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Thursday, December 29, 2011

Behind the Blogger: Bells from Hanging with Bells

Welcome to Behind the Blogger. Behind the Blogger is a feature where I interview and get to know fellow bloggers from different blogs in the blogosphere.

This week I would like to welcome Bells from Hanging with Bells. Bells' blog is one of the first blogs I visited when I became a blogger. Her blog is awesome! It's got a little bit of everything and I love it. If you haven't checked out Bells blog before, stop what you are doing and head over there. Believe me, you won't be sorry. Lots of man candy pics!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Review: A Taste of Midnight by Lara Adrian

Lara Adrian is able to pack a whole lotta story in a novella and believe me, that is not an easy task. I'll be honest, I'm normally not the biggest fan of novellas or short stories, it usually feels as if things are packed in or as if important items are left out. That was definitely not the case with A Taste of Midnight. Lara was able to pack  so much information in the novella without me feeling bombarded with facts and items that were not needed. The story was exactly the perfect length.

Dani's story was great and I loved being able to catch up with her and see how she was doing. I am so happy that she was able to get her HEA. I was very curious to see how her story would turn out and to see if her HEA would feel believable or not. With the way the way things were left with Dani I wasn't too sure on her HEA. For me, it isn't always believable when a widow/widower takes on a new love. It just feels like the love they had before wasn't real or the new love feels a bit forced or not completely true. That was definitely not the case with Dani and her HEA. I was on-board 100% and I totally believed in her and Mac.

I really enjoyed getting to know Mac. His story broke my heart and I found myself rooting for him as soon as he came onto the page. I am so glad that he and Dani were able to find solace and companionship with each other.

This was just another great story written by Lara Adrian and it just reaffirms my love for her and this wonderful series.

RATING:

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Guest Author Post with Amanda Arista and Giveaway


Today I would like to welcome author Amanda Arista to the blog. Amanda is currently on tour promoting the release of her book Claws and Effect which is part of her Diaries of an Urban Panther series. So everyone please give Amanda a very warm welcome.

Hello there! Thanks for having me over at Ramblings today. I'm excited to share with you a little about me and my new release Claws and Effect: Diaries of an Urban Panther.

Violet Jordan was an answer to a simple question: what would I do if I was trapped in the back alley with a monster? I'm not a super hero. I'm not particularly athletic nor have any sort of demon heritage. I'm a normal every day girl who likes coffee. So what would I do? Violet’s initial reaction was what I would have done: thrown my shoe and run like hell.

Monday, December 26, 2011

ARC Review: All I Want Is You by Sherrill Bodine

When I first picked up this book I was really excited, some of my favorite storylines are those that are enemies to lovers. There is always so much chemistry and sparks occurring between the characters. I just love it. With this book I honestly don't know why I kept reading. Actually I do know why, I was curious to see what was going to happen with the hero and heroine when they finally got together. I really shouldn't have wasted my time because it wasn't worth it. This book was just so lackluster. The chemistry between Conner and Venus was just felt flat and lacking the sparks that I love.

From the beginning I had issues with the storyline. It just seemed to be a bit all over the place and a lot of characters and events just seem to pop up out of nowhere that seem to mess with the flow of the story. I found myself confused by it all more than once. There was just too many characters and interloping storylines going on that just seemed to detract from the Conner and Venus' story. These two are supposed to be the main focus, but I felt like their story was just a side note to the mystery that is going on in the book and the only reason I kept reading this book was to see their relationship progress.

I really needn't have bothered finishing because there just wasn't any sizzle with them. Once they got together that was it, nothing really special happens or there wasn't really much that happened beforehand. They just go from hating each other to instantly in love and it just make no sense to me. It wasn't believable at all. I would have love to see more flirting between them before they jumped into bed with each other. I like reading romances to experience the romance with the characters and I just didn't feel any with Venus and Conner. Their relationship just didn't seem like it had a natural progression. The author constantly tells us how much they both hate each other and then all of a sudden all that hate and resentment is gone? Just didn't make sense to me.

I also hate that somehow everything is wrapped up in a pretty little bow. Somehow all of the problems that occurred in the book are magically fixed and everyone gets a HEA. How does that happen? That isn't realistic at all. It just felt so phony.

