Jennifer Rardin – Jaz Parks Series Reading Order

by Maryse on January 27, 2012 · 2 comments

in Reading Order Guide:

Another vampire series as highly recommended by fellow vampire lover, Jennifer:

“I’ve come across your website trying to put all the books series i’ve read in order and when a new release is coming out.  I just found out you don’t have one of my absolute favorite authors on your list.  so, i’d like to make a suggestion.  The author is Jennifer Rardin, a “Jaz Parks series… There is also a short story, but i don’t recall the name of it and can’t locate it on the internet.  its suppose to be about Vayl (the vampire in the series) in his point of view when he works with Jaz.”

You got it Jennifer! Here it is (including the short story you were talking about :) ):

          

2 comments

Book Review – Wild Man by Kristen Ashley

by Maryse on January 26, 2012 · 10 comments

in Kristen Ashley

Wild Man (Dream Man)
I finally just finished this one (book #2 in the series) last night, and yet again, a great solid Kristen-style alpha read. Unfortunately, I started this book just before my “meet Lothaire/read Christian Grey/go on biz trip” whirlwind, and therefore, poor “Brock” got shortchanged. I pieced his story together by reading it every few days, and unfortunately for this one, I didn’t get that whole “Kristen-alpha” proper immersion where I swooned my butt of on the couch for two days. Oh there was swooning potential, but something (and much of it was GREAT somethings) kept me from becoming one with Brock. Oh stop!! You know what I mean. Tee hee!!!

But, do you wanna know something else I’ve come to realize with Kristen’s heroes? Sure, they’re mostly bossy, demanding, and gruff (and sexier then anything, in the process), but I’ve come to realize that I love how not “wordy” they are. I know you just blinked at me, wondering… “She didn’t just realize that, did she?” I know. These guys are infamous with their one word answers, and mostly that answer is just… “Babe.” Says it all, doesn’t it?

Of course I’ve always loved that, but I’ve come to appreciate it even more since taking a break from her men for a month or so.

Because in that time, I’ve met many more heroes and over and over, have found myself thinking… “What? No guy would actually say this, would he?” or “Oh come on, he’s a bad-boy. He wouldn’t talk like that during…. you know.” Nuh uh. He’d be cruder. Quicker. Intense in sound (maybe a few words, here or there), but not so vivid in the flowery descriptions area. In a few recent books, I’ve come across some bad boys that are a bit too “poetic in their enthusiasm” let’s just say. A bit too proper considering the circumstances, whether he was coming on to her (I eye-rolled a few times), arguing (really? He’s that articulate when angry?) or steaming up the place (Wait!? He sure is talking a lot. And not sexy-suggestive either. All eloquent-like). The imagery. The detail (and not the author’s detail of the scene) but the hero is saying this stuff (or thinking it). I didn’t realize guys could think that much, let alone say that much, considering where all the blood… ahhhh nevermind. *blush*

Anyway, as I was saying, beautiful sure, in  a poem. But not so hot in the throes of passion. Hrmmmm…

So case in point. I’ve come to appreciate Kristen’s alpha’s even more, because of it. I can relate to her guys (and her girls), on a personal level. I believe them. She’s created them in such a way that her bad-boy “characters” are true to their persona. Not just in image, but bone deep, too. And reading Brock last night (finishing his bittersweet story) felt real to me. So even if Brock’s book was not my favorite (and I believe only because he had the misfortune of not being fully consumed in one or two sittings), I still adored him!

So here’s Brock’s deal (’cause all know Kristen’s heroes always have a “deal”). Brock is an undercover agent in the DEA and get’s quite serious about his undercover roles. In fact, if there is a female involved in his investigation, he’s been known to get quite personal with her, if you know what I mean. To keep his cover, and to fully integrate into the group he is investigating. He is one of the characters we met in book #1 that was part of that whole “kidnapping” plot. Yep! Remember him?

