The Monthly Herd: February Recap

Happy March!! Can you believe it's here already? Crazy. 

February was an interesting one and way busier than I thought especially with the slow start to the month.

Cover Reveal: Caged in Winter by Brighton Walsh

Just a quick cover reveal this morning. Gotta say I'm kinda partial to the hero's name *nods* That is a good name. lol And that he's an aspiring chef. Yes, please! Check it out and let me know what you think!  ~Anna

Aspiring chef Cade Maxwell is immediately, viscerally attracted to Winter Jacobson. But it’s not her mouthwatering curves he’s drawn to—it’s the strange emptiness in her eyes. When Cade saves her from a drunken customer with grabby hands, he’s shocked at her response…

Winter doesn’t need Cade’s help. After a lifetime of getting by on her own, she’s happy to rely on herself. She’s exactly seventy-six days away from graduating college, and if she can hold it together that long, she’ll finally be able to rise above the crappy hand she was dealt.

But now, every time she turns around, Cade is there, ready to push her, smile at her, distract her from her plans. Winter knows she can’t afford to open up—especially to a man she’s terrified to actually want.

Coming November 4th, 2014
Amazon | Goodreads

So, what do yall think? Like it? Love it? Not so much it? Have you read Walsh? 

Mini Review-- Hidden Fire (Firefighters of Station Five #3) by Jo Davis

Julian Salvatore has earned his reputation as a ladies' man, but chasing women is also a way to outrun a terrible secret. Then he meets defense attorney Grace McKenna, a beautiful ice-queen more than willing to give Julian her body, even if he can't seem to melt her heart... 

But when a series of murders rocks Nashville, Julian is targeted by the killer. As he comes face to face with demons, he and Grace must race to uncover the terrible truth-or become the next victims...

Type: Romantic Suspense

Heat: 3 out of 5

Rating: 4 out of 5

Amazon | All Romance | Book Depository | BAM | Goodreads

Jo Davis has officially become one of my favorite not-so-guilty pleasures with Hidden Fire. It was a fantastic romantic suspense--steamy as all get out, exciting and even managed to surprise me there at the end. A damn near perfect combination if ever there was one.

Reaper's Vow (The Shadow Reapers #2) by Sarah McCarty

"McCarthy captured my attention completely with a fascinating storyline and inspiring characters that were impossible not to love."

Ever since his cousin Adelaide disappeared, Cole Cameron has been searching for her—and for Isaiah Jones, whom he blames for her kidnapping, after a hellacious fight in town involving—if the stories of drunken saloon goers were to be believed—men who changed into wolves. Being a practical man, Cole doesn’t believe it.

Then he is rescued from a pack of strangely intelligent wolves by none other than his quarry, Isaiah, who brings him to a hidden valley where the Shadow Reapers have settled, where he is reunited with Adelaide—and where he finds the beautiful Miranda.

Miranda was once a captive of the enemy pack of Rogues. Now a werewolf herself, all she wants is to protect her daughter and try to forget the husband she lost. But Cole’s not about to give up the greatest desire he’s ever felt in his life. And he’s vowed to make Miranda his—no matter what stands in his way…

Type: Paranormal Historical--wolves
Heat: 3 out of 5 (though not much)
Rating: 4 out of 5

Amazon | All Romance | Book Depository | BAM | Goodreads

Ooo. Seriously. In love with this book. Historical romance AND it's paranormal. I mean. Reader girl *swoon*. Reaper's Vow was an interesting read. It takes place post Civil War with a group of men and women who had been tortured, turned into werewolves against their will and used as assassins until they escaped to try and create some sort of lives for themselves. Interesting, right?

So the quick of it is that Cole--a human--has spent months tracking the Shadow Reapers who have his baby cousin Adelaide. He's certain she was taken against her will (when really she's in love with and married to one of their men) and is going to rescue her and bring her home to safety! Only. He hits some snags. Like having to be rescued by those very Shadow Reapers he was hunting and then falling for one of their women, Miranda, and her little girl and getting all good and tangled in their lives. Ahh the best laid plans. lol

Cat Thursday---ahhh creeper cat!

