Made the Grade: The Nephilim Series, Book 1

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 447 KB; Audiobook - Unabridged | Expected Release Date: December 24, 2012 | Publisher: Carina Press | Obtained: NetGalley

"All For You" [The Nephilim Series, Book 1] by Dana Marie Bell

My Book Summary : Five years ago, both Abby & Seth's lives changed... Seth's life changed when his wife suddenly was diagnosed with cancer and passed away not long after. Abby's life changed when her obsessive abusive boyfriend (at the time) tried to murder her. Now years later they both have overcome their past hurts and are ready to start anew...

Abby has had a crush on Seth ever since she was a teenager and her older brother became close friends with him. Nevertheless, because of timing and because of her ex it has taken her until now to have her sister-in-law to set up Abby on a date with Seth. As soon as the two start hanging out together, the chemistry between them is instantaneously apparent. However, when Abby's past seems to catch back up with her in hopes of killing her will Seth be able to protect her or will he loose her right when he found her?

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars, this is a suspensefully angelic novel about two people getting over their pasts and making a better future for themselves during unusual circumstances. One positive note I can say for this novel is that I loved the funny one-liners that were sprinkled throughout. In addition, I thoroughly enjoyed the world that this novel was based in and I have high hopes for the secondary characters that were presented in this novel along with whom they'll be matched up with.

However.... Abby was sooo wishy-washy that I went from hating her one-minute to loving the relationship evolving between her and Seth the next. Plus to quote Abby herself:

She really was too stupid to live, wasn’t she? ~ within Chapter 11

Because throughout most of this novel all I kept thinking of her antic was, REALLY why the hell did she just do that? Therefore, the only thing that redeemed this novel for me (other than because of how I liked Seth and his life/friends/family) was Chapter 12--the last chapter--because of how Abby finally turned into the heroine I wanted her to be! If that chapter wasn't as good as it was this novel would have sucked.

SO ... overall, I only recommend this novel to those who are fans of Ms. Bell. However, I have optimistic hopes for this series; therefore, I recommend this novel also to those who like paranormal romances about angels vs. demons!

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : The Wallflower | Sweet Dreams | Dare To Believe

Author's Novel Extras : New Contract, and Howl For Me Up on Barnes and Noble | Change This, Not That | An Angelic, Hobby Birthday | 14k and Cons | I Have Pretties! | Just A Few Notes | A Quickie... Sort Of

Author's Series Extras : Series' Glossary | Looooong Week...

Book Teaser(s) :

She prayed she wasn’t making the second biggest mistake of her life.
She started to wander around his town house, still a little numb. Absently, she began inspecting bits and pieces of his home. She picked up a delicate glass bird and winced. Who the hell picked this out? This is so not him. She noticed there were quite a few bird images around the room.
Fiona must have been seriously into bird-watching. Either that, or Seth was. Somehow she couldn’t picture Seth sitting in a blind with a pair of binoculars, watching feathery antics of the boring kind. Then again, what she knew about Seth would fill a thimble. ~ within Chapter 2

She took a deep breath and blew it out. “Fuck a duck.”
He stuttered out a laugh and dropped his hand. “That’s all you have to say?”
“Give me a break here. I think I’m doing pretty well, considering I’m dreaming as I drown to death in crème brûlée.”
He blinked, his head tilted to the side. “Um, what?” ~ within Chapter 9

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Dana Marie, then please check out her website.

Feasted On: Dark Kings Series, Book 0.3

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 309 KB | Release Date: September 25, 2012 | Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks | Obtained: Amazon.com

"Dawn’s Desire" [Dark Kings Series, Book 0.3] by Donna Grant

My Book Summary : After watching his friends and fellow Dragon Kings give in to their emotions and fall in love Banan makes a pact with himself that, what happened to his friends will never happen to him. However, once he lays eyes on Jane that pact gets harder to hold to by the second.

Jane knows she isn't any unique beauty that would hold any guys interest, at least not for long. So, when she meets Banan, she feels like she's the most beautiful girl in the world. Their connection is instantaneous and burns hotter than ever. Nevertheless, will Banan allow his growing feelings for Jane get in the way of his duty to his fellow dragons, even if that means putting Jane's life on the line?

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars!! Follow Banan, as he finds a way to protect his "people" while falling in love for the first time. I could not get enough of Jane & Banan!! Jane seems to be the type of person who everyone could easily forget, that is except for Banan who cannot seem to get her off his mind! Plus, I enjoyed the intensity between Banan and Jane that happened throughout this novella while the plot flowed effortlessly around them!

