Thursday, January 31, 2013

ARC Review: Not Quite Dating by Catherine Bybee

Not Quite Dating
Author: Catherine Bybee
Publication: Montlake Romance (November 13, 2012)

Description: Waitress and single mom Jessica “Jessie” Mann is practical to a fault. Even if she had time to date, which she doesn’t, she’d be determined to provide her son with a more secure upbringing than the one she had—and that would mean a husband with big bucks. When Jack Morrison—a sexy-as-sin, seemingly broke customer with a cowboy hat and a seductive grin—tries to flirt with her, she shoots him down. She doubts a carefree dreamer like Jack can provide the financial stability she needs. Yet with Christmas just weeks away, and Jessie not wanting to spend it alone, the charming Texan is proving hard to resist.

As the heir to the Morrison luxury hotel empire, Jack is used to being fawned over. But Jack needs someone who will fall in love with him—not his wealth. He’s set his sights on Jessie, though her hardened heart just might get in the way…To be sure, he conceals his true identity and offers to help Jessie find the rich husband she seeks. But Jack’s daring charade may rob him of the holiday wish he wants most of all…

My Thoughts: NOT QUITE DATING was an excellent romance. Jack Morrison is tired of having women throw themselves at him because he is a millionaire and the heir to the Morrison hotel chain. When he meets Jessie Mann in a Denny's after a weekend bachelor party with some of his best friends, he falls in love with her honesty even though she is quick to shoot down a guy she sees as a dreamer and drifter.

Jessie has all she can do to support herself and her son Danny. She doesn't have time for a relationship at all. If she did, she would be looking for a rich guy who could ease some of the load she is carrying. Jack wants to be loved for himself. So he decides to lie to Jessie and let her believe that he is just a temporary waiter who might be moving on. 

Jessie does fall for Jack's kindness both to herself and to her son but she isn't going to let herself love a dreamer who will leave her like her high school boyfriend did when he found out she was pregnant and like another boyfriend did who took a month's rent when he left. She tries to date another guy but realizes it won't work when she spends the date comparing him to Jack (and finding him lacking) and then the date caps off the evening by assuming that she is willing to trade sex for dinner. 

When Jack proposes after their first night together, Jessie refuses. She tells him that she is afraid that she and Danny will hold him back from following his dreams and that he will come to regret their relationships. All he hears is the "no" and storms off leaving both of them heartbroken. It takes his sister and hers working behind the scenes to get them to see each other again.

Things get even worse between the two of them when she finds out that he has been lying to her. Even worse, she thinks he is planning to marry another woman. It takes a lot of fast-talking and Texas charm to convince Jessie that Jack wants her forever. I'm not really sure that saying he loves her "more than roaches love sticky buns" would work as well for me as it did for Jessie but it worked for her. 

I recommend this romance for its well-written characters and strong emotions.

Favorite Quote:
Once they slept together, this pseudo friendship would blow up like smoke and Jack would hold onto her as tight as he could. No more misfit dates with lawyers who took her as easy. No more pretending no to care if another man looked at her with desire. Jack Morrison was a good many things, but he didn't share his women, and none had meant as much as Jessie did.
I got this ARC through the Amazon Vine program. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Book Review: Falling for Her Fiance by Cindi Madsen

Falling for Her Fiance
Author: Cindi Madsen
Publication: Entangled Publishing (Bliss) (January 12, 2013)

Description: Danielle and Wes have been best friends since college, so when Wes needs a date for his sister’s wedding and Dani needs a partner for her company’s retreat, they devise the perfect plan: a fake engagement to get through both events unscathed. Adrenaline-junkie Wes can prove to both his ex and his family that he’s well and truly moved on, and serious-minded Dani can prove to her boss that she’s worthy of the promotion he seems to only want to give to a family-oriented employee.

But amid the fake swoons, fake kisses, and forced proximity, neither expects the very real feelings that develop. There’s nothing more dangerous than falling for your best friend…but what if the landing is worth the fall?


My Thoughts: I like the "best friends become lovers" trope and was expecting to enjoy this story. I did... but I did have some trouble with the pacing of the story. It seemed to take at least two-thirds of the book before the romance actually started. Dani and Wes had a great friendship. Each one was the other's best friend. They don't live in the same city but they keep in contact with phone calls and texts. When Dani and knee surgery, Wes dropped everything to be with her. 

