Caged In Winter by Brighton Walsh (Review)

Title: Caged In Winter
Series: Caged In Winter #1
Author: Brighton Walsh
Published: November 2014, Berkley Books
Format: Ebook received for review, NetGalley

In this emotional and sexy New Adult debut from Brighton Walsh, the only thing more frightening than commitment is hope…...

Aspiring chef Cade Maxwell is immediately, viscerally attracted to Winter Jacobson. But it’s not her mouthwatering curves he’s drawn to—it’s the strange emptiness in her eyes. When Cade saves her from a drunken customer with grabby hands, he’s shocked at her response…...

Winter doesn’t need Cade’s help. After a lifetime of getting by on her own, she’s happy to rely on herself. She’s exactly seventy-six days away from graduating college, and if she can hold it together that long, she’ll finally be able to rise above the crappy hand she was dealt.

But now, every time she turns around, Cade is there, ready to push her, smile at her, distract her from her plans. Winter knows she can’t afford to open up—especially to a man she’s terrified to actually want….

Ok, I have a weird thing to admit... I almost never read books that involve chefs.  Something about cooking and food and romance... unh.  But I was looking at Caged In Winter, and something about Cade and Winter called to me even before I read it.  Brighton Walsh wrote a fantastic book here, and I am SO excited I had the opportunity to read it.

The Pact by Karina Halle (Promo)

The Pact

Karina Halle

It all started with a pinky swear…

Linden McGregor is tall, rugged, and gunslinger handsome; a helicopter pilot with a Scottish brogue and charm to spare. He’s also one of Stephanie Robson’s best friends and has fit into that box for as long as she’s known him.

Beautiful, funny and an ambitious businesswoman (with one hell of an ass), Stephanie Robson is one of Linden McGregor’s best friends and has fit into that box for as long as he’s known her.

But some relationships can’t be boxed, can’t be classified, can’t be tamed.

Back in their mid-twenties and tired of the competitive hit-or-miss dating scene of San Francisco, Steph and Linden made a pact to marry each other if neither one of them are in a serious relationship by the time they hit thirty.

It sounds like fun and games but as the years to thirty tick past and lovers come and go out of their lives, the pact becomes larger than life.
Sex is inevitable. Friendships are tested. Hearts are on the line.

The pact is about to change everything. 

I'm sure you've all heard about The Pact, right?  Doesn't it sound awesome!!  I can't wait to read it, myself.  How about you??

Predator's Fire by Rosanna Leo (review)

Title: Predator's Fire
Series: Gemini Island Shifters #5
Author: Rosanna Leo
Published: September 2014, Liquid Silver Books
Format: Ebook received for review

When Nina Suzuki discovers the body of her best friend Janine, her world turns upside down. Things go from bad to worse when Janine’s corpse seems to transform into that of a large, brown wolf. For the first time, Nina is faced to confront all the clues indicating her BFF was not what she seemed. A letter from the dead woman opens Nina’s eyes to a strange, new world. The same letter warns of a sinister group called the Alpha Brethren, and urges her to find Killian Moon of the Ursa Fishing Lodge and Resort on Gemini Island. 

Killian Moon is a jaguar shifter and teen mentor at the Ursa Lodge in Northern Ontario. He may be a comfort and inspiration to confused teen shifters, but he also has a fiery past. His past comes back to haunt him when human Nina arrives at the resort, demanding to speak with him. Demanding answers. Can he trust her with knowledge that will not only change her life, but possibly endanger those around him? 

As Killian begrudgingly tutors Nina on all things shifter, their mutual curiosity flares into passionate need. Once they touch, once they succumb to desire, there is no going back. Killian realizes Nina is his mate and they both begin to comprehend the terror threatening those on their shifter-friendly island. He is forced to confront the tragedy in his family and determines to protect Nina at all costs. 

But can they protect everyone they love from a cult of dangerous shifters, intent on horror and destruction?

Predator's Fire is my first read in the Gemini Island Shifters series, and I really loved it.  Rosanna Leo did a great job - I never felt lost or like I had fell into the middle of a series.   And if you like shifters, then you definitely need to visit Gemini Island.

