Weekend Reviews

This week I may have been crazy-busy with work and I am also the "cookie Mom" for my youngest's GS troop (it was cookie delivery week this week-I fit 30 cases in my my poor Fiat)





I still found time to read a few books



INTIMATE EXPOSURE by Portia Da Costa
Blurb

From the moment Red Webster arrived at executive Vicki Renard's firm, sparks flew between them. The photographer is supposed to create a company profile for its new owner, but he spends most of his time flirting with her. His sexy teasing infuriates Vicki...and piques a desire to submit to him. His hypnotic eyes promise what she's been secretly craving: a sexually dominant master, like the ones in her favorite erotic novels.Investigating his new business incognito, billionaire F. W. Shanley--aka Red--is turned on by Vicki's fiery personality and undeniable beauty. When he discovers her reading a BDSM novel on her eReader, he knows he's found a woman who shares his desires and promises to be a challenging submissive.
When Red arranges a weekend at a secluded hotel, Vicki agrees to indulge in no-strings-attached erotic fun. But can she commit to this kind of life with Red when he realizes they can have so much more?




Let me start by saying, I really liked the idea behind this story, I thought it would take me on an adventure-it didn't. It left me flat. The author could have taken so many different paths with this story-line, I honestly wish she had. I would have liked to have seen the couple spend some more time exploring & getting to know each other better while at the hotel. Going from scene to scene was very abrupt, the story did not flow easily. Although Portia Da Costa is a new to me author, and I was not thrilled with this book, I will try more of her stories.




Darkness Bound (Chimney rock) by Stella CameronAvailable February 28, 2012!


Blurb


WHEN NIGHT FALLS




After her husband's tragic death, Leigh Kelly arrives on Whidbey Island determined to start over. Yet the tiny town of Chimney Rock is not as peaceful as it seems. Women have been disappearing, and Leigh can't shake the feeling that she's being watched . . . especially at night. Soon, she's experiencing visions she can't explain and fighting her attraction to a handsome stranger who seems to know her most intimate desires.

PASSION TRANSFORMS THEM


As the leader of the Team, a pack of werehounds forced to hide their very existence, former special ops soldier, Niles Latimer is desperate to prove a man’s heart beats inside his predator’s body. And Leigh Kelly, mysterious and possessing powers she doesn’t yet understand, may be the woman who can help him. But Niles isn’t the only one who recognizes Leigh’s true identity. Something evil is waiting in the woods—and the hunt has begun...






Although I am not a huge reader of "were" creatures, I do enjoy paranormal stories so I decided to try this one. I am so glad I did. This book is the first in the Chimney rock series and I like how the author has developed the basis for the rest of the series to come. The characters introduced in this first book are developed enough to get to know them for this story, but, the author also has left secrets hidden to entice us back for the next book.


This story was sexy-hot & suspenseful. I cannot wait for the next!

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley




Danger Zone by Dee J AdamsAvailable February 20, 2012!







Blurb



In her ten-year career as a stuntwoman, Ellie Morgan has experienced her share of thrills. None compares to the rush of being behind the wheel of a race car for her latest movie shoot. Certain she was born to race, Ellie's ready to shift gears—but a secret from her past holds her back.
Quinn Reynolds is tired of being in the driver's seat of his family's company, Formula Racing Design. He's ready to sell—if he can get his co-owner and brother, Mac, to agree. Quinn's not sure what he wants to do with his future, but almost as soon as he meets Ellie, he knows he wants her to be part of it.
Though Ellie tries to resist her attraction to the charming businessman, she's quickly in danger of losing her heart. But after narrowly escaping "accidents" both on and off the set, it becomes clear that getting involved with Quinn could be downright deadly...

I absolutely loved this book!! It is the second in a series-the first title is Danger race. I did not read the first one & didn't even realize there was a prior story until I was about 1/3 of the way through this one. You do not have to read the 1st in order to "get" the 2nd book. That now said, I will go back & read the 1st book. This book had it all...it was sexy, suspenseful, there was mystery & drama, and a few secrets thrown in too. I cannot wait until July for book 3-Dangerously Close!

