READING BY THE FIRE

The low clouds hang like heavy rolls of sooty cotton on the horizon and above the hills wisps of fog tangle in the naked limbs. I hear the wind whistling through the trees. Leaves twirl and crunch as they brush against each other and dance across the yard.  There is a certain beauty in the stark browns and faded gold of the remaining oak leaves stubbornly clinging to the our trees despite the wind. The crows are calling out a warning of worsening weather on it's way and the cardinals are huddled together on the swaying feeders. The autumn rains are here this week and the temperatures are steadily dropping and soon we'll have snow and sleet. This is the sort of weather that makes me want to snuggle up by a warm fire with a good book.

I'm working my way through my TBR list. Some 4 star books I've enjoyed recently.

A new author for me is Mike Wells. He writes a fast paced suspense/thrillers that keeps you turning the pages. He's very visual in his writing and it reflects his screenplay skills. I've always enjoyed stories by Sidney Sheldon and Steven Cannell. Mike Wells reminds me of their way of telling a story. I'll be reading more of his books. A word of caution, he is giving away book one as an incentive to checking out his series. Buy the Lust, Money, & Murder edition that has book 1-3 in one book. The free book one leaves you hanging and that ticked me off--even though I understood promotional methods he used. I'll be the first to tell you I don't like cliffhangers in a book. I want resolution in one story with questions to lead you to the next. The full edition moves smoothly from one section to the next.

AMAZON

LUST, MONEY, & MURDER

This book begins with a young and naive Elaine Brogan as she initially pursues her dream of a career as a photomodel. 

After becoming entangled with a sleazy modeling agency, she decides to become a Secret Service agent, struggling through the arduous training academy. 

After her first disastrous assignment, she is transferred to Bulgaria. There, she meets Nick LaGrange, the love of her life.







Another new to me author, is paranormal romance author, Thea Harrison. I really enjoyed the fresh take on the supernatural world. Love the kick butt take names sentinels and the adventure in the other world just beyond the borders of our modern world. It was a fun story as was the second book in the series. I liked the ancient creatures--like dragons and thunderbirds--interacting with the modern world. It's fast paced but the author does take the time to fill you in on the world and gives the reader insight into the creatures she features by inner dialog. That especially works for seeing how these ancient ones developed human qualities as well as the ability to shapeshift into human form. 

AMAZON

DRAGON BOUND

Half-human and half-wyr, Pia Giovanni spent her life keeping a low profile among the wyrkind and avoiding the continuing conflict between them and their dark Fae enemies. 

But after being blackmailed into stealing a coin from the hoard of a dragon, Pia finds herself targeted by one of the most powerful-and passionate-of the Elder races.








My hot toddy is calling me as are the new characters in the current book I'm reading, Priceless: A Rylee Adamson Novel. I'll tell you more about that another time.

• So, what books have you read recently that you could recommend?

HOT READS FOR A COLD WINTER'S NIGHT—FROM MY TBR TOWER

I've been getting around to my huge To Be Read pile. Actually, it resembles the leaning tower of Pisa. My husband is thrilled that many of those books are now on my Kindle rather than adding to the nice quad piles of books beside my nightstand (hey, I dust them off and keep them piled neatly—most of the time). He has spent a lifetime with my books and me. J Most of the time he’s a good sport when it comes to my books and of course, I don’t complain much with regard to his TV/Movie watching—other than threatening death if a Television finds it’s way into the bedroom. He threatens a bonfire if he stubs a toe on another book. We've worked out a compromise of sorts. 

Anyway, enough on domestic bliss and onto my TBR pile.

I met Alexandra Ivy when I first started promoting my blog. I saw one of her books and thought, “Oh, I like the sound of this story!” Typically, I came to the series (Guardians of Eternity) several books in and read Darkness Unleashed. Of course I had to go back and read some I missed and I've still not read them all. I did manage to read Devoured by Darkness—I loved Tane (a Charon sworn to hunt and kill rogue vampires) in the previous book and Laylah (half Jin) intrigued me. And then, I met Ariyal (a Sylvermyst allegedly evil cousins to the fey with a very unique sword)  and Jaelyn (an elite Vampire warrior) and had to read Bound by Darkness. Both are excellent and to tell the truth, I don’t think I've read any books in this series that haven't been good. Excellent characterization and depiction of ‘otherworld’ characters with a twist. I like the fact that all the stories deal with a clear arc of the beginning through the trials of the couple involved to the ending—where the two main characters are a unit although the world they're in isn't quite tidily solved. It's ever expanding. But that style gives satisfaction to me, as a reader.

If you enjoy a good paranormal a bit on the dark side (no pun intended) then you should check out Alexandra Ivy’s Guardians of Eternity series.

