Don't Bite the Bridesmaid

Don’t Bite the Bridesmaid is more than just a vampire novel. It’s a novel about two completely different people that somehow have to “pretend” to like each other around others and avoid their intense attraction when behind closed doors. Tiffany Allee’s tale earns 4.5 stars from me! Unexpected twists and turns to their already rocky situation caused me to keep turning the pages and not able to put it down. Alice is such a strong, optimistic woman, but has allowed one man to cause negativity to override herself perception. Noah is centuries old, anti-social, brooding, and in a dilemma of his own involving another. Having closely watched each other for 5 years as neighbors, but never getting close enough to see if there could be more between them, they force themselves to be stuck on a cruise ship for a week. What could go wrong? Or, rather, what could go right?

Tiffany’s writing takes these characters and makes you fall in love with them, hate them, root for me, bash them, and want to keep them all at the same time. I can’t wait to see what is up next for the Sons of Kane series!

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

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Bridesmaid-Entangled-Covet-ebook/dp/B00CNTSVZM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1371487460&sr=1-1&keywords=don%27t+bite+the+bridesmaid

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-bite-the-bridesmaid-tiffany-allee/1115250849?ean=9781622668045

The Goddess

Robyn Grady’s The Goddess is a welcome relief when all you want to do is just slow down and be romanced. Earning 4 stars from me, this books places you off the beaten path and diving into a beautiful place that most do not get to experience. Helene Masters has an unexpected run-in (or should I say drop-in via paint) with Prince Darius Vasily; the soon-to-be King. Helene’s free-spirit and love of adventure clashes with Darius’ need to make his parents, his family, and his kingdom proud. As things escalate, events leading to one thing or another, Darius and Helene are forced to make a choice about themselves, their beliefs while thinking of everyone else around them.

With the suspense of love, family, tradition, and pride, The Goddess is a wonderful tale that I will surely read again!

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




Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Goddess-Entangled-Indulgence-ebook/dp/B00CGFEILO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1371487534&sr=1-1&keywords=the+goddess

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-goddess-robyn-grady/1115375430?ean=9781622661152

The Summer I Became a Nerd

I truly enjoyed the story of Wonderful Wendy and Awesome Logan, AKA Maddie and Logan. Such a sweet, innocent, and inspiring story about the troubles of high school, popularity and the precarious line teenagers walk in trying to find their true selves. Not only that, but being happy with themselves no matter what. The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller earns 4 stars from me!

I was rooting right from the beginning for Maddie to look past the superficial popular life she has built for herself and to be happy with the thing she was most passionate about; the thing that would label her a nerd and a joke to everyone else. And then I rooted for Logan to obtain what his heart desired. These two made an interesting pair as their summer revealed pasts and truths at the most inconvenient times that sent them on a completely different path than either of them could have ever imagined.

A good, wholesome book about the travesties and insecurities of young adults and that high school is just a blip in the grand scheme of life.

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

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Summer-Became-Nerd-ebook/dp/B00B6U1818/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1371487668&sr=1-1&keywords=the+summer+I+became+a+nerd

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-summer-i-became-a-nerd-leah-rae-miller/1113610315?ean=9781620612385

Gambling on Love

Where to start with my praise for Gambling on Love? How about with giving Nancy and Patti 5 well-deserved stars for this wonderful work! I don’t normally read historical fiction, but Jake McCade and Felicity Beaumont instantly captured my attention and heart right from the first page. As their partnership for transporting Miss Beaumont’s father’s slaves (no longer slaves in her eyes, but free thanks to Mr. Lincoln) turns things horrible for Mr. McCade, the story takes an unexpected turn. Felicity and Jake must remain in each others company for an agreed upon amount of time.

I found myself inching closer and closer to my book while reading, maybe in hopes of submerging myself in their story and their journey. Felicity is an amazingly strong woman who cares for everyone she comes in contact while Jake doesn’t believe in love and is content to running his gambling riverboat. It would be wonderful to have these two in your life in real life.