It's a very suspenseful and spicy novella that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys paranormal romances! Especially ones with HOT dragon shifters in them!!

- On a side note -
I'm curious if Jane's half-sister is going to be more involved throughout this series then her just being mentioned in this one. Since I really enjoyed getting to know Jane & Banan I hope to read more about them!

Also -- I'm curious as to who Con & Rhys will end up with. =0)

And --- I LOVED this novella's cover!!!

Author's Novel Extras : Book Excerpt | Book Awards | Learn More About Banan! | NYT & USA Today Bestseller

Book Teaser(s) :

Banan met her gaze. “What’s that?”
“This is about more than stealing a recipe for scotch, isn’t it? I need to know, because I’ve this feeling that this isn’t just my job on the line.”
“You’re no’ wrong,” Banan said.
“Damn. Have you gathered any information on who could be in it with Richard?”
Banan leaned forward so that his forearms rested on his thighs. “Nay. Elena is making her way through those closest to Arnold. So far, she’s found nothing.”
“If I’m going to do this, how do I contact you if I find anything?”
“I’ll give you my, Rhys’s, and Elena’s mobile numbers. And wherever you are, I’ll be close by. I can reach you quickly if you’re in danger.”
Jane grabbed for her wine and drained it in three swallows. It burned as it slid down her throat, but she needed something to steady her after all she’d learned.
“The fact you just said that, Banan, tells me how dangerous this is going to be. Richard is connected to influential families. Money, politics, and God only knows what else. He’s not a man to be messed with.”
“Let us worry about that,” Banan said with a smile that promised Richard would suffer.
Jane just wished she knew what was so important that Banan, Rhys, and Elena would risk their lives to protect Dreagan for it.
Rhys touched her shoulder, and she turned, startled, because she hadn’t heard him move.
“You are doing a brave thing, Jane,” Rhys said.
Jane swallowed, wishing she had more wine in her glass. “Stop talking now or I might chicken out of this whole thing.”
Just as she was about to get up, Banan leaned over and placed his hand atop her. “Thank you.”
Her heart skipped a beat at his husky timbre. It hurt that he wasn’t attracted to her, but the letdown wasn’t anything she wasn’t accustomed to. She was Plain Jane after all. ~ within Chapter 6

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Donna, then please check out her website.

Disappointmentville: Gypsy Lovers Series, Book 3

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 128 KB | Release Date: June 14, 2012 | Publisher: Breathless Press | Obtained: Amazon.com

"The Gypsy and the Widow" [Gypsy Lovers Series, Book 3] by Juliet Chastain

My Book Summary : Now that Joanna's husband has died her life has been turned upside down, because of how he gambled all of their savings and property away. However, her husband's friend, Sir Edward, is "kind" enough to help her out with his servant to assist her on a daily basis and has recently announced his willingness to marry her once the time is right.

Yet even though Sir Edward's proposal would help Joanna with any financial troubles and give Joanna's son a father figure for him to look up too, Joanna's heart and wants belong to someone else--Tem--a handsome gypsy who seems to be a kinder man then she had ever met before. The problem for both of them is that neither of their wants (they'd like to be together) coexist with the beliefs they've grown up with. Can they overcome a lot of prejudices about each other's "people" so they can get what they both really want? Or will Sir Edward, Tem's Gypsy clan, and the beliefs they've grown up to believe get in the way of it all?

My Book Review : 2.5 out of 5 stars. Two people from opposite worlds find a way to make things work out between them during unusual circumstances.

I had such high hopes for this novella ever since I did a promo for it earlier this year. However, even though I knew it was a short story before I even started it, it rushed through everything so quickly that it was hard to thoroughly enjoy the chemistry between Tem & Joanna as much as I would have liked. Plus, the ending wrapped up everything very unrealistically for me to enjoy it.

I wish I could recommend this novella to you but I can't. So, I'll only recommend it if you are a fan of Ms. Chastain and/or this series.