Their friendship did take a toll on their relationships with others though. Wes's fiané broke up with him because he put Dani first over her. Dani's relationship with the man she left town with has also broken down. It turns out that both Wes and Dani are comparing anyone they date to their best friend and no one measures up. You would think that would be a clue for each of them to try a romantic relationship with the other. Both of them are afraid to change the parameters of their friendship. He hit on her once while they were in college when they both had had too much to drink. It was a major failure that almost ruined their friendship.

Now Dani needs a fake fiancé at a work retreat because she wants a promotion in this couples friendly company; Wes needs a fake fiancé for his sister's wedding because his ex-fiancé is part of the wedding party. Sounds like it should be easy but neither one thought of the possible consequences. Dani feels guilty about deceiving his family even while she is wishing she really could become a member of it. 

To make matters worse, both Wes and Dani are noticing their best friend in new sexual ways and neither is sure what to do with their new feelings which they are certain are not being returned by the other. It takes a lot of misunderstandings and some great acts of courage before these best friends become fiancés for real which seems to happen in the last couple of pages of the book and which leaves a number of issues unresolved, i.e. where they are going to live and what work each is going to do.

Fans of the "friends into lovers" trope will enjoy this story.

Favorite Quote:
"I'll be your fiancé for the retreat if you'll be mine for Audrey's wedding," Wes said. "I was going to try to find a date, but this would so much better. It'll stop the pity-filled looks, and you know me well enough to pull it off—plus everyone's always suspected we were more than friends anyway. It's the perfect way to show Sophie I've moved on since she dumped me."
I received this book from Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review and as part of the author's blog tour. You can buy your copy here at Amazon or here at Barnes & Noble
About Cindi Madsen: Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children.

Cindi’s Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cindimadsen
Website: http://cindimadsen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CindiMadsenBooks
Blog: http://cindimadsen.blogspot.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17209607-falling-for-her-fiance


Book Info:
ASIN: B00B0P34Z2
Publisher: Entangled Publishing (Bliss)
Publication date: 1/14/2013
Pages: 156

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Teaser Tuesday: Not Quite Dating by Catherine Bybee

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 and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week my teaser comes from Not Quite Dating by Catherine Bybee. I got this ARC from Amazon Vine and it sounds like a good romance. Here is the description:
Waitress and single mom Jessica “Jessie” Mann is practical to a fault. Even if she had time to date, which she doesn’t, she’d be determined to provide her son with a more secure upbringing than the one she had—and that would mean a husband with big bucks. When Jack Morrison—a sexy-as-sin, seemingly broke customer with a cowboy hat and a seductive grin—tries to flirt with her, she shoots him down. She doubts a carefree dreamer like Jack can provide the financial stability she needs. Yet with Christmas just weeks away, and Jessie not wanting to spend it alone, the charming Texan is proving hard to resist.
As the heir to the Morrison luxury hotel empire, Jack is used to being fawned over. But Jack needs someone who will fall in love with him—not his wealth. He’s set his sights on Jessie, though her hardened heart just might get in the way…To be sure, he conceals his true identity and offers to help Jessie find the rich husband she seeks. But Jack’s daring charade may rob him of the holiday wish he wants most of all…
Teaser:
As if calculated for effect, Jack allowed a slow and delicious smile, complete with dimples, to spread over his face. A smile meant only for her.

Smiles like that should come with a warning label.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Jan. 28, 2013)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.


I had a good reading week this past week. With the new semester, I decided to start listing the books I read to, with, and for my elementary classes. This week you can find that post here which talks about the ten picture books I read.

Here is my other reading. This week everything was a book I received for review.
Shattered Souls by Delilah Devlin was an urban fantasy/paranormal romance that I chose from the Amazon Vine program. It will be released on Jan. 29. I enjoyed the characters and the rekindled romance. You can read my review here.

The Last Station Master: A Boy, A Terrorist, A Secret, and Trouble by S.A.M. Posey was a fun, exciting middle grade adventure story that is sort of a modernized House of Dies Drear. I liked the characters and thought middle graders would enjoy the fast pace and the adventure. My review will be posted on Jan. 31 just prior to this book's Feb. 1 release.
Othermoon by Nina Berry is her second book in this series about shapeshifters. I enjoyed this one. I liked the main character Dez. Her strength is her weakness as she is so confident that she doesn't let others in on her plans which causes her relationship with her boyfriend to end. This one is for older YAs. I think they will like the adventure and be sympathetic to Dez when her romance fails. My review is here for this Jan. 29 release.

