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  • Elaine Radley

    I just got back from my vacation to Springfield, Massachusetts.  Had a good time at Six Flags New England.  I also had a cute cabana boy at my disposal.

    Anyway, yesterday I bought me a new toy….Galaxy Note 3 10.1 Tablet.     I am using it now to write this post.   Loving it!

    Last week I received a request for a book review.  The book is Friendly Temptation by Elaine Radley.  

    “Ever since Katherine Ainsley’s divorce, a hazy line has emerged in her relationship with best friend Dominic Corvalis—one teetering between companionship and lust. When he proposes a dare, she rises to the challenge, even after she finds herself in a place she’s never imagined. Besides, Dom is there to support and tease, and the sexual tension percolating beneath their naughty errand is simply too tempting to resist. Perhaps they are meant to be more than just friends. She’ll never know until she pushes him across that line…and into the bedroom.”

    This is a novella.  Short but sweet.  I have to admit I had to look up what an ankh was.  I would have liked to know more about their relationship.  I have more questions than answers, but I did enjoy it.  I can give this book ♥♥♥.

    Ciao  ~*Karen*~



  • Kate Angell & Books Books Books!!!

    First, when I weighed in at Weight Watchers on Monday, I lost 2.6 pounds!  Woot Woot!!!  Total lost is 23 pounds.

    Second, this week I read most of Kate Angell‘s bookshelf.  I read her series Richmond Rogues.  This series rotates through the starting line-up of the Richmond Rogues baseball team.  While each book concentrates on one main “Rogue”, Ms. Angell does begin to introduce the other players and their stories.  Often she goes back and forth from the main characters to their supporting ones.  I really didn’t mind this but some readers might not like the back and forth.  Reminds me of when I used to watch Days of Our Lives back in the day. Another thing I enjoyed is that you get his & hers point of view, often going back and forth.   

    Starting lineup of the Richmond Rogues:

    25 – Right Field – Cody “Psycho” McMillan
    18 – Catcher – Chase “Chaser” Tallan
    11 – Third Base – Jesse “Romeo” Bellisaro
    21 – Center Field – Richard “Risk” Kinkaid
      7 – Short Stop – Zen Driscoll
    15 – First Base – Rhaden Dunn
    46 – Left Field – Kason Rhodes
      1 – Second Base – James Lawless
    53 – Pitcher – Brek Stryker

    Here is the reading order for the Richmond Rogues Series (The “main” characters of each book are in parentheses):

    1     Squeeze Play (Risk Kincaid)
    2     Curveball (Cody McMillan)
    3     Strike Zone (Brek Stryker)
    4     Sliding Home (Jesse Bellisaro):  
    4.5  Ho, Humbug, Ho (Alex Boxer)
    5     Sweet Spot (James Lawless)

    All in all I liked this series.  I did get emotionally involved in each story and got to know all the characters really well.  My favorite character is definitely Psycho, what can I say I like bad boys.  These stories are on the more conservative side of what I usually read, but still have good sex scenes.

    If you are on the beach and don’t know what to read and are afraid of little eyes reading from behind your beach chair, then The Richmond Rogue Series is for your.  I give this series ❤❤❤½.

                                                   **********************

    I am currently reading the Love the CEO boxset that I purchased on Amazon for $.99.  I figured 5 books for less than a dollar is a good deal.  So far I am enjoying the books.  I am on the third of five.  After I read the Richmond Rogue Series I did also read Ms. Angell’s Barefoot Willima Series books.  So far there are only two and they are written in the same manner as the Richmond Rogues.

    What is on my bookshelf waiting to be read?

    The Christmas Cottage by Samantha Chase
    Ever After by Samantha Chase
    Gideon by Joyee Flynn
    Well Rocked by Clara Bayard
    One Night Stand by Clara Bayard
    Three Wishes by G.A. Hauser
    Powerful Awakening by Tonya Ramagos
    The entire Service Club Series by Tonya Ramagos
    The entire Heros of Silver Springs Series by Tonya Ramagos
    A Touch of Midnight by Lara Adrian
    Always Been You by Jess Buffett
    In a Cowboy’s Bed by Cat Johnson, Vonna Harper & Lynn LaFleur

    I do believe I have other books that were pre-ordered that will arrived on my Kindle on Monday and Tuesday of next week.  That should give me plenty to read until then.  However, if you are an author, or you represent an author, and wish me to review your book either ARC or current, please email me at [email protected].

