Book Worms

If only I could manage to apply this saying to every other aspect of my life, I wouldn't be the #1 procrastinator in the world

At the same time, I probably hold that title because of this saying :D

Happy Book Reading!!

Go live life!

It is one of those days when you blow off your responsibilities and just go exploring this beautiful world. Happy Thursday!!

                                     

Stephen Fry- PQD

Interesting way to think of them. I love both ebooks (so I can discover new and indie authors) as well as a real page-turning book.

Dirty Trick

5 Unmasked Stars!!

I feel like if I give the written review that I really want to give this book, than the best, hidden parts of Christine Bell’s Dirty Trick will be revealed and I don’t like doing reviews with spoilers. So for this go-round, I will focus on the characters of this book that I adored; Patrick and Grace. But first, how about the synopsis (provided by goodreads.com)

        Grace Love is lousy with men. She can spot a match for someone else a mile away, and her balls-on instincts are why her matchmaking business is thriving, but finding her own Prince Charming? The only guy who makes her sixth sense tingle is her playboy best friend, Trick, and no way is she risking their friendship, no matter how hot she knows the sex will be.

        SWAT officer Trick Matthews is a patient guy, but Grace’s inability to see what’s right in front of her is grinding on his last nerve. Yeah, he blew his shot at breaking out of the friend zone when he tamped down the urge to lick her from head to toe the day they met, but he’s got a plan that’ll change her mind. Incognito at Salem’s hottest Halloween party, he’ll show her exactly how good they could be…and that he’s the man for her.

First off, I am not a big fan of the name Patrick, but when he is a sexy, SWAT commander, a “bona fide police hero” with a “rich male voice”, and he goes by Trick, I love it. It just makes him seem all that more unattainable, yet every woman’s dream. Trick has always been there for Grace and Grace is ever so grateful for their friendship. Even though she craves more from him, wanting to take him out of the friend zone, she can’t bring herself to do it. She was emotionally and mentally scarred from her ex-fiancé, never trusting anyone again except for Serena (her business partner) and Trick. She doesn’t want to lose that trust she has with Trick. But what else could she be missing out on by not taking the risk to be with him?

Grace is an incredibly smart, witty, beautiful woman, but refuses to put her heart out there. She doesn’t believe in herself and she doesn’t believe that anyone will want to be with the real her. Yet, despite all of that, she is successful in her career, she takes care of what is important to her and she takes good care of herself.

Even though Trick’s methods are not necessarily the smartest ways to go about his mission, the thought behind his actions is undeniably swoon-worthy.

Grace and Trick are a pair that fit seamlessly together in their banter, their desires, their love of life, and their drive to take care of those they love.

Bravo to Christine for this wonderful story of insecurity, love, betrayal, and desire.

(I received an ARC for my review and this is my honest-to-goodness, straight from the heart review!)

Comes out September 23^rd, 2013

Go Get it!!!

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PQD-- It's really not my fault.

Enough Said :D

Happy Thursday!

East Of Ecstasy Cover Reveal!!!

I don't know about you, but I cannot wait for Laura Kaye's East of Ecstasy! It is the last of the four part Hearts of the Anemoi series.
The expected Publication date? April 2014. So far away!! But worth the wait and it gives you all a chance to read the first three (if you haven't, and you most definitely should).
For now, Enjoy the cover, which is just as enticing as the first three :D

About East of Ecstasy:

Annalise Fallston made peace with postponing her big-city dreams to care for her ill father, but lately she’s been filled with a restlessness not even her beloved painting dispels. Worse, the colors don’t speak to her as they always have, and all her efforts produce dark, foreboding images of a dangerous man and a terrifying future.

Devlin Eston, black-souled son of the evil Anemoi Eurus, is the only one who can thwart his father’s plan to overthrow the Supreme God of Wind and Storms. But first, Dev must master the unstable powers he’s been given. Distrusted and shunned by his own divine family, he never expected to find kindness and passion in the arms of a mortal.

But Devlin’s love puts Annalise in the path of a catastrophic storm, and in the final Armageddon showdown between the Anemoi and Eurus, sacrifices will be made, hearts broken, and lives changed forever…or lost.

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The first three in this series? Check out my review of South of Surrender (the third) which gives links to the other books; North of Need, West of Want.

About Laura Kaye:

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books in paranormal and contemporary romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

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Addicted to Words - PQD

I know this is showing up way late in the day, but it will be for tomorrow as well seeing as a book review is coming your way within the next 48 hours!!

The Countdown is Over!!