Nancy and Patti do a wonderful job of keeping to the time period in which Gambling on Love takes place, and I can only imagine how much extra time and effort was placed into their story to be extremely accurate.

Adding this book to my “Must Read Again!” pile as well as my recommended list!!

Thank you ladies for this wonderful story of two amazing people.

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

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Gambling-Love-Entangled-Scandalous-ebook/dp/B00CK51J9E/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1371487719&sr=1-1&keywords=gambling+on+love

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gambling-on-love-nancy-fraser/1115213928?ean=9781622661701

What World Do You Live In?

4 days of not posting a thing. Unacceptable. However, I don't have anything to rant about, and I know those posts are the most entertaining and I haven't finished the latest book I'm doing a review for. So I propose a question.

What book (or series) has you going back to it over and over again? A fictional world in which you begin to miss the characters, their story, their emotions and you must go back to it in order to feel satisfied.

My list of books is exactly that; a list. I don't have just one, like I don't have just one friend.

First and foremost, I always find myself missing the lives and relationship of Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele. I simply love and adore them. I have read the Fifty Shades series around 7 or 8 times now (I've lost track), but I more or less skip over the steamy sex scenes now just to immerse myself in their love and journey to finding themselves.

Second would be The Perfect Game by J. Sterling. Jack Carter and Cassie Andrews has a love and a need for each other that compares to none other that I have read before. Having read it only 5 times, I cry every time for them even though I know what is to come. It is also one of the few books that gets me to literally smile from ear to ear. I own it electronically and in paperback. I couldn't resist.

Coming in third is James Patterson's Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas. Yes, this is a book I cry for every time, but for different reasons. It is an incredibly powerful and beautiful story about a man, his wife, and their son. I have lost track how many times I have read that book over the years, but it will always be a book I read when I feel life start to bring me down or become mundane. This book makes me look at the things I take for granted and be grateful for the life I have.

And for number four, I'm going to cheat here. It isn't just one book or series by this author that I can't help but read over and over again. I have yet to read all of Abbie Glines books. Yet, the ones I have read and do own get read several times each. Those books are: The Vincent Boys, The Vincent Brothers, Breathe, Just for Now, Fallen Too Far, Never Too Far, Twisted Perfection, Existence, Predestined, and Ceaseless. Picking one though, I have read Fallen Too Far the most. Needless to say, I have gotten several of my friends addicted to her stories as well.

Other great books that I have read several times and most definitely worth reading are 

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

The Hush, Hush Saga by Becca Fitzpatrick

The Significance Saga by Shelly Crane

The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski

So, whose fictional lives do you love the most? I always love to be introduced to new ones :D

Bad Mouth

I give Angela McCallister’s Bad Mouth a well-deserved 5 stars!! Mouth-watering, drop-dead sexy, bad-boy vampire Prince paired with tough as nails, tenacious, gets what she wants, human liaison to the vampires, and you know the covers of this book will be getting steamed up and quick! It has been a while since the sexual tension and mounting emotions between characters has put me on edge, but Kade and Valerie sure got my heart racing and my blood pumping.

Not only are these two on opposites sides of the playing field, one hating humans and one hating vampires, they have to work together to bring down someone or something bringing down both of their worlds. If that wasn’t complicated enough, the more time they spend together, the more they learn about each other, the more their knowledge of the other’s species eludes them.

Kade’s personality is top notch, not being able to control the things that come out of his mouth and Val refuses to let anything scare her.

Angela’s writing is fantastic!! With well written characters and wonderful flow of the story, I found myself lost in the world of Bad Mouth.

Thank you, Angela, for this wonderful novel!

