tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13588088288828090542024-03-19T10:07:01.585+01:00Realms On Our BookshelvesRealms On Our Bookshelveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00138572783813554492noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-16765673486462183582012-01-11T13:20:00.014+01:002012-01-11T13:20:00.691+01:00Guess the book<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTq4NiuEir991Fbv6XgpjjZITMq9vr1Jf6ZTfD6hnG2ZF-aZNuYAxXON5me6DicgtCFBK5yFAhgkRQPiPIE5QCc8TpZDElYhObIK3E5Bt5IPAvFIxaicGfDQggcpTm79w_-MRTTCXKx1g/s1600/question-mark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTq4NiuEir991Fbv6XgpjjZITMq9vr1Jf6ZTfD6hnG2ZF-aZNuYAxXON5me6DicgtCFBK5yFAhgkRQPiPIE5QCc8TpZDElYhObIK3E5Bt5IPAvFIxaicGfDQggcpTm79w_-MRTTCXKx1g/s1600/question-mark.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Last week I read a book and stumbled upon a description which instantly made me think; Did I not read that is someone else's book already? I was so stupified because I thought there was only one character with that kind of hair!<br />
<br />
<b>Here is the quote:</b><br />
<blockquote>Her breath caught in her throat. Never in her life had she seen a more handsome man.<br />
Never.<br />
At first glance his hair was dark brown, but in reality it was made up of all colors; ash, auburn, black, brown, mahogony, even some blond. She'd never seen hair like that on anyone. Long and wavy, it was pulled back into a sexy ponytail.</blockquote><br />
Everyone who has read J.R. Ward immediately thinks Phury, right? Well, I wasn't reading Lover Enshrined or any other BDB book. So I wonder, does any of you know who this character is with the same kind of hair as Phury?<br />
<br />
I just had to google images of Phury...see if anything like that kind of hair actually excitst...without coming from a bottle. Alas...no such color but I found men with heads of hear 0.0 They so make me green with envy:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyYNIv2GD8ZfpVs1BpeBwBBQ90AraLe5Wgy7NT6XElMnihiC-xgU17zD8dsbmrv1bkzLiN0gDipP3K187P5I9S6_y2vpVisEZMHmwIaMHT3eQRj8_S8PKfcp8b6YQGYND3b18TrV75w4/s1600/imagesCA6GQCSL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyYNIv2GD8ZfpVs1BpeBwBBQ90AraLe5Wgy7NT6XElMnihiC-xgU17zD8dsbmrv1bkzLiN0gDipP3K187P5I9S6_y2vpVisEZMHmwIaMHT3eQRj8_S8PKfcp8b6YQGYND3b18TrV75w4/s1600/imagesCA6GQCSL.jpg" /></a></div> Okay...perhaps not a wild mane of hair but *drool* he's so good to look at ;)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8vQIPClVTCLd3-soMvMAqEa_q0XgVvnSS_f0V_QVPmk5K74Gl9TdXC93TMQLt2ZPLQdLVBAcM_wbDXmPsN-KcHbmYMw7qNsEgu8eK8vSNLyo3GXiGN0tlwxGEqZY3ZJhEnHJOIQEb4k/s1600/private-category-n_a-2-big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8vQIPClVTCLd3-soMvMAqEa_q0XgVvnSS_f0V_QVPmk5K74Gl9TdXC93TMQLt2ZPLQdLVBAcM_wbDXmPsN-KcHbmYMw7qNsEgu8eK8vSNLyo3GXiGN0tlwxGEqZY3ZJhEnHJOIQEb4k/s320/private-category-n_a-2-big.jpg" width="252" /></a></div> Now this is a mane...dear lawd, he would make Shakira look green with envy at that!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoXfxjB10Ok6kAF8I7KPZM4M7pGnGh70Hk5zSS529YRNtQbsQNS9GPNeqAPbF162BVIUC-55EFwDqyJ7UAtJAdijHrioy6xoSTgmxG4n5WcxvdSFLZ93Zr_X_a89tiUEVc0i8hYYRcJY/s1600/tumblr_lxe2cvqEEW1r2zs3eo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoXfxjB10Ok6kAF8I7KPZM4M7pGnGh70Hk5zSS529YRNtQbsQNS9GPNeqAPbF162BVIUC-55EFwDqyJ7UAtJAdijHrioy6xoSTgmxG4n5WcxvdSFLZ93Zr_X_a89tiUEVc0i8hYYRcJY/s320/tumblr_lxe2cvqEEW1r2zs3eo1_500.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Love this guys face...even with all that hair...he's still all man to me!!<br />
<br />
Can't wait to hear who you think the quote guy is ;)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORQFBoAUSH2o93Q1ez3Oc7CyxVGwRjDbDb8OEjjIigtkn6aJohOz-N0sNYrybCIpSfchAc_MnXefBTfVnT8THN_rf8Ug4-amjaJM9zMGtMH72isL9RoqF-tM0yya_SZgXrSuVB2ikFZk/s1600/leontine_signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORQFBoAUSH2o93Q1ez3Oc7CyxVGwRjDbDb8OEjjIigtkn6aJohOz-N0sNYrybCIpSfchAc_MnXefBTfVnT8THN_rf8Ug4-amjaJM9zMGtMH72isL9RoqF-tM0yya_SZgXrSuVB2ikFZk/s1600/leontine_signature.jpg" /></a></div>Leontinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11772385054579881436noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-59462531834654737242012-01-04T22:04:00.005+01:002012-01-04T22:08:40.903+01:00Happy 2012!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r269/ashleagh/?action=view&current=happynewyearbookwinessparkle.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r269/ashleagh/happynewyearbookwinessparkle.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Hello book readers, -writers and friends of ROOB,<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Time does fly by rather quickly! We remember like the day of yesterday that January 1, 2011 came to meet us, but here we stand on January 4th 2012, with a new year ahead of us, like a book yet to be written, the pages blank, and adventures still layed out as planns in our head, but adventurous 2012 will be.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">2011 has been a year of changes for us all at Realms On Our Bookshelves, personally as well as professionally. Drastic and dramatic turnarounds had us jiggling our schedules and timetables, reading became a bit more dormant, but now that we are settled in our "new" lives we wanted to pick things up again at the ROOB-blog. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">So many great upcoming bookreleases are just around the corner from best-selling authors to debut-authors, which we are ofcourse all looking forward to. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><em>Here are a few to look forward to in the next few months:</em></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rplbzcoi8-w/TwS8ctMulbI/AAAAAAAAAn8/CxLPelQiotE/s1600/bookbanner2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rplbzcoi8-w/TwS8ctMulbI/AAAAAAAAAn8/CxLPelQiotE/s400/bookbanner2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ofcourse many more are to be released and will be mentioned in future blogposts.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So what will 2012 hold in store for us one might wonder? Well so do we. We are planning on weekly posting containing ofcourse bookreviews, book-pimping and ocassionally author-interviews, contests or whatever idea comes to play around in our minds. We want to be more active again and liven up our blog. We know we've been neglecting it a bit and honestly said it felt lonely, but our blog needs to cry no more, we're back and will give it the loving warmth we've always given it before.<br />
<br />
<br />
We have to pleasure to tell you us ROOB-girls will all attend the Love Letter Convention in Germany, Berlin in June this year. We are very excited about that and are ofcourse looking very much forward to meeting the attending authors and fellow booklovers our there!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
We all hope you had a marvellous Christmas and sparkling festive new year and wish you all a happy, healthy, loving but most of all a bookaliscious 2012!<br />
<br />
Love always,<br />
<br />
The ROOB-girls<br />
<br />
Leontine, Marissa, Natascha & Pearl<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Nataschahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815466202576299701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-69968964601223061642011-05-06T08:00:00.006+02:002011-05-06T08:00:07.715+02:00Requested Review: A Song For My Mother - Kat Martin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxYQDulFgwLP79t-FLpPLSWuqAlF7LxbIsJUqPBXU0hcrd3o6hS8LGEx4RRJ1EA72Fvo_E7VOI2ZJaAZfJRlCaZ-IYHHZ7DIkJHvUmOjOsV58EJAMy7scclKy6iX77giRzH0OlUMpZEAb/s1600/RRreview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxYQDulFgwLP79t-FLpPLSWuqAlF7LxbIsJUqPBXU0hcrd3o6hS8LGEx4RRJ1EA72Fvo_E7VOI2ZJaAZfJRlCaZ-IYHHZ7DIkJHvUmOjOsV58EJAMy7scclKy6iX77giRzH0OlUMpZEAb/s320/RRreview.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSURZr_s5NwbsHbfCh1MHcJPu4Vymid0vDwd2dOUrFqe46nhehxIq2c-7c9WczLrF3GmVLsW4OV-LnTxgq67ad0W9crPCw2TacWebD4qka8ttljCQd4VnN7HyRauZEbNBOHZkd6TJfEz7/s1600/asongformymother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSURZr_s5NwbsHbfCh1MHcJPu4Vymid0vDwd2dOUrFqe46nhehxIq2c-7c9WczLrF3GmVLsW4OV-LnTxgq67ad0W9crPCw2TacWebD4qka8ttljCQd4VnN7HyRauZEbNBOHZkd6TJfEz7/s320/asongformymother.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<i>Hardcover; 209 pages<br />
Publisher: Vanguard Press - April 5, 2011<br />
ISBN-10: 1593156565<br />
ISBN-13: 978-1593156565<br />
Genre: Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance<br />
Book: Standalone, loosely connected to The Christmas Clock as it's set in the same town (Dreyerville)<br />
Main Characters: Marly Hanson & Reed Bennett<br />
On sale at: <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Song-for-My-Mother-Kat-Martin/9781593156565"><b>The Bookdepository Store</b></a><br />
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
Kat Martin brings readers back to the charming town of Dreyersville for another compelling story of love, loss, and hope in second chance.<br />
Years after leaving Dreyersville "for good" with her boyfriend right after high school, Marilys Hanson returns to her hometown at the behest of her daughter, Katie, a brain-cancer survivor, who's never met her grandmother, Marilys's mother, Winnie. Now divorced from her husband, Marilys has a past she wishes she didn't have to face there.<br />
<br />
Living next door to Winnie is the handsome young sheriff (and widower), Reed Bennett, and his son, Ham. Ham and Katie become fast friends, and when their parents finally meet, they hit it off quickly as well. But Marilys is insistent that her time in Dreyersville be limited. She's accepted a teaching position back home, and while she's willing to spend some of her summer putting up with her mother, she's intent on heading back and making good on her commitment. But will Marilys finally come to realize that her true destiny and, ultimately, her happiness, lie in coming to terms with her past?<br />
</i></blockquote><br />
<b>Pearl's Review: </b><br />
Marilys “Marly” Hanson escaped Dreyerville, her hometown, 12 years ago determined never to look back or come back. Then her daughter escapes death and her only wish is to see the grandmother she's never met. Marly is a teacher and a single mom with a complicated and painful past, now dealing with a daughter recovering from brain cancer. Her return home sets in motion a bunch of events: a reunion with her mother seems less impossible and the possibility of love and romance emerges.<br />
<br />
Reed Bennett is Winnie's (Marly’s mother) neighbor and town's sheriff. He’s a widower and single dad and an all-around good and decent guy. Though the focus of the book is more centered on Marly, her mother and her daughter. Reed and his son do make memorable characters that formed a very good match and balance with the female ones.<br />
<br />
This novella is not just about Marly and Reed, it's also about the people who surround them and play important roles in their lives. Kat Martin makes sure you get to know and understand them all, which pushes the romance a little bit to the background. Also, there are no love scenes, just kisses. However, I didn't mind that at all, because it's not that kind of book and having read THE CHRISTMAS CLOCK, I went into this book knowing what to expect. <br />
<br />
A SONG FOR MY MOTHER is set in Dreyerville, like Kat Martin’s THE CHRISTMAS CLOCK. Although it's in the same setting it can perfectly be read as standalone because there’s no ongoing plot and some characters from THE CHRISTMAS CLOCK only briefly appear or are mentioned. Other than the main theme being love in its different forms the storyline is totally different too. <br />
<br />
Kat Martin's writing is unique in its simplicity and the way it just pulls you in the story, no matter what genre it is. The POV transitions contribute to the pace and they're executed very smoothly. It doesn’t even matter what length the story is because even though this was a novella, in the small span of 155 pages Kat Martin gives the reader an emotional story about love in all forms, loss, regret and forgiveness and she even touches the heavy subject of abuse. But she also manages to depict vivid, realistic characters with such depth and back-story I was astounded and pleasantly surprised at the end that I didn’t even miss the sexy times in this book. The story and emotions carried this story so much better than any love scene could have ever done.<br />
<br />
Despite the thoroughness with which the characters are portrayed Kat Martin's writing is swiftly paced from the very beginning, keeping the story moving and the reader eager to keep on going till you've read the last page and closed this lovely book with a satisfied sigh. <br />
<br />
There were a few scenes that were memorable and made such an impact that I want to mention them in this review. One of them was the scene with Emily, when Marly realizes she needs to forgive her mother. That scene was so powerful and emotional it made me cry. The other one is the scene where Marly and her mom finally talk about the past and make peace. This scene had the same powerful impact on me as the earlier mentioned scene had.<br />
<br />
A SONG FOR MY MOTHER is an emotionally heavy read and you have to be in the mood to read it as it will tug at your heartstrings in a most intense way.<br />
<br />
<blockquote><u><i>Quotes:</i></u><br />
Reed hadn’t really been attracted to a woman since Carol had died. Hadn’t felt that little kick in the gut a man feels when he meets a woman who appeals to all his male instincts.<br />
<br />
She was attracted to Reed Bennett. For the first time in her life, she understood what it was like to feel desire for a man. When he kissed her goodnight, she didn’t want the kiss to end. When he held her hand, little tingles ran up her arm. When he laughed, she wanted to laugh with him. When he shared his thoughts and dreams, she found herself wanting to share her own, discovering in the process a few she hadn’t realized she had. </blockquote><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiO4HVgqfqX8C-BGrykrOCQZxQQAoY7QXShaLcmq9plxzyDHQ1euObcz4FKem1jK83Rx11IucaDFcGmSpgsv6Y3llb_BY2ROjT3KJZqUm-udbvfCfqiGhYVsvrJFqdFY5YwlPYydyxjgo/s1600/4_star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="34" width="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiO4HVgqfqX8C-BGrykrOCQZxQQAoY7QXShaLcmq9plxzyDHQ1euObcz4FKem1jK83Rx11IucaDFcGmSpgsv6Y3llb_BY2ROjT3KJZqUm-udbvfCfqiGhYVsvrJFqdFY5YwlPYydyxjgo/s400/4_star.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ualjhqlqIYxYJK5l8l7EQ5zPMIqq_bJ32QjdFpM5VIHhsog0LuRyuVtZR_9ZzlqY5kA1p0qwWgr7lDj-Pit8MVr39W8BU3QVlg_NcY8Zt5svbvW86wZMAMZB4mytwT4ZsWMaRU53dN7G/s1600/pearl_signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="78" width="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ualjhqlqIYxYJK5l8l7EQ5zPMIqq_bJ32QjdFpM5VIHhsog0LuRyuVtZR_9ZzlqY5kA1p0qwWgr7lDj-Pit8MVr39W8BU3QVlg_NcY8Zt5svbvW86wZMAMZB4mytwT4ZsWMaRU53dN7G/s400/pearl_signature.jpg" /></a></div>Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-47995176852456183642011-02-03T10:00:00.011+01:002011-02-03T10:00:00.071+01:00Requested Review: Sex on the Slopes - Susan Lyons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxYQDulFgwLP79t-FLpPLSWuqAlF7LxbIsJUqPBXU0hcrd3o6hS8LGEx4RRJ1EA72Fvo_E7VOI2ZJaAZfJRlCaZ-IYHHZ7DIkJHvUmOjOsV58EJAMy7scclKy6iX77giRzH0OlUMpZEAb/s1600/RRreview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxYQDulFgwLP79t-FLpPLSWuqAlF7LxbIsJUqPBXU0hcrd3o6hS8LGEx4RRJ1EA72Fvo_E7VOI2ZJaAZfJRlCaZ-IYHHZ7DIkJHvUmOjOsV58EJAMy7scclKy6iX77giRzH0OlUMpZEAb/s320/RRreview.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyppePHV2vNiRctZio7-PhIdq6eKbZgb1u2Vck39PXCg4-QN4kLjW-wH-EROaxz_8QnUDhUOAyrF1Uph0870rK3SDpPbc8i7DHrSLJ5AEVCmDUDCWvx5SlmzwSXL5Dw4dSNX6yBkM06W5u/s1600/sexontheslopes.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyppePHV2vNiRctZio7-PhIdq6eKbZgb1u2Vck39PXCg4-QN4kLjW-wH-EROaxz_8QnUDhUOAyrF1Uph0870rK3SDpPbc8i7DHrSLJ5AEVCmDUDCWvx5SlmzwSXL5Dw4dSNX6yBkM06W5u/s320/sexontheslopes.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
<i>Tradesize Paperback; 352 pages<br />
Publisher: Berkley Trade - December 7, 2010<br />
ISBN-10: 1439152950 <br />
ISBN-13: 978-1439152950 <br />
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance<br />
Book: Single Author Anthology<br />
Main Characters:<br />
FIRE AND ICE - Andi Radcliff & Jared Stone<br />
SLIPPERY SLOPE - Brianna George & Zack Michaels<br />
IN HOT PURSUIT OF A BAD BOY - Maddie Daniels & Logan Carver<br />
On sale at: <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780425237014/Sex-on-the-Slopes"><b>The Bookdepository Store</b></a><br />
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
At a destination wedding in Whistler, the bride and groom aren’t the only ones steaming up those cold winter nights!<br />
<br />
“Fire and Ice”<br />
Wedding planner Andi Radcliffe wants to be a man’s “first and only,” yet she can’t take her eyes—or hands—off sexy firefighter Jared, a widower who’s already loved and lost. Though she doesn’t want to be any man’s second choice, their secret rendezvous are setting off all the right alarms.<br />
<br />
“Slippery Slope”<br />
Brianna George, the groom’s boss and friend, is the celebrity host of a TV talk show. She’s all about business—until Zack, a hot young Aussie ski instructor, seduces her over to the sexy side of life. But will their secret romance jeopardize her career?<br />
<br />
“In Hot Pursuit of a Bad Boy”<br />
Maddie Donovan, the groom’s little sister, always had a thing for his bad boy friend Logan. Seeing him again after so many years, she won’t miss her chance to prove she’s all grown up…and find out just how a good a bad boy Logan really is.<br />
</i></blockquote><br />
<b>Pearl's Review: </b><br />
<b><u>Fire and Ice</u></b><br />
Andi Radcliffe is a wedding planner. She’s responsible, sensible and organized but in the face of a fire and then possibly freezing to death she decides to be impulsive and take a chance with the sexy firefighter who came to the rescue. She’s the type of girl of takes care of others first and puts herself last.<br />
<br />
Jared Stone is a firefighter. He’s a widower, guilt-ridden and still very much in love with his late wife. But when he meets Andi he starts to realize that sometimes opening up to new people in his life and even a new love, doesn’t demean his first love<br />
<br />
Jared and Andi have different expectations of their encounter. For Jared it's casual hot sex while Andi's hoping it could grow into something more meaningful. <br />
<br />
I enjoyed this first story of the anthology. It set the stage for the other two stories, introducing some of the main characters from those stories. In the beginning I did have a feeling of missing the emotional connection, both between the main characters and between them and me. This feeling disappeared when I read about a third of the story. Something clicked and the second sex scene was more to my liking than the first.<br />
<br />
Despite the small page-count, FIRE AND ICE is a well-rounded story that's a balanced mix between erotic romance and character-development but because of the shortness of the story it also felt a little bit rushed. However, the ending was lovely and emotional and made up for the rushed feel.<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i>Quote:<br />
She must look ridiculous, yet he was still staring at her as if he wanted to eat her from head to toe, paying special attention to the goodies in the middle.</i></blockquote><br />
<b>Rating: 3.5 stars</b><br />
<br />
<b><u>Slippery Slope</u></b><br />
Brianna George is creator and host of the TV show ‘The Scoop. She’s a native Canadian who overcame her difficult past and became a successful TV personality and a local celebrity. She’s focused, grounded and pragmatic. A perfectionist with a terrible track record with men and dating and an all work no play kind of woman. Beneath the capable exterior there's an air of insecurity and vulnerability and a fear of failure. She longs to blend in and be respected, to overcome her past riddled with gossip and preconceived opinions.<br />
<br />
Zack Michaels is an Australian ski instructor. He’s outgoing, impulsive, vibrant and charming. He enjoys life to the fullest and his zest for life rubs off on people. But he’s also sensitive, perceptive and stubborn.<br />
<br />
SLIPPERY SLOPE appealed to me much more than the first and this probably had to do with the trope as I love older woman-younger man stories. I really like this trope and think Susan Lyons did a great job of making it work in this story. I also like that the age difference between Zack and Brianna didn’t form the main conflict between them.<br />
<br />
I really enjoyed the banter between Brianna and Zack, which also brought along some humor to the story. Zack encourages Brianna to loosen up and be more playful. This story felt a bit less rushed than the first but as with the first story the resolution of the conflict was whirlwind quick. And again Susan Lyons wrote a wonderful and emotional end to the story.<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i>Quotes:<br />
"If that's your not-so-subtle way of finding out if I'm single, the answer is yes. But don't take that to mean--"<br />
"Mean what?" He gazed into her eyes and sank into pools of bittersweet chocolate.<br />
Dark skin, dark eyes. Did she taste like chocolate, too?<br />
She gave a start and blinked. "Uh, that I'm interested in . . . whatever."<br />
"Ah, but you've never tried my brand of whatever," he teased.<br />
Her eyes narrowed. "I've tested enough brands to be skeptical about the overall product."<br />
<br />
