Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Rescue My Heart (Animal Magnetism #3) by Jill Shalvis

After a tragic stint in the National Guards, Adam Connelly returns to Idaho and to Belle Haven, the animal shelter he owns with his brothers. All Adam wants is to be alone. Then he opens the door to the past—the woman whose heart he once broke. Still gorgeous, still tough-as-nails, but this time, unusually vulnerable.

Holly learned the hard way to never depend on a man for anything. Now, of all men, it’s the last one she wants to see, and the only one she needs. Her father has gone missing in the Bitterroot Mountains and she could use someone with tracking skills to help find him.


For Holly and Adam, each with their ghosts, a trek this desperate, this unpredictable, and this intimate, will have its share of risks—including opening their hearts one more time.


Type: Contemporary Romance
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5
Release Date: November 6, 2012

There are some books you just can't help but enjoy even if the heroine has a terminal case of being TSTL and you want to slug every man in sight at least once for their alpha he-man moments. Rescue My Heart? So one of those books. I loved it though. From Adam and Holly's somewhat turbulent relationship, which has had me curious as all get out since book one, to the undeniably cute animal menagerie that continues to shine. 

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

'Twas the Night After Christmas (Hellions of Halstead #6) by Sabrina Jeffries

Pierce Waverly, the Earl of Devonmont, has been estranged from his mother for most of his life. When his mother’s new companion, Mrs. Camilla Stuart, writes to tell him that his mother is seriously ill, he goes home. But when he learns that the lovely widow tricked him in order to effect a holiday reconciliation, he refuses to stay—unless she meets his “terms.” 

Somewhere between trying to seduce the beautiful Camilla and struggling with the cruel memories of his childhood Christmases, Pierce discovers that not only does forgiveness go two ways, but that love can blossom even in the coldest of winters.



Type: Historical Romance, Christmas
Heat: 2 out of 5
Rating: 5 out of 5

I fell in love with Sabrina Jeffries' Hellions of Halstead Hall series earlier this year and was so excited when I heard Pierce Waverly was going to have his story told as well. And I mean total squealy fangirl excited. After little glimpses of him in the series I was dying to find out more about him and let me tell you he was so much more than I could have hoped for. 'Twas the Night After Christmas was an amazingly powerful read that's both sweet and touching with a little humor added in. It had me on the edge of tears more than once as well. It hit all my emotions and is one that will always have a place on my shelves.

Tasty Tuesday: Peanut Butter Sugar Cookie Cups


Peanut Butter Sugar Cookie Cups

Aren't they cute? Only 15 minutes for a pretty yummy treat!

Facebook Follower Giveaway!!!

We made it to 350 Facebook followers so we're having a giveaway!

Thanks everyone for following!!

If you haven't joined us over on Facebook go on and follow now and enter the giveaway :) 

If we make it to 450 Facebook followers before the giveaway ends we'll add in another two winners so spread the word and invite your friends to the Facebook page! I'm thinking some nice swag packs will go out for yall too. LOVE giveaways, don't you?

Everyone's welcome so enter away :)


This one's international and open until November 21st

Winner will get to pick from the giveaway drawer. 
Some new books, some used, some signed. Hardback & paperback.
 It's a mixed bag and the books are always changing. 

Once a winner is picked we'll let them know all the options!

Just fill out the rafflecopter and leave your comment :)

Sunday, October 28, 2012

In Rides Trouble (Black Knights Inc #2) by Julie Ann Walker

Becky "Rebel" Reichert never actually goes looking for trouble. It just has a tendency to find her. Like the day Frank Knight showed up at her door, wanting to use her motorcycle shop as a cover for his elite special ops team. But Becky prides herself on being able to hang with the big boys-she can weld, drive, and shoot just as well as any of them.

Munitions, missiles, and mayhem are Frank's way of life. The last thing the ex-SEAL wants is for one brash blonde to come within fifty feet of anything that goes boom. Yet it's just his rotten luck when she ends up in a hostage situation at sea. Come hell or high water, he will get her back-whether she says she needs him or not.