I think one of my main issues is I was unable to connect with the heroine Venus. I just did not like her. She is constantly moaning about how much she hates Connor for what he did to her father, yet it's okay to attempt to seduce him to get information. Also, every time something happens she starts to cry. I have never read a book where the heroine cries so much. It seemed like every other page she was crying about something. It was highly annoying.

As for Connor, I found that I really did enjoy him and I loved when we were able to see things through his point of view. I love that he was so protective of Venus and is even willing to sleep in his car in order to be there in case something were to happen. He just wants her to be safe. He may have been a bit stubborn and set in his ways, but he is willing to do anything to protect the ones he loves and cares about.

All in all, I didn't completely hate this book but I definitely did not love it. I might be a bit hesitant to pick up something from this author in the future. This book just had a few too many misses for me to willing pick up another from this author.

**ARC copy provided by NetGalley**

RATING:

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas!


I wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! I hope you have an amazing holiday spent with the ones you love. 

Friday, December 23, 2011

On the 1st Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...With Maggie Robinson and Giveaway

One Heir Stuck Up The Tree - Maggie Robinson


Maggie Robinson is a former teacher, library clerk and mother of four who woke up in the middle of the night, absolutely compelled to create the perfect man and use as many adverbs as possible doing so. A transplanted New Yorker, she lives with her not-quite perfect husband in Maine, where the cold winters are ideal for staying inside and writing hot historical romances.

Maggie Robinson also writes under the name Margaret Rowe. Margaret is an RT Reviewers Choice nominee in the best erotic fiction category for Any Wicked Thing and will be going to the RT convention in Chicago in April.

Maggie's Master of Sin comes out March 27, 2012 and hope's to be signing both books. Margaret has a short story in Agony/Ecstasy that releases this month.

Places to find Maggie/Margaret

Thursday, December 22, 2011

On the 2nd Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...With Erica Ridley and Giveaway

Two Dukes a Dueling - Erica Ridley

Erica Ridley learned to read when she was three, which was about the same time she decided to be a writer when she grew up. Over the course of her school years, she graduated from self-illustrated stories written in crayon to dramatic sagas filling reams of spiral notebooks.

Now, Erica writes Regency-set historical romances, often with a touch of paranormal. Since becoming active in the writing community, all of her manuscripts have finaled in or won various RWA chapter contests. Erica is also the webmistress of her local writing chapter.

When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found riding camels in Africa, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.
Places to find Erica:

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

On the 3rd Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...With Caroline Linden and Giveaway

Three French Courtesans - Caroline Linden

Caroline Linden knew from an early age she was a reader, but not a writer. Despite an addiction to Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew, she studied physics and dreamed of being an astronaut. She earned a math degree from Harvard College and then wrote software for a financial services firm, all the while reading everything in sight, but especially romance. Only after she had children, and found herself with only picture books to read, did she begin to make up a story of her own. To her immense surprise, it turned out to be an entire novel--and it was much more fun than writing computer code. Seven years, eight books, two Red Sox championships, and on dog later, she has never been happier with her decision. She lives with her family in New England.

Place to find Caroline:

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

On the 4th Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...With Kieran Kramer and Giveaway

Four Horny Lords - Kieran Kramer

USA Today best-selling author and double-Rita finalist Kieran Kramer writes Regency historical romances for St. Martin's Press. IF YOU GIVE A GIRL A VISCOUNT, the fourth and last book in her lighthearted Impossible Bachelors series, is on store shelves now. Her new series, House of Brady, premiers in 2012. A former CIA employee, journalist, and English teacher, Kieran's also a game show veteran, karaoke enthusiast, and general adventurer.

Places to find Kieran:
| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter |

Monday, December 19, 2011

On the 5th Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...With Miranda Neville and Giveaway

Five Golden Rings...Stolen By a Highwayman - Miranda Neville

Miranda Neville lives the glamorous life of a romance novelist, which means wearing pajamas all day during terrifying deadlines. She writes historical romances set in her native England, though she wasn’t actually alive during the Regency era. Publishers Weekly has praised her “mixture of hilarity, mystery and passion.” THE DANGEROUS VISCOUNT won the 2011 Gayle Wilson Award for Excellence in the historical category. Her fifth historical romance for Avon, CONFESSIONS FROM AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE, will be released March 27, 2012.

