Sunday, January 31, 2016

The Monthly Herd-- January--It was a LONG month.


Thank goodness January is over. It was one of those months that I had to work very hard to be positive and upbeat. There were some really great things. Namely the blog turned FOUR years old! Winner's emails are going out tonight :D I also set my 2016 bloggy and life goals and have been working hard on those. I started ASL classes and have seriously been loving those. So some good things were happening. 

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Tasty Delights-- Roasted Red Pepper Bowtie Pasta


Roasted Red Pepper Pasta. So. This one is one from many years ago. It was the first time I've made it on my own, though. When I was growing up we had a few people living with us now and again that needed a place to crash and one of them made this pasta. I was in 4th grade maybe? Somewhere around there. It seemed SO grown up to me and, of course, I never would have admitted it but I liked the dish. lol For some reason last week the dish popped into my head and I decided I had to make it.

Friday, January 29, 2016

3.5 stars--Extreme Honor (True Heroes #1) by Piper J. Drake

Light and easy romantic suspense with fantastic main characters and a fierce and troubled pooch. I had a good time with Extreme Honor. It could be a little predictable where the suspense was concerned but was easy, entertaining and hit the spot as dog trainers Lyn and David gave their all to helping a military pup overcome the loss of his handler and the traumas of was the still haunt him mentally and physically.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Insta-Wednesday: A very long week...


Because I love Instagram and fun pictures. The Herd's week ala Instagram :)

It was a long week here at casa herding kitties. We had an ice storm, lost power for 12 hours, had a herd babe loss, got some good herd babe news and some bad herd babe news and did a lot of snuggling and comfort reading. We're holding up and trying to be positive <3 Hard some days but trying...

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

4 stars--Eventide of the Bear (The Wild Hunt Legacy, #3) by Cherise Sinclair

Werebears!!!! We have werebears!!! *squeals of delight*

Eventide of the Bear was so not what I was expecting but I loved it and had a blast as Emma, Ben, and Ryder get all domesticated without even realizing it.

Okay so the quick of it is that years ago Emma was banished by her town. She's lived alone in the woods and isn't allowed any contact with their kind because of what she'd done. But things change all up after she's seriously injured trying to save some human kids and the local shifter group discovers her existence. Until she's all healed up and they can figure out what to do with her? She's gonna be under the watchful eyes and paws of one of the single bears in town. And while all that healing happens and attraction starts to swirl about even more excitement lands on their door in the form of Ben's long estranged brother. Lots of growling, purring and maybe some petting ensue.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

2 stars-- Never Tear Us Apart (Never Tear Us Apart #1) by Monica Murphy

Never Tear Us Apart had me curious. It showed up on my doorstep with the promise of a dark and twisty read. It totally had my number and I enjoy Murphy--she can deliver such vastly different experiences with her series--so it definitely peaked my interest. And for the most part I enjoyed this twisted tale of two people damaged so thoroughly during their childhoods coming back together years later as adults. And things went well...until they didn't. There are going to be some semi-spoilers so *waves hands about* be warned and all that.

Monday, January 25, 2016

Quote-tastic/Review--not even gonna lie--Mercury Striking by Rebecca Zanetti

Join us every Monday and share a favorite quote that's grabbed ya for one reason or another.

You can add a review or post just a quote. You can post other days of the week too. Totally flexible.

Everyone's welcome to join in. Authors, bloggers, readers. The more the merrier!

Just grab the button and toss up your post :) No blog? No worries, just leave your favorites in the comment section or in a FB post and link it up.


Ooooo Rebecca Zanetti! *grabby hands* I was crazy excited for a new series from Zanetti. The woman can write action and suspense like you wouldn't believe and a new world kicking off with a pretty badass cover and what amounts to a world-wide plague? I'm in!

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Dayum! It's been COLD at Casa Herding Kitties!

Hey all! Sooo it's been quiet from this end. Sorry about that! Was getting ready for the bad weather and pending time with a sick herd babe and then....It's been COLD and DARK at Casa Herding Kitties. We got caught up in the winter storm happening and got hit with ice. Lots and lots of freezing rain that turned to ice and knocked out the power here for 12 hours. Holy freaking COLD!