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 kitteh!

Thought we'd go...creeper cat today. lol

Safe in the Tycoon's Arms by Jennifer Faye

The man behind the headlines...

When billionaire Lucas Carrington returns to his New York mansion, he never expects to find beautiful stranger Kate Whitley making herself at home. Invited by his aunt to stay, he soon discovers she's a woman in need. She's raising funds for her sick daughter, so he agrees to let her stay--temporarily!

Kate may not belong in Lucas's high-society world, but she sees there is more to this tycoon than the headlines suggest. Yet with so much at stake, can she trust herself and her heart with New York's most sought-after bachelor?

Type: Contemporary Romance
Heat: 2 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5

Releases March 4th

Amazon | Book Depository | BAM | Goodreads

So. I'd kinda like to meet a Tycoon now. *nods* Safe in the Tycoon's Arms was a sweet read. I don't usually pick up category romances but something about this one pulled me in and I'm glad it did because I had such a good time with Kate and Lucas as they...have a bit of a run in.

The quick of it is that Lucas comes home to find Kate living in his mansion. Much to his surprise. lol And hers too since she was offered the place to stay by someone working at the hospital she's visiting with her daughter. Oops! While they're sorting it all out (and they fight some instant attraction happening) the two decide to form a working relationship of sorts-- she needs a place to stay and his mansion is in need of some TLC which she's perfect for as an interior designer. And off they go.

Spotlight--High-Stakes Loving by Fiona Archer + giveaway

Morning yall! We've got a quickie spotlight for Fiona Archer's newest release in her King's Bluff, Wyoming series--High Stakes Loving. Check out the excerpt and giveaway and let me know what you think!  ~Anna

Former SEALs Quinn and Mike have discovered in King's Bluff, Wyoming, a town that embraces ménage and BDSM lifestyles. Even better, they found a sweet woman they could love--if they could only gain the shy librarian's trust. Overhearing that she adores capture fantasy books, the two Doms know exactly how to get her attention.

Trapped between two experienced Masters, Reagan surrenders. They're commanding, determined, yet gentle, and everything she ever wanted. Even as she learns what it is to be cherished, a secret from the past emerges, threatening her reputation. She hires her lovers to investigate, expecting them to be on her side. But the damning evidence they uncover rocks their relationship.

As pressure for the truth mounts, danger stalks Reagan. Someone out there believes secrets are best left buried.

Long-held misconceptions and fears stand in their way, risking their futures and allowing the threat closer. The three must fight as one for their love to survive.


Amazon | All Romance | Kobo | Goodreads

Trouble in Texas (Deep in the Heart of Texas #4) by Katie Lane

Inheriting the most notorious house of ill repute in Texas can spell trouble for a girl's reputation . . . especially when she's Elizabeth Murphy, Bramble's prim and proper librarian. Yet when she discovers a buck-naked cowboy handcuffed to a four-poster bed, she forgets all about the town gossips. Elizabeth has sworn off men, but the stranger's kisses melt her resolve faster than ice cream on a hot summer day.

Waking up in Miss Hattie's Henhouse isn't how Brant Cates reckoned on getting to the bottom of his great-granddaddy's murder. The plan was to solve the centuries-old crime, then get the heck out of Dodge. But after meeting Elizabeth and discovering that the buttoned-up beauty is a sexy siren in disguise, he just can't pull himself away.

Now Brant needs Elizabeth to finally put his past to rest, but is she willing to risk her future on Bramble's newest bad boy?

Type: Contemporary Romance
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5

Amazon | All Romance | Book Depository | BAM | Goodreads

Ahhh Katie Lane. I'm sold. What an absolutely cheeky and charming author. Trouble in Texas was a hoot. I'm just loving this quirky little Texas town and the people that live there. You just never know what's going to come out of their mouths and it's just entertaining as hell--what with old ladies shooting heroes, people getting tied to beds and heroines inheriting houses of ill repute. Yeah. It's...quirky and just so damn good.

