Saturday, May 31, 2014

Last Chance for the Support The Troops Auction plus a little about the USO! + giveaway chances!

On the last handful of hours for the Support the Troops Silent Auction I wanted to tell yall a little about the USO and the sorts of things we do at the center where I volunteer!

Also! Don't forget! The auction ends SUNDAY NIGHT 6/1 at around 10PM EDT. So if you've been holding off bidding until the last minute now's the time!

So far the auction has raised almost $1800 in donations that'll go directly to the USO. I'm just stunned by that and want to thank everyone who has taken part in donating, bidding and spreading the word. Yall are all awesome and greatly appreciated!

So a little about the USO and why I volunteer there plus last minute ways to help the auction!

2014 Erotic Romance Reading Challenge--June LINK UP!


We're at the HALF-WAY point!!!

How are yall doing with the challenge? On track? Yall have any good suggestions?

2014 Historical Romance Reading Challenge--June LINK UP!


June LINK UP! And we're at the half way point! Woot!

The Monthly Herd: May Recap--Whewboy. It was a month!

Holy freaking cow yall. May...was a doozie and a half. I'm so glad June is almost here. I really am. Whew boy. This month saw my business moving (after 5 years in one spot), construction at the house, the kick off of the Support the Troops event and auction (which is still goin on!), the Wicked Nights blog hop and, well, all that other life stuff including one of my favorite people getting married! 

And damn. Anna was in serious need of a drink with how crazy the last 30 days have been. And maybe a vat of chocolate. *nods* Heh. So here's a bit of a wrap up! Read a couple books, had some interviews, dished about some of my...weirdness in a blogger tag meme

Would love to hear how YOUR May went! 

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Whisper to Me (Between Breaths #3) by Christina Lee



At college, Rachel has a reputation for being a sarcastic flirt with a thing for star athletes. No one at school knows that she’d had her heart ripped to shreds by her high school sweetheart, who’d driven them both off the side of the road on a borrowed motorcycle, and then abandoned her. No one knows the real Rachel Mattson—except one person…

Ever since he helped nurse his sister’s feisty best friend back to health, pierced bass player Kai Nakos has been head over heels in love. But the supposed bad boy can’t risk letting Rachel know the truth—especially now that the two of them are back in their hometown for the summer, together for the first time since the months following that fateful night. Never mind that Rachel’s ex is back, groveling for her forgiveness.

Shaken by her ex’s return, Rachel finds herself turning to the one guy she knows she can trust. Kai is willing to hide his feelings for her, just to have Rachel touch him again. After all, this is only a temporary fling. Until it becomes something more. But maybe it had been more all along.

Type: New Adult
Heat: 2.5-3 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5

Amazon | All Romance | BAM | Goodreads

Yeah. In one fell swoop Christina Lee has totally just become my crack. I seriously couldn't put Whisper to Me down! omg it was addictive. I just...needed...to read...one...more...chapter. From amazing characters to some creative body adornments, best friends becoming lovers and a sweet romance I was just a goner as Kai and Rachel forge a new path for themselves.

A Lady Never Surrenders (Hellions of Halstead Hall #5) by Sabrina Jeffries


When the youngest Sharpe sister hatches a plan to gain marriage offers, the straight-laced Bow Street Runner Jackson Pinter knows he'll do whatever it takes to ruin her scheme...

Lady Celia Sharpe hopes that if she can garner offers of marriage from several eligible gentlemen and show her grandmother she is capable of gaining a husband, she can convince Gran to rescind the marriage ultimatum for her. And if that plan doesn’t work, at least she’ll have a husband lined up. But Bow Street Runner Jackson Pinter seems determined to ruin her plans by disapproving of every suitor she asks him to investigate. It’s only when she and Jackson work together to solve her parents’ murders, plunging them both into danger, that she realizes why--because the only man he wants her to marry is himself!

Type: Historical Romance
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 5 out of 5

Amazon | All Romance | Goodreads

This. was. the. best. freaking. book! I love the Hellions of Halstead Hall series but A Lady Never Surrenders was by far my favorite. I'd been looking forward for Jackson Pinter's book and damn it was good. Fantastic dynamic between the hero and heroine, full of action and danger, twists and turns, snark, humor and a meddling family. And a romance that'll make a girl envious. Seriously, I loved every single effing page as the last of the Sharpe siblings surrenders to their grandmum's ultimatum of finding love and marrying.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Honor Reclaimed (HORNET #2) by Tonya Burrows


Former Marine sniper Seth Harlan is determined to prove that he can still do his job despite his ongoing battle with PTSD. When an old friend contacts HORNET to rescue a black ops soldier, Seth's stability is strained. He knows all too well what it's like to rot inside an enemy camp, praying for rescue and waiting for death. And he's not about to leave a man behind.