Other men had given her tentative kisses and forceful ones. Never had a guy kissed her with this blend of gentleness and confidence. His lips were soft, teasing, seductive, and she had to respond, to open her mouth on a sigh of pleasure.</i></blockquote><br />
<b>Rating: 4 stars</b><br />
<br />
<b><u>In Hot Pursuit of a Bad Boy</u></b> <br />
Madeleine 'Maddie' Daniels is a massage therapist. She’s sweet, warmhearted, inventive, tenacious and passionate. <br />
<br />
Logan Carver is a (undercover) cop. He’s the troublemaker kid that went from foster home to foster home. He puts up a rough, tough bad boy front but deep down he's a good guy, an outsider longing to belong somewhere and have someone who cares about him.<br />
<br />
The chemistry between Maddie and Logan is the most sizzling of the three couples. This made their story stand out the most for me. Also the fact that their story didn't start out as "just sex" between virtual strangers, like the other two did, but had a foundation in a friendship started long before, made IN HOT PURSUIT OF A BAD BOY the best of the three stories for me. <br />
<br />
The sex scenes are hot and explosive and I loved the shower scene. I also loved how Maddie went about to get the guy she'd loved since she was a teen. She knows he's a tough nut to crack emotionally so she decides to take the physical route and hopes it will be enough for him to realize he wants her for more than a temporary sexual fling and return her love.<br />
<br />
I’m starting to sound like a broken record but like in the other two stories the ending was lovely and emotional and a perfect closure to the entire anthology.<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i>Quotes:<br />
Her smile touched a chord in his heart that hadn't been strummed since that last night he'd been with her.<br />
<br />
No need for him to know she was all nerves, wondering if he still made her heart lurch and her hormones zing the way no other man ever had.<br />
<br />
If he'd played his cards right, he could've been in her bed right now, using his rigid boner for something much more satisfying than holding up his jeans.</i></blockquote><br />
<b>Rating: 4 stars</b><br />
<br />
<br />
IN GENERAL ABOUT THE ANTHOLOGY:<br />
The setting for this anthology is a destination wedding at a chalet at Whistler, Canada: Alpine Hideaway. The couple that is getting married has an important secondary role in all three stories but they are never truly in the foreground. Every story has one or both main characters who has a link with the bride and/or groom. <br />
<br />
This single author anthology is my first encounter with Susan Lyons writing despite having her Awesome Foursome Series on my shelves (I still have to read them) and it was a pleasant first encounter. I really liked her clean, crisp writing style, tinged with subtle humor and rife with hot chemistry and explosive encounters.<br />
<br />
The three stories balance each other out in a great way. They all have a different trope and vibe and yet form a cohesive whole aided by the setting and the complex, fascinating characters. Together they form a lovely anthology about finding love that was wrapped up in a fitting epilogue. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAi0gYwIhGnc0ZStFvMRsNi58bV1iljV7UE60wRKLJm6fGIMM9_x-8yB-nwGZI__muXREej0TRKeBEM1UERtks53DKOKElIjHc5ziphILGQZd-C6SF3dgc2CYNtww_FLWiT5k7SG-Ec0fg/s1600/4_star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAi0gYwIhGnc0ZStFvMRsNi58bV1iljV7UE60wRKLJm6fGIMM9_x-8yB-nwGZI__muXREej0TRKeBEM1UERtks53DKOKElIjHc5ziphILGQZd-C6SF3dgc2CYNtww_FLWiT5k7SG-Ec0fg/s320/4_star.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRg74OS1A1zrm0AFMBaR8FyDaq9_Zct8f2jdaRjMMGgq_4QoShC0lQuaexRtP_gVNprE-qxm3vSxXgM6fShueedGXcmP6fzkvyCquOX3AbIBsufe7TztH3_xBmu2DmoblUJXDCp6ig9L-/s1600/pearl_signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRg74OS1A1zrm0AFMBaR8FyDaq9_Zct8f2jdaRjMMGgq_4QoShC0lQuaexRtP_gVNprE-qxm3vSxXgM6fShueedGXcmP6fzkvyCquOX3AbIBsufe7TztH3_xBmu2DmoblUJXDCp6ig9L-/s320/pearl_signature.jpg" /></a></div>Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-36852443555652838522011-02-01T12:56:00.000+01:002011-02-01T12:56:12.859+01:00Jessica Trapp - Defiant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TUfyVa8JXrI/AAAAAAAABKw/Ju8Pq322Rxg/s1600/Defiant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TUfyVa8JXrI/AAAAAAAABKw/Ju8Pq322Rxg/s320/Defiant.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>Paperback: 352 pages <br />
<br />
Publisher: Zebra (December 1, 2010) <br />
Language: English <br />
ISBN-10: 1420100955 <br />
<br />
ISBN-13: 978-1420100952 <br />
Genre: Historical Romance<br />
Stand-Alone<br />
Main Characters: Jared St. John & Gwyneth of Windrose<br />
<br />
Buy at: <a href="http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9781420100952/Defiant">The Book Depository</a><br />
<br />
Blurb:<br />
<br />
Three years ago Jared St. John was imprisoned, wrongly, for the murder of his own brother. Now, finally free, he wishes only to live in peace, hoping to heal the darkness that plagues his soul. But his self-inflicted isolation is destroyed when he is drugged, spirited away to a church, and forced to marry a brazen enchantress against his will...Lady Gwyneth of Windrose knows something of false imprisonment, but that doesn't stop her from abducting a stranger when it's her only hope of gaining her liberty. Yet the moment she's alone in her unwilling new husband's powerful presence, everything Gwyneth thought she knew of men - and of seduction - falls by the wayside. For the first time in her life, it's not freedom Gwyneth craves...but to give herself over to unyielding passion... <br />
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<strong>Requested Review </strong><br />
<br />
If you are a fan of classic historical romances like the ones Johanna Lindsey wrote in the 80’s and early 90’s you will most certainly love Jessica Trapp’s Defiant. But even if you are not into historical romances you can enjoy this smooth written story for its plot delves much deeper than just a simple love story between a fierce hero and a feisty heroine. <br />
<br />
Lady Gwyneth of Windrose is known for her great beauty and many men have asked for her hand in marriage, yet Gwyneth has always evaded the shackles of marriage. Gwyneth has no intention to be the property of a man who can show her off whenever he feels like it. All she wants is her freedom. Fate brings her together with Irma, a whore. They share a secret and it is Irma who shows Gwyneth how she can use her beauty to her advantage to help other women. Now Gwyneth is a woman on a mission, she wants to save as many women from prison as she can so they won’t be sold into slavery. <br />
<br />
But Gwyneth cannot escape marriage forever and her family forces her to marry some fop. This will endanger her mission so she and Irma come up with a plan. They abduct a stranger; Gwyneth marries him and pays him off so he disappears. This is Gwyneth’s only hope to gain her liberty and continue her mission, but they picked the wrong stranger to mess with for Jared St. John will not disappear. He is here to stay and for the first time in her life Gwyneth cannot seduce a man to do things her way, for the first time in her life she wants to surrender to her passion… passion for her husband. <br />
<br />
Jared St. John is the illegitimate child of a lady, she never cared for him. He is a falconer and shares a special bond with his bird Aeliana. Three years ago he was falsely accused of murdering his own brother, now he has escaped. He only wishes to live in peace and clear his name by finding his brother’s real killer. Living in peace is no longer an option when Gwyneth enters his life and forces him to marry her, but marriage to Gwyneth has its advantages so he exercises his rights as her husband while he tries to clear his name. But it is hard not to fall under the spell of such a beauty.<br />
<br />
Though Defiant is a classic historical romance, fluently written and fast-paced to read, it also has a high level of girl power and it is a character-driven story. The changes both Jared and Gwyneth undergo during this story add even more layers and depth to them. They come from very different backgrounds, have absolutely nothing in common with one another yet they are very much the same in many ways. They both have a strong sense of justice and this is what eventually leads them to one another. <br />
<br />
Gwyneth is a great heroine, as a lady she could have resigned herself to her role as a wife and live an easy life, instead she tries to take control of her own life as much as she can and help other women. She is an idealist trying to improve the position of women in a men’s world. She is persistent, a little stubborn, smart and emphatitic; she puts other people’s needs for her own. Life has taught her that men don’t listen to women very well and if she wants something she has to do it herself. She depends very much on herself and Irma and does not trust men. When Jared stays in her life she must adapt quickly and find new ways to continue her mission, not once does she give up. She is a very strong, compassionate lady and I like her attitude and her assertiveness very much. <br />
<br />
Looking from Gwyneth’s point of view Jared sounds like a bastard, but he really isn’t. I must admit when he forced Gwyneth to wear a brank for a day he did not score any points with me, but she really pushed him too far and Jared needed to show that he could handle his wife, after all this story plays out in the middle ages. Being hurt by women all his life makes Jared very cautious of Gwyneth, he is emotionally closed off yet vulnerable at the same time. He does not trust people, especially women easily. Jared only relies on himself and his bird Aeliana. Yet he is very patient and gentle with Gwyneth, he teaches her how to read and shows her that she can trust him and that he has honor. All he wants is to clear his name and live in peace. <br />
<br />
There are not many secondary characters in this story; the only important one is Irma. Irma is Gwyneth’s best friend and she is a whore. She lives a harsh life yet tries to make the best of things and is always to help other women. I liked Irma, she is so practical and she made me laugh. She and Gwyneth are an odd pair, together with Jared they are the pivot of Defiant. Still, Jessica Trapp has done a great job at making you feel a connection to this three characters as they try to live their lives on their terms and reach their goals.<br />
<br />
I really loved the plotline of this story, there are many little details in the lives of Jared, Gwyneth and Irma that look trivial, yet it turns out that they are very important for the development of the story. These details also show how tangled up their lives really are without them knowing it. All these little details and loose ends come together with a bang at the end of the story.<br />
<br />
Defiant was a pleasant surprise for me, I loved it. The well-rounded characters, the undeniable attraction between Jared and Gwyneth, the fluent and profound plotline and the high level of girl power. The solutions Irma and Gwyneth come up with for their problems were hilarious. Yet at the same time Defiant keeps that authentic medieval vibe. Therefore Defiant is a mesmerizing read from start to finish.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TUfz3KI52yI/AAAAAAAABK0/R_TMKcuJokA/s1600/Signature+Marissa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" s5="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TUfz3KI52yI/AAAAAAAABK0/R_TMKcuJokA/s1600/Signature+Marissa.jpg" /></a></div>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-27954673596319897312011-01-24T13:07:00.003+01:002011-01-24T13:18:55.246+01:00ARC Review: Nalini Singh - Archangel's Consort<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfc55f20650ecmSnCotphpaXz0eqQ635Ios65z7AyRiK_n4KxRycpI-lffXEullglYnVSahiSSs1qPA_qlV2SmcCqqtR4J2sDL5f9VhHubK12tLb412pPOhTwJeRf0V73slxX2ctLkTc/s1600/archangels_consort1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfc55f20650ecmSnCotphpaXz0eqQ635Ios65z7AyRiK_n4KxRycpI-lffXEullglYnVSahiSSs1qPA_qlV2SmcCqqtR4J2sDL5f9VhHubK12tLb412pPOhTwJeRf0V73slxX2ctLkTc/s1600/archangels_consort1.jpg" /></a></div>Paperback: 352 pages <br />
Publisher: Berkley (January 25, 2011) <br />
Language: English <br />
ISBN-10: 0425240134 <br />
ISBN-13: 978-0425240137 <br />
Genre: Urban Fantasy<br />
Book #3 in Guild Hunter series<br />
Main Characters: Raphael and Elena<br />
Buy at: <a href="http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9780425240137/Archangels-Consort">Book Depository Store</a><br />
<br />
<strong>Cover Summary:</strong> <br />
Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux and her lover, the lethally beautiful archangel Raphael, have returned home to New York only to face an uncompromising new evil… <br />
<br />
A vampire has attacked a girls’ school—the assault one of sheer, vicious madness—and it is only the first act. Rampant bloodlust takes vampire after vampire, threatening to make the streets run with blood. Then Raphael himself begins to show signs of an uncontrolled rage, as inexplicable storms darken the city skyline and the earth itself shudders. <br />
<br />
The omens are suddenly terrifyingly clear. <br />
<br />
An ancient and malevolent immortal is rising. The violent winds whisper her name: Caliane. She has returned to reclaim her son, Raphael. Only one thing stands in her way: Elena, the consort who must be destroyed… <br />
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Archangel's Consort gives us a third chapter to devour in the romance story of Archangel Raphael and Guild Hunter Elena. With that I cannot guarantee a spoiler free review and only advice readers to start at the beginning with Angels’ Blood and work your way to this release which I can tell you will be quite the ride! <br />
<br />
From the beginning there was an undeniable attraction simmering between Raphael and Elena and this had not diminished in any way in Archangels Consort. Next to their deepening relationship they both have to deal with family issues as well. From the get-go I fell hard for the synergy between Raphael and Elena. Their dialogues are full of wit and barbs, their personalities clashing at times in dominance and the sensual vibe is like a live wire between them. Over the course of the evolving storyline I witnessed their trials and tribulations, their strength, vulnerabilities and flaws, but at the foundation a love grew that encompassed them wholly. <br />
<br />
In Archangels Consort, Nalini Singh demonstrates how utterly good she is at bringing characters to life and exploring their personalities. Raphael is a male character who isn’t quite the anti hero nor “just” one who can be branded an Alpha, he transcends these character type’s with his attitude that is born from his ancient age and view on life. He is without a doubt “other”. He is an Archangel who makes me shiver with all of his personality traits and each reader should experience his personality first hand to understand what makes Raphael, Raphael.<br />
<br />
To be the love interest of such an Archangel takes quite a woman but Elena holds her ground in her own unique way. She knows how to get through to Raphael when he goes all Archangel attitude and makes him more accessible to the softer side of emotions. Even though Elena has a strong backbone, even when she goes all warrior woman, she also is a sensuous woman and has her vulnerabilities. It is the sensual and emotional interplay between them as a couple that shows this the most. This story definitely created room for the romance part, for conflicts and the fiery passion that often set the pages ablaze. When two angels choose to dance the skies it is a sight to behold!<br />
<br />
The one thing that was subdued was the mystery. Practically up front did I know what was going on and it lessened the thrill of the suspense. It made certain events less dangerous and I missed the one-two punch Nalini Singh can deliver when romance and suspense work as one and I can’t read fast enough to know what’s happening. Of course I did get a few small surprises in the end, creating possibilities for future installments but in this story it was the interpersonal relationships that did it for me. <br />
<br />
Next to murders, some dangers, romance and challenges there was also Raphael’s Seven. Each of these Seven is a compelling and intriguing character but like many avid readers of this series I have my favorites. My heart skips a beat with the uber powerful vampire Dmitri, I have a wicked grin on my face whenever Illium aka Bluebell, enters the stage, my curiosity is piqued with Aodhan, but it is Jason who yanks all of my chains. In this installment Nalini Singh tantalizes me with small snippets of mystery revolving his, and many other characters, from the Seven. I can’t wait for her to start writing up their stories!!<br />
<br />
Nalini Singh’s is one of the powerhouse authors who rule in the Urban-Fantasy genre. Her imaginative writing never fails to invite me into her dynamic world. I get to go on adventures with her characters, enjoy the temperamental dialogues and feel every single shred of emotions sizzling between them! Archangel’s Consort was a wonderful return again to the Guild Hunter world! <br />
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<blockquote>Quote Elena:<br />
Now, she was one of those angels, perched high atop a balcony that had no railing, nothing to prevent a fall. Except of course, she would no longer fall. Her wings were stronger now. She was stronger.<br />
<br />
Flaring out those wings, she took a deep breath of the air home. A fusion of scents – spice and smoke, human and vampire, earthy and sophisticated – hit her with the wild fever of a welcoming rainstorm. Her chest, tight for so long, relaxed, and she stretched her wings out to their greatest width. It was time to explore this familiar place become foreign, this home that was suddenly new again. <br />
<br />
Diving down from the balcony, she swept across Manhattan on air currents kissed by the cool bite of spring. The right green season that thawed the snows that had kept the city in thrall this winter , and now held court, summer not even a peach-colored blush on the horizon. This was the time of rebirth, of blooming things and baby birds, bright and young and fragile even in the frenetic rush of a city that never slept.<br />
<br />
<em>Home, I’m home.</em> </blockquote><br />
<br />
<blockquote>Quote Illium/Elena:<br />
“I know I’m your favorite.” He brushed his wings over hers when she didn’t reply. “I swear to god,” she muttered, fighting a laugh, “If you’ve dusted me with blue , I’ll tie your balls in a knot and hang you up by them on the nearest sharpest object I see.” The last time he glittered blue angel-dust over her wings, Raphael had – eventually – seen the humor in the situation. She couldn’t guarantee Illium’s health if it happened a second time. Illium dipped low, stroking back up with movements that looked lazy but took considerable muscle strength. “Be nice to me or I won’t give you your present.” <br />
<br />
“Idiot.” But he was her favorite of the <em>Seven</em>. How could he not be when he saw her human heart not as a curse, but as a gift. When he would lay down his life for the archangel’s who was Elena’s? When he laughed with the same easy joy as the children from the Refuge?</blockquote><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkKmiy8ZjREUWZT-SmmbVxJFto7H7NZTVw9mybKDZE9s0CFwtl1hWJJDcC4BKDxysnxHEItCQqp6gcj8mxLdMrldWhy8Pwrkvn6Wz4dB9ZVZEmc6_PWlQ8EDLG0nLF06xdFzTRNiLyxQ/s1600/singature_post_leontine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="74" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkKmiy8ZjREUWZT-SmmbVxJFto7H7NZTVw9mybKDZE9s0CFwtl1hWJJDcC4BKDxysnxHEItCQqp6gcj8mxLdMrldWhy8Pwrkvn6Wz4dB9ZVZEmc6_PWlQ8EDLG0nLF06xdFzTRNiLyxQ/s200/singature_post_leontine.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Leontinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11772385054579881436noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-1385054771146614102010-11-24T12:25:00.001+01:002010-11-24T20:33:54.430+01:00ROOB-blog inactive till further notice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxbkJmyHz6ieL2xkGGSMJYkaK9BKo_5VmXncvsIO0BEanLNJm13hTqQXjhsoxqxKDWntx3QcIl_nFQlEmd-eCivJANtpz3rLgLqj7luG5rog5Qj2RqL2kUiJ_0HCYDz67FvcBO2f0jLbO/s1600/tear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxbkJmyHz6ieL2xkGGSMJYkaK9BKo_5VmXncvsIO0BEanLNJm13hTqQXjhsoxqxKDWntx3QcIl_nFQlEmd-eCivJANtpz3rLgLqj7luG5rog5Qj2RqL2kUiJ_0HCYDz67FvcBO2f0jLbO/s320/tear.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Realms On Our Bookshelves is in mourning due to the extremely unexpected passing away, last Monday, of the husband of our founding member Leontine.<br />
<br />
Until further notice there will be no updates or posts as we try and deal with this loss and unfairness that life has chosen to cast upon our dear friend and sister.<br />
<br />