Well, in this book, he’s investigating a sweet, and gentle “cake baker” (Tess) just trying to get on with her life, after leaving her abusive husband. Come to find out, her abusive husband was seriously involved in some shady dealings with drug cartels, and therefore, her past involvement with him is suspect. Thing is, Brock develops a serious crush on her, and she falls for him head over heals. Together for months now, she truly believes he might actually love her. But she doesn’t know him as Brock (who he really is), she knows him as Jake Knox.

And I knew, feeling the burn of his eyes, what that look meant. I knew this man, this fantastic, striking, wild man was mine.

Mine.

I felt it in my blood.

And when she realizes the truth (believe me… the discovery is not pretty), her whole world comes crashing down around her.

I just knew a man like Jake Knox would have not one thing to do with the pale faced woman that was me.

Unless it was his job.

Not only is she under investigation for being part of a drug cartel, her ex-husband has signed her name onto things she never wanted to be a part of, and the one man she was finally letting in, isn’t the man she knew at all.

And so the story goes. That, my friends, was only the beginning. The rest of the book well, is plain old fun! Brock’s own personal life is a bit of a mess. A large and loving (yet highly dysfunctional) family, a very ill father, a vindictive, gorgeous ex-wife, two sons caught in between them, and a woman he truly wants, despite how he had to betray her.

“You didn’t have my name, Tess, but all that time you had me and you know it.”

I would say this book is more about “living” with them, their families, their daily experiences (sweet and some not so sweet). Almost a realistic look into the life of a new couple (with issues). Less drama in this one, more “living”, although some drama comes a long. Let’s just say, the end was high-impact, considering the slower, gentler pace of the book as a whole.

There were a few opportunities where I thought the author could have increased the drama, or the tension. Stuff like potential for break-up moments, maybe insecurities from misunderstandings, or incorrect perceptions that might have played out a bit more. Maybe even Kristen’s infamous “alpha second-guessing his choices, and breaking her heart in the process” moment. You know…stuff like that. There was certainly that “realistic” potential here. But I think the author played this one a bit safer than some of my favorites from her repertoire.

Still though, heartwarming-ly good stuff! Warm and fuzzy with some seriously sweet and some seriously sad moments, that were well worth it in the end.

Interested in the series? —> Dream Man Series Reading Order

 

10 comments

Jaci Burton – Play by Play Series Reading Order

by Maryse on January 25, 2012 · 11 comments

in Bad Boys & Rock Stars

My friend Jennifer first suggested this series to me, when I went on a bad-boy rock star kick (wait!! I’m still on that kick – BIG TIME! I’m just having a harder time finding a new one that makes me crazy-obsessed like the past ones have…). Anyway, Jennifer messaged me saying:

“I’m thinking you need to check out some “bad boy” athletes… been reading some great reveiws on this series by Jaci Burton “Play by Play” the first book is The Perfect Play.”

Those are some HOT covers! What cinched it for me was a second recommendation by Stacy:

“These are NOT alternative but erotic!”

About the series (as per the author):

“The Play by Play series is a steamy, sexy peek into the world of sports as seen through the Riley family. Mick Riley is a professional football player, his brother Gavin plays baseball. Their sister Jenna runs the family sports bar and doesn’t want anything to do with any guy involved with sports. Their parents are heavily involved in their lives and it’s a loving, tight knit family… Hot, sexy, determined to have it all—their successes and their failures pave the way to the biggest win of their lives—that elusive happily ever after.”

Oh!!! I must read these!!

11 comments

Shayla Black – Wicked Lovers Series Reading Order

by Maryse on January 25, 2012 · 13 comments

in Alternative

Brandy emailed me this series recommendation, and all I have to say is, I’m on it!! These look great!

