Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Midnight Crossroad (Midnight, Texas #1) by Charlaine Harris



Welcome to Midnight, Texas, a town with many boarded-up windows and few full-time inhabitants, located at the crossing of Witch Light Road and Davy Road. It’s a pretty standard dried-up western town.

There’s a pawnshop (someone lives in the basement and is seen only at night). There’s a diner (people who are just passing through tend not to linger). And there’s new resident Manfred Bernardo, who thinks he’s found the perfect place to work in private (and who has secrets of his own).

Stop at the one traffic light in town, and everything looks normal. Stay awhile, and learn the truth...

Type: Mystery/Fantasy
Heat: N/A
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Amazon | Book Depository | BAM | Goodreads

Harris was one of the first authors that got me into reading a few years back and I devoured pretty much everything she wrote but it's been a while since I read hers. I was a little nervous going into Midnight Crossroad but knowing Manfred was in it...I had to jump in. And I liked it quite a bit. It was an interesting mystery about a very odd town, it's people and all of the things they're hiding.

The Monthly Herd--March 2015--I'm *flailing* and being overly dramatic! Wee! lol


Holy. Shit. How is it APRIL tomorrow??
Stop the train!!
I need more time!

Okay. Done being overly dramatic. For now. So. March wasn't bad!

Monday, March 30, 2015

Quote-tastic/Review-- Love After All (Hope #4) by Jaci Burton


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 :) 

No blog? No worries, just leave your favorites in the comment section.
So I couldn't just decide on one this week. So...two!


Okay both of these are before Bash and Chelsea really get together. They're friends with some killer chemistry and they're having a hard time resisting. Chelsea was a little tipsy after a girls night out and Bash was just such a good guy taking care of her and making sure nothing went too far. I just thought she was kinda cute in this one. 

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Book Deals-- New Releases, Sales & Freebies!-- Week of March 31st

**FOR APRIL! Book Deals will be posted on Sunday due to an event we're doing during the week. Is there a day you prefer to see these posts?  Let me know and I'll work on dates for May**
To navigate the widget! On the left side are three categories

New Releases
99cent-1.99 deals
Freebies. 

Just click that link then scroll through. 
Click on the cover for book blurb then just hit the back button to get to the main list again.  

Let me know if you grab anything! It helps me for picking future 99cent and freebie deals!      ~Anna

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Randomly Random: 20 Things Tag... Yes, yes. More about mwah!


Soooos. I got tagged by Reanna over at Phantasmic Reads *waves hey Reanna* for a 20 things tag and as always thought how fun! I'm always up for sharing my weird and wacky quirks. lol So here goes...

Question 1: How tall are you?
5 feet 6 inches. Dang if I don't want like 2 more of them. I'm always just a little...too...short. And I wouldn't mind a couple more inches to spread my fluff about on.
Question 2: Do you have a hidden talent? If so, what?

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Rock the Blog-- Creating Unclickable Images

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

From graphics to html and all kinds of bloggery goodness!

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

Whoa! It's been a while since I've done a Rock the Blog.
And figured it was about damn time.

So a couple weeks ago I was messing around making new dividers on the blog. 

Yup. These guys.

Cat Thursday--but...but...really?


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!



I hear ya, kitty. I hear ya.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Captured Innocence (CSA Case Files #1) by Kennedy Layne

When former Marine, Connor Ortega, was ordered into the offices of Crest Security Agency on a Saturday morning, he didn't expect the latest case to hit so close to home. A submissive has been murdered in a particularly vicious manner and to bring her killer to justice, he must go undercover. Not hard to do considering he's already part of the BDSM lifestyle.

Lauren Bailey, a local vendor of bejeweled erotic implements, lives vicariously through her clients due to her fear of bondage. When Connor's dominant side can't resist trying to ease her anxieties, she accepts his proposal and agrees to one stipulation...keep things casual.

When the killer sets his sights on Lauren, Connor is forced to rethink their relationship. He has the training it takes to catch a murdered, but does he have the courage to escape his inner demons and capture Lauren's heart?