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley







Blurb



In her ten-year career as a stuntwoman, Ellie Morgan has experienced her share of thrills. None compares to the rush of being behind the wheel of a race car for her latest movie shoot. Certain she was born to race, Ellie's ready to shift gears—but a secret from her past holds her back.
Quinn Reynolds is tired of being in the driver's seat of his family's company, Formula Racing Design. He's ready to sell—if he can get his co-owner and brother, Mac, to agree. Quinn's not sure what he wants to do with his future, but almost as soon as he meets Ellie, he knows he wants her to be part of it.
Though Ellie tries to resist her attraction to the charming businessman, she's quickly in danger of losing her heart. But after narrowly escaping "accidents" both on and off the set, it becomes clear that getting involved with Quinn could be downright deadly...

I absolutely loved this book!! It is the second in a series-the first title is Danger race. I did not read the first one & didn't even realize there was a prior story until I was about 1/3 of the way through this one. You do not have to read the 1st in order to "get" the 2nd book. That now said, I will go back & read the 1st book. This book had it all...it was sexy, suspenseful, there was mystery & drama, and a few secrets thrown in too. I cannot wait until July for book 3-Dangerously Close!

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Writing Contest!

I thought some of my blog readers my be interested in this information. I am not personally holding this contest...just passing along the info.







Ruby Lioness Press is having a writing contest! All authors who submit manuscripts of at least 40,000 words between June 1st and July 31st, 2012 will be entered for a chance at having their book published and receiving an advance royalty.
1st Prize – $100 USD Advance Royalty
2nd Prize – $50 USD Advance Royalty
3rd Prize – $25 USD Advance Royalty
Requirements: Submit your 40k+ novel to Ruby Lioness Press following the submission guidelines between June 1st and July 31st. The novel must not have been under contract or published before. This contest is open to participants worldwide, but the work must be in English.
This contest is open to all genres, including submissions for the Clearwater series.
The winners will be chosen in early August. All authors who submit manuscripts during the contest time frame will be notified of their status after that time. Any author who wishes not to participate should state as such in their submission.
The advance will be paid at the end of the accounting period following the release of the book.

Another year bites the dust!!

My birthday has just passed and I got to celebrate it by a phone call from my youngest's school nurse. "come and get your child she just threw up"


Just what I really needed to hear that day!








Then, Hubby worked late, my Mom forgot to get a cake (didn't really want one anyway-with child barfing) and one of my siblings completely forgot until about 1am when she texted me "Happy Bday". At my age, I don't need a party, present, or even a card. But, really don't forget me!!??


I have been reading like crazy this week just to take my mind off the "age thing". So I will have some reviews up soon. After, I manage the GS troop's cookie booth, sort the GS troop's delivery orders (780 boxes are not going to fit in my dining room) the SuperBowl (Yes I am a huge Patriots fan-I love me some football), cooking for the SuperBowl, and of course cleaning up after the Kidlet who keeps tossing her cookies every half hour!




To add to all this I (2/2 is the Bday) did see my shadow-so 6 more weeks of winter!!

End of the week- 3 Reviews!!

I read a couple of really good books this week and I just had to share

Undeniable Rouge (The Rouges Club book1)

by Annette Blair

Widowed, penniless Sabrina Whitcomb isn't looking for romance. What she needs is a husband, and she knows well enough that romance and matrimony aren't always compatible. While providing for her twins and the child she now carries is paramount, wedding a virtual stranger--even a wealthy one, like Gideon St. Goddard, Duke of Stanthorpe--is no light matter. Sabrina knows the friend who arranged the union would not promise her to a true scoundrel, but one look at her future husband convinces her that he is a shameless rogue. A shockingly handsome and desirable one, at that. Why has he agreed to marry her? When Gideon flashes that wicked, seductive smile, the reason hardly matters, but the chance that he'll steal her heart becomes all too real...

I really enjoyed Undeniable Rouge by Annette Blair. I haven't read a historical in awhile, this was in my TBR pile and I just picked it up-and then couldn't put it down! I do have to admit, that while reading the first couple of pages, I almost put it down (I can't quite figure out why). I am so glad I didn't. This story had it all for me...

It had a marriage of convenience, humor, charm, blended family, some intrigue, love, and of course a HEA.

