An open letter of thanks to those that write

Dear Authors,

I’d like to thank the men and women who put words into stories that take me away.  I’ve been transported to faraway lands, times, and realities.  You've taken time from your lives to help others learn and escape.  You write through personal tragedy, life altering changes, through illness and unemployment and still you produce.  Many of you have day jobs where like most of us the pressures and hats you are asked to wear increase almost daily.  Like the rest of us you have families and obligations yet you find the time to sit down and write.  You look at the paper (or computer screen) and create worlds, lives and realities.  I envy you that skill and dedication.  Through social media, blogs, and authors web pages I’ve learned a little of what it takes to do what you do and I am astounded at the amount of effort that is put into making your words available. Self-publication is a double edged sword.  It has made more books available but the screening process is harder.  Apparently not everybody has access to a good editor.  One of the upsides of self-pubbing is that some of my new favorite authors are putting their backlist out in eBook form.  I just want you to know that there are readers like me out there that appreciate every hour of sleep you give up to give us our bit of mystery, romance, escape or whatever.   Thank you for the hours and hours of enjoyment you bring to my life.  Please keep doing what you do so well and I will keep budgeting for more books.

Sincerely,

Donna Antonio

Last Kiss Goodnight (Otherworld Assassin #1) by Gena Showalter

A spin-off from Ms. Showalters Alien Huntress series. This series has a possibility of surpassing the original.  Like the original there is a lot of action and a romance with arresting characters.

 

In this book Black-ops agent (and alien) Solomon Jonah is caught in an explosion and wakes up in a cage in a bizarre circus where aliens are the animals/freak show.  His caretaker is the owner’s daughter Vika Lukas he knows she is the key to his escape but more importantly he recognizes her as his other half.  Vika has been abused by her father and fears him as he becomes increasingly evil and violent.  She vows never to become like him and even if she can’t free Solo and the others she does what she can to protect them.  She feels the connection between her and the new guy but she has to protect him and her heart.  Solo and Vika are conflicted by their feelings and circumstance.

 

Get ready to RUMBLE!  Solomon is one of the biggest and baddest of Ms. Showalters aliens to date.   Vika is light to his dark, sweetness to his sourpuss, and just as strong in her way.  What they go through is just amazing and appalling and frightening and wonderful.  

Get'n Hammered (BARCs #1) by Casey Holloway

WARNING MILD SPOILERS!

Fun romp with dog shifters.  Thomas Hammer is a dog shifter who is kicked out of his pack and spelled into his dog form for a crime he didn’t commit. He is rescued by Desiree Duvall, a human who just may be his mate.  He has to watch the woman he loves go on about her life treating him like a dog.  Unfortunately for Thomas Getting spelled into his dog form isn’t the end of it as friends and compatriots of the dead man want him to die as well. Hammer battles members of his old pack out for revenge and tries to protect Desiree from harm. He also discovers a secret organization of shifters who protect the outside world from discovering their existence. Hammer breaks the spell, but still has to win the girl and save the day. 

I totally dug the whole dog shifter thing and I like erotica as much as the next girl (maybe more) but we could have lost one or two of the sex scenes from this book that didn't advance the story in any way and it would have been in my humble opinion a much better book.  And why is it that the only human in it acted like a bitch in heat? As it was I am still looking forward to future installments.  

The Marine Cowboy (Always a Marine #7) by Heather Long

What’s hotter than a marine returned home to take up being a cowboy again?  Can’t think of much.

A.J. Turner has left the marines and gone home to Freewill, Wyoming.  All he wants is the quiet of his ranch and to train his horses.  And that’s what he was doing when he was reminded of his promise to his buds to sign up for Madame Eve’s 1Night Stand service.

Sheri moved to Freewill to start over.  She has signed on with Madame Eve to find a man the total opposite of her ex.  A man with honor and courage, a man like A.J. Turner.

When these two get together AJ remembers what he was fighting for and Sheri finds out that not all men are like her ex.  Can they turn their 1Night Stand into a future?

I LOVE this series of short smoking hot stories of men of courage and honor.  Heather Long doesn't disappoint in this installment and I look forward to future stories featuring Ms. Long’s marines.