Photojournalist Phoebe Leighton just stumbled into the middle of an arms deal. Teaming up with a ragtag team of mercenaries is the last thing she wants to do--especially when she realizes Seth Harlan is assigned to the mission. He may ignite a passion in her she thought long dead, but Phoebe's hiding a secret that could destroy him.

With a bomb in the mix, HORNET's mission is suddenly about a lot more than an abandoned soldier. Racing against the clock, Seth, Phoebe, and the rest of the team struggle to stop a ruthless warlord bent on power, revenge...and death.

Type: Romantic Suspense
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5

Amazon | All Romance | Goodreads

Absolutely gut churning. Without fail Burrows just does me in with incredible storylines and characters that feel real down to their souls.  I swear. Every. Single. Time. Honor Reclaimed was an emotionally charged make-you-tingle-in-all-kinds-of-good-ways read that kept my heart racing as a deeply scared Seth faces the demons that haunt his every breath and finds salvation in the arms of a woman desperately trying to atone for the terrible decisions of her past that affected him as well.

Monday, May 26, 2014

FREE/99cent & New Releases for 5/27!


Hope yall are all having a great week!

Just a few FREE/99cent ebook deals plus a few New Releases happening this week :)

Have yall read any of them? Picking up any today?

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Quote-tastic (56)--What are you...2?


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.


So. This week's pick is a new to me author Rhyannon Byrd. These two were something else. Alex is basically put on the task of being Brit's bodyguard and she's...less than thrilled with the plan since she pretty much loathes him. Ahh and of course their are fireworks between them and it's delicious. But not quite yet. This scene just had me busting out laughing. It's out early June and so so good!

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Hot Finish (Fast Track#3) by Erin McCarthy


Suzanne Jefferson is broke, which is why she's given up charity work for wedding planning. Fortunately, she has a high-profile client-and best of all, he's paid in advance. There are just two teensy problems: the bride is a bona fide bridezilla, and Suzanne's stock racer ex- husband is the best man. At least she though he was her ex-husband...

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

Amazon | All Romance | Book Depository | BAMGoodreads



Gah. I am so glad I found this series years ago. I actually laughed until I hurt during Hot Finish. It was an excellent second chance at romance story that had me completely smitten as Ryder and Suzanne battle it out as they help plan his best friends wedding and find love with each other once again.
"You have sixty seconds to get your butt in this car or I'm hitting the gas, and I don't give a shit what I run over of you. Your pretty dick is going to lose it's place in the penis pageant after it's had an SUV roll over it."
Okay. So it wasn't exactly smooth sailing as Suzanne and Ryder are pushed together. The pair are divorced and just something else. They can push each other's buttons and really don't hold any punches. I mean these two are...fiery together. There are some heart breaking moments as they work things out but some absolutely hilarious ones as well while they deal with wedding plans and all that comes with it.

Friday, May 23, 2014

It's HERE!! Support the Troops FB Party & Silent Auction! Please RT!!



Woot! It's finally here! Today kicks off our first SUPPORT THE TROOPS event!

With a FB Party tonight (23rd), Silent Auction (May23-June1) and a bunch of spotlights on the blog!

I hope you'll join in on the party tonight for lots of author visits and giveaways.

And for the auction which will benefit the USO! It's a great cause so please come out and bid!
Or if you're able spread the word. All of the auction items are below (and omg they're AMAZING!) as are links to all of the event pages. Huge thanks to everyone who's been a part of making this happen! ~Anna

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Interview w/ Leah Braemel--sexy cowboys, cracker candy and, erm, muff dye? O.o


Jake Grady loves Bull's Hollow ranch and all the challenges and hard work it entails. But the past year hasn't been easy—his father's good name has been tarnished, and new financial problems are threatening to destroy everything the Gradys have built. Performing live under a stage name has become his escape, a way of blowing off some serious steam.

Accountant Paige Reynolds found Jake's guitar-playing alter ego intriguing, but her connection with the real Jake sends her attraction into overdrive. When she's summoned to make order out of the chaotic paper trail at Bull's Hollow, he sets her world a-rocking—both in bed and out. But Paige has a plan; she's determined to create her own path for the future, but is soon left scrambling for firmer ground.

Good news about Jake's potential singing career is followed by the revelation of another family secret, one that has him questioning whether he belongs at Bull's Hollow at all. But leaving the ranch would mean leaving his family…and Paige. How much is he willing to give up for a real shot at fame?