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

Amazon | All Romance | Book Depository | BAM | Goodreads
Well Captured Innocence was pretty dang fun and a fab balance of erotic elements, romance and suspense that kept me on my toes and curious as Connor tries to track down a killer that's hit the BDSM community.
  • I liked the characters. Connor's pretty dang sexy and has a nice bit of dom in him *squeals in delight* though he wasn't TOO forceful with it. He's got some trust issues but pretty dang warranted. I was loving him and would totally give a lick. *nods*

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

*waves* Just wanted to say hey!

I just felt like doing a random post today and saying hi :D

*waves madly*

Hope you guys are having a great March! Would love to hear what yall are up to.

Or you can just be random at me too. Hit the comments and leave me something fun! And really it can be anything. Funny pics, memes, jokes, tell me what you're reading or any awesome recipes I just need to make. Or have a good rant. Man it's good to get stuff off your chest some days, right?

Anywho. I just wanna catch up and have a visit :)

Regular posting will be back tomorrow. ~Anna

Monday, March 23, 2015

Book Deals & New Releases for March 24th!

To navigate the widget! On the left side are three categories

New Releases
99cent-1.99 deals
and Freebies. 

Just click that link then scroll through. 
There will be a couple of pages for each. You can click on the cover for book blurb then just hit the back button to get to the main list again.  

Let me know if you grab anything! It helps me for picking future 99cent and freebie deals!      ~Anna

Quote-tastic/Review--Oh no. I meant it!-- Total Surrender by Rebecca Zanetti


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 :) 

No blog? No worries, just leave your favorites in the comment section.
Soooo. This one's a little early since Total Surrender doesn't release until next week but I figured...it needed to be done. I just loved these two little exchanges. One of my favorite things about this series is that the guys are way over the top alpha. That's how they were made. But the women are tough as hell and aren't afraid to give the guys a piece of their mind or let it be known when they..are...pissed.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge 2015


Woots! It's time for the 2015 A to Z Challenge!

Basically 1000s of bloggers get together in April to Blog the Alphabet. Each day of the month is assigned a specific letter (except Sundays) and you pick any topic to write about with that letter as the focus. Then you hop around and meet other bloggers! Everyone is welcome to join just click the link above and sign up!
This'll be my 4th year joining in and I can't wait.

 My 2015 Theme is....
 herder of cats, burner of soup
Basically...a day in the life of mwah!

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Tasty Delights--Vegetarian French Onion Soup


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

I'll share my delights and my disasters. Yall feel free to join in and create your own posts, share your favorite recipes, what have you. If you have a recipe suggestion just let me know!
A bit back I had a craving for French Onion Soup or some reason. Just could not get it out of my mind. So...I had to make some since I'm a vegetarian and in restaurants they aren't veggie friendly.
And...yum! But omg...huge fucking pain in the ass to make. Holy!

Word from the Herd: Accepting books you wouldn't buy...


So. This week isn't really a typical Word from the Herd. There's no rant. No big issue. Just a curiosity on where people fall on this.

A few times lately I've had other bloggers or reviewers say things along the lines of the only reason they read/reviewed something was because they got it for review or it was on NG but they'd never consider buying it otherwise.

A lot of times this revolves around serial books. Not series but, you know, the books that are broken up and doled out a few chapters at a time. So being told by someone they don't like the serial trend but it was on NG so they'll read it since it's free.

And it got me curious.

Friday, March 20, 2015

Blind Faith (Sin Brothers #3) by Rebecca Zanetti


For Nate Dean, love is a four-letter word. As part of a secret black-ops military unit, he and his brothers were genetically engineered by the government to be ruthless soldiers with an expiration date. They were loyal only to one another . . . until Nate laid eyes on the woman who stole his heart and blew his world apart. Now, years later, his family is still paying the price for his mistake. But as time runs out, there's only one person who can save his family: the very woman Nate swore he'd never trust again.

The moment Audrey Madison spies Nate across a crowded ballroom, she can barely breathe. He's just as undeniably sexy as she remembers, yet there's an edge to him now that's as irresistible as it is dangerous. When he asks for her help, Audrey can't refuse. But she has secrets of her own--secrets that, if Nate ever discovers them, may cost them both their lives . . .

