Musing Monday, December 16, 2013

Musing Mondays is sponsored by Should Be Reading and asks you to muse about one of the following each week…
• Describe one of your reading habits.
 • Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).
 • What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it! 
 • Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.
• Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!
• Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!

How many of you just keep adding to your TBR pile.  I keep saying that I will not order any more books until I have read all from my previous order.  It just does not work for me.  My latest order arrived last Friday and I still had two books unread from my previous order.  Most of the books on any of my orders are pre-orders and are placed as much as a month ahead of release.  I still keep adding to the pile.  Part of the problem are the books I get for review.  I read them first and put of the others on hold.  I do think this is a minor problem in a world with some very big problems that need to be solved.

Sweet Revenge (Sin Brothers #2) by Rebecca Zanetti

Thriller

What Goodreads says:

"The One Man She Can't Have

Matt Dean was born to fight…and kill. A member of a secret black-ops military unit, he and his brothers were genetically engineered by the government to be the perfect soldiers with an expiration date. Now, with time running out, he's gone rogue in a relentless quest for the one person who can save them. His mission leads him to Charmed, Idaho…and to a beautiful woman with eyes like emeralds and a body made for pleasure.

The One Woman He Can't Resist

Laney Jacobs knows the mysterious, handsome stranger is trouble from the moment he walks into her bar, looking for a job. She's spent years running from her own past—the last thing she needs is a romantic entanglement. But Matt's strong arms offer her protection, and his gentle touch promises passion unlike anything she's ever known. As lethal forces surround them, revealing explosive secrets about Matt's past and putting everything—and everyone—he holds dear in danger, can he save them all before time runs out?"

Sweet Revenge is a true thriller with a touch of SciFi and a lot of romance.  Matt Dean, the main male character, and Laney Jacobs, the main female character, are running from the same organization and the same person.  Neither realizes who the other is at first.  When they get together there are sparks flying in every direction and danger is coming for both.  The book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time as the tension never let up.  If you like a thriller with a big dose of romance this is a good book for you. 

Sweet Revenge is the second book in the series so do not expect the find any solution to the danger Matt, Laney, and Matt’s brothers are facing.  There is a lot of action, some surprises, and characters who are not who they seem.  What does happen is that the tension is ramped up, a new romance is in the air and facts are discovered that set up the next book and the next brother’s story.  The main danger, the chip with an expiration date is still there.  There are four brothers and two books to go so don’t expect that problem to go away in the next book.

Forever released Sweet Revenge by Rebecca Zanette as an ebook in 2013. 

I received an ARC of Sweet Revenge from Netgalley.

Stacking the Shelves, December 14, 2013

Some of the Books Stacked on My Shelves

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books I am adding to my shelves. They may it be physical or virtual. I include books I buy in a physical store or online, books I borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!  Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews.  Follow the link to see what others have on their shelves.

This was a week of contest wins for me.  I won a $50.00 Amazon gift card from The Fair Discloser Giveaway sponsored by Beck Valley Books.  

I also won the following books from Smart Girls Love SciFi:
A Knight’s Vengeance (Knight’s Series Book 1) by Catherine Kean
Hot Water by Maggie Toussaint
Brides of Falconfell by Blair Bancroft
Forgive and Forget (Book #1) by Heather Ashby

Book Order From Amazon:
The Apollo Academy (Volume 1) by Kimberly P. Chase
Dangerous Seduction: A Nemesis Unlimited Novel by Zoe Archer
Hell Bent: A Broken Magic Novel by Devon Monk
Vendetta: The Guild War (Volume 1) by Graham W. Sharp Paul
No Good Duke Goes Unpunished: The Third Rule of Scoundrels(Rules of Scoundrels) by Sarah MacLean
Alien Research by Gini Koch

Purchased and Free eBooks From Amazon:
Tangled Web, Poisoned Wed, Deception's Web  by Crista McHugh
Hunted and Pirates by Eric Martin Willen
Ivan by Roxie Rivera

For Review:
Moving Target by J.A. Jance
Healthy Joints For Life By Richard Diana
Ashes and Alchemy by Cindy Spencer Pape

Book Beginnings December 13, 2013

Book Beginnings on Friday is a meme hosted by Gilion at Rose City Reader. Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading.

My book beginning this week is from Fiction River, a new anthology series featuring volumes that appear every two month.  Each volume has a different theme or genre, and often has a different editor.  Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch are the overall series editors, approving the content. 

 I just received the December 13 edition titled Hex in the City featuring urban fantasy short stories.  My beginning is from the third story in the issue, Speechless in Seattle by Lisa Silverthorne.  This short story features a wizard whose spell goes a little wrong.  Here is the beginning:

"Thunder rumbled through the evening sky as storm clouds rolled off Elliot Bay where Brant Trenerry stood in Kerry Park staff raised, ready to change the world."

Check out the Fiction River web site to see the themes for upcoming issues.
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Candlelight Christmas (Lakeshore Chronicles #10) by Susan Wiggs

Romance

What Goodreads says:

"#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR SUSAN WIGGS INVITES YOU TO AN UNFORGETTABLE CHRISTMAS IN THE CATSKILLS

A single father who yearns to be a family man, Logan O'Donnell is determined to create the perfect Christmas for his son, Charlie. The entire O'Donnell clan arrives to spend the holidays in Avalon, a postcard-pretty town on the shores of Willow Lake, a place for the family to reconnect and rediscover the special gifts of the season.