I got Falling for Her Fiancé by Cindi Madsen for review from Entangled Publishing. I will be reviewing it on Wednesday as part of the blog tour for the book. I thought it was all right. The characters were interesting people. But I thought the pacing of the book was a little uneven. So much time was spent convincing us that both characters were afraid to try to change their friendship into a romance that the ending felt rushed to me. Look for my review on Jan 30.
I am currently reading Not Quite Dating by Catherine Bybee. I got this contemporary romance ARC from the Amazon Vine program. I am enjoying the story so far but am worried about what will happen when the heroine learns that the hero has been lying to her all along. He is a millionaire whose family owns the hotel where she thinks he is a waiter.

Next Week is another all review book week. Here are the books on the top of the stack.
Young Adult Books
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer is next. This is the second book in her Lunar Chronicles series and will be released on Feb. 5. I loved Cinder and can't wait to read this one.

Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black is a mystery that I got from NetGalley. It looks like it might have some paranormal elements too. It will be released on Feb. 12.

I got Hattie Ever After by Kirby Larson from NetGalley too. It is the sequel to Newbery Honor book Hattie Big Sky and is historical fiction. It will also be released on Feb. 12.
Adult Books
I got The Spanish Revenge by Allan Topol from Meryl Moss Media Relations. I have read another thriller by this author. This book was released last September.

I chose The Buckhorn Legacy by Lori Foster from the Amazon Vine catalog on the strength of the author's name. As best I can tell this is a retitled, re-released book that was called Casey in 2002. I haven't ever read the series and will be interested to see how the story holds up. I do know I have more Buckhorn books on my Kindle too.

Along with a stack of picture books, these are my plans for the week. What do you have planned?

Stacking the Shelves (Jan. 27, 2013)



Tynga of Tynga's Reviews has a meme to spotlight the books we receive each week. Visit her site to check out the linky and see what everyone gets. I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow.
This week I added 10 Kindle books to my stack. First, I got these books for Review:
I received an email invitation to Minotaur Books (St. Martins Press) Early Reviewer program. They are working through NetGalley which made it easy to download these to my Kindle. They had these two thrillers which sounded interesting. 

Rage Against the Dying by Becky Masterson features a 59-year-old retired FBI agent turned PI. It will be released on March 12. 

The Caretaker by A. X. Ahmad "brings to life a new breed of hero in Ranjit Singh: sexy, strong, and a newcomer to American soil searching for his place." This book will be released on May 21.
I also got two new titles this week from Entangled Publishing. Lycan Unleashed by Tiffany Allee is an urban fantasy/paranormal romance that was released on Jan. 13. Stone Cole Revenge by Jess Macallan is the long-awaited second book in her Set in Stone Trilogy. 
I was also contacted this week by Amber Polo who asked if I would like to read and review her books. When she said they had dogs, books, libraries, and werewolves, I had to say yes. She sent me Released (The Shapeshifters' Library) which is book one and Retrieved (The Shapeshifters' Library) which is book two. She says she is working on book three. 

I added some more books to my Kindle too.
California Sunset by Casey Dawes was a Kindle Deal of the Day. It sounded like an interesting contemporary romance.

I also bought One Perfect Night by Bella Andre because I became a big fan of her work after finishing her Sullivan series. I want to read everything she has written.
Speaking of Bella Andre...these were free. Candy Store by Bella Andre and Love Me by Bella Andre are also contemporary romances.

What did you add to your stack this week? Leave me a link. I'd love to check out your haul.

Saturday, January 26, 2013

ARC Review: Shattered Souls by Delilah Devlin

Shattered Souls (A Caitlyn O'Connell Novel)
Author: Delilah Devlin
Publication: Montlake Romance (January 29, 2013)

Description: From popular author Delilah Devlin comes the unforgettable heroine, Caitlyn O’Connell—a psychic ex-cop who’s hell-bent on redemption.