Tuesday Jams (3)-- Carbon Leaf

Sooo. My friend Sharonda over at Salacious Reads does this Meme-- Tuesday Jams-- where you share a song or band or what-have-you that's been on your LOVE list lately. 

If you want to join in check out her blog!

I'm a bit eclectic with my listens. Just like I am with pretty much everything else.

So. This week...Carbon Leaf. I LOVED these guys in college. Been doing a little throwback to music lately and listening to some of my old cds. These guys came through Raleigh/Cary a lot while I was in college and a group of us usually tried to go. I was totally smitten with the bass player.

Quote-tastic (43)-- Damn his stupid male hormones...

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

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

Just grab the button and toss up your post :) 

Don't have a blog? No worries, just leave your favorites in the comment section.

Tasty Delights! Cinnamon Sugar Twists

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 on Pinterest and had all the ingredients so thought hmmm yes these NEED to be made.

Mini Reviews--Weston by Debra Kayn & Against the Wall by Rebecca Zanetti

Against the Wall (Maverick Montana #1) by Rebecca Zanetti

Surveying the proposed site for a high-end golf course should have been a breeze for spunky Landscape Architect Sophie Smith. But when this born-and-bred city girl is suddenly—and quite literally—swept off her feet by a sexy cowboy on horseback, she realizes that the country life has some serious (and seriously steamy!) possibilities. That is, until she finds out exactly who her smokin’-hot wrangler really is.

Cowboy and Tribal lawyer Jake Lodge is desperately trying to block the development. And if that means playing hardball—and being every inch the shark lawyer—so be it. But Sophie is a distraction he didn’t expect. A distraction that makes his blood burn.

Two different worlds. Two opposing sides. And when they finally give into the exquisite temptation, the consequences will shake the foundations of both of their lives…

Type: Contemporary Romance
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5

Amazon | All Romance | Goodreads

Oh my. Talk about a serious cowboy alpha male overload---in the best possible way. Damn. Against the Wall was one deliciously sexy read that had me biting my lip and turning the pages as quickly as I possibly could to see how Sophie and Jake--who were on opposing sides of a development being built-- would battle it out and find love in the midst of opposing views and a spot of danger that's thrown into the mix from some local crazies.

Laid Bare (Brown Siblings #1) by Lauren Dane

It's been ten years since clean-cut, sexy-as-hell police officer Todd Keenan had a white-hot fling with Erin Brown, the provocative, wild rocker chick next door. Their power exchange in the bedroom got under his skin. But love wasn't in the cards just yet...

Now, life has thrown the pair back together. But picking up where they left off is tough, in light of a painful event from Erin's past. As Todd struggles to earn her trust, their relationship takes an unexpected and exciting turn when Todd's best friend, Ben, ends up in their bed--and all three are quite satisfied in this relationship without a name. As the passion they share transforms Erin, will it be enough to help her face the evil she thought she had left behind?

Type: Erotica
Heat: 4 out of 5 (light male/male, menage, D/s)
Rating: 3 out of 5

Amazon | All Romance | Book Depository | Goodreads

Alright so my second attempt with Lauren Dane went way better than the first. I had a decent time with Laid Bare. It's a nice sexy menage with heaps of steamy sex, interesting characters in a unique relationship, a little emotional upheaval that'll tear at your heart and, well, lots more sex. So, not bad, but still, overall I'm not sure if Dane is really the author for me for a couple reasons.

Cat Thursday---goes random...

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 kitteh!

Some randomy goodness...

Jaded (Walker Ford #2) by Anne Calhoun

After life as a cop in Denver leaves him burned-out, Lucas Ridgeway returns to Walkers Ford, South Dakota, to serve as their chief of police. He’s hoping to start over with a clean slate and avoid any emotional entanglements—even after his next-door neighbor kisses him senseless. Alana is passionate, dedicated, and most importantly leaving town soon. So why not have some fun?

