness</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Author: Dianne Duvall</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Series: #8 in the Immortal Guardian series</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Genre: Paranormal Romance</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Publisher: Dianne Duvall (July 10, 2018) Audio published by Tantor Audio (July 10, 2018)</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Source: Library find via Hoopla</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Rating: ☕☕☕☕</b></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Synopsis: </b></span>He awakens encapsulated in dirt with no knowledge of how he came to be there. Riddled with injuries, he can remember neither his past nor who he is. Nor can he remember what he is. But surely no mortal man could survive being buried deep beneath the earth. All he knows with certainty is that the soothing voice and presence of the woman moving around above enables him to endure the agony of his wounds. And he will do whatever it takes to be with her. When Susan first sees the old two-story house for sale, such warmth and longing fill her that--against all reason--she makes an offer. It will take years of hard work and money she frankly doesn't have to fix up the place. So she can't explain why she bought it. She also can't explain what compels her to spend hours one night, digging in the basement until she unearths a man. A man who still lives and breathes despite having been buried alive. A man whose intense brown eyes glow amber with pain, declaring him far more than ordinary. Susan knows she should keep her distance. He has no memory and possesses gifts that would make most fear him. But as the two work together to unravel the mystery of his past, she finds herself drawn in by his teasing nature and tender touch . . . Contains mature themes. </p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>My Thoughts:</b></span> I just love this series. This one heavily relies on past books in the series so although the premise is fully explained the full impact of what the characters have gone through (specifically Stanislav and Yuri not to mention Seth) it is best to read this series in order with the short novellas as well.</p><p><br /></p><p>With this one we really hadn't had much time to jump on the Stanislav bandwagon as both he and Yuri were introduced only mid series, but I liked the way his book was handled. The continuing story arch connecting the last 2 books is all but paused while Stan's story played out, but I was ok with this.</p><p><br /></p><p>The romance part of this book was pretty typical of this series. Both Immortal Guardian and their love interest are thrown together with a whole lot of action and turbulence and the I love you's are quick but satisfying. There were some minor battles within the book but not as many (or as epic as the ones that occur in previous books) but because this book is about Stan and his amnesia this too is ok.</p><p><br /></p><p>Once again Kirsten Potter does an amazing job narrating. With Immortals from all over the world I fully believe all of her accents and will always listen to these books providing I can get them all easily from my library system.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>In a Nutshell: </b></span>Yep, I'm hooked. I've been binge reading these books. If you know me, you know this isn't how I operate. I get bored easily and will fall off of a particular series fairly quickly. 8 books and counting it hasn't happened yet and I'm not sure if it will anytime time soon. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiowXGbWqjDqPTszMwSEZsEWTkhJT84FIbfMlFLZu89fmIGg65Dwy43_voZ_PEnxCSyqjwev60put8VZn5exY6eCrakv-zOHPMhmNXrbKFsYl4qaA2jfuVU9s3wtC9hqHmBlPh2Nk-HmlMsyEsfmUEXFKJWBJ2p0ww6sg1jzgs2ouCuCma813ozrheV=s198" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="198" height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiowXGbWqjDqPTszMwSEZsEWTkhJT84FIbfMlFLZu89fmIGg65Dwy43_voZ_PEnxCSyqjwev60put8VZn5exY6eCrakv-zOHPMhmNXrbKFsYl4qaA2jfuVU9s3wtC9hqHmBlPh2Nk-HmlMsyEsfmUEXFKJWBJ2p0ww6sg1jzgs2ouCuCma813ozrheV=w320-h89" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhA7vMAZpppw58kwaf2-8STjBzPwmIbQKLwVDRaow1c6UdyIpgdNsFmSeCIIl7LVgrEeKFfDdg1xhx-woDvWpIDJx1bxmnY45387xmaR-OafRD4pcvU5mC43r8sBUUypz_CIvwz5nWOtJK96UzcOfOx-oJjvQNMTm3pBytlbcSoPmbdczHOCY19vvwh=s170" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhA7vMAZpppw58kwaf2-8STjBzPwmIbQKLwVDRaow1c6UdyIpgdNsFmSeCIIl7LVgrEeKFfDdg1xhx-woDvWpIDJx1bxmnY45387xmaR-OafRD4pcvU5mC43r8sBUUypz_CIvwz5nWOtJK96UzcOfOx-oJjvQNMTm3pBytlbcSoPmbdczHOCY19vvwh=w320-h235" width="320" /></a></div><br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-8767364267668360142022-02-20T20:47:00.008-06:002022-02-26T21:07:25.908-06:00Bait and Witch by Angela M. Sanders<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicxbZo4XkCcwiN0bUgPJbTfWSh9h8FcgAsqgk7a_-Lf3xffVKhERaXYaOYl8aYE6vd10Z5fgEfW6ThZEc2SAx2eMtk123cCUE12gUkhJzwJ1C2vBTHWvoBUeIIhp_4x-bQ6ZPo6C4s5-d8ToFuwbMcHEnrWd1ERfbHAJa6Qk3HUnwn_Rjdyeler_w8=s318" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="318" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicxbZo4XkCcwiN0bUgPJbTfWSh9h8FcgAsqgk7a_-Lf3xffVKhERaXYaOYl8aYE6vd10Z5fgEfW6ThZEc2SAx2eMtk123cCUE12gUkhJzwJ1C2vBTHWvoBUeIIhp_4x-bQ6ZPo6C4s5-d8ToFuwbMcHEnrWd1ERfbHAJa6Qk3HUnwn_Rjdyeler_w8=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Title: Bait and Witch</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author: Angela M. Sanders</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Narrator: Rebecca Mitchell</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series: #1 in the Witch Way Librarian Mysteries series</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher: Tantor Audio (December 29, 2020)</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source: Library Find</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rating: ☕☕☕1/2</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Synopsis: </b></span>Librarian Josie Way moved to small-town Oregon to lay low. Instead, thanks to newfound magic abilities-and a killer on the loose-she's leapt out of the frying pan and into a cauldron of trouble . . . Josie Way loved working among the Library of Congress's leather-scented stacks-until she uncovered corruption and made herself a target. As Wilfred, Oregon's new librarian, Josie can stay undercover until the case goes to court. But life in this little town isn't as subdued as she expected. The library, housed in a Victorian mansion, is slated to be bulldozed. Still digesting the news that her safe haven is about to become scrap lumber, Josie discovers a body in the woods . . . Almost as shocking, Josie learns that she's descended from a long line of witches-and her powers have suddenly sprung to life. With help from a spoiled alley cat who just may be her familiar, Josie's thumbing through a catalog of suspects, hoping she can conjure a way to save her library-and her life . . . </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>My Thoughts: </b></span> I thought this was an Ok introduction to a new to me series</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else:</b></span> I really love a library setting and I enjoyed Josie's ability for pulling the right title up in her head for each person who comes to the library seeking a book. I also thought her not knowing she was a witch was interesting, but it does come with issues. She has no control. She has no idea what she can do. She completely does whatever her mom says blindly even though she is a full-on adult. The mystery of who was after Josie (or if anyone really was) was a bit of a stretch as the person died before Josie even got to town. Also, I think if the FBI was involved shouldn't they have put her in protective custody or something?