My October Reads...

Books I read this month:

-"Backstage Pass" by Olivia Cunning (erotic) **ARC**

-"Seduce Me at Sunrise" by Lisa Kleypas (historical romance)

-"The Dragon Lord" by Connie Mason (historical romance)

-"Crusade" by Nancy Holder/Debbie Viquie (YA Paranormal)

-"The Vikings Woman" by Heather Graham (Historical Romance) **re-read challenge**

-"I Am Number Four" by Pittacus Lore (YA Sci-fi)

-"Clockwork Angel" by Cassandra Clare (YA Steampunk)

-"Wildthorn" by Jane Eagland (YA Historical Gay)

My favorites were "Backstage Pass", "The Dragon Lord", "I Am Number Four" and "Wildthorn". These rated 4 stars or better. For my reviews of any of these books see my tag cloud (left sidebar).

What were your favorite books you read this month??

"Wildthorn" by Jane Eagland

Title: Wildthorn
Author: Jane Eagland
Published: 2009
Genre: YA Historical

Synopsis: They strip her naked, of everything—undo her whalebone corset, hook by hook. Locked away in Wildthorn Hall—a madhouse—they take her identity. She is now called Lucy Childs. She has no one; she has nothing. But, she is still seventeen—still Louisa Cosgrove, isn't she? Who has done this unthinkable deed? Louisa must free herself, in more ways than one, and muster up the courage to be her true self, all the while solving her own twisted mystery and falling into an unconventional love . . .
Originally published in the UK, this well-paced, provocative romance pushes on boundaries—both literal and figurative—and, do beware: it will bind you, too.

In a word: Engrossing

I did not know anything about this story when I borrowed it from the library. I liked the cover and the story of young girl locked up in an asylum sounded intriguing to me. To review this book I am going to have to give away something- there is no other way for me to give my review. First I want to say, this was an EXCELLENT book and because I want to share how it touched me, I need to give something away that some might or might not already be known about the story. (I didn't know it)
***If you haven't read the book, have no idea what it's about and don't want to know anything more, don't read my review. If you have no plans to read this, please read the review anyway...it might change your mind.

Let me start by asking you a question. Have you ever really considered what it must have been like years ago when men dominated everything? When men decided a woman's fate? Decided how she would live her life, whom she would see, talk to... whom she would marry? A time when women had very little to no choices at all. That would all be hard enough for a heterosexual woman to endure...being given in marriage to man she didn't love or even like. Now imagine for a moment would sort of hell it would be like if you were a lesbian. No hope of ever truly being with someone you cared about and loved. Not only would men forbid it, but even other women and society at large would forbid it- in many places this still occurs. But to get back to the book review, I personally hadn't given it much thought. Not being a lesbian, I haven't ever thought about them in history. I've thought about women in general and their plight, but never specifically a lesbian woman in historical times... until I read this book.

As I've already said, I had no idea what this book was about except for a young girl being institutionalized in an asylum for "mad people". As I read each chapter I asked myself more questions and began to put myself in the place of women throughout history whom have suffered injustices merely because they were women and dependent on men in their lives for their very lives. It made me angry.

This book begins by flipping back and forth between what is currently happening to Louisa and her history leading up to being locked in an asylum. At first I was annoyed by this set up, but soon found it was the best way to tell the story.

Louisa is not lady-like much to her mother's displeasure. Louisa prefers playing marbles to playing with dolls. As she gets older she still prefers the company of her doctor father discussing illnesses to visiting other ladies with her mother. Her brother Thomas is jealous of her because she's smart and the apple of their father's eye.

Over and over again, Louisa seems to put off other girls and young ladies because Louisa isn't like them. She just can't seem to relate to them at all. She's not interested in boys or getting married. She doesn't care about proper manners or keeping her clothing neat and tidy. She has her heart on becoming a doctor like her father. She loves investigating things, experimenting and learning. She wants to help people, not invite them over for tea. This causes a rifted between her and her mother. These two women just don't understand each other and Louisa being young finds herself very frustrated by her place in life and societies expectations of her. She's very unhappy most of the time...her happiest times are with her father and studying.

When her father dies rather suddenly, the family is torn apart. Her brother is away at school and her mother falls into a depression. Louisa is heartbroken she's lost her beloved father, the only one who understood her and supported her. At the same time Louisa is shocked to discover she's got a crush on a girl. She is appalled by the thought, but the feelings are real and won't go away. The object of her crush is soon to get married and if that isn't bad enough she's also related to the girl. Incest girl love- Louisa is stunned but can't deny it.