Alana Wentworth comes from a larger-than-life political family, yet all she wanted was to be a librarian. Then after an embarrassing marriage proposal from Mr. Not-For-Her, she jumps at the chance to live her dream for a few months. She wasn't supposed to get involved with the community—or sexy, troubled Lucas. But when the time comes for Alana to put Walkers Ford behind her, she’s not ready. And Lucas may not be ready for her to go….

Type: Contemporary Romance
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 3.5-4 out of 5 (I think it would have been a solid 4 had I read book one first)

Amazon | All Romance | Book Depository | BAM | Goodreads

Small town romance. A sexy cop. A librarian. The cutest retired police dog. And a town brought together by an unlikely new addition to their ranks. I mean. Hello. That's just an amazing combo. Jaded was a fun read that easily kept me entertained as Alana and Lucas start up a bit of a fling before she's supposed to leave town and things, well, they get...complicated.

Interview w/ Diana Quincy-- omg she loves my favorite series. I heart her.

Lady Wilhelmina Stanhope is ruined and everyone knows it. Back in Town for the first season since her downfall, Willa plans to remain firmly on the shelf, assuming only fortune hunters will want her now. Instead she focuses on her unique tea blends, secretly supporting a coffee house which employs poor women and children. If her clandestine involvement in trade is discovered, she'll be ruined. Again.

No one is more shocked by Willa's lack of quality suitors than the newly minted Duke of Hartwell. Having just returned from India, the dark duke is instantly attracted to the mysterious wallflower. His pursuit is hampered by the ruthless Earl of Bellingham, who once jilted Willa and is now determined to reclaim her.

Caught between the clash of two powerful men, a furious Willa refuses to concede her independence to save her reputation. But will she compromise her heart?


Amazon | All Romance | Goodreads

Good morning Diana! Welcome to herding cats & burning soup! I can't wait to hear about your latest release! It sounds so good! So, if you had 15 seconds to get someone excited about Compromising Willa and all it's historical romance goodness what would you say to hook them?

Willa’s ruined and everyone knows it. Yet suddenly both a duke and an earl are vying for her attentions. The ruthless Earl of Bellingham will stop at nothing, even blackmail, to win her. His nemesis, the darkly charming Duke of Hartwell, moves something deep inside Willa—but does he truly love her, or is he using her for revenge on an old enemy? 

Tuesday Jams (2)-- Yeah. I was a weird kid ::snort::

Sooo. My friend Sharonda over at Salacious Reads does this Meme-- Tuesday Jams-- where you share a song or band or what-have-you that's been on your LOVE list lately. 

If you want to join in check out her blog!

I'm a bit eclectic with my listens. Just like I am with pretty much everything else.

This week I thought I'd go WAY back to the 90s and the first cds I ever got.
Christmas 1994 my wishlist...Green Day, Des'ree and Ace of Base.
I don't know. I think I was a weird kid maybe. lol

Vanilla Twist by CJ Ellisson

Heather thinks she has it all—an interesting lover, a dream job, and a new wardrobe to match her take-charge attitude. But everyone has a past, and when Heather confronts hers at work she’ll be hard-pressed to hold onto her newfound confidence and resolve. Does she trust Tony enough to let him help her or will she tackle the issue on her own?

Still intrigued by the young woman and the multiple layers she presents to the world, Tony begins to change his life, too—for what he hopes is the better. He quit his high-powered career to find peace in a less stressful day-to-day existence. Desire for Heather still invades his every waking moment, and when trouble threatens their sexual explorations he makes the hardest choice of his life. One he may soon regret.

Type: Erotic Romance
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Note: This is 2 of 3 books about Tony/Heather. Each has a complete ending but their tale is ongoing.

Amazon | Goodreads

CJ Ellisson is pretty much my crack when it comes to books. I can't get enough of her characters and the worlds she creates. They're fun and sexy and have a bit of drama and are just irresistible. And Vanilla Twist was a pretty good showing. Especially in the heat department. Whew!

The quick of it-- This is book two featuring Heather and Tony (book one Vanilla on Top got a 5 star from me). Vanilla Twist is a peek back into their relationship and how they're doing as they deal with some insecurities, outside drama from each of their pasts rearing it's ugly head and how they're moving forward together. And all with a healthy heaping of sheet time.