    Ciao!……~*Karen*~

  • Lainey Reese & Melissa Johns

    In the last 24 hours, I have read 5 books.  Yes believe it or not, I did!  I have like 5 loads of laundry to fold and put away and yesterday, I was so engrossed in my books, everything else was forgotten.  

    Book One  Innocence Defied  by Lainey Reese

    “Gage Hollister is a Southern Dom looking for a full time sub/slave.  When his family’s business brings him to New York City for an indefinite stay, he decides that now is the time to find her.  Night after night he prowls the local BDSM club in search of a woman whose need to be dominated equals his thirst for true submission. As the search drags on he begins to wonder if his perfect match even exists.  When he is asked to play chaperone for a family friend embarking on her first trip as an adult; he welcomes the chance for distraction from his thus far fruitless endeavor.  

    Zoe Marshall is the youngest sister to Gage’s best friend and she has been in love with Gage for as long as she can remember.  She has saved herself for him and him alone.  Now, after careful planning and a bit of luck she finally has her opportunity to show Gage that she’s all grown up and ready to be his. Although he believes himself too old and jaded for an innocent like her, Zoe will not relent until she belongs to him in every way.  

    Soon Gage’s resistance crumbles and Zoe’s dreams become reality but their budding love is tested when her brother discovers them.  As those bonds of friendship strain under betrayal and broken trust, Zoe is confronted with having to choose between the man she loves and the brother she worships. Will having the love of her man cost her the love of her family?  If so, is her heart strong enough to survive that loss? Is their love?”

    This is Ms. Reese’s third book in her New York Series.  And….OMG all I am gonna say is HOT!!!!!  I wanted to be Zoe sooo badly.  The passion alone had me turning pages faster than Dale, Jr. in the Daytona 500!  Gage is a badass Dom with a heart of gold.  To me, like a teddy bear.  But, dayum……he pushed everyone of my sub tendencies.   The only negative about this is Zoe’s nickname…”Ooops”.  I kept waiting for Gage to finally say that he would never call her Ooops again because one thing she wasn’t was a mistake, but that never happend.  

    All in all, this book was intriguing  and, did I mention how HOT it was?!   This book is definitely  one of the best BDSM love stories I have ever read, and I have read alot of them.  Perhaps Evan can be next Ms. Reese?  

    A definite ❤❤❤❤❤ from me!

    Book 2: Ice Dreams: Part 1 by  Melissa Johns

    Madison Sinclair is the sister of the well known Canadian hockey player, Carter Sinclair. She was forced to grow up in his shadow because he was born and raised to be a hockey player and their parents wouldn’t allow anyone to stand in his way, including Madison. Because of the family drama, she missed out on all the important stuff that a young teenage girl should experience in her life which included dances, boys, sleepovers and even her first kiss.  Once Carter was in the midst of his career, he realized the mistakes from his childhood and worked on improving his relationship with Madison. She couldn’t have been happier when he asked her to visit him and his fiancée, Alicia, in the States.  

    Once she arrived, she was introduced to Hunter Longo, Carter’s best friend and teammate. There was chemistry between them the moment they saw each other but would she be able to get through her insecurities in order to get closer to him?

    Everyone warned her to take things slow but would she be able to when her heart was calling the shots?

    This book had me crying.  Such an endearing and tender love story.  There is no real big love scene, but you can still feel the passion there.  I literally felt bad for Madison.  I felt like I really was learning things with her.  I could feel the connection between her and Hunter right away.  I love big tough guys that are just big teddy bears.  They are my ultimate weakness, and Hunter is one of them.  

    I am looking forward to the second part of this book. I give this book ❤❤❤❤❤ 

    Books 3, 4, & 5:  First Love, Everlasting Love & Forever Love By Melissa Johns

    Before I give the excerpts from each book I need to point out that the biggest compliment I can give an author after I read their first book, is to go back and read the rest of their bookshelf.  Melissa definitely hooked me in with Iced Dreams and I wanted to see more.  

    These three books take you on a love journey from the very beginning to the HEA!  But to get there…….again I cried.  My husband even asked me if I was crying, and I said simply….”my book”.  Of course he rolled his eyes and left the room.  I felt like I was watching a movie or a really good soap opera.  I normally wait till after the excerpts before I give my rating, but I will make an exception here.  I give the Now & Forever Series  ❤❤❤❤.  I know, if I liked it so much why only 4 hearts.  Remember these are Ms. Johns first books.  You can tell how she grows as a writer through them.  The books are all first person point of view and I would have like to have known more what Eric was thinking.  Perhaps what he was going through while at college.  You can say that the fifth heart was left at college with Eric.  (I know….Lame but I am mushy and lame and proud of it!)

    Here are the excerpts from the books:

    Forever Love:  “Emily Stone has moved from her life in Texas to start over in New York. She left her friends and her father behind to be closer to her mother. She just wants to find happiness and maybe a few friends but when Eric Mason enters her life, she knows she wants more. 

    Eric has been raised to be a professional quarterback. His father has a plan and Eric isn’t allowed to stray off his path but the first day of his senior year, his eyes find Emily and he knows he won’t be the same again. 
    Struggling to keep a balance between school work, football and a social life, they find themselves falling in love with each other until the night of the Senior Prom when she learns the truth that Eric has been keeping secret from her. Will their love be able to remain strong?
    Follow the paths of two different souls as they figure out the world together and find out what their future holds.”


    Everlasting Love:  “Emily Stone & Eric Mason are engaged and having their first child. This should be a happy and wonderful time for them. But, the challenges of staying in college, Eric’s upcoming football career and Emily’s dream of being an artist are starting to take a toll on them and their families.

    When Alex Smith, the local museum curator is introduced to Emily, she notices an instant attraction to him. He’s handsome, debonair and shows her the attention that she is craving for since Eric has been caught up in his instant fame & popularity. Will they be able to resist the temptation?”


    Forever Love:  “Emily and Eric tried to tolerate everything that was thrown at them but they couldn’t survive it. They both made mistakes that lead their paths to take different directions. Emily found comfort in the arms of her friend, Alex. He was what she needed and he was trying to help her achieve her dreams of being an artist. 

    Eric had been drafted into the pros and was moving to Denver without his family. He was struggling to find his way and when opportunity presented itself, he had to take it.
    But when tragedy hit, Emily was faced with a decision that she needed to make and she knew that there could be consequences.  Will Emily and Eric find their way back to each other or will Alex steal her heart for good? ”


    According to Ms. Johns’ website, the fourth books in the Now & Forever Series is currently being written and I can’t wait to read it.


    ************

    At, about 3am this morning I started to read a sixth book and I finally said, I have to go to bed.  Want to know what I am reading now?  Follow me on Twitter!  

    I found these to graphics on Facebook and I wanted to say that “I resemble that remark!”

    Photo: :) ~ Dee

    Ciao!    ~*Karen*~

  • Cougar Needs

    Today, I read one of my favorite author’s newest books.  That author is Cooper McKenzie.  Like many of the authors I have read, I have read almost all of Ms. McKenzie’s books and I couldn’t wait to read the second book in her Cougarlicious Series.  Here is the blurb from Cougar Needs:

    Cougar Needs (MF)
    “During her girls-only weekend with her two best friends, Stacy Covey states she needs a hero who can love her and whom she can trust with her heart, body, and soul. Months later, when her car is vandalized in front of her house, she calls the police, not realizing that, with that one phone call, her life would change forever.


    Police sergeant and cougar shifter KJ Katz has just about given up on finding his mate, until he arrives at the scene of a car break-in. As he approaches the house, he realizes that the mate he has been looking for all his adult life is inside.
    After being hurt so many times in the past, will she let him into her future? Will she let him be her hero? Will he have a problem because she is eight years older than he is?”
    Now I need to tell you that I didn’t just read Cougar Needs.  In fact, I reread the first book in the series, Cougar Wants, and then I read Cougar Needs.  I spent the whole day today reading.  When a new book in a series releases, I love to read the series from book 1 to current book.  Keeps everything fresh in my head this way.  I feel like I am watching  my favorite show on my DVR and have the next already to watch also.
    I did enjoy reading Cougar Wants, but I enjoyed Cougar Needs even more. I love books about damsels in distress and the white knights who come to their rescue.  In this book, we do learn a little more how being mated to cougar shifter affects a human.  We find out why Stacy is fated to KJ….in my head, because only a shifter could make her feel safe and truly loved.
    Cougar Needs is a classic tale of a woman who has had a terrible past that breaks her and the man (or shifter) that can put her together again.  The only fault I can see in this book is one I find in many…..it is too short!  I wanted more of Stacy and KJ!  

    I give Cougar Needs ❤❤❤❤!

    I cannot wait for Gwen’s Book Ms. McKenzie. Especially when the men all meet at the get together and how the ladies all react to it.


    Ciao….~*Karen*~