The Best Mistake by Kate Watterson

When Lacey Billings gives her boyfriend, Ran, an erotic wake-up callin the middle of the night, she’s shocked to discover that the gorgeous man she’s kissing isn’t Ran…it’s his cousin, Rick.

Although Ran laughs off the mix-up, Lacey and Rick can’t stop thinking about the unexpected encounter, and they can’t escape the scorching flashbacks it’s aroused.
Ran doesn’t want an innocent mistake to ruin his relationship with his girlfriend or his cousin, so he proposes a solution. He wants the three of them to solve this problem the old-fashioned way, by sleeping on it…together.

The Best Mistake by Kate Watterson was a really quick good read (novella-length). It is, as you can tell from the blurb, an erotic menage story. Not too sure I believed the "mistake" Lacey made by thinking the man she climbed into bed with, was her boyfriend Ran. But, as the story went on, I did like how the author wrote about the guilt Lacey felt. The uneasy feelings, given the situation, between Lacey & Rick were very believable. The spicy scenes were quite sexy but not "dirty".  I will definitely check out more by this author.
Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Immortal Rider(Lords of Deliverance, Book 2)

 by Larissa Ione

The signs are everywhere...disastrous world events. Evil rising up, unleashed upon the innocent. The prophecies were there...but no one listened. Until now. The time has come for those who can either usher in Doomsday...or prevent it. They are here. They ride. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Arik Wagner, a soldier with the U.S. Army's paranormal unit, the R-XR, kissed a girl and liked it. And then he went to hell as punishment. Where he's spent weeks being tortured...and plotting revenge.

Limos, Horsewoman of the Apocalypse, isn't your average girl. She's immortal, dangerous, and her fiancé is Satan himself. In a moment of weakness, she gave in to her desire and kissed Arik, triggering her fiancé's wrath - and his claim on her. In order to save Arik, and the world, Limos must make a dangerous pact with her recently turned evil brother, Pestilence. A deal that might just cost her her soul...and her heart.

I have read the entire Demonica series & Eternal Rider (book 1 in the Lords of Deliverance series) and looked forward to this story being released. I was not disappointed by Limos & Arik's story. This book was sexy hot, thrilling, & passionate! I loved the way Limos was written, she may be a Horsewoman of the Apocalypse but she is first & foremost a woman! A woman forced by circumstance to tell lies to her family. A woman craving real passion, knowing if she gives in to that passion, she could destroy, not only herself, but all human & demon kind. She is a strong warrior who is vulnerable to her emotions. Of all the strong heroines in these entertwined series, I really have enjoyed Limos' story the best. I am now craving the release of Lethal Rider in June.
Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Wow! 3 completely different genres, authors, & styles of writing. All containing 1 theme, this was the week of the strong, yet vulnerable heroine. Check these books out

His Secret Past by Katie Reus-a review

His Secret Past by Katie Reuse

Six years ago, Alexis Baptiste’s world was turned upside down when Hunter Cassidy disappeared without a trace, leaving her alone and pregnant. She’s finally moving on with her life when he resurfaces, just in time to rescue her from a would-be assassin. Forced to join him on the run to protect herself and her young son, Alexis is now in even more danger: danger of falling for Hunter all over again.

Betrayed by rogue CIA agents after infiltrating an infamous drug cartel, former DEA agent Hunter Cassidy has spent years trying to clear his name. He’s not proud of the things he’s done, and knows he doesn’t deserve a future with Alexis, or the son he never knew he had, but he’s determined to protect them from the men who ruined his life. Convincing Alexis to trust him—and denying his feelings for her—is going to be the hardest mission he’s ever faced.

Katie Reus is a new to me author. Let me start right off by saying-I really enjoyed this book! I am a sucker for long lost loves returning from where ever, so the romantic part of this romantic/suspense book had me even before I finished the 2nd chapter. The suspense part of the book held up very well. I enjoyed the idea of Hunter coming back after 6 years to protect the woman he loved & then finding out he had a son too, set his alfa/caveman/chest-thumping self into action to do everything he possibly could to protect them both. The characters were very well written, the emotional roller coaster they faced in such a short period of time, felt almost real to me. I also liked the emotional & physical vulnerability in Hunter, he was not a machine. The way some of these types of stories are written, the alfa male is sometimes too strong, showing no emotion and can handle anything thrown at him-I don't necessarily like that-no one is perfect don't write them that way (JMO). The only fault I find with this book??? It was a bit short, I would have loved it to be longer.