Natascha, Marissa & PearlPearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com67tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-17919839540379658252010-11-19T11:07:00.001+01:002010-11-19T11:09:27.486+01:00Happy Abs Day: Getting hot & bothered over a commercial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Jpy4m6tO4n3dDSSOUX2FCHi3QScbbUFSFxg0v2_DJ3SiHLOrW_4-nwVMF8wXbOiCCf9KhwQ-uyQYwXNhhD8goL5J3NJpxnjSaYVa7FEr9TlLptj5HBhyphenhyphenRy7iqlIPuyhGEpLQtSdQZyY/s1600/happy_abs_day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Jpy4m6tO4n3dDSSOUX2FCHi3QScbbUFSFxg0v2_DJ3SiHLOrW_4-nwVMF8wXbOiCCf9KhwQ-uyQYwXNhhD8goL5J3NJpxnjSaYVa7FEr9TlLptj5HBhyphenhyphenRy7iqlIPuyhGEpLQtSdQZyY/s1600/happy_abs_day.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I remember one fo the first Happy Abs Day posts of Pearl was that of a hilarious man in shower doing an abs wave for us all. I told her right there and then I felt challenged since I never would've thought to go to youtube for some ab fun. I haven't found a hilarious youtube vid but not so long ago I was watching whatever movie with hubby and I saw a Davidoff commercial for the first time...one that really had my panties in a twist. One with Aitor Mateo in the leading role;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgFMVUPGAFOhyGT98qX-XEAg1xhYk6lfF0QkWVkCTptpWGBpwaNuBSyFuohLN94KBPlE1KLqHOoOcTPrw_zEchaH9_BCgRkYy6ABoyC5n7MsPCl07jfgpM9ERUPz5inkpMeQaWB1PIjM/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgFMVUPGAFOhyGT98qX-XEAg1xhYk6lfF0QkWVkCTptpWGBpwaNuBSyFuohLN94KBPlE1KLqHOoOcTPrw_zEchaH9_BCgRkYy6ABoyC5n7MsPCl07jfgpM9ERUPz5inkpMeQaWB1PIjM/s320/untitled.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<iframe height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AzMASbwf_bY?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
Then I remembered William Lawson's and the fantastic Highlander commercial...I haz found one that made me laugh so hard. it has got a belgium male model in the lead and haven't found a name yet (since I remembered thirty minutes ago I was up for a HAD post *palmface*)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHst2eU-48_jl58rYdOO4rfXnm0lyPJwbjC8OEm7cU1hQq9cnto9D_Qc9GucBux9NnWM1QmTlk1hhpC9huwyrOX2LwcXYAljmgHWplmXWsswn9fhwIGS8_WxELhHmNQNXKLVpFHw6Rnk/s1600/williamlawsons.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHst2eU-48_jl58rYdOO4rfXnm0lyPJwbjC8OEm7cU1hQq9cnto9D_Qc9GucBux9NnWM1QmTlk1hhpC9huwyrOX2LwcXYAljmgHWplmXWsswn9fhwIGS8_WxELhHmNQNXKLVpFHw6Rnk/s1600/williamlawsons.bmp" /></a></div><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YGPQujE5QvI?fs=1" width="425"></iframe><br />
<br />
I really like both man since commercial time mostly seems to revolve around model pretty women. Both commercials are a treat for the ladies IMO :)<br />
<br />
Have a great friday! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxViuqIrOA1rPIH_h9LPnUYf-ebnukp0ZhHF6HTFjVee7Eihn7WkS4kCd9E8VIn9f5jQb3_W8JOt9IU_J3j0h-TSbbNW4Dt0AxwqYCbE0Vl19p34pGrTFb6D5udQRAnUv7fzdaD7Fx14/s1600/singature_post_leontine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxViuqIrOA1rPIH_h9LPnUYf-ebnukp0ZhHF6HTFjVee7Eihn7WkS4kCd9E8VIn9f5jQb3_W8JOt9IU_J3j0h-TSbbNW4Dt0AxwqYCbE0Vl19p34pGrTFb6D5udQRAnUv7fzdaD7Fx14/s1600/singature_post_leontine.jpg" /></a></div>Leontinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11772385054579881436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-70373705507738619562010-11-17T11:50:00.001+01:002010-11-17T11:57:16.542+01:00On the ROOB Radar: Immediate TBR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicr-IkZlIVhEaBrFto9FTwJ-U0O6u9HkzFbJHtXi6RHcVaXtlt27T00j6ZWHT8cEb8eGwQpTWIUtBuvFe7LEaL5p9KlEVMXcpyPFPyZp5SzhdkqQk6eJIDZKhmjvRHEKQmRUaHYM0QwzRn/s1600/ontheroobradar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicr-IkZlIVhEaBrFto9FTwJ-U0O6u9HkzFbJHtXi6RHcVaXtlt27T00j6ZWHT8cEb8eGwQpTWIUtBuvFe7LEaL5p9KlEVMXcpyPFPyZp5SzhdkqQk6eJIDZKhmjvRHEKQmRUaHYM0QwzRn/s320/ontheroobradar.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Today I decided to dedicate my ROOB Radar to books that I have on my buy-list that are part of series I'm caught up with. I don't have that many series I'm completely caught up with and am waiting for the next release to come out because I tend to "read all over the place" and most of the time I get distracted by shiny new series and books or I find a series gathering dust on my bookshelves that I really need to start and start it but the new releases in those start to pile up fairly quickly too. Luckily I still found enough to fill this ROOB Radar post today...<br />
<br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeW18Ih1IeBR4XcRIci0XDHWXW_hYhLl-Efxatcy8RDbsPumudTO1jCb16a1sdURtfGEto6u5qcWubdTF02p-3WZVaLq16P9X5RUFuFXi1v764lpRR1taxxvBYWgkYeQWPEJuCZOk89v1/s1600/unforgivable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeW18Ih1IeBR4XcRIci0XDHWXW_hYhLl-Efxatcy8RDbsPumudTO1jCb16a1sdURtfGEto6u5qcWubdTF02p-3WZVaLq16P9X5RUFuFXi1v764lpRR1taxxvBYWgkYeQWPEJuCZOk89v1/s320/unforgivable.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><b>UNFORGIVABLE by Laura Griffin</b><br />
Release: 2010, November 30 (print)<br />
Publisher: Pocket Star Books<br />
Genre: Romantic Suspense<br />
Tracers, book 3<br />
<a href="http://www.lauragriffin.com/books/unforgivable.php"><b><u>Website</u></b></a> <br />
<br />
<i><b>Summary:</b><br />
TRACING KILLERS IS MIA VOSS’S BUSINESS.<br />
AND HER WORK JUST GOT PERSONAL.<br />
<br />
At first, Mia Voss thinks it’s just bad luck when her already lousy day ends with a carjacking. But what seems like a random incident is followed by another sinister episode. A DNA expert, Mia has made it her mission to put away vicious criminals. Suddenly, she’s become the target of one. And the only way to protect the people she loves most is to deliberately destroy her reputation and risk letting a killer walk free.<br />
<br />
Once, Mia trusted Detective Ric Santos. That was before Ric let his turbulent past ruin his chances with Mia, the sexiest, most intriguing woman he’s ever met. But he can tell when she’s lying—and when she’s scared. The key to catching a sadistic madman lies within a long-buried cold case that has haunted Mia for years. Only she can uncover the truth, but first, Ric will have to get her to entrust him with her secrets . . . and her life.</i></blockquote><br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdgV7VgD_uiJuNNJXVYP4WQwfaf5ChCV-JMOu93Yxg5Po3Pm8OeYLVZRvuq_2VbWPQvXixvNsUZ5L20fFvJcKfbxH1phy1atGRyY1e499MDgUFp6VU3FMVXhG56Il4hx9WCYsdAmT2mEE/s1600/turnitup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdgV7VgD_uiJuNNJXVYP4WQwfaf5ChCV-JMOu93Yxg5Po3Pm8OeYLVZRvuq_2VbWPQvXixvNsUZ5L20fFvJcKfbxH1phy1atGRyY1e499MDgUFp6VU3FMVXhG56Il4hx9WCYsdAmT2mEE/s320/turnitup.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><b>TURN IT UP by Vivian Arend</b><br />
Release: 2011, February 8 (ebook)<br />
Publisher: Samhain Publishing<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance<br />
Turner Twins, book 2<br />
<a href="http://www.susandonovan.com/Books/Not%20That%20Kind%20of%20Girl.html"><b><u>Website</u></b></a><br />
<br />
<i><b>Summary:</b><br />
She wants it. He’s got it…and a whole lot more.<br />
<br />
Maxwell Turner considers his stubborn and resourceful attitude a plus. After all, it usually gets him what he wants—except for Natasha Bellingham. The long-time family friend may be ten years older than he, but so what? He’s plenty old enough to know they belong together. Now all he has to do is convince her.<br />
<br />
Over the past few years Natasha’s love life has degenerated into a series of bad clichés. Her biological clock is ticking—loudly. As a proven architect with her own house-design company, she’s financially ready for a baby. Who says she needs a permanent man in her life for that? She just needs a “donation”.<br />
<br />
When Max discovers Natasha’s future plans include artificial insemination, he’s outraged. She wants to get pregnant? No problem. He’s more than willing to volunteer—no turkey basters involved .<br />
<br />
But there’s one non-negotiable clause: He wants forever. And he intends to do everything in his power—fair and unfair—to make it happen.<br />
<br />
<b>Warning: This title contains one younger man ready, aimed and hell bent on giving one woman everything she wants. Includes interludes against the wall, in a Jacuzzi, on a car hood and even—shockingly enough—on a bed or two. Oh, and about that porch swing? Yup…</b><br />
</i></blockquote><br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfmjjA7yBhlgUYqQol0Nb6GWsYcs21qWtvfslxIk85FichjmCLnOjPrBKODRdW_83WE2K0dRoGOCkpImA_Di3iHWbIujTOrBYqDG2VP4nOEuGDGu-Av6kKgJpA1Y5rYgLjmYCJuvzndHK/s1600/thesweetestthing.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfmjjA7yBhlgUYqQol0Nb6GWsYcs21qWtvfslxIk85FichjmCLnOjPrBKODRdW_83WE2K0dRoGOCkpImA_Di3iHWbIujTOrBYqDG2VP4nOEuGDGu-Av6kKgJpA1Y5rYgLjmYCJuvzndHK/s320/thesweetestthing.jpeg" width="198" /></a></div><b>THE SWEETEST THING by Jill Shalvis</b><br />
Release: 2011, March 29 (print)<br />
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance<br />
Lucky Harbor, book 2<br />
<a href="http://jillshalvis.com/"><b><u>Website</u></b></a><br />
<br />
<i><b>Summary:</b><br />
Two Men Are One Too Many . . . <br />
<br />
Tara has a thousand good reasons not to return to the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington. Yet with her life doing a major crash-and-burn, anywhere away from her unfulfilled dreams and sexy ex-husband will do. As Tara helps her two sisters get their newly renovated inn up and running, she finally has a chance to get things under control and come up with a new plan for her life.<br />
<br />
But a certain tanned, green-eyed sailor has his own ideas, such as keeping Tara hot, bothered . . . and in his bed. And when her ex wants Tara back, three is a crowd she can't control-especially when her deepest secret reappears out of the blue. Now Tara must confront her past and discover what she really wants. If she's lucky, she might just find that everything her heart desires is right here in Lucky Harbor.<br />
</i></blockquote><br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCODsGmgUoOCQ-QdzMqeOYdjCSQGN_IJ7a36k-M1uYRIaZapmx1-f3wxnu4jSjR1TucgIiaETbZbObexGa-KRmkMNhgAZ3aJkr9b5G36svPTyJOwhAFY8zjFQnCytt9lFLVhuEQ1O7L_d/s1600/thedarkestsecret.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCODsGmgUoOCQ-QdzMqeOYdjCSQGN_IJ7a36k-M1uYRIaZapmx1-f3wxnu4jSjR1TucgIiaETbZbObexGa-KRmkMNhgAZ3aJkr9b5G36svPTyJOwhAFY8zjFQnCytt9lFLVhuEQ1O7L_d/s320/thedarkestsecret.jpg" width="202" /></a></div><b>THE DARKEST SECRET by Gena Showalter</b><br />
Release: 2011, April 1(print)<br />
Publisher: HQN<br />
Genre: Paranormal Romance<br />
Lords of the Underworld, book 7<br />
<a href="http://members.genashowalter.com/page/the-darkest-secret"><b><u>Website</u></b></a><br />
<br />
<i><b>Summary:</b><br />
Keeper of the demon of Secrets, Amun can manipulate the darkest thoughts of anyone nearby. But when new demons possess him, the immortal warrior must be chained and isolated to protect those he loves. Death is his only hope of release—until he meets Haidee, a fellow prisoner whose beauty and hidden vulnerability draw him into a reckless test of his loyalty…. <br />
<br />
Haidee is an infamous demon assassin, raised to despise Amun’s kind. Yet how can she hate the man whose touch sets her aflame? But to save him, she must give herself body and soul…and face the wrath of a powerful adversary sworn to destroy her.<br />
</i></blockquote><br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzX-DUwJIajPrMgVcvgBnRagIX4GrD6lMHNO-h8gTkTbZ1aIg8U8PF1tescb34MJY14ZbteHAyhgusupdH8q8y-H79KuifiXjI4oOQE5j3L-ddx92Xzi4N05nQ-3giQ2MiqVGO7Q7Rhux/s1600/vampiredragon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzX-DUwJIajPrMgVcvgBnRagIX4GrD6lMHNO-h8gTkTbZ1aIg8U8PF1tescb34MJY14ZbteHAyhgusupdH8q8y-H79KuifiXjI4oOQE5j3L-ddx92Xzi4N05nQ-3giQ2MiqVGO7Q7Rhux/s320/vampiredragon.jpg" width="197" /></a></div><b>VAMPIRE DRAGON by Annette Blair</b><br />
Release: 2011, April 5 (print)<br />
Publisher: Berkeley Sensation<br />
Genre: Paranormal Romance<br />
Works Like Magick, book 3<br />
<a href="http://www.annetteblair.com/index.html"><b><u>Website</u></b></a><br />
<br />
<i><b>Summary:</b><br />
Welcome to Drak's, A Place for Vampires, where nobody is who--or what--they say they are,<br />
good and evil, alike.<br />
<br />
Meet Puck, a sarcastic Macaw, flying cats Lila and Scorch,and a twelve-year old with a century's worth of memories.<br />
<br />
In the final, deadly, confrontation:It's a shape shifting dragon and the Vampiress he loves...against a mob boss from hell and an evil sorceress.<br />
</i></blockquote><br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghp2ThFNWSMeMYNIjFjzpqENDhJN_ApRgz-uG8uk3T7NfaOJRPxKnu241byA0dqBoEW9EqWpUnse5OnbhVKXNNfx60AQQODS5EFRFQ3LF32lFvFkIquFViDKHc5rsETs8Hnb05D-3tWFGd/s1600/vampiresinatlantis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghp2ThFNWSMeMYNIjFjzpqENDhJN_ApRgz-uG8uk3T7NfaOJRPxKnu241byA0dqBoEW9EqWpUnse5OnbhVKXNNfx60AQQODS5EFRFQ3LF32lFvFkIquFViDKHc5rsETs8Hnb05D-3tWFGd/s1600/vampiresinatlantis.jpg" /></a></div><b>VAMPIRES IN ATLANTIS by Alyssa Day</b><br />
Release: 2011, June (print)<br />
Publisher: Berkeley Sensation<br />
Genre: Paranormal Romance<br />
Warriors of Poseidon, book 6<br />
<a href="http://www.alyssaday.com/"><b><u>Website</u></b></a><br />
<br />
<i><b>Summary:<br />
At this point in time there's not much information on this book other than the cover and small tidbit below, but I couldn't resist including it as it's part of one of the few series I'm caught up with.</b><br />
<br />
Daniel/Drakes/Devon finally meets the one woman who can cure his tortured and lonely existence – and she’s a woman from 11,000 years in his past!<br />
</i></blockquote><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92bsp5Pgs9-e9ZUPY83JmlKz6meMcuJUASiQVKEoKyut2Wb2kUl2AALCefaKUv4UQo5i-rezccTt7nq8f6EUcOkfwtyQpbCsg1jt2jqGqP0FMPrJMAnMw2EcpIDynlWMmpbmMwQxkeOi_/s1600/pearl_signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92bsp5Pgs9-e9ZUPY83JmlKz6meMcuJUASiQVKEoKyut2Wb2kUl2AALCefaKUv4UQo5i-rezccTt7nq8f6EUcOkfwtyQpbCsg1jt2jqGqP0FMPrJMAnMw2EcpIDynlWMmpbmMwQxkeOi_/s320/pearl_signature.jpg" /></a></div>Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-4284317653692302882010-11-12T11:11:00.000+01:002010-11-12T11:11:20.962+01:00Happy Abs Day: Hot cover model Paul Marron!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TNxK--IIsHI/AAAAAAAABE0/noUQrkoTE4Y/s1600/HP+Abs+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TNxK--IIsHI/AAAAAAAABE0/noUQrkoTE4Y/s1600/HP+Abs+Day.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Yay... it is Happy Abs Day again and I love to drool over a great pic of the opposite sex, but it is my turn again to do this post and it is getting harder and harder to come up with ideas for Happy Abs Day. Today's inspiration for this post came from these bookcovers....<br />
<div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TNxZdFjWbPI/AAAAAAAABFE/Mr_UNeCSnWU/s1600/Collage+Bookcovers+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TNxZdFjWbPI/AAAAAAAABFE/Mr_UNeCSnWU/s1600/Collage+Bookcovers+2.png" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">All of these abs belong to one fine-looking man...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Yes it is Paul Marron!!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Enjoy the view!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TNxjNApwZhI/AAAAAAAABFU/UNL0SQXMxHY/s1600/Collage+Paul.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TNxjNApwZhI/AAAAAAAABFU/UNL0SQXMxHY/s1600/Collage+Paul.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Abs Day!</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TNxjt4MC_XI/AAAAAAAABFc/NiedexDxARQ/s1600/Signature+Marissa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TNxjt4MC_XI/AAAAAAAABFc/NiedexDxARQ/s1600/Signature+Marissa.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"></div>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-53549908862557844532010-11-10T16:17:00.000+01:002010-11-10T16:17:25.743+01:00On the ROOB Radar<div align="center" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r269/ashleagh/ontheroobradar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r269/ashleagh/ontheroobradar.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">**********</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><u><strong><span style="font-size: large;">CL Wilson – Crown Of Crystal Flame</span></strong></u></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpalM_8xr337W7R9T_lSXEqURovc6lhWts5shOY9_8qXTOrpjRDovZy2IDXzgkwAAV7u2Ys0vLBv2ZVm7uXfbVEsJ3bVPA5Y-rFPWCakueCB0XpIemimgHnbXp6dyQlI_i_kiCk110nFM/s1600/cocf_clwilson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpalM_8xr337W7R9T_lSXEqURovc6lhWts5shOY9_8qXTOrpjRDovZy2IDXzgkwAAV7u2Ys0vLBv2ZVm7uXfbVEsJ3bVPA5Y-rFPWCakueCB0XpIemimgHnbXp6dyQlI_i_kiCk110nFM/s200/cocf_clwilson.jpg" width="124" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Genre: Fantasy Romance</div><div style="text-align: left;">Releasedate: November 1, 2010</div><div style="text-align: left;">Book 5 in the Tairen Soul series</div><div style="text-align: left;">For sale at: <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780062018960/Crown-of-Crystal-Flame">The Book Depository Store </a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><u>SYNOPSIS</u></em></div><div style="text-align: left;">A Song of Love won her heart. </div><div style="text-align: left;">A Song of Darkness haunted her soul. </div><div style="text-align: left;">A Song in the Dance would seal her fate. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Seers had long foreseen an extraordinary destiny for Ellysetta Baristani. Already she had won the heart of the Fey King - the magnificent Rain, ever her ally, eternally her love. She had saved the offspring of the magical tairen and fought beside her legendary mate against the armies of Eld. But the most powerful - and dangerous - Verse of her Song had yet to be sung. As the final battle draws nigh and evil tightens its grip upon her soul - will Ellysetta secure the world for Light or plunge it into Darkness for all eternity? As she and Rain fight for each other, side by side, will they find a way to complete their truemate bond and defeat the evil High Mage of Eld before it's too late, or must they make the ultimate sacrifice to save their world? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">**********</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em><u><span style="font-size: large;">Karen Hawkins – One Night In Scotland</span></u></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPDSZ5n9cyClEVoFQ-z1Kp03B0fHt9F6_UxnpKyBR4GY5FQqIbWZl-_CBYyfe_Q1YWln-dXsQg1szX_suEySYNnNKWyj09za7T4Fba7fNqqOiUDTknibNEb1cgBty-oW2Hj79O9r1q-qu/s1600/onenightinscotland_karenhawkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPDSZ5n9cyClEVoFQ-z1Kp03B0fHt9F6_UxnpKyBR4GY5FQqIbWZl-_CBYyfe_Q1YWln-dXsQg1szX_suEySYNnNKWyj09za7T4Fba7fNqqOiUDTknibNEb1cgBty-oW2Hj79O9r1q-qu/s200/onenightinscotland_karenhawkins.jpg" width="120" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Genre: Historical Romance</div><div style="text-align: left;">Releasedate: December 9, 2010</div><div style="text-align: left;">Book 1 in the Hurst Amulet series</div><div style="text-align: left;">For sale at: <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9781439175897/One-Night-in-Scotland">The Book Depository Store </a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><u>SYNOPSIS</u></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>A mysterious abductor</em> . . . Someone is holding her brother prisoner in exchange for a gold-and-onyx box covered in mysterious runes, so Mary Hurst boldly sets out from the family vicarage to find the priceless artifact. But the man who possesses it, Angus Hay, the Earl of Erroll, is less than sympathetic to her plight. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>A forbidding stranger</em> . . . Himself a prisoner of his dark past, Angus refuses to yield the box - or allow Mary to leave! Suspicious of the alluring lass's mission, he vows to wrest a confession from her, but unearths a fiery temper and a will as strong as his own. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>An unbreakable curse</em> . . . Passion flares between them, but now there is more at stake: an unknown enemy is hunting down the precious box, and will stop at nothing. Risking all for love, Angus must solve the mystery behind the runes . . . and trust the only woman who can awaken his forgotten heart.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">**********</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em><u><span style="font-size: large;">Linda Howard – Ice</span></u></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSa0a7f2PQkDCpu2gJtT2UjNjrDj1yfabhG6FrxH00_HeZUI3G3nsbXvCYLCGl38GkNHaeHC_AdP9-KogwpncpaORgcxVwZh6fE_NIWVRMYU5ua1mDFlc3DNsoArTp1ZHntN0QDkViV9i9/s1600/ice_lindahoward.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSa0a7f2PQkDCpu2gJtT2UjNjrDj1yfabhG6FrxH00_HeZUI3G3nsbXvCYLCGl38GkNHaeHC_AdP9-KogwpncpaORgcxVwZh6fE_NIWVRMYU5ua1mDFlc3DNsoArTp1ZHntN0QDkViV9i9/s200/ice_lindahoward.jpg" width="127" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Genre: Romantic Suspense</div><div style="text-align: left;">Releasedate: November 23, 2010 - PB</div><div style="text-align: left;">Stand Alone Novel</div><div style="text-align: left;">For sale at: <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780345517203/Ice">The Book Depository Store </a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><u>SYNOPSIS</u></em></div><div style="text-align: left;">Gabriel McQueen has only just arrived home on holiday leave from the service when his county-sheriff father sends him back out again with new marching orders. A brewing ice storm, and a distant neighbor who's fallen out of contact, have the local lawman concerned. So he enlists Gabriel to make the long haul to the middle of nowhere, and make sure Lolly Helton is safe and sound. It's a trip the younger McQueen would rather not make given the bitter winter weather-and the icy conditions that have always existed between him and Lolly. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But there's no talking back when your dad is the town's top cop. And there's no turning back when night falls just as Gabriel arrives-and discovers that the weather outside isn't the only thing that's frightful. Spotting strangers in Lolly's home-one of them packing a weapon-is all it takes to kick Gabriel into combat mode. And his stealth training is all he needs to extract Lolly from the house without alerting her captors. But when the escape is discovered, the heat-and the hunt-are on. And the winter woods are nowhere to be once the ice storm touches down, dropping trees, blocking roads, and trapping the fleeing pair in the freezing dark.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">**********</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em><u><span style="font-size: large;">Radclyffe – Desire By Starlight</span></u></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw46CJIw2IScODw1RvIYToMZ2pxon6Se7QdBqHqV0YOT73bHZbhUZcjWE45bhpLeVp4-T_TysaaK8MOLek1b8jDdl3j1ERz9md1BASa5i5RGj9QwnYAH8veeTOei8hbWmox-zdWzQA51C-/s1600/desirebystarlight_radclyffe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw46CJIw2IScODw1RvIYToMZ2pxon6Se7QdBqHqV0YOT73bHZbhUZcjWE45bhpLeVp4-T_TysaaK8MOLek1b8jDdl3j1ERz9md1BASa5i5RGj9QwnYAH8veeTOei8hbWmox-zdWzQA51C-/s200/desirebystarlight_radclyffe.jpg" width="128" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</div><div style="text-align: left;">Releasedate: November 16, 2010</div><div style="text-align: left;">For sale at: <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9781602821880/Desire-by-Starlight">The Book Depository Store </a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><u>SYNOPSIS</u></em></div><div style="text-align: left;">Best-selling romance author Calista Hardy sprints through life from one appearance to the next, always on deadline, always in demand - always on the arm of a different beautiful woman. She has no personal life because her entire existence is public, and part of her appeal. She loves the tempo, the power, the thrill until the pace catches up to her and she collapses at a book signing. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Her doctor orders rest, her editor wants a three book series yesterday, and her attorney informs her she has just inherited a farm in the backcountry of Vermont. Divine intervention or Fate's little joke? The only thing that might possibly save her from dying of boredom during a summer of forced R&R is a dalliance with Gardiner Davis, the local vet. The fact that Gard is as unimpressed with Callie's charms as she appears to be to Callie's fame only makes the chase sweeter.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">**********</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi075R4GUPU117_XomDPqaWFZmi3JpstjN-sHx9nYmtBUuvxWCZZYavbGk8XaDG3tzqCotK6Z-RVOTMurju2HfVdHmMMBg244WWBiElyAg3kKsL7cofpHYgkxGaabSXn0LyVDlOcaLswcg/s1600/singature_post_natascha.jpg%20" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi075R4GUPU117_XomDPqaWFZmi3JpstjN-sHx9nYmtBUuvxWCZZYavbGk8XaDG3tzqCotK6Z-RVOTMurju2HfVdHmMMBg244WWBiElyAg3kKsL7cofpHYgkxGaabSXn0LyVDlOcaLswcg/s1600/singature_post_natascha.jpg%20" /></a></div>Nataschahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815466202576299701noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-84301646869132515322010-11-09T15:17:00.000+01:002010-11-09T15:17:39.610+01:00Review Request: Clare Willis - My Soul To Take (anth. Nocturnal)<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7iw16dUvsfOLC13CNIoL8sJ-YvwU-KaohK912UUF8IDTltdRUDn3kbMdZVgLsxmqiE-gZHyATdWY_18QqrlcmAmQrFGxUGBnqOnyu9sDJBp3ydgx5oD1JDMhVFmAGLC0hoXe7F9yev1i/s1600/RRreview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7iw16dUvsfOLC13CNIoL8sJ-YvwU-KaohK912UUF8IDTltdRUDn3kbMdZVgLsxmqiE-gZHyATdWY_18QqrlcmAmQrFGxUGBnqOnyu9sDJBp3ydgx5oD1JDMhVFmAGLC0hoXe7F9yev1i/s1600/RRreview.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.clarewillis.com/assets/images/nocturnalcover2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="http://www.clarewillis.com/assets/images/nocturnalcover2.jpg" width="121" /></a></div>Mass Market Paperback; 352 pages <br />
Publisher: Zebra Books (September 6, 2010)<br />
ISBN-10: 1420109871<br />
ISBN-13: 9781420109870<br />
Genre: Anthology; Horror; Paranormal; Short Story<br />
Main Characters: Derek & Maggie<br />
For Sale At: <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9781420109870/Nocturnal">The Book Depository </a><br />
<br />
<strong>SUMMARY</strong><br />
New Orleans native Dr. Maggie Dillon thought she left her past behind her - until she's enraptured by a handsome patient who has been possessed by a malevolent spirit. To find a cure, Colby revisits her magical roots - and unleashes a primal lust too vital to ignore...</blockquote><strong>REVIEW</strong><br />
Musician Derek, finds himself on the mental ward of a hospital after being possessed by a ghost on the verge of getting his revenge. In an act of despair he tries to get rid of this ghost who is trying to take over his body in the only way he knows how and that is to take his own life. However, Chief Resident Maggie Dillon is his tending physician and their instant attraction might be the one thing left to safe him.<br />
<br />
I had no idea what to expect from this author as this anthology in Nocturnal was the first story I’ve read by her hand, but I was pleasantly surprised by the original and intriguing read. As a firm believer of ghost-possession, this book held an extra suspense factor in the plotline, especially as it was written in the first person. Through Maggie’s eyes you could see the possession take over and I got goose bumps in the process each time it occurred.<br />
<br />
It’s quite difficult to get a grip on and feel for the main characters in Anthology stories because they are quite short reads. But for me the way it played out in My Soul To Take, worked well . The connection between the two leading characters was solid and real. Emotions were as well worked-out as can be expected from an Anthology-story. Both characters had a soft side to them, and the dreamy character of a musician mixed well with the practical and down to earth side of a physician, both not Alpha, both not Beta but both a unique addition to each other, just as it often is in real life. It gave it an extra plus for me. <br />
<br />
I absolutely adored the fact a Voodoo Priestess from New Orleans, was helping out on the exorcism. The feel of the ritual and how it was set up was amazingly done, in both horrifying and cleansing way. <br />
<br />
For me this Anthology is definitely a reason to pick up another book by Clare Willis. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98UFKZOUNge9X3ZRWNIekVx45OAR8VdqF0v7hhQZbY0-XRXSyJbDZhRuk-JhYICiQXzvf7SHCNDrn9WiEgiee2Eflr5TlGDs_95A9svXGMtElRcXAPI2rfRcnUmCPiqpmT5IK96gG_sA/s1600/4_star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98UFKZOUNge9X3ZRWNIekVx45OAR8VdqF0v7hhQZbY0-XRXSyJbDZhRuk-JhYICiQXzvf7SHCNDrn9WiEgiee2Eflr5TlGDs_95A9svXGMtElRcXAPI2rfRcnUmCPiqpmT5IK96gG_sA/s1600/4_star.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi075R4GUPU117_XomDPqaWFZmi3JpstjN-sHx9nYmtBUuvxWCZZYavbGk8XaDG3tzqCotK6Z-RVOTMurju2HfVdHmMMBg244WWBiElyAg3kKsL7cofpHYgkxGaabSXn0LyVDlOcaLswcg/s320/singature_post_natascha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi075R4GUPU117_XomDPqaWFZmi3JpstjN-sHx9nYmtBUuvxWCZZYavbGk8XaDG3tzqCotK6Z-RVOTMurju2HfVdHmMMBg244WWBiElyAg3kKsL7cofpHYgkxGaabSXn0LyVDlOcaLswcg/s320/singature_post_natascha.jpg" /></a></div>Nataschahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815466202576299701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-83203109648317864092010-11-04T19:19:00.000+01:002010-11-04T19:19:54.512+01:00Review Request Julia Rachel Barrett - Exile<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54XHNchLEAGoXK-gJ2CoISJPuAauRcGqkEBfcn4YMl5LNXYJ1VzLg80mYoQWuZ0mydCpCuvHlSeuy6wjE4hLQpFAOGkGcJ10htxkP5_4nES5JB_w3cCoBUp1Vfi7puscACYCAYqpL90A/s1600/DaughtersOfPersephonesmall-200x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54XHNchLEAGoXK-gJ2CoISJPuAauRcGqkEBfcn4YMl5LNXYJ1VzLg80mYoQWuZ0mydCpCuvHlSeuy6wjE4hLQpFAOGkGcJ10htxkP5_4nES5JB_w3cCoBUp1Vfi7puscACYCAYqpL90A/s1600/DaughtersOfPersephonesmall-200x300.jpg" /></a></div>DAUGHTERS OF PERSEPHONE I & II<br />
Publisher: Resplendence Publishing<br />
Available: July 13, 2010<br />
Erotic Fantasy Romance<br />
Purchase at: <a href="http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/m8/232-200-102-460-2--daughters-of-persephone-exile-and-return-by-julia-barrett.html">Resplendence Publishing</a><br />
<br />
<strong>Cover Summary:</strong><br />
Aja Bokinan, of noble blood, is the Thousand Year Empress who has grown to adulthood in exile. Throughout the Empire, women are banned from public life, have no legal rights, and have become little better than property.<br />
<br />
In an attempt to kill off the royal line and end all resistance, Aja is kidnapped by a General who intends to inject her with a lethal virus, hoping she will infect her family and Women of the Blood everywhere.<br />
<br />
Kyr Aram, is a smuggler and secret resistance fighter. He must find a way to protect Aja from both the General and a traitor on his own ship who wishes to see her dead. With the Thousand Year Empress, he gets more than he bargained for.</blockquote><br />
<strong>My Review:</strong> EXILE is an introduction to a hierarchy where women inherit the powers. Over the course of time unrest begins to play havoc among the men and some will fight the female leadership till the bitter end, splitting the races up in the Coalition and the Resistance. The Empress and her three daughters have escaped their exile and this is where I meet one of those daughter; Aja and a ship’s captain; Kyr, who is trying to avoid an encounter with the Coalition.<br />
<br />
Julia Rachel Barrett plunges the reader in an escape and from there on out it is a constant evading of traitors and enemies. If there is one thing that grabbed my attention it is the compelling set-up of a pre-dominant female hierarchy and the scheming for the freedom of the Empress and her daughters. Throughout the story much information of the race’s history and current situation is conveyed via Aja herself. This provided a natural and accessible way for me to understand what happened in the past, how it affected the here and now, and what dangers their inherent powers present.<br />
<br />
This is but the first story in an overarching storyline but in EXILE the thrill of the chase; will they, or won’t they make it to safety created some dire circumstances. The fact that Kyr and Aja needed to get to safety also spiced up the romance, which alternated between endearing and fiery but also had a few bumps in the road. The back story and world building took away pages from the romance which made the chemistry between Aja and Kyr work but the depth of emotion poured out of them by the end wasn’t something I could surrender completely to. If the romance would’ve been given a bit more room or pages it would’ve become all the more credible regarding the trust issues and the sharing of powers.<br />
<br />
Aja was the stronger character in EXILE, just as her race intended her to be. She is a Seer, born and bred of the Blood. She knows her duties but it is fueled by an inner compassionate force and she took me in to her culture, which I enjoyed to the fullest. Now Kyr is a born and bred hero, a leader, strong, capable and fierce if need be and his charisma alluring. Aja was flanked by Kyr, who became her consort in every way and together they were a likable couple. <br />
<br />
Julia Rachel Barrett’s imagination concocted an intriguing world, a new culture and customs that isn’t intricate but holds everything to make it come alive on the pages. I’m always up for a good battle where I can cheer for my team, live the tension, feel the passion ignite between two people and receive a romantic high at the end, and while I gotten some elements in a better dosage then others this author has just started in this novella series. <br />
<br />
With EXILE I received a story that contains an intriguing start to the Daughters Of Persephone series! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmGRz2ijffjYyAXtYKou_1p2rdT-MoZaodvuUbR2r2Uk5She2qwFDoMSrmDGkpEvXNZJDxp8KUK8qWxgzEY2LIsuhPMXEtuoDELdiC2FP1gyUKwxd9e2ckHFUhITOMN0P9wZ5YpLGpyA/s1600/3_star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmGRz2ijffjYyAXtYKou_1p2rdT-MoZaodvuUbR2r2Uk5She2qwFDoMSrmDGkpEvXNZJDxp8KUK8qWxgzEY2LIsuhPMXEtuoDELdiC2FP1gyUKwxd9e2ckHFUhITOMN0P9wZ5YpLGpyA/s1600/3_star.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0FIo6kenajlz2x1aMRgd3BsYiW541WaT5fen1TXDudl05WJ8ytqV7GO66KChtEDLEdK38jJaosJmeudlwMSFHbK6Dy-rSV0R-9lc1hfbO171nJK07LE8TRhxoWctzV2h_2ZlZLQYLXE/s1600/singature_post_leontine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0FIo6kenajlz2x1aMRgd3BsYiW541WaT5fen1TXDudl05WJ8ytqV7GO66KChtEDLEdK38jJaosJmeudlwMSFHbK6Dy-rSV0R-9lc1hfbO171nJK07LE8TRhxoWctzV2h_2ZlZLQYLXE/s1600/singature_post_leontine.jpg" /></a></div>Leontinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11772385054579881436noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-20275149550577167182010-11-03T10:41:00.001+01:002010-11-03T10:41:00.840+01:00ROOB Radar: The cover candy did it!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosbV7Dmjd-Yzn5Z5ylNH6TBCfqbgWjtaWYGS5og5mkySc7n7_7sbehZHNe-FGT4usIyl1Y2DQWjOAMKmzomgnTlE__ryG_zinGpPZGI3Cb9TpaZN_0n7XIIyX16dEXTPTqwhwFvQbkiw/s1600/ontheroobradar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosbV7Dmjd-Yzn5Z5ylNH6TBCfqbgWjtaWYGS5og5mkySc7n7_7sbehZHNe-FGT4usIyl1Y2DQWjOAMKmzomgnTlE__ryG_zinGpPZGI3Cb9TpaZN_0n7XIIyX16dEXTPTqwhwFvQbkiw/s1600/ontheroobradar.jpg" /></a></div>I'm a lurker around the net and the first thing that usually gets my attention are the slick looking covers with *shallow me* the man candy on it. Still I have discovered a third series published by Casablanca Soursebooks that has not only captured my attention with a hawt cover, but also the blurb grabs my attention. So first up is the Soulfire series by Stephanie Rowe:<br />
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<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzAkqdUpfVlHno7KKxsHI4LkR8TwZSHLS7DTw3StoKDitFBgWDeeQreWckTJ46KYciHtTFV9ii2fxOAleaGdkGnL7g8Is3uq6jLDZD1ASp5gIt0PrVeEWYpXB1h5PtVT62-ALDsYuFqI/s1600/51HawMqcJAL__SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzAkqdUpfVlHno7KKxsHI4LkR8TwZSHLS7DTw3StoKDitFBgWDeeQreWckTJ46KYciHtTFV9ii2fxOAleaGdkGnL7g8Is3uq6jLDZD1ASp5gIt0PrVeEWYpXB1h5PtVT62-ALDsYuFqI/s1600/51HawMqcJAL__SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.stephanierowe.com/">Stephanie Rowe</a> - Kiss At Your Own Risk<br />
Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages <br />
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (January 1, 2011) <br />
Language: English <br />
ISBN-10: 140224195X <br />
ISBN-13: 978-1402241956 <br />
Book #1 in Soulfire series<br />
pre-order @ Book Depository<br />
<br />
Cover Summary:<br />
HE NEEDED A KILLER WOMAN…<br />
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Blaine Underhill was one lucky man. Having recently escaped a century and a half of imprisonment at the hands of an evil witch, he's determined to save his still-enslaved friend. But in order to do so, he'll need the help of one of the world's most lethal women. <br />
SHE WAS DROP DEAD GORGEOUS, LITERALLY…<br />
Trinity Harpswell is sick and tired of being a Black Widow. Having managed to go three years without accidentally killing anyone she loves, she's one short week away from freeing herself from this killer curse forever. When Blaine tracks her down and convinces her to help him, little does Trinity know that the next seven days are going to be murder! </blockquote><br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCVVGteVNI0NpABPnDgWD7Eu_31j-sHvkXCiBIaorkybbYedo4kvv-jrkMstzQJjdV98OGeIjOyQKhkNTKNVJ6PLoDNji2Akcbjx3CSXwnuLnHbG8jFLLzp9UpdldhqNCB-6tKo3f2ak/s1600/leontine_choice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCVVGteVNI0NpABPnDgWD7Eu_31j-sHvkXCiBIaorkybbYedo4kvv-jrkMstzQJjdV98OGeIjOyQKhkNTKNVJ6PLoDNji2Akcbjx3CSXwnuLnHbG8jFLLzp9UpdldhqNCB-6tKo3f2ak/s200/leontine_choice.jpg" width="120" /></a></div><br />
Stephanie Rowe - Touch If You Dare<br />
Soulfire Series, Book #2 <br />
Available July 2011<br />
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To save their respective siblings, Jarvis Swain and Reina Knight will have to team up to trick Death himself. <br />
<br />
Who better than a bad-ass warrior on a mission? Jarvis Swain is the ruthless, confident aggressor Reina knows she needs at her back--someone even she can't screw up. This unlikely darkside duo with impressive deadly superpowers of their own may just prove that two wrongs together can be more than right... </blockquote><br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqmw3RUQ95tAbdOuYTzuKrfqv3U2m52LZ9H58h1tcYG1QVnKCmNQe_YfQ835lhGDJsdVBOOyqRIbuuXWZq9guxqHyXvJ-oqkT5m6unIc9E68eoKSrS8I-LAfknhjACdIzkfMY7zSOPMM/s1600/51NbKi8JIuL__SS500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqmw3RUQ95tAbdOuYTzuKrfqv3U2m52LZ9H58h1tcYG1QVnKCmNQe_YfQ835lhGDJsdVBOOyqRIbuuXWZq9guxqHyXvJ-oqkT5m6unIc9E68eoKSrS8I-LAfknhjACdIzkfMY7zSOPMM/s320/51NbKi8JIuL__SS500_.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.annetteblair.com/">Annette Blair</a> - Vampire dragon <br />
Paperback: 304 pages <br />
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Publisher: Berkley (April 5, 2011) <br />
Language: English <br />
ISBN-10: 0425240525 <br />
ISBN-13: 978-0425240526 <br />
Book #3 in A Works Like Magick series<br />
pre-order at: Book Depository<br />
<br />
I'm not finding any blurb yet but can you blame me for wanting to post the cover? Ever since Pearl mentioned this series it has been on my radar...I think I know what I'm going to ask Santa for: Naked Dragon and Bedeviled Angel :) I know Blair has a sense for the humor, combine it with dragons and I just have to find out if she can tickle my humorous side (which authors rarely do) I can cry easier then I can laugh *rolls eyes at self*</blockquote><br />
Though Jacquelyn Frank has not been on my radar for a long time the man candy on the cover of Seduce Me In Dreams captured my attention, is it me or is he the cover candy of late?<br />
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<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-s8W69n0NthPV0-2TBXrFBhtwrrl3vdW693kD8obKaUtZF5gW6vnsWO6vJIIrQ-W3dbYm1TSJg5g6EAcZEka4PfrorHQVPlxWBly4XKHcxKoS6JHlFhRjg7QPuxVRThVmuUTf3DUC3Q/s1600/51F+QkmOLZL__SS500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-s8W69n0NthPV0-2TBXrFBhtwrrl3vdW693kD8obKaUtZF5gW6vnsWO6vJIIrQ-W3dbYm1TSJg5g6EAcZEka4PfrorHQVPlxWBly4XKHcxKoS6JHlFhRjg7QPuxVRThVmuUTf3DUC3Q/s320/51F+QkmOLZL__SS500_.jpg" width="193" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.jacquelynfrank.com/main.cfm">Jacquelyn Frank</a> - Seduce Me In Dreams<br />
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages <br />
Publisher: Ballantine Books (March 22, 2011) <br />
Language: English <br />
ISBN-10: 0345517679 <br />
ISBN-13: 978-0345517678 <br />
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Again I can't seem to find a blurb but it seems this is a new series sinds the cover doesn't appear on any of her current series pages of; The Gatherers, The Nightdwellers or The Nightwalkers. With a sub title of; A Three World novel I guess Frank has started another series. Or perhaps a spinn-off? However it turns out, she has turned up on my radar and I'be got another title to watch for 2011. If anyone else has info...just drop a comment, inquisitve minds want to know!!</blockquote><br />
The only thing that really shocks me right now is that my wishlist for November and December are really scarce of releases I truly want o.0 Anyone has some good releases in those months they truly need to have? please share, my book addiction is in shock of the prospect'that I haven't got anything pre-ordered *eek* <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvx18mGeyVjKT_2cgL9nfndDscoYqtV920KUwCM96IiLTizoYDgh8M9Ip4W9ALbQP4CxA40d2xYdAUAIV2xsZ9CGnzLbN3rt_hQR1e9isx7lM2Tb3y6YB-1dZyiH1TNBuob1jQctoau0/s1600/singature_post_leontine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvx18mGeyVjKT_2cgL9nfndDscoYqtV920KUwCM96IiLTizoYDgh8M9Ip4W9ALbQP4CxA40d2xYdAUAIV2xsZ9CGnzLbN3rt_hQR1e9isx7lM2Tb3y6YB-1dZyiH1TNBuob1jQctoau0/s1600/singature_post_leontine.jpg" /></a></div>Leontinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11772385054579881436noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-34855681509641866572010-11-02T13:36:00.000+01:002010-11-02T13:36:50.862+01:00ARC Review: Evangeline Collins - Seven Nights To Forever<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__ZC75pC2U5KJfj6YDE67pvAWrdgHiMULs6g7bINVXwGZyxxa2eMAQ-h_bqwylxuZ4aVyAuGiO4EFCYQ-qvu10djw44CrrrcW0cxp6Cd-Udj6_BO8Vp2eAfV0Ndf-_cW3HHxKmfnJnLk/s1600/MedSevenNights-1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__ZC75pC2U5KJfj6YDE67pvAWrdgHiMULs6g7bINVXwGZyxxa2eMAQ-h_bqwylxuZ4aVyAuGiO4EFCYQ-qvu10djw44CrrrcW0cxp6Cd-Udj6_BO8Vp2eAfV0Ndf-_cW3HHxKmfnJnLk/s1600/MedSevenNights-1-2.jpg" /></a></div>Paperback: 320 pages <br />
Publisher: Berkley Trade; Original edition (November 2, 2010) <br />
Language: English <br />
ISBN-10: 0425236838 <br />
ISBN-13: 978-0425236833 <br />
Purchase at: <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780425236833/Seven-Nights-to-Forever">Book Depository</a><br />
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<strong>Cover Summary:</strong> <br />
She offered him one week of pleasure. No more and no less... <br />
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Some sacrifices are more difficult than others. Left destitute after her father's death, Rose Marlowe has debts to settle and a younger brother to support. But she also possesses an unmatched beauty-one that could command quite a price...<br />