Places to find Miranda:

Sunday, December 18, 2011

On the 6th Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...With Lecia Cornwall and Giveaway

Six Wagers Starting - Lecia Cornwall


Lecia Cornwall lives in Calgary Alberta, in the foothills of the beautiful Canadian Rockies, with two grown children, four cats, a chocolate labe and a husband who puts up with all of the above with remarkable patience. Lecia's debut novel was published by Avon in April 2011. Watch for her first Christmas e-novella on December 20, and her second print book on December 27. And, she is, of course, busy working on yet another book.

Places to find Lecia:


Saturday, December 17, 2011

Olivia Cunning Winners


Congratulations to

Diane S
Karalee W
On winning their choice of either Backstage Pass or Rock Hard by Olivia Cunning

Winners have been contacted via email. Thanks to everyone that entered. 

On the 7th Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...With Eileen Dreyer and Giveaway

Seven Spies a Lurking - Eileen Dreyer

I'm a native St. Louisan who spent twenty years working in hospitals, 16 as a trauma nurse in two of the biggest trauma centers in St. Louis. I'm from a large Irish Catholic family, am married, have my own kids, and now pursue my second career and biggest dream, writing books. The genres I specialize in right now are romance, which I write as Kathleen Korbel, and suspense, which I write as Eileen Dreyer. My dreams are to make the New York Times list, to see a book made into a movie, to see more places in the world, and to have land in Ireland. All my other dreams have been realized.

Places to find Eileen:

Friday, December 16, 2011

On the 8th Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...With Monica Burns and Giveaway

Eight Spinsters Singing - Monica Burns

An award-winning author of erotic romance, Monica Burns penned her first short romance story at the age of nine when she selected the pseudonym she uses today. From the days when she hid her stories from her sisters to her first completed full-length manuscript, she always believed in her dream despite rejections and setbacks. A workaholic wife and mother, Monica believes it’s possible for the good guy to win if they work hard enough.

Places to find Monica:

Thursday, December 15, 2011

On the 9th Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...With Christie Kelley and Giveaway

Nine Playful Princes - Christie Kelley

Christie Kelley was born and raised in upstate New York. As a child, she always had a vivid imagination and the bad dreams that go along with it, or perhaps the dreams were caused by the five brothers and three sisters she lived with. After seventeen years working for financial institutions in software development, she took a leap of faith and started her first book. Seven years later, her first book EVERY NIGHT I’M YOURS was bought by Zebra books.

She now lives in Maryland with her two sons.

Places to find Christie:

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Midnight's Wild Passion Winner


Congratulations to

Lisa W
On winning a copy of Midnight's Wild Passion by Anna Campbell

Winner has been contacted via email. Thank you to everyone that entered.

On the 10th Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...With Robyn DeHart and Giveaway

Ten Scandals Brewing - Robyn DeHart

A life-long lover of stories and adventure, it was either become a stuntwoman for the movies or live out those adventures from the safety of her PJ’s and computer. Award-winning author, Robyn DeHart chose the latter and couldn’t be happier for doing so. Known for her unique plotlines and authentic characters, Robyn is a favorite among readers and reviewers. Publishers' Weekly claims her writing to be "comical and sexy" while the Chicago Tribune dubs her "wonderfully entertaining." Robyn is a three-time RT Bookclub Reviewers' Choice award nominee,and her book SEDUCE ME won for the 2009 Best Historical Romantic Adventure. The same book also won the inaugural RomCon Reader’s Crown award.