California Renegade by Elise Covert (Review)

Title: California Renegade
Series: Renegade #2
Author: Elise Covert
Published: December 26, 2014 - Seascribe Publishing
Format: ebook received for review
Pages: approx 82

Ren is back, that charming outlaw of the Northern Renegades MC with the dangerous smile and bewitching blue eyes. He wants Meredith for another week on the back of his motorcycle. In fact, he wants Meredith in every physical way he can have her. 

Last year, they spent spring break together in a joyful, perilous and unexpected erotic holiday. This year, Ren and Meredith find their emotional connection growing during their week on the road. Just as they think they might be able to make something real work between them, Ren's outlaw lifestyle catches up with him and throws both he and Meredith into mortal danger. Even if their attraction could survive their personal complications, does it have a chance against Ren's dangerous life

Last week or so I read California Renegade by Elise Covert.  I can't tell you how excited I was for this book!!!  A few months ago I read Spring Break Renegade, and it was beyond hot.  I've been a fan of Ren and Meredith ever since, and was super excited to see where book two would take them.

This Would Be Paradise by ND Iverson (Review)

Title: This Would Be Paradise
Series: A Zombie Novel, Book 1
Author: N.D. Iverson
Published: November 2014
Format: Ebook received for review
Pages: Approximately 296

In a world where a virus has spread turning most of the population into flesh eating monsters, there are two friends partying it up in New Orleans when the infection hits. Far away from home, they are trapped and trying to make sense of all that has happened with the help of new friends and enemies along the way. Zombies aren't the only thing to fear...

Zombies!  You know I'm all about this, right?  So when this book came along, I was thinking "Oh hell yeah!"  New Orleans, Mardi Gras, and zombies.  What's the worst that could happen?  ND Iverson has written an exciting book, and I really loved getting her take on the apocalypse.

Primal Hunger by Sydney Somers (Review)

Title: Primal Hunger
Series: Pendragon Gargoyles #1
Author: Sydney Somers
Published: 2009, Samhain Publishing
Format: ebook received for review

When the sun goes down, passion is unleashed.

Kennedy Beaumont loves her bartending job, even if her spirited nature sometimes gets her in trouble. Like threatening to hose down one of Pendragon’s co-owners. When it comes to Tristan, she could use a good hosing down herself—maybe it’ll help her stop casting him as the star of her wickedest dreams. Since he goes out of his way to avoid her, it ought to be easy to put him out of her head—until he reluctantly offers her a ride home.

Gargoyle shape-shifter Tristan Callaghan hasn’t had time for anything other than recovering the mystical dagger that was used to permanently lock his brother in a prison of stone. The cat inside him should have stopped craving Kennedy’s touch long ago, but now that she’s sitting next to him in his car, his very human need for her is sharper than ever.

The distraction is costly. In a split second, Kennedy finds herself thrust into a dangerous, millennia-old hunt for Excalibur. A hunt that marks her for death—and leaves Tristan with a painful choice—sacrifice his family, his quest…or the one woman meant to be his.

Warning: There’s nothing tame about this alpha male hell-bent on claiming his mate. Featuring bone-melting explicit sex, graphic language, violence and a little harmless bite…or two.

Not too long ago I read the beginning novella for the Pendragon Gargoyles, and I loved it.  Recently I finished book one, Primal Hunger.  Sydney Somers writes a fast moving and exciting story - and hey, gargoyles!!

Out In Time by Grey Cole (Cover Reveal & Giveaway)

A closeted football star. An out and proud photographer. And a road trip.

Wade Truman had grown accustomed to admiring Heath Taylor from afar. Now, years of denying himself and the irresistible Heath are wreaking havoc on Wade’s resolve. The odds are stacked against them … they’re graduating college soon. Wade just signed a multimillion dollar football deal—thrusting him even further into the spotlight. Not to mention, what would the gorgeously refined Heath want with a small town jock boy like himself anyway?

Heath grew up privileged, accepted, and out. And the two hells he swore he would never put himself through—crushing on a straight guy and being anyone’s dirty little secret—have presented themselves in one sweet talkin’, dream hauntin’ package. One weekend with Wade, and Heath’s sure the devil himself has come a-knockin’.

Warning: Contains Southern accents wielded like weapons of desire, a snarky, do-gooder Pennsylvanian, and two boys deserving of true love.