“Shayla Black: I read the Doomsday Brethren and it was a lot like BDB my favorite series by far. But have you read her Wicked Lovers books?!!!!! OMG!!!!   It is nothing paranormal at all but if you are ever in the mood for total HOTNESS!!!! It is a MUST read (sidenote: Brandy goes on to mention some of the “steamier” and more alternative – Dom/sub aspects of the series *blush* and ended off with…) … I would HIGHLY recommend you read if you haven’t. It is in  my top favorite series!!”

and my friend Tina commented on book #5 in this series saying:

“I recently read “Belong to Me” by Shayla Black which is another D/s book where you get the “broken heart love lost, magic of love reunited, can our love be rebuilt while we’re fighting the bad guys?” angst along with a nice storyline of FBI agent/Navy SEAL going undercover to infiltrate an underground “sex slave for sale” ring.   I guess the Shayla Black books are a part of a series, but I felt that this book (#5??) stood just find all on its little own.”

13 comments

Today’s Paranormal Book Releases – January 24th 2012

by Maryse on January 24, 2012 · 1 comment

in Paranormal Book Releases

Anyone anxious for Sterling’s book (Darker After Midnight: A Midnight Breed Novel by Lara Adrian)? I know I am. I’ve been crushing on him since Tegan’s book!

1 comment

Book Review – Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James

by Maryse on January 23, 2012 · 29 comments

in Bad Boys & Rock Stars

Fifty Shades Freed (Fifty Shades Trilogy)

QUICK NOTE!! SPOILER ALERT. Actually… not a spoiler for this book, but for the series in general. YOU MUST read the other two books before reading this review, so as not to spoil all of the crazy excitement that you’ll go through with those. This is one of those absolute must read trilogies that you must read from the start, spoiler free! Believe me. You will love it!! If you haven’t read the first book, stop right now and go get it!! Fifty Shades is a masterpiece!! Check out my first review if you’re new to the series, and go from there ;)

Interested in the series? —> E.L. James – Fifty Shades Trilogy Reading Order

———————-
So let’s talk about this. I’m going to say right out that I *did* love it, and I adored the deep emotional connection that this book allowed us to explore. It was pure “Christian Grey” and it indulged our need for Christian-style emotion. Angry Christian, gentle Christian, loving Christian, insecure Christian… despondent Christian. He was 100% perfectly “Fifty” and beautifully “mercurial” and every moment with “Fifty” is a moment worth reading. I still adore him, almost above all other alpha-male heroes.

Most of our favorite *touches* were there. The fun and silly (and/or) angry/emotionally charged emails. Christian laying down the law (as is his way), and Ana completely and happily defying his wishes. Her unavoidable face-palming whenever her decisions got her in trouble and she found herself questioning “Why again, did I DO that!?”.

“Crap, Christian’s mad – and he has enough to worry about at the moment. What was I thinking?”

Their tender exchanges, their steamy moments, and Ana still completely overwhelmed by just how incredibly wealthy Christian is. Christian’s tenuous hold on the reality of accepting and giving love and affection. Being touched. Being close to someone, in a “normal” way.

My beautiful man who cannot bear to be tickled, who cannot bear to be touched just a short while ago, yet now he tolerates my touch. I must ask him if he likes it, or whether he lets me touch him for my pleasure rather than his.

And of course, enemies continue to haunt their lives.

And while there weren’t as many shocking situations and heart-stopping moments as there were in book #1 and 2, there were a few.

“Anastasia, if you leave me, you might as well take everything.”

In fact there was one that almost almost equaled *that* horrific moment for me in book #2. I clutched my heart, and gulped my tears back because the pain was so deep. And as you read, and come across a pretty bad part, a stressful, coldness will encompass you. And then… another moment.

I realized these moments existed when I started seeing these comments (all at about the same percentage of the book, but I won’t tell you, where):

Desmond: … WTF Fifty.

patricia: I know right!!!!!!!!!

I started avoiding you guys like the plague at that point (here and on my Facebook) ’cause I was so far behind, and was scared something might slip (my business trip completely collided with the release of this book) and I knew I’d have to read the rest of the way through, in hiding.

But then I got *there* (where y’all were freakin’). And I realized something. I don’t know if everyone felt like I did at a certain point past that part, but for you new readers out there… you’ll think you’re there, and you’ll think of me when you get there, but that wasn’t the part that absolutely freaked me out. Oh it had me, but something had me worse. It comes after and it broke my heart. I could hear him. I could see him. I could feel him.