*Warning: FOOTBALL POST!*

That day has finally arrived.

Manning V Manning

Bring it on New York, This Stampede is coming your way!!

Carl Sagan PQD

I never thought about books in this way, but it makes complete, mind-boggling sense.

PQD

Happy Friday the 13th! And yay for the weekend fast approaching.

For all my fellow Coloradans, Stay Safe, Stay Dry, and Keep Happy Thoughts. This is a good time for books to infiltrate our lives. 

#COFLOOD

One Night in the Spa

3 Stars

I really truly liked the premise and theme behind Kathy Lyons’ One Night in the Spa. It was a storyline that has been around for ages, but the detail she adds, the characters and the complications they face on a day to day basis is something I have never encountered before. I liked the easy friendship between David and Kim, their similarities and their differences, their opinions and ideals, and their support for one another. They were truly best friends to end all best friends except for the small fact that David is trying to take over the company she works for and illegally accessing the finances through her account. If she ever found out, she would assume he faked everything between them. But then one night, things heat up and go past any and all boundaries that have forever surrounded them.

So why didn’t I rate this book higher than 3 stars? Because the story never reached its full potential. Understanding that this is a novella, it was incredibly well paced most of the way through until it got to page 80 (of 92, might I say) when the story became incredibly rushed, a lot of information and emotions packed into 12 short pages which left me feeling like I was hung out to dry. I didn’t grasp the anger, hurt, betrayal, love, lust, or any emotion they displayed because I wasn’t given the chance to be on that emotional level. Anticipation is everything, but when the most crucial part of the story is placed on fast-forward, I kind of went “Wait, what?” Not in the “I don’t get it kind of way”, but in the “I could have used more there” kind of way.

The ending was exactly how I had hoped it would end, unfortunately, that ending came like there was a page limit and was almost to the end without realizing it until it was too late, but still had to pack in the rest.

I would really love to see this story as a full length novel and experience the rush of emotions David and Kim share as well as their journey to get to the end.

(I received an ARC for my review and this is my honest-to-goodness, straight from the heart review!)

Available here!

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Seriously, you're returning ebooks?!?!

It actually boggles my mind that people do this. It doesn't make sense to me and screams "I'M SELFISH AND GREEDY!! I will take part in your hard work, but give you a slap in the face at the same time."

I'm not talking about purchasing something on accident and returning it, I'm talking about purchasing a book, reading it, then returning it.That is called stealing as far as I'm concerned.

Please please read this short post HERE and take into account that writers work incredibly hard to give you a book to escape from your reality. Sometimes you don't get a book you like, I get that, but that's life. You take a risk (and a $0.99-$5 isn't a big one) when purchasing anything.

Respect the writers and the time and effort they put in.

PQD - For All Those Book Lovers

PQ of the Day!

Take Me

4.5 Swoon Worthy stars!

I am in love with Diane Alberts Take a Chance series and Take Me is no exception, fitting perfectly with the prior three books.

Mike Worth is a middle school history teacher who is holding on to his bachelorhood like a lifeline. He gags at just the mention of the dreaded word marriage, but he is incredibly happy for his sisters and their husbands for finding their true love and happiness; it’s just not for him.

Morgan Collins is the female version of Mike. She is a Vegas dancer that has no intention of letting a man hold her back from her dreams. Her mother hung up her ballet shoes at the prime of her dancing career for a man and to start a family; she won’t let that happen to her. She is all for one-night stands and when she hears Mike’s Stoplight theory, she knows that she could get one night out of him without any promises of tomorrow. Mike loves and hates the games Morgan is playing with him. She has the same ideas of marriage in mind, aka, not happening, yet she is fiery and stubborn and wants to hold all of the power. And Mike cannot get enough of her.

Whoops. That’s the Red Zone, so why is all he seeing is Green? Especially after they wake up together with no recollection of the night before and wedding bands on. Mike doesn’t want to give her up, throwing all of his ideals out the window while Morgan can’t seem to escape fast enough, only finding Mike still chasing her and she secretly loves it. Can they make their marriage work without compromising their dreams in life? Or will they break each other’s hearts to continue on their life’s path?

Just like I fell in love with Jeremy & Erica, Thomas & Brianna, and Garrett & Kiersten, Mike & Morgan have captured my heart!! They are both immensely strong characters, constantly butting heads, but can’t seem to help giving in to each other. They both know what they want and don’t want, but they truly find themselves and what they really seek through their short and stubborn time together.

(I received an ARC for my review and this is my honest-to-goodness, straight from the heart review!)

Go Get It!!