Type: Romantic Suspense
Heat: 3 out of 5 (though fairly limited)
Rating: 4 out of 5

Amazon | Book Depository | BAM | Goodreads
Damn! Zanetti totally rocks some romantic suspense! Blind Faith...heart pounding...jaw dropping...make a girl swoon romance. Basically. It's a must read and bound to keep you up way past your bedtime. And it's so damn worth the missed sleep as Nate and Audrey get a second chance at romance and fight to stay alive.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

HUGE Free & 99cent SALE from HarperCollins!

***I AM STILL ADDING BOOKS! Holy cow. I'm working on the contemps now. The historicals are in the first tab. But all are listed in the link below***

There's a HUGE sale happening. I have no idea how long it'll last but a TON of books from HarperCollins are FREE or 99cents on Amazon right now. Including ones from Ilona Andrews, Johanna Lindsey, Lynsay Sands, Loretta Chase, Sarah MacLean. I'm adding them to the widget below but it's going to take me a bit to get through all the sales. But click through and check them out. Holy cow!

You can get the full listing HERE

Down below! On the left side click historicals to view those or contemporary to pull those up :)

Cat Thursday--naps? Can we haz em?


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!


 
Oh my gosh you guys. I am SO tired today. I needs a nap. So bad. 
Figured some sleeping kitties for today...

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Guest Post w/ Tory Richards-- Adult Stores...Ooo naughty!


Would you give yourself to a stranger? Gwendolyn Myers never thought about it until she runs into Marcus 'Bowie' Ford at the Pink Pussy. A run-down hotel at the edge of town. She's on the run, but one taste of the sexy biker convinces Gwen that her running days might be over!


Amazon | All Romance | Goodreads

Have any of you ever been? I think they’re still around today, though maybe not as taboo as they were when I was growing up. My first experience with seeing nudity and watching movies with questionable content was when my parents would take my sister and me to the drive-in movies. I honestly believe that my parents didn’t think we would know what we were looking at, we were that young. This was back in the early sixties.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Meant for Me (Blurred Lines #4) by Erin McCarthy


Since Ethan Walsh realized his fiancé was in love with another guy, his life has been spiraling out of control. He’s spent the last eighteen months drinking too much, hooking up with random girls, and flunking out of law school. When his sister Aubrey has a baby, he goes to visit her on the remote island off the coast of Maine, expecting it to be awkward.

What he isn’t expecting is Aubrey’s neighbor to be a beautiful and aloof blonde, Chloe, whose piano playing lulls him to sleep every night. He wants to talk to her, get to know her, kiss her.

But Chloe doesn’t speak, and no one knows why. So Ethan makes it his mission to learn the truth and instead falls in love with her smile, her music, her notes and texts to him. Helping Chloe feel safe enough to open up is actually healing him, but what happens when the darkness of reality threatens to destroy their new life?

Type: New Adult
Heat: 3ish out of 5
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Amazon | Goodreads
Well Meant for Me was...pretty dang unique! And that's not something you can say all that often in romance anymore but was definitely the case this time as Ethan and Chloe forge a relationship in their own way.

Alright so the quick of it is that Ethan is in a bad place and has hit rock bottom--drinking, random hook ups, dropping out of school-- and a trip to visit his baby sister shocks him into some truths about his current life and how he's living. And brings him face to face with a women named Chloe who is going through her own struggles with an anxiety disorder that prevents her from speaking. And the two...spark something in each other.

Monday, March 16, 2015

Book Deals-- Free. 99cent. $1.99. New Releases--March 17th

To navigate the widget! On the left side are three categories

New Releases
99cent-1.99 deals
and Freebies. 

Just click that link then scroll through. 
There will be a couple of pages for each. You can click on the cover for book blurb then just hit the back button to get to the main list again.  

Let me know if you grab anything! It helps me for picking future 99cent and freebie deals!      ~Anna

Quote-tastic/Review-- Rat Bastard Orgasm Deniers--All Fired Up by Vivian Arend & Elle Kennedy


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 :) 

No blog? No worries, just leave your favorites in the comment section.
A fun dirty one today. Ahh how I love those! You guys this series. It's three former Military guys and they've started a dream date service. Heh. Yup they help guys put together dream dates for their women. How freaking awesome is that? It was just a blast. And the guys are freaking sexy as hell. This one I thought was going to be a menage *total squee* but ended up being a m/f only which still was a pretty squee-able story. I can't wait to read the next one. :) Review is down below too.

