Saturday, November 29, 2014

Second Sentence Saturday: No More Bad Girls


SECOND SENTENCE SATURDAY is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jess of From Me to You ... Video, Photography, & Book Reviews. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

  • Grab the novel/novella your currently reading
  • Open to the first page of Chapter 1 or its Prologue
  • Share the SECOND sentence from that page
  • Share the novel/novella's title & its author, so that other participants can add that novel to their TBR Lists if they want



MY Second Sentence Saturday :

"No More Bad Girls" [within New Year's Resolution: Romance!] by Leslie Kelly

Hearing one of the most dangerous-to-answer questions ever voiced--right up there with Does this make me look fat?--Lex Rollins frowned.



PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT to share either the link to your own SECOND SENTENCE SATURDAY post or share the sentence in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thank You!

Thursday, November 27, 2014

The Books I'm Thankful For (so far) in 2014

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!

In tradition (well mine at least) of today being Thanksgiving Day, here is a list of ALL the books I've read thus far this year (and have given my highest ratings to), which means I'm VERY Thankful for finding/reading them!! So, here you go (listed in the order of when I read them this year):
  1. "The Summer I Found You" by Jolene Perry: 5 out of 5 stars!! Two people meet and help each other during difficult times in their lives, while unintentionally falling for one another.

    Kind of a NC-17 type of YA novel or rather somewhere in between YA and NA genres, I found this novel to be fun, intense, touching, and romantic! Kate and Aiden's relationship isn't one that either expected or wanted right away but it turns into a relationship that both are hard pressed to giving up, no matter what anyone thinks. With their "disabilities," they are able to sympathize with each other and in turn end up helping each other in more ways then one! [Read more of Jess' Review and a Teaser for this book HERE]

  2. "Unmasking Juliet" by Teri Wilson: 5 out of 5 stars! Based off of a classic play this novel has turned into a classic for me! However, instead of being a tragedy like its predecessor it's an entertaining romantic contemporary comedy that allows you to root for Leo & Juliet while throwing you into the middle of a generational chocolate war. [Read more of Jess' Review and TWO Teasers for this book HERE]



  3. "Play" [Stage Dive Series, Book 2] by Kylie Scott: 5 out of 5 stars!! Wow! It had been a while since I read "Lick," book 1 of this series, that I completely forgot how much I LOVE Malcolm!!! So much so, that I finished reading this almost 300 page book in one day, which is usually hard for me to do while still looking after my 5 month old and 3 year old children. [Read more of Jess' Review and THREE Teasers for this book HERE]


  4. "A Season of Change" [Seasons of Pinecraft Series, Book 1] by Lynette Sowell: 5 out of 5 stars!! This engaging novel will win you over with it's compelling story, about what your faith really means to you and what you're willing to change about yourself or possibly give up so you can openly love the person your falling for. I really liked how this novel gives you a different look into Amish romance while being as accurate, as can be, about some of the struggles that the Amish have to deal with if they happen to fall in love with someone not of their religion.

    I really LOVED all of the characters, even Betsy though she annoyed me at times. [Read more of Jess' Review and THREE Teasers for this book HERE]

  5. "Silver Wolf Clan" [Silver Wolf Clan Series, Book 1] by Tera Shanley: 5 out of 5 stars!!! Oh my goodness, I LOVED this novel!! In truth, I liked the Author’s Book Description and the name of the title, yet neither really applied to what this novel is about since I was thrown for a loop finding out it’s a whole lot more!!

    Grey gets Changed when defending a woman who is trying to save her sister and niece against a monster in the forest. [Read more of Jess' Review and TWO Teasers for this book HERE]

  6. "Since You've Been Gone" by Anouska Knight: 5 out of 5 stars!!! WOW ... just, wow. Throughout reading this novel I expected to see it take many different turns, but I never expected to be so enraptured that I'd read through it so quickly and fall in love with it at the same time.