Type: Romantic Suspense
Heat: 2.5 out of 5 
Rating: 3 out of 5 

I'll give her one thing, Walker really comes up with some unique storylines. I mean, really, how many heroines get kidnapped by Somali pirates? lol. In Rides Trouble was a fun little romantic suspense with great characters and an entertaining storyline but there were definitely some eye twitching things about the book.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Wicked and Wild Scavenger Hunt!


BTS Tours &Wild Child Publishing are proud to present the 
Wicked and Wild Halloween Scavenger Hunt. 

37 blogs have linked together to allow you to hunt for 37 different words that will be hidden in each post, so at the end of the hunt you will have 37 answers to plug into the Rafflecopter. Please DO NOT leave your answers in the comment section. We want this to be fun for everyone and not take the challenge out of the game.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Friday Finds: Free & On Sale books

Whew, so big news here. I got a job working at our used bookstore!! *squee*

I'm LOVING it but oh my word am I exhausted! So, not as many goodies in this weeks post (sorry about that) but a couple good ones I think :) 

What do you think? Are you picking any of them up? 
Read any of the authors before?


Cherry Elton was beside herself! Her own mother had arranged a marriage for her to a man she had never even met. She had no choice but to run away.

Sky Westbrooke had no wish to marry, but his mischievous siblings sorely needed a firm maternal hand. Yet, how could he court his unseen bride, when into his employ had come the most remarkable, enchanting governess?

And Cherry, playing at being a governess was smitten by the handsome, cavalier Lord Westbrooke. His stolen kisses left her breathless—yet, he was betrothed to another. Whatever was a love struck governess to do?

*FREE*  Amazon   B&N  (Historical Romance~200 pages)

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Spotlight/Excerpt: Extraordinary Rendition by Paul Batista

When Ali Hussein—suspected terrorist and alleged banker for Al Qaeda—is finally transported from Gitmo to the US mainland to stand trial, many are stunned when Byron Carlos Johnson, pre-eminent lawyer and the son of a high-profile diplomat, volunteers as counsel. On principle, Johnson thought he was merely defending a man unjustly captured through Rendition and
water-boarded illegally. But Johnson soon learns that there is much more at stake than one man’s civil rights.

Hussein’s intimate knowledge of key financial transactions could lead to the capture of—or the unabated funding of—the world’s most dangerous terror cells. This makes Hussein the target of corrupt US intelligence forces on one side, and ruthless international terrorists on the other. And, it puts Byron Carlos Johnson squarely in the crosshairs of both.

Pulled irresistibly by forces he can and cannot see, Johnson enters a lethal maze of espionage, manipulation, legal traps and murder. And when his life, his love, and his acclaimed principles are on the line, Johnson may have one gambit left that can save them all; a play that even his confidants could not have anticipated. He must become the hunter among hunters in the deadliest game.

"Written by no-holds-barred-attorney Paul Batista, Extraordinary Rendition excels not only as
an action thriller, but as a sophisticated legal procedural as well; tearing the curtains away from
the nation’s most controversial issues.

Provocative. Smart. Heart-pounding. A legal thriller of the highest order."


Cat Thursday... Halloween & traveling kittehs.

Welcome to the weekly meme hosted by The True Book Addict that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! 

Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! Enjoy! 


~~~~~*~**~**~**~*~~~~~
Since it's almost Halloween...a painted kitteh.
I actually think this is pretty cool.
My herd so wouldn't stay still long enough for anything like this.

Would yall paint your herds? With kitteh safe paint of course...



~~Featured Felines~~
[Want to show off your felines? Email acade29@gmail.com and tell us about them!]

This week we have TWO featured felines...
Sunnie and Bowie who call Susan from Travel Bug mom.
Sunnie in action!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Wicked After Dark Blog Hop ~ Vamps & Shifters...


Thanks to Close Encounters with the Night Kind and 
Natasha Blackthorne for putting the hop together!

Mmmm. Wicked After Dark...
Alright we're going shifters and vamps for this one. 

Up For Grabs...

Winners choice of ebook from the following series...

The Scangards Vampires by Tina Folsom (vamps)
The Pride Series by Shelly Laurenston (shifters)
The VV Inn series by CJ Ellisson (vamps/shifters)



         




Giveaway is International.


Shadow of the Blood Moon (Blood Moon #2) by Robin P.Waldrop + giveaway



Shadow of the Blood Moon (Blood Moon #2)


Genevieve Labreck is back with a score to settle. Her mom has been kidnapped by Zane, hybrid and all-around monster. Rumors fly that Gen’s mom is holed away in Prague, a city recognized by humans for its serene beauty and intense culture, but Gen and Will know something humans don’t. Prague is haunted by dark, evil forces.

Can Genevieve and William save her mom, or will they be too late? 

Some will live, others will fall. At what price do you walk away from those you love?

Type: YA Paranormal Romance, Vampires, Shifters (wolves)
Heat: 1 out of 5
Rating: 3.5 out of 5


Shadow of the Blood Moon wasn't exactly what I was expecting but that's kinda nice sometimes, right? It was very easy to get into the story and characters (even without reading book one) and it all moved along at a quick pace, as Genevieve and friends travel across the world to save her mother who has been kidnapped.

The characters were well written and I think stayed true to what they were, young adults just figuring out their lives and places in everything. With a paranormal twist of vamps and wolves, of course :) There's a good bit of teenage angst and even a little love triangle (or, um, pentagonal?) going on. Lots of hormones and all the drama they bring. The lightning quick emotional flips the main characters, Genevieve, William and Joseph, have with one another as they battle their attraction and jealousy got a little frustrating from time to time. But really, emotions were running high all around and they were going through some crazy hard things so it all sort of fit even if I wanted to smack them now and again.

Tasty Delights--Pecan Rolo Pretzel Snaps


Tasty Delights and Dazzling Disasters is all about playing in the kitchen and having some fun.

I'll share my delights or my disasters. Yall feel free to join in and create your own posts, share your favorite recipes, what have you. 


I saw these over on Pinterest I think. 
They looked pretty cute and I had the pretzel snaps left over from another 
Tasty Tuesday so just had to make them. 

Monday, October 22, 2012

Naughty & Nice Holiday Hop!


Huge thanks to Romance at Random for putting together the hop
 and providing such wonderful prizes!

Loving the cover on Naughty & Nice! What do you think?

~Prizes~
R@R is giving away (must be 18 or older to participate)

15 Net Galley Preview copy winners of Naughty & Nice
5 ABOUT LAST NIGHT paper giveaways (US only)
Grand Prize of $15 Gift Certificate to eRetailer of choice!!


Check out the giveaway after the hop....

Friday, October 19, 2012

Zombie Walk 2012...


Welcome to the 2012...Zombie walk!

For our stop on the walk we made Zombie cupcakes.

I saw these on Pinterest and just had to make them. 

Now, I'd planned on being all fancy and whipping up a batch of made from scratch cupcakes. Pfet. Yeah. I totally read a book and bought these suckers instead ;) 

I decorated the heck outta them though!




They're pretty easy to make. Crumbled up cookies for dirt, green coconut for grass. The headstones are cut out of a thickish plastic paper and decorated with a silver sharpie.

What your own zombie hands? Get em here.



And now, some zombie funnies just 'cus I can...

Snagged this one from Laurell K Hamilton's FB page. LOVED it! 

More zombie fun after the break...

Must Love Lycans (Broken Heart Vampires #8) by Michele Bardsley

Since the moment Damien showed up-gloriously naked-Kelsey Morningstone has been having a hard time keeping her relationship with the clinic's latest amnesiac patient strictly professional. Even with her empathy abilities Kelsey's not sure she can get past Damien's anger to find the cause of his delusions. After all, falling for a patient is bad enough, but falling for a patient who thinks he's a werewolf is a whole other kind of crazy...

Type: Paranormal Romance, Shifters (wolves), Vampires
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 3 out of 5

One of the things I love about Michele Bardsley and the Broken Heart series is that each book and the couple it revolves around are truly unique from their plot-line down to their humor and character mannerisms. Must Love Lycans was an interesting addition to the series and one that's very much going to be a game changer in how life in Broken Heart goes on but I can't say it was one of my favorites. The humor this time around just wasn't quite my thing so it was a hard for me to really get into the story. I had a couple laugh out loud moments but Kelsey and her somewhat in your face immature humor just put me off. I did enjoy getting to meet new characters and spending time with old favorites though. 

Friday Finds: *FREE/ON SALE* books

Happy Friday! Got some good deals for yall today :)

Are you picking any of them up? Leave me a comment and let me know!
Have you read them? Whatcha think of em?

I picked up almost every single one of them. *hangs head in shame* I think I need an intervention. <g>

*don't forget to double check prices before you click buy. Never know when the sales will end. *

Marked (Eternal Guardians, #1)
From the moment he walked into the club, Casey knew this guy was different. Men like that just didn’t exist in real life—silky shoulder-length hair, chest impossibly broad, and a predatory manner that just screamed dark and dangerous. He was looking for something. Her.
She was the one. She had the mark. Casey had to die so his kind could live, and it was Theron’s duty to bring her in. But even as a 200-year-old descendent of Hercules, he wasn’t strong enough to resist the pull in her fathomless eyes, to tear himself away from the heat of her body.
As war with the Underworld nears, someone will have to make the ultimate sacrifice. 
*FREE* Amazon

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Cat Thursday... cats...books...cats...books...same thing?

Welcome to the weekly meme hosted by The True Book Addict that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! 

Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! Enjoy! 

~~~~~*~**~**~**~*~~~~



Um...can't have just one?!
I like to tie my Cat Thursday in with books if I can and this one just made me smile :)

~Featured Feline~
Show off your babies and send an email to acade29@gmail.com  to have them featured! :)


This week I'm bringing you one of mine. 
Herd baby Gladys Joy!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Knitting for Charity!

Any Knitters out there? 
[or people wanting to learn?!]
I'm joining in on this and thought I'd send it out to everyone in case yall might be interested too :) 
It's okay if you're just learning to knit like me! Priscilla has some great video tutorial suggestions to help us out! So everyone's welcome :)

About the Event!

Monday, October 15, 2012

Tasty Delights-- Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cakes


Tasty Delights and Dazzling Disasters is all about playing in the kitchen and having some fun.

I'll share my delights or my disasters. Yall feel free to join in and create your own posts, share your favorite recipes, what have you. 


Earlier this week I ran across a recipe from Betty Crocker for pineapple upside down cake and decided to change it up a little and make individual serving sizes instead of a regular cake :)

Turned out pretty yummy and so darn cute!

Excerpt: The Devil's Thief by Samantha Kane + giveaway!

Oh my. This one is going to be good! And would you look at that cover?! Gorgeous!

 We've got a 2 chapter excerpt for yall from Samantha Kane's newest book, 
The Devil's Thief that comes out November 12th and a giveaway!

Hope you enjoy it!

The daughter of a reformed jewel thief, Julianna Harte knows a thing or two about stealth. When the foundling home she provides for finds itself in dire financial straits, Julianna is forced to do the unthinkable. In a bit of misguided Robin Hood derring-do, she slips through the window of a wealthy rake to search for a treasure she knows is there: an invaluable pearl. But when the towering and very naked occupant of the moonlit bedroom ambushes her with a bargain—a night in his bed in exchange for the pearl—Julianna doesn’t know if it’s masculine heat or sheer desperation that makes his terms so tempting.

Excerpt: Until There Was You by Jessica Scott + giveaway!

Ah, Jessica Scott. She's got such an original take with her military romances. I've read both books in the series and loved em. Can't wait for the next one :)

Seven Years to Sin by Sylvia Day

Seven years ago, on the eve of her wedding, proper Lady Jessica Sheffield witnessed a licentious scene no innocent young miss could imagine. Shocked, yet strangely titillated, she'd held her silence regarding scandalous Alistair Caulfield, and walked down the aisle as expected. But through years of serene, unremarkable marriage, Caulfield's image remained burned into her imagination, fueling very illicit dreams...

Alistair ran far from the temptation of the prim debutante with the fire of passion in her eyes— all the way to the West Indies. As a successful merchant, he has little in common with the rakehell youth she knew. But when newly widowed Jessica steps aboard his ship for a transatlantic passage, seven years' worth of denied pleasures are held in check by nothing more than a few layers of silk— and the certainty that surrender will consume them both. . .



Type: Historical Romance/Erotica, London
Heat: 3.5 out of 5
Rating: 5 out of 5

If you haven't read Seven Years to Sin you need to buy this book...like now! Seriously, it was amazing and ohmygoodness through the damn roof sexy! The characters were wonderful, the passion between them absolutely took my breath away and was incredible to watch and the secondary storyline grabbed my heart and had me near tears. All the way around this was just a damn fine read that'll have a permanent spot on my favorites list. 

There's a lot more to Alistair and Jessica than meets the eye and they quickly became one of my favorite couples. The rhythm and flow between the two was beautifully written and just felt right. And these two seriously heat up the pages with a little tie me up action, some role playing and a whole lotta dirty talking that'll leave you panting for more. Lordy it was good

Sunday, October 14, 2012

A virgin werewolf Private Detective oh my!...Lost by Pandora Richardson

Lost (Amelia Jones Private Detective #1) by Pandora Richardson

Amelia Jones is a 25 year-old virgin, werewolf and Private Detective who is prone to make rash decisions. Amelia has been lying to her parents about her finances and now has a mountain of bills and is facing eviction.After a chance encounter with a wealthy heiress, Amelia is hired to go undercover to catch her client's attractive, much younger husband cheating. Unfortunately, being a virgin with primal passions on a mission to seduce a man isn't necessarily the best way to maintain emotional stability and Amelia must remain in control. Amelia has to decide whether the allure of money and risking her secrets is better than asking her parents for help.

Type: Lite Paranormal/Mystery, Werewolves, 1st person
Heat: 1 out of 5
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

I saw "virgin werewolf Private Detective" and knew I had to read this one. I love a good mystery especially when there's some paranormal thrown into the mix and Lost just sounded like a fun story. And it turned out to be a very entertaining read :)

I really liked the main character, Amelia, who is struggling to find a bit of independence from her dads (yep you read that right. Amelia has two dads) and to keep her wolfie side in check. The story is told from her point of view and the whole time I was listening to her talk it felt just like I was listening to one of my girlfriends telling a story over drinks. I was comfortable with her right from the start and really sympathized with her emotional turmoil and all the ups and downs she went through.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Friday Finds! **FREE & ON SALE** books!

Oh so many good ones this week. Just can't pass up such good deals! Looking forward to checking out Jade Lee :) And couldn't help but pick up the zombie erotica short story. Really? lol. First time I've seen that!

The Sale books are all awesome. Love those authors!

Did any of this week's books grab your attention? 
I love knowing what yall are picking up or if you've already read them :) 
So feel free to leave comments. Everyone's welcome! 

**Be sure to double check prices before you buy in case sales have ended!**


Whisper Cape (Whisper Cape, #1)Believing that her continual and worsening nightmares are both the key to her own new abilities and the clue to her father's death, Addie knows she will not rest until she has the answers she craves. As she strives to cope with her new remarkable talents, someone else learns of her abilities--a disgruntled maniacal psychopath with his own agenda that involves eliminating Addie. The only one who can protect her, instruct her in the use of her powers and teach her how to destroy the murderous monster is the same man who makes Addie's heart race and her blood heat with passion. The same man she'd left for dead. 

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Savage (Daughters of the Jaguar) by Willow Rose + giveaway



Type: Paranormal Romance, Shifters
Publisher: Self-Published, ebook/Paperback, 447 pages
Purchase: Amazon

The year is 1983. Christian is 22 years old when he leaves his home in Denmark to spend a year in Florida with a very wealthy family and go to med-school. A joyful night out with friends is shattered by an encounter with a savage predator that changes his life forever. Soon he faces challenges he had never expected. A supernatural gift he has no idea how to embrace. A haunting family in the house next door. A spirit-filled girl who seems to carry all the answers. An ancient secret hidden in the swamps of Florida. One life never the same. One love that becomes an obsession. Two destinies that will be forever entangled.

Savage is a paranormal romance with some language, violence, and sexual situations recommended for ages sixteen and up. It is the first book in a family saga that covers three decades of the character's lives. The sequel is expected in September 2012.


Heat: 2 out of 5
Rating: 3 out of 5

I always enjoy finding something a little different and Savage definitely qualifies as one of the more unique books I've read this year. The writing was very interesting for me since I've never read a book told completely from the male point of view. Not only that but it was told by the main character as he looked back on his life in the 80s as a 20-something medical exchange student. Different, right?

Christian's life his first few months was filled with danger, near death experiences, falling in love for the first time and discovering a world he never knew existed. It's a bit angsty from time to time but an intriguing journey of self discovery that kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. The romance is light and the sex scenes very, very mild.

I did have a couple problems while I was reading. I really didn't care for how animals were regarded throughout. There's a lot of hunting for sport and little respect which I found difficult to read. The secondary characters tripped me up a bit as well. I really liked the "crazy" women who lived next door that played the part of free spirits but were much more than what they appeared. I would have loved more of them in the story. Christian's host family and friends though were another thing altogether. I just didn't find them likable and didn't relate to them at all. They're cold and volatile. Narrow minded and just off putting. Christian's struggles between the two worlds was interesting though.

In the end though I did enjoy the story and exploring a different style of writing. The story moves along quickly and really felt like it was being told by an exchange student. Savage left off on a pretty good cliffhanger that will have me reaching for book two. This wasn't your typical romance with a tidy happily ever after ending and I'm honestly really curious how things are going to turn out for Christian.

[A copy of Savage was provided in exchange for an honest review.]

Check out the excerpt & giveaway after the jump!

How to Murder a Millionaire (Blackbird Sisters #1) by Nancy Martin

From riches to rags. Now Nora has a job as a society page columnist for a Philadelphia paper. This down-and almost-out former debutante is happy to reclaim her place within the city's elite. Until her first party assignment, when she stumbles upon the murdered body of the host--a millionaire art collector and old family friend. 

Her sisters--sexy, hard-edged Emma and flaky earth mother Libby, who has her hands full with husband number two and four kids--only complicate matters as Nora investigates. And meanwhile the son of a rumored New Jersey crime boss is pursuing her with bone-melting com-ons she can barely resist. Priorities, Nora. Thing priorities...

Type: Cozy Mystery, 1st person
Heat: 1 out of 5 (there's one yummy smooch)
Rating: 4 out of 5

Oh, this is so the type of book that'd be safe for me to share with my mom. I mean, other than the pervy old people with their nekkid art collections, of course. Now doesn't that get you curious about this one?! <g>

Cat Thursday...Ma! Iz STARVIN!

Welcome to the weekly meme hosted by The True Book Addict that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! 

Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! Enjoy! 

~~~~~*~~*~~*~~~~~


lol. This is our herd to a T! 
Panic sets in whenever they spot the tiniest hint of the bowl bottom.
Are yours like that too?

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Hot in Handcuffs Hop! Oct 10-15th

Thanks to the awesome ladies over at Under the Covers for hosting!


Hot in Handcuffs is all about the kink and celebrating all the deliciously smutty books out there.

I couldn't pick just one so we're doing winner's choice of one book from the following series. There's a little something for everyone and trust me they are all make you squirm hot

We've got a ton of giveaways going on now and yall are welcome to enter any of them. Lists over on the left :)

~Anna

Long Hard Ride (Rough Riders #1) Nauti Boy  (Nauti, #1) Club Shadowlands (Masters of the Shadowlands, #1) Liberating Lacey Wolf Tales (Wolf Tales #1) Nicholas (The Lords of Satyr, #1)


The Herd Archives