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Interview w/ Laura Simcox-- We're having cookies!!! *squeals with delight*

Hey guys! Come drop in and say hey to Laura Simcox! She's one of my local authors and oh I do love this series. It's been an absolute blast. ~Anna
Forget being the president's daughter—Georgia Fulton is certain that she's on her way to journalistic stardom. Nothing's going to keep her from getting the story of her young career—a feature on sexy ballplayer Brett Knox … nothing except Brett, that is. Arrogantly charming and hotter than a Memphis summer, he's doing everything he can to distract her. He may be the focus of her assignment, but getting too close to him could cost her everything … including her heart.

Brett Knox, star player for the Memphis Redbirds, is determined to get to the big leagues—which means no distractions. Certainly not in the form of a sexy brunette who won't take no for an answer. As far as Brett's concerned, his life story isn't up for discussion—no matter how fast Georgia makes his heart race. But with everything on the line, he's got no choice but to trust her. If only he can trust himself … not to fall head over heels for the one girl completely out of his league.

Amazon | All Romance | Goodreads


Laura!!! *tries not to squeal too loudly* It's so good to have you here. Welcome to the herd! I've got the day off from Lent so cookies...are being had!! Figured we'd nosh while we visit :)
*SUPER SQUEAL* I LOVE the herd!!
*passes around a try of some chocolate chip and some oatmeal peanut butter sandwich cookies *
*pets a cat* *eats a cookie* Thanks so much for inviting me back. *swipes another cookie*

Friday, March 13, 2015

#WordFromTheHerd: Stop. Panicking. Seriously. Stahp it! Yes, Authors & Bloggers. I'm talking at YOU!


So. I love the romance community. Awesome people, awesome reads, lots of very good hearts and generous people.

But Sweet Mary. We are a damn panicky bunch.

And it's driving me bat shit crazy.

You guys have got to calm the fuck down.

Every other week there seems to be an..."omg! Facebook is out to get us! If you don't do X by this day you'll never see an author/blogger page again!!!" or "Blogger is the devil! They're going to delete ALL THE BLOGS!!!" Share, share, share!!

Thursday, March 12, 2015

His to Take (Wicked Lovers #9) by Shayla Black


Racing against time, NSA Agent Joaquin Muñoz is searching for a little girl who vanished twenty years ago with a dangerous secret. Since Bailey Benson fits the profile, Joaquin abducts the beauty and whisks her to the safety of Club Dominion—before anyone can silence her for good.

At first, Bailey is terrified, but when her captor demands information about her past, she’s stunned. Are her horrific visions actually distant memories that imperil all she holds dear? Confined with Joaquin in a place that echoes with moans and breathes passion, he proves himself a fierce protector, as well as a sensual Master who’s slowly crawling deeper in her head…and heart. But giving in to him might be the most delicious danger of all.

Because Bailey soon learns that her past isn’t the only mystery. Joaquin has a secret of his own—a burning vengeance in his soul. The exposed truth leaves her vulnerable and wondering how much about the man she loves is a lie, how much more is at risk than her heart. And if she can trust him to protect her long enough to learn the truth.

Type: Erotic Romance
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5
Cover: Meh. Not loving it at all.

Amazon | All Romance | Book Depository | BAM | Goodreads

*rubs hands together* Ahh but I do adore Black and her sexy pulse pounding Wicked Lovers series. It's hot as hell and exciting to boot.

The quick of it is that there's a big bad after Bailey because of her biological family that was killed over a decade ago when she was a very young child. A family she has no memory of. Anywho. Joaquin decides that to protect her from those after her..he's gonna have to kidnap her. *looks around* Yup. Yup. Pretty much. lol

In My Cart Review--Crave Naturals Precisio Tweezers

So...I'm going to do some random product reviews from time to time. I love trying out new products and figured it would be nice to pass some of them along. I received these Precisio Tweezers recently and yall I'm really liking them so far.

I always feel like the tweezers I get at the store are pretty cheap. They don't line up or pinch tightly enough to actually do what they're supposed to.