    What can I say .... [Read more of Jess' Review and TWO Teasers for this book HERE]


  7. "Taming the Lion" [Lone Pine Pride Series, Book 2] by Vivi Andrews: 5 out of 5 stars!! This novel reminded me of Ms. Andrews' Serengeti Shifters Series because of it's intensity and romantic swagger, which is why I think I liked it so much!

    Even though I haven't read book 1 of this series, from what I have come up with this novel takes place during the same time period as it does. I really liked the development of Patricia (Patch) and Roman's relationship. [Read more of Jess' Review and TWO Teasers for this book HERE]

  8. "Once Upon a SEAL" [within Love Is...] & [Sugar Falls Series, Book 0.5] by S. M. Butler: 5 out of 5 stars! This story reeled me in from the beginning with Maddie's witty sense of humor then it really hooked me by watching her growing romance with Sebastian (Bastian). Reading about their relationship and how Maddie kept trying to bring Bastian's personality and himself out from his exile got me liking this story more and more. [Read more of Jess' Review and TWO Teasers for this book HERE]


  9. "Her Royal Rendezvous" [within Love Is...] & [Her Royal Romance Series, Book 2.5] by Natasha Moore: 5 out of 5 stars!! Loved this story! Two years ago Liliana (Lil) broke off her engagement to Tony because of what now seems like trivial things, after they reconnect at her cousin's wedding will they choose to put their shared past behind them and finally move on with their lives or will old sparks reignite and make them come to their senses? Tony & Lil are just so open with their emotions that it's hard not to root for their relationship from the beginning. [Read more of Jess' Review and a Teaser for this book HERE]

  10. "Thunder and Loving" [within Love Is...] by A. Catherine Noon & Rachel Wilder: 5 out of 5 stars! This fun and entertaining contemporary romance was one I could not get enough of; with Clarissa's (Ris) feisty attitude and Gabe's intense ways, you cannot help but enjoy this story! I'd love to see where this couple goes next! Together they are just something else! *hehee* [Read more of Jess' Review and a Teaser for this book HERE]


  11. "Loving Serenity" [within Love Is...] & [Bad Boys of River City Series, Book 3.5] by Elle Wylder: 5 out of 5 stars! Loved the combustible chemistry that Trace and Serenity share! This is a follow-up from their novel "Defending Serenity," where they are at a friends' wedding and slowly getting ready to spring some more good news on their friends if only Serenity can get over her fears. It was so sweet and definitely got me interested in this series!! [Read more of Jess' Review and a Teaser for this book HERE]

  12. "Flickering Light" [within Love Is...] & [Return to Avalore Series, Prequel] by Élianne Adams: 5 out of 5 stars! Years after Avalore's death of their Queen its kingdom is still hurting in more ways then one. The major way that everyone is hurting is because with her gone the light that is inside all of her people is being "eaten up" by darkness, and if they succumb to their personal darkness they die. For a while now Barbara has been on the brink of succumbing to her darkness. [Read more of Jess' Review and a Teaser for this book HERE]

  13. "Bridal Faire" [within Love Is...] & [Wizards of Woodland Academy Series, Part of Book 1] by Melisse Aires: 5 out of 5 stars, this is a long excerpt to Ms. Aires' upcoming novel "The Moon Fairy Bride" that brings you right into the action of Adler's life and his navigation of finding a good wife for him. It also leaves the reader excited to follow Adler and his growing romance/relationship with Ayperi within their full novel without being disappointed with how this story ends. [Read more of Jess' Review and TWO Teasers for this book HERE]

  14. "Hatter’s Treasure" [within Love Is...] & [Kingdom Series] by Marie Hall: 5 out of 5 stars, become immersed within Wonderland while Hatter sets out to show Alice what his greatest treasure is .... her. It’s a very sweet glimpse into their lives about year after they got together. While making, the readers want to have fun and enjoy the madness too. [Read more of Jess' Review and a Teaser for this book HERE]