Out In Time

Grey Cole 

Release date: December 29, 2014

Genre: M/M / Gay Erotica / Contemporary Romance

Standalone Novella

Cover Designer: Najla Qamber Designs

California Renegade by Elise Covert - Cover Reveal

Ren is back, that charming outlaw of the Northern Renegades MC with the dangerous smile and bewitching blue eyes. He wants Meredith for another week on the back of his motorcycle. In fact, he wants Meredith in every physical way he can have her. Last year, they spent spring break together in a joyful, perilous and unexpected erotic holiday. This year, Ren and Meredith find their emotional connection growing during their week on the road. Just as they think they might be able to make something real work between them, Ren's outlaw lifestyle catches up with him and throws both he and Meredith into mortal danger. Even if their attraction could survive their personal complications, does it have a chance against Ren's dangerous life?

California Renegade

Elise Covert

A couple months ago I read Spring Break Renegade, and I fell in love with Ren and Meredith - hardcore. The book was relatively short, but it really stuck with me, and I am super excited to let you know book two is going to be released December 26!! Be sure to check back here then for my review, but for now check out this snippet and be sure to read my review. And then tell me you are going to read them both!!

Glitter and Grit by Jessie Evans - Blast

Glitter and Grit

Jessie Evans

This ride is going to last a lot longer than eight seconds…

Female professional bull rider, Reece Hearst, graduated from the school of hard knocks. With honors. Because life is like bull riding—when it sends you to the dirt, you do whatever it takes to get on your feet, even if you have to crawl. Like when officials stripped her of her rodeo queen title on the basis of vicious gossip years ago and not even her father would believe her side of the story. Reece could have stayed in the dust, wallowing. Instead, she fixed Lonesome Point in her rearview, joined the pro circuit, and never looked back. But now a serious injury threatens to end her career and she’s back in Lonesome Point, living next door to the family that once made her life a living hell.

After multiple tours of duty in Afghanistan and his father’s death, all Grayson Parker wants is to get his family’s cattle business back in the black and live a quiet life. But the return of Reece Hearst opens old wounds, throwing his ordered world into chaos. Grayson was serving overseas when Reece was a teenager and can’t believe the girl he once knew has grown into a heartbreaker as hardened as she is beautiful.

Grayson finds a kindred spirit in wounded Reece and soon longs to be the man to show her that there is life after pain and loss. But can two people as damaged as Reece and Grayson find their way to happily ever after? Or will the scars on their hearts forever keep them apart? 

Hope you are all ready for Friday!!  Check out Glitter and Grit, what do you think?  Is this going on your TBR?

Ice by Chelsea Camaron & Jessie Lane (review)

Title: Ice
Series: Regulators MC #1
Authors: Chelsea Camaron & Jessie Lane
Published: December 5, 2014 - Whiskey Girls Publishing
Format: Ebook received for review

She's an investment banker.
He's an outlaw biker.
A little bit of heaven is about to meet a whole lot of hell.

Morgan Powell was raised to be perfect, to set an example for her sisters to follow. Her life has been dedicated to making something of her career, so she wouldn’t know what to do with a man even if you gave her an instruction manual.

Brett 'Ice' Grady spends his days trying to keep up with his teenage daughter, his nights consumed in Regulators’ MC business. He has no time for anything more than a casual hookup. 

Two worlds collide when the dangers of his life crash into the calm of hers. 

Can she go beyond her own boundaries and chip her way through to the man known to be as cold as ice?

Loosely attached to Chelsea Camaron's Hellions series and Jessie Lane's Ex Ops series.

This week I read Ice by Chelsea Camaron and Jessie Lane - two authors I've read before and loved separately.  The question in my mind was "Would they work well together?"  The answer is definitely yes.  Ice was an exciting read, and I definitely feel this collaboration worked well for them.

Crush by JC Emery (Review & Giveaway)

Title: Crush
Series: Bayonet Scars #4
Author: JC Emery
Published: December 15, 2014 - Left Break Press
Format: Ebook provided for review

Young love is always perfect. Until it's not.

Cheyenne Grady is a total daddy's girl to her bad-ass father, the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Forsaken Motorcycle Club. She's funny, and kind, and she just wants that deep, earth-shattering love like her dad has with her school secretary, Holly. But Cheyenne's been looking in the wrong direction, because the only good that can come from the way she looks at Jeremy Whelan is a lesson in heartbreak.

Jeremy always wanted to prospect for the Forsaken Motorcycle Club and wear the same patch as his father. When a life-long dream becomes reality, Jeremy realizes that the outlaw lifestyle is not for the faint of heart. Nor is it easy on relationships. He wants to be a good man, but temptation is everywhere.

Cheyenne is beautiful, and strong, and exactly what Jeremy could have forever. As long as he doesn't screw it up.

Love is never more powerful than the first time. 

Jeremy and Cheyenne's book!!!  Ahhhhh!  I've been waiting for this one, I tell ya.  Forsaken is one of my favorite motorcycle clubs, and Jer and Chey are definitely some favorites among the club.  If you haven't started this series, I definitely recommend it.  It has many different facets, and JC Emery just writes it perfectly.

The Charlotte Chronicles by Jen Frederick (Promo)

Charlotte and Nathan were supposed to be forever. They grew up together. Their families were intertwined. Charlotte was Nathan's first love. Nathan was Charlotte's first everything.

Until they weren't.

How do you hold on to the person you know in your heart you are supposed to be with when everything and everyone in the universe is telling you it's over?

How many times does a heart break?

When is enough…..enough?

How long is forever?

Phantom Desire by Houston Havens (Excerpt)

Phantom Desire

Psychic Menage Book 2

Houston Havens

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 the one he loves from the grim reaper’s grip; he 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? 

Hello!  So have you all checked out Houston Havens?  I have some tasty tidbits to share with you today.  I can't wait to hear your thoughts!!

An Imaginary House By The Sea by Cecily Gates (Review)

Title: An Imaginary House By The Sea
Series: A Bridgeport Novel
Author: Cecily Gates
Published: July 2014
Format: Ebook received for review

Snarky and ambitious Dawn Campbell almost had it all: a job producing lavish celebrity events, a hip downtown apartment, and a studmuffin of a boyfriend. But after losing all three in one fell swoop, Dawn finds herself resorting to the unimaginable: returning home to Bridgeport, an oceanside town where the air smells sweet but not much happens.

When a chance encounter brings her into the sturdy arms of John Brown, her childhood best friend, old feelings come rushing back. As the sparks fly, life finally starts to look up for Dawn...until she meets his wife. 

Marguerite Brown has everything that Dawn doesn’t: a killer fashion sense, a breathtaking beauty, and a French accent—oh, and the kind of temperament that makes great white sharks seem docile in comparison. Determined to release John from an unhappy marriage, Dawn turns on the charm and makes a plan to finally win back her one-that-got-away.

But after Dawn stumbles upon a secret that, up until now, Marguerite has meticulously kept hidden, the two women are thrust into an unexpected friendship. An Imaginary House by the Sea follows Dawn’s journey towards self-rediscovery, finding purpose, and building a more complex, steadfast kind of love than she could have ever imagined.

An Imaginary House By The Sea isn't my normal type of read.  But sometimes you pick up a book, and you just know.  Well, Cecily Gates really wrote a fantastic novel here, and I am so happy I was able to read it.  This book is filled with heart, and you feel it on every single page.

All I Need by Emily Goodwin (Review)

Title: All I Need
Series: Stay #2
Author: Emily Goodwin
Published: December 2, 2014
Format: Ebook received for review

“My life was hell, nothing but pain and darkness.

Every night I hoped I’d lay down to sleep and never wake up. I saw no reason to keep going. There was nothing for me, no promise of a better life. Every morning I woke up hoping this would be my last day.

Then I met her, and everything changed.”

Sold into slavery at a young age, Jackson Porter has known nothing but darkness until he is forced to kidnap a young woman with a fiery spirit who refuses to give up. Could she be all Jackson needs to awaken his dead soul? 

You met Jackson in Stay, now it’s time to hear his story.

Warning, this book is dark, graphic, and twisted at times.

 All I Need is Jackson's story, and it's a hell of a story.  Emily Goodwin has definitely proved she can write across several genres with ease.  If you haven't gotten into the Stay series yet, you need to pick it up.

Nobody Asked Me.... Minecraft and my daughter's favorite YouTubers

So Christmas is coming, really quick.  What are your children into?  My daughter is all about Minecraft.  She doesn't care about princesses and dolls, she wants pickaxes and swords.  It is definitely a Minecraft Christmas this year.  I've been shopping for plushies and miniature figures, and I'm even going to get her some clothes from some of her favorite Minecraft Youtubers.