Amazon | All Romance | Goodreads

*waves madly* Heeeelllllllooooo way up there in Canada! Mornin' to ya Leah. How goes it? I'm so ready to hear some scoop on No Accounting for Cowboys. I totally have a thing for cowboys. lol
Mornin’, Anna. Forgive me if I have a slight hint of southern to my Canuck accent today—I’m still recovering from a two day drive back from New Orleans. But I’m happy to talk about my Jake and his No Accounting for Cowboys.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Interview w/ Christina Lee--We're going retro, swooning and contemplating piercings + a giveaway!


At college, Rachel has a reputation for being a sarcastic flirt with a thing for star athletes. No one at school knows that she’d had her heart ripped to shreds by her high school sweetheart, who’d driven them both off the side of the road on a borrowed motorcycle, and then abandoned her. No one knows the real Rachel Mattson—except one person…

Ever since he helped nurse his sister’s feisty best friend back to health, pierced bass player Kai Nakos has been head over heels in love. But the supposed bad boy can’t risk letting Rachel know the truth—especially now that the two of them are back in their hometown for the summer, together for the first time since the months following that fateful night. Never mind that Rachel’s ex is back, groveling for her forgiveness.

Shaken by her ex’s return, Rachel finds herself turning to the one guy she knows she can trust. Kai is willing to hide his feelings for her, just to have Rachel touch him again. After all, this is only a temporary fling. Until it becomes something more. But maybe it had been more all along.

Amazon | All Romance | BAM | Goodreads

Mornin' Christina! *waves* Welcome to herding cats & burning soup :) I'm ready to hear all the juicy deets on Rachel and Kai. *rubs hands together*
THANKS FOR HAVING ME! *waves back*
Alright. So if you had 10 seconds to hook someone hard on Whisper to Me what would you tell them?
It’s a friends-to-lovers story that involves secrets, sexual tension and angst between one hot Native American bass player and his sister’s best friend, who happens to be very comfortable with her own sexuality.

FREE & 99cent ebooks plus New Releases!

*waves* Happy Tuesday! This week's 99cent and FREE reads list plus some New Releases are below :)

All links go back to either Amazon or All Romance. If I've missed a title you'd like added just leave it in the comments :) Don't forget to double check prices before purchasing! Some of the sales end quickly. Happy reading yall! Would love to hear what yall are picking up this week :) ~Anna

Tuesday Jams--Blackalicious


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.


Ahhh going hip hop this week with Blackalicious. 
Gift of Gab and Chief Xcel.
Love em.

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Quote-tastic (55)--Are you fucking with me??!


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.

I read this last month and really enjoyed it. This scene just killed me. I could SO see his face and reactions. Megan was the heroine of this story. Eva is her best friend and Luke is a friend (that's soon to have some benefits with her lol) Anywho. Here goes... Oh and the review is HERE if you wanna check it out :)

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Tagged: The Book Blogger Test--herding kitteh style *nods*



Well hello-s! I'm gonna talk about...mwah today! Heh. Christy over at Christy's Love of Books tagged me in this one (if you don't follow her you so should) and I figured...why the heck not. I'm always up for sharing my quirks (ex--letting yall interview me a while back lol).

So. Here goes. Some of my reading quirks and foibles....
What are your top 3 book pet peeves?
  • Follow through. And things being forgotten...where things should not be forgotten. *pinches bridge of nose* Yep this one is all about sex. If a sponge (historical birth control) goes up the hooha it needs to be removed from said hooha or I'll spend the next 100 pages fixated on the fact that the heroine is trotting along with a sponge where a sponge should not be! *deep breath* lol This goes with condoms being forgotten after the dirty deeds, gravity not being taken into account when condoms aren't used and a quick zip up and hey let's go out to dinner! I mean hello! Gravity! Hands not being washed when hands really *really* need to be washed and then going and cooking breakfast. Or going from back door action to walking through the front door and no clean up. *flails* Gah. Lordy. No.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Rock the Blog: Creating a Permanent Blog Post Template in Blogger


Rock the Blog is a "How To" for bloggers.

Since I'm based in Blogger most posts will revolve around the Blogger platform though some ideas may apply to Wordpress as well.



So for my first Rock the Blog I'm chatting about something that was a huge time saver for me and really has helped me out as a blogger...

How to create a Permanent Blog Post Template in Blogger!


Whenever I create a "New Post" it automatically comes up with the "After" view instead of a blank post where you have to build from scratch each time. 