  15. "Lessons Learned" [within Love Is...] & [HOOD Series, Book 0.5] by Dayna Hart: 5 out of 5 stars! It seems like a intriguing mixture of Robin Hood and Little Red Riding Hood, only being the grown up version of course and having it be a little like Ms. Garren's Tales of the Underlight Series. This story brings you right into the action and relationship between Claret & Ryder, a couple who have taken opposite paths over the past fives years who come together again during dire circumstances and decide to take a chance on each other--this time hopefully for good. [Read more of Jess' Review and a Teaser for this book HERE]

  16. "Embracing Darkness" [within Love Is...] & [Key Series, Book 1.5] by Yelena Casale & Tina Moss: 5 out of 5 stars! Loved the buildup for this story and how they quickly grew into their feelings for one another (especially with how they quickly accepted it without fear -- which is a rare trait to read). I really liked Rafe & Zoey's "easy" relationship; I am interested to see in how their relationship will grow from here. [Read more of Jess' Review and TWO Teasers for this book HERE]


  17. "The Lady’s Wicked Proposition" [within Love Is...] & [Wicked Liaisons Series, Book 1.5] by Vivienne Westlake: 5 out of 5 stars, a woman sets out to find a rake to fulfill her every wish yet she finds a man who gives her more then she could ever hope for...

    Francis & Edwina (Dina) sound like a great couple because about how they have a sweet friendship that turns into something more after Dina proposes to Frances her plan. [Read more of Jess' Review and a Teaser for this book HERE]

  18. "Nobody's Cowboy" [Big Sky Mavericks Series, Book 1] by Debra Salonen: 5 out of 5 stars, a man moves back to his hometown after dealing with a big political scandal he didn't commit and falls for his neighbor who shows him that being a cowboy isn't as bad as he had always believed! A spin-off from Ms. Salonen's "Cowgirl Come Home," this novel throws you right into that action from the very beginning and leaves you wanting more from Austen, Serena, and Austen's family.

    Austen and Serena seem like opposites but after Austen gets into the swing of "cowboy life," you could tell they were the perfect fit for each other. [Read more of Jess' Review and a Teaser for this book HERE]

  19. "Temptation in Shadows" by Gena Showalter: 5 out of 5 stars!! What started out as a mission quickly turns into something a whole lot more! Sean & Gabrielle (Gabby) have an instant connection that was easy to fall for, this novella has it all. A thrilling paranormal romance that will sweep you off your feet just like Sean swept up Gabby. [Read more of Jess' Review and TWO Teasers for this book HERE]



  20. "Love Me To Death" [The Underveil Series, Book 1] by Marissa Clarke: 5 out of 5 stars!! A fated couple, who started out as enemies, comes together to save the world and learn that there is more out there then what they know...in more ways then one.

    Oh My Goodness!! I am already ADDICTED to this series, as I LOVED this novel!! [Read more of Jess' Review and THREE Teasers for this book HERE]

  21. "Blame The Mistletoe" [A Marietta Christmas Novel & Montana Born Christmas Series, Book 1] by Dani Collins: 5 out of 5 stars!! LOVED, love, loved it!! It was hard not getting sucked into this sweetly steamy romance about an ex-brother-in-law & an ex-sister-in-law falling in love and dealing with their unique challenges! [Read more of Jess' Review and a Teaser for this book HERE]



  22. "Touching Paradise" [Shark Shifter Series, Book 1] by Cleo Peitsche: 5 out of 5 stars!!! While on vacation on a remote island for a friend's wedding Monroe meets a mysterious bachelor who changes her world and life in unexpected ways!

    Intensely hot with intriguing twists, I could not put this novella down! I ended up reading it in 3-4 hours! [Read more of Jess' Review and a Teaser for this book HERE]

  23. "In Your Dreams" [The Blue Heron Series, Book 4] by Kristan Higgins: 5 out of 5 stars!! Two people trying to move on from bad exes become friends and a whole lot more, if only they can get over their heartaches.

    Witty, fun, and dramatic! This had everything you'd want from a Ms. Higgins' novel and more!! [Read more of Jess' Review and TWO Teasers for this book HERE]
I guess I've been really happy with the books I've read thus far this year since this is more high rated novels/novellas than I've rated in the past. So, I hope after reading my reviews and teasers you'll be interested in a few of them too.