Rafflecopter Launch Party Giveaway

I have used the original Rafflecopter to host my giveaways and it's been fun & easy to use. Now Rafflecopter has made it even easier for you to host your own giveaways.

To introduce the new Rafflecopter they are having a fantastic giveaway

Rafflecopter is going to give away a 16GB Apple iPad2 and several Kindle Fires.

The giveaway starts Monday 1/9 at 12:01 a.m. and lasts for a month.

To enter, simply tell them who referred you to this giveaway!

***I am a book addict ...and proud of it***

You can receive additional entries by tweeting about this giveaway, following Rafflecopter on twitter, and giving Rafflecopter feedback. In addition, Rafflecopter is doing something a little special to make things more fun:

Suggest a Mascot Name

 You’ve seen the Rafflecopter smiley-face dude hanging around the web. The poor guy needs a name, and Rafflecopter want to leave it up to you to decide what his (or her?) name should be. For an additional entry, suggest a name!

After the giveaway is over, they will go through the list of names and pick out the favorite suggestions (be creative!) and bring it to a vote on Facebook. If your name is chosen, you’ll win a Kindle Fire and be immortalized in Rafflecopter history :)
 

Good Luck Everyone and Don't forget to tell Rafflecopter that
 I am a book addict...and proud of it sent you!!

 

Review Tool Belt Defender by Carla Cassidy

Tool Belt Defender by Carla Cassidy

Harlequin Romantic Suspense|

 Publication Date: December 20, 2011

"It's party time."

That's the "invitation" shoved under her door. It's got Brittany Grayson fearing for her life…and her sanity. She's sure the monster who once held her captive for months is dead, so why his chilling words in the note? His menacing face in the window? And why won't anyone —even her lawmen brothers—believe that somehow he's after her again?

Brittany just wants a normal, independent life in Black Rock. Romance is out of the question…although she's okay as friends-with-benefits with Alex Crawford, her hunky, marriage-phobic contractor. Alex, a single dad, has his own good reasons not to fall for Brittany. But none of them matter when the race is on to find the killer who's kidnapped her!

Not quite the dark romantic suspense that I usually read. Not quite believable to me that Brittany was diving into "getting on with her life" after being kidnapped & tortured for months by a serial killer (maybe if it was weeks I would have believed it more) but I understand the need for the background story in order to show her vulnerability.

That being said I did like this story overall. I liked Alex and Brittany, the way they were brought together was believable. The idea that they both had something in their pasts that kept them from being able to see they were good for each other. I also liked the fact that Alex was being cautious because of his daughter. Having a 7 yr old myself, I could see my daughter's face while reading some of the interactions Alex's daughter had with Brittany.

A quick, easy read (for me anyway) I did enjoy the story, and may even check out some of the others in the Blackrock Lawmen series.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher for review purposes.

Whispers in The Dark by Maya Banks-Review

She came to him when he needed her the most

She came to him at his lowest point. The voice of an angel, a whisper in the dark. She's the only thing that gets Nathan Kelly through his captivity, the endless days of torture and the fear that he'll never return to his family. With her help, he's able to escape. But he isn't truly free, because now she's disappeared and he's left with an all-consuming emptiness as he struggles to pick up the pieces of his life. Did he imagine his angel? Or is she out there, needing his help as he'd once needed hers?

Now he rushes to save her before it's too late

Shea has been on the run from people who will stop at nothing to exploit her unique abilities. She never wanted to drag Nathan, who'd already suffered so much, into danger, but she doesn't have a choice so she reaches out to him for help. Finally face-to-face after having already formed a soul-deep bond in hell, their emotional connection is even more powerful than their telepathic one. Nathan refuses to consider ever letting her go again, but she worries they can never have a life free of the dangers that dog her every step. He'll protect her with his every breath, but can he convince her that they are meant to face these threats together

 

What can I say about book #4 in this series???

Fantastic, thrilling, I loved it!  

After having read the first 3 books in the KGI series, I was so looking forward to this one. I was not disappointed!