*sob*

Thank you E.L. for bringing Christian to life, like that.

Oh right! What’s it about?

*sucks in breath through teeth*

Ummm…. hrmmm… Ya gotta read the first two, to fully *get* this whole thing, and anything will be a spoiler, at this point, so I’ll keep it simple:

It’s about a wealthy gorgeous alpha male (read: “Dom” although in this one, there’s a lot less of that) and a sweet “normal” girl. They’re into each other (oh sheesh… that doesn’t even come close to describing it). Ha! But he’s got issues, and she’s… “dealing”. Sorta. At times though… she really tries his patience, and yet… that keeps them interesting. ;) The man who has everything and the one thing he wants, well… not as easy as he expects. Or demands.

“Even though you make me so mad – I feel so alive with you.”

But it’s all fun. Except when things come crashing down, and then we’re all freaking out! Them’s the good parts!! (*cringe* hee hee – I know. Grammar – I got it covered ;) )! Growth, discovery, and regression. Exploration. Testing limits. YES!! That’s it!!! Maybe not this book, but this series is about testing limits. Surpassing limits. And not just her. But… him.

“Don’t worry baby, I’ll look after you.”

“It’s not me I’m worried about, it’s you,” I grumble. “Who’s looking after you?”

Anyhoooooo, it was a GREAT book. Very happy to have read it, and let me tell you. If you’ve read the first two, you need this one. NEED IT!

BUT!!! While it was great, and overall, I mostly loved it, I will admit something that might make me a *tad* bit unpopular. I found that I wasn’t obsessed with it like I was with the others. I wondered (and still wonder) if it was possible that my hectic work weekend  was preventing me from becoming fully absorbed in the book.

When my fellow Facebook friend Sandra stated:

Sandra: “I liked it the last half more. But it was my least favorite in the series. The other two I couldnt put down and was irritated when I was forced too (like ugh going to work). This one however was easy to put down and pick up. Not that I didnt like it but I didnt squee….”

A few of us had to agree:

Maryse’s Book Blog: “Sandra… ditto. I wondered if it was my constant work interruptions (and you know, it *might* be that) but I didn’t find myself obsessively re-living the scenes in my head while I worked. I still loved it, for the “time” with them… and the depth of their emotion, but #1 & #2 rocked my world and #3 cuddled me, instead.”

Amy: “… I almost felt like they fought and then made up a little too repetitively so for me it down played the “big WTF moment” that happened. The epilogue was awesome.”

Sali: “… totally agree ….this book felt a little bit safe . Which I love in a way bcoz I didn’t get to anxious…” (side note: true… this was needed.)

Jenny: “… I loved it…..but…and I wasn’t sure what the “but” was, but you nailed it on the head. I didn’t obsess about this one the way I did the other two. I too didn’t get the chance to sit and read it in one go and wondered if that was why but I don’t think so. I could also put this down and walk away whereas that just wasn’t an option with the first two. I did love the conclusion and the extra Fifty bonus was awesome, I would love more of that.”

Yep. Awesome, but… and that’s just it. *shrug*

Just… but.

However… many loved it to death, and I could hear the *squee’ing* from my hotel room.

Jeanette: “…I was dying to know what happens and then sad when I finished! Crazy addiction this is!!!”

Yanira: “I just finished and OMG!! I loved this so much, I laughed and cried, still teary right now. It’s so good.”

Gitte: “‎……and breathe Gitte….finished Fifty Freed and uhm wow..it was everything and more, it was AMAZING!!! Am speechless….”

And as Tina and I discussed it (after all, she is the one who introduced me to “Fifty”):

Maryse: I had so many (work-related) stops and starts this weekend that I didn’t get to read it in proper flow. I got all the right feelings, felt all the right things, but because I kept having to put the book down, I didn’t “simmer” in my emotions…

I  enjoyed her disobeying. I just laughed every time she face palmed… she kept doing what she wanted and then saying “ahhh why did I do that? Now he’s mad!” LOL!!!!