Caitlyn O’Connell had it all: a career with the Memphis PD, a passionate marriage, and the satisfaction that her work made a difference in the world. But she also had a secret, a supernatural “gift” that cost her everything. Now she scrapes by as a private investigator, taking cases the cops won’t touch and counting down the minutes until happy hour.

But when Sam Pierce, her former partner and estranged ex-husband, comes to her for help with a bizarre murder case, Cait can’t say no. And not just because Sam is still as irresistibly sexy as he was on the day they met. Something sinister—and demonic—is terrorizing Memphis, leaving a bloody trail of bodies and clues only Cait can read. Together she and Sam will venture into a dark world of magic and unholy terror, hunting a killer who will lead them to the brink of reality as they know it—and back into the thrall of their stormy past. Steamy and suspenseful, Shattered Souls is the pulse-quickening new offering from fan favorite romance author Delilah Devlin.

My Thoughts: This urban fantasy was as hot as its Memphis setting. Main character Caitlyn O'Connell is the daughter of a witch and a cop. After the death's of her parents she decided to give up magic and follow her father's footsteps into the police force. But magic isn't so easily set aside. Cait drinks to mute the voices she can't help hearing. Her alcohol use cost her her job and her marriage. 

Now her ex-husband Sam Pierce has come to her because there is a case that might involve her. Her former partner has disappeared from a blood-soaked hotel room. He doesn't want to get involved with her again. Between the alcohol and the secrets she was determined to keep from him, he has lost his trust in her. However, the attraction (and the love) isn't so easy to lose. 

The missing person case soon becomes a murder case and has some paranormal elements that force Cait to go back to the magic she tried to leave behind her. With Sam along to see this world he didn't know about, Cait and Sam have to depend on each other to solve the case. At first they both believe that they will be able to walk away when the case is over. They are wrong.

This was an intense, emotional story with lots of hot love scenes and a really creep villain. Urban fantasy fans will enjoy it very much.

Favorite Quote:
Cait didn't like graveyards. They were too damn noisy.

The staticky hum began even before she'd parked the car inside Edgemont Cemetery's gates. Spirits clamored, eager to connect. But her creaky "Spidey sense" tingled, telling her the ghosts of the departed weren't the only phantoms there. From the moment she'd stepped out of the car, she'd felt an eerie, heavy presence.
I received the ARC through the Amazon Vine Program. You can buy your copy here.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Friday Memes: Shattered Souls by Delilah Devlin


Happy Friday everybody!
Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Rose City Reader. The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice. Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

This week I am featuring Shattered Souls (A Caitlyn O'Connell Novel) by Delilah Devlin. I got this ARC from Amazon Vine. The book will be released on Jan. 29. Here is the description:
From popular author Delilah Devlin comes the unforgettable heroine, Caitlyn O’Connell—a psychic ex-cop who’s hell-bent on redemption.

Caitlyn O’Connell had it all: a career with the Memphis PD, a passionate marriage, and the satisfaction that her work made a difference in the world. But she also had a secret, a supernatural “gift” that cost her everything. Now she scrapes by as a private investigator, taking cases the cops won’t touch and counting down the minutes until happy hour.

But when Sam Pierce, her former partner and estranged ex-husband, comes to her for help with a bizarre murder case, Cait can’t say no. And not just because Sam is still as irresistibly sexy as he was on the day they met. Something sinister—and demonic—is terrorizing Memphis, leaving a bloody trail of bodies and clues only Cait can read. Together she and Sam will venture into a dark world of magic and unholy terror, hunting a killer who will lead them to the brink of reality as they know it—and back into the thrall of their stormy past. Steamy and suspenseful, Shattered Souls is the pulse-quickening new offering from fan favorite romance author Delilah Devlin.
Beginning:
Mama was making a spell again.
Friday 56:
"Damn shame. He was a good cop. He didn't deserve this."

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Book Review: Luck of the Draw by Kelley Vitollo

Luck of the Draw
Author: Kelley Vitollo
Publication: Entangled Publishing (Bliss) (January 13, 2013)

Description: Rowan McKinley isn’t looking for one wild night while vacationing in Vegas, but she gets it anyway when she meets professional poker player—and professional ladies’ man—Breck Wilder. Breck’s easygoing charm and lighthearted banter draw in the reserved Rowan, and though she’s always dreamed of the kind of forever love her best friends Sidney and Kade share, she’ll settle for one night with the charismatic player.