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Anyway, I liked the Oregon setting and liked Sam (even if he was a little sketchy) but didn't warm up to many other people in town and why no one figured out who the murderer was is beyond me because it felt glaringly obvious.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rebecca Mitchell's narration was decent. She doesn't do different voices but she's pleasant enough to spend several hours listening to. I was able to listen to the book at my typical 2X speed and her voice was ok for this. I wouldn't purposely seek out an audio book because she was narrating though.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>In a Nutshell:</b></span> I will continue with the series though and see where it takes me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4kqGY8h1phy0vV_gpGItpxeJmDYc1gYPax1vPKTg-DgPVWYa8zeWFn3RKkvQAKQdOmk7qMuPHYdu0AcWios0tg35pJxe85csnmP-MYZvuAxg-vyjAPSf2rryVy2Sn7OMMA5odoxFw3U6JT2TZexuT2ddMJALH-AhGwzM4X0YgSjUiE2V3xizv7Wt4=s171" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="171" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4kqGY8h1phy0vV_gpGItpxeJmDYc1gYPax1vPKTg-DgPVWYa8zeWFn3RKkvQAKQdOmk7qMuPHYdu0AcWios0tg35pJxe85csnmP-MYZvuAxg-vyjAPSf2rryVy2Sn7OMMA5odoxFw3U6JT2TZexuT2ddMJALH-AhGwzM4X0YgSjUiE2V3xizv7Wt4=w320-h103" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFUCQzGd5Zi69seYndiop94jyAQr54pUkkdC0k5eU8dxJWOPQCpJKKsXUFY8L5FImeIV46KDht1n48zSmWuwYsCirljQ0wNT4cB5-PWyvpZ34kSuUHdDZwEMtdSfgdtZyLUt0pbf1OM75oV3hSTgQPTL1zTEeEWyQA6I8wadGhK57KaxvwwIg_sMJc=s170" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFUCQzGd5Zi69seYndiop94jyAQr54pUkkdC0k5eU8dxJWOPQCpJKKsXUFY8L5FImeIV46KDht1n48zSmWuwYsCirljQ0wNT4cB5-PWyvpZ34kSuUHdDZwEMtdSfgdtZyLUt0pbf1OM75oV3hSTgQPTL1zTEeEWyQA6I8wadGhK57KaxvwwIg_sMJc=w320-h235" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-65664808677572011252022-02-16T23:40:00.001-06:002022-02-26T00:01:54.403-06:00Onyx Dragon by Terry Bolryder <p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3JnSarG2hJLgGf_YYDR7slyrWuHtby_Q6RSzJU_taC9x6dBmGAWmq730VmHcwiQxNEejK3h0oOMiY2g3_2Y7_e1P7ecx7kYQ8H03XqcEGzQUQi33qYVlwNOfZjAEx-vaHr8gTEj38r8ctH-Vj7Nert6ZjD8z1s6VkreL_KHbb9ljgQt18h7A47Y3c=s475" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3JnSarG2hJLgGf_YYDR7slyrWuHtby_Q6RSzJU_taC9x6dBmGAWmq730VmHcwiQxNEejK3h0oOMiY2g3_2Y7_e1P7ecx7kYQ8H03XqcEGzQUQi33qYVlwNOfZjAEx-vaHr8gTEj38r8ctH-Vj7Nert6ZjD8z1s6VkreL_KHbb9ljgQt18h7A47Y3c=w266-h400" width="266" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Title: Onyx Dragon</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Author: Terry Bolryder</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Series: #1 in the Awakend Dragons series</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Genre: Paranormal Romance</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Publisher: Terry Boryder (July 25, 2015) </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Source: Kindle Unlimited</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ☕☕☕</span></b></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Synopsis:</b></span> The dragons are back, and they're our last chance...</p><p><br /></p><p> Isaac Morningstar III, or Zach to the few who know him, has hit rock bottom. Once an immortal, nearly-invincible dragon, he's been awakened only to have his powers and his treasure locked away until he can prove himself to be a trustworthy protector of humans. Since Zach has never liked humans, he's pretty sure he's going to end up back on ice. That is, until he meets sweet, curvy Erin, a human hairdresser who might just turn his world upside down.