Author's Novel Extras : Book Excerpt

Book Teaser(s) :

There is no need to dress with such care just to cross the meadow to the field. He will be busy—working like the others. Against her will, she remembered how he had smiled at her yesterday. How somehow he had reminded her that she was a woman with the desires of her sex.
All she sought today were playmates for Nash, she told herself firmly. And besides, there was no harm in seeking the comfort of another person who had been widowed, but she knew that wasn’t true. She needed no comfort for the loss of her husband. What she wanted, wrong or right, was to have a few moments with him, Tem Lovell.
She shook her head. I must not think of Tem Lovell. I shall marry Sir Edward who has always been so considerate of myself. He neither drinks nor gambles and I will have no worries. For a moment she remembered her anger when he had shouted at the Gypsy children and called them foul names. He was but thinking of my well-being; it was perhaps neither appropriate to allow them inside, nor to play that way with them. She smiled. In truth she had like playing with them. She had liked their infectious laughter. She had liked the way they included Nash in their games. She had like the way they tried to speak English to her, even the smallest among them, little Eleanor.
And I liked the way Tem swung the children in the air and laughed with them. But no, she must not think like this. I must not think of Tem. And I must not think of him as Tem; he is Mr. Lovell to me.
She would stay out there while Nash played. That way she would know he was safe. And, perhaps Tem will speak with me—
“No! I will not think like that, I must not,” she said aloud. ~ within Chapter 2

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Juliet, then please check out her website.

Made the Grade: Raptors Revealed Series, Book 1

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 350 KB | Release Date: November 2009 | Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing | Obtained: Amazon.com

"Feather Down" [Raptors Revealed Series, Book 1] by Lorie O'Clare

My Book Summary : Dover is an owl everyone goes to, to settle disputes among the species so they can (hopefully) keep the peace among them all. He was recently asked to fly to Banff so he could find out what the tension brewing between the species is all about and see if he can stop it. However, as soon as he pulls into town he finds himself getting distracted and a bit sidelined by Lana. She's an attractive female owl from a local and powerful nest that Dover cannot seem to get enough of, especially after their first meeting. Yet what will Dover do when he finds out that Lana has been keeping secrets from him so she can protect her nest (aka her family) that seems to be behind all of the tension in Banff to begin with...

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars, this is a novel about a man/owl shifter finding his mate and trying to prove to her that she is exactly the one he wants. It's a spicy and suspenseful novel that keeps you on your toes! I liked Lana & Dover together, their chemistry sparked off the page. Plus, I enjoyed finding out the dynamics going on in Lana's nest and in Banff.

The only thing I wished I liked more about this novel was how the plot played out, since it wasn't as straightforward as I would have liked. Not that I would have wanted to know how this novel was going to end right away, I just wish I could have liked what was going on around Banff and Lana's nest more so then what happened.

Overall, though, I recommended this novel to anyone who likes reading shifter romances, especially ones with unique breeds.

Book Teaser(s) :

His mouth opened wider, his fingers stroking her neck, encouraging her to take more of him. Lana greeted his deepening of the kiss with eagerness and her tongue moved with his, as if there were some sacred dance involved with kissing that she’d always known and forgotten until this moment. It was too much enduring the craving that grew inside her. At this rate he would make her come with a fucking kiss.
Focusing on the fact Heath would probably return soon, expecting her and her brothers to be here, helped ground her. Although even with that knowledge, tearing her mouth from his was harder to do than she thought. Not because he held her chin, keeping her where he wanted her, but because she didn’t want to end it.
Life sucked when she couldn’t have what she wanted. Lana forced her head to the side, taking on a bit of aggression of her own, and dragged in a deep breath. She inhaled the mixed aroma of their lust. It was intoxicating.
And the first thing anyone would smell when they walked through her door.
Crap!
Lana pushed against Dover’s chest. An overwhelming sense of satisfaction washed over her when she searched his face as she shoved and saw how dazed he appeared. His need and cravings got the best of him too. Another time and with another male capturing so much emotion on his face would be a hardcore turn-off. And it disappeared as she studied him, his cool, collected expression once again in place.
She wouldn’t grin, wouldn’t embarrass either one of them. Knowing she controlled him more than originally she might have believed was good enough. ~ within Chapter 7

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Lorie, then please check out her website.

Blog Tour - Feasted On: The Billionaire's Christmas Baby by Victoria James | Interview & Review

Today & for most of tomorrow I'm turning my blog over to Victoria James, who I interviewed about her debut novel "The Billionaire's Christmas Baby!!"

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My Q&A with Victoria James :

Jess : What books did you enjoy reading while growing up?

Victoria : My favorites were-Little House on the Prairie, then Nancy Drew, and then as a teenager I fell in love with historical romance; Judith McNaught being my all-time favorite author.

Jess : What do you do when you are not writing?

Victoria : Mostly family stuff. We have small children and it seems like there’s always something going on! But when I’m not doing ‘kid-stuff’ I’m putting my interior design background to use-I’m always rearranging furniture and pictures in our house. I still do freelance work as well. I love seasonal decorating. Basically, I drive my husband nuts, because he hates change...and thing are always changing!

Jess : Which of your characters would you most & least like to invite to dinner, from which book and why?

Victoria : Well, since it’s Christmas, I wouldn’t mind heading up to that remote cabin in “TBCB” and having Christmas with Jackson, Hannah, baby Emily and the Sampson’s! I’m sure our kids would get along fine, while we grownups shared a glass or two of Jackson’s favorite scotch... :)

Jess : Please describe "The Billionaire’s Christmas Baby" in 75 words or less.

Victoria : Jackson Pierce had a perfect childhood-until a death changed everything. The tragedy shattered his family. He grew to hate the holidays, and everything that reminded him of the people he had lost. Hannah Woods grew up with nothing. Yet, it’s Hannah who teaches him the importance of family ties, the power of forgiveness. Somehow, they must overcome their pasts and find a way to be the family that both of them secretly desire...

Jess : Which usually comes first for you, the character(s) story or the idea for the novel?

Victoria : A little bit of both. Sometimes it’s a place, a person, or a scene. The book I’m writing now was inspired by a picture of a French castle I came across in a magazine. I started wondering about what kind of person would own a place like that-and what kind of person would absolutely not own a place a like that. So now I’m writing about two very different people, stranded together in the French Alps, in a breathtaking castle!

Jess : What sparked the idea for "The Billionaire’s Christmas Baby?"

Victoria : A few years ago, surrounded by my extended family, I started wondering about how much of whom I was today, was shaped by the people around me. I had always known the love of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins. But what if I hadn’t? How would that have changed me? And that thought triggered the characters in "THE BILLIONAIRE’S CHRISTMAS BABY." How would different people react to the holidays if they didn’t have a family? If they had no one? Would they build walls around themselves? Or would they be in a perpetual search for a soul-mate, for love? The hero and heroine that took shape in my mind became larger than life. Their pain, their need for acceptance and unconditional love tugged at my heartstrings until I was forced to find a way to create a happily-ever-after for the three of them! And of course, it would have to take place during the holidays!

Jess : What is the most romantic thing one of your characters, from "The Billionaire’s Christmas Baby," said or did?

Victoria : I think when Jackson secretly plans the romantic wedding for Hannah at the chapel.

It was completely unexpected and showed how much Hannah came to mean to him. The dress, the flowers, the connection to his past. He’s a keeper!!

Jess : What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

Victoria : I loved writing the opening, when Hannah first intrudes on Jackson and then he feels forced to go outside in the storm and convince her to stay at the cabin. It was fun to put them in a situation where they were completely at odds with each other, and neither of them had any idea where this meeting would take them.

Jess : In regards to "The Billionaire’s Christmas Baby," if you could write it all over again, would you change anything about it?

Victoria : I think I would have loved to make it longer. I loved Hannah and Jackson and would have liked more time with them. It would have been nice to have spent longer with them after they were married, and with Emily.

Jess : If "The Billionaire’s Christmas Baby" were to be made into a film, who do you see playing the main characters and why?

Victoria : Christian Bale would play Jackson Pierce. I think because he has the brooding looks and the killer smile that I identify with Jackson. Anne Hathaway would be Hannah because she has vulnerability yet a very strong aura to her as well.


Jess : How many books have you written? Which is your favorite and why?

Victoria : Well, I’ve sold three books, but I’d say I’ve written five complete manuscripts I think....favorite-that’s hard! I think whichever one I’m working on becomes my favorite :)

Jess : Do you have any other projects in the works? If so, can you share a little of your current work with us?

Victoria : Sure! Right now I’m revising my next book-it’s the first book in a trilogy of brothers. It’s set in a small town and follows each of the brothers as they fall in love, find themselves, and reveal some of the deep/dark family secrets that have impacted their lives.

Jess : Do you have a favorite aspect of winter or tradition in your family during Christmas that you can tell us about?

Victoria : Growing up in a North-American-Italian family, the holidays were always filled with an abundance of family, food, and drama. Cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents, would gather. The crowd was loud and the toasts with homemade wine were plenty.