But these...they have some nice heft to them. They pinch tightly and are the perfect size for holding comfortably for me.  I've used them a couple times already and really like how they feel and work. Plus they come in the cutest container. I'm all about the cute so that's totally working for me.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Darker Than Desire (Secrets & Shadows #3) by Shiloh Walker


No matter how many times he’s left her in the past, Sybil Chalmers can’t ignore her feelings for the one man who stole her heart years ago. For countless nights, she has waited for him—for his kiss, his touch—and has longed for him to emerge from the shadows of his past. Only when she is in his arms does Sybil really feel alive…and finally, after all these years, that time is now.

He’s a man raised in a world of strict rules and unbreakable traditions and he’s always yearned to break free. But when a family tragedy lures him back home, he finds his one true passion has been there all along. With Sybil, he can explore his greatest potential—and allow her to discover a whole new level of ecstasy. But will a long-buried secret threaten to tear them apart? The only thing he knows for sure is that he will do anything to keep Sybil in his life…and keep her coming back for more…

Type: Romantic Suspense, light erotic
Heat: 3.5 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5

*** This series is best read in order***

Amazon | All Romance | Book Depository | BAMGoodreads
This series...just does me in. Walker has held me absolutely captivated as the dark and twisted secrets of this town and it's past unravel bit by bit and the monsters that lurk in it's midst are exposed and others finally find peace. Darker Than Desire was darkly intriguing--brutal, beautiful, heartbreaking and in the end incredibly touching as David and an entire town are thrown back into hell and fight their way to the truth, peace and justice.

Stealing Rose (The Fowler Sisters #2) by Monica Murphy


People say the youngest child has it easy, but nothing can be further from the truth. Unlike my two sisters, Violet and Lily, I’m never in the limelight. I just work my butt off for Fleur Cosmetics and get little to no thanks for it. I’ve been pushed too far one too many times, and I’m finally brave enough to do something about it.

Maybe my newfound courage has something to do with the amazing pink and white diamond necklace I wear to the party in Cannes. The instant those dazzling heirloom jewels touch my skin, they excite some deep, aching need inside. And when that guy—that totally gorgeous guy—locks eyes with me, I know this nice girl is going to be naughty.

For once it’s my turn. My turn to say no to my father, to outshine my sisters, to walk away from it all—straight into the arms of a mysterious stranger. But what if Caden is much more than I bargained for? Sure, he makes me feel sexy and free in a way I never have before, but there’s something else I can’t quite place—something dangerous. Maybe our “chance” meeting wasn’t so random. Maybe he was looking for me for a reason. Whatever his motive, there’s no going back now.

And maybe I don’t want to.

Type: Erotic Romance
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Amazon | All Romance | Book Depository | BAM | Goodreads

Ahhh Stealing Rose. This series. So messes with a girls head because I totally shouldn't love some of these characters but dammit somehow...they totally win me over. Even if they're a spot young or, you know, thieves.

The quick of it is that Caden is a jewel thief. And Rose is sporting a gorgeous family necklace he's been sent to snag. But something about her is just irresistible and instead of a quick snag and bag Caden ends up spending a few weeks getting to know Rose...intimately. (and yes I totally wanted to use shag in that last little bit #MustResist)

Monday, March 9, 2015

Book Deals-- Free. 99cent. $1.99. New Releases--March 10th

To navigate the widget! On the left side are three categories

New Releases
99cent-1.99 deals
and Freebies. 

Just click that link then scroll through. 
There will be a couple of pages for each. You can click on the cover for book blurb then just hit the back button to get to the main list again.  

Let me know if you grab anything! It helps me for picking future 99cent and freebie deals!      ~Anna

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Quote-tastic/Review--*What* do you think you're doing?! --The Bedding Proposal by Tracy Anne Warren


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 :) 

No blog? No worries, just leave your favorites in the comment section.
Soooo a new to me author. And one that had me totally charmed and loving every second of it. A historical with a heroine over 30. *gasp* And she was divorced! *double gasp* It was really an awesome read. This scene was early on when the two are dancing around each other. Well he's trying to get with her and she's not so on board yet. She's just hurt her ankle and he's trying to take care of her. :D I kind of found his charm irresistible too ;)

The Herd Archives