Spotlight: Mate's Bite by Milly Taiden

After an explosive night of passion during a scenting ceremony, Karla Alves is sure she was just a one night stand for the man she'd been crushing on for years. She teased him and pleased him, and Nate hasn't been around since. Her fear of becoming clingy kept her from risking her heart and asking for more than a few hours of skin sin.

She. Is. His. Nathan Wolfe marked Karla. His mate. Deeply involved in pack politics, Nate has had to stay away. When his sister warns that Karla needs him more than he thinks, he'll discover a bundle of secrets only his wolf can sniff out. But getting the woman he cares about to let down her guard may prove to be his undoing.

With Karla's wayward sister wreaking havoc and friends needing more of his time than ever, Nate will have to rearrange his priorities if he ever hopes to earn Karla's trust. But will time with her be enough? Only true love and a wolf's promise can hold together a relationship created with a bite, a scenting, and a hope for tomorrow.

Amazon All Romance Goodreads

Quote-tastic (42)-- ah, yes, a little sexual torture...

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

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

Just grab the button and toss up your post :) 

Don't have a blog? No worries, just leave your favorites in the comment section.

My pick this week is from Spirited! It's out in March and I loved this book. It's slight paranormal/suspense. Hero is a cop and the heroine is a psychic with some questionable luck. You know, things like when they first meet she's climbing through his bedroom window at 3am dressed as a hooker. ::snort:: It was quite the hello. (she'd been at a party and lost her keys and misjudged windows lol)

Anyways. I thought this quote from later on in the book was kinda funny (and pretty dag steamy too)...

Excerpt & Bonus Scene--Deceiving Lies by Molly McAdams!

Hey guys! If any of yall are Molly McAdams fans I've got a little treat for you. An excerpt from Deceiving Lies that comes out early March. If you'd like to share what *YOU* think happens to Kash and Rachel on social media use #KashandRachel and/or #DeceivingLies and tag @MollySMcAdams for twitter and/or Molly McAdams on FB.

Also if yall decide to pre-order DECEIVING LIES, you will receive a special bonus Kash and Rachel scene with your book!

Just enter or upload your proof of purchase HERE and your bonus scene will be emailed to you on March 4th.

The irresistible, blazing-hot sequel to New York Times bestselling author Molly McAdams's Forgiving Lies.

Rachel is supposed to be planning her wedding to Kash, the love of her life. After the crazy year they've had, she's ready to settle down and live a completely normal life. Well, as normal as it can be. But there's something else waiting—something threatening to tear them apart.

Kash is ready for it all with Rach. Especially if all includes having a football team of babies with his future wife. With his line of work, he knows how short life can be, and doesn't want to waste another minute of theirs. But now his past as an undercover narcotics agent has come back to haunt him ... and it's the girl he loves who's caught in the middle.

Trent Cruz's orders are clear: take the girl. But there's something about this girl that has him changing the rules and playing a dangerous game to keep her safe. When his time as Rachel's protector runs out, he will turn his back on the only life he's known, and risk everything, if it means getting her out alive

Amazon | BAM | Goodreads

*SPOILER ALERT*

*Don’t read this if you haven’t finished Forgiving Lies yet*

Tasty Delights--Tortellini and White Bean Soup

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. 

If yall are having weather like us it's...frigid cold. 

And what's better when it's make you want to flail cold?

Soup!

Mini Reviews--Fade Out & Kiss of Death by Rachel Caine

Ahhh so I read these...forever ago. And they've just been sitting in my draft box. Figured I'd do some quickie reviews on a couple of them. I picked these up after reading Rachel Caine's Weather Warden series (which is just amazing UF). I was needing another fix of her writing and saw these and figured even though they were YA I'd give em a go. And...I really enjoyed the series. It's fun, easy to read and I just love the characters. 