So no internet but worse no heat. And a very grumbly herd after about hour 8. They were over it. OVER IT! lol We're huddled in the living room (it has a fireplace) and it pretty much looks like a BedBath&Beyond exploded in here from all the blankets and curtains. lol I swear it's gonna take a week to wash them all. 

Friday, January 22, 2016

4 stars-- Wickedly Ever After by Deborah Blake


Oh Baba Yaga! How I'm loving this series. Blake is a refreshing new voice in the world of paranormal romance. Unique and intriguing. It's been a blast exploring the Russian mythology of the Baba Yaga. And Wickedly Ever After? Such a treat as we check in with Liam and Barbara post happily ever after.

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Buy the Book: New Releases & Sales 1/19!


Aaaaaaaand Books! A little late this week. Sorry!
A couple new releases, some freaking awesome freebies and some real nice sales too.
Let me know if you grab any!

PS-- Honor Reclaimed and Moon Called are AMAZING! Had a good time with A Mackenzie Clan Gathering and Wickedly Ever After too :D

1.5 star--Loud is How I Love You (Hub City #1) by Mercy Brown

I love rocker romances. But Loud Is How I Love You was a struggle for me. Which is incredibly surprising after seeing the hardcore fangirling over this one (including from a well known author). I'm not sure how that's happening, really. The gist of it is that two band members have had sex. And the heroine, Emmy, pretty much freaks out over it. And continues to freak out over it and in her panic to not ruin the band dynamics because of it she pretty much does just that. Rinse and repeat. Ad nauseam.

Alright so the good things

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Insta-Wednesday: BabyG for the WIN!


Because I love Instagram and fun pictures. The Herd's week ala Instagram :)
An abundance of #BabyG

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

3.5 stars--Romancing the Running Back (Santa Fe Bobcats #4) by Jeanette Murray

Nom nom nom. So. I have a thing for the Santa Fe Bobcats. The guys are freaking lick.a.ble. The heroines spirited and lively. *reader girl sigh* Best combo ever.

Sooo Romancing the Running Back. The quick of it is that Anya has come to town to help her best friend with planning her wedding. And the best man? He'll suffer through having to work with her but he's so not on board with a bridesmaid he considers shallow since she's a fashion consultant. He's not about to make friends. Pesky attraction be damned!

Monday, January 18, 2016

Quote-tastic/Review--Unworthy--Unhinge by Calia Read

Join us every Monday and share a favorite quote that's grabbed ya for one reason or another.

You can add a review or post just a quote. You can post other days of the week too. Totally flexible.

Everyone's welcome to join in. Authors, bloggers, readers. The more the merrier!

Just grab the button and toss up your post :) No blog? No worries, just leave your favorites in the comment section or in a FB post and link it up.


A very different one today. The heroine...in a psych ward. And she's not one of the employees! She's actually a committed patient. It was crazy interesting. I just loved this quote from the hero... (yes there was some romance!)

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Tag: The Cat Herder [Edition 15--herd babes & books, pervy candles & toothpaste]

I get tagged, tweeted, private messaged all the time with variations of... "omg this so reminded me of you! (or) that book you're reading!" which...okay...at this point...kinda makes me nervous. I just never know WHAT it's going to be. lol

And I thought it might be fun to start putting those random and wonderfully weird things people think just scream...me. This feature won't always be, erm, family friendly. Heh. Big <tackle hugs> to everyone who tags me. Yall really make my days so fun :)
 
omg kitty on the right. amen to that.

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Word from the Herd: Why isn't it a 5 star read? Well...because it isn't.



A couple weeks back someone read one of my reviews on Goodreads and then messaged me...
I can't see anything in your review that would, given the rest of it, cost a star. Why 4 instead of 5? 

Friday, January 15, 2016

3.5 stars--Rebel Cowboy (Big Sky Cowboys #1) by Nicole Helm

Hero vs Llama. #PanicEnsues 

Rebel Cowboy surprised me. It took me a little while to get into this one. I was starting to think that maybe this wasn't the read for me when it turned things around, grabbed me completely, and left me eagerly looking forward to more from the series and this very damaged family.