When We Met (Fools Gold #13) by Susan Mallery


Angel Whittaker earned his scars the hard way, but the scars that can't be seen are the ones that haunt him the most. Since he moved to Fool's Gold, California, he's cobbled together a life for himself as a bodyguard trainer. If he's not exactly happy, at least his heart is safe.

Working with pro-football superstars taught tough-talking PR woman Taryn Crawford one thing—she can go toe to toe with any man. But then dark, dangerous former Special Ops Angel targets her for seduction…and challenges her to resist his tempting kisses.

Even in four-inch heels, Taryn never backs down. Unless, somehow, Angel can convince her that surrender might feel even better than victory.

Type: Contemporary Romance
Heat: 2.5 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5

Amazon | All Romance | Book Depository | BAM | Goodreads

Can I just move to Fools Gold now? Please??! Lordy but Mallery can weave together a wonderful romance that leaves a girl wistful and completely sated. *nods* And When We Met was no exception as girly, yet tough as nails, Taryn and the oh so sexy Angel take each other on and find true love. *swoons*

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Cat Thursday--Cat got your tongue?

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!

Cat got your tongue? Heh. I just love kitteh tongues. They're so cute!
And maybe a wee bit goofy too...

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Interview w/ Elisabeth Staab--man candy, F-bombs and...Punky Brewster!


Party girl Alexia Blackburn is only hanging around the vampire compound until her best friend—the queen—has her baby. After that, nothing is going to stop Alexia from getting back to daylight, safety, and feeling like a normal human being. But leaving the vampire world has one big catch...

Head of vampire security Lee Goram has hated and distrusted humans for centuries. Feeding on vampire blood has kept him strong...but now it's killing him—and he's horrified to discover that Alexia may hold the key to his cure. He'd rather die defending his king than admit his weakness, but time is running out for the great vampire warrior...

Coming June 3rd, 2014

Amazon | All Romance | Goodreads

Morning Elisabeth and welcome to the blog! It's so nice right out I thought we'd chill out on the deck, have a little fruit salad, take in the view *whispers* I'm having a home office built and there may be some choice man candy viewing *looks around innocently* I mean, erm, the building process is really quite fascinating. *nods* Yes. Uh, lets go with that. So...new release coming up! Woot! Can't wait to hear about it!
That’s totally awesome, thank you for having me! I’m so excited to be here to talk about Hunter by Night. Are you gonna eat your pineapple? Hey, those workers sure are working hard.  
What were we talking about?

Wicked Nights Giveaway Hop!


Wicked Nights. Oh, yeah. We LOVE those naughty...steamy... oh-so-wicked reads. Check out all of our favorite scorching hot books, heroes and heroines. There will be more naughty giveaways at every stop so be sure to check them all out!



Woot! We love those steamy reads at herding cats. The steamier the better! For this hop stop we're giving away an ecopy of Eden Summers' sexy rockers in Blind Attraction (thanks Eden!) and an ecopy of Tessa Bailey's His Risk to Take (kindle ecopy) and an ecopy of Tonya Burrows Wilde Nights in Paradise (kindle ecopy). These ladies write some lickable heroes like you just wouldn't believe and holy cow the steamy scenes will totally make you pant. *nods*

So, I wanna hear about YOUR favorite lickable hero and what makes *him* so tasty! Or your favorite wicked read and what makes it so damn steamy! Have you read any of these ladies?

So leave a comment, enter the giveaway widget and don't forget to enter for the grand prize too!

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Giving In (Surrender Trilogy #2) by Maya Banks

"Giving In totally made me ::shiver:: and in such a deliciously good way." ~herding cats & burning soup
Kylie sees the way Jensen looks at her. The dark promise in his eyes. That rough edge of dominance she knows he possesses. But dominance is the one thing that frightens her above all else. She and her brother barely survived a childhood steeped in violence and abuse. She could never give up total control and submit to a man. Especially a man like Jensen. Could she?

Jensen sees the shadows in Kylie’s eyes. Knows he has to tread very carefully or risk losing any chance he has with her. All he wants is the opportunity to show her that dominance doesn’t equal pain, bondage or discipline. That emotional surrender is the most powerful of all, and that to submit—fully to him—will fulfill the aching void in her heart in a way nothing else ever will.

Type: Erotic Romance
Heat: 3.5 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5

Amazon | All Romance | Book Depository | BAM | Goodreads

While I wasn't wild about the cover of this one what was inside the pages of Giving In totally made me ::shiver:: and in such a deliciously good way.