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Now, every month, Rose secretly travels from her country home to spend one week at a decadent London brothel, where she's become a sought-after prize. Elegant and accomplished in the art of pleasure, she spends her nights fulfilling the fantasies of the gentlemen of the ton while denying the wish buried deep in her heart. <br />
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Then one night a wealthy merchant gentleman walks through her door. Handsome, kind and compassionate, with a lonely soul that matches her own, James Archer is not her usual client. Falling in love with a client, never mind a married one, is unthinkable. Yet Rose can't help but lose herself in his arms as one night becomes seven-and seven nights lead to a chance at forever...</blockquote><br />
<strong>My Review:</strong> James is stuck in an arranged marriage, void of love, compassion or even amiability. His hard working attitude hides a very lonely man and the only thing that makes this marriage worthwhile is his wife’s promise to introduce his sister to the bon ton of London during the season. Still, after three long years of being honorable it turns a man starved for a bit of affection and kindness. James promises himself one night with a woman who does not loathe the sight of him and that choice brings him knocking on the door of Rose. Two lonely people meet and feel a magnetic pull neither of them expected.<br />
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With SEVEN NIGHTS TO FOREVER, Evangeline Collins delivers a heartwarming historical romance of a man trapped in a loveless marriage and unexpectedly finds a connection to another woman. Even though arranged marriages are very common in the time period of the story and even affairs for both women and men are conventional it is James who made the difference. For all intends and purposes he wanted to abide by his vow but his wife is a self absorbed nightmare of a woman. James might be emotion starved but that doesn’t mean he isn’t struggling with his actions of obtaining some kindness. I found it very easy to sympathize with James, he is a good man, works hard, cares for his family and treats people with respect. To opposite such a man to a dragon of a woman who is haughty, selfish and cold is perhaps an easy way to gain my support for James but it evoked the response nonetheless. Amelia as his wife is one of the reasons I could understand and accept James’ infidelity. A person can only take so much when deprived of even the barest hint of affection and the time period also gave leeway to such a story angle.<br />
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James is a character who was all around likable but Rose is right there with him. She’s taken care of her younger brother from the moment her father died and in those days there were very few options open to Rose. She chooses to become a high-priced courtesan for seven nights each month and so the opportunity rises for James and Rose to meet. Rose is everything Amelia is not, she loves the country, she’s kind, compassionate, is even willful at times and makes understandable choices. From the moment James is introduced to Rose there is plenty of tension between then. I would almost call it a refined eroticism, the passion is sizzling hot and frequent but the poignant way it is written curbs the act of sex play and adds the emotional depth to it. It is not only the erotic tension but also their emotional needs that resonate with each other and form a fragile bond of feelings and trust.<br />
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The challenges that lay ahead of them mainly revolved around their developing romance that could go no further due to James’ marriage. The problems give appropriate resistance delivering some inner struggles and emotion wrought scenes yet it weren’t insurmountable odds to overcome as the solution proved that. James and Rose need to make decisions and for them to come to certain conclusions was interesting to witness. The romance was moving and the sincerity of the characters made me care all the more about the outcome of it all.<br />
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Evangeline Collins manages to write a wonderful historical romance with just a handful of characters where the focus lies on the love, sensuality and interaction. If there is one secondary character, next to Amelia and Rebecca, who intrigued me to no end then it was the male prostitute, Timothy. With only a few scenes and some insightful comments coming from Timothy he becomes a colorful character who triggers my curiosity. His situation, as a male BDSM prostitute, begs for the unraveling of his back story though I wonder if this author would go there.<br />
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SEVEN NIGHTS TO FOREVER is a nice blend of a heart rendering romance, sensuality, sincere characters and easy flowing writing skills. <br />
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<blockquote>Quote James struggling with Rose’s profession:<br />
“I…” A furrow tightened his brow, his voice dropping to a grave rumble. “It’s hard sometimes knowing I won’t ever be your first anything. But I won’t let it come between us anymore. You have my word.”</blockquote><br />
<blockquote>Quote:<br />
How she wished he could have been her first everything. The first man who touched her, kissed her, made love to her. Her first and only. But none of that mattered. None had even come close to leaving a mark on her heart. “You’re the first man I have ever wanted to be with,” she confessed. The tight line of his mouth softened. The gravity left his eyes, the green depths warming with an emotion she should not date give name to. “Thank you,” he whispered, almost awed, as though she presented him with the rarest of treasures.</blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbORerDmceKPq1Dg_zKf_mP21piq9ahuIBUCkabCzFY7vZTNJJ6kbyBTRnLjYJz6bCULGw2Bgwvjw_RxLIrK7TZY_ZUdPzaTIjMAraQ3nSCPSTwSYyEVmzDwRTzdeMzPT1EKR5Qc5K5LE/s1600/3,5_star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbORerDmceKPq1Dg_zKf_mP21piq9ahuIBUCkabCzFY7vZTNJJ6kbyBTRnLjYJz6bCULGw2Bgwvjw_RxLIrK7TZY_ZUdPzaTIjMAraQ3nSCPSTwSYyEVmzDwRTzdeMzPT1EKR5Qc5K5LE/s1600/3,5_star.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRkrfismKGjGHhjSRXI6d_fTpj9v-a0yl9XUHN_gIYcXsnoeR-asrkyautrMwHxNAEXL7GIBTrcqU3hV6zNhkcVb53HL6Ne_Wrcl0ACQ5WL18Ks35-wInjinVAtaOATDrQecjtj9v_T8/s1600/singature_post_leontine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRkrfismKGjGHhjSRXI6d_fTpj9v-a0yl9XUHN_gIYcXsnoeR-asrkyautrMwHxNAEXL7GIBTrcqU3hV6zNhkcVb53HL6Ne_Wrcl0ACQ5WL18Ks35-wInjinVAtaOATDrQecjtj9v_T8/s1600/singature_post_leontine.jpg" /></a></div>Leontinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11772385054579881436noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-50631052211841677402010-11-01T13:14:00.002+01:002010-11-01T13:19:07.846+01:00ARC Review: Nalini Singh - Play Of Passion<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleZkWXG_YGxxAA9Zog8F-WXuFMLiOm0UPuC7-tQNjmj_IlwWrdabn3viEzrlHe5TXFjqRXeh2HEz7k76yBPazb4vcFKL4fa-IOhgOL8dXjacyvWnt7KR3kifi08BAOgYPk7aTBKaz8e4/s1600/NSingh_Play+of+Passion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleZkWXG_YGxxAA9Zog8F-WXuFMLiOm0UPuC7-tQNjmj_IlwWrdabn3viEzrlHe5TXFjqRXeh2HEz7k76yBPazb4vcFKL4fa-IOhgOL8dXjacyvWnt7KR3kifi08BAOgYPk7aTBKaz8e4/s320/NSingh_Play+of+Passion.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>Paperback: 352 pages <br />
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Publisher: Berkley; Original edition (November 2, 2010) <br />
Language: English <br />
ISBN-10: 0425237796 <br />
ISBN-13: 978-0425237793<br />
Book #12 in Psy/Changeling series<br />
Purchase at: <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780425237793/Play-of-Passion">Book Depository</a><br />
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<strong>Cover Summary:</strong><br />
In his position as tracker for the SnowDancer pack, it’s up to Drew Kincaid to rein in rogue changelings who have lost control of their animal halves—even if it means killing those who have gone too far. But nothing in his life has prepared him for the battle he must now wage to win the heart of a woman who makes his body ignite…and who threatens to enslave his wolf. <br />
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Lieutenant Indigo Riviere doesn’t easily allow skin privileges, especially of the sensual kind—and the last person she expects to find herself craving is the most wickedly playful male in the den. Everything she knows tells her to pull back before the flames burn them both to ash…but she hasn’t counted on Drew’s will. <br />
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Now, two of SnowDancer’s most stubborn wolves find themselves playing a hot, sexy game even as lethal danger stalks the very place they call home… </blockquote><br />
<strong>My Review</strong> - Note: Since this is book twelve you really need to be invested in the Psy/Changeling series to understand the underlying currents with the characters and to see the complete picture. I’m not saying you can't read PLAY OF PASSION as a standalone but as always with a series the reading experience can be so much more rewarding if you’ve read the previous novels.<br />
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PLAY OF PASSION is an intense romance alive with fierce possessiveness, wolf pride and mischievous play. This Psy/Changeling story is all about the romance and has a minor but nonetheless important part for the continuance of the overall plot arc. The pace of the story took a notch down with lots of time to meet new and old members of the SnowRiver pack. It gave me a sense of the interconnected relationships, the structure and rules, and it allowed me to feel the bond they share. The banter going back and forth only emphasized on how deeply connected each member of the pack is, from the youngest to the Alpha leader Hawke. It didn’t take long for me to be absorbed by the SnowRiver pack dynamic and the courtship unfolding.<br />
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Drew and Indigo have a great combustive energy together. The dominance issues cause for both internal as external struggles that Indigo and Drew have to deal with. Though it isn’t easy on either of them I loved the fact how the SnowRiver pack participates in the courtship of Drew and indigo. Nobody ever said it was easy to become the mate of a SnowRiver lieutenant but Drew is up to the challenge and has plenty of determination to see it happen. Even though Indigo’s wolf has doubts whether the four year younger Drew with an obscure rank can handle all of her. It is their clash of dominance, their erotic synergy, their playful dalliance that created situations which got me from smiling, to laughing and fanning myself a time or two too. <br />
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Drew is the Hunter of the pack but where he truly stands in the hierarchy remains a mystery. It is a very steep problems for Indigo to deal with but Drew has some tricks up his sleeve that will get any woman weak in the knees. Some stunts he pulls to prove himself worthy are unadulterated romance yet other stunts backfire, giving him a lesson in what it means to court a dominant she-wolf. Still, Drew is more than cheeky mischief and a charmer, his love runs soul deep and he is giving his all and then some to mate with the woman who claimed him long ago. To see him romance Indigo made him another cherished character within the Psy/Changeling cast.<br />
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Indigo, as a SnowRiver luitenant, doesn’t have many males higher up the food chain. To feel an attraction for a younger male with an unknown rank screams trouble for her. Still, she is a woman who is strong, can handle just about anything you throw at her but there is also compassion, combined with the fiery love and loyalty that burns in her heart. She has a few lessons to learn and she becomes a worthy heroine in her successions and her failures.<br />
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The interaction between Indigo and Drew is rife with everything they feel. There is playful banter, all-out wolf-to-wolf collisions of dominance and sexy bed-play. The beautiful setting of the woods gave room for their wolf to stretch and let Indigo and Drew connect on that level too. The vibrance of how they experience life, love, sadness, their animal side which is such an integral part of their being, it made their personalities leap of the pages. Their distinctive personalities spiced up the attraction, it fueled the sensuality between them but also the need for a deeper love to finally take those first careful steps to a bond as mates. <br />
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As the warmth and the familiarity of the characters and pack enveloped me there were also threats clouding the horizon giving a suspenseful edge to the story. The plot may have a supportive role in this Psy/Changeling episode but it imbues the romance with a mystery to unravel that threatens the pack. There are no big revelations in this story but the small twists and turns are intriguing, it deepens the awareness something cataclysmic is going to happen only from where, who or what is still very much in the grey. Of course I have suspicions like anyone else up to par with this series. Clues are given but Nalini Singh really keeps the reader guessing and ultimately gave a surprise in the ending.<br />
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PLAY OF PASSION is a fantastic return to the SnowRiver pack where you’ll meet changelings who are fierce, loyal and lethal yet also love with an unrelenting force that will make anyone take risks to be on the receiving end of that love. Nalini Singh is a constant in her delivery of a ‘sweep-off-your-feet’ shape shifter romance which will engage the reader from first till last word! Be prepared to succumb to Drew and Indigo’s story! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98UFKZOUNge9X3ZRWNIekVx45OAR8VdqF0v7hhQZbY0-XRXSyJbDZhRuk-JhYICiQXzvf7SHCNDrn9WiEgiee2Eflr5TlGDs_95A9svXGMtElRcXAPI2rfRcnUmCPiqpmT5IK96gG_sA/s1600/4_star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98UFKZOUNge9X3ZRWNIekVx45OAR8VdqF0v7hhQZbY0-XRXSyJbDZhRuk-JhYICiQXzvf7SHCNDrn9WiEgiee2Eflr5TlGDs_95A9svXGMtElRcXAPI2rfRcnUmCPiqpmT5IK96gG_sA/s1600/4_star.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFbDEgfdyTcLCiWuCfw9Hw_mcOXgIMzAkMzPaBcXCCEhCKltdd6-Zz7Q_qDSHHkWUWrc3zMkkKVA70Ltnjklv6D2UNSMYZBRSOEh7KiidBt_BBAuaES5nt3Nsjn8xD6aFiAbP4Lfn9-I/s1600/singature_post_leontine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFbDEgfdyTcLCiWuCfw9Hw_mcOXgIMzAkMzPaBcXCCEhCKltdd6-Zz7Q_qDSHHkWUWrc3zMkkKVA70Ltnjklv6D2UNSMYZBRSOEh7KiidBt_BBAuaES5nt3Nsjn8xD6aFiAbP4Lfn9-I/s1600/singature_post_leontine.jpg" /></a></div>Leontinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11772385054579881436noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-46117290498616950512010-10-31T10:03:00.002+01:002010-10-31T10:16:05.663+01:00Happy Halloween 2010!!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r269/ashleagh/TCTColumn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r269/ashleagh/TCTColumn.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ofcourse as it's halloween, there is a lot of information going around on 'the net' at the moment. We at Realms wanted to wish you all a Spooky Halloween and Happy Trick or Treating, don't get too sugar-rushed!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqnkAI9BrjfF5jYi7LTfRXcwAtF_WtCC8Ms-oGHnw4cpZ-MK66MFukywmZXHM6yqLNx6tLBqTwLeVwNLsHtltClhzbGvbh7Cek0dDcijbte_Zn-J-eqYE6UlhQVWcgYK-Zsnf_8NF_4_E/s1600/halloween_roob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqnkAI9BrjfF5jYi7LTfRXcwAtF_WtCC8Ms-oGHnw4cpZ-MK66MFukywmZXHM6yqLNx6tLBqTwLeVwNLsHtltClhzbGvbh7Cek0dDcijbte_Zn-J-eqYE6UlhQVWcgYK-Zsnf_8NF_4_E/s1600/halloween_roob.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em><u>To add some wickedness to the mix, here are some fun facts about HALLOWEEN:</u></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;">* Tootsie Rolls were the first wrapped penny candy in America.</div><br />
* Signs of a werewolf are a unibrow, hair palms, tattoos, and a long middle finger.<br />
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* If you see a spider on Halloween, it is the spirit of a loved on watching over you.<br />
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* Could it be that all those trick-or-treaters wearing sheets aren't going as ghosts but as mattresses?<br />
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* One Halloween a trick-or-treater came to my door dressed as "Rocky" in boxing gloves and satin shorts. Soon after I gave him some goodies, he returned for more. "Aren't you the same 'Rocky' who left my doorstep several minutes ago?" I asked.<br />
"Yes," he replied, "but now I'm Rocky II."<br />
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* The Ouija Board ended up outselling the game of Monopoly in its first full year at Salem. Over two million copies of the Ouija Board were shipped.<br />
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* An intense and persistent fear of Halloween is called Samhnainophobia Samhainophobia is the fear of Halloween.<br />
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* According to Irish legend, Jack O’Lanterns are named after a stingy man named Jack who, because he tricked the devil several times, was forbidden entrance into both heaven and hell. He was condemned to wander the Earth, waving his lantern to lead people away from their paths.<br />
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* Trick-or-treating evolved from the ancient Celtic tradition of putting out treats and food to placate spirits who roamed the streets at Samhain, a sacred festival that marked the end of the Celtic calendar year.<br />
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* “Halloween” is short for “Hallows’ Eve” or “Hallows’ Evening,” which was the evening before All Hallows’ (sanctified or holy) Day or Hallowmas on November 1. In an effort to convert pagans, the Christian church decided that Hallowmas or All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2) should assimilate sacred pagan holidays that fell on or around October 31.<br />
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* Black and orange are typically associated with Halloween. Orange is a symbol of strength and endurance and, along with brown and gold, stands for the harvest and autumn. Black is typically a symbol of death and darkness and acts as a reminder that Halloween once was a festival that marked the boundaries between life and death.<br />
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* Halloween originated in Ireland over 2,000 years ago Ireland is typically believed to be the birthplace of Halloween.<br />
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* Scottish girls believed they could see images of their future husband if they hung wet sheets in front of the fire on Halloween. Other girls believed they would see their boyfriend’s faces if they looked into mirrors while walking downstairs at midnight on Halloween.<br />
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* According to tradition, if a person wears his or her clothes inside out and then walks backwards on Halloween, he or she will see a witch at midnight.<br />
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* Dressing up as ghouls and other spooks originated from the ancient Celtic tradition of townspeople disguising themselves as demons and spirits. The Celts believed that disguising themselves this way would allow them to escape the notice of the real spirits wandering the streets during Samhain.<br />
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<div style="text-align: right;"><strong><u><em>Top 10 Signs You Are Too Old to Be Trick or Treating</em></u></strong></div><div align="right"></div><div align="right">10. You get winded from knocking on the door.</div><div align="right">9. You have to have another kid chew the candy for you.</div><div align="right">8. You ask for high fiber candy only.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyiMxSgCYtuYK7i1_8YwBUufRIQdBqRQxLkOxcVoGpuscBu1h8aK9CQCdDrwBnTRNNyXOCVeHzCkZXiNaOq8VporAT6D1aXBL39ZaATtIg-muUxths1JdbecfFMkC2mEE2TTsv-CtCDOBn/s1600/halloween1a.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyiMxSgCYtuYK7i1_8YwBUufRIQdBqRQxLkOxcVoGpuscBu1h8aK9CQCdDrwBnTRNNyXOCVeHzCkZXiNaOq8VporAT6D1aXBL39ZaATtIg-muUxths1JdbecfFMkC2mEE2TTsv-CtCDOBn/s200/halloween1a.gif" width="200" /></a></div><div align="right">7. When someone drops a candy bar in your bag, you lose your balance and fall over.</div><div align="right">6. People say, "Great Keith Richards mask!" and you're not wearing a mask.</div><div align="right">5. When the door opens you yell, "Trick or..." and can't remember the rest.</div><div align="right">4. By the end of the night, you have a bag full of restraining orders.</div><div align="right">3. You have to carefully choose a costume that won't dislodge your hairpiece.</div><div align="right">2. You're the only Power Ranger in the neighborhood with a walker.</div><div align="right">1. You avoid going to houses where your ex-wives live.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><u><strong>To end this post in honoring Halloween a poem by Harry Behn:</strong></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tonight is the night, when dead leaves fly</div><div style="text-align: center;">Like witches on switches across the sky,</div><div style="text-align: center;">When elf and sprite, flit through the night</div><div style="text-align: center;">On a moony sheen. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tonight is the night when leaves make a sound</div><div style="text-align: center;">Like a gnome in his home under the ground,</div><div style="text-align: center;">When spooks and trolls creep out of holes </div><div style="text-align: center;">Mossy and green.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tonight is the night when pumpkins stare</div><div style="text-align: center;">Through sheaves and leaves everywhere,</div><div style="text-align: center;">When ghouls and ghost </div><div style="text-align: center;">And goblin host</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dance round their queen.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's Halloween.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">~ ********** ~</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DjkMuTt6VxI3Qsdqma-AuY8wKXIANf-9ydkfUXOTHU__YRLnxdNH8n_cThuDA0hdXhjH0IXtofPQR6_o_b-u2LIz8I51B9E3aGDqTrjjx8WpIBDLJtZfl_Ye8fEkEB71ZgtmMvAT5Swk/s1600/Halloween_3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DjkMuTt6VxI3Qsdqma-AuY8wKXIANf-9ydkfUXOTHU__YRLnxdNH8n_cThuDA0hdXhjH0IXtofPQR6_o_b-u2LIz8I51B9E3aGDqTrjjx8WpIBDLJtZfl_Ye8fEkEB71ZgtmMvAT5Swk/s1600/Halloween_3.gif" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What are you planning for today and/or what is your funny scariest moment in life????</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r269/ashleagh/Realms%20Blog/natascha_signature-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r269/ashleagh/Realms%20Blog/natascha_signature-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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You can find me back at my personal blog:<br />