Rescuing Christmas by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Catherine Mann, Kathie DeNosky

Three sweet Christmas tales loosely connected through a Humane Shelter and the love that rescues can bring to our lives. 

Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis Thompson – Television cameraman Ben doesn't want the pain losing love can bring so he holds himself apart with only casual hookups.  Shelter director Tansy knows that love sometimes hurts but oh the joy of having had it.  Ben & Tansy meet when she is at the station asking for people to foster shelter animals over the holidays.  Can Tansy and crotchety cat Max show Ben that love is something everyone needs?

Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann – Being a military wife is tough.  With their marriage on the rocks Shelby hopes that when Alex comes home on holiday leave a trip to deliver some shelter dogs to their forever homes will give them time to talk.  Can their marriage be saved?

A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky – Will is divorced and has thrown himself into his work.  When his Grandmother cons him into fostering Harley, a St. Bernard/Bernese Mountain dog puppy (think small pony), over the holidays Will isn't thrilled but then the puppy gives him something to do besides work.  Will’s new neighbor Marcie is determined to have a good Christmas this year.  Can she and Harley help Will realize that there is more to life than work?

I purchased this because I've enjoyed other stories by Vicki Lewis Thompson.  I enjoyed her story but my favorite in this book was Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann.  It may have to do with the fact that I am a former military wife and know just how very hard it is to make a military marriage work.  All three stories are worth the read.  This book also reminded me just how much our three rescue kitties bring to our lives.

Les Miserables - the movie

I spent Christmas day with friends and family like most but what I really wanted to do was go see Les Miserables the movie.  I was indulged and we went.  Hugh Jackman was incredible, Ann Hathaway intense and Eddie Redmayne made me cry as Marius with Empty Chairs and Empty Tables.  A fantastic movie.  The weak link for me was Russell Crowe as I am not a big fan of his.  He surprised me as he didn't suck as bad as I thought he would but I think they could have used one of the actors that have played Javert on Broadway or the East End and it might have been better.  Perhaps they wouldn't have had the big star name but they could sing.  Even so GO SEE THIS MOVIE.  I'll admit I am a fan of musical theater and so would be expected to enjoy it but my husband who would rather have his teeth pulled than go to a musical enjoyed this movie as well.  Must have been all the guns.

Waking Up Married by Mira Lyn Kelly

Light, fun, contemporary romance.  In Vegas for her cousins wedding Megan, who has just recently been dumped by her boyfriend of two years, is telling the other bridesmaids of her plans to have a child via sperm donor.  They are giving her so much grief about it she propositions the cute guy at the next table to get him to help her get away from them.  Twelve hours later she wakes up married to him.  It seems that after they left the bar they talked, had a lot of laughs together, drank a bit and got married.  Megan is thinking lawyer but Conner likes who he met the night before.  Megan is cute, sexy, and smart.  And neither of them believes in love.  He wants to settle down and so he wants the marriage to stick.

This is another check your brain at the door and just enjoy the ride type story.  Fun, predictable, and yet enjoyable read.

His to Command #1: The Chase by Opal Carew

This is the first installment in a serialized novel.  Kate is a modern business woman.  She has a secret.  She has left the man she loved because he was a Dom and she found herself wanting to submit.  It scares her how much so shes run to a different state and started up a new business.  Only now it seems her past is about to catch up to her.

This is a short novelette.  Just a tease or hint of what is to come.  Fans of Opal Carew know it will be hot and steamy.  I can’t wait for the next installment.

Pub Date: Jan 8 2013

My thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the early peek and a chance to review.

Gimme Back My Clothes by Anna Hales Owen

Check your brain at the door, light romance.  Take a bored high society type working as a NY fireman for excitement who is under a death threat because he saw the face of a bank robber when he jumped him thus foiling the robbery.  Send him to hide out in Maine on an island populated by folks who look at life from a different angle.  Add in a smart young lady mayor and let the fun begin.  Jaro is sent incognito to work for the mayor of Dagger Township.  He looks like a dweeb which is a good thing because Mayor Roslyn has a bad record when it comes to men.  Can ladies man Jaro score even looking like a dweeb?  Is Roslyn’s loser streak about to end?  I enjoyed this quick escape.  There were some truly funny scenes.  If you are looking for scorching sex skip this one.