The quick of it is that after a couple rough losses Dan--who is a famous hockey player--is being accused of throwing games. Needing to get away from all of it he heads to his grandfather's abandoned farm and decides he's gonna fix the farm up and...ranch. He's gonna need help figuring it all out, though, and that means the help of one of the local cowgirls who is in desperate need of funds--to save her own family ranch-- and willing to tolerate this city boy...for now.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Cat Thursday w/ Mary Hughes-- Human? Or Kitteh?


Hey guys! Today we've got Mary Hughes joining us for a fun kitteh filled post. Yall check it out then hit those comments and leave her some love! ~anna

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

4 stars--Love in the Light (Hearts in Darkness #2) by Laura Kaye

Damn I love these two. If you've not read Hearts in Darkness yet...people! You must do so now! It's one of my all time favorite reads. I've been hoping for a follow up book for years and Kaye...made it happen! *squeals of delight* It was amazing getting back to Caden and Makenna's story and seeing what was going on with them. Passionate, heartbreaking, romantic...Love in the Light was a swoon-worthy treat for everyone who adores these two.

Insta-Wednesday: Erm, the one with no photos...


Because I love Instagram and fun pictures. The Herd's week ala Instagram :)

Erms. This week was a rough one on the personal front and photos didn't seem to happen.
Only took two. So a short one today...

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

3.5 stars-- One Love: A Multicultural Romance Boxed Set

This was an interesting boxed set. All of them were previous releases except for possibly North's contribution and they revolve around the theme of being multicultural romance. Some it was fairly obvious. Some it was fairly light as far as that element went. I ended up reading four of the six books included. The last two were just too long to tackle by release day though I'm sure I'll check them out eventually. This is a pretty hefty sized box set for just 99cents. It was over 15.000 locations on my Kindle and 15ish hours of reading. Not bad! There's a nice variation of storylines too which was nice. Some I really loved and others...not so much. A little on each of the ones I read...

All You Can Handle by Farrah Rochon

Monday, January 11, 2016

Quote-tastic/Reviw-- everyone deserves it!--Seduction in Session by Shayla Black & Lexi Blake

Join us every Monday and share a favorite quote that's grabbed ya for one reason or another.

You can add a review or post just a quote. You can post other days of the week too. Totally flexible.

Everyone's welcome to join in. Authors, bloggers, readers. The more the merrier!

Just grab the button and toss up your post :) No blog? No worries, just leave your favorites in the comment section or in a FB post and link it up.


This week? Seduction in Session. Yall I have been dying for this book. Hot romance, edge of your seat suspense. What's not to love? And love it I did. I couldn't help but pick three quotes. lol So this first one. This is why I love the hero, Connor. He's chatting with one of his best friends and I was going yup, yup. With ya on that. lol....

Sunday, January 10, 2016

In My Cart-- The Spice VoxBox


Once a month I like to share some of the new products I've tried out. 
Recently I got a SpiceVoxBox full of all kinds of goodies from Influenster to try out for free. It had all sorts of things from beauty supplies to snacks. Here's what I thought of a few of the items. Would love to know if you've tried any of them out!

Sign Up: Share the Love Giveaway Hop [Feb 8-15]


Hey Guys! Just wanted to let yall know there's a new blog hop open for sign ups. This is our third year doing the Share the Love Giveaway Hop and it's a special one. Instead of promoting your own blog during the event you surprise bomb 1-5 other bloggers or authors you adore with new followers!

More info and Sign Up...HERE

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Randomly Random: What do YOU want to see in 2016?


Hey guys! So I thought I'd kick off 2016 by checking in with yall! 

Over the years I've started doing a lot of features on the blog. 
Some I've managed to keep up. Some have fallen by the wayside because of time. 

And I thought it would be fun to see what yall want to see in the coming year...

Friday, January 8, 2016

4 stars--Renegade (Taggart Brothers #2) by Lisa Bingham

Wow! Just...wow! Bingham knows how to deliver a story that'll tug at your heart, make you swoon, & leave you begging for a little more reading time to devour every single page. Renegade was an amazing read and, whew, it packed a punch as two individuals with the weight of the world on their shoulders find that maybe, just maybe, what they need most is someone by their side to help weather the storms.