<a href="http://www.nataschasplace.blogspot.com/">Natascha's Place </a>or<br />
Twitter-account: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/">Natascha_ROOB</a>Nataschahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815466202576299701noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-4169414861753865612010-10-29T11:53:00.001+02:002010-10-29T12:20:33.534+02:00Happy Abs Day: Simple edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5n5rgdLMumANSFO97D5Gc4HA3xM2Rdvck0jdg-BnnVZkvnD66FrhYJabrS1h3lrlW14sj1riM81FjapLyyqwrVi4JBEURaM7a03JK0qL5XeK58M2zX9Re2LxnClTJggx7hglZV3O93jIR/s1600/happy_abs_day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5n5rgdLMumANSFO97D5Gc4HA3xM2Rdvck0jdg-BnnVZkvnD66FrhYJabrS1h3lrlW14sj1riM81FjapLyyqwrVi4JBEURaM7a03JK0qL5XeK58M2zX9Re2LxnClTJggx7hglZV3O93jIR/s1600/happy_abs_day.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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I was thinking of doing a Halloween themed Happy Abs Day today but because I couldn't find the pictures I had in mind and since I don't have the time or energy to spend a whole lot of time searching further, I'm falling back on something I've had in my HAD-files for a while...just a picture that had me salivating when I came across it and I feel the need to share. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Rdudi4uDdQOXTQBPPgfU1xsIm4pfJp-MDx3ru6R0Un0PU2PMLdGgXZTwzaPnymXlx3WTtFixMB_8G6k1mPA96extRbhJZcEB3CBLuVVvc8ILIe-OyObXiskZrhQOR79pv2ei-puSJPSC/s1600/had2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Rdudi4uDdQOXTQBPPgfU1xsIm4pfJp-MDx3ru6R0Un0PU2PMLdGgXZTwzaPnymXlx3WTtFixMB_8G6k1mPA96extRbhJZcEB3CBLuVVvc8ILIe-OyObXiskZrhQOR79pv2ei-puSJPSC/s640/had2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>HAVE A HAPPY ABS DAY! </b></span><br />
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</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYmnkeFreupQI-YhKR71ann343gePJkEkjPCqalD_D8TXO15JkabQTefrqRMdoc3kSMHnSDmV6gOsQBoyl-edX-DyjW8ycDCyZvu1RAA3v0Xcs3dhTUcUUvsrGfJCrTC0ougAC_eaWpUw/s1600/pearl_signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYmnkeFreupQI-YhKR71ann343gePJkEkjPCqalD_D8TXO15JkabQTefrqRMdoc3kSMHnSDmV6gOsQBoyl-edX-DyjW8ycDCyZvu1RAA3v0Xcs3dhTUcUUvsrGfJCrTC0ougAC_eaWpUw/s320/pearl_signature.jpg" /></a></div>Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-43035166207187126562010-10-27T11:30:00.002+02:002010-10-28T19:50:20.729+02:00On The ROOB Radar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TMaYC5BwMLI/AAAAAAAABAc/q8RwNLZU_zQ/s1600/On+The+Radar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TMaYC5BwMLI/AAAAAAAABAc/q8RwNLZU_zQ/s1600/On+The+Radar.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">These November releases caught my eye and are on top of my wish/buylist...</div><br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TMaaR5TlzkI/AAAAAAAABAg/XwjjkJVX4xk/s1600/Twelve+Wicked+Nights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TMaaR5TlzkI/AAAAAAAABAg/XwjjkJVX4xk/s320/Twelve+Wicked+Nights.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Twelve Wicked Nights by</strong></div><strong>Nadia Aidan</strong><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Standalone</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Genre: Erotic Romance<br />
<br />
Releasedate: 2 November 2010<br />
Publisher: NAL Trade<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
ISBN-10: 0451231317 </div>ISBN-13: 978-0451231314 <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Website: <a href="http://www.nadiaaidan.com/"><span style="color: black;">Nadia Aidan</span></a><span style="color: black;"></span> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Blurb:</strong></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">This season, the only gift attorney Isabella Andreu wants to unwrap is Navy SEAL Justin Rourke. And boy, is she about to get her wish.</div><br />
Twelve Wicked Nights begins when a blizzard traps Isabella in the home of her sexy childhood friend…and a steamy game of strip Scrabble lays bare some long-suppressed desires. Justin, it seems, has talents beyond killing. Hot, sensual talents. But when a phone call lets them know that they only have 12 days before his next mission, things get even more interesting. Determined to make the most of their time together, they draw up a list of fantasies so naughty, it pushes all their buttons and leads to something wholly unexpected…. </blockquote><br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TMafNqZ3aVI/AAAAAAAABAk/11PQ-GX4kWM/s1600/When+Harry+Met+Molly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TMafNqZ3aVI/AAAAAAAABAk/11PQ-GX4kWM/s320/When+Harry+Met+Molly.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><strong></strong><br />
<br />
<strong>When Harry Met Molly by</strong><br />
<strong>Kieran Kramer</strong><br />
Impossible Bachelors Series<br />
Book 1 of 4<br />
<br />
Genre: Historical Romance<br />
<br />
Releasedate: 2 November 2010<br />
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks<br />
<br />
ISBN-10: 0312611641 <br />
ISBN-13: 978-0312611644 <br />
<br />
Website: <a href="http://kierankramerbooks.com/"><span style="color: black;">Kieran Kramer</span></a><br />
<br />
<strong>Blurb:</strong><br />
<br />
<b>He’s always been a player.</b><br />
Dashing Lord Harry Traemore is perfectly content to live out his days in the pursuit of pleasure. But when he’s named by the Prince Regent as one of society’s “Impossible Bachelors,” Harry is drafted into a ribald romantic wager. The rules of engagement are scandalously simple: The bachelor whose mistress wins the title of “Most Delectable Companion” gets to remain unmarried. Harry is utterly unconcerned about his status…until his latest lightskirt abandons him.<br />
<br />
<b>Who will win this game of love?</b><br />
Lady Molly Fairbanks. Harry’s childhood friend—actually, “foe” is more like it—is the most unlikely companion of all. She’s attractive but hot-headed, and in no mood for games. Besides, what could the self-indulgent Harry possibly know about what makes a woman delectable? It’s time for Molly to teach him a lesson once and for all…but will it lead to “happily ever after?”</blockquote><br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TMajPiYw5iI/AAAAAAAABAs/WiGcGgAAujg/s1600/The+Pursuit+of+Pleasure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TMajPiYw5iI/AAAAAAAABAs/WiGcGgAAujg/s1600/The+Pursuit+of+Pleasure.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<strong>The Pursuit of Pleasure by</strong><br />
<strong>Elizabeth Essex</strong><br />
<br />
Genre: Historical Romance<br />
<br />
Releasedate: 30 November 2010<br />
Publisher: Kensington Publishing<br />
<br />
ISBN-13: 9780758251541<br />
ISBN: 0758251548<br />
<br />
<strong>Blurb:</strong><br />
<br />
“I do say I’ll never marry, but I have always wanted to be a widow.”<br />
<br />
Marriage is Lizzie’s only hope of escaping her overbearing father. The problem is, it would only place her under the thumb of another man. Widowhood—or a marriage without the man—would be ideal.<br />
<br />
When Naval Captain James Marlowe overhears Lizzie’s declaration, he pounces, offering to wed her before he sets sail for an uncertain future. For Lizzie, it’s the perfect solution, but as Elizabeth Essex’s The Pursuit of Pleasure unfolds, their marriage of convenience soon proves more complicated than she imagined. There’s more to Marlowe’s offer than meets the eye. And the intense desires he awakens in her notwithstanding, can she truly trust the man she married? </blockquote><br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TMawRegH9-I/AAAAAAAABAw/7yOmSS6-B5Q/s1600/n356747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TMawRegH9-I/AAAAAAAABAw/7yOmSS6-B5Q/s320/n356747.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><br />
<strong>Prince Charming Doesn't Live Here by</strong><br />
<strong>Christine Warren</strong><br />
Book 10 <br />
Novels of the Others Series<br />
<br />
Genre: Paranormal Romance<br />
<br />
Releasedate: 2 November 2010<br />
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks<br />
<br />
ISBN-10: 0312947941 <br />
ISBN-13: 978-0312947941 <br />
<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.christinewarren.net/index.html"><span style="color: black;">Christine Warren</span></a> <br />
<strong></strong> <br />
<strong>Blurb:</strong> <br />
<br />
Danice Carter wakes up naked and confused. She can't figure out how she got into bed with a man she's never met, because there is no way she would forget meeting McIntyre Callahan. The man is everything she's ever fantasized about, a mind-bendingly mouth-watering hunk...who is just as puzzled about what's going on as she is. <br />
<br />
When they discover the explanation involves a fugitive from Faerie, some very tricky magic, and a theoretical hotel room, things start to get a little weird. Good thing the attraction between Danice and Mac makes all the sense in the world. </blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TMa0nSiomLI/AAAAAAAABA0/oKy_psS37P8/s1600/Signature+Marissa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TMa0nSiomLI/AAAAAAAABA0/oKy_psS37P8/s1600/Signature+Marissa.jpg" /></a></div>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-61116709320576423472010-10-25T10:11:00.002+02:002010-10-25T16:54:49.918+02:00Arc Review: Donna Alward - Proud Rancher, Precious Bundle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TMSsPQBOfrI/AAAAAAAAA_8/zqesvo53M-s/s1600/ARCreview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TMSsPQBOfrI/AAAAAAAAA_8/zqesvo53M-s/s1600/ARCreview.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TMSx21H8a-I/AAAAAAAABAQ/5MeP1wkKH8Q/s1600/c31907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TMSx21H8a-I/AAAAAAAABAQ/5MeP1wkKH8Q/s320/c31907.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Paperback: 187 pages</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stand-alone (it is the second story in the book)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Contemporary Romance</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Publisher: Mills & Boons</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">ISBN: 978 0 263 88834 8</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Release date: October 2010</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Main characters : Wyatt Black & Elli Marchuk</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Paperback copy received for review</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Purchase at: <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780263888348/A-Miracle-for-His-Secret-Son-AND-Proud-Rancher-Precious-Bundle"><span style="color: black;">The Book Depository Store</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Summary:</strong></div><br />
<strong>The cowboy…</strong><br />
<br />
After a hard day’s ranching, Wyatt Black wants to kick back with a cold beer. But when he steps onto his porch he has unexpected company – his tiny abandoned baby niece! <br />
<br />
<strong>His doorstep baby…</strong><br />
<br />
Against her better judgment, his neighbour Elli Marchuk agrees to help Wyatt for a few days. <br />
<br />
<strong>And the girl next door!</strong><br />
<br />
Elli soon falls in love with baby Darcy, but it’s her grouchy, gorgeous protector who’s got her head over heels….</blockquote><br />
<strong>My review:</strong><br />
<br />
Wyatt Black has no clue what to do when he finds his baby niece Darcy abandoned on his porch. He is a rancher and knows nothing about babies. Fortunately his neighbor Elli Marchuk is willing to help him with baby Darcy till he has figured out what is going on here. Wyatt and Elli fall in love with baby Darcy and she is their number one priority till Darcy’s mum returns. They feel attracted to one another but both carry a lot of emotional luggage and this stands between them. <br />
<br />
To be honest, I had low expectations when I started this story. Why? Because it is only 187 pages long or perhaps better said short. Me and short stories are usually not a good combination, I almost always miss a certain depth in the characters or plotline and it usually feels rushed. But Donna Alward pleasantly surprised me with Proud Rancher, Precious Bundle. It is a beautiful, even-paced, emotional and solid read about two people who try to heal themselves and leave their past behind. <br />
<br />
The story works for me because it is not rushed. The whole story takes place in approximately 2 – 3 weeks; it is even-paced and only deals with the relationship of Wyatt and Elli. So no complex plotlines or lots of characters, just a classic love story between two people. Because the storyline is pretty straightforward the strength of this story lies in the character development of Elli and Wyatt. Both are strong, likeable and totally caught in the maelstrom of emotions that baby Darcy brings along. <br />
<br />
Wyatt is a rancher, handsome, strong, and a bit blunt sometimes but also gentle, caring and responsible. He had a lousy childhood; his father drank and beat him and he took care of his mom instead of the other way around. To compensate his father’s absence and lack of responsibility he always felt the need to fix things or people and still does. He tries very hard not to be like his father, but his parents’ marriage has scarred him. Having Darcy in the house makes him realize he is nothing like his father and that he is worthy of a family. <br />
<br />
Elli is a strong and caring woman who lost her baby; on top of that she has lost her job and got divorced. Now she tries to pick up the pieces of her life and tries to figure out what to do with it. The last thing she needs is to fall head over heels again for a rancher and take care of a baby. But taking care of Darcy is forcing her to face her grief and start living again instead of hiding from the world. And while spending time with Darcy and Wyatt she discovers what she really wants out of a relationship. <br />
<br />
I was really rooting for Elli and Wyatt, I so wanted them to be happy and have their HEA. Thanks to Darcy they both had to scrutinize their lives, they helped each other to fathom things about themselves so that they can move on with their life. At the end of the story both have a better understanding of themselves, making them well-rounded characters. Elli and Wyatt’s conversations are vivid and some were very recognizable, making the story only more real. Do not expect steamy love scenes, there aren’t any and I did not miss them. This story does not need it for it is packed with real-life emotions.<br />
<br />
With this story I now have Donna Alward on my radar. Proud Rancher, Precious Bundle is a powerful, emotional and classic love story. It kept me captive and rooting for Elli and Wyatt to the last page. It is feel-good romance at its best and I loved it! <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TMSzE0vDRUI/AAAAAAAABAU/9uGuInDkQhU/s1600/4_star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TMSzE0vDRUI/AAAAAAAABAU/9uGuInDkQhU/s1600/4_star.jpg" /></a></div><strong><br />
</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TMSzLJYIvOI/AAAAAAAABAY/yR8j1yO_SRU/s1600/Signature+Marissa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TMSzLJYIvOI/AAAAAAAABAY/yR8j1yO_SRU/s1600/Signature+Marissa.jpg" /></a></div>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-16096425594970459632010-10-21T13:00:00.006+02:002010-10-21T13:00:02.768+02:00On The ROOB Radar: November 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicr-IkZlIVhEaBrFto9FTwJ-U0O6u9HkzFbJHtXi6RHcVaXtlt27T00j6ZWHT8cEb8eGwQpTWIUtBuvFe7LEaL5p9KlEVMXcpyPFPyZp5SzhdkqQk6eJIDZKhmjvRHEKQmRUaHYM0QwzRn/s1600/ontheroobradar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicr-IkZlIVhEaBrFto9FTwJ-U0O6u9HkzFbJHtXi6RHcVaXtlt27T00j6ZWHT8cEb8eGwQpTWIUtBuvFe7LEaL5p9KlEVMXcpyPFPyZp5SzhdkqQk6eJIDZKhmjvRHEKQmRUaHYM0QwzRn/s320/ontheroobradar.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Today my ROOB Radar post is a collection of ebooks and print books coming this November, which are on my buy/wish-list.<br />
<br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtivnHWBwOFPJ96eeD852rXPEHeDh3NNLyOxsPSgxEYu9JsDCYI8pGfdvUbs4cwQeTRmRF4i4HI1TZFJudSJtQfqZjGY-tNRolWyf35166N1Cpc2zjEQyLteBa-7XuIsuLSFQSOrgDGd2/s1600/undeniablyyours_200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtivnHWBwOFPJ96eeD852rXPEHeDh3NNLyOxsPSgxEYu9JsDCYI8pGfdvUbs4cwQeTRmRF4i4HI1TZFJudSJtQfqZjGY-tNRolWyf35166N1Cpc2zjEQyLteBa-7XuIsuLSFQSOrgDGd2/s320/undeniablyyours_200.jpg" width="203" /></a></div><br />
<b>UNDENIABLY YOURS by Shannon Stacey</b><br />
Release: 2010, November 1 (ebook)<br />
Publisher: Carina Press<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance<br />
Kowalski Family, book 2<br />
<a href="http://shannonstacey.com/coming-soon/undeniablyyours/"><b><u>Website</u></b></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<i><b>Summary:</b><br />
One-night stand + two percent condom failure rate = happily ever after?<br />
<br />
Bar owner Kevin Kowalski is used to women throwing their phone numbers at him, but lately he’s more interested in finding a woman to settle down with. A woman like Beth Hansen. If only their first meeting hadn’t gone so badly…<br />
<br />
Beth’s tending bar at a wedding when she comes face to face with a tuxedo-clad man she never thought she’d see again. She tries to keep her distance from Kevin but, by last call, she can’t say no to his too-blue eyes or the invitation back to his room. Then she slips out before breakfast without leaving a note and, despite their precautions, pregnant.<br />
<br />
Kevin quickly warms to the idea of being a dad and to seeing where things go with Beth. After all, he’s not the player she thinks he is. But she’s not ready for a relationship and, given his reputation, it’s going to take a lot to convince her to go on a second date with the father of her child…<br />
</i></blockquote><br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhOoNV-1zyFkO316kIAjDycK8aTVW-vERhE2lUDMEbVSwoVroF9iI_Nnw96DNimPus1NueFev86iQbWoQcpqiDmzQf08UwYd-f8wh9wUeQxHHB-ThtCc5dObY7xH_fFX1V9hSg2rw9rI0/s1600/Breathe300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhOoNV-1zyFkO316kIAjDycK8aTVW-vERhE2lUDMEbVSwoVroF9iI_Nnw96DNimPus1NueFev86iQbWoQcpqiDmzQf08UwYd-f8wh9wUeQxHHB-ThtCc5dObY7xH_fFX1V9hSg2rw9rI0/s320/Breathe300.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<b>BREATHE by Donna Alward</b><br />
Release: 2010, November 2 (ebook)<br />
Publisher: Samhain Publishing<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance<br />
Stand Alone<br />
<a href="http://www.donnaalward.com/breathe.htm"><b><u>Website</u></b></a><br />
<br />
<i><b>Summary:</b><br />
The first time they broke each others’ hearts. Now they have a second chance…<br />
<br />
Doing what was expected didn’t get Anna Morelli anything but a bad marriage. Now that her life has fallen apart there’s only one place she can think of to regroup and figure out what comes next. Two Willows, the winery owned by the only man she could ever rely on. Her oldest friend. And her worst mistake.<br />
<br />
Growing up as the poor boy didn’t stop Jace Willow from falling for Anna one hot, sultry summer. Back then, his best efforts to prove himself worthy of the Morelli standard fell just short. While it killed him to see her marry someone else, he made beating the Morellis at their own game his life’s work. And he’s excelled at it.<br />
<br />
When Anna shows up on his doorstep, their painful history pales in the face of her need for a roof over her children’s heads—and some peace. The heat of their renewed passion is healing, but it burns away layers of hard-won emotional distance, reopening old wounds. Threatening their one last chance to rebuild their love on the shattered pieces of their broken hearts…<br />