To be honest,when I first heard about it, I was unsure if I would like the "paranormal" twist in this story. But, again, after reading the first 3 (and loving them) I had to read this one too. It worked for me. I liked how it played out with the connection between Shea & Nathan.

One of the things I liked about this story/series is the connection the entire Kelly family has, the bantering between the brothers, the fight to make family first, even the way Mom & Dad fit into the story lines.
 I cannot wait for the next KGI book #5 Echos At Dawn ( Rio's story)

Please check out Whispers In The dark and the rest of the series too, if you like romantic suspense, hot guys, strong women, then you will love this series.

The Darkest Hour

KGI #1

No Place To Run

KGI #2

Hidden Away

KGI #3



Happy Holidays!!!

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas

Happy Hanukkah

Happy & Healthy New Year!!!!

Busy time of the year for all, i imagine. I know it's been crazy for me!

Not much time to read at all :(

But, more time to spend with the family, and that goes a long way.

For the past few weeks we have decorated the entire house-inside & out. The kids each got to decorate their own trees. A few years back I bought each of them a small 3 ft tree so they could each have one for their own rooms and add whatever they wanted to them.

I was secretly hoping they would then let Mom decorate the big tree all on her own. You see, I am OCD when it comes to decorating the tree. Ornaments, lights, etc have to be perfectly placed and co-ordinated or I end up having panic attacks (not really, but I try to convince the kids of this)

Every year I have a theme for my tree. usually it's a color theme. Back in 2009, our tree stood 9 ft tall,  it was in a stand that couldn't hold it and it fell over on Christmas eve. I lost many of my favorite ornaments that year. It has taken me 2 years but I have replaced what I could of those blue ornaments and now the tree has my favorite color theme again.

BLUE/ ICICLE

To celebrate my favorite theme this year I entered my tree into a contest being held by the Tree Farm where we order ours from every year.

YES! I did say order, every year for the past 10 years or so, we order our fralsam tree from

 Weir Tree Farms, LLC in Colebrook NH.

They cut our tree & within 24 hrs, box it up & send it to us via Fed Ex

(yup! Fed Ex delivers our tree)

So now I am campaigning for votes on my tree.

Please follow the link below and "like" my (Kerry Fraser-Pacious) tree??!

The contest ends at 5pm Friday 12/23.

Whomever gets the most "likes" wins a free tree next year!

Vote Here

What are some of your favorite Holiday traditions ?

Do you have any unusual traditions, like my kids having their own trees?

I hope everyone has  safe, healthy, happy holidays

Kerry

Move Me by Emma Holly-review

Move Me by Emma Holly

Move Me is the latest novella in Emma Holly’s “Hidden” series. An erotic paranormal series featuring Werewolves, Wereseals, and now a Fae Prince. I have enjoyed this series very much and couldn’t wait to be able to read this next story.

BELLE’s eccentric Uncle Lucky has left her his spooky house in the tiny village of Kingaken. Twenty years ago, her little brother disappeared here, never to be heard from again. Returning to the place for the first time in so long resurrects more ghosts than she cares to face. When it also summons a sexy faerie, with an agenda of his own, Belle had best pray her luck is better than her sibling’s

This story contains hot sex, a mysterious missing brother, really hot sex, a ghost, a special Christmas surprise, and did I mention really really hot sex -  in a compact car?!

Belle comes back to her home town after her Uncle passes away and leaves her his house. The property is full of memories both good and bad. Not sure if she is going to stay or sell, Belle decides to hire a handyman to help fix the place up a bit. In walks ‘John’, not quite the curmudgeonly handyman who just lost his wife & kids, that Belle was expecting. But, with a body like that who cares if he’s good with a hammer!

 I am not big on writing out the whole story line in a review. I believe a review should be my opinion only. So, here it is….

I loved this latest story in the “Hidden” series. Although it is a part of a series, Move Me is a stand-alone story, reading the others is not required (but highly recommended) there seems to be some hints towards more in this series. I truly hope so! The storyline worked, the characters “gelled”, the sex scenes were hot, and there was a HEA of course. Check it out you won’t be disappointed!

Check out the other stories in Emma Holly's Hidden series