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

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Bad-Mouth-Entangled-Covet-ebook/dp/B00CGFCEHY/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1371487787&sr=1-1&keywords=bad+mouth

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bad-mouth-angela-mccallister/1115161563?ean=9781622668052

Kissing the Maid of Honor

I give Robin Bielman’s Kissing the Maid of Honor 5 stars!! What girl doesn’t have that unrequited love from high school who still enters their thoughts years down the road? Sela certainly does, but it leaves a bitter taste in her mouth from her crush humiliating her in public ten years earlier. But what is a girl supposed to do when she is thrown together with him because it’s her best friend’s wedding, and the guy just happens to be her best friend’s brother? Avoid him at all costs. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), that is not a possibility. For either of them. Luke has had fantasies of Sela, but could never admit to them since she was his best friend’s little sister. What is a man to do when the young girl that took him by surprise with their fireworks of a kiss ten years ago turns out to be sexy, compassionate, and fiery? Staying away is the easiest thing to do. Or the absolute hardest.

I fell in love with both Sela and Luke, but more importantly, Sela and Luke together. Robin does a fantastic job of capturing their passion for each other as well as the reality that they cannot be together because of their different lifestyles. You can also feel the turmoil between each of them because of their last encounter in high school that left them on nonspeaking terms, until they are forced together as Best Man and Maid of Honor. This book flowed well, the writing incredible,  and I enjoyed every single second of reading it.

Thank you Robin for Luke and Sela’s story!!

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

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kissing-Maid-Honor-Entangled-ebook/dp/B00CK52XB2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1371487833&sr=1-1&keywords=kissing+the+maid+of+honor

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kissing-the-maid-of-honor-robin-bielman/1115290477?ean=9781622660889

It's called 'chivalry' people!!

Alright, let's talk about feminism. Actually, lets rant about the women who think that every man thinks they are weak and by offering a seat on a bus or holding a door open or offering to help, it is really just the man saying "I know you can't do that because you are a woman, so I'm just going to take care of it for you"......... SERIOUSLY?!? Just because a man does something nice to you, a woman, doesn't necessarily mean they think any less of you. Yes, there will always be those A-holes that do hold that insight, but they are misogynistic and their opinion of you shouldn't matter and shouldn't even be acknowledged. Don't let those insecure man-children ruin it for the majority of the male population.

I, for one, find it rude when, not just a man, but ANYONE doesn't offer help when they see that someone needs it. I will gladly accept someone holding the door for me, or helping me move or lift or carry anything . I probably could have handled it myself, but it's nice to have help every once in awhile, especially if that person isn't looking for anything out of it. 

To me, it is just common sense and common courtesy to be nice to human beings.

So ladies of last century, can you please get your panties out of its twist, get over yourselves and accept the kindness men have to offer?! No one thinks you are weak or inferior just because they hold the door open for you. We women are strong and can handle a shit-ton of stuff that gets thrown at us. Men know this, they have seen it for centuries. 

Maximus knows that I can hold my own and I can be strong and independent, however, he still wants to take care of me and offer a helping hand to ANYONE, not just women. 

On the flip-side. Men, don't be doucheBs that treat women like crap. No one likes you, no one thinks you're cool. Get over your superiority complex. Karma is a bitch.

Moral of the story--> Can't we all just recognize each other as human beings and want to make the world a better place? Yes, yes we can.

Desire By Design

I give Paula Altenburg's Desire By Desgin 4 stars! Eve has a tenacity that wins her friends, enemies, and admirers all at the same time while Matt is cool, calm, and confident. These two butt heads on the design for the new city hall building, with seemingly no hope of agreeing on anything. After Matt discovers that Eve is in trouble, but too stubborn and independent to let anyone know, he invites himself into her life, slowly breaking down the walls around her heart and his.

I truly enjoyed the relationship Eve and Matt share. It isn't everyday that the heroine of the story is the one that needs convincing. Eve shows strength and compassion and fighting for what she believes in which gets especially hard working in an "all mans world". Matt shows curiosity and protection for a woman, for once in his life. And it just happens to probably be the one woman who doesn't need it or want it. Too bad both of them are getting exactly what they need, but never want to admit to.

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

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Desire-Design-Entangled-Bliss-ebook/dp/B00CK503QY/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1371487905&sr=1-1&keywords=desire+by+design

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/desire-by-design-paula-altenburg/1115213925?ean=9781622661008

Famously Engaged

I give Robyn Thomas’ Famously Engaged 3 stars. Rock god, Jake Olsen railroads his way into Beth Carlisle’s life by creating a fake engagement, announced to the world, in order to keep her ex-husband away. Why the interest in this adventure? The ex, Brad, is about to marry Jake’s sister and he thinks Brad is still hung up on Beth. He couldn’t let his sister get hurt. Little does Jake know, he has set himself on a path that could surely only lead to his heart’s (and Beth’s) destruction.

I really loved the concept of this story, but I didn’t give it higher than 3 because there were just too many gaps, storylines jumped and confusion in the first several chapters. As the story progressed, there were less gaps and the story flowed together nicely. I truly enjoyed the book from the halfway point to the end. My other issue was the cover. The picture of the cover is clearly NOT of Jake because he is blonde with longer hair. This is a point of interest and Beth doesn’t particularly care for his hair and made into kind of a big deal, so I’m confused as to why the guy on the cover is not blonde.

Overall, I enjoyed Robyn’s writing and the interesting tale told of Jake and Beth. I would be intrigued for there to be a second book continuing their love story.

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

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Famously-Engaged-Entangled-Indulgence-ebook/dp/B00CGFEICS/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1371487961&sr=1-1&keywords=famously+engaged

Obsession Cover Reveal

Tell me you can seriously resist wanting to at least know what this book is about, not just dive in.

Releases May 31st! Review to come!

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14060046-obsession

Texas Hold 'Em

I give Kay David's Texas Hold 'Em 4 1/2 stars! There is just something heart-stoppingly wonderful about a bad boy who wants to save the world, but you never really know if he's truly the good guy he's supposed to secretly be or not. Motorcycles, drug cartel, kidnapping, death, and everyone caught in between really gets the heart rate going and it doesn't stop until the end.

You can't help but to lust after and turn away from undercover agent Timothy Santos who comes crashing back into Sheriff Rose Renwick's life. It wouldn't be so bad if they didn't use to be completely in love, creating fireworks like no one has ever seen before in bed, and ending their relationship on bitter, resentful terms. But Santos needs her help. Never mind the secrets he continues to hide from Rose, there is a cartel that needs to be brought down.

As people go missing, others die horrifying deaths, emotions and tensions rise, Santos and Rose find themselves at odds that could cost them their lives.

Why not a 5? Well, the voices of conversation change a little too drastically for me in the end to make it fit with the rest of the story.

Kay's writing really puts you into the environment of West Texas and the Mexican border, tasting the dust and heat in your mouth, feeling the ferocious vibrations of Harley's, and the grip of terror the drug cartel creates.

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

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Texas-Hold-Em-Entangled-ebook/dp/B00CGFJ1KM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1371488072&sr=1-1&keywords=texas+hold+%27em

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/texas-hold-em-kay-david/1115375439?ean=9781622667079

Breaking Point and Playing the Game

I have finally reached a point I never thought I would reach. 

Maybe it has to do with the changes happening around me. 

Maybe it has to do with the stress.

Maybe it has to deal with my procrastination.

Either way, I am over school and have come to the mindset that it is pointless for me.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not an idiot and I know there is always something that can be learned and applied, however, my specific classes right now don't necessarily have anything to do with what I am going to do with my career. Thankfully, next semester is all geared towards writing and I will most likely be sick of it by then, but right now?

I have no motivation to finish off the last few assignments, putting in the time and effort to do them well. Actually, that's a lie. I do have motivation that involves not failing my classes (which isn't close, but a low grade would feel like it) and not having my time in class and engaging with the discussions a complete waste. But to me, that's not what school is supposed to be about. School is supposed to be about learning something and enjoying that learning. No, it won't always be enjoyable, but I do like learning. Then what's wrong? 