</i></blockquote><br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnma5x9H9-7acpYv_BzEGvXWtOLfOR1d6y71OeoR94V1mfmTTwz_Ri2NI1fVJZUQU0qjbm63HDwaN30oTJ3Y3KC05Uh-IcSFF5v6AqDynqo5n6npViS_VPPehCP4bBo8fiMDE2mezPUpx8/s1600/lipstickonhiscollar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnma5x9H9-7acpYv_BzEGvXWtOLfOR1d6y71OeoR94V1mfmTTwz_Ri2NI1fVJZUQU0qjbm63HDwaN30oTJ3Y3KC05Uh-IcSFF5v6AqDynqo5n6npViS_VPPehCP4bBo8fiMDE2mezPUpx8/s320/lipstickonhiscollar.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<b>LIPSTICK ON HIS COLLAR by Inez Kelley</b><br />
Release: 2010, November 23 (ebook)<br />
Publisher: Samhain Publishing<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance<br />
Stand Alone<br />
<a href="http://samhainpublishing.com/coming/lipstick-on-his-collar"><b><u>Website</u></b></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<i><b>Summary:</b><br />
He never thought his next wildfire would be wearing a red dress.<br />
<br />
“Make me your goddess and I’ll take you to heaven.”<br />
<br />
This sultry promise sparks a scorching, unforgettable one-night stand. The next morning Bram Winters awakes with a hickey and a head full of wicked memories—alone. His nameless goddess is gone without a trace, along with his shirt. And his heart.<br />
<br />
Five months later, he stumbles across his mystery lady in a Laundromat, but she still won’t give up her name. Worse, she begs him to leave, no questions asked. Once he catches the spark of terror in her eyes, though, his firefighter training takes over—and he digs in for the duration.<br />
<br />
Lady never wanted Bram to see her life’s ugly underside, but it’s too late—his socks are already in the washer. He was supposed to be her declaration of independence from her unstable ex, a bittersweet memory to carry into her new life.<br />
<br />
Except the ex continues to stalks her. And Bram’s reappearance sends her emotions and desires tumbling over the edge. As the minutes wear on, sexual tension rises faster than the steam from a hot water wash.<br />
<br />
And Lady’s ex watches from the shadows, growing more furious by the minute…<br />
<br />
<b>Warning: Scorching sex, icy scissor play and an anonymous woman taking a wet slide down one hot ex-fireman’s pole. Beware of hot flashes and spontaneous combustion. Correct change not required.</b><br />
</i></blockquote><br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHTZEF3_0akcFWvkoyqp6KIk7XVXzzhGai5UDXrc40dWgS7024myFqZnBhXkMIftK4ry4euBC1tcDxGy-4xA4dQTLlt7ongxjPKqiMJNTQ_Y23JyZ4uUjsNd1nEKDoEmIrXFdaO0Mzmy5/s1600/promisesinthedark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHTZEF3_0akcFWvkoyqp6KIk7XVXzzhGai5UDXrc40dWgS7024myFqZnBhXkMIftK4ry4euBC1tcDxGy-4xA4dQTLlt7ongxjPKqiMJNTQ_Y23JyZ4uUjsNd1nEKDoEmIrXFdaO0Mzmy5/s320/promisesinthedark.jpg" width="194" /></a></div><br />
<b>PROMISES IN THE DARK by Stephanie Tyler</b><br />
Release: 2010, November 23 (print)<br />
Publisher: Dell Books<br />
Genre: Romantic Suspense<br />
Shadow Forces, book 2<br />
<a href="http://www.stephanietyler.com/books/promises.php"><b><u>Website</u></b></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<i><b>Summary:</b><br />
On the run, in each other’s arms, with one last chance to survive.<br />
A rugged Navy SEAL, Zane Scott was part of a failed mission to rescue Dr. Olivia Strohm from abduction by the terrorist group Dead Man’s Hand (DMH)—and her anguished screams have haunted him ever since. So when he gets word that the beautiful physician has escaped from her captors in Africa, he’s got personal reasons to storm the continent and save her.<br />
<br />
Like her would-be liberator, Olivia carries the burden of a dark secret from her past. Ruthless and relentless, the DMH has threatened to hunt her down – and to systematically hurt anyone she’s close to. The last thing she wants is to be rescued—even by someone as shockingly handsome as Zane. Yet the hot-headed special ops hero has come for her, and together she and Zane just might have a shot at not only stopping DMH’s reign of terror, but also saving what’s left of their souls.<br />
</i></blockquote><br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSX9_PMAUyfARmBLXKT4LBBTCc-xnPxNoHzkJPY1jWVG-ddPzKZfCZxYHKKkuH8QJjmObBdVBCjNcAEDAHI84_nOBvFcwcWh-pv150btIu00gzht3vS_qd0s-pRi7f0WcSpsu3RwDptLv/s1600/captivespirit.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSX9_PMAUyfARmBLXKT4LBBTCc-xnPxNoHzkJPY1jWVG-ddPzKZfCZxYHKKkuH8QJjmObBdVBCjNcAEDAHI84_nOBvFcwcWh-pv150btIu00gzht3vS_qd0s-pRi7f0WcSpsu3RwDptLv/s320/captivespirit.jpeg" width="194" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<b>CAPTIVE SPIRIT by Anna Windsor</b><br />
Release: 2010, November 23<br />
Publisher: Ballantine Books<br />
Genre: Paranormal Romance<br />
Dark Crescent Sisterhood, book 4<br />
<a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780345513892/Captive-Spirit"><b><u>(pre-)Order here</u></b></a> (Anna Windsor's website is not functioning so I don't have a link to her website)<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><b>Summary:</b><br />
The night holds endless pleasures . . . and hides nameless terrors. <br />
<br />
Bela Argos has suffered too many losses to count, and she's determined to keep her new fighting group safe. Manhattan is under siege by a new and deadly pride of demons, and she'll do whatever it takes to defeat the evil band of murderers and protect her new family--even kill the sexy, wounded police officer she's hiding in her basement. <br />
<br />
Duncan Sharp never believed in the supernatural. A war veteran with many years of service in the NYPD, he prefers to solve his problems with badge, cuffs, and bullets. When he wakes to find himself hostage to a gorgeous bunch of women in leather--women who command earth, air, fire, and water--he doesn't know what to think, and when Bela's around, thinking is damned hard, anyway. Never mind the supernatural infection threatening to end his life and turn him into a creature he can't begin to imagine. <br />
<br />
The demons are coming, and they're coming for Bela and Duncan. To save each other and everything they value, they just might have to sacrifice everything. <br />
</i></blockquote><br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibw6SLr23oC-495EgBuZ65kMX4dI9-6KrQzilDloU1qQ2maKOP0SCXFw-Nk22TTNYT936nxQa3KPX8YZjfMJL_JY4v0pMaxkxpivMYZRHUjb8a7DyBygEljYMD8y9KuaQFcgxsz1HeKoyW/s1600/notthatkindofgirl.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibw6SLr23oC-495EgBuZ65kMX4dI9-6KrQzilDloU1qQ2maKOP0SCXFw-Nk22TTNYT936nxQa3KPX8YZjfMJL_JY4v0pMaxkxpivMYZRHUjb8a7DyBygEljYMD8y9KuaQFcgxsz1HeKoyW/s320/notthatkindofgirl.jpeg" width="199" /></a></div><br />
<b>NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL by Susan Donovan</b><br />
Release: 2010, November 30<br />
Publisher: St. Martin's Press<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance<br />
San Francisco Dog-Walking Group, book 3<br />
<a href="http://www.susandonovan.com/Books/Not%20That%20Kind%20of%20Girl.html"><b><u>Website</u></b></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<i><b>Summary:</b><br />
Roxanne Bloom is through with love. Fresh on the heels of a bad break-up, she’s decided to devote all her time to her man-slamming website—and her man-hating dog, Lilith. But this pit-bull-Boxer is so good at unleashing her fury (and her owner’s) that the male victims keep piling up…and now it’s time to get some sensitivity training. Enter Eli Gallagher, one of the best—and hottest—canine experts in town.<br />
<br />
The more Eli gets to know Roxie, the more he senses that she’s been hurt by men in the past—just like her dog. With a little gentle prodding, and a whole lot of patience, Eli hopes to gain Roxie’s trust and soothe her broken heart. Eli can see that Roxie’s bark is way worse than her bite. But she’s not putting her guard down just yet—even if she is falling deeply, madly, doggedly in love with him...<br />
<br />
</i></blockquote><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92bsp5Pgs9-e9ZUPY83JmlKz6meMcuJUASiQVKEoKyut2Wb2kUl2AALCefaKUv4UQo5i-rezccTt7nq8f6EUcOkfwtyQpbCsg1jt2jqGqP0FMPrJMAnMw2EcpIDynlWMmpbmMwQxkeOi_/s1600/pearl_signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92bsp5Pgs9-e9ZUPY83JmlKz6meMcuJUASiQVKEoKyut2Wb2kUl2AALCefaKUv4UQo5i-rezccTt7nq8f6EUcOkfwtyQpbCsg1jt2jqGqP0FMPrJMAnMw2EcpIDynlWMmpbmMwQxkeOi_/s320/pearl_signature.jpg" /></a></div>Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12776233740301497185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-32177465047850221662010-10-20T15:30:00.001+02:002010-10-20T15:30:01.761+02:00RR Review: Alexandra Sokoloff - Book of Shadows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7iw16dUvsfOLC13CNIoL8sJ-YvwU-KaohK912UUF8IDTltdRUDn3kbMdZVgLsxmqiE-gZHyATdWY_18QqrlcmAmQrFGxUGBnqOnyu9sDJBp3ydgx5oD1JDMhVFmAGLC0hoXe7F9yev1i/s1600/RRreview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7iw16dUvsfOLC13CNIoL8sJ-YvwU-KaohK912UUF8IDTltdRUDn3kbMdZVgLsxmqiE-gZHyATdWY_18QqrlcmAmQrFGxUGBnqOnyu9sDJBp3ydgx5oD1JDMhVFmAGLC0hoXe7F9yev1i/s1600/RRreview.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><blockquote><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrB9hcQ6lRNabWAYPg24ICt4PUMbLe1e-C7HwmGbK_EfuuiwoMLAlaEoXLMoLujw4Rw_X7W2vjcpCDjLfHIvIKDgPI_CySivKz9iT-UoY5e1mE2bEc8HND25pE1ziUPCWwxZFNtxmUdn_R/s1600/bookofshadows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrB9hcQ6lRNabWAYPg24ICt4PUMbLe1e-C7HwmGbK_EfuuiwoMLAlaEoXLMoLujw4Rw_X7W2vjcpCDjLfHIvIKDgPI_CySivKz9iT-UoY5e1mE2bEc8HND25pE1ziUPCWwxZFNtxmUdn_R/s1600/bookofshadows.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Hardback 312 pages - Stand Alone - Paranormal Suspense</div>Publisher: St. Martin’s Press<br />
ISBN-10: 0-312-38471-8<br />
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-38471-5<br />
Release date: June 8, 2010<br />
Main Characters: Adam Garrett & Tanish Cabarrus<br />
HC copy received for reviewing<br />
Purchase at: <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780312384715/Book-of-Shadows">The Book Depository Store <strong><em></em></strong></a><br />
<br />
<strong><em>SUMMARY</em></strong><br />
The discovery in a landfill of the mutilated corpse of Erin Carmody, the 18-year-old daughter of a prominent Boston businessman, presents homicide detective Adam Garrett with a particularly sensitive case. Marks on the body suggest the killer was conducting Satanic rituals. When Adam and his partner, Carl Landauer, question the prime suspect, Jason Moncrief, a college friend of Erin's, Jason chants the name of the demon Choronzon, then assaults Carl. Despite what appears to be an open-and-shut case, Adam can't discount the claim that Jason is innocent made by Tanith Cabarrus, an attractive witch who comes to police headquarters to report that she dreamed of other murders—and who believes that supernatural forces are behind the slaughter. </blockquote><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><strong><em>REVIEW</em></strong><br />
Fact meets fiction in this enticingly thrilling story. This turned out such a well written story with an exquisite eye for detail, where Alexandra Sokoloff takes the reader into the crime scene and murder investigation after a body has turned up headless and handless at a city landfill. It captivated me from the first written word and didn’t let go, not even after I had read the final page and closed the book. <br />
<br />
It showed a great background research in the paranormal plot and murder scene investigation, keeping it so close to the real deal. As I am quite familiar with the paranormal workings, the suspense factor of the major plotline on who the perpetrator was all the more thrilling that it might have been to others. However even for none-believers the built up of the storylines are fantastic and it is definitely a page turner till the end.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Adam Garrett</em></strong>- with his black irish eyes and hair and temper, hard-muscled, impatient, edgy;<br />
is not a strictly go by the rule cop but likes to keep his feet firmly down-to-earth and grounded. However when a girl turns up at his desk, claiming a few weeks ago she dreamed about the murder he is currently investigating, and that they had the wrong boy in custody, he quickly finds himself needing to deal with the paranormal, and though he is just not a believer he seems to be attracted towards believing her and seeking her advice. He has to set his mind open to the – up to them for him impossible – and finds that this case would change his outlook on life as a whole new world seems to open up with a range of possible suspects.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Tanith Cabarrus</em> -</strong> a witch who dreamed gruesome things and trying her best to get her voice heard within the police department, finally might be able to get a foot in. Mysterious and otherworldly tuned, she attracts the attention of Adam Garrett, hoping she could get through to him while doing her utmost to solve the murder case and freeing the person she knows was not involved in this murder.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Carl Landauer </em></strong>- chain-smoking, whisky-drinking, donut-eating, a living, breathing amalgam of every cop cliché known to man: middle-aged spread, broad sweating face, and bawdy, cynical humor - a lifer who used the caricature as a disguise. You just got to love him, he is Adam’s partner and has a smaller part to this story as the plotlines are following more Adam’s life but Land is the solid cop with humorous remarks taking the edge off the edgy in this story.<br />
<br />
<em><u>Quote upon finding certain satanic marks on the body of the murder victim:</u></em><br />
“What the fuck is that? The Devil Lite? Satan can't count?"<br />
<br />
For those who expect romantic suspense, there is no undying romantic love, but a fast-paced passionate and sensual fling between two human beings. Very raw and basic but complementing the overall story-arc. I admire Ms. Sokoloff for keeping it on that level, because the built up of plotlines and characters didn’t require anything more than what was given away.<br />
<br />
Because the story-built and everything going on in between the written lines was so intense, this was not a light read. When reading a novel like this, that took hold of me and grabbed me so that it kept my mind busy outside reading hours as well, it classifies as a prime-read on my shelves, and one that most definitely will be re-read in the future. <br />
<br />
There is a rawness in the satanic side of the paranormal way of living, making the evil in this novel very evil. Up unto the very last scene question marks on who was the villain invoking these energies was unrevealed, and the climactic ending tied all the loose ends together making it a tight fit. <br />
<br />
This is my first book by Alexandra Sokoloff but definitely not the last!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgTZl-feOaJTxlwPUe9_KnKPns1N6ox1QA-DRc66XXq0Vkga9oGnGpGuN79NgiTL0JLj0hjH9lr8Vf1Ng2-0VCFGDJldPXieqFv99N7OV8wYqFMeFTZxLvG-0GsnNDyJl5D3wTu8B9xMo/s1600/4,5_star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgTZl-feOaJTxlwPUe9_KnKPns1N6ox1QA-DRc66XXq0Vkga9oGnGpGuN79NgiTL0JLj0hjH9lr8Vf1Ng2-0VCFGDJldPXieqFv99N7OV8wYqFMeFTZxLvG-0GsnNDyJl5D3wTu8B9xMo/s1600/4,5_star.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi075R4GUPU117_XomDPqaWFZmi3JpstjN-sHx9nYmtBUuvxWCZZYavbGk8XaDG3tzqCotK6Z-RVOTMurju2HfVdHmMMBg244WWBiElyAg3kKsL7cofpHYgkxGaabSXn0LyVDlOcaLswcg/s1600/singature_post_natascha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi075R4GUPU117_XomDPqaWFZmi3JpstjN-sHx9nYmtBUuvxWCZZYavbGk8XaDG3tzqCotK6Z-RVOTMurju2HfVdHmMMBg244WWBiElyAg3kKsL7cofpHYgkxGaabSXn0LyVDlOcaLswcg/s320/singature_post_natascha.jpg" /></a></div>Nataschahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815466202576299701noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-74394958976968689542010-10-15T10:52:00.000+02:002010-10-15T10:52:35.784+02:00Happy Abs Day: Hello Joe Manganiello!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TLdRp6kPSUI/AAAAAAAAA_k/oxe9OSiTEDQ/s1600/HP+Abs+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TLdRp6kPSUI/AAAAAAAAA_k/oxe9OSiTEDQ/s1600/HP+Abs+Day.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am the only one of the ROOB gals who watches True Blood, at first I watched the show out of curiosity, one look at silent, brooding, mysterious Eric (Alexander Skarsgard) and I was hooked, duhhh no Bill fan here, Eric the Viking vampire has me glued to my flat screen every Monday night 8:30 pm. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TLdWsCR636I/AAAAAAAAA_o/SZfTyp22itY/s1600/Eric+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TLdWsCR636I/AAAAAAAAA_o/SZfTyp22itY/s320/Eric+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So for the first two seasons of True Blood Eric had my full attention but I already heard through the grapevine (Twitter friends) that he has some stiff competition in season 3 from shapeshifter Alcide (Joe Manganiello). But as always here in The Netherlands we are behind and season 3 only started two weeks ago, so I really did not get the excitement about Joe. Then in episode 2 of season 3 shapeshifter Alcide saunters up to Sookie’s porch… Well hello Joe!! So nice to finally meet you and yes you have my full attention now, woohooo can I have a larger flat screen??? Look at those abs, sheer perfection!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So here some pics of Joe to kick off the weekend!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TLdj-8wLZ2I/AAAAAAAAA_4/w49EugJwPUk/s1600/Collage+Joe+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TLdj-8wLZ2I/AAAAAAAAA_4/w49EugJwPUk/s1600/Collage+Joe+2.png" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy Abs Day!</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TLdh-EcRg7I/AAAAAAAAA_w/bj1bHQ-ww8I/s1600/Signature+Marissa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TLdh-EcRg7I/AAAAAAAAA_w/bj1bHQ-ww8I/s1600/Signature+Marissa.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-23419459662499391542010-10-14T13:59:00.002+02:002010-10-14T14:42:24.622+02:00Par-Tay time: ROOB celebrates its 4th anniversary!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNthkmsmrvUwYFAA5wtYqMJKD-WXpFQ0E3C3RiH4AsdGm3w83kXukuVuwwMTKMzhDNq-UuMeMTVXrZBDr9rFR88FHhgsmgWnmza99ei4jB1ueaUpnoahoCRhDHJzNVi9WThZmRmIzN6VQ/s1600/anniversary_banner+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNthkmsmrvUwYFAA5wtYqMJKD-WXpFQ0E3C3RiH4AsdGm3w83kXukuVuwwMTKMzhDNq-UuMeMTVXrZBDr9rFR88FHhgsmgWnmza99ei4jB1ueaUpnoahoCRhDHJzNVi9WThZmRmIzN6VQ/s400/anniversary_banner+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qbnM4AN7VzzYIadqq483E4SHQNkRjaDnp89Jh7SK3pSm2FnbOy7-J-uTkNAIip3LCnIREpVc01ZV2bvuaFg59XuRootbEir0RJIQO7gqAEUt1E-72uzF2o525iKnNG6Xsqsp8uwt97Q/s1600/natascha_signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qbnM4AN7VzzYIadqq483E4SHQNkRjaDnp89Jh7SK3pSm2FnbOy7-J-uTkNAIip3LCnIREpVc01ZV2bvuaFg59XuRootbEir0RJIQO7gqAEUt1E-72uzF2o525iKnNG6Xsqsp8uwt97Q/s1600/natascha_signature.jpg" /></a></div>October 14…. A day for most which will go by with no real meaning other than being a regular day in the year but for us at Realms it holds a bit more than that. Why? I hear you ask…. I’ll tell. Once my sister had an idea, her and me with a passion for reading books had of course our chats and fun discussing the books, but as my sister got into the book-anatics-thing on the internet an idea came to fruition, why not start a website with forum, discussing the one thing we love most. She discussed it with me and had one problem, she was not really into the technical side of making a website, tadada it was like the universe combined our ‘powers’ as I was a bit home in website-building, at that point I had worked on the administration of a web-design company for two years doing odd bits and pieces on websites and getting to know the technical inns and outs. Of course we both got excited and henceforth Realms On Our Bookshelves came to be a daily term in our phone-conversations. Through this we came to know many great people of whom Marissa and Pearl became dear friends of us. <br />
<br />
Early this year, the totality of building the website we had going grew a bit over our head. Our lives changed and as so many great authors got to our attention the website building was no longer a one girl job. The internet-community changed as well, instead of website/forum, blogging became the HOT thing and after discussing this over with Marissa and Pearl (whom beside our friends were steadfast reviewers of ROOB) we decided to change format and make it the four-ROOB-girl thing we have going today. <br />
<br />
Throughout the past four years of knowing each other on the digi-world and outside that in real life we came to know us four as:<br />
<br />
<strong>Leontine</strong> is wickedly fun, loyal, a bit of a scatterbrain and somewhat of a drama queen<br />
<strong>Marissa</strong>, caring, chaotic, historical lover of the first order, smart but with her bridget jones moments (which is hilarious for us) and we came to know her as a musical encyclopedia<br />
<strong>Natascha</strong> tends to be a bit of a wallflower, tell-it-like-it-is attitude but with a very big heart, creative, funny and has a passion for writing<br />
<strong>Pearl</strong> is a busy-bee, talkative: always open for a chat about everything, sweet and caring<br />
<br />
To add some spice to the post here are some great anecdotes from our time together:<br />
<br />
<strong>Leontine – Staphorst meets the ROOB posse</strong><br />
<strong>Marissa- Triple A’s sexy alpha male to the rescue</strong><br />