                                                                                                                                                            

I also enjoy reading a new to me author, Morgan Mandel. I picked up a copy of Forever Young for several reasons. It was contemporary, it had a touch of paranormal and healthy dose of suspense, plus, she’s a blogging buddy. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Great premise, interesting cast of characters, and a probable story around and old theme of the search for the fountain of youth—only this time it’s a pill. Hmm, intriguing. It was a good story that kept me turning the pages. I think, aside from Dorrie, my favorite character was Roman. He’s a bad guy. Sorta. Well, he’s in the camp of the bad guy. What I liked was how Morgan gave me a villain that I could relate to. I could see how someone could get to where he was and make some of the choices he did and he had redeeming qualities. The main bad guy…well I understood how he got to where he was but didn't like him. His utter disregard for life wasn't attractive at all and it had festered to monstrous proportions. Without giving away spoilers, the ending was good but a little ambiguous for my taste. It obviously sets up the sequel, which I really want to read, and was realistic given the circumstances. You can’t argue over good triumphs over evil.

                                                                                                                     

Another that intrigues me, although I have yet read it (just the excerpt) is Suzanne Ferrel’s Hunted. I've always had a fascination for what makes religious fanatics tick and make the choices they do and all in the name of their god. Truly dangerous and creepy. 

I’m looking forward to reading this one and I'll let you know what I think of it when I do.

                                                                                               

• What about you? Have you read anything good lately?
• What does your TBR pile look like?

LOVE IS IN THE AIR: HOT READS FOR A COLD WINTER'S NIGHT

I've found some yummy books to read by the fire this week. Hey, this is the week of romance, flowers, chocolate, and love. This week's selections cover a pretty wide range but all are worth the read.

THE SECOND CHANCE CAFE
Alison Kent  ★★★★

Growing up, Kaylie Flynn was shuffled from foster home to foster home before being welcomed into Winton and May Wise’s family. It was May who taught Kaylie the comfort of home, and the healing power of baking the perfect brownie. Years later, May leaves Kaylie the money she needs to open her own café in the charming Victorian they once shared. Now back in Hope Springs, Kaylie’s determined to finally make all her dreams a reality—and unearth answers to lingering questions about her past.


Soon, however, Kaylie’s carefully laid plans take an unexpected turn. The house needs far more work than she realized, and Tennessee Keller, the carpenter Kaylie hires, is proving to be a very handsome and very unneeded distraction from her quest to uncover the truth about her parents. When a crisis threatens to destroy everything she’s worked so hard to build, Kaylie must decide where her heart lies: with the ghosts of her past or the love and promise of her future. Excerpt

I always enjoy a well put together and layered read. This story by Alison Kent fits the bill for that and adds a good love story, sprinkles how past experiences--especially when we're young--can impact our life in the present and the choices we make. Plus, Alison shares some fabulous brownie recipes. I loved some of her secondary characters like Luna, Mitch, and Dolly (I'd love to see where the last two end up). The story kept me glued to the pages and the ending...well, Alison added the perfect touch. Well worth picking up and reading. I'm looking forward to other stories set in Hope Springs, Texas (I also enjoyed the clever pay on cliches such as 'hope springs' and where this cafe is located).
                                                                                                                                                          

 

A SEAL'S SEDUCTION
Tawny Weber  ★★★★

Subject: Navy SEAL Lieutenant Blake Landon

Current Status: Two weeks of enforced leave

Mission: Distract himself in any way possible

Obstacle: A woman who tempts him to break the rules…including his own!

Navy SEAL Blake Landon (a.k.a. “Boy Scout”) knows the rule book inside and out. Checked. Rechecked. But when a mission ends badly, his entire team is ordered on leave. And that’s when Blake sees the tall redhead whose dark eyes suggest that the rules— especially those in bed—are made to be broken.

Scientist Alexia Lane has sex on the brain—partly for work, but mostly because she needs a man who makes her girly parts do the happy dance. Her only no-no? No military dudes. But Blake’s rockin’ bod promises delicious pleasures, and Alexia is halfway to sexual Nirvana before she can find out he’s actually a Navy SEAL.

And where one rule is broken, more are sure to follow…. Excerpt

I've made no secret of the fact I love Tawny Weber's stories for Blaze  and for a lot of reasons. She tells a great story, her characters feel real and the heroines are spunky and sassy, and I love her dialog and she's very, very good with dialog. Her books fun and sexy (without the detailed sex by-play of erotic romance), they make me laugh, and I love the way she layers in issues without detracting from the overall story. Best of all, you gotta love a happy-ever-after-ending. Or, at least I do. 

This one adds a serious thread of danger which showcases what SEALS do, then there is the whole family issues type of danger, and there are some great secondary characters. I love Michael and Cade is just delicious (can't wait to read his story next month). Speaking of happy endings, A SEALS Seduction, has the perfect ending, in my opinion. I laughed!

                                                                                                                                                                                

If you like your stories young and sweet and short, you might enjoy Rachel Morgan's YA Novella.

 

THE FAERIE GUARDIAN
Rachel Morgan  ★★★★

Protecting humans from dangerous magical creatures is all in a day's work for a faerie training to be a guardian. Seventeen-year-old Violet Fairdale knows this better than anyone--she's about to become the best guardian the Guild has seen in years. That is, until one of her assignments--a human boy who shouldn't even be able to see her--follows her into the fae realm. Now she's broken Guild Law, a crime that could lead to her expulsion.