Tina: “Yes, but it was a plot driver so it had to be there. If she obeyed him he would never get angry. It’s been her obstinance, her defiance that really attracted him to her.”

Yep. It had everything… “but”. I bet a quiet uninterrupted re-read in my peaceful, pink, fluffy bed would do the trick nicely but I felt the need to “review” ASAP.

So overall. I’d say close to perfect. Near it, but not quite *that*.

I mean, how can anything compare to the perfection of book #1 & #2? Perfect simply because they made me react, and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Kept me in that “reaction mode” from start to finish. The introduction, the attraction, the deep dark secret that would send most running for the hills. The pursuit. The interaction. The actual “heading for the hills”. The emotional overload. The growth. The one step forward, two steps back. It was ALL there. Those books absolutely flipped my reading world upside down and I LOVED it. Those books were a GREAT BIG magic half-circle. This one just… completed it. A little less magic, but a little more… something else.

It’s all good. I was happy to be a part of their world. And of course, I’d love more like it!

Interested in the series? —> E.L. James – Fifty Shades Trilogy Reading Order

29 comments

Marie Force – McCarthys of Gansett Island Series Reading Order

by Maryse on January 23, 2012 · 9 comments

in Reading Order Guide:

I found this author in the e-book bargains, and they were calling to me! When I made mention that so many of the books seemed to be right up my alley, my friend Tina commented:

“I’ve read a lot of Marie Force’s books and her men are Alphas but not as gruff.  Does that make sense?  You get the protective stuff without the “leather wearin’ can kill you with my glare and two fingers” Alpha alpha.  I liked the MacCarthys series of hers the best.   You get a sense of community with the storylines … these folks live on Gansett Island.   True North was pretty good too.   Got to love hot, rich men.”

and Karen emailed me stating:

“LOVE LOVE LOVE Marie Force, especially Line of Scrimmage and Everyone Loves a Hero.”

9 comments

Book Review – Lothaire by Kresley Cole PLUS Signed Book Giveaway!!

by Maryse on January 20, 2012 · 56 comments

in Kresley Cole

WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT!!! –> Congratulations Sarah F! You win my third and final giveaway of Kresley Cole’s signed Lothaire book (signed by Lothaire and Kresley)!!

——-

Lothaire
Yet again, another Kresley Cole book that I LOVED! And noooooo! I know what you might be thinking’! Nuh uh! I’m not being all biased ’cause I saw, and sorta hugged on the author and vampire up close, in real life and all. *blush*

Okay, well… I mean, I do admit I didn’t have to struggle to imagine Lothaire in my head. It  does help my attention span when the “hero” (or in this case, villain/potential hero) is *real* to me. Where I can perfectly visualize everyone of his expressions, from the dark stare,  to the the humor in his eyes, as he loosens up in his personal life. And in this case, Lothaire couldn’t have been clearer. I must thank Kresley for allowing us the opportunity to enjoy Lothaire in all of his splendor! Y’all rocked my reading experience!!

But what I loved about this book is it tickled my “Alpha-bone”. OMG is Lothaire EVER an alpha. Oh and he was such a grrrrrrrrrrrrrr infuriating male right from the start. Obnoxiously haughty, unapologetically insulting, perfectly evil, and sexy as all get-out! Oh wait. Why in the heck do I find an infuriating bossy alpha sexy? I still haven’t figured it out, but such is life. Book life that is. THAT is what I seem to love in a hero these days. I love to hate him, and I love to discover him, and I love to see him live, learn and love back. And this one was all that!

Because you see, Lothaire had two women in his life. One that he believed was “worthy” of his evil-ass, because she was just as evil, and the plus. She was a vampire goddess (Saroya). Unfortunately, her issue was that she was “cursed” (yah, you can’t be evil without someone cursing you eventually). Because of the curse, she lost her own body and was forced to exist as an energy-spirit sort of woman, inhabiting humans to become “real”. And that was the other woman in his life. Elizabeth. The bane of his existence… the woman his evil “girlfriend” possessed. Elizabeth. Redneck mountain girl lacking education, living in poverty amongst her family and loving her barefooted life. Living the complete opposite of Lothaire’s privileged existence. A mere mortal. And human. ICK!