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My Reviews for Love Me (#2) & Play Me (#3)

Picture Quote of the Day!

I'm not sure how many this is true for, but this is definitely me. And it drives my husband crazy! He just doesn't understand ;D

Stay With Me

3.5 Stars

Elyssa Patrick’s Stay With Me was one that I enjoyed, but also didn’t get a lot out of. Hailey Bloom is the triple threat in Hollywood…or should I say was. She doesn’t want that life anymore and she decides to sever all connections. Hailey wants to go to college and prove that she is more than what Hollywood and her mother made her; that wasn’t who she wants to be. She wants to find out who she really is, but what she didn’t count on was Caleb. The sexy, friendly, caring, compassionate guy who flips her world upside down making her see and realize things she never thought were possible. Caleb is the guy that every girl wants. He saw Hailey for who she was, but is that enough for her? Will he still love her once he knows the worst thing about her that not even the paparazzi have yet to discover? Hailey doesn’t want to give Caleb her heart because she expects to get it back shattered.

Elyssa does a fan-freaking-tastic job of writing her characters and putting them out there in all their awesome glory. There was not a character that I didn’t love or connect with. Even Hailey’s mother. I didn’t like her, but I really felt my disappointment in her. I was surprised by Hailey because she seems innocent and naïve and in some ways, she is. She has lived in the “Hollywood Bubble” all her life so she isn’t experienced how the world around her really is; she only has a perceived idea. But she is experienced in so many other ways and we see both sides of her.

The writing and flow is unique, one I haven’t dived into with other books. It threw me off at first, but I was surprised to find that even though it was choppy and segmented, it still flowed together and seemed to work well.

The reason I didn’t give it a 4 or more? There wasn’t a ton of drama and conflict. Being an ex-Hollywood triple threat and with the mother Hailey is blessed with, I would have figured these two realms would materialize in her life continuously, making her life even more difficult, but there was hardly any of that drama leaking into her life. I also expected a fall-out with Caleb that would leave them both scrambling.

It wasn’t a book that got my heart rate spiked and blood boiling, but I did still like it for the simple love story of Hailey and Caleb and Hailey’s self-discovery.

I will continue to read the other books in the With Me series and I cannot wait to read about Jaime, Nick, and Griff!

(I received an ARC from the author via Netgalley for my honest review, and this is my honest-to-goodness, straight from the heart review!)

Purchase this book here!

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The Demon's Desire

4 Storm Raising Stars!

Kendra Leigh Castle does it again with The Demon’s Desire. The second book to Hearts of the Fallen series, I have found another fallen angel that has captured my heart. With his brooding, unaccepting of love and forgiveness, and let’s not forget the lightning, Meresin is downright sexy and I wanted to save him!

Fortunately for us (and him) he has Drusilla. Sister to the vampire King of Terra Noctem, she has the spine of steel, a fighter, finding good in everyone, and is relentless in not giving Meresin the one thing he wants from everyone; to be left alone.

But one day, Meresin loses control and he is forced down the one path he has dreaded from the very beginning, almost more than being trapped in a cage and tortured in Hell. And he must do this alone until one event leads to another and he no longer can leave Dru behind.

As Dru and Meresin make their journey into Purgatory to find what Meresin is looking for, they both discover things about themselves and each other that will change things forever. But is that enough? Will they accept these realizations or will they push each other away, causing their imminent destruction?

I couldn’t get enough of Dru’s spunk and sass and her no-nonsense attitude. She is the true opposite of Meresin which makes her his perfect match. Meresin is incredibly delicious in the tortured soul sort of way. These two and their interactions are frustrating yet in-line with who they are.

The Demon’s Desire is a perfect follow up to The Demon’s Song and I cannot wait for the next Hearts of the Fallen!!

*Here is my review for The Demon's Song, the story of Phenex and Sofia

Note: The Demon’s Desire can be read by itself, but I HIGHLY recommend reading the first book just because it is awesome :D

(I received an ARC for my review and this is my honest-to-goodness, straight from the heart review!)

Go Get It!!

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Surprise Release from Brazen Books!!

*New (as of 9/15), my review posted at the bottom!*

Who doesn't love AMAZING surprises!! Those behind Brazen Books sure do and they couldn't wait until the end of September to put out a book for us readers. 
Hence, SURPRISE!! 

Released today, Wicked Heat by Nicola Marsh.

This special release combines steamy island romance and high personal stakes. Who wouldn't want to dive into this delicious piece of work?



Competitors by day, lovers by night...

Allegra Wilks has had the worst month of her personal and professional life. To save her company, she must go on her would-be honeymoon and land the luxury eco-island resort's lucrative advertising account. But when a lingerie mishap leads her into the arms of a wickedly distracting Australian, Allegra's tempted to skip the trip and explore the most sensual kiss she's ever experienced. Too bad their chance encounter at the airport is just that.

Having recently lost his company to his former best friend's shady business tactics, Jett Halcott is headed to a South Pacific resort to secure an advertising account that will resurrect his reputation and career. Realizing the tantalizing Allegra Wilks is on his flight, Jett envisions a week filled with business and pleasure. But Jett doesn't know Allegra's fighting for the same account, or that there's more at stake than his heart.

Links: AMAZON | B&N | KOBO | iTUNES

And don't forget this tasty excerpt to get you hooked!

“You should do that more often,” he said, reaching out to trace her bottom lip with his fingertip. “You’re beautiful, but when you smile? Wow.”

Uncomfortable with his overt compliments, Allegra sat there and let a guy she’d just met touch her lips with a slow, sensual caress. His fingertip traced her bottom lip in a butterfly-soft sweep that left her breathless.

Their eyes locked as he lowered his hand, and what she saw made her wish she could ditch Palm Bay and travel to Australia.

Blatant lust. Strong. Sexy. Seductive. His eyes deepened to an incredible green that matched a favorite jade pendant she wore often. He wanted her, and in this crazy moment, the feeling was entirely mutual.

He raised his beer to his lips and took a long swig, his heat-filled stare never leaving hers.

Damn, she had no idea what to do in this situation. Make a joke to diffuse the tension? Acknowledge it? Flirt?

She hated feeling out of control, had instigated steps her entire life to avoid it. Yet in a loaded thirty seconds, Jett had made her damp with just one look and made her flounder.

“Is the blatant charm an Aussie thing or is it just you?”

Thankfully, he blinked, and broke the scorching stare that made her want to grab a napkin off the bar and fan herself. “It’s me.” He leaned in close. “Time you fessed up.”

Yikes. Was her reaction to him that easy to read?

“To what?”

His lips almost brushed her ear. “You’re battling an incredible urge to drag me into the nearest janitor’s closet and ravish me.”

She laughed at his outrageousness. “Sorry. I don’t do sex in cleaning closets. Too many hazardous chemicals.”

“Yeah, those pheromones can be killer.”

She loved his quick wit and for the second time in as many minutes, wished she’d met him at a different place, different time.

            “Pity.” He reverted to a smoldering stare that had her wishing she’d ordered a vodka shot chaser. “Sex in confined spaces can be fun.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” Heat crept into her cheeks and she signaled the waiter for a glass of water. To douse herself with.

“Not the answer I was hoping for,” he said, shifting his barstool closer so their thighs brushed. “Would’ve been better if you’d said, ‘Sounds good, Jett, let’s go try.’”

She cleared her throat and gratefully accepted the water from the waiter, drinking it all and wishing she could run the cool beaded exterior across her forehead. “How did we get onto this crazy topic?”

“Started with you wanting to ravish me.” He clinked his beer bottle to her empty glass. “Seriously. There’s no need to hold back. I can take whatever you want to dish out.”

And here is my review!! (Posted 9/15)

5 Palm-Bay-Fling Stars!!

Having been a part of the surprise reveal for Nicola Marsh’s Wicked Heat, I was antsy to get my hands on the book itself and get my review up. And boy, was this one of the best surprises :D

For starters, I love the characters Jett and Allegra; just their names alone are awesome. They are completely opposite in personality and how they approach life, yet they struggle with and fight for the same things. Jett is the suave, drop-dead-gorgeous playboy that can charm the pants off of anyone…and I mean. Any.One. (Did I mention he’s an Aussie?) But he’s met his match with just-recently-left-at-the-altar Allegra. She is a cool, intimidating, all-walls-up kind of woman that gives Jett as good as she gets.

These two have chemistry in epic proportions.

Unfortunately, both of their professional lives are on the line and each need to land the advertising campaign for Kai Kaluna Resorts in Palm Bay to save their careers, their companies, their livelihood. But only one of them can gain the account while the other is left with nothing. Will their competition destroy their passion for each other? Or will their passion win out overall?

Jett and Allegra were written magnificently. They were witty, sassy, and hilarious. I loved their banter and their desire as well as their logic and reasoning.

Nicola, I truly enjoyed this book and I cannot wait to read Zoe’s story :D

(I received an ARC for my review and this is my honest-to-goodness, straight from the heart review!)

Go Get It!!

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