After their crazy one-night stand, Breck never expected to see the mysterious redhead again. So when he shows up at a Shamrock Falls B&B looking to get away for a few weeks and Rowan answers the door, he’s floored. Breck’s rolling-stone lifestyle and ill-fated history with women means he’s not interested in anything long-term. But the longer he stays at the B&B, the more he considers dropping the poker face and putting all his cards on the table…for Rowan.


My Thoughts: Rowan is in Las Vegas for a convention before she goes home to Shamrock Falls to open her bed and breakfast. She is feeling a little lost and lonely since she was supposed to meet her brother and her stood her up. When Breck Wilder, a professional poker player, tries to pick her up, she is very uninterested but strangely charmed by this handsome guy who can make her laugh. One thing lead to another and they end up in bed together. Rowan sneaks out after they make love planning never to see him again and wondering what she was thinking.

As is the case in romance novels, Breck shows up at her B & B when he needs to get away from it all. Seems he went to college with one of Rowan's friends from town and get a recommendation from him about a place to stay. The first thing Rowan does when she sees him is faint. He is very much the gentleman and insists she see a doctor.

Rowan is surprised to learn that she is going to have a baby and just doesn't know how she will tell Breck. When she feels him out, she quickly learns that he has no interest in settling down, having a relationship or ever having kids. This leaves Rowan with quite a dilemma which becomes even more complicated when they spend time together and begin to fall in love. Falling in love makes Rowan feel guilty and makes Breck confused. He isn't about to take a chance on love since he was betrayed by the woman he married when he was nineteen.

The dialog was witty. The relationships were well-written. Rowan is lonely and feels a little jealous that her friends in town are building their own relationships. I liked the friendships between the characters. Rowan had a lot more support than she thought she had as witnessed by the number of people who warned Breck not the break her heart.

This was a quick read. It was fast-paced, filled with emotion, and not at all explicit. Romance readers will enjoy meeting Breck and Rowan and watching them work out their relationship.

Favorite Quote:
"What? I'm crushed. You think that's a line?" Mr. Smooth sat down. "I must not be doing something right."

"Do you need me to write you a list?" If he were going to make himself comfortable with her, he'd have to deal with her mood.
I received this book from Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

WoW: Wild Invitation by Nalini Singh

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This is where we can post our links and see what books others are waiting for. It spotlights upcoming releases.

I am eager to read Wild Invitation by Nalini Singh which will be released on March 5. Here is the description:
A PSY-CHANGELING COLLECTION BY NALINI SINGH 

Experience the explosive series hailed by #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan as "a must-read for all my fans." 

In Beat of Temptation, innocent Tamsyn has always had a place in her heart for Nathan, a blooded DarkRiver sentinel. But is she ready for the fierce demands of the mating bond? 

In Stroke of Enticement, a wary young teacher, skeptical about love, arouses the man--and the animal--in an aggressive leopard changeling who must prove his affections are true. 

Plus NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED 

In Declaration of Courtship, Grace, a shy submissive wolf, finds herself pursued by the last man she ever would have imagined: a SnowDancer lieutenant said to be "mad, bad, and dangerous to know." 

Plus NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED 

In Texture of Intimacy, SnowDancer healer Lara discovers the searing joys--and unexpected challenges--of being mated to quiet, powerful Walker, a man used to keeping his silence.
I will overcome my prejudice for shorter fiction in order to read these stories. Besides, just look at those abs...

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Luck of the Draw Blog Tour - Author Interview

I am pleased to have Kelley Vitollo, author of Luck of the Draw, here with me today on her blog tour. She was kind enough to agree to answer some questions.

As a Writer:

When did you begin writing and how did you learn to be a writer? 
I’ve always liked writing. I won an essay contest in elementary school. It’s something I had to work at, as I got older though. I took a class. I wrote many, many books before landing agents or anything like that.

Who are your writing influences? 
I love Lucy Monroe, Lori Foster and Erin Mccarthy.

Where do you write? 
I write a lot at Barnes and Noble. I love writing around books. Or I have a desk at home.

Do you do your writing on paper or on the computer? 
Computer, though when I outline I do it on paper.

Where does a book begin for you? A character, an idea, a scene? 
It depends on the story. Some start with a character, some a place. It varies.