“But if you try to harm yourself – and therefore my female – again, I will punish you beyond imagining. Do you understand me?”

“Your female? I’m not yours!”

“I wouldn’t have you.” He narrowed those red eyes. “The glorious being who lives within you, however…”

But Elizabeth was exceptionally quick-witted, intelligent and strong willed and this human would NOT be bested by her internal captor. She fought Saroya tooth-and-nail and fully lived in her own body as long as she was awake. Driving Lothaire absolutely crazy in the process! Hehe.

Of all the mortals Saroya has possessed, Elizabeth was the prettiest, the youngest – and the strongest. Saroya had difficulty rising to take control unless the girl was asleep or weakened in some way.

A first. Saroya gave a sigh. Elizabeth should consider it an honor to be the form to Saroya’s essence, the flesh and blood temple housing her godly vampiric spirit.

Saroya peered down at her stolen body. Instead she’d had to fight Elizabeth for possession, was still fighting her.

But Lothaire, being the jerk he is, drove her crazy in return. And you know what happens when two hot people can’t stand each other right? Yep!! Sexual tension!! Lots of it, but not eye-rollingly so (while being one of the steamiest books I’ve ever read). They have a lot of work to do to get past each other’s differences and deal with the hand that has been dealt. And in the process, of course, there is self-discovery. Lothaire may have a life-plan (eternal as it is, he still has goals – revenge and world domination), but having a human possessed by a vampire goddess, in his life, is sure throwing a monkey wrench in his world. Since meeting Saroya/Elizabeth that one fateful night, he’s been “blooded”, his heart is beating once again, he has passion and drive, now that he has finally discovered his “Bride”, but how to handle the other woman in his life?

“A bride is a vampire’s mate, the female meant only for him. Saroya is mine.”

Ellie processed this information – keep an open mind – then asked, “How do you know she is?”

He tilted his head in that appraising way, as if considering the pros and cons of answering her. “She blooded me.” At her questioning look, he said, “Each adult male vampire walks as the living dead until he finds his mate and she bloods him, rings him back to life. Saroya made my heart beat again, made my lungs take breath.” In a husky tone, he added, “Among other things.”

“How do you know it’s not me who’s… blooded you?”

DUN DUN DUUUUUUUNNNN!!

Woooooohooooo!!!! One of the best in the series, so far. Maybe, dare I say, the best one yet! Enemies and foes, thwarted plans, and immortal surprises! You get it all, in this one, PLUS!!! The Valkyries. And Nix. Need I say more?

Interested in the series? Check out the reading order guide here —> Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark

Now for the giveaway:

For this post, I am giving away ONE signed copy of Lothaire to one randomly selected lucky winner. It is the THIRD and final copy – signed by both Kresley Cole AND Lothaire (Paul Marron).

How to enter for a chance to win a copy?

Just leave a comment on this post by Sunday, January 22 2012 (8pm, USA EST) and shortly after (approx) 10pm EST, I’ll randomly select one lucky winner among all the commenters, and I will list the winner at the top of this post (and attempt to contact you by email).

The winner will be contacted and will have 24hrs to respond with a mailing address, so if you are picked, do not delay or you will lose your chance.

Here’s a suggestion. If you want to enter to win the book, you may also pre-send me your mailing address, by email, in case you do win. In a couple of my past giveaways, there were some issues with getting the mailing address on time, so to avoid this, if I pick your name, and I already have your address, then all is good. Sorry for my international readers, this is a open to U.S. residents only (but you’re welcome to comment and join in any time!!).

And while you’re here, if you haven’t already joined me (actually “us”, ’cause we’re a big group now) on Facebook and Twitter, whatcha waiting’ for?!

56 comments

← Previous Entries