One of the guests is a newcomer to Willow Lake— Darcy Fitzgerald. Sharp-witted, independent and intent on guarding her heart, she's the last person Logan can see himself falling for. And Darcy is convinced that a relationship is the last thing she needs this Christmas.

Yet between the snowy silence of the winter woods, and toasty moments by a crackling fire, their two lonely hearts collide. The magic of the season brings them each a gift neither ever expected—a love to last a lifetime."

Candlelight Christmas is the first time I have read a Susan Wiggs' book.  It was an Amazon Vine choice this month and since I have been overdosing on Christmas stories I decided to give this one a try.  It did say that it was great for Wiggs fans and for first time readers. There were a few times that couples were mentioned and I did not know their back-story but none of that mattered.  They were all background and not really a part of the story.

I loved both Logan and Darcy.  Both are divorced and when Logan’s sister tries to get them together they just click.  Seems like a quick romance but that is not what happens.  They have to meet again and again for anything to happen.  Darcy is busy protecting herself from being hurt again.  Logan is starting a new business.  It is fun to see how eventually they do get together but I loved how nothing was rushed. I also liked that there were not pages and pages of sex.

There was an added feature in the book.  At the start of several of the chapters there is a recipe.  Since this is my first Susan Wiggs book I don’t know if this is a regular feature or not.  I will say I would love to try several as they sounded like great.

Candlelight Christmas is a nice addition to the Christmas stories that come out this time of year and for me a good introduction to Susan Wiggs’s writing.    Pick it up for an enjoyable read.

Harlequin published Candlelight Christmas by Susan Wiggs in 2013.

Everlasting Enchantment (Relics of Merlin #4) by Kathryne Kennedy

Fantasy

What Goodreads says:

"Sir Gareth Solimere, knight of King Arthur's Round Table, has been trapped inside Merlin's relic for centuries, cursed until he finds his one true love. When he finally finds her in the unexpected form of a beautiful were-panther named Millicent Pantere, he has to use all of his charms to try to make her love him in return. But if he manages this feat, will he finally be free to live a normal life?"

While Everlasting Enchantment is book four of the Relics of Merlin series it has no problem standing on its own. 

The setting is Victorian England and Queen Victoria plays a role in the story.  It is an England with shape shifters and magic.  Gareth Solimere is trapped in one of Merlin’s relics.  Millicent Pantere is suppose to find that relic in order to save Nell, the only person she thinks she cares for.  Once the relic with Gareth comes into Millicent’s possession the story really takes off.

I had a great time reading Everlasting Enchantment.  There was action, adventure, romance, magic, shape shifting, and enough tension to keep me reading.  I loved Millicent.  She really did care about others; she just refused to admit that she did.  Gareth started out very jaded.  As the story progressed I got to watch him change into a wonderful caring man who loved with all his being.

Relics of Merlin is a fun series and Everlasting Enchantment is a great addition.  The writing is crisp, the plot well developed and the characters fun.  If you like fantasy and romance this is a good pick.

Sourcebook published EverlastingEnchantment by Kathryne Kennedy in 2013.

Teaser Tuesday, December 9, 2013

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:"
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.

"She turned around to look in the mirror and barely recognized the woman who stared back.  The cut gave her cleavage, something she'd forgotten she had.  "Oh my God, I have tits."

The teaser is from Cinderella Wore Combat Boots by DL Jackson.  This is a 37 page long One Night Stand story that I won this week.  This is a series written by several authors.  I have seen reviews on several blogs and they have all sounded like fun.  I finished this on yesterday and really enjoyed it.  If you are looking for a quick fun read you might want to pick on of these up.

Check out what Goodreads says:

Sometimes Fairytales come true.

First Sergeant Cori Valentine faces a bleak future. She’s turning forty in three weeks and life as she knows it is over. An injury received while on deployment has earned her an early retirement from the Marine Corps, something she’s not sure she’ll survive. Things get even better when interfering Marines set her up on a blind date for a party she doesn’t want. The guy has to be a total toad to want to go out with her. Right?

When Madame Eve informs Retired SEAL, Sol Keller she’s found his perfect match, he doesn’t believe it, but takes up the challenge. One look at the First Sergeant in a sexy dress and combat boots has him wondering if fairytales really can come true. Madame Eve might be the legendary Fairy Godmother, and Cori his Cinderella. Sol intends to show the Marine beauty a Prince Charming she’ll never forget, and that retirement isn’t the end of her story but merely the beginning

Musing Monday December 9, 2013

Musing Mondays is sponsored by Should Be Reading and asks you to muse about one of the following each week…
• Describe one of your reading habits.
 • Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).
 • What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it! 
 • Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.
• Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!
• Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!

The road in front of my house on Friday.

One of the birds at the heated bird bath in my back yard.

I have seen a lot of blue birds around the feeder and bird bath.  This one is all puffed up trying to stay warm.

Do you ever get tired of reading.  I do and now is one of those times.  We stared getting snow last Thursday, well first we got sleet.  That was better than freezing rain that they got south of me.  Freezing rain = power outages so we skipped that.  I live in the south and we just don't get that much snow so keeping the roads clear is hard.  I live in a very hilly area so when this happens I just stay home.  Since we have not gotten above freezing there is little melt so I have been home since Thursday.  A great opportunity to read!  Right!  There is such a thing as too much reading and by yesterday I was there.  I have managed to remove several books from my TBR list and will probably finish one more today.  Hope I can get out tomorrow.  Hope all of you are warm and enjoying the beginning of winter.