This year, I’m hosting Christmas Eve dinner for approximately fifteen of our nearest and dearest. I have hosted Christmas Eve before, but I haven’t done the full-blown deal. This year, I’m going to cook up a big old, traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner. All seven fish dishes. I can do it...I hope! The day after I told my husband my plan? He bought a fire extinguisher.

Jess : Did you get all of your Christmas shopping done early this year or are you a last minute shopper?

Victoria : I usually try and have all my shopping done early. This year was the exception. I ended up so busy with this book release, plus the editing for my next book. I’ve fallen behind, so I think I’m going to get the rest of the shopping done online!

Jess : If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?

Victoria : "Victoria James: A Work in Progress"

Jess : List 3 books you just recently read and would recommend?

Victoria : "Kidnapped by the Greek Billionaire" by Rachel Lyndhurst
"My Kind of Christmas" by Robyn Carr
"Miracles" by Judith McNaught (OK, so I read this before, but I’m a Christmas junkie!)

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About the Author :

Victoria James is a romance writer living near Toronto, Canada. Victoria is a mother to two young children, and one very disorderly feline. Victoria attended Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and graduated with a degree in English Literature, where she met and then later married, her own hero. After Queen's, Victoria earned a degree in Interior Design. After the birth of her first child she began pursuing her life-long passion of writing. Her dream of being a published romance author was realized last February, 2012, when Entangled Publishing bought her manuscript. Victoria is living her dream-staying home with her children and conjuring up happy endings for her characters.

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- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 339 KB | Expected Release Date: November 19, 2012 | Publisher: Entangled Publishing : Indulgence | Obtained: Entangled Publishing

"The Billionaire's Christmas Baby" by Victoria James

My Book Summary : Hannah is a social worker on a mission. Her mission being, getting Emily (a baby girl who was abandoned to the foster care system after her mother committed suicide) into a safe and loving home, even if that means tracking down Emily's uncle, Jackson, a man who changed his name as a way to disassociate himself to his family, is all she has left. Therefore, she tracks him down in his remote cabin in hopes to win him over and have him adopt Emily.

However, during the process of getting to the cabin a snowstorm hits leaving Hannah and Emily left to stay with Jackson. They find that they have more in common than either of them expects. Will she be able to get Jackson to agree to adopt Emily before the storm passes or will Hannah's hopes for Emily all turn up empty?

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars. Two people find the one person who might understand them while in the middle of a blizzard and under extreme circumstances.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Hannah and Jackson. Their back-stories, their connection, and their personalities were fun, sweet, and entertaining to read about. In addition, I loved how protective Jackson was of Hannah and Emily once he got to know them, as well as, how Hannah decided to make sure that Emily was provided for no matter the cost to her career--it was all very sweet.

I recommend this novel to anyone who likes contemporary romances!!

Author's Novel Extras : I’m an author for Entangled! | I have Release Dates! | The “Next Big Thing” Blog Stop... | The Billionaire’s Christmas Baby!!!!!!! It’s here, it’s here, it’s here!!!!!! | USA TODAY HEA BOOK BLOG! | 24 Days and In Love with Romance! | The Billionaire’s Christmas Cookies

Book Teaser(s) :

“Did you hear a word of what I said?” she asked in a voice that made him think she could have been an excellent schoolteacher.
“I heard everything,” he said lying.
“Then what did I just say?” He made the mistake of glancing down at her breasts, which were straining against her shirt. He couldn’t help but think how nicely they’d fill his hands and then some...
“Jackson Pierce.” He couldn’t help it. He ducked his head and laughed, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Hannah,” he said into her sparkling eyes, unable to stop the grin that seemed to appear on his face whenever he was around her. “I’m sorry, but you’ve got to cut me some slack. You are a beautiful woman.”
She took a step closer and poked him in the chest and he resisted the urge to laugh. Something else hit him while he stared at her fiery eyes. When he first met her there was no way she would have poked him, but she trusted him now. She acted like her true, spunky, assertive self, and that made him feel damn good.
“Please save your lines for someone who’ll actually fall for them,” she said dryly.
He nodded. “Fine. Why don’t you ask me what you’re really dying to know?”
“And what would that be?” ~ within Chapter 6

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Victoria, then please check out her website.

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Find Victoria James :

• Victoria James - Website/Blog
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