The last thing Vi wants to do is spend any more time with the boy who got her into this mess, but the Guild requires that she return Nate to his home and make him forget everything he's discovered of the fae realm. Easy, right? But Nate and Vi are about to land themselves in even bigger trouble--and it'll take all Vi's training to get them out alive. 

I'll be the first to admit, I rarely read YA. Having said that, I'll also say that I have read a few good ones. I was curious about Rachel's story and since she's one of my blogging buddies and I love the cover, I wanted to read her work (I do manage to do that with many of my blogging buddies). 

I found the story to be a good read. Nice flow to the story and the characters are easily pictured, the dialog fits the generation (and I usually have a houseful of members from this generation at any given time). Rachel skillfully hooks her reader in the opening and keeps you moving forward because you want to see what happens. Her world is surprisingly well developed considering it's a novella. The Faerie world had a bit of the feel of what I loved about Hogwarts but without the darkness of that particular series storyline. I liked the attraction between Nate and Vi. Secondary characters like Tora added the right spice to the mix and Ryn...Yeah, he needs a smack upside the head. 

I'll be reading the next installment of this series--not because Rachel is my blogging buddy (that only gets the first book read), but because she tells a very good story.

                                                                                                                                                

AND A GOOD CUP OF COFFEE!

                                                                                                                        

HOT READS FOR A COLD WINTER'S NIGHT

Winter is a wonderful time to hunker down and read a good book. Most I feature with Hot Reads are either books I've chosen to read (not been asked) or books I want to read. So grab some coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, and your favorite blanket/quilt and snuggle up and read!

DON’T CRY FOR ME

Sharon Sala

Mariah Conrad has come home. Badly wounded on active duty in Afghanistan and finally released stateside, she has no family to call on and nowhere to go—until Quinn Walker arrives at her bedside. Quinn, …her brother-in-arms, ex-lover and now maybe her future.

Quinn brings Mariah to his log cabin in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky to rest and recuperate, both physically and emotionally. While she's incredibly grateful, Mariah is also confused and frustrated. She's always stood on her own two feet, but now even that can literally be torture. She's having flashbacks and blackouts, hearing helicopter noises in the night. She wants to push Quinn away—and hold him closer than ever.

But will she get the chance? Those helicopters are more than just post-traumatic stress; they're real—and dangerous. Bad things are happening on the mountain. Suddenly there's a battle to be fought on the home front, and no guarantee of survival. Read a chapter Excerpt

I absolutely love a heroine who can get the job done despite the odds. Some great scenes in this one with Mariah. Missed the first in the series but will be going back to read it. This one was definitely stand alone.

                                                                                                                                       

GUARDIANS OF STONE #1

Anita Clenney

Kendall Morgan is a human bloodhound. Spending her childhood hunting relics with her ambitious archeologist father, she knew the two of them shared a sixth sense for the history and location of objects—sometimes even people. What she didn’t know was that their paranormal gift could ultimately be their undoing.

After the tragic plane crash that killed her father as well as her childhood best friend, Kendall dedicated her life to finding and protecting relics. When mysterious, sexy billionaire Nathan Larraby hires her for his latest expedition—the search for four powerful relics —she’s thrown into a world of high-octane danger. He sends brooding mercenary Jake Stone to watch Kendall’s back, but he may have created danger of a different kind.

As the team chases down clues, a man called the Reaper makes a play for the artifacts and will stop at nothing to put them to his own sinister use. What’s worse is that Nathan hasn’t told the whole story, and the dark secrets he’s keeping could cost them the mission…and their lives. Read a chapter excerpt

Didn't think anything could compete with Conner Clan Series, but The Relic Seekers proved me wrong! Really looking forward to book 2! Intriguing characters and setting. I have my guess as to who Nick is and love the feisty  Kendall. Cool castle and secret order with lots of mystery and suspense.

                                                                                                                                                                

If you like shorter, fun reads, check out Misty Evans' Witches Anonymous series.

DANCING WITH THE DEVIL

Misty Evans

One step forward…

Ex-witch Amy Atwood has never wanted anyone the way she wants Lucifer. As she tackles Step 5 of Witches Anonymous—atoning for the sins she committed as his right-hand witch—she may actually land him and the magic-free life she desires.

Two steps back…

But when an ancient curse is revealed, a heavenly force determined to remove Lucifer from her life traps Amy between giving into her love for him and saving the souls of her family and friends.

Will this be the end for Amy and Lucifer?

As the war between good and evil reaches a tipping point, Amy must rely on the devil she knows—and can’t resist—to break the curse and help her redeem the souls she’s damned to spend eternity in Hell. Souls Lucifer has no intention of giving up.   Read an Excerpt…

                                                                                                                                                                      

Read any good books lately? Do share!