All I Want For Christmas...: Christmas Kisses\Baring It All\A Hot December Night by Lori Wilde, Kathleen O'Reilly, and Candace Havens

All I Want For Christmas...: Christmas Kisses\Baring It All\A Hot December Night by Lori Wilde, Kathleen O'Reilly, and Candace Havens

I bought this because I am a huge Candace Havens fan.  These are 3 loosely connected Miracle on 34^th Street type Christmas love stories.

Christmas Kisses by Lori Wilde – Miracles happen when you believe. Grinchy cop Noah Briscoe and defense attorney Alana O’Hara have had one date and parted company. Now they are on opposite sides when Noah has arrested Santa for arson.  Sometimes you have to believe in yourself and each other. Can Alana bring the spirit of Christmas to Noah?

Baring It All by Kathleen O'Reilly – Paramedic Eric and Chloe have a past.  A past she doesn't remember and that may be all for the good.  But out of guilt for that past Eric feels the need to take care of the amnesiac Chloe at least until she remembers who she is married to. 

A Hot December Night by Candace Havens – Assistant Fire Chief Jason Turner is not a big fan of the Christmas season.  It seems his family is plagued by a curse of having terrible things happen at this time of year.  Can the pretty new party planner in town, Kristen Lovejoy, help him break the curse?

I enjoyed these sweet stories.  I have to admit that the second story could have benefited from a longer format.  But if you want a short feel good holiday read you could do worse than All I Want For Christmas...

My Bluegrass Baby by Molly Harper

Sadie Hutchins is up for a promotion at her job for the Kentucky Tourism Commission.  She is at a Derby function when she is informed that there is a new contender for the job.  Hunky Josh Vaughn has great credentials from his job in Atlanta but needs a life change and when he heard about the position from a frat brother he applied.  Sadie’s boss has decreed that Josh and Sadie must come up with competing campaigns by the end of the summer; they will be presented at the fair and the citizens will vote for their favorites.  The winner will get the job.  Josh is citified polish and Sadie is home town comfort.   Will they let their growing attraction for one another get in the way of the competition?

Molly Harper has done it again.  With a quirky cast of characters and some genuinely laugh out loud moments My Bluegrass Baby is a delightful read. 

Earth Witches Aren't Easy (Chance Monroe) by Heather Long

Urban Fantasy.  Chance Monroe is a hedge witch.  Eight years ago Chance was a college who was attacked and left for dead by serial killer Randall Oakes.  She was “the one who lived”.  Then the killer was killed in a plane crash and Chance was able to move on with her life.  Only now he is back from the dead and killing again.  The FBI want her help and to place her in protective custody.  Chance isn't thrilled by either request.  A compromise is made by having “ex-boyfriend” FBI agent Jack Harker stay with and protect her.  Jack and Chance will have to use their own special talents to track down Randall Oakes before he gets Chance.

I was introduced to Heather Long by her Always a Marine series.  Always a Marine is adult and erotic.  The Chance Monroe Adventures are not.  So if you are expecting sexy former Marines you will be disappointed.  But if you are looking for a different UF mystery, Earth Witches Aren't Easy is a fun change of pace.  Told from the first person we get to know what Chance is seeing, feeling and doing.  I sometimes have a problem with this type of storytelling but Ms. Long makes it work.  The story starts with Chance banishing imps and ends with a serial killer. I heartily recommend this and look forward to further adventures with Chance Monroe.

I'd like to thank Heather Long and Author Accomplice for the chance to read and review.

I also had a chance to read Ms. Long's free Christmas story: 

Merry Christmas Marine, Semper Fi, & Good Night (Always a Marine) by Heather Long

A short, sweet holiday story starring the former Marines and their partners at a Christmas party.  They are told the tale of a Marine and his bride after the events of the Pearl Harbor attack.  It reminds us that there are those who won't be home for Christmas.

Battered Not Broken by Ranae Rose

Ally Rivera’s father is in jail.  She works with her mother at a salon as a nail technician and avoids her brother who is number 2 in in a local gang.  She also does amateur female fights every other Saturday.  It is while working out at the local MMA gym she meets hunky Ryan Moore.  The former marine is trying to rebuild his life after being processed out of the Marines after an injury from an IED makes him unfit for duty.  He has come back physically enough to fight competitively but still suffers migraines. Can these two so battered by life be complete together?

I am surprised at how much I enjoyed this story.  I asked to review it because it involved a military man and I do love a military man.  I am not however enamored of MMA.  I just don’t get how people can enjoy beating each other up.  I understand wanting to challenge yourself physically but I just don’t get fighting.  But Ranae Rose makes it work.  The MMA might as well be a metaphor for these characters struggles in life.  The love scenes between these two smolder without being crass or gratuitous.  I was pulling for Ryan and Ally both in the ring and out.

I’d like to thank Ranae Rose for giving me the opportunity to read and review this story.  

And don’t forget one of my favorite authors, Molly Harper, has a new book coming out on December 18th.  Look for My Bluegrass Baby.

Veronica and the Vampire by Linda Thomas-Sundstrom

The other day I attended a Facebook party for a recently released anthology called Strange Spirits by Linda Thomas-Sundstrom, Chris Marie Green, and Nancy Holder.  I am a huge fan of Chris Marie Green so I attended.  I was introduced to “new to me” authors Linda Thomas-Sundstrom and Nancy Holder.  They were giving away copies of Veronica and the Vampire by Linda Thomas-Sundstrom among others but it sounded so cute I had to get it.

This is a quick, cute lunch time read sure to send you back to your desk with a smile on your face and a chuckle in your heart.  This is not rocket science it is pure brain candy.  Absolutely adorable.

Veronica Davis needs a date for her sister’s wedding.  She comes from a judgmental family and dares not show up alone.  A co-worker sends her to an escort service V.A.M.P. Inc. where you pick your date from a row of coffins in the agency's basement.  Who knew they we really vampires.  But heck maybe that’s exactly what you need to get through the wedding from hell.

And don’t forget one of my favorite authors, Molly Harper, has a new book coming out on December 18th.  Look for My Bluegrass Baby.

Last Chance To Run by Dianna Love

Angel Farentino can’t catch a break.  With an alcoholic mother she is framed by her father as a drug mule for which she spends a year in jail.  She thinks she got lucky when she gets hired on at a warehouse until she finds out that the sadistic owner is a bigger creep than her dad.  She is now on the run with proof that her boss is a thief.  She has the gold coins he stole that have his fingerprints all over them.  She stows away on Zane Jacksons plane and the fun begins.  He for some reason gives her the benefit of the doubt and helps her get away from the guys with guns but gets increasingly frustrated with her refusal to tell him what is going on.  As Zane helps Angel the attraction grows between them.  Can he keep her alive long enough to clear her name and see if they have a future together?

This is a wonderful romantic suspense.  I enjoyed it thoroughly.  Fast moving and intense every time you think you know what is going to happen you are in for a surprise.

And don’t forget one of my favorite authors, Molly Harper, has a new book coming out on December 18th.  Look for My Bluegrass Baby.

Protecting His Wolfe by Melissa Keir

Betsie Wolfe is a small town girl who goes to big city where she gets work in a secretarial pool for a trucking company.  She witnesses a crime and meets Detective Jonah Pigg one of the three Pigg brothers.  As they protect her she falls in love with Detective Pigg

Pretty standard fair.  I did expect more word play on the names. 

And don’t forget one of my favorite authors, Molly Harper, has a new book coming out on December 18th.  Look for My Bluegrass Baby.

Gone Country (Rough Riders #14) by Lorelei James

Another series I am crazy about.  This installment is different in a lot of ways.  Gavin is the first born of Vi & Charlie McKay but was given up for adoption and just reconnected with his birth family 2 years ago.  A 40 something divorced businessman with a teenage daughter he is not your typical Rough Rider alpha hero.  Rielle is a self-sufficient single mother who is now an empty nester.  When she sold her B&B to Gavin she stayed on as caretaker while Gavin lived in Arizona.  Even in books past you could tell there was an attraction between the two.  Now Gavin is moving into the former B&B with his daughter Sierra and Rielle isn’t prepared for the change or to deal with the reality of living with a man she is so attracted to.

This book is proof that love and lust don’t stop just because you are a parent.  There are several backstory lines going on that are probably (hopefully) setting up future books.  You can read this stand-alone but with a series this good go back and read them all.  I do often.

And don’t forget one of my favorite authors, Molly Harper, has a new book coming out on December 18th.  Look for My Bluegrass Baby.

New book from Molly Harper

One of my fav authors, Molly Harper, has a new book coming out on December 18th

Book Description (from Amazon)

A brand-new novel in an original eBook series from popular romance author Molly Harper! When Sadie & Josh compete for the same Kentucky Tourism Commission job, sparks fly—turns out Kentucky really is for lovers.Sadie Hutchins loves her job at the Kentucky Tourism Commission. Not only could her co-workers double as the cast of Parks & Recreation, but she loves finding the unusual sites, hidden gems, and just-plain-odd tourist attractions of her home state. She’s a shoo-in for the director’s job when her boss retires at the end of the year…until hotshot Josh Vaughn shows up to challenge her for the position.

Josh is all sophisticated polish while Sadie’s country comfort, and the two have very different ideas of what makes a good campaign. So when their boss pits them against each other in a winner-takes-all contest, they’re both willing to fight dirty if it means getting what they want. But it turns out, what Josh and Sadie want could be each other—and Josh’s kisses are the best Kentucky attraction Sadie’s found yet!

Can't wait.

Semper Fi by Laura Cooper

Lust at first sight.  When her long-time boyfriend Travis calls and drunkenly breaks up with her over the phone Mattie gets pissed and heads to the airport to fly home and get it straightened out.  When her flight is delayed due to weather Mattie is stuck at the airport where she meets hunky Marine Logan.  They are instantly attracted.  And oh boy they click.  But the original problem exists.  Should she fight for Travis of embrace a future with Logan.

Normally I am not all that crazy about lust at first sight type scenarios but Logan and Mattie smoked! I will admit I almost put the book down permanently because of a stupid move by Mattie but grunted through it and was well rewarded.  Well worth the read.  

Silver Bella by Lucy Monroe

Silver Bella is a short holiday read only in that it takes place around the holidays.  Bella is a 26 year old specialty fashion model.  She models sleek sexy fashions for petite women.  Her world is shook when an ex tells the gossip rags that Bella is a frigid ice princess and not the smoldering sex kitten she appears to be on the runway.  The nasty headlines make Bella anxious when she takes the stage at the next show when across the crowed room she makes eye contact with a pair of green eyes.  Those eyes belong to Texas oilman Jake who is at the show with his shy author sister.  The chemistry between them is instant and powerful even to virginal Bella.  Jake feels it too.  He knows he wants more than just a night and goes about proving it to Bella.
I've yet to read anything by Lucy Monroe that I didn't like and Silver Bella is no different.  This is a terrific lunchtime read.

Desperately Seeking Shapeshifter (Midnight Liaisons #2) by Jessica Sims

Although this is book two it can be read as a stand-alone.  This book picks up where Beauty Dates the Beast left off.  Sara is Bathsheba’s sister from Beauty Dates the Beast.  She is a bitten werewolf who is afraid of (with good reason) werewolves.  When the local pack finds out she exists they kidnap a young female werecougar.  Sara comes up with a plan to get the werecougar back.  She’ll trade herself to the pack for the werecougar and then Ramsey a huge werebear will claim her as his mates.  The wolves won’t take him on and Sara and the werecougar will be safe.  Though her plan works the wolves aren’t giving up which means that Sara and Ramsey are going to have to spend a lot of close quality time together.  Can the pretense turn into something real?

I am really getting a kick out of these books.  Jessica Sims keeps you turning the page (although there were times I wanted to throw the book away but that was just because of what was happening in the story.  (I yell at the TV too.)  This story has romance, intrigue and action along with hunky shapeshifters and smart sassy females.  What more could you want?

Heart of Atlantis (Warriors of Poseidon #8) by Alyssa Day

The long awaited finale to the Warriors of Poseidon series and Alaric’s story.  Alaric has spent his whole existence being strong physically, mentally and magically as high priest to Poseidon.  He has also been celibate.  When he met Quinn he knew she was his soul mate but resisted the attraction in favor of duty.  As for Quinn she has issues with her past and her duty as leader of the human resistance standing between her and her attraction to the stoic Alaric.    

I have enjoyed this series full of alpha men, sweet sassy women and all kinds of adventure and magic.  If there were two characters more deserving of love and each other I don’t know who they might be.  Non-stop action. Oh my goodness how the strong melt.  A book I will read and re-read.

My real life is interfering with my fantasy life

My real life is interfering with my fantasy life. I finally got some books I've been wanting to read and I've no time to read them.  Arrrgh!  I have been waiting forever for Alyssa Day's Heart of Atlantis to come out.  It's finally here and between weddings, birthdays, vacations and life I haven't yet had time to sit down and read it.  But know that I will be sitting down with Aleric asap.

Night's Darkest Embrace by Jeaniene Frost

Although this isn't a Cat & Bones story nor one of its spin-offs it is a terrific read.  In a short story Ms. Frost has created a rather complex world where there are mixed bloods or partial demons, purebloods, and fallen angels.  All of these beings can traverse between some realms some more than others.  When partial Mara was 15 she and her cousin Gloria went to Nocturna realm where they were abducted as food for purebloods.  Mara was rescued but Gloria wasn't so lucky and now Mara is determined to hunt down her killer.  She is attracted to Raphael the leader of Nocturna but he is keeping secrets so she doesn't trust him.  Will he help her or hurt her in her hunt?

A short but wild ride.  I’d love to visit this world again sometime when we can spend time there.

Under the Mistletoe (Lucky Harbor #6.5) by Jill Shalvis

This is Mia’s (Tara & Ford’s daughter) story.  Mia is all grown up and living in NY.  She has been seeing Nick for 6 months and is hurt when he refuses to go to Lucky Harbor with her for Sawyer & Chloe’s wedding over Christmas.  Nick follows Mia and finds out that love and family isn’t something to be afraid of and just might be worth fighting for.

This short Christmas tale had me laughing and crying in true Shalvis style.

A Seal at Heart by Anne Elizabeth

Petty Officer John Roaker is a SEAL.  That’s all he is.  So when a mission goes bad, kills his best friend, injures him and his team, and takes his memory.  What is a guy to do?  The regular Navy shrinks aren't helping.  Enter physical therapist and psychoanalyst Laurie Smith.  The fact that she is smart and beautiful may be what gets hi interested but the fact that she gets results is what gets him to stay.  While recovering his old memories John and Laurie are making new ones.  Can Laurie handle loving a SEAL?  Can John handle the truth his memories are telling him about that awful mission?

As former Navy I love a good SEAL story.  This book had a realism about being involved with a sailor. (It isn't easy) I really liked the Laurie character.  Which is why I’m not sure why this book didn't rate higher for me.  Maybe it’s just where my head is at.  I’ll re-read at a later date to reevaluate.

Shadow's Claim (The Dacians: Realm of Blood and Mist #1) by Kresley Cole

Don’t ever try to read on vacation.  I usually rip right through anything by Kresley Cole.  I tried to read this on vacation but people don’t seem to want to let you read when you are supposed to be relaxing.  I don’t get it.  I thought I’d read it on the plane but it turns out reading on a plane makes me ill.  Kinda ruins hot love scenes.  Anyway, I finally got home and was able to finish this amazing start to a new spin-off of Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark series.  Characters from IAD make appearances and the Ascension is still on its way but we are dealing with Lothaire’s mothers family.  The royals of Dacia the hidden kingdom.  900 year old assassin Trehan Daciano, known as the Prince of Shadows, finally finds his Bride in young half breed (1/2 Demon ½ Sorceri) Bettina heir to the throne of Abaddon.  Unfortunately to win her he must compete for her hand in a blood-sport tournament—to the death.

This book is standard Kresley Cole amazing action, sizzling sex and lots of humor.  Add this to your list of must reads.

Book signing

I had hoped to have finished Shadow's Claim (The Dacians: Realm of Blood and Mist #1)  by Kresley Cole but got pulled away by a book signing by one of my favorite Urban Fantasy writers Kevin Hearne.  He writes the Iron Druids series and I was fortunate enough to get tickets to meet him and get a signed copy of Trapped ID5.  Mr. Hearne was personable and spent time with each of the attendees.  Through Facebook I found out that another author who I follow, Jami Gray, was also in attendance but I didn't get a chance to meet her.