Places to find Robyn:

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

On the 11th Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...With Anna Campbell and Giveaway

Eleven Mamas Plotting - Anna Campbell

ANNA CAMPBELL has written six multi award-winning historical romances for Avon HarperCollins and her work is published in eleven languages. Always a voracious reader, Anna decided when she was a child that she wanted to be a writer. Once she discovered the wonderful world of romance novels, she knew exactly what she wanted to write. Anna has won numerous awards for her Regency-set romances including Romantic Times Reviewers Choice, the Booksellers Best, the Golden Quill (twice), the Heart of Excellence, the Aspen Gold and the Australian Romance Readers Association's favorite historical romance (three times). Her books have twice been nominated for Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA Award and twice for Australia's Romantic Book of the Year.
Places to find Anna:

Monday, December 12, 2011

On the 12th Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...With Sara Lindsey and Giveaway

Twelve Rakes Cavorting - Sara Lindsey

SARA LINDSEY began writing during her senior year of college. The rest, as they say, is history… or rather, historical romance. Sara divides her time between her native Los Angeles and Manhattan, where she is pursuing her graduate degree in information and library science.

Having read a number of romances featuring librarians, Sara figures this profession bodes well for someday getting her own happily ever after. In the meantime, she plans to turn as many unsuspecting library patrons as possible into fellow romance addicts.

What readers can expect from you in the new year: I'm so happy to say that the third Weston book, which tells Henry's story, will finally be available in early 2012. To stay updated with Sara Lindsey news, please sign up for her newsletter: here
Places to find Sara:
Site | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |

Sunday, December 11, 2011

ARC Review: There Demons Fear To Tread by Stephanie Chong

I had heard a lot of good things about this book that made me slightly hesitant to pick it up. Lately it seems as if every debut paranormal that I've picked up hasn't really lived up to the hype. That was not the case with this book at all. From beginning to end I found myself engrossed in the story and I kept turning the page to see what would happen. I really enjoyed this book. Where Demons Fear to Tread has just the right mix of dark and sweet to satisfy any fans of the paranormal genre.

When demon Julian Asher catches sight of Serena St. Clair inside of his club, he immediately decides that he will stop at nothing to have her. It's an added bonus that she just happens to be and angel and apparently guardian to the  current Hollywood "It Boy" Nick. Julian makes it's his goal to make Serena is conquest and in the process make her fall therefore making her a demon.

While Serena is in a night club looking for Nick she is accosted by Julian. She immediately recognizes that he's a demon but there is something about him and she finds herself attracted to him despite his being a demon. When she realizes that Julian will stop at anything, including corrupting her brother to gain her affection she quickly makes a deal agreeing to spend a week with him in Vegas.

Even though Julian had planned to use Serena than discard her, he finds himself becoming more and more enraptured by her. What started out as a game is quickly turning into something serious and Julian has vowed to never let a woman get close to him again.

I really enjoyed this book and I love the world Stephanie has created. Even though Julian is a demon, I found myself rooting for him from the beginning. It was great to see him transform from a womanizing player to a man that will do anything in his power to save the woman he loves.

As for Serena, I loved watching her grow into a woman is sure of herself and is willing to go the distance to save the ones she loves. She might have been a little naive at times but I found that it actually worked. I believed in her.

I can't recommend this book enough. I really hope that this book leads to a series because I am not ready to let this world or it's characters go.

**ARC copy provided by NetGalley**

RATING:

Guest Post with Author Teresa D'Amario

Today I would like to welcome to the blog author Teresa D'Amario. Teresa stopped by today to talk about her newest book Blood Moon Betrayed. So please give Teresa a warm welcome.

But the great thing is I'm now here during the Christmas season. Oddly enough, I've not written a Christmas book. Most of mine seem to center around the fall. You'd think that meant I like the fall, but alas, summer is my favorite season, followed by the week of Christmas. Though I have to admit, I enjoy Halloween to the max.

In Blood Moon Betrayed, it's the Blood Moon, and for those who don't know when that is, it's the full moon in October. So of course I had to make it a big celebration. They have the Blood Moon Festival every year in the Uwharrie Forest, with the Sean's pack. Only Sean isn't the pack leader anymore. He left it in the hands of his brother, Kieran, and disappeared into the forest, searching for peace. One evening his peace is shattered by the whimpers and cries of a human woman. Battered and bruised to the point the only feature he can make out is one beautiful green eye, his world is sent topsy turvy.

So tell me, what is the most fun holiday/season for you?

