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2013 Reading Challenge
Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) has
read 0 books toward her goal of 75 books.
New-To-Me Authors
2013 reading goal:
15 new-to-me authors.
1) Stacy Gail
2) Heather Massey
3) Sidney Bristol
4) Ann Mayburn
5) Thea Harrison
6) Virna DePaul
7) Mary Quast
8) Molly Harper
9) Eleri Stone
10) PJ Schnyder
11) Kait Ballenger
12) Denise L. Wyant
13) Lucy Monroe
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Monday, July 23, 2012
Review: Too Hot To Handle by LC Dean
Too Hot To Handle
Author: L.C. Dean
Release Date: April 21, 2012
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Genre: GLBT Contemporary Romance, Novella
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Why the hell do I torture myself? Sitting in the sun and hiding a hard-on from his best friend is not Tucker's idea of fun. He’d rather drink beer and fantasize than destroy what he and Jase have.
A good f*** between friends, what the hell’s wrong with that? Heat and lust make a man do crazy shit, but Jase intends to prove he and Tuck can be lovers and friends.
When desire flares under the Texas summer sun, will it burn too hot to handle.
What B is talking about:
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Tucker’s best friend is gorgeous, blond, and completely perfect. If only Jason wasn’t straight as well as a total player. Still, Tuck can handle lusting after him from afar, as long as nothing happens to ruin the friendship they have. Jason’s got some secrets of his own, as it turns out, and he’s got plans for his personal geek that’ll change them both forever.
I tend to be a sucker for “odd couple” pairings, and Tucker and Jason definitely fall into that category. Jase is all brawn, and Tuck is the self-conscious geek who has no idea how hot he really is. Too Hot to Handle is a very short story, so there are quite a few clichés, but they streamline the backstory and allow the tale to stay true to it’s primary purpose, which is the explicit sexual reinvention of a solid friendship between two men.
Tucker and Jason are easy to like, and I enjoyed sitting back and taking in their story as it unfolded, without the need pick through unnecessary details. For a story of this length, that’s a definite bonus. The two men are awfully good together, and possess distinct enough personalities to keep them interesting. There was a slightly uncomfortable scene to add conflict to a story that might otherwise be too easy, but Jason remedied the mistake as quickly and enthusiastically as possible.
Too Hot to Handle is essentially a snapshot of one extremely sexy afternoon of wish fulfillment between two best friends. Although I read it in less than an hour, I enjoyed it quite a bit. There’s a fair amount of predictability and some phrasing that I stumbled over a little, but the sex between the two men is hot, and the guys are kind of adorable. This is exactly the kind of story I keep on my e-reader on the off chance I’ll be able to sneak a few minutes for a steamy m/m romance.
B’s Rating:
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Liked it - recommend (B+)
Purchase Info:
Labels:
3.5 stars,
Bs-review,
contemporary romance,
Decadent Publishing,
GLBT,
L.C. Dean,
novella
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1 comments
Must Be Magic Giveaway
Hello readers...
I know you’ve all seen it, but I’m finally going to try it - that’s right - RAFFLECOPTER! I’ve noticed more and more blogs, authors and publishers using Rafflecopter for their giveaways, and I thought I’d sign up and give it a go. So, in order to test out Rafflecopter, I’m having a GIVEAWAY!
Thanks to Sourcebook Publishing, I have two (2) copies of Must Be Magic by Patricia Rice to giveaway to two (2) lucky winners.
About the book:
Lady Leila Staines is the dark-haired Malcolm, the one who has yet to discover her magical gift. But she's convinced that Dunstan Ives, the brooding master cultivator, can arrange a flower garden that will help her distill fragrances. Ives, accused of killing his wife, shuns decadent society and has no use for another beautiful woman—except that Leila seems to have bewitched him.
I loved this book, giving it 4 Stars, an A-. To read my full review, click HERE.
The Rules: To be entered, please use the Rafflecopter enter form, below. You do not need to be a google friends connect follower of my blog, but it is always appreciated. Contest is open from July 23, 2012 until Saturday June 28, 2012 at 12:01 AM EDT. If your email is not part of your profile, please leave it so I may contact the winners. One entry per person. Contest is restricted to US and Canadian mailing addresses only. I am not responsible for items lost in the mail.