The problem is the hoops that have to be jumped through to get a college degree that really is just the equivalent of a high school diploma nowadays is becoming very very depressing and pressing down on my love of the English language. 

And doesn't knowing someone,having connections, and networking worth more weight than your college education when it comes to getting a job? Yup.

Like I said, not an idiot, and I will be getting my degree. 

But I realize that I must play the game of both the classroom and the real world.

Request Granted

My Bonus Dad (step-father) requested that I start posting my personal opinions again and not just book reviews. So here I am, posting life things because I am in a fired up mood and writing is always the best outlet.
You know that moment when someone says something, something that never happens to you, but they say it anyways and just a short while later, that one thing that never happens to you, FREAKING HAPPENS?!?! UGH!
Well, here's my story.
After taking a nice long hour drive to my in-laws to drop off the munchkin for the weekend (this is late at night, btw), just to turn around and come right back home, my father-in-law says "Don't get a speeding ticket." My response: "Oh never."
So, of course, it is inevitable that I will get a speeding ticket on the way home. It doesn't matter that I haven't had a speeding ticket since I was 19, the charge was dropped and doesn't even register as a speeding ticket and I haven't been pulled over once since then. No, that doesn't make one ounce of difference.
So what happens? I miss my turn onto the highway while chatting away with my sister on the phone, which means I have to turn around, eating up 15 minutes of my precious time heading home and it just so happens that in that window of time, the cop that, YES! PULLS ME OVER! had been sitting in his super sneaky catch-em-because-I'm-a-cop spot. And I was speeding. Those damn hills that just drop, causing you to feel like a free fall. Doesn't matter that I was braking, I still reached a point of MPH that caused him to pull me over.
BUT! That is not the end of it! As I was pulling out all the necessary paperwork, I realized my insurance card expired 2 days ago. Damn. Well, that's better than the month it usually takes me to realize and switch it out since those cards get sent to me way to early and I misplace them in the 4 weeks I have it. Anyways...
End of Story: Pulled over for a total of 10 minutes, was polite, didn't play dumb (yes, I knew I was pulled over for speeding. Just admit it and take responsibility for the choices you make, people!!), and Officer Kirby let me go without a ticket :)
So, maybe the inevitable didn't quite happen, but the fact that I was still pulled over for speeding was quite ironic and hilarious all at the same time. Maximus sure thought it was great.

Love Me

I give Diane Alberts’ Love Me 4 stars! This story of Thomas and Brianna is more close to reality and less-than-picture-perfect life than most. Both holding secrets, resentments still boiling, and barriers securely in place to keep others out, it was inevitable that Thomas and Brianna would clash and break each other down. Thomas, with his inability to want to love again, the impact his cheating ex-wife had on him with her negative words and her enjoyment in his suffering, he never wanted to be put in a vulnerable position with someone else again. Brianna, suffering from a love lost and a life that she is positive would set any man running in the opposite direction, and never believing she would find love twice in one life time, she keeps her distance from men.

Thrown into a business contract together, they find themselves in a situation they can’t seem to escape.

When I first received this book to review, I knew I had to read Try Me (the first to this series) before I jumped into this one. Even though I adored Jeremy and Erica and their deep love for each other, I found myself more drawn to Thomas and Brianna. They are both so tortured and raw from what life had dealt them over the last several years and their emotions continually run hot and cold towards each other, what they feel and the things they go through together are so real that I couldn’t help but fall in love with them.

Diane Alberts’ writing style is wonderful and I truly enjoyed the third person limited omniscient narration. I liked being able to know what Thomas was thinking and not Brianna and visa versa throughout the story. She brings out the emotions of Thomas and Brianna through her words and makes you feel like they are your emotions too. Thank you for the story of Thomas and Brianna!

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

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Chance-Entangled-After-ebook/dp/B00CK52XJY/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1371488134&sr=1-3&keywords=love+me

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-me-diane-alberts/1115213932?ean=9781622661404