Are you a plotter or a “pantser”? 
I’m a mixture. I always start a book just writing. Then about halfway through I need to plot out the rest.

I have been hearing lately of authors who make scrapbooks or collages about books they are writing. Do you do anything like that? 
I don’t, but it’s a great idea!

As a Reader:

What books have most influenced your life? 
I loved CS Lewis as a kid. As an adult, nothing makes me feel better, than a feel good romance.

What is the first book you remember reading by yourself? 
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.

What are you reading right now? 
I’m reading Edge of Dawn by Lara Adrian

Random Silliness:

Favorite writing beverage? water
Crayons or markers? markers
Summer or winter? Winter (as long as I’m home in SoCal)
Dogs or cats? Both! But we only have a dog

Thanks, Kelley! 
Everyone should be sure to check out Luck of the Draw for a fun romance. Here is the description:
Rowan McKinley isn’t looking for one wild night while vacationing in Vegas, but she gets it anyway when she meets professional poker player—and professional ladies’ man—Breck Wilder. Breck’s easygoing charm and lighthearted banter draw in the reserved Rowan, and though she’s always dreamed of the kind of forever love her best friends Sidney and Kade share, she’ll settle for one night with the charismatic player.

After their crazy one-night stand, Breck never expected to see the mysterious redhead again. So when he shows up at a Shamrock Falls B&B looking to get away for a few weeks and Rowan answers the door, he’s floored. Breck’s rolling-stone lifestyle and ill-fated history with women means he’s not interested in anything long-term. But the longer he stays at the B&B, the more he considers dropping the poker face and putting all his cards on the table…for Rowan.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Jan. 21, 2013)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I read three review books last week. They were very different from each other but each was excellent in its own way.
Luck of the Draw by Kelley Vitollo was a very engaging contemporary romance with characters I quickly learned to love. My review will be posted on Jan. 24.

Ever After by Kim Harrison is the newest in her Rachel Morgan series. I thought it was fast-paced and filled with exciting adventures, heart-breaking loss, and moral dilemmas. Fans of the series will certainly not want to miss this one. My review is here.

Black Ice by Andrew Lane is the third book in his Young Sherlock Holmes series. Lane expertly plants the seeds of the adult Sherlock Holmes in this action-packed adventure that kept me glued to the pages. My review is here
I am currently reading Othermoon by Nina Berry which is her sequel to Otherkin and tells the story of a group of shape-shifting kids who have to defeat an evil organization that wants to destroy all shape-shifters. This one has adventure and romance.

As usual, I have quite a stack for next week. Most of them are from my review piles. Here are the adult choices:
I have Falling for Her Fiancé by Cindi Madsen for review from Entangled Publishing. My review of this contemporary romance will be part of the blog tour for the book.

Shattered Souls by Delilah Devlin is an Amazon Vine book. Her is the part of the blurb that convinced me that I needed to read this one—"a psychic ex-cop who’s hell-bent on redemption."
Two more Amazon Vine picks are also waiting in the wings for me. The Buckhorn Legacy by Lori Foster and Not Quite Dating by Catherine Bybee should fit in really well with my current craze—contemporary romance.

On the young adult side, I actually have a chance to pick something from my TBR stack for my next book and I don't know what it will be yet. After that, I start reading review books again. I was working on my blog calendars yesterday slotting in review books. Every possible slot is filled through March 23 on my YA blog. It makes it easy to know what to read next even as it eliminates any spontaneity in book choices. Luckily, my adult blog's calendar is much less full. 

Here are the next YA review books:
The Last Station Master: A Boy, A Terrorist, A Secret, and Trouble by S. A. M. Posey was sent to me by the author. I will finally get a chance to read it before it is released on Feb. 1.

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer is also nearing the top of my TBR stack. I have been eager to read this one since I finished Cinder. It will be released on Feb. 5.

Monday is a work day at school since we have just ended the first semester. I will be busy planning for a whole new group of students. This time I will have fifth graders, third graders, and the other half of first and second grade. I am excited to see them all but not ready yet. Tomorrow will be the day I get organized and block out my lesson plan calendars.

What is your plan for next week? Did you read anything that I need to add to my TBR mountain?