With the blow of losing her father, quickly followed by the blow of knowing the girl she loves is marrying someone else Louisa is beside herself in confusion and frustration. Without her father, she nearly loses hope of ever becoming a doctor. But she never the less tries to engage her brother to help her, only Tom is still jealous and bitter towards her. He will not be swayed. Instead he and others in the family plot against her.

Hence, Louisa finds herself institutionalized and the real hell of her life begins. She is stripped of her clothing, dignity and dreams. No one will believe a word she says. They think she is truly nuts and her rants are lies. Louisa's frustration at not being believe cause her outbursts that do nothing to get anyone to believe she is sane and has been unfairly locked up. Louisa is poorly treated and abused at the institute. She loses weight, her hair is a tangled mess, she stops washing herself and begins to think the institute is succeeding in driving her insane. Until one of the institutes attendants, Eliza, befriends her. She is the only kind person Louisa has any contact with and even that contact is very limited. Eliza's job is strict and if she steps over the line and shows favoritism to Louisa she will find herself out of work. Louisa takes pity on another inmate. A girl whom everyone thinks is crazy, but Louisa believes her story. She doesn't think the girl is insane at all. She inspires Louisa not to just escape, but to also be a hero and rescue the girl from the unfairness of her imprisonment.

Louisa focuses on escape. If she can't get anyone to listen to her, she must escape the hell she is in. She has no idea where to go or what she'll do once she escapes but she knows if she stays she will end up dead. The institute is that terrible. I won't give any of this away...its daring and full of hold your breath moments.

Later, after Louisa is free the truth of her imprisonment is revealed and I was fuming mad for her. The injustice of it. Mostly the power given to men at that time was enraging, but also that the people with lots of money could basically do as they liked. If you weren't a man or didn't have money you were doomed to live at the whims of those who were men or had money. Sad.

What is also revealed is that Louisa finds love with someone who loves her back. Another woman. A woman who understands Louisa, supports her and dares to love her back. While they grapple with their feelings they try to figure out how they can be together in the world they live in. Lesbians living and loving together is just not done in their time period. But Louisa won't give up the love she's found. She is determined more than ever to find a way to have it all. She wants to be a doctor and she wants her female love with her. Her tenacious spirit and will to live her life her way drive her forward as she embraces who she is. She never gives up and it pays off in the end.

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.

I really enjoyed this thought provoking and touching story. This is my first "lesbian" story, though I've read some bi-sexual girl love stories before. This was certainly my first YA historical lesbian story and it was very well done. The plight of women in history, specifically lesbians, was front and center on every page. Something some women today might take for granted. Never, ever take for granted the rights we have today. Too many women have suffered- are still suffering today to take it for granted.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND READING THIS BOOK.

To buy it: Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble

Halloween tunes 'n vids...

It's not Halloween time for me without some White Zombie's "Boogie Man"!!



Scary Halloween babies...




And my Halloween FAVORITE..."The Life & Death of a Pumpkin" - a must see!



Happy Halloween Everyone!

"Clockwork Angel" by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Angel
Author: Cassandra Clare
Series: Infernal Devices Series Bk#1
Published: 2010
Genre: YA Steampunk/Fantasy

Synopsis: "Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.
When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.
Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.
Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all."


In a word: BLAH!

Don't go throwing rotten tomatoes I can't help it! I just did not like this book and I am just as shocked about that as the rest of you probably are considering all the high ratings and raves this book has been getting. Unfortunately for me, it was a complete dud. I adored author Cassandra Clare's 'Immortal Instrument Series' and was looking forward to this series because it is the prequel to that series. But nothing about this book aside from the Shadowhunters reflected all the things I had fallen in love with about the Immortal Instruments series.

My major issue with this book: the characters. The heroine Tessa bored me beyond tears and I nearly hoped she'd somehow end up dead by the end of the book. No such luck. The "hero" Will was unlikable and completely put me off. The supporting cast was just as dreadful. Henry, the leader of the Institute was a bumbling idiot who nearly gets everyone killed and continually is a laughingstock fool. His depressing wife Charlotte thinks she's running things but the only impression I got from the book was that everything around her was running HER and she was doing a rotten job. Few people seemed to like either Henry or Charlotte except for the servants. Then there was Jem (James) another Shadowhunter whom did spark some interest in me, but he's a sort of doomed situation (I won't give the spoiler) so I don't want to invest much care into him as I don't see the point. The "bad guys" are numerous and none too interesting. Bad sister warlocks, vampires, demons and "the Magister" (I won't give that away).

Needless to say I had to force myself to finish reading this book and the only reason I forced myself was because I thought it would redeem it's self by the end- it didn't. It didn't even leave me wanting to find out what happens to any of them in the next books. I simply don't care about these characters or the storyline. Another peeve...I figured much of the story out LONG before it was revealed. Not many surprises for me- another disappointment.

What I did discover reading this... I don't like steampunk apparently. All those gadgets and gidgets, copper spools, metal gears, iron works, screws...BORING. Just didn't do a thing for me. And the crazy-ass necklace...what the hell was that? It never did say. I guess that was supposed to be some big 'what if' cliffhanger but again it was a yawnfest for me.

I'd like to say the writing was superb as it was in the 'Immortal Instruments Series' but I can't. I was rolling my eyes at the dialog and repeat phrases. I think I read "like a kicked puppy" nearly every other chapter! Someone LOOKED like "a kicked puppy" or they were treated like "a kicked puppy" or they felt like "a kicked puppy"- over and over and over again there was "a kicked puppy" throughout the book. I was ready to throw the book at the wall it was in there so many times!


I won't go on (though I could). I think my point is clear that this book did not work for me at all. I am glad I borrowed this from the library and didn't purchase it. One more thing, halfway through the book the pages were upside down for a partial chapter/several pages- anyone else have that problem? Annoying.

Rating: 1 star out of 5 stars.

**Note: Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble both have very high ratings for this book, so I am in the minority on this one.**

Oh those naughty pumpkins!

What creative (depraved) people there are out there!


**photos from Photobucket, Flickr & Google Images**

"I Am Number Four" by Pittacus Lore

Title: I Am Number Four

Author: Pittacus Lore
Series: Lorien Legacies Bk#1
Published: 2010
Genre: Sci-Fi (YA)

Synopsis: Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books—but we are real.
Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. we have lived among you without you knowing.
But they know.
They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They killed them all.
I am Number Four.
I am next.

*In a word: FUN!


I don't read very much Sci-fi, but I am very happy I decided to read this one. Number Four, who adapts the name "John Smith" for the first book is in hiding for his life. He was taken from his own planet- very much like earth, when he was a young child. Nine children from the planet Lorien were saved years ago when their planet was invaded by violent aliens (the Mogadorians - pale horrid beings who wear black trench coats, hats and sunglasses on earth). Lorien aliens have been to earth before, they educated the first humans and helped them with languages and building things like the pyramids.

There are two types of beings on planet Lorien. The Garde- those who have 'legacies' or super powers. And then there is the Cepan, or keepers. While the Garde are the protectors, the Cepan are the rulers. Every Garde child is given and adult Cepan to teach them and help them with their powers as they mature and get those powers.

John Smith is a Garde and he's just now coming into his legacies with the help of Henri, his Cepan who travels with him and cares for him as a father would. Henri saved John from the war on Lorien and he's protected and educated him on earth for years while they both wait for John's powers to come. They do not know what powers John will inherit, nor do they know how many he will eventually end up with. But Henri has the knowledge of their planet and the ability to help John develop his powers to their full abilities.

A charm was placed on the Nine children who escaped Lorien, the charm makes it impossible for them to be killed 'out of order'. Each child has a number, and if the Mogadorians attempt to kill them out of order, they themselves will die. As each Lorien child is killed, the living Lorien children receive a burning ring around their ankle letting them know the Mogadorians are getting closer. When Number One, Number Two and finally Number Three are dead and John has three burned rings around his ankle, he knows he's next. That the Mogadorians have now focused all their attention on finding and killing him. Henri and John take off to relocated in a small Ohio town called Paradise.
It's here in Paradise that John makes his first friend and gets his first girl friend. While death looms overhead and some of Paradise's high school students aren't thrilled with John's arrival, John himself has never been happier. He is overjoyed to have a real friend for the first time and wants to tell Sam the truth, but knows doing so not only jeopardizes himself and Henri, it could also put Sam's life in danger if the Mogadorians get a hold of him. John also feels guilty about keeping such a huge secret from his girlfriend Sarah. But knows he must keep his secrets for every one's well being.

When Henri feels it's time to go, John refuses. Henri warns John that the Mogadorians are getting too close and they need to leave but John stands his ground and refuses to give up his best friend and girl friend so soon. He wants more time at being normal, more time to enjoy these relationships. Henri has no choice but to stay, he can't force John to go as John has come into some of his Legacies and Henri has no such powers.

They stay...the Mogadorians come. They fight...

The battle is amazing. You'll need tissues. The ending is of course a bit of a cliffhanger, but it's a good one that sets you up for the next book which I can't wait to read.

*Author quirk: Author Pittacus Lore has placed himself in the novel as the "greatest of them all" leader of the Loriens. [page 84]*

Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Buy it here: Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com



The Movie...

"I Am Number Four" will be released in movie theaters February 2011

John Smith is played by Alex Pettyfer (who is also starring in "Beastly" to be released in early 2011- another one I can't wait to see).

**photos of Alex Pettyfer "John Smith" and the trench coat wearing Mogadorian from the movie found on Google Imagaes*

Keep his balls clean!

LMAO! I love this commercial- it's freakin' brilliant. *snort*

"The Viking's Woman" by Heather Graham

Title: The Vikings Woman
Author: Heather Graham
Published: 1990
Series: Bk#2 Viking Triology
Genre: Historical Romance

Synpopis: Her wild spirit made him crave her...
Her firebrand—hair blazed as glorious as a sunrise. Her long limbs promised the sweet mysteries of the night. Rhiannon, King Alfred’s favorite niece, was enraged when her uncle sealed an alliance of war by pledging her to Eric, the towering golden-haired prince whose blue eyes penetrated her with a glacial stare. But the more she fought the marriage . . . the man . . . the more she became inflamed by the fire that lay beneath his Viking ice.

His passion pierced her heart...
His broad shoulders as hard as the steel of his sword, Eric bowed to no man. The only battle he feared losing was with Rhiannon. For she had reached into the savage recesses of his heart. No campaign on the field, no treason from within, would he fight as fiercely–or with such desire . . . as the war he waged to possess what was his.

Oh dear... I read, or I should say, re-read this book for the 2010 Re-read Challenge because it was on my keeper shelf from the 1990's. But clearly my tastes have changed because this book that I once really loved just didn't hit the spot for me this second time around.

My problem was the heroine. She was TOO stubborn and very hurtful to the hero from beginning to near the very end. It took too long for her to realize she didn't hate him and even longer before she'd actually stopped using her misplaced pride to shun and hurt him.

The heroine, "Rhiannon" (I stumbled over this name all through the book and ended up calling her Rea-lol), sees Viking ships coming and calls all her people to arms. Unknown to her, her king invited the Viking/Irishman to their shores to help fight the Danes. So clearly the heroine and hero (Eric the blond hunky Viking) do not start off on a good foot. After a bloody fight with many people dying, Rhiannon gets away to find her king-who is also her cousin. The king is furious with Rhiannon for not welcoming the Viking. Someone has betrayed the king, Eric and Rhiannon by wanting to start a war.

To keep the peace and sooth Viking Eric's temper, the king offers Rhiannon to Eric in marriage and along with her comes all her lands -something Eric desires greatly as he is a second son and has no land of his own. The problem is Rhiannon is in love with someone else and absolutely hates Vikings. Too bad for her, because the King needs Eric and Eric wants the land. So they are married.

Rhiannon continually finds herself in situations that make her look like she is betraying someone- be it the king or her new husband. This annoyed me. She was bordering the "too stupid to live" line on a few occasions.

While the passion was hot and Eric was all things a Viking hero should be, the heroine just fell short time and time again for me. I just never liked her and thought often that Eric could do much better- heck even the serving women seemed like better options for Eric then Rhiannon. But of course, they fell madly in love with each other and had their happily ever after.

Rating: 2.5/3 stars our of 5 stars

Buy it: Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com

**Re-read 2010 Challenge**

"Release" by Beth Kery

Title: Release
Author: Beth Kery
Published: 2010
Genre: Erotic Romance

Synopsis: Genny loved her husband Max, but he lacked the sexual charge that was instead ignited by his business partner, Sean. Ruggedly handsome, Sean had a heart-stopping smile that made Genny weak. The more time they spent together, the stronger the attraction between them became. Then her husband offered to share her with Sean for one intoxicating night...
That night in the company penthouse, Max and Sean showed Genny the heights of ecstasy. But it was Sean who touched her very spirit, and one-on­one, they were red hot. But as Genny learns, there's a price to pay for such impulsive pleasure. What began as a night of forbidden desire spirals into a whirlpool of murder, sensual submission, secrets, and a scorching passion that threatens to consume everyone it touches.




In a word: OOOWWEEEEE!! (that's a word right?)

What a great erotic read!! One of my FAVORITE settings for romance is a couple snowed in together. What else is there to do but jump each others bones?! Sean has been in love with Genny for years. Genny was his boss's wife. One New Year's Eve Sean, Genny and her husband have a threesome that means something very different to each of the participants. For Sean it's a fantasy night he relives over and over in his mind. For Genny it stirs up confusion and guilt. For Max, Genny's husband it was all part of his plan.

After Genny's husband is murdered, she can't look at Sean. She ignores him completely and shuts him out of her life. Sean is crushed. He wants to be there for her and love her, but Genny will have none of it. Sean doesn't know why he's being rejected, he's worried it was his dominance in bed that is scaring Genny away. But Genny has another reason for pushing Sean away, a reason that no matter how much she might want him, she can't just put the issue out of her mind and move on. Murder can't be ignored or forgotten.

When Genny's house burns down, she seeks shelter in her penthouse- the place the threesome took place years ago. Little does Genny know that Sean is also at the penthouse. When a snowstorm hits these two are stuck together- much to Sean's delight. He plans on winning Genny over for keeps this time- all he needs is a little time alone with her to work things out and show her how great they are together.

There's alot going on with these two ...the ghost of Max (figurative, not literal) is between them, the threesome they shared is an issue, someone seems to be after Genny, Sean fears for Genny, Genny fears for Sean, the police are eye-balling both of them for the murder of Max and then there is the SMOKIN' HOT, PANTIES ON FIRE SEX!

If you like it HOT with some light bondage and spankings you won't want to miss out on this one!

Rating: 4 stars out of 5.

To buy this book:
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble


**I won this book from blogger Lea over at the Closetreader blog- thanks Lea!!**

"The Dragon Lord" by Connie Mason

Title: The Dragon Lord
Author: Connie Mason
Published: 2001
Genre: Historical Romance

Synopsis: The Dragon: Renowned for his prowess on the battlefield and in the bedroom, the Dragon Lord had no desire to wed an heiress he had never before seen. But a landless knight had few opportunities to win a barony, and a faithful subject had no choice but to obey his king. Yet how to select a wife from the three women offered to him? He had no taste for the grieving widow or the sharp tongued shrew, so the meek virgin it must be.
Confronted by their new Lord and master, the women of Ayrdale prepared to accept their destiny. But the high-spirited Rose knew she was no thornless blossom just waiting to be plucked. Her gentle twin longed for the cloistered life, whereas Rose had never been known as a shrinking violet and was more than capable of standing up to a dragon. A clever deception would allow her sister to enter the nunnery while an unexpected bride awaited her unsuspecting husband for the most unforgettable deflowering off all.

In a word: Scrumptious!

First page peek:

London, October 1214
"Harder, Dragon. Oh, God, yes. Don't stop."
Poised atop the dark-haired beauty, Dominic Dragon of Pendragon pumped vigorously between his mistress's plump white thighs. Raising himself up on his elbows, he watched her face as she moaned and tossed her head in wild abandon.

I very much enjoyed this historical romance. I liked Dominic (the Dragon Lord) and Rose exceedingly. Dominic was sexy and lusty. Rose was strong and yet vulnerable. Rose was everything that Dominic thought he didn't want in a woman, yet learned he could never live without. Rose didn't want to like Dominic, let alone love him but she couldn't deny the passion he stirred in her body. These two fight and deny what's happening between them with their minds, while their bodies refuse to deny the obvious. They were made for each other.

Dominic plans to marry his lusty mistress who meets all his sexual needs and doesn't make unnecessary demands on him. His King has other plans. When some of the border barons begin talking of going against their King, the King sends his trusted knight the Dragon to the border to marry and hold down that area.

Dominic isn't happy with the kings plans for him, but he wants to own land and gain the title of Baron. Reluctantly he leaves his mistresses bed and journey's to Ayrdale which he promptly renames Dragonwyck. He is presented with a widowed mother and her twin daughters - his three choices of wife. The grieving widow holds no interest for him. The daughters are both beautiful; one is meek the other a spit-fire. He decides he doesn't need the aggravation of a thorny wife, so he decides to take the meek sister as his wife. Rose (the thorny one) won't let her meek sister be taken by the Dragon, so she substitutes herself and marries Dominic. Before Dominic figures out he's been bamboozled, Rose's mother and sister are off to the convent where Dominic can't hurt them.

It doesn't take Dominic long to figure out he married the wrong sister or that he isn't upset about it. Rose holds his attention quite nicely and he's determined to draw out all her passion in bed. Rose tries to resist Dominic but her body turns to flame each and every time he touches her. She can't deny the lust her husband stirs in her and Dominic is thrilled with her bodies reactions to his touch.

Besides the bitter and shunned ex-mistress, there is greedy Scottish Uncle and his wicked step-son who prey on the couple and the King who ordered Rose's fathers execution. Kidnapping, spying, lust, hot sensual sex, deception and intrigue fill the pages of this historical romance. I loved it!

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.

**This book is no longer available new from Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. I bought it used off Ebay**

"Crusade" by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie

Title: Crusade
Authors: Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie
Series: crusade series bk#1
Published: 2010
Genre: YA

Synopsis: The ultimate battle. The ultimate love.
For the past two years, Jenn has lived and trained at Spain’s Sacred Heart Academy Against the Cursed Ones. She is among the few who have pledged to defend humanity or die trying. But the vampires are gaining power, and the battle has only just begun.
Forced to return home after death takes a member of her family, Jenn discovers that San Francisco is now a vampire strong-hold. As a lone hunter apart from her team, Jenn is isolated—and at risk. She craves the company of her fighting partner, Antonio: his protection, his reassurance, his touch. But a relationship with Antonio comes with its own dangers, and the more they share of themselves, the more Jenn stands to lose.
Then Jenn is betrayed by one who was once bound to protect her, causing her to doubt all she had held as true. To survive, Jenn must find the courage to trust herself—and her heart.


This was a complete DNF for me for two MAJOR reasons.

1)Head Hopping. I HATE head hopping and this book hopped between no less than eight different characters from paragraph to paragraph. Had each chapter been told by a different character I could have accepted it, but that is not how the book was written. You were in each characters head ALL THE TIME so you had to nearly take notes to keep track of who was feeling or thinking what at any particular moment in the story. I wanted to throw the book against a wall more times than I can count.

2)Back peddling. The book starts off with a huge life and death battle where you know no one or what is happening, only that the characters are in a terrible life and death situation. Now admittedly some people like their books to start off with an action packed scene. I don't. I abhor it. I need to ease into a story at least get to know one character a little bit. Between the head hopping and war scene of page one I was lost and scrambling to get a hold on what the hell was happening and to whom.

Jenn is in love with a vampire...Antonio. Antonio was preparing to enter the priesthood when he was turned into a vampire. For some strange reason holy water, rosaries etc do not effect him at all. He is very devoted to the Virgin Mary and protecting Jenn. Jenn wants more from Antonio then just friendship, but since Antonio is at odds with his desire to protect her and his bloodlust to kill her he does the whole yo-yo thing keeping her close then pushing her away. (Remind anyone of sparkly Edward???)

Besides vampire Antonio, the other team members are witches casting spells and werewolves needing to be locked up during full moons, everyone bickering among themselves and determined to kill all the "Cursed Ones" (AKA vampires who have come out of the closest and are taking over the world one country at a time). A priest leads this motley crew on their destiny to rid the world of cursed ones. The priest and Antonio have a close bond.

Because I am so disappointed (this book was on my TBR list for months I was so excited about it), I am going to be very harsh here. I just hated it; from cover to cover I hated this book. The plot and synopsis had SO MUCH potential, but the writing was dreadful and just completely fell apart for me. This book is my biggest disappointment all year. I had very high hopes after reading the synopsis, but the book failed me completely.

Rating: DNF

The book has very good ratings on Amazon and Barnes & Noble so obviously others truly enjoyed it. I don't see how, but they did.

To purchase: Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble

Halloween costumes for men...

The Giant Vagina & Cock costumes

To buy this go HERE.

The BJ Vampire Costume

To buy this go HERE.

Sagging Balls Costume

To purchase click HERE.


The above costumes are all from Costumeshopper.com

What am I missing???

I need a series! I am going through serious urban fantasy withdrawal while I wait (very impatiently) for the next installments of my favorite urban fantasy series. Authors I have uber love for are Karen Marie Moning, Patricia Briggs, Jeaniene Frost and Charlaine Harris.

I have tried a few famous authors that many bloggers adore like Kim Harrison and Ilona Andrews but I just can't get into their books. They were all DNF's for me.

What I am asking for today is for all of you to give me suggestions on series I might like based on the authors I've mentioned. I love fantasy fiction that is set in contemporary times and I don't like time travel for the most part (though Karen Marie Moning does it superbly).

I know many other author names out there that I have not read yet like Shiloh Walker, Sherrilyn Kenyon and Jennifer Estep to name a few. Do you think I'd like these authors? What series (if they have more than one) should I start with?

What other urban fantasy authors out there are MUST, MUST READS for you??

Help me fall in uber love with another urban fantasy fiction series!! Please!!

"Seduce Me At Sunrise" by Lisa Kleypas

Title: "Seduce Me At Sunrise"
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Series: The Hathaways Bk#2
Published: 2008
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: Kev Merripen has longed for the beautiful, well-bred Winnifred Hathaway ever since her family rescued him from the brink of death when he was just a boy. But this handsome Gypsy is a man of mysterious origins—and he fears that the darkness of his past could crush delicate, luminous Win. So Kev refuses to submit to temptation…and before long Win is torn from him by a devastating twist of fate.
Then, Win returns to England…only to find that Kev has hardened into a man who will deny love at all costs. Meantime, an attractive, seductive suitor has set his sights on Win. It’s now or never for Kev to make his move. But first, he must confront a dangerous secret about his destiny—or risk losing the only woman he has lived for…

In a word: satisifying

Handsome gypsy Kev Merripen finds refuge and salvation when the Hathaway family takes him in when he's still a boy. Kev had been terribly abused and used, knowing only the worse humanity has to offer- until Winnifred Hathaway reaches into his black heart and captures it.

Winnifred has always had a special place in her heart for Kev. She didn't let his stubborn, rude and cold shell stop her from winning his heart and teaching him to love. While Kev would die for her, he will not openly love her. He feels dirty and not worthy of the perfect Win whom he adores beyond all reason. Win loves Kev for who he is and doesn't care what he did before coming to live with the Hathaway family. The trouble is she has to convince Kev of that.

Then Win gets terribly sick and becomes an invalid. Even when she survives the initial illness, she is still very weak and unable to get her life back. When she decides to leave home for a treatment she's heard about Kev nearly loses his mind. He wants her home, where he can look after her. But Win wants more. She doesn't want to live her life as an invalid. So against Kev's will, Win leaves for two years.

When she returns healthy, she finds Kev is another man. He's harder, angry and no one seems able to reach him. No one but Win...

While I liked Kev a great deal, I wasn't a big fan of Winnifreds. But the biggest problem I had with this book is it was SLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW. The book spent a lot of time on back story, then finally got to what was current only to quickly wrap things up with a nearly complete out of left field ending that had no lead up to it at all. I didn't like that. It felt to me like the book was originally longer, but got edited down so much that it lost too much. That said, Kev was still great, and the book did contain some cute humorous moments that I enjoyed.

So in the end, it was just 'satisifying' for its hero and humor, but not something I would reread or highly recommend to Lisa Kleypas fans.

2.5-3 stars out of 5


Buy this book here:
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble

"Backstage Pass: Sinners on Tour" by Olivia Cunning

Title: Backstage Pass: Sinners on Tour
Author: Olivia Cunning
Series: Sinners on Tour Bk#1
Published: October 2010
Genre: Erotic Romance
**ARC from Sourcebooks**

Synposis: Five stunning guys, one hot woman, and a feverish romance...
For him, life is all music and no play...
When Brian Sinclair, lead songwriter and guitarist of the hottest metal band on the scene, loses his creative spark, it will take nights of downright sinful passion to release his pent-up genius...
She's the one to call the tune...
When sexy psychologist Myrna Evans goes on tour with the Sinners, every boy in the band tries to seduce her. But Brian is the only one she wants to get her hands on...
Then the two lovers' wildly shocking behavior sparks the whole band to new heights of glory...and sin...


In a word: HOT!

The best thing about this book is the men in the band. These men are SMOKIN' HOT, I really couldn't pick who was my favorite (though I am leaning toward Sed the lead singer with the broken heart). While this story focuses mostly on guitarist Brian (AKA the Romance Retard), it also lets you get to know all the guys in the band and what their quirks are.

Brian "Master Sinclair" is the bands hopeless romantic. He's looking for the "real thing" in every woman he hooks up with and when she turns out to be a bimbo he's crushed. He goes on drinking binges each time a woman disappoints him and that is how human sexuality college professor Myrna Evans meets him. Brian's in a funk and needs a muse to inspire him- and that's just what he gets.

Myrna has been a fan of the band for years. When she chance meets them in a hotel lounge she can't believe her luck. Unfortunately, Brian is rip roaring drunk. After he's escorted to the men's room to vomit, Brian stumbles his way into Myrna's need for diversion in her life and the two of them go up in flames.

Every one of the other band members hits on Myrna and try to share in Brian's newest lover, some get a bit further than others, but none without Brian's consent.

The issues: Like I mentioned before, Brian is called the "Romance Retard" because he falls for every woman he meets. He is looking for "the one" in all the wrong places. When he starts his relationship with Myrna, he's decided she's "the one" and he falls head over heels in love with her- much to the bands distress. Oh they like Myrna, but they worry for Brian.
Myrna's issue is she's carrying enough baggage for the entire band. She has a crazy ex-husband who was abusive to her and she has sworn off relationships. She wants a good time and nothing more.

So while Brian tries to win Myrna's closely guarded heart, Myrna throws herself into sexual bliss with Brian- the stud who has had more women than anyone can count in more ways than even Human Sexuality Professor Myrna Evans thought.

This book is not for the squeamish. If vomiting, licking asses, sucking scrotum's, sex in public bathrooms and fingers, tongues and buttplugs up asses aren't your thing then stay away from this book. But if you like your erotic romance HOT with nothing held back, this one will be a page turner for you.

Excerpt:

"Please," he begged. "Suck me. God. Please."
She lowered her head further, tonguing the crease of skin between his balls and her ultimate goal. When her tongue danced over the puckered flesh of his anus, he squirmed, panting as she tested the limits of his self-control. After a moment, he relaxed and she pressed the tip of her tongue inside him. He twitched.

[page32]

Excerpt:

She drew back and bobbed her head up and down rapidly as she sucked. Her lips bumped over the sensitive rim faster and faster. One hand held the base of his cock firmly so she could concentrate on her technique, the other continued to massage his balls gently. His groans of pleasure encouraged her to suck harder, move faster.
Come, Brian. Come on. Give me what I want.She knew he was holding back on her, selfishly trying to prolong his pleasure. She didn't mind. She loved the challenge. She wriggled her tongue against the underside of his cock as she sucked him deep. When he was buried deep in her throat again, she hummed and dipped the tip of a finger into his ass.
"Fuck, woman!" He grabbed her hair as his hips bucked off the mattress and he bathed the back of her throat with his juices."

[page 32-33]
See?! And that was just the beginning of the book!

I will definitely read the rest of this series because I am hooked on the guys in this band and want to know each of their stories.

4 stars out of 5

Buy it here: Barnes & Noble
Amazon.com

WTF!! Why the hell didn't I think of this??

I haven't done a WTF post in ages, but when I saw the book "Bad Barbie" I had to share it. I also totally slapped myself in the head because I totally COULDHAVE/SHOULDHAVE thought of this one first. *snort*

Title: Bad Barbie
Author/photographer: Christine Faulkner
Published: March 2010
Description: "Bad Barbie, published to accompany a show of David Levinthal s photographs of the same name, reproduces 25 black and white images the artist made in his early experiments shooting toys. Arranged in a loose narrative sequence the photographs depict the commercially ubiquitous dolls, Barbie, her boyfriend Ken, and G.I. Joe, in a series of poses and tableaux of sexual liaison and activity. The young artist was responding to a contemporary atmosphere of new sexual license enjoyed by youthful America following the liberal-leaning social upheavals of the 1960s. With eleven pages of text featuring an introductory note by Richard Prince and a racy narrative fiction by John McWhinnie."





Naughty, naughty Ken and GI Joe turning sweet Barbie into BAD BARBIE! *snicker*

I gotta feeling...tonights gonna be a good good night!

It's Friday and that means Supernatural's on tonight!





I love this show and I love this song. I think they go together in perfect harmony for a Friday! Have a great weekend everyone!