</p><p><br /></p><p>Erin has a pretty routine life, but that ends when a tall, gorgeous man appears out of nowhere, claiming to be an ancient dragon with immeasurable power who wants her as his mate. She doesn't know whether to laugh or run for the hills. But when the mysterious stranger saves her life and needs her help she can't just turn away. Still, the closer she gets to Zach, the more she realizes there may just be something truly magical about him.</p><p><br /></p><p>But as the forces around them close in, Zach is quickly realizing that the darkness lurking inside him may be greater than he anticipated. And the beast within may not be the only thing they have need to fear. </p><p><br /></p><p>Warning: contains ferocious dragons, fearsome fights, fiery love scenes and a fiercely cute three-legged kitten that will steal your heart. The first in a brand-new series with dragons unlike anything Terry has written!</p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span> Although I found this book to be an average read it did manage to make me want to move right into book 2. To me this is a sign of a good book. It wasn't without some issues. No background on Erin. The setting could have been anywhere, the romance was completely reliant on the fated mate trope with no major epiphany moments,</p><p>and it glossed over where Zach's treasure has been kept while he slept or even how much or what it was (other than he mentioned there were jewels) . His ring is a major factor in the story, but I felt its significance was also glossed over.</p><p><br /></p><p>Despite all these things the book was interesting, had funny moments, some spicy sex, and introduced an interesting M/F/M relationship that appears to be the focal of another series where 2 dragon shifters mate with one woman.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In a Nutshell:</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span>So yes 100% I'll read more in this series. It's also offered on KU... if you already pay for this service, you have nothing but a little bit of time to lose.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhzQqAFHJOWmkxZ6wQ6S6NhgD-0YkIAyS-A5Z5pChUZGfXpjpjrcXTVLUMVEECuc_UT0EEjV7ScolaAeW_2CF2frJh27PwWKKG6X0SIsjhtR6VyHNiLIg1nIkREyozmJ6tvrdgnxV37tEL70rTaqg0QJeeQRdkO1yNRrvMi-sVv44MlEKyyeAWUvhS=s149" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="149" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhzQqAFHJOWmkxZ6wQ6S6NhgD-0YkIAyS-A5Z5pChUZGfXpjpjrcXTVLUMVEECuc_UT0EEjV7ScolaAeW_2CF2frJh27PwWKKG6X0SIsjhtR6VyHNiLIg1nIkREyozmJ6tvrdgnxV37tEL70rTaqg0QJeeQRdkO1yNRrvMi-sVv44MlEKyyeAWUvhS=w320-h118" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEht6dZsxsZUQDeuwtKrY_OAYOmIxh4Cdaj0SAENiFEvZFUHXYnWMEqp1NQMAv5J1cPDXM7pYnznCgNtVI-9xRxoQRMtCcTQLsk_E30guFbgX4yL8arW5qtUTiuaxNgi6wsNqX43BsuOKqOTjg_-0Xq3BUMK0ayP5m186MoF60PXZu5u-OYvBR6IT2_n=s170" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEht6dZsxsZUQDeuwtKrY_OAYOmIxh4Cdaj0SAENiFEvZFUHXYnWMEqp1NQMAv5J1cPDXM7pYnznCgNtVI-9xRxoQRMtCcTQLsk_E30guFbgX4yL8arW5qtUTiuaxNgi6wsNqX43BsuOKqOTjg_-0Xq3BUMK0ayP5m186MoF60PXZu5u-OYvBR6IT2_n=w320-h235" width="320" /></a></div><br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045721515772185032.post-38425339469643065012022-02-10T00:03:00.002-06:002022-03-12T02:47:54.548-06:00Fire by Kristin Cashore<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgeN2CvYwAUAMnEdRCbp6grVTmjuXVv0VPYQXj5EhSTa7HkwyrBC_hGu0cv6YHoH5Ts4iVrxafGvgToSYtc1l6_vfL7-qLntASsbmbkJB4GXdiDvzZQ0zx8imFXNGAM9BlmFTnRLXI15GS24qxdmEkUQQi-3LM0eN0ZtTxw2nmJvPlJpw68fHOJC3q=s475" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgeN2CvYwAUAMnEdRCbp6grVTmjuXVv0VPYQXj5EhSTa7HkwyrBC_hGu0cv6YHoH5Ts4iVrxafGvgToSYtc1l6_vfL7-qLntASsbmbkJB4GXdiDvzZQ0zx8imFXNGAM9BlmFTnRLXI15GS24qxdmEkUQQi-3LM0eN0ZtTxw2nmJvPlJpw68fHOJC3q=w265-h400" width="265" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Title: Fire</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Author: Kristin Cashore</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Narrator: Xanthe