ARC Review: All The Pleasures of The Season by Lecia Cornwall

I was really excited to read this book. These types of tropes are normally some of my favorites but with this one I felt like it was just missing something. I didn't really feel any chemistry between the hero and heroine. I'm not sure if it's because this was a novella and the author just didn't have enough time to develop their relationship but I honestly had trouble believing in them and their feelings towards one another. Don't get me wrong, I really liked both the hero and the heroine, I just would have liked to see more interaction between them.

Maybe if I would have read this novella directly after reading Secrets of a Proper Countess, I would have remembered both Miranda and Gilbert and the chemistry they had together in that book. But since I did not, I'm left feeling a little lost.

**ARC copy provided by Goddess Fish Promotions Blog Tours**

RATING:

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Let Me In Winner


Congratulations to

June M
On winning an eBook copy of Let Me In by Lauren Hawkeye

Winner has been contacted via email. Thank you to all that entered. =)

ARC Review: A Vampire For Christmas by Laurie London, Michele Hauf, Caridad Pineiro and Alexis Morgan

A Vampire For Christmas is an anthology comprised of four different novellas featuring vampires and a Christmas theme.

Enchanted By Blood-Laurie London

I still can't get over how good Laurie London's Sweetblood series is. It's definitely one of my favorites and with this novella the series just keeps getting better. Laurie just has a way of being able to cram just the right amount into her stories, whether it's a novella or a full length novel. Even with this story being a novella I didn't feel as if anything was missing or left out, and the story doesn't feel rushed at all. Laurie just has a way with making the reader feel as if her world is real and even if you've never read any of her books before you are able to pick up everything rather quickly.

I myself, really enjoyed being able to step back into this world and being able to get to know Trace and Charlotte. Their story was sweet and I loved the chemistry between them both. They had definite sparks flying all over the place and I found myself continuously turning the page to see how thing would end up for them.

Enchanted By Blood is another definite winner for Laurie London and I can't wait to get my hands on her next Sweetblood novel.

RATING:

Monsters Don't Do Christmas-Michele Hauf

This was my first story that I've read from Michele Hauf and it definitely won't be my last. I really enjoyed it and the world she has created. I'm eager to get my hands on some of her others books to see if they were just as good as this story.

Daniel and Olivia were great characters and I thought that they complemented each other very well. Sometimes when reading about a new relationship in a novella, the relationship sometimes feels rushed and not at all realistic, but that was not the case with this story. The progression between Daniel and Olivia felt natural and I quickly found myself rooting for them and was eager to see how things ended up for them both.

Now the story wasn't a complete home run for me. I did have a few issues. I honestly never really understood why Olivia keeps referring to herself as a monster. I just never really understood why she thinks being a singer equates to being a monster. Is she trying to say that she's a diva? If so, she never acted like one. This left me a little confused. My other issue was the twist at the very end of the story. I just didn't think that it was needed and it just seemed out of place with the rest of the story. Besides those two issues I really enjoyed this story and I will definitely be on the lookout for more from this author.

RATING:


When The Herald Angels Sing-Caridad Pineiro

Out of all the stories in this book, this was the only one I wasn't able to finish. I liked the premise behind the story, but for some reason I just couldn't get into it. I just found myself flipping through the pages not really absorbing anything.

RATING:
 DNF

All I Want For Christmas-Alexis Morgan

I loved this story! Alexis Morgan has definitely found a new fan in me with this story. I quickly devoured this story and it left me wanting to read more from her. I will definitely be picking up her back list and be adding her to my auto-buy list. I just loved the world she created and the fact that it's not just vampires. Her hero was certainly yummy and I loved him and the heroine together. I love that their relationship had a slow build up and that there were definite sparks from the beginning. 

Even though this was a novella, the story felt complete and flushed out. I got a real feel for all the characters and nothing felt left out and the story didn't feel rushed. It was honestly very good and I am curious to see if all of her book are based in this world. 
RATING:


As a whole, I thoroughly enjoyed this anthology. I liked that it introduced me to new authors that I otherwise wouldn't have read. It's also interesting to see how each author has created their own unique spin on the vampire myth and was able to make if feel so real. I look forward to reading more from these authors and stepping back into their vampire filled worlds.

**ARC copy provided by NetGalley**


OVERALL RATING: