Hump Day Post

I am not reading any blogs or watching the news until later because I am off to see "Eclipse" in a few hours and I don't want to hear ANYTHING about it yet. I HATE spoilers so I don't even want to know if people are loving it or hating. I like to go into the theater without any bias or opinions- as much as that's possible.

Personally, I am sort of prepared for disappointment with "Eclipse" because this is my FAVORITE book in the Twilight series and I just don't see how the movie can come close to the book. That said, I hope to be surprised, but I am not counting on it. After the movie I will do a review later today on my thoughts about the movie compared to the book.

Jeaniene Frost Vampire article on CNN.


I haven't posted Hump Day Hunks in a while...










My June book reading list:

1) "Sweet Caroline" by Lissa Matthews (Erotic) ebook
2) "Once a Knight" by Christina Dodd (Historical)
3) "Dreamfever" by Karen Marie Moning (Fantasy Fiction)
4) "Sin Eater" by Evangeline Anderson (Erotic) ebook
5) "Desire in the Dark" by Naime Simone (Erotic) ebook
6) "Scoring" by Mari Carr (Erotic) ebook
7) "Dead Witch Walking" by Kim Harrison (Fiction)-*DNF*
8) "Fallen" by Lauren Kate (YA)
9) "Fade to Black" by Alex Finn (YA)
10) "One the Edge" by Ilona Andrews (Fantasy Fiction) *DNF*
11) "Trick" by Ellen Hopkins (YA verse novel)
12) "Twisted" by Laurie Halse Anderson (YA)
13) "Need" by Carrie Jones (YA)
14) "Bone Crossed" by Patricia Briggs (Fantasy Fiction)
15) "hush, hush" by Becca Fitzpatrick (YA)
16) "Chasing Brooklyn" by Lisa Schoeder (YA verse novel)
17) "Bluebird" by Linda Howard (Romance)
18) "Captivate" by Carrie Jones (YA)

Overall I read a lot of really great books this month. Two were DNF's for me, I just couldn't get into them which surprised me because both authors are very popular. I hit the jackpot with YA books this month and loved most of them.

My favorite reads were "Sweet Caroline" by Lissa Matthews, "Dreamfever" by Karen Marie Moning, "Twisted" by Laurie Halse Anderson, "Need" and "Captivate" by Carrie Jones, and "Bone Crossed" by Patricia Briggs.

What were your favorite reads this month? What books do you recommend I read?

Harry Potter gives me chills...

Let me clarify. The Harry Potter series gives me chills of delight!

I don't think I will ever come across another series the likes of Harry Potter. The phenomenon of the magical world J.K. Rowling created (for me) surpasses every other fantasy series I've ever read.

I am so thrilled to have been a part of experience as it was happening: waiting for each book to come out, going to midnight book releases (and yes, dressing up my kids and my nephews as characters from the books) and enjoying the thrill of seeing each book transformed into a movie. I even purchased movie transcripts from the first 4 movies so I could read more- does that make me pathetic or just another HP dork?

I simply ADORE all things Harry Potter and actually got teary-eyed before the final book even came out because it was the end of those Harry Potter years of wonder...wondering what would happen next and how would all the questions be answered.

I couldn't wait for that final book and a dreaded that final book with same intensity. Clearly I am/was a Harry Potter dork to the nth degree. So when I saw this video for part 1 of the final movie its no great surprise that I actually got chills watching it- no kidding I am that much of a Harry Potter dork!



So today (even though gazillions of people are thinking about the next installment of the Twilight movies "Eclipse") I am thinking of my adoration for all things Harry Potter and reflecting on those years as each book came out the people standing hours and lines of crowds wrapped around bookstores waiting to get their hands on the next Harry Potter book *nostalgic sigh*

Were/are you Harry Potter fans? Which book and which movie depiction are your favorites or least favorite?

For me, I adored reading "Goblet of Fire" and "Order of the Phoenix" the best. My least favorite was the last book (I had wanted a very different ending to the series). My favorite movies are the first three. For me, they bring the magic off the book pages to life the best.

One of my greatest hopes is that J.K. Rowling will one day (VERY SOON) decide she misses the magic of Harry Potter and perhaps begin a whole new series with new characters set in the same magical world as Harry Potter. I would love that.

"Captivate" by Carrie Jones

Title: Captivate
Author: Carrie Jones
Series: Need Pixies Bk#2
Published: 2010
Genre: YA

Synopsis: Zara and her friends thought they’d solved the pixie problem. And they did — sort of. The pixies are all locked away, deep in the woods. But the king’s needs grow stronger each day that he is in captivity, while his control over his people weakens. And it’s enough to draw a new king into town. Astley claims he is different. He claims there are pixies who can live peacefully with humans, that it doesn’t have to be all violence and nastiness all the time. Zara wants to believe him . . . until Astley also claims that she is fated to be his queen.
There is no way Zara would ever turn pixie. And she’s got good friends who will make sure of that. Besides, she and Nick are so in love they’re practically inseparable. But when the very thing Zara wants to protect most is exactly what’s at risk, she is forced to make choices she never imagined. . . .


In a word: Captivating!

I am loving this series and think author Carrie Jones is brilliant. The book concept and delivery is superb. The characters are wonderful and completely original to me. These books are page turners that I never want to put down or end. I can't wait for the next one!

In this second book of the series, Zara, Nick, Devyn and Issie are still battling evil pixies in their home state of Maine. Zara and Nick are continuing their relationship and very much two teens experiencing first love. They adore each other and make a great couple.

They take turns "patrolling" AKA hunting for evil pixies and when they find one, they lock them in the pixie house surrounded by iron and assorted metals to keep them in. Then a new pixie king shows up in town and he insists he isn't like the others. He insists that some pixies can live side by side with humans and not kill them - provided the king has his queen to keep him in control. When a pixie king doesn't have a queen he loses control and not only himself but his own people/pixies go evil and feed off teen males' blood. A pixie king MUST have a queen to help him keep control. And the new pixie king in town, wants Zara to be his queen.

Great story! Full of action, love, some teen sexual tension, humor, a bit of sadness and some real laugh out loud moments. My favorite laugh out loud moment was Zara teasing her werewolf boyfriend about his love of eating dog treats and peeing on fire hydrants!

I had only one issue with the story and that was the end. A tragedy hits the town with multiple deaths that rock the entire town. Even the pixie hunting foursome suffer a huge blow, yet that doesn't stop them from going to a formal dance-huh? They should be attending funerals and crying their eyes out, yet they are picking out dresses for a dance. That didn't work for me on any level and I dearly wish the author had cut that out of the book. I'm guessing she kept it in so the book would have a 'happy ending' but in this case it did not work.

Easy 4 stars out of 5 stars. I highly recommend this series, but you must read "Need" first, to better understand this second book in the series.

"Bluebird Winter" by Linda Howard

Title: Bluebird Winter
Author: Linda Howard
Series: Spencer-Nyle Company #3
Published: 1987
Genre: Romance novella

Synopsis: Kathleen Fields had to reach the clinic, but a Christmas blizzard left her stranded without hope for her life- or her unborn baby's. Then Derek Taliferro arrived with is doctor's skill and his caring heart. Together, they brought Kathleen's child into the world and discovered love, the greatest gift of all.


In a few words: Corny, sweep-me-away romance fun.

This is a super short 93 page Harlequin Silhouette romance that I was a teenager the last time I read it! lol I feel so old! Anyway, I just realized it was nearing the end of the month and I hadn't read my "Re-read" book of the month yet for the Re-read challenge I joined so I had to find a quick read from my keeper shelf. When I saw this one, I had a vague memory of the story, but really after decades I hadn't a clue!

Kathleen has never been loved. Not by her parents and not by her good for nothing ex-husband who abused her and left her. Divorced and pregnant Kathleen doesn't trust anyone, but when she finds her self stuck in a snowstorm she has to put her trust in a handsome stranger's care.

Derek is a god. The man has no flaws, none, zip, nada. He's gorgeous, sexy and covered in muscles. He's intense, protective and women adore him. He's a doctor who has never fallen in love- until he meets a pregnant woman who takes his breath away.

Derek has some "insta-love" going on the moment he meets Kathleen he wants her for keeps. Problem is, Kathleen isn't big on men and not sure she ever wants any in her life again. Derek makes Kathleen an offer, marry him and he will give the baby everything Kathleen never had-including a bright future as a doctor's kid.

Kathleen wants better for her daughter than she had, being raised on failing ranch breaking her back to live day to day so she agrees to marry Derek. Now Derek has his work cut out for him, breaking down Kathleen's walls and getting her to fall in love with him.

It's cheesy, too perfect and wrapped in a shiny red Christmas bow, but it was so much fun to read! 3 stars for this novella


***Re-read 2010 Reading Challenge***

"hush, hush" by Becca Fitzpatrick

Title: Hush,Hush
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Published: 2009
Genre: YA
Pages: 391

Synopsis: For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.
But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

In a few words: unsatisfying & disappointing

I love the cover of this book and the first half of the book I really enjoyed and didn't want to put down. But it didn't deliver for me like I thought it would.

*spoilers*

Nora wasn't likable for me and I couldn't relate to her at all. She didn't act in ways that made sense to me. In the beginning of the book she is attacked while driving, the car gets wrecked and she barely escapes with her life. She drives to her friends house and goes to her room and doesn't want to look at the car or think about what happened until tomorrow. Huh? Her friend wants to view the car, they go outside and the car is magically perfect except for a teeny tiny crack in the window. Nora seems to take this in stride. Huh?

Why isn't she flipping out? Why isn't she considering she might need mental help? This situation repeats it's self when Nora enters her bedroom and finds the place ransacked and a strange person in a ski mask in her room. She takes off calls the police only to find the room is in perfect order, nothing touched. She apologizes to the cops and takes it in stride as a mystery SHE must solve. Where is the panic? Where is the crazy fear? Why don't these frightening experiences effect her like they would most others? Why isn't she running in the opposite direction instead of straight at it? Does she have a death wish? I just didn't understand Nora at all.

Nora is only 16 years old yet her character doesn't really act sixteen in my opinion. In one scene she puts on a blond wig, spike pole dancer heels, a short skirt and saddles up to a bar to flirt while she wheedles information out of the bartender. I could be wrong here, but I just don't see a sixteen year old girl doing that. It wasn't believable for me at all. She was like Nancy Drew on steroids.

Nora is strangely attracted and repulsed by Patch, the new mysterious guy at school. He scares her yet she is determined to figure him out. It just didn't make sense to me. I LIKED Patch for most of the book and didn't like Nora. Patch had reasons for being mysterious and yes scary - he is a fallen ticked off angel who wants to be human. His problem is to be human he has to kill the one girl he's fallen in love with. I just did not like this story line.

Assassin thousand year old fallen angels pretending to be sixteen year old high school kids just didn't work for me. The first half of the book had potential, but the second half I cringed through.

I rate it 2 stars-mostly for Patch & the potential. Other's on B&N, Amazon, Borders gave this a much higher rating so I guess it might just be me who didn't care for it.

Question: What does the title have to do with this book?? I still can't figure that out!

"Chasing Brooklyn" by Lisa Schoeder

Title: Chasing Brooklyn
Author: Lisa Schoeder
Published: 2010
Genre: YA Verse novel
Pages: 412

Synopsis: Restless souls and empty hearts
Brooklyn can't sleep. Her boyfriend, Lucca, died only a year ago, and now her friend Gabe has just died of an overdose. Every time she closes her eyes, Gabe's ghost is there waiting for her. She has no idea what he wants or why it isn't Lucca visiting her dreams.
Nico can't stop. He's always running, trying to escape the pain of losing his brother, Lucca. But when Lucca's ghost begins leaving messages, telling Nico to help Brooklyn, emotions come crashing to the surface.
As the nightmares escalate and the messages become relentless, Nico reaches out to Brooklyn. But neither of them can admit that they're being haunted. Until they learn to let each other in, not one soul will be able to rest.

In a word: good

This is the second verse novel I've read by Lisa Schoeder- the first being "I heart you, You haunt me". I enjoyed both. "Chasing Brooklyn" is a fast read - I finished it in a few hours in one sitting.

The story is about getting over death. This book deals with three deaths of three different boys at different times from the same high school. The ripple effect of the death on the entire school, on the girl friends left behind, on the siblings left behind and the families. It also deals with depression and getting out of the dark place death sometimes leaves people. Brooklyn, Nico, their parents and others are all struggling with these young teens deaths and no one has a perfect handle on it.

When Brooklyn begins to feel one of the boys is haunting her, she spirals downward into fear and panic on top of her depression. Nico is convinced his dead brother is haunting him because Brooklyn needs help. Nico isn't sure he's the guy to help his dead brother's girlfriend but he can't say no when he sees Brooklyn isn't doing well at all.

These two are just what the other needed. They bring life back into each other's lives and both begin to climb out of the hole of depression they were in. Unexpectedly, they also find love. Nico struggles with feeling he might be betraying his brother and Brooklyn feels she is betraying the love she had for Lucca. Both of them have to admit that Lucca is gone and they are alive and in love with each other.

Good verse novel that made me cry more than once, but I ended up with a happy sigh and a smile on my face for the characters.

3 stars out of 5 stars.

The Bachelor: Jake and Vienna

Three million people saw this one coming a mile away...

Bachelor Jake and Vienna break up!



The story HERE.

We all knew he should have picked Tenley- or nearly anyone else! And if Tenley wasn't so sweet we know she'd be saying "Told ya so!"

Speaking of this show, I have been watching the current season of The Bachelorette with Ali, one of Jake's women who actually left Jake for her career then regretted it and wanted to go back but Jake said "Thanks but no thanks" and let her go for good.

I liked Ali better on Jake's season than her own. I find her annoying and grating on my nerves. She's either giggling constantly or pouting - lower lip stuck out and all. I played around with giving up the show, but I am much too nosy to give it up after getting to know the people on the show- now I have to see it play out to the end.

Next week Ali finds out one of the guys has a girlfriend back home and she goes on a rampage screaming at the guy and it looks like chasing him out of a hotel! Gotta see that episode! The previews don't show the guy, just a shirt, no head so we have no clues who the cheating bastard is. I'm going with either Kirk or Ty because they seem like players to me.

My favorite guys this season are Roberto and Chris L., but because I don't really care for Ali, I am not sure I want either of these great guys to end up with her! (awful aren't I?)

Anyone else following this show? What are your opinions of Ali and her guys? Who do you like or dislike?

ABC's "The Gates"

I watched "The Gates" last night and really liked it. Vampires, werewolves and witches all living in a gated community! Neat concept, interesting twists, supernatural beings, growling, blood lust, murder and mayhem...what's not to like?


This is one show I will be coming back for more of. Anyone else tune in for the pilot episode of "The Gates"? What did you think?

Ask Charlaine Harris about Sookie Stackhouse

[from Charlaine Harris' website] Charlaine’s publisher wants to include a question-and-answer section with Charlaine in the book, to match the one we’ve done with Alan Ball. THE SOOKIE COMPANION is scheduled to hit the shelves February 2011, so time is important. You’re invited to send in your questions (limited to three) to askcharlaine@gmail.com from June 17 through June 26. (After that, the email address will be inactive.) Sending in your questions doesn’t guarantee they’ll be included. Please add your name and a valid email address to each question in case Charlaine selects your entry. All questions should pertain to the Sookie Stackhouse series.

"Bone Crossed" by Patricia Briggs

Title: “Bone Crossed”
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: A Mercy Thompson Novel #4
Published: 2009
Genre: Fantasy Fiction

Synopsis: Shapeshifter Mercy Thompson hit the #1 spot on the bestseller list with Iron Kissed... And she's planning a return trip. Marsilia, the local vampire queen, has learned that Mercy crossed her by slaying a member of her clan. Now, she's out for blood. But since Mercy is protected from direct reprisal by the werewolf pack-and her relationship with its sexy Alpha-it's not Mercy's blood Marsilia is after...

In two words: page turner!

I really enjoyed this book (and entire series). Mercy is a real, down to earth character that just happens to be a shape-shifting coyote dating an Alpha werewolf, living with another werewolf and is good friends with a vampire.

In this book of the series Mercy finds herself on the wrong side of an entire seethe of vampires while she helps out an old acquaintance that has a ghost problem. A ghost is not only haunting Amber’s house; it’s tormenting her young son and causing a rift in the family. Because Mercy can see ghosts and she knows the local vampires have targeted her she decides to leave town for a while and see what she can do to help Amber and her family. She hopes her time away will calm the vampires down and allow Alpha Adam (werewolf) to get a handle on the Mercy vs. Vampires situation.

She’s not at Amber’s house for twenty-four hours before Mercy finds herself in more trouble with a vampire called “The Monster” and a ghost who decides to get violent. Everywhere Mercy goes trouble follows seems to be the theme of her life.

I really enjoyed this book.

I rate it 4 stars out of 5.

HUGE PET PEEVE: The only thing that bugs me about this series are the book covers. Mercy is NOT covered in tattooes! She has ONE small coyote footprint on her lower belly- that's it. These bookcovers make her look like some biker chick addicted to tattooes. Also Mercy doesn't dress sexy- ever. She dresses in t-shirts (that cover her belly tattoo) and jeans. These book covers strike a huge pet peeve of mine: Bookcovers that do NOT represent the book.

WTF Day: Vagina jewelry to naked weddings

Happy WTF Hump day!

First up...the naked dinosaur theme wedding! It's for real folks!

Next, the "Joke Breast" toy for children 5 years and up!


Don't forget to accessorize with the vagina necklace!

I don't even know what to say about this one...



Have a baby shower coming up? How about a "Lil' Vampire Pacifier" to creep out the new Mommie??

Want one?? Only $9.95!! Go HERE.

And in other news...

Supernatural is going Anime!! The series will kick off a new anime version of Supernatural in January 2011 first in Japan then it is expected to hit the U.S. soon after. For more on that go HERE.

The Twilight saga 'Eclipse' movie has TWO "tent scenes" (woohoo!). Fans of the book know exactly what scene that is (some say the best in the book). Anywho...Rob (Edward) spilled the beans that two different 'tent scenes' were shot- the second for a more "erotic" scene. For more on that, go HERE.



Have a great WTF Hump Day everyone!!

Hot EROTIC music...do you like it?

It's gonna get HOT in here today...

I don't have a book review ready today, so I am going to do a music post. Not just any music, but hot sexy erotic music. Got your interest?

Do you listen to erotic music with graphic sex lyrics? Lyric's about licking body parts and your partner making you cum on demand while their head is between your thighs? Well if not click on the video and pop your erotic music cherry right now! *waggles eyebrows*

I was visiting Scott Noir's Blog and found his post featuring this Youtube video. I clicked on it, then sat back in my chair to listen. About forty seconds into the song I snapped forward with my eyebrows reaching for my hairline as I read and listened to the words of the song. Oy vey!!

I've certainly listened to sexy lyrics and some graphic songs before, but never has the music bombarded me with reminders of the erotic romance books I read like this song. It was very, very...umm erotic!

When I listened to this song flashes of every erotic romance novel I ever read flashed through my mind, but mostly I noticed it was Lora Leigh's books. Her "Nauti" series, "Breed" series and her "SEALS" series.

So listen to this erotic song and tell me what steamy hot romance novel comes to your mind?



So what do you think? Did it remind you of hot erotic romance books? Any book, hero or heroine specifically?

Did you listen to it three times in a row like I did? *grin*

Strokin' Sunday

Fun posts and things I've found around the Web recently.

First up, Blaze Author article on Men Reading Romance - have you heard of such a thing?? lol The guys I've known only want to hear the sex scene parts of a romance, they (to my knowledge) never actually picked up a romance novel and read it from cover to cover - but apparently some (brave) men do and have!

Next up, contest to win a sexy romance book and a vibrator to take care of you while you're reading said sexy romance book! *grin* What I find surprising about this contest isn't the vibrator/book combo, but the number of MEN entering the contest! Perv minds want to know what they plan to do with said vibrator!

Ok, now for something artsie fartsie and very cool. I was visiting the Behler Blog this week and was blown away by a Youtube video of an AMAZING artist- his tool of the trade?? Spray paint!! Check out this AMAZING video (Cheryl Brooks if you're reading this post I thought of your books when I watched this guy create his art).




The most disturbing thing I came across on the web this week was an article (with diagrams) on "How to Insert a Hershey's Kiss" (in YOUR ASS!)- just in case you didn't already know how and were crying in your beer because no instructions could be found. Now there you have it, instructions with diagrams. Have fun and save the "Hershey Highway" jokes! *grin*
**Please do not share your chocolate ass stuffing experiences with me - I really don't want to know if you prefer Mars Bars, Goobers, Mr.Goodbar, Almond Joy or Mounds to Hershey Kisses in your ass. That all falls in the TMI category thank you very much.

"Need" by Carrie Jones

Title: "Need"
Author: Carrie Jones
Published: 2009
Genre: YA Fiction

Synopsis: Zara White suspects there’s a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She’s also obsessed with phobias. And it’s true, she hasn’t exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane . . . but Zara’s pretty sure her mom just can’t deal with her right now.
She couldn’t be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara’s overactive imagination. In fact, he’s still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There’s something not right—not human—in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara.
In this creepy, compelling breakout novel, Carrie Jones delivers romance, suspense, and a creature you never thought you’d have to fear.



In a few words: Delightfully charming.


Zara is lost since the death of her beloved step-father. She is depressed and withdrawn so much so that her mother is fearful for her and decides to send her to live with her grandmother in Maine for a while in the hopes that Zara will snap out of her sorrow. Zara is angry and resentful with her mother for sending her away from her home, but soon after arriving in Maine she gets her spark back. One of Zara's charming (to me) quirks is she is sort of obsessed with knowing phobia facts. She knows the names of assorted phobias and what they mean. To calm herself when she's feeling a bit of a panic attack thinking about her father's death she will list phobias in her head. Each chapter is dedicated to a phobia that relates to what is in the chapter. I loved this and learned a bunch of phobias I didn't know existed!

Zara befriends Issie, Devyn, Nick and Ian but some of these friends are not what they seem. While making new friends, finding her place in a new (very cold, snowy and icy) state and new school Zara is also dealing with a creepy stalker she sees everywhere. She saw him in Charleston when her father died, she saw him at the airport on her way to Maine and now she is seeing him all around Maine, including out the school window. The really strange thing about this stalker is that he seems to be leaving gold dust around yet no foot prints of where he stands.

Zara's friends Issie and Devyn have seen the creepy stalker too and they are determined to help Zara figure out what is going on. Soon Nick joins the trio as they hunt for answers and try to keep Zara safe. Nick's got a few surprises for Zara including the fact that he's never kissed a girl before. But if Zara thinks that's the most surprising thing about Nick, she's in for a much bigger surprise.

I don't want to give anything away so I am not going to say any more about the plot and subplots in this story. I think this was a great read, lots of fun, some romance, interesting supernatural beings and beauitful cold snowy Maine setting (I love Maine -that is part of what drew me to this book).

Easy 4.5 stars out of 5.

"Twisted" by Laurie Halse Anderson

Title: "Twisted"
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Published: 2007
Genre: YA
Pages: 250

Synopsis: Acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson's newest novel offers a clever take on the teen experience of surviving high school, popularity, crushes, responsibilities, and much much more.
High school senior Tyler Miller used to be the guy who faded into the background—average student, average looks, average dysfunctional family. But since he got busted for doing graffiti on the school and spent the summer doing outdoor work to pay for it—he stands out like you wouldn't believe. His new physique attracts the attention of queen bee Bethany Milbury, who just happens to be his father's boss's daughter, the sister of his biggest enemy...and his secret crush. This sets off a string of events that have Tyler questioning his place in the school, in his family, and in the world.

In a word: Phenomenal

I loved the main character Tyler Miller right from page one. He was charming, laugh out loud funny and oh so completely teenage boy!

Seventeen year old Tyler had been the kid picked on, beaten up, lunch money stolen, head stuffed in a toilet and mocked nearly his entire school existence. Then six months earlier, he pulls a prank by spray painting the school wall that lands him with a 'bad boy' reputation. His summer of working for a landscaping business beefs up his body with huge muscles and suddenly he's getting a very different response from people. The most popular girl in school Bethany (the girl who stars in most of his sexual fantasies) takes notice and Tyler is on cloud nine.

The problem is, Tyler still doesn't fit in with the rich, popular kids. He's still the same guy he always was, only now he's well muscled and sexy because of his dangerous look and reputation. Bethany's brother Chip hates Tyler and has been Tyler's biggest enemy for years. When Bethany shows an interest in Tyler, Chip is determined not to see them together and sets out to make Tyler's life more of a living hell than he has since middle school.

Tyler is having the best and worst time of his life for a while, then it all goes bad one night at a party when Bethany gets drunk and they have a fight. That night changes everything and Tyler finds himself once more under the watchful eye of the police and the hate filled eyes of his classmates. Tyler's bad boy reputation is landing him in serious trouble and if he doesn't clean up his act and get it together he might destroy his future.

The story not only revolves around Tyler and classmates, but also Tyler's dysfunctional family, Tyler's relationship with his father, Tyler's kid sister going to high school and beginning to date- dating Tyler's best friend! There is a lot going on, but it all works together to make for a fantastic, page turning YA book that I HIGHLY recommend.

The book comes with a huge stamped warning before the title page: "NOTE: THIS IS NOT A BOOK FOR CHILDREN". The book is full of a teen boy's body responses to girls and how he (like most boys) handles his sexual desires. Basically Tyler, like most guys his age is constantly battling his hormones and fantasies.

Excerpt [page 37]:
"Bethany sucked some frosting off her finger and moaned.
The moan woke up my trouser snake (Down, boy! Down, I say!) so I wandered up to the kitchen to get some forks and paper towels and room to breathe. When the snake crawled back under a rock, I went downstairs."

Excerpt [page 61- chapter 22]:
Hannah wasn't the only seminude girl in school. It was like they had voted for a "clothing optional" day. They weren't completely naked, but they were showing so much skin that you did not have to use your imagination. All over school, guys were walking into walls and open lockers, losing concentration mid-sentence, and having to stop at fountains to drink gallons of water while waiting for their boners to calm down.
As I stumbled from the front door to homeroom, I decided that these were the most poetic words in the English language: camisole, strapless, halter, low-rise, thong, belly shirt, peek-a-boo cut out, and spandex.
It was awesome.
Except that the girls kept getting pissed. An almost naked hottie would strut down the hall, butt swaying side to side, top of her underwear peeking out of her shorts, hair flowing down her back, jewelry in her belly button, boobs spilling out of her top, big smile, and what would happen? Every guy she'd walk by would say something crude. Or whistle. Or pant or moan or follow her. And she'd get pissed.
Well,duh.
Before the first bell of the day rang, most guys were semiconscious with lust and most girls were ready to slap someone.
Mornings like that could almost make you love school.

Great book for mature teens. This was great fun to read while watching Tyler struggle, grow up and over come his problems as he stumbled along. He was completely charming and likable as were his best friend "Yoda" (Star Wars nerd) and Tyler's younger sister Hannah.

Great 5 star book for mature teens. Highly recommend this to YA fans.

**also posted on my YA blog The Cracked Spine**

"Tricks" by Ellen Hopkins

Title: "Tricks"
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Published: 2009
Genre: YA (verse novel)

Synopsis: "When all choice is taken from you, life becomes a game of survival."
Five teenagers from different parts of the country. Three girls. Two guys. Four straight. One gay. Some rich. Some poor. Some from great families. Some with no one at all. All living their lives as best they can, but all searching...for freedom, safety, community, family, love. What they don't expect, though, is all that can happen when those powerful little words "I love you" are said for all the wrong reasons.
Five moving stories remain separate at first, then interweave to tell a larger, powerful story — a story about making choices, taking leaps of faith, falling down, and growing up. A story about kids figuring out what sex and love are all about, at all costs, while asking themselves, "Can I ever feel okay about myself?"
A brilliant achievement from New York Times best-selling author Ellen Hopkins — who has been called "the bestselling living poet in the country" by mediabistro.com — Tricks is a book that turns you on and repels you at the same time. Just like so much of life. [quote from Barnes&Noble website]


In a few words: Gritty & compelling.

****Graphic review & excerpt****

This is a verse novel - a long verse novel for YA (I think), over 600 pages. While I don't usually care for verse novels, there are a few that I do like and author Ellen Hopkins is a master at verse novels. She holds nothing back - even in her YA genre.

This book is about five teenagers and how sex effects their lives. Some of the sex is between teens in love with each other, other sex is a mother selling her daughter to a man and more sex is how the kids sell themselves as prostitutes on the streets. It's sad but touching, gritty and hard yet the kids vulnerability and heartaches are tender-emotional reads.

Each teen has their own story and each one is engaging and draws you. One particular character really stood out among the others for me, he is Cody Bennett. Cody is a clean cut, solid 3.0 GPA teen planning on going to college. He spends time with his younger brother, likes his mom and step dad and is obsessed with masturbating. He also does drugs and gets into gambling-very deeply into gambling. His story starts off with him falling in love with Veronica "Ronnie", his ex-girlfriend's best friend. Ronnie is hot for Cody and makes no bones about it, she's also been in love with the clueless Cody for ages. All Cody knows is he's hot for her and she's starred in many of sexual fantasies.

Then Cody's life spirals downhill...he (and his family) needs money badly. He's gotten himself in debt, lost his job and doesn't want to let his mother down. He thinks having sex for money ($100 an hour) will solve his problems. Then the very hetero Cody finds out he is not only expected to have sex with women, but men also. He freaks at the idea, but when he gets desperate enough he talks himself into selling himself to anyone for the right price.

Then Cody's world is rocked again when he's turned on during sex with a man. He loves Ronnie still, but he's worried his sexuality is changing because of the men he's having sex with. He fights with himself that he's not gay, that this is just a job. He's disgusted with himself for responding to sex with men and terrified what will happen if Ronnie ever finds out.

Excerpt scene of Cody with a well endowed john named Dan who talks about himself in the third person(pages 484, 485 & 486 -in part):

"I (Cody) open the foil pouch, remove the thin latex protection.
You ever seen a ramrod like Dan's?
I shake my head as I roll the condom down over it.
No, of course you haven't. Let's see how good you are.

I close my eyes, fight not to gag at the taste of lubricant, not to choke on his thrusts against my throat. I think about Cory, locked up in juvie until a judge decides he's been 'rehabilitated'.
Dan decides he's done with Europe. He pulls me to my feet, moves behind me, drapes my back with his chest. His muscles are thick cables, but his skin is smooth and cool as a snake skin.
Check it out. The little boy likes that.

He reaches down between my thighs.
Look how hard he is.

No! How could something so messed up turn me on? Whatever he does, I won't...
His lips brush the back of my neck and, still folding me into him, he moves me toward the bed, urges me facedown.

Down go my boxers.
Oh my. What a sweet little bottom.
Dan's hands, moving over my skin, are soft and when he lowers himself over me, a cloud of cloves and apple sinks around me. Reminds me of ... Ronnie.
God I love her. She is my spark of sanity. My light against the darkness, closing in. She knows things are bad, but not how bad. If she ever suspected...this. What I'm doing. What I've already done, she'd never speak to me again.

Dan is in for a real treat, isn't he?
He presses up against me. I brace and he pauses.
Do you think it will hurt? Let's see.
He pushes, but only a little. A test.
Oh yes, I'm afraid it might. And after Dan, nothing else will do.

On a strange metal taste- a metal taste of emotions. An odd blend of fear and...excitement. For some fucked up reason, I'm excited. I can't want this! Adrenaline firecrackers through my body. Blood pulses in my temples.

You make Dan happy now, hear?
Pain! Oh my God! Nothing has ever hurt like this. I tense, beg him to stop. But he doesn't stop. Doesn't slow. Can't take it. Can't. Through the rhythmic pain, apple.

Pressure. Pressure deep. Oh!
Nothing has ever felt so good.
Exquisite. Exquisite. No! I won't.
No matter what, I won't. This isn't me.
I'm only here for Mom. Cory. I won't!
But I do. And when I do, it's over the top.

[end quote pg 486, 'Tricks' by Ellen Hopkins]


While the sex isn't graphic like in erotic romances, it is explicit. You read about the pain of sex some of these teens experience at the hands of their abusers and "johns". Physical and emotional pain. These teens always feel dirty no matter how much they wash. They hate what they've done, but can't see any other options. Besides the sex there is a lot of drug and alcohol use by minors in this book.

Excellent YA verse novel. 4 stars.

"Fallen" by Lauren Kate

Title: "Fallen"
Author: Lauren Kate
Published: 2009
Genre: YA (romance?)

Synopsis: Seventeen-Year-Old Luce is a new student at Sword & Cross, an unwelcoming boarding/reform school in Savannah, Georgia. Luce’s boyfriend died under suspicious circumstances, and now she carries the guilt over his death with her as she navigates the unfriendly halls at Sword & Cross, WHERE every student seems to have an unpleasant—even evil—history.
It’s only when she sees Daniel, a gorgeous fellow student, that Luce feels there’s a reason to be here—though she doesn’t know what it is. And Daniel’s frosty cold demeanor toward her? It’s really a protective device that he’s used again . . . and again. For Daniel is a fallen angel, doomed to fall in love with the same girl every 17 years . . . and watch her die. And Luce is a fellow immortal, cursed to be reincarnated again and again as a mortal girl who has no idea of who she really is.


In a word: Disappointing

I felt the first 200/250 pages were long, a bit boring and for the most part unnecessary to the story. I think the author could have taken the first two chapters, cut out the next 200 pages and then kept the end of the book for a better story. Unfortunately for me, this book just didn't work. The only part that even caught my interest briefly was the final 25 pages and even those I had issues with.

The story is about Luce (Lucinda), a teen girl who I never really got to know or care about. She was distant, didn't have many emotions or feelings (even when a classmate died she was thinking about her hair and the dirt under her fingernails). I guess I just didn't like her. Anyway, she is in this reform school because of a strange death of a guy she was with (this is never explained in the book). Apparently the guy burst into flames and Luce gets some how punished for it even though there doesn't seem to be any way she could have done it. The book never tells you what happened exactly or how Luce came to be responsible for it in the eyes of the law (Was she convicted of murder? Who knows, we are never told).

Luce goes to Cross & Sword reform school where she meets other teens who apparently are being punished for things (we don't know why they are there either because no one mentions their history or anything about themselves actually). It was very difficult to like anyone in this story because I never got an opportunity to get to know anyone in the entire 400+ pages of this book.

There were no surprises, no intriguing plots or subplots. What you read in the back blurb is exactly what you read in the story, nothing more. I saw no romance between Luce and Daniel even though I was TOLD there was some long amazing romance there. If I had to pick a character that even got close to being interesting, real and showing some emotion it was one of the characters whom ends up dead (won't say who, but there are a few deaths going on - none of which are explained just hinted at).

The book was totally unsatisfying for me. I was left let-down and disappointed. The concept was OK, the characters boring, the plot unfulfilled and the romance none existent. I am very glad I didn't buy this book and only took it from the library (which surprisingly had an autographed copy- a first for me with my libraries YA books). The best thing about the book for me was the cover.

I give this story 2 stars.

*Note: Other people loved this book and I see mostly very good reviews (4 stars). I don't know what they saw in it that I didn't but clearly this book is well liked by others.*

Hump Day Humor

For your viewing pleasure...

I'm working and reading (when I get the chance) today, so no time to write up a post. Instead I will leave you with something to stimulate the eyes... enjoy!

Weekend Round-up

This weekend I read two more FREE ebooks from Ellora's Cave and enjoyed them both.

The first was "Scoring" by Mari Carr and the second "Desire in the Dark" by Naime Simone.

Both fun, sexy reads with hot love scenes. If you haven't checked out the FREE reads from Ellora's Cave I highly recommend them. They are short and sexy stories easily read in less than an hour.

I tried to read "Dead Witch Walking" by Kim Harrison because I really wanted to dig into another fantasy fiction/urban fantasy series but I just could not get into it. I know she's a very popular author, but I could not focus and stick with the story so it ended up being a DNF for me (so was the second book in the series that I never bothered trying because the first one didn't work for me).


This week I've got five YA library books to read - all of which I have wanted to read for a while now (and finally got my greedy hands on!).


Title: "Twisted"
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson (author of "Speak")
Genre: YA
Published: 2007

Synopsis: High school senior Tyler Miller used to be the guy who faded into the background—average student, average looks, average dysfunctional family. But since he got busted for doing graffiti on the school and spent the summer doing outdoor work to pay for it—he stands out like you wouldn't believe. His new physique attracts the attention of queen bee Bethany Milbury, who just happens to be his father's boss's daughter, the sister of his biggest enemy...and his secret crush. This sets off a string of events that have Tyler questioning his place in the school, in his family, and in the world.



Title: "Fallen"
Author: Lauren Kate
Genre: YA
Published: 2009

Synopsis: Seventeen-Year-Old Luce is a new student at Sword & Cross, an unwelcoming boarding/reform school in Savannah, Georgia. Luce’s boyfriend died under suspicious circumstances, and now she carries the guilt over his death with her as she navigates the unfriendly halls at Sword & Cross, WHERE every student seems to have an unpleasant—even evil—history.
It’s only when she sees Daniel, a gorgeous fellow student, that Luce feels there’s a reason to be here—though she doesn’t know what it is. And Daniel’s frosty cold demeanor toward her? It’s really a protective device that he’s used again . . . and again. For Daniel is a fallen angel, doomed to fall in love with the same girl every 17 years . . . and watch her die. And Luce is a fellow immortal, cursed to be reincarnated again and again as a mortal girl who has no idea of who she really is.



Title: "Tricks"
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Genre: YA (verse novel)
Published: 2009

Synopsis: Five teenagers from different parts of the country. Three girls. Two guys. Four straight. One gay. Some rich. Some poor. Some from great families. Some with no one at all. All living their lives as best they can, but all searching...for freedom, safety, community, family, love. What they don't expect, though, is all that can happen when those powerful little words "I love you" are said for all the wrong reasons.
Five moving stories remain separate at first, then interweave to tell a larger, powerful story — a story about making choices, taking leaps of faith, falling down, and growing up. A story about kids figuring out what sex and love are all about, at all costs, while asking themselves, "Can I ever feel okay about myself?"



Title: "Fade to Black"
Author: Alex Flinn (author of "Beastly")
Genre: YA
Published: 2005

Synopsis: The victim: After his windshield was shattered with a baseball bat, HIV-positive Alex Crusan ducked under the steering wheel. But he knows what he saw. Now he must decide what he wants to tell.
The witness: Daria Bickell never lies. So if she told the police she saw Clinton Cole do it, she must have. But did she really?
The suspect: Clinton was seen in the vicinity of the crime that morning. And sure, he has problems with Alex. But he'd never do something like this. Would he?


Title: "Need"
Author: Carrie Jones
Published: 2009
Genre: YA

Synopsis: Zara White suspects there’s a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She’s also obsessed with phobias. And it’s true, she hasn’t exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane . . . but Zara’s pretty sure her mom just can’t deal with her right now.
She couldn’t be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara’s overactive imagination. In fact, he’s still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There’s something not right—not human—in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara.
In this creepy, compelling breakout novel, Carrie Jones delivers romance, suspense, and a creature you never thought you’d have to fear.



So what are you reading this week??

Rejection letter...

I was reading a hysterical item from the Huffington Press today about rejection letters. They showed photographs of several funny 'rejection' letters, some from kids, some from colleges and more.

My personal favorite was this one... LOL (I am still laughing)

Can you read it?

These are a list of reasons why NBC is rejecting an ad from PETA *wipes tears from eyes*

1) licking pumpkin
2) touching her breast with her hand while eating broccoli
3) pumpkin from behind between legs
4) rubbing pelvic region with pumpkin
5) screwing herself with broccoli (fuzzy)
6) asparagus on her lap appearing as if it is ready to be inserted into her vagina
7) licking eggplant
8) rubbing asparagus on breast

LMAO! That is the craziest and funniest rejection letter I have ever seen! LOL

Here's the video NBC rejected...

Librarians Do Ga-Ga...

The whole thing cracks me up, but I especially like Trent Hill (guy with the banjo) who has an open bottle of prescription drugs on his desk! LOL How many did they stuff down his throat to make him cooperate and do the video? *grin*

"Sin Eater" by Evangeline Anderson

Title: "Sin Eater"
Author: Evangeline Anderson
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Genre: Erotic Short Story (ebook)

Synopsis: Lena is a rare and valued Sin Eater whose function in life is to transform pain and need to pleasure. Dedicated to the service of the god-king Karn the Insatiable, she has spent the last year training in the erotic arts. There’s just one problem—Lena has fallen in love with her teacher. The tall, muscular man with wintry gray eyes pushes her limits, constantly testing her.
Struggling with her feelings during her final erotic test, Lena wonders how she can leave her beloved teacher and give her heart to a man she’s never met to fulfill her destiny as a Sin Eater.

In a word: HOT!

This is a FREE erotic short story from Ellora's cave. It's a great sexy hot fast read. Evangeline Anderson never fails to deliver on the heat and scorching sex scenes, this short story was no exception.

Lena is being prepared to meet Karn the Insatiable - she's to be his consort or mate. Karn has demanding needs and only a Sin Eater can feed his hunger and satisfy his lust. Karn can not control himself or make wise decision for their community if he is crazy with lust, so the Sin Eater Lena is needed to keep him controlled and satisfied.

For a year, Lena is trained in erotic love making - her virginity is taken by a dildo by her Teacher then given to Karn to he can become familiar with her scent before she is sent to him. Her Teacher is never allowed to have sex with her himself, nor can he touch her bare skin. She is always covered in a skin tight sheer bodysuit.

At the end of the year, Lena finds that she's fallen in love with her Teacher. She can't imagine loving Karn when her heart is full of the man who taught her all the pleasure and pain to be had in erotic sex play (spankings and paddles are well used in this story). She only wants to finally feel her beloved Teacher making love to her, not Karn. She knows she's breaking all the rules when she sets out to make her wish come true.

Hot sexy fun! This is a FREE short story from Ellora's Cave check it out!

"Dreamfever" by Karen Marie Moning

Title: "Dreamfever"
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Series: Fever Series Bk#4
Published: 2009
Genre: Fantasy Fiction

Synopsis: MacKayla Lane lies naked on the cold stone floor of a church, at the mercy of the erotic Fae master she once swore to kill. Far from home, unable to control her sexual hungers, MacKayla is now fully under the Lord Master’s spell.
He has stolen her past, but MacKayla will never allow her sister’s murderer to take her future. Yet even the uniquely gifted sidhe-seer is no match for the Lord Master, who has unleashed an insatiable sexual craving that consumes Mac’s every thought—and thrusts her into the seductive realm of two very dangerous men, both of whom she desires but dares not trust.
As the enigmatic Jericho Barrons and the sensual Fae prince V’lane vie for her body and soul, as she rallies the sidhe-seers to fight an impossible battle and the power of the Dark Book weaves its annihilating path through the city, Mac’s greatest enemy delivers a final challenge...

In a word: Addicting

This series is very addicting which surprises me because most the time I am reading it I am extremely frustrated! I am frustrated because consistently throughout all four books (so far) the author has brought up more questions (so many questions!) than ANY real answers. This worries me because there is only one book left in this series and for the life of me, I can't imagine how all the questions will get answered. I hope, I really, really hope the author pulls it off- I think the final book will have to be around 600 pages long to answer all the questions AND end the war between the Fae and humans AND wrap up the relationship between Jericho and Mac AND -I am hoping- have Mac find her Irish relatives that she doesn't know. There is alot going on in this series, I just can't imagine it all finishing in one single book. I hope for the best, but I do have my doubts on this one.


*subtle/possible spoilers ahead*


That all said, this book was great fun to read! I loved almost all of it. The final chapters...bored me. I didn't much care about Mac's travels in the Silver (mirrors). I think this was a let down compare to the previous cliffhangers in the series. Mac's tattoos will lead the LM and Jericho to her, my guess is the LM gets her in the final book- lets face it this showdown has been brewing since book one. It's a given right?

I am loving how Mac is evolving and growing both in her sidhe-seer powers but also in maturity. She's no longer a young lady...she's become a woman. A strong, intelligent, stubborn and determined woman in her own right. I like that. I know many people were frustrated with this character in the previous books (all the pretty pink clothes-think "Legally Blond" movie and you'll have Mac) because she was so hung up on herself and being girlie. But now that she has peeled off those layers to the strong woman she's been forced to become by the changes and reality of the world it all works for me. It shows character growth and change in a short time. All these books take place inside one single year. Mac has come a long way! And just what is Mac? Is she just a sidhe-seer or something more? Something else? Jericho seems stumped by her several times in this series, mostly in this book. He asks her "What are you?" and she doesn't know. Her abilities are beyond those of other sidhe-seers. Perhaps her and Jericho have more in common than either of them thinks??

And not just Mac has grown, so has that mysterious Jericho Barrons. I loved him in this book...even though it was subtle, author Karen Marie Moning made it clear that Jericho has feelings for Mac and they are not just sexual. Clearly the sex played a part in it all, but I feel Jericho is somehow bonded to Mac in a way he hasn't been in centuries (at least) with another woman. I still believe he IS the Fae King (my second guess is he's a Druid priest which I mentioned in my review of the first book in this series). Whatever he is, he is sexy and fascinating and I can't wait to read more about him.

I get the impression there will be a spin off from this series in the future (besides the Fever Graphic Novels already in the works). I think Dani will have her own possible story. I'd really like that. Dani is just a young teen in this book full of angst and questions about her own family and just who and what she is. What is her future? She's got something special like Mac and I hope Dani will get her own series. Also, anyone else get the impression that Ryodan feels more than a bit interested in the very young Dani (he'd certainly have to wait for her grow up some-but what's another 10 years when he like Jericho live for centuries and longer?)? I know, I know about the cliffhanger but I don't believe it. I don't want to say anything about that, but my belief in a Dani/Ryodan match spin off series should tell you how I think the cliffhanger in this book ends. I can hope anyway! When Ryodan was watching Dani with the sword zipping around holding her own against his men he seemed...drawn to her, fascinated and admiring. While reading that scene I was struck with the thought that these two would have their own story one day - I hope so!

The final book "Shadowfever" has its amazing cover art (click the title to see it). I really like the cover, but it is not consistent with the other covers (sort of like one of the first covers for "Darkfever" where there are two lovers embracing each other yet there is no sex in the entire book). This cover, while it is amazing, doesn't look anything like the other covers in the series - it doesn't fit. That sort of annoys me to be honest. On the other hand, the marks on what I assume is Mac's back...well that brings to my imagination a being that hasn't been seen in this entire series, not even mentioned,- an angel.

To fans of this series, what do you think? What or who is Jericho Barrons? Just WHAT is Mac? Even Jericho doesn't seem to know and he knows just about everything. Could Mac be the dead Fae Queen reincarnated? Is that why Mac can get into Jericho's head and see his memories? Is that why Jericho is drawn to her when he feels nothing for any other woman? (I'm still going on Jericho being the fallen in disgrace Fae King).

What's in the special place in Mac's head...that thing that Mac knows is there but is afraid to bring forward and tap into?? Could it be the Fae Queen's memories?-provided Mac is either her reincarnated or has some attachment to her. What is the prophecy really about? Is Mac the good one or the bad one? Was it Alina's fault all this happened? Did she more that just stumble on something, did she help the LM and then regret it and call Mac to warn her? Who or what killed Alina? Oh and just WHAT THE HELL happened to V'lane?? Where did he go? What exactly happened when Mac called him and he freaked out? How will the humans be saved from the Unseelie and Shades?

So many questions and only one book left! I just don't see how its all going to be wrapped up in a single book - I hope it's like 600 pages long! I will be severely disappointed if the author leaves so much as a single question unanswered. I will feel ripped off and let down after following the series so closely and wanting so badly to know the answers to all the questions the author tossed out at us readers.


I rate this book 4.5 stars out of 5 stars. I truly enjoyed it, but felt the final chapters were flat and ...anti-climatic compared to the first three books.

Jericho Barrons & Sookie Stackhouse...my theories

I’m full of theories today as I’ve been contemplating two series I’ve fallen hook, line and sinker for. They are the “Fever” series by Karen Marie Moning and (I know, I know some of you all are totally sick and tired of me saying it *close your eyes*) the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris.

Both of these series leave lots of food for thought on how they might play out or, as in the case with the “Fever” series just WHO is Jericho Barrons or better yet WHAT is Jericho Barrons. I think I figured it out and since I am currently beginning the fourth book in that series I am going to start off with my theories for this series. If anyone hasn’t read these series and don’t want any hints you shouldn’t read this post.

The biggest question for everyone reading the “Fever” series has to be hands down “WHO or WHAT is Jericho Barrons?” His is a mystery, but I think I’ve figured it out. The third book “Faefever” gave away the best clues but they were very subtle in one way and yet (to my mind) blatantly glaring off the page in another. I just finished chapter four in “Dreamfever” and while this book doesn’t not tell you who or what Jericho is; I think all the clues about him shout out exactly who he is.

First I started with what I know about Jericho Barrons. He’s powerful, does magic, the Shades can’t touch him, Seelie and UnSeeling alike back down from him, and he can’t detect Fae objects yet he can touch them- at least the spear so far. He’s incredibly rich, smart, has a volatile nature that he keeps very close and tight control over, and he keeps his past tightly guarded yet we know he loved and lost his lady love long, long ago.

*spoiler alert*


In the very beginning of book four (within the first 4 chapters) we see Fae Princes run from Barrons even though they’ve got a sort of sick twisted hold/bond on Mac. Barrons merely has to walk into a room and the Fae princes take flight. Now what could possibly be more powerful than a Fae prince? The Fae King. The King who became known as The Dark King of the Unseelie (because he created them)- this king disappeared and no one knows if he’s alive or dead. I say alive!

I believe Jericho Barrons is the Fae King who’s wife died thousands of years ago. The King was said to be jealous of his wife’s power and sought to create life himself by creating the Unseelie- warped Fae. He wrote the Sinsar Dubh (she-suh-doo) which holds the ‘recipe’ for creating and the deadliest of all magic is encrypted on its pages. It’s what everyone is searching for. Everyone has given a reason for wanting to own the book except for Barrons. Why would he want it? Because it belongs to him!

So my theory is that Barrons is the long lost naughty King who is on the road to redemption by looking for the book to destroy it so that it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. Along the way he's falling in love with Mac and she will help sooth the beast within him. That’s my Fae “Fever” series theory and I’m sticking to it!


Let’s talk Sookie!!

This post is for all the Sookie Stackhouse series fans. With the HBO series “True Blood” bringing the characters to life on the screen the Team Eric/Bill camps are pretty strongly divided. Anyone who’s followed my blog over the last year knows I fall completely in the Team Eric camp as far as vampires for Sookie goes. I simply love Eric; the problem is I don’t believe for a moment that Sookie has any future at all with Eric or Bill.

Sookie won’t become a vampire. It wouldn’t work for several reasons.
Bill and Eric can’t give Sookie what she wants or needs. They are dead and they live undead lives for eternity. Sookie is alive and has told the vampires, even made Eric swear a promise to her that no matter what, even if she’s dying he is NEVER to turn her into a vampire. He promised and even admitted that he wouldn’t want an undead life for her. Though I think if push came to shove and Sookie was dying with Eric around he’d turn her because he’s selfish that way. I’d like to think he’d keep his word, but I doubt it.

The other problem with ‘what if Eric turned Sookie’ besides her not wanting it is the fact that vampires don’t “mate” or keep sexual relationships with each other. They might have sex occasionally, but they don’t form or keep relationships with each other for long. So turning Sookie into a vampire would not keep her with Eric – nothing will keep Sookie with Eric or any other vampire. That is a fact in this series from what’s been revealed in the story so far.

Sookie loves the sun…no she WORSHIPS the sun. She gains peace and strength from the sun. She is part Fae and that part comes from the sky…the sun is a part of her. I think if she ever became a vampire and couldn’t have the sun (vampires burn to crisp in the sun in this series- no sparkly bodies) she’d fall into depression and wish she were dead- or is that dead again? A dead undead? You get what I mean.

Sookie wants a warm blooded man that she can’t read his mind. A man to cook for, a man to give her babies and a ‘normal’ future. Since the first book, and strongly since the second one, I believe the man for Sookie in the end, is her boss Sam. They’ve got a strong friendship, they’ve got heated chemistry, Sookie can’t read Sam’s mind (unless he wants her to) because he’s a shifter and Sam could give Sookie everything she says she wants. Sam is protective of Sookie and has wanted to give them a dating chance several times but Sookie has said no because she fears dating her boss that it will ruin their friendship and working relationship.

I believe in the final books of this series we will see Sam and Sookie finally get together. I also believe we will see Bill leave the area for good and worst of all I believe Eric will die protecting Sookie. I totally believe Eric HAS to die for the bond between him and Sookie to break. Sookie can have no future with any man as long as her bond with Eric is there. It has to be broken and the only way to break it is either Sookie or Eric has to die. I will hate reading that book, but I do believe it’s coming.

So those are my “Fever” series by Karen Marie Moning & Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris theories and until the next books come out to change my mind I am sticking to them!

What are your theories on these series? Who or what do you think Jericho Barrons is? Who do you think Sookie will end up with in the end?

WTF Wednesday...

It's been a while since I've posted some WTF photos, so I decided to revisit some of my personal favorites from past posts (actually all this means is that its time for me to clean out my WTF file to make room for some new shit).

So here's to one more time...


First up...Barney like we never wanted to see him.


I don't know what's more disturbing about this one...the ad or the fact that people responded to it by taking the phone number!


Children's Halloween costumes have reached an all time low...


Captain Kirk with a large lumpy dildo OR did he rip off the dick of the creepy dude behind him?


Cow 69??? Do we need monuments for this sort of thing?



And now for today's WTF video of the week...



One more thing! This is a WTF COOL thing (at least I think it's cool).
How about corset nails?? Sexy or weird? I like it!



Have a great WTF Wednesday!!!

"Sweet Caroline" by Lissa Matthews

Title: Sweet Caroline
Author: Lissa Matthews
Published: April 2010 (ebook)
Genre: Erotic Romance

Synopsis: Blue Jeans and Hard Hats, Book 1

Buck doesn’t do personal projects. Until he runs into a woman wandering the aisles of the local home-improvement store, looking lost and confused. Just the way this fantasy looks at him nearly buckles his knees. In a hot second, the successful owner of a contracting company becomes a simple handyman, ready and willing to get as personal as the lady will allow.
Since her less-than-golden marriage to the local golden boy ended, Caroline’s declaration of independence includes her own business, road trips…and nipple piercings. Now it’s time to cut the last tie to her old life, but the house needs some work before she can unload it and move to her dream cabin in the mountains. Hard as it is to admit, she needs a little help.
Over the next few months, he shows her his toys, like hammers and drills, and she shows him hers—like floggers and paddles. And their attraction is the tinder that could send Caroline’s plans for an independent life up in flames…

Warning: In this book, there are sightings of glass dildos, leather belt bindings, nipple rings, wicked clamps, cherry cheesecake and a hot, yummy handyman-type guy who’s really good with his hands…

In a word: HOT!

As many of you know, I don't read many ebooks because I don't care for my ereader and I simply love everything about print books. But this ebook captured my complete attention. The cover, the blurb and several great reviews around the blogosphere.

Recently author Lissa Matthews held a book giveaway on her blog for a few of her books and I won a copy of "Sweet Caroline". As soon as I got it I had to read it and didn't leave my computer (didn't bother putting it on my ereader at all!) until I'd finished reading it! It was HOT, SEXY and captured me from the first page like a good story should.

The story is about Caroline, a divorced forty year old woman who likes to be a submissive and Buck a younger man who enjoys being a Dom like his father. Buck's crazy about Caroline, but she's still getting over her divorce and the fact that her husband quickly remarried another much younger woman. Caroline misses the sex, especially the kinky sex play she'd grown used to with her ex. Buck is more than willing and very, very able to give Caroline all she wants and needs. But Buck also wants to give her his heart but he's not sure if Caroline is ready for love again.

I truly enjoyed this short erotic love story! My thanks to Cecile for introducing me to author Lissa Matthews and my thanks to Lissa Matthews for the ebook giveaway!

I give this book 5 stars out of 5 stars for a HOT erotic read!

**Fans of Beth Kery's sub/dom erotic stories will enjoy this book**