It's an eclectic mix of New Adult, paranormal, contemporary, erotic, Christian, and historical romances! =0)

Anyway ....

I hope you will have a FUN, DELICIOUS, and ENJOYABLE Thanksgiving! Wish you a wonderful day and some exciting days ahead!

Best regards, Jess

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Blog Tour - Phantom Desire by Houston Havens | Spreading the Word & Gift Card Giveaway

Today I'm turning my blog over to Houston Havens author of "Phantom Desire," which is second book in her Psychic Ménage Series.

ALSO -- Be sure to check out Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post to be able to sign up for this blog stop's GIVEAWAY!! [Blog Tour & Giveaway will run from November 10 - 28, 2014]



"Phantom Desire"
[Psychic Ménage Series, Book 2] by Houston Havens

Author's Book Description :
    Mind traveler Chandra Lamar is on the run, not only from her post-catastrophic dystopian government but from a past she can’t remember. A psychic vision pushes her to recall her purpose for being, but it’s a ghost that awakens her desires for a life she fears she’ll never have. Both push her to remember the past because it threatens what she wants in the now; the Nodin men.

    Andonis Nodin battles to accept his failures. The heavy burden nearly breaks him when he can’t save a loved one from the grim reaper’s grip and questions his desire for Chandra, the woman he blames for the death around him.

    Nikias finds true love with Chandra in his arms, but is desperate to stop her from seeking revenge on a mission he knows is a one way trip.

    Ortello knows for them to recapture the love they once felt for each other, he must be willing to let her go. But overcoming his obsession to make Chandra his and his alone isn’t easy.

    Will Chandra go through with the vengeance in her heart or give it up for love? Who is the powerful woman in her haunting visions and will those revealing apparitions crumble her world with the Nodin clan? Does Chandra find true love in the arms of the Nodin men or does her Phantom Desire forever own her heart?

This book is available to order on :

Amazon.com | Alibris

** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads! **





About the Author :

Houston Havens retired from a successful modeling career and an adventurous jet-set lifestyle to set the world on fire with her erotic romance books. A tenacious Irish lass, she strives to entertain with seductive stories created from her decadent imagination and traces of a provocative lifestyle she may or may not admit to.

Her interest in the paranormal, fascination with quantum science, passion with myths, and the lure of her mysterious Celtic Irish-Druid bloodlines are combined with generally unknown truths, strange facts, and questionable fiction. Her novels reflect a mix of the past, present, and future, with sexy blends of futuristic science fiction, paranormal fantasy, western romance, and always love everlasting. An author of six romances, a seven book erotic romance series and numerous articles in literary magazines.

Stop by for a visit and leave a comment at http://houstonhavens.wordpress.com




Book Excerpt :

Chandra’s heart swelled with life. She teased back. “Are you blackmailing me into kissing you?”

“Never.” His clear gaze pierced hers with renewed life. “One would have to have something on you first and I don’t...yet. But if it works, I’ll work like hell to turn something up to hold against you.” He smiled suggestively. “Especially, if it means I’ll be able to get a kiss on command.”

It would be a long time before either one of them felt normal again, but this was a start to their healing. She leaned forward. An old, yet familiar feeling tingled at the center of her chest when he dropped an admiring gaze to her breasts before his stare made it back to her eyes.

“Shame on you, Nikias.” She leaned back, giving him an impish grin, forgetting for just a moment the sadness in her heart. “Taking advantage of a situation like this.”

“Me?” His playful expression was one of mocked shock. “I had the distinct feeling you were trying to seduce me.”

“I’m not the one sitting here half naked.” She glanced down at the telling sign of arousal in his workout shorts. She arched an accusing brow at him. “Looks like you’re a subscriber to the belief sex is a good way to help one find one’s way out of the black hole of grief.” She ran her tongue over her bottom lip with a suggestive sweep. With a hungry look in his eyes, his glance stalked the path her tongue took, leaving a wet trail for him to follow over her bottom lip. Nikias’ chest pumped in shallow takes, telling her she captured his interest.