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Is it four years already?? Time flies when you have fun… <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzJ7sNrHhjBDspxbeEw60CKGD3cxttLSAANyv-NOihombW8EmvxcN-qrTki5V9yiR_IPFh-tzxWNiY9LaK8YQLX5aiXdh2qb1UH_h_zCdQfXHEGWXkl4qpRVnIEPkBIgDdnQEOauBhUw/s1600/Twitter+2kopie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzJ7sNrHhjBDspxbeEw60CKGD3cxttLSAANyv-NOihombW8EmvxcN-qrTki5V9yiR_IPFh-tzxWNiY9LaK8YQLX5aiXdh2qb1UH_h_zCdQfXHEGWXkl4qpRVnIEPkBIgDdnQEOauBhUw/s1600/Twitter+2kopie.jpg" /></a></div>Ok today we talk about some of the funny things that happened to the ROOB gals over the years, there are really too many Bridget Jones moments to pen them all down here. We all know each other through the Internet, but I can remember the very first time I met Leontine in the flesh. I was picking her up for a bookfair in Rotterdam, she opened her door and the very first thing she said to me was: “Hi, you look so different than I thought you would.” “Well hello to you too Leontine!” After that we chatted about everything and nothing like we have known each other for years and that has never changed. The whole Staphorst affair and the word “sophistication” still make me smile when I think back of the memorable coffee-stop we made in that little town, but I picked another story to tell. So here it goes and you are forewarned, I am not a good storyteller. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxz2eO_yJHDCqud14KDJJJPECAbWL1e2P-swxwofq4cU9vAhq1H1qRw5vBY93LF-eymx3qN2WGnGQmd8EqHBmYIG69sYbjbK64DUnPnORMDqIU922xjXjaB_kdgq3T3eSCjN1GECevUDQ/s1600/Nude+Butt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxz2eO_yJHDCqud14KDJJJPECAbWL1e2P-swxwofq4cU9vAhq1H1qRw5vBY93LF-eymx3qN2WGnGQmd8EqHBmYIG69sYbjbK64DUnPnORMDqIU922xjXjaB_kdgq3T3eSCjN1GECevUDQ/s200/Nude+Butt.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We had a date with some other booklovers to have a nice afternoon/evening of book- and girl talk, the meeting took place in Zeeland and that is about an hour away from my place. My loving partner was not happy about it because I was very pregnant with our daughter and he knew that those meetings always ended in the middle of the night. But I really wanted to go and so Leontine and her sister Natascha picked me up, Pearl had other obligations and couldn’t make it, but we still had fun and spent a great afternoon and evening chatting and laughing. And so it was very late when we said our goodbyes and got to the car. Driving home, still chatting about books and stuff I can still hear Natascha say: “I think we have a flat tire…” And yes there we stood in the middle of nowhere with a flat tire, so we called for assistance and we waited. It was a very cold December night and we waited behind the crash barrier for the sexy alpha male who would come to change the tire. Well, we hoped he would be sexy… So here we were in the middle of nowhere and someone really needed to pee. No, it was not me, the very pregnant one with huge belly, but Leontine! She needed to pee so badly that she could not wait any longer. She just sat down in the grass, mooning her behind for everyone at the highway and took a pee. Her butt must have been frozen for it was very cold that night but at least she felt better LOL. We of course could not stop laughing and then our rescuer arrived, the man of our dreams, the sexy alpha male who would sweep us of our feet with his dazzling smile and capable hands… Well, the sexy alpha male turned out to be a balding man with the sex appeal of a mitten but his hands were very capable, before we knew it the car was fixed and we were on our way again. It was very late when I finally saw my bed that night and I went to sleep with a big grin on my face.</div><br />
What else to say, except that I hope that ROOB will be around for many more years and that I cherish my friendship (on the Internet and IRL) with Leontine, Pearl & Natascha. #raising my glass# To many more laughs, book & girl talk and embarrassing moments! Love you gals!<br />
<br />
XOXO<br />
Marissa<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWWxo3nvwEVcGgTvOekb3MaxqyD0QMrhqkBwAHFVl0-a9MwKMDXVaLmhssW05Q9VHTVB3CaN-G8ClJxcOMGp0tphtqhpPSlnMP8JoTvCQUyv7s_ZjhVfbRmU-lqDfJgAS2qkKg0TS6OI/s1600/leontine_signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWWxo3nvwEVcGgTvOekb3MaxqyD0QMrhqkBwAHFVl0-a9MwKMDXVaLmhssW05Q9VHTVB3CaN-G8ClJxcOMGp0tphtqhpPSlnMP8JoTvCQUyv7s_ZjhVfbRmU-lqDfJgAS2qkKg0TS6OI/s1600/leontine_signature.jpg" /></a></div>Once upon a time we: Pearl, Marissa and I were going to Natascha for an overall meeting and to celebrate her 30th birthday. Because Natascha lives about a 3 hour drive away from the rest Marissa was all over the music selection for the road trip. Truly, she has an inner DJ for information about songs, bands and trivia information about them. She was in to the songs that were so wrong they actually sounded right, some of her playlist:<br />
<br />
<br />
Right Said Fred – I’m too sexy<br />
Boney M – Rivers of Babylon<br />
Matthias Reim – Verdamt ich lieb dich<br />
Marianne Rosenberg – Ich bin wie Du<br />
Opus – Life is Life<br />
Roberto Jacketti & the scooters – I save the day<br />
Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers – Islands in the stream<br />
Sabrina – Boys, boys, boys<br />
<br />
As much was from the 70’s and 80’s the nostalgia was coursing through our veins, the clothes, teen-age years, the make-up, nothing was left unspoken as three very, but then really very “off key” voices were singing along. Or I could say, two voices were singing along and I was mumbling and extremely happy when I could sing along with the chorus of each song….my mind actually went blank with a few songs *eek*. <br />
<br />
The car was eating away the miles and the music was jamming and it was halfway that we decided to take a break and go for coffee. Now what I’m about to tell next is told with all due respect for each and every religion! In the Netherlands we have our Sin Cities, really….love ‘em, hate ‘em, but you can’t go around them. To balance it we have a few villages in our country that have their own way of exercising their believes and are very…very…truly very strict in upholding the rules as stated within those beliefs. It is in such a town called “Staphorst” that we stopped for coffee, at first we didn’t even realize it but then we thought Staphorst bells started to go off big time. Full of giggles we entered an establishment where we were confronted with a crowd of grandpa’s and grandma’s. We sat down at a table and ordered our food and drinks. Up to then everything was under control and we were showing our best behavior! But this came crashing down so fast as we started to talk about books and books and…well erotic romance. I should’ve taken an example to Marissa and Pearl and censure my language but what can I say, I was excited, the passion for the topic evident in my voice and I had a few things to say. I think I can safely say that the three of us won’t be visiting that town any day soon because the people lunching and drinking their coffee definitely gave me the evil eye a few times while Marissa said: Sophistication Leo, where’s the sophistication??” Uhm, well... probably lost it along the way I guess LOL. If it got lost along the way then it evaporated as we got to the topic of anal behavior…this is in the context of compulsory behavior! That we all have got that one straight *wink* Pearl has got this about reading orders, she has to read books in order of release date and it doesn’t matter whether it is part of a series, trilogies or novels. Now I have got this myself and probably Marissa and Natascha, and a whole lot of readers with us about series. Reading the series and trilogies in chronically correct order so you can experience the full impact of the overall story. Pearl just takes it a step further and it is a unique quirk to her nature *we still love you Pearl!*. From this we got to Lora Leigh and her Breed series….do I need to say more. Breeds, Staphorst, and three women who just discovered these awesome erotica novels. Add my attitude to the mix and as I’ve said, Staphorst was more than relieved to see me go LOL<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOGG3sPrdznf6t-Fe2ZLFMvHE6d0KbT6cIGzdBJIdcVSC-F4z2nKwcnwJZkIhqItqX5GY4x834VNKC32OD39t6axz7CQRB2Piny1HcGz1nHU79-zs2-YBI3FJFLvID38ixj_K-hCEDlk/s1600/styxs_storm_snapshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOGG3sPrdznf6t-Fe2ZLFMvHE6d0KbT6cIGzdBJIdcVSC-F4z2nKwcnwJZkIhqItqX5GY4x834VNKC32OD39t6axz7CQRB2Piny1HcGz1nHU79-zs2-YBI3FJFLvID38ixj_K-hCEDlk/s1600/styxs_storm_snapshot.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Of course we arrived at Ashleagh’s house full of smiles and giggles and had a blast! <br />
<br />
After four years of sharing the love with each other for books and sharing an incredible friendship I can’t believe how much we changed since our tentative first steps in reading English books. Our yellow road brought us to Blogger, Twitter, Goodreads and Facebook. ROOB the website changed along with it. It allowed us to read and review fantastic authors but most of all those get-together’s as friends will be cherished the most. I toast to Natascha, Marissa and Pearl; girls, may we have many more anecdotes to tell once we reach our senior citizen years and our friendship still goes strong. To all those who we’ve come to know online, we love to share the passion for the romance genre and you’ve all made it a blast! Thank you!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-Qg5jK-Xq1gjQ2LLqJ6tFImKjidSHJBo0neQ_R3yUssbxx2z04V7l0G-2hJXEE6mMXK0E7BDjV3RxxBrGBll7LSKT2KKbyu6j2AsjI1K95LwiaBNY2TwnxxrSTW3aA-4iurs01WeGU4/s1600/natascha_signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-Qg5jK-Xq1gjQ2LLqJ6tFImKjidSHJBo0neQ_R3yUssbxx2z04V7l0G-2hJXEE6mMXK0E7BDjV3RxxBrGBll7LSKT2KKbyu6j2AsjI1K95LwiaBNY2TwnxxrSTW3aA-4iurs01WeGU4/s1600/natascha_signature.jpg" /></a></div>Of course we had many more moments together but let’s not bring out the most spicy details just yet… But do not be too disappointed… we have a great contest for you in store:<br />
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<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Giveaway:</span></strong> To share in our love for the romance we would like to give one commenter a choice in book up to € 6.50 (six and a half euro's) and to where Book Depository Store ships! Winner will be announced on October 18th.<br />
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Enjoy our anniversary week ;-) We have Lora Leigh with a one on one interview with Leontine and Donna Grant over who gives her 411 on her MacLeod highlanders & still ongoing giveaways!<br />
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Warm wishes and happy readings,<br />
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Leontine, Marissa, Natascha & (from the sick-bay) Pearl<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr74FG04CLQ8purNvwCbnT-V8bq4pQp1-bb2AfRBHcD19r1z3TfXI6lAL8Dm8HXF79ohCLTw56yJQduy0RSfLGnEADIWQCvgoFmnELJWEohyF1YUxWXVqpAO69tpt0wNc3938znJQ8Dto/s1600/postbalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr74FG04CLQ8purNvwCbnT-V8bq4pQp1-bb2AfRBHcD19r1z3TfXI6lAL8Dm8HXF79ohCLTw56yJQduy0RSfLGnEADIWQCvgoFmnELJWEohyF1YUxWXVqpAO69tpt0wNc3938znJQ8Dto/s1600/postbalk.jpg" /></a></div>Leontinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11772385054579881436noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358808828882809054.post-44955975123740561502010-10-13T11:51:00.000+02:002010-10-13T11:51:38.289+02:00On the ROOB Radar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r269/ashleagh/ontheroobradar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r269/ashleagh/ontheroobradar.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">**********</div><br />
<br />
<strong><em><u><span style="font-size: large;">Jenny Brown – Lord Lightning</span></u></em></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAajlNNIYUKl6PTPK25U3F187dQpIC39ApNZ3zQ1dt-GdFTmBbd4fbWh8bbesKS0MndhNeNkj0SdC4xXl3fi6PyPvNkXpjCdyH0D2YLxAhP8cOMNUQmK5rHTr636HfL1cdjAGnMb-L3_M/s1600/lordlightning_jennybrown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAajlNNIYUKl6PTPK25U3F187dQpIC39ApNZ3zQ1dt-GdFTmBbd4fbWh8bbesKS0MndhNeNkj0SdC4xXl3fi6PyPvNkXpjCdyH0D2YLxAhP8cOMNUQmK5rHTr636HfL1cdjAGnMb-L3_M/s1600/lordlightning_jennybrown.jpg" /></a></div>Genre: Historical Romance<br />
Releasedate: October 1 2010<br />
Part of the Zodiac Sign series<br />
For sale at: <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780061976056/Lord-Lightning">The Book Depository Store</a><br />
<em><u>SYNOPSIS</u></em><br />
They call him "Lord Lightning". . . <br />
<br />
For his shocking behavior. An unrepentant rogue with a wicked reputation, his outrageous conduct ensures no woman will get close enough to hurt him. <br />
<br />
But demure and lovely astrologer Eliza Farrell casts a chart that tells her Lord Hartwood is capable of great, passionate love. When Hartwood indulges in one of his famous pranks and invites Eliza to become his new mistress, the virginal country miss must meet her fate armed only with her knowledge that the cynical lord will become the tender lover she sees predicted in the stars. <br />
<br />
Though Eliza is nothing like the brazen strumpets he prefers, the seemingly incorruptible seer excites Lord Lightning much more than the hard, calculating women he is accustomed to. Eliza's trusting spirit and quick mind touch his cold heart - and when the bewitching innocent surprisingly agrees to be seen on his arm, neither can predict the sparks that will fly between them . . . or resist the electric passion that will threaten to transform them both.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">**********</div><br />
<strong><u><em><span style="font-size: large;">JR Ward – Crave</span></em></u></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTnHprljJlfDViAvW5SwodURahSLAmdYbqrjYK2WvDK8AKpg8czM2HvyxQ3nJzNRdfFF02PS34_2_uaEiBwQsrYaYZykAc9AURG5vzzHJGDBqiqZnTqslOt7TN3i5XF0__NeOiAkJhgZS/s1600/crave_jrward.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTnHprljJlfDViAvW5SwodURahSLAmdYbqrjYK2WvDK8AKpg8czM2HvyxQ3nJzNRdfFF02PS34_2_uaEiBwQsrYaYZykAc9AURG5vzzHJGDBqiqZnTqslOt7TN3i5XF0__NeOiAkJhgZS/s1600/crave_jrward.jpg" /></a></div>Genre: Paranormal/Urban Fantasy<br />
Releasedate: October 5, 2010<br />
Book 2 in the Fallen Angel series<br />
For sale at: <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780451229441/Crave">The Book Depository Store</a> <br />
<br />
<em><u>SYNOPSIS</u></em><br />
The battle between good and evil has left the future of humanity in the hands of a reluctant savior and his band of fallen angels. Seven deadly sins that must be righted. Seven souls that must be saved. <br />
<br />
While his first task was success, Jim Heron is battling a demon that can take any form for the soul of someone he must identify on his own. If that weren't enough, his old boss Matthias wants Jim to assassinate an AWOL member of The Firm - Isaac, the man Jim is pretty sure he is supposed to save. Jim knows first hand that once you're in The Firm, there's no getting out. But when Jim finds Isaac to warn him, he has been picked up by the police for illegal street fighting, and it is clear that Isaac is falling for his gorgeous public defender. Is their love the redemption that will save Isaac's soul? Or has the demon Devina set an elaborate trap?<br />
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<strong><em><u><span style="font-size: large;">Robin Young – Insurrection</span></u></em></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwZedk1Fk6O_SS2FY_I2qVLAXdbFQ4EN8VcBxOXQMb9EmhUDZQ4DpcCjs_hyN3x3YPVYc73ehd5xOjpnknXjpvQ2i8DKuXW1oWyanR6UQbPN_GMhHf05HshbkcJLJYNd-dPg6KvYJ0dWg/s1600/Insurrection_robynyoung.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwZedk1Fk6O_SS2FY_I2qVLAXdbFQ4EN8VcBxOXQMb9EmhUDZQ4DpcCjs_hyN3x3YPVYc73ehd5xOjpnknXjpvQ2i8DKuXW1oWyanR6UQbPN_GMhHf05HshbkcJLJYNd-dPg6KvYJ0dWg/s1600/Insurrection_robynyoung.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Genre: Historical</div>Releasedate: October 14, 2010<br />
Book 1 in the Insurrection trilogy<br />
For Sale At: <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780340963647/Insurrection">The Book Depository Store</a><br />
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<em><u>SYNOPSIS</u></em><br />
The year is 1286 and Scotland is in the grip of one of the worst winters in living memory. Some believe the Day of Judgement has come. The King of Scotland is murdered by one of his squires, a deed pre-meditated by his own brother-in-law, the King of England, a thousand miles away in France. The Prophecy of Merlin has decreed that only when the four relics of Britain have been gathered will one man rule a united kingdom, and Edward I is determined to fulfil it. The murder of Scotland's king is thus just the first in a chain of events that will alter the face of Britain forever. But all is not destined to go Edward's way. Out of the ashes of war, through blood feuds and divided loyalties, a young squire will rise to defy England's greatest king. His name is Robert the Bruce. And his story begins in INSURRECTION.<br />
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<strong><em><u><span style="font-size: large;">Sarah McCarty – Tracker’s Sin</span></u></em></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJteGjE5B150kjNSo39bPsDtDfgmNq2KWyIW9ZjjtvDuiTNXxO8UPN5TytZ2FlbeZrrkQy2h9nryMm0P0xxJYXYl4Y_8ijuQn-knpgZ5CACw2H_NpyGu7EEsw5QL2MtKfsrlVb9V6YDBRl/s1600/trackerssin_sarahmccarty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJteGjE5B150kjNSo39bPsDtDfgmNq2KWyIW9ZjjtvDuiTNXxO8UPN5TytZ2FlbeZrrkQy2h9nryMm0P0xxJYXYl4Y_8ijuQn-knpgZ5CACw2H_NpyGu7EEsw5QL2MtKfsrlVb9V6YDBRl/s1600/trackerssin_sarahmccarty.jpg" /></a></div>Genre: Erotic Romance<br />
Releasedate: October 1, 2010<br />
Stand-alone novel<br />
For Sale At: <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780373605484/Trackers-Sin">The Book Depository Store</a> <br />
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<em><u>SYNOPSIS</u></em><br />
Before his trade became his name, "Tracker" Ochoa was a scrawny Mestizo runaway. Now as fearsome as he once was frightened, he's joined the notorious Hell's Eight.and they have a job for him. <br />
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He must rescue kidnapped heiress Ari Blake and deliver her safely to the Hell's Eight compound - by any means necessary. Turns out that includes marrying her, if he means to escort her and her infant daughter across the Texas Territory. Tracker hadn't bargained on a wife - especially such a fair, blue-eyed beauty. But the erotic pleasures of the marriage bed more than make up for the surprise.<br />
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Tracker's well-muscled bronze skin and dark, dangerous eyes are far more exciting than any of Ari's former debutante dreams. In the light of day, though, his deep scars and brooding intensity terrify her. But he's her husband and she's at his mercy. With the frontier against them and mercenary bandits at their heels, Ari fears she'll never feel safe again.<br />
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Tracker, too, remembers what fear feels like. Though he burns to protect Ari, to keep her for himself always, he knows that money, history - and especially the truth - can tear them apart.<br />
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<strong><em><u><span style="font-size: large;">Stephanie Tyler – Lie With Me</span></u></em></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7t77sIxgXiDfnTMl15HLZcW-uu-M6l1YR7f0M19zhWTQd7_g9QIjtFlhUnZcYxf9CRazDd6itzh7dDpQ6vWR52WnDr5w9-vU79GinQ-H7SVpzhnvhuOqXBgOGM99yVtK7N2nIJtP7bv6e/s1600/liewithme_stephanietyler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7t77sIxgXiDfnTMl15HLZcW-uu-M6l1YR7f0M19zhWTQd7_g9QIjtFlhUnZcYxf9CRazDd6itzh7dDpQ6vWR52WnDr5w9-vU79GinQ-H7SVpzhnvhuOqXBgOGM99yVtK7N2nIJtP7bv6e/s1600/liewithme_stephanietyler.jpg" /></a></div>Genre: Romantic Suspense<br />
Releasedate: October 26, 2010<br />
Book 1 in the Shadow Force series<br />
For Sale At: <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780440245964/Lie-with-Me">The Book Depository Store</a><br />
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<em><u>SYNOPSIS</u></em><br />
Forced together by fate, bound together by desire<br />
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Framed for a double murder, Delta Force operative Cameron Moore is given a new lease on life by the CIA - provided he pays them back by doing their black ops dirty work. But now Cam is ready to renegotiate the deal, and he thinks he's found the perfect bargaining chip: Skylar Slavin, bestselling author of espionage thrillers and the daughter of the CIA man who saved Cam from a prison sentence.<br />
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Skylar has been living in anonymity, never suspecting that someone so dangerous - and so desirable - would plunge her into a world as treacherous as one of her spy novels. But how can Cam go through with his plan to kidnap Skylar when just the sight of her sets off an explosive attraction he's never experienced before? And when Skylar falls prey to an even more perilous threat, this special ops soldier must call upon all his combat skills to protect the one person who can help him win his freedom - and the only woman he's ever loved.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi075R4GUPU117_XomDPqaWFZmi3JpstjN-sHx9nYmtBUuvxWCZZYavbGk8XaDG3tzqCotK6Z-RVOTMurju2HfVdHmMMBg244WWBiElyAg3kKsL7cofpHYgkxGaabSXn0LyVDlOcaLswcg/s1600/singature_post_natascha.jpg%20" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi075R4GUPU117_XomDPqaWFZmi3JpstjN-sHx9nYmtBUuvxWCZZYavbGk8XaDG3tzqCotK6Z-RVOTMurju2HfVdHmMMBg244WWBiElyAg3kKsL7cofpHYgkxGaabSXn0LyVDlOcaLswcg/s1600/singature_post_natascha.jpg%20" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center"></div>Nataschahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07815466202576299701noreply@blogger.com4