The gist is that Jensen and Kylie work together. And they drive each other mad...in different ways. Jensen has been totally flummoxed and enthralled by the closed-off prickly Kylie and Kylie...well, Jensen just sets her on edge and pushes all her buttons. And not in a sexy fun way until a work dinner ends with a horrible flashback that sets the two on a heartbreaking, sweet and sexy new path as they deal with undeniable attraction, losses and all of the things from their pasts that have left them both so very damaged.

Tuesday Jams--MKTO


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...MKTO Classic. It just makes me smile.

Monday, May 12, 2014

New Releases-- May 2014!

On Tuesday's I'm going to start trying to do a combo post of Free & 99cent ebooks as well as New Releases for that week. Hopefully yall like the set up :)

Since I just did a freebie/99cent-er post a few days ago (HERE) today I'm just catching up on New Releases from May up to this point. I'll add a couple more as a few self publish ones go live throughout the day. If you know of one I missed feel free to add it in the comments!

Quote-tastic (54) & Review--Bound to be a Groom by Megan Mulry


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.

Today I'm featuring a "naughty" historical. It's a menage with f/f and m/m elements and was pretty steamy. I just loved Anna's (and gah what a fabulous name! lol) response to this. So made me smile.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

A Beautiful Distraction (Hard Feelings #3) by Kelsie Leverich

"One of those achingly beautiful stories that had me completely wrapped up and absorbed from page one." ~herding cats & burning soup
First Sergeant Rafe Murano did everything to the extreme. He trained harder, he fought harder, and, unfortunately, he loved harder. And falling for the wrong woman nearly destroyed him.

Home from a deployment, and without his missions to consume him, Murano is ravaged by memories of his heartbreak. So he drinks until he’s numb and drowns himself in meaningless one-night stands. But they only take the edge off…

Until he meets Fallon.

Haunted by her past, Fallon Kelly knows all too well about the desperate desire for an escape. So when she sees the tatted-up bad boy who’s one punch away from a ride in the back of a squad car, she offers a distraction—one that quickly becomes an addiction.

Little does she know, this bad boy can love so hard, it can break her…

Type: Contemporary Romance
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5
Cover: Amazing. Love it!

Amazon | All Romance | Book Depository | BAM | Goodreads

I'm completely falling for Kelsie Leverich and the world she's created with this series. A Beautiful Distraction one of those achingly beautiful stories that had me completely wrapped up and absorbed from page one as a broken and barely holding it together Rafe finds salvation in the arms of an Ice Queen that's tough as nails and desperately needs someone to break down her walls.

Friday, May 9, 2014

Tasty Delights meets Randomly Random...


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. 


Sooo. I cooked for this Tasty Delights...but not really a recipe this time. More a chat. We're going a bit...randomly random and easily distracted for this one I guess. lol

See. I'm trying to be good. *flails* I really am. I'm on day 6 of using My Fitness Pal to track calories and exercise. Meh. I so don't love doing that but hopefully it's helping. (update! ahhh it is, it is! I did my weigh in this AM and down 2.5 pounds. Not bad!) It's surprising to see calorie count on some things. Anyways. It's got me playing in the kitchen and trying healthier meals. Like...


Mistress by Amanda Quick



After a year of grand adventures touring the classical ruins of Italy and Greece, Iphiginia Bright returned to England to discover that the real excitement was at home. It seems that her Aunt Zoe has fallen victim to a sinister blackmailer and only Iphiginia can hope to stop the culprit before he can do more harm. Her plan is inspired: Imitating history's most legendary beauties--Cleopatra, Helen of Troy, Aphrodite--the former schoolmistress will remake herself, and descend upon London Society as the dazzling mistress of Marcus Valerius Cloud, the infamous Earl of Masters.

Rumors hint that the Earl has disappeared at the blackmailer's hands, and by posing as his unknown mistress, Iphiginia is convinced she can ferret out the villain. Overnight, Iphiginia is transformed into a vision with a host of eager admirers, including one she does not expect -- the Earl of Masters himself, who strides into a shimmering ballroom one evening to cooly reclaim his "mistress". He is everything they say he is... arrogant, attractive, devastatingly seductive, and Iphiginia can't help but be enthralled. But when Marcus agrees to play along with her charade, she doesn't know that the determined earl has plans of his own: to tease and tempt her, until the beautiful deceiver becomes more than his mistress in name only.

Type: Historical Romance
Heat: 2.5 out of 5
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Amazon | All Romance | Book Depository | Goodreads

I just love Amanda Quick. She's one of my comfort authors and the first I binge read when I started reading a few years back. They've got it all. A bit of mystery and danger, a bit of romance and humor, unique characters that are a little quirky and entirely lovable. They're just fun, light reads and Mistress definitely hit the spot with all of the above.

The Herd Archives