Book Review: Come A Little Bit Closer by Bella Andre

Come a Little Bit Closer
Author: Bella Andre
Publication: Oak Press, LLC (November 27, 2012)

Description: In COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER, the new book in Bella Andre’s New York Times and USA Today bestselling series about the Sullivan family, movie star Smith Sullivan can't afford any distractions. He's staking his entire reputation on his new film...but he can't stop thinking about Valentina Landon and the fire he sees smoldering just beneath the surface.

Valentina isn't averse to sensual pleasure, or even to the idea of finding true love, but as a Hollywood business manager she's watched too many smart women fall for actors...only to be torn apart when the fairytale comes to its inevitable end.

But when intense weeks together on set turn their heated attraction into red-hot flames of passion, Smith knows he has to find a way to convince Valentina to let him get a little bit closer. Close enough to completely steal her heart...the way she's stolen his from the start.


My Thoughts: It is time for superstar actor Smith Sullivan to have his romance. Of course, he falls in love with a woman who wants absolutely nothing to do with actors. Valentina is the business manager for her sister Tatiana who is a young actress acting opposite Smith in the movie he is starring in, wrote, is directing and producing. She also watched her mother fall in love with a string of actors after her father died. Each one managed to break her mother's heart before moving on. 

Smith wasn't looking for love. All he has to do for his new movie is keeping him busy enough. However, Valentina is just what he has been waiting for. She is beautiful, smart, funny, and fiercely loyal to her sister. He knows that Valentina is perfect for him but has to work very hard to convince her. She is very reluctantly attracted to him too but is not eager to take a chance on loving an actor. 

I loved seeing Smith and Valentina interact. The love scenes were spicy and packed with emotion. I even loved the scenes from the movie that were interspersed into the story. And I especially loved catching up with all of the other Sullivans that I had met in previous books. This time Sophie has her twin babies!

This whole series has been a fantastic read. I love the strong family relationships in all of the books. Valentina's relationship with her sister Tatiana contrasts with her strained relationship with her mother. I liked that she and her mother had a chance to reconnect in this story. I can hardly wait for Lori's story to be published. 

For heart-warming and spicy romances, one can't do better than these books. All the Sullivans are well worth spending time with.

Favorite Quote:
His entire adult life, when Smith had seen something he wanted, he'd taken it. In many cases, it was given to him before he even had to reach for it. But he knew without a doubt that Valentina wasn't like anything else he'd ever wanted: If he wanted her to trust him, he'd have to earn that trust moment by moment, truth by truth, smile by smile. 
I am part of Novel Publicity's whirlwind tour for Bella Andre's Sullivan Series and received all seven books in ebook format in exchange for an honest review. You can buy your copy here. You can also enter to win some great prizes here:
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Stacking the Shelves (Jan. 20, 2013)



Tynga of Tynga's Reviews has a meme to spotlight the books we receive each week. Visit her site to check out the linky and see what everyone gets. I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow.

This week I added 8 books to my stack. Four were books for review and four were purchased.

Review books:

I received two ebooks from Entangled Publishing. These are two new romances in their Bliss line. I got Luck of the Draw by Kelley Vitollo and Falling for Her Fiancé by Cindi Madsen. Both of these books were released on January 13.
Kendra Elliot asked me if I wanted to read Buried which is the third book in her Bone Secrets series. I had read the first two through Amazon Vine and really enjoyed them. This book will be released on March 26.

I am a big fan of Suzanne Brockmann and especially her Troubleshooters series. When I saw Headed for Trouble available at NetGalley I had to request it even though I am not a big fan of short stories. This book will be released on April 30.

Purchased:
 I am still having trouble resisting Amazon's Daily Kindle Deals. This week I bought Blood Maidens by Barbara Hambly for $1.99 after I checked my keepers shelves and found that I had the first two books in this vampire series on the shelf.

Faerie by Delle Jacobs was only $.99 and sounded intriguing with its combination of historical fiction and fantasy.
Smitten Image by Pam B. Morris combines magic with a futuristic setting and was also a $.99 deal for my Kindle.

Finally, I purchased Lucky Break by Kelley Vitollo for my Kindle because it is a companion story to Luck of the Draw which I will be reviewing soon. While not a $.99 Kindle book, I thought the $2.99 price was still a bargain.

I do consider it something of a win this week for my TBR pile because all of the books I bought are for my Kindle and are not being added to my over-crowded shelves. What did you add to your TBR stack this week?