Elbrick</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Series: #2 in the Gaceling Realm series</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Genre: YA Fantasy</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Publisher: Firebird (October 5, 2009) </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Source: Library Find</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Rating: ☕☕☕</b></span><b style="font-size: large;">☕</b></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Synopsis:</b></span> It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. The young King Nash clings to his throne while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. The mountains and forests are filled with spies and thieves and lawless men.</p><p><br /></p><p>This is where Fire lives. With a wild, irresistible appearance and hair the color of flame, Fire is the last remaining human monster. Equally hated and adored, she had the unique ability to control minds, but she guards her power, unwilling to steal the secrets of innocent people. Especially when she has so many of her own.</p><p><br /></p><p>Then Prince Brigan comes to bring her to King City, The royal family needs her help to uncover the plot against the king. Far away from home, Fire begins to realize there's more to her power than she ever dreamed. Her power could save the kingdom.</p><p><br /></p><p>If only she weren't afraid of becoming the monster her father was.</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>My Thoughts: </b></span> After completely loving the first book in the series I had very high expectations of this book and I'm sad to say I found this book a bit boring. Although it's the second book in the series it's technically a prequel. I'm not sure if that's why I didn't like it as well or because Fire just wasn't Katsa. I thought Fire, as a heroine was *meh 🤷♀️.</p><p><br /></p><p>I chose to listen to this book whereas I read the ebook when I tackled Graceling. There was a lot of dialog that happened in people's minds because of Fire's ability and Xanthe Elbrick's Fire mind voice was, well, dull. Hypnotic but not in a good way.</p><p><br /></p><p>I didn't care about any of the characters like I cared about Katsa and Po. The only character I seemed to care about was Fire's horse, Small. It was interesting to see King Lec's beginning though. The next book is back in the same time as Graceling and about Po's niece Bitterblue so I'm looking forward to it.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>In a Nutshell: </b></span>I will read the next book but I'm not sure if I'll listen to it or actually read it on my kindle. I don't think the audio enhanced my experience for this book.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPmNC7zjIQP8H4P-AEddV9aXWSGYX-Vy0k1Nr3s_BVQCiK9vaJHcM4iMLDFa2dT98oD1Bd5gLYs0JhLbqHBhuI2IlSjrc0ieqUj_BjsCa7N2a75YnpgNFGkWfvHVkOOt6aGl3YHL2c07TrUtmwNNtPQmYxvWtmejDE9ZyIzPDxl05kzTuicJyAFxEj=s198" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="198" height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPmNC7zjIQP8H4P-AEddV9aXWSGYX-Vy0k1Nr3s_BVQCiK9vaJHcM4iMLDFa2dT98oD1Bd5gLYs0JhLbqHBhuI2IlSjrc0ieqUj_BjsCa7N2a75YnpgNFGkWfvHVkOOt6aGl3YHL2c07TrUtmwNNtPQmYxvWtmejDE9ZyIzPDxl05kzTuicJyAFxEj=w320-h89" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqVDG99YMF0V2DJ4sSFn2D_4mNHQ7NQ2ntGEXonfWSWb51VafgmQHPCMHC1uV1Tfg-bp8QtpKyRluo9yARLlUxRW6tydeiHYURpikGVI23GFh-GbF3IxrqBzrErNSAxdWBtU6Gve4eG-1imkVlOiuKR9kLkQ_JjEK1cBhEmb-s5I5_lHcUkSEvhQ6e=s170" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="170" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqVDG99YMF0V2DJ4sSFn2D_4mNHQ7NQ2ntGEXonfWSWb51VafgmQHPCMHC1uV1Tfg-bp8QtpKyRluo9yARLlUxRW6tydeiHYURpikGVI23GFh-GbF3IxrqBzrErNSAxdWBtU6Gve4eG-1imkVlOiuKR9kLkQ_JjEK1cBhEmb-s5I5_lHcUkSEvhQ6e=w320-h235" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06688159386107405546noreply@blogger.com0