**Note--this is one series that really really needs to be read in order to get the full impact. It follows the same group of college kids--Shane & Claire, Michael & Eve-- who are roommates as they deal with school, crushes and dating, life changes and living in a town that's isolated and controlled by some not so friendly vampires that regulate everything down to who can leave town and for what reasons and just growing up and being on their own. While some things are resolved in each book storyline-wise others aren't. She's the queen of cliffhangers. Whew.

Fade Out (Morganville Vampires #7)

Without the evil vampire Bishop ruling over the town of Morganville, the resident vampires have made major concessions to the human population. With their newfound freedoms, Claire Danvers and her friends are almost starting to feel comfortable again…

Now Claire can actually concentrate on her studies, and her friend Eve joins the local theatre company. But when one of Eve’s castmates goes missing after starting work on a short documentary, Eve suspects the worst. Claire and Eve soon realize that this film project, whose subject is the vampires themselves, is a whole lot bigger—and way more dangerous—than anyone suspected.

Type: YA Paranormal (Vampires)
Heat: 1.5 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5

Amazon | Book Depository | BAM | Goodreads

Fade Out had a bit of a different feel than the rest of the series but I really enjoyed it. Most of the time the books are just completely action packed and everyone is running/fighting for their lives as humans and vampires collide but in the last book the "big bad" was taken out so there's a bit of a lull action-wise. And I thought it was a nice little change.

Woot! A special Reveal! Anne Barton's Scandalous Summer Nights + giveaway!

Morning Ladies! So I'm pretty dang excited about today's post because it's for one of my favorite authors...Anne Barton who just writes the best historicals and has gorgeous covergasm worthy covers.

We chatted a little while back and she offered to let us host the cover reveal for her next book that's out in October! So a little peak for yall of Scandalous Summer Nights and an excerpt plus a giveaway of books 1 and 2 in the series. Woot! Check it out and leave her some comment love :)   ~Anna

HOW FAR WILL TEMPTATION TAKE HIM... 

Lady Olivia Sherbourne isn't shy about speaking her mind, except when it comes to James Averill. For ten long years he has been her brother's best friend and her heart's only desire. But when Olivia hears James will soon set sail for an expedition to Egypt, she knows the time has come to make her move. It's now or never...

James has always found Olivia bewitchingly attractive, but what kind of gentleman takes up with his best friend's sister? Not that he's thinking particularly gentlemanly thoughts when she appears on his exploratory trip-three hundred miles from home!-and incites a tavern fight. No matter what the devil she's doing there, it's his duty to see her safely back to her family. But how safe will she be when every starlit night brings wicked temptation ...?

Amazon | Book Depository | BAM | Goodreads

An early excerpt...

If I Were You (Inside Out #1) by Lisa Renee Jones

Okay. So this review is totally out of order. I kinda missed reviewing it somehow even though I'd read it ages ago. The rest of the series has been reviewed on the blog and, well, yall are getting this one now too :)

When Sara McMillan finds a stack of journals in a storage unit, she’s shocked and enthralled by the erotic life the writer led. Unable to stop reading, she vicariously lives out dark fantasies through Rebecca, the writer—until the terrifying final entry. Certain something sinister has happened, Sara sets out to discover the facts, immersing herself in Rebecca’s life.

Soon she’s working at the art gallery Rebecca worked at and meeting Rebecca’s friends. Finding herself drawn to two dangerously sexy men, the manager of the gallery and a famed artist, Sara realizes she’s going down the same path Rebecca took. But with the promise of her dark needs being met by a man with confident good looks and a desire for control, she’s not sure anything else matters. Just the burn for more.

Type: Erotica
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 5 out of 5

Amazon | All Romance | Book Depository | Goodreads 

It took me a really long time to convince myself to read If I Were You after seeing the dreaded "Fifty Shades" comparison--which is always an instant mood killer for me--but I'm damn glad I finally dove into it because Jones is an incredibly talented writer and put together an amazing and intriguing story that drew me in completely and left me panting for the next installment. (yes, this is a trilogy and Jones is well known for her killer cliffhangers so be warned) And, seriously, absolutely nothing like Fifty Shades. Not sure how they came up with that other than it's a trilogy and he's rich and a little kinky.