The quick of it is that Bronte and her daughters have run from a bad situation. They've come cross country to the safety of her grandmother's home to regroup but instead of a warm embrace Bronte finds even more worries piled onto her shoulders, emotional strife with her daughters and an irresistibly tempting stranger who keeps crossing her path.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

SIGN UP-- By The Rules Tour by Elisabeth Staab


Hey bloggers! I have a tour happening mid-January through mid-February. If you have space on your blog for any type of feature please let me know!

Book Details

Hello, My Name Is...Giveaway Hop {Jan 7-14}


Kick off the new year visiting your favorite blogs and finding a few new ones to fall in love with! Each blog is serving up some quirky fun behind the scenes facts about themselves and a great giveaway too!

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Insta-Wednesday: Puppies, Cupcakes, & a WIN!


Because I love Instagram and fun pictures. The Herd's week ala Instagram :)
We've been taking it easy since Christmas. It's been real nice :)

Interview w/ Kristen Ashley-- Kristen vs. Twitter

Hey Guys! We've got Kristen Ashley joining us today! Yall give her a big welcome and hit those comments!

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

4 stars--Wicked Lust (The Wicked Horse #2) by Sawyer Bennett

Dayum! That was gloriously, delightfully pervy! Wicked Lust was indeed wicked and, oh, it made me squirm! Love that!

The quick of it is that Sloan is a journalist on a mission to rid the world of corrupt politicians and her magazine has it's eyes set on one out in Wyoming with very very loose ties to a kink club. And she's...going to infiltrate and get the scoop. If she has to boff the hunky scarred head of security to get that in? So be it! She'll just have to take one for the team <winks>

Monday, January 4, 2016

Quote-tastic/Review--Off the Clock by Roni Loren

Join us every Monday and share a favorite quote that's grabbed ya for one reason or another.

You can add a review or post just a quote. You can post other days of the week too. Totally flexible.

Everyone's welcome to join in. Authors, bloggers, readers. The more the merrier!

Just grab the button and toss up your post :) No blog? No worries, just leave your favorites in the comment section or in a FB post and link it up.


Hot dayum! This book was so damn good, yall. And my first Pick of the Litter for 2016. Yup. A 5 star read. Crazy rare around here but Loren kicked off her newest series. I couldn't resist more than one quote this week. Some funny, some scorching hot, some downright dirrrty and a little sweet too. Seriously this book had it all. Yum!

This first one just made me snort.

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Tasty Delights--Cheeseburger Cups


Mother effing Tasty! They get me again! lol That FB channel is too dang tempting. But so fun!
Of course, I had to change this one up a little to make it vegetarian friendly, obviously, but yum!

Saturday, January 2, 2016

2016 Blogger Goals--Woohoo!


I like lists. I like em a lot. And with a new year comes a new list! Woots!
It really helped last year having my blogging goals list so I figured I'd do another one. Plus a few for my personal life, too. So. Here's what I'd like to work on in 2016. If you've got a goals post link it in the comments! Or just add what you're hoping to do this year :)

Progress Post: 2016 Reading Challenges {Pervy Girl, New to You, Pick Your Genre}


I'm hosting and participating in a few reading challenges in 2016. This is going to be my base post for each of the challenges. There will be quarterly updates too. Everyone is welcome to join in on any of the challenges at any point in the year. More info is linked with each!

Progress Post: 2016 Blogger Shame Review Challenge

Sooo. I'm co-hosting a Blogger Shame Review Challenge in 2016 with Kristin from Addicted to Happily Ever After.

Basically it's a review challenge for all us naughty bloggers who have managed to get a backlog of reviews from ages ago that just slipped through the cracks. All review books that count for the challenge have to have been on your review list for 6+ months.

This is my sign up post and where I'll keep track of progress.

Blogger Shame. I haz it. lol

You can find more details and sign up info HERE

Friday, January 1, 2016

Herding Cats is FOUR!! Woots & Squees!


It's 2016!!!
But! More importantly herding cats & burning soup is officially FOUR years old. <wink>
It's been a whirlwind of a 4 years but I've had such a good time with it. Never thought I'd be doing all of the events and features I currently do but damn it's a good time.

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