Thanks and Happy Reading!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Sunday Snippet #113
Dark FrostAuthor: Jennifer Estep
Mythos Academy #3
Publisher: Kensington Publishing
Released: May 29, 2012
REVIEW HERE
Despite my brisk pace, the winter chill continued to creep through my clothes and seep into my bones. I'd just turned around to head back to my warm dorm room when a low growl sounded.
I froze, suddenly colder than ever before, wondering if I'd only imagined the sound - and really, really hoping I had. In my experience, growls were never, ever good. Growls usually meant that large, scary creatures like Nemean prowlers were lurking around and intent on tearing into me with their teeth and claws. I was so not fond of the oversize, black panthers-like creatures - especially since the Reapers trained them to be deadly, kitty-cat assassins.
The growl rippled through the air again, shattering any hope I'd had of it's just being my imagination or my Gypsy gift gone wild. I slowly turned my head to the right - and saw the Fenrir wolf.
The Fenrir wolf was hunkered down in a pile of leaves on the other side of the gate I was standing in front of. The creature was even longer than I was tall, with a thick, powerful body and razor-sharp teeth and claws to match. Its fur wasn't quite black, but more like the dark, deep smoky color of ashes. The shaggy coat helped it blend in with the shadows cast by the towering trees. The last time I'd seen a Fenrir wolf, I'd noticed that its fur had crimson strands glistening in it, but I didn't see any in this creature's coat. Its eyes were a rusty red, although the color was far dimmer than I remembered it being and without the creepy burning glow that had told me just how much the wolf had wanted to gobble me up.
My gaze roamed over the creature, and my eyes caught on its ear. A small V was grooved into the wolf's right ear, and I knew it was my wolf after all. The one I'd met at the ski resort, the one that had kept me from freezing to death after we'd both been caught in the avalanche Preston had set off. The wolf had gotten the V-shaped scar that day.
"Um, puppy?" I asked in a tentative voice, since that was all I'd ever called the wolf. "Is that really you?"
At the sound of my voice, the Fenrir wolf sprang to its feet, and its muzzle creased back into what looked like a - a smile. Okay, that was a little creepy. Usually, mythological creatures weren't any happier to see me than I was to notice them stalking me and licking their chops at the thought of sinking their teeth into my body. But the wolf actually seemed glad I'd noticed it, like - like it had been waiting here for me to walk by.
The wolf let out a soft whine and crept closer to the gate, making the leaves crackle underneath its enormous body. I walked over to the iron bars. I hesitated, then stretched my hand out through one of the gaps. The wolf paced back and forth for a few seconds before heading towards me and shoving its head underneath my hand.
As soon as my fingers brushed its fur, images of the wolf began to fill my mind. Flashes of the crushing avalanche that had almost buried us both, then one of the branch that had pierced the creature's leg and of me shoving the sharp wood out so the wolf could walk again, even a memory of me facing down Preston and the wolf spoiling the Reaper's aim when Preston had tried to kill me with a crossbow.
More images zipped through my mind, of snow and trees and the wolf running through the forest, along with the creature's feelngs. There was only one emotion, really - happiness. Pure, fierce, intense happiness that it was finally free of the Reapers who had caged it, hurt it, tortured it for so long. Tears burned my eyes at the intensity and depth of the wolf's elation.
Then, the image of another wolf popped into my head, a second Fenrir wolf, although this one didn't have the Reaper red tint to its gaze or fur. It must be one of the wild Fenrir wolves that Metis had told me about, the ones who lived deep in the mountains and were rarely seen by members of the Pantheon. At first, my wolf was cautious around this other creature, bur soon, the two of them were hunting through the snow together. Playing, mock fighting, even snuggling together.
For the first time, I realized my wolf was actually a she, and I also got the sense that it - no, she- wanted me to help her.
"I don't understand," I murmured, opening my eyes and staring at the wolf. "Why are you here? Why did you leave your mate? You were so happy with him. What could you possibly want here with me?"
The wolf let out a little snort, like she couldn't believe I was so dense. Kind of sad when a mythological creature thought it was smarter than you. The wolf pulled away and walked back and forth in front of the gate, almost like she was parading around for me. I started at the creature, wondering what she was doing, what she was trying to show me.
After a few seconds, I realized the wolf was much fatter than I remembered her being before - especially around the middle. I reached out and put my hand on the creature's stomach. It took a second, but another little flicker filled my mind, another little spark that told me the wolf wasn't exactly by herself anymore.
"Oh," I said. "Oh. You're going to have a baby puppy... or whatever."
I didn't know how much of my words the wolf understood, but she almost seemed to nod her head, like Finally, the silly mortal girl understands what I'm trying to tell her.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Contest Winner - Shadow of Night
I would like to thank everyone for stopping by That’s What I’m Talking About for the review of Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness. I want to thank Viking/Penguin Publishing for graciously donating a copy of Shadow of Night and the other great prizes for the giveaway.
Every person that commented on the review was entered into the contest - one entry per person. The winner was selected using random.org.
The Winner:
JJackson
CONGRATULATIONS!!
I am emailing the winner. Please email me at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com with your full name and mailing address so that the publisher can mail you the prizes directly. If I do not hear from the winner by Friday July 27, 2012 by the end of the day, I will select another winner.
Thank you all so much for coming by and Happy Reading!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Review: The Darkest Day by Britt Bury
The Darkest Day
Author: Britt Bury
Release Date: July 3, 2012
Publisher: Grand Central / Forever Yours
Immortal Heat #1
ISBN: #978-1455523290
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Publisher/NetGalley
About the book:
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ALL-CONSUMING DESIRE . . .
Izel Campbell was raised to believe she is an immortal Fionn with the magical skills of persuasion. But when she travels to Scotland to visit her ancestral home, Izel discovers that she is actually the world's last living human. Forced to run for her life, Izel crosses paths with Kelvin Kerr, the Campbells' greatest foe-and the most magnificent warrior she has ever seen.
BURNS BRIGHTEST . . .
A thousand-year-old battle chief of the Kerr clan, Kelvin lives only to avenge his father, who died at the hands of the bloody Campbells. Honor demands he kill the Campbell heir, but when he learns that the lovely Izel is both Campbell and human, Kelvin is torn between duty and desire . . .
What I’m talking about:
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The Darkest Day opens with a brief “history lesson” that highlights the long and bloody feud between the Campbell and Kerr clans. Kelvin Kerr vows to seek revenge on James Campbell for the death of Kerr’s father. We flash forward to the present where Kelvin is going to finish his vow to eliminate James’ son - the last heir of James’ lineage-until he finds out that “he” is actually a “she,” and Kel has a moment’s pause in his revenge plans. When he finds Izel Campbell, his intended target, he realizes she is possibly and probably also his fated mate. But what happens next is astonishing to both Kel and Izel - she undergoes a magical transformation, and they soon discover that she is the last surviving human on the planet.
The opening of The Darkest Day was reminiscent of the movie, The Highlander.... Immortals fighting on a Scottish countryside. However, the flavor of the book altered quickly when I discovered that the heroine is the last remaining full human. In present day Earth, humans are extinct and Izel Campbell, heir of the Campbell Fionns, just discovered at age 25 that she is not a Fionn, but actually a full-blooded human. I love this twist. The opening few chapters are intriguing, a wonderful new mythology that had me racing to read more.
Ms. Bury's world is full of different immortal species, some of which are only mentioned in passing, but others such as the Fionns and Pookahs, are discusses in detail. Our hero, Kelvin Kerr is a Razorback Pookah, not a shifter, but a humanoid immortal that has animal "essence" as part of his being. The Kerr Clan (all Pookahs) and Campbell Clan (mystical Fionns) have been at war for over a century. Vengeful blood vows fuel the on-going feud and have created an unending battle, one that Izel is unaware of since her grandfather hid her in the US since birth. When she seeks out answers about her history from her grandfather in Scotland, she meets Kel, who keeps the truth hidden. They begin a journey together, one shrouded in deception (by him) and need (by her). Of course, the pair fall in love and the journey is not easy.
Izel is strong and determined. She is cleaver and confused. Going from never having experienced feelings to meeting her very desirable, destined mate is jarring and the results are intense. She struggles to handle the severity of the ardent emotions, and I feel the results are believable.
Kel is a huge alpha male, and oh is he delectable. He wants life to be black and white... All he's ever known is honor and his family's vow to rid the world of Campbells. When he realizes Izel is his fated mate, he struggles with "right and wrong," and I hurt with and for him.
Together, the pair is combustable. Kel and Izel are not opposites, but rather two different ends of the same wick - burning towards the center where they collide with explosive force. Every encounter they have is so passionate-beyond desire and into need. It's easy to get swept up in their developing relationship. And HOLY HOTNESS!! Just Wowza! Their smexy time is sensual and lustful.
And it’s not just passion and lust... the emotional growth and raw feelings the two experience are powerful. I had tears in my eyes at the pain both felt has they attempted to maneuver through the life-altering changes occurring to and around them. Ms. Bury does a marvelous job of getting the reader inside the hearts and minds of her main characters.
As for the other characters: there are a slew of supporting cast that are ripe for further development. My favorites are Ian, Kel’s brother and Ramsey, a high-ranking Fionn warrior. Ian is very similar to Kel-trying to adjust perspectives when all he’s known is duty and honor. He too is attracted to an unexpected female “complication,” and I feel his story will be a good one when told.
On the other hand, Ramsey acts as Izel’s best buddy, telling her like it is and helping her through her grief. His humor is sharp, but underneath it all he’s a teddy bear. He almost comes off as the “gay best friend” to Izel, but you can tell there is so much more to Ramsey.
In conclusion, I really enjoyed The Darkest Day and eagerly await the next book. Ms. Bury has created a world full of adventure, excitement and romance. I fell for Kel and Izel from their first exchange, and their passion kept me engaged and engrossed. The plot and her mythology had a comfortable feeling, yet it is unique and exciting. Although I felt the ending was a little tidy, it didn’t detract from my enjoyment. Ms. Bury's debut is a must read for paranormal romance fans!
My Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Contest Winner - Tin Swift
I would like to thank everyone for stopping by That’s What I’m Talking About for the awesome guest post by steampunk author Devon Monk, and our review of her current release,Tin Swift. I want to thank Devon for stopping by to share a chapter from her online-only novella, Hang Fire. I also want to thank both the author and Penguin Publishing for graciously donating a copy of Tin Swift and the other great prizes for the giveaway.
Every person that commented on the review was entered into the contest - one entry per person. The winner was selected using random.org.
The Winner:
Melissa (Books and Things)
CONGRATULATIONS!!
I am emailing the winner. Please email me at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com with your full name and mailing address so that the publisher can mail you the prizes directly. If I do not hear from the winner by Wednesday July 25, 2012 by the end of the day, I will select another winner.
Thank you all so much for coming by and Happy Reading!
Review: Dangerous Proposal by Jessica Lauryn
Dangerous Proposal
Author: Jessica Lauryn
Release Date: July 3, 2012
Publisher: BookStrand Publishing
The Pinnacles of Power #2
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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At nineteen, Alec Westwood nearly committed the most horrific of crimes—murder in cold blood—and narrowly escaped the assignment with his life. When a stunning young woman crosses his path wearing the insignia for the organization that recruited him, he vows not to let fate get a second chance. But when the enchantress gives him a kiss that leaves him spellbound, Alec realizes the power she holds is greater than all his strength and fortitude combined.
On the run from her psychotic fiance, Lena Benson vows to forge a new life. But when her new friend Jack tells her to stay away from Alec Westwood—the man she believes her fiance hired to track her down—she takes matters into her own hands. Alec may have the charm, but she’s calling the shots, even if that means resisting a man whose eyes and touch rob her, literally, of sense.
What VampBard’s talking about:
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I was excited to read Dangerous Proposal after reading the series opener for Ms. Lauryn's Pinnacles of Power series, Dangerous Ally. While I don't generally read contemporary romance, Ms. Lauryn surely gets this vampiric reviewer's seal of approval. I look forward to future installments of this series. It's a welcome break from the 'other worldly' literature I generally read.
For starters, Dangerous Proposal ACTUALLY takes place before Dangerous Ally. As a clarification from Ms. Lauryn, Dangerous Proposal is the second book in the series. Dangerous Ally is book #4. I'm told the next published will be book #3 in the Pinnacles of Power series. Lena Benson, our damsel-in-distress, was involved with Lucas Ramone. We don't see exactly how things transpired with Lena and Lucas, but we do see that Lena escaped from the prison that was the Ramone compound. Lucas is made-out to be an absolute monster, which is contrary to what we learned about him in Dangerous Ally. Lena's sister is actually the heroine of Dangerous Ally, and Lucas... well, you'll have to read to find out! Knowing up-front that Dangerous Proposal takes place prior to Dangerous Ally certainly helps the reader place things, and understand some of the context of the first novel, as well as this title.
We don't see much of Raphael Ramone in this title. What little we do see cements my opinion of him as the male version of Mommy Dearest. We do, however, get to meet Lucas' mom, which was a revelation for me. It made me understand the goings-on of the Ramone household a bit more.
Dr. Alec Westwood, a man with a few skeletons in his closet, seems lost and searching for something at the onset of Dangerous Proposal. Flitting from one-night-stand to one-night-stand while performing his duties as a doctor in the local hospital didn't seem to give him the fulfillment he sought. While his affluent family appeared to have a high-profile in the community, Alec wandered rather aimlessly until THAT night. Guys' night out. Local watering hole. Peeved by his brother's arrogance and seeking quiet solace, Alec saw HER. Enter Lena Gallagher. That night, Alec's perspective on life changed. Whether he was willing to admit it, or not.
The elusive Lena Gallagher, scared and eager to begin her life without (and hiding from) Lucas Ramone, entered into an even larger and more tumultuous challenge when she met Alec Westwood – doctor, playboy, and enigma. As paranoid as Lena was about being located by the maniacal and possessive Lucas, she certainly rooted herself to the small town in which she landed. Acquiring a job and securing a place to live, Lena entrenched herself in the community, especially Alec's life, even though she appeared to lie-low. Her dynamic relationship with Alec, however, appeared to be wrought with doubt and unspoken accusations from the beginning. Fortunately for the reader, we know this is a romance and there should be a 'happily ever after'. As a plot strategy, Ms. Lauryn should be commended for utilizing the mistrust and manipulation angle effectively throughout the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed the 'courtship' between Lena and Alec. Alec's creativity, with regard to Lena and their meetings/activities, was surely a high point of the story line. Interspersed with both Lena and Alec's self-doubt and internal conflict, these gems were intensely romantic and created even more intrigue for this reader.
Jack – I totally couldn't figure him out, however. I enjoyed his plot line, and NEVER would have guessed his importance to the story. Completely unpredictable! I did, however, have misgivings about his place of employment – which is probably due to my own personal feelings on certain topics. This was a phenomenal plot twist, and while it felt as though a portion of this sub-plot was dismissed at about the 75% mark, Ms. Lauren does revive this thread near the end, tying it up in a neat little bow.
Colin, Alec's brother. I have a theory about this one. I'm eager to see how the next installment of Pinnacles of Power looks to see if I'm right!
SPOILER ALERT: Lastly, at the end of Dangerous Proposal, it appears as though Lucas is out of the picture, permanently. Because I've read Dangerous Ally, and know that this title comes AFTER Dangerous Proposal, I contacted Ms. Lauryn. In Dangerous Ally, there is ONE paragraph that hints at the contents of Book #3, tentatively titled Dangerous Proposition. She cleared up my confusion, and I did recall the plot point mentioned, originally thinking it was merely backstory. END SPOILER
Jessica Lauryn weaves an excellent tale of intrigue, romance and suspense in her expertly-crafted Dangerous Proposal. While readers of the prior novel in the Pinnacles of Power series will see familiar characters, the depth and breadth of character development in this title will leave the reader with a few new 'friends', as well as a couple 'sworn enemies'.
VampBard’s Rating:
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Loved it – enthusiastically recommend!
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
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