“Hmmm, I hadn’t heard of the theory.” His sexy voice rumbled from his chest. His pupils dilated when she sucked her tongue back into her mouth. He met her stare with a knowing glint. “I’ll have to try it.”



Giveaways!! :

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Soo .... COMMENT on this post & TWEET away on twitter!! And you could WIN!! =0)

ALSO -- Be sure to follow the tour around the other blog sites!



Find Houston Havens :

Teaser Tuesday: All He Wants For Christmas


"All He Wants For Christmas" [Kismet Christmas Series, Book 4] by Lisa Plumley -- MY REVIEW

Book Teaser:

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Feasted On: Cy’ren Rising Series, Book 3

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 696 KB | Expected Release Date: December 23, 2014 | Publisher: Samhain Publishing | Obtained: NetGalley

"Sunsinger" [Cy’ren Rising Series, Book 3] by Robyn Bachar

Author's Book Description : Her desire unites them. Her secret could destroy them all.

The lord.

The sole survivor of the Sunsinger massacre, Lord Degalen Fairren spends his days reading tales of the family he never knew. When a rival house threatens to enslave Cyprena, Galen is forced to pull his nose out of his books and enter into an alliance with House Morningstar, and a dangerous mission to save his world.

The assassin.

Lady Andelynn Harrow isn’t House Morningstar’s eldest or prettiest daughter, but she is the deadliest. After her father’s murder, Andee must defend her new house and mate—the shy, reluctant Galen—but every battle risks revealing her terrible secret.

The slave.

Malcolm gets his first taste of freedom when the Cy’ren recruit him to locate the cure to a deadly virus—and feels the burn of desire for Galen, the lord he can never have, and for Andee, who awakens memories of a long-lost first love.

The danger they face fuels the heat between them, but with Cyprena’s fate hanging in the balance, the race to find the cure could come with devastating costs.

Warning: Contains a blushing, virgin lord, a sexy geek, and an empathic assassin who always brings lube on a mission.

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars! Follow Andelynn (Andee) as she uses all of her skills to help protect her new mate(s), prove to Degalen (Galen) that there is more to life then following the old stingy rules, and opens her heart to the possibility of a better future for herself then she originally planned. For this being the first novel in this series that I've read I liked how it could be read as a standalone novel while it still brings in the series' previous main characters in a way that the reader stays up-to-date about them and still staying relevant to the action going on. This thrilling fast-paced sci-fi romance hooks you from the beginning. In addition, I loved how it was Malcolm that really brought the three of them together in many ways; he is such an absentmindedly sweet character. I'll love to see where Andee, Galen, & Malcolm end up in future novels in this series (if there are any); I like how well they suit each other. =0)

I recommend this novel to anyone who loves sci-fi romances! Especially to those who like m/f/m romances too!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Teaser Tuesday: Sunsinger

Author's Novel Extras : Sharing Good News

Author's Series Extras : Slaying the TBR Pile | SFR Brigade Presents: Morningstar Cover Reveal | Starry Nights Blog Hop | The SFR Brigade Presents: Morningstar, Cy'ren Rising Book 2 | The SFR Brigade Presents: Morningstar Snippet 3 | The SFR Brigade Presents: Morningstar Snippet 3 | The SFR Brigade Presents: Morningstar Snippet 4


Book Teaser(s) :
She smiled, and Malcolm was struck again by how pretty she was. Must be a Cy’ren thing, because he'd never seen one that wasn't beautiful, male or female. Galen was beautiful... Malcolm sighed and shook his head. No flirting. He would remember, somehow. Maybe he should write it on the backs of his hands. ~ within Chapter 2

"Lady Andee, did you crash my mate's shuttle?" he asked.
"Technically you crashed it, because you didn't evade that missile," she corrected.
Loren groaned again. "She's going to be pissed."
"Nah. She'll be so happy to see you that she'll forget all about it," Andee assured him.
"I'll buy her a new one," Galen added. "To go with the Talon II." ~ within Chapter 14
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Robyn, then please check out her website.
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